The small convenience store was quiet for what time it was, but judging by the dust on the shelves it had been that way for awhile. Kayla cautiously crept along the aisles but didn't see or hear anything. It could easily be a set up, and if it was she'd at least like to know what she was up against. Just as she drew a breath to call out, a hand went over her mouth.

"You don't want to draw attention."

She smiled as he took his hand down. "Cas." Once she got a look at him it turned into a frown. "What happened? Are you okay?"

He tilted his head, then wiped some of the blood off his brow. "You shouldn't be here. It was difficult to get out the first time and now the numbers have tripled. With you here…"

"You'll have back up. Right? I'm sure that's what you were going to say."

"Actually I was going to say it'll be nearly impossible to protect you given the circumstances."

"Right." She rolled her eyes. "So what are the circumstances?"

"Demons, and a lot of them."

"So why don't we just zap out of here?"

"I can't, I've tried. There seems to be some sort of barrier. If it's like the first time, if I can get through the demons to the edge of town, I can use my powers again.

She nodded. "So, that's what's been kicking your ass all day? Demons?" Before he could give her a serious answer, she smirked and started pulling salt off the shelves. "I'm glad I'm here then, because anyone who screws with my angel, is screwing with me."

He watched her for a moment before he realized he had no idea of what to say to that. "There's too many of them for what you're trying to do."

"Relax. I hunt with the Winchesters." As quickly as she could she started mixing up salt water to soak her knife in, since they had been disarmed of the rest of their weapons. At least it was more than she had in TV land. "Demons I can do, if I can't kill them I can at least slow them down long enough for you to." She reached into her bra and found with relief what she was looking for; her rosary. The trickster gave her that much. Holy salt water, that should slow them down.

"You don't seem to realize how many demons we're talking about." Her determined expression didn't change and he sighed as she replaced her dagger at her side. "Right, let's go." As they left the store and headed down the street, he turned and gave her one of those looks she always got from Dean. "Don't fall behind."

"Cas."

"Please, just…"

She sidestepped him and drove her dagger into a demon's neck. As it hissed in pain, Cas grabbed it and the demon seeped from the body.

"Thank you."

"I got your back."

He nodded, more confidently this time. "Follow me."

They walked through the town and were never approached by more than two or three demons at time. Watching Cas was actually fascinating up close. When Dean fought demons it was like unleashing a fury, but Cas never tensed. Every move was easy and automatic, every perfectly placed blow showed centuries of training. He was an incredible fighter.

Suddenly Castiel's arm went out and snagged her, pulling her behind him as he stopped. She saw the cause for the block; demons were waiting at the intersection, and lots of them.

"Good thing you hunt with the Winchesters."

"Oh now you've got jokes."

"How would you go about getting through forty three demons?"

"One at a time preferably."

"I don't think we're going to have that option."