Chapter 12: Bells

"…may we be kind for all our days,
here, there, and everywhere.
Let us vow to remember that all that appears will disappear.
In the midst of uncertainty,
I shall sow love.
Here! Now! I call to you:
Let us together live
The Great Peace that we are.
May we give no fear
for all our days,
here, there, and everywhere," the Buddhist monk finished his blessing, "Castiel Deiwos and Nahara Ashuruballit, I pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Dean watched as Castiel leaned towards his unlikely wife eagerly, taking her by the waist and making her lean back a little as he pressed his lips fervently to hers. It didn't stun Dean anymore, not like the first time, but some part of him did wish it was somebody else Cas spoiled with his affections. What flummoxed him however was the superb red dress with black flower evocative embroidered patterns that the hunter never would've thought he'd see the demon in. Or perhaps it was a tunic, but either way, Dean was quite sure he'd never seen anybody wear something like that this century, or the last. A jewelled dagger completed her attire, not at all spoiling the feminine look, but strangely adding to it. It screamed warrior princess. He really wasn't sure what to make of Meg now, there were so many sides of her he didn't know, but they didn't have time for that now. He thanked the monk on the newlyweds behalf and pulled the groom away from his bride, ushering them out the temple, "come on Casanova, leave that sort of thing for the honeymoonsuit."

Meg shrugged, giving Dean a mocking look as she transported Castiel away, down to the pits and where she knew Lucifer's cage was and leaving the hunter standing by the archway of the temple entrance, cursing. He was basically stranded in India and at the demoness' mercy and it was all intentional punishment for him interrupting their passionate kiss.

"Sire." Meg uttered the solitary word with reverence. It came out like a huff of air and with more regard for the devil that Castiel would've liked from her. But it wasn't her belonging to a certain race and cause that disturbed him, it was jealousy that she would honour another man, or angel more like, with so much admiration.

Lucifer turned like a whirlwind at the other side of the cage, the little group's presence already registering in his mind before he could see them. The devil stared, long and hard through the bars and through them and with a certain amount of confusion before addressing them. "Castiel. You never fail to astonish. Did you come with some sort of deal, brother?" He waved with a poised air, but his voice could not hide his exhilaration upon the turn of events.

"You know of the fate of heaven." Castiel probed.

"Of course, who doesn't," Lucifer scoffed, "demons are laughing their heads off far and wide. It also means I'm no longer public enemy number one. Metatron is probably it, with you a close second and me, well, maybe number three?" He smiled gleefully.

"Two and three could obtain redemption and number one could be displaced appropriately," Castiel suggested.

Having clearly seen the half breed fetus growing inside the demon, Lucifer shook his head slowly, depreciatively, "as I wish not to look like a child, or an embryo even less, come back in about twenty years, I'd recommend."

"I have not come to sell my offspring, Lucifer," Castiel stated.

"What did you come for, then?" The devil deliberated.

"I think it would be in your best interest to help heaven even if Sam only offers his permission for the five minutes you need to accomplish that."

"Oh, but I have a so much better offer now," Lucifer gestured vaguely towards Meg's midsection.

"My child will be raised to appreciate free will above all else," Castiel maintained, looking at Meg and hoping to receive no contradiction, "and to appreciate all creatures of god or demon for their merits and not for where they come from. So if he will choose to offer himself up as a vessel, you have my promise I will not interfere."

Lucifer laughed, "I'm not sure my ultimate vessel will be in best hands raised by you." He turned his gaze, fixing it on the expectant mother, "Nahara. That is your name isn't it?"

"I didn't think anybody would remember," Meg was clearly impressed.

"It seemed like an important thing to remember, now I know why," Lucifer mused, "I want you to smoke in here and stay till it's time to give birth."

Meg looked only marginally conflicted before entwining her fingers with Castiel's so they could hold hands, "I know of only one angel who'd go bat for me. The offer stands, that you hold up your end of the bargain and we hand the child over only when he is of consenting age." Castiel's stomach churned despite the amount of antacids he consumed in the morning. Consenting age, that was eight. Still, plenty of time to make a difference before it was too late.

"Watch your tone petty little stubborn things!" Lucifer looked like he might throw a fit for a moment, "so tiresome in every conversation!"

"Free will Lucifer, a mind of your own? Does it at all sound familiar?" Castiel reminded daringly.

"Exactly. So what assurances do I have your offspring will say yes!"

"None," Castiel agreed, steeling himself to stand up in a word fight with the older angel, "but it's the best offer you've had in millennia. You might even be allowed back in heaven, no vessels needed. Either way, you win."

"But that's the thing though, isn't it?" Lucifer turned strategic. "Could maybe be just a tad bit too convenient for me and too risky for you. What do you want then? Your grace back, access to that upstairs home you're obviously missing a lot more than I do?"

"I covet neither. But Sam is dying and in that respect we have nothing to lose. You on the other hand, could lose both your desired vessels."

"Very well then," Lucifer waved them off, "tell Sam I'm ready when he is," he said slowly, artfully. He perhaps didn't have anything up his sleeves, but at least he wanted to give the impression as if he did.

Castile glanced at Meg, letting her know she could transport them out any time now, but then the a shadow moved in the far back corner of Lucifer's cage, stepping forward as the trapped Michael, still in Adam's body as a vessel. "What about the other one?" He asked. "The other life I see growing inside you."

"I'll have twins?" Meg turned her head inquisitively, startled.

"The ultimate vessels for the angels locked in fight for the universe will come from siblings, the same way as me and Lucifer are brothers. I can feel the pull and the vessel's clearly mine," Michael stated.

"I tend to differ," Meg snapped, doing a complete one-eighty when it was about helping Michael as opposed to Lucifer, "but I'm glad you told us," she said frivolously, "now I can be sure to keep both my angels happy," she squeezed Castiel's fingers, at the same time making sure she had a clear grip on him as they teleported back up.

Tbc