Chapter 11

Sam hated possession. He understood why Angela disliked it on principle even though he couldn't complain about Hapi. That wasn't too bad since the god did fix him up and gave him the know-how on the chakram and a few other things. It certainly was better than when Meg possessed him. Then there was when Angela possessed him. It was enough to make him blush since he remembered full well how that felt then and with Dean occasionally making a comment… Overall, possession sucked and the worst part was that he didn't see it coming.

Maybe it wasn't a good idea to go back to the theatre to take a look around without Joker. However, Dean was being Dean and not one for listening to someone that bore a sort of kinship to what had happened to them before they found out their trickster was an archangel. All in all, it wasn't a good experience despite the fact that Angela said that tricksters weren't all that bad and she cited Coyote as an example even though he pointed out about certain changes in local wildlife and other things. She ended brushing it off and calling it just desserts. All he wanted was to find her and get her back. With everything going on and their game plan for stopping the Apocalypse… it was starting to make him go crazy with worry and he still hadn't said what he really wanted to say.

Sam wasn't exactly sure when he had been caught with his pants down and possessed but he did recall that he and Dean separated briefly and it was mostly because his brother and the trickster named Joker were at it again with the ass hat antagonizing his brother. Sam had moved on to look around and left them to it since he was anxious to find a means of stopping this before it got ugly. It was different from the last time since there weren't that many people out and he was trying to see if he could find where the EMF went crazy.

It started off okay and he had a gun out though that wouldn't necessarily work but it helped. He managed to find the door but that was when he was distracted by a shadow in his peripheral vision. He swerved to determine what it was but there was nothing in front or behind but there was always something in his peripheral. It had him frustrated until he felt the chill. He turned and then… The next thing he knew he was watching his body attack his brother and he rallied against it but the unwanted occupant refused and the exertion wore him out. The last thing he remembered was seeing her…

Now that he was aware, Sam focused on what he was seeing and saw he was in a room of sorts. All he could see was what was through his eyes but he couldn't move or do anything. Growling in frustration, he tried to get his stubborn limbs to move. If he could do that, then he would be able to get what he needed to expel his unwanted occupant and be done with this. He gritted his teeth and began to focus.

You should relax.

Sam stopped what he was doing and looked around. He spoke at the sky, "Why should I?"

I am sorry for taking your body but it was unavoidable.

"Unavoidable my ass. Get out."

I'm afraid I can't do that.

"The hell you will."

It was starting to feel ridiculous shouting in a void essentially and then hearing his voice come through. Still it Sam was willing to do what it took to get the intruder out. But that would mean that he needed to take control of his body. "Get out of my body!"

No.

Sam gritted his teeth and looked around. He vaguely recalled taking back his body once before. That was back on a job in Miami but that only was only his finger or hand. Anyway, it sucked and it made him pissed. "Give it back!"

Quiet! Stop your yelling and screaming or you'll find yourself locked away and in a nightmare of your own making and you'll never get out.

Sam wasn't having any of that, "Listen you bastard…"

Quiet!

"No! You're the one that is here without permission."

And if you'd shut up, everything would be explained to you.

Sam knew he had no choice. He was at a disadvantage here since he didn't have the skill to break through. It probably was a fluke with Bobby but… He had no choice. "What is it that you want?"

Good, you've calmed down. I'll let you come out but only enough for you to see and hear. Try anything and I will put you in the worst possible nightmare you can conjure.

Sam wanted to snort at that. There was no way this bastard could come up with anything worse than what he feared. But this was a chance to find out what was going on and maybe find a way out of this. He considered that he might be able to talk his way out of this and Angela was forever telling him and Dean that sometimes it was better to ask first and then shoot but only if it was a real threat. Not exactly what they had been taught but it seemed to work. Sensing that that whoever it was possessing him was waiting for an answer, he replied, "Fine. At least can I know who you are?"

You are polite when it suits you. I'm Gemma.

Sam could only wince. He could just hear Dean teasing him about being ridden by a girl. That would make it three times. First Meg, then Angela and now Gemma… but he did like Angela. Thinking about it made him blush. "Sam," he offered.

Sam? Sam Winchester?

"Uh…"

Thought so. I've heard stories about you. You broke the last seal.

Sam couldn't deny it and he wasn't going to try. There was no point to it. "Yes."

But you intend to fix it.

It was said as a statement like it was a done thing. That was a first to Sam. Most asked him and often with that tone that said he better say yes or he was in trouble. It was a relief to not be targeted for that. The whole thing with Walt and Roy was still on his mind. "Yes. We're working on finding a way of putting Lucifer back in the Cage."

Even if it is not what is said in the books?

Sam paused a moment. He couldn't help but feel that he was being tested in some way. Or it could be just genuine curiosity about what he intended to do. It brought him back to that moment when Dean just seemed to give up and he threw the amulet he gave him away. Sam couldn't begin to describe how it felt like Dean was throwing him away but then again it only added credence to what he had said in the voicemail that was still on his phone. Taking a breath he replied, "Someone once told me that there is always one more thing you can do and if it doesn't seem like it… it's because you haven't found a way yet." He fell silent as looked around the void that was in his head. This was most interactive conversation he had with someone possessing him with the exception of Hapi.

I see… I am sorry.

That was all the response that Sam was going to get before he was pulled the front and he was looking through his own eyes. He couldn't move his limbs and he wasn't going to try especially since she was standing in front of him. She was giving that sad look of apology she wore when she was going to tell them something that she knew they wouldn't like but she was going to follow through with it. "Angie?"

"Are you all right, Sam?"

Sam felt his throat convulse. He knew it was her since she would always ask about others before saying she was okay. "I'm fine. What's going on?"

"It's a curse and the cause of it seems to have found us."

"Curse?"

"They are being controlled to complete the lover's curse. The two possessed have to demonstrate that they complement each other."

Sam would have been lost but he heard, She means that we must be paired by lives that are true to each other. Out loud he said, "So what does that mean? Perform in front of an audience and hope that we don't kill each other?"

"That is pretty much it," Angela said, "Except the 'whole lives are true' part. I… don't know what it means but… I want to help if I can. I know that the risk of death is high…"

"I'm with you," Sam got out. He looked at her hoping she could see it even though he longed to touch her and reassure her in some way. "You have a plan?"

"Not really. I don't know who it is in the troupe that is doing it but I know that they have one skill that I am very familiar with." Angela managed to give a slight smirk. "It would mean you have to let Gemma drive the bus a little while longer." Her expression changed to a softened smile slightly implying that she had to do the same.

"I trust you Angie. Always have," Sam said as he looked at her. It was enough to see her smile at him. It was her way of saying that everything would be fine. He knew she didn't exactly have a plan to go on but somehow it would work out. This was one of those times that was probably on the fly decisions and there were things she wouldn't tell him… much like during her trial… but he trusted her to do the right thing. She was with them in finding another means of beating the devil. She wouldn't do anything stupid.

There wasn't much to say since Sam found himself being pushed back. This time though he wasn't in a void. He was able to see what was going on but he had no control over it. Maybe it was a step up but then again maybe not since being possessed by a demon put you in the same position. In essence he was in the passenger seat but not the driver and he didn't like it. Yet, he was going to trust Angela on this one since she was in the same boat though he suspected that her possessor was much nicer than his.

I apologize for this.

"Yeah everyone is sorry."

It's not my fault that you made both yourselves fairly obvious to our… master. Actually it was obvious the moment you both walked through the door.

"So you're saying it's Angie's fault cause she cares? Cause that's bullshit." Sam would have grit his teeth if he could. "She is a good person trying to help you out."

Idiot.

Sam growled at that, "Hey. We're helping you out."

You're still an idiot.

"Listen…"

It's both of you!

It felt like Angela was yelling at him but as far as Sam's memory went she never yelled at him or Dean but he got the feeling that was how she would sound like. He felt taken aback by the response but he also felt indignant. "What are you talking about?"

You idiot.

"Stop calling me that."

You are one. You were singled because you either like or are in love with your companion and vice versa. It was fairly obvious… idiot.

Sam was quiet while his body walked around doing whatever. He thought about what Gemma told him. He knew how he felt about her and to hear that… it had him thinking about what she really felt and it wasn't a question he was sure he wanted to ask. He was quiet and silently observed his body going through the motions of whatever was going on. He didn't pay attention to the conversation but he did notice Angela's body working on something. He couldn't see what though. Peripheral vision sucked at times.

You more than like her don't you?

Sam paused as he watched what was going on. He had no clue what he was seeing but it did allow him to think about what was being asked of him. He recognized it as an attempt to be nice at least on Gemma's end. "I uh… yeah."

Thought so. Only someone who had feelings more than like would say that they trust their companion completely and utterly.

For once Sam was glad that he didn't have full feeling and functionality of his body. If he did, he would have felt the blush at being called out by someone who didn't know him and who was dead. The only thing he could do was change the subject, "What are you doing to the walls?"

Just a little something that my love came up with now he feels he can end this and I am willing. For that… I am sorry it has come to this.

Sam didn't say anything more. He could get it. Actually he did. "It's okay."


Dean looked around backstage of the theatre that the night's performance was going to take place. He had heard the whole story from Lulu who was very candid about the whole thing and he managed to avoid annoying the old woman since he didn't want a repeat of whatever she did. There was a reason he didn't like fricking witches.

"Anna Marie is not a witch."

Dean rolled his eyes slightly while trying to compose himself. "You know it's not a good idea to sneak up on a hunter, Kess. Most guys aren't like me or Sam." He turned to look at the Avian to find him within a fairly reasonable distance in terms of being close up. At least he learned a few things about personal space.

Kesset peered at Dean with a discerning look. "I wasn't sneaking up. I was merely informing you that Anna Marie is not a witch."

Dean shook his head slightly at that. He really liked Kesset and he was twice as funny as Castiel since he made honest attempts to understand humans and sometimes it ended up being a near epic fail. "A duck is a duck, Kess."

"I am not sure what that has to do with it but she is not a witch."

Dean made a face at the Avian. "You really need to bone up on human expressions."

"I have learned plenty but much evades me." Kesset peered at Dean and noted his expression. "But that is not what you're thinking about."

"Getting better at perception."

"And that is avoiding the issue."

Dean growled slightly at that. He liked Kesset as he was but sometimes he was a little too much like Angela when she was poking at something. "I'm not."

"Dean."

Dean sighed as he looked at the Avian, noticing that he still hadn't made his wings invisible to him. He didn't care really since he was used to seeing it. He still wondered if others saw it or if the Avian had selectively visibility meaning that he only let those he wanted to see his wings see them. He knew he was being evasive and mostly it was on the fact that his brother was under the whims of a bonded ghost in a curse that seemed to be the result of a woman scorned and probably because of the guy's fault.

"It may not necessarily be the man's fault. The curse is only enacted based upon perception."

"How do you know so much about this?"

Kesset made a slight face at that before admitting, "My mother wanted to prove my father was faithful. She… suspected someone was trying to vie for his affections."

"Vie for his affection? Man, you sound like one of those soap operas." Dean grinned at the look that Kesset was giving him. "Okay, just… keep going. I'm guessing your mom bound two spirits and forced your dad's affections to show?"

"No."

"No?"

Kesset looked around at the work that had been done. He had been fascinated by the troupe of actors that was made up of different kinds of beings. They seemed fascinated with his wings and they had asked him if he was interested in acting. He politely declined since he was a member of the guard and already had a job. He knew that his response was not making sense to Dean and explained, "This version is more elaborate. What my mother did was use magic to put them into a situation and in the end… my father chose her and made it clear to the interloper that he was spoken for."

"Seems like sluts are in any culture."

"My father was polite to anyone. The only ones he showed affection to were his family."

"So you think this is the same thing?"

"It is but like any spell, the variation has the ability to change it up. Problem is that we don't know who."

"Any idea?"

"No. And it's not like they would tell us."

"Yeah Angie said the same thing and yet she trusts them." Dean around checking things out and watched a few of the stagehands getting ready. He then turned and looked at Kesset and added, "Kess… I'm not comfortable about this plan. I never am when Angie or Sam trusses themselves as bait."

"But in this case, there is little choice in the matter," Kesset pointed out, "But I understand. They mean much to you and this version has a deadly twist to it."

"I suppose your mom had different ideas."

"She was jealous yes but only what comes with the territory of being fiercely loyal to her mate. Father was the same." Kesset ran a hand through his windblown locks and looked around. Absently and almost like he didn't have a care in the world he added, "Much like Sam does for the princess."

"You're telling me," Dean replied with a snort. He knew his brother all too well on that note. Then it occurred to him what Kesset said and turned to look at the Avian and asked, "Wait. What did you say? Mate?"

Then Kesset began to smile uncharacteristically and it turned into a laugh as he looked at Dean's face. He laughed harder and couldn't speak until another voice asked, "What's going on here?"

Dean looked over to see another Kesset walk over and wearing that recognizable look of confusion on his face. "Kess, what the hell?"

Kesset looked over at his laughing counterpart with a raised brow. It wasn't quite a confused look but more like an acknowledgement that there was something there that looked like him but it wasn't. He blinked and then said, "So it does work?"

"What does work?"

"Calm down," the double of Kesset chuckled. He gestured in a calming motion but it wasn't doing much. "It's just a little something I can do." He then revealed his true head while still wearing the Avian body.

Dean scowled, "Dammit, you asshole."

Joker snorted at Dean as he crossed his arms over his chest. He then paused to look at the musculature that was Kesset's. He was impressed by the Avian's lean and muscular body and couldn't help but comment, "Damn, you have good musculature. No wonder the ladies are impressed."

Kesset looked at the young trickster with an impassive expression while assuming the same posture of crossing his arms over his chest. "I have no need to impress anyone but those that wish to know my abilities. Some include my more mobile functions."

Dean waved his hands to try and clear things up and mostly because it was disturbing to see Joker's head on Kesset's body and he was surprised that Kesset was not batting an eye but then again the kid didn't react normally when it came to things that annoyed him. Pissed, he could destroy, or as Bobby would say, blow up the house. Anything else was a tossup and Dean could never guess but Sam seemed to have an understanding. "Okay so this asshole can look like you, Kess. What's the point?"

Joker looked at Dean and grinned, "Now that is the question. To be or not to be."

Kesset looked apologetically at Dean, "My apologies but I needed to know what his capabilities are."

"He's a trickster, Kess," Dean pointed out feeling exasperated at the whole thing. "It's like a standard issue thing with them."

Kesset looked at Dean with a raised brown before looking at Joker and then back at him before saying, "He is a trickster but a specific kind." He paused as Dean gestured at him to go on. "He is a crow trickster. Their specialty is in transformation since it is in line with the fact that they serve as messengers of a sort."

"Well don't get high and mighty yourself bird boy," Joker spat with his arms crossed. "Your kind make good carrier pigeons."

"And obviously a little too easy to agitate," Kesset added before turning his full gaze towards the young trickster. He ended up staring at him with a firm look as he continued, "But they are masters of illusion. From what the elder told me, this person will need to think that they are achieving victory."

Dean watched as Kesset stared down Joker. It looked like it was going to be a standoff and into a fistfight but Joker backed down with a glare of annoyance. It was pretty impressive and had him wondering if the kid decided to man up or whatever.

"And the clueless dick here," Joker gestured at Kesset thoroughly annoyed that he was being bested by an Avian in terms of who was the alpha male around, "decided that I would be good at making it seem like things were going their way."

Dean was agreeable to that. He would have said something but that was when they were joined by Haley, Savannah and the other old lady whom he was certain was a witch despite what the others said. It was Kesset that asked, "Is everything ready?"

"It is," Haley replied, "I hope you're right about this."

"It's the princess. Preparation and opportunity," Kesset offered with a shrug. There was nothing more he could offer. The rest depended upon the performance.

Dean nodded. He didn't like it but at least the troupe was on board and maybe they would get Sam and Angela back before this whole thing went sideways and into hell. "Okay then. Time for the show then."


A/N: So Sam is possessed by a chick again and looks like a plan is in the works while they are playing along. Keep watching for more Message of the Crow...