Dean's eyes search the angel's with so much raw intensity Cas is completely shattered. He feels as if Dean can see into his soul, can read every thought he has tried to keep hidden. He grips the hunter's hands but doesn't look away from Dean's eyes as if urging him to stop while begging him to stay.

"What do you mean you want to fall?" Dean whispers. Then, he raises his voice to his normal volume because if this scene isn't a goddamn chick flick moment already, he isn't about to add to the ambiance. "As in, become human?"

Cas continues to look into Dean's eyes with a returned intensity, trying to read Dean's reaction. "Yes, Dean, I want to fall to become human."

Dean shuts up now, needing a few minutes to wrap his brain around this. He releases Cas's coat and moves away, knowing the angel isn't going anywhere now. The secret is already out and it would do no good to run off again. Dean turns away from Cas, feeling uncomfortable with the atmosphere and the way Cas is looking at him. He shakes his head, trying to focus on the falling and the grace issues. Finally, he turns back to Cas and asks, "Why the hell would you want to do that?"

Cas looks up suddenly, confused, and he takes his time in answering when he sees the look on Dean's face is curious and beyond concerned. He knows Dean isn't ready to hear that he wants to stay with him and Sam, that Dean would not accept that as a good reason, so he settles for the more obvious answer, "I want to become human because I want freedom; I want choice. More than anything, I want free will. God told us one thing when he created you: that we were to love you more than we love Him. Do you know how many angels listened? Not many actually retaliated as Lucifer did, but did any of us listen? Well, I think I did and I think that is my problem. I love the humans too much, Dean. I want to be one of you."

Dean shouldn't be as surprised as he his, but what Cas is saying seems crazy. He knows an angel can want to be human; Anna wanted to be human. He just can't imagine Cas wanting it. Cas has seen humanity at its worse; he's seen Dean at his worse. How could the guy witness all the crap he has and still want to be human? Dean shakes his head again, telling himself to focus back on what is important. Anna ripped out her grace, she was on angel radar, and the same thing could happen to Cas. If Castiel falls, he won't have his angel mojo anymore, he'll be vulnerable. Dean's ready to roll with this fact and come up with a better solution as he asks Cas, "What happens if you fall, huh? What will the angels do to you then? You won't have powers, you won't have any protection."

Cas sighs, wondering why Dean must always take on burdens that aren't his. "Dean, you don't need to protect me. This decision is mine; I can make it on my own." Cas means this to be considerate, but Deans face changes from worry to anger in seconds.

"Dammit, Cas! Haven't we moved past all this crap yet? There is no such thing as 'mine' anymore. You, me, and Sam, we're a team."

Cas nods, brows furrowed. He didn't mean to upset his hunter. "I know we are a team, Dean. I did not mean-"

Dean huffs and steps back, ready to end this conversation and begin the search for better options. "I know what you were thinking, Cas. You just forget that you aren't a burden to us, you're our friend." Dean slaps the guy on the back, motioning him toward the house. Cas looks at the ground and wonders what it will take to convince Dean that falling is the only way.

They walk back to the house then and find Bobby and Sam waiting in the kitchen. Bobby raises his eyebrows when he sees Cas, wondering why the guy looks so dopily happy. Weren't they supposed to be fightin'? When Dean comes in after him, Bobby sees a glint of appreciation in his eyes when they pass over Cas and Bobby thinks he may have his answer. Those two found some way to make up. Bobby keeps this to himself, asking them, "So what were you two up to? Anything you'd like to share with the rest of the group?"

Dean opens the fridge and pulls out a beer. Sammy frowns disapprovingly because of how early in the day it is. Dean only shrugs at Sammy as he turns back toward the three of them and pops the cap. "Cas wants to become human."

Sam opens his mouth in surprise and looks at Cas who only glances away nervously. Bobby crosses his arms over his chest and leans against the counter, ready for the debate that is sure to come out of this. "Why would you wanna do that?" Bobby asks.

Dean speaks over Cas's mumbled reply, "Long story short, he can't handle heaven. So now we have to decide the best way to deal with this."'

Bobby looks from Dean to Cas and back to Dean, trying to understand why Dean is doing all the talking but coming up short. Cas seems to be willing to let Dean argue his side, even if he doesn't agree. "What do ya mean 'deal with this'? If Cas wants to fall, he's fallin', right?" Bobby asks.

Dean frowns and gives Bobby a glare. "No, Bobby, we're not just gonna let him fall without considering all our options first. It's too dangerous."

Bobby throws his hands up in frustration. "What other options? Being leashed to heaven don't sound easy when you're in the good graces with it. I can't imagine what it's like if you're rebelling against it."

Dean steps toward Bobby, urging him to shut the hell up by the look on his face. "Cas isn't rebelling, he shut Lucifer in his cage. He may not be on their favorites list but he's safer there than he would be fallen and helpless here on Earth."

"Why don't you let the angel talk? He's the one who don't like being up there. Why don't we ask him if he's safe in heaven, safe anywhere? As soon as heaven realizes he ain't loyal, they'll git him. Better that he's down here where we can protect him."

Dean doesn't even spare Cas a glance or pay any attention to the angel, just continues his heated glare with Bobby. "Cas isn't an idiot, Bobby, he can play like he's a good little soldier."

Bobby finally straightens up from his leaning against the wall and points a finger at Dean, "You listen to me, boy. I've been doin' this a lot longer than you and I know it's only a matter a time before Cas breaks. It don't matter how strong you are, nobody can hold out forever. Or did you forget what happened with you in hell?"

Sam gasps quietly, "Bobby!," but the men ignore him. Sam isn't exactly surprised at either of them, they've gotten in these kinds of fights before, but for Bobby to bring up what Dean did in hell is going too far. Dean has struggled with it ever since, he doesn't need Bobby reminding him of it and he sure as hell doesn't need it used as an example against him. I know they'll make up but the look on Dean's face is more than just anger.

The men are barely inches apart, neither ready to back down. Dean loves Bobby, yeah, but when he's out of line Dean knows it's his job to tell him. And Bobby, well, Bobby just thinks Dean needs to stop riding his high horse and think about Cas, put himself in his shoes.

Of course, Dean is the first to break a minute later. Bobby can think what he wants; it doesn't change the fact that we're finding another way. Dean mutters, "We're finding another way," and then storms off toward the stairs. He takes them two at a time and ignores the silence left in the kitchen behind him.

He goes into the bedroom he and Sammy have shared since they were kids. Their dad would dump them here during hunts sometimes and Bobby would look after them. The football Bobby bought them still sits in the corner of the room. Dean lies down on his bed and the springs creak under him. The sound is so familiar, he finds himself wanting to smile. But he's too pissed right now to get happy over fond memories. He closes his eyes, runs his hands down his face, and moans in frustration. Dean wants the answers to come to him now so he can go back and make things right with Bobby; he doesn't like the man being angry with him. He squeezes his eyes shut even tighter and wills his mind to give him the answers, searches everything he knows but nothing comes from it. He can't think of any other way to protect Cas or to make him happier. He knows the answer has to be right in front of him. He knows there must be a better solution than either of the options, there has to be. He can't let Cas get hurt any more than he already has.

The flutter of wings rings in Dean's ears and he looks around to see Cas standing by the window behind Dean. Dean stands, turns toward the angel, and tries to read the stone cold expression on Cas's face. When he can't, he asks, "What is it, Cas?"

Cas is looking out the window and turns his head slightly, letting his eyes glance at Dean's before turning back to stare at the yard behind the house. He takes his time before saying, "I never intended for you to argue with him, Dean. This has already gone too far."

"Cas, we have to fight to figure tough things out. This, you falling, it's a big deal. We can't just choose the easiest solution; we have to argue some to make the best decision. Give us time to figure this out, Cas."

Cas turns away from the window, slowly, to face Dean. He already has made up his mind and he can't wait for Dean to accept it. "There is no time, Dean. I have made my decision. I will not spend another day in heaven so that you can explore 'other options' which do not exist."

Cas's words hit Dean like a ton of bricks and he almost falters but catches himself. Dean steps toward him, already prepared for him to leave but Cas isn't going anywhere quite yet. He lets Dean grab him by the lapels of his trench coat and doesn't flinch when the man drags him close and says, "I won't let you do this to yourself, you have to give us time."

Cas looks into Dean's eyes and his expression is soft, free of anger or sadness. Dean does not see or feel what happens next, the slight touch Cas leaves on his face. He lets his fingers brush down Dean's face lightly, tracing the rough form. Of course, he moves too quickly for the human to perceive and Dean is only left with a faint tingle on his jaw. Dean doesn't even notice it really, just feels as if the wind touched his cheek. Cas distracts him from it anyways with what he says next. His eyebrows pull together slightly, in concern and wonder, and he asks, "Will you be here for me when I fall?"

Dean is frozen in place, staring at the way Cas's lips move as he asks this, memorizing the way they curve at certain syllables. His own mouth goes dry and he gulps his nerves down his throat, urging himself to do something, to stop Cas from doing this. Instead, he lifts his eyes to meet Cas's and says, "I'll catch you if you fall, Castiel."