Chapter 3

Castiel stood in the abandoned warehouse alone. He anxiously paced the darken floors, waiting for Dean to arrive. In truth, he really didn't know what he was going to say when the hunter arrived. He knew deep down that he should tell Dean the truth about what happened in Utah and the time they shared together. But then, the actually thought of having to tell Dean everything was terrifying, especially now with the risk that Dean would be furious with him for what he had done.

Castiel let out a deep sigh and closed his eyes. The whispers of his brethren had become silent over the last few hours. Castiel knew it meant something was happening. He could only assume they were preparing for some battle to defend a seal. After all, that was all they seemed to do anymore. Fight the demon hordes. Sometimes they won. More often now, however, they would lose. The seals kept breaking, one right after the other, and Castiel knew that there weren't all that many left.

Suddenly, Castiel heard a noise. He turned to see Dean enter the warehouse door, flashlight in hand. He took a deep breath and braced himself when the beam of light fell on him and Dean saw him.

"Dean," Castiel said quietly.

Dean slowly lowered the flashlight. Castiel could see his face and noticed that Dean looked… angry.

"What the fuck, Cas," Dean growled furiously.

"I'm sorry, Dean, but this was the only place-"

Dean held up a hand. "Shut up, Castiel. I'm not talking about this little meeting."

Castiel felt his heart jump into his throat. His gaze flickered for a moment, but he forced himself to look Dean in the eye. He owed him that much.

"I… I don't understand…"

Dean shot him a bitter smirk.

"Well, what if I told you that on the way here Sam had a pretty damn interesting story to tell me? A story involving a little trip to Utah and something between you and me? That ringing any bells for you?"

Castiel couldn't look at Dean anymore. He dropped his head and closed his eyes, his stomach knotted with guilt.

"Dean… please…"

Dean took a step closer, his knuckles white as he gripped the flashlight.

"So it's true then? You had sex with Anna and then… then you had sex with me!?"

Castiel looked up at him, his eyes filled with desperation.

"Please… Dean… it wasn't like that…"

Dean threw his arms out to the sides in annoyance. "Well, you better start talking, Cas, because that's the version I heard!"

"But… from who…?"

Dean let out a derisive snort.

"Oh, that's the best part! That little demon whore Ruby. RUBY, Castiel!!! I had to learn this through Sam who got told by Ruby! Apparently he told her all about it before you went and mind-whammied us!"

Castiel closed his eyes, mentally kicking himself for forgetting about her.

"Dean… please… I can explain…"

Dean folded his arms and glared furiously at the angel.

"Fine. Start talking."

Castiel looked at Dean and tried to swallow the lump in his throat. He trembled under Dean's angry gaze.

"I… I didn't have… relations… with Anna willing… she took me by force… and you eventually found out while you and Sam were saving a seal…"

Dean frowned. "Alright. But that doesn't explain us."

Castiel took a deep breath. "You… you found out about what happened… and one night… the night you saved the seal… you… we were both severely injured… and…"

His voice trailed off. He didn't know if he could bring himself to say it. Dean's expression seemed to soften slightly.

"And what?" Dean asked.

Castiel balled his hands into fists by his sides, fighting to work up the courage.

"And… I told you the truth…"

He forced himself to look up and meet Dean's gaze.

"That I… I love you… and… and that you loved me…"

Dean looked visibly taken aback. Castiel dropped his gaze again and closed his eyes. He didn't want to see the look of rejection from Dean. It would be bad enough to hear it…

He heard Dean quietly walk towards him and felt him gently place his hand on his shoulder. He felt his knees go weak as him breathed in the musky cologne that Dean always seemed to smell like. He could feel the heat radiating from his body.

"Do you still love me?" Dean asked quietly.

Castiel slowly nodded, unable to bring himself to look up. Dean took a step closer, closing the gap separating them. Castiel's breath caught in his throat as he felt Dean touch his face.

"And you really would do anything for me?" Dean asked softly, almost in awe.

Castiel nodded, slowly looking up into Dean's piercing green eyes.

"I would do anything for you. I love you. I never want to hurt you."

Dean looked into Castiel's deep blue eyes and a small smile touched his lips.

"Always?"

Castiel felt a small twinge of hope in his gut. He nodded eagerly.

"Good," Dean said, his smile broadening as his gently stroked Castiel's cheek. Castiel closed his and turned into the affectionate touch.

Then, suddenly, the atmosphere in the room changed.

"That's what I was afraid of," A frighteningly familiar voice stated from unnervingly close by.

Castiel felt a blow come crashing into his chest that sent him flying across the warehouse into the stairwell. He landed on his back, knocking the wind out of his lungs. He managed to struggle to his feet and saw where Dean had been standing there now stood Zachariah who was looking at Castiel with sheer disgust. Castiel felt his stomach drop in terror.

"Castiel," Zachariah said as he began to slowly walk towards the stairwell. "I have to say that I am very disappointed in you. First you engage in carnal relations with a traitor."

Castiel shook his head desperately, his back pressed against the stairwell wall. "No!"

"And then," Zachariah continued, ignoring the angel's pleas. "Then, you engage in a sinful relationship with your charge. And while you had the common decency to put an end to the disgusting acts you committed with him, you still carry these emotions you have for him. Emotions that have severely clouded your judgment. Emotions that have caused you to betray you brethren."

Castiel trembled fearfully, panic coursing through him.

"You don't understand," Castiel whispered desperately. "I… I love him… I will not let you hurt him!"

Zachariah shook his head sadly.

"Tsk tsk, Castiel. You seem to have forgotten your place in the grand scheme of things. You are nothing but one soldier in a vast army. Most of the time an excellent soldier, but a soldier nonetheless. You would do well to remember that."

The angel superior was coming closer and closer. Castiel knew what would befall him now that his secret was out. He knew he had to do something. Before Zachariah could react Castiel threw up his hands and shot out a blast of energy, knocking Zachariah back and sliding him across the empty floor. Castiel took advantage of the momentary distraction by dashing up the stairs before the other angel could get to his feet.

Once at the top of the stairs he looked around desperately. He shot out another blast of energy, sending beams and scaffolding crashing to the floor, creating a temporary blockade. Castiel then pulled out a small knife and spread out his wings. With a deep breath he flew over to a nearby pillar. Once there he pulled up his sleeve and drew the knife's blade deep along his arm, causing blood to come bubbling to the surface. Dipping the fingers of his other hand into the blood he began painting a symbol on the pillar, praying that he would have enough time to complete it.

"Castiel! You know this is pointless!" Zachariah's calm clear voice echoed through the building. "I suggest you put an end to this and turn yourself in. I assure you that I will be more merciful to you if you do so."

Castiel tried to block out the persistent voice. He could hear the sound of twisting metal as Zachariah came up the stairs and began moving the debris.

"Castiel, I suggest you stop what you're doing! You wouldn't want me to call the rest of the garrison down on you, would you? Share your shame with everyone."

Castiel paused in his efforts, the emotional strain exhausting him. He felt trapped. And very much alone. And he didn't know what to do.

Suddenly, he felt a blow from behind, knocking him from his perch and sending him sprawling out on the floor. He raised his head slowly as he wings disappeared back inside him as he turned to see his assailant. Ruby stood there, smiling broadly back at him, holding a metal crowbar in her hands.

"Surprise!" Ruby snickered. "Sam was such a dear and let me know they were on their way somewhere fast! I had a hunch it was to find you!"

Castiel narrowed his eyes at the demon and shot out a blast of energy, knocking her off her feet and sending her crashing into a nearby wall. She collapsed into a heap at the impact. Castiel then staggered to his feet and looked around. He could already see Zachariah almost effortlessly making his way through the debris. Castiel quickly shot out another blast of energy, sending beams and chunks of ceiling down behind him.

I can't escape, Castiel thought desperately as he dodged around a corner. He knew that all it would take would be for Zachariah to send out one command and the entire garrison would be there in an instant, ending all hopes of mercy. And then there was the matter of his vessel. He was already weakening from the fight so far. He knew it would be destroyed if he were taken before he had a chance to heal it.

"He went that way, Zachariah!" He heard Ruby yell.

Castiel closed his eyes and his heart sank. There was only one way out. He wouldn't let the innocent man whose body he inhabited suffer because of his mistakes. He swallowed hard.

"Send her away!" Castiel called out. "Send the demon away and I will hand myself over."

He heard Zachariah chuckle and the crash of more debris being moved.

"Very good, Castiel. I knew you'd see reason. You heard him, Demon Whore. Be gone."

Castiel heard Ruby huff in annoyance.

"I think a little more respect is in order. I was the one who told you about him in the first place and I stopped him from finishing his little angel-zapping symbol."

Zachariah's tone became more menacing. "You are not already dead, Demon. That is all the respect you will ever have earned from me. Now leave, before I am forced to change my mind."

The room fell silent. Castiel knew Zachariah's words had been enough to cow the demon into submission. Castiel felt tears fill his eyes as he knew what he had to do next.

"She's gone, Castiel," Zachariah said calmly. "Now come on out so we can be done with this little game of yours. Come out and accept your fate."

Castiel screwed up every ounce of courage he had left. He thought of Dean and how desperately he wished he could at least have one last chance to say good-bye. To tell him how much he loved him. To tell him that the time he has spent with him has been the greatest gift he could ever have been given. Taking a shaky breath he stepped out from around the corner to face Zachariah.

"I'm ready," Castiel said as calmly as he could.

Zachariah looked at him sympathetically and shook his head.

"I'm afraid not," Zachariah said before reaching forward and sending out a blast of energy, knocking Castiel back into a pile of debris.

Castiel barely had time to heal his vessel before Zachariah stood over him and reached a hand towards him.

"This will hurt," He said calmly.

With a twist of his wrist Zachariah began tearing Castiel out of the vessel. Searing pain tore through Castiel, causing him to scream in agony. He couldn't help but try to fight the assault, but to no avail. Once he was torn free Zachariah shackled him and they disappeared in a bright light, leaving behind the unconscious vessel.