Castiel appeared in front of Bobby. He'd come to see how Dean was coping without Sam, however, he found it hard to face Dean while he was lying to him, so he chose to speak with Bobby instead.

Bobby jumped at the sudden appearance and then huffed in annoyance. "Would it kill you to walk through the front door."

"No," Castiel said seriously. "I am an angel. There are very few things that can kill me."

Bobby rolled his eyes and quickly changed the subject. "Where have you been anyway?"

"I have been searching for God," Castiel said. He found it even more pertinent for him to find his father now. It might be the only way save Sam and avoid a war should MIchael find out about Sam. While God had made the nephilim law, Castiel had to believe he'd changed his mind. While Gabriel had been able to hide his son from angels, surely he hadn't been able to do so from their father. He had to know Sam existed and allowed him to live.

"Yeah, of course, since you're no longer worried about Sam. This is all peachy to you," Bobby said annoyed.

"I do not understand what a fruit has to do with anything, but Sam is fine," Castiel assured him.

"If that's true, only you know it. I've only got your trust in your asshole brother to back that up, and Dean doesn't even have that because you ain't being straightforward with him," Bobby said.

"I told you, I cannot tell Dean. Should MIchael find out anything regarding Sam, it could place him in danger," Castiel said.

Bobby sighed. He couldn't even assure Castiel that Dean wouldn't say yes to Michael because just a couple of days ago, he was contemplating doing just that. "Fine, tell me everything then. Why did your brother kidnap Sam?"

"I can't tell you. Even you knowing could be risky, and even if it weren't, it is not my place," Castiel said. "Besides, do you really wish to keep more from Dean?"

Bobby had to admit that the angel had a good point with his last question. He felt horrible hiding what little he did know from Dean. He was now a part of the younger man's agony. It would only be worse the more he knew. The only thing that kept him from telling Dean everything that he knew was that it might get Sam killed. He could never live with that and he knew that if it was because of Dean's knowledge that something happened to Sam, Dean would never forgive himself. "I'm worried about what Dean is thinking right now. He's been quiet the last day or two. Dean, ain't quiet, especially when something like this happens."

"You believe he'll make a reckless choice?" Castiel asked.

"The other day, he was thinking of saying yes to Michael in exchange for him bringing Sam back," Bobby told him.

Castiel was unsettled by the information. He didn't consider that Dean might say yes in exchange for Sam. He should have. Dean had always made it clear that every loyalty he had lied with Sam. He would do anything to protect him. Unfortunately, Dean's actions would have the opposite effect. "That can't be allowed to happen."

"I talked him out of it. I told him it wouldn't do any good, as he wouldn't really be getting Sam back and might be trading one archangel kidnapper for another. He accepted that for now, but Dean don't do well when he's desperate. There's a good chance he might convince himself that it's worth the risk or he'll do something else that's equally as stupid," Bobby said.

"Dean's knowledge of Gabriel is already too much. If he succumbs to Michael, that knowledge will be available to Michael. He will seek Gabriel out and Sam's life will be in danger," Castiel said. He needed to speak with Dean. He needed to ascertain that Dean would never say yes. "Where is Dean?"

"He's on a job. I convinced him to go to try to get his mind off of things. It was a simple haunting in Nebraska. He should be back tonight or tomorrow," Bobby said.

"When he comes back tell him I wish to speak with him. In the meantime, I need to inform Gabriel," Castiel said before disappearing.

Xxxxxxxxxxx

Castiel stood in deserted park not far from Bobby Singer's home waiting for his brother. He'd called Gabriel and asked to meet him. Gabriel needed to know that Dean may be on the verge of saying yes to Michael.

Gabriel appeared seconds later in front of his younger brother. "What do you need, little bro?"

"We have a problem. Dean is getting reckless," Castiel said.

"Getting? Dean has always been reckless," Gabriel said with a snort. He'd watched Dean almost as much as Sam, since Sam was rarely without Dean. He knew the young hunter very well.

"He is considering saying yes to Michael," Castiel said.

Any trace of humor was gone. Now Gabriel was concerned, both for Sam's safety and for the fact that he might have to take Sam's brother away from him indefinitely should Dean say yes. "He told you he was going to say yes?"

"No. Bobby Singer informed me that he had to talk Dean out of it. Dean had contemplated it in exchange for Michael bringing Sam home," Castiel said.

"Where is he? He still with Singer?" Gabriel asked. He needed to stop Dean from saying yes. A part of him felt it was unavoidable, that was the part of him that had been taught Destiny was unavoidable, but he'd already put a wrench in destiny once, so why not go for it again, and even if he couldn't stop it forever, he wanted to at least delay it as long as he could.

"Bobby says he was able to get through to Dean. I will speak to him and make sure he doesn't do it," Castiel assured his brother.

"No, you won't. Tell me where he is, Castiel," Gabriel demanded. "Is he still at Singer's."

"What will you do?" Castiel asked cautiously.

Gabriel wasn't actually sure what he would do yet, just that he needed to handle Dean now before he could get to Michael. "Protect my son. Dean will live as long as he doesn't say yes. That's the only guarantee you get."

"Dean is my friend, Gabriel. I cannot betray him," Castiel told him.

"And Sam is your family. Choose!" Gabriel said coldly. His patience was gone. His son was in possible danger and his brother seemed to be hesitant to help protect him because he didn't want Dean mad at him.

Castiel flinched slightly at his brother's tone. The archangel's power had practically vibrated as he spoke, much like it always did with MIchael or Raphael. "I don't know where he is at this precise moment anyway. He took a hunt elsewhere."

"Find out and get back to me," was all Gabriel said before disappearing.