"What were you two doing, anyway? You look like hell," Chuck said as they walked across the clearing. Annie had taken over, urging the survivors to file into the dining hall so they could all question Dean in relative comfort.
Dean mentally assessed the damage from his little tussle with Cas. One side of his face felt bruised, and his tongue tasted blood when he probed cautiously at his lower lip, which was sore, not to mention an assortment of other mild but annoying aches and pains.
"I'm sorry, Dean. I think I gave us a black eye," Castiel spoke up.
"Nah, pretty sure that one was on me. But the nut shot was all you," Dean grumbled. "Next time, no targeting the family jewels." He felt Castiel focus his grace and the minor injuries disappeared.
"Geez, if you two were a normal couple I'd call it abuse," Chuck said anxiously.
Dean scowled. "We're not a couple. And I don't think it counts as abuse if I throw a punch and only hurt myself."
"I believe it may actually be healthy for Dean to act out his aggression. It seems to provide catharsis," Castiel added.
"I think you're both insane."
Annie sauntered over. "Okay, Chuck, we know you're a true believer, so go sit over there with everyone else and we'll get the interrogation started," she said, shooing him away. She turned back to Dean with a smirk.
"I thought you were a true believer, too, Annie."
"Oh, I am," she purred, leaning in close.
Dean felt his face heat up as her warm breath tickled his neck. Son of a bitch.
"So, Cas, this question is for you," Annie whispered seductively. "Can you read Dean's mind?"
"Yes. It's unavoidable," Castiel admitted, "especially when his thoughts are as loud as they are now."
"I'll just bet they are," she grinned.
It was a relief when the next person to approach was a survivor named Mikey with straightforward questions.
"Hey, Dean. You remember what was wrong with that Ford F-150 of mine?"
"Timing belt," Dean said promptly, and grinned when Mikey nodded.
"Hey, um, Cas… If you can hear me, you remember what happened when Risa sent us out to loot that Walgreen's?"
"Yes, I can hear you perfectly, Mikey. The Walgreen's run took place at the height of my recreational drug use. We got stoned on a mixture of Gabapentin and a generic brand of cough syrup," Castiel replied solemnly. "It was grape flavored, the cough syrup. And as I recall, Risa was quite annoyed with us, although we did procure the medications she had requested."
"I'll be damned." Mikey beamed, giving Dean's arm a friendly punch. He lowered his voice as if this could stop Dean from overhearing. "Hey, Cas, any time you feel like partying, you just let me know."
Mikey never was the sharpest tool in the shed, Dean thought dryly.
I no longer feel an urge to indulge in drugs, Castiel assured him. Or fornication, he added as another survivor approached them.
"Cas, I know you said we could all achieve transcendent shared perception, but I never thought you'd do it with Dean Winchester," she said with a hurt expression.
"Trust me, lady, he wouldn't have been my first choice, either," Dean bristled.
Castiel wrested control away from him. "Erin," he acknowledged the woman with a nod.
She narrowed her eyes in suspicion. Dean didn't blame her. Ever since his resurrection Cas had reverted back to his angelic, stick-up-the-ass mannerisms. It was a far cry from the laid-back stoner he'd been during his brief stint as a human.
"Well, I highly doubt Dean could fake knowledge of tantric yoga," Erin huffed, "so here's my question: Cas, do you remember that time we had a private session to work on balancing my kundalini energy?"
"Ah, yes. You had some concerns about opening your fifth chakra, but once I harnessed the energies of your svadhishthana the results were… Well, highly erotic," Castiel said with a serene smile.
Cas, I feel dirty and I don't even know what the hell you guys are talking about.
There is no need for embarrassment, Dean. Human sexuality can be a beautiful, even spiritual, experience.
"Please, let this be a question about auto mechanics," Dean joked as Jane stepped up to take her turn interrogating them.
"Nope. Remember when you saved me from that monster that had invaded my cabin?"
Dean chuckled, relieved. "Gigantic tarantula. Put up one hell of a fight, too."
But Tarantulas are not indigenous to this geographical region, Castiel protested.
It was just a little wolf spider. Demons and zombies don't faze Jane, but she's got a bad case of arachnophobia. Dean couldn't judge. He knew a thing or two about phobias.
"Okay, Cas, your turn." Jane batted her eyelashes, her expression suddenly coy. "What did you say to me that time we pulled gate guard duty together?"
"That you were a bad, bad little schoolgirl who deserved a spanking from the principal," Castiel recited dutifully.
Mentally, Dean groaned. Another spiritual experience, huh, Cas?
It's called role-playing, Dean. Jane introduced me to the concept. She was very enthusiastic, Castiel reminisced.
...Great. I'm just going to go find a corner of my subconscious and curl up until your groupies are done discussing your sex life.
At long last the majority of the survivors were convinced that Dean and Cas were really both alive in the same body. In addition to answering questions, Castiel had used his grace to heal several of the group of minor injuries, giving a big boost to his credibility as an Angel of the Lord.
"So what's this plan to hit Lucifer good and hard?" Mikey piped up. "'Cause sign me up for that."
Dean let Castiel take the lead. "Our intent is to deprive Lucifer of his true vessel," the angel began. His next words were drowned out as everyone began speaking at once, some calling out questions, others arguing whether it was even possible.
"Quiet!" Castiel's voice emerged almost a full octave lower than Dean's usual deep baritone, abruptly silencing everyone.
Good one, Cas, Dean thought admiringly.
"Lucifer's weakness, as always, is his pride. He believes himself to be the most powerful angel on earth. Indeed, the only angel remaining on earth. He cannot conceive of anyone posing a threat to him now," Castiel went on. "Dean and I will use the element of surprise to our advantage. It may not be possible to defeat the Morning Star in angelic combat—"
They're civilians, Cas. Dean could feel Castiel's frustration as this pronouncement set off another babble of voices. No smiting, okay? I'll take it from here.
"Hey!" he interrupted. "We don't have to beat Lucifer, just throw him off balance long enough for Sam to take control and kick the bastard out."
"How do you know Sam even exists anymore?" a voice carried across the room. "What if being Lucifer's vessel has fried his brain?"
"He's in there," Dean growled. "How do I know? Because I know my brother." I've got to believe it, he told Castiel fiercely. Dean couldn't bear the thought that Sam's mind might be gone. His thoughts, his emotions, everything that made him Sam destroyed, burnt out by the archangel. Doubt hit him like a fist to the solar plexus, stealing his breath away.
He's in there. Castiel's inner voice was warm with assurance, a balm to ease the pain and banish the doubt. I know your brother too, Dean. We will get him back.
Author's note: So it may not be the most well-thought-out plan, but when is it ever? Please feel free to point out the flaws! Next chapter, more flying, because if they're going to take on Lucifer, Dean's got to get a grip on this phobia of his.
So many thanks for the reviews! You have no idea how they brighten my day. Thank you to nani'anela, Snailhair101, Zana Zira, Cerulea, and Olivia Crane for taking the time to drop a line.