Unknown Number
Chapter 2

see Chapter 1 for author's notes


Dean parked and jumped out of the Impala, forcing himself to not slam the door in his hurry. Just because he was running late was no reason to treat his baby with disrespect. He chewed on his lip as he crossed the Roadhouse parking lot; he had intended to get here early and take a few minutes to relax before Cas arrived. Now, he was ten minutes late and already stressed. He paused outside the door to take a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. "It's just a date, Winchester. You've got this," he whispered to himself.

He stepped into the restaurant, finding some comfort in the familiar atmosphere. He scanned the small crowd, looking for anyone who could be Castiel, finding a handful of regulars and a group of college kids near the pool tables getting a head start on whatever they were celebrating this Friday night. He had just spied a lone, dark-haired man sitting in his regular booth with his back to the door when Jo popped up in his face with an excited smile.

"Hey, Dean!" She gave him a quick hug and bounced back, smirking. "So, your hottie got here a few minutes ago. I went ahead and put him at your favorite table."

He rolled his eyes at his honorary sister's needling. "I do not have a fav... Wait. Okay. He's hot?"

She nodded. "Yup."

Dean's eyes flicked to what he could see of the back of Castiel's head. "How hot?"

"Pretty damn. You know, for an old guy," she winked. Dean groaned. It had been over 15 years since Dean had been the object of a pre-teen Jo's first crush. His 16-year-old self had thought it easiest to let her down with 'You're too young for me.' She hadn't let him forget it since, especially once his age could be measured in quarter-centuries, at which point he'd officially earned the nickname 'Old Man' when she wanted to be particularly annoying.

"You're such a brat," he muttered. Her laughter followed him as he made his way back to the booth.

Castiel looked up as he approached. Dean slid into the opposite seat on auto-pilot, struck silent by exactly how 'hot' Cas was. Fucking gorgeous was a much better description, Dean thought, as he studied the man sitting in front of him. Thick, dark hair - either artfully mussed or entirely out of control - framed a strong, open face, full lips, and the bluest eyes Dean had ever seen. It was not at all what Dean had expected from a self-described 'socially inept' accountant. No, Dean thought Castiel was much better described as a model; better yet, a movie star, Dean decided when Castiel smiled in greeting. No way would still photos do justice to the light in his eyes, the way his whole face gave over to the smile. Dean flushed when he realized he still hadn't said anything.

"Hey, Cas," he finally said, forcing his words past an embarrassed mumble.

"Dean, it is very good to see you." Cas' smile softened, but he returned Dean's gaze with intensity, his eyes scanning Dean's face with interest.

"Hey, beer!" Dean finally noticed the two glasses already on the table. He grabbed the one in front of him and took a quick sip, just enough to chase the dryness from his mouth.

"Sorry I'm late," he said.

"That's fine, Dean. It wasn't long. And your friend, Jo, kept me company for most of it."

Dean groaned and looked over to the blonde standing by the bar, not even trying to hide her grin as she watched them. "I'll bet she did."

Castiel laughed at Dean's grumpy tone. "She didn't have time to tell me any embarrassing stories, if that's what you're worried about."

"The night is young," Dean lamented, wondering why exactly he had thought it would be a good idea to bring Cas here for their first in-person date.

"So, I hope whatever kept you wasn't serious."

"Nah," Dean shook his head. "My brother and his wife are expecting a baby in a couple of months. Jess had a prenatal appointment today, but something came up with one of Sammy's cases, and he couldn't get away to go with her."

"Well, it's lucky you were available."

"It's family, man." Dean shrugged nonchalantly, but he couldn't suppress the grin that always seemed to emerge whenever he thought about the impending new Winchester. Today's visit had been entirely routine, and Jess was entirely capable of handling it by herself, but Dean suspected that she and Sam were going out of their way to make sure he was as involved as possible.

"Anyway, the doc was running late, and then I wanted to make sure Jess was settled afterwards, because it sounds like Sam may be pulling an all-nighter."

Jo sidled up to the table just then, order pad in hand. "All right, fellas, what'll it be?"

Dean threw her an impatient look.

"Okay, the usual for Dean." She rolled her eyes, then looked at Castiel. "And for you, handsome?"

"The same," Castiel answered. Before Jo could question the order, Cas explained, "Dean has waxed poetic on the food here more than once, so I am fairly well-acquainted with his order."

"Nice to know you're drumming up business for us, Dean!" Jo laughed as she headed back to the bar to put their order.

Dean nodded seriously at Cas. "Just wait. It's gonna be everything I said."

Castiel's voice dropped, and he leaned over the table, staring directly at Dean. "Oh, I believe you. And I have really been looking forward to this." He took a deep pull off his beer. Dean couldn't stop watching Cas' tongue trace his lips to pick up any residual traces of the drink. His heartbeat picked up, and he swallowed nervously, reaching for his beer. The thrill of arousal simmering in his blood was both welcome and frightening. It had been a long time since he felt like this.

Castiel couldn't resist allowing his tongue to linger on his lips an extra moment, enjoying the way Dean's eyes followed the movement. It was almost unbelievable that the man with whom he had accidentally initiated a friendship could not only be drop-dead gorgeous, but could find Castiel attractive as well. However, the heat in Dean's gaze left little room for interpretation.

Dean suddenly flushed and pointedly looked away. "So," he said, forcing his eyes back to Castiel's, "Are we saying this is a first date?"

"Isn't it?" Castiel tilted his head slightly as he considered the question. "We haven't dated before."

Dean shrugged, twisting his beer bottle in controlled half circles on the table. "We've had some text dates, kinda."

"Well, that's true. But I would like to treat this as our first official date."

"Why?"

It was Castiel's turn to shrug. "I guess I'd like to avail myself of the full Dean Winchester first date experience. After all, we kind of just fell into our texting "date" last weekend." Castiel lowered his hands quickly as he heard Gabriel's voice in his head - 'Air quotes, Cassie? Really? What are you, a fifth-grade girl?' He winced, but Dean didn't seem to notice.

"Okay, the Dean Winchester first date experience. Let me search my memory," he said drily. "It's been a while."

"Really? I have to say that I'm a little surprised to hear that. I would think that you'd have no shortage of dates."

Dean shifted awkwardly and gave a forced-sounding laugh. "Yeah, well, don't let these rugged good looks fool you. I'm actually a real ass."

A shadow crossed Dean's face as he spoke, and Castiel was tempted to argue the point. He'd only known Dean for a week, yet he was quite certain that the man was kind and caring and loyal to a fault. But even Castiel could recognize Dean's very unsubtle redirection for what it was. No discussion of dating history tonight: check. He searched his mind for a new topic.

"Occupations are a typical first date discussion point, yes?"

The forced mirth in Dean's eyes softened into something more genuine. "Yeah, but Cas, I already told you what I do -"

"First date, Dean." Cas raised an eyebrow, and Dean sat back, hands lifted in surrender.

"Okay, occupations it is."

"So, Dean," Castiel began earnestly. Dean choked back a laugh, but quickly schooled his expression when Cas narrowed his eyes. "So, you're a police officer?"

"Yep, since college."

"I would imagine that it's probably not as exciting as the make it out on TV."

Dean made a face. "Not really, no. Mostly just keeping people out of places they're not supposed to be, investigating when little old ladies hear raccoons knock over their garbage cans."

Castiel nodded, waiting to see if Dean had anything to add. He wasn't very surprised when Dean redirected the conversation back to Castiel.

"And you're an accountant. Is that ... ?" Dean gestured toward Cas with his beer.

"Exactly as boring as you'd think," Cas answered with a sheepish grin.

"So why do you do it?"

Castiel sipped his beer, thinking. Most people didn't ask about the why; once they knew the what, they were just anxious to move along to a more exciting topic. "Well, I was always good at math. And frankly, when they said 'Pick a major,' it was first on the list, alphabetically." He shrugged. "It pays the bills.

"But you, I find it hard to believe that you don't any exciting stories, Dean."

"I guess there might be one or two," Dean grudgingly admitted.

"Say, maybe one involving rescuing a young boy from drowning in the lake?"

Dean blinked. "Wha... Cas, did you google me?"

Cas gave an apologetic smile. "I did. I'm sorry."

"Nah, man. That's pretty smart." Dean nodded in approval.

"I mean, you were just this stranger I met accidentally on the phone. And just because you had an incredibly sexy voice and a great sense of humor, didn't necessarily mean you were who you said you were, and not an axe murderer. Ergo... Google."

"You think I have a sexy voice?"

Castiel's cheeks burned as he realized what he had said, but was saved from answering by the arrival of their dinner. Jo set their plates in front of them and added a couple of glasses of water. "You want another beer?" she asked Cas.

He looked over at Dean who was busy pouring ketchup over his fries and showing no interest in the question. "No, thank you. Water's fine."

Jo smiled. "Okay, then. Enjoy. Give me a yell if you need anything."

Dean had his burger poised halfway to his mouth with a look of intense anticipation before Jo had walked two steps away. He grinned at Cas. "Prepare to experience greatness."

The burger was exactly as good as Dean had made it out to be, and there was very little discussion for the next few minutes. Eventually, though, Castiel did have to initiate conversation before he exploded given the soft little moans of pleasure coming from Dean as he enjoyed his meal.

They kept the conversation light from that point on, discussing that week's Dr. Sexy episode - "See, Cas, I knew you'd be a fan!" - and random stories of friends and family.

It wasn't until some time after Jo had cleared their plates away, and the bill had been paid, that they noticed the boisterous crowd around them as the Friday night partiers began to show up. Dean nodded toward the door, raising his voice to be heard. "I think maybe we should head out. They're gonna start setting up a band in here pretty soon, and then it'll just get crazier."

Castiel got up when Dean did. While he certainly didn't mind avoiding the crowd, he wasn't in a hurry to end their date. He wondered if Dean would be amenable to finding some other activity they could share for the rest of the evening.

They were almost to the door when Jo appeared out of nowhere and pulled Dean to the side with an apologetic look to Castiel. She hugged Dean, stretching up to whisper something in his ear.

He pulled back with a look that was both horrified and embarrassed, shaking his head as she pressed something into his hand with a mischievous look. She waved to Cas before disappearing back into the growing crowd.

Dean was still shaking his head as he rejoined Castiel at the exit. Once outside, Castiel took a moment to adjust to the relative quiet. Then, unable to deny his curiosity, he asked, "What was that about?"

"Just Jo fulfilling her honorary little sister pain-in-the-ass duties," Dean grumbled, blushing. He opened his hand to reveal four foil packets. "I told her it's only our first date, but..."

Castiel laughed. "Well, at least she has a healthy respect for our stamina."

Dean gave a half shrug. He ran his hand lightly down Castiel's arm and slipped the packets into Castiel's jacket pocket with a vague nod.

Castiel didn't get a chance to give voice to his confusion as to what exactly Dean was implying with his actions before they were interrupted by an enthusiastic, "Dean! Dude, how you been?"

The newcomer, currently giving Dean a firm shoulder slap, looked a little something like a reject from a casting call for a bad 80s movie, complete with mullet, jean jacket, and a hair-band t-shirt. Castiel tried not to stare.

"Ash, good to see you, man." Dean motioned between the two men. "Cas, this is Ash: bartender extraordinaire slash electronics guru. Ash, this is Cas."

Ash gave Castiel a slow, appraising look, then grinned. "Good to meet you, hombre. Glad to see you got this guy out." He indicated an increasingly uncomfortable looking Dean with a jerk of his thumb. "Ain't seen Dean here on a Friday night since... a while." He trailed off, eyes bouncing between Dean and Castiel.

"So, you guys coming or going?" he resumed.

"Ah, we're heading out. It's getting kind of crazy in there," Dean replied.

"Gotcha, gotcha. Sounds like I better head on in, then. Dean, don't be a stranger, alright?"

Throwing them a half-salute, Ash disappeared into the restaurant, leaving Dean staring pensively after him, and Castiel feeling a little lost.

After a few seconds, Dean shook himself. He chuckled. "So, yeah, Ash is ... something else. Hell of a good bartender, though. Knows every drink in the book. We always tried to stump him, but..."

Dean scanned the parking lot. "Anyway, let's get away from here before anyone else I know shows up."

Without waiting for an answer, he started weaving his way through the cars. Castiel followed him, unable to resist noticing Dean's ass - beautifully showcased in a pair of worn to perfection jeans - even as he tried to figure out what had happened to change the tone of their evening. He was pretty sure it wasn't him; it had been Ash referring to the last time Dean had been there. It had affected Dean deeply: his easy-going attitude was gone, and an undercurrent of tension could be seen in the set of his shoulders.

Lost in thought, Castiel almost bumped into Dean when he stopped next to a sleek, black car. He looked at Cas with an almost bashful smile.

"This is your car?" Cas asked, already certain of the answer. Dean had talked about his vehicle with nearly as much pride as he spoke about his brother.

"Yeah, this is my baby." Dean ran a hand proprietarily along the the hood, eliciting a frisson of excitement as Cas imagined that deft, sure, gentle touch on his own skin.

"She really is beautiful, in such good condition for an older car."

"Classic car, Cas. Classic."

"I stand corrected." Cas smiled at Dean's mock outrage, and looked back over the car, determined to give it the proper attention. His eyes were drawn to the backseat. It looked fairly roomy, as seemed common with older cars, but still was likely to be a tight fit for two 6-foot-plus (give or take) men. That didn't stop a brief flash of longing though.

He looked up to find Dean watching him, his fantasy obvious, and seemingly welcome if the intensity of Dean's gaze was anything to judge by. Dean quickly licked his lips, his eyes roving over Castiel's face, cautious but hopeful. Castiel took one small step, close enough now that it felt like they were touching, even though the smallest gap still existed. He touched Dean's cheek, absently noting the smoothness that probably meant he had shaved that afternoon, and gently drew him forward with his fingertips.

Dean's lips were soft and warm as they moved tentatively against Cas'. His arms were wrapped around Castiel's waist, holding him tightly. Wanting more with every fiber of his being but unwilling to push given Dean's recent hot and cold attitude, Castiel settled for soft nips and brushes across Dean's lips, waiting to see where Dean took things.

The first touch of Dean's tongue was electric. Castiel gasped and automatically responded in kind. Dean's hands wormed under Cas' jacket, fisting tightly in the thin cotton of his shirt, yanking Castiel impossibly closer. With a groan, Castiel let go of his tightly-held control and gave in, deepening the kiss, cupping Dean's face in his hands, angling his head for better access, tasting Dean's tongue and lips, breathing in his needy moans. For a minute, it was perfect: warm and wet and need and want. Castiel shivered when Dean's mouth skated along his jaw, the drag of his tongue promising even more.

"Dean," he whispered, a plea, an adoration, as he angled his head to allow him better access.

Without knowing how it happened, Castiel suddenly found himself at arm's length from Dean; their only point of contact, the flat of Dean's palms still pushing against Cas' chest.

"Dean?" Castiel questioned quietly.

Dean's eyes were wide as he stared at Castiel, his breath coming in ragged gasps, as he shook his head. He swiped a hand across his face and gave Cas a weak smile. "First date, remember?"

His words bounced around Castiel's lust-addled mind before making any meaningful connection. "First date, right," he echoed. They had agreed that this was a first date, and that demanded certain propriety. Such as not engaging in spur-of-the-moment sex in the backseat of his date's car. Castiel desperately tried to get his body and his mind on the same page, regardless of the avalanche of hormones rushing through his system.

Again, Dean was circumnavigating the truth. Cas wanted to ask what had really just happened, to offer comfort or assistance, but as he opened his mouth, he saw Dean watching him, the flush of arousal already dulling, his expression guarded and tense.

"Of course, Dean," he answered instead, taking another step back.

It may have been a flash of disappointment that he saw on Dean's face, or it may have been relief. Either way, he gave a one-shouldered shrug. "Yeah, maybe we should call it a night."

Castiel pushed aside his disappointment. Physical pleasure aside, he would have greatly enjoyed spending the rest of the evening with Dean. Their conversation over dinner had been just as, if not more, enjoyable as their text and phone conversations had been.

"I had a very good time tonight, Dean."

Dean swallowed and nodded. "Yeah, me too."

A kiss goodnight was obviously out of the question, and the idea of a handshake seemed awkward, so Castiel just smiled and nodded his farewell. He could feel Dean's eyes on him as he walked to his car, parked closer to the entrance. He waved once he'd unlocked the door, at which point Dean gave a nod and disappeared into the Impala.

Castiel settled into his seat, but didn't start the car, trying to sort through the conflicting emotions of the night. His phone buzzed in his pocket, and he pulled it out to find a text message from Gabriel.

If u r gettin some action, IGNORE THIS

How'd the big date go?

He tapped the screen to reply, but found he didn't have an answer. As he stared at the phone, he heard and felt a low rumble as Dean's car passed him and pulled out of the lot. He watched the car swallowed up by the darkness, its tail lights turning at the end of the block.

The text message screen dimmed, tired of waiting for his response. With a sigh, he slid the phone into the center console and started the car. How'd the date go? Maybe by the time he got home, he'd have figured out the answer.