Prison Break (Sequel to "Wanted")

Chapter 20

It takes a while, but the police find them eventually. Dean must see them first — he's facing that way, after all — but he doesn't acknowledge them. It's not until Castiel sees the flashing lights out of the corner of his eye that he realizes they're not alone.

"Alright, let's go." Castiel pushes himself to his feet and offers Dean a hand up, which he takes without hesitation. At least the guy is ready to go. Most criminals aren't.

"Well, it was fun while it lasted," Dean says.

"Put your hands up!"

Castiel fights the urge to roll his eyes. He gets it — this is a local cop (and apparently a chauffeur; Charlie gets out of the car with him) and he's following protocol. But Dean is cooperating; Castiel knows him well enough to know that he's not going to fight back. He didn't last time.

Dean eyes the gun that the cop is pointing at him. "Is that really necessary?"

"Yes," Charlie says simply.

"Ironic, coming from the one without the gun, but I'll accept it," Dean remarks. "So, how's this gonna go?"

"You're gonna come here, and I'm gonna cuff you," Charlie says. "Our new friend, Officer Esposito, is going to keep that gun trained on you the whole time, but he's not going to use it if you don't make him."

"Alright, awesome," Dean says. "What are the seating arrangements?" He claps his hands together like an overexcited child "Do I get to sit with Cas? I hope I get to sit with Cas."

Castiel puts a hand on his back. "Sure, but first, cuffs."

Dean scoffs. "Oh, come on, I knew they wouldn't trust me but I'd at least hoped you would."

Castiel shrugs. "Them's the rules. Come on."

Dean heaves a dramatic sigh, but when Castiel gently pushes him forward, he goes ahead with no hesitation. Castiel keeps his hand on Dean's back as they close the distance from the bar to the car, guiding him and making sure he doesn't try to make a run for it. It's not that he thinks the guy would get away; he just doesn't want him to get shot.

It feels like forever, though logically, Castiel knows it only takes a few seconds to reach the car. Dean stops right in front of the cop, his hands still next to his head, and Charlie comes around with the cuffs. Castiel keeps his hand on Dean's back, though at this point, it's clear that he's going to follow along. Castiel had already suspected it, but it helps to know for sure —

In one swift movement, Dean swipes the gun from the cop and backs away, pulling Castiel back with him. He wraps an arm around Castiel's neck, not to choke him but to hold him securely, and Castiel feels every muscle in his body tense.

"Move and I shoot," Dean growls.

Castiel swallows hard. He really didn't see this one coming. He'd been so sure when he saw Dean cooperating, especially after last time... but then again, last time he was under the impression that prison might be a nice change of pace. Now that he's broken out, Castiel should have known he wouldn't accept that they'd try to throw him back in.

Castiel's not sure whether he thinks Dean would actually hurt him. He's a serial killer, but he's also taken a special interest in Castiel since the beginning, and he's not sure he sees Dean giving that up. But if his freedom is on the line...

He's too wary to turn his head, but out of the corner of his eye, he sees the gun trained on him, just inches from his head. It's hard to imagine he's bluffing right now.

"Drop the weapon," Officer Esposito says firmly.

"Literally why?" Dean asks. "I'm the one with the gun, remember? I'm the one that makes the rules."

"Dean," Castiel says softly, a quiet warning. Dean just tightens his hold.

"Okay." Charlie puts her hands up, and, after a brief nudge from her foot, Officer Esposito does, too. "Okay, you've got us. What do you want?"

"Well, first of all, I want you to drop the cuffs," Dean says.

Charlie drops them without a word.

"Good," Dean says. "And now..." He trails off.

Castiel tries to look at him, but he can't do it without moving, and when he tries, Dean just tightens his grip even more. He can't see Dean's face, but he can hear it in his voice that he's really starting to piece together that this is the end of the line.

"You know," Dean says with a dry chuckle, "all I wanted was to make drinks. I wasn't hurting anybody — not in any way they didn't ask for, at least. But I'm beginning to realize that was never going to work out."

Castiel waits for Charlie or Officer Esposito to say something, but they both seem to be at a loss for words, so it's Castiel's turn.

"You can't run from your past, Dean," Castiel says quietly. "I'm sorry."

Dean doesn't react to that for a few moments, and Castiel briefly begins to wonder if he said the wrong thing. He's fully aware that he's at Dean's mercy right now; if he messes up, it could cost him his life. But Dean doesn't shoot him, so he thinks he's okay — for now.

Finally, Dean sighs. "You're right." He drops his arm, and Castiel is free.

Now that he can finally look at the man, he can see the broken expression he wears. He's been running for so long; he's not ready to stop. Castiel can't blame him; he wouldn't want to go wherever they're going to throw him, either.

Castiel holds out his hand gingerly. "Can I have it?"

Dean looks down at the gun, and he clearly knows what Castiel means. After a few moments of deliberation, Dean raises his gaze to meet the other man's.

"Thank you," he says. "For everything."

"Dean..."

Dean cups Castiel's face in his free hand and presses a gentle kiss to his lips. Castiel barely has time to process it before Dean takes a step away.

"Dean — Castiel says again.

Dean puts the gun to his head and pulls the trigger.