AN: Mmm, I have no life outside writing. So here's chapter 6.


When they reached the church, the door was already standing open, and a very smug looking Gabriel stood in the doorway.

"Hello John. You're two minutes late. It's not like you to be tardy."

"I'm sure those two minutes aren't going to bother you one bit in the long run," John said, stepping inside before turning back to Chas and saying, "Wait here, kid."

Gabriel gave John a disappointed yet amused look, and then turned to Chas. "Come on inside, love...come in out of the rain. You'll catch your death of cold out here."

Chas hesitated, looking back and forth between John and Gabriel. But seeing as how John had already gone inside and wasn't even paying attention, he took off his hat and stepped into the dark church.

"You're taking a risk with the balance, Gabriel...after all, he's human," John said with a smirk, and Gabriel led the way up to the front.

"Oh, I don't know about that, John...he got himself into this willingly, so I see no harm in entertaining his curiosities," Gabriel said, stopping in front of the lit fireplace.

"He shouldn't even be here," John said, glancing at Chas, who had for once fallen silent. Maybe the presence of an arch angel actually kicked some sense into his normally runaway mouth.

"So where are your wings, anyway?"

Or maybe not.

Gabriel didn't seem to mind the blunt question; he simply chuckled and smiled fondly at Chas. "He's quite the curious one, isn't he?"

John shot Chas a glare before turning back to Gabriel. "You have no idea. Can we get on with this?"

"I think it's good for you, John, having him around."

"Gabriel, I'm not in the mood for your games. What the hell did you drag me out here for?"

Gabriel's expression didn't change. "I wanted to warn you, John...things are about to get rough."

"Rough in what way?"

"More possessions, more half breeds to deport...you know, the normal type of 'rough'."

"Why?" Chas suddenly broke in, and John shoved him down into the chair with a sharp, "Shut up." Gabriel simply laughed.

"Don't be so rough with the boy, John...he's just curious, after all."

"He's too curious for his own damn good," John mumbled before quickly shifting back to the original subject. "Do I get any other explanation for this, or are you going to be cryptic, as usual?"

"Cryptic, John. It wouldn't be any fun for you if I told you everything from the start."

"Why are you even telling me this much? What kind of stake do you have in this, half breed?"

Gabriel wasn't paying attention. He'd moved over behind the chair Chas was sitting in, and he laid a hand on the boy's shoulder, smiling. It was a fake smile, but that was most often what John got from Gabriel anyway.

"It's a shame," Gabriel said softly, and John's eyes narrowed.

"What the hell are you talking about?"

Gabriel met John's gaze, his eyes lighting up a bit. "The first time you've made a friend in many years, John, and by the time you decide to notice it will be too late."

John stepped forward, his expression one of anger now. Chas simply sat between the two, motionless and understandably confused and nervous.

"That better not have been a threat," John practically growled.

"Simply a neutral observation," Gabriel said, unphased by John's fury and not moving his hand from Chas's shoulder. "Keep an eye on him, John. After all...he is your responsibility for now."

Gabriel turned to walk away, and John watched him go silently. If Chas hadn't been there he would've drilled the angel for more information, but he didn't want any other sensitive info spilling in the boy's presence.

"John, what was he talkin' about?" Chas asked, standing up and rubbing his shoulder.

"Nothin', kid. He's just trying to scare you," John said quietly, though he wasn't quite so sure.

Chas raised an eyebrow. "Why the hell would an angel need to scare me?"

"Because I'm obviously not doing a good enough job of convincing you how dangerous this is."

"I know how dangerous it is. But if you'd just teach me, I could-"

"No."

"Maybe I could just watch so-"

"No."

"I can handle this, John, I swear! I've been reading the books, and I-"

John started to light up a cigarette and walk away, and Chas took off to catch up with him. "John, would you listen to me for once? I don't think you've listened to a word I've said since I met you!"

"I'm sorry, what was that? I wasn't listening."

"That's not funny, bastard."

John's cell phone rang, and he gave Chas a 'look' before answering it.

"Hello?"

Father Hennessy's voice came over the other end. "John...there's another one."

And just my luck...I have the kid tagging along, John thought with a sigh.

"Where?"

"The apartments on fifth. You know, those lousy brick tenements."

"Right. I'll be there in a couple minutes."

Chas's eyes lit up. "Can I come?"

John sighed heavily. "You're gonna have to come...but you're definitely waiting outside this time."


AN: Next chapter...is a surprise. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA.