Chronicles of Absolution: No Rest for the Weary

Chapter 1

Now

We just need time, Dean. I mean, please, just think about it. Don't you wanna live?

What he is isn't living. It's simple to me. Black and white; human, not human… You see what the doc is; he's a freaking monster. I can't do it. I would rather go to hell.

Sam looked into the grave dug for Doc Benton. His expression spoke volumes; that the last chance to save Dean was slipping away. Three weeks left before the hell hounds came for his big brother and they were no closer to finding anything.

Angela stared off into the night smoking a cigarette. Three weeks ago Dean learned the truth about who held his contract. Three weeks ago he said no to Doc Benton's formula of immortality. She gave a slight scoff. That wasn't immortality. Also three weeks ago Bela's deal had come due.

Angela took another puff of the cigarette. Bela was a pain in her ass. Before three weeks ago, after gaining her sight back, courtesy of the Eye of Horus, which was safely stowed away, she had a brief interaction with the skank. They met and Bela tried to get close to the boys through her. That didn't work. She didn't wish hell upon anyone and while she liked the idea of Bela getting a comeuppance like in Tartarus, she didn't relish what Bela's deal brought her.

I noticed something interesting in your hotel room. Something tucked above the door. An herb. Devil's shoestring?... Turns out they died 10 years ago today. A demon did your dirty work. You made a deal, didn't you, Bela?

The girl did make a deal and the reasons, it may have seemed justifiable in the end but in this case, messing with demons was a sure fire way to get her killed. At least she did something right in the end since she had nothing left to lose. She told Dean that Lilith held the contract. Both pieces of knowledge Angela had were now laid out in the open. The only sticking point was the fact that Dean's ticket was up in a matter of hours.

Angela took another pull on her cigarette. She really didn't smoke unless she felt the need to do so. Mostly it was when she was agitated or worried that she hadn't done enough. After regaining her sight and then the whole thing with Doc Benton, she was unsure about her initial plan about grabbing the contract and fixing it. She had to go through Lilith and considering the bitch fight she had with Tiamat… She could only guess the possible end result.

There was one other option and she wasn't even sure that Dean considered it and if Sam knew about it, he would be pushing it and that didn't involve her going to hell to rescue Dean. She sighed at that plan. Bobby had gotten the last of the stuff to set up the opening of the gate. She would have a limited window to work with the moment Dean died. That sounded so morbid but it was the only thing other than the last two plans she had and she didn't like either of them.

Angela looked at her cigarette and found that she had smoked the whole thing through. She put the butt out and popped out another one. She lit up using the lighter she kept with the other odds and ends in her pocket. She watched the plume of smoke float into the night air.

"I never pegged you as a smoker."

Angela turned her head to see Dean standing next to the Impala. She gave a slight grin and took a draft. "I'm not. I just felt like it."

Dean was no fool. He knew that she was agitated about the fact that his ticket was coming up and they were no closer to a solution that would get him out of his deal without killing Sam. At least it was better than the drag race last week where she raced Deanna, her baby, against some souped up foreign cars. She won five grand but she took enormous risks with it and some were near suicidal at least from a human standpoint.

Reaching in, he pulled out a couple of beers and handed one to Angela. He was pleased she took it and watched as she popped the beer while holding her cigarette. He began, "So, you thinking about doing another drag race?"

"No. I've got more important things to do," Angela replied taking a sip. "I see you pulled out the good stuff."

"Your fault you shared with us that stash from Oklahoma," Dean pointed out with a slight smile. He sobered though and got to the point, "What are you planning Angie? Do you know something about deal aside from that brokers' privilege stuff? Are you trying to come up with a way to break my deal cause you know what will happen if you do?"

Angela took another puff of her cigarette as she held her beer and stared off in the distance. Normally she would have been star gazing but she hadn't been in the mood for it. She knew the stakes as well as Dean and she was there when the deal had been made. "I know Dean. If you want the truth, I do have a couple of ideas but I hesitate on saying anything given the events of the last three weeks."

Dean knew she kept things not to be spiteful but out of a need to protect him and Sam. The way he saw it, that time was over. "Okay then. Can you tell me one? I promise I'll just listen."

"I would prefer your outburst at the very mention of it but I appreciate it."

"What big brothers are for Sis."

Angela couldn't help but smile. "That is appreciated little bulldog." She glanced at Dean before turning away to take another pull of her cigarette and then a sip of her beer. Sighing she decided to bite the bullet and start with the least of all evils in her eyes. "Well I didn't say anything since I know your stance about Doc Benton and this kind of goes along that line."

"I doubt anything you come up with is as bad as the good doc," Dean replied. "But I said I would shut up and let you talk so go ahead."

It was a surprise to Angela that Dean was holding himself to his word but she figured he knew how she was feeling at the moment and about the whole thing. They had become close this past year and she felt like she was a dismal failure since her ideas would most likely end up being rejected. Still he had the right to hear them and now that she had everything for her ideas… She began, "Well I know better than the doc about so called immortality. Well there is one way to buy time and a very long time barring accidents and illnesses."

Angela paused to look at Dean. She could tell that he was getting the hint at what she was saying but he was going to stick to his word and listen. She continued, "Keep in mind that it could be considered welching and that means I would have to do the same to Sam but… A way to prolong your life would be for me to turn you. You would be human for the most part and you won't have teeth like me but just some abnormal things like reflexes. You would live longer too and pretty much be stuck as a twenty seven year old. In short you would be… like me."

Dean suspected that was one idea to offer. First Sam got it into his head about that but he was saying something about a fellow vampire and he wasn't coherent at the time. The second time was actually meeting someone who was turned. Gus, who actually called him a few days ago and asked about how he was doing. Haley called a few days after that and talked to him too and offered the suggestion of her witch doctor roots but he refused.

Now Angela was telling him she had the power to turn him into something like her. He guessed that it was hard for her to tell him since she was there when he said what he said about the doc. It sounded like double standards in regards to her and he could see why she was apprehensive about it. He replied, "And what about Sam? The demon you threatened is dead so doesn't that make your clause null and void?"

"Like I said, I would have to do the same to Sam. The thing is I don't want to do it."

"You did it for Gus."

"I was selfish Dean. You know better than anyone that I have few people I could truly call a friend or even family. Augie was like a daughter to me. I raised her after she became blind and then when she was dying… I wasn't ready to let her go." Angela took another sip of her beer. She flicked her butt away since it was burnt to the filter. "I shared blood and made her into half a Halfling and now she will forever look like she is twenty-one and won't die pretty much like me."

"You really value this life and death thing don't you?"

"I have been on both sides of the fence Dean. I died and was brought back like you were; a life for a life. I helped Augie cheat death because I wasn't ready to see her die and now she's cursed like me. Now I'm asking if you want the same for you and Sam."

Dean thought about it some more. "I don't think Gus sees it as a curse. When we were talking, she sounded so grateful that you walked into her life when you did. She was sad to see you go. That's the thing with family. You're willing to go the lengths for them but in the case of me and Sam we do stupid stuff like make a crossroads deal." He paused a moment to take a drink of his beer and savor the taste and think about it some more. He gave a slight sigh and then continued, "I know you don't want to do the whole vamp thing and to be honest, I don't think it's a good idea either even though the idea of living as long as you do sounds a bit cool. Since you said you would have to do the same for Sam, I'm guessing there is more to it."

"You know me well Bulldog," Angela replied with a slight smile. "It's not just the fact that I think I would be cursing you to a cursed life but… you both are precious to me as humans. It's a reminder of how fragile life is, which is why I guess I try to live each moment with you two. But you are more than mere humans to me. You're my bulldog and brother Dean and Sam…"

"I know," Dean replied. "That's why I'm not going to go for it. The best thing is to find Lilith and gank the bitch and maybe this will end."

"I don't think it would be enough to just gank her."

"What are you talking about? That usually works."

Angela rubbed her eyes. She nearly spilled the beans that time but then again the plan Dean had would bring her to them and she could go ahead with what Crowley had her practice the last month or so. She knew Dean wouldn't let this go and since the clock was ticking, she might as well give him all the options that were available. She replied, "We could gank her but there is the matter of the contract itself. It could still go down even without her holding it."

"One of those things you would know as a broker?"

"Something like that." Angela played a bit with her fingers while holding the beer. "Just saying that maybe there is a way to get the contract and make it so that it is done for good."

"You wanna run that by me again?" Dean wasn't sure if he heard right. So far the theory was that if they killed the demon holding the contract it was done. However Angela was making it sound like there was more to it. "Angie, is there something that you found out about deals?"

Angela sighed as she looked at Dean. She hoped that it wouldn't be taken the wrong way. "There is a way to make sure that your contract is done. The thing is you need someone who knows about the fine print and can pretty much play lawyer with it and I was looking into me doing it since I have brokers' rights and all."

"You mean to get close enough to Lilith to snag my deal and make it yours?" It was first instinct for Dean to explode about that but he found himself thinking about it and he didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing. "So you get my contract and because you can do the deal thing, and then you can alter it and make it so that I'm not dog chow and Sam doesn't get hurt?" He looked at her with a raised brow.

"Yes." Angela delivered the answer straight to him, looking at him firm in the eye. She wasn't going to dance around with this. "I will admit that it is a big risk since we have to get close enough to Lilith for it and if you remember my bitch fight with Tiamat… It won't be easy. This one I am going to do since I am sure I can but I won't do anything to put you or Sam at risk."

Dean took in what she was saying. She was telling him the option and saying that she was going to try no matter what he said. At least she was giving him the courtesy of knowing and she was keeping the promise she made to Sam by being careful with herself. He couldn't believe he was going to say this but, "Alright. What are the details of this little plan of yours? By the way I can see how you kept this especially from Sam by pretending nothing was wrong. I'm not saying I approve or disapprove but I understand."

Angela gave a slight smile. Leave it to Dean to see right through her motives and actions. She replied, "What I can tell you is accompanied by a series of jargon crap but here's the layman's version…"

The forest looked similar to the lush redwoods of northern California but it was virtually a forest and rather clichéd like the horror movies but those clichés carried a lot of weight if you read into everything. It was noisy with the sounds of the wildlife. Suddenly it became quiet… too quiet. It was the kind of quiet that had your spine tingling and you knew something was coming.

Suddenly panting filled the air. Two shapes were like blurs as they ran through the forest. One was a man. The fear was evident on his face as he ran from the sounds of barking and gnashing teeth. There was only one beast that made that kind of sound. That was the second shape that was following the man. To most, it was invisible and that was a good thing since no one should see the monstrosity that was called a hellhound.

Then there was a cry; a war cry broke through the brush. As soon as the man ran past, she jumped out. Her tawny eyes were glowing orbs as they looked at the hellhound. Her fangs were bared and she was ready for a full on fight. She hissed at the hound as it growled at her and she twirled the blade that many knew her by.

The hellhound launched itself forward and she followed swinging her blade. She then began reciting something in a language that was not easily understood. On the ground a sigil appeared and it was blood red. Suddenly there was a giggle; it was a little girl giggle, but there was no happiness to it. It was cold and evil sounding. No child should ever have a laugh like that. It was disturbing and sent a chill down the spine.

The girl was standing in front of the one with the fangs. The hellhound was on the ground and whimpering slightly from an injury but it turned into a growl. The little girl was standing there looking at the warrior and said something in the same language and was holding up something. The warrior responded and held out her hand.

The end result was the girl laughing and the hellhound jumped the man that suddenly appeared. The warrior tried to help but was thrown back into a nearby tree. She watched as the man got torn to shreds and then began feeling the same pains. All the while the little girl with the white eyes was laughing and saying something but the words couldn't be understood…

Haley opened her eyes and rubbed them to clear them. The smell of the herbs and roots filled her nostrils and she looked over at her companion who was studying her. He was staring at her like a curious puppy would and was trying to see if there was an outside force that was tormenting her. He was good at what he did and had proven to be a good choice in bodyguard but he was also a friend.

Ever since that incident with Genevieve in Lakota, Haley decided that a little traveling would be good for her. It wasn't that she didn't want to be with her mother's people or her father's; she needed time to sort out her place in the world and to keep that piece which she vowed to keep safe. The twins at Lakota guarded another and then Europe had the last. Also she wanted to practice with her abilities since she accepted what she was and that was in part because of a certain man who struck her in a certain way that was hard to explain.

Aaron looked at Haley as she came out of her trance. He didn't really like it when she did them but it was a part of her heritage and she was insistent on keeping in tune with the mysteries of the world aka the spirit realm. That was one of the consequences of being born with the talent of an African witch doctor. Of course he had his own abilities that were strange and unusual and he lived a precarious life to prevent from being hunted.

He was called Nephilim. He was born to a human woman and an angel father. The Bible spoke of his kind as abominations but in his line of thinking, there were others like him that lived too. One was a woman he had met nearly a year ago in Texas. She was like him and she had some interesting ideas about beings like him and her.

They called her Absolution but she insisted upon her name as Angela. Aaron could tell that it was no coincidence about her name and the legend of the one destined to bring Absolution. He was certain she could see it but she was either in serious denial or didn't believe. She did have interesting things to say and when she spoke to him about what he was, she said that just because he was the product of serendipity, that didn't mean that his life was worth less. It was inspiration of a sort and he took a new outlook on his duties.

Aaron watched as the vestiges of the trance fade away and asked, "Another job for us to do?" He had gotten into the hunting game just as well as she did and liked helping out by going after the things that went after people.

"Not the usual," Haley replied as she looked at the smoldering incense on the table. She recognized the man in her vision and the woman. It was as the rumors had said and a glance at the wall confirmed it… It was coming.

"What is it Hale?"

Haley made a slight face that was a sort of smile. She had asked Aaron to call her that but it didn't have the same timbre as Dean Winchester's voice. She liked the nickname but it held a different meaning when Dean said it. It couldn't be a coincidence that she had been thinking of the flirting hunter and her vision was of him running from the hellhounds.

She knew that Dean made a deal. He told her as much when they were dangling in a cage in Genevieve's lair. She understood his reasons and never made him feel that he was a bad person for doing so since it was his brother's life. If she had siblings, she would probably have done the same. Now the reality of the situation was catching up to him and she was getting the taste of it and it involved the one person besides Sam that was important in his life.

Haley continued to look at the incense and thought about what she saw. She finally said, "It's Dean. His time is coming up."

Aaron paused a moment. He remembered Dean and how he and Haley were in Texas. "The brother of the Champion?"

"Yes," Haley replied after giving a chuckle.

"What about him?"

"Just a mistake that is becoming a reality," Haley replied. She was not sure if she should act upon it. Maybe give Dean a phone call. She did warn him to keep Angela from chasing the demon. She knew that it wasn't about the king of the crossroads but about another demon.

She had been hearing rumors all year about a harridan that bullied the small fry in some mad quest to find the demon who did a bad deal. The stories said that she tortured the small fry with a knife capable of dealing harm to the demons and in some instances resulted in harsh exorcisms or a killing. Haley hadn't wanted to believe them but she saw how Angela was around Dean and his brother and she believed that she was capable of anything.

"So are we heading out soon?"

Haley knew that if she were to interfere, she would most likely get her head bitten off for her troubles. Angela was a proud person underneath that selfless character that was as natural as breathing. She never let people do what she was capable of doing even if the act had a low calculated chance of survival.

She had to think about it some. She stood up and replied, "I need to think about it some. I'll be back."

"You know what my orders are."

"And you know that you don't have to babysit me to every place. It is just downright creepy in certain places," Haley replied looking at Aaron. "I am just going for a walk around the area. I need to sort out a few things before we head out."

Aaron watched as Haley left the room. True that he was a bit overprotective at times but he was charged with protecting the guardian of one of the three pieces of the seal. However, he did learn to loosen up so as not to attract attention. He could still keep an eye on her but not draw attention to the fact that she was special. They would just appear as two people road tripping. At least she had her powers and a small .45 pistol tucked in her jacket.

Haley left the room and started walking in the direction of the diner nearby. She could grab a bite of something while she was thinking about her vision and what to do. She knew that Dean would listen to her but there was the chance that Angela told him first and he was going to go with it anyway. Surely though, there was no harm in conveying her concerns? That's what it was: a friendly concern. But what if there was a chance that Angela could save Dean by chasing the demon? That certainly was worth letting it be?

"You know that it is inevitable."

Haley whirled around and let her fire trick start to show. She ended up facing a man that looked like he was from one of those Middle Eastern countries with dark olive skin and pitch black hair. She held her hand ready and replied, "There are a lot of things that I know."

"I'm willing to agree to that," the man replied. "And I'm willing to just talk if you don't mind putting out that flame trick. I'm a little sensitive to fire."

"Well then I guess I better keep it unless you want to tell me who the hell you are and what do you want," Haley retorted.

"Just telling you what you know deep down. Dean Winchester's deal has come due and she intends to stop it."

"You can hardly blame Absolution for that," Haley replied. She didn't relent on her fire trick. "After all he means something to her."

"Yes, but I'm here to tell you that she cannot be allowed to take on Lilith nor can she undergo her backup plan."

"What she wants to do is up to her."

"Not if she's not ready for it."

Haley paused a bit. Who was this guy to tell her whether or not Angela was ready or not? She replied, "What do you mean?"

"Exactly what I mean, witch. She isn't ready and I need you to stop her." The man looked at Haley with a curious expression. "You need to stop her Haley."

A/N: Alrighty folks we've come to the season two finale of Chronicles and Dean's deal is coming due and it looks like we've got a few new characters coming in. What is going on in those freaky heads? Stay tuned for more on No Rest for the Weary...