DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN SUPERNATURAL.

The feel of soft grass beneath her feet can only calm her so much when the faces of those much fiercer are staring down at her. Archangels have even gathered here, and she knows that her punishment will be as severe as their angry little minds can make it. Friends are also here, but the only figure that she can bring herself to truly acknowledge is Castiel's. Her greatest and oldest friend. Part of her almost wished that he wasn't here. It would be a poor thing to see; a friend burning painfully into the ground.

"Evangeline. Are you listening?"

She shot her head up from the ground and bore her eyes into Raphael's. "No. Not particularly."

The previous show of a smug smirk on his face quickly fell. He stepped forward, his movements just as slow and dangerous as any other Archangel. "You never did learn the art of respect, did you?"

"Those who have earned my respect shall receive it, Raphael," Eve replied, her voice a low threat. Despite her position, she would hardly give him the upper hand that he wanted. "Let's finish this."

"You seem to have forgotton your place," he said, his voice dripping with venom. "So let me remind you. You were banished from Heaven, but you ignore your exile. Then you continue to work against your elders, you taint the name of our Father with your doubtful ways-"

"You forget that I'm not the only angel with a mind of my own," she added. "Some others have shared the same thoughts. Your attempts at keeping the rumours out of the way have failed miserably."

Raphael's face twisted into a growl. "Why, you pathetic little abomination. You're no better than a common whore-"

"Raphael," Castiel's sharp voice cut in. Both angels shared a cold stare. "Keep to the matters at hand."

"Very well," Raphael muttered, turning his attention back to Eve. "Let's skip furthur to the punishment. Evangeline, in order to assure that your sinful thoughts and words will no longer be heard amongst us, I sentence you to death."

"You haven't changed," Eve says, a small grin spreading on her lips. "And for that, your day of punishment shall come. I look forward to splattering your guts all over the walls."

Raphael glared with fire in his eyes as he raised a hand. "Should be hard when your bones are ash," he spat. "I would tell you that you're going to a better place, but, I doubt it."

Eve shut her eyes, waiting to feel the hot burn of boiling flesh or charring skin. However, when her moment came, a bright light cleared the sky, and she opened her eyes quickly, just in time to see Raphael's figure burn into the white clouds, paired with a vengeful cry of anger. The light disappeared soon after, and the garden is empty once more. A pair of hands latched onto her arms tightly, and she quickly felt the pinch of bark against her back as she's forced against a tree. As she looked up, she was met with the bright blue eyes of Castiel's vessel.

"Castiel-" she began. He raised a hand to silence her.

"We haven't much time, Eve." His voice was rushed, panicked. But there is no acknowledgment to what he has done. No fear or regret. Just the voice of someone who has run out of options. Out of ideas. Eve looked down and saw the sharp blade slide into his hand. What is he to do? Kill her before they can? Without pain? No, he would never. "Eve, watch my eyes." She looked up and meets his stare, just inches away. Castiel always had the most fiercest of gazes, grasping onto your soul with just a look. "I can do this for you, if you desire," he said, his voice grave. "I would much rather this option than watching you burn."

"Myself as well," she breathed. "But what-"

"Your grace," he replied, breathless. "We must remove it. They'll never find you."

Her grace? Only few angels have even told stories of such a thing.

"Is it possible?"

"Yes." His reply was short, just as they often were. "I'm sorry- it will be painful. But it's the only way." His hands reached up and quickly began working at unbuttoning her shirt. "I'll place you on earth. As a child perhaps. You will have no memory of your grace. The Garrison." His eyes flickered up and met hers once more. "Me." His stare dropped again as his fingers traced over the skin of her stomach with the lightest touch. His voice dropped into a quiet mumble as he spoke. "...I wish that it didn't have to be this way."

"Castiel." Her hand reached for his cheek, pressing her palm into his warm skin. "I'm no coward. I can take my punishment."

His hand flew up to hers, twisting her fingers in his. "I will not watch you burn," he said firmly, glaring into the ground.

"I'm sorry. For all the trouble I caused."

"You have reason. Perhaps if I'd have stood with you, this would not have happened."

Eve frowned. "I would never ask you to stand for something you had no faith in. This is my trouble, not yours."

"I have faith in your belief." Castiel looked up, bringing her hand down gently.

She gave a dry laugh. "No, you have faith in me. There's such a difference." The sudden feeling of cool silver against her stomach made her muscles jump and caused her to grow silent.

"I will ensure your safety on Earth. However I..." A look of conflict ran across Castiel's face. "I will miss you greatly."

"And I you," Eve whispered. "...They'll hunt you for this."

A smirk spread upon his face. "Only if they catch me." He pressed the tip of the blade lightly against her stomach. "We're running out of time. This will hurt. I will try and make it brief."

"I wish that I could remember you above all else."

"I will remember for the both of us. Shut your eyes."

Eve obeyed, squeezing her eyes shut tightly. As she fell into a waiting game once more, something pressed against her forehead. Castiel's lips were gentle against her skin.

"Forgive me," she caught him whisper, before the wave of blinding pain hit like a storm.