#for ashes

Dean ran like hell around the edge of town, past the small settlers houses. He was heading for the little church they built last year, with no idea whether Pastor Jim would be there, but he hoped to God (if there was such a thing) that he was. The handful of townsfolk were getting closer and shouting for a hanging, calling him murderer and the like. It was 1891 for Christ's sake. Weren't lynch mobs a little passe?

He burst through the church doors, slamming it shut behind him, only to have it bounce off the door frame. Breathless, he shouted out, "Sanctuary! Sanctuary!"

The priest came around the corner, his eyes wide with shock. Dean had no idea who this guy was or where Pastor Jim had gone off to, but he saw the priest smock and that was good enough. Dean ran up to the priest and set a hand on his shoulder. "I need Sanctuary, Father."

"Of course." The man nodded, moving an arm in front of Dean to put himself between Dean and the door, where the towns folk were coming in, eyes blazing with hate.

"He's a murderer, Father, stay away from him," the man in front shouted, pointing at Dean.

"He is a child of God and he has asked for Sanctuary. I must give it."

"We'll get the sheriff."

"Get your sheriff, if you must. But he is under my protection and I will not allow you to blaspheme in my church. Please leave if you cannot be peaceful."

The men muttered and glared, but they turned and left out of respect for the priest and the church. They still muttered about how they'd get Dean, but what mattered was that, for now, they were gone. Dean sagged against the back of a pew and sighed with relief.

"Thanks, Father... Uh, where's Pastor Jim?"

"He's gone out for the moment," the young priest said, turning around. "May I ask what that was about?"

"A big misunderstanding, really..." Dean said, grinning. He gave the priest a once-over, the man was young, probably about Dean's age, and well built for a priest. He was only a couple inches shorter than Dean, but he had an intimidating stare that made him seem bigger than he was. "I should probably explain it to Jim, he'll... uh, get it."

"He isn't here right now, and I will be a priest at this church from now on. Anything he can help you with, so too can I."

Dean scratched the back of his head and sighed, "You're gonna want to sit down then, Father... uh... Father what?"

"Castiel."