Disclaimer: I don't own, Mr. Kripke and friends don't sue... Deal?

Full Summary: Everything is not as it seems. Joie, a young girl who John Winchester adopted after her fmaily was slain by a shifter, has a secret even she doesn't know. Dean realizes not all demons are evil, at least not one in particular. Meg must face the fact that she's not as cruel as she's supposed to be. Castiel is staring at Joie with less than pure intentions, and does Sam really want normal? Follows season 8 storyline to a point. AU after 8x02 (hehe, wonder why? *insert sarcasm here*) Castiel is not still in Purgatory. Meg has already been rescued from Crowley (come one people, we know it's coming). Castiel/OFC. Dean/Meg. Jackass!Sam (sorry).

Author's Note 1: Sorry it took me this long to get the Castiel/OFC story up! I couldn't find any inspiration. Plus, I was working on two other stories (still am, technically, but this one has my attention for now) so another one added to the bunch seemed a bit much. Then my plot bunny started rationalizing with me and reminded me that I was writing two fanfics along with four originals, so complaining about one more was kind of on the stupid side.

Author's Note 2: I can't explain Sam's behavior in this chapter. He's just really irritating me so far this season. I apologize to all you Sam fans. Eventually he'll come to his senses and come back (doesn't he always?) but until then, he's the ass. *goes to hide from angry mob* Enjoy!

"What do you mean you're done?"

"I mean I'm done Joie. I'm done hunting. I want a normal life. One that isn't filled with monsters and demons and the constant fear that another person I love is going to die."

Joie's violet eyes narrowed on Sam, willing him to burst into flames. Unfortunately, she wasn't the one who'd ever had psychic powers. "That's all well and good Samuel. Only one problem."

"And what's that?" Sam asked negligently, eyeing his best friend and little sister depreciatingly. Joie caught the look and prayed for patience.

Smiling coldly, she invaded Sam's personal space, pressing up against him. "Just because you quit, doesn't mean the people you love will. Dean and I will still hunt. Cas will still hunt. The only family you have left are hunters, and we will always be hunters. Eventually, something's going to get us. Some monster out there. Unless we quit, you will always have to worry about us dying. But hey," She shrugged, backing up, "you can always just cut us out of your life again. You did it before. Shouldn't be hard."

Sam sighed, reaching a hand out. Joie slapped it away angrily. "Do not even think about touching me Samuel Winchester. You're a bitch and a coward. You want out. Go. Don't wait for us to shut down hell. We can do it without you. Just leave now. Get it over with. You're so fucking desperate for normal, go grab it sugar."

"Is this where you tell me that if I walk out that door, not to come back?" Sam asked sarcastically.

Joie sucked in a deep breath at the reference of what John had said to Sam when the tall hunter left for Stanford. "You're family Sam. Unfortunately. I'd never turn you away. But make no mistake, you'll have to come to us. We won't come after you. Not again."

Sam looked over her shoulder, gazing into the dark corner where Dean, Cas, and Meg stood hiding from the conversation. "Is she right guys? If I leave, will you leave me alone? Will you not come after me and let me have a normal life?"

Joie nearly doubled over in pain from the torment she felt radiating from Dean. Castiel, sensing her distress, stepped forward and wrapped a hand around her waist, steadying her and blocking her from her natural empathetic abilities.

"I will stand by Joie." He said in his gruff voice, hauling the young woman against him. He would not let this selfish example of humanity harm her. Not when she had been hurt so much already.

Meg, watching her former charge and the girl with knowing eyes moved beside them. "You know me Sammy. Where Clarence goes, I go."

Sam nodded, unsurprised by the angel and demon's backing of his little sister. She was a leader to her core. Where he or Dean always floundered, Joie stood tall and firm, and those two soldiers would gravitate toward that leadership. Only one left. "And you Dean?"

Dean hesitated, hating to be put in this position. He hated having to choose between his brother and little sister, but dammit! He knew what was right! And Sam's path wasn't right! Sam's path would let innocent people be slaughtered. Straightening his shoulders, he stepped in front of Joie. "You're my brother. You're always welcome. But if you walk away, you'll have to walk back. I won't chase you."

Sam's face softened. He reached a hand out to try pleading. "Dean. You can come with me. You can have normal too."

"No Sam." Dean interrupted. "I can't. I'm a hunter, and I can't let innocent people die."

The tall brother's hazel eyes hardened into stone. "Fine!" He bit out. "Make sure someone calls me for your funeral."

"Will do Sammy." Dean replied sadly, watching his brother grab his backpack and walk away. The door slammed behind him and the remaining four visible relaxed, Joie leaning back into Castiel, accepting his unspoken offer of comfort. Dean collapsed on the floor and, to everyone's surprise, it was Meg who sat beside him. The demoness pulled the hunter into the circle of her arms and let him sob against her chest. Watching his brother walk away, yet again, had broken Dean's heart far more than it damaged everyone else. For Joie, Castiel, and Meg it was, sadly, expected.

Slowly, the tears subsided and Dean straightened, adjusting his and Meg's position until the demon sat between his outstretched legs, his arms around her waist and his head on her shoulder. Her back was pressed to his chest with her arms laid over his. The two looked oddly content.

"So what do we do now?" Dean asked in a broken whisper, and Joie saw Meg's hands tighten around his forearms.

Castiel gazed down at her, his brilliant blue eyes reflecting his normal questioning naivety. "Joie?"

Joie sighed and pulled on her inner core. "We fight. We find Crowley and get the tablet. Then we find Kevin and his mother. After that, we lock down hell forever."

"And after?" Mag asked, silently fearful. When they locked down hell, they'd lock her down too. Still, it was a sacrifice she was willing to make for the people who had stood by her when her own kind had turned against her.

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it." Joie replied decisively. "Pack up. We need to move. The longer we stay in one place, the easier it'll be for Crowley to find us."

Everyone moved simultaneously, obeying without question. Castiel grinned as he realized it. Then he wondered when Joie would realize what a true psychic she was. She thought her ability to fell Sam and Dean's emotions were just a side-effect of being raised with them. She didn't know that she could feel it with others and just blocked it out, or that being an empath allowed her to tap into the part of everyone's brain that automatically obeyed orders, allowing her to make anyone do whatever she wanted, without question. Think Andy, without the demon blood.

The time would come to tell her. For now, they had to move.