All my works are self-beta, so any and all mistakes were foolishly made by me. I do not own any SPN characters. If I did, there would be quite a few changes in the show. I do not profit from this story. If I did, I'd upload a lot more and a lot sooner, don't you think?

Enjoy (…or don't…)

Title: What's the Word, Cas? Reference to the season 8 episode "Hunteri Heroici".

Summary: Sam and Dean come across a strange blue-eyed man with a dirty overcoat and little memory. They try to drop him off at a police station, but the man has an odd attachment to Dean. When the man starts exhibiting supernatural abilities, the bothers realize that the man's amnesia and cultural ignorance aren't the only things different about him…

Understanding the Setting: Takes place in season 4 and maybe 5 later on. The Apocalypse isn't happening, Lilith isn't breaking the seals, and Sam isn't chugging demon blood (or at the very least, he and Ruby are not together). Dean has been raised from Perdition and has the handprint on his arm. The brothers are not yet aware that Angels and God are real. They haven't found the Supernatural books yet, and if Crowley is in this story, he is still a crossroads demon. Oh, and Jimmy...I'm not yet sure how I'm going to handle that. Either Jimmy will still be there, inside of Cas, or Jimmy will have died when Cas took over. No Uriel, but maybe Anna before her grace returns. Umm...I think that's all the important stuff. Have any questions? Just ask in a review or PM me, and I will clarify.

Fair Warning: I've really gotten into Supernatural lately. I have even made a video of Castiel fan art on my youTube channel! I've binge-watched nearly the entire thing over the past few months. Currently (as of August 2017), I am at the beginning of season 11, so please don't spoil anything!All this is to say, this is the first Supernatural fanfic I've written. I think I've got the characterization down for most of the characters. More than anything, I'm worried about writing Dean because I only ever understand maybe 2% of the references he spouts…

"You think he's dead?"

"I don't know. Maybe."

"Hey, Mister..."

"Ew! Don't touch him!"

"Why not?"

"He's probably homeless. Just look at how dirty his coat is! You might catch something."

He cracked his eyes and let out a groan, trying to make sense of what was going on around him.

"Whoa, he's awake!"

"What do we do? Do we call someone?"

"Hey, Mister! Hey!"

His eyes snapped open, and he noticed a curious teenage boy with dark hair hovering over him. A few feet away was a blond girl about the same age who looked ready to run away.

"You okay?" The boy asked.

He blinked. "Yes, I am okay."

"You sure about that?" The girl muttered skeptically.

He sat up and looked at his surroundings. It was nighttime. He was on the side of a road with forest on either side of it. He gradually rose to his feet as he tried to understand where he was and why he was there.

"Hey, you look kind of lost," the boy commented.

"I suppose I am," he answered, still looking around.

"You lose your way?"

"I...suppose so."

"Where you from?"

"I'm...not sure."

The boy and girl looked at each other. "So, what are some kind of drifter or something?" The girl asked with an odd look on her face.

"I suppose."

The three were silent for a moment. The boy stuck out his hand. "I'm Tanner, by the way." He looked at the hand, wondering what the boy was doing. "I'm...not going to hurt you or anything."

"Why would I think you would hurt me?"

"Because you still haven't shaken my hand. I mean, unless you're a germophobe or something."

"No, I am not a germophobe."

Silence struck again as the boy slowly lowered his hand. "So...yeah...I'm Tanner, and this is my cousin Ashley. She's a bit of freak, so don't get offended by her not greeting you like a normal person."

"Oh, screw you, Tanner!" The girl rolled her eyes.

The boy chuckled. "And you are…?"

"My name is… I am…." He furrowed his eyebrows in concentration. He's sure he has a name, but he can't recall it. "I don't know."

The boy's eyebrows raised. "Wait, what?" The girl took a few steps forward, examining him. "Are you telling us you have amnesia or something?"

"Amnesia?" He thought for a moment. "Yes, that would make sense."

"Whoa..." The boy whispered. The cousins looked at each other. "Hey, how about we lead you into town?"

"Tanner!" The girl gave the boy a look that the boy simply ignored.

"There, we can take you to the police. They should be able to help you figure out who you are. That sound good?"

"Yes, that...'sounds good'," he replied, gratefully yet uncertainly.

"Cool. So, let's get going. It's about a ten-minute walk back into town." The boy started walking, still ignoring the glances of the girl. He walked behind them in silence. "Oh, by the way… Welcome to Rock Ridge, Colorado!"