Chapter 6

As Dean walked down the hall to get Sam's laptop, Sam met him half way.

"Hey Dean, I just got a call from Jody Mills. Apparently they've had a nest of vampires move in a little too close for her taste. Too many for her to deal with on her own and she doesn't want to get the girls involved so,"

"Of course. Well let's go clean out a vamp nest."

Sam looked at his brother. "Dean, are you ok? Did you get any sleep?"

"Yea, I'm fine. Let's just go."

"Ok. Hey did you call Cas?"

"Oh, uh, yea. It's like we thought. He's got something going on in heaven. Nothing bad I guess but something he has to deal with. Said he might be gone awhile. But if we need him just call."

Dean decided it was probably best anyway. It's probably just a bunch of nonsense anyway. Just Cas taking things to literal and serious again. He'll just let it go and let Cas do what he needs to do right?

Right.

It took them about a week to completely wipe out the vampire nest. They also stuck around a couple of days to make sure there were no stragglers. Dean's head wasn't in the game either. Sam noticed. And he wasn't the only one.

Jody walked outside and seen Dean leaning against the Impala drinking a beer. She grabbed one out of the cooler as she walked up to lean with him.

"Hey kiddo."

"Hey sheriff."

"Never gonna call me Jody are ya?"

"Hey I say it as a very high form of respect. If you didn't know, a lot of law enforcement doesn't like me."

"Really, No!?"

"Ha Ha. But really, you're an amazing woman, strong, independent, caring and smart everything that a sheriff should be. So yea, I think I'll stick with sheriff."

"Fair enough. Thank you. Now that the sweet pleasant compliments are out of the way. What the hell's wrong with you?"

"What? Nothing. Why do you ask?"

"Seriously. You were the one who was just pointing out, correctly I might add, how smart I am. So you're seriously gonna try and lie to me?"

Dean laughed.

"C'mon Dean. You've been off since you got here. It's like your mind is somewhere else. So tell me, what's going on?"

Dean sighed. "You're right. I have had a lot on my mind. But it's not really something I want to talk about."

"I can understand that. But whatever it is, you need to talk about it or, deal with it. Your line of work doesn't allow for you not to have your head in the game. And so help me god young man if you get yourself killed because you didn't, you won't get a hunter's funeral I will make sure you come back as a ghost so I can do it myself! Do you understand me young man?!"

Dean smiled. "Yes ma'am."

"Now, come in and have some dinner before you boys leave."

"Ok. I'll be there in a minute."

"Don't be long and wash your hands. Don't make me use my mom voice."

"Don't worry, I won't."

Dean smiled watching Jody walk away. She really is a good woman, and a good mom. But she's wrong. He can't talk about this. To anyone. Why is this even on his mind? It's ridiculous! Sure he's worried about Cas. He doesn't make the best decisions when he's emotionally compromised. Of course he's not going to start another war in heaven or bring out some beasts from only god knows where. Not over this. But Dean's still worried about him. But why? Cas is a big boy! Angel! Whatever! He's fine. He's just spending time in some quiet part of heaven or the world working through his problems, feelings, whatever. He's fine. Guess it would be nice to make sure of that though. He's not use to Cas being gone like this. Not without checking in. He's gotten used to Cas popping in randomly, scaring the hell out of him and sometimes standing to close. Dean caught himself smiling at the thought. What the hell was wrong with him! Ok, that's it. Jody was right. He may not be able to talk to anyone about this but he has to deal with it. When they get back to the bunker he's going to find out what sent Cas down this path. And find a way to get his best friend back!

"Dean Winchester! Get in here wash your hands and eat!"

Dean jumped.

"Yes ma'am."