Part Ten
Some time had past since Castiel drunk himself to oblivion. He and Dean hadn't spoken about what occurred and what was said that night, and for that reason Castiel knew they probably never would.
That next morning he awoke with a headache that felt like some one was pounding several sledge-hammers across the insides of his head. Every sound hurt his ears, including when Dean slurped his coffee quietly or Ben tapping his pencil as he thought about the next question in his crossword. It didn't help when Gabriel came barging in, apologizing and squeezing the life out of the seraph.
"I'm sorry I broke your nose and bruised your pretty face," she said, her voice sounding higher then usual. Castiel winced when she suddenly started sniffing him, "Cass, are you- did you drink?"
He didn't reply, at first, but figured if he didn't she'd probably stay longer, and talk louder. "Yes, I- I was, well-"
"I don't care," she interrupted him with a raised hand. "Just don't do it again. You look like you've been run over by Rudolph and you smell like Noah. Oh, hello Dean."
Dean waved at her, slowly, staring at the angel with a raised brow.
"Gab, I have no intention of drinking ever again," Castiel grumbled, before he added, "Noah drank?"
"You have no idea," Gabriel murmured. "Have you heard the plans for Christmas?"
"No," Castiel shock his head, "I presume we will pray?"
"Yeah, from Midnight til sunrise but at a church in Africa," Gabriel said.
"You're gonna pray for six hours?!" Dean gasped, "Are you guys crazy?"
"Are you going to Church Dean?" Gabriel asked, her voice sounding accusing. "You should go, God only asks for a short period of time a week."
Dean rolled his eyes, before he sighed, "What are you lot doing after you spend Christmas morning snooze- sorry praying?"
Castiel was startled when Dean invited the three archangels over for a Christmas lunch along with Jophiel, Cassiel, Falafel and Haniel. According to Dean, he invited the last three because they were the only angel names he actually remembered. Dean had told him he wanted to invite Magnumtron but he was sure that wasn't his name, so he decided against inviting him.
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There were a few days before Christmas, and Castiel now found himself sitting beside Ben preparing Christmas decorations out of foam cups. Dean had brought a medium-sized plastic tree, paint and the foam cups at Ben's requests, and a few different coloured Christmas balls.
Castiel watched as Dean struggled to put the tree together, while Ben was painting the letters 'ACDC' onto one of the cups with silver paint. He had already made three other cups, painted and dry, ready to be hung up on the tree. The first had the word Metallica, the next was of a dragon, and the last of a brown teddy bear.
"Damnit!" Dean swore, throwing a branch aside. "This tree sucks!"
"You want me to try now," Ben asked, exasperated. The older man had been trying to fix the tree for over half an hour, to no avail.
"Alright! Fine! go ahead!" Dean grunted, throwing his hands up wildly before he plopped next to Ben and grabbed a foam cup, "I'll paint a stupid cup, you put the tree up."
And to Dean's amazement, the boy put the tree up within five minutes.
"Wow, outsmarted by a ten year old Dean," Castiel smiled.
"Shut up Cass," Dean grumbled. "Aww, crap."
"Yes!" Ben grinned as he sat down between the angel and human. "I won!"
"Crap!" Dean repeated.
"What's wrong?" Castiel asked, baffled. Dean was growing upset by the second; it baffled the angel, it was only a tree.
"I have to take him to church," Dean grumbled, slapping his forehead. "And stay with him, the whole time."
Castiel put his cup down and stared at Dean incredulously. "Is that all!?"
"That's a huge sacrifice on my behalf!" Dean said, angrily. Ben and Castiel exchanged a look. "What?"
"I'm very disappointed dad," Ben said, solemnly. Dean froze as he stared at the boy wide-eyed, "God saved you, and you can't go to church to celebrate his birthday?"
"But- but- hang on… did you just call me dad?" Dean asked, the boy nodded. Dean looked away, a smile grin forming on his handsome face. Castiel smiled too, the mood of the room lightening up immensely. "I suppose I could go to church. It can't hurt right?"
The next fifteen minutes were spent decorating the tree, quietly the three males revelling in the silence. The cups soon dried and were put up by Ben as Dean set the lights up and Castiel threw bright blue tinsel onto the tree. Castiel made a face of pain as Dean lifted Ben up to place an angel on top of the tree, finally finishing the beautifully decorated tree.
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Castiel placed a small box under the tree in the early hours of Christmas, before he grabbed his coat and left his home and headed to the monastery ready for prayer.
Hours later, Dean awoke with start when Ben crashed into his room, and began to jump up and down on his bed while screaming for the older man to wake up. Dean grumbled and trying to block the sound with the pillow, but when Ben dropped onto his stomach he shot up, huffing and grunting.
"Alright! Alright! I'm up!" Dean grunted, pushing Ben off him. "What's the big fuss!?"
"We have to go! Church starts soon," Ben said, excitedly.
"Don't you want to open a present first?" Dean asked, rubbing his eye tiredly.
"No! We have to go to church first!" Ben grinned, shaking his head, "Come on, dad!"
Dean grinned, he couldn't help himself; the goofy grin on his appeared every time he heard the word 'dad.' He slid out of his warm bed shivering slightly.
"Hey, dad! It's snowing outside," Ben said, jumping of the bed before he ran out.
"Jesus Christ," Dean murmured, as he grabbed a pair of jeans, and headed to the bathroom. "I can't believe I'm going to Church…"
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In the end it wasn't too bad. Sure, he fell asleep when the priest started reading from the Gospel, but he was awoken when everyone starting singing Halleluiah deafeningly. He and everyone else was amused by the priest's homily, he didn't realise priests had a sense of humour; or that jokes about Santa, angels and Christmas trees where told during Christmas Mass.
After the mass, Dean finally worked out why Ben wanted to go Church. The boy was leaning against the wall chatting away happily with two young girls his age. Dean shook his head as he made his way towards a table set up with tea and coffee. He picked up a foam cup filled with black coffee and stood aside watching the people wishing one another a merry Christmas. The atmosphere was loud and busy but peaceful and calming.
30 minutes later Ben and Dean were home, and Ben was sitting under the tree going through the boxes, counting how many presents he had. Dean was in the kitchen, reading through the instructions on the box of their Christmas lunch; frozen pies and sausage rolls.
The table was set up with extra chairs, plastic plates, and left over foam cups, plus a large bowl of M&M's in the middle of the table. The bell rang loudly, signifying the arrival of his guests.
"Hey, dad! They're here!" Ben called out as Dean pulled out the first batch of pies from the oven, he breathed in, inhaling the aroma of mince pie.
"Mmm," Dean groaned. "Let 'em in!"
"Okay," Ben nodded, as he opened the door. He froze before his eyes widened. "Uh, dad, you should check this out."
Dean raised a brow from the kitchen as he made his way to the front door. He almost tripped in astonishment. "Jesus Christ on crack."
Each angel was 'dressed up'. Gabriel and Cassiel where in green elf outfits, while Raphael, Falafel and Haniel had reindeer antlers on. Castiel also had reindeer antlers over his tussled hair, plus a glowing red nose tied around his face. But what was most shocking of all was Uriel.
He was dressed in a red outfit, a snowy white beard, a large sack on his back with a red cap on his head.
"Merry Christmas," the elves said cheerfully as Santa grunted.
"Say the line, Uri!" Raphael hissed, adjusting his headband.
"No,"
"Uriel,"
"I am not saying it!" Uriel hissed, his beard flowing with his speech. "I can't believe you made me wear this! I will smite you!"
Dean could not hold himself any longer. He burst out into laughter, leaning against the door unable to stand straight. Gabriel and Ben started laughing with him as Castiel smiled, his upper lip colliding with the red ball above his nose.
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The M&M's were the first to go. Raphael, Gabriel and oddly enough Uriel had a 'sword fight' over the last three pieces of candy. Ben and Dean roared with laughter when Castiel snuck his hand underneath the three battling hands and snatched the candy and popped it into his mouth. The three arch angels stared at him wide-eyed and gaped mouth.
"What?" he asked, innocently sucking at the candy.
"Give me one reason not to smite you," Gabriel asked, pleasantly.
"I'm sure that would go down nicely, smiting me for chocolate," Castiel replied, licking his lips. "You three realised there was one for each of you, right?"
Uriel smirked slightly, and nodded, "I just wanted to hurt Raphael's hand."
"Hey!" The blonde cried, angrily. "You are so rude!"
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The rest of the night went rather smoothly. Gabriel and Raphael began to sing Christmas Carols in their own way, replacing the characters with themselves and changing the words; including one about Castiel the red-nosed angel which had Ben giggling childishly as Dean chortled slightly. Dean however wasn't smiling when she started to mock him with another Christmas song.
Ben was spoiled rotten receiving a separate gift from each angel, including a bike, scooter, a new Nintendo DS, a WII, a few board games, books, DVDS, and a puppy named Moe from Jophiel. Dean himself received several cases of beer, one from Bobby, as the older man was unable to attend, a new Bible from Raphael (that he was tempted to smack the archangel across the head with), and strangely enough even Azrael gave him a gift; ACDC's new album.
His final gift was a small box addressed to himself from Castiel, but before he could open it the bell rang again. Dean walked over to the door wondering who was behind the door, pocketing the gift. He pulled it open and froze.
"Merry Christmas, Dean," Sam smiled, hopefully. Ruby stood behind him quietly peering inside. "I- Can we come in?"
"Er, wha- what are you doing here?" Dean finally asked, the words gushing out in shock. He was alerted to Castiel's presence as the angel stood behind him, his hand resting on Dean's shoulder, reassuring the human he was there.
"Dean, I called him," the angel said softly. Dean's eyes widened as he faced his angel, feeling deceived.
"Cass?"
"It's Christmas, Dean," Castiel spoke avoiding Dean's eyes, the look of betrayal stung the angel, "I am sorry, but I felt it was necessary."
Dean's nose flared, anger replacing the betrayal. "Cass. You. Me. Kitchen. Now!"
The angel nodded, as Dean stormed off. He looked back at Sam and Ruby and motioned for them to come inside.
"You didn't tell him?" Ruby asked as a brow rose. Castiel shook his head before he closed the door and followed Dean to the kitchen leaving the pair in the hall way. He was pacing across the room quickly wearing into the tiles.
"Dean, I know you are angry but-"
"Cass! What the hell where you thinking!? Were you drunk?" Dean hissed, "I remember saying I don't want anything to do with him! And you invited him to my home!? Without my permission!?"
"Dean-"
"Don't get me wrong Cass, this is your home too, but I'm the man of the house!" Dean snapped. Through all of the human's anger Castiel felt a swell of something growing inside him, but he was uncertain of what it was exactly. "Go out there, and tell him and that bitch to piss off!"
"Dean, please listen to me," Castiel sighed, his eyes widening and lips falling into a pout, giving him the impression of a child. Dean winced, he could never say no to that face. Sam's was hard enough to say no to, but Castiel's was virtually impossible, "Dean, I know you are angry, but he is your brother, you need him Dean. I know you need him, I am your angel Dean, and I know you inside out. Dean… he has not used his powers since Samhain-"
"Cass, I don't give a rat's ass about his extracurricular activities," Dean snapped. "He is sleeping with a demon! A demon that's possessing a human. Cass- my baby brother… God… he is raping a powerless woman, and he doesn't even seem to care!"
Castiel froze his blue eyes widening in fright. It had not occurred to him before, "Oh God."
"Exactly! I mean, when you were drunk off your ass I didn't take advantage of you-"
"What are you talking about?" Castiel murmured, his cheeks reddening.
"Never mind," Dean blushed further. "Look, Cass, I get it, he was lonely. I was gone, he was alone. But that's no excuse, he should have known better."
"So should you, Dean," Sam spoke, his voice cracking. "I thought you knew me better then anyone, and now you're accusing me of raping a person!? Ruby possesses the body of a coma victim, Dean; it's just her in there."
"Sam-"
"Save it Dean! Ever since you came back," he froze, eying his brother and the angel. They were holding hands, or rather Castiel was clutching Dean's wrist tightly. "Since you came back Dean you've acted like some sinless saint!"
"Humans cannot be sinless," Castiel corrected.
"Oh shut up!" Sam snapped, startling the angel. "The way I see it, Castiel, you and that dickhead Uriel owe me. I stopped Samhain! All you wanted to do was destroy an entire town for one single demon! Instead of helping us find the witch, you threatened to kill all those innocent people!"
"Hey, that's not his fault!" Dean snapped. "They had orders to follow Sam!"
"Just like you right," Sam said, mockingly, "Always the good little soldiers."
"Following orders won't kill you Sam!" Dean barked. Sam laughed shaking his head.
"You're pathetic, Dean," Sam murmured, as he turned around, "See you around."
"Don't let the door hit you on the way out," Dean snarled, trying to ignore the feeling growing inside him, of worthlessness. Castiel's hand squeezed his wrist, he still had not let go.
"I can't believe I bothered," Sam murmured, as he walked through the archway. "Hey! Get your hands off her!"
Dean and Castiel exchanged looks and followed Sam out of the kitchen. Dean froze at the archway, startled. Sam was easily manhandling Uriel away from Ruby who was clutching at her throat, gaping fearfully at the angel as she scuttled away. Raphael was trying miserably to stop Sam, his arm wrapped around the boy-king shoulders, his feet flailing around the small area, though with Sam standing at least two feet above him he easily threw the archangel over his shoulders sending him flying into the wall with a thud.
Gabriel was by his side quickly, helping the blonde angel up as Uriel backhanded Sam sending him crashing into Ruby. Sam stood up quickly pulling Ruby up and checking her over just as fast.
"Uriel, enough!" Gabriel snapped. He ignored her as he stormed towards Sam. The human reacted quickly as he tried to deck the archangel across the jaw. Uriel caught his hand and back handed him again, this time the human fell before Castiel's feet. He scrambled up to his feet.
"You filthy, disgusting excuse for a mud-monkey!" Uriel roared, his face contorted to anger as he stormed towards the human. Sam's eyes widened before he held his hand out defensively, the archangel froze in his tracks, startled, before he dropped to his knees. Raphael tried to stand in disarray but was held back by Gabriel, her eyes widening in fear. The dark angel was convulsing in his spot as Sam shook slightly.
"Sam!" Dean roared, as Castiel unexpectedly leaped before him pulling the boy-king away from the archangel. Sam's eyes narrowed in rage as his hand turned in the direction of the seraph; but the rage soon changed to horror when his hand suddenly began to glow. Everything went white as thunderous echo rand across the room.
Somebody screamed as Dean's vision returned, just in time to see Ruby pulling Sam out of the apartment. Dean looked around and felt his heart leap into his throat when he saw his angel lying motionless on broken wood from a table
"CASS!" Dean roared, the same tone used when he use to scream for Sam. He slid down to the angel's level and pulled him into his arms, staring at the lifeless angel apprehensively. Burns and scalds covered his beautiful face. "Cass! Wake up! Please, wake up. Raph!"
"Raphael, see to him," Gabriel said, her voice turning to stone, "Uriel, follow me."
"Gab, where are you going?" Raphael asked, as he knelt beside Dean, placing an assuring hand on the human. He smiled faintly as the human looked up at him frightened for his angel. "He'll be fine."
"Rome," Gabriel replied, Raphael raised a brow, confused. "Cassiel, Falafel, Haniel, Jophiel, return to Turkey, but not a word of today is to be spoken. It will cause an unnecessary uproar, and we can not have any one going after that abomination. Is that understood?"
"Can I stay here?" Jophiel asked, softly. He was kneeling beside the youngster who was shaking against his shoulder. Gabriel stared down at the child, her face falling with pity. She nodded once "Thank you."
"Is that understood?" Gabriel said, again. The three other seraphs nodded as Gabriel motioned to Uriel to leave.
"Raphael, inform me if Castiel awakes," Uriel said, before he adding quietly, "Please."
Raphael nodded as the two archangels disappeared, Haniel, Falafel and Cassiel following them. Jophiel exchanged a worried look with the older angel as Dean carried Castiel like an infant into the next room, placing him gently onto the sofa. Jophiel followed, leading Ben alongside, squeezing his shoulder affectionately.
"What did he do to him, Raph?" Dean asked, kneeling beside his angel on the floor.
"It was a power Azazel and almost every other fallen angel possess," Raphael replied, "It's a form of radiation, burns away ones body and if the demon is strong enough the soul, but fortunately only Lucifer was able to do that."
"Cass's soul's still in there right?" Jophiel asked for reassurance. Ben quivered a loud sob, and instantly Dean was at his side comforting his son. The boy was plagued with memories of his mother's death, the look on his terrified face said enough to Dean.
"Yes," Raphael nodded, "We were also fortunate that the powers were new to Sam, otherwise Castiel would have needed a new vessel. And I like this vessel."
"He'll be okay," Dean said softly, stroking the boy's hair. "Wont he, Raph?"
"Yes," Raphael said, absently, as he placed a hand on the angel's forehead and closed his eyes. He felt a strong presence within him of warmth and love, and as he opened his eyes he watched the angel's vessel heal, the scalds and burns disappearing slowly as though they were never there. "Now we wait. You wouldn't have anymore M&M's would you?"
"In the kitchen," Dean said his voice hoarse as he gently stroked the pale angel's hair. Jophiel and Raphael exchanged a worried look, as Dean continued to run his hand through the angel's hair unaware he was being observed.
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Sorry guys for the late update… So much crap to do over the past week, plus my stupid computer got a stupid virus, but that's been fixed, Thank GOD! And I couldn't help myself, Uriel had to call Ruby a stain, it was the best part of that episode!!!! And I was quite annoyed with that episode… seriously… Angels with out feelings? Kripke, ur an idiot… Actually u gave me another plot for my next spn ficcy…
Which reminds me, Christmas Eve I'm gonna post the songs that Gabriel and Raphael sang, so be on the look out! They'll be on my LJ though…
A bit of a Christmassy chapter, the next we dwell into Cass's fate and he and Dean should converse, unless if something happens before they get a chance to… hint hint.
Chocolate Wolf: Thanks darlin!
Shadow39: Thank you! I'm glad your enjoying!
Pampers Baby Dry: Uriel and Azrael clearly enjoyed it!!! Thanks!
She Is The New Thing: Drunk Cass is gorgeous!
FaeFolk: Damn straight, I decided this year that yes, the spice girls do suck… its wat they get for cancelling the tour down under…
Bean Langdon: God no! I couldn't never get Cass or Dean to hurt each other… but accidently that's another matter… But u know that thing you mentioned about God/Cass/Dean, yeah that's the plan! God has a sense of humour! Not much Dean/Cass interaction here, but the next chap should be plenty me thinks. Oh and Yes! It was a compliment, I think every writer needs one!
Kirallie: Azrael's kinda like Dean, the big overprotective brother. And I don't know where Sam and Dean's relationship stands after this chappie, after all Sam's hurt Dean's boy-toy… I mean angel.
VAMPIRE2287: Well not everything, it hasn't got Johnny Depp… Maybe he can be Michael's vessel…
darkgirl3: Sammy's back and he's gone… bwahahaha! I loved Ben! I've always thought the kid was and is Dean's son, no matter what Lisa said…
Druzilla: Yes the falling! I'll get to that next chapter!
darkgirl3: I don't like Ruby either, but for this fic I think the new wussy Ruby works better…Especially with scary angels like Uriel around!
sadie e a: How's ur job hunt going? I've got a great job, I supervise kids, get paint all over my kids, get my back scratched, change crap, get cute cuddles, get pissed off from stupid parents and write porn and fiction… That's a perfect description of my day at work. Im glad your enjoying!
Pampers Baby Dry: I'm glad your enjoying!!
flexible_square: Thanks darlin!
Silvergal: Any Christian Church, but you don't have to attend, simply keep Christ in your heart at all times, ask for forgiveness, eat some bread/wine, and don't sin… It's easy! to type, actually getting into Heaven is tricky… Azrael will come back, I love him too much to keep him away!
Chacra: I'm glad your enjoying! I should update soon!
Peace and Chicken Grease
Afro