It was almost three in the morning when they decided to head out. The destination was by a small lake in Indiana. It was one of the many places they agreed to meet up if they ever got lost, a spot for each part of the country.

The rain never let up as they drove. The dark clouds hung over the road like it was following them. Dean had turned on the radio and both of them were enjoying the soft sound of the music as they drove, paying no attention to the news broadcasts this time. When Castiel would steal looks at Dean, he noticed he was calm, and relaxed. Almost happy. There was no sign of the smug man he had seen in his wanted poster. This person sitting next to him was different than that.

It was just hitting dawn when they arrived next to a moderate size body of water. There was a hut on the far side of the beach, and absolutely no other cars or persons near them. Dean's eyes darted around as he parked. "Not here yet." He said.

"Are you sure he will be?"

Dean looked over at Castiel, then back out at the water. "Oh, I'm sure."

It was only another half an hour before another car pulled up, a maroon model T. In the driver's seat was a woman with dark hair, and next to her was Sam. Dean got out of the car. "No, she is not going to be a part of this, Sam," He said through his teeth.

Castiel was out of the car and behind Dean. Sam was standing next to the woman, who was not Jess, not even remotely.

"She helped me, I can't leave–"

"Sam, I said no!" Dean yelled. It was the first time Castiel had seen him lose his cool for a split second, before his calm demeanor returned. The woman and Sam shared a look, and she got into the car and drove off. Dean wasn't moving an inch, just staring at his brother in rage. "I told you not to get mixed up with Ruby."

Sam looked down. Castiel could only compare it to a dog being yelled at by its owner. Ruby was the woman he was talking to when they had wiretapped his phone and Dean most certainly hated her and wanted nothing to do with her. How bad could she be that Dean Winchester wanted her to have no part in their plans?

"Let's go." Dean said like an order and both Sam and Cas obeyed, getting into the car. The drive back to Sam's house was long, and Castiel was in and out of sleep, only catching a little of their conversation.

"And what about him? You two just partners in crime?"

"No.. I mean… kind of. It's complicated… I got to keep him safe. It's my responsibility."

"How?"

There was silence at this, and Castiel kept his eyes closed. "Because I made it my responsibility, now let it go. He's staying."

There was something in the way Dean said this that Castiel could feel his body swell with appreciation. He wanted to reveal he wasn't sleeping, and thank him, but he decided against it. This was their time to talk and he wouldn't disrupt that. He was keeping him safe just because he wanted to, and Castiel silently swore to keep him safe too. They made it back to Kansas. They didn't check into a hotel and didn't go back to Sam's yet. There were too many people looking for them and Dean only felt safe staying in the car. They parked in the most rural spot they could find to rest and eat. Dean devoured three sandwiches and was almost all the way through a six pack of beer. Sam had eaten only a little as he went over how he had escaped from the jail after they set the fire. They laughed at points, and had serious discussions at other points, and they sat there. The three of them. They waited and enjoyed each other's company. Castiel stopped questioning why he felt like he was in the exact place he should be.

With no word on the radio of any raids, and no sight of any federal agents, they headed back to the house. They circled around a few times before pulling into the grass and around the house so the car was hidden. Inside Sam started a fire, and the three of them gathered around the table after taking their respective turns in the bathroom, cleaning themselves of the last few days. The time they could spend there was dwindling, and Dean was anxious the entire time, checking out the window every few minutes.

"We need money, so we're going to have to hit a bank." Dean said, barely pulling the curtain back as he stared at the road. He let it fall back and when he turned around his eyes met Castiel's.

Castiel hesitated. "Okay."

Dean raised his brows. "Okay?"

Sam's eyes darted between the two.

To his own surprise, Castiel's voice was serious and unfaltering. "I'll go with you." He said. "And I'll do my best."

Dean looked at him, his face softening, speechless.

Sam was the one to speak next. "Thanks, Cas." The nickname was growing on Castiel the more the two brothers addressed him by it. He gave Sam a nod as if to say thank you. The plan was simple. Sam and Dean would enter the bank, Castiel would stay in the car and keep guard outside. If anything went wrong they agreed to meet on the street over. The bank they chose was a few towns over. Nothing too big that would attract a huge police force. There would probably be a few officers that respond, and then later the Bureau would send someone to investigate since it would be linked to Dean.

There was little foot traffic around the bank when they pulled up. Castiel was driving, both Dean and Sam in the backseat, armed. They both had hats, pulled just slightly over their eyes. Dean was in a brown suit, and Castiel couldn't help but think how it complimented him greatly. They all looked at one another. "Okay, this shouldn't take long. Give us fifteen." Dean told Castiel before exiting, followed closely by Sam.

The air was still, and Castiel kept his eyes on his surroundings. Everything seemed to be going well after ten minutes had passed, and then an alarm sounded loudly enough for him to hear He perked up, his blue eyes wide as he stared at the front entrance, willing them to come out. Another five minutes passed, there were no officers, and no sign of Dean or Sam. He swallowed his fear crossing the line between normal citizen and criminal, grabbed his gun and got out of the car. Just as he was taking the stairs up to the door, he heard a police siren. He didn't turn around. He kept going and walked into the bank. Sam had the tellers at gunpoint on the ground, and Dean was hunched over next to the vault across the lobby. Castiel ran over, getting on his knee and putting his hand on Dean's back. "Dean,"

"The bitch stabbed me." Dean said, and as he pulled his hand away Castiel could see it was covered in blood.

Cas hoisted Dean up and helped him to the door. Sam was just about to follow when a police officer came up the stairs to the front door, standing right in front of them.

"Halt! Do not go any farther! You are under arrest!"

Castiel grunted as he tried keeping up the weight of Dean. "Move," He warned.

The officer went to pull his gun up, but Castiel acted quicker. He let go of Dean who went to lean up against the wall, and pulled out his gun, aiming, and shooting the officer in the chest without missing a beat.

Dean looked shocked as the officer fell to the ground, and Sam was staring at Castiel. "Let's go!" Castiel said, grabbing Dean's arm and walking them out of the bank. Sam was on their heels. It didn't hit him that he had most likely killed that man until they were in the car, driving away. Sam was ripping Dean's shirt off as he tried to get a better look at the wound.

"Take the next right." Sam called out. They were about to pass the turn and Castiel whipped the car to the right, sending them all into the other side of the vehicle. "Careful, careful!"

Sam ripped a piece of Deans shirt off and held it to his wound. "We gotta get to Ellen."

"Ellen?" Castiel had heard that name at some point during the investigation, but his mind was so clouded he couldn't even remember when.

Sam kept shouting directions until they came upon a house. Castiel pulled into the back as Sam instructed and they both helped Dean out. Two women came running out of the back door. An older, brown haired woman, and a younger blond.

"Jo, get his other arm!" The older woman said. The young blond came and took Dean's arm from Castiel. Her and Sam walked him instead, and he followed in. They dropped him down on the couch and the older woman began cleaning the wound and suturing it closed. Castiel stayed in the back of the room, watching as they all walked around grabbing different things that she needed.

"I can't believe you, always getting yourself hurt like this. This is why!" The blond woman said, obviously upset. Castiel looked at Sam who caught his gaze. It was clear Castiel was confused and Sam walked over and whispered, "They used to be a thing. That's Jo. Her mom is Ellen."

"Ah," Castiel answered. He should have known Dean would have a woman waiting for him and he felt a weird sense of disappointment. He didn't know if it was because he didn't have anyone waiting for him, or if it's because he may very well have given up his whole life to be just one of the many people willing to do the same exact thing for Dean.

Ellen had cleaned and treated the wound in expert time. Soon they were all sitting around the table, eating food that Ellen had refused to let them leave without eating. Jo and Dean sat next to each other, and Sam and Castiel on the other side.

"So you actually got a copper to help you?" Jo laughed, hitting Dean on the shoulder. "You really do surprise me." Dean glanced at Castiel, apologizing silently. Castiel looked down at his food, finishing what he could and bringing the plate over to the sink. If they wanted to laugh at his situation, he didn't want to be right in front of them. Dean didn't seem to think it was funny at all until Jo started joking about it.

"Thank you, it was really good." Castiel said to Ellen who was fussing over the two pies she had gotten out to bake. Ellen smiled and got back to her pies. Jo had her arm around Dean's shoulders now. The two of them were laughing. "I think I'm going to get some air and have a smoke." Castiel said. The laughing softened and he saw Dean look up at him as he turned around. It was cold, but it was refreshing outside. It was late in the afternoon and the sun was lowering in the sky. Castiel pulled out his cigarette holder from the car and lit one. It was then that he let it sink in that he had shot a law enforcement officer – someone who had taken the same vow he had taken. The thought ate at him as he sucked down the cigarette and flicked the butt into the grass. The screen door rattled and Castiel looked back to see Sam and Ellen walking out. Ellen was carrying two mugs, handing one to Castiel.

"Hot tea with honey. Trust me, does the aching body good." Ellen said, her lips pursed as she blew the hot steam off the top of her mug. Castiel brought the mug up and took a sip. It warmed his insides down to his stomach and just the one sip made him feel better. Dean and Jo came out the door. Dean was dressed again in a plain white button down and slacks and was hunched over slightly from his wound. They finished their tea and said their goodbyes. Castiel couldn't help his eyes catching Jo and Dean as they hugged goodbye. He looked away quickly as Dean caught his gaze, and he got into the backseat as Dean took the drivers and Sam was shotgun.

As they were pulling into a hotel, Dean was the first to speak since they left Ellen's. "Everybody alright?" His eyes found the rearview mirror, watching for Cas' answer.

"Yeah,"

"For sure," Sam and Castiel spoke simultaneously.

"Alright," He said, opening his door. "Let's go make some more plans, I guess."

Once they were in the room, they locked the door and decided to lay low and not leave except for what they absolutely needed. Dean had gotten the money regardless of being stabbed, and they had enough to fund their lifestyle for another month or two. Dean turned the radio on and waited for any news about the robbery. Sam was sitting by an open window, scanning over different books and letters. Some of his book choices had nothing to do with what they were in the middle of – crime. They were history books and educational books. He must've done well in schooling, Castiel couldn't help but notice.

Dean was on the bed, cleaning his guns as his head bobbed to the music. That's what I like 'bout the south by Bob Wills was playing and Dean was mouthing silently to the words as he reassembled his pistol then started to deconstruct his rifle.

"So, Cas," Dean said, noticing him watching him. "What about you? You got family? A girl? Sit down."

Castiel sat on the edge of the bed, facing Dean. "Don't have a mother, my dad is… absent," He cleared his throat. Sometimes it felt like his dad didn't even exist at all. "No girl."

Dean nodded, shifting his gun around as he oiled and polished it. It was as if he were playing an instrument. He was gentle and expertly reassembling his rifle, and once he was done he proudly looked down at it. When he met Castiel's eyes again, he didn't look away until Sam spoke.

"Huh, interesting." He said. "Did you know people say that the Titanic actually split in half?"

Dean and Castiel looked from Sam back to each other, all but completely ignoring his fun fact. "You want coffee? I need coffee. Then beer." Dean said.

"Yes, I could go for coffee."

"Me too, I'll go make a run." Sam said. "It's safer for me to do it anyway, both of you are.." he trailed off. "Pretty popular. I'll be back." He grabbed his coat and left. I Poured My Heart Into A Song by Jack Hylton switched on the radio, and Castiel leaned back against the footboard of the bed. Dean finished wiping his guns off one more time before pulling his duffel back over with his foot, and loading them back in.

"Don't feel bad about what you did back at the bank." Dean said without looking up from his bag, placing one of his rifles in. Castiel noticed the music pick up slightly. "You did what you had to. It was either you, or him."

Castiel smiled slightly. "Thank you… but I don't know if that's true."

"It is." Dean sat back up, now looking at him. "You did what you had to do, Cas. He was going to kill you."

Sam opened the door, catching them both off guard and startling them. "Damn, Sam, can we come up with a secret knock or something so I don't have a heart attack every time you come back in the room?"

Castiel hid his smile and Sam laughed out loud, shutting the door with his foot. "Well, Dean, I got this," He pulled out a bottle from a paper bag. It was a dark bottle of whiskey. "So can you forgive me?"

Dean's eyes lit up as he got off the bed and grabbed the bottle. "Oh yeah, Sammy. You're forgiven."

Laying low and not leaving their hotel room much paid off well. A few days after their first night, they were able to leave the hotel a little bit at a time. The plan was to go back to Sam's but unfortunately they heard over the radio that not only were Dean and Castiel wanted, Sam was on the list as well, and they had them as a gang. They knew the three of them were moving together, which with Uriel at the head of the operation, how could he not know that? Little did the public or any other law enforcement agencies know that they were corrupt and it's why Cas couldn't go back.

And he had the confirmation that he killed that officer. His name was Thomas. They read off his obituary over the radio after they talked about the robbery. Castiel thought about him almost every minute now and he would never forgive himself, but he kept Dean's words in his mind just as often. You did what you had to do.

It had been a quiet day and Sam had been off somewhere, Dean had said he probably was secretly meeting with Ruby, which frustrated him but he let it be. There were bigger things to worry about. It was inevitable that they would be found by either Uriel and his team of corrupt agents, or Crowley who was also allied with Uriel. It was a mess and Castiel was caught right in the middle of it. The agents that were innocent knew nothing about what was happening right beneath their nose and there was no real way to get through to them without having proof.

Sam had come back in late that night. Dean and Castiel were listening to the radio read off the winner of the Kentucky Derby, a horse called Brokers Tip. They talked about how it was his only win ever as a race horse. Sam went straight to his bed and didn't say anything.

Dean looked over at him, crossing his arms as he leaned back in his chair. "What's up, Sammy? Not in a talkative mood for the first time in your life?"

"No," Sam answered. He kept his back to them as he turned down his bed. Dean could tell there was something wrong and he got up and walked over to his brother.

"What the hell, Sam?" There was a knock at the door, and Dean jumped over the bed for his gun without waiting a second, looking back at Castiel who was already out of his seat. His hair was in his eyes as he grabbed his shoes and slipped them on. Dean caught sight of his brother who was now facing the door with them, but he didn't look scared at all. The knock turned into a loud pounding on the door.

"Castiel, I know you're in there."

It was Uriel. Castiel's heart slammed in his chest as he stumbled over to the window and struggled to get it open. Dean couldn't move. "You told them where we were?" He turned around and grabbed Sam by his shirt. "You fucking told them where we were?"

"Him!" Sam pointed to Cas. "I told them he was here, I made a deal."

Castiel got the window open and looked back. Dean was shaking his head and pushed his brother back. "You did this for fucking Ruby."

"No, Dean, I did it for us."

Castiel was already climbing out the window. Luckily it was the second story and he was able to jump down soon after climbing out. He saw Dean starting to come down the side of the building, and he grabbed the keys from his pocket, ready to run. Once Dean was down, they ran to the car.

"There!" An officer outside spotted them and started firing as they ran across the lot and scrambled inside. Dean fumbled with the keys before getting it started and speeding out. Bullets ricochet off the car as they drove out.

"That bitch Ruby got to his head." Dean said, pressing his foot harder on the gas and taking as many turns as he could to get out of town. They were most likely behind them, but Castiel kept looking out the window and not seeing anyone following.

"Dean, I don't want to get in between you and your brother." Castiel said when he brought his head back in from the window. His hair was pointing different ways and the collar of his shirt was wrinkled.

"No, Cas." Dean said. "No, you're not and this has nothing to do with you. He did it for her and he fucked up."

Dean slammed on the brakes, sending both of them into the dash. There were three cars in the middle of the road, with Crowley standing just off to the right, smiling, and his gang surrounding him. All of them were pointing guns. "Shit, shit, shit," Dean put the car in reverse and backed up and that's when they started firing. Castiel ducked his head down as low as he could, and he looked over at Dean doing the same, his head down between his knees. The gunfire stopped and Castiel's door opened, a hand reaching in a violently pulling Castiel from the car.

"No!" Dean shouted, crawling over the seat.

Crowley punched him before he crawled out, sending his face against the dashboard. "You just always have to steal other people's property, Winchester!" He was yelling. He reached down and grabbed Castiel. "This was mine. Now if you still want to keep your head, back off!" He let Castiel go and one of his gang members grabbed him and dragged him to one of the cars. He saw Dean watching out the window as they drove off.

"Don't be trusting people, Castiel." Crowley said from the front seat. "It never does anyone no good."