Bobby found the Beijing root tucked away in the back of the cabinet and Castiel examined it to be sure that it was what Raphael had used. The familiar smell told him that he was correct.

Sam gathered the books on the desk that he was working on. "We can combine some of the reversal spells and use the Beijing root this time. What do you think Cas?"

"We need to alter some of the wording and it would have to be said in Enochian. We need a few things to make this work."

Cas started rummaging through Bobby's supplies and pulling out various items.

Dean was watching the process. There was an uneasy feeling building inside the pit of his stomach. "What is the plan? Has anyone thought of that?"

Sam stopped. "No. What is the plan Cas?"

Castiel stopped for a moment. "I don't have a plan. I'm "winging" it."

"No pun intended." Bobby deadpanned.

"Cas, if this works, it throws you back on the angel radar. You can't "wing it" against an archangel. What are you going to do?" Dean was trying to stay focused.

"Well, it's not like they don't already know where I am. I'm sure I will be able to stay one step ahead of them. I can contact my garrison and see if I can sense Julianna."

Dean felt like they were rushing into this blind. Something didn't feel right.

"Ok, I'm not trying to be the downer at your party, but we need to stop and take a second here. Let's say this works and you get your angel mojo back. If Julianna is alive and you can sense her, you still have to get her out. How are you going to do that right under Raphael's nose? You know he will be waiting for you."

"I have no alternative Dean. She's my sister. I have to try."

"Ok, well, let us help you."

Sam and Bobby looked at Dean, unsure about what he meant.

Cas recognized that determined look on his face. "I'm listening."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Everything was in place. Sam combined 3 different spells to come up with what they thought should work with the Beijing root to restore Castiel's power. Cas put together the necessary ingredients for the spell, wrote down the Enochian words and taught Bobby how to pronounce them. Castiel's power was bound inside of him and they just needed to release it again. What could go wrong?

"Is everyone ready?" Bobby asked tentatively. "Because, I'm pretty sure this is the stupidest thing we have ever done."

Dean snickered, "How many times have I heard you say that Bobby?"

Sam gave Bobby a worried look. "Please tell me you're kidding."

"Kidding? Hell no, I'm not kidding! We are about to try a made up spell like a coven of witches to get an angel back his mojo. I'm reciting the spell in Enochian which is the language of the angels, and I'm pretty sure I don't qualify. There is a really good chance that we are going to bring the wrath of heaven down on our asses, and I'm positive his big brother is going to be more than angry."

Cas looked at Dean and Sam. He was suddenly nervous and a little unsure. "Wait!"

Cas walked over to Dean and slid his hand in his shirt pocket.

"What the?" Dean took a step back.

Cas pulled his hand out holding Dean's flask and took a quick swig of it.

"Damn good idea Cas." Dean took a drink and passed it to Bobby and then to Sam.

"Alright, let's do this." Castiel stood back in the place that Sam designated.

Bobby started to speak the words as Cas had instructed.

Sam lit the Beijing root and at the right moment blew the smoke towards Castiel's face.

Cas breathed in the smoke and closed his eyes. Bobby finished the chant and Dean lit the ingredients in the bowl. There was a bright spark as the flame hit its intended target and everyone held their breath.

Nothing happened.

Cas opened his eyes and they all remained silent looking at him.

"Damn it." Bobby was the first to speak but was suddenly cut off as Cas let out a yell and doubled over.

"Cas? Are you ok?" Dean started to move towards him but he threw his hands up to stop him.

"Feel…funny. Wait, don't come near." Cas started stumbling and backing away from them and was heading towards the back door.

Bobby looked at Dean. "Where is he going?"

Dean shrugged. "I don't know."

Cas had a look of panic on his face like he was trying desperately to hold on to something but it was slipping from his grasp.

"Cas, what the hell is going on? Talk to me!" Dean moved closer to him.

"Get back Dean! I don't think I can stop it!" Cas stumbled out the back door. Bobby, Dean and Sam followed him out despite his warnings just in time to see Cas trip and fall down the back stairs.

Dean instinctively started to move towards him again but Bobby grabbed his arm and stopped him. There was a sudden flash of light that caused all 3 hunters to shield their eyes. The light lasted a few seconds and then was gone.

Dean slowly moved his arm away from his eyes to see what happened. He half expected nothing to be there. He was convinced that they had managed somehow to kill Castiel and there would be nothing but a silhouette of black wings etched across Bobby's back yard among the old dilapidated vehicles. When he saw what really happened, he couldn't move. He couldn't speak. He just stood there in complete awe. Sam and Bobby were having the same problem. All three of them stood there like statues amazed at the sight.

Castiel was sitting on the ground. The impact had unceremoniously knocked him on his butt, and he was just sitting there. Stretched out, at least 2 car lengths on either side of him were his angel wings. They were more than beautiful. They were mesmerizing. The feathers were so thick and woven together that they resembled fur. At first glance, his wings seemed to be completely black but wherever the light fell on them, they shined a deep dark blue. Dean suddenly had an overwhelming urge to run his fingers through the feathers but fought hard to contain himself.

Castiel was struggling. He was trying to draw the wings back inside but they would not retract. They had managed to bring out his inner angel alright but this was not what he intended. He looked up at Dean, Sam and Bobby staring at him from the back porch like kids at a carnival side-show and he was the freak.

The wings reacted to every move that Castiel made. Moving and adjusting around him as he attempted to contain them. It was as if they were a separate entity from Castiel fighting for their own freedom.

Bobby finally broke the silence. "Holy shit."

Castiel struggled to his feet and his wings stretched out further and larger like a person stretching their legs after sitting too long. Dean, Sam and Bobby all instinctively took a step back from him. Seeing his wings spread out like this made it all too real. Castiel was an angel. Yes, the boys and Bobby already knew that but they often spoke with him and worked with him as an equal. Seeing him like this just further emphasized who he really was and what he was really capable of. He was a soldier of the Lord and Dean thought at that moment that maybe he had been wrong about the "little brother" thing.

"Cas? Are you alright?" Dean started to move towards him.

Castiel's face had a look of embarrassment. "It appears that the spell released some of the angel part of me that was inside, literally. However, I wasn't expecting this. This is a problem."

"You're damn right it's a problem. How am I supposed to explain this to the neighbors?" Bobby said sarcastically as he took his hat off and scratched his head.

Sam finally found his voice. "Can I touch them?"

Dean and Bobby turned to look at Sam in disbelief.

"What? They are amazing Cas. I want to touch them. Is it too weird?" Sam looked at him suddenly feeling that perhaps he should not have asked.

"You can touch them Sam. Dean, Bobby, you can too, if you want to."

"I never said I wanted to." Dean did want to though. The desire to touch them was overpowering.

"You know you want to." Cas smirked.

"Now this is getting too weird for me! I am going inside to rethink this spell." Bobby went back in the house determined that he wasn't going to run his fingers through Castiel's feathers.

Sam was the first to put his hands on the wings. Individually, the feathers were soft like silk. Together, they were like a plush fur blanket and as Sam ran his fingers over the feathers, he forgot that they were a part of Cas. He felt like a child examining a new toy.

Dean slowly reached out and ran his fingers gently over the feathers and the wings moved and shifted, responding to his touch. Castiel watched him, amused by his trepidation. Dean examined the wings and noticed a few feathers bent and out-of-place. He reached over and straightened them and they fell back into place like soldiers on drill. Castiel let out a sigh. Dean immediately pulled his hand back and looked at Cas, not sure what he did.

"Sorry Dean. It's just that felt really good. Having feathers out-of-place is uncomfortable." Cas felt embarrassed again and looked away.

Sam was intrigued by this new experience. He was standing behind Castiel now and had found an area by the tip of his wing that was missing feathers. The section near the missing feathers was severely damaged and course to the touch.

"Cas? How come this section of your wing is missing and the feathers feel different near it?"

Cas turned and looked at Dean. They locked eyes, reading each others thoughts for a moment. Dean immediately realized how Cas' wings had gotten damaged.

"I'm sorry Cas."

"I'm not Dean."

Sam was oblivious to the moment that was transpiring between his brother and the angel.

"Did this happen when you pulled Dean out of hell? Wow, that must have hurt, huh Cas?"

Cas didn't answer. Dean didn't respond with his usual sarcasm. He suddenly had a new respect for Castiel. Something was different and he didn't really know what it was. The last week had proven to be a week of new experiences and new feelings for him as well as Castiel.