Supernatural Imagines

Sam ~ Broken

"It's...it's not entirely true that all the angels went back."  Castiel said quietly, earning a look from Sam and Dean.

"What?"  Dean asked.  "I thought that's what you were doing Cas?"

"We were," Castiel said.  "But...well, she approached me and asked me not to.  She also said her help was there if we needed it."

"Who did?"

"One of my sisters, she...we were soldiers together, but she preferred to out of the running pf Heaven."  Castiel said, rubbing the back of his neck.  "Not because she didn't want to be involved, but because too many would follow her if they could."

"And no one wants that."  Dean said.  "Right?"

Castiel gives a small smile.  "That's the point Dean, she doesn't, and she knows it would happen if she went back.  I'm not sure if Gadreel ever tried to after her, but she found me before I could."

"So why is she so willing to help?"  Sam asked.  "If she wants to stay out of it-"

"She still wants to help, just not be involved with Heaven."  Castiel rubs his neck.  "Although I'm sure she still won't like this."

"It's only Lucifer and Amara, I'm sure she'll be fine."  Dean said sarcastically.  "Introduce us Cas, then we can make a decision."

It took a few days, but eventually the three of them arrived at a small little town, waiting in a dark car park, Sam and Dean looking uncomfortable.

"She could've picked a better spot."  Dean grumbled.  "I feel exposed."

"She's being hunted by Heaven Dean, she's got to make sure it's safe."  Castiel said.

"She's meeting you-"

"Not from us, just making sure that there's no one else around.  Why do you think we've moved several times."

"Well, it's still damned cold."  Dean grumbled, doing up his jacket.

"Does he always complain this much?"

Castiel grins, looking over at the woman leaning against a wall, watching them.  "Airlen."

Airlen stayed back in the shadows.  "Forgive me if I take my time in stepping out Castiel, I'm not exactly doing the best."

Castiel frowns, stepping forward.  "What happened?"

"Couple of our brothers found me.  Nothing I couldn't handle."  She breathes deeply.  "I just need a minute."

"I could-"

"No Castiel," Her voice was quiet.  "It appears they have followed.  You need your strength."

Sam and Dean straighten up as two slightly bloody angels and four unharmed ones stepped forward, eyes on Airlen.

"All you had to do was come up with us Airlen.  No need to get these people involved."  One of them said.

A low laugh left Airlen.  "My dear brothers and sisters, when will you learn to just leave me be?"

"When you return to Heaven and help us give order."

She shook her head.  "No, and you cannot make me."

"Then you will die Airlen."

All of them drew their blades and Airlen sighed.

"So be it.  Castiel."

Castiel spun instantly to Sam and Dean, who were ready to fight.  "Get down!"  He reached them as he shouted, crashing them both hard to the ground.

Airlen stepped forward, the angels rushing her as she held out a hand, a brilliant bright white-blue light burst from her, the angels shouting but it was all too late.

After a moment, Castiel slowly let Sam and Dean up, Airlen breathing heavily, her hands shaking.  Castiel reached her just as her knees gave way.

"We could've handled them Airlen."  He said a little angrily.  "That was uncalled for."

"I wasn't going to let you get hurt."  She mumbled.  "Honestly Castiel, you may be older but-"  She was cut off by a low hiss of pain, Castiel keeping her up.

Sam and Dean stood up, brushing themselves down, Dean grumbling under his breath as they both looked over at them.

Sam's breath caught in his throat as he stared, his eyes locked on the large silver wings sagging behind Airlen, broken, battered, feathers missing everywhere.  A glow sat around her and he desperately wanted to know what it meant but was snapped out of it as Castiel spoke.

"We need to get her to the bunker.  It's too dangerous out here."

The trip back was silent.  Airlen curled up against Castiel in the back seat, in and out of consciousness as she tried to recoup herself.

Sam kept glancing back in the mirror and it didn't go unnoticed by Dean.

"What's wrong?"  Dean finally asked him as they got back to the bunker, Castiel carrying her to a room so she could heal.

"What?  Nothing."  Sam said quickly.

"Don't give me that," Dean said.  "You were looking at her the whole way here."

Sam opened his mouth to deny it before he realised there was no point.  "I'm not sure, but let me handle it, okay?"

"Sam-"

"It's nothing serious Dean, I swear."  Sam glances at him.  "Whatever it is, I can sort it out."

Sam hurries away, Dean watching after him with a frown.

It was a few days before Airlen was fit to leave her room, but still not up to leaving the bunker, struggling enough still to walk for long periods of time.

"It's the only thing I miss about Heaven," She grumbled as she walked in one morning, followed closely by Castiel.  "It takes longer to recharge."

Sam had gone red and had quickly buried himself behind a book as Dean grinned from the table.

"Well, welcome to the party sweetheart."

"Hell of a party."  She grumbled, joining them at the table.  "Especially if you really want to get big big brother involved."

"You got any better ideas for Amara?"  Dean asked.

Airlen sighed.  "Sadly, apart from finding Dad, no."  She glanced over at Sam, an odd look passing momentarily over her gaze before she snapped back around.  "But Lucifer...Lucifer is still a terrible idea."

"Blame Sam for that one."  Dean nodded to him, making Sam's knuckles turn white in the book.  "It's his bright idea."

Airlen looked at Sam, observed the tension in his body and she couldn't help but feel a draw to him, one she quickly pushed away as she looked back at Dean.  "I blame no one, the fact is, you're still agreeing to it."

"We're out of options Airlen."  Castiel said.  "Lucifer has at least fought her before."

Airlen sighs.  "I know, and Amara is only growing stronger as time goes on.  I agreed to help Castiel, but I never thought it would be this kind of help."

Castiel winces.  "I did warn you it could be unconventional."

Airlen gives a small glance at Sam, who was still buried in his book, before nodding.  "Unconventional is an understatement."