I'm awful, I know. I've just been so lazy and blah. School started two weeks ago and I was sick three weeks ago. I've just been so lazy! I realize, this is one of my first almost completely written stories prior to actually publishing on websites, so it is a bit splotchy and missing pieces and such, but I'm still happy I was committed somewhat. Anyways, here's chapter 4.

"Damn it." Dean threw his bag on the couch before slouching into it. He scrubbed his face with his palm and sighed out loud, frustrated. He had never seen someone look so hurt before in his life; and he's seen his share of hurt. The way her face twisted with anger made him shudder; his chest tightened and his stomach twisted.

"Well, you heard Gabe. We can't do anything about it, Dean. She's probably still too pissed off at us for us to even approach her." Sam rocked back and forth on his heels at the edge of the room.

"I know, Sam," Dean sighed again, quietly this time. "I know, but still. I feel like an asshole. Just… I guess we should just give her some space first. Let's wait for her to talk to us." Sam nodded and headed upstairs to do his homework. Dean shoved his feelings aside and started up on his paper work. Despite the negative outcome of the situation, he couldn't help but blush at Gabriel's and Sam's observation, so yeah; he was a sick bastard. He was morbidly happy at the turn of things and his feelings weren't one-sided.

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Castielle was angry. She didn't show it but her friends could tell. The day she stormed out of the café, she walked home and went straight to her room. She shook and cried with anger for hours before calming down with dry heaves and a pounding headache. She dug into her night stand drawer and drew out her private box of things; important things.

She pulled out her mother's aquamarine crystal cross necklace and held it in her hands tight, endearingly. It hadn't been taken out since the accident and she needed it then for comfort. Castielle put the necklace on and tucked it under her shirt for safe measures and to hide it from her father before going downstairs to prepare dinner.

After the incident, Castielle went two weeks avoiding Sam and Dean. She went through her everyday routine and worked her usual shifts between the diner and the café; only she found it to be more of a chore then. She worked with Sam when she needed to at school, but then she would rush out of class as soon as the bell rang. She took care of her dad and kept up with school work as usual, but the gang knew there was something wrong and they couldn't handle it anymore.

"C'mon, A! This Friday is your birthday, isn't it? March 7th?" Castielle rolled her eyes and kept walking down to her locker. She hated her birthday; she hated presents and she hated all the extra nonsense that came with the package. Meg lightly clung to her arm, begging for an answer.

"Yeah, we can do dinner and a late night movie! All six of us! C'mon, Angel. It'll be fun!" Ruby ran ahead and stopped right in front of Castielle, making her stop lest she run into her. Castielle sighed and raised an eyebrow. Six? Meg and Ruby nodded their heads together, looking concerned. "Yes, A. You, me, Meg, the boys and Sam! We thought it'd be nice to add an addition to the group. He's a pretty cool guy and he's still rather new; thought we'd show him the ropes called 'Fun' in town." Castielle frowned as both Gadreel and Balthazar chimed in.

"Dinner?" Gadreel stepped forward.

"Movie?" Balthazar followed suit. Simultaneously they exclaimed, "Sounds great!" The way they acted was almost like a really bad musical; it made Castielle cringe and the two girls shook their head in disgust. Gadreel stuck out his tongue before continuing.

"Yeah, Sam's cool. It'd be awesome if he came." Balthazar looked at Castielle strangely.

"Why? Is there an issue? You guys haven't talked much in the past two weeks." Meg and Ruby looked at Castielle, nodding in agreement. Meg chimed in,

"Yeah, why is that?" Castielle shrugged and wrote down, it's nothing. You can invite him if you want. The four looked at her, skeptical before shrugging it off.

"We'd have to separate after the movie, though," Gadreel said, Balthazar nodding.

"Yeah, Gadreel and I have a game to go to in the afternoon. It's in another state, so we're driving together early in the morning."

"Me, too Angel. I live rather far from the theatre, so I can drive us there but I'd have to go back home. My mom would want me to be home right after or she'd freak," Meg apologized. Ruby frowned.

"I have to take my sister to a dance recital somewhere far too early in the morning. My mom's out of town and my dad has work." Castielle sighed and slouched her shoulders nodding. The bell rang and after apologizing again, they all separated.

Meg and Ruby saved Castielle from having to invite Sam for the get together on Friday, but it was still awkward. They were partners in their anatomy class and Castielle really did not want to talk about her birthday. In her eyes, her birthday was just another normal day and Sam seemed to respect that. It was Thursday when he brought it up.

"So, tomorrow… What's the plan?" Castielle shrugged, still focusing on the pig liver on their station and slowly cutting it open with a scalpel. "Do you want me to give you a ride? I can ask my brother to." Castielle shook her head and picked up her wrapped marker to write. She had to avoid getting formaldehyde and liver fat on her markers or she'd be buying new ones every day.

I'm working tomorrow, but you guys will see me later. Sam frowned and nodded, shifting awkwardly.

"Look, Castielle. I wanted to apolo-," Castielle stuck her hand up with the scalpel pointed in his general direction to shut him up. She didn't want an apology and she didn't want their pity. Sam sighed and nodded. "Okay." They turned back to their dissection lab and continued in silence, only talking when necessary.

Sam got home and saw his brother lying on the recliner and head bobbing while reading a book and listening to Led Zeppelin on his record player. His older brother completely loathed iPods for some reason.

"What's wrong with what I listen to?"

"One, they're cassettes and vinyls, Dean! Two, this is the twenty-first century!" Sam argued.

"Yeah, and you know who uses those? Douche-bags!" To this, Sam rolled his eyes. "Let it go, Sam!" With this, Dean sauntered off.

"Dean, could you drop me off at the All-Star diner tomorrow night?" Dean stuck one finger up finishing up a page and looked past his book, crooking an eyebrow.

"Sure, what for?" Sam shuffled back and forth between his feet.

"It's Angel's birthday tomorrow and she and her friends invited me over for dinner and a late-night movie." Dean sat up in his seat, closing the book.

"Whoa, it's her birthday tomorrow?" Sam nodded. "Why didn't she tell us?" Dean frowned; he was annoyed and hurt. If she really did like him, then why had she avoided and ignored him for the past two weeks? He wanted to give her space, sure, but still. There was only so much avoiding and ignoring he could handle. Sam sighed, reeling Dean back in from his thoughts.

"She's still mad… I tried to apologize and she held a scalpel in my face." Dean sputtered,

"A scalpel? She was about to shank you? What is she? A mystery, ex-con, mute? And dude, what the hell? You were supposed to wait!" Sam shrugged and smirked at his brother's accusation.

"No, you idiot. It was in our anatomy class. She's my partner." Dean nodded. He suddenly felt the need to buy her a present. "And I know… It was dumb on my part, but she just kind of… shoved me away." Dean saw his brother pouting and it made him upset. He sighed, realizing that worrying about it wasn't going to change anything, and that was his way of dealing with things; sweep them under the rug. He sighed and bobbed his head back and forth looking at his brother.

"Okay… I'll pick you up at the theatre then?" Sam nodded and they negotiated the time. Sam would have to text him after the movie ended. The theatre was a little further in town, so walking was out of the question.

It was finally Friday and Castielle had to go to the diner for work. It wasn't usually her shift but Abaddon needed an extra hand because someone called in sick. She had work at Sweet Bean that afternoon but Gabriel was more than understanding and he filled in for her that day.

The gang and Sam were coming around 8 for dinner, so she had to work until then. The shift was slow and quiet, and Meg and Ruby showed a little early to bother her and to snag a couple of milkshakes. They also came to make fun of her outfit. Castielle hated the little beige dress and white apron the workers had to wear, so she rarely let her friends come to the diner when it was on her shift; that day was an exception seeing how they were spending the night together, might as well meet her there.

Soon, Gadreel and Balthazar came in and sat at the booth with the other two girls; they sat at a circle booth in the corner of the diner and watched Castielle work and talking amongst one another. Castielle's shift ended at 8:30, so she would order them their food and drinks while she was working.

The door chimed and Castielle looked up from the register to see Sam and Dean walk in. Castielle froze and stared at the two of them, heat creeping up her neck in embarrassment and slight anger. She was still angry; it was irrational but she couldn't help it. Dean was staring back, still hunched over and holding the door open when Sam smacked his chest with the back of his hand to pay attention.

Dean blinked absently and slowly walked up to the counter. Sam walked over to the booth and sat down with the group. Castielle looked at Dean who was slowly approaching and she could see the tinge of red on his cheeks. She looked down at the register to avoid looking at him until he stopped in front of her. He cleared his throat and she jumped, looking up to see him closer than she'd ever seen him.

Freckles showered the bridge of his nose and his cheeks and his eyes glimmered a beautiful green; golden flakes accenting them. She glanced down to his mouth and his perfect smile; his lips were a gorgeous shade of pink and full; if she kissed him, she'd probably find them to be soft, too. They were just that damn kissable.

She looked back up to see him focusing on her intently and suspiciously, watching her observing him. Castielle pursed in her lips and tried to will her blush away. From the side, the group were whistling and catcalling at the two of them causing her cheeks to flush even more. Dean coughed and Castielle looked back up to see him half-smiling at her.

"You look… you look good." Castielle turned her face away to calm down before turning around and smiling, curtsying lightly. He chuckled in response and it made her heart skip a beat. Picking up her pad, she tapped her pen, prompting him to order something. "Oh, oh. Yeah, can I get a cheeseburger and fries? And some pie if you've got any."

Castielle picked up the menu on the side and pointed at the different pies they had. He peered over and worried his lip. "Can I get an apple pie?" Castielle politely smiled and wrote down his order before ringing it in. She sat there looking around, waiting patiently for the order to be done so she could finish up her shift. Dean was leaning on the counter staring at his folded hands.

"Wow, I didn't know you worked here." Castielle jumped at his voice and smiled awkwardly, nodding. "Sam and I came here the day we met at the school." He huffed in amusement. "It's like we're drawn together or something stupid." He shook his head before raising his head to meet her eyes. The corner of his mouth twitched into a frown and Castielle felt heavy all of a sudden. "Angel, listen… I'm really sorry. About the other week."

Castielle lifted her hand in protest and he flinched back, a face of rejection beginning to shadow his face. She picked up her pad and began writing down, Please Dean. Just don't. Not now. I want to tell you, but I'm still not ready. They both stared into each other's eyes until the bell ringing for the order interrupted them.

Quickly turning around and bagging Dean's food, Castielle exhaled slowly to get her heartbeat to calm down before turning back around and handing it to him. As he pulled out his wallet to pay, Castielle raised her hand and shook her head, smiling. Castielle watched him chew the bottom of his lip thanking her. Before he went out the door, he turned around and said something she wasn't expecting.

"You know, you should smile more often. It suits you." He winked and went out the door; Castielle sighed hard as she watched him get in his car and leave. Castielle took off her apron and joined her friends for dinner to celebrate her birthday.

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Dean was nervous on the car ride to drop off his brother. Even though the diner was close by, he wanted to go and get some food for dinner since he hadn't had the time earlier in the evening to grab groceries. Even the process of getting ready to go there was one he hadn't expected.

He took a shower, cleaned the pipes, and changed into his nicest jeans, a grey Henley shirt and his black utility coat; jeez, when did he turn into a teenage girl? Sam looked at him suspiciously, smirking at the idea that his brother had just freshened up to see the birthday girl.

He had suspected that Angel had caught his brother's eye the moment they moved there; she was just his type, and she didn't talk much. What Sam didn't expect was how much his brother had liked her; enough to actually be changing that much for the one girl. His brother, as young as he was, was promiscuous. He had his one night stands and he never had serious relationships because, let's face it; he was a real heartbreaker.

Dean just did not do commitment. His brother was jittery and acting strange as if he was nervous; as if it was his first date, yet he didn't even know if she was going to be there or not.

When they got to the diner and Dean insisted on going in to order food, they hadn't expected that it was Angel to be working behind the counter. Dean's heart stopped momentarily to see just how cute she looked in her uniform. They'd both been there that first time and a couple times after and he knew that the diner itself was rather modeled in a vintage style, but he didn't realize the uniforms.

The beige dress went well with her complexion and the way she held herself, unembarrassed, was the kicker. He hadn't realized he was staring or holding his breath until Sam hit him in the chest with the back of his hand. The conversation between the two of them was still a bit choppy, but Dean could tell that she was slowly opening up to him and it made him happy.

Sam went over to the booth and watched his brother act like a little boy around Angel. He couldn't help but talk about their "spark" with the group of friends he'd acquired in the 2 months he had stayed. Once they started catcalling and wolf whistling, he couldn't help but feel embarrassed for the both of them. He was proud, though. Sam hadn't seen his brother this happy in a long time, so he let it be. He was just surprised that his brother left as soon as he got his food; he'd expected him to stay a little longer.

Dean parked his car on the driveway and slammed his forehead onto the steering wheel.

"Ugh, I'm so stupid. I forgot to tell her happy birthday." He exhaled sharply before getting out and going inside to eat his food quietly, waiting for his brother to call or text him in the next couple of hours. He leaned into the couch and put his feet on the coffee table before turning on the television and watching some bad procedural cop show. He'd rather soon dig his own grave than let Sammy know he watched these types of shows.

He shoved a hand in his pocket and gripped onto the little present he got for Wolf. He decided that he would give it to her when he would pick them up and walk her across the street, wishing her a happy birthday. He smiled at his plan and proceeded to watch his show, slowly lulling into a dreamless sleep.

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The movie was epic to say the least. It was an action-packed, romance movie set in a periodical time. It was also a unanimous choice and everyone enjoyed it. When Castielle and the group walked out of the theatre, everyone gave their presents, said their byes and went their separate ways leaving Sam and her to stand there awkwardly.

"I can hold your presents if you want while we wait; I've got my bag?" He pulled his backpack off his shoulders and opened it for her to dump her gifts in. "Oh, and hey, I forgot to tell you earlier, but my brother insisted that he took you home since it was so late." He checked his watch and his eyes went wide.

"Yeah, it's 1:25. It'd be safer and faster if we took you." Castielle nodded slowly, smiling in appreciation. Sam ran his hand over his hair and grimaced. "Yuck! Ugh, Gadreel and Balthazar must've put syrup in my hair!" Castielle laughed and chewed her lip guiltily; she knew their plans and what they were doing, hell she even watched.

"Wait here for a bit, I'm going to go wash this out and wash my hands. I'll try to call my brother, too so I'll be right back." Castielle nodded and watched Sam walk back into the theatre, shaking his hands in disgust. Castielle paced back and forth patiently while breathing out into the air. Her breath condensed into the cold air, leaving trails of white clouds to dissipate into the night.

She checked her phone for texts from her friends and Gabe and Anna; she was also nervous about seeing Dean again. Thinking that the footsteps heading her way were Sam's, Castielle was about to turn around. Instead, two men walked on either side of her, linking their arms together, and dragging her down the sidewalk causing her to drop her phone. Confused, Castielle started panicking but her wails wouldn't come out. Struggling, the two hooded men were bigger and overpowered here rather easily, causing her to lose her energy even faster. They dragged her into an alleyway behind the theatre where there was another man leaning against the wall, waiting for them.

"Hello, little whore. Happy birthday." Castielle looked closely; the corner emergency light reflected the man's face and it was Gordon, one of the jocks from school that always harassed her in the hallways. Her eyes went wide and she shuddered in fear, trying hopelessly to free herself from the other two guys, who she assumed were Kubrick and Raphael, the same ones that followed him around everywhere.

She knew that the three were notorious for their sexual endeavors, but she hadn't expected them to play dirty. The three of them were slimy bastards with good families but no one liked them, only respecting them because they were part of the football team.

The two pushed her up against the wall and held her arms up and apart as Gordon slid over and pressed himself over Castielle, whispering in her ear. "I overheard your little birthday bash was tonight, so we decided to wait here for you. We wanted to give you a little present, whore." Tears started welling in Castielle's eyes and she turned her face away from Gordon's.

He grabbed her chin and squeezed her cheeks together before worming his tongue in her mouth. Castielle bit down hard on his lip and he stumbled backwards, rage emitting from his body. He stomped back up to her and smacked Castielle in the face with the back of his hand; she could feel warm liquid roll down her cheek. He must've cut her with the class ring on his finger.

"You stupid bitch! Ungrateful cunt! You want to act like a bitch? Then we're going to treat you like the little bitch you are!" He looked at Kubrick and Raphael, nodding, they pulled on her arms tighter and Gordon tore open her button up shirt. Kubrick covered Castielle's mouth to muffle her cries and all she could do was struggle and sob even harder.

At that moment, she wished Dean and Sam were there to protect her, to fight them off, but she knew that wasn't going to happen. She told them that she didn't need their help. She was going to be taken then and there and she couldn't do a thing about it.

Gordon slid his thigh between her legs and pushed up hard. It was the same technique that he father used and it was always really uncomfortable for her. It made her tip toe and close her legs tight, but the two lackeys used their legs to spread hers wider. "You little slut. I know you like it. If daddy can do it, why can't we? I bet you like it when daddy spreads your legs wide. You take it like the little slut you are."

Castielle tried pulling and tugging her arms away, screaming and sobbing as Gordon slid his hands all over her body leaving her feel dirtied and tainted. She cried, wishing that it was just over. Today was just what it was, another day. Now she had a better reason to hate her birthday; she knew she would get the same treatment at home when facing her father.

Her attacker slowly unbuttoned her jeans, sliding his hand into her underwear; she felt a jolt of pain and pleasure ride up her spine and she cried harder knowing that it was useless trying to get away; but that didn't mean she would give up.

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Sam had walked out of the theatre and looked around. Castielle wasn't anywhere to be seen and he was beginning to panic. He had texted Dean when the movie was ending and he hadn't gotten a reply.

"Damn it!" Sam looked around, twirling back and forth to see if he could see her walking; there was nothing. It was quiet outside minus a few couples leaving the theatre. He decided to call his brother again and wait for him to pick up.

Dean felt something vibrate on his side making him jolt awake. The television was still blaring what looked like Doctor Sexy M.D. and he checked his watch, it was 1:35. He shot up out of his seat and checked his phone; he had nine missed calls. Wiping his face of drool, he grabbed his wallet and his keys and ran out to drive to the theatre. The phone rang again and Dean picked up.

"Hey, sorry. I fell asleep."

"Dean!? Dean, what the hell? Why haven't you picked up your phone?" Dean frowned, surprised at his brother's frantic tone.

"Calm down, Sam. Jesus, I was just taking a nap. What's wrong?" He could hear his brother groan and breathe heavily on the other side of the phone.

"Dean, she's GONE! I can't find her! I was gone for like 5 minutes and she just disappeared. She knew that we were taking her home and she stood there waiting for me. I can't find Angel!" Dean felt his heart drop to his stomach.

"I'll be there in 5 minutes, wait there." Dean hung up the phone and slammed his feet on the pedal. He probably broke about 5 different traffic laws that night, but he couldn't care less.

Dean might have illegally parked on the curb only to see his brother running his fingers through his hair, sweat dripping on his face and breathing hard.

"Sam, what happened?" The younger brother swirled around and stomped over to his brother, holding a phone in his hand. "Whose is this?" Sam glared.

"It's Angel's. I found it on the floor when I went to look for her. I think someone took her." Dean's heart stopped and he slowly began to feel with anxiety and rage.

"It hasn't been that long; I doubt they took her far. Let's split up." Sam nodded and they ran the corner and little alleyways, frantically searching for Wolf.

Dean heard a muffled scream somewhere near. He stopped dead in his tracks to follow the noise and it made him turn a corner to see three guys against a girl. Narrowing his eyes and focusing on the girl, his body tensed as he realized it was Wolf. The guy in the middle was pushing her against the wall, his hand shoved in her pants as she tried to kick and get away. Sam came up behind him right after and saw the three pushing the girl against the wall.

"Get off her." Dean stepped forward, growling from the bottom of his throat. It was a surprise he didn't attack them there; he was warning them and giving them a chance to walk away. The three men stopped and turned, looking at their audience and smiling snidely.

"Do you wish to join us? She's quite the little whore." The two holding her against the wall were laughing with their leader. Dean heard Wolf groan and moan low as she was crying, the leader's hand still in her jeans. "See? She obviously likes it." Dean gripped his fist tight, white knuckled; he could feel his nails puncturing the skin of his palm and blood rising.

"Get… the FUCK… off of her you sonsuvbitches." Sam stepped forward and looked at the assailants.

"Dean, those are the three that I fought last time." Dean looked from his brother and shot a glare at the three men and saw red. He picked up at a slow pace until he started running and he punched the leader in the face, breaking his nose.

Sam turned to call the police quickly, giving them the information before joining in the fight to protect the girl. The brothers worked together nicely; they synchronized their ducks and over passes. They punched and jabbed and kicked at a steady rhythm, spinning when necessary and switching roles in such unison that people knew not to mess with the two of them at once.

The fight lasted for quite some time before the sirens and lights of coppers and the loud footsteps of policemen arresting the three jocks filled the silent dark. Sam went to go talk to the officers when Dean turned around, only to be bombarded by a small girl and her arms around his waist. Dean pulled her in tighter and closed his eyes, wishing everything to have not gone the way it did and for her to be okay, willing it to disappear.

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Castielle watched the fight in awe and in fear. She felt cold and exposed as she dragged her body across the wall, curling herself up to protect herself from the fight and to store any heat against her body. Her shirt was ruined and her panties were soiled.

It seemed like forever until the sirens came and the fighting stopped with guns and dozens of men. Looking up, she saw Sam walk with the three bastards talking to the officer and she saw Dean with his back turned, his shoulders heaving up and down in synch with his breathing. Castielle got up and ran up to the man, wrapping her arms around his waist, pressing her face against him and crying into his back. He turned around, adjusting himself and held her close, giving her the sense of security and comfort that she needed.

She pushed herself away, throwing her arms behind his neck and pulling him in, pressing her open mouth against his. Dean went tense under her for a second before relaxing and leaning into it, coaxing her mouth with his warmth. He slowly trailed his hands upwards and curled one around the base of her neck while the other caressed her cheek, rubbing her cheekbones with the pad of his thumb and wiping her tears away. She winced at the pressure against her cheek causing them to stop.

"Sorry…" Dean lightly brushed his lips against hers and they angled their mouths lapping at each other; suckling and chewing on the other's lips. Everything tasted like salt from the tears, but the warmth of Dean's kisses soothed her worries. His lips were soft and formed perfectly to hers; she couldn't help but to just melt into them. It smelled like sweat and testosterone and blood, yet Dean's scent overpowered it all; the smell of sandalwood, apple pie. The smell of home.

The kiss wasn't heated; it was security for the both of them. It was peace for Castielle and it was Castielle's proof and evidence of her thankfulness, her gratitude and her care for the man on the receiving end. It was everything she could muster up and deliver to him without the use of words. She was glad that it was Dean that found her and it was Dean who fought for her.

Dean pulled back slightly, breathing heavily. He rested his forehead against Castielle's and she stared into his eyes. He returned her stare with looks of affection and she couldn't help but blush. She knew her eyes were probably puffy, swollen and red; she probably had snot running down her nose and the sweat from struggling probably made her hair curl and stick to her face. She knew her cheek was swollen, bruised and bleeding but she couldn't care any less with the way he was looking at her.

He leaned in forward again, never blinking and lightly kissed her mouth over and over again, smiling brighter and wider with each one returned. He moved the hand on her cheek down to wrap around her waist and bring her in closer. Someone cleared their throat from the side and Castielle jumped slightly, pulling away only to be stopped by his arm. Castielle looked and it was Sam shuffling, blushing at what he'd just experienced, and standing next to a cop.

"We need statements and what happened, if you please. Or do you two lovebirds need a minute or two alone?" Castielle blushed hard and looked up at Dean who looked down at her nodding, also blushing. "Okay, if you can come with me. Your brother has gone to the medical team; I suggest the both of you do, too." Castielle nodded, shivering as she realized that she was almost completely naked. An officer walked over and draped a heavy blanket over her before bringing her over to the ambulance.

Dean and Sam answered most of the questions and the police had to accommodate for the means of communication on Castielle's part which was rather discouraging. The EMT noted the evidence her body showed from the attack and took pictures before treating her, mainly her bloody cheek, and the brothers of their bruises and cuts. Luckily there were no broken bones; just bruises and scratches and no rape kit was necessary, under the request of Castielle, besides a swab of the mouth for DNA and traces of blood.

They took all of her clothes as evidence, giving her a change of clothes, and soon, the EMT left Castielle alone to cope and to calm down. The brothers came and sat on both sides of her on the back end of the ambulance. Sam reached over and hugged Castielle tight and all she could do was lean into it and smile. Tears threatened to fall from her eyes again but she blinked them away.

Castielle turned and kissed Sam on the cheek, smiling as a thank you before turning to her left where Dean sat. He pulled her into a hug, kissing her temple and holding her tight. Castielle melted into his embrace and loved every single moment of it; letting it wash over all the bad that happened no less than an hour ago. Castielle turned to face Dean, pulling the blanket tighter around herself; she leaned forward to kiss his cheek. He pressed into it, relaxing and holding her close. He chuckled lightly before apologizing.

"Sorry. What happened to, 'I don't need your help?'" Castielle scowled and playfully nudged Dean away. Sam only scoffed at his brother's stupidity. Dean pulled Castielle closer, whispering in her ear, "I'm sorry, baby. I'm so sorry… It's my fault; if I came on time, this wouldn't have happened." He inhaled slowly, and Castielle shook her head, running her fingers down his jaw, brushing it away.

Moments passed, "I'm guessing a 'happy birthday' is inappropriate, too?" Castielle snorted wetly and pressed her face against his chest as he pulled her flush against his person, twining their fingers together. Tears were forming and her nose began to run. Dean released their hands and she took the opportunity to wipe her face as she watched him dig into his pocket, pulling out a little grey box. She looked up with wide eyes in question.

He leaned in forward and whispered in her ear, "Happy birthday." Castielle took the box and gingerly opened it up. There was a silver pendant shaped like a wolf lying inside; the wolf was bent and its legs curled inwards like half of a missing piece. It was beautiful and Castielle lifted it out, examining the necklace with awe and sobs. Dean chuckled, rubbing the back of his head nervously and looking around but at her.

"There's a matching piece of that necklace…" He grabbed at his neck and pulled out the second pendant of a wolf mirroring the position, "If you want, we can wear it together—I'm not trying to make you… I mean, by all means… if you don't want to… Ugh, this is stupid…" Sam was snickering to Castielle's right and her cheeks grew hot and red. She took the pendant and wore it, aligning it together with Dean's matching pendant. When the wolves were pressed together; its curves and its paws shaped itself into a heart. Castielle chewed her lip, leaning inwards and lightly kissing her new lover. Pulling away, she leaned in closer to the side, close to his ear before she quietly whispered,

"Thank you."

Enjoyed it? Didn't enjoy it? I wrote this like.. two years ago and I was so proud of myself. I want to improve and excel as a writer, and well, bad writing is still writing. You can only get better with practice.

If you are a subscriber for Free At Last, don't worry. I'm still working, but like I've said. School, time, laziness. It all gets to me.