Chapter 15: Whine and Dine
"Earth angel, Earth angel, will you be mine? My darling dear, love you all the time…" The radio crackled as the last station fell out of range. Tells Landing was truly in the middle of nowhere. The last half-hour the Impala had been driving on a single stretch of highway with absolutely nothing visible in either direction. The expanse rolled outward to either side, a sheet of white speckled with the occasional gray smudge of a tree far on the horizon. The heater was on full but somehow it was even colder here than it had been in Canada-and according to the paper they'd picked up that morning it was due to get even colder in the next few days.
Cas had tried to determine anything he could about the angel in Tells Landing, but due to his powers being limited courtesy of a heavenly signal jammer the only thing he could sense as they neared a sign declaring the town 10 miles away was that there was an angel 10 miles away, and even then, just barely.
"Any idea who we might be dealing with? The last angel was in intelligence, do you think this one might be the same?" Sam asked as he glanced into the backseat where Cas was seated.
Travel by automobile was unpleasant for the angel. Cas would much rather fly where he needed to go-it was faster and far less taxing on his vessel's lower back from the constant sitting-but due to his inability to travel far or carry others with him without exhaustion he dealt with the car. He huffed silently, "Your supposition is as good as any I may make. Unfortunately I seem unable to sense much more than the presence of an angel due to the limitations imposed on me by heaven."
Dean frowned slightly, it was clear that Cas was feeling moody due to his reduced state, "Don't worry Cas, we can handle it. No need to whine about heaven. Just relax for a bit until we get to town then help us figure out where to go."
The angel nodded, slightly reassured of his value in contribution despite the current neutering of his abilities. As they entered the town-if one could really call it that-Cas guided the black sedan through the streets until they entered a square in the center of town. He instructed Dean to park. "They are in that silver building." He pointed at a diner that was set across from a small WW2 memorial in the center of the square.
The Tell's Tavern was not really a tavern at all. The silver stainless-steel building was no. 5603 by Silk City Diner and was a relatively standard pre-fabricated dining-car style eatery. There was no alcohol, nor any other beverage of potentially ill-repute, the three discovered when greeted with the menu. As Sam and Dean looked through the heavy cardstock sheets it was evident that it was ordinary fare for them and the two quickly determined what they wanted to eat. While they waited for a table-the establishment was surprisingly full, or perhaps unsurprisingly given how it was the only eatery in town it appeared-Dean nudged Cas.
"Who is it?" He whispered, Sam too looking around at the patrons and staff to see which person was the angel they'd be speaking to.
"The waitress with the blonde curls." Cas nodded toward a girl who still appeared to be in high-school. She was wearing the same blue and white dress as the other two waitresses and walked over to greet them as a table had just opened.
"Hello boys. Table for three?" She smiled as she revealed a set of near luminescent teeth.
"Yes, please." Sam smiled as she guided them to the open booth.
"Sorry about the wait, we had a few more than normal today. I'm Bernadette and I'll be your waitress. What can I get for you to drink?" She asked as the three men sat down.
"Two coffees and a water." Dean replied, knowing Sam and Cas' usual preferences.
"Alright, I'll be back with that in just a minute." She smiled again as she returned to the counter to get a carafe of coffee.
She brought back two white mugs and a glass of water and poured the brothers a cup of coffee each. "Are you ready to order or would you like a minute more to look at the menu?"
"I think we're ready to order." Dean said, checking with Sam-who responded with a slight shrug of agreeance. "I'll have the number 6 with fried eggs and bacon."
"Alright, and you?" She asked Sam.
"I'll take a number 3 with scrambled eggs and sausage." He replied, knowing his preferred method of eggs-Benedict would likely be frowned upon during a rush.
"And what about you?" She asked, closely eyeing Cas.
"I think I'll just have some oatmeal." He responded, knowing a lack of an order would be cause for suspicion, but knowing that any more substantial foods would be an irritant to have to bother consuming.
After an above-average diner breakfast-well, above average for the two who did more than pick at the food they'd been presented-the diner had mostly cleared as the breakfast rush had passed.
"So, how do we handle it? We can't just confront her like we did Bart…" Dean whispered.
"I suppose I will ask to speak with her-it is evident from the way she has observed us throughout the meal that she is aware of who I am." Cas responded
"Are you sure?" Sam asked.
"At the moment there are few other viable options that remain socially acceptable." The angel replied as he stood up and walked over to Bernadette. She was clearing an empty booth as the other remaining waitress was talking to a regular at the far end of the counter. The third waitress-a brunette with cats-eye glasses-had left about ten minutes before, her shift having ended on the hour. "I understand that you and I are both aware of what we are." He spoke quietly, making sure not to draw attention.
She responded without looking up from the table, "Yes, I am aware."
"I would like to speak with you. Are you able to talk soon?"
"I have a break at 10:30. I'll meet you across from the memorial in the square on the bench out front of the Woolworths." She replied. Cas nodded and returned to the brothers.
**SPN**
It was 10:32 when Bernadette left the diner and walked across the square to the three men sitting on the green bench in front of the brick Woolworths façade. She was tightly wrapped in a wool jacket in a similar blue color to her uniform, a contrast to the more drab greys and blacks that the three men wore with their suits and overcoats. She approached the three and silently appraised them, this time her looks far more cutting than they'd been in the restaurant earlier.
"So brother, what may I call you?"
"Castiel, and what may I call you?"
"Esther."
"I suppose you have heard from the host about my status. The message was broadcast throughout this realm upon my fleeing from heaven. If you would allow me I can explain all that has occurred and what will happen if our brethren get their ways."
She was silent for a moment, "Yes, I did hear about you. And I suppose you have convinced these two humans to help you." She looked at the brothers, "You know it is dangerous to rely so closely on humans, particularly those of their stock."
Sam and Dean exchanged a quick glance of confusion.
"It may be under some circumstances, but given all that is happening it would be foolish not to ally with them. And beyond that, these two are my companions-more than simple helpers." Cas retorted.
"And pray tell, what is happening that necessitates it? You mentioned earlier our brethren have some plan?" She crossed her arms.
"Yes-" Cas hesitated, "-I suppose it makes sense to explain from the beginning all that has happened so that I may fully convince you of my honesty and position…"
Cas explained everything. He explained the brothers and their position in the center, his escape from heaven, even the recruitment of Bartholomew. Occasionally Sam or Dean would comment some additional detail, but it was clear that the conversation was between the two angels. Eventually she was convinced well enough that she agreed.
"I will seek out the center and see if they are as you say. If they are I will assist in preventing this demonic atrocity from coming to pass." She looked carefully at the brothers, "But do be careful brother-there is much more danger close at hand than you suspect." And with that Esther had disappeared.
It was nearing midday and so the three retired to the sole motel in town-a three-room affair attached to the back of the local bar. It wasn't in bad shape, but it certainly wasn't modern. The rooms appeared two decades old at least-as was evidenced by the only bathroom being shared by all three rooms. Considering they were the only guests, however, it wasn't too bad a state of affairs.
As soon as Dean had laid down on his bed the phone rang. Sam picked it up.
"It's R." He announced. "Our next angel is in Cooperstown, Nevada; Esther has arrived at the center, and the demons have succeeded in reaching 37 seals…"
"What?! It's only been a little over a week!" Dean nearly leapt off the mattress.
"A week nearly unimpeded. For every one we manage to stop they go after three more." Sam sighed as he hung the phone back up. "We're gonna need a miracle."