09x14 - Helium In Limbo - Part One: Tramontane
Episode Number: 09x14 of Season 9 Fan Fiction (S9FF)
Title: Helium in Limbo
Subtitle: Tramontane
Author: dracox-serdriel
Word Count: 1,816
Rating: PG
Warnings: violence, struggle against prejudice, language
Status: Complete. Feedback appreciated.
St. Clair, Michigan. Megan Thibodeau strutted down the street, peacocking her finest jewelry. She easily stood out in her long, black coat and refined clothing. A dozen local thugs slid their eyes by her. Had they taken more time, they would not have walked away from her. But they didn't take the time, so to them she was just a lost little kid in a silly winter jacket. They probably assumed the coat was a hand-me-down from an older brother or the like.
Admittedly, the latter was true. Her overcoat was originally her father's, and though it was a fine coat, its age showed. She wore the coat whenever she went out because it was warm and had many pockets. It seemed the right idea at the time.
No one approached her. She waited.
Her eyes drifted to a window display of television screens, all of which had the local news playing with subtitles. She read, "Local muggings attributed to an adult person approximately four feet tall, wearing an elaborate costume."
Megan rolled her eyes. The local news channel was so afraid of being called out for prejudice and bigotry that they couldn't bring themselves to use the words 'little person.' No, they used 'adult person' and presented a measurement. Would they supplement race by an approximation of skin pigmentation? No, but when it came to people like her, most remained afraid and awkward.
She straightened herself out. She didn't have time to shake her fist at the annoyances of the world. All the recent muggings took place in this area, and she needed to keep an eye out for this person dressed in a crimson superhero costume. Megan figured it was probably just some kid who hadn't hit puberty yet and seen too many comic book movies.
Click-clack. Click-clack. The sound came from heavy-heeled boots, which caught Megan's eye because they were red with a black fur trim. She looked up in time to see a person slightly shorter than her barreling forward.
Horror crashed into her bones as she met the flashing red eyes of her assailant. She screamed as he threw her to the ground and pilfered her necklace and ring. He laughed. It was a throaty laugh that elevated to a high whine at the end, and before she had time to calculate what had happened, he disappeared.
"Are you okay?" someone asked, rushing to her aid.
"Did that just happen?" Megan asked no one in particular.
"Cas, you need to get outa here," Dean insisted.
"Dean - " Sam pulled his brother back.
"The last time this bitch was near him, he was nearly killed. She's pinned an assassin's bull's-eye to his back!" Dean protested.
"Enough," Cas huffed, keeping his voice low. "Unless one of you possesses the ability to heal her body, there's really no discussion."
Dean rolled his eyes and made no effort to disguise his disdain. "Cas, if she comes around - "
"Does she look like she will?" Cas interrupted, demanding an answer. "This isn't a ruse, Dean. She's going to die."
"Would that be such a bad thing?" Dean asked. "After everything she's done - "
"Would you let your brother die?" the angel asked. "Because you haven't done that so far, no matter what has happened."
Sam edged his way out of the conversation under the pretense of checking Naomi's vitals. He didn't want to be engrained in their couple's squabble.
"She has a pulse," Sam said, daring a glance at Castiel and Dean. Neither seemed ready to back down.
The younger Winchester took the key to the bunker out of his pocket and held it out to Cas.
"Thank you," the angel said. Without explanation, he took the key. "I will wait there until you get there, or until you call."
With that, Cas reached out and touched Naomi. All her broken bones mended; her skin knitted together. She gasped for air, and Cas teleported.
"Way to back me up Sam," Dean growled.
"How about we focus on the fact that someone beat the crap out of her," Sam pointed out. "That's not an easy feat, Dean. She's supposed to be well-guarded and crap, right? Up in Heaven?"
"Well, yeah - "
"Then why was she dropped from the sky outside our motel room?" Sam continued, plowing over his brother's protests with the loudness of his voice. "We finish the Angel Trials, get visited by a long-lost archangel, and then this? Call me crazy, but I think we need to figure this out."
"Wha- where am I?" Naomi asked, sitting up.
Something was different about her. Her eyes seemed bluer, her expressions softer. Sam recognized confusion emanating from her, projected outward without control.
"Naomi?" Sam asked. Dean hated the genuine concern his brother had for her.
"Where is she?" Naomi asked.
"Who?" Dean asked her.
"Naomi," she replied.
"You're not Naomi?" Sam asked.
"No, I'm Brandy. Brandy Snodgrass."
"Brandy?" Dean mumbled.
Sam swatted his brother as he said, "Brandy, do you know what's going on?"
"Naomi, she asked me to, uh... she asked me to - "
"Be her Angel sock puppet," Dean suggested.
"Her vessel," Brandy replied. "What year is it?"
"It's January twenty fourteen," Sam replied. "When did Naomi take you as a vessel?"
"In two thousand ten," she said. "Do you have anything to eat?"
They were the only customers in the local dinner at five in the morning. Sam consistently had to restrain Brandy from eating too much.
"Sorry, I haven't eaten in four years," she said each time.
After three orders of pancakes and eggs, the color returned to her cheeks. Brandy Snodgrass had kind eyes, a pleasant smile, and a demure nature. It felt strange, having known Naomi through this same vessel, to see how very different Brandy the person looked from her angelic counterpart, even in the same skin.
"Can you tell us what happened?" Sam asked.
"Well, not really," she replied. "I wasn't really, you know, aware of everything. I knew stuff was happening, and screaming, and - "
"Torture," Dean said casually. There was an edge to his voice that Naomi deserved, but Brandy certainly didn't.
"I think there was torture," Brandy replied. She seemed uncertain if she should continue, but she did anyway. "She gave me a message to give to you. She wasn't supposed to do that. Halfway between dropping me off and Heaven she was seized or something."
"And the other angels just let you drop like a rock?" Dean asked.
"Actually, I think that was Naomi. If they took both of us back up there, they could erase my memory or whatever and you wouldn't get the message."
"You're okay with that?" Dean asked.
"Not particularly," Brandy said dryly. Her eyes met Dean's and became very sharp. "And you can take your attitude and shove it."
"Don't - "
"Your beef is with Naomi, not me," Brandy continued. "So lighten up, okay?"
Dean mused.
Sam pushed ahead, "What was the message?"
"Something's happening that they," Brandy indicated Heaven by pointing up, "don't want you to know. Actually, a crap load of stuff."
"Like what?"
"I can't be completely sure about this one, but something to do with a woman you know," she said to Sam. "And visions."
"What about her?" Sam asked, realizing immediately that she was referring to Dodge.
"I know Heaven knows about it, and that's pretty much it," Brandy said. "Wasn't supposed to know that, but held onto it anyway."
"What's the message Naomi wanted us to have?"
"Before the Great Lever was pulled, something happened. It shook the foundations of Heaven, like an earthquake. She told me that whatever cause that did substantial damage to Hell. Collapsed in parts of it or something."
"We already know about that, the rabbit holes into Purgatory," Dean dismissed.
"No you don't," Brandy replied. "She showed me something, a mental image. These holes - "
"Rabbit holes," Sam offered.
"Rabbit holes, right. Imagine those holes splinter apart and a giant sinkhole opens in their place. That's what's happened."
Sam gaped at her. Brandy examined his expression and said simply, "It looks like you've never heard worse."
"Well, that's pretty bad," Sam replied.
"Is it?"
"Seriously?" Dean cut in.
Brandy shrugged and took another sip of her coffee.
"Okay, well, what does it mean?" Dean asked. "This Hell sinkhole?"
"Dunno. Naomi wanted to warn you about it, so I imagine it isn't good."
"And, what, the other angels didn't want her to tell us?" Sam asked.
"Her orders were to tell no one," Brandy replied. "I don't know why, but it was hardcore. She was scared. Well, as scared as Naomi can be."
"Scared about what?" Sam asked.
"I can't really be sure. It felt like she was afraid of everything."
"What does that mean?" Dean demanded. "Com'on! You're human, lady! Why are you talking like an angel?"
"Have you ever been possessed by an angel, Dean?" Brandy asked.
"No."
"I have," Sam said.
"You remember what it was like?"
"Only bits and pieces," Sam said quietly.
"Now imagine that for four years. See how good your memory is or how good your people skills are."
"You remember anything else?" Dean asked. "Naomi mention if you were here to stay or what?"
"No, nothing, but it was a bit of a violent exit for her."
Sam changed the topic, "You have any family? Anywhere to go?"
"Uh, no," Brandy said.
"What you just want to ship her home?" Dean asked Sam. "After all the crap that went down with Jimmy?"
"Jimmy?" she asked.
"Castiel's vessel," Sam explained. "But that was before the Gates of Hell were closed."
"Where did you live? Before, I mean," Dean asked her.
"Fairfax, Virginia."
"Then I vote you head out west," Dean commented mildly. "Start a new life."
"And what do I do about not paying my taxes for four years?" Brandy asked.
"Coma," Dean replied simply.
"You're bad at this," she jabbed.
"I think Dodge can help out with this," Sam said. "She works for the FBI. She can help with your legal identity."
Dean laughed. Neither Sam nor Brandy seemed to appreciate it. "Sorry, it's just, do you think any of this is worth it? Naomi can drop back into your skin at any time," Dean pointed out. "You go to all that trouble, get the FBI involved, then disappear again? Seems like a can of worms that didn't need to be opened."
"She can't," Sam spoke up. "Naomi would have to get Brandy's permission to use her vessel again."
"I don't know about that, but she won't. She's been banded from the Earth."
"Banned from the Earth?" Dean repeated.
"That's what I just said. She's grounded in Heaven."
"For how long?" Sam asked.
Brandy shrugged. "Forever? How should I know?"
"Oh-kay then," Dean said. "Let's get you packed up and on your way."
Sam pulled out his phone and dialed up Dodge.
<<< Previous Episode:
Icarus
Next Part: >>>
Part Two: Flesh Wound
Primary Post: 09x14 Helium in Limbo
Primary Post: Season 9 Fan Fiction (S9FF)
Title: Helium in Limbo
Subtitle: Tramontane
Author: dracox-serdriel
Word Count: 1,816
Rating: PG
Warnings: violence, struggle against prejudice, language
Status: Complete. Feedback appreciated.
St. Clair, Michigan. Megan Thibodeau strutted down the street, peacocking her finest jewelry. She easily stood out in her long, black coat and refined clothing. A dozen local thugs slid their eyes by her. Had they taken more time, they would not have walked away from her. But they didn't take the time, so to them she was just a lost little kid in a silly winter jacket. They probably assumed the coat was a hand-me-down from an older brother or the like.
Admittedly, the latter was true. Her overcoat was originally her father's, and though it was a fine coat, its age showed. She wore the coat whenever she went out because it was warm and had many pockets. It seemed the right idea at the time.
No one approached her. She waited.
Her eyes drifted to a window display of television screens, all of which had the local news playing with subtitles. She read, "Local muggings attributed to an adult person approximately four feet tall, wearing an elaborate costume."
Megan rolled her eyes. The local news channel was so afraid of being called out for prejudice and bigotry that they couldn't bring themselves to use the words 'little person.' No, they used 'adult person' and presented a measurement. Would they supplement race by an approximation of skin pigmentation? No, but when it came to people like her, most remained afraid and awkward.
She straightened herself out. She didn't have time to shake her fist at the annoyances of the world. All the recent muggings took place in this area, and she needed to keep an eye out for this person dressed in a crimson superhero costume. Megan figured it was probably just some kid who hadn't hit puberty yet and seen too many comic book movies.
Click-clack. Click-clack. The sound came from heavy-heeled boots, which caught Megan's eye because they were red with a black fur trim. She looked up in time to see a person slightly shorter than her barreling forward.
Horror crashed into her bones as she met the flashing red eyes of her assailant. She screamed as he threw her to the ground and pilfered her necklace and ring. He laughed. It was a throaty laugh that elevated to a high whine at the end, and before she had time to calculate what had happened, he disappeared.
"Are you okay?" someone asked, rushing to her aid.
"Did that just happen?" Megan asked no one in particular.
"Cas, you need to get outa here," Dean insisted.
"Dean - " Sam pulled his brother back.
"The last time this bitch was near him, he was nearly killed. She's pinned an assassin's bull's-eye to his back!" Dean protested.
"Enough," Cas huffed, keeping his voice low. "Unless one of you possesses the ability to heal her body, there's really no discussion."
Dean rolled his eyes and made no effort to disguise his disdain. "Cas, if she comes around - "
"Does she look like she will?" Cas interrupted, demanding an answer. "This isn't a ruse, Dean. She's going to die."
"Would that be such a bad thing?" Dean asked. "After everything she's done - "
"Would you let your brother die?" the angel asked. "Because you haven't done that so far, no matter what has happened."
Sam edged his way out of the conversation under the pretense of checking Naomi's vitals. He didn't want to be engrained in their couple's squabble.
"She has a pulse," Sam said, daring a glance at Castiel and Dean. Neither seemed ready to back down.
The younger Winchester took the key to the bunker out of his pocket and held it out to Cas.
"Thank you," the angel said. Without explanation, he took the key. "I will wait there until you get there, or until you call."
With that, Cas reached out and touched Naomi. All her broken bones mended; her skin knitted together. She gasped for air, and Cas teleported.
"Way to back me up Sam," Dean growled.
"How about we focus on the fact that someone beat the crap out of her," Sam pointed out. "That's not an easy feat, Dean. She's supposed to be well-guarded and crap, right? Up in Heaven?"
"Well, yeah - "
"Then why was she dropped from the sky outside our motel room?" Sam continued, plowing over his brother's protests with the loudness of his voice. "We finish the Angel Trials, get visited by a long-lost archangel, and then this? Call me crazy, but I think we need to figure this out."
"Wha- where am I?" Naomi asked, sitting up.
Something was different about her. Her eyes seemed bluer, her expressions softer. Sam recognized confusion emanating from her, projected outward without control.
"Naomi?" Sam asked. Dean hated the genuine concern his brother had for her.
"Where is she?" Naomi asked.
"Who?" Dean asked her.
"Naomi," she replied.
"You're not Naomi?" Sam asked.
"No, I'm Brandy. Brandy Snodgrass."
"Brandy?" Dean mumbled.
Sam swatted his brother as he said, "Brandy, do you know what's going on?"
"Naomi, she asked me to, uh... she asked me to - "
"Be her Angel sock puppet," Dean suggested.
"Her vessel," Brandy replied. "What year is it?"
"It's January twenty fourteen," Sam replied. "When did Naomi take you as a vessel?"
"In two thousand ten," she said. "Do you have anything to eat?"
They were the only customers in the local dinner at five in the morning. Sam consistently had to restrain Brandy from eating too much.
"Sorry, I haven't eaten in four years," she said each time.
After three orders of pancakes and eggs, the color returned to her cheeks. Brandy Snodgrass had kind eyes, a pleasant smile, and a demure nature. It felt strange, having known Naomi through this same vessel, to see how very different Brandy the person looked from her angelic counterpart, even in the same skin.
"Can you tell us what happened?" Sam asked.
"Well, not really," she replied. "I wasn't really, you know, aware of everything. I knew stuff was happening, and screaming, and - "
"Torture," Dean said casually. There was an edge to his voice that Naomi deserved, but Brandy certainly didn't.
"I think there was torture," Brandy replied. She seemed uncertain if she should continue, but she did anyway. "She gave me a message to give to you. She wasn't supposed to do that. Halfway between dropping me off and Heaven she was seized or something."
"And the other angels just let you drop like a rock?" Dean asked.
"Actually, I think that was Naomi. If they took both of us back up there, they could erase my memory or whatever and you wouldn't get the message."
"You're okay with that?" Dean asked.
"Not particularly," Brandy said dryly. Her eyes met Dean's and became very sharp. "And you can take your attitude and shove it."
"Don't - "
"Your beef is with Naomi, not me," Brandy continued. "So lighten up, okay?"
Dean mused.
Sam pushed ahead, "What was the message?"
"Something's happening that they," Brandy indicated Heaven by pointing up, "don't want you to know. Actually, a crap load of stuff."
"Like what?"
"I can't be completely sure about this one, but something to do with a woman you know," she said to Sam. "And visions."
"What about her?" Sam asked, realizing immediately that she was referring to Dodge.
"I know Heaven knows about it, and that's pretty much it," Brandy said. "Wasn't supposed to know that, but held onto it anyway."
"What's the message Naomi wanted us to have?"
"Before the Great Lever was pulled, something happened. It shook the foundations of Heaven, like an earthquake. She told me that whatever cause that did substantial damage to Hell. Collapsed in parts of it or something."
"We already know about that, the rabbit holes into Purgatory," Dean dismissed.
"No you don't," Brandy replied. "She showed me something, a mental image. These holes - "
"Rabbit holes," Sam offered.
"Rabbit holes, right. Imagine those holes splinter apart and a giant sinkhole opens in their place. That's what's happened."
Sam gaped at her. Brandy examined his expression and said simply, "It looks like you've never heard worse."
"Well, that's pretty bad," Sam replied.
"Is it?"
"Seriously?" Dean cut in.
Brandy shrugged and took another sip of her coffee.
"Okay, well, what does it mean?" Dean asked. "This Hell sinkhole?"
"Dunno. Naomi wanted to warn you about it, so I imagine it isn't good."
"And, what, the other angels didn't want her to tell us?" Sam asked.
"Her orders were to tell no one," Brandy replied. "I don't know why, but it was hardcore. She was scared. Well, as scared as Naomi can be."
"Scared about what?" Sam asked.
"I can't really be sure. It felt like she was afraid of everything."
"What does that mean?" Dean demanded. "Com'on! You're human, lady! Why are you talking like an angel?"
"Have you ever been possessed by an angel, Dean?" Brandy asked.
"No."
"I have," Sam said.
"You remember what it was like?"
"Only bits and pieces," Sam said quietly.
"Now imagine that for four years. See how good your memory is or how good your people skills are."
"You remember anything else?" Dean asked. "Naomi mention if you were here to stay or what?"
"No, nothing, but it was a bit of a violent exit for her."
Sam changed the topic, "You have any family? Anywhere to go?"
"Uh, no," Brandy said.
"What you just want to ship her home?" Dean asked Sam. "After all the crap that went down with Jimmy?"
"Jimmy?" she asked.
"Castiel's vessel," Sam explained. "But that was before the Gates of Hell were closed."
"Where did you live? Before, I mean," Dean asked her.
"Fairfax, Virginia."
"Then I vote you head out west," Dean commented mildly. "Start a new life."
"And what do I do about not paying my taxes for four years?" Brandy asked.
"Coma," Dean replied simply.
"You're bad at this," she jabbed.
"I think Dodge can help out with this," Sam said. "She works for the FBI. She can help with your legal identity."
Dean laughed. Neither Sam nor Brandy seemed to appreciate it. "Sorry, it's just, do you think any of this is worth it? Naomi can drop back into your skin at any time," Dean pointed out. "You go to all that trouble, get the FBI involved, then disappear again? Seems like a can of worms that didn't need to be opened."
"She can't," Sam spoke up. "Naomi would have to get Brandy's permission to use her vessel again."
"I don't know about that, but she won't. She's been banded from the Earth."
"Banned from the Earth?" Dean repeated.
"That's what I just said. She's grounded in Heaven."
"For how long?" Sam asked.
Brandy shrugged. "Forever? How should I know?"
"Oh-kay then," Dean said. "Let's get you packed up and on your way."
Sam pulled out his phone and dialed up Dodge.
<<< Previous Episode:
Icarus
Next Part: >>>
Part Two: Flesh Wound
Primary Post: 09x14 Helium in Limbo
Primary Post: Season 9 Fan Fiction (S9FF)