The Complete Season (Supernatural)

Episode 2: Ashes

When I came to, my ears were ringing and I became vaguely aware of being in someone's strong arms, my head resting against a chest. I could hear an argument going on outside. I tried to stretch my legs- I couldn't. I was still in the car.

"You have to warn people before doing shit like that, Cas. She's friggin passed the fuck out, and youdid that to her. That is your fault." I heard Dean yelling angrily.

"I did what had to be done. I did it to you and Sam. And Bobby. You were all right with it." Cas replied flatly, though sounding slightly confused.

"We were, but we were freaking startled. That shit hurts. You need to ask first from now on. It's calledconsent, dude. That's a big thing with humans!"

Their argument continued, but my mind was hazy and it now sounded far away. The pain in my chest had subsided to a dull burning sensation, like a raw sunburn. I opened my eyes. Sam was in the back seat with me, holding me close and wiping sweat from my forehead with a bandana. He seemed relieved when I looked up at him.

"Hey." He said.

"Hey yourself." I let out quietly. "Are my ribs burned?" I tried to sit up. He stopped me.

"Hold up there. Take it easy. And no, they aren't burned, exactly. You aren't hurt."

"What the hell did he do to me?" I asked, leaning back against his solid chest.

"He inscribed symbols on your ribcage. Burned them there, I guess you could say." Sam sighed. "Dean and I have them too. And our uncle had them. They protect you from angels. They can't track you."

"Did he jump attack you guys too?"

"Yeah, pretty much. Cas isn't very subtle."

"Did you pass out?"

"Uh... no." Sam saw my crestfallen look. "But hey, don't feel bad, or weak. We've taken a lot of beatings and been through, well, hell. We're used to that kind of unpleasantness. You aren't."

"I can still hear them outside. Is there going to be an angel vs human brawl out there?" I smiled to myself, enjoying the thought of Cas getting hit. Suddenly I didn't feel so bad for shooting him with buckshot twice the night before. I began timidly touching my ribs. They seemed to be okay.

"Probably not. Dean might be cocky, but he knows Cas would win..." Sam trailed off. I had sat up and lifted the hem of my shirt, and was gingerly poking at my ribs. I realized he could see just the hint of the bottom of my bra. I ignored him, decided everything looked normal, even though I still felt like I had a sunburn under my skin.

"Cas is pretty strong, huh?" I looked up, and caught Sam looking. He turned red and looked away quickly. Nodding, he started to climb out of the car.

"You have no idea... I'd better go break this fight up." He was about to close the door when he turned back awkwardly. "Glad you're okay!" he said with a big grin that showed off his straight white teeth.

* * *

Cas had departed a while ago. After a muffled conversation outside of the car, the Winchesters had gotten back in and waited for Castiel to speak with Mina. He'd apologized for the agony he had put her through, though she got the impression he didn't really seem to understand what the problem was exactly. There had been a problem and he had solved it, and he didn't get why that was bad. Now it was just Sam, Dean, and Mina, driving through the desert. They were in eastern Nevada, and Sam was looking up something on his cell phone.

"We need to stop in the next town." Sam glanced at Dean, who nodded. Mina was asleep in the backseat, huddled up under Sam's big jacket. He reached back and pulled it up closer around her shoulders. It was November and really cold in the desert.