Alastor was motionless on the couch in a lobby was quieter than anyone could ever remember it being. No radio playing, no static, no snide comments, no clinking glasses. His form kept shifting, sometimes the deer demon they knew, sometimes the terrifying monster they dreaded, sometimes a young human man that only two present would recognize. His features slipped and shifted in a subtle mirage.

Husker, more sober than anyone had seen, was curled up on the end of the couch, staring at his old friend, as if his gaze alone could somehow help heal him. Angel Dust moved about the room, quiet and fidgety. Nifty darted back and forth deftly, bringing wet rags for Alastor's forehead, fluffing pillows, occasionally pausing to look forlornly for a moment or two and then back to busy work. Katherine stood staring out the window in thought.

Charlie and Vaggie watched on, occasionally exchanging glances, hoping the other would know what to do. It had been almost an hour since Alastor had been brought inside. The demoness he had brought with him sat quietly in a separate corner away from the others, drifting in and out of sleep for the adventure.

Charlie jumped as she suddenly felt Angel Dust sit on the stool beside her. "Smiles is...He's gonna be ok right?" He asked softly, his voice a whisper of concern. She gave him a weak smile.

"I think he's fighting it. He's...Hell's most powerful overlord...He'll be ok," she fought to sound sure but couldn't help the doubt that drifted into her voice. He sensed it as well and moved behind the bar, searching for liquid solace.

"Do we know who she is?" Vaggie whispered, pointing to the dozing demoness.

Charlie shook her head slowly. "No idea...Alastor must know her?"

There was a faint sound from Alastor, the slightest intake of breath, and everyone in the room jumped to attention. Katherine drifted towards him, but kept her distance.

"Ya got any kind of angel healing powers?" Husker said with a half-hearted laugh.

She closed her eyes. "Not that I know of. Why does he, why does he look like that?"

Husker shrugged. "No idea. Maybe it's him trying to heal up. Never seen him like this. Haven't seen that human part of him in a longer time."

She looked at him harder. Faint stirrings of the human son she almost remembered mixed with the terrifying visage she had seen outside. His demon form had been nothing short of horrific. It was hard to believe her little pigeon could ever…

A soft sound like a bell filled the room. A bright light shone next to Katherine, and from it emerged Michael.

"Katherine you're late and I'll not spend another moment alone with that-" His voice cut off as he took in the room he had entered. Jaws dropped at the angelic man and he felt the tension close around him, pulling his large wings in slightly, as if trying to take up less space. The light around him dulled slightly but barely perceptibly. He frowned as he saw the shifting form of the Radio Demon. "I see...um...what happened here?"

"He was trying to help me and the young lady over there," Katherine motioned to the sleeping demoness.

Michael laughed, "That's a good one."

Katherine felt a pang of anger. Her eyes glowed and he regarded her with a bored look. "Forgive my incredulousness. This one is one of the worst of his kind. You saw his file-"

"Why didn't you tell me?" She asked, her voice coming out small.

Michael seemed unsure for a second, but fluffed his wings just the same, rolling his eyes in aggravation. "Of course you found out," he muttered, more to himself. "That's what I get for making a deal with that scheming snake."

Charlie's eyes widened. "My dad? My Dad knew-"

"YES," Michael cut her off tersely. "He wouldn't allow our interference without choosing the subjects. Might as well make our angel as miserable as possible, show her what a monster she wrought." He turned back to Kat with a half-hearted apologetic look. "I'm sorry Katherine, I really thought the memory wipe would hold this long. We even strengthened it around him specifically." He shot a daggered look at the cat demon. "We didn't realize anyone else would be here that could have triggered-"

"I have a lot to report on," Katherine cut him off, her voice hard. "Can we at least wait until Alastor is healed?"

Michael sighed. "I'd rather not postpone any longer. Lucifer is already alone up there and I'd rather get this nasty business behind us as soon as possible."

"But I need to know that he's ok-"

"You'll forget about him once you return to the fold my dear. The sooner we get this littler operation shut down, we can move on from this nonsense, and you'll be blissfully-"

"I don't want to forget-"

"They've convinced you that you-"

"It's ok mama…" A third voice joined their shouting match, weak, barely audible. Alastor slid one eye open a crack, his head falling to the side towards them. His voice carried no static, no gravitas. It was young, human, only dressed with a slight New Orleans twang. "I'll be fine."

Katherine felt her eyes grow warm with...were those tears? She hadn't cried in so long. "I'm sorry Pigeon."

He gave her a weak smile, his teeth shifting from demon points to human porcelain. "Nah, I'm the one whos sorry."

There was a glowing light and Katherine and Michael were gone.