A/N- Here you go my lovelies! I thought you guys might like a chapter to see what Zoe is getting up to! I don't own Supernatural or Charmed..
Chapter Twenty-two
Zoe looked over to where Castiel was sitting. He was immersed in a book and not paying attention to the world around him. She took a moment to study her partner in angelship. He had changed a little since she'd died and joined the Whitelighter training course with him. He was still serious and kind of uptight when they were around other angels but when they were alone, he was more relaxed and likely to joke. She smirked and put her book down, having just finished it, and walked over to where he was sitting and plucked his out of his hands.
"Zoe!" Cas snapped, hating to be interrupted. "Give me my book back, please." Zoe closed it and put it down next to hers.
"Not happening, Cas." She said, "it's our weekend off and we are going to have some fun."
"I have to finish reading that before we start classes again," Cas said, frustrated that she didn't seem to take learning as seriously as she should, even though she was doing better than both him and the others in the class.
"I can tell you what happened," she said to him. "After we get back, but we've been studying for two years with out much of a break or a chance to have any fun. C'mon, let's go. We can check out the dark side of the moon. I've heard it's lovely." Cas looked at her and groaned before standing up. Zoe jumped up and down in happiness. "Great, I had them prepare us a picnic!" Cas rolled his eyes, but then stopped and looked at the girl who made him feel more alive.
"When did you have time to do that?" He asked, "I've only just agreed with you."
"Yeah, but I knew you would." Zoe said with confidence, walking over to a basket that was sitting on the table. "So I had them make us one. Don't be upset, please. I've always wanted to go on a picnic, and the moon seems like a perfect place."
"You're right, it does," Cas agreed. he really couldn't say no to her, he never could. Not even when she was pleading for the life of another man. He didn't feel any jealousy towards Dean Winchester, but he had known when she asked him to bring Dean back to her, he couldn't say no. It made him wonder if he'd begun having feelings for her when she was a human. Zoe grinned at her friend, she couldn't believe at how quickly she'd begun to feel more than friendship for him. Since she'd gotten into the Whitelighter training program, she felt herself falling more and more for him.
Part of her panicked to feel what she felt for Dean fading so quickly, but knew that it was how it had to be. The likelihood of her ever seeing him again was so low that she was determined not to let herself dwell on him. The reality in front of her was that she'd have a happy forever with Castiel. Granted, it wasn't what she once hoped for but it was what she had now and she was happy to have it.
"Zoe?" Castiel's voice broke through her thoughts. She looked at him with a smile, taking his breath away.
"Yes, Cas?" Zoe asked.
"Are you ready to go?" He responded, wondering what she'd been thinking about.
"Yes!" She said, excitement coloring her voice, "I'm really excited to go. Are you ready?" He nodded and grabed the basket so she wouldn't have to carry it.
"How are we getting there?" He asked her.
"We are gonna orb." Zoe said, smiling. Cas looked at her curiously and she continued, "we've had it mastered since our first week of training. Gideon and Gabriel both said we should be fine."
"You asked permission?" Cas said, incredulously. Zoe looked at him with a sarcastic look.
"Of course I did," she said. "I knew you would never agree to it if I didn't." Cas opened his mouth and then shut it, stunned that she knew him so well. Zoe grinned and walked out of their study room, with Cas close behind her. They decided to walk to the courtyard before leaving in case anyone else decided to join them, even though Zoe wanted it to just be the two of them. On their way they ran into Gabriel, an Archangel who was one of their teachers.
"Off to the moon?" He asked, sucking on his ever-present lollipop.
"Yes sir, we are." Cas replied formally, "Zoe wanted to go on a picnic, and thought the moon would be a good place for it."
"It's good for more than that." He said, winking. "You kids have fun now." He walked away, leaving Cas puzzled and Zoe a bright red color. They both stood there for a few moments before Cas turned to Zoe.
"What did he mean?" The puzzled Angel asked her.
"Hmmm?" Zoe returned, playing clueless.
"When he said the moon was good for more than a picnic location, what did he mean?" Cas clarified, not realizing that Zoe knew what he was talking about. He was stunned to see her blush even more.
"He just meant that it's a good place to be friendly." Zoe said, trying to be as vague as possible.
"Can't we just do that here?" Cas asked, growing more confused.
"Well, we could it just would be hard with your overprotective roomie." Zoe said, mentioning Uriel. Cas groaned.
"How come I can't room with you?" He asked, changing the subject completely. "I like you so much more." He had his back turned to her and didn't see her blush return.
"We can ask when we get back if they can change our rooms around." Zoe answered, proud that her voice didn't show her embarrassment. "Gideon and Gabriel both know you and Uriel don't really get along and that he messes with your studying." Cas nodded and they both finished walking to the courtyard, glad that no one stopped them or wanted to go with them.
When they landed on the moon, they decided to pick their picnic spot before sightseeing a little. Zoe pulled a blanket out of the basket, which she spread out and Cas set down the basket. They then bounced over to where they could see the Earth. The North American continent was facing them and Zoe felt a wave of loneliness for Addie and Dean and even Sam. Cas looked over at her and seemed to understand why she went so quiet.
"You miss him, don't you?" He asked her softly. She looked at him briefly before nodding, not needing him to clarify who he was talking about.
"It's not just Dean though. It's Addie and Sammy too." She said, softly. "Addie was my best friend down there. We lost her because of an accident involving a shape shifter, but she didn't die. She lost her memories and somehow ended up in San Francisco. She was staying with a family of sisters that she'd become comfortable with. She told me she bonded with them in a way that she couldn't with me, and I got really hurt and jealous. It's why I left, I was so selfish. I thought that Addie would happily drop everything she had to be with us again, I never considered the fact that she wouldn't want to." Cas just looked at her, letting her vent the emotions she was carrying with her.
"It's not even the fact that Addie was happy there, it was that she didn't remember me," Zoe said. "I know it makes me sound like a child, but I was also hurt when she remembered Sammy faster than she remembered me. I was there for her when Sam went off to college, leaving her behind. I never would have left her behind, ever. He did though, and she still remembered him first! It hurt so bad. They eventually figured it was because of the physical contact. It makes sense, Sammy and Addie have been in love with one another since forever." Cas looked at her weird and then finally had to interrupt her with a question.
"Why then were you so hurt?" He finally asked, trying to understand her emotions.
"I think it's because I saw her first." Zoe answered, "you sent me to P3, remember?" Cas nodded.
"I was told you would find something of interest there, I didn't know it would be your friend." He said, "I am glad you found her though."
"Who told you?" Zoe asked, even though she thought she knew.
"Gabriel," Cas confirmed her suspicions. "He seemed very adamant that you go there." Zoe shot a puzzled look at her friend.
"I wonder why." She said.
"I don't know," Cas responded. "He seems to have taken an interest in the Winchester family, though. It's kinda unusual."
"Oh?" Zoe's interest was peaked, "why's that?"
"I think it has a lot to do with what the demon had planned for Sammy," Cas mused. Zoe nodded her understanding.
"Sammy did tell me that Azazel had fed him his blood when he was a baby," Zoe said. "I wonder if that was the link between him and the others."
"You mean in South Dakota?" Cas clarified.
"Yeah," Zoe answered. "There were apparently a bunch of "special" kids there."
"And Azazel wanted them to fight to the death?" Cas was stunned.
"Yeah, he was looking for someone to lead Hell's Army." Zoe said, "Sam and Dean stopped that." Cas nodded.
"I see why you love him," Cas said, trying to keep the sadness out of his voice. "He's like one of those super heroes you told me about."
"Who, Dean?" Zoe asked, confused at the abrupt subject change. Cas nodded, looking down at his feet in embarrassment. "That's not why I liked him." Cas looked at her in confusion.
"Then why?" He asked.
"It was a lot of things, Cas." Zoe said, "at first, he was just amazing eye candy. I mean, his butt is perfection." She blushed realizing that she'd over shared, Cas just looked at her steadily and she continued, "but after I got to know him, it was more because of how he was always protective of Addie. She was so sad most of the time, and he was right there for her. He was so patient with her and kind to everyone that I couldn't help but want him. Then my cousin was abducted while he was camping and I called Addie. She, Dean and Sammy came out to Colorado to find him, because I knew that something the cops wouldn't understand had happened to him. He was so wonderful, taking care of my family and eager to see his siblings happy with each other that I couldn't help but fall the rest of the way. And then when Addie disappeared, I joined up with them and got to know Dean even better. I knew I wanted either him or someone like him."
She finished with a blush and looked to see Cas frowning at his shoes. She smiled, thinking she knew what was on his mind. Steeling her courage, she walked closer to him and reached out to raise his chin so he was looking at her. She saw the confusion flash through his eyes moments before she leaned in and kissed him, gently on the mouth. When she pulled back, he was staring at her with wide eyes.
"Zoe?" He asked, confusion clear.
"Yes?" She returned, smiling slightly.
"Why.." His voice trailed off as if he didn't really know how to finish his question.
"Why did I kiss you?" She finished for him.
"Yes." He said, not quite able to meet her eyes. She chuckled lowly before leaning in and kissing him again, keeping it gentle. This time, he kissed her back. He looked at her, still with confusion, unable to understand what was going on.
"I think the answer is obvious, Castiel." Zoe said, startling him by using his full name. "I liked Dean. I may have fallen in love with him, I don't know. What I feel for you though, is so much stronger than what I felt for him. That's why I kissed you." Cas looked at her, his blue eyes searching her green ones. He saw what he was looking for and reached up to touch her face, a gesture he'd only dreamed about doing. She closed her eyes and nuzzled his hand, giving him the courage to kiss her. At first he hesitantly pressed his lips to hers, even though he knew she felt for him what he felt for her. Then he grew bolder and licked his tongue across her bottom lip, asking for permission to enter her mouth. She allowed him access and he licked into her mouth. He moaned slightly as he tasted her for the first time. She tasted how he imagined rainbows would taste. He would never get enough of her. Eventually though, he had to pull back and gauge her reaction. She looked at him with hope but before she could say anything her stomach rumbled, making both her and Cas laugh.
"I think someone is hungry." Cas said, showing a rare spark of humor. Zoe smiled at him and leaned in to kiss him, surprised when he met her halfway. "How is it possible that you want me too?" He murmured after breaking their kiss.
"I'm as surprised as you that you want me," Zoe said. "I was afraid you wouldn't and that I'd be ruining our friendship."
"When did you change your mind?" Cas asked her, pulling her over to where the picnic was set up.
"When you said that you wanted to be my roommate. I knew that I couldn't share a room with you without exploding if I didn't tell you first." Zoe said, opening the basket and taking out sandwiches for the both of them. She handed one to Cas before taking a bite of her own, smiling at the flavor of PB & J. Cas also closed his eyes in appreciation.
"Of all the things invented by humans in the last few hundred years, Peanut Butter has to be the best." He said, taking another bite. Zoe nodded her agreement and they ate their sandwiches in companionable silence. After the sandwiches, Zoe pulled out chocolate and banana pudding. Cas rolled his eyes, used to Zoe liking to combine her foods. He took a bite of the pudding and admitted to himself that it was a good combo. When they were done eating, he and Zoe sat there watching the Earth. He scooted closer and pulled her into an embrace, smiling when she came without a fight.
"Cas?" She said, her voice slurring with sleepiness.
"Yes, Zoe?" Cas returned looking down at her as she snuggled into his side.
"I think I love you," was her response as she slipped into a nap. Cas just sat there for a minute before laying the two of them down and kissing the top of her head.
"I think I love you, too." He said as he drifted off to sleep.
A couple of hours later, Zoe woke up with Cas wrapped around her. Her heard flooded to see him there, looking so content. She checked her watch and saw that they'd only been gone for three hours, so she knew they would be fine.
"Cas," she nudged him. "Wake up." Cas just grumbled and pulled her closer to him. "Come on Cas, we need to get back. We have to ask if you can move into my room, remember?" Cas opened his eyes and looked at her.
"You still want to room with me?" He asked, a small amount of self-doubt coloring his voice.
"Of course I do." She answered, kissing him. He kissed her back and then pulled away so they could pick up their mess before orbing back to where they were living. After they landed, Zoe grabbed Cas's hand and the two of them walked to Gideon's office to ask for permission for Cas to move to her room. They found both Gideon and Gabriel in the office. Gabriel looked up as they walked in, raising his eyebrow at their joined hands.
"I take it you two had a good picnic?" He asked, with a slight smirk on his face. Zoe smiled at him and nodded.
"I'm glad you came to see us after you came back," Gideon said, also noticing the change in the two before him. "I wanted to ask if you minded a change in your living situations?" Cas and Zoe exchanged glances before Cas looked at their teacher.
"What kind of change?" He asked.
"Uriel has decided to drop out of Whitelighter training and left the area," Gabriel said. "We were wondering if you two would want to share a room, since it would make studying easier if you were closer together." Zoe grinned, but decided to play it cool.
"I would be okay with that, if Castiel is." She said.
"I am okay with that, too." Cas said, not trying to let his excitement show too much. Gabriel nodded, knowing that the two would have found a way to share rooms anyway.
"Good, then Castiel you will move into Zoe's room." Gabriel said, "it's bigger, so you will have enough space. Your stuff will be packed and moved by the time you get to your new room." Cas and Zoe grinned.
"Thank you for being so understanding," Gideon said. "I know how hard it is to move your things around."
"It's no problem, Gideon." Zoe said, "we'll do anything necessary to help." Gideon smirked knowingly and nodded.
"Good," he said. "Well, I guess Castiel needs to go unpack his belongings in his new room. I will see you two in class tomorrow morning." Zoe nodded and she and Cas left. Gabriel just barely managed to keep a straight face until they left.
"Do they honestly think we can't tell?" He asked Gideon.
"I don't know," Gideon responded. "I'm glad that they have recognised their bond, though. It makes it easier for them." Gabriel nodded his agreement and Gideon continued, "do you think Uriel has really joined the Darklighters?"
"I hope not, but my instinct says he has." Gabriel responded, "I want with every fiber of my being for it to not be true, but we made a mistake in not recruiting someone to pair with him. Zoe and Castiel tried, but three's a crowd. When Anna left, I knew she wasn't going alone, but I didn't think it would be Uriel."
"Anna was Uriel's favorite teacher, it only makes sense that he would follow her." Gideon said, "I think he was a failed experiment."
"But Castiel is a success." Gabriel said, "I think our program in all is a success."
"True," Gideon responded. "I also think Zoe is coming along perfectly. By the time our training is done, they will be perfectly suited to help Leo protect the Charmed Ones and their extended family, the Winchesters." Gabriel nodded, he knew it was risky to recruit Adora Winchester's best friend as her future Whitelighter, but he also knew that Adora wouldn't trust a stranger to protect her family. He had watched the Winchesters and the Halliwells and knew that they were a force to be reckoned with on their own. Adding two more Whitelighters will make the family practically invincible, and with the storm he knew was coming, that was what was needed.