Sam was beside himself with worry. It had been hours since his brother had took off and he didn't know if it was a good thing that he was on foot or not. He couldn't get very far, sure, but he also had no weapons or protection from the elements, plus he'd heard from Bobby that the woods around here weren't exactly hiker friendly. He prayed that his brother had stayed out of the woods and was just doing that getting-some-air thing he always did when he was pissed off at Sam for something he'd said. The 27 year old hunter was kicking himself for not making sure Dean had left the house before talking to Bobby, and Bobby was kicking himself for not doing the same. At least that's the reasoning Sam came up with when the scotch came out. He glanced over at Bobby, who sat at the other chair on the porch staring out at the large heaps of cars in front of them. He wanted to say something, anything to break the silence that hung heavily over them, but just looked back out over the junk piles that were spread out as far as his eyes could see.

Dean always swore he could see the fence at the back and into the woods beyond, but Sam had never believed him. That would make his eyes better than their father's and his, which seemed impossible because Dean was always getting into trouble because he didn't 'see' something coming. Sam sighed draining his glass and pouring another. Finally, just as the sun painted the sky with the last of its rays, Dean came sauntering out of the salvage yard. Sam wanted to strangle the grin off of his face as Dean's eyes fell on the nearly empty bottle of whiskey sitting on the small table between Sam and Bobby. Then he noticed how dirty his brother was and the scratches across his cheek. He shot out of his chair and was down the porch steps. Dean laughed as Sam slapped his raised hands out of the way to inspect the cuts on his brother's face. They were fairly deep, but not life threatening. "What the hell Dean?" He snapped.

"Hey, Bobby, did you know that you have a bear problem out there?"

"Don't tell me you got attacked by a bear." Sam groaned before dragging his brother into the house and forcing his shirt and jacket off.

"Ok." His brother snickered. "Really, though, Bobby-"

"Of course I know, ya dumbass." Bobby growled following them into the kitchen. "That's why I've always told you boys to stay in the yard." Sam shoved Dean into a chair and left to get the first aid kit. When he came back he set it on the table and began inspecting his still grinning brother for other injuries. Luckily there weren't any except for the ones he'd come with.

"How the hell did you get away from a bear without a gun?" Sam asked dabbing at the cuts with gauze soaked in peroxide.

"Punched it in the nose." Dean's grin widened at the twin looks of shock he received. "Their noses are very sensitive you know…like a shark's." He laughed loudly and for once it didn't seem forced. Sam could see the way Dean's eyes were lit up from the thrill of danger. He had always got off on it and Sam couldn't understand why. He hated fighting and being in danger all the time, but Dean seemed to live for it. It dawned on Sam that that was why his brother had been so antsy lately. He was itching to get back on the road and keep hunting. Sam taped up and bandaged the cuts on Dean's cheek then began cleaning up the mess he'd made of the kitchen table.

"You punched a bear in the nose?" Bobby was staring at Dean in disbelief before he erupted into laughter. Sam didn't find it funny.

"You could have been killed Dean." He snapped slamming the lid of the kit closed and stomped back to the hall closet where it was kept. He heard his brother sigh in irritation.

"It wasn't like I went out there to get attacked by a bear Sam."

"Why did you go out there at all Dean?" Sam snapped coming back into the kitchen. He was surprised and a little taken aback when his brother smiled. He was expecting Dean to get angry and yell at him like he always did.

"I think you know Sammy, but I'm feeling way too good right now so I'll let it slide this time." He winked at Bobby, who just shook his head.

"Ok, who are you and what have you done with my brother?" Sam frowned staring at the strange man sitting at the table wearing his brother's face. Dean snorted.

"What, you want me to yell at you?"

"No, but you not yelling is just weird." Sam shifted uncomfortably as Dean's eyes met his. He'd always had a hard time looking Dean in the eye and this time was no different. His brother just had this weird ability that made it seem like he was looking into your soul and reading what was really on your mind. Sam could never hide anything from Dean. He'd begun to wonder if his brother was psychic as well, but the thought creeped him out so he never dwelled on it for very long. "I'm pretty sure what I said hurt your feelings." He muttered tearing his gaze away from the pain he could suddenly see in Dean's eyes.

"To tell you the truth, it's nothing I haven't heard before Sammy." Slowly Sam raised his gaze a frown forming on his face. Dean looked back at him calmly, but Sam could still see the pain tightening the corners of his eyes. "And I honestly don't want to talk about it because I need a shower." He smiled as he stood, but it wasn't a real one; Sam knew that much about his brother.

Dean let the hot water pound his back, he'd already gotten clean and now refused to leave the relative sanctuary of the shower. His thoughts returned to the bear. It had caught him by surprise as he'd been making his way back to Bobby's. Luckily it hadn't hit him full force in the face, otherwise he'd have been knocked out cold, and he actually hadn't known what the hell was attacking him when he'd let his fist fly. He flexed the fingers of his right hand smiling. They were still a bit sore, but he'd never forget the image of the bear after that. It had actually put a paw to it's nose then turned around and ran off crying. He chuckled shaking his head and climbing out of the shower. If only he'd had a video camera, it would have won grand prize at America's Funniest Home Videos, or at least gotten millions of Youtube hits. He grinned to himself as he dried off and pulled on his pajamas.

Sam would have laughed if he'd been there he was just upset because Dean had overheard his conversation with Bobby and felt bad about what he'd said. Dean wasn't sure how he felt about hearing all that from his brother when demons had taunted him with the same kind of stuff, but he loved his brother and understood that Sam was just worried about him. Hell Dean was worried about Dean too. He wasn't at the top of his game and he knew it, just like he knew that if he didn't get back on the road soon he was going to kill himself from boredom or just to shut his constantly going brain. Downstairs he could hear voices so he just went to his room and crawled into bed. Tomorrow he'd start looking for a job, with or without Sam's help or support. He was asleep as soon as he closed his eyes and in an empty park, sitting on a bench. He could feel Castiel's presence on the bench to his right. He turned slowly trying to keep himself from just tackling the Angel to the ground and having his way with him.

"You are looking well, Dean Winchester." Dean couldn't help but grin.

"I punched a bear today." He laughed at the confusion that flickered across his Angel's face. "Never mind. I'm guessing this isn't a social call so what's up?"

"There is a Demon walking the earth who is still gathering followers. He plans to recreate the Croatoan virus and use it to wipe out humanity."

"And you want me to kill the bastard?" Dean grinned.

"It would be appreciated." Castiel nodded.

"What do I get in return?" Dean smirked watching Caz's face then stood and slowly walked over to him. He watched the Angel's eyes roam over his body before sitting so that he was straddling Caz's lap. "I have to tell you that I'm pretty demanding and I'm going to need some good incentive if you want me to convince Sam and Bobby to let me out of the house, let alone on a hunt."

"What is it that you wa-" Dean cut Castiel off with a kiss running his hands up through his hair and pulling his head back. He felt Caz's hands slide up his thighs to slip under his shirt at the small of his back. He shifted his hips, eliciting a moan from the Angel, and quickly slid his tongue between Castiel's lips. He delved deep into that sweet open and wanting mouth as he ground his groin into Castiel's. He wished this wasn't a dream, but at that moment he'd take what he could get, and Castiel was definitely enjoying this as well. He could feel the hardness in the other man's jeans. After another minute of kissing the Angel senseless he pulled away panting heavily.

"I want you Caz." He whispered kissing and nibbling on his ear lobe. "Not in a dream. I want you in bed fucking me until I can't think." Castiel groaned pulling Dean into another kiss, more rough and needing than the first. Suddenly he found himself on his back in the grass with Castiel on top of him.

"We have a deal." Dean inhaled sharply as the Angel growled roughly in his ear and he grabbed the collar of Castiel's trench coat and pulled him into a kiss before rolling on top of him. He wanted Caz now, but if he knew the sneaky little Angel like he thought he did he'd be waking up soon.

"Damn it." He swore sitting up in bed and looking around. "Bastard Angel." He threw the covers off and checked the time. Almost morning so Sam would be up soon enough. He walked downstairs after taking a really cold shower to get rid of his hard on left over from Caz's visit. He sat down at his laptop and pulled up a weather website then spent the next two hours looking for demonic omens that would point him in the right direction. Sam came down the stairs around 7:30, followed closely by Bobby. He barely glanced up, he was onto something. All over western Washington there were major electrical storms and reports of cattle deaths on different farms between Seattle and Bellingham. It was a large area to cover, but he had the incentive to get it done. He closed the laptop and shoved it back into its bag. Sam was staring at him oddly.

"Are you doing what I think you're doing?" He asked with a frown.

"Are you thinking that I look like I'm packing my shit to go hunting?" Dean replied grinning crookedly.

"Dean."

"Sam."

"You aren't healed yet." Sam folded his arms.

"Yeah, well, I've looked worse going into hunts before and this one is important."

"How so?" Sam raised an eyebrow, putting on his best 'bitch' face.

"I saw Caz in a dream last night." Sam's frown deepened. "He said there's a demon on the loose trying to revive the Croatoan virus."

"And he knows this how?"

"Dude, he's an Angel, they know shit." Dean shook his head with a half laugh.

"I still think we should wait until-"

"Sam, I get it. You're worried about me, but if I don't get back on the road soon I'm gonna go nuts."

"Bobby." Sam disappeared into the kitchen and Dean fought down his rising temper. What the hell was going through his brother's head that he didn't want to go kick some Demon ass? Because this wasn't about Dean's health. His fever and pneumonia were gone and he'd gained some of his weight back. All that was left was some almost healed wounds. Besides he had always been a quick healer and Sam knew it. That's when it hit him. Sam didn't want him to go because he didn't want to go. It was obvious that Sam was done hunting by the way he lounged about the house and talked about getting a job in town when he thought Dean wasn't listening. Dean walked upstairs and got his clothes together. Sam was still talking to Bobby when he walked into the kitchen. Sam fell silent and glared at him.

"If you don't want to go Sam, then don't." Dean looked him straight in the eye. "But you can't force me to stay here."

"What's wrong with staying here, Bobby already said we could for as long as we wanted."

"I know that, and I really do appreciate it Bobby I just-"

"Go." Bobby smiled tossing him his keys. "This time you have to keep in touch though."

"Will do Bobby." Dean grinned.

"What the hell Bobby-"

"Sam, you know as well as I that your brother is as stubborn as your father." Bobby chuckled. "A bit smarter , but still just as thick headed." He gave Dean a hug. "Call if you need back up." Dean nodded then looked to Sam.

"Stay with Bobby Sam." He smiled. "You may not know what I want, but I do, and I'm going to get it." With that he turned and walked out the door. He felt bad leaving Sam behind as he slid into the Impala, but he knew Sam didn't want this life the way he did. It was all Dean had ever known and now he knew he'd be doing it until he died. He was a warrior to the core and wanted to go down fighting. Sam wanted to go back to college and settle down and now he had that chance. Their destiny had been fulfilled, but unlike Sam, Dean knew he could never settle down. He had no desire to anymore and maybe that was because he'd repressed it into oblivion, but it didn't change the fact that he wanted to keep on fighting. He grinned at Sam, who stood awkwardly on the porch, before starting the engine and speeding off down the driveway.