Two weeks later

For the past week Cas had been acting...strange. Dean had taken note that the angel was always looking over his shoulder and he never stayed very long, not even for a whole night. Cas had never brought up what had him so nervous, and Dean didn't ask. Sometimes he would get a glazed over look in his eyes, tilt his head, and become even more nervous. Dean had asked about it on multiple occasions, but every time Cas said it was nothing to worry them. Dean had put up with him for a whole week, but he couldn't stand it any longer.

Cas was in one of his trances, as if he was listening to a nonexistent voice. His face became distorted with anger as he snapped out of it, only to go back to "listening".

"Hey, Cas!" Dean waved his hand in front of Cas' face.

He snapped out of it again, "Oh, yes. What is it?"

"You know damn well what it is! What is with you, huh? For the past week you've been acting like you're paranoid," Dean could take it no longer, he wanted answers.

Cas sighed, realizing he was not getting out of this one, thinking for a moment he decided on, "There are certain things that Heaven is upset about."

"What kind of things?" Dean said trying to get more information before Cas shut down again.

"A certain angel."

Dean thought a second, the realization hitting him like a brick wall, "You?"

Cas had to lie, he couldn't tell Dean the truth, "Of course not!"

"Then who? And why have you been acting so weird?" Dean detected a lie in Cas' voice but kept quiet.

"It is none of your concern," after a moment he continued quietly, "Everything will be just fine, it will all work out. I have faith."

Dean have him a quizzical look, "That makes one of us."

One week earlier (Castiel's POV)

The angels had been quiet for some time, or they were just hiding something from him, so when a sudden shout was heard, he jumped.

"Castiel! Are you there? I have to be quick so they don't catch me talking to you. I hope you know who this is. Watch your back! It is are coming for you…" the voice abruptly stopped.

Cas thought for a moment at who would send something like that to him. Could it be a trick? The voice sounded like Gabriel's, he was a trickster afterall. These were all just mere thoughts to cover up the inevitable truth. Gabriel would never lie to him about something this serious.

And that made him even more nervous. Gabriel wouldn't risk his neck like that unless it was serious. What had he done to upset Heaven and Michael? Oh my, how could he be so stupid! Angels weren't supposed to have feelings, but somehow he did. He was beginning to put Dean before himself, and other things. Michael must have thought that he was a risk to the prophecy.

This was not good, not good at all. But what could be do about it. They could find him at anytime. Although he couldn't hide himself, he could defend himself. He would not go down without a fight.

He realized that the brothers were both staring at him, expecting him to explain.

"Heaven is talking," is all he offered.

He wasn't going to tell them if he didn't think it was absolutely necessary, it would only cause unneeded worry.

"About?" Dean pressed.

"The usual. Nothing that interests you."

"Hm, yeah, ok," Dean replied skeptical.

The brothers went back to their research. Castiel breathed a sigh of relief, he didn't want to tell them more lies.

Four days later, he heard some angels talking, he hoped they didn't know he was listening in. They talked mostly about useless things, but at the end they talked about angel who had developed feelings for a human. His breath hitched as he listened. They didn't understand, they probably never would.

As he heard more and more chatter over the entire week, he became more and more cautious. He never stayed with Dean very long, in case the angels came for him.

He knew Dean didn't understand, but he was trying to protect them.

Present Time: Thursday, 10 AM (Dean's POV)

He's worries about Cas were only growing. He had been just sitting and listening to "Heaven" talk for 3 entire hours.

Sam was just getting back from talking to the victim's husband. When the door was shut, Cas slipping back into real life.

"Good you are both here," Cas tried to say it happily, but it was coated with worry.

Cas walked over to them, ushering them to sit, "This might hurt just a little," and before the guys could utter a protest, Cas had his hands on both their chests.

A soft red light was emitted from Cas' hands. Dean felt a sharp stab of pain that was there and gone in an instant. Markings glowed on their ribs and then faded.

"What the hell Cas!" Dean shouted once the frozen shock left him.

"It will keep you hidden from angels," Cas replied, going to sit down again.

"Doesn't that mean we're hidden from you also?" Sam asked, still trying to understand.

"Yes, but in the next few days, I doubt that will matter."

Dean's face switched from anger to confusion and worry, "Cas? What does that mean?"

Cas quickly decided that it was no use in hiding it anymore, "There are angels coming for me. They believe I am now a great threat. I expect them to come in the next few days," he paused, bringing out his angel blade, "But I shall be ready."

"Well. What can we do?" Sam asked, feeling he needed to help their friend as much as he could.

"There is nothing for you to do. Just don't worry about me. I can handle this."

"You lied to me, Cas! You fucking lied to me," Dean said, directing his flaming green eyes to Cas' dark blue ones.

"I know, and I am sorry. I did not want you to worry about something you cannot control."

Dean couldn't believe it. He just needed to get out of there, and they still had a job to work, "C'mon, Sammy. We got a job to finish."

Castiel did not protest as they walked out the door.

Zachariah's POV (In Heaven)

He could not wait much longer. Everything was falling into place. Michael is truly a genius, he predicted Castiel so well. They had made sure Cas was listening each time they talked about him.

Now he and the others only had to wait for nightfall to make their move. They knew that Cas would probably fight, but they also knew that he didn't expect them to come for a couple of days. The group also could use Castiel's greatest weakness against him. Dean. Yes, it would be him or Dean, and they all knew that he wouldn't let any harm come to Dean.

But what they didn't know, was that Gabriel had snuck out of Heaven and was going to help Castiel.

Present Time: Thursday, 7:30 PM (Castiel's POV)

He had been waiting for the brothers to return when he heard Gabriel again.

"Cassie, I'm coming to you. But so are they, tonight. He prepared, be there as soon as I'm done here."

It was good to hear Gabriel's voice, to know he was alive and not caught by Michael. But the news about the angels was not comforting, they were coming for him.

In a rush, the brothers burst through the door. Dean didn't bother looking him in the eye. Sam on the other hand gave him an apologetic look. They threw their things on the table and both simultaneously grabbed a beer from the fridge. Sam took a seat at the table and Dean sat on Sam's bed, taking slow drags of his beer. No one dared speak a word, not even Dean.

It was 8:30 when both boys were asleep on their own beds. He accepted an apology from Dean about his behavior, but also offered one of his own. In the end, he layed in bed with Dean until Gabriel came.

He had closed his eyes for a second, and when he opened them, Gabriel was in front of him.

"Well, don't you look comfy," the angel said smiling.

Cas tapped both Dean and Sam on the forehead, deepening their sleep.

"When are they coming?" Cas said, getting down to business.

"Anytime now."

He took out his angel blade, twirling it in his hand.

"Thank you for your help, Gabriel. Will you please take Dean and Sam with you. This is my fight, not theirs."

"Are you sure that you want me to leave. I can help. You know I will."

"I know. This isn't your fight either. Now please, leave with them," He motioned towards the brothers.

Gabriel nodded and walked over to the two brothers, setting two fingertips on both of their foreheads. All three were gone instantly.

Cas breathed a sigh of relief, at least they were safe. He quickly got out a piece of paper and wrote a note down.

"Dean, do not try to find me. I will find my way back to you, if I can. Take your things and get out of here. It is not safe here anymore," he wrote, signing his name at the bottom.

Lightning cracked outside as rain began to fall heavily. He quickly tossed the note into a drawer, hoping the brothers would find it. The angels were here.

"Hi ya, there Castiel!" a cheery voice said behind him.

He slowly turned around, tightening his grip on his blade, "Hello, Zachariah."

"Would you mind putting that down?" Zachariah motioned to the angel blade Castiel was holding.

"You know I would never give my weapon over to you."

"Tsk, tsk. I didn't want it to come to this. But you leave me no other choice, Castiel."

"Do you think I am stupid?" he suddenly turned around, striking one of the angels that had appeared behind him. The other slashed his arm, creating a long gash down the side. He did not hesitate to quickly kill the other either. He knew that it was them or him.

While he was occupied by the two that had been behind him, Zachariah had come up behind him. He slashed Castiel's other arm, the blood dripped to the floor quickly.

"Did you think this would be that easy?"

Zachariah brought his hand up and quickly knocked Castiel's blade to the ground. He flipped Castiel up against the wall. Castiel's focus had been lost and he had paid heavily because of it.

"You cannot escape this one, Castiel," Zachariah spat his name out like it was poison.

All of Castiel's hope was gone, he knew he had lost, "Just. Just do not hurt Dean. Or when I get out, I will hunt you down and personally kill you myself."

Zachariah snickered, "How cute! You think you're going to live through this," he growled and Castiel just glared.

There was another flash of lightning and a figure appeared next to Zachariah.

"Thank you, I can take it from here," Michael commanded.

"But I was just getting started," Zachariah whined.

"I said, leave."

Zachariah was gone in an instant, leaving Castiel and the archangel alone.

"I am very disappointed in you, Castiel."

"I don't care what you think of me."

"Oh, but you will. I'm going to make you regret ever having feelings for that psychotic maniac in the first place," the menace clear in Michael's voice.

Michael gripped him tight and together they vanished.

Dean's POV (The next morning, 6 AM)

He eyes slowly blinked open, then he panicked. Where the hell am I? He bolted upright, frantically looking around.

"Calm down, Dean-o. You are safe, for now," Gabriel shrugged, striding out into the light.

Dean looked accusingly at the angel and then at Sam in the bed next to him, still sleeping.

"Where is Cas?" Dean's voice was scratchy, he cleared his throat.

"Ohh, um. Well, I guess he's probably in Heaven getting his ass whooped," he gave Dean an apologetic look.

"No, no. That can't be true. He wouldn't go back there."

"He was dragged back there by Michael, you idiot. And thanks to him I am now in hiding."

Dean stood and walked over to Sam, shaking him awake.

"Let's go. We're going back to the motel room," he turned to Gabriel, "Wait, where the hell even are we?"

"Europe."

"SHIT! How the hell we supposed to get back?" Dean stared at Gabriel, expecting a logical answer.

"Like this," Gabriel walked over to them and tapped their foreheads.

They were transported back to their motel room. Dean took in the scene around him. There was so much blood on the floor and two dead guys. Wait, they weren't human, they had wings. Two angels were dead.

"Cas did this?" Dean was the first to speak.

Sam stayed silent, shocked at the mess.

"I presume so, yes," Gabriel answered him solemnly.

He caught sight of something on the floor. It was an angel blade.

Tears welled in his eyes as he lifted it off the floor, "Gabriel," his voice broke, "is this Cas'?"

Gabriel took a close look, "I'm afraid so."

Dean set it on the table. He did a methodical sweep of the entire room, looking for any sign that Castiel was still alive. He opened all the drawers, until in one of them a single piece of paper flew out. He gingerly picked it up, afraid to see what it said.

The tears in his eyes grew as he continued to read the note. No, no, no. This has to be a dream. I'll wake up any second. He even pinched himself a couple of times, but he never "woke up". This was real.

He knew his voice would be broken sounding but he had to ask, "What do we do from here?"

Gabriel answered, "You continue your jobs, there is nothing else you can do. I will do my best to find out everything I can and report back to you," Gabriel knew this was hard for Dean to hear, but it was the truth.

"Come on, Dean. We had better get out of here before housekeeping comes," Sam wrapped an arm around him and together they walked to the Impala.

§•◇•§

Castiel's POV (Present Time In Heaven)

He could not move his legs or arms, all he could do was scream. He usually did not feel pain, but for some reason he did now. Michael sliced cut after cut on his arms, alternating depth. He slid the knife down to his leg and cut, all the way to the bone. Piercing screams left Castiel's mouth. Michael set the knife down and left, healing Castiel as he left. He tried to catch his breath.

Moments later, Zachariah walked in. He didn't even say a word, just walked right up to him and took his arm in his hand. He twisted it behind Castiel's back, causing a sharp pain, but he bit his lip, not wanting to give Zachariah what he wanted. He suddenly snapped it and let go. Castiel couldn't hold it in now, a scream erupted from his lips, loud and piercing. He had never experienced so much pain in his life.

"I hope that you are starting to regret what you did," Zachariah spoke slowly to him.

He mumbled something.

"What was that?" Zachariah said,forcefully kicking his kneecap.

He screamed louder, harsher. Then spoke loud and clear, "I have no regrets."

Enraged, Zachariah proceeded to break every single bone in Castiel's body.

AN: Thank you all for reading this action packed chapter! I hope you at least semi-enjoyed it. Please let me know how I'm doing in the REVIEWS!

Sincerely,

TeamFreeWill2.0