Beta: enviousxbeauty

Challenge Issued by: ParaCaerOuVoar

Things I did not make up: Palin (urk) being president (gag) and Bobby dying (sobs) and Sam saying yes (NO!).
Enjoy.

Falling Star
Chapter One

The virus hit Minnesota. Crote's blossomed all over town.

President Palin was confident that it could be contained.

The virus hit South Dakota, Vermont. Crote's ate away at morale.

President Palin put on a brave face for the nation. "We can beat this!" She said to the swarming masses.

The virus took New York, New Jersey (not a complete loss), and kept going.

President Palin was baffled as the nation grew smaller and smaller, more war torn and sick of death with every day. She found though, that is was surprisingly more fun to shoot Crotes than moose. And Vice President Cheney whole-heartedly agreed shooting people in the face was good… for the country.

Dean Winchester sat on the hood of the Impala, his head resting in his hands. He looked up at the cold dark sky and shuddered. "Fuck." He said quietly.

He glared down at his cell phone next to him. But hell, he couldn't even keep track of his brother. It'd been a month and he still couldn't believe it.

Texas, Texas, fuck it all. Sam had said yes. Bastard had done it, screwed them all. Dean still remembered that night, when they'd ran in to Austin after Sam's frantic call for help. Blood was everywhere in that town by the time they got there. And all of it was dripping from Sam's fingers as he had smiled at Dean. There was something still human in those eyes, he tried to tell himself, those lifeless brown eyes that were mocking him as he screamed. If it wasn't for Castiel dragging him out of the town, he would have stayed there and died.

Dean remembered every moment of that day. When Castiel had shook him awake to reality. "This is real Dean!" he had shouted, "You can't stay there!"

"But I have to save Sam!" he had argued uselessly.

Castiel gripped his shoulder tight, matching his handprint to the scar on his skin. "It's too late Dean. Listen to me!"

Dean had been shaking with rage. "Get away from me! I have to go back!"

Castiel's blue eyes were etched in sorrow. "No."

The next morning, two states over, he was still furious Castiel had made him leave. "Why did you save me, you selfish bastard? Why even bother at all?" Dean had growled standing toe to toe with him.

"Because someone has to care about your sorry ass." Castiel had fumed. "Might as well be me."

It'd been a month since then, since Texas. Since Castiel and Dean had spent three days furious with each other, exchanging glares. And it'd been three weeks since he'd finally asked Castiel what he'd meant by that. Castiel had shown him, explicitly.

Dean had been so sure that things were finally going to get better now. Castiel was with him, and he had a plan. Well, sort of. Jumping off the car, he kicked at the dirt and looked around. Even when the colt seemed elusive, he was sure he could find it quickly.

But now Bobby wanted him to be the leader. Bobby promised him, he'd get everyone together he just needed Dean to be the voice. Dean took a deep breath and looked up at the motionless heavens.

The stars above remained cold and aloof.

The sun began to rise and he was frozen inside. There hadn't been any angels screwing with him for a month (with one glaring exception) and it a relief. He looked over at his cell phone, still sitting on the car. He picked it up, but he stopped when he heard fluttering.

Castiel appeared next to him, trembling slightly. "Dean."

"What?" He asked turning to look at Castiel. His face softened as he noticed the trace of exhaustion on Castiel. "Are you out of breath?"

"No." Castiel said defensively, he wasn't going to admit how shaky his wings felt as he'd flown. "I came to get you to come back to Camp. Bobby's getting everyone together, and you're needed to rally the troops."

"Why?" Dean looked at the red sun that was wearily taking its place in the sky. "There's no point."

Castiel touched his shoulder. "I want you to come back." He added softly, "Please."

Dean sighed and kissed Castiel's cheek. He could try again later. "Fine."

Castiel smiled slightly. "Good. I'm going to go get Chuck."

Dean moved to go to the car. "Alright. I'll see you later."

Castiel took three steps away, letting his wings unfold unseen to human eyes. The bony frame was ragged, the black wings that still clung to it where dull not nearly as dark as they used to be. He willed himself to take flight, but nothing happened.

Dean was starting the Impala's engine when he noticed that Castiel was still standing there staring at his hands mumbling. He rolled down the window and called, "Cas? Do you need a ride?"

Castiel shook his head. "I'm fine." He scrunched his eyebrows and concentrated, within moments he disappeared.

Dean grumbled and turned on his music. It would be a long drive to the new camp.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Castiel fell onto the asphalt scrapping his knees, panting for breath as he landed in front of the ramshackle house. Another feather fell, nearly grey, landed on the ground. He glared at it.

He stood up and took a deep breath, before he stepped forward.

"Supposed to land in the house." He grumbled.

Castiel knocked on the door; he wasn't surprised to hear no one scrambling to get the door. He walked in and found Chuck upstairs packing hurriedly. "I didn't hear you." Chuck said absently. "You were supposed to be here 20 minutes ago."

Chuck looked up at Castiel who was standing awkwardly in the door way. "Is something wrong?"

Castiel shook his head. "I'm taking you to Camp Chitaqua."

Chuck frowned. "Really? I thought I saw something was happening in South Dakota… I'm not usually off like this."

"Aren't your visions clear?"

Chuck rubbed his temple. "They've been sketchy ever since, well you know, Texas."

"Lucifer." Castiel had to agree. That's when the first feather fell.

Chuck sealed his suitcase. "Well." He looked around his house. "Let's go."

Castiel bit his lip as he unfolded his feathery wings. He stepped over to Chuck and touched his temple. Using all his strength, he carried Chuck two states over to the camp ground. Chuck landed on two feet, but Castiel nearly fell over. His wings were trembling.

Chuck set down his suitcase. "Sure you're fine?"

"Perfect." Castiel snapped.

They walked into the main cabin where Bobby was rolling around yelling at the other hunters. "What took you so damn long?" He grumbled. "Everyone's just about here."

Castiel looked around the hall to see all the hunters that were ambling around restless. "Wind turbulence." Castiel said dryly. "Anyway, we're now. What does it matter?"

Bobby raised one eyebrow. He turned to look at Chuck who was still trying to regain balance after flying. "Chuck, your cabin is down the main path and to the right. It's got a green door. If you need any help-"

"I got it." Chuck picked up his suitcase. "Thanks. Be back in a minute."

"Is Dean here?" Castiel asked, wanting to see Dean before the meeting.

"No. That boy's acting all kinds of strange." Bobby started to wheel himself away. "Come talk to me if you need anything else. I got organizing to do."

Castiel watched him go and stood in the middle of the busy hall as everyone moved around him. He looked at all the movement and sighed, feeling tired down to his bones. He wanted someone to lean against. No, he thought, not someone, he wanted Dean. He walked out of the room to look around.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Castiel was inspecting one of the broken down cabins listlessly. It was just about as beaten as he felt. Furniture odds and ends where stacked in the main room. Castiel placed his hands under the desk, trying to lift it so he could carry it outside. Surely someone would want this spare piece, even it had been tossed aside. To his dismay, it hardly budged at all when he tried to move it.

He clenched his fist, splintering the wood frame slightly, but it still didn't budge. Behind him, the door creaked open.

"Need help?"

Castiel turned around and relaxed. "Dean. When did you get here?"

Dean walked next to him and placed his hands on the corner of the desk. "Only a couple of minutes ago. Kinda snuck in."

"Everyone's looking for you." Castiel said as he moved to the opposite end of the desk. "Bobby's expecting you to speak soon."

"I know. I wanted to see you first." Dean nodded. "Lift."

With a grunt, they lifted it outside and set it on the porch. It slammed down and Dean sighed. "What else is in there in this cabin anyway?"

They headed in together. "Not much." Castiel said pointing at all the odds and ends dotting the space. "I mean, we've got a bunch of junk that's got to go, but there's one bed in the room over and bathroom. That's about all we need though, right?"

"We?" Dean said looking at him as he leaned against the wall.

"Well, you are with me aren't you?" Castiel stood closer to him subconsciously.

Dean opened his mouth to speak, but a knock on the door interrupted him. "The meetings about to begin, Singer said he saw that Dean's Impala was parked here. Have either of you seen him yet?"

Dean looked at the tall tan brunette in the doorway. "We'll be right there. What's your name?"

"Risa." She nodded. "Singer's getting pissed and the other hunters are antsy so hurry up."

Dean nodded. "You go on ahead. We'll catch up."

She left quickly to spread the news. Dean gestured to Castiel and threw his arm around his shoulder. "We'll talk later." He smiled as they walked out.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

The meeting hall was busy; overcrowded with hunters and just survivors of the traumatic, turbulent world. Castiel stood by the stage, at alert watching everyone's reactions as Bobby rolled onto the platform. There was scattered applause for the widely respected man. "Y'all know the situation." Bobby announced. "Y'all know we ain't got a chance in hell, but we got a chance and that's what counts. I can't lead you, not like this."

He gestured to his wheelchair with a weak smile. "But I know someone who can. Y'all may have heard of him, he's the one the best. Raised him like a son. Ladies and Gents, Dean Winchester."

Dean walked onto stage with some applause, happy to see that there were some people who knew his name. "Welcome to Camp Chitaqua. Life here won't be easy, but no one ever said it would be." He smiled gently. "What doesn't kill us, makes us stronger. And we are the best, strongest, and we will fight for the right to survive."

Several audience members began to cheer. Some yelled out, "Yeah, but how?"

Dean looked into the audience with cold eyes. "Why, I'm going to kill the Devil."

The audience fell into a respectful silence. Dean looked at them. "Everyone here will play their part and when the time comes, we will win. Make no mistake, this place is Crote free and a free home to everyone willing to fight."

"Go to your cabins and rest." Dean said. "Tomorrow, there will be a small team going to get research from Singer's house as we set up a routine. It's gonna be a busy day, so let's get some sleep."

Everyone clapped as Dean stepped off stage, the whole room buzzed with excitement. Castiel nodded and started to walk after Dean, but Bobby caught him by his elbow. "Hey, Cas."

"Yes?" Castiel said as patiently as he could.

"We sure could use someone to lead us round here. Spiritually, you know." Bobby said with a light smile and a wink. "Wouldn't hurt to have an angel in charge o' that."

"I'll think about." Castiel nodded. "I gotta go, Bobby. I'll see you tomorrow."

Bobby adjusted his trucker hat, nodded and wheeled off to go talk to the others.

Castiel walked back to his cabin watching the sea of people move out of the hall. In the beginning, there were so many people they had to have more than one person to a cabin. That wasn't too bad, he thought; he wanted to be with Dean. He looked around the crowded streets searching for the familiar green eyes but didn't see them. Castiel frowned slightly.

Halfway to the Cabin he felt a hand tap his shoulder. "Hey Cas."

Cas turned around and smiled. "Hey, where'd you go?"

Dean rolled his eyes. "Ugh. Everyone wanted my opinion on something."

Castiel pointed to the Cabin just steps ahead. "We're home now, you can relax."

Dean nodded and took large steps up to the door way. He froze. Castiel stood next to him, "What is it?"

Dean touched the door handle slowly. "You know, I've never ever really called one place home."

"We can make it just ours, you know." Castiel said breathing on the nape of his neck.

Dean pushed the door open and looked at Castiel. "How so?" he said, already guessing the answer.

Castiel pushed him inside slamming the door behind him. "I've got an idea." He said clutching at the cloth of Dean's shirt, pulling them towards the bedroom. Castiel brought him close channeling his energy into him. Dean kissed him, pressing his lips firmly against Castiel's.

Castiel pulled apart breathless and smiling as fingered the edges of Dean's shirt. He pulled the offending material away. Dean put his hands on Castiel's stomach, felling the tight muscle under his clothes. Moving his hands teasingly down, he felt the hem of the shirt and pushed it up. Castiel raised his arms, grinning playfully as his shirt was lifted.

They moved quicker together, after the tiring day, neither of them wanted anymore games. Castiel fumbled with Dean's belt and without wasting any more time they fell together onto the bed intertwined.

Hours later, Castiel could feel Dean's heart pulsing with the same fire he felt as they fell together exhausted. Dean rested his head on Castiel's shoulder, his arm draped across his neck. "Thank you." He whispered. "For being my angel."

Castiel blushed, hiding the feeling of doubt, and kissed his forehead. "I love you."

He sighed and leaned his head against Dean's. "We are going to win."

Dean nodded, nearly asleep. "I hope so. Just have to keep everyone I care about safe till then. Then we can rebuild." He looked up into Castiel's blue eyes. "We can have a home together."

Castiel smiled. "That will be nice."

Dean sighed contentedly. "Tomorrow, we'll see if there is anything at Bobby's to use to spruce this place up."

"Tomorrow." Castiel agreed, realizing to himself that he also felt tired.

They fell asleep together, in each other's arms.

.:To Be Continued:.