Chapter 21

Dean and Castiel were sitting at the bar watching Bobby and Asteria put up groceries and discuss what was on the menu for dinner. Neither was joining in the conservation, both in silent deep thought waiting for Sam to wake up.

"Sam!" Bobby called to him when he saw Sam and Oree making their way to the kitchen.

"Sam." Dean said getting up to stand in front of him. "Glad ya're vertical." he half smiled.

"Hey Dean." Sam said quietly not sure what he should do until Dean pulled him into a tight hug that he quickly returned. He had missed his brother; it always felt like something was missing when they were apart. New tears brimmed his eyes, as he relished his brother's hug.

Dean pushed him back and looked him over carefully before asking, "You good?"

"Yeah, I'm good now." Sam said but looked away guiltily knowing the secret he had to keep.

This didn't get past Dean. He knew his baby brother better than anyone and Dean knew when something was bothering him or he was hiding something. He watched Sam step away toward Castiel wondering what Sam wasn't saying.

"Good to see you up Sam." Castiel said holding out his hand.

"Thanks Cas." Sam said taking his hand and pulling him into a hug. Castiel was surprised at first, but returned the hug.

"I say this calls for a toast." Bobby said sitting six glasses on the counter and pouring out shots in each. "Salute."

They all picked one up and clinked the glasses together before drinking the whiskey. Sam looked over at Oree as he sat his glass down wishing he didn't know the truth and his role in his sister's plan. She looked up at him seeing his concern and gave him a half smile trying to relay to him her thoughts. Dean watched the interchange knowing he was being kept out of the loop of something and didn't like it.

"There is one more summoning we need to do." Oree announced to everyone. They all turned to look at her waiting for her to continue.

"Who?" Dean asked first.

"Crowley." she stated.

"Why the hell do we need him?"

"He has something we need." she said. "Do you wanna help or not?"

"You're not doing it alone." Dean grumbled getting up.

"I'm coming too." Sam added.

"You might need my help." Castiel told Oree as he followed the three siblings.

"Well, guess they don't think I'm needed." Bobby commented pouring two more shots. "If they screw it up guess who they'll be calling, the old man that got left behind."

"Looks like we get to fix dinner." Asteria said looking in the fridge to see what Oree had available. "You know kids don't ask for help until there's a problem."

spn

Dean was still grumbling to himself as he drew a devil's trap on the cement floor. Sam helped Oree with the ingredients for the summoning spell. They were measuring them into a brass bowl and talking quietly to each other. Sam seemed to be getting upset about something. Dean tried to pick up on what they were saying, but only caught a word here and there, but not enough to make any sense. This was starting to get old fast, so he decided to confront his brother figuring he would crack before Oree.

"Are you sure we have to do this?" Dean questioned again interrupting his siblings who had the decency to look guilty. "Anything I should know about?"

"No and yes Dee, he's the only one who knows where the weapon is hidden. Sam if you're ready." Oree told him sitting the bowl in the circle. She waited for Sam to recite the spell in Latin before lightening a match and dropping it in the bowl. Crimson flames shot up and black smoke billowed out before dispersing and a man dressed in a dark suit stood in the circle.

"Boggers, can't a bugger have a glass of stout without being interrupted." Crowley growled turning to face the Winchesters and angel. "What do you three want now?"

"You have something we need." Oree started.

"Could you be a little more specific Chipmunk, I have a lot of things?"

"It is a knife forged in the darkest part of Hell from the stone of the pit by Hades himself."

"What makes you think I would know something like that?"

"'Hello, 'cause you're the King of Hell and if you want to continue being that you need to help us."

"What have you three bumbled into now?"

"Ancient creature, destroy the world and human kind thing."

"Why does that not surprise me?" he whined shaking his head. "You lot never do anything halfway."

"If the world is gone, all humans gone, Hell gone, you'll be next on the hit list."

"Fine! Give me a little time to find it."

"Don't take long; this creature is not very patient. You still have the same phone number?"

"I do, are we going to be phone buddies too Chipmunk?" he asked looking at Oree. "We could be BFFs."

"I'll be in touch." Oree said ignoring his jab.

"If you don't mind." he motioned to the trap.

Dean knelt down and scrapped a spot away so he could leave.

The four stood around for a moment trying to decide what to do next. Sam kept glancing sideways at Oree, but tried not to be obvious about it. Castiel was watching Aurora and could almost see her mind working. Dean was watching Sam and Oree trying to decide his next move.

"I'd say that went better than expected."

"Well, when his life is in danger, it is a motivation." Oree said walking back into the house.

"She's got a point there." Sam shrugged at Dean following Oree.

Dean looked at Castiel, "Guess she's right, come on."

spn

Oree was helping clean up after dinner when she heard a knock at the door. She opened the door, but didn't see anyone there. A bundle on the top step caught her eye and she went to see what it was. Picking it up, she unwrapped it and found a shiny, black bladed knife with symbols on the hilt and on the blade. She turned it over in her hand noticing how extremely sharp the blade looked. Crowley had come through for her, now she could continue with her plan. She wrapped the knife back up, carried it inside and to her room.

"Dear, we're heading out; we'll be back in the morning to help." Asteria told Oree as she wiped her hands off.

"Thank you for fixing dinner, it was delicious as always." Oree said giving her a hug.

"My pleasure."

"Boys, we'll put our heads together tomorrow and work on a plan." Bobby called to the guys.

"Okay." Dean answered.

Sam bit his lip to keep from saying anything. Instead, he scanned the internet for any information that might be useful. He watched Oree go to her room with something hidden behind her. He was sure Crowley probably delivered the knife and Oree wasn't going to let anyone know.

Dean and Castiel found one of Dean's favorite comedy movies on the television and he was trying to explain the funny parts to Castiel who didn't understand it. It was a comedy just watching them interact.

Oree picked up a sweater and her Ipod and headed outside wanting some quiet time to herself. She re-arranged the pillows in the swing and sat down. Using her foot, she began to sway the swing gently looking out into the night. She put the ear buds in and turned it on to an old Bob Dylan song.

"Mama take this badge from me

I can't use it anymore

Its getting dark too dark to see

Feels like I'm knockin' on heaven's door.

Knock, Knock, Knockin' on Heaven's door

Knock, Knock, Knockin' on Heaven's door..."

Ellie howled from the edge of the woods and received an answer back from far away. Oree drew her knees up and rested her chin on them listening to the music. She sat like this for an hour lost in her own world.

The door opened and footsteps approached the swing and stopped.

"Aurora, are you alright?" Castiel asked softly.

"Angel." she said moving her legs so he could sit down. "Sit, I want to talk to you." she said taking out her buds.

"Okay." he said sitting beside her. He cast a sideways glance at her and waited for her to start talking. Oree took her time wanting to get the words right.

"Remember when we first met?"

"Yes, you threw me against a wall. I don't think you liked me very much."

"Well I didn't know what you were; I thought you meant to hurt Dee or Sammy. I wasn't really comfortable with you, you're right; I kind of didn't like you. I could tell you were hiding something from us. And I got really angry when you did what you did, trying to be God. I thought you were going to kill all of us." she explained. "Then, you did the right thing and we ended up in Purgatory together. I figured that was it for me, I wasn't getting out of there alive. I figured you would leave me, but you didn't. I saw a different side of you. You were strong, caring, selfless, and loyal. You never once thought about yourself first, you always tried to protect me and keep me safe."

"I couldn't let you die. It was my fault all that happened. I had to make amends for the things I had done and I couldn't face Dean if I let anything happen to you."

"I know, and the time that we have spent together since coming back, it has been great. I honestly look forward to your visits and planning things for us to do. I've grown quite fond of you Castiel." she said calling him by his true name.

"I think, I would prefer you call me Angel." Castiel replied looking at her. "It's kind of nice and you're the only one who calls me that. I like that."

"Angel, I love you." she whispered leaning toward him to place a hand on his cheek as she brushed her lips lightly over his and kissed the corner of his mouth.

At first Castiel wasn't sure how to respond. Her admittance was a surprise and slightly confusing. He knew how humans loved things and each other, but wasn't exactly sure how they knew this. He carefully took her face between his hands and moved closer, kissing her on the lips. They were soft and moist and tasted like peaches. He looked into her eyes to be sure he had responded the right way.

Dean decided to check on them and was just opening the door when he saw the kiss.

"What t..." he started before Sam also seeing the kiss clamped a hand over his mouth and jerked him back inside.

Dean began to struggle against his hold, but Sam had him off balance and pushed him down the hall and into his bedroom before he made a fool of himself.

"What the hell, why did you do that?"

"Because you were going to do something stupid."

"Get out of the way."

"No, deal with it." Sam said leaning against the door crossing his arms in defiance.

"But they were kissin'. Our sister and Cas, I-I..." Dean complained throwing his arms in the air.

"Dean, they're consenting adults, it was just a kiss, besides you know Oree would probably floor you if you butted in trying to be the big brother. It's her life; we have to let her live it as she pleases."

"But Cas, man, I should of saw this coming. I tried to talk to him, but all I got was some line 'bout drowning worms and letting fish go."

"Dude, you know that didn't make a bit of sense, right?" Sam said with a frown.

"It didn't to me either."

"Look, let's just go on to bed, we need to be up early in the morning."

"I guess, but I still don't like it." he mumbled adding a few other choice words under his breath.

"You want the bathroom first?"

"Okay, thanks."

spn

Sam watched him stomp to the bathroom and sighed. Their sister was growing up and Dean was going to have to accept it. He headed for the kitchen to grab a bottle of water. Sam was starting out of the room when he heard the front door open and froze in his tracks. Castiel came into view and he was carrying Oree in his arms and they were still kissing.

Sam's eyes widened as he watched them go into Oree's bedroom and close the door. He waited a few minutes, but no one came out. Crap, that could only mean one thing, Sam thought as he felt himself blushing at the images running around in his head.

"No, don't even think about it." Sam mumbled closing his eyes. "I didn't see a thing."

How was he going to get those images out of his mind? Before one of them did come out and catch him, he decided to scurry to his bedroom, shutting the door quietly. This was information Dean definitely didn't need to know, especially when he had access to weapons and holy oil. Cas was very brave indeed to be making out with their kid sister.

So I did a little match making here. Hope you liked. Thanks to all for taking the time to read and for those who have left me a review. It was appreciated.

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