Hey wonderfull viewers sorry it has taken me so long to get this chapter out. I have just been distracted by so many things. Anyways please enjoy and on a side note there is only one more chapter left...ohhh i know i am happy about that. I need to move on to something else. But hopefully it will be more Cass and Dean. They are just to cute not to write about.


Friends, Foes, and Life's Natural Woes (After High School) The Truth Might Hurt

"I mean we're best friends. And I love you." Dean chuckled once again and Castiel gave Dean a sweet smile as he nodded his head up and down. "We will always have each other's backs." Dean stated proudly.

Castiel shot up to a sitting position clutching his chest waiting for his breathing to become less labored. It had been months since he had thought of Dean, and suddenly now?

Castiel flopped back down and stretched as he rolled over his body colliding with another. He pulled back out of alarm, and then remembered what had actually happened last night. It had been a blast, but now an ominous feeling was creeping up on him. He pulled himself over towards the edge of the bed. He sat up once again as he adjusted the sheets around himself. He dragged them along the floor as he hopped into the shower.

He finished his shower quickly and got dressed in a rush as he threw the sheet back onto his bed as strolled out of his bedroom. In the common room of the on campus housing was small and conjoined with the kitchen in where he saw his roommate bustling around fixing breakfast for herself before her ten o'clock class.

"Hey Castiel." She said with a bright smile as she looked up from the eggs she was scrambling.

"Hey Sarah." Castiel said back as he trudged past her to the fridge. He yanked out the cartoon of orange juice and tipped it up to his lips.

"Gross, would it kill you to use a glass?" She chuckled.

"Maybe?" He said with a light shrug and a bright smile.

"So who's in your bed today Castiel?" Sarah asked slowly losing a lot of the brightness in her smile.

Castiel frowned as he shoved the carton back into the fridge and turned to gaze at Sarah. "Azazel." He muttered and Sarah scowled at him.

"Castiel are you an idiot? That guy is obsessed with you and you give in? You will never be able to shake him now. You're a complete and utter dumbass." She sighed as she flipped the eggs in the frying pan.

"Yeah I know." Castiel muttered as pushed his hand through his untidy locks of brown hair.

Azazel was the guy who started following Castiel almost as soon as Castiel arrived on campus. At first this had thrown Castiel off because back a home he had been the one had followed Dean around like a puppy. Now Castiel was use to this and even found it somewhat flattering. The only problem was that more time Castiel spent with Azazel the more awkward he began to feel around him. Castiel sighed and Sarah turned to look at him with a concerned look.

"Never mind. I don't want to sound like I am lecturing you, but it's just…" Her voice faded as Azazel's body materialized in the doorframe between Castiel bedroom and the common room.

Azazel was a dirty blond with short hair, which meant it never looked untidy or out of place like Castiel did most times. He was tall, and surpassed Castiel in height by a couple of inches. He was lean, but never seemed to work out because he spent so much time chasing Castiel around.

"Hey Babe." He muttered in a sleepy tone as he walked over to Castiel and kissed his cheek. Castiel stood there stunned, unsure of what to do in this situation. Castiel didn't do long term relationships. He was too busy and too much of a mess.

Sarah sighed and lifted the frying pan off the stove as Castiel gave her a panicked look. She bit her lip, but then spook up. "You know you should really take a shower Luke."

Azazel nodded and turned and headed back for Castiel bedroom.

"Thank you." Castiel sighed as he leaned upon the counter, his head propped up in his hands as he watched Sarah begin to scarf down the eggs she had fixed.

"No problem, but I do suggest you get out of here before he is finished." She muttered with her mouth slightly full.

Sarah was one of a kind and Castiel had become friends with her quickly on the massive campus of Harvard. They had shared a dorm and had similar schedules the first year. Now it was their fourth year and their schedules couldn't be any more different. Sarah majored in art and business. She was probably one of the few that she was an art major. While Castiel on the other had was majoring in pre law. He hoped he would be able to enter Harvard's law school after this year and his chances were looking good.

He nodded curtly as he grabbed his shoulder bag off the counter where he had left it last night when he had gotten home. Castiel then waved his hand in Sarah's direction as he bolted for the door. He didn't look back. He didn't need to because sooner or later Azazel would catch up with him. He always did.

Castiel strolled across the massive campus. It hadn't changed much in the four years Castiel had been here, but it didn't matter because it always seemed to take his breath away no matter what. He stopped at a bench and slumped down upon it. He had a couple of hours before his class would start so he needed something to do.

Suddenly his phone vibrated. This surprised him because he didn't get called all that often. Sarah, Azazel, Michael, his mother, Jo. That was most of the list of people who called him, but when he looked down at the screen he recognized this number. This was a number he would never be able to forget. He contemplated on whether or not answer it, but finally succumbed.

"Dean?" He answered hesitantly

"No, it's Sam. I was wondering if you could possibly know where Dean is." Sam said in a rush of words causing Castiel to become very confused.

"Sam, what are you talking about?" Castiel demanded and Sam's babbling stopped.

"What? Dean didn't call to tell you? Damn it. He said he would. Cass look I am sorry. Dean has gone missing, after he promised to tell you the news. He swore to me that he would. I told him you deserved to know." Sam harshly and Castiel just felt even more confused if that was possible.

"Sam, calm down and tell me what the hell is going on." Castiel snapped earning him silence from Sam's end of the phone.

"There's no need for him to explain. I said I would" A gruff voice sounded behind Castiel and he went ridged. He felt the phone slip from his fingers and clatter to the ground below as he turned around slowly.

Dean in all his glory stood there his hands crammed deep inside his pockets of his snug fitting Levi's, was strolling towards him. The red letters on his shirt gleamed in the early more sunlight, and Castiel knew immediately what shirt dean was wearing. It was the one he had gave Dean so many years ago. He was slightly surprised that it still fit him so well or that he even bothered to wear it period.

"Dean." Castiel stammered he couldn't believe that he stood before him. He had never had a mix of feelings so complex then when he was meeting Dean once again. His first feeling was excitement. It had been so long since he had seen Dean and he had really missed him so much, but he also knew Dean's arrival couldn't be a good thing. It had been four years after all, and he had heard nothing from him in all that time.

"Hey Cass. How you been?" Dean said with a sweetly voice that made Castiel heart flip flop in his chest as he suddenly realized Sam was yelling his name through the phone that now laid upon the ground.

"Dean." This seemed to be the only word Castiel could form at the certain time and Dean just smiled his awarding winning smile that made Castiel knees shake until they gave way from right out under him. Dean quickly lunged forward and grabbed Castiel under the arms before he crumpled to the ground.

"Castiel, are you alright?" Dean spoke slowly as he gazed down at Castiel concern deeply imbedded in his face. Castiel nodded his head up and down quickly as he scrambled out of Dean's arm.

"Dean." Again this seemed to be the only word Castiel could form and Dean continued to look worried. Castiel frowned then bent down and picked up his phone. "It's alright Sam your brother is here…At Harvard…with me." Each time Castiel paused the more worried he got.

"Jesus Christ. Can you please give him the phone so I can talk to that jerk." Sam demanded. Castiel nodded his head and handed the phone over towards Dean who was standing awfully close to him so he carefully scooted away.

"Sam?" Dean said in a cheery tone.

"No, I just got here." Pause

"I couldn't bring myself to do it over the phone." Pause

"I didn't come alone." Pause

"I brought my friend Jess from work. You know the cute blond one you liked to flirt with Romeo." Pause

"I swear I will tell him." Pause

"I will be home in time. I promise." Dean sighed his voice was no longer cheery as it had been at the start of the conversation and this worried Castiel.

"Of course Sam…love you too…Bitch." Dean muttered as he snapped the phone shut and handed it back to Castiel. Castiel took it out of Dean's hands carefully as to not brush their skin together. Just standing this close to him made him nervous and happy and scared all at the same time he didn't need to make the situation any more complicated than it already was.

Castiel just continued to stare blankly at Dean. He wasn't sure what was going on, or why Dean was even here. He knew it couldn't be good though, and that's what scared him the most.

"Dean!" A voice called and both Dean and Castiel turned to see a pretty blonde girl run up and stop beside Dean giving him a small smile as she turned her attention to Castiel who was completely surprised to see she knew Dean. She gave Castiel a warm smile and stuck out her hand for him to shake.

"You must be Castiel." She said brightly while Castiel just continued to stare at her blankly. Castiel shook his head slightly as he suddenly heard Dean begin to chuckle.

"Dean did you just laugh?" Jess said abruptly turning away from Castiel "You haven't laughed in days… Not since you found out about…" Her voice trailed off as she gave a sideways glance back at Castiel who looked extremely puzzled in more ways than one.

"Dean… what are you doing here?" Castiel finally stammered and Dean broke his gaze from Jess and turned it over to Castiel.

"If I said I came here just to see your pretty face I would be lying." Dean said with a shrug and Castiel just continued to look at him is a puzzled fashion. "Hey is there any chance I could be able to take you out…for breakfast maybe?" Dean continued giving Castiel a small smile that just couldn't hit his eyes yet.

Castiel bit his lip. Being with Dean might be a dangerous, but then again what Dean seemed to need to tell him seemed to be important or Dean probably wouldn't be there at all. This actually saddened Castiel slightly. After how things had ended he was pretty sure Dean would have never actually just show up here. He looked away from Dean for a moment. Castiel felt overwhelmed, but he also felt so much more. Castiel just slowly nodded his head up and down.

"Sure." Was all Castiel could mutter as he watched Jess's hand latch around Dean's arm. "I know a good place we go to." Castiel looked Jess up and down, and even though he knew it was stupid for him to care, but he did.

"Hey Jess, would you mind if I had breakfast with Castiel alone?" Dean asked slowly looking into Jess's eyes. Castiel casted his gaze towards the ground and away from Jess and Dean who were sharing a personal moment that he wasn't a part of.

Castiel couldn't blame Dean for moving on. In a way Castiel to had moved on as well, but he had never been able to find another person he cared about as much as Dean. The way they looked at each other made Castiel jealous. He had never met another person who he could look at so tenderly. He had never met another person like Dean. Everything always went back to Dean.

Castiel looked back over at Dean and Jess. Jess was nodding her head to how her understanding as she turned and strolled off. Obviously she was going off to explore the massive campus that stretched out before her. Sure her goal was to go to Stanford, but maybe this trip to Harvard would change her mind.

"Castiel, it's really nice to see you." Dean said lightly as he stepped closer to Castiel. Castiel sucked in a deep breath and took a quick step back. Dean noticed and nodded bit his lip looking clearly embarrassed at what had just happened.

"Yeah."

"It's really…" Castiel just couldn't bring himself to say that word and immediately he noticed the hurt on Dean's face.

Dean quickly recovered himself, by giving Castiel a half smile as he raised his hands indicating that they should start heading off in the direction towards what he assumed was the way to the restaurant in question.

Castiel tried to return Dean's smile, but failed as he spun around away from Dean and started off towards the Café which was a ten minute walk from the center of campus where they were.

The walk to the café was silent, but it wasn't all that awkward. It actually almost felt like old times to Castiel. They arrived and were seated immediately. Castiel watched Dean nervously, he knew something huge had happened and Dean just seemed to be avoiding it.

"So Cass, how you been?" Dean said trying to sound brightly and Castiel just frowned at him. He didn't like the fact that Dean was avoiding talking about something important, but he still really wanted to catch up with Dean.

"I have been pretty good. I am at the top of my class and I am pretty sure I will be able to make it into the law school no problem." Castiel stated proudly as he watched a smile brighten Dean's face.

"I always knew you were destine for great things Castiel." Dean said brightly his voice for the first matching the expression on his face. Castiel couldn't help but notice how formal Dean was with Calling him Castiel instead of Cass, which he actually preferred.

"Yeah Dean…"Castiel muttered stroking the back of his neck nervously "How about you?"

"I spent two years at a community college, and am currently working my butt off as a waiter. It's not the most glamorous life, but I am still easing into I guess. So are seeing anyone?" Dean muttered into his palm as his gaze intensified upon Castiel. This made Castiel even more nervous, if that was at all possible.

"No, not really." Castiel muttered in a nonchalant tone which made Dean raise his eyebrows skeptically.

"Really? Because that guy standing over there seems to really want your attention." Dean said pointing past Castiel who spun his body around and gazed upon the form of Azazel. He cussed under his breath as he bit his lip waving back reluctantly at the man.

"We're not together." Castiel muttered as he turned his attention back over to Dean, who still had his eyebrows raised.

"You know Castiel, its okay for you to have moved on. I understand." Dean sighed as he looked down at the table for a long moment. Castiel didn't believe a word Dean had just said.

"I know…" Castiel said his voice trailing off as Dean looked back up at him. "I see you have. She is really pretty…Jess." Castiel felt her name get lodged in his throat as he struggled to keep his voice steady.

"What? You think Jess and I are together? No! She is my friend, nothing more. Plus I think she has a sweet spot for my brother. Right now they are aiming to get into the same college, but I think that's only because I told Sam which one Jess wanted to get into." Dean said the last part with a chuckle.

"Oh…" Castiel muttered as he blushed slightly feeling embarrassed at how he had just jumped to conclusions. "So Dean, why did you come? I mean why did you come all the way out here? To see… To see me?" Castiel stammered as Dean's chuckle faded away and his face fell in sadness.

"Sam insisted I tell you that…" Castiel hung on each of the words Dean was saying up until Dean was interrupted.

"Castiel!"

Castiel cringed as Azazel voice grated upon his eardrums as he mouthed the word 'sorry' over at Dean who just nodded his head in understanding. Though Castiel couldn't help but notice Dean's eye roll.

"Hey Cass, why did you ditch me this morning? I mean after we had so much fun last night." Azazel said brightly as he took a seat next Castiel. Castiel noticed Dean's shocked expression. Castiel sighed, so much for being alone.

"I thought my class was going to start early, and by the time I figured out it wasn't I didn't want to go back to the house." Castiel lied, but only Dean seemed to pick up on it.

"Oh well that makes sense. I am just glad I found you." Azazel sighed happily as he leaned over and kissed Castiel upon the cheek, making him stiffen in surprise. Castiel notice Dean look away, but quickly looked back with an all too fake smile spread across his lips.

"Azazel, this is an old friend of mine. He just got into town and we have something really important we need to discuss. So could you please excuse us?" Castiel asked nicely as Azazel just gave him a confused look.

"An old friend? This doesn't look like Jo?" He stammered giving Dean the once over as Dean rolled his eyes in annoyance.

"No, because it's not Jo. You have already met Jo. This is Dean. We were…best friends." Castiel felt those words catch in his throat as he looked over at Dean who just had a bored expression on his face.

"Dean? How come you have never mentioned him before?" Azazel asked dumbly as Castiel faced twisted once again in awkwardness.

"Because I just don't feel comfortable talking…"

"We dated." Dean interjected suddenly as Azazel's eyes grew wide with surprise.

"You dated?" He stammered back at Dean, who just nodded his response.

"Yeah." Castiel mumbled, looking down at the table in embarrassment.

Suddenly Dean stood from the table. He looked sad, defeated, and nothing made Castiel stomach turn more. "Castiel, I'll talk to you later." Dean muttered as he strolled out the café's door not even once looking back.

Castiel clenched his fist and turned and glared at Azazel. Azazel was staring intently at a menu.

"Can't you just leave me alone?" Castiel yelled as all eyes in the café turned and gazed upon the two men. Azazel didn't even look up from the menu to see Castiel seething face.

"Castiel, I think it's about time I let you in on a secret. I am not really that nice of guy." Azazel stated darkly as he casted a look over the edge of the menu. Castiel sat there frozen in shock until he tried to blot, but Azazel suddenly reached up and gripped his arm tightly pulling Castiel back into his seat.

"First let's have breakfast." He said sweetly as he gave Castiel an innocent smile.

Castiel just nodded his head up and down slowly. For the first time since meeting Azazel, Castiel felt truly frightened as he looked down at the table of away from Azazel.

Dean paced out of the restaurant. He couldn't stand to see someone else draped over Castiel, but he also knew he had no right to feel protective or whatever else he felt. He trudged back onto the massive campus in search of Jess. He saw her wandering a couple yards away and rushed up behind her grabbing her into a tight hug.

"Dean." She squealed in surprise "I am surprise to see you so soon after you left. Did you tell him?" She asked slowly and Dean just shook his head.

"His boyfriend showed up." Dean muttered in disgust as Jess's eyes grew wide.

"Seriously? Aww that sucks." She grumbled as she took Dean's hand and as they continued to stroll across the campus.

"So you didn't tell him about…But we have to go back tomorrow. Dean you promised Sam, and personally with all that you have told me Castiel was like part of your family. I believe he deserves to know." She sighed as she examined the campus not caring that she was dragging Dean along behind her.

"I agree, but… I am just having a hard time saying it. And the more interruptions the more I keep losing my nerve. I promise that later today after his classes I will tell him." He nodded his head curtly as Jess gave him a skeptical look. She slowly nodded then changed the topic of conversation.

"I actually really like this campus, but I think Stanford is more my style. I am not sure I am cut out to be completely Ivy League." She said with a chuckle as Dean couldn't help but smile. He liked how comfortable things were with Jess, and in a lot of ways she was similar to Castiel. This was probably the one of the reason he valued her as a friend.

She was like an extra piece of the puzzle, one he didn't really even know he had until he had tried into the vacant spot which Castiel had left. Sure he could only really blame himself for Castiel leaving, but after hearing about all of Castiel achievements he now felt like letting him go had done a good thing.

Dean sighed and released Jess's hand as he slumped down into the nearest bench. She looked over at him concern spread across her face as he gave her a reassuring smile. Jess wanted to believe Dean, but for some reason she didn't.

"Let's head back to the motel." Dean said suddenly making Jess jump slightly as she looked over at Dean. Dean was avoiding talking about it, but she didn't call him on there was no point it. She knew he hurt and she knew he probably hurt even more after seeing that other guy hanging over Castiel.

"I want to do a little bit more looking around the campus." Jess said slowly and Dean nodded as he stood from the bench and vanished off into the distance in the direction of the motel they were staying at.

Jess wandered around for hours looking at anything and everything that captured her attention about the campus. When suddenly a figure she couldn't help but recognized sat on the bench a couple of yards away. She had heard almost all of Dean's stories about him as she hustled over to the man that was slumped down up the bench with his face buried deep in his hands.

"Castiel?" She muttered as she drew closer unsure if he was actually the man she assumed. She watched him hold his head up. His eyes were red and his hands seemed to be shaking. Her eyes grew wide as she reached down and grabbed his hand pulling him up to his feet and hauling him off in the direction of the motel.

"What's going on?" Castiel muttered even though he didn't fight Jess's grip upon his wrist.

"I was thinking the same thing." She muttered as she kept her eyes forward as she began concentrating on getting to Dean. "You want to know something Castiel?" She spoke slowly as if she was unsure she should continue to speak.

"Do I have a choice?" His voice was trying to be light, but it fell way to short.

"Yes. You actually have all the choices. You have all the power and don't even know it. It's amazing really. I have only known Dean a short while, but in that short while he has only opened up to me twice. Once when he talked to me about you and how you two met, and two…it's not really my place to say. Anyways do you know that even to this day Dean would do anything you asked. If you told him to go jump off a bridge he probably would. Sure he would question it the whole time, but he would do it. So I have to know would you do the same?"

Castiel was struck silent. He had always thought that the person who had known Dean the best was himself, but after talking to this girl and hearing all of the things she had to say. He had thought wrong. This girl knew and understood Dean better then he ever did.

Castiel felt the tears begin to well up in his eyes once again as he now tried to jerk away from her.

"Go away. You know and understand nothing." He stammered his voice cracking as Jess looked at him with a sad expression not releasing her grip upon his wrist.

"It's scary isn't?" She asked slowly and once again Castiel was struck into silence. "Having me here, and me knowing Dean better then you think I should." Her voice faded away and Castiel bit his lips and looked to be in pain.

"I do admit I wasn't prepared for it. I have always wondered if Dean loving me was fluke. That it was just a dream that one day I will awake from." Castiel sighed as he watched Jess nod her head up and down in understanding.

"Come on. We have to talk." She voice was suddenly dark, but Castiel just nodded as he let himself continue to get pulled.

Castiel soon realized where they were heading just by the direction they were going. They soon made it to the crap motel that was just barely off campus. The place was lower than one star, but it was right by the campus making it popular with those who were searching for better housing. When Castiel had first arrived on campus four years ago had stayed there for a short period of time before he met Sarah and moved in with her.

Jess pulled him up a flight of stairs then down a dimly lit hallway that smelled extremely musty. Jess, finally came to a halt and rapped upon a door that had the number 17 etched across it. Through the door Castiel could hear Dean's groan, then his shuffling to get to the door. Once again he felt suddenly nervous. Just what was he going to get out of this by comforting Dean Winchester again and saying that barely a day went by that he didn't miss him, and longed to see him. Damn he had missed him. He had missed everything about him. His scent. His smile. His eyes. His lips. His cocky arrogant attitude.

Castiel suddenly felt his breath hitch in his throat as the door swung open and a half naked Dean was standing in the doorway looking completely horrified that Castiel was standing before him.

"Jess brought me." Castiel stammered as he looked behind to point back at Jess, who had actually vanished from his side. He felt himself panic slightly as he looked down the hall in both directions frantically.

"That would make sense. She was the only one who knew we were staying at this motel." Dean suddenly paused as he realized Castiel's sapphire eyes were a pinkish hue that showed he had been crying. Out of habit Dean reached his hand across to rub away the stains of tears.

Dean watched as Castiel flinched so he pulled back abruptly realizing just exactly what he had done. "Sorry." He muttered and Castiel shook his head frantically in alarm.

"No, it's okay. I just am not use to it anymore. It was nice and familiar. Dean…I really missed you." Castiel words felt choppy as he struggled to spit them out.

Dean just stared at him blankly then he smiled, and Castiel felt his knees nearly give way underneath him as he fell forward into Dean's chest once again. This seemed to have become a recurring thing when it came to Dean and Castiel. Dean then instinctively wrapped his arms around him and held him tightly. "I missed you to Cass." He whispered into Castiel hair.

For a few long minutes they just stood there in each other arms. It almost felt like they had never gotten to any fights, broke up, or avoided each other for four very long years. Dean finally pushed Castiel away gently and led him in to the motel room.

Castiel gazed around the room. It was typical for most motel rooms. It had two double beds and a small kitchenette and a small bathroom in the corner closest to the door. He then gazed back at Dean who slumped down upon one of the double, while carefully leading Castiel with him. Castiel looked down at Dean as he was now currently taller than him when he had sat down.

Dean's hands gently released Castiel's as his hands slipped down to Castiel hips. Castiel felt his breath catch in his throat once again as he felt Dean's warm touch against his skin.

"Dean, I am not sure this is the best idea." Castiel spoke slowly as he suddenly watched Dean break from his trance like state pulling away from Castiel once again. Castiel felt wretched as he watched a pained look cross Dean's face for a brief moment.

"You're right Castiel." Dean muttered as he shook his head slightly to clear it. "I actually have something very important to tell you. I thought about calling you and telling you over the phone, but I thought that was so impersonal and at one point you had been like family. Also saying it would just confirm it and I guess at the time I just really wasn't ready to accept it. Heck I am still not sure if I'm dealing with it all that well" Dean finished with a long sigh.

"Dean I am not following." Castiel muttered in confusion as he watched Dean bite his lower lip.

"Castiel…My mother passed away. A few days ago." Dean's voice began to shake as Castiel suddenly lend down and gripped Dean's hands once more.

"How?" Castiel voice was soft and full of concern as he Dean shook slightly.

"Stroke." Dean barely said the word, his voice now quivering as hot tears streaked down his cheek, dripping onto his and Castiel's clasped hands.

"Oh Dean. I am sorry." He said gently as he pulled Dean into another embrace.

Castiel remembered Mary Winchester. She had been like his second mother. He had cared about her so much. She and Dean had a strong bond, and Castiel could only guess how hard this was on Dean. Castiel then tenderly began stroking his hand through Dean's hair. He slowly realized that all Dean wanted was to be comforted and that was what he was going to do. Castiel listened to Dean's soft sobs as he gently climbed upon the bed with Dean. Castiel then waited patiently for Dean's tear slowly subsided and fell into a light sleep. Castiel watched Dean's breathing even out as he fell asleep cradled in Castiel's arms.

Castiel soon fell asleep as well, and he woke only once when he heard Jess enter the motel room and crawl into the other free bed. He ignored her and returned his focus to Dean, who was still slumbering peacefully. Dean's cheeks where stained with his tears, but Castiel didn't care. Dean was still gorgeous no matter what.

"How am I going to let you go? It was so hard the first time. I don't think I could manage." He thought, but yet even despite all that, he felt oddly complete resting next to Dean even after it had been so long. He never realized just how much a part of him Dean was. Plus with Dean, back he would start to get greedy and he couldn't have that. He could have Dean sacrifice everything for him twice. That was so unfair.

Castiel reached up and stroked Dean's cheek making him stir slightly and move closer to him. Dean's massive arm slid around him and pulled him into Dean's chest. Castiel nuzzled his head into Dean's chest listening intently to Dean's steady heart beat. Slowly Castiel drifted off to sleep once more.

Castiel woke abruptly for the second day in a row. The only difference from yesterday was that he was alone. Dean and Jess were not in the room and a note on hotel stationary rested on the pillow next to him.

'Hey Cass, Didn't want to wake you. Jess and I have to catch a 7:00am flight so we can make it back to California in time for. Well I am sure you have a pretty good idea. Anyways it truly was nice seeing you and I have really missed you. If you ever come back to visit Cali please don't forget to see me. – Dean'

Castiel crushed the paper in his fist as he stared out at the clock that rested on the bedside table. The neon red numbers read 6:30am. In two hours he was about to get an interview that will help him enter Harvard law. He pushed his hands through his ruffed bed head as he cursed under his breath.

He would have liked the courtesy of being able to say good bye. Maybe that was too hard for Dean to do, but Castiel still would have liked the option. He stood up from the bed and looked over at the clock once more. He felt like he had stared at it a long time before he turned on his heel and headed out the motel room. Castiel knew he was about to change his life, but just how exactly, well he just hadn't planned that far.

Dean sat hunched over in his seat which was located near to the back of the airplane. Jess sat next and kept casting worried glances at him due to him being so tense.

"Dean, are you sure we should have left like that? I mean didn't you want to have a really good bye with Castiel. Didn't you want a chance to you make up." She said in a concerned tone as Dean turned to look at her.

Dean swallowed and thought for a moment. "No, it's better this way. Castiel is doing so well here. If we had made up sooner or later one of use would bring up moving and I have no interest in that. I like where I live and always have, and there is no way I am letting Castiel give up on his dreams. That would just be too selfish of me. I am not worth that." Dean sighed and looked away. He had no interest in continuing this conversation.

"Dean, trust me when I say that Castiel thinks you're everything." Jess said in a matter of fact tone as she slumped down farther in her seat and pulled out a paperback novel.

Dean sighed and looked out the wind. He knew this was for the best, even if it didn't really feel that way.