Dean followed Sam out, grumbling. Even though the new clothes were marginally more comfortable.

"Good, now we can head out again." Kyra nodded her satisfaction.

"Right," Runa said. "Let's go. We'll find somewhere safe to hole up for the night, try to get a hold of Castiel again, see if we can't figure this out."

Kyra nodded and headed out to the car. Dean dumped the bag in the back seat as 'he' slid in, still refusing to let anyone else drive his baby.

Sam did the same, getting into the front seat next to Dean. Runa just moved the clothes to the floor and got in as well, keeping an eye on the two.

Dean drove until after dark, and then he got off at the next town and got two rooms for them.

"I haven't heard anything on angel radio yet," Kyra murmured to Runa. "No sign of Castiel, either."

"Then we may have to get creative to get some angelic attention," Runa murmured back. "I'll look after Dean, you look after Sam, we'll let each other know if something happens."

"Sounds good." Kyra nodded and took the keys for one room, ushering Sam over and inside. She didn't really want to call Gabriel, but she would if Castiel didn't show up soon.

Runa took the other key and steered Dean into the second room.

"Settle in," she said. "We're in for the night. We need to see if we can get a hold of your angel-crush, see if he knows what's going on."

Dean nodded rather reluctantly but went to go take 'his' boots off and get settled in. Internally, though, he was praying/shouting for Castiel to get down there and figure things out.

Dean was wearing the expression that said 'he' was praying to Cas, so Runa didn't bother interrupting. Instead she just tossed an old tee over and changed into a second one herself, getting comfortable for the night.

As soon as they were in the room, Sam promptly turned on 'his' laptop and started skimming for jobs. At the moment, it was the only thing that seemed to make sense, and it was familiar.

Kyra left him alone, letting him do what he wanted as she went to go take a shower and get ready to settle in for the night.

When Dean didn't get a response, 'he' growled and muttered under his breath.

"Still no answer?" Runa asked. She frowned a bit. "That's odd, knowing what I do about the two of you."

"He's probably busy," Dean muttered, turning on the TV. "It's happened before." Not often, but it had happened.

"Too busy to at least check in when you're howling at the top of your spiritual lungs for him?" Runa pointed out. She shook her head a bit. "We'll see what happens. For now, there's not much else we can do."

Dean nodded and settled in grumpily.

It took a few days for Cas to reply. A few, very long days, during which time there were no hunts and all of them got rather frazzled and on edge.

And then, fortunately, Cas showed up in their hotel room one night, holding Gabriel like a scruffed kitten.

"I found the source of this mischief."

Runa blinked.

"Well, that explains why you were busy," she said.

"You have no sense of humor, little brother," Gabriel said, glancing at Cas. "Really. And that's a shame."

Cas dropped him to his feet again. "You have caused no shortage of concern for these two. Again," he said. "Turn them back, Gabriel."

"I thought you'd have been all over it, Cas," Gabriel commented as he brushed himself off. "I mean, honestly, it was for your benefit."

"For my benefit?" Cas sounded incredulous, turning to look at his brother. "How exactly was this for my benefit?"

"I thought you would have gotten the hint already, little brother," Gabriel said. "I mean, it's obvious to everyone else how into each other the two of you are, and honestly, Cas, you've got some serious stress to work off." He glanced from Cas to Dean and back again, and waggled his eyebrows a bit.

"Gabriel..." Cas felt like strangling him a little bit, but he didn't. Yet. "Your interference has not improved matters any, now kindly change them back."

"Well, whose fault is that?" Gabriel asked. Rolling his eyes, he walked over and touched Sam and Dean both on the forehead and released the trick magic. "Happy now?"

"Yes." Cas checked for himself that Sam and Dean (but mainly Dean) were both fine before he turned his attention to Gabriel again, clearly expecting the Archangel to just poof off again somewhere, like normal.

Gabriel raised an eyebrow.

"What now?" he asked. "I put them back, even though I still think you should have jumped on the opportunity. What else do you want?"

"You haven't left yet." Cas sounded faintly surprised. "Normally you are quick to leave."