Destined

Chapter 14

"... and that's why Sam's afraid of jesters." Dean smiled as he finished his story. I hadn't laughed as hard as I had tonight in a long time. After Dean invited me to stay, we'd taken turns telling stories about our families. His always tended to be more interesting, but he listened to mine anyway, even being nice enough to laugh at the ones that were supposed to be funny. I'd told him about the time my brother Gabriel started dive-bombing people that got on his nerves, and he seemed to have found that very amusing. Dean told me some of the best of his stories from when he and Sam would go hunting - one of their favorite past times. I hadn't realized hunting could get so complicated.

"Are you sure your brother would be okay with you sharing his fears?" I asked with a smile. Dean chuckled.

"Sam's a big boy, he can take it. Besides, you aren't the kind of person to take advantage of something like that. Our secrets are safe with you," Dean said, smiling.

"I am honored to be trusted with the Winchester family secrets," I replied. I said it as a joke, trying to keep up with Dean's sense of humor, but I really meant it. It seemed insignificant, but Dean's sharing his stories with me felt like a kind of trust. Dean smiled at me, looking completely relaxed, the perfect opposite of the stress I had seen him under earlier in the day.

"You know, you've changed a lot since I first met you, Cas," Dean said, watching me.

"Really?" I asked. Dean nodded.

"When you first came here it was pretty clear you didn't want to be here. You were so uncomfortable, and if Hannah wasn't around you barely spoke about anything worth hearing. Now look at you," he said. I blushed slightly, my wings tightening from the relaxed position they'd been in previously.

"Was it really that clear? I... I was trying to be civil. I'm afraid I am not very good with people," I said, looking down at my hands.

"I didn't mean- I never thought worse of you for it. It made sense. You were here for almost no reason, your sister fit right in and found a friend almost immediately, but no one really made an effort with you," Dean said, leaning forward in his chair. I looked back up at him.

"You and Sam made an effort," I said. "I must admit I didn't expect that. There was really no reason for you to think of including me in anything." Dean blinked.

"No reason? Cas, you're going to be our brother," he said. I stood up. We were now delving into uncomfortable territory.

"I should go now," I said, turning to leave. Dean jumped up and grabbed my hand, stopping me.

"Wait. Cas, I... You're more important than you think you are," Dean said. I looked around at him.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked. Dean opened his mouth to respond, then closed it again, letting go of my hand.

"I... just... just think about that. You're important," he said, his piercing green eyes staring into mine with something akin to... hurt? I turned and hurried out of Dean's room, trying to forget about what had just happened. I didn't want to dwell on something I knew I would never understand.

I was on my way back to my own room when I saw Meg standing by a window, looking out over the ocean, her hand covering her mouth. Her brow was slightly wrinkled, whether in confusion or contemplation I couldn't tell, and as I got closer I realized she was biting her nails.

"Meg? Is something concerning you?" I asked. Meg looked around sharply, apparently unaware of my presence before now. When she saw me, she relaxed, lowering her hand back to her side, her forehead smoothing out into a look of pleasant surprise.

"No. I was just thinking about things. I just this morning heard about the attack on your sister. It's very troubling. Has there really been no other sign of attack?" Meg asked. I shook my head, my wings fluttering slightly.

"None. I've been concerned about the absence of follow up myself. It doesn't seem likely that someone would try to kill Hannah but give up after the first failed attempt. It doesn't make sense," I said, stepping forward to look out the window myself. At least these thoughts were successfully erasing my conversation with Dean.

"Have you talked to any of the Winchesters about your thoughts?" Meg asked, turning to face the window as well, standing next to me.

"No. I'm sure they have the same suspicions as I do and are still doing everything they can to make sure Hannah is safe. I just... I wish I knew how to keep her safe myself. With Mother gone... Hannah is all I have left. I can't imagine if she was taken from me so quickly. I don't think I could..." I trailed off. Meg put her hand on my shoulder comfortingly.

"Hannah will be fine. The Winchester palace is the safest place you will ever find. Sam and Dean will protect her like she's as much their family as any of the rest of them. That's who they are," she said. I looked over at her, trying to see into her head. I was normally fairly accurate at reading people, but Meg never failed to baffle me.

"You sound like you have experience," I commented. Meg smiled dryly.

"A little bit. I have a bit of a history with this particular royal family," she said with a chuckle, her hand sliding off my shoulder back to her side. She turned towards the window again, but I continued to stare at her. Meg fascinated me. I could never quite tell what she was thinking or feeling, and, as it turned out... I wanted to know.

"What kind of history?" I asked. Meg turned back towards me with a sly smile.

"That's a story for a different day. Maybe you'll find out. But for now, it's much more fun leaving you to wonder," she said. I tilted my head slightly. Meg chuckled and reached forward, running her finger around my ear and down my jaw line to my chin, smirking at me, before turning and walking away down the hall. I watched her as she went, not moving until she disappeared around the corner. Meg was like no one I had ever met before. I liked it.