Chapter 14: Cat and Mouse
"GABRIEL!" Sam yelled out, jerking awake.
"Easy." Suriel said. "You're fine. Just let me unhook everything."
"We found Gabriel and he vanished!" Sam said trying to turn and look at his husband.
It was only then that he realized that he was no longer in bed with the blonde. The heart monitor made an alarm noise as Sam's heart began to beat faster and Suriel reached up and turned it off. He finished unhooking everything and Sam nearly jumped up from the bed and over to the sectioned off part of the infirmary that hadn't been there before. He turned the corner and was met with the sight of Chuck leaning over Gabriel. Sam moved closer and his heart nearly stopped at seeing the life support turned off.
"Chuck...I need to see him..." Sam whispered, his voice breaking horribly as he began to fear that the worst had happened. "Please..."
Chuck turned and gave him a smile. "It's okay Sam. I promise. Come here and sit down."
The deity reached out and took Sam's hand and pulled him closer. He led him around to the far side of the bed opposite the curtains. He shoved the hunter into the seat next to the bed and wrapped a warm blanket around him. Sam shivered and pulled the blanket closer, he hadn't even realized he was cold until he took Gabriel's nearly burning warm hand in his own. He let out a shaky sigh and gave his mate's hand a gentle squeeze and his heart nearly stopped when Gabriel squeezed right back.
"Gabe?" Sam called softly.
Golden eyes slowly opened and took a minute to focus before landing on the hunter. "Hiya Sammich. Did you miss me?" The angel weakly asked.
Sam let out a sob and was in the bed, hugging his mate close, his head resting over the angel's strongly beating heart once more. "I thought I lost you."
"What did I tell you? You'll never lose me." Gabriel said, weakly wrapping his arm around Sam.
Suriel came over and began checking over the archangel with a smile. He didn't ask the human to move but instead worked around him, getting what he needed. Of course Gabriel made his dislike known by letting out a whine which made Suriel laugh. Soon enough he was pulling back with a pleased look.
"You're staring to recover Gabriel. Your body is beginning to stabilize and showing sighs of repair. I can only request that you remain on bed rest for another few days just to let your Grace build back up." The doctor said with a smile.
Gabriel sighed. "You always were one of my best students. Thank you for this So-So."
Suirel made a strange sound that was somewhere between a sob and a laugh. "I can't believe you remember that stupid nickname. That should be more then enough proof that you're healing. Now I will warn you that because of the trauma you are going to be very weak. You'll need help doing things until your strength comes back okay?"
The angel nodded. "Would I be allowed to go to my room with my mate?"
Suriel sighed but nodded. "It goes against my better judgment but yes. You can but please refrain for any strenuous activities. I don't want you back here so soon."
A crash startled everyone and there were footsteps followed by the curtains being yanked away. Lucifer stared his brother before breaking into a sob and collapsing next to the bed. The Fallen sobbed brokenly, bowing his head and trying to get his breathing under control. Gabriel started to try and get up but Michael was next to his mate in an instant, hugging him and whispering soft reassurances to him.
Michael looked up at the bed and gave Gabriel a nod and the younger laid back down, resting once more. There was a rustling and Castiel was suddenly in the bed with mated couple, hugging Gabriel tight and sobbing, broken Enochian leaving him in between the sobs. Gabriel weakly wrapped an arm around the younger angel and whispered back to him and the sobs began to slow. A few minutes later Dean appeared and pulled Castiel off the blonde and the angel went quietly, reassured for the moment. The hunter took his chance and leaned down towards the angel. Gabriel quickly put a hand up, stopping Dean in his tracks.
"What did I do?" Dean asked. "How come I don't get to cuddle you?"
"I've seen how this plays out." Gabriel said with a smile. "The last three times you've gotten this close you ended up kissing me. It ain't happening this time Dean-o. You really need-"
"To stop kissing you. I got it." Dean said leaning down to hug the angel. "If you don't want me to kiss you then stop giving me a reason to. Seriously. I'm glad you're okay."
"Thank you for not giving up on me." Gabriel said.
Across the room Chuck stood next to Raphael, who was watching as everyone was gathered around Gabriel. Raphael sighed; he wanted to go over there but he knew in his heart that Gabriel woudn't want him there. This was a family gathering and his actions had made him an outcast. Gabriel would never care for him like he once had.
"You'll never stop hurting if you don't talk to him." Oiveae said coming over to him. "That's how healing begins. By talking about your problems."
Raphael shook his head. "Talking won't change anything. Not after what I did to him. He...He's my little brother. I was supposed to protect him and instead I damaged him. I did things that never should have been done. I can never forgive myself for that even if he does forgive me."
"That's a good way to kill your own soul." Monons said. "If I know Gabriel, and believe me when I say that I know him better then anyone, he is waiting on you to come to him and apologize. Once you do...You'll find a peace you only dreamed of having again. You'll never know if you don't try."
Raphael nodded. "Thank you for the advice...And for helping Gabriel and myself. I can never repay you for that."
"You want to repay us?" Monons said. "Then take the chance."
Raphael turned to look at the man, ready to spit out a scathing comment, only to pause. He looked closely at the man and noticed the dark curls of hair escaping from the hood and the horrible scaring that was barely visible under his skin tight shirt. His eyes went wide and he leaned forward trying to look into the hood to confirm the identity of the young man before him. A hand on his arm stopped him and he turned to look at Oiveae, her hood pulled back far enough that she was staring at him with a pair of brilliant green eyes framed by brown hair. Raphael stepped back feeling the shock run through him; he knew both of them; both of them had been in Gabriel's memories! Monons picked up the Lexicon, grabbed Oiveae's hand and just like that they were gone.
Raphael shook himself and looked back to Gabriel, unsure of what to do with the information that he had just learned. He blinked at seeing the blonde sitting up in the bed and realized that in a moment he would be in their way. Sam was talking about taking Gabriel up to their room to rest instead of him staying in the infirmary. If they did that then Gabriel would see him since he was standing next to the only exit. He wasn't sure if was ready to face his baby brother down just yet. With a sigh he slowly and carefully backed out of the room. As Michael had once told him during his training, sometimes discretion was the better part of valor.
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"Are you sure you don't want me to carry you?"
"I'm fine Sam. Just really shaky. It's just a few more feet anyway."
Lucifer looked at the doorway in shock, his cooking forgotten at hearing his baby brother's voice. Was Sam really letting Gabriel walk around so soon? Looking over he saw that apparently Michael and Raphael were thinking the same thing. It had only been a few days since the youngest archangel had woken from his coma; far too soon for Gabriel to be pushing himself.
Michael jumped from his chair and pulled a second one out for Gabriel, knowing the blonde would need it. He was right too when Gabriel came into the kitchen, leaning against the door frame to catch his breath with Sam almost right on top of him. Gabriel looked up and a blinding smile lit up his face at seeing his older brothers. The only thing showing that the blonde wasn't at his best was the pale skin and cirlces under his eyes.
"Mike! Luci!" He said looking like he has just gotten his favorite candy. "I was hoping you'd be here! I missed you!"
Michael moved forward to help him but Gabriel waved him off and began making his unsteady way to the chair that his eldest brother had gotten ready for him, making Michael frown with worry. "Gabriel you really shouldn't be pushing yourself so soon. Not after what happened."
Gabriel flopped down in the chair with a sigh. "You mean after I was beaten and raped by a demon for a month before being killed, brought back, and then trapped in my own mind while suffering from Disconnection?"
Michael flinched. "Do you have to say it like that?"
"Does it bother you that much Mike?" Gabriel asked, turning to look at him.
"Yes. It hurts that I wasn't able to protect you." The First Born said.
Gabriel let out a sigh and grabbed Michael's hands, making the eldest angel startle. "Mike I need you to do me a favor okay?"
The elder angel nodded. "Anything Gabby. You know that."
"Then stop blaming yourself. Please?" Gabriel said softly.
"Gabby what happened was-"
"Not your fault." The Trickster said seriously. "I mean it Mike. There is nothing you could have done. Nothing at all. Xaphanel would still have found a way to get his claws into me one way or the other. You did more for me then I ever dreamed you would. Cassie and Dean-o told me everything Mike. Even about how you used your life energy to bring Raphael back and how you were willing to throw your life away just to get me back.
"I honestly never dreamed you'd be willing to do that for me anymore. I thought we had too much bad blood between us. So I just want to say thank you Mike. If I had any doubts about you before then I don't now and I never will again. I know I don't say it as much as I should but I do love you. Just so you know." He said bringing the First Born's hands up to kiss his knuckles.
Michael was suddenly hugging Gabriel tight and whispering softly to him. Gabriel smiled and held his oldest brother as he shook in his embrace. Lucifer smiled as he watched the two before turning back to his cooking. He gathered some of the eggs and bacon and put them on a plate and sat it down in front of his younger brother with a smile, wisely saying nothing when Michael pulled away with a tear stained face. The smaller blonde shot him a smile and then dug into is food.
"Now I need to talk to-Damn it!" Gabriel said as he looked around. "I swear to Dad Raph's one slick bastard!"
Lucifer frowned and looked around only to realize that Raphael was indeed gone, the only proof that he had even been there was the half finished cup of still warm coffee and pulled out chair. "When did Raphael leave? I never even heard him get up."
Sam chuckled. "I told you that you wouldn't be ready just yet Gabe."
"Can't blame me for trying right?" He asked with a smile. "I got closer this time."
Michael finally composed himself and turned back to them. "Ready for what?"
Sam chuckled. "Gabriel had been trying to get Raphael to talk to him for the past two days. Ever time Gabe thinks he has him, Raph manages to slip away. He was hoping to catch him here but Michael kind of distracted Gabe and thus the chase continues. At this rate Gabe is going to be far too giddy to take a nap later on."
"I can think of more pleasant things to do in a bed other then sleep." Gabriel said with a smirk.
"Gabriel..." Came Michael's warning tone.
"He means candy and a movie Mike." Sam reassured him. "That was what I promised him since sex was off the table."
Michael turned beet red. "I'm sorry."
"And here you call me a pervert. Look who's mind went straight into the gutter. You picked a real winner there Luci!" Gabriel said with laughter.
"To be fair I had help in corrupting him." Lucifer said with a smile.
Gabriel started laughing and it turned into a harsh coughing fit. Michael went to get him some water but Sam shook his head and passed him a warm cup of tea. The First Born held it steady while the blonde took slow sips until the coughing subsided. The eldest archangel didn't like the pallor of his younger brother skin or the tinge of blue to his lips. He frowned and took Gabriel's pulse, surprised when he found that it was racing.
"Are you okay?" Lucifer asked coming over.
"I'm calling Dad." Michael spit out.
"No! I'm fine." Gabriel insisted. "I really am. Whats going on is nothing more then after effects of the injuries and Disconnection. My body is still trying to adjust to life and my Grace again. Not to mention the fact that I'm still weak."
"Gabby your lips are blue and your pulse is racing. Please. I'm begging you." Michael said.
Gabriel sighed and nodded. Chuck appeared almost instantly looking quite worried. Sam couldn't help but smile despite the situation. He had no doubt, with the speed that the deity had showed up, that Chuck had been watching and waiting to be called. God quickly began examining his youngest archangel and Sam was shocked to see the power flowing from father to son. After a few minutes the brunette pulled back and the blonde was looking much better.
"Gabby? Is that better?" Chuck asked.
"Yeah Dad. It feels a lot better." The archangel admitted. "I didn't know it would be this uncomfortable. Sorry for dragging you down here."
The diety gave him a soft smile. "You know that I would be here for you in a heart beat. That hasn't changed. You know this. All you have to do is call me."
Gabriel nodded. "I know that now Dad. We're back to being a family again. Well...almost."
"I told you that it would work out didn't I?" Chuck asked with a smile. "You asked me what the future held for you and I told you that after everything that you would have what your heart desired most. You have your family back."
"Almost Dad." The blonde said with a smile. "Now the only thing I have left to do is talk to Raphael. I need to clear the air between us."
"Are you going to kill him?" Lucifer asked suddenly, making everyone turn to look at him.
"What makes you think I'm going to kill him?" The Trickster asked with a frown.
Lucifer shrugged. "I don't know. It just seems like something you might do. Your revenge pranks have gotten a lot darker since that last time we were together. It almost makes me worry about what you'll do to him after everything that he's put you through."
The was a heavy sigh. "Tell me something Lucifer...Didn't I forgive you for killing me? Didn't I forgive Michael for hitting me? Didn't I forgive Dad for running off and leaving us alone? I also forgave Dean for trying to kill me. Then there's Sam. I forgave what happened between us and I'm better for it. Doesn't that count for anything?"
"So you're going to forgive him then?" Lucifer asked in disbelief. "Just like that?"
"I don't know yet." Gabriel admitted. "In order to find out I have to talk to him first."
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Raphael shoved the few books he absolutely needed into his bag. He'd found the heavy duty duffle bag in with a bunch of things that were just laying around. Once he managed to get a job and some human money he'd pay the Winchesters back. For now however, he was going to have to make do with what he could scavenge. Sure it made him feel like crap that he was essentially stealing but he didn't have a choice.
He double checked everything. He had his books, he had a few changes of clothes, he had his angel blades, and he had a plan. Raphael was running away. He wasn't proud of his decision but he was sure that he didn't have any other options. After the archangel had remembered what happened in the alternate world he realized that he didn't want to go through that again. He didn't want to have to earn everyone's trust again just in case they decided to make a different choice this time.
Turning back to what was once his room he took in the candles and the stacks of books. Raphael was leaving behind so much but what he was leaving behind could help the Winchesters and his brothers in their fight. This was the least he could do for them. It wouldn't completely erase his sins but maybe it would at least ease some of guilt from the sins he had committed.
With a sigh he fixed up the room as best he could so there wouldn't be a mess. Happy that the room was in order he turned to grab his bag. Frowning he looked around and realized that his bag wasn't where he left it. He turned a full circle only to realize that his bag had vanished entirely.
"What the hell? It didn't just vanish!" Raphael snapped, checking behind the stacks of books. "It was a bag!"
"Is this what you're looking for Raph?"
Raphael felt his heart jump into his chest as he turned to the door to find Gabriel standing next to this bag and blocking the door. "G-Gabriel..."
"Going somewhere Raphael?" The blonde asked, his expression blank.
"J-Just for a few d-days." He stuttered out. "I heard there was a place where a few lost tomes might be. I was going to head there and check it out. Get out of everyone's hair."
"You always were a horrible liar." The blonde said before snapping, the door behind him slamming shut and locking. "I think it's time we talked Raphael."