The sun was just beginning to sink below the tree line as the Impala's front wheels passed over California's border from Nevada. It was a rather peaceful ride for the most part. Sam wasn't quite asleep yet in the passenger seat, a book was open across his chest. He had only just closed his eyes when the angel spoke up from the back seat.

"My sister is here," Castiel said in his usual monotone when he was stating facts.

Dean looked back at him in the rear view mirror, "your sister? You mean an angel?"

Castiel's face deadpanned, and he thought he was usually Stater of the Obvious, "yes, Ariel to be precise. I have not seen her since man left Eden."

Sam sat up in his seat, stretching his arms forward toward the dash, "she hasn't been to heaven since then?"

Castiel sighed, and began to fidget with his hands, "no, she is a fallen angel tempted by man. She was a part of the Grigori, or Watchers sent from heaven to look over humans. The angels ended up lusting over the beauty of man. Eventually some 200 angels fell to sin and married man," he paused for a moment, "they're also the reason man understands art and science. Those traits used to be reserved for heaven only."

"Then how is she still alive? Wouldn't she have become mortal or gone to hell, or something?" Sam asked, his curiosity had spiked. But Dean couldn't find it in himself to care. To Dean, Cas was describing himself and didn't even realize it. He didn't want to hear how their story ended.

Castiel shook his head as his face became heavy with empathy. He used to not understand why Ariel chose the path that she did. Why she was willing to disobey for man; but he was beginning to understand what it felt like to love someone other than your family. Nothing will ever match the love he has for his father or siblings, but the cursed and dammed Winchesters were a very close second.

"No, they did not go to hell. Lucifer despised the Watchers just as much as he despised Michael because they loved man too much, more than even God wanted. And when they started to teach the knowledge of the heavens to man God cursed them. To live the lives of the mortal man they coveted so much, but to be reborn each time with complete knowledge of their sins."

Castiel trailed off and became quiet. Sam looked over at Dean. The pained expression that was consuming Dean's face confirmed what Sam believed; Cas did just realize he explained his own relationship with his father.

"Cas," Sam began but didn't know where to take it, he pursed his lips together and fell silent again.

"I want to go see her," Castiel decided, "I need to talk to her."

Dean groaned, "Do you really think that's a good idea, Cas?"

Castiel's eyebrows knitted together in confusion, "of course I do, Dean."

Dean rolled his eyes; he was less than thrilled. Why did they have to come to California to begin with? With the six billion people on earth what are the odds of running into one of these 200 watchers? Dean scoffed, oh right, Dean Winchester's 1-in-1 chance of Crappy Things Happening to Him.

"Fine, where is she?" Dean asked as he gripped the steering wheel tighter. Sam side eyed him.

"A place called Google?" Castiel stated sounding confused at the same time.

"Like on the Internet?" Dean asked just as confused.

"No," Sam chuckled, "I think he means Google's headquarters, it's right outside Stanford, in Mountain View."

Castiel nodded in agreement.

"That's still four hours away, and I've been driving for sixteen, we're stopping for the night," Dean said.

They drove in silence until they reached the small town of Floriston and stopped for the night.

It was now well past one in the morning and both of the Winchesters were asleep. Dean had not said anything since they reached the motel and Sam couldn't think of anything to say without awkwardly breaking the silence. He was still curious about this watcher they were going to see and had a slew of questions he wanted to ask Castiel; but Sam could tell the whole ordeal was irritating Dean, to say the least.

Castiel sat up like he usually does. Sometimes he pretends to sleep for Dean's sake. He'll crawl into the bed with him and press his face against Dean's back, taking in the scent of cheap whiskey and diner grease. He knew he wasn't welcome in that dirty motel bed tonight. At the very mention of angels Dean always would get tense.

But it wasn't fair, not this time. Ariel was no longer an angel. She no longer has her Grace or any way to communicate with Heaven. All Castiel wanted to do was talk to her. He wished Dean would understand that, but Dean would never trust another angel, not again.

Castiel rubbed his fingers together as he felt the chilling bite of the air numb them, "not again," he murmured. He felt the chill run from his fingertips up to his elbows as he became conscious of the room's temperature because Sam liked to sleep in a cold room. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his trench coat to warm them back up.

He sighed and looked over at Dean in the light from the neon motel sign that shone into the room. He made two promises to Dean after he returned from Purgatory. First, no more angel powers, and second no more lies. He promised he would actually talk to Dean about what was bothering him.

He stood up and walked over to the bed where Dean was sleeping, his form was casting a shadow across the bed. "Dean," Castiel whispered as he brushed his cold fingers across Dean's face.

When Dean felt the icy flesh touch his face he jolted awake, "Jesus, Sammy, what the hell?" he muttered trying to focus his sleepy eyes in the dim room. When the angel's outline came into focus Dean's eyebrows knitted together, "Cas?" he propped himself up on an elbow as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes, "why are your hands cold?" Dean asked knowing Castiel was always warm.

Castiel's face softened. He could hear the worry in Dean's voice. No matter how angry Dean was at him, he was always instantly forgiven. Dean just had to pretend he was still mad for whatever sake his appearance needed.

"I am losing my Grace," Castiel choked out, the fear bleeding from each word.

Dean sat up quickly. The neon glow from outside cast shadows across his face revealing the sheer panic that was etching itself into Dean's face, "what! how do we stop it?" his voice broke when he tried to speak.

"I'm not sure we can," Castiel trailed off. Dean sat up all the way, his feet draping over the end of the bed. The angel sat down next to him resting his hands on his knees. Castiel stared at the floor for awhile, wishing he could find the right words hiding in the stained carpet.

"I can tell you want nothing to do with angels, but that's why I want to talk to Ariel. She has gone through this, I want to know what-"

"Shut up, Cas," Dean said cutting him off from ranting, "if you would have just told me," Dean shook his head, "com'n, man, we've talked about this."

Castiel sighed, he felt himself grow cold again. But it wasn't his hands. This time it was the pit of his stomach, "I know, I'm trying, Dean."

Dean smiled, "I know," he patted the angel's knee, "com'n, let's go to sleep."

"but, Dean, I'm not-"

"Hey, if you're losing your grace, you'll have to sleep, right?"

Castiel chuckled, "well, I suppose so."

"Good," Dean said swinging his legs back onto the bed and under the covers.

Castiel stood up and walked to the other side of the bed. He began to crawl into bed when he remembered Dean told him once he can't sleep fully clothed. He stripped down to his boxers and undershirt before finally climbing into bed.

Dean was facing away from the angel and laying on his side. Castiel slid across the rough sheets so he was perfectly lined up against the hunter's back. He buried his nose into his back and wrapped his arm tightly around Dean's stomach, holding him close.

Dean exhaled deeply, "night, Cas."

"Good night, Dean."

The angel wouldn't sleep. As long as he still had even an ounce of his Grace left he would use it watching over Dean.