A/N: Here is another chapter! Hope you people enjoy! XD
Castiel and Dean slowly got up from their position on the bench and made their way back to the museum. Once inside they noticed Pandora and Sam sitting a little ways away, with Mr. Fidgets standing with them. 'Or Epimetheus actually' thought Dean to himself. They slowly walked over and joined them. Sam looked over at them and a huge smile lit up his face.
"We saw that you guy's made up finally," said Sam laughing slightly.
"Is everyone in here in our business or something?" asked Dean.
"Well Dean, it's kind of hard to stay out of your business when you blew up right in my own office," said Pandora in a slightly passive manner.
Dean had the capacity to look ashamed and he rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment. Castiel did not appreciate them gaining up on his partner like that.
"It wasn't his fault, and I would appreciate you all to leave it alone. It has been sorted out between me and him," replied Castiel with a hard glint in his eyes.
Dean looked at Cass gratefully and smiled at him; Castiel saw that and smiled back at him somewhat.
"Ok Cass, we'll leave it alone, we were only teasing at any rate," said Sam.
Dean coughed, "So what are we gonna do about the vase?"
"We are going to do absolutely nothing Dean," replied Epimetheus.
"We aren't?" asked Dean looking at him confused.
"No we are not Dean," Pandora replied, "The fact still remains that this is the safest place for the vase and that moving it would just be asking for more trouble."
"So what do we do about the demon problem exactly?" asked Dean.
Sam sighed, "Probably nothing to be honest Dean."
Dean looked at Sam shocked.
"What do you mean Sam?" Dean said in a scandalized tone, "We can't just leave the town's people here vulnerable to them."
"Dean what you have to understand is that the vase has to stay here. It is the only place right now, which can protect it. If we move it, it will be open for attack and extremely vulnerable. The demons already know it's here obviously and are most likely watching this place at all hours of the day and night. If we try to move it they will know," Pandora said quietly.
"But in keeping it here the towns folk are in even more danger!" exclaimed Dean.
"And if we move the vase and they get a hold of it and it just happens to open which will most likely happen, billions of people will die! There is a bigger picture to this Dean!" exclaimed Pandora right back at Dean.
"So what?" asked Dean, "Your basically saying that we are condemning these people to a possible death or even worse possession?"
"I know it's not what you wanna hear Dean, but I have to look at the bigger consequences, and that means the vase can't leave," said Pandora.
Dean turned to Castiel.
"What do you think of this Cass?"
Castiel thought about his next words carefully and remained silent for a minute, then opened his mouth to speak.
"I think that Pandora is right Dean. We cannot put the lives of a couple thousand people over the lives of six billion. We can't call that kind of move, I'm sorry," replied Castiel quietly.
Dean breathed out slowly, "No I understand Cass, don't worry. I don't like this idea, but it's better than killing over half the planet or all of it."
Pandora and Epimetheus nodded; glad that Dean had seen reason.
"Ok well that's settled I guess then," said Sam, "We'll be in town for a couple more days. Pandora, Epimetheus you have my number. If anything ever comes up give us a call and we'll get back here as soon as we can."
Pandora nodded to Sam, "Thank you all of you for understanding, and I am greatly sorry Dean but there really is no other option right now."
Dean nodded his head, "It's alright Pandora. Just keep it safe then will you?"
"I assure you we will Dean," replied Epimetheus.
Dean nodded to them again and walked out of the building with Castiel following him.
"You know I like him more hot headed, taking the spirit and fire out him does not suit him," replied Pandora as they watched them walk out of the building.
Sam snorted lightly, "He'll be alright, and he just needs time to wrap his brain around everything that we learned today. It's been kind of stressful."
"Yes we understand that," replied Epimetheus, "Well goodbye Sam and take care of that brother and angel of yours," he said while shaking Sam's hand.
"I will," smiled Sam.
Pandora and Sam hugged and then Sam walked out of the building to join Cass and Dean waiting outside for him. Before they left Pandora opened the door and jogged out to them.
"Sheesh I almost forgot to tell you guys, Cass, since you have my permission to come into the museum, you are free to come and go as you like. It would be different if i revoked your admission but I can assure you I won't," said Pandora smiling.
"Thank you Pandora," said Castiel nodding to her.
"Ok so ready to go?" asked Dean.
They nodded and Castiel whisked them back off to their motel room.
~x~
6 hours later
~x~
Dean was sitting on the bed cleaning out the guns, and other weapons for the fiftieth time, it seemed, Sam was thinking to himself. Ever since they got back from the museum, Dean was restless. Sam and Cass knew that it had to do with the decision about the vase; but that could not be helped. It was the best route for all of them. Cass was standing by the window looking out on the parking lot outside.
"Dean look, were sorry about the decision-," started Sam.
"Sam, its fine, now worries. It's just tough for me to swallow. I mean, Dad always taught us that every problem could be solved and to never give up. But this one there is no other way out of it," said Dean.
Sam nodded his head at him. Cass standing by the window turned slightly towards Dean. He knew that Dean was hurting about this but he could not do something about it. The safest place for that vase was in the museum.
Cass turned around to face the brothers.
"I think we should contact Balthazar and see if he has any information about Gabriel's where a bout's," stated Castiel.
The brothers looked at him somewhat shocked.
"Wait, Gabriel is missing?" asked Sam in a strange tone that Castiel could not quite pin point.
"Yes he has been for a little while, he disappeared after the apocalypse was stopped," said Castiel nodding slowly.
"Huh, why didn't you tell us Cass?" asked Dean.
Sam started fidgeting nervously, and Cass could feel his heart stop beating for a second.
"Wait! I am not going to flip out or anything guys! I am just curious! There must be a good reason that you didn't tell us Cass," said Dean quickly.
It was like any tension released immediately and Castiel felt himself calm down.
"Honestly Dean it was just because, well, you know how Gabriel is. He'll disappear for days or weeks at a time with not a word, unless you call him, and reappear at the most unexpected of times," Castiel stated shrugging slightly.
"Ok, so, why are you getting worried about him then?" asked Dean.
"Well Balthazar brought it to my attention-"
"Wait Balthazar, I thought that dude hated Gabriel's guts," said Dean.
"Believe me he does, their not the closest of brothers but even Balthazar is not selfish enough that he wouldn't care if something was happening to one of his brothers, besides I have a bad feeling about Gabriel's disappearance at this time," said Castiel with a slight frown marring his features.
"What do you mean?" asked Dean again confused.
"Well isn't obvious Dean?" asked Sam, "Gabriel was the one that went to Pandora first and they were the ones that made the museum and all the safe guards protecting it. So obviously, Gabriel knows all the twists and turns that went into it. Then we have demons trying to get in continuously and Raphael wants to use 'Pandora's Vase' as a means to bring on another apocalypse. Obviously, this is not a coincidence. Either Gabriel talked and told someone on the fly or and I am sure it is this one; he has been caught by one of the sides. Is that what you're thinking Cass?"
Castiel nodded his head.
"Ok so how do we find him?" asked Dean.
"You don't," replied Castiel, "Me and Balthazar will work on this."
"Cass-" Dean started to say.
"No Dean this one isn't up for debate. I do not want you and Sam involved with this. If someone has Gabriel then I am sure its Raphael and I cannot have, you both involved. He'll just use you to get what he wants," said Castiel in a pleading tone to try to get Dean to understand him.
"I get that Cass, but I want to help you," said Dean.
"Thank you Dean and I know you do, but you'll be helping me more by staying away from Raphael," said Castiel.
As soon as Castiel finished saying that, there was a flutter of many wings and six angels appeared suddenly in the room. Before anyone could react, the angels grabbed both Sam and Dean behind them and pinned their arms to their sides. Castiel realized what was happening and quickly got out his angel blade.
Three of the angels came at him with their own swords. Castiel and one of the angels started to duel. He threw him into the wall and he went right through it into the neighboring room. The other angels came at him. He stabbed one of the angels straight through the throat, there was a flash of brilliant white light, and then the other angel collapsed. While the angel in front of him had distracted Castiel, the other angel came up behind him and stabbed him in the shoulder. While it did not kill him, it injured him severely and he cried out in pain and shock but quickly pulled away from the one behind him.
Meanwhile Dean and Sam were trying to fend off the other two angels that were holding them in place. Sam tried to throw his head back at the angel behind him but instead all you heard was this crack and Sam groaning in pain, it felt like he just smashed his head again a concrete wall.
"SAM!" cried Dean. He tried to get to his brother but the other angel held him securely. No matter how hard he struggled, he could not break free of his grasp. Then he heard another cry of pain and looked towards Cass. One of the angels had stabbed him through the shoulder. Dean was incensed now. First, his brother now his boyfriends, these dicks with wings were going to pay! He struggled harder now against his captor; it seemed the angel got bored of his struggles and smacked him over the head hard. Dean groaned out in pain and fell to the floor in a heap at the angel's feet.
Castiel hearing the groan turned around to see. When he saw Dean sprawled at the angels feet he started forwards, but that distraction provided the other two angels with an opportunity to subdue him. One kicked his blade out of his hands, where it rocketed straight into the wall and embedded itself up to the hilt into it. The other one kicked at the back of Castiel's knees and he fell heavily to the ground. They pinned his arms back, and yanked his head back by his hair to place a blade delicately against his throat. He could feel the cold kiss of the metal against his skin.
Raphael walked closer to Castiel. He looked down at Castiel smirking in a superior kind of way.
"Hello Castiel," said Raphael.
"Raphael," choked out Castiel.
"So brother I want you to do me a little favor," replied Raphael.
"And what exactly would that be?" asked Castiel.
"I want you to bring me 'Pandora's Vase'. I'm sure you know where its location is," said Raphael giving Castiel a smug smirk.
"I'm not doing that for you Raphael! There is no need for another apocalypse! It was stopped, maybe our father never wanted it to happen in the first place if it could be stopped," replied Castiel in a heated tone.
"You misunderstand me Castiel. I just want paradise on earth and heaven where everyone can be happy and at peace," said Raphael with a hurt look all over his face.
"Then why go after the vase? People are happy right now. Maybe the world isn't perfect but there are good people down here, people that will die if you do what you want to do," said Castiel.
"In the long run they will be happier than they have ever imagined Castiel if we do it this way," replied Raphael.
"Your wrong Raphael and I won't be apart of any of this!" exclaimed Castiel.
"You are wrong Castiel, I think you will do exactly as I say," said Raphael apparently very assured of himself.
"And what makes you think I would ever help you in this?"
"Because if you don't Castiel I will hurt your little boy toy here, again and again until you do exactly what I want."
Castiel opened his mouth to protest but before he could Raphael over rode what he was going to say completely.
"And don't think your going to deny it Castiel. I saw you today outside that museum in that garden. You were kissing this disgusting piece of trash. Who would have thought that a mighty angel would stoop so low? I thought highly of you before Castiel but I guess even the mighty can fall," said Raphael, "Well except me of course," he finished laughing to himself.
There was no way Castiel was prepared to put Dean's life in danger ever, Raphael could see the defeat reflected in his eyes.
"Now just to make sure you do exactly as I say Castiel, Dean is going to come with me. Once you get the vase I shall know, someone will be watching you. When that happens they will tell you of a date and time to meet and we can make the exchange."
With that the other angel picked up Dean again and held him up by his waist hanging limply in his arms, apparently knocked out cold by the strike over the head he had been dealt. Castiel tried to struggle again out of the angel's grip but it did not slacken it just got tighter.
"Now, now Cass, I promise to take good care of him. You will get him back alive as long as you give me the vase," said Raphael.
With that, there was a flutter of wings and the angel's disappeared. Castiel was on his hands and knee's starring at the floor.
'What am I going to do?' he thought to himself.
A/N: There is only one thing I can say to all of this, dang it. -.- The other chapter is done already but I may not upload it until tomorrow!
