Dean was woken the next morning by what sounded like a hundred children running across the landing. Blinking in the bright morning sun, he looked around him. He had a vague recollection of what had happened last night and he shuddered. His mouth felt like something had died in it, and his head was pounding. Stretching he got out of the bed and retrieved his clothes. Dressing quickly, he decided to leave before being seen.
"You're awake then?" Nicole said, as he walked down the stairs. "Yeah, I..um...I really should be heading off" Dean said, feeling sheepish. Nicole nodded "Okay" she walked over and put a piece of paper in Dean's pocket "Call me?" Giving a nod, Dean walked out of the door. Once out of sight he screwed the piece of paper up and threw it in the trash. "Time to find some coffee" he thought
Getting back to the motel Dean was looking forward to getting a decent sleep. A part of him was itching to see Castiel, though part of him was dreading getting there and finding that the angel had brought the karaoke woman back with him. When he opened the door to their room however it was empty, no sign that anyone had been there since they left yesterday. "Cas?" Dean said. Nothing. "Cas, Where are you?" But Castiel didn't come
Dean spent the rest of the day waiting for the angel to show. But he never did. That night he slept badly, his dreams consisting of darkness and angel wings burned onto the ground. He got into his office at work early, he had no intention of hanging around the motel room, it was just a reminder that Cas wasn't there. Settling down at his desk with a large black coffee, he readied himself for a day guiding students.
There was a knock at the door and the same teacher who had welcomed him to the school came in. "Ahh Mr Winchester, are you busy Saturday? We need another teacher to help set up at the prom" Dean agreed, after all it meant he could keep an eye on how his mission was going. The rest of the day was spent drinking increasingly bigger cups of coffee and pretending to listen to the students that were sent to him. Dean was sure he had put some answers in the wrong place due to the odd looks he got.
The week dragged on mostly the same. Black coffee. Wings burned onto tarmac. No sleep. More black coffee. Struggle to listen to students. Yet more black coffee. And still no Castiel. Dean kept calling him but he had resigned himself that the angel simply wasn't listening. He woke up on Saturday morning after a few hours of sleep and groaned as he realised he was due at Padua to help with the prom. "At least it gives you something to do other than mope." Dean really hated the voice in his head.
Getting to the school Dean reasoned that at least it was quiet. The setting up for the prom was dull work, but it helped take his mind off worrying a little. After he had finished moving equipment onto the stage, he saw one of the other teachers coming towards him "I know you have been here all day Mr Winchester.." "Please Call me Dean" "Okay. I know you have been here all day Dean but would you possibly consider staying to help?" She gave him an apologetic grin. "You see we are a bit understaffed." "Sure" Dean said. After all he had nothing better to do than go back to his motel room alone.
Later on, watching all the students have a great time at the prom, Dean wished he had gone to one when he was in high school. But due to dropping out he hadn't had the chance. He saw Kat with Patrick, who saw him and gave him the thumbs up. Dean grinned, it looked like his mission was complete. He wondered if this time Gabriel might actually send him home. He missed Sam dreadfully, and he hated being alone. Suddenly he heard a shout and saw Kat hurrying away from Patrick, then a Girl punching a smug looking boy. He rushed over to the distraught looking Patrick "C'mon, my office"
"So dude, what happened?" Patrick groaned and rubbed his eyes. "That asshole Joey, he told her about the money, that he paid me to take her out." Dean groaned. "I really like her and I have ruined it" Patrick said, sinking in the chair. Dean felt a jolt in his stomach and realised he was in the same situation. Cas wouldn't even talk to him. He was probably still with the woman from the bar. "You need to explain the situation to her. Show her that the money isn't an issue..maybe buy her a present?" Patrick looked at him. "I know the exact thing. Thanks man" He ran out of the office. "Now just your own little problem to solve" The voice in his head goaded him. "Time to head back to the motel" He said to himself. "But first...Liquor store"
Getting back to the motel room Dean proceeded to start on the scotch. Bottle empty he began again to plead with the angel. "Please Cas, just come back...I need you...Cas!" He laid back on his bed, exhaustion setting in, eyes closing even as he fought to keep them open. After an hour of straight pleading he passed out, half way through begging the angel to come back.