And we're back with another chapter in unfolding the story of Lindsey Winchester! Thanks for the feedback last chapter! This will hopefully provide a lot of answers to some questions you may have.
Congrats to the SPN Family for getting the go-ahead for season 10! Here's to an entire decade of demon hunting brothers, trench coat-wearing angels, and the struggles of humanity that they represent. And here's to hoping that they continue to make us drool over their beauty and feel our feels for many years to come!
As always, I don't own the show. However, in my dreams, I do own Baby with Dean in the backseat…Ahem! What was I saying? Oh, right!
Previously:
Castiel suddenly appeared in the middle of the kitchen, hair windblown and trench coat rumpled.
"Cas?" Dean asked gruffly.
"Hello, Dean," Cas greeted in his gravely tone. "I have found someone who has information about your sister though I do not believe you will be happy with the source."
"What are you talkin about, Cas?" Bobby demanded, looking out the window. "We heard wings rustling outside. Now clearly that wasn't you. Who's with you?"
Just as he finished, the front door burst open and a familiar form burst through with all his usual dramatics.
"Howdy, boys. Now who have you got there, Sam?" he smirked.
"Gabriel?"
Now onto the story!
"What the hell Cas?" Dean demanded as he eyed Gabriel warily. He didn't remember the events of Mystery Spot, but Sam had told him enough to resent the angel, turned Trickster.
"Gabriel is an archangel, Dean. He has answers," Cas replied evenly. Gabriel smirked as Dean hesitantly lowered his pistol and motioned for Bobby and Sam to do the same with their weapons. Sam shifted slightly to put Lindsey farther behind him.
"Why don't you let the girl come out and play, Sam?" Gabriel grinned as Sam shifted uncomfortably on his feet, not entirely trusting the rogue angel.
"Hang on," Lindsey said as she moved out from behind Sam. "Gabriel? The archangel that fled from heaven? That Gabriel?"
"The one and only," the archangel replied with a mock-bow.
"How do you know that, Lindsey?" Bobby asked. "The boys just found that out a couple weeks ago and I know it ain't in those books the prophet put out."
"They talked about him heaven, I think," Lindsey replied uncertainly. "I get the general idea that the others angels don't know that you're actually Gabriel." He smirked at his own cleverness.
"Witness protection program," he explained. "Act like a Trickster and those assclowns don't give you a second glance."
"No, I guess they wouldn't," Lindsey agreed.
"Tell us what you know!" Dean demanded, growing tenser by the second. Gabriel had pulled one over on them three times now; Dean wasn't looking for a round four.
"Guys, relax," Gabriel grinned mischievously, stretching out the second syllable. "I don't want anything to do with my family any more than you do, and killing her would have them on my ass faster than you two could have time to look surprised." This definitely didn't comfort the brothers. Dean moved across the room to stand by Lindsey, Sam still slightly behind her. Gabriel laughed when Dean reflexively curled his fingers into fists.
"Dean, please," Cas sighed exasperatedly, "Gabriel is the only angel outside of Heaven who can give us answers." Dean grunted, displeased, but dropped his defensive stance.
"Why did the angels pull me out of the fire?" Lindsey asked, eager for answers.
"It was Zachariah's idea," Gabriel replied. "The guy's good at his job and making sure the apocalypse happens is his biggest one yet. He didn't want any humans monkeying with his plan for the prize fight so he made an extra Winchester."
"But Adam—" Sam started.
"Was unexpected," Gabriel finished. "He also wasn't that special Winchester-Campbell cocktail my brothers love so much. Lindsey here was John and Mary's little miracle child," he teased. Dean's jaw clenched and Sam put a calming hand on his arm.
"Gabriel," Cas warned, glancing at Dean warily. The archangel smirked.
"Anyways, the demons found out about the third Winchester who was being constructed as a back-up vessel for Michael should Dean say 'no' and they didn't think that was playing fair. Azazel didn't just come into that nursery to give Sammy his bottle of demon formula; he was there to deal with Lindsey too."
Lindsey felt white-hot guilt flood through her and clench at her heart. She looked between her brothers as the news washed over them. Dean clenched his jaw tighter and his eyes shined a little too brightly. Sam gave her a sympathetic look; did he feel this guilty in causing his own mother's death too?
"What the demons don't know," Gabriel continued, "is that Zachariah had a guard on your house. When that fire started, Hadraniel saved your sister's bacon."
"If he was there and ready to jump into the flames, why didn't he save our mom?" Dean demanded, voice quavering with barely-constrained anger. "If you're supposed to be guardians of the earth, why don't you protect those that inhabit it?" He was screaming now, a wound that had not been touched in years, ripped open again and exposed to the cruelty of the world. Before Gabriel could antagonize him farther, Cas stepped forward.
"It is not our place to intervene unless told to," Cas explained gently. "Hadraniel was just following orders. Angels are soldier first and that means they do as they are told. Very few are exposed to the truth of the corruption of Heaven and its orders. Not all of my kin are as fortunate enough to be shown that free will is something worth fighting for like I was, my friend," he clasped Dean on the shoulder and the hunter let out a shaky breath full of the confusion of a small, motherless boy and unshed tears. He gave Cas a shaky nod and Cas returned it before dropping his hand.
Lindsey didn't fail to notice Cas's use of the word 'they' when referring to his brethren, putting a clear distinction between them and himself. How had her brothers managed to completely reprogram an angel of the lord?
"That was beautiful, Cassy," Gabriel pretended to sniffle and wipe his eyes. Cas turned and sent him a glare that would have smote even an archangel had he been at full power. "Touchy," Gabriel put his hands up in surrender. "Anyways, it looks like she's a little younger than she should be if she had been born when she was supposed to be. Zachariah kept her up in Heaven and gave her all the knowledge to hunt and kill monsters like you two blockheads. He just left it in the back of her mind so it wouldn't interfere with anything. She got the handbook on the family business without being in the family. See, Zach thought it would be a lot easier to get her to betray a couple strangers so he kept her hidden from you and your dad and plopped her down in Hicktown, Tennessee when he was done training her. You two don't make trips east too often so he thought that would keep her hidden well enough." Lindsey really didn't like Gabriel making fun of her hometown or the family that raised her. She also didn't like the sound of this 'training'. Apparently Sam didn't either.
"What do you mean by training? The hunting and lore knowledge or is there something more?" he asked, really hoping he didn't already know the answer.
"Well, he may have messed with her hard-wiring a little bit," Gabriel shrugged.
"Define a little bit," Sam deadpanned.
"You're looking at Heaven's ultimate backup plan," he gestured to Lindsey dramatically. "When Michael asks permission, she can't say 'no'. It's in her factory settings. She knows deep down that she was only born to be Dean's understudy for the prizefight. On the other hand, she will never say 'yes' to Lucifer. Zach made sure of that. If you say 'no' Sam, Lucifer won't have a vessel for Armageddon and either Deano or Linds here, will take Luci out without even batting an eye."
"So Heaven's got a failsafe on the end of the world?" Lindsey asked.
"As it is written, so shall it be done," Gabriel answered.
"Freakin' angels," Dean grumbled, running an agitated hand through his hair.
"My brothers are nothing if not resourceful, over-prepared douchebags," Gabriel shrugged.
"So we need to keep Lindsey completely hidden from all of Heaven to ensure this battle never happens," Cas reasoned. He crossed to room and reached his hand towards Lindsey's chest. Sam smacked his hand away as Lindsey backed away from the angel.
"Cas, you're not gonna brand her like you did to us," Sam shook his head as the angel tilted his head.
"Sam, I understand your desire to protect your sister, but this is the only way to ensure that she is warded from Heaven," Cas explained.
"Ok, fine," Dean cut in, "but we're letting her drink something first. That hurt like a bitch, Cas." The angel huffed dramatically and rolled his eyes. Dean was beginning to think Cas had been around Sam too much. "You carved Enochian sigils into our ribs, Cas. Have a little heart if we don't want our little sister to go through that sober." Lindsey whipped her head between the angel and her brother.
"You've got to be joking!" she exclaimed. "What? Did he cut you guys open and use a chisel and a hammer to make the marks?"
"No, I simply—" Cas began before Dean cut him off with a waving hand.
"Don't explain it, man. It only makes it worse." Cas squinted at him.
"Fine. Later, then. After she has consumed enough alcohol for you to be satisfied." Lindsey really needed that drink now. Her reality was swimming around the edges. She cast a look at Bobby, hoping she wasn't the only one that was having a hard time taking this in. He gave her a sympathetic grimace and shook his head at the ridiculousness of it all. Gabriel let out an unexpected snort of laughter.
"What's so funny?" Lindsey asked. The dude was an ass but at least he was slightly amusing.
"You Winchesters," he laughed, "it's like you unintentionally do everything possible to piss my brothers off. I feel like I owe you all a thank you for keeping them annoyed in my absence."
"How about a favor instead of a thank you?" Sam asked, eyes lighting up with an idea.
"Define 'favor'," Gabriel hesitated.
"If we need help, and I mean really need it, you'll come when we call," Sam replied.
"If I find it convenient, sure," Gabriel shrugged in response. "Later, guys," he smirked before winging out.
"Why'd you do that, Sam?" Dean demanded. "Now he's gonna be keeping tabs on us!"
"I figured it would be handy to have an archangel up our sleeve," Sam answered, "especially since Cas is cut off from Heaven." Dean still looked unsure but tilted his head in acceptance of Sam's logic.
Lindsey walked to her chair and sank down into it, knees finally giving away, and buried her face in her arms. Bobby wheeled himself to her and put a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"It's gonna be alright, Lindsey," he assured gently. Lindsey heaved a deep breath through her nose.
"Yeah, I know. Just a lot to take in. I mean some asshat that I read about in bible school wants to jump my bones if my brother rejects him so he can end the world. I'll catch up soon." Sam and Dean snorted at how dry she sounded.
"You want that drink now?" Sam asked, already walking to the alcohol cabinet. Lindsey nodded thankfully and held her hand out for a glass without looking up.
"Demanding aren't you?" Dean teased. Lindsey shot a middle finger in the direct of his voice and felt herself smile a little when Dean laughed.
"She's a pistol, this one is," Bobby laughed.
"She's a Winchester," Cas interjected, looking around at the humans fondly.
"Damn right," Sam replied, passing Lindsey and Dean a glass of whiskey each. "You want some, Cas?" he asked as he returned for his own glass and Bobby's.
"No thank you, Sam," Cas shook his head.
"Come on, Cas," Lindsey said, finally pulling her head out of her arms. "I've heard all about this angelic alcohol tolerance. I want to see it in action! Loosen up that tie and take your trench coat off. We have a very valid excuse to party like it's the end of the world."
"That's what we're trying to prevent," Cas reminded her gently, looking concerned that she had actually forgotten. Lindsey laughed and turned to Dean.
"Is he always like this?" she asked.
"Who, Cas?" Dean joked. "Oh, he's a riot." Cas looked at them blankly as they laughed into their glasses.
"Leave the angel alone, you two," Bobby defended gruffly. "He's the only one I've liked recently. He doesn't bitch about his problems." Upon hearing this, Castiel's face shifted to what could only be described as smug.
"Maybe I will have that glass of whiskey, Sam," he called out to the tallest Winchester. Bobby slapped Cas on the back proudly.
"I don't like them," Lindsey said to her brothers.
"We don't either," Sam deadpanned.
"You're just jealous," Bobby shot back teasingly. "Get to drinking, Lindsey. Angel boy over here has got to brand you."
Lindsey wrinkled her nose in displeasure and tossed the glass of whiskey back in one go. Dean arched an eyebrow, slightly impressed. Not one to be outdone, especially when it came to drinking, he threw his back too and knocked his glass on the table to punctuate it. Sam shook his head at his brother's competitive streak and stood to grab the bottle from the counter.
"Take it easy, you two," Sam warned as he refilled their glasses.
"Hey, I thought I was supposed to be getting hammered," Lindsey laughed and nodded her thanks to Sam as she took her glass back.
"Yeah," Dean interjected, "and I can't let my little sister drink alone." He clinked his glass to Lindsey's with a wink before they both tossed them back again. Sam rolled his eyes at them mockingly. Now he would have to deal with two rowdy siblings.
"Don't try to keep up with him, Lindsey," Bobby warned. "I'm not even sure if that boy can get drunk anymore."
"Thanks, Bobby," Lindsey nodded as she poured herself another glass. "I don't think my liver is as war-hardened as Dean's. I'll go easy on it." Dean shot her his own version of Sam's bitchface and Lindsey grinned back at him sweetly. Castiel slowly tilted his glass, watching the liquid move. He gave it a thoughtful look before tossing it back.
"Great," Bobby grumbled, "now you've got the angel started. I better go make a supply run. The liquor cabinet is already a little low."
"I got it," Sam insisted, getting to his feet and holding his hand out towards Dean expectantly.
"What?" Dean asked gruffly.
"Keys," Sam shot back. Dean huffed as he dug into his pockets.
"Be careful with my baby, Ginormo," Dean demanded. Sam rolled his eyes. How many times had his brother given him this speech?
By the time Sam returned with a full load of booze, Lindsey was laughing at absolutely nothing and Dean was slurring his words, quite the feat for him these days.
"Sammy," Dean grinned as he slapped the chair next to him. "You've gotta start catchin' up, brother!" Lindsey hiccupped and laughed like Dean had said the funniest thing she had ever heard. Sam shook his head in amusement at his siblings.
"How much have they had, Cas?" he asked the angel, taking note that Bobby had gone to bed already.
"Enough," Cas answered, a slight twinkle in his eye from the alcohol he had consumed.
"You guys got the angel drunk?" Sam questioned incredulously as Cas tipped slightly to the side in his chair.
"Nawh! Cas is just tipsy, aren't ya Cas?" Dean insisted as he clapped the angel on the back, resting his hand on the back of the chair.
"I believe 'tipsy' would be accurate," Cas nodded thoughtfully. "Have you brought more alcohol, Sam? It seems we've consumed it all." Lindsey actually fell out of her chair, clutching her sides when she caught sight of the pout on Cas's face.
"This guy is hilarious," she cackled from the floor. "Where'd you find him?" Sam scooped her off the floor and lowered her back in the chair.
"We got him on sale from Heaven," Dean answered, taking a pull straight from the new bottle of whiskey Sam had brought. "Said he was defective and we got him for half price!" He gave Cas a gentle squeeze and shot him a wink to show he was kidding. Cas slipped him his slight smile that only slipped out when he was truly happy. The boys had only seen a couple times previously. Lindsey's smile crinkled her eyes at the sight of the angel's.
"Cas, we better get this over with before you get trashed," she sighed deeply, standing up and crossing the room to stand in front of him. Cas braced himself on his knees to push his body upright, sobering up slightly.
"This will not be pleasant, Lindsey. For that, I am sorry," he said somberly. Lindsey squared her shoulders and set her jaw.
"Do your worst, angel," she put on a brave face and clenched her fists.
Cas stretched a hand out and placed the tips of his fingers gently on her chest. He looked at Lindsey until she let out a shaky breath and gave him a tight nod. A slight glow emanated from his hand, into her chest and then she felt searing pain race across her chest and down her sides.
"Oh fuck!" she shouted, falling to the ground and hugging her chest. "Son of a bitch, that fucking hurt!" She tried to take deep breaths to steady herself but even that hurt. She blinked furiously to clear the tears from her eyes. Cas stooped to help her up.
"I'm sorry, Lindsey," he apologized, gently pulling her to her feet. Lindsey put a hand to her chest, the pain already fading to a dull, persistent ache.
"It's ok, Cas. You're just helping me." Her head pounded unpleasantly from the mix of alcohol and adrenaline. "Pour me another glass, Sam," she asked, plopping back in her chair. She saw the tension drain out of her brothers' shoulders as they saw her breathing regulate and she stopped clutching her chest. Sam passed her the whiskey she requested and she threw it back along with another in quick succession.
"That's my girl," Dean nodded, concern still evident on his face. Lindsey shot him a smile, hoping to return the carefree atmosphere that surrounded the room moments ago.
"Cas, I really hope you didn't carve any dirty Enochian jokes into me," Lindsey kidded. Cas looked scandalized at the very thought.
"I only placed warding and protection sigils on you, Lindsey," he insisted earnestly.
"Joking, Cas. She's joking," Dean assured as Lindsey and Sam chuckled at Castiel.
"Oh," Cas said, wrinkling his nose slightly. "Of course she is," he nodded seriously. The siblings laughed again as he reassured himself.
They stayed up late into the night, drinking and exchanging stories. Lindsey got the full story of Dean going to Hell to save Sam, Cas pulling him out and falling from Heaven upon discovering how wrong his brethren were, and Sam being tricked by Ruby and finally realizing her evil intentions once it was too late. As the stories were told, more alcohol was consumed until Dean was sufficiently drunk, Cas was teetering on the edge of inebriation, Sam's cheeks were rosy, and Lindsey couldn't walk. She let out a loud yawn as she glanced at the clock and waited for the red numbers to come into focus; it was 4:48 in the morning.
"Guys," she grunted, gesturing in the general direction of the clock. Dean frowned at it until he could read the thing.
"Dammit," he rubbed a hand over his face. "We need to go to bed. Cas, you stayin' here?"
"I'll stay on the couch until my vessel's blood alcohol level returns to normal," he answered, standing and only swaying slightly as he walked to the living room.
"We're just a bunch of party animals," Lindsey chuckled, head tilting to her chest in exhaustion.
"Come on, kiddo," Dean encouraged, pushing himself to stand and striding to his sister. He and Sam both tried to pull her to her feet to no avail.
"My legs and my brain aren't on good terms right now," Lindsey groaned, glaring at her feet angrily.
"I got you," Dean reassured her, putting an arm behind her shoulders and under her knees, easily picking her up.
"But 'm heavy, Deeeean," she insisted, trying and failing to struggle out of her brother's string grip.
"Shut up," Dean grunted as he started up the stairs. Lindsey relaxed against him, swinging her legs slightly like a small child. They made it up the stairs and Sam opened Lindsey's bedroom door next to his.
"Night, Lindsey," Sam mumbled as he pushed his mane of hair from his face. "Take some ibuprofen in the morning for the ribs; they might be a little sore." Lindsey nodded and waved to him as he stumbled into his room.
"Alright, Linds," Dean muttered as he adjusted his grip on her and swept the covers back with one arm before placing his sister under them. He pulled the covers up to her chin and tucked them around her.
"You're good at this," Lindsey mumbled sleepily. Dean smiled slightly.
"Sammy," he shrugged as an answer. Lindsey looked at him sadly; he had been forced to grow up too fast. Dean waved the sympathetic look off.
"Good luck with that hangover tomorrow," he teased. Lindsey moaned into her hands and Dean chuckled. "Night, sister," he whispered, making to leave before Lindsey grabbed his wrist.
"We're not gonna let the world end, are we Dean?" she asked, lower lip trembling slightly. Dean's face showed his fear momentarily before he put his brave mask back on.
"We're gonna try like hell to save it or I'll die trying," he promised with a squeeze to Lindsey's hand. She watched him go, praying to god—one she wasn't sure was listening—that Dean's life would not be what it took to stop the apocalypse.
Gah! Angst! So we have some answers now and some Team Free Will bonding time! Sorry it took me so long to get this up; school is really kicking my ass right now.
There are hints of Destiel in this chapter, I know. I promise they won't go canon or anything. I just like to play with the idea a little.
How are we feeling about Gabriel's answers? Let me know!
Thank you for reading and please review!