Okay, so this chapter was really awkward to write, so know it is not the best. Sorry about that, but it's a kind of necessary filler. Things will pick back up in the next chapter. I cannot wait to see how much sexual tension I can write before I explode. Muahaha. Anyways... Here is chapter five. PS- Thank you The Mysterious Shadow for the nice review!

Chapter Rating: T (Language)

Dean had no idea what to do. His brother was leaving him without a partner, and his hopes of making it big were dashed. When Castiel came to him at his trailer, the Winchester had not been thinking clearly at all. He had simply accepted the strange man's offer just because. There was no real reason behind it, no vague hope. Dean certainly had not expected to have the fastest time of his career. And, it was not until he looked at his impromptu partner after the run that he realized the man was none other than the barrel racer he had watched a few weeks earlier.

Dean and Castiel were both dismounting from their horses when Dean spoke, trying to remain calm despite the confusion.

"That was great, man! How did you learn to rope like that?"

"I was taught to rope by my mother. I simply hadn't forgotten," Castiel replied modestly.

"Well, that was awesome. Don't you ride the barrels?"

"Yes. I am a fairly moderate barrel racer. Do you have a problem with that?"

"What? No! I mean, uh, I don't have a problem. I just saw you at the last rodeo. You looked great. Your ride. Your ride looked great. What was your time?" Dean stammered. He had not felt this flustered when talking to someone since the first time he met his last serious girlfriend, Lisa. Castiel did not seem to notice Dean's stutters as he replied.

"14.98 seconds."

"Woah. I have watched a lot of barrels, and that is not a fairly moderate time. That is pro rodeo time, man."

"I was second at the last rodeo. It is nothing, really."

Dean did not respond to Castiel. He simply looked at the man, trying to detect if any of his humility was false. It was not. The Winchester did not quite know what to think of the Novak. All he knew was that he was an awesome barrel racer and responsible for the best time of Dean's career so far. A sudden thought occurred to Dean. By then, the men were at Dean's trailer, loading Baby up and situating all her tack on the shelves.

"Hey, Castiel. You are a pretty awesome header, and your horse can pull stop. With some practice, we could be really good. How about you be my new partner?"

Castiel froze where he was, beginning to lead his horse off. The Novak looked confused and a little bit shocked. He tilted his head to the side and looked at Dean, and the other man had to fight not to turn away from the blue eyes.

"You just met me and you want me to be your partner? Really?"

"Yeah, you seem like a pretty nice guy. And you've got talent. Why not?"

"It's just, I'm not used to people from the rodeos being friendly to me."

"Why?"

"I have always been thought of as being inferior because I choose to race the barrel pattern."

"That's crazy. I've seen the skill that kind of thing takes. I could never do it. Why did you offer to help me if you thought I was a douchebag?"

"I do not know."

"Well, want to be my partner, Novak?"

"As long as I can still barrel race, I guess it is fine, Winchester."

"It's Dean now, partner."

"Okay."

With that, the two man traded phone numbers. Dean finished loading Baby up and watched as Castiel walked his horse back to the warm up arena. Something inside of him felt off, but he could not place what. He resigned himself to call Castiel after he made sure Sam was alright. Oh, yeah. Sam. Dean had completely forgotten about his brother.

Dean got into his truck and drove to the front office building, collecting his prize money and his qualification papers. After that, he went in the direction of the hospital, only stopping by the Winchester ranch to unhitch the trailer and put Prius and Baby in their pasture.

Dean was in the hospital waiting room by the time two hours after the accident had passed. He saw his father in a nearby hallway and walked to him.

"Hey, Dad. How's Sammy?"

"You're right on time, Dean. They were about to let me in to see him. They had to set his leg and put a cast on it because it is broken. Sam told me in the ambulance that he had told you about college. Are you alright?"

"I'm still pissed, but it's alright. If that is the crap he wants to do, who am I to stop him?"

"I'm glad you see it that way. Wanna head on in?"

"Sure thing."

The two older Winchesters walked into the younger's hospital room, finding a very pained looking Sam. His leg was suspended in a large white cast by a sling above the bed. Dean went to his side while John stayed back, his father senses telling him that his sons needed to talk first.

"How ya' doing, Sammy?"

"It's Sam, you asshole," Sam slurred threw the haze of drugs.

"Clearly, you're fine. Maybe this is God getting back at you for abandoning your big bro, bitch."

"Jerk."

"I know. I'm sorry about freaking out on you. I just didn't get it. I still don't, but I have had a couple hours to clear my head, so that's something."

"M'glad."

Sam turned his head and dropped off to sleep just like that. Dean chuckled, despite himself. HE turned to John.

"Dad, I also have something to tell you. I met this guy after you guys left. His name is Castiel, and he offered to be my new roping partner. He seemed nice enough, and he is GOOD. I mean, like wow."

"You found a replacement for your brother so soon? That's a miracle, Dean. If Sam where awake, I am sure he would be happy for you. By this time next year, we could be cheering you on at the State rodeo and-"

"Dad, I am going to regions. I could make it to State this year! Castiel talked the event coordinator to let us make a name change and ride again. We had a stinkin' seven second time!"

"What? Really? With no practice as a team?"

"I know! It's amazing. You really have to meet this guy."

"I do. What's his name again?"

"Castiel Novak. He normally rides the barrels, but he's still pretty cool."

"Did you say Novak?"

"Yeah, why?"

John Winchester let out an impressed whistle. Dean had very rarely seen his father truly impressed, so this was a very unique moment indeed.

"The Novak family are THE rodeo talent family. The dad was a big time steer wrestler that won the world title four times. Two of the sons have won the world titles for bull and bronco riding. I had heard there was a younger one, but I didn't think he competed. Well, color me surprised. My son managed to get a Novak as a partner!"

"Is it really that special?"

"I think so, kid. This could be really great. We need to start up training as soon as possible. Region rodeo isn't for another few weeks. We'll wait for Sam to be discharged and we'll hop to it."

"Thanks for being so cool with this all, Dad."

"Thank me later. Now get back to the ranch and take care of things. I'll stay with your brother."

"Okay, call me if you need anything. Bye."

"See ya'."

As Dean walked out to his truck, he pondered what his father had said. He had never heard of the Novaks himself, but he trusted his father. What could possible be in Dean's future? The man did not know. The only thing that he knew for certain was that he was about to find out.