Chapter 4. Chained
Dean closed his eyes, breathing in a steadying breath and rolling his eyes in private. This meeting should have lasted exactly two minutes. One minute for Dean to say, "He's a good guy. He's in trouble. We need to help him." And one minute for everyone else to nod their stupid heads and agree with him. But no. They had been at it for two HOURS. Debate. Research. Question. Debate. And this was exactly why Dean was a better Hunter than a Keeper. Out on the road, he just did what needed done and did not consult a committee about it. And Sam was one of the major contributing time extenders to this meeting. Sam and Bobby could talk themselves blue. And Charlie could see both sides of the story. Ash went to sleep an hour and a half ago. Fucker. Chuck, Ellen and Jo listened carefully, adding comments only occasionally. Becky took notes of everything, nodding with anything Sam said. And Dean had made his position clear. The Angel was to be protected. And he was protecting him. So, if they were shipping him out, Dean was going too. No one agreed to that. Dean had committed to a year of keeping and he had 8 months minimum left. Fuck that. Dean was ready to bolt if the decision to send Cas away was what the Keepers final decision was. Sam seemed to pick up on this fact twenty minutes ago and had gotten quiet since then. Ellen and Bobby were watching him close enough to make him squirm.
"I don't think I'm hexed or spelled or whatever," Dean growled when that topic was brought up again. Sam still looked doubtful on that.
"Okay," Bobby said, sighing, "so, we agree the guy is really out on his ass and doesn't want to go back to Angel HQ."
Everyone nodded while Dean just glared.
"I have an idea," Sam said, leaning forward.
"Please, share with the class," Bobby sighed.
"Well, he needs more time to heal and to stay hidden. We can do that here." His eyes darted to Dean's with a trace of nervousness. "So, let's do a chain spell on him. Chain him to a Keeper until he's ready to leave. He wants to be a Hunter anyway, so he can learn our ways here and then go out and...ya know. Hunt."
Dean mulled the idea over. A chain spell would shut everyone up from thinking Cas was going to run off with all their secrets. Even speaking about their secrets or contacting another Angel would alert the Keeper he was chained to. It was a witch spell, the very idea of it making Dean's skin crawl, but he would do it.
"Fine," Dean said. "I'll do it."
"No!" Bobby and Ellen snapped, Sam eyeing Dean carefully.
"Why not?" Dean leaned forward, eyes hard and narrowing.
"If he does have some kind of spell on you," Bobby said with impatient patience, "the chain spell will break it. And I can't take the chance the other way around Dean."
Bobby and Dean exchanged a heated stare off. "Fine." Dean relented.
"I'll do it," Sam said, not looking at Dean.
Dean chewed the inside of his cheek, turning the idea over in his brain. He didn't like it. Being chained gave you a weak bond. And Dean did not like the idea of Sam being bonded to his- Whoa. Not 'his' Angel. The guy. Cas. Yeah, he didn't like it. It rubbed him all kinds of wrong.
"I'll do it," Charlie said, watching the brothers.
Dean's eyes slid to her. He wanted to lash out at her for even thinking she could do it. One, Charlie could be a push-over. Two, just...no.
Dean clamped down on his angry, irrational thoughts. If he were anyone else at the table he would think he was hexed too. He was being stupidly protective of the guy. Charlie would be a good choice. One, she wouldn't kill him. Two, ...yeah, no. Not happening.
"So how long would he have to be chained to Sam?" Dean asked.
Charlie sat back, twisting her lip and looking at Bobby.
"As long as it takes to decide if he can be a Hunter and not an Angel. Til I say so, Dean."
Dean nodded. "Sounds like a plan." A stupid fucking plan. But it kept him here.
"What if he refuses?" Chuck asked, always the worrier.
"Then he has to go," Bobby said.
"And by 'go'," Charlie said slowly, "you mean we gotta-"
"He won't say no," Dean snapped. "He's scared. He's alone. The last thing he wants is to be found by them. No, I take that back. The last thing he wants is for them to track him here. He doesn't want to drag us into his problems. Lee brought him here. Cas never asked for any of this. He will say yes and no one is killing anyone tonight." He glared at everyone at the table, everyone nodding back solemnly.
"I'll get the stuff," Sam said, getting up and going to his storage room, Becky and Chuck helping him gather all they needed.
"I'll get Cas," Dean said, standing.
Bobby went to say something, but Ellen put a hand on his arm and gave him a warning look.
Dean left, thankful for the blast of cold drizzle that greeted him outside. The meeting had clouded his head. He took a deep breath of the night air and gave himself a mental kick for acting like an ass in there. He knew this was about keeping everyone safe. Not just one guy.
In the apartment, Dean hesitated before opening the bedroom door. He could take Cas and run right now. But it would be impossible not to be tracked by either Sam or the Angels. Dean did not want to go down that road. He had faith in the guy. He just had to wait for the rest of them to be sold on the idea.
He opened the door to the dark little room, Cas curled on his side and not moving. "Cas," he said.
Castiel sat up as fast as he could. "Dean."
Dean flipped a light on, waiting for Castiel's eyes to adjust. "Come on. We had a meeting and they need to see you."
Castiel stood slowly, his eyes watching Dean for any more information. Worry crinkled his brow. He put the jacket on that Dean handed him. He looked at the zip ties on the dresser and back to Dean.
Dean knew his face gave nothing back and Castiel pressed his mouth into a firm line. He stood as tall as he could and looked resigned to whatever he was walking into. Poor bastard.
Lee and Krissy parted ways in the apartment hallway. Lee turned back to Castiel. "I'm sorry I got you dragged into all this, Castiel. But you can trust Dean."
"Thank you," Castiel said grimly, his eyes flashing past Dean's quickly.
Across the alley, Castiel hesitated at the top of the stairs, one hand gripping the railing tightly. He was breathing heavy and looked slightly unsteady.
Dean put a hand on his shoulder, squeezing gently.
"I don't know why I trust you," Castiel said in a low, flat tone. "But I do."
Dean swallowed hard. "I don't know why I trust you so much either. But I do. But Cas, this is my family. If you cross us,"
"I understand," Castiel sighed.
They exchanged a glance and proceeded down the stairs, Dean keeping a steadying hand on him.
Dean sat Cas at the table, his eyes so blue and watchful. He was seeing all the Keepers. Dean knew that if Cas refused this deal, there was no getting out alive. They would have to kill him. At best, imprison him for life.
"Castiel," Bobby began, Dean taking the seat next to Cas. He clasped his hands on the table, keeping them from fidgeting.
Bobby went over the plan for the chain spell.
Castiel nodded slowly. "And I would stay here?"
"Yes," Bobby said.
"For how long?"
"Until I say so," Bobby said firmly.
Castiel sat for a moment. "It is more than fair," he said at long last. "But I must warn you again of the dangers of keeping me here. My family will not stop looking for me until I am found. Their dogged search could lead them here and I do not want to see such a thing happen."
Bobby nodded. "We will deal with that when we come to it. For now, do you agree to the spell?"
Castiel looked at Sam warily but could see no other option. "Yes."
Dean let out a breath and crossed his arms over his chest. He still did not like this idea. He watched in frustration as Sam and Bobby added the ingredients together. Sam cut his arm, bleeding into the little heap of items and handed the knife to Castiel. He cut his arm as well, making Dean grit his teeth. His blood dripped down onto Sam's. Sam added holy water and swirled the mix. He handed Cas a piece of paper and the two read the spell together three times. Sam took the paper back, lighting it on fire and dropping it into the silver bowl. It flared with green flames and ended in a putrid smelling sizzle. The men exchanged a glance, both shivering slightly and Dean knew the spell was set. Sam's eyes went to Dean's, full of apology. Dean had nothing to give back. He knew the look in his eyes was dead. But he could no longer sum up the energy to be angry. Outwardly, anyway.
"Feel any different?" Bobby asked Dean with a look of wary hopefulness.
"No."
Bobby nodded, looking away. "Let's call it a night."
Everyone got up, chairs scraping on the old, wooden floor. Castiel stood slowly.
"I can stay with Castiel the rest of the night," Sam offered.
Dean looked at Cas, who nodded slightly and Dean felt something thin and fragile shatter inside him. Not a spell. Just hope maybe. It wasn't often that Dean made friends. As childish as that may seem, it was true. Sam made friends easily. And for all he had done for this guy, he could see Cas stepping away from him and into the easy circle of Sam's company. And they were bonded. This sucked.
"Sure," Dean said, passing them and heading up the steps.
"Dean-" Sam called but Dean ignored and wisely, Sam did not follow. He went to bed for the few crappy hours of sleep he could get until he needed to be in his store again. Because he was a Keeper.
Dean kicked his boots off. Ripped his jacket and flannel off, whipping them into a corner. He threw his jeans onto a chair with a 'thwack' and dropped onto his bed. Sam was bonded to Cas. And he should not care this much. Not by a long shot. But he did. The thought rolled and roiled in his mind. Freaking Angels. Freaking Sam.
Dean parked the shitty, nondescript truck at the back door of his shop. He had met with Bela and gotten their shipment. The day away from Keeper's Cross had been good medicine for Dean. His head was a little clearer and his anger was down to a low simmer. Sam had asked him several times if he was okay with how things went down and Dean had outright lied. 'Sure Sammy.'
But that is what needed to be said. He had kicked himself for choosing Sam over Charlie. Somehow it now felt like the much better option. Since it couldn't be him. Whatever. Dean unbuckled and shut the engine off, forcefully shoving the thoughts away. The back door opened to Sam's shop and Dean grit his teeth as Sam and Cas came out the door to help him unload.
"Well, if it isn't Thing one and Thing two," he grinned, fighting his malicious edge away.
"Hey, Dean," Sam said.
Castiel looked slightly confused and said nothing.
"Up and walking, huh?" Dean asked, opening the locked cap and pulling the tailgate down.
"Yes. I worked in the bookstore today. Sam said he could use the help."
Dean's eyes darted to Sam and back to the pile of wares from Bela.
"Good for you. Here, take that inside," Dean said, handing Castiel a box of ingredients that wreaked of witchy bullshit.
Castiel took the light box and disappeared inside the door.
"Dean, can we talk?"
Dean dropped his head and heaved a long-suffering sigh. "Sure. What's up."
He sat on the tailgate, wanting this over and done. "Dean, I figured chaining Cas to me was smarter than to anyone else. I mean, you know I'm gonna protect the guy. Right?" His eyes were pleading for understanding and acceptance of the situation.
"Oh yeah. I got it. And I'm sure you will protect him, honor him, all that shit bonded people do."
Sam's jaw opened and closed, his eyes narrowing and he straightened to his full height with shock slowly taking over. "Dean...you...Do you-"
"Careful Sammy," Dean warned, low.
"I was joking before but do you actually like him?"
Dean's jaw clenched.
"I mean, like...are you attracted to him?"
Dean scowled.
"Shit."
"No," Dean answered. "I fought for the guy. That doesn't make me gay for the guy."
"Oh my God," Sam rolled his eyes and staggered back a step. "You're such a dick."
Dean shook his head and pursed his lips. "Yeah. Too nice. Too dickish. I'm just bouncin' all over the fucking place."
"Dean," Sam said firmly, "I was worried it was a spell! You don't usually...I didn't know."
"There is nothing to know. Now, can I get back to work here?"
"A chain spell only tells me that Cas is close," Sam explained hastily. Dean closed his eyes tightly, summoning all scraps of kindness and patience. Because every time Sam called Cas, Cas, Dean wanted to throat-punch him. And that was not okay.
"And alerts me if he does anything untoward against us!"
Dean nodded, his eyes opening serenely. Sam not buying it.
"Dean..." Sam said quietly, stepping toward him again. "He's hiding something."
A chill ran down Dean's body. "What?"
Sam nodded. "I'm not sure what it is. It's something to do with Angels. It's like a...buzzing or an itch. Every day I sense it a little stronger."
"So ask him about it," Dean snapped, feeling like he was marriage counseling for an ex. Which was absolutely crap and he knew it.
"I have," Sam snapped back.
"Well, he's your," Dean flicked a hand out, "bondmate or whatever."
Sam rolled his eyes. "It's a chain spell, Dean. Not a bond. It tells me where he is in proximity to me and whether or not he's being honest and forthright." Sam was getting pissy now, so Dean attempted to listen, but it all sounded like a whole pile of 'not my problem'. "He's honest but he's not telling us something."
"Look, he's chained to you. Not me," Dean said tightly. "Keep asking him."
Sam sighed, his shoulders drooping. "He hardly talks, Dean. He's...never mind." He started walking away.
"Hey," Dean called, sliding off the tailgate and onto his feet, "you gonna help me carry this shit down?"
"Jo can help," Sam mumbled, not stopping.
Dean rolled his eyes and his shoulders. He had to shake this off. Had to get over himself.
Dean had put his five new daggers, one sword, ten handguns and one dysfunctional rocket-launcher away. Bela had done well. Dean felt better as he restocked his dwindling supplies. He sat aside two daggers for rituals that needed done to them to make them worth a Hunter carrying. He glanced up at his Demon blade. It was encased in a warded glass box that he and Sam had put together. He would take it with him when his Keeper days were done. Until then, all he could do was equip his friends, family and fellow Hunters to keep them safe. And keep learning to play the guitar. Because, yeah!
"Dean."
Dean jumped, flipping a dagger into attack stance and turning instinctively as his heart thrummed with adrenaline, relaxing with a huff and putting the dagger back. "Yeah, Cas."
"Sorry, I did not mean to-"
"It's fine. What do you need?" Dean closed and locked the case the daggers were in and turned off the cabinet light.
"I just wanted to see how you were."
Dean turned, looking at him with guarded eyes. "I'm good. How bout you? How's the?" He circled his finger where Castiel's gunshot wound was.
"Healing. Thank you."
Their eyes caught, holding a moment until Dean pulled his away, clearing his throat. "I gotta get up to the shop."
Castiel pressed his lips in that firm line, looking like he wanted to say more but held back. Dean surmised this for the best. If he needed to talk about something, he should talk to Sam.
"I'll just...go then," Castiel said solemnly.
Dean nodded, watching him leave.
Dean sighed heavily, leaning against the table he had dug Castiel's bullet out on. He needed to not be a dick. But every time Sam or Cas came within eyesight, Dean lost all his nice juice and went straight to dickhead status. The guy had been around almost a week and Dean needed to get a grip.
He ascended the steps, counting and breathing and in general trying to lose his attitude.
Once in the shop, Jo threw him a grin. "Took an order this morning from Gordon."
"Oh yeah?" Dean grinned, hugging her and taking his seat behind the counter. "Ammo?"
"And this," she said, sliding the note to him that she had taken while on the phone.
Dean read over it. A silver knife, dipped in lamb's blood during a full moon.
"I got one." Dean slid the paper back for her to put back in the register drawer. "Anything else exciting?"
"Talked to Castiel yesterday," she shrugged. "He is...so uptight."
"Yeah," Dean grinned, reading through email he had missed while away.
"Did you know he can speed read?" She asked.
"Nope," Dean said with a pop.
"Seriously, like reads like two pages in like ten seconds!"
"Like, really?" Dean teased.
She frowned, leaning on the counter. "Shut up. For real. It's pretty cool. Charlie was having a cow about it, kept giving him books and making him read, then asking him questions. It was quite entertaining."
"Sounds like it," Dean chuckled, closing his phone and avoiding looking at her as he pictured Sam and Cas cozying up to a table with a book and having fun and laughing with Jo and Charlie. He mentally took a zippo to the image and cleared his throat again, definitely not looking at Jo. If anyone could inadvertently draw embarrassing information out of him, it was Jo. She was like the little sister he never wanted.
"He's pretty hot too," she blushed.
Dean felt his cheeks heat up. He glanced up at her and she was watching a pair of boys looking at posters. So this wasn't her baiting him. It was just her being a girl.
He shook his head, her gaze lazily coming back to his.
"Boys," she rolled her eyes.
Dean furrowed his brow, ready to snap at her about minding her own business, when the two boys came to the counter with a poster of a barely dressed woman. Dean smirked. Boys.
He rang up the poster as Charlie walked through the front door.
The boys left and Charlie leaned onto the counter. "Hey."
"Hey."
"I was just telling Dean about Castiel and his speed reading."
"Mm," Charlie grinned. "His superpower is awesome." Her eyes were not their typical open, relaxed lightness. She had something to tell him.
"Jo, can you hang for half an hour?"
"Sure," she sighed, shoving at him to move off the stool so she could reclaim it.
Dean headed out the front door with Charlie by his side. The day was cold and bright. Thankfully, it was dry with no snow in the air. They walked past Sam's storefront, where The Bookkeeper sign posted above the entrance was gleaming with gold painted lettering on a large, wooden hunter green sign. He could see through the two large picture windows that framed the door, that Cas and Sam were behind the counter talking about something while at least two people milled about inside shopping. It was the largest of the Keeper shops and Dean had to pull his coat up tighter around his neck and the brittle cold air gusted into their faces. Next was the large window and single door that fronted Charlie and Ash's place. The neon sign above the door looked cheaply modern next to the quaint wooden bookstore sign and Dean's wooden Black Dog Records sign. There was an annoying buzz to the LED light and it flickered in the right upper corner. It was a white block of a sign with red lettering that said, 'Frank's Electronics'.
"When are you going to get a new sign, Charlie?" Dean gruffed through the layers of his coat.
"Never," she grinned. "Frank was the shit."
"I met him. I thought he was bat-shit crazy."
Charlie smirked, pulling the door to her shop open and they bustled inside quickly. When Ash finished ringing up the guy buying two charger cords, Dean leaned against her counter much like she often did to his.
"Hola!" Ash grinned.
"Hey, Ash."
"Bring us anything from Miss Bela?" He asked in his slightly strained voice, eyes beady but watchful.
"I did," Dean nodded.
Charlie tipped her head toward the back door and Dean followed her. The tech lair was always warm from all the running computers. It was a cramped space full of desks, computers, monitors, buzzing and whirring. Screens hung on the wall, two showing maps with little lights here and there. Others were off. And one ran code endlessly. Dean had no idea what was on them and really did not care. The floor was laced with cords of varying colors.
Charlie whirled around with her hand out and an excited smile on her face. Dean slipped his hand inside his coat and pulled out the three jump drives nestled in an envelope.
"Yay!" Charlie cheered. "Did Bela say-"
"I don't want to know anything about that shit," Dean chuckled, waving a hand at the snatched envelope.
"Of course not!" Charlie waved off. "Did Bela say anything about me?"
Dean rolled his eyes. "She did. She said to tell you hi."
She squealed, making Dean laugh. "She is SO freaking hot!"
"Trust me Charlie, you deserve better. She'd do you dirty."
"Kinda what I was hoping!" Charlie laughed.
"She's into guys," Dean laughed again.
"Oh Dean," she rolled her eyes this time. "She's bi."
"Huh," Dean shrugged. "Figures. Everything about that woman is complicated."
"Like an enigma wrapped in a puzzle ensconced in a taco," Charlie said wistfully. "God, now I need a taco."
"Charlie," Dean groaned, heading for the door.
They trudged up the steps, Charlie giggling all the way.
