A/N: I don't own Supernatural, I just play with the characters.

Description: Castiel still isn't welcome in Heaven and doesn't quit fit in on Earth. With no wings and no idea of what to do next, Castiel quite literally walks right into his next mission. Can he continue to keep Earth safe amid new dangers and challenges? Takes place pre-major events of Season 13, may vary in level of AU-ness. Will eventually be Castiel/OC.

Chapter One: Let Me Be Your Wing Man

"How 'bout that one?"

"You mean the one with the exposed mammary glands?" Castiel inquired as he squinted in the direction of the voluptuous blonde to whom Dean had brought his attention.

"First of all, don't call them 'mammary glands.' Kind of a vibe killer," Dean slurred as he waved his beer in front of Castiel's face.

"I don't understand what we're doing here," Castiel replied as he shrugged out of the way just in time.

"We're bonding! Picking up chicks! The boys are back in town!" Dean sang before he took another swing.

"I have no interest in...picking up chicks," Castiel stated solemnly, the words falling oddly out of his mouth.

"Come on. Let me be your wing man! All work and no play makes Cas a dull boy," Dean chuckled to himself.

Wing man. Castiel still hadn't gotten his wings back since he had fallen to Earth. He was currently without a mission and had started to grow restless. He didn't quite belong on Earth, but he wasn't welcome in Heaven. Recently, it appeared that Dean had been making several attempts to 'humanize' him, which included his current situation: dragging him to a bar for two hours while Dean drank himself into a stupor, ogling women. Sam had elected to return to the bunker to do some research, and Castiel was beginning to regret not doing the same. He could be helpful. He didn't know what his mission was, but he knew he definitely wouldn't find it at the bottom of a bottle in some seedy bar.

"I have to go," Castiel announced as he slid out of the booth.

"Come on!" Dean slammed his hand on the table in protest, spilling his beer in the process.

Castiel wrapped himself in his overly long trench coat as he went out into the night. Although he couldn't feel the cool breeze washing over his skin, he watched the trees shake and miscellaneous debris floating aimlessly through the air. It was early enough that there was still a significant hum of human activity in the area.

Castiel's experience being human had given him an infinite appreciation for them, with all of their quirks and imperfections. He vowed to protect them for as long as he lived, but at this moment in time, he wasn't sure how, or from who. There had and continued to be so many threats to humanity over the years, that to someone with a purely logical mind, without a drop of conscience, it would seem that the extinction of the human race was inevitable. And he probably would have believed that, too, if it hadn't been for Sam and Dean Winchester. Castiel had witnessed them countless times throw themselves into danger without a second thought, willing to sacrifice everything to save the world, even from him. And they had succeeded. So far.

Castiel had become so wrapped up in his thoughts that he gasped in surprise as he collided unexpectedly with a small, solid mass. Castiel looked in front of him and saw an average sized, adult female human on the floor. She appeared to be uninjured, but looked just as surprised as he was. Castiel noted that she was quite unique looking, with hair that faded from pink to red to orange. He immediately extended his hand to help her up.

"I apologize, are you hurt?"

The girl examined his outstretched arm for a moment before accepting it.

As he pulled her up, Castiel noticed a strange mark on the girl's neck. It disappeared under her clothing when she was upright. Castiel had known better than to ask about it; after offending a waitress a few months ago over an unusual birthmark on her cheek, Sam explained to Castiel that it is generally impolite to comment on or inquire about marks on strangers.

"No, it's my fault anyway, I guess I wasn't paying attention," she looked away and crossed her arms.

Castiel looked into her eyes and noticed that it had appeared that she had been crying. Castiel wasn't sure where on the scale of appropriateness it was to ask a strange whether or not she had been crying, so he decided to go a safer route.

"Your hair is...interesting." This seemed to extinguish the awkwardness, as the girl started laughing.

"Uh, thanks...I think?" Castiel noted that the girl's cheeks turned slightly pink.

"What are you doing out so late? This isn't the best of neighborhoods," Castiel stated, nodding toward a pair of men in the distance who appeared to be making a drug deal. He didn't know why, but for some reason he felt like he should be protecting this girl.

"It's a long story," she replied, not making eye contact. "Anyway, I should be going. Nice meeting you...uh..."

"Castiel."

"Castiel," she repeated, tilting her head to the side. "Your name is...interesting."

Castiel felt the corners of his mouth twitch up into a smile.

"And what is your name?"

As soon as the girl opened her mouth to speak, Castiel heard the flutter of wings. The two apparent drug dealers appeared right behind the girl and grabbed her. As he looked closer he realized that he knew them. Castiel slid his angel blade into his hand from his sleeve, and watched them do the same.

"Fendreel, Azaiah, what are you doing?"

"Hello Castiel. We've been looking for this little bitch for a long time," stated Azaiah, tightening his grip on the girl's arm. Castiel noticed the girl wince in pain. It did't appear from the look on her face that she had any more idea about what was happening than he did.

"We haven't been able to find her, we were tracking you, and wouldn't you know, you lead us right to her!" Fendreel stated as he started advancing toward Castiel, blade in hand.

"And what is her crime?" asked Castiel as he looked around, trying to formulate a plan of attack.

"Existing. Imagine the boss's surprise when we bring not one, but two of Heaven's most wanted. The rewards will be plentiful."

"The only reward you will see is death," Castiel replied as he quickly maneuvered himself so he was behind Fendreel. The angel was smaller than Castiel, and, as far as Castiel could remember, not very experienced in battle. The two struggled only for a moment, until Castiel was able to knock the blade out of Fendreel's hand. Castiel kicked the blade away and stabbed Fendreel through the heart, looking right into his eyes as the light left them. Castiel turned back and saw Azaiah holding his blade to the girl's throat.

"I would be very careful about my next move," Azaiah breathed.

"Let her go, Azaiah."

"Over my dead body."

"Whatever you say." Castiel turned toward a familiar voice just in time to see Azaiah fall to the ground. Behind the petrified mystery woman, Castiel spotted a glassy-eyed Dean with a sloppy smile, angel blade in hand.

"See? Best wingman ever."