Torturous Affairs

Chapter Four

Dean sighed as he walked into his office for the day. He was a little down that he didn't get to torture or kill anyone last night. He was thinking Castiel might make a good next victim, but there was also something about him that Dean felt as if he couldn't. He sat down at his desk and Charlie came in with a cup of coffee. She said, "Castiel came in early this morning flapping his lips about finding his wife's dead body and how he might be next. He wants to come in to talk to you. He'll be here soon."
Dean nodded and began stacking paperwork. Charlie sat on the edge of his desk and crossed her legs under her dress. She asked, "So...you carrying a torch for this guy?"
Dean continued looking through paperwork and answered, "I have no idea what you are talking about."
"Are you going to make a pass," she questioned with a smirk.
Dean stated, "Nada. Stop being so soppy."
Charlie raised her eyebrow, "Dean, spew your guts out. Just admit you're stuck on him!"
Dean looked up at her, "Charlie, get out. Bring Castiel in when he arrives."
Charlie death-glared at him and left, mumbling to herself, "I'm going to spit in your coffee next time."
Dean looked up at her and watched her leave. He shook his head in annoyance. He pulled out the morning paper from his briefcase. As soon as he unfolded it, he noticed the headline that read, "Is The Demon's Game Over Or At Its Peek?"
Dean read into about how this is the first time a body has been found regarding the case. They questioned whether The Demon purposely wanted the body to be found. The truth was Dean wanted Castiel to have a body to be buried just like he asked. He wanted Castiel to be the first to have complete closure. Dean continued to read about Castiel and Daphne. The wedding between the two was set for a few months from now. Alfie had been born six months prior and now he will be raised without a mother, unless Castiel remarries.
Dean was startled when he heard a knock at the door. Charlie opened the door to let Castiel in with baby Alfie. Dean quickly hid the paper in a drawer and stood up to shake his hand. They both sat down in unison. Castiel began, "At about four o'clock this morning I was looking through old boxes of Daphne's keepsakes and photos. I found her-," he paused for a moment, "-body behind a large stack of the boxes. She was dead with-"
Dean stopped him, "Castiel, you don't have to talk about the details. I'll examine her corpse later."
Castiel began crying and his fingers pressed deep against his closed eyes. Dean felt sympathy for the first time in a long time. He stood up and walked over to Castiel. Dean wrapped his arms around him instinctively. Castiel was surprised at first, but then put one arm around Dean and the other supported Alfie against his torso. Charlie peeked into the room, "Dean."
Dean hissed, "Charlie leave now."
She intervened, "Your brother is here."
Dean immediately stood up to his feet. He told Castiel, "Stay here. I'll be right back."
He stepped out of the room and saw his little brother towered over him. They embraced each other. Samuel held him tightly, "Dean, it's been so long."
Dean began tearing up, "What's the dope? What are you doing in town, hotshot?"
Samuel chuckled, "You do remember what's this weekend, ya geezer? It's your birthday!"
Dean half-smiled, "Oh yeah. I thought I was beginning to get to that age where people forget and no longer care."
Samuel gave him a look, "Dean, you're only turning thirty-five."
Dean changed the subject, "So how is Amelia?"
"We got hitched," Samuel exclaimed.
Dean's voice quieted, obviously hurt, "You didn't invite me to the wedding?"
Samuel replied, "No one came to the wedding. There wasn't one."
Dean's jaw dropped, "You eloped?"
Samuel nodded and patted Dean on the back, "Come on, be happy for me!"
Dean nodded, "I am happy for you. I just wish I could've been there."
Charlie intercepted, "I think you wish you could've gotten married before him."
Dean gave her a look, then returned his attention to Samuel. Samuel spoke, "I came alone for the weekend without her and our little boy, Thomas. He's the main reason we eloped."
Dean stared at him blankly, "You have a son? You must've been gone longer than I thought."
Samuel smiled, "But we were thinking about moving back to town and away from the big city. You and I could be a detective duo!"
Dean simply said, "No."
Samuel's brow furrowed, "No need to snap your cap, Dean. I just assumed you might want us to come and live here."
Dean looked at anything, but his brother and said, "You left a long time ago. I don't know why you would even come back here. You became a successful detective in the big city and eloped with your secretary there. I don't want you moving back here just because you think I'm lonely or something. That isn't the case. I think you should leave, Samuel."
Dean left him and walked back into his office, slamming the door shut. Charlie whispered to Samuel, "I think he's just a little angry you left in the first place. Why did you leave?"
Samuel stared at the Dean's door, "I left because Dean told me to get away while I still can. That was eight years ago."
Samuel looked at Charlie, "Please tell him I'll be staying at the Eldridge House if he cares to know." Samuel left the property. Charlie sighed, feeling terrible for the both of them.
Castiel asked Dean, "What was that about?"
Dean shook his head, "It's nothing. Now, is there anything else you wanted to talk about?"
Castiel nodded, "I believe The Demon might be after me next."
Dean rubbed circles against his temples, "I'm not sure how I can assure your safety."
Castiel asked, "Is there anything you can do at all?"
Dean sighed, "I don't think you'll be his next victim because he chooses them randomly. There has never been a connection between the victims. It was only a coincidence that Ruby and Daphne were friends this one time."
Castiel nodded and stared down at Alfie. He asked Dean, "Detective, would you want to have a drink with me tonight as friends at Johnny's Tavern? I don't want to be left alone tonight."
Dean originally had some plans to charm a new victim, but there was something about Castiel that he couldn't say no, "That sounds nice. I'll see you tonight at seven."
Castiel smiled and left. He was ecstatic to have a friend like Dean. He enjoyed his company more than he has ever enjoyed Daphne's. Dean made up his mind to leave work early again, saying he didn't feel well. Charlie told him about Samuel. Dean asked her, "Could you please give him word to meet me and my friend, Castiel, for drinks tonight at seven at Johnny's Tavern?"
She nodded and smiled, hoping it would all work out. He drove to Dorothy's in search of a new "pet to play with."