Trading Heartbeats

Chapter 2:

Dean's eyes fluttered open as a stream of sunlight warmed his face. He rolled over looking at the clock on the nightstand. The bright red numbers flashed 7:45 am. He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes as he sat up hearing the light sound of snoring coming from Sam. He tossed a pillow hitting Sam in the head. Sam grumbled rolling over to the other side of the bed. Dean's eyes darted over to the unusual sight of a sleeping Castiel on the pull-out sofa. He tossed a second pillow hitting Cas in the stomach. Cas shot up, bloodshot eyes scanning the room for danger.

"Dean, are you okay?" He asked sounding about as rough as he looked. Dean nodded laying back down yawning. He was still tired, sure, but for what felt like the first time in a long time he felt...rested.

The list of things that generally ran through Dean's mind this early in the morning was a short one; bacon, coffee, bacon, waffles, and bacon. But on this particular morning, his mind wandered to a pair of blue eyes looking up at him with lust. Shaking the thought from his mind he got up and made his way into the bathroom. He showered and shaved allowing himself extra time since they weren't in any particular rush this morning.

Walking out of the bathroom Dean looked around the room seeing Sam now awake and dressed, sitting at the table, tapping away on his laptop and Cas still laying on the sofa, the smell of coffee now filling the compact motel room.

"So, I'm starting to think this isn't our thing." Sam began as Dean poured himself a cup of coffee.

"How is it not, Sam? This has Werewolf written all over it." He responded making his way over to the table.

"Yeah, but the vics' heart wasn't missing...it's just not adding up." He stretched before running his hand through his hair. Before Dean could respond his attention is drawn to an awaking Cas.

He watched Cas sit up, steadying himself. Once to his feet, his eyes widened as Dean watched him run into the bathroom slamming the door behind him before hearing soft noises of an ill Cas. 

"Damn angel can't hold his liquor. How much did you let him drink?" He asked. Sam shook his head in response turning his attention back to his laptop. A few moments passed before Cas exited the bathroom, joining them at the table. They studied him before going back to the details of the case. After an hour of back and forth between them, Dean got up walking over to the nightstand checking his phone. There were no missed calls or messages. He slipped the phone into his pocket and rubbed the back of his neck.

"We could go back and check out that bar again tonight." He offered shrugging his shoulders.

"We checked it out, Dean. The owner showed us the surveillance tape...wait...is this about that woman from last night?" Sam asked closing his laptop, sitting back in his chair. Dean shook his head.

"No, I just thought..." he trailed off knowing he didn't have a good enough answer as to why he wanted to go back to the same bar they were just at. But he was cut off by Cas.

"Did you end up fornicating with her like you said you wanted to?" Cas asked, bluntly.

"Did I...? No, Cas. I just kissed...why am I explaining this to you." He sighed rubbing his face. "Look, I just figured we could check it out again before heading home if this turns out to be nothing."

"Dean," Sam started, "I watched you put your number in her phone. Are you sure..." Dean rolled his eyes at what he knew his brother was suggesting.

"Yes, Sam. I checked for hex bags. And she had this silver watch on so that rules out like 10 other things." He couldn't fault Sam for asking questions. It wasn't like Dean to offer his number to a woman he talked to in any bar. There was something about her though and he was not sure why, but he had felt almost drawn to her. There was an innocence to her, in her eyes. An innocence he felt fiercely compelled to protect. But there was a small part of him, a darker part, that wanted to destroy that same innocence.

He shook his head making his way across the room grabbing his coat and keys. "I'm starving. Let's go grab some food at that diner up the road." Sam and Cas nodded in agreement before getting their jackets and putting their shoes on. Dean made his way to the Impala taking in the fresh air before hearing them close the door not far behind him. He raised an eyebrow looking over at them.

"Ready?" They nodded opening their doors and sliding in. Dean scanned the quiet, almost empty, parking lot as he slid in after them.