Chapter 7

Outside the jeweler's shop, Castiel waited anxiously. He leaned up against the side wall, his face a practiced calm. Taking a heavy drag on the cigarette in his lips, he willed his quivering hands to stop shaking.

Too many thoughts crossed his mind as he stood outside that jeweler's shop. He hoped the company would buy his necklace, to be sure… but this only meant one thing.

Every moment Dean stood inside that building drew closer the fateful moment he would step on that plane again and out of his life. How he wanted to savor every moment he had… but… it would never happen. Dean had his Sammy back, and that was that. He frowned, thinking to himself honestly.

Why would Dean want a man such as himself? He was nothing more than a dishonest, low-life conman with a pipe dream and 20 Euros to his name. Dean had Sam, a successful lawyer with dashing good looks and everything someone as perfect as Dean could want.

Castiel couldn't even bother to shave every day.

Resigning himself to the inevitable, Castiel closed his eyes and willed time to slow even by a millisecond. He'd treasure his last stolen moments with Dean… treasure until he could treasure no more.


Dean watched the manager and Gendarme Lambert converse quietly to themselves for several minutes, before attention was once again drawn to him. He sat up, watching with bated breath as the manager turned to her computer, typing furiously on the keyboard. As she did so, Gabriel filled out a small stack of paperwork, handing each sheet to Dean for his signature. "So… will it go through?"

Gabriel looked up at Dean, a smile on his face. "Yes, indeed. Your back in Detroit has graciously wired the contents of your savings account directly to Cartier's bank, and the money will be transferred to cheque. As soon as the money transfer is complete, the amount will be written and… well we'll just pretend none of this has happened…" Gabriel trailed off, the smile turned wistful on his features.

Dean nodded, feeling relieved. It was going to work after all. That morning, before Castiel's arrival back at the hotel room, Dean had called the Gendarme with a proposition. He'd thought about what he could do to spare his friend jail-time and to the forefront of his mind, Dean remembered the high rate savings account he'd started several years back, the money accruing for his use. The original intention was to save up enough money to start a nest egg for his new life with Sam. Now that he didn't have Sam, the money was his and his alone, to do with as he pleased.

He slumped into the back of his seat, a small smile on his lips. It took another twenty minutes before the transaction was complete, but soon enough a slip was placed before Dean. He picked it up and read the amount to make sure it was correct. He nodded.

$76,782 stood out in bold on the cheque's face, authentic and his.

Gabriel smiled, placing a hand on Dean's shoulders. "Everything is as you said. The illusion is complete." He picked up the stolen necklace reverently, placing it in a velvet lined box. He looked up to see Dean holding the cheque gently, eyes boring into the paper almost longingly. "Dean… why are you doing this?"

At his name, he looked up at the Gendarme, thoughtfulness writ on his features. "Hm?"

"Why are you doing this for him? You're not with Castiel. You're not going to see him again…"

A silence passed between them while Dean thought of his answer. After a long moment he smiled, shaking his head. "… I dunno…"

Gabriel smiled, standing up. "I must come to America someday… you are a very sympathetic people."

"Well… I'd say that's a rare breed…" Dean stood, pocketing the cheque. He turned to leave when a thought occurred to him. "Just out of curiosity…" he started, looking back at the officer. "How much is the necklace really worth?"

Gabriel turned to the jeweler, murmuring to her for a moment. He blinked, an amused smile flashing in his eyes. "I would say…" he reiterated, turning back to Dean, "… over $200,000."

Dean balked, glancing down at his now very meager cheque. He offered a weak smile in return, striding through the doors. Outside, he motioned for Castiel to follow him, a slightly resigned slump in his shoulders.

"Well? How did it go?" Castiel asked, striding up to meet him. He saw the look on his friend's face and instantly grew nervous.

Dean said not a word, simply handing the cheque over to him. Visibly screwing himself up, Dean awaited the blow.

Castiel frowned, staring at the cheque-face with bewilderment. "… 76, 782… b-but… but this! This is not possible!" he cried, looking up at Dean with a mixture of frustration and despair. "Porquoi?" Fully enraged, Castiel stormed off, leaving a sheepish Dean in his wake. After several paces, he whipped around, glaring. "You! Why did I listen to you and your 'exotic American' bullshit?"

Dean bristled, having had enough of being put down for his efforts. "Hey don't yell at me! They said there were beautiful diamonds, but officially there were flaws!" Crossing his arms defiantly, Dean watched the thief slump into the nearest bench in defeat. He immediately softened, sitting down next to him. "Cas… I'm sorry…"

A moment passed between them before Castiel held a hand up, gathering his wits about him. "It's ok… it was eh, not as much as I was hoping for but… it will be enough to buy the land." He turned to his friend, a small spark of renewed hope in his eyes. "It will be at least two years before I get a decent crop put down but… it will do."

Dean blinked, surprised at how easily off the hook he was let. "Really?" He stood, facing the thief head on.

Castiel nodded, joining him by the boardwalk railing. "Indeed. Thank you, Dean. You are my… heh. You're my angel of luck." He turned to him, adoration bright in his blue eyes. "Who would have thought it?"

Dean met his gaze; the intense, bright gaze that had his limbs tingling like livewire. He felt the heat of a blush growing in his ears, and he nodded. "Y-Yeah… no problem, Cas."

Their eyes locked, the world about them falling away into white noise and indiscernible shapes. Unable to help himself, Castiel found himself leaning towards Dean, hand reaching for his shoulder. But just when he felt he would give into his body's will, Dean met him, pressing a kiss to each cheek in farewell.

"I have to go… Sam's waiting for me." Dean murmured, his voice cracking on the last syllable. He bent to retrieve his backpack, daring not to look at his friend a moment longer. He couldn't imagine it. He was leaving. This was really happening…

He turned to go, intent on just walking away from it all; intent on just forgetting. But the moment he heard "Dean!" float over the air, he shamed himself for turning so quickly. His heart hammered in his chest, watching as Castiel struggled internally for a moment. God, what…

Castiel frowned, willing his tongue to speak. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't bring himself to say it. All he could offer was a smile and a wave. You coward! He thought to himself, watching in dismay as Dean turned from him and walked away.

He didn't think his heart could break any further.


The cab pulled up to the airport entrance, depositing its passenger quickly. Dean stood before the doors, listening to the bustle of airport traffic around him. He sighed, forcing himself to cross the threshold. The moments passed before his eyes as he made his way through the security checkpoint. His ticket, courtesy of Gabriel, sat snuggly in his pocket, heralding his flight back to Michigan. Yet he felt no joy. He felt no longing to return to Detroit. It just…

It no longer felt like home.

In a saddened haze, Dean finally found his gate, checking the times of his flight. Just as it should be. With nothing else to do, he sat down, staring out the window to the runway beyond. It was this very same runway he'd left with a thief at his side and an adventure he'd never forget before him. As he waited, his mind drifted to his last few hours in Castiel's company. A smile, barely perceptible, crossed his face and he leaned back in his seat.

The first thing he thought of was eyes. A pair of sharp, beautiful eyes twinkling with mischief and hidden secrets. He'd never forget those eyes. No matter what someone had told him, not long ago.

He'd never forget those eyes.


Castiel wandered along the boardwalk, the hours of the day slipping by in a fog. The sun was just beginning its descent, the waters gleaming merrily in the day. However, he felt no joy from the sights. He didn't think it would be any time soon that he would feel content again.

After wandering for a bit he stopped, pressing his elbows to the railing keeping passers-by from the water below. As he stood watching the wharf before him, he heard indistinct shouting down the way. He turned, wondering what the commotion was, before he froze.

Down the boardwalk stood Sam and Ruby, the two locked in a heated argument. As they fought, Ruby suddenly turned to walk away from Sam, only to be snatched back into his arms and pulled into a pleading kiss, heavy and needy.

Castiel felt something wrench in his chest as he watched them. Sam… was here. But…

A horror filled him as he watched the lover's quarrel. He was so enraptured by the exchange; he didn't notice the approach until he was no longer alone.

"Ah, love… it is beautiful, no?"

Castiel turned, face to face with his companion, Gabriel. "What are you doing here?" he inquired lightly, turning his attention back to the boardwalk. He didn't care so much for an answer, anyway.

Gabriel smirked, looking at his friend. "Someone paid their hotel fee with a stolen credit card." At this, he gave Castiel a knowing look. "I've taken care of that already…"

The two friends, the cop and the thief, stood in silence as they watched Sam and Ruby rejoin as lovers once again, locked in a forgiving embrace. They kissed in the sun, ignorant of the two men watching them with understanding.

"That's not true love…" Castiel spat, shaking his head in disbelief. How could this man, whom had told his Dean mere hours before how much he desired him? It made him physically sick with the knowledge.

"What do you know about true love?" Gabriel paused, waiting his friend's response. When none came, he laughed, tugging on his elbow to urge him follow. "Castiel… you are being foolhardy. What are you doing?"

"I-… I don't know, Ok? I'm having doubts, and… and I don't know what's right anymore." Castiel met his gaze, watery blue eyes boring heavily into honey brown.

Gabriel took pity on him, offering a reassuring squeeze to his shoulder. "If you like, I can enlighten you. I know a very good story about true love…"

"… Really?" In all honesty, if Castiel could garner some comfort to his broken heart, he'd take it. "Does it have a happy ending?"

"Honestly? I don't know. Maybe you can help me write the ending…"

The thief froze, giving Gabriel a confused look. "Me? How?"

Gabriel smiled, a mischievous grin that normally sent Castiel scurrying from him in preparation for another game of cat-and mouse. But this time, it held no worry. Gabriel withdrew something from his pocket, waving it in front of Castiel's face.

It was an airport gate-pass.

"Imagine… an airplane…"


Dean checked his seatbelt once before settling into his seat. He opened the blind, staring out at the looming runway before him. The airplane had not begun taxing out from the terminal yet, so he had a few moments to collect himself. However, he felt none of the apprehension he'd felt a mere week before on his first flight ever. In fact, he felt completely at ease in that seat.

He sighed, pressing the back of his head into the headrest. Closing his eyes, he willed the plane to just take off already, so he could put this all behind him, and hopefully forget the sense of loss he now felt. Dean took a deep breath, settling back into the seat with defeat.

He didn't notice the seat next to him suddenly occupied.

"Dean?"

Dean froze, a silent gasp in his chest. But as the initial shock wore off, a huge grin spread across his face. "Yes?" he whispered, never cracking his eyes open once.

"You are not afraid to fly anymore?" Dean shook his head, the grin wavering slightly. "What is it… are you thinking about home?"

Dean bit his lip, his hands fisting his knees. "Not really… I mean… not Detroit…"

"What are you thinking about?"

Dean felt a hand slip into his, fingers wrapped in a warm embrace. His heart fluttered in his chest, and the smile returned full force. He opened his eyes to meet blazing, shining bright blue. He knew he probably looked like a girl at this point, but damn it if he cared. "I'm thinking about a little stone cottage on a hill… next to a beautiful vineyard."

Castiel smiled, eyes hopeful as he gazed into Dean's. "What else?"

"… you."

Castiel felt as if his heart would burst. He leaned in, giving Dean's hand a gentle squeeze. "And I am thinking you should not be flying anywhere. In fact… I am sure of that." with emphasis, he took both of Dean's hands into his own, pulling him closer. "I am thinking….I want you…"

Dean waited, the suspense nearly killing him. His blood ran hot and loud, thrumming in his ears, and his hands shook in Castiel's. "You want me…" he prompted, his voice breaking in excitement.

"… that is all." Castiel smiled, eyes pouring nothing but love and devotion to this man he'd fallen for-and would fall for a thousand times again. "I want you."

The very heavens sang with his elation. Dean smiled, positively overjoyed by his friend's-his lover's-words. With trembling fingers, he traced the outline of Castiel's jaw with such a tender caress, he rendered him speechless.

Neither noticed their surroundings, lost in their touch. The two leaned in, joining in a kiss they'd been waiting for; joined at last. It was perfection …

It was La Vie En Rose.