Newark, Ohio
"Dude, just calm down, I'll stop at Covrick Cup the minute I'm done with what I need to get at Wal-mart," Dean rolled his eyes as he walked down the street. He needed air; Sam's constant bitching was getting to him. I swear he's got to have pms, Dean thought as he stepped into the superstore. By-passing the door greeter as usual, because you can never tell who the employee's are really working for, he ducked his head and frowned, "So remind me again what you want?"
He could hear Sam sigh, "Dude. I want a triple large peppermint, nonfat white chocolate mocha, with whip. How hard is that to remember?"
"If you wanted something minty, why don't you just squeeze some toothpaste in your coffee? Saves time." He breathed through his nose in irritation as he walked rapidly over to sporting goods section. His eyes darted back and forth at the near-zombie like quality of the employees, he was starting to think that maybe there was something wrong in this town.
"By the way Sammy, did you find anything on this place?" He had to stop suddenly as a filled cart almost ran him over- the lady looked at him as if he called her a dirty word or something. He glared at her back as she zoomed to the cashier.
Sam snorted, "Not really much-oh."
"Oh? What oh?"
"Um…" He could hear typing, and Sam breathing into the phone, which really irritated Dean. He hated talking to Sam while he was on the computer; he tended to completely forget he was on the phone the minute he found something interesting.
"Dude, seriously, look up porn on your own time."
"Dean!"
"Sam!" He looked around, making sure he didn't attract any attention from any passers-by. He ducked into what he thought was the toy section on his way to automotive, pausing in the aisle that had a bunch of toys with buttons to push. He couldn't resist, but first- "Just look up whatever it is you are looking up and I'll read it later, and before you say anything, I'll get you your drink, you big ol' girl."
He hung up at Sam's squawk, his chuckle fading as he turned around. He looked around and realized he walked into the baby section of the store. Apparently, this store just went through yet another re-model. He moved to walk out, when his eyes fell on a baby blue blanket with a little angel patch in the corner. He smirked, and reached out to touch the soft fleece.
He couldn't explain the sudden tightness in his throat, or the prickling of his eyes, or the tension in his chest. All he knew was that he missed the hell out of the little boy in Indiana, Benjamin Isaac Braeden. He wished so badly that the little boy was his- they were so similar!- reminding Dean of his childhood self without the constant hardships. He wished that he had more time with him, he wished that Ben was his, he wished-
He wished.
Wishing wasn't going to do a damn thing for him, he was a Winchester and he firmly believed his family was cursed. Oh, it was all well and good to fall in love, hearts and puppy-dogs if you have kids, but what happens to them when you are ripped to pieces by a demon?
Or decide to make deals?
Dean sighed, let his hand drop to his side. Shaking his head at what will never, ever be, he crossed the store to where the automotive section was. The only reason why he went into the store was for a bottle of motor oil and maybe some new socks; every heel of his socks had huge holes in them.
His mood didn't change as he paid for everything and left the store, sped by the door greeter, and cursed as he remembered he left the Impala at the motel they were staying in. "Oh yeah," he said sarcastically, "It's a nice, crisp cold night, why don't you walk over a block in a strange neighborhood, that's reeeeal smart."
Walking through the sliding double doors, he sighed as he was blasted with warm air. He grinned as he saw someone behind the counter, a short young woman that looked like she wanted to be anywhere but there. In front of her was an older woman, short and wide, wearing a purple velour jogging suit. Dean really didn't want to know why he could recognize that kind of clothing, kind of gave him a cold chill as he got in line. He glanced from side to side, noting a few people sitting around, drinking coffee, but couldn't help overhearing the conversation before him.
"…and all you have to do is read this passage in the Bible, and God will forgive you. You will go to heaven." The older woman rifled through her purse, while the younger woman, her nametag read 'Jack', looked around frantically for any familiar face. Her eyes skimmed over Dean, and she winced.
"Um ma'am, there's a-"
"Can you get me a pen dear? I can't seem to find a pen. Maybe a pencil, I have to write this down for you." Jack's lips thinned into a tight smile and reached over to a cup full of pens and handed it to her. She took a deep breath and stared at the clock on her register, bouncing on her heels in impatience.
The lady wrote down the passage, and handed it to the young woman, "This is what you need to say, out loud, and the Lord will forgive you honey. When the world ends, you will go to heaven."
Jack took the paper and smiled at the older woman, "Thanks, I'll be sure to do that." Her voice was flat and dry, but the lady obviously didn't get her tone of voice and grabbed her wrist. Jack froze, and her eyes widened, her eyes flicked to someone that could help her.
"Promise me you'll read that passage, dear. For your own immortal soul. Promise!" Dean frowned in alarm, and moved to get the older woman away from the girl when Jack spoke up.
"Ma'am," She said, tugging her wrist free, "I was raised Catholic-"
"That doesn't matter! You have to ask God's forgiveness. That's the only way."
Dean rolled his eyes, "Look lady, she knows the Lord. She doesn't need to read out of a book to save herself."
The older woman turned around, giving him an offended look that served to make her look more deranged, and turned back to the girl behind the counter, "Just be sure to read it dear," As she walked away, she said over her shoulder, "This is great coffee. Just great coffee."
Dean shook his head as he turned back to the menu, noticing the girl and how her hands were shaking. He smiled gently, and got her attention, "Hey, you ok?"
She looked up, her hazel eyes wide with shock, "That was the weirdest conversation I've ever had. Twenty minutes of my life wasted. I hate closing this store so damn much." She rubbed her throat, and Dean saw the silver flash of a pentacle around her neck.
His brow furrowed, "That's a nice necklace you got there."
She smiled brilliantly up at him, "Thank you. It was a present from my friend." Her mouth quirked, her almost-skin color lipstick glittering, "Which is probably why she started on me anyway. Also, mentioning when the world was supposedly going to end. I gotta get my crazy-meter fixed. That or stop striking up conversations with old people."
He chuckled, "Yeah my mouth gets away with me too."
She smiled, this time it was actually genuine, "Anyway, I've wasted enough of your time, what can I get for you tonight?"
He looked up at the menu in sudden panic, "Crap. Don't tell me I forgot."
Jack smiled as he shook his head, "Sam will kill me if I get this wrong."
She grinned, "Don't tell me, pregnant wife?"
"Ha! Nah, little brother. He likes this sort of…"
"Crap?" She supplied, "You wouldn't believe what some people put in their mouths, there anything I can get for you 'til you remember?"
He shrugged, "Yeah, why not? I guess I'll just have some coffee. A large, with uh, no room. I guess." He snapped his fingers, "Now I remember! I need a triple, large peppermint nonfat, white chocolate mocha."
"That's always a mouthful. No problem, that'll be five dollars."
While she made the drinks, Dean looked around the store. Everyone seemed to be in a good mood, laughing and smiling. Soon, the customers left with their goodbyes to Jack; in turn she smiled and wished them a good night.
Something was going on here, it was too damn cheerful.
He turned around and his coffee was sitting on the little hand-off station, he took it and threw away the little stopper in the mouth hole, "So," he motioned to her necklace, "You believe in that stuff?"
She grinned as she waited for the espresso to come out of the machine, "I believe in a lot of 'stuff' actually. The world is a mysterious place, a lot of weird things happen, you gotta believe in something."
Dean nodded, "'Cause the world is going to end."
She shook her head, "I probably shouldn't have said anything, really."
"Nah, don't worry about it. I got a couple of crazy friends that have some theories."
Jack shrugged, and put the lid on his brother's drink, "Everyone has their theories." Her lips quirked, "Besides, it's not like the world is actually ending." As Dean laughed, she said, "You have a nice night sir. Be careful out there."
He took the drink, and wished her a good night as well. As he walked out the store, he shivered as a cold breeze seeped through his jacket and he growled at the sound of wing beats behind him, "What do you want Zachariah?"
He turned and said angel was behind him, giving him a blank look, "I wasn't aware that you could sense us, Dean."
"And I wasn't aware of how many times I would have to repeat the word 'no' before you bitches get the point. Funny ol' world, isn't it?"
Zachariah's lips pursed, "There is nothing 'funny' about this war. We will keep asking until you say yes, it was you that started this, and it will be you that ends it, one way or another."
Dean's face went red, "Look, you stay away from me, you stay away from my family. There is nothing you can do, nothing you can say, or show me that will make me say otherwise."
"Oh, you don't know the extent of our power, Dean. Don't push me."
Dean walked up to him, put everything he was carrying in one hand, and pushed Zachariah. It wasn't enough to move the angel, because nothing that a human ever did would be enough to push an angel. Zachariah glared and stepped into Dean's personal space, "Someone from your line must be the vessel. The sooner you get that, and the sooner you put aside your human pride and let us do our job, the sooner you can go back to whatever life you led before we came along and gave you purpose."
Dean made a face, "You know, for being an angel from Heaven, you have really bad breath. Anyone ever tell you that?" With that, he made his way back to the motel.
From behind, he heard the snide voice say, "If you refuse to be the vessel, we shall simply have to make one."
"Wha-"
"Dean."
Dean's eyelids fluttered at the sound of the deep voice, and mumbled incoherently.
"Dean, you must wake up now. Open your eyes."
He rolled over and whined. The voice sounded further off muttering, "He is not listening to me."
He heard footsteps getting louder, smelling the distinct smell of Bobby, motor oil, incense and old spice. The old Spice always reminded of his dad, and how he used to watch him shave from the doorway of each motel bathroom they were in, wondering when his dad would teach him how.
He ended up having to teach himself since his dad was hunting a werewolf in a small town in Washington.
He felt a hand gently shake his shoulder, "Dean, you gotta wake up, son."
Dean soon felt himself waking up for real, he noticed his breathing was slightly different, the slight weight on his chest was unexplainable. He opened his eyes to see Castiel and Bobby hovering over him, both wearing expressions of concern, only Bobby's eyes danced with amusement.
His eyes flicked to both men, "Can anyone tell me why I'm on the floor?" At the sound of his own voice, his eyes widened. The two men exchanged looks and Bobby moved them a little away from Dean with his hand on the angel's chest. Dean sat up, looking at his hands in horror, "What the Hell is going on?"
"Now don't panic." Bobby warned.
"Yeah, that's going to make me calm down." He looked down at his chest and gaped, "What the-"
"-It was Zachariah." At Bobby's warning glare, Castiel squinted, "He is going to find out anyway. It would be better coming from-"
"Definitely not you." Bobby turned to Dean and helped him up off the floor. Without another word, he brought Dean into the bathroom, and turned on the light revealing a slim, yet shapely woman standing in front of Bobby. Delicate features, wide green eyes, full and pouty lips; man, she was hot. He moved to stepped close to the image in the mirror, and noticed with dread that the woman moved closer as well.
Unless he was suddenly invisible, the woman was him.
He truly hoped he didn't hit his head when he fell this time.
Chapter One
This time when he woke up, he was fully prepared for it to all be just some booze-infused dream, but he was sadly mistaken. He found himself on Bobby's couch; a throw carefully tucked around him, and snickered. All the sudden, he turns into a girl and Bobby gets paternal. He could hear Bobby in the kitchen, most likely notifying Sam on the latest Winchester news. So great, his little brother knows now and Dean will never hear the end of it.
"I need a friggin'drink." Dean said, rubbing his forehead. He felt the couch dip and looked up at Castiel, "How did you find me?"
"I knew you were in trouble. Your brother called me when you didn't come back, he told me where you went, and I found you outside the coffeehouse." He looked away, "It was my fault this happened, and I should have been more vigilant. If I was, if I was with you, this would not have happened."
"Hey now," Dean sat up, "Don't be like that. It was my fault, I should have taken the car, Ishouldn't have pissed Zachariah off-"
H was cut off as Castiel's cool fingers rested against his lips, "No. Do not take the blame for this. You are my charge. My responsibility. I should not have let Zachariah come near you."
There really wasn't much Dean could say to that, no matter what he said, Castiel would take the blame anyway. Dean shook his head, grunting in annoyance as the longer hair got into his face, "Does-Does Sam know?"
Castiel nodded, "Bobby is talking to him now. He seemed rather amused, and Bobby was rather angry at him. He raised his voice, so I left and stayed here for when you awakened."
"So I take it he's on his way?"
"I will retrieve him if you like."
Dean frowned, "You don't have to. I mean, he can get here himself. At least then I can…get used to this."
Castiel head cocked to the side, "You do not want him to see you like this. You are afraid he's going to say something, do something upsetting?"
"No! I'm not afraid of what Sam is going to say. Sam's a little bitch. Sam can suck it."
"Suck what?"
Dean sighed, "Never mind. Look, I don't want to order you around, but if Sam were here, it would save Bobby a headache."
He heard the beating of mighty wings and knew that Castiel left.
"-Sorry, Bobby! But you can't tell me you didn't at least crack a smile at Dean. Come on! He's a girl!"
"Samuel."
Sam jumped as he heard Castiel behind him. He hated it when the angel just popped up behind them. "What?!"
"Dean needs you."
Sam snorted, "Yeah, but I don't even know-"
"He needs his brother." Castiel's blue gaze bore into Sam, "If you say anything, or do anything to hurt him right now…"
"What? You'll smite me?"
"Exactly."
He really, really tried.
He just wasn't expecting his brother to look….
Well, cute for one thing.
"Oh come on Dean. I didn't mean to laugh but seriously-"
"No 'but seriously'! I'm a girl, dammit!"
Sam slumped outside of Bobby's bathroom, where Dean shut himself after Sam snickered at the sight of him. He shuddered as he looked up to see Castiel staring at him from across the room, and Bobby glaring reproachfully at him.
"If you're done being an idgit, we need to fix this."
Yeah, it was going to be a long night.
A week had gone by, and Dean was still a girl. The whole thing creeped Sam out; Dean still acted like himself; to see the girl chug a beer and chow down on a burger the only way his older brother could was just weird, but it sure didn't bother Dean to wear girly clothes. He firmly blocked that Wal-mart episode out of his mind, he wouldn't be able to step near the underwear section for a very long time. Bobby was acting all paternal, looking at Dean as if there was going to be water-works at any minute. The strangest thing of all, was Castiel.
He hovered over Dean, albeit unobtrusively, and no matter where Dean went, Castiel was there.
He was always there.
He no longer disappeared for hours or days on end, his eyes were trained on Dean whenever he was in the room, and not to mention having to be everywhere Dean went outside. He was very protective of him, more so than usual, and it irritated the crap out of Sam. No longer did his brother…err, sister?- spend all his time with his little brother. Sam and Bobby spent most of their waking hours trying to find ways to reverse whatever it was that Zachariah did to him. Dean and Castiel would spend most of their time together, they would either be out searching for someone or something to help, or just…hanging out.
It was weird.
What happened to Dean needing him? What happened to their bond? What happened to their family? All of a sudden, his brother has been turned into a female and now they don't get to hang out as much, Dean was pretty much dating the freakin' angel. And wasn't that the most bizarre thing ever? He didn't like it one bit, if the damn angel was so 'pure' he wouldn't be trying to move in on Dean in his time of need.
He has to stop this.
"So, what's up?"
Dean jumped and nearly dropped the tool he was using to show Castiel how to fix the Impala. For a minute, Sam nearly saw red. That was his and Dean's thing. Castiel had no right at all moving in on his territory, he clenched his fists, he really wanted to kick that angel's ass.
"Dude! You scared the shit out of me!" He slumped, a hand to his heaving chest.
Sam shrugged, "Sorry. I just haven't seen you in a while, so…"
After a few moments of silence, Castiel put his hand on Dean's shoulder, "I will go inside and get you something to drink, it's rather... sunny out." It was a flimsy excuse, but the angel knew the two brothers needed to talk, and having him there was not helping matters.
Dean looked up and Castiel and giggled-giggled- at what he saw, "Oh wow, Clarence. Come here, you got smudges."
Castiel's eyes crinkled and he leaned down for Dean to wipe off the oil smudge from him. Sam wanted to gag. Castiel straightened, seeing the look that Sam failed to hide, he tilted his head to the side, "Samuel? Can I get you anything?"
He smiled rather tightly at him, "No thanks. I'm good."
The angel nodded and made his way into the house, Dean went back to the car, and tucking the oil-stained rag back into his jeans' pocket. Sam sighed and Dean's head drooped," I take it you wanna talk?"
"Fine, never mind. Forget I even came out here."
Dean growled and faced him, "What is your problem? You are acting more a girl than I am."
"What, so now it's my fault I want to talk to my…sister?"
Dean made a face, "Well you have been more of a whiney bitch than usual. What did I do now? Use all of your shampoo? Which, by the way we have to get more of, 's the only stuff that keeps my hair manageable now."
"See?! That's just it! You are enjoying this waaay too much, Dean."
Dean reared back, "Enjoying myself? How dare you say that to me!" He threw the rag at Sam, "I have been busting my ass trying to figure out a way out of this, or at least not thinking about it so much! You think I want to be a girl? I'm thirty fucking years old for Christ's sake! I don't know how to be a girl! I don't know what to do!" Sam's heart thumped in horror as he saw his brother's eyes reddening.
"Dean, I-"
"You think this is easy for me? You think it's easy constantly having people push me around, with a fucking war hanging over my head, worrying about you? Worrying about Bobby? Worrying about Cas?! You think I ENJOY THIS?!" Near the end, Dean was screaming, tears running down his face. He looked over his shoulder, and Sam could see Bobby and Castiel watching from the porch. Bobby gripped the porches railing tight, looking like he was about to vault himself over and pummel Sam. In the blink of an eye, Castiel was off the porch, with Dean held tightly in his arms, giving Sam the look of death.
"Stand aside. Now." The ground vibrated with the force of Castiel's anger, and Sam stumbled out of the way in shock. In another blink, they were gone, the storm door slamming shut behind them.
He went to follow, but a hand gripping his wrist stopped him. Turning to Bobby, he knew that from the look on his face, he was in for it. "Now you listen to me, Sam Winchester. I have been keeping mum for a while now, but this is going to stop. Your brother is going through a lot right now, sometimes too much, he needs the people closest to him to get their heads out of their asses and just be there for him. Think you can do that? Think you can stop thinking about yourself and putting everything on your brother, be a man?"
Sam nodded and looked at the porch in shame, "Yes, sir. I'm sorry."
"It's not me who you should be apologizing to, son."
Castiel answered the knock and Sam could see Dean lying down on the bed facing away to the wall, "Samuel." He crossed the threshold and shut the door behind him, "What do you want?"
"I wanted to talk to Dean. Apologize."
"Dean is not able to talk to you right now. He is still upset with you, and I don't think it wise for you to should speak with each other right now."
"What gives you the right-"
"I have every right to defend Dean." Castiel said fiercely, stepping into Sam's space, "It is not right for you to be attacking him this way, even if he is acting differently than you are used to. I have been with him every step of the way, protecting him. Where were you?"
"I was researching-"
"Researching?" He cocked his head to the side, "Or hiding from Dean?"
"I wasn't hiding! I'm trying to help him!"
"Then be there for him. Don't let your opinions get in the way of supporting Dean, he needs someone who understands him."
"I know. He needs his brother," Sam finished for the angel. "I'll come and talk to him later, once he calms down."
The angel nodded, "Thank you. I know how strange this is for you, but think about how terrifying this is for your brother."
Sam stopped the angel from going back into the bedroom, "Thanks. How's he doing?"Castiel gazed at the slight form on the bed, the silence stretching for a little longer than Sam expected.
A few hours later, Dean stood in front of the mirror, quietly contemplating his new…image. He supposed Sam was right, he was enjoying this a little, but how often could a man wear pink, lacey lady's underwear outside the bedroom without getting funny looks? He considered that train a thought for a minute before he turned to the side and grinned. Oh yeah, enjoying this a little bit more.
He turned to the bed, only to jump at seeing Castiel standing in the middle of the room, "Jeez man, you almost gave me a heart attack!"
"I'm sorry."
"You've been gone a while, where were you? I was kinda worried."
Castiel looked at him rather wide-eyed, and then away, "I was thinking."
Dean looked down and jumped, quickly pulling a shirt on to cover, "About what?"
"Many things," At Dean's nod, they both sat at the edge of the bed, "I've started having very strong...feelings."
"Oh." Dean never thought that the angel would be so forthcoming about something like that, Anna had said that angels didn't have feelings. For Castiel, the most loyal of the garrison, starting to develop feelings must be very frightening.
"Before, I used to carry out every order without question, always seeking Father's approval. I have done things Dean that I…regret. Since I have met you, everything had changed. I had changed. I believe for the better. You have shaped me into who I am, and never once asked for anything, just acceptance."
Dean looked away from Castiel's intense gaze, blushing, "Cas, you're my good friend, and I don't have many people I can trust. Of course I would do anything for you."
"As I would do anything for you."
Dean frowned, "What are you trying to tell me, Cas?"
Castiel copied the movement, "I needed to be clear, honest with you. Whenever I am away from you, my thoughts are clouded with your presence. I yearn to be where you are, and for a long time, I never knew why."
Dean drew a deep breath as Castiel scooted closer, "This isn't just because I got a new set of rocking boobs is it?"
Castiel shook his head, "Your vessel is not what is important to me, Dean. Only you are."
"So this is why the whole whorehouse idea didn't pan out, huh?" Dean gulped as Castiel's head tilted to the side, eyes never leaving his, "Do you want me?"
The angel's eyes closed, he answered hoarsely, "Yes."
Without thinking about any else but the present, Dean closed the distance between them, and sighed as they shared their first kiss. It wasn't as weird as he expected it to be, Castiel was pretty good at it considering it was his first time. Dean chalked it up to them being so familiar with one another, so the most common rituals of dating and courtship never applied. It was just as well, at least Dean would finally be able to have a new experience in bed.
The next morning, Dean woke to the sound voices, and the clanging of dishes. He stretched languidly, feeling every muscle acutely, grinning happily. He knew that when he opened his eyes, that Castiel would not be there. Dean knew it wasn't because he didn't want to be- especially after last night- he was on a very important mission, and he needed all the time he could get to look for any trail of his errant father. Dean knew that from anyone else, that would have been just an excuse to beat a hasty retreat, a move he had used so many times it was bordering on ridiculousness. Nevertheless, Dean sighed as he woke up to find empty space beside his, missing the feeling of that lean body wrapped around his own.
Groaning, he levered himself up from the bed, muscles stiff from lack of use. He really didn't want to leave his nice, warm bed, but it was going on near afternoon and there will be questions he would have to answer if he didn't go downstairs soon.
As he stood up from the bed, he staggered as a sudden wave of dizziness flowed through him. Shaking his head, and chalking it up to not eating at his regular time, he padded into the bathroom to take a shower. Turning on the water, he looked down, arms wrapping around his breasts. For some weird reason, they were sore as all Hell.
He looked up in the mirror and wondered, Maybe all women went through that after sex? If so, he really needed to get in touch with some of the women he slept with when he was a man, because he was sure he owed them an apology. Although, the morning after never gave him any suspicions that anything was wrong.
Shrugging, he hopped into the shower and completed his morning ritual, albeit significantly differently than he was used to. You couldn't break thirty years of habit in just a few weeks, after all.
After his shower, he started brushing his teeth, when another wave of dizziness afflicted him. He held onto the counter to ride it out, only this time it was coupled with the hollow feeling of nausea. After taking a few deep breaths, the feeling went away as suddenly as it came. He walked into the bedroom and got dressed quickly, itching to get to the kitchen.
Dean slowly came to a stop as he heard voices from the kitchen, namely Sam getting Jo and Ellen up to speed on what has happened. His lips thinned, Sam might as well just rent a damn billboard, it would just save him time.
"A girl?" Ellen questioned incredulously.
"Yeah," Dean said, a little louder than normal. He had to stifle her laughter as everyone in the room jumped a little.
"Dean!" Sam greeted brightly, obviously trying to save himself, "Kinda getting worried there. You don't normally sleep in."
Dean shrugged, and sat at the table, "Had a long night I guess."
Bobby nodded, "It's about time you had yourself some regular sleep. Hungry?"
They both chuckled, of course Dean was hungry. Dean was always hungry.
It took no time at all for Bobby to plunk down a heaping plate full of hot steamy eggs and bacon in front of Dean. The rest of them were still in the middle of eating their own plates of food, and talking amongst themselves, no one noticed as Dean's face paled. Dean scooted his chair back a little, gulping down the nausea again, this time coming back in full force with a couple of friends. He grew hot, mouth filling with water, stomach roiling at the sight of all that food.
Where once the sizzling bacon and gooey eggs would make him nearly drool with want, the food now filled her with an entirely different reaction. He gagged, slapping a hand over his mouth and running for all he was worth up the stairs, and slammed the door behind him.
"The Hell was that about?"
Dean panted, still kneeling in front of the toilet, wiping the sweat away with a washcloth. He didn't understand why he reacted to the food like that; it must have been because he didn't have dinner the night before. He flushed the toilet, then splashed water on his face, and hoped he wasn't coming down with something.
"I hope Dean isn't sick," Jo said in concern. Ellen looked out the kitchen in contemplation, slowly sipping her coffee.
"Skipped dinner last night. Must be coming down with something, boy never misses a meal."Bobby said before he took a drink of his coffee.
Sam set his fork down, "I think Castiel was here, I heard them talking."
"That's not necessarily a bad thing."
"Isn't it, though? I mean, an angel got Dean into this situation, couldn't Castiel just, you know," Sam waved his hands, "Undo it?"
"If he could just 'undo' it, you think he would have un-did it already? Besides, he already said that Zachariah was his superior, stands to reason that Castiel may not be able to do anything about it."
They immediately clammed up as soon as Dean entered the room, sitting down at the table again warily, looking at his plate as if it was going to bite him. Bobby snorted, "Something wrong with your breakfast?"
Dean shook his head, "I don't know. The smell is making me sick, but I'm so damn hungry."
Ellen stood from the table and put a hand on Bobby's shoulder, "Don't worry, I'll make Dean something to eat. You just finish up." She turned to Dean, "What do you want?"
Dean considered the question very carefully, rubbing his stomach, when he brightened as if a light bulb went off, "Waffles. I want waffles." He nodded, "Got any fruit too?"
Sam nearly choked on his coffee and Jo took a huge bite out of her toast to hide her laughter, Ellen and Bobby just stared at Dean, who wasn't looking at any of them, just concentrating on drinking his milk without throwing it back up.
"Come again?"
Dean looked up and blinked, "What? I can eat something other than animal once in a while, can't I?"
Ellen nodded, "Sure, waffles and…fruit. Coming right up."
It took no time at all before Ellen set Dean's plate in front of him, and no time at all before Dean poured nearly the whole bottle of syrup on top. What once was a healthy meal, soon became a Dean Winchester breakfast.
They looked on in horror as he dug in with fervor.
Every morning was exactly the same; Dean would wake up, take a shower, feel dizzy, then spill the contents of his stomach in the toilet. She was starting to get irritated, this wasn't the way to start his mornings, and it bothered him that it was happening at all. He wondered yet again if he was coming down with something.
It had been three weeks since Castiel left to find God, three weeks of boredom and worry. Bobby and Sam tried to get his mind off of…well, everything, and it wasn't going as nearly as smoothly as they thought.
"Why can't I go hunting? It's not like I'm injured."
"I know you haven't been feeling well, Dean. You need rest, not throw yourself into a hunt right now." Sam said.
"So while I'm getting rest, innocent people are getting hurt, maybe even killed."
"There are other hunters out there Dean! You don't always have to be the person to save everyone!"
Dean frowned, "Why are you yelling? You don't have to yell."
Sam's arms dropped and he sighed, "Dude, I'm not yelling. I'm trying to make a point."
"Well do you think you can make your point at a reasonable level? You expect me to just sit here while you guys get all the fun. I'm bored!"
"Then do a crossword, watch a movie, work on your car or something. Just chill out, we are doing the best we can here."
Dean's eyebrows went up, "Well fine. If you're going to be like that, I might as well just go outside so I won't bother you anymore." He walked out of the house, muttering the entire way.
Sam rolled his eyes and shared a look with Bobby, "What the Hell is his problem? Time of the month?"
Bobby snorted, "Don't let him hear that."
Dean threw the tool he was using in a fit of anger. Who did Sam think he was, telling him what to do? If he wanted to go out and hunt, that should be his damn right. He was bored, and if he wanted to be honest, pretty damn lonely too. Would it have killed Castiel to at least just call? Or leave a note?
He sat down on the ground in front of the Impala and checked his cell. He sighed in dismay as the screen told him the same damn thing it did about twenty minutes ago when he last checked. Nothing. No phone call, and no text. Of course, he didn't think Castiel ever texted anyone since he got the phone, but still. Something would have been better than nothing at all. He was starting to think that Castiel's supposed need to find God was an excuse after all.
He huffed as his eyes started to water, he truly hated crying like this. He felt like shit, every muscle ached, especially his chest, and every morning he threw up. Even after the initial morning heave, it was like a constant roller coaster roil in his gut. He was so tired most of the time that if he was left on the couch or at the table, chances were he would be asleep when he was found again. It just wasn't like him, and it didn't remind Dean of any illness that he knew of.
All of the sudden he paled, what if it was some supernatural thing? What if this little…sickness was just the beginning to something more horrible to come?
Ellen entered the kitchen to see Dean pouring over a tome, and frowned, "What are you up to now?"
Dean looked up and poked at the pages, "I'm going to get to the bottom of this thing."
"Thing? What's going on?"
Dean leaned his head on his hand, "I don't feel well, and everything hurts. I'm dizzy, I'm nauseous, and I'm eating fruit! I never eat fruit."
Ellen sighed, "Let me guess, you get sick usually in the morning or all day, you're tired, chest sensitive?" She sat down at the table nest to Dean, scooting her chair closer.
"Yeah! What is it? I hope it doesn't get worse, I hate throwing up."
Ellen smiled sadly, "Did you ever think you might be pregnant?"
"Ha! Right, me pregnant? That could never happen."
"Are you so sure about that?"
Dean's eyes widened, and he whispered, "No, it can't be."
"How long has it been since your little angel friend was around?" She questioned gently. Dean sighed and looked away, and she leaned toward him, "Hey, Dean, this is serious here. We have to know, I promise you I won't say anything to anyone yet."
"The last time Cas was here, it was about four weeks ago."
She stroked Dean's hair, she knew what it was, she just needed Dean to say it out loud, "And was that around the time this all happened?"
Dean sniffled, and then whispered in a small voice, "Yes."
"Dean, honey," she turned Dean to face her. "Did you use protection?"
Dean's lip quivered, "Yeah, I know we did. I just don't how it's possible!"
Ellen pulled him into her arms, "Sometimes, honey, condoms just don't work. They aren't as effective as most people like to think."
She held Dean for a while, until he calmed down. Ellen was scared too when she found out that she was pregnant with Jo; she could only imagine how Dean was feeling. Not only did the eldest Winchester have to suddenly deal with being in woman's, the poor thing was now pregnant, with an angel's child.
She continued stroking Dean's hair, "You want me to get you a test, just to be sure?"
Dean shook her head, "No, I think I can get my own test. I just don't know what to do if I'm really pregnant. I have no idea how to get a doctor, fake all those papers, telling Bobby, telling Sam, telling Cas…"
"Now don't you worry about any of that, I will take care of your papers, and find you a good doctor. You'll have to stick around here for a while, travelling all the time wouldn't be good for the baby," Ellen patted his shoulder. "As for telling the guys, you don't know for sure yet. If you are, we will deal with it when the time comes. Don't worry yourself until we know for sure."
Dean straightened, "Thanks, Ellen, for everything."
Ellen held Dean's shoulders, "I'll always be here for you Dean."
Dean stood in the middle of the feminine products aisle, staring at the vast array of pregnancy tests, wondering which one he should buy for the best results. There were digital tests, ones with a plus sign, another with a pink line, and there was another that gave a smiley face when positive. He frowned, he just couldn't decide.
Well, She shrugged, when in doubt. She swept the entire shelf into her cart, and walked off to get some fuel. She was going to need all the drink she could find. When he got back to Bobby's, he ran up the stairs and slammed the door to the bathroom.
All Sam and Bobby could do was look at each other and shrug. They didn't know what was up with him at the moment, and both were unwilling to find out due to Dean's recent abnormal behavior. Ellen had left, saying she needed to do some business for a client, whatever that meant.
Sam grinned and brought his fist out, but sighed as Bobby just gave him a look. He set aside the book he was reading and went upstairs to see what Dean was up to. He walked up the stairs cautiously, staring at the door all the while, he couldn't hear anything suspicious, so he figured it would be safe to knock on the door.
It opened only a crack, and all he could see was Dean's glaring eyeball, "What?"
"I was just wondering if you were alright…what are you up to in there?"
"Hold on." He closed the door and unlocked it. That alone was enough to make him wonder what the hell was going on. When the door reopened, Dean stood in the threshold with his arms wrapped around himself, looking pretty upset.
Sam frowned, "What's up, dude?"
Dean motioned him into the bathroom and after he shut the door, he sat down on the edge of the bathtub. Dean sat on the toilet and moved the brown paper bag, revealing a pregnancy test.
"What…the hell…is that?"
"You know what it is Sam."
Of course he knew what it was, there have been times he walked in on Jessica with one of those, but he never thought his brother would have one. That was a conversation he never thought he would have with Dean, he never thought his sibling would ever sleep with another man. Granted, right now his brother was a woman, but that didn't make any difference at all to Sam. He just assumed Dean would sleep with another woman; it was every man's fantasy after all.
"I would assume this is Castiel's doing."
Dean sighed, "Yeah."
"Why?"
"Why? It's what we both wanted."
"To sleep with each other."
"Yes, Sam. We had sex, ok? I wanted to, he wanted to, it was awesome."
"Jesus, Dean-"
"Don't," He gave Sam a hard look, "Just don't, ok? I don't need to justify my actions to you. You wanted to know what was up, and I'm telling you now."
"Okay," Sam raised his hands, "So…how far along, I mean, how long since…"
"Four weeks."
"And you haven't talked to him since? Why the Hell hasn't he come back?"
Dean shrugged, "You know how it is out there. It's very dangerous…he probably can't come back here for a while."
"Are you going to tell him?"
"I don't even know for sure yet. I've got three more minutes until the stick tells me."
They waited for the remainder of the time, nerves strung taught. Dean looked down at his watch and sighed, "Okay."
They both crouched in front of the sink, eyeing the little white stick with trepidation. Dean exhaled nervously and picked it up. His eyes widened, and Sam's chest tightened, "What dude? What does it say?!"
"It's positive."
Sam wiped his face, plopping down on the edge of the bathtub, "Well, you never know, it could be a false positive."
"Yeah…yeah, I'll try it again." She shakily set the stick onto the counter and ripped open the other packet. Sam looked up to see Dean giving him an expectant look.
"What?"
"You mind?" Indicating the stick and nodding his head at the door. Sam got what Dean wanted and quickly left the room for a few minutes.
A few hours had gone by, and the bathroom was littered in little white sticks of doom, Dean sat against the wall across from the toilet, holding the instructions and reading them carefully. Sam was holding a blank stick, eyeing it curiously, "There is no possible way all of these could be positive."
"Well they tend to say 'positive' when they are, in fact, positive."
Sam glared at the piece of plastic, and then nodded, "I'm trying this out."
Dean threw him a look, "What?"
"I'm going to see if it stays positive for me. They can't all say yes."
"Dude, you are so-"
Without another word, Sam jumped into the shower and Dean could hear the unmistakable sound of a zipper being un-zipped.
"Dude! What the Hell?!"
"What?" Sam chuckled, "It's not like you've never heard me pee before."
"Yeah, but dude, I take my showers in there."
"I'm sure you've done it a time or two."
Dean made a face, "That is wrong and unholy. I always knew you did that, and now I have proof." Sam didn't see Dean nearly vibrating with supressed laughter at how totally weird this situation was. And that Sam was peeing in the shower next to him, if only Dean had a camera.
They waited again. Dean bounced his knee, alternating staring at the test and glaring at her brother. Sam rolled his eyes, "Get over it."
He looked at the test, it was negative. He handed the test to Dean wordlessly, "Oh, shit."
They both shared a look, Dean was terrified, and Sam was…not very happy.