A/N: Hello fellow readers. Welcome to Chapter 16. Can't believe this story's almost over. But I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoy writing this!
Once again, thanks to all who reviewed: roxxroj, kittenguts, Ooyuki-chan, Mirabilem Electo, Maddy Love Castiel, The Mysterious Shadow, and keacdragon.
All mistakes are mine 'cuz I'm human.
Disclaimer: I do not own Supernatural nor any of its characters.
Allons-y!
"The purpose of this ritual," Castiel begins. "What is it?"
Dean pauses, thinking of an acceptable answer. "It's more of a genie thing, really."
"And what is it that you will wish upon Gazardiel?" Castiel asks.
"To clear Lucifer from your mind, along with the Voice," Dean answers. "I don't know the risks though."
"Hey,Dean?" Sam calls from the table. "You should read about this."
Dean glances over at his brother from the couch. "What's it about?"
"The ritual you want to do," Sam replies. "I've found the risks."
"Oh boy," Dean sighs. "C'mon Cas, let's go." The two get up from the couch and head over to Sam.
"The consequences depend on the angel you chose, and the severity of what you are going to ask it," Sam says.
"Is Gazardiel a pretty lenient angel?" Dean asks Castiel.
"I would not know," Castiel answers. "I have never met him personally, but he is the Angel of New Beginnings."
"Fitting title," Dean comments. "Well, maybe we should call down this Gazardiel first so we don't piss him off."
"You think that'll work?" Sam questions, leaning back in his chair.
Dean shrugs. "Worth a shot," Dean says. "Better to call down an angel on its free time then to forcefully summon one, right?"
"Alright angel boy, you call him," Sam says and goes back to looking at his computer. "Since, y'know, you have that bond with angels."
"Bitch," Dean says, grabbing a pillow from the couch and throws it at Sam.
"Jerk," Sam replies, smiling, and grabs the pillow.
Dean huffs and turns to Castiel. "You ready?"
Castiel nods. "I believe so."
Dean nods and then closes his eyes. "Dear Gazardiel, my name's Dean and I'm looking for…uh, a little angelic assistance for my friend Castiel here, so I would appreciate if you could uh, drop by some time, y'know?"
"Smooth, Dean," Sam says.
"Shut up Sam," Dean quips back, opening his eyes.
All three stared about the room, expecting the angel to appear. After a while Dean shrugs.
"Alright, well I tried," Dean says, holding up his hands. "Let's do this ritual now."
A forceful gust of air blows through the room and all three turn to look at the new visitor.
"Which one of you is Dean?" The angel asks.
Dean raises his hand. "That'd be me."
The angel stalks forward and stop a foot away. "You called for me?"
"I take it you're Gazardiel?" Dean asks, staring at the hazel-eyed angel.
"That I am," the angel-Gazardiel- says. "You wanted me to do you a favor about Castiel?"
Dean nods. "If you…uh, wouldn't mind helping. I don't know the business level in Heaven right now, so are you off from work or something?"
"Heaven is straightening things out slowly," Gazardiel says. "Now, where's Castiel?"
Dean takes Castiel's hand and drags the angel to stand beside him.
"Hello, brother," Castiel greets.
"Something is off about you," Gazardiel says, walking over to Castiel, frowning. "Something's inside you."
"Yeah, Lucifer to be exact," Dean says. "In his head."
"Lucifer?" Gazardiel questions. "What is he doing in Castiel's head?"
"It's a long story," Dean says. "But we need to know if you can take him out so Cas can rest."
Gazardiel stares at Castiel and Dean swears the two are having a mental conversation. "You want both Lucifer and the Voice gone?"
"That's what we had in mind," Dean says, "but that Voice says not to get rid of him yet."
"I see," Gazardiel says. "Well, the sooner I do this, the less painful it will be for Castiel."
"What do you mean?" Sam asks, standing up.
"The longer Lucifer stays in Castiel's head, the more insane he will become and think Lucifer is a part of him," Gazardiel says. "It will be harder to drag the thought of Lucifer from Castiel's mind, and in return, it may cause him memory loss."
"Memory loss?" Dean repeats and then pauses. "What are we looking at now?"
"It's possible I could take him out now and have him not lose memory, but he has the Voice as well, which will make it harder," Gazardiel says.
"Well, do we know how much of his memory will be erased?" Sam asks.
Gazardiel shakes his head. "It's hard to tell. I can tell Lucifer's been in Castiel's head for a long time now, so I am not quite sure what memories he may forget."
Dean's eyes flicker to Castiel's and the angel can feel the sadness radiate from Dean. "It's up to you Cas," Dean says, "if you want to do this or not."
"Like I said, if I do it right now, there's a less chance of Castiel losing any of his memory," Gazardiel puts in.
"Then do it," Castiel says.
Dean lets out a shaky breath and stares at Castiel, who gives him a small smile.
"Very well," Gazardiel says and takes out a vial. "You two might want to step back."
Dean and Sam back away near to the door and watch as Gazardiel places a hand on Castiel's forehead. The lights in the house begin to flicker as Gazardiel starts to chant. Dean watches as the lights burst one by one as Castiel starts to yell and winces; Dean glances as Sam who has the same grimace on his face. After about five minutes, Gazardiel finally pulls away from Castiel, holding two glass bottles glowing gray. Dean rushes forward to catch Castiel who nearly falls over.
"Cas, you okay?" Dean asks.
"He will be fine," Gazardiel says. "It was harder than I thought since I had to separate the two in two separate bottles," Gazardiel holds the glass bottles, "but I managed it quite well."
"What about his memory?" Dean asks worriedly.
"Castiel did not lose any of his memories," Gazardiel says. "He does, however, need to rest."
Dean nods and then brings Castiel back to the couch while Sam and Gazardiel stand by the kitchen.
"Thank you, really," Sam says. "You've helped us a great deal."
"Well, I am glad I could be of assistance for one of my brothers," Gazardiel says. "I'm going to take these two bottles to Heaven so they are not in the danger of breaking open." With a flutter of wings, Gazardiel is gone.
"Hey, Dean," Sam says. "I was thinking of going out shopping real quick, get some pie, y'know, to celebrate."
Dean looks up in surprise. "You serious?"
Sam nods. "Why not? After all, I think we all deserve it."
"By we you mean me," Dean says and grins.
Sam rolls his eyes and grabs the keys. "Whatever Dean."
Sam almost closes the door before Dean yells, "And get cheeseburgers! For Cas!"
Sam shouts back a reply as the door closes and leaves.
Dean sits on the edge of the couch, running his hand through Castiel's hair repeatedly. "You did great today, you know that?" Dean says. "I hope you'll feel better when you wake up." Dean leans down and kisses Castiel lightly on the forehead, smiling seeing his angel finally resting peacefully.
A/N: Yay, another chapter completed. I know what you're thinking-it looks like it's over and now you'll get two happy chapters before the epilogue. Maybe that will happen, maybe not. We shall see, for only I know *grins*
So I hope you enjoyed reading this! Leave a review and I shall hope to have a new chapter up tomorrow!
FINALLY NEW EPISODE TOMORROW! I MIGHT CRY DURING IT AND LOSE A LIFE D: But I'm a cat, and have six lives left, so I should be good, but still! Btw: Why does CHCH give better promos then us? xD If you haven't seen the CHCH promo of 7x21, GO SEE IT! Castiel hugs Sam and Dean! :D Like I said: I'm so gonna lose a life watching it tomorrow xD
Until next time! *salutes*