A/N : First of all, a disclaimer valid for the entire fic. I do not own anything you may recognise.
I realize that this idea is not original and that it has been done before, but I will try and make it as original as possible. All reviews would be much appreciated.
Chapter 1: Lazarus rising
"Hey, doll!" I heard Pamela call through the house, unnecessarily yelling when I was standing in the room next to hers, which she already knew, washing the dishes as she refused to do so, claiming to be tired out by her latest session. She was lying of course, but neither of us found any need to mention that.
"Yes Pam?" I asked, keeping my tone levelled, knowing she could hear me.
"Just got a call from Bobby" she answered and I heard her footsteps approaching me. "He's coming over."
I felt my face stretch out in a smile as I turned towards Pamela, my hands full of soap.
"He is?" I asked, not bothering to hide my joy at the prospect. My joy fell greatly as I realized that this was not one of the very few social visits the man had made over the past couple of years. "What is he hunting now?" I asked, noting that a bitter tone crept into my voice.
"Oh baby doll you know he isn't much of a social butterfly as you and I are" she spoke, her gray eyes laughing as she knew what I'd say in response, this being one of her favourite ways to tease me.
I turned to her with a dubious look and she laughed outright at my expression. "Pamela, do you have a fever?"
"Of course not" she laughed, "but it is fun to see that look of yours doll".
"I am glad to entertain" I responded and turned to the dishes, not able to fight of a bad feeling, which only worsened as I knew it was probably a warning.
"Pamela?" I called and she turned to me, halfway out of the room.
"Yes doll?" she asked, her eyes travelling to my hair, as they did often during my stay with the psychic, and settling on a single strand of white in the strands of chocolate brown colour.
"Something is nearby. And I think that it's related to Bobby." I answered, the feeling intensifying with every second.
Pamela's eyes darkened for a second, but she quickly replaced the look with the masked one she used whenever she couldn't tell me something. Or didn't want to.
"You know how Dean Winchester got lifted from the baking pot?" she asked and I nodded in acknowledgment. "Well, we get to see the miracle boy."
"Oh." I spoke, holding onto the sink for support. Ghosts and spirits I could handle, but someone with demons on his tail, and lifted out of hell to top it all off, was never that high up my list.
"Don't worry" spoke Pamela with a reassuring smile. "Bobby is with them. You know how tough the old man is. He can handle anything." She spoke and turned her back to me, presumably headed to take a nap. "And finish those dishes ,you're dripping soap all over the tiles. "
I finished the dishes sooner than I would have liked and decided to do the laundry as we waited, trying and failing to distract myself from the feeling of being watched. It was not that often that the sensation had occurred during my stay with Pamela, at the very least not as often as a few years back, when I was still in the kingdom. It was an everyday occurrence back then, and after my family died, I couldn't stand it anymore. So there I was, on the plane to the states, wishing to visit my mother's older brother. And I have never returned since.
I was done with the laundry soon too, and decided on reading as a distraction. I took one of Pamela's books on Celtic mythology and settled down to read and wait whatever trouble my uncle brought back.
Pamela appeared in the doorway soon and I realized with a start that I heard an engine dying in the garden, only now registering the sound.
I followed after her as she made to open the doors and wrinkled my nose at the smell that seemed to be coming from the other side. It was sickly sweet, but I found it odd for another reason. It was a scent of a demon, but not really right, like something was mixed with it.
Pamela didn't seem to notice a thing as she flung the doors open, revealing my messy uncle, his beard in place and his eyes twinkling. Beside him stood two boys, one taller than me for at least two heads, and the other shorter, but more muscular in built. He still had the height advantage though, as did most men.
"Bobby!" exclaimed Pamela, hugging him and displaying her brutish strength in lifting him off the ground slightly. The boys behind him gave her odd looks which she seemed to ignore.
"You're a sight for sore eyes " greeted her Bobby, once more safely on the ground.
"Forgot about me , I take it?" I asked, stepping from behind Pamela.
"How could I forget ya kiddo?" he asked, and opened his arms slightly which I took as an invitation, giving him a short hug and stepping away, knowing that he was uncomfortable with such events.
"Could've fooled me" I muttered but smiled none the less.
"So these the boys?" asked Pamela, interrupting whatever Bobby was going to say next. She looked the boys over and I noticed that she was back in her teasing tone, which would lead to shameless flirting.
"Sam, Dean" called Bobby, turning to Pamela, "this is Pamela Barnes, best damn psychic in the state."
"Hey" answered the shorter one, Dean, also seemingly prone to flirting.
"Hi" answered the other one, Sam , and I noticed that the scent was originating from him. It was inside him- in his blood.
"mmmmm—mmmmmm-mmmm" hummed Pamela "Dean Winchester, out of the fire and back in the frying pan? Makes you a rare individual."
"If you say so" answered he with a toothy grin.
"And this here, is my niece, Charlotte Fields" continued Bobby, and I noticed he was smiling slightly at Pamela's behaviour.
"Hello to you too" smiled Dean, once again flashing his teeth and offering me his hand.
"I'm Dean" spoke he and I took his hand with slight hesitation. There was still a lingering scent on him, but he didn't smell half as bad as his brother did.
"Charlotte." I responded, letting go of his hand quickly and turning to his brother while taking a small step back.
"I'm Sam" spoke he, offering me his hand as well and I backed away from him quickly, pushing past Bobby and Pamela.
"Charlotte " I responded when I found that I was half way into the room, at a safe distance.
Sam frowned at me and lowered his hand.
"Well, come on in." Spoke Pamela, ignoring my behaviour. I noticed her eyes trailed Sam's ass as he moved past her. She caught my eye and winked, receiving a role of my eyes in response.
"What's up with her?" asked Dean no one in particular, seeing that I had moved in parallel with Sam, keeping the distance as they walked in.
Pamela gave him a beaming smile, hopping to distract him. "Oh, don't you worry about her. She's just a little shy."
"Really?" asked Dean, not at all convinced, giving me a one over. "She took my hand. Maybe it's just you Sammy. Perhaps you stink." He grinned.
Bobby cleared his throat and gained Dean's attention. "Charlotte is a little sensitive to the whole supernatural business. "
My eyes never left Sam and I felt like he was a hunter, coming to hunt me down instead of demons.
He raised his eyebrow at Bobby's explanation and I couldn't help but respond to the question in his eyes. "Sorry, it's just that you have demon blood in your veins."
Everyone seemed to still at my words and I caught a reproachful look from Bobby. "It's just that he smells funny." I spoke, as if that explained everything.
"I smell funny?" Sam repeated, seemingly taken aback by my explanation. I nodded at him, not choosing to repeat myself.
"Now, baby doll, don't be rude" chided Pamela. "The boy smells just fine to me."
"Sam smells alright" I clarified. "It's the demon blood in him that smells bad, and that mixing with his scent, gives off another, funny scent. It's unnerving."
I noticed that Dean's eyes darkened and he retorted angrily:" Sammy is human!"
"Of course " I nodded "but he still has demon blood. And I don't like it. "
"So you hear anything?"spoke Bobby, interrupting something that could have turned in a rather unpleasant conversation.
Pamela quickly took up the topic but I knew it was too late for good first impressions. Dean was angered by my behaviour and I caught something akin to fear in Sam's eyes.
"Well, I Ouija'd my way through a dozen spirits " Pamela responded, her eyes turning serious for that brief moment "Nobody seems to know who broke your boy out, or why. "
"So what's next?" spoke Bobby, slightly disappointed at the news "how about you Charlie? Felt anything recently?"
I threw the Winchesters a look that spoke volumes to my uncle.
"It's alright, " he spoke, a small smile on his lips. "You can trust these idgets."
"Well," I spoke hesitantly, " something heavy is around you Bobby, specifically , around Dean. I felt it an hour ago. It's around here somewhere, but I can't tell where. We're being watched."
All occupants of the room seemed to tense at my answer, and I suddenly felt like some of the weight was lifted. "Oh" I muttered.
"What is it doll?" asked Pamela as I walked off to the window. "It heard me, and it... stepped back. It's gone for now, at least a hundred miles away."
Pamela frowned at me, but quickly replaced the expression with her smiling mask.
"A séance is in order I believe. See if we can see who did the deed." She proclaimed jovially, turning to find the candles.
I walked past Sam, at the greatest distance I could manage, and turned to the correct cabinet. Pamela was lazy, and she tricked me into setting the table. Not that it was much of a trick, seeing as I already knew it was coming.
"You're not going to..." spoke my uncle, and I listened half heartedly to the conversation, still mindful of my surroundings. "summon the damn thing here are you?" asked he and I noticed he was rather worried about that particular bit of information.
"No" laughed Pamela, "I just want a sneak peak at it, like with a crystal ball, only without the crystal."
"I'm game " grinned Dean.
Pamela winked at me as she passed me by, heading for the table, me following after her and the men behind me, Sam thankfully the last one in the line.
She took the black table cloth with the basic markings on it and covered the small table with it, squatting in front of it to get the lighter.
"Who's Jesse?" asked Dean, noticing the tattoo on her lower back.
I sighed to myself, knowing the story behind the tattoo and that it still struck a nerve with my friend. "Well, let's just say it wasn't forever" answered Pamela, smiling as she stood up and received candles from me, lighting each and placing them on the table.
"His loss" commented Dean with a grin, but I realized it was a tad forced as he looked my way wearily, as if I was going to bite his brother any second.
"It could be your gain" answered Pamela with a smile, but I knew she would never act on the offer.
She passed him by and I couldn't help but scowl at the conversation between the boys.
"Dude I am so in" spoke Dean, oblivious to the fact that I could hear him.
"Yeah she's gonna eat you alive" answered Sam, and I decided that he was the smarter of the brothers.
"Hey, I just got out of jail." Grinned Dean, "Bring it."
Pamela overheard them as well, and commented as she returned to the table with a candle holder in her hands.
"You're invited too grumpy" spoke she, winking to Sam. "And if you keep scowling, you are going to ruin that pretty face of yours baby doll" spoke she, obviously speaking to me."You're invited as well"
"I'll pass" I spoke as I noticed that my uncle scowled at which Pamela only laughed.
"She's twenty two Bobby. I am sure it wouldn't be her first time." She laughed and my uncle looked away clearly uncomfortable.
"I don't want to know, forget it" answered he.
"Sammy, you are definitely not invited" hissed Dean and grinned at me, which only earned him a raised eyebrow in return.
"Come on, take a seat" called Pamela, already sitting in her place, her hands extended. I quickly sat down beside her, and took her hand in my own. I was glad that it was my uncle that sat beside me and I also took his hand.
"So what's the deal?" asked Dean, staring at me across the table. "You can smell out demons?"
"No. " I answered, meeting his eyes confidently. "I can sense them, amongst various other things. It 's sort of like smelling them but not quite."
"Mhm" he nodded and I saw the doubt in his eyes.
"You smell like them still " I commented and his eyes darkened. " But there is also something else, " I spoke , taking a tentative sniff, and turning to Pamela "Pam, I don't think it was a demon that pulled him out."
"Than what was it Charlie?" asked my uncle, his eyes narrowing worriedly.
"I don't know, I've never smelt it before." I answered, and frowned at the words that seemed to be a lie to my mind. It was ridiculous, for I could not recall where I had smelt it.
"Right. Take each other's hands" spoke Pamela and the boys hesitantly obeyed, doubt apparent in their eyes. "I need you to focus too doll. Try and feel something."I nodded my acceptance.
"And I need to touch something our mystery monster touched" she smiled and I noticed that Dean jumped, making me decide I did not want to know where her hand had been.
"Whoa" spoke Dean with a slightly uncomfortable smile. "Well, he didn't touch me there."
"My mistake" smiled Pamela.
Dean looked really nervous and after a few seconds of consideration he took of his shirt, baring his shoulder and exposing the burnt handprint on it to our eyes. I sucked in a breath through my teeth, but somehow I knew that the mark wasn't intentional. Like the thing that created it would not do something like that. My eyes travelled to Pamela and she gave me a brief glance of acknowledgment which meant we would discuss this later.
"Okay. " answered Pamela as I closed my eyes, briefly noting that she put her hand on the brand.
"I invoke, conjure and command you, appear unto me before this circle." She chanted, and I felt the sensation of being watched again, as a soft wind caressed my face, "I invoke, conjure and command you, appear unto me before this circle", with the second time, the feeling intensified and I somehow knew that it was always the same being that observed me "I invoke, conjure and command you, appear unto me before this circle.", I heard static as the television flicked on and off, and as I was reaching out to it, I felt the being reach back to me. It was oh so powerful, but somehow, peaceful, what confused me to no end.
"I invoke" chanted Pamela and I jumped slightly as I heard a voice whisper, seemingly right next to me.
"I warn you. Stop trying to see me" it whispered.
"Conjure and command" she continued, and I wondered if she heard the same thing I did.
The voice whispered back, the message urgent :"I am Castiel. Turn back now, turn back."
"Castiel?" called Pamela and I sighed, relieved that she had heard him too. "No. Sorry, Castiel, I do not scare easily."
"Castiel?" repeated Dean.
"Its name" answered Pamela "it's whispering to me, warning me to turn back."
Noise erupted in the room, and the table shook with fervour. Perhaps Pamela wasn't scared, but I was terrified.
"I invoke, conjure and command you, appear unto me before this circle." She commanded and I heard the voice again.
"Turn back now human, I warn you." The voice whispered, growing stronger than before with each chant.
"Pamela" I gasped as the sheer power hit me, somehow so very close, familiar.
"Hang in there doll" answered Pamela and continued her chant.
"Stop her Charlotte "the voice whispered, its tone rising. Pam's hand tightened in my own and I knew she had heard "stop her before it's too late."
"Pam, let's stop" I whispered and I knew she heard me over the rattling as she squeezed my hand in response.
"Just a little more" she breathed. The rattling increased and I heard my uncle say something. I could not understand what he said, as white light appeared before my eyes. Pamela chanted and the light grew stronger and stronger until I could make out a figure standing in the light. Only the face was clear, and I stared into blue eyes.
The being seemed sad and shook his head.
"I am sorry" he spoke and I was shook out of my stupor by female screams.
My eyes snapped open only to realize that I was no longer holding Pam's hand. I realized with horror that it was Pam who screamed and where her eyes should have been, only black holes remained. I blinked my shock away and rushed past Sam who was calling the ambulance, snatching a towel and covering it in cold water.
I rushed back, to a sobbing Pam and covered her eyes with the towel, or what were once her eyes, letting tears flow down my cheeks silently.
"It's alright, it's alright" I murmured to her and she turned her head to the sound of my voice.
"I can't see baby doll, I can't see" she cried.
"I know " I whispered.
I sat in Pamela's hospital room with my elbows resting on my knees and my hands holding my head.
It had been a long few hours and Pam was stable, but I still couldn't help but worry about her. Great sadness enveloped my heart, and most of all, regret. I could have stopped her, I should have stopped her. But I didn't. And now, she could never see again.
Something cold touched my elbow and I jumped, noticing it was just my uncle, holding a can of cola to me.
I took it from his hand and he settled into the chair next to mine.
"I don't like Cola" I muttered and he nodded in acceptance of the fact, sipping on what smelled like cheap black coffee.
"Well, it was either that or coffee Charlie" he grumbled. "Seeing as you'd never take coffee, and there was no tea of any sort I decided to bring you Cola. You need your caffeine kid, it's been a long day."
I nodded in acceptance and laid the cola can to my feet, leaning back and closing my eyes, trying to prevent tears from flowing. I had cried by far too much that day.
"She's stable kiddo" grumbled my uncle from beside me.
"Yes, but for how long? The damage done to her eyes..." I sighed, closing my eyes firmly.
"Come on kid. You're lucky she's asleep. What kind of attitude is that? Is that what we taught you?" spoke he, and placed his hand on my own.
"She's a tough old gal- she'll pull through this and be better than ever, you'll see." Grumbled he, not convincing me at all.
"Who are you calling old, you ancient man?" grumbled a voice next to us and I jumped to Pamela's side as she groaned. "Man, this sucks."
"Pamela? Are you in pain? Should I go and get the doctors?" I babbled, not taking the time to even breathe.
Her hand flew to my own and she gave me a slight hit, before taking hold of my hand and squeezing tightly.
"The prehistoric man is right baby doll, this isn't what we taught you, this isn't what your mama taught you either." Spoke she and a small smile stretched her lips.
"No, but neither my mother or you two taught me what to do when something like this happens to a person you love. I never could learn that. " I muttered.
"Oh baby doll" mumbled she. "No one truly knows that. Now, to more important matters," she sighed and turned her head towards me "how bad is my face?"
I let out a shaky laugh and responded "You look lovely Pam"
"That's what I wanted to hear my English doll," smiled she, "don't cha worry about me. I'm in no pain, those doctors have me all high and giggly. Tell me, what am I missing? Are they cute?"
"Not really Pam" I managed before my shaky laugh turned to sobs.
"Oh baby doll" she murmured stroking my hand, "stop it, you're gonna make me cry, and I don't have eyes anymore, you can see the problem I believe. "
I took a few more shaky breaths and nodded my head even though she could not see me.
"But it's my fault, and I'm sorry." I whispered.
"Now you listen to me Charlotte Lauren Fields, this is anyone's fault but your own. You tried to warn me, and you tried to stop me, I just wouldn't listen. Don't cry doll."
It took me a couple of minutes but I managed to calm down.
"Pamela" called the gruff voice of my uncle and I squeezed her hand, knowing that our time together was drawing to a close sooner than either of us would have wanted. "I stayed as long as I could, but I really need to go and check up on those two idgets."
"I understand Bobby." She murmured, still facing me.
"Pamela, I..." I started not really knowing how to tell her what I felt. I needed to come with my uncle. It was a sort of a pull in my chest, and I knew that there was no disobeying it.
"Listen to me baby doll, I will tell you what I know, what I have heard "she spoke and I noticed that her tone was serious, making me take a shuddering breath , knowing how serious things needed to become if she discarded her mask. "Before you came, there were whispers in the spirit world. Of a child saved, a gifted child, of one very important child, one to be protected. They increased as you came to stay with me, the spirits more than likely recognising you, and they added your name to their whispers. It used to be that I heard them only during the séances, but when Dean got saved, they never left my head. You are very important baby doll, and who ever saved you is coming for you. And you have to answer the call. It means you have to leave me baby doll. Go with Bobby, and then go where the road takes you. "
She stopped for a while and smiled as she spoke once more "But that doesn't mean that you should forget about your dear old Pam. Don't be a stranger, give me a call from time to time. I'll be keeping an eye on you" she smirked "but I'd still like to hear your voice, alright my English doll? Don't cha forget me."
"You know I couldn't " I muttered, drying my cheeks with my hand. "I promise to call. And I'll visit you as often as I can. Stay safe Pam."
"You betcha doll." She smiled and I squeezed her hand once more, before leaving the room, where my uncle was waiting.
"You sure you want to come kiddo?" asked he, a slight frown on his face.
"I have no choice uncle." I answered with a sigh. I knew that my problems were only beginning, but I also knew that I had to face them. First of all, I needed to speak to Dean Winchester.
The road was barren in the night, and only a few cars have passed us in the hour we've been driving. "Uncle?" I called, sitting on the passenger seat, apparently not trustworthy enough to be let drive his car, but trustworthy enough to go hunting with. Men sure were odd.
"Yes kiddo?" he muttered his head turning to me and I snapped quickly at him, afraid of dying in a car crash.
"Eyes on the road!" I exclaimed, taking a firm hold of my seat.
"Yeah, yeah, don't loose your lunch" muttered he and turned his head reluctantly.
"He knew my name" I spoke quietly, my voice barely above a whisper.
I flew forward as my uncle hit the breaks, and pulled up on the side of the road.
"Who did?" he demanded angrily, turning to face me fully.
"Castiel" I answered and lurched forward again as my uncle angrily stepped on the gas pedal and turned the car in a full circle, driving back the way we came.
"Damn it Charlie! Damn it!" swore he, his movements rigid with anger.
"Turn back."I spoke softly and he turned back to me so quickly I was sure he would suffer an injury.
"You want me to turn back? Are ya insane? " demanded he. "You're the one he's after not those idgets!"
"He won't harm me. Please uncle. He's not a demon." I whispered.
"Damn it Charlie did ya miss what he did to Pam?" he hollered "did ya miss the fact that he burned out her eyes?"
"No. I was there" I answered, my own anger showing. "But it wasn't his fault, he warned her uncle! And did you forget that he brought Dean back from hell?"
Tense silence ruled in the small space of the car for a couple of minutes and I tried again, my voice more controlled.
"I have to talk to Dean, he has to know. He can't hunt Castiel. Please uncle. Just let me talk to him and I'll go back if that is what you want. "
"Ya'll be the death of me." Muttered my uncle but still turned the car around, once more headed to the Winchester brothers.
I stepped out of the car with an uneasy feeling, the distinct notion of trouble in the air.
"We have to hurry" I whispered and started sprinting forward, my feet carrying me to Dean's room, even though this was the first time I had ever been in the motel, and the fact that I did not in fact know where Dean's room was.
"What is it Charlie?" demanded my uncle, running behind me,
"Castiel is here" I called, felling the scent linger in the air. I skidded to a stop in front of the room, power ringing through the air .My uncle broke down the doors, shouting for Dean and covering his ears.
I couldn't tell what he heard but I heard a voice clearly speak through the air.
"You have to listen Dean" spoke the voice, the one I realized belonged to Castiel.
It was silent for a moment and I knew his next words were spoken to me "We need to talk"
The air stilled and I knew the being had left, although I could still sense his power, lingering in the air. It was an intoxicating, inviting scent. Like the sea breeze combined with pine.
"We need to go" commanded my uncle, helping Dean of the floor. I nodded , but rushed into the bathroom, scowling as I could not find any clean towels and taking the cleanest looking one, drenching it in water, and running back out.
"Here, for the cuts" I muttered , throwing it at Dean who gave me an odd look, immediately turning to my uncle who had just finished packing Dean.
"What is she doing here?" asked he, not really angry, seemingly just surprised.
"No time" huffed my uncle, already at the doors. "that thing could come back any second, we have to go. Where is Sam?"
"I don't know, he wasn't here when the noise started." Dean grumbled out.
"Damn, we'll find him once we're on the road." Swore my uncle and we all entered the car, with enough speed to outrun hell. The thing was, I could swear Castiel did not belong to hell.
Dean took the passenger seat, dabbing at his cuts with the towel I provided for him.
"How ya doinn' kid?" asked Bobby, glancing at him, but thankfully keeping his eyes on the road.
"Aside from the church bells ringing in my head, peachy." Answered Dean, rather rudely in my opinion, and I bit back my tongue in an effort to keep my mouth shut.
I noticed that Dean had dialled a number, and I knew that he was calling his missing brother.
"What are you doing?" demanded Dean over the phone. He apparently did not get a satisfying answer as he shot back disbelievingly "In my car?"
"Well, uh, Bobby's back. We're gonna grab a beer. " My uncle and I both raised our eyebrows in unison, but neither of us commented as Dean lifted a finger, in a silent message to keep us quiet.
"Done, catch you later" answered he and cut the call.
"Why the hell didn't ya tell him?" demanded my uncle.
"Because he'd just try to stop us." Countered Dean and I knew that he had an awfully foolish and dangerous idea on his mind.
"From what?" demanded my uncle.
"Summoning this thing. It's time we faced in head on. " spoke Dean and I couldn't stop myself from answering.
"He didn't mean to harm you" I exclaimed.
"You can't be serious!" countered Bobby, and I was not sure who he was addressing .
"As a heart attack, it's high noon baby. And what is she doing here?" asked he, glancing at me in the rear view mirror.
"The thing is after her, it knew her name" spoke Bobby through clenched teeth.
"It knew your name" repeated Dean, turning to me "was he trying to hurt you instead of Pamela?"
"He wasn't trying to hurt me " I countered, rather cross with him. "He was only trying to talk to you. And he warned us against seeing his face, what kind of a monster does that?" I shot back, angered by their stubbornness.
"Yeah, and it friendlily shattered glass all over me! But you know what, if you think so highly of this Castiel, you wouldn't mind coming along, he surely wouldn't harm you." He answered, sarcasm dripping from his words.
"He was speaking to you, you giant twat!" I answered, seething at his words.
"Why do you think so highly of him? Do you know who he is?" asked my uncle.
"No." I answered, confused myself. "I just know that "I spoke, my brows furrowing in thought "he is not evil".
"Good, then we can all go home. And what the hell is a twat?" Bit back Dean.
"Maybe we should go home, try to find more info on this thing." Answered my uncle, the only one of us three who did not feel the need to punch the person he was talking to.
"Why would we do that Bobby? This thing is sure as hell not letting go." Stated Dean.
"We don't even know what it is. It could be a demon, hell, it could be anything!"
"So we have to be ready for anything" stated Dean like it was the simplest thing in the world. He took out a knife and I hissed as its smell hit my nose.
"What is it Charlie?" asked my uncle, worried by my reaction.
"The knife" I hissed through my teeth, covering my nose with my hand, "It reeks of demon blood. Could you put it away please?" I asked, and Dean did so with a raised eyebrow.
"We've got the big time magic knife..., you've got an entire arsenal in your trunk." Started Dean, explaining his brilliant plan.
"He is not a demon, you can't kill him like one" I countered.
"If you're so smart, why don't you tell us what he is instead of defending something you can't even name!" replied he.
"You're a blind fool Dean Winchester!" I countered.
"Calm down Charlie, Dean, this is neither the time nor the place." Spoke my uncle in an honest effort to calm us down.
I hmphed at him and he continued as if he hadn't heard me. "This is a bad idea."
"Yeah, I couldn't agree more, but what other choice do we have?" he countered throwing me a look that dared me to disagree.
"We could choose life." Spoke my uncle and I huffed in annoyance.
"Bobby, whatever this thing is, whatever it wants, it's after me and Charlotte. We've got no place to hide. I can either get caught with my pants down again, or we can make a stand." He tried to reason.
"Dean, we could use Sam on this." Spoke my uncle only to be quickly shot down.
"Nah, he's better off where he is. And we've got the psychic here, she can sniff him out for us." He spoke throwing me a smirk.
"I am no dog Dean Winchester!" I responded, outraged at his stupidity "And when is the last time you took a shower? You smell like a pig!"
"Oh brother, this is gonna be a long ride." Muttered my uncle and I faintly recognized him over the sound of whatever stupid retort the man in front of me had made.
"I still don't like this" I muttered under my breath to my uncle, who was just finishing another symbol with paint.
"He won't be harmed if he's not a demon Charlie" answered my uncle. "Why are you so worried?"
"I don't know" I said, playing with the white strand in my hair, "it just feels very wrong. "
"That's a hell of an art project you've got going on here" spoke Dean from the table, setting up the equipment.
I walked over to him and took some holly water and salt.
"Traps and talismans from every faith on the globe. How you doing?" answered my uncle.
"Stakes, iron, silver, salt, knife. I mean , we're pretty much set for killing anything I've ever heard off"
Answered he, eyeing my hands.
"Here, take this" he said, shoving a shotgun in my arms.
I took it and held it as far away from myself as possible.
"I don't want it, take it back" I said, shoving it into his arms.
"Don't tell me you can't shoot" he smirked and shoved back.
"She's my niece ya idget of course she can bloody well shoot!" responded my uncle, clearly taking this as a personal insult.
"Good, she can demonstrate her skills." He said, and with a final shove, stepped away from me.
I was left glaring at his back with a shot gun full of salt placed awkwardly in my hands.
"This is still a bad idea" spoke my uncle, reluctantly walking to the table.
"Yeah Bobby, I heard you the first ten times. What do you say we ring the dinner bell?" responded Dean, but I recognised a hint of fear in his voice as well.
My uncle nodded reluctantly and took a pinch of some powder from a bowl, which happened to smell horribly of dirty socks to me, and sprinkled it into a large bowl, throwing me one last look.
"Uncle, please" I tried once again.
The bowl began to smoke and with a look from Dean, my uncle began to chant.
Nothing happened in the first few minutes, and after realizing that I could not in fact sense anything out of the ordinary, the scent only on Dean, I heaved a sigh and sat on the other table.
Dean looked slightly expectant, but followed my lead after a while and Bobby was the last one to join us, so the three of us sat on the table and waited. I swung my legs back and front, barely reaching the floor.
"You sure are short" commented Dean from my left.
"Look who's talking" I shot back ,slightly insulted that he would bring up my height.
"So..." spoke he after a while " do you smell anything?"
"Aside from your dirty shirt no." I replied and he grinned, scooting closer to me and brushing his hand against my own, dirtying it.
"You prat!" I exclaimed and whipped my hand in my trousers. "Bobby do something about him! Get a leash or something!"
"Yes, uncle Bobby, save your niece" mocked Dean.
"You two are just like children. Shut yer traps or I will" answered my uncle, but I noticed that he was only grumbling half-heartedly.
I shot Dean a glare and turned away from him, humming under my breath.
"You sure you did the ritual right?" asked Dean after a while, obviously disappointed.
My uncle gave him a look and Dean apologised immediately. "Sorry, touchy, touchy huh?"
I gasped as a wave of energy hit me, just before the roof began rattling, Dean and Bobby jumped down and took their positions, my uncle dragging me with him, shotguns in hand. Not one of them seemed to notice I had left mine at the table. Not that I needed one.
"Wishful thinking, but maybe it's just the wind." Muttered Dean and I shook my head no.
"He's here" I whispered and the doors swung open, and a man in a business suit and trench coat strolled in.
Castiel, my mind seemed to conclude.
Dean and Bobby opened fire and I felt the distinctive need to stop them.
"No, uncle stop that!" I spoke and knocked the gun from his hands. Both he and Dean gave me incredulous looks and Dean grabbed the knife in his hand.
"I knew it. You were in contact with him all along weren't you?" demanded he and I backed away from the blind rage in his eyes.
"Charlotte has done nothing wrong" spoke Castiel and stepped in front of me.
"Who are you?" demanded Dean.
"I am the one who gripped you tight and raised you from perdition." Answered Castiel .
"Yeah, thanks for that" he spoke and plunged the knife in Castiel's chest.
I peered around him and saw him look down at his chest in wonder, extracting the knife from his chest.
I backed away from him at the movement and he raised an eyebrow, letting the knife fall on the opposite side of me.
"Move girl " barked my uncle and attacked Castiel who caught the weapon without even looking back, using it to swing my uncle around. He pressed two fingers to his forehead and my uncle collapsed.
I sucked in a breath and fell to my knees next to my uncle, frantically searching for a pulse, unable to believe that Castiel hurt him.
"We need to talk Dean. Alone." Spoke Castiel and I noticed that Dean looked down at me in the same time I looked up at him, worry written on his face.
Dean glared at him and spat through his teeth "So what, you needed to gank Bobby for that? Gonna kill Charlotte too?"
Castiel turned to me and I backed away slightly, afraid that I had been wrong about him.
"Charlotte, your uncle lives. You have seen that. " he spoke, his blue eyes meeting my green ones. His face was set in a mask, but I thought I saw a glimpse of honesty in his eyes.
"I will not harm Charlotte, she is to be protected." Spoke he, turning to Dean.
"Who are you?" asked Dean, slightly inching to me and my uncle.
"Castiel" answered he.
"Yeah, I figured that much. I mean what are you?" snarled Dean , moving closer and closer to us.
"I am an Angel of the Lord." Responded Castiel and I couldn't help but gape at him. Mostly because I knew, one way or the other, that he spoke the truth.
"Get the hell out of here. There is no such thing." Shot back Dean, clearly not believing a word that left Castiel's mouth.
"Dean." I called and he snapped his head to me. I stood up slowly as I spoke "My uncle is asleep. He did not harm him as far as I can tell. I ... I believe him." As I spoke, I noticed that Castiel's eyes were on me, observing me with his head tilted.
"This is your problem Dean, you have no faith." Spoke the angel and with that lighting flashed behind him, drawing a silhouette of his wings that spread out, taking up more than half of the room.
"Some angel you are. You burned out that poor woman's eyes out. I believe you remember her Charlotte, Pamela? The one you lived with?" Snapped Dean and I knew that he could not understand my actions any more than I could understand them myself.
"I warned her not to spy on my true form. It can be... overwhelming for humans, and so can my real voice. But you already knew that. " he spoke and glanced my way.
I bit down at my lip and shoved my hands in my pockets, unnerved by the amount of power the angel had.
"You mean the gas station and the motel. That was you talking?" asked Dean at which Castiel nodded.
"Buddy, next time, lower the volume. " just as Castiel was about to retort Dean's eyes snapped at me. "Wait just a second. You could hear him couldn't you?" he asked, narrowing his eyes at me, like I was guilty of some horrendous crime.
"I... " I hesitated, not really sure what to say. "Yes, I could " I answered and turned to Castiel.
"That was my mistake" spoke he, addressing Dean."Certain people, special people can perceive my true form. I thought you would be one of them. I was wrong. " He then turned to me and stared at me , which only unnerved me more as he spoke still addressing me."Charlotte is one of them. That is why she could hear me."
"Well yay for her , she and Sam can form a club for the special" spoke Dean, plastering a sarcastic smile on his face. "And what visage are you in now, huh? What, holly tax accountant?"
"This " spoke Castiel, and I felt relief as he stopped staring at me to look down at himself. "this is a... vessel."
"You're possessing some poor bastard?" snapped Dean once again.
"He's a devout man, he actually prayed for this." Answered Castiel, now staring at Dean.
"Well, I'm not buying what you're selling. So who are you really?" asked Dean and the angel frowned.
"I told you." He responded.
"Dean" I called, and both of them turned to face me.
"He... he's not lying Dean. I have never sensed anything like him. He's... an angel." I spoke, throwing glances at Castiel, who was once again staring at me. I wondered if he understood human manners.
"Thank you Charlotte." Spoke he and I turned to him, and gave a curt nod.
"Right. And why would an angel rescue me from hell?" demanded Dean, not at all convinced.
"Good things do happen Dean." Countered Castiel and frowned once again, staring at Dean.
"Not in my experience" answered Dean and I could sense his uncertainty, even without my sensing abilities.
"What's the matter, you don't think you deserve to be saved?" his words could seem like a taunt, but his expression was of innocent curiosity, almost like a child.
"Why'd you do it?" demanded Dean and I could see the worry in his voice.
"Because God commanded it. Because we have work for you. " he answered, and turned to me without waiting for a response. "We will talk soon Charlotte" he spoke and disappeared, and my uncle immediately stirred.
"Where is he? What did I miss?" demanded he, jumping to his feet, and his only response was the look I shared with Dean, a look that clearly said, you will not believe us.