Drunk as A Skunk

Almost as soon as Ashley got away from the motel, she knew it was the wrong move. Sam and Dean had every right to be upset with her about being left in the dark, but did she need to be jumped on? It might have been early, but she could use a drink non-the less. As Ashley eased the blue Mustang into a sports bar, her phone began to ring and buzz on the seat next to her. "Can't I just be left alone for five minutes?" Ashley screamed at the phone that showed Dean was calling.

Once the phone quit making noise and Ashley calmed herself, she began the short trek to the bar's front door. She was met with the smell of stale beers and burning cigarettes before reaching the door. To some, the smell would just be enough to induce a wave of nausea, but to Ashley it was a calming, familiar smell. She pulled back on the rough door handle and let the harsh smell carry away her stress and frustrations.

"I told you to lay off" Sam sighed as he watched Dean throw his phone across the room.

"She's the one who kept going!" Dean barked as he ran a hand over his aging face.

"And she is the one who ran!" Sam pointed out once his brother sat down. "Look, she'll come back, just give her some space for a bit- she's like me in that sense."

"Yeah, alright" Dean exhaled as he dropped his head into his open palms resting against his denim covered thighs.

Castiel

I stood in front of the door the whole time Dean and Sam were yelling at Ashley, I should have made my presence known, but I have come to realize sometimes the best thing for those three to do is fight. This time, I felt I was wrong in staying invisible the second I felt Ashley storm right past me and out the door. I could sense her intentions were bad, but I found myself still rooted to the spot. Sam and Dean stood there staring at each other for another few moments before both started yelling at each other again. My main worry was of course if Dean was going to choose this argument to beat Sam's head in, or if Sam would finish the job that Lucifer started in Stull Cemetery.

Ashley merely intended to drink away her anger, whereas these boys now poised a threat to themselves and one another. I remember that night I drank that liquor store, I walked out feeling warm and as if I was floating more than normal. My anger and receded to mild irritation, perhaps it will be the same with Ashley tonight. I know she will be safe. I will check on her once this argument between protective brothers simmers down and ensure she does not do anything reckless in her inhibited state that may end in extra scars for her.

Two beers in and a couple shots later, Ashley was feeling lighter and forgot about everything that went wrong earlier. She continued to look at her phone, willing it to ring but unsure who she really wanted to see on the caller-id. "Screw it, I'll call then" Ashley slurred as she quickly dialed from memory.

Yeah a husky voice said sleepily through the phone's cheap speaker.

"Hey, long time" Ashley squeaked back.

Ash? The man replied A-are you okay?

"Why wouldn't I be, Maxie?" There was a long pause on the other end, long enough for Ashley to chug down the last half of her cold beer and gesture for another. She had of course noticed the delay, but she was too happy and preoccupied to care.

What happened, Ash? Something's wrong if you wasted off your ass already.

"Noo" Ashley giggled "I just went out for me time and thought I'd call you!"

Max knew better than to challenge Ashley, especially when she had a couple drinks under her belt. He knew from experience that she would be drinking for a while, there was a time before he hired Ashley when she used to be the broken girl sitting in front of him drinking away her stresses. Instead Max kept her talking while he quickly typed out a text to send to both Sam and Dean. Max assumed they were the cause of her afternoon out as they were when he was tending to her drinking years ago, but someone still needed to watch out for her since he couldn't at the present time and he had no idea who the person was standing in front of her.

Sam had long since given up on waiting to hear from Ashley, instead he had taken up the job to update their journal on new techniques and monsters they encountered. Ashley, Dean, and he had decided they would do this and later hand it down to whoever took over their cases. Dean had passed out on his bed a while ago, so it was up to him to hear the phones ringing. Sam sighed as he reached for his own first.

Hey Sam and Dean, it's Max. I know you don't want to hear from me, but Ash is pretty wasted at some dive called Teller's. She dialed me and thought you guys could help her better.

"Shit" Sam breathed out as he grabbed his jacket and ran out the door. Ashley was capable of taking care of herself, but it was only one in the afternoon and she could only get herself into more trouble this way.

Sam might know his sister like Dean did but he knew her enough to see this ending in a broken heart and too many headaches. He had to find a way to get down to the bar. Sam quickly typed out another message while he searched for a hotwire-able car. Thanks Max. Just keep talking to her while I find a way down there. Sam quickly typed out as he walked over towards a Yukon and worked on getting it started up. He raced towards the dilapidated building located at the edge of town. As Sam drove his mind began to wander down the twisty roads that held memories of Ashley and Dean running away from each other. There were some nights years ago, when Ashley was around 9 and Dean 14 that Sam remembered clearer than others- Ashley's cries and sobs would echo in the empty motel room over Dean's coarse yells, telling her to shut up. People would come knock on the door to see if everyone was okay, and managers were usually called. No matter how Sam tried to comfort his sister, she would run out the door and to the closest park or school field. As Ashley got older, her safe havens would get worse and eventually ended up being shady bars sandwiched between two bikers and way too faced to take proper care of herself.

"So, so! Why'd you leave me and Tara?" Ashley asked again after two more beers were chugged down.

I'm sorry I did. Max said into the phone, with sincere regret hanging on every syllable. Would you let me come back home?

Ashley began to process the heartfelt request with her beer-soaked brain; she hemmed and hawed, and even mumbled a couple inaudible thoughts to herself, but was quickly distracted by the door opening behind her and a familiar husky voice calling her name. "Sam?" she asked loudly, unaware she was still speaking into the phone.

"Hey Ash" Sam said as he quickly walked up to his sister. He was relieved to see she was only on the phone and not causing too much damage to herself physically- emotionally may be another story when she is sober enough to remember talking with Max.

"How'd you know I was here?" she asked her tall brother and into the phone still pressed against her warm face.

I told him, Ash Max said half-heatedly. I'll let you talk with your brother. With that, Ashley disconnected the call and threw both arms around Sam's wide waist.

"Why are you here?" she asked, obviously unaware of the anger she still harbored.

"To drive you home" Sam chuckled as he paid off his sister's heft tab and retrieved her previously confiscated keys from the relieved bartender.

Castiel

I never considered driving a motor vehicle to be dangerous while one is drunk, it is a good thing the bartender Jeffery was able to help me with my duties tonight. I knew the danger was over once Sam and Dan both retreated to corners, but I still was unable to draw myself away from them for some reason; I think I still felt some danger in that room although I am not sure what it would have been. My lesson learned tonight was to keep the Winchesters together when they are like this- there is risk of fatal injury on every single level, and I am not angelically capable of being in three places at once, despite popular belief. At least not yet, I do still need to complete a couple courses to maximize my proficiency int he guardian angel profession.

AN: Sorry, I may be having too much fun with Cas now..see what suggestions do to me?! Anywho, hope everyone is still enjoying where this story is going. If not drop by the reviews section and tell me exactly what is on your mind. I thoroughly enjoy everyone's suggestions and recommendations...maybe a bit too much ~Ash