Yes another chapter finally. Sorry it took so long. I did not do a great editing job here so you'll probably find mistakes. To be honest I didn't enjoy writing this chapter and am unsure how to lead into the next one. Maybe a wrap up to the story is coming soon. Sera Gamble is leaving the show! Yay! Maybe now they'll quit killing people off. Wait, there isn't anybody left. Ugh, don't like her. I added a few pics that relate to the story at: http:/ photobucket. com/Onceloved (take out the spaces)

Chapter 55
When Doves Cry

Lucky for Velvet none of them had protested her decision to go with them. The evening was warmer than she expected as she strode through the field behind Bobby's house that wasn't filled with junked vehicles. In fact the thermometer read 82 degrees. The pond, feed by a small stream was. Peaceful. It's surface smooth and glittering from the rays of the sun. Spreading out the blanket she'd carried with her, she sat down and breathed deeply. The air was clean and the sounds of the tiny brook tinkled like little bells. The pond wasn't very deep, probably No higher than the top of her head at its deepest. The water was clear enough to see the bottom and fish swam slowly as if the were enjoying their time there. Bobby only kept a small stock. Karen had always liked to swim in the clear clean water and he had kept its original state. Weeds were trimmed back any debris or trash was removed as soon as Bobby found it. The fish had become so used to him he stopped trying to fish them out saying they were pets.

She sighed. So much was wrong with the world and now it could lose a great champion. Sam had very little chance of actually controlling Lucifer but he would try. She knew he would try his damnedest. But Dean was who she worried about most. Bobby had told her about Sam dying and the deal Dean made with a crossroads demon to save him. Dean practically helped raise his little brother and his feeling of responsibility hadn't lessened with time. Losing Sam a second time might drive Dean to do something stupid and careless.

"You are lost in your thought again." Cas appeared beside of her but instead of looking at her, he stared over the water as he stood. "Humans do that but I have never understood why."

She gazed up at him wondering why he had sought her out. "Sometimes we are thinking about something with such intensity that we block out everything out."

He sat beside her on the bank of the pond. "Are the thoughts unpleasant?"

She shook her head." Not always. Sometimes they can be very nice thoughts." Nice about you but I'm not saying anything else, she thought. Studying him, she noticed the tightness around his mouth and there were shadows under his beautiful blue eyes.

"Sam loses himself in his thoughts many times during the day but Dean uses alcohol more often than not."

"He drinks too much. I wish he wouldn't because it isn't healthy." Taking a deep breath she asked the question she had been holding in. "Do you think Sam can do it? Can he control Lucifer?"

Cas looked across the water before speaking. Then he turned to stare into her face. "Velvet, Lucifer is the most powerful angel created besides Michael. Although Michael banished him into the cage, he could not control him. I am afraid Sam has only a very slim chance. He will most likely fail."

"I thought so. Then why are you letting him try? You have to tell him not to do this."

"I cannot tell him not follow through with this plan because honestly, this is the only chance we have." His sincerity mocked the fact he had just said Sam would probably fail.

Velvet shivered as dread filled her. "What going to happen to all of us Cas?" She whispered. "What about you? You aren't an angel now and I don't know who I am anymore."

"You are the Sihade. No harm will come to you. I…" he hesitated and looked away from her. He looked uncomfortable.

"What is it?" Cas was usually so blunt.

Turning, he looked into her eyes. "I believe that Lucifer cares for you deeply. He will never allow anything to happen to you. That, at least, gives me reassurance that you won't suffer from the trials and tribulations to come. If Sam fails and Lucifer wins, the world will continue to suffer. He will destroy mankind and wreak havoc upon the earth."

"Does that mean he'll make me…" she swallowed as the possibility slapped her in the face. "Does it mean he'll bond me?"

"Probably. He cannot force you or it will not be a true bond. Velvet, promise me you won't let him deceive you. He can be beguiling and he will do everything in his power to make you his." His eyes were sincere.

She listened to the raspy hoarseness of his voice and wondered if he cared about her. "No, it will never happen. We have to believe Sam will be able to stop him. It can't come to that." Fighting the urge to cry, she turned her head. "I don't want anything to happen to you Cas."

"Velvet, I would like to hold you."

She jerked her gaze back to him. "I'd like that a lot." Smiling, she leaned toward him.

"Wait." He stood and removed the trench coat, jacket and tie.

Her heart was pounding at the thought of having his arms around her again. He lay down and held out his hand. She smiled and lay down beside him, snuggling up against him, her head against his chest. Right then she knew that this was where she belonged. How she had missed him.

"Why don't you close your eyes and sleep? You are exhausted little one. I will keep you safe." His sincere tone made tears come to her eyes. If only he meant forever.

There was so much she wanted to say to him. What was holding her back? He practically told her the world was ending. So what did she have to lose. "Thank you Cas. There's no where I would rather be than here with you. Thank you for always looking out for me, protecting me and saving me. Even before you knew who I was, you went beyond what you needed to make sure I was safe."

He kissed the top of her head. "It was my pleasure. I will always come for you. Always until I am dead."

She smiled and closed her eyes. His heart beat was lulling her to sleep as she lay there listening to it and the sounds of the surrounding area. It was peaceful and for that small moment in time, everything was perfect. "Tell me more about heaven."

Cas began as she relaxed and started to drift away.

Sam looked at Castiel. "Take care of these guys, okay?"

Cas looked at Sam, serious with his words. "That's not possible."

"Then humor me."

"Oh. I was supposed to lie." Cas faked a smile. "Uh... Sure. They'll be fine. I…"

Sam grimaced. "Just…just stop... talking." He turned to Velvet.

"V, I hope everything works out for you. I hope he realizes how wonderful you are and tells you he loves you." He watched the tears stream down her cheeks. Reaching out, he wiped them away but others quickly replaced them. "Hey, it will be fine. Don't cry okay. Now give me a smile, I have to get going."

Velvet couldn't smile. Instead she threw herself into Sam's arms and starting sobbing. "Please Sam. You don't have to do this. Let me go instead. Dean, he needs you. Bobby needs you." She was soaking the front of shirt with tears.

Sam held her, stroking her head, making shushing sounds. "I would never let you sacrifice yourself. Besides this is my destiny. You don't know what yours is yet. You're special V. I want you to take the bull by horns." Then he whispered. "Or the angel by the wings."

She nodded into his chest and he released her. Stepping back, she watched as he walked to the trunk of the Impala. Dean followed. "You mind not watching this?"

Dean simply said, "Okay."

Slamming the lid and wiping his mouth, Sam said, "Let's go."

Velvet, Cas and Bobby watched as the fate of world entered the rundown building.

Cas watched Velvet as she wrapped her arms around Bobby. "They'll be okay. They have to be okay," she said quietly.

She had been so brave on the journey here. Even when they took the demons, hung them and drained their blood she had been stoic. While he saw she wasn't exactly loving what they were doing, she didn't protest or complain or lose the contents of her stomach. Yes, he was proud of her. Sihade or not, she was one the most courageous non hunters he had ever encountered. That made him love her even more.

"Girl, this has to be the stupidest thing either one of them has ever done. If one of them dies, I'll kill 'em. Sam can do this. I know he can do this. He has to do this."

"Yes Bobby. Sam and Dean never cease to surprise me with their resourcefulness and wily ways." Cas tried to offer comfort to them both.

Velvet turned her head to stare at him, tears causing her dark eyes to sparkle like black diamonds. She gave him a smile that was sad but hopeful. Nodding, she turned back to gaze at the building. He always turned his eyes to watch the brick façade as if he still had the ability to see through it.

He wished he could have held her longer that afternoon. She had slept for over an hour, awakened only when Dean came looking for her. Worried something had happened to her, he hadn't suspected Cas was with her. He had wanted to punch Dean at that moment. Time alone with her was precious and the opportunity to touch her even more so.

Now he stood behind her, his hand itching to touch her hair. He badly wanted to pull her into his arms and shield her from everything. But what could he do now? He was nothing, a former angel, a leader of a garrison but still not high ranking when he had been immortal. Watching the building he offered up a little prayer knowing no one was listening.

Time seemed to crawl by but it had only been about 15 minutes. Though it was night, the mournful cry of a dove sounded in the distance. Dean came out the door but Sam didn't follow. His walk was fast and angry. Something was wrong.

"Sam?" Bobby choked out hoarsely.

Dean shook his head as he walked past them and climbed into the Impala.

Cas felt dread and fear crawl up his spine. Sam had lost. Now the world was lost. Lucifer would take her and he would not be able to stop him. He heard the sobs as Velvet cried into Bobby's shoulder. Bobby too had tears in his eyes. Turning Velvet, the older man led her to the Impala and guided her into the backseat. He crawled in and shut the door, wiping at his eyes. Cas wished he could comfort her but slid instead into the front seat.

"Dean.." he began.

"Don't. Don't say anything. Don't even look in my direction." Dean ground out in anger as he started the car and pulled out onto the street.

The ride back to Bobby's was silent and heavy. The only sounds to be heard was the sobs Velvet couldn't hold back and the roar of the Impala's engine. Cas thought he heard Dean grinding his teeth together but he wasn't sure. He was definitely not going to ask him about it.

When the sign at Bobby's gate appeared, Cas sighed in relief. The silence over the past 13 hours had been miserable on everyone. Velvet had fallen into an exhausted sleep. She had cried for hours and that seemed to make Dean angrier. Bobby had been lost in his own thoughts. Now they would have to face the fact that Sam was gone.