I sat through my morning appointments rather restlessly, anxious to meet with the Winchesters and Castiel. I was hoping that everyone would return a littler calmer, and with a more level head but from what I had observed, that wasn't likely.
At exactly 3 o'clock my secretary informed me that they had arrived. "Send them in." I told her, and a moment later Bobby, Dean, Sam and Castiel walked in.
"I'll be in the waiting room in you need me Doc." Bobby said, glaring at Dean and Sam. Sam looked away sheepishly and Dean pouted.
"I'm sure that wont be necessary." I said, not feeling nearly as confident as I sounded. Dean and Sam both shot me disvelieving looks and I observed the way they were standing on either side of Castiel, as if he were their referee.
Bobby glared at the boys for a second longer. "Behave." He warned them and left, closing the door behind him.
An awkward tension filled the air and I cleared my throat. "I'm glad to see you all back. Please take a seat." I smiled and gestured towards the table. We sat around the table, Dean and Castiel on one side of me and Sam on the other. I immediately took note of the rigid way that Castiel was sitting.
Castiel- Very tense. Nervous?
"Alright, I wanted a session with the three of you to get a chance to talk to Castiel and observe his relationship with the two of you." I said and Dean rolled his eyes.
"So," I said, my pen poised." How would you describe your relationships with Dean and Sam, Castiel?"
"I do not have a relationship with Sam. He is heading down a dark road and I cannot be involved with such blasphemy." Sam appeared mildy hurt by this but said nothing as Dean watched him intently. I frowned at the word blasphemy and took note of it.
"You don't approve of his drug habits or his involvement with Ruby and her cult?" I clarified. Castiel gave me a strange look but nodded and Sam rolled his eyes.
Castiel- Very religious. Does not like Sam because of his affiliations with Ruby's satanic cult and his drug habits.
"What about your relationship with Dean?" I asked, intensely curious. Castiel obviously wasn't here for Sam, so that left Dean.
"Dean and I are bonded too closely." He said and Dean's eyes bugged out as Sam stifled a laugh.
"What do you mean 'too closely'?" I asked.
"I am not permitted to feel emotions or show them but I frequently let my emotions get the better of me when I am around Dean." Castiel explained hesitantly, as if he were worried of some type of retribution if he spoke my mind. "I was just chastised for such behavior." He admitted shamefully and I frowned.
Castiel- Feels he is 'too close' to Dean. Isn't allowed to show emotions/was just 'chastised for such behavior'. Is he in an overcontrolling relationship and his bf/gf is jealous of his relationship with Dean?
"Who tells you that you're not allowed to have emotions?" I asked curiously.
"My father."
"And how is your relationship with your father?"
Nervousness flickered over Castiel's face and he glanced upwards. His face was closed off, but a pained look in his eyes.
"Cas, no one's listening." Dean murmmered soothingly.
Castiel- Paranoid of someone listening/insecure
"I love my father." Castiel said simply, but I could tell he was holding something back.
"But-" I prompted. Castiel and Dean shared a long look and I watched intently, wondering if I would see the same silent communication that the brothers had shared the previous day. Dean nodded fractionately and Castiel seemed to widen his eyes just a bit. Dean nodded again, more forecully this time and Castiel sighed.
Dean- Very close to Castiel. Seems to genuinely want to help him.
"Bobby mentioned the other day that you and your father are having problems. Would that be accurate to say?" I asked and Castiel pursed his lips tightly to stop himself from saying anything.
Apparently wanting to save his friend from this line of questioning Dean said, "Sam had more demon blood last night!"
"Hey, don't change the subject just because your boyfriend is too scared to talk about his daddy issues." Sam snapped, agitated.
Castiel/Dean- Boyfriends?
"I do not have 'daddy issues'!" Castiel exclaimed angrily and I wondered if every session with these people was going to end with anger.
"You do too!"
"I do not!"
"Do too!"
"Okay, that's enough!" I called above them. Castiel appeared unaffected by the minor confrontation, but Sam was breathing heavily.
Tension between Sam and Castiel.
"Castiel, why aren't you comfortable talking about your father?" I asked and Castiel sighed.
"I am afraid of retribution." Castiel admitted.
"Look, doc, Cas's dad is kind of distant. So, yeah, he's got some issues, but who wouldn't?" Dean defended his friend, easily interperting the anxious look Castiel was wearing and the way his eyes flickered over the room, searching for eavesdroppers.
"I would like to hear what Castiel has to say about his father, thank you Dean." I said gently, my attention focused on Castiel. Talking about whatever happened with his father was going to be an important first step for Castiel and I wanted him to be able to speak freely.
Suddenly, Castiel's eyes shot to the ceiling and I frowned looking up as well. "What is it Cas?" Dean whispered.
"I have to go." Castiel said simply, standing and walking towards the door.
"Why do you need to leave so quickly Castiel?" I asked, not moving from my seat.
"My assistance is required." Castiel said simply.
"How do you know?" I asked.
"My brother told me." He responded, despite Dean and Sam's gestures for him to be silent.
Frowning, I asked, "When did he tell you?"
"Just now." Castiel said, annoyed with this line of questioning.
"But, how did you hear him?" I asked. Leaning forward, I asked in all seriousness, "Castiel, do you hear voices in your head?"
"Of course I do." Castiel said, looking at me as though I were a moron. Dean immediately face-palmed and Sam groaned, dropping his head onto the table.
Castiel- Hears voices. Schizophrenic?
"What do the voices tell you to do?" I asked and Castiel frowned.
"I do not have time for this." He said, opening the door.
"Where do you think you're going?" Bobby demanded, standing right on the other side as if having expected something like this to happen. Which, of course, he probably did.
"I need to leave." Castiel stated simply.
"You're not going anywhere until the doc is done." Bobby said, crossing his arms over his chest.
"But I'm needed-" Castiel began, but Bobby cut him off.
"Too bad, they can get someone else to help. Now, sit down." Castiel glared at Bobby for several moments, but he remained unmoving.
"Cas, it'll be fine." Dean said, walking over to his friend and leading him back to the table. Cas followed reluctantly and sat down, his face more closed off then it had been before.
"Bobby, Ruby, could you both come in please? I think I'm done with this solo session." I said and Bobby signaled to Ruby. They walked in and Bobby took a seat next to Cas while Ruby sat next to Sam.
I took a deep breath and said, "Well, it's been a pleasure working with all of you. I have to say that I think we made some good starts towards progress. Now, I have some homework for you-"
"Homework?" Dean snorted.
"Watch it, boy." Bobby warned him and Dean glowered at the table.
"Right, so Dean for the next 24 hours you are not going to drink any alcohol." I began and Dean immediately started to protest.
"You have got to be kidding me!" He exclaimed outraged. "Bobby-"
"Dean, quit your whining and do what the doctor says." Bobby ordered. Dean glared at me but was silent.
"I would also like you and Ruby to do one bonding activity." I said. Dean paled even further and Ruby rolled her eyes, then smirked at Dean. "Ruby, you are not allowed to do anything violent for the next 24 hours and I would like you to do at least one hour of community service." Immediately Dean burst out laughing and Ruby was half way across the table before Sam managed to hold her back.
"Ruby, it's fine. It's fine!" Sam said, struggling against her.
"Sam, you are not allowed any demon blood for 24 hours and you are not allowed to talk to Ruby for the next 24 hours." I said and Sam's eyes widened.
"You can't-" He began to protest, but a sharp look from Bobby silenced him.
"Castiel, you are to freely and openly express all your emotions and thoughts for the next 24 hours. To help you do that I have a prescription for you. Take one tablet every three hours and it will lower your inhibitions enough to allow you to share you feelings with your friends. Also, you and Sam will perform a bonding activity." Sam looked at Castiel uncomfortably as the latter stared at him unblinkingly. Dean stifled a laugh.
"Dean and Sam, the two of you also have to perform a bonding activity. Also, you must sit down at some point within the next 24 hours, with Bobby if you need him there, and calmly discuss any issues you have with each other. Try your hardest to keep it from escalating into a physical fight." Dean and Sam exchanged weary looks at that and Bobby ran a hand over his face. This wasn't going to end well. However, it was worth a shot so I put a smile on my face and said, "Good luck guys. I look forward to seeing how everything went in a few days."
"We're all going to die." Ruby said seriously and I felt the smile flicker off my face somewhat. Sam sent Ruby a look but she just shrugged.
"Thanks for your help, doc. We'll see you in a few." Bobby said, shaking my hand before herding the others out of the room. I sat back in my chair and sighed, this was going to be a long couple of days.
