Chapter One

Dean paced the house he was holed up in. It wasn't overly nice, but it wasn't as run down as some of the other places he stayed in. The house had a working fridge, working lights, even a working bathtub with steaming hot water. The house was empty, and truthfully, For Dean, that was all that mattered.

Dean had protected the house from Demons. A little salt here, a lot of it over there. It was the usual routine. Well, the usual routine since Dean had met Castiel.

Dean just finished talking with Ellen. She asked him to call her so he did. It felt weird. Having someone, a woman, who ordered him to do things as simple as calling to make sure he was alright. Dean knew that Ellen loved him, in her own way, and that was why he called. He didn't like doing it, as it added one more responsibility to his ever growing list of things to do, but deep down he didn't mind being looked after for once in his life.

But right now all he did was pace. He felt on edge. Weapons were easily in reach, but Dean didn't know if they would work against the big evil should he pop by. Lucifer. The name still had his heart beat faster and his blood boil.

How had his life got so far from the simple hunt the bad guys, kiss the girl, move on. Now it was all apocalypse and demons and annoying angels who acted like dicks.

Dean felt the presence first. He didn't want to turn around because he knew that the angel behind him was not Castiel. He never heard Castiel until Cas scared the crap out of him by simply appearing. This angel wanted Dead to know he was here. He wanted Dean to feel that rush of anticipation. That rush of the unknown. That rush of the intruder having the prey within their sight.

How Zachariah found him, Dead didn't know. But now was not the time to panic. It's not like Dean panicked easily. It wasn't in him to panic.

"What the hell do you want now?"

"We are here to take you to Michael, Dean. Things would just go smoothly if you…DID. AS. YOU. WERE. TOLD." Zachariah suddenly appeared in front of Dean and gave him a slight push with enough force to send him backward and crashing against the wall.

"I'll pass, you dick. Find another vessel. I hear they have two for one at – "

Zachariah held up a hand, silencing Dean, literally. Dean tried to talk, but no words were coming out of his mouth. He could still breathe, but that was all.

"Dean, Dean, Dean. I've brought four of my brothers with me today, Dean. You are one very hard Winchester to track down. Met a friend of yours – Ellen – she was very helpful in locating you. You remember Ellen?"

Dean felt his blood boil, but nothing showed on his face.

"Ellen's a sweetheart. It was so simple to tell her I was Castiel. Your guardian angel. She lathered it up when I was able to help her with a slight…problem she was having. Hex bags. Can't be too careful when sweeping your rooms now, can you?"

Zachariah was paying close attention to Dean's breathing. It was getting faster so Zachariah rightly assumed that Dean was getting angry.

"Ellen's asleep right now. Oh I didn't kill her. But she probably won't be able to hunt anytime soon. That broken leg looked painful. And her wrist? Who knew that a human body could make such noises?"

There was a pregnant pause as Zachariah was waiting for Dean to loose his temper. This human was near impossible to read, but Zachariah knew that Dean's weakest link was his emotional tie to humanity and his friends. Dean wouldn't want anything to hurt them.

A flutter on the wind caught Zachariah's attention.

"Castiel. How unfortunate of you to join us. We really were getting along much better without your constant interference," Zachariah said as he held up his hands to stop his brothers from smiting the angel on sight.

"You will leave." Castiel's voice was deep, his eyes narrowed and his stance in preparation for a fight.

"No. I don't think I will. See, I was always stronger than you Castiel. Still am. And these four? I've brought them with me for one reason – YOU. See I can take Dean anytime I want, but these four have been waiting for you, patiently, I might add. They want to smite their brother who dared rebel against all that God has planned."

Castiel dropped his weapon that was hidden up his trench coat sleave into his right hand. It glistened as it hit the light. He had sharpened it just a few hours before, never knowing when he would need it. Right now Castiel was thankful that he still had his blade. As like last time he faced Zachariah, Castiel was prepared for a fight. The ultimate showdown. If Castiel was going to die, again, he was going to take his unfaithful superior with him.

"Really Castiel? You should leave. Four against One. Not the best odds."

Castiel knew his odds, and knew that they were not in his favour, but that didn't matter. He raised his left had in Dean's direction, effectively neutralizing the silencing effect Zachariah had used on Dean. That was all Castiel could do for Dean at the moment. Caught between Dean behind him and the angels in front of him, Castiel said a quick prayer to God to help him save Dean from the clutches that would have him destroy the earth and all of God's beautiful creatures on it.

Another flutter on the wind brought Castiel's attention to the angel on his right. He moved quickly, but not quick enough. Castiel's breath caught. She was beautiful. She was very strong. She was one of his most trusted friends. She was also the one holding a long, deadly blade at the base of his neck.