Castiel stood outside the warehouse and watched the Winchesters drive away. He was still in shock after finding out about Gabriel. The archangel who wasn't among the fallen but hadn't been seen in heaven for over a millennium. The lower ranks never were told about it, but Castiel had seen Raphael's face when his brother was mentioned and was pretty sure that Gabriel was considered 'missing' by his brothers rather than just away on behalf of their father's command.

To now find him here disguised as a pagan demi-god, as a trickster, had shaken the younger angel to the core.

Castiel found himself thrown out of the elaborate illusion that had trapped the Winchesters. This shouldn't have happened. The world had been strange and colorful and artificial and no part of that illusion should have had the power to banish an angel of the Lord. Yet here he was in the empty warehouse, alone, searching for a way back in. No – his senses told him – that he searched for a way out. The empty warehouse was another reality pocket, a prison just for him. His mind was racing through the possibilities, either his being cut-off from Heaven had weakened him more and faster than expected or whoever was behind this attack on his human friends was way more powerful than he should be.

When Bobby had asked him to check on Sam and Dean he had talked about a Trickster. Castiel had met Tricksters. None of them would have been powerful enough to do this to him. He probed and prodded at the reality around him. He could sense the pocket dimension that had thrown him out closed off tighter than before. Yet he couldn't give up – not with the Winchesters still held in there at the mercy of whatever had trapped them.

When he found a crack he barely managed to squeeze through and again he was in a world far too colorful, far too bright and even more artificial and somehow flatter than the last time.

He knew that he didn't have much time. He tried to warn them. And then the 'Trickster' entered. Castiel had never seen the vessel before, but here in his own little playground the being inside it obviously wasn't all that careful with hiding his true visage from those who could see. Gabriel's grace nearly blinded Castiel's senses as it appeared so unexpected before him. He wanted to greet his brother but found himself unable to do so. His voice silenced by Gabriel's power and a piece of duct tape. Within the blink of an eye he was alone again, trapped in a small room bound to a chair.

A couple of moments/an eternity later Gabriel appeared before him.

"Hello Castiel."

The younger angel glared at the older above the edge of the tape.

"Oh – yeah, sorry about that." With a wave of a hand the duct tape disappeared. Cas was still bound to the chair but at least able to talk.

"What is going on here?"

"I need to teach those two boneheads a little lesson. I'm afraid you would only get in the way there, Cas. So be a good boy and just wait it out – OK?" Gabriel patted his cheek. "Might take a bit since they are as thickheaded as mules, but eventually they will get my point. I'm afraid I can't take the bonds away or you might try to do something stupid, but as long as you don't struggle you shouldn't be too uncomfortable." A thoughtful expression crossed his face and he snapped his fingers. "A little bit of company should sweeten your waiting time."

Two beautiful, curvy and very scantily clad woman appeared at Castiel's sides and began to stroke his chest and caress his body. He had never felt so uncomfortable in his existence.

Seeing how Castiel stiffened, Gabriel began to chuckle. "Really?"

"Could you – please?" Cas' teeth were clenched.

The archangel shook his head. "Your choice, boyo." And with a snap of his fingers the two women disappeared. "Just relax and don't struggle, kid." Gabriel leaned back against one of the 'walls' of this place. "So you're helping those two in their quest to kill the Devil?"

"No. I'm following my own plan."

That piqued the older one's curiosity. "And what's that? What is your brilliant angelic plan to stop this mess?"

"I'm going to find our father. He is the only one with the power to stop this."

Gabriel opened his mouth to say something, when he suddenly paused, listening to something only he could hear, and disappeared.

The moment Gabriel vanished, Cas of course began to fight against his restrains.

"So what now?"

Castiel turned towards his brother, surprised he was still here. "They will continue their search and I will continue mine."

His fight with Dean seemed to have taken his toll on Gabriel, he was almost subdued. "It's been quite a while since I've last met family. – Look I know we started this on the wrong foot but how about a ceasefire?"

After his recent experience Castiel was weary of his older brother. But it was quite the temptation.

"I won't banish, bind or gag you without your consent. And you can ask all those questions that are burning you up. I don't promise I will answer them though."

"What about the women?"

The archangel chuckled again "No women, alcohol, chocolate or other worldly temptations that might make you enjoy yourself. Scout's honor."

Angels were not meant to be on their own. They were always part of a squad, a garrison and of course the heavenly host. They seldom traveled alone but at least in pairs of two, so they could take comfort in each others presence. And when circumstances demanded that they complete a task on their own it was never for long and they were granted a recuperation period in Heaven. That was one of the reasons, why Uriel's death had hit Castiel hard, even though the other had turned from their father. That was the main reason, why he had been initially glad of Zachariah's arrival, despite everything it had meant for him. That was why he still to this day sometimes regretted the path he'd taken. He could only imagine how much harder it must have been for Gabriel – cut off from his brethren for centuries and centuries.

Castiel nodded slightly agreeing to at least temporal peace.

Gabriel's smile was like the sun and an unmistakable ripple of joy went through his – carefully concealed – grace.

"Well come on then, lil' bro."

Gabriel took a step and was standing in a park in front of a bench. He didn't drag Castiel along but allowed his brother to follow him. It was a peaceful, serene place, the kind of place Gabriel imagined Castiel would like. Judging by the younger angel's slight relaxation, it seemed as if he was right. He sprawled himself on the park bench looking expectantly at Cas. Interesting sight really – the younger one hadn't even begun to learn to keep his grace concealed, to keep himself hidden from prying eyes. Sure he wasn't an archangel so his grace wasn't the same kind of bonfire to heavenly seekers and consequently his need wasn't as great as Gabriel's but it also meant that anyone with the right senses could tell exactly what was going on in the young one's soul in these moments of turmoil.

"You … haven't fallen."

"Nope – why should I?"

"You left Heaven."

"Cas, Cas, Cas. There are only two ways for an angel to truly fall: Either Daddy kicks you out – which he never did, or you rip out your own grace – and I'm simply not enough of a self-flagellating masochist to do something so enormously stupid. I left Heaven, I cut my ties but I never fought my brothers and I never disobeyed one of father's orders – when he still used to give them. I'm one of the good guys, Castiel."

And then they just talked for a while. Both able to unburden themselves to someone who understood. Cas telling about his journey from first hearing about Dean Winchester to the point where he trusted the human's judgment more than that of his superiors. About his fight at their side against his brethren. About his hope of finding their father. Gabriel on the other hand told his brother of his years in exile, about the wonders this world and humanity had to offer, about the fun he'd had. Yet all that was tinted with sadness, because he'd been cut off from his family and now even more so because it would end all too soon.

"Will you help us?"

Gabriel lowered his gaze. He had shouted and raged at the Winchesters, when they had asked him the same question but there was no blame to put on his younger brother. There wasn't even demand in his voice, just the simple question and maybe a plea for help from an elder. He should be a protector after all.

"I can't. I've tried to keep Lucifer from falling. I've tried to reason with Michael. They're all so goddamn stubborn and aeons apart have only hardened their hearts. Lucy is a spoiled brat and Mike a self-righteous ass and I definitely won't pick any side in this." He turned to look at Castiel. "We all follow our own paths, Cas. Sammy and Deano by trying to kill our brother, you by searching for Daddy and me … I will have to find my own way in this muddled mess of our little family quarrel."

Cas nodded his understanding. Then his phone rang. It was Dean Winchester's number

"I have to go."

"Sure – and Cas, good luck on your quest, I hope you're successful."

Castiel furrowed his brow. "I thought you didn't believe in my chances of success."

"I don't. And if you were successful, then I'd probably be in a world of trouble. Still – Good Luck."

"Thank you." And with those words the younger angel vanished.

Hours later Castiel found a small piece of paper in the pocket of his trench coat. It had the name and address of some club as well as a few words scribbled on them in what he supposed was Gabriel's handwriting: 'If you ever need to contact me, ask after Nancy' Cas smiled and put it away for safe-keeping.