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Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2
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Castiel couldn't be sure he had met another human being like Micah Wymond.

Miracle Protector.

She had such a strong fitting name, it astonished Castiel every time he thought of it. It was likely that many people just viewed their name as a simple name, what to be called by and thought nothing more of it. But Castiel would like to think that sometimes, in some way that a name was more than just a title, and Micah was more than normal.

The way she moved in every action, graceful and fluid like a gentle tide but he had also seen that tide become harsh and stern , something that had been trained and honed to perfection over most of her twenty four years of life as a hunter.

Yet she didn't look like a hunter.
Yes she had scars and yes she stood with a tad more masculinity than other women, but when he green eyes were bright, blonde hair and pale skin clean of grime and blood, Castiel wondered why Micah was even here, driving an old car and living like a man on the run. She could be anything she wanted with a face and a mind like that, but it seemed that her heart had a say in the matter also.

The way she was; fierce and proud, they were only two of her many layers.
Angry, cheeky, sad, bravery… she wore them all on her sleeve, except for one.
Micah Wymond.

Castiel had tried to speak with her, find out more of whom she was and how she came to be who she was today. Disregarding, that was the Micah he got back.
She would look away, scribbling into her thick black leather bound book, reminding him that he was the one needing to remember.

He would sit there in silence, and try to remember, try to think but all that would happen was his thoughts would continue to dwell on Micah, inventing stories and ideas of her past. Sometimes images would flash behind his closed eyes, people and lights that he could barely recognise as if they were right there, their names and who they were to Castiel, teasing him as they danced just out of his reach.

What was worse than that was what he could feel.

Castiel had hoped there were emotions, feelings to go with the people and places, but there was practically nothing. The ones he did feel were intense; fear, pain and regret. It was when he felt these, remembered these things that he understood just that little bit more of Micah; why she had such a hard shell around her true self.

As much Castiel admired Micah, he still did not want to end up like her; alone and running from the horrors her memories brought her. Luckily Castiel couldn't remember.
He didn't want to.
All that pain, anger and frustration… he would rather move on and keep these new feelings; excitement, sadness, acceptance.
Plus he didn't want to leave Micah.

If he went back, if he returned to the man he used to be, what would happen? Would he loose who he was right now?
He had no idea who the man was before him.
What if he didn't like who he was before? Worse yet, what if the man didn't like Micah? What if he couldn't stay? He felt sometimes as though he had a heavy responsibility, is it to those two men he sees and hears, the giant and the green eyed man? Why did he hurt whenever he saw their faces?

What if what if what if what if.

His thoughts were running wild, full of questions and words that made no sense to him.
'I'm not superman, I'm still just Castiel.'
He just wished there was some way to unplug his mind, to escape thought and dream for one night but he knew there was nothing that could help him.

Rolling his stiff neck, Castiel sat up straight in the car seat, untwisting his shirt and necklace. He traced around the ring on the chain, tracing his thumb over the smooth twist of gold and silver before he reached the engraving. The palm leaf, symbol for victory; he didn't deserve to where something like this, but Micah wanted him to.

Looking briefly to her, she was relaxed back into the driver's seat, one hand covering her mouth as she yawned.
They had both thought it best that they didn't hang around, and just jumped in the car, driving to wherever it was they ended up. Castiel was just grateful that he was with Micah, not floating down some river to be found by anyone else.

However it was that he was lucky enough to be saved by Micah, fate bringing them together, he could really not be more thankful. There was noise on the radio and Castiel listened closely; the late news report offering nothing but bad news. Micah grinned, noticing Castiel watching her.
'What's up? Sleep well?'
Castiel just nodded, but his eyes were burning at the thought of sleep. He just nodded, and Micah gave a knowing grin, looking back at the darkening road. Not knowing where they were, Castiel tried to find a sign, but all he could see was the setting sun over a flat horizon.

'Why did you help me?'
Micah frowned, giving him a half-hearted glare.
'Which time?'
Castiel chuckled, rolling his eyes and Micah smiled to, but he could see the nervous Micah coming through. As quick as he had seen it, it vanished and she tensed slightly.
'We've been over this…'
She leant back in the seat, one hand falling to her lap as she played with a nail, a playful scowl at Castiel chuckle.

'And each time you say that we have been over this.'
Micah thought for a moment, not looking at him as she drove them down the quiet road. She leant forward and Castiel flinched, thinking she was going to hit him but she just slid in a cd, turning up the rock music. Castiel smiled at her, those perfect lips forming a killer smirk, and so didn't push the matter further, because he knew, just like she did, that she couldn't explain why.

An hour later she surrendered to her eyes, pulling into the first motel that they saw. After paying for the room for a night, both of them receiving a playful wink from the receptionist, Micah mumbled something about how at least this place was affordable. Pushing open the door, Micah groaned as she fell onto the first bed. Castiel smiled, locking the door behind them and switching on the light. At least now he knew why it was affordable.

The room was scarce and after checking the mouldy fridge, he was no longer keen to fight his stomach. He stood at the end of the bed Micah had claimed, his mouth open as he was about to speak but he froze.
She wasn't asleep, but she had that calm look fall over her features. He didn't want to disturb her, she needed her sleep but before he could look away, the room around him fell away to one that was different.

Dean was sleeping so peacefully, it would be a shame to wake him, God knew how he needed his rest. He deserved it. Yet, as Castiel sat on the edge of the bed watching him, he could see his eyes moving behind his eyelids, more erratically than what they should and he knew right then that he was still being plagued by his memories of hell.

He could remember when he first saw Dean Winchester, broken and corrupted as he bent to the will of the demons. For a moment he was wondering why his father had sent him to save someone such as him, someone who was damaged beyond repair but he couldn't disobey, he had faith that his father knew what he was doing.

Castiel gasped, quietly enough that Micah was not disturbed. His head ached, like fire raging inside his skull. The only thing that kept him from collapsing to the ground was Micah. She rolled, facing him with her eyes shut and blonde hair spilling in every possible direction. There was something about Micah, more than just the way she moved, the way she looked or even spoke to him… he couldn't put his finger on it.

Whatever it was, it was strong enough to keep Castiel from falling to the ground, to keep him from screaming with insanity as the piece of memory he just grasped escaped his clutches again. It wasn't that he had to be strong for her, God knew she was capable of being strong enough for the both of them and as those pale eyes opened, locking with Castiel's instantly, he was one step closer to knowing.

She rose to her feet gracefully, eyebrow arched perfectly as she watched him with caution. Hair fell around her shoulder in a tangled mess and he could feel his eyes moving to trace every bit of movement; from the falling golden hair to the sudden rapid rise and fall of her chest to the glimmer in her eyes.

Testing, Castiel took a step closer, Micah opening and closing her mouth as she tried to find something to say, possibly to stop his advance but she was failing. He was close now, enough so that he could feel her pants, the warmth consuming her skin. Slowly, Castiel lifted his hands, like a man trying to tame something wild; it could bite in rage at the slightest wrong move. He had no idea what he was doing, this was something new to him entirely, but whatever it was spreading through him, controlling him, he didn't mind it. It was a mix of caution, eagerness and torture.

His hands hovered over her bare arms before moving to brush the hair from her eyes, pulling it gently away from her face and shoulders. She was shorter than he was; a seamless fix under his chin but he didn't want to break his eyes from her. Relaxing closer to her, he could feel her leaning into him, hands gripping just above his elbows tightly as he cupped her face. Closing her eyes, she tilted her face away slightly, but he angled it back, angled it higher so he could look down at her.

Moving his face closer, he could feel electricity running through him, burning every vein in his body until it reached his heart. It hurt him more than he expected. Wasn't this meant to be joyous? Why did it have to hurt him in such a way?

It was evident in Micah's eyes as she opened them once again, Cass barely verbal but her lips were so close to his he could taste his name.

A shrill piece of music sliced through the air, loud and sudden but not enough to make Castiel want to move. It stopped, but again continued, Micah biting her lips together before she tugged at Castiel's arms.
The spell seemed to break as soon as he let her go, Micah rushing to her bag and pulling out a cell phone. She waited for it to call again, answering it quickly.

Castiel looked away, turned away. He had no clue what just happened; he should have stopped, he should not have crossed a border that he knew was there. Then again, the other thought that plagued him was when would he get another chance like that?

Micah finished talking, shutting her phone with a soft clap and cleared her throat to get his attention. Castiel gave it to her, looking back at her as he ran a hand through his hair.
They were silent for a moment more before Micah lifted her unpacked bag over her shoulder, gesturing to the door.
'We urh, got to go.'

Castiel nodded, remaining still as he waited for Micah to lead but she was stuck. Like Castiel, he was sure, she was trying to think of what had just happened, how anything that had happened tonight had led to that but there was no connection. All Castiel could think of was how all this felt so new to him, how every new smell, sound and feeling was so strong it was like he had never felt them before.

It was the normal thing to do wasn't it, to act upon emotions and allow yourself to express what you were feeling?
There were still embers in Castiel as he watched Micah, but she avoided eye contact, the embarrassed Micah bringing a flush of red to her pale cheeks.
Maybe it wasn't supposed to happen, maybe he was meant to lock this feeling away somewhere, but Micah felt the same, didn't she?

Neither of them spoke as the made their way along the dark road, neither of them pushed it because Castiel knew, just like Micah did, neither of them could explain it.

Chapter a little later than I planned but meh. Full time for a few weeks to come, none stop so dont know when the next chapter will be up. Working something like 8 - 6. I die somewhere in between haha.
Any way, whats going to happen next? Who called?
I dont know.

Thanks for readin you lovely people and have a great new year!
See you next year.
Silver-Kirin
xXx