Dean is kneeling in a room. He is covered in blood, and decimated bodies litter the ground around him. A blade is in his hand as he glances around at the carnage surrounding him. His face is a mixture of shock, sorrow, and something like acceptance.

Dean wakes with a start, gasping as he sits up in bed. He looks around, breathing hard, and he's in his bedroom at the bunker. He looks down at the Mark of Cain on his arm.

PONTIAC, ILLINOIS

YOUTH TRANSITION CENTER

A teenage girl with curly blonde hair and too much eye makeup is brought through the doors, a policeman holding her by the arm.

"Get your hands off me, perv. I'll sue your ass." She Says

The policeman hands her bag off, then leads her further down the hall. They stop in front of a woman, Sandy, who looks to be in charge.

"What was it this time?" Sandy Asks

"Shoplifting..the guy ain't looking to press charges, but I figured you'd want her back." He Says

"That's forty-eight hours in isolation." Sandy Says

"Oh. Scary." She Says

She sighs as the policeman leads her down to a room, then pushes her inside. Sandy stands at the door, watching as the girl walks over and kicks the bed, before she walks over and punches the wall. An orderly walks up beside Sandy.

"Who is this girl?" He Asks

"One of our frequent flyers. Claire Novak." She Says

______________________________

DETENTION CENTER

The next morning, Claire is sitting on the floor when the orderly opens the door.

"Novak. You got a visitor." He Says

"Really?" Claire Says

"Your father's here to see you." He Says

Claire looks shocked, and her breath catches before Castiel walks through the door. When she sees him, Claire has a flashback.

FLASHBACK

"Daddy?" Claire Says

"I am not your father.

END OF FLASHBACK

Back in the present, Claire manages a small smile.

"Hello, Claire. It's been a long time." Castiel Says

Claire stands up, never taking her eyes from Castiel, and he turns to the orderly.

"Can we have a moment?" Castiel Asks

"I'll be outside." He leaves, closing and locking the door behind him. Castiel steps towards Claire

"I'm not your father." Castiel Says

The hope immediately disappears from Claire's eyes.

"Right. "I'm not your father." Those are the first words you ever said to me, remember?" Claire Says

"I remember everything." Castiel Says

"So do I, Castiel. My dad ... Is he still in there?" Claire Asks

"No. The human soul, it can only occupy a body while it retains a certain ... structural integrity, and this vessel, it was ... It was ripped apart on a subatomic level by an archangel." Castiel Says

"Well, then how are you ...?" Claire Says

"I was reassembled. Your father is in Heaven." Castiel Says

"Well. Yay for him. Anyway, good talk. You can get the hell out of my life now." Claire Says

"Claire—" Castiel Says

"What? Huh? What? You took everything from me. What do you want now?!" Claire Says

"Nothing, I just—I came here to help you." Castiel Says

"Why?" Claire Asks

"Because I've hurt you so much." Claire is trying not to cry "Where is your mother?" Castiel Says

"About a few months after you ... She took off. Dropped me off at my grandma's and went to go "find herself." I guess she's still looking." Claire Says

"And you're in a ... child prison?" Castiel Asks

"It's a group home. After my Gran died, I didn't have anyone, so... I bounced around to different foster families. Places like this. Living the dream, you know?" Claire Says

"Well, Claire, I'm—I'm sorry, and ... I can never replace what I took from you. But if there is anything you need, anything at all..." Castiel Says

"Get me out of here." Claire Says

"How?" Castiel Asks

"Do you own a tie?" Claire Asks

OFFICE

Castiel and Claire are sitting in the office waiting, he is fidgeting with the tie around his neck, loosening it.

"Stop it." She reaches over and fixes the tie "There. Now you look like a dad." Claire Says

Sandy walks into her office with a file in her hand. Castiel goes to stand up.

"No, no." Castiel sits back down "So... Mr. Novak. I understand you want custody of your daughter." Sandy Says

"Yes, that's uh—" He clears his throat, makes his voice less gruff-sounding "That's right." Castiel Says

"Why?" Sandy Asks

"Excuse me?" Castiel Says

"It's a simple question. You vanish, for years. No contact, not even a Christmas card. Why come back now?" Sandy Says

"I, um ... I didn't, uh ... I was traveling." Castiel Says

"For work." Claire Says

"Work. Yes." Castiel Says

"Long trip. And what is it that you do exactly?" Sandy Asks

"I... uh ... I fight certain deadly threats to humanity." Castiel Says

"He's an exterminator." Claire Says

"I'm an exterminator." Castiel Says

From the look on her face, it's obvious Sandy doesn't believe their story.

"Uh-huh. You know, I think I might have bedbugs. Any tips?" Sandy Asks

"Of course. You should sleep tight and not let them bite." Castiel winks at her, and Claire rolls her eyes.

"I'll try that." Sandy Says

"It doesn't matter. He's my dad, and he wants to sign me out, so I'm out. That's the law, Sandy." Claire Says

"Claire, wait for me in the hallway." Sandy Says

"You can't—" Claire Says

"Now." Sandy Says

Claire gets up and stomps from the room. Cas watches her go, then turns back to Sandy.

"I don't do well with liars, Mr. Novak." Sandy Says

"But—" Castiel Says

"Save it. I'm denying your application for custody. I'm not trying to be the bad guy here. I'm not. But until Claire turns eighteen, she is my responsibility. I know you're trying to do what you think is best. I know you want to be her friend." Sandy Says

"I do." Castiel Says

"And that's our problem, Mr. Novak. Claire's troubled. The last few years have not been easy for her. And she doesn't need a friend; she needs a father." Sandy Says

BUNKER

In the bunker, Dean is sitting at the table in the library, watching an old episode of "The Three Stooges" and laughing.

"What are you laughing at?" Sam Asks

"Oh, hey. Hang on. You gotta see—this is a classic." Dean Says

"I'm glad you're feeling better." Sam Says

"Oh, yeah. Better than ever." Dean Says

Sam puts a grilled cheese sandwich down in front of Dean, and he immediately goes for it.

"Oh, hello, beautiful." He pulls the sandwich apart, takes a bite. "Oh, yeah. Mmm." Dean Says

"You want some alone time with that thing?" Dean shakes his head, mumbling with his mouth full.
"You sure?" Sam Says

"Yeah, yeah. Watch this." Dean Says

Dean turns the computer around, and he and Sam laugh as they watch the stooges. Sam gets serious when he catches a glimpse of the Mark on Dean's arm, but he ends up laughing again when Dean laughs at the computer screen.

DETENTION CENTER

It's nighttime, and in the detention center, Claire is lying on her bed, wide awake. She sits up when she hears a disturbance outside her room, and she gets to her feet, breathing hard. The doorknob to her room rattles, and she's scared, until the door opens and Castiel is standing there.

"It's you. What's going on?" Claire Asks

"I'm getting you out of here." Castiel Says

Claire grabs her jacket and follows Castiel down the hall, stepping over a guard. She stops, looking back at the unconscious man.

"Is he ...?" Claire Asks

"He's sleeping." Castiel Says As Claire hurries to catch up with him

HELL

Rowena is chained to the wall in Hell. She's pale, with dark circles under her eyes. The door opens and Gerald walks in, with another demon. He pushes the demon into the room, and she goes over to the wall near Rowena.

"Sit."The demon does, and he shackles her to the wall as well. "Stay. Good dog."Gerald goes to walk out.

"Wait!"Gerald glances back "My son... I need to talk to him." Gerald laughs "It's been weeks! Tell him I'm sorry. Tell him—" Rowena Says

Gerald slams the door behind him as he leaves. Rowena and the other demon lay back against the wall.

RESTAURANT

In a restaurant, Claire is dragging her fries through ketchup as Castiel watches her.

"Yeah?" Claire Says

"Nothing. It's just ... You could eat a vegetable." Castiel Says As Claire smiles

"Ketchup's a vegetable." Claire Says

Castiel gives her a look like he's not quite sure whether to believe her or not, and she laughs.

"You've changed. The Castiel I met? He was crappy. Like super stuck-up and a dick and you just wanted to punch him in his stupid angel face." Claire Says

"I don't think I was that bad." Castiel Says

"You totally were. And now you're just ... I don't know. Nicer. And kind of a doof. No offense." Claire Says

"Yes, well, um... Before, I was very self-assured. I was convinced I was on this righteous path. Now I realize that there is no righteous path. It's just people trying to do their best in a world where it's far too easy to do your worst." Castiel Says

"Wow. Deep." Claire Says

"Yeah. For a doof." Castiel Says

Claire smiles, and the waitress walks up, giving Castiel the check.

"Thank you. So... where do we go next?" Castiel Asks

"Look. I appreciate the meal. And, you know, the felony. But you don't need to babysit me. I can take care of myself." Claire Says

"What do you mean?" Castiel Says

"I mean you felt guilty, so you busted me out. So thanks, but we're good. Even Steven." Claire Says

"No, we um... We committed a crime, and you might need me again. So I—I think we should stick together." Castiel Says

"Okay. You want to get some stuff for the road? I have to pee." Claire Says

"Oh. Okay." Castiel Says

They stand up at the same time, and Claire bumps into him when she crosses to his side.

"I'm sorry." Castiel Says

"My bad." Claire Says

While Cas goes over to grab a few things, Claire slips out the back of the restaurant. She glanced behind her, and when the coast is clear, she runs away. Cas, meanwhile, lays some distinctively girly items on the counter, receiving a look from the cashier.

"It's for a teenage girl." The cashier just stares at him "She's urinating." The cashier forces a smile, then begins ringing up the items. Cas pats his pockets.
"My wallet's gone."

He looks around, and notices that Claire is gone. Outside, Claire's trying to flag down a car.

"Hey! Hey, hey, hey! Hey, can you help? Damn." Claire Says

As a car passes by, Castiel walks out of the restaurant. Another car drives up.

"Help! Please?" Claire Says

"Claire." Castiel Says As She climbs into the car

"Go, go, go!" Claire Says

The car drives off, and Castiel starts after it.

"Wait. Hey! Claire!" Castiel Says

As the car disappears, Cas stands in the road, watching it go.

_________________________________

RESTAURANT

Sam, Dean, Elena and Castiel stand outside the restaurant Cas and Claire were at the previous night.

"This is why you called us? This is your emergency?" Dean Says

"Yes!" Castiel Says

"No, Cas! An emergency is a dead body, okay? Or—or a wigged-out angel, or the Apocalypse, take three. Some chick bolting on you is not an emergency. That's ... that's every Friday night for Sam." Dean Says

"Dude." Sam Says

"Well." Dean shrugs

"This isn't just "some chick." I'm responsible for her." Castiel Says

"Since when? You met her once, how many years ago?" Dean Says

"Look, Cas. Even if we do find Claire ... Then what?" Elena Says

"She rolled you, and then she ran, okay? It's pretty clear that she doesn't want to play house." Dean Says

"I understand. But I need to know that Claire is safe. And I need your help." Castiel Says

"All right. Uh ... Why don't we go ask around at the group home?" Sam Asks

"Uh, you know what? We're going to stick here in case she circles back. You and Lena go ahead." Dean hands the car keys to Sam

"Thank you." Castiel Says

Inside the restaurant, Castiel is studying a ketchup bottle intently while Dean eats.

"Is ketchup a vegetable?" Castiel Asks

"Hell, yes. All right, so spill. What's with the family reunion?" Dean Says

"I don't know. I've just been ... thinking about people." Dean glances around, then switches their plates, taking Cas' burger and setting his empty plate in front of him. "No problem. I've helped some, but I've ... I've hurt some." Castiel Says

"So you're having a midlife crisis." Dean Says

"Well, I'm extremely old. I think I'm entitled." Castiel Says

"Cas, listen to me. There's some stuff you just got to let go. Okay? The people you let down, the ones you can't save ... You got to forget about them. For your own good." Dean Says

"Is that what you do?" Castiel Asks

"That's the opposite of what I do. But I ain't exactly a role model." Dean Says

"That's not true." Castiel Says

Dean looks at Cas, then laughs, clearly not believing him. "Yeah."

"How are you, Dean?" Castiel Asks

"Fine." Cas gives him a look "I'm great!" Dean Says

"No, you're not." Castiel Says

"Yeah, well, I lost the black eyes, so that's a plus. But I still have this." Dean reaches over and gently slaps the Mark on his arm.

"Is the Mark of Cain still affecting you?" Castiel Asks

Dean flashes back to his dream from earlier, of the blood covering him, the dead bodies lying around him.

"Dean?" Castiel Says

Dean blinks hard, coming back to the present.
"Cas, I need you to promise me something."

"Of course." Castiel Says

"If I do go dark side, you got to take me out." Dean Says

"What do you mean?" Castiel Asks

"Knife me. Smite me. Throw me into the freakin' sun, whatever. And don't let Sam and Elena get in the way, because they'll try. I can't go down that road again, man. I can't be that thing again." Dean Says

HELL

In Hell, the demon is trying to get out of her chains.

"That won't work." Rowena Says

"I didn't ask you, Braveheart." She Says

Rowena laughs, imitating William Wallace.
"Freedom!" The demon gives up. "So ... What are we in for?" The demon gives her a look, and Rowena shrugs her shoulders. "Small talk, darling. Just passing the time."

"I'm here because ... I shouldn't be here." She Says

"Is that a riddle?" Rowena Says

"Crowley only allows certain demons to come Earth-side. I wasn't on the list, so I had to get myself smuggled up." She Says

"And what did that cost?" Rowena Asks

"A favor." She Says

"Big?" Rowena Says

"Bloody. Now ... I figure the King lets me stew for a while, then he starts asking how I Houdini-ed Hell. And he ain't gonna ask nice. What about you? What's your sin?" She Says

"I was a horrible mother." Rowena Says

In the common room, Crowley is talking to Gerald.

"She was a horrible mother! Did I tell you the time she almost traded me for three pigs? Three ! I was an attractive child. I could juggle. I was worth five pigs, at least." Crowley Says

"My ma used to burn me with cigarettes." Gerald Says

"Nobody cares, Gerald. And don't get me started about the name. "Fergus." It sounds like a venereal disease, and not the fun kind." Crowley Says

"Look, Boss. If you hate this Betty so much ... why not end her?" Gerald Asks

"I have my reasons." Crowley Says

"Well, I killed my old lady. Because of the cigarettes. I have no problem doing yours." Gerald Says

DETENTION CENTER

Sam and Elena are talking to Sandy in her office, she hands over a folder on Claire to Sam.

"Claire's a good kid, detectives. She's smart, and underneath it all, she has a big heart. You know, there used to be a boy here. Dustin Tate. He was older, but Claire really took him under her wing." Sandy Says

"Is he around?" Sam Asks

"He works at The Weiner Hut. We tried to place Claire, but she always ran away. Sometimes for a couple of days ... One time for six months." Sandy Says

"Wow. Where does she hide out?" Elena Asks

"Wish I knew." Sandy Says

HOUSE

Inside a house, a boy in a Weiner Hut uniform sits at a table, texting on his phone. It's Dustin. He looks up and smiles.

"Hey, Claire." Dustin Says

"Hey. Is Randy here?" Claire Asks

A man, Randy, steps into the room.

"Oh, look who's back. It's been, what? Three days?" Randy Says

"I know. I got busted. But I come bearing gifts!"She hands Randy a wallet, which he immediately opens.
"There's like two hundred bucks in there." Claire Says

Randy stops when he sees the driver's license.
"James Novak." Any relation?

"No. He's just a guy." Claire Says

Randy nods, ticking the wallet away in his back pocket. "Well... I appreciate the elbow grease, but, uh, we're still short."

"How much?" Claire Asks

"Too much." Randy Says

"When's Salinger coming to collect?" Claire Asks

"Tonight." Dustin Says

Fear is evident in Claire's eyes as she looks at Dustin.

"It's my fault. I shouldn't have borrowed so much money. But, uh... The holidays are coming, and I like to spoil my kids." Randy Says As Dustin gets up and leaves the table

"Maybe he'll give us some more time." Claire Says

"He's a loan shark. They're not so big on second chances. Kinda thought you were gonna ... steal enough to pay down the debt, like we talked about. But, uh..." Randy Says

"I tried." Claire Says

"Not hard enough." Dustin sits back down, and Randy forces a smile."Come on. One last family meal."

"There's got to be something we can do."
Randy and Dustin share a look "What?" Claire Says

"It's nothin'. It's crazy." Randy Says

"I'd do it if I was still under eighteen." Dustin Says

Claire looks from Dustin to Randy, who's looking back at her. "Tell me."

WEINER HUT

Sam, Elena and Cas are standing outside the Weiner Hut. Dustin comes walking up.

"Dustin Tate?" Sam Says

"Nah, man." Dustin Says

"Oh, really?" Sam Says

Sam put a hand on Dustin's chest, and Cas comes up and grabs the back of his jacket.

"Yes, you are."He pushes Dustin back against the brick wall. "And you're going to tell me where Claire Novak is." Castiel Says

Dean comes walking up, eating, as Cas grips Dustin's neck and lifts him off the ground. Elena looks at Dean then back at Castiel, Dustin is gasping and choking.

"Dean Really?" Elena Says

"What I was hungry." Dean Says then takes a bite of his hot dog

"Now." Castiel Says

"I'd do what he says." Dean Says mouthful

Sam gives Dean a look, and Dean points back to the Weiner Hut, then gives Sam a thumbs up.

CONVENIENCE STORE

In a convenience store, Claire has a dark jacket on with the hood pulled over her head. She's wearing dark sunglasses. She walks slowly around the store, and flashes back to a little while earlier.

"Quick in, quick out." He lays a gun on the table as he explains the plan to Claire. "Watch out for the cameras." Randy Says

Back at the convenience store, Claire is seen missing the cameras.

"Be careful. Wait 'til you're alone, then you hit that register jockey hard. You put the fear of God into him, you understand?" Claire nods, reaching over to take the gun. "Good." He lays his hand on top of Claire's "You come back to me, you hear? You and Dustin—you're the only family I got." Randy Says

Claire nods and takes the gun. In the store, she opens it, checks to find that the gun is loaded with bullets. She closes the gun and watches as the customer leaves, leaving her alone in the store. She walks towards the cash register, pulling the gun from her pocket. She gasps when her arm is grabbed, and she turns around to see Castiel staring down at her.