Wow, chapter 25 now and still a few more to go. I'm amazed by how long this story has gotten and by your support for it. Thanks you. But should you be looking for something else to read at the moment, you should try RosesandThorns666's 'The Paths We Tread'. It's a sister!fic and a really good read.

Anyway, enjoy this chapter. I'm going to make Christmas cookies now :)

The trial lasted a few more days and those days were very trying for Dean. Cas was lucky to be really flexible with his office hours, especially since he could do a lot of work from home, so he could go watch every day of the trial, which lasted a week.

Dean knew that Cas needed that and he did enjoy working on his baby some more when Cas still wasn't home by the time Dean got back from work. He was actually about ready for a test drive by the end of the week. What bothered him wasn't that Cas wasn't home with him much. It was just for a few days and then things would be back to normal.

No, what bothered him was that Cas was spending so much time with his devilishly handsome ex-brother-in-law, Balthazar. The day before he had even called Dean to tell him he'd be late because he wanted to have a drink with Balthazar and an old friend of theirs. Of course Dean had said it was okay. He trusted Cas. But he didn't trust Balthazar. That cocky, confident man just rubbed him the wrong way and when Cas had come home that night he had dragged his lover right upstairs into the bedroom without giving him the chance to even take off his coat.

He had claimed Cas as his as completely as he could, kissing every inch of his skin and making love to him until they were both lying in bed next to each other, covered in sweat and panting.

"Wow. What was that about?" Cas asked once he had caught his breath. Not that he hadn't liked Dean's sexual aggressiveness but it had taken him by surprise.

"Nothing. I just missed you," Dean hedged and then turned to kiss Cas deeply and prevent any more questions. Castiel immediately melted into the kiss and they didn't do any more talking that night.

"Today is the last day of the trial," Cas told Dean at breakfast the next morning. "They said they'd announce the sentence sometime today."

"Great. I really haven't seen enough of you these past few days," Dean told him and then quickly kissed him goodbye because he needed to go to work. He was really looking forward to the weekend and to spending a lot more time with Cas and maybe finally taking him for a ride in the Impala.

Work was slow that day. It had been for a long time and Dean knew that Michael was worried. By noon Dean was done with his work and since there was nothing else to do, Michael told him to go home early. Dean hoped that business would pick up again soon or he might lose his job. And he really needed it for his parole. But so far Michael hadn't said anything to him, so maybe things weren't as bad as Dean thought.

When he got home he checked on the Impala and found that he was actually done. He just needed to close the hood and start driving. The call from Cas about him going out for a drink with Balthazar must have distracted him so much the day before that he hadn't noticed he'd finished the car. Quickly he put everything away and got his baby ready for a drive. Okay, so she might need some fresh black paint but then she'd be the beauty she used to be.

He decided to see if Castiel was finished at the court house and surprise him by taking him for a ride in the car he had saved for Dean. He got behind the wheel and sat there for a moment enjoying the familiar feeling of sitting there and letting his hands run along the steering wheel.

"Feels good to have you back, baby," he whispered in a loving voice that made him glad he was alone and no one could hear him. But the Impala was more than just a car to him, it was a part of his family and he was glad that he hadn't lost the car.

The feeling when he turned the key in the ignition and the engine caught with a low rumble was amazing and send a pleasurable shiver down Dean's spine. He had done his job right and his baby was working perfectly again. Now it was time to show Cas that he wreck had been turned into a car again. Slowly Dean drove down the driveway and turned into the street. He was still careful in the beginning but quickly grew more confident and soon found himself in front of the court house, looking for a parking space.

He was just rummaging through his pockets, looking for loose change to feed the meter, when he noticed Cas coming down the steps in front of the court house, closely followed by Balthazar. Cas didn't notice Dean getting out of the Impala on the other side of the street. Balthazar did though. At least Dean thought he must have seen him, because the blonde man was looking straight at him for a moment and smirked. Okay, Dean might have imagined that last part but it seemed a likely thing for Balthazar to do.

Then Balthazar turned to face Cas and talked to him before pulling him closer. Dean couldn't really tell what was going because he was too far away but whatever it was, lasted way too long for his liking. And then, when Balthazar stepped back, he and Cas continued down the steps without looking once in Dean's direction and they walked away.

Dean felt a painful stab in his chest and he got right back into his car. He knew it didn't mean anything, Cas clearly hadn't seen him and maybe Balthazar hadn't recognized him, although that was hard to believe, but it hurt and he just wanted to get away from here at the moment. He started the car and drove off, cursing the fact that the street he was on was a one-way street, which meant he'd have to pass Cas and Balthazar. But maybe they wouldn't recognize him.

Of course Castiel recognized the car and the driver at once and when Dean had to stop before turning the corner, he saw Cas looking at Balthazar questioningly and Balthazar shrugging. When Cas started to walk in his direction Dean was almost willing to wait for him but the driver behind him was impatient and Dean had no choice but to go on and there was no place where he could stop.

He had just decided to drive around the block and try this whole thing over. He had reacted too rash. But when he saw Cas running towards his own car, just as he turned, he decided to go slow and see if Cas would catch up to him. When he saw Cas' car behind him he lead them to the next park where he got out and walked over to a bench that was a little way from the main path and from the other people around. He sat down and looked out on the lake, waiting for Cas to join him.

He didn't have to wait long. Soon Cas sat down next to him without saying a word. For a moment they both sat in silence. Finally Cas started talking.

"I didn't see you at the court house. Why did you just leave?"

"Balthazar," was all Dean said to that.

"Aah," Cas answered. "He says that he saw you but didn't recognize you," Cas told him.

"You believe him?" Dean asked and tried not to sound too outraged.

"Why wouldn't I? He doesn't have a reason to lie," Cas answered.

"I guess not," Dean growled and Cas laughed.

"You're jealous! That is…sweet," he said and Dean looked at him, not knowing what to say first.

"Sweet? And anyway, I'm not jealous," Dean huffed, causing Cas to laugh some more.

"Yes, you are and I like it," Cas said happily and he moved closer to Dean and pulled him against his body. "It means you care about me."

"Of course I do."

"Good. I feel the same about you," Cas answered. "So, why did you come to the court house in the first place?" he then asked to change the subject that was clearly making Dean uncomfortable.

"I wanted to take you for a ride in the Impala. She's running perfectly again."

"Oh, I'd love that," Cas said and got up, pulling Dean along with him. In the parking lot he went straight to the Impala but instead of getting in he pushed Dean against the side of the car and sealed his mouth with his in a deep and passionate kiss.

"No need for jealousy. I'm all yours," he whispered before kissing Dean one more time. Then he stepped back and let Dean walk to the driver's side of the car, getting into the car now himself.

Dean drove them out of town and then stopped at a remote place where they made out for a while like lovesick teenagers. When the sun started to set they returned to the park so Cas could get his car and then they finally drove back home.