The Corgi Effect

Time's Running Out

"So how are we going yo get our brothers to hook up?"

"You're not serious, are you?"

"Very serious."

"You sound like a ten year old."

"So you in?"

"Sure..."

The corgi and the hunter think for a moment.

"We could set a romance scene, I'm very good at those."

"Yeah, since when?"

"When I had to snag your and Dean-o's blood."

"You were romantic to steal my blood?"

"Yeah, remember the Pagans...? And when I-"

"Died."

"Yeah, that."

Gabriel looks down at his paws and sighs, Sam notices the sadness in Gabriel's stance.

"Hey, I've been meaning to ask... How did you come back?"

Gabriel looks up at the human moose, "I really have no idea. I think it had something to do with Metatron wanting to use me, but I don't know."

"Oh."

"What? Were you expecting some great resurrection? Something grand and bright, befitting for an Archangel's return?"

"I was just expecting you to know, that's all."

"Why, you curious?... Did- did you miss me, Sam Winchester?"

"Wha- no! I didn't. I didn't..."

The two drop the subject and look at anywhere else in the room except each other. They end up smiling and chuckling slightly.

"What are you two laughing about?" Dean asks, genuinely interested in why his brother was laughing with the Trickster.

"I really don't know," Sam replies with a shrug. Gabriel stops laughing and so does Sam, who clears his throat awkwardly.

"Well I'd hate to interrupt what ever is going on here," Dean says, gesturing to Sam and Gabriel. He turns to walk away but swings back around.

"What is happening here?" Dean asks, "uuuhh..." Sam utters, "bonding." Gabriel stands up and pads gently over to the younger Winchester and place a paw on his shoulder (he's on a table).

Dean raises an eyebrow as Sam gives a weak smile.

"Bonding? Really? With the Trickster?"

"Eeh," Sam shrugs.

"Oh come on, you love my company! Besides, I want to chase a ball," Gabriel interjects. Sam stands from his chair so Gabriel can jump down to the ground.

"Let's go," Sam says. The two walk away, leaving a slightly confused Dean.

-------

"Ready?"

"Just throw it so I can go back to being completely me."

Sam throws the ball into the trees and Gabriel chases it down. He sits on the ground and waits for Gabriel to return with the ball.

A few moments pass and a light breeze picks up Sam's hair, Gabriel still hadn't returned. Sam shrugs off the thoughts of Gabriel being lost and keeps waiting, eventually the corgi returns.

He drops the ball in front of Sam, but keeps walking until he's in Sam's lap. The corgi looks up with bright un-Trickster like eyes, pleading for affection. Sam pets him lightly but tries to shrug him off, but he doesn't budge. Instead the corgi moves so now he's got two paws on Sam shoulders, he begins panting then licks Sam up the face, then he yaps.

"Aw come on! That's gross, Gabriel." Sam picks the corgi and places it next to him, the corgi huffs in defeat. Sam looks down at the corgi again, and the corgi looks back, and there is something very Trickster like.

"How did I get here? I was over in the trees and I found the ball and now I'm here." He wouldn't show it, and he won't say it, but he's scared. He's scared because now not only is he barking and needing to do doggie stuff more, but now he's losing time.

"You went full corgi," Sam thought it best not to mention the standing and the lick up the face. Gabriel sighs and closes his eyes. "Why did I do this?" He asks without opening his eyes as he hangs his head low.

"It was a mistake. You wanted to turn me and Dean and Cas into dogs, but something backfired and the spell went on you. Now we have to fix it."

"You think we can fix this?"

"Dean and Cas located another Trickster a few weeks ago, but she refuses to help. She keeps claiming that she's done enough and that you probably deserve it."

"Do you think I deserve it?"

"You have done some pretty crappy things in the past, but losing all your memories, natural instincts and just all-round not being able who you're meant to be, then no. I don't believe anyone deserves that. It's not fair, but you did bring it upon yourself," Sam says with a half smile and shrug.

Gabriel moves closer to Sam and lies down, eyes still closed. His tiny body pressed against Sam's long leg would be a cute scene if you thought it was a man and his dog. But we know who it is, and what it all means.

-----

Gabriel had fallen asleep while outside, so Sam had to carry him in. It's a tough life for a corgi. Sam placed Gabriel down on his bed (where Gabriel likes to sleep when no ones around, but Sam knows better), and walks away. He's not even out of the door when Dean and Cas find him.

"What are you doing with the Trickster?"

"He fell asleep while playing ball."

"How does someone fall asleep when playing ball?" Dean was being quite quizzical today.

"He was resting, then fell asleep."

Dean squints his eyes suspiciously and walks off, Castiel moves closer to Sam.

"It's okay, I can see it," he says and walks off, leaving Sam in confusion. "See what...?" Sam whispers, he turns around to see the corgi fast asleep and a small smile plays on his lips. He catches himself and quickly frowns, and walks away to read a book or something.

-----

Sam looks up at the sound of the pitter-padder of paws approaching him.

"Why do you alway come to me?"

"Because not even dad knows what those two are doing."

Sam shakes his head at the thought of his brother and friend...

"Thanks for that image," Sam replies sarcastically. The corgi shrugs and moves closer, he moves to the side of the chair and lies down with a deep breath, he nestles his head between his front paws and sit quietly while Sam reads.