Until We Meet Again, My Angel

Chapter 7: Clarity

   Castiel stepped forward, suddenly anxious and angry. "Are you 100% sure her name is Claire Novak?" Sam nodded his head, a confused look on his face. Castiel began pacing back and forth, muttering to himself, "I told her not to go after them. Damn teenager- always so rebellious. They must have gone after one of her friends. She doesn't have enough dead man's blood, I-"
"Castiel!"
   At the sound of Dean's voice, Cas stopped his pacing as well as his muttering. Dean spoke again, asking, "What do you know about this girl?"
   The angel sighed, admitting, "Claire Novak lost her father when she was about 7. You were in her home town when it happened, and I heard her praying that night. Claire was in tears- she was only a child, and her dad was dead." "What about her mom?" Sam asked. Cas hadn't realized, but the younger Winchester had crossed the room and was now staring out of the window. Castiel let out a heavy breath, sat down on the bed, and went on, "I appeared and told her I would check on Claire every once in a while." Dean questioned, "Claire's mom just signed off on this?" "I told her Claire wouldn't know or see me, I'd be an invisible Guardian," Castiel's gaze dropped to the floor, his eyes full of sadness, as he replied, "Claire's mother had a substance abuse problem. An Angel taking care of her child would be a big help. Three years later, she overdosed, and Claire was given to the state, but she refused to go with them."
   Before Dean could respond, Sam piped up, "Hey, guys? You might want to come take a look at this..." Dean and his savior walked to the window, and through it saw a teenage girl, blood staining her blonde hair, standing in the parking lot with a machete in her hand. She was turning in a slow 360, not noticing the trio watching her from inside the motel. As her face was revealed, Cas whispered, "Oh, no. Claire."
   Just then, a figure jumped onto the girl's back, knocking her down. Sam and Dean turned to the door, but it was already open. As they ran outside, Cas already there, Claire rolled over, throwing the vampire off of her m, and jumped to her feet. She swung her blade, but the vamp was faster. Ducking below the machete, the bloodsucker knocked it out of the blonde's hand, and grabbed her by the throat, lifting her off of the ground. "CLAIRE!" Castiel had had enough, without another thought he disappeared, reappearing right behind Claire's fanged assailant. Noticing the new presence, the vampire tossed Claire aside and, as Castiel yelled for Claire once again, turned on the Angel.
   The vamp advanced, but his Holy opponent already had two fingers on the monster's face. The vampire shouted in pain as light poured from his eyes and mouth. Just as soon as it had begun, it was over, the light gone and the vamp silenced. Recovering from the fight, Cas spun and happily shouted, "Claire!" as the blonde jumped into his arms. Cas smiled widely as he picked her up and spun her around. As he set her down, his hands on her shoulders and a proud smile on his face, Cas rounded on Claire.
"What we're you thinking?" He demanded.
"I-" she was cut off by Cas.
"Going after a whole NEST! You could have gotten yourself killed!"
"But I DIDN'T!" She whined, gazing at the pavement guiltily.
"Because I saved you!!" He scolded her.
Meeting his eyes, Claire murmured, "I know,"
   Wow, Dean thought, they're acting like he's her-
   Claire wrapped her arms around Cas for a hug as she said, "Thanks, Dad."

   It had been at least 10 minutes since they'd come inside. Castiel and Claire decided to sit side-by-side on Sam's bed, Sam sat on Dean's, and Dean chose to simply place up and down the room.
   While Dean had settled on walking back and forth between the walls, Sam spent his time with one hand across his mouth, staring at the floor, deep in thought. Claire had no idea what was going on, she didn't know these guys, nor did she know why her father wasn't speaking. She turned to Castiel, "Dad, who-" "DAD?!" Dean exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air. Claire jumped at the sudden noise, but recovered, announcing, "Jesus, you scared me!" Dean replied angrily, "I'm surprised you're scared of anything!" Cas looked at Dean and calmly added, "Well, you said nothing for so long, then you yelled."
"Well sorry if I'm upset that you lied to me!"
"I never lied to you, Dean."
"That's Dean?" Claire asked, "You're right, he is pretty."
   Dean raised his palm to her as if to silence her. "You didn't tell me she was you're a dad, that's lying by omission, Castiel," Dean covered his eyes and shook his head, "but you told Claire's mom she would never see you."
"And I meant it, but-" Cas began.
"But what?" Dean interrupted him.
"I found him." Claire said smugly.
"Shut it, Miley." Dean fired.
"Eat me, Hasselhoff." Claire shot back.
"Claire." Castiel looked at his daughter warningly.
"He started it." She mumbled apprehensively.
   Castiel, exhaling aggravatedly, explained, "I was careless. Claire was young, she thought I was her father," "Why would she think that?" Sam finally spoke. "This vessel," the Angel elaborated, "his name is Jimmy Novak." Dean did a double take, "You're possessing some poor bastard?" "No," Claire rolled her eyes, "Jimmy Novak was my father." Sam, finally giving up on his staring match with the carpet, asked Claire, "You don't care that Cas is possessing your dad?" Claire's face became stoic and cold as she replied, "Jimmy was no father. He was never at the house, never spoke to me, I'm surprised he even knew my name," she smiled at Cas, "you're my real dad as far as I'm concerned."
   Claire's adoptive father returned the smile, then turned back to Dean and said, "I'm not possessing anybody. Jimmy was shot, and his soul is already leaving the body. I asked him if I could use his body as a vessel to take care of Claire." Dean was surprised, "You asked?" Cas pleaded, "Of course, Dean. Angels aren't demons- we have to ask. Even if I didn't have to, I would." Dean, ashamed, lowered his gaze as he responded, "I know."
   Sam turned to Claire's Holy father (pun intended) and inquired, "But why take a vessel? Couldn't you just show up?" Castiel shook his head, "No. My true form is similar to the size of your Chrysler building, and made of pure Heavenly fire-" "That's where my scars came from," Dean thought of the searing pain in his shoulders when he was pulled out of Hell. Remembering the vampire's face, Dean added, "and that's what you used to kill the vamp." Dean's savior nodded, "An Angel's true form will kill almost anything. Just glancing an Angel's true form will- how should I say this, Claire?" Claire met Dean's eyes and very plainly announced, "Seeing an Angel's true form can melt your brain and liquify your insides." Sam and Dean's eyes widened as they stared at Cas, who offered a shrug and half-smile.
   "Hey," Claire interjected, "can we save the Angel Q&A for later? Cause," she looked out the window, "we've got company."