AN: Okay guys, last chapter, I was debating on splitting this into two, but I thought one large chapter now is better than one smaller chapter now and another small chapter in a week. Hope you guys enjoyed reading it, I sure enjoyed writing it.

Also if you've seen the last couple episodes let me just rant for a second here. First, good for Cas, I was expecting him to sit in the emo corner in this episode and then be back for the next one, but he was there, so good for him. Granted he's been better but still. Also Dean… AAAAAAAHHH. That is all.

Dean twitched nervously in the chair, Castiel hadn't woken up yet, he hadn't even flinched in his sleep. He knew it was a good thing but he didn't like it, to him it looked too much like Castiel was dead. Actually, if Dean didn't know better he might have actually of mistaken Castiel for being dead.

After he had fallen asleep Dean took the opportunity to check his wounds and change the bandages. Nothing was changing, he wasn't healing at all, it was like he was a human but he obviously still wasn't, or… at least he thought he still wasn't. What angelic powers had Castiel shown within the last day or so? None that he could think of, he seemed human and that scared Dean. Castiel shouldn't be human, he should be an angel, he should be stronger and quicker than Dean not lying in the bed looking like death.

If this didn't heal on its own he had no idea what they were going to do, he could always take him to Bobby's and see if the older hunter could figure something out. But, that would require moving Castiel and it was apparent that every movement caused him extreme pain. Unless they managed to get Bobby here but that would take days and he wasn't sure waiting and allowing Castiel to suffer was any better than moving him.

Then again, why take him to Bobby's or have him come here? He could always call him.

Dean pushed himself up off the chair and grabbed his cell phone off the table. He pushed the button that would automatically call Bobby and waited.

"Yeah," the older gruffer man answered.

"Hey, Bobby." Dean said trying not to sound too depressed but found that he was having trouble with it.

"Dean," Bobby stated instantly telling there was something wrong. "Are you boys okay? Didn't get yourself in no trouble, did you?"

"Uh, not us exactly… more like Castiel got himself in trouble."

There was a pause and for a moment Dean feared their connection was lost. "Bobby?" He finally asked. "Are you still there?"

Bobby snapped out of his trance. "Yeah, I'm here, how exactly is he in trouble cause if its with the other angels I'm not sure there's much we can do for him. You might just have to wait that out."

"No, it was with a demon, he's sorta out of commission."

Another pause, but this one wasn't nearly as long. "How?" Bobby asked.

"He got beat up, Bobby, he got beat up really bad, I don't know what to do anymore. He can't even heal himself and it doesn't look like anything's healing over, it's only been a day though we might have to give it more time but Bobby… Bobby it's like he's human. He can't even move."

Bobby didn't know anything that could take an angel down like that, he knew Castiel had gotten himself into almost as many scraps as the boys but he had seen the angels healing powers first hand. Nothing should have him tied up like the way Dean was describing.

"But here's the kicker," Dean continued. "Cas said that when he and the demon were fighting the son of a bitch coated his weapon with his nasty demon blood and cut Cas with it."

"So his blood mingled with the demons." Bobby said thoughtfully.

"Yeah, you ever hear of that?"

"Nothing solid, just old stories of demons that poison themselves..." He trailed off in thought.

"What?"

"Yeah, it slowly kills them, but it makes their blood so strong that you can't flush it out of your system. There's supposed to be something else too but it's hazy at best, that type of blood mixed with that of their enemies would render the victim helpless… I'd have to look again, I don't remember much."

"So, Cas and this demon were like mortal enemies?"

Dean could almost hear Bobby roll his eyes. "Not that literal, idiot. Just the fact he's an angel and the other guy was a demon would do the trick, if this demon has poisoned himself and if he has mixed his blood with your angels… I don't know…

Dean chose to ignore Bobby referencing Cas as his angel. "Do you remember how to stop it?"

"Dean," Bobby said somberly and Dean hung his head, that tone never meant good news. "I don't know if you can. I can do some research but from what I've heard… the only way out is death."

"That's not gonna happen, Bobby."

"I know, now listen, you sit tight. I'll do some research if I find anything I'll call you, if I find a way to help I'll be there as soon as I can. You just wait."

"Easy for you to say."

"I know Dean, but there isn't much we can do right now."

"Yeah, I know, I'll let you go. Sam should be back soon anyway, I'll talk to him about what you said."

"Alright, I'll be in touch."

"Yeah," Dean repeated and snapped his phone shut. He refused to believe there might not be a cure for this. He looked back to Castiel who had shifted in his sleep causing him to silently gasp in pain. Dean knew sleeping was the best thing for him now, maybe while he was sleeping he couldn't feel pain, then again, he had no idea what he was dreaming about.

He decided he should just go and sit beside the bed, Sam would be back soon with the food. Not that he was in any mood to eat but he hadn't in almost twenty four hours and Sam said they should eat before they get sick as well and Dean couldn't help but agree. Starving themselves wasn't getting Cas any better.

He rested his chin on his knuckles and stared at the prone figure of his friend. He intended to do this until Sam came in but a slight stirring from the bed changed his plans. "Cas?"

Castiel was weak, he was still half asleep but he managed to respond. "Mmm…" he moaned painfully.

"Cas," he repeated. "You alive in there buddy?"

"Dean," Castiel grimaced. "I am…"

Dean paused and looked down at his hands. "Look, I was uh, I was talking to Bobby a little while ago and he said he might know what's happening to you."

There was no response from Castiel so Dean assumed he could continue on.

"He says he thinks maybe the demon poisoned itself, and that's maybe why you're not getting better. He said... he said he didn't know how to cure it. Not yet."

"There are ways…" Castiel murmured recognizing the situation for what it was now.

"What?" Dean asked. "There is? Well, what is it? Tell me so we can do it."

"I can die…"

"That's not an option."

"Or I can loose my grace." He continued.

"You mean… become mortal?"

"Yes." Castiel said closing his eyes; Dean wasn't sure if this was from fatigue or if he comprehended what was happening to him.

Dean stared for several seconds. "So you'd fall? Become human?"

"Yes."

"That's not gonna happen either, I won't let it. I won't let you fall for something as stupid as this. You already got cut off from Heaven I'm not letting it get worse."

"Mmm." Castiel answered.

Thinking he had fallen back asleep Dean held his head in his hands, Castiel probably knew better than Bobby anyway. Closing his eyes he almost allowed himself to drift off to sleep in the uncomfortable position he was in, just as sleep began to overtake him he heard the sound of a key at the door. Instantly he lifted his head and waited for Sam.

When his brother opened the door Dean furrowed his brow at the lack of food in his hands since that was the point of Sam leaving in the first place. But then, when he held the door open for another to enter a wave of panic rushed over Dean.

"What the hell?" He asked as Gabriel followed Sam in the room.

"Dean, no, it's not what you think." Sam said.

"And what exactly do I think, Sam? That you led an archangel into the room? That you led an archangel into the room, who's wanted nothing but bad things for us from the start?"

"That's not why he's here."

"Yeah?"

"It's not," Gabriel said looking sincere but Dean knew this particular angel was a good liar. "I want to help Castiel."

"How do I know you're telling the truth? Last time you saw him you zapped him God knows where and threw him into a wall! Why would you want to help him?" Dean exploded knocking the chair over as he stood up.

Surprisingly Gabriel didn't shout or threaten him, he just stood there looking guilty.

"I know, but there's something you have to understand Dean."

"Yeah, what's that?"

Gabriel gave a helpless shrug. "He's my little brother."

"Oh come on!" Dean shouted turning away and shaking his head before turning back to Gabriel. "That's never bothered you before, you hate Castiel, you hate all of us. Sam I can't believe you would bring him here."

Sam opened his mouth to speak but was quickly cut of by a now angry Gabriel.

"I may do many things, Dean," he hissed. "But I do not hate Castiel, he's my brother and I love him."

"You have a funny way of showing it."

He sighed angrily, but kept his voice level. "One big brother to another," he began quietly. "I know you Dean and I know your relationship with Sam. Wasn't it true that before your father went missing you and Sam hardly spoke, or never spoke might be more appropriate? Not only that, but you two have been mad at one another and I mean mad. You could be furious with him, but you never hated him. You never stopped loving him, he's your brother and he always will be no matter what. I may be angry with my family right now, Dean, but I love each and every one of them no matter what stupid stunt they pull. Isn't it true, Dean, no matter how mad at Sam you are if he was in trouble you would come running?"

Dean looked down, it was true and they all knew it.

"Yeah, I thought so."

Dean shook his head, still not trusting the angel. "How did you even find us? I thought Cas did his angel thing to our ribs?"

"He did, I didn't find you. I found him, he prayed for me to come and I heard him. He prayed for our brothers for Father, I knew no one else would help him. The others want him out of the way; I'm the only chance he has. I only followed Sam because I knew you would never let me in if I can to you, Dean."

"You could just make me leave." Dean told him.

"Look, I'm here to help my brother, not make the only friends he has go poof. I want to help, not start a fight. That's why I'm here talking now, trust me, if I wanted you out of my way you'd be out of my way."

Dean couldn't deny that. "You… you know what's wrong with him?"

"Yeah, I found the demon he fought with. He poisoned himself with every intent on getting Castiel out of the way so you boys are easier to get to. Now, you know my stance on this whole matter, I'm not going into that now. I'm only here for Castiel."

"Are you?"

"Yes."

Dean sighed and rubbed his face with his hands. He didn't know what to do, he wished Castiel was awake, he would know. "Then you know how to fix him?" Suddenly a thought entered Dean's mind. Castiel said other than death the only other way to help him was…

"No." Dean said.

"What?" Gabriel asked.

"You're not ripping his grace out."

Sam perked up. "What?"

"Yeah, I was talking to Cas before you two showed up, he said there were only two ways out of this. Death or getting his grace removed and I'm not letting you do either."

"I don't plan on doing either. I would never do that to him."

"Even if he asked?"

Gabriel paused. "I don't know, but not now. I need to try this first."

"And what exactly is this?"

"I just… I just want to try and heal him, you know, the old fashioned way?"

"You can do that?"

Gabriel huffed and shrugged. "Well yeah, you know, archangel and all that. I think I can do it."

"Are you sure?"

Gabriel paused as he stepped forward, staring at his brother. "No." He finally said and sat down in the vacant seat beside the bed. "Castiel?" He whispered stopping himself from reaching up ands touching him. "Castiel, brother, I need you to wake up."

"Why does he need to be awake?" Sam asked.

"I need him to help me." Gabriel answered shortly. "Please, Castiel, wake up."

Cas stirred in the bed which cause a pained look to cross his face. He slowly and tentatively opened his eyes. "Gabriel…" he whispered almost relieved at seeing his brother which surprised Dean, he thought he would be annoyed to see him.

"Yes," Gabriel answered, his eyebrows slanted upward in sympathy. "I came."

"I do not feel well," Castiel murmured.

"I know, that's why I'm here, I want to help you get better."

Castiel ever so slightly furrowed his brow. "Help me?"

"Yes, now please, I want you to try and heal yourself as best you can." Gabriel must as seen something or heard something Castiel said that Dean didn't because he began protesting. "I know, I know, but you need to try, I'm going to help you. I can't do it without you helping me out. So can you try? Please?"

"I will." Castiel told him shutting his eyes.

"Okay, here we go." Gabriel sighed and took a deep breath before hovering his hands an inch above Castiels chest.

At first it seemed as nothing was happening but then after several seconds Castiel's back arched and he cried out in pain. Immediately Dean was kneeling down next to the bed with Sam behind him both of them wearing similar expressions of worry.

"What's happening?" Sam asked as Dean couldn't seem to use his words.

Gabriel didn't respond, he kept his hands positioned over Castiel as he withered and screamed in the bed thrashing about as much as his weakened body would allow him. It broke Gabriel's heart to see brother in such a state, sure, he laughed at him sometimes and mocked him but he would never wish something like this to happen. What he said to Dean was sincere, he loved his brother. He remembered when their brothers and sisters were being killed by Uriel, he felt each one of their deaths and they all pained him.

But now he was here and he was the one causing his brother pain and that hurt him even more. He had to shut his eyes to try and block out Castiel twisting in agony, but shutting your eyes didn't help with the sounds, in fact, it only amplified them.

"Just a little longer, brother," Gabriel whispered as he cracked his eyes open with a look of determination in them. "Just a little longer."

Just a little longer felt like ages though from where Dean was sitting. He couldn't wait for it to be over partially because Castiel would be healed and partially because it would cease the screams and cries for help. Just when he shut his eyes did he head Gabriel all but yell and he opened his eyes again.

"Don't give up!" Gabriel gasped shutting his eyes. "Please, Castiel, you can't now, not now, you're too close. Please, keep healing you can't stop, I know you want to but you can't."

They couldn't tell if Cas was aware of what Gabriel was saying, all they knew was that Gabriel didn't shout anymore so something must have gone right. After another minute or so Gabriel rested his hands on Castiel's chest and took a deep breath. The hunters, not knowing what was going on, exchanged a curious look and then turned their gaze to Gabriel.

"Is he… is he okay?" Dean asked raising his eyebrows.

Gabriel leaned back looking Castiel over. "I don't know, we'll see when he –"

Castiel let out a strangled cry as his eyes shot open.

"Wakes up." He finished as Castiels screaming reduced to nothing more than heavy breathing. "Castiel?" He asked experimentally leaning forward. "How do you feel?"

He continued to gasp for air and with wide curious eyes he turned his head to see Gabriel. "I…" he began between breaths. "I am… tired."

"You moved." Dean said a small smile appearing across his face.

Castiel looked down at himself and slowly lifted his arms to examine himself. "It appears as though I did."

"You're better." Sam said with a smile.

"Am I?" He looked at Gabriel.

He shrugged. "I guess… do you hurt?"

"Yes," Castiel answered and the three other heaved a long sigh. "But," he said and they all perked up once more. "It is not the same type of hurt. I am…" Castiel furrowed his brow in thought. "I am… I don't feel much, but it…" Maybe it was simply that he didn't know how to describe pain or maybe it was because he was fading in and out but he couldn't manage to form complete sentences.

"It's okay, you feel better than before though?" Gabriel asked.

"Yes."

"That's all that matters, if you need me again just call for me. I will always come if you need me, Castiel, always."

The corner of Castiel's mouth twisted upward in a small smile. "Yes," he breathed. "Thank you, brother."

"It's what I'm here for." Gabriel said standing up as Castiel finally lost his battle with fatigue. He turned to face the boys and shot them a grin. "If he needs me again I'll be back, but I don't think he will. At least not for this, he's healing and he'll be better in a matter of hours. He just needs to recover from the stress." He looked back at Castiel. "Since he's lost his connection with Heaven he can't recover as fast, but he'll be okay."

"Hey, man," Dean began but Gabriel interrupted them.

"Yeah," Gabriel said. "I know what you want to say Dean and there's no need. It's like I said, he's my brother. I need him as much as you need Sam. Goodbye, for now." He smiled again and disappeared.

The two stood there in shock.

"Whew," Dean finally breathed out. "Man that was… unexpected."

"Yeah," Sam agreed. "But at least Castiel is gonna be okay."

Dean nodded. "Yeah, he'll be okay." There was a small pause and Dean jerked for a second like he was suddenly remembering something. "Yo, we gotta call Bobby."