Castiel had never been on a road trip before except alone. He didn't have close friends growing up or even in college. Besides a couple study buddies Castiel had been a solitary creature.

The Alpha always told himself this was by choice. Now with Dean at his side Castiel's lifetime of awkward shyness was brought to the light. He decided it was much better to share experiences with others; namely Dean Winchester.

Academics, martial arts, running, music and dance had been his way of blowing off steam. Mating with the pretty Omega beside him seemed like a much better way to burn off excess energy. Castiel was absolutely smitten.

Dean reclined his seat a little in order to sneak glances at his dreamy teacher without getting caught. The Omega loved the little expressions Castiel made without being aware he was making them. The worried looks, a frown here and there, the raised eyebrow and his crooked little smile that made Dean's heart pound hard in his chest.

Dean blurted out, "What are you thinking?"

"There's that that little smile again. Jesus…how can a guy be so hot and smart?

"I'm thinking about you…us…this weekend and beyond."

Dean planned to tell Castiel the truth this weekend about coming from a family of Hunters and exactly what it was they hunted. For all the teacher knew, Dean hunted deer or geese.

It was only because he loved Cas that Dean would reveal that part of himself. He hoped the Alpha wouldn't think he was crazy. Dean was betting on Castiel loving him just as much and accepting what the teen had to say as gospel.

Castiel looked at the gas gauge, "Time to fuel up."

Dean stretched his long limbs and let out a yawn, "Great, I have to hit the head anyway. Can we get something to eat?"

Cas saw a sign for food and gas ahead, "Sure thing. Dean there's a gym bag in the back. Inside is a shirt of mine, put it on. The jock I wore yesterday is in there. Stuff it between your legs."

Dean rummaged around and pulled out a tee ripe with sweat. He took off his jacket and slipped the shirt over his own then put the jacket back on. Next Dean found the sweaty jock and pressed it to his nose getting a sexual high from the funk.

The smell of Castiel made Dean wetter than a rain gutter and harder than a lead pipe, "This body confuses the hell outta me."

Cas was grinning from ear to ear. He was turned on that his Omega was so very turned on, "Dean…earth to Dean…are you alright?"

"Huh? Yeah sorry," the Omega made a show of unzipping his pants and stuffing the jock inside the black silk panties Scotty had given Dean to surprise Castiel.

Castiel got brief look at a hint of silk and dark blonde curls spilling over the elastic. He gasped, "Are those panties?"

Dean zipped up and gave his dick a squeeze, "Maybe."

Castiel's voice came like thunder, "I'm going to lick up all your sweet cream and then anchor my dick so hard and deep inside your pussy by the time my meat softens we'll both be on the verge of starvation."

The Omega was speechless. He feared he might pass out from the blast of pornographic images running through his overtaxed teen brain.

"Dean I'm sorry I didn't mean to scare you."

The teen's voice cracked, embarrassing the hell out him, "I'm not scared."

"There is that little smile again…what are you thinking Cas?"

Dean managed to croak out, "I'm not complaining because I can't get enough of your sexy funk but why am I wearing this shirt and have your jock between my legs?" Just saying it made Dean shiver in delight.

Castiel reached over and grasped the boy's hand, "Because sweetheart, it's camouflage enough so you can go to the bathroom and we can get a bite to eat. You're in an early stage of a first heat and honestly shouldn't be out in public at all just for your own safety but I'm pretty sure this will do the trick."

Dean felt the gun inside his jacket and patted the hunting knife on his belt, "Don't worry about me Cas. I've been to some pretty rough places with my dad so I'm not scared. I can handle myself. Just because I have a pussy doesn't mean I am one."

"I know Dean but those rough places your dad brought you were before you presented as Omega. I don't want anything to happen…."

Dean interrupted, "I should be watching out for you. I've saved my dad a couple times already and stitched him up. I can drive, shoot a gun, fight and I can even speak Latin…well I'm ok at it. Sam is better."

"I hope you tell me in what situation would you have to save your dad and stitch him up. You worry me Dean. It's like you have this whole other life I know nothing about."

Dean folded his arms in a physical show of ending the subject, "We can talk about that later."

Castiel changed the subject. He stared straight at the road but pulled out his phone and took a photo of his freckle faced angel with the terse look on his cute face. Cas looked at image then back to the road.

"Adorable."

Dean snatched the phone away and took one of Cas. They both broke out in spontaneous laughter breaking the mild tension.

Cas took the off ramp to the Planeview Gas & Grub. As soon as they pulled up to a pump Dean hopped out heading for the building, "I gotta pee Cas."

Castiel was going to yell, "Be careful" he knew Dean would think he was being overprotective. One thing the Omega didn't understand was Castiel took his job as a protective Alpha very, very seriously.

Most Alphas had an innate drive to protect their Omegas. Some were good and loving protectors. Others took it to the point of suffocating their bitches, wives, boyfriends, mates or whores to the brink of making them prisoners. Sometimes it spilled over into pure abuse.

Cas took a cue from his father when it came to watching over his Omega. Spencer would have beaten any man within an inch of his life or worse if a hair was harmed on Scotty's fair head. Castiel felt the same with Dean.

He paid with his one sad little credit card at the pump then headed inside to find Dean and order them some food. From the looks of the semi trucks parked around the sides and back Cas didn't know what to expect from a place like this.

He noticed Dean didn't give it another thought running into the truck stop. Castiel started to think he was the one that had lived a sheltered life and maybe Dean knew more about the big wide world than the English teacher did.

….

As soon as Dean entered the busy place full of tourists, locals and truckers many eyes were on him. A group of three men blocked his way, they decided to give him shit and Dean expected it. At his age he got no respect at all. He pushed through them and one caught his arm.

"Where are you going pretty thing?" One of the other men nudged his friend and shook his head negative.

"What's wrong with you Phil is your damn nose broken?" The Alpha camouflage seemed to be working.

Phil released his arm, "Sorry kid, I thought you were an Omega lot whore."

Dean bit out the words as he resisted the urge to stab the trucker in the dick, "No problem."

Dean went straight to the bathroom and into a stall. The first thing he did was piss and his bladder thanked him for it. The second thing he did was empty the cash from the two wallets he managed to lift then dump them in the trash.

It was a good haul, between the two Dean made over eight hundred dollars. Truckers always carried plenty of cash. He felt they deserved it considering all three of them were assholes.

He was feeling good, great even. Dean could blend in without worry and now he had a pocket full of money.

…..

Dean found Castiel frantically looking around. The Omega circled around and grabbed his blue eyed Alpha tight around the waist, "I'm fine, don't look so worried." Dean felt the man's body relax.

Cas turned and hugged him tight, "I can't help it. Let's get a table and order lunch." He kissed Dean hard letting everyone in the vicinity know that this boy was all his. Dean pumped against him moaning into the kiss.

The haggard looking woman behind the counter yelled, "Hey get a room or knock it off."

They grudgingly broke contact. Castiel escorted Dean to a table in the dining room by a window and the couple looked over their menus. For Dean it was easy, cheeseburger, fries and a milkshake. Cas frowned the whole time he was studying the menu.

"Everything is fried or full of sugar."

Dean took the menu away from Cas when the waitress came to take their order. He looked at her name tag and confidently addressed the sour looking woman, "Hello there Betty, how about two cheeseburgers, fries and chocolate shakes."

She cocked her head toward the silent blue eyed man, "Mister Handsome is mute or something?"

Castiel snapped out of his fog and looked up at the woman, "I can talk."

She rolled her eyes and walked off.

…

They people watched out the window for a bit both lost in their own thoughts. Just being with each other was enough; there was no need to fill every second with conversation. Dean touched his boot to Castiel's and they smiled at each other.

"How long until we get to the cabin?"

"Not more than thirty five minutes. We need to stop at the lake where I'm supposed to meet Benny and Javier. I want to introduce you to Javier and make it clear that I'm off the market. Also I feel I should check up on Benny and make sure both are happy. If all goes well we can leave shortly after, if not I'll tell Benny to take Javier home."

Dean pulled his boot away and turned back to the window, "I don't wanna meet him…kissing whore."

"Dean, I'm not asking you to be his friend even though Javier is a perfectly nice person, I need to tie up a loose end and it would make me happy. Can you try to be nice?"

"Yeah sure, for you."

…

As soon as Castiel pulled his lime green Ford Fiesta up next to the impressive red Dodge Ram 1500 parked near Herron Lake, Dean hopped out to look over the very cool truck.

He gave a low whistle, "Damn, being a shop teacher must pay pretty good."

Benny surprised him by coming around the side of the truck out of nowhere. "It pays shit Dean but I work a full time summer job to pay for all the extras I need."

Dean grinned at his teacher, "Hey Mr. Lafitte, I hear you got a hot date." He looked around, "Where is the princess?"

Benny pointed to a slightly built teenager crouched at the edge of the water poking at something with a stick. Javier was dressed like a ski slope snow bunny to ward off the late November chill. His boots, tight leggings, quilted and fitted down jacket with the black fur trim around the hood were all coordinated.

The teen waved and ran over to Castiel, Benny and Dean. He reached Cas first and literally jumped on him wrapping nimble legs around the man's waist. He gave him a peck on the mouth in greeting.

"Castiel I'm glad you came! I thought you'd never get here."

Cas could feel Dean's eyes boring a hole in his back. He gently dislodged Javier and set him on his feet. "I said I was coming."

Dean finally got his up close look at the kid that smooched on his honey, "Aw fuck he really is beautiful." Dean then added, "bitch" to this thoughts.

Javier had his long black hair done in a fishtail braid with beads knotted at the end. He sported a gold septum piercing with a neat little gold ring that looked lovely against his smooth, tan skin. Dean thought Javier had the most pretty, big doe eyes ever and he was jealous as hell.

Castiel nudged Dean and the teen stuck out his hand and plastered a smile on his face, "I'm Dean."

Javier took the strong hand offered, "Benny told me about you Dean. You're in his shop class and Castiel's English class correct?"

"Yeah so?"

"So I'm just making conversation. How old are you?"

Dean was offended by the question. He already looked older than the eighteen year old standing in front of him. "I'll be fifteen really soon."

…

There were poor attempts at fishing by Javier as Benny tried to teach him. Cas and Dean stood there waiting for a bite with their own rods in the water.

Dean watched and listened to the Alpha and Omega. He couldn't help but snicker the almost the whole time over the silly conversation.

Benny had his arms around Javier holding the rod in front of them, "Don't be afraid. Have you ever handled a pole before?"

Javier tilted his head back and smiled up at Benny, "No but if you're patient with me I can learn. Your pole is so big though…I mean long."

Benny thought he would pass out right there on the rocks, "It's big and long but with the right person teaching you I bet you'll pick it up real fast." Benny couldn't help himself, he nuzzled Javier's slim column of neck and murmured, "You sure have the right bait."

The Omega giggled, "Thank you. Benny I would only let one Alpha teach me to fish though. I'm not one to go around taking lessons from just anyone. I hope you don't think I want lessons without ultimate reward. My father would kill me and you."

Dean nudged Castiel, "They are not talking about fishing are they?"

"No Dean they are not."

Benny continued on, "I would never teach you to fish unless I thought I would have a home and family with my student."

"A tattoo, ring and ceremony to make it official?"

"Absolutely my sweet little darlin'."

Dean yelled, "You guys are talking about sex and marriage right? I think that's awesome."

Castiel rolled his eyes. He brought his line in having had enough of fishing maybe forever.

"Cas isn't this great? Now I don't have to worry about that pretty boy mooning over you."

The teacher dropped the fishing pole and scooped up Dean in his arms, "You never had to worry about him or anyone else. The moment I laid eyes on you I was lost…everyone else faded into the background and I knew what I wanted. I wished hard that you would want me. I'm so glad you did."

"Please say you love me Cas…please just say it. I can't, I don't want to get hurt. I need to know you'll keep me forever…that my dad won't take me away from you."

Dean wanted to say it all out loud. He wanted the reassurance that this was forever and no one would tear them apart because Dean couldn't bear the thought of losing this man. Instead he kissed his Alpha.

…

Alfie's family lived so close to town that the boys could walk there easily and safely. They were perusing Speedee's Thrift Store where Sam found Dean a Grateful Dead tee for fifty cents and Alfie found a mermaid figurine for his collection.

When Sam and Alfie went to the counter Sam put his pocket change down and said to ring both the tee and figurine up together. Alfie protested but Sam said it was only a quarter for the figurine.

Alfie took the little bag with the mermaid inside and held it as if he was holding a precious gem. It was his very first gift from a friend and Alfie had a hard crush on Sam the little Alpha in the making.

Next they hit Sonny's Pizza and each bought a slice and talked about Sam joining the math club, Alfie taking advanced art and about the kids in school they liked and didn't like. Music was then on the table along with favorite comics and the video game Alfie hoped to get for Christmas.

Sam was uncomfortable talking about Christmas or any sort of holiday for that matter.

Alfie lowered his eyes and gave Sam a dimpled little smile, "I bet you're excited to see your dad at Christmas. He is coming home for Christmas right?"

Sam shrugged, "Who knows, he promised to come home last Christmas but he never showed up. I even had a gift for him, a pendent I got from Bobby. I gave it to Dean instead…Dean is mostly like a dad anyway. I don't get my hopes up anymore."

Alfie reached over and touched Sam's hand then pulled back, "I'm sorry. You can stay with me for Christmas. My mom is making a ham."

"Thanks but I think Scotty makes a big spread for Christmas. I'm kinda looking forward to it. I've never had a Christmas in a real home before."

Someone caught Alfie's attention outside, "There is that cute guy again." Alfie only noticed because the man was ruggedly handsome. Otherwise the twelve year old wouldn't have given him a second thought.

Sam looked out the window and saw nothing unusual, "Who are you talking about?"

"He's gone now. I noticed him down the block from the thrift store."

His instincts kicking in now Sam asked, "What does he look like?"

"You know…like I said, cute. Old though like maybe thirty five or something. He has dark hair and a nice body. I didn't see his face very close up." Alfie added, "He looks dangerous and sexy."

Sam's first thought was John. The brothers basically vanished when they moved into the Novak home. They had no way to get a hold of John to let him know where they were even if they had wanted to. The phone could have been ringing off the hook back at a motel where the rent was paid up for awhile.

It would make sense John would worry and come back after no answer from his sons.

Sam hoped he was wrong and it was just happened to be a coincidence. After all, the downtown main street was far from a bustling metropolis, it was a small town. There were only so many businesses and places to go. He decided to keep an eye out just in case.

…

Benny had a campfire going to ward off the chill brought on by the setting sun. He had fish on a grate and a cooler full of food and drinks.

Castiel looked over toward Dean and Javier. Dean was trying to show the other boy how to throw a knife. It kept missing or bouncing off the tree but Dean was patient with him. Since finding out Javier was no threat Dean could afford to be friendly.

"Benny I notice you just have one tent there. You know Javier's dad thinks he's with me. I don't want you taking advantage of him."

"I already met his parents when I picked him up. I think they figured out quick enough. Apparently Mr. Mercado got an earful about me after I met Javier at the hospital. As Mr. Mercado put it his son gushed about me."

"Yikes! How did that go?"

Benny chuckled, "The man pulled me aside and said if I defiled his virgin Omega son he would be sure to buy me a purse so I could carry my balls in it. I told the guy you were out of the picture and I was smitten like a kitten over his son. I told him I'm lonely, marriage minded, I want a family and I'm a teacher."

"Did you tell him you're a shop teacher?"

"No."

"Smart. I'm glad for you as long as it's what Javier wants."

Benny looked over at Javier hopping around clapping his hands because the knife finally stuck in the tree. "I'm pretty sure that I'm what he was looking for; a big, strapping Alpha gentleman with a big empty heart and a whole lot of love to give." The Cajun softened even more, "I'll treat him like a princess."

Castiel got up and dusted the sand off his jeans, "Great. Dean and I are heading out to my cabin."

"Hmmm…and what is going to happen once you get there?"

"I'm a gentleman too, that is none of your business but it's going to be wonderful. I'm in love Benny, this is the one."

"I'm happy for you brother."

…

Once they reached their destination both sat in Fiesta staring at the modest cabin bathed in moonlight. The lake was nearby and the woods were thick with winter barren maples and oak. Dean heard an owl off in the distance, the whole place felt like home to the Hunter Omega.

Castiels voice was low as if afraid of disturbing the calm, "I stocked plenty of wood for a fire and I ran a chain down the chimney the last time I was here so the fireplace should be good to go. There's regular propane heat also. I left the water on, I just need to light the water heater."

"It's really great Cas, I love this place and I haven't even seen the inside."

That pleased him, "Thank you."

Dean asked softly, "Cas what did Javier mean when he said something about a tattoo?"

The Alpha took Dean's ring hand and kissed his fingers, "When an Omega marries he gets a wedding band tattooed around his ring finger. It gets covered up by the actual wedding set."

"Why?"

Castiel hated telling Dean the real reason but it was part of being Omega and the boy had to know.

It's necessary. There is always a chance an Omega could get snatched away from their partners and sold into the sex trade. It's a dark, ugly part of this world but you need to know these things. Many years ago the government enacted a law that all Omegas in a traditional or common law marriage must have this wedding band tattooed on their finger. That way if anything happens or they lose their rings its clear they belong to someone. It's for the husband's protection as well as his wife's."

Dean's gut turned as he thought of yet another infringement on his freedom.

"Dean, don't be upset. It's just the way it is and I agree with it. If there was a chance I could lose you I want a way to show the world you're taken…that you belong to me."

"I'm not upset with you. I'd do it because it would let the world know I belong to you and no one else. I mean if you ever wanted me like that."

Castiel tugged at the crotch of his jeans and let out a whimper. The thought of having ownership of Dean no matter how right or wrong that sounded had him hard and desperate.

He pushed open the car door and said with urgency, "I have t to get the power on and the heat going."

Dean batted his lashes at the Alpha taking a cue from Javier, "What do you want me to do?"

Bring in the coolers and put them by the nightstand then put fresh linens on the bed. Then I want you to strip naked. Get warm and comfortable because I'm going to be there as fast as I can."

Dean hopped out and wiggled his ass all the way to the leaf strewn porch. Castiel groaned to himself, "That kid is gonna be the death of me in the best way possible."

TBC