thursdays_angel | (no subject)

(no subject)

For eight days, Castiel stays in his room.

Next door, Michael keeps vigil over Dean Winchester.

It it not that Castiel does not trust Michael. He trusts her implicitly. And it is not that he fears she will require his help. If anything Michael is far more equal to this task than he is.

But Dean Winchester is still his mission. And to leave would feel tantamount to abandoning his post.

So, he waits. Sometimes sitting. Sometimes watching out the windows. Sometimes reacquinting himself with the odd little collection of items he amassed here some time ago.

Always listening. For the most part, it is quiet next door. Occasionally he can hear a faint voice.

The crashes are much louder.

And then finally, on the eighth day, he receives a visitor.

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"Castiel," Michael says.

One might presume she came in through the door.

One might be greatly mistaken.

"How fares your patience?"

Castiel had been sitting at the desk, studying the assortment of pictures that hang on it.

He has been thus occupied for the last fourteen hours.

He quickly stands in Michael's presence, though.

"It fares well."

It might be a slight untruth, but now is not the time to complain to a superior about his mental state.

"How fares Dean."

He hopes that the fact Michael has emerged is a good sign.

Edited 2010-08-08 01:42 (UTC)

"Physically unharmed. Mentally stable."

Michael doesn't shrug, though she does move across the room to take possession of Castiel's chair.

"He'd like to leave the room. It's progress."

"He is fit to return to Earth?"

That is a relief.

Castiel is not accustomed to making the executive decision to delay a mission. Even if those outside will likely not be aware of a delay.

It sits uneasily with him.

"Not quite," Michael says, steepling her fingers.

"He may be better served to become accustomed to human contact again, first."

She emphasizes the human part of that sentence.

Heavily.

"As that is what he will be going back to, on the whole."

Castiel's head tilts at a respectfully inquisitive angle.

"There are, as you know, any number of humans in the bar."

He know that Michael knows. His tone is of one presenting a field report.

"Not all of them, I feel, would be beneficial to him at present."

The last thing they want is for Dean to regress.

"No. You're right about that."

One corner of her mouth twitches fracationally, though it does not quite curve into a smile.

"Have you any suggestions as to who might best function to bring Dean -- up to speed, as it were?"

There is Sam, of course. But given that the elder Winchester is still fairly unstable --

A neutral party may be the best to prevent a setback. Or worse.

Provided an appropriate neutral party is available.

Castiel is quiet for a minute or two, thinking of the people he knows in Milliways.

The most logical choice, of course, presents itself first. But Castiel goes through every one--every last one--before coming back full circle to her.

"Meg Ford," he finally says.

There is not hesitation in his voice, even though he is aware that he is suggesting asking a friend to step into something of a lion's den.

"She is rational. Compassionate. Trustworthy."

"And I know that they are acquainted."

"Mmm."

Michael taps her fingers against her mouth, thinking over Castiel's suggestion.

"Acquainted. Will he cringe from her, do you think? Will she know what to do if he does?"

Castiel's gaze drops to the floor.

"I do not know how he will respond to her."

He feels that he should.

"As for Meg, in my experience, she knows how to keep her counsel. And knows how to offer sensible advice when it is required."

"The first, in this case, may prove far more valuable than the second."

There's a severity to her expression now, directed elsewhere, by and large.

"At least at the start."

"Yes."

Castiel shifts a bit.

"You said he has recovered his faculties. Entirely? Is he likely to go on the attack again?"

It must be admitted, an affirmative answer will not automatically remove Meg as his first choice. It will entail putting safety measures of some kind in place, but it will not change his opinion.

Dean needs to be brought back to humanity fully. Meg is the best person he knows for the job.

The mission must be fulfilled.

"As to that, I can't say. His current relative calm may be a side effect of his isolation. I would suspect not, but his -- he has the appearance of a man easily riled at the best of times."

It is not his outward appearance of which Michael speaks. Still and all --

"How easily governed his frustration may be -- "

She spreads her hands.

"That may be a chance that needs taking. Though there are safeguards that may be put in place. Should the need arise."

"I believe he has been known to be, yes. Particularly when his emotions are laid bare."

And it doesn't get much more laid bare than this.

"I would," he says, still respectfully, "like to insist that safeguards be in place."

"If she agrees," Castiel adds as an afterthought.

Meg is human, not an angel. She can refuse the request if she chooses.

"There are basic protections that are easily woven into common objects. Jewelry is usually easiest, though I've worked with other materials in a pinch."

There is nothing humorous about Michael's expression.

Nothing.

"And, of course, she need only speak my name to summon me."

And that, to Michael's way of thinking, should be enough. Dean, vicious in Hell or no, is still only human.

Thank God.

Castiel nods. He trusts that between them, they have reasonable expectations of keeping Meg safe.

But it is best to have ideas about how before approaching Meg.

"It is most likely best if I stay out of sight if it is at all possible?"

If what Dean needs right now is humanity, not agents of God.

Castiel casts a look at the wall between the two rooms.

"You say he wishes to leave?"

"Humans were not made for being alone."

There is no hint of sorrow in her voice. Or in her expression.

"Which is a good sign. As for the rest -- "

This time she does shrug.

"It's less your angelic nature than the connotations of your presence. The last time you two -- met -- that is he most likely to remember is the introduction in Hell. And too forcible a reminder of that place is -- unwise. Or so I would think."

"I will remain scarce."

Fortunately, Castiel is not prone to suffer from claustrophobia, or abject boredom. He can bide his time and stay out of sight.

"It is a gratifying sign. That he seeks companionship."

As opposed to utter withdrawl.

Castiel straightens his shoulders.

"Should we seek Meg out? Ask her if she will help?"

Because the longer Dean remains locked alone in his room, the more ill-humored he is likely to get, Castiel guesses.

"If she is to be found here and now, yes."

Michael stands, then, movements swift and economical.

"It were better did he not have the time to become too restive."

"I agree."

Castiel idly straightens his coat.

"I shall see if she is downstairs."

Michael merely nods and flicks her fingers.

She was not kidding about not giving Dean too much more time to think.

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