Winchester or Angel?

15. A Late Dinner

ALEX

Turning to Gabriel, now the only angel within conversing distance, I unleash all my questions on him, letting it out like water from a broken dam.  "What the hell was that?  Why did she call me 'beige'?  How is she walking?  What was that glowing?"  I kinda feel bad about raising my voice at Gabe, but I was desperate for some answers.

Dean takes a step toward me and sets a hand on my shoulder.  "Woah, woah woah.  Let's take a breather.  Gabe, did you catch all that, or does she need to repeat it slowly?"

"No, no I got it all.  Plus, I doubt she's capable of slowing down right now."  He takes a deep breath and knits his eyebrows as if sorting through all the questions I just threw at him.  "That wasn't just lightning, it was a commandment.  She called your soul, often misnamed as an 'aura', beige because you are as pure of heart as a sinful human can get.  Heck, you're even a virgin!  Now that is something to be proud about."

I guess Dean forgot his hand was still on my shoulder until now, taking it off when surprised by this new-to-him factoid about me.  "Wait, what?  Seriously?"

I give Dean a look of confusion.  "Yea.  Why?  Do you find that weird?"

"I-" He starts to say something, but cuts himself off realizing it could prove to be offensive to me.  Smart move, stinky. "Nope.  Not at all.  Gabe, please continue."

Gabe snaps from his judgmental glaring at Dean, transferring his full attention back to me.  "She's able to walk because she is no longer human, that glowing was her changing, changing because her body has to obey the commandment God sent down in the form of what you would call lightning."

"Gabe."  Dean interrupts.  "Even I'm getting impatient, cut to it."

"Fine." Gabriel retorts.  "Erin...Is...An..."

"GABRIEL!" I snap.

"Angel."

"Well, wait a second.  How does a human become an angel?"  Dean asks.

"Good question.  I have no friggin clue." Gabe shrugs.  "Well, other than the fact that God, the big guy upstairs, just struck Erin with lightning.  You know, that could be how."

Dean rolls his eyes at the sarcasm Gabriel throws.  "Has this happened before?  I mean, I'm no bible scholar, but I'm pretty sure this kind of thing never happened in the good book."

"You're right with that one, this is a first for my Father."

After listening to Dean's questions and Gabriel's answers, I have a question of my own.  "Why?"  I ask in a quieter voice than I expected.

"Sorry honey, I didn't catch that." Gabe turns his attention to me, yet again.

"I said, why?  Why would he do that?  Why bring her back just to turn her into something else?"

Making eye contact, Gabriel gives me the most sincere facial expression he can manage.  "I think that's one of those big 'why me' questions you gotta save for God."

I nod slowly and look down, apparently deep in thought.

But really, I was deep in prayer.

Hey God, I was wondering if you could me a huge favor by explaining why you just turned my best friend into a friggin angel.  Thanks a bunch.

I look up just in time for Erin to reach our little square, Cas following close behind.  She steps in next to Sammy, making me realize I'd forgotten he was there.

"I'm hungry.  Anyone else hungry?"  Dean suddenly announces.

  Realizing my hunger, my stomach growls ferociously.

"I think that's a yes from Alex."  Gabe teases.  "Angels don't get hungry, but I know I'm craving something sweet.  Possibly with syrup."

"It's settled then.  Let's head out."  Dean states.

~*~*~

We must look like the most awkward group, walking into the remote 24-Hour diner, dirt on our knees and under some of our fingernails.

We slide into the biggest booth at the diner; me and Dean on one side, Erin, Cas, then Gabriel across from us.  Sam just pulls up a chair from one of the many empty tables and sets it next to our table.  Sitting down in that way guys sit, with their legs resting apart, he rests his arms on his legs, leaning forward to participate in our conversation about what we're gonna eat.

"An egg and cheese omelet sounds good to me." I announce.

"Ooh, I want that too."  Erin pipes in.

"Oh honey," Gabe coos.  "Angels don't eat.  Food doesn't exactly taste too great."  As the words sink in, Erin pouts and slouches.

"Well, I know what I want."  Dean states before turning to call the only employee here.  "Hey miss, we're ready."

Walking over, the waitress asks her routine question.  "What would you like to order?"

"Well, she wants an omelet," Dean orders for me. "And hey, it's Tuesday, Pig 'N' a Poke.  I'll have the special, side of ba-"

"NO!" Sam interrupts.

After giving Sam the strangest look of angered confusion, Dean changes his order.  "Fine.  Pancakes, side of bacon, and coffee please."

Sam nods nervously, then orders.  "Make it two coffees and a short stack."

"Hey, is your tea caffeinated?"  I ask the waitress.

"We have both caf and decaf."

"I'll have caf.  Thank you."

"Alright.  It'll be bit till it's all ready, it's just me here." She says, we all just nod in response.

As soon as she enters the kitchen, all heads turn to Gabriel.

I'm first to break the silence.  "So...what now?  It's like, two AM"

"I don't know!"  He answers a little too loud, eliciting shushes from us.  Turning his vocal volume down, he continues.  "I don't know.  We've surpassed all instruction I received thus far."

"Well, you wanna know what I think we should do next?"  Dean asks, apparently rhetorically because he continues without waiting for an answer.  "I think us humans need to head back to the motel for some shut-eye.  You angels can go...do whatever it is you do at night.  Go cure a hospital or something."

"I'm all for that."  Sammy chimes in.

"Come on, Cassy."  Gabe coos.  "We'll let them sleep.  Hey Erin, you coming with?"

"No."  Erin declines.  "I wanna stay with Alex."

Confused Cas pipes in.  "You do know angels don't sleep, right?"

"Oh.  Well, then I'll just lie down and rest my eyes."  Erin concluded.

"So it's a plan.  We'll head out right after we eat." I announce as I see the food we ordered coming our way.

~*~*~

AGH just a filler, I know, I'm sorry. I'll try very hard to make sure the next one is a goodie.

Sunchips and PB M&M's!

~Chey