Chapter Three

Dean parked the impala in the motel car park; he sighed and switched off the engine. He looked worn out and defeated, he didn't know exactly what he was expecting from his experience at the church. For a moment Dean Thought that maybe, just maybe God was listening and he would bring back Castiel and send him to Dean. The more Dean thought about it, the more insane his thoughts sounded.

With his head feeling like it was about to explode with a multitude of emotions and thoughts, Dean dragged himself out of his car and back into the motel room where Sam and Bobby have been waiting patiently for him.

"DEAN" Sam jumped up off the edge of his bed with a sudden urgency, as his brother walked in, looking concerned for his wellbeing. At hearing the sound of Dean's name, Bobby came out of the bathroom looking at the hunter with wide eyes.

"I know, I know before you start having a go. I shouldn't have stormed out, I'm sorry blah blah" Dean said, waving his arms around and looking to the floor with guilt.

Dean glanced up in time to see Bobby and Sam looking wide eyed and sharing a "look" before turning back to Dean.

"What? I said I'm sorry, what's with the look?"

"Dean, something has happened…" Sam said, looking towards his brother, searching for the right words.

Dean was now looking concerned as he edged towards Bobby and Sam. Both of them glanced briefly past Dean and back to his concerned features. Before Dean had chance to speak, a voice spoke up from behind him;

"Hello Dean"

*That voice, it can't be, could it?*

Dean froze instantly at the unmistakable voice. He stared at Sam who half smiled at his brother and nodded his head motioning behind Dean. The older Winchester slowly turned around, to see a figure sitting at the table across the room. The figure stood up slowly and came into clear view.

"Cas?"

"Yes, it's me Dean."

Dean couldn't believe it, this was impossible surely? His gaze took in the figure before him; Castiel was alive, standing there before him as real as anything and still in the same vessel, the same clothing, minus his trade mark trench coat of course. Dean had no idea how this was possible and he desperately hoped it wasn't some sort of sick joke.

He looked Cas up and down, almost not believing that he was real, Dean approached the angel and reached out his hand lightly poking his shoulder to check he was really here. The angel gently smiled at Dean, his blue eyes meeting with the hunter's green eyes and that's when Dean knew, this was definitely real.

Dean made a lunge for Castiel, almost knocking him off his feet. He pulled the angel into a tight hug, his arms wrapping right around the smaller man in front of him. He rested his chin on Cas' shoulder and the tears came flooding back instantly.

"I thought you were dead! I've been going out of my mind. I can't believe you're back, I can't believe you're here" Dean choked out his words, tears now flowing freely from his eyes.

Castiel raised his arms to wrap them around Dean, though his motions were awkward at first, he settled into the hug, pulling Dean closer and embracing the hunter. His own tears threatening to surface, he had no idea Dean would miss him so much.

Cas closed his eyes and rested his head against Dean's, savouring every last sensation that was sweeping through him right at that moment. He was missed, these people cared about HIM and nothing in this world has ever humbled him more.

Sam and Bobby watched on smiling at the re-union unfolding in front of them. They still had no idea how this was possible, although while Dean was gone and Cas had shown up, they discussed numerous theories, but for now, that didn't matter. Sam was happy for his brother, this is what Dean needed.

Dean had been clinging to the angel for what felt like forever, completely lost in his emotions. The tears wouldn't stop flowing and it was unusual for Dean to be so emotional and cry in front of a room full of people. Castiel let the hunter hold him for as long as he needed, returning the hug and holding him firmly, Cas realised just how much Dean needed him right at that moment.

Dean savoured every last feeling, he gripped Cas so tight that if he were human, it may have cut off his air supply, he breathed in the angels scent and relished in the closeness of the moment. Dean had started to believe that this moment was never going to come, that his friend was well and truly gone.

The moment was pure bliss, Dean fisted at Castiel's suit jacket, almost in desperation not wanting to let go. Cas had a strong arm around Dean's waist also fisting at the hunters t-shirt and his other hand placed on the back of the hunter's neck holding him close, almost protective. In any other circumstances it may have been awkward or regarded as "strange" to anyone present in that room, but they all let it slide.

Finally pulling away from Castiel slowly, Dean started to relax and come back down to reality. He smiled at Cas and gripped his shoulder with a firm hand, the moment bringing him back to his experience in the church, suddenly wondering if this was his doing. The angel smiled back and Dean let his curiosity die at that moment, he didn't care how Cas got back, the important thing was he IS back. Dean released Cas and smiled warmly towards the angel, before motioning to the motel room door and saying;

"I have something of yours"