Chapter 6

Haley looked around as she put the finishing touches of the sigil on the asphalt of the highway that was as abandoned as a haunted house. It seemed rather strange to be doing this but it felt right to at least get the ducks lined up in a row before attempting anything. At least she knew who she was calling. The only sticking point was if it would be answered.

"I don't understand, Hale. Why are you taking the word of the vampire seriously?" Aaron was pacing around and making sure that nothing was going to go wrong.

"I'm not but I can't discount it either. I care about her and I care about Dean. I want to make sure," Haley replied as she set out her juju herbs. It was different from the typical Latin stuff but it worked in a pinch.

"But this guy. I know you two became acquainted in Texas but seriously?"

"He cares about her… more than his kind probably should," Haley replied as she took a breath. She then began the chant in the African language of her people. She had discovered that the rites used by her father's people had more potency especially in the urgent sense. She could use others but it was like that your origins were powerful type of thing.

After saying the incantation, she lit the match and threw it in the small earthenware dish that had the herbs. They caught fire and sparked as she stood up. She looked around hoping to see if her call would be answered. She looked at Aaron who clearly thought that it was a waste of time but he was being polite not to say anything since he respected juju.

"That was the most interesting call I ever got. Usually I get Latin."

Haley turned to see the one being she hadn't seen since the tournament when he gave her the clues. "I have a preference for juju and it usually works better." She gave a slightly wry smile and added, "So is there a formal way of saying hello Gabriel?"

Gabriel stood there with his trademark smirk. It had been years since someone did the formal way of summoning him except to hear the juju form was like being introduce to the BBC version of Law and Order. After helping his Cat out, he went back to his self-imposed exile but occasionally stretching out an ear along the grapevine. Things seemed to be starting to get hot around the place and it certainly didn't help when he found out that Cat actually died.

Of course when he pestered Isis, she revealed that his girl had a way out and he followed along just to see. He had to admit that he was vastly amused when she possessed Sam to get the phoenix fruit. It was disturbing to hear a masculine sounding version of her war cry and to see Sam imitate the moves she was known for but it made for a hell of a show. She came back and went on her merry way and he left her to her own devices.

Looking at Haley, the girl he hadn't seen in months, he smirked and replied, "Just saying 'hi' is fine. So what do I owe the pleasure to the daughter of a famous African witch doctor?"

"Should we even bother?" Aaron was glaring warily at Gabriel. He had heard the flutter of wings and had to work to dampen down the fear that was in the pit of his stomach.

Gabriel looked at Aaron and grinned, "So I finally get to see one of the famous Nephilim." At the look that was being given to him he brushed off, "Oh don't look so surprised. I've met enough of you down here and don't worry about me shooting my mouth off. Cat would never forgive me."

Aaron frowned at the archangel. "Who is Cat?" He looked at Haley and said, "I thought you said that he knew Absolution."

"Cat is Absolution you stupid kid," Gabriel shot off. He was getting to be as bad as his girl was about how she was called. Of course she preferred to say that she wielded Absolution which was the truth in some respects. He just knew her as Cat. "So why am I here for this rather dull party?"

Haley knew the angel had a biting tongue and she rather liked it. She motioned for Aaron to stand down. She didn't know but she got the hint that Gabriel would keep his word and not reveal Aaron to the other angels. She suspected that it was because of Angela and maybe there was some kindness that he allowed few to see. She replied, "It's not for my amusement Gabriel. I called you because I wanted to see what you know."

"Well I'm dying of suspense. What is it that you want to know?" Gabriel crossed his arms thinking that he had some better things to do than entertain a Nephilim and a Celtic witch.

"I don't think I like your tone," Aaron muttered.

"And I don't like you nephew," Gabriel teased, not meaning it. He had met a few of the Nephilim and had done what he could to keep them away from harm. "But I do like you Nephilim. You are very hardy people like Cat."

Haley knew that Aaron wasn't used to Gabriel's blunt humor. She gave a slight shake of her head and turned to the business of what she was there for. She looked at Gabriel and said, "Are you aware of the rumors regarding Angela chasing the demon?"

"That sounds like Angie. She certainly would do that if it involved anything with the two chuckleheads she travels with," Gabriel replied giving a knowing nod of his head. "Of course that's her day job. You're gonna have to give me more than that."

Haley nodded though she guessed that Gabriel knew what she was talking about. Or it was possible that he didn't know. She added, "Perhaps you're aware of a demon called Lilith?"

Gabriel paused a moment. So that broad made it out of the pit? If she did then this was bad especially for Cat. "I've heard of her. What about her?"

"She put the death warrant on your Cat," Aaron spat still miffed. He could feel his power rumble within. It was rather difficult with intense emotions. He would be stupid to take on an archangel with his abilities.

Gabriel paused. That sounded typical of the broad and he did hear about that. It was one of the more popular discussions when it was brand new. The first time he heard it, he did hightail it to Cat's location to check on her. She was okay but he kept his feelers out and apparently it was a ruse to get Sam. Lilith really didn't want his Cat dead. At least not now so that was sort of good but not.

Gabriel knew that Cat was valuable to several parties. She was special not because of her blade which he knew the origins of. She was special because of a few things that even the bad guys didn't know of but it wouldn't be hard to figure out if they got a good look. Knowing Cat though, she would go after Lilith with a death warrant only because the broad wanted Sam's head. That was her.

Trying to maintain his usual devil may care (no pun intended) attitude, he replied, "That's nothing new kiddo. Most things out there want her dead or on their side."

Haley wasn't fooled. She knew the archangel cared about Angela and probably more than the charge-guardian relationship allowed. He was maintaining a strong stance not to appear weak and she suspected that he had been ribbed by the other angels for it. She replied, "Yeah well you must know that Angela is chasing after her because of Sam and because of Dean's deal."

"So the numbskull did do a deal. Big surprise there."

"Your concern makes me feel warm inside," Aaron mocked as he clenched his hands in fists and released them.

"One of my many charms," Gabriel replied raising his arms as if he didn't care. "So you're referring to the rumor that she's chasing Lilith to duke it out with her and kill her to set Dean free. Yeah I know that and that's Cat. What of it?"

"Is the risk of death high?"

"Of course it is. Going up against a broad like Lilith has its risks."

"And you're not gonna do anything about it?" Aaron looked at the angel incredulously. "Hale, you said this guy is Absolution's guardian. What the hell?"

"Kid, I don't interfere with her life. I did that and this is the result. I'm an ass and she knows it and it's better…"

"Bullshit Gabriel," Haley replied. "You forget I'm skilled in juju and I learned rudiments of voodoo. The loa are very talkative and they said that there was an angelic presence in a place void of supernatural activity."

Gabriel narrowed his eyes at Haley. He was right in that she was good with the mojo juice. Cat you just make friends wherever you go and they are willing to pull you back if you go too far, he mused as he studied the witch and the Halfling. "And they say demons are gossips."

Haley knew that she may have struck a nerve. She gathered that there were some unresolved issues that Gabriel seemed to harbor even though Angela didn't appear that way. She had to keep the ledge or he'd fly the coop. "The grapevine extends to all but like what some say, half of it is pure crap and the rest are half-truths."

Gabriel nodded in agreement. That was why he had his stoolies and he taught Cat well. Apparently she picked a good one and trained the little worm since he so far hadn't betrayed her. He thought it was because the demon was scared of her and he was unknowingly right. "That's true. Cat herself started a few rumors to flush out some pretty big nasties."

"And it looks like they're coming back to bite her in the ass," Haley replied. So that part was true. Gabriel had no reason to lie unless he thought she was a clear threat to Angela. "You must know that Angela is going after Lilith to save Dean and not just to kill the hell bitch. I heard that for people like her that there are exceptions to certain rules?"

Gabriel looked up. He glanced at Aaron and then at Haley. He started walking to close the distance between him and her. When Aaron reacted, he held up his hand to hold the kid in place, "Easy there guard dog. If I had wanted to hurt the little African queen here, I would have used other means that are much more entertaining."

Aaron huffed and looked at Haley. This angel got under his skin but he was right. He hadn't even tried to hurt Haley. The tournament didn't count since that was neutral territory. Here it was different and so far nothing. That didn't mean that he was going to get all friendly.

Gabriel liked the fact that the kid was dedicated. He lived up to his name obviously. He turned his attention to Haley and asked, "How do you know this?"

"I learn things."

"Who told you?" Gabriel looked intensely at Haley.

Haley was tempted to lie but she knew that it would be stupid to. Gabriel was not stupid and if he had an inkling that something was going to harm the well-being of his Cat, he would be on their ass to smite them. Maybe he knew the vampire too. She replied, "A vampire told me. He said his name is Faisal."

"So grandpa vampire of the Nassar clan decided to make an appearance?"

Haley frowned and shrugged her shoulders. What was the angel talking about? "What do you mean?"

Gabriel was looking at nothing in particular as he sought to put puzzle pieces together. So you want to get your hands on Cat? We'll see about that. He looked at Haley and replied, "What else did he say?"

Haley realized that she was not going to get an answer to that question anytime soon. Apparently Gabriel knew Faisal and it looked like he didn't like the guy or knew him well enough that he figured that something was up. "He said that if she tried to get the contract for herself, she would doom Dean and Sam. What is going on?"

Gabriel took a step back. He needed to have a word with the vampire. He looked at Haley and replied, "I gotta have a word with a certain vampire. Catch ya later witch." He was gone in an instant.

"Well that certainly was helpful," Aaron muttered in sarcasm.

Haley frowned in thought. It certainly cleared up a few things. Gabriel never clarified what she wanted to know and that was if getting the contract would kill her and doom Sam and Dean. Still her gut was telling her that her vision wasn't wrong and that Gabriel's reaction confirmed it to some degree. "Actually that was," she replied as she pulled out her cell phone. She scrolled down to the number that she had saved.

She would do something because it was Dean. She knew that he would do what it took to keep his brother and Angela safe and if he knew the score… She dialed the number and prayed that he would answer. She heard the telltale click of the phone being picked up and she held the sigh in check. "Dean…"

Faisal studied the gas station and quick mart. It was rather rustic and out of the way. It led to too much vulnerability. At least that was his opinion. He had no idea why she would come to a place like this. It was a place that bred those types that liked to cause trouble because they had nothing better to do.

It wasn't easy following a trail when you were following car exhaust. He just happened to get lucky in that one of his sources mentioned where queen bitch was located. He only hoped that the girl witch would do the right thing and warn Absolution from doing anything foolish. He was also lucky in that he could detect her scent at this place and she was with someone.

The accompanying scent was masculine and thought he detected cheap aftershave and the smell of dust and must like that house he started from hours after they departed. He smelled the both scents mingled together and they walked towards a small area under some trees. Faisal was under the impression that they knew each other and well.

"Interfering again Faisal?"

Faisal stopped his musings to greet his visitor, "Hello Gabriel. Long time, no see." He gave a slight smile of pretense politeness.

"Yeah and I'm shedding tears," Gabriel deadpanned. He crossed his arms and glared at the vampire. "What are you doing telling humans about the special clauses?"

"Always to the point huh Gabe? Then again you always were when it came to Absolution," Faisal replied with a smirk similar to Gabriel's. It turned into a knowing smile to taunt the angel.

"Because you always were a busybody, trying to ruin her life. Don't think I don't remember your helpful hints when the big 'competition' to determine the true Malachi came to light."

"I merely said that the chosen one wasn't always going to be strong physically and that their strength was of a different kind," Faisal replied with a shrug. "I read the same prophecies the same as you did Gabe. You and I just happened to be the ones that saw her first so to speak. I merely want to help make sure that she fulfills her destiny."

Gabriel glared at the vampire. They had never really gotten along the moment they chanced upon the same clue regarding his Cat. He managed to give the vampire the slip and find her first and tried to protect her. Of course Faisal showed up again and that led to the current situation his relationship with her was now.

He had always encouraged her to do what she thought was right. As an angel of the Lord, he was privy to some of the more 'top secret' writings of God and even he knew what she was to end up doing and then some. As the Messenger, he handed some choice writings to the various seers, well the lower ones. The Seer got his from the Source. When he read about her, he felt something that he hadn't felt before.

He was smitten with her when he first met her. Of course it was in that family way. He saw her as someone to protect from the things that would come after her. He was the one that placed his sigil as extra protection on the tattoo she had been born with. She was the one that asked him if everyone had a purpose and he remembered the answer that he gave her even though he didn't like the whole thing that would lead to the end.

Looking at the vampire he replied, "There is no fate but what she chooses to make for herself."

"Interesting line. I'm sure they loved that when they created the Terminator movies," Faisal mocked.

"Actually they loved it grandpa," Gabriel retorted. "Stay out of it."

"And I'm sure that you'd rather see your precious Cat die at Lilith's hands and that is after the bitch has her way with the Winchesters." Faisal studied the glare that was being thrown his way. They had never gotten along and it seemed that Gabriel still hadn't forgiven him for telling the girl the truth about what she was. He mocked the angel, "Don't look so surprised Gabe. If I know that the Winchesters have and always will be her weakness, then that means the other side knows it too and I am sure you probably relayed that little message to those boneheads."

How could Gabriel forget that? The truth be told was that he rather liked Sam and could see why Cat liked him… no she was in love with him. He wasn't that much of an ignoramus when it came to watching over her. The thing was he had to make Sam understand that his and Dean's penchant for sacrificing their lives and souls for one another brought nothing but pain. He also wanted to make sure that he understood how much that would end up paining Cat.

Gabriel kept the glare up. "Can she help it if she cares?"

"Hah. You can do better than that Gabe."

"If you actually read everything Grandpa, you may actually be able to be a step up."

"You wouldn't even be here if the African princess hadn't blabbed and done what I asked her to do," Faisal spat. "Seems to me that your Cat inspires loyalty even on mere acquaintance; an admirable and desirable trait."

"And she avoided that mess."

"Yes and her decision of the appropriate punishment I found noble but rather weak in the real world." Faisal turned to sniff the air. The scent was fading which was no surprise since they had been there hours ago. They were on the way to meet queen bitch. "She doesn't seem to get that there are times were you have to let destiny take place and that you have to be ruthless if you want to keep them off your back."

"Yeah destiny is a real grand prize," Gabriel retorted. He hadn't missed the fact that Faisal had been sniffing around. No doubt he picked up Cat's scent and he was willing to guess that Sam had been with her. It didn't take a genius to figure out that they would have the more heart to heart talks. If it had been Cat and Dean, the setting would be different. He looked the vampire in the eye and added, "She's not a killer Grandpa."

Faisal had enough of the name calling from the angel. In a fit of anger he rushed the angel and pinned him to the tree with his fists. He revealed a nice set of teeth that looked like the second set of the vampires that hunters went after but in fact it was one set of teeth that just became elongated. His eyes looked icy blue. "I've had enough of your names angel."

Gabriel responded by knocking the vampire's hands off and with both palms he pushed Faisal back with enough force to send him flying. His eyes were narrowed in anger as he replied, "And I've had enough of your interference with Cat. You may be the vamp who sees all but she's not some little pawn in the big picture."

Faisal sat up to dust himself off. He looked annoyed at Gabriel, "This is my favorite coat." He got to his feet and stood up. He could get into a royal rumble with the archangel but he knew Gabriel wouldn't risk hurting any humans that could be nearby.

"I mean it Faisal. Leave her alone."

Faisal finished dusting himself off. He narrowed his eyes at Gabriel and replied, "So you really don't care that she'll bring pain to herself if she manages to shift possession of the contract on Dean Winchester's life?"

"What are you talking about? It's within her right and you know it if she gets it. Broker's rights," Gabriel replied. Even he knew those rules because he taught them to her like he taught her a few other things.

Faisal gave a scoff of a laugh and replied, "Please. Even you know that when certain conditions are set it can be interpreted in a different way."

"And if it shifts owners, the new owner can make new stipulations." Gabriel figured out that was what Cat intended to do. It was so like her and dumbass Dean held a place in her heart. As much as he would like to have fun with Dean, he was rather pleased that she opened her heart again. She had been burned almost every time she dared to become close to someone and it hurt that she preferred to stay closed off.

"And it could be considered welching," Faisal spat back. He crossed his arms at the same time Gabriel did. "Did you even know that the stipulation that has your Cat fighting so hard is that Dean had a whole year and if he welched or weaseled out of it Sam dies?"

Gabriel paused but he had been at this game long enough. He was good at keeping the bland, glaring look. He hadn't known because he kept his distance. It went to show what a lousy guardian he was if he didn't know that. "Special circumstances and pity," he replied guessing at the reasoning. He was familiar with the one soul for ten years deal which was assumed to be standard procedure.

Faisal smiled, impressed and replied, "I am impressed you even managed to learn that Gabe. Getting a little slack there in your guardian duties. Are you sure that you really care about your Cat?"

"I do what I can," Gabriel covered. "And what makes you so sure that Cat will suffer for this?"

"This is Lilith. I wouldn't put it past her to make a few alterations. Her greatest pleasure would be to make your Cat suffer." Faisal studied the angel. If he knew Gabriel, he would be doing something to warn Absolution. Whether or not the girl believed the angel was up for debate. To him she was a soft thing that needed to be toughened up for the fight ahead. "Thinking about warning her? Go ahead but you know your Cat and what she would do."

Gabriel did know. If she couldn't stop it topside, she would go back. He swore that she would never have to go back. He made a promise to her and to himself. He looked at the vampire and said, "You know what she's going to do don't you?"

"Not my fault that I was given seer abilities," Faisal replied with a shrug. "Now I have a solution but of course it's not going to be something you like."

Gabriel narrowed his eyes. He knew Faisal well. If he perceived someone of importance to be weak in something, he would do what he could to make it stronger. He knew that he thought Cat was weak for caring about everything and everyone. She was not ruthless even when she felt lost and those years occurred. He glared at Faisal.

A/N: Looks like Gabriel is getting into the fracas and he knows Faisal. What happens next? Find out next time on No Rest for the Weary...