I'm Not The First--I Pray To Be The Last Part III

[paulacas]

Title: I’m Not The First—I Pray To Be The Last Part 3/3
Author: YanzaDracan
Artist: bluefire986
Fandom(s): RPS —KANE, SPN, Leverage, ATS
Characters/Pairings: Christian Kane/Steve Carlson/Jensen Ackles; Jim Beaver/Samantha Ferris; Steven Williams (Rufus SPN); Members of KANE; Tim Hutton/Gina Bellman; Jared Padalecki/Matt Cohen; Jeffrey Dean Morgan; Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia ATS)
Rating: R; SEE WARNINGS
Word Count: 23,061
Warnings sexual context, non-con, violence, strong language, characters death, use of Christian icons, i.e., God, angels, demons, some as they have been used on Supernatural.
Summary: The Archangel Raziel (Secrets of God) creates The Hounds of God, humans who can shift into wolves, sense Evil and the supernatural. Through the generations these families have hunted in mated pairs. Christian and Steve are one such a mated pair. What happens when they meet unmated Hound, Jensen Ackles, who has a very murky past?
Based on tidbits on Wikipedia: Omnes angeli, boni et Mali, ex virtute naturali habent potestatem transmutandi corpora nostra - "All angels, good and bad have the power of transmutating our bodies"). St. Patrick was said to have transformed the Welsh king Vereticus into a wolf. Rare and lesser known account of an 80-year-old man named Thiess. In 1692, in Jurgenburg, Livonia, Thiess testified under oath that he and other Hounds were the Hounds of God. He claimed they were warriors who went down into hell to do battle with witches and demons.
Author’s Notes: Special THANKS to bluefire986 for the wonderful artwork, and for beta reading for me. Her help on this story has been a huge Blessing.

Standing at the abandoned cliff dwellings of the Anasazi, Jensen didn't flinch when a presence brushed over him.

"Hello, Mother." He turned to look at the red-headed woman that appeared next to him. "It didn't work." Jensen didn't look at the angel or the demon that stood by his side. "You can create all the bonds you want, but without the emotions to anchor it, it soon withers and dies."

The supernatural beings exchanged looks at the dead tone in the Harbinger's voice. The mated pair they'd chosen should have been perfect for their son. Perhaps an intervention was needed.

"Don't even think about it. They didn't ask for this. I'd rather die than force them into something neither wants.

They don't mind me using them as walking talking security blankets, but they've never offered more." Jensen started walking toward the base of the cliff.

"I mean Christian would, but Steve…there's something ridin' his ass like a rented mule. I just can't quite…" He continued to talk to himself as he walked.

Lilith and Raziel exchanged a look.

"You take the Hound, I'll take our boy." The demoness suggested.

With a flutter of wings the angel was gone.

"So is this where we're going do the 'showdown of the century'?"

Lilith jumped at the sound of her son's voice next to her ear. Damn how'd he do that?

"One of the possibilities, but you don't get to pick the playing field."

"Why did you make me? I thought seduction was more your game than rape." Jensen asked calmly.

Lilith watched him closely. He was the first Harbinger that carried memories of his conception. The boy's demeanor was way too calm even from a demon's point of view.

"It is. Normally I work with unmated males from Wing Clan. There were three Harbingers in place but Morningstar has been seeking them out either to turn them or kill them. Two were killed when some fool who thought he was a wizard opened a devil's gate, and they were in the group sent to hunt down the escaped demons. The last Harbinger went south, literally. She stands with Morningstar as his champion."

"So I have to kill my sister to stop whatever HE has in the works?" Jensen asked.

"That will only be the beginning." Lilith actually looked pained.

"Your children killing each other bothers you?"

The vessel blue eyes turned white.

"Of course it bothers me. I was the first woman, but I didn't toe the company line. Besides you're all perfect. The perfect balance of Heaven and Hell though your sister, Charisma, is the perfect example of why humans nor Hounds should raise my children.

"I was raised by a Hound." Jensen reminded her.

"Ah…Steven. A Harbinger that was never activated, but kept himself primed if the need should ever arise. He was perfect to raise you. It was lamentable that Raziel got called back when you were still so young. I had given thought to slipping in when he slipped out of Donna's meat suit, but you would have instantly known the difference, and the wolf part of her nature wouldn't have allowed it." Lilith sighed.

"So this Charisma-does she live topside?"

Surprised at the turn of the conversation, Lilith answered.

"Sometimes. If you search you may find information on one called Charisma Carpenter."

"Can I beat her?"

"You are well matched in different ways. She is an average fighter that relies heavily on her telekinesis and spell casting ability to defeat her opponents. You are an exceptional fighter, but I have no knowledge of your other talents." Her tone made the statement sound like a question.

"Then I guess we'll all be surprised." Jensen gave her a sideways' look.

"You didn't think because we were standing here making nice I'd tell you all my secrets…" Jensen chuckled.

"Raziel and I…"

"Apparently have something going on the side not a lot of people know about, the only ones who know the end game is a demon and an angel." Jensen interrupted.

"We wish only to hold the status quo. He doesn't want Hell on Earth and I don't want Heaven on Earth. I didn't get one so no one does."

"'The enemy of my enemy' gig?"

"It started that way, but over time we have developed a certain rapport." Lilith's smile was more for herself than Jensen.

"Any other pearls of wisdom I should know before you leave?"

"Be diverse and silent in everything. You never know what might be seen or heard and reported." She opened her arms. "A hug for your mother?"

"I should kill you." Jensen chided.

"Ah, but you never know when another Harbinger will be needed."

"I know I'm not the first, but I'm praying to be the last." He did pull the petite vessel into his arms.

"Would that I could grant your wish, Child." Lilith murmured as Jensen released her. "Take care." She admonished as he walked toward his SUV.

A short wave and he was gone in a cloud of red dust. Raziel appeared out of the same dust cloud.

"Well?" She asked impatiently.

"There was a spell…" The angel shrugged, "now there isn't."

"Will that solve the problem?"

"Only time will let us know the answer to that question."

"Something we have precious little of." She muttered as both entities disappeared.

When Jensen got in range of a cell phone tower, the first thing he did was call the Tim for information about Charisma Carpenter. The information he got coalesced with what Lilith had told him. Since he was already this far west, maybe it was time to reacquaint himself with the people who'd been a part of his life when he was a child.

%%%%%

Tim Hutton laid his phone on his desk with a sigh. Talking to Jensen always left him feeling melancholic. Steven used to bring Jensen to the house for him and Gina to tutor the boy in Hound history, teaching him about Harbingers and his abilities. Jensen the child had been a joy to teach, but entirely too serious. The last time they'd visited, Steven was picking up information for a hunt. The boy had become a reserved, suspicious and fierce hunter, but didn't deal well with people, Hound or human.

He and Gina missed having Jensen around the years Steven had kept him hidden away, but more than that they'd missed Steven. If Steven's Harbinger abilities had activated, they would have been his anchors. He wondered if Christian and Steve were meant to be Jensen's anchors, if so why were they letting him hunt without them?

%%%%%

William Running Dog watched the two men that climbed from the silver pickup. He smiled as they carried a blanket, tobacco and several other gifts that were traditional to the Native side of his and Christian's lineage.

He could see the cloud of worry that traveled with his favorite godsons. He could also see the stain covering Steve's aura, and wondered what had happened to the blond since the last time he'd seen 'his boys'. Deep brown eyes widened as a white dove landed in the tree that shaded his porch. The bird seemed to watch the men as intently as Running Dog.

The formality of the gifts was quickly finished, and Running Dog didn't give them time to explain anything. His apprentices had been prepping all day and they were ready to begin. Christian stripped and took a quick shower then left Steve to his own preparations while he went in search of his godfather.

"Elder…" Running Dog stopped him with a raised hand.

"I have seen the darkness on your mate. Someone has attempted to block you from your destiny by using him in such a way."

Christian nodded his agreement. Before he could say anything else, Steve came out of the house.

"All is in readiness. Let us begin."

They dropped their robes and followed Running Dog into the sweat lodge. The men had been in a meditative state for several hours. It was during the third hour that the white dove appeared inside the lodge. It flew a circuit, brushing over both Steve and Christian before landing on Running Dog's shoulder. Man and bird watched as Steve began to twist and turn still caught in his vision. Jerked from his meditations, Christian grabbed Steve's hand, and threw himself into his mate's vision.

Inside the vision battle raged as spider like beings tried to attach themselves to Steve. Christian kept his back and sides clear as Steve fought the ones coming from the front. Sometimes they fought as men with their bespelled weapons and other times they fought as wolves, teeth and claws shredding the beings.

Finally the last of the creatures were defeated and the mates stood panting looking around for what was next. They began to relax their guard when a man appeared. Moving to stand back to back they waited.

"I applaud you, my Hounds. You will make excellent anchors for the Harbinger." The handsome man's voice seemed overly cheery.

"Who the fuck are you?" Christian spat.

"I am the one that made you."

The man's smile reminded Christian of a toothpaste ad. Steve stepped from behind his mate.

"I know you. You've been in my dreams." He frowned in concentration.

"Yes…well…I needed to find out why your kept rejecting my boy. It was very painful to him you flip flopping like a fish out of water." The smile disappeared.

"Your boy?" Both mates asked.

"Anyway...Good to see your back to yourself." With that he was gone.

Both men came out of their meditative state in time to see a white dove launch itself from Running Dog's shoulder and disappear.

Running Dog insisted they spend a few more days-just to make sure everything was as it should be. As he watched the pickup drive away he turned to the presence that appeared at his shoulder.

"You and the angel play a dangerous game, Demoness." The medicine man stated.

"We are aware, Old Man."

"Are you here for another child?" William Running Dog turned his full attention on Lilith…

…And looked into the face of his mate. He shuddered looking into the face he'd lost years before, and knew it was not truly her for their wolves would never tolerate the presence of a demon in the same body. This was how Lilith always came to him, wearing the face of his mate.

"Not this time. We think that Jensen will be the last for a time…if he lives up to his breeding."Eyes the color of fine whiskey met those dark as the night. She licked her lips as though nervous. "I have been…lonely." She blushed lightly.

The healer in him could never turn away any soul in need.

"I was just about to fix some lunch…" He held out his hand.

Feeling the delicate hand slip into his, he moved toward the house with one of most powerful demons in the world tucked against his side.

%%%%%

The first day of the month found Steve pacing through the house like a virgin on her wedding night. Will and Christian watched Steve cross the living room like a one man tennis match.

"You could take him upstairs and distract him." Will snickered as he headed for the kitchen.

"He's so distracted right now he probably wouldn't notice." Christian snarked.

"HE can hear you, smart mouths." Steve growled.

Will came back with a beer for each of them.

"I don't know why you're sweatin' this, man. He's probably forgotten all that stuff."

"Jensen has perfect recall." Steve reminded the bass player.

"There is that." Will agreed.

"What if he doesn't come back?" Steve asked mournfully.

"Tim said he was headed this way." Christian reassured.

"Why was he at Hutton's?" Will asked.

"Harbinger business was all Tim would say."

Before the conversation could continue, sensitive ears picked up a familiar engine pulling into the driveway. As Steve started toward the door, a well placed boot had him falling into his mate's lap. When Steve started to protest strong fingers clamped on the back of his neck.

"What're ya gonna do, Boy? Tackle him in the front yard?" Christian growled and gave the blond a shake.

A shudder passed through Steve at his mate's manhandling. Then his brain registered his words.

"Ah…Ummm not sure." He rested his forehead against Christian's shoulder.

"Then settle yerself." Christian gave a final shake before releasing Steve.

While Steve sorted himself out, Will had gone to open the door for Jensen.

"Hey, man, how was the vacation?" He gave the older man a quick hug before grabbing Jensen's duffel and heading toward his room.

"Not long enough. I'm actually looking forward to sitting still for a while."

Jensen hung up his coat and kicked off his boots as he listened to Will going to his own room after he dropped off his duffel. He studied Christian and Steve for several minutes noticing a distinct lightening of Steve's aura.

"Looks like the break did y'all some good." He commented on his way to the kitchen for a beer.

"Went to visit the relatives in Oklahoma." Christian said casually as he started pulling things out of the fridge to prep for supper.

"Looks like the fresh air was beneficial." He leaned against the patio door.

"It was." Steve said as he moved to help.

None of them were big on small talk, so the silence stretched as they continued their preparations, until Jensen slipped out the door to smoke a cigarette. A glare from Christian sent Steven after the younger ouHouHound with a beer and cigarette of his own.

"Jens…"

"Steve…" Jensen interrupted. "Look I get it. You're tryin' 'cause that's what you think you're supposed to do, but you don't have to keep turnin' yourself inside out on my account."He took a long pull off his beer. "All this Harbinger, the great balancer of worlds shit will be over and I'll be out of your guys' hair."

A ripple of fear passed through Steve. It sounded as though Jensen had consigned himself to not surviving.

"No. We don't want you out of our hair. I wanted to tell you we found out why I've been so Jekyll and Hyde with you. Someone had hit me with a spell. The times things were smooth was my true self overriding the spell. When I was an ass it was the spell. We went to Running Dog who was able to put Christian and me in a vision quest where we were able to kill the spell." He moved into Jensen's personal space laying a hand on his arm. "Don't push us away."

"I'll try." Green eyes closed as he appeared to gather himself. "Things are moving fast, but we'll just have to make do." He turned to look at Steve, his expression resigned.

Steve reached around to grab the back of Jensen's head and pull their foreheads together.

"We'll make it. You don't know how stubborn Kane can be when he wants something." Steve teased.

Jensen's smile was twisted. "My mental health may depend on that stubbornness."

"We hate to lose. Besides I don't want all those ravening KANIACS beatin' down the doors if we show up without you."

Christian joined them, and they stood quietly for a few minutes savoring their real feelings and letting the withered bond begin to rejuvenate. With a chuckle that was choked with emotion, Jensen whispered.

"Not burnin' my supper are you, Kane? I'd hate to think after not having a decent meal in three weeks you'd feed me a burnt sacrifice."

"My beef stew is simmering to perfection, smart ass." Christian gave him a last squeeze before they broke apart and went inside.

%%%%%

Their waking hours were filled with music and Christian working on his upcoming movie role. Jensen warded the house against angels, demons and everything in between. The warding allowed him to sleep through the night blocking what or whoever had been sending him dreams.

His sleeplessness had worried Steve to the point he moved Jensen into their room and their bed. A smirking Christian had them both throwing pillows at him as they made room for the younger Hound to move more fully into their life, and the connection between them flourished.

Jensen had begun to hope that the pair really were meant for him, but when he felt the lust rising between them to a point that it made him blush, he'd disappear until their completion dampened the fire to a warm glow.

Frustrated with Jensen thinking sex wasn't part and parcel of their connection, the two made a plan that would have worked perfectly if they hadn't open the door to see a drugged Jensen hanging between Tim and Eric. Before anyone could speak, Christian yanked the groggy man away from them, passed him off to Steve and Will while he stepped between them and the door. Eric paused at the growl emanating from deep in Kane's chest. No one moved until Steve came back leaving Will with Jensen. Only then did he let the other men in the house.

"What the fuck happened?" He demanded.

Tim walked over to the liquor cabinet and poured himself a healthy glass of Jack before turning back to face the angry hunters.

"Sam called me a couple weeks ago to tell me Jim was becoming creepy in his obsession with Jensen. I called him like I do all my researchers to get an update on what he was working on, hunts, usual archives business, he seemed fine. Sam called me yesterday to say Jim was flying to Nashville 'because he was tired of waiting for decent hunters to wrap the freak up and deliver him for study'." He took a large swallow his whiskey.

Piercing blue eyes moved on to Eric. The manager paled.

"Hutton called me, told me what was going on, and asked if I could get Jensen to come to the office and keep him there until they could get here. Jensen and I talked about some companies that had come to me for endorsements, we talked about him signing on with me so I could manage all that for him, and when I'd run out of reasons to keep him there I got a text from Tim saying he was coming up the driveway. We stepped out of the building when Jensen grabbed me, spun, and knocked me to the ground. I could hear the bolt action working on a gun, before I could find where it was coming from, Sam and Gina in wolf form went by like two streaks and Tim was there pulling the tranquilizer dart out of Jensen's shoulder before it could pump the full dose into his system."

Eric poured and downed a healthy shot before refilling his glass and sitting down.

Christian and Steve exchanged a look. This was their fault.

"We didn't think asking an archivist about Jensen would lead to all this." Steve sat down heavily on the couch.

"It shouldn't have." Tim answered. "Until twenty years ago we didn't know a lot about Harbingers because sadly like humans, we Hounds don't always deal well with things we don't understand. Harbingers kept who and what they were quiet-only their parents and anchors knowing what they were."

He poured another drink.

"Many of our archivists are retired hunters. Jim came to me after his mate was killed. It should have been him in the car that day. She was covering for him because I had him on a hunt. What I didn't know was the hunt was one of those events that Harbingers are born for-the Harbinger and two other hunters were killed, but the balance was restored. Jim walked away, but his mate was killed taking care of his business. I guess finding out Jensen was a Harbinger and that you two were part of his life pushed Jim over the line into obsession."

"Where's the sumbitch now?"Christian growled standing.

"Gina and Sam have him. We'll be taking him to LA. We have people that can help him."

"That's it! We don't hunt our own, Tim! Who knows what he would have done to Eric and Jensen if Sam hadn't called or your flight had been delayed!"

"Jim wouldn't have hurt Eric."

Those were the wrong words to say. Tim found himself slammed against the wall with two hunters growling at his throat. Wolf reflexes allowed Eric to catch the glass that went flying, but he didn't try to stop the pair. A sound on the stairs had the manager turning expecting to see Will.

Instead he saw Will supporting a weaving Jensen. Stepping off the last step exhausted the last of his energy and the two men went to the floor, Will unable to handle Jensen's muscled bulk.

Hearing Will's distressed cry, they dropped Tim and rushed to get Jensen off the floor and onto the couch between them. They stared at Will.

"He woke up, said he had to get to you, he could hear the growls in his head." Will shrugged. This Harbinger business was tiring.

When everyone settled, Christian and Steve turned their attention back to Tim.

"We have protocols for this. We only hunt our own in the direst circumstances-this isn't one of them." Steve turned his attention to Tim.

"The circumstances…"

"Fuck the circumstances!" Christian growled. "If it was a hunter their ass would be before the Council so fast it'd make your head swim."

"They knew."

All eyes turned to Jensen who was leaning against Steve's shoulder fighting the effects of the tranquilizer.

"'S why Sam was there. Rule."

Tim paled at the expressions on the hunters' faces when they turned their attention back to him.

"Yes, hunters that survive the loss of a mate are retired are given someone to watch over their mental state…"

Will saw someone at the door and answered before they could ring the bell. Sam Ferris stepped inside to find Tim Hutton hunched under the weight of Steve and Christian's rage.

"Boys." She greeted cautiously.

"Take him and get out." Christian said flatly.

Sam started to speak, but was overridden when Eric shuffled them toward the door.

"Will can you give me a ride back to the office?"

"Sure thing, Eric." He sounded relieved to be escaping.

Locking down the house, they helped Jensen back to their room, stripped down and settled in to allow him to sleep off the effects of the tranquilizer.

%%%%%

Green eyes popped open as the memory of a man with a gun pointed at Eric pulled him from sleep. Memories returned in a rush as he realized his nose rested against Steve's neck and Christian was wrapped around him his fingers entwined with Steve's making a warm, but effective cage.

He tried to shift in a way that seemed natural, but would allow him to leave the bed without waking anyone. Jensen thought he was succeeding until he felt teeth grab the nape of his neck.

"Goin' somewhere, Jenny?" The sleepy rasp asked.

"Take a leak." Jensen's tone was hopeful.

"Don't take too long."

The tongue running along the ligaments in his neck caused him to shudder as he climbed from the bed. He momentarily entertained the thought of waiting until Christian drifted back to sleep then slipping away, but he was tired of this limbo-bonded but not mated. He thought he was saving them from the pain of when he died, but he was beginning to believe that with the two men on the other side of the bathroom door he could survive what was coming. He opened the door and slipped back into bed.

Where he was met with hands, lips and teeth that caused moans, gasps and twisting as Steve and Christian used their knowledge of pleasure and pain to push him forward and pull him back. They pushed him closer to the cliff as first Steve then Christian marked him inside and out. Jensen fell knowing they would catch him.

%%%%%

Having done all they could at the studio until after Christian came back from his film shoot, Will returned to Portland, while they hunted, taking care to keep Christian pretty for his movie. As Jensen became more secure with his place in their lives, he revealed a sharp mind and dry sense of humor.

The first bump in their relationship came as it neared time for Christian and Steve to fly to the movie set in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. They wanted Jensen to come along, but he had already made plans. The dreams were back and he'd taken to making sure he slept on the edge of the bed to keep from disturbing anyone else's sleep.

He knew the dreams were from his pseudo parents. Charisma was in California recruiting-preparing the way for Morningstar to once again walk the earth. Jensen wondered if Charisma was in Los Angeles for the souls ripe for the taking or the shopping. After taking Steve and Christian to the airport he'd be on his way.

%%%%%

Sitting in the sidewalk café, Jensen was drinking overpriced coffee when Charisma settled herself on the chair across from him prissy as a cat.

"Well if it isn't the baby of the family?" She sounded positively cheerful. "How did you ever get out of the house without your keepers?"

"The same way you apparently slipped your leash, Sis."

"Touché. The pup has teeth." Her smile faltered a bit.

"So, what's the plan?"

"What's the rush? You have some BIG important plans for your life other than hunt the demon, kill the demon?" She asked sarcastically as she sipped the coffee he'd ordered surprised to find it was her favorite.

"As a matter of fact there are some places I need to be that are a lot more enjoyable than sitting in this den of iniquity talking to the black sheep of the family." Jensen answered his tone as dry as the desert.

"Star Wars! I can't believe you're quoting Star Wars."

"I find the classics always appropriate." Jensen grinned broadly at his beautiful sister.

He absent-mindedly wondered if all Harbingers were 'pretty' or if it was just him and Charisma.

She finally got tired of waiting for him to say something else, and moved to fill the silence.

"Since 'Luc' and I like Los Angeles just the way it is I supposed we'll have to find some place in the outback of nowhere to have our little tete`-a-tete´."

Jensen rolled his eyes but held his silence.

A little unnerved at his nonchalance and lack of emotion Charisma huffed in annoyance.

"There's a quaint little backwater in Wyoming that has a devil's gate I can open when you're dead."

"I know the place. Sunrise on Sunday?" Jensen stood and placed money under his cup for the bill.

"Star Wars and Sunday? Going cliché all the way with this, Little Brother?" She sneered, but refused to look up at him.

Jensen reached over and with a fingertip lifted her chin so she was looking at him. He bent down and kissed her softly on the cheek.

"I always wanted a sibling who understood what I was-I'm sorry." His thumb caressed her cheek before he walked away.

Lucifer's Harbinger raised her hand to touch her cheek where the thumb had stroked. The moss green eyes had been full of sadness and regret. Confused by his behavior she finished her coffee contemplating their next meeting.

Hailing a cab for the airport, Jensen would get there just in time to catch his flight for Salt Lake City where his SUV waited. He wanted some time to just be himself before the Harbingers met on the battlefield.

%%%%%

Steve looked around the cabin where they would be staying for the next couple months. If they stuck to the original script it would be a pretty good movie that could give his mate a boost as a leading man. He grinned to himself as he unpacked their duffels and began transforming the cabin into their home. The one dark cloud was the argument they'd had with Jensen before their new mate dropped them at the airport. He hoped the connection they all shared would alert them if something happened. He locked the door behind him as he climbed into their rental to go find the things he needed to complete their well stocked kitchen. He didn't worry about having to pick up Christian the studio would see he got to the cabin after the production meeting.

Christen ran his hands through his hair in exhaustion and frustration. At the moment he wanted to get to a shower and Steve. Dealing with bean counters and studio suits always made him feel like he'd been drug through the mud, but this script was perfect for him, and could give him the breathing room financially to devote more time to KANE.

The script was about a retired black ops soldier turned singer recruited by his former bosses to ride herd on his band and roadies who are all operatives handling threats to country and the world. Depending on the box office it could easily become a series a la James Bond.

He'd been happy to see a lot of familiar faces among the cast, both Hound and human. They should be able to zip through production, then he and Steve could hunt down their wayward mate and get his ass back where it belonged. He sent a growled warning to Raziel to keep their Boy safe as he went looking for the car to take him to the cabin the production company rented for him. The growl returned when he saw Jared and Matt leaning against a pair of black Suburbans awaiting orders. Fuckin' Hutton was worse than a motherfuckin' spider in a web. He thought as he glared at Jared who shrugged his shoulders and climbed behind the wheel.

"Tell me what you know, and if you lie I'll kick yer ass." He demanded.

Jared feeling his oats at being in Hutton's confidence scoffed at the threat.

"You can try, Shorty."

The words were barely out of his mouth when he felt the chill of metal at his throat and just enough air getting to his lungs to stay conscious. He fought to hold the big SUV in the road.

"You forgettin' who yer talkin' to, Bubba." He rasped quietly.

Jared held his head perfectly still.

"Are you tryin' to kill us you crazy son-of-a-bitch!?"

"Just makin' a point. Bein' Hutton's boy don't make you all that." He growled as he sat back and re-sheathed his knife.

Jared swallowed heavily and told Christian everything he knew.

Steve was standing on the porch when Jared pulled in the driveway. He'd felt Christian's anger flare into the cold rage that made him one of the fiercest Hounds hunting, and was determined to back up whatever play he was making. Sharpening his hearing Steve watched Christian pause by the driver's window.

"I want a plane on standby 24/7 no questions asked and you can send the bill to Hutton. I'm gettin' tired of this master spy bullshit. If I see you or Matt here when it's not to pick me up or drop me off, I'm sendin' y'all to Tim in a box. Now get the fuck away from us."

Sharp eyes saw the pale face of Jared Padalecki behind the wheel of the studio car. The reason for Christian's temper was starting to become all too evident. He wished all archivists to perdition as Christian growled his way up the steps and into the house, snagging his hand along the way. They didn't repack everything, only a backpack of necessities, so they'd be ready.

Sunday morning found them tangled together, sated, the ceiling fan drying their sweat as Steve sprawled across Christian. They were edging back toward sleep when a flare of agony seared their connection with Jensen before it went silent. Rolling out of bed, they showered, dressed, and when they ran out the front door, Matt and Jared were waiting.

"Any news?"

"The Hound following Jensen lost him when he got to LAX, but the one following Charisma Carpenter was able to follow her to Evanston, Wyoming, where she rented a car and drove south. We were able to deduce where she was going. Running Dog called Tim to tell him about a huge release of mystical energy that has the astral plane in chaos."

"The Devil's Gate." Steve breathed out.

"Yeah. That's the place.

They pulled up to a hangar where a quick pre-flight and all four Hounds were flying toward the unknown.

%%%%%

When he woke he was looking through wolf's eyes. Everything hurt, but he could feel his body healing even as his brain started sorting out the information his senses were sending his brain. He was lying outside the Devil's Trap of iron rails that was containing a cloud of demons looking for a ways to escape. The words of the oldest, most powerful spell he knew to kill demons was leaving his lips the moment he shifted back to his human form.

With a final 'So Mote It Be', screams of fear and anger faded as the cloud dissipated. Jensen's telekinesis slammed the gate shut and called the key to his hand, which he dropped in the dirt. It wouldn't help with what was to come.

The only thing left inside the Devil's Trap was ball of white energy that began to coalesce into the general form of a person that began to move toward Charisma's body.

His beautiful half-sister, whom he killed as she cast spells and regaled him with all the things she and 'Luc' had done to prepare for this time. The blood rituals they'd done to prepare her to act as Morningstar's portal to earth. Jensen had ended that as he'd nearly decapitated her when he slashed open her throat while distracting her from her magicks, but as she'd breathed her last breath a ball of white energy had erupted from the chakra at her solar plexus.

Knowing the 'Fallen' angel was looking to use Charisma as a vessel, Jensen moved to intervene. If Morningstar could use her to escape, maybe Jensen could use his own essence to send 'Luc' back to Hell.

Jensen started to move. He could feel Christian and Steve getting closer. He had to finish this before they got here and threw themselves in the line of fire. Stopping in the middle of the railroad tracks he began another incantation that would hopefully keep him and Lucifer cut off from the approaching men. He refused to have his mates hurt, never considering how they would feel if his crazy plan was successful.

Knowing he could take more punishment in wolf form, he began to shift, but knowing Lucifer couldn't possess him unless it was mid-shift, Jensen started the process, but held the moment between human and wolf until he felt the 'Fallen' angel enter his shifting molecules. Jensen shifted back and forth several times as he fought Lucifer for control. He felt Lucifer's satisfaction as the spell he cast to protect Christian and Steve dissipated.

Jensen heard the shouts, felt the love, anger and concern through his bond as the barrier went down. The entity rushed Jensen's body toward them hoping one of the men was a human it could possess, but was once again denied. Jensen could sense someone else in the vicinity, but he could not split his concentration long enough to discover who or what so he pushed them to the back of his mind and concentrated on the task at hand.

Losing the battle for physical control, Jensen retreated to his stronghold inside his mind. While Lucifer ferreted out the secrets of his body, Jensen continued to build his mental arsenal, pulling energy from the angel and demon buried in his DNA, until a ripping sensation in his back pulled his attention back to the outside world.

The hunters rushing toward him fell back in shock as Jensen's intricate tattoo came to life and beautiful black wings erupted from his shoulders. Blood ran until his back was crimson. Christian and Steve dropped to their knees holding their heads as Jensen's mental scream ran through their bond.

Fighting back the pain, Steve reached for Christian and when their hands met, the pain was muffled allowing them to regain their feet and begin sending all the energy and love they could down the connection.

"GLORIOUS!" Lucifer proclaimed. It had been many millennia since he'd flown. This Harbinger's body was much better than the female he'd recruited. He flexed the wings several times before using his telekinesis to launch his new vessel skyward to catch the thermals.

Using the energy from his mates, Jensen cleared his essence of the pain from the eruption of his wings and returned to his work. He had to have a perfect mixture of the energy from both sides of his heritage for the portal to open. Sending one last wave of love to his anchors, he closed their connection. They couldn't follow where he was about to go.

As The Morningstar rose heavenward on his vessel's wonderful black wings, he felt a whirlpool of energy begin to form below him-to move as though chasing him. Before he could find that little pest of a Harbinger and squash his essence, pain flared along both his sides and raced up his ribs to touch his heart. Losing control of his wings and his vessel he began to fall back to earth-falling through the swirling portal of energy. An inhuman scream of rage faded away as the 'Fallen' angel was ripped from Jensen's body and sucked into the portal as the physical body continued to plummet.

Weapons that had pierced Lucifer/Jensen's sides were put away as the angel and demon raced to catch Jensen before he hit the ground.

There was a terrible snap of bones as they telekinetically slowed Jensen's descent, but better broken bones than to hit the ground. Regaining their senses in time to see the mystical blades of Heaven and Hell pierce Jensen's body, Christian and Steve raced toward their mate.

They slid to a stop as the handsome man from their vision quest worked to straighten Jensen's broken and bleeding body while a petite red head sat with his head in her lap. The wings were once more merely a beautiful tattoo.

"Jensen!?" They asked together.

"Lives, but is barricaded deep in his own mind." The woman answered.

"I have done what I can." The man stated. Crystal blue eyes looked at his son's mates. "Only his anchors will be able to find him for he will not allow us inside his mind."

"Can you help us?" Christian looked at the couple.

"Yes."

"We need to get back to our cabin." Steve looked back to see Matt and Jared with video cameras. "Something needs to be done about that. The archivists do not need video and eyewitness accounts of this little event."

The woman stood. "I will attend to them." Bright green eyes turned to her companion. "Take care of our boy." She walked toward Matt and Jared.

%%%%%

With a nod they were back in Jackson Hole. They stripped themselves and Jensen, showering off the dirt and blood before wrestling Jensen into the king sized bed.

"Ready." Christian and Steve shared a look. "Raziel."

The vessel smiled.

"Jensen calls me Razzy."

In a blink they were standing inside a house that carried a sense of desolation and decay. They began their search.

Finding nothing on the ground floor they climbed the wide staircase that split at the top.

"Think we should split up-cover more ground?" Christian asked.

Steve looked around a chill running down his spine.

"No. Left."

The rooms on the second floor held childhood memories of Steven, Razzy and Lilith, memories of being the outsider in his own clan, and his near sexual assault by the Wing Clan leader Jeff Morgan. Christian hoped they never met for he'd put a serious hurt on the older Hound.

The third floor held memories of his conception, the angel and demon, and his mother's revilement of the child her body sheltered.

The mates exchanged a look.

"Down."

"Only Jensen would be contrary enough to hide in the basement." Steve chuckled.

"Twisted little fuck." Christian grumbled.

Through memories of training, schooling and hunts, they travelled until in the furthest, darkest corner of the basement they found a cell with Jensen looking more like a wraith than a Harbinger. They grabbed the key off the nail and got him on his feet.

"We'll carry him between us." Christian started to pull Jensen's arm over his shoulder.

"Wait." Christian looked at Steve confused.

"It was easy getting here. No traps, guards, spells, nothing. What if the hard part is getting out?"

"You think he booby trapped the way out?"

Steve nodded.

"Fuck."

"You run point-I'll carry sleeping beauty." With a grunt Steve slung Jensen over his shoulders in a fireman's carry. "I think we should hurry."

The house groaned, protesting their presence.

"Yeah."

The problem wasn't traps or anything else they'd anticipated-it was the house falling around them as Jensen's control over his mind crumbled. Their feet no sooner hit the grass than the house imploded covering them with dirt and bits of debris. Before they could think of the next step, they were back in their bed.

They tried waking Jensen, but the younger man remained unconscious. They began to slide back into sleep when Raziel entered the room with a tray loaded with food. While Steve and Christian pulled on sweats and sat down to eat, Raziel checked on Jensen.

"Well?" They asked in unison.

"He has exhausted all his resources. It will take some time for him to rebuild what has been destroyed. He will wake when he is ready." The angel left in a rustle of feathers.

%%%%%

When the studio car came to fetch Christian the next morning, Jared was driving, but there was no mention of the events of the day before.

Steve spent the day expecting Tim and Gina to show up on their doorstep at any moment, but there was nothing. Not an email, phone call or text message.

He practically pounced on Christian when he came through the door.

"Well?"

"Well what?"

"Did Jared or Matt say anything about yesterday?"

"Nope. Whoever that red headed chick was-she was good. They don't remember anything but taking an airplane ride and taking some video of the area. Now, can I get a proper hello?"

"Always." Steve shoved Christian against the door and said a proper hello to every inch of the inside of his mouth and some of the outside, too.

When they could breathe again they headed for the kitchen.

"How's Jenny?"

"Still sleeping. How was work?"

"If things go like they did today, this could be the one that puts me where I want to be." Christian commented happily. "I can start saying no to the roles where they leave the best part of the movie on the cutting room floor."

They spent a quiet evening in bed, Christian working on his lines for the next day while Steve answered emails and read.

Things stayed quiet for the next four days. The third day Jensen had gotten out of bed twice to go to the bathroom, only awake enough to maneuver to the bathroom and back to bed. Exactly one week after the Harbinger showdown, they received the phone call they'd been expecting from Hutton and the combined yelling by Christian and Steve woke Jensen.

A Year Later

Christian's wish came true. The movie he'd made while Jensen recuperated propelled him from receiving scripts for third lead to leading man. KANE had a new CD out and would be doing the state fair circuit come summer and into fall. Steve and Jensen had become quite the writing team with several of their songs being used by TV and movie productions. A few dinner lounge appearances they'd done when a friend of Steve's opened a restaurant caused a ruckus across the Internet that had Eric smiling like the Cheshire Cat.

They also came to understand why it took a Triad to keep a Harbinger anchored. Christian's physicality and earthiness kept them rooted, while Steve was able to reach Jensen no matter where his mind roamed. Having acted as both a vessel for Lucifer and a portal to Hell, being pierced by the sword of an angel and the sword of a demon transformed Jensen into a true scale of balance.

They hunted, but refused to communicate with any archivists. Being practically gutted by Lilith and Raziel allowed the Harbinger to 'hear' the machinations happening in Heaven and Hell. Their hunts were based on these whispers, each one a tipping point between the light and the dark.

As a protection from those that would take Jensen as a lab rat or use him for their own purposes, they sold their properties in California and through a consultant from Christian's movie, who was ex-CIA, they bought a former safe house that was modern right down to the satellite and Internet, but off the grid and surrounded by a Wildlife Refuge in Tennessee not far from Nashville. They were in the public eye enough to satisfy the suits and protect their Harbinger, but private enough to keep their secrets.

The Triad sprawled across the deck of their Nashville house digesting the fine meal Steve and Christian had grilled for their 'tour kick-off' party. This tour would truly be a family affair, as new mates and babies would be traveling with them. Their new bus driver and roadies had been carefully chosen having passed both Eric and Jensen's background checks.

For the first time in his life, Jensen felt content. Watching the combination of wolves and humans spread across the yard, feeling the hum of his connection to Christian and Steve in the back of his mind, he was at peace. He closed his eyes and 'listened' to the thoughts and emotions of his clan.

Always watchful, Christian turned to find Jensen. The sun glinting off the red highlights in his hair caught his attention as the younger man sat propped against the deck post, eyes closed, the smile on his face transformed him into a figure from a Renaissance masterpiece. Worried that the Harbinger was getting lost in the voices he heard, Christian nudged Steve.

Feeling eyes on him and the worry humming in their bond, Jensen opened his eyes and locked eyes with his mates.

Gripping Christian's hand so tight he felt the joints creak, Steve watched as Jensen turned toward them and opened his eyes. The expression in those green eyes was so full of peace and love that he felt his heart falter from the weight. A tug on his hand had him on his feet as Christian pulled him along in his haste to reach Jensen, and tumbled them onto the grass until the younger man was pinned beneath them.

Bodies stilled as they absorbed each other's presence until the spell was broken by their new driver, William Running Dog.

"Remember there are children present."

Jensen and Steve blushed deeply as they righted themselves, but it was Christian's grumbling that set everyone to laughing.

"Damn."

~ Fini ~

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