Devery rolled over in bed and pulled the blankets higher, tighter around her body, trying to stay warm. The solar panels on the house provided electricity, but using too much of it for various functions within the house left the panels stressed when she wanted to heat the rooms.

A long, muscular arm wrapped tightly around her waist, forearm resting against her chest, fingers strumming softly against her collarbones.

Devery grinned sleepily and snuggled against Gabriel, relishing in his warmth. They had taken just one more night to rest after their exhaustive journey to the North Pole, both of them needing the extra hours to sleep, eat, clean clothing, repack, and ultimately, explore each other.

Gabriel's nose nuzzled against her neck and a moment later his teeth nipped at her, eliciting a soft laugh from her.

"Is that your way of telling me you're hungry?" she murmured turning her face to smirk at him.

He grinned at her and nipped at her again, both of them laughing softly. "It's my way of saying good morning," he murmured.

Devery grinned and turned, lying so she could face him. Her fingers ran over his bare chest and bicep, her nails scraping over his skin gently as she touched him softly but determinedly. Her eyes darted over his shoulder to the crack in the metal shutters and lifted a brow, "The sun isn't even up yet," she murmured.

"Does that mean you're going to stay in bed?" Gabriel asked, his grin becoming lecherous.

Devery shook her head and reached a hand up to where his face hovered over hers, running her fingers over the stubble that ran along his jaw, humming softly at the sensation. "Hmm…no. I'm going to get up and make breakfast. We need to go," she whispered.

"Go where?" Gabriel asked, his voice tightening with worry, but his smile remained, dulling slightly.

"Back to Mallory. We've got the sword, we have a way to stop Lucifer and we need to use it," she told him softly. "We don't know where Michael is, but I think he's probably in Vega, protecting the city with Uriel and making sure the defenses are rebuilt," she murmured.

Gabriel dipped his chin, nipping his teeth against her palm as he watched her speak, the bitter realization that their brief window of sanctuary was closing. Her fingers curled against his face absently as she spoke, a smile curling her lips and he found himself smiling faintly back.

"Fine. But just one thing before you get up," he murmured, leaning in to kiss her, his fingers curling into her hair. He could feel her smile against him and as his hands roamed, she sighed and arched against him.

"Just one thing?" she whispered, sighing as he kissed her neck, the scruff on his cheeks burning her skin pleasantly.

Gabriel slid a hand down her hip his face alight with mischief, "Just one thing," he assured her.

The truck roared down the empty highways and Gabriel watched Devery as she drove deftly, her eyes intent on the road ahead of them. When they had left the safe house hours earlier she had insisted on driving, her insinuation being that he never drove fast enough for her liking.

He smirked softly; she loved to drive fast, fight hard and fuck harder. They were just a few of the reasons he was falling for her, and it was frightening to him on some level the depth of his feelings for her.

Knowing that she reciprocated his feelings was even more startling, and gave him a wild hope, something that was dangerous, he knew. Hope made a person reckless, gave them ideas that things could turn out well when all evidence to the contrary had been presented time and again.

So he tried to squash the hope that fluttered like a baby bird in his chest and turned his thoughts elsewhere, namely to the task of killing his angelic brother, Lucifer.

They had the Sword that he had used the last time, but in this case, he had little hope that they would succeed. Lucifer would know from his minions that they had the sword, and he was close to acquiring his vessel.

There was little chance that they would actually stop him from getting his body and taking over Earth. Gabriel knew that every likelihood pointed to their complete and total failure and the devastation of the human race, along with the angelic hosts.

They would need Michael and Uriel if they were to succeed, and even with his brother and sister, he didn't expect to survive this battle against Lucifer. There was no angel stronger, no one most like God than Lucifer.

"What are you thinking about?" Devery murmured softly, her eyes still on the road.

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair, shaking his head. He didn't want to tell her that they stood against almost insurmountable odds. That he thought they would fail. But after yesterday things had changed, they had made a silent promise to be honest and stand together, and he couldn't break that.

"We aren't going to beat him," he replied softly. He didn't have to explain, he knew she understood.

She remained quiet for a long moment before she shook her head, silently disagreeing with him. "No. Not alone we won't. But I've been thinking that with Michael and Uriel we might be able to. And your brother Raphael is still alive, isn't he?" she asked softly.

Gabriel shrugged, "No one has seen him since before the wars started and Heaven fell to Earth," he told her. Truth be told, Raphael would be an incredible asset, but they had never really gotten along. "I wouldn't even know where to begin looking," he admitted.

"Would Uriel? She's hidden in Helena for decades and might know a thing or two that she's kept from you and Michael," Devery said, glancing over at him with a wry smile.

Gabriel nodded, silently consenting to the fact that his sister was a devious creature. "We'll have to ask her when we see her next," he replied thoughtfully.

Devery peered out the window at the passing highway sign and smiled, "We'll be in Mallory by nightfall, I'm going to pull over so you can head to Vega," she murmured.

Gabriel hated this part of the plan. Leaving her to observe Mallory and keep an eye on Alex and Noma was reckless at best and dangerously stupid at worst. He huffed out a breath and shook his head, "Fine," he muttered, biting off the rest of the words he wanted to say.

Devery heard the frustration in his voice and sighed, she knew how he felt about the plan she had come up with, but she wasn't about to change her mind. She had her powers to use against Alex and Noma, and anything else Lucifer decided to throw at her.

Pulling off the road she let the truck idle as she got out and watched as Gabriel situated weapons on his person, adjusting the straps of his swords and guns until he was satisfied. They had agreed she would keep the sword to kill Lucifer with, just in case he managed to acquire his vessel while Gabriel was in Vega.

She brushed back the strands of hair that whipped around her face in the breeze and stepped closer to Gabriel as he spread his wings, preparing to fly away. She laid a hand on his armored chest and frowned softly at him, "Be careful," she murmured, her face softening into a faint smile, "I'd hate to have to kick your ass for getting hurt," she told him.

Gabriel snorted softly, his mouth turning up in a half smile and he lifted a hand to wrap around her neck, his fingers curling into her skin gently. He applied a light pressure and pulled her up against him, his lips finding hers for a long moment until they were both breathless and their hearts were pounding.

He rested his forehead against hers for a breath and sighed, "You couldn't kick my ass if you tried," he murmured and then grinned, pecking her on the lips as she realized what he had said, stepping back quickly to avoid her slap and flapped his wings, launching himself into the air with a low chuckle.

"Asshole," Devery murmured, though her lips were curved into a soft smile as she watched him fly away.

Gabriel was amazed by the changes within Vega. The security system had been updated and the walls had been rebuilt, and it seemed that the V-system had been thrown out for a more democratic lifestyle for everyone.

At the moment though, he didn't really give a shit about any of that. He searched for his sister and brother, trying first Michael's rooms in the tower, then the rooms where Uriel had stayed as an emissary of Helena, and finally in the halls of the Council building.

It was there that he found his brother and sister, patiently hearing requests from the people of Vega, listening to their woes and complaints.

He listened for a few minutes before shaking his head and storming forward, tossing back his hood. "Bitching session is over good people of Vega! The angels have more important business!" he crowed.

The people gasped and stepped back at the sight of him but didn't leave, instead turning to Michael and Uriel for guidance. Gabriel rolled his eyes and spread his wings, drawing a sword.

"NOW!" he shouted, smirking when people yelped and began running away.

He heard a long sigh from behind him and knew instinctively it was Michael.

"Was that really necessary?"

He turned and sheathed his sword, nodding. "We don't have time for that shit. We have to go. Devery needs us in Mallory. We found the sword and Lucifer is close to finding his vessel. There's no time left," he urged his siblings.

Uriel's eyes lit eagerly, "You've found the sword? Excellent!" she declared softly.

Michael nodded slowly, giving his brother a thoughtful look, "Devery is in Mallory?" he asked as though he was pondering something.

"Yes brother. Now, may we leave? Lucifer grows stronger every day. His vessel will soon be found," he urged.

Michael nodded and this time he seemed galvanized, stepping forward to grip his brother's shoulder firmly. "We need to gather as many weapons as possible, this will not be an easy battle," he murmured.

Gabriel shook his head, it already had nearly killed he and Devery…well. He supposed it had.

Michael turned to Uriel, "You'll need to set the new protocols in place for our departure. I will gather supplies. We can meet in an hour at the west gate," he ordered. Uriel nodded and they watched him depart abruptly.

Gabriel turned to his sister and reached into his pocket, pulling out a letter, written by Devery with the warning that it was for Uriel's eyes only. He handed it over and watched as she read it silently, her brows furrowing.

After a long moment she nodded and tore it into shreds and then tossed the shreds into the fireplace, watching as they burned.

"I won't be going with you and Michael. We'll all take communication devices and when you get to Mallory, you'll contact me, you understand?" Uriel told him, her voice firm.

Gabriel hesitated, wondering what could have been in the letter, but after a long moment he nodded. He trusted that whatever plan Devery had come up with on her own was a worthy one, and if it required secrecy, he would honor that.

"Good. Let's go to the security headquarters and get the comms devices," Uriel ordered.

Gabriel nodded and followed after his sister, glancing back at the fireplace where Devery's letter turned to ash.

Devery had driven closer to Mallory after Gabriel's departure and had climbed a small hill to set up her observation perch, watching the burnt out and ruined town through the scope of a rifle. There was occasional movement in one of the houses, but with the ragged curtains drawn and dusk falling, she couldn't see how many people were inside, or if it was Alex and Noma.

Her instincts were screaming that something was here, something powerful and evil. She didn't see anyone though, and there was no stench like there had been when the Hellhounds and demons had attacked, so she couldn't pinpoint where the sensation was coming from.

She turned her gaze away from the scope and glanced at her watch; it had been several hours since Gabriel had flown to Vega, by now he should have convinced Michael and Uriel to the tasks ahead of them and potentially be on his way back.

Uriel would be headed elsewhere, and if she was right, would be getting a whole hell of a lot of firepower under her control.

She hoped that Michael and Gabriel would be here soon, she was growing uneasy at the evil sensation that pulsated within the town, making her skin itch for action.

"Are you ever going to come say hello Devery?"

Fright passed through Devery so hard she had to physically force herself not to jump at the sound of Noma's voice above her. She quickly rolled over and peered at the angel standing over her, her eyes widening in shock.

A pregnant belly protruded under her shirt, and if Devery had to make an estimation, she would say the other woman was nearly 6 months along.

"That's impossible," Devery breathed, her eyes fixated on Noma's stomach.

Noma smiled benignly and rested a hand on her stomach, the other firmly grasping a pistol. "All things are possible through him," she replied softly.

Devery scoffed at that and turned her gaze to Noma's face, "I thought that was supposed to be God," she remarked dryly.

Noma lifted a brow, "Who's to say he isn't just as powerful?" she retorted softly.

Devery inhaled sharply at that idea. They knew Lucifer was powerful, but if he was imbued with God-like powers, they were well and truly fucked.

She studied Noma for another moment and then shook her head, "No, I think your precious Lucifer has cast some sort of illusion so you appear pregnant and Alex believes it. I'd be happy to cut you open and show him what a lie that is," she hissed, fury filling her at the woman's evil deception.

Noma bared her teeth and gripped her stomach more possessively, "This child is destined for great things, if you harm me or it, the father will destroy you," she warned softly.

Devery shook her head, incredulous that Alex was lapping up these obvious lies. How her new friend had fallen for this…she could only assume it was because of his grief over Claire and the loss of their child.

"Noma, you should know, I'm going to kill you. I'm going to kill Lucifer, and if I have to, I'll kill Alex," Devery told her; regret filling her at the last words.

Noma smiled bitterly, "He'll be pleased to know that his supposed friends and allies have turned against him so wholeheartedly. It will make his decision to ally with Lucifer feel all the more justified."

Devery inched her fingers towards her gun strapped to her thigh, but Noma shook her head and pointed her pistol at her head, "No, don't. Lucifer doesn't want you dead yet," she murmured.

"So you're just going to let me sit up here and watch you?" Devery replied, annoyed.

Noma grinned, "Hardly."

Waving the gun, she indicated for Devery to rise, and after a moment of deliberations, she rose to her feet, keeping her hands at her sides and away from her weapons. Noma pointed towards the town with the gun, "Walk," she ordered.

Devery nodded and lifted her hands, turning and walking towards Mallory.

A slow smirk spread across her face.

Alex rummaged through her bag, setting in a pile her food and clothing, separating out the weapons until they formed an impressive pile. She had willingly given over her guns and swords from her person, saying nothing about the new sword strapped to her back.

She wasn't about to let them know it was meant to kill Lucifer, and had been used in the past to do so.

So far they seemed ignorant of its purpose.

Devery glanced around the ramshackle house and made note of the fact it was just the three of them before she turned back to Alex, "So where is the big man?" she asked tauntingly, a shit eating grin on her face.

Alex shook his head, "His vessel isn't ready yet. But we can take you to him. He's eager to meet you," he told her, a wry smile on his face.

She really didn't like that.

"Well jeez, as much as I would like that, I don't even have a thank you gift for this little impromptu visit!" Devery drawled, mocking him with a teeth baring grin.

Alex scowled and leaned forward, "Michael and Gabriel weren't with you, where are they?" he demanded.

"Hopefully getting milk, we were a little low the last time I checked," she replied, grinning.

Alex huffed and shook his head, "Being cute isn't going to help you," he told her coldly.

"Aww, Alex, I had no idea you thought I was cute! Does Noma know about this crush?" Devery stage whispered.

The woman in question stepped forward and backhanded her hard. Devery saw stars for a moment and tasted blood before she turned her head back to look at Noma, spitting a wad of blood spit at her feet with a grin.

"I guess not. It must be hard, knowing your little man is only here because you're lying to him," she taunted Noma, glancing pointedly to her belly.

Noma glared and punched her this time, snapping her head back with a right hook.

Devery gasped and blinked, furiously struggling against the pain in her jaw. She inhaled slowly and began to breathe evenly, letting the pain wash out of her concentration, focusing instead on her breathing and remaining conscious…no matter what.

"Have you told him the baby isn't real? It's an illusion, Alex," she murmured, not looking away from Noma.

"That's a lie Alex. You've felt the baby move," Noma replied sharply.

Devery laughed and leaned back in her restraints, "You think the all powerful Lucifer couldn't make that happen? He sent my dead father to see me in my dreams and in a physical form," she told Alex, glancing over to see his reaction.

Hesitance passed over his face and she knew she was beginning to break through.

"She's right Alex. Lucifer has the power to do many things. He even has the power to bring back the dead. He brought back your child with Claire and gave it to us, and sped along the growth so we could have her sooner."

Noma spoke softly, urgently, and when Devery glanced at Alex, she saw the yearning in his face to believe.

Goddammit, she thought, this witch is convincing him!

Alex stood abruptly and stared down at her, his brow furrowed in anger. A breath later he was unclipping her restraints and yanking her up out of the chair and out of the house.

"Come on. You're going to speak with him," Alex muttered.

Devery glanced back over her shoulder to see Noma smirking at her from the doorway before Alex yanked her down the street towards the burnt out remains of a church. He yanked open a hatch in the floor and led her down a passageway that grew brighter as they went.

When they arrived in a large stone room she looked around in amazement at the black liquid filling a stone pool.

"What is this?" she whispered to Alex, her voice echoing in the empty room.

Alex shoved her hard between the shoulders towards the pool and she scrambled back when she nearly fell in.

"This is Lucifer," he replied shortly.

The black liquid rippled and Devery edged back, unease filling her.

"Hello Child of Lazarus."

AN: Well, we're four chapters from the end, and I'm so excited. I love these two-I seriously adore their chemistry and I can't wait to hear what you all think of the ending. Thank you for reading! Please review!