Oh gosh still terribly sick but got lots of doctor time and now have lots of my meds so it'll probably affect my writing but please enjoy.

And thank you so much for the support. You are the best readers ever! Your reviews just make my day and I hope to keep up your interest.

This chapter will get very angsty/drama towards the end because…well, that's what my muse has been doing. So…enjoy. :D

. . .

Chapter 21: The War Continues:

Sam nearly jumped off of the bed when he heard Dean walk in. He stared for a moment, waiting for his brother to lash out at him…to do something other than smile and walk over to his own bed.

"How did you get out?" Sam asked, knowing it was a stupid question. He was testing Dean…trying to find the moment.

"Michael," Dean said simply, shrugging as he fell onto the bed.

Sam stared at him, waiting for something, "What did he say?"

"He was just being Michael," Dean said nonchalantly, causing Sam to be more concerned.

"I was going to go back once it got dark," Sam said, staring warily.

Dean shook his head, "Naw…it's cool. Gabriel got a laugh out of it."

Sam lifted his eyebrows, "Gabriel was there?"

Dean nodded and turned to him, "Yeah…said he wanted a second to enjoy it."

Sam pressed his lips together, "I got you good."

"Yeah…you did," Dean said, smirking, "I have Britney stuck in my head."

Sam let out a laugh but kept his gaze on his brother as he curled up on the bed, wrapping his wings around his body, "Are you going to sleep?"

Dean nodded, "M' tired," he said, "Been sitting in a ring of holy fire for hours."

Sam bit down on his lip nervously, wondering what the heck his brother was thinking. There was no way Dean would let him get away with a stunt like that. After about a half an hour of staying on guard, Sam noticed how Dean's breathing turned to a steady rhythm of sleep.

. . .

Dean yawned and stretched as he woke up. His stomach turned nervously for a moment when he noticed Serena and Daniel weren't in their little beds but he remembered that they were with Castiel. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He glanced at the clock to see it was only 4AM so he had some time.

Dean very slowly and silently fled the room, using his grace to make sure he didn't make a sound. He stopped in the woods and stretched out his heightened senses, looking for the perfect specimen. He smiled when he felt the presence of one nearby.

He walked over and slowly leaned down to inspect the long, thin yet thick body of the snake, scales gleaming in shades of brown, black and tan. His stomach turned a little when he watched the snake rear its head up, tail rattling noisily beside it. Dean took a deep breath before closing his eyes to connect with the snake in the way Castiel taught him to communicate with animals.

He let out waves of reassurance and smiled when the rattling stopped. The snake kept up in height as Dean stared at it.

"Hey…can you help me out?" Dean asked, knowing it could now understand him. Animals were a lot smarter than people gave them credit for.

The snake, 'Jake' as Dean would call him, reached back questioningly.

"I need you to scare my brother for me," Dean said, smirking, "Please don't bite him but just rattle and hiss…can you do that? I'll make sure he doesn't hurt you."

Jake gave what could be considered a nod and Dean smiled, "Thanks," he said, "I'm going to fly us over there now."

Dean smirked when the snake curled up his arm. He wasn't worried one bit about Jake biting because all animals had a connection with the grace of an angel. Added in that he was speaking to it, the snake was trusting of him as he trusted it.

Dean smirked when he heard the shower on and Sam was gone. He turned to Jake, "I'm going to put you in his bag…is that okay? When he goes to get in it, that's when you act."

Jake gave another nod and Dean laughed out loud when the snake literally seemed excited about it. Dean placed Jake down in the bag right on top of Sam's laptop then went to remove all reachable weapons from the room. By the time he had everything cleared up and safe, he quickly jumped on his bed and turned the TV onto some morning cartoons. The door opened and Sam walked out, wearing his jeans and a green long sleeved shirt. He paused when he saw Dean, "Where were you?"

Dean turned to him, "Went to go check on Serena and Daniel," he said, "I woke up and got worried because I didn't see them."

"Thought Cas had them," Sam noted, still looking for some sort of clue to what Dean was going to do.

Dean shrugged, "I missed them," he said, now feeling guilty that he actually didn't go to see them.

"Ah," Sam said, walking over to his bed to grab his bag.

Dean made sure not to give away anything but simply pretended to watch TV while keeping the corner of his eye locked on his brother.

Sam just waited for something but realized it made sense that Dean would want to go and see his children. He sighed and lifted the bag onto the bed so he could get his laptop. He slowly unzipped the bag. He let out a shout and jumped nearly four feet as he fell off the bed to gain distance from the sudden striking, hissing and rattling snake that sat in his bag. His heart raced and pounded in his chest as he looked around for a weapon or something to defend himself but the knife, gun, everything was gone.

Dean couldn't control the laugh at the scream that came out of his brother. How much he wished he recorded that. Sam couldn't help but feel fear as the snake lifted its head to hiss at him some more, tail rattling loud enough to make his head spin.

Sam visibly shook as he tried to wrap his mind around what was going on but he couldn't take his eyes off of the snake that could bite him with vicious venom. It took a moment but soon Dean's laughter rang in his ears and Sam wanted nothing more than to punch him in the face. He couldn't move with the snake slithering out of the bag, muscles coiling as it snaked its way off of the bed. Sam didn't dare move a muscle as it slid across the carpet just inches from his own body. He watched with wide eyes as Dean's hands moved down to it.

"Dean," Sam hissed, "Are you crazy!"

Dean just smirked at him as he lifted Jake onto the bed. Sam took that moment to stand up and back away, standing beside the dresser. He kept his eyes on the snake as it slithered onto Dean's lap and seemed to relax there.

Dean chuckled and stared at the snake, "You got him good," he said almost proudly to the creature.

It took Sam a moment to register, "Wait…you put it there," he summed up, "What…how?"

Dean smirked and turned to him, "I'm just that good with animals," he replied, touching his fingers gently over the scales.

"That was your idea for a prank!" Sam nearly shouted, his adrenaline calming, "It could have bitten me, Dean! That isn't funny!"

Dean grinned, "Aw, not Jakey," he said, holding the snake up as it wrapped around his arm, "He wouldn't do such a thing."

Sam just gawked, "Are you serious? Why isn't it trying to attack you?"

"Because I'm awesome," Dean replied, turning back to the snake, "You got him so good…thanks."

Sam swore he watched the snake reply back because Dean chuckled to it and shook his head.

Gabriel appeared in the room a moment later, eyes searching the room worriedly before he relaxed once he realized Sam was okay, "I sensed you were terrified," Gabriel said, "You scared the crap outta' me. Thought something was killing you."

Sam let out the breath he was holding, "Dean put a fricken rattlesnake in my bag!"

Gabriel turned to Dean and the snake and then just laughed, earning a glare from Sam.

"I'm sorry," Gabriel laughed, calming himself down, "But…that is a really good prank."

"It could have killed me!" Sam growled.

"No…I'm sure Dean talked to the snake before putting him there," Gabriel said, "if he wanted to bite you, he would have."

"Exactly…Jake is a good snake," Dean mused as he allowed the snake to slide over the bed.

Sam turned to Dean, "You can talk to animals?"

Dean nodded, "Yeah, I guess so. I can communicate with them if I'm focused enough."

Sam sighed and moved to his bed, keeping a safe distance from his bag. He ran his hands through his hair and rubbed his head, which was now throbbing.

Gabriel frowned when he moved towards Sam and the hunter backed away. The archangel sighed, "Don't get mad at me. I didn't put a rattler in your bag."

"You think it's funny…I almost had a heart attack," Sam complained.

"You left me in a ring of holy fire for a day," Dean snapped, "I almost walked out of it because I couldn't take anymore."

"He's right, Sam. You trapped him for hours…this is actually pretty easy payback," Gabriel said, shrugging.

Sam groaned, "I knew you were too calm," he said, turning to Dean.

Dean smiled, "I have to go return Jake back home," he said before vanishing from the room. Sam would never get used to seeing his brother disappear like an angel.

Gabriel sat down beside him, "You alright?" he asked.

Sam nodded, "Just calming down."

It was silent for a moment and Gabriel smirked, "Want my help pranking him?"

Sam shook his head, "Thanks but no. This is between us."

Gabriel nodded, "Fair enough," he said, "I will return."

Sam rolled his eyes when the archangel vanished from the room.

. . .

Dean smiled lightly as he released Jake back into the wild after thanking him numerous times. Jake ended up telling him he was acting pathetic.

Dean stood in the woods for a moment before staring up, sensing Serena and Daniel up in Heaven. He knew he normally didn't go on his merry way upstairs but he really wanted to see them. He closed his eyes as he took the immense flight up to Heaven.

He let out a deep breath and stretched his wings once he was up in Castiel's favorite Heaven. He smiled when Crazy came running over from the trees. Dean leaned down and sat on the ground, allowing the hound to climb onto his lap.

"Hey buddy…how are you?" Dean asked, petting over the leathery feathered wings. Crazy let out a little growl as he shook his wings.

"Dean?" Castiel asked, suddenly beside him.

Dean jumped a little and Crazy let out a defensive growl before relaxing and going to try and climb up the angel.

Castiel gently pushed the hound with his foot as Dean climbed up to his feet. Castiel tilted his head curiously at Dean, "What are you doing here?" he asked.

Dean wanted to turn to mush at the friggen head tilt but he pushed it back, "I am here to see Daniel and Serena…"

"Dean…you cannot," Castiel said, shaking his head.

"Why not?" Dean asked, getting defensive and worried, "They are mine, too."

"I know that," Castiel said firmly, "But they are not in condition yet."

"What exactly is going on because you haven't been clear with me?" Dean asked, feeling a surge of protectiveness.

Castiel frowned and stared down, "They are growing Dean," he said.

"Okay…I already knew that," Dean said, grabbing the angel's jaw to stare into his eyes.

Castiel stared at him, "They are going through a process…all angels do at a certain age."

"Okay…" Dean said, "What is so bad about it? Why can't I see them?"

"I do not wish for you to over-react," Castiel said slowly, "I cannot even be in the room with them at times."

"What!" Dean growled, "You leave them alone!"

"No, I don't," Castiel defended quickly, "There is always another angel with them."

"And you trust these other angels?" Dean asked with disbelief. Castiel was very untrusting of others.

"I trust Michael and Gabriel," Castiel said slowly, "and sometimes even Lucifer."

"What is so bad about this?" Dean asked, ready to fly around Heaven until he found them.

"They are growing their arches," Castiel said, flinching slightly.

"What the hell does that mean?" Dean asked.

"They are forming the arches in their wings," Castiel explained, "It is…a very painful process."

"What!" Dean nearly shouted, feeling panic rush through him, "They are in pain?"

"It is more like spasms of pain through their wings," Castiel explained, "The bones are breaking and reforming."

Dean flinched and balled his hands into fists, "You couldn't tell me?" he asked, trying to keep calm, "My babies are being tortured and you couldn't tell me!"

Castiel glared at him, feeling a thread snap, "I don't want you to react overwhelmingly…like you are now. They are mine, too, Dean. You think this is easy for me? I went through the same thing. I know what it's like but there isn't anything we can do and being in the Healing Room is the best place right now."

"Where is this room?" Dean asked, getting ready to fly over.

Castiel grabbed his arm, "Dean…you cannot go in there."

"Why not?" Dean snapped, yanking his arm back.

"Because you are not allowed," Castiel said firmly, "You are not an archangel or healer."

Dean felt anger piercing through him, hating that there was nothing he could do for Serena and Daniel. He felt so useless and horrible that they were in pain.

"Why do you smell like holy fire?" Castiel asked, moving closer.

"None of your business," Dean snapped before flying away. He couldn't stand another moment of being around the place where his children were in agony and he couldn't help. He closed his eyes as he fled to Italy.

He ignored the words shouted and cursed at him in Italian as he scanned the kitchen for the perfect pizza. He quickly grabbed an enormous pizza from the back counter as it sat on the huge platter. He then took off back to the motel room. He landed in the middle of the room, causing Sam to jump and curse as he looked up from his laptop.

"Where were you?" Sam asked, staring at the pizza which looked and smelled absolutely amazing.

"I went to Heaven and then Italy," Dean replied blankly as he laid the pizza on the bed and then grabbed the bottle of blue alcohol. He hopped onto the bed and opened the bottle, "Cheers," he said before taking a huge swig. He closed the bottle and went to grab a slice of the pizza.

"Dean…what's wrong?" Sam asked worriedly, knowing that look in his brother's eyes.

"Pizza?" Dean asked, pointing to it, "Got it straight from Italy…this stuff is amazing," he said through a mouthful.

Sam nodded, knowing things would be easier if he took a piece. Dean smirked as he tossed over a slice. Sam caught it and bit down on it, amazed at how incredible it really was. He wasn't sure he'd be able to eat regular pizza ever again. After a moment, he noticed Dean begin to relax as the angelic alcohol worked its magic.

"Dean…what is going on?" Sam asked again.

Dean just stared at the wall, wishing he could burn it down. He had never felt so conflicted before. He took a deep breath, "I can't see Serena and Daniel," he said.

Sam watched his brother for a moment, "What do you mean?" he asked.

"They are going through some stupid angel crap…growing their wing arches and they are in excruciating pain and there isn't a damn thing I can do," Dean said, knowing he normally didn't talk about his feelings but damn, that alcohol was something. He was already feeling like he had about two bottles of whiskey.

"Are you serious? Why not?" Sam asked, knowing it must be tearing Dean apart.

"Because I'm not a good enough angel to be in the damn room with them," Dean answered as he reached for the bottle again.

"Dean," Castiel said, causing both hunters to stare at him.

Dean ground his teeth when the bottle was ripped from his hands. He glared up at Castiel, who kept a gaze firmly on him.

"Sam…give us a moment," Castiel demanded.

Sam stood up and was about to argue but he could see the way Dean and Castiel were looking at each other and could literally feel the tension rolling through the room. He swiftly grabbed another slice of pizza before walking out the door.

Dean turned away from Castiel, "You don't need to come down here and scold me, ya know."

Castiel swallowed down the rage he was feeling. He moved the platter of pizza to the other bed and placed the bottle on the floor before sitting beside his lover. He felt awful for getting mad at Dean but he was already on edge and it was just snapping point.

"What's going on?" Dean asked, turning his eyes to blue ones. He couldn't believe he was spilling emotions. He swore to himself never to drink that stuff again.

"What do you mean?" Castiel asked, wanting to hold Dean but afraid of being rejected.

"With us," Dean said, staring back down.

Castiel felt a chill through his grace that reverberated through his entire being. He swallowed back the fear for a moment, "Nothing is wrong with us," he said.

Dean turned back to him, "You can't say that," he said, shaking his head "Ever since Serena and Daniel were born…we just haven't been right."

Castiel felt a lump form in his throat of complete fear and dread. He didn't want to lose Dean…he couldn't lose him. He felt a stinging sensation in his eyes, "Please," he whispered, mostly to himself.

"I'm not complaining because I love those two and I'd do anything for them," Dean said quickly, "But me and you…it feels like we never talk to spend time together like we used to. All we do it fight."

Castiel felt his grace start to twist nervously and he hesitantly reached over to Dean but he was more terrified than anything of being pushed away.

Dean took a deep breath when silence took over. He hesitantly lifted his gaze to stare at the blue orbs. He felt an immediate guilt twist through him when he saw the blue glistening with tears as Castiel stared down, his wings slumped over the bed in a way which Dean realized meant he was truly upset. He realized at that moment that the angel was shaking.

Castiel couldn't control himself as the sob escaped him and he stared up into the emerald eyes, "P-please don't leave me."

Dean immediately felt his heart clench at those words, "No…Cas, that's not what I meant," he said. He didn't hesitate to pull the angel into his arms. He took a deep breath to control his own emotions as he felt Castiel melt into the embrace, giving everything he had to Dean.

Dean slowly leaned back until he was lying down, Castiel curled up against him, face on his chest as he let go. Dean closed his eyes to fight back his own tears, hating himself for opening his stupid mouth. He gently pushed his face into the angel's hair, breathing in his unique scent while running soothing hands through his wings, "I'm so sorry," Dean whispered, "I could never leave you…I love you so much. I'm so sorry if it sounded different."

Castiel felt so horrible for having what humans would call a break down. He let himself go completely, releasing everything he had been holding in for so long. He clutched Dean as tightly as he could like he was a lifeline. He felt his grace warming from being so close to Dean's unique grace infused soul and the words of love spoken were like sunshine beaming down on him after being in the darkness for too long.

. . .

Sam took a deep breath as he walked back over to the motel room. He paused by the door when he glanced through the window to see Castiel and Dean wrapped up together on the bed and he knew at once there was something emotional going on. It was rare Dean ever expressed anything and he wasn't going to ruin the moment. Sam slowly turned around and made his way over to the sidewalk to go for a stroll.

"Hey Sam," Gabriel said as he appeared beside him.

Sam let out a breath after holding it, his heart racing a little from Gabriel's arrival. He gave the angel a smile, "Hi Gabriel," he said.

"Why are you walking out here by yourself?" Gabriel questioned, looking around.

"Dean and Cas are in the room," Sam answered.

"Ah…getting the freak on?" Gabriel asked, wiggling his eyebrows.

Sam shook his head, "No," he said, "Dean came back all sorts of messed up. He said something about not being able to help Serena and Daniel and then Cas showed up and…" he sighed, "Something isn't right with those two."

Gabriel stopped, causing Sam to stop and turn around. He knit his eyebrows to see the archangel frowning.

"Everything okay?" Sam asked.

"Dean found out about the growing," Gabriel said, sighing, "We weren't going to tell him until after."

"Why?" Sam asked, "he deserves to know."

"I know that but this is something he can't do anything about," Gabriel explained, "We didn't want him to worry too much about it when it was under control."

"Well he found out," Sam said, "And it shouldn't matter if he can't do anything. He has the right to know…that was messed up of you guys."

Gabriel nodded, "I realize that now…I thought I heard those two fighting."

"They've been doing that a lot," Sam mentioned, continuing his walk.

Gabriel followed, "I know," he said, "I've been worried about that."

"I saw them through the window…" Sam said, "Looked like Castiel was…crying."

Gabriel felt his own grace twist and he stopped again, "What do you mean? Like…what was Dean doing?"

"Dean was holding him," Sam said, confused by Gabriel's reaction.

The archangel visibly relaxed, "That's good," he said, "I was worried for a moment. I thought your brother did something stupid."

"Seriously?" Sam asked, "Would you blame him if he did?"

"Yeah," Gabriel said, "Castiel is doing everything he can."

"Wow," Sam said, shaking his head, "You are really one sided…Dean wouldn't just go and hurt Castiel for no reason. It takes two for that."

Gabriel just stared at Sam, "Please, I don't want to argue."

Sam took a deep breath and shook his head, "Can I have some alone time?"

"Suit yourself," Gabriel replied before flying off.

Sam just glared at the place the angel had been standing. He simply clenched his teeth before continuing his walk.

. . .

So sorry about the angstiness. I promise everything will get better. And…there might be some sexy time between Dean and Cas next chapter. It depends on my muse. :D. We haven't had that in a long time. What do you guys think? Do those two need some make up sexy time?