A/N: Thank you so much for reading! I hope you're enjoying this tale so far!

I do not own Supernatural, Sherlock Holmes, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, or any other songs/movies/tv shows and/or books that may be referenced in this story.

Chapter 16

Try a Little Happiness

It had been two months since Victoria Doyle had made up her mind to try and be happy. She had almost always been content, and she would have gladly spent the rest of her life that way. But happiness was something else entirely. Happiness was being passionate about something or someone. Happiness was investing in something other than yourself. They had been put on her doorstep so to speak, so she was going to invest in them.

Monsters came and went. The four took care of them without much fanfare. Victoria practiced and trained with Cas on a daily basis. She was becoming stronger each time. Her strength suited her. She felt very well.

Their dinners were never without interest, especially because Castiel didn't eat. He was there for the comradery of dinner alone. To him, and to the Winchesters even, dinner was a foreign concept. It was nice, homey, to have sit down dinners every night. Victoria quickly found herself enjoying it. Mary would usually cook the main part and Victoria would be responsible for whatever bread and dessert they would have, the boys would do the dishes. Castiel wasn't allowed in the kitchen during dishes because Mary and Victoria thought the boys would cheat by convincing him to do them angelically.

Whenever Victoria felt her dessert was exceptional she would give Castiel human taste buds so he could enjoy it with the rest of them. She was worried about doing it too often because she didn't understand the Angel digestive system. Cas assured her it was okay because he once ate hundreds of burgers with no 'unpleasant' consequences.

"What did you learn today Victoria?" Mary asked as she put an extra-large serving of mashed potatoes onto Dean's plate.

"I finally learned how to extinguish the fires I can set."

"That's good."

"I also learned that even the most seemingly demure of Angels can have one hell of a right hook."

Sam looked at Cas accusingly. "You hit her?"

Cas looked at the table. "She insisted, we were training. I healed her immediately after."

Victoria ate a bit of broccoli and smirked. "Normally, when I fight hand to hand I listen to the thoughts of whatever I'm fighting. It helps me anticipate their actions so I won't become captured or incapacitated. With Castiel, I stopped listening almost immediately, so I was surprised. It was very good training though, I may not always be able to listen so I need to learn to anticipate my opponents' moves without using my ability to read supernatural's minds."

"I do not ever wish to repeat that."

Victoria looked at Castiel, "You won't fight with me anymore?"

"I will not hurt you anymore, that was unpleasant. I do not want to replicate the feelings that produced."

Dean swallowed his mouthful of chicken. "Cas, you weren't out of control. You were you, training Tor. If you want, I'll sit in tomorrow, but I think she's got to get better at fighting. You can't smite everything."

"That is not true. I can smite everything."

"You can, but she can't. And one day she might have to fight, and you're the only one strong enough to train her. Sammy and I would snap like a twig. Right Tor?"

"I am somewhat stronger than the average human."

"I saw you lift the refrigerator the other day because mom dropped something behind it. Not scooted, lifted."

Victoria looked at Sam. "I'll rephrase, I am significantly stronger than the average human. However, I'm not as strong as the average angel. Dean's right Castiel, I do need to be trained in that area."

Cas conceded. "If you'll sit in, Dean, I will continue to train Victoria to fight."

"If you accidentally hit me again, I won't bring it up."

"That's worse somehow."

Victoria put down her fork and pulled Castiel's chair close to hers. The gesture surprised everyone at the table.

"Castiel, I need you. I'm going to get hurt from time to time, but that only makes me stronger. Literally. You have to let me get hurt, and you have to let me heal. You can't always heal me, sometimes I have to bleed. It's okay, it's who I am meant to be. I accepted that the moment Ezekiel saved me from that demon nine years ago. I promise not to make light of it since it upsets you, but you have to hit me so I can learn to block. You are it for me Angel, what I can become depends largely on you. Never underestimate yourself, ever."

She put her hand on his face so that he would look at her eyes. "And never think you're not worthy or good enough ever again. You are." She put her hand back in her lap.

"I honestly don't know what it is with you three, not a single one of you thinks you're good enough. You're willing to throw your lives away as if they do not matter at all. They do. I can't even begin to tell you how much."

Victoria pushed Cas's chair back to where it was and resumed eating. Her emotions were coming out more and more lately. She was worried they would get the better of her soon, the thought terrified her. She had never been one to feel to any extent. She cared, she empathized, but never had she cared this much about a particular group of people. In a little amount of time they had entered her heart as Ezekiel had.

Dean struggled with guilt for so long, he never thought of himself as the hero. Victoria helped him with that after her little speech in the car. He still didn't think he was a hero, but he no longer hated himself. He knew he saved people, people were alive because of him, and that was enough.

"Tell them what they are, Tor. Both of them."

"Can I finish my chicken?"

"No."

Victoria sighed as she put down her fork once more. She looked at Sam.

"Sam, you are selfless, almost to a fault. You put everyone else's lives above your own. Not exactly the most intelligent decision, but admirable nonetheless. You would die a thousand times over if someone else could live. You've made mistakes, but you've more than made up for them. People today are alive in this world because you killed the monsters that would have hunted them. People have families, dinners like this, kids, because of you. You are fueled by an undying love for your family, at first it was Dean, now Castiel and Mary are part of that too. You would do anything for any one of them, because you're loyal, strong, and unyielding. When I first met you I thought you were astute, and from me, that's quite a compliment. Most people are idiots. You're smart and relentless. You're strong, Sam Winchester, and that strength has saved countless lives."

Sam looked down at his plate. "Thanks Victoria."

"Don't thank me, Sam. I don't flatter. It's just truth."

Sam snorted a smile.

She turned to Castiel. "I have told you, almost since the moment I met you about how wonderful you are. I may be more inclined to feel that way towards you because of your species, but my feelings are of no consequence. Without your thoughts coming into play, I can read you almost as well as I can any human. I think that's because you are almost human. You don't think like other angels. You think as I would imagine a human would. You have insecurities and doubts. You always want to know if you're doing the right thing. That's what I wonder, Castiel. That's what we, as humans, wonder. If we're doing the right thing. Ezekiel was so confident in his decisions, but when there was a choice before us, he let me choose. He said it was because it was his duty, but I think it was also because he somehow knew that was the right thing to do. Do not worry so much about doing the right thing as long as you do worry. When you stop worrying, and you're sure you're doing the right thing, that's when you need to reevaluate. You're the most powerful of species with a human's heart, you're almost perfect."

Victoria turned her attention to Dean. "Can I finish my chicken now?"

"Yeah, Tor, you've earned it."

They ate the rest of their dinner in silence. Not in awkward silence, or in a worrisome silence, where something yearns to fill the void. It was a comfortable silence, because for the first time in a long time, everyone at that table was content with who they were. Not just because of Victoria's words, although they helped, but because they had been forming a family. A weird family, but what family isn't at least a little bit weird?

Victoria had agreed to let Sam try to engage her in television. They were in his room watching "Midsomer Murders" on Netflix when she got a text message. She debated on telling Sam who the murderer was before she read it. She decided against it.

"Holy crap."

Sam paused the show. "What is it, Tor?" Sam had started calling her by Dean's nickname.

"My sister is missing. I have to go." She started to get off the bed, then looked back at Sam, "Will you go with me?"

"Yeah."

Sam turned the TV off as he got up and started to get his bag. Victoria was already in her room, packing furiously.

She rushed out to the living quarters and waited for Sam, he was already there.

Dean and Cas walked over to her.

"I'm sorry, Tor." Dean thought about giving her a hug, thought better of it and just stood there.

"Victoria, if you need my assistance in any way…"

"Of course, Castiel, I will call you."

"You can pray to me, that will work too now."

Victoria smiled a little, "Of course. If I do, bring him, because it will be something Sam and I can't handle on our own."

Sam picked up her bag. "Your car?"

Victoria nodded as Sam headed up the stairs.

"You'll come back, right Tor?"

She looked at Dean. "Honestly, there's no place I'd rather be."

The ride was a long one and Victoria was glad Sam didn't try to make conversation. Victoria hated to admit it, but the tall one was winning her over. Victoria could feel her eyes getting heavy.

"Can you drive, Sam?"

"Your car? This car?"

"No, the other car we brought. Of course this car."

"You're not you when you're tired."

"Are you quoting a candy bar commercial to me?"

"Yes?"

Victoria snorted. "Can you drive a manual?"

"Of course."

Victoria pulled over and switched with Sam. She reclined her seat as Sam struggled to adjust his. Once he got it and buckled his seat belt he roughly took off.

Victoria stared at him as the car bucked each time he shifted. He looked over at her sheepishly.

"It may have been a while since I drove a stick."

"How long?" Her accent returned.

"College?"

"College? How long ago was that?"

"12 years?"

"Sam Winchester, if you hurt my baby, I may never forgive you." Her accent was strong, and it took everything in him not to chuckle.

"You would forgive me, but I won't. Go to sleep, you look tired."

As soon as Sam knew she was asleep he pulled out his phone.

Dean looked at his clock before he answered, "Sammy, you okay?" He rubbed his eyes and sat up.

"Dean, guess what I'm doing."

"Do I want to know?" Dean was concerned by the excited, whispered tone in his brother's voice.

"I'm driving the 'Stang."

"No crap? She's letting you drive it?"

"She was tired so, yeah."

"I guess you're the favorite."

Sam thought it was about time he was someone's favorite.

Victoria's apartment was two stories. The kitchen and living room were on the first floor, and the bedrooms were on the second. Sam stood in the small entryway, unsure of what to do with his bag.

Victoria was already heading up the stairs. She could tell Sam was not following her.

"You can stay with me."

"In your room?"

"Yes."

Sam followed her. He walked by the second bedroom and looked in. It was filled with books and file folders. Papers were strewn out all over the floor, and books were open, filling the large desk.

Her room was an entirely different story. It was very clean, spotless even.

Victoria turned around to look at Sam. "The right side is mine. If you need to shower the guest bath is attached to my office. Towels are hanging up in there."

Sam put his bag down on the left side of the bed.

"If it would make you more comfortable Tor, I can sleep on the couch."

"My couch is small. You're not. The bed is a King. It's fine. Besides, we've both fallen asleep watching TV on your bed, is there a difference?"

She went into the bathroom and closed the door behind her. Sam figured she was right, there wasn't a difference. He went to the guest bath to shower.

When he got back she was already asleep. He smiled slightly as he stealthily lifted the comforter to lay down.

Sam's eyes quickly opened as he heard a noise downstairs. He looked over and saw that Victoria was sound asleep. He grabbed his gun and quietly went to investigate.

He walked down the stairs and was taken aback to see a slightly over middle-aged woman putting stuff into the fridge. He just stood there, unsure of what to do.

She turned around and looked at him. "Hello there. You just gonna stand there, or are you gonna help me put these groceries away?"

Sam just then noticed it was full daylight. He walked towards the lady. He noticed the gun was still in his hand. He didn't know what to do it with it.

"Just put it on the counter, hon. I ain't scared of it."

Sam snorted a chuckle as he laid his 45 on the counter that separated the kitchen from the living room.

"Victoria still asleep?"

"Yes Ma'am."

"Good, I'm worried that child doesn't get enough rest. Hand me those two bags off the floor."

Sam did so.

"Now put this in that little cabinet above the fridge. I can't reach."

Sam took the cereal box and placed it above the fridge.

The lady handed Sam two cups of coffee.

"One's for you and one's for Victoria. Go take it to her, and tell her breakfast will be ready in twenty minutes. Both of you better be back down here then. No funny business."

"No ma'am."

Sam smiled as he took the cups of coffee upstairs.

He placed one on Victoria's nightstand then took his to his place on the left side.

"Tor." He whispered.

No response.

"Tor." He said, a little louder.

She turned over to look at him.

"Its morning, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it is. I'm supposed to tell you breakfast will be ready in twenty minutes."

Victoria smiled. "Mrs. Turner's here?"

"Either that or another pushy, nice lady."

Victoria sat up and took a couple drinks of her coffee. She looked over at Sam.

"Thank you for the coffee."

"I was given instructions."

"Are you aware you're in your shorts?"

Sam looked down. "I am now."

Victoria laughed. "Mrs. Turner's husband has been dead for around five years now, I'm sure she appreciated the view."

"I heard a noise downstairs and just went. I thought it was still night."

"I have room darkening blinds. My hours aren't always nine to five, as you know."

Sam nodded. "I uh, better get dressed."

Victoria stood up. "Me too."

The three of them were sitting around Victoria's table eating Mrs. Turner's breakfast of biscuits, gravy, scrambled eggs, and bacon. Sam thought Dean would be jealous, so he was trying to take a picture without being noticed.

"Is this where you've been, Victoria?" Mrs. Turner pointed her thumb at Sam, "Not that I could blame ya."

Sam tried his best not to look embarrassed as he continued to eat.

"Sam and his brother are assisting me in a case. I've been staying with them while we are working on it." She looked at Sam. "And I like their company."

"This one has a brother? How big is he?"

"Shorter."

Mrs. Turner looked disappointed. "So, he's not your new special friend?"

Victoria knew what Mrs. Turner meant, she had referred to Ezekiel as her 'special friend'. The idea of 'friend' in general had been a foreign concept to her for such a long time.

"No, he's my friend."

Sam smiled at her, and she returned it.

"What a waste, if you ask me. Look at him." Mrs. Turner shook her head from side to side.

Victoria did look. "He's a good person Mrs. Turner, I'm very fortunate to have him in my life in any capacity."

"So you don't have a new special friend?" Mrs. Turner sensed a change in Victoria after her last special friend left around three years ago. She became even more distant. Not rude, not ever rude, just sadder, somehow.

Victoria slightly smiled, "I do, actually. He lives with Sam and his brother."

Sam looked at her. "Cas?"

Victoria nodded.

"That's a strange name for a man."

"It's Castiel, actually."

"Sounds angelic."

"It is."

Sam looked at her questioningly.

"It's the Angel of Thursday. He was born on a Thursday."

"He's a Catholic?"

"Yes."

"Well, not everyone's perfect."

Sam stifled a laugh.

Mrs. Turner got up to put the extra food away. "Will he be coming and going at all hours of the night like the other one?"

"I don't know, I plan to go back as soon as Elizabeth is home."

"Well, I'd like to meet him. Is he odd? The other one was odd."

"Yes, he's odd. But I am too, so it works."

Mrs. Turner walked over to them to get their plates. "Whatever makes you happy baby, but I would've taken this one. You two better skedaddle over to your sister's place. Will you be back before supper time?"

"We'll try, I'll call you if not."

Sam looked over at Victoria. "I have to ask."

"Hum?"

"Mrs. Turner seems like the kind of person you would not get along with."

"Really?"

"Yes, she's nosy, and pushy, but very sweet, I really liked her, but she doesn't seem to go with your personality."

"I moved into that apartment when I was twenty two. Fresh out of college, she does not have any children of her own and she just sort of took to me. What's funny is I never really even appreciated her until I lived with ya'll, she took on a mother role with me. I didn't know what that was like until your mother, and now I see the similarities."

"She called Ezekiel your special friend?"

"I didn't know how to correct her. It's not easy to explain who I am Sam. It's not like I can say 'I'm gay', I'm not, I'm not anything, I'm just me."

"You're asexual."

Victoria paused and Sam hoped he hadn't offended her.

"Yes, I suppose that's the closest label, but that often comes with questions and explanations. It was just easier to let her think we were in a relationship. Much easier than explaining I was a Chosen One and he was my Angel. Can you imagine? She would have spent the next however many years trying to convert him into a Baptist."

Sam laughed.

Victoria looked over at Sam. "You, Dean, Mary, and Castiel have been the only people who have ever truly taken the time and effort to understand me. I cannot tell you how much that means."

"You're special Tor. Not just because you're a Chosen One or whatever, but because you're you. You're worth getting to know. And that's not flattery."

Sam smiled at her as they pulled into the driveway of a very large, traditional, Southern Home.

Victoria turned off the engine and sighed. "Well, this is it."