After breakfast the five of them gathered in Dean's room to discuss the hunt. Well Dean and Mac did—the other three just sort of sat around. Lucifer had his head tilted back and seemed to be counting the little bumps in the popcorn ceiling. Balthazar was leaning against Methos, Methos one hand on his hip and the other kept going into the air above the angel's shoulder. It looked like he was miming petting something but by the contented look on Balthazar's face Methos was stroking his wing. What in the hell had happened to Dean's life?

Dean sighed and shook his head "So" he cleared his throat "the haunting's at Gonzaga University…"

Methos's head perked up "It's not Bing is it? Because I'm pretty sure he's buried at Holy Cross in Culver City."

Mac rolled his eyes "According to Bobby's information it's most likely a priest. We just don't know who and it's in the library."

"Oh. Well, that's boring."

…

It was when they broke for lunch that Balthazar decided to have a word with Dean. "You, monkey boy" he said to the hunter as they waited for their food at the diner they'd chosen, a place called TGI Friday's.

Dean narrowed his eyes "What did you say?"

"You heard me. I'd like to have a word with you regarding my brother."

Dean leaned back and seemed completely unimpressed "Is the part where you tell me not to hurt him again or you won't hesitate to smite me?"

Balthazar's mouth fell open a moment and then he shut it again "Yes."

"You know, Balthazar, I'm really glad that I'm the only thing you and your dad agree on" the little prick was smirking.

Balthazar shrugged "Well we gotta agree on something sometime." He leaned forward "If you EVER do anything to break Castiel's heart, I won't just smite you. I will obliterate you, I will tear you apart piece by piece while you're still alive. You think you learned torture in Hell? That's nothing on the punishments in Heaven's jail."

"Dean doesn't have wings to rip out feather by feather, Balthazar" Lucifer said, rolling his eyes.

Dean's eyes were wide "That's what you guys do up there? Did they do that to Cas when they dragged him out of his vessel last year?" he was clearly directing the question at Balthazar as no one else would know.

"Castiel has not informed me of what he went through in Bible camp."

"Is that what you kids are calling it these days?" Lucifer asked "God."

"Retraining actually, run by the ice queen."

"You mean your mother?"

"That's the one."

Next to him Methos shuddered "Does your mother still not like me?"

"Methos, my love, she fucking hates you. Dad doesn't hate you quite as much."

Lucifer leaned back in his seat "I was always surprised things didn't work out between Sachiel and Naomi. They're so similar."

"I'm sure that's why" Duncan said. "Ceirdwyn's a better balance for Sachiel."

Methos smirked and said to Duncan "Cas know you've slept with his mother yet?"

Lucifer, Balthazar and Dean all snorted "You did what?"

Duncan's face was bright red "That was before I…you know what, shut up, Methos."

…

Later that night, Balthazar grumbled when Methos handed him a shovel "How'd we get stuck doing this?"

"Well if you hadn't pissed off Dean…"

"Isn't it my job to threaten my brother's boyfriend?"

"You didn't have to use so much imagery, Balthazar." Methos started digging "You wanna make this faster, use your mojo."

"You know d—very well I can't on Holy ground unless in extreme emergencies."

"Then start digging. I'm not doing this by myself."

"I can't believe you're asking me to desecrate a grave; of a priest no less."

"It has to be done, he's a bloody violent ghost."

Balthazar held up his shovel "How do you even use this thing?"

Methos sighed "Watch and learn darling."

After a few minutes of digging Methos said "You don't like Dean do you?"

"Prerogative as Castiel's brother. I don't know Methos, I've never understood Cassie's taste."

"Just play nice Balthazar. Castiel loves him and we love Cas, don't we?"

…

Books were being flung all about the library—this ghost was pissed and while he set heavy tomes towards Dean and Duncan, his rage seemed to be particularly focused on Lucifer.

"That exorcism isn't going to work," he told the ghost calmly, "I'm not a demon."

A very large leather bound book hit him square in the face, sending him to the floor. He groaned and sat up, searching for the offending volume. There was one lying at his side "You've got to be kidding me."

Dean chuckled as he ducked another book "He hit you with the Bible. That's hilarious."

Lucifer shot him a glare. It figures that stupid book would fall open to freaking Genesis. He gazed upwards "Are you trying to tell me something, Father?"

Duncan appeared from around a corner, sword drawn "Those lazy asses better hurry up with the bones."

"Can't angels smite ghosts?" Dean asked rubbing his shoulder.

Lucifer got to his feet "you can't smite something that's already dead."

"Dean, you okay?" Duncan asked.

"Uh, yeah, it's just…" his eyes widened "Cas," he said and collapsed to the floor. Fortunately the ghost chose that time to burn up.

"Dean!" Duncan rushed to his side.

Lucifer mentally told Balthazar for him and Methos to meet back at the motel and he knelt by Dean as well. He pushed up his sleeve, Castiel's handprint was so red it was practically glowing. "I think something's wrong with Castiel," he said before transporting the three of them back to Dean's room.

…

When Dean came to, he ached all over but he didn't care about that. He knew, just knew something was wrong with Cas.

Methos was sitting next to him on the bed. Bed? "How did I get here?"

"Angel airways" Methos said "what happened Dean? They said you clutched your left arm and passed out."

Dean found his outer shirt was off and the sleeve of his tee was shoved up to his shoulder. The handprint still stung and looked fresh as the day he got it. "I don't know. How long was I out?"

"Over an hour" Lucifer answered. "You felt something wrong with Castiel didn't you?"

Dean nodded "How do you know?"

He cocked his head—must be an angel thing "He's praying to me. Needs help."

Dean forced himself to his feet "Then what are we waiting for?"

…

They found Cas sitting against a tree in some park, made spookier by the fact it was three in the morning. His knees were drawn up to his chest and he looked like death warmed over. His eyes were wide and tears stained his cheeks.

Dean ran over to him and knelt down "Cas! Babe, what happened?"

"Oh Father," Lucifer breathed "His Grace is missing."

Dean felt his blood run cold "Shit. Cas, baby, can you hear me?"

Lucifer knelt too "I think he's in shock, Dean."

Dean put his hands on Cas' cheeks "Babe, look at me. Castiel, baby I'm right here." He wiped a tear away with a thumb and kissed Cas gently.

Cas breathed in as if from coming out of a trance "Dean?"

"I'm right here," Dean repeated and pulled him into his arms. Cas clutched to him tightly "It was a trap Dean."

"Castiel," Lucifer said gently "who did this to you?"

"Raphael," Cas sniffled "took my Grace. Oh God, everything hurts."

Dean pulled back slightly to look at him "Why would he do that?"

"He said it was a better punishment than death."

"That bastard," Lucifer growled "even I'm not that cruel. Death is more merciful."

"What about your dad?" Dean asked.

"He's the one who lead me into the trap!"

"What?" Dean and Lucifer said.

"Because Michael's returned. My father's always followed him."

"I always thought your father was an idiot," Lucifer said "but this should cheer you up: Balthazar isn't dead."

"He's what?"

"Apparently he faked his death to be with Methos."

"Dean, I'm going to need your assistance in committing fratricide."

…

Castiel was in intense pain, every inch of his body throbbed, especially his back where his wings once were. But what hurt more than the physical pain was the betrayal of his father. He clung to Dean tightly, afraid to let go.

Dean rubbed his back gently "It'll be okay, babe."

"I don't see how. Everything hurts, Dean and I'm so cold."

Lucifer put an oddly comforting hand on his shoulder and Castiel was thankful that he could still see the Archangel's halo and wings. "It will be all right, Castiel. We'll get your Grace back. Raphael won't destroy it, he's not that much of a brat. Besides Michael won't let him." A cooling warmth spread through him "That should ease the pain for now but I'm afraid you'll have to avoid strenuous activity for a while."

Castiel pulled back from Dean slightly and looked at Lucifer with concern "Does that mean I can't have sex?"

"Cas!" Dean coughed nervously.

"I apologize Dean; I know you do not like to talk of our sex life in front of others."

Lucifer chuckled "I wouldn't go all the way for a few days at least." He stood up "You ready to get back to the hotel?"

Castiel nodded "Yes, I would like to see my brother. Oh, did you take care of the ghost?"

"Yeah" Dean pulled Castiel to his feet, "it hit Lucifer in the face with a Bible."

"There is no need to share that with everyone," Lucifer took their arms and a moment later they were in Dean's hotel room.

Balthazar pushed off from the wall he'd been leaning on "Cassie, my God, what happened?"

"Raphael took his Grace," Lucifer explained.

Castiel stepped away from Dean "Balthazar, first I just want to say that you breed with the mouth of a goat" and he punched him which he instantly regretted "Fuck!" he cradled his hand.

Dean was at his side "You break anything?"

Castiel wiggled his fingers "I don't think so. I'm sorry Dean, for all the times you've felt the need to punch an angel."

"Which is most of the time, I imagine," Lucifer said.

Balthazar moved closer to Castiel "For what it's worth, that was a pretty good punch."

Castiel glared at him.

His brother held up his hands "I get it, you're upset with me."

"I thought you were dead! I thought Raphael killed you! It's been two months, Balthazar!" Castiel's eyes were stinging and he found himself pounding on his brother's chest.

"I'm sorry, Cassie" Balthazar wrapped his arms around him and held him tightly "I'm sorry. I was going to tell you."

"When?!"

"When I knew it would be safe to do so."

"I'm leading a rebellion, Balthy, I needed you."

"I know, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."

"Father's betrayed us."

"What?" Balthazar pulled back and looked at him.

"He led me to Raphael." Castiel was crying on his brother's shoulder now.

"Why would he do that?"

"Michael's returned, you know he always followed Michael."

…

Meanwhile the others had moved over to Duncan and Lucifer's room to give the angel brothers privacy. Mind, Lucifer had to drag Dean out almost forcibly.

Dean paced back and forth grumbling something unintelligible.

Lucifer leaned back on his bed "Calm down, Dean."

Dean rounded on him "Calm down?! Your bastard brother took Cas's Grace! How am I supposed to help him through that?"

"Just be there for him," Duncan said gently.

"He's been human before hasn't he?" Lucifer asked "I distinctly remember not sensing any angel in him when I blew him up."

"You did what?" Methos exclaimed "You killed one of my best friends?"

Lucifer shrugged "It was a reflex, he threw a Holy Fire Molotov at Michael. Besides God brought him back."

"That's not the point, Dad."

"Oh, like you've never killed anyone you immediately regretted."

Methos blanched and muttered something in Babylonian.

"That reminds me" Dean stopped pacing and looked at Methos "What did you do during the Bronze Age?"

If the room hadn't already been silent it would have fallen so. Duncan sighed wearily and shook his head.

Lucifer reached over and put a hand on Methos's shoulder "You should tell him. Everyone else knows."

Methos took a breath "I would like to reiterate that at the time I did not have my angel memories."

"When did you remember?" Duncan asked suddenly.

Methos sighed "Not long after I let Cassandra escape."

Dean stood with his arms crossed and his eyebrows raised.

Methos shut his eyes a moment and then said "I rode with three other immortals and for quite a few centuries we raped and murdered our way across Europe and Asia."

Dean was slack jawed and after a long moment he finally said "But you're not doing that anymore?"

"No. I gave it up a long time ago."

The hunter nodded firmly "Okay then."

Methos's mood changed instantly and rounded on Duncan "He's handling this way better than you did!"

"He doesn't know Cassandra!"

"Hey, guys" Balthazar and Castiel came into the room "You two aren't supposed to be the ones fighting. It's supposed to be Methos and Cassie."

Methos glared at his mate and Castiel whacked him in the ribs.

Balthazar was unfazed as usual "I mean, those two;" he said to Dean, "bicker, bicker, bicker, always disagreeing. If it weren't for me and Duncan, they'd have killed each other long before now."

Methos stood "You don't want sex tonight do you?"

Finally Balthazar managed to look contrite "I'm sorry, darling."

Duncan sighed heavily "Did you two work things out?"

Castiel nodded "Yes" he snaked an arm around Dean's waist and leaned against him. But he straightened up again just as quickly, eyes wide and he whispered something in Dean's ear who coughed and his cheeks colored.

"I think we should all get a few hours sleep, yeah?" he tugged Cas towards the connecting door. "See you all in the morning."

"It already is the morning" Lucifer called after him.

Methos, who had been standing close enough to the pair to hear what Castiel had whispered, smirked "Aw, does whittle Cassie have to use the potty?"

Castiel glared at him, cursed at him in Enochian and slammed the door after him and Dean.

"Just wait till you have to do number two!" Methos yelled through the door.

"Shut up Methos!" Dean shouted back.

Balthazar shook his head "Now, you're not getting sex tonight. That's was a little low, darling" and he disappeared with a flutter of his bluish white wings.

Duncan got up from where he was sitting "that really was Methos. I'm gonna shower" he announced before heading into the adjoining bathroom

Methos huffed and sat back down.

"Play nice, son" Lucifer stretched his arms "Castiel's had a rough day."

"Oh, he'll get me back, I'm sure."

"You should still apologize."

Methos flopped down horizontally across the bed "Fine, at breakfast. Since Balthy's mad at me, you don't mind if I stay here, do you?"

"Of course not. But Methos, you have to understand why we're upset with you."

"Oh come on, Dad. It was one bad joke."

"And it was badly timed, son. Castiel had his Grace ripped out from him, ripped against his will. That is the cruelest, most barbaric thing that can happen to an angel. You see, Methos, your Grace wasn't taken, it was altered. So you have no idea what it's like and you are in no position to joke."

Methos stared up at him and his age showed in his hazel eyes "You know, Dad, you're a much better individual than people give you credit for. I'll talk to Cas, I promise."

Okay, yes the teasing had been badly timed, Methos admitted that. He should have waited a few days and then he and Cas would have just kept up their usual banter and Methos wouldn't have been punished.

So a few hours later when they all met for breakfast he pulled Cas aside and apologized for being an insensitive prick.

Castiel regarded him coolly "Why apologize for being who you are?"

Methos gaped at him a moment and then grinned "So we're okay, then?"

The corner of Cas's mouth curved up "Aren't we always?" he turned around and sat next to Dean at the table.

Sighing Methos sat across from him "You should try the waffles. They're quite good."

Cas nodded "Yes, I think I will. I've developed a taste for them. How different will food taste now that I'm human?" Before anyone could even attempt to answer he asked "Can we get burgers for lunch? I would like to try those as well."

Dean chuckled and pulled Cas up "Let's start with those waffles first, babe."

In reality I think it's Gonzaga's music hall that's haunted but don't quote me on that.

That Lucifer's a pretty nice guy once you get to know him, ain't he?

Poor Cas but don't you worry about a thing.

Brother reunion in the next chapter so stay tuned.

Please review.