Chapter 8

"Took you long enough."

Angela gave a smile at Haley as she left through the back door of the new venue the troupe had. After an interesting conversation with Lulu and a few of the elder members of the troupe, she helped them move and called Haley in the process for her insight. The witch came right away stating that she had some ideas. Looking at her, she said, "Well I couldn't be rude. I owe them."

"Who don't you owe?"

It wasn't meant to be hurtful since it was a valid question. And it was one that was often asked in some form or another. Haley flinched slightly at the thoughtful look that Angela gave her and shifted on her feet while adding, "Well since it seems people know you no matter what."

Angela hummed as she smiled, "Still a valid question. And to be honest, I owe them quite a bit."

"You say that about almost everyone. Can you tell me why you are helping them? I mean apart from the usual."

"Well…" Angela looked back at the theatre as they started walking away towards the house that Haley mentioned on the phone. She looked back at Haley and continued to walk with her. "Let's just say that they are not your usual troupe of actors."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning that they are more of the… the supernatural variety." Angela paused and turned to look at Haley. It was the same look she gave when she was trying to draft a hunter to her side to protect them from the onslaught that would have happened. It was similar to the look that demanded the opponent challenge what was otherwise said by her.

Haley stood there and took in the look. She recognized the challenge sent her way with the look and she understood why the stories she had heard in her travels. The posture was firm and held a sense of superiority. She looked at the eyes and they held her gaze. She couldn't tear her eyes away; it was like Angela was holding her with her gaze and wouldn't let go until she got an answer. It then dawned on her and swallowing slightly, she replied, "You're protecting them."

Angela stared at Haley with an impassive glance. She knew that she was being unfair by assuming that Haley might be a potential enemy but her protective instincts were on high. She knew the consequences if a hunter that wasn't as understanding caught wind of what the actors were. She remembered the last time.

It had been almost all out war between her and the hunters. They refused to listen and kept trying to kill them. They were the shoot first and don't bother to ask questions type. In the end, people on both sides died and she slipped the troupe away and spent several years keeping an eye on those hunters. It also led to some attempts on her life, the kind of thing she didn't tell Sam about.

Looking at Haley, Angela somberly said, "No one else will."

Haley nodded at that. She knew that she wasn't being put under scrutiny out of spite. She knew that Angela would protect anyone and anything she cared about. This though meant that she was reaching out and asking for help. "Then we better figure out what is going on and throw the blame off them." She gave a smile to show sincerity.

Angela allowed a small one in return and followed Haley. She knew that she couldn't do everything on her own but it did feel wrong in that she hadn't contacted Sam or Dean. She took off this morning to start on figuring out what happened. She knew they would understand in terms of the group but there were things surrounding the case that… She swallowed back her thoughts when her phone rang and she checked it. "Hello?"

Angie? You okay?

"Why wouldn't I be, Dean?"

I don't know because you disappeared this morning and Sam is way too Zen for my liking.

Angela smiled at that since she was certain that Sam being the rational one just drove Dean bonkers. It was the start of a nice prank in some weird way. "Maybe because Sam accepted the fact that I can do a job without a babysitter and that I have been on the job since before you two were born?"

Alright you got me but seriously, where are you? We found something or maybe nothing and we need a second opinion.

Angela looked at Haley and she nodded. She turned and replied, "Alright. I'm with Haley and we're heading over to where she is staying." She looked at nothing in particular as she heard the slight sound Dean made when she mentioned Haley. And he thought she was bad.

Okay, we'll meet you there.

"Okay." Angela disconnected the call and turned to follow Haley. She said, "They'll meet us there. Seems like they found something."

"And I get the feeling that you know something more about this than you're willing to tell," Haley replied, sounding a bit accusatory. She knew that and the last thing she wanted was for what Angela and Sam had to be torn apart because of something that was probably difficult for her to tell. She had to hand it to Sam that he was persistent and that he really loved Angela. Yes, she said it was love and any idiot with eyes could see that.

"And if I am?" Angela turned to look at Haley with a firm look. It was one that was said to make even the toughest of men into mere pussycats. She now used that gaze on Haley and well aware that she was risking inciting the wrath of a juju princess in terms of honor and integrity. "What are you going to do about it?"

Haley was taken aback by Angela's words. She then narrowed her eyes in anger at this development and retorted, "You mean to lie about them?"

Angela stood there and relaxed her features into an impassive one and it bordered dangerously on the look that Sam hated. She knew that she was treading on Haley's toes but there was something after her friends and while it sounded callous to people that she would do something like that especially risk what she was known for and that was her honesty and her word.

Haley waited for an answer but didn't get a response. She narrowed her eyes at that. "You really are going to keep them a secret."

"Of course."

"How can you say that with such a calm expression? The Angie I know wouldn't lie to Sam or Dean." Haley made a swiping gesture with her hand. She narrowed her eyes in anger at what she was seeing. Seeing no reaction, Haley reacted. She determined that something wasn't right about the whole exchange and Angela's attitude… She reacted by triggering her powers and struck out while charging.

Angela let Haley get within her reach before reacting by blocking Haley's attack and countering with a move to disable. She touched Haley on the forehead and watched her with an impassive gaze as the stunned girl fell to the ground. She didn't even break her gaze when she blocked the moved from the elderly woman and gave a hard shove, sending into her into a bookcase. She muttered in a low voice, "Foolish old woman."

Haley grunted as she looked up. Her eyes widened at the shadow that seemed to pass over Angela. "Angie… what… are you… doing?"

Angela shifted to look at Haley. It was then that Haley noticed something that she had failed to notice previously. Her eyes widened slightly at what she was seeing. She thought it wasn't possible but…

"What's the matter Hale?" Angela looked at Haley with an almost dead and mocking expression. "Don't you recognize me? It's me… Angie."

"You're not her," Haley replied gritting her teeth. She slowly got to her feet and stood up to face Angela. "The Angie I know wouldn't be this callous with those she cared about. About her family."

Angela smiled slowly and started chuckling. She looked at Haley as she glared at her. She smiled as her eyes flared slightly but not in the manner that Haley was familiar with. She closed her eyes in a pleased manner. "You're right. She wouldn't do that and boy does she bitch about leaving them alone. Funny thing is… she didn't say anything about you."

Haley felt her throat swallow slightly. She recovered and retorted, "That includes everyone that means something to her."

"Are you certain about that?"

The tone was mocking and Haley made a slight sound in her throat. She swallowed back her retort and pulled out her talisman. She didn't want to use it on a friend but… She took a breath so she could concentrate. "I am."

"Pity."

Haley watched as Angela seemed to pause and then laugh at her. The laugh was not the ones she had heard Angela make. It was unnatural and not at all friendly. She didn't think it was possible since she knew a few things but… She blinked when she saw the tattoos start to glow and it illuminated that unnatural smile.

"Hmm… So she is one of those healers. I knew she was holding something back when we were talking."

Haley frowned at that as she watched Angela look at the glowing tattoos with rapt fascination. This couldn't be so. Actually, it was possible since… She was distracted when the attack came and barely managed to deflect the blow. She was too slow though to see the second one and it hit her pretty hard and sent her across the room. She hit the ground and winced from the blow. She looked up and saw Angela stalk up towards her with her hands glowing. She then saw a flash of light and then darkness.

"Hale?"

Haley groaned and slowly opened her eyes. She found that she was on her back and in the living room of Savannah's home. Staring down at her was Dean with a look of concern on his face. Recalling what happened she sat up and looked around, "Savannah?"

"I'm alright dear," Savannah's voice came over where Sam was handing her a cup of tea much to his surprised consternation since she was sitting like nothing at all happened. "This nice young man brought me tea."

Sam blushed slightly as he straightened up and looked around. The place looked like a struggle happened but not a whole lot of damage. It was the obvious elephant in the room and he couldn't help but ask, "Hale, what happened?"

"Your girlfriend happened," Haley muttered as she got to her feet. She barely enjoyed the flush that appeared on Sam's face at the mere mention of his having a girlfriend.

Dean picked up on it right away and bit back the sudden bout of fear that came, "What happened Hale?"

Haley looked at the three other people in the room along with the puppies giving a curious expression. She didn't know how this would play over since… well it would be a bitter pill to swallow and probably start Sam on a campaign to save her. It wasn't a bad thing but having hung around the Winchesters long enough…

"Hale?"

Haley looked at Dean and took a breath and replied, "It was Angie. Something… I think she is possessed."

The denial was expected but it came from Dean and was most surprising to the juju witch. It was Sam though who was extremely Zen and Haley could see why Dean wondered if there was something wrong with his brother as he asked, "Is that possible?"

"I'm only telling you what I saw," Haley replied feeling bad that she was hurting Sam. "It wasn't her. She just…" She looked at the Winchesters as she tried to figure out how to tell them this.


"I was afraid of this."

"Dean, she's possessed. She didn't go dark side," Sam pointed out as he watched his brother pace frantically in their motel room. He absently started rubbing his dog's head since she was on the bed and watching the proceedings with concern etched on her puppy face. It really did confirm that Wilders could understand most things.

"And what do you call what she did to Haley and that house?" Dean looked at his younger brother, unable to comprehend how he could be so rational about this. Though, to be fair, he could tell Sam was trying to process everything just not… it wasn't like other times.

"Her resisting."

Dean blinked at that. "Resisting? Sam, she gave Hale a concussion and nearly destroyed a house."

"And if it weren't her, Hale would be dead." Sam looked at his brother with a firm look. "She could have killed her but she didn't. To me that says she's fighting whatever it is possessing her."

Dean had to admit that Sam was right about that. He knew Angela just as well as he did and when push came to shove, she wouldn't let someone use her to kill a friend. He was just upset that Haley had been hurt but even she was in the same mind as Sam that the imposter would have just killed her. "You think she took control long enough and then bailed?"

"She didn't bail. She's still in town."

"You know that for sure?"

It was starting to sound like Dean Inquisition but even Sam knew that what he was saying wasn't making sense and it sounded like the bullshit he and Dean used to say to get out of trouble when they were kids. He had spent the ride back to the motel thinking about what Haley had told them and mulling over different theories and ideas. He was certain that she wouldn't have let it be done willingly; she didn't even like it when she had to let a god or two possess her. It just had him wondering how it was possible.

"Sam"

"She wouldn't leave a job. Not unless there was a good reason for it."

Dean could have chewed his brother out for that lame answer but, in truth, it was a very valid one. In fact, she would insist on doing it by herself if she thought it would be too much. It was a habit they would never shake her from, not that Sam wanted to despite the fact that he disliked arguing with her over it. Knowing this, Dean calmed down a bit and replied, "Sam… that was a fluke. Like with Bobby. We learned the hard way that she's not… she's not invincible man."

"Don't you think I know that?"

"Do you?"

Sam paused a moment. Maybe he was acting like she was invincible but this time he was certain she was up to something. "Yeah I do."

Dean shook his head. "You know I'll play along on this but… Look I'm not saying that she can't and maybe she did but… Whatever this job was, it's not what we thought and we have to look at the possibility that we have to…"

Sam looked at his brother sharply, "We're not gonna need to do that."

"I'm not talking about ganking her dumbass. I meant locking her down and exorcising her." Dean made a slight raspberry as he blew out air in frustration. "I don't want to hurt her but we might to help her."

"Dean, salt won't hurt her."

"And if it is something else?"

Sam paused a moment and was going to say something when a voice called out from behind him, "That is an interesting question and one that me and a few interested parties are interested in hearing."

It was automatic for the Winchesters to draw their guns and point them at their "visitor". Dean knew he had a headshot and he wouldn't mind putting a few bullets into the body. He held his gun steady and his finger on the trigger and demanded, "Who the hell are you?"

"He's the guy from the theatre. The one that said he didn't see anything," Sam offered while keeping his gun drawn on the stranger.

Dean made a slight sound, "Didn't see anything huh? Maybe because you're causing all the ruckus."

"Please," the man said with a scoff. "Like I would do anything to jeopardize the place I have called home for the last decade." He pulled out a candy bar and started chewing on it. He casually pointed at the guns. "Those won't hurt me."

"I think we'll be the judge of that," Dean countered.

"You can try but all you'll do is make me upset that I have to spend money on new clothes." The man chewed on his candy bar and put one hand casually in his pocket. "That and you'll piss me off and believe me, you don't want me pissed off."

"Listen…"

Sam put his hand on his brother's shoulder and leaned in to whisper, "Dean, look."

"I'm looking Sam. At some asshat who broke in," Dean hissed angrily back as he gestured at the man eating his candy bar with the air of someone who was just relaxing while looking around with polite interest.

"Look at him."

Dean would have said something but something in Sam's tone made him take pause. He indulged in his brother's request and took a good look at their intruder. He noticed the two candy wrappers on the floor and the third in hand. It couldn't be but he wouldn't put it past that asshole to change his look…

"Well I know Sam here figured it out," the stranger said watching the brothers. "Always figured you were the smart one. Looking where no one would think about looking…"

The attack came suddenly as Dean charged with the wooden stake he had made a while back to gank a trickster. He charged the stranger and grabbed a hold of him. He was about to pin him to the wall and stab him when the guy grinned at him, grabbed him in a two handed grip and flung him across the room.

Dean found himself bouncing off one of the beds and sliding across and onto the floor. Sam watched and then turned back towards the intruder. The dogs had gotten to their feet and were growling but it wasn't the serious growling they got around demons and other things. It was quick when he found himself pinned against the wall and the guy was looking at him with a piercing look. Sam tried to choke out a command but was stopped by the guy saying something in a language that had the puppies whimper and back down.

Sam growled, "What did you do?"

"Just what I had to do so we could have a fairly decent conversation. Now if you two promise to put the guns down I'll make this quick."

Dean had managed to get to his knees and was going to grab his pistol when his brother called his name and gave him a look. He really hated this guy and hated the fact that his brother was in a position to be hurt. He backed down reluctantly and was relieved when Sam was lowered to his feet. He stood up and demanded, "Alright. So what the hell do you want?"

"First off, Corwin is my name but I'm called Joker by most everyone. And second, I'm here to help you."

"You?" Dean could hardly believe that.

"As a matter of fact, yeah," Joker replied as he dusted himself off. It was messy business trying to get people to see your side of things. "I know what's been going on and how to get your friend back."

"So you're not the one causing it?"

Joker looked at Sam like he was stupid, "And here I was thinking you were the smart one." He started pacing slightly and started explaining, "I'm sure by now you figured that I am a trickster of sorts. And yes I do believe in just desserts but I do it with harmless pranks. Nothing involving the deadly stuff. Not unlike some people."

"And your point?" Dean was willing to listen but if this guy pissed him off anymore he was going to take care of it regardless of any help they may get.

"My point is that I'm not the one doing this. I live to act." Joker looked at the pair of hunters and sighed, knowing that this was going to be something hard to swallow. "We're not all human, the troupe I mean. Lulu is a witch, Louis is a really old vamp who is more like a ladies man… couple of werewolves… we're all just trying to make a living." He looked at them and frowned slightly, "You don't seem surprised at that."

"Not really considering the company we keep," Dean commented.

"Makes this easier."

Sam waved his hands to get them back on track. "Okay so what is going on?"

Joker looked at Sam and took in the expression. He had made a few observations when they first met and he had his suspicions. He wasn't sure how they would be able to take it but they were hunters. Blinking slowly, he replied, "The troupe is cursed and your friend, our friend, is caught in the middle."


A/N: Didn't see that coming now did ya? So Angie is possessed and Joker is a trickster. Keep watching for more Message of the Crow...