My first shot at Supernatural, short and sweet. Human Cas and a little bit of Destiel. I'd love to hear what you guys think.

I own nothing.

Mockingbird

"Hush little baby, don't say a word..."

You wonder why it's so hard to look at them.

It's a tender sight really. Dean is holding her tightly against his chest, smoothing back her dark hair that's the same shade as his and curls just slightly in the front. His voice is a low rumble that's emanating from his chest and cracks every now and then, enough to make you tip your lips up in a humored grin because Dean has never been the best singer but every word and growl that slips out is filled with warmth and a hint of protectiveness that's slowly becoming stronger.

"Papa's gonna buy you a mockingbird…"

The baby is still fussing with her hands balled into fists, one of them pressed against Dean's bare chest and she whimpers again. You can't even pretend she isn't there. Your back is to them now, eyes scanning the clothes in the drawer and you settle for a worn out white t-shirt and slip it over your head, scrubbing at your face with your hands because your mind is spinning and you just want everything to stop.

"And if that mockingbird don't sing, papa's gonna buy you a diamond ring…"

He's still singing and she's still crying, you whirl around to face them and your face must be twisted into some kind of scowl because Dean is glaring at you and his eyes are practically daring you to utter a word. His hand protectively encases her small back as if he's protecting her from you and you realize maybe you're not as good at hiding your emotions as you thought.

With a sigh you take a few steps forward until your standing next to him and Dean leans his head against your leg in surrender, wishing you would just talk to him because these last few hours have been nothing but silence and the occasional cry and hiccup coming from the tiny person he's been holding since last night. He looks up and jade orbs are staring a hole through you, rendering you completely helpless.

"I wish you'd tell me what's wrong," he begs, voice a broken whisper that sends a chill through you. He wants the truth but you know, in the deepest recess of your mind and the black hole that now represents your heart, that the truth could have the opposite effect he's so desperately looking for. Instead of an answer you opt for settling on the floor beside him, pressing your back against the foot of the bed and looking down at the baby, actually looking at her and noticing for the first time that she has his eyes and it's so hard to look away that it hurts.

"She's got your eyes," you say flatly and Dean looks down to see for himself, smiling softly and stroking her cheek with a rough finger. "Has Emma's nose though…"

You let the words hang in the air, hinting at the frustration that's been slowly building itself up inside of you since last night when the brunette woman you remember meeting at one point in time shows up on the porch with tears in her eyes as she yells at Dean, shoving a car seat into his hands before storming out the door.

That's the first time you see Allison and you know even before Dean does that his heart no longer belongs to you.

"Just because she's not yours…" He trails off softly, looking at you for some sign of reaction but all you can do is look at the baby that's supposed to be your daughter.

Yours and Dean's.

Dean's and Emma's is what she really is.

"She won't love me." You say. Dean's head shoots up, eyebrows knit together so tightly you can see the lines of his forehead becoming deeper.

"What the hell are you talking about? Of course she'll love you." His voice is posing a challenge to you but you're not scared of him. There's no way you could be after all this time.

"How could she? I have nothing to give her. I'm not her father, I'm not her mother. I'm just the guy that's always gonna be hanging around but inside she'll know I've given her nothing." Your own voice is shaking now, intensifying the ache in your chest and the burning behind your eyes.

"You can love her. That's all she needs and I know you can do that Cas… I know you." Dean sniffs but his devotion to his masculinity is trying to stay in control and he gruffly wipes a hand across his eyes and diminishes any traces of tears.

Both of you fall into silence, not sure what to say because the damage has already been done, the truth out in the open for you both to see and dwell on, the only sound in the room is the gurgle coming from Allison and as if out of instinct you let your eyes fall on her, noticing the way she looks up at you while one hand is stuck in her mouth.

You hold your breath, ignoring Dean's hot gaze and gently reach out and offer her a finger, unsure what else to do because this is a baby and you're experience level is at a solid zero right now and it's the only thing you can think of doing. Her tiny lips part slightly and she coos, grabbing your finger with her tiny hand, the skin warm against yours.

You smile, your chest now tight with a feeling you can't even comprehend and Dean is smiling too because he was so afraid to lose you and now he can hold on to the hope that you will learn and over time you can love her the way you're supposed to.

"She's strong," you comment finally and Dean looks like he's going to burst with pride as he strokes her hair again. When she lets go of your finger you pull your hand back into your lap, look at Dean and offer him a sad smile.

"I'm gonna learn," you say. The determination in your voice earns you a pair of lips being pressed against your forehead. "Just give me some time."