Lock 1: Havre, Montana

By: Wolfa Moon

Dean focused his eyes on the road in front of him. Occasionally glancing in the rearview mirror to check on his fellow passengers. For the most part they remained surprisingly quiet. Sam stared out the window. They had played twenty questions along part of the journey to Montana from Utah. Then Dean had had enough and told all to be quiet. Turning up the radio everyone remained quiet.

When they passed into Montana Dean pulled into a small dinner and hopped out of the car quickly. The air was getting thick around him. Cas had once threatened Dean with sending him back to hell now she was threatening him with the future verse he never wanted to ever think about again. He needed pie.

The two angels looked from one another then to Sam.

"I guess we are taking a break."

"A human moment." Ramiel the archangel stated from earlier facts she had learned when they stopped at a rest area and the brothers had to relieve themselves.

"Yeah. Come on." Sam opened his door and got out. She stared to Castiel for further information. Castiel nodded and opened his door. She turned to hers but Sam had opened it already.

"Thank you." Sam watched as her still bare feet touched the cold pavement. Castiel came around to join them.

"We need to get you some shoes and new attire." The Arch looked down at her torn, demolished but clean cloths then examined Castiel and Sam's appearances. There was defiantly a difference in cloths. Sam may have been worn but they where not as beat up as hers. Castiel's was a slight rumpled but they appeared fully intake. Then she noticed how Sam looked down at her feet on the cold pavement. Looking to the others they had shoes on.

"I see. You wish for me to blend in more." Sam ran a hand through his hair. He didn't really want to order an angel around. But there was the point of remaining unseen.

"Yeah it would be helpful." She nodded.

"Where does one obtain such attire?" Shacking his head at the innocence she posed. She was an archangel but seemed to be left out of the world of human beings.

"We'll stop someplace but for now," Sam's stomach growled. "Let's eat. You do it?"

"We can eat." Castiel stepped forward. The three began to enter the dinner. It was a small place. A single isle was the restaurant with bar on one side and booths down the other. It was empty for this time of night except for some truckers getting something to refuel with. Dean sat in a booth mid way down the establishment. Sam moved in and sat down next to Dean. Castiel sat in first then Ramiel followed. The seat squeaked as they took their places. Dean sat focused on the menu before him. He didn't want to think about this mission he was shanghaied on. He knew the purpose was for a good cause but he really didn't want to think of that right now. He just wanted to be simple dean Winchester, demon hunter. Not Dean Winchester the vessel of Michael, the breaker of the first seal, the man who was pulled from perdition. He just wanted pie. Sam stared at this brother knowing something was weighing heavy on his mind. But what Sam really found fascinating was watching the angels take in the simple surrounding around them. Castiel was versed in most of the world goings on. Maybe through memories from his vessel. But her, she took everything in as if a childish sponge, soaking up everything around her. If her vessel was dying then maybe there wasn't a lot of recall of memories left from her to learn from. A waitress came over and plopped down menus in front of the new arrivals. Sam picked up his, smirking when the angels picked up theirs.

"Can I start you off with a drink?" She smiled while chewing her gum. Nicorete if Sam recognized the smell correctly. Her nametag identifying her as Helen

"Yeah I would like a coffee and a glass of water." She smiled and turned to the other two. Sam watched as Cas looked up and said,

"The same."

"And for you miss?" Ramiel was so focused on the menu she didn't hear. Castiel nudged her, which Sam had to smirk at. She looked up at the lady.

"Water please." The girl smiled but gave her a funny look. Their server taking in the ragged cloths.

"Ok." She turned to Dean. "You wanted to know the pies correct?"

"Yeah." Dean put down his menu and smiled at the young thirtyish waitress. She beamed back.

"We have, apple, cherry, blueberry, pumpkin, Banana cream, Rhubarb, and pecan." Dean smiled.

"I'll take a slice of each." The waitress smiled. Dean wanted pie. And he was going to need it. His gaze turned from the waitress to Ramiel.

"Do you guys know what you want?" Sam smiled.

"I'll have a piece of apple with a scoop of vanilla ice cream." He handed back the menu. She turned to the other two. Dean watched as the two looked from one another. Thing was he thought it funny how they looked like kids. But he had questions to ask.

"They'll have a slice of apple, and blueberry, with a scoop of ice cream." Helen looked at the two and smiled.

"You sure?" Ramiel stared into Helen's eyes, seeing something. Dean just hopes she doesn't voice it like Cas did to the working girl.

"Yes, thank you." Dean snorted at all the thank yous. Helen left them alone. "Why do woman stay in a relationship even when they know their beloved is cheating?" Dean looked from the waitress to her. Sam's face fell at the new information on their waitress.

"Some people don't know any better." He informed her. She nodded.

"So this first lock. Is it going to be hard or easy to close?"

"The first is easy. Then there will be some difficulty along the way."

"So why are we doing the easy one first?" She tilted her head.

"The first one is simple but when it is locked it will awaken guardians to watch and protect the other locks. It will also make them easier for us to find."

"But wouldn't it be easier to do the hardest first then perform the easiest last."

"Once he finds out what we are doing, he will send others to where he believes the locks are."

"So are all nine in the United States or are you guys going to be going on some solo missions?" Castiel turned more to watch the interaction. He was willing to serve and do the right thing. And information was always key. And this was something he did not know about.

"There are nine on each of your continents. When one is closed it's counter will close."

"So easy to lock up but harder to get out?" she nodded.

"At the time, they were enough. But humans populated so much providing more victims to being posed. And with your free will you began to listen more to his voice and his teachings."

"Which is?" Sam sat up curious to learn what he was learning.

"Betray." She simply stated. The waitress chose that moment to come over with their order. The conversation stopped. Dean dug right in. Sam did the same. They're hungry. Castiel followed suit and ate his pie. Dean snorted at the way Ramiel poked at it.

"Eat is Ram, it won't bite you." She turned her head at him. He smiled.

"Am I Ram?"

"Yeah," He swallowed the piece in his mouth. "He's Cas, Castiel. You're Ram, Ramiel."

"Is it a tradition to shorten one's name?"

"Why do you get that?" Sam asked as he drank his water.

"He calls you Sam, but you're name is Samuel. A name has power in every rite. Shortening makes it quicker to say but I worry if the name looses it powers." She took a bit of her pie and smiled. Sam smiled and watched his brother smile at her reaction. The table grew quiet. The name issue left for a later conversation. When they had finished the got up to leave but were stopped by a police officer. They all looked to each other but the cops eyes remained on Ramiel. As before she did look the sight.

"Is there a problem officer?" Dean asked with a big smile on his face.

"Let me see some ID?" Dean went to his pocket but gazed over at the angels who were staring at the officer. Sam got his id out and nudged Castiel. Castiel actually had a fake id courtesy of Sam for such a situation but he hadn't had enough time yet for Ramiel. The officer looked her up and down while she just followed his actions with her eyes. The brothers and Castiel produced their ids. The cop took all of them and looked them over. He handed them back and look to the only one left. "Where is your id?" She had watched the men reach around their cloths for a small rectangle with their picture and name on it. Feeling her pockets she felt something. Pulling out a folded piece of leather she handed it to the police officer. He opened the small piece of leather and looked at her in shock.

"Agent Standish, is everything alright? The waitress noticed your cloths and no shoes. So she called me to check it out." She smiled and the officer smiled back. Dean had to smile how the angel worked him with that simple expression. He wondered if she even realized.

"No officer. I had an accident with my partner and these gentlemen were giving us a ride back to headquarters." The officer handed her back her id. She took it and placed it back in it's pocket.

"That is good to know. Do you need an escort or contact anybody?"

"No we are fine. Thank you for your concern." The officer tilted his hat moving away from the exit. The group moved toward the car and got in quickly.

"We are defiantly getting you some new cloths." Dean revved up the engine and backed out. Sam turned in his seat to talk to his fellow passengers.

"Can I see your id?" She handed the id to Sam per his request.

"ATF Agent Eliza Standish." Dean glared back at her.

"Your in a Fricking government agent. That's great. That's wonderful." Let's add another thing to add on his unwish list. Specifically now not to show her off too much. Sam handed her back her id. It was impressive but knew it could get them into more trouble if she was found out. Looking back he watched as her eyes watched the passing scenery. The night was ending and soon it would be Sam's turn to drive so he leaned his head against the window and fell asleep. Ramiel moved forward and watched him sleep. Dean Watched as she moved between the seats to see.

"What never seen anybody sleep before?"

"Not in a long time." She raised her hand wanting to touch but the eyes of Dean made her stop.

"So when we get there, how do you lock the lock?" He sounded gruff, and tired. Castiel moved in his seat to hear better. Even though angel hearing is very good. It was a human action to get closer and listen. To be a part.

"We find the circled marble maze and then an angel shall shed the blood of another and let the blood fill the maze."

"Who's blood are you going to shed. You sure as hell ain't using mine."

"It will be my blood." Castiel spoke. She looked to him.

"No. I will seal the lock but you must perform the task." Castiel nodded and sat back further into his seat. Dean watched as puzzlement filed his angel's face. He looked upset at not being allowed to be the one to shed the blood. He looked more upset at being the one to cut the superior angel. Dean snorted. They healed faster then humans so why the big concern. He looked at Ramiel again. She had turned to watch Sam sleep. Dean smiled at how she seemed to focus no harm on him. She looked as if she wanted to sing him to sleep. Smiling more he returned to the road. It was good to know that he had an archangel on his side and in his car. And also a relief that Michael was not the one pushing for his vessel.

"He won't bite." She looked to Dean. "Sam, he might actually enjoy your touch." Dean had noticed how his brother was constantly looking at the archangel. Probably waiting for her to spread her wings and show off what an archangel could really do. Dean had had some shows but never the full effect. Defiantly not the effect to what Castiel had seen. He had died. In his mind he also wondered if she was afraid or felt the demon blood like Cas did. Cas seemed to be wary of Sam but Ram seemed interested in him. She reached out and touched his forehead. She began to smile. Dean had to admit he liked it when the angel smiled. Castiel did it occasional but it was a rare thing. For her it seemed a constant blanket thrown on the people around her.

"What's he dreaming of? Busty beauties?" he snorted.

"No he is dreaming of a festivity outside around a grill. People, your father and mother are there. He is wearing an apron saying 'kiss the cook'? And there is a man with a beard who he identifies as, Bobby. Then another blond woman named Jessica. A black haired woman named, Paula. Then you sitting laughing with a beer in hand. And Castiel and I are laughing at whatever you had spoken. His heart his content." She moved her hand away and looked to Dean. Dean smiled at the dream. He knew first hand that angels could walk in dreams. But it was interesting to learn what his brother was dreaming of. It sounded like a good dream. And was happy that he included Castiel in his dreams even though their differences. But Ramiel being there. That was another can of worms. Maybe he ran out of people to invite to the Bar BQ. All in all, a good dream. Ramiel settled back into her seat. Castiel turned to her to ask a question. She shakes her head no. Castiel turned to face forward. His mind on what she had just done. She had touched him knowing what Sam possessed. And didn't shudder the way he did sometimes when he was near the young man. Thinking back on his experience with the demon blooded man, he never thought he would appear in his dreams. Especially a welcomed guest.

The sun rose blanketing the world in light. It was late for Dean but watched as Ramiel took in the rays of the sun. She seemed to change into a bird like Isobel in Ladyhawke. Her spirits rising with the spread of her wings. If she was Isobel then who was Navarre. Was it Sam, or was it Castiel. Sure he likes to hunt but Dean in no way thought himself a wolf. A tiger maybe but not a wolf.

Driving through the town was no feet in the morning hours. Ramiel moved forward to give him final instructions on where to go.

The city was never their target but they ended up in a superb of the city that was filled with rich houses and beautiful gardens. Sam woke a while later offering his assistance to drive. Dean ignored him. They were so close to locking the first lock he couldn't sleep. He would sleep when this one was closed. He would let Sam drive to the next one.

"Stop!" She shouted in a ear piercing scream.

"Ah!" Dean hit the breaks. "I think I just became deaf."

"My apologizes." She opened the door and walked through the lightly covered snow ground. Castiel had jumped out quickly following her. She opened the locked gate and walked inside the beautiful walled up garden. It looked to be well taken care off. Angel statues marked every corner and somewhere cemented into the wall. She passed by each one and bowed to each of them. Castiel did too, honoring his fallen brothers and sisters who gave their life in closing this lock. Dean and Sam watched as they moved around the garden. Ramiel moved to the center of the garden where the birdbath was. Holding out her arm she presented it to Castiel. Dean Watched.

"That's the marble maze?" Dean asked in misbelief. In his mind he had seen a secret entrance to an unknown maze. Then the archangel had to be bled her way to the center. They looked to them but turned back to the task at hand. Castiel produced a blade that he had used to kill angels now he was using it to cut her arm. She didn't scream or flinch as he made the incision. The wound bleeds profusely. Surely if she was human she would need to replenish the blood. Placing her hand over the birdbath it began to fill with her blood. Sam and Dean moved closer and watched as the blood traveled a path around the bath. You couldn't see it with the naked eye but the blood knew where the walls were. Traveling around till it hit the middle. Ramiel pulled her arm back. The ground began to shack under their feet. Castiel and Ramiel moved back and held the brothers up between the two of the them. The ground becoming steady under their feet with the help of the angels. Watching the bath it began to glow. Bright light shined from it matching the sun. Dean and Sam had to shield their eyes from the light. Castiel and Ramiel took in the light as if solar powered. The birdbath began to plummet back to the earth becoming level with the ground. The light dying down. Dean and Sam lowered their arms to see the bath fixed into the ground. Ramiel and Castiel moved to the lock and began to cover it over with dirt. Sam was quick to recover and helped with the dirt. If this could keep Lucifer from using him as a meat suite he was all for it. Dean watched as they covered it back up.

"Is that it?"

"Yes." Her arm was still bleeding but where it spilled over the dirt covered seal irises began to bloom.

"That wasn't to bad." Sam said getting up whipping his hands on his jeans.

"This was the easy one." She began to head back to the car. Sam looked to Castiel. Castiel wrapped a hand around her wound to keep pressure and stop the bleeding. She smiled to him. He nodded. Looking to Sam he answered.

"The others will be much harder." He turned to return tot eh car. Sam looked last at his brother. Dean just shrugged and threw him the keys.

"You're driving to the next lock." Dean went tot the car. Sam watched them leave then back to the newly grown irises. One down, eight more to go. And this was the easy one. What was in store for him he didn't know. But he did know was that they had a mission. A mission that they could possibly succeed in. That could save him and the world. Looking to the statues angels he bowed and headed to the car.

TBC