So yes there's a lot of discussion here between Castiel and Jimmy while they are at the hospital with Dean. I know that probably would have been difficult given the subject matter with all the people around, but I wanted to move the story along and get this discussion out of the way out of Dean's earshot so that's where they ended up…just imagine a lot of furtive looks! Dean's POV at first then shifts (hopefully so subtly you won't notice) to Castiel's once they are at the hospital out of necessity.
Dean looked back and forth between Castiel and Jimmy. He had been amazed by how different they were when he had seen Jimmy before, but with both of them in front of him it was even more obvious that Castiel definitely brought his own personality and bearing to Jimmy's body. It was hard to put into words, but Jimmy was so light and airy…even his voice was totally unlike Castiel's. Castiel on the other hand seemed…heavy…with a presence Dean could feel even though he no longer had his Grace. He had thought that presence was gone until this moment, but it was definitely there…a thousand times less than before…but still a softly thrumming undertone to the earthy noises around him.
Dean shook his head and shifted on his crutches, not really sure what to do at this point. He knew what happened last time Jimmy went home, so he wanted to be more careful and think things out this time.
"Cas, you take Jimmy inside and let me check out of this other room. I'll be right back." Dean said, turning towards the office.
Out of the corner of his eye he saw Jimmy move towards Castiel and place his hand gently on Castiel's back as if to help him back into the room. It was obvious that Castiel's special night and this morning events had left him tired and Dean began to worry that it would be too much for him in his weakened condition. There wasn't much he could do about that now though, so he hurried to return the key and get back to the room.
By the time he had returned Castiel was sitting at the table and Jimmy stood looking intently over his shoulder at the laptop Sam had left for them to use the previous afternoon. Dean was surprised that Castiel was the one doing the typing instead of Jimmy.
"Wow, Cas. Researching already. I'll make a good hunter out of you yet!" Dean said, proud that Castiel had already started looking into things.
"We were just looking up information on Amelia and Claire. For all I know Ames is already involved with someone else and has moved away. I don't even know if I have a home…much less if I can go there." Jimmy said, looking up at Dean morosely.
Castiel continued to type and without looking up said, "I highly doubt that Father would bring you back if he didn't intend for you to be reunited with them."
"What if it wasn't God?" Dean said, groaning as he moved toward the table slowly to avoid jostling his throbbing ankle.
"I don't know Dean, I'm unsure what our next move should be." Castiel said, sitting back and looking up at him.
"Well I do know one thing. After what happened last time I'm not going anywhere near Amelia and Claire until we know for sure they'll be safe. I'll stay right here for the rest of my life if that's what it takes to keep them safe." Jimmy said as he pulled out the chair beside of Castiel and sat down heavily.
Castiel looked at Jimmy thoughtfully and said quietly, "I'm truly sorry, Jimmy. If I had known then what I know now I would have found another way to interact on earth. I never meant to destroy your family."
"It wasn't your fault Cas. I know you were under some questionable orders at the time. I saw that much when I was your vessel. As long as Ames and Claire are happy that's all I care about now." Jimmy said, placing his hand gently on Castiel's shoulder.
"They may be happy now, but I inflicted so much heartache on them. Leaving them wondering where you were for a year, and nearly getting them killed when I was taken back to Heaven for punishment. I understand that now…now that I am human too." Castiel said, burying his face in his hands and sighing loudly.
Dean shrugged as Jimmy looked at him, not really sure what to say. He could see things from both points of view, and he knew if he was Jimmy he'd probably be pissed as hell, yet Jimmy seemed to be very calm and forgiving about the whole thing.
Jimmy smiled, obviously reading what Dean was thinking. "Dean, I know you probably don't understand why I'm not mad at him. You have to remember I was in there. Every time things went to hell in a hand basket he did his best to shield me from it, sometimes endangering himself in the process. The simple fact that I functioned normally when you found me in that warehouse is a testament to the care he took with my body. I should have been dead right then and there, but he was protecting me even as they ripped him out."
"And the two times he got you blown up?" Dean asked sarcastically.
"Didn't feel a thing. It was actually quite interesting watching my body explode." Jimmy said, giggling slightly.
Castiel looked up at Jimmy and rolled his eyes. "I can't believe you found that interesting."
"I'd venture a guess that there are very few people that can say they've seen themselves get blown up and live to tell about it." Jimmy said, smiling at Castiel.
"I believe you are the only one. But you didn't survive the second time…I wasn't ready for that one and I couldn't protect you." Castiel said, looking at Jimmy curiously.
"Yet here I am…you have a body…I have a body. To paraphrase Vonnegut…everything is beautiful and nothing hurts!" Jimmy said, running his hand down his chest.
Dean rolled his eyes and groaned as he finally sank down onto couch, glaring down at the softball sized lump that used to be his ankle. "Speak for yourself about the hurting part. I beg to differ on that."
"As do I." Castiel said, rapping his knuckles on his cast and smirking at Jimmy.
"OK so we have a little hurting going on…but I was dead and now I'm not. Come on…let me revel in that a little?" Jimmy said, pouting slightly.
"Yeah, OK. I guess you do have a little something to be happy about." Dean said, wincing as he pulled his foot up onto the arm of the couch.
"Dean, you still need to go to the hospital to have that looked at. You promised." Castiel said with a concerned look.
"Well, I would have but this morning didn't exactly go the way I had planned. I was looking forward to a morning of teasing you about last night before I went to the hospital and then Jimmy here drops in out of nowhere. My grand plan was shot to hell before it even got started."
Castiel snorted softly and looked at Jimmy before saying, "My eternal thanks for short circuiting the teasing portion of his morning plan."
Jimmy doffed an imaginary hat and bowed dramatically. "You are most welcome…although I'm sure he will get around to it eventually."
"I fear that he will." Castiel said, pursing his lips and glaring at Dean.
"Hell yes I will, but I think I better go soon. This thing hurts like a bitch." Dean said, shifting uncomfortably.
"We don't have a driver. We'll have to call Sam or Bobby I guess." Castiel said nervously.
"I can drive. I guess my license is expired…wherever it is, but maybe they won't stop me if it isn't too far." Jimmy said, his eyes lighting up.
"Hell no…you aren't driving my baby! Dean said, trying to raise up to give his statement more emphasis, but wincing and falling back when his ankle complained.
"Why not? I'm not Castiel. I know how to drive." Jimmy said, sticking his bottom lip out in a fake pout.
"Who said I didn't?" Castiel said, glaring at Jimmy.
"OK, OK. Jimmy can drive. I guess it's the best option." Dean said, fishing his keys out of his pocket and throwing then as hard as he could at Jimmy.
Jimmy caught them deftly one-handed and smirked at Castiel.
"Jeez, I think we can definitely pass you guys off as twins…you're like a cautionary tale of sibling rivalry already." Dean said, snorting as he rose from the couch and headed for the door.
"I think I should probably put some more clothes on." Castiel said, sliding his hand across his bare chest and gesturing down at the sweatpants he had struggled into when Jimmy knocked at the door.
"Might be a good idea…wouldn't want your lady friend to back you up against the wall when we get there." Jimmy said, winking at Dean. Dean then winked at Castiel and pursed his lips in a mock kiss.
Castiel blushed and glared at both of them with his you should show me some respect look before grabbing his crutches from the floor and heading for his duffle. Dean was glad Castiel was powerless at that moment, because he was fairly certain both of them would be smoldering piles of ash on the floor if he had any mojo left. The thrum that Dean had felt earlier seemed to get more intense for a second, and Dean wondered if there was more Angelic power left in Castiel than even Cas knew.
Castiel turned back to Dean with wide eyes and then looked down quickly. It didn't escape Dean's attention that Castiel felt it too. Jimmy seemed oblivious, so Dean didn't say anything else as he watched Castiel pull on a t-shirt and run a comb through his unruly hair.
Dean winced as he watched Jimmy slide into the driver's seat of the Impala and slide the key into the ignition. The fact that he was dressed in Castiel's old clothing made it slightly surreal. With Castiel safely in the backseat and Dean riding shotgun Jimmy backed out of parking space and maneuvered through the rows of cars until he was at the exit.
"Which way?" Jimmy said, looking over at Dean.
"Oh yeah…um you don't know anything about this area do you? Go right."
"Not like I've ever been here before…I'll need a little help."
"Just don't hurt my baby or I'll have to kill you." Dean said, looking as menacing as possible.
Jimmy pulled slowly out onto the highway and then floored it with a grin and wink at Dean. Dean slowly released his death grip on the arm rest as they sailed down the road, enjoying the feel of the air rushing through the window once he saw that Jimmy was a pretty good driver. Dean watched as Jimmy deftly wove the car in and out of traffic, still somewhat unnerved by the trench coat formerly worn by Castiel driving his car.
"Um Jimmy…I think once we are done at the hospital we need to go get you some clothes. The whole suit/trench coat thing is a little…um…weird." Dean said, glancing back at Castiel.
"I would also like that. It is rather strange for me as well." Castiel piped up from the back seat.
"Not a problem. Not like I enjoy wearing this monkey suit. I just…well…I just wanted to put on my best when I went outside to talk to you that night. I thought it was important." Jimmy said, glancing back at Castiel in the rearview mirror.
An awkward silence settled over the car and Jimmy drove on with Dean pointing when they reached the hospital parking lot. Jimmy went inside to get a wheelchair, leaving Dean and Castiel alone in the car.
"So Cas, what do you think? Is he safe going home?"
"I really don't know Dean. You were right in asking whether God was the one that brought him back." Castiel said, looking at his hands studiously.
"How do we figure that out?" Dean asked, wondering why Castiel's eyes suddenly went wide.
"Um…we have a different problem." Castiel said, pointing to Jimmy coming back across the parking lot with Karen following closely behind.
"Oh shit, we told her you were my brother and that your name was James Castiel Winchester. I hope Jimmy doesn't tell her his real name. People name twins weird things, but two named James is probably stretching it and if he tells her his last name we are toast. I didn't even think about running into her. I'm an idiot."
"I was hoping to see her, but it didn't occur to me that Jimmy would pose a problem. I guess I'm an idiot too." Castiel said, his eyes following Karen to the door of the car fearfully.
Castiel carefully avoided her eyes until he couldn't any more and then he shifted them to Jimmy who flashed an OK sign before going around the car to help Dean into the wheelchair while whispering something in his ear.
"So just how many more Winchesters am I going to meet?" Karen said, narrowing her eyes at Castiel.
"I-he…that's all. Castiel stuttered out, looking desperately to Dean for help.
"Sorry Karen, Mike here lives in Illinois and we didn't expect him to get here so quickly when we called and told him about Cas being hurt." Dean said quickly.
Castiel sagged visibly in relief and reached for Karen's hand. "I'm sorry I should have told you, but it just didn't come up last night."
"There were other things coming up last night, so I can see where you might have been distracted." Karen said with a sly smile at Castiel.
Castiel blushed, Dean breathed a sigh of relief, and Jimmy rolled his eyes as he began pushing Dean toward the Emergency Room doors.
Castiel followed Karen in and flopped into the nearest chair, totally exhausted and wishing he was anywhere but here as Jimmy went with Dean back to the exam room. Karen kissed him gently on the cheek and put her arm around him as she sat down.
"You look tired, Cas. All this a little too much for you?" Karen said, looking at Castiel worriedly.
"You have no idea." Castiel said, immediately wishing he could take the words back.
"Why? Aren't you excited to see Mike?"
"Yes, but…um…we didn't part on the best of terms. I'm not sure what will happen." Castiel said, hoping to be as vague as possible.
"You seem to have that problem with most of your family, Cas. What's the deal?"
"I-it-I don't know. It's just one of those situations where things are said and done that pile up until there is no way out other than familial Armageddon." Castiel said, touching just enough on the truth to convince himself he wasn't lying again.
"Well everyone seems to be getting along so far. Hopefully you can get things back on track now." Karen said, smiling at Castiel and placing her hand on his.
"Yes, I hope so. It would be nice if everything could work out for everyone." So I won't feel so guilty. Castiel said, rubbing his face with his free hand.
"Well I'd love to stay here and keep you company, but I have to get back to work. Will you be OK here alone?"
"Yes, I'll be fine. Thank you." Castiel said, kissing Karen longingly and wishing he could escape into her arms back at the hotel and ignore everything that was happening.
He watched her walk and away and saw Jimmy coming back out. He stopped and spoke to Karen for a second, then smiled in Castiel's direction as she hugged him goodbye. For a moment, Castiel felt something he hadn't felt before…a feeling he didn't like. Watching Jimmy walk back in his direction the feeling deepened.
"So…that's some girl you got there Cas." Jimmy said as he sat down.
"So everyone tells me. It's not like I have any basis for comparison." Castiel said, fidgeting with his crutches nervously.
"Well I think she's great. Nice and pretty…and obviously smitten with you." Jimmy said, nudging Castiel with his shoulder.
"Then why did she hug you? Next thing I know she'll be falling for you because you're more experienced and not a total idiot about all things human…and you aren't damaged." Castiel said with a resigned look on his face.
"It was just a friendly goodbye hug. Nothing you need to worry about. Wait….you're jealous aren't you?" Jimmy said as he realized why Castiel was so sullen all of a sudden.
"I-I don't know. I've never felt jealously before." Castiel said quietly.
"Cas, people fall in love with other people for a lot of reasons. Just because I look like you doesn't mean she'll like me better because I'm not hurt like you are. Looks aside we are two totally different people. Hell, I don't even sound like you and we are…or were using the same vocal chords." Jimmy said, smiling brightly to try to cheer Castiel up.
"I seriously doubt the timbre of my voice will sway her one way or the other if she wishes to be with someone less…awkward." Castiel said, pulling at a stray thread on his t-shirt.
"She only has eyes for you Cas. Take my, as you say, more experienced opinion on that. I couldn't pry her away from you with a crowbar if I wanted to." Jimmy said, placing his hand on Castiel's shoulder and squeezing it.
"Thank you." Castiel said with a sigh.
"Just relax Cas. I know this is all new to you and I'll help you however I can." Jimmy said, settling back into his chair.
"That's what Dean tells me all the time, but I'm not certain I know how to relax."
"I remember some things from when you were in here, Cas. Like when you used to go to your favorite Heaven. You were so relaxed and it even felt good to me. I could feel your relief at being there…of not having to worry about anything for a little while. Just remember that when you get anxious. Come on…think about it right now." Jimmy said, looking around to make sure no one was close enough to overhear.
"I'm just so tired Jimmy. Everything I do takes so much effort now, and the fact that there are so many things I can't even do for myself makes it that much worse. I can't even protect myself…much less Dean. I'm just useless." Castiel said quietly.
"Well there is obviously some reason why you are here like this…and why I am here. I tend to believe it is a good reason."
"Even after all that happened to you? You still choose to believe there is something good in it?"
"There was a time I would have said no, but my time in Heaven gave me a lot of time to think. I wanted to wait until a more private time to tell you this, but it's come up so here goes. I know you think that your civil war was hidden from those of us up there, but it wasn't...at least not for me. I saw what you tried to do….I saw how hard you fought to do what you thought was right. It's my faith in you that tells me everything is going to work out." Jimmy said quietly.
"But how? Our battles were on a different plane. None of the souls in heaven should have been…disturbed." Castiel said, finally looking at Jimmy.
"I don't know, maybe because my body was your vessel, but I saw it all, even…the end." Jimmy said, looking over at Castiel thoughtfully.
"So you know how I came to be this way?" Castiel said, sighing deeply.
"Yes, I know…I watched you fall. I watched you lie there in a crumpled heap, and I could feel your pain. I'm not sure how, but I guided that jogger that found you. She didn't normally take that route, but I managed to change her mind slightly on that particular day. Maybe I had some help…I don't know."
"And since?"
"Nothing until I was deposited on your doorstep this morning. I just prayed constantly that you would be OK."
Castiel was quiet for a moment then met Jimmy's gaze and said, "I still don't understand. After everything I put you and your family through…why would you care what happens to me?"
"Don't get me wrong Cas, there are still times when I wish I had never said yes, but I did and if I'm angry about it now it serves no purpose. Everything I helped you do…all the pain and heartache…it's all for nothing if I don't have faith that it was the right thing to do. The fact that I am here now tells me that I was right to maintain my faith. Maybe I'm going to get another chance." Jimmy said somberly.
Castiel had no time to respond as a nurse came out and called for the family of Dean Winchester. With some assistance from Jimmy, Castiel managed to get his exhausted body upright and hobble over to her.
"The doctor would like to see you. Just go down that hall and take the first right, then it's the third exam room on the left." She said, pointing down the same hall Castiel vaguely remembered being rolled down when he was brought in.
Jimmy grabbed a wheelchair as they went by some in the hall and gestured for Castiel to sit down.
"I don't need it, I can manage." Castiel said, continuing down the hall slowly.
"You may not need it, but I can tell you are totally exhausted. Just sit your ass down and take help when it is offered?" Jimmy said, jogging to catch up.
It was obvious he wasn't going to win this fight, and he didn't have the energy to protest, so Castiel reluctantly sank into the chair and allowed Jimmy to adjust the leg rest for his cast and push him the rest of the way. It wasn't hard to find the room they were looking for since Dean's cussing was audible before well before they reached the room.
"Damn it, it's just a sprain. I don't need surgery." Dean yelled as they entered the room.
"I'm afraid you do Mr. Winchester. It's fractured along an old injury that probably did not receive the attention it needed. If we don't do the surgery it will be very unstable and prone to future injury."
"I don't have time for surgery, just patch it up and let me the hell out of here." Dean said, glaring at the doctor.
The doctor turned as Jimmy and Castiel entered the room. "Can I get a little help here? He won't sign the consent forms."
Castiel panicked a little when all eyes fell on him like he was the most likely candidate in the room to convince Dean he needed the surgery. His ability to convince Dean to do anything was lacking at best given the numerous times he asked one thing and Dean did the exact opposite. He looked to Jimmy with pleading eyes.
When Castiel just sat there looking up at him Jimmy offered his hand and the doctor reached out to shake it. "I'm Michael Winchester and this is Cas. Give us a minute and we'll talk to him."
Once the doctor left the room Jimmy glared at Dean and waited for him to look up. "Dean, don't be stupid. You know if you try to gimp along it'll just take longer for you to recover and you'll be right back in the same position in another hospital somewhere down the road later on. Just get it over with now."
"But we have all this shit going on with you and Cas and I don't have time to be laid up." Dean growled, looking at his traitorous ankle darkly.
"But you're already laid up, so just do it. I'm here and I can look after Cas. You probably won't even be in here a day if all goes well." Jimmy said, glancing over at Castiel in the hope he would contribute something.
"But we need to be researching and figuring out if you can go home." Dean said, trying to scoot himself off the gurney.
Jimmy put a hand on Dean's leg to stop him and said, "It's been this long so a few more days isn't going to hurt me. We still have a lot to find out before I can even consider going home. One less person isn't going to make a difference."
"Yeah, I guess, but you need to know that Sam isn't exactly Castiel's biggest fan these days…neither is Bobby. That may pose some problems if you need their help." Dean said, reluctantly lying back down.
"I'm…aware." Jimmy said simply.
"What do you mean?" Dean said, looking at Jimmy suspiciously.
"Not the time…I'll fill you in later. Now are you going to sign those consent forms or not?"
"Dean, I understand little about human methods of mending injuries…other than my own of course, so if Jimmy thinks you should then please do it?" Castiel said, looking to Jimmy to see if he had said the right thing.
"No…it will heal on its own if I just stay off of it long enough." Dean said, crossing his arms across his chest and pouting.
"I'll call Sam, let's see what he says." Castiel said, fishing his phone out and fixing Dean with a stare.
Dean huffed and rolled his eyes before saying, "OK, OK you win. I'll sign the damn forms…go ahead and call Sam too. He needs to know damn it."
Castiel breathed a sigh of relief as they wheeled Dean out to take him up to surgery once the doctor had gone over the forms and told them what to expect. Taking his phone back out as Jimmy rolled him back out to the waiting area, he steeled himself for the sound of Sam's voice on the other end.
"Sam? It's Cas…tiel. I'm here with Dean at the hospital. The doctor says he needs surgery and they are taking him now."
"I'll be right there. How did you get there…did Karen drive you?" Sam said.
"Um…no…there were some…ah…developments this morning." Castiel said without elaborating.
"Such as?"
"Jimmy."
"You mean Jimmy as in your vessel Jimmy?" Sam said, his voice rising.
"Yes."
"Damn it Cas, you didn't think I needed to know something like that?" Sam yelled.
"I assumed Dean would call if he felt it warranted your attention. All the proper tests were done. He isn't a shapeshifter or any other supernatural beings we can test for."
"Dean let Jimmy drive the Impala?" Sam said with a snort.
"It seemed to be the best of our limited options at the time."
"OK, sit tight and I'll be there as soon as I can." Sam said, still chuckling slightly as he ended the call.
Castiel pocketed his phone and looked back over his shoulder at Jimmy. "Sam will be here shortly."
"Is that going to pose a problem?" Jimmy said with a concerned look at Castiel.
"I-no…I don't think so. He helped me get ready for my date with Karen last night, so at least the initial tension has been broken. He didn't seem to be averse to talking to me…just upset that he had not been told about your appearance."
"Why did he help you instead of Dean?"
"It was my fault Dean got hurt. He fell trying to keep me from falling." Castiel said quietly.
"I'm sure he doesn't blame you."
"He says not…but I can't help but feel guilty. I seem to cause as much trouble as I alleviate." Castiel said, shaking his head.
Jimmy stopped and knelt down in front of Castiel, fixing him with an intense stare. "Cas, without you Dean would still be in hell and who knows what would have happened to other people you saved. Stop beating yourself up."
"They would have sent another Angel had I not been able to raise him. He was too important to the grand plan for any failure on my part to have made a difference. Sam too." Castiel said, avoiding Jimmy's gaze by staring at the wall behind him.
"And if Michael and Lucifer had been able to use them for their battle? If you had failed to stop Armageddon?"
"I-I don't know."
"Yes, Cas you do. They'd both be dead. You did the right thing."
"Maybe then I did, but the Purgatory debacle…all my doing." Castiel said with a rather loud sigh.
"No Cas…you had plenty of help fucking that up too."
"I did?" Castiel said, his brows knitting together in confusion.
"Yes, Cas. Dean didn't support you, Crowley played you, and last but not least God put everything in motion by leading you and your supporters within the holy host to believe that he had chosen you. Maybe he did choose you, but he did nothing to help you determine the right path." Jimmy said, stopping when several people walked by.
"I guess this is not the place to discuss it, but in hindsight I suppose you are right." Castiel said, absently rubbing his temple.
"OK then. Let's go meet Sam and then maybe we can go get something to eat. I just realized I'm starving."
Castiel nodded and Jimmy began to push began him back down the hall. A feeling of panic rose in his throat when he thought about seeing Sam. Without Dean as a buffer how would he react? Maybe Jimmy's presence would be enough to keep anything bad from happening. He shifted uncomfortably in the wheelchair…he didn't want to meet Sam this way.
"Jimmy, stop please. I don't want to see Sam like this."
"Why? Oh…well…yeah I guess he would be rather imposing from down there." Jimmy said, applying the brakes and helping Castiel up.
"He's imposing enough from up here." Castiel said, adjusting his crutches nervously.
"I thought you said he sounded OK on the phone?"
"He did…but if you know everything that happened then you know what I did to him." Castiel said, squaring his shoulders and moving off in the direction of the lobby.
"You sure you're up to it? I'll go meet him by myself if you want and come back to get you."
Castiel stopped and took a deep breath, rocking back and forth on his crutches as he considered Jimmy's offer. "No, I can't avoid him and it's not like I haven't already talked to him. He'll probably be too concerned about Dean anyway."
"We're also in the middle of a hospital Cas. He's not going to flip out and give you a smack down in the lobby with potential witnesses." Jimmy said, touching Cas on the shoulder gently.
"You don't know what was behind that wall…I do." Castiel said grimly.
"Well we don't have a choice at this point so just relax and take it as it comes." Jimmy said, fixing Castiel with his eyes intently.
Castiel shook his head and looked down when the strangeness of looking at an identical copy of himself suddenly hit him and he started to laugh.
"What's so funny?" Jimmy said, narrowing his eyes.
"You don't find it strange…looking at yourself?"
"Well…yes…a little, but the last few years have been "Twilight Zone" strange. Suddenly acquiring a twin…not exactly high on the list of things that would freak me out anymore." Jimmy said.
"I suppose it shouldn't bother me either...I didn't exactly spend a great deal of time looking in mirrors until a few weeks ago." Castiel took a deep breath, then turned and started for the lobby so quickly that Jimmy had to jog to keep up.
"Hey! Gimp boy…slow down. You're too good with those sticks for me to keep up!" Jimmy called after him.
"Need practice to make sure Dean doesn't get the upper hand on me. Looks like we will both be indisposed for a while longer." Castiel said over his shoulder.
"With any luck you'll be rid of them before him…that would be…entertaining." Jimmy said with a smirk.
"Very." Castiel said, slowing slightly to let Jimmy catch up.
Once they reached the lobby Castiel scanned the crowd for Sam. He was easy to spot, since he towered above nearly everyone, but he was looking in the wrong direction. Using that to his advantage Castiel threaded his way through the crowd as quickly as he could and stopped just behind Sam before making his presence known.
"Hello Sam." Castiel said simply.
Sam turned quickly and looked down at Castiel, surprised at his sudden appearance. Just the way Castiel wanted it. A reminder of the friendly Cas…the one that helped…the one that didn't understand personal space.
"Jeez Cas…still good at the Ninja Angel thing I see."
"Apparently it's one of my talents, even like this." Castiel said, smiling slightly at Sam.
"Where's Jimmy?"
"I guess I lost him." Castiel said, turning to see Jimmy trying to get through the crowd.
Being on crutches did have a few advantages, one being that people tended to move out of your way when they saw you coming. Castiel watched as Sam looked back and forth between the two of them once Jimmy made his way over. He had the same look on his face that Dean had. The power Dean had felt…that he had felt...that small echo of his former presence. Does Sam feel it?
Castiel couldn't read Sam's expression as well as he would have liked, but Sam didn't seem to notice anything. Maybe Dean is the only one that feels it? Castiel was just as puzzled as Dean when he first felt it…just as Jimmy arrived. Coincidence? No can't be.
Sam shook his head and reached for the hand that Jimmy offered, shaking it slowly like he was not convinced that it was really him.
"So, Dean is in surgery?" Sam said, withdrawing his hand and looking at Castiel.
"Yes, the surgeon was already here and they had a room so they took him straight up." Castiel said.
"How did they manage to get his consent?" Sam said with a snort.
"They didn't…I threatened to call you."
"I'm surprised he even came here like he promised. The last time he wouldn't even let me take him to the hospital and I had to listen to him gripe about it for two months. That's why he always wears boots…so he can lace 'em up tight to support it. He doesn't think I know, but he also keeps sports tape hidden in his duffle just in case."
An awkward silence descended once the discussion of Dean was out of the way and Castiel shifted uncomfortably trying to decide what to say. He jumped slightly when Jimmy came to the rescue.
"Castiel and I were going to get something to eat. You want to come? It will probably be a while."
"No, I guess I better stay so there is someone here when he gets out of surgery. Maybe we can talk about how you ended up here when you guys get back?" Sam said, with a slightly menacing look at Jimmy.
"Not much to tell…I was in Heaven…then I was in the parking lot at the hotel…end of story. That's as much as I can tell you." Jimmy said, returning the look.
"You can understand why we might be a tad suspicious?" Sam said, softening his expression slightly.
"Of course, but as you can see Dean tested me…holy water in the face and the whole nine yards." Jimmy said, pulling up his sleeve to reveal a cut on his arm from Dean's silver blade without looking away from Sam.
"I'm fairly certain it is him. Anna's body was destroyed and she was able to regain it, so I see no difficulty with Jimmy getting his back if Father so desired."
Castiel looked from Sam and to Jimmy, hoping to see one of them stand down. Sam finally averted his eyes and Castiel stifled a chuckle. Apparently Jimmy was as good at staring down people with those eyes as he was.
Sam pulled some car keys from his pocket and handed them to Jimmy. "Just so Dean won't freak out that you are driving his baby all over town without him. It's the beat up Mustang GT parked near the Impala...and I took the liberty of making you this until you can get a real one."
Jimmy took the proffered items and looked at the fake Driver's License. "Thanks, but it might be hard for Castiel to get in and out of a Mustang with that ton of fiberglass he's lugging around."
"I'll manage. I've gotten a little better at getting around in the last few days. I'm tired of being dumped in the back seat anyway." Castiel said with a huff.
"The top is down…that should make it easier."
Jimmy's eyes lit up. "Oooo, a convertible."
"And a stick…you can drive a stick?" Sam said, smirking slightly.
Jimmy smirked back. "Of course."
Castiel rolled his eyes and glared at them. "If you two are finished with your pissing match I'm hungry."
Castiel suppressed a smile when Sam looked slightly taken aback by his use of profanity.
"OK, you guys get out of here. If you want to go on back to the hotel when you are done I'll stay here and call you when he's out."
"Just so you know, we had to do a little fast talking when Karen appeared, so my name is Michael Winchester if anyone here asks." Jimmy said before motioning for Castiel to head towards the door.
"Not confusing at all" Sam said before shaking his head and heading for the nearest chair.