Chapter Thirty-Seven

A Classic for the Road

Bobby's House: Late July 24, 2010

Rufus raised an eyebrow as the second person he didn't know walked through the kitchen, to focused on whatever the hell were doing to notice him. Bobby was across from him, rubbing his temples and paging through a book to try and figure out what the heck they just buried. He'd been here for two hours and still didn't know what the fuck was going on or why Bobby was tolerating so many people in his space.

"Anything?" he prodded before taking a sip of his beer.

"No," Bobby said. "It's probably staring me in the damn face, but with all the shit the last two days I'm just not seein' it."

"Yeah, 'bout that," Rufus said. "Why the hell are there so many people here?"

Bobby sighed and shut the book. "End of the world. I told ya that."

"Yeah, but that's BS. With the world ending I'd expect your grumpy ass to keep the house as empty as possible."

"Fuck you." Bobby chuckled. "Ain't my fault the house has turned into a base of operations."

"That what happened?" Rufus asked skeptically. "Cause ya don't seem too bothered by it."

Bobby hummed, but before he could respond another person came into the room. This one was different though because she was wearing one of Bobby's t-shirts, something the many hardly ever allowed. She was swimming in it, the old oil stained shirt hanging to her knees with a pair of shorts barely peeking out. Her black hair was tousled and her blue eyes were still cloudy with sleep. There was also a delicate silver choker around her neck that seemed way too fancy considering how she was dressed.

"Oh, hi," the woman said. "I didn't realize someone else showed up." She glanced toward Bobby with a mischievous smile. "Have you decided to run a bed and breakfast, my hunter?"

"You'd be the first person I'd start charging, princess."

Rufus couldn't just let that pass. What type of friend would he be if he did?

"Princess, huh?" he asked Bobby. "Finally embraced your darker side it seems."

Bobby scowled and the woman laughed. He was surprised she seemed so easy going about what most would consider a lewd joke. Surprised, but definitely pleased. She winked at him before dropping herself in Bobby's lap. She turned to Bobby with a soft pout, and a pair of puppy dog eyes that would probably have men and women alike jumping at her. Rufus sipped his beer, wondering how this would play out.

"Is it true, Bobby?" she asked with mild concern. "I didn't mean to turn you into a sadist, I swear!"

Rufus snorted his beer, coughing as it went straight up his nose. Bobby looked like someone had slapped him with a damn fish, and best of all the woman didn't drop her innocent façade until Bobby moved from shock to faux anger.

"Don't encourage him," Bobby reprimanded. "That's the last thing my blood pressure needs."

"Aw, why not?" she asked. "Your face was priceless!"

Bobby raised an eyebrow, his face slowly returning to normal. "That so?"

"Yup," she said, popping the 'p'. "It was adorable."

Bobby glanced at Rufus and seemed to weigh him up. He raised an eyebrow in response, wondering what the man was thinking. Bobby turned back to the woman, tilting her chin so she was looking him directly in the eyes.

"Behave, princess. I would hate to leave you wanting tonight because you decided to be a brat."

Rufus blinked, taking a second to process what the hell he'd just heard. The woman had gone beat red, but given the heated look she pinned Bobby with, hardly minded his words. Bobby smirked at her flustered look and let go of her chin, clearly pleased with himself.

"This is Azrial, by the way," Bobby said. "And yes, she's always this much trouble. Azrial, this is Rufus. And before you ask, he's always this much of a dick."

Azrial huffed, and glanced at him with an easygoing smile. "Hey, nice to meet ya."

"That exchange was probably the best thing I've seen in years," Rufus declared. "And I mean this in the nicest way Bobby, where the fuck have you been hiding her?"

Azrial laughed and relaxed into Bobby's arms. The man adjusted his grip so she could look across the table without straining her neck, but didn't seem inclined to let her go.

"I've been around," she said vaguely. He snorted and rolled his eyes, but didn't pry. Everyone had a story in this life and it wasn't any of his damn business what hers was. He trusted Bobby to vet his partners well enough for both their peace of mind.

"Azrial, Rufus knows about Castiel," Bobby said. "He just hasn't met him, but you can trust him."

Her mouth fell into a soft 'o' and she turned back to him. "In that case, dropping all pretense. Hi, I'm the archangel Azrial and I'm helping Bobby try and stop the world from ending."

"Azrial," Bobby growled in warning.

"Oh! And we have a grumpy demonic boyfriend," she added as an afterthought. "Though I don't know where he's run off too. You really should leash train him, Bobby."

Rufus laughed loudly, not bothering to stem his amusement. Bobby looked toward the ceiling, seeming to question how he'd ended up here. He couldn't miss the man's slight smile though. It had been years since he'd seen Bobby smile this easily. Sure, he smiled at times. Like when he was taking care of the Winchester brats or going on about something he enjoyed, but those were only moments. They barely lasted before he was back to being a grumpy bastard. He'd lived with the man for years, and he damn well knew the difference between his pleased smile and whatever this lovey-dovey bullshit he was seeing. He was just glad to see Azrial had the same look in her eyes, even though hers wasn't as obvious.

"I'll leash train you," Bobby grumbled. "Anyway, that was a bit blunt but she's tellin' the truth."

"I can see that." Rufus snorted and sipped his beer. "Is that why you've gone and got all buff?"

"It ain't that noticeable," Bobby argued. "And no, it ain't, you ass."

"It's noticeable," Rufus said. "But that don't matter. I didn't just come to dump the body. There is a hunt I could really use a hand on in Louisiana."

"Ugh." Azrial shuddered. "Hot, humid, and haunted? No thanks."

"Why ya need me?" Bobby asked. "I mean, you can normally handle hunts just fine on your own."

"It's cause I gotta head out into the swamp. I'd rather have back up for that. After all, it ain't just monsters that can take a bite outta ya in there."

Bobby hummed. "Yeah, that's fair. I don't know if I can go though. Things are chaotic as hell here."

"Bobby, we'll be fine here," Azrial said. "The hunt won't take more than a week, right?" she asked Rufus.

"Nah, longest part would be the drive," he said.

"Well, I would offer to airdrop you..." Azrial began.

"Alright, that's enough out of you," Bobby said. "We could ask Castiel or Gabriel to fly us I guess."

"Eh, I'd ask Gabe." Azrial's vague suggestion made Bobby raise an eyebrow. "Castiel is still in a mood about spending two weeks with John Winchester."

Bobby huffed and shook his head. "Yeah, I don't fucking blame him. Nice to hear he broke the bastard's nose. Sure he did somethin' to deserve it."

"Wait, what the fuck happened that he ended up spending two weeks with a dead man?" Rufus asked.

The two exchanged a look, and Rufus knew he was in for a story when they both started talking at the same time. He'd die before he admitted it, but it was fucking adorable to watch, especially when they both flushed. Well, at least Bobby seemed happy. That was always damn good to see.

Line Break

"Yeah, I can take them down south," Gabriel agreed as he sat down at the kitchen table. "Just let me know when you need a pick up."

"Well, guess that means I can leave my truck here," Rufus said. "She needed some maintenance done anyway."

"Let me know what needs to be done, and I'll take care of it." Dean's offer was met with a nod of agreement before Azrial cleared her throat.

"Don't think you're gonna get off that easy," she said. "I need to start getting you and Castiel acclimated to fighting as one unit. Especially since I heard you don't like heights."

"The hell does heights have to do with fighting?" Dean demanded. Azrial rolled her eyes, not bothering to answer his question. Castiel looked amused, but wouldn't tell Dean why when the man started bugging him for answers.

"What is this, a party?" a dry voice cut in.

Gabriel glanced over to see Crowley walk into the kitchen. He frowned, sensing something off around the demon. It felt like Crowley had been using time magic, or at least something similar. Then again, it was probably just residual from the spell he'd used to throw the group into the past.

"Ya, and you're late," Bobby said. "Rufus, this is Crowley."

"The demonic boyfriend?" Rufus asked in amusement.

Crowley looked offended which made Azrial laugh. "Yup, the demonic boyfriend!" she agreed.

"Has she been like this since waking up?" Crowley asked.

"Unfortunately." Bobby snorted. "Alright princess, up ya go. My old knees can't take it anymore."

Azrial quickly stood up and brushed her fingers across Bobby's shoulders. Gabriel raised an eyebrow as he watched the grace dance at the end of her fingertips. Bobby sighed, but shot her a knowing look.

"Speaking of things we can't take anymore," Crowley said. "Gabriel, can you get that damn collar off?"

"And here I thought it was just a kinky accessory," Rufus said. "Guessing it ain't that simple?"

Crowley huffed. " If only. It's suppressing her power, which leaves us all open if there is an attack."

"Let me take a look," Gabriel said.

Azrial walked up to him, and he ran his fingers over the metal. There was some type of spell engraved in it, and his blood boiled when he recognized the work. Why the fuck had Lucifer created something like this? Wasn't it bad enough that Raphael was out there killing other angels? Now they had to worry about Lucifer trying shit like this.

"I can, but I'd argue so could you," he said to Azrial. "Why haven't you yanked the damn thing off?"

"When I tried it started to damage my vessel," she muttered. "I didn't want to keep trying and then end up without a body."

"Makes sense." He hummed in thought. "Yeah, we can get this off. I'll take ya to some open area, that way we don't have to worry about collateral damage."

"Thank you," she said. "Seriously."

Gabriel smiled slightly. "Yeah, what else am I here for? Dad knows you can't handle magic worth shit."

Azrial let out an offended huff, batting at him. "Don't be rude!"

"She also can't use long range weapons," Castiel said. "Honestly, I've seen fish with better aim."

"You're both horrible!" she cried out. "My own family, turning against me," she dramatically proclaimed.

"Add magic to long range weaponry, and she burns down a damn warehouse," Balthazar cut in as he entered the kitchen. "Face it, Azrial. You're a hot mess with both, and for everyone's health and safety it's best to keep you away from them."

"Horrid," she mumbled. "Absolutely horrid."

Gabriel laughed and chanced a glance at Balthazar. His fledgling frowned, but didn't say anything. He knew he'd have to pull Balthazar aside soon. He wanted to give Cassiel a proper send off, but since Balthazar was here he felt it would be better for him to do it. Gabriel hated to admit it, but he didn't feel like he had the right anymore. His leaving had led to the deaths of three of his flock, and now the only way to make it right was to take out Raphael. He wasn't naïve enough to think his younger brother wouldn't be plotting something behind Michael's back. Calling off the apocalypses probably ruined a ton of Raphael's plans, or at least Gabriel hoped it did. He didn't want to think about any more angels dying.

"Gabe?"

He shook his head, glancing at Azrial. "Sorry, what did you say?"

"Bobby and Rufus want to leave after dinner. I figured we could drop them off, and then go get this damn thing off my neck."

"Yeah, no issue. Didn't ya want me to look at that witch too?"

"I'd rather you not," Crowley said. "Sadly, I've been out voted."

"She's helped us a great deal, my king." Azrial sounded amused at Crowley's objection. "It won't kill us."

"So you've said." Crowley scoffed. "Do as you please, angel."

Azrial shook her head and shot Gabriel a small smile. "They're down stairs. Why don't you go check in with them before dinner?"

"Yeah, can do." Gabriel paused. "Wait, why does Crowley care about this Rowena chick?"

"She's his mom," Dean said. "Bad blood and all that."

Gabriel stared at the hunter, trying to figure out if he was kidding or not. When Dean didn't look away he threw his hands up.

"I don't want to know," he said firmly and walked out of the kitchen. What the hell had he gotten himself into?

Line Break

Sam sighed at the sound of footsteps coming toward the bunker. Rowena was engrossed in one of the books Bobby had purchased from Balthazar. He didn't mind the companionable silence. The only thing he regretted was that it likely wouldn't last. Everyone eventually agreed that freeing Rowena's power was the right thing to do. Azrial had tackled Crowley's objections to unleashing Rowena's power privately, and once the demon had begrudgingly agreed they decided to voice the issue to Gabriel.

"Nice set up."

Sam glanced toward the door to see Gabriel. The archangel gave a half smile, but seemed to be missing his customary lighthearted attitude. He couldn't blame Gabriel considering the news he'd come back to. Was he still mad about their stint in Scotland? Abso-fucking-lutely, but it was already fading. He blamed the last few years of chaos for the way he easily accepted what happened.

"Well, Bobby built the panic room in a weekend with minimal funds," Sam said. "This is what happens when you give someone with that drive money."

Gabriel hummed and glanced around as he walked further into the room. "Have to admit, it suits him." Gabriel glanced toward Rowena who'd looked up from her book. "I heard you had an issue," he said to her.

"That's one way to put it," she said drily.

"You were the one to track me down?" Gabriel asked.

Sam glanced between the two, wondering if Gabriel was upset with Rowena. She sat up straight and stared Gabriel down.

"And if I did?" she challenged.

"Then color me impressed," Gabriel said. "There ain't many who could have pulled that off. I know for a fact Crowley tried and failed."

Sam raised an eyebrow. "Wait, you knew we were looking for you?"

"Well, yeah." Gabriel pulled out a chair and sat down at the table. "I could sense whenever something tried to penetrate my warding."

"And you didn't wonder why we were trying to find you?" Sam couldn't keep the annoyance out of his voice.

Gabriel winced. "No, sorry."

"It doesn't matter," Sam muttered. "You're here now. Can you help Rowena?"

Gabriel turned toward Rowena, staring intensely at her. To Rowena's credit, she didn't seem overly bothered and went back to reading. Sam followed her lead, and managed a few pages before Gabriel cleared his throat.

"Yeah, I think I can break the binding on your powers. On one condition."

Sam frowned, but didn't object right away. Gabriel sounded extremely serious, which wasn't like him. He'd hear the archangel out before jumping to conclusions.

"And that is?" Rowena asked emotionlessly.

"You can't hurt anyone in this house," Gabriel said. "Or anyone who signs on to help us fight Lucifer."

"That's all?" Rowena laughed. "Seems a pittance for what you're about to do."

"My sister has lost enough people," Gabriel said. "You threaten her, or either of her bed mates, and I'll act."

Rowena remained silent at the ultimatum. Sam knew she'd cooled off quite a bit in the past few weeks. Did she still dislike Crowley? Sure. He was pretty sure the feeling was mutual, and would stay that way for years to come. She didn't talk down on him as much though. Sure she teased him with a decent amount of off color humor, but Crowley gave as good as he got. Their dynamic had shifted from hating to be in the same room to at least being able to have a civil conversation.

"Your sister is the reason I'm able to sit here," Rowena said carefully. "I will not make an enemy of her, even without you asking."

Gabriel smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Then you're already smarter than our brothers."

"Not really a high bar," Sam muttered.

Gabriel snorted and leaned back in his chair. "No, it really isn't."

"Do you need anything to break the seal?" Rowena asked. "I know it was bloody difficult to create in the first place."

"No. I don't. As I said, I just needed your word that you wouldn't hurt anyone. You seem smart enough to know you'd make two very powerful enemies if you did so we're all good." Gabriel turned toward Sam. "Take those bracelets off her."

Sam turned and took Rowena's offered wrists. He didn't want to meet her eyes, so focused on unlocking the bracelets. He didn't expect Gabriel to move things along so quickly. He set the bracelets on the table and nodded to Rowena and Gabriel.

"All set."

"Well, by the power vested in me and all that shit," Gabriel joked.

He snapped his fingers, and a soft lilac glow covered Rowena's body. She exhaled sharply as her eyes fell shut. Her nails were dug into the table, and it was clear she was trying to steady her breathing. After a moment the glow started to fade and she opened her eyes. Sam couldn't help but stare, taken aback by their purple glow. Rowena was practically radiating power. It was impressive as hell and it pushed home just how strong she was.

"Feeling okay there?" Gabriel asked. "Must have been one hell of a head rush."

"Yes," Rowena said. She sounded a little dazed, but also extremely pleased. "I feel bloody fantastic."

"Sweet. Hopefully getting that collar off Azrial is just as easy. I have to go chat with Balthazar, so I'll leave you both to it."

The room fell silent once Gabriel left and Sam searched for something to fill the silence.

"Thanks for all your help," Sam said. "We wouldn't have found him without you."

Rowena snorted, running a shaky hand through her hair. "You would have. Eventually. You're far too stubborn to have let such a thing rest."

Sam chuckled, trying to ignore the way his throat tightened. "Yeah, maybe you're right."

"Of course I am," she scoffed.

"What will you do now?" Sam asked. "I mean, you're free. No one will stop you from leaving."

Rowena seemed to consider his words, drumming her fingers against the table. "So it seems. Tell me, what's going on between you and Gabriel?"

Sam raised an eyebrow. "Going on?"

"I'm not blind," she scoffed. "I could cut the sexual tension between the two of you with a knife."

Sam blushed, but didn't bother denying it. He'd certainly had thoughts about Gabriel, but most of the time the archangel was too busy running away to even consider them.

"Nothing as of now," he said. "Why?"

"You wouldn't have accepted this had I said anything while bound," she said and moved her chair closer to him. "I am interested in you, Samuel. You are attractive, intelligent, and a wonderful conversationalist. If the world weren't ending I'd be asking you to come travel with me."

Sam felt his mouth go dry, not sure what to say.

"That being said..." She sighed. "The world is ending, and as I said I'm not blind. I don't know enough about your sexual preferences to know if you'd entertain the idea of two partners."

"You're assuming Gabriel has any interest in me," Sam pointed out.

"He's interested," Rowena said. "Whether he'll pull his head out of his arse is another matter."

"I guess that's fair." Sam tilted his head, staring at her thoughtfully. "As to my sexual preferences, I'm bisexual and have had multiple partners at once. Just not in long term settings. Hunting doesn't really make that possible."

"Well, Gabriel is rather attractive as well," Rowena said thoughtfully. "Perhaps he'd be more open if we both approached him."

"Is that a good idea with everything going on?" Sam asked. "Also, I thought you would leave once you were able to."

"Do you want me to leave?" she asked pointedly.

"No," Sam said. "It's honestly been bugging me that you might, not that I could blame you if you did."

"Then stop fretting," she ordered. "I will be staying right here, at least until the world is saved. After all, there is no safer place on Earth than under the watch of two archangels."

Sam chuckled, but didn't disagree. He could feel the tension slowly draining from his body and fully relaxed into his chair.

"If you say so. I still don't know if Gabriel's in the right headspace for anything besides sex."

"Then we start there," she said. "Nothing wrong with some carnal pleasure, is there?"

Sam rolled his eyes, his lips twitching in amusement. He wasn't entirely sure how they'd ended up here, but wasn't going to complain. He'd watched Bobby and Dean find their happiness among the chaos. At times he couldn't help but feel a bit jealous. It never lasted, he loved them both too much for that, but it left him longing for the same affection he saw them receive. He wasn't going to turn down Rowena's offer, not when he'd recently had several fantasies about the exact scenario she was describing.

"Well, what's your plan?" he asked. "It isn't exactly easy to get one over on Gabriel."

Her predatory smile left him questioning if he should be worried or amused.

The next update is Saturday, November 26, 2022