I hope everyone in the U.S. had a great Thanksgiving, and happy holidays to everyone! Thank you so much for reading, reviewing, favoriting, and following. It really means a lot to me! I love hearing from everyone and it really makes my day, so thanks again.

Disclaimer: In no way do I have any rights to Supernatural or any of the characters you are familiar with. I only own Amriel and any OCs that pop up along the way.

Thirty Three: Let's Make A Deal

Castiel was driving with Amriel in the passenger seat and Hannah in the back, despite the fact that Amriel had offered to drive several times to let Cas take a break. He knew that she was uncomfortable driving at night, though, so he had declined, thanking her for being considerate.

The ride had been mostly silent, with just the sounds of the radio filling the car, until Hannah decided to ask Cas if he was sure about going to help Sam.

"If you wanted to stay behind…" Amriel started, narrowing her gaze as she stared out the window, refusing to look at the brunette.

"I didn't," Hannah answered quickly. "I just… I think the Winchesters are a bad influence on Castiel. And on you as well, Amriel."

"Sam and Dean may be a bit rough around the edges, but they're the best men I've ever known. And they're my friends. Sam is one of Amriel's charges," Castiel told her, and Amriel could hear the devotion in his voice. She glanced to her left and saw that his jaw was set, and she could tell he was practically biting his tongue.

Hannah changed the subject to stargazing, and as she continued to talk, Amriel turned her attention to the trees they were passing by, unaware that Cas was slowly falling asleep beside her.

The horn of an oncoming semi-truck drew their attention, and Cas quickly swerved back into the lane to miss it, but couldn't quite get control over the car, and it slid into a ditch off the side of the road.

"Is everyone okay?" Amriel asked, glancing at Hannah before focus on Cas, checking him over for any injuries.

"I'm fine, Elle," he told her, "We should call a tow truck, however."

Amriel pulled out her phone and looked up the closest service station, dialing the number and having one dispatched. It was surprisingly easy, like many human things were.

"They should be here soon," she told them once she had gotten off the phone. "We can wait in the car or we can get out and get some fresh air. I, for one, have been in this confining box of metal for far too long."

She got out of the car and walked around to the driver's side, motioning for Cas to open his door. When he did, she knelt down and gently held his chin with her thumb and index finger, tilting his head from side to side, up and down, inspecting him to see how alert he was.

"Elle, really, is this necessary?" he asked, moving his legs so he was half out of the car now.

"Yes, Castiel, it is necessary," she answered firmly. "Your health is important, you know."

When she was done with her inspection, she squeezed his chin and tilted his face up so she could kiss him briefly, smiling against his lips before she pulled away. Cas grabbed her hand, stopping her from getting too far. Amriel looked down at him, watching his fingers play with the red twist tie.

"Soon, Cas," she said quietly, unsure if Hannah was listening. "We'll find your grace."

Before she could react, Cas got out of the car and wrapped his arms around her waist, burying his face in her neck and sighing.

"I don't know how much time I have," he breathed, squeezing her tightly as Amriel contemplated his words, unable to respond as the reality of their situation sunk in.

The tow truck driver turned out to be a kind woman that brought the three angels to her home, seeing as she would have to run into town to get a new set of tires for their car.

"If you want to head inside and watch TV or something, you're more than welcome," the woman told them. "Oh, and there's leftover three-bean surprise in the fridge if you're hungry."

With that, the woman left and the angels walked into the house. Amriel followed Cas into the living room as he shrugged off his trench coat. She took it from him and watched him lie down on the couch.

Amriel vaguely heard Hannah asking what the surprise was about a three bean casserole as she walked into the room, but she was too busy watching Cas fall asleep to reply. She draped the coat over him and sat on the ottoman that was in front of the couch, glancing up at Hannah sadly.

"We have to do something soon or his grace is going to die out, Amriel," Hannah said quietly.

"You think I don't know that?" the blonde hissed. "I've been searching high and low for signs of it, but I haven't found anything. Maybe you should try looking as well."

Hannah didn't reply— she merely nodded and returned to the kitchen, leaving Amriel to watch over Cas as he slept.

Amriel stayed up the entire night, her gaze never straying from Castiel for too long. She watched his chest rise and fall with every deep breath he took, the way his brow would crease before he moved to another position to get more comfortable, and she felt her chest ache. He was struggling and she didn't know how to help him.

As the sun began to rise, a little girl appeared with a bowl of cereal and plopped herself on the end of the couch by Castiel's feet, turning on cartoons as she said good morning to Amriel.

"Good morning to you too," the angel smiled at the little brunette.

"Did you stay up all night?" she asked, her eyes wide as Amriel nodded.

"I did," Amriel answered.

"I wish I could stay up all night…" the girl said, shoving a spoonful of sugary cereal into her mouth.

"Maybe when you're a grown up," Amriel replied with a small smile, her attention returning to Cas as he began to stir and wake up.

"Hello," the girl said to him, "Did you have a good dream?"

"Well… I, uh, I don't really dream," Cas answered, confused.

"Why? One time, I dreamed that my snot was a rocket, and it shot into space and knocked down the stars to make room for more rockets!"

Amriel suppressed a laugh and Cas smiled as he said, "Well that sounds like some very special snot."

The girl giggled, and the tow truck driver came into the living room with Hannah on her heels.

"All right, you're good to go," the woman told them all, and Amriel got up to thank her and procure payment. "That's a great guy you have there."

A familiar heat filled her cheeks and Amriel glanced back towards Cas, who was still chatting with the girl.

"Thank you… He's very special to me," she said quietly, rifling through her purse for a handful of bills to give to the woman.

"Too bad your other friend is green with envy," the woman told Amriel, her eyes lighting up when she saw the twist tie around her finger. "Ah, ya'll are in engaged?"

Amriel's face reddened more as she nodded.

"Well, he's very good with my daughter, so I'm sure he'll be a great dad when you get around to having some kids of your own," she winked, and Amriel felt her chest tighten, her gaze focusing on Cas as he smiled at the girl.

"Yes, I'm sure he will be… But we're not quite ready for that just yet," Amriel lied. She was an angel. That was not going to happen.

"Best of luck on your upcoming wedding. You'll be a gorgeous bride. Come on by anytime if you're around!"

Amriel said goodbye to the woman, and the three headed out to the car.

"I think I should drive," Hannah told the them, holding her hand out to Castiel for the keys. "Amriel was awake all night and Castiel, you could still use the rest."

The blonde felt Cas looking at her but she refused to meet his gaze, mumbling that it was a good idea as she got into the passenger seat. She wanted Cas to be able to spread out in the back and sleep, and she was pleased when he did just that.

"This is not the way to North Dakota," Amriel said after they had been on the road for a few hours.

"I know," Hannah answered, not taking her eyes off the road as she spoke. "We're going to Heaven."

"Wait, what?" Amriel hissed quietly so she wouldn't disturb Cas. "What are you talking about?"

"We're going to Heaven to get the location of Castiel's grace from Metatron. I know you've been looking for it, but Metatron will know its location. We'll make him tell us," Hannah said as she took the exit and eased the car off of the highway, down a road before turning right into a playground.

"I don't think this is wise, Hannah. He won't tell us anything. You know how much he hates Cas…"

"You spoke up against him, back at the headquarters. You can convince him to share the location. Just give it a try." Hannah spared the blonde a glance before turning her gaze back out at the sandbox. "I see how much you love each other. I know how devastated you would be if-"

"Don't, Hannah. I don't even want to think about something happening to him. I don't really want to return to Heaven, but I'll do anything for Cas. Let's go before I change my mind."

Amriel and Hannah got out of the car and approached the sandbox, where a child and woman that had been playing on the monkey bars met them.

"Hello Hannah, Amriel," the woman nodded at them in greeting. "Are you ready?"

The blonde saw Hannah nod in return, and watched as a sigil lit up in the sandbox and the portal revealed itself. Taking a deep breath, Amriel glanced back at the car Cas was still sleeping in the back of, hoping she was doing the right thing as she stepped into the portal.

Amriel had never been to this part of Heaven, but it was familiar nonetheless. It was sterile and cold, corporate even. She wondered if she would get to visit her favorite space in Heaven. Evan Sanders spent his time reorganizing his vast library on a rainy Saturday morning, and Amriel would watch him for as long as she could, fascinated.

They walked down a long hallway and into a room that held the prison cells, where Metatron sat behind the bars of the middle cell. Amriel felt herself tense as she stared down at the angel who had caused them all to fall to Earth, already annoyed with him even though he hadn't said a word.

"My, my… Hello, you gorgeous creatures," he finally spoke, and Amriel had to stop herself from rolling her eyes.

"Metatron," Hannah greeted sternly.

"I knew you'd come back… Even you, Amriel. I felt something between us when you stood up to me on that video call—"

"Enough. We're here about Castiel," the blonde interrupted him, turning to Hannah and nodding for her to speak.

"After you cast that spell and sealed Heaven, was there any of his grace left?"

"And if there was?" Metatron asked, raising his eyebrows at them.

"Then I want it," Amriel told him in a voice that left no room for argument.

"Well, everybody wants something. Question is, are you willing to pay for it?" He sent them both a smile. "Are you willing to, I dunno, let me out?"

When neither Hannah nor Amriel answered, Metatron huffed, "Oh come on, don't look too shocked. You knew what I'd ask for. And you wouldn't have come here if you weren't willing to pony up."

"It doesn't make it any easier," Hannah mumbled.

"Fair enough. Let's sweeten the pot then, shall we? I've had time to think, and I've decided — screw Earth. You pop this lock, I'll give you Castiel's grace and then scamper off to another planet — another galaxy, even — and you'll never see me again. And in return, you get Cas back at full power — large and in charge," Metatron narrowed his gaze at Amriel and continued, "And that's what you really want, isn't it? For your boyfriend to be at full power so you can fulfill whatever little prophecy God has for you—"

Amriel hadn't even realized that she had moved towards the bars as he was talking, and before she knew it she had grabbed him through the bars, pulling him up against them roughly.

"What do you know about that? Tell me," she hissed, pulling him closer against the bars.

"Like I said, I felt something between us. Too bad you and Castiel are endgame. So, do we have a deal?"

Amriel contemplated his offer, but as she was doing that, Cas burst in through the doors, asking what they were doing.

"Ugh, you know perfectly well what she's doing, Ass-tiel," Metatron groaned as Amriel released him.

"Hannah and I talked about it.. We had to, Cas. You're dying!" she told him as they locked eyes.

"She's right, you totally are," Metatron added, and Castiel told him to shut up.

"He said your grace is still out there," Amriel said, "We can find it…"

"He's lying, Elle. He's a liar!"

"Hey, words hurt," Metatron tried to insert himself into their conversation again, but he was ignored and Hannah reached through the bars and shoved him to sit back down.

"Listen, Amriel, do not make a deal with him. I have seen what — I've made deals born of desperation, and they always end in blood and tears. Always." Cas told her as he took her hand, trying to get her to see that what she was doing wasn't for the best.

"So I'm just supposed to let you die? Cas…" Amriel felt herself begin to choke up, her eyes welling with tears as she tried to blink them away.

"Yes," he said gently, but also letting her know that he meant it. "It's my life, and my choice. And I don't want this."

"Fine," Amriel pulled her hand out of his and turned on her heel, leaving the room and heading back to the portal so she could return to Earth.

Castiel frowned, turning to Hannah and telling her to follow Amriel. When she was gone, Cas noticed that Metatron watching him carefully.

"What?"

"You're wrong," the scribe told him. "Not about the lying part, I'm a terrific liar. But there is some of your mojo left. Not a lot… But enough. And it can be yours for the low, low price of—"

"Keep it," Cas cut him off.

"Seriously?" Metatron asked, tilting his head out of curiosity.

"I've made peace with my fate," he answered with a nod.

"Who's the liar now?"

"I enjoy thinking about you locked up in here," Cas motioned to the cell surrounding Metatron, "rotting until the end of time. It's my happy place."

"Yeah? Uh, no. I'll get out of here. This dump won't hold me forever, and when I'm free, here's a sneak preview— everybody dies, starting with your precious Amriel. You know, she's so determined to find that grace of yours. It's almost like she's programmed that way. It really makes you wonder—"

"Don't ever say her name again," Castiel growled. "It'll be the last thing you do."

With that, Cas turned and headed out the door, ignoring Metatron as he shouted "dead man walking" after him.

When he returned to the car, he was surprised to find Amriel sitting on one of the benches of the playground, her back towards the portal. He couldn't see her face, but he could tell she was upset by her slumped shoulders and uneven breathing.

Hannah approached from his left, a frown on her lips as she stared up at him.

"I wouldn't attempt to talk to her right now if I were you, Castiel," she told him quietly, glancing over to the blonde before returning her gaze to him.

"Why not? What's wrong?" Cas almost took off towards her, but Hannah stopped him.

"She's crying… I tried to console her, but she's upset with your actions."

"Hannah, it's for the best—" he tried to explain, but she cut him off.

"Metatron said something about the two of you and some prophecy by God? That you're endgame? I'm not sure what that means, but what do you think will happen to her if you die?"

Castiel hadn't even thought of that. He had honestly pushed that to the back of his mind, but now that Hannah mentioned it he could clearly remember the paintings and all of Sam's research.

"I- I'm not sure. I have to talk to her, though…" Cas started to move towards Amriel, but Hannah set her hand on his upper arm, stopping him.

"I don't think she wants to talk to anyone right now," she told him.

"We need to get on the road so we can get to North Dakota. Your detour has cost us time, and who knows where Dean is headed next," he answered, not moving his gaze from Amriel, watching as she wiped at her face and got up from the bench.

"Let's go," the blonde said quietly, avoiding eye contact with both angels as she brushed past them.

"Amriel, we need to talk," Cas tried, catching her hand with his and pulling her to a stop. Hannah quickly made her way to the car and got into the back seat, wanting to give the angels their space to talk.

She whirled around, narrowing her gaze at him, "What is there to talk about? You want to die!"

"It's not that I want this. I just— I don't know what to do. I won't take another angel's grace, and I don't even know where what little remains of mine is," he explained, staring down at her with pleading eyes, trying to get her to understand.

"Then let me help you find it. Don't resign yourself to death because you're uncertain. I will do whatever it takes, even if it comes to making a deal with Metatron," Amriel told him firmly, "He knows something about us that we don't, Cas."

"I won't let you sacrifice yourself for me. I have done horrendous things… I don't deserve anything you've done for me," he said softly, his gaze falling to the ground as he spoke. He felt Amriel's hand leave his, but she moved closer to him and cupped his face with her small hands. He reveled in the warmth she radiated, knowing he would miss it when his stolen grace eventually faded out.

"What angel hasn't done awful things? I've killed angels! I've disobeyed direct orders. I took the vessel of a girl who only wanted guidance and killed her! You aren't the only one who has done things they regret, Castiel," she told him, her gray eyes holding his blue ones the entire time she spoke. "I love you, and I will do anything in my power to keep you with me for eternity."

"Amriel, you need to know when to let go—"

"No!" she shouted at him, letting go of his face and grabbing onto shoulders, "I'm not letting go of you. You need to fight for yourself! And if you won't do it for yourself, do it for me."

"I'll try, Elle," he finally gave in. "Let's get going, though. We have to get to Dean…"

"Sam wants to cure him with sanctified blood, right? There's no guarantee that'll work," Amriel said as they walked towards the car. She noticed how pale he was, and that his hands were clammy when she held them. "Why did he send us if he knows about your fading grace?"

Cas didn't look at her as he opened the passenger side door, motioning for her to get in. When he got into the driver's seat, Amriel frowned, "He doesn't know, does he?"

"He knows some, but not the full extent."

The blonde frowned again, grabbing her phone and tapping out a message to Sam.

"Cas's grace is fading fast. Need to find his ASAP."

Her phone buzzed moments later with a response from the younger Winchester.

"I'll see what I can dig up."