Chapter 6: A Change of Plans

Castiel carefully unwrapped the bandage around his brother's wing. He carefully ran his fingers along the bone, gently infusing his Grace to strengthen it some more. Gabriel let out a loud hiss that had both hunters jumping a foot. The dark haired angel gently took the wing in both hands and moved it back and forth and up and down despite the pained hissing the movements were causing.

"How does it feel Gabriel?" Castiel asked leaning in close to examine the area.

"How do you think it feels? It fucking hurts!" Gabriel snapped.

Castiel sighed and rubbed at the spot pulling a loud curse from his brother. "Stop whining Gabriel. The more you fight me the longer this will take."

"Well it fucking hurts!"

"Gabriel stop cursing."

"You'd curse too Cassie if you-SHIT!"

"I'm sorry!"

The golden wing was pulled form his grasp and Castiel had to duck as it nearly cracked him in the head. He glared and snapped at the older angel in Enochian and those golden wings closed with an audible snap. A flush covered the blonde's face and his shoulders slumped. Castiel immediately regretted the action since this was the first time in four days that Gabriel had done anything other then lay motionless in the bed and stare blankly at the wall and cry. Castiel leaned forward and wrapped his arms tightly around Gabriel, whispering apologies softly in Enochian in his ear. Gabriel responded by reaching up and placing his hands over top of his and Castiel understood what his brother was saying loud and clear; apology accepted.

"So how is it?" Came Dean's curious voice. "Is he in one piece again?"

"It appears so but he's still needs to be careful until he relearns to fly with it." Castiel said pulling away. "Luckily he can still use his other two sets."

"Yeah. Won't that be fun. I hated trying to relearn how to fly." Gabriel said, dismissing the large wings. "Michael was a brutal teacher. Lucifer was nicer. At least he gave me a break."

"So when are you going to try and fly again?" Dean asked.

"Well first I'm going to make a call and get my car brought over and then I'm going back to my house. I'll start my practicing there." The angel said. "The soreness will fade by the time I make it to my house. It should anyway."

"Whoa. Wait a minute. You're going to go do this alone? How safe is that? I mean what if you try to fly and can't catch yourself? Do you want to become a pancake?" Dean asked sharply.

Sam flinched at that but refused to look up from his place by the door.

"It is dangerous but it won't kill me." Gabriel said. "I'll be fine."

"And your vessel? What about him?"

Gabriel turned at that, his face pained. "My true vessel died thousands of years ago Dean. That body was destroyed. This? This is nothing more then a homunculus I created from him. It's just me in here. If I had to leave it for any reason then it wouldn't do anything. Think of it as a copy of someone who once existed. A clone if you will. Of course I had to change it up so I wouldn't be found but this is all mine. I'm alone in here."

Dean heard the edge to the angel's voice and back tracked, having learned from Castiel that angel's were very protective of their vessel's souls. "Sorry. I didn't mean anything by it."

"You didn't know." The angel said turning away. "It just gave me yet another reason to hate Raphael. He treated me the worst. That's in the past however. I've moved on."

"So why are you going home to fly? Why not come with us to Bobby's? We're not far from there. He's even got a big open field behind his house." Dean said, hoping the angel would say yes.

Gold eyes flicked up to the youngest Winchester, who was watching him with guarded eyes and he quickly turned away and began shoving his things in the duffle he had. "As much as I would love to, it's best that I don't. So can I get a rain check on that? You can call me though. I can meet up with you sometime later when I can fly again."

Sam carefully watched as Gabriel packed his things. It was clear that the angel wanted to say yes but it was also clear to Sam that Gabriel was trying to respect his wishes. As it was Casitel was already mad at him for leaving Gabriel alone while injured. Of course he had felt like shit when the angel told him in exactly what state he found Gabriel in, but when Castiel demanded the room key it had hurt. When he had asked if it was what Gabriel had wanted, Castiel just shook his head saying that he wanted to give his brother time to recover and if they were fighting it would slow down Gabriel's healing. Sam hadn't really wanted to but he handed the key over anyway. This was his first time seeing the angel in days.

"You sure?" Dean asked. "Bobby could alway use the advice of an archangel."

"Or he could come stay at my mansion with me."

The four glanced up to find Crowley standing next television, looking over one of Gabriel's old tomes that the that two angels had been using. Sam stood straighter and glared, Lucifer's words ringing in his ears about the King of Hell trying to court the angel. Dean's glare matched his as he went over and slammed the book shut, nearly catching the demon's finger in it. The two glared at each other and the hunter tossed the book to Gabriel.

Crowley turned to face the archangel as he made his book vanish. "So what do you say? I have a nice big mansion, with a fenced in yard, guards, the whole shebang."

"I have a house on a beach. It's a two story, with, at last check, seventy-three rooms, thirty six full bathrooms, fifteen of which are jacuzzi. It has a bowling alley, a billiards room, an observatory, a greenhouse, and a theater, which doubles for my video game room. Not to mention my fully stocked kitchen, seven pantries, three dry rooms, and twenty cellars, ten for foods and ten for spell ingredients. Not to mention the heated pool." Gabriel said, his voice cold. "It also has only one way in and one way out and sits on a lay line. I don't need a fenced in yard or guards. So thanks but no thanks."

"How about dinner then?" The Scotsman asked.

Gabriel snapped and a gift card appeared appeared in Crowley's hands. "There. Payment for the drink. Knock yourself out."

"It's be more fun if you were there." Crowley said taking a step forward only to stop when Sam's phone starting ringing. "Again? Can't you change that horrible sound?"

Sam glanced at the id and saw that the number was restricted but answered it anyway. "Hello?"

*Your job, Sam Winchester, was to keep that filth away from my brother.*

Sam's eyes went wide. "How do you manage to keep calling me?"

Lucifer let out a dark chuckle. *I don't think that matters much. Now give my brother the phone. I need to speak with him.*

Sam held out the phone to the archangel. "It's for you."

Gabriel took the phone with a look of confusion. "Hello?"

*What did I tell you about that cockroach?* Lucifer asked. *I told you he was trouble and now he's at it again. Stay with the Winchesters. They are your best protection right now.* Lucifer said. *Do you understand?*

"I can't right now. We-"

*Now Gabriel!* Michael snapped, his tone not that of an older brother but of a soldier.

"But I-"

*That's an order Gabriel.* Came Michael's sharp command.

"Alright. Hold on." Gabriel said.

The archangel pulled the phone away and said something in Enochian in Castiel. The dark haired angel frowned but nodded. He turned and locked eyes with his mate. Dean's head tilted and after a few minutes gave a quick nod. Castiel turned back to his brother and spoke the ancient language once more. The archangel gave him a blinding smile.

"Okay. I'll do it. Just...tell me one thing. How are you doing this?" Gabriel asked.

*Not now Gabriel. Now is not the time. Go with the Winchesters. You'll see us again soon. I promise. Stay strong. Remember that we love you.* Michael said before the line went dead.

The blonde glanced at the phone frowned. "Thanks for nothing." He said tossing it on the bed.

"Now that this is taken care of how about dinner?" Crowley asked moving to stand next to Gabriel. "I know this great place we can go to."

"I can't." Gabriel said grabbing the last of his things. "I just got asked to do something so now I have to go with them. Maybe another time."

Crowley frowned but it was quickly replaced by a smirk. "Next time it is."

The demon leaned in close to the archangel causing Sam to reach for his gun. Crowley suddenly froze, the tip of Gabriel's archangel blade resting just under his chin. He locked eyes with the archangel and his smirk grew. The demon took a couple slow steps backs, his hands raised slightly. Gabriel stayed where he was, his gold eyes cold. Crowley said something, his voice dark and guttural, his smile at odds with the sinister sounds escaping him. Much the to shock of the others, Gabriel answered back in the same language, but the angel's voice sounded more rough and nearly hypnotic. With a little wave the Scotsman was gone.

Gabriel glanced around for a moment before he lowered his weapon, shaking slightly. Turning back to his bag his eyes landed on Sam's phone. He picked it up and hit the call button, hoping that it would work, only to be disappointed when it said the number was disconnected. Taking a steadying breath he put the phone back down and began finishing his packing. The other three watched with concerned eyes at the angel's shaking; it was barely noticeable unless you knew what to look for.

Castiel stepped up to his brother's side. "Gabriel are you alright?"

"I'm fine." Came the soft tone.

"Clearly you're not." Dean said. "Otherwise you wouldn't be shaking."

Gabriel looked up at him and Dean knew the look on the angel's face having seen it enough times on Sam's face; it was the look of a little brother trying to protect his big brother. "You want the truth Dean? No. I'm not okay. I'm nowhere near okay. But you know what? I'm an archangel, the last one in this world. I can't afford to be anything but okay. I don't have that kind of luxury. So to answer Castiel's question yes. Yes I'm fine."

The eldest Winchester frowned. It was clear that Gabriel needed to talk but he knew that it was too soon. His eyes sought his brother, who was watching the archangel pack with sad eyes. Dean knew that it was hurting them both but he also knew that they needed space before trying to work things out. Luckily enough they were now going to have ample time to talk about it during the eight hour drive. Gabriel finished and Castiel grabbed the duffle and vanished with it.

"Ready then?" Dean asked.

Gabriel nodded and headed out the Impala, muttering an apology to Sam as he passed. Dean shook his head as he watched his brother's heartbroken expression. Things needed to change soon. Once in the car Gabriel slid into the back behind the driver's seat and produced a pair of headphones and an mp3 player and a sketchpad. Shaking his head Dean joined his brother and the angel in the car. Castiel leaned down and gave his mate a kiss through the open window.

"Stay safe Dean. Watch out for our brothers." Castiel whispered.

Dean smiled. "Always. Just please be careful too. I don't like the thought of you going down there again. Especially alone. Call me when you get done okay?"

Castiel nodded and stepped back, watching as his mate started the Impala and pulled out of the parking lot and headed for the highway. Spreading his wings he took flight and headed for hell. He was not sure why Michael and Lucifer were so interested in helping Gabriel but he was going to find out. After all Lucifer had killed his youngest brother in cold blood and Michael, having suspected that Gabriel wasn't really dead, had not only forbidden the Fourth Born from returning to heaven, but also decreed that if he did return, that his punishment was to be death.

To him it made no sense. He remembered clearly that Raphael did indeed hate the youngest archangel but he couldn't clearly recall how Gabriel acted with Michael and Lucifer. Castiel did know that for a while the Second and Fourth born were almost seemingly joined at the hip before the fighting started. He wasn't sure of anything after that; just that Raphael had been punished for something, Lucifer was sealed away, Gabriel ran, and Michael became cold and bitter. Everything changed after that.

Landing before the Cage he fully spread his wings before pulling them close. They vanished behind him as he stepped closer to Cage. He didn't see either of his older brothers but that didn't mean they weren't there. Castiel was positive that they could feel his Grace. Just incase he sent out small harmless wave, barely touching the two massive sources of Grace before pulling back, much like a child tugging on it's mother's clothes for attention.

"Come back for more advice on how to rebel did we?" Lucifer asked, and Castiel's eyes were drawn to the large blinding white wings behind the Fallen before they vanished. "Wasn't our first little chat good enough for you?"

"I didn't come here for that." Castiel said turning back to Lucifer. "I came to talk."

"Well aren't I the popular one lately? It seems like everyone wants to talk to me lately. Gabriel, you, and even-" Lucifer paused eyeing the younger angel, "-Crowley."

"Crowley was here? What did he want?" The dark haired angel asked, his heart jumping into his throat. "Something to do with Gabriel I assume."

"Maybe." Lucifer said with a grin.

"Really Lucifer?" Michael said, landing beside the Fallen, his large egg shell white wings vanishing. "Castiel is already worried enough. Don't play games with him. Not over Gabriel."

Lucifer gave his older brother a sour look. "You were never any fun, dear brother. It's no wonder no one liked you. I think our Father forgot to give you a sense of humor."

"Excuse me?" Castiel said, hoping he wouldn't ignite their ire.

The First Born glared at Lucifer as the taller blonde turned back to the younger angel to address him. "Sorry about that. We were talking right?"

"Yes. About Crowley."

"Yes. Annoying little cockroach." Lucifer said. "He came down here and asked about courting rituals. First about demonic and then angelic. I didn't give him much on angels. Just that a courtship is a private thing that others cannot infringe on. If he knows anything else then he didn't learn it from me."

"What about demon courting? What else is he going to attempt?" Castiel asked. "I want to protect Gabriel to the best of my ability."

"That is what I wanted to hear!" Lucifer said clapping. "I told you Castiel was smart enough to think for himself."

"I can see that." Michael said flatly. "The first sign of demon courting is gift giving. Gabriel said Crowley bought him a drink."

"Not only a drink but a small vial of Ichor as well. He said it was for the hangover."

Michael frowned. "Did he use it?"

"No."

"Good. Don't let him. Next will be dinner. A demon is going to try to impress a potential mate with showing how well it can provide." The First Born said. "After that the other party has to give willing consent to sexual relations."

"This is important Castiel." Lucifer said. "It has to be pure consent. Nothing can interfere with it. It can't be made under a spell or duress. I made sure of that."

Castiel nodded. "I don't think Gabriel would ever willingly give his consent to be touched by a demon much less one such as Crowley. The Winchesters took great pains to make sure the Crowley was kept far away from Gabriel for this very reason."

"I don't think it would have helped much. Gabriel always had a way of managing to do exactly what you didn't want him to." Michael said. "Just stick close to Gabriel and don't leave him alone with Crowley under any circumstances."

"I understand." Castiel said softly. "Why are you helping Gabriel though? After everything that's happened? I don't understand."

"We found out some things down here that have changed everything." Michael said. "We're doing what we can to try to set things right. I can't tell you anymore then that right now. Castiel I know this is a stretch but you have to trust us. If something goes wrong then we are your only hope of helping Gabriel come out of this in one piece."

Lucifer let out a dark laugh. "At this point Michael it's not so much a matter of 'if' something goes wrong but 'when'. All we can do right now is get ready to catch the fallout from this and hope that Gabriel is prepared."

"Do you really think Crowley is going to do something?" Castiel asked. "What is the point in going after Gabriel?"

"The point? The point is that with Michael and I stuck down here and Raphael dead then guess who takes the place of the strongest angel?" Lucifer asked. "By default who would the Throne of Heaven go to right now should an emergency happen?"

Castiel eyes went wide, the pieces falling into place. "Gabriel..."

"Bingo!" Lucifer said. "And if Crowley gets his claws into Gabriel do you think heaven will stand a chance at fighting him off? I didn't think so. The Ruler of Heaven would be under the control of the King of Hell. How bright is your future looking now Castiel?"

"Gabriel gave Sam a feather. A courting gift! He can't-"

"A demon can and will challenge for a mate." Lucifer snapped. "If he challenges my vessel and wins then there is a chance he might try to steal Gabriel away. If he does then it's over. Crowley will have the power of an archangel."

"This can't be allowed to happen!" Castiel said. "I need to get back. I need to tell Dean and Sam. We have to be prepared."

"Wait." Lucifer called, reaching through the bars holding something in his hand. "Here. Take this. You'll know when to use it. All you have to do is break them one at a time. We can't do anything more. Not until the time comes. We aren't allowed."

Castiel took what the Devil was offering. It turned out to be two small glass balls, both different shades of white, on a chain. He frowned but slipped the necklace on over his head. Michael watched him with a smile and reached out and clasped a hand on his shoulder. Lucifer nodded to him as he stepped back, a small smile playing over his lips.

"We're counting on you Castiel." Michael said softly, before their younger brother spread his wings and was gone, leaving his to turn to look at Lucifer. "Is there enough time?"

"I don't know." Lucifer admitted. "Let's just hope that Gabriel is playing it smart and is trying to make up with Sam. If not then there's no telling how bad this will end."

"Are you ready for this?" The First Born asked.

Lucifer turned to glare at him. "When I killed Gabriel the first time it was done out of insanity and it damn near killed me. What makes you think I'm prepared to do it again?"

Michael flinched at that. "It won't have to come to that. I promise. Father won't let it happen."

Lucifer turned and grabbed his brother and slammed him into the bars of the Cage hard. "Are you that stupid Michael? Are you that sure of yourself that it won't come to that? If so then you are dumber then I thought. This is going to end in blood and pain. Open your eyes for once. Be like Castiel and Gabriel. Pull your head out of your ass and think for yourself. Our Father isn't here and he is not going to show up just to save Gabriel." Lucifer let go of Michael and turned and began heading deeper into the Cage. "I'm actually surprised that he's given us this much help."