(I may be straying a bit from Canon here but it will all make sense : Trust the writer. )
Chapter 4 Diners. Drive Ins and Decisions
Castiel sent himself back to outside of the hotel door startling a hungover patron that had just stumbled out of his room. The man stared at Castiel, shook his head and walked over to the angel. He lifted up his hand and poked at Castiel's shoulder "You're real?"
"Yes, you witnessed an angel of the Lord appearing in front of you, " Castiel said in an even tone.
The man swayed on his feet, blinked owlishly at the angel "Wow, I guess I should have stopped before that last bottle. I thought you said you were an angel."
"I did,"
"What have you been drinking?" the man asked suspiciously.
"Nothing, angels aren't affected by alcohol," Castiel replied.
The man put both of this hands on Castiel's shoulders. "Whatever you are on, you need some help. " he dropped his hands to his sides and started staggering away. "Angels aren't real. People say I have a problem. "
Castiel watched him leave, "Why doesn't anyone ever believe me? " He shook his head and opened the door, paused and looked in. Oliver was already up, Dean was still asleep. Oliver was doing some pushups in the area in front of the bathroom door.
"Morning Castiel, " he said.
"Good Morning Oliver. You seem very energetic."
Oliver paused at the top of a push up and looked up at the angel with gratitude in his eyes. "It's amazing what a good night's sleep will do. Thank you. "
"You're welcome. Perhaps we should go outside. Dean did not have as restful a night as you did I am afraid. "
"Sure, let me throw some clothes on," Oliver said. He finished his set, got up, got dressed and joined Castiel outside.
"How'd it go last night?" Oliver asked.
"Well I think. We shall see how he is this morning. Dean is complicated."
Oliver arched an eyebrow, "That's an understatement. "
"True. I noticed a restaurant not too far away. Dean tends to need to eat fairly quickly after he wakes up or he becomes rather short tempered. I am unsure as to how much longer he will sleep but I could take you there if you are hungry now," Castiel offered.
"I'm ok for now. Are you sure Sam is still hanging on?" Oliver asked.
"Yes. I spoke with Lucifer. Sam is unharmed and as of yet not broken. Lucifer seemed a bit unnerved by that. I had more time to reflect on what you told me. Lucifer made mention that I was finally seeing his true plan. I am starting to think the Apocalypse as written is not what his goal is at all. "
"You spoke with him? Don't you have a destroy on sight order with him or something to that effect?" Oliver asked.
"Even if I wanted to destroy Lucifer I am not able to. He is more powerful than I. My weakened state makes me even less of a threat than I would normally be. He'd be quite capable of destroying me if he wished," Castiel replied in that oddly unemotional voice again.
Whatever had transpired between Lucifer and Castiel, Oliver was quite sure it disturbed the angel much more than he wanted to admit.
"Can you tell me why you are losing power? Dean mentioned something about you not following orders but I didn't really understand all of it."
Castiel looked away from Oliver completely, he had been looking either forward or at him during their conversation. When Oliver asked his question Castiel looked in the opposite direction.
"I am technically in rebellion against heaven, " he said quietly. "I was supposed to make sure that Dean accepted Michael or get them to stop the openings of the Seals on Lucifer's cage. As far as we were concerned Sam was already the enemy. After we fought through Hell to get Dean and I returned him here he assumed that either Sam had traded his soul for his escape or a demon had let him out. The brothers had never encountered angels before. He went to a psychic who attempted to force me to show my form to her. I warned her that if she saw who I was she would be blinded, she continued with the spell and was blinded. Since Dean had indeed opened the first seal I received permission from this human to possess him and he became my vessel. I went to Dean who had covered an entire warehouse with demon traps, which he soon realized were useless against me, and informed him of what his destiny was. Needless to say he didn't accept much of what I said as truth. "
"He pointed out quite forcefully to me that Heaven had not done anything to help any of his family members or him out when they could have used it so he felt no obligation to help Heaven. He's also incredibly afraid of being possessed by anything due to his knowledge of demons. Over time it became more and more apparent that Heaven really cared little about humans or the Winchesters. There were several times I had to stop my fellow angels from torturing the brothers into trying to accept their fate. "
Oliver was shocked. "Angels torturing people? How is that right? "
Castiel's head slowly turned to Oliver. They locked eyes and Oliver saw the expression on Castiel's face. He recognized it as one of his own, he had seen it in his own mirrors. Exhaustion, disgust, tinged with hate and desperation. He had seen it on his face on the island when he had tired of the endless struggle to survive.
"Oliver, the war between Heaven and Hell has never stopped. We have tried to protect humanity and ourselves but the demons multiply at a much faster rate than we do. Humanity itself doesn't have faith anymore. All it takes to create a demon is a human soul being tortured into a demon which is not that hard in the greater scheme of things. It is much harder to create an angel. Our numbers have not been reinforced in any real quantity for many years. God has to create us, humans cannot become angels of any great strength. God is….not paying attention I feel. Perhaps He is as tired as the rest of us. I was a captain of an entire garrison of angels at one point. Of the hundreds of angels that were assigned to me originally only a handful remain. I honestly cannot remember when I received a new angel to command. We've become desperate. There were 666 seals and the demons had to break 66 of them to free Lucifer. They just kept throwing themselves at us, spreading us too thin to stop them. Many of these seals required a complicated series of events to occur and we were unable to keep track of which demons were doing what so eventually they succeeded. It is a battle of attrition. All they have to do at this point is wait us out, " Castiel paused. His eyes were distant as if reliving memories of battles he had taken part of. Eventually he pulled his gaze back to Oliver.
"So Hell is winning? " Oliver asked.
Castiel's shoulders slumped forward, his posture one of defeat. "For all intents and purposes they already have."
"So why does this battle between Lucifer and Michael even need to happen at all?"
"If we can send Lucifer back to the cage then we save the world. Everything resets. The war continues but at least humanity is saved. At least for now," Castiel's face was grim, "eventually we will run out of angels if things do not change in Heaven soon."
Oliver just stared at Castiel.
"Yes I know, it's disturbing to think about. Fortunately for you, if we get Lucifer back where he should be you will probably be dead before he gets out again. Especially since Lilith's death was what freed him. I am not sure how he would even get out again," Castiel admitted. "None of this answered your question though. I apologize, the story is quite long. The longer I stayed with Sam and Dean and saw their struggles and their devotion to each other I started to question things. The more I saw that the angels were acting like demons and that God was not making His presence known at this very critical time I started to wonder what was truly going on. There were orders that seemed, how shall I say, inconsistent to what our mission should have been. Our power as angels comes from our connection and devotion to the Divine, to God. We build reservoirs of it internally over time but if we are cut off eventually it dwindles. As an angel begins to question, to disobey, to rebel the connection is lost because our devotion is swaying from what we were created to do. "
"What exactly were you created to do?" Oliver asked.
"Carry out God's will without question no matter what it may be." There was such a depth of sorrow in Castiel's voice, so much shame and regret.
"So if God commanded you to do something that was wrong you would still have to do it?"
Castiel eyes narrowed dangerously as he glared at Oliver. "Oliver, I know you said you weren't religious but you must have heard some of the stories. The killing of the first born? Asking men to sacrifice their sons for God's glory? Pillars of salt? Any of that sound familiar? Do I need to recount the millions of lives that we have taken because he told us to?"
Oliver backed away a few steps. Castiel had become something incredibly threatening and powerful as he had spoken.. Oliver was starting to understand the concept of being smited by an angel of God. As weak as Castiel claimed to be Oliver knew that all Castiel would have to do was just think about it and he would be dead.
"No. I am sorry to have caused you to remember things best forgotten Castiel." Oliver cast his eyes downward.
"Perhaps I should have you instruct Dean in proper behavior when talking to an angel, " Castiel said, his voice still filled with something close to rage. "At least you know how to show respect." His tone had become as sharp as a sword. Oliver winced. Then, as quick as it had come that threatening presence faded.
"My apologies Oliver. Please don't avert your eyes from me. I don't wish for or require obeisance. "
Oliver raised his eyes. "Castiel, you are a being that could quite easily kill me. You have been fighting to save humanity for more years than I can possibly imagine and you seem to be choosing to do what is right even at great personal sacrifice. I am not showing respect because I feel the need to grovel in fear or curry favor. I am showing respect because you are worthy of it. "
Castiel's face had returned to that blank slate he usually wore. "I appreciate that Oliver. However you misunderstand me. It's a very treacherous path I tread, there is much truth to the phrase "Pride Goeth before the Fall.", especially for angels. You cannot look upon our true form as it would destroy you. I am a creature of such immensity and light that it is very frustrating to be in a vessel for as long as I have been. Being in this vessel, humans tend to forget what I am and become overly familiar with me. It has taken some adjustment on my part."
Oliver wondered how close and how often Dean had come to being smote, or was it smited?
" At any rate, my choices have run more and more counter to my mission so I am slowly being cut off from the power that would normally be accessible to me. My reserves are running low and I fear that soon I will be of very little help to Dean and Sam in their forthcoming battles. "
"Castiel, you will always be of a help to them. The sheer amount of knowledge and experience you have is an immense benefit to them, " Oliver pointed out. Castiel cocked an eyebrow at Oliver, glanced at the door and back at Oliver. "Good point, it is Dean we're talking about here. He does listen though. When he was in Starling helping me he listened to my ideas and plans." Oliver felt he needed to defend Dean a bit.
"You must have caught him on a good day," Castiel muttered. Oliver had to smile at that.
"Why does Lucifer still have his power then? Isn't he sort of the original rebellious angel?" Oliver asked.
"Lucifer is an Archangel. Different rules apply. They were the original angels, close to equals of God. There is some debate as to whether God created them or if they were his brothers. They are not bound to Divine Will as we are. "
"Oh. One last question if I may."
"Of course Oliver. It's rather nice to have a conversation with someone who perhaps isn't as biased as the Winchesters. They have their reasons but it seems your lack of religious education makes you look at things in ways none of us would have, " Castiel replied.
"Thank you. Is Lucifer still an angel or a demon? I ask because I am not sure of how I can be of help here. Does holy water work on him? What are his weaknesses? "
"Excellent question. He is still an Archangel. So no Holy water will not work on him. That Colt won't, only the Sword of another Archangel can kill him. There are ways to temporarily hold him but he can break out given enough time unless he is back in the cage. In answer to your next question, in a battle none of us can really do anything to him. Our only goal is to keep Sam from saying yes to him. Lucifer could kill any of us at any time, " Castiel's tone was matter of fact.
"So why hasn't he?"
"I believe he has a different plan in mind. The longer and longer the brothers have held out the more angels have started to despair, to turn on each other. Some of the machinations I have seen recently between angels I would never have believed possible. Lucifer said something when we spoke that made me realize he cares nothing for ruling this world or killing Michael. He is committing the ultimate rebellion. He is defying the prophecy and in doing so will conquer Heaven without lifting an actual finger to do it. If God doesn't return or the Winchesters continue their defiance of their destinies Heaven will slowly rip itself apart. Angels will turn on angels and Lucifer will sit, watch and manipulate, Lucifer wins all."
" I am starting to think that he indeed set out to turn Sam against him but he has discovered something about Sam that upset him. Sam should have broken by now so either Lucifer doesn't want him to or Sam is too strong. Lucifer said he made a miscalculation that he will rectify. " Lucifer thinks in layers, he would want to have the backup plan of Sam as a vessel just in case Dean changes his mind. Something has gone wrong somewhere, I am not sure as to what yet. "
Oliver was overwhelmed at the thought of the scheming and planning and patience on the part of both Lucifer and the angels. The years they must have been trying to outthink each other and all the levels that both sides must try to understand was astronomical. "Wait, so if the Winchesters keep saying no Lucifer wins, if they say yes it's a 50/50 chance of Heaven winning but humanity would probably not survive the battle. I am not liking any of those options speaking as a human."
"It's probably more 70/30 that Lucifer wins the battle. It won't be just a duel between the two, all the armies of Heaven and Hell get involved. Numerically speaking Heaven is not in any position to win this.," Castiel pointed out.
"Ok, really not liking any of these options then. There's got to be another way, " Oliver said. Castiel, for the first time since they started talking, actually smiled.
"That is what I love about you humans, you never take anything at face value. It's also what makes angels like me want to rebel, we too desire other options. It's free will, the thing that got you cast out of the Garden is your strongest advantage. You have Lucifer to thank for that ironically enough. "
"How's that?" Oliver asked.
"It is said that the Archangels helped with creating the world. Lucifer helped with humans, he told God that if they were truly to be in God's image they should be able to think for themselves as the mind and will was what made God and the Archangels powerful and unique. God agreed and bestowed upon Adam and Eve the gift of free will. Lucifer said that if someone truly loved you they would choose to and how could anyone not love God. Irony of ironies that by choosing to not follow God's command and love humans more than God Lucifer gets banished. "
"I'm getting the idea that God is a little bit of a diva," Oliver said.
"That would be an understatement, " Castiel said rolling his eyes. Oliver had to laugh, then Castiel's mouth slowly formed a grin and he started laughing as well. It was that sort of laugh people share when enjoying an inside joke, soft and controlled but still filled with joy. Castiel got himself back under control.
"I think Dean has awoken, I hear him stirring. We should probably get him to food soon. If you think God is a diva you should see Dean if he is not fed and given coffee at the appropriate intervals."
Oliver really had to fight to not fall down laughing right then and there. The expression on Castiel's face reminded him of when Diggle had first been hired as his driver and thought he was just a spoiled rich kid, long suffering, ever patient with just a bit of exasperation. Castiel opened the door, stepped in the room and Oliver followed.
"Morning Dean." Oliver said. Dean was sitting up in bed, his face somber. He looked at Castiel.
"I am not a diva," he growled. "I just have a certain way I like to do things sometimes. " Then he got out of the bed, stormed to the bathroom and declared "No one understands me." He slammed the door behind him. Oliver and Castiel just stood there for a minute. Dean poked his head back out of the door looking a bit sheepish, "OK maybe I am a bit of diva. Sorry, haven't had coffee yet. "
Castiel looked at Oliver and pointed at Dean, his expression said "See what I deal with?"
"Hey Cas. I am not nearly as bad as Sam." Dean protested.
Castiel raised his eyes heavenward. "Give me strength." was all he said. Oliver looked between the two of them and decided silence was the wisest course. Dean snorted and shut the door.
"You're a very wise man Oliver, " Castiel complimented him.
"A lesson learned from my playboy years. When siblings start comparing themselves to each other in that tone of voice you walk away slowly and above all else do not side with either of them. No matter what you say you are wrong and you become the common enemy. "
"I have had similar experiences with my siblings and came to the same conclusion on the safest action, " Castiel said.
"Well once he gets out I'll take a shower and we can go get food I guess. We've got a long drive ahead. Will you be with us in the car Castiel?"
"I dislike riding in cars, they are too slow. I will show you to the restaurant and probably stay with you through the meal. It seems to be a tradition for humans to eat and talk at the same time. Then when you are ready to leave I will go ahead and wait for you, " Castiel replied.
"Isn't teleporting a drain on your power?" Oliver asked.
"No, it's built into us, it's like walking for you. I am not really vanishing and reappearing as it appears to you. I am just going to a place where I can move at my usual speed then coming back to earth. It's hard to explain."
"Like a different dimension?"
Castiel cocked his head to one side, considering what Oliver said. "That's a clumsy way to put it but in essence yes. I'll be fine. "
"Ok, good to know."
After Dean came out from his morning ritual and Oliver went and attended to his they checked out of the room and hit the road. Castiel directed them to the diner, they pulled into the parking lot and noticed the name of the diner painted on the window, "Paradise Lost."
"Really? Are we serious right now? " Dean asked.
"Maybe the owner just really likes the book," Oliver said.
Dean looked him. "Uh huh. Yeah let's go with that. If Lucifer is behind the counter and offers to make me a steak and egg breakfast I'm just going to give up. I really will, it will be worse than dealing with that stupid trickster. " Dean looked back at Castiel.
"I didn't see the sign I swear." Castiel's tone was mild. Dean just shook his head and got out of the car, the other two followed him. They opened the door, a bell rang to alert the staff and a middle aged man who looked to be in fairly good shape leaned out the window that lead into the kitchen.
"Seat yourselves gentlemen. Be right with you." He gave them all a warm smile, he had on a fairly clean apron, a black t-shirt and jeans. His short, crew cut hair was salt and pepper gray, his eyes green and friendly. He was about 5'7 but somewhat muscled as if he got most of his exercise at his job, not in the gym. "Coffee's fresh ground in those carafes over there and it's on the house. Name's Rem, welcome to my humble abode. "
Dean smiled back "Thanks for the warm welcome and the free coffee. It smells amazing in here! "
"Thanks. Been sauteing up some vegetables for this afternoon's stew, " Rem replied. Dean and Oliver walked over to the coffee carafes and helped themselves. Castiel went to the back corner table, left the outer seat against the wall for Dean and sat in the chair nearest the window facing the door. Oliver looked at Castiel and felt his muscles tighten a bit, like anyone who's dealt with being attacked he hated having his back to the door. He wasn't going to fight Dean for the remaining chair that faced the door. He'd take the chair by the window opposite of Castiel, he had spotted a mirror that would allow him to watch the door while he ate. Then he looked at Castiel again, the angel seemed off, almost tense. Oliver tapped Dean's arm, caught Dean's eye and motioned for him to look at Castiel. Dean looked at Castiel, his eyes narrowed and his jaw tightened. He nodded at Oliver and they walked to towards the table.
"Can't imagine you get enough business through here to sell a lot of stew, " Dean said in a normal tone of voice.
"Well the leftovers are delicious so if no one eats them I don't mind."
"Can't say I would blame you. What's the special for breakfast? " Dean asked.
"Steak and eggs or Denver omelette made anyway you like it.. "
Oliver twitched as he sat down. Dean had mentioned steak and eggs outside and he had just been thinking about getting an omelette.
Oliver looked at Castiel and Dean. " Must be our lucky day then. My friend here was just talking about steak and eggs for breakfast and I was craving Denver omelettes. " He nodded at the other two as he spoke, letting them know he was clueing them into something. Oliver felt Dean's hand under the table touch his leg, then he felt the hilt of a knife. He reached down and grabbed the knife he had used earlier and placed it between his hip and the wall on the chair. Dean pulled the Colt out of his waistband and held it under the table.
"Ha! Guess I heard you all thinking," Rem remarked from the kitchen. " If that's what you guys want I'll get right on it. What about you in the trenchcoat?"
"I'm fine, thank you," Castiel replied. He lowered his voice. "Not a demon but I feel something. I almost recognize this Rem. "
"Of course you do brother, " Rem stated. He had walked out from the kitchen. The three men looked at him, he put his hand on the wall and smiled.
"Enochian wards, " Castiel said suddenly. "They are designed to hide and misdirect angelic eyes. He just put them up."
In a flash Dean had the Colt up and over the table pointing at Rem. Oliver had pushed out of the chair, kicked the table closest to him away causing it to slam into another table. He had to clear space to fight and stay out of Dean's line of fire. He had the knife up and held at the ready.
"Settle down gentlemen. Impressive alertness though. I wouldn't expect less though from a Winchester. You must be Dean. Who's your friend? I am assuming that's not Sam or the descriptions I have heard are way off."
"I'm just a friend, " Oliver told Rem.
"Who are you? " Castiel asked. "I can't see your true form, but I know you're not a demon."
"Ah yes. Castiel. Sorry I am from before your time. If you two promise not to threaten me much more I'll resolve this identity problem for my brother. "
Castiel nodded at Oliver and Dean, they didn't put their weapons down but they relaxed their hold on them minutely.
"Well, I can't say I blame you for being paranoid. I am going to reach under my shirt and pull a necklace off ok?" Rem said.
"Fine," Castiel replied. Rem did as he said he would and pulled a necklace out. It had a large pendant on it that was covered with symbols. "More Enochian but I don't recognize the spell, " Castiel relayed to Dean and Oliver.
"I made it myself." Rem said. He pulled it completely off and placed it on the counter next to him. Castiel froze, his face registering immense shock and surprise then going completely blank.
"Cas?" Dean asked, his voice tense.
"He's an Archangel, but one that everyone thought had died or was a myth," Castiel's voice was barely controlled he was so taken off guard. "Ramiel isn't it? " he asked.
"Well done Castiel. I'm surprised you recognize me," Rem said.
"You're going by Rem which is just a derivation of Ram and I recognized some of your sign."
Dean looked back and forth between the two. "How do you recognize each other anyway?"
Ramiel looked at Dean, "Our identities are cast into our bodies. Similar to a tattoo on a human. Most angels would not have recognized mine. Castiel must be a bit older than I thought or he really likes old Enochian."
Castiel had lapsed into silence and utter stillness.. Dean had been around him long enough to know that when he got like this something serious was going on in the angel's head and things were about to get even more complicated.
"Cas?"
"Patience, Dean! " Castiel snapped. Both Oliver and Dean flinched away from him.
"Give him some time boys, he's got a lot to think about. Castiel, do you want to know more or not? Lucifer is camped up the road and I have information that I think you may need. Take your time. I've got food to cook." Ramiel picked his necklace back up and headed into the kitchen.
Oliver sat back down and Dean put the Colt on the table.
"I will say this now to stall your questions. That Archangel...he's not supposed to exist. We've always been told just as you humans that there were four Archangels and to ignore the human writing about here being seven. Enoch was a drunk and a drug addict what could he possibly have known. Let me think, please. " Castiel's mind was spinning. Ramiel. The earlier writings of Enoch and others had said that he was the "thunder of God", bearer of God's mercy but that he had been one of 200 angels that had taken human wives and gave humans forbidden knowledge. It was rumored that there had been seven Archangels, not four. He had been declared fallen but what if he wasn't. Could he help them destroy Lucifer? No, he said he had information. He obviously had been hiding for millennia not wanting to be involved. He slammed his fist on the table almost breaking it. Oliver and Dean had to move fast to save their coffee from going all over them.
"Why Ramiel? Why have you hidden and not helped?" Castiel shouted, lights in the diner flickered at the discharge of angelic anger that rang in Castiel's voice.
"Well you didn't take long to jump all the way to that, " Ramiel's voice floated from the back. "Let me get this food cooked. Castiel, cool down before you short out my power, I had reasons. Also, feed your vessel. I'll bring you something as well. "
Castiel stood up and started pacing, feeling constrained by his human form. He stopped mid stride, shot a glare at Oliver and Dean "I will be back." He vanished.
"What the hell? " Dean said.
Oliver took a drink of his coffee. "I think Castiel has just gone to an angelic equivalent of a gym. Something is getting beat up right now. "
"You're probably right," Dean said. "Hopefully it's not something important like a planet somewhere."
"I don't think Castiel would destroy a planet, " Oliver chided.
'If it was empty he might. I've seen him angry before."
"Castiel won't hurt anything. He's still sane," Ramiel told them as he brought out some toast and jams along with a pot to refill their coffee. "I'll answer everything when he gets back. It will take too long to repeat. If only Lucifer had taken my advice and worked with the system none of this would have happened. He could have his woman, his little chunk of the world and been happy. Him and God, both spoiled children I swear."
'His woman?" Oliver asked. Dean had just taken a bite of toast and was reaching for his coffee.
"His wife. Lilith." Ramiel replied. Dean slammed his cup back on the table spilling coffee all across the table along with Oliver and started choking on the toast.
'Oh dear. Sorry about that Dean." Ramiel started to pound on Dean's back.
Dean started coughing and breathing again. He took in several huge breaths of air and looked at Ramiel, "Say that again, slowly."
"Lucifer and Lilith were a couple. Lilith was the first human God created. Lucifer helped create her, fell in love with her and she dumped Adam for him. They had kids, God was pissed, Lucifer said that he loved both God and his wife but he would not exalt one above the other nor would he force Lilith to go back to Adam. Things sort of went downhill from there. "
"Wait, back up. " Dean was shaking his head. "They had kids? So there are descendents of the two of them running around somewhere? "
"Well yes. You and Sam are two of them. Your dad came from the Adam/ Eve line and your fiery hunter mom came from Lilith/Lucifer line. You and your brother are part angel. It's one of the reasons Lucifer is having a hard time with Sam."
Dean's face grew pale, his hands started to shake. "I can't, I just can't, " he started muttering.
"Whiskey or Scotch?" Ramiel asked.
"Scotch. Lots and lots of Scotch, " Dean answered.
"Got it, " Ramiel replied and walked to the small bar at the end of the restaurant.
Oliver tapped the table in front of Dean twice. Dean looked at him. Oliver looked pointedly at the keys to the Impala. Dean didn't even hesitate, he passed the keys over to Oliver and sunk his head in his hands.
"All I am going to say to Cas when he shows up is I told you so. Over and over and over again. Fucking Paradise Lost., " he muttered.