Linda and Kevin were preparing dinner in the kitchen. Gabriel had tried to 'help' but had been chased away by Linda wielding a wooden spoon.
Gabriel watched Faith interact with the brothers in the Library to keep himself entertained. He quickly developed what Sam labelled a 'shit-eating grin'.
"Castiel wants to know what eating faeces has to do with smiling," Faith said with a smirk, "I'm curious too."
"No idea," Dean realized, "It's a pretty stupid saying, I guess."
"It means Gabriel is grinning like an idiot, as though he knows something we don't," Sam explained.
Sam and Dean were sitting on opposite ends of the three-seater couch. Faith was in the middle, and neither brother had been willing to move more than a few steps away from her.
"You three are just so cute," Gabriel cooed.
Faith was extremely aware of the odd dynamic which had formed. Though she was looking at the television, her focus remained on the Angel in her mind. Her thoughts of cuddling up to Sam to savour his presence could not be denied, ever as she tried to suppress them.
Castiel tried to apologize for interrupting the developing relationship with Sam. Faith assured the Angel that she did not regret her decision and did not hesitate to answer his silent queries about initiating a relationship with the taller Hunter.
Castiel was relieved that occupying Faith's body was not as stressful as the experience had been with Dean. Like the time with Jimmy, his Grace remained separate from the human soul with little effort.
Through Faith's eyes, Castiel observed the tension in Dean's posture. He was also aware of the increased intensity of the bond between them. He suspected that even the carvings on the ribs of the Hunter would not hide the awareness the Angel was feeling.
You love him Faith said simply.
Castiel was not confident enough to label what he felt for Dean. He shared the mess of emotions with Faith to get her opinion instead.
Feels like love to me; messy, painful and infuriating love Faith decided.
Castiel could not sense any unease of anxiety from Faith when she spoke of emotions. He relayed this thought to his host, who chuckled aloud.
"Castiel is surprised that I don't avoid emotions as though they were rabid Hellhounds," Faith explained when Sam regarded her curiously.
"A new experience, after spending time with Dean," Sam joked.
Dean looked up from his phone long enough to look offended. He chose not to argue.
"I have a lot to teach this Angel," Faith agreed, "Beginning with the male disease of emotional constipation. He has a basic knowledge of biology, but my next period is going to be interesting."
Dean snorted, "Feel free to leave out the details on that."
Faith patted Dean on the knee, "Are you sure? I could make a diary and share all my symptoms."
Dean glanced at her nervously, "Not funny. I'm sure Sam will learn quickly."
"No need," Sam laughed, "I had that crash-course with Jess years ago. I am already trained to fetch chocolate and not argue."
Dean rolled his eyes, "I believe you."
"Another lesson you need to master," Faith withdrew her hand to wave a finger at him, "The lack of chocolate around here is a serious issue."
"I'll add it to the shopping list."
"There's a list?" Gabriel demanded, "We didn't find a list!"
"There's no list," Sam assured the Archangel, "That was Dean being a jackass."
"He's still struggling with sarcasm, I see," Gabriel mused, "I'll be sure to use small words."
"Cram it, Gabby," Dean called over his shoulder.
"Where, exactly?" Gabriel asked pleasantly.
"Up your left nostril," Dean snapped.
"No, thank-you," Gabriel decided, "There are far more pleasant options available. I'm going to fetch Meg. If you're going to have a tantrum, do so before we get back for dinner."
Gabriel disappeared before anyone could object. The smug smile the Archangel wore as he left made Sam roll his eyes with exasperation.
"Was he always so annoying?" Dean asked Faith. He realized a moment too late that Cas was supposed to be healing.
"Yes," Faith said after a brief pause, "Though Castiel is sure he has gotten worse since he left Heaven."
"That's hard to believe," Dean snorted. He turned to speak to Faith/Castiel just as she shifted forward. The sight of blood on Sam's collar sent a surge of alarm through the Hunter.
"What the fuck is that?" Dean demanded abruptly. He reached out to yank on Sam's sleeve to expose a second puncture wound.
"Nothing," Sam replied quickly. He pulled his shoulder away from Dean to remove his shirt from the grasping fingers. The angry glare from his older brother was equally unavoidable.
Dean flicked his gaze to Faith, who cringed away from the accusation in his face. Sam curled one arm around Faith's waist protectively.
Dean surged to his feet, not willing to remain near the Dhampir, "You bit Cas last night, so what the Hell?"
Faith remained silent. She wanted to blurt out the truth; that the urge to mark Sam as her mate had been too strong to deny, but she was not that stupid.
"I wanted it," Sam said flatly.
"Bullshit!" Dean snapped, "She's had a hold of you since she woke up."
"He's my mate!" Faith growled, rising to her feet. Sam stood behind her, his hands falling to her hips. He wasn't sure he is was anticipating having to defend her or hold her back.
"So, you put your stamp of ownership on him?" Dean demanded, "What's next? You pimp him out as a blood bag to Vampires?"
The growl which erupted from Faith sent a strange tingle through Sam. He moved to restrain the Dhampir a moment before she attempted to lunge at Dean.
"He's mine!" Faith hissed threateningly, "I will kill anyone who tries to harm him!"
Dean smirked at her, "Only you get to make him bleed?"
"Shut-up, Dean," Sam ordered. He could feel how much Faith was holding back to avoid hurting him. He feared her need to attack Dean would outweigh the instinct to protect her mate.
"You like being her bitch, don't you, Sammy?" Dean teased scathingly.
Sam dropped his arms away from Faith and she recognised the silent consent he offered.
Dean dodged her initial attack, but she had learned the fighting moves well. She kicked his feet out from under him and pinned his body to the floor with her wiry frame.
Dean was stunned to find himself on his back, at the mercy of the Dhampir. She was incredibly strong for her size.
"Get off me, you crazy bloodsucker!" Dean yelled.
Faith kept him pinned with surprisingly little effort. She leaned forward to speak quietly enough not to be overheard, "When your words hurt Sam, I hurt you," she hissed.
A blue glow in her eyes indicated Cas had taken control. Dean was startled by the wave of relief he felt when Faith abruptly sat up.
"That was unwise, Dean," Cas said in the deep version of the woman's voice, "Why are you trying to get yourself killed?"
"I'm not," Dean complained, "I don't like seeing my brother marked like bloody cattle."
Castiel regarded Dean with confusion, "How is it different to the way I marked you?"
Dean tried desperately to ignore the feeling of a feminine backside pressing down on his groin.
"You dragged me out of Hell; she had no reason to bite Sammy!" Dean insisted, "Could you get off me, Cas?"
"I could," Cas replied calmly, without moving.
"Then, why aren't you letting me up?"
"Will you refrain from attacking my vessel?" Cas asked.
"If she keeps her teeth to herself," Dean grumbled.
Cas considered the idea, "Until she craves blood again?"
"Fine; yes. Get off me!"
Castiel stood up calmly and glanced between the brothers, "Can I rest now? Or should I wait until Gabriel returns to referee?"
"We'll be fine," Sam offered. He found the presence of Cas in Faith's body to be quite creepy.
Castiel folded her arms across her chest, "It is rather sad when I have to consider Gabriel to be an adult, with his history. Behave, or I'll tell Linda how you need a time-out."
The sudden posture change indicated the moment Castiel relinquished control back to Faith. Sam remained close, just in case.
"I'm sorry, Dean," Faith said heavily, "I know your first instinct is to protect Sam. I feel it too."
Dean was still clearly unhappy, but he backed away slightly to show he would not press the matter further.
"Are we good?" Sam inquired. He was not worried, as Dean would listen to Cas when nothing else would get through to him.
Dean shrugged, "If she hits an artery, you'll die, and I'll have to decapitate her."
"I can sense where it's safe to bite, now that I have experience," Faith said quietly, "But if I do kill him, you have my blessing to take me out."
Dean held Faith's gaze for a few long moments before he offered a short nod, "I can work with that."
Sam rolled his eyes, "That's Dean's version of the 'don't hurt my little brother' speech."
"I wouldn't expect anything less," Faith said simply, her eyes still on Dean.
"I'll make sure I give Cas a similar warning," Sam said with a smirk.
"You will not!" Dean insisted. He backed away a few steps, as though he could distance himself from how uncomfortable he felt.
"I will," Sam decided, "But not while Cas is in Faith."
"That sounds so wrong," Dean muttered.
A loud knock at the main door gave Dean an excuse to escape from the conversation. By the time he climbed the stairs there was an odd ache in his chest that he hadn't noticed before.
"Did you miss me?" Gabriel asked cheerfully.
Meg stood behind the right shoulder of the Archangel; her eyes trained on the Hunter. She was clearly expecting a hostile greeting.
"Yes, Gabby," Dean replied sarcastically, "In the five minutes you were gone, we mourned you."
"Still no talent for sarcasm, Dean," Gabriel decided. He touched the doorframe with one hand and Meg's shoulder with the other.
"Hello, Meg," Dean offered. She held a slab of rock that he recognised as the Angel tablet close to her chest.
"Nice Batcave," Meg said as she carefully stepped through the doorway.
Dean led the way down the stairs. The discomfort in his chest eased as Sam and Faith came closer.
"Thanks. Gabby talks too much, but he makes a pretty good 'Alfred'," Dean joked.
"I'm not Alfred," Gabriel argued, "If anyone, I'm Batman. Sam and Dean together add up to a sad Robin. Faith can be Batgirl; unless you want to mud-wrestle her for the title, Meg?"
"No, thank-you," Meg replied, her eyes on the unknown woman.
"Hi Meg," Sam greeted politely, "This is Faith."
Meg moved forward suddenly, her eyes fixed on the Dhampir with interest, "Faith by name, but that's not all," she mused with a fascinated expression, "It's been too long, Castiel."
The slight head twitch was followed by the glowing blue eyes which heralded that Castiel had taken control, "Hello Meg," she greeted, "I am glad you are still alive."
Meg eyed her from head to toe, "Cute, but I preferred your previous vessel."
"My last vessel was Dean," Castiel revealed casually, "I expect you mean Jimmy?"
Meg grinned, "You were in Dean? Everyone saw that coming. Is his brain as kinky as expected?"
Castiel shifted uncomfortably, "I have no frame of reference to know how to judge that."
"Let's introduce you to Kevin," Gabriel suggested, "Castiel was tortured, so he needs time to heal. Once the Demon tablet is translated, we can negotiate with Crowley."
"Do we have to?" Meg complained, "I really want to kill him."
"We all do," Dean agreed, "But better him in charge of Hell than someone worse."
"Leaving you alone will be one of the stipulations," Dean assured the Demon, "What's the status of your host?"
Meg sighed as multiple sets of suspicious gazes turned her way, "She died ages ago, thank Lucifer. She was so whiny."
Gabriel held out a hand with two fingers extended toward her forehead, "May I check?"
"Sure; unless Castiel wants to touch me?" Meg said suggestively.
Faith leaned into Sam; clearly Castiel had retreated.
"That's a 'no'," Gabriel laughed, "Quit scaring my little brother, Meg."
Meg allowed Gabriel to seek the truth in her mind. The memories of her host dying rose to the surface.
"She speaks the truth," Gabriel revealed, "The host was a murder victim moments before she was possessed. Meg took revenge by killing the assailant."
"I'm alone in here; so, you can all quit glaring at me."
Gabriel ushered Meg toward the table in the library. Sam was thinking so loudly, the Archangel was surprised the mortals couldn't hear it.
"Meg, do you want to be human again?" Sam asked seriously.