Starting off the week with another update. If I don't post again before Thursday, I hope everyone has a very happy thanksgiving!

Sam POV

"So you have no idea as to what caused the angels to disintegrate?" Cas asks, his forehead scrunched in concentration as he dabs absently at the ketchup running down his chin, placing his cheeseburger almost gingerly back onto his plate. Seeing Cas eat is still an anomaly, but as entertaining as it can be, I'm still resisting the urge to squirm in my seat at his question. I have yet to approach Dean with revelations of my newfound superpower that may or may not have somehow torched seven angels, and I seriously doubt a crowded diner is the place to drop that particular bombshell. So I keep my mouth shut, hoping Dean will fill in the gaps for Cas with the limited information he has. Which of course, he does. Even when he doesn't know it, my big brother has my back.

I grow more and more aggravated as the conversation continues, wishing we would instead address the topic I find most important- namely, getting Dean back to full strength. Finally, I can't hold back any longer.

"As interesting as all this is, don't you think we should be focusing on Dean right now?" I cut in with a little more annoyance than I'd meant to let show.

As if to prove my point, Dean chooses that exact moment to shift his leg beneath the booth we're sitting in, letting out an involuntary yelp when he misjudges the distance and slams it into the table. He looks back at me almost guiltily, and all I can do is roll my eyes, turning to Cas next.

"Cas, we need an angel who can heal Dean. I mean, there has to be at least one out there who's on our side, right?" I ask, not sure if I want the answer.

Cas nods thoughtfully as he chews. "Well I would say the vast majority are out for my head. Those that aren't are probably more confused than anything. Looking for direction I suppose. But one of them might be willing to help Dean if we were to locate them," he says.

"Okay great- so let's go then," I reply, grabbing my jacket from the booth and getting to my feet. Kevin follows suit, standing up automatically, but Dean and Cas remain seated in the booth. "Come on," I prod, impatient.

"Sam, can I ask you something? How exactly are you planning on distinguishing between a friendly angel and one who wants to wipe Cas off the map?" Dean asks as he starts to scoot his way slowly across the seat of the booth, wincing slightly. "We gotta think this through, man."

"I don't know Dean," I huff, suddenly beyond exasperated. I just want you to be able to fucking walk again. "We use the angel tracker, find some angels. If they're friendly, we ask for their help. If they're not, then we gank 'em."

Dean smirks a little, and I see a flash of pride in his eyes when he looks at me.

"Sounds foolproof," he shrugs, "Let's get back to the bunker and regroup."

"What the fuck are you talking about?" Dean roars, shifting in a cushioned chair I had insisted he sit in while we looked over the angel tracking device.

"Look Dean, you can barely walk, okay? You're not coming," I reason, knowing full well that Dean is impervious to it at the moment.

"The hell I'm not..."

"Dean. Seriously, we're not having this conversation. Don't make me tie you down before I leave. Because I will," I snarl, switching tactics. If Dean wants to be stubborn, fine. I can be stubborn too. His eyes widen slightly at my threat, and then he shakes his head furiously, as if trying to dislodge water from his ear.

"Who's gonna have your back while you're out there fighting angels, huh Sam?" he demands.

"Cas is going..." I start to say, but Dean silences me with a look.

"Newsflash Sammy, Cas is human. That means he can't just Teenage Mutant Angel Ranger his way through anything anymore. He can't protect you," he says, his jaw clenching.

I roll my eyes, trying not to raise my voice too much, but I feel my control slipping a little. The fact that we're even debating this is ridiculous and proves exactly how badly I need to find help. "First of all Dean, it's either Ninja Turtles or Power Rangers, you can't just combine the two. And secondly, it's not like you would be much better at protecting me anyway..." I realize the unintentional double meaning behind my words as I say them, instantly wishing I could take them back. Especially when I see the brief flash of hurt that graces Dean's expression.

"No...no Dean that's not what I..."

"No it's... I get it Sammy, You're right," Dean sighs, glancing down at his bandaged leg. "I'm not much help right now. But still, Cas is..."

"You know Dean," Cas interrupts, suddenly coming into view. We had both been so engrossed in conversation that we had failed to notice him as he made his way from the angel tracker over to us. "I may not be an angel anymore, but I do still have the use of my ears. And my hands. I can carry a weapon. Sam will be fine, and we will find you help."

Dean looks down, embarrassed at having our conversation overheard. "Look Cas, I didn't mean to...you know it's not like I think you're incompetent or anything- you're far from it. I just..."

"Good," Cas cuts in, "then me and Sam will leave tonight. Kevin's found some promising possibilities for angels who may be willing to join us." Before Dean or I can respond, Cas has already stalked back towards the huge contraption in the center of the room. Dean gapes at me.

"When the hell did he get so damn stubborn?" he asks.

"Look who he hangs out with Dean," I grin, "he's learned from the best."

Reviews are always appreciated. Thanks for reading! I'll be picking back up with another chapter from Sam's POV as he and Cas head out to find an angel.