Chapter 3
"So, this… knowing that you all don't exist… It doesn't bother you?"
"Technically, everyone here has a counterpart in your world. I just… don't happen to exist." Angela grabbed a wrench and continued with what she was doing.
After getting the new arrivals some coffee, she went out to check on the Impala and the Camaro. She knew Dean well enough that if he were around, he'd be nagging about making sure the car was secure from the storm. He would also be fretting about the faint knocking that had been going on in the engine since the last job.
Normally, Dean would have been all over it and checking out the engine and getting the Impala to tip top condition to get back on the road. He didn't this time mostly because of her. He claimed that he wanted some R&R, but she knew better. She didn't fail to notice that he would tempt her with little things like asking her to work on the car. The storm kind of eighty-sixed that, but the weather lightened up and it gave her time to think about what had happened.
It was kind of a shock to hear that there was another universe and she didn't exist. Hell, she took it in a stride the fact that Sam and Dean's lives were actually a television show and there was no such thing as magic. On the surface, it sounded wonderful; no worries about things that went bump in the night. The most dangerous thing in the world were humans and the crap they did to each other. On the other hand…
She peeked out under the hood to see the one that looked like Sam, or Jared, standing there. He stood there much like Sam would when he came to ask how she was doing. There were slight differences, but they were so miniscule that most people wouldn't notice. She noticed and it was more because it was her sense of smell. Also… she knew them, lived with them… they relied on each other so much that they had to know the difference.
Jared was standing there looking uncomfortable in the clothes he was wearing. True, they were everyday clothes, but he got the distinct impression that the woman working on the car was not comfortable that he was wearing them. She didn't say it, but it was the manner in which she looked at him and Jensen. Like she accepted that they weren't who they looked like but didn't because they looked like their TV characters.
"Course that's not the strangest thing I've seen and heard."
Jared looked up to see Angela was leaning on the car and staring at him. "What?"
"This is not the strangest thing I've encountered," she repeated with a slight gesture of her hands as she was leaning on the car. "Then again most of what I've seen doesn't exist where you're from."
Jared blinked at her as he stammered, "Yeah. I mean well… you…" He gestured at her.
Angela grinned at him. She let him stumble a bit before she had pity on him, "I'm mild compared to most things and I pretty much live up to Hollywood's version of what I am."
"I doubt Hollywood ever conceived of a vampire or… half a vampire doing maintenance on a classic car,' Jared replied.
Angela looked at her person and back at him. She nodded, "Point taken there. They always seem to like the broody types. Though I think that's your interpretation of Sam." She pointed at him as she went back under the hood of the Impala.
"What's wrong with it?"
"Nothing."
"Gotta be something."
Angela gave a smirk as she leaned against the car. She gave a sigh as she looked away. "Sam… he may have his moments but he's not broody. The choices he makes stem from a desire to be free of all this." She gestured around her. "Free of the family business."
Jared looked at her. He noted the sadness in her face. "Are you two… uh…" He wasn't sure how to voice it without making her upset.
Angela looked at Jared and gave a slight smile. She adjusted her position against the car much like she did when she and Sam first met and finished their first job together. She felt relaxed and sensed that if she was relaxed, her two guests would be too. She replied, "Sam is my mate. Before you ask, it happened after the whole thing with Jess. She was my friend."
Jared blinked, "So you knew Jess?"
"Of course. She came to me for tutoring. I was stubborn about it," she replied with a grin. She chuckled to herself as she looked to the side and at the rest of the salvage yard. "Funny how time can make you remember things. Good. Bad… ugly."
"You remember everything?"
Angela looked at Jared. She smiled at him, knowing he was curious. "Over five hundred years' worth." She chuckled at the expression. "Sam made the same face when he learned my age. Dean did too. He's much more fun to play with. Especially when I drop one liners about who I've met."
Jared couldn't help but laugh at that. "I guess you're the life of the party."
Angela shrugged at that. She smiled at that, "Well, it depends." She looked at the Impala. She was surprised that other questions weren't being asked. Then again it was something to process. It did take time to understand about things that you thought didn't exist. "Well I better finish up on the car."
"You're going to finish in this light?"
Angela glanced at Jared with a raised brow. She grinned, "I'm used to it."
"But won't that ruin your eyes?"
Angela chuckled as she grabbed a wrench, "I suggest looking at the book on the desk in the main study. It will tell you everything about me." She grinned mischievously and then let her eyes vamp out as she added, "Or you can see the quick version."
It was probably cruel but sometimes the faster way was shock therapy of a sorts. It worked when they needed that girl's help with the ghosts of Leticia Gore. It wasn't always effective since people had a tendency to doubt what they saw with an eye flash. In this case, it was enough to convince Jared that she would be fine working in the dark. He thanked her and left.
She watched as Jared left. She turned back to the car and stroked the metal lovingly. She smiled sadly, missing her boys.
"That seemed a little cruel, but I am surprised that Sam reacted the way he did."
Angela chuckled as she turned to look at her visitor, "And yet you didn't see fit to reveal yourself. I'm surprised at you, Kess."
Kesset came out of the shadows from where he was hiding. "I do respect privacy between mates, princess."
Angela dusted herself and finished what she was doing on the engine. "Sam and I are mates," she corrected, "But that wasn't Sam. That was… someone else."
Kesset looked in the direction that Jared had left. He raised his brow and replied, "But it looks like Sam. And it does explain why it didn't quite smell like him." He stepped forward and glanced at Angela. "Is it a shifter?"
Angela chuckled, "No." She shut the hood. "That was a human. His name is Jared. He is… from another world."
"Sorcery."
Angela laughed out loud, "Really, Kess?" She jumped to sit on the hood. "Considering we both know how to cast spells and I can do alchemy magic?"
Kesset turned to look at her. "There are differences, princess. Magic has a cost to pay, depending on what it is used for. Especially the darker magics."
Angela smiled, "Like I said, I know alchemy magic and I have my abilities. The principles of alchemy state that in order to transmute, something must be given for something. Equivalent exchange. Magic works the same. Which is why I'm thinking why Jared and Jensen are here and Sam and Dean are wherever they are from."
Kesset stepped forward. He always had a stern look when he came except when he was genuinely confused. Most often mistook him for an angel because of it. "So, you are saying that because Sam and Dean left, someone came here in their place."
"Probably. Though it could've worked in that Jared and Jensen could have been placed in a state of hibernation until Sam and Dean returned." Angela shrugged at that. It was an interesting theory and only reminded her of how much she missed her studies when she learned alchemy and its magic. "Though why those two, doesn't make sense. Where Jared and Jensen are from… our kind don't exist. Magic, the supernatural… it's all an imagination and our world is a TV show."
Kesset frowned at that. "And here I was thinking the human things I see on Kate's picture box were not real."
Angela chuckled, "It works the same way there as it does here, Kess. Just what we know doesn't exist there. That's why Jared looked strange when he learned things about me." She hopped off the hood and went to wipe her hands. "So, whatever the reason, Sam and Dean have left, and I am charged with keeping their replacements out of trouble. Albeit unofficially."
"Then this will make things difficult," Kesset replied as he mused. He rubbed his finger on his chin. "Perhaps I should consult someone else."
"But you don't know anyone else, friendwise that could help," Angela protested. She sighed, knowing that this was going to make things difficult. "What is the job exactly? Tell me and perhaps I may be able to help or figure out who could. Bobby isn't back yet and with the storm the way it is…"
Kesset nodded. He grumbled inwardly as he relayed the job he had been asked to give her. He didn't understand why the angel couldn't speak to her directly. He did understand the concept of subterfuge and undercover work. He had to reason it out to make sure it didn't violate his oath. In the end, it was a job that he had been asked to give to her because she was the only one who could do it. He just didn't like the possibility of someone innocent getting hurt. He sighed, "I was approached…"
"This is not right."
"Come on Castiel. It's not like they will be in trouble per se…" Balthazar paused when he saw the look on Castiel's face. He knew that the angel was sensitive when it came to using his friends and most especially his charge. "Look, Angela will be fine. She'll just go and get the weapon that bugger is too stubborn to let go of because he wanted to meet her. He gets what he wants and we get what we want. Win-win."
Castiel looked at Balthazar. He didn't like this one bit. Yet they needed to get that weapon and its guardian was insistent upon meeting the Malachi of Absolution. He would only give it up to her. That in of itself was not good. Usually it meant something diabolical. What choice did they have though?
Balthazar was the one that came up with the idea of having the Avian that hung around Angela so much be the one to deliver the message. The idea was that it would be more trusting coming from the Avian. It was definitely taking advantage of him in terms of his willingness to help, but even Castiel knew that Angela's distrust of angels in general would have her reluctant to accept. He didn't like the deception and he was already in deep.
"Don't worry, Castiel. Even if Rafael finds her going after one, she'll know how to take care of it," Balthazar said, trying to be helpful.
"She does not have the Winchesters."
"She has some help."
"They don't know our world."
"They'll figure it out."
Castiel shook his head. He prayed silently that this would not go bad. It was the last thing he wanted for her to do. Ever since the whole thing with Chalikar, it had him worried. He knew she was free of her hallucinations, but she was still suffering from hell. He sighed as he looked at nothing in particular. Stay safe… Angela.
Angela made a turn. She could hear the rain pounding on the roof of the Impala. It had started raining again when she got the Impala ready to go. Kesset had gone to bring back the Camaro to the salvage yard. Plus, she was feeling a bit lonely and driving the Impala was like having the boys. Even with the company she was keeping.
She glanced over to see Jensen sitting in the passenger side and in the rearview mirror was Jared. She almost wanted to laugh at the situation in that it was something that would happen if it were Sam and Dean and she was driving. The benefit about having the Impala was that it could accommodation tall people. And it was comfy to sleep in.
She shook her head, wondering what possessed her to take them along. It was probably safer to leave them at Bobby's. The grizzled hunter had not returned yet and she got the impression that he would not be as receptive as she was if he discovered that they weren't the boys. Bobby, while kind and loving in his own way, did have a tendency to shoot first and ask questions later if he was under threat. He would assume Jensen and Jared to be shifters. It was better they went with her.
"So…" Jensen broke the silence and her thoughts, "Is this a normal thing for you?"
Angela decided to tease him, "Which part? Driving around with two guys that look like my boys?"
"Driving around and going to pick up something," he replied. "Not to mention with a fully loaded arsenal."
"Well that is an old habit," Angela replied with a slight grin. She adjusted as she peered through the windshield. "I grew up all around, always moving and being what I am…" She gave a shrug and knowing nod.
"What was it like?" Jared's voice came from the back. "Growing up… you?"
Angela wanted to laugh at that, but she didn't. They had a ways to go and it had been a long time, apart from the Winchesters, that anyone was interested about her life before now. Most of the time she only divulged as necessary, but Sam was always interested, and a couple of times asked at random intervals for her to tell him something about her life. Glancing at them, she replied, "Not easy. It was fifteenth century Europe. Women were expected to be subservient, dumb people. To be educated like I was… very rare and ostracizing."
"Sounds rough," Jensen said.
"Makes being picked on in the schoolyard a picnic. Imagine not being listened to because you were born a woman," Angela countered with a kind smile. "I was lucky because of my parents. And the de Medici family."
"de Medici family?"
"On my mother's side," she explained. She gave a slight smile and was bemused when she saw their expressions. "I was given a chance. My father was a vampire, but a good one. He hunted the things that go bump in the night and trained me. That's the short story."
It turned into an interesting conversation as Angela drove the Impala to the location that Kesset told her. She was highly suspicious of the whole thing, but Kesset was not one to deceive. His oath of veracity prevented that mostly. There were some instances that it toed the line and could be considered those shades of grey. Even then, he was more trustworthy than most people.
She just didn't understand why Balthazar couldn't come to her and ask. Of course, she would have kicked his ass for sending Sam and Dean to another world and in the process scare the hell out of their doubles who truly believe magic and monsters didn't exist. She would have punched him and then demand that he tell her what he wanted. That was how she rolled. She hated playing games when people's lives were at stake.
While she wouldn't be the first to be buddies with Balthazar, he was a lot more tolerable than most angels. Castiel… she sensed something was off about him. She couldn't put her finger on it and chose to move forward. Castiel was her guardian angel and he looked after her even when she didn't want it. He made sure no serious harm came to her. Yet, there was something and it nagged at her and it had her suspicious to the point that she would only accept the word of someone that didn't betray her.
So, looking back, it made sense that Balthazar had Kesset approach her. She didn't doubt Kesset. He was not naïve when it came to the supernatural. Maybe about human things, but when he demanded the truth, he had a way of compelling it. She there was no reason to doubt his word. It was just the whole thing made her uneasy. She had two people who knew nothing of her world except for what they performed in their world.
As she drove, she thought about how this was going to work. The client would only hand off to her. It was sort of implied that she was to come alone. If Sam and Dean were there, they would be the first to say hell no to that. She took comfort in that and it actually surprised her when Jared and Jensen said they would come even though she was prepared to leave them at Jodi's after she explained. That was better than leaving them at Bobby's only to have the grizzled hunter return and get all hunter because they weren't the boys.
Sitting there, driving, it gave her time to think and she realized how much she came to depend on the Winchesters being there even when she told them that she could handle things on her own. She trusted them though the good times and the bad and in turn, they trusted her. Granted they didn't always understand her methods of madness, they backed her up. Now she was back to truly flying solo. She may have the look-a-likes with her, but it wasn't the same.
She made a turn. They were well outside of Sioux Falls but within reasonable traveling distance. She was surprised that this item was so close. It also had her suspicious. She was familiar with the whole hiding in plain sight thing. She had utilized it multiple times but only in places that she could guarantee isolation from the outside and no one would think of. Other times she made it so that it was nothing but a wild goose chase. The staff of Osiris was proof of that.
This though, it had her uneasy. Call it her usual sense of paranoia. She was just going in and getting it and then leaving. That was it. She had more things to worry about like how to get the boys back to their reality. She gripped the wheel unnecessarily tight when she pulled up to where she was supposed to go. She killed the engine and stared at the house.
It was a typical bungalow type. Pleasant looking. It even reminded her of the home of that witch that turned her and the boys to their childish selves. That had been an unpleasant experience and yet it was rather an interesting one. It held a place of fond memory and seemed to relax her enough. She was still staring out of the windshield at the place as she studied it.
"You've got this."
Angela turned when she felt Jared's hand on her shoulder. In general, she was reluctant to people touching her, but it wasn't that way with the boys. She didn't feel repulsed with them and she reveled in Sam's touch. With their look-a-likes, she found herself comfortable with them. So, the touch didn't bother her. She looked at him and gave a slight smile, "We'll see."
She was the first to get out of the car after telling them they should stay. At least they listened as she walked in front of the car towards the door. She glanced at them, and then looked at the door to the house. She took a breath and gave a knock on the door.
There was no answer right away. Being polite, she waited a couple of minutes before knocking again. When there failed to be a response, she gave a sigh and rolled her eyes slightly. She figured it was just something to annoy her. That was Balthazar's way of course. She turned to leave. She was at the bottom of the stairs when she heard the door open.
It was like those creepy movies. There was no one at the door. She looked at it with a raised brow. She glanced at her charges as they looked at her from the inside of the car. It was probably stupid, but this needed to get done. Balthazar wanted this weapon from heaven and the contact was only going to get it if he met with her.
And right now, I'm thinking what you and Dean would do, Sam.
She looked at the ground. She knew what the boys would do. If they had no choice, they wouldn't do it playing stupid. She rubbed her thumb gently on her chakram and rotated her shoulders, feeling Absolution on her back. Taking a breath, she walked back towards the house. With a determined step, she walked in, confident that at least Moira would look after the boys.
She didn't flinch when the door closed and if she were to venture, the door was probably locked. Cliched but pretty effective when you wanted to scare someone. She was more annoyed and rotated on her feet and looked around. It was dark inside since the lights were off, but she could make out the furniture, giving the impression that it was well lived in. If she weren't in the situation she was in now, she would have taken a good look and appreciated what she was seeing. As it were… she was busy.
She walked around the room and headed down the hall. She found nothing in the rooms, and she was starting to get annoyed by the whole thing. She was starting not to like it and was ready to start raising hell. She didn't take out her weapon though. Not yet. She gritted her teeth as she became more and more agitated, but she kept her calm. She turned when she heard a noise, and it was coming from upstairs. She turned and looked towards the stairs, seeing the faint look of lights that hadn't been there before.
Pursing her lips, she turned and walked towards the stairs. She looked at the lights. They were the kind that lined the walkways in movie theatres. She looked up the stairs and started walking up them. Probably Dean would say that she was being stupid at the moment just going with it, but they really didn't have time and she had been in similar situations before. She could think on her feet.
She made her way to the second floor and followed the lights to what appeared to be a library on the second floor. She didn't even flinch when the door opened automatically. She walked right in and stopped just inside the door. She stood there as the door closed and looked ahead at the chair where the back was facing her.
"I know. A little too dramatic," a voice came from her left.
Angela turned in the direction of the voice as a well-dressed man came walking out. She eyed him with a bland expression since he carried himself in the manner of someone that was rich and thought himself cultured. She didn't say anything.
It seemed to have the effect she was going for. He started talking, "Not much of a talker and yet… I've heard many things about you. Heard many things but… to be honest… I always thought you were a man… Absolution."
A/N: So Angie is stuck with two guys that look like Sam and Dean and she has a job to do only because she is the Malachi. Stay tuned for next time on The French Solution...
