A.N.

Yes, I know this story is all over the place and I'm really sorry if you get confused but it's all pretty important so bear with me, okay?

The road so far...

...

Council

"Now, since that has been settled. What shall I do with the bastard Castiel?"

...

Jeremiah and Charlie

"Gabe is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me and I need him."

"Believe me, Jer. He needs you too."

...

"Come on, let's hurry and meet this girl. Before it gets too late."

"I hope she likes me."

"What do you mean, do with him? Jesus, Michael, he's our brother."

"You may claim him as kin, but I will do no such thing. Especially not now that I find out he's been sneaking off and going into the town. Apparently he's been seen by at least ten humans."

"When?" Metatron asked in a tone of boredom, as if he was asking solely for the sake of asking.

"I'd say about a week ago. The guard said humans reported seeing a boy matching Castiel's description leaving the center of town, walking towards the mansion, covered in blood."

"Why are we only hearing about this now, Michael? You should have terminated the problem the second it arose. People will think you have gone soft! And what if they find out who he is and if he's an angel? Will you be able to keep him from running into the arms of the humans?" Metatron hissed through gritted teeth.

Abaddon smiled lazily, as if she thought of something funny. "Did you find out why he left the mansion?"

"No, it's not as though I can ask him, Mother. He would immediately deny it." Michael said, his upper lip curling in anger.

"You have intimidation, Michael. You beat him as a child for a reason, fear. Instilling fear in that boy so he would never dare cross you," Metatron yelled, slamming his fist on the table. "Don't tell me you think this boy as important to you?"

Gabriel, his face in his hands, was at a loss for words. There was nothing he could say that would help. He looked at Lucifer who exhaled in exasperation, the phrase must I do everything poised on his tongue.

"You don't understand, Dad. He is important. He is one of the best strategists in the entirety of Arya. If you had ever seen him play chess, you would understand. On days my tutor was sick, I would watch him play against Balthazar for hours upon hours. Even as a child, he had a mind for strategy. Every piece was put to use, not one went to waste. If he were to go to the side of the humans, we would lose an asset- our best asset- and one of the most charismatic pawns we have in our arsenal. That being said, fear is not the answer- love is. Catch more flies with honey than vinegar, and all that."

The room was silent as they all thought it over. The eerie quiet dragged on for minutes until Michael cleared his throat.

"You're right, Lucifer. We cannot lose his allegiance. Go to him and make him aware that I have revoked my request for his servant and that he may roam the house as he pleases, as long as he does not leave the immediate backyard, facing away from the city. You may inform those who work in this mansion of his existence, but that his existence may not leave the premises."

Lucifer nodded, "Once again, you have made a wise decision, brother. Gabriel, go and tell the cooks to make us all some food for this meeting."

Gabriel did a mock-salute with two fingers, "Yeah, boss."

Leaving at the same time, they walked through the hall in the same direction.

"Could you kiss his ass any more than you did just now?" Gabriel groaned.

"One must be a knave to have a place at the Queen's table."

"Was that a metaphor or literal?" Gabriel asked, pulling a chocolate square from a small box in his pocket.

"Both, I'm afraid. Both."

Michael watched them leave with narrowed eyes, Abaddon taking it upon herself to restart the conversation.

"What if I told you two, that I knew exactly where he was that nights he snuck out and the day he was seen? And that I had proof of it?"

"I'd say that you are signing Castiel's death warrant." Metatron mused.

"Come on, Charlie, we're here- don't get cold feet now."

"I don't have cold feet," she snapped, "Do I look okay?"

He gave her a quick once-over, glancing from her battered sneakers to her semi-loose jeans, to her green canvas jacket and grey undershirt and her hair pulled into a low ponytail.

"Take your hair down, it looks better down, and smile. Frowning does not suit you."

She took her hair down, taking a deep breath.

"I know, I'm not acting like myself but oh my god if you could see her smile."

"Hopefully I will when you actually get the nerve to go inside." he urged, pushing her toward the door and through it when she tried to bolt.

"Methinks, the lady doth protest too much," he whispered, pushing Charlie into a booth.

"That was out of order, genius," he quipped, causing Jeremiah to roll his eyes. "and you used it in the wrong context."

"Whatever. There's food here, and Gabriel gave me extra ration cards last week. So we can feast."

"Well, I want-" Charlie started then stopped, her eyes following the girl with the long blonde hair. "I want a side order of blonde, oh my god, look at her. Oh, Jer, I'm in trouble."

Jeremiah looked over his shoulder to catch a glimpse when the girl turned and gave him a smile. He motioned for her to come over, and she put up her index finger in reply, mouthing 'gimme a second'. He nodded and turned at Charlie who watched the girl with a goofy smile and dreamy eyes. The blonde walked over a few seconds later with a small notepad in hand, and a grin aimed at Jeremiah.

"I thought that was you, how ya doin', 'Miah?"

"Jo, seriously? Don't call me that," he whined.

"Oh, I get it, only your angel beau can call you that. I get it, so what will you and Red have to drink?"

Charlie watched the exchange with a gaping expression.

Jeremiah answered for her, noticing her speachless state, "We'll both just take a glass of water, and we'll take a jumbo order of fries to start."

Jo smiled, her eyes glancing over at Charlie before an eyebrow quirks in interest. "Want catsup with that order, Hoss?"

"Don't I always?"

Putting her graphite pencil behind her ear, closing her notepad, she shifted her weight to one foot, settling her hand on one hip, grinning. "Mom, Fluffy Feathers wants his usual!"

A voice from behind the bar laughed, "Comin' right up!"

"Jo, why don't you have a seat? We never really get to talk anymore."

"No kidding," Jo muttered, patting Charlie's thigh to get her to move over. "Gabriel is chasing you like a dog in heat."

"Took 'em long enough, they're both as stubborn and dense as they come." Charlie muttered, watching Jo from the corner of her eye.

"No kidding," the blonde smiled, glancing over at the redhead beside her. "I'm Jo, and who are you?"

"I'm Charlie."

"You're the carriage girl," Jo smiled, cradling her face in her hand.

Charlie, noticing the turn in conversation, turned on her charms. "You're the girl with the brilliant smile," she grinned, moving a thick lock of hair from the girl's shoulder.

Jo, catching the glint in Charlie's eye, scooted closer. "Is it, really?"

"Prettiest I've ever seen, wanna go on a date?"

Jeremiah mock-gagged, unbeknownst to the two girls.

"Sure, I know a place."

"I'll pick you up at sunset, we can have a picnic."

Jo smiled, "Okay, I'll meet you outside the roadhouse then. Your fries should be ready. My shift's about over, so I'll see you then."

Once Jo left the table, Jeremiah gave Charlie a sour look. "I support you, I do. But you're an angel, she's not. The order of things..."

"I'm a mutt, Jer, my mom and my dad were both human. Mutts don't have to breed with angels. Especially not if you have a same-sex partner. We haven't even held hands, there's no need to put the cart before the horse."

Jeremiah shrugged, his thoughts returning to Gabriel, "Just be careful, baby sister."

"I always am." Charlie smiled, taking a bite of a fry in the basket Ellen set in front of them. "Don't worry, I'll use protection. "

"Charlie!", he sputtered, choking on a fry.