The Forgotten Daughter

~Chapter Three: A Beautiful Soul~

April 14th, 2006

Castiel's POV*

The moment I saw her, I knew she was like no other human. She was so young and beautiful. Looking at her, I felt something inside my vessel stir. Her brothers were sleeping at her bedside when I first laid my eyes on her and as I stood in front of her hospital bed, I closely studied her features. Her auburn hair lay braided to the left side of her face, only leaving her bangs loose. Her skin was fair and freckles dotted her cheeks. Her build was curvy and she weighed approximately one hundred and fifty-one pounds. By the looks of it she was around five feet and four inches tall and, she looked nothing like either one of her brothers. Across her forehead lay a large gash from the accident and across her face sat an oxygen tube. Her name was Mary.. Mary Nicole Winchester.. She was the only daughter of John and Mary Winchester, and by all accounts was the child that was never meant to be born or so they say. Mary Nicole was just a child, she was only fifteen when I became her protector.

I remember well the day I was informed of my new position in heaven. It was the day, my life would forever change.

*Flash Back*

I stood listening to Naomi brief the garrison over the demon activity. Earth was slowly fading away before our eyes and heaven was now chaos. Since the beginning of time I was what called a Seraph, basically meaning a warrior angel. Compared to my brothers and sisters, I felt different. I saw humanity as beautiful, and not just some planet God had made. I had at many times been punished for my sympathy for humanity and had learned to keep my thoughts to myself. After all when it came to being an angel, Orders were orders.

"Castiel!" A voice called from the double doors behind me.

Turning around I was surprised to see Nathaniel, a messenger angel staring anxiously at me.

"Yes Nathaniel."

" Joshua, has sent for you, " he explained, " He said the matters were urgent and needed you immediately. "

Looking to Naomi, I awaited her signal to excuse me. When she nodded to me, I turned once more back to Nathaniel and followed him.

"Has he said what was so urgent?" I asked.

"No, " he explained, " He only sent me to fetch you. "

Joshua was a gardener, he was the only angel who God directly spoke to. It was said when Joshua spoke, his words were not to be taken lightly. Out of all the angels, why did he send for me?

Rounding the corner, we approached a large set of double doors. The doors were made of solid glass and looking through them I could see the many plants and flowers the garden held.

"He is in there," Nathaniel spoke , breaking the silence between us as he pointed to the doors. "Thank you Nathaniel," I replied as I stepped towards the doors.

Opening the doors, I stared in awe at the beauty before me. As I walked through the garden on the brick path, I searched for Joshua.

"I've been waiting for you Castiel," Joshua said from behind me.

Turning around I stared confused at the elder angel , "Why is it you have sent for me?"

He walked to me and smiled as he spoke, " God has a job for you Castiel. "

"What job could he have for me Joshua? What is so special about me?" I asked curiously.

" Out of all the angels, you are the most sympathetic for the task before you. You respect humanity Castiel, and above all have always tried to protect it... Even if it meant being disobedient, " he explained with a smirk on his face before continuing, " The Winchester family, you know of them? "

"Yes, what of them."

" The youngest, the daughter Mary.. God has commanded that you be her protector Castiel. She is very special and God has made it a point to chose you as her protector from now on, " Joshua informed me as he watered his flowers.

"Why me? I'm a soldier Joshua, never have I been a protector," I questioned.

"The young girl's fate is of utmost importance to him. Her destiny must be fulfilled, but only when the time is right... Her path chosen is very different from her brothers Castiel. The young girl is far from ordinary, and her faith is astonishing, " he quipped as he sat down his watering can.

" I thought she was never meant to be born? The prophecy only spoke of her two brothers, never did it speak of her. "

"Because, her destiny has yet to be written by scribe, Castiel... I know nothing of what the prophecy holds for her, but I do know that it is now your job to protect her ," he explained as he walked away.

I looked at him in shock as he turned away, " Where is she? "

"Room 15, Sioux Falls Hospital.. She is in critical condition, and in a coma at the moment. She needs to wake Castiel.. Go now and take a vessel , she needs you," Joshua spoke as he walked away.

"What of the garrison?" I questioned .

"They need not to know right now Castiel.. Now go."

Without further hesitation, I descended heaven and found my vessel.

*Present Day*

The monitors in her room beeped, as her chest would rise and fall weakly. Walking from the end of the bed to her side, I inspected her body for injuries. My heart felt heavy as I ran my hand over her legs... She was paralyzed from her waist down..

As I touched her forehead with two fingers, I tried to heal her completely. The damage to her legs however was too great for me to heal at once. I prayed over time I could help her to get better, and allow her to walk again. Her eyes began to flutter open, and quickly I made myself invisible by the door to her room. As her eyes opened, the heart in my vessel clenched. Her eyes were the most beautiful shade of green, I had ever seen.

I stood back watching her as she awoke. She looked around the room confused as to where she was, and then it her. Mary Nicole closed her eyes as she remembered, and tears began to fall down her freckled face. When she opened her eyes once more, she squeezed her brother Dean's hand as she looked at him. As she spoke, I listened in awe. Her voice was almost angelic as she conversed with her brothers, that was until she went to move from her bed.

"I can't feel my legs," she cried out looking at her brothers , " Why can't I feel my legs? "

Her eyes filled with fresh tears as she tried to move. I felt sad as I saw the tears stream down her face, and in that moment I wanted to take her pain away. I continued to listen as her brothers spoke to her along with the doctors later that day. Nicole as her brothers called her remained silent, after Dean had told her she may never walk again. She listened as her doctor would speak to her, but when asked if she understood, she would simply nod.

Later that night , I stood in the back of the room still invisible to those around me. Nicole had brushed through her curly hair and pulled it back to the left side of her face. Her brother Sam had helped her to change earlier and now she wore a pair of loose pajama pants with a AC/DC shirt.

"Sis," Dean spoke to her waking her up from her nap , " The doctor sent in your papers for your wheelchair.. Sam and I are going to go pick it up downstairs... Do you want one of us to stay with you? I can stay if you want."

She shook her head "no" to him and turned away. Dean stood from his chair and kissed her forehead, before leaving her. When the door to her room shut, Nicole's body began to shake as she sobbed. Walking to her bed, I sat invisibly in the seat her brother once occupied and placed my head in my hands. I couldn't help but wonder why? Why did she have to go through this. If she was so special, then why did she have to suffer? Her voice broke the silence after a few moments and I looked up as she spoke.

"I would get on my knees and pray lord, but right now it is almost impossible... I want you to know, I'm not angry, however I am sad about my situation.. I know it is your will Lord and that you have a reason for everything you do... Lord I don't ask that you heal me, I will accept my condition. But I do ask that you be with my family and watch out for My brothers. I know they are trying to be strong for me, but really I can tell it's more for them.. Please Lord protect us and help give us your guidance..In your name Lord, Amen, " Nicole prayed in between sobs.

I looked to her astonished by her words as she wiped her face. Joshua was right about her faith, and for someone in her condition to not be angry or selfish, proved to me her faith was strong. Nicole was indeed special and now, I knew why I had to protect her.

*Two years later: May 26, 2008*

Sitting on the rickety porch, I watched as she waved her brothers goodbye. Her oldest brother Dean's time would be up in less than seven hours and off to hell he would go. Nicole had tried for the past year to be strong for her brothers, but when she was alone, she often would cry. Due to her condition, the three men begged her to stay at the worn down cabin and although she wanted to argue and fight with them, she did not. Now an hour later, she still sat outside at the end of the driveway waiting and praying for her brothers return.

Night was drawing near, and the sky above began to roar from the thunder. As the rain began to pour, Nicole slowly wheeled herself into the old cabin and settled in front of the fireplace. I watched as she fiddled with the ring upon her finger and the necklace upon her neck.

In the past few years I had been her protector, I had learned everything about her. Nicole had blossomed into ( if possible) an even more beautiful woman and even now as she got older, she had kept her body's natural curves. She had become an enchanting young woman and a very independent one as well. Often Nicole was alone. After the accident, her brothers left her in Sioux Falls with her adopted uncle Bobby. No longer did she hunt, but instead did research for her brothers and uncle. Nicole had learned to cook after six months of being wheelchair bound and even taught herself to play piano. When she wasn't baking or researching, she ran the salvage yard for Bobby. She knew almost everything there was to know about cars, and even though she stayed busy, she never felt more alone.

As Nicole sat in front of the fireplace, she began to fall asleep. Once asleep, I made my appearance noticeable and watched as her chest rose and fell with each breath. Reaching out, I let my fingers brush her bangs away from her face. My fingers lingered upon her freckled cheeks as she slept, I couldn't help but smile at her peacefulness. Closing my eyes, I tried to heal her more but had yet again no success.

Over time I had been able to heal her in small spurts, but never completely. I had asked Joshua before why it was I couldn't help her completely heal. He always answered with, " She will heal in her own time. " The response always bothered me to no end, but as an angel, I knew it was not my place to ask any further questions.

Walking to the worn couch across the room, I picked up a throw blanket and placed it upon her lap. Nicole had always gotten cold so easily especially at night as she slept. Sitting next to her, I watched the grandfather clock closely. Midnight was only seconds away, and I knew Sam would soon call and tell her of Dean's passing. I feared for her well being, and I knew the death of her brother would be hard on her.

Moments later her cellphone rang waking her up from her slumber. As she opened her eyes, I made myself invisible to her.

"Sammy," she said as she answered her phone rubbing the sleep from her eyes, " No.. No, no no, " she cried as she dropped the phone to the floor.

I watched as she screamed and threw various objects around the cabin. She was hurting and all I wanted to do was comfort her as she cried. Dean was dead and Nicole was heartbroken. Early the next morning, Sam and Bobby arrived back at the cabin and later that day they buried Dean.

*Nine days later June 4th, 2008*

Since Dean had past, I barely left her side. I would listen to the other angels in my head and be briefed on the situations of heaven, but never did I leave her. At night she would pray for her brothers and often she cried. I sat next to her bed as she slept and when she had nightmares, I would hold her hand. I grew to deeply care for her, but I knew knowing my position I could not feel any further emotions towards Nicole.

The sun began to rise outside and the light poured over Nicole's room. The sunlight formed a halo effect around her auburn hair causing her pale skin to illuminate. I watched her chest as she breathed and smiled as I thought of all the progress she had made. Nicole had began to feel her legs again, and now she could even stand with support. Out of all the humans I had healed, she was the only one I could not. Looking to the wall, I noticed her calendar. It was a Tuesday and she strongly disliked Tuesday's. Her alarm soon began to radiate throughout the room and as her eyes fluttered I disappeared once more.

Nicole soon sat up in her bed and turned her alarm clock off. She sighed as she saw it was 7:30. Throwing back her bed blankets, I watched as she one by one lifted her legs off the bed. Gripping the night stand, she pulled herself into a standing position to allow herself to sit in her chair. Wheeling to the vanity mirror, I watched she brushed through her curly hair and clipped it neatly into a bun. As she set down her brush, she noticed her brothers necklace upon her neck. My heart felt heavy at the sight of her tears falling from her green eyes. Never would I get used to seeing her cry..After a moment, she wiped her eyes and wheeled out of the room to the bathroom down the hall.

Once she was out of sight, I pulled up her bed blankets and walked to her dresser to pick out her favorite clothes for her. I knew she would think it was Sam who had helped her, but I didn't mind doing it. After all who would have known it was me. For two years I had remained hidden from their sight and I knew Nicole would not question her brothers so called "help".

Sam or Sammy as she called him, had stayed behind after Dean died. He tried to help her, but he himself was torn with grief as much as her. Nicole believed he was done hunting, but really I knew otherwise. The night after they buried their brother, Sam had snuck out to the corner of Bobby's property. Nicole had just fallen asleep. Invisible to the human eye, I followed Sam and hid behind a tree. I watched as he tried to sell his soul to a crossroads demon but in the end had no luck. The pair of them were both hurting and both tried to avoid talking about Dean as much as possible, but deep down couldn't avoid the inevitable.

As I waited for her, I heard Joshua's voice in my head. Reluctantly I left Nicole and journeyed back to Heavens garden. Once arriving, I stood and waited next to an Apple tree for Joshua to appear.

" Castiel, " I heard Joshua say from behind me.

" Why have you called me?" I questioned as I turned to face him.

" How is the young Winchester girl? " he asked smiling to me.

"She is grieving.. She misses her brother and mourns for him.. She has been praying more and more as of late."

" She is a faithful one isn't she, " he replied sighing.

"Yes, her faith even astounds me."

" You have grown to care deeply for the girl haven't you? " he asked almost cheekily, " Don't worry Castiel, he is not upset.. He is quite pleased Castiel, the girl will soon need you even more. "

"Why? Is she going to be in danger?" I asked worriedly .

He walked to nearby bench and removed his gloves.

"Sit," he said as he sat down upon the bench .

Reluctantly I sat and waited for him to speak.

"You know of the Winchester prophecy Castiel.. The time will soon come where the battle between the demon blood child and Michael's vessel will be proven true... The girls safety must be guaranteed and the only way is you Castiel... It has appeared to him that her destiny and yours are intertwined.., " he explained seriously.

"I'm just an angel, we don't have destinys Joshua. "

" Correct you are Castiel, but it is also true that you are not like the other angels. You feel for humanity and question orders that to you, seem wrong. Out of all the angels Castiel, you seem to have what some would call a heart, " he said with a smile.

"What does it mean? Can you tell me that at least?" I questioned not fully understanding.

He stood from the bench and picked up his watering can once more. He began to walk away, but after three steps stopped and looked at me still smiling.

"It means God works in mysterious ways Castiel," he chuckled, " By the way, today is Tuesday. "

"Yes, she has therapy today and is not looking forward to it."

" Well , I have a feeling after today she will be Castiel..She is at the hospital now Castiel.. You better go to her, trust me, today is a day you don't want to miss. "

My eyes lit up at his words and I hurriedly left to join Nicole. When I arrived at her side, Sam was helping her out of the truck and into her wheelchair. I walked invisibly beside them as Sam pushed her into the hospital. As we walked through the double doors, we was met by a nurse Nicole had grown fond of. I listened as the three of them spoke casually and as Rita wheeled Nicole away, I stood next to Sam.

Sam looked as though he hadn't slept in days. His hair was combed neatly and his clothes were clean, but the smell of alcohol was apparent on his breath. Sam believed there was a God, and unknown to his siblings, he prayed on rare occasions. The talk of religion was always a subject he avoided. Often as of late Sam felt because of his demon blood, to be damned already. I frowned sadly at him. I knew for her sake, that he stayed around because he loved Nicole. However, I could tell by his eyes that deep down, he wanted to leave.

Looking through the glass, I watched as Rita put metal braces upon Nicole's legs. Nicole frowned at the sight of them but smiled small at the nurse. Rita helped her to stretch her legs and practice standing up and down in the braces. It didn't take long before Nicole looked to grow tired from the exercises. After forty minutes, Rita wheeled Nicole over to the walking bars. Slowly Nicole stood up without any help and began to step forward. After one step however, she fell backwards into her chair exhausted.

"Come on Nick, you can do it" Sam whispered with tears in his eyes.

Looking back at Nicole I could tell she was crying and as she fell forward on her knees, my heart ached to help her. Standing beside me, I heard Sam sniffle and wipe his eyes. Standing straight and brushing his hands through his hair, I watched as Sam walked through the door to his sister. When I knew they were not looking at me, I made my appearance noticeable to those around me. I continued to watch Nicole with my hands eagerly upon the glass, as she stood with help from Rita. At the end of the bars Sam stood and encouraged her to walk to him. She managed to make it two more steps before stumbling and barely catching herself.

Closing my eyes, I prayed for my father to give her strength and as I opened my eyes, I smiled as she walked. She cried out in exhaustion and pain, but managed to make it five more steps before falling in her brother's arms. Sam held his sister like a baby as she cried with her arms around his neck. Finally after two and a half years, she had walked and was starting to heal.

Looking upward with my hands drawn together I whispered a simple , "Thank you." The door to the therapy room opened grabbing my attention. As Rita exited the room, I looked back through the glass to see Nicole's tear streaked face looking at me. For the first time, her eyes had finally met mine...

I smiled at her and quickly, I made myself invisible so she wouldn't see me anymore. As her protector, I was supposed to remain hidden from her sight but now since she had saw me, I couldn't stop thinking about her beautiful green orbs. Later that night as she fell asleep, I left for heaven once more. Running though the garden, I yelled for Joshua:

"Joshua! Joshua where are you?"

"I'm here Castiel," he said from a balcony above grabbing my attention , " What is wrong? "

"She saw me today," I explained swallowing a lump in my throat, " After she walked, she saw me.. Am I-"

"Castiel, it's ok.. She can see you, but you have to be careful.. No one else can see you, only her," he explained, " She needs your guidance. "

"What if I grow to care more for her? What then? Angels are not supposed to fall for humans."

" No Castiel, they are not. As I said before you are not like most angels, but you must be careful. If the other angels knew, they would have you locked away, " he replied.

"What do I do then?" I asked worriedly.

Walking down the steps, he walked to me and placed his hands upon my shoulders. He looked to me with a small smile and sighed:

"Protect her Castiel, above all protect her.. As I said you are not in trouble, but do take note and consider what could happen.. If she grows to love you, just pray you can keep her safe from that others," he whispered concerned, " Naomi has a job soon for you Castiel. "

"What do you mean? I haven't heard of a task for me in the briefings Joshua."

"Because she hasn't had it spoken to her by me yet.. I must warn you, on September seventeenth, she will ask you to perform a certain task. This task will reek chaos among us, but it must be fulfilled. Lilith is growing stronger Castiel and is planning to release lucifer.. She will begin to break the seals, but only after the first one is broken, " he explained, " You Castiel must break the first one in order for the prophecy to be fulfilled.. Heaven must win Castiel and Lilith, must be laid to waste. "

" What is it I must do? "

" You will know when the time is right.. Nicole must see you. You need to help her get stronger Castiel. She has to be able to protect herself and at all costs, you must also protect you both. She can not know of the plans, but you must prepare her, " he replied before disappearing once again.

I stumbled backwards at his words as he disappeared. The apocalypse I feared would soon be upon us..

~ One Month Later: July 11th, 2008 ~

Nicole's POV*

The sound of thunder booming outside the old house jolted me awake. I had always been scared of thunderstorms. Sitting up in my bed, I looked at the clock and sighed as I saw it to only be six in the morning. For the past month, I had dreamed of a black haired man in a trench coat. He was the most gorgeous man I had ever laid eyes on. His eyes were a dark blue and his smile made me want to kiss his chapped lips. In my dreams, he would often sit with me. He knew my name, but never had he told me his. Most of the time he took me to the beach or to the mountains overlooking the sunset. He didnt say much, in fact he said very little to me and even though I didn't know his name, he made me feel more safe with him than my brothers ever had.

After awhile of thinking about the man in my dreams, I decided to get out of bed. Throwing the blankets off of me, I reached for My leg braces. One by one I strapped them to my legs just as doctor Pope had showed me. Carefully I moved my legs to the side of my bed and grasped the forearm crutches as I stood.

Slowly I walked from my room fifteen steps to the kitchen. Walking was hard on my body, but with the help of the crutches it made things a lot easier compared to the stupid bars I had to use at the hospital.

As I reached the kitchen, I smiled as my brother Sam walked through the back door. He looked as though he had been up for a while and hadn't noticed me standing yet.

"Good morning Sammy," I said breathlessly leaning against the wall.

"Mor-.. Whoa, Whoa whoa! You need to sit down, " he began as he looked at me.

He pulled a chair out for me and urged me to sit, " Jesus Nick, did you walk in here. "

"Do you see my wheelchair?" I asked with a small chuckle.

He looked around and smiled wide at me, " You need to be careful sis, I don't want you to overdo yourself. "

"If I get too tired bubba I'll use my chair, however I plan to walk as much as I can.. The crutches are easier to use for support than those stupid bars. "

"I'm so proud of you, you know that don't you," he replied as he kissed my head and walked to the counter, " Coffee? "

"Yes please, cream and two sugars," I said with a smile as I sat down my crutches .

"There you go," Sam said as he sat down our coffees.

"Thank you," I said as I took a sip, " So what has you up so early? "

He sat down his coffee and grinned at me, " Well I was gonna go for a run, but it started storming. What about you? Did the storm wake you? "

"It always does.. I really wish I wasn't scared of storms still, I know it's childish."

" No more childish than being scared of clowns, " he laughed.

"Sam I know we haven't really talked about it all, but I've noticed the books you have been reading at night... Please tell me you haven't tried dealing," I said sadly waiting for him to explode on me.

The silence between us was deafening as I waited for him to answer. All that could be heard was the rocking of the cuckoo clock.

After a few minutes he grabbed my hand and sighed, " Nicole I- uh don't be mad at me please. "

I felt tears threatening to spill at his words " Sam why? Why is it one of you always have to sell yourself huh? Do you even think about how much it hurts me to see you both suffer so much? " I asked growing angry.

"Nickel please, just listen-" he began but I stopped him as I reached for my crutches.

Slowly I stood from he table and stumbled as I stepped away.

" You listen for once ok? For almost three years I have stayed behind and just listened.. Do you know how hard it has been Sam, I hunted my whole life and then all of a sudden was stuck paralyzed and left behind. I know you both did what was best but damn it Sam, it has hurt not being able to help you both. I have watched you die and Dean both now.. Everyone I have ever loved has been taken from me at one point Sam and I am just seventeen years old.. Do you know how hard that is? It hurts like hell and everyday I have constantly prayed for you both to return... Every time you both would leave this house, I felt a piece of me break, because I didn't know if you would come back.. Dad died saving Dean, and Dean died saving you. Why do you have to die again Sammy? You both are like a merry go round, your always going in circles and someone is always dying... "

"Nicole please let me -, " he begged.

"Why do you have to try and make him come back! He made us both promise not to try dealing Sam. If he was here he would kick your ass for being stupid. If I was strong enough I would kick your ass for him, but we both know that wouldn't end well.. Haven't we suffered enough, " I yelled and walked into the hallway.

My legs were hurting and my blood was pounding in anger. As I walked to my room, I slammed the door and collapsed on the floor crying. How could he be so stupid. My body shook as I cried and I threw my crutches in anger at the window, causing it to crack.

"Nicole please talk to me," I heard Sam say through the door.

I didn't answer him as he spoke, I couldn't. I was far too angry and knew if I said anything, it would make things worse. Laying on the floor, I drew my legs up the best I could and cried. The thunder roared outside and the rain cloaked the windows as it fell. My heart was aching and out of the corner of my eye, I saw the man in the tan trench coat.

TO BE CONTINUED...