Chapter 10

Sam for one was glad to be done with this. The job was done and he had his full of watching people pretend to be him and Dean or other people and things that they met along the way the last few years. He was doubly glad that he wasn't going to see anymore of Becky. The girl made him uncomfortable and he was concerned about Angela.

He wasn't going to pretend that he hadn't noticed that she actually used her powers to save him and Dean; it was weird being suspended like that and not be put in a position where their bodies felt like they were being crushed, but welcome. And she managed to partially talk down the ghosts. He saw the hesitation much like when she did the same to the demon possessing Julia. Then she disappeared afterwards and he got the feeling that it was the way he looked at her or he may have touched her inappropriately when he put his hand on her back and that put the nasty thought he may have screwed things up.

Now that they were about to leave and he was trying to figure out what to do about it. And he was waylaid by Becky. Being the nice guy, he listened to her though he had to wonder where she got her ideas from.

"Look Sam," Becky said, "I'm not gonna lie. We had undeniable chemistry. But like a monkey on the sun, it was too hot to live."

Sam merely blinked at that. He really didn't know what planet the girl was on and he wasn't inclined to be mocking about it. He merely let Becky have her say.

"It can't go on. Chuck and I... we found each other. My Yin to his proud Yang. And well, the heart wants what the heart wants. I am so, so sorry."

"Yeah Sam. You know, sorry," Chuck added from where he was standing beside Becky.

Sam couldn't really care less. He wasn't into Becky and as far as he was concerned Chuck could go out with her. His interests were with a woman who was tougher than he and Dean combined and yet was like a skittish deer when it came to friends and relationships but had a kind heart that never failed to put others before herself to the point that it scared him. Put that way made it sound like he was pathetic but he couldn't really deny how he felt about her and… Looking at Becky and Chuck, he put on his best sighing face and nodded, "Yeah."

"Will you be all right?" Becky looked at Sam with a look of concern.

Sam was going to be just great if he never had to see her again but he had to play along. Sighing he replied, "Honestly, I don't know. I'll just have to find a way to... keep living. I guess." Yeah I already did and I'm not even sure if I screwed that up.

Becky smiled big, "God bless you." She smiled at Chuck.

Sam watched the exchange and was rather glad that he had one less thing to worry about. He looked at Chuck and said, "Alright, well hey – Chuck, if you really wanna publish more books, I guess that's okay with us."

"Wow. Really?"

Yeah right. "No not really. We have guns and we will find you. Especially if you put in Angie."

Chuck's eyes widened at that and raised his hands in surrender, "Okay, okay. No more books." He cleared his throat and managed to add, "And for the record…" He saw Sam's expression and backed off. No way was he going to touch that one and only cemented the fact that he had seen a scene between Sam and Absolution in one of his visions and it was suggestive…

Sam made sure that Chuck understood about the books and then turned to leave. "See you around." Hopefully not for a long time.

He was barely a few steps away when Becky suddenly called out, "Sam! Wait!" He turned to see her running to catch up with him. He silently hoped that she wasn't going to do anything that… "One more thing! In chapter 33 of Supernatural, 'Time Is On My Side', there was that girl Bela, she was British, and a cat burglar?"

More than that, Sam thought to himself as he interrupted, "Yeah. I know." And Angie almost didn't want to help her out.

"She stole the Colt from you, and then she 'said' she gave it to Lilith, remember?"

Sam nodded. He did remember that. It pissed them all off and Angela was ready to curse the woman. And he believed she would. Now after seeing what she could do, he didn't have trouble believing that. "Yeah."

"Well you know she lied right? She never really gave it to Lilith," Becky continued in that fast valley girl manner. She gave a slight frown.

"Wait. What?" Sam looked at Becky, not certain if he heard right.

"Didn't you read the book?"

Not all of them. Vaguely it occurred to Sam that maybe Angela would have read them all cover to cover. She would mostly for the entertainment value and maybe she would have picked up a few things and then probably would have gone after Bela. It made him grateful Chuck didn't put his demon blood sucking thing in them.

Becky, unaware of Sam's internal monologue continued, "There was this one scene where Bela gives the Colt to a demon named Crowley, Lilith's right hand man. I think her lover, too."

Sam looked at Becky, "Crowley." He then looked at Chuck and asked, "It didn't occur to you to tell us this before?" He was aware his tone took an irritated turn.

Chuck was not in the mood to have an angry Sam on him and in turn have the vengeful virago on him and in that freaky scary way. He ended up stammering a little, "I'm sorry. I didn't remember." When Sam continued to stare at him he added, "I'm not as big a fan as she is." He gestured towards Becky.

That wasn't important. What was important was the fact that now they had a lead on the Colt. The Colt was the only thing that could kill just about anything apart from Angela's sword and a few other things she owned. There was a chance here… at least with one more tool in the arsenal. He looked at Becky and said, "Becky, tell me everything."

It didn't take long since Sam was insistent on no tangents. He got the scoop on the demon Crowley and thanked Becky for what she knew. He went towards the Impala and found Angela and Dean sitting on the car and they appeared to be enjoying whatever conversation they were having. It had him relieved that she was looking better… relieved actually.

He walked up and asked, "You okay?"

Dean looked at Angela and then at his brother and said, "We're good."

"Yeah," Angela added, "We're good."

Sam wasn't going to press his luck in front of his brother. He'd rather take the time to figure out things and with her… if she was willing. He did manage to give a smile at her before going into what he found, "Well you're not going to believe this but I got a lead on the Colt."

"Really?" Angela perked up and stood up the moment Sam mentioned the lead on the Colt. At the same time Dean straightened up and asked if Sam was serious.

"Yeah," Same replied, "Long story but… I'll you on the way."

"Sounds good," Dean replied as he opened the door to the driver side. "Where is hell on four legs?"

Angela whistled and Cerebus came running and jumped into the backseat and took his usual place. She looked at them and shrugged her shoulders. "So… what are we waiting for?"

The drive headed towards nowhere as Dean picked a direction and drove. Once they were down the road, Sam filled them in on what Becky told him about the Colt. It was a moment before Dean said, "So this demon Crowley has the Colt."

"Yeah."

"Okay. So we gotta think of a way to find this demon and get the Colt. Seems simple," Dean said with more confidence than he felt. It seemed monstrous that they had to locate the demon and then gank the bastard, get the Colt and find and kill the devil.

Sam knew that there was a lot more to it and voiced, "We have to find the demon first."

Dean knew that and that they had a couple of options. One he knew he and Sam would protest against. Sam, because of a longstanding dislike going back to when Dean went to hell. For Dean, it was what he had seen when they were looking for Angela. The other was probably the more acceptable option. "Right. We need to go over our options. Got anything Angie?"

When Angela didn't respond, Sam twisted in his seat to find that she had just drifted off to sleep. While it was usual for her to have a cat nap, Sam could see that it was full on sleeping. It had him wondering if taking full on hunting right away was too soon since she had just been given leave to take off that boot thing and Fiona pronounced her fully healed. Sam knew she would want to be involved with the plan. He said, "She's asleep."

Dean shifted to look in the rearview mirror to confirm that she was asleep. She was leaning against the dog and Cerebus was looking pleased with himself. He made a slight face but it was halfhearted. "Alright so… we get Cas to look in and…"

"Dean. She'll want a say."

"I know that. Just lay down a plan and let her think about it. It might impress her that we thought about a plan without her involved." Part of it was teasing and part of it was an impatience to get a plan that Castiel deemed to be foolish underway. He really believed that if they could wave this off early, then there didn't have to be a showdown.

Sam glanced back at Angela sleeping as he thought about things. As much as he didn't want to admit it, he wanted to have something planned or at least in the works. In a way it was taking one more burden off her shoulders and not taking her for granted. He nodded, "I know."

"Okay so we Cas on board. Definitely Bobby." Dean paused. Someone had to say it and he knew Sam wouldn't. "And we should… consider Cary."

"No."

The answer was expected and Dean knew that if he argued recent events, Sam would listen but it didn't mean that he would automatically be on board. He sighed, "Sam, Cary is a demon."

"Yeah and it was a mistake to go to him the last time." Sam had been anticipating this argument. He kept his voice low since he didn't want to wake Angela. "Not again."

"Sam… Angie said it herself. The guy's a crossroads demon. A low guy on the totem pole but he's still one of them." Dean knew he was really stretching it since he knew Sam's beef was that the demon betrayed their girl and then what he had almost caused with Kesset… Still it was an option and it had to be said. "He can find out what is going on. I know you don't like him…"

"Understatement."

"Whatever. Cas is good but Cary is our man on the inside. But that is if he is agreeable to helping." Dean made a slight adjustment on the road. "I don't think he likes you very much."

Sam made a slight snort at that. "Feeling is mutual." He was quiet for a moment. The plan had some merit to it. And they may need to go onto that. "I just don't like the idea Dean. What happened with Austin… that could happen again. And…" He paused a moment and then continued, "I know we have anti possession but… I wouldn't put it past Cary to get past that."

Dean read between the lines on that one. He understood and nodded, "I don't think Cary would try it especially if Angie were there. She's scary as hell when she gets her dander up. But it's kind of cool in that sexy way."

Dean took the look Sam shot him and gave a slight smile. He loved getting Sam's dander up when it came to his feelings about their girl. He would lay off for now. He started laying out a potential idea while he drove the Impala down the highway. By the time Angela woke up, they had the beginnings of a plan.

The night was dark and the moon cast its shadows along the ground. The trees looked like terrifying beings with their branches twisted into terrifying arms. The mist clung to the ground and reminded her of the job she was on before she was asked to do a job with Christian. It was perfect for those old scary movies.

She walked through the darkness, her feet crunching lightly on the leaves that had fallen. She looked around. There were man and women standing there but still as statues. She blinked as the scene before her flickered like static and for a moment the sky was a clear grey and the men and women were replaced by reapers. It then reverted back to what it was previously and she saw that the men and women had the familiar black eyes of demons. The scene flickered again and the reapers appeared again and then disappeared.

She looked to find them all facing the same direction. She turned to see a rather large mound and realized that she was standing on a hill. She looked around and didn't recognize the place but it was a fairly good sized town and she got the feeling that was familiar like when she fought in wars. She looked around until her eyes lighted on what was on the hilltop.

He was there and covered in dirt and blood and he was grinning that overbearing charming smile. She knew who he was and she glared back. That only made him seem to want to smile more tauntingly. He wasn't completely looking at her but at the hill so she climbed it to see what he was looking at and found that she was staring at a big hole in the ground. The scene then flickered to reveal the inside of a building and she saw bloody bodies.

The scene flickered back to the hole in the ground and then it changed again. It was like she quickstepped to the middle of the hole but she was in the building and looking around made her realize that it was a hardware store. She looked down and saw… She voiced protest and reached out but then they were gone and in place at the center of the hole was a man in black. He looked old and she got the feeling that he was old and he felt familiar.

"Hello, Death," a taunting voice resounded.

She turned to look and saw the man in black and the devil looking at each other. The scene then changed again and she was back in the hardware store. She saw them on the ground. She opened her mouth to cry out but no sound came out.

"Hello… Malachi…

Angela's eyes shot open and her breathing increased a little bit but she slowed it down to prevent her from hyperventilating. Her eyes looked around the darkened room and realized they were back at the motel. And… she heard a gentle and strong beat that was overly familiar and she felt the slight curling of fingers near the base of her spine. She could feel it through her shirt and it was soothing and made her reluctant to get up but she did.

Gently she pushed up from where she had been resting her head on Sam's chest, praying that he wouldn't wake up and continue to sleep. She did feel his arm tighten around her slightly as if he were refusing to let her go. She gently loosened his grip and slid out of bed and looked around, thinking that something was off even though things were okay with Dean asleep in the bed closest to the door and cuddling with Cerebus.

"Interesting."

Angela whirled around when she heard the voice and came face to face with Lucifer. She stared at him, not giving away the sudden onslaught of fear that struck her spine. She stood there looking at the devil and said, "Having trouble still?"

"What can I say? We found you once and then you…" Lucifer made a gesture like she poofed and disappeared. "It's hard to find you."

"And for good reason," she replied as she crossed her arms over her chest. "And don't think that you are going to get away with tormenting Sam. I know about your nightly visits."

"How could I forget," Lucifer replied as he grinned at her while appraising her. "You interfered on one and then gave the tempting offer of yourself."

Angela remembered that. She had done it because she knew it was possible. She had essentially demon blood in her but she was half human. She didn't spare a glance at Sam or Dean asleep on their beds since that would give things away and that was the last thing she wanted to do. It was hard but she replied in the same cool voice, "And the offer still stands. I can be your vessel and I volunteer for it but I will only grant the word at a certain place and time."

Lucifer started chuckling and he wagged his finger at her. "You really are something my sweet. Azazel said that as much and was why I had him go after you." He paused as he grinned and then hummed, "You know I admire your willingness to protect humanity. It is sweet but also obscene. And in the end it means nothing because you would do it for anyone and ten times over."

"Well that is what I have going for me," Angela replied with a slight shrug. She hoped that this 'meeting' wouldn't last. She wanted to go back to sleep. "Unlike some, I find fulfillment in duty."

Lucifer couldn't help but laugh at that, "Now that is laughable. You and duty… don't mix. At least not in the conventional sense."

"I never said I was conventional."

"No, but you are the Malachi of Absolution and supposedly the greatest general and champion of humanity." Lucifer paced in front of her as if amused by the whole thing. Actually he was. "And you are the most beautiful thing. So full of self-loathing. Alistair prepared you well."

"And I gave him a nice thanks," she deadpanned.

"I know and Lenya is upset. She is even more pissed that you bested her as a four year old. You are impressive and I am tempted to take you up on your offer."

"Tempted?"

"Tempted but not convinced," Lucifer clarified. He watched her expression and noticed that it was a look that could be taken multiple ways and was confusing. "You see… I am tempted because you do fit the minimum requirements. You knew better than most that all of your monsters and freaks have similar bloodlines aka demon blood."

"Tell me about it." Angela gave that bland stare that Sam hated since it was adequate to convey dislike as well as a few others to hide her true feelings about everything.

Lucifer nodded, "But I know about the stunt you pulled with the werewolf cure. Big risk for one like you and most full blooded would never consider it."

"As you pointed out, I stick my neck out for people."

"Yes but you did almost die. Now that has me wonder if you are going to be so free with your life in the future."

Angela could have answered that but she didn't. It was true that she would risk her life for a stranger so that they may live but she had something worth fight for and it was new territory that had her scared but also determined and vaguely she acknowledged it as a dangerous combination. She was well acquainted with the concept of haste and haste leading to the grave. That was the first lesson she learned when she first died. Now it seemed that there were lines she was crossing and some she hadn't and she wasn't sure of which way to run.

Looking at Lucifer, she squared her shoulders and asked, "So what can I do to prove that I am not that foolish youth?" She asked the question in a rather mocking tone even though the experience itself was painful.

Lucifer looked at her and said, "I don't know. Do what you do." It sounded wishy-washy but… "Maybe it will be that I won't consider and just prefer Sam. He is my true vessel after all. But I will never hurt you."

"You're not the first to say that."

"But it's true," Lucifer replied with a slight pout. "You are the most beautiful creature in existence. The perfect being so to speak. Born of light and dark. One to walk the world alone and with the ability to unite and lead armies…" He looked at her with a grin. "You are unique my pretty."

Angela cleared her throat slightly at that. She hated that reference. She had hated it ever since Alistair started calling her that. Then Azazel picked up on it and used it. It made her uncomfortable that the other side… "You are not the first to say that to me and I am not impressed," she spat out, more to make it seem like she wasn't intimidated. She crossed her arms over her chest to emphasize her point and gave a pointed stare.

"Never thought you would be," Lucifer demurred in a near seductive manner. "But the things people say about you." He took a couple of steps closer until he was within an intimate distance. It was enough to make a mere mortal be uncomfortable. "Especially one who knows about you but hasn't had the opportunity to speak to you. I could make that happen you know. I know you have questions that are borderline why."

Angela maintained her composure though she felt the coolness emanating from the devil. It floated around as if in tendrils and tickled the hairs on her arms sending the shivers down her spine. She replied in a low voice, "There are a lot of things I have that the why question applies to. Doesn't mean that I want to hear it."

"I bet you do. And I am close to getting it."

"What do you want?" Angela knew it sounded a bit hasty but she figured it was better to steer the conversation to what she wanted it to be. She would deal with the consequences later.

"What I want… is you," Lucifer purred in her ear. He was standing behind her and had placed his hands on her arms to pin them to her sides. "I want you… your gift. I know you have what few hope to have and I want it."

"Can't have it."

"Don't play coy with me," Lucifer growled in her ear, "You just offered to be my vessel. In my view that means you are willing to turn yourself over to my side. That I take very seriously." He gripped her tight and whispered, "It will end as it is written but I will have you. That I promise." He then said something in another language.

Angela opened her eyes and found herself in her motel room. She looked around and sat up to look around. Nothing was out of place but she felt unease; unease about what just happened and what Lucifer said to her and about the fact that they needed to find Crowley and she wasn't looking forward to that. She looked at Cerebus who had taken to sharing her bed with her and found him looking at her with a worried expression. She rubbed his head as she thought about what she was going to do and muttered, "Trip down memory lane."

A/N: A dream within a dream and looks like Luci found someone new. And Angie now feels compelled to do something. Stay tuned for the next episode Asked and Answered...