Sorry for the short chapter my friends, I've been busy. Enjoy!

Castiel barely took the time to find his bearings before he said, "The rising of the witnesses." He hoped it was one of the seals Dean knew about; not all of them were too obscure for the younger angel (he would have smiled at the irony of anyone calling himself "young" who had witnessed the lives of Abraham and Job, if he hadn't thought it might upset my Dean).

And, indeed, he looked troubled. If Castiel had hoped for an explanation though, he had been mistaken; he simply vanished and Castiel was left alone before he could explain what else he had heard.

Perhaps it was just as well. He sat down heavily on the bed, remembering what he had overheard.

What was expected of him? Whatever it was, it couldn't be good, nothing demons wanted ever was. However, it still seemed incredible that, although angels wished to bring on the Apocalypse, the lower ranks didn't know about it; demons had heard rumours, so why not the angels themselves? Why not Dean? Unless he knew and kept it from Castiel on purpose... But then why work so closely together? He had to admit that the answer to this question was easy, at least: to gain his trust.

How often had he lied to witnesses, relatives of victims, to get information? And if Heaven wanted him to do something – something that (terrifying as the thought was) could possibly end the world – wouldn't it be logical to befriend him= To make him trust one of them? But then – they were demons, and why should he believe some rumours they had heard? Dean had rescued him from Hell and saved him again and again; surely he deserved the benefit of the doubt, at least. He could ask him. He would ask him. As soon as he returned.

"The Rising of the witnesses. It's the next seal they're going to break" Dean reported, excited.

"Are you sure?" John asked and Dean frowned. Of course he was. Castiel had found out, endangered his own life in the process; of course he believed him. Of course he was sure.

"Cas – tiel" he quickly corrected himself, before John could notice he had given the Righteous Man a nickname; he had still not forgiven him for calling Sam "Sammy" "overheard demons talking; they spoke about the ritual."

"And you believe them? Believe demons?"

"They didn't know he was there" Dean argued.

"So we're supposed to believe some low-life demon? Dean, we are currently searching for information, and if we find it, you'll be told all you need to know. Now explain to me why you sent Castiel Novak into a place full of demons in the first place."

Dean didn't have an explanation, other than he'd wanted to work the case, and of course Cas to be there with him.

"I – We needed to know."

"That is not an answer, soldier."

Dean managed not to flinch.

He knew this tone.

"I take full responsibility" he said as calmly as he could.

"As you should. And there will be consequences in due time. Return to your charge. For now."

He swallowed and left. He could hear the threat in those words; if he wasn't careful, Cas would no longer be his charge, he would no longer be able to protect him.

He cared little what they did then, where he was put. He had been on unimportant duty as a punishment often enough. If only he was a better angel. If only he was more like –

More like who? Sam had scared him with his accusations.

And yet Dean didn't understand. There was something... off about John's reaction; why didn't he make plans to attack the demons? Even if he didn't believe Cas, there was still a group of demons that needed to be fought.

Of course he wasn't wondering if Sam was right, because Sam couldn't be right. John didn't want the Apocalypse. The other angels didn't want the Apocalypse. Wrong. This was wrong. Dean was a failure, a perversion –

He didn't think when he felt the by now familiar longing, just flew to where he knew he was needed.

Cas was sitting on his bed, obviously angry, and Dean didn't understand why until he began to speak.

"What is going on?"

"The demons are planning to break the next seal" he answered matter-of-factly.

Cas huffed. "I know that. But you just... left."

"I had to inform my superior so that action could be taken."

"And what action will you take?"

Dean didn't like the doubt in his voice.

Perhaps because he was experiencing something similar...

He was – No, he wasn't doubting. He was... apprehensive. Because of the demons.

"We'll attack them" he said, because it was the only logical thing to do, even if John hadn't told him to. They had to strike before the demons completed the ritual.

Otherwise another seal would be lost.

Castiel sighed, realizing that Dean wouldn't, couldn't understand and tried to shove his irrational anger down. Of course Dean had wanted to consult his superior; it was just what Castiel would have done if his father had been around; and so he decided to call Adler to let him know what to focus on. After he'd explained to Dean what he was going to do (and the angel was apparently fascinated by the concept of a specialist you could call for help; Castiel had no idea how they handled such stuff in Heaven) he took out his phone and called.

Adler picked up immediately and without letting him time to say anything, Castiel announced "The rising of the witnesses." Adler was silent for a moment. Then, he replied, "Well, that makes matters easier, in a way."

"What do you mean, in a way?" Castiel demanded. He was too high-strung to be polite. Adler would understand, he was so rarely polite himself. "I have found quite a bit about that seal, so that's a plus; however, it's far from easy to deal with once it's been broken."

"Why?"

"Because the one who casts the spell raises the souls of those who have witnessesd the supernatural – and he can control them."

"To do what?"

"As far as I understand – anything the spell-weaver wants."

And Castiel understood. If demons had control over souls that were yanked out of their graves... He knew spirits. They were angry, desperate, dangerous because they had been denied the rest that should have been theirs afterlives, ready to attack – and if someone could control who they attacked...

"Your pal's right, that's not really good news" Dean interrupted his thoughts. "Which is why we're going to attack."

"I didn't know your angel was listening" Adler drawled. Castiel hadn't known either but was loathe to admit it, especially to him. "We're working" he hissed.

"I never said anything different." Castiel blushed. Dean threw him a strange look. The case, he reminded himself, think of the case.

"We're hoping to stop it in time."

"Please do; I've seen my fair share of cases gone wrong and I have no wish to have them haunt my house." Alder hung up without greeting. At least some things didn't change.

Castiel let the phone sink and looked at Dean. "He sounds kinda like my superior" the angel mused. "They have the same temper."

Then, either because he had criticized his boss or because he had insinuated an angel had the same feeling as a human, he coloured and changed the subject.

"Anyway, we – "

"Dean, Castiel, we have to act!"

Castiel was not surprised to see Sam, even if he couldn't say why.

Dean on the other hand, seemed angry.

"You were listening in on us, weren't you?"

Sam looked away. "You should know that you can trust me. I was following some demons. The rising of the witnesses – they are going to perform the ritual tonight."

Castiel swallowed as Dean tensed.

He really hoped Dean had meant it when he said the angels were going to attack.