P. Chapter 11

"Not fair," I whispered under my breath. Watching my "happy", younger self get into the jeep with my parents, it just didn't seem right. For over a year, I replayed the memories of the week my parents died over and over in my head, yet here I stood in the past, staring the memories directly in the face.

"We should get out of sight," Cas said gripping my arm, and I didn't even get the chance to protest when he took to the air. His flight took us to an empty warehouse.

"My parents," I whispered taking a seat against the wall. Cas was doing… something… My mind was too focused on the fact I just saw my parents- alive.

I heard Castiel sigh, but I was still too focused on the barrage of emotions running through my head. My thoughts only snapped back to present- as in being in the warehouse- when the angel placed a hand on my shoulder. At some point, he had bent down and was staring into my eyes.

"My parents," I whispered again choking back sobs as I did.

"You've blocked me again from moving us through time," he explained. "Do you know how you did it?"

I shook my head. "I just remembered fighting Lucifer, him saying that Nephilims will have great uses, and then… we're here." Tears slipped down my cheeks, but I didn't care to stop them. I believe in this instance I was allowed to cry, but then my sobs turned to laughter.

"I fail to see the humor," the angel spoke reminding me that he was actually here.

"I face Lucifer without a single tear," I choked out a sobbing laugh, "but seeing my parents brings rivers to my eyes."

Cas didn't reply, so I decided to continue.

"They're going to die again… And I won't be able to stop it." My eyes met Cas's blues. "Destiny right?"

"Yes."

"Can I stop it?"

"No."

That single word struck a chord inside me. No matter what I did, or what I wanted to do, I would have to let my parents die because it was God's will. Somewhat, I wanted to say 'fuck God's will' and save them, but I wasn't an idiot either. Saving them meant I would still become a Nephilim, angels would still come for me, and I probably would have seen the boys again. The war in the future- I had some part in it, I just didn't know what.

The feeling of Cas's skin brushing my cheek shocked me. His body had an unnatural warmth to it, and when he pulled away, my cheek felt simply cold. I looked the angel in the eyes, but he was distracted by what he wiped from my cheek- my tears.

"Salt water…"

Human emotions still confused the angel. They may feel somethings, but not to the degree humanity could. Crying was one that probably baffled the angel. Not being able to help myself, I touched the angel's hand and wiped my tears from it.

"Sadness," I corrected. Our eyes met, and for the first time, I think the angel actually understood something more than what was right in front of him.

The moment ended, and with that, I pushed myself back to my feet. I checked myself over including the side wound, but Cas had done a good job of healing it partially. Sadly, I had left my blades in the past, and that sucked as they would have been extremely useful.

Smiling and wiping my tears away, I grabbed the angel's arm unable to stop my self. "Come on!"

"Rachel…"

He didn't get a real chance to protest before I flew the both of us to my house. We landed silently in the living room. The house was furnished beautifully, and I smiled at the irony of my parent's decorating. On the mantle across our fireplace sat angel figurines, and above it hung a picture of the Virgin Mary. Castiel blinked and glanced around while I sped off up the stairs.

"What if they're home?" I heard behind me just as I reached the top of the stairs.

"They took my younger self out to dinner as an early birthday present," I explained running into my still furnished room. Everything sat untouched. My bed was still coated in the purple comforter, but the rest of my room was a dump. Clothes were tossed uncaring onto the floor, and the very sight made me want to laugh. I felt like I was coming home from a long day at school. I switched my stereo on, wondering what CD I had left in there last. When the song switched on, I couldn't hide my smile. It was a song by Lily Allen called "F*** You."

I turned to see Castiel standing in the doorway, his head tilted to the side. With a sigh, I rolled my eyes wishing that the damn angel would just loosen up. Finally remembering why I ran in here, I opened up one of my dresser draws and found some of my then boyfriend's clothes. I tossed them at Castiel- jeans and thankfully, a pink button up. He caught them and stared at me with that look again- the one that he's trying to tell me that I've gone crazy.

"We're in my home town… If I'm recognized by accident, I won't be able to explain what the hell is up with the holy tax accountant," I explained. "Now change, I promise I won't look."

As I reached in the dresser for a new set of clothing, I realized Cas was still observing what I threw him. Grumbling, I sauntered up to the angel and pushed off his trench coat and began to undo his tie. That was when he stopped me, his hand over mine.

"You need to blend in," I tried again. "Demons are after me in this time… You said yourself we can't change the past, so it's best that I'm not recognized and if I am, then I don't want to explain what the hell is going on with you." This seemed to get through, and once I removed my hand, he went to work on his tie. Politely, I turned around and went back to finding my own clothes.

Once I grabbed a light green long sleeve that dipped down in the front and a pair of torn jeans, I began to pull off my current Metallica tank top. Just to be sure Cas was actually changing, I dared a glance back to find he had stopped and was staring at my almost naked form.

"Cas!" I cried pushing the long sleeve against myself.

"Silly humans," he sighed before turning around and continuing to undress.

Once I was changed, I pulled my hair back into a pony tail. Turning to face Cas, I wanted to whistle. The guy in fact looked normal for once. His trench coat was still in his hands, but I decided not to comment on that. Downstairs, I heard the door open. I pushed back the angel and quickly scavenged into the closet across from my room.

"Rachel," I heard him warn as we could hear people moving around downstairs.

"One second," I whispered as I looked for what I wanted. The second my fingers wrapped around in, I felt Castiel grab my shoulder and heard people running up the stairs.

It took a moment for me to realize that we were standing back in the warehouse. Standing there, I couldn't help but start to laugh. When he asked what I found funny now, I explained that I wondered how my stereo turned on that day… It seemed ironic that I was the one who ended up turning on my own stereo.

"Why did we have to wait?"

"This… It won't be missed," I said holding up a family picture album. "It was tossed after my parents died, and I was never able to find it."

"Probably because you took it," he replied.

Knowing we had to get back to the correct time, I tried one of the focusing exercises Gabriel taught me. Taking a seat on the ground, I crossed my leg and folded my hands in front of me. I needed to get my grace focused if we wanted any chance to get back to the future.

"Rachel…"

My name snapped me from my focused state, and I looked up to see Castiel holding a bag of food. I realized then that my stomach was cramping and growling. I glanced around wondering how long I had been sitting still as my muscles were begging to be stretched.

"You've been sitting like this for two days," he continued.

I couldn't believe I had been sitting still for that long without even realizing it. In my head, somewhere it clicked that the Winchesters would show up sometime this day. I smiled and took the food from the angel and reached in to find apples and other healthy food.

"Ok Cas," I sighed. "I'm human and cholesterol doesn't really affect me at this age. Would a burger kill you?"

"A burger can not kill an angel."

Giving a soft chuckle, I ate the food anyways. My stomach won out in the end although I did want a freaking burger. I went on to explain that even though I was able to focus my grace I could not figure out how I was jumping time. It was just going to happen again without control on my part.

"I'm tired of sitting," I finally said. "Lets head back into town."

"And risk being recognized?"

I just shook my head, "We'll be fine."

Taking the angel's arm, we walked down the streets of my hometown. I recognized a few faces, but many seemed out of place. I enjoyed watching things when they weren't so complicated. I had an idea of where I wanted to go- a club. With my I.D., I'd be able to get in without a problem, and I wasn't too worried about the angel getting in. I just wanted to keep an eye on my younger self.

As the sun set, we reached the club, and the line was down the street. I sighed and dragged Cas to a side door when we came to an oh-so familiar scene. My younger self stood in the alley, dressed in minimal clothing and getting the shit kicked out of her by Chase. I forgot that my ex use to beat me, and I refused to fight back because I thought he loved me.

"You let him beat you…"

"I didn't know what else to do back then. My parents liked him… And I thought he loved me."

A car door slammed on the opposite end of the alley, and I watched, the memory coming to the forefront of my mind. The Winchesters sped down the alley towards my younger self, and while Dean pulled Chase off of her, Sam helped my seventeen year-old self to her feet.

"There is no demon in him."

"I know. The Winchesters just happen to see what the guy was doing, and Dean decided to stop and help me…"

Deciding it was best to get out of sight, Cas and I moved from the edge of the alley to a nearby diner that no one I knew worked at. We sat and I ordered a burger… I gave the angel a cheeky smile as I did too.

"It's probably good we moved," I explained knowing I would have to elaborate when Cas gave me that tilt of the head again. "Right after the brothers pull Chase off of me, demons flood the alley. That is where it all started. Tomorrow at school, I'll get attacked and then run off with the Winchesters in an attempt to keep my family safe… And the next day at midnight, I come into my true heritage." I took a bite of the burger.

"You know your past well."

"I decided I wanted to know where I went wrong."

"And where was that?"

"Being born…"

The two of us sat silent for the rest of the meal.

Staying out of sight was difficult to say the least. I didn't like just sitting in the warehouse with nothing to do, so I was becoming slightly agitated. I knew I couldn't change the past, but I wanted to. This led me to having to stay put or risk becoming too close. With my growing irritation, I kept taking it out on the angel. His monotone way of going about things didn't help the situation…

"I can't sit still much longer," I complained for the fifteenth time.

"Patience is a virtue," Castiel replied from across the warehouse.

"I've been patient… I need to expend some energy here!" I crossed the floor, so I could face the angel one on one. My muscles quivered at the very act of walking. "I need to do something."

I wasn't even thinking when I shoved Cas against the wall of the warehouse, panting. Even my grace needed some kind of release. It had been focused too long, and I needed to allow it to lash out. He didn't seem shocked by my violent outburst, and he didn't struggle that I now had him pinned to a wall. My hands were resting against his chest. Our eyes met, and I couldn't help myself. I wanted to see…

Cas's lips were chapped, but they were warm. His entire body flowed with his grace, and just a single touch allowed me to feel it as well. He didn't fight back when I brushed my lips against his. It wasn't really a full-out kiss, just a brush, just an experiment. I looked into his eyes again, but we didn't get the chance to talk nor continue as I heard clapping behind me.

I released Cas from the wall and turned to the source of the noise. A demon, of course. How these, I counted the demons in the room, seven creatures found us… I'll never know.

"Well," I grinned. "Now I have something to expend some energy on."

"How adorable," the demon cackled, "two young lovers."

I wanted to laugh; these demons didn't even know what Cas was or what I was half of. Next to me, I felt my angelic companion stiffen and sigh. I wanted to fight, but I didn't know if these demons had any impact on the past. I felt a surge of grace in the room, and I wanted to grin as every demon took a step back.

"Angels," I heard one of them gasp. "You shouldn't be here."

"You know what we are," Castiel began going all 'I'm so powerful, fear me.' He took a menacing step forward. "Walk away now."

I wanted to moan; more than anything, I needed to get rid of some energy. Now the freaking angel was taking away my only chance. Outside, I heard some yelling and movement. If things weren't annoying enough, I believe the brothers had just shown up at this very warehouse.

"We need to leave," I whispered to my companion. "The brothers are about to make an entrance."

Just as I spoke these words, the doors to the warehouse were kicked open. Either Cas and I had to make a quick exit or find one hell of an explanation to the boys about existence of angels. It would be another year and a half before Dean fell into the pit, so we weren't suppose to be around just yet. The only problem being if the demons decided to open their traps. Behind the brothers, I could hear my younger self shooting off questions… Oh crap, we did go to a warehouse- how could I forget something like that?

Making a quick decision, I waved out my hand and knocked all the demons to the ground, and Cas pulled me close. We flew the coop, literally. We landed in an abandoned house a few miles from the warehouse. A silent landing and we stood in a bedroom. Not being able to help myself, I turned to crack a joke.

"Just wanted to get me in bed…" I asked but I didn't get to finish as this time Castiel's lip covered mine in an actual kiss. Purring, I used my tongue to gain entrance into the angel's mouth and coaxed his tongue to play with mine. My entire body seemed to immediately warm up. After a few moments, we broke apart breathless.

"I shouldn't have done that," Cas finally said. "Lust is a sin."

"Curiosity isn't," I reprimanded. "If God asks, say I did it."

The angel walked from the room leaving me standing alone, cold…

. . . .

This was the night… At midnight, my younger self would come into her heritage, and my parents would be slaughtered. My eyes were fixed on the clock: 11:30. Ever since the kiss, Castiel had yet to come and see me, and I couldn't find the guy. I figured he wanted his space, so politely, I complied. I just didn't understand the angel; one second, he's making out with me, and the next, he wants to run and hide under a rock. I understood that lust was a sin, but kissing wasn't exactly lusting. If he threw me on the bed and fucked me into the next day, then I could understand his attitude, but a kiss? Seriously.

Without the angel around, I found myself focusing my grace more and more. I was hoping that with this extra practice I could maybe get us both back, but with the clock ticking away… I couldn't focus at all. I just kept staring at the time, knowing it was slowly counting down. I just wanted this day to end, so I couldn't keep thinking in my head: I could save them.

I could save them… I can save them… Without thinking, I grabbed Castiel's trench coat- it was in fact raining outside. With a single flap, I landed outside my parent's house. I glanced down at my watch just as the minute hand stuck the twelve. Midnight… Running inside, I saw the bright light just as I screamed…

"Mom, Dad!" I felt someone grab my arm. "No!"

. . . .

My arm was twisted behind my back and an arm was across my neck. I was standing in my Mom and Dad's empty bedroom, and Castiel was holding me. It was exactly how we left this time. We were back in the correct time, and I saw… I saw…

"Rachel!" I heard just before Dean and Sam burst into the room. Castiel released me, and I fell to the ground- hands and knees.

What I saw…

"Rachel?" Dean bent down to me. "What happened?"

Somewhere in the background, I heard Castiel explain to the other angels what just transpired. Uriel expressed disgust at my ability to jump time, but Suriel didn't seem too shocked.

"You jumped time?" Dean whispered in my ear as he pulled me back to my feet.

I could only nod. "I saw…"

"What did you see?" Sam asked.

"I saw who killed my parents…"

The room fell silent.

"Rachel?" I heard Suriel try tentatively. "Who?"

I raised my eyes from the floor and looked the murderer right in the eyes except he wouldn't meet my gaze.

Beside me, I heard Dean say aloud in disbelief after he followed my gaze, "Cas?"

Chapter 12: Rachel's past in a nutshell. After finally beginning to trust the angel, she finds he's the reason her parents are dead. Without thinking, she runs off to get away for a bit only to run into demons. In her emotional state, will she be able to fight them off or will she decide to join the demons for the chance to kill her parents' murderer.

OOC: Well the past between Cas and Rachel is revealed. Hope you guys enjoyed it. There is one more chapter to this arc, and then there is an interlude. The next chapter might take a few days as I have class, but the more you review, the quicker I'll get to work!