Gimme Light's Shelter

It's not what we usually do.

Angela listened to Castiel on the other end of the phone as he explained what was going on. From what he was telling her, she suspected that the cause was more human. She softly said, "Monsters come in all forms, Cas."

I don't understand.

Angela smiled softly at the confusion she heard in the angel's voice. She rarely heard it anymore. Her angel essentially had grown up in the ways of the human world. He had become a little more snarky the last few years and had been secretly amused in his manner. It only made her affection grow more, especially the way he expressed himself about Jack.

Humming softly until it turned into a chuckle, she replied, "There are other ways someone could be a monster."

You think it's a human.

"Let's just say that I've seen a lot of things in my lifetime," she said. "Be careful and look after Jack."

I will.

"Bye bye Cassy," Jess' little voice piped up. "Bye bye Jacky."

Angela chuckled as she heard Castiel say good bye to her daughter. She heard the click and hung up the phone. She smiled as she watched her daughter giggle as she started to play with her toys on the floor. The little girl never failed to make her smile with her antics whether it was getting Dean to play with her or doing something on her own.

She did wonder if she was fair with Jess in terms of her playing with other children. True Jess was only three but that didn't mean she had to isolate her. She did take her out with her, but as far as Angela knew, Jess had played with other children. Just not human children. She sighed sadly as she watched Jess play.

"If anything you're a better mother than most humans."

Angela turned sharply to see the one person she least expected to be there. Her eyes widened as she saw her surprise visitor but kept her calm composure. It was a habit she could never break out of and it served well when confronted by enemies. "I try to do right by Jess. It is a surprise to see you Amara."

Amara sat across from Angela, a little miffed that she wasn't receiving more of a reaction from the woman, but she was also impressed. "Here I was hoping that I'd have the same reaction the last time we met."

"I try not to let unpleasantness fester in front of my daughter. Tea?" Angela offered a cup from the tea tray that was next to her.

Amara accepted the cup of tea. Angela poured herself another cup and said, "Are you aware that Sam and Dean are looking for you?"

"More or less," Amara said. "I am surprised you are not with them." She then looked at the little girl that was looking at her with wide eyes of curiosity. "Then again I can see why."

Angela glanced over at Jess to see her staring at Amara. She took a sip as she looked back at Amara. "It was my decision and one that Sam and I both agreed on."

"Seems that you are making it work out."

Angela paused at that. She was reminded of recent events. Sam had acknowledged how much her feelings had been hurt by the wood nymph's influence. He acknowledged his part in it. Dean eventually understood his part in the whole thing and she forgave him readily for it. Still, it made things tense at home. She had little desire to do the things she had done before the nymph came into their lives.

Her confidence had been broken. Not so much in regards to fighting, but what she wanted to be most. That was to be a good partner and provider for her family in terms of being mother. Her feelings of inadequacy unworthiness had returned. It was a hard blow and she wasn't sure if she would ever go back.

Amara noticed the change in Angela's demeanor and tried to change the subject, "Well… Jess certainly is happy and healthy. I guess my protection was not needed."

Angela looked at Amara and said, "It was welcome. Still is."

By then, Jess had toddled up to Amara. She was looking at Amara while holding onto her toy lamb. Amara stared at Jess. It would have caused laughter and Angela was gently smiling at her daughter. Jess got closer and continued to stare at Amara. Finally, Jess smiled and said, "Pretty like Mama."

Amara blinked at Jess when the little girl reached out for a hug. She wasn't sure what to do and didn't receive encouragement from Angela. She tentatively picked up Jess and was surprised when the little girl wrapped her arms around her to give her a hug. "Uh… thank you? I…" She wasn't sure what to think or say and looked at Angela.

Angela smiled, "Jess likes you."

"And you're not concerned?"

"Why should I?"

Amara looked at Angela. It was one of the things that she didn't understand about the woman across from her. She remembered someone completely different. It was partially why she did what she did for the baby.

"I am not who you remember. I don't even know who that is," Angela said, knowing what Amara was thinking. "I'm just… me."

Amara studied Angela as she held Jess. She then smiled, "I guess you are."

Angela smiled gently as she folded her hands. "Sam and Dean are looking for you. They wish to speak with you."

"I know." Amara then just frowned, "And you aren't concerned about me knowing that?"

"No." Angela shook her head slightly. At the unasked question, she explained, "Because I sense that you are curious about what they want."

"And you aren't going to tell me." Amara smirked at that. "Well played."

"Actually, I can but I know as well as you that you are interested. Aside from past history." Angela smirked back. She sighed, "I figured that was why you came to see me. I still have loyalty to my husband." She smirked again.

Amara chuckled and replied, "That is the one I remember. You are also different." She stood up and held Jess out to her mother. She looked at the little girl. "You have a special little one there."

"I know," Angela replied as she accepted her daughter. "And it's not because I'm her mother."

"Never was in doubt." Amara then turned a sober expression towards Angela. "And you shouldn't doubt them either. How they feel about you."

Angela looked up at Amara as she sat Jess on her lap. "I know. Old wounds." She held her daughter and went quiet but she gave off an air of contentment. It was the truth since she was content being a mother and wife, even with its ups and downs.

Amara smiled slightly. "Just the same. I know how much Sam cares about you. I noticed it the first time we met." She smirked, "And just as defiant. To be honest, I am curious to see how you would fare against my brother."

"And that will be a mystery."

"I don't know. I have a feeling."

Angela didn't argue with Amara and let her depart. She smiled and chuckled as she held her baby on her lap. Jess said, "Pretty like Mama."

Angela looked at her daughter, "You think so?"

"Like Mama," Jess said, beaming happily.

Angela cuddled her daughter. She thought about what was happening now; Billie's plan that involved Jack. She knew that the boys went to find Amara and ask for her help. She could have done it, but she had sensed that it wasn't her place to do so. Yet, this conversation served a purpose. She looked at her daughter as she was playing with her toy lamb and smiled, "Want to make something special for Papa and Uncle Dean?"

Jess' excited squeal made Angela smile. She stood up and walked with her daughter to the kitchen. Thinking about it, it was a luxury to worry about hurt feelings. It didn't meant that they weren't important and Sam said he was sorry. She could give back, even if they were baby steps. She added, "Let's not forget Cas and Jack."

"Jacky n Cassy!"

Angela chuckled at her daughter's names for the people that mattered most. She sighed as her thoughts went to the ones constantly on her mind. While she understood what Billie was going for, doing whatever it took, she couldn't help but have a sense of foreboding about the whole thing. Like there was something else and she was dying to know.

A/N: Angela is feeling low about recent events and gets an unexpected visitor. Tag to Gimme Shelter.