It was a fairly quiet night and you could hear the muffled voices coming from upstairs. Bobby said, "Boys, let's take a walk outside. I hear it's a nice night."
Sam looked concerned. "Did Cas seem different to you? Something is wrong."
"There is nothing wrong with Cas." Dean defended. "He just has a lot going on and doesn't have time to deal with a bratty little sister. Just like I have to every day, right Samantha!" He teased.
Sam just rolled his eyes at Dean but couldn't shake the feeling that something was different about Cas.
Bobby looked upwards to the stairs as they stepped outside. "Let them work this out for themselves."
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Julianna paced back and forth in her room. Waiting for him to come and speak with her about something she has done wrong is the worst feeling ever! He must do this on purpose to punish her.
The door opened then.
"Castiel, I told you. I'm sorry. I am. " It was all Jules could say and she blurted it out the second he walked through the door.
Cas stood at the door and gave her a long hard look. She met his eyes at first but then she started to get nervous. It was like he was seeing right through her. Julianna lowered her eyes.
He spoke then with that low serious tone that he often used when he was trying to make a point.
"You disrespected Bobby. You didn't listen to what I told you or what he told you. You are speaking a language that I do not understand and I do not like it. You spoke about sex as if you are engaging in it and I am curious how you know of the different uses for whipped cream."
Julianna hesitated. She didn't know anything about sex or whipped cream. She was imitating a television show. "I, well, I saw this television…"
"I didn't ask you to speak. Why are you speaking?" Cas interrupted.
Julianna stopped cold. Her mind was racing. He was angry. He admitted as much. The question is how to get out of this without another mortifying trip to the lake. For an angel who isn't supposed to have any emotion or show any feeling, he was quite capable of showing exactly how he felt. It was not something Julianna wanted to ever be on the receiving end of again.
Castiel's voice seemed angry and frustrated now.
"Do you think I want to fight this war? Don't you think that I am tired of the fighting?" His voice beginning to raise then. "I am doing what I have to do! Why can't you do what you have to do? Why doesn't anyone understand that this is war? I am fighting a war! Do you think I have time to mediate these ridiculous arguments?"
"I,, I'm sorry." It was all Julianna could stammer.
"What would you have me do Julianna?"
"Brother?"
"I am trying to keep you safe. I am trying to stop an archangel from taking over heaven. I am trying to win a war. Would you have me stay here and make sure that my little sister behaves herself? Perhaps I should let everything else go? What would you have me do?"
Julianna ran that through her mind. What would she have him do? It was a trick question for sure but she knew the rule. Keep quiet unless he asks you a question. Then if he asks, you better answer with something good.
"What would I have you do? I wish only for your safety brother. I know how many angels are dying and I fear for you. I can't ask you to stop fighting this war but I wish I could. I ask Father every night to help you but He doesn't answer. I didn't know you would come down here. Bobby and I could have worked it out I'm sure. I should apologize for causing you to have to come down here but it would be a lie. I am glad to see you even if you are unhappy with me." Darn it, Julianna thought. She probably should have left that last part out.
Castiel only nodded in understanding but his face was tight and serious.
"Come here Julianna."
She hesitated. Looking at him, she bit her lip and stalled.
"Julianna"
Julianna couldn't seem to find her voice again. That happened a lot when Castiel was angry with her.
Cas pointed at her and then pointed at the space on the floor in front of him.
She walked slowly to him and stood in the spot he indicated keeping her eyes lowered.
He put one hand on her shoulder and lifted her chin so she was looking at him.
"I think perhaps we need to visit the lake again."
"Castiel,,, please,," Julianna felt her face flush red and the tears fill her eyes. "Please brother, I was wrong. I know. I'm sorry. I will make it up to Bobby and you. You don't have to punish me...like that. It's so,, so,, human."
Cas locked eyes with her then. He hated to see her cry. He still wasn't used to it. "I find it to be unpleasant as well but I have to know you will behave from now on. You have promised me before. You will have to rebuild my trust. Do you think that is something you can do?"
"Yes Brother. I will do my best." Julianna hated that he implied not trusting her. Her stomach started hurting.
"This sex talk and whipped cream, what do you know of it?"
"Nothing brother honestly. I was watching a television show and they talked of it in a joking manner."
Cas nodded, considering her answer.
"Get used to being here because this room is where you will stay for the rest of the week. I think it is safe to say that Bobby will not be taking you out with him anytime soon. THERE WILL BE NO MORE TELEVISION! Is that understood?"
"Yes sir" She responded quietly.
"I will speak with Bobby and come to some agreement about what you will be allowed to watch and what you will not. Until then, no television."
"Yes brother"
Cas nodded then as if satisfied.
"Julianna. I didn't just happen to be here by chance tonight. I have to speak to you about something important."
Jules just looked up at him. Tears still in her eyes threatening to fall at any moment.
He spoke quietly then but firmly.
"This war, well it requires things from me that I thought I would never have to give. I don't know if what I am doing is right or wrong. I asked our Father for guidance and received nothing from him. I can't let Raphael win and start the apocalypse all over again. Not after everything we went through to stop it. Not after everything we lost. I can't and I won't let that happen. I will do what I have to do and go where I have to go to make sure that this world remains safe. I might not be here for a while but I will always come back to you if I can. Do you understand what I am saying to you?"
Julianna locked eyes with her big brother.
"Are you saying goodbye?" Julianna barely whispered the question. She felt like her throat was closing.
"I am saying that I am considering doing something that will help me win this war but it is unpredictable."
"What are you considering?"
Cas shook his head. "No Julianna. You just concentrate on behaving yourself so I don't have to worry about you. You need to be thinking about how you plan on making it up to Bobby as well."
Julianna's tears fell then and she wrapped her arms around her brother. "I really am sorry brother. You will see that I can be trusted. Please be careful. I couldn't bear it if anything happened to you."
Castiel returned the hug from his little sister and strangely found comfort in it that he never felt before.
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The End
I hope you liked it. I welcome all reviews and suggestions. Thank you so much for taking the time to read it. Your encouragement has been amazing!
