Okay, firstly, I am so sorry for not uploading this sooner. I had exams and work and I've not really had a spare minute to type it, but I've finished exams now so I've got more time to write.

Also, this chapter jumps about a bit. I'd say this chapter can fit in anywhere after the 4th episode of season 4, so Cas and Dean have met and established a vague friendship. None of my story is actually in the show, but I've written it so it fits in between different scenes. If you're unsure of anything then just let me know.

I don't own Supernatural.

Anyway, I'll stop talking now. Enjoy!

Castiel was sitting in a Heaven. It wasn't his favourite Heaven, but it was still enjoyable. This was the Heaven of a British soldier from WW1. It was a beautiful summer's day and the soldier was having tea with his family in his back garden. He had just been accepted for the Army and was looking forward to fighting with his comrades. The garden was stunning. The flowers, planted in a border around the grass were blooming, lighting up the garden with an array of colours. To the right, separated from the garden by a small wall, was an apple orchard. Castiel sat on the wall, watching the memory. This was one of the man's happiest memories, and Castiel was glad this was the soldier's Heaven, as it had been the last time he had been with his family. The soldier had then left for the front line and never returned.

Castiel was reflecting on the duty he had been given. Dean Winchester. The man was proving to be quite an interesting case. Castiel had been frequently visiting his charge and providing him with whatever he needed. Some of the angels, especially Uriel, had questioned his judgement, declaring that Castiel had been 'compromised' by the human. Castiel dismissed these allegations, claiming that he was fulfilling is mission, given to him by God, and who were they to question their Father's word. The Host had agreed with him, but warned Castiel to not get attached to Dean. The angel sighed, he was perfectly aware that angels were not meant to feel. They were meant to be emotionless and effective soldiers of Heaven. However, Castiel knew that the situation with Dean had not contaminated him. Dean was under his protection and in Castiel's eyes; it was inevitable that he would grow to care for the human.

As Castiel came to this conclusion, a sharp pain seared through his body. He grunted and fell to the ground. He couldn't understand where the pain was coming from, as the only object which could harm angels was an angel sword. Suddenly, his head was filled with images of Hell and the sound of a man screaming. He instantly understood that the connection between Dean's soul and his Grace had resurfaced. Struggling to stand because of the pain pulsing through his vessel, Castiel located Dean and teleported to Earth.

He found Dean, tossing and turning in his sleep, clearly distressed. Castiel kept getting flashes of Dean's nightmare. Alastair's laugh echoed in his ears as he sat on Dean's bed, gently rousing him.

Dean jerked awake, woken from his nightmare. He noticed a presence next to him and pulled out the knife from under his pillow, while flipping over to face the intruder.

'Hey, you jerk-Oh Cas, it's you…you know it's really not a good idea to sneak up on me.'

'Yes, but I felt your discomfort. You were dreaming of Hell, again.'

Dean looked down at his hands, not wanting to show Cas how much the nightmare had upset him.

'I guess I was….but it doesn't matter.'

Dean scowled in the darkness. He told himself that he should be able to get over this, and yet most nights he would remember his time in Hell.

'Dean, I can help you sleep.'

Dean sighed. He didn't want to seem vulnerable in front of Cas, and he was angry at himself for not being able to fight the memories of Hell, but he needed the sleep. His erratic sleeping pattern was beginning to disrupt his work.

'Sure, go for it.'

Cas placed two fingers to Dean's forehead and instantly his mind cleared and his body relaxed. He lay down and yawned, suddenly feeling exceptionally tired. He turned on his side and mumbled, 'Thanks Cas,' and yawned again. The angel nodded and Dean could see a glimpse of a smile on Castiel's face before he fell back to sleep.

Dean was pissed. He'd just woken up to discover Sam had left, again. He was probably away with Ruby, getting his kicks or looking for Lilith. His little brother was so sure he was doing the right thing, but it was said the road to Hell was paved with good intentions, and Dean was sure that working with demons was the quickest way to screw up your life, no matter what Sam said. Cas had also warned him of Sam's behaviour. Dean was sick and tired of Sam running off to Ruby. He was meant to protect Sammy, and how could he do that if his little brother was in the hands of a demon? Dean decided that the best idea would be to find Sam and talk sense into him.

He called Sam's cell to check it was with him. It rung for a while and Dean was about to hang up, when Sam finally answered,

'Hey Dean, what's up?'

'Hmm, nothing, what you up to?'

'Oh, just out getting some food and stuff. I'll be back soon.'

Dean sighed, frustrated that his brother was still pretending everything was fine.

'Right, of course you will.'

'Emm yeah, see you later Dean.'

Then Sam hung up. Dean nearly threw his phone across the motel room in anger. Dean knew exactly what Sam would be doing, and he was insulted and irritated that Sam kept playing his for a fool. He phoned Sam's cellphone operator and turned on the GPS on his phone, then used Sam's laptop to find his location. It was a mile or two away from their current hotel, so Dean grabbed his keys, locked the motel room and drove off in the impala.

As he drove, Dean contemplated calling Castiel for help. Dean had gradually grown to like the angel and his strange ways, and he was very useful for hunts and information. The angel also seemed to care deeply about Dean, which was difficult for Dean to understand. Dean always wondered why an angel of the Lord would care about him. He was a shattered and imperfect human, who had practically broken every one of God's commandants for mankind, and yet Castiel still took time to watch over him. Dean was grateful for that and viewed Cas as a best friend. However, he decided against calling the angel, he was there to talk to Sam and only Sam.

Dean drove till he reached the building that, according to the GPS, Sam was currently in. He parked across the street from an old warehouse. Most of the windows were missing and the sign which bore the name of the owner had faded. Dean loaded his gun and walked towards the building.

When he reached the door, he pushed it open slowly and stepped inside. It was dark inside and Dean pulled out a flashlight from his jacket. He flicked it on with the gun and the light in position. He pulled out his cell and phoned Sam again. There was no answer and Dean didn't hear it ring in the building he was in. He began to suspect that he'd been tricked into coming here. Sam wasn't here and Dean decided to get out of there as quickly as he could. As he was walking towards the door, something grabbed him from behind. He was struck from behind on the head and slipped into unconsciousness.

When Dean resurfaced he was tied to a chair. He shook his head to clear his vision. He looked up and saw a woman with short light brown hair and green eyes looking at him with a smirk. She blinked and her eyes turned to deep black.

'Oh great, demons,' Dean muttered.

'Well hey there, Dean. Nice to see you up.'

'What do you want?' Dean asked.

'Skipping the pleasantries are we? Well, you know why you're here. The seals. And you've got help from angels, which doesn't really help our cause, so we thought we'd just keep you away from it all for a little while.'

While she'd been talking, Dean slid the pocket knife out of his sleeve and started to cut away the ropes which bound him. There was only one demon, and when he got out of here, he'd call Sam and leave this town.

'Afraid you're going to lose?' Dean asked.

The demon laughed mirthlessly and walked towards Dean, and crouched down in front of him.

'The thought had crossed our minds, so we thought it would be best if you paid us a little visit.'

Dean head butted the demon and pulled his hands out of the ropes. He stood up, grabbing the woman and punched her in the face. She hissed at him and kicked Dean in the stomach. He stumbled back and looked up. Suddenly, there were another three demons in the room.

'Brought reinforcements, did you?' Dean asked.

'You're a Winchester, better to be safe than sorry,' the woman answered.

A man lunged at Dean, his eyes flicking to black. Dean struggled with him and stabbed him with the penknife. The four demons then crowded round Dean and one grabbed his arms from behind.

'I'm getting a bit tired of your attitude, Winchester,' a demon muttered.

One of the men punched Dean hard in the face and he felt blood trickle from his nose into his mouth. He was punched again in the stomach and Dean groaned in pain. Dean was repeatedly hit by the demons until he was about to black out for a second him.

Suddenly he heard a shout and one of the demons holding him ran towards the noise.

'Dean, close your eyes NOW!'

Dean closed his eyes, but he could sense a blinding light and felt a flash of heat. The remaining demons holding him fell to the ground and Dean stumbled. He fell in to someone's arms and looked up to see Castiel's face.

Cas healed him and transported them back to the impala. Dean looked over at Cas and saw a worried look on the angel's face.

'Are you alright, Dean?' Cas asked hesitantly.

Dean coughed.

'Em, yeah, I'm fine. Thanks for getting me out of there,' Dean answered.

'What were you doing there?' The angel questioned him.

'I thought Sam was there, but he wasn't. The demons wanted to keep me there so they could continue breaking seals.'

Castiel nodded.

'I need to return to Heaven. Be careful, Dean.'

Dean smiled at his friend and laughed, 'Always am, Cas.'

Castiel smirked and left the car with a flutter of wings. Dean smiled at where the angel had been sitting and mentally sent a thank you to him. Dean then put the car into first gear and drove off, back to the motel.

Dean lay in the hospital bed after the encounter with Alastair. He couldn't do this, he couldn't do anything. Castiel had just informed him that he had started breaking the seals, that it was his job to avert the apocalypse, and so far he had failed miserably. He'd lost everything along this path and the grief which he kept from the rest of the world had finally caught up with him.

He looked over at the angel sitting in the hospital chair by his bed, and let out a sob.

'I can't do this, Cas...I've tried but I just can't do this.'

Castiel walked over to Dean and took his hand. For once, Dean wasn't embarrassed by the angel's personal space issues, or lack of understanding. He needed the contact.

Castiel sighed, and looked into Dean's eyes before saying, 'Dean, I rebuilt you when I saved you from Hell. I know every inch of you being and how beautiful your soul is. Please, you know I would never lie to you. You are special Dean, and you are able to do this. I will be there with you, as will your brother, Sam.'

Dean looked back at the angel, and smiled weakly, 'Thanks Cas, I guess I needed to hear that.' Dean pulled Castiel towards him, giving the angel a hug.

'Dean...I...'

Castiel stiffened as Dean hugged him, not sure of the current situation. Dean chuckled as he let go of the angel. Cas was frowning and Dean stared into his eyes in confusion.

'Dean, I need to tell you something...'

The angel leaned forward, closing his eyes, and pressed his head against Dean's forehead.

'Close your eyes, Dean. It will make this easier.'

Dean could feel Castiel reaching into his mind, constructing a telepathic bridge between them both. He could sense the sheer magnitude of Castiel's mind. It was endless and full of colours as bright and magical as his wings. Dean stiffened slightly as he felt the words tumble from Castiel's mind into his: 'Dean, I love you.'

Castiel pulled away from Dean, severing the connection. He looked down at his feet, not sure of Dean's reaction. Castiel shifted his gaze to Dean's boots as he said, 'Dean, you can do this. I have every faith in you.'

Dean lay in shock at what had just happened and was only drawn out of his trance by a fluttering of wings, signalling the angel's exit.

Dean jerked awake, shaken from another nightmare about Hell. He was sweating slightly and trembling. He whispered into the darkness, 'Cas, where are you?

Dean heard a flutter of wings and a shuffle in the darkness, and then a gruff voice spoke near to him, 'I'm here, Dean.'

Dean reached out and grabbed the angel's arm, pulling the trench-coated man towards him and they both sat down on Bobby's couch.

'Em, I just wanna say thanks for earlier. I really needed to hear...well, I guess I really need to hear it from you.'

A cloud moved and moonlight poured in through the window, illuminating the dark haired man, as he replied, 'You don't have to thank me, Dean. You're my charge, I'm here for you.'

Dean nodded, and glanced down. He cleared his throat, sudden nervous and then asked, 'Cas...the thing you said today...was it...did you mean it?'

Castiel's eyes examined Dean's face, settling on his eyes with his usual intense stare, and answered, 'Yes, I did.'

Dean slowly moved closer to Castiel, cupping the angel's face. Castiel had frozen. Dean wasn't sure if it was caused by fear or anticipation. The two men were touching noses and Dean moved forward, placing a soft kiss on Castiel's lips. As their lips touched all the lights flew on and blew their fuses, showering Dean and Castiel in glass and sparks.

Dean drew back, glancing around the room that was covered in broken glass. He turned and smiled at the angel.

'Was that you?'

Castiel glanced down, embarrassment flooding his face, as he mumbled, 'Yes...I didn't mean to, it just happened.'

Dean chuckled and pulled Castiel towards him again, and whispered to the angel, 'That has to be the best reaction I've ever got from kissing someone.'

AN: Okay, hope you enjoyed this. Would really love to hear what you think of it so far and if you have an suggestions then let me know.

On a side note, I had firstly written Dean saying I love you back to Cas in the hospital scene, but I decided to change it because Dean's not that sort of person. I'm going to try and fit it into a later scene but if it doesn't work then I'm not going to force it. Dean's not great admitting his feelings, so I don't think he'd just say it straight off.

Once again, I apologise for the wait, but I'm finished exams now so I'm free to write! :) Please review!