"Sam, Grace! You here?" the door opened and Sam came in with breakfast, distracting dean long enough for Grace to launch a sneak attack.

"You been outside al—oof!" Grace cheered as she sat on his back, Deans coffee now spilled all over the floor as Sam laughed.

"Oh man, she got you, dean."

"My coffee! Get off, Grace." She beamed at him and climbed off going to find paper towels.

"Went for a run. Beautiful sunrise. Anyways, cleaned up. Went and got breakfast. Grabbed you real Bacon and eggs, extra grease. Not even gonna argue. And Grace, I grabbed you Bacon and a few of the egg white sandwich things you like, with a raspberry chocolate chip, gluten free, muffin." She grinned at him.

"Thanks Sammy." He smiled and took a seat, dean following the example.

"Wait. You went running?"

"What? Why do you look so worried?"

"Well considering the angels just fell…" Grace started and Dean motioned to her.

"There's also Cas, who I told to haul ass here. that was days ago. He's still out there. Um, There's you."

"Me? I feel great." Sam scoffed at Dean, Grace swallowed her bite of food and looked at him.

"We're just worried about you, Sam. We're sure you feel fine but all things considered, you went through those trials to try and shut the gates of hell, that put a lot of strain on your body, we just think it'd be better if you, you know, relaxed a little." Ezekiel popped himself into the conversation, and Grace almost choked on her food.

"He does feel better. A work in progress, of course, but I am slowly healing him."

"That's great, um, but—"

"I have news, I've picked up chatter among the angels. Not all are wandering around in confusion."

"Yeah, some of 'em are after Cas."

"There is a faction that is rapidly organizing and finding human vessels to contain them."

"Led by Naomi?" Grace frowned at the name Naomi, "I ever see that woman again, I'm Jamming an angel blade right up her ass." Dean flashed her a look and she shut up, going back to her breakfast.

"I have not heard that name, no. but it is this factions leadership who want Castiel found. You see, Dean, I can be useful.

"So can my brother. So, why don't you go check your e-mail, and if I need your help, I'll let you know."

"Dean."

"He said he'll let you know." Grace interjected once again, he flashed Grace a look before receding back into Sam.

"I mean, you know, Cas is human now. It's gonna take him a lot longer to travel."

"I'm gonna get whiplash."

"What?"

"Nothing. Um, all right, so, I was thinking. So, what if the angels are organizing, then that makes them a lot more dangerous than we though."

"Why do you think they are organizing?"

"If only you knew, Sammy" Dean flashed her a 'shut up' look and she once again went back to her food.

"It makes sense. My point is, is that the more of them that are after Cas, the worse it is, so…we gotta find him.


"Alright, so this is where Cas called from last week. Longmont, Colorado. Each circle is how far he might have gotten in one, two, and three days out.

"Okay, Here we go. The same day he called from Longmont, weird murder, same town. Cops said it was like the girl was blasted from the inside out."

"Angel kill. They might have just missed Cas. Unless they got him." A sudden crashing sound was heard from behind the brothers, the second broken cup today, Dean turned to look at his sister.

"Grace?" Sam looked sympathetic now, "He's smarter than that, I know he is. How can you just give up on your friend so easily?"

"Grace, we have to weigh the options here. I don't like it any more than you do but it's possible that—"

"Emory Park, Iowa." Dean turned back to Sam, "You got an Emory Park, Iowa?"

"Emory Park, Emory Park. I just saw that. Uh, yeah, a couple days outside of Longmont."

"Okay, because two priests were murdered there on Thursday. Eyes blown out, evidence of torture. They were impaled on posts."

"Torture?"

"Yeah."

"Angels are looking for info. Man, if they get to him before we do…"

"Get in the car." The boys asked no questions as they grabbed their jackets.


"All right. Well, he's definitely been here. Good news is he's finally getting cagey. He's using a fake name—Clarence." Grace frowned, that was what Meg had called him, referencing the angel from 'it's a wonderful life' she felt something in the pit of her stomach but tried to ignore it.

"That's what meg used to call him. Of course, he doesn't get that's the name of a pretty famous angel." Grace smacked her brother upside the head.

"Watch a damn Christmas movie sometime…Clarence is the Angel from It's a wonderful life." he gave her a 'bitch' face and she leaned back again, dean shook his head.

"Dude, seriously?"

"What'd you come up with?"

"Another angel kill, outside a town called Lafayette, about a days travel East of here." Dean looked at Sam's computer, Grace rolled her eyes.

"It's in Indiana, Genius." Dean turned to face her again, "I will smack you, so help me." She gave him a challenging look, "Bring it on, old man." The two started a slap fight before Sam broke it up.

"There was a body found in a homeless camp. Insides barbecued, the whole nine."

"Homeless guy?"

"No, a pharmacist from Dayton, Ohio."

"What?"

"Huh."


"Damndest thing I ever saw. Vic had a stab wound, but that's not what killed him. It's like his insides were—"

"Vaporized?" Grace suggested, it was a common thing found in Ex host bodies, but she had to suppose that when you're toting around an ancient cosmic force, there would be some side effects. The other agent looked back at her in surprise.

"Pretty smart for someone so young, How old are you?" she rolled her eyes, "Old enough to know you shouldn't be hitting on me, I'd guess you're…37? Married, Happily, and you've got 2 kids?" the agent looked surprised,

"how did you—"

" Agent Grace Holland, I was top of my class at Harvard, graduated early." He looked impressed as Sam clapped her on the back, she grinned at him once the other agents back was turned again.

"So, this guys was a pharmacist from Ohio?"

"Apparently. Total family man, religious. One day, just hops into the S.U.V, takes off, dies on a bridge here from god knows what. this is his stuff. Help yourselves."

"Thanks."

"Thanks" with that the other agent was gone.


"Look, for the billionth time, we're not cops. We're just looking for some information. We're trying to find a friend of ours. He's in trouble. Look, he might have been here the night that guy was killed."

"Were any of you here that night?" Dean had stayed back in the car after Grace had seen how frightened these people were of him, plus he had this tendency to get pushy.

"Maybe."

"He's got dark hair, kind of messy, blue eyes, always seems just a little out of it…" the guy didn't seem to understand.

"His name is Clarence." Grace added in, the homeless man showed a look of realization,

"Clarence, yeah."

"Did you two talk?"

"Not much, I think he was on the run."

"Did you see him with the victim?" She'd be lying if she said she wasn't starting to get worried, "No."

"Okay?" she was hoping for a little bit more information. "He went off to sleep in another part of the resort." The man started walking away, but grace persisted.

"Sir, please, we need to find him. Where did he go last night?"

"He's not there now."

"I'll ask again, where'd he go?" the man threw something in the trash receptacle before turning to face her and Sam.

"I saw him running from under the bridge to the highway."

"Any idea where he was headed?"

"He flagged a truck heading north. Detroit, probably."

"Why Detroit?"

"Truck was marked 'motor city meats'" Grace heaved a sigh of relief, at least Cas was safe. They headed back tot eh car after she had thanked the man for his intel.


"Care to tell me why you're tailing my brothers and I?" Grace said, standing behind the reaper, blocking the way so Sam and Dean could get him.

"Answer her. It's in your best interest."

"Why are you trailing us?"


"So, Maurice. You bounty hunters are like Delta force reapers. Why would they sic you on Cas?" Grace took the blade from Dean, "He warded himself."

"That bitch Naomi, did she hire you?" Grace held the tip of the blade dangerously close to the reapers neck.

"You really are out of the loop, aren't you?* Grace frowned and sliced his cheek, he let out a hiss of pain. "Naomi is dead. Resting in pieces."

"So then who's running things now?" he gave no response and Grace carved into his chest. "Her protégé, Bartholomew. He and up-and-comer."

"So he figured we'd lead you to Cas?" grace finally stepped away from Maurice, but kept the angel blade where he could see it.

"This Bartholomew, he organizing the angels?"

"That's all I know" Dean nodded to grace, who flashed a sardonic smile as she tilted the reapers head up, looking him in the eyes.

"You can kill me. it wont matter. If I don't find Castiel, there are others that will. But do what you want." She frowned at his attitude and puled the knife away for a second, letting hm think they were going to spare him, but just when he heaved a sigh of relief she jammed the blade up into his skull.


*Grace's P.O.V*

"Cas!" Dean pulled the angel blade from his coat and went for the woman who had just stabbed Castiel, "Cas! Oh…Oh god…" The red head flung dean around like he was some toy before turning and doing the same to Sam, she finally turned to me.

"Ah, the littlest Winchester, there's been big talk about you with the Angels, for quite sometime now. You're kind of a big deal." She grinned, kicking the blade out of everyone's reach, Sam and dean were getting back to their feet.

"What are you talking about?"

"Looks like this girls popular with all the boys." She frowned, advancing on Sam, as Grace tried to gingerly pull the blade out of Cas's stomach, once it was out she handed it to dean and applied as much pressure to the wound as possible. Sam was enough of a distraction to let Dean get close enough to Kill the red head. There was a surge of bright white light.

"Cas. Cas. Cas!"

"No…" I could feel my heart break, knowing he was dead, "Grace, he's gone. I'm sorry." But it wasn't Sam, it was Zeke, he was Healing Cas, but we could both see it was weakening him, "Zeke, don't…you need your strength."

"But this makes you sad." He replied, pushing on. "Yes, death would make anyone sad, Zeke." Once he finished he backed up, unsteady on his feet, he used the wall to steady himself but it failed and he hit the floor as Cas woke up.

"Dean…Grace." I smiled at him, "Hey Cas. You're alright."

"Hey. Hey! Yeah." Dean came back towards Cas, and Grace smiled at the two of them, they had a deep bond, much like he and Sam, Cas was his brother, even if it was an unspoken agreement.

"And Sam."

"Cas, you're okay?" Grace took this opportunity to smack Cas, "Never do that again!" he looked stunned at the blonde sitting next to him.

"All right. But I'm confused. I know she stabbed me, but I'm—well, I don't appear to be dead."

"Well, you got dinged.* He looked back at Sam, "And, uh, you. I made a deal with her. Said she wouldn't get kabobbed if she brought you back."

"She brought you back."

"You lied."

"I did. I do that." I stood, about to step back but Castiel grabbed my arm and pulled me back.

"Grace." I couldn't look at him, "Cas, Please…Don't." he tilted his head in confusion.

"You helped me, even though I angered you. Why?" I turned back to face him, unable to hold the tears back any longer.

"Because Cas, that's what people do when they care about other people, it's called empathy."

"I know what Empathy is Grace, but usually when one holds a grudge, they act selfishly."

"I'd tell you the truth but I already know how you feel about me."

"Grace, what are you—what is she talking about." He turned to look at Sam and Dean as tugged myself free of him and walked out the door.


"I am really, enjoying his place. Plentiful food. Good water pressure. Things I never even considered before."

'Grace' he thought to himself, which he suddenly felt rather odd about. "There really is a lot to being human, isn't there?"

"It ain't all just Burritos and strippers, my friend."

"Yeah. I understand what you're saying."

"You do?" Sam asked with interest

"Yes, there's more to humanity than survival. You…look for purpose, and you must not be defeated by anger or despair. Or hedonism, for that matter." Grace picked that moment to re-enter the room, it seemed she had calmed down some since they had gotten back but she was still giving Cas the cold shoulder.

"Where does Hedonism come into it?" Grace sat down, looking interested, her tone testing, "Yeah Cas, tell us, where does hedonism come into play. Cas suddenly felt uncomfortable,

"Well, Let's just say my time with April was very educational." He wasn't sure he wanted to continue this conversation, he had had intercourse with April, and he had found it very educational, but he decided he did not want to piss off Grace.

"Yeah. I mean, I would think getting killed is something." What happened next not even Cas as quick enough to stop himself.

"And having sex." He stopped, actually they all stopped, Dean and Grace both looked stunned, Dean chocked on his burrito.

"You had sex with April." Cas caught the look in Graces eyes, and felt a pang in his chest, something he had never felt before.

"Yeah, that would be where the Hedonism comes in." Grace muttered, standing and heading back to her room.

"So…did you have protection?" Cas looked confused as he watched Grace leave, he had a longing to go after her

"I had my angel blade."


Grace slammed the door to her room, she new she was overreacting, Cas hadn't been human for very long so naturally he wouldn't understand the complications of it all. She was pulled from her thoughts by a knock on her door.

"Grace, open the door." She didn't move. "Grace I can't just teleport in anymore, please, you need to open the door." She sighed, knowing he wouldn't just give up, he had always been persistent, walking over she opened the door.

"Grace, I know what I did was wrong, and I am sorry."

"I know Cas."

"I should not have slept with—wait, you know? But I hadn't said it yet." She laughed a little

"Cas, sit down." he complied with her command and took a seat in her desk chair.

"Cas, Being human is hard, I get it, and I have no right to be mad at you sleeping with April, she was kind to you when on one else was going to be, I get it, I do, you were just doing what you thought would repay her kindness." Grace smiled, "But you need to know, you can't trust everyone. The world is in Chaos right now."

Cas felt like a child being scolded, "Yes I know, and I am to blame for that. I was Naïve and Metatron took my grace."

"No, Castiel, Metatron is to blame, he tricked you, and we will get him back for what he did, but right now, I think it's best if you lay low for a while, keep off the angels radar. And the reapers."

"here is safe?" Grace smiled, "Here is safe, you have a home here." Cas ran a thumb over the back of her small hand as another knock came at her door.

"Cas, uh, can we talk?"

"Of course. Dean, you know I always appreciate our talks, our time together." Dean took a seat on the foot end of Grace's bed.

"Listen Buddy, um…you can't stay." Grace looked at Dean like he was insane, Cas looked like a kicked puppy.

"He doesn't have anywhere else to go, dean."

"I know Grace, and I'm sorry." Grace had a sudden Idea, "I can rent a place, we can stay there." Dean looked at her like she was insane, "No, Grace I want you nowhere near this."

"Dean, I'll be fine, you and Sam trained me, Bobby taught me to shoot, I can handle this, it'll be like he has a personal body guard. I'll make sure we stay off the radar, and if anything comes up I'll call." He looked to be considering it.

"Fine, you go with Cas, but I'm holding you to that, the second anything goes wrong, you call me or Sam, I don't care what hour of the day or night it is. You understand me?"

"Yes, Dean, I understand. You just make sure to keep your phone on, tell Sam too. I'll call when we've settled in." Cas looked at Grace now.

"You don't have to do this."

"I want to, Cas, Plus it'll be better than sleeping on the streets, you'll have your own room, we can get jobs, you'll get the full human experience." She had popped open a suit case.

"But I'll only be an inconvenience to—" Grace turned and looked at him as dean walked out the door, "Castiel, don't you dare finish that sentence. You're not inconveniencing me, I want to help." She smiled at him, Cas would never admit it but he felt something in the pit of his stomach when she looked at him.

"Get some sleep, we'll leave in the morning."

"But what about you?" he asked, narrowing his eyes in concern. "I need to apartment hunt, I'll also just sleep in one of the other rooms." With that she was gone.

TA-DA ch. 11 done, and more on the way. I love hearing from those of you reading. so please leave reviews, they motivate me :3