I own Sarakiel and Vasa. I do not own Supernatural.

Sarakiel had had a…. rough life…to say the least. Humanity refused to acknowledge her, despite the best efforts of her family. She appeared numerous times in history, both with and without her brothers. She was the one who told the shepherds that her half-brother was born. Her and Gabriel were often seen together. No matter what, though, not even so much as a mention in the Bible.

When her brother Lucifer fell, she was completely heartbroken. While they hadn't been the closest, he was still her brother and she loved him. Then, Gabriel disappeared, leaving Michael and Raphael in charge. Michael, the oldest of the five siblings, took command, with Raphael being a loyal lieutenant. Sarakiel quietly took to work managing Heaven, burying herself in it to control her emotions. Part of her focus was on the garrisons around Earth. The garrison protecting prophets was where most of her attention was for hundreds of years, though she spent more time dealing with false prophets than real ones. Through it all, one angel kept her attention: their captain, Castiel. His loyalty to Heaven never came in to question, nor did his willingness to protect humanity as God wanted. Often, his methods were far less destructive than some other angels, and she was grateful for that. He and Sarakiel spent many a night talking, usually about work. However, there were rare nights where they could just talk about anything. They became close friends, often leaning on each other when things became too much.

Which is why today was so hard.

Sarakiel was going over the work of a garrison, her light brown hair tied back in a ponytail, keeping it away from her gray eyes, when her lieutenant knocked on her door.

"Archangel, we have orders," she said. The door opened and a lithe angel with solemn brown eyes and black hair named Vasa walked in. Vasa always had a serious look on her face, her hazel eyes constantly scanning reports and dealing out duties and orders that Sarakiel gave her. This time, though, Vasa looked worried.

"Orders from whom?" Sarakiel asked, reaching for the file in Vasa's hands.

"Him," she replied, handing the file over. Sarakiel stopped, her hand barely holding the file. Normally, if things came from Michael or Raphael, Vasa would say so. Saying 'Him' meant….

"Father?" she asked softly. Vasa merely nodded. Sarakiel took the file and started to read it. The more she read, the harder her heart beat.

"The demon Lilith is trying to release the seals on Lucifer's cage. She's trying to set him free," Sarakiel said as she read.

"There are two hunters that are needed to help stop it: Sam and Dean Winchester," Vasa continued. Sarakiel flipped a page, and the boys' profiles were in front of her. Dean and his younger brother, Sam, came from a family of hunters. John and Mary Winchester were very good at what they did, but Mary was killed by a demon named Azazel when Sam was still an infant. The boys and their father hunted this demon for most the boys' lives, along with other monsters. Sam left for college when he was 18, and he and Dean didn't see each other for 3 years. Sam was set to interview for law school at Stanford when he saw Dean again. Their father had gone missing, and they teamed up again to find them. When Sam returned, Azazel attacked and killed his girlfriend, Jess. The two successfully hunted and killed Azazel eventually, along with many others. A closer examination of Dean's file revealed that he had been killed four months ago, and was trapped in Hell. Orders were to go and get him.

"Very well. I'll mobilize a garrison," Sarakiel said, closing the file.

"A garrison already left," Vasa said.

"Which one?" Vasa didn't immediately answer, not making eye contact with the archangel. "Vasa? Which garrison?"

"Castiel's," Vasa replied. Sarakiel stood up abruptly, her eye wide with fear.

"Thank you, Vasa," she said quietly, dismissing her lieutenant. Once Vasa was out of the room, Sarakiel searched for the angel in question. "Castiel," she said. Two seconds later, he appeared.

"Archangel?" he said, confused.

"Castiel, who gave you the order to mobilize?" Sarakiel said, not bothering with a greeting or any friendly banter.

"The orders came from God," Castiel replied, still confused.

"He sent the order to you before he sent it to me?" She was furious. "And he sends my best without telling me?" She kicked her chair away from the desk and punched the wall, leaving a dent. As she stood facing the dented wall, heaving for breath, she felt a hand on her shoulder. Her head whipped around and she was face to face with Castiel, a sympathetic look in his eyes.

"Sara," he said softly. Hearing his rough voice speak her nickname shocked her out of her anger. Her shoulders slumped as she sighed.

"I'm sorry, Castiel. I'm not angry with you. My outburst was uncalled for," she said.

"You're concerned for me, I understand," Castiel replied. "But you must have faith."

"Faith in my Father?" Sara asked.

"Faith in me," he said softly. She looked at him, her eyes wide. "Have faith that I will do what I have been asked to do, and that I will do it well. You always trusted me before."

"It's not that I don't trust you, Castiel," Sara said. "I'm worried. Do you know what happens to angels who fight their way in to that place? What happens when they…raise a hell bound soul?"

"It's a risk I'm willing to take to do my Father's will," Castiel replied. Sara gave a laugh, smiling wryly.

"The one time I want you to find another way, you follow orders to the letter. Who are you, and what have you done with Castiel?" she joked. Castiel grinned, laughing slightly at the irony. He took Sara's hands in his own and squeezed them gently. "Come back safe," Sara said.

"Is that an order?"

"No. Promise me that you'll come back safe." Sarakiel locked eyes with him. He nodded, and embraced her.

"I promise, Sarakiel," he said. Hearing her full name gave her a warm feeling. Then, an idea struck her. Flicking her right sleeve, she drew her own Angel blade. An Archangel blade is a special one, far more powerful than that of a normal angel, or even that of a Seraph. Taking Castiel's left hand, she pressed the hilt of her blade into his hand.

"Take this with you," she said. Castiel was shocked.

"Sara, this is…" he said, just looking at the brilliant silver blade.

"It will make me feel better knowing I'm doing what I can to protect you and our brothers and sisters," Sara said, closing his hand over the hilt. Castiel held it up, his bright blue eyes scanning the shining blade.

"Are you certain?" he asked, still unsure.

"It gives you a good reason to come back," Sara replied with a smile. "We can't have a demon getting ahold of that, now can we?" Castiel nodded, still studying the powerful weapon. He put it away and handed his blade to her.

"I cannot leave you unprotected," he said. Sara smiled and took his blade.

"Thank you, Castiel," Sara replied. They embraced once more, and he was gone. Sara looked at the Angel blade in her hands. It was far weaker than hers, but she knew that she would be just as effective with it if the need arose. She gripped the hilt and held it to her chest.

"Be safe, brother," she said softly.

As promised, Castiel returned to Heaven after his task had been completed. They both were saddened by the loss of a few angels, and shared a moment of silent prayer for their fallen brothers. Sarakiel hated sending anyone out to do work like this. Each brother and sister was dear to her, especially the ones that specifically served her. But, she reminded herself, it's part of our duty to serve Heaven and Earth. Furthermore, Castiel's work was far from done.

"You're being reassigned to the Winchesters. Keep close to them, and guide them through keeping the seals…sealed," Sarakiel said to him after the debriefing. Castiel merely nodded, and then handed her back her blade.

"It served me well," he said with a grin.

"I don't suppose I can talk you into keeping it while you're working with the boys?" Sara asked him softly. Castiel took her right hand and pressed the hilt into her palm, closing her fingers around it.

"As you said, we do not need a demon to possess this," he said just as softly. Sara closed her eyes as she felt the familiar weight and warmth of her blade settle in to her hand. The sensation of Castiel's hands on her own was far more prominent. She willed the blade to vanish, and felt heat rise to her face as Castiel's hands enclosed her own. A small smile crossed her face as she opened her gray eyes and gazed into his blue ones.

"I prayed for you…every night that you were gone," she murmured.

"I know. I could hear you," Castiel replied. "It gave me strength." Sara's smile became wider. Then, the two angels suddenly realized just how close their faces were to each other. Sara could feel his warm breath on her face, and she was certain that Castiel could feel hers. She subconsciously bit her lower lip, her eyes falling to his lips.

"Archangel?" Vasa's voice cut through the reverie. "Michael is here to see you." Sara sighed and looked up at Castiel. Disappointment was clear in his eyes and on his face. He released her hand, and she gave it a flick, drawing Castiel's blade.

"Here," she said, holding the hilt out to him. "I never had to use it, thank Father." Castiel took it and stowed it away. Impatient as always, Michael burst into her office.

"You really shouldn't keep me waiting, little sister," he spat, swaggering in, and plopping himself down in a chair in front of her desk. Sarakiel sighed.

"And you shouldn't interrupt me when I'm working, brother," she retorted. Turning back to Castiel, she resumed her business-like tone. "You have your orders, Castiel. I will call for you if I need you."

"As you wish, Archangel," Castiel replied.

"Godspeed, brother," she said. Castiel nodded, and was gone. With a sigh, she turned to her older brother. "Michael, I was busy."

"Yes, I can see that," he said, grinning at the spot where Castiel had been moments before. "You should be careful about favorites, Sarakiel." Sarakiel bristled at the comment.

"Don't you dare question my professionalism, Michael," she spat. "Castiel is my brother, and close friend. I show concern for him due to the danger of the mission he's on."

"That's actually why I'm here," Michael replied, standing. "The Winchesters. We need to make sure that they stay alive. They are very important in the events to come." Sarakiel frowned.

"Events to come? Michael, what are you talking about?" she asked. Michael shook his head, a sad smile on his face.

"That's all you need to know, baby sister," he said. He gently placed his right hand on her jawline, cupping her face. Sarakiel didn't flinch, but something about what he said unnerved her.

"Michael, if you've put us in danger for any reason," she began, but he placed a finger on her lips, silencing her.

"Everything will be as it should be, Sarakiel," he said. "Just ensure that the Winchesters are kept safe and alive. That is your top priority, understand?"

"But Michael, the garrisons…"

"Raphael can handle them. Your concern is the Winchesters," Michael cut her off.

"Michael…"

"Do you understand, Sarakiel?" She flinched at his tone. He was holding her face with both hands, forcing her to look him in the eyes. After a moment, she looked down, defeated.

"Understood, brother," she said quietly. He kissed her on the forehead and left. Sarakiel watched him go, her hands balled into fists so tightly that she had cut herself. Michael is up to something, she thought furiously. And he's involving my people. Her mind then flew to the boys and Castiel.

"Father," she said, unsure if He could hear or not. "Please watch over them. All of them."