Hello, everyone! Man, you guys certainly get antsy over cliffhangers! What on earth did y'all do after the recent season finale!? I surprised there wasn't a mass group of fans in front of Kripke's house demanding answers! LOL!

I won't be as cruel as he is being by making you wait until the fall to find out what happens! Besides, I couldn't wait to write this chapter! So without further ado, here it is!

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Chapter 12

The Angel's Arrival

The ground shook, the noise sounding like a freight train was passing directly next to the church.

The man who was about to nail Dean's hand to the cross froze. His eyes turned black. Even as Dean struggled for air he could see the demon was nervous. It turned to look back at Darius.

"Sir?" The demon asked hesitantly.

The wind picked up outside. Dean could hear it loosen the roof's shingles and rattle the windows in their frames. The building shook harder.

Darius frowned as he looked around the building, the eyes of the man next to him turning black as well. They were confused. Nervous.

This obviously wasn't part of the plan.

Suddenly, the lights in the church began to flicker and then burst, sending a shower of sparks raining down on the floor. The demon next to Dean quickly jumped down and looked around anxiously.

Please, Dean prayed silently. Please…

The doors at the back of the church began to creak, as if some massive force was pushing them with all its might. All eyes were locked on them. And then there was a massive crack as those doors swung open.

Castiel stepped through the doorway.

Dean saw that the angel looked like the day he had first met him. Gone was look of fatigue and dishevelment. Gone was the look of anxiety, guilt and fear.

Castiel looked powerful.

Castiel looked enraged.

He began walking down the center aisle with long, confident strides. His eyes narrowed and filled with a deep simmering fury that was ready to explode at any moment.

Darius watched Castiel as he came down the aisle. He raised his right hand and pointed to him.

"Kill him," Darius hissed to his cronies.

The two demons left Darius' side and swiftly began walking towards Castiel, bats in hand and raised, ready to attack. It did not take them long to reach the angel. They swung at the same time; the strength behind the attack would easily kill anyone else.

Castiel did not even look at them. He raised both his hands and caught both bats, one in each hand, as they came at him. He pulled them out of the stunned demons' hands effortlessly and threw them aside. Before either one could react he then reached out and grabbed each one by the throat and lifted them up into the air. The demons desperately clawed at the angel's hands and flailed their legs helplessly in the air. Castiel then slammed them down to the floor on their backs. He closed his eyes and whispered a prayer. A bright light filled the demons' eyes and open mouths as Castiel burnt them out. Within seconds the dead bodies went limp on the floor. Castiel then stood back up and looked at Darius.

"You shall pay for what you have done," Castiel said menacingly, his voice causing the rafters in the church to shake.

Darius looked at him and smirked, ignoring the corpses of his fallen demon flunkies and the power behind the angel's voice.

"Castiel. I knew you would show up eventually, although I had hoped it would be after I had taken care of business. As you can see, I am right in the middle of something." He glanced back at Dean and chuckled. "Although your little man-whore is not going to last much longer. I was hoping to complete the ritual, but I think having you watch him die a slow, painful death will be almost as satisfying."

Castiel's eyes narrowed. His face twisted in rage as he raised his right hand and sent Darius flying across the platform into a wall and toppling over to the ground. Castiel continued his trek up the aisle to the platform where Darius quickly rose to meet him, undeterred by the angel's attack.

When Castiel closed in he swung at the demon, which Darius quickly blocked. Darius then swung at Castiel which also missed its mark.

Dean watched the fight as he struggled to remain conscious. He was helpless to do anything to protect his angel and it tore him up inside. He knew he didn't have much time life. With every second that ticked by it became more and more of a struggle to breath. He also could see the puddle of blood from where he had been flogged as well as the one growing beneath him.

He didn't want to die. Not again. He couldn't leave Sam alone again… or Bobby… or the fight that he knew he was needed for…

And Castiel… he couldn't die without telling him how he really felt…

The battle between the demon and angel raged on. Castiel was matching Darius blow for blow, driven by his rage and divine strength. His only mission being to cast out the demon.

Darius staggered back against the pulpit, his hands reaching back in search for something. When Castiel came in for another attack Darius swung, the glint of a jagged metal dagger reaching Dean's eyes. The demon hit his mark and cut a long gash across Castiel's left flank.

Castiel didn't even flinch.

He knocked the dagger from Darius' hand and tackled him to the floor. Closing one hand around the demon's throat, Castiel placed his other hand on the demon's forehead. As he began to chant the light filled the demon's eyes and mouth. Darius let out one last anguished scream before going limp.

Assured that the demon was dead, Castiel rose to his feet. He slowly looked at Dean and their gazes met. Dean was too far gone to read the meaning in Castiel's eyes. He closed his eyes and dropped his head, too weak to hold it up any longer.

Castiel looked over at the closet where Sam was being held captive. He raised his hand and the door flew open, sending Sam toppling out. Sam quickly staggered to his feet and his eyes immediately fell on Dean. His eyes widened and he froze in horror.

"Oh my god," Sam whispered in shock. "Dean? DEAN!"

He began to move towards his brother when Castiel grabbed his arm.

"Go help Jacob," Castiel ordered Sam firmly.

Sam looked at Castiel incredulously.

"What?! No! Dean! I have to help him…"

"You need to get Jacob to a medical facility immediately or he won't make it," Castiel explained firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. "I will attend to Dean."

Tears flowed down Sam's face as he looked desperately at Dean and then back at Castiel. He finally lowered his head and nodded, sobs shaking his body.

"He is in the other room," Castiel said calmly.

Sam turned to leave, but Castiel didn't let go of his arm. Sam looked back at him.

"I will take care of Dean, Sam. I promise. You will see him again," Castiel said softly.

Sam could see the compassion on the angel's face. Sam knew that of all those in the world that knew Dean, only Castiel would have the similar desire he had to save his brother. To overcome by emotion to speak, Sam could only nod. Castiel finally let go of his arm and Sam quickly made his way to the office. Castiel waited until Sam had Jacob out of the church before finally turning his attention on to Dean.

The only sound in the church now was Dean desperate wheezing gasps for air. His face was covered in dried rivers of blood as was the rest of his body. The pallor of his skin beneath the blood was almost grey. Castiel quickly went over and climbed up onto the box in front of Dean. He gently cradled Dean's face in his hands and Dean's eyes fluttered open at the sensation.

"Cas…" Dean wheezed when he saw the angel.

"I'm here, Dean," Castiel whispered as he began removing the barbed-wire crown from Dean's head.

Fresh blood began to seep from the now-open wounds on his scalp, but Dean could no longer feel the pain.

"You… came…"

"I saved you from Hell, Dean. I will always be there to save you."

Castiel leaned in close to Dean to support his weight as he raised his other hand in order to break the bonds holding him. Dean came forward, his raw flesh still clinging to the wood as he moved and tearing free from his body. More blood flowed down his back and puddle at their feet. The action did allow Dean the ability to breathe, though, and he began gasping and coughing as he tried to fill his lungs. His full weight sagged against Castiel.

"Sorry… so sorry… Cas… 'm sorry," Dean gasped as he clung to him.

"Shh… Dean… I'm here… you're safe now," Castiel murmured in his ear.

"Don't… wanna… die… Cas… please… love… you…"

Castiel closed his eyes as a wave of emotion coursed through him as he felt Dean's body finally go limp as he slipped into unconsciousness. He wouldn't allow himself to dwell on Dean's words. Now wasn't the time.

He raised his hand and closed his eyes. When he opened them the church was now back in order. There were no signs of the events that had taken place that evening. Satisfied, he held Dean close to him and spread his wings. There was a quick flash of light and then nothing.

The church stood empty.

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*sigh* I soooooo love writing about Bad-Ass Castiel!!! This is what I want to see in an episode! (Ya hear that, Kripke!!!! Read and take note!!! ; ) )

I have been so excited to write this part because it looks so awesome in my head. I hope I was able to put it on paper and make it as cool as I see it!

Please keep the reviews coming! I have the next chapter planned out, but have no idea what will come after that! Still trying to decide what to do to Anna! Any ideas/suggestions are always taken into consideration!

Thank you for reading!