Thank you so much for the reviews everyone! They mean so much to me. Your all awesome.
Now I want to warn you ahead of time that this chapter will probably be extremely confusing but I tried my best to make it sound right.
BTW I apologize for those of you who needed brain bleach after the last chapter from the image of Ruby and Gabriel – bleck – I'm sure your glad I won't get into those details.
So please enjoy.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
. . .
Chapter 76: A Strange World 4:
Dean sighed as he closed his eyes to try and put up the barrier around his grace. It was apparently really confusing to do, "Is it working?"
Michael shook his head "No," he said "Focus more."
"I am focused!" Dean snapped, feeling frustrated "I hate this place."
"First you need to calm down…angels aren't supposed to feel all of those emotions," Michael said slowly.
"I'm not a real angel," Dean muttered, trying once again to place up the barrier.
"Your still doing it wrong," Michael said. He didn't even flinch when Dean tried to swing at him. Michael simply caught his fist and lowered his head closer to Dean's, "Would you like my help or would you rather the other Michael do something to you?"
Dean clenched his teeth but nodded, knowing he needed to stop overreacting. He pulled his fist free and took a few steps back "Hey…what's up with the vessel in this world?" he asked "It's like some middle aged dude."
"That's a…back up vessel. One I had only taken control over once for just an hour or so," Michael said calmly.
"Why didn't you just use that guy to fight Lucifer?" Dean asked, "and how did I not know about some back up vessel? I thought that is what you used Adam for?"
"You didn't think I had a backup? Lucifer surely did," Michael said, staring up to make sure no angels were watching them.
"And Adam? Why'd you use him instead of that other guy?" Dean asked, now feeling irritated that Adam had to get involved when it was truly not necessary.
"The other man didn't have Winchester blood," Michael said in a clipped, end-of-discussion tone "Now, back to you hiding from Heaven."
Dean huffed out in annoyance. He opened his mouth to speak but they suddenly heard Bobby's front door open.
Michael quickly fled in the opposite direction and Dean froze as he narrowed his eyes to focus on the frame leaving the house. It only took a moment for him to see the short figure of Gabriel…the fake Gabriel.
Dean took a deep breath then walked towards the door once more. Gabriel jumped back, his hand automatically going for a weapon as he noticed the other presence. He held out the demon knife as he narrowed his eyes at Dean "Who are you?" he asked.
"I'm Dean," he said firmly "Where's Cas?"
"Dean…the angel?" Gabriel asked, lifting his eyebrows and lowering the knife slightly.
Dean nodded "Yes…" he said, closing his eyes to try and create the barrier once more. He smiled slightly as he felt something click and he knew at once that he was hiding fairly well.
"Um, he's inside…he's sleeping," Gabriel said, shifting uneasily. It was so odd to see 'Gabriel' with the ticks that Sam sometimes had.
"I need to talk to him," Dean said simply, pushing past Gabriel to get inside.
Gabriel opened his mouth to speak but couldn't think of anything to say. He just watched as Dean walked through the doorway.
Dean instantly knew where to go. He walked into living area to the couch that sat towards the back of the room. Bobby was leaned back in the chair by the desk, snoring with a half empty bottle of whiskey beside him.
"Cas," Dean said, staring at the sleeping form on the couch.
Castiel and Bobby both jumped up, each grabbing for a weapon. Castiel realized the knife wasn't where he last left it and he turned wide eyes to Dean before sighing slightly and calming down. Bobby placed the shotgun back down and muttered under his breath.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Castiel asked, his voice remarkably accusing.
"I need to talk to you," Dean said simply, shifting slightly. He wanted to tell them all about Heaven's real plans but he wasn't sure he could get away with it.
Gabriel walked into the room a moment later, placing the knife back on the coffee table and taking a seat on the recliner beside the couch.
Castiel narrowed his eyes at Gabriel "Where were you?" he asked.
"I just went out for some air," Gabriel said simply.
Dean rolled his eyes, all of this seeming too familiar. He then examined the bruises and cuts over the three hunters and he then realized what they had just gone through, "The Rising of the Witnesses," he whispered to himself "Dammit."
"Yeah, what is going on with that?" Castiel asked, seemingly irritated as he walked into the kitchen to grab a beer.
"One of the sixty six seals to freeing Lucifer and starting the apocalypse," Dean said, feeling horrible for not helping them out. He remembered when he practically bitched out Castiel for not helping.
"And you couldn't think of helping us?" Castiel asked, narrowing his eyes as he walked back into the living room. He fell back onto the couch and took a swig "Aren't you supposed to be protectors or something."
Dean just wanted to laugh at how Castiel was talking. He had honestly never expected to see his Castiel acting in such a manner; but this wasn't his Castiel.
"I'm sorry I couldn't be there. Seriously, I feel your pain," Dean said, recalling the events perfectly.
The three hunters just stared at Dean like he was insane and yeah, they were going to think that of him a hell of a lot more in a moment.
"Listen guys, there is so much I should be telling you but…yeah, I just got my ass kicked upstairs for saying something last time," Dean started "But first things first, Gabriel…you need to stop seeing Ruby. I know you think it's for the best and that you're exorcising demons without harming the host but seriously, no."
"Wait a sec. I thought you said that you haven't seen Ruby," Castiel said sharply, glaring in Gabriel's direction.
"He's obviously lying," Gabriel started, his gaze shifting away from Castiel's.
"You're exorcising demons with your mind? What the hell is that?" Castiel asked, his voice dark.
"I told you I'm not using my weird physic stuff," Gabriel said, shooting Dean a dark look.
"Gabriel, enough with the act. I know what you and Ruby have been doing in the dark and you need to know that it's seriously wrong. It'll drive you and your brother apart and you will set Lucifer free," Dean said firmly, hoping not to start anything between the hunters but Castiel was already furious and storming out of the room.
"Hey how do we know you aren't lying," Bobby piped in for the first time.
Dean rolled his eyes as he went to follow Castiel out of the house. He stopped outside the door as he watched the Impala start and roar out of the driveway.
"Hey, what makes you think you can butt into my life?" Gabriel's voice started.
"You are an idiot," Dean said, turning to the short hunter. He found it hilarious that Gabriel was supposed to portray a version of Sam yet he was ridiculously shorter.
Dean took a deep breath and spread his aching wings. They hurt being all cramped up out of view. Gabriel gasped and backed up as he got a view of the wings for the first time. Dean smirked "Yeah I know, their awesome," he then took off to go and check on Castiel.
. . .
Castiel jumped and the car swerved as Dean appeared in the passenger seat.
"Dammit," Castiel hissed as he got the Impala back between the lines.
Dean chuckled "Yeah, not so pleasant now is it?"
"What?" Castiel asked, knitting his eyebrows.
"Oh nothing," Dean said quickly but still smiling.
"You are really weird," Castiel said, shaking his head "And get the hell outta' my car."
Dean tried his best to hide his grin but hearing Cas talk to him like that was definitely a turn on. He turned and was amazed at how beautifully blue his eyes still were even as an average human.
"Why are you staring at me?" Castiel asked, his shoulders stiffening somewhat.
Dean just shifted his gaze to the stereo that was strangely not on. He reached out to turn on the tape player. He smiled when he felt his hand smacked.
"Driverpicks the music, shotgun shuts his cake hole," Castiel snapped but there was a slight smirk playing on his lips and it made Dean smile.
Dean lifted his eyebrows "Oh really?" he asked.
"Yup," Castiel said simply as he went to look for something to turn on.
Dean just shook his head but snapped his fingers to start a song. The moment the song started, Castiel's hand froze just in front of the button. He pulled it back and turned his gaze to Dean "Great song," he said.
Dean just smiled as 'Ramble on' continued to play through the speakers, "I thought you would like it," he said.
Castiel smiled just slightly but just gazed ahead at the road as he drove on to a bar not too far away.
. . .
"Okay, so you're saying that the death of Lillith is the final seal and if Gabriel continues to do whatever he does with Ruby, he will be the one to do it?" Castiel asked, his eyes glossed over from alcohol consumption and confusion.
Dean nodded as he made sure none of the angels would be able to know what he was saying "I'm being straightforward with you," he said. He froze and his stomach turned when he noticed the faint sensation of another angel close. He turned to find the source and noticed Balthazar sitting at the bar, flirting with a bartender.
"I'll be right back," Dean said, not taking his eyes off of the other angel. He walked over and placed a hand on Balthazar's shoulder "Hey."
"Oh hello Dean," Balthazar said, his eyes suddenly filling with confusion "I couldn't sense you here…"
"You aren't here to watch me?" Dean asked, lifting his eyebrows in disbelief.
"Why would I be watching you?" Balthazar asked, sipping at a glass with amber liquid in it. His eyes shifted to Dean's left, "Is this Castiel?"
Dean groaned, not wanting Castiel to run into any other angels yet but he was obviously nosy.
"Who are you?" Castiel asked, narrowing his eyes.
"I happen to be a close friend of Dean's," Balthazar said, standing up and finishing his glass. He placed a ten on the table and winked before walking the opposite direction.
Dean laughed at that and rolled his eyes. This world couldn't get any stranger.
"Are you drunk?" Castiel asked curiously.
Dean shook his head, realizing he definitely wasn't "No. I wish…I need to find a liquor store."
"I don't think there are any open ones around here," Castiel said, walking towards the door to leave.
Dean watched for a moment, noticing the slight slump and stumble from the hunter. Castiel was definitely drunk and it made Dean want to laugh. It was rare he got to see that. He followed closely behind, remembering where the closest liquor store was. He took off towards it.
. . .
"Is that really such a good idea?" Gabriel's voice cut in.
Dean almost dropped the bottle in his hand in shock "Dammit Gabriel," he hissed.
The real Gabriel just crossed his arms "Why are you getting drunk?" he asked.
Dean shrugged "Nothing else to do," he said as he finished off the whiskey. He drank a lot of the alcohol in the place and he was definitely feeling it.
"Just don't get yourself killed," Gabriel said with a sigh.
"Why do you even care?" Dean asked, lifting another bottle. He winced when it shattered in his hand and sent shards of glass to sprinkle the floor and his face "What the hell!"
"If I didn't care, I wouldn't be here right now so don't act like you know a damn thing about me because you know nothing," Gabriel said, his voice dark and laced with venom "Now, stop being so immature; drop the bottle and go make sure your human is alright because he is driving while both pissed off and drunk."
Dean just stared, his stomach turning as he thought Gabriel was going to punch him.
"Get going or I will," Gabriel said, pointing to the door.
Dean rolled his eyes and took off, tracing exactly where Castiel was.
. . .
"Stop doing that!" Castiel snapped as Dean popped into existence in the passenger's seat once again.
"You need to stop somewhere so we can talk more," Dean said simply as he mentally turned the blaring stereo down.
"I don't have to do anything you say," Castiel muttered, "Where do you keep disappearing off to anyways?"
"I did that to get some alcohol," Dean said with a shrug "Now pull over to that motel down the street."
"No," Castiel said simply, pressing on the gas a little more.
Dean took a deep breath to calm his irritation "Seriously," he said "If you don't, I'll do it for you."
"How do I know anything your saying is the truth, anyways?" Castiel asked, flashing Dean drunken blue eyes.
"Because I wouldn't lie to you, now pull over," Dean said, not wanting to see the Impala get hurt again.
Castiel ignored him and continued to drive so Dean shook his head "I warned you," he said in a low voice as he leaned over to place a hand on Castiel's shoulder. In an instant, Dean collected control of both the Impala and Castiel and he mentally brought them over to the motel room, leaving the Impala in the parking lot and stopping once he and Castiel were standing in a motel room.
"Dammit, what the hell was that!" Castiel hissed, stumbling slightly as he tried to gain control of his footing.
"I warned you," Dean said "Now sit…we need to talk."
"You can't just grab me and take off whenever you want," Castiel spat "I am a person."
"And you are really annoying me right now," Dean said, grinding his teeth. He allowed his wings to spread out once more and Castiel stared with wide eyes at the twitching feathers. He slowly sat down on the single bed and ran a hand through his hair.
Dean calmed down after a moment as he stared at Castiel wearing dark jeans, a black shirt and leather jacket, "Now I know you've come across a Djinn once before."
Castiel stiffened for a moment then nodded as he watched Dean grab a chair to lounge on it.
"Well, right here and now is all fake," Dean said simply "I am locked in this world by one of them."
"Then why don't you just kill yourself?" Castiel asked, a slight bitterness to his voice.
Dean chose to ignore that comment. He already disliked this Castiel, "This is a different kind. I really didn't wish to be a friggen angel."
"There is only one type and I really don't believe this," Castiel said, blinking a few times.
"There apparently is another kind," Dean noted "and right now I'm stuck in a damn nightmare."
"My life – this life – is real; not something from a Djinn," Castiel said.
"No, in the real world, you and Gabriel are the angels…me and my brother, Sam are the Winchesters," Dean said "Wouldn't that make a bit more sense? Castiel and Gabriel are angel names…since when are Sam and Dean?"
"This is ridiculous," Castiel muttered, standing up.
"Sit back down," Dean said.
Castiel stopped and slowly sat back down "What proof do you have?"
Dean lifted his eyebrows "I think I can get some proof," he said, staring around the room "Gabriel…wherever you are, I need you here."
Castiel laughed a little "What do you need my brother for?"
"I'm calling for the Gabriel from the real world," Dean said, trying to trace a hint of the other angel.
He was about to speak when Gabriel popped up into the room with annoyance on his face "What do you want now?" he asked.
Dean just stared "Could you help me convince Cas here that this is not real."
Gabriel turned to the fake Cas and grinned slightly at the attire "I think I prefer the trench coat…though that look does suit your features somewhat."
Castiel's eyes widened at the Gabriel with wings. He opened his mouth to speak but really couldn't. After a moment, he found words though "What are you doing to my brother?" he asked.
Gabriel rolled his eyes "This is all me…the Gabriel in this world is out with Ruby right now."
Castiel just stared again without words.
"See, that's the real Gabriel," Dean said "He's trying to get me out of here."
"I've almost figured it out," Gabriel said simply "Figures this Djinn can do this to a variety of creatures – demons included – so I've been popping into demon alternate worlds and testing some theories…because, face it, who cares if one of them dies."
Dean smiled slightly, wanting to smite a demon or two before he left. Ruby was first on his list.
"What is going on? Or am I just really that drunk?" Castiel asked, shaking his head as though Gabriel would disappear any moment.
"I'm real," Gabriel said flatly.
"I…" Castiel started but he was at loss for words.
"Good job at hiding yourself," Gabriel said to Dean "I almost couldn't find you."
Dean grinned slightly "Yeah, Michael showed me how to."
"Ah, I was wondering if he found you in here," Gabriel said as he sat down on the bed.
"Why hasn't Cas showed up yet?" Dean asked curiously.
"He doesn't know how to and it's really confusion and complicated to try and explain," Gabriel said a little too quickly.
"What?" Castiel asked.
Dean turned to him "The Castiel from the real world," he said.
Castiel just stared "I don't believe any of this."
"Of course you wouldn't but it's true," Dean said. He personally missed his Castiel. The angel who was so naïve about many human things and proper in the way he spoke most of the time.
"You miss him, don't you?" Gabriel asked with a smirk "Annoyed with yourself yet?"
Dean just stared at him with confusion "What are you talking about?"
"This Castiel is acting just like you did," Gabriel said, pointing to the fake Castiel.
"Oh," Dean said, understanding "yeah, I was kind of annoying."
"What the hell are you two feathery idiots talking about?" Castiel snapped with irritation.
Dean rolled his eyes "Way too much to explain," he said "I just need to get out of here."
Gabriel smirked slightly with the knowledge of exactly how to get Dean out. He was just not ready to lose the entertainment. He figured he could spice it up a little. He turned to the fake Castiel "In the real world, Dean is in a relationship with the angel you."
Castiel lifted his eyebrows just as Dean's face flushed and he glared at Gabriel.
"Are you kidding?" Castiel asked "I don't go that way."
Gabriel chuckled "Just thought I'd throw that out there," he said "Later."
Dean went to swing at Gabriel but he had already disappeared. He ground his teeth as he took off from the room. He knew better; Castiel was going to have a million and one questions now and he wasn't ready to try and answer them.
. . .In the real World. . .
"I am getting really upset here," Castiel growled with annoyance as Gabriel showed back up in the room "How do you keep going in there?"
Gabriel shrugged "It's hard to explain," he said as he stared at Dean's sleeping form, knowing full well what he was going to have to endure now.
"You and Michael both did it. Tell me how to," Castiel said sharply as he sat back down on the bed besides Dean.
"It's not something you can just learn overnight," Gabriel said, staring at the wall for a moment, "And he is fine for the time being."
Castiel narrowed his eyes at Gabriel "You know how to get him out," he accused.
Gabriel put on an innocent expression "No, I don't. I've almost figure it out, though."
"You do know, don't you?" Sam asked suddenly as he walked into the room "I can tell by that look on your face."
Gabriel put on a blank expression "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"You definitely do," Sam said, his own annoyance building "Don't lie to me."
Gabriel sighed "I have a few ideas but I'm not sure if they'll work."
"That is bull," Sam said "You definitely know."
Gabriel rolled his eyes "You don't trust me?"
"No," Castiel said flatly "Please just get Dean out of that other world…please."
"Begging doesn't fit you," Gabriel said with a slight smirk.
Castiel ground his teeth and stood up "Tell me how to help him," he said.
"Fun suckers, all of you," Gabriel groaned, "It was just getting to the good part."
"How is it done?" Castiel asked.
"You just have to pull him out," Gabriel said with a shrug.
"What?" Castiel asked "Just pull him out? You couldn't do that?"
"No, I can't…but you can," Gabriel said "Since he is still technically yours, I literally can't help him. Has to be you."
"How do I get in there then?" Castiel questioned, trying to refrain from hitting Gabriel.
Gabriel wanted to shrink away from the look he was getting from Sam but he ignored that and went to explain the path to Castiel.
. . .In the Fake World. . .
"What have you been doing?" Sam's voice cut through the air.
Dean spun around from where he stood by the woods to stare at the fake Sam. His stomach twisted and his wings stiffened "I…I was just…sitting here."
Sam just stared at him "You realize that Uriel has been looking for you. He is not happy right now nor are the others. What have you done to hide from them?" he asked.
"How did you find me?" Dean questioned curiously.
"Because I know you," Sam said simply, his wings swaying in the breeze, "now you should go back to Heaven. They have some work for you."
Dean ground his teeth "No," he said "I don't have to listen to them."
"Are you really planning to disobey?" Sam asked with wide eyes "What has happened to you?"
"Ugh," Dean groaned "I hate the angel you."
"Excuse me?" Sam asked, arching an eyebrow.
"You are acting just like the friggen angels that you can't stand," Dean muttered "So annoying."
"You are acting foolish…I should have known you couldn't handle Hell," Sam said, shaking his head.
"Oh screw you," Dean said "Go back upstairs chuckles."
For the first time since Dean entered this world, he saw true emotions pass over fake Sam's face and it pleased him; anger and irritation.
"I don't want to see you get killed," Sam said in a taut voice.
"Then get away from me," Dean muttered as he spread his wings. He immediately took off to the motel room once more.
Castiel lay passed out on the bed when Dean arrived.
Dean watched for a moment, feeling eerily like one of those creeper vampires in movies. It was rare to see Castiel asleep so he was going to take advantage of the moment. After staring for a few minutes, Dean decided to lay down with him. He knew it was stupid and he'd get punched in the morning but he didn't give a damn.
He gently climbed onto the bed and curled up beside Castiel without even making the slightest sound; perks of being an angel. He slowly and softly wrapped his arms around Castiel and his stomach flipped when the hunter shifted before curling into Dean as though he didn't realize who he was…and he most likely didn't but Dean didn't care about that, either. He just wanted the feeling of holding Castiel again. With a soft sigh, he draped his wings over their bodies like a blanket.
Dean didn't really fall asleep the entire time he held onto Castiel. He just didn't need sleep but he did rest for a short while.
He had no idea how much time had passed before he sensed another angel nearby. His eyes popped open and he lifted his head to see the real trench coated Castiel standing in front of the bed with confusion in his eyes and his head tilted in the way Dean knew and loved.
It took a little while for Castiel to get a grip on how to enter the world Dean was in and he ended up in a few strange places but eventually, he found his way. The moment he arrived in the world, he immediately sensed where Dean was and fled there.
He ended up in a shabby old motel room not far from Bobby's house. He knit his eyebrows in confusion when his eyes set on Dean lying on the bed with…another Castiel. It was a strange sight indeed and he found himself just gawking. Even when Dean lifted his head to meet his gaze, Castiel couldn't stop staring.
"Cas?" Dean asked, his voice hopeful. He sat up rather too quickly because the other Castiel gasped and shot up in the bed with wide eyes, grabbing a knife from beneath the pillow. Dean ignored it and swiftly left the bed to pull the real Castiel into his arms.
Castiel sighed in relief at feeling Dean in his arms. He was just so happy to know he was okay. After a moment, Dean pulled away to stare at the two different Castiel's.
The real Castiel cleared his throat as he stared at the hunter one "This is…very bizarre."
"You're telling me," hunter Castiel said as he sat up on the bed with wide eyes, "I would never wear that trench coat."
Dean couldn't help but grin at how awesome it was to see both of them in the same room. He almost…almost imagined a threesome.
"Dean, are you ready to go home?" real Castiel asked, turning to his hunter-gone-angel. He was fascinated by Dean's wings.
Dean nodded "Yes," he said quickly "Can't stand the way these people act."
Castiel smiled "You really were frustrating when we first met."
Dean rolled his eyes "yeah, I get it," he said "Now let's go."
Hunter Castiel just blinked a few times before letting his head fall back onto the pillow, muttering something about never drinking again.
Dean smiled and turned back to the real Castiel "So…how does this work?"
"I am just going to pull you out," Castiel said, taking his eyes off of the human version of himself.
"Really? It's that simple?" Dean asked.
Castiel nodded and placed a hand onto Dean's shoulder, just over the mark he made. He closed his eyes and within seconds, he flew them back through the exit he had found.
. . .Back to the real world. . .
Dean gasped as he shot up on the couch where he was laying. His heart pounded in his chest and his eyes stung with the brightness in the room. He quickly turned to make sure he didn't have wings and was pleased to see none. He then took that moment to glance at his surroundings.
He was met by the scent of whiskey and old books at the same time as the comforting furniture of Bobby's place. He sighed with relief to see Castiel sitting beside him on the couch. Sam was walking into the room with relief written all over his face.
"Oh thank god," Sam whispered as he quickly claimed the free chair beside the couch.
"Thank Cas," Dean said with a smirk.
"You were out for three days," Sam said, handing Dean the beer he had just grabbed.
Dean willingly took it and gulped down half the bottle before placing it on the coffee table "Three days?" he asked "Damn…I don't know how long I was in the other world."
"How are you feeling?" Castiel asked, placing a hand on Dean's forehead to make sure everything was intact.
Dean swiped his hand off "I'm fine," he said "Just relieved to get out of there. Sam, never become an angel okay?"
Sam looked dumbfounded for a moment before he smirked and nodded "I'll keep that in mind."
"Where is Gabriel?" Dean asked.
"I'm pretty sure he is getting lectured," Sam said with slight annoyance.
"Why?" Dean asked.
"He knew how to get you out of there before saying anything," Sam said.
"What a douche," Dean mumbled but what could he really say. It was Gabriel…that was explanation enough.
"So what happened?" Sam asked curiously.
"I don't want to talk about it," Dean said, shaking his head "At least not at the moment…I'm tired."
"You just slept for three days," Sam noted.
"Don't care," Dean said, falling onto his side to get comfy.
"Wow," Sam said, shaking his head "I'm going to get some food."
"Don't forget pie," Dean said as he heard Sam's footsteps leave the room.
"I never do," Sam said as he walked out the door.
Dean grinned at Castiel, who had taken the seat Sam just left "Cas…when you 'learned your lesson' about serving only Heaven, was it an angel named Kezef who punished you?"
Castiel flinched at the name "Why…did you…" he trailed off with wide eyes.
Dean nodded "I am so sorry you had to go through that," he said sincerely.
Castiel frowned, not happy with the idea that Dean had to endure that punishment but he just nodded "Go to sleep," he said "You need it."
Dean sighed as he closed his eyes, falling into a deep state of sleep.
. . .
Gosh, finally done with this chapter. It took forever to write but now I get to come up with another idea. Yay! Good times! Time for my muse to suck it up and get new ideas.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter though and please leave a review.
Oh, by the way, I finally got my invitation thingy to Archive of Our Own and my name on there is GrimLoki. I am in the process of getting ALL of The Feather Effect onto there…it's taking forever.
