Between S6 E6 and S6 E7
"Hey baby," Dean murmured into the phone. He sat on the edge of his bed, eyes locked on his unconscious brother tied to a kitchen chair.
"You don't sound great," Sophie noted, "What's up?"
"So you know how we had that weird discussion yesterday about how you want to come hunt with me and don't feel like I'm paying enough attention to you?" Dean rubbed the back of his neck. This wasn't gonna be the most fun conversation they'd ever had.
"Yeah…" Sophie sounded skeptical.
"I'm sorry," he said, sighing, "I'm sorry. And I will try to show up better for you but baby…"
"I can't come?" Sophie asked.
"Not right now," Dean said, "Something's wrong with Sam. Something's missing. And I don't trust him with you right now. I'm so sorry. And I know…I know I've been shit at this since he got back…"
He heard a quiet, hiccuping sob on the other end of the line and trailed off, pinching the bridge of his nose to try and keep his own composure.
"I'm so sorry baby," he said, "I'm really sorry. I'll make it up to you. Promise."
"It's okay," Sophie said gently, her voice shaking a bit, "I get it. Come back when you can. And once you get things sorted with Sam you come get me. Okay? Promise?"
"I promise baby," Dean murmured.
"Do you think you'll figure it out soon?" Sophie asked.
"I don't know babe," Dean admitted, "I've got Cas coming to check on him. But I just don't know."
"Okay," the tremor in her voice was even more prominent now.
"I'm sorry baby," Dean said gently, "I love you so much. And I'm just so sorry about all of this."
"I love you too," Sophie said, "Now hurry up and fix whatever the hell is wrong with your brother. I miss you."
"Miss you too," he said, sighing as he hung up.
