Dean hung up his cell once more and grimaced before rubbing his face with his hands frustrated. That was the 10th time he called Cas and nothing. Not even a text back. He really didn't want to be found. He had to admit it was making him nervous, a bit scared actually. Usually Cas got the hint that by the 2nd call or message that he was needed. Elliana sat across from him, her eyes never leaving him. Dean looked at his watch, he cursed before sighing and looking toward her.

" Listen, it's 4am. I gotta get four hours to function properly so-" He watched her about to comment before he interrupted her. " and no I do not need someone standing over me to watch me like an infant." She closed her mouth and sank down a bit. " Cas used to do that and, I swear to God, it creeped me out more than the friggin monsters I hunt." She smiled to herself. " Glad you think it's funny." He rolled his eyes.

" No I just.. I could imagine him staring at you while you slept." She giggled a bit and he shot her a dirty look.

" Yeah no it was freaking great." Sarcasm dripping from his tongue.

" I do have a question though." He looked at her. "Everytime you woke up and he was there... were you having a good dream, did you feel at ease in your sleep?" Dean eyed her, his thoughts wandering.

"Why?"

" Angels tend to watch their charges at night to calm their nightmares. Since we can only do so much for them in their reality. We give them good dreams so they can sleep in their much-deserved peace. Sort of like fighting demons... but in your head." His mouth hung open slightly, trying to evaluate what she had just told him. From some of the angels he's met, he's finding it hard to believe. Although Cas probably would be doing that for him, considering he was the one angel who understand just how hard Dean's life had been. " You look rather surprised."

" Sorry, just never met more than a few decent angels before." He gave her a half smile before standing up.

" There is good in the world, Dean. I wish you could see it more often." He frowned and nodded.

" Yeah... yeah me too." He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, help yourself to the fridge, and the tv's in the sitting room. Just uh, hang tight for a bit."

She watched him retreat down the hall before walking into their living room area and sitting on the couch. This was going to be a different kind of war she was about to fight in. Being in Dean's presence, she could sense just how on edge and guarded he was. It was like he was trapped behind his defense walls, ready to attack her at any moment. Of course most hunters had that aura about them, but Dean's was different. Dean's was almost impenetrable.

"DEAN!" His name echoed into his ears like a siren, causing him to jump in his sleep. He sat up straight, heart thumping against his rib cage. Sammy. Instantly his feet sprang to the floor and he darted down the hall to the kitchen. 'Oh shit' he cursed inwardly, remembering he forgot to mention to his brother about the angel chilling in their living room.

"Sam really? Put the blade down don't be ridiculous." Dean rounded the corner and slammed into the door frame where he saw his brother gripping an angel blade, aimed directly at Ellie's heart.

"NO! Sam, wait!" Sam didn't take his eyes off her as she stood with her arms crossed and eyebrow raised seemingly unamused by situation.

" Dean, how'd she get in here?" He growled through gritted teeth, anger reddening his face.

" Relax Sam, she came last night. You were asleep, I forgot to tell you." Sam didn't budge, in fact he gripped the weapon tighter between his knuckles. " Did you not hear what I just friggen said, Sammy? Drop the damn blade." Dean watched as Sam lowered it to his side, he could tell his brother was still filled with rage. He didn't blame him though, any angel that wasn't Cas made Sam uneasy to say the least.

" So what, they're just allowed to hang out in the only safe place we have from them?" His words were cold. Dean sighed and rubbed his eyes, he knew this wasn't going to go over well.

" No, I invited her." Sam and Ellie's eyes locked onto Deans in surprise. "What? It's like when I call Cas, he just appears. Well.. I might've accidently called... Ellie and she came. I told her she could stay the night."

"Oh really? Is this another decision you forgot to include me in?" Dean flinched at Sam's statement, he knew he deserved that. Sam sighed and relaxed a bit, but kept the blade still firm in his grasp.

" Chill out okay? And get dressed we're going to find Cas today." He turned to Ellie, who seemed to be hiding her mouth behind her hand. She blushed a bit before motioning to his half naked body. " I should be ready in- What?" He looked down and realized what she was referring to. "Crap." She let out a small chuckle before he shot a glare at her. With all the dramatics he managed to forget he usually slept half naked… and in his favorite Darth Vader boxers.

"What, it's funny. Angels can have a sense of humor too." Sam snorted and held back a laugh."I've never actually seen Star Wars, I've only heard it's quite addicting." He narrowed his eyes at her before quickly retreating back to his room as he heard his brother burst out into laughter before he slammed his door closed.

The wind flowed freely through the windows of the impala, as Dean tapped the steering wheel dramatically. Sam smiled to himself as he watched his brother start to sing along to the journey song blaring through the car speakers. This was the dean he so longed to have back. The Dean before he was branded with the mark. He still could hardly believe it. That his brother, a well trained and skilled hunter who took every precaution in the book,

Ellie breathed in the fresh cut farmland and smiled to herself. It had been so long since she was able to smell anything other than must and dank air that had settled in her cell.. The thought of all the years she spent in solitude still plagued her every moment. It was moments like these she was grateful angels didn't need to sleep, fearing that her dreams would never let her escape.

The sign for Salina, Kansas flashed in her vision and her thoughts drifted to Castiel. She had gone over the angels that were still on earth and went along with their trails. The last one Castiel took back to heaven wasn't far from the one he's most likely going after today.

With the help of Sam's laptop and a couple hours of extensive research, it wasn't hard to fit the pieces together. She wasn't sure which one of her brothers or sisters were refusing to return home, but she didn't exactly blame them for trying to flee. Considering her father was still vacant and there was some slightly unorganized order.

" Can you hear him?" Dean's words snapped her from her thoughts. She turned to them and then closed her eyes, tuning into her surroundings. Sure enough she knew his exact location, and she silently begged Castiel wasn't too far behind.

The car halted in front of a small farm house, that was surrounded by nothing but fields and flowers. Angels were never supposed to really show emotion, but Ellie couldn't help but smile at how beautiful and peaceful it was out here. She couldn't help but feel sorry for the angel Castiel was probably going to drag back up to the complete mess that was heaven now.

"Wow, guy knows how to hide I'll give him that." Dean said stepping out of the impala, Ellie following.

" Yeah well, it's quiet and out of sight. Something someone needs when they're trying to stay hidden from angel radar." She said frowning slightly and walking towards the door. " I should handle this before Cas does," Dean and Sam made to follow her but she held up her hand, stopping them in there tracks.

" It's alright guys, I don't need help." She smiled to them reassuringly.

"No offense, but if you're associated with us in anyway, you're gonna have back up as much as you don't like it." Dean said matter of factly. She raised an eyebrow.

" I appreciate that, however I'd rather not scare the angel off considering you are not exactly a-list celebrities up there and this could go south fast if they see you. Besides, wait for Cas. Knowing him he won't be too far away."

"What if he attacks you?" Dean urged forward. Sam watched his brother intently, he knew Dean could be protective but he didn't really expect him to be this way with an angel.. especially one they met a day ago.

"Trust me. I'll be fine." Dean inhaled sharply and clenched his teeth, but he backed away and walked towards the impala, Sam in tow.

"Dude, what the hell was that about?" Sam asked as they leaned against baby. Dean had his eyes glued to Ellie knocking at the beaten up wooden door. "Dean?" Dean shook his head and turned to his brother.

"What?" Sam tilted his head, his mouth hung open slightly. " What's that face?"

"You were doing it again. Why are you acting so odd around her?" Sam asked. He watched Dean gulp and shift uncomfortably.

" I don't know what you're talking about." He was clearly trying to dodge the question, but Sam was way too interested to let it go this time.

"Why were you so insistent on going in with her?" Sam crossed his arms.

" I dunno Sam, maybe because we're always back up?" Dean said rolling his eyes, but not looking at his brother.

" Yeah but never for angels, aside from Cas. Besides, I've never seen you get that pissed off over something as stupid as being told to stay by the car-"

"God man, I don't know! I just have an uneasy feeling about this place, and I didn't want her to go in alone. Since when is it such a friggen big deal?" His eyes darted to the house when he heard speaking. Sam's eyes stayed on Dean though, trying to figure out exactly what his brother was thinking.

Elliana gently knocked against the rotted wood. The door slowly opened and she smiled at the angel who she recognized as Arias. He froze in her presence, his eyes widening in awe.

" Elliana." He whispered before taking a few steps back.

"Arias, how are you?" She walked in without another word and looked around the small ranch home.

"I... I don't understand. I thought you were-" Arias stuttered as he shut the door and walked towards her.

" Yeah so did everyone else. But looks like i'm back." She said, still examining the house. She traced her fingers along the fringed and broken books on the shelf.

" What is it that you want?" His voice trembled a bit. Something Ellie would never get used to was the fear that angels had in her presence. She supposed it was from the rumors and the lies that arouse during her 'disappearance'. But it still made her sad to think most angels cowered at the site of her. It only showed the damage her archangel brothers had caused, fear. Fear of power hungry idiots that should've been locked up when the seals broke. She shook her head and turned to the tall thin blonde haired man in front of her.

" You have to go home, Arias. Earth isn't a place for angels right now-"

"No." his reply was stern. She watched him, slightly proud at the way he stood his ground but also agitated at his resistance.

" You can return, but right now, you should recover in heaven where you're needed."

"They don't need me, Elliana. They need a headcount. You counted me. Now let me stay here in peace." She frowned. She knew it was going to be difficult, she knew trying to haul rebel angels back to heaven was a challenge. She wondered how Castiel did it. She could feel compassion and sympathy.

" I know you think that it's just a headcount, but what if you are given a charge or needed to help repair our home?"

" It's not home anymore. I've been down here and I've seen and felt things... things that are so pure and real, Elliana, I wish you could see what I get to everyday." he whispered. She looked down, because he might think she didn't know what he was talking about but in truth, it was the whole reason she chose Earth in the first place. All the wonders of her father's creation, all the humans and creatures. She became addicted to it. Addicted to the freedom.

In the midst of her thinking, she didn't realize that Arias had walked to his desk in the corner and pulled something out.

"Arias, please don't make this difficult. You know that becoming humanized is not what you're meant for. I need you to return home-"

"Or what? You'll kill me?" his voice began to shake again and she noticed his hand was shaking a bit behind his back, a stance she knew all too well.

" You know the blade can't destroy me-" She whispered , her eyes locked on his.

"Maybe not the normal blade but... I came across this one recently." He slowly pulled out the weapon as Ellie's breath caught in her chest. The Arch blade. In design it was almost identical to the angel blade, however this one was a dark metallic color and possessed the only kind of magic powerful enough to end her.

"Arias please, I'm trying to help you-"

" Why would you want to help me? I told you i'm fine where I am." He edged closer and closer to her. She backed away slowly, eyes fixated on his trembling hand.

"Please Arias, Don't do something you will regret-"

"If you don't leave now, I'll be forced to kill you. I need to protect myself. I don't want to leave Ellie, don't you get that?" There were tears glazing the man's eyes and Ellie tried her best to keep him calm. The last thing she wanted to do was end a life that didn't need to be ended. Instead of flying away or running for it, she straightened up and took a deep breath. She walked towards Arias and the arch blade that was aiming directly for her heart.

" You wouldn't kill me. You aren't that cold hearted, Arias. I've seen you do great things for people-"

" SO WHY AM I TO BE PUNISHED AND THROWN BACK INTO THE MESS THAT IS NOW HEAVEN?!" He screamed out. She watched his whole body start to rack with silent sobs, his hand was pressing the tip to her chest in defense.

Dean and Sam turned to the sound of a puffing old muffler pulling up next to them. Cas's face paled slightly as he got out of the car and spotted them.

"Dean, Sam. What exactly are you doing here?" He asked gruffly, concern filling his face.

"Well if you answer your damn phone we wouldn't need to be here in East Jesus Nowhere now would we." Dean said sarcasm dripping from his voice.

"I've been busy. In fact i'm on a case right now." His eyes landed on the beat up house. " We can talk after i'm done. It might take some time-"

" Doubt that, your friend er-sister, has been in there awhile. She probably cracked him by now." Dean stated smugly. Castiel tilted his head in confusion.

"Sister? What are you-" Suddenly all three of them heard a scream and there heads shot towards the house. Dean reacted quickly grabbing a blade and running towards the mangled steps. He busted through the door, Cas and Sam not far behind.

"DEAN NO!" Elliana screamed as he made to lunge forward towards the angel cornering her. Arias swiftly knocked Ellie to the ground with a backhand to the side of her face. She fell to the floor hissing in pain, feeling the effects instantly, her vision was blurring for a moment.

"Elliana...?" Castiel breathed out in shock before him and Sam were thrown backwards by an invisible force.

" You brought Winchesters as your backup?" Arias let out a hallowed laugh before slamming Dean into the wall. He let out a gasp, the wind getting knocked out of him and leaving him limp on the floor. Arias turned his attention to him and slowly wrapped a hand around dean's throat before dean could reach for the blade that flew from his hand moments before.

"ARIAS, LET HIM GO!" Cas growled standing shakily to his feet.

" They've done nothing but cause problems to this world, Castiel. You of all angels should know-" Arias raised his hand, the shimmering blade about to pierce Dean's neck. He closed his eyes before a flash of blinding light erupted in front of him. He heard a painful cry as the angel before him fell to his knees with a thud. Dean shakily took a breath before he looked up into Ellie's eyes. He could feel a slight pang in his heart as she attempted to hold back the tears that threatened to fall. Suddenly her broken expression was masked with raw and searing anger. He knew he had fucked up by the way she backed away and fled the room without another word.