Authors Note: Here it is, the final chapter. This has been such a roller coaster ride for me and I hope for all of you too and I can't thank you all enough. I know you guys are probably wondering what the hell was so special about Elizael's grace that Raphael wanted it so badly (I've laid out several clues throughout this story) and that the way Cas' vessel reacted to it was pretty much an atomic bomb compared to when Anna retrieved hers, but I'm afraid that I will be holding onto that information for much later. I know you guys probably want to know now but I promise that it will be revealed when the time comes. The battle between her and the archangel still needs to play out and I promise you will not have to be hanging for long. As you already know before I started on this story I studied up on my lore and discovered that are quite a few interesting topics to touch up on in regards to angels, so I will be using as much of that as I can throughout the verse. Enjoy and thank you again!

Written: 09 June

Soundtrack: Marchin On by One Republic, Cosmic Love by Florence and the Machine, Dawn by Poets of the Fall, Carry On My Wayward Son by Kansas, Hear You Me by Jimmy Eat World

Word Count: 3400+

Chapter 19

He could have sworn that this place felt a lot stuffier than the last time he visited. But then again, maybe it was just him.

Gabriel easily found who he was looking for, the same pale skinned, bleach blonde, grey eyed angel still where he left him. Azreal actually took notice this time, taking note of Gabriel's presence, and if the archangel didn't know any better, he would think that he was somewhat saddened by it.

Azreal simply concentrated on his task, collecting soul after screaming soul, trying not to distract himself with such ideas that he knew would come at him at any moment. There was no other reason to see him now, other than to do the obvious. It had actually come to that.

"I want to make a deal."

If the angel of death had a heart, he would more than likely feel it sinking right now.

"To save Castiel?" Azreal noted, his question sounding more like a statement. "You're willing to fall that far to save him?"

"I know you can do it." Gabriel replied, the hint of hesitation he expected in his tone not even present. "All you have to do, is downgrade my wings, that's it." Gabriel almost sounded like he was begging, and quickly erased that from his voice. He didn't need to sound desperate, even though what he was about to do was pretty much borderline stupid. "Castiel can be saved and I─."

"I'm sorry Gabriel," Azreal replied, the air suddenly feeling a lot thicker and heavier around them, the sounds surrounding them almost muted in comparison to the silence now creeping between them. His voice was grim, lifeless, almost pained in sadness and broken feeling. He slowly turned around to meet his brothers eyes, temporarily pausing his true task at hand. "You know that I can, but I won't. You're already too late."

Gabriel suddenly felt his throat closing in on him, his blood growing cold. There were only two ways to take the interpretation of such words. Either a miracle had happened (which Gabriel highly doubted because let's face it, nobody had been listening to a word he'd said or of anyone else for that matter), or because it was already too late to do anything about it. He silently prayed that it was the former, a pang of guilt already rising in his gut for not being there for his younger brother. He found himself growing scared again.

"What do you mean? Is he…"

Azreal hesitated, looking down at the rocky ground before returning his gaze back at Gabriel's, the archangel looking almost desperate to know what he yet did not. Azreal simply stood there, his hands deep in his pant pockets, a tiny smile tugging at the edge of his lips.

"You could say that he's no longer on my agenda." He said simply, only serving to confuse Gabriel even more. "He has a higher power to answer to now."

Gabriel didn't know what happened his first. His jaw dropping or his wings uncurling, either one indicating that he was either in shock or pure, utter amazement. He wanted to say something, anything really, but for some stupid reason couldn't find any words to say, or to actually say anything at all. He had been left completely dumbstruck. He didn't know whether to laugh, cry or start jumping up and down for joy while doing some stupid dance that would more than likely raise a few eyebrows.

He just left it at a wide grin (for now).

"You were really willing to strip away your wings to give them to Castiel?" Azreal asked, his tone saying that he still couldn't believe it. "You barely have enough energy as it is right now. If I had done that and restored him to full strength, then you wouldn't even be able to take on a fledgling you dimwit." Azreal almost chuckled at the end of that statement, eventually doing so as he took in Gabriel's brighter than happy reaction.

Who would have thought that the guy had a sense of humor (being an angel of death and all).

"Now get the Hell out of my sight." He joked.

"Done deal." Gabriel replied, quickly smiling and giving his brother a wave before he dipped on out of there.

He wasn't sure what he was going to find when he got there, but he quickly headed over to the Singer home to get the news. Even though Azreal indicated that Castiel was in some form still alive, he still had to be sure. It took him a good while longer to actually pop in, considering he still felt like total crap, but at least his heart was starting to feel a little lighter, almost feather like. He couldn't help but grin at his own joke.

When he finally did manage to pop in, he found the brothers talking, (well, Dean was the one doing most of the talking apparently) and couldn't help but overhear the older hunter mention to his own younger brother that Elizael's purpose was to serve as guardian and protector of their favorite blue eyed angel. If he knew that, then maybe something big truly did happen. Only if something was coming to an end, would the hunter actually have known that.

It was only then that Gabriel noticed the difference in the home, the air feeling a little heavy and electrified, as if something huge had just exploded through its cracks and walls. It felt a lot like Grace.

He immediately looked at the three men sitting around the study, asking what the hell had happened and what he had missed, taking in the faces of each and every one of them. "Helloooo, what did I miss?"

"Do you want the gist of it or do you prefer the whole damn story in intricate detail?" Dean replied, somewhat annoyed at the archangels almost chipper mood when he himself was in a bad one.

"How about you just tell me where the hell my brother is so I can go home. How about that?" Gabriel smiled teasingly. He already knew the answer that he was bound to get but still felt like adding a little flare around the atmosphere. He was in too good a mood to pass this up.

He was in a very good mood, the hunters noted.

After a brief explanation from the three of what Elizael had done and Raphael's surprise visit, Gabriel found himself growing slightly angry at his douche bag brother, but also happy at the result that followed, beaming with joy from his heart as he looked up, presumably at the sky above him. More than likely at God too.

You crazy son of a bitch.

"You wanna explain to us what the hell is going on?" Dean asked, still clearly confused considering that they had still yet to hear from Castiel. Their friend was still missing, but Gabriel was practically beaming that he was sure that they were missing something else other than the obvious. Couldn't the dude just spit it out already, for once?

Gabriel just looked at him, as if to tell him that he was completely and utterly clueless, but just smiles as he lets a small tear fall down his face, chuckling at himself. "Aw man, that kid's got the luckiest streak I've ever freakin' seen." Gabriel laughed, grinning at himself like an idiot.

Dean still wasn't getting it, but the archangel was in no mood for anything else right now except to have a little celebration (or a BIG one, in pure Gabriel style of course. Better start getting the party favors). With a wink and a catch you guys later, the archangel disappeared, leaving the hunters to stand there in bewilderment and still wondering what the 'f' had happened.

Before doing so however, Gabriel couldn't help but do them a little favor (he couldn't help but notice the mess after all) after everything they had done for his little brother, and repaired the house until it looked almost like new (considering the literature décor; the place could really use a woman's touch Gabriel thought). At least Bobby could take home repair of his list of things to do this weekend.

It had now been hours since Castiel's disappearance, and Dean especially, found himself getting antsy. Where the hell was Cas already, and why hadn't he come back yet? Bobby insisted that he try and get some rest, considering that he had barely gotten any sleep in the last week, but Dean flat out refused. He was adamant on staying up and waiting for his friend, refusing to go to bed until he was sure that Castiel was one hundred percent okay.

Bobby kept insisting that there was nothing they could do except wait, and Dean stated that he would do just that then.

Winchesters were so damn stubborn.

Dean stayed up way past nighttime, the sun just beginning to rise as he felt his eyes finally fighting with him to close. He remained sitting on the couch, his legs stretched out in front of him and one arm keeping his head propped up. He was trying to be as patient as possible, but found it almost impossible to do so as he continued to wait. Bobby and Sam had been hit the sack, but Dean, being stubborn as he was, remained where he was.

Just as he was about to call it quits and give into the blissful darkness trying to take over, Dean suddenly felt a fluttering hum pulsing in his chest, and immediately got up. He didn't know how, but he knew that Cas was nearby, and quickly ran outside. This feeling was almost like the one back in Blue Ridge, except this one hummed with happiness and joy, rather than dread and fear. A man whose soul had literally been ripped apart could get used to this.

Dean walked the entire way down the dusty trail, leaving nothing but his footprints in the dust as he looked around at the junkyard, which surprisingly had also been fixed with Gabriel's handiwork. The guy must have really been appreciative. He had even left a few surprises here and there around the house for them, but Dean wasn't even gonna go there. Just because he had a sweet tooth, didn't mean that everyone else did. The fruit baskets were nice, but that was where he drew the line.

After taking a few steps towards the front of the yard and past the freshly washed and waxed Impala (the archangel really did think of everything), Dean walked towards the field, where he found none other than Castiel standing there, looking out towards the sunrise.

If Dean could think of a picture perfect moment, this would definitely be it.

…Dude, stop being such a chick.

Dean just looks on from afar and Castiel eventually notices, slowly turning his head back to look at him. Dean feels a great big smile coming across his face and even tears welling in his eyes, and he couldn't help but sigh at his pitiful girlish ways. Seriously man, what the heck?

He finally decided to just push it all back, putting up his tough exterior and slowly walking over to Castiel, his gaze on the ground below him and hands buried deep inside his jean pockets. Castiel simply turned back around to stare out at the horizon, the sun feeling warm on his shoulders, the wind cool against his bare torso, the tall grass soft beneath his feet. Everything around him just felt so full of life, and he quickly noted that he could actually feel it all.

Dean quickly caught up to him and merely stood beside him, admiring the view as well.

The change he saw was incredible. Only a few hours before, Castiel looked like death was literally at the door to receive him (which he technically was), but now he looked like Heaven had just completely washed over him. The bright blue hue of his eyes returned, their brilliance shining right through. His skin looked brighter, his body stronger, even the aura he was giving off made Dean feel like the angel was the top of the world. He couldn't explain it, but something about the man beside him was unlike anything he had ever seen, or felt. He just seemed so remarkable.

The two of them simply said nothing, as they continued to watch the sun rise over the horizon.

The light it gave off felt so warm and liberating, Castiel couldn't help but think about the moment the Grace first entered him. It felt dormant at first, almost empty, unfamiliar with the vessel of its new owner before it finally took hold.

The dream that followed was just as peculiar to him, but Castiel felt that it also brought him a sense of peace, considering what he had been shown. It brought more than just revelation to him, but also a new found sense of hope, and with it, his faith rekindled.

Never once would he have imagined he could feel that way again.

…

He had been engulfed by bright light, the ferocity of it almost painful and breathtaking as it consumed his entire being.

It felt warm, comforting, almost God like, but Castiel couldn't be entirely sure if it was true. It just felt so incredible, peaceful, and above all, freeing.

The next thing he knew, he was lying on the floor, his hand resting over his bare chest and surrounded by the misty white that he had found himself encircled by earlier. The bright gold light was what took him over next as it reached out to him, engulfing him in its warm and fiery glow. What he felt next was unexpected, as a hand reached over to him and lay on his shoulder, another grasping the palm still situated over his chest. This presence felt oddly familiar, but strangely different as well, as both arms helped to pull him up, leaving him to sit up and slowly open his eyes.

The light growing around him felt so inviting, almost friendly, and he found it touching him, embracing him in its warmth and serenity. All of a sudden, it manifested itself into someone, the jade green eyes of the individual the first thing to come to life through it. Castiel looks over to see, that it's none other than Dean, smiling at him.

"I'm not letting you go Cas. I promised you." His smile is as soft as his voice, as Cas looks on into his hunters all too familiar eyes. "Let's go home."

Dean is lifting him to his feet, and the entire place fades to white. Before they disappear however, Castiel can almost swear that he sees a set of silver tipped wings uncurling from behind the hunter, the prismatic glow of feathers shining brightly in the aura they radiated.

Castiel is reborn.

"Castiel is saved."

…

Castiel is the one to break the silence after what seems like forever, the comfort of that silence between them almost too peaceful to interrupt.

He confesses to Dean that he heard his prayers from this very spot, and that he heard every word before then as well. Dean merely listens on and begins to take in everything that has happened these past few days, knowing that what he never thought he'd get to tell Cas was something he didn't even need to say. The angel already knew, probably before he even confessed it.

"Everything?" Dean asked, almost jokingly. "You heard everything?"

He simply smiled, as if to tell him that he heard every word.

"So I'm busted huh?" Dean grinned, not even daring to look at him.

"Yep." Castiel grinned back, not even bothering to look back either.

The two of them didn't really need to say much else, considering they already knew what the other had to say. That's just how their relationship was really, silent words and affirmative action. When either one wanted to get a point across, they made sure to do it in that silent way that always knew. It was cherishing to say the least.

When Castiel is finished with his story, Dean simply smiles as feelings of hope, faith and joy begin to jump inside of him, feelings that Castiel can sense like a burst of raw emotion. The angel looks over to him and stares, and Dean just continues to look on at the horizon, thinking about the miracle he's received. The dawn unfolding before them is quite beautiful, he notes, suddenly wondering why he never took the time to actually see it. Bobby definitely had a breathtaking view of it. Dean takes a few seconds before he finally lets his thoughts calm, and looks over to stare at Castiel straight in the eye.

He found the angel already looking at him.

"What made you change your mind Dean?" Castiel asked, curiosity as well light-heartedness seeping through his voice. "I thought you never believed in miracles."

Dean paused while he waited for an answer to come to him. He looked back towards the horizon, really taking in the idea that he had been truly given a miracle, probably for the first time in his life. One without strings for once. "I haven't changed my mind Cas." Dean said flatly, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I don't believe in miracles. I believe in people."

Castiel pondered this for a moment and wondered if Dean was actually humoring him, his brow furrowing just a bit. He could see that Dean was lying straight through his teeth, the hunter biting down at his left cheek and not wanting to admit that Castiel was telling the truth.

He saw right through him.

He recognized it the moment he saw a smile creeping underneath his lips. Castiel could only smile as a grin escaped Dean as well.

"You are very stubborn Dean."

Dean chuckled at the obviousness, more than happy to oblige at Castiel's own teasing. How he never thought he'd miss that.

"And you are still a featherbrain Cas." Dean chuckled again, looking back at his friend. "And you know what?"

"What?" Cas tilts his head, that all so familiar look of confusion causing Dean's heart to soar.

Dean merely laughed at himself now, wondering how the hell he had never noticed how that look made the angel who he was, besides the wings and trench coat of course. He put his left arm over Cas' shoulders, hoping that it didn't make Castiel feel in any way awkward or uncomfortable. To his surprise, Castiel simply let himself fall into it.

Dean was so grateful for that moment.

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

Castiel felt a sudden sensation of both peace and tranquility radiate between the two of them, and the angel and hunter stayed staring at each other and back at the horizon, eventually returning to the house, side by side.

Dean didn't want to admit it, but he did believe that somewhere out there, someone had been listening and that maybe, just maybe, he could start believing again in faith.

Weeks had passed since then, and Sam and Dean have found themselves in the middle of another hunt in some small backwoods town in northern Texas. Sam was of course doing research while Dean was out getting lunch for the two of them. Sam figured that it would come from the diner down the road, and to no surprise, he saw Dean return soon enough with a burger in his hand and a salad bag in the other. Sam silently wished that his brother would pick up an apple once in a while.

"Dude, there's Girl Scouts outside selling cookies. Get me some of the mint chocolate chip ones will ya. I'm gonna jump in the shower right quick."

Of course Dean would know when cookie season came around. He followed it more than his own birthday.

Sam simply laughs, and a few minutes later hears the knock on the door. Sam quickly closes the laptop and gets up to open it, immediately being hit by the peaceful breeze that rolled outside in the warming sun. Sam sees no one at first, but then looks down as a hears an innocent little voice saying hello.

"Hi."

Sam freezes, as he sees a raven haired little girl with red ribbon pigtails smiling back at him.

"My name is Kristy and I'm going door to door selling cookies in support of our Girl Scout troop. Would you like to buy some and help support our troop?"

Sam could simply only gape.

THE END

─o.O.o─

Authors End Note: If you have made it here to the end than I am eternally grateful for your support. I can't thank you enough and after spending a month on this. I am surprised how far this has come. Again, my inspiration for writing this story came from MissAnnThropic and her piece Saving Grace and to be honest, I am still very much in love with it since the first time I read it. Waking up in the middle of the night to check for updates was nerve-wracking but very much worth it and again, if you have not read it then I suggest you do because it really is a one of a kind piece. Again, I'd like to thank all the readers and reviewers who took their time and patience to take a chance at my work. I couldn't have done it without you guys.

Yours truly,

₪anonymous-unknown₪

Authors End Side Notes: Just to clear a bit of the mystery for those who may have missed them. Authors Note in Chapter 2 mentioned that the main idea of this story was one that I'd seen a lot in fan fiction but took a different approach on; simple, Castiel's own guardian angel. Physically it was Elizael but spiritually it's Dean, as mentioned in this chapter. Anytime Cas found himself in some sort of trouble or threatened, (as was mentioned in Cas and Dean's conversation near the end of Chapter 7) it was Elizael who was 'taking care of it'. The final scene of the story with the Girl Scout and Sam's reaction to her; refer to Chapter 5. The indication of silver tipped wings on Dean's back, silver indicates the rank of a 'guardian angel'. I think that's it for now. Obviously there are still a lot of unanswered question including the big one; what the heck is Raphael up to (which the season finale totally killed for me but whatever), but please remember this was just the first part of four. All will be revealed in due time. As mentioned in Chapter 1, the entire story (volumes one through four) has already been laid down, outlined and written out but I am very OCD when it comes to details so research does take some time for me. Hope to see you guys at the sequel. Much love to ya'll!

To Be Continued in Part II: Sacrifice Thyself to the Lamb, So That Others May Rise