DISCLAIMER: If fantasy ever turns into reality... but let's face it I'll never own it.

SPOILERS: Takes place sometime after 5.22 Swan Song

Nothing Alike

~*~ Chapter One ~*~

Late Night Call

Dean rolled over, reaching for his phone. Who in the hell could be calling? Dean's caller id came up with a telephone number that he didn't recognize. He still had all of his phones, and Sammy's, from their previous lives. Dean hadn't taken a hunt since he moved in with Lisa to keep his promise to Sammy, but he still kept the numbers active in case someone needed help. While his promise kept him from being able to hit the road, he wasn't going to let someone get killed because of him. So far he'd had Bobby arrange for nearby hunters to take over 20 cases. Even without the apocalypse things were hopping.

Dean stared at the phone in his hand. No one had called him on this one since Bobby had given up on him, on trying to get him to answer the phone, those referrals… all done by text messaging.

The only other people who had this number were Sammy, who was in hell, and Cas, who was playing sheriff in heaven, and it's not like he was expecting to hear from either of them ever again, at least not within his lifetime.

Burying the spark of hope that valiantly fought for life within him, Dean answered the phone. "What's up?"

"Dean?"

It was Cas' voice… but not, nowhere near as deep. Dean instantly knew he was not speaking to Castiel, which could only mean… "Jimmy?"

"Yeah," Jimmy answered, then continued hesitantly, "look I know it's late but I was hoping that you'd be able to help me out with something. I didn't want Amelia knowing that I was calling."

"Um… yeah sure," Dean managed, mind spinning. What could Jimmy need help with and why would he care if Amelia knew, it wasn't like she didn't know about the whole angels and demons thing. "You know I'm not hunting anymore… right?" Dean added.

"It's ummm…. It's not anything like that… It's… ummm… I guess you could say it's kinda personal…"

"Would it be easier to tell me in person?" Dean asked when Jimmy trailed off for the umpteenth jillion time.

"No!" Jimmy exclaimed nervously before continuing more quietly. "It's just… It's really embarrassing." Dean could hear Jimmy swallowing nervously.

"," Jimmy finally managed barely above a whisper and strung together a one long, drawn out, barely understandable word.

Dean couldn't help it. He laughed. Very, very loudly. "Why-" Dean nearly chocked he was laughing so hard. "Why-" laughing harder than he had since the whole 'den of iniquity' ordeal. "Why in the hell does she think you want me? Dude, we've only ever met just the one time when Cas went to Bible Camp and that was definitely not what you would call a good time! And this is the only time we've talked since."

"It's because of the d- nightmares. What Castiel experienced. Most of the time I remember nothing since the second time I gave Castiel permission. He did something different that time and I was shielded from the experiences, but in my dre- nightmares it's almost like he left a part of himself behind, like an echo of his emotions, memories."

"Emotions? Anna said they couldn't feel. I thought Cas just started feeling things towards the end because he was close to falling."

Jimmy was grateful for the sudden veer away from the dreams that he wished would stop and had absolutely no desire to discuss. "I don't know about any angels other than Castiel, but I can tell you from the first time- that for Castiel that couldn't be further from the truth. While his feelings were sometimes vastly different –even alien- from those we experience, they were strong. I actually found them overwhelming. Do you remember when I said that being a vessel was like being strapped to a comet?" Jimmy continued without waiting for an answer. "It wasn't just the fighting that was intense. Castiel apparently knew enough to shield me from the physical pain most of the first time around. The second time it was like he'd buried my consciousness; I was not aware of anything that happened."

"But you're having nightmares about that time?"

Jimmy nodded sheepishly, then realizing Dean couldn't see him, "Yes."

"Freaky." Dean was quiet, processing this information when it occurred to him, "But I still don't get how nightmares led your wife to believe that we're… whatever it is she thinks we are?"

"Um… this is the part that I wish there was a way to avoid talking about. But, uh… I guess it's better to have it come up now than have Amelia spring it on you. Apparently… uh… a few of the times I've had these d- nightmares I've woken up scr- yelling for… your help."

"Sucks."

"You have no idea."

"You'd be surprised. Did you know how me and Cas met?"

"Oh… sorry, forgot about the whole hell thing. You win."

"So what are your nightmares about?"

After an extended silence Jimmy answered, "They seem to be a mixture of Castiel's experiences and imagination."

"Hey, I understand if you don't wanna talk about it. Ben has a game tomorrow but I should be able to make it there by Monday… that work for you?"

"Yes. Thank you Dean. I know this is a lot to ask-"

"Hey. This is NOT a lot to ask. When I think of everything you gave up- Without you letting Cas- Just… thanks man." Dean hoped Jimmy understood that he could never ask for too much, not after everything that Jimmy's sacrifice had allowed Castiel to do. "So do you want me to call when I get into town? Pretend I'm just driving through."

"That'd be great. Thanks."

"Hey Jimmy?"

"Yeah?"

"Have you heard from Cas?"

No Dean… sorry."

"It's ok. It's just hard. Not knowing how he's doing. He didn't exactly make friends when he helped us stop the apocalypse. Who knows how those dicks are treating him."

"I'll let you know if I hear from him Dean."

"Thanks. See you Monday."

"Monday," Jimmy confirmed before hanging up the phone.

Dean stared at the phone in his hand for a minute before placing it on the nightstand. While part of him knew that seeing Jimmy was going to be very… difficult, he couldn't just leave the man hanging. Without Jimmy, Cas would've never been able to help. Dean would've never really have met Cas.

Dean didn't get any more sleep that night, tossing and turning as memories of Castiel flitted through his mind. Monday was gonna suck.