Chapter 20

(Please read and review. I do not own anything.)

Everyone looks to Cas as he's sitting in front of the TV.

"So he's real. You really weren't just a drunken babbling idjit."

Bella smiles shaking her head, she makes her way over and turns off the TV.

"Cas I want you to meet Ellen and Bobby."

Cas comes to a stand and holds out his hand.

"A pleasure, I'm Castiel."

Ellen nods but looks as though she's about to start laughing. Bobby cocks an untrusting eyebrow.

"So you're the angel?" Ellen says.

He nods in return.

"I am the angel."
"There's no proof of that yet." Dean reminds.

"I'm not here to prove myself to you Dean."

"Then what exactly are you ya here for?"

"I've already told you."

"D please…"

Castiel puts a hand upon Bella's shoulder.

"It's ok Bella."

"Why don't ya take your hand off my sister Casanova?"

"Once again it is Castiel. If Bella requests for me to move my hand I will."

Everyone stares at Bella.

"He's not bothering me D and you promised me!"

Ellen's eyes widen a bit as it's starting to come together.

"Holy shit…" She utters and they turn to her.

"Well I'll be damned sugar bug. This man's a lot more than some angel isn't he?"

Dean's eyes widen as he looks to his sister. Bella blushes a bit.

"NO! HELL TO THE FUCKING NO! GET THE HELL AWAY FROM HER!"
"D!"

"NAH Bella I agreed that he could come along for the ride. Never once did I agree you could be playing mistress to this bastard!"

"That is not your choice D!"

"The hell it isn't you're my sister!"
"Fuck you D! I don't have to ask your permission!"

Dean nods and starts laughing.

"You know what. Screw this. I'm outtie."

"You're kidding right?!"

"Nope not even a little. Have fun with your little angel sis."

Bella starts laughing.

"Well I never thought I'd see the day…"
"What's that!" Dean says behind gritted teeth.

"The day you turned into dad. Go ahead D! Run like a little bitch who's not getting his way."

Dean closes his eyes as his back is turned and he's at the doorway.

"You coming Jo?"

Bella winces at this. Jo looks to her mother then to Bella.

"I…" Jo closes her eyes for a moment.

Ellen sighs.

"Of course…" Ellen half laughs in misery.

"You little shit Dean."

Dean ignores everyone and heads to his car.

"Mom…" Jo says then looks to Bella apologetic.

"It's ok Jo just go. He'll leave you if you don't." Bella voices.

"Unfuckingbelieveable!" Ellen utters.

Castiel disappears and returns with Jo and Dean. The door slams shut and flashes of light begin to surround the living room they're all in. Bella's eyes widen and her hand goes over her mouth, as a set of spread about wings is shadowed amongst the living room walls. Castiel's eyes locked on hers.

"I never lied and I'd defend her with my life."

Dean stumbles back in disbelief. Bella makes her way over to Cas and places her hand along his chest.

"You didn't have to do that."

He says nothing as everything goes back to normal he kisses her forehead. Everyone else still looks to be in shock. Bobby clears his throat.

"Well I'll be damned."

Bella turns to her brother.

"Proof enough?"

Dean shrugs.

"Could have been a trick."
Everyone looks to Dean and Jo pops him on the arm.

"My powers are not illusions they are very real."

Bella closes her eyes and she steps outside.

"Go." Jo demands.

"What?"

"Dean…" Jo motions towards Bella.

He sighs and heads outside.

"So ya didn't scream and run outta the room?"

"Funny D."

"Look Bells…"

"Just let it go D. He only did that to prove himself to you. Cas shouldn't have had to do that."

"I can't believe I'm gonna say this… He didn't do that for me Bells, that there was for you. I don't much care for the angel but… Even I have to admit it when I see it."

Bella smiles.

"So you can finally say it?"

"What?"

"You admitted he's what he is."

Dean back traces realizing she was right.

"So how does that work anyhow?"

"What exactly?"

"Being with an angel." He peers back at Castiel then to her.

"I mean is he even… well you know… equipped?"

"Jesus D!"

"I'm just saying."

"I wouldn't know! We haven't exactly got that far!"

Dean sighs.

"Thank God for small favors."

"I doubt he's small." She fires back.

"Ah ok!" He says covering his ears.

She laughs.

"I'm sorry Bells. You were right about what you said earlier. About dad you know. That was pretty low of me."

"You got that right you horses ass."

"Yeah. Yeah but I still have my concerns. I mean how is this going to work?"
She shrugs.

"Why don't you let me and Cas worry about that? You worry about you and Jo. Deal?"

He grumbles under his breath.

"So you still wanna run with your tail tucked between your legs?"

"I wasn't really gonna leave."

"Oh really?"

"Well there's a pie place not too far and…"

"You were going to go there and sulk? Feed your face in hopes I'd call and tell you I'm sorry how I was wrong… blah blah blah?"

He narrows his eyes.

"Maybe."

"You're such an jerk."

Dean puts his arm around her shoulder.

"Ok perhaps this time…"

"Totally."

"But…"

"No butt's D. You totally where being an asshat."

"Asshat?" Dean rears back at this.

"Yep your head is clearly right up your ass. Honestly D how can you even stand the stench?"

He laughs.

"All jokes aside Bells I just want you to be careful."

"I get that but I'm not a little girl anymore D."

"Apparently." He says gruffly.

He roughs up her hair a little.

"Just havin a hard time lettin' go ya know."

"I don't want you to let go D. Just need you to realize I can handle my life, let me make my own choices and mistakes."

Dean leads her back inside and Castiel nods towards him. Dean nods in return dropping his arm from Bella's shoulder. Meanwhile Ellen and Jo were discussing her joining them on the hunt. Bella was surprised to see Bobby and Cas carrying a conversation. Dean sits at the table kicking back.

Bella heads into the bathroom. Her body was feeling clammy. She began to wash her face. Bella was thirsty so she sipped a little from the palms of her hands. But it tasted funny like copper. Once she opened her eyes see saw a puddle of blood on her hands. Blood poured from the faucet. She looked in the mirror to see it covered her face were she'd been scrubbing. She closes her eyes trying to shake whatever this was off.

(deep based laughter)

Once she opened her eyes a hooded figure his eyes glowed of topaz appeared in the mirror. She swore he was smiling but she couldn't make out his face it seemed to shift out like smoke in the wind. Once Bella took out her gun it waved with a skeletal like hand and vanished. She looked back down to see everything as it was.

She slowly steps back looking around and grabs the door handle.
"Sugar bug what on earth?" Ellen says as Bella bumps into her and she's still got her gun out.

Bella blinks a few times as everyone looks upon her. She swallows and tucks her gun back into the back of her pants.

"Bells?"

Castiel comes to a stand.

"Are you in danger?" He says looking around.

"No." She says shaking her head.

"I'm fine."
"Could have fooled us kid." Bobby says sarcastically.

Castiel continues to keep an eye on her as she makes her way to the kitchen. Bella opens a bottle of water and downs the entire thing without taking a break. She then takes the empty bottle as she leans against the fridge door still and places it against her forehead. After this she grabs another bottle of water and tosses the empty one. She sits at the table Castiel appears in the chair beside her.

"Bella?"

"I'm ok really."

He nods but wasn't convinced.

"So you just make it a habit to have your gun out, when you exit the bathroom?" Dean says with a cocked brow.

Bella doesn't comment.

"Bobby?" She says and he looks over.

"Got any files ready for us?"

Dean rears back at this.

"Um sure kiddo but I figured you…"

"We'll have to hit the road soon. We got some cases to solve and artifacts to find."

"Bells… I think you need sometime…" Dean hints.

Bobby makes his way over and drops the files down on the table. He tosses Bella her new cell phone. She nods and puts it in her pocket. Bella begins to go through the files.

"You're staying for bit a least right?" Ellen questions.

Bella looks up.

"Maybe another day or so, we're behind as it is.
Dean shakes his head.

"Bells really you need some more time."

"Cases don't solve themselves. The longer we take a break the more lives at stake."

"Has someone forgotten they died not too long ago themselves?"

She winces at her brother's words.

"Gee D actually I'd forgotten. Thanks for that little reminder."

"Bella didn't perish. Her body and soul were still very much intact. Making it all the more important she fully recovers."

She shakes her head at Cas's words and goes to the files.

"Oh and D?"

"Yes?" He half grumbles.
"What is this about a pizza man?"

Cas pipes up, "He's the one that gyrates with his hips."

Everyone looks at him shock, "Dean said it was cool."

"What?"

Dean rubs the back of neck nervously.

"Eh..."

"D! What is he talking about?"

Ellen hands everyone a snack. Bella looks over to see Cas holding his looking confused. Bella covers her mouth in laughter. Devil's Foodcake was the label.

"Is this accurate?" He says looking to Bella.

Bella takes the cake from his hand and opens it. Castiel's eyes widen as she begins to take a bite he smacks it out of her hand.

"Cas!"

"You were going to consume that?"

"Well yeah until you knocked it out of my hand."

"I do not believe you should take part in such things."
"Cas… relax it's just a brand."

"Brand?"

"Yeah like a name of food."

"But why name it that?"

"I don't know I didn't name it."

"You didn't?"

"No Cas."

Dean reaches over and grabs a few of the files.

"Bella?" Cas starts to say as she comes out of the closet in her pj's.

"Yes?"

He narrows his eyes as she makes her way towards him.

"I've been concerned."
"About?"

"Your wellbeing."

"I'm perfectly fine."

"What caused you fright?"

"Cas…"

"I want to assist if you need."

"I'm just tired lately that's all. I guess my body's still catching up some."

She playfully pulls on his tie.

"Don't worry so much Cas. Everything's ok."

"I believe Dean is right. You should focus on getting adequate rest. Your body went through a great ordeal."

"Oh so now you two finally agree?"

Bella says plopping down on the bed. She rolls over and puts some lotion on her arms and legs. Cas closes his eyes for a moment at the distraction.

"Yes I agree with Dean on this."

"Well I disagree with you both. How's that for irony?"

"Irony?" He questions opening his eyes again.

"Nevermind Cas."

Bella throws the sheets over her and Cas walks over to the bed. He starts to tuck her in but she grabs his hand.

"Don't…" He looks to her confused.

She pulls him towards the bed. He lies down beside her. Bella rolls over and lays her head against his chest. She wraps her arm around his waist. Cas wasn't sure how to react or where to put his hands.

"Bella?"

"Yes Cas?"

"What if I do this mistakenly?"

"I'm not sure what you mean Cas?"

"What would a human do…"

Bella rises and stops him by putting a finger to his lips.

"Cas just be yourself. Go with how you feel."

"So if I wanted to kiss you again?"

Bella smiles.

"Is that what you want?"

"Yes."

Bella crawls over him and kisses him. She finds herself taken back as he takes his hands along her waist pressing her down against him. But that wasn't the only thing she notices. She blushed in full surprise feeling something digging against her. Bella bit her lower lip looking to Cas. Nervousness filled his face and he quickly put his hands down. She didn't comment instead she simply stayed where she was but lay against him. She didn't want him to be ashamed or feel like he'd done something wrong. Once he relaxed she felt his hand along her back. He was running it back and forth every once in a while he'd run his fingers along her hair.

"Bella…"

"Come on sugar bug!" Bella rises as if she's awake but her body flings back.

"Wake up…" Ellen pulls her into her chest and trying to get Bella to come to.

Bella finally makes a gasping sound. Ellen pulls back checking her over.

"You ok sweetheart?" Bella nods confused.

"You were having some bad nightmare there."

"I woke you?"

"Hey now don't you go worrying about that. Bobby snores all to hell anyhow. Hard to sleep next to that he needs a damn muffler installed or something."

Bella softly laughs.

"Are you ok?" Ellen runs her thumb along Bella's cheek.

"I'm fine."

Ellen nods and looks around.

"So where's your angel?"

Bella shrugs wondering the same thing.

"Want me to stay in here with you hun?"

"I'm ok Ellen."

Ellen sighs.

"OK then. No more nightmares."

Bella nods as Ellen kisses her forehead.

"Goodnight sugar bug."
"Night."

Once Ellen pulls the door shut. Bella half expected to be five years old again when she came to her feet. She half smiled in thought. She cut on the light and grabbed some of the files on her nightstand. There was no way she could sleep now. The hooded creature was burned into her mind. She went through the files placing them in order for what was deemed most important. She thought of the house back in Forks and her parents. She hoped she'd somehow figure out what exactly took place that day.

Bella saw there was a case not too far from here. In fact it was only a 3 to 4 hour drive. She put this one on top and leaned back in her chair. Her eyes closed for a moment and she smiled hearing the familiar sound of flapping.

"Cas…" She says and turns.

Her eyes widen seeing it's not him. It was the hooded creature again his wings spread about the room. Wings of charcoal black the eyes of topaz stared upon her. He clasped his hand around her throat and lifted her off the chair. He laughed as he begin to squeeze. Bella fought for a breath as her hands wrapped around his wrists.

"Who are you?" She forces out as her eyes begin to tear up from choking.

"Bella!" Castiel demands shaking her.

Bella comes to looking around. She sees her chair is flat on the floor like she tipped over in it or something.

"Cas?"

He pulls her to her feet.

"Did you see him?"

"See who Bella?"

"Please tell me you saw it Cas?!"

"I'm afraid I do not understand."

"Well what did you see Cas?!"

She questions pacing the room now. Castiel tilts his head as he watches her. He bends over and picks up the chair that's about the floor.

"You were asleep on the floor, still in your chair Bella. You looked to be having another nightmare."

"No… no this is different somehow. He was right here Cas, right here."

"There was no one when I arrived."

Bella nods.

"Guess I'm just losing my mind." She mutters.

She passes by Cas and stops to fix his tie and collar.

"So where'd you run off to?"

"Jerusalem."

She puts her hands down and looks to Cas.

"Um what?"

He shrugs like it's nothing and sits down.

"So you went to Jerusalem?"

He nods.

"Humanity strikes my curiosity in all parts of the world."

"That's actually really cool Cas."

"Never been to Jerusalem, in fact Italy was my only trip overseas and well we both know how that went."

"You will like Jerusalem."

She smiles and sits back down.

"You say it like I'm going there one day."

"Essentially the three of us will be spending a lot of time around such areas Bella."

"You mean for the artifacts?"

He nods.

"D's gonna love that."
"So you already have it mapped out?"

"What precisely?"

"The areas of these artifacts?"

"No I do not. We will have to investigate. That is where you and your brother come in."

"Cas?"
"Yes?"

"What happens if we cannot find all the artifacts?"

"At the moment I am not sure. It's crucial we find them and in a timely matter. It's not just human hands we have to concern ourselves with Bella. As you've seen for yourself these items can be very dangerous if amongst the wrong hands. We're to cleanse the world of such things."

Bella narrows her eyes.

"Cas is there something we should know?"

"At the moment I've only been given instructions. Unfortunately I do not know God's reasoning other than what I've told you."

"It just makes it sound…" Bella stops herself feeling ill at the thought.

"Sound?"

"I'm sure you'd be first to know Cas." She says trying to trail off from the subject now.

Castiel knew where she as going with this. But he did not wish to strike distress within her. The signs however were all coming to play. All he knew was to obey God's will and go from there. He truly hoped it would not lead to anything more.

"All the more reason why we wrap things up here and get started."

"God will understand your need for rest."

"I have rested enough. Other lives depend on me. I can't turn my back to them. I got to get back out there. There's no telling…" She grimaces in thought.

Castiel understood. He understood her concerns and feelings on the issue. On the other hand he also feared she was still not ready. She still seemed anxious, weary and frail. He did not trust that she was ok to dive back into the hunt. He was beginning to see just how alike they both were though. Bella cared just as much for humankind; she sought their protection as much as he. He admired this. Though Castiel could help physically heal her mentally that was something entirely different. That was where Bella needed the most healing.

Once again he picks her up.

"What are you doing Cas?"

"You need to sleep."

"NO!" She struggles against him.

"Knock it off." She stresses.

Castiel ignores her request and lays her down.

"Cas! I don't want to…"

He places a hand along her forehead. After Bella's eyes close he kneels down at her bedside. He moves the strands of hair away from her face. His feelings were becoming more intensified. So much so Castiel felt he needed a break. He needed to clear his head. He'd return shortly he couldn't bear the thought of being away from her too long, yet ironically feared being around her for any length of time. His mind seemed to spin around never quite coming to a stop. He pecks her on the lips and vanishes.