Prison Break (Sequel to "Wanted")

Epilogue

Castiel answers a lot of questions that night. Even ignoring the reporters, he has a lot of people to answer to — a lot of people who would usually answer to him, had the situation been different. He's not sure how to feel about that. As it is, he doesn't feel anything.

He doesn't get to be alone with Charlie until early the next morning. They lean against the roof of their rental car, silence hanging thick in the air. It's an uncomfortable silence, but not one Castiel wants to be broken, either.

It takes a few minutes for Charlie to finally speak, and when she does, it's to ask how he's doing.

"Fine," Castiel says, because what else can he say?

"It's finally over," Charlie says. "How does that feel?"

Castiel lets out a long breath. "I don't know."

Charlie glances over at him, and Castiel stares straight ahead, purposely avoiding her gaze. He can't do this right now. He just... he can't.

"He kissed you," Charlie says.

No one's pointed that out yet. No one's asked a single question about it. He's half-convinced Charlie told Officer Esposito to keep that little piece of information to himself, and he appreciates it. He doesn't want to know what people would have asked him if they had known.

Sensing that he's not going to remark on that, Charlie asks, "Are you okay? You know, from that?"

Castiel closes his eyes, and he can feel the kiss lingering on his lips. He knows she's asking because she's afraid he feels violated. He probably should. But, really, he just feels confused. He wishes he had more time to sort through everything before Dean decided to...

Castiel shakes his head as if he can shake the thought out. "I think it's time to go to bed."

He's acutely aware of her gaze on him as he walks away, but he doesn't care. He doesn't care about anything. He just feels so numb. This is a case he's been working on and off for over a decade, through highs and lows — most notably the latter; he can't help but think of his little sister — and it's finally over. Permanently. How is he supposed to move on now?

~~

Michael is waiting as Charlie and Castiel get off the plane, just as he said he would be. Castiel had tried to change his mind, but clearly, it didn't work. He does his best not to show that he's disappointed. He'd hoped he could be alone, at least until he got home and had to deal with his sister, but he knows Michael wants to check up on him. If Michael had been in the same situation and proceeded to ignore all his calls, Castiel would be concerned, too.

"Cas, you're here," Michael says softly, running up and pulling him into a protective hug.

Castiel doesn't hug him back, and Michael must realize it because he lets go.

"Are you okay?" Michael asks.

"I'm fine," Castiel says, his voice monotonous.

"Are you sure?" Michael asks. "I heard what happened; that he --"

"I'm fine," Castiel repeats, more forcefully this time.

"It was a lot to process," Charlie says. "You might want to give him a while."

Michael frowns, but he listens nonetheless. He and Charlie talk as they make their way out front, where there should be two limos waiting for them. At the airport, no one bats an eye at a limo picking people up, but Castiel has to admit, he's sort of surprised Michael didn't take his posse of security guards just in case someone recognized him and had some choice words (or actions) for him.