Greetings to all my beloved followers and anyone else who has accompanied me on this wild ride! Welp. This is it. The final chapter. I could never have made it to this point without the support of each and every one of you. From the bottom of my heart - thank you. Love you guys.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Castiel drew his angel blade across his palm, watching the blood spurt to the surface of his skin. As Joshua, Hannah, and hundreds of other angels watched amongst Heaven's garden, Castiel squeezed drops of his blood into the fountain's waters.

The water turned pink, then gold as it shimmered to life. Castiel felt the healing powers surging through his own body, now powered by archangel grace that would never fade out, never kill him.

One by one, angels removed their shoes and stepped into the fountain. The garden lit up with angels healing themselves in the fountain, flexing new wings, powering up with renewed grace.

Some angels stepped into the fountain, stepped out, and left without a word. Most lingered, pouring water over their heads, laughing with newfound strength and energy. Some touched Castiel lightly on his head, his shoulders, back, chest.

Eventually, the crowd of angels dwindled until only a few lingered. Hannah approached Castiel.

"Your work here is finished, Castiel."

Castiel healed himself and stepped out of the fountain. "There's still more," he said, suddenly feeling exhausted.

"Yes, there are some who haven't returned home yet. But you'll be here to heal them when they do." Hannah smiled fondly at Castiel. "Well done."

Castiel sat down heavily on a bench. "And Metatron?"

"He's behind bars once again. We figured it was best that way." She shook her head. "Heaven is nearly back to normal. Thanks to you, Castiel."

"No. Thanks to Gabriel." Casteil stood. "Thank you for everything, Hannah. I should pay him a visit. We owe him so much."

Castiel left Hannah, using his strong wings to whisk him back to Maine. He found Gabriel at his lighthouse, looking over the ocean.

Gabriel turned, and started when he saw Castiel. "So that's what that feels like," he said, placing a hand over his heart. "You spooked me, you old bean."

"I came to thank you." Castiel stepped closer to Gabriel. "It's because of you Heaven is saved. It's because of you I'm alive." Castiel broke eye contact with Gabriel, feeling ashamed at what he was going to say next. "I didn't ever think you would do that for me."

"Psh." Gabriel made a face. "I didn't do it for you. I didn't even do it for Heaven. I did it for Candi."

Castiel looked at Gabriel with surprise. "How… how does this help Candi?"

Gabriel rolled his eyes. "An all-powerful archangel like yourself wouldn't understand. But… we're missing something that can only be found in mortality. Ya know?"

Castiel nodded. "I do, actually. Being human… it's difficult."

Gabriel groaned. "Hell yeah, it is. I used to be able to whatever I wanted just like that." He snapped his fingers. Castiel winced as a reflex, but nothing happened. Of course it didn't.

"How is Candi?" Castiel asked.

"She's fine. Still a little freaked out." Gabriel folded his arms, leaning against the railing. "The future has a lot of possibilities for her now. For us." He smirked. "We'll just have to see where this mortal life takes me."

"Do you regret it? Giving me your grace?"

"I think I will." Gabriel ran a hand through his hair. "I think there will be days when I'll desperately wish I hadn't done it. That I'd been selfish. I mean, I could have saved Heaven on my own without having to save you. There'll be times when mortality hurts so badly I'll want to throw myself in the river. Give up."

Gabriel turned his back on Castiel, facing the sea. "But then there'll be moments like this. When I'll smell the ocean and feel… inspired. When I'll want to climb Mount Everest just to see if I can. When I'll get fat from eating too much candy. When I feel satisfied for earning a buck instead of making it appear with the snap of my fingers. It'll be those moments that'll keep me going."

Castiel walked until he was standing next to Gabriel at the railing. Gabriel had his eyes closed, letting the breeze touch his face, blow back his hair. Castiel momentarily longed for that peace he knew Gabriel must be feeling at this very moment. He closed his own eyes. Listened to all the miniscule sounds – Gabriel breathing, the wood creaking, a seagull calling in the distance.

"Castiel, there is one thing I wanted to ask you."

Castiel opened his eyes and faced Gabriel.

Gabriel shrugged. "It's more of Candi's request, really. I'm not a complete saint yet. But there's a man. Ken Jenkins. He lives here in Maine. He has a son named Willy who is very ill. Could you…?"

Castiel nodded. "Consider it done."

Gabriel nodded, then patted Castiel on the back. "Thanks, bro."

They went back to contemplating the sea in silence, simply taking the moment to marvel their father's creation.

Dean sat down in his chair. Unwrapped what he had picked up at the local diner. Took a large bite of a double decker cheeseburger.

He chewed, savoring all the heart-attack inducing flavors. He sat back, closing his eyes.

"Hey, Dean."

Dean sat up, opening his eyes. Sam sat down next to him with two beers. He handed one to Dean.

"It's great to see the old Dean back," Sam said.

Dean wiped his mouth on a napkin and threw it on the table. He looked around at the bunker. "Yeah. I've missed this place."

Sam chuckled, and they were silent for a moment. Then, Sam looked cautiously at Dean. "So… what happened?"

Dean took another bite out of his burger. "What d'you mean?" he asked around the mouthful.

Sam gestured to Dean. "This. How… how are you human again? It wasn't Candi."

"Nah." Dean took another bite. Sam waited patiently. Finally, Dean set his burger down. "I don't know, Sammy. One moment, I was out to kill Cas – and you – and the next…" He shrugged. "I don't know, maybe something inside me just fought its way out. Chased the demon part away."

Sam didn't quite believe him. Dean could see it in his face.

"But… we had been puzzling over how to fix you for months…"

"What can I say, Sam? I'm cured. Let's not poke and prod."

"And the mark?"

Dean resisted the urge to look at his arm. "It's still a burden I have to bear. Cain did it for thousands of years. I guess I'll just have to do the same."

Before Sam could reply, there was the flutter of wings, and Castiel was in the room.

"Hey, Cas," Sam said, standing.

"Hello, Sam."

Dean didn't know whether to ignore Castiel or give him a hug. He hadn't seen him since Gabriel had healed him. Torn, he took another bite of his hamburger.

"Wow. You look pretty new and improved," Sam said, stepping back to take a closer look at the angel.

Castiel looked down at himself. "Yes. Archangel grace is much more powerful than a regular angel's."

Dean felt Cas's eyes on him. "How are you, Dean?"

Dean crammed the rest of the burger in his mouth. He stood, facing Castiel. "Fine. Cool." He was having a tough time keeping eye contact with Castiel.

Castiel nodded. "I'm glad to hear it."

There was an uncomfortable silence. Sam cleared his throat. "Um. I'm… going to fix myself a sandwich."

Sam left the room.

A few seconds ticked by. Dean started to say something just as Castiel said, "Dean, you don't have to –"

They both stopped.

"You first," Castiel said.

Dean cleared his throat. "Look, Cas. What happened back there…" Dean paused, searching for words. Finally, he sighed. "I guess I just know that sorry isn't going to cut it, but… I am. I'm sorry."

Castiel's blue eyes never strayed from Dean. "I forgive you, Dean. I know it wasn't you. I'm just glad you're better now."

Dean nodded. He knew there was something that wasn't being said, something that needed to be. But he wasn't ready to address it yet. "How's Heaven?" he asked.

"Fixed. The angels are no longer… fallen."

"Good. Good."

There was another silence. It stretched on unbearably. Dean grew exasperated. "Look, Cas. Something happened back there, okay? I don't know exactly what it was, but—"

"I told you I loved you," Castiel said. It was so blunt, so abrupt. Dean froze.

"Why'd you say that?" he finally asked.

"Because it's true, Dean. I've told you from the beginning – we share a special bond."

Dean blinked rapidly. "Yeah, I know. I remember. But… is that what cured me?"

Castiel shook his head slowly. "No. I think it was all you. My words might have prompted human feelings that were too overwhelming to stay dormant. The rest was you. Sparing my life was your choice."

Dean wiped a hand down his face. "I am so sorry, Cas…"

"Don't be sorry, Dean."

Dean took a step closer. "You've always been there for me, Cas. Even when I was completely off the radar. Why?"

Castiel's gaze firmly held Dean's. "Because I believe in Dean Winchester."

It was so incredibly naïve, so innocent, so Cas. Dean felt a smile slide up the corner of his mouth. He covered the rest of the distance between them, pulling Castiel into a tight hug. "Thanks, man."

Castiel held still for several seconds, then hesitantly returned the hug.

Dean closed his eyes.

Cas, Sam – he would never let them down again.

"I have so many mixed feelings," Gabriel said around a spoonful of strawberry ice cream. "It's so sweet, and so good… but it's so cold outside. Why?"

Candi laughed, twirling a spoon in her own mint chocolate chip ice cream. "Rule number one of being human – it's never too cold for ice cream."

Gabriel smirked.

Candi licked her spoon, then set it down, resting her chin in her hands. "So. What now?"

"Whatever the hell we want," Gabriel said with a mischievous grin. "The world is ours."

Candi grinned back. "I see mortal limitations haven't quite sunk in yet," she said.

"Nope." Gabriel considered Candi thoughtfully. "You wanted to go to college, right? Become a marine biologist?"

She nodded, her smile fading a bit. "Yeah. College costs thousands, though."

"So what? We'll take out some loans. Pay it off as we go."

"Maybe."

"What do you mean, maybe? It's what you want to do, isn't it?"

Candi thought for a moment, then met his gaze. Her smile grew. "Yeah," she said. "Yeah, it is."

Gabriel held her gaze, feeling his smirk growing. "Damn, you're gorgeous," he said finally.

Candi turned a bright red. She leaned over and lightly smacked his hand. "Don't get too heavy handed with the compliments, there."

"Why not? It's probably the most truthful thing I've ever uttered."

Candi laughed. Then, she grew a little serious. "Aren't you a little scared?" she asked. "With all that power you had… and now nothing? What's that even like?"

"Oh, it's terrifying." Gabriel put a large spoonful of ice cream in his mouth. "But I love it."

"And Cas? He was able to help all the angels?"

"Uh-huh."

"Gosh. That must have been a really hard choice to make."

Gabriel looked out the window. People in jackets and hats mulled around outside. Now that summer was only a warm memory, the tourists had retreated to their homes and left the locals to brave the oncoming winter.

"It was, at first," Gabriel said. "But then I thought of you." Gabriel turned back to Candi. "And, I don't know. Mortality didn't seem so bad as long as you were there with me."

Candi's smile dimmed a bit and she narrowed her eyes. "Gabriel… a lot can happen. We might not even be a thing five years down the road."

The thought made Gabriel's insides twist painfully. He reached for her hand. "I know that," he said. "But currently, I plan to be with you for the next 50 years."

Candi's smile slowly returned. "I think I'd like that," she said softly.

Gabriel smirked, and ruffled her hair. "Love ya."

Candi laughed, ducking away. "Love you, you jerk."

Hearing her say it back was a pure moment for Gabriel. "Say that again," he said.

She laughed again. Then, leaning forward, she whispered, "I love you, Gabriel."

They smiled at each other like fools for the next few seconds, then Gabriel dove back into his ice cream. "I've got some funds hidden away," he said. "Let's break into them. Travel the world a bit."

Candi's eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Oh, yeah. Go and quit your job today and we'll leave tonight."

She laughed, then focused on his face. Her eyes widened. "Seriously?"

"Deadly."

"Can we go to Ireland?"

"Of course."

"Italy?"

"Wouldn't miss it."

"Egypt?"

"Eh."

"Iceland."

Gabriel made a face. "Why?"

She laughed.

"No, seriously. Why not somewhere warm and sunny?"

"We'll do that next."

"Deal." Gabriel finished his ice cream, and aimed his Styrofoam cup at the trash. He threw it, and missed. "Lame," he said under his breath.

Candi threw hers, and it landed perfectly in the trash can. She smirked at him.

"Hey, now," he said. "I've only been human for about 42 hours."

"Excuses won't get you anywhere, Gabriel," Candi teased. She stood, stretching. A mischievous smile broke her face. "You wanna race to the lighthouse?"

Gabriel made a face. "Race? As in run? I've never done that in my life."

Candi grabbed his hands, pulling him to his feet. She planted a cold kiss on his lips. "Don't be a wimp, Gabriel." She dragged him out of the ice cream parlor, and hit him in the shoulder. "Winner picks where in the world we're heading to tonight."

Then, she took off.

Gabriel took a deep breath, then ran after her. He forced his feet to stretch, to eat up the sidewalk the way Candi's did so gracefully.

The burn started in his throat, then the stitch in his side kicked in. He sucked in gulps of cool air and felt the hot pulsing of his heart against his neck, in his head, his ears.

He'd never felt so alive.

THE END