February 16, 2007
Despite Cas' insistence that he could fly them all to Bobby's, Dean had opted to drive instead. "Because no offense Cas, but I don't love flying in a plane," honestly it still kind of freaks me out, "… let alone having you zap me somewhere without any sort of protection against the elements at 15,000 feet."
Cas nodded, "I suppose that makes sense. Though normally you aren't overly concerned with protection."
Dean immediately reddened, "Cas…"
The angel cocked his head slightly, "You drive a vehicle with lower than optimal crash-test ratings, not to mention your disliking of helmets when engaging in cycling." He paused, the gears visibly clicking into place. "Oh, you thought I was referring to your not using condoms when we engage in intercourse."
"That would be it." Dean exhaled, the blush beginning to subside.
"I understand, that is a topic that we don't discuss with others-as per your list." Cas pointed to the list in his pocket Dean had given him.
**SPN**
"You've gotta be kidding me." Dean raised an eyebrow when he saw the beige Volvo wagon pull up to the curb.
Jess rolled down the window and called out of the Swedish-engineered monstrosity, "Come on, get in!"
Dean opened the trunk as Cas loaded their luggage into the cargo space. As the two rounded the wagon to enter the back-seat Jess quickly stood up and blocked Cas from opening the rear door. "Is something wrong?"
"You're up front with me. These two still need to talk it out face to face. Hopefully they can chat a bit more on the drive before we get to Bobby's." She pulled the angel to the passenger seat up front as Dean was left to sit in the back seat beside Sam.
Dean glanced around at the tan pleather interior and turned to Jess, "Since when do you have a car?"
"Since your brother decided it was more romantic than jewelry." She smiled and rolled her eyes.
"I got it for her for Valentine's day. It was actually cheaper than the earrings I had been considering, and way more practical." Sam noted.
"Especially considering I only ever wear clip-ons." Jess added, pulling the car away from the curb as she headed toward the interstate. "You two boys talk in the back, us grown-ups are going to chat up here."
"You do realize both of us are older than you?" Dean commented, trying to get comfortable in the smaller-than-average backseat.
She scowled, eliciting a slight snort from Sam until she slid the seat back and crunched the 6'4 man's toes. Sam grunted as he held his foot.
"Quite the feisty one you've got there." Dean chuckled.
"And it's why he loves me." She added from up front.
Sam sighed, well, she isn't wrong…
**SPN**
Over the course of the ride the brothers did have a chance to reconnect. Sam shared how he'd been progressing with his powers, "Now it's way easier, and with Jess' help I've been able to do all sorts of cool stuff. Check this out." Dean watched as Sam picked up half-a-dozen traffic cones with his mind and juggled them in the air before returning them to their previous locations.
"And it doesn't hurt as much?"
"No. All the meditation really seems to work. Part of me still isn't totally okay with the 'having demon blood' thing, but given that I'm pretty in-control I think it's not too terrible." Sam anxiously rubbed his shoulder, despite the others all knowing his secret-and Cas agreeing with him that he wasn't destined for darkness-he still wasn't entirely comfortable with the circumstances that caused his abilities.
The conversation continued with discussion of other topics, eventually landing on pop-culture and seeing how well Dean had been acclimating his supernatural boyfriend.
"I think I've been doing a pretty good job." Dean nudged Cas from behind, causing the angel to turn to face the backseat.
"He's certainly tried. I have begun peppering my speech with contractions to seem more casual, and Dean has insisted on watching movies and television in order to give me a better ability to relate when in conversations with others." Castiel looked at Dean, who nodded in agreement.
"Alright, let's see how you are with pop-culture." Sam grinned, "Given how Dean's secretly a giant nerd beneath that tough-guy exterior…"
"Watch it." Dean said, half-joking.
Sam rolled his eyes, "Let's see how you do with some random references."
The four riders took turns quizzing each other, with Cas managing to get a fair bit correct.
"Pulp Fiction is a Quentin Tarantino movie where a number of incidental stories interconnect in order to make a larger whole. There are a number of vignettes, but arguably the most notable is one involving a man named Marvin's head exploding." The angel responded.
"How'd you know that? We haven't seen that one." Dean raised an eyebrow.
"When you are at work I sometimes read a website called 'Wikipedia'. It appears to be a great fountain of knowledge on various topics. I have also found that 'TVTropes' is also quite useful with understanding some of the recurring elements of media." Cas noted, pulling out a webpage he had printed. "For instance, today's article of the day is regarding the flag of a country called Lithuania."
"Thank God for the internet." Dean muttered.
"Well, while he may be the cause of everything I would argue that your Tim Berners-Lee is more to credit."
**SPN**
It was nearly ten by the time the car pulled up to the blue two-story house. Sam had switched with Jess for the last half-hour of the trip in order to navigate them correctly (as Bobby's home was intentionally hard to find). When they parked the car Dean heard barking and quickly saw Rumsfeld as he clamored up to meet the four.
Cas stood still as he watched the dog bark at the group, with Dean and Sam also remaining on-guard around the large dog. He might know them, but he was still a guard dog before anything else. Jess on the other hand…
"Oh my God! Hello sweetie!" She quickly scooped up the Doberman and held him like he was a puppy. "Aren't you just the cutest little guy! How come you guys never told me about this adorable little guy?" She looked over at the stunned brothers.
"Uh… We never really thought about Rumsfeld when we were talking about Bobby." Sam stated, surprised at the dog nuzzling her as she held him.
"Yeah, he kinda scared us last time, considering he's Bobby's personal guard-dog." Dean added, watching the formerly intimidating dog cuddle up to the blonde.
"Oh, he's just a big softee, aren't you?" She kissed the pooch's head as he licked her arm. "Alright, I have to put you down-" She set the dog back on the ground as she picked up her suitcase.
"Well that's something new." Bobby said from the porch.
"Hey Bobby." Dean waved.
"Rumsfeld, get over here." Bobby called over the dog, "You're going soft on me?" He chuckled as he patted the dog's head. "Good to see y'all. Glad to see you all made the trip in one piece."
"Honestly the ride did us some good," Sam glanced at Dean, "We're better now."
"Good. Because I have some news for you boys I need to share. But that can wait until tomorrow, first things first I need to introduce myself properly."
Jess stepped forward and offered her hand, "Jessica Moore, but you can call me Jess."
"Nice to finally meet you in person Jess."
"Likewise."
"Sam been doing okay? He tends to get melodramatic…"
Sam blushed as Jess stifled a laugh, "He's okay. We've been working on that along with a few other things."
"Good." Bobby smiled, "That means you're Castiel."
"I am Castiel, an angel of the Lord." He nodded, glancing at the stub where Bobby's hand had been. He paused a moment as he looked at the scarred surface. "Would you like that back?"
"I'm sorry?" Bobby asked.
"Forgive me if I am too forward, but if you would like I can fix that." Castiel gestured toward the missing hand.
"Cas has magic hands." Dean waggled his fingers. In more ways than one.
"Not magic." The angel corrected, clearly repeating an earlier admonishment to Dean, "I am able to heal some injuries given my tenant to the divine grace."
Bobby glanced skeptically at the angel, "And what do you want in return?"
"Bobby, Cas is an angel-they don't require anything in return." Dean quickly defended.
"He is correct."
"Alright…" Bobby extended his arm as Cas gently grasped it.
"This may hurt momentarily."
**SPN**
"Oh thank God, he's awake." Jess moved the icepack off Bobby's brow.
"Cas, you've gotta be more careful." Dean stated as he saw Bobby glancing around the room, his eyes squinted in the bright light.
"Bobby you're okay, you just passed out from the pain." Sam added, looking in from the kitchen as he put down a book on first aid.
Bobby looked down and saw he had both of his hands; he tested them slowly moving each finger. They worked. "Well Cas, thank you for the hand, but Dean is right, that hurt like a bitch."
"And hitting your head on the porch didn't help." Jess added adjusting the ice again.
"I apologize. I should not have interfered." The angel looked at his shoes, clearly ashamed.
Dean placed his arm around his boyfriend and raised his chin up, "Stop. Remember, we aren't doing that. I'm not getting depressed and withdrawn about what happened and you aren't getting upset over misunderstandings because of the whole 'not-a-human' thing."
"Honestly, for the pain I'm happy to have my hand. You wouldn't believe how hard it's been to do anything around here." Bobby waved Jess away as he sat up. "Why don't we all get some rest and talk in the morning?"
