"Dean, I don't know about this. It's bad enough you wanna drag Sam with you when he's clearly not okay but trusting Castiel..."

"Alley, we'll be fine. The angels got the memo. They haven't tried anything since the last time, and Cas knows he can't come between us. As for Sam... He seems fine now. Nothing else happened, and you said you couldn't sense anything wonky in his head either since Bristol."

"Yeah, I know, but I'm allowed to worry, Dean."

After that case in Rhode Island a couple of weeks ago, where Sam discovered some of the messed up stuff he'd done in the year he was soulless, the memories had begun to scratch the surface of the wall protecting his soul. Then, their grandfather Samuel died (again) during another case. So did Bobby's Hunter-friend, Rufus. 
All the while, the ever-present threat of the Mother of All, Eve, was growing. Monsters and other creeps were coming out of the shadows to play. They had to be stopped. But to do that, they needed the ashes of a Phoenix. And since no one had seen one of those around in real life lately, they needed to return to the time and place when someone actually had - Sunrise, Wyoming, March 5, 1861. They needed to get the ashes from the guy who wrote about killing a Phoenix in his journal. An old familiar of the brothers and maker of a demon-killing gun; Samuel Colt. 
This was the worse idea ever.

"Hey, come here." Dean pulled Allegra into his arms. "We'll be fine, I promise. Sam and I can handle ourselves. It's not the first time we travel through time, and I doubt it'll be the last." 

"I just don't wanna lose you." Allegra sighed and put her head on his shoulder, taking his scent for comfort. 

"You won't. You're my reason to come back."

He raised Allegra's head with a hand under her chin. Their eyes met. Their lips touched. Allegra held on to him as if her life depended on it, and Dean deepened the kiss between them. He gently pushed her back against the wall, pressing his body against hers.  After a few minutes, their lips parted, lingering a few inches from each other. If they kissed again, they probably wouldn't make it downstairs for the rest of the day. Exploring each other's bodies while not having sex was a challenging but fun endeavor, to which they vigorously committed to.

"I uh... I should go." Dean cleared his throat and reluctantly stepped away from Allegra. "I need to pick up a few things before we go."

"What could you possibly need to buy for 1861?" she asked curiously.

"You'll see." 

He winked as he left her. Allegra stood against the doorframe, watching Dean go down the stairs, a smile on her face. It wasn't until her boyfriend was completely gone from sight that she felt that awful sensation in her shoulder again. Once, she drew comfort from it, knowing the angel was near to protect her. Now, she hated that feeling, and she hated him. 
She turned and saw Castiel in the middle of the room. He had on his usual attire, his suit and trench coat, and his expression was more or less normal, as far you could tell with Castiel anyway.

"What do you want, Castiel?" demanded Allegra.

"To speak with you. I won't harm you, nor will any of the others. You have my word."

She sighed and closed the door to a gap as she then leaned against the wall. With arms crossed over her chest, she waited for Castiel to continue. Her eyes narrowed as she noticed him fidgeting with his sleeves. What was he so nervous about?

"We've- I've realized that we may have been mistaken in our judgment over you and Dean. It seems your feelings for each other are genuine and... Well, suffice to say that, for the time being anyway, you have our blessing."

Allegra scoffed.

"I don't need nor want your goddamn blessing, Castiel. And if that was supposed to be an apology for what you did, you're gonna have to do a lot better."

He furrowed his brow. She shook her head at his simpleness.

"Forget it. You know, if it were up to me, I would never speak to any of you again. Now, for some reason, Dean still believes in you, and he needs you to zap him back in time to get those Phoenix ashes. I'll respect his wishes and tolerate you. But you and I are not friends, Castiel. Not anymore."

The angel actually dared to look hurt, which just angered Allegra. What the hell did he expect from such a half-whipped apology? That they would hug it out and be okay again? Too much had happened between them. Montana, the attack, telling Dean about Sam/Lucifer... He would have to pull something major if he wanted Allegra's forgiveness.

"I had to protect you," said Castiel. "Protect Dean. I brought you together, and I share a bond with both of you. You are my responsibility. I had to act, Allegra, please understand."

"There were other ways you could've handled it, Castiel. You could've trusted us, talked to us. Or better yet, show some goddamn support. We understand the risk we're taking, and we're trying to make the best of it. Or did you think this was easy for us?"

Allegra noticed the disappointment in her own voice as she said those words. She hoped the angel picked up on it as well. If he did, he didn't show. 

"I will return later to help Sam and Dean travel to the past," he said, avoiding her stern gaze. "Perhaps, in time, you can trust me again."

"I sincerely hope so. But you'll need to earn my trust back. That goes for the other angels too. Show me you're still the good beings who helped and protected me when I was young. Show me you can do and be better. Then, maybe... I'll consider destroying the poison."

The glint in his dark eyes didn't go unnoticed.

***

It didn't take that long for Dean to return. When Allegra saw what his 'supply run' actually was, she could barely keep a straight face. Dean strutted proudly in front of her in his cowboy outfit from 'Wally's Western World.' 

"Looking good, cowboy." Allegra chuckled. "You almost look the part."

"Almost? I'm totally killing it," said Dean. 

"Yeah, just a word of advice; lose the sarape."

Dean gave her an are-you-crazy-face as she tugged on the cloth and looked at himself in her closet mirror one more time. Allegra shook her head and put the cowboy hat on top of his head.

"What's your plan when you get there?" she asked.

"Find Colt, keep an eye on him till he kills the Phoenix and get the ashes," answered Dean as he turned to her. "Easy peasy."

"Uhu, and you just happen to know where Colt is, right?"

"Well, no, but he shouldn't be hard to track down."

"You're best bet will be the madam in the saloon. She's usually the one who knows everything about everyone."

"That's... true, actually. How...?"

Allegra smiled at his confused expression and winked.

"You're not the only one who enjoys westerns."

They went downstairs, where Sam joined them, who only changed his shirt. Considering jeans were officially attributed to Strauss and Davis in 1873, it wouldn't be that much of a problem if he showed up in them a decade earlier. It didn't keep Sam from complaining about the shirt, prompting Dean to roll his eyes at him, but he quickly got over it when Bobby and Castiel picked up on his brother's choice of clothes.

"You going to a hoedown?" inquired Bobby.

"Now, is it... is it customary to wear a blanket?" Castiel looked Dean over with a raised brow.

"It's a sarape," reacted Dean, an annoyed undertone in his voice. "And, yes. It's... Never mind, let's just go."

Allegra and Sam glanced at each other and chuckled. Bobby handed Dean his bag, filled with gold watches and chains, which they could use to pay for stuff if they needed to.

"I'll send you back to March 4th," said Castiel. "That should give you time to find Colt and this Phoenix creature."

"All right," said Dean. "Well, see ya at High Noon tomorrow."

He gave Allegra a loving look. She mouthed, 'I love you,' to which he mouthed back, 'I know.' Castiel touched Dean and Sam's forehead, and the next moment they were gone. 

"They've arrived safely," assured Castiel. "I have to go."

'What about getting the boys back?" asked Bobby quickly.

"Pray for me in 24 hours, and I'll return."

"I'll pray for all of us."

***

They tried to keep occupied with research. Bobby was hoping to find more intel on Eve, and Allegra attempted to develop a plan B in case Sam and Dean didn't get the ashes. She'd just returned some books she'd 'borrowed' from this library in New York specializing in the occult when she suddenly heard a commotion. She hurried downstairs and saw Castiel, wounded and passed out, in Bobby's arms.

"What the hell happened?!"

"I don't know," answered Bobby as he dragged the unconscious Angel to the couch. "He appeared in my kitchen, bleeding everywhere, and drew that thing there before deciding to take a nap on my goddamn floor."

Allegra looked at the sigil and recognized it as a warding against angels. She'd used it herself on several occasions. Why the hell would he put up something like that? She went through all the rooms in the house, not wanting to take any chances, drawing the same sigil and one other she knew to make sure the entire house was angel-proof. When she came back into the living room, Bobby was still trying to wake Castiel up, but he was completely out of it.

"He won't stop bleeding."

"Dammit, he must be too weak to heal himself... Okay, let me... let me try something."

Allegra knelt down beside the couch and put her hands on the wound. Castiel's blood felt warm on her hands. Her shoulder burned. She closed her eyes and extended her shield, wrapping it around Castiel's grace. She'd never done this before, so she had no idea if this would work but she figured it wasn't that much different from holding a soul. The bleeding stopped, and Allegra felt Castiel's grace begin the healing process, slowly but steadily.

"Nice one, kid." Bobby nodded approvingly. "I thought you hated the guy?"

"I do, but he's the only one who can bring Sam and Dean back. Or did you really think one of those other a-holes is gonna help us?"

"Good point."

Bobby sank down on his chair behind the desk and looked at the timer.

"He better wake up before this thing buzzes."

Allegra didn't react. She didn't want to think about what would happen if Castiel didn't pull through or if he didn't have the strength he needed to get Sam and Dean back. Suddenly, she felt something else. A presence outside. She caught a woman through the window. But the energy she sensed was male... and celestial.

"Bobby, get the holy oil and a lighter. Keep it close and stay with Castiel."

"Where are you...?"

Allegra zapped  outside. She kept her shield up around Castiel, but if this came down to a fight, she might have to release it and hope for the best. The woman approached her.

"Allegra, we meet at last. I am..."

"Let me guess - Raphael? Your grace is different from the other angels."

"Indeed." Raphael smirked. "I am higher than them, after all. Purer."

"Debatable, but whatever. What do you want?"

"Hand over the traitor, Castiel. He is no friend of yours, and he has just killed another angel. He needs to be punished for his crime."

"Sure. Just not right now. I still need Castiel for a couple of hours, but when I'm done, he's all yours if you want him."

Raphael took another step closer. He (she?) was trying to come off all menacing but Allegra wasn't impressed.

"You seem to believe you have a choice in the matter. You will give me Castiel now, or I will take him myself, and you will suffer the consequences."

"I'd like to see you try."

The Archangel tried to go around her, but Allegra already had her weapon drawn.

"Go ahead, make my day."

Raphael's eyes widened when he recognized the object in Allegra's hand as an Archangel blade. She grinned as he tried to hide his fear. Since this was the only thing she knew could kill an Archangel, she kept the blade strapped together with John Winchester's knife at her leg, believing it might come in handy against Lucifer or Michael in case they did ever escape their prison. If this guy believed she was just gonna roll over like an obedient puppy, he had another thing coming.

"What's the matter, scaredy-cat?" said Allegra mockingly. "You got your feathers in a bunch?"

"Where did you get that?" demanded Raphael. "How dare you threaten me?!"

"I dare because I can. Now, I'm gonna say this one more time; Castiel stays until tomorrow. I don't care what happens to him after that. So be a good little boy and get your ass back up there before I really lose my patience with and decide to summon the locusts. Bet they never had angelwings before. It'll be a real treat for them."

Raphael gave her a scathing look before he disappeared. Allegra exhaled, put the blade back at the strap around her leg, and returned inside to check on Castiel. She met Bobby's gaze when she entered the living room.

"What?" She furrowed a brow at his amusement.

"Just thinking Dean should've taken you to the Wild West. Cowboys got nothing on you."

The corner of Allegra's mouth curled up in a grin, and she sank down on the floor next to the couch Castiel was lying on. The wound was already closing, but he still had a long way to go. Allegra looked at the timer. They still had a couple of hours left.
She thought of what Raphael said. Castiel was fighting him over Heaven, so she wasn't surprised the latter saw him as a traitor. But she couldn't believe the part about Castiel killing another angel. He was many things but a killer of his own kind? It didn't make any sense.

Castiel... What the hell is going on with you?

***

Allegra woke up with a start. She'd been leaning against the couch to get some shut-eye, still keeping up her shield, but it had just retreated for some reason. She turned around to see Castiel open his eyes. Bobby noticed both of them moving and came from behind the desk.

"You're cutting it close," he said.

There was only one hour left on the timer. Castiel tried to sit straight, but his movements were somewhat constricted. Allegra got up and helped him sit. Only now did the angel notice her, and he nodded to her gratefully. She let go of his arm, stepped back, and let Bobby take the lead from there.

"Cas, you look like you went twelve rounds with truckasaurus. What happened?" 

"I was... I was betrayed," said Castiel with rigid breaths. "Rachel... Raphael...He corrupted her. She turned on me. She's... dead. I... was wounded. I needed... safety. Thank you. Both of you."

Castiel tried to get to his feet. He coughed violently and grunted. Bobby pushed him back down, trying to be as gentle as he could.

"How bad's it hurt?" he asked with a concerned look.

"I'll heal."

"Well, good. 'Cause we got less than an hour before you pick up the kids at Frontierland."

"I can't. This fight... it drained me."

"Well, if you're up on blocks, then call in another halo who can get the job done. I mean, there's got to be something that can juice you up. What about Allegra? She's right here; she can help, can't she?"

Bobby turned to face Allegra, who had retreated to the far side of the room. Her eyes flashed between Bobby and Castiel and back to Bobby. The old Hunter gave her this look that basically said, 'you just spend the last couple hours playing nurse to the guy; you can do this too.'

"Allegra doesn't have the power to travel through time," said Castiel, grimacing as he felt another jab of pain. "And an angel can't tap into the grace of an Archangel. I'm afraid it's the other way around. There is one thing that might work, but... it's extremely dangerous."

"Shocker." Bobby sighed. "So, lay it on me."

"It's your soul. I need you to let me touch it. The human soul is pure energy. If I can siphon some of that off, I might be able to bring Sam and Dean back."

Allegra narrowed her eyes. She didn't like where this was going. Bobby appeared to have the same feeling.

"And the catch is...?"

"Doing this is like...putting your hand in a nuclear reactor. I have to do it very gingerly. Or you'll explode.'

Allegra scoffed at that.

"Yeah, not gonna happen."

Bobby gave her another look, but Allegra refused to let him intimidate her.

"No, forget it, Bobby. I won't allow it. We'll find another way."

"Maybe you haven't noticed, but we're kinda on a clock here! We don't have any choice."

"If I may?" interrupted Castiel. "If Allegra were to use her shield to protect you, there would be less risk."

"What part of 'no' don't you two understand?!" exclaimed Allegra angrily.

"You prefer your boyfriend stuck in 1861 then?" jabbed Bobby.

He had her there, and he knew it. Allegra huffed but moved to stand beside Bobby and put a hand on his shoulder. If she was going to do this, then she preferred to actually ground his soul to his body, just in case something went wrong. She extended her shield again, and Bobby gasped.

"Wow. Dean wasn't kiddin' when he said it felt like a warm blanket wrapping you up. It's... kinda cozy."

Castiel got up awkwardly. He looked for a final okay from Bobby, and as soon as he got it, he stuck his arm inside of him. Bobby screamed, and Allegra quickly held on to him with both hands. She gave her shield as much power as she could without interfering with whatever Castiel was doing. His eyes lit up, and the timer buzzed. There was a blinding light, and when Allegra opened her eyes again, she saw Sam and Dean before her... emptyhanded. 

"No, no, no! You gotta send us back!" exclaimed Dean.

"Dean, look at him," said Sam. "He's fried."

"I never want to do that again." Castiel staggered on his feet, looking sickly.

Allegra didn't spare him a glance. She helped Bobby to his seat, who quickly waved away any concern. A sudden knock on the door made them all jump. Sam went to answer it. After making sure Bobby was okay, Allegra walked over to Dean and wrapped her arms around his neck. 

"I'm so glad you're okay."

"Apart from the fact that I was this close to getting those damn ashes," grunted Dean, welcoming her comforting embrace.

"We'll find another way, Dean. I'll zap to Hogwarts and borrow Fawkes if that's what it takes."

He furrowed his brow, and Allegra rolled her eyes with a chuckle.

"Hey guys, you're not gonna believe this."

Sam returned to the living room, holding a Western Couriers package. He opened it, took out the letter inside, and read it aloud.

"Dear Sam, I got this address and date off your thingamajig, and I thought the enclosed might come in handy. Regards, Samuel Colt."

He reached into the package again and pulled out a small bottle filled with a greyish dust. Everyone held their breath.

"Is that what I think it is?" asked Bobby.

"Ashes of a Phoenix," confirmed Dean. "You know what this means?"

"Yeah, I didn't get a "soulonoscopy" for nothing."

"Yes, and... it means we take the fight to her."