***DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE CHARACTERS OR THE STORY***
Cas shifted in place as he stood outside the small gas mart. Dean was on his way in the old black 1967 Chevy Impala. He moved from one foot to the other, as rain hammered from the sky. Cas flinched as thunder echoed through the trees. He recalled the last time he had stood beside a road waiting for Dean. It had been before Dean was sent back five years in the past by Zachariah. Cas smiled at the memory. He had waited the whole night for Dean. He laughed at the thought of the voices telling him he was out of minutes. His smile soon faded as he thought of the angels. How could he smile at a time like this? He sniffled and rubbed his arms.
There was an overwhelming feeling of happiness and relief as he watched the Impala pull up and park right in front of him. The classic car was perfectly in tune and in great shape as always. The rain bounced heavily onto the car, sliding off in a more gentle manner. The windshield wipers were moving in perfect unison with the engine. Between each swipe of the wipers, Cas caught a glimpse of Dean. His unforgettable green eyes, pierced into Castiel's once solid heart. Dean was obviously upset, probably even mad at him. Neither of them moved for what seemed like forever, finally Dean honked the horn. Cas awoke from his daydreaming and made his way through the pouring rain and into the passenger's seat of the Impala. Dean backed up, and they hit the road, heading back to Sammy and the chained up King of Hell.
Inside the the Impala was silent except for the purr of the engine. Cas stared intently at Deam's facial expression trying to decipher it like a code. "Cas. Stop it." Cas flinched. "Stop what Dean?" Cas said tilting his head to the left slightly, and bunching up his forehead. "Stop staring at me." There was a small pause before Dean raised his voice. "Dammit Cas! I already have Sammy to worry about, and now I have you running around making the angels fall from heaven and calling me up for a ride." Dean turned to yell at Cas for a moment before turning back to the road and letting out an exaggerated sigh. "Dean I-" Dean shook his head. "Don't Cas. Just don't." The rest of the trip back to the small church was silent. The silence amplified the rhythmic sound of the Impala's mechanical heart. Dean didn't even attempt to play AC DC or any of his favorite bands. Cas sat comfortably although he was unsure of the situation. Riding in a mechanical moving machine was still unusual for him, but he sat quietly as requested of him by Dean.
Dawn slipped slowly and nonchalantly over the horizon emanating a rusty brick red hue. The hue was accompanied by an unusual wave of flamed clouds being forced outward. Cas stared out of the freshly dried window. He placed his fingers to the glass feeling the cold rush down his fingertips and into the depths of his soul. Taking a deep breath, he turned to Dean. In his husky but sincere voice he spoke. "Dean. We need to talk about this. I understand I made a mistake and I will do everything in my power to make things right. I was doing what I thought was right. I do not regret my feelings or intentions." Dean glanced at Cas for a moment but said nothing. "Dean.." Cas's shoulders sank down. "How's Sam?" Okay. Change the subject Castiel. Dean is upset. Cas thought to himself. "He's not looking good Cas. We stopped the trials but it's taken it's toll on his body." Cas nodded. "I'm sorry it was Sam who did the trials." Castiel said sympathetically, the emotion still new to him.
The sky was still dark as they pulled up the dirt path. Sam stumbled into the doorway of the church as he heard the purr of the Impala's engine outside. He was leaning heavily on his right, his chest heaving up and down at an exhausted rate. Cas followed Dean to stand before Sam's empathetic eyes. Dean helped Sam who was tripping over his own feet into the abandoned building. "It's good to see you Cas." Sam said before coughing. Cas opened his mouth to say something but stopped himself. Finally he thought of the few simple words he need to say. "It's good to see you alive Sam." Sammy nodded and pushed Dean away. "I can walk Dean!" Dean put his hands up and backed away as Sam stumbled for the chair to the left of the bent over figure sitting in the center of a devils trap. Crowley rolled his head cracking his neck. "Hello boys."
"Crowley." Cas stood directly in front of the sweating beat up King of Hell. "Hello Castiel. How's heaven? Oh thats right. I almost forgot. You helped kick out all your angel friends. Just kidding, its kind of hard to forget when you can hear their cries and the impact as they smash into the earth's crust all around the world! But thats not my problem. As far as I'm concerned you did me a favor." Cas balled up his fists, turning his knuckles starch white. Crowley smirked, clearly proud of upsetting the angel. The fallen angel. "I thought you said he was different." Dean turned to Sam. "He was... Before I stopped the trial he was." Sam replied softly. "Yeah well he's back to being the same demon we all know and love." Dean said sarcastically.
Castiel's eyes forced themselves open for the fifth time in two minutes, His body felt weak and unstable. His stomach was making noise and rumbling like an earthquake. "Cas, you need to sleep." Dean said noticing Cas forcing himself to stay awake. "Angel's don't sleep." Cas replied. It pained Dean to see Castiel in such a state. "You're not an angel anymore. Your body is human and needs to eat and sleep. I bought some burgers." Dean tossed a cold burger to Cas. Cas didn't realize how hungry he was until he took a bite. "Take your time eating it-" Dean started to say, but stopped as Cas's eyes locked with his. His eyes pleaded for another burger. Dean tossed him another, knowing the feeling and taste of a delicious burger. Cas took his time with the second one, taking Dean's words to heart. He was much more awake now that he had some nourishment. "Now go get some sleep. There aren't any beds but you can crash in the Impala." Cas stopped leaning on the wall and unfolded his arms. "Crash? I do not understand." Dean let a small smile escape his lips. "Sleep Cas. I mean you can sleep in the Impala." Cas nodded. "Oh. Then I will go crash, in the Impala." Cas emphasized the word crash. He turned and left Dean to watch Crowley. Sam was passed out in the passenger's seat, so Cas made his way to the back of the Impala. It didn't take long for the dreamless angel to fall victim to the lulling warmth succumbing to sleep.
Cas dreamt that night for the first time. He relived the so called trials. He followed the instructions from Metatron without thinking. The Nephilim, a cupids bow, and his own Grace. All really part of a spell. He should have listened to Dean, but he was blinded by reassuring words. He didn't trust those he should have. He was in the Impala one moment, and tied to a chair in Naomi's office the next. Metatron stood before him, spewing words of betrayal. Castiel felt himself gagging at the taste of his own blood. He couldn't breathe. He felt his Grace being ripped away from him, pulling at his soul. He tried to fight back, feeling the excruciating pain that came with it. Maybe I deserve this? Maybe this is punishment for what I did in the past. Then the pain was gone, and so was his Grace. His wings. He was gone. Falling from heaven at an increasing rate. His wings burned with a painful sensation before they were gone completely. He felt fear race through his entire body as he prepared for impact. Just as he was about to hit the ground, he woke.