Thanks to LadyMaiden, Mary Izzy Dakota and CamCazzy for reviewing the last couple of chapters.

...

Elba sat in the back seat of the Impala staring out at the open road through the rain washed window.

She had not seen or heard from Cas since he had disappeared from the motel room yesterday evening.

They had been close to kissing, Elba had known it but then they had been disturbed and Castiel had run off.

Had he regretted it, regretted what they had almost done?

Such physical contact was very much a human trait. A trait that neither she nor Castiel had ventured into before.

But perhaps it was wrong.

Perhaps that was why Cas left.

Elba stared out of the window, for the first time in weeks, feeling so sad and alone.

"Hey, how you doin' back there?" said Dean suddenly from the driver's seat, staring at Elba from the rear-view mirror.

Elba nodded. "I'm fine," she said quietly, turning back to the window. Not in the mood to strike up a conversation.

"Okay, well we'll be in Bobby's in a while. We're just gonna' drop you off there and get to a case..." said Dean, sounding regretful. "Sorry...we'll be back tomorrow morning."

Elba nodded sadly. She knew that at this point in time she was a great burden on the two Winchesters. She didn't blame them for dumping her on Bobby now that Castiel was gone.

Sighing, she stared out and up into the rainy sky.

...

Castiel stood leaning against the bridge staring up at the sky as rain fell all around him.

He stared down into the murky depths of the river as the droplets of ran made patterns on the water.

He was lost...

Oh so lost.

He knew he should not have run out on Elba but he had been so confused.

All these feelings that were slowly surfacing within him were strange and new.

He and Elba had almost kissed. It was a felling so primal, so...human.

Castiel let out a long sigh and held his head within his hands.

He knew what he felt for Elba, he just couldn't say it. Admit it to her, or himself for that matter.

But why couldn't he?

Elba was his everything. A lone star shining brightly within the blackness that now consumed the other angels.

She gave him hope, something to live for...

He lov-

No he just couldn't say it...not yet.

...

Elba shuffled quietly into the sitting room, as Bobby, Dean and Sam's attempted hushed whispers floated in.

"What the hell am I supposed to do with her?" said Bobby snappily.

"I dunno. She's not feelin' too good Bobby, we just need you to take care of her until we get back," carried Dean's voice.

"Yeah," muttered Sam. "This job is too dangerous. Cas would be mad if we dragged her into some demon crap."

"But she's an angel?" swiped Bobby.

"I know. But her angel mojo is all but used up," whispered Dean. "She can't help us."

There was a moment's silence, in which Elba assumed Bobby was contemplating the matter.

"Fine, I'll do it," she heard Bobby sigh.

Elba heard footsteps draw nearer and she stepped towards the window, pretending that she had not heard any of their conversation.

"Hey El," Dean said with a grin, "me and Sam are gonna' get goin'. We'll be back tomorrow morning and then how 'bout I take you for pie. How does that sound?"

Elba forced a smile and nodded, as the two Winchesters waved goodbye.

She glanced over at Bobby who was eyeing her suspiciously.

"You want some coffee?" he asked cocking an eyebrow at her.

Elba stared at him for a moment a little unsure, and shrugged her shoulders.

Bobby sighed. "Well come on," he muttered jerking his head in the direction of the kitchen. "If I can teach you anything, it's how to make a good cup of Joe."

...

Hours later and Elba and Bobby were still in the kitchen. Bobby was sat at the scrubbed wood table as Elba happily flipped her eighteenth pancake at the stove.

"Hey you're actually getting pretty good at this," chuckled Bobby. "Just don't tell Dean. He sees you cookin' he'll snap you up in an instant. That boy sure does like his food."

Elba turned and slid the pancake onto Bobby's plate.

"Aren't you havin' any?" asked Bobby looking up at the angel.

"No thank you, I am not hungry," she mumbled placing the pan onto the hob and sitting down opposite the old man.

"Dean told me that Cas disappeared on you," said Bobby looking up into Elba's sad eyes.

She nodded and gazed down at the table a hurt look lingering in her eyes.

"Hey, I wouldn't worry about it," said Bobby nudging Elba's arm. "Hell, I seen those boys run off more times than I can remember, but they always come back eventually, tails between their legs."

Elba sighed and gazed out of the window, wondering if Bobby was right.

...

"So you'll be okay in here for the night?" asked Bobby standing at the foot of the stairs. "There's a perfectly good bed upstairs if you want it?"

Elba turned around to face him from her seat on the couch.

"No, I will be fine here, thank you. I won't sleep," she said quietly.

Bobby sighed. "Okay, as long as you're sure. I'll see you in the mornin'."

"Goodnight," called Elba as Bobby tramped his way up the staircase.

Elba got up from her seat and made her way to the window.

The stars were shining brightly in the sky and a soft wind, rustled the leaves on the nearby trees.

Everything was calm, everything was quiet.

Elba sighed and turned around, only to come face to face with Castiel.

The angel was standing across the room, as still as a statue.

His eyes lingered upon Elba's face and she gulped and glanced away.

"Hello Castiel," she said quietly, sitting back down on the couch.

"Elba," said the male angel in a low voice, stepping over to the sofa and stopping a few feet away from her.

Silence fell between them until Elba finally took a breath and spoke.

"I am sorry Cas, truly I am," she said sadly her eyes still not meeting his. "W-What we did...I...p-perhaps it was a mistake..."

"Do you believe it to be a mistake?" asked Castiel quickly as Elba glanced up at him.

"No...I...of course I don't...I just-" Elba trailed off awkwardly, her face reddening.

Castiel suddenly sat down beside Elba and reached for her hand.

He gently entwined his fingers with hers and gazed up into her eyes, and for the first time since he had arrived, Elba's eyes met with his.

Her heart pounded and her breathing came in sharp breaths as he she stared into his large blue eyes.

She was filled with such emotion. Emotion for an angel she had spent her entire life with.

An angel that she-

"I love you Castiel," she whispered.

Castiel's eyes widened slightly and Elba quickly looked down at their entwined hands, feeling a little embarrassed.

What had she done?

He obviously didn't feel the same way.

Suddenly she felt a hand upon her chin and glanced up to see Castiel staring at her intently, his eyes shining.

He lifted her face gently until it was level with his own.

"You mean everything to me Elba," he said in a whisper. "And I will never let you go."

Slowly and tentatively Castiel moved his mouth forwards until his lips brushed Elba's.

They closed their eyes as their lips met. Falling into the kiss.

Knowing that it felt so good.

So right.

So human.

...

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