I know you won't stop. I know you won't say yes to Michael, and I know you won't kill Sam. Whatever you do, you will always end up here. Whatever choices you make, whatever details you alter, we will always end up here.

Dean couldn't even be bothered to touch his open beer as Lucifer's words tumbled end-over-end in his mind for the millionth time. He pulled apart the rings on the table and slowly inched them together until they fused together with a metallic clink.

"You do know we're doing the right thing?" Bobby asked him, sitting on the opposite end of the picnic table in the garage.

"Then why does it feel like I'm drowning, here, Bobby?" Dean asked quietly, his gruff voice uneven with pain.

"Because letting someone you love go is the most painful thing in the world," Bobby said simply. "But he's a good kid. Strong, smart has a heart of gold. We should be feeling bad for the Devil considering it'll be Sam he's tackling. Boy's got a stubborn streak that managed to cow John."

Dean chuckled but it was without much mirth. "So, what's the plan again?"

"Well, according to sources, there's some heavy duty demon activity between here and Detroit. We'll drain 'em on the way. Hate to do that to the kid since he's gotten clean twice now…."

Dean got up and walked out of the garage, eyes scanning the place and finally spotting Sam and Baby sitting on the hood of a rusted out shell of a sedan. They were just far enough away that Dean couldn't hear their words. They'd been talking for the past hour, but for once Dean didn't want to pry.

"Are you nervous, Sam?" the Impala asked, looking up at the clouds drifting lazily past.

"That's not really the word I'd use," he said. "I'm going to mentally fight the Devil for control of my body and try to fling myself into the Cage in Hell in order to save the world. Terrified, nauseous, those are slightly more accurate. But, I have to do this."

He glanced at the Impala with a watchful eye. "You're not going to smack me and call me an idiot? Demand I don't do this? Or threaten to run over Lucifer?"

Baby sighed. "Would doing any of that change anything? I know you, Sam. You always try to do the right thing. This is, unfortunately, one of those things. As much as I want to shove you into my trunk and drive you somewhere where even the angels can't find you, I know how you are.

"However, I would gladly run him over if given the chance. So, if there is an opening, you might want to jump out the way."

"I guess I'm honestly surprised Dean is letting me do this. He's not really arguing with me or anything."

"You've grown up, Sam. You are your own person now, and Dean's realizing he can't protect you forever."

Baby reached her arm out and ruffled Sam's hair in a friendly manner. "Actually…I'm starting to figure that out, too. I know I'm a golem, I know I'm supposed to watch out for you boys, but I guess I also have to accept that I can't always be the one to pull you from the fire. No matter what happens, thought, I'll always be proud of you. You, Dean, and Adam are my boys, got it? Which means I'll always watch out for you. You're doing the right thing, Sam."

"Thank you," Sam said sincerely. For a few moments it was quiet, peaceful even.

"Baby, I have…something I want to give you," Sam said. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a familiar token. Baby's eyes widened when Sam placed the necklace over her head, the heavy weight of the horned amulet comforting against her skin.

"Dean's necklace?" she asked, turning it over in her hands.

"Not Dean's anymore. It's yours. It's for protection," Sam said. He remembered sneaking back into the motel to grab it from the trash can Castiel had dropped it in. Even if Dean and Cas were so discouraged by the war and no longer could find their hope, Sam could.

Sam hadn't given the amulet to Dean to find God. He'd given it to his brother for protection. God might not help them in their darkest hour, God might not protect Dean, but the Impala certainly would. She would always protect them.

"Baby, promise me you'll…keep an eye on Dean. Castiel and Bobby, too, okay?" Sam said.

Baby opened her mouth to say something, but ended up shutting it silently. Instead, she nodded once and gave Sam a reassuring hug before she tucked the amulet under her shirt. The hunter seemed to relax slightly, knowing the Impala would be watching over his family.

They ended up watching the clouds drift by without speaking for another hour before Dean announced it was time to get ready to go to Detroit.

When Dean saw the amulet hanging from the rear-view mirror, he didn't say anything for several minutes. He honestly couldn't. Not without breaking the mental dam that was keeping his emotions in check. Sam gave Dean a cursory glance about it, his face asking That okay?

Dean simply patted the dashboard, tried to hide the sniffle with a cough, and they were on their way.

"Dean? You there?" asked the voice on the other end of the line.

Dean snapped out of his flashback and nodded. "Yeah, sorry Chuck. So, you're sure it'll be tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow at high noon in Stull Cemetery outside of Lawrence," the prophet intoned, reading from his last chapter.

"Does it say…what happens?" Dean could barely get the question out without his voice cracking. The image of Lucifer smiling through Sam's face was yet another image that would show up in Dean's darkest nightmares.

"No. I haven't seen that far ahead. And honestly, I'm not sure I will see it, you know?"

"Yeah. Uh, thanks again, Chuck," Dean said somberly.

"Dean, you've done everything you could to fight this. Don't blame yourself for anything that happens, alright?" Chuck said sternly.

"Sure. Just, uh, you might want to hold onto any toilet paper you've got lying around," Dean said.

"Toilet paper? What're you-?"

"Later, Chuck."

Baby, Castiel, and Bobby watched Dean as he came back in from the kitchen, looking at his phone like the answers to the universe were trapped in it somewhere.

"High Noon in Stull Cemetery outside of Lawrence," Dean said to the waiting faces.

"We're going, right?" Baby asked, but everyone already knew the answer.

"You really think I'd sit here and twiddle my thumbs?" Bobby asked rhetorically. "We'll be there."

Dean nodded silently. "I just need 5 minutes to talk to Sam without Michael being there," he said, locking his eyes on Castiel. The former angel nodded.

"You'll get your five minutes," Cas promised. Dean nodded, grabbed a beer from the fridge, and headed outside towards the garage. No one followed him.

Castiel turned to the Impala. "Baby, I need you to listen to me and Bobby carefully. We might have a plan."

"A plan?" she asked. Castiel nodded.

"Yes. We might have an idea that can stop Michael and Lucifer from fighting. And we need your help," the angel explained quickly and quietly.

"Great! Let me just grab Dean and—"

"No," Castiel cut her off. "We can't tell Dean. It could jeopardize the entire thing."

Baby narrowed his eyes at Castiel. From the way Bobby looked, he and the angel had already hashed this out once, and Castiel had won that round, too.

"Why can't we let Dean in on this?" she asked pointedly.

Castiel sighed, but Bobby spoke up first. "Apparently Dean knowing what's up might tip off the angelic assholes," the old hunter said. He still looked uncomfortable with the idea.

"Wouldn't some hope be better than no hope?" Baby asked.

Castiel's eyes bore into her. "If this plan doesn't work, what would have been the point of telling Dean?"

She opened her mouth, but closed it. Good question, and one she couldn't answer.

"You are all the hope we have left, Baby," the angel said solemnly.

"No pressure," Bobby said.

Baby looked at them, and her hand drifted to the amulet around her neck. She had promised to watch over Dean and Sam. They were counting on her. Now more than ever.

"Alright. What's the plan?"

Adam's face contorted with terrible agony as Castiel's holy oil cocktail exploded on the archangel. He burned away, temporarily bested but would get back quickly with a vengeance.

Castiel nodded to Dean. "You got your five minutes."

"Castiel," Lucifer said coldly as Sam's eyes narrowed in rage. "Did you just Molotov my brother?"

The angel didn't even have time to respond before a snap of Lucifer's fingers caused him to burst like an overinflated blood-filled balloon. Bobby's head twisted around and Dean grimaced at the terrible snap that was followed by his body falling to the ground.

"Sam, please, I know you're in there," Dean started, but Lucifer was not having any of it. He drew back his fist and clocked Dean across the jaw, knocking the hunter to the ground and stunning him momentarily.

"I told you before, Dean," Lucifer said with a cruel smile. "I always win."

Dean sat up against the Impala, his head lolling to the sides as Lucifer turned his face into hamburger. "Sa—Sammy-I'm nah leavin' ou, Shammy!" Dean slurred out around a broken jaw and swelling cheeks.

Lucifer hauled back his fist with the intention of knocking Dean's head clean off with it. Instead of connecting with Dean's face, it connected with Baby's cheek, slicing open the skin under her eye, yet she didn't flinch or waiver.

Her silver eyes zeroed in on Sam; she was using her body as a shield to protect Dean, and her arms were crossed over her body to defend against the onslaught.

I didn't summon her, Dean realized through the pain clouding most of his mind. I know I didn't…how?

"I'm not sitting this out! I'm going to be here for you!" Baby said sternly even as Lucifer landed another blow to her temple. "Sammy! What're you waiting for, get outta the passenger seat and drive!" she barked.

"We'll see who's going to be road paste now," Lucifer said, getting a couple hard punches in until his eyes locked on her hands. The backs of her hands were towards him, and he could see the blocky, carved letters scarred into her skin. D.W. and S.W.

The eyes, the metallic glint of the horned amulet hanging around her neck, the initials. It all worked to make Lucifer pause as images of the past years, both during childhood and while working with Dean, flashed in his mind.

Dean and Sam getting into wrestling matches in the backseat when they were kids.

The stupid pranks they pulled on each other during cross-country road trips to make the boring miles more interesting.

The arguments and fist-fights they'd gotten into.

The talks, the laughs, doubts, fears, and hopes that they had shared since Jess's death.

Dean teaching Sam how to take care of her before he had been dragged to Hell.

Drinking beer on the side of the road, overlooking a scenic mountain range, not speaking but simply enjoying the view and company.

Dean and him in the backseat as little kids, taking one of Dad's hunting knives and carving those initials into the paneling of the door.

D.W. and S.W.

The fist faltered, and the angry look on Sam's face melted into one of confusion and terror. "Baby?" Sam asked. Even as he looked around his hand fumbled in his pocket for the key. With a careful toss the four rings hit the ground, causing a gaping black hole to appear only feet away.

"Sam!" Baby said, jumping up as Sam backed to the edge of the hole. He looked down into it with morbid fascination and growing determination.

"No!" A voice yelled behind them as Michael reappeared. "This isn't how it's supposed to go! I have to fight Lucifer; I have to follow Father's word! I won't be bested like this!" Michael roared.

Sam closed his eyes and allowed himself to fall backwards into the hole. Michael darted forward and grabbed Sam's shoulder but Sam jerked backwards and Michael found himself falling into the Pit as well-

Something grabbed their arms and they stopped short, the pull of the Pit almost jerking their arms right out of their sockets. Sam looked up to see Baby on the edge of the hole, one arm holding onto his hand while the other had a squirming Michael.

"What're you doing!" Lucifer demanded as he hung helplessly in the air—Baby could tell the Devil was back in control from the hard glint to Sam's usually softer hazel eyes.

"You've got one chance, you flying bastards!" Baby yelled over the roaring of the black hole. Her feet and knees dug into the ground to keep her from tumbling head over heels with them—she had to concentrate to let her full weight of one and a half tons rest on the ground over the lip to keep the two archangels from slipping out of her grasp.

"Let. My. Sons. Go."

"Release us at once!" Michael demanded. He reached up and struck her arms with powerful blows but her grip didn't lessen.

"Omnipotensis Dei potestatem invoco…" Baby roared, her Latin pronunciation flawless though she spoke quickly. Lucifer couldn't help the roar of pain that erupted from him as the words hit home—it made him want to let go of her hand just to get away from her. He could feel himself squirm inside Sam's skin, trying to escape the pain which was like raw nerves touching burning metal.

"Omnipotensis Dei potestatem invoco…!" she yelled again. Michael let out a tortured scream and tried to flap his wings to launch himself out of the hole, but the winds were too strong. In a final act of desperation he whipped out his angel blade and stabbed it right through her arm. Her grip weakened and he managed to jerk himself free.

"Michael!" Lucifer screamed, reaching out and grabbing his brother's hand to keep him from tumbling into the Cage. Michael looked strangely at Lucifer's hand as it held his own, as it kept him from plummeting into the black maw.

Baby lifted up her damaged arm and gripped the angel blade with her teeth and yanked it out of her arm with brutal efficiency. She swore loudly as she felt her body slip towards the edge—having both angels on one arm was wearing her out, she was going to be following the boys right into the Pit.

Sudden weight dropped onto her legs, and Baby glanced back to see Dean had flopped himself on top of her legs, the weight stilling her sliding descent for a few seconds.

With her empty hand she grabbed the amulet in a hard grip, just enough for the pressure of the horns against her skin to give her something to concentrate on.

"Omnipotensis Dei potestatem invoco…Domine in CAELO!" she roared.

Sam and Adam let out matching screeches of pain (or maybe it was Lucifer and Michael?) and twin bursts of light exploded from the brothers. The light started flying up towards the sky, but the pull of the Pit was too powerful—the blinding lights of the archangels disappeared into the black void underneath.

Though exhausted, Baby managed to pull the boys out of the hole just before it closed behind them, permanently sealing the archangels deep in the Cage within Hell.

Baby lay on her back, breathing labored and eyes closed for several seconds as she got her bearings. With a groan of pain she sat up to see Sam starting to stir and Dean groan with pain. Adam lay still, barely breathing but still alive.

Dean opened his eyes when something blocked the sunlight overhead. One swollen eye opened just enough to see Castiel standing over him, the angel's face calm and serene. The angel leaned down and touched two fingers to Dean's head. Instantly Dean's face and body was healed.

The hunter sat up and fixed a wide-eyed look of awe on his face. "Cas…are you God?" he asked.

Castiel chuckled. "No Dean. Just an angel." He made his way to Bobby and with a single touch the old hunter was getting back to his feet.

"Cas, something's wrong with Adam," Sam said in a worried tone. He had rolled over towards Adam, but the youngest Winchester hadn't moved. Castiel kneeled on the other side of his still body, tilting his head at the boy.

"Michael did terrible things to get him to consent. He's locked in a corner of his own mind," Castiel said. He reached forward and placed both hands on Adam's cheeks. His eyes closed and his brow furrowed in concentration. After a solid minute went by and there was no change, it seemed like a lost cause.

Adam's eyes fluttered open, and he immediately fixed his eyes on Sam and Dean's worried faces. "Dean, you're right," Adam said after a loud hacking cough forced itself from his chest, like he hadn't been breathing in a very long time. "Most angels are assholes."

Dean gathered Sam and Adam into his arms and gave them the biggest hug he could manage. "We're alive, that's all I care about," Dean said. He turned back to Baby, still lying on her back and looking exhausted. "What did you do?"

"Angelic exorcism," she said simply.

"How the hell did you know that?!" Dean demanded.

She motioned towards Bobby and Castiel. "They taught it to me last night. Cas thought it might expel the archangels from the boys and kick 'em into the Cage."

Dean got up, followed by Sam, and both tackled the angel with back-breaking hugs. Dean broke apart from Castiel and gave him a good handshake while Sam gave Bobby a powerful hug.

"Careful, ya idjit! Hug me any tighter and you'll just cripple me again," Bobby joked good naturedly.

"So, we won?" Adam asked, able to get up and join them.

"We won! We beat Heaven and Hell, Dean! The Apocalypse is over!" Sam whooped. There was lots of yelling, hugs, and handshakes all around when the weight of the realization hit them.

They'd averted the Apocalypse!

Dean slung a friendly arm over Castiel's shoulders. "I can't believe it, man! You were right," Dean said with a smile that lit up his whole face.

"About what, Dean?"

"My friggin' car just saved the world!"

"This calls for a celebration," Bobby said with a hearty laugh. "Cas, mind snapping us back to my place?"

Castiel nodded once. Instantly everyone was standing in Bobby's gravel driveway, ready to drink themselves stupid in celebration.

"I have to admit, I'm surprised," a smooth voice said behind them. Everyone turned to see the demon smirking at them. "You actually managed the impossible. Not bad for chronic, alcoholic screw-ups." Crowley said smartly.

"Thanks for your overwhelming vote of confidence," Bobby said. "Why are you here?"

"Just returning home to cement my title as King when I thought I'd offer my congratulations," Crowley said with a dangerous smirk.

"King of the Crossroads, right?" Dean said.

"Not just the Crossroads. Not anymore," Crowley said but didn't expand further. "Now then, if we're going to do this, let's do it right." He snapped his fingers and everyone suddenly had a heavy ceramic mug full of golden liquid in their hands.

Everyone looked at each other warily, but their scowls dropped when Crowley held his cup up in the air, sincerity on his face. "To Gabriel and Loki," he said.

When no one moved, he sighed in irritation. "I've got no intention of killing you idiots. Pain in the arse he was, but without him the world would literally be going to the basement right now, and not in the good way."

"You're a demon, you don't have feelings or friends," Dean said, but his tone seemed to be asking.

"True, but I'm also not a complete asshole," Crowley snapped, motioning towards Bobby's legs as evidence. "You don't deal with someone for a century or so and not develop some type of rapport with them."

Cas checked the glasses. "They're not poisoned," he assured them, looking at his own glass with wry curiosity.

"Works for me," Bobby said in a huff. Following the oldest hunter's example, they slowly raised their cups up in the toast and murmured the archangel's name before they drank.

"Whoa, it tastes like sugar—ish thish meaduh?" Dean asked, although he'd barely let his lips touch the stuff yet they were already numb and his words were slurred.

"Pagans did know how to throw a party," Crowley said with a pained grin which disappeared as he dumped some out onto the ground. "Think he'd like the touch."

"Dean, you should totally fill my tank up with this, I bet I could drive 'cross the continent on one tank!" Baby babbled in excitement.

"So…what're you going to do now?" Crowley asked the group, quite curious what the Winchesters would do now that the biggest bad of them all was locked away for eternity.

"Definitely a real vacation," Bobby said. "I'm too old for this mess."

"Want some company?" Crowley asked brightly.

"Bite me, asshat. Still ain't forgiven you for the Colt nonsense," Bobby said, though his tone wasn't very harsh.

"Looks like I'll never hear the end of it," Crowley said in mock despair. He finished up his drink and waved to the gathering. "Welp, no offense, but here's to hoping I never see any of you ever again," the newly minted King of Hell said before disappearing.

Castiel tilted his head at Adam. "Adam, if you're interested, I could take you back to Heaven," the angel said. "I can even find your mother's heaven and let you visit it."

"I could see my Mom again?" he said. His eyes flickered over the faces of people he had only recently met, but felt like he'd known for years. "Would anyone be offended if I-?"

"Dude, she's family," Dean said. "Not a problem in the least."

"We will miss you, though," Sam said.

"It was nice to see you all grown up, Adam," Baby added. "Just don't forget about us."

He looked around at them again, and a grin plastered itself to his face. "You know what? My mom's not going anywhere, right? I'm sure she won't mind waiting to see me again. I'll take you up on that offer in about a lifetime, okay…Cas?"

The angel nodded, a small grin on his face with Adam's use of the Winchester nickname. He looked at Dean, sighing. "Heaven will be in disarray—with the Host is reeling from the loss of Michael's guidance, the angels will be in chaos. I'm the only one who can restore order," Castiel intoned gravelly.

"You sure you can't stay for a drink? We just beat everything!" Sam said.

Castiel tilted his head in thought, then smiled "The mead is good," he said. "Thought I must get back quickly."

Dean stuck out his hand and the angel shook it with practiced familiarity and warmth. "Don't be a stranger, Cas. Don't just come down here on business," Dean said. "Though, obviously, give us a shout if you need it."

"Of course, Dean," Castiel promised. He shook hands with everyone, though he paused when he caught sight of the amulet around Baby's neck.

The Impala grinned. "I'll be watching over them, Cas. Don't worry about us."

"Yes, I suppose you will," Castiel said, although he didn't seem to be speaking to the car right then.

"You know what? I think a vacation is a great idea," Dean said suddenly. He threw an arm around Adam's neck and gave his youngest brother a good-natured noogie. "We'll let some other hunters handle Apocalypse clean-up. How about Sammy goes and becomes a big shot lawyer and I teach Adam here how to properly take apart an engine?"

"I'm not volunteering for that job," Baby said with a teasing grin.

Sam laughed again. It felt so easy to laugh now, even stupid things would make him roar with uncontrollable giggles. Who knew that not having the weight of the world on one's shoulders would make you feel so light?

The fact that Dean suggested Sam go off and finish his degree made him grin, but he knew in his heart it wasn't really what he wanted right then.

"You know what? Honestly, I'm happy right where I am," Sam said, causing Dean to pause but then smile.

Bobby had his legs back, the Impala was an awesome human, Adam was alive and Dean wasn't worried about anything. Castiel would get Heaven under control and Crowley was running the show downstairs.

Things were good.

….

….

….

"Dammit! That smug bastard still has my soul!"

FIN

A/N: And there you have it, folks! Took three months and over a dozen rewrites but I'm finally happy with it!

At the moment this series is done, though I have an AWESOME idea for a final story in this series, a re-write of season 6 that would actually be pretty sweet. It would give the Dragons, Eve, and the Phoenix the epic story line they deserved. I'm going to give it a few months to simmer and try to work on other projects, then I'll see how I feel about it. If anyone's interested in such a story, obviously let me know!

Did you love it, hate it? Was it a sequel worthy of the original fic? Let me know in the comments!