All You Did was Save my Life

Stronger/Weaker

            "You know, I don't remember him being this emotional," Balthazar said, "Even as a fledging."

            "He's tired, confused, and in a lot of pain," Ellen said, "Him being a little emotional should be expected." Before Balthazar could retort, Dean walked outside.

            "He alright?" Sam asked.,"

            "Yeah, he's good," Dean said and waved for them to follow him back inside.

            "How're you feeling Cassie?" Gabriel asked, sitting in the chair opposite his brother.

            "Fine and please don't call me that," Cas said, but smiled slightly nonetheless when Ben giggled.

            "Come on Ben," Ellen held out her hand, "Let's you and me go outside and play and then we can start on dinner." Ben slid off the couch and scampered over to her as Dean took his place next to Cas.

            "Cas," Gabriel said and Cas looked up at his brother, shocked by the gentle tone his voice had taken on, "We're here to help you. I promise."

            Cas nodded, "What do you want me to do?"

            "Lie back and lift up your shirt" Balthazar said, walking over and sitting on Cas' other side, removing the heat pack as he did so. Cas looked to Dean who nodded in encouragement. Cas did as he was told and lifted his shirt up enough so that everyone in the room had a clear view of his bump. Balthazar put his hand on Cas' stomach, causing the other angel to jump. He looked at Dean again who smiled reassuringly, but then looked at Sam and Bobby in confusion. Both shrugged so Dean turned back to watch what Balthazar was doing. The older angel had his eyes closed and wore a look of concentration on his face.

            "It's strong," he said finally, "Not just in Grace, but in the human aspect as well."

            "That's good right?" Sam asked, "It's good that it's strong?"

            "It's good for the nephilim," Gabriel told them, "Not for Cas."

            "Why not?" Dean asked immediately.

            "Cas still has three months left-" Balthazar started, but Bobby cut him off.

            "Three months?" he said, "He's only at four months now."

            "The gestation period for angels is shorter than it is for humans," Gabriel explained, "Usually it lasts about four to five months. But because this is a nephilim and is part human, the gestation period is somewhere in the middle."

            "Okay, but what does that mean for Cas?" Dean asked.

            "That means that if the baby is strong now and has weakened Cas as much as it has," Gabriel said, "Then as the nephilim grows stronger..."

            "Cas gets weaker," Sam supplied and Gabriel nodded.

            "And there's no way to stop that?" Dean asked, already knowing the answer.

            "Not unless you wish to dispose of the child," Balthazar said.

            "No!" Cas said immediately, "That is not an option." He shifted slightly and Sam noticed the pained grimace.

            "Cas are you okay?" he asked.

            "Can I put that back on now please?" Cas pointed to the heating pad on the table.

            "You in pain?" Gabriel asked his brother and Cas nodded.

            "Here, I'm done for now anyway," Balthazar removed his hand and placed the heating pad back. Cas sighed in relief as he felt the warmth spread through him immediately.

            "Better?" Dean asked quietly and Cas nodded.

            "I'll need to keep an eye on it until the day of the split," Balthazar told them.

            "And then?" Bobby asked.

            "Balthazar and I will be here to help," Gabriel said.