AN: Okay, okay I know! I should be writing the crossover, but bleh. Stuff that. You know those nights when you lie awake tossing and turning, writing in your head? It was one of those nights. Sorry for typos and stuff. And yeah, I don't own my babies, even though I wish I did. And thanks to the awesome person who persuaded me to write this fic. You're awesome, dude.
4 weeks and 6 days. I had been counting. 4 weeks, and 6 days since I had become human. Four weeks and six days since I had Fallen, and lost my Grace. I was as human as Sam or Dean now, a mortal, now able to die of natural causes and extreme injury. The strange thing is, I do not mind. I miss my days as an Archangel, but not to the extent that life here on Earth is not worth it. I like being normal. In some ways, it has improved my life. It has strengthened my bond with Dean. He treats as another brother now, but I feel sometimes that I want more than that. I do not tell Dean that, of course. News like that may shatter our strong, but delicate bond altogether. Right now, I am very happy with my existence.
"Child drowns as friend watches, LakeSanto, North Santo Reserve,'" Dean read, and then plopped the paper onto the table. I jumped at the sound and looked up from my book.
"I'm sorry?" I asked, putting it down.
"Kid drowned yesterday evening," repeated Dean. "It says his friend saw him jump in and was staring at something that he couldn't see. In a trance or something," I nodded. "Sound suspicious or what?"
"Dean, I don't think 'what' is word used to describe a situation. It's just suspicious." I corrected. Dean let out a laugh and I looked around to Sam. I frowned at him with my ever present 'confused' face at the moment, and he shrugged and smirked at me. I could not understand why incorrect language was so funny to them.
"Oh, Cas, you still have a lot to learn, buddy," Dean said, clapping a hand on my shoulder. "It's just an expression, okay?" I smiled awkwardly at him.
"Um… I think so…" I said. Dean got up and turned to Sam.
"Should we investigate?" he asked and Sam nodded.
"Yeah, it does sound like something supernatural happened. Kids don't just jump into water, especially older ones like that one. They have pretty good common sense by that age. Here, give me a second," he reached for the paper and tapped away on the laptop. "There," Sam pointed to a more lengthy article that had come onto the screen. "Says his friend's name was Eddie Blasnyk. That's pretty unusual, so we should find them in the directory." I reached for the thick book that was on the sideboard in the motel room and looked under B.
"It's in here," I said and showed them the number, my finger tracing underneath it. Dean rang it on his mobile phone.
"Uh, hello, is that the Blasnyk household? Uh… yeah, so sorry about Eddie's friend, poor kid. I'm agent Green, from the FBI, I was wondering if my partners and I could come and interview little Eddie?... We'd like some notes on what he saw happen… Yeah… Uh-huh… of course, yes, yes… okay… We'll see you in about 2 hours? Okay… Goodbye Mrs Blansnyk," he cancelled the call. "We're expected there about 6 o'clock, so make yourselves presentable. Just follow us, Cas, and you'll be fine, okay? I've already made a fake ID for you," Dean handed me a card from his jacket pocket. "You're Agent Novak. Understand?"
"Yes, Dean." He clapped me on the arm, giving me one of the smiles that made my heart flutter.
"You'll be awesome, buddy, don't worry. Soon it will come naturally to you."
"Dean?" I tapped him lightly on his shoulder.
"What?"
"I-I feel strange without my coat. Was it really necessary to take it off?" I asked. He smiled.
"It's just because you're used to wearing it all the time. You can have it on afterwards, it's just for the 'FBI image'," Sam rapped on the door. "Now, Cas, when the chick opens the door, pull your card out like us," Dean mimed pulling the card from his breast pocket of his suit. I copied him, pulling the cardboard out enthusiastically. "Yeah! That's it, good going." The door opened, and Sam and Dean pulled out their passes. I yanked mine out, thrusting it into the woman's face.
"Agent Novak! FBI!" I said loudly. The woman blinked at me, and Sam pulled my arm down.
"Uh, Rookie, ma'am. Still learning, just excuse him." The woman narrowed her eyes at me.
"Hmmm, right," she looked to the others. "Come in, Agents," she gestured for us to enter. Sam and Dean filed through, but I stayed on the porch.
"Cas?" hissed Dean. "Come on! What the hell are you doing?"
"I'm looking at the house. You said I needed to study everything in-" Dean yanked my arm and pulled me through. The woman put her hands on her hips and looked strangely at me.
"Very new, work experience," Sam assured and laughed nervously. The woman rolled her eyes for a fraction of a second before thinking better of it.
"So, you're Mrs Blasnyk?" asked Dean. The woman nodded.
"Yes, my son Eddie was Andy's best friend," she glanced through a door way and we craned our necks to see into the room. A boy that looked about ten, was staring out of the window, into the back garden. Dean nodded and took notes in his notebook. "Andy was a good kid, but never a patch on our Eddie," she cast another glance at the boy. "But, he's just been sat there since yesterday. He won't sleep or eat, and he won't say anything more than a couple of words. I'm going to take him to counselling tomorrow, but please be gentle with him. Maybe uh, maybe one of the more experienced agents should question him? He's just so confused at the moment-"
"Say no more, ma'am, agent Wesson is great with children. Just excuse me and Novak here, I just need to explain to him about cases with children. The rules and stuff," he said vaguely. Mrs Blasnyk nodded and followed Sam into the living room. Dean grabbed my wrist and pulled me into the kitchen. "Look, Castiel, you need to watch us, okay? We can't take any chances, if they find out," he looked around and leaned in closer, his voice a whisper. "If they find out we're not the real cops, we're all screwed. I appreciate that this all new to you, but just try and behave. Don't say anything, unless I say, comprende?"
"Com-what?"
"Never mind." I followed him back into the living room. Dean gave one of his smiles at Mrs Blasnyk. She had her hands folded in front of her, watching Sam as he kneeled next to Eddie, so he could look into his face. I could hear them talking quietly. Dean clasped his hands behind him and rocked gently, tapping his foot as he waited. I tried to copy, but the rocking was difficult to master, and I sent a china vase flying.
"CAS! WHAT THE HELL?!" Everyone turned to look at me. I shuffled to the side, trying to move away from the smashed fragments on the carpet. Dean was fuming.
"Look, just go and wait in the car!" he pushed me roughly by the shoulder. I looked at him, wounded, but his jaw clenched, and I knew it was wise to do as he wanted. As soon as I was outside the house, I ripped the ID into tiny shreds and stuffed them into my pockets. I pulled my coat on, tugging it around me and relaxing in the familiar beige fabric. Angrily, I slammed the car door shut and sat in the silence, my ears buzzing. I didn't dare mess with the radio, if it was moved off it's usual station, either Sam or I were going to be ended. I sat in the back seat, looking around and fiddling with a loose thread on my coat. Eventually, there was movement from the porch, and Dean and Sam were stood outside the door, bidding farewell to Mrs Blasynk. I shut my eyes as they both strode up to the car. The awkward silence as they both climbed in and shut the doors said it all.
"I'm sorry, Dean…" I said quietly. No answer. I sighed and stared at my hands. All of us sat for another ten minutes.
"Castiel, we understand that you're finding it hard adjusting, but that was crazy. I'm sorry, but if you're serious about becoming a hunter with us, you're going have to do your research. That can't happen again, okay?" It was Sam. He turned around in his seat and gave me a half smile.
"I am sorry," I repeated and he waved it off.
"I know. But, just try not to knock any more priceless, original works of art over any time soon." I laughed a little and Sam smiled properly at me. But, the stormy silence coming from the driver's seat still bothered me. Had I really done it this time?