Finally we get into the plot. not much else to say. a little fluff and a few surprises then things get very strange.

Enjoy

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xox

EP

Chapter 4

Don't Drink the Kool-aid

Maggie awoke to soft kisses on her shoulder, a gentle hand stroking her hip and a canopy of silver and gray feathers surrounding her, filtering the light in the room.

"Good morning" she whispered rolling to her other side, eyes still not quite open, feeling the angels arms move around her drawing her nearer to him.

When she did open her eyes, she was met again with Castiels content smile. "Good morning" he responded, kissing her forehead lightly.

"Did you watch me all night?" she quizzed him through her sleepy eyes, certain he had.

"Of course" he whispered. "I like watching you." as if it were a secret only they shared.

"Did I drool?" she questioned pretending to be horrified.

"… and snored" he chuckled, as he ran slender fingers through long burgundy ringlets.

"Wonderful." she laughed burying her face in his chest.

"It is…" he said softly, "All of it." his hand now pulling gentle fingers through the back of her hair, closing his eyes, feeling the soft curls entangle with his long fingers, letting out a deep and contented sigh.

She raised her face to look in his eyes. "I love you." she told him kissing his chin and then his lips when he lowered his mouth to hers, first slowly then deeper reaching up to pull his mouth hard against her own.

"I love you," he said in return, when the kiss broke, and she wrapped herself tightly around him, wishing they could spend the day like this, knowing they had to keep moving.

With a sigh, he drew back his wings and Maggie grumbled at having them swept away from her skin as she sat up. Taking a good look around the room for the first time. "Wow it looks like the Brady Bunch threw up," she laughed.

Looking at the hideous, orange, brown and green flowered curtains, the bright gold carpeting and the bedspread, although different, just as horrible as the curtains.

Castiel looked at her confused. She shook her head at him.

"I think I liked this place better in the dark" she sighed.

***

Haniel had sent out several troops in hopes of bringing in the angels who had fled. Michael had started the ball rolling and punishment was underway. Causing the wayward angles to hide themselves even more deeply within the mortal world. While some were returned, most were unaccounted for and becoming more difficult to locate by the day. Haniel now busied himself appointing new commanders and forming new earthbound garrison's while sorting out who was still among the missing.

Some, he had no doubt were well aware of Zachariah's true intentions and many of them, high ranking. These were Heaven's decision makers, they were the ones who consented and passed down orders to start the apocalypse without their fathers knowledge. They were now Heaven's most wanted.

They were the most dangerous, simply because they would still hold authority, in the eyes of angels who were mislead by Zachariah. These misled angels, could and more than likely would, be tempted to continue to follow orders, even now, in hiding.

Haniel still didn't know all of the specific details of Zach's plan, and his followers in prison weren't talking. He knew enough to know he was dangerous. Dangerous to Heaven, Earth and yes, even Hell. It was a delicate balance maintained for thousands of years. Father's human children, allowed to grow, develop, progress and become, under the constant threat of evil they could not begin to imagine and the watchful eye of chosen angels to guide them. Sometimes protective, sometimes merely observers, occasionally helping and always battling to keep Hell at bay and Lucifer trapped in the pit. Zachariah had managed to upset that balance. The damage was quite possibly beyond repair.

As Haniel worked to compile a list of just who was missing, the measure of their threat and the importance of their return. His concerns grew the new earth bound garrisons would have their hands full.

***

"This is like driving to nowhere." Maggie sighed looking out the windshield of the jeep at nothing more than miles of farmland.

Castiel had been sitting and studying her most of the drive, he even went so far as to turn in his seat, to more or less face her.

"We can always stop early, finish the drive tomorrow." He suggested.

"I know, but… I want to get there…. and I want to get home to see Zoe." She sighed obviously missing her daughter.

Castiel nodded, certain this trip was hard for her in that respect. He missed their child as well, but for him, leaving home for days at a time was routine. Maggie rarely left Zoe and the hunts she did go on never lasted more than 2 days.

"If we stop, you will have more time to call Alba and check on her." he bargained.

Maggie gave him a sideways glance, "If we stop, we are never going get there." she told him.

"The pages will be there when we do." he said simply and pulled out the map.

Maggie sighed at him, he was going to win as usual and he was going to do it with out even arguing. He wanted to take sometime to enjoy this trip… enjoy time together… alone… with her… and she was making it a race. Even though this morning she swore she wasn't going to do that.. It is exactly what she was doing. She could see some cracks in his amour again. He tried so hard, too hard. When he had come home several days ago, he was unlike she had ever seen him. He literally clung to her, feeding off of the bond they shared. He was defeated and tired, looking again for the reason to continue. He always found that answer within her… within them…

"What's coming up in the next 2 hours??" she asked, "Anything?"

He listed off a few towns, none of them sounding very big. "Okay" she smiled at him. "2 more hours then we can stop… somewhere."

He smiled and nodded, it wasn't exactly what he wanted but it would do.

***

It wasn't long after that conversation, however, that Maggie pulled into a rest area and parked, Castiel wasn't surprised. Their connection told him that her back was tired of sitting and driving and the bright sunlight of the day was irritating her eyes. She needed to stop, she needed to rest. His experience with Maggie told him she was stubborn and would ignore the pain, and irritation, stopping only when, she had her fill of it. She apparently had, and he was relieved.

He didn't say anything when she stopped, merely leaned over, in his seat and kissed her forehead, before picking up the map and getting out of the jeep. He walked around the back as she stretched and rolled her neck. She opened the back door and removed the sweatshirt she was wearing over her t shirt and tossed it in.

He leaned on the back of the open jeep, partially sitting, partially standing, watching her, then extending a hand, for her to come nearer to him. She did, leaning into his body and resting her head high on his chest, relaxing against him, as his fingers tenderly raked over her sore back before his arms encircled her. Content.

"We're only a few miles outside of Wyoming." she told him, "When we get there we'll stop." She said bringing a hand up to stroke his jaw line with one finger.

He only nodded is approval, happy she had come to the decision on her own. Wrapping is arms tighter around her she nuzzled further against his chest and shoulder, and he rested his own head atop hers. For a few moments, he closed his eyes and allowed himself to feel their souls connect, warm, gentle tendrils entwining, his blood coursing through her, his grace giving her body an electric charge, only he could feel, so enticing to him. He was lost for just that moment, happy, content and satisfied, feeling complete with her safe in his arms.

"Castiel" a voice called bringing him back to the moment.

His head snapped up at the sound of the voice as did Maggie's. She looked up at him, concerned, and he gave her a small nod of assurance as he stood, taking a stance slightly in front of her, she was his mate, and the move instinctive, meant to shield her. He saw a man walking towards them, this was not an ordinary man. This was the angel Druiel.

Maggie sighed, realizing that Haniels dagger was under the front seat. She considered going after it. Castiel knew her thoughts and and shook his head 'No', then said "Stay" quietly.

Castiel was not certain of Druiel's intentions, he was aware, Haniel was regaining control of Heaven, he was also aware many angels had gone rouge, and many others had come to earth, sent by Haniel, to search for them. He had no idea who's side Druiel was on. In Heaven, Druiel was his superior, he commanded the unit of which the Garrison Castiel commanded was a part. He had no clue as to this angel's intentions here, on earth at this time, more importantly, he had no idea of his intentions toward himself or Maggie.

"Druiel?" Castiel questioned, as he stood tall, his stance telling the angel he no longer considered him his superior, and would draw his weapon if necessary.

"I am pleased to see you." The angel said with a nod at Castile "We've been waiting on you Brother," Druiel said, with a small smile, holding his hands open in front of him, to show he was unarmed and meant no harm. Castiel understood the gesture, but didn't trust it. He had never known Druiel to show emotion, now he was smiling?

"How did you find us?" Castiel questioned, with a gruff voice and narrowed eyes. "… And what do you mean waiting on me?"

"Relax Castiel." The other angel said calmly, "You are the one's foretold, and we have been waiting to reveal ourselves to you… both of you." he relayed.

"Reveal?" Maggie questioned. From the spot where she stood just behind her angel, who was equally as confused.

"Yes our town, our community.." Druiel went on " Many of us came to earth, to prepare a future, when we discovered our father missing"

"Prepare a future?" Maggie continued to question.

"You are Maggie," the other angel said as if he were honored. "You are as bold as I have been led to believe." he commented.

Maggie didn't like it. She didn't trust it, and she could feel Castiel questioning his motives as well.

He went on. "When it became obvious we would eventually, lose control of heaven, many of us came here to earth." he explained.

"Many of us had been posted here for years, it was more our home than heaven anyway."

Then speaking this last part quietly, "Many had interests here to protect." he nodded at Maggie when he said this, adding "You understand." looking at Castiel.

Castiel nodded, many angels did more than observe, some were participants in their charge's life. A few played necessary roles from time to time, and occasionally became attached to that life and to their charge. Hence the bonding ritual, of course this wasn't approved, it was kept well hidden and never spoken of.

The problem was, Castiel had never seen Druiel as that sort of an angel. Yes, he had come to earth often but, he was a soldier, a commander, who was unwavering in his duties. Much like himself he realized… maybe more than he knew.

Druiel handed the angel a map. "I must take leave, Come see for yourself." he said quietly, as he walked away, vanishing behind a large truck parked near by.

When he left, Maggie put her hand on Castiels back and moved close to him, her concern and confusion obvious, He turned and put his arms around her, protectively, gently kissing her forehead reassuring her.

"What is… that place.?" she began to question, looking at the map,

"I don't know" he said, staring at the paper he was given.

***

Castiel and Maggie stayed at the rest stop a little while longer, he had coaxed her back into their earlier embrace, this time keeping himself more aware. She asked questions about who the other angel was. He answered and explained as much as he could, telling her of his concerns.

They decided to find someplace for an early dinner, compare the map Castiel had been given, with their own and then decide how to proceed. Maggie could tell, the angel was, at the very least, curious but, wary of traps.

Zachariah's fate was uncertain, he was assumed dead but, there was no solid proof. While Castiel could not see Druiel being part of Zach's plans, he was the angel who passed on many of the rouge orders. He was also not the sort of angel to leave heaven for a life on earth, or so Castiel believed, yet here he was, meeting them in a parking lot, giving them a map to a new angelic future? None of it made sense to him.

They drove a little while and found a drive thru to pick up dinner. Then drove a little further, to a park where they could spread out a quilt and have dinner privately, while Castiel told her more of Druiel and his thoughts on the matter. After they ate Maggie stretched out on the quilt and Castiel lay next to her on his side, debating more to himself, than her, the possibility of following the map to the town, the other angel spoke of. He was curious but, wary of taking Maggie into what could possibly be a trap, she made it clear, he was not going alone.

It was decided, they would find this place and see for themselves what it was all about. She looked at the two maps and realized they were close. In fact the park they were in quite possibly bordered on this mysterious town. She pointed this out to Castile who stood to look around. The area where they sat was bordered with trees that led deeper into woods. It was impossible to tell what lay beyond.

***

They followed the Map given to them by Druiel. Maggie guessed the wooded area must have been about 4 miles deep and on the other side the angels town. It should have been a ghost town, according to Maggie's map but, it was far from it. Manicured streets, small shops, a town hall similar to the main street area of Maggie's own town. Except it looked like something that escaped from some perfect little 50's TV show, Maggie thought.

Castiel watched the streets with narrowed eyes. They were quiet, he could see the occasional person, walking in and out of a shop, he noticed a small group of children on bikes. He didn't see anyone he recognized as an angel.

The map gave clear directions to a building inside the town. It was a meeting hall of sorts, Castiel assumed that is where he was to go if he decided to visit. Finding and parking in front of the redbrick building. Castiel instructed Maggie to stay close to him and, yes bring the dagger, but to keep it hidden. She did as she was told.

Before they could open the door, it was opened for them by the angel Azer. Another angel Castiel knew to be loyal and faithful to his father and his word. Azer led them inside a small waiting hall, which again, seemed very normal for a small town meeting but, not the meeting place of angles, he then excused himself to find Druiel.

Druiel arrived moments later with 3 other angels, Sekel, Tabris, and Kyriel. Castiel knew all of them to be above reproach in his time in heaven. He couldn't help but watch them approach a bit dumbfounded as to what they were all doing here.

Druial and the other 3 greeted Castiel and Maggie, they seemed too look on Maggie with a sort of… curiosity… maybe? She wasn't sure what it was exactly. She didn't like it ,they could leave anytime as far as she was concerned, something didn't feel right about all of this.

Castiel, she noticed, seemed to be warming to the situation, as Druiel began to explain. Many years ago it became apparent to a few that God was missing. A small group of them began to question some of the orders being passed down but, only amongst themselves. Most of them worked, almost exclusively, on Earth. A few, like Druial split time between the two worlds. As time went on more joined them and their belief, Soon they set up a community of angels, first in India, later in Germany, for a time in France and many other places over the years. Now they were here, with the steady belief that God was no longer in heaven, their ranks increased over the years and now, with apocalypse pending, and many fleeing heaven, they had gone from just a handful to nearly 100 angels strong. All of them believing, as Castiel, or so they claimed. Castiel seemed to be letting his guard down, Maggie didn't trust them. She had little reason to.

They toured the town with the four angels. Tabris explained that many of them that were stationed here on earth had already found lives here. Found lovers some even started families. This was long before they joined forces, those angels knew that Heaven was no longer their home, they had grown too distant from the place, yet still harbored the desire to serve. Some were removed from heaven like Castiel. Others never were, perhaps forgotten or thought to still be minding their posts. Again their father was gone and it was obvious from their perspective no one was minding the store.

In the town they saw homes, and stores, restaurants, other places of business. Why would angels need these things? Again the angels had the answer. Kyriel explained, the angels didn't, however, most were paired with humans and well… they did. They liked the sense of normalcy, especially the newer additions to the community. Many also had family members who lived with them. The angels simply explained ,they did what they could to maintain as normal a life as possible for the "humans" in the group. Maggie hated the way they kept referring to them as "humans" and her patience was running thin. They had gone so far as to develop their own monetary system, their own banking, even their own postal service of sorts.

They were on their way back to the jeep when Sekel, said they should stay. He would arrange them a room, at the small bed and breakfast they maintained for human visitors. Castiel jumped at this, he didn't even look at Maggie before agreeing and she was tempted to leave him there.

Once they agreed to stay, they were taken to meet some of the other families. This, Maggie had to admit, she was curious about. If there were others out there, with a similar relationship to her and Castiel's, she wanted to see how they managed. How they compared, and fared over time. Unfortunately, it left her more disturbed. Many of the angels but, by far not all, were paired with vessels and therefore had children. The angels had taken both, male and female hosts so there was and interesting mix of both, male and female partners. Some were bound, most in fact, but not all, at least not yet. They talked about binding, the 'humans' did, as if it were some great prize, something to be earned, on their part. Maggie found the use of the word "human" irritating her more and more and the way they sought to earn to be bound to the angels, she found concerning.

They were leaving to go to their room, when Maggie first saw the boy at the edge of the woods. He was so familiar… she stared at him. Finally stopping, standing still to look at him. Andy… she thought.. "This is what Andy would look like."

***

Once settled in their room Maggie was further irritated. Castiel went on and on about what a wonderful idea this was, to bring together so many with the same ideas and he same agenda. Druiel had expressed a desire to bring more angels out who were hiding on earth into the fold who believed as they did. Saying they could be come a force to be reckoned with here on earth.

Castiel was most interested in this. He seemed to love the entire town. He didn't seem to notice how the others were treated. Or not treated. It was easy to tell the couples who were bound as they didn't even speak to each other. None of them seemed particularly close. There was no physical contact between any of them. The ones who did speak, Maggie felt the angels seemed almost condescending towards. She would be happy to leave.

When she snapped out of her own thoughts Castiel was still going on about how much he liked the place and how nice it was to see the other angels. Again Maggie looked at him with utter disbelief. How could Mr. 'we need a better connection'. not see her skin crawling at the thought of this place? How could he not sense how it gave her the creeps? He didn't notice as a matter of fact he didn't notice anything was wrong, until he heard the bathroom door slam and lock.

****

They had stayed the night and most of the next day as well. Maggie chose to stay in the room. Telling him to get it out of his system. She wanted to finish the trip and then get home to Zoe.

"Maggie I understand you miss her." he soothed hugging her.

"You don't?" she questioned still irritated.

"Of course" he said "But this place, what they have done here, it could change everything." he told her.

"Castiel I am leaving tonight" she informed.

"Tomorrow," he compromised. "I want to see more of the town and how it works then we can go. Give me one more day."

"Okay, but I am leaving tomorrow morning." she told him.

The more Maggie saw the less she liked. Some of the women and men had been bound for lifetimes. Some a few years and again some not at all. While they all seemed to have enough to keep them busy, they didn't seem to have any freewill what so ever. They didn't live in the real world and had no idea what it was really like. They knew what the angels told them and they only saw what the angels allowed. This was a cult not a town. Problem was… Castiel was ready to sign them both up for membership.

She went to bed that night waiting on him to return from yet another visit with Druiel. Maggie was tiring of Druiel most of all.

***

The next morning. Maggie found the angel getting dressed. He hadn't even woke her. It seemed he was running out the door again. She decided she would make an effort to understand his infatuation with this place. She imagined it had to seem incredible to him. He had finally found something that would pass as a true home on earth and she was resisting. Maggie pulled on jeans and a t - shirt and walked to the window, practically un-noticed by Castiel. She needed to recount the events and consider her next move. She needed to try to see what he was seeing. Maybe it wasn't as bad as it seemed. Castiel seemed to be enthralled with the town. So much so he didn't even seem to realize, pick up on the fact, it was the town aggravating her, even more so than being separated from Zoe. She needed to see it through his eyes.

Maggie, stared out the window of the small bed and breakfast in the quaint little town. "It's like a painting" she commented to no one in particular but, Castiel picked up the comment and replied anyway. "It is actually very sweet." he said now standing behind her looking out the window.

They had stumbled here by accident it was supposed to be a ghost town. Instead they found a thriving community, a community that seemed to know exactly who and what they were. A community of angels and vessels just like them.

"This doesn't give you the creeps at all Castiel?" Maggie questioned.

"Of course not, it makes perfect sense."

"How? How can this make sense? Surely someone knows this town is here?" She debated.

It bothered Maggie a great deal, the perfect streets with, perfect houses. Even the room they were in. Perfect.

"Maggie it is run by angels, angels who are protecting the humans they love, need I remind you the effort we have put into the same task?"

"No" she shook her head with a sigh. "It just seems too perfect."

"That's because it's angelic" he says wrapping his arms around her waist and leaning into her shoulder to nuzzle at her ear.

"Oh please," Maggie giggles "Don't give me that, Mr Help me the vacuum is eating my boxer shorts. I love you but angelic does not equal perfection." she laughs more and louder remembering the event.

Castiel gives a "humph" in her shoulder at the reminder of the vacuum incident, "Well nearly perfect" then he jokes.

"I admit you have some pretty impressive skills." she teases leaning back into him now.

He chuckled softly in her ear, "Perhaps I can practice later?"

"Later?" she questions "What's wrong with now?" she asked, shooting off her best evil grin, nodding to the large over stuffed bed.

"I am going to meet Druiel, he is working on a plan to bring the believers together, we might increase our ranks, possibly even reclaim Heaven sooner than thought." he told her excitedly.

"Heaven?" Maggie looks confused. "Since when do we worry about reclaiming Heaven? We've agreed that is up to Haniel we have our hands full right here."

"I know, Maggie but, that was before I came here and found so many of my own kind. We could all make a difference here Maggie. I need to at least hear his plan." He explained.

"Why didn't you tell me about this before?" she asked narrowing her eyes at him.

"Maggie we are connected.. I shouldn't have to tell you… You should know." he told her flat.

"We have also agreed we would not just poke in each others heads looking for random thoughts. REMEMBER? We actually communicate?" she snapped.

Castiel closed his eyes and sighed. "Yes of course I remember. I'm sorry. I was just preoccupied with what he had to say, and well… it is the way the other couples communicate here, I suppose I just got caught up."

"We've only been here a day and a half Castiel how could you possibly get that caught up?"

Castiel looked at her and then away towards the dresser.

"You do know we are not staying here…. Right?" She asked sternly.

Castiel again glanced at her then down to his shoes, avoiding her gaze before answering "Of course… we have a home and our own plans." he stated almost robotic.

"Whatever" Maggie sighed.

"I'll be back soon, we'll talk more, okay?" he said moving closer and wrapping her arms around her.

"Yeah" she nodded still unsure.

She tilted her head up to him for a kiss goodbye, she received what felt more like a peck, then he turned and left the room. No teasing, no playing, nothing like normal, hell Castiel usually chewed her face off with his lips before leaving the house to take out the trash. He had never given her a peck? Something was wrong here. For a moment it had all seemed normal, like it was all okay, but it wasn't.

Maggie turned back to the window, hoping to catch a look at him and who he was meeting but, her attention was caught.

The little boy… He looked to be around 6 the same age that Andy would have been now. Maggie's heart tugged, it was him, it was Andy she knew it. She wasn't certain when she saw him that night in the park but, now she was. How could this be? Her heart raced as she turned and grabbed her handbag and keys off of the dresser and ran from the room, to the stairs.