Chapter 23

Castiel was sent to prison for his lack of judgement by interfering and killing Lilith. They explained Lilith was important in their plan for earth and now Castiel had ruined everything. They didn't know why. No one knew about Hailey's pregnancy. Castiel always like humans and envied them for the compassion and love they shared. He knew his brothers had other plans with earth, his father's creation. But God was nowhere to be found. Angels were taking upon themselves to play god to earth to get dad's attention. He knew if his brother's ever found out about the child, they most likely would destroy it. Just to see if that would get the attention of their father. They were planning the apocalypse on earth, most likely ruining it for the humans. Castiel was surprised they just didn't kill him with the angel blade and be done. He had spent 10 years in the bright white cell. Of course time didn't pass as slow then on earth, on earth he was locked up for a month. The only company he had was Hailey. She would pray to him almost every day, just keeping him up to date. She would tell him about the baby, about getting a job and an apartment. He smiled as she seemed well. Some night she would pray crying though. Wishing he could make her nightmares stop. He truly wished he could. Sometimes he was able to tap into her memories and play them for her as she slept. She would wake up and thank him in the morning. He had grown fond of her.

One day, as Castiel listen to Hailey tell him about a woman she worked with was being, as she put it, a real judgemental bitch. Castiel was startled by a door opening in the far end of the prison. He got up and peeked through the bars.

Castiel! I knew I'd find you here.

Uriel... Castiel greeted soberly.

What's with the pout? I come baring good news.

Is that so? Castiel asked not believing him.

Yes! We have a mission for you.

Castiel was surprised by the news.

We need you to get the righteous out from hell... We have work for him. He smiled and Castiel's eyes widened.

/

Sam had taking the news about Hailey leaving the hunting life pretty hard. He felt guilty, he had put her in danger and she decided she was done with the life. He respected her wishes as Bobby did the same but his life was so much more, empty without her in it. He knew it was selfish but he wished she would change her mind and come back to them. Bobby had received a call from her when Sam as out hunting and she said she was settling in well and she missed them but was starting to be happy and she told bobby to tell Sam she loved him very much but she had to think of her for a while and he respected that also. A month had passed since she left and Sam spent most of his time either hunting or at bobby's. He was thankful the old hunter had forgiven him for punching him and losing Hailey.

Both hunters would take on cases and on the down low, they would talk about the good old days. Before she left, before Dean was sent to hell, before even his dad had given his life to save his brother. They would laugh till they cried and it would always finish with both of them silently cursing life for losing all of them followed by a lot of drinking.

That afternoon Sam was helping Bobby fix the Impala, well more like watched Bobby do it.

Boy you gotta learn this stuff I aint gonna fix your damn car all the time... I have to fix Hailey's too. I want my damn pick-up back. Bobby said wiping his hands in a rag and walking into the house, Sam followed laughing. Bobby opened the fridge and pulled out two beers. He gave one to Sam and opened his and took a big gulp. That's when someone knocked on the door.

Must be Ellen with too many damn bags of groceries, I'll get it. You check if the oil's done dripping. Bobby ordered and Sam went out back.

Bobby opened the door and back away slowly, white as a ghost.

Surprise. Dean smiled warmly.

I don't... Bobby said fishing for the silver knife on the table besides him.

Yeah, me either. Dean started to say but bobby lunged at him with the knife.

Woah! Bobby I'm not a shapeshifter!

Then you're a Rugalu! He answered back charging again but dean managed to disarmed the hunter and bobby backed away.

I'm not! Dean said keeping his hands in the air. Then he rolled up his sleeve and cut himself on the arm to prove to Bobby he was really him.

It's me Bobby. Dean said and both men hugged tightly.

Bobby pulled away and splattered Dean with holy water. Dean spit some out and looked annoyed.

Had to make sure... Bobby shrugged.

How the hell did you make it out? Bobby asked.

Beats me... You think Sam might-

No. He's...

He's what!? Dean asked feeling panic rise up his chest.

In the back, I was showing him how to change the oil of... Bobby didn't finish as Dean had already started walking into the kitchen and out the back to Sam.

You know Bobby, Dean always told me taking care of Baby was like taking care of a woman... I still don't get it.

That's cuz you're doing it wrong. Dean answered.

Sam pulled himself out of the hood and took a couple of steps back, he looked just like Bobby did.

Hey, Sammy.

Sam mouth opened and closed a couple of times without any sound coming out. He looked in back of Dean as Bobby walked out.

It's really him Sam, did all the test...

Sam still looked confused and Dean walked up to him and grabbed him tightly in his arms. For a moment both brothers enjoyed having the other with them again. After a while Dean pulled away.

What did you do Sam?

What?

What was it crossroad demon? witch? C'mon what was the price?

I didn't- I tried, believe me we tried but no one would deal. It wasn't me.

Hailey... she must have—Dean noticed the pain look on his bother's face. He caught the mustang in the corner of his eyes before he turned his attention to in. The windshield was busted and the body of the car was wrecked in a couple of places too. This time Dean wore the same expression as the two other hunters.

Hailey's fine son... She just quit is all. Bobby reassured Dean.

Quit? Dean asked Bobby.

She's fine, talked to her last week. Something tells me she'll be back soon enough. Bobby smiled and walked back inside.

Dean was about to ask Sam what happened to Hailey to `quit` but he was tackled by a big bear hug from Sam. He laughed and returned it.

/

Hailey walked back from another day working at the small coffee shop. The sun was shining and it was pretty warm for late September. Hailey stopped at a farmer's market and grabbed a couple of apples and oranges. She paid the older lady at the cash register.

How far along are you darling? The lady asked sweetly.

Hailey froze. It was the first time anybody noticed the growing bump. Sure she told her boss at the coffee shop when she applied and Ruth, her co-worker, would have inappropriate comments about young girls having babies without having the baby daddy in the picture and whatnot. Hailey put a protective hand on her belly and scanned the exits.

I'm sorry, I just love babies, My best memories are when I was pregnant. Something about being connected to something, someone, you know? Ah! Of course you do. The lady smiled and handed her change.

Almost 5 months. Hailey winked at the kind lady, it felt good just saying it. She was pregnant. She felt like it was this deep secret but Castiel told her it was safe here. No evil could cross 3 towns. Hailey had researched it. No one else knew she was here.

Well, you are glowing, my dear. Have a great evening. The lady smiled.

You too and thank you. Hailey smiled warmly to her before walking out the small market.

Hailey walked with a small bounce, she felt lighter. She was going to be mom. She wouldn't be alone anymore. She will always have a piece of Dean with her. She reached to the ring hanging from her chain and squeezed it lightly. Maybe it was the hormones but, for the first time in a long time, she left like everything was going to be okay.

After walking three more blocks, Hailey reached her second story studio home she had managed to somewhat make homey. She unlocked her door and walked in, locking it behind her. As she turned around the dim apartment she saw a figure on her couch. She quickly dropped her fruit, flicked the light and pulled out her knife she had tucked in the hem of her pants, she usually wore to work.

Castiel? Oh my god what happened? Hailey asked, taking in the bloody angel on her couch, half conscious.

I'm sorry, I didn't know where else to go. The angel told her out of breath.

Tell me what to do. Hailey begged, not knowing how to fix an angel.

I just need rest, usually we can heal but I used all my strength. Castiel explained through the pain.

What did you do? Hailey asked as she ran into the kitchen to go wet a cloth, came back, kneeled beside him and wiped the grime and blood of his face.

I had... a mission. The angel said his eyes loosing focus as he started to pass out.

Hey, hey. Stay with me Castiel. Open those beautiful peepers of ours. C'mon buddy, what mission? What did this to you? Hailey asked trying to keep the angel conscious, shaking his shoulders.

Hell...

Hell? Hailey blinked.

To save... Dean. Castiel whispered and his eyes rolled up as he passed out.

To save Dean?.. Your mission was to save Dean... Castiel! Wake up! Did you save Dean? Castiel! Is Dean ok?! Wake up! She shook the angel more violently but he was out cold.