I was standing over Dean, guarding him as he slept, when I heard the Michael's warning in my head, moments before the audile klaxon sirens rang out over the neighborhood. The noise started Dean awake. He stared at me a few moments before he blinked and said, "What are you doing, Cas?"

"I was watching you."

"While I slept? I'd say that's creepy, but you're just being you." He scratched his neck, allowing the blankets to slip off his well-formed and bare chest. "What's that noise?"

I shook myself from my reverie, and grabbed his hand, pulling him out of bed. "Get dressed and met downstairs. I will find out what set the alarm off." I appeared downstairs, finding Gabriel and Balthazar.

"Something's wrong," stated Gabriel. "Get the humans downstairs. I'll go find out what's going on." With a swift rustle of feathers, he disappeared. Balthazar nodded at me; the basement was the safest place in the house.

Bobby walked into the kitchen, rubbing his eyes and mumbling about a "dang hangover I thought I wasn't gonna get." Balthazar quickly pressed two fingers to his forehead, relieving the pain. "Thanks," mumbled Bobby, sober and awake.

Sam hurried in, fully dressed and ready to go. I nodded at Balthazar, who turned two them and said, "All right, you two let's get downstairs.

I darted back to Dean's room, who was hopping around on one foot, trying to get his jeans on and searching for something in his dresser. I stared at him before asking, "What are you looking for, Dean?"

Startled, he almost fell, but I quickly caught him. With a annoyed grunt, I willed his pants on. With a flush, Dean buttoned them, saying, "Can you take them off too, magic man?"

"Where are your shoes, Dean?" I asked, looking in his closet.

"Ah, shoes. I was looking for my knife. Kinda forgot that all weapons were confiscated for a minute there."

I glared at him. "Get downstairs, right now. We need to find out whatever is going on before we start a fight. I'll bring your shoes."

Seeing my look, he hurried to obey. "Don't forget socks," he called back as he darted down the stairs.

Finally, I made my way down to the basement, closing the sigil-protected doors behind me. I tossed Dean his boots and socks. "Have you heard from Gabriel, yet?" I asked Balthazar.

"Not yet. As archangel he's probably been called to duty if there's a real emergency."

"I never knew we had sirens," said Sam. "Shouldn't we have had fire drills or something?"

"Demon drills maybe," added Dean.

I glared at the both of them. If something had broken through our heavenly protected defenses, then it was no laughing matter. Then again, everything was a laughing matter to these two.

Suddenly Michael's words sounded in my head. "Demons have overrun the perimeter. Get all humans to headquarters. Further commands will be given there." Accompanying his instructions, pictures appeared as well, first an image of thousands of possessed running in waves through the boundaries, then a second of angels and humans meeting up in the former city hall. "You must travel by foot. Ability to fly hindered at the time."

I looked at Balthazar; immediately we knew what to do. I shoved the humans towards the stairs. "To the Impala. Now." They did not argue. Balthazar took the lead, and I the rear. Chances were unlikely that there were demons already in the house, but they would be in the neighborhood shortly, especially since we lived on the outskirts of town. We raced through the house and out into the garage. "Dean, you drive. I'll tell you were to go."

"In the back now, boys," Balthazar firmly pushed Sam and Bobby into the backseat. "Buckle up."

With a welcome purr, the Impala started up. "Do you remember where we first met, Dean?" I asked.

"Yep."

"That's where we're going. I'll show you the way. Drive quickly."

Dean followed my instructions as I led him down the road. "What's going on?" asked Sam from behind my head.

"Demons, dear. They've overrun our defenses," said Balthazar.

"How is that possible?"

"Sheer numbers and a whole lot of hate."

"There's a mob of them ahead. Take the next right, Dean."

Within ten minutes, we were unloading at the headquarters. I ushered them all inside. "Should we go get the others; we're the only ones with a car?" asked Dean.

"They're not our responsibility. We need to get you inside. Right now."

Everything was loud. Humans were shouting nearby, while explosions and gunfire could be heard in the distance. That would be the demons with the guns. Other than our swords and powers, we had no offensive weapons. Our walls were our protection. Unwise, I now realized.

Inside the building, all the humans were being gathered into an inner room with many chairs. I made sure Dean, Sam, and Bobby were sitting, before I told them, "I will go find out what is going on."

"You stay, I'll go," said Balthazar. I nodded; I would rather be with my charge.

A few minutes later, Balthazar hurried back. "The perimeter has been re-fortified. No more demons are getting in. Now Michael is sending groups of angels to hunt any demons down that are already inside. Gabriel and Raphael are with him. They've cast some spell or curse that's hindering some of our powers – like flight – but it's weakening already."

"Good. Do they need more angels to help fighting?"

"Yes, I'm going, but Michael said for you, Samandriel, Inias, and Hester to stay in this room with the humans. A few others will be posted around the building. I need to go tell the others." After his explanation, Balthazar left and the humans turned to me.

Quickly, I made sure all the humans, around a hundred or so, were uninjured. Other than a few scratches and bruises (more from running than from actual demon encounters), everyone was fine. Or at least that is what I believed until Ellen came up to me.

"Castiel, I need to talk to you."

"Are you injured?" I looked her over.

"I'm fine. Come over here so we can talk in private." I followed her to the side of the room. "My daughter, Jo's missing. In all the chaos, I think she ran off."

I quickly scanned the room. "What makes you think that she is not on her way over here?"

"Right when the alarms went off, Anna asked Uriel to get Jo and bring her on the way. She had to go help Raphael or something. When we went over there, she wasn't there. We looked for awhile, but a group of demons attacked and Uriel had to get me to safety. He went out looking for her. I don't know if Anna knows yet. She's my daughter, Castiel; I need to do something."

"I understand. I will make sure that she is found. Stay with the others." I led her back, and called for Anna with my thoughts.

"What is it, Castiel?"

"Jo is missing."

I could feel her biting back a curse. "I can fly a short distance – be right there."

With a rustle, Anna appeared at my side. She glared at Ellen. "What happened? Where is Uriel?"

Ellen crossed her arms over her chest. "Uriel is out looking for my daughter, who is your responsibility."

Anna's face was a furious storm. Her tone was clipped and tight with anger. "Where is Uriel?"

I stepped in, "Probably somewhere near your house. He may need assistance locating Jo."

Anna snarled, "I had to leave Raphael for this. There will be consequences when I find her."

"Of course, Anna, but first we must make certain that she is safe." I called Inias over. "We need to go looking for a missing human. Please keep the rest of the humans safe." He nodded in agreement.

"I'm coming with you," said Ellen, Sam, and Dean at the same time.

"Let's get your weapons then."

Once Sam, Dean, and Ellen were outfitted with their weapons, Anna and I hurried them out of the city hall. A few of the guards were unhappy with letting us leave, but the allowed it.

"Stay close to me," I warned the three of them. Together we snuck through the neighborhood toward Anna and Jo's house, encountering only a few demons, which either Anna or I dispatched, along the way. Finally we made it, but there was no sign of Jo.

Uriel was there, however. He spoke to Ellen, "I have been unable to locate your daughter."

"I will find her," Anna stated. "Let's split up." With that she ran off.

"Bye," Dean muttered, glaring after her.

"Anna has always preferred working on her own," I tried to explain. As soon as I finished speaking a group of demons ran down the street. I appeared that they were running from something, but they stopped as soon as they saw us.

Both groups stared at one another as we slowly moved into defensive positions – Uriel and Ellen next to one another; Sam and Dean behind and to my sides. With a roar, the demons charged. I pulled out my sword and swung into action, killing any demons that came near, keeping close to Dean and Sam at all times. The Winchesters were using their guns, letting me take care of any near demons. There were dozens of them, full of horror and fury, desperate to kill or to escape.

Uriel and Ellen fought well together at each other's backs. When we had vanquished the last demon, Uriel turned to me and said, "We will take Samuel to Gabriel as we look for Jo. Stay clear of any larger groups."

"Very well. Come, Dean, we will look in this direction. I have a feeling that she may have gone toward the perimeter."

"Splitting up sounds like a bad idea," Dean said as he jogged behind me.

"Uriel is right – Sam needs to be with Gabriel. It's the safest place for him. If I have to watch him, my attention is divided from you – and you are my responsibility, not him."

"All right; if you say so."

I used what of my powers as I could to check the houses as we passed them for any sign of life – human or demon, but there was nothing to indicate she was here. We ran a few minutes in silence, until Dean said, somewhat out of breath, "Ellen and Uriel were a little scary."

"What do you mean?"

"They fight really well together. I think they've been practicing."

"I believe that you are correct." Not that I could see what this had to do with looking for Jo.

"I'm out of shape."

"No, you're not."

Dean chuckled, "I'm out of breath, aren't I? We should do that – practice, I mean. Gotta stay in top fighting form, if we've got to protect ourselves from demons."

"Very well, Dean. But we should be silent."

"Sure thing, boss."

Eventually we made it to the wall. A large wall, several miles long and fifty feet high had been erected as a safeguard against enemies when the compound was established as a safe haven. This part stood tall and untouched.

"No demons came in this way," I stated, checking the wall for any defects.

"And I doubt Jo could have made it outside. Hey, why do you think she's doing this – I mean, are we even sure that she's actually running away? Maybe she just got separated or taken."

"Unlikely, there were no signs of demons at her house before Uriel and Ellen came there. He would know. I believe you have realized that your friend has been acting differently," I tried to keep my tone neutral as we walked along the edge of wall.

Dean shrugged. "You're probably right. Let's keep looking."

Dean did not appear overly concerned and perhaps he was right. After all, many humans had lived their lives fighting against demons without angelic protection. Only now there was a much higher concentration of them. Thus I could not shake the worry that I felt.

When the small group of demons approached us, I was only slightly concerned. But when the Leviathan in their midst revealed itself, I felt a tremor of fear course through me. I could not defeat a Leviathan on my own, but I would protect Dean.

"Stay close to me."

Hearing the tightness in my voice, Dean asked, "What's wrong?"

"The man in the suit – he is a Leviathan. He somehow escaped from Purgatory. Things are worse out there than I thought."

"So not a giant sea monster, then? Well, how do we kill it?"

"The weapons we have now will not kill it, but we can wound it and escape. Aim for the demons, I will try to behead the Leviathan."

It was difficult for me, but I trust Dean enough to take care of himself against the demons as I went after the Leviathan. He was strong and pushed me back several times, before I managed to get a hold of him around the neck. Just as I was about to decapitate him, I heard a demon call out, "Stop! Or your boyfriend here gets it." A demon possessed female had a knife pressed flush against Dean's neck. "And he's so pretty it'd be such a shame."

She pressed the blade tighter against Dean's neck. A crimson drop appeared against his taut throat. The demon smirked, "Come on angel boy, you know what to do. Hands off the black-slime monster."

I released the Leviathan slowly and took a few steps back. "Release him," I demanded, voice as hard as I could make.

The demon traced her fingernails down the side of Dean's face. "Maybe I'll keep him."

"You'll die first," without warning, I leaped forward, yanking the knife away from Dean's throat. I grabbed his shoulder, pulling him against my body. I tried to grab the demon with my other hand, but she fell to the ground. With a quick warning to Dean to shut his eyes, I let out a brilliant beam of light in all directions. The few remaining demons were killed immediately, the Leviathan was knocked over, and only the female demon escaped my wrath. I stared at her, "Now you die."

As I let Dean go, he cried out. As I turned back to him, the female demon escaped in a stream of black smoke, releasing the blonde girl. I did not care. "Dean, are you injured?" I check his neck. No more than a few drops of blood had been spilt.

"Not my neck, my shoulder. Hurts."

I pulled his sleeve up. There on his shoulder was a mark in the shape of my hand. I place my hand on it to check. Dean shuddered. "I do not know how this happened," I stated as I removed the pain; the scar stayed.

"Next time don't grab me when you're doing your demon-killing super nova, okay?"

"I am sorry, Dean. I will find away to fix it."

"Not right now. We need to take care of this thing. Pity that bitch escaped though."

"I am sure that we will find her again." The Leviathan stirred; I decapitated it with my sword. I called Gabriel, letting him know what had happened. His voice was tense, but he promised to send someone to take care of it. I asked if anyone had found Jo yet. He did not know, but he said to return to headquarters and that most of the demons were gone.

As Dean and I walked back, he rubbed the scar on his arm. "I will try against to remove it," I promised.

"Actually, I think it looks kinda cool."