Author's Note: This chapter got re-written at least twice. I thought it might be time to bring Jo back into the picture, so I hope you like. Please review! Do I have to beg? Anyone who reviews gets Castiel. And Dean. With cake. And pie.

***Ember POV***

SUMMER

Ember's life for the next few months was quiet, but stressful in its own way. Krissy was still home from school, so she had to be very careful to hide her pregnancy from her. This was more difficult than she would have expected. She had constant morning sickness until the end of June, and her powers phased erratically – not just invisibility, but teleportation, too. It was exasperating – one day she could teleport to the grocery store and back, and the next day she couldn't even teleport from the bedroom to the living room. She found herself making up excuses to Krissy about being overly tired, or about still having residual trauma from her time as a demon.

The silver lining was that until the end of June, Krissy was still in high school, so missed most of the morning sickness. By the time school was out, Ember was finally reaching the end of her first trimester. By mid-June, the morning sickness had mercifully stopped, and so had the phasing of her powers.

Throughout the later part of June, Krissy spent more time at the bunker than she did at home. She accompanied the brothers on a particular case involving a young girl who turned out to be psychic. The brothers recommended that the girl see Ember as a therapist, but she never called.

Ember still talked often with both of the Winchesters – Sam more than Dean, but only barely. She knew that a man named Mick Davies from the British Men of Letters had come for Toni. Apparently Dean had let Mick take Toni back to "face consequences in Britain," but he still didn't trust either one of them. She also knew that their mother had taken off to "find herself", and that both boys were very upset about it.

Finally, Ember learned from the brothers that Castiel had gone hunting for Lucifer with Crowley.

"I don't know," Dean said over the phone. "Don't ask me to explain it. One's an angel, one's a demon, and they both fight crime."

Ember smiled, thinking longingly of the angel.

***Dean POV***

June 30, Afternoon

TWO MONTHS LATER

Dean had been broken up with Ember for more than two months now. This break-up was different than the previous ones somehow – more final, but also more peaceful. They had settled into a rhythm of calling or texting once in awhile. More often, Ember would call Sam (or vice versa), and end up talking with both of them, or the brothers would take turns. Dean still spent a lot of time with Krissy as well. Ultimately, Ember and Dean functioned as friends and co-workers far better than they had ever functioned as a couple.

The thing Dean missed most about Ember, if he had to be honest, was that he hadn't been laid since their break-up. Not that it was a competition, and not that he didn't have about a million other things to think about, but he was still Dean Winchester, after all. He was still on the prowl for pretty girls.

Though he was loathe to admit it, he hoped to meet some pretty girls when he attended the wake of Asa Fox, a well-known hunter who had also been a ladies' man. The wake was more uncomfortable than anything, however. There was a definite shortage of eligible females, and both males and females treated him and Sam like celebrities.

Despite the fact that he and Sam had actually come to support their friend Jody, Dean was seriously thinking about leaving when one woman in particular caught his eye. She had shoulder-length blond hair, and was skinny. She wore a flannel blouse and jeans, and she had a great ass. He saw her first from behind and to the left, and he also noticed a tattoo on her left arm: "RIP Bill & Ellen."

He realized it, just as she turned around. "Jo?!"

"Dean!" she said, equally as surprised. She stood, and catapulted herself into his arms. "Jesus, I haven't seen you in ages!"

She smelled good, he thought.

"Jo, where have you been?" Dean asked. "I haven't seen you since the Leviathans, and of course Sam had to go and lose your number…"

"Greece," Jo said, leading him over to an empty sofa. "Hunting lamia, actually."

She smiled and pushed the hair out of her eyes, and Dean noticed that she was missing the last two fingers of her right hand. An ugly scar decorated the hand as well.

"That's where I got this," she said, catching him looking at it. "Finally killed it, though. The one that got Mom."

Dean nodded, gesturing toward her tattoo. "I'm sorry, Jo."

She shrugged. "That's the life, though, isn't it? You save as many as you can before you get taken out." She smiled again, and it lit up the room. "And Mom saved an awful lot of them.

"So what have you been doing, Dean?"

Dean smirked at her. "You know, more of the usual. Saving people, hunting things. I killed Hitler, actually."

She looked disbelieving. "Come again?"

***Sam POV***

July 2, Morning

"It's 7AM," snapped Sam two days later when Dean stumbled back into their motel room.

The brothers had run into their mother at the wake, and the three of them had gone out for dinner after it was over, though she still refused to return to the bunker. The day after, however, Dean had called Jo, and the three of them had made plans to meet up. Sam had stayed at the bar until about midnight, after which he had headed home, Dean promising to follow a few hours later. "Please tell me you didn't have sex with Jo."

Dean shot an angry look at Sam. "So what if I did?" he asked.

"Well, she's… she's Jo," Sam protested. Jo wasn't the kind of girl you had sex with… Jo was the kind of girl you had a relationship with. Although, Sam was pretty sure that any girl was the kind of girl Dean had sex with.

"Relax, I didn't have sex with her," Dean said. "We just sort of… talked."

"All night?" Sam asked, flabbergasted. "I can barely get you to talk for five minutes!"

Dean shrugged. "You're not female," he said. "And you've already heard the story about how I killed Hitler."

"I was there," Sam reminded him, but Dean had already collapsed on his bed, asleep.

***Ember POV***

August 2, Evening

ONE MONTH LATER

Ember was lying on her bed watching Netflix when the premonition came.

Sam and Dean were in a concert hall. A man was on the stage – Lucifer, she knew immediately. He had possessed the rock star, Vince Vincente, Sam had told her the last time they'd talked.

Perhaps 100 people were running out of the concert hall as Sam attempted to fight off Lucifer's power. In the end, only him and Dean were left, trapped with the angry archangel.

"Hey! Assbutt!" Ember heard suddenly, and she saw Castiel. His lip was already smashed in, and she could already tell he was tired. Still, he took a guitar and smashed it toward Lucifer's face.

Lucifer fell backward into the drums, and Castiel followed up with a large hammer. Lucifer was stronger, though, and kicked out at Castiel, who was thrown aside like a rag doll.

Dean jumped onstage, and, quick as a flash, placed binding handcuffs on Lucifer.

"Hi Dean," he said confidently, and tossed Dean aside just as he had Castiel. The handcuffs turned yellow, and burned off.

Castiel had recovered, and had attempted to close in on Lucifer with his angel blade, but Lucifer stopped him, and the angel blade once again clattered to the floor. "Guys, you know I could end you all with a snap of my fingers?"

When Ember awakened, she was sweating and clammy. Still, she wasted no time. She grabbed the bottle of holy oil she kept nearby. She sent a text to Krissy, telling her to head to the bunker in case things went badly, because she'd be safer there. Then, she teleported away.

When Ember teleported into the concert hall, the events she had witnessed had already begun to unfold. Lucifer, in his Vince Vincente meatsuit, was onstage. "Tonight's not gonna be a typical show. Tonight you're gonna see and feel things you've never seen or felt before. Things might get a little bit messy."

Ember's eyes found Dean and Sam in the crowd just as Dean held a gun in the air and shot it, and people began screaming and running out, Sam barring the door open as best he could.

There was no time. Castiel would be on the stage presently, she knew from the premonition. She teleported onto the stage just as he said, "Hey! Assbutt!"

As Castiel hit Lucifer with a guitar, Ember uncorked the holy oil. She used her force powers to send it up into the air and in a circle surrounding the drum set and microphone. Just as Castiel followed up with a hammer, Lucifer spotted Ember, who was fumbling with a lighter. Instead of kicking Castiel, he threw out his hand, immobilizing Castiel, who staggered backward fighting an invisible force.

Meanwhile, he grabbed Ember by the throat. "It's been too long," he whispered to her, pulling her close to his face.

She used all of the power within her to blast him back, but it did nothing. She could feel it, the thing she dreaded most – Lucifer's tendrils of thought creeping into her mind, scanning… Ember guessed that Lucifer likely already knew about the child, or at least had guessed, or hoped. Still, she didn't want to give him any reason to learn more…

Lucifer let go of her with a yell suddenly, as Dean clamped the handcuffs onto his wrist. The handcuffs stabbed into Ember's throat as Lucifer let her go, drawing blood. Somewhere, Sam screamed, "Ember!"

"Hi, Dean," said Lucifer, and Dean was tossed aside too.

Suddenly, the circle of holy oil erupted around Lucifer – someone had lit a match. Ember was thrown aside, and she felt herself falling, falling into the holy oil. Someone caught her by the shoulders, though, and pulled her back, wrenching her feet over the holy oil. Ember felt pain erupt up her ankle.

After that, it was several seconds before she could form a conscious thought again. When she did, she saw Castiel, his hands on her ankles, which were healed. As one, they turned toward Lucifer, who was still caught in the holy oil.

"Dear old Dad, he finally apologized for abandoning me, and what's the very next thing he does!" Lucifer exclaimed at Sam and Dean. Ember had an idea that he had been talking to them for a few seconds from inside his circle of holy oil, but she wasn't sure about what. "He ditches me," Lucifer continued. "And you too, by the way. And rides into the sunset with Auntie Amara."

His head swiveled back to Ember and Castiel, and he smiled. "But it doesn't matter, because I've got a new cause!" He smiled, a horrible, cackling smile, his eyes swiveling to Castiel. "Surely she must've told you by now. You must be so, so upset. God, I hated it, all those months in your stupid head. All Ember, all the time."

Ember blanched as Castiel looked at the archangel quizzically. "Unless – …" he looked at Ember. "Unless he doesn't know! Unless you haven't told him!" He grinned widely.

Suddenly, a much louder noise came from behind Lucifer. "Mah tay, ez loh, say tah!" screamed Rowena.

And in a flash, Lucifer was gone.

***Castiel POV***

August 2, Evening

Castiel was feeling a myriad of emotions, which was an unusual experience for him. What was not unusual, however, was that most of his emotions had to do with the half-demon woman that he was desperately in love with, who was (for some reason, and he wasn't going to complain) still holding his hand. He was relieved that Lucifer had finally been sent back to the cage, and that Ember was okay. He was also relieved that Ember had thought to show up at the last possible second with holy oil, and that Crowley had been able to recover enough from his injuries earlier in the evening to grab Rowena. More than anything, though, he was worried, and scared. What was Ember not telling him?

Crowley seemed to be thinking along the same lines. "Alright, Ember, spill. What's he talking about?"

Ember dropped Castiel's hand, her face panic-stricken. "It's none of your business."

"Bullshit," said Crowley. "Do you really take me for a fool? We both know that whatever Lucifer has on you is definitely my business."

"Leave her alone!" said Castiel and Dean at once, advancing on Crowley.

Ember pushed past him. "I appreciate your services keeping me safe from Lucifer," she said. "But they're no longer required." She stared at the demon, and the demon stared back. They seemed to be having a silent conversation with their eyes.

Finally, Crowley said, "Fine. I get it. Whatever trouble you've gotten yourself into, I'll give you some privacy to tell Moose, Squirrel, and Feathers over there about it. But don't forget, I'm the God damned ruler of Hell. I'll find out sooner or later, love."

"Not with my help you won't!" exclaimed Rowena.

Crowley rolled his eyes. "Come along, mother. I'll take you back to whatever rich man you were manipulating. Or off a cliff." Crowley shot one last look over his shoulder at Ember and Dean in triumph, then disappeared, Rowena with him.

Once Sam, Dean, Castiel, and Ember were alone, it was silent. Finally, everyone spoke at once. Castiel said, "Ember, are you okay?"

Sam said, "What was Lucifer talking about?"

Dean said, "Ember, what's wrong?"

Ember looked up at all of them, fear in her eyes. She dropped Castiel's hand, backing away from him. Why was she backing away from him? He would never hurt her…

"I'm pregnant," she said suddenly.

Castiel felt his heart plummet. Horrible jealousy engulfed him immediately, against his will. That was it, then. Ember and Dean would have a family, and that would be the end. He swallowed, hard, and opened his mouth to force himself to say "Congratulations."

Before he could get the words out, however, he noticed Dean and Sam's faces. Both of them were looking at him, with horror… waiting for his reaction. There was a question in both of their eyes, but Castiel couldn't comprehend it. It must be because they knew he was still in love with her. Had he been that obvious? He had tried so hard not to let it show…

"That – congratulations," he said dully. He knew he sounded jealous, and even angry, but it had surprised him. Granted, he knew about her desire not to pass down her demonic nature, but if that's what she and Dean had decided, then that was that. His bitter congratulations had been less than perfect, much less than she deserved, so he tried again, finally bringing himself to look her in the eyes. "You and Dean will be great-…"

But there was something he was still missing. Dean had thrown his hands up and gave an audible, "Son of a bitch!" Sam was tapping his foot and shaking his head, and had let out a sigh. And Ember…

Ember was looking at him like he'd grown three heads. She rolled her eyes at him. "Cas, I'm almost five months pregnant," she said gently.

And slowly, very slowly, it clunked into place.

"No!" he said immediately. It was horrible. It was too horrible to comprehend. He couldn't. He couldn't let it hurt her. "Ember, don't worry about it," he said, moving closer toward her and holding out his hand. He missed her stomach by inches, and she shrank back. "Ember, it won't hurt, I promise, just let me get rid of it-…"

Apparently that had been the wrong thing to say. Ember dodged his hand once again, and teleported to the other side of the room. "Take care of Krissy!" she shouted at Dean and Sam. And then she was gone.

***Castiel POV***

August 3, Early Morning

Castiel, Dean, and Sam raced to Ember's home in Conway Springs, and then to the bunker. They were unsurprised by what they found in either place. Ember's most precious belongings – her computer, a supply of clothes, etc. – had been taken from her home in Conway Springs, apparently in a hurry.

Krissy was at the bunker, and reported that she had already been made aware of what was going on. She was visibly distraught, and handed Sam and Castiel a letter from Ember. "Did you really try to abort her baby?" Krissy asked Castiel accusatorily. "Jesus, you're such a dickbag. I wish she'd chosen Dean."

Castiel felt that he had missed a step. "Chosen… Dean?" he asked Sam.

Sam sighed heavily. "Dean and Ember broke up last April, man. He didn't tell you?" Sam paused. "I was wondering why you two hadn't hooked up by now. The kids said you hadn't been around to see her."

Just then, Dean wandered into the room, holding a six-pack in his hands. "What's that?" he asked, pointing to the letter.

"It's from Ember," said Sam, who was holding it. He held it out so that the three of them could look at it.

Cas, Sam, and Dean,

I am having this baby. God was the one who told me I was pregnant. He told me none of you would accept it, especially you, Castiel. Just so you know, it's not necessarily Lucifer's son… it might be yours, Cas.

I'm going on the run. I thought of all different ways to do this. I thought perhaps I could stay in contact with the kids, at least… but I don't want them used as collateral or ransom when Crowley or the angels find out. Because I have no doubt that they ultimately will find out.

Take care of them, all 4 of them.

Don't try to find me – you know I know how to hide. No matter what happens, I love you, all of you.

~Ember

Castiel felt a swooping in his stomach. They didn't understand… Just when he was about to open his mouth, however, Krissy said, "That's bullshit, you know? You're the one who got her into this in the first place. You should be supportive of her."

Castiel blanched back.

"Alright, Kris," said Sam, clearing his throat. "I'm really sorry, but we've got to talk about what to do, just the three of us."

Krissy stood still, refusing to move. "Look, we promise we'll let you help with whatever plan we come up with, once we figure this out," said Sam, placating the teenager. "We promise. But we've only just found out about all of this, and we need to get our thoughts together."

Krissy still didn't move. "We won't do anything until morning," Sam said again. "It's late, and all of our emotions are running high. And Cas, here, just found out he might be the father…" Castiel flinched.

Finally, Krissy marched down the hallway, shooting Castiel an extremely dirty look on her way out of the door to the kitchen.

Once she was gone, all three adults let out a breath they hadn't realized they'd been holding.

"OK, what are we going to do?" asked Dean immediately, taking a sip of his beer and passing it to Sam.

"Find her," said Castiel immediately.

"So you can abort the baby?" Dean challenged him.

"It's a nephilim," said Castiel. "It's an abomination."

"It might be yours," Sam argued, sitting down heavily in a chair.

"Nephilims are an abomination of God."

"Dude, that's fucked up," said Dean, shaking his head and sitting down as well.

"But it sounds like God was endorsing the child," said Sam.

Castiel stopped for a moment, but then shook his head. "The child might be Lucifer's. A child of an archangel… you can't even imagine the power. I simply can't allow-…"

"Doesn't sound like you have a choice," Sam said, taking another sip of his beer.

Castiel had reached the end of his patience, which was usually exceptionally high. "You don't understand!" he expelled. "She won't survive it! Having a nephilim… it's suicide!"

Sam's eyes opened wide, and Dean stood up sharply. "Then tell her you won't hurt her! Lie to her!"

Castiel and Sam both shook their heads. "Dean, she'd never fall for that," Sam said slowly. "Cas… are you sure? I mean, with all of her demon powers…"

Castiel thought again for a moment, but looked pained. "I mean, I might be able to save her… if I can heal her fast enough when…"

"So do it," Dean said, but Castiel gave him a pained look.

"Jesus, Cas, this isn't rocket science," said Dean, clearly frustrated. "She loves you. Be there for her while she's pregnant, and then save her when she has the child. What's the fucking problem?"

"I can't allow it to be born."

"So you would let her die?!" Dean screamed, moving so that he was within a foot of the angel. "Ember's not stupid. Sam's right, she's not going to come anywhere near you as long as she thinks your intention is to abort the child."

"You think I don't know that?" Castiel screamed at his best friend. "I don't need you to tell me about Ember."

"Clearly you do," said Dean. "Fix this, Cas! It's your damn fault she's in this mess in the first place, now clean it up!"

Castiel felt anger and hurt boil within him. Before he knew what he was doing, Dean had sailed across the room and hit the back wall. Then Castiel fled.