"Dean, what do you know about him?"
"He might work for demons, but he's not evil like all the other Witches we've hunted. He called in a demon favor just to get this one man out of his contract so he could watch his daughter grow up," said Dean.
"What?"
"There was this man, Mark something. Gabriel showed up, asked him why he had made a deal, and when he heard how it was to save the man's daughter from terminal cancer he called his handler and called in a 'marker' to save the man's life from the contract. He didn't even ask for anything in return. And the thing's we've read about his life before he came back to America... Yellow-Eyes screwed him over but good," said Dean.
"How?"
"There was a magical civil war, and he was right in the middle of it. The minute they found out he was really a first generation instead of from a long line of them, they dropped him like he was nothing and went to someone else. He got captured and was tortured for over a year before a crossroads demon showed up to offer him a deal. His freedom for the souls of the nut job leading the nastier side of the war and his minions. Gabriel agreed to make a deal so long as he got a favor for each soul he helped the crossroads demon gain."
"So these markers..." said John.
"I'm guessing it was the nut job's minions. He did say that he had helped the demons grab over two hundred souls for that one deal."
"Why does he still work for them then?" demanded John.
"He doesn't have a choice. You should have read the papers Sammy managed to get his hands on. They went from poster boy, to nut case, to liar and finally back to savior. Then they found out he was adopted and they couldn't drop him fast enough. And when he finally ended their war for them, they started calling out for his head. He had to work with demons in order to stay alive...and he said that Azazel doesn't want him around Sammy for some reason," said Dean.
John sat down tiredly. He didn't know what to think. One son was on a demon's wanted list, and the other worked for the damn things. And to make matters worse they still had no leads on yellow-eyes.
"Gabriel did mention one thing... he said that they weren't the only ones dosed by yellow-eyes."
"What?"
"Gabriel said that Azazel dosed a hundred kids with demon's blood to awaken some psychic talent they had. That he plans to make them fight in some battle royal blood tournament to pick a leader for an army he plans to unleash. Bobby was there when Gabriel told us over the phone about a hell's gate made by the same man who created the Colt, and it checks out. There's a hell gate in Wisconsin, and Bobby had someone check it out...there's a hole that would fit the Colt's barrel."
"Why would he tell you? I thought he worked for demons!"
"I do. But I've been through too much crap because no one told me everything I actually needed to know to want to put my twin though the same thing. It's better to let you know now rather than have you find out the hard way," said Gabriel. He looked at Dean, "I've done what I could for the framework, but you'll need to replace the engine. I can only stretch the repairing charm so far, and I don't know the first thing about your car's engine."
"Why are you helping us?"
"Because I've always wished that I had a family, even an older brother to come get me out of that hell I was in for nearly twenty years. So when I found out I had family, real, blood related family, waiting for me in America I had hopes that I could finally feel peace. Instead I found out about what happened with the demons, so I kept my distance. Especially since I read in your bio that you hate demons with a passion and anything connected to them," said Gabriel flatly.
"Sammy?" asked Dean.
"The car's a wreck...but it's better than it was. Bobby said he would tow it to the yard for you to fix... Should have seen his face when he finally saw Gabriel," said Sam.
"Why are you working for demons?" asked John. He seemed to sag into the chair.
"I have no other choice. The idiots in England still want my head on a platter, and Azazel sure as hell doesn't want me to be around Sam to help train his natural psychic power. Crowley may be an asshole, but at least I know where I stand around him. I got him so many souls for one deal that he has no choice but to try an corrupt me while I act as his collecting agent. Heh, though it's fun to see his face when I start annoying him."
"What do you mean natural psychic power?" asked Dean.
"Certain people have a natural inclination towards psychic ability, twins in particular have it. Demon's blood is a well known amplifier and is sometimes used to awaken psychic talent. However in our case it took a while for it to really kick in for some reason. Despite how you may feel about it, Dean, psychic talent is a natural and recorded phenomenon. I have a friend who's been helping me develop mine without having to use demon's blood to do it, and I can help Sam learn as well if he's willing," said Gabriel.
Gabriel was at Bobby's, mostly because Sam and Dean weren't going to let him run off now that they had finally met him. John had left to hunt down Azazel, though he was still unsure about Gabriel.
Bobby didn't care about the demon thing that much, so long as Gabriel had the decency to summon them far from his presence, or call Crowley when he wasn't in ear shot.
He passed the devil's trap and he drank the holy water without screaming. That was all Bobby needed to know...well that and the fact Gabriel had shown him the tattoo next to his heart which Bobby confirmed was a ward to keep away demons trying to possess him involuntarily.
Dean and Sam were quick to get their own pair of tattoos once they found that bit out. With how often they ran into demons it didn't pay to be careless.
"So Gabriel...what do the tattoos on your shoulders mean?" asked Sam. That had been bugging him since he caught a full glimpse of one.
"This," Gabriel pointed at the Enochian one, "is the sigil for the arch angel Gabriel. And this one is the Norse rune representing Loki. Normally they aren't very powerful, but combined they provide a powerful protection. Especially when the one who enchanted them knew what they were doing."
"Who gave them to you?"
Gabriel snorted.
"Let's just say Crowley was cussing me out pretty good when I visited him after I got them. If you think demons hate you, just imagine how much they hate angels, especially arch angels."
Sam's eyes were wide.
"Angels are real?"
"Total dicks too. I lucked out and got on the good side of a strong one who gave me the sigil for Gabriel as a joke. They aren't on earth right now, though from what I heard from my angel friend they despise demons and barely tolerate humans at the best of times. I also heard that God's been missing from heaven for centuries now. So has Gabriel," he said.
"And what about Loki?"
"Loki is a total sugar-nut. I bribed him with several sweets and he blessed the tattoo for me. Means I can walk through fire and come out unscathed. Like a permanent flame freezing charm," said Gabriel.
"What about hellfire?" asked Bobby, having heard that comment.
Gabriel snorted.
"Don't need to worry about that. Not when I can do...this..." he said smirking.
Bobby and Dean let off a startled oath when they saw the massive three headed dog with hellfire on his paws. Sam yelped when he walked in after hearing the loud bark.
"What the hell?!"
Gabriel fell over laughing at their startled looks.
"Oh man, that was even funnier than the look on Crow's face after I paid a visit to his house and acted like a puppy!" he cackled.
"What'd you do to him?" asked Dean.
"Dug up his yard, slobbered all over him and his expensive fancy clothes, pretty much acted like an ill-trained pet. Hell, I know for a fact he still has a small puddle from where I used his house as a fire hydrant."
Dean snickered.
"Crowley might try to convert me into a demon, but that doesn't mean I'll dance like a puppet to his tune without having fun with it. He's still debating on whether to make me his minion or personal punting toy," snorted Gabriel.
"Hand me that carburetor will you?" asked Dean. Gabriel handed it over.
Gabriel was trying desperately to contain his laughter when he found out Sam was terrified of clowns. He failed and ended up on his ass from laughing so hard. Dean looked like he wanted to join him.
"It's not that funny!" said Sam embarrassed.
"Yes it is!"
"Then what you afraid of?" demanded Sam hotly.
"Last I checked my fear was fear itself," snorted Gabriel.
"How can you know that?" asked Dean.
"Boggarts. Spiritual creatures who feed on fear. They turn into whatever you're afraid of most," explained Gabriel.
"Seriously?" asked Dean.
"I can locate one and show you," said Gabriel, "I know the charm to repel them."
It took Gabriel all of a week to find out that Bobby had a boggart in one of his many desks. From there it took him an hour to convince Bobby this would be a good exercise for them all.
So he opened the drawer and they each faced it.
Bobby went first. He came face to face with his worst fear... a demon in control over his body and the dead bodies of Sam and Dean.
Dean went next. The thing whirled to reveal... Dean standing over the dead body of Sam and Gabriel, the Colt smoking in his hands.
Sam went after him...the boggart looked confused between clowns and Sam's true fear... that having demon's blood made him a demon.
It was Gabriel's that was the most telling. Where Sam, Dean and Bobby were all afraid of demons, or becoming one, Gabriel's worst fear was no longer dementors. Hard to be afraid of those when you had faced far worse.
Gabriel came face to face with himself, only his eyes were empty of all emotions.
"What are you supposed to be?" he asked.
"Do you think they'll accept you? After everything you've done? They abandon you like everyone else. No one loves you. No one cares."
Gabriel's eyes narrowed.
"Lies."
"Not even Loki cares about you. You'll be used all over again and cast aside like yesterday's news. See how long it takes this time... and see how long it takes you to fall," said the boggart.
"Riddikulus!" he said angrily, using as much power as he could. The boggart cried out in real pain before it vanished. Gabriel was pissed.
Gabriel looked at the worried gaze of Sam.
"The day I fall is the day I lose everything."
"So what did he mean by Loki?" asked Dean.
Gabriel rolled his eyes.
"I happen to be good friends with the trickster. Very good friends," said Gabriel.
"As in a friends with benefits deal?" said Dean wagging his eyebrows suggestively.
"How'd you guess?" asked Gabriel dryly. Dean choked.
"Seriously?" said Dean. He hadn't expected the joke to be true.
Gabriel snorted.
"I happen to be bi idiot. There's a reason why I quit caring what other people thought," said Gabriel.
Dean choked and Sam snorted at how well Gabriel played their older brother. Even Bobby was chuckling at Dean's gobsmacked face.
"What did you call me for Dad?"
"I know about the human you've taken an interest in," said his father.
"And you want me to back off right?" sighed the son.
"Hardly. I'm not losing him to the demons, and so long as there is someone to stabilize his mind he won't slip. I want you to keep seeing that Hunter for as long as you want...I don't want him to fall to the crossroads demon."
"What about his contract?"
"That was already filled the moment Crowley took Voldemort's full soul to hell where it belonged. The Winchesters need all the help they can get, especially the youngest of the three."
"So is there a reason why history is repeating through mortal forms? I noticed that there are three brothers and a missing father."
"Blame Fate. She insisted that she be allowed to have some fun so she made the Potter a Winchester by blood. It was easier to humor her than to listen to her whine."
"What do you want me to do with Gabriel?" asked the son.
"You know that connection is wide open. Even with the soul removed and the anti-possession tattoo he's still at risk for demons. However if something or someone were to fill in that empty area where that piece was..."
"You want me to bond with him? Seriously?" said the son incredulous.
"He needs to know that he won't be abandoned twice Gabriel. Just because I let Fate have a hand in his destiny doesn't mean I wasn't watching him. I want you to make sure he never becomes a demon."
"I can handle that dad. I'm just surprised that you're the one telling me to do this."
"Consider this an apology for being unable to help him when he was growing up," said the father.
"I think he can accept that."