All You Did was Save my Life

Useful

            Several weeks passed and they still hadn't figured out how to stop Lucifer. Bobby had been released from the hospital and had returned home, but he was confined to a wheelchair. Dean and Sam were taking jobs whenever they could while using Singer Salvage as home base. Balthazar flitted in and out of the house while Cas was still living there with the boys. Everything had been fine for a while as they had agreed they didn't want Jamie on the road at only a few weeks old. But it had been nearly two months now and Cas was getting anxious to help Sam and Dean again.

            "Cas, I said no," Dean said firmly, walking around to the other side of the car he was fixing up for Bobby.

            "Dean, I can help," Cas said, "You don't know Lucifer like I do."

            "I know demons Cas," Dean said, stopping what he was doing to look at Cas, "And Lucifer is worse than them. As far as I'm concerned, that's all I need to know."

            "Dean-" Cas started, but before he could say anything more, another voice called him.

            "Daddy!" Dean and Cas both turned to see Ben standing outside the door to Bobby's house.

            "What is it buddy?" Dean called back.

            "Uncle Sam needs you!" Ben shouted, "He says it's important!" Dean glanced at Cas one more time before heading inside. Cas sighed and then followed after Dean.

            "What's going on?" Dean asked when they got inside.

            "Might have a case," Sam said.

            "Where?" Cas questioned, walking over to him.

            "Nebraska," Sam replied, "There's been some strange killings that the police can't figure out."

            "Strange in what way?" Dean asked.

            "Well, for one thing, a girl scratched her own brains out," Sam said.

            "Wow," Dean said, "Yeah, definitely strange. Looks like we're heading to Nebraska. Get ready, we leave in ten." Sam nodded and started packing up his research while Dean made his way upstairs to see the boys. Cas followed him and stood in the doorway of Ben and Jamie's room as Dean walked in.

            "Are you and Uncle Sam leaving again?" Ben asked when Dean crouched down next to him.

            "Yeah buddy, we have to," Dean said, "But we'll be back in a couple days and Cas and Bobby will be here."

            "When's Aunt Ellen getting back?" Ben asked.

            "Soon bud, she had some stuff to take care of at the Roadhouse and then she'll be back," Dean said and Ben nodded. The little boy stood and hugged his dad  tightly.

            "I'll miss you daddy," he said quietly.

            "I'll miss you too bud," Dean said, "But we'll be back in a couple days, I promise, okay?" Ben nodded sadly and Dean felt the guilt eating at him.

            "For now," he said, "I need you to keep an eye on your brother, okay?" Ben nodded again and Dean ruffled his hair before he stood. He  walked over to the crib and looked inside. Jamie was lying there, awake, but silent.

            "Hey baby boy," Dean whispered, "I gotta leave for a couple days, but I'll be back soon. Papa, Ben, and Uncle Bobby will take good care of you. So you be a good little boy, okay?" Dean ran his finger gently over the boy's face before he turned and left the room.

            "Dean," Cas said, following the hunter to their room, "I want to come to Nebraska."

            "Cas, we talked about this," Dean said in exasperation, "It's not safe and the boys need one of us here. You're still recovering from having Jamie so it makes sense-"

            "Dean please!" Cas said and Dean looked at him in surprise. He hadn't heard Cas use that tone before.

            "I need to help Dean," Cas said, his voice much gentler now, "I know I don't have my full powers, but I can still be useful."

            "Whoa, is that what this is about?" Dean asked, walking around the bed so he was facing Cas, "You think you're not useful?"

            "Without my full powers, there's not much I can do," Cas said, sitting down, "I want to help Dean." Dean sat next to the angel and they sat there quietly for a moment.

            "Cas, listen," Dean sat next to him, "I get that you feel like you're not helping right now, but you are."

            "By not doing anything?" Cas said.

            "By staying safe," Dean replied, "By keeping Ben and Jamie safe." Cas still wasn't looking at him and Dean knew he wasn't convinced.

            "Cas, I'm gonna make you a deal," Dean said and Cas finally looked up at him, "For regular cases, Sam and I go while you stay here with the boys, just for a little while. But, when it comes to fighting Lucifer, you come with us. How does that sound?"

            "That sounds fair," Cas nodded, "But, if you're on a regular case and you need help, will you call?"

            "Yes Cas, I'll call," Dean nodded and the angel leaned forward. He wrapped his arms around Dean and the hunter did the same.

            "Be careful Dean," Cas said quietly.