The next days passed quietly. Sam and Bobby didn't leave for hunts anymore. They had no idea what the angels planned and didn't want to take any risks. From time to time, angels could be seen lurking around at the border of the junkyard, searching for a weakness in the barrier, or just watching them. The growing insecurity strained everyone, and even Gabriel didn't joke around as much.
After a few days, Gabriel and Cas left to check up with Balthazar on the situation in heaven.
"Raphael still doesn't speaking openly about his plans." Balthazar informed them.
"How many supporters does he have?" Castiel asked.
Balthazar sighed. "It's hard to tell. They don't really trust me, you know. Everyone knows we are friends. But his group of supporters seems to be rather small. Not many want to pick a side as long as it remains unclear what Michael thinks of it. Especially after that surprising thing Michael pulled lately."
"Nobody talked to Michael?" Gabriel asked in bewilderment.
"No - at this point, I think he is still oblivious."
"We gotta talk to him!" Gabriel insisted, "It's not like this is dad's plan. He wouldn't support Raphie!"
"But would he support us?" Castiel asked concerned. "My child doesn't fit in our fathers plan either."
"We don't know that." Gabriel stated, leveling Cas with one of his more serious looks. "Dad is obviously okay with you and Dean. That little bun wouldn't exist otherwise. Michael knows that. Fighting against a rouge angel is one thing - but Michael would never allow one of us to harass another. And Raphie is clearly overstepping his boundaries."
Cas pondered for a moment. If anyone knew their oldest brother, it must be Gabriel. Michael's devotion was legendary amongst angels. He had always been a good and wise ruler in heaven until the apocalypse. Even now, most angels still looked up to him, even after the whole apocalypse mess. Cas still didn't understand why Michael's suddenly changed his opinion on stull cemetery. One moment, his oldest brother still wanted to fight Lucifer in an apocalyptic battle. Castiel had molotoved him, forcing Lucifer's rage and his death. When he was resurrected, Michael kneeled over him, staring at him intensely. The look on his brothers face was bewildered, something Cas had never expected to see on his face.
"It's gods will. I see the way now." was all that Michael said. After that, they had kicked Lucifer's ass back into the cage together.
After that, Michael knew that his way had been wrong. He did not as much understand his mistake as he knew for sure his actions were wrong. He had literally begged his father to smite him, being certain he deserved it for the wrong he did in order to achieve what he thought was good. But god still didn't react and didn't show.
Castiel considered that it was probably the time to forgive Michael for forcing the apocalypse. In the end, he had made the right choice. Castiel still couldn't claim he understood a thing about the sudden change, and Gabriel refused to explain. The knowing look on Gabriel's face told him that the archangel knew more about it than anyone else. Their father forgave him, or Michael wouldn't still sit on the throne of heaven. It was not his place to judge their father's decision. Maybe, if Michael would help them, there was a chance to solve the situation without bloodshed.
"Very well. We should bring our case to Michael." Castiel turned his head back to Balthazar. "But first, tell us what else you found out. Have you found allies?"
"I didn't find out more about Raphael's plans than you know already. But there are quite a few who are shocked about what Raphael plans. Muriel is totally worked up about it. You know how emotional she can get. Rachel, Liwet and some others also offered their help. And... curiously, I couldn't reach Anna."
"Muriel?" Castiel asked surprised. "She is not a warrior."
"Yeah, but having her on our side is a big plus." Gabriel grinned. "Raphael's goons are okay to fight against the random seraphim or me 'cause I'm rogue," he said, sarcastically emphasising the rogue, "but they might hesitate if they see good ol' Murie on our side."
Castiel nodded, silently agreeing, although he didn't like the idea of drawing her into a battle. But if she agreed to help, it was not his place to question.
"Thank you, Balthazar." he said.
"You know, Cassie, if we can't get this hard-head to see reason, I can still call a few of my other friends for help." Gabriel offered.
"As long as there is still a chance to resolve this situation without bloodshed, we should try to achieve it." Cas said solemnly.
Gabriel smiled at Cas. He was proud that his little brother had still so much faith, even after everything that happened. But how could he not? Some of Gabriel's own long lost faith came back along with newfound trust in his older brother.
"I don't think there's a chance." he said anyway, sounding as nonchalant as ever.
Castiel didn't reply to that. "I think we should go and see Michael now. Balthazar, thank you for your help. But I must ask one more thing of you."
"Shoot."
"Could you go to Bobby Singer's house and look after the Winchesters until we are back?"
Balthazar smirked and shook his head. "I don't really understand you anymore, Cassie. What is it you see in those humans?"
"They are very important to me. They are my friends." Cas answered deep and solemn.
"Okay." Balthazar sighed. "I'll look after your little pets."
Crowley took a deep breath of the dusty air in Singer's Salvage Yard. Annoyed, he looked down at his dress shoes and found them full of sand. He patted a little bit of dust from his suit before he continued walking toward the house, two demons walking next to him on either side.
Crowley saw a single angel stare at him from the border of the yard. Crowley sent a triumphant smirk in his direction. The angel ward around this house was really powerful, but it only worked against angels. Crowley directed his gaze back to the house, concentrating on his impressive approach. Raphael was a fool. He had given away his plan much too soon, and now the Winchesters were prepared already. He stopped with a few yards, a safe distance, from the house.
"I'd like to speak with all of you." He called out calmly.
Bobby and Sam appeared in the door, covering Dean who was behind them, looking over Bobby's shoulder. Bobby held Ruby's demon knife in his hand while Sam and Dean were gripping tight onto angel blades.
"Well, well." Crowley said, smiling his trademark snide smile as he looked at them. "Who do we have here? Dean, it's a pleasure to meet you again. Why don't you come out so we can shake hands properly?"
Dean stared at him darkly.
"What the hell do you want?"
"No?" Crowley asked with mock dismay. "You Winchester's are always so discourteous. Very well. I'm here to propose a business deal."
"Why should we trust you?" Dean asked. Unconsiouly, one of her hands slipped down and wrapped around her belly, as if to shield it from Crowley.
"Yeah," Bobby grumbled. "I remember very well ya didn't plan to give my soul back."
"You should read your contracts better, Mr. Singer. Really, a shame that this didn't work out. Very... unfortunate." Crowley sighed. "Anyway, you should know that I am very reasonable."
"We can at least hear him out. I want to know what he wants." Bobby suggested.
Dean and Sam frowned. They didn't like it, but they nodded.
"I'm here to offer protection. Yes, I know what you think, you don't believe me. But I've also heard the rumors." Crowley looked at Dean seriously. "And I can see they are true. It is not in my interests that the angels get that baby. You see, it would be bad for business."
"Just like that?" Dean asked. "I don't trust you."
"Of course not like that!" Crowley answered. "Don't be ridiculous. You don't have to trust me. You only have to believe that I despise Raphael more than I hate you. This time, I'm on your side. There's more power in that baby than your tiny human brains can imagine. If Raphael gets it, it would be disastrous for us all! You have put up quite an impressive protection spell, but do you really think a simple spell can hold off all the angels when the time comes?"
"No!" Dean barked. "I'm not trusting you with this!"
Crowley sighed. "The offer stands." he said diplomatically. "You know how to call me when you decide to see reason."
Suddenly, Crowley turned his head in one direction and raised his eyebrows. "Until the next time, Winchesters."
Balthazar appeared between Crowley, who was retreating already, and the Winchesters.
"You have an odd choice of friends." He commented.
"I thought no angels except Cas and Gabriel could come here." Bobby wondered.
Balthazar smirked. "You think I would keep myself out? I'm the only angel not in love with a Winchester who can come here."
"That's reassuring" Bobby grumped sarcastically before turning to go back to the house.
Castiel and Gabriel found Michael in his own place in heaven. Michael's heaven was a healthy, green forest, with bright light shining through the branches. The undisturbed, primeval nature seemed to glow in the warm light.
Michael was sitting on a fallen log spanning over a peaceful river that cut it's way through the never ending green. He was watching the river, lost in thoughts. It seemed that he was musing about something of great importance.
"Gabriel." he greeted. He seemed surprised to see the youngest of the oldest brothers. "What caused your return here?"
Gabriel smirked. "What, I can't go home to see my favorite bro?"
Michael snorted. He knew it was just a hollow phrase, spoken from Gabriel just like that. Castiel looked at Gabriel, but remained silent for now. It was better to let Gabriel handle this.
Michael sighed deeply and stood up on his log. He looked at his brothers, the serious expression on his face told them that he had something important to tell them.
"Gabriel." he said, significantly looking at him, before turning his gaze to Castiel.
"Castiel."
Michael remained silent for a moment, before he spoke up to both. "You both have learned something very important down on earth. Something I still don't understand."
A pang of regret made its way into Michael's features. He looked at Gabriel, and there was respect in his eyes. Gabriel had understood it all so long before any of the others even thought about it.
"That our father wants us to make our own decisions. Life our lives, so to speak. And more importantly, that none of us abuses the power that comes with this responsibility."
Michael seemed troubled. Neither Gabriel nor Castiel could begrudge him. The oldest brother had spent his whole life living out their father's plan, caring about the angels and the fate of the humans with so much devotion that it could be called michaelism. Now, his responsibility was even greater. He didn't have a plan anymore that he could simply follow. He had to make decisions. Decisions that could affect every angel, every human and every supernatural being. And Michael had thought he was doing a good thing to humanity with the apocalypse. That he would bring peace to all of them with taking them to heaven. He knew now, that he couldn't have been more wrong. He didn't feel ready for this position anymore. He loved every being so much that he was afraid of making such a great mistake again.
"I need to learn it." Michael admitted, his words strong and without shame. Even now, when he was asking for help, he had the sure expression of a leader. "As most other angels need to learn it. We will need your help."
Gabriel stepped forward, an unusual solemn expression on his face. "Michael," he said with all the earnestness that came with millennia of existence, a tone of voice that he almost never used but was very capable of; "there is a reason why you're still at your post. Dad wants you there. Because you care. You think about what you do before you do it. You're not a blind soldier. The only difference now is: You're not fulfilling dad's plans anymore. You fulfill your own. Wish for something and follow your heart"
Michael stared back at Gabriel, and he seemed to completely lack understanding.
Gabriel snorted. "You don't even know how to wish for something. That's great. But the way I know you, you wish for everyone to live a happy, secure life, right?"
Michael nodded, considering.
"You'll get the hang of it eventually." Gabriel said nonchalantly. "I'll help you, but not right now. We're having some problems downstairs. That's what we came to talk to you about."
"I'm listening."
"Well, Cas is building a little family down there." Gabriel told him, "And Raphael wants to hijack Cas' baby."
Michael didn't look surprised in the slightest little bit, but his frown was worried. He exchanged a knowing glance with Gabriel before his eyes trailed back to Cas. It seemed like Michael knew already what had to be done. "Dean Winchester is the mother?"
"Yes." Cas answered solemnly.
Michael still didn't seem surprised, not even that the mother was a guy.
"What are Raphael's plans?"
Castiel answered. His deep, gravelly voice was grim, but he spoke with intensity. "He wants to break the soul and grace apart to create an angel out of the grace only. To achieve that, he needs to kill Dean, as he needs to kill the mortal flesh and the soul of my child. I do not intend to let that happen."
Michael was silent for a moment, holding Castiel's intense stare. He finally broke the contact by shaking his head.
"Raphael does not understand." he said. "He does understand the responsibility. He's like a child, playing with everything within his reach, not aware of right or wrong."
"Will you help us?" Castiel asked, still staring at Michael.
"I can't go down to earth without a vessel." Michael answered, "But I will do up here what I can to help you."
"Thank you." Castiel said. A load fell off his shoulders. Michael's intense gaze fixed on him once more.
"This baby is a symbol, Castiel. You need to keep it save."
"I will." Castiel answered, his voice deep and sure.
