Author's Note:

I know! Two chapters in two days. It's all thanks to Nina Ferraro who kept bugging me to continue writing – we owe you one.

I hope you enjoy.

THEN

"Michael left Heaven a century ago, only a few angels know of his location. He is waiting until Lucifer is released before he arrives to fight the Deceiver."

"As a neutral being, I cannot take interest nor support either side of this apocalypse. However, it may be of interest to you to find a woman named Anna Milton. She could be of use." Before he could be further questioned, he disappeared into thin air.

NOW

"So how are we playing this out?" Dean asked, as he, John and Sam headed towards the Milton's.

"FBI? CIA? Journalists?"

"FBI" John said. "We can say she might have information we need. That we need to speak to her alone?"

"we'll play it by ear" Sam replied. "We're here" he pointed out as they walked up the steps to the Milton's house. Sam knocked, and after a few moments, Mrs Milton opened the door.

"Hello gentlemen, how can I help?" she asked politely.

"I'm agent Leary, these are my partners Agent's Sting and Simmon's. Can we come in?" John asked. She frowned but welcomed them in after seeing their badges. They entered the modest house, being led into the living room area and offered seats.

"Hon, who was it?" a man who was evidently her husband appeared. "Oh, hello" he appeared shocked.

"Hi Mr Milton. We're FBI Agents, we have some questions for your daughter Anna Milton. Is she here?" Dean asked.

"Anna?" Mrs Milton asked. "Yes, she's upstairs. I'll go grab her"

"What is this about gentlemen?"

"We can't disclose that information as it is part of an ongoing investigation. Your daughter is in no trouble, but we think she can help" Sam looked up at her with his big puppy eyes and she seemed to melt.

"That's good at least. I'm sure Anna will do everything she can to help you then." They all turned to look as they heard two pairs of footsteps descend down the stairs. A young woman appeared, paled skin with bright red hair. She looked at the three of them, her eyes lingering on Dean.

"Mom, dad, would you give us a minute? I know what this is about" she turned to face her parents, touching a gentle hand on their shoulders. Her parents looked at each other questioningly, but eventually acquiesced.

"We'll be out in the garden if you need us, just ask okay sweetheart?" her mother asked her sweetly.

"Of course." The remaining figures were silent until the parents left the house. Anna turned back to them.

"Miss Milton, my name is- "Sam began.

"Sam Winchester" she cut off quickly. "You're John, his father" she pointed at John. "And you" she continued as she approached Dean, "Are…Dean Winchester." She touched a hand to his face, looking deep into his eyes as if searching for something.

"How did you know that?" Dean asked her.

"You all better sit down" she smiled at them, taking a chair on the white sofa opposite her. "So, I've been expecting you. I'm Anna, and I know who you are. I know that you're looking to kill the yellow eyed demon Azazel, that there's a pending apocalypse. I know more" she told them.

"how? Are you psychic? Are you…" John led on

"One of the special kids? No. My name, in this form and life, is Anna Milton."

Dean was beginning to get an idea of what she was hinting it. "And before…you were?"

"Before this, I was Anael. I was the leader of a garrison in Heaven, Castiel's garrison to be specific."

"Angel" Sam gasped, eyes wide.

"Yes. I was a leader, until I fell. I removed my grace in the year 1985, and by God it hurt. Like cutting out your kidneys using a butter knife. I fell and was reborn in this form. Human"

"how does that work? How does one just fall?" Dean asked her. He was, for a reason he couldn't figure out, really interested in the process. "does that mean you're full human? Are there side effects? Do you choose?"

She smiled knowingly at his questions. "Some Angel's don't have a choice, we're thrown out. Others, like myself, become more human than Angel. I was stationed to watch humans and seeing their love, loyalty, the way they forgave one another, I wanted to be like them. So, I began to lose my grace- and eventually, I ripped it out."

"But what happens to it?" Sam was making notes on his notepad like a little kid, watching her avidly.

"It separates. Myself and my grace fell at high speeds. I landed her, my grace landed on earth somewhere else – to human eyes, it looks like meteorites."

"Wow" Dean responded.

"my parents had always tried to get pregnant but couldn't. I was their miracle. But when I was younger, I began to have flashbacks of my past. They took me to therapy which helped, but eventually my memories of my past life came back full force. I know all about the struggles you face."

"Is that why we were sent to you?" John was forceful in his question, hands tense as he almost leapt up from the sofa.

"Who sent you to me? Castiel?"

"Castiel knows you're here?" Dean was shocked, but also hurt. Was this the reason Cas didn't want to come along? Why wouldn't Cas have just told him the truth? Anna seemed to see these questions on his face, for she smiled sympathetically at him.

"Cas isn't permitted to visit me – unless to kill me" she smiled at the expressions of shock on their faces. "I fell – and so, I was cast out. The next I see an Angel will be before they kill me. I've accepted it" she said pointedly at Sam who begun to look outraged.

"That isn't fair!" he still interjected. "So, what if you want to be human?"

"To be human means to give up my grace, my brothers and sisters – to reject my Father's offering of power. Do you understand that? I've made my peace with it Samuel Winchester. But I have not yet been killed, because they can't find me" she smirked.

"We were able to find you in a few minutes" John did point out.

"Because you were specifically given my name. I am difficult to track, especially since I have been hiding. But now they know where I am"

"How?" Sam asked. "Because we came here?"

"No." at this, her gaze turned to Dean. "Because Castiel told them where I am."

"No" Dean refused to believe it. "Cas wouldn't!"

"He would, Dean. He's an Angel, and they are his family. I am not anymore." She looked sadly at him, running a hand along his shoulder in sympathy. "Don't be mad at him for doing his job. If the positions were switched, and it he was a human and I an Angel, I would do as asked."

The Winchesters remained silent at her admission. She didn't seem to take her approaching death badly. She stood there, still smiling, still strong and bold. Dean felt a wave of affection for her.

"Now. Let's get down to business" she told them succinctly.

"Which is?" Sam asked.

"Finding Michael" she smirked at their expressions, eyes narrowing at Dean's panicking look.

Michael Dean whispered furiously in his head. Where are you?

I am here Dean. What's the issue?

The Anna chick is an Angel. She said she knows where you are.

Indeed, she does.

What? Really?

Yes Dean.

Why haven't you told me where you are? We have a connection.

Oh, Dean his voice was wry with something Dean couldn't pinpoint. I have told you where I am

No, you haven't! Otherwise we wouldn't be on this chase to find you. Tell me where you are

I have told you Dean. You just weren't listening

I'm pretty sure I would've heard you say where you are Mike!

Dean! He sounded exasperated now. We will meet soon.

Promise?

I promise Dean. You were right when you said we had a…connection. We are connected Dean. Now go with Anna, she will help you find…me

I'll see you soon

I'm sure you will

The conversation was over the instant it had begun. Dean was getting better at communicating with Michael without other's realising. As he grew stronger in power, he was finding it easier and easier to speak to Michael, amongst other things. He snapped out and paid attention to what was going on.

"You know where Michael is?" John asked eagerly.

"Yes"

"Where?" Sam quickly asked.

"That's a bit tricky. We'll need to find him first" she told them.

"Do you have any idea where he is?" Dean wanted to find Michael now, if only to put a stop to the apocalypse and see him in person.

"I have an idea. Sequoia National Park, Tulare Country. California" she told them proudly.

"Michael, an Archangel, is hiding out in a national park?" John asked. Dean did admit, it sounded ridiculous.

"I promise. If we get there, we can find him."

"Well, California is on the other side of the states. It'll take us days to get there – and if you've got Angels who want you dead, we don't have the time."

"That's why we're going to restore my grace" she winked at them.

"You can do that?" Sam and Dean asked together.

"Of course. And, lucky for you, I have my grace. Down it, I get wings – I fly you over to California, we find Michael, and boom- apocalypse over."

"When you say it like that, it sounds easy" Dean grumbled.

"that's because it is, munchkin" she told him. "Now, wait here, and I'll go get my grace."

Author's note:

How many of you know where Michael is? Do you get what's going to happen?...