Chapter 20 - Epilogue

I would like to end the story with an ending, not more authors notes, so I'm going to write this at the beginning instead. Hope you understand. : )

This story has been a blast to write. It's one of the few that I am truly proud of, every chapter and every word, and I have all of you to thank for that. This is also the first story that has gotten over 100 reviews, and that really makes me stoked! I'm so glad that you all enjoyed it that much, and I want you to know that every single one of those reviews helped keep me motivated with the story.

I hope this wraps everything up for you, but I was also thinking of continuing with a sequel… Let me know if you'd be interested. I left it with a pretty good ending, so if you want to just leave it as a one story wonder, that's an option for you.

Just in case it wasn't clear enough, this is the last chapter of this story. :'( But, that just means that I'll be starting a new project, whether it's the sequel, or something entirely new… Keep an eye out!

Without further adieu, please enjoy!

Sam was floating in darkness.

His head felt heavy, his thoughts slow. All around him was complete and utter dark, a black like ink. Sam tried to move, but couldn't. He was frozen.

Am I dead? He wondered vaguely, too confused to feel any fear.

No, Sam. You aren't dead.

Sam felt his heart thump painfully. You're gone. I banished you.

Banished is such a powerful word, Sam. You merely… kicked me out. Doesn't mean I don't still have a key.

Adrenaline rushed through Sam's body. The heaviness slowly leaked from Sam's limbs, and his mind started to clear.

Very good, Sam. Wake up. I'll find you again eventually.

Sam's eyes shot open, and he immediately tried to pull in a breath. His lungs resisted, and he felt something blocking his airway. Sam started to choke, tears rushing to his eyes.

"Sammy?" A bleary voice said, sounding shocked. The lights clicked on, and Dean came into view. He had deep bags under his eyes, and looked like he hadn't slept in days. Sam tried to call out, and panicked when he couldn't make a sound.

"Calm down, Sammy." Dean urged, placing his hands on Sam's shoulders. "Relax. There's a machine doing the work for you, okay? Just relax."

Sam stopped struggling for breath. He closed his eyes and tried to ignore the feeling of being starved for air. After a moment, he saw that Dean was right. He felt air being pushed in and out of his lungs, still much too slow for his liking.

"There you go." Sam opened his eyes to see a smile on Dean's face. "It's nice to see you awake, Sammy."

Sam grunted, trying to speak. Dean grabbed the chair that he'd been sleeping on from the corner of the room, and dragged it over to Sam's bed. Sam stared at Dean, trying to portray his confusion with his eyes.

Dean chuckled at Sam's expression. "You want to know what happened?" He guessed, and Sam blinked, indicating he was right.

"Right, well…" Dean hesitated. "You went into a coma, Sam. After you...expelled Azazel, or whatever, you collapsed. There was general chaos, everyone running around and freaking out. All of the demons ran straight back to Hell after they saw what you did."

Sam had so many questions running through his head, and he had no way to express any of them. Sam grunted again, this time from frustration.

Dean looked around, and grabbed the clipboard off the end of Sam's bed. He placed it on the bed next to Sam's hand, and pressed the pen into his hand. Sam gripped the pen tightly, and scribbled out the word, trying to watch his hand move out of the corner of his eye.

AZAZEL?

Dean looked up. He looked worried. "Sammy...no one really knows what happened. You pushed him out, and he just kind of…disappeared. Who knows? Maybe he was sent back to Hell." But Dean's expression revealed how much stock he put in this theory.

Sam shuddered, remembering his dream. He seriously doubted that Azazel had been sent to Hell. But at the same time, he could tell that Azazel was no longer in his head. So where was he?

Sam pushed the thought from his head. He had other things to worry about.

OTHERS?

Dean smiled. "Those kids are tough. The kids that we found with you are staying with us for a while. So are Nico and Toby."

Sam's brow furrowed as he thought.

MARIANA?

The smile fell from Dean's face. For a second, Sam's heart seemed to stop, though the monitor watching his pulse didn't agree. Dean caught Sam's expression, and quickly raised a hand.

"No, Sammy, she's okay. She's here." Dean said. Sam frowned, still confused, and Dean tried to elaborate. "She got shot somehow, and the wound was infected. Mom brought her up here the day we came to rescue you. The doctors say she'll be okay."

Relief rushed through Sam. He pressed the tip of the pen to the paper again.

SEE HER?

Dean cocked his head, thinking for a moment. "I'm not sure. We'd have to ask your doctor, and hers. Probably Mom and Dad, too."

Sam raised his eyebrows, waiting for Dean to continue. Dean took one look at his face, and sighed.

"Jeez, Sam, lay off on the puppy dog eyes, okay? I'll ask." He said, feigning irritation.

The door cracked open, and Mary leaned her head in. "Dean…" She murmured, and her eyes widened when she saw Sam's eyes open.

Dean turned and smiled at his mother. "Hey, Mom. Guess who's up?"

The next morning the doctors took out the tube that was regulating Sam's breathing. They warned him to take it easy and drink water, and they let him sit up.

As John used the remote controlling his bed to angle it upwards, Sam noticed something on his arm. On the inside of his right arm a curious looking scar ran across his skin. It looked like the design of some kind of tree or vine, with lines branching out from other lines. It wrapped around his forearm, extending a line to the back of his hand. Sam followed the scar up his arm, and saw that the branching pattern disappeared under the sleeve of his hospital gown. If he had to guess, Sam thought that it probably ran all the way to the center of his chest.

"It's called a Lichtenberg scar," John said, noticing what Sam was looking at. "People get it after being struck by lightning."

"Does it go away?" Sam asked, his voice slightly hoarse.

"Normally," John murmured, but his tone revealed what he was thinking. None of this was normal.

Mary returned to Sam's room, closing the door behind her. She smiled at Dean, dozing lightly in the chair, and walked to Sam's side.

"What did they say?" Sam asked eagerly.

Mary laughed at his expression. "They agreed that you could see Mariana."

Sam grinned, and started to swing his legs over the side of the bed. Mary planted a hand on his shoulder, stopping him.

"They also said, however, that you have to ride over in a wheelchair." Mary said firmly, already predicting the stubbornness this would provoke.

Sam rolled his eyes. "I'm fine. I can walk."

Dean stirred in his seat, sitting up and fixing a blatant look on Sam. "Sam, you woke up from a three-day coma yesterday. You can ride in a freaking wheelchair."

Sam rolled his eyes again, but didn't protest when John rolled the chair over. Despite what Sam had thought, he needed both John and Mary's aid to make it the few steps to the chair, and lower himself carefully in.

Mary insisted on pushing the wheelchair, and John let her, understanding her need to be in control of something. She'd almost lost both her sons just three days ago. Dean walked alongside Sam, pointing out some of the hot nurses that had been taking care of Sam while he'd been sleeping.

Mary paused in front of a closed door. She pulled a card out of her pocket, and slid it into a slot on the door handle. When she pulled it back out, there was a small beep, and a green light flashed on the handle. Mary pushed down the door handle, opening the door.

"It's a key," Mary said in explanation to Sam, who had a look of confusion on his face. "Psychic's rooms… They're kept locked."

Sam nodded, and looked away, anger simmering in his stomach. With all that had happened recently, he'd almost forgotten what being in the regular world was like. With it's prejudice, and it's judgement, and it's intolerance. Of course Mariana's room was kept locked. If not, she'd probably rampage through the hospital, breathing fire and tearing people limb from limb with her mind. All with a gunshot wound, no less. Sam wouldn't be surprised if people actually believed it.

His irritation slipped away when he saw Mariana sleeping in her bed. Her skin was pale, but she was sleeping peacefully. An IV was taped to her arm. As they approached, Mariana's eyes flickered open. She looked over at the new arrivals, and her face brightened.

Mary pushed Sam over next to her. "Hey, Mariana," She said with a smile. "How are you feeling?"

"Better," Mariana said softly. "Do the doctors know when I can go home?"

Mary shook her head regretfully. "They aren't sure. A few more days, most likely." Mariana nodded, looking down at her blanket.

There was a moment of silence, and then Mary took a few steps back. "I'll wait outside, alright?" She ushered the other two men outside, and pulled the door shut.

"Mary has been very kind." Mariana began. "She stayed with me when we first got here."

Sam frowned. "Mariana, if you're here, Vanector will find you. She'll take you back."

"She already found me." Mariana admitted, looking up shyly.

Sam gripped the arms of his chair, leaning forward. "What? But then...why didn't she...how are you…?"

Mariana looked up sheepishly. "Like I said, Mary has been very kind. I told her about the things that Vanector used to do us. Sending us to bed without dinner, beating us, selling us. Mary called the police. By the time Vanector found out about me and made it here, the police had a warrant for her arrest. They found all kinds of evidence on her computer and database. There were fake death certificates, financial trails, even the names of the hunters who bought from her."

Sam stared, mouth agape. "So...where is she now?"

"Behind bars, most likely." Mariana said. "She's got so many charges of child neglect and abuse that they're saying she'll be locked away for anywhere from 10 to 50 years."

"What about Roosevelt?"

A bitter scowl spread across her face. "It's being shut down. Demolished, probably. Turned into something nice, like a mall or a school. People will forget everything that ever happened there. Forget the kids that died in those halls."

Sam was surprised to see angry tears in her eyes. She always seemed so gentle and meek, but there was a quiet fire in her that you wouldn't see unless you caught sight of it in small fleeting moments. Moments like when she refused to let Lily take the blame in Roosevelt, choosing to take the punishment herself than let a close friend suffer. Or when she had tricked Vanector in order to escape, though she risked extreme punishment if caught.

Sam remembered a night long ago, just after they'd escaped Roosevelt. Mariana had been suffering, and Sam had been concerned for her.

I don't want her to die. He'd told Lily.

She isn't going to. Lily had said fiercely. She's a fighter. She'll make it.

At the time, Sam had brushed off the comment. He'd thought that Mariana wasn't a fighter. She was kind, and gentle, and tender, and never seemed like the fighting type. But now, after knowing Mariana better, he could see that she was a fighter, in her own special way. She wasn't like Lily, who's words and actions were like spitfire, sparking often and quickly. She had a strength and fight that was all her own.

"People will never forget." Sam said. "We won't let them."

"What can we do, Sam?" Mariana asked desperately, a tear rolling down her cheek. "Nobody trusts us. They treat us like monsters!"

"We have to show them that we are more than that," Sam insisted. "Look, Dr. Neville was trying to do the right thing. He wanted to free psychics. Maybe for his own twisted reasons, but he still wanted to win us a better future. But if we want that future, we can't try to take it by force. We have to convince people that they were wrong about psychics." Sam frowned. "Where is Neville, anyway? And Pearson, for that matter?"

Mariana sniffed, brushing the tear from her cheek. "Neville's been arrested. He'll probably be put away as long as Vanector. Longer, considering he aided in an attempt to raise a demon. But Pearson…" Mariana looked up at Sam, apprehension in her eyes. "He got away. I heard John tell Mary that in all the confusion, Pearson just slipped away. Jake went with him. Willingly." She choked out the last word."

Sam felt his blood chill. "Pearson escaped?"

Mariana nodded. "And Jake, too."

"Wait...Jake just left with him? Did Pearson threaten him, or something?"

Mariana shook her head. "Nico's been by a few times to visit. He says that the others who were there just saw Jake run after Pearson. The police couldn't find him when they searched the rest of the basement."

"Why would he go?" Sam murmured, almost to himself.

"I think he was tired of this life." Mariana said softly. "Tired of being locked up, and hated, and judged. He saw someone trying to change things, even if it was the wrong things, and he wanted to do anything he could to help it along. Maybe he'll realize he made a mistake later."

"And maybe he won't," Sam finished solemnly.

Sam was able to go home two days later, and Mariana soon after him. He came home to a house full of kids. Sam laughed as Andrew and Nico charged past, Andrew clutching a football in his arms.

"Boys, take it outside!" Mary shouted.

"Sorry!" Andrew called back sheepishly, yelping when Nico crashed into him. Andrew shoved back, laughing. "Ansem, come outside!"

Ansem, reading on the couch, rolled his eyes. He hesitated for a moment, before dropping the book and jumping up after his brother. The three boys ran outside, pausing by the door only long enough for Mary to activate their trackers.

Sam walked into the kitchen, taking a seat at the table. Toby came bounding down the stairs, hopping over the last step. He looked up and gasped, spotting Sam sitting at the table.

"Sam!" He shouted, sprinting over. He skidded to a stop and wrapped his arms around the older boy. "You're okay!"

"Of course I'm okay," Sam laughed. "How are you?"

"Awesome!" Toby said excitedly. "Your mom makes the best sandwiches." He looked up at Mary. "Where's everyone else?"

"Nico, Andrew, and Ansem just went outside to play football, if you wanted to join them." She offered. "Other than that, the girls and Max are probably upstairs. John'll be here soon with Mariana."

Toby considered for a moment. "I think I'll go outside." He decided seriously, and ran for the door.

"Toby, slow down!" Mary laughed, hurrying to activate his tracker. The door slammed shut behind him, and Mary braced her hands on the counter, shaking her head good-naturedly. "That boy…"

Sam was still smiling. Your mom makes the best sandwiches. Toby had said. Your mom…

"So, how long are they going to be staying here?" Sam asked hopefully.

Mary smiled at Sam's eager expression, but her eyes were regretful. "I'm sorry, Sam. They won't be here for too much longer. The agency doesn't think it's appropriate to have nine psychics under one roof without proper security measures."

"But we have Bones!" Sam protested. "He's great security."

Right on cue, Bones came bounding through the door, barking happily. He jumped up, planting his paws on Sam's lap and reaching up to lick his face. Sam laughed, playfully pushing the dog away. He looked back at Mary, a troubled expression returning to his face.

"But where will they go?" He asked.

Mary turned away, avoiding Sam's eyes. She started putting away dishes in the sink. "Your father and I have been looking into some places. Charlie's been helping us." Seeing Sam's confused expression, she elaborated. "He helped Nico, Toby, and Mariana get here."

Sam nodded, saying nothing more. He looked up when he heard a noise in the hallway.

Max flinched when he met Sam's eyes. He averted his gaze to the floor, and skittered over to Mary. Max reached into the pantry next to her, pulling out a granola bar. He held it up questioningly. Mary smiled, and gently slid an arm around Max's shoulders.

"Sure, sweetie," Mary said kindly. "You can have it."

Max slipped away silently, and darted back up the stairs. Moments later, Sam heard a door close upstairs. He turned back to Mary.

"Is he...okay?"

Mary sighed, her shoulders dropping. "It's called selective mutism. It's common in children after a traumatic experience, especially one where they have little to no control. The doctors say he'll be alright eventually. He just needs time."

"I think we all do," Sam muttered. Mary looked up with a sympathetic smile on her face.

The car rumbled under Sam's feet. The window was rolled down, cool air rushing into his face. Sam couldn't help but smile, feeling the speed of the Impala racing down the interstate. Dean was blasting ACDC from the speakers, and Lily and Nico sat in the back, laughing at Dean's ridiculous dancing while he drove. John drove the rest of the children, along with Mary, in the car behind Dean.

"She's amazing," Sam commented blissfully, keeping his eyes shut.

"Isn't she?" Dean agreed, patting the wheel. "You're beautiful, baby," He crooned to the dashboard, stroking it lovingly.

"I'm sorry, do you two need to be alone with this thing for a while?" Lily spoke up from the back, sounding playfully irritated.

Dean scoffed. "Girl, this thing is a pristine, aerodynamic work of art that could pay all of our college tuitions ten times over on the market. Not only that, but she's helped my dad through some messy hunts. Show a little respect."

"I just don't get cars." Lily said, flipping her hair. "It's a guy thing."

Nico looked over from where he was sitting next to her in the backseat. "For the record, I know next to nothing about cars."

"Don't worry, Dean has that department covered pretty well," Sam joked. "He's obsessed."

"Obsessed is such a strong word, Sammy," Dean protested. "I just happen to have an interest in cars."

"More like an infatuation," Lily said, one eyebrow raised coyly.

"You-" Dean twisted, reaching back to smack her with his hand, while trying to keep his focus on the road ahead. Nico objected, calling to Sam to get Dean to look back at the road.

Sam was preoccupied, frozen by something Dean had said. He felt a chill wash down his back.

Obsessed is such a strong word, Sammy.

Dean's kind, jesting voice deepened. It sharpened, taking on a sinister edge. The words were full of malice and trickery, with a cold detachment that chilled Sam to the bone.

Banished is such a strong word, Sammy.

Sam hadn't heard from Azazel since that night. He had chosen not to tell any of the Winchesters about his experience. Azazel hadn't reared his head since then, and there was no point in worrying them for nothing. Besides, Sam was hoping that if he ignored it, it would be like it never happened.

Dean's cell phone rang in the glovebox next to him, and Sam picked it up, checking the screen. John's number shone up at him, so he hit accept and pressed it to his ear.

"Dean?"

"This is Sam," Sam said apologetically. "Dean is…" He looked at the older boy, still insistently swatting at Lily. The car jerked as Dean swerved too close to the edge of the road. "...occupied at the moment."

John sighed over the phone. "Tell him to turn at the next exit, alright? Exit 54."

"54," Sam repeated. "Got it."

"And Sam? Don't let Dean drive you all off the road. Thank God we have at least one level head in there."

Sam smiled. "Sure thing." He hung up the phone and relayed the information to Dean.

"So, where exactly are we going?" Lily asked, and Dean finally straightened in his seat. "All your parents would tell us is that we'd be staying there."

Dean looked back in the rearview mirror. Sam glanced back at Lily and saw the tight fear in her eyes. She was trying to conceal it, but he could tell that she was afraid. Nico stared out the window, avoiding Sam's gaze, but his clenched fist revealed that he felt the same way.

"It's safe." Dean said. "Charlie recommended it. He said it's pretty new, and it isn't run by the government."

"But it's a camp, right?" Nico said flatly.

"Technically, yes." Dean admitted with a shrug. "But it's supposed to be really good. Like a giant Care Home with other psychics."

"Right," Lily scoffed, crossing her arms. "Because all of our Care Homes have been so great."

"Just give it a chance." Dean compromised. "It won't be any better anywhere else."

Lily fell silent, looking out the window. Sam turned his gaze back out to the road ahead, watching trees pass by silently.

It isn't better anywhere else now. He thought to himself. But maybe someday.

Sam stared out of the window with wide eyes as the Impala drove along the dirt path. Trees lined the road on either side of them, tall and imposing. He could see a sign up ahead, the message still indecipherable.

As they came closer, the words were brought to focus. Sam scooted forward in his seat, craning his neck to read the words as they drove under the giant sign, elevated on two wooden posts. The sign looked new, made of freshly painted wood. The words were blocky and colored green, covering a majority of the sign.

Camp Freewing

A variety of colors decorated the lower base of the two poles. After a moment, Sam realized they were all handprints. Some as small as the palm of Sam's hand, and others as large as John's.

The road went on for another fifty feet, and finally the treeline broke into a large field. Wooden cabins were scattered along the large space, along with a volleyball pit, garden, and basketball court. An assortment of children were walking along paths, wearing identical bright green shirts. They froze when they spotted the cars, watching with rapt interest.

Dean pulled the Impala into a gravel parking lot, and John parked next to him. Sam stared out at the vast expanse, not daring to believe it. Dean stepped out of the car, and Sam followed after a moment. Sam walked around the car, standing next to Dean. Nico and Lily joined them, looking out at the green fields.

John stepped out, Mary and the rest of the children following them. Max clung to Ava's side, huddling under her arm with a terrified expression. Ava kept a protective arm wrapped around him, staring suspiciously at the scattered cabins.

Ansem and Andrew stood side by side, Scott joining them and looking out nervously at the fields. Toby scurried over to Lily and Nico, pulling Mariana alongside him. He stopped for a moment beside the three, following their gazes. Suddenly, Toby began talking with a burst, as though he'd been waiting the whole car ride.

"Mary said this place was really neat and she said that we could probably all get a room together and they wouldn't really care about it, even though I don't think that's usually allowed, but maybe if Mary asked them for us, cause she's an adult and usually adults listen to adults, but not always to kids, cause they don't think-hmmph." Toby cut off when Mariana pressed a hand over his mouth.

"He talks a lot when he's nervous." Mariana comment dryly.

Toby peeled her hand away. "Do not."

"Do, too." Nico and Lily said in unison.

Sam's attention was drawn away from the scene by the sound of a creaking door. He glanced up at the closest and largest cabin. A man was walking down the path toward them, head held high. He was too far away for Sam to make out any distinguishing features, but there was a certain confidence and calm that emanated from the man that instantly seemed to put Sam at ease.

Mary and John looked back at the group of children, an encouraging smile on their face that didn't quite reach their anxious eyes. They started forward, waving the children along with them. For a moment, no one moved, even Dean standing frozen.

Sam swallowed, and stepped forward, leading them on. In an odd way, he felt that he'd lead this group into this whole mess. He should lead them out, even if he wasn't going to stay.

As Sam walked toward the man, his sense of ease strengthened. He felt calm, at peace, and at the same time, a certain intimidation that was hard to place. It was like he was staring into the face of a raging thunderstorm, too far away to fear, but close enough to feel the thrill of it.

The man was an average height, short brown hair swept to one side, and decent, if not downright handsome, features. His expression was serious, and his eyes held no humor. He wore a long trenchcoat over an unbuttoned suit, and Sam wondered vaguely if he was overheating in the warm weather.

They stopped a foot away from the man, and Sam peered closer at his face. The man turned his stony gaze to meet Sam's eyes, and for a moment, his ice blue eyes seemed to pierce Sam to the core. Sam shivered, reminded of Dr. Neville's eyes. But then the flash was gone, and the ice was replaced with a clear blue that was more kind than calculating.

"My name is Castiel." The man spoke in a quiet tone, but his voice seemed to carry around the group. "I run this camp."

Mary smiled, stepping forward. "My name is Mary, and this is John." Castiel nodded at the two of them, not offering his hand in greeting. He looked at the group of children. Mary followed his gaze.

"These are…" She trailed off, unsure of herself for a moment.

"Psychics." Castiel continued in an even voice. "Very strong ones, I can see."

"Yes." Mary agreed. "Someone told us that this was a good place for them to stay."

Castiel didn't respond, looking over the group with his perceptive eyes. His gaze settled on Ansem, who fixed his eyes on the ground.

"You worry about your brother." He stated in a cool voice. "You wonder if he has forgiven you for your betrayal."

Ansem's head snapped up, his face flushing red. "What?"

"You need not worry," Castiel continued evenly. "He has healed from his experience, and harbors no ill will toward you."

"How do you know that?" Andrew asked in a suspicious voice, edging next to his brother.

Castiel offered a small smile, and for a moment, thunder rumbled in the cloudless sky. The fields darkened, and lightning flashed, illuminating the shapes of two ragged wings behind the man.

"I have my ways." Castiel said cryptically when the darkness faded.

The children stumbled back a step, stunned, but Sam held his ground. He could tell there was nothing to fear from this man.

"You're an angel, aren't you?" He asked, filling the silence.

Castiel turned to look at him, and his eyes once again penetrated deep inside Sam's soul. He felt as if the angel could see every flaw, every mistake, every perfection, and every success. For a moment, Sam felt something inside of him lurch away from the angel's gaze, as if trying to hide itself. The angel's eyes tightened minisculely, and he nodded, answering Sam's question.

"Yes, I am." He looked again at the rest of the children. "And this can be your home, if you choose for it to be so."

The children all exchanged glances, and Lily spoke up, taking a small step forward. "I think I speak for all of us when I say that we would totally choose to stay here."

Castiel nodded. "Say your goodbyes, and I will show you to your living quarters."

"So sudden?" Mary questioned, and Sam could see tears shining in her eyes. "Could we… go with them to see their rooms? Maybe eat a meal?"

The angel shook his head. "It is best to have a clean break. They will be allowed to call, but for now, they must have time to adjust."

Mary nodded, wiping the tears from her eyes, and she pulled a few of the kids into hugs. Toby quickly ran over and wrapped his arms around her waist, hugging her tightly. Mary laughed, embracing him tightly. She squeezed Ava and Max, and Ansem even allowed her to brush a hand over his hair.

Sam felt someone pull him into a tight embrace, and he started to hear Lily's shaky breathing in his ear. He wrapped his arms around her, hugging her back tightly.

"You're got a good thing with these Winchesters, squirt." Lily whispered. "Don't screw it up."

"I won't." Sam promised. "Take care of yourself. Stay out of trouble."

"I'm more worried about you." Lily said with a slight laugh. "You're kind of a magnet for trouble."

"It's okay." Sam smiled. "I have Dean. I'll be fine."

Lily pulled back, looking in her friend's eyes. "Yeah, you will, Sammy. You'll be just fine."

Nico nodded to Sam, who returned the gesture, and walked over to Mariana. Sam watched as he offered her his hand, and she smiled bashfully, blushing furiously, before tenderly accepting. The nine children started walking up the path toward the large cabin, waving back at the Winchesters happily.

"Sam, could I have a word with you?" Castiel asked quietly. Startled, Sam nodded, and followed the angel a few yards away.

"The darkness has not left you." Castiel said once they were out of earshot. "It might seem like it has left you, but it is merely dormant, waiting for a chance to emerge again. You might have hindered Azazel's progress, but he will grow stronger again."

His words stole the air from Sam's chest. He found it hard to breathe for a moment. His worst fears, spoken out loud with such certainty, filled him with a dread that was hard to comprehend.

"You have many difficult battles ahead of you, Sam." Castiel continued. "The road for you will be long, and has barely begun. You will face challenges, make choices, confront sacrifice, pain, and loss. But there is a chance of triumph, if you can make it to the end."

Castiel fixed his intense gaze on Sam. "You have a strength in you that will overcome evil, if you can believe in it, and your abilities. It will not be easy, and there will be many times that you will nearly fail. However, you will always prevail if you remember evil's constant weakness."

"Which is?" Sam prompted.

"Evil knows no such thing as family, or love, or loyalty. It knows only greed, and anger, and hatred. Family will be your advantage, Sam. Use it, and remember that family is a gift, and love the most powerful weapon you will ever possess."

Sam looked over at his family. His family. John, his father, who knew when to support him, and always encouraged him to be strong. Mary, his mother, who was always there with tender arms, and loving words, to comfort him in his darkest times. And Dean, who never lost faith, who came back for him even when Sam gave him reason to walk away. Dean, who didn't care what Sam was, or what people thought of him. Dean, who saw the person that Sam was, not the person that people thought he was, or wanted him to be.

Sam turned back to Castiel. "I know." He said. He knew how powerful love could be. It had completely transformed his life. Castiel nodded, understanding without another word. He turned and walked to the other children, leading them up to the cabin, and to their new lives.

Sam walked back to the Winchesters. Dean immediately swarmed him.

"What did he want?" He asked anxiously.

"Just wanted to know if I'd be staying, too." Sam lied easily. He didn't want to tell the Winchesters about Azazel. About the fact that he might not be as gone as they'd thought. About the fact that he might come back. He'd tell them eventually. Just not today.

"You're definitely staying." Mary said with a smile, and planted a kiss on Sam's forehead. Sam ducked away, blushing, but a smile bloomed across his face. Mary laughed, and pulled John to their second car.

Dean walked over to the driver's side of the Impala, sliding into the seat. Sam walked around to the passenger side, and paused to get a look at the setting sun, just beginning to dip beneath the treeline.

I'll find you again eventually.

Maybe you will. Sam thought, surprised that the thought brought no fear. But when you do, I won't just be Sam, an orphan wanted by no one, a psychic hated by everyone. I'll be a Winchester, loved by my family, and strengthened by their support. And you will not find it so easy to break me.

"Ready to go home, Sammy?" Dean asked, looking up at him.

Sam looked down. The cool evening air blew through his hair, and the endless beat of ACDC came from the stereo. This family, this life was his. And he was ready to live it.

"Yeah, Dean. Let's go home."