Author's Note: Thank you for reviewing, Corgimom! I hope you love this chapter!

The hunt for a group of changelings lasted about four days. During those four days Dean got weaker and weaker while Sam grew more and more agitated. With his attention torn between two boys, Castiel felt himself being stretched to the limit. Whenever Dean was asleep he went to Sam, giving him as much attention and affection as he could spare. When Dean needed him, Chuck was there to pick up where he'd left off. Even with Chuck there, Sam was a handful, throwing tantrum after tantrum with no signs of stopping. Castiel thought of calling Gabriel on more than one occasion, but every time he stopped himself. Claire needed the help. So he decided that he'd muddle through this until his brother got home. After all, how hard could it be?

He had just finished settling Dean down for a nap and was heading down the hallway to go see Sam when his cell phone began to ring. When he saw who it was, he answered immediately.

"Hello?"

"Hey Cassie."

"Did you find the changelings?"

"Yep. We smoked those suckers out. Got all the kids back to their parents, too."

"Good. I assume that means you're on your way home then?"

"Sort of. Claire wants to stop by and say hi. Are you okay with that?"

"Sure. Just let me clean out the living room first."

"You got it. Call me when you're done."

"I will. Goodbye."

"Later."

Castiel hung up the phone and went over to where Sam was playing.

"Sammy, guess who's coming home?"

"Daddy!" He cheered.

"That's right! But Claire is coming with him, and you'll have to be big while she's here. So we need to clean up before he can come, okay?"

Sam nodded. He didn't think he'd ever seen him run so fast. Cas chuckled, and Chuck stood up from his spot on the couch.

"Well, this was fun but I have a book to get home to."

"Okay."

Chuck smiled at him before turning his attention to Sam. "Bye, Sammy."

"Bye, Grandpa!"

"Be a good boy for your Daddy and your Uncle Cas."

"I will!" He promised. Chuck looked over at Castiel.

"If you ever need anything, don't be afraid to give me a call."

"I will. Thanks... Dad."

Chuck flashed him a smile before leaving.

When Castiel was satisfied with the room, he got out his phone and called Gabriel. Before the phone could get to the second ring the door to the cabin flew open.

"Cassie, I'm home!"

Castiel greeted his brother and watched with a grin as Sam went over to hug him. Cas could practically see the little boy he really was on the inside dancing just beneath the surface. Reluctantly (Cas could tell), he let go of his Daddy and greeted Claire.

"Hey Claire."

"Hey Sam. Where's Dean?"

"Sleeping. He's pretty sick right now."

Castiel gave Sam the barest nods of thanks before turning to their guest.

"Hello, Claire." He said. He was slightly startled when she wrapped him in a hug, but quickly relaxed.

"How have you been?" She asked as he led them all to the living room.

"Busy." He answered honestly. "How was the hunt?" He asked, planting himself on the couch.

Both Claire and Gabriel launched into descriptions of how it went, complete with reenactments of some of it on Gabriel's part. As they talked about the trip, Castiel was finally able to relax. After five days of stress and anxiety, he could just enjoy being around those he loved. Time seemed to melt away as he caught up with Claire and got the chance to enjoy time with his brother and nephew.

All was well, until a shriek sounded from down the hallway.

Every parent knew the difference in their children's cries. They knew when it was a genuine cry of pain or distress or a manipulative cry to get what they wanted. Castiel was no exception to the rule. He didn't think when he heard it- he just reacted. Before anyone else could connect the idea that something was wrong, Cas disappeared and reappeared in the nursery.

He arrived just in time to see two legs being dragged through the broken window.

"No!" He cried.

Instinct took over from that point on. When he looked back on that period of time, he could not account for his actions or whereabouts. Cas lowered the crib bar, leapt up on the mattress, and went through the window. He landed on his feet and started running down the mountainside as fast as he could. He pushed himself to go faster and faster, not caring about the burning sensation in his legs or that his heart was thundering inside his chest as he reached the tree line that divided mountain and forest. He paused when he hit the forest, not sure of which direction it came from.

"Daddy!" He heard Dean's shrill cry, but couldn't tell the direction it came from. Taking a wild guess, he started running through the trees, desperate to find his child. Several miles away, he heard a car engine roar to life. Dean's cries grew quieter and quieter until he heard the slamming of car doors. Then they were completely nonexistent. He kept running, despite hearing the wheels turning over the gravel and rocks. He made it to a dirt pathway and caught a glimpse of a white van. He was more than ready to go after it when he was suddenly struck by an object. It was silver, made from what seemed to be melted down Angel blade, but It caused the same reaction from him as a human who'd been tasered. The moment it made contact with him, he dropped to the ground, no longer in control of his body.

Castiel was laying on the ground, jerking and spasming, unable to do anything as he watched the van holding his son drive away. It was the last thing he could think of before his brain became too scrambled to think anymore.