Chapter 5: Gabriel
"Gabriel?"
Gabriel turned to find Lucifer staring at him. He took in the sight of his older brother and he felt his heart clench in his chest. Lucifer had lost weight. A lot of weight. Far too much to be considered healthy. Gabriel could count nearly every rib on his brother and the very sight made him sick. Had his death done this to his brother? It couldn't be. Lucifer couldn't be mourning over him. Why would he do that when he had a mate to take care of?
^Wow Luci. You've really let yourself go. You shouldn't do that. What's Mike going to say about this? Or Crowley? Heaven forbid if Sam finds out. He'd kick your ass faster then you could blink.^ Gabriel said before letting out a chuckle, trying to hide just how upset his brother's condition was making him. ^I think I'd pay good money to see that happen. Of course I'd make sure that you'd both do it in a pool of warm oil. Makes things slip together a bit better if you catch my drift.^
Lucifer was still staring and it made Gabriel pause in confusion, before a thought occurred to him. He had just been summoned and was pulled away from Raphael without any warning. He had been dragged from the cozy bunker and out to this run down church in the middle of who knows where, with his brother standing butt naked in front of him. That meant that Lucifer had somehow figured out that something was up and had set up a summoning spell. And not just any summoning spell, Gabriel realized glancing at what was left in the fire. Lucifer had went through a lot of time and effort and made sure to summon him specifically. Now there was only one thing left for him to do in this case.
^Lucifer? Can...Can you hear me?^ Gabriel asked softly, fear and hope warring in his heart.
The taller blonde nodded, still too shocked to do anything other then stare.
^Can...Can you see me too?^ He asked next, hope filling his voice.
Again Lucifer nodded.
Gabriel let out a 'Whoop' of joy and jumped into the air, fist pumping at the same time. ^I can't believe it! You can see me! Oh thank Dad! I thought I was going to be stuck with Raph forever! How did you figure it out? When did you figure it out? Poor Raph has been terrified to say something to anyone about me! He thought you'd think he was crazy!^
"I'm not too sure I haven't gone crazy too." Lucifer admitted. "You died Gabby. We took you off your life support. We held a vigil for you. We burned your body to lay you to rest. You have a memorial stone set up outside the bunker so we could gain peace at your passing. It's been almost six months since Raphael and Dad managed to save you from Xaphanel. How are you still here?"
^You tell me.^ Gabriel said, his cold tone clipped and just barely civil sounding. ^One minute I was talking to Sam about us and...I was dying. I was bleeding internally and there was nothing I could do to stop it. Even if the Sigil Cuffs had been removed in time I still wouldn't have been strong enough to save myself. The next thing I know I'm standing next to Raph in his room trying to figure out what the fuck happened.^
"Dad and Raphael saved you from Xaphanel but there was a lot of damage done to your vessel. Not only were there external injuries but internal ones too. Dad had barely got that fixed when Sam pointed out the worst part. You stopped breathing and Dad hadn't realized it. He managed to clear your airway of the blood and get you breathing again but-"
^How long was I without oxygen for?^ Gabriel asked and Lucifer could see the calculations running behind those gold eyes.
Lucifer swallowed hard, not really wanting to break the bad news to his sibling even if it didn't matter anymore. "Almost ten minutes. Unfortunately at the time your Grace was still Bound and it means that you were human so-"
^My brain started to die. Brain death occurs after six minutes and you said I was without it for ten.^ The Fourth Born sad with a sigh. ^Yeah. So I was probably brain dead or something close to it. So I take it you got me to a doctor then? Not a human one I hope.^
Lucifer nodded. "Raphael brought Suriel to you. He had you on life support for almost a month. It was only when you began to bruise that we realized you were really gone."
^Bruise? That means that my body started to break down then. Damn. I figured something like that might start to happen but I had no idea exactly what would. I should have known that the body wouldn't last like a normal vessel.^ Gabriel said looking pensive. ^And since you burned it then there's nothing left for anyone to use to make me another one unless dad still has my things.^
"I don't understand what you mean." Lucifer said. "Can't we just find another vessel for you to fill? How hard can that be?"
^I've tired to find a vessel. I can't get in. I've even tried people who are brain dead. I just can't get in and I don't know why.^ Gabriel explained. ^I am literally stuck like this!^
"We'll just find you a vessel that you can occupy then!" Lucifer said. "How hard can that be? There are millions of people on this planet. One of them is bound to work!"
^Didn't you ever wonder why I had a different vessel when you saw me at the hotel again?^ Gabriel asked suddenly, staring him down.
Lucifer blinked, thrown off by the sudden question. "I assumed you wanted to change vessels to better hide from heaven. Isn't that why you did it?"
^No.^ Gabriel said curtly. ^That wasn't the reason at all. There are only three people who know why I had this form.^
The Second Born frowned. "I assume that two of those three are yourself and Sam. Mostly likely Raphael is the third. Why won't you to tell me? Do you not trust me Gabby?"
Gabriel glared. ^I do trust you Lucifer. You should know that better then anyone. What happened to me is not really relevant, I was just trying to make a point to you but you distracted yourself. The point I'm trying to make is the fact the my vessel's bloodline ended several thousand years ago. It was wiped out completely. The vessel that I had wasn't really a vessel. Well it was but it wasn't. It was actually made from my last vessel. It was nothing more then a doll. A fake body. It began to degrade because I was no longer there to keep it together with my Grace.^
"So how are we going to get you back into a body then?" Lucifer asked, his heart sinking at the fact that Gabriel might not be contained ever again.
^No idea.^ Gabriel said. ^I was hoping you would know. You're the Spell Weaver. Think of something! I want to get back to my husband!^
Lucifer sighed. "I have no idea either and this spell I'm using won't last forever. I'm surprised it even worked at all."
^Great! So I'm going to end up stuck right back with Raphael then? That's just wonderful.^ Gabriel grouched. ^He's a damn stick in the mud.^
"At least he'll have help now. Trying to bring you back, I mean. Maybe between the two of us we can work something out." Lucifer said with a smile.
Gabriel nodded but he seemed distracted. The taller blonde frowned but waited for Gabriel to speak. He could see the question burning in those gold eyes. He was rewarded for his patience when the Fourth Born looked up at him with a pained and worried expression.
^Lucifer...Tell me. Is Sam really doing okay? I have to know.^ Gabriel said. ^I've seen how he looks but how is he really doing? Is he okay without me?^
Lucifer gave his brother a smile. "Sam's okay Gabriel. He misses you more then anything. He still doesn't speak a lot but I think he's finally starting to get his life back together a bit. Mostly because Dean told him that you wouldn't want him wasting away over you. It seemed to help. Sam began eating again and finally started going back outside. He wears your wedding bands around his neck and Razael's feather around his wrist. It made me start wearing mine again." He said reached up to touch the necklace around his neck.
Gabriel nodded and his whole posture was practically screaming with relief. ^Good. Sam deserves to be happy.^
"He won't be happy until we can get you back." Lucifer admitted. "At least this explains why Dad could't find you. I had to do a spell for summoning a lost soul. I didn't think it would work at all because we're made of Grace."
^Even better. As if my life right now isn't fucked up enough.^ Gabriel spat.
Lucifer looked pensive about something.
^What?^ Gabriel asked.
The taller blonde flushed. "I know this is none of my business but I need to know the answer. There's a possibility that your answer can help me help you. Since you and Sam have been sleeping together did you ever top him?"
Gabriel stared at him, looking slightly offended by the question. ^What does my sex life have to do with anything?^
"Do you want my help or not Gabby?" Lucifer snapped.
^No.^ Gabriel snapped back. ^I never got around to showing Sam how wonderful it feels to be impaled on a nice, big, fat-^
"Damn it Gabriel!" Lucifer yelled, not up to dealing with his brothers Trickster persona, as he turned to leave. "If you don't want my help then fine! You should have just said so!"
^I'm sorry.^
Lucifer paused; he almost hadn't heard the whispered apology but he turned back to Gabriel anyway. "Gabby I am trying to help you but I can't help you if you don't let me."
^I really am sorry Lucifer. You have no idea how hard this is.^ The blonde said, his eyes locked on the fire. ^I can see and hear Sam but I can't touch him and he doesn't even know I'm here.^
"That's why I want to help you. I can't do that if you aren't willing to let me." Lucifer said. "So are you going to tell me what I need to know so that I can help you?"
Gabriel nodded. ^What do you need to know Luci?^
"Anything you can tell me that might help."
^Okay. Raphael wiped out my vessel's bloodline out of spite right after your fall.^ Gabriel said casually as if it were no big deal.
The Second Born blinked. "Raphael wiped out a whole bloodline? Why?"
^'Traitors like you that sleep with the Devil don't deserve the right to be contained in a vessel. You'll never walk the Earth again as punishment for your crimes.'^ Gabriel quoted, his voice flat.
Lucifer felt himself flinch. "I'm sorry. They must have hated you because of me. I never meant for that to-"
^Finish that sentence and ghost or not I will still kick your ass.^ Gabriel said looking up at him. ^I have never, NEVER, regretted being with you Luci. Not even when they accused me of sleeping with you just so I could be your second in command and we could rule hell together. I nearly died laughing the first time someone said it to my face. Michael then punched them and shattered their jaw. I spent the next twenty minutes dividing my time between healing the moron that spoke up and berating Michael for involving himself in my affairs. Now back to matter of my vessel.^
The taller blonde swallowed hard as guilt ate at him; now he could see why his younger brother left heaven. "You said that the form you have now isn't really a vessel but was made from him? How is that possible?"
^Simple. After Raphael wiped out the blood line of my vessel I began biding my time. I started plucking feathers, cutting hair, and drawing blood. I knew he was planning something I just didn't know when he'd decide to pull it off. He kept dropping hints about how my time was coming and how sorry I'd be that I hadn't listened to him.^ Gabriel explained.
^Turns out that I was right to do so. Michael sent us out on a mission to quell a small group of your followers. It was nothing more then a trap. We easily took them out because the information we had was wrong. Instead of a group of fifty there was only ten and they weren't doing anything. Turned out the trap was for me. We killed all but two and those two turned out to be there on Raphael's orders.^
Lucifer watched as Gabriel's fist clenched; how he wanted to go over and hug his brother but he knew that wasn't possible. "They attacked you didn't they?"
Gabriel looked up, the pain on his face visible. ^They chained me up and I was forced from my vessel and bannished back to heaven. They kill him Luci. They burned my vessel alive with holy fire. I lost my vessel's soul. I lost him that day and it still hurts. I promised to protect him and I couldn't. You can never understand just how bad that hurts. He was mine to protect. He was only a child. He wasn't ever seventeen. Not a day goes by that I don't wonder if there was more I could have done.^
"Gabby I'm so sorry." Lucifer said softly.
Any angel could tell you just how protective they were over their vessel's souls. He didn't know what he would ever do if something had happened to Sam; go mad most likely. It was the same for Michael even if the First Born didn't show it. Michael loved Adam dearly as the boy and he shared a vessel for a time but the Warrior was also hyper vigilant when it came to Dean as well. Lucifer had no idea how to even fathom the pain of losing a soul. Hell when he had taken over Nick he had allowed the man to rest peacefully and Nick's request, giving his soul over to a Reaper the first chance he had.
^It's fine. It was a long time ago.^ Gabriel said softly. ^After I was thrown back into heaven Raphael showed up and had this amazing story about what happened and he managed to pull off a wonderful little act to make it believable. All I can remember is laying there dazed. I was in pain and still disoriented when Raph showed up.
^He was in a blind panic and screaming for Michael. He told Mike that he was scared because we were ambushed and got separated. He told him that he was worried when he felt my Grace flare up and when he finally killed off the rest all he found was the burning body of my vessel. Michael assured him I was safe and that was the end of it.^
"Wait. You mean to tell me that Michael believed him? After how Raphael had been treating you all this time and he just let it go?" Lucifer asked in disbelief.
^What did you expect Luci? I think if nothing else Mike was just relieved that I was still in once piece. He had just lost you and I was attacked and my vessel destroyed. I think my safety was his primary concern. He was more worried with keeping me safe because I was all he had left of you. He never let me go anywhere alone after that until we had our fight. He was always near me and asking about you. Wanting to know about you and wanting to know about us. That was when I realized that he was in love with you. Talk about an eye opener, that's for sure.^
"So what happened after that? How did you get a new vessel?" Lucifer asked, his curiosity running rampant.
^I managed to find a few temporary vessels and began my work. I went to the River Jordan and got the clay I needed then headed to Mount Everest to get some snow to melt into water. It didn't take long for me to begin crafting what I needed. My new body. I decided to try and recreate my vessel exactly as it was before I lost it. I was surprised when it actually worked. I got my vessel back.^ Gabriel said with a small smile.
Lucifer frowned. "I've never heard of such a thing. Was it a spell?"
^Yes and no. I found in Razael's journal.^ The Fourth Born admitted. ^He was looking for a way to give us vessels without us having to take someone away from their family. I can only guess that what I used came from the Angelis Lexicon. It was Raz's responsibility to guard the book and he took it very seriously but he was also concerned about family. I guess he was trying to help both humans and angels.^
Lucifer gave Gabriel a weak smile. "He was your son through and through. He inherited your compassion. Something I could never seem to figure out."
^And he got your determination. He was just like you.^ Gabriel said, returning the smile before looking down, his voice turning wishful and his expression becoming sorrowful. ^I asked Sam for a child before I was killed. We talked about it and decided that if we had one that we'd want a girl. Sam said yes to it. He even had a name picked out and ready. Mary Rosie Winchester. Sam wanted her to have my hair and I wanted her to have his eyes. She'd be beautiful Luci. And you and Cassie and and Dean-o and Mike would have been her god parents.^
"Don't worry Gabby. We'll get you back into a vessel again." Lucifer said, his voice filling with determination. "I will get you back to Sam and I want to let you and him start a life together. And you know something else Gabby?"
Gabriel looked up, his gold eyes shining with hope and filling with tears. ^What else should I know Luci?^
"I think Raz would have wanted you to have another child. He always did want siblings. He many not be with us anymore but you can still make that happen for him." Lucifer said with a smile. "And how knows? You might not be the only one to give him a younger brother or sister. Mike and I talked about it as well. Now I just need to bring you back so I can have the best healer in world take care of me."
Gabriel gave him a teary smile. ^Nothing would make me happier Luci. I suggest going into my duffle. There's a secret spot in the bottom that's sown shut. It has a small notebook and a few other things but the notebook is what you want. It has the spell I used to make my vessel. With any luck Dad still has what I gave him.^
Lucifer nodded. "I'll grab Raph and get started as soon as we can and-"
There was a loud beeping the came from Lucifer's clothes.
"-SHIT! Gabby! I'm sorry!"
Gabriel's eyes went wide and his body became tense. ^Sorry? Sorry for what? What's happening Lucifer?^
"The spell is ending." Lucifer said with a wince. "You're going to go back to where I pulled you from. If it hurt coming here then it will probably hurt going back too. Sorry."
Gabriel blinked before his expression changed to one that Lucifer remembered hearing Dean call a bitch face. ^MOTHERFU-^
The Second Born could only blink as his brother vanished from sight mid curse. He almost felt bad for Raphael. No doubt the Trickster's reappearance would spook him Oh well. Better Raph then him. With a smile he turned and walked over to his clothes and began getting dressed. He had a Little Bother to save.