I don't own Supernatural.
reviews: simarlfan1, hunterxangel, scarletwillow80
Chapter 22
Castiel was sitting close to Dean at the kitchen table as Bobby fried some eggs on the stove. Amber yawned next to them, taking a plate from Bobby as he slid it across the table.
They had checked on Sam earlier and found that he was asleep in the bunker, but decided to leave him for a few more hours just in case.
"I'm gonna help you boys look for any traces of the Horsemen." Bobby said as he handed Dean and Cas a plate each. "Get this mess over with faster. We only have War and Death left."
Dean nodded, but felt uneasy. It seemed as if they had the two most powerful Horsemen left to contend with. Castiel reached under the table, touching Dean's hand. He had sensed the hunter's nervousness rising at the mention of the Horsemen. He knew Dean wanted to stay here at Bobby's house where they were safe. The hunter was more relaxed and at home here then anywhere else Cas had ever seen him.
"Well, anything I can do to help, just let me know." Amber piped up, shoving a spoonful of eggs into her mouth.
"You would think after the hamburgers that you wouldn't want to eat for a while," Dean said, staring at Amber. He knew that he ate alot, but this girl could give him a run for his money.
"Yeah, but that's over with now. I'm starving." Amber laughed, taking a bite of toast.
Bobby sat down at the table with his own plate. "I'll start researching right away after breakfast and you can help me, Amber. Give the boys a chance to rest up a day."
"We're fine, Bobby." Dean protested, and Bobby gave him a look.
"Hell you are." Bobby snorted. "Sam's getting a detox, Cas just got over a weird sickness, and you're dealing with all this crap right beside them."
Dean opened his mouth to argue, but Bobby held up a hand. "Just one day, Dean. That's all I'm saying."
"Fine." Dean said grudgingly. He was fine, but he was sure Sam and Cas could use a break. Maybe he would even sneak Sam's laptop in and work on it without Bobby knowing.
Everyone was quiet through the rest of the breakfast, each thinking about different things. Dean stood when he was finished. "I'm going to check on Sam." He glanced at Cas, who had a hand on his swollen stomach while he finished the last spoonfuls of food on his plate.
"I'll come." Cas said, pushing his plate aside.
Something happened then. He gazed at the scene before him: a brightly lit kitchen, an actual kitchen in an actual house; Cas rubbing his pregnancy and smiling at the table while Bobby and Amber talked quietly next to him.
"You can stay, Cas." Dean said suddenly. "I'll be back in a minute."
Castiel looked taken aback. Usually anytime he offered to come with Dean was met with enthusiasm. He frowned slightly, studying the hunter before he left the room. He was feeling something strange from Dean; a sudden panic that was never there before. He stared for a moment at the empty doorway, feeling something himself..separation anxiety maybe?
"Cas?" Amber touched his arm gently, looking concerned. "You okay?".
"Yes." Cas took his seat again, looking at his empty plate. "I was just thinking how good it would be to have some more eggs."
8888
Dean practically ran down the basement stairs, trying to figure out what just happened. His heart was beating like crazy and his head was cold. It was like he was having a major panic attack. Something about that scene; Cas eating breakfast at an actual kitchen table, rubbing his pregnant stomach, sent him into panic mode. Bobby and Amber there, like a family.
He leaned up against the door of the bunker, trying to compose himself before going to see Sam. Three deep breaths later, he was unlocking the door. Sam was awake now, but still tethered to his cot. He smiled when Dean came in.
"Hey," Dean said as he drew a chair up to the cot. "You alright? Ready to get out of here?"
"Yeah." Sam studied Dean's face, seeing signs of panic there. "What's the matter?"
"What do you mean?"
"Something happened, I can see it."
"It's nothing, Sam." Dean said, casually leaning the chair back on two legs.
"Yeah, it is. Tell me."
"I'm just thinking." Dean said, looking at Sam with realization in his eyes. "I'm going to be a father."
Sam frowned. "Yeah." he said slowly. "Did you just figure that out now?"
"No. But I'm really thinking about it now." Dean stood up, running a hand through his hair. "I can't do this, Sam. How can I? It's just...I don't know." Dean breathed deeply, trying to control the panic that threatened to overwhelm him.
"Hey, calm down." Sam said as Dean began hyperventilating. "It's gonna be okay."
"No it's not! Crap. Crap!" Dean paced the circular room. "Why did I do this? There is no way this is gonna work out, no possible way."
Sam shook his head. "Dude, come over here."
"Why?"
"So I can slap you. What the hell's the matter with you?" Sam asked. "Do you love Castiel?"
"Yeah."
"Then what's the problem? It'll be fine. You don't have to do this alone. We're all here, Dean." Sam said softly, trying to reassure his brother. It seemed like it was working; Dean's breathing was slowing and he had stopped pacing. But then, it was Dean. He could hide his feelings as easily as a cat catches a mouse.
A knock on the door made them both jump. It swung open, and Bobby came in. "Hey Sam, feeling better?"
Sam nodded quickly. "How about cutting me loose?" he pulled his arms up so the leather straps were pulled taut.
Bobby came over, pulling a knife out of his pocket and flipping it open. He worked on the leather bindings until they were all severed, releasing Sam.
"Thanks." Sam said, rubbing his wrists. He chanced a glance at Dean, who seemed like he was over his panic attack now. But again, you never knew with Dean.
"How about something to eat?" Bobby offered the younger Winchester, and Sam nodded. Sam motioned for Dean to follow them out of the bunker and upstairs. Dean took a last glance around the room and a thought hit him so hard he felt like it was an eighteen wheeler. He had let Famine hurt Sam. Many times before Sam had gotten hurt under his watch as well. If he couldn't look after his grown brother, how would he keep a baby safe?