That was incredible. I'm thoroughly enjoying your works. You really had Cas' POV down to a tee. Loved the moments between him and the boys and him and Claire. You even seamlessly stuck Cas in that fun family dinner. :)

I really loved this a lot! Excellent job!

THIS IS THE STORY WE DESERVED
On a more serious note though, everyone's completely in character and it's a lovely fic. Thanks for sharing with the rest of us.

Nice!

I admit I was hesitant to read this only because I'm not really a fan of Claire's but this turned out to be such a great story so I'm glad I did!

I really like this chapter, how it focuses on conversations that needed to happen and on comfort, with the hunt and fallout from that already wrapped up. The feels were a nice way to end it, and with Castiel starting to get on his feet again. His problems aren't solved, but the conclusion promises hope that he'll get through his PTSD, that he utilizes the help he has, and that the Winchesters are in it until the end. "Dean nodded. 'I want to help you get better. And if that means I have to suck it up myself, well, I'll do it. I'm in for the long haul here.'" and "(Sam) seemed as equally determined as Dean to see Castiel through this." so that "At least (Castiel) wasn't alone this time." Absolutely beautiful! And the boys seem really patient with his insecurities brought about by his skewed self-perception. You do such an amazing job with characterization, making the Winchesters so much better than on the show, and you can delve into their psyches whereas it wouldn't necessarily translate so well to the screen so that's something else I love. That in-depth look, as it were, to how these three tick.

I really like Claire's inclusion at the end, too, and the relationship slowly building between her and Castiel. Because really Cas needs all the friends he can get!

Thank you so much for posting this and sharing it with all of us!

(Is it the 15th yet?)

What a great chapter! Castiel, with no other recourse to save Claire, hunts down the mishipeshu. Eventually, with Claire's help, he kills the beast. And finally search and rescue save the day, digging them out. I loved Claire's "'And as far as guardian angels go ... you practically need one yourself.'" Everyone was just so in character and I really had to feel for Dean, man of action that he is, having to sit idly by while someone else saves part of his family and he's not even allowed to help. I love how Dean is not only concerned about what he can see physically on Cas, but also about his mental state. And I love his determination regarding Cas's PTSD "'We'll figure it out. Together.'" And I love the boys mother-henning Cas, insisting on taking care of the bite wound and just showing him that they care and that he's family. And good on Claire for mentioning the poison, seeing as how I'm quite certain that idjit of an angel wouldn't have *dreamt* of mentioning that little tidbit (frigging dumbass, anyway!). I love how you pay attention to the little things, the little details, that just make the story so vivid, so easy to visualize.

Now only one chapter to go!

What a great all-around chapter! The fight scene was awesome, well choreographed. I really liked the bonding time between Castiel and Claire. Ahh ... my sweet angel; while I really love that he wouldn't let Claire disparage herself and apologized for ruining her childhood, I wanted to shake him until he realized he shouldn't disparage himself either. That he needs to cut himself some slack and not be so *hard* on himself; that he really needs to extend that mercy he gives to *everyone* else to *himself.* I loved Claire's maturity (minor hiccups, such as "'Told you there was a monster,' she hissed." not withstanding) in dealing with Castiel and how she really just wanted to help him get better, he had changed so much from the first time she met him. And that's really highlighted with "He lifted a hesitant gaze to hers, and Claire had never seen the angel look so lost and anguished. It tugged at something deep inside her, though she'd never admit it out loud. But she decided she was going to look out for Castiel, and make sure the Winchesters would too."

This chapter really makes me wish the show would have Castiel and Claire in an episode together again, to see if she has grown in canon as much as in this wonderful story. Many of her insights, through dialogue, finally show a maturity and even acceptance of what Cas did to her by possessing her late father. And hints at forgiveness. It is enough for me. Of course, he slips into a flashback, bringing about a panic attack, and eventually leads to his broken confession "'I'm not ... well, right now,' he forced out through gritted teeth. 'And I don't want to hurt you.'" Of course, my sweet angel is quick to offer Claire comfort, quick to argue "'You're being too hard on yourself.'" God forfid *he* ever correlate that statement to *himself*, that he's too hard on himself! Frigging sonofabitch anyway...

Good on Sam for wanting to check Claire's notes, to see what she found while they're in the midst of getting a rescue togehter. But despite his earlier words, things change now that his best friend and Claire are trapped in a mine ... and then to find out there's a Native American legend associated with that old mine, which means her monster is probably very real.

I really like your attention to detail, like using the Democratic Party Convention and then how it continuously crops up throughout the story; it just really adds an extra depth to the story, a weight of verisimilitude that actually adds to the enjoyment.

I'm thoroughly enjoying this story so far!

Well the last two lines are in turn foreshadowing and ominous. And I'm sure in the back of the boys' minds they're remembering what Cas said the night before, his confession and fear, and now he's trapped in the dark with his demons - never mind if Claire's monster is real - when it was just made abundantly clear that not even physical activity can stave off his flashbacks. *shudders*

I love the details you weave throughout and your characterization is just so perfect, as usual. I know this must sound like a broken record, but you're so adept at characterization, bringing everybody to life on the page so easily; it's just such a joy to read.

And my sweet angel, so hard on himself, so judgmental when it comes to himself, so quick to take any blame and find fault within, and really just so quick to assume everyone else must find him burdensome. It's heartbreaking, the way he sees himself. And the boys got another look into his psyche with "Castiel nodded in understanding. 'I can relate.' ... Sam and Dean both shot him incredulous looks ... 'What?' he said (for the record, I can so totally see the confusion on his face!) ... Dean held up a hand at him, apparently fumbling for words. 'Okay...that-later...'" I especially love that last part, just because in canon the boys have a habit of ignoring Castiel's problems and not wanting to address them - yes, I know they've gotten better the last couple of seasons - but you write the boys so much better than that. And so typical of Cas, he tries to understand others' feelings (whether or not anyone ever bothers to return the courtesty), as is evidenced with "Maybe that was all she needed, someone willing to see this through with her, even if it turned out to lead to nothing ... so Castiel cleared his throat. 'Show us?'"

I have to admit the mine cave in reminded me of a "Big Valley" episode. Which makes this the second fic of yours that makes me think about that old Western!

This chapter is so amazing, the two contrasting emotional parts of it absolutely awesome.

That was the funniest supper conversations I've ever heard, though I can also feel the mortification and just teenage angst of both girls. The boys too busy stuffing their faces and appreciating real food to pay much attention to the conversation and then just wanting to flee from it ... Sam's slightly constipated look (! love it - reminds me of Dean in 29P's "Bedtime Story") ... poor Jody expecting help from *that* quarter. This was a great introduction to Jody and Alex for me as well since I obviously don't know either of them. The conversation wasn't all humor, letting the reader find out about Claire's dubious hunts and the liklihood of this jaunt to SD being a waste of time. The boys also found out something is definitely off with Castiel because he isn't tasting molecules. Dean's "Maybe he should have pressed him more" made me want to scream "YOU *THINK*?!" But I did love his sarcastic "This is fun."

And then to find out Castiel is suffering flashbacks, PTSD. I really loved "He did not go through nearly losing his best friend to that stupid spell, only to ignore if Cas was still suffering from it. 'Talk to me.'" I also really loved Sam quietly listening in to this conversation because he's worried, where as the show would never have allowed the conversation to continue and would've had Sam interrupting and Cas jumping at the chance to change subjects. So thank you so much for that! One of the most heartbreaking parts was "Cas leaned his head back to gaze at the ceiling. 'Do you know how many times I've hurt the ones I care about? Against my will? I'm hardly trustworthy, Dean.'" But now Dean and Sam know Castiel has a definite problem and "Dean just hoped there was something he and Sam could actually do to help."

I'm looking forward to the next chapter! Both to find out more about Claire's monster but mostly to see what the boys will do for Cas.

I really like the start of this, the easing into the story situation; a call from Claire gets the boys to South Dakota. Meanwhile it also eases into Castiel's emotional state, highlighted really by his comment "It's mind-numbing." And while Dean privately acknowledges something's wrong with Cas, he actually doesn't talk to him about it; maybe he just hopes getting out of the bunker and on a hunt will fix the issue. It's something to keep an eye on, anyhow! So I have to ask ... is the Elvis a canon burger or one you made up or one out in your neck of the woods?

I'm glad you have Claire in this because I have issues with canon Claire ... I don't like her but I certainly don't hate her. Her relationship with Castiel, how she treats him and speaks to him and at times manipulates him just really gets my ire up - but at the same time she has every right to be angry at him, to even hate him. But as he's my favorite (really, the only reason I watch the show), I get very defensive/protective of him and cranky to anyone who even thinks negatively of him. (It's a problem, I know! lol) Part of my issue with Claire is she says she's forgiven Cas and wants to move on and even have cell phone contact with him but when the Winchesters wind up seeing her (when was that? season 12?), she never even asks about him; she just utterly ignores him as a topic. The generous could say any conversation wasn't pertinent to the episode so assume it happened off screen. I think it's because she doesn't care about him; she just gets so angry at him if she thinks of her circumstances and kinda gets passive-aggressive with him. Again, it's hard to blame her; Castiel did take *a lot* from her and he can't make it up to her. But she needs to decide if she wants any type of relationship with him and then stick to it. It'd be easier on him and probably on her too, in the long run. Part of me thinks she'd feel better - more able to forgive him - if she could have some friends beat him up or hurt him somehow (well, try to, anyway), just to let the anger and grief out. I think it'd be cathartic for her and allow her to move forward without all that baggage. At the same time, though, he's still wearing her father's body, his face; how could she stand to see him hurt? On the other hand, just *seeing* him is a reminder of *everything* she lost, *everything* he took away from her. And then she gets all mean spirited toward him. What might help her the most to move on is if she could ever see Castiel go all angel of the Lord, with his glowing body, electric blue eyes, and massive wing shadows; then she'd *see* and truly *understand* that this is Castiel, not her father. If she could snap a picture of him then with her smartphone, even better; it could serve as a reminder that her father really is gone. Texting or even talking on the phone could help too seeing as how Castiel doesn't sound anything like Jimmy; she could do that for awhile, just to get it straight in her mind and heart that this is Castiel. Then a pic of him in angel-mode will help reinforce it. I just think it would help her move on, so she could truly forgive him, because I think seeing him in her dad's body, with his face is what gets her so pissy. Anyway, I'm so terribly sorry for rambling on about this! It's just a personal thing that drives me nuts... (As you've no doubt gleaned, Claire is a touchy subject for me!)

This is a great first chapter though and a great set up for whatever comes next. Onwards to chapter 2, where I assume we'll find out about this monster in the woods that Jody doesn't think is there!

I loves this story! The relationship between cas and claire was wonderful!

Ugh. I heart this so much. I love Castiel interacting with Jody Mill's Home for Wayward Girls and Team Free Will when the world is not at stake. This was such a wonderful read and writing from Cas' POV is not easy to do. Good job!

I loved this chapter. Any time Claire pops up, I always wonder why Castiel isn't also brought in, so I loved having this scene re-imagined with Castiel around. Bravo!

Firstly, Claire giving him that new tie was adorable.

Secondly, oh god, the emoji... That made me cringe. It reminds me of my father in law who just recently learned what emojis were, and has been just sending me random emoji-filled messages.

Firstly, I loved this episode. The awkwardness of that whole situation was amazing and rather accurate, having been in something similar. I wished I could have run for the hills, lol.

Secondly, Cas... He tried, he really did, and I couldn't stop laughing. A friend from work was looking at me like I was crazy, but she doesn't know Supernatural, so I couldn't explain it to her. And, yes. Angel blades are perfect protection in those... situations.

Last, I feel for Cas... I've been doing the same thing lately. For months, actually. Every second of my spare time is spent with my face in my phone, binge reading... Every second. If I'm not, I'm sleeping. The silence is too much to handle, and without something to focus on, I fall into pretty bad anxiety attacks. Memories, lists of what need to be done, things I've done and people have done to me, what I have to do and the fall outs they will surely lead to. So I find it easier to hide in the words of stories so I won't have to suffer through it. It isn't healthy, but it's easy.