Castiel straightens his shoulders, settling in to what for an angel approximates 'parade rest.'

The stance is somewhat at odds with his ruffled appearance.

"It is Dean," he says, businesslike and without preamble.

There is little room for small talk in the chain of command. Not at times like this.

"He is not, as yet, showing any signs of recovery."

"And.......I do not know what to do."

He looks a bit ashamed of this fact.