Three days passed much quicker than Gabriel, Sam, and Dean would've liked. They had maybe a few more hours left, enough time to do one more thing. He wanted to say goodbye to Bobby. That was why Gabriel teleported all three of them just outside the house. He'd called Bobby the day before and told him he was safe to go home. He also told him they'd be visiting soon.

The first thing Dean noticed was his car parked in front of the house. He wasn't surprised. Gabriel told him a while ago that he'd sent the house to Bobby's. "Ah, my baby."

"I told you your car was fine," Gabriel said.

Dean rubbed his hand over the hood for a second before following Gabriel and Sam to the front door. They didn't bother knocking. They never had. Sam just opened the door and they went inside.

"Bobby!" Sam called.

Bobby came in from the living room. The first thing he noticed was the two huge sets of wings folded into Sam's back. "Damn, boy, when did that happen."

"Oh, a while ago. I totally freaked out when they showed up, but I'm starting to get used to them.

"How have you been, Bobby?" Dean asked.

"Good. Been hunting mostly. It's been good to get back out there actually. Now how about you all tell me what's up because you're not okay," Bobby said. He knew his boys well, and the look on both their faces told him something bad was going down, something worse than what they'd been dealing with the last time they spoke.

"We should sit down," Gabriel said.

Bobby led them all into the living room and they all took a seat. Bobby sat in a chair while Gabriel and the boys sat on the couch. Then the three of them explained to Bobby about the deal Lucifer made with Michael.

To say Bobby was unhappy about this outcome would be an understatement. He was happy his boys and the world were once again safe, but he was losing one of his boys forever in exchange. Worse than that though, he knew this would devastate both Sam and Dean. Neither one of them dealt well without each other.

Bobby looked at Gabriel after a second. "There's nothing you can do to stop this?"

"I would've already done so if I could. Things are more complicated in Heaven than they are here," Gabriel said.

"How long before you have to go?" Bobby asked.

"This is it. We're going to leave from here," Gabriel said. He'd decided it was best to make this the last stop. That way, Dean would have Bobby to help him, at least for the first day. He'd even gone so far as to make sure all Dean's things were here waiting for him.

Bobby shuddered. This was the last time he'd ever see Sam again. He'd have to find some way of letting him go forever, and then he had to find a way of keeping Dean going once he was gone. "I need some time alone with Sam."

"That's fine. Come on, Dean. Let's go for a walk," Gabriel said before standing up. Honestly, he wanted a few minutes alone with Dean as well.

Dean got up and followed Gabriel out of the room.

"How you doing?" Bobby asked Sam when the others were gone.

"I...I don't think I've felt this terrible since Dean went to Hell. It's gonna kill me to leave him," Sam said sadly.

Bobby got up and joined Sam on the couch. He placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I know this feels awful, but you'll be okay."

Sam shook his head. "No, I won't. I can't live without Dean."

"I know how much you love your brother and how much it'll hurt both of you to be apart. But you'll get him back eventually," Bobby said, trying to make the kid feel a little better.

"It's too long! This isn't fair, Bobby. I didn't do anything wrong. I didn't give Michael any reason to believe I was a danger to humans," Sam cried. Okay, yes, he started the apocalypse and he'd felt bad about that, but it turned out okay, and like his father told him over and over again, that was on Michael too.

"This thing with Michael isn't about you. The dick's a sore loser. He just wanted someone else to suffer since he lost," Bobby said. Damn he hated that SOB for this. He hated him more than any creature he'd ever fought because he was causing Bobby's boys terrible pain.

"That's what my dad thinks too. And we can't stop him. Lucifer can, but apparently he won't go back on an agreement," Sam said bitterly. Somewhere he knew that this wasn't Lucifer's fault. He did what he thought was best for everyone. But in the end, Sam and his family had to suffer because of his decision, so he couldn't help but blame him some.

"Look, Sam, I've never said this to you outright, but I think I've made it clear. I think of you as my son. I've known you since you were a toddler. I've loved both you and your brother since then," Bobby said.

"I know. I feel the same way. I often thought of you as more of a father than John. And I may have a good father now, but I haven't and won't ever stop thinking of you that way. I'm gonna miss you," Sam said.

"Me too, boy," Bobby said before pulling the younger man into his arms.

Xxxxxxxxxxx

Gabriel and Dean walked leisurely down Bobby's street. "So I think it's best you stay here with Bobby for a couple of days," Gabriel said.

"Yeah, I figured that's what you had in mind when you decided to leave from his place," Dean said.

"I just don't think you should be alone right away," Gabriel said.

Dean nodded.

"Whenever you chose to go back, the house in Florida is yours," Gabriel told him. He'd fixed the damaged Raphael had done and created paperwork that had the place in Dean's name. "It's in Dean Winchester's name. I fixed a few things so that you're no longer dead and or considered a murderer, just in case you want your name back."

"Wow. You never left. How'd you do all that?" Dean wondered.

"Not all that difficult for an archangel. You know, I'd rather you didn't hunt, but I know you will. You can use the house as a sort of home base though, for when you're between jobs or something," Gabriel said.

"Thanks. I have a favor to ask. I know you said that you'd come down when you could. I don't want you to do that. It would hurt too much. I'd be glad to see you, but then I'd want to see Sam and I couldn't," Dean said.

Gabriel nodded after a second. "I understand. I want you to call me if you need me though."

Dean shook his head. "No, I'm not gonna do that either. If something happens, I don't want you to interfere."

Gabriel stopped and stepped in front of him. "Dean..."

"Plenty of people live without angels, Gabriel. I want to live or die on my own," Dean said. He didn't want any help staying in this world. He wouldn't kill himself, but if something happened and he didn't make it, he was okay with it. It meant he could be with Sam and Gabriel again that much sooner.

"Live or die on your own. The only way I'll agree to that is if you promise me here and now that you won't do anything stupid. If you're reckless with your life, not only will I bring you back, but I will kick your ass afterwards, am I understood?" Gabriel asked firmly.

"Yeah," Dean said.

"Also, if you get up there in the next thirty years, there's a good chance I'm gonna kick your ass anyway," Gabriel said.

Dean chuckled. "Got it."

"I've already told you you're my son, but I'll repeat it. You're mine. I love you, kid." Gabriel said.

"I... I love you too," Dean said, feeling a bit awkward. Not because he didn't mean it, but because he wasn't used to talking to anyone but Sam this way.

"Come on, let's head back," Gabriel said before putting an arm around his son and heading back towards the house.

Xxxxxxxxxxx

Sam and Bobby were standing in the kitchen when Gabriel and Dean came back. All four of them appeared somber, as if someone had died. None looked forward to what was about to happen.

"You ready?" Gabriel asked Sam.

"No, but I never will be," Sam said before approaching Dean. "Listen, I want you to have a good life. Be happy and don't think about me. Don't do anything stupid and get yourself brought to Heaven earlier than necessary." As much as he couldn't wait for the day his brother would be with him again, he didn't want Dean to give up his life for him. That wouldn't be fair, especially since his dad had been right about what he'd told him a few days ago. Dean had already given up so much for him.

"I already got promised a resurrection and an ass kicking if I do that. You do something for me too. Make Michael's life hell for this," Dean said. That bastard was destroying them all and he wanted him to pay for it.

"Oh, I'll promise you that one," Gabriel piped up. "I promise, he will pay for this."

"I love you, Dean. You're my brother, no matter what any blood test would say," Sam said as tears started to fall down his face.

Dean began to cry as well and pulled his brother into his arms. "I love you too, Sammy. You'll be okay."

Gabriel waited until the two brothers were done and then pulled Dean into his arms. "You take care of yourself, alright. Remember, there will be hell to pay if you don't."

Dean nodded and hugged him back for a second.

After letting go, Gabriel took ahold of his youngest's shoulder and looked at Bobby. "Take care of him, Bobby. He'll need you."

"And you take care of him," Bobby said, motioning towards Sam.

"Bye, Bobby," Sam said.

"Bye, kid," Bobby said before going over and hugging him one last time.

Sam and Gabriel gave both Bobby and Dean one last look before disappearing from the planet for good.

THE END

A/N: I know this ended on a really sad note, but I have a sequel planned for the future, though it might be a little while before I start it.