Chapter 9: Trapped or Are We?

Dean couldn't believe his eyes and he rubbed them again just to make sure he wasn't seeing things despite the fact that it had been going on for the past fifteen minutes. Lucifer sat naked in the circle he had set up but, and Dean thanked Chuck for this one, the angel had his wings out and were using them to cover himself since he had to remain bare in the summoning circle with Gabriel. Michael kept staring at his younger brother and wiping at his eyes while Balthazar had seemed thrilled to see the blonde again. Crowley was standing close to the circle with Sam. Chuck was standing next to Raphael and talking softly to the archangel just a few feet away.

"So are you sure you're okay?" Sam asked the archangel once more, making Dean look over at the blonde with worry.

"I'm fine Sam. I promise. No more pain." Gabriel assured him.

When Lucifer had first summoned the smaller blonde he had screamed in pain startling everyone that was gathered. Sam had been terrified at the sight of his husband in such pain and Dean couldn't blame him. The look that had been on the archangel's face had been nothing short of pure agony. Lucifer had apologized and explained that there was nothing he could do to stop the pain. Gabriel had just shaken off the pain like it was nothing, plastered on a smile, and greeted them all with a happy smile.

"I don't like seeing you in pain." Sam said, his hand going up to the edge of the circle.

Gabriel raised his own hand but they didn't touch because of the circle. "I don't mind this pain because it means I get to spend time with you. I'd gladly keep suffering this pain over and over just for the chance to talk to you again."

"You sure you're doing okay over there Gabe?" Dean asked, eyeing the transparent blonde.

Gabriel nodded. "I'm fine Dean-o. Nothing hurts anymore. I really am fine. There's only pain when I'm first summoned and then when the spell ends. You won't have to worry about me until the spell ends and then if again if you need to summon me again."

Dean nodded before turning his gaze to the other blonde that was in the circle. "What about you Lucifer? How are you holding up? Need us to turn up the heat?"

The blonde archangel shook his head. "I'm okay Dean. Believe me when I say that my feathers are quite adequate. I may burn cold but my feathers are warm enough. All angels have warm feathers because they are the manifestation of our Grace in a physical form."

Dean nodded and turned when he heard the door to the bunker open. He looked up and let out a sigh of relief as the people they were waiting on finally showed up. Monons and Oiveae were dressed the same as last time, in the skirt and halter top and the black leather outfit. Even their robes were the same. Dean's eyes went to the book the Monons was carrying under his arm. If he had his way, he'd kick them both out and they'd keep the book. Some that dangerous shouldn't be floating around for just anyone to get their grubby mitts on.

"It's about time the two of you showed up. Do you know what a watch is?" Dean snapped. "This spell doesn't last forever and it hurts him when we cast it."

Monons flinched at that. "Apologies. We were delayed due to wind storm over Russia and had to head to go south over China instead to get here."

Chuck let out a little laugh at that. "And how was it?"

"Now I remember why I hate China. The wind currents there are terrible." He answering making the diety break into laughter. "Now you didn't say much over the phone. What exactly is the problem?"

Chuck pointed to the circle. "It's Gabriel. He's trapped. He can't get into a vessel anymore. He's tried. He can't even enter another person at all."

Oiveae stepped forward. "Can we see? If it's no trouble that is. It might help us figure out what's going on with him."

Gabriel looked to Dean. The hunter was the only one here that he could try with and, like every other angel out there, he would need the eldest Winchester's permission to try and inhabit him. Dean glared at the blonde not too happy with the idea. Gabriel raised an eyebrow, silently ask for his permission. Dean responded with a tilt of his heads towards Sam. The blonde shook his head and pointed to the ring hanging from Sam's neck. The hunter felt like kicking himself. Castiel had told him that an angel couldn't use their mate as a vessel due to the Bond that shared. That meant that he really was the only choice they had.

Dean let out a sigh. "Alright. Looks like we're doing this. I give you permission Gabriel. I'll be your vessel. My answer is yes."

Gabriel nodded. "If I can get in then I promise I won't look at anything okay?"

Dean nodded. "So should I stay here?"

Lucifer shook his head. "It's best you come into the spell circle. I'd rather not take any chances with either of you. Safer that way."

Dean nodded and carefully stepped into the circle. Gabriel stood a bit straighter. Dean took a deep breath and clenched his eyes tight. He stood still for several moments before opening one eye to look around. What he saw had him glaring. Gabriel was doubled over trying not to laugh at him. He glared and crossed his arms. After a few more minutes the angel composed himself.

"Are you done?" Dean asked with a glare.

Gabriel nodded. "No need to look so scared Dean-o. Being a vessel doesn't mean pain. I promise. If anything we do our very best to protect the soul of the vessel we're in. I promise you won't feel anything if I can get in."

"And if you can't get in?" Dean asked almost afraid of the answer.

"Let's just say...You might have to cover your ears. I don't know if my angelic voice can reach you in this form." Gabriel said, a bitter smile on his face.

"Wait this can hurt you? Like seriously mess you up?" Dean asked, his fear forgotten in the face of the blonde being hurt yet again.

"There is a chance, yes." Gabriel said. "But I won't know till I try. And I won't try till you're ready. Easier on both of us."

Dean sighed and held his arms out slightly to his sides. "I'm ready Gabe. Let's do this."

Gabriel nodded and came forward. He reached out and put his hand on Dean's chest and closed his eyes. There was a glow that came from where they were touching followed by a loud bang. There was a shout of pain and Gabriel was flung backwards. He rebounded off the wall of the summoning circle and fell to the ground in a heap, soft cries escaping him. Dean rushed over to him as did Sam and Lucifer, all of them watching the circle lines.

Dean reached down, not thinking about it, and was surprised when he found that he was able to touch him. "Shit! Gabe are you okay? Can you hear me?"

"Damn...it..." The archangel muttered and he shakily got to his hands and knees, his whole body shaking. "Are you okay Dean?"

"Me? I'm not the one that looked like he got electrocuted and then was thrown across the room." The hunter said. "You sure you're okay?"

The angel winced. "Not really. Everything hurts. What the hell happened?"

"There was a flash and bang and then you were across the room." Lucifer said. "I've never seen anything like it."

"Gabe...I can touch you? Why can I touch you now?" Sam asked helping the angel sit up.

"I don't know." Gabriel said. "All I know is that it fucking hurt."

"The summoning circle spell with the addition of trying to enter an archangel vessel made him temporarily corporal." Monons asked coming over and into the circle. "How do you feel?"

Gabriel glared. "Are you deaf? I said it fucking hurt!"

"Where does it hurt? I need you to be specific." Monons said. "Please focus."

"I...I don't know. Everything seems to hurt." Gabriel admitted.

Sam frowned and went to help his husband stand. He put an arm around Gabriel and tried to help him stand. He gently put pressure on Gabriel's side to steady him and the archangel nearly screamed. Four sets of hands lowered Gabriel back to the floor. The angel's hand went to his stomach and it made Sam concerned. Lucifer reached out a lifted Gabriel's shirt only to frown at the dark mark that was decorating his stomach, just below this rib cage.

"What the hell?" Lucifer asked, staring at the mark in horror.

Sam froze. "That mark...How is that possible?"

Lucifer frowned. "You know what this is?"

Sam nodded, his face turning pale and green eyes pained as he stared at the still darkening mark. "It's where he hit the table."

"Table? What table?" Monons asked, sounding confused.

"It's what killed me." Gabriel said. "I was thrown and hit the corner of the wooden table."

"A table did this to an archangel?" The young man asked in disbelief, pressing gently on the bruise and the area around it pulling back when the blonde hissed in pain.

"My Grace was bound by Sigil Cuffs. I was human when it happened. I slammed into the table and it caused internal damage." Gabriel explained to the hooded angel. "I had no way to stop the internal damage and that's why I died. One minute I was talking to Sam and the next I was standing next to Raphael in his room."

"So you have no memory between the time you 'died' and the time you 'woke up'?" Monons asked Gabriel.

"Nothing." The blonde confirmed.

"Interesting." The young man said. "Let me check something in the Lexicon. I think I might know what the problem is but I want to be certain before I say anything else alright?"

The blonde nodded and used that time to cuddle with his husband. Dean watched as the two clung to each other savoring the stolen time they had together. Dean could understand that better then anyone, having thought he'd lost his own mate so many times. They clung to each other as if they would never be able to again and Dean couldn't help but wonder if maybe that were the case. What would happen if they weren't able to help the blonde? Would he lose his brother again if they couldn't bring the archangel back?

"Motherfu-"

"Monons!"

"Not now my Oiveae!"

Dean stood and left the circle going over to the couple, who were huddled over the book on the table. "What's going on?"

"I think I found the problem. But I don't know for certain. I have to make sure." Monons said. "If I'm right then this not good."

"Don't panic Monons. We will figure this out. We can fix this." Oiveae said, trying to calm him.

"I'm going to keep panicking until I can-" He paused and read over something in the Lexicon and then turned to Michael, Balthazar, and Crowley. "I need ashwagandha, gynostema, and some rhodiola rosea. Quick. I want to cast this before the summoning spell ends."

Crowley pulled a small silver key from his pocket and held it up and the three vanished, no doubt to raid the lab the Crowley had put together for the blonde. The young man turned back to the book but Dean could sense that something was up. The guy was tense, nearly vibrating and it made the hunter worried. Either something was seriously wrong or something bad was going to happen.

"What are those herbs for?" Dean asked, looking over his shoulder.

"They're adaptogens. They work to make something stable or put it into balance." Oiveae said softly. "Monons thinks that their might be an imbalance going on with Gabriel."

"Well how do we fix it?" Dean snapped.

"I won't know until I make sure that's what the problem is." Monons said.

The two angels and demon appeared again and each held out a bundle of herbs. Monons took them and Oiveae began boiling some water and preparing the herbs. It wasn't long before there was a steaming pot of herbs. Oiveae poured the liquid into a glass and passed it to her mate. He took it and walked back over to the circle where Sam had Gabriel sitting in his lap and wrapped tightly in his arms.

"Okay. You are going to need to drink this. It won't taste the best but it will let me know if my hunch is right." Monons said holding out the glass to Gabriel.

The archangel took it and made a face at the smell. "Bottoms up!" He said tipping the glass and taking a big drink before pulling the cup away and making a gaging noise. "Dear Dad that was disgusting! Are you sure you aren't trying to poison me? That stuff had to be the foulest, most rank, most disgusting most vile-Why am I glowing?"

Every blinked and sure enough the small blonde archangel was indeed softly glowing. He raised his hands and looked at the soft white light that he was emitting with a curious expression. With a frown he pulled on his shirt and looked down it. He let go of it with a wince and looked up at Sam.

"Looks like you have a night light for a husband now." Gabriel said with a smirk. "Think of all the fun we could have in the dark now!"

"Gabriel!" Sam snapped.

"What happened to his vessel?" Monons asked.

Michael frowned. "His vessel is gone. When we took Gabriel off of life support it died. Why?"

"Where is it?" Monons snapped. "What did you do with it after?!"

"We burned it." Castiel said. "It was made from blood and feathers. We couldn't risk anyone getting a hold of it."

"Fuck!"

"Monons!"

"Not now Oiveae." He said as he began to pace. "That explains everything. I wish you had called me sooner. We could have fixed this."

"How?" Sam asked. "What's wrong with Gabriel? Why is he trapped?"

"He's trapped because he didn't die." Monons said angrily.

"How could he not have died? We were all there. We saw it!" Michael said angrily.

"He was human when he was injuired and died correct? And I'm guessing the Sigil Cuffs were removed only after he was brought back to life am I right?" Monons asked angrily.

Raphael nodded. "That's right. How did you know?"

"Gabriel didn't die. Not in a traditional sense. What happened was he still had his Grace when he died but it was Bound. When he was brought back because he was still wearing the Cuffs it created a rather adverse effect. He's suffering from Disconnection. It means the he could no longer connect with his vessel so he couldn't get in. It's also why he can't get into another one. He's still bound to the older vessel. I could have easily fixed it but you said you destroyed his vessel."

Oiveae let out a startled gasp. "You...isn't there some way to fix this?"

"I can't. Not without his pervious vessel." Monons said softly, his voice close to breaking.

"So...I'm really trapped here then? Not alive and not dead just...Disconnected?" Gabriel asked, feeling very numb.

"I'm sorry Gabriel. I wish there was something more I could do but without your vessel you really are trapped between the veils." Monons said.

Gabriel nodded his face blank. He felt numb. He was stuck forever. This was the best he could get. Spending the rest of his days being summoned just so he could have a few stolen moments with those he loved the most. How was this fair? Hadn't he already suffered enough? Had Sam suffered enough? That thought made him turn to face his husband but Sam had a small, if not somewhat bitter, smile on his face as he stared at him.

"I'm sorry Sam." Gabriel whispered.

"Don't be. I'm just happy I can still be with you. I don't care if you're trapped. You're still here and I still love you." Sam said leaning down and kissing him.

Gabriel smiled and kissed his mate. "I still love you too Sam. I'm not quite sure what I did to deserve someone who loves me the way you do but I am grateful to have you."

"Good luck getting rid of me." The hunter said. "You agreed to marry me. Didn't you read the fine print that said 'forever'?"

Gabriel chuckled. "I guess I didn't. That's okay. I don't mind forever with you."

"Dad? Why do you have that?" Came Lucifer's shocked voice.

Everyone turned to see Chuck standing there watching everyone with a smile, tossing a small ball back and forth between his hands. The ball appeared to be made of glass and filled with a shimmering silver that was impossible to decern whether it was a gas or liquid. The diety smiled and rolled the ball in his hands. Dean stood, slightly tense.

"What is that?" Dean asked worriedly.

"It's a spell. It's used to jump time lines and send other people and beings into alternate worlds." Michael explained quickly. "Places where things are different because of one small change."

"What's that mean?" Sam asked.

"It means that we're either in an alternate world or he's going to send us to one." Raphael said looking tense.

"How dangerous is that?" Dean asked quickly, eyeing the ball.

"Fairly if not done right." Chuck said. "Now that you've seen this outcome...I think it's time to change it don't you?"

There were shouts of denial and panic from the angels as Chuck threw the ball into the air and watched with a smile as it smashed into the ground shrouding the world in silver smoke.