Epilogue

Lucifer stood at the door to the portal, patiently waiting.

Though Bobby was forced by human weakness to return to his home, Castiel had come back to wait for Sam and Dean to come with Lucifer. They didn't speak often, and when they did, it was to reassure the other. Gabriel stayed absent, but he communicated with Lucifer by angel radio when he needed to.

Lucifer was wondering what changes would have been wrought on Sam by his time in Purgatory. He worried the constant warfare of the place would make his lover someone other than he was in his heart. Sam had always held onto a gentleness that Lucifer loved in him. He hated to think that would be gone, though he reassured himself that he would bring it back in time. That was his duty.

Suddenly, out of nowhere a voice called to him. He stiffened and then a wide smile crept over his lips.

"Lucifer, I'm here…"

"Sam," he breathed.

"Sam?" Castiel asked eagerly.

Lucifer nodded. "He's back. Tell Bobby." He spread his wings and took flight, searching for Sam with his grace. Though it took less time than a sigh to reach his love, it still seemed too long. Lucifer came to a stop, drawing his wings in, and stared in awe at the sight before him. Sam was there, alive, dirt streaked and exhausted looking, but wonderfully there.

"Lucifer," Sam said in a breathless voice.

There was no thought, no conscious instruction. Lucifer just stepped forward, into Sam's space and grabbed at his shoulders. He pulled him forward and their lips met in a burning kiss. Sam sighed against him, and Lucifer swallowed his air, drawing it into himself and sustaining his very life with the gift. They stayed pressed together for a long time, melding to each other again. Someone cleared their throat, but neither Sam nor Lucifer cared to break apart. Only when Sam pulled back, breathless, and rested his forehead against his did Lucifer become fully aware of the people around them again, not that he cared much what they thought or felt.

"My Sam," Lucifer said, a reassurance in words.

Sam smiled and spoke in enochian, "I'm here. I am not leaving again."

"Hate to break up the party," Dean said, "but we need to take care of Madison, Sam."

"Madison?" Lucifer asked.

Sam stepped back and fumbled with a cloth wrapped around his arm. Lucifer untied the knot for him and then drew a sharp breath as he saw what lay beneath. There was a soul concealed in Sam's arm.

"What is that?" he asked.

"Madison," Sam said. "She was in Purgatory. I brought her home."

Lucifer remembered Sam telling his the story of his former love, the werewolf, and he felt mildly disgusted that she was there in him. He swallowed down his disgust and said, let's set her free then."

"Wait," Dean said quickly. He looked apologetically at Sam and said. "She doesn't want this. She wants peace."

Sam nodded. "Heaven, Lucifer. Can you do that for her?"

"A werewolf in Heaven?" Lucifer asked.

"Please," Sam pleaded. "I promised."

"Of course." As if he could deny Sam anything now. It would be a first, but Lucifer could make it happen. Just because his Father would disapprove, it didn't mean Lucifer cared much. He had done more and worse before than allow a soul peace in Heaven against custom.

Sam beamed at him. "Thank you."

Lucifer ran his hand over the glow of Sam's arm, and a small cut appeared, enough to siphon out the soul without hurting Sam. The light spilled from Sam and to the ground, ebbing a flowing for a moment and then forming the shape of a beautiful woman. Lucifer could not but feel a pang of envy for the love Sam had given her in life.

The woman smiled and looked into Lucifer's eyes. "Lucifer?"

"Hello, Madison," he said.

She nodded slightly at him and then turned her attention to Sam.

"He can do it," Sam said quickly. "He can take you there."

A blissful smile broke over her face and she sighed. "Thank you."

Sam stepped forward and reached for her, the palm of his hand coming to rest an inch from the light of her face. "Thank you, Maddie. I wouldn't have made it without you."

She nodded solemnly.

"Are you ready?" Lucifer asked.

"Yes," she whispered. She turned to Sam, and look of longing was barely concealed in her eyes. "Goodbye, Sam."

A tear crept from Sam's eye and trailed down his cheek. "Goodbye, Maddie."

Lucifer took Sam's hand and squeezed and with the other he reached toward the light of Madison and raised it slowly. The light became formless again and rose to the sky. All eyes tracked it until it was out of sight.

Sam sniffed loudly and leaned his head against Lucifer's shoulder. "Thank you, Lucifer."

Lucifer smiled. One day Sam would understand there was nothing he wouldn't do for him. "Are you ready to leave," he asked. "There is an ornery old hunter that I am sure is eager to see you both."

Dean grinned. "Hell yeah. I don't know about you, Sam, but I need a drink."

"A drink sounds good. So does a shower, and sleep, maybe a week of it."

"Whatever you need," Lucifer said. "I will be there."

He would not leave Sam again. They had already been apart too long. Heaven could solve its own problems. Lucifer had something far more important to do—to love his human.

The man that had tamed him.

So… They're home, Maddie is at peace, and Sam and Lucifer aren't going to part again.

Thank you all for the support and love you have shown the story.

Until the next story…

Clowns or Midgets xxx