Chapter 8

Bobby pulled into the parking lot and drove around to the back to park. They got out and went to Sam's room. Sam stopped suddenly in the middle of the room when he didn't find Castiel and Dean in the room. He looked toward the bathroom and saw the door open but no sign of them.

"Where'd they go?" Sam asked as panic began to set it. His heart started racing and his breathing quickened.

"Easy boy, you know Cas wouldn't do anything to endanger Dean. I'm sure they're nearby. Let's look outside."

Sam stumbled back outside and quickly looked around the parking lot trying to spot his brother. He headed for the grassy area and finally saw two figures kneeling at the edge of a grove of trees not far away, looking at something on the ground. He deflated and drew in some long breaths trying to slow his racing heart as they slowly walked toward them so not to startle Dean.

Dean was watching some ants crawl around and then saw some rollie pollies that he reached to touch only to have them roll into a ball. He giggled and looked at Castiel who smiled at him. Something fluttering nearby caught his attention and Dean got up to follow a butterfly as it flitted from one flower to another gathering nectar. He held up his fingers and grinned widely when an orange and black Monarch butterfly landed on them and walked across from one finger to the next. Dean laughed out loud sounding so innocent and carefree.

"Butterfly," Castiel told him when he reached to touch it but wasn't fast enough and the butterfly flew away. "Butterfly," he repeated to Dean.

Dean started to step into the woods, but Castiel stopped him when he saw Sam and Bobby. He took Dean's arm to lead him back toward them.

Sam was amazed at how innocent and childlike Dean looked and acted. He didn't have any of the burdens he had been carrying around now and he looked younger. He wished Dean could stay this way and start all over again but knew that wasn't an option. If any of their enemies ever found out what happened to him, Sam was sure they would take advantage of it. He couldn't let anything happen to his brother while he was like this. Sam needed his big brother back with his memories.

"We were getting some fresh air," Castiel offered when he got close enough to talk. "I didn't mean to cause you distress," he told Sam when he saw he was upset.

"Ss-Sam," Dean greeted Sam as he looked at his face recognizing him.

"That right Dean. You guys scared me," Sam replied, hugging Dean without thinking about it.

Dean reacted negatively by crying out and pushing away from him. He sidled up to Castiel and half hid behind him clutching the lapel on his coat and almost pulling it from his shoulder.

"It's okay Dean. Sam is your brother. Brother," Castiel told him laying a hand on his arm to try and calm him. He allowed several of his own memories of the brothers to pass to Dean so he could hopefully understand who Sam was.

Dean listened to Castiel talk and glanced at Sam out of the corner of his eyes. He frowned as images of Sam and him popped up in his mind. They were hugging and laughing and happy. He looked at Sam with a curious expression before slowly stepping to Sam and hugging him. He couldn't see the tears forming in Sam's eyes or the silent 'thank you' Sam mouthed to Castiel.

"Why don't we head back inside and check out the security camera footage?" Bobby suggested after letting Dean and Sam have a brotherly moment.

"Yeah, Bobby's right," Sam replied clearing his throat and wiping his face. He kept an arm around Dean's shoulders and guided him back to the motel. Dean made Sam stop when they got to the Impala, and he looked at it before stepping to the car and rubbing a hand across the top of it.

"Car, this is your car Dean. You call her Baby," Sam supplied.

"Ba-Ba'ee…Bayee…" Dean whispered patting the car lovingly.

Dean glanced over his shoulder at Castiel to be sure he was coming too, not wanting to go by himself. Castiel and Bobby followed a few paces behind them. They all went back inside, and Sam and Bobby sat at the table to use the laptop and Castiel sat on the bed with Dean, who seemed happy to be close to him again. They watched the others work and talk among themselves as they watched the laptop. Sam made notes while Bobby fast forwarded through the videos to the time they estimated Dean was attacked and watched them.

Castiel picked up the remote and turned on the television, quickly lowering the volume to not disturb Sam and Bobby. He flipped through the channels and stopped on Sesame Street. Dean started watching with interest as the Muppets began to sing. Castiel watched him seeing his interest and when the song ended looked for a channel that played music videos. Dean settled back on the bed and started nodding his head to the music and absently playing with the edge of Castiel's coat. Castiel slipped his trench coat off and laid it beside him. Dean slipped an arm down a sleeve and pulled it over him like a blanket.

Sam glanced at Dean and saw he was entranced by what was on the television and heard music playing. He smiled when Dean cuddled with Castiel's trench coat never taking his eyes from the screen. It seemed even if he didn't remember liking music, that he liked it. It seemed to calm him and keep him occupied.

"Sam, check this out," Bobby got his attention as he tapped the picture of the screen. "I found the same man walking in the parking lot toward the Impala before the camera went on the fritz. This could be who we're looking for."

Sam looked at the screen to see a middle-aged man, with dark hair, and beard standing at the counter paying for his purchases. He looked at the receipt and it matched the items being rung up. He snapped a photo of the screen before speaking.

"We can take this back to the store and see if the cashier recognizes him," Sam stated getting up from the table.

"And if that doesn't work, we can check with the local cops," Bobby supplied.

"Cas, we're heading back out. Why don't you order a pizza in case we're not back," Sam told him pulling some bills from his pocket. "There's a pamphlet in the drawer with numbers."

"Alright Sam," Castiel replied. "I'll take care of Dean for you."

"Thanks man. Dean you do what Cas tells you," Sam told Dean stepping in front of the television to get a growl and angry look from Dean as he leaned to the side to try and see. Sam shook his head and headed out the door with Bobby following behind him.

"Does that sound good Dean?" Castiel asked him. "If we have pizza to eat?"

Of course, Dean didn't answer him as he continued to watch the music videos ignoring everything else. It was like he was in a trance as his mouth hung slightly open and his eyes darted across the screen trying to take everything in at once. He cuddled with the trench coat as he scooted down in the bed to get comfortable.

spn

There was a knock at the motel door and Castiel went to answer it knowing it was the pizza guy. He gave him the money Sam had left and accepted the box of pizza from him. He brought it back to the bed where Dean was still sitting and sat it within his reach.

"The pizza is here Dean," Castiel told him as he opened the box.

The aroma of the food finally drew Dean's attention from the screen, and he looked down at the pizza. He licked his lips as he untangled a hand to reach toward the food. He touched a piece but wasn't sure what to do, how to pick it up.

"Here, let me help," Castiel offered pulling a slice free and taking Dean's hand to place the slice in. He guided it to Dean's mouth, waiting as he opened it to take a bite.

Dean began to chew and smiled as the flavors exploded over his taste buds and used both hands to hold the slice as he bit off another bit bigger bite. He chomped loudly making noises of delight as crumbs fell from his mouth onto his shirt.

"You need a napkin," Castiel told him getting up and looking around for something to use. He finally brought a hand towel and draped it over Dean's chest to catch whatever dropped from his mouth.

Dean had stuffed so much in his mouth, that he could hardly chew and coughed lightly when he started to choke.

"Spit it out Dean," Castiel demanded holding the towel under his mouth. He slapped him on the back and Dean gagged out the partly chewed pizza, coughing again. After dropping the wad into the trash, Castiel wiped Dean's mouth and placed the towel back on this chest. "Drink something," Castiel said holding the water with a straw to his lips. He waited as Dean sipped on the water and got his breath. "Don't stuff a whole piece in your mouth. Small bites," Castiel instructed picking up a piece and taking a small bite. "Mmmm, good."

"Mmm, good," Dean said slowly looking at Castiel as he took another bite.

"Yes it is," Castiel agreed eating the piece he was holding. He kept an eye on Dean to be sure he didn't get choked again.

After the third slice, Dean sighed and leaned back against the headboard seeming full. He took the water again and drank more before letting his eyes settle once again on the television screen where singers were dancing across a stage.

Castiel removed the box from the bed and placed it on the table. He took a seat on the other bed and studied Dean as he concentrated on the screen. He could see the wonder and awe in his eyes and on his face thinking he was connecting with the music. He knew Dean always loved music and used it sometimes as a release when he was stressed, unsettled, angry, or sad.

A cell rang and Castiel pulled it from his pocket to answer it getting up from the bed.

"Hello," Castiel greeted the caller.

"Hey Cas, it's Sam, I'm just checking in to be sure everything is okay? Is Dean okay?" Sam questioned.

"Yes San, he's still watching television and he has eaten pizza."

"That's good."

"Have you found anything out yet?"

"We may have a lead that we're going to check out before coming back."

"Alright. I will watch over Dean."

"Thanks Cas. See you soon and I'll check in again to be sure things are still okay."

Castiel hung up and took his position on the bed to watch over Dean. He noticed Dean still had his trench coat snuggled into his side and absently rubbed the belt over his nose and cheek like a security blanket.

A/N: They have a lead and are going to check it out. Dean is content for now and has the trench coat for security. I do like reviews/comments. NC