Chapter 8

Dean didn't like the travel arrangements but it made much sense. After all they did put her in the box and it wasn't like it was going to fit in the Impala. At least Sam was going with her though Dean was certain that being on the short emotional leash, he might do something rash and end up getting himself killed.

Augusta remedied that by saying that she would stay with Sam at all times but Sam said that he would be fine. That was a surprise to Dean but a closer look at his brother told him that Sam must have gotten himself under control. He knew that Angela had been right in saying that he was stronger than he appeared at times. It gave some encouragement to Dean that Sam would be able to handle whatever came his way. His only regret was that Angela wouldn't be there.

Now they were heading on the home stretch to Sioux Falls. He kept a steady speed behind the truck knowing that he would back Sam up if any funny business happened. He glanced at Augusta who was staring straight ahead and remembered that morning. He hoped he hadn't gotten her in trouble since it seemed like the morning wakeup call didn't like the fact that he had his head in her lap. He had let out his grief with her and she pulled him into a hug and held him until he grew exhausted and fell asleep. He woke up with her still holding him and hearing her retort in some language he didn't know.

Dean was certain that she was in trouble but she didn't say anything about it but got into the Impala and waited for him. "Sorry if I got you in trouble."

Augusta looked in Dean's direction and then forward. "It is not your fault. It is mine."

"Hey if I did something, let me try to fix it. I don't want you in trouble with your order."

"I am not in trouble but Vera will make it seem like I am. I guess I am lucky that Grace sees through bullshit even though she is a stickler for the rules of the order." Augusta folded her hands in her lap. Her fingers rubbed over her palms.

"That's the bitch that got a beating from Sam."

"Yes on both counts." Augusta gave a slight smirk. "Vera is very dedicated but to the point of ridiculousness. She really believes in the tenets saying that warriors within the order are reborn within the surviving members. She really believes that by performing the rite correctly is the only way for the order's survival or some notion."

"What about you? What do you believe Gus?" Ever since she told him she liked her nickname when he said it, Dean made a point of using it. He wasn't trying to win her over for a sexcapade. He had too much respect for her.

"I believe that the souls of the departed can be reborn," Augusta replied after some careful thought. "I was once told that sometimes souls are reborn if they feel that they have left unfinished business behind. Sometimes they come in a different form but always to carry out their purpose and create their destiny." She gave a slight smile and a hum as she looked forward. "A story told to temper the sobs of a little girl."

"Angie told you that one didn't she?"

"She believed that herself."

Dean made a slight face as he kept his eyes on the road. He could see Sam sitting in the back of the pickup that held the body. "I think Angie would considering that she's been near death a few times. You think she would come back?"

Augusta shrugged her shoulders. "It depends on whether or not she has unfinished business in this world."

Dean nodded not sure of whether or not to believe it. Growing up, his world had been black and white when it came to hunting and saving people and his one constant was keeping Sam safe. Then he met Angela, the grey of that black and white world; living proof that not everything was as it seemed. She was a stranger who walked into their lives and even though they didn't get along at first, she stuck by them and went so far as to try and find a way to keep him from going into the pit.

"She is searching for something," Augusta replied, her voice growing slightly deep. It distorted slightly as her eyes focused forward. She then moved her head as if trying to look for something and frowning.

Dean heard the change in the tone of voice and looked over at Augusta. "Gus? You all right?"

"The warrior princess searches for one thing. Like a moth to a flame she is drawn by the invisible line," Augusta replied. Her eyes then changed and she blinked, confused by what had happened. "Um did I say something?" She looked in Dean's direction trying to make sense of what happened. Her eyes searched sightlessly.

Dean was just as confused. Augusta said she could see things differently but that was freaky. "Um… you said something. Gus, are you psychic or something?"

Augusta gave a slight chuckle, "Me? No. I can read auras but that's it."

Dean wasn't so sure. What he saw and heard was not normal but it seemed like she didn't have a clue as to what happened. If Angela were here, she would have explained a few things; she always did. As it were, he wasn't going to say anything about it. Instead he replied, "Sounds pretty handy. Was that how you were able to see me and Sam?"

"Of course. I see differently," Augusta replied with a smile.

Hades studied the scene before him. He watched as the elder Winchester laughed and joked with the girl. It would make things easier once Absolution made contact. He had to admit that the plan was rather elaborate and some parts, in his mind, seemed unnecessary. However she knew them better than he did. His business was death and hers was life and justice.

"Interesting way to interfere Hades."

Hades looked up from his viewing pool. Even though Absolution basically 'left' and took up residence in her choice of person, he was still connected to her idea of a view. He was after all supposed to be her link, providing her with strength to last. It wasn't much but it would help. He replied to his visitor, "I wasn't interfering Isis. I was merely providing a means of understanding."

Isis gave a slight smile as she peered into the viewing pool. "I see that at least one heart's sorrow is lightened."

"Well his number will come due in a matter of months. I find that being allowed to believe in small comforts aids the soul when it passes." Hades looked up at the goddess and then looked back down at the view. "This one needs a little comfort for his sacrifice."

"I didn't know that you were so sentimental, Hades," Isis replied with a slight smile. She had never known one of Death's agents to even care what a souls felt when they passed.

"Contrary to what mortals believe, most of us that deal in death feel more than what is said of us," Hades replied. "I believe your favorite daughter understands that better than anyone."

"She has always respected death since the time she was first brought back," Isis replied as she looked around at what her favorite daughter concocted in Hades' realm. "I am curious though as to why you volunteered for this."

"We all know that things must come to pass as they should. It was unexpected that she tapped into the source of her power and virtually overdid it."

"She always was one to go the full length. Her reaction was natural and instinct against Lilith," Isis replied. "She knew what the demon was after. I expected nothing less from her." She looked into the view pool at the scene. She manipulated it to move to see Sam and studied him. Her thoughts she kept to herself.

Hades looked at what the goddess was looking at. He frowned slightly. "I volunteered because I was curious about her. She was ready to cross over so I exercised some godly rights to keep her here. Death told me to present the challenge of returning to her."

"Ah yes, the choice to return lies in her. That was made clear," Isis replied. "I think she understands why she wants to come back… well she knows why."

"Yes and she is the only one who can save the order that attends to her," Hades replied. "The Order of the Phoenix has been dying a slow death under the mantle of one corrupted. The dragon and the phoenix will clash several times in this lifetime."

Isis turned to look at Hades. The Order of the Phoenix was sanctioned to protect what could be used to revive Absolution. There was a reason it was protected and only healers knew how to utilize its powers. That knowledge had been imparted to Absolution in its entirety. The basics were given to the head of the order and passed down. If it was used in the wrong way…

"It won't be the first nor the last time the dragon and the phoenix rise up," Hades added. He adjusted his helm and his position in the chair he had taken. "Both symbols of friendship and hope but forced to fight."

"The work of our dark brothers and the means of keeping animosity," Isis replied sadly. "Such things went wrong in the past and now the consequences are reaped upon the mortals in our care."

"And it takes the power of those that choose to fight," Hades replied, "All part of the natural order."

"A natural order that our father knows in all its complexity."

"What a world we live in." Hades gave a slight shake of his head. He felt a slight tug. "Looks like things are going to move forward. I am impressed at the tactical prowess of Absolution. It's a wonder Ares hasn't tried to be a pain in the ass with her."

Isis merely chuckled. Inwardly she prayed that Absolution's idea worked. Even though the fate of the world was important, she was more concerned about the welfare of a pair of souls. Sometimes the little things needed attention more than the larger picture.

Sam kept his gaze on the Impala that was traveling behind the truck that was currently transporting her body. As much as he and Dean both wanted to keep her with them, they knew it wouldn't be practical. It was a risk for him to be riding in the back of this truck but it seemed that luck was with them. They hadn't been stopped by a single cop since they started this morning.

He looked at his bandaged hand. He remembered what happened to have caused it to be bandaged like this. He had been hurt and angry. Not at what happened between them. He was angry with himself for being an ass over her plans regarding Dean's deal and the hurt was the fact that he thought he hurt her enough to make her leave them. Call it a misplaced sense of guilt in his part but the last thing they sort of fought over…

At least he could take some comfort in what the girl Augusta said about the dead hearing the thoughts of the living. He hoped that she was listening to his thoughts and how sorry he was and his regret that he didn't get a chance to say those words. Of course she didn't respond and that hurt. Sam missed hearing her voice and her hearing her as a person. What he meant was her presence; her ability to bring calm even if there was an argument that was not in jest.

She said that hindsight was 20/20 at best and Sam could admit that she was right. He had regrets regarding his relationship with her. He called her family and while she admitted that she made some mistakes he couldn't help but think he threw it in her face. He could admit that Dean treated her better and he figured that his brother was right. Most of her choices recently were governed by emotions that she had never encountered before regarding adults. Children were a different story; as she said, she was a sucker for them.

Sam gave a small smile remembering when she first sang in front of him at that settlement. She claimed that it was bad but he figured she was being modest and that she was doing it to entertain the kids there. Since then she would sing a morning wake up call. Even Dean would wake up early from her singing. In a fit of wondering, Sam thought about what she would sing about in a situation like this.

"So intense, Champion. I wonder what goes on behind that brooding face?"

Sam didn't bother to look at the woman. She was the bitch who tried to steal Angela from him and Dean. He kept his gaze on Dean and the Impala. He twirled the chakram between his fingers. "Don't bother."

Vera studied the brooding Champion. She had to admit that he could pack a punch but nothing she had seen would make her think that he was the Champion that won the Tournament of Souls. The man sitting next to the remains of Absolution was not acting like a Champion and he didn't even fight like one. She didn't miss however the way he handled that weapon he was holding.

She knew that she was not in his favor. She had to play it smart in playing nice even though she detested the fact that he and his damnable brother were allowed to partake in the order's rituals. They were outsiders plain and simple. Just because they were known in the circles of the Centurion and other warrior orders didn't mean that they were privileged to be a part of it. However she could hardly argue with Grace and the blind whelp Augusta was knowledgeable about everything in the order. She smiled and replied, "Don't what?"

"Don't bother being nice. You don't want me or my brother around."

Vera was impressed that the emotional man was that perceptive in his grief. "You must understand. We have specific rules. We have always been secretive in terms of what we do for the main body of the Centurion."

"You don't need to explain things to me," Sam replied as he twirled the chakram. He twirled it in a particularly complicated move. For once he offered a silent thanks to the god Hapi for giving him the know-how in regards to the chakram. It was a nice means of intimidation. "Everyone has their rules."

"You seem to be quite an authority in that regard," Vera replied as she sat next to Sam. She had been facing him and decided on a get close to make him uncomfortable but also be a voice of understanding. She was going to have to work at it though.

"I've been around," Sam replied glancing once at the woman. He kept flipping the chakram between his fingers. He started getting a little more elaborate hoping she would leave him alone. He wanted to get to Sioux Falls and bring his Angela home to Bobby. "My brother and I have seen things."

"No doubt with Absolution. I heard that she has been to many places and seen many things," Vera replied.

"So I've heard." Sam didn't feel like elaborating.

"Surely you have stories to tell?"

"I wouldn't to you," Sam muttered. He looked at the other woman that had been silent. She had done nothing but stare at him since they loaded up this morning. She had sat opposite of him and off to the side so it had been easy to ignore her.

The other woman said, "Generally we tell stories. When a person dies, we tell of their exploits. It reminds us that they are still with us in our minds and hearts but also we learn from them."

"Usually the best ones are the ones told by the person who lived them," Sam replied. He could see that he was being maneuvered into a corner in terms of playing nice with him. The woman Vera wanted to play nice since he and Dean had the say so on what to do with Angela. The other one he wasn't sure of. "At least Dean could tell you that."

Vera looked at the other one with a slight glare. She was working this one. She then talked to Sam, "Then why not tell one? It would certainly go a long way to understanding you more."

"Seems to me you've heard quite a bit about us. What more do you need from me?" Sam gave a final twirl of the chakram and stopped it with a firm grip in his hand. He ran his thumb along the sharpened edge and then twirled it again and rubbed his thumb on its edge.

Vera thought the Champion was being a stubborn lout but she had to admit that she liked it. At least he was no pansy. He stood up to her and was outnumbered at the time and still was. "Often the opinion of the one who witnessed the event is missing when the story is told by a third party. Sometimes a story could be told and be completely wrong."

"It happens," Sam replied. He shrugged his shoulders as he ran the chakram's blade end along his thumb. He was used to the feeling and it felt good.

"Will you have nothing to say in your defense if I were to mention say that I've heard that you fought to be Champion on a broken leg?" Vera peered at Sam who was doing his best to not even look at her. "I'm inclined to believe it if it was true."

"Believe what you want," Sam replied. He glanced at the box and studied the carvings. It had the design that was on the gauntlets that Augusta dressed her in. In fact she was the only person allowed to touch Angela and make her decent. "There are plenty of stories surrounding the tournament."

"And you don't want to correct me?"

Sam finally looked at Vera in the eye and said, "I wouldn't give you the satisfaction."

Vera took in the narrowed eyes and the glare that was sent her way. She smiled and replied, "You wouldn't even know where to begin giving me satisfaction. I am trying to be nice to you. After all you are being given privy to our most sacred rites. Absolution will be given proper rites and her soul will be free to be reborn or move on."

"You can have your say but nothing more," Sam replied. He pointed at her with the chakram in his hand. "She goes home and that's it. You are lucky Dean and I are tolerating your presence." He then turned away and started flipping the chakram between his fingers. "She's going home."

Vera couldn't help but laugh at Sam's gall. She had been threatened before but this was laughable. She had no idea that the thing he was holding was a weapon and he knew how to use it as well as its original owner. "You put up a brave front even when you are outnumbered. Most would say that is foolish but for me… I rather like it." She then got close to Sam's ear and whispered, "Bluster all you want but things will be done properly. Even you cannot change that. And you would do well to play along or things could get considerably ugly."

Sam gripped the chakram tightly. It wasn't like before when he cut his hand. This time it was controlled enough so that he could feel the pressure but it wasn't enough to cut his hand. He murmured loud enough for Vera to hear, "You leave us alone bitch."

"I didn't mean you. I meant your brother. Now that you don't have Absolution to keep him from getting into trouble…"

"You do anything to Dean and I'll…"

"You won't do a damn thing Sammy," Vera replied. She had little clue as to the effect that nickname had on Sam when people that were not given the say so to do so. She put a hand in a polite gesture on the back of his neck but applied pressure. "You see, the spirit of the warrior must be allowed to reside in the new one and Absolution is a prize to behold. All that knowledge especially of the one thing that defines us."

Sam felt his throat convulse as he tried to keep his temper. Dean wasn't there to help him and the woman just staring at him wasn't going to be any help. All he had was himself and the chakram and judging by the bitch Vera's expression, she had no idea what the weapon was. It could be an advantage but then that would create problems. He looked at Vera with narrowed eyes and a glare that would have Dean proud of him and replied, "You just want to use her."

"And does that make you any better?" Vera smiled as she sat back. There was no need to hide from Phoebe what she thought. "From my understanding you've used whatever was in Absolution's head to help you fight whatever creatures you've come across and even taken advantage of her hospitality."

"Don't mistake an offer in friendship with getting the job done," Sam replied not sure if that made sense or not. He was bristling at the very idea that he and Dean used her. They may have made judgment errors and treated her like shit but she came back and she had forgiven them for it. "We are a team."

"It's nothing but semantics Sam. We use each other even if it is something mundane as offering without thought of reward. Yet deep down there is always something the soul yearns for." Vera stood up and went stand by the box. "You see, I've heard about Absolution and I think that there is no one that is completely that selfless. They would have to have a seriously messed up psyche to not even consider their own needs above others."

"Or they could have a generous nature and know where priorities lie," Sam countered.

"That is a possibility but seriously, is there anything that Absolution would ever want? Every deed that fills the annuals of the order tells of rejection of a reward. Well regarding little Gus though I think that was one thing; protecting her and taking her under her wing… unless it was something else and she is ashamed about it." She gave a slight look in the direction of Sam as she kneeled besides the box.

Sam felt himself ready to burst and do something rash. Was the bitch trying to make him angry? She certainly was doing a good job since she appeared to enjoy slandering Angela's name and her reputation like it was nothing. Also the implied sexual relationship between her and the girl Augusta was stupid and gross. If anything Augusta's adoration was hero worship so that was bullshit and used to try and make him so pissed he'd do something stupid. It occurred to him that this Vera bitch was trying to make matters go south in order to wrest control from him and Dean.

It was more of a realization that they suggested that he go with them because he was the more vulnerable. They thought he would lose his temper more quickly than Dean. There was a moment that he thought that Augusta would be in on it but he dismissed it quickly since the girl didn't act like the others. This Vera bitch though was manipulative and cunning. He wouldn't give her the satisfaction.

"That's enough Vera. You know that isn't true about Absolution."

Vera gave a look, "Fine Phoebe but you know and I'm sure Sam does as well that often times it's what is not told that holds the truth."

Phoebe shook her head at Vera. She felt bad for Sam. She had been watching him and found he was being remarkably strong since he lost someone he loved. Vera should know better and she hoped that she wasn't going to do anything to antagonize Absolution's friends. She sighed inwardly with relief when they made it to the camp for the ritual.

A/N: More Dean and Gus moments as well as Vera trying to sink her claws into Sam and piss him off. Interesting tidbit between Hades and Isis. Lots of set up pointss for the future and more to come on Phoenix Rises...