A/N: Special thanks to Jess, Amy, and Scorpian92 for the reviews! I've been working on this chapter on and off the past few days. Hopefully I didn't screw up the flow. Enjoy!

Chapter 10

It was a particularly cold morning with thick gray clouds in the sky. According to Bobby, it was definitely going to rain today. Ellen made sure everyone got some sort of breakfast before they headed out for the day. Dean was feeling rather grumpy from lack of sleep, but he was determined to not let it show. Ellen would be driving the van with Jo sitting between her and Sam. The rest of the van was for supplies. Bobby had assured them that there would be enough room for some fence to fit in the back of the van. If they could find some sort of truck out there that could help load the rest of the fence, they would do that, otherwise they would be making more trips out to the warehouse. Dean slid into the driver's seat of the Impala, wondering if he his beloved car was really a good choice for the zombie world they lived in now. Baby was loud and rather small when you thought about all the things they needed to pile into their vehicles these days. He just couldn't stand the idea of driving anything else. It was like betraying Baby. Besides, the Impala reminded him of how things had been before, of much simpler drives. It was comforting. Castiel took his place in the passenger seat of the Impala, looking over Dean thoughtfully.

"You look tired. Are you sure you're okay?" Castiel asked, clearly worried. Dean frowned at his friend.

"I'm fine." He sort of grumbled.

They looked away from each other at the sound of the back doors opening. Benny slumped down behind Dean, Charlie scooted in beside him with Garth following shortly after. Everyone in the backseat had to readjust a couple times before they were comfortable. There were just too many weapons involved to sit this close. Ellen was waiting for the Impala to head out first before following behind. Dean cleared his throat and glanced in the mirror at his group.

"Guess we're set." He smiled at the others before heading down the driveway. He watched as Ellen pulled out behind them. Everyone was quiet for the most part, nervous about driving so far and not knowing what they were going to be walking into. The warehouse was one of five in the area, on a road that led away from a busier part of town. The little stores they'd had to pass to get to the warehouse seemed to have zombies guarding them. Cars were littered across the main road, blood-spattered and wrecked. Dean winced as he pulled into the warehouse parking lot. He had a feeling the infected had made their way here to the unsuspecting warehouse workers. By the looks of it, it hadn't gone well. The cars in the parking lot were mostly damaged, there was blood on the ground dried and soaked into the pavement. The loading dock was open wide, a loading truck near the opening with the driver's side door wide open. A couple bloody handprints were on the door, more blood on the pavement. Everyone got cautiously out of the cars, meeting up together with their hands on their swords.

"Alright, well it's open so I doubt any zombies chose to stay behind." Ellen pointed out.

"Looks like this place got hit pretty hard." Garth commented.

"Let's just hurry up and get this over with. Anyone see a decent truck?" Dean asked. Everyone looked around.

"There. That one looks like it survived whatever happened here." Jo pointed out. The others took watch while Sam and Jo inspected the truck.

"Chevy Silverado, extended cab long bed. It's got a good amount of gas and appears to be in good condition." Sam reported back to the others.

"Keys?" Dean asked.

"Nah, but I can jump it." With that Sam did just that, starting the truck and pulling it up close to the entrance of the warehouse.

"How the hell did we get so lucky?" Ellen asked, checking out the truck.

"I don't know. But you know what they say about gift horses." Benny smiled. With that they headed into the warehouse, everyone on alert. Castiel frowned thoughtfully.

"Hold on." He reached out and grabbed Dean's arm. Dean gave him a questioning look.

"Gabriel's trying to tell me something." Castiel looked around the warehouse as though he was looking for the other angel. He cursed and started heading out of the warehouse.

"We have to go next door. Gabriel tried to guide nearby survivors to us, but they're in the wrong warehouse. They're in trouble." Castiel didn't wait to see if the others were following, just rushed out ahead of them. He burst through the door at the next warehouse, drawing the attention of a few zombies. A teenager was on the ground, barely holding off a zombie. On the other side of the room a group of zombies were tearing at a dead body. A woman yelled from the back of the warehouse. She'd climbed on top of one of the shelves and shot a zombie below her between the eyes with a gun. Castiel took all of this in within seconds and moved quickly to take care of the zombie on top of the teen. To the teen there was just suddenly no longer a zombie over him. Castiel pulled the zombie away and chopped its head off quickly, turning to take care of nearby zombies. It was then that the rest of the group ran into the warehouse to join the fight. Garth ran over to the teen, making sure he was alright. Dean ran to help the woman, Charlie following behind him to watch his back. Benny heard a man shouting profanities and headed towards the shouting. Sam followed Benny, gesturing to Jo and Ellen. They nodded and continued watching the entryways while taking out any nearby zombies.

Finally, it was over. All the zombies had been taken care of, three survivors rescued. They had been too late to save the fourth survivor who now lay on the floor with very little left of his remains. The teen and the woman were fine, but the man had been bitten.

"Looks like it'll just be the two of you getting rescued." The man said with a British accent.

"Give me your arm…maybe I can heal it." Castiel offered holding out his hand. Everyone stared at him.

"You're an angel, aren't you? The other guy said he could only speak to Kevin here in his dream." The man said, gesturing towards the teen. He held his arm out to Castiel. The wound healed almost instantly but Castiel continued holding the arm, eyes closed making sure the infection was wiped out as well. Castiel winced, feeling sick suddenly. He opened his eyes and tried to hide the fact that something was wrong. The survivor was going to be fine at least.

"So some guy talks to you in a dream and you just go with it?" Dean asked disbelievingly.

"Says you. You're friends with an angel. You trust him." Kevin pointed out.

"It wasn't exactly a dream. More like a vision." The woman said. She smiled at the betrayed look on Kevin's face and turned her attention to the group of strangers. "I'm Jody."

"Jody, Kevin, and…." Jo asked, looking to the man with raised brows. He smiled and bowed slightly.

"Crowley." He looked away from the group to eye the remains of their fourth companion.

"I'm truly sorry about your friend…" Castiel's eyes were filled with sadness. Jody touched his arm lightly.

"It's not your fault, nor is it the other angel's. We made the mistake. We're just thankful that you showed up when you did." She assured him. He met her eyes and found comfort there.

"Poor bastard." Crowley murmured. He turned his attention back to the group. "So what the hell did you come out here for anyway?"

Everyone introduced themselves and Dean explained why they were out here, explained what they were planning. Crowley was shocked that they had found his truck in the parking lot and had hot-wired it. The three were eager to help get the fencing and get the hell out of here. They went next door to the warehouse with the fence materials and set to work. Every now and then Castiel would get this strange look on his face but he fought through it. No one seemed to notice but Dean. Everyone else was too focused on getting the fence or watching their backs. It was clear to Dean that Castiel wasn't feeling well and it most likely had to do with healing a zombie bite. He chose not to say anything, especially not in front of the others. With both the van and the truck loaded up, everyone piled into their vehicles and followed Dean back home. It started raining during the drive back.

Dean turned in his seat to look at the three in the backseat. Benny and Garth already had their hands on the door handles, ready to get out.

"Get everybody inside. The fence will be fine where it is. Need to get out of this rain." Dean said.

"You're not coming?" Charlie asked. She looked from Dean to Castiel and nodded in understanding. She shoved Garth until he got out of the car. Benny risked another glance at the angel, wondering if he was really alright. He caught Dean's eyes and smiled slightly before getting out of the car. Castiel moved to get out but Dean's hand on his arm stilled him.

"I'm fine, Dean. I just need to rest a bit." Castiel assured his friend.

"Cas… if there's anything I can do…" Dean looked away and frowned at himself. As though there was anything he could do to help an angel. Castiel leaned back against the seat and looked out at the rain.

"I can't believe you healed that guy's bite. It was…impressive." Dean smiled. Castiel smiled slightly in response.

"I know you're feeling sick, but I also know you'll get better. You always do." Dean sighed and looked out the window.

"Then why are you so worried about me?" Castiel asked.

"I want you to talk to me, Cas. Don't bottle things up, don't try to hide- not from me. I know that healing Crowley isn't the only thing wrong. You're feeling sick, but you're also blaming yourself for not being able to save the other guy." Dean slid his arm down Castiel's arm to take his hand.

"We were so close… and it's so rare for an angel in heaven to actually interfere in human lives. Gabriel risked so much to help them, to send them to us and…" Castiel looked down at Dean's hand in his and realized it was actually comforting. Who knew such a small gesture could really help? He took a deep breath and looked up to meet his friend's eyes.

"How come Gabriel didn't give you a heads up?" Dean asked. Castiel choked out a laugh and shook his head.

"He enjoys a surprise." Castiel squeezed Dean's hand.

"We should get out of here, getting a bit stuffy…" Dean smiled and tried to pull away. Castiel didn't want to let go of his hand.

"Can we stay a bit longer? I don't really feel like moving… or being around everyone right now." Castiel met Dean's eyes and frowned slightly, trying to read his friend's expression.

"Sure Cas." Dean turned his attention to the rain pouring over the windshield.

"Something's bothering you." Castiel pointed out.

"It's been a while since we've seen anyone actually get bitten. Crowley's lucky you were there before it got worse… When you cured him but started feeling sick yourself… I don't think I could go through that again." Dean laughed humorlessly. "I know you're an angel and everything. I shouldn't be so worried about you…"

"Dean…" Castiel couldn't find the words. Dean had sat in that room with him when they both thought he was going to turn into a zombie. He'd seen his friend hurt and dying. Watched him die. That just wouldn't go away. Of course this had brought back horrible memories for Dean. The two sat in silence for a moment.

"So, about last night…" Dean changed the subject. Castiel stared out at the rain, waiting for Dean to tell him he'd made a mistake. Blame it on the alcohol. Show regret.

"If you like me so much, why didn't you kiss me back?" Dean asked. This was so far from what Castiel was expecting. He had to see the expression on Dean's face. He seemed curious, maybe even a little confused.

"Because it would be foolish to take advantage of you." Castiel said.

"Dude, I didn't drink that much." Dean argued.

"Maybe not. However you were emotionally confused, you acted impulsively-" Castiel watched Dean's expression change.

"Okay, okay, maybe you're right. I'm just not used to feeling this…" Dean frowned at himself, realizing that he was yet again discussing his feelings. Maybe instead of talking to Castiel about his feelings towards him he could talk to someone else that could help him better understand them. But who the hell would he talk to? It was bad enough that someone other than himself was involved in this. There was no point bringing outsiders into their business. Of course, if Castiel was a woman this would all go much smoother. Dean was used to dealing with women. Though he'd never really had such feelings for a woman either. Not only was he having feelings for a man- which was not like himself- he was experiencing more profound feelings for the first time altogether. Had he been fooling himself all along? Maybe he never had been truly straight. He just never let himself think of a guy like this, had never let one get that close. He tried not to put too much thought into it. He couldn't suddenly be someone else, but the idea of being closer to Cas was certainly appealing.

"I'm feeling a bit better now." Castiel said softly, breaking through Dean's jumbled thoughts.

"Good…good… so do you wanna head inside?" Dean was a little spaced out. Castiel didn't answer him. Dean had been staring down at his lap absently, but at the continued silence he turned to study his friend's face. Dean could only describe the look on the angel's face as sad longing. It was something Dean had never seen on anyone's face, especially not Castiel's. The angel blinked and it was gone. Had he been schooling his face this whole time? How much had he been holding in? He was probably worried that Dean would freak out if he showed too many emotions, if he showed anything beyond friendship. Dean vaguely wondered if anything too revealing ever showed on his own face. He'd never really thought about it. Castiel pulled his hand away from Dean and looked towards the house.

"The others are probably waiting on us." Castiel said, pushing the door open. He got out of the car but stood outside in the rain, waiting for Dean to join him. Dean sighed as he got out of the car and walked quickly up to the house with Castiel following behind him.

The others were not waiting for them as it turned out, not anymore. After waiting for a few moments they gave up waiting and began making introductions without them. It was beginning to get dark outside and everyone was tired after the day they had. Meg and Jo gave up their beds so that Crowley and Jody could get some much needed rest. Kevin had fallen asleep in Dean's bed shortly after finishing the introductions. Benny sat on his couch with Garth and Charlie. Meg and Jo sat on the other couch. Sam had the recliner to himself. They were talking in hushed tones despite the fact that Kevin was deep asleep and it was unlikely that anything would awaken him. When Dean and Castiel came inside they were a bit surprised to find so few of the group still hanging around.

"Ash is on watch. Everyone else went to sleep." Sam informed his brother.

"How ya feelin' angel?" Benny asked.

"Oh, you know. Bit hungry." Dean answered jokingly. Jo moved over to make room for Castiel on the couch. He slumped down and looked across at Benny.

"Better now. Just need to rest for a while longer." Castiel answered. Dean headed to the kitchen to look for something to eat.

"I can't believe you healed Crowley." Jo said incredulously. The others made noises of agreement.

"Getting bitten isn't a death sentence anymore." Sam pointed out.

"I wouldn't risk it…" Castiel smiled, hoping that the others would still continue to be as careful as always.

"Of course, right. No I mean… it's not like we would throw caution to the wind or anything." Sam said, a bit embarrassed.

"I can't believe there are so many of us here now." Meg smiled.

"Yea, we definitely need more room now. But the more people we have the sooner that fence is gonna get put up." Garth grinned at the others. They nodded. Dean came back from the kitchen with a bag of chips. He offered some to the others but everyone declined. He shrugged and leaned against the wall, eating the chips alone.

"How's the kid?" Dean asked, gesturing towards Kevin.

"He's only a year younger than me." Jo frowned. Dean shrugged and smiled, his eyes conveying that he thought she was a kid too.

"They were all pretty exhausted. Sounds like they drove for quite a while with no sleep to meet up with us." Charlie looked over at the sleeping teen sympathetically.

"Well, I don't know about the rest of you but I'm feeling exhausted myself." Dean returned the chips to the kitchen and came back to find the others standing awkwardly, everyone questioning their sleeping arrangements.

"I'm fine on the recliner, if someone else wants to sleep on the couch." Dean offered.

"I'm fine on my cot." Garth smiled.

"I'll take the couch." Charlie looked around to see if anyone objected. No one did. Sam got to keep his bed because the cots weren't exactly big enough for him. Jo took the last bed and Meg took the other cot.

"What about Castiel and Ash?" Sam asked.

"I'll go join Ash on watch. As long as I don't have to use much energy I'll be fine." Castiel assured them.

"I'll take second watch, if that's alright with everyone. Then Ash and I can switch places." Benny offered. Everyone was in agreement so they all said their goodnights and headed in their separate directions.

"I'll tell Ash you're taking second watch." Castiel told Benny before heading upstairs. Benny smiled and nodded. Dean practically collapsed into the recliner and leaned it back as far as it would go, kicking his shoes off as an afterthought.

"You know… if Castiel is going to be on watch anyway, why does someone else need to be up there?" Charlie asked as she lay down on the couch. Dean was already asleep.

"I was just trying to offer up my couch." Benny laughed. "But the others still go on watch anyway for the most part, angel or not."

"I guess. Habit, right?" Charlie yawned.

Castiel sat with Ash, watching the zombies struggling on the pikes. His mind was filled with thoughts of Dean. He couldn't help but wonder if it was actually possible for Dean to have feelings for him. Dean had kissed him! But what if that was all he ever got; just a one-sided, chaste kiss? As much as he wanted to believe that Dean had feelings for him, he worried that something would scare Dean away. If Dean was the one to initiate the kiss and Castiel kept his distance then Dean could laugh it off as a mistake. If Castiel kissed Dean, it would become Castiel's fault. But what if it did work out? What if returning Dean's affections were just what Dean needed to better understand his feelings and accept them? Frustrated from overthinking things, Castiel decided to go roam the halls. Something he found that he liked to do while the others were sleeping. He knew they would be safe within the house, but he liked to assure himself that everyone was sleeping peacefully. Truth be told he rarely ventured in any of the bedrooms, he respected their privacy and was especially cautious of Bobby's room. He definitely did not want to see or hear anything inappropriate from those two. The only person he got close to was, of course, Dean. With the living room full of people tonight, that meant watching over the others as well. Charlie was curled in the fetal position smiling in her sleep, clearly having good dreams. Kevin was still fast asleep, barely visible hidden beneath the blanket. Benny was snoring softly stretched out on the couch, at peace in his sleep. Finally, Castiel turned to Dean. He was frowning. Castiel's hand seemed to move on its own to smooth gently across Dean's forehead easing the frown lines away. Castiel traced along the side of his friend's face, enjoying how the frown melted away and Dean leaned ever so slightly into the touch. He made himself move away, feeling a bit guilty for touching the man in his sleep. Practically throwing himself out of the room, he landed with ease in the chair beside Ash. The blonde offered him a beer without looking at him and smiled.

A/N: Hope you like the story so far. The group has a lot of work ahead of them, but I'm planning to have a bit of fun next chapter. Also, I'll reveal who the fourth guy was that was found dead and why the others weren't too broken up about his death. Stay tuned, and thanks for reading. Feel free to let me know what you think so far.