Dean left Maya in her room, fussing over where to put her shoes. He thought about what she'd said, the way she'd touched his cheek. She meant it, he thought, she was genuine. That smile she gave him made his chest tighten. There was still a part of him, though, a cynical, nagging part of him that tugged at him, telling him she wasn't going to be happy here. Still trying to convince him that it was his fault.

"Hey, everything ok?" Sam's voice pulled Dean from his reverie, and he found himself standing in the middle of the library.

"Uh... yeah." He rubbed the back of his neck. "All good. Maya's chosen her room... just settling in. Thinks it's a little cramped."

"I doubt she minds, Dean. Besides, if she decides to stay here for good, you'll be surprised how much improvement a coat of paint'll do."

"Alright, Extreme Makeover: Bunker Edition, thanks for tip."

Sam sighed. "Look, Dean, all I'm sayin' is that it's easy enough for her to make this place feel more like home. It's not like she's gonna be stuck in a dark, cramped bedroom, then decide she can't take it anymore and leave, if that's what you're worried about. She can fix it. Not a big deal."

Dean tried to look blasé. "Why would I care about that? If she wants to leave when all of this is over, she can."

His brother couldn't stifle a smirk. "Sure, Dean, I believe you, but what I said still stands, man."

Ass, he thought to himself.

"Dean. Cas's coming." Maya poked her head round the library doorway.

"Huh?"

"I dunno. I just know."

Dean nodded his head towards the bunker entrance as an invitation to follow him, and Maya did. She'd changed to sweatpants now, and a Biggie Smalls t-shirt, which he chose to ignore, her hair braided and resting on her shoulder.

"Hot date tonight?" he teased.

"Shut up, I was unpacking."

"So your spider-senses tingling?"

"Kind of. I just-" Maya stopped short as the heavy bunker door swung open. "No fucking way." she whispered, watching an angel in a trench coat descend the stairs in front of them.

"Dean, Maya."

The Winchester blinked dumbly. "You were right."

Cas look at both of the hunters in turn, squinting slightly. "Right?"

"Maya knew you were coming, spidey senses or somethin'."

The angel looked at him like that was obvious. "That is not surprising, if she possesses grace, she would be able to sense my arrival."

"Now that... that could be handy."

Dean's jaw tightened. "Where have you been, Cas? Maya's been wondering around as angel bait for days, with no idea what the hell is going on. You didn't even call."

"I'm sorry, Dean." Cas said simply.

"Sorry? How-"

"Dean." Maya's hand found the small of Dean's back. "It's okay. He's got his reasons, I'm sure. And look at me, I'm fine- nothing bad happened in the time he was away."

"It coulda." he spat.

"Dean."

In Dean's defence, he tried to look contrite, but there was still a trace of irritation set in his face.

"We know you can use the... angel radio... and we know you can sense others. Have you tested anything else?"

I smiled. "The only people besides Sam and Dean I've seen in the past few days are diner waitresses and motel receptionists, not really had an opportunity to practice smiting."

"Of course. I expect that will come in due course, perhaps on a hunt."

"That'll make jobs a hell of a lot easier."

Dean was silent, still.

"What other mojo might I have?"

The angel shifted uncomfortably. "You may be invulnerable to damage... but I doubt anybody would wish to test that willingly."

"Again, that'll make jobs a hell of a lot easier." My head was cocked as I looked at Cas. "So, what are the chances that everything you can do, I can do? You know, being as though we already know I got already seem to have some angelic powers."

His response was delayed. "I would find it odd if you only received some angelic attributes. I would hasten to say that yes, everything I can do, you could do."

I looked at Dean, whose body language had shifted from gruff and irritated to more relaxed and hopeful. "So, if we can get her warded, she's gonna be a lot safer than she was before, right? On hunts, she's basically the cheerleader from Heroes?"

"I don't know this cheerleader, but I suppose she would be a lot more difficult to injure, or kill."

I expect he didn't think I'd noticed the change in his demeanour, in his tone, but I could basically see the tension stripped from his body. The notion had crossed my mind a few times- how much stronger, how much safer I'd be on hunts, but I wondered why it had only just crossed Dean's. I guess he was too focused on the threat of the Angels to think about any of the positives.

"Where's Sam?" Cas enquired.

"Gone to pick up something to eat, he shouldn't be long." Dean said, pulling a chair for me, sitting himself in the next one along.

"Good. Heaven was awash with rumours about what happened the night Maya was saved, I thought you'd like to hear them."

By the time Sam got back with dinner I was starving, and Dean was impatient to hear was going on in Heaven.

I loaded up a chopstick with noodles. "So. What's going on up there? Do they know?"

"There was an immense surge of power when you received grace. They felt it upstairs, but didn't know what it was. I asked around... they are thinking nephillim- a child of an angel and a human."

"So, not on the mark completely." Sam said, his eyes now on me. "They know something happened, but they don't know that you happened. You might be safe."

"Yeah... they're gonna be looking for same halfling kid, running around with earth-destroying powers, not for you." Dean seemed optimistic, his eyes flashing. "You might be off the hook."

"While I would agree that the angels do not know to look for you, we cannot let our guard down. You need to be warded, and we need to keep a low profile."

"Maybe we should lay off the hunts for a while- stay in the bunker."

I pressed my lips together. "I dunno, Dean, that doesn't really seem fair on any of us?"

"I dunno, My. Can't get any safer than in here, why risk it?"

I gave him an imploring look. "I can't be cooped up in here by myself. You can't go waltzing off on cases and leave me behind all the time."

He sighed in resignation. "We can't risk taking you out there, My- we'll get you warded, but that don't mean they won't find you. Why take that chance when we know you'll be safe here?"

"Maybe you didn't have to stay in here 24/7... we can't expect you to stay locked up in here like a prisoner. But popping into town is a lot less dangerous than traversing the country, staying in barely warded motel rooms." Sam said gently.

My eyes shifted to Dean, his forehead crinkled, all the tension back in his body again. I thought about earlier, the way he stood so awkwardly in my doorway, worrying that he'd ruined my life. I knew he cared about me, wanted me safe, but I couldn't tell whether it was because he felt obliged to, or at best because I was a friend, and friends watched out for each other. Now though, I saw it differently. He didn't just want to keep me safe for me, he wanted to keep me safe for him. My hand found his leg under the table, and I let it rest there for a moment before giving it a gentle squeeze and letting go. He didn't look at me, but I watched as a smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

Cas stood up rather suddenly, his eyes focused on me. "We should get you warded. As soon as possible."

"Can I finish my noodles first?"

"I...yes. Sorry."

I finished my food as quickly as I could, and followed Cas into the library.

"This may be a little uncomfortable." The angel gave me an apologetic look.

I shrugged. "I think I'll survive."

Cas placed a hand on my chest, and I felt a burning spread from his fingers to my ribs. I let out a small gasp.

"There. Unless they know exactly where you are already, no angel will be able to locate you."

I rubbed my chest. "Thanks, Cas."

"Feel any different?" Dean was leaning casually in the doorway.

"Oh, loads different. Like a whole new person."

He smiled. "That should keep you safe. Well, until one of them actually sees you coming out of a restaurant or the grocery store..."

"Hey... way to be optimistic."

He smiled again, only this time it was pained. "Optimism is a luxury we've never been afforded, angel."