Mercy could only stare at the door in dread as she and Gabe psyched them up for what would ultimately happen the second they took a step in the home.
She took a deep breath to calm her mind and heard Gabe mimic the action. She reached out to knock onto the door but was stopped in surprise by a loud shout from within.
"First Dean comes back from the devil's ass and now Sam's back from God knows where." Bobby sighed heavily, "If Mercy pops up from nowhere I'm gonna shoot someone!"
That at least told her what her brothers had been up to since she left. She should have known they'd end up in some kind of trouble without her there to talk them down. A pang of guilt shot through her heart but she ignored it. The time they spent away from each other was good for her, and most likely was the same for the boys. They needed time to grow up and learn to live without the weight of family on them.
"You ready to get shot at, Tiger?" Gabe broke her out of the thoughts and got her giggling.
She wasn't too sure that Bobby really wouldn't shoot Gabe but they had no other choice. She knocked on the door, listening to the sound of it echo through the now silent house.
A moment passed in silence until the door quickly opened to reveal a hand gun wielding Bobby Singer. He took one look at the pair of them and growled something about stupid idjits before proceeding to take aim and shoot Gabe in the chest.
"Um, ow," Gabe yelled as he stared down to the hole now in his chest. "It won't kill me, but it sure as hell hurts like a bitch!"
Mercy once again took deep breaths to calm her fluttering heart. She knew that Gabe couldn't be killed in theory, but it was kind of hard to remind herself of that fact when it is used in practice.
"Did you really have to shoot him Bobby?" She joked, "I really liked that top on him."
The two stared at each other for a passing second which ended with her being dragged into a crushing hug with her pseudo uncle. She smiled at the action and hugged back tightly. It reminded her of home and she would be lying if she said she wasn't happy to be back.
When they leaned away from each other they didn't completely let go and stared into each other's face. Bobby looked worn and so tired, but there was still that fiery spark inside him that spoke of his iron will. Also, within the grisly expression he always had, Mercy could see the acceptance, forgiveness and approval.
Approval for what though?
The deep sound of a throat clearing split the two apart and Mercy was left standing awkwardly under the glares of her brothers. The silence was deafening and the two bystanders showed no sign of interfering with their reunion.
Mercy shook of the regret and made her body stand straight. They were family, they could get through this.
And, she added in her thoughts, just because she had been around civilians, it didn't mean she had turned soft. She was still the badass Hunter that slew a whole nest of vampires at the age of eighteen without gaining even a scratch or bruise.
"There's no point trying to ignore the problem, so I'll just come out and say it." Mercy spoke with a strong voice, and for once she actually felt as strong as she sounded. If truth be told, she felt stronger.
She looked the two boys- no, men- in the eyes with the same ferocity as she did when she was frank with her father all those years ago.
"I'm sorry for the things I said the last time we met. You were just doing your job and I knew that, but I let my anger control me and said things I didn't mean." The two younger Winchester's relaxed their stances as she spoke. "I love the two of you, you are my family and I'd do anything for either of you." Dean made to step closer but Mercy stopped him with a well-meaning stare.
"However," Her voice still strong, "I will not now, nor will I ever, apologise for leaving. I was falling apart but, like a stubborn idiot, wouldn't admit it because I felt I had to be strong for the two of you. That was stupid of me and I finally realise what I had been doing to you. But I've changed now; I found a life outside of wrapping you up in bubble wrap."
Her speech was met with awe and just a tiny bit of shock. She had matured now that she wasn't trapped by the past and had become so much stronger than ever before.
"Yeah, um, we're sorry too." Dean started as he rubbed the back of his head, "Y'know about, killing Loki." He took a slight double take and turned to the said god, "Sorry."
Gabe gaped at the brothers before he stuttered out a thank you. Mercy felt strangely proud of her family (Gabe included).
However, all bashfulness was wiped from Gabe's face as he tilted his head as though trying to hear something. He quickly pulled Mercy close to him and gave a small kiss to the cheek.
"That would be my queue to leave, I'll see you later." And with that he vanished in an instant.
The family soon began talking after his departure and Mercy was caught up with everything that had happened in the year and a half that she had been "missing".
"I know a psychic, Pamela, if anyone could find what dragged your ass out of hell it would be her." Bobby suggested and the men quickly agreed. It seemed to them that it was their only choice.
"No need; I already know what it was." If their heads had turned any faster, Mercy was sure that they'd snap right off their necks. "Now it's just a case of finding out which angel did it and why."
After a lengthy discussion and a heart to heart with Dean who thought that he wasn't worthy enough to have been saved by an angel (which she shut up with a stern "I don't give a damn what you did down there or why you think you're not worthy. The fact is that you were saved by an angel so that means you're a hell of a lot more worthy than all the other millions who were also dragged down into hell."
They drove to a barn situated in an abandoned field and just looked at it for a moment. They could all feel that something big was going to be set in motion the second they stepped into the decrepit building.
She was about to follow Dean and Bobby into the barn when a hand around her wrist kept her back. She turned to see Sam who had a pained expression and looked so close to letting out tears.
"You knew Dean was in hell this whole time?" He sounded so downtrodden, but Mercy could hear the sharp edge of accusation on his words.
"I did."
"Then why didn't you come find me to help search for a way to save him?" His grip on her tightened with each word,
"Because I knew he couldn't be saved and was mourning." She knew this didn't pacify him in the slightest by the still increasing grip.
"So why didn't you help me?" His voice was barely a whisper and filled with pain.
Mercy knew this wasn't the time for this, they needed to summon the angel soon, and so she yanked her hand away and turned back to walking to the barn.
"Because I was hurting just as much, it would have been stupid to put that much grief together."
Dean turned a questioning look towards her when they walked in late, to which she answered with a slight shake of her head. Dean had enough regret on his shoulders; she wasn't going to add more to it.
"This is impressive!" Mercy praised the older man. She had never seen so many sigils from so many countries and religions in one place before.
"At least someone appreciates me; your brother over there called it an art project humph." The grouchy man replied.
"Don't worry Bobby, it just means he thinks it's awesome." She teased.
"Hey, I'm right here you know!" Dean whined and caused all four of them to burst into laughter.
Yeah, it was nice to be back.
"Are you ready to drag this thing's ass here?" Bobby asked the three of them. Though none of them answered, they didn't need too.
It was time.
The spell was said, the fire burnt, the winds howled, and they were tense with anticipation.
The door burst open and sparks showered all in the room causing their eyesight to become distorted and for them to turn away from the figure shrouded in moonlight. The loud footsteps rang in their ears and Mercy was struck with a strange mixed feeling of wonder and fear that sent her into a serious state of mind.
The sparks finally died down which allowed the four humans to turn to the creature who had just entered only to see… a tax accountant?
Mercy knew not to judge anyone or anything by appearance alone thanks to her experience as a hunter (and hell, no one would expect Gabe to be an archangel by sight alone), but this was just getting stupid.
The guy looked like he was both sombre yet confused at the same time which was strange to look at and made him look ever so slightly constipated.
Mercy barely stifled the laugh at her thoughts. She had to have been spending far too much time with Gabe if this is what she starts thinking in such a tense moment.
"My name is Castiel and I am an angel of the lord." The angel announced to the shocked humans.
Like a switch had been flicked with those words, the three male hunters raised their guns and began firing at the poor confused angel.
When all ammo had been used the men traded the guns for wickedly sharp blades and advanced. Mercy, however, simply stayed in her little corner and watched it all go down. There was little that could harm an angel and he obviously wasn't there to hurt any of them, so she just stayed out of the way and let her family get rid of a bit of steam.
The fight was over quickly with Sam and Bobby fast asleep on the floor and Dean backing away from the approaching figure.
"We need to talk." The angel stated, although it was obvious that Dean was not in the mood for talking. He sent panicked looks at Mercy, trying to get her to do something, anything at all.
She mentally sighed before clearing her throat in order to gain Castiel's attention. Said angel turned to look at the female hunter in intrigue, it seemed he either didn't expect her to interfere or didn't know she was there in the first place.
"Why have the angel's decided to walk the earth now of all times?" She asked.
Gabe had told her that most angels didn't understand basic human common sense or understand any kind of reference or saying. So basically, she had to talk to Castiel like she talked to her brothers when they were under the age of ten.
"God has ordered us to rescue Dean Winchester from hell for He has a mission for him."
Mercy gave a small snort at the pathetic explanation. She had never taken any kind of shit from Sam, Dean or Gabe and was certainly not going to take it from a young angel.
"We humans have this pesky thing we like to call Free Will, which means we get to choose whether we want to follow your instructions depending on how much information you give us. We're certainly not if that's all you're giving us."
Mercy glared down at Castiel, ready for the tedious event that was going to be gaining information.
If the angels were getting involved then something huge and probably devastating was on its way.
Bring it on.