lost & insecure ; j.g

prologue

A/n: disclaimer - this chapter is not based around Jack, however you get on insight on Sage and her future to come.

Sage       ;

The thing about legends? Well, we prefer to stay legends. The second anyone knows you're real, there's a trigger happy idiot seeking to destroy what they cannot understand. Hence the reason I was absolutely furious when Balthazar the angel showed up on my doorstep that night.

"Hello, sage." his smooth British accent greeted. The way he popped up behind me caused me to jump in surprise. I usually glided through people like a ghost, and wasn't used to anyone speaking to me.

Then again, he wasn't a person; he was an angel.

"Hello, Balthazar." I said, sparing him a glance as I reached the door to my apartment. I was not his biggest fan per se, but I was in a fairly good mood. "And my name is Joanna kuchta now, remember?"

"Right, Joanna" he humoured me, "why you would want to change your beautiful, unique name to a stupidly clichéd one is beyond me."

I twisted my key and unlocked the door stepping into my small apartment. I was greeted by heat, a sweet haven from the chilly South Dakota air. "It's my way of reminding the Angels that I am my own person... but anyway, what are you doing here? they usually send Castiel to lecture me.".

Balthazar rolled his eyes and slipped of my coat and placed it over one of the cushy red arm chairs. The apartment was small, and fairly cozy. I didn't mind. I had no family, not friends - just me and myself - oh, and the off angel here and then.

I swept by Balthazar and into the kitchen, putting on a pot of coffee. When I turned back around, I saw he had followed me. I backed away, not at all comfortable with the invasion of my space. His vessel (a person an angel or demon occupies) was one he had long before the titanic. The man was tall and lean with thin brown hair and dangerous eyes. He wore dark slacks and a dress shirt, sporting a mischievous grin.

"I'm not here to lecture you," his grin became wider. He knew something that I did not. "Actually, I should be applauding you. Nice apartment."

I shifted uncomfortably where I stood. So that's what this was about? he wanted to taunt me, I craved normalcy.

"thanks." I said stiffly, pouring myself cup of steaming black liquid.

"who did you compel to get it?"

I fought my body's urge to go completely rigid. Compulsion is the power to push your thoughts or even commands someone else's head.

"The lovely man who lives in apartment C213. He owns this place," I replied coolly, holding my head high and stepping past him once more to enter my living room.

I threw myself down on the cough gracefully and placed the mug on a coaster in front of my kitten.

"How old is your vessel?" Balthazar asked, putting me on the spot.

"22" I flatly stated. My again process stopped so long as I willed it. It all came with what I was. I chose to age normal as of last year, earth years and heaven years were very different. One year in heaven, could be a thousand on earth. So while I look 22 'human years' in really hundreds of thousands years old.

"Why do you look so distressed sage? I'm pleased you're using your gift."

I felt my blood spike with anger, and it scared me. It's never good when I'm angry, I guess you could say I'm a she-hulk.

"Gift?" I asked through clenched jaws, "it's called lucifers curse for a reason, I haven't tainted a soul".

His face went grim, "I assure you, the good outweighs the bad".

"Oh," I challenged, "is that so?".

"Don't patronise me. You and I both know you can't stay hidden in this little apartment".

"Au contrarie" I smiled at him, exposing my beautiful whites. "I can and I will. I like it here, it's a definite improvement from when I was being tailed by demons in Vancouver".

I set my mug down on a coaster in front of me. I preferred sweeter drinks, but coffee helps numb some of the pain using my powers brought on; I hadn't used any, but the coffee was still my vice.

"I spoke with Uriel," Balthazar began hesitantly. I observed him with concentrating eyes, whatever he had to say he knew I wouldn't like it. "We think it's time you start mingling with hunters,"

I feel my eyes widen in shock before shouting out, "no! Absolutely not, I would be dead first chance they got".

"I'm not suggesting you fling yourself at the bloodthirsty, vengeful kind." he stated shaking his head at my acceptable stupidity.

"Excuse me there is no other kind of hunter," I protested.

He was amused by this and smiled briefly, "it may shock you, but there is. There are some that have their wits about them, it's not all 'shoot now ask questions later'"

This statement did not comfort me. I found myself fighting the urge to pour brandy into my coffee. The last time I'd been with a hunter, it hadn't ended well for any of us.

"They're neanderthals! Primitive, knuckle-dragging, trigger happy monsters" I yelled.

Balthazar ignored my tantrum and continued on to make his point, "you don't have complete control of your powers yet. You have no idea how to defend yourself. A hunter can provide an extra means of protection, and he could keep other hunters from harming you.

"I don't want to be defenceless, I hate it. But I don't want to spend my days with a bloodthirsty hunter. I can feel my power, I just can't touch it, not yet".

"No, Sage Riley," he said with burning eyes. I cringed slightly, "what you need is a shield. You need to shadow someone else, someone stronger".

There has only been one hunter ive ever trusted, he saved my life. I helped him on a case with his son, but he left soon after. "David Gilinsky..." I said. More to myself that Balthazar, I haven't spoke to him for years.

"The demons know your whereabouts, David is your only hope" he cast me a spiteful look.

I felt the fear and apprehension seize me like a bucket of ice water. Why did he not say something sooner? I would be defenceless the moment he disappeared back to heaven.

"What?" I was aware of the very human-like fear that was very apparent in my voice.

I expected a triumphant grin on Balthazar's face, but the grim expression never faltered.

"The other angels - or at least a good half of them told me not to come - Castiel, Uriel, Gabriel, you name it, know that you're special. You're different, immensely different, and much more powerful." Balthazar explained.

"What if I die? Or worse." I whispered. "What if I lose my humanity? If I'm as powerful as you say I am, wouldn't that make my dark side much more of a threat?" I asked, increasingly worried.

Just then, I saw the hint of a smile. "This is the beginning point of a journey for you. You are needed by many, sage." he reassured me, "those who mess with their fate do so to their sorrows".

For a few long moments, he held my gaze. Then I must've blinked, because he was not there anymore. That's when i felt the sinking panic of not longer having an Angels protection in the pit of my stomach.

"Don't worry" I told myself, gazing at my complexion in the near by mirror, "they're not going to get me...not tonight".