Gabriel laid on Kali's bed with Sam cuddled into his side. He periodically checked Sam's temperature, only to find that he was still burning up. "Come on, Sammy. You have to fight for me.
"I take it there's no change," A voice said from the doorway.
Gabriel turned to see Kali. "No, not yet. But it hasn't been very long." He prayed he wasn't kidding himself when he said that. He prayed he hadn't condemned his child. He couldn't believe how stupid he'd been. He should've made sure he knew every last detail about that ritual before he used it on Sam.
"I've never seen you like this before. You were never the type to sit around and play caregiver," Kali commented.
"You're wrong. I was that type in Heaven. I helped care for my younger siblings. I loved it. Not as much as I love this boy though. There's nothing I love more than him. If he dies, I won't survive it," Gabriel said as he gently caroused his son's hair.
"Why did you do it?" Kali asked. Gabriel loved the boy like a son now, but he couldn't have then. Why had he attempted such a ritual, and without knowing all the consequences.
"Because I knew what would happen to him if I didn't. My brother was going to destroy him. I couldn't let it happen," Gabriel said.
"He was just a human. You've never felt the need to save every human in trouble. You've even killed quite a few," Kali reminded him.
Gabriel shook his head. "He isn't just any human. His heart is bigger than you can possibly imagine. He's one of the best people in the world. He's the light bringer in human form. That's why he was Lucifer's vessel. Before Lucifer was corrupted, he was this boy. I had to save him. It didn't take me long afterwards before I loved him. He's mine now."
"I guess this is why there's been no activity that can be contributed to the Winchesters in five years," Kali said.
Gabriel nodded. "I had Sam, and Dean's probably dead. In fact, until I came here, I wasn't sure if Earth had survived."
"Yes, well, the apocalypse was almost disappointing. At least I'm sure it was to those who wanted it. There were deaths, but an inconsequential amount," Kali told him.
"Lucifer didn't have his vessel. That would've helped the situation. It wouldn't have been very hard for Michael to take him out," Gabriel said.
"So perhaps his human vessel is still alive." "Even if he is, he's probably a vegetable," Gabriel said. Honestly, he hoped Dean was dead. If he wasn't, he truly was just a vessel because his brain would be practically gone. That wouldn't be fair.
"Daddy?" a small, frail voice asked.
"Hey, little one. How are you doing?" Gabriel asked gently.
"I don't feel good," Sam said miserably.
"I know, sweetheart. We're trying to make you better."
"I'm thirsty," Sam said.
Gabriel snapped his fingers and a sippy cup filled with ginger ale appeared in his hands.
"That's a baby cup," Sam whined.
"I know, but this is the easiest way for you to drink right now," Gabriel said as he brought the cup to Sam's lips.
Sam sat up a little and took ahold of the cup. He took a couple sips and then laid back down.
Gabriel put the cup down on the nightstand next to him.
"Where's Imp?" Sam asked. He wanted to cuddle his teddy bear.
Gabriel looked around the room and saw the toy bear on the floor on Sam's side of the bed. The boy must have pushed it off at some point.
"I've got it," Kali said. She went over and picked up the toy before handing it to the boy.
"Thank you," Sam said as he squeezed his favorite stuffed animal. "Who are you?"
"This is Kali. She's Daddy's friend, and she's helping you get better," Gabriel said.
"I saw her before," Sam said. He remembered seeing this lady once before, but he couldn't remember where.
"Yes, you have. Go back to sleep, Sammy. You need to rest," Gabriel said.
"Will you sing?" Sam asked.
"Of course," Gabriel said. He began humming a lullaby while running a hand through his son's hair.
Sam was asleep within minutes.
Gabriel put a hand on Sam's forehead and used his grace to check his temperature again. "It's a little lower."
Kali put her hand on the boy and checked herself. "By an insignificant amount. His temperature has been fluctuating by a degree or two all night. It's not enough to tell if the blood is helping him.
"Maybe we should give him more then," Gabriel said.
"We've done everything we can, Gabriel. We can only wait now," she said.
Gabriel sighed. "You of all people know I don't have much patience."
"You have a child. You should have an endless supply. I still find it hard to believe you could want this," Kali commented.
"How long do you think it will take?" he asked.
"I don't know. This is basically an experiment," Kali said before leaving the room.
Gabriel held Sam tighter and resumed praying.
Xxxxxxxxxxx
It wasn't until the next morning that Gabriel finally found a difference in Sam's condition. When he went to take his temperature, he found that it had dropped several degrees. He still had a pretty good fever, but it was no longer at dangerous levels. His temperature was at about a hundred and one. "Yes! That's my boy!"
"I take it the boy's fever broke?" Kali asked as she entered the room.
"Yes. Thank you so much," Gabriel said. He would never be able to repay her for saving his son, even if he'd had to pressure her into it.
Soon, they heard a knock on the door.
"I swear, if that's that idiot from last night…"
"I take it you mean your new boy toy? You didn't even bother to learn his name?" Gabriel asked.
"He wasn't important enough," Kali said before going to answer the door.
"Daddy?"
Gabriel smiled at his boy and held him close. "Hey. You feeling better?"
"A little," Sam said. He still didn't feel good, but it was better than before.
"I'm glad," Gabriel said before picking up the sippy cup from the table. "Can you drink for me?"
Sam nodded before sitting up and taking the cup.
Kali came back into the room looking pissed. "You're more trouble than you're worth! It's for you."
A young man with blond hair entered the room behind the goddess. "Hello, Gabriel."
"Michael."