Carry On My Wayward Son

Chapter 20

 

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Oh, dance in the dark night, sing to the morning light

The Dark Lord rides in force tonight, and time will tell us all



Oh, throw down your plow and hoe, race now to my bow



Side by side we wait the might, of the darkest of them all

-Battle of Evermore

-Led Zeppelin

 

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Sitting around after talking to Cas and Bobby, Dean noticed that Sam wasn't even looking at him. There also seemed to be a pale flush on his cheeks, more than likely from embarrassment. Knowing Sammy the way he did by now, it was understandable. He had revealed some things that he probably didn't want anyone to know and would have kept to himself until his death. Along with that, Dean was certain that Sammy was sure he was going to hold a lot it against him. In the past, or if he had continued doing what he was, he might have done that. As he well knew, Sam was a little too trusting with beings and his judgment wasn't the best. He tried to take that into account most times but this was different. Though what he did wasn't right, he could imagine the hell that Sammy went through while he was gone, doing everything he could to get him out of the pit then going crazy when he couldn't manage. Hell, he would have done the same thing. After that, it appeared his judgment was still clouded by a lot of things when he had come back. But, then he did what was best and took himself out of the game until he could figure out just what was going on after figuring out that there was something rotten in the state of Denmark with it. Though he hadn't liked what Sam did, now he got that. Nor was he going to judge him for all that went on when, in the end, he did the right thing and put a stop to the mess. Now, the only issue was going to be how to get his brother out of the brooding state he was in before it grew worse.

 

After a few moments of contemplation, he said, “Sammy, how about some more of that hot chocolate? It's warmer in here but that'll help it.”

 

Pulled out of his inner contemplation of all the mistakes he made to get to this point of things, Sam looked at his brother then nodded, “Yeah, that should hit the spot.” Standing, he stretched then headed to the kitchen to make some up.

 

Pleased with himself that it had worked, Dean nodded. Relaxing back on the couch, he shut his eyes and rubbed them, not sure how to go about dealing with the rest of the mood. He didn't do that sharing and caring crap so he had no desire to talk it out. Just a few words was all he was going to do then move on to something else.

 

It wasn't long before Sam returned with two steaming cups and the crock from the other night. After sitting the crock by the crackling fire, he handed Dean his cup then sat back down on the sofa, steadfastly refusing to look at Dean.

 

After taking the cup, Dean sipped, sighing in satisfaction over the heat that seemed to radiate though his body after the first few drinks then he turned sideways, to where he was looking at his brother. Seeing that he looked further away, most assuredly not wanting to even glance at him, he sighed then shook his head. Clearing his throat he then told Sam, “Look, dude, it's over and done. You made some mistakes but, in the end, you did the right thing. That's all there is to it. From here, we go on. That's it.”

 

Snorting, Sam just shook his head and took a sip of the still steaming hot chocolate then said, “I can't forget it and shouldn't have done it. A lot of it. I messed up. Big time.”

 

“Yeah, you made a mistake. Shit, I can only imagine what it was like when I was gone, Sammy. From what I heard, you weren't right in the head. But you did the right thing and got out when stuff started hitting the fan. You knew something wasn't right then did what you could to stop it. That's all that matters. We just go forward now. No point in looking back,” Dean told him quietly. Then that grin surfacing he added, “Now, enough of this caring and sharing bullshit! Let's find something to occupy us for the rest of the day!”

 

Grinning and shaking his head, Sam said nothing, just sipping at his hot chocolate.

 

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Letting himself into the small ramshackle tar paper shack, Cas didn't seemed at all surprised by the fact that the inside looked more like an opulent palace than rundown as the outside seemed to indicate. After all, since Gabriel was hiding out and pretending to be the Trickster, or Loki as many knew him, this would be expected. Then there was the arch-angel's personality. No matter the part he played, he wasn't about to give up the finer things in life just to keep up appearances.

 

Ensuring he was cautious, he stepped in further, looking around, waiting. He knew his older brother would sense his presence quickly and he wasn't sure how he would take it. Nor did he want to have to fight with him or go through all kinds of tricks to just talk to him. Clearing his throat, he said, tone even, “Gabriel, I just need to talk to you, nothing more. No one else knows I'm here or who you are.”

 

“And why should I believe that?” The inquiry came from a shadow on the far side of the room. Stepping out, still in the guise of the Trickster that Sam and Dean knew, his arms were folded over his chest as he glared at the angel. “I know who you answer to, Castiel. I don't want them around me nor do I want to be involved in any of this until it's all over.”

 

“That's understandable,” Castiel nodded. “I've taken myself out of Heaven's faction, Gabriel. They aren't doing what they say they are. It's also my assertion that they're helping break the seals. Well, some of them are anyway.”



“Took you long enough to figure that out, chucklehead” Gabriel snorted, leaning against the wall. “What does all this have to do with me? I plan to stay in the angelic witness protection program as long as I can. There's no way I want to be dragged into this. I'm perfectly happy riding the pine.”

 

“No one knows you're here but me and I’ll ensure they don't find out. Even me finding you took serious work. All I want is some information, Gabriel. For now. Maybe some help,” Castiel explained, keeping an eye on his older brother.

 

“Tell me why I should do that? I left Heaven to get away from the fighting. Helping you would make it seem like I'm taking sides, something I'm not. The only 'side' I’m on in this lambada is my own,” Gabriel snorted.

 

Thinking that over for several minutes, Castiel said, “Because if this does happen, this world will be destroyed. We also know that angel's ruling won't be much better. As much as they are willing to lie, cheat and manipulate to do things, it wouldn't end up much better than if Lucifer were in charge. You, apparently, like it here or you wouldn't have stayed the way you are for as long as you have. This being allowed to succeed would put an end to that, then you would be forced to take sides, Gabriel.”

 

Eying the angel warily, Gabriel thought that over quietly for several minutes then motioned the two female constructs he always kept around to entertain himself away then seated himself after filling a plate with the delicacies that were on the table. After taking a bite of some of the succulent chocolate cake, he motioned for Cas to seat himself then asked, “Alright, bro, what do you want to ask about.”

 

Seating himself, still wary of Gabriel, and things he might do if displeased, Castiel quickly gave him a rundown of what he knew was going on and the whole thing he suspected about the binding. When he was done and saw Gabriel nod, he asked, “My question is this... which binding is it and how can it be broken.”

 

Settling back after putting his plate aside, Gabriel had a pensive look on his face then answered, slowly, “Your suspicion on the binding spell is right. It does sound like this Ruby is trying to rebind Chucklehead #2 to her after Azazel did the initial one. That's a powerful spell, only a few could manage it. No ordinary demon or angel could even try it. That one goes... whew, way back! Back to the war in Heaven, I believe.”

 

Nodding solemnly, Cas asked, “Is there a way to break it?”

 

Rubbing his chin thoughtfully for a few moments, Gabriel then shook his head, “Nope, Sammy-boy there is uberboned. Only thing that can be done is transfer the binding to someone else. And that isn't going to be easy. Even normal demons and angels can't pull it off, it has to be a being with more power than that.”



Looking down at the floor, Cas nodded, thinking that over, frowning. “Do you know how to transfer the binding? And can I do it?” He finally asked, glancing back at the arch-angel.

 

“Yeah, I know how to do it but it won't do you any good to have it. You don't have the juice to perform the thing,” Gabriel chuckled, leaning back in the chair, lacing his fingers behind his head. “There are also other problems with shifting the binding beyond that.”

 

Not liking what he was hearing, Cas looked at his brother and asked, “What kind of problems?”

 

“Look, whomever he ends up bound to, it's going to be nasty work. He can be controlled if that's what they want. No way around it. That's if it's not human. A human is different, he will keep his free will. But the issue will be that if he's bound to a human then they have to be monogamous. Sam will be incapable of cheating, or even thinking about it. If the other does, it'll cause both of them tremendous pain. They are going to be linked in a way that they are almost conjoined twins. They will not be able to function without the other. And, as I don't see anyone from Heaven or Hell binding themselves to Sam without an agenda with this messy two-step going on, a human will probably be what you're looking for.”

 

Nodding thoughtfully, the angel thought that over. Honestly, he didn't have any idea of who he could actually bind Sam to aside from himself, Bobby or Sam. Those could work and he would do it if he had to, but didn't like the idea. “This binding... it's just a friendship kind of thing? Nothing more has to be involved?”

 

Chuckling and shaking his head, Gabriel snorted, “No, it's more than that. There has to be some kind of contact over the years. If it's with a human, sex will have to be involved. Angel or demon, no, that doesn't have to happen. But if they vanish and leave the being bound to them alone, he will die a painful death because the link will cause them a great deal of suffering, both mental and physical. Azazel didn't do that kind of binding with Sam. He did something else. But to change the binding requires something stronger. That's what Ruby is doing. And, since she's started it, it will have to be finished or Sammy-boy is going to die from it. Or, eventually, the pull will be so great that he'll go to her. He might be doing fine now but he will give in eventually then crawl back like a whipped dog.”

 

Alarmed, Castiel's head jerked up and he stared at Gabriel. That was something he really didn't know. “You certain she's already started the binding?”

 

Snorting, Gabriel shook his head, “Of course, chuckles! She's probably only a couple steps from completing it, actually. If what you described is accurate, he's going to start feeling a need to find her soon, despite taking himself out of the chorus line. Nor will he be able to fight it long or will anything anyone else does be able to stop him. It'll be a compulsion, an addiction of some sort.”

 

That was something the angel didn't know. It also stepped up the sense of urgency he had about the whole thing. Rubbing his face, he stared at the ground, trying to think. After a time, he asked, “Who do you know that has the power to do the binding? One that doesn't have an agenda or want something out of it? Isn't it possible I, Dean or Bobby could pull it off?”

 

“No chance, bro!” Gabriel chuckled with a shake of his head. “It's way above your pay grade. And I do know someone that can. Only thing is, it's a matter of if he will.”

 

Seeing at least a glimmer of hope in this, Cas asked, somewhat excited though it didn't show on his face or in his voice, “Who is it? I believe I can persuade them to do it as I have the proper motivation.”

 

Grinning a little, Gabriel kicked his legs out in front of him then crossed them at the ankles before saying, tone bored, “I don't think it's going to be that easy, bro! I don't see why I should drop myself into this mess to help those two mooks. By letting this fight go on, things will calm down for us and the fighting will stop. That's why I left in the first place. Father decreed that this was to happen, so let it keep going is my thought. Those two nimrods have a part to play so they should stop fighting it and do so.”

 

“You can do this?” Castiel inquired just to make sure he heard him right before he went to work persuading him with everything he had.

 

“Hello! Arch-angel! Of course I can!” Gabriel replied sarcastically making a circle around his face with one finger while rolling his eyes as he said it. “Point is, why should I? Why should I help anyone? If this happens, the fighting stops over Lucifer, who's right, who's dad's favorite, all that. We get the peace we promised. That's what I want! I want to go home and not have to put up with all the stupidity.”

 

Though he knew this wasn't going to be easy, the angel was bound and determined to convince his brother that this was the right thing to do. Scooting to the edge of his chair, he clasped his hands between his knees then looked intently at Gabriel before saying, “The fighting will never stop, Gabriel. We are a family, just like any human one. If this argument ends, another will just begin over something else. There is always infighting going on over something. Lucifer, though he's a big argument with everyone, isn't the only one, you know that! We aren't much different than humans in that aspect.”



Snorting, Gabriel shook his head, “We are different from them. They have free will and can do as they please, including disobeying father. We don't have that choice, you know that.”



“We have the same thing, though no one tells us that!” Cas added emphatically. “I chose to go against that faction nor am I aligned with Lucifer. I made a choice, just like humans do. You made that choice as well by leaving. How is that different? You aren't standing with the others in this but doing what you please! If they get their way in this, you won't even have that choice. How long do you think it will take for them to realize who you are once the fight is over? Then what do you think will happen? You didn't aid anyone, staying here and hiding. What do you think that will be perceived as? Don't you think they'll turn against you too? That you will be the cause of the next fight?”

 

Looking at the low-level angel, Gabriel had a very uncharacteristic serious expression on his face. Castiel did make a good point, several of them, actually. Him leaving and not aiding in things, once it was well known that's what was he did, wouldn't be taken well at all. In fact, most would see it as a betrayal even though he didn't do anything to assist Lucifer. That wouldn't bode well for him. “I just want it over,” he finally said softly. “The fighting needs to stop. Since this is father's will, let it happen so that there can be peace again. Too many bad feelings have been brought on by this whole cluster. I love my brothers and family but this is too much. It just needs to end.”

“Do you think just by letting the fight happen it's going to stop and all will be fine? I don't think so! There will just be other things to fight over. There always has,” Cas told him emphatically with a shake of his head. “And who says this is father's will? That book that we all know gets more wrong than right? It looks like this is what he had planned but are we sure that he's the one behind it? No one has seen father to even talk to him! Zachariah is the one that is supposed to have his ear, passing along the information to everyone, but he's working for the other side, obviously lying to Michael about what's going on! What I overheard proves that! And you could easily tell if I were lying about that. Is this what father had planned for us? A betrayal of so many of our own to kick off the war without him being the one to say that's what's happening? That will just lead to more fighting after it's all over.” Gazing at the arch-angel, he asked, “You, like Michael, talked to father about such matters. Is this what he had planned for all of us? For a war to tear us even further apart because our own kind betrays us to the other side?”

 

Again, Gabriel was quiet. Thinking back about the conversations they had about such things, their father mentioned many things about the fight that they were talking about but none of them, at least that he could remember, were things that were just mentioned. It was supposed to be a straight up thing brought on by hell and Lucifer, no one else. At least that their father ever mentioned. It had been all about things being free will of those that were involved, not forcing anyone into it. From what he was hearing from Castiel, something that did feel right to him, this had nothing to do with free will but manipulation by both sides to force two beings into the game they didn't seem to want to play, at least one of them didn't. Scrubbing his hand over his face, he then sighed, “This is completely screwed up.”



Nodding in agreement, Cas said nothing, just waiting to see what happened.

 

After several moments of contemplation, Gabriel said, voice more quiet and less forceful than normal, “The end will come, you know it. If they want this war that badly, they will find a way to do it. No matter what we do, the issue can be forced, one way or another.”

 

“I'm not sure that's true, at least wholly,” Castiel said slowly. “They might be able to replace either Sam or Dean in it, but not both. So, if one removes himself from the fight that will delay things. You can't finish it without one or the other right now. Dean, I believe, is the replaceable one. I don't think there is anyone left to replace Sam in this. All the ones that might have had the power to do so are gone, somewhere they can't be touched by Hell. He, as far as I know, is the only one capable of breaking that final seal, something he knows and desperately wants to avoid doing. If he doesn't do it, or isn't forced into it, then the whole game is off for now until new players can be brought into it.” Seeing that Gabriel was still waffling, undecided as to what he should do, Cas lowered his voice then said, “As no one has talked to father in so long, nor do they know where he is, who's to say that stopping this, letting Sam opt out of his role, isn't his will in the matter? After all, he was the one that always wanted humans to have free will in deciding their own fate. Also, there is nothing that goes on that he doesn't know about. Nothing on this planet happens without him allowing it. Are we certain that he didn't ensure I came by what I did? No one knows father's mind on such matters so we shouldn't guess what he wants, just go with what signs are there.”

 

Again, Gabriel was silent for several minutes, looking intensely as Castiel while he thought that over. Then, when he finally did speak, he was still quiet, “You're right. About most of it anyway. But I'm not sure about this. It's not a decision I want to make right now, if ever. The end is nigh, I know this, and I'll have to make it sometime but now isn't when I want to do that.”

 

“As you said, the choice is coming. Why put it off? Won't you be making the same one whether it's now or later?” Castiel asked, genuinely curious as to why this was so hard a decision to make. “If it will help, I can assure you that, no matter what happens, no one will know you're involved from either side. That way you can continue on as you are now with no one the wiser as to who or what you are.”

 

Snorting, Gabriel rolled his eyes at that. “If I do this, one of the other winged assmonkeys are going to figure it out eventually. Or the other side will. Only so many have the mojo to pull off something like this, chuckles. I just prefer to stay out of the line of fire as far as possible. And, no matter what, you deal with the Winchesters, you end up pulled in to all kinds of happiness. That's just the way it goes. You aren't that wet behind the ears to not know that.” Serious expression sliding back into place, Gabriel sighed. “Tell you what, give me two hours to think it over then come back.”



Nodding, Castiel said nothing then got up and left. As he walked out, he looked up and said a silent prayer, hoping that he was doing the right thing and Gabriel would come around to his way of thinking. If he didn't, Cas wasn't sure what the next move should be.

 

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Beta'd by the most awesome Tenchi. Love you, woman!

 

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