Chapter 14: Flashback

A few days past rather quietly as the quartet actually fell into a semblance of familiarity. Bobby and Sam tended to convene in the study during the day, browsing old tomes for information on the "Cass Case". Dean, whether by duty or blooming friendship is unclear, recruited the mechanics-wise Earth Angel into helping repair the slightly crunched up Impala. Bithiel, herself, joined the seasoned Hunter in, under and around every inch of the classic as happily as insisting to cook. 'I miss cooking for a house full!'. Much to the surprised delight of the three men. Though , sometimes, was also called upon to run 'none-too-secretive' missions for Castiel. Each said errand returning a somber celestial with stained cloths and bloody Blade. Which always lead to at least a half hour tirade against any, and by default - every, junk vehicle in the scrap yard and usually included the thunder of a crowbar or other heavy object striking metallic bodies.

After one such return, the old scrap dealer and younger Winchester openly cringed with each crash and curse audible even through the closed windows.

Bobby looked woefully through the backdoor in time to watch, what eerily resembled, the drive shaft from some unfortunate truck spear it's way through a half crushed Jeep Cherokee's windshield.

"M' telling ya, boy… Sure wouldn't want that girl pissed at me!," He commented, grimacing at the smash of glass.

Sam handed the elder Hunter his cup of coffee when he joined him by the door to scrutinize Hurricane Bithiel's latest rampage.

"Has anyone tried talking to her when she's like this?," He wondered, unconsciously turning away as a pipe demolished the same Jeep's rear shield.

Bobby glanced dolefully at the younger man. "Already got an idea what's going on in her head." To the questioning look, "Cass is sending that girl out to kill her own brothers and sisters… Probably most she hasn't even seen in God knows how long. It's tearing her apart."

With a sigh and nod of understanding, Sam gazed out to find an exhausted angel dropping down next to the battered Cherokee, hands fisted into the hair at the back of a head hidden between her knees.

"I'm gonna see if she's up for some company.", With a sip of his own coffee, Sammy stepped outside leaving his adopted father to watch the proceedings from the safety of the kitchen.

No sooner had the door closed quietly behind him then the Hunter's cup nearly fell to the ground. His empty hand flying to his temple as an anguished cry from Bithiel pierced both ears and mind. Her bellow twisted into a nightmare-scape of his own voice, intermingling with the crackling of flames and cackling of a sinister being.

"SAM!", Bobby's muffled call broke through the horrid memory. Looking up quickly to the worried face behind the glass, he put a hand up with a weak smile to indicate he was 'Okay'. Turning back to his self appointed task, Sam discovered the angel's face no longer filled with devastation but now etched with concern. The expression deepened as she rose to meet him when he drew near.

"Sammy? What happened?", She inquired, placing a gentle hand on his arm. Realization darkened her eyes as they meet the Hunter's. "Damn it, Sam! I caused ya to have a flashback, didn't I?", She answered her own question. Turning away Bithiel sniffled, muttering, "I am so sorry!"

"Nah! It's alright, Beth!", He placidly used the nickname they'd all picked up. Setting down the cup and laying a hand on her shoulder, he gently spun her back to facing him. "Anything can trigger them… and sometimes nothing has to. They just happen."

"Still…" She tried to continue the apology.

"No! Seriously. It's not your fault. I'm okay, really.", Sammy carefully placed his arm across her shoulders, leading the angel further into the yard. "I'll be fine. What I… what we're all worried about is what these jobs Cass sends ya on is doing to you."

Bithiel stopped their trek to stare up incredibly into those soft hazel eyes.

"Uh-uh! With what you went through… Shit! What you're still going through…You're the one that needs worrying about, Sam!"

A slow, genuine smile split his face at her apprehension. He chuckled softly, offering, "How bout we both agree to worry bout each other and just call it even?"

Cocking a grin of her own, Beth casually tossed an arm around her friend's waist.

"Deal!"

Being tugged into a quick hug, the angel never witnessed how the corners of Sam's seemingly honest smile curled into something slightly more ominous.