Catching Up, Season 2
Chapter 21 - What Happens in London, Stays in Our Hearts

Sam let the door fall closed behind him. There was the Archangel Gabriel, leaning against the Impala with a soft smile on his face. He couldn't believe it. Finally, Gabriel was there and not just in his head."You're here, you're actually here."

"Hey Sam." The tall hunter stepped, one hand reached out, afraid it was all an illusion. His fingertips just barely grazed the angel's cheek, a mirror of the last time they saw each other - in London.

England some weeks prior…

Sam opened his eyes blearily and groaned under a gag; his head throbbed, and his limbs were bound. He could see a lot of gray and some black and a dim lightsource overhead. He couldn't be sure how long he was out for or where he was but he remembered that woman in the bunker, banishing Cas and taking him hostage. Dean was gone. His heart panged for his brother. And now he had to put his faith in the angel - ha faith in an angel.

Just then there was a quiet snap and soft steps approached. They didn't sound like the woman's heels and Cas tended to scrape as he walked. "Tsk, tsk, tsk, seen better days eh Sammy?"

No. That couldn't be. It sounded like - impossible. He tried to look at the person but his vision was still blurred. The other person whistled lowly, "She did a number on you sweetcheeks. Gave you a goose egg the size of Montana, probably a few drugs for good measure. Lady Toni is known for being thorough." Suddenly his chin was pushed up and with a snap, his vision cleared, his pain went away and he could clearly see Gabriel standing in front of him. "RIght, I don't have a lot of time but I do have a lot to say so that rather fetching gag is going to stay in place."

He clapped his hands together and began undoing some of the heavier chains he hadn't even registered were there. "So I'm alive. Cas kinda knows this. I've been hiding in the Men of Letters for a while now. My Grace was damaged a while back and they have everything I need to recharge. Don't worry, they haven't got a clue who I am, at least I hope not. But I do have an exit strategy in place just in case. Sorry I couldn't stop them from coming after you but I knew they wanted you alive so that was some comfort. Now I can't make this obvious…" He turned to scan the sigils on the walls. "See they know there's an angel out there looking for you so they'll be warding against that. Thankfully an arch can overcome these scribbles. All I need to do is mess them up just right and Cas will be able to get a read on you."

Come with us! Sam wanted to scream. Don't leave again! Stay! He struggled against his bonds, muffled words barely filtering through the gag. As it was. Gabriel turned to him with a fond expression. "I can hear your thoughts screaming at me Sam. I'm truly touched. But I can't leave. Not back up to speed yet but I will be, soon, and then I'll be right behind you. Until then…" he knelt in front of Sam. "I have to tell you something but I don't want your answer right now. I need you to really think about it and let me know when I come back. I've had a lot of time to reflect on myself, my motivations, what I want. And Sam I -" Gabriel shook his head, struggling to find the right word. "I am - I can't - I…" Gabe took a breath, "The truth is Sam I care about you like I have no one else. I'll stay with you, I'll follow you, I'll run with you, whatever you want. As long as you're okay with me being there. You know I thought about changing vessels or something but this," he gestured to himself, "this is me. This is the face I chose for myself. So if you're going to accept me, it has to be as I am. IF you're willing." Gabriel reached up to gently caress his face before snapping and morphing the sigils on the wall. "Cas will be here in a minute or two. Bye Sam, keep an ear out, you'll be hearing from me soon. And think about what I said."

Present…

Sam blinked back to the moment, still holding Gabriel's face. "So you're good now? You can stay with us?"

"Yes and no," Gabe admitted. "I'm pretty much healed up but no I won't be joining Team Free Will full time as yet."

"They could kill you!"

"Sam, Lucifer himself couldn't do me in properly. They may be ruthless and efficient but power is power. I could hop out of the vessel and incinerate their asses in a second."

"By all means do it," Sam invited, "kill two birds with one stone."

"You don't mean that," the angel rolled his eyes. "Pains in the ass can be useful. Something is very wrong and the MOL is just a symptom."

"Then what's your plan? Keep playing the angel on my shoulder?"

"Essentially yeah. Cmon, having an archangel in your back pocket is a hell of a trump card. I can keep a thread on the lunatic brigade and if things get dicey, I'll step in."

"Makes sense but I hate you being all alone with no back up. This could easily go sideways. I don't know what I'd do if something happened to you again."

"That's the game Sammy baby. But it's pretty quiet back across the pond, I have a few hours to myself. How about we go watch our messed up lives dramatically re-enacted?"

"No one will be able to see you will they?" Sam asked wryly.

"Nope," Gabriel shook his head. "Just you. On the bright side, we can cuddle without your brother being a dick."

"Deal." They made to leave but then Sam paused. "Hang on, about what you told me before Cas rescued me…"

"Tell me later Sam."

"But-"

"Look you didn't object to cuddles so I'm assuming you're not offended by the idea."

"I'm not."

"Then that's enough for me at this moment. Let's go spend time with the family."