Thank you so much Jenjoremy for fixing up this chapter for me. Thank you Gredelina1 for all your support. Thank you all for reading xxx

ChapterNineteen

Alfie stayed silent until they were on the road leading to his street. Only then did he ask, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Are you?" Dean asked.

"I'm not sure what I am," Alfie admitted.

"I'm sorry you saw that."

"You killed a demon," Alfie said.

"I know." Dean wouldn't apologize for that part of it. "I had to. He was going to kill you and he would have done worse to Castiel."

He might be angry—furious—with the angel, but he didn't deserve the fate he would have had at Crowley's hands. He would protect him from that because of all they had shared in the past.

"He would," Alfie agreed. "It's just a shock. I have seen much death in my life. People died on my table, and I served my time in Vietnam as a medic, but I never thought I would see that."

"What are you going to do?" Dean asked.

"Take you home," Alfie said. "Lie if someone asks. And never tell Elsie what just happened. She doesn't need to know how close we have been to a demon. She reads the books and has handled the fact it's all real, but I would not have her live in fear for anything." He cleared his throat. "What are you going to do?"

Dean forced his mind to consider his next step. He had been reacting second by second to what Alfie saw and trying to keep calm about what it meant. Now that he thought about it, he knew what had to happen. "I've got to leave," he said.

Alfie nodded; though he looked sad, he didn't look surprised. "What will you do?"

"Get Castiel as far away from here as I can. He was the one the demon wanted. Crowley will come for him after what he did, and he'll torture him. I can't let that happen. No matter what he did to us, he doesn't deserve Crowley. No one does. And if we stay here, the demons will be drawn to you and Elsie."

"What about Sam?" he asked tentatively. "Will you take him, too?"

"I've got no choice."

"You do though," Alfie said plaintively. "You can leave him with us. You know we'll look after him. He'd have a chance at recovery with Doctor Platt. Even if he doesn't, we can make him comfortable. Please, Dean, just consider it. You could both stay. We could take Castiel somewhere safe and you could come back to us."

Dean shook his head. "I can't leave Castiel undefended, and I need Sam with us. I don't mean because I need him with me, though I do. I need him with Castiel. He's not going to be doing nothing while I'm protecting him. He's going to find a way to fix Sam."

"Do you really think he can?" he asked doubtfully.

"I have to hope that he can. If Sam's blocked himself on purpose, he's not going to just snap out of it because the doc talks at him. He won't engage in return. He won't talk to any of us. Castiel is the only chance we have."

"And if I was to beg you to stay?" Alfie asked. "Would that make any difference?"

"I wish it could," Dean said. "I don't want to leave either. I don't want to take Sam away from the only real home he has had a chance to be in since Jess, but it's what we've got to do. I have to protect Castiel, and I have to save Sam."

Alfie pulled onto his street without speaking and then stopped on his drive. "I don't want you to go," he said, his hands gripping the wheel.

"I know," Dean said. He quickly climbed out of the car and walked to the door.

Elsie opened it at his knock and smiled at him. "I'm glad you came home," she said.

Dean forced a smile for her. It was home. He had never known anywhere quite like it. He was going to miss her and Alfie more than anything, but this was what he had to do. He was a hunter and Castiel was the case.

"What's happening?" she asked, looking between him and Alfie with concern.

Dean couldn't bear to answer. He glanced at Alfie and said, "I'm going to get Sam."

Alfie nodded and as Dean rushed up the stairs, he heard Alfie explaining to Elsie that they were leaving. Elsie made a pained noise and Dean felt a lump form in his throat. He was hurting her, and that was the last thing he wanted to do to the woman that had taken them in as her own.

Sam was lying on the bed, wide awake and staring up at the ceiling.

"You have to get up, Sammy," he said.

Sam answered without even moving his eyes from the ceiling. "Why?"

"Because we've got trouble. Up."

Sam sat on the edge of the bed and Dean grabbed clothes from the duffel for him. He tossed them onto the bed and said, "Get dressed."

He waited a moment to make sure Sam was going to obey and then he went into the bathroom to grab their stuff. He stuffed it into the bags haphazardly, not worried about whose was what, just needing to hurry. He went back into the bedroom and grabbed Sam's sleep clothes from the bed and put them into the duffel. Sam was tying his laces, and Dean took another look around the room to make sure they're not forgotten anything. Seeing nothing, he picked up the bags and waited at the door for Sam to finish. When he had, Dean said, "Come on," and walked out of the room.

Looking indifferent, Sam followed him out and down the stairs to where Alfie and Elsie waited. In Alfie's hands was a brown paper bag. He held it out to Dean and said, "The medication is in there and Sam's prescription. You must make sure he keeps taking everything; do you understand? He might not need the seizure drugs now, but stopping abruptly has side effects. He'll need to taper off."

Dean nodded. "Thanks, Alfie."

"There is some money in there, too. I know you have some, but we want to be sure you can get anything you need."

"Is there anything else we can do?" Elsie asked.

Dean looked at her and saw she had been crying. "Nothing but take care of each other," he said.

She stepped forward and put her arms around him in a tight hug. "You, too, Dean." She pulled back and touched his face. " Be careful."

"We'll be fine," Dean said.

"I know there is more to this than Alfie says. You wouldn't be running like this unless there was trouble. Don't do anything stupid thinking it's brave. The world needs you."

Dean felt a lump form in his throat and he coughed as he turned to Alfie. He held out a hand and Alfie shook it.

"You have to keep in touch," Alfie said. "Call as often as you can. We need to know what happens."

Dean smiled slightly. "You need to know how the story ends."

Alfie shook his head solemnly. "I need to know you're safe. You're family now."

"Thank you," Dean said, looking from him to Elsie. "I appreciate everything you've done for us, and I'll never forget it."

Elsie touched Sam's cheek. He bore it expressionlessly. "You be good to yourself, Sam," she said. "And come back soon."

"We both will," Dean promised. "When we can, we'll come back to see you."

Alfie shook his head. "I don't think you will. But please stay in touch. Don't leave an old man worrying."

"I'll call," Dean said. Needing to get away before he fell victim to his own emotions, he tugged Sam's arm and said, "Come on, Sammy."

He led Sam down the steps to the car and opened the door for him. Sam climbed in and Dean went around to the driver's side, pausing briefly to stow the bags in the trunk. He opened the door and then looked back to the porch where Alfie and Elsie stood, their hands entwined.

"Castiel is in room six of the Traveler's Rest," Alfie called to him.

"Thank you," Dean said. He got in behind the wheel and started the engine quickly then pulled away from the house. "You're okay, Sammy," he said. "We've just got to get away a while."

"Okay," Sam said in a dead tone. "Whatever you need."

This time Dean couldn't argue. This wasn't about what Sam needed; it was about him needing to save Castiel. Sam should be with Alfie and Elsie still, being cared for, but instead he was on the road with Dean again, running from danger.

Dean pulled up outside Castiel's room and hesitated before climbing out. He wasn't sure whether he should take Sam in with him. He seemed settled enough in the shotgun seat. Before he could make a decision, Sam made it for him. His expression became blank. Dean touched his arm but there was no response. Lucifer was back. Knowing he was unable to move him like that, Dean said, "I'll be right," before taking the keys from the ignition. He got out of the car and walked to the door. He rapped on it twice and said, "Emmanuel, it's Dean. Open up."

He glanced back at the car and saw Sam was still gone. Turning back to the door, he knocked again. Castiel opened it looking wide awake despite the fact he was in sleep clothes and the bed was unmade. "What's wrong?"

"We've got to go," Dean said pushing past him into the room. "Get dressed."

"I don't need you to take me home," Castiel said carefully. "I can get a bus."

"A bus will take you twice as long."

"I would be more comfortable…" he started.

Dean cut him off. "Look, Emmanuel, we're leaving now, and you're coming with us. Get your stuff ready and get dressed."

"Why should I?"

"Because it's not safe for you here," Dean said bluntly. "We have to get you away."

"The people you were with, are they safe? Did you hurt them?"

"No!" Dean said angrily. "I would never hurt them. And I won't hurt you either if you do what I'm telling you. I might not be going about this the right way, but I don't have time to explain right now. We're in trouble and we have to go."

"You're serious?" Castiel asked.

Dean raked a hand through his hair. "Just get dressed."

When Castiel hesitated, Dean grabbed his bag and threw it at him. "I will give you two minutes to get dressed and then I am going to drag you out of here. If you're still in your pajamas, so be it."

Castiel took clothes from the duffel and carried them into the bathroom. Dean went to the door and peered out at Sam. He was still gone. Dean checked the room for anything else Castiel may have left behind, but he could only see the motel bible on the bedside table. He scoffed. "Figures you'd read that," he said.

Castiel came back into the room dressed in the clothes he'd worn the day before. Dean grabbed his bag and carried it outside. He threw it into the back seat and stood, tapping his foot, as Castiel came slowly out of the room and closed the door behind him.

"Come on!" he snapped.

Castiel walked to the car and climbed into the backseat. Dean slammed the door after him and rushed around to the driver side. When he was in and the seatbelt fastened, he reversed out of their spot and onto the road.

"What are you going to do with me?" Castiel asked.

"I'm getting you away from town," Dean said.

"You really think I'm in trouble, don't you?"

"I know you are," Dean said. "I just hope there's no reason for me to be able to prove it."

He glanced at Sam who was still gone and he cursed. He had dragged Sam out of his home and he was going to be spending the foreseeable future with Castiel. He wished he'd never gone into that bar. He wished he'd never seen the demon. He wished he hadn't been raised to be the kind of person that couldn't leave Castiel behind to fend for himself.

They were on the I-82 before Castiel realized they weren't going to Colorado. Dean had hoped for longer before needing to explain, ideally they would have reached Rufus' cabin, but Castiel grew loud and insistent, and though Sam seemed oblivious to the noise, Dean didn't want to risk him getting upset.

"I demand to know where you are taking me!" Castiel said loudly.

"Okay, okay, give it a rest already," Dean said. "Let me find a place to stop and I can explain."

"We can stop here," Castiel said, reaching for the door.

"Wait!" Dean snapped. "You might have some kind of amnesia, but even an idiot knows stopping in the middle of the freeway isn't a good idea. Just sit and shut up for a minute."

In the rear-view mirror, he watched Castiel cross his arms over his chest and scowl. He could have his tantrum if he liked. Dean was saving his life, and as long as he stayed with them, he could pout all the way to Montana.

He saw a rest stop sign ahead and he pulled onto the exit and drove off the freeway. They traveled a short distance on a quieter road and then Dean pulled them over.

"Can I get out now?" Castiel asked petulantly.

"Yes," Dean said. "Go sit your ass down over there." He pointed at a set of picnic tables.

He watched Castiel stomp away and then he looked over at Sam. "We're stopping a while," he said. "You need to use the rest room?"

Sam nodded and got out of the car. Dean did the same and watched him walking into the restroom before he went and joined Castiel at a table.

He drew a deep breath but before he could speak, Castiel asked, "Why are you kidnapping me?"

"Because you're such good company, and me and Sam get lonely."

"Do you think this is funny?"

"No," he growled. "This is the furthest thing from funny. Thanks to you, I've had to pull my brother out of the place he felt safe and drag him onto the road again. He needs stability and care, and I can't give him that anymore because I am trying to help you. I don't even know why I'm bothering after what you did."

"What I did was try to help him. It's not my fault I couldn't heal him fully. I have done as much as I can."

Dean swallowed down the accusations he wanted to fling at him for what he had really done and the blame he held, and said, "This is about keeping you safe. There are people that would hurt you, and the only way I can protect you is to take you somewhere and stay with you. I don't want to be stuck together, believe me, but even you don't deserve the fate that these people would have for you."

"People want to hurt me?"

"Yes!" Dean said emphatically.

"Why?"

"Because you can heal," Dean invented. "The world is a bigger place than you know, Emmanuel, and there are real dangers out there. I don't think anyone deserves to suffer what they would do to you, so I am protecting you. I don't want to, so maybe cut me a break about this."

"What if I don't believe you?" Castiel asked. "I could have you arrested for kidnapping." He jerked his head towards the small coffee booth. "I could have them call the police and they would come and protect me from you."

"Then you'll die," Dean said curtly. "The people that want to hurt you will find you." He sighed. "Why else would I be doing this? What would make me drag Sam from his home and family and drive him across the country if not to save a life?"

"Perhaps you think I can save him still. You could be planning to hold me hostage until I do."

"I don't think you can save him," Dean lied. He was actually banking on the fact he could. If given long enough, he could find a way to reach Sam for Dean. If Dean could break this delusion that he wasn't real, he could fix him. He wouldn't tell Castiel that until the right moment though.

"I am not sure I trust you," Castiel said.

"Fine, don't trust that I'm trying to help you, but trust that you have no choice. I will keep you safe whether you like it or not, and if that means I have to shoot you in the foot and drag you back to the car, I will."

"You're not building confidence," Castiel said, though he looked afraid now.

Dean opened the front of his jacket to reveal the gun stowed in his pocket. "As long as you're confident I mean what I'm saying, I don't care what else you think or feel."

"Even if it was true, why would you protect me?" Castiel asked. "You don't like me."

"You're right, I don't, but I am going to do it anyway."

"Because you want something from me?"

"No, because it's what me and Sam do."

Dean was relieved when they finally pulled up outside Rufus' cabin. It had been a long drive and he needed to just stop and rest for a while. There was little chance of that with both Sam and Castiel to take care of, but he would do what he could. They were at least safe. They would lay protections and Dean would explain the rules to Castiel.

Dean and Castiel climbed out of the car and Dean went to the trunk. He popped it open and grabbed the weapons duffels.

"This looks like the kind of place you would bring someone to bury them in the woods," Castiel said. "Are you going to bury me in the woods?"

Dean rolled his eyes. "No. One, that would be kinda backwards seeing as I am trying to keep you alive right now. Two, I wouldn't bury you. That would leave too much evidence. I'd burn your body."

"That's reassuring," he said. "So far the only danger I have seen is the gun in your pocket and the look in your eyes that tells me you're not afraid to use it."

"I'm not afraid to use it. I am not going to use it on you unless you force me to though. I have it so maybe I can protect you. Some gratitude might be nice even."

"Thank you so much for kidnapping and threatening to shoot me," Castiel said.

"Shut up and come get the bags." Dean went around to the passenger side and opened Sam's door. "Come on, Sammy. We're here now. You can get out and we'll settle you inside. I think we left some coffee and food when we were here last time. I'll get you something."

Sam nodded and climbed out of the car. He stopped and watched Castiel as he unloaded the two duffels and his own neat overnight bag and set them on the ground.

Dean carried the weapons bags up to the door and set them down. He took the key from under the rock and unlocked the door. It stuck as it always did, and he had to kick the corner to free it. He pushed it open and bent for the bags again. He straightened and then his heart leapt as a woman stepped around away from the wall and sauntered toward him.

He knew even before her eyes turned black that she wasn't human as she was far too neatly dressed for someone who was in the woods for any legitimate reason. He hoped for demon as that would be much easier to deal with than a Leviathan, and was relieved when her eyes turned black.

"Winchester," she said in a low voice. "I'm here for the angel."

Dean reached for the demon blade in his pocket and had barely gotten it out before she swept a hand through the air and pinned him against the wall. The knife fell from his hand and her fingers reached for his throat. Unable to do more than twist his head away from her, Dean shouted, "Sam!"

His eyes found his brother and he saw Sam watching him. He wore a look of confusion but he wasn't moving to help. He just stood by the car, watching the scene play out.

Dean was on his own.

So… Things do not look good for Dean right now. I would apologize for the cliffy ending, but we all know I wouldn't mean it.

Okay, wow, that episode! If you're still swooning from the awesomeness and want to share the squee'ing, I'll be waiting in my inbox.

Until next time…

Clowns or Midgets xxx