Thanks for all the kind comments about part one! Hope you enjoy the conclusion!

"Hello Sam." Lucifer's voice greeted Sam warmly as he claimed his vessel. Sam panicked when he felt himself losing control of his own body. "Don't worry, Sam. I won't hurt Castiel but you're not opposed to killing Metatron, are you?"

Sam mumbled something but wasn't sure if any actual words came from his mouth. If Lucifer killed Metatron, what did he care? He'd wanted to do it himself but at least it would still be his hands that choked the life from the scribe.

Castiel hadn't noticed the change in Sam but Metatron's face had grown fearful. He was begging Cas to remove the cuffs when they suddenly dropped from his wrists. Helpless to do anything but watch, Sam saw his own hand make a flicking motion toward Metatron and the angel went flying across the field behind the barn, slamming into a tree. Lucifer laughed, the sound echoing in Sam's head.

"Sam?" Castiel turned his attention toward the youngest Winchester. "Sam, you have to fight him."

"Castiel, Sam isn't here right now. Well, I mean, he's here but he can't talk to you at the moment. Now step aside. I don't want to hurt you."

Castiel stood his ground. "Let him go."

"Sam let me in, Castiel. This is what he wants."

"You know that's not true. He's trying to save his brother."

"Ah, yes. The Winchesters are known for making stupid decisions all in the name of love." Sam felt his face split into a wide smile and he tried desperately to wipe it away. "Sam can't save his brother and he knows it. Don't you, Sam?"

THAT'S NOT TRUE!

Lucifer shook his head, as if shaking off a hard blow and Sam felt a surge of hope. He'd made it through the fallen angel's barriers.

"No, you didn't, Sam." Lucifer muttered and stalked across the field toward Metatron but before he could reach him, the scribe disappeared.

Stupid move, getting rid of his cuffs.

Lucifer halted in mid stride. "Stop it, Sam. You can't control me."

I did it before and I can do it again. I'm not going to abandon my brother.

"No, we won't abandon him. I know exactly where he is, Sam. Can you feel him?"

And he did. Dean was tossing and turning in his sleep, dreaming of the blood he'd spilled….he was scared and he was in Lawrence…..less than two hours away.

DEAN!

"Sam, you have to fight him!" Castiel had followed them across the field.

I'm trying, Cas!

Lucifer faltered and Sam pushed against the barricade in his mind.

"Dean needs you, Sam." Castiel's eyes were pleading with him.

"I KNOW, CAS! DON'T YOU THINK I'M TRYING?" The words spewed from his mouth and Sam gasped, touching his lips with his fingers. "Was that me?"

Castiel smiled. "Yes, Sam, it was you."

"I've got him, Cas. I've got him."

But inside his head he could feel Lucifer chipping away at his mind.

Not for long, Sammy boy. Not for long.

"We have to get to Dean. He's in Lawrence."

"How do you know that?"

"I don't but…." Sam motioned toward his own body. "You know, the devil in me…..he knows."

"Michael and Metatron will be heading that way too." Castiel stooped to pick up the emerald key as they headed toward the Impala.

"He's done some warding to wherever he's staying. That should keep him somewhat safe as long as he stays put. I'm not even sure of his exact location."

"Then how did you know he's in Lawrence?"

Sam shrugged. "Maybe all of it wasn't Lucifer. I don't know, Cas, but we're wasting time here. Can I teleport?"

Castiel shook his head. "Not unless you let Lucifer have control."

"I don't think I can risk it, Cas." He felt like he was failing Dean by acknowledging his own weakness.

I'll have you soon enough, Sam.

Sam stumbled and Castiel reached out a hand to steady him. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," said Sam through gritted teeth. "Do you know what Metatron meant about your grace?"

Castiel shook his head. "I have no idea but that's not important right now."

Sam nodded, grimacing against the pressure he felt from inside to just let go. "We need to get to Lawrence."

Two hours away seemed like a thousand miles. Hang on, Dean. I'm coming.

And Satan's riding shotgun…..for now, Sammy. Only for now.

Dean had been dreaming again…..dreams he would never admit to anyone, not even Sam. He woke up drenched in sweat, his heart pounding, and the call of the Mark stronger than ever. He needed to get moving. He tossed his things into his bag and glanced around, making sure he hadn't forgotten anything.

Dean.

Dean whipped out his pistol. "Who's there?"

Dean made his way cautiously through the house but finding nothing he chalked it up to his overstressed mind. He tucked his pistol back into his jeans and grabbed his bag. Time to beat feet.

Once he hit the sidewalk, he had the unsettling feeling of someone watching him. He walked about a mile, furtively looking over his shoulder and decided to duck into an empty office building. Something was making him uneasy and he didn't like it. Dean found a corner office that was still under construction but had a good view of the street. He hid behind a stack of two by fours and peered out the window.

Dean.

Dean whirled around, his pistol already in his hand. "Dude, whoever you are…"

He left the sentence hanging as there was no one to be seen. "What the hell?"

Dean, I can help you.

Dean felt a presence revolving around him. "Who are you?"

You know me, Dean.

Dean shivered and somehow he knew. It was Michael. How the hell had he busted out of the cage? And if he was out, did that mean Lucifer was after Sam?

"Whatever you want from me….it ain't happening. The answer is still no."

I can get rid of the Mark, Dean. Isn't that what you want?

"Where's your brother? Is he still in the cage?"

My brother is of no importance. I'm here to help you.

"Well, your brother may not be important but mine is. I don't want that asshat riding Sam again." Dean turned this way and that, trying to figure out exactly where the angel was, knowing he was helpless to fight him. His only hope was escape.

Say yes to me, Dean, and the Mark is gone.

As if in protest, the Mark on his arm began to throb, demanding blood, not caring who it belonged to.

With the Mark, you will kill your brother, Dean. Is that what you want?

"I will never kill Sam, you son of a bitch."

Then why are you running from him?

"Because I…." Dean looked around helplessly. "I want him to be safe."

He will never be safe as long as you have the Mark.

"What do you want from me?"

I want to help you.

There was no malice in the angel's voice but Dean had dealt with enough angels to know he could never trust them. Even Cas had lied to him in the past. But what if Michael could remove the Mark? Wasn't that what he wanted….or more than that…wasn't it what he needed? Wasn't it worth the chance? He'd done everything to avoid life as an angel condom but what if that was all he had left? He couldn't face the thought of being a demon again. What if the only other choice he had was to be an angel? Would that insure his brother's safety? All he wanted was for Sam to be safe…..it was the only thing that mattered. All these thoughts whirled through his head while the bloodlust burned within him. Hating the decision that had to be made, Dean cried out in anguish: "I never wanted any of this!"

Just say yes, Dean. I can take away the pain.

Tears filled Dean's eyes and he stubbornly wiped them away. "Promise me, you won't hurt my brother."

I promise.

"How do I know if I'm doing the right thing?" Dean whispered.

This time there was no answer and Dean knew what he had to do, right or wrong. If he didn't get rid of the Mark he was destined to kill his brother and no matter how hard he fought it, he knew it would never be enough, the Mark was too strong. There had to be another way and maybe this was it. He had run out of reasonable options long ago. What did it matter if he was some angel's bitch as long as his brother was alive? Dean took a deep breath, pushing his fear away, all thoughts focused on Sam.

What's it going to be, Dean?

"Yes, you son of a bitch."

Metatron appeared from the shadows as Michael claimed his true vessel. "How does it feel?"

"His mind is a mess but his body is strong. He will be able to contain me, as he should." Michael flexed his arm, staring at the Mark. "This Mark, it makes him powerful but he doesn't want that power."

"Can you remove it?"

"I can but does it really matter now?"

"I don't care one way or the other," Metatron replied. "As long as we take back what's rightfully ours, you can do whatever you want."

"I'm glad to hear that. Before we take over heaven, I have something I must do."

"What's that?" Metatron's curiosity was piqued.

"I have to kill my brother."

"Oh, come on! Are you still going on about that?" Metatron shrank in fear as Michael moved toward him. He held out his hands in a placating manner. "I mean, that was so five years ago. Nobody cares about the apocalypse anymore."

"I have a duty to fulfill," said Michael. "He will be coming after me now that he's claimed his vessel."

Michael felt the distress coming from his own vessel when Dean heard those words.

Metatron sighed dramatically. "Okay, whatever."

From somewhere inside him, Michael could hear Dean screaming: You bastard, you promised you wouldn't hurt him!

"Don't worry, Dean. I'm not hurting your brother. I'm killing mine."

Sam pulled into Lawrence with Lucifer shrieking in his head. What should have been a two hour drive had turned into three because of the constant war raging in his body and if not for Castiel, he would have driven into a ditch during the first fifty miles. This had to end soon or he'd be a drooling mess on the floor and no good to Dean whatsoever.

He could no longer sense his brother the way he had back at the barn and he felt this could only mean one of two things: either Dean was no longer in Lawrence or Dean was no longer Dean. Everything inside told him it was the latter. He couldn't imagine what would make his brother say yes to Michael but then again, he never thought he'd say yes to Lucifer again.

He can remove the Mark.

Sam slammed on the brakes. "What?"

"What is it, Sam?" asked Cas.

Come on, Sam. Give me back the reins.

"NO!"

I have to face my brother.

"HE'S NOT YOUR BROTHER!" Sam cried, burying his face in his hands, his forehead resting against the steering wheel. "He's not your brother."

"Sam, what is it?" Castiel gripped his arm.

Sam raised his head and looked at the angel, whose eyes were filled with concern. "Cas, I don't think I can hold on much longer."

"You can do this, Sam. I have faith in you."

Sam rubbed his hands across his face and attempted to smile. "I'm glad one of us does."

"Do you know where Dean is?"

"I think….I think Michael has already gotten to him."

Oh, yes, he has.

"Where is he?" cried Sam.

The battleground.

"I know where he is, Cas."

"Where?" asked Castiel.

"Stull Cemetery."

Take me to my brother.

Sam drove slowly through the entrance to the cemetery, memories of the last time he'd been here flooded his mind. The last time he'd been saving the entire world, this time he was trying to save his.

"Cas, I hope you have a plan to get Lucifer and Michael back in the cage."

"I do, but I think it's best if I don't let you in on it." Cas gave him a wry smile.

Sam nodded. "Probably a good idea."

I'm not going back in that cage, Sam.

"Shut up!"

"What?"

"Sorry, Cas, not you." Sam gave Cas a sheepish grin but it quickly fell from his face. "There's Dean."

That's not Dean.

Sam swallowed hard. He could tell it wasn't Dean, even from the car. "Do you think Metatron is here?"

Castiel glanced around the graveyard. "If he is, he's hiding. He's not going to be part of this fight."

He's a coward. He won't interfere.

"Cas, I need a favor."

"Whatever you need, Sam."

"Before this gets started, before the cage is closed for the final time, can you get Adam's soul out of there?"

"I can, but his soul is going to be damaged even more than yours was."

"But he'll be okay if you take him to Heaven, won't he?"

"You don't want to bring him back?"

Sam hesitated. "He's my brother too and maybe I should but after what he's been through, he deserves something good. You'll make sure he's happy, right, Cas?"

"Yes, I can promise you that."

Sam smiled, although a bit sadly. "Good." He glanced back out the window where Dean….Michael….waited for him. "There's one more thing, Cas. You can't interfere with this fight."

"Sam, I didn't come here to watch either of you die."

"I know, Cas, but this isn't your fight. If you try to help us, Michael will kill you."

"So, you want me to hide…..like a coward…..like Metatron?" Castiel spit the scribe's name from his mouth as if he loathed the thought of being anything like him.

"No, I want you safe, Cas," said Sam. "You have to promise me. If this doesn't turn out the way we hope, we need you to live. Someone will have to stop Michael."

I can beat him, Sam. Give me the chance.

Sam plucked the car keys from the ignition and handed them to Cas. "Promise me."

Castiel wordlessly took the keys and put them in his pocket. When he looked back at Sam, his eyes were filled with profound grief but he nodded. "I promise, Sam."

"Be ready with the First Blade." Sam gave the angel a final nod, opened the car door and stepped out to meet his fate.

"I've been waiting for you, brother."

"I'm not your brother, Michael." It hurt him to say that, with the archangel wearing Dean's face but it wasn't Dean. There wasn't one ounce of love in those familiar eyes.

Michael cocked his head, giving Sam a curious glance. "How are you doing that?"

"You'll find out soon enough."

Michael laughed. "Dean isn't strong enough to overcome me. His mind is weak."

"My brother isn't weak. He's the strongest person I know." He stared straight into the eyes that no longer belonged to his brother. "Do you hear me, Dean? I know you're in there and you can beat him. You're strong enough. I believe in you, Dean. I've always believed in you."

This time Michael's laugh rang out across the cemetery. "How incredibly sweet and misguided you are, Sam. And how ironic you're Lucifer's vessel. Lucifer never cared about anyone but himself."

THAT'S A LIE!

Sam pressed the heel of his hand to his temple, his eyes screwed shut. Lucifer was scratching away at his defenses, knocking them down, one by one.

Michael watched him closely. "You know you can't win, Sam. I can fight you or I can fight my brother. Either way, you're going to lose."

When Sam finally opened his eyes again, he saw Cas opening the cage. Michael followed his gaze. "I hope he doesn't think we're just going to willingly go back in there?"

"He's rescuing my brother…..you know….the one you rode in there the first time?"

"You mean the one you abandoned…..the one you left there to rot? Now Adam, he was strong. We tortured him for a long time before his mind finally broke. After that, it was just me and my little brother, passing the time. We knew someday we'd get out and finish our fight, we just had no idea it would be this soon."

Sam cringed at the thought of Adam being tortured. He knew what that was like and he hadn't endured it nearly as long as Adam. He glanced back toward Cas, wondering if Michael would try and stop him but the archangel seemed uninterested.

"You're wondering why I don't stop him." Michael shrugged. "I have no feelings toward Adam, one way or the other. If Castiel takes his soul to heaven, so be it. It's where he really belongs and besides, that has no bearing on our fight." Michael smiled at him, almost sadly. "Shall we do this?"

Sam needed to stall…..he had to give Dean more time to gain control. "Are you really okay with killing your little brother?"

"It's my destiny," replied Michael as he slowly began to circle Sam. "My Father set this in motion when he cast Lucifer from Heaven. He knew someday I would kill him. It's how things must be."

"No, it's not!" cried Sam. "If I've learned anything from my own brother, it's that there's no such thing as destiny! We're free to make our own choices. You can choose not to kill your brother."

Good try, Sam, but he'll never disobey our Father.

Michael looked thoughtful for a moment. "And do what?"

"You could return to Heaven. They need guidance there."

"I cannot return to Heaven if I have not completed the tasks my Father set before me. I would bring shame upon my kind."

"There's no shame in choosing your own path," said Sam. "Just because your Father wants something for you, it doesn't have to be what you want."

"Enough with the talk, Sam. You're not going to change my mind. We will still fight. The only thing you need to decide is if I fight you or I fight my brother."

Let me do it, Sam. I'll take care of you. I promise.

"NO!" Sam shoved the makeshift lid in his head back down on Lucifer. This was his fight. He was fighting for Dean and he wasn't giving up. He glared at Michael. "You're fighting me."

"So be it." Michael was suddenly in front of him, throwing his first punch, which brought Sam to his knees. Before Sam could gain his feet, Michael's fist connected with his face three more times and Sam felt his nose shatter, blood running into his mouth. Michael took a step back, wiping the blood from his knuckles onto Dean's jacket, leaving a crimson smear.

"Sam, this isn't fair to you."

Sam staggered to his feet. "You can stop."

"No, Sam, I can't."

This time Sam took a blow to the ribs and went down hard, gasping for breath. "DEAN! YOU….HAVE TO….FIGHT HIM!"

The angel faltered in mid-punch but overcame his confusion long enough to break at least three of Sam's ribs. Sam whimpered but clutched at Dean's jacket, staring into Michael's eyes. "You're in there, Dean. I know you can…..hear me. Please…..you have to…take control."

Michael shook Sam off, hurling him to the ground. Sam rolled onto his side, trying to alleviate the pain, just for a moment. In the distance he saw Cas had returned from the cage and was waiting, the First Blade grasped tightly in his hand. Unknown to Sam, Castiel had spotted Metatron cowering behind an old tombstone. He was keeping an eye on the meddling angel while making ready the plan he'd been unable to share with Sam.

Lucifer was raging, demanding to be set free in order to defend himself and Sam's body was failing him. Every part of him cried out in agony as he lay writhing on the ground and he knew he'd already be dead if not for Lucifer's strength residing inside him.

"Dean…..please." Sam pushed himself to his feet once again, bracing himself for the next round of relentless fists.

"You're begging for your brother to hear you, Sam…..and he does….but you know what he wants right now…..do you know what his body is yearning for?" Michael pulled up the sleeve of Dean's jacket and the Mark on his arm glowed red. "He wants the Blade. After all you've done to try and save him, he wants the Blade more than he wants his brother."

"No, no…." But Sam couldn't deny what he saw.

"I say we give it to him." As Michael stretched out his hand, the Blade ripped free of Castiel's grasp and soared across the cemetery. Michael seized it and strode toward Sam one more time. "I see the allurement of such a weapon. It has a primitive power that would make a human feel invincible but nobody is invincible, Sam…..nobody but me."

Sam gave a feeble attempt at blocking the kick Michael aimed toward him but he was too weak. He fell on his back, the breath whooshing from his lungs. Michael towered over him and as Sam stubbornly tried to rise one last time, Michael forced him to the ground, the Blade digging into his neck.

Sam, I can save you.

The world around Sam became blurry and he struggled to focus on his brother's face…..his brother's face, no matter who was wearing it. The face he loved…the face he would die for. With trembling hands, he reached up and grasped Dean's face. If he was going to die, he wanted it to be the last thing he would see.

"D-dean, p-please….come back to me." He could see his own reflection in his brother's eyes, his face almost unrecognizable, beaten to a bloody pulp. Tears filled his eyes as his brother stared blankly back at him. "Dean, 'm so sorry."

Michael raised the Blade in his hand and Sam reached deep within, garnering strength from the angel inside him, and cried out his brother's name one last time. "DEAN!"

The Blade halted in mid-air, the blank look changed to one of confusion. "Sammy?"

"You got him, Dean." Sam's voice was choked with blood and tears.

"He's too strong, Sammy. I can't hold him." The Blade trembled in Dean's hand.

"Give me the Blade, Dean." Sam reached for it but Dean shook his head.

"I can't, Sammy. I'm sorry."

Before Sam could muster enough strength to do anything, Dean plunged the Blade into his own stomach, falling to the ground.

"NOOOOOOO!" Sam crawled to his brother's side and cradled Dean's face in his hands. "Hang on, Dean. Just hang on."

Sam screamed for Castiel but the angel was already at his side. "Do the spell, Sam. Remove the Mark."

"Fuck the Mark, Cas! He's dying!" Tears streamed down Sam's face.

"Michael's not going to let him die, Sam." Castiel pointed to the ragged wound left by the Blade. Blood was still seeping from it but it was healing. "Dean has slowed Michael down but it won't stop him. You have to do the spell now!"

Sam pulled the spell from his pocket as Cas placed the Blade in his hand.

You can't destroy that without me, Sammy boy.

Sam cried out in frustration. "Help me, you son of a bitch and I'll give you whatever you want!"

Ah, desperation. It always brings out the best in people.

A surge of power traveled up Sam's arms as he gripped the Blade with both hands, breaking it in two. He held one piece in each hand and closed his fists around them. When he opened them again, there was nothing but dust on his palms where the Blade had been. He retrieved the spell from the ground, where it had fallen, and recited the words written there.

"Sam, it worked." Castiel pointed to Dean's arm. There was no trace of the Mark.

"You did it, Sammy," croaked Dean, giving him a feeble smile.

Sam fell onto his brother's neck and began to weep.

"Sam, we have other issues," said Cas.

Sam raised his head and saw Metatron standing there.

"Well, well, boys. This has been an interesting day but I'm tired of all this and I'm here to claim my archangel."

"Michael's my bitch, Metatron." Dean struggled to his feet, the wound from the Blade almost completely healed. "You don't want to mess with me right now. I've had a really bad day."

Dean held out his hand to Sam, and pulled him to his feet. Sam stood resolutely beside his brother, his body wracked with pain.

You promised me, Sam.

"No," whispered Sam.

Dean gave him a sideways glance. "Dude, you okay?"

Sam nodded, but knew he probably looked anything but okay as he swayed on his feet, clutching his ribs, his eyes swollen almost completely shut.

Sam, let me out!

Castiel backed away from the trio and Sam inched closer to Metatron to block his view of the angel. Sam didn't know the plan but he trusted Cas and knew he was trying to put whatever plan he had in motion.

"Come on, Dean. You don't really think you can control Michael, do you?" asked Metatron. "I need him."

"Sounds like a personal problem to me."

Sammy, boy, you're making me angry.

Sam cried out in anguish, blindly reaching for his brother and Dean was there, as always, holding him up, his strength enough for them both. Sam leaned into him, his hold on Lucifer quickly fading as his own strength waned.

"I got you, Sammy." But as Sam gazed into his brother's eyes, he saw the overwhelming fear residing there. Dean was fighting the same losing battle. They could only hold the archangels for so long. Cas needed to hurry.

Almost as if Castiel was waiting for his cue, the ground around them burst into flames and Sam realized they were standing inside a ring of holy fire….all three of them, Michael, Lucifer and Metatron.

"We have to eject them now, Dean."

"Sammy….wait…..if I end up as a huge pile of Jello after Michael moves out, I just want to say thank you." There were tears in Dean's eyes.

"For what?"

"For never giving up on me."

"You're my brother, Dean." Sam gripped his arms hard. "I'll never give up on you."

Dean gave him a nervous smile. "You ready?"

"Yes."

"Okay, together?"

Sam nodded, waited until Dean counted down from three and then pushed as hard as he could with his mind, screaming in his head for Lucifer to get out. The angel protested but not for long. He had no choice. Sam was too insistent on tossing him out. As soon as the angel was gone, Sam collapsed to the ground pulling his brother with him.

"Sam, you have to get out of the ring!" Castiel yelled.

"You're not going anywhere!" Metatron declared as he grabbed Sam by the collar. "If I can't leave this ring, neither can you."

Sam felt a warm rush of air as Metatron was tossed across the ring, landing just inside the flames. Lucifer might be pissed at him for the double cross but he still wasn't going to let anyone hurt his vessel. Sam turned to his brother and found Dean unconscious, blood trickling from his mouth.

"Dean?" He felt for his brother's pulse but was unable to find it. "DEAN!"

"Sam, get out of there now!" cried Castiel, motioning for Sam to hurry.

Sam gathered his…..unconscious, he's only unconscious…..brother in his arms and struggled to his feet, the pain racing through his body almost unbearable. He staggered from the circle, crumbling in a tangle of arms and legs beside the Impala. Sam collapsed against his brother, pressing his ear to Dean's chest, tears rolling down his cheeks as he watched Castiel place the key on the edge of the ring and open the cage.

Metatron was helpless to do anything but scream and rage and in the end, the scribe of God was swallowed up by the earth, along with the archangels. It all seemed very anticlimactic and Sam vaguely wondered if that's how it had been when he jumped into the cage, dragging Adam with him.

Castiel retrieved the emerald key and hurried across the cemetery. "Sam? Is he…." Castiel's face conveyed the pain Sam felt in his body and soul.

"Don't say it," whispered Sam. He weakly fisted his hands in his brother's shirt, his head still resting against Dean's chest. "I can't…." Something thumped beneath his ear. "Dean?"

Dean's hands moved to cover his brother's and Sam gripped them tight. "Sammy, you okay?"

Sam could only weep in response and Dean held his brother, both of them clinging to each other, damaged bodies refusing to give up the fight.

"We won, Sammy," whispered Dean, pressing his face against the top of Sam's head.

"Winning sucks," Sam murmured, the last of his strength ebbing.

Castiel placed two fingers against Sam's forehead and healing power flowed through his body. Beneath his ear, his brother's heartbeat grew stronger.

"Sammy?"

"I'm okay, Dean." But Sam remained where he was, resting in his brother's arms.

Dean squinted up at Castiel. "You don't look so good, Cas."

The angel's face was ashen. "I've felt better."

"You shouldn't have used so much of your grace on us."

"It's okay, Sam. I know where mine is. I'll be fine."

"Where is it?" asked Dean, curiosity overcoming the pain.

"It's with Claire," replied Cas. "That's what Metatron meant when he said I should've looked close to home."

"Because you used her as a vessel once," said Sam, remembering what happened with him and Gadreel.

"Yes," replied Cas. "I should have figured it out a long time ago. I feel rather foolish."

"I didn't think of it either, Cas," said Sam. "If anyone should have thought of it, it should have been me."

"You two can play the guilt game on the way home. Can we get out of here?" asked Dean. "If I never see Lawrence again, it will be too soon."

Cas helped Sam and Dean to their feet. They both were still a bit unsteady. "I'm sorry I couldn't heal you completely but when I get my grace back, I can."

"It's okay, Cas."

Castiel retrieved the Impala keys from his pocket. "Should I drive?"

Dean snatched the keys from his hand. "Hell, no. If I ever feel that bad, you might as well put me in a hole and throw dirt over me."

Sam began to laugh but it quickly turned to a moan as his ribs protested the movement. Dean put an arm around his brother. "Come on, Sammy, I got you."

Sam leaned into his brother, relishing the solid feel of him, the warmth which meant he was alive. Dean's feet faltered as he reached the car and Sam tightened his grip. "I'm not sure who's got who here, Sammy."

"We've got each other, Dean."

Dean smiled. "Yeah, I guess we do."

When you can't walk

When there's chains 'round your soul

When the burden's too heavy

And you run out of road

You're praying out loud

As you stumble through the rain and snow

I'll walk out and find you

I'll carry you home

When you can't speak

'Cause the words are too strong

Every time that you try

It just comes out wrong

When your heart's screaming out

But no one can hear your song

Oh, I'll sing it for you

I'll carry you home

I'll carry you home

I'll carry you home

So rest your heart easy

I'll carry you home

Thanks so much for reading! Comments are always welcome!

Lyrics are Carry You Home from the TV show, Nashville, sung by Chaley Rose. Thanks to vjamies for sending me the link to that song. She didn't know I was writing this fic but it worked out perfect. :) Look it up on YouTube. It's a beautiful song and it gives me chills when I listen to it.