Author's Note:

Hey guys, I wanted to thank you all for joining me with this story and supporting me so much throughout. I have one more chapter left, it'll be a small time skip to show where they're at and that'll be it. If you have questions now is the time to ask them (especially if I haven't thought of it because that happens sometimes lol)

"So Castiel, what's next for you? The world wants to see and hear more about the human angel."

He laughed and looked up toward the cameras for a moment, his eyes trailing beyond it to the crew and where Dean was smiling and offering a support thumb's up. "I don't know about this human angel business, but I've had a lot of things in mind for my life since I got out of that basement." Cas looked back at the host, he couldn't even remember which show he was going to be on but it was alright. He didn't need to know at that moment, he could just ask Anna since she kept track of that stuff. Or maybe Gabriel since he was the one doing a lot of the hunting for the best places to get exposure.

"Would you mind sharing?"

"Of course," he mentally scolded himself for getting lost in thought, even if it wasn't a live discussion they could still edit him to look like a space cadet. "I mean I've done a lot of things that I aimed to do already; I put those scientists behind bars, I'm living with my favourite people, and I'm even in one of the US' major cities." He paused and smiled to himself, absently looking down at his fidgeting fingers. "I've got more in my life than I ever could've asked for, it feels wrong to want more than that."

"That sounds beautiful, Cas. But isn't there something missing that you would've loved to do?"

"Actually when I graduated from high school I was aiming to go to a music school. I wanted to become a singer," Cas explained, dodging the thought that jumped to mind first. While the idea of proposing to Dean on a television show would've been kinda cool, Cas felt he could do better with the delivery.

"A singer?" The host lit up and looked toward the camera for effect for a moment, "Well I'm sure we'd all love to hear something."

Cas blinked a few times in surprise though he really should've known that would be the reaction. He nodded with a quick, sharp inhale. "Sure, I guess I could do that. Do you have any music, or…?"

"Nothing set up, just give us something off the top of your head!"

"Promise not to laugh," Cas pointed at him and the host raised raised three fingers in response.

"Scout's honour."

That had been a few days ago.

Cas just sang a few parts of the old high school tune he'd sung for his old classmates. To him it sounded off because he hadn't warmed up but it seemed to be enough for Gabriel and Anna to work with. He had another interview on their show, Hipster Queens had blown up quite a bit from his original appearance and they'd managed to increase the audience seating area over the time that had passed since then. They set up a whole show around it, more questions on how his life was going and of course ending on a performance made by him.

He'd be facing at least a hundred people as far as he knew, not including the ones that would watch the footage afterward.

Just like before, Desirae was invited to join him. Her involvement in the world wasn't as large as his, though she was getting braver each day. With a little help from Gabriel's pestering, they learned that Desirae's singing capabilities were linked to Cas' DNA. She had quite a set of lungs on her for someone her age, and who didn't love a good child singer?

"How's it going?" Dean walked over to him, Cas was sitting quietly by himself in his little 'dressing room' set up.

"I'm getting ready," Cas smiled at him, "Are you guys alright?"

"Yeah, we helped set up the chairs for everyone who wants to be on during the questions," Dean looked around and grabbed a stool to sit on. "Desirae's a little nervous, still."

"She usually is," Cas sighed and looked at his mirror, at his own face and every little inkling of doubt he could see there. The nightmares had subsided more, but he still had them once in a while despite sleeping with Dean. He'd wake up to Dean shaking him, he was always terrified and confused more than anything. Not that that affected Dean, his partner always seemed to know what was going on and it never seemed to bother him.

"It's okay," Dean would tell him and sometimes that was all Cas needed to hear.

"It's hard to believe we're here right now…" he whispered, eyes still drawn to themselves as a soft glow lingered.

Dean leaned into Cas' view, smiling wide as he dropped his head onto Cas' shoulder. He didn't say anything but that was all Castiel really needed at that moment. They held one another's hands, a firm squeeze shared as they both laughed a little.

"Thanks babe," Cas turned and kissed his cheek. "I love you."

"I love you too," Dean stood up again, pulling lightly on Cas' arm until he rose as well. "We'll be in this together, no matter where it goes."

Cas had no idea how he'd gotten so lucky with Dean, but here they were all the same. "You mean the world to me, you know that right?"

"Likewise," Dean cupped his cheek then and they shared a longer kiss despite hearing the call for everyone to be in their places soon.

"Come on guys," Jet shouted at them, a little more exasperated by their absence than the others, it seemed.

"Sorry," Dean called back though Cas could tell he didn't really mean it. "Be right there, I promise."

"Sure, but hurry up dude." Jet waved and walked off, he had his hands full with Desirae anyway, couldn't waste time with them.

Cas held onto Dean with a hug and stayed there for several moments that passed far too quickly.

"It'll be okay," Dean told him and Cas laughed.

"I know, I just… I would have loved to be a singer before, now things are so different I don't really know what I want to do." He let his head rest on Dean's shoulder, "I mean, what if I'm not that good and this doesn't work?"

"After everything that's happened you still don't know how amazing you are?" Dean scoffed light-heartedly and reached up to pet the back of Cas' head.

"Just because I've come a long way doesn't mean I don't get nervous."

"I know, I know," Dean turned and kissed whatever part of him that was in reach. "You've got this. If you make it big and decide you don't want to do it forever then you can stop, no harm done."

Cas nodded, "I guess so." He leaned back and nodded toward the stage, "We should join them."

"Probably." Dean took his hand and they walked to their places, waiting to be called out. Cas could hear the murmur of the crowd as Gabriel opened the show, he was cheery and loud. His energy was exactly what was needed for a show like that, it drew people in right away and got them ready for whatever surprise guest that was coming.

Cas didn't know if those people knew who was going to be on stage, he didn't know how Gabriel and Anna set those things up or advertised. But that didn't matter, a crowd that much bigger – someone had to have watched his first episode. Someone in that audience was there because Hipster Queens was the first show to air Castiel Novak at all.

"Please welcome our special guests!" Gabriel called and they were ushered forward into the spotlight. Cas saw Sam and Jet enter on one side of the stage, Charlie and Desirae from the other side, while Cas and Dean walked on from the center. It was surreal to hear the roar of the cheering that came next, people were ecstatic to see them and their reaction only told him they had no idea who they'd see that day.

"I'm sure you all know these guys," Anna continued as they all found the seats they'd been assigned from rehearsal. "Castiel Novak and his family, Dean and Sam Winchester, Desirae and Jet Tull, and Charlie Bradbury were gracious enough to join us again tonight!"

Cas looked at the audience, the smiling faces and wide-eyed expressions that greeted him were a little comforting. He smiled and waved timidly at a small group that were excitedly hoping to get his attention, they jumped together with even more energy after that. Dean subtly pinched his side to get his attention back to their hosts.

"Welcome back, Cas." Anna smiled warmly at him and Cas flushed.

"I… I was just waving at the crowd." He pointed and she laughed.

"I meant welcome back to the show, but that too I guess."

Cas chuckled awkwardly and silently wished he could hide behind Dean for a while. "Thanks for having us again," he said despite his public speaking worries.

"We love you here," Gabriel chimed in with a grin, "Gets us serious ratings."

Anna rolled her eyes, "So guys, how have things been since the last time we had you?"

"Crazy," Jet stated, always quick to get the first word in.

"We've been enjoying the ride," Charlie added happily, "Got a webpage set up for these guys, we do some blogging and videos once in a while."

"I saw some of those," Gabriel pointed at her, "You guys don't seem to relax much."

"We relax when the cameras aren't on," Sam said, "I mean, if we're posting things then we're not really relaxing, are we?"

"Guess not," Gabe chuckled.

"Things have been going really well for us," Cas explained, his fingers intertwined with Dean's to help ease his anxiety. It was doing wonders for him, he felt a lot better with just that little touch. "Dee and I have been working through some things, I have far fewer nightmares than I used to. I've gotten more comfortable with public appearances," he glanced toward the audience with a half-hearted smile, "Though I still have some work to do there."

"You're doing great," Anna encouraged him, "We can't even tell."

Cas laughed, "You're being nice, but thank you."

"C'mon," Charlie leaned forward to look at him, an eyebrow raised and a smirk on her face. "You were great with public appearances, if anything you've only gotten more awesome. Try to relax, I know you're good at this."

He was a little surprised to get that while in front of so many people, but it wasn't unappreciated. Cas smiled and took a deep breath to keep himself tearing up about it. "Thank you Charlie, I needed that."

"WE LOVE YOU CAS!" A cheer erupted from part of the audience and suddenly there was clapping. Cas was sure that some of it had to do with 'Applause' signs, but it was too enthusiastic for him to think it was all attributed to that.

There was something rising in him he hadn't felt in a long time, probably since before the experiments. Confidence brought his voice out of hiding and straightened his posture. He smiled bright, a genuine smile that he hadn't shown such a large group in ages. Every question asked was easy to him, he answered without an issue and even continued on with a story if he had one. Sometimes he even beat Jet to the punch, though he still thought his friend was wittier.

Anna spotlighted Cas, but Gabriel would ask the others questions to even it out a little bit. Castiel was the main focus so he got the most attention, he didn't mind much though he liked hearing his family tell their stories.

"Couldn't help but notice your arm," Gabriel gestured toward Jet who lifted the prosthetic with a knowing smile.

"Yeah, gonna be going in for an upgrade next week." He said with bright eyes and more hope than Cas had seen in him in a while. "I picked out the one I want, it should have way more mobility than this one does."

Jet's enthusiasm for his arm was as heartbreaking as it was warming, Cas decided a while ago to focus on the latter but it wasn't always easy.

"I really have to thank my mom and Sam for all the help," Jet's tone became a little more somber but he was still smiling. Nikki had stayed with them for a while but they said goodbye to her only a few days previous. She had a home to get back to and friends who missed her back home, Jet was doing so much better and she stayed until he'd gotten a little used to his first prosthetic. "Everyone's been here for me but those two really took the brunt of my shit. So thanks mom," He said to the camera then looked at Sam with such a heartfelt smile Cas almost cooed about it. "Thanks babe."

Sam looked emotional for a moment and leaned over to hug Jet as the crowd made the sounds that Cas held back. His face was just as emotional though, he couldn't help it he just loved romance stories so damn much.

Once everyone calmed down Gabriel turned to look at Desirae, "How are you doing, kid?"

"I'm alright," She definitely had stage fright, Cas knew her to be so upbeat and loud at home but suddenly she was as timid as a mouse.

"Yeah? You learning anything cool right now? I hear you don't need to go to school for a while."

Rae's lips were pressed tightly together, she fidgeted with the end of her sleeves as she glanced at Sam and Jet for some help. Sam put his hand on her upper back, gently encouraging her to continue on her own. "I… I have some of Cas' mind so I know some stuff he knew." She looked over at Cas and Dean, both giving a thumb's up but not answering for her. She then looked at Charlie who took her hand.

"Rae's been doing a lot of stuff at home," Charlie was so sweet, Cas couldn't fault her for taking over when the rest of them wanted Desirae to step forward. "Jet's been teaching her some dances, Michael and Dean take turns showing her different movies. Sam and I have been helping her get an online presence, and Cas sings with her."

"Yeah," Desirae lit up a little, "I think my favourite is dancing with dad, but watching movies is fun too if they weren't so long."

"Which movie is your favourite so far?" Anna asked, happy to get on board with talking to Desirae. It was rare that anyone got something out of her, Cas usually did most of the talking when they were together in the public eye.

"Hmm…" Desirae furrowed her brow and looked at Dean, then into the audience where Michael was sitting and watching them. "I think… I can't say, it'll hurt someone's feelings."

"Michael and I have been trying to out-do the other, see who's movies she likes better." Dean explained and Gabriel snorted out a laugh.

"How about your favourite genre?" Anna tried again.

"I like horror movies best," Rae was quick to answer, "I wanted to see the Purge movie that's in theatres but I'm still too small, my dads don't like it when I watch stuff like that much."

Sam nodded but Cas noticed the swift wink Jet shared with Desirae, a proud smile on his face. Cas wasn't sure what Desirae's mental state was exactly, whether or not she was capable of watching horror movies or not. Part of him wanted to scold Dean for letting her see any, but another part remembered the things she'd already seen and the fact that she could speak like an older teen.

"Charlie said you sing with Cas," Anna's tone was gentle when speaking to Rae, Cas appreciated it. "Would you like to sing something with him?"

They had two songs lined up for each scenario, if Desirae wanted to join him then they'd go ahead and sing Adam Lambert's song 'Welcome to the Show.' If Cas went up on his own he'd chosen 'There's No Going Back' by Sick Puppies. Either way he was ready to go, he hoped Desirae understood that it was fine no matter what she decided.

The crowd was cheering as they waited for her answer, some of them were just doing to reassure her and show her they wanted to hear her sing. Some did it because they wanted to hear Cas, and then there were the ones who had witnessed his little segment on the previous talk show interview he'd been part of.

Whatever their reasons were, the audience's volume seemed to get to Desirae and she nodded at Anna, "I'll sing with him."

"Awesome!" Gabriel exclaimed as he stood up and gestured to the audience, "We've got a hell of a show for you people, get ready!"

Everything was so loud, Cas' ears picked up on so many things that were suddenly drowned out by the viewers' excitement over the coming performance. He could feel the thunderous roar that swept over the small space as he rose to his feet and headed for the two microphones suddenly set up center stage.

The few seconds before the song started and the audience had gone silent Cas felt his stomach tighten. It was anxiety but also anticipation, he knew he loved to sing to people, he knew he was good at it. Whatever he was about to do was either going to launch his career or get him to end it, but he was pretty sure he knew the answer to that.

Desirae looked up at him as the first note played and Cas smiled back at her, a small last second reassurance before he began.