In the beginning, this was supposed to be a short fanfic... but it grew out of hand, and by now I don't know where it will end! :D


Chapter 26

When Jack received Jesse's mental call, he immediately jumped out of bed and ran, not minding being in his pajamas nor crossing Dean in the hallway.

"So your rooms are 13 and 14," he was explaining to Emma and Jacob. "From 11 to 22 there are only bedrooms. The locker room is this way, but don't use all the shower stalls at the same time if you want hot water; three is the max. The toilets are just opposite and... Hey, where's the fire?"

The annoyed yell for almost running over them didn't stop the nephilim, who at least mumbled an apology before disappearing around the corner.

"Sorry, Dean, but my friend is coming over right this moment with his mum and they might be in trouble!" echoed through the bunker. "I need to help them!"

"The what are you saying?" Dean grumbled, leaving the other two children to go after Jack. "What friend? Coming where?"

He met Sam and Patience in the library. The younger hunter was guiding the psychic girl through the lore books, while Kevin had somehow convinced Claire to let him teach her chess, under Castiel's encouragement. Everyone looked up startled at the entrance door when Jack slammed it open, Dean in tow. A second later, some alert was activated on the panel in the war room, warning all the people in the bunker about an unwelcome guest. In the map table, the red dot that had been steadily heading to Australia suddenly changed direction to the opposite way.

"Dean, what's the matter?" Sam asked, worried.

"I don't know yet!" was all he got time to answer, before getting out too.

Alarmed, everyone got up and followed them outside in the dark. In a blink of reality, a warp of air, two people and a van truck appeared out of nowhere. After turning on the headlights, a woman hopped off the vehicle and rushed to grab a boy's hand.

"Jesse?" Jack grinned, taking a step to the boy. "Is that you?"

"Are you Jack?" the identified as Jesse guessed. "You're truly not a baby."

"I am! I mean Jack, not a baby. Nice to meet you!" he greeted his friend, holding out a hand.

Jesse shook the offered hand with his free one, at the same time squeezing the woman's in a calming attempt, not sure which one of them actually needed it more. He knew this people; well, some of them, and his mother knew them too. This didn't mean it was a joyous occasion to reunite, not at all. By some random or fated chance, their paths had crossed again, but who knew how this would end?

"Oh my, stop talking!" a dark-skinned girl pleaded, gripping her head like in pain. "Please... thinking! Stop thinking so loudly, you two!"

Everyone looked at her for a second, baffled.

"Sorry," Jesse apologized, bewildered. "I didn't know that somebody else could hear us. We'll be more careful. Are you a telepath?"

"Psychic," Patience corrected him, staring suspiciously. "And this isn't the first time it happens. You two pretty much drilled in my brain during your conversations. Since Jack is a nephilim, what are you then?"

"Cambion," Castiel intervened, wary of the boy but with no threatening intent whatsoever. "I recognize you. When I was under Heaven's command and attempted to carry out my duty on you, you transformed me into a figurine."

"Cambion?!" Sam exclaimed, astonished, looking at the boy and the woman, remembering their names. "Jesse, Julia?"

"Yes," she answered, voice nervous and smile trembling, and gripping her son's hand tighter. "Sam, Dean. Hello."

"Great, another freak to the circus," Claire whispered sarcastically beside Kevin, without any real malice and making him snicker.

"How... how are... why are you here?" Dean asked, completely perplexed. "After you gave us the slip?"

"Hum, well..."

"Jesse Turner," Castiel interrupted whatever the boy was going to say, slowly taking a couple of steps towards him, trying not to look menacing. "I think I know the reason, but would you allow me to inspect your nape, please?"

Jesse fidgeted a little, nervous, but eventually he nodded and turned around, lowering his head. Castiel came to his side and slightly pulled down the collar of the shirt, revealing a burned mark. Being in the middle of the night, the van truck headlights were insufficient for the others to see it too, but for him the angelic pulse was unmistakable.

"He is the 'Angel' one," he confirmed, letting him go. "As it seems, we are already complete."

"WHAT?" both hunters shouted, incredulous.

"It sounds to me that you're still in need of a superhero," the cambion attempted to joke, trying to disguise his anxiety.

"You're a superhero, Jesse?" Jack continued to grin excitedly, failing to read the tense atmosphere. "Like Batman?"

"Uh, maybe? Who knows? Even a half-demon should have the chance to prove himself, right? To make the right choices?" he gulped and looked intently at Sam, repeating the words that he remembered the man saying to him years ago.

"I thought you didn't want to be involved in the fight."

"I didn't. And I still don't, but... back then, I already chose to run away. This time, I'm choosing to stay and help."

"We can bunk together, like the others!" Jack chirped happily.

Dean breathed deeply, his mind rapidly assimilating this turn of events and forming a plan, deciding what step to take next.

"Either way, thanks for coming, kiddo," he told the cambion sincerely. "Julia, are you staying with us too?"

"If... if it's possible, I'd like to, please."

"I have nothing against it, but you gotta know that we're pretty much a boarding school right now. Yeah, teenagers everywhere, but if you're willing to deal with them, there's still an empty bedroom left. I won't deny that for myself, I'll be grateful for having one more adult around," he smiled welcomingly, seeing the woman accept the invitation. "Ok then, let's get this rolling. I'll drive your car to the garage, are the keys on? Sam, go call Thaz and Gabriel, tell them to bring Rowena along. Jack, show them to their rooms, if Jesse is really bunking with you. Kevin, go look in the wardrobe and fish out some more deadman's robes for them, in case they want to relax under the shower; and extras for Emma and Jacob too, actually. Claire, fetch everyone to the library, ok? I don't think anyone is sleeping yet. And Patience, could you ask Jess to reheat some food, please?"

Dean being used to command and the others used to be commanded, everyone obeyed and went back inside the bunker, Jesse and Julia following them. Except Castiel. He hadn't been given any order.

"Dean, is there anything you want me to do?" he asked, wondering why he was the only one without a task.

"It's enough if you keep me company, Cas," Dean couldn't help to flirt, looking at him while opening the car door. "But you can carry the luggage later."

"Luggage?" Castiel repeated, before noticing the few baggages in the van truck. "Oh, sure. I will help."

He went to the opposite car door, making sure not to touch Dean when passing beside him. This didn't go unnoticed by the hunter, who lost his smile.

"Cas, is everything ok?" Dean called him before any of them could get in the car.

"Yes, I think so," Castiel frowned in confusion. "Why would it not be?"

"I don't know, but..." he slowly walked to the other side of the car, stopping in front of the angel. "Look, I understand that we're deep in so much crap, but this couple of days you've been... different, somehow. Since our date? Yeah, I still don't know what went wrong, but normally you're always fluttering in my personal space, and... last night was the first time that you went to your own room in a while."

"Emma's arrival was an extreme shock to you, Dean," Castiel excused himself, looking away. "You even lost consciousness. I considered it best for you to rest alone."

Dean gulped, unsure if to say something. The seraph had been hugely surprised by the existence of his amazon daughter, but beyond that he hadn't expressed any disgust or rejection, thank Chuck. An immense relief had flooded Dean at the moment, but perhaps he was getting ahead of himself? Maybe it was actually bothering his feathered companion in some way?

"Listen, yes it's weird, but it's not different than with Jack, Cas." He raised a hand, intending on placing it on the other's shoulder in a affectionate gesture. "And..."

A smacking sound resonated in the night before he could even graze the angel's trenchcoat. For a second, Dean wasn't sure what had happened, but the stinging sensation in his hand was more than a clear answer: he had been rejected.

"Cas?" he barely uttered the name, lowering his hand and feeling ice inside his chest.

Castiel snapped out of it, as much horrified as the hunter for what he had unconsciously done. Already fretting, he stared at Dean apologetically, seeing how much he had hurt the Righteous Man. Not physically, but the hand that he had shoved away was clenching, and he could perceive Dean's heart rate increasing, his breathing picking up in anxiety, eyes wide in dread. He saw him gulping, and... oh no, oh please no. Castiel could see it clear as dawn in his beloved's eyes, his walls building up, trying to hide his heart behind them, where he surely hoped nobody would harm him.

Just one time, and it had been enough. One single mishap and he had already broken Dean's heart.

"No, Dean!" Castiel implored, reaching out for him, but he stepped back. "Please, I am sorry! I did not mean... Please, do not go!"

"What... what are you saying now, 'don't go'? You're the one who pushed me away!" Dean yelled, trying but failing to control himself. "Is that it, Cas? Are you already tired of me? Bored of this human experimenting? Because if that's the case, you could have just said so, man. Not like I won't understand..."

"Dean, do not start this onto me again," Castiel warned him, abandoning his beseeching behaviour and setting in a more overbearing demeanour. "Do not dare to disparage yourself as any less than wondrous, not in my presence. I will not allow it."

"Yeah, sure," Dean scoffed. "You say that, but you're already getting far from me, not wanting me to even touch you!"

Castiel huffed, frustrated. His human wasn't listening. It was his own fault, of course, he knew it was. During their date he had let his own insecurities get him, and now Dean was paying the price. Talking it out wouldn't do, at least not until the Winchester calmed down. So it was time for action, insecurities be damned.

Grabbing Dean by the neck, he kissed him roughly.

Dean was still sputtering nonsense, so when the angel forced his tongue inside his mouth, he accidentally bit his lip. This didn't deter Castiel, though. Not even a complaint, focused as he was into kissing the Righteous Man until making his head spin. And that was no easy feature, considering the hunter's vast experience, but Castiel always gave his all in everything he did. He pushed Dean against the car door in case he attempted to get away, tangling their legs together and sneaking an arm around his waist, fitting their bodies together almost from head to toe.

Dean could barely breathe under the loving assault. His first thought had been resisting, shoving Castiel away like he had done to him a minute ago, but... fuck, the instant he felt his lips tingling due to the seraph's stubble he was lost. Who would have imagined that such a foreign sensation was addictive? It was making him hot and bothered all over, and having an unyielding celestial tongue in his mouth was so not helping.

"Cas..." he moaned, eagerly kissing him back, cupping his face. "Cas, what the hell are you playing at?"

"I apologize, Dean," he said again, taming down the rhythm now that Dean was not in the mood of escaping anymore. "This has been a misunderstanding. I do not want to part ways with you, Dean, not now and not ever. But being with you is... is so elating, that sometimes it is extremely difficult to control myself. I am afraid of hurting you."

"Why would you hurt me? Cas, buddy, you need to explain these things to me."

Castiel let out a deep sigh, effectively ending the kiss. He rested his forehead in Dean's shoulder, which the man took advantage of to hug him.

"During our date, while we were kissing just like right now, I felt so happy and overwhelmed by you, Dean, that I... I felt the impulse of touching you, really touching you. I mean with my real being. So I wrapped my wings around you, what is left of them at least. And... let's say it was not a good idea."

"You did what?" Dean said, surprised. "I don't remember... When was that?"

"How could you not remember?" Castiel locked eyes with him, a bit offended. "You turned around and shifted your shoulders, as if putting something off you. It was evident that my contact repulsed you."

"Chuckdammit, Cas, that wasn't...!" Dean grunted, finally understanding. "It's not what you think. I felt something scratching my back, and thought it was a twig or a bug. It was annoying me because I wanted to keep kissing you and... maybe other stuff too. I didn't know it was your wings! There's no repulsing part in you, Cas."

"Are you being truthful, Dean?" he didn't look very convinced. "Or are you only being sensitive about my feelings?"

"I care about your feelings, but I'm also telling the truth," Dean insisted, pecking him tenderly. "Next time you want to really touch me, I'll know it's you and not a mood-breaking twig."

Castiel decided to believe him, having reassured him and also being reassured back. He leaned on him, finding comfort on his warmth, when he felt something hard poking his thigh. Looking down, he couldn't resist the temptation of teasing Dean a bit more.

"About the 'maybe other stuff too' that you have mentioned, what exactly did you have in mind?" he asked, very innocently moving his leg against the hunter's current problem. "Anything I can help you with?"

"Hey, stop that, you naughty angel," Dean laughed, letting go of him and surrounding the car, finally getting in. "Let's leave that battle for another day. As for tonight, you're coming back to my room, ok?"

The so-called naughty angel merely smiled.

"As you wish, Dean."

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Sam wondered when was the last time that the bunker had been so full of people, if ever. All of them sitting in the library, the three tables and twelve chairs occupied, and also some of the armchairs. It was a strange image, considering that at first it had only been his older brother and him. The fact that one of the seats was being used by his very own resurrected soulmate only made it better, and he couldn't resist the grin that was trying to break on his face.

There was tension in the air, the kids looking at each other, curious about the new faces around. From his standing post at the end of the library, telescope behind him, Sam could see Claire's resentment painted on her face whenever she crossed eyes with Kaia, and the same could be said about Jacob towards Dean. He hoped that at least this first meeting would go peacefully.

"Ok everybody, let's make this fast and easy," Dean spoke from the other side, coming from the war room with an open notebook and a pen in his hands, Castiel after him. "There are too many of you currently here, so as lame as it sounds we're going to roll call, because who knows if there will be another chance? The sooner you know one another, the better. I'm Dean Winchester, hunter, and I'm pretty much the captain of this boat. This one next to me is Castiel, an angel of the Lord. Seraph, actually."

"Glad to make your acquaintance," he said politely.

"Now, for the rest of you, do you want to officially introduce yourselves?"

A few seconds of silence later, Sam decided to step in and try to break the ice.

"Hello, I'm Sam Winchester, Dean's younger brother. I'm also a hunter, and... a happily engaged man to the precious lady sitting next to the lamp," he smiled flirtatiously. "So don't bother hitting on her, because she's already taken."

This caused a couple of muted giggles when Jessica moved from the lamp to him and tenderly kissed him.

"Just like he said, this adorable giant is off the market," she chuckled. "I'm Jessica Moore, but you can call me simply Jess. Nice to meet you all."

"Way to score, Sammich!" Gabriel cheered, taking a lollipop out of his mouth. "Never thought that someday I'd actually understand what 'Too much sugar' meant, but you two could give a lesson. Beware your diabetes, children! I'm the archangel Gabriel, by the way, but you can also call me Your Majesty if you prefer. Sadly, you're all too young to call me Sexy Beast without making me uncomfortable."

"I'm the third and obviously more attractive angel," Balthazar said next, stretching his legs over the armchair. "Balthazar is the name. And as much as I care, I'd prefer if you just leave me alone to my own mischief and don't call me at all, darlings. But I know that very likely you're going to do so anyway. I'm too charming, which I understand, thus I'll forgive you."

"I am feeling extremely embarrassed right now, Dean," Castiel whispered to the hunter's ear. "But not for myself."

"Yeah, welcome to the club," he nodded, before raising his voice. "Anyone who wants to make an introduction without shaming oneself?"

"I'll accept the challenge," Rowena answered, standing from her chair in the middle table and slightly bowing her head. "Nice to meet you, little ones. I'm Rowena MacLeod, proud Scottish witch. My son, Fergus, was the last King of Hell. Currently I'm in the path of redeeming myself, and that's the only reason why I'm helping these two hunters."

"Cough/liar/cough," Sam humorously muttered, hiding a smile behind his fist and earning an annoyed scowl from the redhead.

After the witch's presentation came another stalling, which soon enough irked the older hunter.

"Whatever, I'm not going to wait all night for you kiddos to untie your tongues. Really, what's with all this shyness? Just raise your hand when I call you," Dean complained, taking a brief look at the notebook. "Claire Novak, huntress. Alex Jones, medic supporter. Patience Turner, psychic. Kaia Nieves, avatar and dreamwalker. Kevin Tran, Prophet of the Lord. Adam Milligan, little brother and... hunter? Supporter? Your choice, man. Jack Kline, nephilim. Jesse Turner, cambion. Jacob Pond, kitsune. And Emma... amazon. That's all. Julia, do you want to say anything about yourself?"

All gazes zeroed on her, the only person who was yet to make an introduction. The woman stood up, her hand never leaving Jesse's, and took a deep breath before speaking.

"Good evening. My... my name is Julia Wright," she said, willing the nerves out of her voice. "When I was young, I was possessed by a demon and gave birth to my son. I'm... I'm just a mother."

Nobody said a word after that, which eventually intimidated her to sit down again, but Sam understood. Demon possession was nothing extraordinary in their world, in the lives of all of them. Heard of more than once. But being 'just a mother'? Julia probably didn't have the slightest idea about how amazing that was, but the awed and forlorn looks in the children's faces spoke by itself.

Amelia died in her daughter's arms, after years of being apart. Celia had kidnapped Alex and almost turned her into a vampire. Tess had died of sickness when Patience was still little. Who knew what happened to the original Kaia's parents, but her mum was dead too. Linda had to say farewell to her son too many times already. Kate had been devoured by a ghoul. Kelly chose to die so her son could live. Amy had been killed for trying to heal her own. And Lydia... she very likely didn't even understand what a mum was supposed to be.

Sam swallowed hard, a lump forming in his throat, thinking about the mother he had lost before he could even remember her. One of his most treasured memories was the one when they had travelled back in time and finally had the chance of meeting her, her younger self, before Dean and him were born.

"Mothers are the most awesome thing in the entire universe, Julia," he heard Dean say, apparently thinking very similar as him. "Please, never consider yourself 'just a mother' again. I hope that Jesse is aware of how lucky he is."

This made Julia nod a bit, smiling timidly.

"So... what are we supposed to do now?" Claire spoke. "You casted that whatever spell that gave us all free tattoos, and here we are. What's next?"

"What if I don't want to be part of this?" Jacob asked, glaring intently at Dean. "I'm only interested in one very specific goal."

"You've already been added to the mix, whelp," Gabriel responded in his place. "All nine of you carry an angelic symbol, which allows you to channel certain power. The plan is to use that power to save the world, generally speaking. You can't say 'No'."

"Oh, that really answers all my doubts, thank you," the kitsune replied sarcastically.

"You're welcome."

"Gabriel, Claire's is a valid question," Sam opined, getting the conversation back on track. "You obviously know a lot more than us about the anunnaki, so please? What do we do now?"

The archangel sighed, bored, but he let go of his normal trickster persona and became serious.

"From here, there's not much you can actually do, besides the usual hunting part. These children have received a VIP card, so to speak. They're open channels, ready to assess the power, but said power needs a key. And those keys? Yes, I know where they are, more or less. All the red dots in the map?" Gabriel shook a hand towards Dean's direction, making him stand aside and clearing the view to the war room. "There you have them. Nine spots, one for each of the choirs. A concentration of angelic calling. Easy as pie! Go and harvest, the sooner the better."

"Why?" Dean asked, suspicious of the sudden rush.

"Because you may be the ones chosen to harness it, but it doesn't mean that other creatures won't sense it and covet it too. Or even humans."

"Dean!" Castiel called him, worry in his voice, standing by the map table. "One of the dots has changed colouration. Now it is purple."

"Great, it has already started," Gabriel rolled his eyes. "The keys should come directly to the ones they are addressed to, that's why they have been moving until now. But if one has set a nest, it won't move anymore. You have to go there and grab it yourselves."

"Where is located, Cas?" Dean asked, coming to the angel's side.

"Tennessee," Claire answered before he could, inhaling sharply.

"That... is correct," Castiel confirmed, confused.

Everyone looked at her, surprised, and she being the most surprised of all.

"How did you know?" Alex asked her.

"I'm not sure, but since today I've been feeling a... a tug, somehow. And right now, when I focused on it instead of ignoring, it was like a picture had been printed in my mind."

"That most probably means that it's the Seraphim key," Balthazar resolved. "She has to go there and collect it."

"Really? Just like that?" the blonde almost looked disappointed. "I expected it to be something more thrilling, like a case."

"Perhaps not yet, but nothing is telling us there won't actually be a case when you arrive," Gabriel figured. "An angelic signal is difficult to resist, and has a wide range of creatures to affect."

"Hey, wait a moment," Dean intervened, taking back the lead. "If we're preparing for a case, we're not doing it when about to go to sleep. This needs time and a fresh mind, and also certain precautions. So all of you, kids, to bed right now. We'll discuss this tomorrow and set a plan."

Contrary to his expectations, not even one protest was heard. Really, what a weird batch of children.


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