As he left his hotel room the next morning, Castiel pondered if he should tell Sam about his encounter with Hannah.

Part of him wanted to put this behind him, count it as a victory and move on. But maybe it would change what they had prepared, in a way he wouldn't necessarily know. He wasn't a lawyer after all, plus Sam was there to help him, not scold him.

They sat at a tiny table, surrounded by the soft noises of cutlery and the morning conversations of strangers. It was very calming, even though Cas felt almost serene already. He wondered where the fear and stress had gone.

Sam took the news with his usual efficiency. He called his teacher, leaving the table for the lobby and they talked for a while. Cas passed him to go back to his room and Sam gave him a reassuring smile. Things still looked fine.

He took a long shower, focusing on the warm sensation, wishing it would last forever. It was only the thought of seeing Dean again at the courthouse that had him step out the water. He looked around the comfortable room, impersonal and cold and realized he missed their home too. He fought with his tie until it looked passable, then took a big breath and stepped outside again.

In the cab, talking with Sam who looked quite tense, he realized he himself wasn't really calm. He was more like a spring, tightly strung, gathering energy and anger, as well as sadness, but keeping them under control. He met his reflexion in the car window, eyes almost black, glaring at the world. He didn't like himself that way, but it seemed he had to embrace it, accept that he could be dark at times. One of his main flaws had been that he was too nice. He remembered the times he had stood up to Dean and how it had strengthened their relationship. He wasn't fighting for himself only after all. It was also for Dean, for their future together.

Sam's voice took him out of his reflexions. Once again rehearsing, polishing his answers. It was getting irritating so he changed one of his answers:

"Hum, Cas, you should stick with the script."

"I feel this answer is too tame. I feel angry, it should show in my answer, shouldn't it? A divorce is supposed to be emotional."

"Maybe. I'll ask my teacher."

"With all due respect, Sam, I feel you are leaning on him a little too much. You have proved yourself very professional until now. I trust you more than him, even though it's good that we have back up."

Sam smirked, shaking his head:

"You're starting to sound like Dean. He keeps telling me he's proud of me but it's subjective. He's my brother, not a peer."

"While this is very true, I myself am slowly becoming more assertive and the benefits are endless. I strongly suggest it."

"True, but isn't it more important that we win this case for you? The man is my mentor. I have much to learn from him."

Cas sighed:

"I've never liked the notion of mentor. Michael was mine and look how it's turned out. It's really difficult for me to criticize him or see him as an equal."

The cab stopped. Sam opened the door for him and replied quickly:

"I suggest you manage to make that change in the next hour. Michael is the first one to be called as a witness."

Castiel didn't answer. He was busy scanning the courthouse corridors for Dean. His newfound confidence was leaving him fast when he didn't spot him.

Sam's teacher was there, though, and striding toward them

"You two are late. That's a first strike, Sam," he said, strengthening Cas' dislike of him.

Sam stayed silent, then shrugged:

"Cas and I went over his testimonial in the cab. We're all set, so now I only have to worry about the defense's line of questioning, which is where I will need your expertise," He raised an eyebrow, "and I'd rather you don't scold me. I'm not sure how this will help with anything."

Castiel beamed as he watched the older lawyer's face go blank. The man composed himself rapidly and walked them briskly to the courtroom. Dean wasn't there either. It looked like he would have to rely solely on the youngest Winchester.

There were strangers staring at him in the audience. And other grave-looking strangers also staring from the jury stand.

He wasn't composed anymore, rather hurting from the inside out and it showed.

He could hear the metal in his voice as he answered the programmed questions and even got tears in his eyes at some point. Sam wasn't gently anymore, his voice dry and factual. Cas expected it but he still felt all alone, trying very hard not to look in his wife's direction.

Hannah's lawyer was a small bearded man with balding hair and enormous charisma. He was introduced as Mr Crowley and addressed Castiel in a voice that was pure charm and warmth. He found himself tensing up, careful not to mellow. It was easier than he would have feared. Hannah had used this approach too often.

"So, Mr Novak, you agree that you didn't fight to keep your wife. You upped and left, not discussing anything, not even meeting with her. That's a little cold, don't you think?"

Castiel frowned. Was the man going that route, really? He sighed and answered as simply as he could:

"My wife is the one who left the marital home to be with her lover, who happens to be my older sibling and my former guardian. I did phone her many times before and after I learned about the affair and she never picked up. I was feeling very hurt and needed support so I called my other brother and went to his home. I would have welcome a talk with my... Hannah... but Michael insisted she shouldn't be bothered or upset. He seemed to think that, as she is a woman, her every feelings trump mine, even if she's the one who wounded me."

He had spoken quickly to prevent the lawyer from asking another question. One glance at the jury showed him that they were looking concerned and supportive. One point for him.

"Wounded is a big word, I would say. I mean, it is well known that men are tougher, so saying you needed support feels a little exaggerated. Maybe you wanted to leave the marriage too, secretly, and moved so that nobody would know..."

Cas looked up. The lawyer had the smile of a shark. At least if shark could smile, which was something he wasn't sure about. Sam was fidgeting on his chair, but his teacher was shaking his head. Castiel was alone in this. But maybe he could do it:

"My wife was my whole world. I tend to lead a quiet life and had always been faithful until that point. It seems you're transferring your own reactions and feelings unto me, something that I feel is not very professional."

Crowley had opened his mouth after the fist sentences, but shut it and glared at him. Castiel would have glared back but there was a commotion in the back. The door had open to let someone in. Heart full of hope, he craned his neck to see past Sam's tall figure and fought the smile creeping on his face.

Hair untamed and tie undone, Dean was pushing past the people in the first row. He locked eyes with Castiel and mouthed something that looked like "Sorry", then mimed sleeping with his arms bend.

Castiel relaxed and looked back at the lawyer, who was now looking in Dean's direction. This was going to be a problem and sooner that Cas would have expected, but somehow Dean's presence made him feel prepared for everything he would be accused of.