Disclaimer: I own nothing. I am to a spiritual level beyond material possessions. Therefore, I must borrow everyone else's.
Takes place between 15x06 and 15x07. It's a tight fit. I mostly wrote this because I don't feel Cas's emotional journey was adequately addressed from the events of the end of season 14 and beginning of season 15. Heck, I think I'm still cutting out some issues, but eh, I tried.
Incoming text messages bolded.
Outgoing text messages are italicized.
Emoji/emoticons in *stars*
The Ponderosa Experience: Chapter 1 - The Set-Up
Sam was jolted from a half-napping phase by the buzzing of his cell phone on the library table. He stretched, yawned, and flipped over the phone to read the caller ID. Instantly, Sam was awake and jammed the green answer icon.
"Hello, Sam," came Cas's gravely voice.
"Cas! Are you okay?"
"Yes, mostly. Physically anyway." Cas sighed heavily. "Sam, I want to apologize for not answering your texts. I –"
"Cas, that's okay," Sam interrupted. "As long as you are okay."
"No, it's not okay. You are my friend, and I shut you out for… reasons not having anything to do with you. I know you are grieving -"
Sam cut him off. "I understand, Cas. We are all grieving, and everyone does that differently. I'm glad you are okay."
"Thank you, Sam."
"What have you been up to?"
Cas sighed. "Fishing. Unsuccessfully. I did solve a case. Djinn. Saved a boy and his mother." [1]
"That's great, Cas. We've had a werewolf case, and I managed to do some spellwork and build a body for Eileen's ghost." Sam smiled, proud of his win.
"Eileen Leahy? She sounded like a great hunter, person. I'm glad that a might have the opportunity to meet her one day." Cas paused. "Spellwork? Are you a serious practitioner now?"
Sam wobbled his head. "Not really. Rowena left me her journals and spellbooks. I'm dabbling. Dean has taken to calling me 'Sam-witch.'" Sam could practically hear Cas stiffen at the mention of his brother's name. Sam quickly changed the subject. "So, are you interested in another case? I got a call from a couple of retired hunters in New Mexico earlier today. They've got a chupacabra running around. Their neighbors said it was rabid coyotes, so it surprised them. His partner got injured, and the monster got away."
"I'm not far. I could stop on my way back."
Sam straightened in his chair, excited. "Back? Are you coming home, Cas?"
"With Chuck back in the picture, I thought…I thought it was time to get back in the game."
Sam sensed reluctance in the Angel's tone. "Cas, I don't know what happened between you and Dean. He won't say anything about it. But if you're not ready to come back –"
"I'll be fine, Sam. Text me the information, and I'll head to New Mexico on my way to the Bunker."
Sam winced. Cas didn't call it home. Sam didn't want it to mean anything, but he knew it did. "Sure, Cas. I'll do that." Before Cas could hang up. "Cas, if you need anything, even just to talk, I'm here."
"I know, Sam. And I'm sorry I wasn't there for you."
"I get it. Sometimes you have to take care of you first. Be safe, Cas. I hope to see you soon."
"Yes." Click.
Sam stared at his phone for a minute, reflecting on their conversation. He was relieved that his best friend was alive, but Sam knew he was far from okay. That was the second time Cas had lost Jack. And Cas was the one who had made the call to Chuck in the first place. [2]
Then there was Dean. His brother had been all over the board since the Ghost-pocalypse in Harlan, Kansas. Angry, depressed, lost, sublimating. Dean needed a professional, but he was never going to agree to that. Especially with all that's going on with Chuck right now. Maybe if there were a calm or lull in the storm he'd broach the topic.
Sam shook his head and texted Cesar and Jesse Cuevas's names and address to Cas, and then texted Cesar to let him know Cas was coming. Sam noticed he had gotten messages from Dean while he was dozing off in the library.
Got a voicemail from Cesar Cuevas. You know, him and Jesse from the Chitters Orgy case a few years back. I'm gonna go help him with a chupacabra. Shouldn't take long.
Cesar told Sam that he had left a voicemail with Dean, but he hadn't thought anything of it. Sam typed out a reply: "I know. He called me. I sent Cas out on it." Before Sam hit send, he reconsidered. Instead he sent: You're heading out to the Ponderosa without your cowboy hat?
Dean replied a few minutes later: Guess I'll have to get a new one on the way. *cowboy emoji*.
Sam rolled his eyes and decided to let this one play out.
[1] Both Eileen and Cas's Djinn case occurred in episode 15x06 "Golden Time"
[2] In episode 14x16 "Game Night"
Next Chapter: The Arrival – Cesar and Jesse welcome Cas and Dean to their home. Awkwardness all around.