Sam and Dean exchanged concerned glances.

"On three?" mouthed the youngest Winchester to the oldest and he nodded, gripping the dagger in his belt loop.

"One. Two…"

Sam kicked the door open, Lory flipped on the light switch (which she'd prayed was right by the door) and Dean cocked the large dagger over his head. Taking in the sight of the unpleasantly rigid man in the blue suit and trench coat, the eldest Winchester's jaw tightened as he rolled his large, green eyes.

"Castiel? Goddamn it!" he sighed, sheathing the weapon.

The angel glared resentfully at those words.

"I'm glad to see you've found her," he nodded in his calm way, "It took two tries."

Turning toward the girl, Dean frowned indignantly.

"So you're in cahoots with flyboy?"

"I don't know him!" she replied earnestly, as though defending her honor.

"But I know you, Dolores," said the angel with more warmth than either brother had ever witnessed from him.

He extended his hand and touched her face. She frowned, examining his face in her wispy yet intense way.

"Or…maybe I do know you."

"I am the voice that has whispered in your ear, child," he said with a gentle smile, "I have guided you all this way. You are precious in my father's eyes, Dolores Fletcher."

"You… you're an angel," she said in awe, but complete belief.

"So you sent her to us without her knowing?" Dean asked, folding his arms, "That's SO much easier than just bringing her to us, especially because she was a couple feet away from being road-kill."

"I have my orders from Him, and you have no right to question them," he replied in a way that was surprisingly not the least bit snippy.

"Right…So, why, again?"

"Dolores is one of my father's touched. He gave her the gift of sight. I suppose you would call her a psychic."

"But, you said you whispered to her," Sam cut in, "And when Dean heard you- real angel you- his head almost exploded. And Pamela- she's a psychic, too, but…"

Dean picked up "Seeing your face made her eyes burn out of her head. Why is it that this one can handle you all angeled-out?"

"Like I said," purred Castiel, "my true self is too much for most, but not for some. I thought you wanted answers."

"Well, we do," replied Dean, placing his hands on hips.

"Then stop interrupting."

"Fine, then."

"Very well."

"Okay."

"It is in His plan that Dolores will aid you in your battle with powers of darkness. Heaven sees much potential in her. She could serve as a great asset in this fight."

"Uhm, no offense, and thanks for the Calvary, but we got this on lock, big boy."

"Well, Dean, I'm sure you do, but this isn't really optional."

"We've got enough shit on our plates without having to baby-sit," he grunted with a bit of aggression, "so you tell the man upstairs we said 'no, thanks'."

"You are defiant and stubborn and…"

As Lory and Sam silently observed, half-amused, she began to realize what Sam had already figured out- a debate between Dean and Castiel is something best left as a spectator's sport. However, neither of them appreciated the fact that both party referred to her as though she weren't even in the room- not bother to acknowledge her with a look or a nod when they spoke her name. As the new kid on the block, she felt it best swallow her indignity. But Sam thought it his civil duty to at least speak up for the poor girl.

"Did it ever occur to either of you to stop and think about what Lory wants or needs? I mean, she's the one being thrust into this, right?

Turning to her, he continued, "I know you've had your fair share of freaky, but we're up against demons. These things don't just go bump in the night. They're out for blood. They will kill you first chance they get. But, hey, if you decide that it's worth the risk, I'll be glad to have you."

The blank look that Lory had worn all night shifted to one of deep pensiveness as she looked up into Sam's kind face, over to Castiel's stoic personage, and then to Dean. He refused to look at the girl for more than a second, but her eyes remained fixed on him. Examining the look of complete disdain on his (statuesque) face, she wondered if it was she or the angel who caused that look. After giving him a soft smile, which he only allowed himself to glance at, she turned to the angel.

"I don't have anything better to do…" she offered simply, "I'll do what I can to help."

Castiel offered her an empty smile

"But… Just one question…" she trailed as though granting permission to ask, "What exactly are we up against? I mean, that heaven has to get involved and everything?"

"Oh," shrugged Dean, "nothing too major. It's just the Apocalypse."

.