They were nearly two hours outside of New Orleans before she heard him stirring in the seat beside her. She glance away from the road long enough to see that the stirring sound was coming from his fingers tapping on the armrest between them. They were moving to the beat of the music she had playing on the radio.

His face however was still just as blank as it had been, his eyes vacant and unseeing. Yet there was tapping and that was something.

She knew it was all for her benefit. He was tapping his fingers to tell her that he was working his way back to her, giving her a sign that he wasn't lost forever.

It was a very appreciated sign. Now that she knew he'd be back with her again as soon as he was able, she could concentrate on the newest bit of startling information she'd received.

The paper was sitting on the dashboard and she looked at it for what had to the one hundredth time. It still hadn't changed.

Bobby Singer, Sioux Falls, South Dakota

How could that be possible? Mickey said he'd talked to him only a few hours ago. Was Bobby still alive? Or perhaps alive again? And if he was, why hadn't he contacted his boys? There was no way the Winchesters wouldn't have shared that information with them the last time they talked.

But that was a few days ago, she reminded herself. She'd purposefully stopped talking to them in fact. And they had been calling rather persistently. Meg had assumed it was because she'd more or less kidnapped their angel. Maybe they had been calling to tell them about Bobby instead.

She reached into the front pocket of her jeans and dragged out her phone.

36 missed calls, all from Sam and Dean.

She pushed the buttons and raised the phone to her ear.

Sam answered on the first ring.

"Where the hell are you?!" he demanded without preamble.

"On the road again. We ran into some trouble at my friend's place of the toothy variety," she answered.

"The Leviathan?"

"Yeah, looks like everyone wants to be our buddies these days."

"Are you sure they were there because of you? We haven't heard anything about them hunting Cas down. We didn't even know you were on their radar."

"I'm pretty sure it was us they were after. It would be a little too convenient it they weren't. And you know how I feel about coincidences."

"Yeah, I agree. Why haven't you been answering your phone?"

"I told you we were with my contact. He gave us a lead on this Indian woman were looking for and that's where we're going now."

"Yeah, well, we've been calling because we have a lead on her, too. A really good lead," he replied.

"Okay, then, don't be shy. What's your lead?"

"My lead is that I'm looking at her right now." Sam told her.

Meg almost dropped the phone and the car swerved when she went to reach for it. She was grabbing for the phone when a hand came out and snatched at the wheel to right them.

Meg grabbed the phone up and snatched her eyes over to find Cas looking at her disapprovingly.

"Do you really think you should be on the phone while trying to operate a motor vehicle?" he asked.

Meg took back control of the wheel and gave him a seething look.

"Sam, I'm going to take the next exit and I'll call you back in a minute."

"Okay, we'll be here." he answered.

"Where is here?" she asked.

"Sioux Falls, South Dakota." he said before hanging up.

"Fuck!" she exclaimed as she maneuvered the car onto the exit ramp. "I'm so glad you're back. A lot has happen while you were napping."

Cas looked down at his hands which were folded in his lap. "I'm sorry. I tried to hold on as long as I could. It was just too strong this time."

She reached out and touched his cheek as she pulled the car into a convenience store right off the exit. "I know and I understand why. The Leviathan attacked Mickey's compound."

Cas face blanched and he looked as if he were about to throw up. "Please tell me they're okay."

"I don't know. Mickey insisted we leave before the fighting starting. But before we left he gave me the name and address of a contact of his that's seen the woman we're looking for." she explained hurriedly as she snatched up the phone again.

"That's good news. Where is this contact?" Cas asked.

"Okay that's the other news." she said.

"You were just talking to Sam. I heard you. Is it bad news? Are they okay?" his voice had taken on an edge of panic and she didn't want that. The fight for his sanity was still too fresh for him to lose control of his emotions.

"Everyone is fine. Sam just told me that they're with Abornazine right now."

Cas' face flood with a look of relief. "How did they find her?"

"I don't know. But I have a pretty good idea." she replied as she picked up the paper from the dash and handed it to him. "This is the contact that Mickey gave me. According to him, he just talked to him this morning, right before the Leviathans attacked, in fact."

Cas took the paper and read it, then reread it. "This has to be a mistake. This isn't possible."

"That's what I said. But Sam just told me that they are in Sioux Falls, South Dakota."

Cas took the phone from her. "You drive. I'll call them back."

Sam answered before she had a chance to pull out of the parking lot.

"You are not going to believe where we are." He said as soon as they were connected.

"You're at Bobby's." Cas answered.

"Damn, Cas, it is good to hear your voice. You had us worried. We didn't know where Meg was taking you. But Dean was convinced you weren't safe."

"I know that Meg assured you we would be fine. You should have trusted her." He reached out and squeezed her shoulder. "I do."

Meg gave him a quick glance and an appreciative smile.

"We're just glad to know you're okay and we have your medicine woman here with us."

"Meg told me. It's good to know that this is all almost over."

"How did you know we were at Bobby's?"

"Meg's contact gave us Bobby's name and address. That's where we're heading now. We should be there..." he paused and looked over at Meg.

Meg glance his way and shrugged, "Sometime tomorrow afternoon. Tomorrow morning if we drive all night." She told him.

"We'll be there tomorrow morning." Cas said into the phone. "Even if I have to take over the driving. I'm not taking the chance of her getting away again."

Meg nodded her agreement.

"Cas, there's more." Sam said.

"Tell me he's there, too." Cas replied pleadingly. The guilt he felt over the death of Bobby Singer was something he knew he would never be able to get past.

Sam was quiet for a long moment and Cas heard the phone rustle.

"Cas, you are not going to believe what I'm doing right now," Dean said with something close to awe in his voice.

"What's that, Dean?"

"I'm having a beer with my brother and Bobby," he answered.

"How is that possible?" Cas asked, dumbfounded.

"Same way you found yourself suddenly human, I guess." Dean answered. "He says he doesn't know either. He just woke up two days ago in his bed with one hell of a hangover."

"You're thinking Chuck did this?"

Dean gave a chuckle. "I could give two shits who did it. I'm just happy it got done. I've decided not to question this one. I'm just letting it go and being glad he's back."

"I'm very glad he's back as well, Dean. And he's okay? He's not a demon or an angel or anything besides human?"

"Human as you and me," Dean replied. "We've got your Shaman, too and she's agreed to help us however she can."

Cas sighed. "Looks like things are turning in our favor."

"About damn time," Dean laughed.

"Yes, it is. Well, see you in the morning."

"Wait a sec, Cas. Don't go just yet. I think we should talk."

"I think it might be better if we wait and talk when all this is over." Cas argued.

"No, I have something to say and I want to say it now. It's important."

Cas sighed again and braced himself for whatever was about to come. Inside, he steeled his mind against the things that were still just a little too close to the surface for Cas' liking. He would have preferred to have had more time to distance himself, but it didn't look like Dean was willing to give it to him. "Alright, what is it?"

"I understand," Dean said simply.

Cas waited, hoping Dean would explain himself further. When he didn't, Cas replied, "I don't."

"I understand the thing between you and Meg. I get it. I just need to know one thing."

"What's that?" Cas asked.

"Does she really make you happy?"

Cas squeezed her shoulder again. "Yes, she does. In fact, despite all the things going on right now, when I'm with her, I've never been happier."

Meg put her hand over his and gave it a return squeeze.

"That's all I needed to hear. I'll let it go. Hell, I'll even give you my blessing as long as she understands that if she does anything to hurt any of us, I will end her once and for all."

"You can trust her, Dean. You have my word on that. She's not the enemy now. She's on our side. And most importantly, I love her and she loves me."

"Wow, so this is a thing now, huh? Team Megstiel?" Dean asked with a chuckle.

"Yes, it is indeed a thing. We are team Megstiel. And we are going to find a way to make everything right again. I promise."

"Sitting here, looking at Bobby, I almost believe that this time."

"We'll see you in the morning." Cas said before hanging up.

"You have got to be kidding me!" Meg said as soon as he hung up. "I don't know whether I'm more shocked that Bobby is somehow alive or that Dean just gave us his blessing."

"Dean is drunk," Cas told her. "So I wouldn't take too much of that conversation to heart. He tends to get a little sentimental when he's that far gone."

"Oh no, drunk or not, he said it and I follow a strict 'no take backs' rule. So she's really there with them and Bobby is alive and all this will be over tomorrow?" she asked with a touch of cautious optimism in her voice.

"Yes, Abornazine is with them and she's willing to help us and yes, Bobby is apparently still alive, but not everything will be over tomorrow. We still have no idea what to do about the Leviathans."

"One step at a time. This is progress and that's not nothing. Which is all we've had for a while now."

"You're right. It is something." He smiled at her warmly. "And it's enough for now."