Castiel jumped from Dean's embrace like he'd been electrocuted. Both of them looked to the door, where Sam was standing with a look of confusion on his face.

"Sammy," Dean looked at his brother with no idea how he was going to explain what had happened. A rush of air told Dean that Castiel was no longer behind him. Letting out a heavy breath, Dean moved to sit on his bed; offhandedly noticing that the shirt was missing too. Sam came to sit opposite him, a look of concern mixing with the remaining uncertainty.

"Dean…" Sam started slowly. "What the hell is going on?"

"That's a good question, Sammy," Dean sighed. "I wish I knew."

"Ok, how about what the hell just happened? At least catch me up to where you are." Dean ran a hand over his face before looking at his brother.

"Castiel was hurt. His vessel is dead, and one of his closest brothers was killed. I cleaned him up, came to get him a new shirt and…" Dean trailed off uncertainly. Sam nodded as if he understood, but Dean could tell he didn't. There was a moment of silence before Sam spoke again.

"Do you think I scared him away?" Dean shrugged slightly.

"He has to come back sometime. He was assigned to me." Sam sighed doubtingly but nodded.

~*~*~*~*~

Dean looked up at the pitch blackness of the night sky, punctuated only by pinpricks of starlight. The moon was nowhere to be found. Taking a deep breath, Dean closed his eyes, calling out into the darkness.

"Cass. If you can hear me, I need to talk to you." His barely hidden plea was met with silence. Dean sighed heavily.

"Castiel, please."

"I am here, Dean." Dean turned around to see Castiel, looking grave. Dean took a few steps towards Castiel, before stopping short.

"Are you free to talk?"

"Yes." Castiel's reply seemed uncertain, but Dean smiled lightly anyway.

"Good… Come back to the motel?" Castiel hesitated for a moment before nodding slowly. Relief crossed Dean's face as he led Castiel back towards his motel room.

~*~*~*~*~

Dean breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that Sam had left the motel room. Waiting until Castiel was inside; Dean closed the door. Castiel faced Dean; his calm demeanour betrayed by the blatant fear in his eyes.

"Cass," Dean started slowly. "I know you probably got freaked out earlier…" Dean stopped; waiting for Castiel to chip in. When it seemed clear he didn't want to speak, Dean continued.

"I'm sorry, ok? I shouldn't have…"

"Dean, stop," Castiel's jaw was set as he looked away from Dean. "You shouldn't apologise. I'm the one who… It wasn't your fault."

"Then why are you being so strange?" Dean asked desperately.

"Because I was wrong," Castiel all but snapped, looking back at Dean almost desperately. "I shouldn't have acted as I did. I am an angel of the Lord, and I should know better." Dean shook his head slowly; stepping closer to Castiel.

"Why? Why do you have to know better?"

"I have orders. I am not to get distracted from them."

"And I distract you?" Castiel looked away again, knowing Dean didn't need an answer. Dean sighed.

"Look at me, Cass." Castiel reluctantly obeyed. "You shouldn't feel guilty about this. As long as you're doing your job, anything else you do is none of their business."

"Try telling them that," Castiel replied quietly.

"I don't care what your bosses say," Dean slowly raised his hand to Castiel's face. "This feels right to me." Castiel closed his eyes at Dean's touch.

"Dean," Castiel whispered. "I…" Castiel's sentence was cut short by Dean's lips pressing insistently to his. The hand on Castiel's face moved back to his hair and Dean pulled the angel flush against him. Castiel gave in easily; kissing Dean back and grabbing at his shirt. Eventually, Dean forced himself to pull away and look into Castiel's eyes.

"Now tell me," Dean's voice was breathless but determined. "You tell me that didn't feel right. That you don't ever want me to do it again. You tell me that, and we can pretend this never happened." Castiel looked completely lost as he stared back at Dean. Slowly, he moved his hand to cover the spot over Dean's heart.

"I don't know what to do," Castiel whispered, almost desperately. "Dean… I am afraid." Dean sighed softly. Castiel was now looking intently at his own hand as he scratched absently at Dean's shirt. Without a word, Dean brought his hand up to rest over Castiel's. Castiel looked timidly up at Dean, who tried his best to smile.

"You don't have to be scared," Dean almost whispered. "We can protect you; just like we did for…" Dean stopped, looking worriedly at Castiel.

"For Anna," Castiel finished; a slight bitterness entering his tone.

"I'm sorry," Dean sighed. Castiel's expression darkened slightly and he leaned in to kiss Dean forcefully. The hunter barely had time to get breath into his lungs before Castiel pulled him in tightly; his hands roaming everywhere they could reach. Dean kissed back with equal fervour, as Castiel's hands snaked up under his shirt to all but dig into his bared flesh. The angel seemed determined to wipe the memory of Anna's touch from Dean's skin, as he pushed the man down onto the bed.

~*~*~*~*~

Castiel sighed softly and looked over at the sleeping human next to him. A small smile graced his face as he watched Dean's chest rise and fall rhythmically. A flutter of supernatural wings made him look up into the darkened room.

"What have you done?" The booming voice seemed to be inside his head more than it was in the room; Dean wasn't woken by it. Castiel wanted to reply, but he couldn't seem to find his voice.

"You disgrace the garrison and your family."

"I'm sorry," Castiel whispered. Dread washed over him as he felt the warmth of the body next to him disappear.

"You will be punished for this dishonour."

"No. Please. It was a mistake. Please forgive me." Breath would only come in sharp bursts, and soon Castiel's head was spinning.

"You disobeyed! You cannot be forgiven. You were warned."

"I'm so sorry. Please!"

"Begging will do you no good." Castiel felt a cold hand gripping his throat.

"Dean!"

Dean woke with a start, looking around wildly. The room was cold, and he quickly noticed he was alone in his bed. He placed his hand on the spot where Castiel had fallen asleep, and realised from the warmth that he hadn't been gone long.

"Castiel?" Dean called into the darkness; fear creeping into his senses. "Cass!"

THE END