Three people John knew, and one he never did

The man stands out when all the remaining church's pews are empty. In all truth, the man stood out before.

There wasn't any one thing particular about him, but his presence was impossible to ignore. The scruffy bearded face, the guarded eyes, the tense shoulders. This man was menacing, a soldier. Possibly both.

There was a baby on his lap and a small, blond kid sleeping against his side. "You Pastor James?" He asked me without moving much.

"I am," I answered, moving closer. The baby's eyes were closed as well.

"Bobby sent me."

A hunter. One more life ruined.

The roar of the engine sets the dogs on a frenzy. I look out the window and see a black, shiny monster parking right in front of my porch. The man who steps out looks like a damn quarterback looking for a body count.

"You Bobby Singer?" He calls out, sharp eyes catching my shadow against the window.

I open the door, riffle lazily draped over my elbow. "Depends on who's asking."

"My name is John Winchester," He says, like that is supposed to mean anything to me. "Missouri sent me."

She had called. I was just expecting someone... older.

"I know why you are here," the plump black woman said as soon as he was out the car.

"Good... then I wont have to go through all the details all over again. Not with them here."

Missouri looked at the two boys, one curled around the man's leg, the other curled against his chest. "What I don't know is why THEY're here."

John looked at his sons, Dean's green eyes meeting his, not in question of what they were doing there, but in fear. Always in fear these days. "They're with me."

Missouri nodded. "That's what I'm afraid of."

"Angels are watching over you," Mary whispered as she kissed her son's head.

"I don't see 'em mommy."

"You don't need to see them, sweetie... sometimes, you just have to believe it."

Three year old Dean bit his lip, tiny hands gripping his bed covers tightly. "They're there all the time?"

"All the time."

"Even when I'm being naughty?"

Mary smiled and turned off the light. "Yes, even then."

Alone in the room, Dean looked at the empty dark corner. "You can watch... just don't tell anyone."

Castiel smiled and nodded, even though the promise was only his to know.