Castiel Krushnic was preparing for a long evening. He knew that the new students coming in were here to learn a dance or two for their wedding then he would probably never see them again. He enjoyed working with these couples, but at the same time, it sometimes made him sad that they would probably not stick with dancing after their wedding date. He thought it was a pity, for he always derived such joy from losing himself in music.

He had already been at the studio for a few hours when Pamela sauntered in. They had been dance partners and best friends since childhood and he didn't know how he would have survived the last few years without her.

"Hey, hun," Pamela greeted him, swinging an arm around his neck and placing a soft kiss on his cheek, "ready for our new class?"

A small smile crossed his face as his eyes closed to the warmth of his friend's touch. "Yes, I thought we could start with a basic rumba and maybe give them something a little faster too, like a swing. Do they have specifics picked out yet?"

"Not that I know of, let's see what they have in mind when they get here. You'll like them. Sam and Jess are really nice. I know her a little from the gym. But she did warn me that Sam's brother is coming and he is not too happy about it. She said he is ex-Army, so he's probably one of those men who thinks dancing is girly. God, people can be so ridiculous! Hey, want to give them a demonstration when they come in and show them how sexy and manly dancing can be? Our last competition tango should do it." The mischievous glint in her eye was contagious and Castiel agreed to her plan.

"Jess, Sam, welcome. This must be Dean and Charlie? Great to meet you. I am Pamela Barnes and this is Castiel Krushnic. Before we get started on your specific dance, we thought we would show you a little of what good dancing can look like with a tango. Now, yours won't look like this but if you keep at it, you can see that dancing is really great."

Yep, she was every bit as drop dead gorgeous as Dean remembered. He was all set to turn his patented Dean Winchester charm on her when he was distracted by the other instructor, Castiel. When they were introduced, they had shaken hands and locked eyes for a moment longer than necessary and Dean felt something strange. It was a twist in his gut that sent a shiver down his back, giving him that momentary numbness in his fingertips that usually only accompanied an adrenaline rush. It didn't make any sense so Dean brushed it off as nerves.

Castiel and Pamela took their position and waited for the music as they exchanged a knowing and private glance. When the music began and the pair began to move as one, everyone stood entranced. Dean watched as Castiel led his dance partner across the floor, transitioning from smooth to staccato steps, increasing the drama and sensuality as the song progressed. The music was deep and passionate, conveying a traditional tango melancholy.

Dean found himself inexplicably holding a breath as Castiel's strong frame pulled Pamela towards him into a deep corte so that he hovered over her as her back arched delicately and she gazed up at him, sultry as fuck. Castiel exuded a power and grace that Dean hadn't expected, and when had he stopped watching Pamela, focusing solely on the man in control of this dance?

Their dance was a seamless give and take, a push and pull of power and will between the dancers and it was intoxicating. As the music began to crescendo, Castiel led his partner through intricate footwork and effortless lifts with controlled passion. And by the time the last note ended with Pamela falling back across Castiel's outstretched knee as he leaned across her tracing his free hand gently down her outstretched arm, ribs and to her hip Dean was captivated by the couple.

The small audience burst into applause and Sam leaned over to Dean with a knowing smirk, "Seriously, dude, she is hot, you gonna make a move?"

"Right," Dean had to shake himself out of his revelry a bit, "Uh, yeah, smokin' hot." Too bad that every time he tried to think about Pamela, her dance partner would come to mind. Seriously, though, what the hell? He hadn't thought about being with a guy in years, unless you count Dr. Sexy, who had found his way into the occasional sexy dream.

There was something about Castiel, though. He was tall and lean, just a hair shorter than Dean himself, but had amazing strength in his strong frame. His dark hair was parted on the side but stuck up in just the right amount of unruly spikes. He had these lips, full and soft and pink and Dean really wanted to see what he looked like smiling. But his eyes were what caught Dean off guard. There was something about them, an intensity, a sadness, a thousand stories there in their blue depths. When Castiel had looked at him, it was like those eyes could see deeper, boring into him, making him both uncomfortable and excited at the same time.

After their initial demonstration, Castiel and Pamela split the students into men and women to start learning their respective parts. Pamela took the men and Castiel the women.

"OK, guys, let's see what you've got. Here, stand over here." She gripped Dean's bicep to show him where to stand and slunk way into his space, looking up him, smiling. "Well, look at you, gorgeous, you make a deal with the devil to get those eyes?" Pamela laughed at her own joke. Dean stood slightly flustered. He was usually the one with the pick-up lines. Sam crinkled his forehead at his brother when he saw lady's man Dean Winchester speechless. Pamela caught his look and chuckled, "Hey, grumpy, you're pretty too." And with a laugh she stepped back and placed her hands on her hips, sizing up her new students. "Damn, you two both won the gene pool lottery, didn't you?"

Pamela turned and stepped away to select the music and both men tilted their heads at the same time to check out her sultry walk. Sam leaned over and whispered to his brother, "Dude, she would eat you alive."

"I'm so in. Bring it."

Pamela returned with a knowing grin, "OK, boys, the first thing you're going to learn is a rumba. Do either of you know anything about that dance?"

Two blank stares were the response.

Pamela laughed, "That's OK, I'm here to teach you. Well, the rumba is slow and sexy and will be a great first dance for you. If it is done right, it is a seduction. It's supposed to look like a couple in love flirting and teasing."

Pamela continued to show them the basic box step and under arm turn. Dean turned on the charm, joking and flirting with her through the lesson. Pamela was definitely his type: beautiful face, great smile, easy sense of humor. Dean thought he just needed to find out how available she was. But first it was time to pair up with their real partners and practice what they had learned.

"This is fun. I feel like Jack and Rose" giggled Charlie.

Dean gave her a quizzical look, "Does that mean we are a sinking ship and you are going to let me drown?"

Charlie flung her head back and laughed, "No, we geeks have our own Jack and Rose. Ever watch Doctor Who?"

"No, what's that?"

"O.M.G! Dean, we are going to have a Doctor Who marathon. Everyone should know who The Doctor is."

"What does that have to do with the Titanic? Oops, sorry about that." Dean gave Charlie an apologetic look as he stepped on her toes.

"No worries," she smiled. Dean thought he really was going to like Charlie. "Rose is this awesome time traveler who saves the universe and Jack is an adventurous time agent who hits on everyone, men, women, aliens. You'd like him." Then she winked and what did that mean, Dean wondered.

"How are things coming over here?" asked Castiel, who had wondered over to check on Dean and Charlie.

"Well, I think I've got it down, but my toes have taken a bit of a beating," Charlie quipped. Dean had the grace to look embarrassed for the damage he may have done to her feet. But she winked at him and he knew she was joking.

"Aw, Charlie, hope my clod of a brother isn't tramping on your feet too much," joked Sam.

"Hey, Sammy, not everyone can be a princess like you."

Sam threw his brother a bitch face, which caused Jess to break down into laughter. "Dean, your brother is no princess on the dance floor. In fact, he now owes me one serious foot massage tonight."

Sam looked down at his fiancé with a worried expression. "I'm sorry, Jess. It's just… big feet?"

Jess and Dean looked at each other and lost it. Jess, placed her hand gently on Sam's cheek. "I'm kidding! You're doing great. Really, thanks for doing this, baby." Sam positively melted at Jess' touch.

Dean and Charlie looked at each other, grinned, and cooed in unison, "Awwwww."

"Shut up, Dean!" Sam said with another killer bitch face. "God, what made me think it was a good idea to bring you?"

"You need me and you know it, little brother."

"As sweet as this bro-ment is, I think our esteemed Jedi master over here wants us to get back to work." Charlie tipped her head toward Castiel, who was standing awkwardly to the side, looking stiff and stoic.

Castiel squinted his eyes and tilted his head slightly, "I'm sorry but I don't understand that reference. Regardless, this session is nearly over. I believe both couples are progressing sufficiently. If there are no questions, class is dismissed and we'll reconvene next week."

Castiel excused himself as the students proceeded to change their shoes and gather their things. Once he was finished, Dean headed toward the studio's business office to pay the bill when he saw Castiel and Pamela talking in the hallway. He stopped in his tracks because he was quickly able to tell by their hushed tone that the conversation was private. Pamela, who all evening had talked with a laugh in her words and a twinkle in her eye was now nothing but soft and somber. "…bad day. You know I love you. Whatever you need."

Pamela reached her hand up to cup Castiel's cheek and pulled him down into a gentle kiss. Castiel pulled away and looked at her for a moment with an unreadable expression then pushed her back against the wall, deepening into a passionate kiss and tangling his hands through her hair. Dean knew he shouldn't be seeing this and quietly backed out of the hallway. Damn, he thought, that's that. Those two were definitely a couple and, while Dean could pretty easily charm most ladies, he didn't mess with other's relationships.

Sound of the drums beatin' in my heart
The thunder of guns tore me apart
You've Been – Thunderstruck
~Thunderstruck – AC/DC