Dean doesn't want to look like he's scared any more than he has to in front of Gabriel, but the thorns are digging in and hurting, and they're pulling his attention. When the light moves overhead, Dean tenses -- which hurts a bit -- and then glances up as casually as possible. Whatever he thought might've been there is gone, and he's glad he managed to hold it together to check without freaking, but then he feels the air on his neck, and he jumps, surprised. He hadn't felt anything creep up on him, and he still doesn't feel anything behind him, and though it hurts like shit, he glances as best he can to check.

Nothing there, but something sounds scary and menacing a ways way. Is that Sam? Is that what's waiting for him if Dean can't get to him?

Gabriel's obviously not letting him go. Maybe if Dean can get him to let him out of these vines long enough, he can break away, try to get to Sam. Maybe not, also, and the maybe not's bigger, but what other choice does he have?

Oh, yeah. Apologizing.

"You cared a lot about your brothers when you checked out. How long was that? How long did you abandon them for again?"