Chapter 20

"This isn't right."

"I'm with ya on that but let's face it bro… three guardians? Excessive." Gabriel crossed his arms over his chest and looked at the old sanitarium below.

"Kesset needs this," Hibah said as she watched with an intense gaze. "Three would put the Winchesters in unnecessary danger. Ima wouldn't like it."

"Tell me about it," Gabriel replied keeping his arms crossed over his chest. It kept him from overreacting since all he wanted to do was to go down there and start smiting things. He glanced at Hibah who was watching. He wanted to put his arm around her but her posture said that she was not in a receptive mood. She was a chip off the old block from both her parents. "I do have to admit that you have a knack for this."

"If you mean disregarding rules…" Castiel turned to look at his older brother. He gave a hard stare. "This is a gamble."

Hibah glanced at Castiel and replied, "A chance you would have exploited at one point in the past. No?" She raised her brow at the angel.

Castiel looked at Hibah in the eye. "At one point. But this…" He looked away and down at the scene unfold below. There were too many. It was like the last time with these renegades and they weren't under the alliance with a demon. Not to mention… "It could go bad."

Hibah looked down at the scene. She could see the chaos that was starting to occur and the rush of men. It was a gamble when she let the demon continue to possess the vampire Austin. The demon was right in that if she attacked and he defended himself Kesset would have been forced to defend her and that would have been bad. Kesset was under a lot of pressure since he was struggling against his natural rage as well as his anxiety of his missing charge.

It had been a risk when Kesset agreed after being summoned to be Angela's guardian. It was true that Avians made the best guardians. They were steadfast and loyal and when provoked, they employed a berserker fury that have been known for leveling buildings and laying waste to regions. The downside was that their emotions were extremely volatile. Depression could send them into fury if a perceived wrong was evident as well as anger. Emotional equilibrium was a weapon that was often used against them and led to the reduction in numbers. Few possessed the ability to hold out against their natural tendencies. Kesset was one such individual like his father but even the most resilient could break. It was just a matter of when.

The fact that the Winchesters asked Kesset to come as backup… that was a risk. Hibah knew this when she told him that his place was with them and not her. "I know. But… he needs to be there. It's been suppressed for too long."

Castiel looked up and took a couple of steps closer. "You do see the risks. Kesset is Angela's guardian. She is the only one to get him to stop." He looked down and took a step. "We should be down there. He will listen to you."

Gabriel knew that too. He realized the ramifications of what was being said. "Cassy's right Hibah. You have to call the kid off or we go down there to restrain him. If it's that bad and he can't differentiate between friend and foe…"

Hibah had assessed that risk when she observed the Winchesters and the vampire making their plans. She had shamelessly listened in after letting them think she went home. It was that instant, the moment the demon Cary challenged her to attack him, she saw a plan unfold. She didn't want to let the renegade suffer needlessly and she would have stopped them but she did have Kesset to worry about; it was a hard choice. It was one that she would think about for the longest of times… well practically for eternity.

"Hibah, we have to restrain the kid. I like him a lot and I'd rather him be alive and himself than alive and hating himself." Gabriel was ready to jump in and if he had to reveal himself yet again to the Winchesters, it would be worth it.

"No."

Both angels looked at Hibah like she had gone crazy. She looked back at them. She didn't like it either but she was certain. She had seen things that panged her heart when she walked the dreamscape with Sam and no doubt he saw it too. She also saw clearly the change in Sam. She explained, "There is still a chance."

Gabriel raised his brow and narrowed his eyes at his daughter. He took in her expression and realized what she was getting at. He blinked when he saw, at least he thought he saw, her plan. "You don't mean to try that do you?" He looked at his daughter with a look to try and be fatherly and demand an answer.

Castiel took in the standoff between father and daughter. He knew Hibah's parentage. He had known since he first held her as a baby. He kept his silence since he still had a bond with Gabriel. They may have had differences, the most recent still fresh in his mind. "Hibah, what are you doing?"

"She aims to stir the pot little brother." Gabriel stared at his daughter as she looked at the pair of angels. "She wants Sam to take control."

Castiel looked at her and blinked as it dawned on what she was intending. He looked at Gabriel and asked, "Are you saying…?"

"Yes," Hibah said, "I want Abba to do what he has always done and that is to save Ima."

"But you know the power of guardianship. I think your mother made sure you learn that." Gabriel looked at Hibah. "You know what will happen if it goes wrong. And the kid is an Avian and they are not the best to tangle with on this kind of thing."

"It is why their numbers are few," Castiel added. He was concerned that this would not go the way she intended since the Winchesters often had a plan and more often it was shunted sideways. They may end up in the place they wanted but the way it went down… it wasn't always good.

"I know the risks, Dad," Hibah replied, acknowledging Gabriel's status. It wasn't like it was a big secret with regards to Castiel. "But Sam can do it."

"I don't know kiddo."

Hibah looked at the pair of angels. They were alarmed and had every right to be. It was a risk since she was essentially trying to get Sam to exert the alpha male that was hiding in there. She had noticed it as a child… technically she still was one… and when she was in the dreamscape it was there. Plus the manner in which he almost wanted to take charge from the vampire.

There was one way a guardian could be taken control of if their charge was unable to back them down. It worked with an alpha personality but it was extremely rare. Guardians were territorial by nature and with Avians… it was like trying to diffuse a bomb. Hibah though was confident that Sam could do it. "He can do it. I know he can."

Gabriel shook his head at that. He believed his daughter knew what she was doing but he had been at this game longer than she had. He knew the price that could be paid and he didn't want his Cat to suffer anymore. He glanced at Castiel and could tell that angel was not taking this well either. Running a hand through his hair he said, "Hibah, the odds of this actually working are the equivalent of a starship navigating an asteroid field."

Hibah raised her brow since she wasn't familiar with that reference and it was clear that Castiel wasn't either. Still she got the point he was making. "I know but…"

"I'll be straight up honest with you," Gabriel interrupted. He wasn't upset but it didn't help that he was already agitated by the whole thing from start to when their connection was dampened to now. "Me and Cassy here are in the same boat as Kess. The only reason we're not down there and not going nuts is because we're angels and…" He gave a slight shake of his head.

"And you and Uncle Cas interfere at times but not always evident. You look after Ima." Hibah paused and looked down at her feet and sighed. She then looked back up at the two angels. "I know Abba can do it. He cares for Ima." She put a fist over her chest and gently tapped it where her heart would be.

Gabriel studied his daughter as she tapped her chest. She was just exploring the potential of her powers since it was clear that she had inherited angelic as well as godly powers. He knew she had her mother's gift and that was her way of signifying she had used her abilities but he got that there was more to it. She had been raised by his Cat and the Winchesters. She had watched and learned from them and he couldn't help but wonder if this was more towards that admiration a child has for their parent.

"It isn't worth the risk Hibah. And I am not speaking of Angela's importance as Absolution." Castiel shuffled on his feet. He turned to look down at the scene when a noise caught their attention. "Kesset is going on a rampage."

Gabriel couldn't stand it then. If something happened to the Winchesters there would be worse than hell to pay with his Cat. And that was if she was told exactly what happened. "Come on, Cas."

"Wait Dad."

"Hibah…"

"Please, Castiel." Hibah looked at the two angels. It was killing her as much as it was them. She may not have a guardian bond but she did have a bond it was the kind that would hurt if things did go wrong. She wasn't just taking a risk with them, but with her too. She gave a worried frown as she repeated, "Please. Just let him try."

Gabriel was itching and he was in a better position to take care of Kesset. Castiel would have been tactical support. He was ready to go but he hesitated. He looked at his daughter. He knew it wasn't just him and Castiel that would suffer. She would too and he, being a father, wasn't in the mood to let that happen. Yet something in her gaze begged of him to trust her.

You've always been there for me Gabe. Even when we were… you know. I always trusted that you would be there…

Gabriel glanced at Castiel. The angel hadn't moved either even though he was tempted to do so. He looked at Hibah who was nearing the point of begging. "I better not regret this," he whispered. His eyes glittered dangerously since he was fighting his first instincts.

"You won't," Hibah replied as she noted the hard looks coming from the angels. She looked at them for a minute more before looking down at the scene. "Give Abba a chance."

Gabriel looked at his daughter. He knew that this was a big gamble. She was a little young to become involved in the affairs of mortals. She hadn't had the experience like he had and even he was a little young when it concerned things about humans and their emotions. Yet his greatest lessons came from his Cat. What she went through… He glanced at Castiel and his brother glanced below for a moment before looking back up at him and nodded. That was the answer he needed. He looked towards Hibah and said, "Alright kiddo. But the second it goes south, we go in. Got it?"

"I understand." Hibah looked at her father and noticed his expression. He was worried and he had every right to be about her surrogate mother. This time though it was about her surrogate father. She found it odd but it was something to think about. At this moment he needed reassurance. She added, "He can do it. He will do it."

"I hope you're right kiddo," Gabriel replied more for her sake than his or Angela's. He looked down to survey everything. "Cause… if anything happens…"

"It will break her," Castiel finished. He stood in his spot, his hands clenching and unclenching.

Hibah heard them both. She nodded and hummed. She knew that this was a huge risk and maybe she was biting off more than she could chew. She knew the risks like everyone else and yet this decision was based off of what she had sensed since she was little. She prayed that she was right in her assessment and she believed. Maybe that was enough. "Faith… hope… and love," she murmured. Louder she said, "It's there. He will do it."

It was too quiet about the place and there were multiple floors to cover. It seemed like an endless task but there was one distinct advantage the Winchesters had; they had a dog and she was not ordinary dog but a Wilder. Sam patted the dog on the shoulder feeling confident that Lilah would be able to sniff out where Angela was and that was by following Austin's scent. He glanced at his brother who was behind him and bringing up the rear was Kesset.

"This better work Sam," Dean said as he checked his corners.

"It will," Sam replied as he looked ahead. "Lilah's got Austin's scent." He followed dog as she led the way and sniffed.

Dean watched as his brother seemed to fall naturally into a routine with the dog. He couldn't really complain since he had done the same with Sasha. To be honest, he was still on the fence with Lilah since she was the new dog. True she had watched out for his girl especially during that last stint with these bastards and that demon bitch Lenya, but he just wasn't sure about the dog. He accepted her though since he had plenty of verification. Mostly it was just his wariness of dogs.

In all honesty, Dean was willing to follow Sam's lead on this one. Since this thing started, his brother was still stewing in the guilt but he was also focused and determined. Yeah it was like that on the job but it was different this time around. Dean was willing to hope that it had to do with Sam's feelings for Angela and that it was more than the platonic stuff.

Looking around, Dean got the feeling that it was much too quiet for his liking. It was agreeable to Kesset who ruffled his feathers and muttered, "This is pointless. I can find this fiend and end this."

Dean was about ready to turn and give Kesset a talking to. He seriously was getting bone tired trying to ward off the pissed off Avian. He felt bad for him since he was trying so hard to stay essentially sane and not go off the deep end. He didn't have to since Sam paused in what he was doing and turned to look at the Avian. Dean thought that his brother was going to actually instigate a fight or something given that he stood there and looked Kesset in the eye like he was challenging him. First instinct had Dean want to go and protect his little brother but it was overridden by the manner in which Sam was carrying himself.

Sam looked Kesset in the eye. He felt for the guard since he was well aware of the struggle he was having with his nature and his guilt; he was dealing with that himself. It was like he knew that Kesset needed a guiding hand that was more than Dean's attempts a being reasonable. It was one of those moments he wished that Angela was around but she wasn't. Looking at Kesset, he said, "Hey, Kess. I know you want nothing more to do than rip their heads off; I'm with you on that. But I need you to pull it together. I need you to watch our backs. Be what you are and that is being a member of the Royal Guard. You got me?"

It was a tense moment from Dean's view since Kesset looked like he was going to grab Sam and toss him to the side. Kesset's wings fluttered slightly but you could hear the feathers rustle but he never broke contact with Sam's gaze. Finally Kesset said, "I will follow."

It was enough to get the party going again until they chanced upon a couple of guards. Lilah took out one by charging forward and her powerful jaws snapped on the neck. Kesset took out the other by coming up from behind and snapping his neck. He merely blinked at the body before glancing at the Winchesters and receiving the move ahead from Sam.

There were several more guards that they took out. Dean knew that they couldn't just let them go. These guys were bad news. He remembered full well what they almost came close to doing and what Angela had to do to thin their numbers… She managed to tell him afterwards when they had gotten back together but it was very bare bones. He had always known that she had blood on her hands but the fact that she carried such remorse… it was why he loved her as much as he loved Sam. He would protect her and be there for her if she needed it.

Dean was concerned that Sam was being well… more like him. He wasn't showing emotion. It was almost like when he killed Jake Talley that long ago. Sam was focused and determined to find her but Dean didn't want it to come at the cost to his brother's soul. He didn't say anything though but continued to watch his brother's back as they pushed forward with Lilah in the lead. He was concerned that there were a lot more of these renegade bastards than he thought but then again maybe that was the point. And he was worried.

They had managed to get through with stealth so to speak the first two floors of the three-story building. There were patrols that they managed to take out. The goal was to get as close as they could without raising a ruckus. They did ask how close they were but the response was always the same, which was basically the renegades weren't giving them squat. It was testing on Kesset's patience but he held fast to the "order" that Sam had given him though it was obvious to everyone that if he wasn't appeased either by blood or his charge was alive… he was going to go berserk on them.

It was a door and behind it was more than the two man patrols they had come across previously. It was not going to be easy if Winchester luck was anything to go by. Sam looked back at his brother and a quick glance at Kesset. They had to breach the room and it was not like they had any explosives or anything. All they had were their guns, a dog and one pissed off Avian. Sam listened through the door at the muffled sounds and then looked towards Dean, "How do you want do this?"

"Your rodeo man," Dean offered since that was what it seemed like since they started this.

"Direct approach works best," Kesset offered unblinkingly.

Sam and Dean looked at the Avian who was standing as calmly as he could. This was the most calm they had ever seen him since this thing started and had them thinking that it was the calm before the storm. If that was the case, they really needed to watch out for him. Still his idea wasn't half bad and Sam looked at his brother and offered, "Better than nothing."

Dean had to agree with that. It wasn't like they had time to go back out and go around or crawl out of a window. That was something their girl could do if only to show off as he would tease her about on occasion. Direct approach worked. They just had to give the give 'em hell attitude if they were going to make it through. He nodded, "Let's do it."

Sam nodded back and looked at Kesset, "Kess, I need you to bring up the rear."

"As you wish."

Sam felt his lip twitch slightly since he wasn't used to Kesset's ready acceptance of his authority though he suspected it had more to do with their stare off previously. It was just awkward that Kesset suddenly went almost subservient but he was willing to work with it. As long as he wasn't going to go murderous on them; he was having trouble with that himself and he knew he wasn't doing too good of a job hiding it from Dean. It had been hard to just make it this far since he had been nothing but feeling angry because all he could think about was that this Carter might have hurt Angela and that… It was a lot to not go postal on them but he didn't feel sorry for them one bit. He just hoped that when he found her that she would understand.

Looking back at the door, Sam was ready to kick it in when Kesset said, "Let me, Sam. You and Dean will be in a better position to go right in."

Sam looked at the guard and nodded, "Do it."

Kesset turned his gaze towards the door and focused on it. Using his wings, he gave a powerful snap forward that knocked the door right off its hinges. There was a grunt from the other side indicating that it hit someone and his lip curled in satisfaction. He waited while Sam and Dean charged in following Lilah who was snarling and growling halfway into the room.

It was a group of maybe five or six renegades and a couple more came in from a side room. It was a fist fight at first but took a deadly turn the moment one of the renegades pulled a weapon. It was quick work that Dean pulled out his gun but was beaten to it by Sam. It turned into a combination of fighting with fists and bringing the gun to the fistfight as they plowed through the room. Lilah managed to grab onto the arm of one of the renegades as she charged in order to prevent them from aiming at Sam. Her momentum had the guy spin with the force she had and he was down for the count.

Dean gave a punch to one guy but was grabbed from behind by another in a bear hug… and it was tight. He gritted his teeth as he struggled against his captor and he was powerless to help his brother who was battling his own problems. "Let go you sonofabitch."

"You came barging in here," his captor replied, "And for what? Walking right into the lion's den."

"Yeah right," Dean struggled as he drove an elbow into the guy's gut. It made the grip loosen and he was able to slip free. At that point his brother had moved on but he had Lilah there who managed to grab his guy and give a powerful yank. Dean was certain he heard bones snap judging from the grunt. He looked at the dog and said, "Your timing is pretty good, mutt."

Lilah gave a bark as she turned and gave a growl behind Dean. That was his signal to turn around. Sure enough there were about three more that hadn't been taken down either knocked unconscious to just plain dead. He got the feeling that this was going to get a lot more intense. He looked at Lilah and asked mostly to alleviate the tension a little since Sam was nowhere to be found and the same went for Kesset, "You want the right or the left?"

In the meantime, Sam plowed ahead. He knew he was close. He couldn't tell why but it did feel similar to when he and Dean had to steal Angela's body when she was dead but not dead. He went in and took aim and fired at the renegades before they had a chance to get it into their heads to kill him. He felt his control slipping because it felt like they were keeping him from her with each step forward he tried to take.

He came to a door and found that it was locked. He was going to break it down when he felt Kesset's hand on his shoulder and the guard's voice saying, "I've got this."

Sam wasn't going to argue on that. He just murmured, "Take it easy Kess."

"I know," Kesset said before actually slamming his body through the door. He was beyond showing off the fancy tricks. He was ready for brute force now.

The door splintered and Sam followed in behind Kesset and came out pointing his gun to find Austin with the others, probably the ringleader of this. He said, "Let her go."

A/N: Looks like Hibah is trying a little interference and Gabe and Cas are itching for a fight. Sam and Dean are plowing their way through with Kess and Lilah on their way to take down Carter. Keep watching for more To Hell and Back...