The Forgotten Daughter
~Chapter Four: A New Friendship ~
July 11th, 2008
*Castiel 's POV*
It had been a month since my last meeting with Joshua. Each day (For the past month), I had appeared to Nicole in her dreams. Never did I say much or tell her my name, but often she would allow me to hold her hand. To her I was just the man in her dreams and nothing more, I had yet to introduce myself in person. that was until now...
Thunder roared across the sky as I returned to Nicole. I had been called to Heaven by Naomi for a garrison briefing. As I appeared in her room, the sight before me broke my heart. It was just a quarter to seven and normally she was still asleep, however this morning she was awake. She had been crying and was laying curled up on the floor shaking. Looking around I saw her crutches next to the now cracked window. Something bad had happened while I was away and no doubt did it have to do with Sam.
Walking to her, I removed my tan trench coat and kneeled down to Nicole. Carefully I placed the coat over her shivering body for comfort and brushed her bangs gently from her face as she looked at me.
"You.. Who are you?" She asked weakly.
" I will not hurt you I promise you that, " I began, " I am Castiel, or Cas if you prefer... I am an angel of the Lord Nicole. "
She sat up slowly and leaned against her bed, still covered by my trench coat looking at me. Nicole studied my features for any sign of me lying to her and sighed when she found none.
"Why are you here Cas," she questioned curiously.
"God has commanded me to be your protector," I explained as I stood to retrieve her crutches .
"How long have you been my protector?" She asked as she wiped her face on her shirt sleeve.
Reaching in my pant pocket, I fished out a handkerchief and offered it to her.
"Thank you," she mumbled as she blew her nose.
" You're welcome.. As for your question, I have been your protector since the accident. I was appointed three days later, and awoke you from your coma.. I was not able to heal your legs completely, " I frowned looking to her.
"That's ok," she mumbled, " I suppose it was all part of his plan.. It's made me stronger I believe."
"Yes it has," I replied watching as her head began to fall to the side, " You should get some rest, it is still quite early. "
"I'll be ok," she sniffled , " Why of all people did he choose me to be protected? "
"It has yet to made clear to me," I said as I loosened my tie, "What happened Nicole?" I asked worriedly .
"Sam has been lying to me apparently.. He tried to deal with a demon," she replied wiping her face once more.
"Dean wouldn't have wanted that would he? " I quipped as I sat next to her.
"No he would not have," she stated wincing all of a sudden.
"Are you ok?"
"I'll be fine, the braces just rub my legs raw in places," she answered as she tried to stand.
Standing I reached for her braces and handed them to her, " I can try and ease the pain, if you want. "
"I thought you couldn't heal me," she mumbled as she stumbled onto the bed.
" I can ease your pain and that's about all really...You are the only person I have not been able to fully heal, in the thousands of years I have been alive."
She looked to me shocked and then smiled slightly, " Funny, you don't look that old. "
"This is just a vessel, the vessel of a holy man no less," I explained.
"So you are possessing him?" She inquired as she sat upon her bed.
" Not exactly... The man Jimmy, was a devout man and prayed for this. He didn't exactly have the best heart when he was roaming the earth. "
"Oh.." She whispered still confused and I smirked at her.
"May I? " I asked pointing to her legs and as she nodded.
Placing my hand upon her pale skin, I healed her aching limbs. She soon smiled as she realized her legs no longer hurt. The thunder began to roar once more, and Nicole jumped as she saw lighting strike outside her window.
"It will last most of the day," I said as I watched the rain trickle down the window.
She frowned at my words and looked once more to me pensively, " Cas. "
"Yes Nicole."
"When you say you protect me, does that mean you are with me all of the time, or most?" She asked curiously .
"Most of the time I am with you, even more so since your brother was hurled into damnation... I allow you privacy as you shower and dress don't worry."
" Why don't I see you then? " she inquired as she leaned against her headboard.
"Because as your protector, I am supposed stay invisible to the human eye.. However it is not an order anymore, I have been commanded to help you ," I explained .
"What is so special about me?"
" Your faith for one, amongst other things... I don't know his exact reasons Nicole, but I wish I did," I sighed and looked back at the rain.
"Cas, can others see you?"
" Yes, but only if I allow them. However, I am on strict orders to only allow you to see me and speak to me.. No one else can know about me. "
"Oh.., " she whispered and closed her eyes, " Cas? "
"Yes Nicole?"
She was beginning to fall asleep as she spoke, " Will you still be here when I wake up? "
I smiled at her words and grabbed her hand gently, " Yes.. Rest, I'll explain more later. "
She smiled weakly as she fell asleep and soon a soft snore escaped her soft pink lips.
*Normal POV*
As Sam stood outside the hallway of his sisters room, his heart clenched at the sound of her sobs. For the past month and a half, he had tried to be as supportive as he could.. As strong as he could.. As brave as he possibly could be. Sam was hurting in many ways more than Nicole, after all he watched as Dean was ripped apart.
Before Dean died, he had made Sam promise to be there for Nicole, and to not lose hope. Sam was proud of his sister, she had improved so much in so short of time with her walking. She nowadays would walk more than she would wheel around in her chair. It was a bittersweet beginning for the siblings, and they wished more than anything that Dean could have shared it with them.
After ten minutes of trying to talk to his sister had passed, Sam sighed and wiped the few tears that had fallen from his eyes. Walking from Nicole's door, Sam made his way upstairs to his bedroom and began to pack. He needed to clear his head, and leaving to him, was the only option. He had tried to sell his soul eleven times now and everytime the demons said no. Often as Nicole slept, Sam would drink and read lore on resurrecting the dead. However, none of them was a sure fire way to bring Dean back.
As Sam finished packing, he sat at the rickety old desk in the living room and began writing a note to his sister. Standing from the desk, he picked up his belongings and head towards the front door.
"What in Sam's hell do you think your doing?" A voice erupted from behind as Sam opened the front door.
Turning around with tears in his eyes, Sam laid eyes on Bobby. He was angry by the frown upon his bearded face.
"I have to go," Sam muttered as he stepped out the front door.
"The hell you do, " Bobby began as he chased after the tall man in the rain, " Sam what are you thinking? "
Sam threw open the trunk and tossed his duffle bag inside before looking at Bobby ashamed.
"I have to leave, I need space Bobby.. This is getting too hard, I can't stay," Sam explained as he walked to the driver side of Baby.
" Of course it's hard you idjit, death is far from a good ol' time at the prom Sam! It's always hard but you got to deal with it, not run from it! " Bobby yelled.
"It hurts to be here Bobby, I can't just stay back and do nothing.. I have to try and get him back! I have to leave," Sam yelled angrily as he wiped the rain from his eyes.
"You can't do nothing? What about that girl in there huh?! What do you think she has had to do for two and a half years now! You both left her Sam, and right now she needs you most!! You think it's hard on you, try living her life damn it!! " Bobby began as he walked closer to Sam screaming, " You weren't there through the hardest time of all Sam, I was and every cry of hers, broke my heart.. Nick deserves better than this! "
"You don't think I know that Bobby, " Sam retorted as he sat in the impala slamming the door closed.
Sam dug into his pocket and handed Bobby a damp letter, " Give this to her."
"I shouldn't, but I will," Bobby began as he looked at Sam sadly, " If you leave than your no better than John ever was Sam."
" Like father like son, " Sam retorted as he started Baby, " Bye Bobby. "
Bobby stood in shock drenched from the rain as Sam left. He couldn't believe Sam could be so heartless, at least that was before now anyhow. Walking from the dirt driveway back into the house, Bobby knocked gently on Nicole's door praying she would answer.
"Nick, I need to talk to you," he whispered through the old door, " It's important sweetheart. "
After a few minutes of waiting, Bobby sighed and pushed the letter Sam had wrote under her door.
"I'll be in the shop if you need me, " he muttered as he walked away from her door.
Unknown to Sam and Bobby, Castiel listened to the two mens confrontation. He felt hurt by Sam's dismissal of Nicole as he drove away. As the impala disappeared, Castiel popped back into Nicole's room to check on her. It was now a little after nine in the morning, and she was still sleeping. Sitting on the edge of her bed, he brushed her auburn hair from her face and held her hand. He frowned as he looked at her, he knew when she woke, she would be devastated to find her brother gone.
A knock on the door alarmed Castiel. Quickly he made himself invisible as he stood from Nicole's bed. Walking to the door, he listened Bobby spoke. The hurt in his voice was apparent and Castiel could tell Bobby was grieving just as much has the siblings.
When Castiel heard the front door close as Bobby walked out of the old house, he bent down and picked up the letter. He knew it was not his to read, but as he looked at Nicole's sleeping form, he felt as though he needed to prepare himself for her reaction. Looking at the letter in his hand, he sighed as he opened the letter and began to read:
~Nickel,
I am sorry. Since Dean has died, I have never felt more broken and ashamed. If it wasn't for me, he would still be here. I should be dead Nickel not him.
When Dean died he asked me to look out for you and I have tried the best way I know how to. I want you to know I am so proud of you. You are the strongest and most bravest person I know sis, and you deserve better. I'm sorry I failed you.
I want you to know that I am searching for a way to bring him back sis, and when he comes back, I pray we can all be together again. I hope one day you will forgive me and if you don't, I understand. Please Nickel don't give up, and please keep on fighting. If not for me then for Dean. I love you with all of My heart sis, please stay safe.
Love, Sam~
*Castiel 's POV*
As I folded up the letter in my hand, I slide down the floor and placed my head in my hands. Why did they have to leave her and treat her this way?! Nicole had gone through so much and didn't deserve the hand she had been dealt in life, she deserved so much better.
Looking up at Nicole, I admired her sleeping form. She looked so peaceful as she slept, even with tears stains down her cheeks. Standing from the floor, I made my way back to the bed and held her hand. Her glasses laid crooked upon her face and carefully not to disturb her, I removed them to place upon her bedside table.
I smiled as I saw her dark gray nail polish and mothers wedding band upon her hand. She hated makeup and rarely did anything special with her hair, her nails however she always would paint. She had a bad habit of chewing on her nails and when she painted them, it helped her to keep from the bad habit.
I stared at her delicate face as she slept and counted her freckles. She had exactly 47 freckles and a scar by her hair line from the car accident. Her cheek bones were high, and she had the most perfect cupids bow. Nicole was the most beautiful creation our father had ever made, and as I stared at her lips, I had to resist the urge to kiss them.
Looking out the window, I could see Bobby tinkering with his car. I frowned as I once again saw the man drinking from a bottle of whiskey. Since Nicole had been in my charge, rarely had I saw Bobby drink. On occasion he would, but ever since he had first heard of Dean's deal, the man had barely stayed sober more than a day.
My eyes drifted to Nicole's bookshelf as I looked away from the window. She loved Jane Austen books and her miniature library, held several of the them. Running my hand across the spines of the books, I stopped at one that had the word "photos" written across the front. Picking the book up, I sat in the rocking chair in Nicole's room and opened the book.
Looking through the book, I smiled as I saw a drawn picture on construction paper. In the top right corner it was dated February 1995 and had her age next to it. At the time of the drawing she was just four and a half, and I couldn't help but smile at the stick figures among the paper. The smallest figure had red hair with glasses, and said "me" above it, and next to it were two more figures that said "Dean" and "Sammy".
Turning the page, I found a picture of a swaddled baby in a young Dean's arms with Sam sitting next to him smiling down at his baby sister. The three of them seemed to be so happy back then. The picture below it, was taken the day Nicole was born, in the picture was a newborn Nicole in the arms of a young Mary. As I studied Mary's features, I recognized several features Nicole had in common with her mother. Mary was beautiful, but not as much as Nicole was to me.
As I finished looking through the book, I heard shuffling upon the bed. She was starting to wake and quickly I made haste to retrieve her glasses for her, after putting the photo album back in place.
*Nicole's Pov*
As I opened my eyes, I smiled as I saw Castiel 's face. He had stayed, just as he said he would. Carefully sitting up, I looked at the clock with squinted eyes to see it was already a quarter till noon. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I searched for my glasses.
"Here you go," Cas said to me as he handed me my glasses , " They were about to fall off, so I put them on your night stand. "
"Thank you," I mumbled as I placed my glasses upon my face.
"You're welcome," he replied and began to dig into his pocket.
He pulled out what appeared to be a folded up piece of paper and frowned as he held it out to me.
"What is this?" I questioned curiously as I unfolded the letter.
"It's from Sam," he replied frowning as he looked at me.
Opening the letter, I read the neatly written words upon the page and began to cry. Sam was leaving, Dean was gone, and soon Bobby would leave too. My heart ached at my brothers words, and as I folded the letter I wiped the few stray tears that had escaped my eyes. Looking up from the folded piece of paper, I smiled sadly at Cas when I noticed him looking at me.
"Are you alright?" he asked worriedly with his deep blue eyes staring intently at me.
"No, but I will be," I said sniffling.
"For what it's worth, I'm sorry Nicole I wish I could have stopped him," Cas quipped sincerely.
"I know Cas," I whispered as I reached for his hand, " Thank you anyways . "
"I don't quite understand," he muttered with his head cocked to the side looking at me confused, " I didn't do anything. "
"Yes you did, you stayed, " I smiled as I held his left-hand in mine.
I watched as he looked down at our hands and smiled. He was gorgeous when he smiled. I studied his features closely as he sat with me. He looked as if he was in his early thirties, not nearly the age he actually was. His build was lean, and his bone structure was strong but soft upon his face. His hair was dark brown, and his eyes were almost the color of sapphires.
"Cas?"
"Yes Nicole," he responded as his eyes drifted upward to look at me.
"Are you hungry? "
He smiled at me and shook his head, " I don't require sustenance like you do. "
"Oh, " I muttered in awe.
"Do you feel up to walking?" He asked sweetly .
"I think I can do it," I replied and I smiled as he reached for my crutches.
I stood slowly from my bed and stumbled on my first couple of steps towards the door. Cas followed behind me, as we slowly made our way to the kitchen. Once arriving at the kitchen, I stopped at the table and sat down, now out of breath from walking. Cas looked at me worriedly and I smiled breathlessly letting him know I was fine.
"What would you like?" He asked stepping towards the refrigerator.
"I'll just take a sandwich Cas, but I'll make it," I began trying to stand.
"No, no Nicole.. I'll get the ingredients, just tell me what you need," he insisted urging me to sit back down.
" Cas, angels aren't supposed to wait on humans are they? "
"Not particularly, but as I said, I was instructed to look after your well being. At the moment, you are exhausted and need help and I am willing, if you'll allow me," he explained.
"Thank you Cas," I replied thankfully.
"You are welcome Nicole... Now what do you need?" He asked opening the refrigerator once more.
"The package that says Turkey in the middle drawer, along with the package that says cheddar, and the jar on the top shelf labeled Mayo," I explained pointing.
He carried the ingredients to the table and haphazardly set them down causing the mayonnaise to tip over. I smiled at his clumsiness and pointed to the bread upon the counter, and watched as he retrieved it.
"Thank you Cas."
He smiled faintly before looking at the door alarmed, " Bobby is about to walk in. I will be here, but I will be invisible. "
I nodded as he disappeared and began making my sandwich as Bobby walked in.
"Hey Nick, did you sleep ok?" He asked as he walked to the sink and set his beer down.
"As well as I could, " I began as he washed his hands, " Are you hungry? "
"Always, whats ya making kiddo?" He asked while drying his hands.
"Turkey and cheddar, " I said holding out a sandwich to him.
"Sounds good," he said as he sat down at the table.
The two of us ate in silence, but after a few minutes Bobby took a swig of his beer and cleared his throat. Looking up at him, I knew already he was going to ask about Sam. Wiping my mouth, I stood wobbly and leaned against the old table.
"Nick," he said looking at me worriedly, " Did you get the letter? "
"Yes Bobby I did," I answered as I picked up our plates in my left hand and carried them to the sink.
"Do you wanna talk about it?" He asked hesitantly.
"What's there to talk about Bobby, he left like he always has. There is nothing to talk about, I've gotten used to being left behind," I explained growing angry.
" Nick, don't be like that, " he said sadly.
"You know it's true Bobby.. Did you know he had been trying to deal with a demon?" I began setting the letter down on the table and watched as his eyes grew wide, " He did and I'm sure he has multiple times. My brothers are so keen to die for one another, and neither one cares how it makes me feel. Sam is trying to get Dean back, and he doesn't seem to care how it affects anyone but him Bobby. "
"I'm gonna kill him," Bobby muttered angrily as he clenched the letter.
"Well you wouldn't be the first one," I spat as I began to walk away.
"Mary Nicole Winchester! " Bobby yelled, " Don't you go saying things like that, you hear me. "
I walked to my room and fell into my wheelchair, my legs growing weak. Setting my crutches upon my lap, I wheeled back to the kitchen to Bobby.
"Don't get mad at me for saying the truth, " I muttered and pushed myself into the library.
I heard Bobby sigh and follow behind me. As I stopped in front of the of the bookshelf, I felt a hand on my shoulder. Bobby kneeled down in front of me and pushed back my bangs.
" Sweetheart, I'm gonna find him ok. I'll call Rufus and tell him I can't make the hunt with him. I'm sure Garth would love to help him... Do you want to come with me?" He asked looking sadly at me.
" I think I would rather stay here Bobby, someone has to run the salvage yard, " I said to him sadly.
"I don't know how long I'll be gone, but I'm gonna find him Nick and when I do I'm gonna kick him where the sun doesn't shine," he quipped with a small chuckle.
" Promise me you'll call every day ok. "
"I will Nick, I will, " he promised as he hugged me.
That afternoon we spent packing up the old Chevelle and by six o'clock, he was gone. I was left alone sitting in the driveway watching as his tail lights faded into the distance. I was angry to say the least, but I was even more so, I was heart broken. My family was far from perfect, but I would give anything to have our twisted version of an apple pie life back again.
The rain had finally cleared up and now the sky laid littered with stars as night fell upon us. Looking up I smiled faintly as I saw the little dipper. Dean always liked constellations..
After so long, I started to grow tired and cold in the cool summer air. Carefully I wheeled myself to the shop to turn off the lights and lock up for the night. The fluttering sound of wings rang in my ears as I turned the lock on the shop door. As I turned around, I smiled sadly as I saw Castiel.
"I was wondering when you would appear."
" I am sorry, you seemed like you a needed time to yourself for a bit, " he explained as I walked to me, " Are you ok? "
"As ok as I can be Cas," I replied and began wheeling myself back to the house, only to get stuck in the gravel, " Damn it! "
" Nicole, let me help," Cas said trying to help me.
" I got it Cas, " I assured him.
Standing slowly, I used one of my crutches for support, while I used my other arm to pull the chair loose. As I went to sit back down, my crutch slipped and I (to my dismay) fell face down in the gravel. My headed pounded as I tried to pull myself back up, but found I could not.
"Nicole!" Cas yelled to me and quickly picked me up in his arms, carrying me inside.
He sat me down upon the worn couch, and stared worriedly at me. Reaching up to my cheek I found it was bleeding and I sighed at the crimson marks upon my fingers.
"You're bleeding," he said informingly as he pressed his fingers upon my cheek.
A warm sensation overcame my face as he healed my wounded cheek. I looked at him and bit my lip as I tried not to cry, but unfortunately I couldn't stop the flood gates from opening. Leaning forward, I wrapped my arms around his neck and sobbed. He froze as I hugged him but soon wrapped his arms around me, and cradled my head with one of his hands.
He didn't say anything, he simply held me as I cried in his arms. My life would never be the same, for I felt as though I had no one. Everyone I loved was gone, or had left leaving me alone. That was until now, until I met Cas. We had only just met formally today, but as he held me, it felt as though we had known each other forever. I prayed as I cried, and hoped this would be the start of a new friendship..
TO BE CONTINUED...