Chapter 2

"Sam? You made it."

Angela narrowed her eyes the moment she saw Becky, her throat producing a low growl. She didn't realize Dean was watching her having picked up the warning growl. He thought it was Cerebus and was ready to react but the dog was sitting and panting. It was then that he realized that it was coming from his girl and he knew that this was going to be… difficult. He knew Sam was possessive and what he was capable of but Angela was different. It was funny at first but Dean knew that the usual chick fight crap wouldn't apply.

Luckily Sam stepped in front, unaware that his posture signaled that it was okay to Angela that he could diffuse it. His attention was on Becky, focusing on being polite even though he was uncomfortable with the girl. "Oh uh… Becky. Right?"

Of course it's right and I have an urge to rip her arms off for touching you. Angela didn't move but her posture looked like someone ready to go on a hunt. She inwardly cringed hearing the fawning that Becky was giving over Sam, being too high pitched for her ears…

The loner agitates the alpha. Shall I dispose of her?

Angela knew that Cerebus would do anything to protect his pack including eliminating "threats" like Becky. She was not that way though. She knew that it was a result of the Supernatural books since she had plenty of fawning from super fans too. At least on a different scale and a few that made the connection between her and Katrina in Shadow Chasers. She could keep her cool and resist the urges that felt natural. She didn't like it. She patted Cerebus to let him know to stand down.

"You remembered my name. You've been thinking about me," Becky was saying.

Sam knew he was placed in an uncomfortable position. He barely remembered Becky and only did so because he was teased about it. His thoughts were on the Apocalypse, the next job and mostly… Angela. He had no idea what to say about that and glanced at Dean for inspiration and got nothing. His gaze lingered on Angela and was puzzled by the expression. "I… uh…"

"It's okay. I can't get you out of my head, either," Becky cut him off getting excited. She was smiling big at the fact that Sam was there. She brushed off Chuck's question about his phone by stating that she just borrowed it.

Angela crossed her arms over her chest maintaining the stern expression. She raised her brow at the whole exchange. In fact she was the only one that didn't look happy; everyone else was looking confused. She didn't know how else to keep her control since the last time she caught herself she was sniffing out Sam like a predator but in a different sort of way and…

Luckily no one, meaning Becky and Chuck, were noticing that. Becky was practically jumping saying, "They're gonna wanna see it."

"See what?" All three hunters asked at the same time making it seem like a fluke. And for the most part it was.

Becky did what Angela understood to be fan girling out when she said, "Oh my God. I love it when they talk at the same time and then Absolution talking with them. It makes them really like the team they are." She couldn't help but squeal her delight.

Angela put her hand to her forehead. This was not going to be a good day. She muttered more to herself, "Oh, boy." She knew what was going on and she knew that it was going to have Dean upset and she was going to go nuts if Becky came near Sam and…

"Hey Chuck. Come on pal. It's showtime."

"Shoot me now," Angela muttered as she rubbed her head while Chuck looked uncomfortable and replied, "Speak for yourself." He looked at the Winchesters and added, "Guys. I'm sorry. For everything."

Angela made a low groan as she rubbed her forehead while the Winchesters looked at their girl and each other. Angela would have liked to turn around and leave but with Becky there waiting so expectantly… She walked forward muttering, "I reserve the right to drink myself into a stupor later."

"You don't even get drunk," Dean replied as he followed her with Sam.

Sam shook his head and realized that Angela figured out something but she was not in a mood or she was getting a headache. He asked in a sotto voice, "You okay? Need anything?"

"Just a one on one session with a punching bag that will turn to leather and sawdust later," Angela replied as she walked through the main door. She gave a gentle smile, "I'm fine on that. Just… I think I know…"

"Ha-ha-ha. Hey, Dean. Looking good. Oh wow!"

Angela came to a complete stop when she caught a guy looking at her like he lost his voice. She blinked and peered at him asking, "Are you okay?"

"Great… Absolution," the guy said before taking himself and his beer off. He was grinning like all his Christmases had come at once.

"You know him?" Sam couldn't help but ask and didn't realize his tone had taken the tone of someone who was suspicious of a strange male making eyes at his girl.

"No," Angela replied slowly as she looked around with Dean who was frowning and asking the guy who he was. When Dean turned and his eyes widened in surprise and fear and then Sam did the same, she turned on her heel to see the ugliest, well not the ugliest but it ranked there, getup every. "What the…?"

"Uh-oh. It's Sam and Dean. I'm in trouble now," the guy in the scarecrow getup said. "Have fun you two." It was then that he noticed Angela and added, "You too sweetheart."

Angela knew harmless comments when she heard them. Hell she and Dean exchanged them al the time. He flirted with her because it didn't mean anything except their way of showing affection except when she made it appear serious and caught him off guard. She knew the guy was harmless but became aware that Sam probably wouldn't see it that way. Automatically, she reached back and gently grasped his wrist while looking around the place.

The setting was very familiar. She would know since she had been invited as a special guest of one of the panelists to one of these things. She could remember that day and how crazy it was. She was surprised she hadn't been bum rushed like she had seen other people. Some she attended for fun and to meet up with friends who succeeded in this world and for the most part, she blended in. That is until that one event where it was pretty evident that she was the girl in the story drawn down to the last detail.

As she looked around, she could see 'civilians' dressed as people that were familiar. She raised her brow when she spotted a girl dressed like Bobby and another like Ash. She even saw an attempt at an incarnation of Absolution. She could tell because they were toting a sword, or attempting to and they had the tattoo but in the wrong spot and wrong look. Plus it was a guy. That was awkward.

There were a few booths with merchandise. It ranged from the actual books to mugs with the Impala on it. She even saw one with an anti-possession tattoo on it. Games and something that she supposed was to be her emblem was on it. Oh yes. This was definitely one of those and she was definitely sure that she was going to need a drink, the hard stuff.

"Becky, what is this?"

Angela heard Sam's question as she continued to look around. She heard Becky's overly perky voice saying, "It's awesome. A Supernatural convention. The first ever."

Sam and Dean shared a look as they turned to look at the room. They saw people dressed as Bloody Mary, the killer clown, the Yellow Eyed demon… Dean raised his brows not sure of what to make of it. Sam wondered what hell they were put in and was only reassured by Angela holding onto his wrist. She had grabbed it when that scarecrow made a comment and anything he wanted to say, died down.

There was nothing to say as they walked further into the room to take a better look. They were lucky that no one noticed Cerebus and no one said a word anyway since he was well behaved and Angela had him on a leash. Plus there was no rule against having a dog. Angela didn't let go of Sam more because she was aware of the stares that she was getting from some of the people there. They were looking and whispering.

"Oh my God. It's you!"

Angela turned at the greeting and her eyes widened slightly at recognizing who it was. Oh crap. She ended up tightening her grip on Sam's wrist slightly while she shuffled on her feet and asked, "Do I know you?"

"Sure. We met in that comic book store. Lewis?"

Angela remembered him very well. She covered for her increased anxiety since she was certain she hadn't given any vibes off since she did tell him more or less that she was spoken for. "Right. We were talking about that graphic novel. Nice to see you Lewis." She released Sam's wrist and held out her hand for a shake.

"Thanks. Katrina," Lewis replied with a knowing look.

"Hey, her name is Angie," Dean cut in.

"No, she is Katrina. The badass in Shadow Chasers," Lewis replied. He pulled out the current one he was reading and opened it to where there was a full image of her. "See?"

"Oh boy," Angela muttered as she put a hand to her forehead. "I'm gonna kill Gil for that one."

Sam and Dean both knew that the graphic novel was based on Angela and her adventures with Akira. Sam figured that Angela was getting nervous because of that since she tightened her grip on his wrist. He noticed that she hadn't let go and let it be, enjoying her touch while just being there in case she needed him. Dean tried to make light of it and said, "Well it does look like you."

"Well you attended the con in Phoenix about five years ago as creator Gil Hobbs' guest. You haven't changed a bit. I realized it after you left the coffee shop and went back and… wow." Lewis looked like he was going to faint. "Seeing you here and as Absolution… wow."

Angela knew she had to say something. "I like to attend cons. I just don't publicize them much. So could you not… say anything?"

"Oh sure. No problem," Lewis replied. He held out his graphic novel, "Can you sign this?"

It was either refuse and be called a bitch or accept and then be teased mercilessly by Dean. She chose the lesser of two evils and accepted. Luckily she had a pen in her jacket pocket and pulled it out. She tried not to groan when he opened it to the full page of her and pointed at it. She gave a polite smile and wrote a slight endearment and signed it.

"Thank you." Lewis grinned before looking scared and added, "Oh and not a word."

"Thanks."

Once Lewis had gone, Dean couldn't resist, "First Sam and now you?"

"I'm gonna kill Gil," Angela replied. She sighed and looked at the boys. "Yes, laugh it up. It is me that is the hero of Shadow Chasers. I was hoping he wouldn't remember but looks like he did."

Dean thought it was funny that she was embarrassed since she laughed like a loon when they discovered the Supernatural books. "Don't feel too good don't it?"

"I was bum rushed in Phoenix," Angela countered. "It wasn't a pleasant experience and the cameras flashing didn't help." She tapped her eyes to indicate the retina flare that could occur. "Look, I don't advertise it because you know. And I get enough fawning from people who actually read the tomes about me as Absolution. Trust me I'd rather these people think that guy pretending to be me is the image of me."

"Hey calm down Angie," Dean said raising his hands to placate her. "I get it. I just find it funny that you have someone who thinks you're normal. You made his day." He gave one of his more endearing grins.

Angela couldn't help but grin back. "Alright. I think we're all even." She looked at the brothers and gave a slight smile. She looked around at the people milling around and making their way towards the auditorium. "Well… wanna take a look?"

"And at 4:30, there's The Homoerotic Subtext of Supernatural."

Angela couldn't help but stifle a chuckle at that knowing that Dean was looking like he wanted to murder someone. The reaction was funny but the subtext part was annoying. She knew where fans' minds went. She had seen the thoughts for Shadow Chasers and the idea of her and Akira? That was just sick. She put a hand on Dean's shoulder to calm him down knowing that Sam was not pleased either with the way his arms were crossed. She murmured, "You should see what they say about me in Shadow Chasers. Crazy."

"At 5:15 we have The Absolution Mystery where any and all speculations on Absolution are discussed."

"Well at least they didn't leave you out," Dean whispered to Angela. "The faceless beauty," he quoted.

Angela hummed at the back of her throat remembering that conversation. "Well I am considered a literary device designed to offset yours and Sam's emotional issues and completely am not necessary," she replied more with a grin on face, amused and yet not amused since Becky was still around.

"And that's crap," Sam's voice entered on her left softly. He bent so he could whisper in her ear as gently as he could, taking care of her sensitive hearing. "Cause you're important. To us. To me."

Angela stared straight ahead, not sure how to take that. She shifted on her feet to hide her confusion and continued to listen to the announcement of a hunt that evening at 7pm. Oh great they were going to have a role play and she wasn't sure about the meaning behind Sam's comment. As she shifted, she bumped into Sam and hastily apologized while the attendees were laughing.

"Right now, I'd like to introduce the man himself. The creator and the writer of the Supernatural books… the one, the only Carver Edlund."

Angela took the moment to step away, not seeing Sam's look of concern as she left the auditorium with Cerebus hot on her heels. She went to the lobby area and started pacing for a moment before finding a corner to hide and think.

Is the alpha all right?

Angela looked at Cerebus looking at her. She smiled and put a hand on his head and rubbed it. She kneeled and pressed her forehead to the dog's head. "I'm okay. Just a lot going on."

The loner still bothers the alpha. The loner touched the alpha's alpha.

Angela knew that it was a jealousy spat she was going through and a bad one. She was trying to be polite and that nothing was wrong. The last thing she wanted to do was to create a scene that would probably get her sent to prison or worse, a Centurion hunter after her thinking she went crazy. "I know but… Sam's not my alpha."

The beta's littermate is the alpha's alpha. He chose the alpha. The alpha chose him.

Angela rubbed the dog's head while trying to figure that one out. She fell in love with Sam and she loved him but… "Sometimes I wish I understood you."

The alpha does understand. The alpha saved the master of pups from the pit beast. The alpha is alpha. Says pups are okay.

"Yeah since you and Jo gave me little choice. And I'm counting Lilah in this too. I'm in the doghouse with Bobby because of this."

The elder barks much but appreciates the pack. The clawed one is also appreciated.

"And more likely because they are alike in personality," Angela deadpanned.

Cerebus harrumphed a little at that but pushed his body towards her asking for a scratch. Angela shook her head at that and obliged, taking the dogs ears and rubbing them at the base like he liked them. "I think life as a dog is easier than mine. I can't even control my emotions now. They are shot because Sam kissed me and then…"

Your alpha is showing affection. Accept it.

"Easier said than done."

Humans make things difficult.

Angela couldn't help but chuckle as she continued her self-therapy with Cerebus. She calmed down enough and was ready to go back in. She would just have to be polite and keep Cerebus close by. "Okay, boy. Just stay by me. Be a dog."

As the alpha wishes.

They went back into the auditorium while they were still answering questions. Sam turned and gave a silent query and she whispered, "Phone call. Akira."

She didn't want to fib but she was not sure whether or not to divulge the real reason. She wasn't sure how Sam would take it that she was fighting against the urge to rip Becky's arms off and chucking her out of a five-story building and into a lake of fire. Dean would be amused by the whole thing since she had never shown a jealousy streak before, but he wouldn't say anything. He gave his word and kept it and for that she was grateful.

Sam accepted it, not fully convinced by the response. She had been unnerved when that Lewis kid approached her and asked her for an autograph. He actually didn't blame her for wanting to stay hidden from public view. She was a hunter, not a celebrity and yet she was though most people probably thought of her like they thought of him and Dean from the Supernatural books. That she was just a character in a story. He would watch over her even though Cerebus was there. He didn't like her to feel uncomfortable.

Angela gave a slight smile and a nod. The urge to touch him was great but she refrained from it. She turned just in time to see Becky get growly with a guy Chuck addressed as Hook Man. She raised her brow at that knowing that there were extreme fans out there. She remembered Phoenix very well and that one panel…

"Yeah at the end of the last book, Dean goes to hell and Absolution is screaming in anger…"

"I don't think I was screaming," Angela frowned as she said that in response. It was easier to correct even if they didn't hear you. She had read the books and there was no mention of that.

"So what happens next?"

"Uh actually Absolution doesn't scream in anger but your question has an announcement, actually," Chuck was replying to the attendee. "You're all gonna find out."

That didn't sound good, at least to Sam and Dean. Angela noticed the change in their postures. They were on the same page as she was when she figured it out. She put a hand to her temple and began to rub it. She was feeling the beginnings of a headache again and she was probably going to need the strong stuff aka the painkillers she had refused to take while recuperating.

"Thanks to a wealthy Scandinavian investor, we're gonna start publishing again," Chuck replied and it was clear to Angela that he had seen their reactions. She was also starting to get a feel for the attendees in the room in terms of their scent. She could smell Chuck's nervousness rolling off him and she didn't blame him. When they first met, it was hardly a friendly hello and hi how are you. This was not going to go well at all.

The crowd began cheering at the announcement and it didn't take a genius to see that Sam and Dean were rather pissed at the whole thing. Angela sighed as she walked around trying to think of ways not to scare Chuck with an indignant response. She got it with the whole prophet of the Lord thing sort of and he did see Castiel get blown up so… yeah he was jittery. She was pacing when she noticed Sam and Dean walking towards Chuck and Dean looked like he was on the warpath.

It was automatic to go in and be the voice of reason. So she started forward when she was waylaid by a pair of guys that were dressed as Sam and Dean. The one dressed as Dean pointed at her to his partner and said, "See, that's Absolution."

Angela looked at them and the one dressed as Sam who appeared to be skinny and asked, "Uh… do I know you?"

"Well we're Sam and Dean. Duh," the one dressed as Dean replied. He looked at her and nodded, "You really got the details down good."

"Uh…"

"Oh right, the jacket, the belt and the eyes. Those aren't like the contacts," the one dressed as Sam said as he looked her over.

"Hey. Do you have…?" The one dressed as Dean made a gesture to indicate he meant a sword.

Angela left Absolution in the car since it would have been awkward to carry that around. At the time she thought that she could handle thins with her knife and chakram, which hung at her waist. She knew what they were asking and replied, "Oh. Couldn't find one that matched the book but I have this and this." She showed them the chakram and knife hoping that they would see that it was real and go away.

"Wow. Those look real."

"They are."

Instead of scaring them, they got excited about the whole thing. Angela thought she was going to witness a serious case of fan boy syndrome. The Sam attempted look alike said, "Wow. You really are hardcore. And you even have the scarf. Where'd you get it?"

"I made it."

"Cool," both exclaimed.

By then a small crowd was drawing near and other attendees were hanging onto every word Angela said about where she got her gear. Some were asking questions about what she thought about Absolution and her reasons why. She wondered when this attempt to appease a 'fellow fan' turned into a bull session panel discussion. At one point one dressed as Bobby asked, "So do ya have it?"

Angela frowned and asked, "Have what?"

"You know what. The mark of Absolution."

Angela looked at the crowd. They were there hanging onto every word and waiting. She had kept Cerebus close but told him not to do anything. His presence though left her room to get out. Seeing that they wouldn't be satisfied, she shrugged off her jacket and turned to reveal her tattoo. She barely managed to get away after that.

A/N: And we are at the first Supernatural convention and looks like it is a weird sort of hell for the Winchesters and Co. not to mention a little jealousy going on. Keep watching for more There a Hunter in the House?...