Disclaimer: All characters belong to Eric Kripke.

AUTHOR: FRUIT PLATY

TITLE: REDEMPTION – Chapter 1

Turning one of the hundreds of corners in his life, Dean had every right to be annoyed when he saw what was on the roof of his car.

"Friggin' birds!" Dean heard someone sucking up the last of their drink through the straw and swiftly pounced upon the paper cup before it hit the bin. "Thank you," he smiled at the young girl who dropped it, and gave a quick tip of the hat he wasn't wearing. Dean spun around to see a garden with a small fountain standing amidst the flowers. He rushed towards it and filled the paper cup with the water spouting out of the stone angel's trumpet. Dean shook his head as he turned back to the carpark, and then watched the ground as he walked.

"To what do I owe the pleasure?" Dean asked as he came closer to the Impala. He looked straight at Castiel, who now leaned against the back door of the car. "You know, next time you're flapping about up there, could you tell your winged brethren to do their number twos on the sidewalk like civil animals?"

Castiel smirked, "In due time. I must warn you of something first."

"Yeah?" Dean sat in the passenger seat with the paper cup between his thighs and fumbled with a small box of tissues. He ripped it open and grabbed a bunch of tissues before dumping the box on the floor and taking hold of the cup again. He glared at Castiel as the angel's vessel just stood there, "Ain't you got some power to do away with this mess?"

"The car or the...?"

"So, what's the deal then?" Dean tossed the water on the bird-pooped roof and started wiping the gunk off. "Is there another seal to protect? Who do we have to obliterate this time?"

Castiel tilted his head to the side, opened his mouth as if to speak, and then sighed. He shook his head, "It's just another test, Dean. We have to make sure you're ready to deal with the consequences."

Dean turned back, "Of what?" He held a clump of wet, dirty, tissues and scanned the area for a garbage bin.

"Your time in hell," Castiel grimaced. "There's some—"

Dean swallowed, "So... what does that mean?"

Castiel shook his head, "I can't tell you..."

"You won't."

"... I could only warn you."

Dean's shoulders slumped, "And when is this test supposed to start?"

"It already has," Castiel lowered his head and then walked towards the sidewalk.

Dean stared at the wet clump in his hand, "Hey Cas!" He watched the angel turn back, and grinned as he threw the used tissues at him. "Throw that away for me, would ya?" Dean raised his eyebrows as Castiel glowered. "Thanks, pal!"