The Blind Side 10/?
“So, did you come here to stab me again or did you really miss me that much?” Gabriel teased the woman, trying to lighten the mood. Instead, Kali shot him a look that bore a hole right through him. Good to know some things never changed.
“You are supposed to be dead,” Kali stated flatly. “A badly produced pornographic video informed me of this.”
“Yeah, well…wait, badly produced? That was some of my best work,” Gabriel protested, circling around the woman so that he was between her and the house.
“I have seen better fake mustaches in soft drink commercials,” she observed. “Speaking of which, did your older brother use a can of diet Orange Slice, too? Is that why I still have to endure your presence?”
“How did you know about that?” Gabriel asked, shocked that she knew yet another one of his secrets.
“You can blame the Winchesters,” she scoffed, gazing at the fingernails on her left hand as if she had already grown weary of the conversation. “It was not like they had anything to lose by telling me. They thought you were dead as well.”
“Fine, so they took the lid off that puppy. I guess you’re right. They didn’t think I was alive either,” he admitted looking at Kali warily. “But why did you show up here now? What exactly are you doing here, Kali?”
Kali leaned in close to Gabriel. “You. You and a human woman located in that house,” she sneered, nodding to Jodie’s home over his shoulder. “The two of you are in possession of my magic. It is not magic that I gave you. You must have stolen it. Before I kill you for daring to do such a thing, I want to know how you managed to pull that off without my knowledge.”
tbs*tbs*tbs*tbs*tbs
Dean sat on the hood of his baby, nursing a beer, gazing at the night sky, wondering how his life became so screwed up that he was blaming himself for the current condition of an angel of the Lord, even if he didn’t quite know what said condition was.
Oh sure, he had been in quite a few tough spots before. Making a deal for his soul to save Sam and going to Hell, kicking his brother out of his life, facing Lucifer who was wearing his brother like a custom made tuxedo. Those were all at the top of the list, and he had his share of responsibility for what happened in those situations. He wasn’t ready to admit out loud to anyone, and certainly not to Gabriel or that damn prophet, but she had been right about at least one thing. If Cas was capable of going dark side, he would feel guilty as hell and it would be his fault and his alone. He had insisted on doing things his own way, taking up the cause for personal freedom and choice in the process. Which was fine for him, Sam and even Bobby. But he had also introduced the concept to Cas, and got him to go along with their crazy, against grain, go for broke plan. Because it worked, did Cas now think he could do whatever he wanted to achieve what he needed to?
Hello world, Dean Winchester at your service. Hunter, wise-ass, champion of free will, and now, corrupter of angels. It was starting to look like he might not be in for just one stint in Hell after all. Tillie was apparently right about one other thing as well; there was only one way to find out if Cas really was up to something less than admirable.
Downing the rest of his beer in one swallow, he tossed the bottle to the side. “Cas…Castiel…I need to talk to you,” Dean pleaded. “It is important. It is about the war.”
That wasn’t a complete lie. It was about a war. A war for his soul…and Cas’.
tbs*tbs*tbs*tbs*tbs
Gabriel laughed in Kali’s face to down play his own nervousness. “Steal your magic? I am not stupid. I didn’t steal your magic. What you are sensing isn’t your magic. Well, not exactly.”
“Not my magic?” Kali growled, her eyes narrowing at Gabriel. “You really must take me for a fool.”
“No, I don’t,” he said waving his hand casually in the air. “My brother didn’t use a fake sword, but I didn’t die either. My dad sent me to another dimension. One where I didn’t have my powers, but I got to have a family reunion with some distances relatives that reminded me a lot of my brothers, if you catch my drift.’
He paused for a moment as she eyed him suspiciously. “There was a version of you there, too, though she wasn’t as smoking hot as you. She did a blood binding spell for me. So when Dad sent me home, I was able to bring Til-…the human you sensed along with me.”
Kali raised an eyebrow at that. “Why would you want to bring a human from another dimension here?”
“As if that is any of your business,” Gabriel huffed. But seeing the look in the woman’s eyes, he knew she wasn’t going to settle for that answer. “She helped me when no one else would, and some of my less desirable family members over there were after her. I wasn’t going to leave her behind to deal with that on her own.”
"And how did you convince this other me, to complete this spell for you?" Kali asked her hands now on her hips.
"Through sheer wit and charm?" Gabriel suggested with a grin. Once again, Kali scowled. Damn, this woman didn’t buy anything he was selling. "Well, I did promise I would leave her alone and go away when it was done. I did keep my end of that bargain...she won't see me again."
“And when will I see such a great fortune?” she asked dispassionately.
Gabriel sighed as he faced Kali. "You make it sound like it's a bad thing that I'm back." He ran a hand through his hair before shooting her a sharp look. "Besides, you're the one who came here. It wasn't like I was busting down your door trying to see you again."
"You and that...human...are in possession of my magic,” Kali accused as her eyes narrowed at the former pagan standing before her. “Or at least what I thought was my magic. I had to find out how that happened without my knowledge."
"Well obviously it's not yours,” Gabriel responded tersely. Gesturing towards the sky he added, “So you can just vamoose, and we can go on with our lives."
"You are lucky I didn't try to kill you both first for stealing it, rather than asking questions,” Kali pointed out to the angel. “What if I wanted to reclaim the magic?"
"It's not yours," Gabriel reminded her, growing impatient with the conversation and wishing she would just leave. Of all of his exes, she was the most infuriating to deal with.
"It's close enough...in this world anyway, and I could certainly benefit from having the power back after that run in with your brother,” she claimed, leaning into the Trickster and tracing a hand seductively down his chest, in an attempt to get him to relax his stance. “Besides, no human should be allowed to be involved with that level of magic…and I could always find a way to reclaim it...death would be the simplest."
Gabriel suddenly backed away from the goddess, as if she had slapped him. “Don't you even dare," he threatened, bristling in anger.
"Do my ears deceive me? Does Loki, the great Trickster actually care what happens to a lowly human?” Kali mocked as turned away from him. “Or do you think them as lowly as the rest of your brothers and refer to them as, what was that now...oh yes, mud-monkeys?"
"I am nothing like my brothers,” Gabriel spat out, as the air around him seemed to crack and spark with electricity and thunder rolled in the distance. “Don't you ever compare me to them again. And you know what? So what if I happen to give a rat's ass about the one human who helped me when I needed it. You don't give humans nearly enough credit, Kali and someday, that's gonna cost you."
“Why should I?” she asked derisively. “Most of them abandoned us long ago. They no longer worship us or make sacrifices to us. I am one of the few left who has a temple with any worshipers, and even then half the time it is filled with disrespectful western tourists. We have to take what we can get...or force it upon them."
"And haven't you, or anyone else bothered to wonder why that is?” Gabriel snarled. “You never give them anything unless you get something in return. How many people who followed you at one time, go hungry at night, or are sick? Do you ever do anything to ease their suffering? And when you do have followers, most of them are so scared shitless of you that they probably can't do anything right, and of course, you repay them for that in the 'appropriate' manner. No wonder you are so weak. Your worshipers might grow stronger if that had a reason to worship you. So yeah, I can understand why most of you guys have fallen by the wayside. Times change, Kali, and you need to realize that."
"We shall see about that," Kali ground out before she disappeared from Gabriel’s side. She quickly reappeared in the living room of the house next to Tillie and grabbed her from behind. "So, you're the pathetic human that Loki is fascinated with,” she hissed into the prophet’s ear. “Explain to me why."
Tillie let out a startled scream as Jodie pulled out a shot gun and aimed it at Kali. "Just who the hell are you and how did you get in my house?” the sheriff barked out. “I would let go of Tillie if I were you."
“Human weapons will do nothing to me,” Kali laughed, pulling Tillie closer. “But they will harm your friend.”
Without warning, Gabriel popped in the room right next to Kali and wrenched Tillie from the goddess’s arms before she had time to react. “Kali, I'm warning you,” Gabriel growled as he held Tillie close. “You need to leave her alone.”
As Kali took a threatening step towards the archangel, he shoved Tillie in the direction of Jodie Mills and barked,” "Get her the hell out of here!"
"You are as pathetic as the humans you are defending.” Kali laughed harshly. “There was a time when you would have stood at my side and gladly helped me regain my power. If you land in trouble, don't expect me to bail you out."
As Kali vanished from the small bungalow, Gabriel stood there, trembling and glaring furiously at the spot she had previously occupied shouting to the empty space, "Like hell I ever will."
"What the hell just happened?” Jodie demanded as she helped Tillie walk across the room towards the couch. “Who the hell was that?"
Gabriel took a deep breath, trying to calm down as he glanced over at Tillie and Jodie. "The stereotypical ex-girlfriend."
“Last time I checked, most exes aren’t able to pop in and out of people houses at will,” Jodie cracked.
“Oh…she wasn’t…I don’t think anything about her was typical,” Tillie moaned. “I'm so sorry...I didn’t mean to bring this to your house."
Jodie stared pointedly at Gabriel. "Honey it's not your fault...you don't owe me an apology."
"She’s right. It's not your fault, Tillie," Gabriel said, running a hand through his hair as a rare look of self-loathing flashed across his face. "Idiot! I didn't even think that... argh!"
"Hmm...that happen a lot?” Jodie asked. When Gabriel looked at her quizzically she continued, “You know, the part about you not thinking?"
Gabriel stared at the sheriff, as if he were going to say something, even going so far as to open his mouth, but closed it in frustration without uttering a word.
"Jodie, I'm sorry...I don't think anyone meant to bring any of this on,” Tillie muttered sheepishly. Turning to Gabriel, she bit back tears, “It's not going to get better, is it? This isn't even what you were worried about."
"No, it wasn't,” he answered tersely as he pulled Tillie into his arms. “This is just fantastic. Now Kali knows that I'm back, knows about you and I still have to meet with Raphael to give him an answer he doesn’t want to hear." Pausing for a moment he glances over at Jodie. "I'm... sorry, for the... trouble that this has caused you."
"All is forgiven, as long as you are willing to put in some more of those fancy wards like Singer has at his place. Trouble comes with the job. I expect I would run into it one way or another. I am just glad I know a little something about the kind of trouble to expect,” she shrugged. Pointing to Tillie she added, “Also, make sure you take care of her. It’s been awhile since I made a new friend, especially one who understands the craziness that comes with being associated with Singer and his crew. I don’t want to see any harm come to her.”
Gabriel studied the sheriff with curiosity. It had been a long time since he had been so easily forgiven simply for, well just for being himself. He was used to being yelled at, threatened, or having things thrown at him. "Umm, yeah, okay,” he agreed hesitantly, not wanting to look a gift horse in the mouth.
Out of the corner of his eye, Gabriel noticed Tillie wince as she brought a hand to her forehead. “Tillie? Are you okay?” he asked, his voice laced with concern.
Tillie waved him off claiming, "It’s just...just a headache."
“Right,” he said, examining her carefully. “And did this headache by any chance happen to come with pretty pictures, and voices?"
"No, not yet,” Tillie answered, uncertainty in her tone as she started to sway. “But I think maybe...maybe that is coming next."
Gabriel gently started to guide her towards the couch. "Then let’s get you seated before things get really wild."
"I think I should lay down for a little bit,” Tillie said. “Everything is..." Tillie’s knees buckled and her legs gave out from underneath her as she passed out. Since Gabriel was guiding her to the couch he was able to catch her in his arms before she fell. He picked her up and carried her the rest of the way to the couch and settled her down into a comfortable position.
"Crud," the angel sighed, looking down at the prophet lying on the couch.
"Okay, now what just happened?" Jodie asked in confusion, glancing between the archangel and her new friend.
"Basically... she's a prophet for my Dad,” Gabriel tried to explain. “She gets these visions straight from him, and they're usually not all that fun. Typically she's been asleep. This is the first time she's actually passed out though."
"So, she sees things that are going to happen...in the future?” Jodie looked to him for clarification. “Is that why she is stuck with you?"
"Umm... yes and no,” Gabriel said noncommittally. “It is a little more complicated than that, but that's part of the reason why."
"And I thought what Bobby was involved in was convoluted,” the sheriff said shaking her head. “You two make that look like a cake walk."
“Cake?” Gabriel said perking up. “First hot chocolate and now cake? Man lady, you might never get me to leave.”
“How can you think of your stomach at a time like this?” Jodie remarked raising an eyebrow skeptically at the archangel.
“Tillie will be out for awhile and there is not much we can do to help her right now,” Gabriel said, trying to justify his actions. “I tell you what, I will work on those wards, if you want to work on the sweets.”
Next
“You are supposed to be dead,” Kali stated flatly. “A badly produced pornographic video informed me of this.”
“Yeah, well…wait, badly produced? That was some of my best work,” Gabriel protested, circling around the woman so that he was between her and the house.
“I have seen better fake mustaches in soft drink commercials,” she observed. “Speaking of which, did your older brother use a can of diet Orange Slice, too? Is that why I still have to endure your presence?”
“How did you know about that?” Gabriel asked, shocked that she knew yet another one of his secrets.
“You can blame the Winchesters,” she scoffed, gazing at the fingernails on her left hand as if she had already grown weary of the conversation. “It was not like they had anything to lose by telling me. They thought you were dead as well.”
“Fine, so they took the lid off that puppy. I guess you’re right. They didn’t think I was alive either,” he admitted looking at Kali warily. “But why did you show up here now? What exactly are you doing here, Kali?”
Kali leaned in close to Gabriel. “You. You and a human woman located in that house,” she sneered, nodding to Jodie’s home over his shoulder. “The two of you are in possession of my magic. It is not magic that I gave you. You must have stolen it. Before I kill you for daring to do such a thing, I want to know how you managed to pull that off without my knowledge.”
tbs*tbs*tbs*tbs*tbs
Dean sat on the hood of his baby, nursing a beer, gazing at the night sky, wondering how his life became so screwed up that he was blaming himself for the current condition of an angel of the Lord, even if he didn’t quite know what said condition was.
Oh sure, he had been in quite a few tough spots before. Making a deal for his soul to save Sam and going to Hell, kicking his brother out of his life, facing Lucifer who was wearing his brother like a custom made tuxedo. Those were all at the top of the list, and he had his share of responsibility for what happened in those situations. He wasn’t ready to admit out loud to anyone, and certainly not to Gabriel or that damn prophet, but she had been right about at least one thing. If Cas was capable of going dark side, he would feel guilty as hell and it would be his fault and his alone. He had insisted on doing things his own way, taking up the cause for personal freedom and choice in the process. Which was fine for him, Sam and even Bobby. But he had also introduced the concept to Cas, and got him to go along with their crazy, against grain, go for broke plan. Because it worked, did Cas now think he could do whatever he wanted to achieve what he needed to?
Hello world, Dean Winchester at your service. Hunter, wise-ass, champion of free will, and now, corrupter of angels. It was starting to look like he might not be in for just one stint in Hell after all. Tillie was apparently right about one other thing as well; there was only one way to find out if Cas really was up to something less than admirable.
Downing the rest of his beer in one swallow, he tossed the bottle to the side. “Cas…Castiel…I need to talk to you,” Dean pleaded. “It is important. It is about the war.”
That wasn’t a complete lie. It was about a war. A war for his soul…and Cas’.
tbs*tbs*tbs*tbs*tbs
Gabriel laughed in Kali’s face to down play his own nervousness. “Steal your magic? I am not stupid. I didn’t steal your magic. What you are sensing isn’t your magic. Well, not exactly.”
“Not my magic?” Kali growled, her eyes narrowing at Gabriel. “You really must take me for a fool.”
“No, I don’t,” he said waving his hand casually in the air. “My brother didn’t use a fake sword, but I didn’t die either. My dad sent me to another dimension. One where I didn’t have my powers, but I got to have a family reunion with some distances relatives that reminded me a lot of my brothers, if you catch my drift.’
He paused for a moment as she eyed him suspiciously. “There was a version of you there, too, though she wasn’t as smoking hot as you. She did a blood binding spell for me. So when Dad sent me home, I was able to bring Til-…the human you sensed along with me.”
Kali raised an eyebrow at that. “Why would you want to bring a human from another dimension here?”
“As if that is any of your business,” Gabriel huffed. But seeing the look in the woman’s eyes, he knew she wasn’t going to settle for that answer. “She helped me when no one else would, and some of my less desirable family members over there were after her. I wasn’t going to leave her behind to deal with that on her own.”
"And how did you convince this other me, to complete this spell for you?" Kali asked her hands now on her hips.
"Through sheer wit and charm?" Gabriel suggested with a grin. Once again, Kali scowled. Damn, this woman didn’t buy anything he was selling. "Well, I did promise I would leave her alone and go away when it was done. I did keep my end of that bargain...she won't see me again."
“And when will I see such a great fortune?” she asked dispassionately.
Gabriel sighed as he faced Kali. "You make it sound like it's a bad thing that I'm back." He ran a hand through his hair before shooting her a sharp look. "Besides, you're the one who came here. It wasn't like I was busting down your door trying to see you again."
"You and that...human...are in possession of my magic,” Kali accused as her eyes narrowed at the former pagan standing before her. “Or at least what I thought was my magic. I had to find out how that happened without my knowledge."
"Well obviously it's not yours,” Gabriel responded tersely. Gesturing towards the sky he added, “So you can just vamoose, and we can go on with our lives."
"You are lucky I didn't try to kill you both first for stealing it, rather than asking questions,” Kali pointed out to the angel. “What if I wanted to reclaim the magic?"
"It's not yours," Gabriel reminded her, growing impatient with the conversation and wishing she would just leave. Of all of his exes, she was the most infuriating to deal with.
"It's close enough...in this world anyway, and I could certainly benefit from having the power back after that run in with your brother,” she claimed, leaning into the Trickster and tracing a hand seductively down his chest, in an attempt to get him to relax his stance. “Besides, no human should be allowed to be involved with that level of magic…and I could always find a way to reclaim it...death would be the simplest."
Gabriel suddenly backed away from the goddess, as if she had slapped him. “Don't you even dare," he threatened, bristling in anger.
"Do my ears deceive me? Does Loki, the great Trickster actually care what happens to a lowly human?” Kali mocked as turned away from him. “Or do you think them as lowly as the rest of your brothers and refer to them as, what was that now...oh yes, mud-monkeys?"
"I am nothing like my brothers,” Gabriel spat out, as the air around him seemed to crack and spark with electricity and thunder rolled in the distance. “Don't you ever compare me to them again. And you know what? So what if I happen to give a rat's ass about the one human who helped me when I needed it. You don't give humans nearly enough credit, Kali and someday, that's gonna cost you."
“Why should I?” she asked derisively. “Most of them abandoned us long ago. They no longer worship us or make sacrifices to us. I am one of the few left who has a temple with any worshipers, and even then half the time it is filled with disrespectful western tourists. We have to take what we can get...or force it upon them."
"And haven't you, or anyone else bothered to wonder why that is?” Gabriel snarled. “You never give them anything unless you get something in return. How many people who followed you at one time, go hungry at night, or are sick? Do you ever do anything to ease their suffering? And when you do have followers, most of them are so scared shitless of you that they probably can't do anything right, and of course, you repay them for that in the 'appropriate' manner. No wonder you are so weak. Your worshipers might grow stronger if that had a reason to worship you. So yeah, I can understand why most of you guys have fallen by the wayside. Times change, Kali, and you need to realize that."
"We shall see about that," Kali ground out before she disappeared from Gabriel’s side. She quickly reappeared in the living room of the house next to Tillie and grabbed her from behind. "So, you're the pathetic human that Loki is fascinated with,” she hissed into the prophet’s ear. “Explain to me why."
Tillie let out a startled scream as Jodie pulled out a shot gun and aimed it at Kali. "Just who the hell are you and how did you get in my house?” the sheriff barked out. “I would let go of Tillie if I were you."
“Human weapons will do nothing to me,” Kali laughed, pulling Tillie closer. “But they will harm your friend.”
Without warning, Gabriel popped in the room right next to Kali and wrenched Tillie from the goddess’s arms before she had time to react. “Kali, I'm warning you,” Gabriel growled as he held Tillie close. “You need to leave her alone.”
As Kali took a threatening step towards the archangel, he shoved Tillie in the direction of Jodie Mills and barked,” "Get her the hell out of here!"
"You are as pathetic as the humans you are defending.” Kali laughed harshly. “There was a time when you would have stood at my side and gladly helped me regain my power. If you land in trouble, don't expect me to bail you out."
As Kali vanished from the small bungalow, Gabriel stood there, trembling and glaring furiously at the spot she had previously occupied shouting to the empty space, "Like hell I ever will."
"What the hell just happened?” Jodie demanded as she helped Tillie walk across the room towards the couch. “Who the hell was that?"
Gabriel took a deep breath, trying to calm down as he glanced over at Tillie and Jodie. "The stereotypical ex-girlfriend."
“Last time I checked, most exes aren’t able to pop in and out of people houses at will,” Jodie cracked.
“Oh…she wasn’t…I don’t think anything about her was typical,” Tillie moaned. “I'm so sorry...I didn’t mean to bring this to your house."
Jodie stared pointedly at Gabriel. "Honey it's not your fault...you don't owe me an apology."
"She’s right. It's not your fault, Tillie," Gabriel said, running a hand through his hair as a rare look of self-loathing flashed across his face. "Idiot! I didn't even think that... argh!"
"Hmm...that happen a lot?” Jodie asked. When Gabriel looked at her quizzically she continued, “You know, the part about you not thinking?"
Gabriel stared at the sheriff, as if he were going to say something, even going so far as to open his mouth, but closed it in frustration without uttering a word.
"Jodie, I'm sorry...I don't think anyone meant to bring any of this on,” Tillie muttered sheepishly. Turning to Gabriel, she bit back tears, “It's not going to get better, is it? This isn't even what you were worried about."
"No, it wasn't,” he answered tersely as he pulled Tillie into his arms. “This is just fantastic. Now Kali knows that I'm back, knows about you and I still have to meet with Raphael to give him an answer he doesn’t want to hear." Pausing for a moment he glances over at Jodie. "I'm... sorry, for the... trouble that this has caused you."
"All is forgiven, as long as you are willing to put in some more of those fancy wards like Singer has at his place. Trouble comes with the job. I expect I would run into it one way or another. I am just glad I know a little something about the kind of trouble to expect,” she shrugged. Pointing to Tillie she added, “Also, make sure you take care of her. It’s been awhile since I made a new friend, especially one who understands the craziness that comes with being associated with Singer and his crew. I don’t want to see any harm come to her.”
Gabriel studied the sheriff with curiosity. It had been a long time since he had been so easily forgiven simply for, well just for being himself. He was used to being yelled at, threatened, or having things thrown at him. "Umm, yeah, okay,” he agreed hesitantly, not wanting to look a gift horse in the mouth.
Out of the corner of his eye, Gabriel noticed Tillie wince as she brought a hand to her forehead. “Tillie? Are you okay?” he asked, his voice laced with concern.
Tillie waved him off claiming, "It’s just...just a headache."
“Right,” he said, examining her carefully. “And did this headache by any chance happen to come with pretty pictures, and voices?"
"No, not yet,” Tillie answered, uncertainty in her tone as she started to sway. “But I think maybe...maybe that is coming next."
Gabriel gently started to guide her towards the couch. "Then let’s get you seated before things get really wild."
"I think I should lay down for a little bit,” Tillie said. “Everything is..." Tillie’s knees buckled and her legs gave out from underneath her as she passed out. Since Gabriel was guiding her to the couch he was able to catch her in his arms before she fell. He picked her up and carried her the rest of the way to the couch and settled her down into a comfortable position.
"Crud," the angel sighed, looking down at the prophet lying on the couch.
"Okay, now what just happened?" Jodie asked in confusion, glancing between the archangel and her new friend.
"Basically... she's a prophet for my Dad,” Gabriel tried to explain. “She gets these visions straight from him, and they're usually not all that fun. Typically she's been asleep. This is the first time she's actually passed out though."
"So, she sees things that are going to happen...in the future?” Jodie looked to him for clarification. “Is that why she is stuck with you?"
"Umm... yes and no,” Gabriel said noncommittally. “It is a little more complicated than that, but that's part of the reason why."
"And I thought what Bobby was involved in was convoluted,” the sheriff said shaking her head. “You two make that look like a cake walk."
“Cake?” Gabriel said perking up. “First hot chocolate and now cake? Man lady, you might never get me to leave.”
“How can you think of your stomach at a time like this?” Jodie remarked raising an eyebrow skeptically at the archangel.
“Tillie will be out for awhile and there is not much we can do to help her right now,” Gabriel said, trying to justify his actions. “I tell you what, I will work on those wards, if you want to work on the sweets.”
Next