The following morning the pair parted; Cass back to his new job and Dean back to the bunker. The drive back for the hunter was stressful. Not only did he have the issues with Sam dancing around his brain now he has added Cass to the mix. So many balls were in the air, it was only a matter of time until they would fall down around him. He sighed, turning the radio up and singing along with AC/DC.

Things would be easier if only Cass could go with him. At least part of his anxiety would be eased. Then again it could make things worse. Cass would get into everything. Not to mention Zeke would freak out. "Come on Bon Scott. Sing to me, baby." The music wasn't drowning out his thoughts like he'd hope. Turning up the volume a second time didn't help, just gave him a headache.

A few days passed, and Cass did the best he could keeping in touch with Dean via the cell phone he was given. Text at least once a day, let me know you're…ya know still breathin'. Those were Cass' instructions. He wondered if he was allowed to call, but didn't want to press his luck. Dean obviously still cared about his wellbeing and that was enough for the former angel.

What started as a few short 'I'm alright' and 'Burned dinner, but still ok' texts turned into full length conversations. It surprised Cass just how much they had to talk about. It seems distance makes for a great friendship reviver. On the nights he'd babysit for Nora he and Dean would spend the entire night texting each other. Sort of felt like all of the distance he had caused to come between them was gone. He still longed to see his friend, to be in the presence of the 'righteous man' again, but he knew his place. Dean needed him here, in Rexford, so here is where he would stay.

The nights Dean was away from his phone, either hunting or dealing with Sam, Cass found himself seemingly lost. Sure he would watch TV or read (he had become fond of novels featuring Sherlock Holmes) but it still felt like his room was to quiet, and to large. Long walks around town tended to fill these times. Luckily they were few and far between.

A little under a month after he started staying at the 'Sunshine Inn' Cass got the nerve to ask Dean a question that had been plaguing him since he had last seen the hunter. It was a straight forward and simple question; one that didn't require much thought. But it did take Dean far too long to respond. Almost a full day of constant worry (and mixing up the decaf and regular coffee Cass blamed on his nerves) before he got the familiar chime that meant his friend sent him something. The message on the screen was a simple 'sure, why not'.

That very night Cass cleaned the room in a hurry, not that it was messy after all he was neat as an angel and it sort of carried over, anxiously waiting for Dean to arrive. It had been far too long since they had seen each other and he wanted to make sure everything was as his friend would have expected.

"8:30. He should be here." Cass paced around the room, thinking aloud. Dean said they would meet up at eight, go out and get a drink. But he's late. "Dean is never late." Time ticked by and he grew only more worried. "Should I call him? I should call him." The phone lay in his hand but he couldn't bring himself to dial. What if Dean was just stuck in traffic? Calling him would make him angry. "I don't want to upset him."

Cass stared at his phone watching as the clock changed from ten fifty-nine to eleven oclock. He willed it to ring, to buzz, to chime, to do something other than remind him that Dean wasn't there. "Have I been stood up?" He looked out the window hoping to see the Impala pull into the space. But he saw nothing but the dark of night.

He gave up. It was late and he was scheduled to open tomorrow. Pulling loose the tie he had bought just for this occasion he sent Dean a short message. He placed the phone on the table, locked the door and turned in for the night. Moments later he heard the buzz of Dean's reply. It would have to wait until morning, right now Cass hurt in a way he had never experienced before and he didn't want to make it worse.

Dean waited and waited for Cass to text him back. Surely the guy would be upset. But it's not like it was Dean's fault exactly. They had a hunt. Lives were at stake. He had to stand Cass up.

He stopped washing Baby and just stared for a moment. "Dude, it's not like it was a date." His voice echoed off the garage walls. Cass didn't think it was…did he? "Nah. Don't be stupid." Still…he should have replied by now. "I guess I'll call him. Son of a bitch."

"Dean." Sam called from the door just as Dean made it to the passenger side. "Kevin thinks he's got something." The elder brother didn't respond. "Dean."

"Yea yea…I'm coming." Dean looked as his cell, which was laying on the front seat, then followed his brother.

That night after work Cass was babysitting again for Nora. He had hoped Dean would text him, but knew that wouldn't happen. After all he hadn't replied to the pseudo-apology yet. Chelsie at work had explained what the pain in his chest meant. Either heartbreak or a heart attack. Secretly he hoped it was the latter.

Tanya cooed in his arms, and he tried his best to focus on her. "You won't let me down, will you?" Now that wasn't fair. Dean always did the best he could, had always been there for Cass even when Cass didn't deserve it. "I should give him a break, huh?" He swayed around the room, rocking the sleeping baby in his arms. She had really grown on him. It was odd feeling an attachment to such a small human. "They say 'time heals all wounds.' Hopefully it will help with this as well." Tanya was fast asleep, but he still talked. Getting things off his chest was nice, and by the time Nora returned he felt a little better. That is until he was about half way home.

"Hey handsome. Need a lift?" A familiar voice asked as it pulled up beside him