Summary: AU from the end of "Changing Channels". Castiel spends a lot of time with Gabriel, mostly getting advice on how to woo Dean. Cas also continues to help the Winchesters and tells them about angelic family structure. Team Free Will gets help from an unexpected source who makes things easier (slightly). Dean realizes his feelings for Cas but is a coward about it initially, thinking himself unworthy of the angel. There is also a line of folks willing smite Dean's ass if he breaks Castiel's heart.
*Raise your hand if you also hate coming up with summaries.
Contains (in no particular order): angst, humor, fluff, my version of the way angels are made/born, angel fluff, flashbacks, fun times with Gabriel, romance, Dean being an idiot (what else is new?) and some other things I can't think of.
Disclaimer: I do not own any recognizable characters or lines. I re-wrote some scenes to work with the way I'm doing things, some I left kind of the same and some I skipped over because nothing really changed. You'll see.
Rating: Varies, but I'm making it M because of language and descriptions and smut later on.
This story is the first installment of a trilogy and the entire trilogy will contain all I listed above plus some extra surprises I will mention later on. I hope you stick around.
Amazing Grace, part 1: "Look Into My Eyes"
Castiel found himself in the warehouse next to Dean and Sam.
"Cas, you okay?" Dean asked.
"I'm fine" he told him and then focused on the Archangel "Hello Gabriel."
The Archangel stood in the middle of a ring of Holy Fire, looking a combination of smug and agitated. His white wings were arched and his feathers ruffled "Hey, Munchkin. How's the search for the Big Guy going? Let me guess. Awful."
Castiel glared at him. Brother Gabriel had been one of the most popular and loved of the Archangels; Castiel himself had admired him. It had been a painful blow when Gabriel left Heaven and to know what he'd been doing with his time…not to mention how he had tormented Dean and Sam.
Dean looked at Castiel "Munchkin?" he asked.
"Don't ask," Castiel sighed and kept his gaze on Gabriel "I know what that means now. I was waiting for that word to exist and I don't believe it applies to me."
Gabriel rolled his eyes "Were you always this literal? Oh wait, that's right, you are a Thursday angel. What's that saying? Thursday's child has far to go."
"Okay" Dean said harshly "we're outta here. Come on, Sam." He turned and began to walk away.
Gabriel blinked "Uh. Okay. Guys?"
Sam followed Dean, after giving Gabriel one of his "puppy dog bitch faces".
"So, so what? Huh?" Gabriel said.
Castiel turned and followed the brothers, but watching the older angel over his shoulder.
"You're just gonna, you're gonna leave me here forever?"
Dean stopped at the door and turned back to look at him "No. We're not, 'cause we don't screw with people the way you do. And for the record? This isn't about some prize fight between your brothers or some destiny that can't be stopped. This is about you being too afraid to stand up to your family." He pulled the fire alarm and the sprinkler system went off, extinguishing the fire "Don't say I never did anything for you."
Castiel followed the brothers outside after one last look at Gabriel. He stayed by the door while Dean and Sam went up to the Impala.
Sam turned to Castiel "So it seems like you and Gabriel know each other pretty well?"
Castiel breathed in deeply "When I was a young angel he was one of my teachers."
Sam nodded, almost as if he expected this answer.
He needed to talk to Gabriel…before he changed his mind "Excuse me," he said to the Winchesters "I need to speak with him" he went back inside.
To his surprise, Gabriel was still there, standing where they left him and looking miserable. "Hello Gabriel."
Gabriel's arms were crossed and his wings drooped "You said that already. There a reason you came back in here?"
Castiel went up to him "I want to know why."
"Why what?"
"Why everything, Brother Gabriel? Why you left Heaven? Why you've masqueraded as a Trickster? Why you've targeted Dean and Sam?"
"I think you're the only one who refers to them as Dean and Sam instead of Sam and Dean."
Castiel blinked "The way I refer to the Winchesters is not of import." He tilted his head "Brother Gabriel, I used to admire you, look up to you. I want to understand why."
Gabriel regarded him for a long moment and sighed heavily "Oh, kiddo, I never could resist that confused puppy look. All right, if we're gonna talk about this I'm gonna need a drink. Let's go somewhere a little less warehouse themed."
…
Dean and Sam had been listening at the door.
"What the hell?" Dean said when the angels had vanished.
"I don't know" Sam shrugged.
"Cas actually admired the dick?"
Sam blinked "Okay, obviously we weren't thinking the same thing. But it seems like Gabriel wasn't always a dick."
"And seriously why does everyone call us Sam and Dean? I am the oldest and there's alphabetical order to consider."
Sam shook his head and walked back to the car "Sam and Dean' sounds better. Now can we go before the fire department gets here?"
…
Gabriel took him to a crowded bar in Las Vegas and they sat at a dark corner table. "You want something?" Gabriel asked.
"Do you think I'll need it?"
"Maybe."
"I like beer then. Thank you."
Gabriel flagged down a waitress "Beer for him and a Mai Tai for me."
"Would you like anything to eat?" the waitress asked.
"Yeah, now that you mention it" Gabriel looked through the menu "I can't decide between the loaded potato skins and the hot wings so we'll split the sampler platter."
"You got it. I'll be right back with your drinks." The waitress walked off.
"We do not require sustenance," Castiel pointed out.
"Doesn't mean we can't enjoy it. And for the love of God, Castiel" Gabriel pointed at his left hand "take off your vessel's wedding ring. I can tell he's not with you anymore."
"Oh" Castiel removed the ring "I didn't even realize I was wearing it."
The waitress returned with their drinks "Your food will be out shortly."
"Thank you" Gabriel smiled at her. He took a drink "all right, Castiel. You wanna know why I left Heaven and joined up with the Pagans?"
"Yes."
Gabriel took a deep breath "You're lucky I like you so much."
"You have an unusual way of showing it. I did not appreciate those places you sent me in that television land."
Gabriel chuckled "Oh it wasn't so bad, besides I knew you could handle it. Anyway I thought you'd like the strippers."
"I am not Balthazar."
"True. I still don't know how the two of you are friends. You are still friends aren't you?"
"We are. Besides we're brothers. Gabriel, you're stalling."
Gabriel sighed and ran a hand through his hair "You know why I left, Castiel? I left because I was so tired of the fighting."
"But you left after Michael cast Lucifer out. You didn't leave till after the Annunciation."
"I was referring to me and Michael fighting. After Luci went to Hell, Mike became even more of a hard-ass. He was watching the rest of us like a hawk. He didn't trust the other archangels anymore. Especially me. Just because I didn't prescribe to his way of thinking."
"I don't either, not anymore."
"Glad to hear it. I always saw more than that in you. You weren't meant to be a Michael clone."
"I am descended from him."
"Doesn't mean you have to be like him." Gabriel downed his drink just as their food arrived. He ordered another Mai Tai. "So," he said when they were alone again "I hear you finally saved the Righteous Man."
Castiel nodded "You knew it was Dean Winchester didn't you?"
"Since the moment I laid eyes on the punk. I didn't expect him to Michael's true vessel though, that one threw me."
"Yes, I was surprised as well."
Gabriel sighed heavily "You know the problem with being an angel, is that you need an entire liquor store to get sloshed."
Castiel finally took a drink of his beer "Why have you tormented the Winchesters so?"
Gabriel sputtered "Tormented? I was trying to teach them a lesson. Every time."
"You killed Dean over 100 times at Mystery Spot. What was the point?"
"Oh" Gabriel's eyes widened "I see what this is about. It's Dean you care about, it's Dean you're rebelling for. Sam only matters to you because he matters to Dean."
Castiel blinked "I don't know what you're referring to."
"You're a terrible liar, Castiel, you always have been. Now, be a good little seraph and tell Brother Gabriel the truth. Don't make me use my Archangel voice."
And Castiel had to wonder if he ever had control of this conversation. Probably not, he reasoned. He took a breath "They are both my friends. But Sam is an abomination."
Gabriel's eyes narrowed "Don't say that about Sam."
"You are aware of the demon blood?"
"Of course I am. That doesn't make Sam an abomination. What Azazel did to him is not his fault. But this isn't about Sam. This, you, it's all about Dean and it's Dean we're going to talk about. Capisce?"
Castiel took another swallow of beer "Very well."
"Good. Why don't you start with when you pulled him from the Pit?"
…
"As you know, I was always destined to save the Righteous Man; I just didn't know from what. I didn't know Dean had made the deal till Brother Michael informed me. I was unaware of the grander plan of course—that Michael wanted the Seals broken and the Apocalypse to begin…"
Gabriel rolled his eyes and scoffed "Michael and his need-to-know basis policy."
Castiel took another drink "Michael came to me and told me that while we could not prevent Dean from going to Hell, we could save him from it so we had to prepare. I had to prepare—I was to lead a garrison into Hell to rescue him."
2 years ago…
"Why can't you do it?" Balthazar asked the Archangel. He and Castiel had been relaxing in Marilyn Monroe's Heaven (well Balthazar had been relaxing, Castiel had been sitting rigidly, uncomfortable with the whole thing) when Michael approached him.
Michael's wings bristled "I was not speaking to you, Balthazar."
Castiel stepped between them "Brother Michael, may I ask why you wish me to lead the garrison?"
"It is your destiny to save the Righteous Man, Castiel."
"Yes, but why must I lead?"
"I have other matters to attend to and an archangel in Hell would be detected easily. You must prepare. You have one Earth year before Dean Winchester is taken, then you must begin the mission."
…
Gabriel leaned forward "What's Marilyn's Heaven like?"
"Gabriel" Castiel felt his forehead crinkle.
"Okay, okay" Gabriel held up his hands "I'll check it out for myself one of these days. Continue, please."
…
The first thing Castiel did after receiving the assignment was to look upon Dean Winchester, truly look. His was the most beautiful soul Castiel had ever seen.
"Are you kidding me?" scoffed Balthazar.
"What?" Castiel asked, not taking his eyes off Dean.
"I know that face. You fancy that mud monkey."
"I don't know what…"
"Come on, Castiel, I know you have a preference but him? Really?"
Castiel tore his eyes away to regard his brother "Dean Winchester is a beautiful soul."
"If you're into humans I suppose but he's neck deep in denial about, well, a lot of things. Surely you can see that?"
"Doesn't matter."
Balthazar rolled his eyes "You are pathetic, you know that? He's got to be one of the single most flawed human beings there is."
"That's what makes him shine like the sun."
"Pathetic, you're pathetic."
"You said that. Will you join the garrison or not?"
"Oh I'll help you, if only to keep an eye on you."
…
"You can skip the details, Cas" Gabriel said, they were walking along the Vegas Strip now "just get to the Hell bit though I've got to agree with Balthazar."
After a glare at Gabriel Castiel continued "Getting into Hell was surprisingly easy but finding Dean, that was difficult. It took forty Hell years."
…
They were too late to prevent the first seal from being broken, Dean had been spilling innocent blood for ten years. His soul was tarnished but it was not too late to save him. Castiel just had to get through to him.
He was watching Dean from a vent that led to the torture chamber. He was heartbreakingly quite good at it. His soul was darkening but underneath the filth and decay of Hell, it was still bright. There was hope for him yet.
"So what's the plan?"
Castiel almost jumped "Balthazar" he hissed "I told you to stay with the others."
"Yeah, I know. You have to do this bit alone, blah, blah, but how are you going to get in there? The place is crawling with demons. It's a bloody miracle there are as many of us left as there is."
Castiel sighed "Do you remember when Brother Gabriel taught us transfiguration?"
"Seriously? You're gonna disguise yourself as a demon? Castiel, you won't be able to keep it up for long."
"It'll get me in the door. Now go back and prepare to cover the escape."
"You know, Dad doesn't think he's worth it."
"Has Dad voiced his opinion to Michael?"
"Ha. Are you mental? He knows better than that. But for the record, I don't think he's worth it either."
"You're not supposed to agree with Father."
"You're not supposed to disagree. I guess there's a first time for everything." Balthazar touched their wings together "Good luck, brother. I hope you know what you're doing."
…
Castiel concentrated and altered the perception of himself to resemble a demon and he made his way into the chamber.
Dean stood over a soul, knife in hand, cutting into it with a vicious smile on his face.
"Dean Winchester?" Castiel approached him.
"Yeah?" Dean stopped what he was doing and regarded him. "Who the hell are you?"
He figured for now at least he should leave the 'of heaven' part off his name "you may call me Cas."
"Kay Cas, what can I do for you?" Dean's eyes roved over him hungrily.
"I have a message for you. May we speak privately?"
Dean shrugged "I could use a break. Follow me" he led Castiel to a small ante-chamber that must be his quarters, considering it was filled with leather furniture and posters of naked women. "So what's…why are you glowing?"
The glamour Castiel had cast on himself was wearing off "Dean, I am Castiel, an angel of the Lord and I am here to rescue you."
Dean stared at him a moment then laughed "Yeah right, good one. Alistair's really getting creative, innit he?"
"Alistair didn't send me. God did. Dean Winchester, you do not belong here."
"Angels don't exist."
"You believe in demons, how can you not believe in angels?"
"Cause I've seen demons. Hell, I'm turning into one. I've never seen an angel."
"You are gazing upon one now."
"And why does an angel want to save me from hell?"
"I told you."
"Right. I don't belong here."
"I can save you if you let me."
"Thanks but I'll pass. It's too late for me."
Castiel grabbed Dean's shoulder "It is not too late, Dean. You are still human. Let me help you."
Dean dropped the knife he was holding and his eyes lightened "Back off Blue Eyes. I'm giving you the chance to get outta here before they catch you."
"Why would you do that?"
"I don't know."
"Because you are a good and righteous man, Dean Winchester and a part of you does trust me."
Dean put a hand on Castiel's neck "Just get outta here, angel boy."
"Not without you" and before he could change his mind he closed the distance between them and kissed him.
Dean responded with fervor. After several moments he pulled back, his eyes their proper color "Okay, angel, get me the hell outta here."
Castiel smiled and gripped him tighter.
…
"That is so cliché" Gabriel muttered.
"What is?" Castiel tilted his head.
"The fact that one kiss was all it took to convince him to be rescued. So I guess you pulled him out after that."
"Yes."
"Everyone else make it out?"
"Those of us who had made it that far, yes. I used a touch of my Grace to sew up Dean's soul and rebuild his body."
"Does he know any of this?"
"No. He remembers Hell but he does not remember being rescued."
"You should tell him."
"Why?"
"Because" Gabriel sighed "Okay, so you rescued him and rebuilt him. How do you feel about him? You're obviously attracted to him."
Castiel leaned against a lamp post "I care for him a great deal."
"Do you want a romantic relationship with him?"
"I don't know."
"It's a simple question, Cas. What's happened Up There since I left? You know what feelings are and you know angels can have them."
"Michael's regime is…strict."
Gabriel groaned and ran a hand through his hair "Damn him. Come on Cas, munchkin, you've courted a couple of girls in your Flight right?"
Castiel nodded, "Rebecca and Anna, yes."
"So you know what it's like. Do you want that with Dean?"
"Yes, God, I want more than that."
"Then tell him."
"I can't."
"Why not? Because he's in denial of his sexuality?"
"Yes. I don't think he'd respond well."
"Sure he will. He likes you too."
"You don't know that."
"Cas, he was going to kill me if I didn't bring you back. Look, okay, maybe before you tell him about Hell and that you want to fuck him six ways from Sunday, try courting him first."
Castiel actually laughed "Court Dean Winchester? Are you serious? I think he'd be offended."
"Not if you do it right. You know what he likes don't you?"
…
Please let me know if you like it and would like to see more. Reviews are love. This whole first part of the trilogy is done by the way, I just need to separate it into chapters.
Also my tumblr is ladyanalyn if you're interested. I might post deleted scenes on there. And if anyone reads my TW fic Sons of the Sea, I'm almost done with the last chapter. So be on the look out.