Chapter 15

Angela choked as her head surfaced from where it had been submerged. She spit out the water that she had gotten into her mouth and had been choking her. She spluttered as she was pulled to sort of stand on her knees but she couldn't hold herself up. She choked a bit more trying to catch her breath and started laughing a little bit.

Carter had been watching the proceedings in between shocking her and taunting her about the fact that the Winchesters had been led into a trap. He frowned a little as she started laughing since this was new from the usual gasps and grunts of pain from the shocks. "You think this is funny?"

Angela blinked as the water spilled over her face as her chuckling turned to full out laughter that sounded forced out. "It's damned hilarious."

"She's a loon," one of the renegades said.

Carter looked at Angela as she continued to laugh. There was something more to the laughter and he aimed to find out what it was. He held his hand up to quiet them. He peered at her and asked, "What is so funny about this?"

Angela squinted at Carter. She was already in despair that Sam and Dean were ambushed. Only Dean really remembered what it was like dealing with renegades and she didn't forget what Sam did when he was poisoned by one of them. She did have hope that they were able to get out without too much harm. She knew that Dean would fight like hell to keep Sam from doing anything rash and… She looked at Carter and replied, "This."

"This?"

"Yeah the whole water choking act coupled with electric shock. It's frigging hilarious," she replied with a gasping smile on her face. The look almost came out looking like a sneer but the laughing had a tendency to spoil it.

"And pray tell what is so funny about it?" Carter knew that his companions were not pleased with her reaction to things. He knew her though. She was not like their typical prey; they couldn't expect her to act the same way. He glanced at them and saw that they wanted nothing more than to be done with this. They would get their chance and then when Jonas brought in the Winchesters, they would have some serious fun. "Tell me."

Angela hummed a chuckle while continuing to get air. She had no idea how long she had been subjected to the water/shock torture since it seemed to go on like the other times and it didn't help that she was being subject to hallucinations. She looked and saw Lucifer sitting in the corner; an impossible thing since Castiel and Kesset branded her ribs. It had to be her head but it looked real enough and renegades weren't above signing with the devil so to speak.

How long do you intend to hold out? Though I do admit it is making it appealing to your request.

Angela squinted looking at the image of Lucifer. Was it real since he mentioned that first conversation? She stared in that direction for the longest of times. She didn't even hear the question that Carter was asking her at the moment.

Carter looked at her and noted her eyes. They were starting to dilate and she was not looking at him but staring at a spot in the distance. He turned to take a look and found nothing there and came to the conclusion that she was hallucinating. He grabbed her by the chin and turned her to look at him in the eye. After a moment he said, "She's gone." He released her face looking disgusted. "Take her back."

The two renegades were going to do that and Carter turned to pick up the stun prod. He was tempted and eyed her before looking at it. Then he heard, "The whole thing is hilarious."

"Glad you're back. Are you going to stay longer?"

Angela blinked slowly as she looked at Carter. "Depends. Did you strike a deal with him?"

"With who?"

Angela narrowed her eyes and chuckled. She shook her head like she was disappointed or something. "Playing coy was your thing Carter. Always asking the question that is already answered or just so you could hear the truth from someone else and you could be pissed with them."

"Who do you think I stuck a deal with? As if."

Angela turned to look at Carter in the eye. Behind him she saw Lucifer and his hand was on Carter's shoulder as he told her that indeed Carter made a deal. "Why don't you tell me? Ah the broken light is like misery; loves company."

Carter leaned back clearly thinking that Angela was gone because of the drugs but he sensed that there was a logic to her words. He frowned at her as he studied her. No doubt she was still fighting but the mind was virtually unknown territory in what it did. He had broken weak minds quickly with interrogation but he knew she had a strong one. "Who?"

Angela laughed again. She was losing her mind. They must have injected more drugs when she wasn't looking and it certainly wasn't pain meds. Her legs hurt and she knew that there was no way for her to actually stand. "The broken light and he still is so bright."

"I told you we should've given the sodium pentothal earlier."

Carter listened to the other two bickering over what was going on. It had been a risk giving her the hallucinogens since they did tend to make people crazy. He was surprised she held out as long as she did but he wasn't inclined to believe she completely broke under him.

"Oh that," Angela replied almost heaving a laugh or two. She grinned up at her captors. "That is pathetic even for you Carter," she emphasized by pointing her finger at him.

"You think you know better?"

"Always have." Angela couldn't help with the smug smile. Hell she didn't know what was real or not at the moment but she did take perverse pleasure in being a pain in the ass especially with people that deserved it or it was fun to do it to. Dean was her favorite simply because he looked ridiculous when he flew off the handle for seemingly innocent things. Plus they laughed about it afterwards. "You learned from me. All of you did. Though some not as good as others."

That earned a smack to the face but Angela just went with it. She didn't even flinch when her hair was grabbed so that she could look at Carter. She was still chuckling like she was insane. "Oh that was a mere tickle."

Carter stopped his man from doing anything else and grasped her chin. "You think this is a joke? I'm torturing you."

"You don't even know the meaning of the word."

"And you do?"

"Most assuredly," Angela replied with a grin. She had never really spoken of her time in hell to anyone. She may have said she had been down there but never went into details. But she understood where Dean was coming from when he got out. Just like she understood Sam's position with the demon blood; it was just one big… whatever. She looked pointedly at Carter and continued, "And the black belt in torture is dead because of it."

If it made any sense to Carter, he didn't show it. Actually he wasn't sure what to make of it but he was suspicious of the behavior. It was like she was switching gears or something and it reminded him of another time back when they were hunting together. "You killed him?"

"Yes and no."

"What kind of answer is that?"

"What it is."

Carter nodded with a slight smile. She was still in there and she was playing with him. Though how much was up for debate. "You want to play?"

"Been doing that for a while." Angela gave a smile that was worthy of the get out of trouble look Dean tried to employ on certain occasions. "This is a game after all." She coughed a little bit since it felt like something was stuck in her throat. "After all, you haven't killed me yet. You want Sam because he started the Apocalypse and Dean because he stands with the freaks like me."

Carter nodded, "Not bad. You do know us…"

"And that you guys just run in circles with your logic and boy you guys must really hate yourselves." Angela started laughing again mostly because she knew the irrational logic that the renegades had. Of course you couldn't tell them anything since they would just try to find a way around it. She still laughed when one of the renegades holding her up gave her a side kick to her ribs. The blow hurt her already damaged ribs but what was one more hurt? "God you kick like a girl."

"So you like getting punished?"

"I've been to hell and back. You don't make a mark on me." Angela narrowed her eyes at Carter. She could see still Lucifer hanging around but she had control… mostly.

"Oh but I will." Carter rose up and started pacing in front of her rather liking that she was on her knees and essentially at his mercy. He had always resented that she never was one to be in a submissive state for anything. "Because I know what makes you tick." He glanced down at her to see if she was paying attention.

"A lot of people have claimed that."

"But few have spent the amount of time that I have with you. I'm surprised you didn't take advantage of the situation."

"I don't rob cradles," Angela spat knowing full well what that meant. Then came the thought about her feelings about Sam. It was a fine time to be thinking about that. Then again her brain was firing at random intervals since it was pumped up on drugs. "And I barely tolerate assholes."

"Well that is out."

"Honest truth." Angela was giving more of a grimace than a smile but it hid the warm feeling saying what Sam always said when he paid her a compliment gave her.

"Well the honest truth is that I do know what makes you tick. That ridiculous sense of compassion and throwing yourself to the wolves. But then again…"

Angela blinked feeling her head clear a little bit. It wasn't much but she was feeling defiant. Escape was probably not an option unless she managed to find a means of walking with a broken leg. She probably could but she wouldn't get far. Still she wouldn't take things lying down either. "Because I have a moral compass. You don't."

"And that is your weakness so you will suffer for it. And there will be nothing you can do about it."

"You seriously underestimate things."

"No more than you."

"At least I know tactics. Eight wars and smaller skirmishes across the known world. Try and beat that."

"How about slowly killing everyone you care about in front of you?"

"You won't."

"Why not?"

"Because I won't let you."

It was sudden when Angela lashed out. It was probably not the best of things but she had full faculty of her telekinetic abilities. She gave memorable hits to the two goons holding her and it was almost like a burst with her at the center, sending it out in all directions. Since her legs were near useless, she used her arms to propel herself forward.

She lashed out more in anger than in smart tactics and ended getting hit from behind. Carter had picked up a piece of piping and swung at the back of her head, knocking her out. He watched as she fell forward with a thud. She wasn't dead; he didn't have the strength to do that and he didn't want that result anyway. He took a couple of breaths looking down at her. He had never seen that before. "Put her back. And give another round but double it. Let her have some interesting dreams."

"Ninja, I don't know how to tell you this but… how are you going to get through when Cas and Kess can't?" Dean looked at Hibah as she gave that grin he took to be her 'I've got something and you don't' look.

Hibah looked at Dean, then Austin and finally her eyes lighted on Sam. She replied, "Just because they are hunters doesn't mean that they know everything. Family is the key."

"Could you be less mysterious. You're sounding like Angie."

"Where do you think she got it from, Dean," Sam countered with a slightly proud smile on his face. He had thought about what Dean said and he might as well say it. "If you know something Hibah, please tell us. Then you have to go back home."

Hibah considered the automatic retort that was pretty much like a teenager but didn't. She knew that she risked quite a bit coming here before she was able to. Many of the gods and goddesses of the other pantheons were wary about her. They knew she wasn't a full god and it was speculation as to what her other half was since her repertoire of powers was an interesting set. They knew she was her mother's daughter with her ability to see into the hearts of men but they didn't know that she augmented it with her grace.

Knowing that it was going to have Dean wonder why his approach didn't work, she replied, "I know Abba. I would have to. My presence here… well it's not exactly sanctioned." She shuffled a little on her feet.

"No kidding," Dean scoffed.

Hibah took it in good humor. There was no need to worry them about the particulars. If anything Angela knew better than anyone what life was like for a Halfling and in her opinion the situation was more about the woman who raised her. She looked at Sam who was giving an interesting expression. It was parental in nature but there was something else in there. It was kind of like the bland looks Angela would give. She replied, "You have my word. I'll help you find Ima and I'll go."

Dean watched the sort of stare off between Hibah and Sam. It was rather awkward on his end but it seemed to work out but he was suspicious about Sam's motives. It was like his brother wanted to press more but like everything else lately, he didn't and it was unnerving. Then that quiet way he said he cared about their girl… He cleared his throat and said, "Alright so… with other options exhausted and I assume Bobby hasn't come up with anything… what do you have Ninja?"

Hibah gave a playful smirk, "Just that what I have in mind is something that those bastards wouldn't think of."

"Don't keep us in suspense," Austin piped up. "Reveal."

"Keep your pants on, vamp," Hibah countered, "Thought you would have learned some sort of discipline working with Ima." She shot the vampire a knowing look before turning back to the Winchesters. "Am I correct in assuming that Ima shut of her connection with Cas and Kesset?"

"Yeah," Sam replied, "Sort of… There is also the possibility that they warded against them and Angie has wards against angels and demons."

"Ways easily controlled by wards and can be broken with a strong enough will," Hibah murmured more as a means of going through a mental checklist. "Artificial means won't cut it unless you want to go down a slippery slope. So the only way to do it is through family."

"You said that before," Dean replied, "What do you mean by that?"

"You know the saying that blood is thicker than water? Believe it or not, there is a belief that the blood and familial bonds are among the strongest to exist. The reason I say familial bonds is because it has been observed with people who aren't blood related but the effect is just as strong and sometimes stronger. Some say it is connected to the soul; that it is even stronger than blood. I am referring to the bonds the three of you have."

Sam crossed his arms over his chest as he leaned against the dresser to think about the implications while Dean was trying to process it. It was Austin that caught onto what he was saying since he was a schoolteacher, "I get it. You're referring to the fact that because they have been through hell and back it forged that bond: family, friendship… love."

Hibah nodded, "Yes. In this case though, I can help with that." She looked at the Winchesters and added, "Like a conduit."

Sam understood what that meant. He remembered how Angela was when they returned Hibah to her mother. The depression and the drinking and some of the reckless behavior… then there was her comment about not feeling Castiel anymore when they thought he had been smote for good. The way how she would feel when something didn't go right even when they did everything they could…

Hibah was saying that by using her as a conduit, it was playing on the bonds that developed when they raised her. Sam wasn't sure such a thing existed between him and his brother with the young goddess/angel but he was certain it did for her and Angela. He nodded, "Your imprint."

"Yours and Amitz's too," Hibah reminded them.

Austin listened to the conversation and read between the lines, "Whoa, you mean to say that you have such a thing with her?" He gestured at Hibah.

"It's felt differently but yes. They raised me." It was out and Hibah didn't mind since she was willing to trust the vampire. She knew that he wouldn't give away that secret and the family was very receptive of the Winchesters. She was glad they didn't know how much. It would have taken more time explaining that. "Ima's is strongest since Mother left me with her. Abba's is next and then Amitz."

"So how does it work?" Dean was curious about it. Sure he felt a sort of parental instinct but he really didn't think too much of it.

"Most humans call it parental instinct. Those more sensitive to the energies of the universe feel it like a physical thing to the point where if one dies, it is like someone literally tore the other's heart out." Hibah cleared her throat since it was clear that this might not be the kind of thing to say to Sam but he was just listening and thinking. Dean was giving an expression that she found odd; like he understood or had seen something like it before. She was curious but would ask later. She continued, "It will work because it has. The key is heart, from my understanding."

Dean looked at everyone else before making a slight sound, "So uh… how would we do this? Singing kumbaya or something?"

"I was thinking the easy approach: dream walking."

"That's simple and… not really a good idea."

Hibah raised a brow at Dean. "The dream realm is not an evil place. It is shaped by the dreamer."

"There is a problem, Hibah," Sam countered. He thought it was a good idea. He wasn't sure about the connection but he was putting faith into what Angela and Hibah had. He doubted it would work if he was involved but he was willing to try anything to get her back. "We wouldn't know if Angie is asleep."

"The only thing that I can say is we keep trying. If it has to be, I can do it on my own. My bond with Ima is strongest but she doesn't know me; she wouldn't recognize me. It would be better if I were accompanied with someone familiar."

Hibah said no more than that since it was clear that the Winchesters needed to think about it. It was a huge risk mostly on her end. She could be easily detected since Morpheus was more or less a scared chicken when confronted by Isis and he would rat her out in a heartbeat. But she was going to rely on that god's fondness for Angela to be in her favor. It was nothing they needed to worry about and if they succeeded, it would be worth it. "I'm going to take a walk. Just think about it."

She left the room leaving Sam and Dean along with Austin. Lilah had gotten up and decided to take a walk with Hibah. Austin wisely kept out of it except to put in that it was one of the better options they had at this point. He also left it that he would respect the Winchester's decision effectively putting the brothers into the hot seat.

In the meantime Hibah had gone outside to give them time to think about it. There was a lot she hadn't said about her idea and she hoped that it wouldn't come to it. If Angela did find out later, she would deal with it then. It would be her right as a surrogate mother and if Sam wanted to, his right too. It was a complicated thing with her family. She sighed and looked up at the stars trying to think if there was anything else.

"You know that you could get into serious trouble for this kiddo."

Hibah turned to see the one person who more or less had her back with most things. "I know that… Dad." She rolled her tongue around the informal address, not completely comfortable with it but was willing to make a concession.

Gabriel smirked at his daughter, "Course you do. Cause every time you do something like this I'm usually the one that leads the charge." He wasn't wrong on that. It was how he and Hibah bonded. Her personality was a mixture of her mother's and his but she liked getting into scrapes. She just had a moral conscious like his Cat.

Hibah smirked back noting that it was true. She sobered quickly as a hand went down to pet Lilah. "This time it really is a good cause. Ima is in trouble."

"I know, Hibah."

It was all Hibah needed to know that the archangel knew what the situation was like. She could sense his agitation, anguish and the urge to smite something. She didn't know that it was déjà vu to when he lost Angela to hell and he spent the year looking for her. "You can't sense her," she said rather matter of fact.

"No. Cassy and Kesset can't… we are stuck and I knew what you suggested wouldn't go over well with your mother."

"Is that why you had Morpheus lower the barriers during training?"

"I didn't suggest anything at all. I was hoping the Winchesters could get that piece of shit in the trunk to talk. The sadist Jonas died because it's what he is." Gabriel looked at his daughter with an honest look. It was true. He didn't suggest anything as was his wont. After the TV land incident, he decided not to interfere as much except to give Kesset and Castiel direction in this. He would suffer alone and look up his own leads. "I'll back you though if your mother asks and she won't be upset because she loves her."

Hibah knew her father would defend her. "Thank you, Dad. I know it's risky but… I'm hoping Sam can find her. Actually he will."

"You always could predict things."

Hibah smiled. She didn't say anything when Dean poked his head out and said, "We're in."

A/N: Looks like Angie fought back but still is held and Hibah lays out her plan. Stay tuned for more To Hell and Back...