Fame Crazy (Sequel to Strings Attached)

Chapter 66

It's about half an hour later when the vet returns again, her frown impossible to miss. Castiel looks up at her expectantly.

"Is it okay?" he asks.

"Unfortunately not," she replies. "He's not doing very good. With the right treatment, there's a possibility he could pull through, but..."

"But...?" Castiel prompts.

"I hate to give up on an animal like this, but we can only do so much. I mean, for even a possibility of saving him would be ridiculously expensive, and the odds that he would pull through..."

"I'll pay for it."

"I don't think you understand how expensive —"

"I'll pay for it," he insists.

"It could be upwards of $250,000, maybe more," she tells him.

"Whatever it takes," he replies. He'll just be ditching the dog when he leaves, but if he can save the thing, he might as well. A quarter of a million dollars won't make a dent in his wallet, anyway.

"He would also need a home immediately," she adds. "He'd be a high maintenance dog for a while, and a shelter wouldn't be able to handle him. I know you said he's not yours and this is a lot to ask, but if you want to pay for the treatment and take him in, there's a possibility he could pull through."

"I, uh... I don't do dogs, so..." he says awkwardly.

"Then why are you here?" she challenges.

"Honestly, I just came because my brother would kill me if I didn't," he admits. "I'm willing to pay for whatever the dog needs, but I can't take him in."

"Then he doesn't stand a chance."

Castiel sighs, not quite sure what to do. Finally, he says, "I'll check with my brother and see if he wants it." He pulls out his phone and calls Lucifer, who picks up immediately.

"Is Destiel okay?" he asks quickly.

"What?"

"Destiel. It's the dog's name. I figure it's gender neutral, so it works, and it ends with 'iel' so the dog will fit in with the family, angely name and all."

"I don't think we want the dog to be anything like our family," he replies. "Have you met us? But, uh, Destiel is doing about as well as the ship. The difference is, the dog has a small chance of pulling through, but it would need a home and I sure as hell ain't adopting a dog, so it's all on you."

"You really think Anna would let us bring a dog anywhere hear her stuff? They shed. It's Anna. That doesn't mix."

"Then keep it out of her room," Castiel suggests. It has a door for a reason.

"Dog hair on her clothes? Dog slobber ruining her makeup? Not happening."

"We kept Claire when she didn't want to," Castiel reminds him. "You could do the same with the dog."

"I think just seeing Destiel would break Samandriel's heart," Lucifer adds.

Castiel sighs. Well, he can't argue with that one. "Fine. Point taken. Looks like the dog's a no-go, huh?"

"You take him — or her? — in," Lucifer suggests.

"What?"

"Take the dog!" he insists.

"You're joking."

"No, I'm not! I mean, you're already there, and you're easily the most responsible person I know next to Michael. Just take the dog!"