"So why are we at this hospital again Cas?"
Dean asked looking around the dreary cold wing they were walking through. Sam looked equally as uncomfortable as he looked at the patients lying in beds hooked to various machines Cas didn't stop as he looked around quietly with that determined look on his face.
"Earth to Cas!"
Dean said a little louder. Cas turned.
"We are looking for an angel. Not just any angel...she's a guardian angel and could really help us out."
Dean looked a little surprised.
"She?"
Cas blinked.
"Yes. Her name is Emilia."
Dean grinned.
"Is she hot?"
Cas looked a little annoyed at that comment as he gave Dean his best "Bitch face." Dean grinned realizing what that look meant.
"She's beautiful but she doesn't realize it. Now if you will refrain from thinking about her that way."
Dean shot Sam a smirk. Sam rolled his eyes looking to Cas.
"So you've known her a while?"
Cas nodded poking his head into another room.
"200 years...isn't much for angel standards. She's young but very powerful and doesn't deal much with the other angels."
Dean smirked.
"So why does she hang out in hospitals?"
Cas sighed stopping and looking back to the Winchesters.
"She's a guardian angel. I received word from Balthazar that her human is about to die and has been here a few days."
Dean winced again as Cas stood motionless for a moment and pointing to a room across the hall.
"There."
Meanwhile...
Emilia sat beside a dying woman hooked to multiple machines. She hadn't moved from the chair in a few days but knew her time was coming to a close. Annabelle would be passing soon. Her breathes were becoming more a more shallow and her heart beat fading. Emilia sighed sadly touching the woman's hand using her grace to provide some form of comfort for the elderly Annabelle.
"82 years...and I will always love you."
Emilia whispered softly as she stood stroking the woman's gray curls. She remembered when Annabella had vibrant red hair and her big green eyes would light up a room. Now here she lay clinging to life.
She had been with Annabelle from birth. Emilia had watched her grow and go through life's journeys. She kept her safe from major injuries as a child and healed the little one while she slept. Emilia had been there when Annabelle married, gave birth, watched her children grow, then become ill with the cancer that was taking her life.
Emilia felt guilty that she couldn't take that away. She would in a moment if it wasn't against her code. Death clearly told Emilia she couldn't step in and save her this time. It was the woman's time.
She was so lost in her duties as a guardian angel she didn't even see Cas in the doorway. It wasn't until she heard Death's voice.
"Evening Emilia."
The angel's blue eyes rolled to the reaper who had appeared beside her. She nodded cordially. Emilia and Death had interacted on numerous occasions. Guardian angels and Death were on a first name bases so to speak.
"I suppose it is her time?"
Death nodded.
"I'm afraid so. You've done well as always."
Emilia nodded as she walked to Annabelle again petting the woman's head before pressing a tender kiss to her forehead.
"Annabelle darling, you have been a joy. I hoped I served you well. Go no and be in no pain. Rest and receive your reward."
Emilia backed away as Death looked at her again with a nod.
"Well spoke."
He walked to the woman doing his job. Once Annabelle had died Death turned back to Emilia holding out his hand.
"Here is your pearl. See you in a few years. Do stay well."
Emilia nodded taking the necklace she was wearing off adding the pearl. It was something she had done from the time she began guarding humans. When one would die Death would give her a pearl to represent a job well done and she would add it to her necklace. Each pearl signified one of her lost loved ones.
"And the same to you."
She said softly as Death disappeared without another word. Emilia sighed looking at Annabelle's dead body before sitting down in the chair. A numb feeling crept over her as it always did when one of her humans died. Again she didn't noticed the other angel in the room.
Cas slowly walked to her sitting down in the opposite chair.
"Hello Emilia."
Emilia's head snapped up clearly shocked to see the angel beside her. She hadn't seen him in over 90 years now here he was handsome as always!
"Castiel...what are you doing here?"
Cas swallowed trying to ignore how beautiful the guardian's eyes were.
"I was wanting to speak with you...but it appears I caught you at a bad time and for that I apologize."
Emilia sighed.
"Its fine. It never gets easier. I watch them from the time they are born until the moment Death comes. It is always hard."
Cas sighed.
"You've always done well at your job."
Emilia smiled appearing to be pleased with his compliment.
"Thank you. You needed my help with something?"
Cas nodded.
"Have you heard of what's going on in heaven?"
Emilia shrugged.
"I've heard rumors. Other angels are saying lots of things. I know Raphael has his wings in a bunch and being a tad bit of a little bitch. I also heard you rebelled. As you know I don't interact with the others much."
Cas looked a little surprised by the vulgar words that came from the younger angel's pretty mouth.
"I did. There is a lot that is wrong up there. Raphael is less than pleased with me as you can imagine."
Emilia rolled her eyes. She never cared for Raphael. Of course he never liked her either. He thought the guardian's were worthless for their positions. Why care so much for humans?
"I can imagine. How can I help?"
"You can help me keep some people safe. All angels will have to choose a side soon. Either me or Raphael. If you choose him I won't be able to keep you safe. We would be opposing. You've always been an ally of mine. I don't want to lose that."
Emilia smiled. These were some words she had always wanted to hear from Cas. In all the years she had known the angel she had always feelings for him however, nothing was ever reciprocated so she assumed he didn't want her. Castiel was always is solider mode with laser focus on the task at hand. He didn't have time for a relationship with a young angel who was fawning over him.
"You should know I would choose you instantly. I'll do whatever I can to help. If it involves rebelling against heaven as well to stop Raphael it is what has to be done. I'll follow your command."
Cas nodded standing.
"Well we should go. I have some friends waiting in the hall. Emilia...I have to warn you. This isn't easy times for us."
He swallowed as her blue eyes seemed to lock into his soul and for a moment he wanted to utter "love" in Enochian but had to stop himself. Emilia's soft voice pulled Cas from his thoughts.
"Castiel sometimes doing the right thing isn't easy. Come we should go. The nurses will be here to tend to Annabelle soon and I don't want to witness this."