It had been about a month since Castiel and Deziela had joined the Winchester brothers at the bunker and in that time, they had managed pretty well. However, now they had almost run out of diapers and formula, so they were at the store to pick up supplies. Dean stopped the cart, picking up a stuffed bird toy thoughtfully.

Cas placed a hand on Dean's arm, "While I appreciate your enthusiasm, Dean, Deziela does not need a menagerie of stuffed animals."

Dean's eyes traveled into the buggy, beyond the sleeping infant, and noticed that there was almost as many stuffed animals as there were actual baby supplies. The older hunter chuckled sheepishly, "Oh, sorry, guess I got a bit carried away, huh?"

"No crap." Sam muttered, shaking his head at the cart. Dean stuck his tongue out at his brother, not noticing the angel watching him with a soft look in his eyes.

That's probably why they didn't notice their newcomer until aforementioned person said, "Well hello there, little one."

All three members of Team Free Will turned to the person who had spoken, reaching for their weapons. The hunters and Cas froze when they recognized the being before them.

Brown eyes sparkled with mischief and a small smirk spread across his features as Gabriel rocked Deziela gently, "Oh calm down, I'm not gonna hurt her. Honestly, I like Nephilim."

"Put her back, Gabriel." Dean demanded, voice low and dangerous.

"No, Dean-O, I wanna cuddle my niece, thank you very much." Gabe rolled his eyes.

Castiel stepped toward his older and more powerful sibling, "Brother, I would like my daughter back."

"Fine, fine." Gabriel sighed and handed the child to her daddy. No one noticed that Sam was kinda just staring at the archangel.

"Why are you even here?" Dean asked.

"Well, y'see, some of the others aren't exactly excited about their new niece." Gabe gave Cas a pointed look, "Particularly who her parents are."

"Most of Heaven doesn't like Nephilim to begin with." Castiel replied coolly, holding the girl close.

"Nor do they like either of her parents very much, brother." Gabriel pointed out.

"Why? Is her mom a hunter or something?" Dean asked.

Gabe stared at the man before turning to the angel and glaring. Castiel glowered back. His older brother had no reason to stick his nose this far into Cas' business. If he didn't want to tell the Winchesters who Deziela's other parent was, that was his right.

Gabriel conceded, crossing his arms in annoyance, "Yeah, something like that."

[|]

Somehow, between the time Gabe showed up and the time they left the store, the archangel had managed to convince them to let him stay with them as "an extra blade". Cas and Dean weren't happy about it by any means, but by far, Sam had to be the most unsettled about the situation. Not only did the younger hunter not trust the trickster, but something about the way he had spoken about Dezi's "other parent" had him feeling a bit paranoid.

It couldn't be that big of a deal to tell them who she was, right? Sam and Dean sure weren't ones to even consider judging someone else's love life. But the way that the mention of the girl's mother had turned Cas so hostile, Sam was worried that the woman was not the kind of person who should have a child. What if she was a witch or a werewolf or-

Sam froze as Gabe's words echoed in his mind. He had said "her parents", but had never specified that either's gender identity. Maybe the other parent was gender-fluid or maybe… Sam shook his head. No, that was ridiculous and impossible. No way. Castiel was a guy. Well, okay, technically Cas didn't actually have a sex, being an angel and all, but he definitely seemed to identify as the male gender. But technically, Castiel could change sex all he wanted as long as he had willing hosts. Sam decided it wasn't any of his business to know about Cas' sex or gender and he shook most of the thoughts away but one stuck with him.

Castiel could be Deziela's mother.