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Chapte 15
Sam huffed impatiently. He was sitting at a small table with a mound of books in the town's local library, and he was getting fed up with his brother. Dean and Cass had met up with him in Minnesota, and after taking care of the job there, they had gone on to start researching ways to get rid of Lucifer. But right now it was just Sam doing the researching.
Sam glanced over to where Dean was hiding behind a shelf trying to not to laugh. Castiel was beside him, so he used the angel to stifle his laughter, pressing his face into Castiel's shoulder. When he composed himself, he crumpled up another little ball of paper from the piece in his hand and chucked it at another target: this time a portly woman skimming through a running magazine. She jumped as the paper hit her in the head and spun around much more quickly then Dean would have thought she could. Her eyes narrowed, scanning the surroundings for the instigator, but Dean had whipped back behind the shelf and was now grasping onto Castiel for support as his face turned red with the effort of keeping quiet. Castiel was even grinning, even though he thought throwing things at people was somewhat disrespectful. But it was funny.
Sam got up from his table before Dean could launch another paper ball and grabbed Dean by the shoulder.
"Hey. You do know we're here to look for ways to stop Lucifer, don't you?"
Dean shrugged Sam's hand off. "Yeah, that's what you're doing, cause you're the nerd. Me and Cass are just having some fun."
Castiel nodded earnestly beside Dean, but said, "Perhaps Sam is right Dean. We must destroy Lucifer."
"Yeah. How much 'fun' do you think you'll have if Lucifer takes over and destroys everything? He'll track us down. Kill me, you, and Cass. Will you be having fun then?" Sam knew he went too far as Dean paled.
"Lucifer won't kill Cass. He can get away; he'll be safe." Dean reached out and grabbed Castiel's hand as if afraid of losing him.
"Oh, you're fine with Lucifer killing me then, huh, as long as Castiel is safe?" Sam said, a bit hurt.
"No, I never said that-"
"Please, let us just research together. We must not fight." Cass said, interrupting the boys' squabble.
"Fine." Dean said quietly. The moment had been ruined by Sam. They were faced with an overwhelming, dangerous task and he had been having a little fun to ease the tension...and Sam had to ruin it.
Sam turned and stalked back to his table, feeling happy for some reason that he had ruined Dean's fun.
Castiel noticed Dean's attitude change and looked at him. "There will be other times for fun. But Sam is correct. Right now we must focus on beating Lucifer."
"I know." Dean sighed. "But now more then ever I want a normal life. Now that I have you." Dean looked into Castiel's eyes. "I never wanted to settle down before, but now it's all I think about. A little house with a yard for the kid to run around, and maybe we could get a dog."
Castiel touched Dean's cheek gently. "You have thought alot about this."
"Yeah. When you were gone, I kept thinking, 'If we weren't in this damn Apocalypse, Cass would here with me now and we could be barbecuing in the backyard'-"
"Barbecue?" Castiel asked, a quizzical expression crossing his face.
"I forgot you don't know...well, you'll find out. I'll teach you everything about humans, Cass. You can learn by watching me."
"I already watch you quite a lot." Cass smiled slyly, and Dean smirked as well.
"Well, well, is the little angel getting horny again?"
"Perhaps."
Dean wrapped his arms around Castiel's waist, and the angel's stomach bulged against his. He leaned in to whisper in Castiel's ear. "If Sam got mad at us throwing paper balls, what do you think he'll do if we started making out?" he brought his lips to Cass' and kissed him deeply, pressing him up against the book shelf behind him.
Sam glanced up again from his book to see that Dean and Castiel were now kissing behind the bookshelf, and he suddenly felt very alone and out of place. He continued watching them almost as if in a trance, and felt the hollow pit in his chest growing wider. He always had Dean, no matter what. But now Dean was with Cass, and he was alone. He had nobody.
Dean must have felt Sam's eyes on them because he suddenly looked up and their gaze met. Sam hastily looked back down at his book and continued reading.
Dean sighed and let go of Castiel. "He ruined the moment again, Cassie. Let's go." he took Cass' hand and made sure his trench coat was closed so it would harder for people to detect his baby bump before leading him over to Sam's table.
"Did you find anything remotely useful so far?" Dean asked as he pulled out a chair for Castiel to sit down.
"Nothing so far." Sam answered, flipping another page in his book. "You can look through those," he gestured to a few books lying in a stack, and Dean grabbed one.
"You know this is like torture to me, Sammy. I hate reading."
"Get over it. " Sam snapped. "There's a job to do. Stop whining."
Dean stared at his brother. What the hell? He traded a confused glance with Castiel before handing him a book.
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It turned out that Cass could read at a superhuman speed, which made their work go much quicker. But even though Castiel was going through about six books to Dean and Sam's one each, it was Dean who found the jackpot.
"Jackpot!" Dean said, as his eyes scanned the contents page of the book he was skimming through.
"What?" Sam looked up so quickly his neck snapped and Castiel eyed the page interestedly.
"Look, chapter nine. 'Lucifer's Cage and his Imprisonment'."
"What book is that?" Sam grabbed it to look at the cover.
"I don't know. Something that tells Lucifer's side. The details support everything in the bible, but it's more from Lucifer's point of view. Probably written by a witch." Dean said, leaning back in his chair lazily Sam examined the book.
"May I?" Castiel reached his hand out for the book and Sam frowned. He was usually the one who went through the material and found out the information.
Dean gave Sam a look. "Just give it to him. He can read faster then you so we could get to the center of the tootsie pop without taking all those licks first."
Sam relinquished his hold on the book reluctantly and Castiel grabbed it eagerly and began flipping through it at an amazing speed. Sam and Dean avoided each other's eyes as Castiel read and instead stared in opposite directions, watching the other patrons. After about ten minutes, Cass closed the book and placed it neatly in front of him.
"What's the scoop?" Dean asked. "Can we lock Lucifer up?"
"Yes." Castiel breathed, his eyes sparkling. "Do you two know the four Horsemen?"
"Like War and Famine?" Sam asked, sitting up straighter and looking curiously at the angel.
"Yes, along with Pestilence and Death." Castiel answered, satisfied that they had heard of the Horsemen.
"Whoa, Death?" Dean said. "Death is one person..creature?"
Sam rolled his eyes and Castiel nodded to answer Dean's question.
"They have items that they use to focus their power. We must retrieve all four. When we reunite the rings-"
"Wait, rings? Like as in a wedding ring?" Dean asked. "We have to steal a ring off Death's finger?"
"No one said it was going to be easy." Sam muttered, becoming very annoyed with Dean for some reason. "What do we have to do after that?" he said, addressing the angel.
"There is an incantation that must be performed when we reunite the rings. They will form a pit that leads back to Lucifer's cage. Once he falls in, he will be imprisoned again by the rings' power."
All three men stared down at the cover of the book, which featured a fair-haired angel rising above a pit of fire.
"So...we just have to find these Horsemen and steal their jewelry and then we can rid of Lucifer?" A grin broke out on Dean's face. "Now we have a plan, so let's go." he grabbed the book and shoved it into his coat. "I'm sure the library won't miss this."
Sam rolled his eyes. "Let's go then, We just have to find out how to find the Horsemen."
"There are ways-" Castiel suddenly gasped in the middle of his sentence and looked around wildly.
"What's wrong?" Dean touched his shoulder, eyeing him worriedly. Castiel put a finger to his temple, closing his eyes. "They're coming. We have to go." Cass suddenly stood, motioning for the boys to follow him.
Dean and Sam jumped up, and Dean grabbed Castiel's arm. "Who's coming?" he asked and when there was no reply, he shook the angel. "Cass, answer me!"
"I will bring us somewhere safe," Castiel said, so absorbed he didn't even seem to notice Dean's roughness. He reached out a hand to the boys, intending to zap them all away, but his hands never reached their intended target.
"Cass!" Dean cried as the angel flew through the air and hit one of the book shelves, causing it to tumble over.
Sam glanced around, noticing something odd that Dean had not: everyone in the library was frozen in their actions, whether they were talking, reading or walking around the library. Dean tried to go to Castiel, who was groaning under a pile of books, but he was stopped in his tracks by a rather intimidating man who wasn't there a minute ago.
The man waved his hand and Dean flew backward, smashing into Sam. Sam cracked his head into the table and they fell into a heap on the floor.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't the Winchesters." The man sneered as he walked toward the boys. They managed to untangle themselves and stand on their feet. Sam had some trouble, feeling a bit dazed due to the gash in his head from smashing it. He worked hard to focus on the man in front of them, already guessing what it could be. He wiped away a trickle of blood that was running down his face and placed a hand on the chair next to him to steady himself. Dean was preoccupied by the sight of Castiel's arm sticking out of the pile of books, and moved forward, but the man raised his hand and Dean stopped, unable to move.
Dean glared at him, trying to take control of his body. "Who are you?"
"That doesn't concern you. I am here on Zachariah's behalf. I have come to take you to Michael so you can become his vessel."
Sam nodded unable to help himself. He was right. The way time had stopped and how Castiel had sensed the other angel was coming had lead Sam to the correct conclusion.
"Oh, are we back to that again? Didn't you get the hint the first time that I'll never say yes?" Dean remembered as clear as day when Zachariah appeared to him when he was with Chuck and told him that he was Michael's true vessel. It was shortly before he and Castiel had gotten together.
The angel's eyes flicked toward Sam, who was standing behind Dean, and Sam stepped backward under the angel's blaring gaze.
"I could always take your brother then." The angel smirked and reached forward, but he suddenly flew all the way across the room and smashed threw one of the large glass windows. Castiel had risen from the pile of books and attacked from behind. He hurried toward the boys.
As soon as the other angel's presence has left the room, the humans had returned to their normal state and they were now looking at the overturned bookshelf with some surprise.
"We must leave now." Castiel reached out and placed a finger to Sam and Dean's temples. Within their next blink, they were outside somewhere, their eyes adjusting to the bright sunlight shining down. They were in what seemed to be a large golf course, but there were no golfers to be seen. Dean grabbed Castiel up in a hug instantly, relieved he wasn't hurt. Sam sat on the ground, feeling too dizzy to stand anymore. He hoped he didn't have a concussion.
"You okay?" Dean asked Castiel, touching a small cut on Cass' forehead. Sam looked up and glared at his brother. What about him? Hadn't they noticed the blood running down his face yet?
"I'm perfectly fine." Cass closed his eyes for a second and the gash healed itself.
Dean touched Cass's stomach. "The kid okay? Everything intact?"
"Yes."
Sam huffed from his place on the ground, and the two looked around. Apparently they had forgotten about him. "Can I get some help here?"
"Don't be so impatient. I had to make sure Cass was okay." Dean scoffed.
"He's an angel. He's not going to be hurt by flying into a bookshelf." Sam said angrily. "If you haven't noticed, I'm a human and I just cracked my skull."
"It's not always about you, Sam." Dean snapped.
Sam snarled, a sharp reply on his tongue, but Castiel kneeled beside him and touched his forehead before he could say anything. The gash closed up and healed instantly, and the blood disappeared.
"Is there anything else, Sam? I'm sorry I didn't realize you were hurt."
Sam glared at him, too angry to speak, although his head felt a alot better. "Yeah, apparently I don't matter much anymore."
"What are you talking about?" Castiel reached out and his shoulder. "We were caught up in the moment."
Sam suddenly stood and pushed Castiel away.
"Hey!" Dean growled. "Don't you touch him like that." He grabbed Castiel and pulled him up off the ground, holding him close.
"You know ,I never thought I'd miss it when you were that protective over me, but I do. You didn't even ask why that angel might want me." Sam said, his voice breaking suddenly. "You two should just go off together somewhere since I'm just getting in the way of all your fun and games. Go fix the Apocalypse by yourselves." Sam spun on his heels and stalked off in the other direction.
Dean stared at Sam's retreating back, his mouth gaping open.
"I think you were a bit insensitive." Castiel said softly, watching Sam leave.
Sam suddenly called over his shoulder. "By the way, the angel wanted me because I'm Lucifer's vessel. They want to kill me."
"WHAT!" Dean screamed.
Sam smiled with satisfaction as he continued walking further away from his brother. Yeah, now he cares. Well, he wasn't going back. Let them chase after him.
Dean ran a hand through his hair frustrated. "What the hell are those bastards thinking? They're putting us up against each other?"
"It does make sense," Castiel said thoughtfully. "The similarities are uncanny. Lucifer, the one who rebelled against his father and who was pushed out, and Michael who obeyed his father's every word. You two are the perfect vessels for them."
Dean was quiet for a moment. He knew he should go after Sam, but he was worn out mentally for the time being. Besides, it wasn't like Sam was going anywhere. There were miles of green grass around them.
Dean chose to ask Castiel a question instead of dealing with his brother. "So the angels are tailing us now?"
"I believe so." Castiel answered, sill looking after Sam.
"So we're gonna have to worry about them popping up wherever we go?" Dean asked, but Castiel wasn't paying attention.
"Dean, I think I will go talk to Sam." Castiel was watching the lone figure traveling across the lush green grass.
"Why? He should stew in his juices for a little while. He shouldn't have pushed you like that." Dean protested.
Castiel reached out and entwined his fingers with Dean's. "I believe your brother is upset because he is feeling left out and unwanted, not because we didn't notice he was hurt. You need to be more forgiving towards him, you need to pay more attention to him."
"When did you become so in touch with human emotions?"
Castiel shrugged and squeezed Dean's hand. "I'm no sure. Hormones, perhaps?"
Dean chuckled. "Yeah, maybe."
"Now let me go speak with him."
Before Dean could reply, Castiel was gone. "Frigging angels." he muttered and continued walking towards Sam's figure, which was now joined by Castiel's.
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"Sam?" Castiel said, and Sam jumped and spun around.
"What do you want?" he snapped, whirling away to continue his trek forward.
"I want to help, Sam. I understand why you're upset."
"What do you know? You're an angel. You don't even belong here. You're just with us because you have no where else to go; you got kicked out of heaven. You pushed your way in and took my brother. So don't say you understand."
"Sam, I know what's is like to lose family. I lost my whole family when I rebelled. Now I am an outcast. But Dean is still here, you have not lost him to me. He still cares about you." Castiel said quietly and Sam snorted derisively.
"Yeah, well he doesn't show it."
"I'm sorry, Sam, but I didn't tell him to ignore you."
Castiel watched as Sam's shoulders slumped noticeably. It seemed as if the hunter had lost his will to argue anymore. He turned to look at the angel now.
"Cass," Sam said, a desperate tone in his voice as he looked at the angel. "I'm all alone."
"No you're not." Castiel reached out and grasped Sam's hand. "You still have us here."
"No, you two have each other, I have no one. When I see you together, I wonder if I'll ever find anything like that." he tightened his grip on Cass' hand, enjoying the comforting warmth of it.
"You will when the time is right." Castiel assured Sam, and gave him a smile. "Now please, stay with us. We need your help to defeat Lucifer."
Sam nodded reluctantly, looking at the ground. "I'm sorry about pushing you before. You were just trying to help. You're not like Dean."
"You have no need to apologize. You were frustrated and your emotions took over. I know you did not mean those actions." Castiel said. "I'll bring us back to Dean now." Castiel looked at Sam to make sure he was in agreement, and Sam nodded again.
In an instant they were back next to Dean's side. Dean jumped, and sighed. He would never get used to that.
"Dean, Sam will stay and help us." Castiel said, releasing Sam's hand and Sam immediately felt cold and lonely again. Castiel looked meaningfully at Dean, but he shook his head, puzzled. What did Cass want him to do? Castiel nudged Dean's arm and mouthed, 'Apologize.' Dean rolled his eyes but under Castiel's stern gaze, he relented.
"Sam, look, I'm sorry. I've just been caught up lately. But you're still my brother and I'll always be here for you." Dean glanced at Castiel, and the angel nodded, satisfied. Sam grunted in response, which Dean took as 'Apology accepted'.
Dean clapped his hands together. Time to change the subject. "Now, about this vessel thing. You should hae me sooner, Sam, but we'll just have to deal with it. Has Lucifer come to you yet?"
Sam shook his head. "Not in person. In a dream. He said he would find me."
Dean glanced at Castiel. "Is there any way to keep the angels away?" Castiel looked uncomfortable, and Dean knew that it was possible.
"I can do something that can stop them. But it will be painful." Castiel said reluctantly. "I can carve Enochian sigils into your ribs so the angels can't locate you."
Sam frowned at Castiel. "Will you be able to find us? Won't it keep away all angels?"
Dean looked horrified at this question. No way was he going to be without Castiel again.
"I'm afraid not. We will have to find some other way of communicating if I need to find you when I'm not with you." Castiel explained and Dean shook his head quickly.
"Then no, you're not doing that. You need to be able to find us if we ever get separated."
"Dean, this would be the best thing to do. If the angels take you, they have ways of making you obey them." Castiel argued, and a knowing look crossed his face. "I know, I have experienced it. You cannot say yes, Dean. Please let me mark you."
Dean made a noncommittal noise in his throat and Sam pushed him aside. "Do me first, then."
Castiel looked apologetic as he placed a hand flat on Sam's chest. "Brace yourself." he warned and closed his eyes to concentrate.
Sam felt normal for a minute, and then... intense burning that felt like it was coming from his bones overtook him. He screamed and dropped to his knees just as Castiel released him.
"Sammy, you good?" Dean squeezed his shoulder, trying to take Castiel's advice and pay more attention to Sam and his brother nodded, taking a deep breath as the pain faded. "Yeah, but now it's your turn, Dean."
Dean released Sam and stepped forward. He noticed Castiel looked more reluctant to touch him then he had with Sam.
"It won't do anything to our relationship? I can still touch you, right?" Dean said quietly, hoping Sam didn't hear. If they couldn't kiss, hold hands, and do..other stuff...then this was definitely off. He couldn't imagine never touching Castiel again. Sam shuffled his feet awkwardly behind the two, trying not to listen in.
"Yes." Castiel said gently. "You can still touch me. This just prevents angels and demons from finding you. Once I'm with you it will be like the sigils aren't even there."
"And there will be other ways you can find us, right?"
"Yes. I believe I can get what you humans call a cellular phone. We can communicate with that if I'm not with you."
"Alright." Dean finally consented, and spread his arms apart. "Do it then." Castiel touched Dean, and he winced and gave a small moan, and then Castiel let go.
"That wasn't too bad." Dean grinned at Sam. "I don't know why you screamed like a girl."
Sam ignored his brother. "Now that that's done, we have to find these Horsemen. Cass, you were saying there are ways to track them down?"
"Yes. Especially with the Apocalypse, they are showing themselves more and more. We can follow their trails and locate them." Castiel nodded, satisfied and began walking.
Castiel grabbed Dean's hand. "You said we would find a way to defeat Lucifer."
"See? Aren't you glad you trusted me?" Dean said, grinning.
"Yes. And after Lucifer if gone, can we get a home with a backyard?" Castiel said hopefully. "We can plant flowers. I have always loved flowers, the beauty of them."
Dean kissed Castiel's forehead softly. "Yeah, we can."
"I was thinking about it as I was reading," Castiel smiled.
"I'm thinking about it now. We can get a pool..wait, do you know how to swim?"
"Swim?"
"Never mind." Dean chuckled. "Let's go catch up to Sam before he has a fit." Dean wrapped his arm around Castiel's waist and rested his hand on the angel's belly, and Castiel leaned up against him.
"It will be perfect, Dean. When everything is over."
"Yeah, it will." Dean kissed Castiel's forehead again, and hoped it was true.
I know Castiel had given them the sigils earlier in Season 5 before the episode of 'Free to be you and me' where I started this fanfic, but I wanted to put that in now. I figured it wouldn't matter much. Hope you enjoyed and please review! I need to write more Supernatural fanfics to hold me over until the new season 9...why did it have to end!