Chapter Nineteen:

Back at Remedy Rowena's 'shack', the twelve hours were fairly inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. Rowena seemed to have warmed up to them and even shared some spell books and basic magic tips with Sam when he'd shown an interest in her work. Charlie was also a pleasant host. She made them tea and didn't even flinch when Benny contritely asked if they had any animal blood he might partake in instead.

"No-human diet, huh?" she asked, handing him a vial from Rowena's cupboards. "Well, speaking as a human, I certainly appreciate that."

Benny smiled. "You know, most people wouldn't give a vampire the time of day, even if they're reformed. You're really one of kind."

Charlie grinned. "Back at ya," she said. Then she went up and prepped a bedroom for him and Sam to share.

Despite the unusually pleasant atmosphere, Sam struggled to sleep that night.

"I can hear you thinking, brother."

The giant sighed. Benny didn't really sleep, exactly, so it was no surprise he'd heard Sam twisting and turning in the bed across from him.

"Sorry," Sam said. "It's just. By tomorrow it could all be over. All the time I've spent learning to fight and looking for the yellow-eyed man. It could really be done tomorrow, for better or worse."

"It'll be alright, Sam. You know I'm with you, right? To the end of the road."

"Thanks, Benny."

The next morning, the group had an early breakfast, which was interrupted by a shout from Rowena's workroom below.

"Damn," said Charlie. "I meant to get your friend a pillow or something, he's going to be so sore!"

Rowena rolled her eyes. "Considering he was just dead, that's probably the least of his worries."

The group hurried down the stairs. Castiel was awake on the table, but he had not moved an inch. Because he couldn't move an inch. He couldn't even turn his head to see whether the footsteps approaching were friend or foe.

"Who's there? Where am I? Why can't I move?"

Sam got to him first. He attempted to lay a reassuring hand on Castiel's shoulder, but it had the opposite effect.

"Don't touch me!" he snarled. "I remember you! You're a coward, aren't you? I beat you in a sword fight so you poisoned and paralyzed me! You'll pay, I swear it."

Rowena hurried forward. "You have it wrong, dear. These two gentlemen brought you to me for revival. You've been mostly dead for a day. You'll have your full faculties back by this evening, I expect."

This pronouncement was met with silence as Castiel thought it over. His memories were coming back to him. That dreaded Machine…

It was supremely uncomfortable to be unable to move while a gang of people gawked at him. Cas felt exposed and angry. His eyes found Sam, who was hovering near him. "I thought your job was to kill me. Why bring me back?"

Sam had the grace to look somewhat ashamed of himself. "Sorry about that, but the plan has changed. I need you to help me find the yellow-eyed man. You help me with that, and I can help you with your prince problem."

Prince problem.

Chuck and -

Dean.

Dean needed him!

"We have to go now!" said Castiel urgently.

The group shared looks. "But, you can't move yet."

Castiel practically growled in frustration. "I don't care. We need to get to Dean. I have no doubt that Chuck intends to kill him. With any luck he'll wait until after the wedding to make some kind of big dramatic storyline, but I'm not going to give him the chance."

Benny raised an eyebrow. "Story-?"

Castiel sighed. "Don't ask."

Sam stared down at the former angel. "I know how much it means to you, to make sure that Dean fellow is okay. But the yellow-eyed man. I need to know that you'll help me find him, too."

"Lucky for us," said Cas, "our goals appear to have aligned. The yellow-eyed man is a member of Chuck's inner circle. He is a Count by the name of Azazel, and I have no doubt that where we find Chuck, we will find him."

Sam felt as if the wind had been knocked out of him. Azazel. Finally a name for the monster. And to think he was close with the prince, free to do as he pleased with impunity.

He could not wait until Castiel regained his strength. They had to move, before Azazel could have any chance to slip away or do more harm. It was foolhardy, but the time had come to boldly take his vengeance.

"We're leaving," Sam announced.

Benny was somewhat reluctant. "We're down our best fighter, shouldn't we wait for Castiel -?"

Sam shook his head. "If we wait for his full strength to return, we may miss the wedding and the distractions that may provide for us. We have to get to the castle and be ready to strike."

"I agree," said Castiel, to no one's surprise. They all knew that if circumstances had allowed, he'd be halfway to Dean already, with or without them.

"Alright then," said Benny. "I guess we better get ready."

Benny and Sam headed upstairs to retrieve some of their belongings. Charlie decided to pack them some food for the road. Rowena, however, hung back with Cas. She hovered over him in order for their eyes to meet properly.

"I know what you are, Castiel."

Cas raised an eyebrow, which was about as much movement as he could manage. "Yeah, what's that?"

"You're a fallen angel. I realized it as I was reviving you."

"That's true. I've never hidden that fact. But what is your point?"

Rowena gave him an unmistakable look of pity. "Don't take this the wrong way, dear. It's just…all the fallen angels I've ever known – they act rashly. They take their new mortality for granted, and it usually costs them greatly. So. I just wanted to ask. Are you sure taking on Chuck is worth the risk? Even with your angel powers it would be difficult, without them…"

There was steel in his blue eyes as Cas replied. "I appreciate your concern. I really do, and I am grateful for what you have done for me. But Dean is what matters. I will risk whatever it takes, I will sacrifice everything for Dean. Even my life."

It was a moving speech, though Cas couldn't help but lament that he was forced to give it while lying flat and motionless on his back.

Rowena sighed. "It's admirable, I suppose. Foolish, but admirable. I'll never understand you heroic types."

Cas's expression was appraising. "Never say never."

Rowena had no response to that, so she willfully chose to ignore it. "I'll go help the boys get ready. I'm sure they'll be down to fetch you soon," she said, then left Cas alone to wait.

She wasn't wrong. Sam and Benny were ready to go within a half hour, and then Sam returned to the workroom for a most undignified fetching process.

Castiel was slumped in the giant's strong arms. "This is ridiculous," he said, head lolling awkwardly to the side.

"Don't worry about it, Cas. I carry people all the time," said Sam. "In fact, I even carried Dean on my back. He didn't mind."

"Weren't you kidnapping him at the time?"

"Um." Sam avoided the question by opening the shack's front door and maneuvering Cas into the wheelbarrow they had left outside. He laid the former angel down gently into it, but the scowl on his face said exactly how Cas felt about the situation.

Benny joined them, carrying Castiel's bag over his back, as well as a bag of food that Charlie had given them.

Rowena and Charlie saw them out.

"Thanks for everything," said Benny.

"Yeah, thanks," echoed Sam.

"Of course!" said Charlie. "Have fun storming the castle!"

"Goodbye, boys!" said Rowena, waving as the small group took off down the road, Benny walking and Sam pushing the wheelbarrow with a disgruntled Castiel in it.

Charlie turned to Rowena once they were out of earshot. "You think they'll be alright?"

Rowena sighed. "They're going against a god. It would take a miracle."