Chapter Four

The One with the Church

April 10, 2010

Azrial rubbed her temples as she stared down at the list of weapons she'd made from memory. She was sure she was forgetting something, but with all the records burned she was stuck going through everything again. Damn assholes.

"Whatcha working on?"

Bobby's question made her sigh, and she set the paper down on the tray table in front of her. Most of the plane was eating dinner, Bobby included, but she was waiting until they landed. It had been 15 years since she'd been in Italy, and damnit she'd wait to grab some risotto and gelato rather than eat the plane food.

"When my house burnt down, all the records I had on the weapons I owned or helped Crowley collect burned with it."

"Damn, no wonder he was pissed."

"Well, that and his money paid for the house."

Bobby snorted into his drink, and Azrial smiled. It was nice being around him now that the air was cleared. He seemed a little less reserved and had even made her laugh a few times.

"Anyway," she sighed. "I want to tell you now, I won't be staying at the Vatican with you the whole time."

"Why?"

It wasn't an accusation, thankfully, but there was a tinge of hurt there. She should have mentioned it sooner, but things had been so damn chaotic the past few days.

"Most of my weapons are stashed in Europe. Crowley has his all over, but I'm more an 'all eggs in one basket' person when it comes to this stuff. As you saw with the paperwork though, it can backfire in spectacular fashion."

"Are you going to move them?"

"I don't know," Azrial said. "They are under some of the most powerful wards I can create, wards I've bled for, and moving them may just draw attention. I need to check on them though."

"How long have they been there?"

Azrial hesitated to answer. Crowley never asked things like that, and it had been a long time since anyone had been genuinely curious about her past. Though maybe this was just curiosity about what state the weapons would be in.

"Well, let me put it this way," she began. "When I first laid the warding, Cesar was alive and owed me money."

Bobby stared at her, and it was clear he wasn't sure if she was kidding. Azrial turned back to her list as another weapon came to mind, though she was reluctant to borrow it from its resting place. Still, she couldn't discount anything.

"You're not kidding?"

"No. The horse he bet on was tragically let out of the stables before the race started."

There was a comfortable silence and Azrial looked over to where Rowen was across the aisle. The exorcist was reading something and didn't seem to be paying attention to their conversation, so Azrial looked back at Bobby.

"I'm old, remember?"

"You look to be in your mid-thirties," Bobby grumbled. "It's easy to forget you've seen the rise and fall of civilizations."

"I've slept through a few if it makes you feel better. Not like I was at every big event."

"I'd give a lot to tap into your knowledge," Bobby sighed. "When will you be leavin'?"

"As soon as you and Rowen are settled," she said regretfully. "I have a-" Azrial paused. She wasn't comfortable explaining that whole situation just yet. Maybe soon, and in reality, Crowley deserved to hear it first. "An associate who purchased a train ticket for me."

"Well," Bobby sighed. "I hope you find what you're looking for."

"So do I. Sadly, without my wings, it's going to take longer, but most of them are in one place so it's just a case of cataloging them once more. I won't stay more than a week though."

"Won't you need longer?"

"To do it all?" she asked, and Bobby nodded. "Yes, but not all my weapons are heavenly or magical."

"You collected ordinary stuff?"

Azrial smiled at the curiosity and nodded. "Yes. If I was around for any stretch of time in an area I tended to collect something to remember my time there."

"That's...kinda sweet," Bobby teased her. "Who knew you were sentimental?"

Azrial rolled her eyes and gently shoved her elbow into his side. "Watch it, hunter."

The comfortable silence stretched over them again and Azrial looked down at her list in thought. It was funny, but she was looking forward to returning to her old home. Maybe something good would come of it, that or she'd simply get drunk on the vineyard wine.

Line Break

Crowley sighed, glancing at the time as he packed up the last of the weapons he planned on moving. The plane should be landing in Rome in a few hours, and he hoped Azrial would make a point to call. Some of the weapons he'd dug up felt angelic in nature but he couldn't figure out why or when he'd acquired them. He knew it was before she came along, but beyond that, he really didn't remember. The tower shield in particular was driving him batty. There was something about it that felt familiar but damnit, he couldn't seem to place why. His phone ringing broke his thoughts and he pulled it out and glanced at the caller ID before answering.

"What do you need, Squirrel? I'm knee-deep in antiques at the moment."

"This is a really stupid question," Dean sighed. "But what do you know about fairies?"

Crowley was silent, not even sure how to respond to Dean's exasperated question.

"What have you idiots gotten yourselves into?" Crowley asked in disbelief. Fairies? Really? They weren't even native to the States!

"Hey, it's not our fault!" Dean tried to defend himself. "They're playing tricks and shit, we thought it was Gabriel."

Crowley rubbed his temple, trying to comprehend how they confused fairies with a Trickster.

"Why are you calling me?"

"Uh, we'd normally call Bobby, but he's not even set to land for another few hours. This isn't anything Sam or I have seen, and Castiel is just lost."

"Oh for fucks-" Crowley exhaled, realizing Bobby had likely told the morons to bug him if they needed help with lore. This was his punishment for showing his knowledge to the hunter. "Where are you?"

"Bumblefuck nowhere Pennsylvania?" Dean hesitantly answered.

"Text me your exact location, moron. I'll be there shortly." Crowley hung up before Dean could argue. How had he gotten stuck with babysitting duty?

Line Break

Rowen watched Azrial and Bobby with a sharp eye as the two walked in front of him. They were talking about some ruins, though God only knew which given they were in Rome, and Bobby was fully absorbed in what the archangel was saying. They'd just left their hotel and were slowly making their way to the Vatican. He'd almost had a heart attack when he'd seen how Bobby was dressed, but the man's warning look made Rowen bite his tongue. Still, his friend looked amazing. The suit obviously wasn't one from his hunting days; hell it looked hand made which was just crazy to consider. The bolo tie was probably the fanciest thing he'd ever seen Bobby wear, but it definitely made an impression.

Azrial, no surprise, looked completely put together despite the overnight flight. It was like she could snap her fingers and switch places with an alternate form of herself that seemed...perfect. It lacked any of her intrinsic personality, but it certainly made a statement. Next to her pristine black pencil skirt and white shirt and Bobby's dusty grey suit, he felt utterly underdressed in his cassock. Azrial stopped at a small coffee shop and the longing was clear in her eyes.

"We have time," Rowen gently pointed out. "I wouldn't mind a cup myself."

"No clue what to order, so get me whatever, princess."

Azrial smiled at Bobby before turning back to him. "And you?"

"Just an espresso. Thank you, Azrial."

"Thank Crowley, it's his money I'm blowing through," she whispered as if she'd revealed some great conspiracy. Bobby snorted as Azrial laughed, but Rowen felt some concern at her easy admission. She left them standing next to one of the tall tables, and Bobby looked around the area with open curiosity. Saint Peter's Basilica was visible from where they'd stopped, and Bobby was staring up with a decent amount of awe despite his outward calm.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Rowen asked as he looked up at it. Despite seeing it multiple times over the years, it still took his breath away.

"Yeah. I never thought...well, never really thought I'd see it."

Rowen didn't know how to respond and when Azrial's voice broke over the relative silence of the early morning, he froze.

"I didn't know she spoke Italian," Bobby chuckled. "Guess I shoulda figured she could."

Rowen frowned in Azrial's direction, trying to place her accent. "She's speaking a very...regional version of Italian."

"Really? Which one?"

"I can't place it," Rowen admitted. "Her accent though sounds more...rural than I've heard here in Rome."

"Huh. I'm sure there is a story behind that," Bobby said as he looked curiously at the archangel who was paying for their coffee. "Doubt she'll tell us though."

"I doubt she'd tell me, but you?" Bobby looked surprised at his words and Rowen chuckled. "She seemed happy to chat your ear off during the walk."

"She was just talkin about some of the ruins," Bobby defended himself. "It wasn't like she was sharing some deep dark secret."

"Bobby, she was referencing her experience. That's a pretty big deal."

"You're makin' a big deal out of noth'in," Bobby huffed. Rowen sighed, deciding to drop the subject. Azrial walked over a moment later with two espressos and a cup of coffee. She gave Bobby the cup and pushed him one of the espressos.

"I missed good coffee," she sighed as she sipped the espresso. "When is our meeting?"

"In an hour," Rowen said. "Are you ready?"

"I just hope their wards are halfway decent," the archangel huffed. "I swear if showing off a few parlor tricks gets me on anyone's radar, I'll be pissed."

"If the meeting is taking place where I think, it will be fine."

Rowen's reassurance surprisingly silenced the archangel's concern. That, or she was that much more invested in her espresso. Given her blissful look, Rowen was inclined to think it was the caffeine.

"So, let's go over the plan one last time," he said.

Line Break

Azrial followed after Rowen at a sedate pace. The moment they passed into the Piazza she froze, looking around in surprise.

"Well I'll be damned," she muttered.

"That's an oxymoron if I've ever heard one," Bobby said as he stopped next to her. "What's up?"

"There's a ward line around the city," she quietly pointed out. "I don't think most supernaturals could pass it."

"Angels on that list?" Bobby asked in concern.

"Nah, seems just your run-of-the-mill nasties. I don't feel anything for demons either, but we all know why that is."

Bobby snorted and nodded in understanding. Rowen had stopped and was looking back at them.

"Something wrong?" Rowen asked.

"Just surprised that they have decent warding. Lead on, Father Anderson."

Rowen rolled his eyes at her teasing tone but did continue to lead the way deeper into Vatican City.

She honestly lost track of where they were being led, and found herself looking at the time on her new phone more often than was polite. There was one train leaving Rome for where she was going in France, and if she missed it, heads would roll. She wasn't blind to the curious glances from other clergy or nuns though. She did her best to plaster on a polite smile but her mind continued to wander. It felt like she was forgetting something, and it grated on her nerves.

"Well, here we are."

Azrial blinked, not even registering that they had entered a building. The area was rather nondescript and on the modern side of things. A young man sat behind a desk, and she could feel how nervous he was.

"Father Anderson, Mr. Singer, the council is ready to see you."

"What about me?" Azrial asked, glancing down at the time again. She still had a few hours, no need to panic just yet.

"Uh, they said they'd speak with you last, madam." Azrial looked up, raising an eyebrow at the crack in his voice.

"I see. Well, you better go see what the boys club wants," Azrial said to Bobby. Rowen didn't look happy with the situation, but Bobby just had a knowing smirk. It was clear he'd expected a roadblock and it wouldn't surprise her if Rowen hadn't. The man had a good heart, but having faith in the Vatican to do anything constructive was foolish in her opinion. Then again, maybe she was cynical and they would surprise her.

"Be a dear and grab me a coffee," she said to the clerk before taking one of the available seats. "Go defend my honor, hunter."

"Sure thing, princess," Bobby chuckled. "Rowen?"

"Yes, of course. Let's get this started."

Azrial watched them enter the room, the double doors closing behind them. Her eyes found the nervous clerk who didn't seem to know what to say.

"I wasn't kidding about the coffee," she said. He paled slightly and ran off. Azrial sighed and tried to riddle out what game was being played. What did this group of clergymen gain from excluding her? She knew Bobby wasn't likely to take any shit, confident enough in the contract that Crowley wrote to speak his mind. She wasn't sure about Rowen though. If push came to shove, she knew he'd roll over to keep the orphanage. A salty Vatican could kick him out or just defund him; both would spell disaster for the children in his care. She'd have to make sure that the Vatican couldn't pull the strings that easily; after all, she was quite attached to those kids.

"Your coffee, madam."

Azrial looked up and frowned at the clerk's shaky hand. His reaction was strange. She took the coffee and tilted her head as he quickly returned to his desk.

"Are you afraid of me?"

He stiffened and quickly shook his head. "Of course not."

"Hm, you're lying."

Her statement made him go pale, and he quickly started trying to apologize but Azrial raised her hand. The clerk fell silent and was eyeing her warily. It was like he was waiting for an attack.

"Oh," she exhaled, setting the coffee down on the seat next to her. "You can sense my power. Are you an exorcist?"

The clerk looked startled but slowly nodded. "I'm in training. They...madam, they have no intention of seeing you."

There it was, Azrial sighed. She should have guessed something like this would happen. She picked up her coffee and pinned the clerk with a stern look.

"Explain," she commanded.

He sighed but seemed relieved to talk about what his superiors had planned. The more she heard, the more she remembered why she gave the Vatican a wide berth. Meddlesome old men always managed to annoy her.

Line Break

Rowen was furious. No, that really didn't do what he was feeling justice.

"So let me get this straight," Bobby began calmly. "You let us fly all the way out here just to tell us no?"

"It is not that simple," one of the cardinals argued. "What you are asking for is not feasible."

"No, it is," Bobby said flatly. "You just don't wanna let us. There is a difference."

"Watch your tongue," one of the elders said. "Do not think you can lecture us."

"I'd have better luck lecturing a brick wall," Bobby said. "The world is fucking ending. You may think you're safe behind these walls, but you ain't."

"There is no proof-" began another cardinal but Rowen couldn't bite his tongue anymore.

"No proof? Then what was my report?"

An awkward silence filled the room. Bobby shook his head and turned toward him with a frown.

"They don't care, Rowen. I've told you this for years."

"And for the first time, I agree with you," Rowen growled.

"You are walking a thin line, Father Anderson," one of the cardinals warned.

"Why shouldn't I-?" Rowen was surprised that Bobby put up a hand, shooting him a warning look.

"Don't," his friend whispered. "Ya have too much to lose."

Rowen bit his tongue, trying to keep his anger from boiling over. What was the point of them coming here? Why not just refuse outright?

"All of ya are cowards," Bobby bluntly pointed out. "Do you know what will happen if she barges in here?"

"It is not our fault you have been misled, hunter," the elder curtly replied. "The archives were combed from top to bottom for reference of this supposed female archangel. None exist."

"None exist because she's been hiding!" Bobby snapped. "You idiots didn't know Gabriel was on earth this entire time either."

"You have been warned twice now," the elder sneered. "Do not-"

The doors being pushed open put an end to the conversation as everyone turned to see who entered. Azrial walked in, but it was who she was with that surprised Rowen.

"Orion? What are you doing here?"

The lawyer looked pissed, and Azrial walked over to Bobby with a knowing smirk and whispered something in the hunter's ear as Orion glared at the five church officials. Orion began to light into the officials in rapid Italian, and Rowen struggled to keep up with the younger man. Instead of trying, he glanced over to see Bobby looking strangely between the lawyer and Azrial, almost like he was trying to solve a puzzle.

"Enough!" The elder cutover Orion in English, likely trying to draw the attention of everyone in the room. He looked pale and glanced between Orion and Azrial with an assessing look.

"We need proof, Valerius. Your word is good for many things, but the archives must be protected."

"My word should be enough, especially with Anderson backing me," Orion snapped. "But I am sure if you ask nicely, she would be willing to throw you fools a bone."

The elder pursed his lips in displeasure and turned toward Azrial expectantly. "Can you provide proof of your divinity?"

Azrial hummed and seemed to mull over the request. "I can, but it won't be as showy as I'm sure most of you are hoping for."

There was a heavy silence as everyone eyed Azrial expectantly. Rowen wasn't sure what she could do while trying to stay hidden though, but he had faith she would think of something. Her eyes moved over the clergymen in thought before a predatory smile lifted her lips.

"Of the five of you, only two have pure souls. The other three, well you've been rather naughty boys. Demon contracts are rather disgusting things in Heaven's eyes."

The elder was struck dumb, and Rowen felt a wave of rage crash over him.

"You've made demon deals?" Rowen demanded, looking between the five of them. No one spoke, but Azrial cut in before Rowen could continue to rant.

"I want to make something clear," Azrial casually continued. "I am not asking permission to enter those archives. All I'm trying to do is be polite. Believe me when I say there are no wards you have that could truly keep me out. I could burn through all of them with very little power."

The youngest cardinal looked at his fellows in disgust before turning to Azrial. "Will you tell us who has made deals?"

"I could, but why should I?" Azrial asked. "At the end of the day, that's firmly a 'you' problem. I have very little love for the Vatican. The sacking of Rome left a sour taste in my mouth."

The cardinal shot a glance at Orion, and Rowen wished he understood what the hell was going on with that. He knew the lawyer had some sway, old family names would do that, but they almost seemed afraid of him.

"Very well," the elder finally spoke. "We are willing to give you access, but you will have an escort."

"As long as they stay out of the damn way, I don't care." Bobby's gruff response made Rowen sigh as he nodded in agreement. He was furious, and if he didn't get out of this room he may end up excommunicated for voicing half the things going through his head.

"You are all dismissed," the elder said.

Rowen walked out of the room without a backward glance. Azrial was quietly laughing as she spoke softly to Orion in a language that Rowen couldn't recognize. Parts of it sounded familiar, like a bastardization of Latin and Italian, but none of it sounded quite right. Bobby slammed the door behind them, and Azrial finally lost her fight and burst out laughing.

"I can't believe you called them a bunch of hypocrites!"

Orion scoffed and looked over to the clerk with a wink. "Thanks for letting me know what was going on, Erico."

"Anytime, Ri," the clerk said with a slight blush. "Thank you for understanding, madam."

Azrial waved off the words with a small smirk. "Don't fret. I had a feeling this was going to be a mess, but they shouldn't have posted an exorcist who is sensitive to supernatural power to greet us. It was foolish, and had I actually been an imposter it could have gotten you killed."

"I should retire," Erico sighed in annoyance and Rowen snorted.

"Not before me, son. After today, I truly wonder about my place here. They didn't give two shits about my account of what happened."

"Which makes no damn sense," Bobby pointed out. "They were up your ass for news and all of a sudden don't trust you?"

"They didn't trust me," Azrial pointed out. "We can thank Orion for getting us that yes because I would have had to leave my damn vessel to convince those fools and even then I can't be sure."

"How did you do that?" Rowen asked the lawyer. "I mean, they looked afraid of you."

"Family secret," Orion said with a disarming smile. Rowen frowned, but Orion turned toward Azrial. "Are you ready to go now?"

"Oh, yes. Do we still have time for lunch?"

"Barely, but it should be-" Rowen cut off Orion.

"Where are you going? I thought you were going to help us with the research."

Azrial sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "I have to go check my weapons, and Orion was kind enough to buy me a train ticket. Once that's done, I'll join back up with you. Bobby has my number if anything comes up."

Rowen bit his lip as he looked at the lawyer. "You do know demons are rather-"

Orion's laugh cut him off, and he said something Rowen couldn't understand that made Azrial go a bit green.

"Mi spiace," Orion exhaled. "But I am not, in any way, attracted to Azrial. Do not fret about my life, Father Anderson."

"He's also a bit young for my tastes," Azrial awkwardly pointed out.

"Everyone is young to you, princess."

Azrial shot Bobby an annoyed look. "Shut it, hunter."

"Actually," Bobby smirked. "Even with Crowley, one could argue you're a cougar."

"And with that, I'm leaving." Azrial huffed, but there was a tiny smile that showed she wasn't angry. "Be safe."

The sincerity in her voice took Rowen by surprise, and Bobby lost his teasing attitude as he eyed the archangel.

"Same to you. Let us know when you arrive safely."

"Of course. Come on, Orion. I want pizza."

"Of course you do," the lawyer chuckled. "Good luck with your research.

Rowen watched the two leave, and the moment they were out of earshot Bobby turned on him.

"Tell me everything you know about that kid."

"It isn't going to be much," Rowen said. "But I'll tell you what I can as we walk to the archives."

"I want to know why the hell he could make them back down, but she couldn't."

"Old family," Rowen said softly. "Very old if the rumors are true."

"I don't care. I hate not knowing what's going on," Bobby muttered.

"It's nice to know some things never change," Rowen snorted.

They said their goodbyes to Erico who seemed to be seriously considering his career choices and made their way to the archives. Hopefully, things went smoothly from here.

The next update is Saturday, July 24, 2021

Sorry about the delay on this chapter, I was in the hospital last night. Hope you're all doing well!