Dean and Cas decided that they would trade off driving home, giving each an opportunity to catch a little sleep in the car. Cas couldn't sleep so he opted to drive first. Dean slept right off the bat, his head tilting into the window, lips popping open on a tiny snore. Cas smiled at him and occasionally stole glances at him as he drove through the night. It was not how either of them had pictured the night, but Dean still managed to be a rather fulfilling presence at his side.

He was supposed to pull over at some point and trade off driving with Dean but he didn't until they were nearly back home. Dean jerked awake and noted that Cas was still driving with a, "What the Hell, Cas."

"You looked peaceful."

"Pull over you doof." Cas complied and as soon as Dean pulled back onto the road, Cas was asleep.

They arrived back at Cas' place. It was too early to do anything at the restaurant, but they both needed to rest. Cas carried his suitcase into the complex like it was ten times heavier than it was. Dean followed him with his own bag. They hadn't discussed Dean staying, but he was. It just seemed natural. They entered the apartment and set down the luggage at the door. Cas dragged himself to the bedroom with Dean at his heels. They both tossed themselves down onto the mattress and didn't wake again for a few hours.

Cas awoke to the dull murmur of Dean's voice from the other room. He wasn't well rested, but at least he was not exhausted any more. He ran a hand back up through his hair scratching at his scalp. He tipped his legs over the side of the bed and pressed his palm to the edge of his eyes, rubbing away the sleep that still lingered there.

He stumbled to the door and out into the living room with the dim hope that Dean had figured out coffee, and that he would have made enough for more than one cup. Cas came to a stop as soon as he entered the living room. His eyes adjusted to the vision in front of him. Dean was not alone. Standing at his side was one of the tallest men he had ever seen. They both stared at Cas and stopped speaking. Dean moved away from the man and came over to Cas' side. He snaked an arm around his waist and pulled him into a sideways hug. "Morning sleepy head."

Cas noted the way that the other man had a half smile creeping into his features. He was wearing a finely tailored grey suit. He looked like a Fed. He had kind eyes behind the official-looking outer appearance, and his long sandy-colored hair gave off the impression that he was not one that was always entirely serious. "You should have told me that we had company."

"Yeah, but you needed sleep more. Plus, this is just my brother, Sam. Sam, this is Cas." Cas stepped away from Dean then and took Sam's hand in a hearty shake.

"Wow, nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about you. Dean has spoken very highly of you." Sam smiled at the kind words and they parted.

"He's said a lot about you as well. Gotta admit though, I didn't know about this development." He waved a hand between them, signifying the recent closeness.

"Oh, well that development is pretty new." Dean moved back to Cas' side again and resumed holding him.

"Really, and I bet I'm the last to know."

Cas said, "Actually the first to know. It really is pretty new, like yesterday new."

"Oh." Sam smiled brighter now. "So all those conversations we had before were not the beginnings of things?" Sam looked a little mischievous.

"Shut it Sam." Dean dropped his arm from around Cas and moved toward Sam.

"So when you called about your hot dinner date a few weeks back, weren't you talking about Cas? Coulda sworn that was who you said you were meeting." Sam backed away with a laugh.

"I mean it Sammy. Shut it," Dean said again, advancing still closer to his brother.

"Then you were like, oh he's not interested. He just wants to give me a job. Then a few weeks pass and suddenly…" Dean tackled him. Actually, he just tried to tackle him, but Sam was a giant. Dean wasn't a small man by any stretch of the imagination, but when he ran into Sam, it was like he had run into a wall. Sam just gave him a look like he was an annoying bug, but also like he found his efforts pathetically adorable. Cas was pleased with the look. It told him that the affection that Dean shared with him each time that he spoke of Sam was returned to him in kind.

"He doesn't need to be hearing all of this." Sam didn't seem to be too moved by Dean's efforts at taking him down.

Cas laughed at them again. "I think that I do need to hear this. I think that I need to hear all of this."

Sam continued despite Dean's efforts. "Well, he certainly changed his tune when you said that you wanted to take him on an overnighter. Could hardly shut him up about it. It was all, Cas this and Cas that for days, then suddenly it was I don't think this is a business trip. It was like talking to a giddy school girl."

Cas laughed at that and tried to imagine Dean excited about the little trip. He had kept his emotions in check rather well. In fact, Cas had been left wondering if Dean was even interested at all before they had left the city. Cas decided to help out. He reached out and took Dean by the arm and directed him back to his personal space. "I had no clue that you were interested. I thought it was all rather one-sided."

"Then you are wearing blinders. I could not have been more obvious."

"You were not obvious."

"Really? I guess that all of your cooks must have spent every waking moment with you, driving to farmer's markets, eating dinner until midnight, randomly finding reasons to initiate physical contact."

"TMI, Dude, TMI." Sam redirected his attention to Cas. "So I hear you need a lawyer."

"Yeah, looks like I'm about to get sued by a former employee."

"Dean said that she claimed to have been hit by you."

"Yes, I never laid a hand on her. In fact, she hit me," Cas said.

"Dean mentioned that. Said she left a bruise on your jaw." Sam looked from Dean to Cas. "So, she's gonna try for a settlement. That's all this is. Dean said you don't want to settle."

"We hadn't discussed this, but he's right. I don't want to settle with her. I won't give her the satisfaction," Cas felt his blood pressure shooting up with the mere thought.

Dean said, "She threatened to disrupt his business if she couldn't have him served today. That's why we came back a day early."

"Hmm, I can work with that. That is a very direct threat. I bet I can get a judge to see it that way, give us a restraining order against her."

"That would be nice. I don't feel any need to see her anymore."

"Well, it doesn't take care of the lawsuit, but it would protect you from any future violence from her." Sam picked up his bag and moved off to the door. "I'm gonna go grab a bite to eat, make some phone calls, and I'll see you both at the restaurant this afternoon. Just do what you'd normally do, and I'll do what I normally do."

"Thanks Sammy," Dean said as he moved back to his brother's side. He threw his arms around him in a quick hug, and then Sam departed.

They got changed and Dean did in fact make Cas some coffee. Thank God. Cas gulped down two mugs of the scalding earthy mixture, then Dean drove them both to the restaurant. Before they went in, Cas settled his hand on Dean's arm. "You're hired again."

Dean cast a sidelong look at him. "I know." He started to get out of the car, but then he stopped and said, "Are we keeping this to ourselves for right now?"

"I'd like to. I kinda just don't want to deal with the," Cas made air quotes and finished, "good natured ribbing."

"Charlie will know. I bet she'll take one look at you, and she'll just know."

"I'm not that transparent. Look." Cas stared levelly at Dean. His face gave off no hints of the mirth and affection that had been so present just a day before. "See?"

"Okay, maybe. You won't be able to keep it up though. I'm willing to go along with it for now. Certainly don't need to have the employees getting too familiar with our private lives."

"Exactly. I mean, if you decide that you aren't interested, then you should be able to feel that without it being awkward at work." Cas didn't know why he felt the need to add this, but one look at Dean's face told him that it was a mistake.

"Cas, why is it that you keep acting like you have to give me an out. I'm a grown ass man. I know what I want, or is this just your way of preserving your own exit strategy?"

Cas didn't know how to answer. He hadn't really considered his reasons. When his own father left some time ago, he had thought that it had been something that he had done. He was young then, so it was hard to really see the reality of it all, the late night fights between his parents, the failed business, the way that he was never far from a tumbler full of amber spirits. His dad was complicated, and as time passed he had convinced himself that the man left because he had felt trapped.

Cas finally said, "I don't ever want you to feel like you have to stay with me. I want you to stay. I want you. I just don't ever want you to feel trapped. I gave you a job, but that doesn't mean you owe me this or anything."

Dean reached across the space between them. "I quit." He cupped Cas' face between his hands. "I feel the exact opposite of trapped." He leaned in and kissed him, light like he might be rejected. Cas made sure to respond by moving into the kiss, letting his lips part just a little.

"Okay then," he said when Dean leaned back and just looked at him. He hired him again as they crossed the street.

They created a safe chasm of space between them. Cas had regrets. He didn't like the way that they were suddenly not touching. It was his fault, but he still didn't like it.

They got into the restaurant and found most of the staff there early. Even Anna, who was hours too early, was already sitting in the bar area folding napkins. "Why's everyone here?"

Charlie came over to them and gave Cas a hug. Anna was the one that answered though. "None of us wanted you to have to deal with it on your own. We wanted you to know that we're with you on this all the way." Anna gave him a hug next. Then the rest of the staff was out in the dining room seemingly waiting to chime in or to just give him some form of physical support—a hug or a good natured slap on the back. Kevin even stepped up and gave him a quick hug.

Dean stood off to the side and watched it all. "Thank you. I honestly don't know what I did to deserve you all. You are the best crew I could have ever asked for. This place would be nothing without you all, and I am blessed to know you. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, thank you."

Cas did his best to just work on the preparations for the evening meal. Dean worked opposite him and had a citrus glaze heating up for the squab. Cas worked on the items that were needed for the sweet butter poached Alaskan King Crab. He was going to pair it with some panisse. He already had the chickpea flour and seasonings going in the mixer and the oil heating for the frying.

Anna's voice called back to him. "Cas, your lawyer is here."

Dean waved him out. "I'll finish this off and then join you."

"Thanks Dean." Kevin and Rufus came over to Dean's side and He started instructing them.

Cas saw Sam standing off by the bar, his bag set on the stool at the end. "Hey, Sam."

"Hey, Cas. Did the other lawyer show up yet?"

Cas pulled out a stool and sat next to him. "Nope. I imagine that he'll show right before the dinner service."

"You're likely not wrong." And as if they'd summoned them by just thinking of them, Katja and her lawyer both walked through the door. Sam's face spread into an easy grin, coupled with a laugh. "Fergus, you rat bastard. I should have guessed that you were involved in this. Who else would choose to take on such a case?"

"Moose." The well-dressed man strolled into the room and right up to Sam. Katja was at his side, and she elbowed him.

"That's the man." She pointed at Cas. Her neck was being held stiffly in place with the neck brace.

"I see that Katja." Fergus turned his attention back to Sam though. "You slumming it here Sam?"

"Nah, I like to help out my friends when I think someone's trying to swindle them."

Fergus made a little fist and acted like he was clutching his heart in pain. "Moose, you're killing me. I thought we were friends."

"Oh, we were never that." Sam looked over to Cas and said, "We have a history with Fergus here. I wish I would have known that he was involved. Would've saved us all a lot of trouble."

Fergus pulled an overlarge envelope from his jacket and handed it to Cas. "Consider yourself served."

Sam waved a hand around between them and said, "Have a seat Fergus."

"Crowley."

"Sure, Fergus." Sam motioned to the seat.

He took the offered seat at the bar and cast a glance around the room. "Nice restaurant. You do well for yourself here I bet."

Cas didn't respond. Sam spoke though. "Here's some paperwork that I took the liberty of drawing up this morning." Sam pulled out a file and slid it over to Fergus. The man opened it up and scanned over the lengthy document. His expression went through a change at the midpoint.

Fergus looked up and instead of addressing the document, said, "So, how's Dean?" Cas noted the things that weren't said. There was a tonal shift in the way he used Dean's name. There seemed to be history in the speaking of it.

"You could ask me yourself I reckon." Dean moved out to Cas' side. He settled a hand on Cas' shoulder. "Hello, Fergus. How've you been?"

Fergus looked back and forth from Dean to Cas. He let his gaze linger longest on Dean though. "I'm well. Mother's a pain in the neck, but we all have our crosses." He paused a moment and added, "You look well."

"Thanks. Tell Rowena I said hi." There was something in the way he said it that told Cas that Dean did not like Fergus' mother so much.

Fergus turned his attention back to Sam and said, "Well, back to business, aye Moose."

"Never gets old Fergus," Sam said.

"Obviously, we are open to negotiations about this whole violent business. My client has generously offered to accept a respectable settlement in lieu of a rather costly, rather lengthy trial."

Sam interrupted him, "Clearly, you didn't read enough of the document, so I'll just give you the highlights." Sam's mouth curled up into a smug smile. "First off, there will be no settlement. My client is entirely uninterested in giving even one dime to Ms. Welch. As she had assaulted my client in the past and made public threats against his business and employees, we have sought out a restraining order against her."

"I imagine that you won't be able to obtain one. What judge would go along with that plan?" Fergus rolled up an eyebrow to showcase his doubt.

"Remember Judge Mills?"

"Ah, shit."

"Yeah, she always did have a soft spot for miscarriages of justice. Anyway, she made room on her docket today to hear what I had to say about Ms. Welch's assault on my client. And she was more than willing to grant me a restraining order that your client is now in clear violation of." Sam turned his attention to Katja now and said, "If I were you, I'd go stand out on the corner to wait for your attorney. You are to remain at least 50 feet away from my client at all times."

Katja looked to Fergus for help. "Best do what the man says." He motioned her off, and she stalked out the door in a huff. Cas was grinning ear to ear. "What else, Sam?"

"Well, I did some digging and it looks to me like Ms. Welch has a history of these lawsuits. I've managed to find four cases in which she got a settlement for the exact same claim, her former boss assaulted her. Interestingly enough, with each agreement, she also obtained a letter of reference from each that managed to keep her from losing her ability to find employment after the settlement. There were even your standard NDAs and such too."

"Then how did you find out any of this?" Fergus closed the folder and just watched Sam.

"You know me." Sam just smiled. "I always have my ways."

Fergus looked a little irritated but not much, "Well, just between us girls, how should we proceed here? I'm not one to waste a lot of time on something that isn't gonna net me some change."

"You'll need to make it clear to your client that this is not going to trial, that any form of harassment against my client will be grounds for prosecution and also jail time, and lastly, let her know that I'll be watching her. If I find that she has attempted this scam with anyone else, I will see to it that the district attorney, my personal friend, gets a copy of all of my notes on this issue. He'll likely be quite interested in prosecuting her for harassment, blackmail, and extortion."

Fergus reached out to Cas. "The envelope." Cas handed it to him. "Let's just pretend that this never happened. I'll convey your message to her." Sam got up and shook Fergus' hand.

"Glad we could take care of this so easily." Sam gave him a little nod and walked him to the door. Once the door closed, there was a little whoop of noise from the kitchen. All of the employees were clumped up near the server station, listening to the entire exchange.

They all came over now, and Cas said, "That was amazing."

Dean said, "I told you he was a boy genius." He gave his brother a hug that ended in a hearty back slap. "You really didn't know that it was Fergus?"

"I maybe knew." Sam smirked. "Thought it best to pretend I didn't." Dean laughed at him. "The look on his face was worth the price of admission."

"Sam, let me know how much I owe you. I can't even tell you how grateful I am. You're a miracle worker. Thanks so much." Cas reached out and shook his hand.

"Well, how about we call it even. You treat my brother right and we're square. Haven't seen him look this happy in a while. Dating you seems like a good thing, and I'd feel kinda bad taking money from you now that you're together." The room around them grew suddenly quiet.

Charlie broke the silence with, "I knew it. You all pay up." Cas looked around from face to face and saw them all ponying up wads of cash to hand to Charlie with a grumble.

"What the Hell, Charlie," Cas said.

Charlie was too busy collecting her winnings so Kevin explained. "We had a pool going. None of us thought that you'd take the plunge on the trip. Charlie, though, she had the faith. I mean, you both had been flirting for weeks now, and nothing had happened yet. Plus, you pretty much told her that you weren't going to be hitting on Dean, something about it not being proper. So, it seemed like a safe bet to say that you two would be pining for the foreseeable future. I was betting something in the neighborhood of eight years with a maybe slip up around year six." Kevin was grinning through the entirely too long explanation.

Dean was saying something near Sam's ear. Sam turned to Cas and said, "Sorry. Dean just told me that you all were keeping things quiet. Guess I ruined that."

"Dean was going to make keeping the secret hard, I'm sure." Cas noted how Dean started laughing as he said the word hard. "You're a child, Dean."

"Oh no, trouble in paradise already," Charlie laughed as she clapped him on the shoulder. She turned back to the group and said, "Now, Elizabeth and Rufus, how do you both feel about running the show tonight?" They both looked hopeful. "Because, I'm thinking our boys need a night off to celebrate since we cut their little vacation short."

"Oh, we don't need that." Cas started to wave off the effort when Dean came up to his side and settled his chin on Cas' shoulder.

"Speak for yourself." Dean pressed a quick kiss into his neck. "We so need this." Cas felt the heat rise up from his neck to his cheeks. He untied his apron and tossed it to Charlie.

"Guess we'll see you all tomorrow." Cas turned to Dean with a nod and took Dean's hand, threading their fingers together. "Feed Sam," he called back as they went out the door.

He heard Charlie call back, "You got it, Chef," with a whoop thrown on at the end for good measure.

Before Cas got into the Impala, Dean had him pressed back against the door. He kissed him until it was more than a kiss. It was a roadmap for where the night would take them, and what they had ahead of them on the road together. Cas was more than fine with the outlook. It seemed like he was quite lucky. "You're fired, Dean."

"What, you don't need a sous chef?" Dean laughed at him as he angled away from the kiss that Cas was about to give him.

"Oh, I so need a sous chef." Dean reached past him and opened the car door. Cas got in and Dean rounded to the other side. Dean got in and started the car. It roared to life and rumbled away from the curb. Cas set his hand on the bench seat between them, and Dean took it. He gave it a gentle squeeze and then raised it up to his lips. They drove onward to Cas' place, holding onto each other as they went.

AN: Well, there it is. I hope you all liked it. Thanks so much for reading and sharing a comment or two along the way. Don't forget to check out the art for this on my Tumblr spearywritesstuff. My artist for this project is the wonderful victorian-hoecake and today is her birthday.