A/N: Sorry, I'm late in posting this because I've been sick. Thanks for everyone who has liked and favorited this fic. If you have any suggestions for what Gabe and Sam can do for the 107 days they have left, let me know. If it works with what I'm doing, I'll use it. With credit of course. I've also updated my Snarry fic, Don't Blame it on me.

Day Three

Something was off, but Sam couldn't quite put his finger on it. They'd tracked the monster to southern Nebraska. The hunt was going well. Too well. In fact, it was all a bit too easy. Several bodies in several states showed up, giving them a trail to follow. All bloody, but at least they knew what the thing was and how to kill it. They had fought Lamias before. The impala was packed with silver knives, rosemary, and salt. They just had to wait for the thing to strike again.

Dean was in a great mood. He'd called Cas in as soon as the bodies started dropping, and the angel had been with them the rest of the way. Sam suspected his brother's good mood could be attributed to that more than the excitement of a case actually going well. Sam had called his brother out, saying that Cas was probably needed in Heaven. Not that Sam minded Cas being there, he just liked giving Dean a hard time. Dean replied that he wanted to consult with Cas. Was that what they were calling it now? Of course, Sam was happy to do his own kind of consulting with Gabriel. Not that he'd mention that to his brother.

Sam sighed. Gabriel seemed to be on his mind all the time. He knew they needed to talk. That was the point of the whole five-minute thing-to get to know each other. To learn to trust each other. It wasn't just about how great a kisser Gabriel was. Or how good they felt together. So far, they hadn't done much talking. And tonight it was Gabriel's turn to pick. Sam didn't really care though. They had time. A hundred and nine days to go. Plenty of time to get to know each other.

"Are you going to eat that or just stare lovingly at it?" Dean watched him with an smirk on his face. He didn't realize his brother was paying attention. Especially with Cas sitting right next to him.

"How's your food Cas?" Sam asked, ignoring his brother.

"It's fine."

Sam started to pick at his food again. He wasn't hungry, and he blamed Gabriel for that. But he stopped separating his tomatoes from his cucumbers when he noticed Dean reaching out to touch Castiel's arm as they talked. It was barely noticeable. Just a brush of fingers against the skin. Huh. There was an awful lot of touching going on. And then Cas reached up and wiped a crumb off of Dean's lips. He almost dropped his fork in surprise. What the hell? Had something happened between them? And how had he missed it?

Sam surreptitiously watched them both, and when Dean got up to go the bathroom, he saw his chance. "Cas, what are you doing?"

Cas gave him that squinty-eyed puzzled look that was almost his trademark. "I'm eating lunch."

"No," Sam said, "I mean what are you doing with Dean?"

Castiel squinted even harder, adding a head tilt. "I'm eating lunch. With Dean."

Sam took a deep breath. It would do no good to piss the angel off. He took a drink of his water, glancing up to make sure that Dean was still in the bathroom. "Cas, I'm talking about all the touching that you and Dean are doing. What's up with that?"

"Oh." He nodded his head with a slight smile on his face. "That." He leaned in as if telling him a great secret. "It's a little experiment I'm doing," he said with a hint of joy in his voice. "I just kind of introduced touching into our relationship. I pat him on the shoulder or touch his hand or something small to see how he reacts."

"It looks like it's working."

His smile grew. "I know. I can't believe how Dean's responded. Now he's doing the same thing. I don't think he even notices."

"So, you haven't talked to him then?"

"I talked to him all the time." Again, with the confused stare.

"Cas, you know what I mean. Have you talked to him about—" Sam waved his hand to indicate the two of them.

"Well, no," he said, giving Sam a soulful puppy dog look. "I don't think I'm ready."

"Fine. That's fair. Well, it looks like this approach is working Cas. I'm happy for you."

"I'm happy for me too," Castiel said with a smile, his face lit up. "What about you and Gabriel? How are things going?"

"Well," Sam began—

"What did I miss?" Dean asked, suddenly there. Did he hear any of their conversation? He didn't looked pissed so Sam assumed not.

"Nothing," Sam said shaking his head and leaning away from Castiel. He hadn't realized until that moment how close he and Cas had been. That was something sure to make Dean suspicious.

"What are we talking about?"

"Lunch."

"The case," Sam said. Unfortunately, they both answered at the same time.

Dean glanced from one to the other like he was missing something. "Which is it?"

Sam almost laughed at the panic on Castiel's face. "Dean, we're talking about eating quickly so we can get on with the case. We still have to prepare for tonight. Knives don't just bless themselves."

"Oh, okay. There's always time to enjoy a meal, Sam."

"Yeah." He sipped his water, hiding the smile on his face.

"Seriously, you can't just ignore the good things in life because you're hunting the bad things."

"Oh, I agree totally with you, Dean."

"I as well," said Castiel.

Dean seemed satisfied with that. "Now, where is that waitress? I need some pie."

Sam wrapped his arms around himself, trying to stop the shivering of his entire body. Nebraska was freaking cold. It was well past midnight so the frigid air had a chance to really settle in. They'd waited for hours for the Lamia to strike, but it was a no show. Although it didn't match up with the research he'd done, the only thing they could do now was wait for another opportunity. He stepped to the other side of the vending machine in front of the crappy hotel room they were staying in. Not only did it help protect him from the wind, but it also protected him just in case Dean got out of the shower and came looking for him. He took a deep breath of ice-cold air and let it out again.

"Gabriel."

The angel appeared instantly, the smile on his face contagious. "Hey, Sam," he said, glancing around at the deserted area. "What are we doing outside? Are we having a camp out?"

"Dean's been bitching about me spending so much time in the bathroom, so I thought I'd shake it up a little today."

"You picked a good night to do it. You're freezing."

"I am but that's okay."

"Here, let me warm you." Gabriel pulled him into his arms, and it helped. It really did. He was an archangel. He probably didn't feel the cold. Gabe ran his hands up and down Sam's back, and Sam just sunk into him. "Feels so good."

"Is there anything you wanted to do beside stand here and have me hold you?"

"Your turn," Sam mumbled, not sure he was coherent. He could stay like this in Gabriel's arms forever. He snuggled against his chest, and Gabriel held him tighter.

"Are you okay, Sam?"

Of course, he'd pick up on it. Gabriel was like that. He cleared his throat and pulled back a little. "Yeah. I just hate sneaking out, you know? This. Outside. It feels more like we're going behind Dean's back."

Gabriel searched his face. "It reminds you of Ruby?"

"Yeah. It really does."

"You do know this isn't the same thing right, Sam? I'm not sure that Dean would even care if he did know."

Sam nodded, not trusting his voice. Shame at the memory of Ruby and all the things he did during that time coursed through him. He couldn't even look at Gabriel.

"Hey, kiddo," Gabe said, tipping his chin up. "It's not the same at all. You're not sipping on my grace or plotting an evil plan. We're just making out."

"We're not making out."

"All in good time, Sam," he said with a wink.

He laughed. Gabriel knew exactly what to say to cheer him up.

"What's your biggest fear when it comes to your big bro finding out about us?" Gabriel asked.

"I don't know. I mean, you're right. I don't think he would care at all. And it would be a little hypocritical of him at his point." Sam shifted in Gabe's arms so he could see him better. "By the way Dean and Cas have moved their relationship into touching."

"Really?"

"Yes. It's an experiment Castiel is trying."

"Interesting. How's that work?"

"Well, Cas just absently touches him to see if Dean will follow suit."

"And does he?"

"Yeah."

"So, according to my little bro's theory, if I was to touch you—" He placed his hand along Sam's neck his thumb pressing against his pulse. "You would do the same?"

Sam touched him in the same spot. Gabe's skin was hot to the touch and his lips wanted to follow suit. "Exactly."

"What happens if I do this?" He kissed him softly on the lips.

"You know, I think Cas is on to something," Sam said, wrapping his arms around Gabe's neck so he could kiss him over and over. It was dangerous getting this close to Gabe when they only had minutes. He finally pulled away. "So what about you?"

"What about me?" Gabe asked.

"Are you afraid of Dean finding out?"

"Yes. But not for the reason you think."

Sam backed up a bit. "What reasons do I think?"

"You think Dean would be pissed because of some of the things I've done."

"You did kill him over and over."

"True. But that's not it. I think Dean's very protective of you."

Sam snorted. "You think?"

"And I think he'd worry about me taking off and breaking your heart."

"Are you going to do that, Gabe?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.

Gabriel's eyes held his. "No. Not ever."

That should have been enough. "Do you still think about it? About leaving?"

Gabriel smiled sadly. "Every single day."

Sam nodded breaking away from his gaze.

"But I fight that urge, Sam. Most of my angelic life has been spent running. It's my thing. Now that I have something to stick around for, I'm not messing that up. No way. Now kiss me like you mean it."

"I do mean it," Sam said, feeling suddenly lighter. Gabriel wasn't going to leave him. He'd known that already, hadn't he? He kissed Gabe, trying to keep it light. They were running out of time.

Gabriel trailed kisses down his chest, touching any exposed skin he could get to. "Did you bring any change, Sam?"

"What?" Sam couldn't think with Gabriel kissing him like that. All he wanted was to push him down lower, his lips all over his body.

Gabriel pulled away and gave him a serious look. "Do you have any change?"

"Why do you need change?"

"I don't but isn't Dean gonna wonder when you don't come back with soda after going to the vending machine?"

"I guess."

"And after being gone so long?"

"I don't want to talk about soda anymore," Sam said. "I don't want to talk." He kissed him again, getting lost in the feel of Gabriel's lips. When the alarm went off, it made no noise but everywhere Gabe touched him vibrated. Maybe they could find use for that alarm later when their five-minute-days were finished. "One minute," he whispered.

Reluctantly, Gabriel pulled away.

"What are you doing?"

"Saving you from your brother," he said as he pulled Sam closer to the front of the vending machine. Sam watched the door to the hotel room making sure Dean didn't appear. Gabe rapped his hand against the machine and a soda fell. It was the exact one Sam would've picked.

"Someone's been paying attention."

"Sam, you have no idea. Attention to detail is my middle name."

"I remember." He didn't want to think about Mystery Spot or TV Land, but he knew everything Gabe threw together was perfect down to the very last spoon in the diner.

"Hey," Gabe said, pulling him back into his arms. "Come back to me." Gabe kissed him again, banishing the ghosts from the past. "I can't wait to see what you have planned for us tomorrow."

The timer went off again, and he was gone, leaving only the feel of his hand against Sam's cheek.

When Sam returned to the room, Dean was perched on the side of the bed, flipping the TV channels, his hair wet.

"Where have you been?"

"Soda run," he said holding out the soda, and silently thanking Gabriel.

"Took you long enough."

He searched Dean's face for any sign that this reminded him of Ruby, but thankfully, he found nothing."

"Yeah I just had some stuff think about."

"Pretty cold night to be wandering around. You know that thing is still out there, Sammy. Not too smart."

Sam wasn't worried. He had an archangel protecting him. But he couldn't tell Dean that. "Yeah you're probably right." It was best just to agree.

"What's on your mind, Sam."

Sam shook his head. "Nothing, just thinking.'

"If it's about Gabriel, Cas says he's pretty busy in heaven. I'm sure everything's fine. Nothing to worry about."

"Yeah I think you're right." Sam slipped into bed and pulled the covers tightly around him. He almost wanted to take another shower just to warm-up but that would make Dean really suspicious. Sam closed his eyes picturing Gabriel. His smiling face was the last thing he thought of before he fell asleep.

Day Four

The hunt was a bust. Just when they thought they had the Lamia figured out, it blew up in their faces. Literally. They hadn't even touched the thing. He had a time washing that monster-dust out of his hair and now Dean was in the shower. Castiel had floated away, duty or some such crap. Dean wasn't one to linger in the shower. so he had to hurry.

"Gabriel."

The reaction was instant, and Gabe was there standing in front of Sam, smirk on his face.

"Hey kiddo." He glanced at the crappy motel room. The wallpaper peeling off in shots. "I really love what you've done with the place."

"Dean's in the shower though so we need to get on with it."

Gabriel just chuckled at that. "It's five minutes, Sam. No matter what."

"Right."

"What's on the menu for today?" Gabriel looked him up and down, and Sam wanted nothing more than to haul him in his arms. But they were just postponing the conversations that needed to happen.

"I thought we could talk."

"Talking's good." As Gabriel moved closer, Sam backed up. "Where you going, Sam? We need to stay in the same time zone here, okay?"

Sam shook his head, a smile on his face. "The closer you get to me, Gabriel, the harder it is for me to think, let alone talk."

"I'm okay with that."

"My turn."

"Fine," Gabriel said spreading his arms out. "What do you want to talk about?"

"How are things in Heaven?"

"Seriously? That's what's on your mind? Well, let's see… Naomi's a bitch. Castiel still needs to get laid. And I'm having a blast whipping the young recruits into shape. Next topic. Like how's the hunting business?"

"Next topic."

"Really?"

"Okay. It's fine," Sam said. "Fantastic. Next topic."

"Wow. It must be worse than I thought."

"No, Gabriel, I just don't want to spend our five minutes talking about it."

"Well what do you want to talk about?"

Sam didn't say anything. He felt a little stupid actually. All this build up for what?

"Seriously, Sam. Did you not think about it beforehand?"

"I've been a little busy."

"You know what I think? I think you have a question you're nervous about. Lay it on me."

Sam didn't have the luxury to stall. They only had five minutes, less now. And Dean could walk out at any time. He really wanted the answers to his questions. "It's a two-part question."

"Of course, it is," Gabriel said.

Sam ignored his remark. "Where is your favorite place to go? And where is the one place you haven't been to that you want to go?"

Gabriel thought for a minute, tapping his chin with his finger. "My answer is the same for both."

"Gabriel," Sam said, shaking his head. "It literally cannot be the same."

"Sure it can be, Sam. Have some imagination."

Sam gave up, throwing his hands up. This was Gabriel, after all. "Fine. What's your answer then?"

"My favorite place that I've been to and the place I most want to go to that I haven't been to is… anywhere as long as I'm with you."

"Gabe," he said softly, his heart melting. But could he trust him?

Gabriel grabbed his hands. "I'm not joking, Sam. I have been almost everywhere you could possibly be in this world, and beyond. The place is no longer special to me. It's the person that makes it special. And you're my favorite person. Definitely, my favorite Winchester. That's my final answer, and you cannot change my mind."

"Come here," Sam said pulling him in for a kiss. Gabe deepened the kiss, and he forgot all about his questions.

Finally, Gabriel pulled away. "Sam, we only have a few minutes. You're trying to distract me. It's your turn to answer those questions, and I know you have answers. I know that's why you asked them."

"You're clever for an archangel."

"That's why you adore me. Quit stalling."

"The place I liked being at the most was the Grand Canyon with Dean and my dad. It was the first vacation we actually had, and it wasn't really even a vacation. We had a hunt there, and I convinced dad to take us to the Grand Canyon. We were together as a family doing normal family stuff, and it was beautiful and amazing. You're right, Gabriel. It was being with my family that mattered, it wasn't actually the place." Sam felt a little bad that his answer wasn't cheesy or romantic. It didn't involve Gabriel at all. At least not the first part.

"What about the place you want to go to?"

"You'll probably laugh."

"Probably."

Sam rolled his eyes. "Hawaii."

"Really?"

"Yes, because Dean and I have been all over the United States. We've gone to every single state except two."

"You don't want to go to Alaska?"

"I'm not one for the cold. North Dakota's probably the most I can handle. And Hawaii is beautiful, at least in the pictures. I think they've got everything—sand, waterfalls, and volcanoes."

"Sounds groovy."

"Don't make fun of me."

"I'm not," Gabriel said, grabbing his waist and pulling him closer. "You're adorable."

"But I don't want to go without you."

"We'll do that Sam. I…"

The door clicked open, and Dean was there interrupting them. Sam glanced around. Gabriel was gone. They hadn't even gotten their full five minutes.

"Hey can you grab my Coconut oil for me?"

"Really?" Sam said. He felt breathless and his heart was pounding. Thankfully, Dean didn't seem to notice.

"It keeps my skin soft. I forgot it. It's in my bag."

Sam hurried and got him the oil, and Dean shut the door again.

Great. They almost got caught. "Gabriel," he whispered.

"Right here, Sam," he said. "I never left. I just went invisible girl."

"What are you Wonder Woman?"

"Something like that. Want to see my golden lasso?"

The buzzer went off. Shit one minute.

"So what do we want to talk about for our last minute?"

"I'm done with words," Sam said. He pulled him closer and held him tight. And then pulled him in for a kiss. "Thank you, Gabriel."

"For what?"

"You didn't leave."

"Sam, I want to do all the things with you and not just those things," he waggled his eyebrows. "I want to do normal everyday things like take a family vacation."

"Even though you're an archangel?"

"Especially because I'm an archangel. I've never had those normal moments. I had gambling. I had addiction. And porno stars. But I've never had a happy family life."

"Me either. Not really. I mean, I'm happy with Dean but…"

"I get it." He touched Sam's face softly. "The thing is I never even wanted those things before. But with you, I want it so much—"

The buzzer went off again and Gabriel was gone. Sam felt that sense of loss he always felt when Gabriel left, but he couldn't forget his words. He wanted to go everywhere with Sam. He wanted them to have a life together. They still had to work out their trust issues, and that could take a while, but for once, he actually felt like it could all work out.

"Sam, the showers all yours." Steam followed Dean out of the bathroom as he rummaged through his clothes.

"I already took my shower."

"Yeah, but you like to spend a lot of time in there lately, doing God know what."

"Shut up, Dean." He ignored his brother and pulled up his laptop. He needed to find out more about this crazy unpredictable monster they were chasing.

"Are you doing research?"

"Maybe."

"We killed the thing, Sam."

"It exploded on it's own, Dean. Something isn't right."

"Today was a win. Let it go."

So he did. For now. Not that Dean would know that. Instead of researching why a Lamia would just explode into dust, he brought up one of his favorite tourist websites and imagined what it would be like to swim in the Pacific Ocean with Gabriel by his side.