Be True to Your Heart

Chapter Ten: Epilogue

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Dean put the phone to his ear but the sound of his blood rushing in his ears was louder than the ringing. When it went to voicemail his heart fell a little. Was Cas avoiding him now? "Cas, it's Dean, I, uh, need to talk to you? Give me a call when you get a chance." As a last thought he added in a softer tone "It's important." He disconnected the call and looked across the table at Cassandra. "It's ok, he might be at work or in the shower, or any of a number of places where he can't pick up the phone. When he gets your message he'll call back." She said, and the confidence he had in that bolstered him some. The server returned with their food and for the first few minutes they ate in silence. Then she spoke again. "So tell me, what is Castiel like?" Dean paused, chewing thoughtfully on a piece of steak as he mulled over the question. "He's a pain in the ass. He's stubborn, has more hope for humanity than he has any right to have, he wants to save the world all the time, he has no concept of personal space, and he..." He swallowed his piece of meat. "He is the kindest, most gentle person you could ever meet. He is patient, even when I'm a total asshole, and no matter what I say to him, he always comes back. This is the first time he left on his own. I don't know that he'll come back this time." He popped another piece of steak in his mouth and chewed it. "You're confusing me. Were you two in a relationship?" Cassandra asked. He looked at her for a moment before shaking his head. "He was my best friend. But there's just something so much more different about him than anyone else you could ever meet. I don't know exactly when it started, these feelings, but I've been struggling the better part of a year now to choke them down, but I can't. I sense that there is something there, but I can't quite put my finger on it. Eh, I'm an idiot. He doesn't deserve a jerk like me, he's too good." He grumbled and popped another piece in his mouth. "Don't you dare talk that way about yourself! I may not have known you very long Dean but I can clearly see good in you, and I'm sure that is what drew him to you too. I have a sneaky suspicion Castiel loves you back. He's probably just as bad with words as you are." She cut a piece of her own steak and ate it. He sighed, letting his shoulders slump. "I used to be such a ladies man. Then he came into my life. I honestly haven't been right since." He finished off the last few pieces of his steak and the potato before flagging the server down to get a second beer. "So what does he look like?" She asked. He rolled his eyes. Really? Chicks... "Dark hair, almost black, blue eyes, an incredible smile that can light up a room." He spoke quickly, hoping that would be enough details for her. "Is he from Kansas?" She asked. He barked out a laugh and tried to cover it with the back of his hand. "Uh, no." She eyed him for a moment before finishing the last few bites of her meal and pushing her plate away. "That was really good food." She sighed. "Yeah, I haven't eaten that well in awhile." He agreed. She motioned to the server for another beer. He was glancing over at his phone and she knew he was hoping Castiel would call back. She wished he would too. Reluctantly he put the phone back in his pocket. Thankfully she turned the conversation back to her car and how they planned to fix it in the morning which took his mind off his phone and the fact that it wasn't ringing, He described as best he could what the plan was, and that he expected to have her on the road again by early evening. When they had finished their second beers Cassandra waived to the server again. "Check please." She said and when Dean reached for his wallet she shot him a dirty look. "Don't you even think of paying. I invited, I'm paying." She handed her card to the server. "I don't think a woman has ever done that before." He said, grinning. "Color me feminist." She said with a laugh. "I'm all for feminism. I know some really kick ass women. Guess I can add you to that list too." He said. The server brought her card back and she signed the receipt. "Ready to go?" She asked as she put her coat on and grabbed her purse. He was already on his feet and pulling his own coat on. "Thank you Cassandra, for everything." He said as they walked out to the car. "Thank you Dean, for everything you've done. I hope we can continue to be friends after this." He opened her door for her and she got in. He went around to the driver's side and slid behind the wheel turning the key in the ignition and feeling baby come to life. "I had a nice evening. I'm sorry I laid all of that on you though." He said as they headed back toward the bunker. "You needed to talk to someone, that much was obvious. Do you feel better for it?" She asked. He nodded. "I do actually. I can't talk about this stuff with Sam, he wouldn't understand. And he'd make fun of me. Then I'd have to kill him." He said, unable to hide his smile. "Oh, I think your brother understands better than you think he does. You might want to try opening up to him, let him in. He's your brother, not your enemy." She told him as they pulled up in front of the bunker. "Yeah, maybe. I doubt it though." For once he was being honest about his feelings. He really didn't think Sam would be cool with his brother being in love with their former angel. He parked and got out, hurrying around to open her door for her. When she was out he closed the door and they went inside.