Of course, Dean telling Sam to not talk to Ruby only made him want to talk her more. He regularly looked for her after school and he wasn't sure why. Jess was still very much a part of his life and he would walk her to her mom's car then look around for Ruby. He couldn't explain it but she was oddly magnetic.
One early September day after school, Sam had to walk home because Dean was working at the garage. Ruby was standing on the sidewalk, technically off of school property because she was warned by the principal to stay away. That principal didn't have fond memories of her attendance there. She was facing away from the school, smoking a cigarette.
"Hi, Ruby," Sam greeted.
"Hey, Sam," Ruby smiled as she turned around. They began to walk towards Sam's apartment.
"So, if you went here, what do you do now? School?" Sam asked, genuinely curious about the enigma that was Ruby. Hell, he didn't even know her last name. He felt his phone buzz in his pocket but he ignored it.
"Nope," Ruby said, hip bumping Sam as they walked.
"Work?" Sam guessed.
"Sort of," Ruby said, pleased to see Sam getting a little frustrated.
"Fine, don't tell me anything. I won't tell you anything, either," Sam teased.
"Well, we're walking to where you live, I assume, and I know what your girlfriend looks like even if I don't know her name. And I know your brother."
"How do you know my brother?" Sam asked, still ready to give up almost anything to know.
"Oh, Dean and I go way back. But that's his story to tell."
They continued to talk until they reached Sam's building.
"See ya around, Ruby," Sam said.
"Sure," Ruby said. Sam turned to head into the building. "Oh, and one more thing, Sam," she called. Sam turned back around.
"What?" Sam asked as Ruby handed him a piece of paper.
"Here's my number," she said and with a wink, she left.
Upstairs, Sam checked his phone.
Jess: You didn't wait after school, everything ok?
Sam, who had waited long enough to answer her, replied after an inward cringe. How could he be so stupid?
Sam: Sorry, I'm fine. Just had a lot on my mind I guess. I'll see you tmo.
Jess: All right.
Sam knew the period at the end of a two word response was never good. Tomorrow, he would have to face an angry Jessica and hope they could smooth this over and avoid their first fight.
"Dean, what's going on?" Cas asked. It was a few days after Ruby walked Sam home, which Dean still didn't know about. They were in Dean's bed and Dean seemed jittery instead of tired like he usually was after they had sex. They had taken advantage of having an empty apartment.
"Nothing," Dean lied.
"Right," Cas rolled his eyes. "Just tell me."
"Fine," Dean sighed, "I'm a little freaked because Crowley, who's pissed at me, and Benny are coming to get me soon and I have to go help get a new shipment."
"Of weed," Cas said, knowing full well that was what Dean meant. Dean had also explained already the trouble brewing with Crowley and his supposed lack of devotion to the gang.
"No, copies of Harry Potter," Dean said with his own eye roll.
"You don't have to be a dick," Cas responded.
"Come on, you love it," Dean said, snuggling against Cas's side.
"You being a dick? Not really," Cas said honestly.
"When am I ever a dick?" Dean asked, propping himself on one elbow to look at Castiel.
"Right when I met you?"
"I was not!" Dean protested. Cas just tilted his head and raised his eyebrows in a "Really?" gesture.
"Fine," Dean admitted. "When else?"
"The Roadhouse when you got shitfaced?" Cas continued.
"All right, I get it," Dean grinned, leaning over to kiss Cas. "But I'm a lovable dick, right?"
Cas's stomach flipped at the "L" word, still close but not actually saying it, either of them. He wondered how long they could dance around it. Cas nodded with a smile and kissed Dean back as a response.
They both got dressed and walked out to the front of the apartment building. Cas was going to wait until Benny and Crowley showed up to pick Dean up then head home.
When the car pulled up on the side of the street, Crowley driving, both Dean and Cas stood.
"Castiel, good, I figured you'd be here," Crowley said with only a slight sneer. "Get in," he demanded, leaning over Benny in the passenger seat to instruct them.
"What? No, you…" Dean attempted, trying to keep Castiel out of whatever Crowley had planned. Dean knew he was pissed at him and didn't know how far he was willing to go. The entire gang except Benny would be on Crowley's side if this went south on the two of them and Dean wanted Cas as far from that as possible.
"Shut up and get in. I won't ask again," Crowley threatened. They both got in.
Cas and Dean nervously sat side by side in the backseat of the car. As much as Cas wanted to reach out and grab Dean's hand, he figured this would be the worst place for it so he kept them folded in his lap. Dean was doing the same thing and Cas could only guess it was for the same reason.
Right now would be a perfect time to text Mills and let her know what was going on. It was a great opportunity to prove he wasn't a narc or at least pretend he wasn't and extend the charade. Crowley, however, continuously checked the rearview mirror to look at Dean and Cas.
Cas, despite the severity of the situation, bit his tongue to hold in a laugh. They had arrived at an abandoned warehouse that screamed cliché. He looked at Dean, who smiled, and knew he was thinking the same thing. It made him feel much better.
Castiel wasn't sure what Crowley's plan was but he was guessing they were going to find out.
Once inside the warehouse, Castiel found that the rest of the gang had assembled already.
"Dean, almost forgot who you were," Dick said with a wicked, partial smile. That got a few laughs from the gang.
"I can still take any of you assholes in a fight or a race so shut the fuck up," Dean said forcefully.
"What about Cas here? Think you can take any one of us in a fight?" Edgar jeered.
"No," Cas said, then smirked, "I know I can."
Edgar surged forward angrily to test that but was held back by Dick and Alastair. Cas had taken a single step forward, ready to take Edgar on, and Dean had protectively stepped in front of him, extending an arm across his chest to stop him. The slightly confused glances from the guys weren't as concerning as what Crowley was planning. They could think what they wanted about Cas and Dean, it wouldn't matter if Crowley got too drastic.
"Everyone cool down," Crowley's voice cut sharply across the warehouse. Edgar stood up straight, not planning on charging anytime soon, but kept glaring at Cas.
"Product should be here soon," Crowley informed them.
AN: Here's some thanks to reviewers. Also, as an FYI I added my tumblr on my profile page here if you're into that kind of thing.
Dancerline: Thanks for all your support!
ciprianoivashkov: Your many reviews inspire me and I like them a lot!
cherrytops82: Thanks for the encouragement as always.
lindsayd16: Your review actually helped me with an idea so thank you a bunch!
lookingforsomeDestiel: Welcome to the party!