Once again Sam was contemplating things over a cup of coffee.

Once Dean had made it clear why he wanted him out of the bunker, he had grabbed his gear and cleared out in record time. He smiled to himself and took another long sip. Tension in his muscles eased as he stretched his head and neck on each side and rolled his shoulders back while sitting at the diner table. He'd left so quickly; he hadn't had time to eat and had stopped gas station diner combo on the highway just outside of town. Watching the world go by out the window by his booth, he was making a mental list of all of the things he was going to do with his life now that Dean had finally completed the mental gymnastics that would lead him to Cas.

He was not going to waste any more time, that world outside the window? He had helped make that happen, he had fought and bled – and died – more than once – so the world could keep circling in its boring and predictable way. He had earned a piece of that boredom, and now that he didn't have to worry about Dean, he was going to take it. Eileen, kids, white picket fence, maybe writing up some new books on lore or some kind of gig where he could teach hunters but not actually hunt. He was done with the life and wanted out.

Another sip of coffee, getting out was not going to be that quick or easy. But with Cas back (he sent up a silent thank you prayer to Jack), he had hope that it wouldn't be long. From the corner of his eye he saw the waitress coming with his order, her name was Sarah if he remembered correctly. They'd eaten here more than a few times over the years, and she had always been good at her job, striking the perfect balance between friendly and efficient.

"Here's your cobb salad Sam, same as always, dressing on the side." Placing the plate down she paused long enough for a quick hello.

"Haven't seen you for awhile, what have you been doing? Saving the world or something?"

"If you only knew."

She laughed at that; Sam was one of her favourite customers. The other three he usually traveled with were ok too, but Sam always left the biggest tips.

"So, should I set a place for your friend? Is joining you? I can have cook get started on his standard order – waffles, right?"

"Come again?"

"Your friend, the quirky one, he's getting gas outside. I just assumed he'd be coming in next join you."

He looked out the window and she was right; Cas was fuelling his car. Like he was going somewhere. Even from here he could see that Cas looked dejected. Shoulders hunched forward, serious expression. This was bad. If Dean was at the bunker and Cas was here that meant that it hadn't gone well. Fuck, could he not be happy for like, an hour? Twelve years, twelve long god damned years playing third wheel to these two ass hats while he had waited for them to figure out what was obvious to anyone with eyes. A quick flash of anger washed over him. He was too pissed to care and was going to do what he should have done years ago. No way in hell was he going to play this game with them anymore.

Sam was up and out of the booth in three seconds flat. He brushed past Sarah and stopped only briefly.

"Waffles and coffee for my friend. And do me a favor? Could you move us to a quiet booth at the back, he and I need to have a private conversation."

Could this day get any worse? Castiel's back was turned but there was no mistaking the purposeful steps crunching in the gravel, coming up from behind. Clearly Sam was upset, although he wasn't sure why. Maybe Dean had called him? He closed his eyes and straightened his posture, ready to meet the coming onslaught. Once the steps stop, he turned. "Hello Sam."

"Hello my ass, Cas. We need to talk."

Cas looked at Sam silently, the only noise was the rhythmic pump of the gas filling his tank. He crooked his head slightly, trying to puzzle what was coming next. Sam wasn't the angry brother, but he was today.

"Did Dean call you?"

"Inside. You are going to finish filling up the car and then you are going to park it over there, next to mine. Then, we are going inside together because right now I don't trust you not to disappear on me. We are going to have a long, very clear, conversation. Got it?"

More silence, Sam's anger was palpable. Cas nodded once.

"Good."

Sam opened the passenger door and slid into the seat, slamming the door behind him. "Just in case you were thinking of taking off."

Angry indeed.