~*****~

Was there anything more beautiful than Dean rocking absentmindedly with Mary in his arms while going through some research we'd complied? Probably cheesecake, but it comes a close second. "Hey, baby, I think we got something," Dean comments as he strides over towards me with the file. I hum in response as he lays it across the table.

"Dean, baby, we just finished a vampire job, you need to get some sleep." I mention softly. "Why don't you go grab a beer and go watch some TV."

Dean grunts lightly as I take the baby from him. "I can't sit around doin' nothin'. There's work to be done." He mentions.

I offer him a soft smile and lean up to kiss his cheek. "A few hours of sleep will do you good." I say. "Unless you want to eat, uh... chicken, al a charcoal."

Dean snorts. "Mother? Definitely. Cook? Absolutely not." Dean comments. I swat at his butt as he saunters past me and into the living room. I stride upstairs and put Mary down. Just as I grab at the monitor, I glance in the mirror and suck in a loud bark of irritation. "Dammit, Castiel, where the hell is your bell?" I hiss angrily.

"Hello Carlotta." Castiel says softly.

I shake my head and peer out of the baby's room. "Dean, we've got company!" I shout. I turn back to Castiel as I hear him thumping up the stairs. "Castiel, we've spoken about this. Appear outside, knock on the door, and wait for someone to let you in."

"Dammit, Cas," Dean groaned. "The babies room? Really?"

"My apologies," Castiel says before moving to the crib and gazing inwards. Mary makes a series of babbles and waves her arms around before settling. I tug at his sleeve and pull him out of the room. We enter the kitchen to continue speaking.

"How the hell'd you find us?" Dean asks. "Thought we were flying below the angel radar."

"You are. Bobby said you'd gotten back from a hunt." Castiel explains as he glances around. "Where is Sam? Asleep?"

"Sam is taking some time off." I explain lightly. "So, did you find dear old dad yet?"

"More importantly, can I have my damn necklace back, please?" Dean asks irritably.

"No, I haven't found him. That's why I'm here. I need your help." Castiel explains.

"With what-- a God Hunt?" Dean snorts. "We're not interested."

"It's not God. It's someone else." Castiel explains.

I raise a brow. "Who?"

"It's an Archangel." Castiel says. "The one who killed me."

"Excuse me?"

"Raphael?" I ask. Dean casts me a confused glance. "Look, Michael's up there, Lucifer is free, Gabriel hasn't been seen anywhere-- according to you," I say to Castiel. "So, I can only assume it was Raphael."

Castiel nods. "Yes, that is correct."

"You were wasted by a teenage mutant ninja angel?" Dean comments.

"I've heard whispers that he's walking the earth. This is a rare opportunity."

"For what-- revenge?" Dean asks.

"Information." Castiel simply retorts.

"So, what, you think if you can find this dude, he's just gonna spill God's address?" I say.

Castiel nods. "Yes. Because we are gonna trap him and interrogate him."

My head tilts, my brows furrow, because I'm trying to comprehend the level of stupid Castiel is spouting. "You're serious about this." I mention. Castiel nods again.

"So, let me guess, we're the powerpuff girls, and we're just gonna hold hands and sail off into the city together?" Dean comments. When Castiel remains silent, Dean rolls his eyes and moves to clean up the ruined dinner I'd prepared. "Give me one good reason why we should do this."

"Because you're Michael's Vessel, and you are God's only begotten Daughter. No angels will dare harm either of you." Castiel explains.

"Oh! Oh, I get it!" I say in fake enthusiasm. "We're bullet shields, is that it?"

"I need your help..." Castiel repeats. "Because you two are the only ones who will help me." Dean and I share concerned glances. "Please." Castiel pleads.

I let out a rough sigh and pull out my phone to text Zack. "All right, fine. Let me just grab a babysitter." I complain.

"Where is he?" I hear Dean ask as I push deeper into the house.

Zack is more than happy to watch the baby, much to Dean's dismay.

"All right, look, kid--" Dean complains as Zack leans against the porch railing. "Don't let her watch ghostbusters, I know she's been itchin' to hear that tune, and I know you've been the one showin' her."

"It's not that bad, Dean," I laugh as I shunt my bag into the Impala. "How do you know she wants to hear it? She the only words she knows are ba-ba and ma."

Dean gave me a hard glare. "Because she likes the damn slime ghost. I'm not gonna be the one to break it to her when she learns that slimes aren't real."

I roll my eyes and glance up at Zack. "Thanks again. Be sure to check in on Bobby when you get the chance."

"Yes ma'am," Zack nods his head, his hand shoving through his new mess of curly hair. "Keep safe out there."

Dean rolls his eyes and opens my door before getting in himself.

~*****~

"So, why are we in Maine?" I ask irritably, adjusting my skirt as it dug into my wider hips.

"A deputy sheriff laid eyes on the Archangel." Castiel explains.

"And he still has eyes?" Dean asks. "All right, what's the plan?"

"We... tell the officer that he witnessed angel of the lord. Then the officer will tell us where the angel is." Castiel states confidently.

Dean and I share confused glances. "Are you serious?" We ask at the same time. "You're gonna walk in there and tell him the truth?" Dean asks.

"Why not?" Castiel shrugs.

I sigh. "Castiel, they're humans. And when humans want something really, really bad..." I trail off as I shove an ID into Castiel's trench coat. "They lie." I adjust his tie and straighten his suit. "Brace yourself." I hum and reach down to tighten his belt ever so slightly.

"Why?" Castiel asks, not even the slightest bit bothered.

"Because... that's how you become president." Dean comments while I start musing with Castiel's hair until it's presentable. "Look at you, spick and span." I chuckle and follow after Dean. "Deputy Framingham?" Dean calls once we enter. "Hi. Alonzo Mosely, FBI." Dean hums as he holds out his badge. "These are my partners, Eddie Moscone, and Joana Jett."

"Also FBI." I comment irritably at Castiel. He quickly takes his badge out and holds it up... Upside down. I snatch it and reposition it. "He's new." I say painfully. "Mind if we ask a few questions?" I quickly change my tone.

"Yeah. Sure. Talk here, though." Deputy Framingham sighed as he points to his left ear. "Hearing's all blown to hell in this one." He gestures to his right.

"That happen recently?" Dean asks.

"Yeah-- the gas-station thing." Deputy Framingham states. "That's why you're here, isn't it?"

"Yes, sir, it is." I nod quickly. "Do you mind running us through what happened?" I ask as Dean and Castiel take seats.

"Well, call came in-- Disturbance out at the Pump N' Go on Route Four." Framingham explains.

"What kind of disturbance?" Dean asks.

Framingham sighs through his nose. "Would not have believed my eyes if I hadn't seen it myself. We're talking a riot-- full scale."

"How many?" I ask.

"Thirty, forty." Framingham shrugs. "An all-out, kill-or-be-killed combat."

"Any idea what set them off?" Dean asks.

Castiel opens his mouth. "It's angels and demons, probably." Castiel says. I close my eyes and pinch the bridge of my nose. "They're skirmishing all over the globe."

"Come again? What did he say?" Framingham asks.

"Demons."

"Nothing." Dean and Castiel say at the same time. They repeat it again.

"He's about to say unemployment." I comment through my teeth. "You know, inner demons-- Drinking, adultery." I trail off. "We all have our demons, Walt, right?"

Framingham glances back at Castiel. "I guess."

"Anyway," I sigh. "What happened, next?"

"Freakin' explosion, that's what." Framingham huffed. "Oh, they said it was one of those underground gas tanks, but, uh... I don't think so."

"Why not?" Dean asks.

"It wasn't your usual fireball. It was, um..." Framingham sighs.

"Pure white." Castiel says.

He glances up at Castiel and nods. "Yeah. Gas Station was leveled. Everyone was... it was just horrible. Then I see this one guy, kneeling there, real focused like. Not a damn scratch on him."

"You know him?" I question.

"Donnie Finnerman-- Mechanic there." Framingham nods.

"And let me guess-- he just, uh... vanished into thin air?" Dean asks.

Framingham makes a face. "Uh, no... Kolchak. He's down at St. Pete's."

Castiel glances over at Dean. "St. Pete's." He says lowly.

"Thank you." Dean says irritably.

"Well, if you'll excuse us," I say politely and grasp both their shoulders with a tight grip.

~*****~

"I take it big brother Raf isn't there anymore." I mention lightly as we peer through the window to Donnie's room.

"Just an empty vessel." Castiel sighs.

"So, is this what I'm looking at when Michael jumps my bones?" Dean asks.

"No, not at all." Castiel says. "Michael is much more powerful. It'll be far worse for you."

I rub at my brow and sigh irritably. "Castiel, we got to talk about your sugar coating one day."

"Yeah, no kidding." Dean scoffs. With a soft flutter, Castiel is gone. I roll my eyes and palm at my face. "Just comes and go's doesn't he?" Dean commented irritably.

"Well, we're not gonna get anything about to Donatello over there. Let's get to the safe house and do some research." I say lightly. Dean nods.