Hey, there. So This is my first fic. First things first I will be introducing a new character to this fic, whose name is Jamie. She is a large part of this story/series, so if you don't like the idea of a new character I suggest you don't read. Secondly, in later series parts there will be eventual Destiel and what I have dubbed, Samie (Sam/Jamie).

Dean pulled up into the motel parking lot with a defeated sigh as he pushed open the door to his beloved Impala a little more roughly than necessary. He stepped out with a manila case file and closed the door to his baby with care, mumbling an apology before heading to the short stair case that lead to his room.

His light blue tie, that was loosened, swung lazily as he jogged up the few steps, ready to be free of the suit and share the bad news. He only had to walk past three doors before he stopped at the withered maroon door with the number 206 on it. He fished his key out of his stuffy suit pocket and unlocked the door. Pushing through the opening he found Sam across the way of the small room at their square table by the far wall.

Sam looked up as Dean closed the door and walked over to his bed. When he dumped the file and key, he immediately shed the suit jacket.

"How'd it go?"

Dean could hear in his brothers voice that he already knew how it went. He turned to face his brother as he heavily sat on the edge of the worn bed. "Just as helpful as the last two." He replied a bit more bitterly than intended, but this case was really pissing him off.

Sam sighed as he leaned back in his seat, just as distraught as his older brother. "I may have something, but don't get your hopes up. Especially with how this case is going."

Dean perked up minutely with even the chance of a slight lead into this case. "It's gotta be better than what we got now, man. I mean, come on! A witch killing off thirty year old dudes who weren't all that awesome!"

Sam still decided to trend carefully. "I have a potential suspect."

Dean straightened. "You know who the witch is?"

"Ah..." Sam could already see that what ever he said next would go unheard now. He wished he had began differently. "Well, as you know, I went to talk to more friends and family and acquaintances of the first two vics. I spoke to a lot of people who all basically had the same thing to say and nothing helpful."

He could see Dean was getting impatient. "I got a bit desperate after turning up with nothing yet again so I looked into new comers to town. I mean, the killing were so random and maybe this is some witch who just got settle into town and is just getting started."

"Come on." Dean whined. "The witch can't be that stupid."

Sam tried to suppress a laugh. "Maybe, but I did find a newbie to town. And when I got to the house it didn't look like anyone lived it in. It was bought, but it was like no one moved in yet. So I went to the neighbor next door and she said that there was a woman she saw going in and out of the place. Said she was nice and kept to herself, but a little odd."

Dean grinned. "Witches are a bag of crazy trying to act human."

Sam snorted. "We're just gonna check her out, okay."

"Whatever. Let's go." Dean exclaimed as he stood.

"Right now?" Sam protested. "It's after nine."

"So you wanna wait for her to kill someone else. Besides, like you said, we're just checking her out. Come on." Dean grabbed his keys and headed out the door with his suit jacket in tow.

Sam sighed and followed after his big brother.

...

Dean knocked once more and waited about five seconds before he pulled out his pick-lock case.

"Dean!" Sam hissed.

"What?" Dean whispered back harshly. "She's not home. Let's just take a peek. We find no alter or dead rabbit's hanging from the ceiling and she's in the clear."

Sam rolled his eyes as Dean got the door opened. He quickly stored the case away and traded it for his favorite hand gun. Sam followed through as they slunk into the dark of the house, closing the door behind them. Both men pulled out a flash light next and the dusty room blinked into life.

"Looks like no ones lived here for years." Dean whispered.

Sam silently agreed as he went towards the kitchen.

Dean stood still in the remnants of the living room. All was still except for the quiet foot falls of Sam in the next room. He knew this was a bust. No one was here.

Just as he was about to call to Sam, to drop the search, a slim hand gripped his left wrist that held the flash light. He started and turned towards the fire place, gun going up. He saw a hand through a blue rift before he was yanked through it.

Sam walked out of the kitchen to the living room. "Dean, I don't think..." Sam halted, instantly perplexed. He stepped closer and waved the light all around the sparse living room, but couldn't find Dean. Panic began to creep up his spine. "Dean?" Sam spun around and was met by silence.
"Dean! This isn't funny!"

...

Dean opened his eyes to find himself in the same room, but with a grayish blue tint to it. "Um..." He looked back. "Sammy?"

Nothing.

"You finally made it."

Dean's grip on his gun tighten as he looked back and was met with the sight of a young woman with cascading raven hair dressed simply in a pair of jeans, blue shirt, and a black leather jacket. "Where did you take me? Where's Sam?"

"Sam is where I left him in this house."

Dean looked about discreetly. "What's going on?"

The woman smiled. "I am Gwen. Nice to meet you, Dean Winchester."

Dean relaxed minutely. "You're the witch."

She nodded with a pleasant smile. "And you're the hunter."

"What do you want with me?"

"How'd you ever guess?"

Dean snorted, but lowered his gun. "Start talking."

"I wanted to see you're soul." She took a step closer.

Dean took a wary step back. "Why?"

"I would like to get a better grasp on it's complexities. It won't hurt much. Just a simple spell. It'll only take but a minute."

"Uh-huh. So you lured me here, and killed three men to do it, so that you could do some witchy spell on my soul."

"I don't want to do a witchy spell on your soul. I want to do a spell so I can see your soul and all of it's complexities."

"And what if I say no?"

She grinned and with the graceful wave of her hand Dean dropped his flash light and gun as his hands were forcefully thrust behind him and bound together. "When I touched your wrist to pull you over here I marked you with this little binding spell. I knew you wouldn't agree willingly.

"You bitch." He grounded out.

She stepped up to him and placed her palm over his stomach gently. When Dean looked down he felt a tightening in his chest. His face scrunched in discomfort.

"It's okay." Gwen gripped his shoulder gently and forced him down gingerly. "Sit. It'll be easier."

Dean grounded his teeth as he did as suggested. His innards were warm and he felt as though she was picking at something deep within him. He tried to block her out even though he didn't know how to begin to even do that. "Stop it."

"It's okay. Just let me in for but a moment."

When Dean took a pained breath, he knew it was a bad idea a second afterwards. Whatever she wanted, he knew she could see it now. Her eyes were screwed shut as though it was hurting her as well. He realized then that it hurt less and then a moment later the heat was gone along with her hand.

Dean sighed with relief as he sat back.

Gwen was breathing heavily. "So many...so many layers."

Her wide, watery, smoky eyes met his confused glimmering green.

To Dean, she looked horrified after seeing his soul for but a few seconds. He knew what she saw. All that ugliness, from hell alone. He didn't want to hear it, but he couldn't look away.

"The guilt. The self-loathing, pride, righteousness. The anger and love and loyalty. Nurture, fear, protectiveness, burdens, and sadness. Disbelief, in yourself alone. The torment and fight in you. It's cosmic."

Dean blinked, not having expected that.

Gwen crept closer and got up to her knees. "I knew what to expect, and yet it still surprised me greatly."

Dean looked away, his voice small when he spoke. "If your done, could you get rid of your crappy binding spell?"

Gwen regarded him a moment. "Not just yet."

Dean looked up, confused.

She pulled a small, black square box from her jacket and the knife from Dean's boot.

"Hey!"

But his protest went unheard as she flipped the lid and cut her hand to let her blood mix with it's contents. Then she put the blade down and dipped her index finger into her blood before running it across Dean's eyelids.

Dean could only watch as she began to chant some spell.

"Yeah, just wanted to check out my soul." He huffed.

She paused in her chant to regard him. "I needed you to trust me, even if only a little. And I really did need to see your soul."

What's all this then?"

"You'll find out soon enough." She said before she continued with the spell.

...

Sam hurried down the creaky, wooden steps and paused three steps from the bottom to draw his gun on the mystery guest. But when he recognized the tan trench coat he sighed, lowered his gun, and strode towards the angel.

"Cas," He drew the angels attention. "What are you doing here?"

Cas turned his head slowly, his eyes slowly going over to view Sam as though he was seeing or listening to something at the same time and the young Winchester was interfering that. "Where is Dean?"

Sam came up short as he tucked his gun away. "I don't know? We-" Sam squared his eyes on the celestial being. "Wait. Did you come here cause you know he's missing?"

Castiel finally focused on the tall man, facing him fully. "Yes. I felt his soul disappear."

"Dis-" Sam felt a cold chill. "Disappear? As in-"

"He is not dead. Just...not in this space."

Sam calmed, but was still confused. "Does that mean you know how to find him?"

Cas looked to the living room. "He is here."

Sam was about to question that when movement past Cas caught his eyes. He leaned to the side slightly to peer around the angel and saw that Cas wasn't looking at nothing. Dean was there, in the living room, sitting on the floor.

"Dean!" Sam called as he jogged over to his brother.

Dean's head flicked in the direction of his brothers voice. His brows pinched as he blinked and then suddenly he could feel Sam crowd around him. Checking him over for wounds.

"Hey, are you okay? What happened? You just vanished."

Dean tried to look in Sam's general direction.

"Dean?" Sam didn't like how quiet his brother was, and the way his eyes were roaming the room, like-

"Sam, the damn witch put a curse on me." Dean reached out for his brother and Sam instantly gripped his arm. "I can't see, Sam."

Sam looked at his brothers eyes, hoping he was wrong, but they weren't focused. They were cast slightly lowered, more towards his neck as Dean tried to go by the sound of his voice.

"Cas, can you fix this?"

Dean's brows pinched. "Cas?"

And then he heard the tell tale sound of the angels trench coat swishing towards him. "I cannot. Witches curses are...complicated, with rules on occasion. Did it give you a task to complete?"

Dean didn't even try to look in his general direction. "No."

"What happened? Where were you?" Sam asked.

"Well, I was still in the house, but like in another dimension or something. Her name is Gwen and she said she wanted to see my soul. Said she was curious. Once she did her little spell to see, she cursed me and then sent me back here. I wasn't even sure I was back till I heard you calling me."

Sam contemplated.

"Cas, what are you doing here?"

"I felt your soul disappear. I simply came to see if you were alright."

"Huh." Dean wasn't sure how to feel about it, so he brushed it off. "And you can't do anything about this?"

Dean was about to ask if the angel had heard him when he felt a warm palm cover his eyes. "H-hey?"

Castiel removed his palm. "It is a strong curse. This witch, Gwen, is old and powerful. Only she can remove it."

Sam sighed. "This doesn't make any sense. Why would some old and powerful witch curse you for no reason? Are you sure she didn't say why?"

"Nope. She was fascinated by my soul, so much so that she killed those poor sonsofbitches to lure me here, and then decided she wanted me blind."

Sam helped his brother to his feet. "Cas, can you take him back to the motel. I want to check somethings out."

"Hey, no going after this witch by yourself. 'Specially if she's as strong as Cas says."

"I'm not going after her." Sam assured him, then told Cas which motel they were hold up in.

Cas took hold of Deans shoulder and they were gone.

...

Dean knew he was back in the motel by the stink of the place. "Uh, thanks, Cas. Guess...I'm good from here."

Dean tried to pull away, but the angel didn't loosen his grip. "I should probably stay with you until Sam returns. You could cause yourself harm."

Dean snorted. "I think I can handle it. And you can let go now."

Cas released him finally and Dean took a step towards where he thought his bed was, but ended up stubbing his toe into the t.v. stand he walked into. He braced himself on the wood and held in the pain and curses.

"As I said, you could harm yourself."

"Shut up, Cas!"

"Where were you attempting to venture?" Cas inquired as he took gentle hold of the Winchester once more.

Dean sighed. "My bed, I guess, since I can't do much else." He shuffled forward slowly with the steady guide of the angel. "The one against the wall."

He took a seat on the corner and looked up at where he thought the angel was standing. "Thanks."

After a few quiet seconds, Dean grew nervous at the lack of sound and movement. "Cas?"

Dean wasn't surprised to hear that he was still right in front of him. "You can really fly off now. I'm good till Sam comes back."

"It seems wise to keep an eye on you, Dean."

Dean huffed. "Fine, but could you at least take a few steps back and sit somewhere. You're doing it again. It's creepy man."

"Oh." Cas looked around and decided to take a seat on Sam's bed.

Another few silent minutes later Dean wanted to bang his head against a wall. "Dude, please, turn the t.v. on. This is awkward."

There was pause and Dean could just see the angels head titled in confusion before he complied and turned on the t.v.

"Thank, god." Dean whispered.

"Why?" Cas questioned.

Dean groaned.

...

When Dean heard the rumble of his baby he thanked the lord inwardly. He didn't know how long he had blandly listened to various shows, but it felt like an eternity with the ever present angel on the next bed who questioned everything.

"Tell me you got some good news." Dean sighed as soon as the door opened.

Sam chuckled. "Something wrong?"

"Yeah. Angels suck as company. So?"

Sam smiled as Cas looked to Dean with a puzzled gaze. "Ahh-got a little something, but it'll have to wait till tomorrow."

Sam shed his coat and took a seat at the table since his bed was occupied. "I went to the local library to see if I could find anything about a location or summoning spell for witches. We've done it for demons, so-"

When he trailed off Dean intervened. "And?"

"When I got nothing, considering the size of the library and their section on the occult I thought I'd have better luck with a different kind of library. So I called up Bobby, who, by the way says, "Hey, idjit", and he's looking through some things now. Said there's a lot to go through and not to get our hopes up that he'll find anything before dawn. So we wait."

"So, there's a high chance that there is some locator spell?" Dean inquired.

Sam shrugged before he recalled his brothers lack of sight. "We don't know. We just got to wait. It's almost midnight, mine as well get some sleep. I'm gonna grab a shower before that though."

Dean groaned at the idea of the task of showering blind. When he heard the bathroom door close and lock he sat in the silence until he recalled a certain awkward celestial being.

"Cas?"

"Yes, Dean?"

"Sam's back."

"Yes, he is."

"You don't have to babysit anymore."

"Oh." Cas stood up in one fluid motion.

"Hey, uh," Dean scratched the back of his neck. "thanks. I guess. We took up a chunk of your time."

"That is fine. I wasn't very busy. Witches are troublesome. Yours in particular seems to be. If you need any further assistance, just pray to me."

"Right." Dean nodded though he doubted he'd be doing that.

And with a flutter of wings he was gone.

...

Dean awoke. For a few panicked filled moments the sheer darkness startled him until he recalled his recent blindness. Hearing the soft snores of his brother he knew that it must be early, especially since he could hear the morning birds songs.

With a hefty sigh he decided to roll out of bed and get a shower. The process was slow as he maneuvered around the room. First to his bag which he left by the bureau. Once he slowly reached that, shuffling against the carpet so slowly the soles of his feet were irritated by the scrape, he unzipped his bag and felt for a change of clothes. He was sure it would be pretty hard to clash with his selection of clothing so he pulled out a shirt, button up, jeans, and boxers. Holding that to his chest with one hand, he reached out with the other to find the frame or wall to the left. When he succeeded he felt for the counter top before creeping to the shower.

Showering blind was weirder than he thought it would be. Everything was off balance and further or closer than he thought. He almost tripped getting out, forgetting how high the rim was. When he was dry, even getting dressed was peculiar. But after what felt like an hour he was clean and dressed and feeling successful.

Just as he was slowly making his way out of the bathroom Sam's phone buzzed, rousing the sleeping giant. Dean stood still by the door frame as he listened to Sam pick up the phone and offer a greeting morphed by a yawn.

"Hey, Bobby." Sam looked up, finding his brother standing in the bathroom door way. He quirked a brow, before listening the old hunter.

"Well, what if she isn't here anymore?" Sam asked after a minute or two.

"Maybe Cas can help in that area. He was here last night. Felt dean's soul disappear or something."

"Okay. Thanks Bobby." Sam sat up and regarded his brother.

"Bobby found a spell, but it isn't like the demon one. It's pretty crappy locator spell. The thing only tracks a witch within a good couple of miles. If not, nothing. I guess we move and try again. Bobby says the stuff we need for the spell isn't to hard to come by. Surprisingly enough he has most of it at home. He's gonna get the rest and call back. Since we need to perform the spell here to have any luck, I'm gonna see if Cas can help with that. You think he will?"

Dean shrugged. "What else?"

"Uh...once we have the stuff the spell has to be performed at midnight in a cemetery."

Dean nodded. "Okay." Then slowly made his way over to his bed.

Sam jumped up. "Whoa! Hey-"

"I'm fine, Sam." Dean swatted his hand. "I'm good."

Sam's brows pinched. "You sure."

Dean chucked mirthlessly. "Yeah, even showered all by myself."

Sam turned to his brother as he patted the bed before taking a seat. "Dean," He began carefully. "Everything will be fine. We're going to find her and make her fix this."

"I know, Sammy." He responded tiredly.

Sam frowned. "I'll get us some breakfast in a minute."

"Sure."

...

It was almost midnight. Things were nearly ready.

Dean sat at the corner of his bed methodically cleaning his weapons as he waited for Sam's call with good news.

Bobby found what was needed and Dean prayed to Cas who came like he said he would if they needed anything. He picked up the stuff and brought it to the Winchesters. He even offered to tag along with Sam so they could get to the witch easier and subdue her.

So Dean decided to clean the guns in wait. Even blind he could do that. It calmed him and distracted him from the ticking of the clock.

"Good to see you again, Dean."

Dean dropped the barrel of the gun he was cleaning and picked up his favorite handgun in seconds at the first word the witch spewed.

"Close, but a little to the left."

Dean's lips pressed thin as he moved his aim a little to the left.

"Much better." She chuckled.

"What are you doing here?" He finally asked.

"I wanted to talk." She paced the room. "Aren't you curious as to why I did this to you?"

"Heh." Dean lowered his gun. "What was wrong with telling me last time?"

Gwen shrugged. "That's no fun. I had to keep you on your toes for a little while. It's only been a day. I've been kind."

"Right."

"You're an interesting man, Dean, different from the average man. I saw it in your soul. Men try and make excuses, but they aren't always true to their core. Their principles change in the heat of things. Something eventually weakens them and they yield and so they change. And what was once important, isn't any longer. But you, you sold your soul for your brother. Went to hell for him, because your the man of sacrifice. You've even saved countless other. Both you boys have risked your lives for strangers, but not important things for others. Surprisingly enough with you two, your lives aren't the most important thing to you. It's the life of the other."

Gwen stopped to face Dean once more. "Now, would you risk something almost as great for another or is your blind selflessness only granted to your brother? I am curious to find out."

Dean quirked his head, his brows knitting together. The witch was making no sense, which wasn't really surprising. Witches were twisted like that. "What the hell are you going on about?"

Gwen smirked. "You'll just have to figure it out."

Dean startled and landed on his ass in what felt like grass and leaves.

"What the hell?" Dean felt around. "Gwen. You bitch! What'd you do?"

Listening for her voice Dean heard a road close by and the muffled chatter of people nearby. He didn't know why or how, but he was definitely out sound somewhere all of a sudden thanks to the witch.

"Ah, come on!" Dean got up and stowed his gun away. "This witch is getting on my nerves."

As he steadily made his way towards civilization he pulled out his phone to call up Sam, but as his luck would have it, as soon as he flipped it open the earth dipped and his right foot slipped. He landed awkwardly on his left shoulder before heading on a straight shoot down. Luckily it was a small slope, but at the end of it, Dean realized that he no longer held his phone.

"You gotta be kidding me." He hissed as he got on his hands and knees to search for his phone.

It took all of two minutes for Dean to give up and decide that he would just have to get someone to help him find his phone.

Slowly, but surly, Dean made it to the solid foundation of pavement and human beings. Within seconds he was bumped into, rotating him awkwardly. With a sigh at the rudeness Dean presses forward, trying to appear like a seeing man. When he heard someone coming his way he lifted his head. "Hey."

But his efforts were futile as the passerby, kept on walking. Distracted by this, Dean carelessly moved forward only to bump his knee into a bench. With a hiss he took a pause to grumble in pain. Reaching out, he found the bench and carefully moved around it, sticking his hands out awkwardly to make sure nothing else was beside it and in his way. Once that obstacle was accomplished he moved forward with purpose only to be stopped this time by a woman shout.

The desperate cry of "Stop" for all he knew had nothing to do with him, but he was sure time stopped for a split second with the wild demand. With the sudden hesitation, Dean planted his foot back and startled when a car whizzed by.

"Whoa." He breathed out. "Holy shit."

"Oh my goodness!" Dean heard the next moment, knowing that the breathy voice belonged to the woman who stopped him. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah." Dean breathed out in where he thought she was standing to the side of him. He shifted steadily. "Now I am."

"I don't..." She trailed off. "Are you...can you not see?"

Dean wasn't sure why she sounded bad for asking. "Am I that obvious?"

The girl chuckled. "Well, most people don't walk with their hands out before them unless they can't see. I saw you from across the street. I wasn't sure what to do and then I saw you about to step off the curb."

"Thanks for that."

"No problem. It looks likes you took a bit of a fall." As she said that Dean felt her pluck something from his hair. "Are you sure you're okay? You're knees and hands are dirty."

"Heh. Yeah, but I could use some help if you got a minute."

"Sure. What can I do?"

"I was walking through that dense woods over there." Dean gestured over to where he was sure it was. "I slipped and lost my phone. I was trying to call my brother at the time, whose probably freaking out right now."

"Okay. Um, would it be asking too much if I got your number so I could find it easier, if not that's fine. I'll just-"

"Whoa, there." Dean chuckled. "It's fine."

The woman laughed nervously. "Sorry."

Dean heard her shift through what he could only assume was a purse.

"You know what, we should probably get you siting. There's a bench just a few steps away. That way you won't get bumped or walk off anymore curbs."

"Good idea."

"Um, here." She said as she gently put a hand on his back and left arm gently. "This way. Careful now."

Once Dean was situated he rattled off his number and the girl went off in search of his phone.

Sitting and just listening to the world around him was strange when he couldn't see. Being blind was really wearing on him and it was only day one. But he really didn't like it. How was he supposed to hunt like this and watch out for Sam? He couldn't even make it through a forest without falling and losing his only means of connection.

Dean sighed and rotated his sore shoulder.

"Is your shoulder okay?"

And he hated how easily people or things could sneak up on him.

"For the most part." He lowered his arm. "You found it fast."

She grinned. "Following the sound of the ring tone helped. I liked the song."

Dean chucked. "Classic rock fan, you just get more awesome by the minute."

"Who do I call?" She asked, with a grin.

"My brother, Sam. He's on speed dial."

"Ah. He's all the missed calls." She said more to herself.

"Okay. Here." She put the phone in his hand gently.

"Dean! Are you okay?" Sam bellowed loud enough for the girl to hear.

"Calm down, Sammy. I'm fine."

"What happened? Where are you? I'll tell Cas and he can get you back in no time."

Like Dean didn't know that. "I'll explain it later. Uh." He looked in the direction of the girl. "Where are we? Is this even Illinois?"

"Uh...no. This is North Carolina. Maybe you're not as okay as you think."

"I'm fine. Town and street name?"

"Johnston. Clark street."

He answers Sam.

"Dean, is someone with you?"

"Yeah, I needed some help. Let Cas know."

"Yeah." He hangs up.

Dean does the same and pockets his phone.

"He sounded very worried." She piped in after a beat. "Which is understandable. I've been wondering, what are you even doing out here without him or one of those stick things or a seeing eye dog or something?"

Dean shrugged, which stung a little. "I'm kinda new to the whole blind thing. Thankfully it'll only be temporary, but I'll probably have to deal with it for a few more days, maybe weeks."

She frowned at his sullen face. "Well, that's good." She began quietly, as though she was contemplating something. "I felt real bad for you when you confirmed that you were blind. But, like you said, it's only for a while. You'll be good as new again. So, it's okay."

Dean didn't reply. He wasn't sure what to say. Her reply was unexpected and seemed to hold some untold and incomprehensible meaning. He found her odd, considering she actually decided to help him. He could have very well been tricking her and trying to get her secluded to kill her or something. And it was late and she was just walking about alone. Helping strangers.

Suddenly Dean was angry.

"This is why people die." He grumbled.

"Pardon?"

Who in the world says, pardon? Dean wondered incredulously.

"Why in hell did you help me?" He spat out more bitterly than intended. He knew she didn't know all the very real danger in the world, but she knew enough.

"Did it ever occur to you that I could be a killer and I was faking being blind?"

He heard her shift.

"No. Not until now, but I don't think so. You were hurt. All I thought about was what I could do to help."

"Well it's not safe to trust strangers. Especially on your own."

"That's actually a very bad habit of mine. I find it very easy to talk to stranger."

Dean groaned. She was a kidnapping or murder waiting to happen.

"Oh, hey, why were you even out here on your own? That was dangerous. You didn't even tell your brother where you went?"

"Yeah, well, I kinda walked out on my own without saying anything. We, uh, are in the family business, and we travel around a lot for work. Since I became blind I haven't been too helpful with our work. I was frustrated." He sighed, resting his elbows on his knees, not sure why he was talking about his new dilemma with a stranger. "I've been feeling a bit useless. I use to be able to help people. They still need my help and I can't. I can't help them, or Sam, or...anyone."

When she didn't speak, he wondered if she'd left.

"I don't think that's true." She said.

That surprised and confused him.

"Huh?"

"I like to help people." She began. "I don't often get the chance or make it happen as I should, but when I do, I feel good. It's wonderful that you and your brother help people and there's no reason for you to be frustrated. You said yourself that your sight will return, so in no time you can continue helping people. And-"

"Dean." A familiar gravelly voice called.

"Is the guy in the trench coat your brother?" She asked.

"That's Cas." He stood up and he heard her stand too. She even nudged him in the correct direction gently.

"He got here fast."

"H-he and my brother were already out looking for me."

Dean heard the steps and then felt his breath. The last thing he registered was Castiel's firm grip on his shoulders. All the warmth and attention made Dean warm in return. He didn't even register the pain in his right shoulder from the careless touch.

Dean looked down and to the side. "Cas, we've talked about this...a lot."

Cas loosened his hold and then stepped back altogether. "My apologies. I was worried. You disappeared without warning. In you and your brothers line of work, disappearing is never a good thing, especially in your current condition."

"Well, geez, thanks, Cas."

"I hope he wasn't as cavalier with you." Cas said having Dean realize he had been ignored. "Thank you for taking care of him. I can see that your soul is kind."

The girl blushed and waved her arms in disagreement. "He was very kind and I believe even concerned for me, which was sweet. I was happy to help. Now, though he said he was fine he didn't have any idea where he was. Also, his right shoulder is hurt, so you should probably take him to the hospital."

"Thank you. I will treat that."

"Alright. I'm off then. Take care."

"More like you should be careful. Don't talk to anymore strangers and stop taking mid-night strolls." Dean lectured seriously in the wrong direction.

"If I hadn't talked to you, Stranger, I wouldn't have been able to meet such wonderful and peculiar people."

"I'm serious."

She smiled. "I'll try my best since you insist." She took a step closer to the cross walk and then turned around. "Helping others doesn't always have to be in a monumental way. Just being by someone's side or lending your support can be enough. Or allowing me to feel helpful."

She watches as he contemplates. "Good-bye and nighty-night, you two." She called and headed across.

Dean lifted his head from his stupor. "Hey."

"What is it?"

"I didn't get her name."

"Would you like to?"

Dean shook his head after a moment. "Let's just get back, Cas."

...

Back at the motel room Dean stood idly by as Cas healed him and Sam berated him with questions.

"Whoa, there Sammy. You think I could get some help finding my bed before you attack?"

He heard Sam huff as Cas lead him to his bed. He's thankful it's not too far away as he sighs into the squeaking bed. "Thanks, Cas."

"Of course."

Dean could tell that Cas didn't bother to step back at all, but before he could mention it he hear Sam sink into the bed opposite him.

"What happened?" He began again. "How did you end up in North Carolina?"

"The witch paid a visit just before midnight. Said she wanted to tell me why she cursed me, but then blabbed about all this garbage."

"Dean, what did she say?"

"Something about me being different from normal men." He shrugged. "And how men change or something. And how she wanted to see if I would risk something important for someone else. Then she zapped me to Johnston. When I lost my phone I needed some help."

Sam sighed. "The spell was a bust. She wasn't close enough. She must have left just after she zapped you out of Illinois."

"We'll that's just great. Now what?"

"I guess we drive somewhere and try the spell again. Try to follow any leads."

"We don't have any leads!"

"I know, but we'll figure out something." Sam regarded Cas. "Do you know of any way to track a witch better than that spell."

Cas shook his head. "If I did, I would have said. But I will see what I can find." And with that Cas was gone in a flutter of wings.

Thanks for reading!
Btw, this takes place in Season 4 between ep.14&15