The Truth

Chapter 2

Cas woke first, taking a moment to gauge where he was. He tried to move his right arm, but quickly learned that he couldn't. As he glanced over, he realized it was because Dean was sleeping on it, his face buried in Cas's chest, his back against the back seat of the Impala. He hoisted his left arm up, half asleep, to pull the blanket back over Dean's shoulders. This is what love looks like, he thought.

He glanced up to see that all of the windows of the Impala were covered in snow. It made the moment even better, being wrapped up in here with his beautiful hunter in their own little world, and he relished in it for a little longer, listening to Dean's slow, relaxed breathing against his shirt and closing his eyes appreciatively.

His stomach suddenly grumbled hungrily and he realized that he was craving a cup of coffee. Coffee with cream and sugar. He wanted it so much he could smell it. He wondered if he could pull himself away from Dean without waking him. He could see a faint light glowing through the snowy dashboard that seemed to be coming from the direction of Jake's, and he wondered if the owners had come in early to prep for the day - maybe they would have coffee.

Cas slowly slid himself up into a seated position, gingerly moving on to the floor and placing Dean's head gently in a pile of blankets on the seat to serve as a pillow. Dean didn't even stir. Cas could only assume that he was in desperate need of sleep. As beautiful as he was, he had looked near death when he found him the night before and Cas didn't want to wake him before he was ready.

He found his pants and shoes, slid them on quietly, and climbed over the center console to the front seat, where he proceeded to exit through the driver side door, pulling his coat with him as he set off for Jake's.

-

The door swung open easily, and Cas found himself in the dining room of a typical roadhouse. Red leather booths around the perimeter, with oak tables scattered in the center, surrounding a central bar with stools running its length. Dim lighting from a dozen sconces and several gaudy pendants with stained glass shades set the mood for the place, and several pool tables and electronic dart boards were visible in the back. Jake's smelled of cigarette smoke and stale beer, but Cas ignored it as he scanned the room for a person who might be able to help him.

As he surveyed the scene, he saw movement in his peripheral vision and snapped his head over in its direction, only to find Jack standing behind the bar. Jack leaned an elbow on the bar top, studying Cas intently. He was drying a pint glass with a white bar towel as a knowing smile spread over his face.

"Did you get what you came back for?" He asked, and Cas blushed.

"Um - my time isn't up yet, is it?" Cas asked.

"Not yet. And I know what you want. Be right back." Jack strode to the side of the red dining room where a swinging door led him out of sight, and he promptly came back with 2 to go cups of coffee - one black, and one with cream and sugar. Cas studied Jack for a moment, not knowing what to say. He wondered how much Jack had seen of his reunion with Dean, and stared at the floor in silence. He was happy when Jack spoke first:

"Castiel, there's...something I should tell you. Something I wanted to say before, but you weren't ready." Jack looked purposefully at Cas, waiting for him to respond.

"What is it?" Cas asked, hovering near the door.

"Dean is going to die. Soon." Cas blanched. He felt his body go numb.

"When?" Cas asked.

"In a few more days." Jack said regretfully. "But it's ok, Castiel - I have plans for him. For us. It's going to be ok."

Cas stood in silence, letting this new knowledge sink it. "You can't try and save him, Castiel. It's Dean's destiny. He decided he wanted to end it when The Empty took you, and now he has written his own fate. He will succeed on his next hunt with Sam."