It had been about six months since Sam went into the hole with Lucifer. Those were six long, long months for Dean. Dean stayed with Lisa and Ben like he had promised Sam. A promise that then hadn't seemed so hard. He really liked Lisa and Ben after all. But lately, he was starting to realize that he and Lisa just weren't meant to be. But he made a promise. A promise that he just wasn't ready to break. Especially since he had no idea what he would do without something stable in his life. He gave up hunting, which was all fine and dandy, but he needed something to replace it. For now, Lisa and Ben did that. And that was how it was going to stay. He would make sure of it.

But no one can predict the future. Especially a person who is just living because of a promise to a brother who is currently in a box in Hell. This is where our story begins.

It's December 1st, and Lisa is dragging Dean to a karaoke club that opened a month ago that was getting rave reviews thanks to a customer, who can really sing, who usually sings there three times a week. Dean is still sitting in Lisa's SUV when a knock comes on the window.

"Are you coming or what?" asks Lisa who is a little annoyed since it is only 4 degrees out and she is freezing. Dean nods and gets out of the car. Lisa can see that Dean is lost in thought and knows it's about Sam. She wants to ask if he wants to talk about it, but she knows he will either get upset or clam up and she doesn't want either.

"Sorry," says Dean as he gives her a small strained smile.

Lisa gives him an appraising look before she smiles back and they head into the club. It's a Thursday night and the club is packed. Luckily there was one table left for the couple to sit in, however, it was right in front next to the stage. Unknown to Dean, it was saved just for him.

"Nice place they got here," states Dean as he sits down. "Wish we didn't have to sit upfront though."

"Stop complaining Dean. At least we got a table. Have you seen the place? It's packed."

Dean could tell that Lisa was getting irritated with him. So after they ordered their drinks, he put on an act for her and became the best boyfriend. An act which he plays a lot without her knowing in order to avoid a fight or her asking what's bothering him.

After a few drinks and few songs, Dean was starting to get really bored. He couldn't believe that some of these people would even attempt to get on stage. They were horrible. Some even tried to dance, which made Dean snort in his drink and got him a glare from Lisa.

He was going to ask Lisa if they could go, but before he could she said, "I'm going to go call Ben and check in."

Dean said, "Okay," as she walked away. He sighed and stared at his drink while the couple on the stage tried singing what he assumed was supposed to be Madonna's 'Don't Go Breaking My Heart'. It was hard to tell with how terrible they were. The only reason he knew the song was because of Sam having a crush on her in high school. Dean smiled at the memory. Dean was so lost in thought that he didn't even notice that someone sat down.

"Hello Dean," said a very familiar gravelly voice.

Dean's head shot up and Dean came face to face with a nerdy angel. "Cas?" Castiel nodded. "What are you doing here? Is everything alright?" Cas starred at him with his piercing blue eyes that Dean knew were looking into his mind even though Cas knew Dean didn't like it.

Cas tilted his head in his usual why when he is curious or doesn't understand something. "You actually want something to be wrong. Why?"

Dean thought about lying to the angel, but quickly changed his mind and said the truth. "I don't think I can handle this boring life much longer. I'm a hunter and I need something to hunt. I know I promised Sammy I would give it up, but I don't think I can much longer. There is no sense of adventure in the life like there is with hunting. True I don't miss the motels, but I miss everything else. Especially Sam." Cas could see that Dean was using all of his strength not to break down right down. "Why are you here Cas?" asked Dean to provide a distraction.

"I have a job for you."

Dean looked at him bewildered. "A hunt?"

"No," stated Cas plainly.

"Well, would you mind telling me what it is then? I haven't got all night. Lisa should be back momentarily."

"Of course. Please forgive me. Heaven is giving you a charge to protect and watch over."

"What? Why would I do anything for Heaven after what happened?" Dean was getting clearly angry by this.

"It's not so much for Heaven and it is for Gabriel. But Heaven does need him protected as well. Bad things would happen if Demon's found him Dean."

Dean took a second to absorb what Cas had said. "Wait. Gabriel? As in the Arc Angel that died at Motel Hell? He's back?"

"Yes. Since Michael is in the cage with Lucifer, Father brought him back to be in charge."

"Son of a bitch," said Dean as he whipped his hands over his face. "Why doesn't Gabriel just watch him if he wants him safe so bad? Or why not you? Why me?"

"Gabriel cannot keep him protected and run Heaven Dean. As for the rest, I don't know. He seemed very adamant that you were to be the one to do it."

"Great. That's just great. You know I would rather hunt something down than play babysitter."

"I'm sorry Dean. Truly. But this is out of my hands?"

"Since when did you start playing Heaven's bitch again anyways?" asked Dean with genuine curiosity.

"Gabriel is much better than Michael. Plus you might say that I have been given a promotion." Cas said that last part with a slight smile.

"Congrats man. That's great news," said Dean slapping Cas' back.

"Thank you Dean. But you must do this Dean. Please."

Dean could see that he had no way out of this. "Fine. What do I have to do?"

"Just sit here," said Cas plainly.

"You want me to just sit here?"

"Yes."

"Why the fuck would I just sit here if I am to protect someone? Who are they? Where are they? Why are you telling me to 'Just sit here'?"

"Your charge is here Dean. Gabriel didn't tell me who it is. He just said that you would know when you saw them and that you would be drawn to them. That was all that he told me."

"Figures. He always was a dick who couldn't just say what he wanted," Dean said as he remembered the TV show fiasco.

Before Dean could say anything else, he heard a light sound of wings and new that Cas was gone and he was once again alone. How he got away without anyone in this packed club seeing was beyond him.