Five Seconds Later

Chapter Twenty: The Grace

It was a sunny day over in California. The temperature was ideal, as was the blue sky spread as far as the eye could see in every direction. The scene was perfect, if all you did was stare into the heavens, but if you were to look down for even a moment, the chaos was an abominable sight. Buildings were burning and whatever people were left could be seen shooting rounds off into the guts of various walkers and wasting precious ammo. There were hundreds of walkers in the street, ambling to and fro across the pavement with haggard faces and bloodied clothing.

Cas watched from the roof where he had teleported for a moment, narrowing his eyes. The herd was moving together down the street, as if sweeping for any form of life. They were still several buildings away, but it wouldn't be long before they reached him.

"Who the hell are you and how did you get up here?"

Cas spun around only to stare into the eyes of a beautiful woman in a singed white nightgown, long ringlets of golden hair falling loosely around her shoulders. She held a splintered board in her hand, aiming it at Cas.

"My name is Castiel." Cas raised both of his hands, showing that he was unarmed. Technically, that wasn't honest - he had the angel blade ready to materialize at any moment - but it wouldn't be wise to tell this woman that. "Please - I don't wish to hurt you. What is your name?"

"How do I know I can trust you?" The woman glared at him, the plank still balanced in her hands.

"I was sent by Sam Winchester to find someone named Jessica Moore. She is supposed to be at this location." Cas lowered his hands and sighed. "Do you know where she is?"

"That's me." The woman finally lowered the plank and set it on the ground, her hands visibly shaking. "I'm Jessica Moore."

***

The walkers were growing closer, treading down the street with ferocious moans and growls. Cas was still standing there on the roof in surprise. Jess glanced at him apprehensively, her eyes wide.

"I can take you back to Sam." Cas stretched his hand out impatiently. "Please, we don't have much time."

"I... I don't even know you." Jess stepped away, afraid. Her nightgown was whipped by the wind and clung to her legs, which were ghostly and pale.

"Please." Cas' voice cracked. "Your name is Jessica Lee Moore. You died when you were lifted to the ceiling by a demon and set on fire. Sam was there. He was watching. You share a birthday with Sam Winchester's brother, Dean, and you studied at Stanford. That's where you met Sam."

"Can you promise to me - swear to me - you're taking me to Sam?" Jessica took a step forward, her curls bobbing with the movement.

"I promise you." Cas nodded, his hand still reaching for hers. "Okay?"

"Okay." Jess took a deep breath and took the final step, her hands slender and shaky. At the moment her skin made contact with Cas', he tried to teleport back to the study, but nothing happened.

"Well?" Jess tilted her head and stared at Cas, withdrawing her hand. "What was that??"

"It's not working?" Cas frowned, glancing up at the sky. "I don't understand... I had enough power to go here and back. I know I did... did repairing the Impala take more out of me than I expected?"

"Will I be able to get to Sam?" Jess' eyes filled with tears, and she followed Cas' gaze to the bright blue horizon. "You just promised me, and I think we're in danger. There are these... these things, walking down the street. I think they're coming for us..."

"We can't leave here unless I can get more grace to restore my power..." Cas folded his arms across his chest and tried to think, but the growls of nearby walkers flooded his senses.

"Grace?" Jess wrinkled her nose in confusion and stepped a little closer to Cas. "Like... spiritual voodoo?"

"No. Well... kind of." Cas resisted the urge to roll his eyes, heaving a heavy sigh instead. "I can explain this all in a few minutes."

"Can you explain it now?" There was a note of panic in Jess' voice, and Cas understood. The walkers were getting closer - by the sound of it, they were already at the door. He had no idea if they were capable of breaking it down, or clambering up the stairs to the roof. They could be in very serious danger, and he need space to try and think of what to do.

"No, I can't. I'm sorry." Cas stepped away from her. He closed his eyes and prayed fervently, hoping that whatever mess Heaven was in, someone would hear him. Hardly thirty seconds later, a frightened and impatient Jess addressed him again.

"Castiel, it sounds like the door broke..."

"Can you just-" Cas was nearly about to lose his temper, the noise of walkers below and consistent pestering of Jess causing him to repeatedly lose his focus.

"Did someone call for help?"

Cas didn't move - he recognized the voice, and his face grew pale.

"Brother... how...?" Cas breathed, his eyes focused on the figure in front of him.

"Miracles can happen, Castiel." The man - or rather, angel - smiled and folded his arms in front of his chest. He was balanced on the corner of the roof, the sound of walkers figuring their way up the stairs of no concern to him.

"Who are you??" Jess looked faint, and she retreated to Cas' side, eyeing her plank from before. It lay motionless on the roof, several feet away. "I-I... I'm just trying to get back to my boyfriend. Can you help us?"

"Well, my brother over here was praying and I decided it was high time for me to come down from my high horse in heaven and aid somebody... you guys are the lucky winners!" The angel smiled coyly, his expression playful. "The name's Gabriel. Nice to meet you."