Disclaimer: I don't own either series or any of the recognizable characters in them.
Warnings: Violence, implied torture, intense bodily functions, and some language.
Word Count: 10,775
AN: Sorry that this was a bit late. There are a few original characters floating around. Thanks to everybody reviewing, fav'ing, and just plain reading this. It's all for you guys.
Enjoy!
Chapter 26: Ten miles from Mars
Clary panted in the dark, sweat slicking her skin as her dreams coursed through her. Clary's eyes shot open. Darkness greeted her and she waited for her vision to adjust. She awoke with her back aching. Groaning, she rubbed her eyes, crust splaying across her cheeks as she took her time sitting up.
Keeping one hand on her belly, she braced her body by using her other hand to grasp the headboard. A sharp twinge of pain went through her and she sucked in a breath. Easing herself forward, Clary struggled to move and when her feet hit the floorboards, she shuddered. Clary stumbled downstairs and walked out the backdoor. Moonlight dusted the cars littering the yard. Clary stared. Cicadas sang through the air as she waited. Underneath the insects cries, a bubble of water same from somewhere. Clary sniffed, tears streaming down her cheeks. It took her a moment to begin walking.
By the time she got downstairs, the house was quiet. Padding to the kitchen, and opening the fridge and filled up a glass of juice. Clary fanned herself with her hand, sweat sticking to her as she took gulps of orange juice. Setting her glass in the sink, she went outside. The screen door swung behind her as she waddled down the three steps to get into the yard.
Moving among the cars, hands gliding over the metal. It was still, sound dulling to the point of deafness. With lips trembling and the stars overhead, she knew her limbs were buzzing in time with her racing heart. She couldn't make a noise. When the moon began to set and first light crept up to the top of the trees did she begin to move again.
Clary walked past the cars, till she could only see their faint outlines. Copses of trees lined the way and she used the trunks and branches to support her weight as she weaved her way forward. Another bubbling of water and she whipped her head around. Only these humble woods and green grass surrounded her field of vision. No sight or source for water. Shuddering in the sudden breeze, she sniffed. No scent of water either. Bits of twigs and leaves tangled into her hair, tresses already grown back and sticking to her nape and shoulders.
Clary watched the sun rise higher over the small knoll a hundred feet away from her. Staring at the bars of light beginning to shoot up the horizon, Clary rubbed her arms to ward away a sudden chill. The sun warmed her face, drying her tears as she put her hands to her full belly. She waited until the sun rose before turning back to the yard.
When she got back to the yard, Simon was leaning against one of the cars, rubbing at his eyes. He looked up when he heard her shoes crunch on the gravel. Simon smiled back at her and she gasped as a twinge of pain snicked through her for a moment.
Simon frowned. "Everything ok?" he asked.
Clary nodded. "Yeah, well...a little thirsty actually."
Simon nodded back. "Ok, be right back."
"Thanks."
Clary blew out a breath, the shaky exhale coming out from the diaphragm. Like a gusty heave of the stomach and her abdomen rumbled in response. Resting her fingertips to the nearest car, a compact little thing, rust gathering at the inner folds of the rims. The quickly warming metal bloomed along her hands. Clary peered down to see her puffy faced reflection in the car's paint job. Clary frowned. Simon returned, holding a glass of water. Clary's wince melted away as she took the glass in her hand. She took a long swig.
"Whoo. I needed that."
"I bet." Simon eyed her. "What were you doing out here? So early anyway."
Clary shrugged. "I couldn't sleep." she frowned. "I, uh...actually, had a feeling. That, uh that-I-I can't really put my finger on it, but that I just needed to be awake, you know?"
Simon peered at her, expression lingering on her face. Clary flushed at the scrutiny. Her eyes flashed and she nodded.
"I know right. I can't explain it, but I had to be awake."
"No I get it." Simon leaned forward. "Really."
"Ok then."
Clary took another swig of water, eyes catching the way the light reflected off the surface of her water. A small prism winking in her eyes. Clary honed in on it until the refracted light made her eyes blur. Another burst of pain. Clary doubled over, dropping the glass. Water spilled out as the glass shattered onto the ground, catching on a piece of a broken bumper, and smashed itself to bits. Shards of glass mingled with the water that was quickly getting absorbed by the grass.
"Clary?!"
Clary didn't answer. A deep wrenching pain came from within. Clutching her stomach, Clary kept the scream back in her throat as the pain increased. Simon went to her side, hands on her back. He peered into her face. She couldn't summon the energy to scowl.
"What's the matter?"
A sudden slam of pain, giving way to a cold gush. Water splashed down her thighs, running down her legs to join the water already pooling on the ground. Clary groaned, flushing as she watched more water sliding onto her skin. Simon followed her gaze, eyes widening as he looked at her legs then back to the ground again.
"A-are you?" Simon's voice went up an octave. "O-oh my God." He didn't choke.
"Hnnnng." Clary groaned.
"H-hang on, I'll get help." Simon darted off, shouting as he did so. "Jocelyn! Bobby! Ellen! Come quick, Clary's-"
Clary shook her head, trembling as she ignored Simon's shouting. She lifted her head up in time to see Jocelyn, Simon, and Bobby striding to her side. Jocelyn took her left arm, Bobby her right. Jocelyn's breath swirled in Clary's ear and she resisted the urge to swat her mother away. The warm air ghosted on her neck. Clary squirmed and the resultant stab of pain made her hiss through her teeth. Jocelyn nodded.
"I know, I know that hurts. Have you been practicing your breathing exercises?"
Clary gave a shuddery breath. "Yes."
"Ok, then start now." Jocelyn said.
Clary glared at him but began taking deep breathes as she glared at her mother. Her legs wobbled as she tried to gain balence.
"I've got it." Clary said through clenched teeth.
The pain subsided and she could stand a little taller now. Jocelyn gave her a shaky smile and Clary returned it after a moment. Simon waved his arms. His mouth opened and closed, teeth bright, sharp little canines winking against his lips. Her gaze honed in on it for a moment. Bobby turned to scowl at Simon.
"Do something useful son, go and get some towels and boil some water." he said. "And grab the first aid kit-it's in the hall closet."
Simon nodded. "O-ok."
Simon dashed back into the house. He didn't return but Ellen opened the porch door and hurried to them.
"It's time?" At Jocelyn's affirmative, Ellen continued, calling out across the yard. "Jo, honey can you get Bobby's new books?"
A window opened from the upstairs floor. Jo poked her head out. She looked down, eyes widening. "Where do you want them?"
"By the desk." Bobby said. "Now."
Jo nodded and she disappeared from view. Clary craned her neck to watch Jo's silhouette dash back and forth once or twice before disappearing entirely. Clary cricked her neck as she snapped her head back, dizzy at the movement. Taking another deep breath, she let them lead her to the porch. The moment her feet touched the wooded partition, she dug her heels in.
"No." She hated the whine that crept into her tone. "I want to move." She said.
"Ok." Jocelyn said. "It'll help with dilation I think."
Clary groaned. "Really." She flushed. "Thanks for that."
"Hey, it's alright. Women have babies every day." Ellen said.
"That's right and we'll have plenty of time to get to a hospital." Jocelyn said with a smile.
A spasm of fear shot through Clary in tandem with another burst of pain. This cramp was stronger than the last and she tried not to double over, instead leaning on Jocelyn. She pictured it: A large white room. Sterile but filled with sharp instruments, strapped to a bed with her feet in those stirrups like some kind of herd animal. Even the name-stirrups implied it. She'd be surrounded by strangers. Gloved hands pinching and prodding. She shuddered.
"No." she said. "No, no hospitals." Clary shook her head. "I don't want a bunch of strangers touching me."
"Clary-"
"Think about it. Croatoan virus is everywhere. Only military get the good hospitals now anyway."
"Think about this." Jocelyn said. "There is so much-"
"I have." Clary said.
Ellen put a hand on Clary's shoulder. "Whatever you want, but there won't be any anesthesia to help you along."
"I don't want any." Clary said.
Jo walked back outside. "I put the books on the desk. What are we gonna do now?"
"I'm staying here." Clary said, voice straining. "You can't make me."
Jo held up her hands. "No one's taking you anywhere you don't want to go."
Clary nodded, shuddering and teeth chattering. "Right."
"So are you just gonna stay out here?" Jo asked. "I think we should call everybody back, just in case."
"I don't-"
"Clary." Jocelyn said, tone icy. "We're going to assist you, whether you like it or not."
After another sharp tinge of pain, Clary nodded. She gave a shaky smile, hissing and wincing. Ellen traded looks with Bobby.
"I"ll prep the guest room." Bobby said.
"What else do we need?" Jo asked.
"Come on." Bobby said.
Jo and Bobby went back inside the house as Simon tried to scuttle out of their way as he went back outside. Clary stared at the pillows he was holding in his arms. When he followed her gaze, he nudged his elbows to rustle the pillows.
"Just in case." he said.
Clary scowled and Simon repeated himself. At Ellen's look she nodded. Simon set them on the rusty porch swing and then leaned his back against the wall and kept staring as the two women helping Clary pace back and forth along the porch. Clary kept her breath even as she tired to keep the prinkling of her nerves at bay. Her heart pounded, sweat sliding down the back of her neck, strands of hair clinging to her skin. Clary growled, trying to shake her shoulders loose from the two other women.
Ellen eased up her grip a bit more than Jocelyn, but neither left her side. Clenching her teeth and squinching her eyes shut, she got her breathing back on track. Her body felt hyper sensative. The impact her feet made on the wooden floorboards made her moan. She ignored the way Simon's eyebrows rose as Ithuriel fluttered inside her.
The angel was trying to send her waves of comfort, but they didn't take and Clary tried to keep her thoughts from becoming tangled at the implications. Clary tried to send a sensation of thankfullness back to Ithuriel and Clary smiled when she realized that emotion got through just fine. Clary closed her eyes, focusing on the quickening of grace fluttering through her until it practically vibrated, yet she still couldn't hear Ithuriel's voice. Only a mild hum of emotion; she knew that only her...encouragement was giving Ithuriel the second wind that she was experiencing at the moment.
A sudden wrench of pain that caused her to double over with a strangled yelp. Clary sunk to her knees, pain coursing through her. Noise transitioned to a buzz, causing the shouts of her name to sound like angry bees humming in her ears. Simon bent down, arms outstrectched. His lips moved but Clary couldn't make out what he was saying. Jocelyn and Ellen's respective grips tightened on her arms. She wasn't sure who was the one rubbing her back, but it helped her ride the pain out.
"D-do you need a hospital? Does she need a hospital?" Simon asked, head swivling back and forth between Jocelyn and Ellen.
"No honey, she's still in the labor stage." Ellen said. "Her body is getting ready to give birth."
Simon frowned. "L-like...dilating? That thing on ER?"
Ellen and Jocelyn exchanged smiles.
"Yes like that." Jocelyn said.
"So...normal?" Simon asked.
"Yeeeessss." Clary interjected, snapping. "Yeah, it's fine, sheesh. Talk about me like I'm not here."
"Clary." Jocelyn frowned.
Simon held up his hands. "It's cool. I"d be grouchy too."
At those words, Clary's eyes filled with tears and flushed. "Can I have some water please?"
"Coming right up." Simon said.
He went back inside just as Ellen and Jocelyn helped Clary back to her feet. She resumed her pacing, even as Simon gave her a glass of water. Clary gave it a little raise at Simon before gulping it down. The coldness of the water hit her stomach, and she winced but still wished for more. She kept walking, even as the sun rose in the sky and the heat beat down. Clouds still ghosted over the horizon and heat lightening flashed in the far distance. Clary huffed in frustration. She didn't pay attention to the time as the pain kept coming on, quicker and longer.
Her body quivered of its own accord and Clary leaned her head back. Her groan was cut off with a harsh intake of breath. She could have sworn her eyes rolled back in hear head, back screaming at her as aches ran up and down her muscles.
"Uuuuugh." Clary swallowed. "Take me upstairs."
Jocelyn sucked in a breath. Ellen gave a quick little nod. Simon backed up as the three women moved forward. Ellen and Jocelyn pulling tight manuvers to ease Clary into the door without letting go of her. Simon trailed after them, hands shaking as he followed them past the living room and up the , who had been napping on the couch, startled away when the door banged open and shut. He did a double take as he gaped at the women leading Clary up the stairs.
"I-is she?" he stuttered.
"Uh-huh." Simon said.
"What can I do?" Chuck asked.
"Just hang on a sec." Simon replied.
Chuck nodded and flopped back onto the couch, letting out an explosive sigh.
Clary almost missed a step.
"Easy easy." Ellen said.
"We're almost there." Jocelyn added.
Clary grumbled, making it to the landing and turned down on the left. The room was not quite cozy but not all together unpleasant. Spaces had been cleared out. Books shoved and stacks into high piles in the very corner's edges of the room. Any weapons that would have been in there were no longer in the vicintiy. The bed was in the center of the room, dominating the small space. The small bookshelf behind the bed frame was crammed full of books, Just as many of the wooden sufaces were wont to do in this room.
The exception in the room was a low, long recangular coffe table. An elaborate looking first aid kit complete with sutra tools nestled against a stack of thick towels. A high back chair next to it balenced a basin of water. Clary was led to the turned out bed with its thick, numerous pillows and settled onto her back. With a grunt, she sat up, back supported by the pillows. Clary winced at the spasms ripping through her, voice taking a new edge as she felt the urge to push.
Muscles jumped in her legs and she struggled to adjust herself. Ellen and Jocelyn were at her side. Bobby put a liberal ammount of hand sanitizer on his palms and gestured for Jo and Simon to do the same. Bobby looked to Jocelyn.
"How good are your saw-bone skills?"
Jocelyn frowned for a moment, then her expression cleared into understanding and then morphed into discomfort. "Not as well as I would like for this."
"Ok, so what do you wanna do then?" he asked.
Jocelyn scooted her chair closer to the bed. "Anything I can." she said.
"Fair enough." Bobby said. "Ok, I know Jo's got some saw-bone skills, so if that ever comes up she can help with that end. Ellen can assist her. Jocelyn, I'm gonna need your help. I got these books here," he gestured to a stack of three books on a chair. "Medical journals and what not, but that still won't make up for experience. I'll need you to help tell me when something's gone wrong. Simon, you support Clary, keep her comfy. Everybody wash up and put on some gloves."
Everyone bustled about and Clary's eyes darted back and forth between all the occupants of the room. Jocelyn stroked her cheek and Clary jerked her head. Her nostrils flared like a horse's as she tried to situate herself.
"Here, sit up hon." Ellen said.
Clary lifted her hips, arms shaking to support her weight. Ellen and Jocelyn put a couple of towels underneath her. She wriggled her pelvis, eyes scrunching shut as she tried to keep sitting up. Clary finally flopped back onto the pillows with a grunt. The pain was at a near constant and rippling hum throughout her body. Nightgown riding high up her thighs, bunching at the hips as she let her head back on the headboard. Pulse hammering in her throat, choking her as she kept her head still, eyes staring up at her mother.
Someone cleared their throat and Clary's gaze zeroed in to see Chuck fidgeting by the doorway. His eyes were dark and wide. Clary wasn't sure what it is that she was seeing when she looked in them, but was dimly aware of him asking what he should do, but didn't follow the answering response. Clary groaned again and Simon turned to her.
"Here, hold my hand."
Clary nodded, squeezing his hand. As she did so another flood of pain made her cry out. She had the oddest sensation of squirming and wrenching, as if both the baby and the angel inside her moving in tandem. Without thinking about it, she pushed. Nothing happened. Growling, she pushed again. Her back screamed in protest as she sat up, trying to gain leverage. Jocelyn moved forward, fumbling into Simon, who tried to avoid hitting her. Clary watched them with a growl as their knees jostled the mattress, sending a jolt of pain through her.
Jocelyn shifted herself so that her upper body was supporting Clary's back. She took no chair when it was offered. Simon took her previous spot and at the sight of Clary's wiggling fingers, resumed holding her hand.
"Keep pushing honey." Jocelyn said.
Clary whipped her head to her mother, lips pulled back in a snarl.
"I know that."
Clary began again, pain lancing through her, struggling to get comfortable, she tried to sit higher up, muscles shaking in the effort.
"Nothing's happening." she said. "Why? I'm trying-" her voice came out a whine.
"It's gonna be alright baby." Ellen said.
Simon kissed her knuckles and Clary flinched when Bobby's big, calloused hands came down on her belly. His hands moved over, fingers vice like and the responding kick went off like a gunshot inside her. Clary's sharp cry made the windows rattle. Lightening from outside illuminated the room. Bobby's eyebrow's rose.
"Ellen, I need you to take a look under the hood, see where were at."
Ellen nodded and patted Clary's knees before she bent down to look in between Clary's legs.
"...Something's blocking the canal...I think it's the placenta."
"Damn it." Bobby moved one hand to flip through the pages of the book. "I think baby's a bit turned around." He shouted out to Chuck, who was still in the hall. "Hey. Call the boys back here and tell them to hit up a hospital on the way back."
Chuck's footsteps echoed as he crashed about, racing down the stairs.
"No!" Clary screamed. "No hospitals!"
"Clary-" Simon began.
"No." she shook her head. "I won't go."
Another rippling spasm rolled through her, Clary's insides shuddering as she bore down without thought.
"Ok honey, I need you to hold off on the pushing for a minute." Ellen said.
Clary's grunt transformed into a whine. Contractions kept thundering through her. It now took everything in her power not to start pushing. A cramp hardening in her body; a burning sensation coursing through her. Clary shivered, giving another drawn out moan. The burning cramps were increasing as warm liquid leaked out from down out between her legs, dripping down her buttocks, and onto the towels. She tried to grit her teeth, but the grinding molars just rammed a headaches into her temples. Hissing in pain, gripping Simon's hand likean iron vice.
"Ithuriel...Jace isn't here...I need your help. I can't do this without you."
A sensation went through her, much like the sea coming to tide. It flooded through, filling limbs with heat. Scent of ozone permeating. She knew the impression of the words, even if the vague Enochian drifting into her mind was strange but she understood the gist of it.
"It will be alright little one."
A gentle inward tug. Bobby's hands shifted on Clary's stomach. A swimming-like propulsion. The baby's feet kicked out at her ribs and Clary gave a little yelp.
"Ok, I think Baby's in the right spot now." Bobby said. "Now, about that placenta-"
Clary huffed but the squishing noise didn't cease as Ellen tried her best to prod aside a fraction of the placenta peeking out.
"Bobby I'm gonna need some forceps clamps for this."
The burning cramps and the blazing energy of Ithuriel dueled for prominence within her body. Head lolling, she leaned toward Simon.
"Jace isn't here." she said.
Clary ignored the way Jocelyn tensed. Simon nodded.
"No, he's not." Simon said.
Clary nodded.
Ellen pulled back. "Ok, we got it pulled back as far as it would allow." She set the clamps down, wiping her brow with the inside crook of her elbow. "Ok Clary, now push."
"About time." she said.
Clary bore down, deep hot pain amplifying as her muscles vibrated in protest. Ithuriel racing inside her body, practically lifting her up off the bed. Clary flopped back down, arms shaking as she tried to expel her child from her.
"Again Clary." Ellen said.
Clary did so-and screamed.
SPNTMI
A few hours later and the doors to Bobby's finally opened. Sam, Dean, Isabelle, Alec, and Magnus all filled in. As soon as they stepped into the foyer, Chuck came bolting to them. He leaned against the wall, panting.
"Thank God, you guys are finally back." he said.
Sam frowned. "What happened?"
"Clary's having her baby."
"What?"
Dean and Isabelle exclaimed in unison.
"I tried to get a hold of you guys." Chuck said.
"Phone's dead." Alec said."The place was over-run-"
Chuck nodded. "Yeah. yeah. Clary's having trouble."
"What kind?" Magnus asked.
"They said the placenta was blocking the birth canal." Chuck said. "Did you guys go by any hospitals?"
"No." Dean said, going pale.
There was another shout from upstairs, a high pitched whine layered behind it. Dean winced and Sam put his hands over his ears. Isabelle and Alec exchanged identical grimaces as Magnus prodded his own ears. Dean continued to blanch.
"What about the placenta?" Alec asked. "What?" his voice a bit higher as his ears reddened. "If it's damaged, the spell doesn't work right?" he asked.
"I would assume so." Magnus said. "But assumptions are mistakes at this juncture, so better summon your angels' boys."
Dean didn't so much as scowl, pulling out his phone a rapidly dialing. He spoke after a moment. "Yeah, Cas it's me. Listen, it's time so you two get your feathery asses down here ASAP. Yeah, ok."
He hung up the moment Bobby's voice shouted from upstairs. Chuck jumped up and ran back upstairs. He was only there for a few minutes before Chuck raced downstairs again. He pointed to the stairs.
"Bobby need some of you guys to switch out with the others upstairs. He also needs fresh towels."
"I'll go." Magnus said. "I have some experiences in medical mayhem."
"I'll get some towels." Isabelle said.
The two followed Chuck back up the stairs amidst another deep shout echoing from Clary. A peal of thunder answered in reply.
"Is it ready?"
Dean jumped. Cas appeared in front of him.
"Almost."
SPNTMI
Jace lifted his head up, scent of rain all around him. The drizzle dampened his hair and pooled in the creases of his jacket. Boots squelching on the fresh mud. The sound wasn't quite drowned out by the rushing of the river. Jace tilted his head as if straining to catch the last note of a whispered birdsong. The clouds obscured the stars, lightening forking across the sky. The sounds had been snatched away from him. He paced along the length of the river. The wind ruffled his hair. All was silent now. He only felt her presence seconds before she was behind him.
"Tessa." he said.
"We have to go now." she said. "We've lingered here too long."
"Hmm." Jace clicked his tongue, the little chirp echoing like a shot. "Yeah, alright. Let's go."
SPNTMI
"So just waitin' on her then?" Gabriel asked.
Sam frowned. "She's doing her best." he said. "We have all the other ingredients."
"Oh then it'll be a snap." Gabriel said, rolling his eyes.
Sam huffed. "Gee, you think?"
"Now we can at least set up the circle." Cas said. "As long as we keep it from washing away."
"Yeah." Dean said. "What else?"
"The map." Cas said. "You mustn't forget to follow the Axis Mundi. The spell opens a door to Heaven-that you already knew-but it takes you straight to the angelic spheres." Cas paused for a moment, frowning. "Think of it as...the employee's only section."
"Ok and the prison is...upstairs, what fifth floor?"
"Thereabouts." Gabriel said.
A series of shouts came from upstairs, a heavy ultrasonic whine behind the pain filled cries. Frames shook on the walls, and a couple of books fell onto the ground. Gabriel clicked his tongue. He checked an imaginary watch.
"Come on now."
SPNTMI
Clary's shout petered out to a groan. Jocelyn had be replaced, with tight protests, by Magnus. The warlock steered her out by the shoulders, but she still hovered by the door frame. Clary huffed, baring her teeth. She leaned her head on Simon's shoulder, panting. Sweat clung to her like a second skin.
"Jace...he isn't coming back, is he?"
Simon took awhile in answering. "No, he isn't." he said.
Clary closed her eyes, squeezing them tight, and nodding before opening them again. "Ok."
Clary bore down, muscles straining to the point where she need to stop for a minute. The shuddering inside her meant she was close to expulsion. Clary growled again, pleased with the way her throat rumbled with the sound. It lessened the frustration. She timed out her pushes, only ceasing for a minute or two before continuing. Each contraction ripped through her, taking away a piece of her sadness. A part of her letting go of Jace little by little as she worked through the pain.
"She's crowning." Ellen said. "Just one more push, honey."
Clary could barely nod to show her agreement, taking a deep breath and pushed. She gritted her teeth as she squeezed, bearing down despite the burning going through her. Sweat poured down her as the kicking went through her canal. Clary squeezed her eyes shut, screaming as she imagined tiny limbs flailing inside her, struggling to get out. Tiny fingers pressing against her wall, head wriggling to escape. Clary shuddered at the image and she gave a final push. A deep wrenching pain overwhelming the burning within. The slow turn of the baby's shoulders as it escaped the confines of her body.
Blood gushed down her legs. Clary groaned, the insistent urges to push not quite gone. She could barely move her legs, but her muscles managed to eek out a few movements. Clary choked as the placenta squelched out of her. She shivered when gloved hands brushed against her entrance to handle her child. She wasn't sure, but she thought it was Ellen who caught her baby. The scent of copper was everywhere. Clary's eyes rolled everywhere as her body began to spasm. Her grip on Simon slackened, his voice fuzzy to her ears. She could barely open her mouth to speak. Alarmed renditions of her name meant nothing as more people surrounded her.
Clary was dimly aware that more blood was spilling out of her and sticking to the sheets. Simon was snarling above her, eyes looking black in the fogginess of her vision. Simon's hand was tugged away from her and she whined. Clary snatched at his hand and held on. Someone was at her shoulders and another was by her legs. Her vision shorted out, growing dimmer at the edges.
It was easy to imagine herself watching the scene from below. Jocelyn was being held back by Chuck as both stayed in the doorway. Jo with needle and thread beside her thighs, hands blurring in their haste to stitch her back together. Ellen carrying a bloody Tupperware filled to the brim. She raced away before Clary could react. She was aware of clutching onto Simon, babbling at his wan and tight face. Bobby was holding her baby, cleaning the fluids still covering the limbs and face.
From her vantage point, she could peer into the damp towel to see a screaming, scrunched up face. A heady surge of affection went through her, enough that see could see her arms reach for the child.
"Ithuriel..."
"I'll do what I can."
"Thank you."
Warmth, vital and blinding went through her. Her eyes shot open. The world looked brighter, sharper somehow. Wavering lines shimmered through the air, like connecting points of light moving all around each other. She could see sound, the way the wavelengths bended in time to a beat that she didn't quite understand. Ithuriel was humming beside her, grace working from within. Clary tried speech, but nothing, only a faint sense that the angel was alive. For now, that was enough. Clary closed her eyes.
SPNTMI
Ellen raced down the stairs and everyone looked up at her approach. Magnus, after helping Chuck remove Jocelyn, who could not stay calm in the face of her daughter's danger, was now silent. Magnus held up a clean towel.
"Can she take any more magic?" Alec asked.
"Not at this rate." Magnus said.
"Just as well. Ya'll need to get started." Ellen said. "While this is still fresh."
She gestured to the Tupperware of placenta in her hand. Sam nodded and went to the fridge to pull out the dead sea salt water. Isabelle handed over the nephilim remains to Dean, the small package steady in her hands. Dean took it with a nod. Gabriel pulled out a slim knife. Alec hurried to find something to cover the circle with as the small kitchen bustled with activity.
Alec finally founded a tarp inside the hall closet and he gestured to Magnus.
"Do you think you could hold this up to keep the circle from being damaged?" Alec frowned. "Or did you use up too much magic?"
"No, I should be fine. Thanks for asking." Magnus stroked the side of Alec's face. "It was good thinking, to keep the spell work protected. It'll-"
Simon appeared on the top most step, shouting down as he did so.
"It's a girl!"
Ragged, slightly distracted cheers rose up as Sam, Dean, Cas, Gabriel, Alec, Isabelle, and Magnus headed out the back door to the salvage yard. The rain had yet to let up and everyone set down the ingredients as Alec and Magnus unfolded the tarp. The warlock held the material aloft without the use of his hands and everyone dove into action.
Cas began to draw the sigil underneath the tarp, a complex array of circles within circles interconnected to each other in a hexagonal shape. Gabriel took a sliver dagger and began to drag it across his skin, mixing his blood with the dead sea water and myrrh into a copper bowl. Isabelle took the nephilim remains and placed a piece of each in each of the cardinal directions that had been in the raised grooves of the sigil. Sam took the parcel of Tupperware and slid the placenta out and let it plop into the center of the sigil. Sam tossed the container away from the circle.
"Get inside the circle." Cas said.
Sam stayed put and Dean walked over to him with a set expression. Alec hefted up an earthen jug of holy oil just as Cas took the copper bowl from Gabriel and made his way over to the brothers. Sam and Dean stood opposite each other, Clary's placenta lying in between them. It's juice slowly being absorbed into the ground. Cas began chanting Enochian as Alec poured the holy oil onto the etched lines of the sigil. Cas's hands stretched as far as they would allow and tipped the basin, spilling some of the mixture onto Sam's head. Sam flinched at the coldness of the liquid but said nothing, hair dampening even as the fabric of his shirt became soaked.
Cas turned around to repeat the process with Dean. Gabriel began his own Enochian chant as Alec poured the last of the holy oil. Dean blinked rapidly, green eyes seemingly brighter with the mixture caught in his eyelashes. Cas zeroed in on this detail and Dean met his gaze. The angel lowered the basin. The rest of its contents soaking into the righteous man's shoulders. Cas's hands shook, mouth still chanting as he flung the basin away from the sigil. It fell to the ground with an impressive clang. At one he ceased chanting. Cas raised his hands again, this time hovering by Dean's upper arms. Dean's whole frame tensed, eyes half lidded as he took deep breaths through his nose.
"Good luck." Cas said. "Both of you. Try not to die."
Dean's lips twitched. Cas lowered his arms, pivoted on his heels, and stepped out at the circle. As soon as he stood next to Gabriel, the archangel stopped his own chanting. Everyone except Sam and Dean stepped away from the sigil. Gabriel snapped his fingers and the holy oil lit itself on fire.
Sam gaped and Dean did a double take. On their side of the holy fire, heat shimmered around the angels, light bending and refracting like some kind of mirage. Sam's eyes darted back and forth between the two angels, a smile playing on his lips.
"Is that what I think it is?" he asked.
Gabriel frowned in confusion, looking around until he twisted his head. His eyes widened for a moment then laughed.
"Oh. You can see them huh?"
"A little, I think so." Sam said. "Is that what that shimmering heat wave thing is?"
Gabriel laughed. "I shimmer huh?"
The laugh was so genuine that Sam couldn't help but flush. Dean clicked his teeth and focused on the other angel.
"Must be the spell." Gabriel said.
Cas, who for once, was restive under Dean's scrutiny, startled. Dean, for his part was still staring at Cas as though he was just now getting a look at the angel. Sam gave a quick glance to Dean and waved a hand in his brother's face. No reaction. Dean continued to have a startled, slightly bringing out the green in his eyes. Cas's eyes widened in alarm. He shuffled from foot to foot.
"Wait, you-" Cas said.
"Dude." Dean said. "Are those your wings?"
"I-" Cas cleared his throat. "You may end up in a different location when you return."
Dean ignored the information.
"Cuz' they're awesome." he said.
"W-what?" Cas's voice stuttered. "You can see them?"
"Like Sam said, just a little bit."
Cas shifted his wings, the air shimmered again at the rustle of movement, as if the particles in the air responded to his touch. The shifting of the wings made them blur back to a shimmer, which meant a little soreness for Dean and Sam's eyes, but Dean tried to catch every movement, leaning forward. Cas mirrored the gesture, eyes suddenly future before staring up at Dean's face.
"Truly?" he asked.
"Hells yeah." Dean said.
Cas gave a little huff of a laugh and a smile. Dean's answering grin spread onto his face. The two maintained eye contact until Gabriel cleared his throat.
"Don't forget to call us when you get back." he said.
Before either brother could respond, the holy oil burned brighter. The flames gaining strength and height until it towered hundreds of feet into the air, becoming brighter until it was just a blinding white light. It vanished as quick as it came, revealing the circle to be empty.
SPNTMI
Dean blinked his eyes open to find himself and Sam in a field surrounded by dense forest. His brother groaned, sitting up. He turned to look at Dean.
"Are we in?"
"Hang on." Dean said.
Dean stood up and Sam followed suit. Dean strode over to a tree. Sam stared up at the night sky to see a luminous moon hanging in the air. Dean took out an angel blade, its edge gleaming from moonlight, and he carved a sigil into the dark bark of the tree closest to him. A long looping scrawl with a sharp line dashed through it. For a moment, nothing happened and then the mark gave a dim glow, as if lighting up the tree from the inside.
The bark melted, texture crumbling as the bark peeled itself back to reveal a tall opening. Dean peered through and saw the top corner most of a spiral staircase. Sam walked over and stared past Dean's shoulder and gaped at the staircase.
"Ok...yeah." Sam said. "I'm in."
They exchanged looks before Dean went into the tunnel first, with Sam shrugging as he hurried after his brother. The entryway behind Sam didn't close itself behind him and he gaped. An ornate ivory spiral staircase was in the center of a tower with soft golden glow emanating from its walls. Dean walked up the stairs, eyes trained on the ascending point at the top of the stairs.
He was still clutching an angel blade, but Sam kept his hands still in his pocket, hands wrapping around the handle of his own angel blade. Sam reached the top moments before Dean and hovered by his brother, staring at the curved doorway with a frown.
"Ready to go down the rabbit hole?" Dean asked.
"Ready when you are." Sam said.
Sam pulled out his angel blade and walked out the door with Dean. The doorway led to a corridor. A long corridor done completely in white, bright yet there was no source of light to make it so. Rows of doors on either side of the hall. Sam and Dean exchanged looks but kept walking forward. Neither said nothing, as there was no way to gauge how long they been moving until they reached a fork in the hallway, going down left and right. No signs indicated where they should go.
Sam and Dean exchanged another look with each other before taking the left. They only went three feet before a little dip in the wall revealed a set of stairs. They were narrow enough to have to be taken one at a time. Dean went ahead of Sam, who clicked his tongue in response. Sam nipped at Dean's heels and the lengthy stairs finally stopped after a few hundred feet. The pristine white halls gave way to an archway of grey stone.
Sam nudged Dean and jerked his head in the direction of the archway. Dean eyed it for a moment before nodding and following Sam to walk underneath the archway. The moment that he was beneath the highest point in the arch, did Dean realize he could hear rustling. His arm shot out, hand gripping Sam's shoulder. Sam glanced back at Dean, who placed a finger to his lips.
Together they listened to the fluttery rustles that seemed to grow louder the longer they listened. Dean spared the archway a final look before taking the leading and going through it. Sam shrugged and went through as well. The next room was spacious and dingy, gray stone decorated the surroundings as far as decoration could be concerned. It seemed old-fashioned, even medieval. Row after row of cells. Cells that resembled the opening of the mouth of a cave, deep indents in the wall at least two feet wide and six feet across. Each cell was divided by thick stone walls. However, the front of the cells were recognizable by the round, steel bars blocking the entrance of the cell. A slim steel door was visible in the center of the bars.
In the center of the space was a huge chair that was divided into three sections to recline. It resembled a dentists chair, except for the thick, metal restraints for the extremities and even the chest. It was kept in pristine condition. A stark contrast to the rest of the room's gloom. The lone trolley cart loaded with knives, syringes, and implements Dean didn't care to think about. With a shudder, he turned away.
The rustling grew even louder and Sam peered through the bars of the closest cell. Dean rubbed at his eyes. Angels. Row after of cells were all full of angels. Sam gaped. Angels were either sitting or standing in their cells, a few were even pacing. He hesitated for a second but Dean strode forward, whistling.
"So what are ya'll in for?" Dean clicked his tongue. "Got one too many traffic tickets?"
Angels perked up, fixing their attention on the two men, as Sam went to Dean's side. Sam's eyes darted around, trying not to be caught staring at the trapped angels that stared back. He didn't recognize anyone. Not that he expected to, but these were angels somehow Sam could see them as having a human appearance. Yet, Sam kept looking for something familiar. None of them spoke. Dean turned to Sam, an expression of wary confusion.
"Well there's no need for everyone to talk at once." Dean spread his hands. "Just offering to give you guys a chance."
Another stretch of silence until a lone angel made a dismissive snort.
"Chance at what?"
Dean blinked. "To stop Lucifer." At the smatterings of murmurs and conversation, Dean raised his voice. "Come one, say what you want about me, about people, but I think we can all agree that Lucifer needs to be stopped-"
"As if he can-" someone called out.
That sparked off a round of arguments, even a few shouts. Sam and Dean exchanged another look, both frowning. Sam spun around, glancing back to the archway but no one came. Sam said nothing, looking back to stare at Dean. So far, no angels tried to get close to him-one of them shifted. A shifting of limbs was as good as jumping up and down to an angel. Sam craned forward. It was the next to last cell on the left. A flash of red entered his vision and Sam stilled.
"Dean."
He nudged his brother, who was preoccupied with the glowering angels. Dean narrowed his eyes. Sam jerked his thumb at the cell.
"I think you should see this."
Dean followed Sam's gaze and his frowned deepened. Both of them headed to the cell and both doubled taked when they got there. Dean's eyes widened as he took in the thick, dark red hair, tangling down small shoulders. Pale hands sitting on the lap, fingers intertwined with each other.
"Anna is that you?" Dean asked.
The red hair moved, revealing a face. Anna stared back up at them. Her eyes looked sunken in, iris's dull as she stared at the two of them. Sam shivered. After staring at them for a long moment, she then began to speak.
"Dean?" Her voice was soft. "Sam? What are you two doing here?"
"We're here to get you out." Dean's voice was equally soft.
"...What?" Anna asked.
"We need you." Sam said. "You and the other angels-"
Anna sighed, wisps of hair puffing away from her cheeks when she did so. She fixed Sam with a look but her eyes were brighter than they were before. Fiddling with her hands, she looked up at Dean.
"Explain."
"We bust you guys out-depending on who wants to come-to stop Michael and Lucifer from ripping Earth in half from the apocalypse."
As Anna was nodding throughout his words, she added. "Then I'll go. I know I can convince some of the others here to come with us. Most were locked up for disobedience."
"Well they'll have plenty of that if they come with us." Dean said.
Anna pitched her voice so the other angels could hear. "Alright. The end is drawing near. Most of us are here because of disobedience but I consider it my duty to so our Father's work and that means stopping our brothers from bringing on the end. Whoever feels the same should come with us now."
"You need to use a seal to open the doors." another angel piped up.
Sam frowned. "A seal?"
"Who's that?" Dean asked, pointing to the angel who just spoke.
Said angel noticed and spoke before Anna had a chance to. "Tabris."
Dean nodded and Tabris pointed to a set of keys resting on a hook.
"Please hurry." Tabris said.
"Yes, before Iruel comes back." another angel said.
Sam reached for the keys. "Iruel?"
"The Highest Interrogator. It is his job to reform us." Anna said. "He really should have returned by now."
"Figures." Dean gritted his teeth.
Sam snagged the keys, fingers flipping through the long, slim pieces jingling in his hands. He settled on the one that only had three teeth at the end of the key. There was no lock that he could see but the angels were giving suggestions.
"Just tap it to the bars."
Sam did exactly that and as soon as the metal touched metal, a sigil appeared on the bars. A trio of circles interconnecting with one another as two slashes crossed each other like an X through the circles. A small inverted V arched over it. It burned brightly against the bars, humming in a low pitch. It lasted only a minute but Sam stepped back just in time.
Instead of opening the doors, the entire cell bars slid up, like a garage door until the bars vanished from sights and the cells appeared to resemble an alcove. The angels all stared at Sam with wide eyes.
"Well?" Sam said. "Snap to."
Blinking, the angels finally moved and snatching the keys from Sam, began to free the other angels. Said angels began to move. Anna heaved herself up in a quick, continuous motion and strode out of her cell. Her shoulder brushed Dean's jacket and she stared up at him.
"Now what?"
"We go to the garden."
Anna stared at him, gaze now sharp and Dean shifted from foot to foot. He kept his eyes locked on Anna. He nodded and together the two turned to face the others.
"Where does the Axis Mundi go from here?" Sam asked.
Some angels stiffened, almost imperceptibly. A slight tightening around shoulders and a hardening of the eyes. Tabris on the other hand nodded.
"Yes. I know the way." At Sam and Dean's sharp glances, he added, "So does Anna."
"Anna?" Dean asked.
"Follow me." she said.
Anna took the lead. Sam and Dean exchanged another look. At Sam's silent nod, his brother went up beside Anna as Sam waited for the rest of the angels to stay in the middle as Sam brought up the rear. They all passed under the archway again. Dean shivered. The rest of them passed through it without incident. Anna took a turn into an alcove, leading them down a previously unexplored hall. This hall was designed much like the prison, with thick stone walls and drab colors. The passageway widened itself out until Anna stopped, fists clenched as she looked around.
"What?" Dean asked.
"Iruel-"
"I'm highly disappointing in you, Anna. We had been making such progress."
Dean raised his angel blade higher to point it at the newcomer that appeared before them. A tall man in a pin striped three pieced suit stood in front of them. His hands were clasped together but it was his smile that made Anna pull back. It slowly appeared on his face, showing teeth. Sharp, white points bright against soft flesh.
"Now we'll have to start from scratch." Iruel said.
Four others angels stood beside him, flanking him as they glared at the escaping prisoners. Two on each side, each one with identical suits. None of the foursome spoke. Instead, Iruel gave instructions.
"Sahaquiel and Armisael take the angels. Ramiel and Baraquiel, the Winchesters."
Sahaquiel and Armisael darted forward, blades in hand. Rushing, the little band, they went straight in the center. Anna pushed Dean behind her just as Ramiel and Baraquiel swerved to tackle the brothers. Sahaquiel raised his blade high and brought it down to Anna's head. Anna twisted her head, narrowly avoiding the swooping angle of the blade.
Her hair fluttering, she swerved and brought her palms up and striking Sahaquiel's elbow. His arm flailing, grip failing to hold his blade. The blade sailed through the air. Anna punched Sahaquiel, fist slamming into his stomach in one two punches that sent Sahaquiel reeling. His blade descended and Anna caught it by the handle, slashing at Sahaquiel. The angel scrambled back and three other angels rushed him. Armisael hurried forward just as Ramiel swung at Sam.
Tabris, shouting, pushed himself between Sam and Ramiel, yanking on Ramiel's shoulders and shoving him into Baraquiel. The two angels crashed into each other, limbs sprawling together as they slammed into a wall.
"Leliel, Baruch, grab their blades." Tabris shouted.
Leliel and Baruch tackled Ramiel and Baraquiel. Three more angels joined the tackle, taking Leliel and Baruch's places as the two stepped back with weapons.
"Sam, Dean run." Anna said. "Hurry, down the hall. Don't look back."
They hesitated for just a moment until Sam grabbed Dean's arm. Together the two dashed down the hall. Said hall widened out to accommodate three people abreast of each other. The walls cracked and two new angels appeared before them.
"Now what?" Dean growled.
Sam raised his blade higher. The angel on the left took the shape of a blonde woman. She raised her hands up, moving closer to the two men. Dean shifted his stance and she froze. The angel beside her, a tall dark skinned man. His eyes darted from his companion's face to the Winchester's. His hands were clenched at his sides as he continued to stare.
"We mean you no harm." he said.
Sam scoffed as Dean glowered at the two angels.
"Really. You are searching for the garden, yes?" the male angel asked.
"And?" Dean prompted.
"And we can take you there." he said. Ignoring the look he got from his companion, he continued. "We heard. All of Heaven will know where you are by now-"
"So Cas was right." Dean said. "I should have-"
"Cas?" the female angel's voice sharp.
"C...Castiel." Sam said.
The two angels' expressions transformed. They exchanged smiles. Sam lowered his angel blade as the two angels finally looked back at the two brothers. Both of them had moved closer to them but neither had weapons in their hands.
"Castiel is still alive?" she asked, voice high. "Oh-I'm relieved, alright, I'm coming with you."
Before they could respond, the other angel spoke.
"I will assist you as well. I am Telantes and she is called Rachel."
Shouts and footsteps echoed through the hall as Anna and the others jogged down the hall to rejoin the Winchesters. Anna stiffened at the sight of Rachel and Telantes.
"Rachel." Anna said.
"Anna, we need to hurry." Rachel replied.
Anna narrowed her eyes. "That much is true."
"Guys." Sam said. "Can you not do this right now?"
"Where's the garden?" Dean asked, voice tense.
"Here." Telantes extended his hand. "The door, is this way."
Telantes presses his hands onto Sam and Dean's respective shoulders. Dean blinked and their surroundings changed. Dean whirled around as Sam tensed. Both men raised their weapons again. Dean's eyes widened.
"Is this-" Dean asked.
"Those botanical gardens in Cleveland?" Sam answered.
A variety of thick, rich foliage was densely packed together within the circular space. The domed ceiling revealed a grey sky. Sam frowned. The cluster of angels paced around, silent and darting. Sam and Dean's gazes swept through their surroundings. Dean leaned toward Anna, keeping his voice low.
"So...any ideas?"
Anna shrugged, not meeting his eyes as she readjusted her grip on her angel blade. Her entire frame was rigid as she kept still. She made a shushing noise.
"Wait. I can feel-"
"Can I help you?" a new voice asked.
A rather unassuming African-American man in jeans and a flannel shirt stood in between two trees. His placid smile and warm eyes regarded the group. He brought his hands together, wiping non existent dirt on his blue jeans. His weathered hands stayed still at his sides.
"I'm Joshua." he said. "Nice to meet all of you."
Tabris was the only one to respond. "To you as well. It's nice to finally nice to meet God's gardener."
Joshua laughed. "Flattery will get you nowhere."
"This is fascinating and all, but we're on a schedule. Think you can wrap this up and take us to God." Dean said.
Tabris shut his mouth with a quick snap.
"Y-you can't just-" one angel said, only to be quieted by another.
"We've got somethings to tell Him" Sam said.
"He knows." Joshua said.
"What." Sam's voice went flat.
Joshua's smile was soft, eyes crinkling at the corners. Yet the expression sobered before his smile faded and the eyes glimmered with something akin to sympathy. Dean bristled.
"What's that supposed to mean? When he finds out what's going on-"
"And he knows." Joshua said, hands brought up to eye level and held out. "It's just something that doesn't concern him." He shook his hands. "And by that He believes it to be something that He doesn't need to worry over."
"What." Sam repeated.
Dean shook as the rest of the angels went silent. Anna gaped, lips trembling even as her eyes became stony. Dean brought himself into Joshua's personal space.
"You're trying to tell me that God doesn't care about what happens to us? The guys that He told you to protect?" Dean's voice became strangled, unable to continue.
Joshua's hand moved forward, hovering up by Dean's shoulder. It stayed there for a moment before he dropped it back down to his side. He didn't drop his gaze but kept it even to Dean's.
"For the record, I'm hoping you'll succeed."
Sam scoffed and Joshua turned his head to level a stare at the man. Sam lowered his gaze after a second, scowling. He clenched his fists. Dean kept staring at Joshua and the angel spoke up again.
"Really. I want you to save the world. You'll just have to do it without Him." he said.
Dean snorted. "Figures. Should have known."
"Dean-"
Dean shuddered, ignoring Sam's tone. Sam tried to catch his brother's eye, to no avail. Sam swallowed hard, a chest heavy as if he had a cold, hard ball settle in the pit of his stomach. Dean's eyes had darkened, losing their shine as his frown deepened. The wary severity etched into his face. Sam glared at Joshua, who was unmoved.
"It's best for all of you to leave now, before you get caught. Zachariah may be dead, but there will be more." Joshua said. "I'll send you on your way."
Joshua pressed his hands onto the brother's respective shoulders as the angels pressed close together Dean and Sam closed their eyes.
SPNTMI
The moment those eyes opened and they were in a manicured, green lawn. A three story stucco home, done in a mock adobe structure. The wrap around balcony rested on the second floor. A lone figure rested on a chair in the center of the porch. Sam looked up, doing a double take. His blade glinted in his hand as he brought it to eye level. Elbowing Dean, he kept his gaze trained on the balcony but his brother wasn't paying attention.
Dean's expression was far away even as he pulled out his cell phone and dialed. His voice was distant as he gave brisk answers to Castiel. He ended the call, sliding the phone back into his pocket, and not even a moment later, Castiel and Gabriel appeared. The angels became even more anxious at the sight of Castiel and Gabriel.
Rachel and Telantes smiled at the sight of Castiel. Gabriel strode forward to a cluster of the angels.
"Hey-hey, if it ain't my old garrison. Shit, how have you guys been?" he called.
"I think you already know the answer to that."
Sam jumped. Yet another angel appeared. This one, he could guess at the identity.
"...Balthazar?"
"The one and only." Balthazar said.
"Well then I better introduce everyone." Gabriel said. "This is Balthazar, he used to be in Cas's garrison. It looks like some of you were in his-"
"Mine." Anna snapped.
"Oh, excuse me." Balthazar said, rounding on Anna. His expression shifted into something that could have been joy or antagonism, but it definitely had a sense of thrill to it. "I didn't see you there. I had no idea. Truly, you are a voice in the darkness-"
"It's nice to see you are the same as ever." Her voice was icy.
"Ooooook, this is Xaphania" Gabriel said, gesturing to the angel closest to him.
He began to introduce the rest of the angels just as Castiel strode over to Dean. The two were only a foot apart.
"You were successful." Cas said.
Dean flinched, averting his eyes from Cas's face. That didn't deter Cas, who peered up to catch Dean's eyes, waiting for the man to meet her gaze before speaking.
"Explain-"
Dean made an explosive noise from the back of his throat. Cas actually jumped, but whatever he could have said in response was halted as Dean's story just spilled out of him. Cas's eyes widened as Dean spit out the details of the angel prison, ignoring Cas's responsive shudder and how his gaze shifted from disbelief to anger as he described the conversation with Joshua. Sam listened, with a frown.
"No-"Cas said. "That can't be possible, that has to be a lie-"
Sam's voice was soft. "No-"
"As if." Dean cut him off. "How are you surprised? If anyone was ever a deadbeat dad, it'd be him-"
Cas pulled back as if struck and Sam sucked in a breath, glaring at Dean. Dean blinked back and forth between Sam and Cas, as though he was coming out of a dream. When Cas glared at him, he lowered his eyes. Sam continued in a soft voice.
"It's not a lie. I wish it was, but it looks like we're on our own." Sam said.
Cas, who had been staring at Dean in undisguised shock, now twisted his head to gape at Sam. Cas's eyes shuttered, expression turning melancholy as even the color of his eyes seemed to dull. Gabriel kept on with the litany of names, unheeding of the conversation carried on right next to him.
"This is Levanael, Charoun, Ophaniel, Ambriel, Elimelch, and Bithiel." he laughed. "Damn, bro I had no idea you'd be surprised." He screwed up his face in mock concentration. "Does that count as a spoiler?" he sneered at Cas.
Cas spun around, glaring at at Gabriel. All traces of melancholy gone. His eyes had become flinty, lips pressed into a thin line, and he had gone pale. He clenched his fists, actually shaking. Gabriel took one look at Cas's state and laughed. Sam frowned, disapproval clear in his features. Cas darted forward to Gabriel, but before he could do anything else, Sam placed himself in between the two angels.
"Enough." he glared at Gabriel. He spared a glance at Cas before looking back at Gabriel. "Cas, he's just trying to get a rise out of you to take your mind off of this. He means that well but he's not all that bright."
Gabriel put a hand on his chest, gasping as he stared up at Sam. "I would never. How can you-"
Cas scoffed, but his hands unclenched and his mouth slackened a little as he turned his attention back to Dean. He was still frowning however. Cas closed the gap between them until they brushed shoulder to shoulder.
"Dean-"
Another burst of an angry exclamation. It became apparent that Anna was the source, as she shoved her way through the crowd of angels. Dean looked down in time to see her hand clenching her angel blade. She strode over to Cas until they were chest to chest and in one fluid motion, raised her blade and pointed it directly at Cas's throat.
SPNTMI
Chuck sat up from the couch with a strangled shout. Sweat clung to him, shirt twisting so that his shirts' collar so that it rode high up to his chin. A button smushed against his cheek. He kicked off the covers and adjusted his shirt back to where it should fit on his frame. Rubbing the crust out of his eyes, he swallowed rapidly. Chuck leaned down, hands hitting the half full bottle of whiskey at the foot of the couch. Fumbling for it, he took a swig. He coughed. It didn't alleviate his cottonmouth.
His vision adjusted, finally becoming crisp as colors settled. The only light source was coming from the kitchen. The soft amber from the overhead light brought clarity to his surroundings. He turned his head. On the other side of the couch, Jo was curled into a tight little ball, snoring softly. Jocelyn was using Bobby's chair behind his desk. Her arms were crossed against her chest as her head leaned to the left, eyes fluttering in R.E.M. sleep. Chuck looked back into the kitchen. Bobby was padding around the stove, stirring something in a pan.
Chuck set the bottle back down. He stumbled off the couch and made his way to the kitchen. Bobby looked up, waving a spatula in greeting as Chuck plunked heavily into a chair. Chuck ran a hand through his hair, covering his eyes So he sensed Bobby's movement then directly seeing it.
"You look like hell." Bobby said.
"Thanks."
Bobby's tread was somewhat heavy as he walked over to the fridge. Pulling out a beer and grasping it by the neck, he nudged the beer at Chuck's elbow. Chuck jumped at sudden sensation of cold condensation on his skin. Peeking out from his arms, he looked up to see Bobby offering the beer. Chuck nodded in thanks, twisting the cap off, and taking a long pull of beer. He hummed in appreciation and Bobby turned back to the stove.
"So...bad dream?" Bobby asked, tending to the cooking food.
"Eh?" Chuck took another swig.
"Heard ya cryin' out in her sleep. Didn't want to startle you out of it."
After a moment, Chuck nodded. "...Yeah. Yeah got another vision."
He watched Bobby goes still for a moment before resuming cooking. His voice was trying to stay light.
"That so?"
Chuck gave a shaky nod. "Uh-huh...thing is, it felt like it was something I wasn't something I was supposed to see."
"Oh?"
Chuck nodded again. He took two long swigs before speaking again. When he did, it all came out in a rush. "The angels brought Adam back."
Bobby didn't quite turn around, but tilted his head. "Who?"
Chuck cleared his throat. "Ummm...John's illegitimate son, so...Sam and Dean's younger half-brother?"
Bobby turned fully around to gape at him, spatula plopping into the skillet and he burned his omelette.
SPNTMI
TBC...