Chapter 7:

The morning had dawned properly but for some reason no one was awake. Guessing as it was a Sunday everyone was allowed a lie in but it was strange even the twins hadn't. They had woken only once and then nothing since.

Her fourth mug of tea was no longer hot. She'd paced and drunk too much caffeine and sitting down only made her worry worse.

She'd left Dean asleep after their making love two more times. He was fast off and as she'd left the warmth bed he hadn't moved.

Clasping her hands over the feather Tess sighed. She'd sat there with so many "what ifs" and "maybes" running through her head but suddenly she'd decided she needed to just take Dean's advice. There he was telling her to be reckless and "just go for it" so before he could tell her to stop she'd just go for it.

Clearing her mind completely she sat there and called for Sachael.

The pressure in her head increased and the feather seemed to grow hot. Suddenly a feeling of calm pressed against her mind and she felt the essence of Sachael.

Opening her eyes the kitchen was gone and she was standing in a grey landscape. Slate grey rocks and large boulders were all around her. Wind whipped around her causing a long shiver to shake her from tip to toe.

Pulling her sleeves down over her hands she looked around. There appeared to be nothing only boulders and the freezing winds.

Taking a deep breath she whispered, 'Sachael. I'm here to help you.'

The feeling of their link growing stronger made her rush faster towards a clearing. Her eyes widened as she saw her friend.

Sachael was draped across a boulder her wings were open and she was trembling. Tess guessed she was shivering with cold and pain and as Tess sat near to her the angel almost nuzzled against her body.

'Sachael. Are you ok?' she draped her arms around her friend's body and held her tightly. 'What happened? Who took you?'

Her body was frozen and cold and as she took a deep breath Tess realised her breathing seemed to be laboured and she whispered, 'Tessa… how did you find me?' her blue eyes were paler than before and she shivered.

'My link to you. It got stronger as soon as I called for you and I worked on finding you and then I was here.' She failed her hand around, 'Where is this anyway?'

Sachael shuddered, 'I…don't know.'

'Tell me who took you. Castiel is worried he can't find you. Your grace is gone and it was a shot in the dark with me being able to find you.' She hugged the angel too her.

Her body seemed to warm up and react to her touch and comfort. 'Look tell me and the sooner I know I can get you out.'

Shaking her head she groaned softly. 'I cannot.'

Stretching and quivering the angel's wings wilted as a spasm of pain rocked through her body, 'Castiel must give up searching for me.' The angel slumped and rolled forward, 'I mean it Tessa. He cannot find me here.'

Sobbing Tess held her friend tightly, 'You know he won't stop. Tell me Sachael. I need you he needs you.' Never before had Tess realised just how much she did need her friend and how important she was to her.

Tears fell on the ground and small flowers erupted from the place they had landed, 'Fine.'

Another spasm of pain left her panting for breath, 'Tell him, Raguel.'

A jolt of pain shattered the contact between her and Sachael and she knew for the time being the link had been broken. It was almost as if a hook had attached itself to her stomach and yanked her back into the world of the living.

Landing on the floor gasping for breath she opened her eyes slightly. Gagging she took several deep breaths. The tile floor swam into her vision.

She could see the broken tile near the cooker and a tiny splodge of gravy she'd missed made her feel her breakfast rise and she groaned.

Looking up Dean's green eyes swam into their full clarity. He was frowning and looking worried, 'You ok sweetheart?' he had known what she was up to and had waited to hold her.

When she'd disappeared from the room he had gasped and waited his eyes closed as he paced. Silently praying.

Nodding slightly she grabbed for him. 'We have to get Castiel.'

'Yeah we'll call him. Just hang on a sec.' pulling him into his arms. 'You ok?'

Nodding she loved being in his arms. He always made her feel so safe, 'I'm better now I'm with you.'

He kissed her head, 'Do you feel better?' comforted by her head nodding against his arm he lifted her slowly from the floor, 'We'll get you some water then I guess an angel or two will show up.'

The words hadn't long passed his lips when Castiel and Lailah arrived. 'We see you have been successful can you tell me what she said?'

Lailah as ever couldn't wait. She folded her arms and waited. Dean looked at them both then pointed to Tess, 'Can't you see she's not well.'

Tess sighed, 'Dean its fine.' She looked around at them, 'She's not good. Trust me just find her. She gave me a name.'

He straightened waited tensed, 'Raguel.'

Both angels straightened seriously surprised. 'Raguel.'

Lailah's voice dropped to a whisper that hissed with menace. It reverberated across the room. 'I knew he would be involved. It makes perfect sense.'

Moving back in her seat Tess stared at Castiel, 'Please tell me who he is and what he will have done with her.'

'Can you tell me what the place looked like? Any signs?' Lailah paced her trench coat flapping faster as she moved.

Tess told them everything. Lailah paced and Castiel stood as still as a statue. He hadn't moved the entire time she related the way Sachael was placed and what she'd said.

'Sounds like she is hidden in one of Raguel's rooms.'

Nodding as she wondered back towards the kitchen table. 'Well that proves it. We have to tell the others. Raguel cannot get away with this Castiel. He has our sister and your lover.'

Her eyes blazed dark blue and the air fizzed with frustration.

'Lailah calm down. We cannot be too hasty. There is no way we can go around and accuse a fellow angel of such treachery without proof.'

Screaming slightly Lailah turned her face becoming composed she looked at Tess, 'Thank you. I did not doubt your strength and resolve.'

Nodding at Dean she turned to Castiel, 'We must report this anyway. A thorough search IN ALL areas will now be undertook.' Castiel nodded. She disappeared leaving the angel alone.

'Do you wish to know more about Raguel?' his voice sounded slightly sad.

Tess reached for Dean's hand and grasped it enjoying the feeling of him reassured her.

Not waiting for a reply Castiel carried on, 'He is an archangel who oversees the behaviour of all guardian angels in heaven. If he deems behaviour to not be "good" he often takes measures to make sure the angel is then reminded who they serve. He is normally fair in his way of aligning angels under the social order but I believe he would consider this to be flouting laws.'

Dean nodded, 'Well why would he get so mad about this? I mean Sachael hasn't exactly done anything different she's not missed on doing her job and being a guide to other angels.'

'You would think so. I think that things are wrong in heaven at this moment and she is being used as a scapegoat.'

His eyes went faraway but suddenly he turned his raptor gaze on them both in an instant, 'I have to go. I am being called to a meeting. I will be back as soon as I find out more.'

Suddenly they were left alone. 'I feel sick Dean.' He pulled her close.

'Shush you are safe now.' Nodding she felt the tears run down her face and onto her shirt.