When they find Cas, it is almost surreal. For all the effort the brothers put into finding the angel, they didn't plan ahead for whay they would do afterward. They thought that their lead was skeptical at best and thus didn't expect to hit the jackpot so soon.

They come face to face with Cas on the platform number 4, waiting for a train that would arrive in 10 mitnutes. The three of them simply blink at one another, all caught off guard at this meeting. Cas recovers first, and suggests that they should move to a more sparsely populated place. The Winchesters look at each other then nod.

"Dean, Sam," Cas greets them at last. His tone is still soft. His eyes are not. The innocent wonder that was present in Emmanuel's are now replaced with something more grim and old.

"Cas."/"Emmanuel." Sam and Dean speaks at the same time. They click their mouth shut, feeling awkward. It's not everyday that you're not sure of what to call your friend.

The source of their problem curves his lips wryly. "I'm still Emmanuel," his voice is almost reassuring.

Sam doesn't know how to respond. After how elusive Cas has been, the hunter worried that they would have to physically restrain the guy to make him stop and talk to them. He didn't expect Emmanuel to be this civil. Even Dad had been more surly than this when he found his sons chasing after him.

"Right," Dean says. "So, uh, how much do you remember?" He shuffles his feet.

"I know I'm... Cas," the guy looks at Sam, but isn't able to maintain eye contact for long. "I'm sorry, Sam. I didn't know that I did that to you."

"It's okay," Sam is sincere, albeit a bit surprised at the direction of this conversation. It would be a lie to claim that he has no residual anger at what Cas did to Dean, but when it comes to the wall, he has forgiven the guy a long time ago. The wall wasn't perfect to begin with, and well, he can relate all too well. "I understand how one can lose sight while trying to the right thing," he tries a smile.

The smile isn't returned. Emmanuel continues to stand there rigidly. He doesn't look like he comprehend a word he heard. Sam wonders if damning words would have been easier for the angel to swallow.

"So what are you planning to do?" Dean asks, noticing the tension.

Emmanuel tilts his head, baring his throat slightly. "I don't know," he admits.

Dean licks his lips, incapable of making further speech. He stares at the angel like he would disappear into the thin air at any moment. This does seem like an opportune moment.

"Would you come with us?" Sam asks in his brother's stead.

Emmanuel's gaze swipes over the brothers, then he ducks his head. It makes it hard to see his expression. "Of course," he answers slowly.

It is unsettling, this meek acceptance. From what Daphne told them, Emmanuel almost had a full on mental breakdown. He ran fast and ran far away, severing all contacts. Sam knows what it is like to be suddenly slammed with one's own forgotten bloody past. With nothing to hold onto, memory and imagination alike would work together to create an elaborate snare of guilt. As the man spent days with only his thought as a company, he shouldn't be this calm and collected. Sam glances at his brother and sees similar concern mirroring in his eyes.

Emmanuel appears unconcerned with their silent exchange.


As he drives with the new passenger in the backseat, Dean wishes for the familiar presence of the Impala. He wants well worned grip of the wheel and the seat that is practically molded after his skin. He wants the world to stop tilting madly. Cas was dead then a civilian faith healer then a recovering amnesiac who skipped like a ghost. Following after his friend's trail was dizzying to say the least.

His eyes flickers toward the rearview mirror. Emmanuel is gazing out the window with a blank face. Dean hates the fact that he can't read him. Even with no memory, Emmanuel was able to tell him exactly what he needed to hear. On the other hand, Dean has no idea how to approach him. He doesn't want to open a can of worms by putting his foot in his mouth.

Come to think of it, he doesn't even know the extent of Emmanuel's memories. I know I'm Cas could mean anything and there are tons of unanswered questions. For one thing, does the guy remember Sam and Dean as his friends? If so why didn't he come to them instead of running? If he remembered the less than ideal way they parted, why come so quitely?

And what the hell did he remember to think that he is a demon even for a second?

Sam clears his throat not so subtly beside him. Dean finds his little brother silently asking him with his eyebrows what the hell they were going to do with Cas. How should I know, Dean frowns. He isn't even sure where he is driving to. The younger man sighs.

"Oh, it's time for lunch already," Sam suddenly speaks out loudly. He sends Dean an absolutely quelling glare before any sarcastic comments can be made. Dean raises his eyebrows in mock surrender and follow his lead. "Emmanuel, you want to eat something?"

The guy raises his head, belatedly realizing that he is supposed to answer. "I, don't eat," he sounds confused.

"Oh, right," Sam agrees quickly. "Well, can you wait here a bit while we grab something?"

"I will wait," Emmanuel nods seriously.

Dean doesn't like the idea of leaving the guy alone, but they can't very well discuss their plan in front of the subject. Reluctantly, he searches for the nearest place that will sell burgers. Trying to get in the way of Sam's healthy diet isn't petty at all.

They arrive at a place called 'Burgatory'. Dean wonders if the universe is trying to kill him with irony today. He stops nonetheless as bad name is no reason to avoid a perfectly good place.

"Alright, we need a plan, fast," Sam says as he opens the door.

"How did you figure that out, genius," Dean snarks. "The problem is, where do we even start?"

"Well, maybe we could help him regain his memory?"

Dean stops and looks at his brother as if he is insane. "You think that's wise?" His eyes inadvertently strays toward the direction his car is in. "Dude remembered a few thing and already he called himself a demon."

"He would know he's an angel if he remembered everything. You think letting him stew in his ignorance would be better for him?"

The older brother orders two chicken burger sets in lieu of answering. Sam's face says that the only reason he is not bitching at Dean for randomly ordering for both of them is because they have more pressing matter at hand.

"Dean, you know we can't hide things from him forever."

"There are things better left alone," Dean says heatedly. If there was any permanent method that could take Sam's time in Hell away, he would have gladly taken it. "Yeah, he's not having an easy time now, but who knows how much worse it can get?"

"I don't know, my mind was pretty good with conjuring up nightmarish reality," Sam winces at his brother's pained look. "Sorry. Besides, we might not get a choice. Demons heard about Emmanuel. Sooner or later someone else would figure out that Cas is alive. He would be a sitting duck without his memory."

Dean crosses his arms. For a second he wonders if they should send Emmanuel away to some sort of safe house. Afterall, if anyone starts to have an inkling about Cas's survival, they would begin the search with the Winchesters. Then again, Daphne's sickened face is still fresh in his mind. Isolation would be the last thing Cas needs. He scrubs his face. "You think Emmanuel would be amenable to learning his past, though?"

Sam deflates. "We'll have to see."


AN:

Thanks for all the encouraging comments :) Please R&R so I could improve!