Another bonus chapter… But now I actually kinda have a plan for this collection of one-shots. As mentioned earlier, I'm currently rewatching the show. I will write whatever comes to mind while I watch, and then I have a final chapter in mind. So, I will mark this fic as ongoing until I post that final chapter. Hope you enjoy it :)
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"Go for an older model, they are easier to access, 'kay? Like, older than the 00ies."
"Okay."
"Break in like I showed you before. Then open the cover on the steering column, down here. Some have clips you can open, others you need to unscrew with your pocketknife."
"Okay."
"Now look here. Look for the red wire and the yellow wire. That's the battery and the starter wire. Strip them with your knife and connect them. Be careful or you'll get electrocuted. Been there, done that, hurts like a bitch, alright?"
"Even if I don't have my wings anymore, I am still an Angel, Dean. Electrocution is not a risk to me." Castiel rolls his eyes.
"Of course, buddy." Dean says reassuringly in that deep, serious voice he rarely uses, letting Castiel know with the few words that he does not consider him any less an Angel than before just because Castiel has fallen. Dean quickly returns to the demonstration at hand, expertly executing the instructions he just gave the Angel and successfully bringing the vehicle beneath his feet to life. "There we go! Now, you go try the Corolla."
Dean had been on a few trips to the neighbouring towns with Sam, picking up a couple of old cars for Castiel to practice on and learn how to hotwire. Without his wings, he could not transport himself as normally, and he could not always rely on the brothers taking him where he needed to go. In emergency situations, he might even need to be the one to secure a vehicle for the Winchesters.
It is an uncomfortable thought, to steal someone's vehicle. The owner most likely needs it and would experience a great loss by the theft. But the end justifies the mean. A concept often used in Heaven's affairs. The smiting of hundreds to teach a lesson to thousands.
It is one of the few mentalities that the Angels and the Winchesters have in common, though the brothers tend to sacrifice themselves instead of making an example of others.
Castiel goes to the other vehicle, gripping the door handle, but the door doesn't open. He looks exasperated back at Dean, who just watches him with a smirk before lifting the car-break-in-iron-device-thing that he had showed Castiel earlier. "Step one; break into the car."
Slightly embarrassed, Castiel takes the device and clumsily starts working on the door. It is rough and primitive work, and though Dean had carefully explained and demonstrated the process, the mechanism is still foreign to the Angel.
"What's the code for cops?"
The random question makes Castiel stutter in his movements and he turns to Dean, frowning. "What?"
"If you have to call me and tell me that the cops are on our tails, what do you say?" Dean clarifies, walking back and forth behind Castiel, casually, and yet it feels like a predator stalking its pray. When Castiel doesn't answer immediately, Dean prompts. "Come on, the code for cops!"
"Er… 5-0." Castiel finally answers.
"You going to open that door or what?" Dean turns on his heel, still watching Castiel closely.
Castiel starts working again.
"The code for drop everything and run?" When Castiel again stops his movements, Dean commands; "Keep working on that door, buddy, otherwise you'll never get to the hot-wiring part."
Castiel almost snaps the iron in his hands in frustration. Dean just repeats his previous question. "Code for drop everything and run?"
"Poughkeepsie." Castiel grits out.
"And what does 'Funky town' mean?"
"Is this quizzing absolutely necessary right now?" Castiel can feel that he almost has the door opened, but Dean is being very annoying in his way of throwing questions at him and the way he lurks around behind Castiel's back is quite uncomfortable.
"You think everything will be quiet and relaxing when you have to do this in real life? People will be coming and going down the street, sounds will be interrupting you, you will be in a hurry. You need to keep working even if you have to keep an ear on your surroundings." Dean explains and then prompts again in a louder voice; "Meaning of 'funky town'?"
Castiel finally hears the car door open. "Someone has a gun on you."
"Good." Dean sounds like an overly proud teacher.
Castiel gets behind the steering wheel and takes the pocketknife that Dean has gifted him out of the pocket of his trench coat, starting to unscrew the cover underneath the wheel.
"And what do you say if you're being followed?"
"I have something stuck to my shoe." Castiel responds automatically, feeling the training that Dean has been drilling into him the past couple of weeks kicking in now that he understands Dean's intentions. Castiel was – IS – a solider, and this kind of learning comes easy to him. He knows that the lessons that Dean has been giving him might seem simple and primitive compared to the strategies of Heaven, but they are no less vital for their survival and cooperation.
When Castiel starts carefully pulling out the wires, Dean asks; "The code for the compartment in Baby?"
"11-2… 83" Finding the wires is fairly easy in this model, just as Dean showed him minutes earlier, but he had underestimated the difficulties caused by the limited workspace as he tries to see what he is working with underneath the steering wheel.
"And you better only use that in case of emergencies." Dean points at the Angel through the open door. "And if we get separated, how do we meet up?"
"Look for the first motel in the yellow pages and go ask for Jim Rockford. Go to the reception desk, just ask for "Rockford". If they ask questions, tell them that you are related and are meeting up at this motel. If they know the name, they will guide you to the room. If they don't know the name, you are the first one to arrive. Book a room under the name Jim Rockford and wait for the others." Castiel replies easily.
Castiel has stripped the wires, being familiar with precision work and the discipline necessary to perform this kind of task. Dean lingers right outside the door, seeing Castiel tapping the two wires and soon after the car roars to life. Castiel smiles at his accomplishment, and Dean proudly claps his shoulder. "There you go, buddy! Nice job."
Castiel turns and takes in Dean's wide smile. It feels good to see the hunter both happy and proud of him.
"And now the final step…" Castiel frowns as Dean lowers the window by the driver's seat before slamming the door shut. The hunter leans on the edge of the open window with a smirk and hands a 20 dollar note to Castiel that the Angel automatically accepts, frowning even deeper at the money. "Now, you go to the grocery store and pick up another car for your trip home. Don't get caught. And most importantly; Don't forget the pie!"