Chapter four: it's been a long time.

Joey and dean arrived at the roadhouse just as the sun was rising into the sky, casting an orange glow onto the worn-out building. The parking lot was nearly empty, only a few cars left outside the building. One rusty brown truck, a dark green wagon and a –

"dude! Is that an impala?" Dean cried appreciatively, letting out a low whistle of approval at the sight of the sparkling black Chevy impala. "she's a beauty for sure" he murmured, pulling up into the parking lot beside the said car.

"I know how much you like old cars" joey responded, also casting his own glance at the impala parked beside him.

"how can anyone not like this car? It's a beauty!" he crooned. Taking the keys out the engine, dean exited their car and walked towards the impala.

"leave it dude! Would you like some guy touching your car?" joey asked him, following dean as he made his way towards the car. Crouching down, dean ran his hand along the side of a car.

"She's definitely a beauty. Probably a '67 Chevy impala? Looked after reaaaallll good" dean murmured again.

"hey, hands off my car" a gruff voice called out. Dean rose slowly, holding his hands out as though he was confronted by the police. "hey man" he called out, his body still facing the car and unable to see the stranger, "how can anyone resist looking at this baby?" he asked, finally turning around the look at the stranger. The large grin on deans face faltered at the sight before him. There were three males: two older gentlemen and a younger one. One of the males had a dark brown beard and a worn cap, the other male had dark hair and a leather jacket. The younger one had longer brown shaggy hair and was definitely tall, even taller than dean. Dean's smile didn't falter just at the sight of them, but at the way they were watching him.

"hey man, you okay? Sorry about the car" he offered, shrugging off their stares and finally turning to pick up his bag. "I'll see you around" he waved them off, heading towards the bar with Joey tagging along.

"Weird, right?" Joey asked the moment they were out of earshot of the three strangers.

"you mean how they were staring at me? Nahh, that's normal" he responded sarcastically, rolling his eyes at joey's laughter. "maybe they've never seen someone as good looking as me, maybe they were angry I touched the car. Who knows dude?" dean asked, pushing the door open and entering.

"hey! Hey um-" a voice called out from behind them. Dean turned to find the three males heading back towards them, the younger one who was the closest to dean was the one who had called out.

"hey man, what's up?"

"oh err, nothing. Just uh- what's your name? what you doing here?" the guy asked, catching the door as dean held it open for them. They all entered the bar, with the two older men trailing behind.

"hey. My names-"

"Dean!" "Joey!" a voice cried out. Dean looked away from the stranger and to the sound of the voice, standing there were his parents. "sorry, gotta run" he told the male, jogging slightly towards his parents.

"mom, dad" joey cried out, following dean as he embraced their parents. Lucy grabbed Dean first, mike taking Joey first. Dean felt reassured in the arms of his mother, kissing her on the cheek and grabbing her tight. "hey pops" he murmured, pulling mike into his arms for a one-armed hug before releasing him.

"aren't you a sight for sore eyes?" Lucy asked, placing a large kiss on joey and deans head. "you guys got here quick, where did- oh sorry" she cut off quickly, seeing the men behind them still standing there silently, "let me introduce you. Dean, joey, this is Sam Winchester" she pointed at the tall one whose eyes were on Deans, "this is Bobby Singer" she pointed to the male in the cap, "and this is John Winchester" she pointed to the male in the leather jacket who looked shock. "these are joey and dean, my beautiful sons" she stated proudly, causing dean and joey to simultaneously roll their eyes at their proud mother.

"yeah yeah" dean responded. "how you guys doing?" he asked to the males who still hadn't responded.

"uh dean, was it?" the tall guy asked. "nice to meet you" he held out a hand. Dean took the hand and shook it, feeling a slight pang of electricity upon touching. He glanced at his hand quickly before offering it to the other males, Bobby took it with a gruff "dean" and John was last. He held deans hand for a longer while, his eyes staring into deans. "nice to meet you…dean" he said finally, causing dean to raise an eyebrow faintly.

"well don't just stand there, everyone sit down!" Lucy cried, ushering everyone into seats around a table.

"Dean, joey hunny, how's everything been?"

"hunting's been fine, kicking ass and taking names" dean murmured cockily, flashing a grin at the newcomers.

"yeah yeah. By that dean means he's been getting his ass kicked" joey interjected, causing their parents to laugh at their antics.

"shut up bitch" dean responded quickly, slapping joey on the back of his head. "jerk" joey responded quickly.

"I don't remember you saying that last week. 'dee, come save me from the big bad ghost? Please dee, big brother I need you" dean mocked him, placing a high falsetto voice.

"shut the hell up! I didn't say that you jackass. It was you! 'joe, come save me from this cougar! I can't handle her" joey responded in likeness, exaggerating his facial features to resemble dean. Dean blushed, then shrugged.

"What can I say, I bit off more than I could chew" he winked at his mom, causing her to gasp loudly before smacking him over the head.

"ow, why you gotta treat your son like this?" dean asked sadly, pouting his lips to resemble a hurt puppy.

"boy, it didn't work on me when you were a child, so it won't work now" Lucy rolled her eyes, taking a swig of her beer. Dean laughed alongside her.

"you wound me" he responded, holding a hand to his chest.

"So, whose Azazel after?". With that, the moment was broken. It was the leather jacketed man- John, dean reminded himself, who asked it.

"What's it got to do with you?" dean asked him, noticing how the man's eyes flashed with anger and – was that hurt? Why did that man care what a stranger thought of him?

"because we're all hunting Azazel. We need to know which kid he's after" the younger one, Sam, responded, with a much kinder tone than his father had spoken with. Both dean and joey turned their heads to their parents in shock.

"you told them?" Joey asked in a scandalised tone as dean cried out "What the hell ma? This is family business as far as I'm concerned. We don't tell strangers" he emphasised, looking pointedly at the three men, "our business. So, what gives?" he asked. The strangers said nothing, but dean once again saw pain in the eyes of john and Sam Winchester. Why were they hurt? And why did john seem to stir something in dean – it was like there was a faint niggling sensation in the back of his head.

"listen here boy" it was Bobby who spoke now. "we're here as hunters, not as friends. We all have the same goal to get that son of a bitch. So, don't be such a baby, act like a man" he growled, angered at something dean had no clue about.

"yeah yeah" he murmured, his lips quirking up in amusement. "you got some balls old man." he felt the need to add in, just to see Bobby smile – which he did. "Okay, so Storytime. Who wants to go first?" dean asked, clapping his hands together in fake excitement.

"We'll start" Sam offered. "I'm Sam, this is my dad John. When I was six months old, Azazel came into my nursery and did something – we don't know – to me. He killed my mother the same night. That's why we're after him" he growled out. Dean's eyes softened, turning to look at John who also had the same fiery look that was in his son's eyes.

"That's not all" John added. "Azazel, in the year of 83 went around to many homes. He did things to lots of children. Now, some of them are developing powers. Word is, that he wants just one of them – that's what your…" the man trailed off, eyes flickering from deans to Lucy and mikes, "what they said" he gestured to them. "now, spill about you"

"when I was fifteen, Azazel came after me. Nearly killed ma" dean grimaced at the memory, turning to look at his mom who flashed him a reassuring smile. "he said he was coming for me. So ever since, ma and pops have wanted us to be ready. Trained us all to be hunters, couldn't have done a better job" dean grinned at his parents who smiled proudly at him. "and that's it really" he summarised. Dean purposely left out the story of Castiel. They didn't need to know about the fact that Dean had his own individual Guardian angel at his beck and call. Speaking of – "I'm gonna make a call. I'll be back" he told everyone, shooting a quick glance at Joey who nodded. Dean followed the signs and entered the bathroom. It was dimly lit, but well enough. Locking the door, dean cast a quick glance around the room before calling out "Castiel."

He appeared instantly, wearing his trademark beige trench coat and serious face. "Dean" he intoned gravely.

"lighten up Cas" dean goaded him, pulling castile in for a small hug.

"I do not understand why you still insist on embracing every time we see each other." Dean rolled his eyes as Cas' social awkwardness.

"because it's what friends do"

"and that is what we are? Friends?" Castiel's asked intensely, his eyes oddly penetrating, seemingly reaching into the depths of Dean's very soul. For a moment he was frozen, frozen in everything but Castiel's gaze. Time seemed to stop entirely.

"yeah" dean eventually croaked, breaking the intense silence. "yeah, we're friends" he didn't pay attention to the part of his subconscious that mimicked Castiel's question. Is that all you are? Friends? Are you just friends or are you more? Dean supressed that thought, shaking his head slightly to clear it.

"Anyway Cas, we're here with the Winchesters. Are they good people?" he asked, changing the subject to erase the awkwardness.

"Winchesters" castile repeatedly robotically, his entire body stiffening. Then he relaxed. "Yes. They are. I will accompany you from now" he ordered dean.

"whoa what do you mean? Haven't you got angelic business to – "

"you are my priority dean. I will stay with you from now on" Castiel stepped closer to dean. He was reminded that the angel really had no understanding of personal space and privacy.

"okay okay, fine man" he relented, raising his hands and taking a step back. Castiel relaxed, even going so far as to flash dean a small smile. Dean couldn't resist smiling back. In the eleven years he had known castile, they had become particularly close in the last three years. He had gone on several hunts with the angel, and became so acquainted that they could be called 'friends'. Dean had even begun rubbing off on the angel. Castiel was no longer as socially awkward as he had initially been. Now, he understood pop references dean made, had even watched some movies along with dean. He was used to dean swearing and no longer chastised him, and even occasionally used the term "Assbutt" or "jerk", even if he did frown minutely as he used the word.

"So, before we go outside, how's everything going with the search?" Dean asked Cas.

"Futile. We have not located the yellow eyed demon, but have found some of his lackeys. We will question them" he promised Dean, blue eyes promising security. "You will remain safe. I will be at your side at all times." He vowed. Dean nodded, swallowing the large lump that was in his throat. It was weird, but he did feel safe with Cas. It wasn't even because he was an Angel who had been alive for centuries, but because he was – he just was.

"O-okay man. So I'm gonna just-" Dean moved towards the door, pointing silently at the door.

"I will come with you" Cas replied, moving even closer to Dean.

"So you're just going to follow me out of the bathroom?" dean asked aghast. Hell no. that was not happening. People would think he was – that he and Cas- that was crazy right?

"Yes" Cas replied blandly. "Dean, I sense that you are distressed. What is the-"

"nothing nothing!" dean replied quickly. "Just- just let me go and sit down at the table. Then you come in and join us. Okay cas?" dean asked him. Cas remained silently for a minute, before nodding and disappearing with the small gust of wind. "jheeze, I hate when he does that" dean murmured to himself, eventually exiting the bathroom. He headed back towards the table, winking slightly at Joey who raised an eyebrow. He and joey had their own private form of communication, one based entirely of facial looks and body language. It was useful when they didn't want people to know about their secrets, especially their parents. 2

"hey uh, so what did I miss?" he asked the table, sitting back down at the table and grabbing the bottle of beer Sam offered him. "Cheers" he told them.

"I was just telling them about you and Joe, troublemakers" Mike told Dean, grinning wryly at the look on Dean's face.

"always trying to embarrass me, I'm a big man now"

"don't I know it. It was me who walked in on you and Rhonda-"

"yeah yeah! Don't be spilling my personal life to people. That was awkward for all three of us" dean blushed at the memory of how his father entered his bedroom the first time he had just finished having sex with Rhonda, the woman who introduced him – embarrassingly- to the joys of panties.

"anyway uh" Joey began, clapping his hands together. "I have something to tell you" he confessed. Lucy and Mike stiffened, both turning their attention on joey completely.

"I um – I applied to university. I got in to Stanford, to study law"he told them sheepishly, awaiting their response. They were silent for a second, then begun to grin widely. Lucy pulled Joey in close.

"I'm so proud of you baby! Im so happy!" she squealed, smothering Joey in a great hug and kissing him several times. Joey squirmed in her arms, pulling himself away and finally detaching himself. Mike was not the same, but did give joey a great slap on the back.

"Aint my little brother smart eh?" Dean asked towards Sam, John and Bobby. They merely nodded, Sam attempting a weak smile which had Dean frowning faintly. He opened his mouth to ask what was wrong when his attention was diverted. Cas had appeared at the table.

"Dean" he said, just as gravely the first time he had seen Dean in the morning.

"hey Cas" Dean said, shooting a smile.

"Do you not wish to embrace?" Cas asked him. Dean immediately started blushing. Why did Cas have to say that in front of everyone?

"Who are you?" John asked him. Cas turned to face him, looking at him intensely.

"John Winchester. I am castiel, Deans friend" he emphasises, smiling almost sweetly at Dean. Damn. Castiel's emphasis on friend was really sending the wrong message to everyone on the table.

"friend huh?" Bobby drawled, raising an eyebrow as he took another swig from the beer.

"yes. Friend. I stay by Dean's side at all time and protect him from all harm" Cas responded seriously, causing Sam to almost choke on his drink. Dean didn't miss the raised eyebrow John gave Dean when he thought Dean wasn't looking.

"That's great. Would you like to sit?" Sam asked Cas politely, gesturing towards the empty seat beside himself. Castiel nodded his head, taking a seat. He sat down formally and looked almost uncomfortable in the seat.

"so, Cas, is it?" John asked. "tell us a bit about yourself" he suggested.

"very well. My name is castiel, I am an angel of-"

"ha ha ha!" dean interjected, laughing loudly and falsely. "he likes to say he's an angel, but he's actually a troublemaker" he told the table, glaring quickly at Castiel who looked quizzically at him.

"but dean, I am an angel. In fact, you often say that I am- "

"very funny! Very funny is what I say you are!" dean said loudly again over cas. Cas man, PLEASE stop saying you're an angel. Do you want them to know who you are? Dean thought hard whilst staring as Cas. Cas had initially stiffened up, but eventually relaxed. He nodded minutely at dean, gesturing that he understood the message.

"So cas, where's your family?" Bobby asked him, peering at the strange man in a trench coat.

"heaven" castiel replied sombrely. Sam winced.

"I'm sorry. How long have they been up there?" he asked gently.

"centuries" castiel replied honestly. Dean stifled a snort. Trust cas to take everything literally.

"he means it feels like they've been gone for ages" Joey interjected, smiling warmly at the men to diffuse the awkwardness.

"oh I see" Sam replied kindly. "Well I'm sorry for your loss" he told Cas. Cas raised an eyebrow, seemingly stumped by Sam's condolences.

"so uh, you got two kids huh?" john asked mike, almost aggressively out of the blue. "two sons. I bet that's nice" his tone was almost cynical and bordering on cold. "how old were you when dean was born?" he asked.

Mike shared a look with his wife. "uh well. To be completely honest, dean isn't biologically our son" he confessed. John looked shocked at that. "I adopted him when he was eight. He was found in our hospital, battered and bruised. No family so we took him in and he- well he is our son" mike told them, smiling fondly at dean.

"no family?" Sam asked now, his tone also become aggressive. What was with these people? Why were they so rude? "how do you know he had no family? So, what- for the first eight years he had no one is what you're saying?" he asked.

"hey man!" dean called out. "watch your tone when you talk to my parents"

"but they're not really your- "Sam began, but was cut off by cas whose voice became both loud and cold.

"Dean is dean smith. He is their child. They could not locate his family because he has amnesia. He suffers from a particular one caused by trauma. They did not wish to remind him of his previous family, because it can create a mental breakdown."

"so you're saying, if dean remembers his old family he might…"

"suffer a mental breakdown, to the very least. Die, being the very worst" cas informed them. Dean was confused. What the hell? He didn't suffer from that type of amnesia. Sure, he forgot it. But he certainly wasn't at risk of dying if he remembered. Was he? He looked intensely at cas. Cas shot him a look, one dean took to mean "trust me." So dean said nothing, but just sat back and nodded at Cas' words. His parents and Joey did the same, even if they too were confused at the turn of events.

"that is why, Samuel Winchester, dean must never know of his origins" Cas intoned seriously, his eyes piercing Sam's. san gulped, nodding slowly.

"Yeah well, I think me and Cas have some business to attend to" Dean told everyone, rising from his seat. It was only after silence lingered that Dean realised how his comment sounded.

"I mean, we're gonna look for some hunts" he elaborated. Everyone merely nodded. Looking at Joey, Dean saw that his brother was trying to hold in laughter, his body trembling from the force of it.

"bitch" dean muttered rudely as he walked around to stand beside cas.

"We'll see you guys at the motel yeah?" Dean asked his parents and Joey who nodded.

"sure thing hon. We'll see you soon, we're just gonna have a few more drinks and then will go out to eat a celebratory breakfast for Joey. Then we'll come over and help you with the hunt" Lucy told Dean, winking slightly at him. Dean blushed at her implications, even though he knew she knew nothing was going on with him and Cas.

Dean and Cas left the roadhouse together, Cas taking his arm and instantly teleporting him the second they were out of sight into the motel they had rented down the road. "Dean, we must talk" Cas told him, his eyes peering into Dean's. Dean gulped at the intensity of Cas' eyes, he would never get over how blue and clear and intense they were. It was mesmerising.

"sure cas, what's up?" he asked casually.

"We need to locate Death"