8

It was a bright sunny morning when I opened my eyes. I felt fully rested and much better than the night before. I sat up and looked that the empty bed beside me. No one was there but it felt like someone else was present. Oh well.

I went to the bathroom then headed out to the quiet living room. I didn't see any sign of Sam or Dean. The whole lodge was quiet. It was weird.

Out in the kitchen I finally found someone. He was leaned over the sink looking out the window eating a bagel.

"I was going to make omelets." I said. He turned around and I saw that it was neither Sam nor Dean. I didn't know this man and a twinge of fear flickered in my heart.

"Now you tell me." he said throwing his hands above his head. "I got stuck with this crappy bagel. Thanks." he rolled his eyes.

"I'm sorry? Who are you?" I asked with a tone of attitude.

"What you don't recognize me?" I squinted and looked him over. Locks of lighter brown hair, hazel eyes, around five eight. Nope, I had no idea who he was.

"No, sorry."

"Ahh, don't worry about it. You shouldn't." he spoke very upbeat. "The name's Gabriel." he held out his hand.

"Satine." I shook his hand.

"I know who you are." he took another bite of the bagel.

"Okay? What are you doing here, other than eating all our bagels?"

"Hey, it's just the one." he swallowed the last of it. "I'm here with a proposal."

"Proposal? Like a deal?"

"Sure." he waved off. "I've noticed my brother has taken interest in you." he spoke fast, "Now, that's odd for him. See, normally he's more of a point guy. Well, he is when there is a point, but that's a whole 'nother story. After the whole fallen thing he's been kind of-"

"Hold on a second. Your brother has taken an interest in me?"

"Righto."

"Who's your brother?"

"The one who's been keeping an eye on you."

"You're a Winchester?"

"What? No." Okay, I was lost. "I'm Castiel's brother." Castiel's brother? He was an angel too?

"You're an angel?" He lifted up his hands. Oh, Gabriel. Duh. "Sorry, it's still early."

"Very. Okay, back to the proposal. See, little bro Cas here sometimes has a hard time finding a good cause. He gets thrown off easily and then he has a whole regret process, yada yada yada... Anyway, he's taken an interest in you, for some reason. I don't know."

"You want me to stay away from him?"

"Huh? Jeez, no. Let me finish." I nodded for him to continue. "I like you. I saw how you handled the whole Nora Crowley thing. You did good under pressure and you didn't break down.

"Now here's the thing. I need someone to keep him on track. Sure, Dean and Sam have done an okay job of that, but with you he's got a bit more loyalty. Passion to listen, if you will. If you call, he'll come running. Ask for something, he'll do it without question. See where I'm going with this?"

"Yeah, I guess. But why can't you do it? I mean, he is your brother."

"Listen here, sweet checks. I would, he's family and all, but there's one little tiny problem in the way of that."

"Oh?"

"I'm dead." that was when he got serious. "I can't really get to him and keep him out of trouble. But you, you're right there with him. And he'll actually listen to you. He already likes you, just take it a little further and everything will be all set."

"Is that even right? I mean, he's an angel. I'm a human. How can that work?"

"Trust me, I've seen weirder." I wasn't sure about any of this. "Look, he's got a human vessel. That's all you two need."

"I guess. I mean, he is sweet."

"That's a start. Oh, and the whole demon thing. He can help you. You just have to let him. Now I know Crowley can be a big ol' bag of dicks sometimes, but the Winchesters have dealt with him before. They might not seem capable, but give them a chance. They'll pull through for you."

A clock somewhere in the lodge starting ringing its hourly chimes and Gabriel looked at the time. "Hum, that late already. I gotta get scooting. But hey, I'm holding you to that omelet next time."

"Next time?"

"I'll be checking in. Keep an eye open for you. It was good to finally meet you, Satine." My name rolled off his tongue like it had been a special occasion to use it, as he bent down and kissed the top of my hand before snapping his fingers.

I jolted awake. The room was dark and I was back in bed. Had any of that actually happened? Had a dead angel really just told me to keep his brother in check? I wouldn't have believed it, but then I saw a large white feather on the pillow beside me. Nope, it was real. I twirled the feather around with my fingers for a few moments until I noticed a weight on the blankets when I rolled over. Beside me on the bed was Castiel. He was on the blankets like he'd been the night before only this time he looked to be curled up in a ball.

His older brother, the arch angel Gabriel, had told me to watch out for him and that I should get closer to him. I guess I could give it a try. I did like him. He was kind and sweet. He'd also pulled a demon out of me and fixed up the damage she'd caused inside of me. This could work.

He looked to be sound asleep, so I let my fingers run across the top of his head, feeling the tips of his hair brush my fingertips. Unconsciously, he pushed closer with his head into my hand, like he wanted to be touched. The little angel finally sleeping, like a bird in a nest. Yeah, this could work, I smiled to myself.