"They aren't nearly so courteous in Hell," Runa said. "And dear old Dad encouraged competition when I was there the first time around."

"Yeah, I figured," Dean said quietly. "So. Old yellow-eyes, huh?"

"Yeah." Runa was quiet for a moment. "Back-up plans, in case the whole psychic-kid thing didn't pan out. We pretty much went Hunger Games on each other, at one point."

"Yeah, that happened with the psychic kids too," Dean said. "Real nice guy." He scowled at the wall.

"No kidding," Runa said. "But yeah, I had maybe eight half-brothers and half-sisters. But Azazel only needed the One Kid to Rule Them All, so we were encouraged to compete with each other." She grinned humorlessly. "Sibling arguments usually ended with someone dead."

"Yeah, I can see how that would happen," Dean agreed, his voice dark. "At least you don't have to deal with that bastard anymore."

"Thanks, by the way," Runa said. "I hear it was you boys who finally picked him off. Good for you."

"I only wish I could shoot him again," Dean said feelingly.

"I wish a lot more than that, but at least he's dead," Runa said. She stretched a little. "No half-siblings out for my blood, no demon father trying to make me into the Antichrist rather than an antichrist... Now I just stay under Castiel's radar for a little while and I'm golden."

"Good luck with that last one," Dean said with a little snort. "Now that you're with us you're on his radar."

"I'm thinking less 'general radar' and more 'smiting list,'" Runa admitted. "I really, really don't want to be smote, and he didn't leave in a good mood yesterday."

Dean shrugged, uncomfortable now. "He didn't smite you on the spot, so unless you do something to piss him off, I think you're off the smiting list. Besides, I think he was more upset with me."

"I think he was upset with both of us," Runa said. "It wasn't just you there, you know."

"True," Dean admitted. "But he didn't give you that look."

"No kidding," Runa muttered. She looked at him. "Speaking of, I thought you said the rumors of him being in love with you were false. That didn't seem false, pal."

"Don't you start," Dean warned. "He's not. We're just closer than he is with Sam. That's it."

"Are you serious right now?" Runa said, both eyebrows raising. "Really. Dean, that was very clearly the look of someone who just had their heart broken."

Dean muttered a few obscenities and stood, heading for the door. "I'm going for a walk," he said, grabbing his keys (just in case) and shutting the door behind him. He didn't need to hear this from Sam, he definitely didn't need to hear it from Runa.

Dean ended up being gone for a while, long enough that Runa figured he'd taken the Impala and just started to drive around town to clear his head. So, while he was gone, she decided to try a bit of damage control.

"So... I don't even know why you would be listening to me," she started, feeling a bit foolish for speaking aloud in an empty room, "but... Castiel, we need to have a quick chat."

It took a few moments for Cas to respond, because he was debating responding at all. But he did show up with a flutter of wings.

"Make this quick," he said, his voice quiet.

Runa tried really hard not to flinch at the flutter of wings. She mostly succeeded.

"I think you need to give Dean a second chance," she said quickly, trying to get the words out before he decided to smite her, or worse.

For a moment Cas did debate smiting her. "Do not pretend to know what is going on," he told her.

"You..." For a moment, Runa was speechless. "The two of you really have no idea. I've watched you both interact maybe twice and I can see it." She took a quick breath. "I'm sorry, okay? I'm sorry you caught us like that. But I really do think Dean deserves another chance."

"This is not the first time Dean has slept with a woman," Cas said. "Nor will it be the last. I am not upset with that." He frowned at her.

"Then why did you look so upset at the time?" Runa asked cautiously. "Please don't smite me, I'm trying to understand what's going on."