Chronicles of Absolution: There a Hunter in the House?

Chapter 1

Then

… Lewis smiled and then tentatively pet Sasha. "Well um Shadow Chasers seems to be more realistic in their female characters," he replied with a slight agreeing nod, "And Katrina is not the kind to take things lying down."

"No she isn't," Angela replied with a slight smile…

… What about cold spots? Feel any sudden drops in temperature?"

Angela raised her brow the minute the cashier had the light bulb go off in his head as he said, "I knew it. You guys are LARPing, aren't you?"

She blinked at that. She was well aware what the term meant and had been treated once to a lecture on the difference between reenactment and live action role play. She put a hand to her mouth since at the moment it was completely funny that the guy thought that they weren't being serious. It was a whole different picture when the cashier started commenting on Sam and Dean's appearance and how hard core they were like some characters in a book…

… "We're gonna need all the copies of Supernatural you got."

… She spotted the books on the bed and picked up the first one. "Supernatural by Carver Edlund," she read and flipped the book over.

… "Interesting?" Dean looked up at Angela who was looking at one book and then the other. He had no idea what she was doing. "Everything is in here. I mean everything. From the racist truck to me having sex... I'm full-frontal in here, dude."

"And that's nothing compared to some thirteenth century porn. Lot more imagination there," Angela murmured. "Some porn is even older than that. The tapestry work is nice."

… "They're pretty obscure. Had almost zero circulation. Uh... started in '05, publisher put out a couple dozen before going bankrupt. And the last one, 'No Rest for the Wicked', ends with you going to Hell."

… Dean read and frowned as he read one post, "Some of these people think you're a guy? What the hell?"

"'Absolution is nothing more than a plot element to offset the emotional issues between Sam and Dean and basically is downright unnecessary.' That is crap."

"'Absolution is the faceless beauty that encompasses the true meaning of beauty with selfless compassion and grace.' Nice and I couldn't have said it better myself."

… She had curled up during the night and was pressed against his body. It was a sort of fetal position but it was comfortable much like the other times. She even grabbed his shirt sleeve when he tried to move and she was still asleep…

… Opening the door and using it as a cover for most of his body, Sam peered around it to find a blonde haired girl looking at him like she had seen a ghost so to speak. She started gasping like she was losing air and Sam asked, "You okay lady?"

… The next thing Sam knew the strange lady's hand was on his chest and she was feeling him up and grinning like Cheshire cat.

"And you're so firm."

"Uh… Do I know you?" Sam looked at her puzzled unaware that Angela was on her feet and looking at the situation with a peculiar expression that Dean recognized clearly for what it was.

"No but I know you," the woman replied. She was getting excited as she continued, "You're Sam Winchester and you're…" She looked at Dean sitting on the bed and frowned as she finished, "Not what I pictured."

… "Why the hell are you so amused?"

Angela was trying hard not to laugh at Dean's incredulous face. She had been trying ever since they packed up and headed to look for the publisher that published the books to get information on the author behind the pen name Carver Edlund. She just couldn't help it since the whole thing was funny to her. She tried to keep a straight face as she replied, "Because it is rather funny."

… Sam for his part cleared his throat at that. "So it doesn't bother you at all that you're mentioned either?"

"No," Angela replied with a slight smile. At the look the boys were giving her, she pulled out the graphic novel she had bought and held it out. "Here, look at that."

Dean took the proffered book and looked at it. He looked at Angela like she was crazy but he received a look of encouragement. He held it up for Sam to see as they scrolled through the pages. The realization of what they were looking at dawned on them. It was Dean who made the first comment, "This is about you?"

… If they had the time she would show him the Shadow Chaser fan site and what they came up with. It was enough to make her hysterical in between all the fighting and everything else…

… "But the part especially that mentioned Absolution and Dean just looking at each other with understanding… oh it only proves that Absolution is not a literary device but a real character."

… The publisher was protesting at giving the information on Carver Edlund and babbling something about him being very private. It was an initiative on Sam's part when he insisted that they were really big fans and revealed the tattoo that Angela had given him. Dean followed suit and even though she didn't have one like theirs, she went with it figuring there was no harm. She turned around and shrugged off her jacket and pulled her sleeve down to reveal her tattoo. The reaction was hardly one she expected.

"Awesome but… Oh my God!" The publisher looked like she had seen something beyond her wildest dreams or something. "You actually got it right."

Angela looked at Sam and Dean and they were clueless until the publisher came up and actually touched her tattoo. She raised her brow but didn't react except to say, "Um… I got what right?"

"The tattoo of Absolution," the publisher exclaimed. "You know most people have tried but could never figure out the design even though it is embedded in the books." She traced the pattern and the sigils.

"Fancy that," Angela said as she looked at Sam and Dean, "Must have been a subconscious thing that I picked up on."

The publisher backed away clearly excited that she had met three fans of the books. She couldn't help but say, "You know what? I got one too," and proceeded to show them where she had her anti-possession tattoo located.

Sam and Dean stared and Dean commented on her being a fan. Yet when they looked at Angela, she was just looking and she verbally agreed, "You really are a fan, sister."

… Chuck couldn't help but give a slight chuckle. So now that part made sense. When he wrote the books and introduced Absolution, the character was always the more stoic of the three. Sam and Dean would defer to Absolution for major decisions… It made him wonder if such a character could really have a life and possibly laugh. He did see the fan sites and found that the fans thought Absolution would be more flushed out or should be…

… That seemed to work as Chuck calmed down. He still was a bit scared of her but it wasn't to the point where he wasn't going to faint again. Finally he said, "This is definitely not real. People just don't pop out and you died nearly five hundred years ago. This is…" He looked at Sam and Dean and said, "And I made up Sam and Dean…"

Angela looked at the boys and gave a slight shrug, "Well, at least that's better than before." She then looked at Chuck and replied, "Well I can tell you that I died about four hundred years ago and was brought back to life and since then there were other times I've been dead or near dead."

"And let me guess you see Death now," Chuck countered. He rubbed his head trying to clear the cobwebs and confusion.

Angela made a slight face and nodded, "That is a given."

"Okay this is really nice," Chuck deadpanned, "You really went to town on this."

… "Because Chuck, we live it. We know them. We are telling the truth. This is Sam and Dean Winchester and the reason that you are freaked out and saying that I am supposed to be dead is because I am over five hundred years old and technically should be dead. I am Absolution."

"I never wrote that in any of the books."

… I'm Becky. I've read all about you guys and I never believed that you Absolution were a literary device. You're exactly like I pictured though… you look like you've been through hell…"

"Actually I have," Angela murmured still studying Becky. All traces of sleep were gone. She was wide awake and ready to go.

Becky was still rambling, "And I've even written a few…" She stopped herself and chuckled a little with three pairs of eyes watching her. "Anyway, Mr. Edlund told me where you were."

… "No." Chuck turned to face the Winchesters and explained, "He, like, exploded, like a water balloon of Chunky soup." He then looked at the Winchesters with alarm, "Don't tell Angie. I really don't want a visit from the virago of hell."

… Angela needed a walk. It wasn't a need for a supply run but a need to blow off steam. She wanted to get rid of the feeling that she wanted to chuck Becky out of the window and into a lake and that was the least violent of possibilities. One included ripping her arms off and that was because they touched Sam. It bothered her and she knew it amused Dean…

… "You too Angie. Maybe you can take the plunge." Jo made a gesture with her head and eyes towards Sam where he and Dean were waiting to hit the road. She gave a knowing smile at Angela and noted the slight flush of her cheeks…

… "Then you had Ares put me on the trail of the kid by being a pain in the ass about my talent of sniffing out the supernatural."

… Before she could say anything more, she was startled by Sam leaning forward and pressing his lips to hers in a kiss. Her eyes widened in surprise and her headache was forgotten. It was quick but full of emotion and lingered when he pulled back saying, "Don't do that again."

… "And I said I care about you. If you need help, let us know. Let me know." Sam would have said more but held back…

… "I don't want this to be a fight or anything like that. I just… It doesn't bother me Angie. That you need it on occasion. It's a part of you and it doesn't make me care about you any less."

… "I understand and… I'm glad that you waited. After everything that has happened… You always find a way."

Sam wanted to ask what she meant by that but refrained from it. As much as he wanted to keep going, even he knew that there were limits. He didn't need her feeling uncomfortable. Instead he asked, "Take a walk?"

"I'd like that."

Now

"This is getting old."

"Come on. It's not like we're diseased or something."

Angela gave a glare that was worthy of leveling mountains if that were possible. She was not amused. She crossed her arms over her chest and looked at Dean, not buying what he was saying. She shifted on her feet, glad to be free of the monstrosity that irritated her beyond reproach and gave off the impression that she wasn't above putting Dean over her knee and giving a spanking.

Dean knew that he had annoyed her. "Old habits, Angie," he gave. "Out of necessity and…" He shrugged his shoulders.

Angela sighed and shook her head, her expression relaxing. He wasn't lying about that and in all honesty she didn't blame either brother. Hell they gave her a Thanksgiving dinner not too long ago and she had a couple of laughs at their expense… especially Castiel. "Alright, but this is the last time," she gave with a gentle wave of dismissal. "No more unless it seriously warrants it."

Dean grinned endearingly at her, "Knew you'd come around. Besides I always like having company with beautiful women."

Angela couldn't resist the smirk that changed into a chuckle. She glanced at Sam who looked relieved that she wasn't going to make a fuss. It was pretty much her first chance of complete freedom of movement and the 'old habits' became annoying. So she really couldn't be too mad that Dean got one room with two beds with the expectancy that she was sharing a bed with one of them. She decided to tease him, "Really? Well when you put it that way, I think it's your turn to be the snuggle bunny."

Sam couldn't help but laugh at the expression that crossed his brother's face. It was always fun when his brother's jokes, innuendos… whatever… backfired on him. He understood where she was coming from and it was not really a good idea to assume when it came to her. The easiest solution would have been for her to go and request a separate room but she liked to make her point clear and this was it. He wouldn't have minded sharing a bed again; like she said, they had shared floor space before. And he pretty much saw that she was not going to treat him like a leper for starting the Apocalypse; she really meant it when she said that didn't matter.

Seeing her be pretty much her normal self was a reward in Sam's view and he had entertainment even if it was at his brother's expense. He was enjoying it immensely until his phone buzzed letting him know there was a text. He pulled it out and started reading, surprised at who it was from.

In the meantime Dean was trying hard to come up with a rejoinder to the seductive manner that Angela used when she said it was his turn to be the snuggle bunny. "Hey… you know it's not like that."

"You're the one who insists on flirting with me. Now you're telling me that I'm ugly."

"Come on Angie."

Angela grinned as she eased forward, much like a predator would. "What's wrong Dean?"

Dean knew that he started it and she was paying him back in his own coin and heavy handed with it. He leaned back when she leaned forward with that look that was like the cat caught the canary. "Only thing wrong is you," he spat, "Just going with old habits. I'm sorry."

Angela looked at Dean. For a moment it looked like she was going to jump on him and in front of Sam. She then changed her expression to a genuine smile and replied, "You're forgiven." She leaned forward and planted a kiss on his cheek. "You're so easy."

Dean scowled at that since he knew he had been had. His girl would never consider him since more or less she staked Sam as her own and that was before she knew it. He could say the same was in reverse since Sam was more visible. The scary thing was that she was that convincing when she was messing with him and he had to wonder what she did when she had to get close to the mofo she was hunting.

He couldn't stay mad for long since she did give him a kiss and it was more sisterly than what it would have been had it been Sam. He relaxed and replied, "Hey!"

"Told you to double team me."

"It's not fair since Sasquatch here is just watching." He gestured at Sam, expecting a comment. When he didn't get one, he looked to see his brother playing with his phone. "Sammy?"

Angela had her fun with Dean and had started to go through the bags. She stopped when she heard Dean ask his brother what was going on with one word. She turned to see Sam looking at his phone. Judging from the expression on Sam's face, it was serious and possibly a job.

"It's Chuck," Sam replied.

Angela came closer to peer over Sam's shoulder and read the message. Her eyes narrowed as she read it. "Life and death?"

"Wouldn't an archangel smite it?" Dean recalled what Castiel told them. He also remembered what happened since he just literally shoved Angela through the door. He glanced at Angela who was reading the text and thinking inwardly.

"True but… best not to take chances. Could be a Prophet thing," Angela replied. She turned to see the Winchesters looking at her. "I'm not his keeper guys."

"You sure?"

"You just shoved me through a door. It was natural instinct." Angela looked at Sam and Dean and added with a sigh, "Look, I didn't do anything like claim a guardianship over him. I was just in the area and I was pissed off with Lilith." She looked at Dean with a quick look hoping not to be forced out in terms of her personal feelings.

Dean caught the look and nodded slightly. He wouldn't rat her out. As long as things moved along he was okay with that. He looked at the message, "Well Chuck wouldn't send a text without good reason."

"Might as well check on him," Angela added. She was concerned since there were plenty of things out there that had an interest in a Prophet. That is if they knew about it.

It didn't take too long for them to get back in the Impala and head down the road. Somehow Angela managed to get back their money for the room though she wouldn't say how. The address that Chuck sent them meant that they were going to have to drive all night to get there since it was emphasized that it was a matter of life and death urgent.

"Keep it under a hundred. We don't need a ticket." Angela looked calmly ahead as she warned Dean. It was more to hide her anxiety on things.

"Quit backseat driving." It was old banter but Dean realized that he was a little more gruff than usual and was quiet after speaking.

Angela made a slight sound as she sat back and wrapped an arm around Cerebus who was looking a little homely and put out at being on the road. Part of the reason was that it was discovered that Lilah was in whelp and Bobby was inclined to blame her for bringing in another dog. And it didn't help that the grizzled hunter found the breeder charm that Jo gave her for her birthday. It was a good thing that no one could truly understand what Cerebus said when he spoke since it was clear that there was nothing to be done since he answered his mate's call.

As appeasement, they took Cerebus with them when they started out on the road again. It was okay since Cerebus was all hellhound and could get from one place to the other without much trouble. They were known for it and he would respond to his mate's call. She had no idea how that worked but it was a learning process since Sam pointed out that as long as she had that medallion, she was essentially in charge of them and apparently there was such a thing as breeders. There had to be since the Wilders were still bred and sent out to hunt.

She saw it and Cerebus saw it as a punishment but she tried to lessen the blow by asking him to be a defender of the pack. She asked him specifically to look after the alpha and the alpha's alpha. He perked up since she asked specifically in terms he would understand. He was willing and eager to prove that he was a good master of the pups and the prize hellhound of Hades. It didn't mean that he was completely a happy camper. So she was the one that soothed him and let him stay by her. Sam helped out and let the dog stay by him too and eventually Dean got on the train with that.

They drove through the night. It was tiring but the adrenaline was keeping them awake. As they got closer, Angela became quieter and more contemplative as she took in the surroundings; like she was going into battle. It was a little disquieting to Sam and Dean since she insisted that Chuck wasn't her charge. Sam was willing to believe that it was her nature taking over and she was doing what she could to not go full on virago before they even got there. He was just going to trust her in that she knew what she was doing. She never gave any less when it came to him or Dean doing something equally insane or disturbing.

The place was called the Pineview Hotel and it looked like one of those old hotels that had a history and was there for people to get away from it all. It seemed to be an odd place for Chuck to call them to but it was what they had. Dean pulled in with a slight screech and they were all out before the engine was completely off. Sam led the way followed by Angela with Cerebus on her heels and Dean was walking drag when he came to a stop, noticing three Impalas parked in a row, looking just like his baby. He was baffled by it though a small part of him appreciated the look.

"Dean," Angela said as she grasped his arm.

Dean was snapped out of his reverie and looked at Angela. Sam was looking impatient. She was more conveying that they had a job. And she was a little more touchy feely lately. He followed and together the three of them headed towards the front where they found Chuck pacing.

Angela immediately barked an order for Cerebus to search the perimeter. The dog took off running while they approached the prophet of the Lord. Sam said, "Chuck. There you are."

Angela noticed something was off when Chuck looked surprised to see them when he said more like a question, "Guys?" When his eyes lighted on her he added, "Oh. Not you too."

"Thank," Angela replied not really put out by that but gave the impression she was.

Dean gave a slight shake of his head and turned to Chuck, "What's going on?"

"Uh. Nothing. You know just… I'm just kind of hanging." Chuck frowned as he asked, "What are you guys doing here? Why did you bring… her?" He gestured at Angela.

"You told us to come," Dean replied.

"Uh. No I didn't."

"Yeah you did. You texted me. This address. 'Life of death situation'." Sam peered at Chuck. "Any of this ringing a bell?"

"I didn't send you a text," Chuck replied a little confused.

Angela frowned as she watched Chuck's reaction while Dean pointed out that they drove all night. She looked around to see Cerebus coming back trotting to her. Nothing. She sighed until it hit her. A familiar scent and she gave a low growl that increased the moment she heard that voice.

A/N: And here we are folks with a new episode and it looks like things are in for an exciting ride. Stay tuned for more There a Hunter in the House?...