"Yea ok Bobby, we'll see you within the day." Sam hung up his phone just as his brother came out of the bathroom, Cas firmly in his arms. Cas' hair was sticking up at all angles and his cheeks were still tinged pink from the warmth of the bath water. His wings still firmly tucked out of sight.

"What did Bobby say?" Dean asked as he dumped Cas playfully onto the bed.

"That we were idiots for not calling him sooner."

"Sounds about right," Dean chuckled as he dragged Cas back towards him across the blankets, attempting to tackle shoes onto the squirming boy.

"Not that he had any clue as to fixing him," Sam continued, "I gave him everything we've got though, he said he'd check out a few possibilities. He's also gonna make a few calls, let hunters in the area know who we're looking for. Get them to keep an eye out."

Dean gave a grunt of acknowledgment, "We better start the drive there then, we'll be able to do more from Bobby's."

-/-

Two hours into the drive to South Dakota was when Cas started to get bored.

He was once again cushioned comfortably on Dean's lap, Sam behind the wheel. Sam couldn't recall a time prior to this that Dean had allowed him to drive so much, especially when he was quite capable of doing so himself. Dean had the stereo volume up, much to Sam's displeasure, and Metallica was blaring away steadily from the speakers. Sam thought it unfair that if Cas had have been the one to make a complaint about the noise Dean would have turned it down in a heartbeat.

"I'm hungry." Cas stated, his voice raised enough to be heard over the music volume.

Sam reached across, taking his chance to lower the sound, "We ate less than two hours ago Cas."

Cas shrugged his small shoulders, "But I'm hungry now."

"What are you gonna do Sammy? Deprive the kid of food? Pull over at the next stop we see."

They didn't waste too much time, grabbing Cas (and Dean, cause he wasn't about to say no to food) a snack. Before long they were on their way again, Cas munching away happily through a bag of Doritos.

It was only an hour and a half this time before Cas complained that he wasn't feeling well and wanted Sam to pull the car over for awhile.
They stopped in a small town with a playground. Both brothers watched in amusement as Cas ran his heart out all over the play equipment. He made sure to keep his distance from any of the other children.

It wasn't until another hour into their car journey, when Cas expressed his need to use the bathroom, that Sam and Dean suspected the kid was up to something.

"Alright Cas, what's wrong?" Dean asked firmly, turning the little body in his lap around so the two of them were facing each other.

"Nothing," Cas said defensively.

"Cas you have never once actually needed to use the bathroom. Even with your new affinity to food. Now what's the actual problem?"

Cas rolled his eyes with a sigh, "I am bored Dean. This car is boring. And slow." Cas crossed his arms firmly over his chest looking defiant.

Sam coughed from the driver's seat, clearly attempting to hide his laughter.

"We can't stop driving every sixty minutes Cas, it will double the time it'll take for us to get to Bobby's, and he's expecting us," Dean declared. "Have a nap, it'll make time go faster."

"I don't want a nap Dean, I am not tired."

Dean turned to his brother, "Next road shop you see pull over."

Dean went into the small store by himself, leaving Sam and Castiel to stare questioningly at his retreating back. Dean returned within five minutes holding a small paper bag.

Dean opened the door indicating for Cas to get out, "Jump in the back kid." Both Cas and Dean slid into the back seats, "Good to go Sammy." Sam pulled out of the parking space glancing in the rear view mirror trying to see what his brother was up to.

"Ok Cas, you're gonna learn to play poker."

"Dean!" Sam sounded scandalized, "You cannot teach a four year old how to play poker! It's not right."

"Eyes on the road Sammy," Dean said warningly, pulling out the new set of playing cards he'd purchased and shuffling through them, "Besides he's a smart four year old, I don't quite think that Go Fish is going to cut it."

Dean managed to keep Cas entertained with the cards for close to four hours. Dean was proud at how quickly Cas got the gist of the game, and was soon grateful that they weren't playing for anything because he was having his ass handed to him by a four year old.
It was Sam who finally broke up their current competition, pulling over at a diner half way through Iowa for an early dinner.

The three made their way into the homely looking eatery, the place still fairly empty as this hour. Sam and Dean slid into one of the booths towards the back, sitting opposite each other, Dean helped raise Cas up next to him.

"What can I get for you boys?" A busty waitress wandered over to them, pen ready to scrawl across paper, "Oh aren't you a cutie," She added noticing Cas, extending her brightly finger nailed hand out to ruffle his messy hair.

Cas shied away from the touch immediately, backing himself into Dean, hiding his face.

"He's shy," Sam said in way of apology. "I'll have the chicken ceasar salad."

"Cas what do you want?" Dean poked Cas in the side. Cas lifted his head and pointed to a spot on Dean's menu. "He'll have nachos."

"It's a big serve, not sure he'd be able to eat much of it."

"We'll share, thanks." Dean folded his menu away as the waitress nodded, leaving towards the kitchen.

"How much longer till Bobby's?" Cas asked up to Dean.

"Only a couple of hours, if Sammy learns to step on the gas."

"Shut up Dean, I drive fine."

"Wow what an adorable kid, is he yours?" Another girl had approached their table, her eyes fluttering over at Dean, "He must be yours, too handsome not to be."

Sam, who had just taken a sip of water, tried not to choke at the look on Dean's face as the girl leant over the table with the purpose of shaking Dean's hand, her already short skirt riding further up.

Cas didn't seem to appreciate the girls attention either as he turned to Dean, a completely serious expression plastered across his face, "Daddy, make the annoying lady go away."

"Sorry," Dean managed to get out around his shock, "He's not much of a people person."

The girl waved the apology off with a bright smile, as if children told her to piss off every day. "If you get a chance alone," She scrawled her number onto a napkin and slid it over to Dean before flouncing away.

As soon as she was out of earshot Sam let his laughter burst out as Dean rounded on a grinning Cas, "What the hell was that Cas?"

"She was a whore, Dean. And she smelt funny."

"Not the point Cas." Dean grumbled out, "Don't pretend to be my son, it's weird."

The waitress had returned and placed their respective meals on the table.

"She made the assumption." Cas continued, still grinning at his skill, "And it worked, made her leave. She really was a whore."

"Stop saying that word Cas." Dean said as he kicked out at his brother under the table, "And shut up Sam."

Sam ignored the pain in his shin and continued to laugh around his salad, as Cas excitedly dug into his nachos.

-/-

The remainder of the drive to Bobby's was uneventful. With a full stomach Cas had managed to fall asleep in Dean's lap and even Dean had started dozing off against the window.
The scrap yard looked the same as ever, old rusty cars and parts piled every which way, the land appearing as a complete jumble to everyone who wasn't Bobby.

Bobby greeted them at the door, his usual baseball cap firmly in place, and a grim look on his face at the sight of them.

"Something in me was hopin' this had been a rouse." Bobby stepped aside, letting the two men into the kitchen, Cas still dozing in Dean's arms, "But apparently not." Bobby examined Cas as close as he could without disturbing him. "He really is a little fella'."

The angel squirmed in his sleep, trying to get more comfortable against Dean, "Why would we make it up Bobby?" Dean whispered, rolling his eyes. "I'm gonna tuck him into the guest room." Dean motioned his head upstairs and walked out.

Bobby raised his eyes at Sam, "He been like that constantly?"

"Who, Dean? Like what?"

"All in big brother mode. If I recall correctly that's how he used to treat you. Bringing you inside all curled up in his arms, ready for sleep."

Sam scoffed, walking over to the fridge to pull out a beer. "You mocking him?"

"Not in the slightest. It always was adorable, his protectiveness. Wouldn't expect anything less of the boy."

Sam chuckled, "They've been inseparable."

"You surprised, boy?"

Sam shook his head, "Na, it's Cas after all."

-/-

Sam was delegated to sleeping on the couch, while Dean shared the spare room with Cas upstairs. Sam woke groggily to a stream of sunlight across his face and the smell of bacon wafting from the kitchen. Smiling, he pulled his shirt over his head and headed towards the delicious sent.
The kitchen was already full. Dean was seated at the table, a glass of juice in hand, nattering away to Bobby. Cas sat next to him, legs swinging under his chair, watching the exchange intensely between Dean and the older hunter. Bobby was dishing up plates of scrambled egg, bacon and sausage.

"Sleeping beauty's finally awake," Bobby said gruffly, as Sam sat down, a plate of mouth-watering food being placed in front of him.

"Thanks Bobby," Sam ignored the jab at his sleeping patterns and tucked into his food.

"We gotta focus on finding these witches," Bobby continued his conversation with Dean, as he sat down to his own plate. "I can't find anything about an alternative reversal. I think the angels might be right about this one. Killin' maybe the only option. Unless you miraculously get the girl to reverse the curse herself, which doesn't seem a likely scenario since you already killed one of her friends."

"I got no problem with putting a bullet in the bitch," Dean stated firmly.

"I know you don't boy, and maybe that's a problem. I expect angels to be all nonchalant about one little life, but not you. She may be misguided but she's still a human."

Dean scoffed, "Misguided? These people knew they were harming people Bobby, it was their intention."

Bobby pressed on, "I've also had Sherriff Mills put out warrants on the three cars you saw. If they're still using them, she'll find out."

"Jody Mills? She helps you out on cases now?"

"On occasion. I told her this was an important one; she was able to pull some strings." Bobby shrugged, "I think the best thing we can do is conduct our own searches. The easiest way to find any of these people will be if they start practicing again. If they're smart they'll know to avoid that."

"Well let's hope they're not that smart."

All day the three hunters had been working. Dean couldn't believe he was stuck doing research again. Bobby had much more age appropriate ways of keeping Castiel entertained while they worked. He'd set the kid up in front of the television, Looney Tunes characters chasing each other across the screen, and also given him some paper and pencils for drawing. Castiel poked his head into the library a few times, as if checking to make sure the three men were still there.

It wasn't until after a late dinner that one of Bobby's many phones lining the wall rang. He ushered everyone out of the kitchen in case no background noise was imperative.
Neither Sam nor Dean could hear the conversation taking place but Bobby seemed to be listening intently. He hung up the phone after a few minutes and came back over to where the boys were waiting.

"I think it's time for young angels to go to bed." Bobby nodded to Cas.

"I don't wanna. Dean?" Cas turned to the man holding him imploringly.

Bobby shot Dean a stern glare, "Dean still has work to do."

"You heard the grumpy old man Cas," Dean said with a sigh, "Bed time."

Cas reluctantly put his pencils aside and allowed Dean to carry him up stairs. He kicked his shoes off grumpily in the bedroom, trying to find Dean's AC/DC top he still preferred to sleep in. Dean chuckled softly at his behavior from the doorway.

"It is not amusing Dean. I am not sleepy." Cas' little body betrayed him once again as he failed to stifle a yawn. Cas scrambled into bed looking defeated after that. "Curl up with me?" Cas asked in a small voice, his gaze not meeting Dean's.

"Soon," Dean pulled the blankets up around Cas' shoulders, "You heard Bobby, still work for me to do." Dean leant down to place a soft kiss on Cas' forehead. Before he could pull back Cas' little hands fastened around his neck, holding him close.

"Good night Dean," Cas' hushed voice sounded in his ear.

"'Night Cas," Dean felt the reluctance in Cas' arms to release him, "I'll be back up soon." Dean switched off the light as he headed back down stairs.

Bobby and Sam looked like they were waiting for him, "So what didn't you want to say in front of Cas? Who was on the phone?"

"A hunter I know who's currently working a job a couple of towns over from here. He thinks he's spotted one of the witches, Maggie."

"He thinks? He's not certain?"

"Said he didn't get an overly good look, but he's relatively certain. That's why you two should head over and check it out."

"Your right," Sam said, standing up swiftly.

"What, now?"

Bobby and Sam both turned to stare at Dean, "Of course now ya idjit."

"You think we should go in half prepared again? Cause that worked out so well for us last time."

"Since when do you care about being overly prepared?" Bobby questioned.

Sam sighed heavily, "Dean…"

"Don't 'Dean' me, you know I have a point."

"You have an excuse, there's a difference." Sam said evenly.

"What are you bangin' on about Sam?"

"I knew you'd get like this."

"Like what?" Dean asked bewildered.

"You'd procrastinate over every aspect on fixing Cas as you possibly could."

"Why on earth would I do that? I'm not doing that. I just think it's a good idea to be better prepared, we've seen what these people can do."

"Don't bullshit me Dean, that's not what this is and you know it."

"Then what is it?" Dean was well and truly frustrated now.

Sam glanced at Bobby, seeming to find enough courage to continue. "You don't want to turn Cas back." Dean opened his mouth to retort, rage rising on his tongue, but Sam continued, "At least a part of you doesn't."

Dean was debating whether to yell at his brother or just storm out, "You've gone insane Sam. Again."

Sam didn't do anything more than roll his eyes at that defense. "You and Cas are close, don't deny it, you have been growing closer ever since he pulled you out of Hell. He's been the best, hell the only, friend you've let yourself have in years and you've needed him. Needed his help, his advice, you won't admit it but you even just like it when he's hangin' around for no reason. I'm not blind Dean, that much is obvious." Sam took a breath, "But this is the first time he's needed you. He doesn't even want to leave your side, he's not going anywhere. And you don't want to give that up."

Dean looked between his brother and Bobby. Bobby's expression clearly showing his agreement with Sam. Dean finally found his voice, "Screw you Sam. You know what, screw you both."

The house rattled as Dean slammed the kitchen door, effectively storming his way out of the house.

-/-

Cas woke up cold. The usual warmth he gained from Dean's sleeping form was absent.
Cas sat up searching for the clock on the bedside table, the bright numerals stating that it was half past three. So where was Dean?

Cas slipped his jeans on under the over sized t-shirt and padded his way downstairs, moving as quiet as he could, his hand tracing along the wall to guide him. The house was in darkness.
The dread that had started to build in him abated quickly however as he saw Sam's sleeping form on the couch, his long legs hanging off the end.

Cas approached Sam carefully, when he was near enough he poked him in the ribs to wake him. Sam flailed his arms at the sudden contact, Cas was quick enough to dodge out of the way.
Sam's eyes swept the room, searching for the source of the unwanted prodding. His eyes landed on Cas' crouched form next to him. Sam let out a sigh of relief. "What are you doin' Cas?"

"Looking for Dean."

Sam chuckled, of course he was. "He went for a drive I think buddy."

"It's three a.m." Cas pouted. He climbed unceremoniously on top of Sam, Sam letting out an 'oof' of surprise, so he could peer out the window. "The Impala's there." Cas pressed his finger to the glass.

Sam sat up slightly, trying not to topple Cas off. The Impala was there. Before Sam could stop him, Cas was already scrambling back to the floor and heading quickly for the door. Cas was outside in a flash. Sam peered back out the window, ensuring that Dean was out by his car before he flopped back down on the couch, attempting to return to sleep.

Cas could see Dean clearly perched on top of the hood once he was out on the porch. He carefully made his way over, attempting not to stand on anything sharp with his bare feet. It was a clear night. The moon was high above them and the stars were sparkling continuously, the air warm as it wrapped itself around them.

"Dean?" Cas asked hesitantly as he became level with the car.

"Cas?" Dean turned to look over his shoulder, Cas caught a glint of a bottle in his hands. "What are you doing awake buddy?"

Dean didn't wait for an answer before he was hoisting Cas up onto the hood next to him. Cas could see the bottle Dean was holding clearly now. Johnnie Walker Double Black; the amber liquid inside looked almost untouched. Dean noticed Cas' pointed gaze, he tilted the bottle letting the glass reflect in the moonlight, "Hard habit to break."

Cas gave a jerk of his head, it was neither understanding or reprimand. "Why are you doing out here?"

"People can't keep their opinions to themselves," Dean said bitterly, but shook his head at Cas' questioning gaze, "It's not important."

Cas nodded in understanding this time, he knew Dean didn't like to talk about his feelings.

Dean laid back against the windscreen his eyes gazing steadily up to the stars. "Come here Cas," Dean moved his arm out to the side, making a spot for Cas to lie beside him.

Cas curled easily against Dean's firm body, the slight smell of the whiskey noticeable from this closeness. Following Dean's lead Cas turned to look skyward. The view was pretty good. Cas could name every constellation up there, all the stars they could see and any accompanying bits of space junk. He turned his face towards Dean, intending to impress him with his extensive knowledge of the solar system, but Dean's eyes had already slipped closed, his breathing evening out.

Cas curled closer to him, teaching Dean about the stars could wait for another night, they certainly weren't going anywhere. And neither was he.