Chapter 4

The next morning couldn't come quick enough for Meg, she wanted to get started looking for Castiel. Lenora was up as the sun crested the trees sending rays of sunlight into the structure. She got up and rummaged in an old bag pulling out some clothes.

"Come on, I have something to show you." she told her heading out of the structure and making her way down to the rope. Once it was in place she dropped the bundle of clothes and climbed down the rope.

Meg followed her curious to what she wanted to show her. They walked back toward the thinning of the trees and to a small stream coming from the rocks. A short distance away, she showed her a small clearing that was shaped like a semicircle where the water cascaded over the lip of the rocks forming a natural shower. There was moss along the bank making a soft carpet and a small pool under the falls.

"I clean off here and wash my clothes." she explained laying the bundle down and untying it. Lenora had taken old clothes and made them into towels for drying and she had several shirts and pants to change in to.

"I don't know if any of this will fit you, but it looks like that shirt you have on has seen better days." she said laying out some cleaner and less torn and thread bare shirt and pants.

Meg looked down at her clothes. Her jacket was still wearable but could use a wash, her shirt was torn in numerous places with stains she was sure were blood or something worse and her pants had one knee ripped out along with being covered in dirt, blood and several unknown stains. She looked to the natural shower and began to strip out of her clothes. She kicked her boots to the side and laid her weapons within easy reach before walking to the pool and stepping into the cold water. Chills ran up her body as it adjusted to the temperature. Even though she didn't have soap or shampoo, it felt so good to stand under the rain of water and let it wash the dirt and sweat and grim from her body. The pool came up to her waist as she stood in the deepest part and turned her face to the falling water. She ran her fingers through her hair trying to untangle a couple of matted spots in the back. She smiled happily and ran her hands up and down trying to dislodge what caked on dirt she could.

"If you use some of the sand from the bottom to wash with it works pretty good." Lenora called to her from where she was washing out clothes.

"Thanks." she replied bending down to scoop up a hand full and scrubbing it over her arms and stomach. She had to admit, it did feel good as she did it again. Once she was as clean as she could get, she walked toward the bank and grabbed a makeshift towel to dry off as best she could. She looked up once and saw Lenora was walking over to the waterfall to wash off and turned away to allow her some privacy. She shook out the new clothes and slipped on the ones that looked like they would fit. Meg spread out her towel and wet clothes on some rocks in the sun to dry while she waited for Lenora to finish her shower. She sat down in the sun to warm up and had to admit she almost felt human. Lenora finished up her shower and was slipping on her clothes when Meg turned to her.

"Can you show me your map now; I wanna start looking for the angel."

"Sure, we can leave the clothes to dry here, there's no one to mess with them." she replied getting up and heading back toward the tree house. They climbed back up to the structure and she pulled out a dirty looking rag that she rolled out to show markings on it.

"We are here." she pointed to a spot where she had drawn the rocky cliffs and behind that the tree house. "I have safe places, here, here and here that are still useable. I'm still looking to replace two others that were compromised."

"Not bad, you're my kind of survivor." Meg nodded impressed with her detail to the map.

"The Order is here and they claim territory all around here."

"Awful bold aren't they? So there's no one out there that oppose them, not even the Leviathan?"

"From what I can tell, they have a sort of truce, they leave each other alone." she shrugged. "Over here are just monsters in groups of two or three or four. They prey on each other but stay away from the Orders land."

"Maybe I can cause a little distrust while I'm looking for Castiel." Meg decided as she studied the map carefully. "Where would you think someone would try to hide from those trying to kill him?"

"Best guess, I say over here maybe." she pointed.

"Ok, I'm going to do some scouting to see what I can find, you stay here."

"Nothing doing, we do it together or not at all. You need someone to watch your back." Lenora said with determination as she picked up her weapons and slung it over her shoulder by the strap. "Come on we can make it to the first safe haven by dark."

"I'm liking your style Lenora." Meg mumbled following her back out picking up her weapons and bag along the way.

spn

Castiel moved silently through the trees listening for any movement around him. He had lost the ones chasing him several hours ago, but had not stopped running. He wanted to get as far from them as possible before stopping for a short breather. He paused long enough to get his bearing before moving on.

He had helped Dean get to the portal and through it before it had closed. They didn't know if he could go through it to begin with, but he had not planned on trying. He deemed this was his punishment for what he did when he opened the door to Purgatory and absorbed all the souls there. He had turned into a god and had done some very bad things on Earth and in Heaven. How could anyone forgive him if he couldn't forgive himself for that? So many humans and angels had died at his hands before he came to his senses and realized he had to stop. His human vessel couldn't hold the power of all those souls and was rapidly deteriorating. With the help of the Winchesters, Castiel was able to return the souls to Purgatory, except the worse of the worse wouldn't let go and he released the Leviathans into the world. Once again it was up to the Winchesters to save the world and rid it of the monsters who wanted to take over and eat their way through humankind. When Dean and he killed their leader, they were sent to Purgatory. Now that Dean was safe, he could do his penance for his sins.

Darkness was descending on the land and Castiel searched for a place to spend the night. He found a small space among a stand of young trees that looked like it would suit his needs. He squeezed his body through the trunks and pulled his trench coat tight before settling down facing the small entrance. He didn't need sleep but taking time to rest made it easier on him during the day. He was able to let his body recharge as best it could. Since he was cut off from Heaven, he had to be careful about using his power because it took him longer to recharge. It was like he was running on half power. He let his mind reach out listening and trying to sense the night noises around him. He couldn't let himself completely relax because that's what got you killed. He learned that from his friend and who he considered his family, Dean Winchester.

spn

Several months had passed and Meg and Lenora were still looking for the angel. Lenora had spread the word to those she knew to keep a look out for him and if they found any information, to contact her. They had caught and questioned a number of different monsters in their search but none had any leads. Meg was starting to get frustrated, but she wasn't giving up, he was out there somewhere and she was going to find him. She looked over the next grid they were going to search while she waited on Lenora to finish talking to a vampire from her previous nest.

"We may have gotten a break, Stewart said he heard talk of the one Walker was looking for over near the lake. Can't guarantee he's still there because that was several days ago, but it's a place to start."

"Show me." Meg ordered holding out the crude map to her.

"We are here and from what he said, it was around this area." she showed her.

Meg studied the area closely taking in the surroundings trying to determine which way he would have gone. One way would of taken him too close the Order's land, so she looked in the other directions. Deciding on a starting point, she looked up at Lenora who was waiting for her to talk.

"I say we head this way, it puts him at an advantage taking the higher ground and harder to be attacked." Meg told her folding the map and putting it back into her pack.

"Lead on." she replied shouldering her pack too.

A/N: Thank you to all who are reading this story and hope you have enjoyed this chapter. Meg will find her angel soon and decisions will need to be made. Thanks to all who have left me reviews. I do like to hear from you, if you have a moment, leave me one. NC