A/N: First of all - My sincerest apologies. It has been over a year since I've updated this story. Terrible, I know. Long story short: Life got busy and I got married. I've been extremely happy :) I actually recently convinced my husband to watch Supernatural with me, and we're already at Season 2! ...And I realized the other day that we were only four episodes away from Gabriel's first appearance as the Trickster. Let's just say it was a kick starter moment for me, remembering all the plans I had for this story and how excited I was to execute them.

Anyway. I'm back. And things are getting hot. I can't promise regular postings, but I will try my darnest. One thing's for sure - I still plan on completing this fic, so never fear! Past followers: thanks for sticking with me. New followers: I hope you enjoy the ride. Either way, I had a blast writing this chapter, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Chapter Seventeen

Before Sam could knock on the door, it opened.

Candi's eyes widened when she saw him standing there. "Sam, right? What are you doing here?"

He had practiced what he was going to say to her over and over again in the car, but all of that left him as he stood pathetically at her doorstep. "I'm… back in town."

She raised her eyebrows, waiting for him to continue.

"And… thought maybe you'd like to go out for a drink?"

"What, for some follow-up questions?"

Sam laughed, sticking his hands in his pockets. "Yeah. Something like that."

"Should Jen be there?"

It took Sam a moment to remember who Jen was. "I think it might be more helpful if it was just you and I," he said.

She shrugged. "Fine by me. Look, I'm late for work."

"Oh, right." Sam quickly moved out of her way. "Sorry."

She brushed past him and descended the three stairs that were peeling white paint before turning to look at him again. "It's been like two months since you were here last. Why return now?"

Sam shrugged. "I was passing through and remembered I had asked you some hard questions. I guess I'm just trying to make up for that. When are you free?"

She glanced at her phone, backing away. "Um, how about after my shift? Is nine too late?"

Sam shook his head. "I'll meet you at nine here?"

"At Hickory's," she confirmed. "I gotta go."

Sam watched her peel out of the driveway, then looked back at her front door. It didn't look like anyone was home.

And in her hurry to leave, she had left the door unlocked.

Sam felt bad taking advantage of the opportunity, but exploring her home could give him answers. He quietly let himself in, checking the living room and kitchen to see if anyone was there. It was silent. Still, he checked the bedroom. This was obviously where her aunt stayed. Old furniture sat against the wall, cheap perfume and jewelry boxes littered the vanity in the corner. Everything was neat and tidy. Sam stepped outside of the room and looked around. The house wasn't big enough for another room. So… where was it?

He found a single bathroom, a towel closet, and, finally, he opened a door that led to what was originally a room meant for extra storage. There, a twin sized bed was crammed, taking up most the space. Clothes were everywhere. Sam felt claustrophobic just looking at the room. With the slanted ceiling, he could only fully stand upright inside the doorway.

Candi was less off than he had imagined. At least the light was bright, and the room's walls glowed a soft, clean off-white. It wasn't like she was living under the staircase with the spiders, like Harry Potter.

Sam shook his head, realizing how much of a nerd he was for even making the comparison. He did a quick search of the room, trying to find anything that seemed odd or out-of-place. Her laptop laid innocently on top of her bed, surrounded by a nest of clothes. He knelt down by the bed and opened it.

The first few chords of a song he recognized all too well blared from its speakers. He jumped back, nearly tipping over. His heart hammered in his chest.

I never meant to be so bad to you.

One thing I said I'd never do.

Sam frantically brushed the mouse, trying to get the laptop to wake up. "Shut up, shut up," he muttered.

The laptop flickered to life, but instead of seeing a login or homepage, he stared in horror at a familiar face that smirked back at him from the screen.

"Hello, Sam."

Sam stared hard at the image. "You're dead," he said flatly.

Gabriel winked. "Surprise."

The door slammed shut. Sam whipped around. Gabriel, in the flesh, stood there with his arms stretched out on either side of him just as the chorus of "Heat of the Moment" pounded out of the laptop. "Miss me?"

Sure, he could have tortured the youngest Winchester brother further. But serious business was at hand. Gabriel chortled at Sam's dumbfounded expression. "Come on, where's the hug?"

"…Is this a trick?" Sam was standing now, watching Gabriel warily.

"When isn't it?" Gabriel countered.

"Lucifer killed you. You were on the floor. Your wings…"

"He may have taught me a few tricks, but not all of them. Don't believe everything your eyes tell you." Gabriel was thoroughly enjoying this moment. "Don't look so surprised. This isn't the first time I've returned, back from the dead."

Sam raised his eyebrows. "Point taken." He frowned. "What are you doing here? And can you please turn that off?"

"Here as in Candi's room?" Gabriel snapped his fingers, and her laptop closed with a clunk, shutting off the music. "While you've been blundering about with Dean, I've been here keeping an eye on things."

Sam narrowed his eyes. "Why?"

"Because I can. And because I don't want you and Dean screwing up the world again. Oh, wait." Gabriel held up his finger. "You already did."

"You know about Dean?"

"Of course I know about Dean. All the angels are talking about it."

Sam opened his mouth to ask another question, but Gabriel held up a hand. "My turn. What do you want with Candi?"

Sam crossed his arms. "It's none of your business."

"I've kind of made it my business."

Sam pressed his lips together. Gabriel raised an eyebrow.

"You're not… taking her away, are you? Not to Dean the big, bad demon?"

"How do you know so much?" Sam shot back.

"Please." Gabriel took three steps to the bed and sat down. Sam remained standing, even though he had to bend his head a little to keep it from brushing the ceiling. He looked like even more of a giant in this tiny space. "I know about this whole business of finding Dean a nice, sweet girl who can somehow cure him of his demonic, violent ways." He shook his head. "Gotta say, Sam… not one of your brightest ideas."

"It's one of a few," Sam countered.

"Uh-huh. So you're going with the idea to expose an innocent girl to the wrath of Dean? You know this won't work."

"Why such an interest in her?" Sam took a step closer, so he was towering right over Gabriel. "Why would an angel – an archangel, even – be so interested in one human girl?"

Gabriel stared up at Sam, momentarily at a loss for words. What was with him lately? He had an answer to everything. Finally, he settled on the truth. Part of it, anyway. "She's in danger, Sam," he answered. "And I need your help."

Before Sam could answer, Gabriel stood and grabbed Sam's arms. With a quick beat of his wings, he transported him to an isolated dock, not far from his lighthouse. Sam stumbled back once they'd landed. "The hell…?"

Gabriel pushed him into the water. Sam landed with a huge splash that splattered the wood of the dock in dark spots.

"Gabriel, I'm going to kill you!" Sam yelled from below.

Gabriel knelt down at the edge of the dock and smirked. "Not yet, you won't. There's something in there, Sam. Something that wants Candi."

His words peaked Sam's interest. "The thing that killed her father? Do you know what it is?"

Gabriel shook his head. "That's what you are going to find out," he said. He stood. Snapped his fingers. Watched in amusement as Sam's eyes widened in horror.

"Gabriel…" He began twisting and squirming in the water, yelling and spluttering. When he finally realized what had happened, he glared daggers at Gabriel. "You can't be serious."

Gabriel couldn't help it. He burst into laughter. This was too good. "You look just the part, what with those luscious locks." He laughed again, then recovered. Barely. "Now," he pointed at the horizon. "Go find what's hunting Candi, and kill it. And don't do something stupid, like get eaten by a shark or preen on a rock where everyone can see you."

Sam sucked in a deep breath. It was fun to antagonize him. "Gabriel," he said, trying to keep his voice even. "Change. Me. Back."

"Nah." Gabriel winked. "This is too much fun. Besides, the new look suits you." He turned to leave, but called back over his shoulder. "Happy swimming, Sam."

"Gabriel!" Sam's voice was seething, a ferocious growl that Gabriel ignored. "You'll regret this! I swear to God you will!"

And Gabriel heard a splash of water as Sam used his brand new fish tail straight from a Disney princess movie to disappear into the water.