The car was silent. Melinda remained asleep, and completely oblivious. Dean stared out the window with brooding eyes. Sam gripped the steering wheel, watching the road blankley.
"I thought they killed him." Sam finally spoke at last.
Dean tried to shake the fatigue from his head. "So did I, Sam. I'm thinking maybe he crawled out of angel hell?" He shrugged. Sam sighed, pursing his lips as he thought. He shifted his eyes from left to right, staring out at the darkness. "Maybe." Sam said unconvinced. Dean looked over and raised an eyebrow. "What?" He growled.
Sam sighed again. "It's just, Cas coming to you in a flash of white light? Now of all times? It seems a little suspicous, don't you think?"
"Sam." Dean said loudly.
"Dean, think about it, considering our circumstances..." Sam trailed off, looking out into oblivion.
"What." Dean called out again.
Sam threw him a face. "Well, for starters, it's probably a trap. In fact, it's probably Michael trying to worm his way into you."
Dean looked at Sam, then out the window. "Nah, that can't happen. I haven't said yes." Dean's word rode out on a sigh.
"So?" Sam retaliated. "So he ain't getting in! You know that!" Dean hollered back.
Sam looked away, deep in thought. Dean turned his head. "We need his help, Sam, more than ever." Sam stayed silent. "And if we can bring him back somehow, just think about what that could do for us." Dean finished.
"Like what?" Sam asked with an untrusting tone. Dean didn't bother looking at Sam. "I dunno yet."
Sam sighed angrily. "Are you sure this isn't about something else?" Sam caught Dean looking back at Melinda. His eyes glued to her peaceful face. Sam was on to him. Dean could sense an argument.
"Sam. Think about it. Don't give me any crap, just let me finish." Dean put up his hand, ordering Sam to remain quiet as he spoke. "Now, I want you to really think about this. You and I can't keep running forever, I mean, we're either going to cave in to this angel crap and end up killing each other, or we'll die trying to escape it all. And Bobby, he's in a wheelchair now, and it ain't looking up for him." Dean paused to lick his lips and gave Sam a distressed look.
"We're the only family Melinda's got. And once we're all gone, you, me, Bobby, she's going to be all alone in this flaming crap hole. Now I don't mind dying, especially for a cause, but I'd hate to leave my little sister behind all because of something I've started." This had caught Sam's attention. He had dropped his angry face and put on a more sympathetic one.
"If we bring Cas back, she won't be alone ever again. Hell, she'll even be protected, for the rest of her life!" Dean sat back in his seat, letting his head roll back. "Like I said, I don't mind dying. But I'll feel a helluva lot better if I knew Mel is in good hands. Have I justified myself?" Dean whispered to Sam.
Sam glanced over at Dean, nodding his head. "Yeah. Yeah you did."
Dean looked out into the darkness beside him. "Tell me you feel the same." Dean demanded. Sam closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them, they were watering. "Yeah, I do." His voice cracked. Sam peered into the rearview mirror at Melinda.
He sighed once again. "So, what's the plan now?" Sam said as he shurgged. Dean looked directly ahead, trying to see in the darkness. He squinted, thinking hard.
"We're going to Illinois." Dean said abruptly.
Sam flashed him a look. "I'm sorry?"
"You heard me. Turn this car around, we're going to Illinois." Dean demanded. Sam slowed the car, preparing for a U-turn. "What's in Illinois?" Sam asked.
Dean smirked lightly. He cleared his throat. "We're going to pay a little visit to a grave in Pontiac, Illinios."