OK, my voracious readers! You guys lucked out and I stayed home tonight because my back decided to act up. So, I decided to write another chapter so certain individuals wouldn't go insane! Enjoy! : )

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Chapter 26

"Come sit with me, Castiel," Lucifer said calmly. To the others in the tent, "Leave us."

The other demons and Jasper quickly exited the tent while Lucifer sat on the large bed, a knowing smile on his lips. His voice was calm and inviting. Castiel felt a feeling of peace wash over him despite every fiber of his being was screaming for him to run. He moved forward, no longer in control of his own body.

Lucifer had always had a presence and beauty that no other angel could ever rival. Castiel could remember a time, before Lucifer had fallen, how beautiful the angel had been. He remembered how all the other angels loved him and admired him. Castiel had been among those angels. He often would stand in awe with the others, reveling in the mere presence of his brother.

And now, despite Lucifer's fall, neither time nor being encapsulated in a human vessel diminished the angel's power and awe. It didn't matter how hard Castiel tried, he could not fight the longing to remain in Lucifer's presence. He wanted to bask in his beauty once more. He wanted feel his power. If Lucifer were to command him to stay Castiel knew he would. He could not fight him.

Castiel sat down on the bed a foot away. He felt pitiful and weak next to his brother. He felt like he wasn't worthy to be in Lucifer's presence. But Lucifer smiled at him, a warm, inviting smile. He moved closer to Castiel and pulled him into a gentle embrace.

"My brother," Lucifer sighed. "I am so very happy to see you."

"Lucifer…" Castiel felt a lump in his throat. The emotions he was experiencing were overwhelming. Even though Lucifer was a fallen angel Castiel could still feel the aura that only an angel possesses. He hadn't realized how badly he had missed it until he had seen Lucifer.

Lucifer pulled back enough to look into Castiel's eyes and gently stroke his cheek.

"My brother," He murmured again. "My poor poor brother. What you been forced to endure…"

Castiel closed his eyes and the tears he had tried to fight back escaped down his cheek.

"I know, Castiel. I know the suffering you have endured at the hand of our so-called 'brothers.' I know what Zachariah has done to you. I know the lies and the pain he has inflicted onto you."

Castiel shook his head, trying to resist Lucifer's pull.

"I… I brought my suffering upon myself…" He whispered painfully.

He felt Lucifer cup his cheek and move his face to look at him. He opened his eyes and was immediately transfixed on his brother's deep red eyes that seemed to swirl with his emotions.

"You carried out their orders because you trusted that they came from our Father. Your loyalty has always been to our Father and you have always strove to carry out your duties for Him. And that you fell in love with that… that human… well… no one can blame you for such a thing."

Castiel's eyes darkened. "Do not speak of our Father," He said firmly. "You betrayed him."

Now Lucifer's expressions darkened.

"I never betrayed our Father!" He replied forcefully. He pulled away from him and glared at him. "They have filled your head with lies, Castiel. I fell because I loved our Father, not because of any betrayal!"

Castiel's eyes widened. He cocked his head in confusion.

"What do you mean? You tried to overthrow Him. You wanted to be more powerful…"

Lucifer let out a bitter laugh.

"Is that what the story is? True, I had heard it in the humans' book of fairy tales, but I hadn't realized that there were other angels who believed it to be true!"

He took Castiel's hand into his own and looked at him earnestly.

"I loved our Father. I worshiped Him with all my being. Do you not remember that, Castiel?"

Castiel swallowed nervously. "It was so many years ago… and I have only ever been a soldier… you never paid me any mind."

Lucifer smiled gently and ran and hand through Castiel's hair.

"I assure you, Castiel, I was aware of you. Sadly, I did not take the time to meet with you more," He said softly. He let out a deep sigh. "When Father asked us to bow down to the humans I could not do it. I could not… no… would not bow to anything but our Father. There is nothing that is higher than He is. Of course, the other angels saw that as an act of treason. I tried to get them to understand, but of course they were too stubborn. So I was cast out and I fell. Like you, my brother."

"Why would you not bow to them?" Castiel asked hesitantly. "After our Father commanded it?"

"Are the humans really worthy of our worship? Look at them, Castiel!" Lucifer gestured towards the outside of the tent. "They will worship anything that displays more power than them. Many mock our Father and have no faith. My presence here today proves how quickly the humans will believe anything we want them too."

"But you seek to destroy them," Castiel said with a quiet desperation.

"I seek only to prove to Father the truth of His favored beings. That they are nothing more than foolish creatures that are given to following their whims. They do not have the capability to love our Father as we do."

Castiel dropped his gaze, uncertain what to say. His thoughts quickly flew to Dean and how he wished he was there with him, to give him the strength he needed. Lucifer smiled knowingly, as if reading his mind.

"Now… your Dean Winchester however, he is quite a fascinating human. Unlike any of the others I have seen. As is his brother, of course. But Dean… remarkable. His will is far stronger than any I have ever seen. True, his faith is not what it could be, but the potential for improvement is there."

Lucifer studied Castiel's features carefully and reached over to brush a lock of hair from his forehead.

"You truly chose a handsome vessel for yourself, Castiel," Lucifer said, his voice becoming husky. "Truly desirable. I can see why that Anna took advantage of you. Indeed, you are quite hard to resist."

Castiel's face flushed and he tried to turn away, but Lucifer's hand on his chin stopped him.

"And Dean… a strong, desirable specimen for a human… passionate… loyal… it is no wonder you allowed yourself to fall in love with him… and his love for you is quite obvious. I could see it in his eyes as he was leaving."

"It cannot be," Castiel whispered softly, his eyes downcast.

Lucifer leaned in closer, his lips mere inches from Castiel's ear.

"You only think it cannot be… that if Dean fulfills his prophecy you will be left behind… he will forget you… but what if it doesn't have be that way, Castiel? What if I offered you a life with Dean Winchester? A chance to love him as you should be able to?"

Castiel's breath caught in his throat. The thought of being with Dean… forever… to be free to love him as he wanted to… to never have to be afraid again… to know Dean truly would never leave him ever again…

"No," The word came out with as much force as Castiel could muster. He shook his head vehemently. "No… you cannot make me that promise. You're lying."

"I would not lie to my brother," Lucifer replied calmly. "I love you, Castiel. It grieves me to see you suffer. I only ask for the chance to remove your pain. To give you what your heart desires most."

Castiel shook his head again and tried to will himself to stand, but Lucifer's hand on his arm stopped him. Lucifer sighed patiently.

"You do not need to choose today, Castiel," He said gently. He then smiled knowingly at his brother. "But perhaps I can aid you in making a choice."

Before Castiel could respond Lucifer quickly placed on hand over his heart and the other hand on his head. Suddenly, Castiel felt a sensation like a bolt of electricity pass through him. His eyes widened and he nearly fell over, but Lucifer quickly caught him. Gasping for breath he looked at Lucifer with terror.

"What did you do to me?" Castiel gasped.

Lucifer smiled.

"I gave you a gift. Now, go to Dean. He is waiting for you."

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Oooh! What did Lucifer do to Castiel…? Well, now you really will have to wait since I have to work the next two nights! ; ) Yes, I am evil.

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