A/N: I do not own the guys and gals and since I am not making anything from these works please don't sue me Mr. Kripke. I do own all OC's that appear. For everyone out there reading and reviewing: Thanks again for all the wonderful support!!
Cas continues to watch over Brooklyn as preparations are made….
He watched her as she slept knowing she would need him by her side as she continued to heal. Castiel gently stroked his fingers through Brooklyn's hair as her chest slowly rose and fell. He wanted to kill Samael but Michael and Gabriel had entrapped him in the blessed relic before he could get the chance to rid the world of the bastard. The angel vowed there would not be a third time any demon would touch her like that ever again.
The gentle rush of air and flap of wings made the angel look up to find Gabriel standing there looking at his daughter. The Archangel's rich green depths were listless and dead as he continued standing there. Her small body wrapped beneath the blankets leaving only her head uncovered made her look so vulnerable and exposed. Castiel rolled over holding her in his loving arms. Brooklyn subconsciously backed in to his body shivering as he held her tight. The angel softly kissed her lips letting them linger as he could feel that warmth spreading from his body to hers.
Gabriel watched the interaction between the angel and his daughter. He knew Brooklyn never meant to hurt him when it was discovered she and Dean were together. In fact he felt his daughter's heart breaking when she had broken free from the darkness and took the deadly blow for her angel. And now here they were tending to her and protecting her.
"I can feel her pain, Gabriel. The remorse, the torment, the self loathing and anguish she carries over what happened. I know she would never do anything to intentionally hurt me. She loves me too much," Castiel said sadly.
"I know she does, Castiel. She's your soulmate and soulmates don't bring pain to one another. I've felt the strong bond that you share and not even Lucifer could keep a dark grip on her. You were able to reach her and she heard you," Gabriel looked up as if he heard something.
"I must leave but I will return soon," he leaned down kissing Brooklyn's forehead and brushed away a few loose strands.
"Goodbye my daughter, I will be back soon," the Archangel vanished wrapped in a gentle breeze and flapping of wings. Castiel snuggled in closer to his love and closing his eyes.
Dean stirred and opened his eyes greeted by a very happy and thankful angel.
"Hey," Tariel said. Her fingers slowly carded through his short blonde hair sending a soothing sensation through his battle weary body. Dean slowly sat up feeing every muscle in his body screaming and groaning as his voice cracked when he started to speak.
"Baby, listen, about what happened…." Tariel pressed her finger to his lips cutting him off.
"Dean, I know what happened and it wasn't of your or Brooklyn's own free will. I saw what happened in Tennessee and I knew it wasn't you in there. When I saw you two I was devastated, yes. But Castiel and Markus told me everything and now I know that I was wrong and I should've never doubted you. I'm sorry Dean," Tariel's eyes welled up. Dean took his hand and gingerly wiped away the tears that had started rolling down her cheeks.
"Don't be sorry," he whispered. Dean wrapped his hand around the back of the angel's neck pulling her down in a searing hot kiss. The hunter wanted to show his angel how important and needed she was in his life. Tariel felt her body responding to his touch feeling the flame rise into a burning fire needing to be tamed. They didn't hear Sam's approach as the hunter and his angel were getting reacquainted with one another. Sam felt his face blush at the sight and knocked on the door.
"Uh I hate to break up the reunion but Brook's back," Tariel rushed up and out the door and down the hallway. Dean decided to stay put as he remembered his reaction to that kiss in the warehouse. Sam sat down on the bed seeing his brother had zoned off.
"Dean, you alright?" Dean sat there and nodded his head absently.
Tariel stopped in the doorway looking at Castiel as his back was turned to the door. She could hear him softly singing to his angel as she remained still beneath the blankets. It was an ancient song, one that only the angels knew. She stood there watching her brother keep vigil over Brooklyn.
"It's alright, Tariel, come in please," Cas whispered without looking up at the angel. Tariel entered the room and seated herself in the chair beside the bed.
"How is she, Cas?" Castiel raised his eyes looking at his sister as she noticed a sad expression in his eyes.
"She is resting. Her body was badly injured by Samael's hand. She was screaming and crying out for me when I found her. Samael was Samael was…" Tariel put a supportive hand on his shoulder.
"Don't say another word, Cas. She's back home now with you and Brooklyn knows she's safe. And I want her to know that I'm not angry with her after what happened. I know my sister wouldn't do anything to hurt me like that. I just hope she can hear me when I say I'm sorry."
Castiel watched as Tariel took Brooklyn's hand in hers as her other covered them both as she whispered, "Hey, Brook, I wanted to let you know I am truly sorry for holding any doubts about you and I hope that you can forgive me harboring such sentiments."
Tariel kissed Brooklyn on the forehead releasing her hand and stood to leave Cas and Brook be. As she turned to walk away Tariel felt another hand encircle her own. She spun around to see Brooklyn awake and holding the angel's hand. A small yet warm smile crept up along the corners of her mouth.
"It's alright, Tariel, you don't need to harbor any guilt," she sputtered before continuing, "I would've reacted the same way you did. I will make this up to all of you I swear."
Tariel firmly shook her head and raised a hand. "No, Brooklyn, you did nothing wrong. Lucifer tainted you and Dean, manipulated the both of you. Markus told me everything. But now you must rest, you've been through literal Hell again," Brooklyn merely nodded letting her sister's hand slip between hers. Her grey eyes watched her sister leave the hunter and her angel alone once again. She closed her eyes and turned to face her angel.
"Cas? I wish I could take back what happened…" she said sadly. Castiel wrapped his arm around her waist pulling her close against him.
"Please don't do this to yourself, Brook. You weren't yourself, Lucifer's blood coursed through your veins controlling you. But it's over the one who hurt you is no longer free."
He felt Brooklyn relax in his arms as the mention of her tormentor no longer able to hurt her brought a small speck of brightness to her eyes. Castiel knew this bit of news would help bring a small amount of closure to Brooklyn. Despite his reassuring words, Brooklyn still felt guilty over the pain Cas and Tariel had been put through.
"I'm going with you," she said with a steel determination in her eyes.
"No, Brook. This is one time I cannot allow you to come. You are still weak and need to rest. I would never forgive myself if anything was to happen to you again."
"Watch me, Cas," Brooklyn broke free from her angel's arms and leapt from the bed falling as her knees buckled beneath her. Before she could collapse to the floor, Castiel had caught her in his protective arms. Brooklyn felt so weak and helpless in that moment and knew her angel was right. Samael had hurt her so badly and her body was still healing from the trauma. It killed the angel to see her like this but he was doing this for her own good. She needed to understand, to see he was protecting her.
The angel placed her back down on the bed seeing the defeat looming in her eyes though she would refuse to acknowledge such a thing. Brooklyn looked over as Castiel's sympathetic eyes met hers. Her hard stare slowly began to waver the longer their eyes remained locked together.
Her eyes welled up as the angel enveloped her with his loving embrace. Brooklyn buried her head in his shoulder as angel and hunter fiercely held onto one another.
"How is she?" Dean asked cautiously as Tariel sat down beside him.
"She blames herself for all of it, Dean. Brooklyn feels as if all of this pain and anguish was because of her, that despite it being Lucifer's hand that allowed this Brooklyn still thinks she was responsible. She is being so hard on herself," Dean reached out for his angel holding her close. Though he knew it was neither one of their faults, Dean too felt some blame in his angel's anguish.
"Hello?! Can anyone up there here me!? Hello!?!?!" Seth called out. "I have to go the bathroom! Hey!"
"Silence heathen!" Uriel's voice boomed through the cavern.
"Oooooh, you called me a heathen. I am just so scared Uriel," Seth said sarcastically rolling his eyes. His attitude enraged the traitorous seraph as Uriel rushed the bound prophet and grabbed his throat closing off his airway with the massive paw he called a hand. Seth struggled to breathe as he felt the angel tighten his grip upon his much smaller neck. Uriel watched as his face turned red then purple as the man began slip into unconsciousness. Just as Seth felt his world begin to go dark, Uriel released him.
Seth coughed and gasped fighting to breathe like it was his last dying breath. His bright blue eyes were hard and cold as he cryptically warned the angel, "When the line between light and darkness fall into place the hand of God will smite the fallen."
Uriel glared at the prophet and snorted at his remarks. "Blasted savages, should've been obliterated with the first two mud monkeys."
"Oh do you mean Eve or Lilith the bitch? I mean Lilith technically was the first woman ya know. Just a little FYI there," Seth said smugly as he could see Uriel seething inside the vessel he possessed.
"When Lilith gets here you won't be so smug you little set of legs with plumbing."
"Oh and do you kiss your mother with that mouth? That is such an un angel like thing to say, Uriel."
Before he could let Seth creep further beneath his skin, Uriel vanished sneering at the captive before he was gone.
Seth smiled to himself knowing what fate held for Anna and Uriel in the final battle.
Dean had managed to make it out of the rather comfortable bed and dressed before heading towards the shed out back. The hunter had dozed off in his angel's arms feeling for the first time in over a year safe and secure. He could feel her angelic presence rushing over his body filling him with the warmth of her love.
"Sleep, Dean," she whispered before dozing off herself. When he had awakened, she was gone, probably called back for something. Dean knew she would return so he didn't worry when he dressed and headed out towards the shed.
He was in awe of the weapons that lined the walls alongside the other equipment that was stored neatly on the shelves. Dean let out a low whistle when he stopped in front of the kitana blades and held it in his hands. Markus definitely knew his weapons and this was no exception. Stepping to the middle of the large mat, Dean practiced the basic moves his father taught him. His body moved in a fluid like motion as the sword moved as one with his body. His heart raced and muscles tensed with every cut and slicing motion. The blade sang as it slashed through the air. He continued his warrior's dance channeling his emotions into raw power unaware of the person who entered the shed.
"Care to spar?" Dean spun around to see his brother standing there with the other sword in his hands. Dean felt a grin forming on his face as he waved his hand at his brother.
"I'm gonna so enjoy kicking your ass, Sammy," Dean teased his brother as each took their stance ready to fight. Sam narrowed his eyes ready to prove his brother wrong. Dean rushed his brother as Sam blocked his brother's attack undercutting the blade and pushing it up and over Dean's head. The older Winchester braced his back leg keeping himself balanced as Sam took a swing at his brother.
The swift lunge followed by the short thrust was so Sam's MO. Dean was expecting his brother to make that move and slashed his blade from right to left blocking the attack to his chest. Blades met in sparks and sang in tandem with each thrust and stroke. The adrenaline pumped hard in each brother's body as their hearts beat harder and faster slamming against bone.
Sam could see the sweat beading on Dean's forehead to which he grinned before striking. His brother couldn't read Sam's face or body language as he maintained a neutral stance and face. Sam loved keeping his brother on edge especially since Dean had kicked his ass numerous times in sparring.
Sam took off in a dead sprint lowering his sword to his side. Dean looked at the younger man in confusion as Sam smiled and raised the blade ready to attack. The older brother lowered his body crouched in defense. But he didn't expect what was coming next. Sam dropped to the mat and swept his long legs against Dean's knocking his feet upward as his body went backwards slamming onto the mat. Sam jumped to his feet placing the tip of the blade lightly on his brother's throat.
"Checkmate, big brother," he grinned knowing he had won. He extended a hand to Dean to which his brother clasped his hand in Sam's. As Sam helped his brother up Dean tightened his grip pulling his body back down bringing Sam with him. Sam was caught off guard as Dean rolled over leaping to his feet.
"Checkmate little brother," Dean smirked as the sound of someone clapping behind him. Castiel stood in the doorway as he had watched the brothers sparring.
"Cas, is everything alright?" Sam asked as the angel looked at the younger brother. Castiel nodded his head and walked towards the Winchesters.
"I need you to watch over Brooklyn as I am leaving," Sam looked over at Dean then the angel.
"Leaving? What do you mean leaving?" Dean demanded. Castiel gently raised a hand with cool blue orbs to match.
"Gabriel Michael and I must get Brooklyn's Grace as Michael has learned where it is."
"Where is it? Who has it?" Sam asked.
"Uriel has it. My former superior seems to have obtained it from Lucifer for safe keeping. One of Michael's spies reported back seeing him with her Grace. That is why I need you to take care of Brook, Samuel," Dean looked over shocked and confused at his brother who shared the same expression.
"Why me, Cas?" Sam asked quietly.
"Because, Samuel, it was commanded," he said in a tone that made Sam decide against questioning the angel.
Sam quickly nodded his head at the angel as he turned and walked away. After the angel left, Dean turned to face his brother.
"How did you get babysitting duties?"
"I dunno, Dean." Dean silently thought he knew why but kept his suspicions to himself. Perhaps deep down Cas didn't trust him alone with her. Shrugging his shoulders, Dean turned and placed the sword back on the rack and headed inside leaving Sam alone. Unsure of what to make of the reasons behind this, he sighed before heading back in.
Back inside the Archangels had appeared again as Castiel was saying goodbye to Brooklyn. The angel had his forehead pressed against hers looking deep within those sad grey depths. Brooklyn reached out for his face and traced her fingers along his face and jaw line.
"I will come back, I promise," Cas whispered.
"I wish I could go. I wanna give Uriel a piece of my mind," Castiel softly laughed.
"Hell hath no fury like Brooklyn interrupted," he said seeing her lips crack in a smile. She knew he was referring to the night Uriel rudely interrupted them during a rather intimate moment.
"It is time, Castiel," Michael announced seeing the sadness in Brooklyn's eyes. Castiel nodded solemnly as he leaned in pressing his lips gently to hers. Brooklyn leaned backwards and grabbed her St. Benedictine medallion off her stand and placed it around her angel's neck.
"Come home, Cas," she whispered. Brooklyn looked over at her father who had joined the group.
"I want all of you home even you Michael," the Warrior was touched by her words as Gabriel embraced his daughter.
"We will come home, my daughter. Know that I love you," the Archangel told his daughter.
"I love you too, Father," she choked between tears. Gabriel hugged her tighter holding her in that embrace then let her go allowing Castiel to say one last goodbye.
"I love you, Brooklyn."
"I love you too, Cas," she began sobbing as the angels vanished leaving a sweet breeze in their wake.
Brooklyn hugged her knees and sobbed in her blankets. Sam stood in the doorway watching his friend. He hoped he could protect her and live up to Cas' expectations.
Ok next chapter up soon!!! Did Cas really ask Sam because he didn't trust Dean or was there another unknown reason? And the angels face off against their former comrade!!! But Uriel won't be alone in this battle of the Titans!!!