In regards to the season nine finale, I just want to say one thing. I KNEW IT! I made that prophesy a few weeks ago, along with many others I'm sure. Anyway, just wanted to get that out. So when I went back and studied the Holy Terror episode, I noticed that for what I have planned, I'm gonna be skipping some stuff. Well, a good chunk of stuff I suppose. But one step at a time. So let's do this…
Looking around the empty warehouse, Dean wasn't sure if this plan would work. Either way he was sure that he'd have a group of royally pissed off angels on his hands. He had been thinking about this for a while, ever since Cas had tipped him off that Ruth might not be who she said she was. He didn't like secrets, too many had already ruined his life. Of course it didn't help that he had something he was keeping from Sam.
On the way to Wyoming Zeke had told him that Sam was almost healed up. That his brother was almost good as new. The problem with that was Zeke had told him all that already, last week and the week before. It was bugging him.
The last few times the angel had made an appearance, Dean began having doubts. The way Zeke talked about the angels after him, about Cas having to stay away, it was starting to poke at his bullshit meter. Zeke wasn't happy about going to Caribou to check out the angel killings but as Dean told him, that was the business. At the bar Zeke looked pretty ticked off that Cas was hanging around them. How angels would be after Zeke because he choose sides. Dean's comeback had been true. Cas choose sides a long time ago and still he was here, while being human, fighting alongside the Winchester brothers. A sigh worked its way out of Dean as he went out to the Impala to grab the last needed item from the trunk. If the problem wasn't Ruth then it was Zeke but so far both had been helpful.
Ruth, for lack of a real name, had helped Dean and Abby escape those demons in Nebraska. Hell she was even keeping Abby safe and out of Abbadon's clutches. It seemed like at least Abby wasn't completely restricted to being a silent bystander. Anytime Dean wanted to speak to her Ruth was more than willing to let her take control, so he couldn't be overly upset about it. He wondered if that was what Jesse had been referring to when he said Abby wasn't trapped in her own body. Also her group had helped him with Cas twice. If it wasn't for her team Dean wasn't sure they'd been able to get out of Detroit, not in one piece. It had even cost her a sibling. Then Ezal had protected Natalie, Cas, and Tanya from Ephraim, again at the cost of one of their own. Despite not knowing who exactly was Ruth, Dean was grateful for her.
On the home front, Zeke was healing Sam from the damage done to him due to the trials. That was a big one for Dean, but he'd also brought back Charlie and Cas from death, two extensions of his small family. On two separate occasions Zeke had protected Sam, first with those demonic soldiers of Abaddon and then when he was gonna be killed by Chef Leo. It wasn't until recently that Dean was having doubts about Zeke. When he'd been ready to tell Sam about his hitch hiker, the angel had intervened, telling Dean that Sam wasn't ready to know but damn it, Dean couldn't stand to see Sam suffer. It troubled him that every time Zeke came out to talk the words were sounding less reassuring and more along the lines of blackmail. And Zeke knew what to bargain with. If Cas stays, I leave, and Sam dies. If you tell Sam, I leave, and Sam dies.
Sealing the ceramic jar, Dean stood back and admired his handiwork. The wide ring should be able to fit at least ten people, more than enough but he wasn't sure they'd all show up in a close knit grouping. Reaching for the phone from his jacket pocket, Dean paused. He wasn't sure how this would go, even Cas had told him this was a bad idea when the elder brother had told him of his plan at the bar after Zeke had stalked off. But he wouldn't be comfortable until he had some answers. Of course Cas had offered to be here when he did do this but Dean didn't want to risk his friend.
Sam and Kevin had no idea he was doing this. After finding the article about the slain bible study group in the woods, Sam was tracking down the glee club and who could be controlling them. So far it was looking like this could be the start of an angelic gang war, well faction war. Kevin was trying to crack the cryptic message Metatron had stashed on the tablet. So what if Crowley said the spell was irreversible, Dean figured that Metatron's note was actually the key to reversing it, why else would the angel try so hard to hide it. Cas was out and about somewhere, looking for information about the two feuding factions. Dean was alone, just like he wanted it. No need to get the others involved if things went south.
Turning to the small table he had set up, Dean placed the jar on top, grabbing the small Zippo that sat next to his angel blade. Letting his fingers reflexively open and close the lid of his metal lighter, Dean took in a deep breath and slowly released it. For this next part he needed his mind to be empty and the repeated motion helped. Once he felt he was calm enough, he took his phone out and sent the preset message. Now he just had to wait.
~~~SPN~~~
Jesse stood on top of the motel, eyes scoping out the near by intersections and the various cars that passed by. So far nothing. Looking down at the government issued vehicle parked in front of Castiel's room, Jesse was still a bit wary. It had been interesting when Castiel's prayer had echoed in his head, asking for guidance. Almost instantly his angel blade was called to his hand as he waited to see if any angels would answer.
When the SUV had pulled into the motel parking lot, he had been seconds away for leaping into action. It was only seeing who had answered Castiel's prayer that stopped him. Muriel was a good soldier and he knew she was innocent. So he had left her be, keeping on eye out if any others with less than noble intentions showed up.
Jesse jerked when hearing Ruth in his head, already nodding his consent to her request of appearance. Looking at his back, the invisible ribbon of light pulsed at him and Jesse was confidant that the others of his garrison would watch over Castiel until he could return.
~~~SPN~~~
From his high perch, Ezal had a perfect view of the metal door that was the main entrance to the Men of Letters' bunker. His post was center to the area, four other sentries placed in each direction, with another sentry watching the hidden garage door. Dean had left a little more than half an hour ago, his duffel bag slung over his shoulder. Ezal hadn't asked what the True Servant was on his way to do, seeing as the Rit Zien wasn't well versed on Hunter business. So he and the others remained watching over Kevin Tran and Sam Winchester, as Dean would want.
Looking sharply to the sky, Ruth's request for angels who were inhabiting vessels to meet with her echoed in his head. Turning to the blonde standing behind him, Ezal nodded at her, ready to leave. Arelie had wandered into Rexford and they had intercepted her before she could find out that Castiel was also in the same town. They made sure to see what her reaction to the falling was and her feelings toward Castiel before deeming her harmless. She didn't seem to harbor any ill at the former angel and was just lost in the human world as all the angels were. She had been a bit put off by Ezal as his reputation for healing a Knight of Hell proceeded him. It was when Ezal and finally Ruth were brought in that she was okay. Jesse and Arelie had fought together for so long that she knew he was honorable. Ruth is what convinced her to join the garrison. Arelie was one of the few Seraphim that had witnessed the fight between Michael and Ruth, knowing what had really transpired between the Commander and his soldier.
After Ruth had spoken privately to Arelie, the newcomer decided to stay instead of going off on her own. It was because of her slight avoidance toward Ezal that Ruth had purposely paired them together. So far nothing had happened, she was civil toward the medic and he treated her as the sister she was.
What did concern him was that Ruth was asking to meet with them. He wasn't sure what it would be about but he was hoping that Dean wasn't there, at least for Arelie's sake. Ezal had been on Earth for a long time, staying with Ruth and thus knew how humans could react. Dean Winchester wasn't like normal humans. He was a Hunter of supernatural beings, a man who was suspicious of anything that could be a threat to his family, humans, or himself. That was how he had stayed alive this long. He was also a man who spoke his mind and could reek havoc on unsuspecting angels, as Arelie was.
Looking at the three ribbons of celestial energy, he nodded at them, knowing they would call for him if something was amiss. A fluttering announced their departure.
~~~SPN~~~
One by one the sound of wings echoed in the warehouse as the God squad arrived. Dean ignored them, his mind only on the motion of opening the Zippo, the flame being born and then extinguished when he closed the lid. So far so good.
"Dean?" came Abby's voice, sounding a bit confused "What do you need?"
He paused, his eyes trained solely on the little flame, seemingly entranced. His hand moved on instinct, something he didn't need to think about, and the Zippo was crashing onto the cement floor. Like dominos, flames rose and traced the faint pattern of carefully placed oil.
Turning his attention to the group before him, Ruth idly watched the flames connect into the large circle of fire that trapped the four figures, expression indifferent. Ezal and Jesse looked to Ruth, and relaxed when seeing the look of calm on her face. The fourth angel of their group, the blonde woman, had surprised him as he didn't know they had another one in a vessel. Her expression was one of fear as she inched closer to the center of the circle, hand gripping Ezal's bicep, her eyes locked on the blaze. She must be new.
"The only reason I could think of as to why you would want an angel trapped is because you want information or you're upset. Right now you seem to be both. That's quite a mix Dean. If you wanted information all you had to do was ask, you're scaring Arelie."
Looking over Ruth's shoulder, Dean could see the petite woman, almost as small as Abby, clinging onto Ezal. Her eyes were wide and she seemed frozen in place. Now he felt a bit bad.
"That wasn't something I could risk. Depending on how this goes, you might kill me afterward."
"It all depends doesn't it?" Ruth murmured, eyes wandering around the warehouse carefully, pausing to study the spray painted symbols on the walls and windows. "Impressive angel warding. I suppose a good interrogation needs to be done secretly. Don't know whose listening these days."
Stepping away from the table he had been leaning against, Dean got as close as he deemed safe, grabbing his angel blade as he went. "Who are you?"
Ruth raised an eyebrow. "I thought we went over this?"
"Well, according to research, you're not Ruth. So who are you?"
The brunette crossed her arms. "What makes you think I'm not Ruth? Which angel told you about my 'fight for power' with Michael?" She even had her fingers make the quotations in the air.
"Doesn't matter. There's no way Ruth can take a vessel so that tells me you, an angel that's using Abby's body as a vessel, aren't her."
Ruth, or whoever she was, studied him, head tilting slightly. Dean gripped the blade's handle, ready for anything but the unknown angel was quiet. It was starting to unsettle him.
"I admit," spoke the small woman, startling Dean, "it's true about the part that Ruth, which would be me, can't take a vessel. Do you remember what I told you the first time we met? About how I was able to enter Abby without consent?"
Dean remembered. She had said that Abby was special. He looked over at Arelie, the scared blonde. Best to play it safe. "Yeah I remember what you said."
"That's only half true. I did have consent. Abby gave it to me years ago."
What the hell?
"What do you mean?"
The small woman shook her head. "That's not for me to say. You'll have to talk to Abby for that story."
"Either way, you didn't answer my question. Who. Are. You?"
Dean could see he was starting to annoy Jesse. The man was glaring at him, expression dark. Well, too bad, he was gonna get his answers. Ezal was silent, watching their exchange with calculating eyes. The blonde woman, Arelie, had finally looked away from the holy fire and was staring at Dean with wide brown eyes.
"I am Ruth. As much as you trust Castiel, he wasn't there so he doesn't know what really happened."
Dean refused to flinch when Cas' name came up. Last thing he needed was to accidentally tell on his friend.
"I don't have to read your mind to know that Castiel told you, Dean. He's the only angel you would willingly and gladly associate with."
Touché.
Before he could open his mouth for a retort, the whole warehouse shook. Looking up, two bands of silver light was zooming back and forth in front of the large windows, their flight looking a bit panicked.
"That's Ezra and Leah." Jesse was looking up, eyes tight with concern. "They're suppose to be guarding Castiel."
Hearing Cas' name had worry shooting through him. He spun around to grab the two gallons of water for putting out the holy fire. As much as he was suspicious of her, he needed the angel that had been helping him. He just hoped she would still be willing even after what he had just done. Or at least not kill him. Opening the first gallon he turned around, ready to extinguish the flames when he saw it wasn't necessary.
Like he had seen Cas do once, Ruth had a hand splayed out in front of her, the flames receding into nothingness. Next he heard loud splintering and snapping from around the warehouse. Looking behind him Dean watched as the angel warding symbols he had covered the north wall with split apart, deep scratches in the wood. All around him the warding he had placed was shredded apart, windows blossoming in webs. Looking over at Ruth, she just shrugged.
"It's faster."
Almost as soon as the last sigil was destroyed, the glass of one of the windows completely shattered, the two vessel-less angels rushing in and halting in front of the tiny brunette. With eyes wide, Dean watched as the glowing vessel-less angels seemed to vibrate, pulsating quickly and he got the feeling they were reporting to Ruth.
"What's going on?"
The debrief seemed to end and Ezal turned to the older Winchester. "Castiel and Muriel have been taken."
"What?!" And who the hell was Muriel?
Ruth answered him this time. "Two angels arrived after Jesse had left and rushed Castiel's hotel room. With two angels against one lone angel and a human, they were no match. And now they've vanished. Chances are they went to a location that's warded against angelic detection."
Panic was starting to set in. Cas was human, he wouldn't be able to last long if they tortured him for information. And there wouldn't be an angel there to willingly revive him.
"It's Malachi, isn't it?" announced Arelie, looking over at Ruth.
She sighed, her expression a bit upset. "If Theo was there then yes, it's Malachi. What was Theo thinking?"
They were getting off track and it was frustrating Dean. "Listen, I know you don't owe me anything, especially after what I just did but please find Cas."
Four faces were watching him for a second, the warehouse completely silent before Ruth, the name he was resorted to calling her, stepped forward. "I gave you my word Dean. We will find him."
Almost on cue, Ezal hissed.
Everyone surrounded the oriental angel, who was pressing a hand to his temple, his form hunched over slightly.
"I have a general location. We can fly there, I should be able to pick up the trail when I'm closer."
Ezal was a Rit Zien, an angelic healer. It didn't matter if there was warding to keep angels from finding Cas, Ezal honed in on pain and suffering. Dean's hands fisted at the thought.
"I'm coming with you."
Four pairs of eyes snapped to him like metal filings to a magnet and Ruth shook her head. "As much as you want to come, you need to stay here. This group will kill you if the opportunity arises. We'll bring him back Dean."
With those last words the four angels disappeared, the two bands of light vanishing just as abruptly.
"Dammit!"
~~~SPN~~~
The large cut from the angel blade that Theo had carved into his chest burned, rib cage heaving with every breath as he worked through the pain. Why didn't they understand that Castiel knew nothing. They had been questioning him, torturing for what they wanted to hear and when that didn't work, they moved on to hurting Muriel in hopes of motivating him to admit things that were untrue.
On his right was Muriel, bloodied and bruised from their blows. He wished to free her from the men in front of them. She was innocent. They could do what they wanted to him but he didn't want Muriel to pay the same price.
"You'd suffer, even die for your beliefs. I get it. But is Metatron, whose poll numbers have totally tanked," spoke Malachi, a chuckle coming from Theo at the jab to the portly scribe, "worth your life? More importantly, is Metatron worth her life?"
Straightening, Castiel began shaking his head. "No. No, she's innocent. You leave her alone."
"Don't worry Castiel. I have no intention of touching her." A look toward Theo and the larger angel nodded his understanding. Beside him Muriel shifted, her breaths fast and fearful.
"Virtue is its own punishment."
With Theo advancing, angel blade in hand, both Castiel and Muriel gave protest to what was to come. But before Theo reached them, before he raised his hand to plunge the silver instrument into the innocent angel tied down next to him, something happened. Something that made Castiel think that his Father might still be around.
Stopping a mere foot away from Muriel, Theo paused, along with Malachi, as the entire building shuddered and trembled, thunder booming angrily above the structure. Malachi studied the flickering lights in the room, his face showing caution and a touch of fear. He came to the same conclusion as the others in the room. Someone found them. Someone powerful and angry.
"Stay here and if Castiel tries anything, kill her." Malachi stalked out of the room, locking the door behind him; no doubt off to find out who could have discovered their hideout because Castiel saw the building, it was warded from detection so really there was no way for any angel to find them.
Hearing a quiet hiss from Muriel as she moved to rest against the wall, Castiel categorized her injuries and his own. Both were in tremendous pain from the questioning and it was right then that Castiel knew. He knew because at one time he'd been found, regardless of his warding. He'd been found because he had been suffering. Hope flared within Castiel for Muriel and himself because there was an angel that could find them. One angel in particular that he knew was under specific orders to protect him. Orders given by Dean Winchester.
With that thought, that sliver of promise, Castiel could feel the static charge building up in the small room, nearly giddy with relief that Muriel and himself would be saved.
"What's going on? Did you call Metatron?" questioned Theo, eyes roving from Castiel to around the room, angel blade ready to fight against the incoming enemy.
"No." Castiel couldn't help the smile that spread over his face.
A sharp crack, akin to lightening, was heard and suddenly a quartet stood in the room, all armed with gleaming blades apart from the short brunette in the back. Castiel recognized Ezal immediately, the healer's expression made from stone.
Theo jerked with the abrupt entrance but not for long as he stepped forward to engage the intruders. But confusion showed on the thug's face, his body immobile.
Calmly, Ezal and the blonde woman moved aside, letting the pair behind them take center stage. The dark-haired male on the left was angry, his body tense and angel blade lifted in warning to Theo. It didn't matter. All the attention was on the small brown-haired woman next to him.
Eyes and body glowing with power, her hand was up and slightly twisted, locked on Theo's body, the shadows of massive full feathered wings projected on the walls of the room. Castiel heard Muriel's sharp intake of breath and he knew his own breath was being held in as the angel's grace filled the room, barely contained and ready to lash out in the twinkle of an eye.
When looking at his sister, Castiel becomes light-headed for two shocking reasons. One, because he recognizes the vessel. She'd visited his dream on the night he was attacked in the bus. She'd warned him of the danger, thereby saving his life as he had been sleeping deeply and he was not confident he would have woken up until it was too late. The second reason, the more important reason, was because he had been wrong. So very wrong.
Theo's eyes were wide as he locked eyes with his sister, face showing disbelief at the being in front of him. When he spoke, his voice trembled, "Ruth?"
~~~SPN~~~
It had only been roughly five minutes, maybe a little longer, since they left, but it was far too long in Dean's opinion. The table was on its side, ceramic jar in pieces, oil staining the floor, all backlash from his anxiety. He didn't like this feeling. This feeling of helplessness, of uselessness. Dean didn't like it when his family was in danger but he felt better when he was doing something to protect them, when he was there on the front lines, fighting to keep them safe. But this, this was worse. They were out there somewhere and yet he was stuck here, with no way of helping them. He hated this feeling.
It felt like hours but really he knew it was only minutes when the sound of wings announced a return and he whipped around.
Relief, sweet knee-weakening relief, filled Dean and then in sharp contrast, blood-boiling rage that nearly consumed him as the Winchester elder marched forward to stop at Cas' side, ignoring Arelie as she placed him gently on the floor. Covered in blood and sweat, skin mottled in yellows and purples, Cas was breathing short and fast, an indicator to pain. Dean vowed a retaliation at the sight of his friend. Ezal was hovering above him, ready to heal when Cas waved him away.
"No, Muriel first."
Looking to the small group next to his friend, Dean was shocked to see the woman, bruised and bloodied in Jesse's arms. Her injuries also caused a jolt of anger to fill him as he watched Ezal place a hand on her forehead and chest, a faint glow filling the empty building. Now washed clean of wounds she sat dumbfounded, eyes looking around the warehouse.
"Alright Cas' turn," demanded Dean, getting Ezal's attention. He knew he was being a bit harsh but seeing the state of his friend would do that. With hands strategically placed, another flash of light, this one longer and brighter than the other healing, pulsed within the room. After the dots faded from his eyesight, before Dean sat a clean, healthy Castiel.
"Cas," Dean's voice was strained as he held his friend tight. Hearing that Cas had been kidnapped by psychotic angels had scared him. God, he was turning into a chick. Either way he was safe, healed and there was no way in hell he was letting Cas out of his sight.
There was another fluttering behind him and Dean knew it was Ruth. What he wasn't expecting was Cas tensing in his arms or the whimper coming from the other woman, Muriel as Jesse stepped in front of her. Okay, maybe not Ruth.
Standing up and spinning, Dean had his angel blade out, ready to fight off whoever dared to follow after the rescue team. He was surprised to see dark brown eyes staring back at him, the looming figure of the thick man that tried to hunch his shoulders in an effort to make himself smaller and less threatening. The man was about Sam's height, possibly a bit taller so Dean knew it was a hopeless endeavor. Especially when comparing him to the petite brunette he was currently trying to hide behind.
"You Theo?" asked Dean, his teeth gritting to keep the growl from escaping. He didn't care that the man before him had more inches and muscle weight against Dean. This guy had taken his friend, tortured him, and yet here he was, trying to hide behind someone else.
"Dean," Ruth's voice was hard, a clear warning.
Screw it. Charging forward, Dean didn't make it two feet before he was pushed back by an unseen force, no doubt Ruth blocking him. Theo had the gall to look shameful, hiding himself more behind Ruth.
"Ruth, let me through."
She ignored Dean's request, instead looking at Cas and Muriel. "I know both of you fear Theo right now. It's understandable that you feel this way. I ask that Muriel and Castiel, my sister and brother, please find it within yourself to forgive the choices and actions of your brother Theo."
"That's crap-"
"Dean." Cas' tone of voice had him snapping his jaw shut, turning to and helping his friend onto his feet when he saw him struggling to stand. The ex-angel swayed a bit but steadied himself, glancing at Muriel then turning to Theo and Ruth.
"Being on Earth, inhabiting a human for the first time, it's intense and overwhelming. The emotions that overcome us, that take control are foreign and it can be very terrifying." Cas paused, his eyes locking onto Theo.
"You feel betrayed. Terrified. Confused. You were in Heaven, in our Father's home, when suddenly you were cast out. Forced to wander on Earth, with no help, no guidance. And when you finally meet up with a familiar sibling, you cling to them because they are all you know in this terrifying world. And you do what you have to so you're not alone again. I know these feelings Theo. I have made many mistakes for many different reasons. There is nothing that you can do that would make me condemn you, brother. That is one thing I have learned during my time here on Earth. Family is everything."
Bright blue eyes met Dean's stare for a split second before Cas strode forward, gentle, forgiving smile curving his lips. Theo's face was in disbelief as his brother wrapped his arms around him.
There was a slight movement from Ruth and the Winchester male took a glance her way. Seeing the hard line of her lips and eyes glowing bright with veiled anger, Dean nearly flinched from the image. But it took him a few seconds to recognize that such a face didn't belong to Ruth. Why was Abby staring at Cas like that? Theo and Castiel detached from each other, and Dean witnessed the rage erase from Abby's features, the calm only an angel could display took over, but now Ruth looked concerned with what just happened as she shook her head lightly.
"Dean?"
Cas' voiced called to him and Dean turned away from the strange occurrence, his attention back on his friend and Theo. That was a conversation with Abby for later.
"Cas is right. Family is everything," started Dean, tone of voice turning dark as he walked forward, stopping a few feet from the tall angel when he felt Ruth's angelic power press at him in warning. "So let me tell you something right now. You do something, anything, that brings danger or harm to Sam, Cas, or Kevin, to any of my friends, I'm gonna be pissed and I will find you. You understand?"
Dean's lips curled into a snarl, grip tight on his blade's handle, his eyes locked on Theo's even with Cas and Ruth pushing him back gently.
"I understand."
"Dean, he knows he did wrong. I know Theo from when I was in Heaven and he is not who Malachi made him. He is a good soldier."
Dean pointed a finger at the small woman shielding Theo. "You I'm not done with either. I still want to know who you really are."
"Wait, Dean," Cas' hand latching onto his shoulder made him pause, turning to look at his friend. "I'm sorry but I was wrong."
"What?"
Cas was quiet, looking at Ruth who gave him a soft smile. "It's her. It's really Ruth."
Dean looked back and forth between them. "What?"
At this Arelie, who stood silent along with Ezal, Muriel, and Jesse, stepped forward. "It's true that Ruth and our older brother fought but it wasn't for power in Heaven."
Dean's eyes cut from Arelie to Ruth and then to Cas, who looked just as curious as Dean did. From his understanding, Cas thought the fight was because Ruth had gotten too powerful and wanted to overthrow Michael.
"It was never about power and control." This came from Theo, who was now standing next to Ruth, looking down at her. "It was about family."
All eyes were trained on the tiny woman but she remained silent. In her place Theo continued.
"I wasn't in the same garrison as Ruth but she seemed to take it upon herself to be my older sister. While all angels have a sense of familial bond as we were all created by our Father, there was a very small group of angels that took this bond to heart. Ruth was one of them. I became Theo, Ruth's little brother. She would check on me constantly, making sure I was okay and keeping me from socializing too much with Malachi."
"So what happened? Why would you fight with Michael?" Cas' voice was filled with wonder, trying to figure out where the story had gone wrong.
Muriel's whispered voice echoed in the large space, "It was because of Gabriel." Angel and human eyes shifted from Muriel back to Ruth who sighed tiredly. Theo and Arelie nodded at the answer.
"In the small group of angels that took our family bond seriously, it was well known that I was the baby of the group while Ruth was the responsible middle child. The older brother, the one that was firm and yet couldn't help coddle his younger siblings, was Gabriel." Theo's face became sad and he kept his eyes trained on his big sister. "When Michael and Lucifer started fighting, no one was more hurt, more upset, than Gabriel. And when Lucifer was forced out, Gabriel couldn't handle it."
"He left." Those in attendance were quiet, watching as golden brown eyes seemed to grow distant in memory. "He never said anything, there was never an indication as to what he would do. And one day, he was just gone. I couldn't find him anywhere. I became upset, angry with him, angry at Michael and Lucifer, angry at Dad. Until one day, during training with Michael, he made a comment about Gabe and I just…exploded."
"What about when Michael exiled you? I thought you couldn't take a vessel?" asked Muriel, drawn in like Cas. She only knew the story from what others had said, she didn't know what really happened.
"That's not important right now. We need to get together with the others in the garrison. Muriel? Theo? You are more than welcomed to stay with us?" Ruth was avoiding that particular talk. Probably because that would involve Abby.
Theo was nodding before Ruth had finished her request, no doubt wanting to stay with his sister. Muriel on the other hand was still wary, her gaze sliding to the large angel. "I may have to decline the offer."
Ruth nodded at her while Theo shuffled his feet, "That's okay. Do you have somewhere to hide? With you and Castiel gone, Malachi will be searching for you."
Muriel's face was uncertain at this point, not thinking about being sought out. She looked at the other angels in the room before making her decision, "Would it be okay for me to stay? Just for a while?"
The small brunette gave a wide smile. "Of course. You may stay with us as long as you want, it is no trouble."
The moment was broken when Dean felt a vice-like grip on his upper arm and Cas' piercing eyes burning in his direction. "What's wrong Cas?"
"It's wasn't him."
"Who wasn't him?" Dean could see the urgency, the dread on his friend's face and it was causing his own panic to grow. How many times would this happen today?
"It wasn't Ezekiel. Whoever healed Sam, it wasn't Ezekiel."
Immediately Ruth began throwing questions at Cas and then to Theo but Dean wasn't listening to the noise going on around him. The only thing he could hear was the blood rushing in his ears, his stomach in coils of anger and fear. How stupid could he have been? There was only one angel, possibly two angels now, that he could trust and yet he let this unknown angel convince him that possessing Sam was the answer.
The table flew across the floor from the force of Dean's kick and all conversation ended. Ruth was at his side, head tilted as she studied him. Dean knew what she was doing and he let her because saying it himself made him want to vomit.
"What have you done Dean?"
He couldn't answer her, but remembered his conversation with the imposter at the hospital, of Sammy lying comatose. "He was dying…"
Ruth took a deep breath, her eyes sharp with the scolding glare she gave him before turning to her troops. "Sam Winchester is currently housing an unknown angel."
Cas' head snapped to Dean, face unbelieving. "Dean?"
He wanted to say more, Dean could see that, but everyone's gaze went to Ruth as she snapped her fingers. "We need to figure out who this angel is. Dean's plea was heard by all the angels and that makes this situation incredibly dangerous. We could very well have an agent of Bartholomew or Malachi residing in Sam."
His guilt, the anger, elevated and Dean felt a red haze creeping up on him. Without saying anything, he spun on his heels and marched his way toward the exit.
"Dean, this is a delicate matter. You can't go in guns blazing."
"Move." Ruth had popped into his field of vision, blocking him from the doorway. He was positive she could overpower him but he was more than willing to test that theory, especially with his emotions stretched so tight. To make things even more difficult, Theo came to stand behind his sister.
"Dean, if that angel figures out that you know he's a fraud, he could bring harm to Sam. If we're going to be successful in getting your brother freed then we need to be discreet and have a solid plan."
Teeth grinding and fists balled, Dean was trying his hardest to remain calm. This was his brother! His Sammy, who he might as well have feed to the sharks because of his decision.
"Dean." Cas came up behind him, and he could feel those blue eyes drilling holes into his back. Turning around Dean spotted Jesse and Arelie standing together, faces hard with resolve. Ezal's brown eyes were sharp and he gave a curt nod to Dean in support for whatever he needed. Even Muriel looked ready to fight. Lastly Dean looked to Cas, whose eyes were staring and wide, giving him a nod and small smile. It was strange having so many people willing to help him. It was a foreign feeling.
Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Dean turned back to Ruth. "What do you have in mind?
So there you go. I could have kept going but I said screw it, I'll end it here. Also I love Sage Brocklebank aka Buzz McNab of Psych AKA Theo the angel, I couldn't let him die. The next part should be easier to type up as I more or less know what's gonna happen. I'll see you people later. Drop me a dime if you see any grammar mistakes, I'm a bit of a stickler for such things. Read and Review! -Mez