A/N: Hello everyone. Here is the next chapter. I've had quite a bit of writers block lately, so I hope this came out okay. No smut in this one, and if this is the direction that the story is going, it might take some time to get back to that. But angst seems to be the flavor of the day, at least for a while. If it gets tedious or tiring, let me know. Again, no outline for this fic, so whatever comes out when I sit down to write, comes out. Hope you guys like this.

Thank you so much for all the reviews and favorites. You guys are amazing, and it has helped me write the last 2 or 3 chapters. Without them, I think I might have abandoned this fic. Anyway, without further ado...

Chapter 14

Dean stood staring around the diner's parking lot, trying to piece it all together. Cas was gone. Regrets. Connected. He shook his head. He needed time to process everything. Cas wasn't leaving until tomorrow. That would give him some time to comprehend what was happening. God, he needed a drink. But he wanted to be alone, so he headed to the Impala, and slid behind the wheel. Was Cas' family connections a deal breaker? Did they mean that Cas was someone Dean couldn't be with? They had a connection of their own, he had felt it from the beginning. Would it be enough to get past Cas' colorful family and career?

Cas drove back to the townhouse determinedly. He had known this would turn out bad. It always did. But he felt he needed to be honest with Dean. He felt so much for the green eyed man, and it just seemed fair to tell him about his life, his family. But now, he was heartbroken. Yes, it had only been a few days, but Dean had broken through all of his barriers, wiggled close to his heart. Closer than anyone had gotten in a long time. Cas had allowed it, only because he had been so lonely. But it had blown up in his face. He should have known better.

He arrived back at Gabe's place to see that his older brother was home. Either it was later than he thought, or Gabe was home early. He sighed. He really didn't want to see anyone. To be honest, he really just wanted to sleep. He could get up early tomorrow and drive back to the city. No reason to stay longer than he had too, at least at this point. He unlocked the door and walked into the town home. "Hey Cassie!" Gabe had his trademark smile on his face. But it didn't last long. "What's wrong little brother?" Cas just shook his head, making his way through the living room. "I reallly don't want to discuss it, Gabriel. I'm tired. I"m going to bed. I'll be leaving early in the morning," and he walked to his room and shut the door. Gabe just stood there, flabbergasted. What the hell had happed?

Dean drove back to the apartment in silence. Normally he'd have the radio on, but his thoughts were too loud, too jumbled and he needed the silence. As he drove, it dawned on him, Cas had said he had regrets. But about what? He couldn't put it together. He had been so shocked by what Cas had said about his job and his family that he hadn't heard exactly what the blue eyed man had said. Dean felt a tightness in his chest. Did Cas regret their time together? Or did he regret telling him about his family? Dammit! Why'd he have to zone out?

Dean arrived at the apartment to find it empty. Good, need time to think without Sammy around to bug me. He made his way to his room. The bed was still rumpled. He hadn't had time to make it before heading to the diner. He stripped down to his T-shirt and boxers and crawled under the covers. They still smelled like Cas.

It was still early, around nine or so, but he wanted to sleep. He was so tired, but his brain wouldn't turn off. He closed his eyes and started sorting through his thoughts. The gorgeous blue eyed creature that had touched something deep inside of him, had made him feel something for the first time in a very long time, had mob connections. Was he dangerous? Was his family dangerous? And did any of that matter? It came down to one simple thing: Did knowing that Cas' family (and Cas, by default), worked for the mob make it impossible for him to be with he blue eyed man? He was so confused. He'd never really been good with relationship crap and avoided them as much as possible. But here he was contemplating a relationship with a potentially dangerous man. He sighed deeply. He couldn't think about any of this any more tonight. Cas wasn't leaving until tomorrow afternoon. It would all be clearer in the morning. He let himself relax, breathing in their combined scents that lingered on his sheets. His head swam with flashes of their time together. From first seeing him at the bar, watching him walk out of the bathroom so boldly, his sexy smirk, seeing him at the garage. He drifted off to sleep, his mind filled with Castiel Novak. Yep, he was fucked. But he didn't care.

Castiel laid in bed wide awake. He was bone tired, but he couldn't sleep. He tossed and turned, but couldn't turn off his brain. How had he let Dean in? That's why he only did one night stands. He wouldn't ever have to tell anyone about his family. He wouldn't start to fall for anyone, and he wouldn't get hurt. And that was what he felt right now, hurt. He had started to fall for the handsome mechanic. His smile, his eyes, his easy way about him. Dean had made Cas feel alive for the first time in a long time. In only a few days with Dean, he felt lighter, less constricted. He had tried to stop the feelings from creeping up on him. That's why he hadn't stayed the first night at that bar. They had made some sort of connection immediately, and that had scared the shit out of him. But then he'd caught a glimpse of him at the garage when he picked up his brother that day. He knew he'd have to see the man again. Now, Dean would never be a part of his life. He'd seen the look on the green eyed man's face after he'd told him about his family. It wasn't just shock. He was scared. Dean was afraid of him or his family, or both. Cas sighed. Well, at least he hadn't actually fallen in love with Dean. At least, not completely. Cas was hurting, but it was for the best. He could go back to his normal life and forget about Dean Winchester for good. Yeah, right.

The next morning dawned cool and bright. Dean woke up slowly, Cas' scent still in his nose. It made him smile. Cas made him smile. As he woke up more and more, it hit him. Cas was someone he wanted to know, needed to know. He had started to fall for the blue eyed man, and no matter what he and his family did, he needed Cas in his life. Decision made, he sat at the side of the bed, smiling. He'd go over to Gabe's as soon as he showered and tell Cas that none of it mattered, that he wanted to be with him. He got up and made his way to the shower. He glanced at the clock on the way. It was 9:30 now, he could be there within the hour.

Cas woke early that day. His sleep had been fitful and unrestful. It was only 6:30, but he couldn't sleep anymore. He drug himself out of bed and to the shower. He'd drive back to the city this morning. Leave this all behind him, leave Dean behind him. Just another one night stand. Well, more than that, but he'd lie to himself to keep from feeling the ache in his chest. Yes, he'd go back to the city, get back to his life. He could easily forget about Dean. Sure. No problem.

He was behind the wheel of his Camaro by 8:00. If traffic wasn't too bad he'd be back to his apartment by 9:15. Gabe had given him shit about leaving early, but could tell something wasn't right. He hadn't pushed, and for that, Cas was grateful. He didn't want to think about Dean Winchester anymore. He took a deep breath and started his drive back to the city. Back to real life... alone.

Dean felt light and happy as he drove to Gabe's townhouse. He hummed along with the radio and tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. He was going to tell Cas how much he needed him, how nothing else mattered. As much as that scared the hell out of him, he knew it was right, and that made him happy.

He arrived at Gabe's complex and quickly got out of the Impala, not looking around. He bounded up the sidewalk to the front door, ringing the bell. He was nervous, but it was a good nervous. This was the beginning of something amazing, and he coudn't wait to feel Cas' arms around him again.

The door opened with a few seconds. "Dean-o? What are you doing here?" Gabe asked, a harshness in his voice that Dean barely noticed. "I need to talk to Cas," he smiled. Gabe frowned back at him. "He's not here. He left over an hour ago. He went back to the city."