Thank You so much for all of you that have read and reviewed this story – The first chapter was only short as I wasn't sure if anyone would enjoy the story but thought I would continue and see how this chapter is received.
Just a brief summary of the story background – There is no Apocalypse at this point. Castiel rescued Dean from hell and chose not to return to heaven, this has caused him to recently start to experience human feelings and emotions.
I hope you enjoy this next chapter, and as always, Please read and review...
Chapter 2
As Sam and Dean entered Ava's home, they both immediately noticed the salt lines at the door and windows.
"Can I get you drinks?" Ava asked, closing the door firmly behind the brothers.
"Yeah, coffee would be great". Sam replied. Ava moved towards the kitchen which had a breakfast bar separating it from the main living area. Her home was very welcoming and homely and Sam and Dean noted it.
As Ava began to prepare the beverages for the hunters, Dean investigated the window. Meanwhile, Sam took a seat at the breakfast bar.
"So, you know about salt then, huh?" The younger Winchester asked.
"Yeah, I learnt it from my Dad". Ava replied.
"You have a lovely home". Sam continued, admiring his current environment.
"Thank You".
"You live here alone?" But, Sam immediately regretted asking the question. The atmosphere suddenly engulfed the room and Sam couldn't help but notice Ava's reaction to his question. Her whole body tensed up and she shifted uncomfortably. It was at this point that Dean joined the pair.
"Here you go". Ava broke the silence that was about to ensue, as she placed the two mugs of coffee in front of her visitors.
"I'm sorry - I didn't meant to pry". Sam said, genuinely concerned.
"It's fine". Ava replied, cradling her mug of coffee in her hands.
"I didn't always live here alone. I had a fiancé, who one Thursday decided not to bother coming home again".
Sam could see and hear the sadness in Ava's voice and body.
"I'm sorry". Sam replied.
"Thank You". Ava replied, again fighting tears back.
"How long ago was this?" Dean asked.
"Almost, ten months ago".
"I wondered if it may have had anything to do with what's been going on here". Dean continued "But, I doubt it, the time spans been too long".
The threesome made their way to the main living area. Dean made his way back out the front door and went to check for evidence at the outside of the windows, where Ava had seen sulphur.
"Have you noticed anything other than the sulphur?" Sam asked.
"Yes, I've had lights flickering, but to be honest, since seeing the sulphur I've barricaded myself in here and then I called Bobby". She replied, as she stood, arms folded. She was wearing a pair of boot cut, blue jeans with brown knee high boots over the top and a matching brown tone sweater. Her blonde, wavy hair hung loosely around her shoulders. Sam thought that she was the most attractive girl that he had seen in a long while, which made a change in his line of work.
Dean re-entered the house. "OK, Sam and I will stay here tonight – if that's OK with you?"
Ava nodded.
"You just carry on as normal and go to bed. I'll make sure that there's salt at the windows upstairs, but hopefully this demon will come back at some point tonight and we'll take care of it". Dean continued.
Ava felt the relief of having two, more than capable hunters in her home that night. She hoped more than anything that she might actually get some sleep. Her lack of it just lately had made her feel unwell at times. That wasn't taking into account the sleep that she had lost since the man that she had loved more than anything, had vanished from her life. Ava had found herself making her way through all different emotions – she had felt angry at the way he had just walked out of her life, with no explanation. She was sure that he loved her as much as she had loved him. Then she had blamed herself, but, more than anything she was sad and hurt. Since his leaving she had literally had a huge hole in her heart, that even after ten months it hadn't even begun to feel better. Her friends has asked her more times than she can remember to speak to a psychiatrist, but she knew that wouldn't bring the love of her life back, so what would have been the point? Her friends had also told her that things would improve as time was a great healer, but again, her feelings were no different to the day he had left. There was no tablet she could have taken to ease her pain.
That night, after both Sam and Dean had checked and re-checked the salt line upstairs, Ava finally retired to bed. She felt safe in the knowledge the hunters were in her home and so close to her. For the first time in as long as she could remember , she drifted off to sleep.
It was almost three in the morning when Ava's sleep was interrupted and suddenly. She was sure that a noise hadn't woken her and the house seemed almost quiet. She propped herself up on her elbows in bed and tried to focus her hearing on downstairs. She could just about make out voices, which she presumed was Sam and Dean. Now that she was awake, she decided to go and get some water from downstairs and find out if there had been any incidents in the last couple of hours.
Ava was wearing a pair of cream and lemon floral pyjamas, that comprised of trousers and a little cami top. As she made her way from her bedroom down the stairs, the voices inevitably became louder. She almost 'sensed' that something wasn't 'right'. With trepidation she made her way down the stairs. As she reached the end of what seemed like a never ending flight of stairs, she was faced with something which she had contemplated in her mind a million times or more, but had never decided her reaction.
Her Fiancé stood in the centre of the room, their room – Dean was the only obstacle between them. Ava froze, both inside and out. That was until the pain in her heart seeped all around her body. Her green eyes never left his blue ones. He was troubled, she knew that – he always frowned the way he was now when he was anxious or agitated.
Ava was sure that her heart stopped beating at moments. She never, ever expected to see him again.
"It's OK, he's with us". Dean said, noting the shocked expression that now adorned Ava's face.
"Ava, this is..." Dean began, but was interrupted by Ava.
"Jimmy". She said.
"No, his name is Cas – Castiel". Dean replied. Ava broke her eye contact to look at the older hunter.
"His name is Jimmy, Jimmy Novak...my Fiancé who left".
Both Sam and Dean turned to Castiel, incredulously. Cas kept the same frowned brow, as he sighed.
"Get out – NOW!" Ava said, as she felt tears burning their way from the back of her eyes and her mouth began to quiver and she quickly put her hand over it. Although, why she even attempted to hide her emotion she wasn't sure as it was clear to everyone in the room..
Castiel still kept his eye contact with Ava, but did eventually turn and make his way out of the door, closing it gently once he was on the other side of it.
