Castiel stood outside of the seemingly abandoned warehouse building and suffled his feet with anticipation as he kept his eyes locked into the door. Sigils around the house – unseen by the mortal eyes, but easy for angel to see – should had already alarmed the people inside of his presence. So why hadn't anybody yet came to interrogate him? Were they expecting some kind of trap – that angels from another fraction were hiding nearby, just waiting others to drop their guard so that they could attack?

It might be exactly what this is about, Castiel mused. If even a fracture of what that demon said is true, then the situation is extremely grave…

He thought that maybe he should just leave – Dean and Sam were waiting nearby in their Impala, and Castiel knew that they were keeping an eye on him, sitting quietly while listening every sound that the open cellphone in Castiel's pocket sent them from and being ready to rush on his side if any sign of him needing help was noticed.

But leaving would mean giving up, and he'd already spent so much time to convince others to let him even try this…

Earlier…

Aziraphale and Anthony had returned to the bunker as promised, and passed the grimoire they found to Sam and Bobby to explore. They were eager to try the spell, and hoped that Bela would contact them as soon as possible, though Fergus had warned that it would probably take a few days at least.

The text-message came to Sam's phone at the evening, and his eyes went little wide as he saw from who it was from. "Gadreel!" he exclaimed, surprise clear in his voice. "I put my number in to the cellphone a gave to him, but I never really believed that he would actually use it…"

"Great. Now what does he want?" Dean asked grumpily.

"Wait, let me take a look at it… Cass? I think it's for you", Sam said and offered the phone to him. Castiel took it and scrolled the message over, while Dean and Fergus came to read it over his shoulders.

The message was rather short: there was an address (which Sam was already looking from his computer) and above it the name "Hannah".

"So what's that supposed to mean?" Dean asked.

"I checked the address; it matches with an abandoned warehouse", Sam said.

"Hannah's there", Castiel said. "That's what he wants to tell me – where to find Hannah."

Dean took the phone from his hand and read the message again, his eyes squinted with suspicion. "But why tell this to us now? He was rather sure of not wanting to help us before, so what's made him to change his mind now?"

"Could be trap", Fergus pointed out – he clearly wasn't keeping any hurry to forgive and forget Gadreel's action towards his father.

"Or maybe he just felt like he owed us a favor, after feeding him and all", Sam countered. "Besides, he might not yet had this information back then."

"I should go there", Castiel said.

"Out of the question", Dean said with authoritative voice.

"But Hannah may know something about Metatron's plans", Castiel pleaded his case, "and she could also tell me just how bad is the situation right now…"

"Absolutely not", Dean said, and crossed his arms over his chest to make it clear that he would not change his mind about this.

Castiel turned to Fergus, but the ex-demon only shrugged. "Sad to say, but I'm with the Squirrel in this. I don't trust on this Gadreel, nor on angels altogether – those currently in this room excluded."

Castiel looked at Aziraphale for help, but the other angel seemed uncertain. "I don't know, Castiel – I would love to believe that Gadreel has looked past of his grudges and decided to side with us, but… I'm not sure if I can. I wouldn't want any harm come to you because of something that had nothing to do with you in the first place."

Castiel felt defeated, but then another voice came to his aid; "I think you should let him try it." All heads turned towards Anthony, who looked ready to go hide behind Aziraphale under theirs stares. "I mean, he clearly wants to; and if you wont let him, he'll do it anyway, with no-one as his back-up, while feeling bad for doing it behind our backs. That's exactly what he's done before, and has it ever ended up anything else but in total mess?"

Dean opened his mouth, probably start to shout, but this time Bobby was faster. "I side with that." He looked sternly at Fergus while continuing, "It's not like you have any rights to be against this – not if I have to allow you putting yourself on even bigger risk while playing bait for Abaddon."

Fergus scoffed. "Is this some stupid payback of yours? "You're going to make me worry for your sake, so let's see how well you'll handle of being worried of someone first"?"

Bobby shook his head. "No – but if you are allowed to take risk in a case that's important to you, why should the same rights be denied from Cass?"

Fergus didn't seem to be convinced, but Aziraphale looked thoughtful. Then he said, "You're right, both of you. Risks are real, but we can't really deny Castiel for acting due his free will."

Sam looked at Dean apologetically before adding hesitantly, "And I'm afraid that I have to agree with them. I really don't want any harm to come for Cass, but we simply need to know more about Metatron's case. We cannot know if Hannah has any interests for helping us, or if she even knows anything more than us, but we have to try."

"Yeah? And what if it indeed is a trap?" Dean said spitefully.

Sam shrugged. "We'll be nearby, ready to act if things go south. And honestly, Dean – if this was about you, you would already be there, with backup or not."

"Well, but…"

"Dean, I promise to be careful", Castiel said. "Besides, Hannah is old friend of mine; she has helped me before, remember?"

"Maybe, but I also remember that she wasn't exactly happy with you after you refused to go back to Heaven with her", Dean reminded him with a grumpy voice, which made Fergus snigger.

"Oh, are you worried that Feather may end up running away with his ex?" he said. "Well, I wouldn't blame him… considering how slow your moves towards him have been…"

"What's that supposed to mean?!" Dean shouted, his face heated up with anger and embarrassment.

Castiel wasn't sure how he was expected to react, mostly because he didn't quite comprehend what was said. He looked at Sam for advises, but the younger Winchester seemed to be too amused by Dean's outcry to take a notice of him.

Anthony came to his aid by saying with low voice, "Fergus suggested to Dean that you and Hannah might have been in romantic relationship before."

Castiel's eyes went wide. "We haven't!" he exclaimed, and shot an icy look on Fergus. "We haven't", he repeated.

Fergus rolled his eyes. "Are you sure that Hannah has got that memo, too?"

"She's my friend, not… anything that you implied", Castiel said stubbornly.

"Can't we all just calm down?" Aziraphale asked with exasperation. "Maybe I could brew us a nice cup of tea…"

Anthony sniggered fondly. "That's your answer for anything, Angel… but I wouldn't mind a cuppa", he assured hurriedly as Aziraphale glowered at him.

Finally they all ended up sitting around the kitchen table with a steaming cup of tea in front of them; though Castiel had politely refused the offered cup and Dean was ignoring his while sulking and glaring draggers to them all. He hadn't so much of gave in but grumpily accepted that no-one was going to hear his arguments, and now refused to join their conversation. Castiel hoped that he could find right words to assure Dean that everything would go well, but didn't hold his breast while waiting that to happen.

"Dean and I will come with you", Sam told to Castiel and tried to catch his brothers eyes, but the elder Winchester just shrugged and turned his face away. Brushing it off, Sam continued, "We will wait block or two apart and if anything suspicious happen, we'll rush right on your side."

Castiel nodded. "Nothing will happen – but I'm happy that you'll be there anyway", he added while peeking a look at Dean. He felt his wings drooping a bit when other show no sign of noticing that.

Bobby stood up. "Meanwhile, I think that I should take another look on that grimoire and see if I can make any sense of that spell; I know that Bela will bring the witch as soon as she's able, but I would like to have even a foggy idea of what we should expect to happen then." He walked out of the door, knocking Dean's head while walking past him. "Stop being a jerk, idjit", he grumbled under his breath. Fergus, who followed hot on Bobby's heels, leaned up to whisper something on Dean's ear; Castiel couldn't hear what it was about, but considering the spiteful look on Fergu's face and the way Dean suddenly shuddered, he could guess that it was nothing pleasant.

"We'll join you soo", Aziraphale called after them while carrying empty teacups in the sink. "Will you offer an helping hand, dear?"

"I'm the towel-man", Anthony said quickly. "I'm not really the friend of hot water", he told to the others confidentially.

Sam stood up too. "I'll go and put things ready." After shooting a quick look at Dean he added, with lower voice, "Don't worry – he'll come along." He gave Castiel an apologetic smile and pat on the shoulder, before going to gave Dean far less gentle shove.

"This is mafia", Dean complained while rubbing his arm.

"Grow up", Sam hissed before leaving.

Now there were only four persons left in the kitchen. Castiel was planning to leave, when Dean suddenly sighed and said, "I really don't like you taking these risks."

"We all do take them time to time, you more than anyone else", Castiel reminded him. It felt like his heart has just started to beat again, now that Dean was no longer ignoring him.

"It's different when it's you", Dean insisted.

Castiel licked his lips hesitantly. "Why is that, Dean?"

"You know why!" the hunter said, while throwing his arms up with frustration.

"I'm not sure", Castiel answered. "I think I do – and I hope that I'm right with that thought – but how can I be sure? You humans – you're so complicated. You say something while your eyes tell differently and your act shout all another thing – how can I ever be sure?"

Dean stared at him with frustration and nervousness and longing, and then glanced towards Aziraphale and Anthony; the angel choose right that moment to say, rather loudly, "It's a quite a noise this faucet is keeping, isn't it, dear?"

And Anthony retorted, just as loudly, "Yes, indeed – and all this tableware, clicking together… Hard to hear anything else!"

Dean shook his head. "Dorks", he muttered, but sounded rather amused, and turned back towards Castiel. "See, I, um… Eh, damn it all!" he suddenly growled, grabbed Castiel on his shoulders – and kissed him.

Dean's kissing me. It took few moments of Castiel's brains to catch up with that phrase. Then he felt bubbly, fuzzy warmness to fill his stomach. Dean is kissing me! He didn't hesitate to answer on that act.

Way too soon Dean pulled back, breaking contact between their lips to gasp a breath, but then pressed their foreheads against each other; Castiel felt the puffs of his breath against his lips. "You're impossible", Dean said with stern voice. "You act upon a moment's heat, not even once stopping to think what are the consequences for yourself. You're trustful and naive, and so full of ideals, and expect everyone else be as honorable as you are, and end up breaking either your heart or few of your bones once it becomes clear that it totally isn't so. You mean good to anyone, and somehow it always cause a horrible mess because you think that you don't want to made anyone else to carry your burdens and think that you have to do everything on your own – or then you ask help from Crowley, and that's probably just as bad…" Dean was babbling, but Castiel didn't really care, still as long as he kept talking the angel could keep drowning into his eyes. "And sometimes you fall so hard, and it breaks my heart, because you're the one angel that was never meant to do that – but you've always rise up again, and that's something I really admire in you – how brave you are, and how you just keep trying, even while everyone else have already given up and are begging you to let it rest… And I sound like a some complete idiot, and if Sam or Bobby – or Crowley, of God's sake! – ever hear about this I'm going to die for embarrassment, but freaking I love you, you stubborn, brave little fool, and I'm going to keep you safe, even if I have to fight with you in every step on it!"

After that summation of his character, Castiel was little out of depths what to say, so he said the only words that made any sense to him right then: "I love you too, Dean."

And then they kissed again.

Somewhere on the background Anthony said, "This wall is also very interesting. All this… tiles. Riveting, isn't it?"

"Indeed, Dear."

Back to the present…

Castiel blushed a bit and touched his lips absentmindedly while remembering their kiss. His head was still little giddy with happiness, though he tried to tone it down now that they were middle of a case… sorta.

He really must had been distracted, because he didn't sense anyone nearing him from behind before angelblade was pressed against his throat and familiar voice growled into his ear, "No sudden movements… Why are you here, Castiel?"

"Hannah", Castiel acknowledged, trying to not flinch as the blade scraped his neck. He made sure to not sound distressed, so that the Winchesters wouldn't misjudge the situation and rush in too soon.

"Answer me!" Hannah ordered.

"I came to talk", Castiel said. "I want to know about Metatron."

Hannah scoffed. "What's to tell? He cast us off and locked the gates of Heaven so that we cannot return." But she moved the blade little farther from Castiel's skin.

"How? How did he manage that?"

"A spell", Hannah said simply. "Your turn to answer: how did you find us?"

Castiel hesitated, and could feel the blade again start pressing little harder. "I'm not your enemy, Hannah!"

"That doesn't make you my ally, either; who told you?"

"Gadreel", he finally admitted, and Hannah went stiff.

"You've met him?" she asked with calculating tone.

"I…"

"Where?" Hannah demanded. "Where is that traitor?!"

"I don't know."

He was twirled around and threw against the wall, angalblade coming to point right on his heart. He met Hannah's gaze, and could see exhaustion and rage and even deeper devastation in her eyes as the other angel leaned forward and repeated, their faces so close that their noses were almost touching, "Where. is. he?"

"I don't know, Hannah."

For a moment Hannah stared him intensely right in the eyes before she seemed to relax a bit, enough at least to unhand him even though she didn't sheath her blade. "I believe you… for now. You never really learned how to lie, Castiel."

Castiel let out a breath he hadn't known that he had held. "I've heard that things are tense, but I wasn't prepared for this", he admitted.

Hannah laughed bitterly. "Tense! Let me tell you, Castiel, that if I hadn't vouched for you and volunteered to face you alone, you would already be dead."

"Then you have my gratitude."

The look Hannah gave to him was one he couldn't really comprehend. Then she shook her head and said, "But you need to promise to tell us if you encounter Gadreel again, Castiel; he has to pay for what he's done – and so do Metatron."

"From what I heard, it's not Metatron that you've been fighting against."

Hannah's eyes went dark. "You won't get to put a blame on me, Castiel!"

"I wasn't –"

"You left us! You defeated Rafael and we had a hope that you could combine Heaven's forces, but then you just left! And when I finally found you, you refused to return with me – us – and even worse, you made us to take the architect of our demise back to Heaven!"

"I didn't know things would go that way, Hannah."

"And even now – you haven't come to join us, have you, Castiel? Are you once again just going to stand still and watch while all you once believed in and were ready to fight for is dragged in to the mud?!"

"I'm looking ways to stop this. There's no point for this war."

Hannah shook her head. "It's way too late for that, and you know it."

"There must be a way! We – I mean I and the Winchesters and – we are trying to -"

"IT'S TOO LATE!" Hannah screamed back.

They stood there and stared at each other. Finally, Castiel continued, "Not even if I manage to find Metatron and force him to open the Heaven again?"

Hannah's smile was sad and bitter as she replied, "Oh, Castiel… What would it change? The fight would just move from earth back to the Heaven – but maybe that would be enough for you?" she then added, her eyes squinting at Castiel with suspicion. "At least, if we went on war in Heaven, your precious humans would be safe from the consequences, right?"

"I don't understand what you mean with that." But Castiel had a idea that he indeed did understand – and couldn't even deny what was said.

"You always choose them – ever since you met that Dean Winchester. What so special about him, anyway?"

"We're not talking about Dean", Castiel blocked. "Hannah, I really want to stop this war. I don't want angel – any angel – die for no real reason."

"You could had prevented this war if you'd returned to Heaven and took the lead", Hannah said stubbornly.

"They wouldn't have accepted me", Castiel countered. "You know that."

"There were many who would had."

"And just as many who wouldn't, and what should I had done to them? Force them to surrender under my leadership? Kill them, maybe?"

"Maybe."

Castiel shook his head. "I would had no right for that."

"There was a time when you were ready to surrender your morals for the sake of greater good", Hannah said with disappointed tone.

"I've changed."

"So I see." Why was she looking at him like that, with that desperate look in her eyes? Why did she look like she would start to cry?

"Hannah…"

"I hoped", she said, her voice stranded, "when I saw you outside… I hoped that maybe you were back – the old you. That you'd came to lead us into the victory, like you did once before… That Heaven could still be possible to reunite. But… it seems that it was a fools hope." Her breath shuddered.

"Hannah", Castiel repeated, with more gentleness, and she flinched.

"I hate this!" Hannah shouted at him. "This weak human body… with all these feelings…! I – why Heaven isn't enough for you anymore? Why aren't I enough?" And there was tears in her eyes, running down on her cheeks and dropping down from the point of her chin, falling to her blouse and on the ground. "Why does it always have to be about him!?"

And Castiel, who finally understood just how right Fergus had been with his words about Hannah earlier today, felt shame rise in to his throat and lifted his arms as to embrace his crying companion but let them then drop on his sides, feeling useless and inconsiderate and so out-of-depths here, and hoped that Aziraphale were there, with his soft words and compassion and tea… But he weren't, and Castiel was, and he didn't know what to do, so the words he next chose might have been the worst once to utter in that situation.

"I'm sorry."

Hannah let out a shriek and threw herself against him, abandoning her angelblade and letting it fell on the ground in the sake of hitting his chest with her fist while crying and sobbing and screaming at him.

Castiel felt light-headed and little nauseous and hoped against all hope that something, anything would happen and safe him from this situation; and then there was a hand on his shoulder, a warm, steady body against his side, and someone else gently pulling Hannah away from him while hushing her with a gentle voice.

Castiel turned to look at Dean, standing on his side, and did nothing to hide the relief shining from his eyes. The hunter smiled at him, and they turned to look at Sam, who was holding Hannah loosely in his embrace and uttering soft, placating words in a litany.

"Why did you came?" Castiel whispered. "I wasn't in danger…"

Dean leaned closer, his breath tickling Castiel's ear as he whispered back, "Because you weren't getting anything more out of her, and it was clear that the situation was completely out of your control. And", he added, "you never know what hysteric people with broken heart might decide to do."

"Thank you for coming", Castiel said quietly, "the both of you."

Hannah had finally realized what had happened, and pushed Sam away from him, making him stagger few steps backwards. She swept down to grab her blade and pointed it towards the younger hunter, who in turn held his hands up in placating manner; Dean cursed while his hand went to the holder of his gun, but he didn't pull it out yet.

"Hannah, we mean you no harm", Sam said with calm voice. "We just wanted to make sure that you were both okay…"

Hannah sneered, and her eyes looked for Castiel, narrowing into the slits as she saw Dean standing beside him, one arm still on his shoulder. "I can see that", she hissed, glaring draggers at Dean who glowered back at her and wound his arm over Castiel's shoulders, pulling him closer. "You may as well take him with you, right now… Seeing how you've already ruined him." Her eyes met Castiel's, filled with tears and grudge. "You better stay away from now on, Castiel." With tense shoulders, she turned around and started to walk away, her movements stiff and unrelenting.

Dean's eyes narrowed out of irritation and he seemed to be ready to shout something rude after Hannah, but Castiel caught his eyes and shook his head slightly. "Please", he said, "let her go."

"Like she'd any right to talk to you like that", Dean insisted heatedly. "She wont get to first throw a temper tantrum and then act all high and mighty just because you didn't answer to her feelings."

"Dean, she's new with all this – having all these feelings and not knowing how to deal with them. She's overwhelmed, and I can't blame her of that." Castiel looked sadly after her, as Hannah vanished from their sight inside the warehouse building. "I have had far more time to get used to what they're just now encountering, yet even I do miscalculations. If only I'd realized her feelings earlier…"

"Then what?" Dean asked challengingly. "You'd gone with her?"

"No, but maybe I'd know better words to reject her, once that wouldn't had ended up hurting her so…"

"Maybe's and if's wont change the past, Cass", Sam told to him softly. "You did nothing wrong; she'll understand that once she's calmed down a bit."

"And even if she doesn't, it's not your problem", Dean said firmly, and that marked end of that conversation. "Come on, let's head back; too bad that we had to go through all this drama for nothing…"

"I wouldn't say "nothing", Dean", Sam said, and the others turned to stare at him. "We didn't got much out of it, but something at least. First, we know that Metatron used a spell, that both banishes the angels – and take point of this: they're indeed banished, AKA forced out, not fallen like Anna or Anthony or even Lucifer – AND puts Heaven on the lockdown; and two, we know that simply undoing his spell wont stop the war between angels from happening."

"And much joy does that do to us…" Dean mumbled.

Sam frowned at him. "Maybe you've forgotten, but Bela will bring us to witch; we can make her to help us to counter that spell, if we manage to find out which one it is, and since we already know it's effects and what particles was used to it, that shouldn't be all too difficult. As what comes to the other part… It gives us a clear answer of what must be done to safe Heaven from the civil war."

Castiel looked at him, feeling fragile hope rising inside of him. "And what is that?" he asked.

Sam smile was melancholic. "We need to find an angel that both sides can accept as a leader of Heaven."