Disclaimer: Don't own any of the characters or anything you recongize from the SPN show.

A.N: Mostly Castiel and Bobby centered this chapter.

Summary: Tag to 5x14- My Bloody Valentine. How was he going to fix Sam when he couldn't even fix himself? Sequel to fanfic: From Laughter to Desperation. Major DepressiveDean, AngstLimp Sam, SupportativeCastiel N Bobby

Chapter 3: Gathering the forces

Bobby watched as Castiel helped Sam return to his makeshift bed on the couch.

Something that Dean should have been doing.

It was discerning to see the rogue angel doing things that normally Dean would do. And Sam letting him do those things that normally his big brother did. And what's worse, Dean didn't even seem to protest. Bobby had never seen Dean look so broody before. Normally that was Sam's department. Bobby was thankful the angel had decided to stick around. He was a rare help always stepping in at the right time when it was obvious Dean had slipped away somewhere.

Speaking of which….

Bobby couldn't help but to glare at Dean who just sat dejectly playing with his food.

"Dean……" Said male didn't respond except that he blinked when Bobby spoke, "Dean, I'm sorry but this is getting ridiculous. I have put up with this for the past few days hoping that you'd tell me what's truly wrong. Now, my patience is about shot, boy. What the heck is going on?"

Dean sighed. "Bobby, I told….."

"Not everything. I may be handicapped now, but I'm not stupid, boy", Bobby interrupted.

Dean was silent.

"Dean, you better have something to say", Bobby near growled.

Dean just glanced at him with a long face before he stood up. "I…..need some fresh air", he murmured looking away from Bobby before he quietly stole out the door into the evening.

Bobby sighed. He was truly worried. This was worse than when their father died, he decided.

Castiel entered in time to see Dean walking out the door. He frowned as he stared after the young hunter. Bobby quietly began to put away the food as Castiel just stood staring at the door. Silence filled the place for awhile before Castiel looked at Bobby. He needed to tell Bobby to help him get through to Dean, yet he was unsure that it was wise. As far as Dean knew, he didn't know Castiel knew. He was sure that Dean wouldn't appreciate Castiel blabbing it to everyone even if he didn't know, Castiel knew.

Castiel winced at his thoughts. This was becoming troublesome, enough to give him a headache. He was at a lost at what to do.

"If you keep frowning your face will stick that way", came Bobby's voice.

Castiel glanced at Bobby. Maybe he could enlist some kind of help? He knew he couldn't do this alone and again, he was getting a headache.

Not a pleasant situation….

"I have a question, if you will", he started.

"Yeah", Bobby asked cautiously.

Castiel was silent a moment contemplating, trying to organize his thoughts.

A trying process indeed.

"I know what is wrong with Dean." he said finally.

This got Bobby's full attention. He stopped everything, even turning his wheelchair to face Castiel completely. "Well, spill it! What is wrong with the idjit? Wait, Dean told you what was wrong?"

Castiel shifted once, the only sign of his discomfort. "No, he did not tell me directly."

Bobbly deflated slightly, "Then what makes you think you know?"

"It is something that has been said to him. I was there but otherwise…..occupied."

Bobby groaned once. This was not helping his frustration level. "Castiel just tell me what you think is wrong with Dean."

Castiel crunched up his face in the typical 'don't get it' look. "I do not wish to betray his confidence on the matter, even if he doesn't think I know."

Bobby sighed. "That is understandable, but since you are the only one that has a clue about what is happening under this roof, it seems, then it does good to tell, especially since the idjit doesn't look like he's going to ask for help. He's so stubborn. If you don't tell, then he may not be around for you to worry about betraying his confidence."

Silence filled the place as Castiel thought about Bobby's words. Bobby was watching him, hoping that Castiel would share it with him. At the moment he wouldn't be above trying to beat it out of him if he has too. How he would manage that, he had no idea, but the operative word was….try.

"Very well", Castiel obviously found something that made sense in Bobby's statement.

Bobby leaned forward placing his arms on the table. "I'm listening…." He prompted seriously.

"During the battle with the Famine, he said some things to Dean and it stuck him deeply."

"What did he say?"

"Everyone was affected by the Famine including me", Castiel changed the path of the conversation

"So?" Bobby couldn't see what the problem was and he was trying to follow this change of gears. Castiel didn't answer his first question.

Besides thank God, someone's head was on straight during the whole ordeal.

Castiel was silent a moment. "Famine's theory for Dean not being affected was that he was dead inside."

This revelation made Bobby hissed. Hoo, if that….that thing wasn't dead now……

"And Dean listened to that mumbo jumbo?" Bobby asked anger at the situation evident in this tone.

"Everything has taken a toll on Dean and this is what straw upon the camel's back that broke."

Bobby opened his mouth then close it. He paused before opening it again. "I think what you are trying to say is that was the last straw or that was the straw the broke the camel's back."

Castiel cocked his head, confusion marring his features. "I fail to see how straw can break a camel's back. Camel's are strong and sturdy creatures."

"Nevermind. Focus, Castiel, focus. Now we need to find a way to get though Dean. He has obviously been depressed for the last going on a week now."

Castiel nodded. "I agree. If this is left uncheck Dean will fall deeper into despair. I fear for his mental wellbeing." Castiel paused a moment before continuing. "Also, Sam is getting a misconception about Dean right now. I do not understand how though."

"What do you mean?" Bobby asked concerned about the youngest. He wasn't surprise that Sam's brain was playing things against him. He always blamed himself for Dean's moods.

"Sam thinks Dean is angry with him for the events that has taken place", Castiel answered.

Bobby sighed. This was getting out of hand. Dean was depressed and refused to talk about what was wrong and what's worse, he was sending the wrong message to Sam. Sam, being well Sam, has taken it as another fault of his and started brooding over his perceived fault.

And the brooding was no doubt slowing down the healing process.

And now it was up to him and Castiel to straighten this mess out and switch on a light for these boys. It wasn't going to be easy that was for sure.

TBC...

A.N: Bobby and Castiel have joined forces to try and help the brothers. I sorta tortured Castiel a little with all the thoughts running through his head didn't I? I cracked up when he didn't get the "straw" analogy right. lol