Singer Salvage

Castiel landed in Bobby's salvage yard and barely broke stride as he began to walk toward Bobby's house. He had gone to Alison's house after the Harvelle's died at Carthage. Castiel knew that he shouldn't, but life was short for humans and Castiel wanted Alison to know how much he cared about it. When Castiel arrived, he found that the house was completely burned to the ground and Alison was missing. Searching through the wreckage, Castiel found signs that the house had not been destroyed by anything man-made and even found burnt renderings of Enochian signs. Something must have happened between Alison and Michael for her to use Enochian symbols in her house.

Castiel blamed himself. After he had been brought back, he avoided contact with Alison because he knew what the repercussions would be. Clearly, thought Castiel as he looked at the burned ruins of Alison's house, things were worse than he thought.

"Castiel," said a voice behind him, "is that really you?"

Castiel turned. It was Jasmine Risi, Alison's graduate assistant. She looked at him with relief.

"Alison is still alive," said Jasmine, "she asked me to give you a message."

Castiel felt himself sigh with relief. She was still alive. That was something.

"What's the message?" asked Castiel.

"She is at Bobby's house" said Jasmine, "she wants you to meet her there." Jasmine looked around nervously. "I am meeting her myself in a few days."

"Thanks Jasmine," said Castiel and turned to leave.

"Castiel!" exclaimed Jasmine sharply enough that Castiel stopped to stare at her. Jasmine looked around and came up to Castiel to whisper. "Tell Alison not to trust Michael; he had his own plans."

Before Castiel could respond, Jasmine walked away and did not dare to look back, so he could only wonder what she meant. Castiel was never a big fan of Michael or Lucifer. In fact, he blamed them for the breakdown of their family in heaven. While angels blamed humanity, Castiel knew who the real culprit was—Michael and Lucifer.

Walking out of the ruins, Castiel walked down the street and then vanished out of sight. Then, he landed in Bobby's Salvage Yard. On this day, the yard was unusually quiet and Castiel had to wonder why Bobby had sent everyone home.

"Bobby has a guest," said a smooth voice behind him, "your good friend, Dr. Alison Olsen."

Castiel stopped moving. It was Michael. He would recognize him anywhere. Michael was the first voice to greet him when he had been created. Michael was the general who trained all of heaven's garrisons. Castiel admired Michael and even strived to be like him until there was one night that Castiel would prefer to forget.

Michael looked amused. "You still hate me Castiel." Michael spread his hands as if he was looking for forgiveness. "You cannot blame me for the choice I made."

Castiel stared at Michael. "How do you think I could forget?" Castiel strode up to Michael until they were nearly nose to nose. "She begged you to help her husband." Castiel paused to keep his emotions until control. "You made fun of her."

Michael stared back. His back arched and Castiel could see the height of Michael's wings in the shadows. "Do you know that she offered herself to me?" "A married woman?" "She broke her vows." Michael broke away from Castiel and stared off into the distance. "She brought punishment upon herself and her husband."

"No matter what she did," said Castiel, never wavering from staring at Michael, "she did for love." Castiel looked up at the stars; they had never seemed so bright. "When was the last time you did something for love?"

Castiel waited for his answer, but Michael stood rigid, staring into the darkness and said nothing. Then something seemed to wake him up. He turned and looked at Castiel and suddenly smiled. "You really care for this woman, don't you?"

"I care for all of humanity," said Castiel.

Michael was grinning now. "Oh come on, Castiel, don't play coy with me." "You really care about this woman." He wagged a finger at Michael. "Don't deny it; I've seen the pictures."

"So what of it?" replied Castiel, "I'm cast out of heaven anyway."

"Yes," said Michael, "I'm afraid that these human women, well, they are the downfall of all angels."

"You're referring to the Nephilim," said Castiel, "that's not what my relationship with Alison is about."

"But it will be eventually," said Michael, "it always comes to that." He crossed his arms in front of his chest. "Don't deny that you haven't thought about it." He cocked his head to one side. "I know that you have slipped into her room at night just to watch her sleep."

Castiel felt his cheeks warm, and for the first time in his existence, he blushed. It was a strange feeling. Michael walked over and put his hand on Castiel's shoulder. Castiel looked up in surprise. The last time Michael touched him was 2,000 years ago when the angels, loyal to God, went into battle against Lucifer and the rebel angels. The touch was one of comfort from a battle-hardened angel to a young novice solider gearing up for his first battle. Castiel was standing on the precipice, having thrown a rebel angel over the edge, when Michael finally defeated Lucifer and threw him into hell. Castiel would never forget the look on Michael's face. It was not one of triumph, but sadness mixed with relief. Castiel instantly understood what that look meant: happiness that the war was now over, and sadness that one day the same war would erupt again, and this time he would have to kill his brother. Castiel remembered that Michael was never the same after that.

"Save him or kill him" murmured Castiel.

Michael looked at him in surprised and nodded. "I am now charging you with the same."

Castiel felt confused. "I don't understand."

"Alison has come to feel sympathy for Lucifer," said Michael, "she no longer wants to help me." Michael turned so he and Castiel stared at each other. "Even worse, she wants to seduce you." Michael smiled at Castiel's face. "Why are you blushing, Castiel, is it because you are still a virgin?"

"Alison knows the rules of human-angel relationships," said Castiel evenly, "and I know how much she hates Lucifer."

"Do you?" replied Michael, "When was the last time you actually talked to her?" Michael shook his head. "After you left, she went insane and blamed me for everything." "She claimed she understood how Lucifer must have felt in dealing with me." Michael smiled at Castiel. "I know that you agree with her."

Castiel said nothing. Michael continued on. "She is the key to convincing the world that Lucifer is the purveyor of evil." "I need her help, Castiel."

Castiel sighed. "What do you want from me?"

"Just keep her here," said Michael, "let me talk to her." He put both hands on Castiel's shoulders. Castiel eyes widen. "If she doesn't help you, then you will kill her." Suddenly, he shoved Michael's hands from his shoulders. "I won't help you destroy her." Michael smiled at Castiel gently, "If you help me, then I will help you get your wings back." Michael jerked his head toward Bobby's house. "I will give Bobby his legs back."

Castiel's head snapped up. As much as he cared for the humans in his charge, Castiel missed his brothers and sisters in heaven. He missed having the powers to help people, like Bobby Singer, who have sacrificed so much for others. Without his true powers, Castiel felt completely useless. As much as he disliked Michael, he knew that his general was always an angel of his word.

Suddenly, Michael vanished, and Castiel was left to consider what was to come.