Chapter 11: Anal and Retentive

Well, that yielded abso-fucking-lutely nothing. Dean frowned as he crossed another name off the list. He'd decided to do a bit of digging and see if anyone else happened to know anything about what had happened to his father and brother. Because Sam is hiding something and I know that bastard isn't going to give it up. While he didn't care about his brother-or so he kept telling himself-he did care about how his father had died and he wanted to make sure that he was able to get at least a start on where to look. So far all he knew was that it had to do with a demon with yellow eyes kidnapping Sam and a few other people and having them fight to the death, but why he didn't know. A yellow eyed demon? Who ever heard of something like that? Demons pretty much all had black eyes, maybe a few had other colors, but none of the ones he'd ever dealt with. Admittedly his pool of knowledge was limited-demons were tough fights, at least before he and Sam had an angel to help back them up.

He rubbed his temple as he set the phone back on the side table. The sheet of yellow legal paper had ten of the dozen names crossed off. The only two he had left were Bobby and Rufus. He hadn't talked to either of them for quite some time. After he was drafted Bobby had somehow gotten hurt-he never gave specifics-which had led to him being wheel-chair bound. He was still a good friend, but given how stir crazy he was (and how he'd liked to talk your ear off even before he was stuck inside most of the time) it was usually an informative, but often rambling conversation. Rufus was one of his father's old hunting partners, but aside from that Dean didn't know much about the man-he usually kept to himself. He'd finish up with the last few people in the morning. Chances are that no one else would be up to answer a phone at this time, let alone one with long-distance charges.

Dean grumbled to himself as he got up to go to the bathroom. "God I need a shower…" He cracked his neck as he turned the water hot enough to steam up the vanity mirror. He disrobed and stepped into the stream of water, closing his eyes for a moment to try and relieve some of the stress from the last few hours. As he was about to open his eyes and grab the soap from the ledge he sensed someone else was in the room. He started as he realized Cas was standing directly behind him in the shower, just out of the range of the water.

"Cas?! What are you doing in here?" Dean blurted as he turned to face the angel. The man looked miserable, if Dean didn't know better he'd swear that the angel was heartbroken. Cas hugged Dean and placed his head in the crook of Dean's neck. His face was hot, and as Dean patted awkwardly the fully dressed and now soggy jacket of his… well, his Cas. "Hey, are you okay?"

The angel shook his head as Dean fumbled behind him to turn off the water. He guided Cas out of the shower and handed him a towel. "Get out of those clothes, you're soaked. Dry off and I'll hang them out over the radiator to dry."

A few moments later the two were seated facing each other, Dean on the chair and Cas on the sofa. Dean took a good look at Cas' eyes-they were bloodshot. That coupled with the earlier heat… "Cas, were you crying when you got here? What's wrong?"

The angel finally looked up from the carpet and spoke, "My brothers… they knew about the seals. Raphael wants them to be broken so that the end can come and angels will no longer need to serve humans… They will not fight against the demons." He paused before adding much quieter, "I had to flee my home, they have forbidden me from returning. If any other angel working for heaven finds me-" He inhaled, "-I wish not to think about what will happen."

Dean was silent. "I… I'm sorry Cas." Maybe Sammy isn't so bad after all, at least he didn't try to kill me…

"You have nothing to be sorry for. I fully intend to assist you and your brother to prevent this from coming to pass."

"Um, I'm gonna make a phone call. I'll be back in a minute." Dean gestured to the phone before he got up, briefly adjusting his towel as he did so. After dialing the number he waited for a moment for it to connect.

"Hello?"

"Hey Sam…" Dean chewed his lip.

"I'm surprised you called-after all, I'm just a lying sack of shit, right?" Sam spat.

Dean felt his stomach clench. He wanted to yell back, to hang up… "Look, I'm sorry." He exhaled, "I… you know how it was with dad. I miss him. I didn't even get to go to his funeral."

Sam was quiet, "I'm sorry too. I should've said something…"

Damn straight you should've said something in the decade-plus since!

"…But it was the man's dying wish I kept it quiet…" Sam hesitated, "I'll try and explain it… but not like this, not over the phone. First thing tomorrow, okay?"

"Okay." Dean replied. "I'm at the Carlton, room 2341."

"Wow, look at you being all fancy!" Sam joked, trying to bring levity to the tension from earlier that evening.

"Hey, the agency's paying for it, might as well stay somewhere nice?" Dean shrugged as he exhaled, relieved that the two were at least talking and that answers would come soon enough.

"I'm sorry again Dean, I promise it'll all make sense, okay?" Sam bit his lip as he spoke, "Thanks for calling."

"I'm sorry too Sammy. Have a good night."

"Thanks, you too." Sam's line clicked and Dean heard a buzz for a moment before he returned his receiver to the dock. After Dean hung up the phone he walked over to the radiator. Cas' clothes were still soaked through. "It looks like it might be a while until these are dry."

Cas shrugged. While he understood human's concepts of modesty he wasn't particularly bothered by the conventions in private settings.

"Want to take your mind off everything?" Dean raised an eyebrow as he nodded toward the bed, "After all, I know one thing that helps me feel better whenever I'm down…"

Cas looked up with a faint smile knowing what Dean was implying, "I may as well. Knowing that I fornicated with a human is the least of my offenses." He stood up and tossed the towel aside, causing Dean to grin as he duplicated the motion.

**SPN**

It was early morning by the time they were finished. The glowing hands on the radium clock showed it was nearly two in the morning. Dean had drifted off curled over on himself with Cas wrapped around him. The angel silently watched the man's chest raise and drop with each breath. I have lived a thousand lifetimes and I still think that I have never met a man so strange and amazing as him… Father, help me to protect these creations of yours, for I am deeply concerned about what my brethren are planning.