A Window is a Mirror

A/N: A little more interaction with Cas and Dean and friends. Hope you enjoy.

Kudos: KoRho, I hope you enjoy your empty house on Mother's Day.

Chapter 11 Roadhouse

The atmosphere was relaxed and comfortable as the four friends waited for their food. They joked and shared stories with Andy about Jo, Dean and Cas' "Wonder Years".

"Anyway," Jo was smiling at her friends, "Cas completely bailed on the next semester's homework, classwork and tests. I've never seen him so miserable!"

Cas nodded sheepishly.

"I didn't know that!" Dean exclaimed.

Cas blushed when Jo laughed. "What? You thought somehow the incredible Castiel Collins managed to fail eighth grade? The only way that was ever going to happen was deliberately." Jo concluded.

Dean gaped in wide-eyed astonishment as Cas took a drink of water. "Did you…" Dean's voice cracked and he strangled a swell of emotions. "I believed you! You told your parents it was because of the pressure and expectations were finally getting to you! I believed you!"

"What a load of crap! Haha! I can't believe you fell for that!" Jo teased.

Dean grabbed Cas' hand under the table as he gazed into blue eyes in astonishment and awe. He leaned in to whisper in his ear. "For me?"

Cas ducked his head and his blush grew more scarlet all the way to his ears. He nodded. Dean reached a hand to grip Cas' neck and drew him close so he could kiss him on his temple. He leaned his forehead against Cas' head.

"Guys, cut out the PDAs, okay." Jo complained, but her smile never wavered and tears shone bright in her eyes.

"So, I take it you finally let Cas in on the big secret?" Andy laughed.

Dean picked up a napkin and chucked it at Andy. "Shut it!" Dean scowled.

Cas blinked, alternating his gaze from Dean to Andy. "What secret?"

Jo and Andy laughed loudly at Cas' innocence. Dean just smiled all the way to his eyes. "We'll talk about it later."

The waitress arrived then, shifting the topic of conversation to food. They ate and spoke about some light-hearted news, Bobby talking about renewing his vows with Ellen. Bobby thought it might be nice if he planned a proposal since Ellen told him they were getting married the first time around. Their anniversary was in June and he thought six months would be plenty of time to plan the ceremony. He was kicking around asking either at Christmas or New Year's Eve.

"I think New Year's Eve would be so romantic." Jo gushed.

All three men just blankly stared at her mushy romantic expression. "I need more girl friends." She reported with a resigned sigh. "Aren't gay guys supposed to… I don't know… get gushy over girlie shit like that?"

"Not these gay guys!" Dean protested. "We didn't suddenly have a personality transplant just because we're willing to admit to liking guys, Jo."

"Come on! Cas… you were always the sensitive one. Please, tell me you have a romantic side." Jo said.

Cas thought about it. "Sorry."

"Gah!" Jo said as she pushed away from the table in a huff.

Andy leaned in, his hand on her thigh to whisper in her ear. She dropped her eyes and smiled widely, a blush grew hot on her cheeks and she giggled before nodding. Andy resumed his seat and continued eating.

Dean watched with a calculating eye. "What did you say?"

Andy gloated with a defiant grin. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

They were done with dinner, but couldn't gather the desire to leave the company of good friends at their leisure. They had resumed some more stories and reminiscing with happiness in the glow around them.

Castiel's phone vibrated in his pocket. He looked at the ID and pushed ignore. The expression he adopted had Dean asking if he was all right. Cas nodded but he looked like he might be sick.

"You're not gonna hurl, are you?" Jo asked.

"JoAnna Beth! That's disgusting." Andy said.

"Yeah, but look at him! Did you get food poisoning? I told you not to eat sea bugs."

Dean objected, but leaned in to Cas to ask again if he was okay.

Cas nodded. "Maybe, I should…" He got up to go toward the bathroom. Dean and Jo tracked him with their eyes. They looked back at each other when he disappeared behind the door and they shrugged.

"What the hell, Cas?" The irritated voice yelled on the line. "I know you pressed ignore. It went straight to voicemail."

"I'm sorry. I couldn't talk." Cas said. There was no reply. "Joey?"

"I'm here." Joey responded. "I haven't heard from you, so I got worried."

"I'm okay. I'm out at dinner with friends."

"Dean?" Joey asked. "Did you tell him?"

"Yes." Cas couldn't keep the grin out of his voice.

"And?" Joey prompted.

"It's a longer conversation than I want to have right now." Cas evaded cautiously.

"Well, since you've told him and are out to dinner with him… it must've gone well."

"Yes." Castiel said, smiling again. He wanted to tell Joey everything but, at the same time, feared telling him anything.

"All right, Cassie. I'll let you go… but, I want a full report tomorrow!" Joey demanded.

Cas nodded. "Okay. Talk to you tomorrow. Good night."

"Good night. And Cas…"

"Yes?"

"I miss you." Joey said.

Cas swallowed. "Yeah," his heart raced. He felt like he might hurl after all. "Me, too. Talk to you tomorrow."