Author's Notes: Thanks for all the kind words and encouragement so far! I also appreciate it when people point out specific things that don't make sense because then I can fix it. So this story was conceived as a pretty simple Dean/Cas story but then the plot kind of grew in my head into a rabid all-devouring thorn garden. Its about this point where it deviates and starts getting even plottier than it was. I hope you all hang in there with me!


Dean flushed pink and gaped open mouthed at him. The human had no idea. His soul swirled with confusion and a strange sense of embarrassment. And still it clenched down against the piece of his Grace trapped inside. Castiel winced.

"The hell are you talking about?" Dean choked out and ripped his arm out of Castiel's grip. He felt a strange sense of loss, a tingling sensation of residual contact was left where Dean's hand had been.

"Your soul is attempting to crush me."

Dean frowned down at his own chest.

"You will not be able to see, feel, or control it," Castiel sighed, sitting back into the wheelchair that he no longer needed. It was strange, being connected to Dean's soul. It wasn't quite like having his own Grace back, but it made the ache easier to bear. Everything was clearer somehow. He could see faint wisps of Sam and the doctor's essence, though none were as clear as Dean. His wings were healing faster than they'd ever done so before. He'd always believed that one day he would be as strong as the other angels, though underneath the optimism rang a false ring of despair. Now though, now he felt as if there could be some probability to the possibility.

The sharp triple beep if the alert system rang through the air and Castiel reflexively reached for the pocket of his trench coat that wasn't there. He turned to look behind him where Balthazar was frowning at his phone. Gabriel also had his out but it was Michael who gave them all a curt nod.

"I have matters to take care of," he told them before disappearing in a flurry of wings.

"What was it?" Castiel asked.

"I don't know," Balthazar said, handing his phone over. There was the usual smattering of minor hauntings and cattle disturbances. A single demon popped up in Wisconsin. He scrolled over through the other division's alert boards. There wasn't anything within the last ten minutes that would warrant the attention of the head of the HAS..

"Probably just some bureaucratic bullshit," Gabriel supplied before snapping his own phone shut and shoving it into his coat pocket. "So you feeling okay now, kiddo?"

Castiel glared at him. "I don't like that name." For some reason, Gabriel acted as if saying Castiel would burn his tongue. Balthazar at least used his full name in official capacities.

"I'll take that as a yes," the older angel smirked before hopping off the countertop on which he'd been perched. "Well in that case I guess my work here is done. So long children!" In the next moment he was gone.

"Dean, are you okay?" Sam asked while hovering over his brother's hospital bed.

"He is fine," Castiel answered. It was strangely exciting to be able to see so easily what was going on with another being. He might even be able to heal the hunter now. But for the moment the human was perfectly healthy, whatever ailments that had plagued him before resolved by the Blood Bond.

"Hey! You don't know that," Dean snarled. He was obviously not nearly as happy about their new relationship.

"Yes, I do. I can see every part of you," he told him, leaning forward to impress his sincerity onto the Hunter. Dean scowled and pulled his thin hospital blanket further up his chest.

"Stay out of my head!"

Castiel frowned. "It is important for me to be able to analyze any head trauma you have suffered."

"If it's all the same to your boys I'd like to determine the state of Mr. Winchester's health for myself," the doctor cut in, taking the stethoscope from around her neck.

"I assure you, Dean is of good health at the moment. The only possible point of concern is the state of his liver. I will monitor the progress of its degradation and bring it to attention should it become worse."

Dean winced and glanced over at Sam who was glowering. Castiel had no idea why. This should have been good news. He could do this, he could protect this one Hunter like an angel should. Like he'd done before. He would save the body so the soul could remain at peace.

The sharp guitar twang of Witchy Woman snaked its way out of Balthazar's jacket pocket. "Oh crap, it's Pamela. What has that woman gotten herself into this time," the angel grumbled as he answered. "What? No a man can't get an angel pregnant! And, no an angel can't get a woman pregnant! Oh my goodness, Pam, are you pregnant?"

"Balthazar, did you impregnate Pamela?" Castiel asked. It should not be possible but Balthazar was notorious for his sexual proclivities that weren't reserved for the other angels. If it were to happen, Balthazar would be the one to do it.

"No!" Balthazar scowled. "I haven't even slept with her!"

Castiel had known him for long enough to hear the bitten off 'yet.'

"I'm talking to Castiel. Yes I have friends! What, no, that's disgusting! Who's with you?" Balthazar agitatedly rubbed at the stubble on his chin. "No, stay there. I'll come to you. Just listen to me for once! I'll be right there." He hung up on the Hunter with a short jab of his thumb. "Well, seems like Pamela's found a baby angel and she's pretty sure its not hers. So I've got to run. Keep me updated, Cassy." He didn't wait for a reply before he was gone, leaving Castiel with the three humans.

Dr. Mosely had proceeded to examine Dean anyways despite Castiel's insistence that the Hunter could walk out of the hospital in that instant. As the cold metal of the stethoscope pressed against his chest, Dean looked inclined to agree.

"As per code number 452 section b, a guardian is the primary medical advisor of their hunter," Castiel argued. He had work to do. The level 1 and 2 alerts were still assigned to him, and now, by extension, to Dean. The ghosts and werewolves were not the most glorious of hunts, but they were still important.

"And code number 452 section b also states that it is only valid in the field, in the absence of a trained medical professional. Now this here is a hospital, honey, so don't you try to lawyer me. I know my HAS regulations. My son's a hunter."

Castiel flushed slightly as Dean sniggered. He had never been very good at being sneaky. Perhaps Balthazar was correct in saying he should stop trying.

"Um, hi, Castiel. I'm Sam." Dean's brother had extended a hand that engulfed Castiel's own.

"Yes. You are Dean's brother."

Sam seemed surprised. "You remember me!"

It had been over twenty years, and Sam had merely been a baby, but his soul still sparked with the same vibrant red and green, an odd color combination, but pleasant in its own way. It would be difficult to forget. "Of course," he said, trying to keep the satisfaction out of his voice. He could see souls again, though faintly.

Castiel wasn't paying attention to the examination proceeding in the bed not two feet from him, but his gaze was pulled back when Dean gave an emphatic, "Hell no!"

The doctor was holding a small plastic container and glaring disapprovingly at the Hunter.

"I'm fine! Look, the angel said I'm fine!" Dean proceeded to rip the IV out of his arm and swung his legs off the side of the bed, preparing to make a break for it in nothing but his hospital gown.

"What is the issue?" Castiel asked.

"I need a urine sample to make sure his kidneys are all working."

"I am not peeing in a cup!"

"I can put the catheter back in," Dr. Moseley threatened.

"That is unnecessary. I can directly remove the urine from Dean's bladder into the cup," Castiel offered helpfully. It was exciting to be able to try out some of his more rudimentary powers now that he had a Blood Bond.

Dean blanched and snatched the cup out of Missouri's hand. "I hate you both," he snarled before storming off into the bathroom. The hunter had a very well-toned backside.

Sam covered his eyes and said, "Oh my god I don't need to see that."