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Chapter 48

Castiel followed the same road Dean had taken earlier that day and tried not to think about his hunter. If anything had happened to him...Cas would never forgive himself.

The Impala's tires stirred up dirt along the road, kicking it up behind the car. Cas did enjoy driving the Impala, although he had only done so a few times. Now, he took no joy in the driving; his braking and speeding were erratic and he tried to focus on the road instead of what might be happening to Dean.

Finally, he came upon the field and recognized the tree that they had parked under earlier. It was a huge old tree, trunk knarled and branches reaching up toward the sky.

Pulling the Impala over, Cas got out. He didn't even know what he was looking for. There was probably nothing here anyway. Allowing himself to fall on his knees to the ground, he ran his hands over the grass as if a doorknob would appear to open a door that would grant access to where ever Dean was.

A blue light suddenly blinded Castiel, and he looked away. It was only a second, but when he turned his face back around, there was a body lying only a few inches away from his outstretched fingers.

Dean.

Bruises covered Dean's neck as if someone had been squeezing his throat tight enough to constrict his breathing. Blood was running freely from his nose, which appeared to be broken.

Heart thumping crazily, Cas raised a hand to Dean's nose to check if he was breathing. Air brushed lightly on his palm and Cas grew weak with relief. Using the hem of his shirt, he wiped some of the blood from Dean's face gently.

"Dean." Cas said softly. "Can you hear me?"

Bending down, he pressed his lips to Dean's. There was no response. Cupping Dean's cheek in his palm, Cas surveyed his unmoving features then glanced over at the car. He would have to haul Dean over and bring him back to Bobby's. They couldn't stay here. He had no idea how Dean had escaped, but there was a chance that the angels would come after him.

Cas forced himself to calm down, closing his eyes for a few seconds and taking deep breaths, trying not to think about what may happen if the angels reappeared now.

Hooking his hands underneath Dean's armpits, Cas struggled to pull him to the car. Dean was heavy then he looked and Cas didn't have much practice with this sort of thing. Stopping for a second to catch his breath, Cas glanced down at his mate. Dean's eyes suddenly flickered open, and Cas' heart jumped into his throat at the sudden movement.

The hunter's eyes were glazed over and they widened in confusion when he took in his surroundings. He pulled out of Cas' grasp, jumping to his feet unsteadily and taking deep breaths of air.

"Dean-" Cas reached out a hand to steady the hunter. "It's ok."

Dean's eyes were wide and shocked, but they focused on Castiel. "Cas," he croaked and his sore throat gave a twinge as he pulled Castiel into a hug.

"I thought I would never see you again, baby. Shit..I was thinking about you the whole time." Dean babbled hoarsely in Cas' ear.

"Dean..we should get back to the house in case they come back."

"They're not coming back." Dean pressed his face into Cas' shoulder, stroking his hair. He had been truly terrified...not for himself but for his family. He did not want them to suffer any more pain. The pieces were fitting together as everything came back to him...he was pretty sure they wouldn't have problems with the angels anymore.

"Dean..we still need to get back. Sam might come out looking for you." Cas tried to pull away to go to the car, but Dean wouldn't let go. He kissed Cas fiercely on the lips, pressing him against the Impala.

"I love you so much, Cas."

Cas ran a hand over his cheek and smiled, his eyes crinkling in the corners. "I love you too. That's why I want to get you home and get you cleaned up. That nose looks horrible."

Reaching up, Dean tweaked it. "It's not that bad."

It gave a twinge as he spoke and he winced. Cas shook his head amusedly and Dean relented.

"Get in the car, Dean."

To the hunter's surprise, Cas went around the car and hopped in the driver's side. Dean rode shotgun, and smiled at Cas when he turned the keys in the ignition and the Impala roared to life.

Leaning back against the seat, Dean groaned as his nose gave another twinge. He gazed over at Cas and said, his voice odd from being choked almost to death, "You look sexy when you drive. I should let you drive more often so I can enjoy the view."

"Shut up, Dean. That's what got us into this in the first place." Cas tried to say it seriously but it came out more humorous.

Dean watched Cas the entire way back, drinking him in. He thought he was truly going to die up wherever he was with Michael. Now that he was back..it seemed like it amplified his love for his family even more. He never wanted to lose them, even if it was he himself that was leaving this world.

They pulled into the yard, the Impala bumping over the rough ground, and Cas parked it not too far from the house. Hurriedly he stuffed the keys in his pocket and rushed to the passenger side to help Dean out.

"I'm fine," Dean reassured him, but Cas put an arm around his waist anyway and helped guide him up to the house.

Cas stopped on the front porch for a second and glanced at Dean. There was something written on Cas' face, but Dean couldn't figure out what it was. He touched Cas' cheek.

"What's the matter?"

"Nothing." Cas muttered, but again Bobby's parting words were stuck in his head. 'You can never have a normal life.' Maybe the older hunter was right, Cas thought, looking back onto the events the just occurred.

"I'm just glad you're alright." Cas leaned forward to kiss him, and Dean smiled under his lips. "Let's go show everyone that I'm still alive and kicking, then." Dean grinned, and turned the knob to enter the house.