Castiel doesn't get the chance to talk to Dean until they're suiting up to go pay the Vamps a visit. Castiel runs out to the car to grab his duffel bag, and he returns to find Jody trying to show Dean how to put on a bulletproof vest, a very amused Sam standing back and watching. He's still not happy about this, but he couldn't get Dean or Jody to back down, so he at least insisted he get the opportunity to stay until it's over. He doesn't say it aloud, but it's clear he just wants to see if Dean comes back alive or in a body bag.

Castiel tries to catch Dean's eye as he walks by, but Dean barely gives him a glance. Okay, so maybe Dean is still mad at him. He just hopes that doesn't jeopardize the mission. Maybe he can make amends somehow before they even run into the Vamps. That would be ideal, though if yesterday is any indication, it's not very likely.

Castiel heads to the bathroom to get changed. He carefully folds his work clothes up and slips them into his duffel bag. He spends a little longer than he cares to admit looking in the mirror. He wishes he could say he's admiring himself, but he's really just noting how much he's changed over the years. What looked good on him at 22 doesn't necessarily look the same at 36. He'd like to think he still passes as a Hunter, but he's not the same man he used to be, that's for sure.

With that, he heads out to see what everyone else is up to. In the time it took for Castiel to get suited up, bulletproof vest included, Dean did the same, and he's now leaning against the wall and talking to his brother. At least they're on good terms.

Castiel drops his duffel bag under his desk and readjusts the holster on his waist. He's ready in every way except emotional. Hopefully that's good enough, because he's out of time to prepare himself.

Dean eyes him up and down from across the room, and Castiel gives him a small, awkward smile. Maybe seeing him in his old Hunter clothes will help mend things just a little bit? Bring back old memories?

Dean purses his lips and walks over to him. Huh. He didn't actually think that was going to work.

"Hey," Castiel says awkwardly, because what else is he supposed to say?

Dean runs a hand through the other man's hair, tousling it a little. He takes a step back, looks him up and down again, then walks away without another word.

Huh.

So that happened.

He's so distracted by that, he doesn't even notice Charlie approaching until they're standing just a few feet in front of him. They glance back at Dean before asking, "What was that about?"

Castiel sighs and shakes his head. "I wish I knew."

Charlie frowns. "I don't understand you two."

"Me neither."

Charlie cracks a smile. "Well, as long as we're on the same page, I don't care that neither of us know what page it is." She eyes his outfit briefly. "You should dress like that more often. It's a look."

"It was a look when I was an edgy 22-year-old," Castiel deadpans. "Not so much anymore."

"I dunno," Charlie says. "I mean, especially the hair..." They let out a low whistle. "Maybe Dean was onto something with that, because the sex hair look really works on you."

Castiel cocks his head to the side. "Thank you?"

Before Castiel gets roped into a conversation about his sex hair (whatever the fuck that means), Jody pulls him aside for a private conversation. He's not sure this is any better than talking about his so-called sex hair, but at least he gets a wide variety of uncomfortable experiences.

"You're sure you want to do this?" Jody asks quietly. "There's still time to back out if you change your mind."

Castiel shakes his head. "As long as Dean is on board, so am I."

Jody frowns. "I know you two have history, but you don't have to do this for him. You don't owe him that."

Castiel cocks his head to the side. "I thought you were good with this. The Vamps are far worse than the Hunters. It's a good trade." Dean for the leader of the Vamps? He'd agree to that any day, even if he wasn't an ex-Hunter.

"I know," she says, "but I talked to Dean's brother, and he seems to think this is far more dangerous than I thought. I just want to know that you're sure about this, and you're not just doing something stupid to help an old flame."

"I'm not doing it to help Dean," Castiel says. "Hell, if I'm being totally honest, I'm not doing it for the good of the city or whatever, either. I have a personal vendetta against the Vamps, and now I have a legal way to get revenge." He gives an exaggeratedly sweet smile.

"You know, I'm not sure that's much better," she remarks. "But if you're sure you know what you're doing, I'm willing to let you go through with it." With a small smile, she adds, "Just try not to get shot, will you? It'll be a lot of paperwork."

Castiel chuckles. "Yes, ma'am."

And that's that.

The next half an hour or so is so boring, it's barely worth mentioning. Jody briefly explains "the plan" (though in reality, "the plan" is just Dean doing whatever the fuck he wants to do and then telling the rest of the cops to come), and the ten or so officers that are coming listen intently. Dean looks as bored as Castiel feels, and Castiel wishes he could subtly make his way over to the man and strike up a separate conversation. It's not like Dean would go for it even if he did, but he still wishes he could.

And then it's time to leave. Charlie is one of the officers on the mission so obviously she and Castiel were going to go together whether Jody specifically told them to or not, but bringing Dean along was not part of that plan. Unfortunately, it's part of Jody's plan, so they don't have much of a choice. It's going to be hard to have one last destresser of a conversation with Dean in the back seat, but it just means Castiel has to come out alive so he and Charlie can say stupid shit together later.

Sam and Dean share a hug before heading over to see Castiel and Charlie. Dean leans against the wall and crosses his arms, his lips pressed into a firm line. Clearly he isn't going to play nice, but his brother is.

"It was nice to see you again, Cas," Sam says. "Good luck out there."

Castiel gives him a small smile. "Thanks, Sam. Hopefully I'll see you in an hour or two."

"You better," he says. "I'm expecting both of you to come back alive. The 'I told you so' thing kind of loses its charm when you're saying it to a dead body."

Castiel chuckles. "I'll do my best."

"And, Dean?" Sam adds, seemingly as an afterthought.

"Mm?" Dean hums.

"Will you stop being a little bitch and talk to the guy?"

Dean punches his shoulder, and Castiel bites back a laugh. And least he and Sam are on the same page, even if Dean's not.

They head out to the car, and Dean slides into the back with no questions asked. He doesn't even raise a single sarcastic remark. He's really going to give Castiel the silent treatment, isn't he? Castiel rolls his eyes as he slides into the passenger side, Charlie taking the driver's seat (of his car which is kind of weird, but it feels like it makes the most sense, what with Castiel getting out before they are).

The first few minutes of the ride are dead silent. Every now and then, Castiel glances over at his partner or in the rearview mirror at Dean. Occasionally Charlie meets his eye and gives him a small reassuring smile, which Castiel returns only as long as she can see it. Meanwhile, Dean doesn't even look at him once. Sometimes he stares out the window; other times his gaze is on his hands, fidgeting in his lap.

It takes a few minutes for Castiel to work up the nerve to break the silence despite knowing there's a good chance he'll get shut down immediately. He turns around in his seat and asks quietly, "Hey, you okay?"

"I'm fine," Dean says, his voice devoid of emotion.

Well, would you look at that? He was right: Dean did shut him down immediately. He stops fidgeting with his hands, too, instead just clasping them in his lap, and it only takes a few seconds for him to look out the window again.

Another minute or two passes before Charlie asks, "Does anyone mind if I play some music?"

Castiel glances in the mirror for Dean's reaction, but he doesn't even acknowledge that. He'd probably rather not listen to Charlie's music, but he must not care too much; he doesn't even make a face. Castiel gives his friend the go-ahead, and they awkwardly fiddle around with their phone, trying to plug it in without taking their eyes off the road for too long. Castiel takes it from them and plugs it in himself. iTunes is still open up her lock screen, so he just hits the play button.

"... this sick beat! My ex man brought his new girlfriend --"

Castiel glances in the mirror again to get a look at Dean's reaction. This time he does make a face, only for a few seconds but long enough for Castiel to see it. Maybe this will finally be what breaks him and forces him to talk.

It does not, in fact, break him and force him to talk.

By the end, there's a small smile on Dean's face, and he's subtly bopping his head to the beat. It takes all Castiel's self-control not to crack a joke about it. That's a surefire way to put him back in a bad mood.

When Dean speaks next, it's entirely of his own volition. They're nearing the agreed-upon spot to drop the two men off, and in their last minute or two in the car, Dean asks, "Hey, redhead, if we get shot or whatever, you're the one telling Jack, right?"

Charlie glances at the rearview mirror. "Why?" She's clearly on her guard, and probably for good reason. Even Castiel can't figure out where he's going with this, and he'd like to think he knows Dean pretty well.

"If I die -- and only if I'm actually dead; not just if I get shot -- can you give him this?" Dean slides an envelope between the two front seats.

Charlie glances down at it. "Depends on what it is."

Dean narrows his eyes. "None of your business; that's what it is."

"Then no, I won't."

Dean glares at them.

"She's not just going to give an unspecified envelope from one Hunter to another," Castiel tells him. "She's a cop, remember? There's a reason you don't like us."

Dean rolls his eyes. "It's just a couple goodbyes, okay? Nothing sketchy or illegal or anything."

Charlie hesitates, then nods. "Fine, I'll be your mail carrier -- but I really don't want to, so you two better not die."

Dean just rolls his eyes again and looks out the window. "This is our stop."

Charlie brings the car to a slow stop and unlocks the door. Castiel hops out, ready to grab the door for Dean, but he opens it himself, sliding out the other side. Okay, so maybe he doesn't need any help.

Castiel looks through the open door at his partner. "I'll see you in a few, okay?"

"I'm holding you to that," Charlie says with a small smile. "Good luck, Cas. Break a leg -- preferably someone else's."

Castiel chuckles. "I think I'd get in a little trouble for that."

"Eh." They wave that off. "Sometimes it's worth it." In a more serious tone, she says, "But, really, Cas, stay safe. Don't do anything stupid. We want the Vamps, but we want you back alive more."

"At this point, it's out of my hands," Castiel says. Odds are, they'll either shoot him on sight (or within the first minute or two of talking to him, which is about the same thing), or he'll make it out without a scratch. What he does doesn't matter too much as long as the Vamps give him a chance.

"And Dean?" Charlie adds, louder this time. She looks around for him, and he knocks on her window to get his attention. She rolls the window down to talk to him. "You're supposed to be a couple, remember? If you keep giving him the silent treatment, you're going to get yourselves killed. Now, I really don't care what happens to you, but I want my partner to come out of this alive."

Dean rolls his eyes (again; how is this not giving him a headache?). "Relax; we'll be so obnoxiously in love, you'll think you're listening to a Hallmark movie."

"Good." Charlie rolls up their window, then gives Castiel one more look. "See you later, Cas."

"See you later, Charles."

Castiel closes the door, and Charlie drives off to find the rest of the cops.

Well, this is it. Time to fib his way to a mass arrest, and hopefully not get shot in the process.