Sum: Something itched beneath his skin. Charged lightning buzzing inside his very being. It was a feeling he got often when on a case. Normally right before something went sideways.
Note: If I'm being honest, school is kinda kicking my ass. I wanted to have this up a few days ago... but I honestly couldn't even get halfway through this chapter. The plot was a bitch to work around, but it's always really satisfying when it all clicks together. Anyway, hope ya'll enjoy!
December slipped away, and the new year along with it. They stayed at Bobby's until early February. The brothers got in squabbles that never turned into fights until they were out of the room. One such was when Sam finally broke on the hard subject that was their father.
In which Dean's response was: "He's on a hunting trip."
That hunting trip extended the longer they stayed at Bobby's. Then it turned into "he hasn't been home in a few days," when the man neglected to answer his phone.
All Bobby ever did was grumble and shake his head.
Castiel still called in himself, or would be interrupted by a work call. Those over the phone "meetings" became less and less between him and Zachariah. Another colleague, Hanna, was more likely to pick up than their boss. Wither her, it was easier to tell something much closer to the truth. He was still safe, hiding out. No bad guys could get to him. Hanna had been happy to hear as much. Roman's men were still hyperactive, still searching for something.
Cas was dozing on the couch when the call came in. Bobby and Sam were just pulling back up to the house from a supply run. The buzzing of guitars that woke him up stopped when Dean answered. Castiel's stayed silent on the coffee table.
"Winchester," he greeted. "Whoa, hold up. You gotta slow down. She did what now?" He was on his feet, pacing toward the kitchen.
Cas furrowed his brows, unable to hear the voice on the other side of the line.
"No, I haven't seen her. Just give the girl a day or two. Not like this is the first time this has happened… or the hundredth. She needs time to cool down. We'll keep an eye out for her."
Whatever the other person was saying, it made Dean tense up.
"Really, Pam said that?" He glanced back, meeting Cas's eyes. "I'm getting a little stir crazy, we could do with a road trip."
Bobby and Sam started lugging in plastic bags.
"Yeah, yeah. Anytime. Bobby said to give you his love."
The older man leveled the Winchester with a glare. "Now who in the blazes are you sayin' that to?"
Dean tucks the phone into his pocket. "Your wife. Jo ran off."
Bobby grunted while Sam punctuates, "again?"
"Yeah, said Pam called her last night about a bad feeling."
"What are we waiting for?" Sam pushes a sack across the back counter. "I think I have a good idea where she might be."
"Guess nothing."
….
There wasn't much to the six hours of constant road and classic rock. Except when one song came on, Dean turned it up. Cas recognized the thrum of guitars, at first thinking that Dean was getting an incoming call.
"Smoke, on the water! Fire in the sky,"
Sam rolled his eyes before turning the blast down.
"What was it that Pam got Ellen all riled up about?"
"Uh, well-"
"Dean." Sam pushed the off for the radio. "What the hell could Pam say that'd get Ellen that worried?"
"Something about a Vamp picking up Jo's scent. Kid hasn't done anything."
There was a heavy statement left unsaid. Something along the lines of someone abusing power. The agent had no clue what any of this entailed. Though, he did know this felt personal.
Dean pulled up to a motel before they hit town.
"Dean-" Sam tried to protest.
"Jo's a big girl, she can hold her own." Dean's jaw was tense. He was trying to act as calm and collected- the kind they all needed. The driver's door closed with a solid thunk. It passed through Castiel's mind that the elder Winchester looked a little worn and ragged from the long winter. Maybe even from something more.
This left Sam and Cas to gather the bags before Dean returned with the room key. They didn't stay long, only claiming where they'd sleep. Just like almost every time before Sam and Cas got the beds while Dean took the couch.
Then they were piling back into the Impala, planning to search the town. Dean had figured that crowds would be their friend. "Not much a Vamp can do in the daylight."
By now Castiel had to stop questioning the codes. If he hadn't he'd surely have gone off his rocker by now.
The ride into town should have been longer. Then again Dean Winchester was well known for having a lead foot. Besides the fact that his "Baby" could go really fucking fast if he wanted to.
Sam was the one to break the silence. "It's him, isn't it?"
Dean kept his eyes on the road as the car slowed for a stop sign. A woman pushed a stroller in front of them. A younger kid ran around her and the man wrapping an arm around her waist.
Jaw tense, Sam turned the radio off. "Damnit, Dean."
"You're complaining about it now?" Dean's voice was weighed down, more strained than it had been earlier.
"You just can't stop, can you? Is this a fucking game, Dean? A pissing contest between you and Gordon friggin' Walker?"
"Why is it a problem now?" Dean gritted his teeth. They were still at the stop sign.
"I dunno Dean. Maybe it's because you left that fact out! We could have called someone else. Sent Caleb after her. Someone other than you. We're walking right into his trap, and I don't wanna watch this turn out like last time."
Someone honked behind them. Dean's knuckles were white against the dark leather of the steering wheel.
"I'm calling Caleb-"
"What was I supposed to fucking do, Sam? Let someone else clean up my mess? Let someone else get in Gordon's way and end up hurt, again?" He surged to the side. Instead of hitting his brother, Dean opened the passenger door. "I can't promise you what'll happen. But if you don't wanna watch, then get out."
The car behind them gave up and went around.
Sam, still seething, glared at his brother. With a defiant huff, he climbed out and walked off.
Dean still waited, motioning for Cas to move up. Cas hardly had the door shut before the Impala was in motion again. The driver's eye twitched in a movement to conceal pain. From the short time Cas had been with this man, it meant his head hurt. Castiel supposed that had he been in the same position it might have been the same for him. Then again, the only person he truly had left was Gabriel. Hanna, Uriel, and even Victor were like family to him -along the lines as brother's and sister's in arms.
"Vampires," Cas thought out loud.
"What?" Dean's confusion was palpable at the suddenly changed topic.
"Why vampires?"
"Oh," he didn't answer for a long time. Instead, Dean pulled the Impala into a parking spot along the town square. After turning off the engine, he finally faced Cas. "People like Gordon? They're bloodsuckers. Come out of nowhere and latch onto scents. A bounty hunter who's gone dark... got a taste for blood and couldn't let go. Ones that go after people who've done more than skipping out on bail or parole." He pocketed the keys, reaching for the handle. "With the right price, they're easily swayed."
"Now Sam's out there alone."
"Gordon may be a short-sighted man, but he ain't dumb. He knows better. Black Dogs already caught a whiff of pretty-boy, Sammy. He shows back up to Stanford with even the tiniest scratch from foul play and those bastards will be after the Vamp too. Some of those pack- teams, really like to throw around obstruction of justice when it comes to the matter of lil' ol' me."
They stepped out, scanning the people milling around town. At the heart of the square was a fountain. Young kids ran back and forth from the water to their parents, begging for spare change. Dean flipped Cas a quarter. He turned it over in his hands as if it was something interesting.
"C'mon Cas, it ain't gonna bite you." Dean chuckled while knocking Cas with his shoulder. He pulled out another coin tossing it into the air and catching it.
Cas rubbed his own, warming the cool metal. He thought over several things he could wish for. Most of them were too distant, too impossible. Something not even a silly little wish could take care of.
"Careful what you wish for, Cas." He tossed the quarter in.
Flipping his own into the water, he distantly wished to be able to understand the man beside him.
"What'd you wish for?"
"It's bad luck to tell," Cas shoved his hands into his pocket. "Though it probably won't come true."
Dean huffed, a sad smile curling his very kissable lips. Cas had to shake his head. "Same here."
"What the hell, Winchester."
Before Dean could completely turn, a smaller figure had wrapped her arms around him.
"You were in town but decided not to fucking tell me? Were you even gonna say hi?"
The curve to Dean's lips was a full out grin now. "Good to see you too, Jo."
Jo's blue eyes quickly sized Castiel up. "This your new boyfriend I've been hearing about along the grapevine? From everyone but you?"
Cas opened his mouth to reply.
Dean threw his arm around his shoulders, effectively shutting him up. "Yup! Cas here… I pulled him outta a shitshow. Just can't seem to shake him off. Trust me, I've tried."
Cas swore he tasted whiskey on his tongue.
Jo eyed him, before turning sharp eyes on Dean. "Mom sent you, didn't she?"
The Winchester sighed. "How about we get lunch?"
The young woman went to snip a reply.
Dean's eyes roved over the open space around them. "We can talk more inside."
Her reaction was immediate. Her back straightened, hand hesitating over his arm. "Yeah, sounds good."
Jo knew most of the people working inside the diner she led the boys to. Cas noted how quickly the food seemed to find its way to the table. He also couldn't miss how Dean positioned himself in the booth. They sat in a far corner. One where the ex-marine could see the entire diner. Cas wondered if it was the situation. He thought back to all the other places they've stopped at. Nearly every one Dean had done something like this. It made Cas itch, wanting to find out why.
So far Dean Winchester hadn't shown his ability to be a killer. He seemed like a haunted man. Like he was running from his own personal demons. If he were to go far enough, push fast enough, he'd be able to leave them behind.
Jo set her mug down. "Mom called again, and you came running,"
"She was spooked. Pam had a vision that she told your mom about."
"Yeah, Pam already told me you'd be coming. And no one ever wants to believe that I can hold my own?" She crossed her arms.
"I'm sure you could if ever given a chance. But maybe I don't want you to, not this time."
The young woman squirmed in a petulant way, scraping some hash browns onto her fork. "How's Sam?"
"Pissed off that I even came here. He probably trudged his way back to the motel by now."
Jo pushed her plate away. "Really, Dean?" She searched the man's eyes. "Why do you have to be so stupid? Why does everything have to be your responsibility? It's bad enough that Pam said something about you tugging along a Familiar." Her eyes suddenly cut to Cas. "No. Dean, you're dumb… but tell me you aren't stupid."
Dean made a poor attempt to defend himself. He ended up looking like a fish out of water.
"I'm basically a cat,"
Dean laughed so abruptly he nearly knocked over his coffee. "Yeah, you are."
Jo's lips formed a thin line as she thought this over. She didn't seem entirely convinced, but less likely to bitch about the situation.
Even with the way Dean was smiling at him, Cas was still wanting to know what the fuck Familiar meant.
….
They had spent a while with Jo before she had to go into work. So the two showed up close to closing time. Cas closed the passenger door, taking in the sight of the now empty parking lot. It was some local nameless bar with as much life to it as the frozen Lake Superior lapping lazily at the docks behind it. The coolness to the air created a thin fog above the water. It looked like wisps of smoke. It reminded Castiel of Michigan.
Dean coughed into his elbow, trying to clear his throat.
"You good?"
"Just this cold shit. I hate winter."
Cas shrugged. "Spring is soon."
"I fucking hope so,"
They made their way toward the door. "Anything from Sam?" Not that Castiel was best friends with the criminal's brother, but something itched beneath his skin. Charged lightning buzzing inside his very being. It was a feeling he got often when on a case. Normally right before something went sideways.
"Not much-"
"But he's here," The younger Winchester's voice was not as deep compared to his older sibling, but it was very recognizable.
The brothers stared at each other for several moments. All the while Cas shifted nervously as a silent conversation -maybe even an argument- was had.
"You done sulking, bitch?" Dean cocked a brow.
Sam huffed, his breath clouded into the air. "You're a jerk."
This made the elder Winchester smile.
"Then let's get inside before you freeze." Dean knocked on the door before opening it. "Joanna Beth! Cavalry has arrived!"
"Call me that one more time Dean, and I'll be the one to fucking kill you." She snapped the towel she'd been rubbing the counter down with onto the bar.
Sam snickered openly while Cas had the decency to muffle his own amusement.
Jo's sharp eyes cut to Castiel before returning to the brothers.
Sam didn't miss the exchange. "So you found out too?"
"Yeah," she returned to wiping down the bar, setting bottles away.
"I'm assuming you didn't take it well?"
"I'm coping. Your brother seems to be a competent adult making his own decision."
Dean grinned. "Thanks-"
"He's also being a goddamned dumbass."
"Hey-" Dean tried to interject.
"Hey, Sam, shut the front lights off, will you?" Jo ignored the elder Winchester.
Sam did as told, bringing the front of the bar into darkness. Meanwhile, the lights in the back helped light most of the room.
Not too long after, there was the rumble of an engine outside. It was much too close for comfort. The bar was closed. The lot had been empty, leaving no logical reason for anyone else showing up. Any other time Castiel would have sworn himself to be paranoid. The electricity under his skin kicked up a few volts. Sam took two long strides to the window, pulling apart a section of the blinds. Dean was next to him before Castiel could blink properly. Both brothers tensed.
"You take Jo. We'll all go out the back way then separate." Dean nodded to himself.
"What's happening?" Castiel was ignored.
Jo stopped her clean up to stand next to him.
"What? Dean no." Sam refused.
"Sam, yes. It'll be fucking harder for him to find any of us if there's only two. Four people sneaking around behind here or on the docks is kinda hard to hide."
"He's right," Jo and Cas agreed. They gave each other a surprised look.
Sam only snarled at them. "I'm not-"
"Yeah, you are." Dean patted his little brother on the chest. "You got this. I trust you to keep Jo safe. I gotta watch Cas."
Of all the times Castiel could have made comments about baby sitters and knowing how to handle a gun; this wasn't one of them.
Suddenly Dean gripped a gentle hand around Cas's arm. They went out the back way in an anxious quiet. The brothers offered each other a nod before they went separate ways for the second time that day. Cas tugged at the sleeves of his jacket before Dean set something cool and metalic in her palm.
Troubled blue eyes lifted to gaze into the green.
"Extra room and Baby key. Can never be too careful."
"You shouldn't have to say that," Cas muttered beneath his breath.
"What'd you say?"
"Nothing."
No one should have to say that in such a way. With so much negative connotation and context. With such sadness and resignation to the possibility of not making it back. Of letting these bastards win.
So they kept moving under the silver lighting of a gibbous waxing. Dean didn't question Castiel as they hid behind crates. They both jerked back when they heard the Bar door bust open.
"He should be in there now," Dean whispered. "We can still go the long way around."
This time of year not many boats resided within the frigid waters of the lake. Cas was the first on to fully step toward the edge, not hidden by anything.
"Somethings still not right," Dean murmured.
Castiel still had the supercharged feeling, but he was more willing to hope it went away than admit out loud.
"We should-"
The click of a gun's hammer echoed through the night.
"Cas!"
It happened within the blink of an eye.
Rough hands pushed him out of the way. His body tipped over the edge as the gunshot rang out. There was a splash and he was swallowing the water that surrounded him. Another happened further away.
His mind was already sluggish as he tried to figure out what fucking way was up.
The only think Cas was sure of at the moment was that the water was cold.
It kinda reminded him of Michigan.