In the morning, Dean was surprised to discover that they still hadn't been reduced to ashes in a burning crater. He wondered why Zachariah hadn't shown up to smite him yet. Was he saving that for after Dean outdid Lucifer?

He looked over at his slumber buddy. Castiel lay close by, eyes still closed. What did a former angel dream about, his first night sleeping? Dean wondered. He tried to move quietly off the bed, but the light rustling of the springs of the mattress bounced enough to make Castiel's eyelids jump open.

"Dean." Castiel said immediately.

"Yeah, I'm here. Did you sleep okay?"

Castiel blinked and then sat up. "I am not sure how to answer that question."

"Do you feel well rested? Body stronger? No longer drowsy?"

Castiel looked down at himself. "I think so. Let's eat and then discuss what we need to do." Castiel climbed out of bed, passing Dean on the way over the left side of the bed. He seemed calm and collected, more like his cool angel self. He wasn't flustered or panicky anymore. Dean figured it must have been the lack of sleep for a couple of days. Yet…Dean felt an odd sense of loss rather than relief that his friend was feeling better. Why? Dean knew it had to do with his need to always look out for someone. Dean was determined he would still look out for Castiel. He started with making sure Cas had an appropriate breakfast.

Sam was going to go get the complementary donuts and coffee, but Dean insisted on going to a local restaurant and ordering Castiel a real meal. He would need the energy to get through the day while he got used to being a human being.

On the way over to the Perkins, Castiel told them everything that had happened. Castiel didn't have much luck finding an ally. Every angel he went to felt Castiel was going against prophecy and in what could have passed for a mini-trial, Castiel was deemed banished from Heaven, with Zachariah leading the proceedings. It was either that or to be killed altogether.

"Banished?" Dean said. "Man, that's harsh. But at least they didn't kill you. We can still get your grace back somehow. Did you find out what they plan to do about me?"

"Somewhat. They are already plotting to coerce you to complete the prophecy. The final seal did get broken, you didn't get there in time for that. So Lucifer must now be stopped. Whether it is prophecy or not. Although I am almost just as worried about Zachariah gaining power as I am Lucifer – not quite as much, but some, because Zachariah seems very power hungry lately and…well I get this impression that he plans on having a great deal to do with how this Paradise he speaks of turn out. Like it will be his Paradise, not God's. "

"We will have to be on alert at all times. We will be traveling a very dangerous road with serious consequences for two of the paths. Lucifer winning the battle is obviously the worst consequence. We absolutely mustn't let that happen. Zachariah's prophecy – and I am getting more and more convinced he and some higher ranking angels are in on it – is also a path that feel would be unsavory. Part of the reason I feel this way was when I was being punished for having feelings for Dean. Zachariah and some of his superiors seemed very threatened by the idea that Dean's perceptions and views could influence me. It is why they were so harsh to me."

Castiel looked up with regret in his eyes. Dean could feel the ache Castiel felt, as if it were his own. "I am sorry, Dean, for the way I treated you afterwards. You did not deserve that at all. Let me just say their coercion to get me to comply was exquisite and…you could call it brainwashing, to make it simple. Also, as I said, I wasn't sure if perhaps they were right. That Paradise had to be. They were convincing me that for you to have your way completely would be very dangerous. Later though, my inner alarm bells were telling me it was for personal reasons they wouldn't want me to listen to you, not because it would threaten God and his plan."

"Don't worry about it Cas," Dean said, as an acknowledgement of Castiel's apology. "This is interesting though. So they don't like my ideas, huh? My views on the world are too dangerous for powerful angelic beings? I must say, I sound like quite the stud now," he said, cracking his knuckles proudly and raising his eyebrows.

"Dean, you were already quite the stud if you had to be the one to stop Lucifer," Sam said.

"That was only because I was stupid enough to start it in the first place!"

"Castiel," Sam said. "Maybe this is an awkward question, but what were you talking about when you said you were having feelings for Dean?"

"Sam!" Dean whispered harshly. "That is a VERY awkward question. Will you shut up?"

"Sorry," Sam said. "I was just curious…"

"Never mind," Dean said, cutting Sam off. "Cas. What did you find out about how we can stop Lucifer? Let's get down to the important business here."

Castiel looked down. Dean couldn't tell if it was embarrassment about the whole conversation about feelings which was just about as awkward and chic-flick moment as you could get, or if he was just embarrassed that he didn't learn anything about Lucifer.

Castiel's intense gaze revealed nothing, other than the seriousness of their predicament. "I was not able to find out anything. No one would talk to me about it because I was in so much trouble. They said prophecy would lead you in the right direction, and I did not need to concern myself with such matters, it would only open dangerous paths."

"Dangerous paths for them, I bet," Dean said.

"Yes, in Zachariah's case and some of his superiors. However, I believe most of the angels are in the dark like I am, and felt it would open dangerous paths as in Lucifer could win."

"Well, I'm going to do my best to stop him, but this is sounding impossible!" Dean said, frustrated. "No one will tell me what I need to do to stop him."

"Well," Castiel said, "Despite what is happening to me, I feel like having a little faith that we will be headed in the right direction will help. I think our first step is to try and find Divine Guidance, as in as directly as possible, without the angels in the way."

"Pardon me, Cas, but are you thinking God is just suddenly going to talk to you directly when the angels themselves banished you? I don't mean to sound harsh," Dean said.

"Well, that's the thing. I don't know which angels are on what side, but," Castiel paused. "I have faith that God the Almighty would still communicate with me. Don't ask me how certain angels can step in and do against his will – there is a hierarchy in heaven with ranks of angels you can barely begin to understand. Also I believe the way things are going correlates with the old adage, 'God works in mysterious ways.' Anyway, I have a plan on how to get a message from God."

"Which is?" Dean asked.

"We need to find someone very devout. A human being who would only listen to the clear, true voice of God."