Chapter 10: Without Hesitation

Dean watched in horror as Sam wavered on his feet, the silver blade sticking from his side, as if he'd just been gutted. He cried out and a moment later Balthazar appeared at his brother's side, catching him before he crumpled to the ground like a ton of bricks. Dean felt his body sigh in relief seeing Balthazar with his brother, yet he was still worried. He trusted the angel to take care of Sammy but couldn't help feel his over-protective-self want to swoop in and rescue Sammy.

Yet he recognized love when he saw it in another's eyes, especially when they denied it themselves. Balthazar loved Sam and wouldn't let him die.

The angel's body suddenly jerked against Dean's hold. His focus instantly returned to the angel bitch he'd been dueling with. She slumped forward, dead. He had stabbed her through the side of her neck with the blade, killing her. He withdrew the blade and pushed her empty vessel away. She slumped ungraciously to the floor, dead. Dean felt the fleeting moment of regret, knowing that he not only killed an angel but also the human with whom the angel possessed.

His eyes shot back to Balthazar and Sam. He saw Balthazar remove the blade from his brother's side. Panic overwhelmed him. He resisted the urge to run and help him. He knew he'd be helpless there- but not with the fight.

Suddenly a painful grunt from behind him drew his attention. Dean turned in time to see Raphael violently snap Cas's wrist, making the angel blade fall uselessly to the ground. His heart lurched at the sight of Castiel, weak and helpless against the powerful Arch-Angel Raphael. Raphael pulled Cas in close with an evil smile as he held the tip of the blade ominously over Cas's exposed throat.

Everything Dean ever felt or feared, faded away in that moment. All he saw was Cas, his dark hair messy and windswept, his trench coat ruffled and dirty, and his beautiful blue eyes focused. Cas was beaten and broken, standing on the cliffs of death. His angel… his love. He wouldn't allow his death- he wouldn't allow his life to be taken from him. Castiel was his now and no one, not even the Arch-Angel would take that from Dean. He deserved happiness in his life and if he had to take another's to keep it, he would do it in a heartbeat.

Dean gritted his teeth and inhaled sharply. He tightened his grip on the blood stained blade and moved, without hesitation and without fear. He wasn't going to let the love of his life get slaughter right before his eyes- he'd rather die first.

"Good bye Castiel- say hello to our family," Raphael whispered menacingly.

Cas's eyes burned brightly. "Go to Hell," he retorted even with the sharp tip of the blade pressing into his throat.

Dean stood behind Raphael, eyes momentarily locking with Cas's. His heart hammered in his chest. Now or never. With every ounce of strength he had left, Dean slammed the blade into Raphael's back.

Raphael roared. The scream pierced the night air and vibrated the pavement. Dean watched in awe amazement and horror as the blinding white light filled Raphael's body and began to shine through. It was like looking directly into the sun.

Dean suddenly realized he was standing in front of a bomb. He instinctively took a step back but it didn't matter how far he ran at this point. It was too late.

The blast propelled him up into the air and sent him flying backwards. The light burning the night sky and world around them. He landed roughly on a parked car, shattering the front window and denting the hood before rolling off and landing on his face. Glass shattered over his head as the white light continued to shine. The screams still echoing in the vastness. Pain shot through Dean from the force of impact he hit the car. It made him grimace and curse.

Suddenly it all ended.

The light faded. The screams stopped. The world froze. Dean tasted the metallic taste of blood as he coughed out, his lungs still trying to retain oxygen. Warm, firm hands pressed onto his back and rolled him over. Dean's eyes opened to see Sam kneeling over him. He was speaking, he could tell because his lips were moving, but he couldn't hear anything he said. He stared blankly up at him, feeling the sudden haze of the moment blur and fade. The pain suddenly became unbearable and his body refused to tolerate it anymore. He closed his eyes and felt the warm, welcoming embrace of darkness.

He saw Cas in his mind. He hoped his angel was safe and alive. Dean's heart ached momentarily but he wouldn't remember that, as he blacked out.

"Drink?" Balthazar asked, holding a glass filled with amber liquid.

"No," Cas answered stiffly. His blue eyes focused on Dean, who laid unconscious on the motel bed in front of him. Cas had pulled a chair to the side of his bed and simply sat there, staring at him while he slept.

"You know… staring at him won't make him wake up anytime soon." Balthazar remarked, plopping down on the couch on the other end of the motel room.

"Yes, I'm aware of this," Cas said, snapping his gaze over to the other angel.

The couch where Balthazar sat was an ugly shade of green that even Cas found unappealing. He didn't know much about human colors or designs, except this motel they chose was quiet distasteful. However they had to leave their previous motel because of the suspicious amounts of dead bodies lying in the parking lot. So this motel room would have to suit their purposes until the night was over and the hunters had their rest.

Rest… that was what Dean was doing. He had blacked out in the parking lot after the brutal landing on top of the parked car. Cas healed the cuts and scrapes from his hunter, except he had not revived. So Cas waited. Balthazar on the other hand had the forethought of moving them somewhere a little less conspicuous saying, "I'd hate to stick around for the fuzz… I doubt I could lie my way out of this many dead bodies…"

Now Balthazar, Dean, Sam and himself were in the cheesy motel room, waiting.

"He's gonna be all right, Cas." Sam said reassuringly, patting his shoulder.

Cas nodded curtly, "I know." He knew he was being abrupt with both of them. But he couldn't help it. Dean was still unconscious and the images of Dean sneaking behind Raphael plagued him. Why did he take such a risk? He could've been killed! He should've known better than to risk his life for his. Dean, once again, made an irrational decision that nearly got him killed.

However, Dean did save his life. He would at least thank him for that once he awoke.

"I'm gonna head next door," Sam said motioning to the separate room he acquired. "I need to rest…"

Cas nodded again, "Thank you for your help today, Sam."

They locked eyes briefly and Sam smiled softly, "Anytime, Cas." Sam left the room, shutting the door quietly behind him.

"Hey- you have yet to thank me!" Balthazar protested feebly from the couch.

Cas cocked an eyebrow at him, "You're in my service anyway, Balthazar. You're loyalty is to be expected."

Balthazar rolled his eyes dramatically, "How hard is it for you to just say- 'thank's B for your outstanding job today, you're my new B.F.F'?"

"What is a B.F.F?" Cast asked drily.

Balthazar smiled, "It stands for Best Feathery Friend."

Cas titled his head thoughtfully then said, "I doubt that."

Balthazar suddenly chuckled and stood. "You're right, but I thought it sounded better. Anywho- I'm gonna go…"

When Balthazar trailed off, Cas glanced over his shoulder at him. "I know."

The angel cleared his throat awkwardly, "You know, what?"

"About you and Sam."

"And how is that?" Balthazar asked with narrowed eyes.

"Sam bought a separate room tonight. They usually share a room. But tonight he got another one. I believe he wishes to speak with you alone."

Balthazar's eyes darted to the room next door as if he had the power to see through the wall. Cas watched in amusement at his friend. A mixture of emotions crossed his face, fear, panic, hope and surprisingly enough… need. Cas had not expected Balthazar to ever find companionship. He seemed to self-serving and arrogant to feel the need to be happy with someone. If he ever did encounter someone, they would have to be special, unique and quiet astounding to tempt the roughish angel. And Sam was all of those things and more. Cas recognized it long ago, though he had not felt that same draw as he did with Dean. He simply recognized greatness. It must run in the family, he observed thoughtfully.

"Right then, I probably shouldn't keep him waiting." Balthazar said, shifting uncomfortably.

Cas glanced upwards at his nervous friend. He felt somewhat sorry for him. He was flustered and anxious. "Be honest with him, Balthazar." Cas said, trying to be helpful. "Sam is smart. Don't play games with him." He warned.

Balthazar nodded gravely, "I won't."

Cas stared at him a moment longer before turning his focus back to Dean. Balthazar seemed to take the hint and vanished. Cas sighed, sitting across from the sleeping hunter. He would wait all night if he had to. But once Dean was awake, he planned on being honest as well. Like he should have that night they spent together. Now Cas would have his opportunity and would take it, without hesitation. So Cas waited.

TBC

**I'm having so much fun writing this! Sorry about all the cliff-hangers! I'm a sick puppy for doing it to u guyz- but at least i didn't keep u waiting days! that would've been truly awful of me! ;)

-though on a side note- i took a forced break from writing for a dental apt & thought it would be good to escape the story for a bit. except the tv at the dentist was on & as i'm about to get my teeth shined- Crowley (well the guy who played him) stared back at me from a rerun on the old show Las Vegas! I couldn't help but laugh at the irony. i wanted to take a break- but the supernatural world conspired against me. lol!

happy Supernatural Friday!

btw... check back later tonite for the next update! ;)

~luv kidneythieves