Back at the hotel everyone was silent. Including Castiel who was sitting in a chair looking half dead because of blood loss. Dean realized it was probably one of the first times he had experienced blood loss. That sucks.
Sam was tapping his foot impatiently. Dean knew well enough he wanted to do something of importance but there was nothing they could do. Most of this was out of their hands. Everytime Dean told himself that he would think of those beautiful church bells and think of it as the song of angels falling and dying. He glanced at Cas again who's eyes were cloudly like he was somewhere else. Castiel was falling. And now there was nothing he could do about it.
Suddenly the light in Cas' eyes regained its caribbean blue glow and his hand formed into a fist. Dean sat up wearily as Cas began to squirm in his hand. He then cried out in pain and Sam finally noticed.
"Cas what's going on!?" Dean exclaimed in sudden panic at the sudden break of silence. Cas was struggling to watch his hand. Dean noticed numbers were being carved into it. Like a phone number. Cas gritted his teeth and Sam whipped around looking for some sort of hex bag. Dean sat down next to Cas not knowing what to do. "Hold in there Cas. Come on."
Cas suddenly stopped crying out in pain and slumped in his exhausted. Dean left his side but didn't take his eyes off him. He took Cas' hand. It was definitely a phone number. It almost looked like a knife had carved it in. "Sam get over here."
Sam obeidiently ran to Dean's side and furrowed his brow at the numbers. He then looked worriedly at Cas, "I'll get a bandage." he whispered.
Dean nodded and kneeled down next to Cas. Gently laying a hand on his knee he whispered, "Are you okay?"
Cas nodded slowly one hand half way through his hair. His eyes had the same clouded look as before only they looked hurt and in pain. Dean sighed, "Do you mind if I call the number?"
Cas didn't answer but he pushed Dean away as a gesture to go do it. Dean ruffled his hair and picked up his cellphone. Taking Cas' hand which was limply laid on the table, he began dialing the number. Gently laying it back down he walked to the corner of the room and waited while the phone buzzed.
Sam had returned wrapping the bandages around Cas' hand. He sat next to Cas trying to comfort him.
Dean heard the ringing stop and slow breathing on the other end. Getting a sudden burst of rage he almost growled, "Who the hell are you and what were you doing to my friend?"
A chuckle all to familiar was the response. It was Ariel. That bitch treating Cas like a doll.
"Dean. Dean. Dean. I just gave you my phone number isn't that A plus for the winchesters?" her voice had the sly tone to it.
Dean slammed his hand on the wall almost making it crack. Sam looked up and Cas' eyes flashed towards him.
"You couldn't send us a letter?" Dean said sarcastically.
"Stop wining over spilt blood." she laughed at her own joke.
"Why'd you give us your phone number?" Dean asked trying to keep his tone calm.
"You're kidding right?" Her voice sounded muffled, "I have your angelic friend's grace. While I have it anything could happen. I could accidently loose grip on it or it could be stolen and tampered with and I wouldn't know. I gave you my number so whenever Castiel starts coughing up blood or choking you can call me and let me know so I can stop it."
Dean was dumbfounded as how calm she seemed about Cas spewing blood, like it would be normal, "Why should you care?' Dean asked.
"I don't." her snicker made Dean want to rip her guts out one by one. she continued,
"Metatron told me to keep him in one shape. More or less."
"What is that supposed to mean!?" Dean cried.
The phone was already hung up by the time Dean was going to make a cruel remark. He slammed the wall again mouthing a curse word. He through the phone on the bed aggresively and rubbed a hand through his hair. Looking up he saw sort of a frightened expression on Sam's face and a confused look on Cas'.
After Dean told them what she said Sam sat back in his own chair with a big long moan. Cas was staring at the floor not saying a word. Dean watched him worriedly and snapped his fingers close to his ears, "Hey chuckles you in there?"
Cas looked up dazed and croaked, "What?"
Dean sighed and shook his head. Cas had lost far to much blood. His head was literally in the clouds.
"We're going out to eat." Dean suggested abruptly leaving Sam with a swirl of confusion on his face.
"What?!" he exclaimed, "At this hour?"
"People go out to eat at 9 pm Sam. Plus we didn't have dinner, you must be hungry." Dean stated.
Sam shrugged, "I guess." He glanced at Cas who was leaning on his hand. "What about Cas?"
"He's coming DUH!" Dean said.
Sam blinked, "Why? He's fried."
"Exactly!" Dean exclaimed excited, "He'll get some food in his system and he'll get better."
Sam sighed, "Whatever." He wasn't as used to Cas eating as Dean was.
They almost had to drag Cas to the restaraunt. Sam noticed how pale he looked. He knew it was the blood lost but it was sad to see him hurt like this.
Once inside and seated in a booth close to the back, Sam ordered a hamburger for each of them with a side of fries and three waters. For once they sat in silence. There was no arguing, no emotional peptalk, just sitting and waiting. Sam believed that they were really waiting for a sign. Anything to help them along the road. He had considered maybe reasoning with Ariel, to get her to fight against Metatron and help them but he knew Dean would never agree. Dean was set on ripping out her hair if he could lay his hands on her. He was always much more stable before hell. Sam shook the horrid memories out of his head for they made him feel guilty for the things he did, what he started.
It almost felt like seconds. The waitress was back putting warm plates of food in front of them along with three ice cold waters. Dean smiled and took a big bite into his. Cas stared at his. His eyes were still clouded and dazed but he began to blink and he slowly picked it up and took a bite of it. Sam looked down at his meal and picked up a few fries and stuffed it in his mouth. This was the most decent food he had in a long time.
"The Piano man is dead?" Cas asked suddenly. Sam was astounded. Cas had downed the whole burger in under a minute. Dean looked up at the sudden talk and almost sighed in relief that Cas was talking again.
He nodded, "Ya. We guessed Metatron sent his minion angels to do the dirtywork. That's why we left."
Cas frowned and with a deep sigh asked, "We need to find Ariel."
Dean was about to protest when Cas cut in again, "Dean she has my grace and if she refuses to give it back then I'm taking it by force."
"She has you caught like a puppet on strings Cas don't you see that?!" Dean exclaimed.
"We can trick her or reason with her!" Cas suggested.
Sam jumped at the sudden chance to give his opinion, "Cas is right. If Ariel has his grace then Metatron has complete control over him."
Dean ran a hand over his face and sighed, "Why is it I'm always the one arguing."
Cas glanced at Sam who shook his head rapidly gesturing not to answer Dean. Cas just nodded solemnly.
After the three finished lunch the headed outside. The started down the sidewalk. Sam was looking around at the buildings then he spotted him. He saw a man behind him all but too familiar. Someone he never wanted to see again. He hit Dean's arm and before Dean could give him a remark he spotted the man too and Sam nearly gagged at the smile on Dean's face. And when Cas saw him and smiled at well Sam thought one thing not you. not you too.
It was Benny. Benny the vampire about 5 feet away from them. "Hello my brothers." he said monotone. He glanced back and forth at Dean and Castiel not giving a moments glance to Sam.
Sam huffed and tapped his foot and glared him straight in the eye, "How'd you find us?"
Benny looked at Sam suddenly as if he just realized he was there, "Rumors go around quickly. Once I heard the angel was back from purgatory I had to visit."
Cas grinned and he and Benny hugged. Benny and Dean did too. Sam wanted to vomit. He didn't understand their friendship with him. He didn't understand how Castiel could even like him either. He was a vampire. Always will be.
Benny looked behind him and back again, 'Look I need to be going. I spotted you and thought I'd say one last goodbye." He glanced back at Cas,
"I am really glad you made it out brother."
Cas smiled, "Me too."
Benny waved. Dean and Cas returned the gesture watching him leave and head inside a hospital not far away. Sam was already heading off in a different direction not wanting any part of their conversation. Dean sighed running up next to him. Cas followed quickly behind.
Time to get some rest.
