Disclaimer: I don't own anything Supernatural or whatnot, it is all property of the CW11 network. So don't sue and please don't be offended by the language cause it's gonna be colorful to say the least.

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Chapter 11: Thankfully There's Someone Who's Been There and Done That.

" Wow."

That was the single, awestruck word that came out of Sam Colter's mouth as he gazed upon what he could only describe the grandest library he had ever seen in his entire life. Standing next to the young man, Bobby Singer led out a small chuckle of amusement before he gently ushered Sam further into the library and spoke.

" Yeah, it's really something, and this is just one of them, wait till I get around to showing you the others."

Indeed, Bobby wasn't exaggerating at all, this library was magnificent to be behold. The ceiling seemed to stretch almost to heaven, and had this elegant wooden hexagonal pattern with copper-colored, swirl-shaped embellishments inside ever corner of each hexagon. It was absolutely stunning to behold, and Sam had never seen anything like it. It was a far, far cry from the simple public library he was used to visiting back in Seattle.

Bobby smiled at the look of boyish wonderment on Sam's face before he spoke.

" Well come on then Sam, let's get to it." The Elder Vampire said as he gestured for the mortal young man to follow him deeper into the library.

Bobby led Sam past various towering shelves filled with everything from thick encyclopedia-like volumes all the way down to book that seemed only a few pages long. Sam's moss-green eyes were darting this way and that in excited fascination as he took in the wondrous library. Bobby weaved his way through the many bookcases with an ease and grace that was in complete contradiction with his outward appearance of a middle-aged, ballcap wearing grump. Sam put his long legs to good use as he did his best to keep up with the vampiric records keeper. At long last the pair reached the very center of the room where a collection of plush looking couches had been set up in a semi-circle over which hung a gorgeous chandelier made from glasses of various green hues.

" Well have a seat and we'll get started." Bobby said as he gestured to the seating arrangements.

" Right." Sam said with a smile, all the while feeling a sudden coiling of nervousness in the pit of his stomach.

Sam made his way over to a vintage-looking black couch and took his seat. Bobby wordlessly took a seat across from Sam on a nearby burgundy couch. There was a beat of silence before Bobby spoke.

" Let me start by saying that you should forget what you think you know about vampires right here and now." He said bluntly.

" I'd think that was obvious." Sam said with a sheepish little smile, to which Bobby couldn't help but let on side of his mouth quirk up in a half-smile before he grew serious once more.

" You're right about that, so let me start by telling you flat out that you are going to freak out and lose your wits for a little bit, firstly because you are just a normal kid who's suddenly found yourself in this situation that is anything but normal, and secondly, you have the added pressure of being a future co-ruler of this coven. What I want you to know is that it is perfectly alright if by the end of this first lecture you feel, at the very least, overwhelmed. Do ya get me Sam?" Bobby asked.

" Uh, okay... But I'm sure I won't freak out that much." Sam said, although he was still feeling the nervousness coiling further in his gut.

" Hmm, that's what Castiel said too when he first got here" Bobby thought while he let the barest ghost of a smirk flit across his bearded face as he eyed his newest charge.

A good two and a half hours later...

Silence reigned over the room like a thick wool blanket. Bobby Singer stared across at this young charge with a knowing, slightly amused look that was also tinged with sympathy. It was understandable considering Sam was sitting across from the royal records keeper stone-faced and silent, his skin having paled slightly while his eyes were wide in clear shell-shock.

Bobby reached up and scratched lightly at his bearded chin, eying the mortal. Considering everything that Bobby had just gone through, from the history of the coven, how it had started nearly a millennia ago back in the time of the Viking tribes and migrated to North America some centuries ago, to the bloody history involved, the not so pristine details of certain rulers of the coven driven mad with blood-lust, of epic struggles for power, and how benevolence won out in the end, and how John and Cas had come into power and ruled well for the past one hundred years. Bobby had ended his lecture with a thorough overview of just what kind of duties and responsibilities Sam would have since he was the blood-bond to Dean, John's named successor. Taking in a deep breath, Bobby spoke with his signature gruff bluntness.

" You planning on freaking out Sam?"

Sam jerked minutely, startled back to the present. With his lips pressed tightly shut in a thin line, Sam blinked his eyes rapidly, his mind no doubt needing moment to process what had just been asked. Then his hazel-green eyes met Bobby's expectant gaze. There was a beat of silence before Sam slowly nodded his head, not uttering a word. Bobby nodded and then stood up from the chair he'd been occupying, stepping around the table that separated him from Sam in one fluid motion. The elder vampire reached out and firmly gripped Sam's shoulder in what he hoped was reassurance as he spoke.

" Let me tell ya right here and now that you wouldn't be the first one to feel this way, Hell, its a bit of a tradition now whenever newbies enter the fold, my history talk gets ya all rattled up."

Sam nodded before he swallowed thickly and finally spoke.

" How do you get un-rattled Mr. Singer?" He asked shakily.

" Hey now, it's Bobby remember? And as for the other thing, an nice walk down by the beach outta calm you down. Do you think that'll help you?" Bobby asked, his eyes smiling.

Sam nodded mutely and rose to his feet, looking a bit lost, confused, and still pretty much freaked out of his gourd.

Bobby reached out and gripped Sam's shoulder firmly for a moment as he spoke.

" You'll be alright kid, c'mon, let's head downstairs."

" Thanks Bobby." Sam replied with a half-hearted attempt at a smile. Bobby nodded and lead the way out of the library with the still frazzled young man beside him.

The way downstairs was made in relative silence, Sam doing his best not to fidget too much as he and Bobby made their way down the same spiral staircase they had used to reach the library to begin Sam's first official lesson in coven history. As they reached the bottom of the staircase, Sam was a bit started when he saw that a lightly smiling Castiel was standing there waiting, dressed in a simple clack overcoat, with a heavier looking coat draped over one arm. There was a knowing look in the Vampire co-ruler's deep blue eyes as he stepped forward and held out the heavy jacket to Sam. Sam immediately accepted the offered garment but looked between Cas and Bobby with question clear on his face as he donned it. It was a smiling Bobby who finally explained.

" Another tradition that sprang up along side the epic initial freak out, Cas here's usually the one you vent to about said freak out since he's been right where newly found members of the family find themselves, with you even more so since you will be co-ruler one day."

Cas and Bobby didn't need their heightened vampiric senses to see the look of barely veiled terror that passed across Sam's face before he schooled his features. They had to had it to the young mortal, he was handling the rather overwhelming situation quite well. Castiel's smile widened into a soft grin as he spoke.

" C'mon Sam, I'm sure you and I will have plenty to talk about." With that Castiel started walking down one of the sunlight hallways, Sam following close behind until they were walking side by side. Bobby watched them go with veiled fondness in his eyes. For centuries he had watched many a mortal destined to become part of the coven walk with Castiel much like Sam was now, and it never stopped filling the gruff vampire with quiet joy. A subtle shift in the air had Bobby snorting though, and barely resisting the urge to roll his eyes as he spoke.

" You idjits can come out now." He said gruffly.

A moment later a certain father and son were materializing on either side of the Royal Records keeper seemingly out of thin air. Bobby looked up to see the smiling face of his friend and King to his left, and the eager face of said King's son and future ruler of the Coven to his right.

" How was he Bobby?" Dean Winchester asked, barely restraining himself from bouncing on his feet like he was a child.

" Don't get your panties in a bunch Dean, other than bein' understandably overwhelmed, your blood-bond held his own." Bobby grumbled, the corner of his lip quirking ever so slightly at the eagerness of the three hundred year old Vampire Prince before him.

Dean practically beamed, while John smiled proudly himself and sent a quiet thank you to whatever forces of the universe were at work in bringing Sam into their lives after so much time in worry and doubt. John let out a small chuckle before he reached up and cupped the back of Dean's neck, giving it a light squeeze and watching his normally confident and all-together macho son duck his head and smile shyly.

" Quit it with the mushiness, geez!" Bobby grumbled in mock disgust, though inwardly it warmed him greatly seeing the closeness between John and Dean.

" Oh come off it Singer, you are just as happy as we are." John shot back with a knowing look. Bobby tellingly did not deny John's assertion.

The three of them all turned their eyes down the hallway that Cas and Sam had disappeared through, a thoughtful silence settling over them.

Then a mischievous thought entered Bobby's mind. He eyed the Winchesters with a glint in his weathered and watchful eyes that had John himself feeling slightly uneasy. Then Bobby spoke.

" Say, I sure could use some help organizing a few things downstairs in the main archive, would-" That was about as far as Bobby got before Dean basically pulled a superman move and shot into the air, disappearing with Vampiric speed, while John had dissolved himself into smoky mist and floated away from Bobby across the floor and then around the corner.

Bobby allowed himself a deep chuckle as he adjusted his signature cap and strolled off towards the kitchens, perhaps he could pester Ellen into letting him have one of her famous chocolate truffle eclairs she was always making. That woman sure could cook.

Meanwhile, outside in the crisp upstate New York air...

Cas had to bite back a smile as he discreetly gazed at the young man walking mutely beside him. Sam was the picture of astonishment as he walked with his head slightly bowed and his jaw clenched, a frown marring his brow. The vampire and the mortal were walking down a lightly paved path that cut through a lightly wooded area, the sound of the ocean in the distance beyond the trees. They walked in silence, but the tension was clear.

A few minutes later Cas and Sam were reaching the end of the path, which led to a breathtaking scene. The path led to a private pebble beach of gray and brown hues, the clear, the crystalline blue waters of the ocean lazily lapping at the shore, stretching out as far as the eye could see.

" This was one of the reasons why the rulers before John and me built the house here, this view is one of a kind." Cas said softly as he turned to Sam with a warm smile, taking in the look of pure awe on the young mortal's face.

" Wow." Sam whispered as he took a few steps forward and gawked with open wonder.

Cas sighed and nodded, Sam's description was short but accurate none the less. The moment of wonder was quick to pass as Sam's face sobered into a look of such insecurity and self-doubt Cas had to fight back the urge to cringe as the young man turn around to face him.

" How the Hell am I supposed to do any of this Castiel? How am I supposed to be a leader of all this?" Sam asked with a sweeping gesture of his hand before he shook his head.

Cas was the picture of calm as he smiled in sympathy and shook his head as he stepped forward and held out his hands in a placating gesture.

" The how is all up to you Sam, you will make your own place within this family in due time. No leader ever starts out knowing everything, least of all the co-ruler of a coven of Vampires." Cas said with a small smile.

" But what if I can't... what if I screw everything up?" Sam asked softly, his green eyes reflecting a lifetime of pain. Not being able to stand it one bit, Cas closed the distance between them and came to grip Sam tightly by the shoulders despite their differences in height.

" Look at me Sam." Cas ordered sternly, waiting for Sam to meet his firm blue eyes before he continued.

" No one here expects you to be perfect, no one, not me, not John, and especially not Dean. You just got here and had your first history lesson. I know exactly what you're going through, trust me." This seemed to make Sam focus as he pinned Cas with desperate eyes. Sam nodded mutely in understanding before he spoke.

" You were where I am right now." Cas nodded.

" I was indeed, so I am here for you now. C'mon, I know a good spot where we can sit and talk." With that Cas let go of Sam and started walking off down the pebble-covered beach, Sam quickly following him.

A few moments later Sam was marveling once more, this time at the sight of a large boulder the color of charcoal that stood at the far side of the beach, a bench carved into it. Cas made his way over to it and sat down before patting the seat next to him with a smile. Feeling calmer already, Sam quickly took his seat.

" This is my favorite spot, to just come here and enjoy the view and the quiet." Cas said as he took an admiring look out at the gorgeous seascape before them. Sam took a moment to admire it as well before he grew serious once more.

" How did you react when you found out about all of this?" Sam asked quietly. To this Cas chuckled fondly as memories played out in his mind.

" I ran out of the house screaming bloody murder, made my way through the woods and found this place, then seriously contemplated just swimming away as fast as possible." To Cas' delight Sam let out a surprised laugh. Cas chuckled and shook his head, waiting for Sam to sober a bit before he continued.

" You know when my path crossed with John Winchester's, it was still colonial times. I was thirty-four years old without any family or a penny to my name and looking for work wherever I could in New York before it was a city. I was seriously contemplating joining up with the Navy and getting away from all the bad that was happening back then. One night I was just walking the streets, trying to scrounge up even a few pennies to get something to be able to eat something the next day when I literally bumped into my destiny. As cheesy as it sounds."

Sam snorted and nodded in understanding.

" Was it love at first sight?" He asked with a cheeky grin. Cas just grinned back.

" Hardly, I decked John in the face."

" Wha?" Sam laughed breathlessly. Cas just nodded and gave a sheepish shrug.

" I may or may not have been slightly inebriated at the time." This just made Sam laugh harder. Once he had gotten himself under control Sam spoke.

" What did John do?" Cas's grin softened to a thoughtful smile as he remembered.

" Well at first he looked like he wanted to tear me apart, but then something just seemed to click into place between us. His anger gave way to wonder and I myself couldn't help but notice that he was the most gorgeous man I had ever laid eyes on. And then I felt so terrified I just turned tail and ran away as fast as I could back to the cheep inn I was staying at. I barricaded myself inside my room for a whole week and thought that was the end of it."

" Only it wasn't" Sam chimed in knowingly. Cas nodded his head.

" Indeed it was not." He sighed before he elaborated.

" It was a few days after I started venturing out again, late at night, I was walking back to the inn when I got jumped and dragged into an alley. Initially the bastard had just wanted to rob me, but when he saw that I was indeed penniless he decided I would make a nice punching bag for his frustrations."

All humor fled as Sam gazed at Cas, who's face and grown grim with the memories of the night in question from centuries ago.

" I did my best to fight back, even bloodied the son of a bitch with a few hits, but the guy was just too much for me. He beat me to a pulp. I was on the ground, looking up at him, waiting for the final blow when something just came out of the darkness faster than lightening and took the man clean off his feet. I was pretty out of it at that point, barely conscious, but I heard screaming, and these loud growls that weren't from any animal I had ever heard in all my life. Then everything grew really quiet. Next thing I know, someone was there gathering me into their arms and holding me. It was John, and his face was the last thing I saw before I finally passed out."

Cas paused here a moment to let his words sink in, Sam focused completely on him. Cas smiled reassuringly at Sam before he continued.

" The next time I opened my eyes, I was here bandaged up and with John sitting by my bedside." Cas made a sweeping gesture indicating the whole sprawling estate.

" How... How did you react?" Sam asked softly. Cas chuckled at this.

" I freaked out spectacularly, tried to jump out of bed even with the broken ribs and sprained ankle, cursed up a storm until John finally had enough and simply pushed me back down on the bed and kissed me like a man who'd just found water after weeks in the dessert."

Sam ducked his head, his cheeks heating up while Cas laughed and continued.

" It was an effective way to calm me down, but it in no way quelled the questions I had, like who the hell John was, where he had taken me, what the hell was going on, and why did it feel like I had found the other half of my soul when he had kissed me? Much like you are now I was confused and terrified, and just all over wondering what madness this all was."

Sam nodded, agreeing that Cas's words were an accurate description of how he was feeling about all that was happening to him.

" What was it like for you here, in the beginning?" Sam asked quietly. Castiel nodded.

" It was tough, mainly because I had to recover from my injuries. I was basically helpless, but no one tried anything, especially John. He was always there at my beck and call. I didn't get a solid explanation quickly mind you, I had to heal up a bit first. It was once my ankle was healed up enough for me to hobble around that John introduced me to the then king and co-ruler of the Winchester coven, Mitchell and Andrew." It was here that Castiel took on a look of warm fondness at the memories that played in his mind.

" They didn't tell me right away that I was destined to be John's blood-bond, or that he and I would one day rule the coven. They started by just telling me that this was a house of vampires and that John had seen me fighting for my life and had chosen to save me. After an epic freak out I was more or less accepting of the vampire aspect at least. I saw through my interactions with John, Bobby, and the rest of the vampires who made up the coven then that there were no monsters here, just an immortal family." Sam nodded at this before he spoke.

" When did you find out about being John's blood-bond and the whole ruling thing?"

" It was after I had just about healed up completely, by then me and John had this unnamed thing between us, sure we were friendly, John was charming and wanted to wait on me hand and foot, but there was this deep attraction there between us that back then you wouldn't dare name." Cas said with a smile before he signed.

" It was earth-shattering when Andrew and Mitchell told me who I was to John, and what he and I would become for this coven. After they told me I couldn't breath, I couldn't think, it was like the walls of the universe were just caving in on me. I ran out of the house and back then there was no path so I was weaving through the trees like a mad-man, sobbing and screaming. When i cleared the woods I found myself here. I wandered aimlessly and found this rock, I sat down and just had a full blown panic attack."

Sam felt saddened, but also reassured at hearing Castiel's own reaction, he smiled quietly and waited for the vampire to continue.

" I don't know how long I sat here bawling, but when I looked up, there was John standing in front of me. He didn't say a word, just looked sorry as hell before he pulled me up and hugged me tight enough to bend my ribs. At first I was angry, angry at the world, angry at myself, especially angry at John for bringing me into this insane situation, just pissed off and scared. Then John did something that I never saw coming." It was here that Cas looked Sam right in the eye, the young mortal seeing the bright sheen of unshed tears in Cas's deep blue eyes as the vampire spoke.

" John just said into my ear that he would let me go if that was what I wanted, that I wasn't bound by anything, not him, the coven, or the role I was meant to play as co-ruler. He said that all he cared about was what I wanted, that that would always be what he'd care about over everything else, even if it meant that he would have to go on for the rest of eternity without me and his mate." A single tear spilled free, Cas wiping it away quickly as he let out a watery chuckle.

" I think I finally fell in love with him in that moment, when I saw what John was willing to sacrifice for my sake. I told him that I didn't want to leave him, but that I was terrified. It was here at this rock that me and John truly began everything that we are now, ourselves as a couple and as co-rulers. We started simply by admitting that we were both scared of what would happen, but that we would face it, together." Cas smiled brilliantly at Sam, who felt much of the terror that had been gripping him so tightly fade away at Cas' words. Then a thought struck Sam.

" Cas', if you don't mind me asking, when did you become a vampire?" Cas smiled.

" John was the one who turned me, as is the norm when a vampire finds the mate who is still mortal, he did it only when he and I felt absolutely sure that I was ready. So for me it was about a year after John brought me here. We did what any couple did, took it slow, got to know each other and grew to love each other. After I was turned, me and him have had centuries to fall even more deeply in love with each other through every up and down that has come our way. Now I have the privilege of helping you and Dean do the same."

Sam felt his cheeks heat up at the mention of Dean, ducking his head as Cas chuckled warmly at him as reached out to grip his shoulder firmly as the vampire spoke.

" Sam, I'm not saying that this is going to be a fairytale between you and Dean, you two are going to have your own path, but it is ok for you to feel unsure and afraid cause this is a big deal. What I am saying is that you are the one who will have to be brave enough to open your heart up to Dean, to all of us, especially after everything you have gone through in your life. You don't have to be perfect, don't ever think that just because you and Dean are the future rulers of this coven you have to start being such rulers now. We want you as you are Sam, that's all. Do you understand?"

Sam felt his throat constrict with emotion at the earnestness in Cas' words, and also his expression. Not trusting himself to speak, Sam nodded his understanding. Cas smiled and let go of Sam's shoulder, and the pair sat in silence for a bit, enjoying the gorgeous view of the ocean as it lapped at the shore. Then a mischievous smile spread across Cas's face as he turned to Sam and spoke.

" Hey Sam, would you like to know what me and John's first official date was like, in colonial times?"

Sam found himself grinning back and nodding. A few minutes later Sam's free and happy laugh was filling the air, mingling with Cas' as the vampire recalled a truly hilarious disaster that included some really drunk bar maid, stealing a horse carriage, and an impromptu swim in the Hudson River by John when he accidentally fell in on what was meant to be a secret romantic walk along the piers.

Good times indeed.

Hi everyone, I finally got around to working on some of my stories but the writer's block is killing me. If anyone here has ideas on where this story should go, especially Sam's revenge against his horrible mortal family, feel free to drop me a review or a PM. Thanks so much and yes, I am still here, real life is just hectic!