With your legs tucked underneath you, you continued to stare out the window of the Impala, watching as trees and buildings sped past you, nothing but a blur. Your mind a million miles away as you thought about what lay ahead. If your parents were still alive, and whether you cared if they were dead.

Truthfully, that part of you was numb. Your parents had treated you so horribly, that you weren't sure if you wanted them back or not. Sure, they were your parents, and you should love them no matter what. But this might be the break you were looking for. Feeling horrible for thinking that way, you quickly brushed away a spare tear, amazed that even after everything you had gone through you could still cry.

"You okay back there Y/N?" Dean asked in the falling darkness, and you nodded. You knew he couldn't see your tear, but he might hear the break in your voice if you tried answering. "Well, we're almost to another town. We can stop there for the night, start again in the morning. I think everyone could use a good night's sleep."

"Sounds good." You whispered, keeping your voice calm.

"Then maybe we can order pizza. I've got a six pack in the cooler. We can relax and reminisce about old times." He continued, and you gave him a small smile. It sounded fun, it really did. But your past five plus years without them had been nothing close to interesting.

"Oh, and we might have a friend stop by." Sam spoke up.

"A friend?" You questioned, your anxiety picking up a little. You weren't used to be around so many people. Your parents had left you pretty much on your own, so being around more than just Sam and Dean was a little nerve wracking.

"He's funny. I won't tell you more until you meet him." Was all Dean said as the city lights came into view. Watching as you pulled into another small town, in front of another run down motel room.

"One room? Or two?" Sam asked as he slowly stood up from the car, stretching his long legs.

A part of you to say yes. To fall in to your own routine of spending the nights with Sam and Dean. Staying up late, eating junk food and trading stories. It had been the best part of your pitiful life, and you wanted to return to that in the worst way possible. A life that you had never dreamed of happening once again. Actually, a part of you was amazed that you were still alive, that your parents hadn't finished you off by now.

"I'd like my own room please." You said softly, missing the unspoken comment from the brothers over your head.

"Okay. We can do that." Sam said softly, before making his way to the lobby.

Reaching for your bag, Dean grasped your wrist, and you tensed up immediately. Sure, your heart knew that Dean wasn't one to beat you, but you were so ingrained to fear any touch that it was habit by now.

"Damn it Y/N." Dean muttered, and you glanced down to see the sleeve of your flannel had ridden up, showing the fingerprint bruises on your wrist.

"Dean..." You started, ready to apologize.

"Got it!" Sam exclaimed, coming back with two keys in his hand, breaking up the tense moment between you and Dean. Grateful, you reached down, grabbing your bag from the trunk before hurrying to Sam's side.

Raising an eyebrow at you, Dean let the moment pass, but you knew he wouldn't forget about it. Grabbing your key from Sam, you made your way to your room. "Meet in our room, say in fifteen minutes?" Dean yelled from behind you.

Giving him a thumbs up, you opened the door to your room, stepping inside and locking it behind you. With a sigh, you placed your bag on the table, heading into the bathroom. Staring at yourself in the mirror, you could see a little color coming back into your cheeks. Not much, but enough to show that you had been out in the sun, actually laughing and living a little.

After rinsing your face in the sink, you gradually made your way back into your room, shrieking when you saw a strange man standing there, staring out the window. "Y/N, I presume." He said in a gravelly voice, turning and staring your way with piercing blue eyes.

"And you are?" You questioned, your only weapon, a knife, hidden in the pocket of your bag, far from your grasp.

"Castiel. Didn't Sam and Dean tell you I was coming?" He asked, still looking at you as if he could read deep into your soul.

Relaxing a little bit, you nodded. "They said something about a friend. I just expected you to show up in their room. Not mine."

"Apologies." He answered, taking a step forward, but he was still unknown, and you quickly took a step backwards. "As an Angel, I sometimes forget that humans can be a little skittish." He conversed, as if he was talking about a baseball game. Not the fact that he was an Angel.

"You're an angel?" You breathed out, and he nodded.

"Yes. But Y/N, I am so sorry to hear what you've been through. Nobody should have to go through the horror you've had to endure. I can still sense hope and forgiveness in you. You are a strong woman." He told you, and you just stared at him as a knock sounded on your door.

"Y/N, are you okay in there?" Dean called out. "We thought we heard a commotion."

"Yeah, I just met your friend!" You called back before looking at Castiel. "I know we don't really know each other. And I don't know how you know that much about me. But can you please keep it to yourself for now? I really don't want Sam and Dean finding out!"

"They want to help you. I know Dean's been missing you for a long time. But I will keep it a secret for now." He agreed, right before you opened the door.

"Pizzas here." Dean exclaimed, holding a couple of steaming boxes in his hands. "Cas, man it's good to see you!" Dean patted his friend on the shoulder before the three of you made your way to the brother's room.

"Hey Y/N, I see you've met Cas. Sorry we didn't warn you, but he's a little awkward." Sam said from his spot at the table, his laptop in front of him.

"I guess that's what being an Angel does to you." You blurted out, a shy smile on your face when Dean threw his head back and started laughing heartily.

"Damn Y/N, I've missed you." He told you once he had calmed down a little. His forest green eyes stared at you, full of an emotion you weren't ready to think about yet.

"I've missed you guys too. And this." You answered, swinging your arm around the room. "Being with you guys. I missed that so much."

"Well, we're together now." Dean replied, sliding his arm over your shoulder, and you had to control the shiver that went through you. "And we're going to make sure it stays that way. I'm sure your parents won't mind."