It's almost spring break so I decided to post this chapter today because next week I'm just gonna relax and enjoy my time off from school. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 8

It was like somebody had set me on fire. I screamed in agony, my insides ablaze and no way to put them out. Sam entered the room first and frantically began to search for the dark object. Dean came in next, followed by Claire who became hysterical when she saw me. She hurled her shaking sobs into Dean's shirt as he held her. I continued to scream as the fire consumed the interior of my body. It was so excruciating, I wished I would die. Sam was still tearing apart my office, cursing in frustration. Castiel appeared in the room just as I began to cough up my own blood. So this was it. I was going to die, knocked on my ass and spewing red. No, I still had some fight in me.

Castiel cradled my head in his hands and began some kind of incantation.

"Cas, it hurts." I choked out along with more blood.

He smoothed back my hair and continued his mumbling. The pain was beginning to lessen, but the damage had already been done. I didn't think I would be able to come back from the beating my body had just endured.

"Found it!" Sam exclaimed, sounding exasperated.

He tossed it to Castiel, who disintegrated the pouch on contact. It felt like Death's fingers had literally been pried from my body. Claire was at my side, nearly squeezing the life out of me and soaking me with her tears.

"Paige Cameron Kelson, don't you ever scare me like that again dammit!" she managed to get out.

"I'll try not to." I said, beginning to cry as well.

I looked at Castiel, and I swear I saw relief on his face. Claire stood up to gather herself as the angel moved to crouch beside me. What he did next, surprised me even more than what he had done at the hospital that very same morning. Castiel leaned down and gingerly kissed my temple. The whole room went silent. I was both shocked and touched by this gesture of affection. Sam helped me to my feet and pulled me into a quick embrace.

"You okay?" he asked, pulling away.

"I've been better, but hey, I'm alive." I answered truthfully.

Claire enveloped me in another spine crushing hug. I approached Dean, who followed suit with a short embrace. I locked eyes with Cas over his shoulder and could instantly tell that something had changed between us. Whether it was for better or worse, had yet to reveal itself.

Sam and Dean decided that they had to find this witch before anyone else got hurt. Dean walked over to Claire with a melancholy expression.

"You know, I might not come back."
"Well, best of luck." she said, flat out rejecting him.

Dean actually looked hurt as he walked towards the door.

"What the hell." Claire voiced, striding over to Dean, gripping his tie to turn him around, and planting one of him.

"I'm coming back." he declared when she pulled away.

"Come on Romeo." Sam said, ushering his brother out the door.

"Damn, he is something else." Claire expressed when the door had shut behind them.

I laughed and after a few seconds, she joined in too. Suddenly I heard some banging coming from the kitchen.

"I'm gonna go see what that is, be right back."

I was completely dumbfounded when I entered the kitchen. Castiel was kicking and pounding on cabinets, obviously frustrated.

"Cas, what the heck are you doing?" I exclaimed, coming up behind him and laying a hand on his shoulder.

He jumped at my touch.

"Paige, I-I-I'm sorry. I'm not very good at expressing my feelings. Strictly speaking, angels aren't even supposed to have emotions."

I gave him a quizzical look.

"Feelings? Cas, what does that even mean?"

He met my eyes and sighed.

"It means I was able to rebel against Heaven, but I can't..."

"Can't what?" I asked, still not quite understanding.

In the next moment, Castiel had pinned me against the counter and brought his lips to mine.

Sorry that I'm always with the cliffhangers, please don't be too mad at me ;) Anyway, thanks to all readers and have a great spring break!