My Angel Was Brave

Chapter Two

Dean had stopped caring.

He'd starting to get sloppy on his hunts and there were plenty of times when Sam barely pulled him out alive.

"Maybe he'll come back," Dean said, one night while him and Sam were staying in a crappy motel, one too many beers running through his system,  "He's always come back in the past..."

"Dean," Sam glanced up from his laptop, sympathy coursing through his eyes, "I know you miss him, but he's not coming back this time. I'm sorry."

Now, they were on a case. Some teenager was possesed by a demon and spent all her free time causing destruction in her town. The Winchesters had managed to corner her in an old warehouse, but as Sam split off to search the side room, Dean had met the demon.

"That was almost too easy," she laughed, standing over him while he lay on the ground, exhasted from fighting, "I'd almost think you'd want to lose. Still all pissy over your angel? Aw, poor baby."

"Shut... up... whore," Dean croaked, trying to get up, fire striking in his eyes at the mention of Castiel, but it died back down at the pressure of her boot on his chest met his back on the floor, again.

"Dean!" Sam cried, seeing the scene take place. The demon shot her head up and her hand came with it, pushing Sam back as he tried to charge at her.

"Leave... Him alone," Dean snarled.

"Don't worry, Dean," she replied, "You'll be together again, soon... In Hell." She grabbed his head and he prepared himself for his death, closing his eyes. Instead of a milisecond of searing pain, however, a bright light, followed by a woman's scream, met his senses. He opened his eyes and gazed up at the figure before him in disbelief.

She was a fair height and her hair fell off her shoulders in a ponytail. A lab coat hung from her frame and her lips were set in a hard line while her eyes rang in what seemed like fondness.

"Hello, Dean," she spoke in a way that seemed familiar.

"Who the Hell are you?" he demanded. It took Castiel a minute to realise Dean would not recognise her in her new vessel. She opened her mouth to explain the misunderstanding, but stopped when she recognised the look Dean was giving her. It was the same one he gave anyone he didn't trust. The same look he'd given Castiel when they'd first met. Dean would never believe this stranger was his guardian angel. Maybe, it would be best to hide her true identity for now.

"I am an angel of the Lord," she explained.

"Great," Dean rolled his eyes, "Which one are you, then?"

"You..." Castiel hesitated, having not thought this through, "May call me what ever you wish."

"So you aren't even gonna tell me your name?" Dean raised an eyebrow, "You some kind of fallen angel, then? One of Lucifer's gang buddies?"

"I am in no connection with Lucifer," Castiel argued, furrowing his brow, "I just wish to assist you, Dean."

"Yeah, because so many angels want to do that," Dean grumbled. Sam glanced between the two before speaking up.

"So... What's your deal then?"

"I am an angel of the Lord," Castiel repeated, "As I previously mentioned, I wish only to help you."

"Didn't Cas say that when you first met him, Dean?" the younger of them remembered.

"That doesn't mean anything," Dean scoffed.

"I don't know, Dean," Sam shrugged, "She seems... Familar. Not a demon then?" Castiel didn't even flinch when the holy water hit her face.

"Nope," Dean screwed the lid back on his whiskey container.

"I assure you none of this is nessesary," Castiel narrowed her eyes.

"And it isn't Cas?" Sam clarified, "You said yourself, Man. He's comeback before." The angel stared at the hunter, wide-eyed.

"Of course not!" Dean exclaimed, allowing Castiel to calm down.

"I was an associate of his," she supplied, "He confided in me to assist you if he was ever... Unable to do so."

"Yeah? What's your name, then?" Dean demanded, "Because that would help a lot."

"I... don't have one," she lied, "It was never assigned to me."

"An angel without a name," Sam considered.

"Daddy didn't love you enough, then?" Dean snarked, angrily and a little disappointed, "Aw. Boo hoo."

"I have recently learned my Father is not what I thought He was," Castiel ground her teeth, trying not to snap back at the comment, knowing how fragile he truely was behind the mask.

"What's your vessel's name?" Sam asked, suddenly.

"...Molly Hooper," Castiel explained.

"That's what we'll call you, then," Sam offered, "Okay?"

"No!" Castiel interjected, "That would be stealing the identity of my vessel. I couldn't possibly..."

"You got a better idea?" Dean raised an eyebrow, "I'm all ears."

"You can call me..." she said, thinking back on old memories, "Baby."

"Baby?" Dean repeated, disbelief painting his face.

"I was going to suggest Fledgling, but Baby seemed to be the human equivalent and I just though-" she explained.

"Yeah. Okay, Baby it is," Dean stopped her, "So, Baby, what do you want from us, huh?"

"I told you," she grumbled, "I am here to watch over you."

"Yeah, well, we don't want your help," Dean returned, getting a little overly aggressive over her response. It reminded him too much of Cas, "So, beat it."

"I will be available if you need me," she promised.

"We won't," Dean hissed. She nodded and disappeared, the sound of wings flapping audiblely. 

"That was a little harsh, Dean," Sam frowned.

"I was only watching out for us, Sammy," he returned, walking away, "Let's go."