Thanks for the alerts and reviews! Y'all get a mini replica of the Impala. :)
Dean's fingers shook violently as he searched for Cas' cell number in his phone's directory. He placed it on speaker. The busy signal immediately was heard. This can't be happening! Dean called three more times but the freaking busy signal continued. Dean called Gabriel. The Trickster's phone rang close to ten times, when the man finally answered in a sleepy voice. "Deano, you better have a good reason for calling me at four in the morning."
"Put CNN on," Dean ordered in a hoarse voice. He heard Gabriel's slippers scrape against the wood floor. Gabe mumbled on his way to the living room. "Oh God no; have you tried contacting Cassie?" Gabriel plopped himself on the couch. His golden eyes became watery. He prayed his cousin was safe and sound.
"Of course I did, you ass wipe! I called four times and got a busy signal." Dean was pulling at his hair. "What do we do? I need to know he's fine."
"You have to relax. We're not going to solve anything if we're running around like headless chickens. Let me call Balthy. He might have connections."
"Call me as soon as you find out anything."
"Will do, Deano"
Dean paced up and down the living room and kitchen of his apartment for two straight hours. He called Cas half a dozen more times but to no avail. Gabriel told him there was most likely no cell reception in Guerrero. Dean started to picture an unconscious Cas trapped underneath rubble. The worried Winchester stopped at the kitchen to make himself a pot of black coffee. He needed to distract himself for a while.
It was while he waited for his coffee fix that Dean noticed the smears of blood on the floor tiles. He sat on a kitchen stool and glanced at his feet. Dried blood was on the soles. A few tiny shards of glass from the broken beer bottle sunk into the delicate skin. Dean cursed as he went to the bathroom to fetch the first aid kit. He doused a pair of pliers with rubbing alcohol before he retrieved the small shards of glass from the soles of his feet. It stung every time he removed one. Dean hissed as he poured alcohol over his bruised feet. He sprayed Neosporin once they dried. Then he applied a bandage over each sole where the cuts were located at.
Dean returned to the couch with a steaming cup of Joe at hand. He raised the volume of the TV. New incoming footage from the structural damage the earthquake caused was being shown. Dean immediately thought about Castiel's school. All that hard work for nothing; the building was most likely in ruins. Dean ached for Cas so fucking badly. The female reporter stated the Red Cross was already starting a makeshift center for the victims.
He was so entranced with the images he was witnessing; Dean didn't hear Sam enter the apartment. "Dude, I came as soon as I heard. I was getting ready for my morning jog, when I heard the news on the Morning Zoo. Any word from Castiel?" Sam sat adjacent to his big brother.
Dean turned off the TV and shook his head. He shocked the hell out of Sam by hugging him. Dean started to sob uncontrollably. He rubbed his nose against his giant brother's shoulder. "I can't lose him, Sammy. It's not fucking fair…we're in the middle of getting back together."
Sam rubbed soothing circles across his devastated sibling's back. "God won't allow you to lose Castiel again. Everything's going to be ok; you'll see. Is there something I can do? Do you want me to make breakfast?"
Dean wiped his tears and released his brother. "I'm not hungry but help yourself."
Sam wrung his hands not knowing what to do. "Why don't I make a Starbucks' run and get us real coffee?"
Dean shrugged his shoulders. "Knock yourself out" Sam rubbed his brother's left shoulder before exiting the apartment.
Twelve hours after the earthquake devastated Guerrero, Gabriel finally called Dean with some news. "There is still no cell phone reception but I did get the Red Cross' number. They are working with a faction of the Mexican Army so they have reception of some sort. It's going to be a bitch getting in contact with them but here is the number."
Dean wrote the digits down rapidly. He thanked Gabriel and called as soon as the Trickster hung up. It took the actor two hours to get through. The man on the other end of the line was very helpful but stated no American with the name of Castiel Milton had been admitted. Dean punched the hallway wall in frustration. He loathed being in another country fiddling his thumbs instead of taking part of the search party. The Red Cross volunteer wrote down Dean's number and promised to call him if Castiel was brought in. Dean thanked him profusely.
Four hours later Dean called again and spoke to a female volunteer this time. She was very sweet but had the same response as the previous volunteer. Gabriel, Chuck, Jo, Balthazar and Jax stopped by. The tension between Dean and Jax was more tense than usual due to his impromptu marriage to the Swede's former FWB.
Balthazar sat next to Dean. "The network will lend me their jet the day after tomorrow."
"Why can't we leave now?" Dean inquired.
"The airport closest to Guerrero won't allow any incoming flights until forty eight hours have transpired after the earthquake. Dean, I don't think you should go. You would be a risk."
"Like hell I'm not going! The man I love can be buried underneath rubble. I am going and I will do my best to find him." Dean stood up and paced the living room.
Jo approached her childhood friend. "Dean, you can't put yourself in danger. You have Adam, who needs you. He never had a mother. The boy can't lose the only parent he's ever depended on."
Dean rubbed his hands across his face. "I need to go, Jo. I promise I'll be careful."
"So it's set Deano, Balthy and I will leave the day after tomorrow. Operation Save Castiel is in effect!" Gabriel rose to his short height and rubbed his hands together.
Chuck and Sam stayed the night to keep a close eye on Dean. The man hadn't eaten for an entire day. The oldest Winchester was known for his hearty appetite. Chuck tapped Dean on the shoulder. "Buddy, you need to take a warm shower and change your clothes. While you're in the bathroom Sam and I will order takeout from your favorite Chinese restaurant."
"I'm not hungry."
"Dean, you need to take care of yourself. Cas will be pissed to find a zombie in place of his husband, when he returns."
Dean's eyes were glassy. He swallowed hard. "You're right, Sammy. I need to get my shit together." He disappeared into the bathroom.
"I'll make some chamomile tea while you order the food," Chuck instructed Sam, who nodded in agreement.
The following morning, Adam called his father. "Dad, is Castiel alright? We heard about the earthquake last night after returning from a trip to the country side. Bela told me to wait and call you now."
Dean pinched the bridge of his nose and inhaled deeply. What the hell should he tell his son? "Dad, what's going on? Is Castiel dead? Is that why you can't answer?" His son was close to tears. Dean knew him better than anyone.
"Cas is a survivor, kiddo. Of course he's alright. I just spoke to him earlier this morning. He's coming home in three days."
"Yes, he'll be home, when I get back! Bela's hurrying me. We're going to see a play and running late. Give Castiel my love, dad"
"Will do, champ," Dean bit his lower lip to stop it from trembling.
"Love ya!"
"Me, too, Adam"
The following morning at ten, the network jet took off from LAX to Mexico. Dean was getting on Gabriel's last nerve with all his fidgeting and tapping his fingers on the seat rest. He motioned for the flight attendant to bring all of them beer. When she was going to hand Dean his bottle, Gabriel caught it. He made sure Dean wasn't looking in his direction and stirred in a small bottle of Dream Water. Gabe nudged Dean on the shoulder and offered him the bottle. Dean accepted it and downed it one gulp.
Half an hour later, Dean was knocked out. Zar shook his head at his boyfriend. "Was that necessary, darling?"
"Yes, he reminded me of a nervous hen, who can't finish laying an egg. He needs a few hours of sleep anyways. We all win."
Dean dreamed of a Fourth of July from twelve years ago. Cas was allowed to accompany him and Sam to Lawrence for the holiday weekend. John surprised his eldest by lending him the Impala. Dean gave Castiel a few driving lessons since the sixteen year old was set to take his driving test within a week. At first Cas was a wreck because he didn't want to put a dent on John Winchester's pride and joy. Dean managed to relax him by kissing the nervous boy's neck and giving him words of encouragement.
Once the sun had set Dean instructed his boyfriend to drive into an isolated lake. A Do Not Enter sign was posted against a chain fence. "Dean, I don't think we're allowed to be here."
"Will you chill? The place is sealed off because some company bought the land and plans on building a mall over it. We'll have the place all to ourselves." He instructed Cas to park the Impala by a large oak tree. "The lake is less than half a mile from here on foot. We can have a picnic and watch the fireworks." He waggled his brows. Castiel slapped him across his chest.
"Oh, I made a mixed tape for you with all the classic rock bands you have a hard on for," Cas stated as he stretched to get it from the backseat. Dean slapped his denim clad ass. Castiel smirked at his boyfriend. He placed the tape inside the player.
"Can't wait to listen to some good old Zeppelin," Dean grinned. All of a sudden, he frowned. "What the fuck is that?"
Castiel's brows furrowed. "I believe that is When Doves Cry."
"Gross, dude…what the fuck?!"
"I don't recall adding any Prince songs to the mix." All of a sudden, Gabriel's high pitched voice was heard on the tape. "Ha Ha got ya! OK I promise no more Prince and now back to your designated program!"
"His Jokey Smurf act is getting old," Dean said. Cas nodded. Led Zeppelin's When the Levee Breaks started playing. Dean drummed his fingers on the car's dashboard. "Now that's what I'm talking about!" He unbuckled his seatbelt and pulled Castiel towards him on the bench seat. "Come here, gorgeous."
Dean leaned against the passenger door and opened his legs for Cas to sit in between them. Castiel licked his semi chapped lips. He cupped Dean's jaw and kissed him slowly. Dean's hands palmed Cas' ass. The kiss intensified. Dean brushed his tongue along Castiel's neck. Cas planted his hands on the steamed up window. He rubbed his erection against Dean's hard on. The two teens still hadn't gone all the way. This along with blow jobs was as hot as it would get between them. Dean was so infatuated with his blue eyed boyfriend he'd wait until Castiel was ready.
The fireworks started coloring the azure night sky. Dean unwillingly released Cas. He motioned for the dark haired teen to follow him outside. The taller boy fetched a picnic basket from the backseat. He instructed Castiel to fetch a blanket from the car's trunk. Five minutes later, the two of them sat over the checkered blanket eating fried chicken and drinking iced tea. Castiel leaned his head against Dean's shoulder. The older teen slid an arm across Cas' waist.
Dean gazed at Castiel. His blue eyes were brighter than usual. "God you're so fucking beautiful." Dean kissed Cas leisurely.
"Not as beautiful as you are," Castiel mumbled in between frenzied kisses.
"Promise me you'll never leave me, Cas," Dean said as he cupped Castiel's face and traced his cheeks with his thumbs.
"You'll never get rid of me, Dean," Castiel whispered into Dean's mouth.
Dean's memory came to a halt as someone shook him. He opened groggy eyes to Gabriel and Zar's faces. "We've arrived!"
It took them two hours to arrive in Guerrero. The Jeep Wrangler wasn't allowed to enter the town. There was still a lot of rubble and debris littering the roads. The Americans after bribing two military officers were allowed access. Zar suggested they hit the Red Cross shelter first. After asking all the volunteers if Castiel Milton had been admitted and receiving no for an answer; they set off to the location of Cas' school. Miraculously the building was one of the few in the area to receive minimal damage. The trio was relieved to discover that.
"Where was Cas staying at?" Dean asked.
"Great idea, Dean…we can head over there. Maybe that's where he was when the earthquake hit," Balthazar stated.
Gabriel remembered the man, who was overseeing the school's construction. He waved Sergio over and introduced him to his two friends. The man was gracious and immediately gave them the address of the building Castiel was staying at. That happened to be the hardest hit area. Dean felt bile rising up his dry throat. Gabriel thanked Sergio and they were on their way.
Dean rubbed his arms as they neared Castiel's neighborhood. The devastation was evident as soon as they turned the corner. Stray skinny dogs with protruding ribs sniffed the ground searching for any scraps of food. Small tents were erected with flimsy materials. Gabriel held Zar's hand when he observed an elderly couple sitting beside a makeshift fire pit. Their wrinkled faces were full of sadness.
Balthazar approached a family of six, who huddled together for warmth under one of the flimsy tents. He greeted them with the basic Spanish he knew. The Brit showed the mother a recent picture of Cas. Her eyes widened in recognition. "Ese es el Senor Castiel!" Dean and Gabriel were scared to get their hopes up.
The woman told them Castiel protected her youngest daughter, Isabella by putting her underneath a threshold with him. Unfortunately, that was the exact spot where the building caved in. The woman cried uncontrollably as her husband held her. Four of their children stared at the strangers with large frightened eyes.
"Tell her to show me where the building is," Dean turned to Zar.
"Dean, I don't like that crazy look in your eyes. Let the professionals deal with the search and rescue."
"Ask her damn it!" Dean's eyes scanned the area and there were three former apartment buildings that were virtually rubble now. Zar asked the mother and the father volunteered to take them himself.
Dean noticed two volunteers emerging from underground from the adjacent building's rubble. "Hey, can you guys check this building out!" He pointed at the building's remains which Cas was staying at.
"Sorry, man. We're finished for today. Tomorrow once the sun is out we'll return." Dean grabbed the cocky bastard by the collar. "My husband and a little girl are trapped down there. They're most likely running out of oxygen and injured. So you better grow a pair and get down there now!"
"We can't really do anything with the sun going down."
The other volunteer took pity on Dean. "You can borrow our equipment but if you go down there it will be at your own risk."
"What are you waiting for? Hand the stuff over," Dean grabbed rope and a harness that would serve the purpose of taking him down. The helpful volunteer placed a miner's helmet over Dean's head. He wished him luck.
Gabriel pleaded for Dean not to go underground. "I know he's alive. I can feel it, Gabe. I won't come back up without him."
Zar stood in front of a determined Dean. "The network will have both of our behinds if they find out you endangered your life."
"I don't give a fuck what any of the big wigs think. I'm not leaving my husband down there any longer."
"Good luck, my friend," Zar embraced Dean. Gabriel hugged him, as well. The two of them helped Dean descend down a large hole. The girl's family joined them. Dean turned on the light on the miner's helmet. He was soon surrounded by pitch darkness and eerie silence.
He continued descending. Dean must've gone down eight feet. His boots finally hit rocks on a flat surface. He removed himself from the harness and started walking. The light from the helmet illuminated his path. He started yelling out Cas' name but didn't hear a reply. Dean started to grow desperate. This was the location the girl's family indicated the remains of their apartment was.
Dean's voice was hoarse after screaming for half an hour. A child's whimper echoed underground. Dean fervently wished the sound wasn't part of his imagination. He heard cries coming a few feet from where he stood. His body shivered. "Hello, Isabella?"
More crying was heard followed by "Si" Dean almost fell to his knees. He'd found them! "Isabella, say something else so I can follow your voice."
"We are over here," the small voice said. Thank God the kid knew English. Dean saw a small olive hand wave at him from the ground. He ran towards it. Dean's heart almost stopped at the sight which greeted him. An unconscious Castiel held Isabella in his arms. It seemed he took the worst of the fall.
"I'm going to help you," Dean told the frightened child as he gently removed her from Castiel's hold.
"I don't want to leave him alone," the girl frantically said.
"We're going to get you back to your family and then it will be Cas' turn."
"He opened his eyes three times since the earth shook but he's been sleeping for the last four hours."
"He probably has a concussion. Cas is strong. He'll pull through." Dean smiled at Isabella and guided her to the harness. He screamed at Gabe and Zar to pull the rope up. He needed to return to Castiel.
Gabe screamed if his cousin was alive. Dean yelled yes in response. He scurried back to where his husband laid. Dean felt his pulse which thankfully was normal. He felt around Cas' head for any bumps and found a large one on the back. He did have a concussion. Dean gingerly tapped Castiel's cheek a couple of times. "Baby, wake up please."
Castiel's eye lids started fluttering. When his electric blue eyes finally opened completely, Dean hugged him hard and kissed his temple. "Oh my God, you had me so fucking scared!"
"Am I dead?" Castiel asked. He winced.
"No, you're not dead. I found you, babe and I am never letting you go." Dean hugged his husband tighter. Castiel groaned. Dean pulled up his dirty shirt and pressed his fingers against Castiel's right ribs. The man winced. "I think you have some fractured ribs."
"It does hurt when I breathe."
"As soon as they lower the harness, I'm strapping you on it. You need medical treatment." Dean kissed the tip of Cas' nose.
Half an hour later, the two of them were above ground. The girl's family waited to make sure Castiel was well. Her parents couldn't stop thanking him for saving their little girl. Cas told them there was no reason to thank him. Anyone would have done the same thing to save an innocent child. Dean assisted Castiel in walking to the Red Cross shelter. Isabella was taken as well because it was obvious she was suffering from a severe case of dehydration. She was instantly put on an IV.
A medic checked Cas' ribs and three of them were slightly fractured. An icepack was compressed to the back of his head for the swelling. Afterwards he was also put on an IV. Dean didn't leave his side. Gabriel and Balthazar made sure he was treated properly before excusing themselves.
Two hours later, the medic gave Dean the ok to take Cas home. Castiel said his good byes to the family and Isabella. He promised to return for the school's inauguration ceremony. Gabriel and Zar waited for the couple by the Jeep. Balthazar drove to the airport. The corporate jet had its own private bedroom. Everyone agreed to place Castiel in there so he could get much needed rest.
Dean called Sam and informed him that Cas was safe and sound with them. Sam was elated. He was going to call their friends to give them the great news. Balthazar finished hanging up on Barbara, who had been in a frenzy since news of the earthquake hit the airwaves. The woman was beyond relieved.
Gabriel prepared his cousin hot tea with lemon and placed it on a night stand. He kissed him on the forehead. "I'm so happy you found your way back to us, Cassie. I don't know what I would've done without you."
"Thanks, Gabe" Cas' eyes were droopy. Gabriel left him to get some shut eye. Dean appeared at the door. He debated whether to enter. Castiel smiled at him and patted the empty side of the mattress.
Dean sat down. "Thank you for saving me, Dean. That took a lot of courage."
"I love you, Cas and would have moved Heaven and Earth to save you."
Castiel remained silent. He wasn't ready to say those three words to his husband yet. "Dean, would I be a major dick if I requested to convalesce in my flat? My stuff is still there and Gabriel agreed to play Nurse Betty."
Dean couldn't hide his disappointment. "Yeah…sure…whatever you want, man."
"You can visit any time you want. I just need some time to myself." Dean nodded and swallowed hard. "I promise I won't take long and I won't leave you."
Dean was standing up, when one of Castiel's hands clung to his wrist. "Please stay"
The Winchester nodded and removed his boots before joining his husband. Castiel spooned behind him. Within minutes Dean heard Castiel's steady breathing against his neck. Dean held tightly to his husband's hands which clung to his arms. Maybe things were starting to look better after all.