As ever, you could practically smell the adrenaline in the air as they waited. The call had come in five minutes ago and the staff had been in position and ready since. When they had heard the details, given frantically and concisely, several of them had raised their eyes quickly to the sky with a vote of thanks that they were otherwise quiet. They would need everything they had to deal with this, and everyone would want to be part of it.

Cas added an extra prayer that his worst nightmare wasn't about to come true.

Standing in line at the front doors, everyone was silent. Cas assumed that they were all contemplating what was coming their way; he most certainly was. His guts had been in turmoil since Charlie had shouted the call out to them, before catching his eye as she gave the final detail, fear and sympathy flashing in her eyes as she watched him freeze for a moment.

Please, please, please.

"We're up," someone shouted and everyone surged forward as the doors were pushed open. Blue lights screamed into the bay and everyone separated, approaching the two vehicles in hurried organisation. A third set of blue lights followed them in but was ignored.

Cas led his group forward, instinctively heading for the truck on the left. The doors at the back of it opened at the same time, and two bodies burst out, a trolley quickly wheeled out between them and then they were hurtling back towards the building.

"Five-year-old female, left leg is broken, burns to the face and right arm. Pain meds administered at scene," Benny rattled off the details as they rushed in. Cas grabbed part of the trolley, helping them steer the child into the ER, and waiting for Luke to start administering instructions. He refused to be distracted by the contents of the other ambulance. He sent up one last plea, then got to work.

Please, don't let it be him.

Seven months previously

Cas was exhausted. A full twelve hour shift in the ER was always enough to exhaust any hardworking nurse, but the added factor of it being his first shift in a new hospital was adding extra pressure and extra work and he felt dead on his feet, with an hour to go. He kept up a steady mantra asking for no major traumas to appear in the final hour of his shift, hoping to God he would be in his bed in his new apartment before too long.

It was worth it though. The hospital seemed nice, the staff had all been friendly and helpful, and Lawrence, so far, seemed like a good place to be.

"Cas, you good?"

Cas looked around as he crossed the reception area, noticing the cheery redheaded nurse that had been first to greet him this morning. She was grinning at him, looking exhausted herself.

"I'm good, thanks Charlie," he said, redirecting himself to lean on the desk, which she was standing behind with another nurse, Meg, and the receptionist, Kevin.

"Excellent. Donut?" she offered him a box of fresh donuts. He reached in helped himself to a ring, attracted by the sugary look of the chocolate topping and thousands of sprinkles. A sugar boost was just what he needed.

"My hero," he grinned at her. "Where did these come from?"

"Dean brought them," Meg answered. She had a half-eaten jelly donut in her hand, which was threatening to spill its guts over the desk, much to Kevin's consternation, judging by the panicked look on his face. Meg paid him no attention, leaning further onto the counter. She had been trying to get Cas' attention all day, which he found quite amusing.

"Dean?" he asked, groaning as he took a bite. There was the sugar!

"Yeah, Dean," Charlie explained, finally pushing Meg away from the desk to continue her conversation, rolling her eyes at the glare Meg snapped at her, offended to be shoved aside. "He's here a lot, visiting his dad, or with the boys. He's a firefighter. And a paramedic when they need him to. They come in quite a lot."

"The guy is seriously hot, too," Meg chimed in.

Charlie snorted. "If you like that kind of thing, I suppose so."

"Who does he visit?" Cas couldn't help be curious. He figured he'd meet the local firefighters pretty quickly, they had appeared at his last hospital pretty regularly after all, but Charlie spoke of Dean with such warmth that he was sure he must be a good guy.

"His dad. Been in a coma for the last two months," Charlie said, suddenly morose.

"Oh, shit. Prognosis?"

She shook her head. "Not good. He won't give up yet though. Dean, I mean."

"That's a real shame," Cas murmured, suddenly sad for this man he had never met.

"He'll get there, don't worry," Charlie smiled at him. "His dad's not, well, it wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing for Dean to lose the burden, you know?"

Cas nodded. There was obviously more to this story.

"Anyway, you'll meet him soon enough. You got plans after shift tomorrow? We're off Saturday, so how about some drinks? Welcome you to the fold?"

"Sounds great!" Cas grinned at her, smiling at Kevin and Meg before he walked away to finish what he'd been doing before, Charlie heading off to deal with a truculent elderly patient that had been annoying her all day. Cas was acquainting himself thoroughly with every inch of the ER while it was quiet. He had two supply closets to do, and thanks to his sugary snack he had enough energy to do it.

Half an hour later, he was heading back across the reception when he glanced over to the desk and saw Charlie was back, talking to a guy who was leaning on the desk, clad in fire department casuals. Cas wondered if this was Dean, when Charlie caught his eye and waved.

"Cas, come and meet Dean," she called. Once again, Cas changed the direction he was headed in and moved towards the reception desk. Dean turned round as Charlie called over, and Cas very nearly paused in his progress as he was faced with the most beautiful man he had seen in his life. Dean's face relaxed into a grin and he reached out his hand. Cas couldn't tear his staring gaze away, but hoped it didn't at least look like gaping as he approached, his own hand reaching out to receive the other man's. Dean's hand was warm, his shake firm, and his grin friendly as he clasped his other hand to Cas' shoulder.

"How you doin', man? Dean Winchester."

"Castiel Novak."

"Castiel, huh?"

Cas chuckled. "Afraid so. Cas is fine, though."

Dean glanced down at their still clasped hands as if he suddenly realised they were still shaking, and both of them let go.

"So, Charlie here looking after you, Cas?" Dean leaned back onto the counter. "Be careful, she's trouble."

"Hey!" Charlie slapped Dean's shoulder and he reached up and rubbed it, exaggeratedly wincing as if she'd injured him. Charlie rolled her eyes. "We're taking Cas out for drinks after shift tomorrow. Want to tag along?"

"Sure," Dean shrugged. "That ok with you, dude?"

"Of course," Cas smiled. "The more the merrier. I need to meet people here, so bring anyone you want."

"You just moved here?" Dean asked, genuinely interested. At Cas' nod Dean grinned and slung an arm around his shoulders. "Well, then we've got to go The Roadhouse, do this thing right. Cool with you Charlie?"

"Fine."

"Great, then I'll ask some of the boys at the station, see if anyone wants to come out after shift. I'm sure some of 'em will, but I'll see you guys there. Better go, or I'll be late to start my 24."

With a wave, Dean was heading out the door, sending a wink to Meg as she walked by. Cas watched him, then shook himself out of his stupor as he realised he was staring at the firefighter's ass. Not what you're here for, Cas.

"So, that's Dean." Charlie said, unnecessarily.

Cas turned to her, glad to see that she hadn't noticed his mental drooling. His sexuality wasn't anyone's business, and nothing that was going to make a difference in his life in the foreseeable future.

But, wow, that had been one beautiful man.

"He seems nice," Cas said casually. "You guys close?"

"Absolutely! We've been friends for years."

Cas found himself searching Charlie's face for a sign that there was more to it, but snapped himself out of it before she noticed. He was not here to be thinking in any way, shape or form about hot firemen. He would make some friends.

And that would be fine. Honest.

There we go! POV is going to change, and I've not decided where entirely I'm taking this, so I'm open to suggestions – if I like them! ;)

Let me know what you thought.

B xx