Chapter 2:
Sam pulled into a small dank motel to find Gabriel once again asleep in the passenger seat. He sighed to himself, still feeling on edge from the man's revelation. He'd seen Cas powerless and a wreck, but Castiel was just an angel, Gabriel was so much more. An archangel and a false-pagan-god. How could all that power be gone? The younger Winchester climbed out of the car silently, not wanting to wake the powerless-angel until necessary. He got a room quickly without even think before strolling back to the car and grabbing his stuff from the trunk before banging on the window. He probably should have woken the man with a little more care but he couldn't deny shocking him awake was actually amusing.
Gabriel flung open the door, knocking into Sam's leg when he didn't move quickly enough. "What the hell man?"
"You wanted to sleep." Sam answered waving a room key.
"I was asleep." he scrubbed at his face.
"Fine, stay in the car if you want." Sam murmured heading off to the room, with a call of "Don't forget to lock the door." echoing over his shoulder.
Gabriel stumbled in behind Sam a few moments later and collapsed on the bed nearest him. Sam stared down at him with a sigh. The longer this went on the more concerned he was getting and with Cas in purgatory with Dean and Bobby gone forever, he had no one to talk to about it. Dropping down on the end of the other bed, Sam let his head fall into his hands. It wasn't the first time he'd been alone, but this time it felt like it. He had nothing now, no one to watch his back and a world full of leviathan's to face. He glanced over at the other bed.
And now a powerless archangel hanging around. Could his life get any worse? He fell back against the bed and closed his eyes, thankful when sleep claimed him.
_What Doesn't Kill You_
The ringing was a consistent annoyance in Gabriel's head. He tried to block it out by dragging the pillow over his ear but it wouldn't stop. Groaning with frustration he lifting himself up a little and glared over at the other bed, Sam lay on the end, dead to the world. And if he wasn't, he soon would be. Gabriel snatched the pillow from behind him and flung it at the unconscious hunter, causing him to jump and slid off the edge with a thumb. Gabriel grinned wickedly as he slumped back down onto the now pillow-less bed.
"What the holy hell!" Sam yelled.
"Answer you're damn phone!" Gabriel yelled back, shooting the man a death glare from between half-closed lids.
Sam rummaged around in his pocket for the phone and flipped it open, groaning at the sound of Garths voice. "Yeah, alright. Hold on." he scrambled to his feet and staggered half asleep towards nightstand, grabbing a pad and pen. "Alright, give it to me."
Gabriel giggled in his half-sleep state and groaned when the bed rocked as Sam kicked it.
"Alright Garth, I'll see to it. Sorry about the leg. See ya." Sam hung up and stared down at the pad. He really didn't want to hunt right now, he just wanted to figure out what had happened to Dean and get the son of a bitch back.
"Damn hunters, none of you understand the concept of sleeping in." Gabriel grumbled, flipping himself over on the mattress.
"Well, you know what you can do." Sam grumbled as he heaved his duffle onto the bed.
"Believe me Sammy, if I had that option…."
"Listen here, Gabe, call me Sammy one more time, and I'll leave your ass in the middle of a field, unconscious, with a label saying 'defenceless archangel needs shelter'. I can already see the padded room."
Gabriel glared over his shoulder. "You're so lucky I'm recharging."
Sam scoffed. "Recharging? Is that what it is?"
Gabriel dropped back down on the mattress. "Of course that's what it is. I'll be fine in a few days."
Sam scoffed. "We'll see. - In the meantime, get the hell up, we've got a job to do."
Gabriel's head snapped around. "Huh?"
"You can either pull your weight, or find someone else to look out for your ass." Sam snapped, yanking clothes out of his bag and heading to the bathroom.
"Are you serious?" He called after the young man.
Sam returned twenty minutes later to find Gabriel still passed out on the bed. Strolling over determinedly he gripped the side of the mattress and toppled it, sending the ex-archangel to the carpet.
"What the….."
"I said get the fuck up, which means get out of bed, change those disgusting clothes and get your ass in the car."
"And what exactly am I meant to wear!" Gabriel snapped, getting to his feet.
Sam flung him a clean shirt out of his bag, and pointed to the bathroom door.
Gabriel laughed, looking down at the clothes. "Are you kidding me? I don't know if you've notice Sasquatch, but I'm a bit smaller than you."
"You're a lot smaller than be, but it's all I've got so suffer."
Gabriel reluctantly made his way to the bathroom. "Believe me, I am."
It was another half hour before Gabriel strolled out of the bathroom with damp hair, a cloud of steam behind him. He'd put his dirty jean back on, but had traded his torn red check shirt for Sam's pale blue one. Sam was sat cleaning a shot gun and looked up.
"Happy?"
The hunter huffed and began to quickly reassemble the gun. Gabriel marched over to Sam duffle and shoved his dirty clothes inside.
"Hey!"
"What, there all I've got, and you've got the only bag." Gabriel replied, zipping the thing up.
Sam couldn't argue with that, so didn't bother. Getting to his feet, he put the shot gun into the other bag and heaved it up onto his shoulder and headed for the door.
Gabriel watched him go, looking down at the duffle for a moment, before lifting it over his shoulder and following the hunter. "So where we going?"
_What Doesn't Kill You_
The drive to Pennsylvania was surprisingly quiet, but only because Gabriel spent most of that time sleeping. Sam hated to admit it, but he was actually a little worried, okay, a lot worried. While he was convinced he wasn't going to have to face another influx of leviathans or worse, it was extremely disheartening that Gabriel, an archangel and demi-god would be made so completely….human.
As it turned out the biggest danger in Pennsylvania didn't come from the nest of vamps praying on unsuspecting university students, but Gabriel. Or more precisely, the man's completely lack of common sense and self-preservation. Sam would have thought that an angel would have more sense than to let himself get cornered by two very pissed off vampire bitches, but then maybe the problem laid in the fact that an angel could just snap his fingers and poof, out of there. Or turn them to ash with just a touch. Which only went to prove that Gabriel wasn't much of an angel anymore.
They staggered into their new motel room, exhausted. Sam having to half carry the ex-angel. He'd been injured during the fight and now his borrowed shirt was slowly becoming covered in blood and he was growing pale once more, just has he'd began to regain a healthy colour.
Sam dropped his duffle on the floor by the door before dragging Gabriel to the bed and letting him fall in much the same manner, the ex-archangel groaning in pain. Taking a deep breath to still his frustration and anger, Sam headed over to his bed, pulling the other duffle back from beneath it. Ripping the zipper across furiously before he pulled out the medium sized tin that was their first-aid kit, then headed back over to Gabriel.
Crouching down in front of the battered and bruised man, laying the tin next to his knee, Sam reached out and dragged Gabriel into a sitting position, causing him to moan again. Once the man was up-right, he pushed the dirty and blood stained jacket off, then ripped open the shirt, thankful once again that all his shirts had poppers rather than traditional buttons. The tattered piece of material followed the jackets to bunch behind the ex-angel.
Gabriel sat there staring though half lidded eyes as Sam tended to his injuries. He was utterly ashamed of himself, he'd gone from an all-powerful demi-god and archangel to no better than a screaming infant. In fact an infant probably had more strength than he had right about now. He hadn't expected fighting off a couple of vampire would be so hard, or dangerous. He'd never really given hunters credit before now, they were just an occupational hazard with the IQ of an alley rat. And he most certainly hadn't given the Winchesters their dues. That Sam was carrying on, despite the fact he'd lost everything, showed a great strength of character.
His breath caught in his throat at the feel of Sam's warm finger against his abdomen as he tried to lift the tee he'd borrowed. His gaze locked questioningly on the tall hunter.
"You need to get this off…."
Gabriel gazed with a flirtatious smirk.
"…so I can tend your shoulder." Sam continued though gritted teeth.
The ex-angel rolled his eyes and laughed, then groaned and hissed at the tee was pulled up over his head and shoulders. He took a few deep breaths to control the pain, but it wasn't working. Though he'd felted worse. Getting shived by his brother hadn't exactly been a walk in the park. He swallowed hard at the memory. Part of him had wanted to believe he could fool Lucifer, but he'd known even before he'd tried he'd fail, that was why he'd given the boys the DVD. - The only thing he couldn't understand was why he'd bothered.
""You're lucky." Sam said, scanning the large, deep bite marks in Gabriel's shoulder.
"How you figure?" the man scoffed.
"You could be dead."
Gabriel shrugged. "Been there, done that. Wasn't so bad."
Sam looked at his disbelievingly and Gabriel chuckled. Sam turned his attention to the large wound and ignored the man. It had been a long time since he'd had to look after someone else. He picked up the tin and flipped back the lid. Sorting through the contents for the antiseptic and the gauze, luckily it didn't look like it was going to need stitches.
Flipping the lid of the antiseptic, he poured a small amount on a cotton-wool pad and gently brushed it around the wound, soaking up the blood, Gabriel hissing at the contact. Sam looked up at him for a moment to see his jaw clenched tight, before turning back to his task.
"Tell me Sammy, how do you do it?" Gabriel murmured through clenched teeth.
The young man glanced up at him with a raised brow.
"How do you go from having all that power to being…human?"
Sam clenched his jaw now, not sure if he was meant to feel insulted or angry, so decided on both. "Meaning?"
"Come on, Sammy. You had all those powers, all that strength, how can you live like this, useless, powerless…..weak?"
"I'm not weak." Sam snapped angrily. He didn't want to think about that time in his life, it hurt too much to remember what he'd done, the choices he'd made.
Gabriel met the young man's angry hazel gaze and swallowed. "No….I guess you're not." he murmured.
Sam's hands were resting on Gabriel's shoulder, immobile as he stared at the ex-angel.
"Then how am I meant to?" Gabriel added in almost a whisper.
"I don't know." Sam replied, matching his tone and volume.
Gabriel didn't know why he did it. - Shock, fear, stupidity. Hell it was probably some human need for comfort. Whatever it was it had him leaning forward. He thought it was slow but the fact that Sam didn't move away meant he'd probably caught him off guard. He pressed his mouth to Sam gently, taking a deep breath through his nose as he did so, pulling the man's lip between his own and sucking on it. To his surprise Sam still hadn't pulled away, and wasn't pushing or yelling. He was probably in shock by the action and Gabriel figure that when his brain started working again there would be hell to pay. Better make the most of it then. He told himself as he brought his hand up to grip the back of Sam's neck, holding him in place.
Sammy wasn't the first male he'd kiss, though granted he'd been in a female vessel the other times. It was most definitely a unique experience and an enjoyable one as he brushed his tongue over Sam's lips. Another wave of shock hit when the hunter opened his mouth and allowed him entry. Gabriel, never one to turn down an invitations, forged ahead, dipping inside in search of Sam's own tongue, teasing it to come and play, and moaning when it did.
The kiss was hotter than he expected, more intense and frantic, his hand sliding from Sam's neck into his overly-long hair. Gabriel had always considered himself a good kisser, a great kisser when the need took him, and the moan that rumbled through Sam's chest proved it true.
Then it was over and he was gasping in pain as Sammy shoved him away furiously, causing him to fall on his injured shoulder.
"What the hell!" Sam yelled incensed, putting as much distance between him and Gabriel as he could, wiping at his mouth.
Gabriel winced as he forced himself upright on the bed and glared at the tall Winchester. "So what, you'll screw a demon, but won't kiss an angel?"
Sam spun around to meet Gabriel gaze. "It's got nothing to do with you being a god-damn angel, you're a….guy."
Gabriel raised a disbelieving brow. "So this isn't about species but gender?" he gave a harsh laugh. "Well, it's a sad turn of event when Dean's the enlightened one." he scoffed, reaching for the gauze.
"And what's that meant to mean?" Sam snapped; arms folded across his chest.
Gabriel didn't look up as he haphazardly attempted to bandage his shoulder himself. "Dean thankfully doesn't have your hang-ups."
Sam laughed. "Are you kidding? Dean's way more anti-man-love than me. He's not quite homophobic but there's no way he'd kiss a guy."
Now Gabriel's head shot up, fixing Sam with a wide eyed gaping stare. "Seriously?"
"Yeah." Sam said straightening his back.
"No, I mean seriously, you don't….you haven't….Oh my god, are you serious?"
Sam frowned. "What's that meant to mean?"
Gabriel burst into laughter, wincing as he did so. It took a good few minutes for him to calm down and look up at a glaring Sam. "Wow, and there was me thinking you were the smart one." he shook his head, wiping his eyes and attempting to get his tee back over the messily bandaged shoulder.
"You want to enlighten me?" Sam snapped, growing frustrated.
"Oh, no." he shook his head enthusiastically "This is too good."
_What Doesn't Kill You_
Sam sat in the bar nursing his fifth beer of the night. It hadn't been all he'd drunk since walking in two hours ago, he'd also had three Jack Daniel's and two shot of tequila. He didn't know if he was trying to drink away the memory of Gabriel's tongue in his mouth, which had freaked him the hell out so much that he was still trying to make sense of it. - Or whether he was trying to forget he was on his own. Really alone this time. With no Dean, Cas, Bobby. Not even a single Campbell to call on. Sam had always wanted out of the life he'd been destine for, now he had the chance. But given the choice he'd take the monsters and death, if it meant having his family back.
Staring down at the amber liquor fighting back tears, he swallowed the lump in his throat as he threw back the last of the drink, slammed the glass down and called for another. As the bartender did his job Sam's gaze scanned the room, settling on the hot blonde who'd been sending looks his way since he'd walked in. He hadn't been interested then, but now he was. Deciding to take a page out of the Dean Winchester book of life management. Drink and sex solves all troubles. He sent the woman a seductive smile and a drink. Within moments she was at his side flirting outrageously, helping him forget everything.
An hour and too many drinks to count later Sam was staggering back to his motel room with the woman, whose name he'd been told but couldn't remember. Struggling to get the door open while simultaneously kissing and grinding against her. The pair stumbled into the room, wasting no time in stripping one another of their clothes in the dark. The backs of Sam's legs hit the edge of the bed, making him tumbled back onto the covers, taking the girl with him. A yell had the woman leaping back with a surprised and embarrassed scream, her hands covering her topless body. Sam sat up staring at the figure in the bed with a death glare.
"What the hell Sammy!" Gabriel yelled furiously, his sandy blond hair sticking up in a mass of strange angles as he switched on the light.
Sam didn't give an answer; he just fixed the man with his stare before something inside him snapped. His fist flying out before he even realised it to connect with Gabriel's nose. The ex-angel's hands flew up as blood began to drip from his nostril. Sam's date yelped in shock and rushed to collect her clothes before running from the room. Sam didn't care, didn't notice, his whole attention was on Gabriel as the angel took a few breaths, his amber eyes burning into Sam's.
Swiping at his nose with the back of his hand Gabriel looked down at the thin line of blood and felt fury blaze beneath his skin. He lifted his hand, his eyes boring holes in Sam's skull. Pressing his fingers together he snapped them, envisioning pain and torture for the hunter. But nothing happened, not even a wince crossed the Winchesters features.
The hunter laughed, a hard roar, almost evil laugh and Gabriel's fury grew dangerous. He flew forwards, his fist connecting with Sam's jaw as the hunter was forced back under the angel - ex-angel's bodyweight. Gabriel raining down blows, taking all his self-pity and frustration out on the younger man. Ignoring the pain that shot through his hands and arms.
Sam didn't just lie there and take it, he delivered his own blows, following Gabriel's lead and channelling his anguish into the fight. The pair rolled off the bed to land with a loud painful bang on the floor, but it didn't stop them from swinging at each other, they kept going until the distant sound of a mobile broke into their consciousness.
For a moment they were going to ignore it, preferring their current war, but suddenly Sam shoved the ex-angel off violently, sending Gabriel back into the end of the bed, as the hunter rummaged through his jacket pocket for the phone. Gazing down at the unknown number for a moment, he sucked in a deep breath and answered, cringing at the pain in his body.
"Hello?" Sam grumbled down the line, his voice rough. "Uh?" he frowned as the person on the other end introduced themselves. It took a few moments for the name to slide past the alcohol and settle, and another few for recognition to take hold. "Oh, yeah…of course, how are you?" it was a stupid question. People didn't just call to shoot the breeze. Especially not after four years. He was silent again, listening intently, his frown turning from one of confusion to concern. "Are you alright?" he asked quickly, his back straightening. "Where are you?" Sam nodded. "Alright." he took in the information and did some calculations as he got to his feet, swaying slightly. "Do you think you can get to Pennsylvania? Oh, okay well then just stay out of sight and we'll be there as soon as we can."
He hung up the phone and rushed for the bathroom, stepping over Gabriel on his way.
"Who was that?" the bloody angel asked wincing at the pain in his jaw.
"Claire."
Sam marched into the bathroom, spat blood into the sink and splashed cold water on his face. Looking up into the mirror he examined the slight bruise colouring his cheek. Behind him he caught sight of Gabriel, his face worse off than Sam's. The ex-angel looking all too human, his shoulder bandage stained with fresh blood.
"Who's Claire?"
Sam met his gaze in the mirror. "Jimmy Novak's daughter."
Gabriel frowned at the unfamiliar name. "Is that meant to mean something to me?"
Sam turned to fix the smaller man with a stare. "Castiel's vessel." he clarified blandly. "Something's happened, she need our help."
"Our?" Gabriel raised a brow.
Saw wasn't in the mood for banter or arguments. Shouldering past Gabriel, not caring about the man's wound, he began to redress, snatching the duffle from under the bed before heading for the door. Gabriel watched his every move with no sign of joining him. At the door Sam paused and looked back.
"I'll be at the dinner across the street, you've got ten minutes to get in the car or I'm leaving your ass behind." then he was gone.
_What Doesn't Kill You_
Gabriel was in the back seat, head resting on a pillow he'd 'acquired' from the motel. Sam glared at him, when he saw the man sleeping, but wasn't in the mood to argue, a sleeping Gabriel was better than an awake Gabriel anyhow. Downing his fifth cup of coffee in five minutes, Sam claimed behind the wheel and groaned as the road blurred in front of him. He'd know he'd drank too much, but he'd hoped the coffee would clear his mind enough to drive, as it usually did. Of course, usually he had at least an hour or two's sleep under his belt. - Or a brother to do the driving. Glancing over his shoulder he stared at Gabriel, shaking his head. Dean would kill him if he let the ex-archangel drive, especially as he wasn't exactly up to par. - But then they needed to get to Claire Novak. She had sounded terrified on the phone, so what chose did he really have.
"Gabriel." Sam called over his shoulder, shaking the sleeping angel gently. When there was no response, he shook harder until he was forced to yell in the man's ear. "Gabriel!"
Gabriel shot up looking around confused. "What, what?" he glared at Sam.
"Can you drive?" Sam asked ignoring the man's anger.
"What?"
"Drive. Tell me that you know how."
"Sure."
Sam sighed with relief.
"I drive everywhere, cause I mean it's not like I can fly….oh wait!" he snapped his fingers. Clenching his jaw when nothing happened. "What do you think dumb-ass?"
Sam glared, the bitch face being an almost permanent fixture on the hunters face since Gabriel returned from the dead.
"Blow me." Sam snapped with a groan.
"Oh, now you want me to blow you?" the ex-archangel scoffed. "Ouch!" he yelped as Sam's large hand connected with the back of his head, rocking it forward.
"Just get your ass into this seat, because I can't drive and we need to get to Pontiac."
Gabriel smirked as he climbed into the empty seat as Sam slid over. "Dean-o's not going to be happy." he sang.
"Yeah, well…" Sam swallowed the lump in his throat. "…Dean ain't here."
Gabriel looked at the hunter with a sudden look of sympathy. "He'll be alright you know." he heard himself saying. "He's got Cas with him." he gave Sam a wink and grinned.
"Just shut up and drive." Sam replied harshly, his head turning to stare out of the window.
A/N: I started this before Claire's reappearance in Season 10 (yes, I've been writing it that long) so in my head Claire is the original actress and therefor probably holds no resemblance to the Claire Novak on the show now. – That goes for her backstory.