"Time for lunch, Sammykins." Gabriel knocked on the doorframe of Sam's office to get his attention before walking in and flopping down in one of the leather chairs across from Sam's desk.

"Please don't call me that." Sam muttered, not looking up from the papers spread out across his desk.

Sam ignored Gabriel's husky chuckle. "You know you love it. Come on, I have everything ready for your next client so you have plenty of time to have lunch. You need to eat."

"Are you my mother now?" Sam looked up and didn't notice how good Gabriel looked with his loosened tie and his white dress shirt rolled up to his elbows. Or how his golden eyes seemed to glow from an inner light and his loose and easy smile.

No, Sam absolutely did not notice any of that.

Not at all.

"No, I was going more for Dean than your mother. You do realize that on my first day he actually threatened me and told me that I needed to make sure you remembered to eat."

Sam felt a little bit of annoyance and gratitude toward his overprotective older brother. He had a feeling if he didn't eat lunch; there would be a visit from Dean, force feeding him a burger and pie. Well maybe not the pie, Dean would probably have it eaten by the time he made it to the office.

"Fine, you win. Want to order in?" Sam asked as he put the papers he was studying back in their original file folder.

"Oh no, we're going out. You need a break from this stuffy office. Come on, I know just the place to go. There's a café just a few minutes away by foot." Gabriel smiled, getting up from the chair, moving his head side to side as if to release the tension from his neck.

It seemed Sam wasn't the only one that needed a break from the office.

"That sounds good to me." Sam gave Gabriel a small smile as they headed out.

Ten minutes later, they walked into Joshua's Cup, a small café that was tucked away, unobtrusive among its flashier neighbors. Sam could see how he had easily missed it since there was only a small sign on the glass door proclaiming what the business was.

"Gabriel! Where have you been? I haven't seen you in here for a while." An older, black man came up to Gabriel and beamed, taking a hold of the paralegal's hand.

"Sorry Joshua, I've been busy, but I sure have missed your BLTs. Please tell me you have some cinnamon rolls left from this morning." Gabriel practically bounced on the balls of his feet earning a snicker from Sam.

"You're in luck, I have two left. Just enough for you and your friend." Serene brown eyes turned toward Sam.

"This is Sam, my boss. This is Joshua, the owner and the best damn baker in the state. Trust me, you'll agree with me when you taste his cinnamon rolls. They're famous." Gabriel grinned up at Sam.

Joshua took Sam's hand but instead of shaking it, just held it, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I know who you are, Sam Winchester. You're the one that the other lawyers complain about." he told Sam with a small smile.

Sam was surprised by the statement. "Why do they complain?"

"Because of your high win rate and all the pro bono work you do. They're jealous because you make them look bad." Joshua chuckled.

"I just feel I should do pro bono work to give back for the people that had helped me. I remember when my brother and I had no money or voice." Sam said, looking away from Joshua's astute gaze.

The older man nodded thoughtfully before turning to Gabriel and adding, "I can see why you were so eager to work for him. The world needs more good people like him."

Sam cursed the blush he could feel creeping up his face at the compliment. Gabriel nudged him with his shoulder and gave him a soft smile that caused his chest to tighten.

"I haven't done anything that anybody else would do." he mumbled, looking away from both men.

"You'd be surprised how quick people are willing to look the other way when somebody is in trouble. Anyways, I can see that my praise is embarrassing you. What can I get the two of you?" Joshua asked as he led them to a table.

Sam and Gabriel gave Joshua their orders and talked for a couple minutes about one of their cases that was going to court the following week.

Finally curiosity won out and Sam had to ask. "Is that true what Joshua said? About why you wanted to work at my law office?"

"Of course. I was getting tired of being a paralegal for a corporate firm that cared more about the bottom line than the people. So when I heard your paralegal was getting married and moving out of state, I jumped at the chance to work with you. I've heard about your reputation and I liked what I was hearing."

Sam was flabbergasted. He never really knew how important it was for Gabriel to work with him. "Wow Gabe, I never knew…" Sam stopped at Gabriel's large smile.

"You called me Gabe. That's two times in a week. For the past six months it's been Gabriel."

Sam scoffed lightly but still managed a smile back at Gabriel's excitement at being called by his nickname. Before he could comment on it, Joshua returned with Sam's salad and Gabriel's BLT and chips.

They ate in companionable silence for a few moments. Gabriel was the first one to break it.

"So, do you mind telling me a little about yourself? I don't know much and Deano is pretty closed mouthed. All the paralegals and legal secretaries speculate about you."

Sam stared down at his salad, stabbing at the lettuce with a little more force than warranted.

"Not much to tell. My mother died when I was a baby and my dad dragged us around the country doing odd jobs until he died but even then he wasn't around much. Dean basically raised me. He even managed to pay my way through law school."

Gabriel nodded approvingly but he eyed Sam intently. "There's more. What are you not telling me?"

Sam's jaw clenched. He didn't want to tell Gabriel how their father would leave them for weeks at a time to fend for themselves or when he died, him and Dean lived a hand-to-mouth existence. Both of them had to do things they weren't proud of just to survive.

It was only after Bobby had found out that John had died and the two teenagers were basically homeless, he took them in.

No, he didn't want to go into the mess that was his past. For once, he wanted to be considered normal.

"There's nothing more to tell."

Gabriel stared for a moment, clearly not believing him, but luckily, he let the subject drop.

"What about you?" Sam was curious about Gabriel. He was an interesting mix of mischievous charm and friendly openness, but he was a private person. Sam knew everything about Gabriel's professional life, but nothing of his personal one.

"I have three older brothers that have permanent sticks up their asses. The two oldest are constantly fighting, which makes for awkward holidays. I've lost contact with them once I was old enough to leave home, especially since they do not approve of me being gay." Gabriel's laugh rang hollow.

Sam wrinkled his nose. "They have a problem with you being gay? You're family, they should…"

Gabriel cut him off. "Not all brothers are as awesome and understanding as you. I'm sure when Dean came out, you didn't take the news by giving him a fractured eye socket, broken nose and three cracked ribs." Gabriel said bitterly.

Sam sat still in his seat, horrified and a simmer of rage started to curl in his stomach. "Your own brothers?" he managed to croak out. Sam and Dean had a tough life, but he never had to worry about his brother not having his back. He knew Dean would die for him and he would do the same for him.

Gabriel nodded, uncommonly subdued. He didn't realize that Gabriel exuded such a bright and magnetic energy until it was dimmed at the talk of his brothers.

"Yeah, my own brothers. So I get why you do what you do. I was one of those voiceless people too."

Sam's next words shocked even himself but they were out before he could stop them. "If I ever see them, I'll kill them."

Gabriel's head snapped up from his half eaten sandwich, his amber eyes showing his shock and surprise.

"Sam, I wouldn't let you. I would never allow their coldness to taint your soul. It would destroy you and it's too beautiful for that to happen." He smiled sadly at Sam.

"You don't know what I've done. My "soul" is not beautiful. Far from it." Sam said, disgusted but not at Gabriel but at himself.

Gabriel's hand came across the table to grip Sam's, his eyes bright with a quiet intensity. "I don't know what you've done, but that darkness in your past, you overcame it and became a better person for it. That's a rare thing to push past the despair and hopelessness to become the embodiment of hope. And that's what you are to all those people that you've helped. That what makes you special."

Sam didn't know what to say so he said nothing at all. Gabriel seemed to understand. Only Dean and Bobby had said similar things to him, but never so eloquently or passionately. They were also his family so Sam saw the things they said as biased. Hearing it from Gabriel unnerved him. Someone that barely knew him would think that way about him.

Sam who was analytical and methodical couldn't process any of it, especially how he felt about hearing it. From Gabriel of all people.

They ate the rest of their meal in silence but only when they were almost done, Sam realized they were still holding hands.

And he ignored the pang of its loss when Gabriel pulled away.

Castiel was never so happy to see five o'clock roll around on Friday. Not only was it his last day to work the front desk, but Dean was coming back to his apartment.

He was equal parts ecstatic and terrified.

Yesterday, he was not expecting to find Dean Winchester at his door. If he knew it was him, he would have at least put on nicer clothes. Why couldn't Dean see him dressed like a normal human being for once?

Once he was home, he raced inside and changed out of his work clothes. He put on a soft knit gray henley shirt, faded blue jeans but stayed barefoot. He didn't want to look like he was trying too hard.

He groaned at himself in the mirror. Who was he kidding? He was the epitome of trying too hard.

Castiel felt his stomach flutter at the thought of seeing Dean again even though he was there to work. All he could think about was the night before and how Dean seemed to genuinely want to get to know him.

He even liked his song even though he never meant for anybody to hear it. Speaking of which, next time he saw Balthazar, he was going to have to ask him how that song mysteriously appeared on the CD. But until he saw Balthazar again, he was determined to push that to the back of his mind.

Instead he wanted to think about Dean and how good he looked or how every time he flashed Castiel a smile, he would feel himself melting. Melting? God, he was turning into a teenage girl. Castiel shook his head in disgust.

He still couldn't get over how he had behaved with him last night but it was nice to see the confident repairman a little flustered for once. He never realized how much fun it was to tease somebody.

Then there was the almost kiss. Castiel absently traced his lower lip where Dean had done so with his thumb. He was disappointed that they were interrupted, but he suppose it was for the best. It might have led to other things…things like sex.

Sex that he hadn't had in five years.

He never realized that he didn't really miss its absence until Dean showed up. Now that's all he could think about.

Sex, sex, sex…with Dean.

Maybe he should take Balthazar's advice…

Maybe he will, but he would never tell the angel about it because then he'll try to give him actual sexual advice. Castiel shuddered.

Castiel walked into the kitchen, humming to himself and reached into the refrigerator to pull out a bottle of water.

"Well, look who's in a good mood."

Castiel stiffened and turned around to see Balthazar sitting on top of the kitchen counter, kicking his feet back and forth like a kid.

The good mood Castiel was having evaporated at the sight of the angel. He had to get him out of here before Dean showed up. But first things first….

"How could you?" Castiel accused, feeling genuine anger starting to fester up.

Balthazar's forehead crinkled in confusion. He jumped off the counter and walked toward Castiel.

"How could I what?" Balthazar asked, but grunted in surprise when Castiel grabbed a handful of his v-neck shirt and shoved him against the refrigerator. The bottles inside clinked together from the force.

"You put the song I wrote on the CD I made for Dean." Castiel gritted out.

Balthazar's eyes grew large. "Are you talking about The Righteous Man? Cassie, I would never do that to you. I didn't even know that you made a CD for Dean."

Castiel released Balthazar when he saw the sincerity in his face. His anger gave away to confusion.

"You didn't?"

"Of course not! Even though I still think it should be heard, I wouldn't do that to you."

Castiel backed away from the muse and tilted his head as he thoughtfully studied Balthazar.

"If you didn't, then who did?"

Balthazar frowned. "I don't know, but I'll find out." There was a beat of silence before the frown turned into a smirk. "So, you made him a CD? What did he say about your piece?"

Castiel looked down at the floor. "He was very complimentary about it."

Balthazar's smirked morphed into a genuine smile that took Castiel by surprise. "Then isn't that a sign? I'm sure one of your old professors would be thrilled to help you get it published…"

"Stop. I can't." Castiel gulped as he thought back about the dreams and the obsession with the song.

For years, he had the same dream every night where he was an angel who was battling his way through hell to save a soul…the righteous man is what the other angels would whisper. He never sees the man, only his pure but burdened soul shining bright in the abyss. He never wanted to touch anything more in his life. The dream would always end with Castiel feeling the man in physical form, standing in front of him. He would look up but the dream would end when he made it to the man's chest and the strange horned amulet that he wore.

And he would wake up every night, with an overwhelming sense of sadness that once again, he didn't get to see the man's face.

Castiel became obsessed with the mystery man. He started writing music about the dream almost maniacal in its intent. He had finished The Righteous Man hours before he received a phone call to come home. He came home to find out his father had cancer.

Consumed with the guilt that he was obsessed with a dream that he missed all the symptoms of his father's illness, he never touched a piano again.

The dreams stopped the day Chuck died. As Castiel grieved for his father, he also grieved the loss of his righteous man.

Balthazar engulfed Castiel in a hug. "You need to let go of that guilt, Cassie. Chuck wouldn't want you to live this way, all shut away from the world."

"I know, you're right." Castiel sighed, pulling away.

Balthazar gave him one last concerned look before it went back to his standard smirk. "Now…tell me what's happened with Winchester while I was gone. Please say you got some action."

"No, nothing's happened. We are just trying to get to know each other a little better. Which reminds me, you need to leave." Castiel told the angel who had followed him into the living room.

"Come on Cassie, I just got here, it's not like he'll be coming here anyways…" Balthazar stopped at the look on Castiel's face. "Oh my…he is coming over! Oh darling, I wouldn't miss this for the world!" Balthazar settled down on the couch and got comfortable.

"He's just coming to fix my bathroom ceiling. It's not like anything is going to happen." Castiel snapped out in exasperation.

"Oh, this sounds like the start of one of my favorite films. Only it was a plumber and let me tell you…things got very wet. He never did fix the lady's kitchen sink but she didn't seem to mind though." Balthazar winked at Castiel's disgusted face.

"What is it with you and porn?" Castiel made a face and was about to tell Balthazar to leave when the doorbell goes off.

Shit, he was out of time.

Balthazar didn't move from the couch, only gave him a borderline sleazy smile as he settled in for the show.

Castiel was in pure hell. Between watching Dean work and Balthazar's running commentary, he was slowly going insane.

Dean had given him an almost bashful smile over his shoulder as he caught Castiel watching him for the hundredth time. Castiel knew he should go do something else but he couldn't seem to move his feet to walk away especially when Dean took off his work shirt and was working in his white sleeveless undershirt.

"I can see your fascination with him. The way his biceps bulge when he picks up that bag of plaster mix, the way his body seems fluid as he works…"

"Just kill me now." Castiel mumbled and ignored Balthazar's laugh.

"You okay, Cas?" Dean asked with concerned look as he put down his trowel.

"I'm fine. Can I get you anything to drink?" he managed to squeak out.

"That would be great, but if you wait a second, I'm almost done." Dean flashed him another smile and quickly finished up.

"At this rate, nothing will ever happen! I'm getting bored…" Balthazar grumbled. Castiel didn't know what Balthazar had planned, but he knew it was bad. He started frantically shaking his head at the angel who only smirked.

"You'll thank me later for this." Balthazar slightly raised his right hand toward the shower and quickly flicked his wrist before he disappeared.

Dean had just got down from the step stool and set it outside of the tub and was about to step out himself when the shower came on full blast, soaking Dean in cold water.

"What the fuck!" Dean cried out as the icy water hit him. Castiel gasped and ran over, helping him turn the water off.

Castiel was definitely going to kill Balthazar.

"How the hell did that happen?" Dean gasped out once they got the water turned off.

Castiel stood frozen as Dean wiped off the excess water off his face with his hands. He couldn't get his eyes off Dean's chest. The wet undershirt stuck to Dean's chest, turning transparent.

Okay, so maybe he won't kill Balthazar.

"Cas? Cas!"

Castiel's eyes snapped up to Dean's amused green eyes. "Y-yes?" he asked, nervously licking his lips.

"Do you have a towel?" Dean's lips twitched.

Castiel nodded mutely and quickly grabbed one, snapping out of his trance. He handed it to Dean before rushing off to his room for some dry clothes. He grabbed a t-shirt and sweats. Castiel figured they should fit Dean since he tended to wear them baggy.

As he rounded the corner back to the bathroom, he stopped abruptly at the sight that greeted him.

The towel hung loose over Dean's broad, bare shoulders as he struggled to get out of his wet jeans. He grumbled the entire time as he slid them down, almost losing his balance.

When he finally was free of the wet material, he straightened up, wearing nothing but black boxer briefs.

Castiel's breath stuck in his throat as his pants tightened painfully. He worked his throat. "I brought you dry clothes." Castiel croaked out, eyes still roaming over Dean's body.

When there was no comment, Castiel looked up. Dean's face was a mask of longing restraint, his normally green eyes swallowed up by his pupils.

Castiel's breaths came out in short pants. He could see the hard ridge of Dean's length outlined in his boxer briefs. He gave a small moan at the sight and stepped forward into the bathroom.

Dean bridged the gap, grabbing the loops of Castiel's jeans to pull him against his chest. He could feel the moisture from Dean's chest dampening his shirt.

"Please tell me you want this…" Dean's breath mingled with Castiel's as he whispered the words.

"God, yes…" Castiel groaned out just before Dean's lips captured his own.

The kiss was gentle and exploratory as both men almost shyly learned each other. Dean's teeth softly bit the fleshy part of Castiel's lower lip, causing the man to gasp. Dean took advantage of his open mouth by slipping his tongue inside to explore the cavern of Castiel's mouth.

Castiel's hands slid up the hard planes of Dean's chest to cup around the back of his head, pulling slightly on the short sandy colored hair at the nape. Castiel felt himself get even harder at the corresponding shudder that ran through Dean's body.

The kiss turned more frantic and desperate as both men fought for control. In the end, it was Dean that won by growling slightly, taking a firm hold of Castiel's dark hair with one hand while the other one slipped underneath Castiel's henley to dig his fingers into his waist.

Castiel bucked under the firm hold, his body softening against Dean's. Dean started to nibble at the corner of Castiel's mouth before working his way to his jaw and neck.

"God Cas, I've been thinking about this for over a year, how you would taste…" He groaned softly in Castiel's ear causing the smaller man to moan Dean's name.

Castiel recaptured Dean's mouth, wanting to savor it. All those lonely nights he thought about how it would be like to kiss him, he never imagined it would be this goddamn good or feel this right. It felt like coming home.

"Castiel? You here? I brought Chinese!" Castiel heard Charlie's voice chime out from the living room.

"Shit!" Castiel muttered, quickly kicking the bathroom door shut with his foot so she wouldn't walk in on them.

"Be out in a minute, Charlie!" he called out, wincing at how deep and rough his voice sounded.

Dean buried his face in Castiel's neck, trying to catch his breath.

"Dude, I think you ruined me with that kiss." Dean whispered hoarsely.

Castiel blushed at the words as he carded his fingers through Dean's hair.

They reluctantly stepped out of the embrace and gave each other hesitant smiles.

"If you don't mind, I'll just wear these home and bring them back to you when I pick you up tomorrow." Dean told Castiel as he gestured to the clothes that had fallen to the floor. "That is, if you still planned on going."

Castiel nodded, smiling up at the man. They exchanged one last soft kiss before he slipped out of the bathroom to allow Dean to get dressed.

He took a moment to compose himself before going to the kitchen where he knew Charlie was. He bit his lip to stop the smile that threatened to spread across his face.

Castiel was thinking that maybe he should thank Balthazar after all.

So this chapter got away from me. The whole Sabriel section was suppose to be light and funny, but didn't turn out that way. And I thought it would be funny for Balthazar to voice what most of you were thinking about the set up.

I hope you all liked this chapter. I'm curious to know what you all think about Dean keeping his vow or breaking it. If it was up to me, I'm evil and I would make him keep it a little while longer. :D

Thanks all for the reviews, follows and favorites…they are the highlight of my day!