A/N: My Beta is on holiday at the moment, so this hasn't been check and WILL have grammar and spelling mistakes. You've been warned so please don't complain unless absolutely necessary. Thank you. Enjoy.

CHAPTER TEN

Sam strolled through the canteen of SBI, his gaze searching his colleague's faces. Ever since he'd figured out whom Becky was he'd been waiting to talk to her. Ask her why she hadn't told him that they'd shared at class? Or that he'd almost broken her nose.

"Looking for someone sasquatch?"

Sam rolled his eyes and groaned. "Go away."

"Now, now. Be nice." Gabriel grumbled with a smirk. "Or I won't let you sit with us."

Gabriel dropped down into the seat next to a surprised and infuriated Becky.

"No you again." She moaned.

"Hey, I brought a peace offering." nodding behind him to a clearly uncomfortable Sam.

Becky wished she'd had a sharp weapon to plunge into the annoying short-arse. Why was he so determined to make her life miserable?

Sam dropped down in the seat across from the young woman and smiled. "Hey."

Becky swallowed hard, giving him a small smile while dropping her gaze. "Hello."

"So…" Sam murmured. "Huh….how are you today?"

Becky kept her eyes down, convinced that Sam couldn't possibly be talking to her.

"Becs." Gabriel nudged.

Her eyes went wide as she glanced up to see Sam looking at her expectantly. "Me?"

Sam smiled softly. "Yeah."

"Oh….fine, thank you Mr. Winchester."

Sam felt his gut tighten at the formal name. "It's Sam." he said firmly. "After all we were at college together."

Becky looked at him intently, unsure where this conversation was going.

"I was going through some of my things last night. Found the photo of Professor Mason's art class."

Becky's eyes widened further. "Oh." her heart pounded painfully against her ribs.

"You two shared a class. Cool. Guess its fate then." Gabriel chuckled.

The pair looked at Gabriel with a blistering glare, causing him to laugh harder.

"Hey, can I join you."

The three of them turned to see the blond dropping down into the seat next to Sam before any of them could give an answer.

"So, what we talking about." Ruby grinned at Sam, ignoring the others.

"Huh…." he looked between Becky and Gabriel.

"What do you want demon bitch?"

Ruby glared at the man and the tension around the table heightened impossibly. Finally it was too much for Becky and she got to her feet quickly. Bending down to get her bag from beneath the table, she misjudged the distance and slammed her head into the edge hard. Sam was on his feet and rushing around the table as she stumbled backwards, blood seeping from a fresh wound, catching her before she fell.

~DESTIEL/BECAM~

It only took Dean a few minutes to get the debris under control and cordon off the whole section of office. He'd already called Larry to come and take over from him, explaining that a family emergency was calling him away. He strolled past Cass's small cubical and popped his head around the corner. "Hey." the man stiffened instantly, and not in a good way.

"Are you done?"

Oh god what a question. "Yeah. Larry will be by in a while to tidy up."

Cass's gaze shot up to finally meet Dean's. "You're not coming back?" he said almost panicked, which had just the right effect of Dean.

He leant his shoulder against a filing cabinet and folded his arms. "Why? You gonna to miss me?" his tone dropping seductively.

Cass swallowed hard, drawing Dean's gaze to his throat and he slowly swept his tongue across his lower lip, which Cass obviously noticed as the man's Adam's apple bobbed again.

"N-no…" Castiel stuttered. Why the hell was he doing that? "I just think people should clean up the messes they make."

Dean's brow rose slightly. "Well, I'd love to come back and clean up our mess…." he gave a pregnant pause before continuing. "…but sadly I've an emergency at home."

"Oh."

Was that disappointment in his voice? God Dean hoped so, if it was it meant he had a chance. "Yeah, a friends been in an accident, her kid needs me."

"Oh."

Dean smiled to himself as Cass' eyes lit up. Wow, those eyes.

"You should go then."

"Yeah."

Dean didn't move, he remained with his shoulder pressed against the cabinet, watching the angel before him.

"Emergency's usually surgest hast." Castiel said nervously.

"Yeah, right." Dean finally pushed himself away from the cabinet. "Maybe I'll see you later, when I get back. - You know, maybe we could get a drink, to say thanks for saving me."

"Oh, t-that….that won't be necessary, it was a natural reaction."

Dean narrowed his gaze. "You usually tackle guys to the ground?"

"What, uh, no… I meant seeing someone in danger."

Dean chuckled. "I was teasing Cass, chill. But I'd still like to get a drink. - That's assuming your…." he was about to show his hand and he just hoped he didn't blow it. "….boyfriend won't mind." course, he knew Cass didn't have a boyfriend, Gabriel had given him the low-down on his baby brother the Emu.

"I - I… I'm not…I'm straight." Castiel flushed scarlet, his brilliant blue eyes wide as saucers, while his heart pounded dangerously against his ribs.

Dean pouted. "Shame." he said as he walked away, knowing Cass was watching him go. Straight my arse. Dean grinned to himself.

Dean got all the way to the car park just as his car was driving away. "what the hell!" he yelled, knowin it could only be Sam. Fishing his mobile out of his jacket he stood, his foot tapping the curb, waiting for his brother to anwser his damn phone. For five minutes he stood there growing increasingly irritated at his brother. Usually Sam was such a girl when it came to his mobile, he never went anywhere without it, never turned it off unless absolutely necessary and never didn't answer it when it rang. The fact that Sam still hadn't answered added to Dean stress levels. Turning he saw Gabriel marching towards his with a grin the length of the golden gate bridge across his face.

"How goes it Deano."

"Can't get Sam on the phone." he snapped, hiting redial again.

Gabriel frowned. "Oh, he's fine, he's taking Becky to the Emergency ?"

"Huh? Why?."

"She slipt her head on one of the canteen tables. Sam's being the hero." Garbiel smirked triumphantly.

"Again." Dean smirked. "So that's why he'd taken off in my baby. Well have to say the timings impeccable"

Gabriel frown deepened. "Why what's up?"

"I've just got a call and my….friends been in an accident, I have to get there like yesterday."

"Oh, wow, sorry." Gabriel looked around him thinking, when he spotted a small battered jeep.. "So it's an emergency then?" Gabriel asked slowly.

"Well, yeah. Why do you have a car?" asked hopefully.

"Me? Nuh, kinda suffering from a case of suspended licence…." he turned to grin at Dean. "…wasn't my fault though."

"Sure." Dean smirked.

"But Castiel's got a car."

Dean's face light up and dropped at the same moment. He couldn't go back in there and ask the guy he'd just spent the past hour flirting with to lend him his car. That would just be wrong. "I can't ask Cass." Dean flushed despite himself.

"Why?" Gabriel drew out the word.

Dean huffed. "Because I've kinda…well, just finished…."

"Yes." Gabriel lit up and bounced on the balls of his feet.

Dean rolled his eyes. "Embarrassing the living hell out of the guy." at Gabriel's confused looked he clarified. "Flirting, chatting up, hitting on. - I left him in not the best state." he sighed. "I know I shouldn't have, especially after what you told me but I just couldn't…"

"Excellent. Now you have to let him drive you to….wherever it is…"

"What? Drive me? That's not necessary….Gabriel!" he yelled as the short man marched off determinedly back into the building.

Dean caught up with him at the lifts. "Gabriel. I said it's fine. I'll just wait for Sam to get back with the Impala. - I can't ask Cass to drive me to Kansas."

"Kansas?" Gabriel's head snapped around.

"Yes. Which is why he can't possibly…"

"Even better. Long drive. Time to chat and get to know each other." Gabriel was grinning like a crazy person.

"Gabriel!"

"This is taking too long." Gabriel snapped impatiently, sprinting for the stairs.

"Gabriel!" Dean ran after him.

It was only three floors but by the time Dean exited the stair shaft after a much too lively and fast Gabriel, he was breathless, mostly from shouting for the little twat to stop and leave his brother alone. Gabriel was already talking to Cass when Dean finally caught up to him.

"Come on bro, what happened to all that help your fellow man garbage you love to spout."

Castiel shifted in his seat as Dean approached and glared daggers at Gabriel. "I - I'm working…"

"Take a personal day…well afternoon. They can't bitch at you Cass…."

Castiel narrowed his gaze. "Don't call me that." he whispered.

Gabriel grinned. "Sorry. Castiel" he drawled. "You're the best worker among this bunch, you never take personal days, not even during your divorce, you deserve a break, and what better way to relax that a road trip."

"It's fine, really." Dean put in. "I don't need you to drive me, or lend me your car. Sam will be back soon." he insisted flustered. It was one thing flirting with the guy when it was just the two of them, but he didn't want to make him uncomfortable or make him feel guilty. "I tried to tell him it was fine, but…"

"He wouldn't listen." Castiel finished the sentence naturally, causing Gabriel's grin to widen.

Gabriel turned to Dean. "Castiel wouldn't lend you his car anyway, it's his pride and joy. The only thing his bitch of an ex-wife couldn't make him get rid of."

"Gabriel!" Castiel shouted.

Gabriel actually looked sorry though he didn't say it. "Listen, Dean needs a friend and savior and so do you, so just get out of that chair and step up to the plate. - Now I've got work to get back to."

Gabriel walked off before either of the men could say another thing, leaving Dean and Castiel staring at each other.

"It's fine. Really." Dean finally said with an awkward smile. "And I'm well...about earlier…" he couldn't say sorry, because he wasn't. "….didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." with that he turned and headed back to the lift. He'd wait in Sam's office for his return then he'd hit the road. It'll only be a few hours' drive.

Castiel watched Dean walk away and suddenly felt like the worst person in the universe. Gabriel was right, he was always insisting that they help those in need. But there'd been that awkward scene earlier and Dean was clearly gay and thought Castiel was too. Which he wasn't. - But it was an emergency and it had to be important if Dean had been so distracted by the phone call that he'd almost been killed by a falling air-conditioning unit. He hadn't realised he was on his feet until he was moving. Grabbing his tanned trench coat of the peg, he turned off his computer and went after Dean, shrugging into his coat as he went. "Just so we're clear." he said from behind the taller man, causing him to turn in surprise. "I am not gay and while I'm….flattered by your interest I'm… unavailable." Had he really just quoted Sherlock? More or less. Dammit, Gabriel was right, he was obsessed.

Dean had to fight the grin. "So you're going to lend me your car?" he asked, hoping the answer was no.

"No…"

Bingo.

"…As Gabriel said, I'm very attached to my jeep, I don't let anyone drive it. - Especially not him."

The elevator door pinged open and the pair stepped inside.

"I know how you feel, I hate knowing Sam has a set keys…" Dean said, hitting the ground button. "…but at least he still has a license and a speechlessly clean one at that."

"Oh, Gabriel's a maniac behind the wheel. I wonder he ever passed his test to begin with, let alone it taking him almost ten year to get his license suspended."

Dean laughed and Castiel gave a small smile.

Stepping out of the lift Dean followed Cass's lead out of the building and into the sun drenched car park, as they walked Dean couldn't help but wish that the account wasn't wearing that ugly trench coat, it wasn't like he had x-ray vision and he really had a craving to check out the view. Which he could imagine was one hell of a beauty spot. Certainly one he wouldn't mind visiting. He was pulled out of his fantasies by Cass's deep gravely voice, which considering where his mind was, wasn't conducive to keeping his pecker under control.

"Dean?"

"Huh?"

"Are you getting in?" Castiel frowned at him nervously.

"Oh, huh, yeah sorry. Miles away…." he smiled, looked at the battered old jeep. "…so this is your baby?"

"Huh? Oh, it's my pride and joy. First car I brought. I learnt to drive in it."

Dean looked smiled at the sentimental glow in Cass's eyes. "Cool. - You sure you don't mind…?"

"It's fine, it's only a couple of hours and Gabriel's right, which I'm quickly growing tired of saying, I need a break."

"I guess I'm going to owe you more than just a drink after his." Dean saw the panic in the man's eyes and quickly reassure him, holding up his hands in surrender. "Don't worry, I got the message, hands off I swear."

Castiel stared at him for a while, finally he decided to take the chance. "Okay."

They climbed into the jeep together and set off on their road trip unaware they were bring watched. Gabriel grinned as he watched the jeep pull away from, hopeful that this was going to be the start of a beautiful 'friendship'

A/N: For clarification, Cass is an Emu because he has his head in the sand about being gay.

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