Detective Laird knelt over the body. Young woman killed by some unknown weapon, probably sharp bladed instrument delivered through the back. The wing impressions melted into the concrete were a new one on him thoughHe stood up and walked outside to the patrolman on guard.

"Evening Eastman"

The patrolman nodded

"Good evening Sir"

Laird walked past the crates and numerous items the dockworkers had left scattered around when he heard a voice from the shadows

"Hello Zadkiel"

Laird didn't even turn around

"Hello Castiel, been busy i see? This makes how many of us you have slain?"

Castiel stepped from the shadows

"I do not go around slaying my brothers when the need takes me. I defend myself"

Zadkiel took a cigarette from inside his coat pocket and put it in his mouth, it started smoking immediately as he took a puff from it.

"Why are you here?"

"You are known as the Angel of mercy. You who stopped Abraham from slaying his son. You, who have always been compassionate. I come to ask a favour of you"

Zadkiel took one long breath from the cigarette then flicked it from his hand into the water.

"Times change Castiel. I truly thought that mercy was the way. That only by forgiving could we be forgiven. That we should turn the other cheek. That we should be better than he. But of late i have wondered if maybe He was right. Maybe Father was wrong?"

Castiel walked towards Zadkiel slowly and with his hands visible and to his side

"Lucifer was not right. In many ways he was the epitome of what was not right. Our father cared for humans for a reason. He protects them and elevates them because he knows they are the best of us created in a form that is made some say by what is the worst of us. Akin to a pearl made inside an oyster."

Zadkiel sighed

"I am tired brother. I have been on this world so long i have almost forgotten what home is like. Ask your favour"

Castiel reached within an arms reach of Zadkiel and stopped

"I want a parley with Raphael. I ask you to arrange it. I know you are no friend to war, so i ask you to mediate for all our sakes."

Zadkiel laughed and pondered Castiels words

"Castiel, Along with Jophiel I was Michael's standard bearer, i have seen more war and more death in service to my family than even you know. I tire of it brother. If we are perfect beings than why do we do it? If we are so above humans that they seem as the basest and unworthy of creatures then why do we copy them so much. Oft times i think that not so much separates us as other brothers may think."

Castiel sat down on a dockside bench.

"Please, sit"

Laird sat down and rested his back against the back of the bench

"I have been here longer than you Castiel. I see brothers but occasionally, but the news i hear is not good. Brother kills brother. Father is gone and no one rules but chaos. Michal is in the cage with Lucifer. And at the centre of it all are the Winchesters. Two humans who strive to make their mark upon the world. Them and their pet dog, Castiel"

Castiel looked at Zadkiel

"I have known Dean and Sam for a time now, they are good souls who would sacrifice much if i but asked them, but i will not involve them in our concerns, but i will not deny that they have left their mark upon me"

Zadkiel looked over Castiels shoulder towards the darkness between two warehouses.

"And Balthazar? What does he think?"

Castiel shrugged.

"Balthazar keeps his own counsel. His motives, intentions and actions are his own doing."

Zadkiel shook his head sadly

"I would not turn your back on that one, Castiel. Like his biblical namesake, he is wise, unlike his namesake he travels alone. I will consider your favour and inform you of any answer i receive"

Castiel stood up

"Thank you Zadkiel"

Castiel didn't even hear what Zadkiel said next as he walked over to Balthazar.

"Well?"

Castiel looked up at Balthazar as Balthazar was rubbing his silvered knife over an unusual whetstone. The noise it made was not unlike a choir as the metal scraped over the rough stone and the songs of a choir could almost be heard. It was paradise to heightened perceptions of the angels but unfortunately humans could not hear the sweet song of the enchanted rock.

"I believe Zadkiel will do it"

Balthazar smiled as he inspected the top of knife

"Time to end this"

To be continued...