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A Wandering Boy
Chapter 32
Where Do We Go from Here?
From Chapter 31
Bobby murmured, 'We'll have to see how that works out. Lots of stuff coming isn't there? Hey, Feathers," he turned to Castiel. "Did you find what you were looking for? Is this guy Tower around anyplace?"
Castiel glanced at Sam. "Yes, he's here in Sioux Falls. I found out something about him." The Angel hesitated. "We can talk about it after dinner, I think." Castiel slid his eyes sideways and looked at Dean, obviously not wanting to speak in front of the boy.
Catching on, Bobby rose up from his chair. "About dinner, if I don't get a move one we're all going to be eating with the dog. How about chili and cornbread?"
"Bobby," Sam remarked. "We can't live on chili; especially your five alarm stuff. We're all going to end up with holes burned in our stomachs."
"Shut up kid," Bobby snarked back. "I've been eating it all my life and I'm still good."
"Not all of us are born with lead lined guts, Bobby." Sam shot back.
Chapter 32
The family settled down to dinner. Bobby's chili was voted off the island so Sam got up and made spaghetti. He talked Castiel through making meatballs and the Angel was pleased to join in with such a human thing. Cas loved working with Sam. These moments created an even closer bond between the two of them than the physical joining. Castiel could feel his human side growing a different kind of wings. They were wings that made his spirit soar.
Bobby gave in and got passed his snit over everyone voting down his chili. The senior family member pitched in to make a remarkably good Caesar's salad. Dean did his part and set the table. They were a smoothly functioning family. Everyone knew their place in the scheme of things and peace reigned.
Even Principal Gabriel dropping by unexpectedly right in the middle of their dinner could not disturb the overall feeling of safe harbor at last. Instead of drawing up defensive lines and expecting trouble they simply invited the man in to dinner. Cas made sure to sit next to his Sam and saw to it that Gabriel and his lively roving eye was seated on the other side of the table, as far from Sam as Cas could get him.
The dinner table discussion centered on the Church of the Open Door. Sam had spent the requisite time researching the history of Wicca and was able to spin a very good tale of Nature worship, Earth spirits and a belief in the life forces and values of all living creatures, even trees. He explained a philosophical basis for the Open Door that allowed for the entrance into men's hearts of all the living creatures; mobile, immobile, animal, vegetable and perhaps even, deep in the Earth, mineral consciousness. Sam could spin a very good tale once he got his motor running. It certainly convinced Gabriel to the point where he asked to visit the Church's spiritual icon, Bobby's Oak Tree.
"Certainly, Mr. Angelus," Sam said. "I'll be glad to go with you when you leave and we can stand under the Tree together. Hopefully you will be able to feel the spirt. "
Gabriel glanced up from his plate. "I 'm a Presbyterian, you know." He spun his fork in his noodles. "and, please, call me Gabriel."
Sam laughed. "I don't intend to proselytize. I most certainly wouldn't want to attempt it with Dean's Principal."
Cas braced his hand on the back of Sam's chair. "I'd like to visit the Tree with you. It very late now and I'll keep you company."
Dean bounced up and down on his chair. "Me too, me too. I want to show Principal Gabriel Bobby's Tree."
"We're building up quite an escort here," Gabriel laughed. "It's just the tree at the bottom of the driveway, right?"
Bobby stood up and gathered up everyone's empty plates. "Well, I'm not going. Your idjits can go stand under that old oak. I've seen enough of it to last me for a while; heard enough about it too. Pastor Gentry wasn't very impressed although he did promise not to let any of his parishioners try to cut it down. After our talk this morning I'm pretty sure he's given up on me as a possible convert."
Gradually dinner wound down. Gabriel was enjoying himself. This family was happier than a lot of others he had visited on school business and he was sure that, tattooed or not, Dean was in loving hands.
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Everyone except Bobby piled into Gabriel's car. Bobby stood on the porch and watched them go. He felt that Principal Angelus might have moved from school official into the possible friend category. The man had seemed to enjoy the evening.
Gabriel pulled his car to the side of the road after passing under the Salvage Yard's arch. The small group strolled down the shoulder of the road to stand under the Old Oak Tree's branches. Gabriel had to admit there was a sense of peaceful dreaming under the tree. It was as if the Old Oak was only sleeping and could come into active life at any time. Even though they were beside an open roadway the traffic here was very light in the evenings and the singing of the night insects was the loudest noise to be heard.
Gabriel watched as Sam placed a hand on the Tree's trunk and peered upward into the branches. Dean took a more active approach and swarmed up the tree to the lowest branches. The kid sat on a major limb like it was a pony and swung his feet down. Castiel watched his charge up in the air. Over their heads the night sky twinkled with a thousand stars and the moon rode low on in the West.
The Principal felt the peace in this place and among these people. He wondered if perhaps The Church of the Open Door might not actually flourish and grow. All people needed what this family had; a sense of peace and a firm place to stand.
Castiel was suddenly alerted to the approach of something dark. Out in the shadows of the trees on the hillside they were being watched. He reached out to Sam. "Take Dean and go back to the house Sam." He said quietly. "Something is here. Something intends evil. Take Dean and go and get Gabriel out of here too. I'll take care of this."
Sam replied. "Are you sure? I'll stay if you need me."
"Dean needs you more." Castiel murmured. "Take him back behind the wards. You too. You both need to go."
Without another word Sam turned and called Dean down out of the tree. Gabriel noticed that the peace had been broken. There was a sense of tension in the air.
"Principal Gabriel. It has been a great evening. Feel free to drop by anytime at all." While chatting on Sam smoothly lead Gabriel to his car, held open the door and sent Gabriel on his way. It didn't occur to Gabriel that he was being sent away. He waved as he saw Sam and Dean walk up the driveway and they waved back. It didn't register that Castiel was still under the tree, pulled back under the sheltering branches.
Castiel made sure all the humans were safely away then turned to face the dark, rustling shadows. His blade dropped into his hand. It felt cool and smooth. His long fingers wrapped firmly around the hilt.
"Show yourselves." The Angel raised his hand and cast his Grace forward into the woods. The blue flash of light revealed two beings standing beneath the trees. Castiel lowered his hand hoping the flash of power had not registered in Heaven. All he needed right now would be a curious Angel dropping by.
The first forward was a woman. She was small and neat with heavy red hair falling over her shoulders. In the moonlight the red was barely visible. She had deep set eyes and could be considered beautiful but Castiel could see her soul. Behind her came a demon possessing an eighteenth century dandy complete with a twirled moustache and a pointed beard. They were a very odd and antique pair.
Castiel raised his bade and motioned for them to stop.
"That's no way to treat a lady," the red head said with a bit of a Scottish accent
"Who are you and why are you spying on us?" Castiel ignored her complaint.
"Well," she simpered, moving forward. "If you are the Angel's vessel I am looking for…." She suddenly stopped speaking as she passed over the Oak Tree's drip line. She jerked back as if she had touched a hot stove. "That's not nice." She complained, rubbing her arm. "What kind of a tree is that?" She looked upward and The Oak tossed its branches. The movement alarmed her and amused Castiel. There was no breeze.
"A tree that has had its roots bathed in Holy Oil. A Tree that is aware." Castiel told her. "A Tree that does not like you." He pointed his blade at her throat. Her escort moved forward at the threat and Castiel raised his hand and tempted fate by releasing a little more Grace. The possessed man howled and covered his face.
"Now, once again, who are you and what do you want?"
"There's no need to get all stirred up, dear." She responded and scrapped a lock of hair out of her eyes with a pointed fingernail. "I am Rowena, the mother of the King of Hell. My darling boy sent me on a mission to find a certain Angelic vessel. Would I be wrong in assuming that would be you?"
"Yes, you would be wrong," Castiel answered. "To your misfortune you have found the complete Angel, not just the vessel. Tell me what Crowley wants or I'll fasten you to the nearest tree; both you and your escort."
Rowena tossed her head. "Oh, go right ahead and get rid of him." She shot a disgruntled look at her escort. "He's only here as a mode of transportation. These former cross road demons have their uses. Spit him if you like. It means nothing to me. My son will see to it that I am retrieved."
"You have yet to answer my question." Castiel growled. "What is it that you want?"
"My son wanted me to locate the aforementioned vessel, find its location and its companions and report back to him my observations and my thoughts. My son thinks very highly of my opinions."
Making a moue of disgust she continued. "No one thought to mention anything about sentient Trees though. I will be very unhappy if this burn on my arm scars."
"Listen to me, Witch," Castiel hissed. Rowena looked up as if she was surprised he knew she was a Witch; then realized she was being stupid. This was an Angel, although the strangest Angel she had ever heard about. There was no way to hide from an Angel, even one that was not anxious to smite first and ask questions after. She would need to be very careful to escape from this meeting alive. She smiled and bowed her head.
Castiel held his blade steady. "Tell Crowley that I will hold to our deal. I will restrain the Boy King and not threaten Crowley's throne. In return he and all his cohorts must avoid this area in the future. If I see a single demon or Hell Spawn or any other demonic Peeping Tom I will come after Crowley myself. He will not have to worry about his plotting subjects. He'll be too dead to care."
Rowena responded with a full curtsy. She did not take threats to her son's throne lightly. She wanted to be the only viable threat. This Angel could ruin all her plans.
"In addition tell Crowley that a demon possesses a man in the area named Danny Tower. This man is an old friend of one of the people I am guarding. The demon is a soldier left behind from the Azazael plan. When Human Hunters killed Azazael the demon was forgotten and has been following his last orders mindlessly. He is useless but a great nuisance to me. Tell Crowley to have the demon recalled."
"Of course, My Lord," Rowena responded.
"Watch yourself Witch. I am no one's Lord. Now, both of you leave. I will be checking that everything is done by tomorrow. The demons on watch, the Hell Spawn hidden in the woods, the demon possessing Danny Tower; make sure all these creatures are dealt with."
Rowena gracefully bowed her head again. "I will tell my son. I'm sure he will live up to his part of the deal." She backed away from Castiel, keeping a watchful eye on the Angel blade. Grabbing firmly to her demon escort's arm they both disappeared into the dark.
Castiel stood with his blade in hand until he was sure all sense of the Witch and the demon were lost. The Oak Tree slept undisturbed while the Angel sheathed his blade and turned toward Bobby Singer's house.
He decided to walk up the driveway and gather his thoughts before facing his family. They were as safe as he could make them. The Enochian protection symbols were cared in their ribs. They all had demon anti-possession tattoos and each creature that slept under the roof had the Runes of Asmodal etched into their thigh bones. His pact with Crowley should let them live undisturbed by Hell's prying eyes. He had made his family as safe as possible.
He knew that he would not be able to stop Sam and, in the future, possibly Dean from venturing out to fight the monsters that lived in the dark. He would protect them as much as he could. He had sacrificed much to gain this foothold in the world. His version of Dean was gone with the vanished world but he now had Sam to fill that void. All he could ask for now was for them to have long, productive lives purging this new world of as much evil as possible. For himself he dared to wonder if it could be possible for him to lie down and die along with the last Winchester. The best he could hope for at the end was peace.