"So what, you hacked into Angel radio or something? With your mind?"

"I-I don't know, Dean. They just came to me all of the sudden."

"Well, what are they saying?"

"I don't know."

Dean didn't miss the contractions and, for reasons he could not delve into, they terrified him.

"How can you-"

"They are all talking at once; it is hard to hear what they are all trying to say."

"Well, pick one."

"I…I do not know how."

Dean had never been so happy to hear Castiel's overly precise way of talking. He wasn't sure what was happening but he certainly didn't like that everything seemed to be getting weirder as time passed. Four days and now the only constant in all of this was hearing Angels in his head. He wasn't sure how much more he could take.

Despite the noise and distraction, Castiel was glad to note that Dean had put on the trench coat as he registered the sounds of footsteps in their direction. He tried pushing the voices into the back of his mind like a silent prayer but some voices were more insistent than others, pushing through the carefully made confines.

"Where has our brother-"

"The seals-"

"Lilith-"

"Lucifer is –"

"The cage –"

"-he has Fallen –"

"Father, I seek guidance –"

"Zachariah –"

"The Righteous Man is safe."

A blissful silence resounded before all of the other voices grew infinitely louder once again in praise and prayer. Castiel's head was pounding from the strain of it all, yet somehow it was more comforting than the silences he had become accustomed to. The priest was relieved that the new noise was something he was more trained to handle, years of having a prayer of his own playing at the back of his mind finally becoming more than just a habit as Pastor Jim opened the door.

It was then, as he watched the priest before him observe the situation that he realized exactly how compromising the position was. Once again, Dean came to the rescue.

"Pastor Jim."

"Hello Father Christopher. Dean. What is going on here?"

"I happened by the bathroom and heard a loud noise – I'm guessing that Ca-Father Christopher either slipped, knocked himself out for the count or he fainted from the heat."

"I see."

"Yeah, so I wrapped him up and brought him back to his room – didn't want him getting sick or drowning, you know?"

"Yes, I see. How are you feeling, Father?"

Despite the obvious problem having passed, Castiel still felt nervous as both pairs of eyes became trained on him.

"I…have a slight headache but am otherwise fine."

Half truths, Castiel decided, were much easier than lies.

"I see. Well, when you are…more presentable, I would like you and Dean to meet me in the kitchen. I feel there is much we need to discuss."

As Pastor Jim went to leave and Castiel attempted to extend a courteous gesture by standing to walk him from the room. Instead, Castiel found himself falling face first in Dean's chest while his legs gave out from underneath him. Like clockwork, Dean's arms wrapped around Castiel's back to support him and the Pastor fled the room.

After they discovered Castiel to be weak at the knees, Dean awkwardly helped him get dressed before aiding him to the kitchen. They found the priest sitting at the table with a skeptical look on his face and a cup of what Dean assumed to be coffee in hand. As the pair eased into their seats the Pastor began.

"I would like to discuss a dream I had last night if it is alright with you."

They shared a knowing look before nodding to signal for him to continue.

"It involved you, Dean. For some reason you had Angel wings despite the fact that you do not seem particularly holy to me."

"That sounds like a really weird dream, Sir."

"Indeed it was."

He sipped his coffee noiselessly.

"How about we discuss what brought you both to my doorstep instead."

Just as Castiel went to begin, something stopped him. Something was off, something important but with all the noise in his head he couldn't focus long enough to place it. Then a voice rang out above the others.

"A priest has been compromised."

A chill ran down his spine as his blood ran cold. There should have been doubts in his mind, a rationalization that Pastor Jim wouldn't but there wasn't. Instead, he automatically realized that a deal must have been struck – it would explain Pastor Jim's odd behavior and why the Holy Water would do nothing to him. As his thoughts grounded him to the present he noticed the confused look Dean was shooting his way and the expectant stare of Pastor Jim. His mouth clicked shut for a second - another half truth, then.

"There is a Demon after Dean, although the motive is unclear the fact that it is after him at all is enough to warrant constant protection."

"I see."

"There is another case about an hour from here – a suspected Djinn attack in Zanesville. I could not stay in New York and Dean had no ties there so we mutually agreed this to be the best form of action."

Stealing a glance Castiel was relieved to find that Dean had caught on.

"Yeah, Cass promised to show me how to fight back and stuff."

"Cass, huh? Well, it seems to me that this…arrangement is mutually beneficial for you."

This was the second time Castiel found himself uncomfortable with the Pastor's implications.

"This is the only way that guarantees Dean's safety. I would not have been able to teach him enough to be safe within the day and a half we made acquaintance in."

"You're being oddly defensive, Father Christopher. Do not fret; I do not judge others for their transgressions."

The silent 'Only God judges Sinners' rang through Castiel's mind like a siren. He seethed quietly while the cleric stood and rinsed his mug.

"You are both permitted to stay on the grounds that you do not bring anything back here. Father, you know the rules."

"Yes, we will oblige. Thank you for your kindness, now if you will excuse us."

Gracelessly, Castiel rose with Dean quick to follow and assist him back to their chambers.

"So, a genie?"

"A Djinn, yes."

"Do they really grant wishes?"

"There is little lore to draw from, to be honest. I cannot say for sure."

"If they do, would you wish for something?"

"No."

Castiel didn't need a moment to think, answering instantaneously. His knowledge of the stories that did exist was enough to decide that for him – a Djinn's wish never ended well for anyone involved.

"They are tricky creatures – finding any loop hole they can to turn the wish you ask for dangerous. It would be unwise to accept a wish from one."

"So…when will we get down to hunting it?"

"I should be better rested after tonight; I fear this development has taken a toll on me."

"Yeah – about that. Are you still…"

Castiel noted that the gesture was vaguely similar to the one to symbolize someone being crazy.

"Hearing Angels? Yes."

"Right. Are you gonna be okay?"

"Yes."

Castiel did not know where his certainty stemmed from but it was a relief to him. Just as they reached his bedroom door and Dean turned to leave, Castiel stopped him short.

"Dean."

"Yeah, Cass?"

"Do you still need assistance with the coat?"

With all that had been going on, Dean hadn't expected Castiel to remember. Not to say he wasn't grateful, just pleasantly surprised. Getting the sucker on was a real pain in the ass.

"Uh, yeah, actually…Thanks."

They used Castiel's room for the removal, a groan of relief escaping Dean's lips as he felt the uncomfortable restrictions finally lift. As he stretched his wings in the still too small space he felt knots and kinks in the muscles pop and pull, making him wince.

"I never did get to help you clean them."

The gravel tones of his companion grounded him once more.

"There's always tomorrow."

"…I could rub out the soreness for you now, though, if you would like."

Turning to face the tired eyed cleric he found a small smile gracing his lips.

"I am guessing you are a little tense from being confined for so long today."

Dean couldn't think of a reason to say no, so he rubbed the back of his neck instead.

"Yeah, sure…that sounds great, thanks."