Sophia's head was pounding with exhaustion. She couldn't remember ever feeling this tired in her 24 years! Her sister Kathleen was dying of cancer and the process was near complete. She had been bed ridden for almost 3 weeks now and barley remained conscious. Sophia had barley left her side from the time of her cancer diagnosis 1 year previously.

The sisters had been hunters until it was revealed that Sophia was nephilim and in danger from Lucifer. There was also the fact of Sophia's mother, who was an angel, went rouge and was now in the same league with Lucifer. It was at that point they met Castiel, who was now Sophia's guardian or sorts, as well as Sam and Dean.

It was around that time Sophia met Gabriel and was instantly smitten. The two were inseparable from the moment they met up until the time everything changed. Gabriel, in addition to her lover, started caring for her himself.

Everything was good until their one year anniversary when Gabriel started to be away more and more. He was dedicated to the "angel business" and not much else...Sophia included. He barley called and when he did he seemed distant. She hadn't seen him in over 2 months. With each passing day it seemed their bond was growing weaker and weaker.

"Sophia?"

Sophia was pulled from her thoughts by her sisters weak voice. She quickly stood walking to the bed looking down into her sunken in once vibrant green eyes.

"Do you need something Kathleen? Need some ice? Chap stick? What can I get for you?"

Kathleen smiled squeezing her little sister's small hand. She felt guilty knowing she would soon be leaving the young woman in front of her. From the time that Sophia was a small child Kathleen had cared for her. Sophia's mother wasn't what one would consider a good mother. Ingrid was the kind of angel that could make someone want to choke themselves. Kathleen wasn't even for sure how their father met the woman but after a few months of dating Ingrid was pregnant with Sophia.

"Nothing. Just tell me a story or something."

Sophia stood running a hand through her hair trying to think of anything that could give her sister some comfort. About half way through a story of an orange that wanted to be a banana that would normally have Kathleen laughing there was silence. Sophia turned looking at her sister.

"Kathleen?"

She said her name softly before she walked over realizing her sister wasn't breathing. Her heart plummeted as she felt the tears began to well. A moment later a set of arms went around her waist. She looked up to see Cas. Trembling she wrapped her around around closest friends thankful he was there.

"Its all right Sophia. Let her go."

He said calmly. His voice remained even and calm as he patted her back. Cas wouldn't say it but he knew the passing days would be some of the hardest Sophia would see.

That night when he was able to get Sophia calm enough and put her to sleep, Cas walked outside dialing Gabriel's number. He stood listening to the dial tone until he heard his brother's voice.

"Hello?"

Cas could tell Gabriel was annoyed by the tone in his voice.

"It's Castiel...Kathleen died today."

Gabriel was quiet for a moment.

"How's Sophia?"

Cas sighed running a hand through his hair.

"She needs you."

Gabriel didn't wait a moment to respond.

"I don't have the time."

Cas felt his mouth drop at Gabriel's cold tone. This wasn't like his brother! Gabriel was the kind of boyfriend that would typically drop whatever he was doing if Sophia made a squeak. Gabriel and Sophia barley let go of each other when they were together. If Sophia wasn't on Gabriel's lap or locked to his side they were touching in some way.

"Gabriel your soulmate needs you. Stop being a dick and come home!"

Cas said coldly before hanging up.

Two mornings later was Kathleen's funeral. Cas walked out of his room dressed in a new black suite Sophia had picked up for him. Walking through the hall he heard a small sob coming from Sophia's room.

With a frown he walked in seeing Sophia sitting on the bed clutching Gabriel's pillow. She looked up with heartbroken eyes.

"I thought he would come."

Cas sighed sitting down on the bed looking at Sophia.

"He knows. I called and told him. I'm sure he wants to be here."

Sophia shook her head rolling her eyes.

"I don't know how much longer it will go on Cas. Gabriel and I. Whenever we are together now he always seems to be plotting his next chance to get away. It's like his eye is always on the door."

Cas looked down at his lap. He wished he could have told her that she was worrying over nothing but he couldn't. As a brother, Cas was worried Gabriel was going to get himself killed.

"He does love you. The first thing he asked about was you."

Sophia sighed pressing her face further into Gabriel's pillow. His scent was fading and it was making her heart feel even worse. The only good part when Gabriel was home he would still lay in bed with her. It was the only thing that was normal.

Their sex life had even taken a major hit. When they did make love it seemed Gabriel was just waiting to come. He didn't seem to put his heart in it like he used to. They used to make love multiple times a day and sometimes all night. Sophia had a time adjusting to his angel stamina. When she did things got even hotter for them.

"We should get going."

Cas said pulling Sophia from her thoughts. He really didn't want to sit listening to his friends sexual thoughts about his brother.

Sitting in the funeral parlor was the most miserable Sophia had ever felt. She hadn't even got up to look at her sister. That wasn't the way Sophia wanted Kathleen. She wanted to remember Kathleen as the beautiful red head with the most beautiful smile in the world. Sophia didn't want to remember her dying and becoming a literal skeleton from the cancer drugs.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she felt Dean shift in the bench beside her. He slowly reached over putting his arm around her shoulder hoping to provide some comfort.

"Thanks Dean."

She whispered softly. Dean nodded with a smile. Sophia was thankful that Dean kept his arm around her. The physical contact was almost heavenly.

Gabriel meanwhile, walked into the funeral parlor feeling annoyed. Arriving back at the bunker to see no one there and receiving no information about the service was a little frustrating. He had been trying to contact Casitel and Sophia all morning but wasn't unable to get a hold of anyone.

Looking around the room Gabriel didn't let his eyes go to the coffin. That was the last thing that he wanted to see. His eyes stopped when he finally spotted Sophia sitting on the front bench in between Cas and Dean. He growled seeing Dean's arm around his lover's shoulders. The logical side of him figured Dean was trying to be a comfort but the soul mate in him was going ape shit over some man...some mortal...touching his girl.

Sophia meanwhile, was busy starring at the ground in front of her.

"Sophia."

Her head snapped up hearing that voice. Sophia's mouth dropped seeing Gabriel standing there. She continued to look at her boyfriend for a moment before quickly standing up and wrapping her arms around his shoulders. Gabriel gave Dean a small glare as he tightened his hold on Sophia who was busy snuggling against his chest.

"Don't even think about it big boy."

Gabriel said coldly into Dean's mind. Dean blinked looking a little shocked before frowning.

"You're acting like a total archangel. I kind of like you better as trickster. You were a douche then but you are more of one now. I don't blame Sophia for having it up to here with you."

Gabriel didn't respond to that. The last line hit him hard for some reason. He knew that his and Sophia's problems were his fault. It bugged him however, that Dean Winchester realized it too.

"Come sugar sit down."

Gabriel whispered softly. Sophia didn't fight Gabriel as she sat down snuggling into his side. Through her tears she didn't see Gabriel shoot Dean a jealous glare as he tightened his arm around her.

Getting home after the funeral, Gabriel immediately took Sophia to their room helping her get out of the funeral dress she wore.

"How long will you be home?"

She asked softly. He didn't notice the desperation in her voice. He didn't notice the way she was looking at him with pleading eyes begging him to stay home with her. This whole acting like an archangel thing he was doing wasn't the Gabriel she fell in love with. She missed the Gabriel that would make roses appear out of nowhere or hold her down tickling her sides until she begged him for mercy. Most of all she missed the joy in his eyes and that little eye brow wiggle he would do that got him anything he wanted from her.

"I don't know. I have to worry about keeping you safe Sophia."

Sophia sighed feeling the anger beginning to rise.

"That's what you always say."

Gabriel turned looking at her with wide annoyed eyes.

"Its what I am doing sugar. If Michael gets a hold of you its all over. He will kill you. You know he thinks nephilim are scum."

Sophia groaned as she turned to get in bed.

"Cas has it warded. Gabriel I miss you. The real you...the you I know...this new you sucks. I never see you. You won't call me anymore. When you are hear your first thought is to get away from me! I can't even remember the last time you touched me."

Gabriel looked furious.

"You're wrong on everything! I have to focus on the task at hand Sophia. If I sit here and think about how much I miss that tight little pussy of yours I would have been dead a long time ago. Just go to bed."

Gabriel grumbled before turning and storming from the room without another word. He knew she didn't deserve the venom and shade he just threw at her. Sophia deserved none of that and he was appalled at his behavior. This wasn't him! He was acting like Michael at the moment or worse off acting like Raphael. This was the way they would have reacted. In the right mind, Gabriel would have gone to Sophia and cuddled her until she knew everything was fine again.

Sophia meanwhile, stood beside the bed looking at the place Gabriel stood with wide shocked eyes. She was angry and wanted to cry. The last thing she would do was give Gabriel the satisfaction of knowing he caused her tears.

She picked up a vase that was on her night stand chucking it at the door as hard as possible. When it smashed into a million tiny pieces Sophia felt some relief.

"Broken...just like our stupid bond."