Dean fought to compose himself, and cleared his throat; "Will you be alright here?" he asked
Cas nodded, "yes, I believe so. where are you going; they may still be looking for me, it's not safe for you" he stated.
Dean expression turned hard, "I Sammy's out there" he said tensely; immediately regretting not going himself.
Cas nodded; understanding the words dean didn't have to say "then I will go with you" he said trying to pick his wounded body up off the bed.
"no" dean barked at him, "you can barely move, you'll only slow me down" he said bluntly, knowing Cas would continue to challenge him; if it was only to do with his own deficiency.
Cas backed down, knowing that sam was on the line, he nodded once, "very well"
Dean rifled around the room gathering his weapons, not knowing exactly what he was in for.
Castiel reached into his coat pulling out a large silver blade, "Dean, take this with you, it may prove to be useful"
Dean walked back over to Cas Grabbing the Blade; sharing one of their many stares "an angel blade, I'm sure it will." He assured; as he looked over the weapon, the edge in his voice made it clear what he intended.
Before he could walk away Castiel grasped on to his arm; "don't go looking for a fight Dean, you have no idea what were up against." Cas warned.
Dean swallowed back any promises, "I'll be back" he said firmly.
Dean left the room, rushing out to find his brother. When he got to the impala he tossed his bag on the passenger seat, pulling out his phone as the engine roared to life, the phone rang and rang; no answer. "dammit Sammy!" he shouted.
Dean drove around checking out a few of their usually haunts; asking about, for any information on Sam, Bartholomew, or anything unusual.
He called bobby to see if he had his ear to the ground about any of this angel stuff; but bobby couldn't give him any specific location, only that something big had been circulating the better part of Kansas by the looks of things.
Dean pretty much new that being smack dab in Kansas.
Bobby told him he would make a few calls, to see if he could get any solid information.
"thanks Bobby, let me know" he said before hanging up the phone.
He banged his hands down on the steering wheel, frustrated and running out ideas.
He grabbed his phone again; this time calling Cas, "Cas, I need you to tell me where I can find Bartholomew; I think he has Sam" he pleaded.
Castiel gave him direction to where he could find the angels gathering grounds; he believed this is where Bartholomew had been holding up, he reminded dean to be cautious.
it wasn't far; more in the middle of nowhere, which he could understand would be convenient for a bunch of psychotic angels.
He parked the impala back a ways, grabbing the holy oil; and stashing a gun on him; knowing it was more than likely going to be useless, he tightened his grip on the angel blade, as he crept quietly through the bush.
He came up behind a big white tent, he could see movement inside, but couldn't tell if they had Sam, he snuck in closer trying to hear what they were saying; when a hand clutched onto his shoulder, he threw a jab as he turned to see who it was; "Sammy" he said shocked; "what's wrong with you" he hollered too loudly.
The sound causing the angels to disperse from the white tent; their eyes scanning the woods around them looking for the culprit.
"time to go" said Dean, Sammy following behind him; they hurried to the car, burning rubber as they speed off.
"what was that!?" dean yelled at Sam, "I've been calling you; would it kill you to answer"
Sam's expression was apologetic, "sorry, I turned it off, so they wouldn't hear me"
"what were you doing there anyways and alone for one?" Dean questioned angrily.
"well when there was no demonic activity coming up, I figured they must be avoiding this area for a reason, I knew it must have been the angels at work" he explained, "wait, how is Cas?" Sam asked concerned.
"he's ok, and you were right; it was the angels" Dean answered, "how did you even know where it find this place…?" he questioned
"I had to drive Cas out a few times" he said abnormally, "you know before... he got his grace back"
Dean nodded in realization; it was still hard to believe Cas was temporally human.
"did you hear any of what they were saying?" Dean asked.
Sam shook his head, "no, I don't even think they were speaking English; sounded more like enochian"
"damn." Dean said shaking his head, "we know nothing."
Sam raised his eyebrows looking towards Dean, "I wouldn't quite say that"
Dean looked back at Sam curiously "what do you understand enochain or something"
"Naomi is supposed to be one of the good guys right; she's supposed to be organizing heaven" he paused; "well she was there." Sam revealed.
"we gotta get back to Cas" Dean voiced, as he pressed his foot down harder on the gas.
The guys arrived back at the bunker; They headed straight to Dean's room to check on Castiel.
Cas was standing in Dean's room; admiring the collected items he had displayed, his weapons, he reached out picking up a small picture resting on the lamp; a young Dean and his mother, as he looked at it his face hardened; he thought of everything Dean had lost, wishing he could put the pieces back together.
"Cas" dean voiced.
Castiel put the picture back, and turned to face them, "Sam, you're alright" he said relived.
Sam nodded, "so are you" he observed smiling.
"yes, I am better" Cas assured.
Dean stepped towards him, "look Cas we need to tell you something"
"Alright; and then I must go; Naomi has called to me, it may concern the rebels" he informed.
"that's just it Cas, we have reason to think she's involved" Sam told him.
Castiel's face twisted in confusion, "I'm not sure I understand"
Dean reached out his arm putting his hand on Castiel's shoulder, "she was there, with them, and I don't think they were impressed we crashed the party" he stated.
Castiel stood there motionless, his mind struggling to admit this may be true; the angels were devastating any ounce of faith he had left.
"Cas" Sam called out "are you ok?"
He snapped out of his momentary coma, "I think I need to sit down" he admitted.
Dean guided him to the bed, "sit down" he encouraged.
There he sat, an angel of the lord; the essence of faith itself. He who had fought so hard for what he believed was the greater good; who put his trust in the hands of a father who had let him down.
"Cas – Cas, Castiel" dean shouted worriedly; as he shook him.
"yes" Cas answered, dazed.
Dean placed his hand under Castiels chin; lifting his face up, Castiel's puppy dog eyes staring blankly at him; pure innocents. "it'll be ok; alright" Dean assured, and then glanced at Sam for agreement.
Sam was somewhat in a daze himself, trying to make sense of the big bad; angels...
"yea, of course. I'm pretty sure they were speaking enochain, I'll hit the books and see if I can find-.." he paused momentarily not having the slightest idea what he was looking for "anything" he finished.
Cas shook his head, "the translation will be too difficult for you to understand, I will teach you the proper sigils for protection" he said.
The guys nodded in agreement, "ya, that's good" Dean replied.
Cas stood up abruptly "then I will go to see Naomi." He informed them sternly.
"no" Sam argued, stepping in front of Cas.
"no way Cas!" Dean disputed.
Cas looked fiercely at the guys, "it must be done, it's the only way"
Dean furrowed his face angrily in protest; "it's not happenin Cas, we'll figure something else out." He scoffed.
Sam motioned his hand in dean's direction; "he's right man, there's gotta be something else"
"it's doubtful, they are not like the angels you've faced in the past; they are a great deal more powerful" Cas explained to them.
Dean stood up, raising his palms up staggered; his face pressed hard "that's your augment for us to let you go alone...are you serious" he snapped out.
"if you're going; I'm going with you, and that's the end of it. now show us these damn sigils" Dean ordered.
Cas stormed out to the study, Sam followed behind him, leaving Dean standing in his room by himself; he huffed and shook his head concerned and irritated at Cas, he needed some time to come up with a better plan.
Cas was helping Sam brush up on the proper sigils as well as teaching him a few new ones, which was probably the best bet anyways not like dean would remember enochain.
"I think I pretty much remember the basic banishing sigil" Sam said, as he began to draw it out; "ok symbol for peace, symbol for force.." Sam mumbled to himself as he drew.
Dean strode into the room; carry his equipment with him, "grab your stuff we're heading out" he called to them.
Sam turned to look at him confused "Dean, we don't even have a plan"
"sure we do, Cas's plan.. only were tagging along, gonna head to the old warehouse, then Cas will call her down" Dean answered.
Cas stepped forward towards Dean, "that is not a wise plan" Cas said flatly.
Dean smiled raising both eyebrows; "I didn't think so either, but it's your plan. Lets go" he motioned to the door.
"Don't you want to practice these sigils first, they might come in handy" Sam said, trying to talk some sense into him.
Dean shrugged; "I got it, big ass circle, kinky lookin five, curly thing, almost sideways eight…"
Sam and Cas both glared at Dean; surprised and confused, questioning his method, and also amazed he got that far with it.
"Alright guess I'll grab my stuff then" Sam said leaving the room.
Dean proceeded to head outside, "Dean wait" Cas voiced.
Dean turned around to find Cas right behind him, there was no personal space but he didn't mind.
"what Cas" he huffed.
Cas just looked deeply at Dean, not saying anything.
Dean raised his eyebrows; twitching his head, waiting for something, "yes.." he asked, flustered.
"I think I should go al—" Cas started to speak, until Dean cut him off; "don't say alone Cas, it's not up for discussion. When will you learn that were stronger together, we've seen it time after time.. after time." he explained.
"I know this." Cas said reaching out for Dean's hand, "though it also means you could be hurt, or Sam." He revealed, "I don't think I could handle that"
Dean gripped on to Castiel's hand tighter; "and if something happened to you, you don't think Sam and I would go in there guns blazing..."
Cas nodded "yes I believe you would, although it's not a smart idea" he added.
Dean smirked "when have I ever worried about that" he chuckled.
Cas looked down at their hands clasped together, looking as if he had bet it all and he might lose.
"hey, we just got this Cas" Dean said as he nudged their hands; "I'm not going anywhere" he smiled at Cas, and Cas couldn't help but smile back.
"let's get this show on the road" Dean said, then calling out to Sam "Sammy, let's go!" as he and Cas walked out of the bunker.
*driving in the impala Sam has been bumped to the backseat, so Dean's Boyfriend rides shotgun*
Sam leans forward into the middle of the seat, "why does Cas get to sit up front..." Sam asks as he sulks in the back.
"Things change Sammy, roll with it" Dean answers smirking.
Sam falls back against his seat crossing his arms, Dean Looks at him in the rear view mirror "really Sammy..." Dean says; "you're acting like a little girl"
Sam leans up again popping his head between the front seats "really I'm the one who's acting like a girl, you're the one who kicked me to the backseat so you can make eyes at your boyfriend" Sam retorted mockingly; a proud smile spreading across his face.
"hey shut up" Dean huffed, "we don't 'make eyes' at each other" he said rolling his eyes at the remark and then looking to Cas; and being dragged in to his captivating blue eyes, he forced himself to look back at the road; glancing at a smiling Sam in the mirror; "ok, just shut up then"
Sam chuckled and suddenly the back seat didn't seem so bad.
"So what exactly is the plan, show up and what…?" Sam asked curiously.
Cas looked to dean waiting for the answer as well, Dean then glanced at both of them nodding "the plan…"
"ya Dean, the plan.." Sam agreed; "you do have a plan for when we get there right…" he questioned.
"ya" he answered, "of course".
Cas looked concerned "what is the strategy dean?"
Dean twitched his head "pretty much, don't die" he mumbled.
Sam fell back again this time letting his head hit the back of the seat.
"That's it..." Cas asked.
Dean shrugged and nodded.
"It's not very well thought out" Cas confessed.
Dean turned to glare at Cas, "this coming from the guy who was gonna show up alone.., at least my way has back up. I figure we'll get to the warehouse and set up shop, draw some of these doodles on the walls."
"Doodles, Dean…" Cas paused "they are not simply doodles as you say, they are some of the most powerful enochain spells"
"I get it Cas, thanks." Dean said sarcastically.
"And I'm sure you have a backup plan… right" Sam said doubtful.
Dean looked apologetic towards Cas, "if they want a fight, we'll fight"
Cas nodded, "if we must, I will do what I can; you and Sam activate the sigils"
"We have one angel blade, you better hope they aren't looking for a fight" Sam told him.
*they arrived at the warehouse and were angel proofing*
Sam was just finishing drawing his last sigil, "ok, were good over here"
"Same here" Dean said, "Looks like it's time Cas"
Sam and Dean backed up to wait against the wall, as Cas stepped forward into the room; he began to pray for Naomi.
"Did it work" Dean asked impatiently.
Cas nodded once "she is coming, I can feel her"
Dean looked to Sam, making sure he was prepared; Sam nodded back to him.
Naomi appeared in the middle of the room; as far as they could tell she had come alone.
"Castiel" she voiced, then glanced around him; "and the Winchesters. I was surprised you called for me here, but it is beginning to make more sense" she simplified.
"Naomi" Castiel acknowledged, "I have been attacked by a few of the rebels, you seem to know more about them you have shared with me"
Naomi looked over the room; "is that what this is about, the sigils and" she paused smiling "the Winchesters. After all you've done Castiel… still you fight against your own kind" she uttered her expression cold.
Cas shook his head; "we do not wish to fight, only to end this." He clarified.
Naomi shook her head as she chuckled to herself, "don't you see Castiel, as long as you align yourself with them; you long as you love a human.., it will never stop." She divulged.
Castiel furrowed his eyebrows; considering what she had said "this was prearranged..., you knew how I felt about him" He said as he glanced back over his shoulder at Dean, before looking back at Naomi; "that is why you offered me my grace"
"Very clever Castiel, we knew you would continue choosing this human over your own, so we put an expiration on it. angel and human relations are forbidden; if you stay, they will never halt; until either is dead. unless you return to heaven" She said warning him.
"And returning to heaven, how does that atone…for my sins" Cas questioned.
She stood there smirking, looking now at Dean; "because of what you must leave behind"
Castiel looked to Dean again, Dean this time walking toward Cas to stand with him, Sam of course following behind protectively.
"It's your choice Castiel, just remember if you choose this human; prepare for a battle you won't win" she declared.
Dean shook his head, "you can try!" he spit out at Naomi
Naomi lowered her head, "you would go through this, for an angel"
Dean nodded once strongly; "anyday!"
"Is that so..., but would Sam lay his life on the line as well" She pondered.
Sam looked at Dean and Cas; "yes" he answered simply, knowing that he would do anything for his brother.
"Very well. We'll see you soon Castiel." She said slyly, before she vanished.
Dean and Sam looked around the room, checking for other threats, Cas stood still in his place.
"Well now we know for sure" Sam said.
"ya, I hate to say I told you so but … I told ya so" Dean said.
"Cas" Dean called as he placed his hand on Cas's shoulder; "you ok?"
Cas closed his eyes taking in a deep breath.
"Cas what is it" Dean asked concerned.
Castiel turned to face them "I can't ask you to fight this fight for me" he stated.
"You're not asking, i'm volunteering." Dean clarified.
"No" Cas roared at Dean, "you would sacrifice yourself and your brother, for me" Cas shook his head, disagreeing with it.
"listen, i don't expect Sammy to fight, But me..., I'm in Cas, either way." Dean said gruffly.
Dean and Cas were staring intensely at each other waiting for the other to back down. Until Sam interrupted "hey I think we better head out of here, before we get company. We can discuss back at the bunker"
"NO!" they both barked at the same time.
"it's not up for discussion." Dean said; turning to storm off.
Castiel watched him walk away, wondering how he could say goodbye; after all they had been through together, after they were finally with each other.
"Cas" Sam called, breaking Castiel thought.
"We'll figure this out too, we always do" Sam told him.
"No, Sam. This is different; if I stay they will keep coming. If Dean died—" he paused, "because of me.., I must leave."
Sam slowly nodded his head "ya, I get it" he admitted, "but not right now. Come back with us; say goodbye." Sam insisted.
Castiel looked at Sam nodding his head, "ok"
*in the impala*
It was a quiet drive back to the bunker, the radio on low; rumbling through the car.
Sam sat in the front seat this time, Castiel had insisted due to his and Deans disagreement. Dean was still livid, staring straight at the road ahead, grinding his teeth together; only occasionally glancing in his rear view mirror to catch glimpse of Cas, sitting in the backseat.
*they arrive at the bunker*
Dean hopped out of the car; slamming the door behind him.
Sam shot a worried look back to Cas, before he got out of the car leaving the door open for Cas as well.
Sam and Cas walked up beside dean, "look we'll find a way Dean" Sam said trying to calm him down; "I'm gonna head on in" he turned whispering "Good luck" to Cas under his breath.
Dean leaned back resting on the car, Cas standing several feet away neither of them speaking to each other.
many minutes passed until Cas gave in and stepped closer, to stand in front of him. "Dean, I want to stay" he began speak. Until he was interrupted "than stay." Dean voiced; looking up at Cas, hi face struggling to confining his inner pain.
Cas closed his eyes; creasing his face holding on to those words, "if it were that simple" he uttered, "if I stay you know they'll come for you and Sam…it's only a matter of time"
Dean looked away staring back down at the ground; because he knew Cas was right this time, and even still Dean wanted to say so what, if it weren't for Sammy; Dean would lay his life on the line no questions asked.
Cas extended his arm out; placing his hand on the side of Dean's face, "it's alright" Cas said; As Dean raised his head up at Castiel's touch.
"when" Dean asked.
"at dawn, I will leave" Cas answered.