PART TWO:

PROPHETS FOR DUMMIES:

What to Do When Your Boyfriend Becomes God: A Manual

Chapter 36

The first few weeks were excruciating, for all of them. If anyone, Bobby seemed to be the first to get back on the horse. It only took him a week and a day before he was off to Dayton, hunting a rugaru. Dean stayed only long enough to finally fix Danielle's car before he left, going to move in with an ex-girlfriend. Danielle followed on his heels, not sure where she was going but knowing she couldn't mope around Bobby's house for forever. Castiel had gone back to heaven, trying to preach to the remaining angels of their new freedom.

Lisa – Dean's girlfriend – lived in Patriot, Indiana, which happened to be a short hour and a half drive from the Kentucky School of Medicine. Danielle wasn't ashamed to admit that she wanted to live at least near Dean. Moving into a new city without any one seemed almost as terrifying as chasing down the devil.

Another thing.

How the hell do you move on from that? They stopped the apocalypse. The apocalypse. Leaving behind the biggest, most troubling question of their existences:

What now?

Danielle was at a loss. Though she had taken on several attributes of one, she was no hunter. Jo and Ellen had told her that while on their deathbeds. She knew how to kill, hunt, and trap angels, but what was the need of that anymore? The angels had all disappeared, leaving the planet silent.

Including Cas.

Where was that stupid angel? He'd gone back to Heaven to try to help the other angels, but where was he now? It'd been two and a half weeks; why hadn't he called?

Danielle had taken up residence in a motel just a block away from the school. Dean only lived a little bit aways, and Bobby had repeatedly told her he was only a phone call and a beer away. Despite everyone's promises to stay close and keep up with each other and talk to each other, it had been quiet. They'd kept to themselves. Danielle missed her boys, no doubt about it, but the pain in her chest made her want to just turn in on herself. At least for a little while. She went to class, did her homework, studied an excessive amount for classes that she could excel in without having to study, exercised until she was physically sick, and went to sleep. She didn't go out, she tried not to socialize. She was letting life pass her by, and she didn't have a problem with it.

Castiel, likewise, was busying himself with reining in the angels. He didn't have time to grieve, nor did he have time to do the thing that was even more dangerous: think.

Danielle didn't know. She didn't know what their shared heaven meant. Cas did. And, to be honest, it scared him. It rocked him to his very core. He was no fool; he knew exactly the emotions he'd been feeling. He just didn't know that the magnetism he felt around the girl had meant that. He had started to suspect, and, as wrong as it was, he found himself caring less and less about heaven's policies regarding humans. Especially towards the end, those miserable few days he'd been absolutely human. But how miserable had they really been? Those handful of days had spoken volumes to him, taught him several irreplaceable things. He learned just how fragile humans were.

He was a celestial being. He was magnificent, powerful, all-consuming. His very self was too much for humans to begin to fathom. His strength was immeasurable, and his power was unspeakable. He made humans look like grains of table salt, compared to the mighty vast unpredictability of the ocean. He was the stars, the wind, the sun. He was air and water and fire and earth; he was unstoppable, unbelievable. Humans shouldn't have been of any interest to him.

But they were.

Especially her.

Around her, he didn't feel incomparable. He didn't feel too vast for someone to wrap their head around. Around her, it didn't matter how wide his wingspan was, or how many animal heads he personified. It didn't matter if he prayed every night or if he shouted curses at the god that had betrayed them both. Angels were soldiers, warriors, objects. They didn't have feelings nor were they supposed to have their own thoughts. They were given a command, and they were expected to follow through with it.

But her. She made him question everything. He knew how the sun went around the earth, he was there when the sun was created, and now he felt himself wondering why. What was its motivation? To follow the course predestined by God, for the rest of its existence? Did it have thoughts, doubts, fears?

Around her, he didn't need wings. He didn't need to be this or that; he got to be him. He got to find out who he really was when he was with her. She made him feel human, feel real. He wasn't just a thing to her, a solider; he was a person. Something that she cared about. Whether he was an angel or a human, she was always there, smiling and laughing and crying.

What was it about her? She was insignificant. She should have meant nothing. But he, like so many others, had found themselves caught up in whatever magic she possessed. He was under her spell, and he knew he would go to the ends of the universe, of life itself, just to gather the stars for her.

These thoughts had plagued him everyday for the past eleven days, seven hours, and fifty-seven minutes. He tried to use the other angels to distract himself, but the thoughts always pushed through, dominating his train of thought. He couldn't do anything other than marvel at the road that had led them here. When he had rebelled, he hadn't done it for her. He'd done it for Dean, because Dean was a remarkable man with a remarkable attachment to his brother, and Castiel had found himself envious. He wanted a bond like that; a love so strong that one is willing to go to Hell just for the other's sake.

He never, in the eons he'd been alive, actually imagined he'd find that person.

But was it love? He knew of the deep urge to be with her, to see her happy, but was the overwhelming magnitude of emotions just from being in her presence love? He'd have to ask Dean, though, in his subconscious, he already knew. If he didn't love her now, he would. It was in their future, in their heaven.

The story of Cas and Dan, written in the stars.

"You came."

Castiel looked at the archangel, narrowing his eyes in suspicion. He stared at his older brother for a moment before scanning the elaborate room. The walls were a dark brown, and the furniture looked very expensive.

"I appreciate the courage that takes."

"Whose heaven is this?" Castiel questioned, taking in the image of one of the presidents on the wall. The human had to have been some kind of businessman.

"Ken Lay's," Raphael responded with a bored sigh. "I'm borrowing it."

Castiel's eyebrows rose, wondering where Raphael had moved the man. "I still question his admittance here."

Raphael shrugged. "He's devout. Trumps everything. Have a seat, Castiel."

Castiel obeyed, sitting down on the edge of the chair next to Raphael's. Of course, the archangel had picked the most elaborate chair in the room. There was only one question: why had he been called here? Sure, they had had their troubles in the past, and Castiel wasn't too naïve to believe that Raphael would just forgive him and Dean for wiping out his brothers. "What do you want?"

"Tomorrow, I've called for a full assembly at the holy host. You'll kneel before me and … pledge allegiance to the flag, alright?"

"And what flag is that?"

"Me, Castiel," Raphael returned, eyes narrowed. He dared Castiel to protest against him. "Allegiance to me."

With Michael, Lucifer, and Gabriel gone, that left Raphael. He more likely than not suspected that he was to assume responsibilities for heaven. Most of the angels, in fact, were expecting that the only remaining archangel would step up. But for Raphael to try and become the new God? The angels didn't need a leader; they needed freedom. "Are you joking?" Castiel demanded.

"Do I look like I'm joking," the archangel deadpanned.

Castiel sighed, glancing down at the thick rug under his feet. "You never look like you're joking."

"You rebelled," Raphael growled. "Against God, heaven, and me. Now you will atone." There was a pause, and Castiel met his brother's gaze levelly. "We'll start by freeing Lucifer and Michael from the cage. Then we'll get our show on the road."

Castiel's eyes widened in alarm. He hadn't known what to expect, but that was definitely the furthest from what he'd thought. How could Raphael want that? Castiel rose to his feet, bewildered. "Raphael, no! The apocalypse doesn't have to be fought!"

"Of course it does. It's God's will."

God? The being that had betrayed all of them? How much did God care about His great plan if he hadn't stopped Sam Winchester from sacrificing himself? The most He did was bring Castiel back to life. "How can you say that?"

"Because it's what I want," Raphael returned. "How about we make a deal, Castiel, hm? You step aside, let me go through with the plan, and I'll make sure that you and that girl you fancy so much get a happy ending."

Castiel's brow furrowed. Surely he didn't mean Danielle? How did he even know-

Raphael rolled his eyes. "Yes, I know all about you two. Quite the scandal." Raphael's eyes sparked knowingly.

"We aren't- We haven't-"

"But you will," Raphael interrupted. "You know it. I know it. You've always been strange, Castiel, but don't you think this is a little much, even for you?"

Castiel was speechless, unable to even process what Raphael was saying. Was he actually implying- Of course, Castiel knew he was right, but- How did Raphael know? Was he supposed to lie, pretend like he didn't know? Raphael stood up slowly, rebuttoning his suit.

"I … don't know what you're talking about," Castiel said, licking his lips and boring his gaze into Raphael's.

The corner of Raphael's lips twitched up. "Oh, but you do. Have you seen how your heaven bares an uncanny similarity to hers?"

Castiel blanched. If Raphael knew about his attachment to Danielle… If Raphael knew just how intertwined the two of them were…

Raphael, seemingly able to read Castiel's thoughts, leaned forward. There was an evil, knowing glint in his eyes, and his lips were just barely pulled into a smirk. "Try and stop me, Castiel. You'll learn what it means to be alone."

Castiel dropped his gaze, feeling fear blossom in his chest. It was hard to take in a breath, and his vessel seemed to have dropped several degrees in body temperature. He knew exactly what Raphael was implying, and it horrified him to his very core. Love or not, he cared about Danielle, and he wouldn't let him or anyone else harm her. And if he just sat back and let Raphael unleash the apocalypse, everything they'd spent the last two years for would be for nothing. Sam's death would be for nothing. All of the numerous sacrifices, the deaths, the tears… It would be for nothing. And, in the end, they'd all end up dead.

Castiel slowly looked back up, his face set, barely holding back his fury. "I won't let you."

Raphael leaned back, an eyebrow raising in amusement. "Really? You?"

Raphael raised his hand, and light exploded around Castiel, taking over his senses. When the light faded, it was replaced with agony. Everywhere. Castiel tried to take in a breath but only managed to choke on the blood in his mouth. He rolled onto his stomach, his body racked with violent coughs.

"Tomorrow, you kneel Castiel. Or you, and anyone with you, dies."

Twelve Days After Sam's Death

"So what is it with you?"

Danielle kept her head down. The class had ended, but she was still scrawling down a few notes. She planned on waiting until everyone had left, so she could ask the professor a couple of the questions swimming in her head. She didn't realize she had been addressed until a shadow fell across her spiral notebook.

A woman stood over her, arms stiff at her sides. She hovered over Danielle, making Danielle lean back, feeling a little uncomfortable.

"Were you talkin' to me?" Danielle questioned after a moment.

The woman nodded. She looked to be about the same age as Danielle, with vibrant scarlet hair and cheeks splashed with freckles. Her dark eyes were focused on Danielle, and her bright pink lips were pulled up into a small smile. "Yeah."

"Uh… Sorry," Danielle mumbled. Not sure what to say, she continued writing, hoping the girl would just go away. Danielle didn't feel like having a conversation with anyone, let alone having idle chit-chat.

"Are you going to answer my question?" the girl pressed, sitting down on the bench beside her.

Danielle resisted an exasperated sigh, sniffing instead and shaking her head. She shot a quick glance in the red-head's direction. "No damage." She even managed a tiny, wobbling smile.

Out of the corner of her eye, Danielle could see the girl raise her eyebrows. "You roll into town out of nowhere, don't talk to anyone, - don't so much as make eye contact – hide knives in your waistband…"

Danielle froze, snapping her gaze back over to the woman. She was smiling, her eyes twinkling almost as if she was on the inside of some little joke. Danielle wanted to look down; had her shirt rode up while she'd been sitting? But if she looked down, she would be confirming that she carried weapons.

"I don't have a knife," Danielle protested, though her statement sounded weak and false, even to her own ears. Not so much tiny as just tired. And it was true, Danielle was exhausted. If she got kicked out for having a weapon, she knew she really wouldn't care either way. She could just start over somewhere new.

The girl's eyebrows shot up, and she leaned forwards. "It's almost like you're a hunter."

Danielle gulped. Now she was anxious. Her pen was tapping on the desk at a mile a minute, and she shot a hurried glance around the room.

Two exit doors, located at the top of the stairs. They were about twenty feet away; one blocked by a gossiping couple. The professor was sitting at his desk, shuffling papers, while two groups of kids were poised at the bottom of the lecture hall. If she absolutely needed to, Danielle could jump up and over her chair and make a ru-

"I know you're a hunter," the girl stated, ripping Danielle's attention back to her.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Danielle shot back.

She cocked her head to the side, fixing Danielle with a sympathetic look. "You don't have to be afraid; I'm not going to hurt you."

"How do you know about me?" Danielle whispered.

She sat back, stretching her legs out and laying her arms across her stomach. She gave a nonchalant shrug. "Takes one to know one."

A hunter? She definitely didn't look the part; she was wearing an off-the-shoulder white cut-off with sequins on the shoulders paired with black skinny-jeans. Her earrings dangled down in gold curves to her shoulders, and a cross necklace rested on her collarbone.

Danielle's heart skipped a beat. She'd never met a hunter outside of Sam and Dean's inner circle, and she most certainly had never been approached by a hunter. She didn't even look like a hunter, either! Sure, she wore combat boots and went with the messy hair-do and wore a flannel button-up more often than not, but that didn't mean she looked like a battle-hardened hunter... Right?

"Sierra," she offered before groaning. "Please tell me you're not the kind to shake hands."

Danielle shook her head. "You're good. I'm Piper."

Sierra cocked a thin eyebrow, and Danielle just sighed through her nose. "Danielle."

"That's what I thought," Sierra stated with a gracious grin. She stood up, and Danielle followed suit, shoving her spiral into her purse. As she had her head turned away, she mumbled, "Christo." She glanced up, but Sierra hadn't flinched.

"So, what's a hunter doing in a Pediatrics class?" she asked.

Danielle gave a small shrug, falling into step beside her. They pushed through the doors, immediately washed with light. It was noon in late May in the bluegrass state, so the light was accompanied by a wave of heat. Sierra slid some sunglasses on her face while Danielle just resorted to squinting and staring down at the pavement. "Got tired of hunting. You?"

Sierra barked a laugh, making Danielle flinch in surprise. The redhead clapped her hands together. "This is going to sound so creepy, but I saw you and just kind of followed you."

Danielle blanched, eyes wide in surprise. Sierra glanced over at her, beaming. "Told you! Sorry; I haven't seen a hunter in like weeks, and I was dying to talk to you."

Danielle let an uneasy smile rest on her face, shaking her head. "Um, it's fine, I guess. What are you doin' in Kentucky? I mean, is there a case or something?"

"No," Sierra returned, pulling her hair up into a ponytail. "I came down here to visit some friends."

Danielle nodded. "Are they…?"

"Oh, no."

An awkward pause stretched out for several minutes. Danielle put her tongue in her cheek, staring at the ground. For the time being, she had elected to stay in a hotel until she could find an apartment she liked. And, lately, she hadn't been in the mood to go looking. Her hotel was about a mile down the road, and Danielle could only hope that Sierra wouldn't be escorting her all the way.

"Plus, I like the weather."

Danielle furrowed her brow at Sierra's sudden statement, and it took her a second longer to realize what she was trying to say. Danielle resorted on nodding, running out of things to say.

"Wow, you really don't like to talk do you?" Sierra asked with a laugh.

Danielle shot her a tired smile. "Not really, sorry."

"It's okay; I'll get you talking soon enough," she boasted, puffing out her chest. Her brown eyes landed on something, and a smile spread on her face. "I don't suppose you like coffee?"

Danielle scrunched up her face. "Uh… No, not reall-"

"Then don't order anything," Sierra stated, winding her arm in Danielle's and leading her off the sidewalk. They went inside a Starbucks, and Danielle stood quiet as Sierra ordered some extravagant mocha coffee thing. When they sat down, the redhead dipped her finger in the whipped cream.

"So do you live on campus or…?" Sierra prompted.

"Uh, no," Danielle answered, setting her purse beside her on the booth. Feeling like her answer was inadequate, she went on to say: "I live in a hotel for now."

Sierra's eyes almost popped out of her head. "A hotel?"

Danielle's eyebrows rose in an expression that said uh… duh? "You must be new to hunting."

Sierra licked her lips, rolling her eyes. "Whatever. How long have you been doing it?"

"Two years," Danielle answered, barely able to believe the words coming out of her mouth. Two years. Somehow, it had only seemed like a couple of months. The time had flown by, and, looking back, even the parts that seemed to have dragged out were relatively short. Those two years, as terrifying and life-changing as they'd been, were the best two years of Danielle's life.

And now they were gone.

"Wow," Sierra said, shaking her head, impressed. "That's crazy. You know, I was thinking about enrolling at Kentucky, too."

"What class?" Danielle questioned, feeling a little more caught up in the conversation. She hadn't had an honest-to-God conversation with … well, with anyone. Those few days at Bobby's house had passed by in silence; Dean and Bobby had both kept to themselves, at most offering just a few quick words. Since she had moved, the most contact she'd made with the outside world was to sign up for her classes.

"I dunno yet. I wanna do something with the stars, though," Sierra stated, turning her gaze out the window. She smiled, her features softening as she stared up at the puffy clouds.

Danielle followed her gaze and felt her heart give a violent jerk. Cas. Jesus, last time she'd seen him… It had been the day Sam… He hadn't called, and she hadn't called him. Her heart squeezed, and her throat went dry. That hadn't been the last, right? He would come down to see her, right?

But what if that had been it? What if he'd gone back up to heaven and just… was gone? Danielle felt a bead of panic race up her chest, and she could only stare numbly down at the table, fear making her skin tingle. He couldn't be gone, right? He wouldn't just … just leave. He wouldn't; he couldn't. He cared about her… Well, maybe not, but they were friends, for sure. Of course, that hadn't stopped him from leaving in the first place.

"He-llo?" Sierra snapped her fingers in front of Danielle's face, and she jumped backwards. Sierra furrowed her brow at Danielle's worried expression, her smile dropping. "Are you alright?" she asked, leaning forwards.

Danielle, realizing how freaked out she must look, took a deep breath, nodding away the panicked feeling. She shot Sierra a false, toothy smile. "I'm fine, yeah," she promised breathlessly.

"You sure?" Sierra asked, one eyebrow cocked.

Danielle nodded, offering another small smile before grabbing her purse. "I think I'm gonna go," she stated, sliding out of the booth.

She instantly felt a small pang of regret at Sierra's crestfallen expression. "Oh… okay," the redhead said, trailing off and dropping her gaze.

Don't do it, her mind warned her, but Danielle ignored it. Sierra was a nice girl, and, whether she'd like to admit it or not, their conversation wasn't the worst thing in the world. It was probably much better than she thought; boarding herself up in her room and dining on barbeque chips while watching the Office probably wasn't the best way to deal with her grief. Plus, Sierra was a hunter.

"Why don't you give me your number?" Danielle offered, and it was amazing to see how fast Sierra's smile came back. They pulled their phones out, exchanging numbers. Danielle pocketed hers, nodding and waving to the redhead. "Call me sometime. We'll do this again."

"Alright," Sierra returned, waggling her fingers as Danielle left.

It didn't take long for the panic to come back.

Her heart thudded inside her chest, and she wrung her hands together. Had she been in a daze for the past two weeks? How could she have missed the fact that Castiel had just disappeared off the face of the earth? He went back to heaven; what if the angels weren't happy with him for rebelling? Sure, that was a stretch, but it could've happened.

By the time she made it to her hotel room, she had broken out in a sweat. She jammed her key into the door, shutting it behind her.

What now? Should she call him, ask him how it's going? Why hadn't he contacted her? Maybe she should just call Dean, an-

As she turned, her mind instantly blanked at the sight of a single man, standing in the middle of her room. She sucked in a huge breath, working up to a scream as she staggered backwards.

The person angled towards her, picking up a book off her desk.

And that was it. The panic, the fear, the dread all disappeared, like a light being switched off. She exhaled, all the bad feelings rolling away from her. She watched as the angel examined the textbook before setting it back down.

"They have classes that teach medicine?"

Had his voice gotten deeper? It was probably from not having heard him talk in two weeks. He seemed… bigger, too. Taller. But maybe that was just the dim light shining behind him, lighting the edge of his hair. Like a halo. Haha, a halo.

Castiel turned towards her, eyebrows raised. Danielle realized he was still waiting for an answer, and she swallowed, nodding. "They have classes for everything, pretty much," she responded, surprised at how steady, albeit quiet, her voice sounded.

Wait, was it … awkward? Danielle hung back near the door, pressing her lips together. There was something off about Castiel, and she remembered for the first time how he'd been before he'd hightailed it to heaven. He'd been just like this; detached and removed. Danielle wanted to go up and hug him, but she could tell that he didn't want that.

She was the first to break the silence. "Where have you been?" she asked.

"Heaven," he answered, his voice stoic. He turned to face her completely, and Danielle wrung her hands, staring down at the ground in front of her. It wasn't so much awkward as it was … She couldn't name it. It just felt off.

She stepped forward and, likewise, he stepped back, even though they were about ten feet apart. She snapped her gaze up to his, making eye contact for the first time. He looked away, ashamed, and she felt her heart sink. She walked forward, and he didn't move away.

She set her purse on the ground, stepping around him – she tried to keep as much distance between them as possible – and going to sit down in one of the two chairs her cheap hotel room had to offer.

"I'm… sorry."

Danielle paused, glancing up at his stiff back. "For what?"

"I…" he trailed off, and Danielle pulled her leg up, untying her combat boots before kicking them off. She took out her ponytail, feeling his gaze on her. She didn't rush him; he would say what he needed to say. It was just a matter of time.

"I should have called."

Danielle's lips twitched up, and she met his eyes. "It's fine."

He stared at her for a second, and she felt a blush rise on her cheeks. She looked away, standing up and shrugging out of the flannel button-up, leaving in her in just a tank-top. "I've been trying to teach angels."

"Wanna borrow my textbook?" Danielle offered. Her smile faded at Castiel's confused expression, and she shook her head before he could say anything else. "It was just a lame joke," she mumbled, sighing. She rubbed her eyes, plopping down on the bed. She leaned against the headboard, crossing her ankles. "What have you been teaching them?"

"How to make their own choices," Castiel answered. He stood there for a moment longer before going to sit on the bed, near her feet. "It's been … difficult."

"I can imagine," Danielle responded, looking up at the ceiling.

Castiel stared. She was throwing him off. It'd only been a couple of weeks; how was she so different? It was like someone else had replaced her. He'd never seen her so unwilling to smile, so satisfied with just being quiet. He felt a pang of guilt, and he was angry with himself for deserting her.

She looked down, meeting his gaze. There must have been something in his expression that she recognized. Her expression turned to one of pain, but she offered him a valiant, trembling smile. "Sorry. It's been hard," she muttered, glancing down at her hands. He didn't miss the tears starting to collect at her lashes, and he felt his heart pang.

"I don't know what to say," Castiel stated, feeling helpless. He knew that she liked to be hugged, but he didn't know if that would be okay. They'd spent so much time apart; he hadn't considered that when he'd decided to come here. All he'd thought of was Raphael's threat and the overwhelming urge to make sure she was okay. He hadn't been prepared for the guilt and regret.

She sniffed, rubbing her eyes. "Ain't nothing to say," she assured, taking a deep breath. She met his gaze again, and, this time, a real smile spread across her face. It was a tight-lipped, small smile, but it was a smile nonetheless. "I'm glad you're here."

He felt the corners of his lips turn up as well. "Me too."

HI GUYS! Omg I've missed all of y'all! I definitely did not expect the hiatus to go on so long, but I was so swamped in homework and exams that I barely found any time to write. But hopefully over the break I'll be able to write a bunch so I can post more often for y'all!

And I doubt I'll post again before Christmas, so MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! (:

Angela: I know! She's getting so hardcore, and UGH I just love her. And yeah, his death really was kind of glazed over in the show. /:

ixistargirl89ixi: Haha I know!

ilovemeperez: Thank you! And soon. (;

Guest: Thank you! :D

JenRiley16: Absolutely same. I cried/still cry everytime.

ArchAngelIntheTardis: . You are so not alone DX Cause of death = Cas and Dan.

NotCrazyJustWeird97: She really has, wow. Haha, thanks!

mamareadstomuch2: Nothing gets past you(; Well now you know why he was acting so weird!

Fonninlotsofsnow: I KNOW. Too much in one chapter ugh.

Superwholock.115: Thank you! (:

Guest: Here it is!

Angela: Hahaha sorry sweetheart! I was suffering from withdrawals too!

Kyoki no Megami: Haha I know! thank you for reviewing!

Lexilovespickles: Awww thank you! And don't worry; you're definitely not the only one who's cried XD Thank you for reviewing!

ErisedWing2378: Haha! Not this chapter, but soon! Thanks for reviewing; I'm glad you like it!

*proceeds to curl into a ball and cry from so many reviews*

Seriously guys though! I kind of love y'all!