Dead Man's Chest

Chapter 2

One week later: Outside in Bobby's garage. Dean teaches Castiel how to re-assemble a 45. pistol. "Again" Dean said, pacing back and forth, hands behind his pack like a drill Sargent. Castiel who was sitting at the bench quickly put the gun together, cocking it then putting the safety on before he set it down. Castiel placed his hands in his laps and looked up at Dean for further instruction. Dean stops and picks up the gun examining it. "Hmm?..." he said. Nodding in approval, Dean puts the gun down. "Ok I think we're getting somewhere" Dean clapped his hands together. "Alright 20 minute brake then we could work on some combat moves" Castiel nods but stayed seated. Stiff as a board showing no signs of getting up. Dean rolls his eyes. "C'mon feather brains" Castiel stands up awkwardly. Dean slings an arm over Castiel's shoulder causally and they headed inside. "See part of being human is you have to eat on regular basis." "Why?" Castiel asks. "So you don't kill over" he said. "Why?" Castiel asked. "Because your not eating balanced meal" "Balanced? Nothing you eat is balanced" Castiel said. "You're messing with me huh?" Castiel gave him an innocent look. "Look you just have to eat three times a day. Breakfast in the morning, lunch in the afternoon, and dinner at night" Castiel was going to say something but Dean stopped him. "And it don't have to be healthy"

The past few days has been a little hard but Dean thinks Castiel is making progress. Though he wont talk about his time in Hell but Deans patient. Since then Castiel started to sleep better. Instead of him dragging himself into the kitchen he started to have a little spring in his step. Always with a smile. Which was kind of a shock to the hunters when the first saw it. They were eating breakfast when Castiel walked in and said. "Good morning all" showing all pearly whites. "What's gotten into you?" Sam asked. Castiel just shrugged and sat down. Sure Castiel smiles, but those were barely there smiles. Castiel will smile ear to ear. And it was the brightest and most goofy smiles the hunters has ever seen. Sometimes he'll smile like a kid in a candy store when he gets good praise from Bobby by helping out in the kitchen and around the house. Dean would mutter "Teacher's pet" under his breath. He also smiles like this when he outsmart Sam in a game of chess, and checkers. Sam will always looked baffled and declare a rematch.

Though this few days has been great it also has been rough. Before things were good Castiel had gotten a really bad migraine. The first time it, happened they were all outside. Sam and Castiel were playing chess and Dean was helping Bobby with a clunker. Castiel had a small headache but ignored it. So they sat in peaceful quietness, except for Bobby yelling at Dean but it was quiet. Castiel was going to say "Check mate" but when Dean dropped a wrench he quickly put his hands over his ears and shut his eyes hissing in pain. "Cas?" Sam said worriedly. Castiel didn't hear him. The pain was too much it felt like his head was going to explode. Sam quickly got Dean and Bobby. Dean went into mother hen mode and started asking him if he was ok. "T-too bright, head... urts" Castiel grunted weakly. They spent the whole day trying help ease the pain. But Castiel just wanted them to leave him alone and let him stay in his room. He hasn't had a major headache like that for a good few days now. And they hope that, that will be the only time. So Dean told Castiel not to ignore his headaches and he should tell someone, because it could get serious like this one.

Dean and Castiel walked into the study to find Sam in Bobby's desk with his laptop pecking away at the keys. "Hey Sam" Dean said. "Hey. How's hunters school?" He asked with a smirk not taking his eyes of the screen. "It's not hunter's school" Dean said. "Yes it is" "No its not" "Yes it is" "No-" "Quit yall bitch'n!" Bobby yelled from the kitchen. Castiel shook his head and chuckled at the faces the brothers made "Sorry Bobby" They both mumbled. Then very quietly. "Bitch" "Jerk".

"So..." Dean said sometime later. "Whatcha got?" he asked. "I think I found a hunt in Wyoming, Casper to be exact" Sam said. Dean pulled up a chair and sat in it backwards. Castiel leaned on the dresser. "Ok lay it on me" Dean said. "Well... a married couple was found on highway 25 eastbound. Their car had the words 'he stole from the damned' written in the wife's, Jasmine Locke's blood . She was found with her head severed off inside the car. The husband Richard Locke..." Sam took a breath "Was found eight feet away from the car, his eyes were burned out of his skull and there were signs of torture" The hairs in the back of Castiel's neck stood up at the mention of the word torture. "So we might have Casper the killer ghost on the loose" Dean chuckled. "Get it" Sam rolled his eyes. " That wasn't funny." "C'mon it was a little" Dean said. "Anyway..." Sam sighed. "It might be a ghost" Castiel shivered a little he had a feeling this was something more than a ghost. But why? "Ok so we have a hunt. When do we leave?" Dean asked. "We could leave right now, get room for the night and get to the morgue in the morning." Sam said. Dean nodded. "Ok I'll go pack" "Yeah" Sam said and they got up to go get ready "What should I do?" Castiel asked. Dean cringed, he forgot Castiel was there. "Well you're going to stay here" Dean said. Castiel's shoulders slumped. "Why?" Castiel asked. "Cas you know why" Dean said. "But whats the point of teaching me how to hunt if you don't let me come?" Castiel asked. Dean sighed not in the mood to argue. "Cas it's not- "Don't" Castiel said. He hates being treated like this, like he was a child who cant protect himself. "I've been a soldier for as long as I was created. I know how to fight. I know more about lore then anyone I was the one who help make the devil's trap-" Dean began walking away but Castiel followed him into the kitchen. "And you said I was a good shot. What more do I need to do. You might need me-"

Dean stopped and turned around. "We've been taking care of ourselves long before you showed up so don't pull that guardian angel crap on me. You're a human now Cas you can get hurt! And in case you forgot we have demons and angels that want you! One wants your head on a friggen platter, the other will try to start the apocalypse all over again!" Dean winced, that didn't come out right he didn't mean to sound like an ass. Castiel hung his head. "The rumors about me being the Antichrist are not true. You, Sam, and Bobby didn't-" "Just because we couldn't find it doesn't mean it's not true!" Dean snapped. Again he sounds like an ass. Castiel was taken aback. "So you think it's true and that I'm the Antichrist?" Castiel said sadly. He didn't want his only friend to think of him as some monster. "I-I didn't mean it like that" Dean stuttered. Then he sighed. "Look, we just want to be sure..." Dean cut himself off. "Look you staying on this one. C'mom Sam" Dean said. Sam frown and followed Dean. Castiel slumped in a chair.

He looked up when Bobby stood over him. "Don't take it the wrong way kid. In his own little messed up mind his look'n' out for ya" Castiel looked up at Bobby. Since he's been staying the Singer's house Bobbys been like a father figure he's never had. Since the day he hugged him out of the blue, Castiel's been t his side. Helping out around the house. Bobby still don't know why he did it but he never asked. Plus Castiel seemed to have grown on Bobby. Bobby would teach him how to cook, the fist three times were disastrous but he was a natural once he got the hang of it. Bobby was glad he was a fast learner, and Castiel said he was a great teacher. He also, with the help of Dean, taught him a few things about fixing cars. Which was hilarious but get into that later Castiel sighed. "I know Bobby but I think Deans overreacting. He's been..." "Protective? Yeah I could see that. But he has his reasons" "I know I just don't want them to think I'm useless because..." Castiel looked down at his hands. "I'm not an angle anymore" He finished quietly. Bobby frowned. This was the first time Castiel has been open about what he's feeling. Damn. He thought. We're going to have a moment. "Look son..." Bobby grunted as he sat down. "You're not useless..." He said in a 'duh' tone. "Sam and Dean will never toss you away because you ain't got your mojo." Castiel dropped his head and continued to play with his fingers. A nervous habit left by Jimmy or developed. Of course they wont. Castiel thought.

"You may loose your eyes, legs, arms, or even your angel powers and still not be useless. You know why?" Castiel shook his head. "Why?" "You still have that big brain of yours ya idjit." Bobby said poking at Castiel's head. " Do hanging with those two make loose a few?" Castiel chuckled. Bobby smiled. "You said your self. You know more lore than anyone, hell you know more than me. No matter what happens you still have the information you need. And that right that is not useless" Castiel picked his head up and looked at Bobby. "Got that?" Castiel nodded. "Yes but what if something supernatural took that away?" "Boy, you think to damn much. The point I'm tying to make is-" Castiel laughed. "I was kidding" Bobby stared in shock. " My lord I got another Winchester" he grumbled. Castiel smiled. "Thanks Bobby" "That's what I'm here for to talk so damn sense into ya, I should get paid for this as much as yall brood around I should be a millionaire" Bobby said as he left the kitchen. Castiel chuckled and shook his head. Castiel turned his head when he heard Dean walk into the kitchen. Then Sam, who Dean was glaring at. Sam returned it with bitch face #10 which was 'you're an adult act like it'. Dean cleared his throat as Castiel stares. "You can go" Dean said it so fast and low Castiel didn't hear him. "What?" "You can come jeez are you deaf?" Dean said then left. Castiel gave Sam a confused look. Sam shrugged and followed Dean out. Castiel new Sam had something to do with changing Dean's mind, because once Dean made up his mind that was that.

Wyoming

Team Free Will pulled up to a shabby motel, just a half a mile from Casper. Dean got out. "Ok I'll go see if they have any rooms" he said and left. Sam and Castiel sat quietly in the car. "Sam?.." "Yeah Cas?" "Um... about today I know you had something to do with..." Castiel felt nervous. Why he didn't know. This was also another thing that irked him about being human, this and sleeping but he's gotten better at that. Sam saw the nervousness in Castiel by the way he picked an invisible speck off the seats. "Don't mention it" he said giving him a smile.

At The Morgue Next Day

Dean and Castiel were dressed in FBI suites, and they followed and short old man. "Stop playing with your tie" Dean whispered . "Its uncomfortable" Castiel whispered back. "Leave it" Dean hissed. Castiel dropped his hands like a scolded child. Dean shook his head smiling. The mighty Angel of the Lord pouting. Dean had to hold back a laugh and followed the old man. Sam wasn't joining them. The reason was because he went to interview Richard Locke's brother. He said it will kill more time if they split up. Dean had a few protest but eventually they'd settled it. Dean would partner with Castiel and Sam would go to the Locke's place.

"Ok here they are" Said the short old man. "Make sure you put things back to where the were" "Sure thing sir" Dean said giving him friendly smile. The Dr didn't returned it. Instead he gave Dean the 'I ain't that old smart-ass' look and walked out shutting the door. "Douche" Dean mumbled. He turned and looked to Castiel. "So let's get cracking" He said clapping his hands together.

Locke's House Casper Wyoming

The Locke's lived in a gated community. It was filled with snooty people who probably collected expensive art,brags about how much they spent until someone else shows up with the same piece of art only, they payed more and they claim its the original. Sam shivered, he really hate stuck people almost as Dean hates planes, and he clowns. Sam got out of the Impala he was glad Dean lent him the car. It was only logical, since this place was a bit far from the morgue. They agreed at a certain time Sam will meet them at the park which was some blocks from the morgue.

It was quiet. The only sounds heard were birds singing happily and some people's water sprinklers watering their lawn. Sam walked up to the Locke's house and knocked three times. All the houses looked the same luckily he had the address. A middle age man answered the door. Sam flashed him his fake FBI credentials. "Sir I'm Agent Jones with the FBI, may I speak with you about your brother and your sister-in-law" He said professionally, making his voice sound authoritative. "uh I've already talked to police" he said warily. "well..." "Joe" "Joe, like I said I'm with the FBI" Joe was hesitant but open the door. "Come in" he said.

At The Morgue

The body of Richard Locke was cut open and ready for them. Castiel was examining the body. Dean watch just a few feet away pretending he's helping but he's being aware of things. Hes been dong this for years but the smell and taking things out of a dead body still makes him gag. And the way Castiel's face was right in the body made him want to puke right there on the spot. "Dean" Castiel says after looking over the body. "Hmm?" Dean hummed in response. "His insides are servilely burned" "What?" Dean said getting closer only to get a whiff of baked ass.

"Holy crap it is. Oh Cas c'mon" Dean said disgustedly when Castiel opened the mans mouth and looked inside. His face all up the guys grill. How can he tolerate the smell? He thought. "So is his mouth and throat" Dean looked at the body. Richard's eyes were gone all that was left were scorched marks in both socket. "So what so you think did this?" Dean asked. "Jasmine didn't die like he did, she was probably in the way, and the message said. 'he stole from the damned' might have a vengeful ghost" Castiel was going over most of the stuff with himself when he came to the conclusion. He didn't want to say what else he think it might be, until he had enough proof. "Ghost, ok so we're right then?" "Yes Richard might have found something that was probably meant to be forgotten. We have to figure out why they..." Castiel pointed to the couple. "Were headed in the middle of nowhere maybe we could find out what he took" Dean nodded. "Ok Sam's on that, we just have to wait for him. So lunch?" He asked.

Locke's house

The Locke's were what Sam expected. They had a locked glass shelf of expensive knick knacks, ancient small statues and plates, and some china. They had paintings of angels on three of the walls that had eyes that seem to follow you. Sam found this worse than a clowns stare. To showed they had kids, were pictures and the many game systems in the entertainment area. They had two Xbox sytems one was a 360 the other was the Xbox slim, Playstation 3, and the Wii with nearly 4 dozen games of each game system. Sam thought that maybe all the kids here had these and were spoiled rotten. Joe Locke walked in the living room and gave Sam a tall class of water and he had a Miller Light. Joe sat down on the black leather loveseat across from Sam. Sam thanked him for the water and took a sip.

"So.." Sam said after placing the class on a coaster. Dean would have made some smart-ass comment out loud that will offend someone then make the 'oops I just said that out loud huh?' look. "What do Richard and Jasmine do for a living?" he asked. Joe put his beer on the coaster and sat back crossing his legs. "Well Richard was and archaeologist, and Jasmine bought and sold art" he said. Sam nodded writing in his note pad. "Did Richard tell you where he and his wife were going?" "They were going to our parents to celebrate their 50th anniversary, he called me to watch the kids till they got back" he said uncrossing his legs to get his beer. "Where do they live... your parents?" Sam asked. "Nebraska" he said. "And why weren't you going?" Joe gave him a look. "It's just precaution sir" Sam said. "I was booked last week with clients I had to stay here, all I had room for was to watch the kids and work" "And what do you do?" "I'm a chef" Sam was writing everything down.

"Would anyone want to hurt your brother?" "No he got along with every one so did Jasmine. They're not like the people here, stuck up thinking their better than everyone. They were good people" Joe said. "Why would anyone hurt him" He added sadly. Richard was his little brother he wasn't suppose to die before him. "Did Richard bring any of the things he finds home?" Sam asked. "Why- "Just answer the question sir" Sam said calmly. They stared for a moment. "Sometimes, but it's not illegal he studies it" Joe said that part quickly. "Did he recently bring something from work?" Joe shrugged "He never mentioned it and if he did bring something back it was probably something top secret" he said. "Why do you say that?" Joe shrugged. "I just figured maybe some of the things he digs up are top secret. He could've found a space ship for all I know" "Did Richard seemed off when he called you?" Sam asked. "Uh... No" Joe said. Sam stood up. "Thanks for you time Mr Locke..." Sam looked at his watch it was 12:24 pm, lunch. "That will be all. If you have anything else that can help with this investigation give me a call" He said handing him a card. Joe nodded and walked him to he door. "I will Agent Jones" He said.

Dean and Castiel sat at some bench in the park people watching and eating burgers from some fast food place called Big Az. Dean made some joke saying they named it Big Az for their "Big Az" burgers. They were in fact the biggest burgers he has ever seen. It took Castiel a second to get the joke, but when he put two and two together he got it nodding. "Hey check out Santa Clause with his one of his reindeer" Dean said with a mouthful of burger. Castiel looked to see a old fat man with a long white beard and long white hair. In a red bulky sweater and matching sweat pants walking his weener dog. He choked on his soda laughing at the way the mans belly jiggled. Dean laughed too. "Th-thats not funny" Castiel says trying to calm down. "Then why did you laugh?" "Who's Santa Clause" Castiel asked after he calmed himself down. "Wuh? Oh some made up fat dude who brings kids all over the world toys on Christmas" Dean said. "Santas not weeal!" shrieked a four year old boy that over heard the conversation. Dean turned around to see a very upset mother. "Mommy, mommy he said Santas not weeal." "Santa is real." she glared at Dean and stuck her nose up. "Your not getting any pwesents! You meanie" the boy scolded and they walked away. "Sorry!" Dean said cringing. Castiel laughed. "S'not funny" "Y-yes it was" Castiel laughed again "Ha ha laugh it up" They heard the rumble of the Impala. "Sams back" Dean said.

Sam walked over to them. "Hey" he said. "Hey lunch?" Castiel asked lifting up a bag of greasy food. Sam's brow furrowed. "Uh no thank you". Castiel shrugged and took a bit of his burger. "So what did you two find out?" Sam asked sitting down next to Dean who was at his right and Castiel on Deans right. "Well Richard was fried crispy from the inside" Dean said taking a sip of his soda. "Really?" Sam asked. "Yeah everything was pretty much cooked. What did you find out?" Dean asked. "Well they lived in a gated community filled with snooty rich people..." Dean shivered. "Yeah I had the same feeling. Anyway Richard was an archaeologist and Jasmine sold art" "So you think he dug up some dead guys treasure?" Dean asked.

Castiel frowned when he ran out of soda and tried to reach for Deans but he got his hand slapped away. "Mine" Dean said. "Yeah..." Sam said he was shocked Castile pouted. "We got a-" "A ghost we figured that part out- "I did. Dean went nowhere near the body" Castiel said and snatch the drink quickly taking a sip. Castiel made a triumphal huff. Dean glared but ignored it. "We should figure out whats on that stretch of highway. Joe, Richard's brother said they were going to Nebraska" Sam said. Dean crumbled up his wrapper and threw it to the trash can and missed. "Ok lets do some research" Looking disappointed at the fact his missed the trash. And when Dean said 'we' he meant Sam or Castiel. Sam nodded and headed to the car. Castiel got up and tossed his wrapper and made the shot and also picked Deans wrapper and did the same. Dean stared bewildered. Castiel had a smirked that said 'ha ha I made it and you didn't' and walked away. Dean who was still shocked stared at the trash can. Then he went after Castile. "Hey are you sure you don't have your mojo?"

A/N: If you've notice I got 'Big Az' from one of season six episodes can you guess which one? Anyway we were cracking jokes. ( my 7 siblings and Mom and Dad ) and my parents made that joke up, yep Fridays like family night, use to be Thursdays, well it still is if were on CBS, but hey Supernatural is great fun for the whole family am I right?