Castiel woke to the loud, obnoxious ringing of Imogen's cell phone. It seemed like it would have gone on ringing forever if he hadn't sat up and answered it.
"Hello?" he groaned into the phone, not stopping to think that maybe he shouldn't answer someone elses.
"Hello?" the voice on the other end repeated, "Who is this and why do you have my sister's phone?"
"Sam?" Castiel asked as the fog of sleep started to clear from his mind.
"Cas?" Sam asked, sounding confused, "You're with Imogen?"
"Yes, we're working a case together."
"Okay… Well, I got some information for her. Is she around?"
Castiel looked at the bed and saw Imogen snoozing on it, "She's sleeping," he said, "I'll wake her."
"I can just tell you what I found out," Sam stated, "So I was doing some digging in some of the Men of Letters books and I came across this like fairy vampire thing. Her name is Leanan Sidhe. She's supposed to be in Ireland, but with all the other crazy crap going on who knows? Anyways, basically she seeks the love of humans and appears to artist men, like musicians, artists, writes, stuff like that. She makes the men her lovers and shares her magic and creativity with them, but then she leaves the men and they become so depressed that they eventually die, usually by suicide. The lore says that she takes them back to her lair and bleeds their blood into some kind of a cauldron and then she drinks it so she can stay young and beautiful."
"That's not exactly what we saw the other day though."
"I know," Sam nodded, "Imogen was telling me about it. But maybe she's doing things a little out of order in hopes that no one will catch on. Or maybe it's just easier this way. I don't know, but I'd be willing to bet this is what you're dealing with."
Castiel scratched his stubbly chin, keeping the phone pressed against his ear, "I think you're right. Does the lore say how to kill it?"
A small sigh escaped Sam, "Not exactly," he admitted, "It says in order to keep Leanan Sidhe from rising you have to place a cairn of stones over her resting place."
"How do we know where her resting place is?" Castiel inquired, "I mean, is there a way to find out?"
"I don't know," Sam admitted, "There's nothing in the lore that says she's tied to one location. So really it could be anywhere. And most likely back in Ireland where she probably came from."
"So what can we do?" Castiel asked, "This is seeming rather fruitless."
"Well, there is one thing that I read. I don't know if it will work or not though."
"What is it?"
"I read that if someone accepts the love of Leanan Sidhe that they are hers until they die or find someone to replace her. But if they refuse her love then she must be their slave."
"Really?" Castiel asked, sounding pleasantly surprised, "That's a useful bit of information."
"Yeah, but here's the thing Castiel. I could be wrong, but I'd be willing to bet that refusing her advances will be nearly impossible. I mean, she's a slave to no one. So obviously no one has ever turned her down."
"I will," Castiel stated, "I will turn her down."
"Cas, I don't think you know what you're up against. This evil fairy-vampire thing could be stronger than you."
"Sam," Castiel stated loudly, "I'm a former angel. If anyone can see past her womanly charms it's going to be me."
"Just be careful," Sam said with a sigh, "And keep my sister safe."
"I will do my best," Castiel replied before hanging up the phone and turning to go to the shower.
It was amazing that Imogen had slept through Castiel's entire phone conversation with her brother since she was generally a very light sleeper, especially when she was sober. So the fact that Castiel didn't wake her up until he was wandering out of the bathroom in just a towel was nothing short of a miracle.
"Hey buddy," Imogen rubbed the sleep from her eyes as she sat up and saw him, "What time is it?"
"Almost ten," the man said as he dropped his towel right in front of her, obviously not concerned with privacy, and proceeded to pull on his boxers.
"Ah geeze," Imogen blushed. She generally wasn't shy, however she'd known Castiel since she was quite young and she's never really realized he was a man. In fact, she just saw him as an angel, nothing more. Now there was no denying the fact that he most definitely was a man with man parts.
"What?" Castiel asked, pulling a t-shirt from his bag, "Are you all right?"
"Oh yeah," she rubbed her forehead, "Just wasn't expecting to see full frontal nudity first thing in the morning."
"I'm sorry. You changed clothes in front of me the other day, so I assumed it wasn't a problem," he pulled his pants on and buttoned them.
"Well, I mean I wasn't completely naked but-" she stopped herself mid-sentence, not feeling like explaining things to the man, "You're right, it's not a problem," she shook her head, trying to get the visual of the man's penis out of her head, "I just wasn't expecting it."
"I talked to Sam," Castiel informed, and Imogen was thankful that the conversation had taken a new turn.
"He called you?" she inquired, "I didn't think he knew we were working this case together."
"He didn't. I answered your phone."
"Oh great," Imogen breathed out, "Now he's going to think I've seduced you."
Castiel eyed her, slightly confused, but moved on, "He found some information on what we might be hunting."
"Did he?"
"Yes he did," then Castiel went on to explain what Sam had told him on the phone and the plan that he had concocted.
The corners of Imogen's mouth turned down into a frown, "Cas, that sounds way too risky. There's got to be another way."
"Can you think of one?" he asked, sounding rather annoyed, "Because if you have a better plan I would be happy to hear it."
Imogen sighed and shook her head, slowly getting to her feet, "I don't think you realize what you're up against."
"That's exactly what your brother said," he barked, "So I'm going to tell you what I told him. I used to be an angel of the lord. I'm not exactly all human. I firmly believe that if anyone can fend off her advances that it will be me."
"Okay, okay," she waved him off, "Let's give it a shot," still not really liking the plan very much.
"Thank you," the man half smiled, "Now, is any of that pizza left over from last night?"
"I think so, check the mini fridge," she pointed to it as she walked into the bathroom to get herself showered and ready to go out on the hunt. She was worried, to say the least, she didn't want the demise of one of the Winchesters only allies to be on her hands. But she couldn't deny the fact that Castiel wasn't wrong. He was still strong. If anyone could do it, it was going to be him.
It was almost exactly an hour later when Imogen and Castiel were pulling up alongside of the forest and Imogen was parking her car in the trees so no one would come and investigate what they were doing. She stuffed her pistol into the waistband of her jeans and then reached over into the glove compartment and pulled out another one.
"Here," she handed it to him, "Keep this on you. Could come in handy," she watched as he took it hesitantly and stared at it as if it was completely foreign, "You know how to use it?"
Slowly the man nodded, "I have used one on occasion. I'm not the most skilled, but I know how to use it."
"We'll do some target practice another day," she said, shutting off the car, leaving the keys in the ignition, and getting out, "Come on, you have a vampire fairy to make your bitch," she said with a smirk.
Castiel looked at her curiously but nodded, getting out of the car himself and watching her walk towards him.
"You sure you can do this, Cas?"
"No," he replied honestly.
Imogen patted him on the shoulder, "I'm sure," she lied, attempting to build his confidence.
"You do?" he questioned.
"Absolutely," she smiled convincingly, "You're one of the most bad ass people I know. If you can't do it then no one can. Now let's go kick some fairy-pire ass," she walked ahead of him, leading the way back into the forest.
Castiel followed quickly behind, "Maybe you shouldn't come along."
She raised an eyebrow as she turned to look at him, grabbing his arm to stop him in his tracks, "What are you talking about?"
"Well, she may not show herself if you appear. Or if she does something might happen to you."
It took everything in Imogen not to roll her eyes, "I'm coming," she told him, "I can take care of myself, but thanks."
The dark haired man sighed, "Okay, well what about my first concern of her not appearing if you are present?"
She bit her lip, "Okay, point taken," she admitted hesitantly, "I'll hide in a bush and keep an eye on you. But there's no way in hell I'm going to leave you to fend for yourself."
"I thought you said I was capable of doing this?"
"You are," she nodded, "Just so long as you have me for back up."
The two were mostly silent as they walked the rest of the way into the forest. Once the clearing Imogen found herself a tree to squat behind and nodded to Castiel to make his way out of the trees. However he just stood next to her, shifting uncomfortably.
"What's wrong?" Imogen whispered, "Cold feet?"
"No," he said with a shake of his head.
For a few moments Imogen just looked at him, completely unsure of what was wrong, but then it hit her and she groaned softly, "You need to pee, don't you?"
He nodded.
"Go behind a damn tree," she barked, pointing into the forest, "Geeze."
Quickly the man disappeared behind the tree to do his business and came back less than a minute later.
"Better?"
"Much," Castiel said with a nod, checking that his pistol was tucked securely before walking out into the clearing and having a seat facing the water.
He and Imogen had discussed the plan on the drive from the motel. Castiel was to sit and stare out at the water and to write in a little notebook that she had given him. Do his best to get his creative energies flowing. They both agreed that would be the best way to draw her out. The both of them knew it would take hours, maybe even days, but it was the only plan they had.
Imogen's legs eventually started to cramp from squatting behind the tree so she sat down and crossed her legs, leaning up against another tree, but still making sure she was concealed. She watched for hours as he sat there, scribbling something in that little journal and she couldn't help but to wonder just what he was writing. She would have to remember to ask him that after this was all over.
It wasn't until she heard to soft murmur of Castiel's far off voice did she realize that she had fallen asleep. Now the sun was starting to set over the water and Castiel was standing up, his face shadowed along with the woman Imogen knew they were looking for. Now she was alert and ready to spring into action if the situation required it. As quietly as she could Imogen crept closer so she would be able to hear what they were saying to each other.
"What brings you here?" the woman's soft, silky voice was relaxing.
Imogen watched as Castiel held up the notebook he had been scribbling in, "Needed a change of scenery, I suppose."
The fairy reached up to gently caress Castiel's cheek, "Well, then I suppose you came to the right place."
Castiel took a small step towards her, his body warming to her's, "I would have to agree."
"What's your name?" she asked.
"Jimmy," he answered without missing a beat.
He's not half bad at this, she thought to herself, not taking his eyes off of either one.
"Hello Jimmy," her voice made both Imogen and Castiel tingle, "I'm glad to have met you."
"And I you," he said with a nod.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Anything," he said, as if he had known this woman his whole life.
"Do you find me attractive?" she asked, gently taking his hand, the two standing very close.
Slowly Castiel let his eyes trail up and down her body, "Yes, very much so."
A warm smile spread across her lips as she stood on her tip toes to kiss his ear and slowly down his neck, "Do you want to touch me?" she asked softly.
Imogen watched as Castiel's hands tightened into fists and then relaxed again and he nodded ever so slightly, his normal rigid body posture starting to ease itself and Imogen sensed this was going very wrong very fast.
She slowly grabbed his hand and put it on her hip, "We could be lovers," she told him.
Castiel leaned in close. Every fiber of his being wanting to be enveloped into her touch, make love to her right there on the shore, but his logical mind reminded him of his mission. Both were screaming him what he should do. But the physical was winning out by a long shot.
Imogen could tell he was struggling, and she wasn't going to take a chance of him losing this battle. That's what she was there for anyways, to be his back up. So she grabbed her gun, clicked the safety off, and headed into the clearing.
"No, Cas!" she barked loudly, "You can do this Cas. You're the only one who can do this."
Castiel glanced from Imogen and back to the fairy.
"Oh sweetie," the woman stepped closer to Castiel, as if Imogen hadn't just revealed herself, "I love you," she whispered, "Don't you love me too?"
"Castiel!" Imogen yelled, "Snap out of it! She doesn't love you! Okay? Remember our plan! Stick with our plan."
Castiel twitched and Imogen was glad that she had come out when she did. It was still touch and go, but if she had waited any longer there would be no pulling him back. Now it might just be possible.
"Cas, come on. You can do this. I know you're in there. I know that you know she's just a monster. She's evil Cas, you've gotta remember that."
The last thing Imogen saw before everything went dark was the flash of brightly glowing green eyes and an ear piercing screech.