AN: Sorry this is taking longer then usual... I was out of town and I'm having trouble getting back to things, but I'm trying! (So please bare with me)

Anyway, thank you all as usual, you're awesome! :D

ENJOY

"Never mind, he just walked in," Pastor Jim told him curtly, relief and disappointment evident in his town.

"Good," Dean nodded, "I'll let you go." He hears the pastor start to question Castiel as he hangs up.

They hung up, Dean wondering where Castiel would have ran off to. He was glad he was back, but Dean couldn't help but kick himself for not making sure that the kid went into the house. That's when the worry started to creep back into his mind. What if Cas wasn't doing as well as they had thought or maybe it was all a clever act. It was hard to tell, for the stuff Dean knew about the kid there were still that many more things that he didn't.

It was frustrating to say the least, but he decided to give the kid the benefit of the doubt; until he got to the bottom of it anyway.

The next week was hell, Dean didn't get to see Cas at all due to the fact that Bobby was working him to the bone. Apparently December was a busy month for cars to break down, probably because of the snowy weather. When Saturday rolled around, Dean trudged back to the apartment. All he wanted to do was crash; it felt like he had been moving constantly for the entire week.

Doing his best not to fall through the front door, he shuffles past Sam; who's watching some holiday movie. He greets his brother with barley a grunt as he makes it into his room and falls on the bed. If Dean had his way he wouldn't move until Monday, which would not happen considering he had to take Sam to church tomorrow; one of the less pleasant conditions from Pastor Jim.

He sleeps all through the night, not moving from his spot and still in his boots when his stupid alarm goes off to signal the new day. Dean groans switching positions in order to slip off the bed and hop in the shower.

"Get up bro!" Dean shouts, unnecessarily on his way to the bathroom.

An hour or so later, the two brothers pile into the car and head of to church, riding in comfortable silence. Dean hoping he doesn't fall asleep through the service. After a fairly uneventful sermon the brothers wander to the meeting area to chat with Pastor Jim and see Cas.

"Hey," Dean smiles at them as he and Sam approach.

"Hello, Dean," Cas greets softly, not making eye contact; confusing the hell out of Dean.

"The service was really good," Sam offers to the Pastor.

"Thank you Sam," Jim beams, clapping him on the shoulder. "Oh, Dean," he switches focus, "May I have a word with you?" He motions.

"Sure thing," He smiles in acquiescence.

"We'll just be a moment," Pastor Jim assures Sam and Cas, leaving the two teens to talk.

"What's going on?" Dean asks the older man.

"I'm just concerned about you and Castiel," he starts, earnestly, "I know you've been a big help, but keeping him out all hours of the night; winter break or not," he shakes his head, "It's unacceptable."

"What?" He asks in confusion, "I've been working all week," he adds lamely.

"I know you care about him and you have been a big help, but it's important that he keeps to curfew… You understand," Pastor Jim smiles at him fondly.

"Ya," Dean nods, chancing a glance back at Castiel, "But like I said, I've been working… I haven't seen him all week," concern creeps into his tone, what was the kid doing.

"Really?" The older man's brow creases in concern.

"Yes, sir," he contemplates momentarily, "Do me a favor," he begins, "Let me see if I can get to the bottom of what's going on with him."

Pastor Jim is silent for a while, "Very well," he sighs, rubbing the bridge of his nose, "However, unless this stops or you get to the bottom of this I will have to confront him."

"Wouldn't have it any other way," Dean smiles at him reassuringly, as they turn and head back to the younger men.

"Dean, can we please go to the library this week?" Sam asked eagerly, "Cas was telling me about some new books that their getting in and I totally want to check them out."

"Sure thing, bro," Dean smirks at the kids nerdiness, "You free to hang out today, Cas?" He looks at him feigning nonchalance.

"I suppose," Cas rumbles, looking at the pastor as if to check that it's ok.

"That's a great idea," Pastor Jim nods at him, "I have things I need to do around the church today, you'd be bored anyway," he smiles, trying too hard to keep up the charade.

"Great," Sam smiles eagerly, "We could go to the library."

Dean groans audibly, not wanting to spend his afternoon at the library, especially since he was still tired and now had a trail of lies to get to the bottom of.

"They have a ton of movies we can check out too," Sam assures him, Dean perking up a bit.

"Thank god," he smirks, receiving an un-amused look from Pastor Jim, "sorry," he murmurs apologetically, "Shall we?"

"Have him back by 11," Jim calls after them.

Castiel nods curtly, as the three young men trail out of the throng of parishioners to exit toward the parking lot.

"How have you been?" Dean wonders trying to break through the kid's stoic silence, as he falls into step with him. Sam traipsing ahead of them.

"Adequate."

Dean nods, not quite understanding this mood or whatever that had fallen over Cas, "I missed you this week," he tells him gently, getting only a brief glance, "Works been crazy, with the weather and all," he hedges.

"Hmm…"

"Yea," Dean eyes him suspiciously, "So first week of break, what'd you do?"

"Slept… mostly," Cas adds cryptically.

"Right," he nods as they come up onto the car.

"Hurry up, man," Sam shouts, stomping his feet at the back door, "It's freaking cold."

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