Chapter Six
Team Free Will
December 8th, 2009
His personal cell phone ringing broke Bobby's concentration. Rowen looked up from the book he was reading as well when Bobby looked at the caller ID.
"About damn time they called."
Rowen raised an eyebrow but remained silent as Bobby flipped open the phone and put it on speaker, "You boys on your way back?"
The question had three voices trying to answer him at once and Bobby sighed and snapped, "One at a time, idjits!"
Rowen snorted and Bobby shot his friend a dirty look when he saw how amused the exorcist was.
"Bobby, I need you to pull all the lore you can find on someone."
Bobby frowned at Dean's snapped statement and Castiel cut over him, "There is hardly any lore out there, Dean. I told you this."
"Well, if the lore exists I'm sure Bobby has it. I mean, it's Bobby for God's sake."
"Dean-"
Bobby cut off the bickering between the angel and Dean with another snapped question, "What the hell are you both on about? What happened at the meeting?"
There were several seconds of quiet bickering and then the phone seemed to change hands and Sam spoke up, "We met another archangel, Bobby."
Bobby felt his blood freeze at the nonchalant statement. Rowen stood up and walked over to the desk.
"Another archangel? Who did you meet, Micheal, Raphael, or Gabriel?"
Despite not knowing who was speaking, three responses were quickly fired by his boys, starting with Dean.
"Micheal's a freakin' egomaniac with Daddy issues."
"Gabriel's a cowardly bastard."
Bobby couldn't help but snort at Sam's snarled comment. The younger hunter seemed personally offended by Gabriel.
"Raphael is useless."
Castiel muttered the statement, and Bobby lost his struggle and laughed outright. Rowen looked dumbfounded at the three's statements but just shook his head.
"You've obviously had a rough time of it. Thing is, besides Lucifer that doesn't really leave you an archangel to meet."
"Huh, that voice sounds familiar. Bobby, who's there with you?"
Rowen looked surprised at Dean's question but Bobby quickly answered, "It's Rowen. I'm surprised you recognize his voice. I mean, it's been a while since you or your brother has seen him."
"Holy shit, Rowen 'I own a holy grenade launcher' Anderson is at your house?"
Bobby hadn't felt this amused in years. It took a lot to get Dean truly excited about something. Now he was fanboying over the exorcist who looked abashed at the absolute adoration dripping off the younger man's voice.
"He is."
There was the sound of screeching tires and Sam screamed, "FOR FUCKS SAKE DEAN! He'll be there when we get there, but if you kill us that won't matter!"
Dean didn't respond and Sam gave an aggravated sigh, "We'll see you soon as long as Dean doesn't get us killed, Bobby."
"You can let your brother know Rowen is here for at least a week. Maybe then he'll slow down."
"If only."
The annoyed amusement dripped off Sam's voice as the phone cut off. Bobby looked over at Rowen who still looked flustered from Dean's outburst and broke out laughing again despite the dirty look directed at him. Bobby rolled his eyes and his friend huffed but his lips twitched in amusement. The phone buzzed and he looked down at the text from Sam with a raised eyebrow.
"Azrial. Why does that name sound familiar?"
Rowen hummed and he looked at the name before pulling up one of the older tomes and began paging through. He stopped and tapped the picture of a male angel leaned over a grieving man.
"The angel of death. Never labeled as an archangel though, and his existence has always been debated."
"His?"
Bobby stared down at the rest of the message and Rowen frowned at his friend.
"Well yes, his. Azrael, though I guess we got the spelling wrong, is always male in religious texts."
"Better make a post-it note for the Vatican then. She's an archangel."
Line Break
Sam snapped his phone shut and glared at Dean who was still going thirty over the posted speed limit.
"Dean, slow the hell down. Rowen will be there for at least a week, if not longer."
"Bite me, Sammy. I haven't seen Rowen in freakin' ages."
"I can't understand your damn fascination with the man, Dean. How many times have you actually met him?"
Dean snorted and slowed down slightly as the road began to fill with cars once more.
"You mean beyond the fact the man has a literal holy grenade launcher?"
Sam looked skyward praying for some sort of sense to take hold of this conversation, but given the presence of an angel in the back seat perhaps he should just ask Castiel.
"Cas, please tell me I'm not the only one lost?"
"I'm unsure, but this Rowen Anderson, is he a Vatican exorcist?"
Dean shot a look at Castiel through his mirror, "You know him?"
"I'm aware of him. He's a human of interest. Michael has always seemed particularly interested in him."
Dean frowned and a thoughtful look passed over his face as he continued to drive. Sam shifted and turned toward Castiel to pick the angel's brain.
"Why was Michael interested in him?"
"The Vatican has always been a topic of contention in Heaven. They have a habit of knowing far more than they should. Anderson was, is, one of their best. Both he and his father were some of the best exorcists to walk Earth."
Castiel's voice was calmly thoughtful as he explained the situation from Heaven's perspective. Sam scrunched his brow in thought as he thought over the angel's words. Dean snorted and rolled his eyes.
"I swear Michael just has a thing for badasses. Must be lacking."
Sam snorted at his brother's comment, and Castiel tilted his head in confusion.
"Lacking?"
"I'm talking about his-oh nevermind, it's nothing Cas. Just commenting on Michael's taste in men."
Castiel still looked confused, but Dean just shot him an amused smile before turning his eyes back to the road. Sam watched the interaction with a knowing smirk before he turned back to the book he'd been reading before he called Bobby. It would be twenty hours before they hit Sioux Falls and he had to drown out the music his brother was playing.
Line Break
Rowen set the book down with an aggravated sigh. Perhaps the angel with the Winchester brothers was right. Maybe there really wasn't any substantial lore on Azrial. They'd been picking through the books with little luck beyond very basic facts.
"This is strange. Why is there so little lore on her?"
Bobby voiced the question Rowen had been mulling over for hours now. The exorcist sighed and leaned back in his chair as he pushed to book away from him.
"Honestly? I don't know. Is it possible she lied about who she is?"
"Possible? Sure. Likely? No. Castiel is an angel and he'd be able to see her for what she really is."
Rowen hummed in acknowledgment as he tapped his pencil against the desk in thought. Bobby shut the book he was reading and Rowen raised an eyebrow in question. The man sighed and added it back to the stack.
"We've got some information at least. I think Castiel will be our best source at this point."
"Maybe, but how can you know his information is accurate? From what you said, he thought she was dead."
"He did. Outdated information is better than no information though."
Rowen shook his head and Bobby shot him a questioning look so the exorcist explained,
"Outdated information could be more dangerous in this situation. It's not like a hunt, Bobby. Think of the angels like pagan gods for a moment. Depending on the time and scenario, each acts a different way in the lore. The difference between what would anger Minerva versus Athena, for example, differs greatly."
"Ya sayin' she may react badly if we attempt to interact with her purely on Castiel's information?"
"Yes."
The hunter seemed to mull over his words, and Rowen found himself wondering how much bullshit the man had to put up with in the past few years. The Winchester boys being in the middle of this shit show meant Bobby had likely been involved from day one. Bobby would never come right out and say it but he viewed those boys like the children he'd never had. That sobering thought brought a heavy seriousness back to the situation. As interesting as the prospect of meeting two angels was for him, Rowen had to remember he was here to ease his friend's burden. For Bobby, this situation had a lot on the line and the biggest risk wasn't to the hunter's life.
It was to his boys' lives.
"Ya may be right. Any suggestions?"
"Don't forget she's a walking weapon."
There was no give in his response and Bobby's brow scrunched in response to Rowen's heavy answer. The exorcist had picked up on the way his friend had spoken about Castiel. The angel seemed to have nestled into an otherwise closed-off heart, and while Rowen didn't judge Bobby for it, he worried his friend may forget that angels weren't something to trifle with.
"You think I'd forget just 'cause Castiel is around, didn't you?"
"You always were good seeing through me, Bobby."
He wouldn't admit the man was correct outright but he had no shame in admitting that he'd been seen through. Bobby eyed him for several moments but sighed and tilted his head in agreement.
"I won't forget. Castiel isn't like the other angels and that's disgustingly hard to forget these days."
There was a touch of bitterness in the man's voice and Rowen's gaze softened. Bobby was under more stress then he would ever admit, and it was starting to show. Perhaps it's because he'd known the man for so long but he could see the strain of the Apocalypse weighing on him. It was in the tension around his neck and shoulders and the way the man's expression seemed caught in a semi-permanent frown.
"I'm sorry, it was stupid to think you'd forget."
"It doesn't matter. How've things been with you?"
The change in conversation was clear, but Rowen allowed it. They were getting nowhere with the research so it was best to focus on something else until the others arrived.
"Well, the wife wasn't overly pleased that I was coming out here."
"Still on the rocks with her?"
"When am I not?"
Now the bitterness had crept into his own voice and Rowen sighed in aggravation. Perhaps the topic change hadn't been the safest.
"I thought things were okay between you two?"
"They were. For a time. I agreed to stop hunting and going on jobs for the Vatican unless they were local and that helped. With the Apocalypse gearing up things have been tense at the orphanage."
"More kids showing up than normal?"
Rowen looked away from his friend as he answered,
"Yeah. Hunters are dying more frequently with everything going on. Whether it be monsters or demons it doesn't matter. I just thank God I have the Vatican backing the upkeep. Can't imagine trying to run the orphanage otherwise."
"That has the old lady upset?"
"No. Me coming here does. She counts this as a hunt and she doubts the reason I came."
Bobby was silent for several moments and Rowen could see the man's mind filtering through all the information he'd been given. Bobby tapped his fingers against the open tome in front of him as he spoke, "She thinks you're chasing a lead on Lily."
"She does. I can't blame Susan, I chased after leads on Lily for years. I just wish she'd have more faith in me. I haven't actively looked for a lead in more than five years, and even the ones that show up I never go personally check."
"You realize you may finally be able to get answers, don't you?"
Rowen was taken aback by the question and his confusion must have shown because Bobby continued without missing a beat.
"Well, the one thing we do know is Azrial is the angel of death. She may have the answers you're looking for, and may be in sharing mood if we tread carefully around her and Crowley."
Rowen remained silent at Bobby's blunt statement. The man had a point but there was a risk in asking such questions. It had only taken a year for him to realize Lily was likely dead. He only knew he'd been married to her because he found their marriage certificate. He'd had retrograde amnesia according to doctors but even 25 years ago he knew that was bull. To forget everything about her meant there was something supernatural going on especially considering the last thing he remembered was being in the middle of an exorcism.
"Rowen?"
"It's irrelevant."
His response was automatic but he meant it. It had been 25 years since Lily had gone missing. If she was alive she'd stayed away, and in his opinion that told its own story. Whether it was to protect him or perhaps she'd just left because of his memory loss.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. I meant what I said Bobby, I do love Susan. I never deserved her and God knows I haven't treated her as I should. It would be one betrayal too many if I asked this archangel what happened."
Bobby raised an eyebrow but looked pleased at his response. He knew his pursuit of Lily had put Bobby on edge at times and looking back, he knew it was because it had turned a bit obsessive at points.
"I could ask."
The offer was genuine, and Rowen smiled softly at Bobby. The man really could be too kind at times.
"No. It's best to leave well enough alone. If I were meant to know what happened, I would have found something by now. Every lead since day one has been a dead end and maybe that's for the best."
"Look at you getting wise in your old age."
"You're almost two years older than me."
Rowen's voice dripped with amusement as he rolled his eyes at Bobby's comment. The hunter snorted and smirked slightly, "Yet still the better looking one."
"Fuck you, Bobby."
"Pass. I don't fuck around with married people."
Rowen laughed as he pulled the book back toward him. Perhaps with a fresh pair of eyes, he'd find something out about this elusive archangel.
Line Break
December 10, 2009
Dean practically jumped out of the car as soon as he parked. He knew he was acting a bit ridiculous, but between Crowley's contact actually having teeth and the willingness to fight Lucifer and Rowen being at Bobby's, he was in a disgustingly good mood.
For the first time in almost a year, he had hope. So sue him if he was overly happy about life.
"Dean if you fall and bust your face I won't help you up. I'm gonna laugh my ass off."
"Oh shut it, Samantha. I'm gonna let Bobby know we're here, so grab the bags."
"Don't drool on Rowen, jerk."
"Shut up, bitch."
Dean's amusement dripped off his response as he shouted back to his brother. Even Sam was feeling a bit more hopeful and it showed in his younger brother's banter. It came easier, and Sam seemed far more at ease. That was something Dean would have given the world for. Leaving Crowley alone was a small price to pay to see a glimpse of his brother from before all this shit started happening.
Dean pushed open the screen door and called out to the house, "Hey, Bobby we're back!"
The splash of holy water to the face really didn't take him by surprise, but when he sputtered and opened his eyes he was surprised to meet amber instead of Bobby's familiar blue eyes.
"Well, well, Dean Winchester, it's been a long time. How's that brother of yours doing?"
The smooth voice with a hint of Boston accent had a grin forming on Dean's face. While the man's eyes were extremely unique and impossible to confuse with anyone else it had taken Dean a moment to connect his appearance to the man. While Rowen looked good for his age, especially as a hunter, it was obvious by the peppering of grey through his auburn hair his age was starting to show.
"Sam's doing great, Father Anderson. How have you been?"
"I'm well, and I swear I've told you to call me Rowen. Every time I hear Father Anderson I think my father's come back from the grave to question my life choices."
Dean's smile faltered. He hadn't realized Abraham had died. He shouldn't be surprised given the man's age but it highlighted the fact he hadn't seen either in several years.
"I'm sorry. I didn't-"
"Dean, it's okay. My father lived a good life. He died in his sleep, and given our line of work you can't really find fault in such a death, can you?"
The comforting tone took Dean aback for a moment, but he quickly plowed on wanting to get past his conversational fuck up. He doubted the man wanted to dwell on his father's death even if it was from natural circumstances.
"Guess not. Is Bobby around?"
"Yeah, he was just making himself lunch. Wanted to be ready to talk about what we found when you got here. I heard you had an angel with you?"
Dean almost laughed at the look in Rowen's eyes. It was clear the exorcist had every intention of picking Castiel's brain as soon as the angel was nearby. As if on cue, Castiel wandered in with one of the bags shortly followed by Sam who beelined for the bathroom after dropping his.
"Hey Cas, come 'ere for a second."
The angel shot him a confused look but set the bag down on the floor and walked over. Once he was at his side Dean slung his arm around Castiel's shoulder with a smirk.
"Rowen, this is Castiel, mighty angel of the Lord. Cas, this is Father Rowen Anderson."
Castiel shot him a dirty look at the introduction, but still extended his hand when Rowen offered his. Castiel tilted his head as he looked at Rowen with a searching look in his eyes.
"Ah. Now it makes sense."
The angel's statement took both by surprise, and Dean pulled his arm back so he could look at his friend.
"What makes sense, Cass?"
"Michael's interest in this human. I hadn't realized it because I'd never personally met him."
"Michael, the archangel Michael, was interested in me?"
Rowen sounded confused and a bit concerned at the angel's blunt admission. Dean though was focused on getting the 'why' out of Castiel.
"Cas, you're doing that angelic thing where you don't explain crap again."
The angel squinted at Dean for a few moments but then sighed, "Rowen Anderson's soul is particularly pure. Angel's tend to covet such souls for Heaven's designs. As vessels, holy figures, or even martyrs."
"I am right here. If you're going to stare through me to my soul the least you could do is buy me dinner first."
Dean wheezed as he choked out a laugh at the sarcastic comment paired with the exorcist's deadpan look. Castiel looked confused, but before he could ask what the exorcist meant Bobby entered the living room with a sandwich in one hand and a beer in the other.
"You idjits finally got back. How fast were you goin'?"
"I went the speed limit."
"Try again, Dean. You were going at least 15 over the entire time."
Sam entered the room with that snipped comment and fell into a chair. Dean huffed as he sat down as well and before Castiel could get away from him, Rowen dragged the angel to sit near him much to Dean's amusement.
"Well, let's get this meeting of Team Free Will underway then."
"Where the hell did you come up with that name?"
Sam's amused question was accented by Bobby's snort of laughter and Dean answered with a smirk.
"Well, three hunters, a Vatican Exorcist, and a powered down angel all going against the plans of Heaven and Hell need a name. So, Team Free Will it is!"
"I'm ashamed to be related to you."
"Bite me, Sammy."
"Hard pass Dean. You're not my type."
With that joking comment, the room turned serious. Dean clung to the hope he'd felt since they'd met Azrial and the archangel signed on to help them. They'd make it out of this. No one else would die. They could do this.
Watch out you feathered bastards, Dean thought with a smirk as Bobby pulled out his research, we're coming for you.
