Outsourcing Sucks
Stuck Someplace Together in Winter

Summary: An old family friend calls in a favour which requires a hunt in Northern Nunavut, Canada. In the middle of Winter, Dean and Castiel get stuck. At least Sam had cable at the hotel.

Authors Note: I try to write what I know something about, Canadian Winters is part of it. I have not been as far as I put the boys but it sucks and I did confirm my numbers for this story. Real Life conditions and people life here! The other conditions outside of the weather are hopefully only located in my head. Extradural Heorrhage- real thing. Normally motorcycle crashes and high speed impacts to the head. Figured supernatural creatures could be about that. This requires a Hospital, not fake characters!

If Dean ever made it back to the hotel they were staying in his was going rip his brother into two parts at least. He couldn't believe that not only had Sam forced Dean and Castiel up to Canada, northern Canada; not even the nice places with things to do but the middle of fucking nowhere that almost touched Russia. It was horrible and cold, they didn't even have snow because it was too cold to SNOW! It was abnormal to say the least, Dean had figured Canada would have beer and snow.

He couldn't believe his luck that he was in probably the only city in the entire country that didn't really have either. Ikpiarjuk or rather in English it was translated into 'The Pocket'. It wasn't a really nice place to live. The white town folks called it Arctic Bay and it was just that. Arctic and on the edge of a giant frozen fucking bay. Dean wasn't sure how salt water froze but it was clear that it could and did. He shivered and walked back into the log cabin he found himself stuck in.

They had arrived last week and after being put up in the only hotel in the entire area Dean and Cass were voluntetold they would be doing the leg work this time around. Sammy was still recovering and Dean didn't want to complain but it was FUCKING COLD! Not just a burr I think I should grab a sweater but so cold you could end up dying.

It had been a nice change when they were greeted by the local guide. They were told about the history of the town and then the warnings started. "It can get down as far as 30 Degrees so we like to keep everyone safe and bundled up when the snap colds hit."

"That seems warm to have everyone in their houses," Sam poked without thinking and Dean rolled his eyes.

"It's minus 22 bitch, it's plenty cold."

"Yes, sorry your brother is correct that is negative thirty, very cold. Without supplies and no wind chill this can cause death in less than ten minutes, last year four of the town was lost to just the cold." He warned as he turned the car onto what Dean assumed had been a dirt road underneath the ice. They had talked about how much snow would fall in a month, under an inch a month and that it would normally only snow four times the entire month. Castiel had taken over the learning at that point and talked about the past of the town and where they use to live. The animal's that nature offered year around, habits and things to do for fun. Dean had relaxed into the window slowly falling asleep listening to Cass and the driver talking away.

It had been a decent day, Sam had been prissy that he was still out of it because of the drugs and Dean once the flying had been shaken off was almost excited to go hunting for a creature he had never seen before. The first two days all of them stayed in town and set to researching, there were a few books that came to the local library from nearby tribes. These were the books they focused on, most of what was on hand was used for children and the few skilled workers that was in the town. The library only held about two hundred items and this included the movies and music CD's and tapes you could borrow.

It was on day three that Dean and Cass bought all the supplies they would need and headed out on a rental ski-doo that the trouble started. At least their Father's debts were almost all paid back in full. Dean wondered if he should ask for something further when they landed back in the United States. He would never need any of this Arctic winter crap again, and they would be staying in the bottom half of the fifty for the next six to eight months at least.

They had made it to the trench that the animals had been located in, the locals had cleared the animals already unwilling to use them in fear of diseases they had let the local vet take a look then burnt them . it was probably in everyone's best interest that they had. But what was left behind gave a clear impression that they town had a right to be concerned. The area was massive; it was clear that there had been at least thirty to forty large animals left in pieces below. There were streaks of blood spread among the area but it was also clear this was a dumping pit.

"What needs that much animal blood?"

"I can think of a number of spells, perhaps vampires or another monster that is trying to live off animals rather than humans." Castiel offered as he moved down into the trench to take a closer look, Dean remaining above it, standing on the edge watching Cass' back as he looked around. "It certainly feels supernatural," the falling Angel stated as he knelt down and ran his hand over the ground in a spot and Dean saw the shiver. Shocked at such a human response and once more wondered how close he was to falling. One day the Angel would wake up, and that was weird enough, to find himself a full blown human and Dean wasn't sure how he would handle it.

They are finishing up with the animal pit when they heard it. Voices but Dean wasn't able to see anyone around them, frowning suddenly there was and a man and woman standing right in front of Dean.

"Oh, hello." The female says with a wave and Castiel climbs out of the pit to stand beside Dean. "You're early." She stated and before either could think much of it the male swung a steel rod at their heads. Dean reacted without a thought and pushed Cas out of the way taking the blow to the back of his head. His knees failing as he collapsed into the snow his vision spinning. The only colour he had to focus on was the three people standing around him and that was just a blur.

"Fuck me." He mumbled and knew that wasn't what was heard, it probably sounded like a pain filled groan. He felt someone pull on his arm and then wrap them arms around his body and he was being lead and dragged towards their ride.

"…Dean…to help…the mach-….how it…to…get you back…"Dean knew the blow had been a good one but he hadn't expected to become useless. They made it back to the ski-doo and Cass turned Dean around in his arms so his back was to Cass's front and then they got onto the vehicle.

"How..start?" the fragmented question was bothersome but easy enough.

"Po-pocket. K-K-Keys." Dean stuttered and felt his one arm reach up and touch his head. He felt bood and frowned. "Hhhhat?"

"Lost." Cass seems to understand that less is better and Dean feels something wrap around his head. "Hood. Leave Now." The words were simple and easy to follow, Dean found himself nodding and tried to point to where the keys went but his hands and arms were shaking too much. Was this just the blow to the head? This seemed like more, Dean didn't understand what but he felt like he should. He licked his lips and leaned into Castiel knowing they just needed to get away for the moment.

"Dark soon." Dean stated when he blinked this time it lasted longer, taking more effort to lift his eyelids again. "Cold," he snapped his fingers unable to form the second word he wanted.

"Protect you." Castiel promised and this time when Dean closed his eyes he drifted asleep against the warm press of Castiel's body.

The next time that he woke he was no longer moving, he was also warmer than he had been before. He pulled his eyes open, a fire offered light and heat, he felt arms around him and assumed it was Castiel's. At least it better be, otherwise he was captured and this was really fucking weird. He turned as much as possible and sighed in relief when he saw Cass then pulled away from the warm body and attempted to stand. It didn't go that well, his legs were Jell-O and he found himself braced against the bed he was just on, sitting on the much colder floor, he heard himself actually whine like a goddamn dog before it could be stopped.

"Dean?" came a call from above him and he went silent, cursing himself out in his head as he tried to compose what he had left of his dignity. "Dean?" this time concern laced into the name and movement from sheets.

"I'm fine." He finally manages to whisper but it's too late and Cass is there pulling him upwards and back onto the bed.

"What do you need?"

"Water," he mutters refusing to look up and Cass moves away to get the water. Dean sits there and fiddles really.

"So what happen with the evil duo?"

"I dispatched them."

"Oh," silence stretched out wondering why Cass stayed around when it was clear that the brothers only slowed him down. Two weeks and both were technically out for the count. "Sorry I couldn't help." He finally filled the air and he could almost taste regret on the words.

" It is aright Dean, you are only human."

"Right." Dean said and the feelings grew and he reached out to take the water when Cass joined him again. "So where are-"

"An abandoned cabin. I was unable to transport both of us so I found someplace to let your body rest and a safe place to heal you. "

"I thought you couldn't do that." Dean cursed out thinking of Bobby's unmoving legs.

"The circumstances in this case outweighed the risks." The Angel's head rising, his shoulders doing the same and Dean wondered if he could have seen wings if they would have been spread to prove his point.

"I don't think a bump on the head was more important than Bobby's legs!" Dean shouted at his friend without thinking and he felt a pang of remorse a few seconds later. He almost apologized but found himself physically incapable of opening his lips to say anything.

"The risk was too great to be throw away on an old man's ability to walk. I am sorry Dean but I am still an Angel and above that a warrior. I have planned thousands of battles and I know that big moves need to be saved for when they will count." These words were given with kindness and that of a teacher and student. It was clear that Cass wanted him to understand, but then his next words were not that of a teacher or mentor. More of a peer, colleague and such.

"Your life, this bump. " the final words spat out in such hatred that Dean takes a step back forgetting that this was an Angel of the Lord. Castiel moved forward and reached his fingers to were the blow had landed. His fingers lightly trailed over the spot. "This malicious attack caused your brain to begin to bleed. If you had been taken to a human hospital I believe it would have been called an Extradural Heorrhage. The demon that attacked dealt you a great blow and the bleeding would have killed you in thirty minutes, the weather and you freezing slowly just caused you to worsen."

The worry that was leaking from the Angel's lips was shocking and Dean held back from going and pulling the Angel into a hug. "So what did you risk for me Cass?" the question had to be asked but Dean didn't want to know the answer.

"The last of my grace."

"You crazy ass fool."

"You are worth it Dean."

"Cass," a long moment of pause as they looked each other over for a moment taking it in that they were both human.

"Yes, Dean."

"Thanks, for everything." Then not knowing what else to say he pulled on Castiel's hand and then wrapped his arms around his in a hug.

"Your welcome," Cass returned the hug and now Dean could hear his heart beating and pulled him a little closer to him. The warmth a new feeling from before and he took a deep breath.

"How much time till dawn?"

"Five hours."

"Back to bed then?"

"I think it would be for the best." A smirk offered at these words and Dean raised his left eyebrow at that.

"Oh really."

"Yes, Dean."

THE END