Chapter 1

She stood there quietly, hands clasped in front of her. She had a slim build and looked to be in her mid twenties though she carried many more years with her. Wearing jeans and a plain white buttoned shirt, she almost seemed invisible in the room. She kept her head down, letting her dark wavy curls fall in front of her face. She wanted them to cover her face. She didn't want them to see the tears that were threatening to fall from her eyes. Tears,,, water from the eyes. Sure, she had seen lots of people cry but as a guardian angel, she never had the ability, the real feeling of it.

Guardian angels understood emotion better than any of the angels, well except maybe the cupids, but they were kind of annoying. Guardians had to learn to feel things. It made them more understanding of their charges. She always felt sadness and compassion when her charges would cry. She would sit with them quietly and whisper to them that it would all be ok. Now, she is on the verge of spilling her own tears. She didn't like it. She didn't like any of the things that have happened to her. All the changes. All the things she couldn't do anymore, all the things she had to learn how to do.

She had been a guardian angel and a good one. Her big brother Castiel had seen to that. He taught her everything. He guided her, encouraged her and reprimanded her when she faltered. Even he couldn't see this one coming. He didn't deserve the problems she was causing him now. He already had too much on his plate with Raphael.

The most important lesson that Castiel taught her was in regard to Father's children. It was her brother's job to protect them and watch over them but Julianna loved them more than anything. It was easy for her. Humans were adorable. An endless playmate. A constant companion. She was loyal to them and loved them more than herself.

Now, she was one. Well, half of one. Well, more than half, oh who knows? She shook her head in the hopes to rid her brain of its constant wandering. Julianna tried to focus on what her brother was saying to the three men. He sounded tired, frustrated. She dared peek up to look at them.

The older one looked tough and grumpy but she knew he was kind. Every human gave off a signal of sorts. Julianna could easily pick up on it. This one liked to be sarcastic and tough but he was loyal, caring and willing to sacrifice himself if called upon to do so. This was unmistakably Bobby. Julianna could smell whiskey strong in the air. She knew of him and she knew he had been drinking but he didn't seem drunk, just confused about what her big brother was asking of him. Julianna sensed that many people often asked a lot of Bobby.

The youngest one had a lot of conflict inside. He wasn't so easy to read. He was taking in the conversation intently. He seemed to be turning it over in his mind, thinking, figuring. Little Sam had been through a lot in his life. My, he has grown up. He always struggled with good and evil. Doesn't he know how good he is? Julianna wished she could tell him and she wished he would believe it. He sacrificed his life for the world. How much more can someone do? Her big brother had told her that he didn't know who pulled him out of the cage but she was glad he was back with soul intact.

Now, this one must be Dean. All the angels knew of Dean Winchester. He must be the leader of this family. Well, he acts like he is in charge anyway. Dean's signal was strong. There was a lot of pain shoved down inside of him. There was also a lot of strength and determination. And,,, protection, yes, an extremely strong sense of protection of his brother Sam. It's overpowering , the connection between Dean and Sam. Julianna admired that. Their father must have instilled that in them. Dean was black or white, good or evil. He didn't have many things that fell in the "gray" area that is for sure.

Dean was intensely looking at Castiel and he seemed to be mocking him. How dare he?! Does he not know to whom he is speaking? He might make the decisions here but he is not in charge of Castiel! Castiel is a soldier in Father's army! He is powerful and strong! Julianna felt the heat rising inside of her. Those darn human emotions. So hard to control. She wanted to tell Dean to have respect but she said nothing. She knew Castiel's relationship with him and the rest of them, but she didn't understand it. You could not be his little sister and not know the Winchesters and all that they have gone through. But, it is her brother that saved Dean and saved them all many times. This Dean person acts like …. WAIT, did he just call him CAS?! That is enough!

"His name is CASTIEL, have some respect!" It flew out of her mouth before she could stop it. She instantly knew her brother would not be happy about the outburst. Darn this human thing!

The three men stopped talking and looked at her. Julianna froze and kept her eyes on her brother. Castiel turned slowly and looked at his little sister. Without anger or raised voice, he simply asked, "why are you speaking?" Castiel looked in her eyes waiting for an answer. Julianna opened her mouth but nothing came out. "Didn't I tell you to BE STILL?" he said firmly.

For Julianna, it was a severe reprimand. Castiel rarely had to correct her and when he did, she felt small like a child. She lowered her head again and whispered, "I'm sorry my brother", but not before she saw the look of surprise on Dean's face. She heard him say dramatically and with humor in his voice, "Cassssttttieeelllllll, I don't think I have ever heard you talk like that. It's hot!"

Julianna fumed quietly. Sam rolled his eyes at his brother, clearly understanding that the strange girl didn't fully understand the relationship between Dean and Cas. "Dean, geez, give it a rest". Dean gave him a smirk in response.

Bobby stopped the conversation from spiraling out of control. "Ok, hold on there. Now, (glancing over to the quieted girl in the back of the room), Castiel (using his full name so she would not be offended)… what you are saying is that you want to leave your little sister here with me? Does this look like a day care to you?"

Castiel sighed quietly. He didn't want to have to go through the whole story but he should have known that he would not have gotten away with anything less. He just didn't have the time with Raphael's men constantly after him. However, he was going to have to make the time. They just didn't realize how much was at stake.

"Julianna is a guardian angel", he said plainly. "She has been one for over 200 hundred years so the term "daycare" isn't quite correct."

Bobby and Sam looked at the girl who stood with her head down and face covered as if they would somehow recognize a guardian angel when they saw one. Dean however looked incredulously at Cas, "Cas, no way, there really are guardian angels?" Castiel gave him a look of "are you kidding me, you still have to ask that after everything you know" but he only actually replied with a tired "yes Dean".

It was Sam's turn to speak up then, "Cas, um,,, Castiel,, why does a guardian angel need to be hidden and protected? What happened?"

"Julianna was put in my care from the beginning. It is customary for a soldier to help new angels learn about our Father's plan. She was placed as a guardian angel because of her strong capacity for compassion and comfort." Dean made a snorting sound at that remark due to Julianna's outburst which caused a disappointed look from his youngest brother and a "shut the hell up" look from Bobby.

Castiel sighed and continued, "AND she did very well at her job. Her last charge however, ultimately chose to make a deal with a crossroads demon. Guardian angels are not soldiers. They are not allowed to fight or interfere in any way. They only guard and guide their charges to the right path if they are able. Ultimately of course it is the individual's choice and their guardian has to abide by it."

Sam nodded and muttered, "Angel of God, my guardian dear. To whom his love commits me here. Ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide."

All three men turned their head slowly to look at Sam. "What?" Sam asked a little embarrassed by his recitation. Dean rolled his eyes at his nerdy little brother "Dude, seriously? You are an angel geek too? Will it ever end?"

"So", Bobby cut in quickly to move the conversation along and avoid any sibling arguments, "does that mean she can't be a guardian angel anymore or something? Why not just give her another charge?"

"Well, when her charge made the deal," Castiel continued, "Julianna, decided to try to fight the demon herself and stop the deal from happening."

Now Dean looked at the girl with a renewed interest, "Good for her, screw the angel rulebook!"

"Unfortunately, as I mentioned, a guardian angel is not a soldier. The demon turned out to be more powerful than any ordinary crossroads demon. In her attempt to free her charge from the deal, the demon almost succeeded in killing her. She survived but has lost most of her angel abilities and is quite close to being completely human. The angels demanded that she be "reconditioned" which of course meant certain death to her. Because she is my responsibility, I chose not to return her to heaven but put her in hiding while she got used to her new situation. She was protected from demons and angels for the last few years. Recently, Raphael's men found out about her and I had to move her. I have hidden her from view but I need a little time to find a new sanctuary where she won't be in harm's way. This is just a temporary arrangement and I guarantee that Julianna will not be any trouble."

"So if Raphael gets her, he can use her as a pawn in your battle of brothers? A kind of do as I say or I kill your sister thing?" Dean asked.

"Yes, that is correct." Castiel admitted not surprised that Dean put that together so quickly. He truly understood the meaning of big brother.

"Well," Dean said standing up and stretching out his arms, "that settles it for me. I'm in". He totally understood the situation and exposed it down to the bare essentials. Cas has a little sister that is in trouble. Dean knows the little brother thing. He was on board. Sam nodded in agreement, "I'm in".

"Wait a second, cowboys", Bobby interrupted. "This isn't really your decision to make since I will be the one here with her most of the time. If she stays here Cas, what do we need to know? I aint never had an angel renting a room from me before."