Replies to reviews:
Ncsupnatfan: Thank you for such kind words and for following this story. You missed it, Dean is at ease to let Sam go, because he DOES know where his brother is going. Only the readers don't. Yet.
Blondie20000: Yup, Sam managed to dodge the pan. Lol. I like how you think Juls is a lot like early seasons Dean, it will really show once we meet her dad. Yeah, Dean just casually slipped that Sarah might be one of Azazel's children. But is she really? Thanks for the review.
Secretwrittenword: This chapter had everything, a bit of laughs, some love, a bit of a scare. This chapter will reveal all about Sarah and her powers. Thanks for the review.
SilverDragonflymoon: THE RETURN OF THE FRYING PAN, LMAO! You are a genius, I just loved that line. I knew you would like that scene between Julia and Dean, those two would butt heads a lot. Yes, the kisses, all were great, my favorite was the one in the kitchen. Thanks for the review.
Summer: Quit screaming. Here, I got more. LOL. Thanks for leaving a review.
Warning: Possible spoiler alert, a small mention of something from 15x13, Destiny's Child.
A/N: This chapter is titled by one of Phil Collins' songs and represents a sort of a sequel for another story I did that also bore Phil Collins' song title - Another day in Paradise. It would be good if you go and read that small one shot before reading this chapter. 😁
Bonus chapter 1: Something happened on the way to Heaven
Dean shut the door of Sarah's room, and walked to the War room, leaving her to rest. This was a really traumatising experience for anyone, especially if they are new to the supernatural world. But it kept bugging him, how new was she to his world? Or was she always in it, just never realizing it, never knowing about the things that were right there?
And that healing? The way she came back from the edge of death? At first Dean was so happy she was alive, it didn't really matter how it happened. But now, once things have calmed down, once he has calmed down, he couldn't help but wonder. Was it Jack? He didn't even start that prayer yet before it happened. Was it Cas? But shouldn't they be physically present and set a hand on her for this to work? That ruled out every angel, cherub, seraph, cupid, reaper, pretty much anything divine. Except it was a divine healing. Was Jack getting that good with his powers?
No, something was different, something Dean couldn't quite put his finger on. It was strange. The healing, the warmth of it, it seemed like it came from...
Dean's phone rang, interrupting his thoughts. He didn't recognize the number, and wagered whether to answer it or not. Could be a telemarketer. Or it could be a hunter in need of some help. Eventually, the curiosity got the best of him and he swiped the little green icon and brought his phone to his ear.
"Hello?" He said. A moment of complete silence passed before he tried again "Hello?!" Nothing. But someone was there, he could hear them breathe. "Listen pal, if you want to make crank calls..."
"Dean Winchester?" A voice finally spoke on the other side, reluctant and maybe slightly annoyed.
"Who's are you!?" Dean asked, slipping into his hunter mode, sounding highly intimidating. The voice on the other side sighed, as if the man couldn't believe he was doing this, calling Dean. Like it was the last thing he wanted to do.
" I am an angel and I require your assistance."
"Are these really necessary?" a tall good looking man asked, raising his now angel-cuffed wrists. He had a striking resemblance to his grandfather Henry, except he was older and taller, his hair darker, almost black, and his eyes hazel, like the leaves in autumn.
"Last time someone came to me, claiming to be the angel Ezekiel, I let him possess my brother and it lead to the fall of the angels, so yeah... They're necessary." Dean said, shoving the man forward, towards the entrance to the bunker. They met outside and as soon as Dean heard his name, suspicion rose up, especially considering that the angel Ezekiel died in the fall, according to Cas.
The angel frowned at him, looking a bit appalled and asked "Who would claim to be me?"
"Gadreel." Dean simply answered and the man huffed a half-hearted laugh, knowing exactly why Gadreel would do that. Dean didn't really wanted to bring him into the bunker considering Sarah was there, and she needed to rest, but he was given no choice. When Zeeke called (yes, Dean is calling him Zeeke), he was already at the bunker's footstep, and Dean really didn't want to take him into town and risk leaving Sarah alone.
"Makes sense he would do such a thing. But I can assure you, I am who I claim to be." Zeeke persisted.
"Yeah, well, last time I checked you died." Dean argued shoving the man down the long hallway, just past the outside door.
"I can explain that." The angel countered.
"Might as well start..." Dean said pushing the angel through the open door of the main entrance. Zeeke came up to the railing of the balcony above the war room and took in the room, a pleasing look on his face. The angel liked the old world war things, he picked it up from his vessel, and this bunker was a real treasure. But there were more important things to talk about now.
"I committed pseudocide." the angel responded coming down the stairs. Of course, Dean frowned at that, following close behind and motioning the angel to sit at the War table.
"You what?"
Zeeke sat facing the hallway to the kitchen and Dean sat opposite, glaring at the angel, wary and on alert. Zeeke huffed in annoyance, like any angel that considered themselves above humans would, and elaborated. "I, as you would say, faked my death."
"You what? Why?" Dean asked confused. Why would an angel abandon his heavenly family and do something like that. Dean has never heard of an angel who... No, wait. Scratch that.
Zeeke sighed in annoyance once more. He looked at Dean with distrust, uncertain of how much he should tell him. But the instructions were clear. If something was to happen, go to the Winchesters and lay it down in front of them. Blowing air very vocally, he brought his gaze to look at the hunter.
He was well aware of who Dean was and what he has done in the past two decades, some information relayed, some things he has seen with his own eyes. Some things he even felt, deep down in his diminished grace. And as much as he wanted to view the hunter as just another human, and the vessel of Michael, he knew there was so much more than that to what Dean Winchester was. And he knew he would help.
Answering Dean's question about why he faked his death, Zeeke also explained why he was there, seeking help. "To protect someone and keep her hidden. But I have lost her. And I need your help to find her." There was some grave seriousness in his voice, and was that worry?
"Listen pal, I got better things to do than to..." Dean started and trailed off, seemingly looking at Zeeke, then sighing, looking down at the ground and shaking his head. Of course something like this had to happen, it was the life of a Winchester. "Ok, listen. You tell me everything, and I mean everything about her and then, maybe I will help you find her."
Zeeke swallowed hard but nodded. Whether he liked this or not, he didn't have a choice, and even if he wasn't told to contact the Winchesters if she ever got taken or lost, he knew they would be the best choice to find her.
"Alright... - Ezekiel started, nodding and then took a deep breath - her name is Sarah Jones and she's my daughter."
Dean's expression remained unchanged, except for a raised eyebrow as he spoke only one word. "A nephilim?"
"No. - Ezekiel denied - not really. She was born human. I... I adopted her, but... In time I came to see her as a daughter, to... Care about her."
"And I suppose you didn't adopt her just from the kindness of your non-existing heart." There was a question there between the lines and Dean glared at angel, annoyed that the angel was staling. As if Ezekiel could sense it, he sighed deeply one more time before opening up completely.
"No. I was supposed to kill her... - Ezekiel closed his eyes heavily as he kept talking, taking a deep breath - Back when Azazel started creating his little abominations, his little demonic army, Raphael came to an idea of doing something similar. So he had a few of his trusted angels give newborn babies angel blood..."
"Angel blood?" Dean asked. It sounded ridiculous, outrages and... It would explain a lot.
"Yes, angel blood. It was his experiment, he called them his miracles. His angelic army. Needless to say, when Michael found out..." Zeeke started and Dean finished.
"Big bro was pissed. Ralph messed with his Daddy's creation and the perfect son couldn't allow that." Zeeke gave him a slightly confused look, he didn't quite understand how Dean managed to depict it so perfectly.
"Something like that. Michael decided they were just as abominable as Azazel's children, but he couldn't interfere in the matters of Hell. This, he could do something about." Ezekiel took a moment to search Dean's eyes. All things considering he was taking this too well. But if the rumors are true and the Winchesters really took down God Himself, then something like this was a walk in the park for them.
"He sent out a garrison, my garrison to kill the babies and burn any sign of their existence. I... I personally saw to it that every life was extinguished." Ezekiel said it with a healthy dose of regret, his face twisting in pain and guilt. But it was his burden to bear, his burden to keep, so he pushed it aside and settled back to a neutral if not a slightly worried expression. It worried him that taking lives of a few dozen innocent lives wasn't his greatest regret.
"The more lives I took, the more it troubled me. But orders had to be followed... Sarah... She was the last one. And as stood above her crib that night, the fire already engulfing the entire house, as I gazed into her happy little eyes and chubby baby cheeks... I broke. I lifted her into my arms and hugged her tightly and tried, I tried to get away, but the others... They tried to stop me..." Ezekiel trailed off, the memories flooded his mind and it was getting harder and harder for him to bear. To muscle through all those human emotions that were getting more and more intense as the angel remained detached from the Heaven and the Heavenly Host.
"And? How did you get out?" Dean finally asked. Ezekiel looked him in the eyes, he seemed to be wagering if he should share more.
"He... He told me never to tell anyone he was alive. Never to tell anyone he saved us, never to say anything about Sarah, to anyone. Just go back to Heaven like nothing happened and keep watch over the child. He said 'Not a word to anyone.'. But he also told me to come to you if anything should happen and he didn't answer the prayers..."
"Who did?" Dean pushed.
"You... You have to understand, Raphael wanted a very strong angelic army... But he was, he was too... High and mighty to use his own grace. So he... He found a human merchant, a man called Sergei who had abundance of archangel grace. Claimed it was... Gabriel's."
Dean actually hugged a laugh. "Of course it was." There was some irony here, he could feel it, he just couldn't finger on it. "So Gabriel saved you and he saved... Sarah and what? Told you to just keep her safe?"
"His instructions were... Vague at best. He seemed to be connected to the child and seemed to care about her, but he... He only came back once, around three years ago. He said some mayor event was going to take place and that if anything should happen, I am to contact the Winchesters. Preferably you. And then he was, just... Gone."
Silence lingered for a good few minutes as Dean let it all sink in and Ezekiel kept quiet, allowing the hunter to sort through all the information. Finally, when he couldn't take it anymore, the angel spoke. He explained how he always kept a watchful eye over her, but as she got older, it grew into care. He explained he was at times confident enough to leave for conferences, seeing as he was a doctor in this life. He explained how he came home from his last trip, only to find his house burnt down, and no Sarah in sight. He explained how he searched, how he learned she brought some poor sap to the hospital, but other than that, he could find much, not a single lead. The more he spoke, the more desperate he sounded.
"She is... She has powers, and I am... I am afraid that in the wrong hands... I am worried someone might use her, or... Or worse. I know... I know my kind has... Hasn't been very good to you and your brother and I am sorry for that, but you have to help me find her. Please."
Dean watched him and then turned his gaze somewhere beyond him, seemingly contemplating on what to do.
"Will you, please help me find her?" Ezekiel asked again and Dean brought his eyes back on the angel, frowning and after a second or so, replied.
"Depends."
"Depends on what?"
"Depends if she wants to be found."
Realization hit Ezekiel and he hung his head low, frowning and thinking. It never occurred to him that Sarah might have learned the truth somehow and that she is purposely staying away. He thought she might be hurt, that someone might have hurt her physically, but he never thought she could be hurt emotionally. And that it were his actions that hurt her. "I..."
"I... I wanted to tell her so many times, especially when she grew up and could handle it... But... I... I guess I became to attached. I... I wanted to shield her from this world..." Ezekiel sighed before continuing. "I should have known it would backfire. I should have known she would learn about it sooner or later, and... I should have been the one to tell her."
"Yes, you should have." A voice spoke from behind the angel and with wide eyes, Ezekiel swiftly turned to its source. There stood, leaning on a wall that extended into the hallway, Sarah watching him. There wasn't any hate in her eyes, no resentment, just sorrow.
"You're..." Ezekiel started, and Dean finished it in his mind ...here. Of course she would end up somewhere near a Winchester, it was inevitable. But Ezekiel finished differently, giving out a sigh of pure relief. "... Alright. You're safe. Oh, thank Lord " That alone showed Dean the angel did in fact care about Sarah and didn't just consider her a mission. So he did the only thing he could do. He reached and uncuffed Ezekiel's hands and then stood up. He glanced at Sarah and nodded, turning around and heading for the kitchen for a beer, giving them a chance to talk.
And giving himself a chance to think about what this might mean for Sarah, for the world... For them. He cared about her, he knew that much, he cared about her deeply, and he certainly wouldn't let something like this stand between them, but... How will Sarah cope with it? It was surely easier on her to know the truth, the origin of her powers, but now that she does know... Will she change?
Dean started pondering about what her powers actually were. She wasn't as powerful as an angel, not as they used to be, but with enough emotion to back her up, she could do a lot. Remembering that smiting in the warehouse, the way she incinerated everything around them, everything but them and healed most of Dean's injuries at the same time. It was her, he was sure of it now. Any other angel would have finished the healing, only someone who is new to this wouldn't be able to complete it. Not that Dean would ever hold that against her, ever. She saved them. She saved him.
Actually... That wasn't the only time she 'saved' him. That dream, the one on the beach... She saved him from drowning. Dean knew it seemed different, the dream felt different, it felt a bit more real, a bit more like whenever an angel invaded his dreams. She dreamwalked. Maybe she didn't know she did, maybe she thought it was just a dream, a regular dream, but she dreamwalked, he was sure... But then... That scene on the beach...
No, that was just her imagination, right?
But speaking of dreams and sleeping, it occurred to Dean that Sarah put him to sleep. Not once, but twice. The first time was when they left Miami, he remembered wanting to stay up and make sure Sarah was ok, that she could do it, and to keep her company. But she set her hand on his and told him to rest and it was so warm and so nice, so soothing and calming. How didn't he see it before? The second time was just when they got to the bunker. Dean wanted to try the location spell, but they decided to try and take the cast off first and... It happened again.
Dean was sure she didn't mean to do it, that it was an accident.
And on top of all that, she could heal. Not just heal a person, but heal herself too. She was so much stronger then Dean ever thought. So much stronger then him, and she didn't need him. He couldn't protect her, he didn't need to, she was more than capable of doing it herself. She was so much stronger than him. What the hell was she doing sticking around?
Dean grabbed a beer and slowly walked back to the War room, hoping he had given them enough time to talk things through. He wanted to give them space, but he didn't really want to leave them alone and risk Ezekiel taking her away. Not that he could if she didn't want to go. But what if she did? Dean peered into the room, unable to hide his worried expression, and heard a part of the conversation.
"... I understand. And I... I don't hate you. - Sarah said - I... appreciate what you did for me. I really do. But I think it is time I started making my own choices." Dean walked in just to see Ezekiel nod at her words, looking a bit relieved and a bit lost. He spent so much time making sure Sarah was alright, protecting her, and now? What is he now if he isn't her father anymore?
Sarah set a comforting hand on his and smiled softly at her father. He will always be her father, nothing can change that. But then, she seemed to have an idea, and she told Ezekiel she will be right back. She glanced at Dean and gave him a bright smile before she stood up and ran off to her room. Dean huffed a smile watching her go and then focused on the angel. "She really is something, isn't she?" Dean said with the kind of a goofy smile that spoke volumes of how he felt for her, and naturally Ezekiel picked up on it.
"She really is. I would threaten you not to break her heart, but I am just an angel. Many more powerful things tried to get in your way, and they all met their demise." Ezekiel said, and Dean looked at him at first completely baffled. Was that a joke? Did Zeeke just tried to make a joke? But even if it wasn't Dean started laughing at the angels antics, amused.
"I would never purposely hurt her in any way." He finally said. "I love her." Came out like a whisper, too quiet for anyone in the room to hear. Anyone human. But Zeeke was a celestial being. Still, the angel made no comment, not wishing to embarrass Dean. Dean was a bit lost in his own thoughts, realizing just then that he did in fact love Sarah.
Sarah came back into the room, her pony tail bouncing and sat next to Ezekiel. "Before the fire... I was in the house, went to find some clothes for Dean. And there, I fond this. This is... It is your angel blade, isn't it?" Sarah asked, presenting him with the blade she found hidden in his closet. She wasn't sure if it was in fact an angel blade back then, but she is now. She handed it to him, but he didn't really seemed to care much about it. It was more important to him back when he was a warrior of Heaven, back when he had a cause, when the orders mattered. But then something happened and he could see how pointless it all was.
Sarah smiled, seeing a nostalgic, but a detached look in his eyes as he played with the blade. She could see it belonged to the old Ezekiel, the angel of the Lord, and not DocZ, her dad, the guy who had given her so much. Maybe it was time she repaid the favor. "I,um... I also found this..." She reached into her pocket and puled out a small velvet box, making Ezekiel gasp loudly upon seeing it. She handed it to him and she spotted his lower lip shake as he took it out of her hand. He paused a moment, a pained expression saying just how much more this little item meant. Finally, he popped the lid open, and revealed a small beautiful ruby ring. Ezekiel took a deep shaky breath and just stared at it sadly.
"Tell me about her." Sarah said, some strange spark in her eyes and Ezekiel glanced at her, sad and uncertain what good would opening old wounds do. But just like Dean he knew when Sarah wanted something, when she was sure of something and when she had that tone in her voice, something important was happening. And just like Dean, he learned to listen to her instincts.
"She... She was an angel. A beautiful angel who everyone dismissed and looked down upon. She was... - he huffed a laugh - she was so confused about you humans and the things you did. But I could see, the more time she spent watching you, the more she grew to like you. The more she watched you, the more evident it became that... She wasn't like the rest, cold and calculated and logical, she never was. She always had that streak to her... " Ezekiel swallowed hard before continuing.
"When... When the angels fell, and I had to hide, I... I tried to see if she made it, as much as I could. I couldn't reveal myself to other angels, so I used other humans to try and... She is dead. She died in the fall." He finished sadly.
The insensitive part of Dean wanted to ask Oh, like you died in the fall? But he bit his tongue and catching Sarah's encouraging look, he asked "What was her name?"
Ezekiel raised his sad eyes up to the hunter and quietly replied. "Anael."
Of course. Of course it had to be one of the few angels Dean knew, that were still alive and still on Earth. After that whole fiasco with the Ocultum, Anael disappeared for a while, but they ran into her again and... Well, there wasn't a point in holding a grudge, was there. Especially since Cas hoped to convince her to come up to Heaven and help maintain it, the place was still on shaky grounds. With a deep sigh, Dean motioned for them to follow him, and had to smile at Sarah's wide grin as he said "C'mon. I think you need to visit a faith healer."
"But my faith doesn't need healing." Ezekiel spoke confusingly, following Dean and Sarah to the garage. Whether he meant that his faith is no longer existing and therefor it would be impossible to heal it, whether he spoke of faith in his Father, or faith in general, it didn't matter. What he needed is healing, and he deserved to have his faith in love restored.
"Play some music, won't you?" Dean asked as he drove the car out of the garage and she grinned at him, borderline squealed. He smiled and shook his head, while Ezekiel watched them confused from the back seat. He watched Sarah reach out to turn on the radio and caught the ending of a song.
"...just another day for you and me...
...just another day for you and me in paradise..." (Phil Collins)
And it instantly brought memories of when he first met her in Heaven and every time he would come to her work place to seek her out, just to spend a fraction of a moment with her. And if he got more than a moment, it would be the best day for him. And looking back and forth between Dean and Sarah, a thought dared to wonder in his mind, a silly little idea that they were taking him to see her. That she was alive and that she has been out there this hole time and if it was true... If he gave up looking for her too easily, he would never be able to forgive himself.
But then another song started and Dean knew Sarah really had a knack for stumbling onto songs that related to the situation.
"We had a life, we had a love
But you don't know what you've got 'til you lose it
Well that was then and this is now
And I want you back
How many times do I have to say I'm sorry, yes I'm sorry"
And Then Ezekiel was sorry. Sorry for not trying harder, if he did, he would have found her and... and showed her. Showed her what it felt like to be cared for.
"How can something so good go so bad
How can something so right go so wrong
I don't know, I don't have all the answers
But I want you back
How many times can I say I'm sorry"
Dared he hope, dared he dream? Dared his heart beat stronger, pound to the sound of the song? If it was true, if she was out there... He is going to do whatever it takes to make it up to her. Because he needed her.
"You know, you can run, and you can hide
But I'm not leaving 'less you come with me
We've had our problems but I'm on your side
You're all I need, please believe in me, oh yeah"
She was his Heaven. She was his home.
"I only wanted someone to love
But something happened on the way to heaven
It got a hold of me and wouldn't let go
And I want you back
How many times do I have to say I'm sorry, yes, I'm sorry"
They came up to a church and Dean shut down the engine. They stepped out of the car, Ezekiel's eyes focused on the church door. "This way." Dean pointed out to a big hall next to the church, the sign saying "Sister Jo - healer". He swallowed hard and each step he took mimicked the pounding of his vessel's heart; holding his breath, the sounds around him became muffled as the lyrics still echoed in his mind. "I'm sorry..."
Dean opened the door for Sarah and followed in after her, and Ezekiel's breath hitched as the doors closed behind him. There was a red-headed woman with her back turned to them, putting away some fliers and papers, huffing and puffing.
"Winchesters. I would recognize that bucket of yours a mile away. What do you want naaaaha..." Anael turned and trailed off mumbling seeing a very familiar face. Her stunning brown eyes widened, her mouth remaining opened as she stopped talking.
Dear Lord, she is beautiful! Ezekiel thought to himself, not referring to the vessel that was just as stunning as the angel within. As if they were mesmerized, they both took slow wary steps towards each other, focused solely on each other's eyes. Nobody even breathed as they came closer. Ezekiel brought his right hand up, never lifting his eyes of off her and she glanced back at his hand and then back to him with fearful eyes. Like any second he could just disappear and she would be left alone.
Still, she reached with her hand up to his, and for a moment they hovered right in front of the other. Ezekiel was the one to move forward, setting his palm on hers, intertwining their fingers. She gasped at the motion then huffed a smiling relief, joy flooding her expression.
Neither said a thing, they just moved closed and Ezekiel wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight, his arms filled with promises to never let her go. After a moment he pulled away only slightly and she raised her head to him, and finally he set a kiss on her trembling lips.
Dean and Sarah witnessed it all, smiling. Dean didn't really expect a kiss, but he was glad he played a part in them finding each other. Still, he could conseal the shock on his face followed by loud laughter as Sarah whispered to him, giggling.
"You think she would freak if I called her mom?"
