Disclaimer: I don't own Supernatural

Chapter 3 "Warm Angel Hands"

Sam studied his brother with worry. The older Winchester had been moody and withdrawn these past few weeks, and Sam didn't like it at all. He had been sleeping in a separate motel room from Sam every time they stopped for a break, and Sam couldn't understand why. He didn't like waking up in the middle of the night and not having Dean there. Dean was always there.

Right now they were in the library, searching for ways to destroy Lucifer. Actually, they had been spending more time in libraries then hunting, and Sam thought maybe that was why Dean was so moody.

Sam cleared his throat and closed the book he was looking through. "Dean..you want to go grab some burgers, and maybe catch a movie or something?"

Dean frowned as he looked at Sam. He didn't necessarily enjoy researching, but at this point, it had to be done. He was surprised that Sam was suggesting they abandon their work.

"Come on." Sam said, nudging Dean's arm with his book. "We deserve a break."

Dean sighed and threw his book aside. "Fine."

"We can even call Cass, and-"

Dean's eyes widened suddenly. "No!" he said, before hastily continuing. " I mean, he's probably doing more important things."

Sam stacked up the books they had brought over to the table to read through."Why don't you want to see Cass?" he questioned innocently.

Dean stood up and shifted slightly. "He just has his own stuff going on."

"Every time I have suggested calling him, you've said no. We need to find out if he knows anything." Sam steadied himself for the tantrum he was expecting from Dean as he spoke again. "I'm calling him now."

"Sam, no." Dean pleaded, losing it for a second before regaining his composure and snapping at Sam. "Go ahead, but I won't be here."

Sam quickly said a silent prayer to call their angel buddy. Dean stalked off toward the bookshelves, but a trench-coated figure appeared in front of him, blocking his way.

"Hello, Dean." Castiel said, his blue eyes catching Dean's green ones.

Dean took a few steps back, and tripped over a chair that was behind him. He stuck out his arms, bracing himself for the fall, but there was none. Castiel had grabbed him to prevent him from falling, but didn't let go even when Dean had righted himself. The warm hand on his arm sent shivers down Dean's spine, and he grabbed it, holding it in his for a second. That split second seemed like a lifetime to Dean. Time came to stop, he could feel Castiel's warm hand in his own slightly sweaty one, admired how soft his skin was, how slender his fingers were..and then time went back to normal and he quickly released Castiel's hand.

"Thank you." he grunted at the angel, who still had his hand partially outstretched, with a sad expression on his face.

Sam was standing by the table, watching this exchange with interest.

"You needed me?" Castiel said quietly, and Dean looked at the floor. Yes, he needed Castiel. He needed to hold him in his arms and kiss him and love him...but that was not how he replied.

"Sam called you. Go see what he wants." Dean pointed to his brother. "Tell him I'll be in the car when he's done."

Castiel's shoulders visibly drooped as he watched Dean maneuver through the shelves and carts until he was out of sight. Sam came over to the distraught angel and placed a hand on his arm. He was thinking maybe it wasn't such a good idea to call Castiel, if only for the angel's sake.

"You okay?" he asked, and Castiel let out a soft sigh.

"I am not good with human emotions, Sam. But I feel something now..what have I done wrong?" Castiel looked at the younger hunter. "What did I do to make Dean upset?"

Sam shook his head. "You didn't do anything. It's all Dean." He patted Castiel's arm twice before releasing it. "Just forget about him. I wanted to know if you found anything out about destroying Lucifer."

Castiel sent one last glance towards the aisle where he had lost sight of Dean before speaking. "Yes, I do know something."

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Dean was leaning against the steering wheel of the Impala when Sam knocked on the window loudly, startling him. He grinned as he walked around the front of the car and opened the passenger side door. "Good news, Dean."

"Yeah?" Dean said, sitting up straight in his seat and pulling out the keys to place them in the ignition.

Sam got in, plopping down on the passenger seat and glancing at his brother. "Cass found a way to stop Lucifer."

Dean's eyes widened in surprise. "Really?"

"Yup. Before he was released, he was in a cage. All we have to do is reform the cage, and he'll be imprisoned again."

"How do we do that?"

"Well..you heard of the four Horsemen?" Sam asked and Dean nodded slowly, wondering where this was going. "We need to get their items of power, their rings. With the rings, we can form a direct path to the cage."

"That's the craziest thing I've ever heard." Dean snorted. "Even if we can get the rings, how are we supposed to get Lucifer to mosey on back to his prison?"

Sam shifted. He knew that Dean was not going to like this part of their brilliant plan. "That's where I come in. I was thinking...I could bring Lucifer there."

"How?" Dean narrowed his eyes suspiciously. What was Sam going to call him and pretend to invite him to a tea party?

"He wants me as his vessel. I could say yes, and then..well..I'll jump into the pit." Sam gave a weak grin as Dean stared dumbfoundedly at him.

"You're not serious?" Dean said, his voice full of shock.

"I'm dead serious, Dean. This is my fault. I need to fix it."

"But, Sammy-"

"Let's just find the rings, Dean, alright? Then we can figure the rest out." Sam pulled his seat belt around his torso and clicked it into place. "And I told Cass that we would call him when we need help."

Dean nodded silently and turned the key in the ignition. His brother was as stubborn as him, and he didn't feel like arguing about the angel right now. If Sam wanted to call Cass down, he would no matter what Dean said. Besides, they really might need some angel mojo if they were going after powerful creatures like the four Horsemen.

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Castiel had his head resting on Dean's lap as they watched TV in another crappy motel room. His blue eyes were shining as he looked up at Dean's face and smiled.

"What?" Dean asked amusedly, but Cass just wrapped an arm around Dean's leg, squeezing lightly.

"Nothing."

Dean reached down and stroked Cass' hair gently, moving down to his cheeks and neck. Castiel closed his eyes, relishing the attention. After a few minutes, he grabbed Dean's hand and kissed his fingertips.

"Dean?" Castiel said hesitantly, and Dean looked down again.

"Yeah?"

Castiel paused and then rolled over so he was facing straight up, staring into Dean's eyes. "I love you."

Dean pushed himself down so that he was under Castiel, and the angel was on top of him, resting on his chest.

"I know, babe."

Castiel shimmied up a little and propped himself up on his elbows so that his face was a few inches above Dean's. "Do you love me?"

Dean grinned, snaking a hand around Castiel's neck. "More then you know." He pulled Castiel down and their lips met, Dean holding Castiel against him as if afraid to lose him. Castiel laid back on Dean's chest, nuzzling into the crook of his neck. The angel kissed him lightly, trailing soft kisses down his neck and then across his collarbone. Dean shivered with pleasure, and then-

Dean sat up bolt-right in his bed, sweat pouring down his face and his body shaking uncontrollably. He brought his knees up to his chest and grasped his hair in the dark, glad that Sam was in another room. He could still feel Castiel's warmth on top of him, and the soft echoes in his ears of the whispered, "I love you." He felt his throat burning with tears of frustration and he banged his head against the headboard. This was getting to be too much. How much longer could he last without Castiel? As it was, he was making the angel hate him for pushing him away and ignoring him. It pained him so much, but what other choice did he have?

Dean let himself fall back onto the mattress and stared at the ceiling. "I love you. More then you know." he whispered to the empty room.

I know it's been forever, I almost forgot about this story. But almost doesn't count, cause here's another chapter. So how about a round of reviews?