Gabriel sat in the middle of a smokey bar. This was the last place that he needed to be and the company that he was in didn't help either. He looked up at Kali as she cleared her throat.
"You said that you had questions for me?"
She said calmly. Her brown eyes were watching Gabriel carefully. It didn't take a rocket scientist to know that she didn't trust him. Gabriel didn't blame her either! If the person that you had some kind of relationship with was really someone else trusting them would be a big issue.
"Yeah, you know about all of the craziness going on in my world. "
Kali took a sip of her martini,
"Understatement."
When Gabriel didn't smirk at her response Kali had her suspicions that something was wrong with the archangel confirmed. Gabriel only stared at her not blinking.
"Yes, Gabriel I know that there is a lot of craziness going on with your family. What I don't understand is what that has to do with me?"
Gabriel sat up straighter. In the day or so that he had been away from Molly he had found himself feeling on the edge again. The nightmares of what happened with the Kentucky Fried asshat was again right in the forefront of his brain. Maybe all of the bull crap about soulmates was right after all. Maybe Molly was the key to making him forget all of his troubles. When she was around him everything was sunny again.
He rolled his eyes at how corny that thought sounded! Here he was, an archangel, dependent on some nephilim! That was funny! Gabriel knew he was making his past self out to be a hypocrite. Before Molly, a standard partner was pointless!
Now here he sat, with his ex, and his mind was going fifty million directions! He knew that Kali was aware that something was different about him. When she tried to hug him, Gabriel shrugged away. He didn't want her to touch him. The last thing he wanted was for anyone to touch him! If i was anyone other than Molly he would shrug away. Molly was that one exception!
"Gabriel?"
Kali's voice pulled him out of his thoughts. He looked back at the goddess apologetically.
"Sorry. I'm needing information on Lucifer. I was wondering if you had heard anything about his whereabouts?"
Kali looked a little startled by Gabriel's question.
"Why on earth are you looking for him? Better yet why would you be looking for him and why would I know anything about where he is?"
Gabriel shrugged,
"I'm talking to everyone who has had the pleasure of being in his presence in the past century."
Kali looked around the room. She was clearly uncomfortable now. Gabriel smirked realizing that her normal arrogant persona had vanished. It was clear to see that Kali was scared of Lucifer.
"That doesn't answer my question. Why are you looking for him? I figured getting stabbed by your brother would be enough to deter any future contact."
Gabriel leaned back in his chair.
"There is a situation. It's a little complex."
"You mean the nephilim child that Lucifer created?"
Kali asked. She found herself frowning at the cold expression that Gabriel was giving her.
"Yes."
Kali was quite a few moments before looking back to the archangel that once had her heart.
"I haven't' seen him. There is my answer."
"Okay."
Gabriel replied softly before starting to stand.
"What's happened to you Gabriel?"
The archangel froze before he sat back down in his seat.
"It's complicated."
Kali looked at little annoyed with his response.
"Too complicated to tell someone that you once loved?"
Gabriel's golden eyes were icy again.
"Loved is a strong word. We both know that what we had wasn't love. Attraction, yes. Love, eh."
Kali was clearly surprised by Gabriel's response. Never in a million years would she have expected those words from coming from his mouth! Gabriel had always been mushy with her so his sullenness was a definite game changer.
"Who is she?"
Gabriel raised an eyebrow.
"She?"
The last thing that he really wanted to do was bring Molly into the conversation but it looked like Kali had put 2 and 2 together.
"Come on Gabriel. This has to be about a girl too. Who is she?"
Gabriel frowned before sighing.
"Her name is Molly."
Kali raised an eyebrow.
"Is she special to you?"
Gabriel nodded stubbornly. He looked away from his ex to keep himself from looking even more pathetic. He wanted to be with Molly instead of on this mission. He wanted nothing more than to have his arms around her!
Kali's voice became oddly more gentle.
"Tell me about her."
Gabriel's eyes snapped back to Kali but didn't say anything. The goddess smirked.
"You bonded with her didn't you?"
Gabriel nodded not offering any explanations. The less that Kali knew the better off he would probably be. He wasn't sure how she would take it and if she would hold anything again Molly. The last thing she needed was some Hindu goddess after her for a relationship that happened before Molly was even born.
Kali's voice was calm when she spoke again.
"I must say that I am surprised! I never expected this with you Gabriel! You finally let a woman tie you down. She must be something truly amazing!"
Before Gabriel could respond the cell phone in his pocket began to ring. Gabriel was internally thanking whoever was on the other line for stopping this awkward conversation! He frowned seeing Jack's name.
"One second."
He muttered to Kali before answering.
""Hey Jack, what happening? You know you didn't have to use a phone right?"
Jack sounded annoyed immediately.
"Yeah, that doesn't matter. Something is wrong with Molly..."
Gabriel felt that all too familiar feeling of nervousness hit him.
"What do you mean?"
He replied while his brain processed every possible bad thing that could happen to Molly.
"I dunno. She went to the store and came back home super moody. She said she wanted to be left alone and locked herself in her room."
Gabriel sighed. Running a hand over his face he felt slightly relieved.
"Jack, she's probably just pissed at me because I had to take off so fast. She will be okay. Just let her be."
Jack was quiet a moment.
"You sure?"
Gabriel felt bad knowing his nephew was a nervous wreck at the moment. The kid had a lot to learn about women!
"Positive. Give her a few hours and go check on her."
Gabriel could hear the frustration in Jack's final words.
"Okay. Fine."
When he hung up Gabriel looked back to Kali. The goddess raised an eyebrow.
"Everything okay?"
Gabriel nodded, regaining his cool composure.
"Of course."
Kali, having enough of Gabriel's lies, downed the rest of her martini and stood.
"Gabriel, be a good husband and go home to your wife. She clearly needs you. If I see or hear anything about your brother you will be the first person to know."
Gabriel leaned back in his chair.
"Fair enough. Thank you."
When Kali left Gabriel didn't go home to his wife instead, he knew that there was a lot of work that had to be done. He couldn't go right home to Molly and everything be okay. Knowing that there was a lot of danger facing his "family" was enough to keep Gabriel going. He would have to shove the want to get home to Molly in the closet for the time being and let Jack deal with things back home.
Meanwhile,
Jack sat in front of his laptop when Balthazar appeared in front of him. Balthazar smiled his normal shit eating grin.
"Greetings, thought I would come by to see my Molly. Where is she?"
Jack pointed to the bedroom. Balthazar's smile faded. He didn't move to go for his daughter. Jack smirked. He knew why Balthazar wasn't moving.
"Gabriel isn't here."
Balthazar frowned.
"Huh? What do you mean he isn't here? I expected them to be together...bonding and all."
Jack shrugged.
"He said that he has things to do."
Balthazar sighed.
"And I am guessing Molly isn't the least bit pleased with him?"
Jack nodded. Balthazar groaned.
"Well I guess I shall go fix everything. I'll have her home soon."
Balthazar didn't wait for Jack to object before racing down the hall and into Molly and Gabriel's room. Molly was laying on the floor with her legs stretched out on the closed door of her closet. She looked up at Balthazar with hopeful eyes. He sighed knowing that she was hoping that he was someone else
"Hey dad, come for a visit?"
She asked. Balthazar nodded.
"Yes, sweet pea why are you laying like that?"
Molly shrugged,
"Its comfy."
Balthazar shrugged at her response before remembering why he was there.
"I talked to the little lad out there and I thought I would take you out for dinner or something. Seeing that Gabriel isn't here and is clearly occupied."
Molly scoffed.
"Yeah, he's away. Where, I have no clue."
Balthazar nodded.
"Well I'll have you home long before he shows up. Come on."
Molly groaned.
"I would rather just stay home."
Balthazar chuckled.
"Nonsense! No point in sitting at home pouting. Gabriel doesn't know what you are doing so you aren't benefiting yourself in the slightest."
Molly didn't have the heart to tell Balthazar about her meeting with Lucifer earlier. She didn't want to mention what happened. Lucifer's joke about Balthazar and Gabriel being the biggest man whores in heaven was still making Molly miserable! There was also the thoughts she was thinking about Gabriel getting bored with her soon enough and leaving her behind. He wasn't with her now so what did the future hold? He was home with her enough to gain his strength back, have his way with her, and then he left. What if Lucifer was right after all?
"Earth to Molly!"
Molly shook her head and focused back on Balthazar who was looking at her with a raised eyebrow.
"I'm sorry, what was you saying?"
She asked softly. Balthazar sighed.
"I said get your sweater and come on."
Molly quickly stood doing as she was told. Maybe Balthazar was right. It was doing her no good to sit in her bedroom pouting. Clearly Gabriel wasn't going to be home to her that night. What would it matter if she decided that she wanted to go out for some fun? It wasn't like Gabriel was there to object about it anyway!
Twenty minutes later Molly sat across from Balthazar as he eagerly demolished a fired chicken platter. She watched him with wide eyes as she took a sip of her water. For an angel he sure enjoyed human pleasures...and that was an understatement!
After eating another chicken wing, Balthazar looked up at his daughter before frowning. Molly sat in the booth across from him looking out the window. Her blue eyes were looking more miserable than he had ever seen them before.
"For a girl that just bonded with an archangel you look incredibly miserable."
Molly's eyes rolled back to Balthazar.
"Well, it would be better if he was actually here."
Balthazar frowned.
"Where is he?"
Molly frowned.
"Hell if I know! He didn't tell me anything! Gabriel never tells me anything! He didn't tell me about what happened with Asmodeus. He didn't tell me where he was going or when he's coming back. I'm just a warm body to keep him company when he's bored...at least until he tires of me."
Balthazar was quiet a moment.
"I don't know what you are talking about sweet pea but I think that it is safe to say Gabriel is sticking with you. Isn't showing such a good example at the moment but he won't be going anywhere for long. Bonds are strong than you realize love."
Molly didn't look too convinced.
"Yeah."
Balthazar sighed.
"You know what? We are getting out of here and doing something fun! You are not spending your night moping about on my watch. I bring joy and tonight is your night!"
The next morning Molly woke up at the foot of the bed. She automatically regretted the previous night the moment that she pulled the blanket off of her head and was met by the over head light.
"Crap!"
She muttered as the pounding in her head became more intense. Swinging her legs over the bed Molly could only hope that she could heal herself quickly. It was foolish of her to think that Gabriel would be at home. If he was home she would be feeling like stomped over crap!
Molly wandered into the kitchen feeling like her head was about to explode. She made a mental note to never take her father up on an offer for drinks again. Molly should have just stayed at home and worried over her meet up with Lucifer alone.
Now here she stood in mismatched clothes wondering who in the hell dressed her? Whoever it was needed help! Molly sighed knowing it wasn't Gabriel. Wherever he was at the moment wasn't helping with her hangover!
Wondering into the library Molly didn't notice a new face until a strong British accent started talking to her.
"Good morning miss aren't you pretty this morning?"
Molly looked around before focusing on the man with dark hair and a snappy suite sitting across from a tense Sam.
"Are you a politician or does being a liar run in your family?"
The man's amused expression went cold as Sam and Dean both chuckled.
"I can already tell that you have a lovely personality."
Molly raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, welcome to Kansas. Now who are you?"
The man stood easily towering over Molly.
"My name is Arthur Ketch and you might you be? I haven't seen such a pretty face in this establishment before."
Molly laughed.
"I thought you were some bizarre James Bond cos player or something. My name is Molly. That's about all you need to know."
Looking over her shoulder at Sam, Molly motioned to the kitchen.
"Sam, can I talk to you?"
Sam nodded quickly walking into the kitchen. Molly meanwhile, looked back to Ketch.
"Well James it was nice to meet you. Thanks for coming the visit from...where you are from."
Ketch frowned.
"My name isn't James."
Molly giggled enjoying the amused expression on the man's face. She could already tell that Arthur Ketch was going to be one person that she just couldn't make herself like!
"Well I'm calling you James. Anyway, later!"
Once Molly exited the room Dean, who was chuckling stood. He loved seeing the beyond annoyed expression on Ketch's face. Dean also knew that Molly had no clue about who Ketch really was and the fact that he was the one that saved Gabriel. It didn't take Dean long to realize that Gabriel had told Molly next to nothing. It was going to be one hell of a mess when she did find out but until that happened Dean was just going to play it cool.
"She's a hoot huh?"
Dean asked with a smile. Ketch raised an eyebrow.
"I supposed that is one way to put it."
Meanwhile, Molly walked into the kitchen where Sam stood leaning again the counter. Molly looked over her shoulder making sure that Ketch wasn't anywhere around her.
"That's the Arthur Ketch you told me about? The one that hurt your mother and is just bad news?"
Sam nodded.
"Yep, that would be him."
Molly frowned peeping in to the library. The last thing that that she wanted was this bad new man anywhere near her!
"Why is he here?"
Sam shrugged.
"Just showed up this morning."
Molly rolled her eyes. She knew that she could easily show the giant ass in the door so he could be on his way.
"Want me to show him the door? I have no shame."
Sam chuckled.
"Its a little...complicated."
Sam choked out the word complicated. Complicated wasn't even the proper word! It was a mess having Ketch in the bunker. Both Sam and Dean were on their guard and the thought of Cas' reaction made Sam a little nervous himself. If it wasn't for Gabriel and Ketch's alliance, the former member of the British Men of Letters would have been out on his ass long ago!
Sam, like Dean, knew that Gabriel didn't tell Molly much of anything about his past. It was never more apparent than in the present moment. If Molly knew who Ketch was by his saving Gabriel, she probably wouldn't be calling him James or pretty much telling him to go to hell.
Molly rolled her eyes as she turned to walk toward her room. She looked back at Sam with an exhausted sigh.
"Well good luck to you and Dean with James out there. I am going to take a bath."
An hour later Molly walked back into the library. Jack sat reading a book on his lap. He looked up at Molly with a smile.
"Morning. Everything go okay last night?"
Molly rolled her eyes.
"Never let me go drinking with my father again!"
Jack chuckled.
"I had a feeling that it will be a bad idea. Have you heard from Gabriel?"
Molly's face immediately looked down at the ground.
"No. So have you eaten anything to day?"
Jack shook his head. He figured Molly would change the subject. She wasn't going to say much about Gabriel! Jack could sense her disappointment. Hell, some random person down the street could probably sense her disappointment!
"I'll fix you something."
Molly said softly. She walked into the kitchen and started moving pots around. Maybe something on her stomach would make her feel better too!
After a few minutes, Molly heard a cough from behind her. She turned to see Ketch watching her with a smile on his face.
"Can I help you James?"
The annoyed expression on his face was enough to bring Molly some joy. He was quiet a moment before beginning to speak.
"Yes, actually you can. You can tell me what you are."
Molly felt her heart beginning to pound. Was he dumb enough to think that she was going to be telling him anything about her? Had he figured out what she was? Molly always did everything that she could to just come across as a normal human girl.
She turned looking at Ketch again.
"Excuse me?"
Ketch smiled straightening his suite jacket.
"There is something different about you. Something not quiet human."
Molly's blue eyes narrowed.
"Don't know what you are talking about."
Ketch smiled stepping closer. His dark eyes remained locked on Molly's nervous face. She didn't have to say anything to let Ketch know that she was hiding something.
"I think you do. I think you have a lot of neat stories to share."
Molly shook her head.
"I'm not telling you shit."
Ketch laughed.
"You're pretty. Too pretty to have this feisty attitude that you possess."
Molly tried to move away but she wasn't getting far.
"Well James you get what you get. I'm kind of stuck in my ways."
Ketch was quiet for a moment. His eyes continued to search Molly's face before he did something that she never expected. He reached out and pulled her into a kiss. Molly stood flabbergasted for a moment before finally being able to push him away. Even thought she could easily fling Ketch into the opposite wall and really cause some damage she didn't.
She glared angrily at him.
"Don't ever touch me again!"
Ketch smirked.
"What's the matter? Don't have a man to kiss you like that?"
Molly effortlessly pushed past him but stopped in the door frame.
"I am taken and he isn't some annoying bizarre jerk like you are."
Molly remained in her room the rest of the day. The last thing that she wanted to do was be in any room that James Bond wanna be was in. She knew that she could easily tell Sam and Dean what happened but what if that giant pompous dick decided to do something to hurt the Winchesters? The last thing that she wanted was for something to happen to her "family."
Around 6 pm Molly heard the voice that she had been wanting to hear for sometime. She could hear Gabriel and Sam talking quietly in the library. As quickly as she could Molly walked into the room where Ketch was sitting with legs crossed. Gabriel look up the moment she walked into the room. His serious expression vanished and he smiled instantly.
"Hey sugar."
Molly quickly walked to Gabriel wrapping her arms around his shoulders.
"About time you came home!"
Gabriel didn't wait for another comment before pulling her into a long kiss. All of their past unease that had been effecting them both vanished in that moment. Gabriel broke away from her after a few moments. He nuzzled his face against Molly's breathing in her scent.
"Everything okay?"
Molly's fingers were twisting the curls on the back of his neck. She was clearly enjoying every caress that he had to offer.
"It is now."
Molly whispered. She opened her eyes noticing Ketch watching them with a displeased expression.
"So I supposed you have met James?"
Gabriel frowned.
"Who?"
"She means me. Apparently she thinks my name is James."
Ketch grumbled. Molly smirked.
"Yeah because you are the worst James Bond that I have ever seen!"
Gabriel looked between the two before glancing to Sam and Dean. Both of the Winchester's looked totally amused. Gabriel sighed.
"Enough. Molly come on."
Molly looked please but was also a bit annoyed that Gabriel was amused with her assessment of Ketch. She shrugged before following her lover back to their bedroom.
After shutting the door, Gabriel had Molly against the opposite door ravaging her neck and exposed chest with kisses. Molly whimpered as one of Gabriel's hands held both of hers over her head and the other began to tug at the hem of her shirt.
"Get these clothes off."
Gabriel hisses. When Molly didn't move fast enough Gabriel snapped his fingers leaving her naked in his arms.
"Bend over that table and spread your legs, sweetheart."
Molly didn't need to be told twice. She quickly leaved over the table feeling Gabriel's hands lock around her hips.
"You should see how beautiful you look bent over the table like this. Damn I have missed you!"
"I've missed you more."
Molly said as she felt Gabriel's bare thighs against her backside. She tried to keep her mind from Lucifer's words. They had been trying to eat at her from the moment that Gabriel had her in his arms again.
"Just make him happy and he won't leave."
Molly thought sadly. Gabriel's fingers that were edging toward her core froze.
"Molly?"
"Why did you stop?"
Molly whined. She heard Gabriel sigh the sound of him pulling his abandoned pants back on.
"Come here."
His voice was soft. Molly turned around seeing the archangel sitting on the bed looking at her with worried eyes.
"We were kind of in the middle of something?"
Molly motioned back to the table. Gabriel shook his head.
"You mood changed. Sugar, I'm not stupid. I know that there is something eating you."
Molly pressed her lips together looking down.
"Come on Molly. Everything is okay."
"No, it isn't."
Molly replied weakly.
"Gabriel, would you bond with me if you knew that you will get bored with me one day?"
Molly almost couldn't bring herself to look at his expression. Gabriel looked horrified. Horrified didn't even adequately describe his expression. He quickly stood reminding Molly of the archangel she met in the beginning. Gabriel looked almost lost.
"Why would you ask me that?"
Molly, realizing how naked she really was under Gabriel's intense gaze, looked down.
"Because you bond with me then just disappear. I didn't know where you were or when you were coming back. What was I supposed to think? I'm just some silly stupid girl that you are forced to love."
Gabriel was dead silent for a moment.
"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Cut the drama! Molly what the hell? Where is all of this coming from?"
Molly quickly redressed.
"Think about what I just said."
Molly said in almost a whisper. Gabriel sat in silence a moment.
"Is this about me leaving the other day? Molly there is going to be some things that I do that you can't be a part of. I am not putting you in any danger. This was one of those times."
Molly looked back up him.
"I deserve to at least know where you are."
Gabriel ran a hand over his face.
"I don't want you coming after me when I go take care of things."
Molly turned quickly. She was mad now.
"Do you think that I am some weakling or something? You do don't you!"
Gabriel sighed.
"Oh Molly, please. Fine! I was out looking for Lucifer. It started with me looking for Raphael who is apparently back too but...if I could take care of Lucifer then a lot of problems would be taken care of."
Molly's face went from angry to devastated. Her blue eyes widened as she sat down beside Gabriel.
"Sweet Jesus Christmas Gabriel! You just got your grace back and now you are out after your brother?!"
Gabriel sighed.
"I knew that you would react like this!"
Molly blinked. How did he not expect her to react like this? Was that some random thing that he decided to say and just maybe it would sound believable?
"I just don't know what to say."
Gabriel looked down.
"I'm not some weakling either Molly."
"Never said you were."
Molly snapped. Gabriel was quiet a moment.
"Then why are you so mad?"
Molly looked at him angrily.
"Because I love you! Besides you were far off from finding Lucifer."
Gabriel frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Molly stood and started pacing.
"I literally ran into him at the grocery store. Before you ask no he didn't hurt Jack or me. He just threatened me and said some other...stuff."
Molly couldn't bring herself to look at Gabriel. She knew that he was angry just by his silence. When she was brave enough to look at his face it apparent how angry he was. His golden eyes were almost glowing and his hands were trembling.
"He didn't touch you?"
Molly shook her head.
"No."
Gabriel growled and the lights began to flicker. Molly looked around before turning to him.
"You should calm down."
"How is the hell am I supposed to calm down?!"
He snapped. Molly shrugged.
"Well no one died."
Gabriel sighed. Here Molly went with her sarcasm!
"What did he say to you?"
Molly's mood instantly changed back to the depressed one she went into when they were about to make love.
"Said basically that we wouldn't last. Said that you would get bored of me because you can't keep your dick in your pants."
Gabriel was quiet for a minute before standing up and kneeling down in front of Molly. He gently took her hands in his as her blue eyes met his.
"That was who I used to be. Not now. If I had any doubt about our commitment I would have never bonded with you. Trust me, okay?"
Molly felt immediately better. Part of her would still be afraid for a while and Molly knew that Gabriel was probably aware of that. That would take time to fully go away. But the promise that he was strictly hers and his wondering eye was locked on her was enough.
"I do. I promise."
Gabriel stood up pulling her back into his arms for another kiss.
"I promise I will do better about just disappearing without contact. I'm sorry I made you worry."
"You're here now. It would have been nice when I was hung over this morning and I really could have used a cuddle partner."
Gabriel's jaw dropped.
"Huh?"
Molly giggled putting a finger to Gabriel's lips.
"No ruining the moment. Kiss me angel."
Gabriel gave her a kiss before looking back down at her seriously.
"Where you and Jack out at a club or something?"
Molly giggled shaking her head.
"Balthazar took me out."
Gabriel rolled his eyes.
"We can talk about that later. I want what's mine now."
A days with a shitty beginning and middle was ending on a high note for Molly and Gabriel. She knew there was a lot that she had to tell him. Molly dreaded telling him about the kiss with Ketch. Even though she didn't kiss the asshat back part of her was afraid that Gabriel would be angry with her to. Her only prayer was that he wouldn't take anything out on her! On the flip side, Gabriel knew that there was a lot that he had to tell her. She deserved to know everything and he was going to have to tell her the truth. As much as it sucked she needed to know everything and he would have to "man up" and let everything out in the open.
"I'm always going to be yours."
Molly whispered against his lips. Gabriel smiled against her.
"Always."