I'm sorry for the long hiatus. Here's finally the next chapter.
Chapter 21
Live free or die hard
"Ollie?" Mia's gentle voice called. "Are you with me?"
Oliver was still struggling to pull himself together, none of this made any sense to him. He didn't believe in God, angels, demons or the devil. His world was clear and understandable. He believed in science and logic. Not this. He was losing his mind, that was the only explanation...
"Ollie," Mia called more firmly. "Look at me."
He couldn't, his mind refused to handle all of this.
"Okay... Hold on, I'll be right back."
"What?" he murmured. "Mia..."
"Hold on."
She walked to the door and opened it.
"Excuse me? Can I have some alcohol, please?"
"Yes, ma'am," a male voice replied. "What kind of alcohol would you like?"
"Anything strong is fine."
"Yes, just a second."
Oliver didn't move until Mia returned with a bottle of bourbon.
"Drink," she ordered while handing him the bottle.
"I..."
"Trust me, it helps. At least a little."
He obeyed and took a long gulp.
"Better?" she asked.
He shook his head.
"Not really." He paused and finally looked at his sister. "This is really happening, isn't it?"
"I'm afraid so," she sighed. "I'm so sorry, this is all my fault... I never meant to drag you into this."
"Into what?"
Mia bowed her head.
"I..."
The protective brother in Oliver overruled his confusion and distress. Clearly Mia needed him right now.
"Mia," he said gently and took her hand. "Talk to me. Please."
She was quiet for a while before replying.
"I don't know where to start," she murmured.
"Start anywhere you like. I'm listening."
She nodded and took a deep breath.
"Okay..."
The story she told him would have certainly sounded insane couple of weeks ago. An angel, monster hunters, the mark of the devil, her birth, an archangel... Oliver tried his best to comprehend everything Mia was telling him.
"I don't know what I am," she finished quietly.
"You're my sister," he replied.
Slowly she looked up.
"Aren't you...afraid of me or something?"
He couldn't help but smile.
"Mia... I know you. You're a good person."
"But..."
"Listen to me, we'll figure this out together, okay? I'm not going to leave you."
She glanced at the closed door before leaning towards him.
"You must," she whispered. "You need to find Sam and tell him where I am."
"What?"
"He knows what to do, you need to find him."
"What about... the devil? Is he just going to let me leave?"
Mia bit her bottom lip.
"He said that he would. I'll talk to him."
Oliver didn't like that at all.
"If he hurts you..."
Mia smiled and took his hand.
"If he wants to hurt me, there's not much either of us can do to stop him." She paused and bit her bottom lip again. "I don't think that he's going to do that, at least not yet."
"Why do you think that?"
She waved her hand around the room.
"He made a copy of my apartment. I doubt that he would have gone through all that trouble if he just wants to hurt me."
That was a good point, but Oliver still didn't like this. He didn't want to leave Mia here alone.
"I'll be alright," she assured. "And I'll make sure you'll be too."
"Alright," Dean started. "Does anyone have any ideas?"
"I do," Gabriel replied. He looked very relaxed sitting on the armchair eating candy. "We need a better Batcave. This place is a dumb."
"Thank you, that's very helpful," Dean snorted.
"My pleasure."
"Cas?"
"We can't track Mia or Lucifer," the angel replied. "But I believe we can track Crowley."
"How?" Sam asked immediately. He hadn't said a word since they had arrived at one of Bobby's safe houses.
"I found a very powerful summoning ritual."
"Good, let's get started then."
Castiel shook his head.
"I'm afraid it's not that simple."
"Of course not," Dean sighed. "Let's hear it."
"The ritual is very old. It requires many ingredients."
"Such as?"
"Dirt from cemetery, holy water blessed by a blind nun, robe of a virgin, blood of a murderer, a collar bone of a hanged man..."
"Who the hell comes up with these things?" Dean snorted. "Okay, write a list, we need to split up."
"I think Gabriel and I can pick up most of the ingredients," Castiel stated. "One of you should stay here to prepare the ritual."
Dean glanced at his brother.
"I'm not staying here," Sam stated tensely.
"I can stay," Bobby said. "Just tell me what to do."
Sam walked over to the window and crossed his arms.
"Hey," Dean said as he moved beside his brother. "How are you holding up?"
"Fine," Sam replied.
"Sammy..."
"Just save it, Dean. How could I be worried about her when my feelings for her aren't even real? That's what you think, right?"
Dean hesitated for a moment before replying.
"I'm sure you care about her, she's a nice girl."
"But?"
Dean sighed.
"You heard what Gabriel said, her body was designed for..."
Dean didn't want to finish his sentence.
"You know."
"You think she wanted that? She's a person, not some..."
"I know, I know," Dean assured. "This isn't pleasant for anyone, but you need to understand..."
"I understand, believe me." Sam paused and looked at his brother in the eyes. "What I need for you to understand is that I won't let anyone hurt her."
Dean sighed tiredly when Sam turned his back on him and walked out of the room. This wasn't going to end well.
"So," Gabriel's voice suddenly hummed. "How's the lover boy doing?"
"Shut up," Dean snorted.
"Oh, come on now, we're all friends, right? Just one big happy family."
"Is there something you want?" Dean asked tensely, he was in no mood for games.
Gabriel rolled his eyes.
"Some gratitude would be a good start. I healed your friend, didn't I?"
"Yes, and I already thanked you for that," Dean replied. "What do you want?"
"I have a plan," Gabriel replied simply. "I'm not saying it's a perfect plan or even a very good one, but hey, beggars can't be choosers."
Dean looked at him and crossed his arms.
"Okay. What is it?"
"Well... First we need to find my big bro."
"And then?"
Gabriel smiled.
"Then Sammy is going to go to him and say yes."
