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John looked on with worry as Dean's body was used as a vessel by God.

Was his son alright?

Would he remain sane locked away by that immense power?

When those startling eyes locked onto his other son John knew that Sam would receive a task that would fulfil his destiny...

Chapter 2

God looked around in contemplation until his eyes settled on the Lucifer's vessel, Sam Winchester. *You have caused you brother much grief, Sam Winchester. He feels that he is the reason for your fall, for your leaving him and your father during a hunt, for your addiction to demon blood and the hate you still carry around within your heart and soul.*

Sam felt as if he had been slapped. Dean couldn't feel responsible for his mistakes... Could he? "But it wasn't his fault! My fights were with dad, not him... And that was only because we were too similar... And the addiction... that was my own fault, I had been warned by Dean, by Castiel, not to do it, but I didn't listen. I was jealous... He had the attention of angels and I only drew in demons. I wanted more power to protect him, to show him that I could be strong too... And look where that got us!" Sam's voice broke at the end as he looked upon the being inhabiting his brother's body.

*Yes, I see that you learned from your mistakes. You can now see clearly what led you upon that path and what problems it caused. I do not think that any Winchester needs to be punished. Your family has suffered so much... too much, at demonic and celestial hands. What is your greatest wish, aside from your brother being alive, Sam?*

Looking around Sam knew immediately what he wanted the most, "I can really wish for anything?" At God's confirmation he continued "I would like to stay with Jess and my family."

Smiling God held up his hand, *Your wish will be granted, Sam. I hereby gift you with the ability to freely move between earth, heaven and hell. You will be the guardian of the borders with your father.*

John looked up in disbelieve. 'A guardian... And being able to see his family and be with them...'

God smiled upon them, *Yes, you both will gain these powers and be able to stay together.* Turning to Kate and Adam he continued, *Adam Milligan, you and your mother got involved rather late. If you wish I can sent you back to earth to continue the life you lost when the ghouls found you.*

Kate looked at Adam and just knew that she couldn't bear it to separate Adam from his new family, "I would like for us to stay near the Winchesters, if they would allow it... Adam just found his brothers and it would be cruel to separate them again."

Adam looked at Sam and John hopefully. Would they be allowed to stay with them? Would they even want them near? Or were they just a reminder of every bad thing that happened since Mary Winchester died? Insecure Adam looked away and was therefore surprised when he was enveloped in a warm embrace.

"We would be happy for the two of you to be with us, Kate." Mary's voice was gentle and understanding as she hugged Adam. She knew how he felt it wasn't his place to be with the Winchester family. But truth be told both were a part of the family, and Winchesters always stood together. "I'd like to get to know you and your mother, Adam!" Mary then kissed Adam's cheek and felt John's love for her and all their son's warm her very being.

"Mary is right, Kate. Welcome to our family!" John embraced Kate and then Adam, who was still held tightly by Mary.

Laughing in pure delight Adam looked at Sam and saw the understanding of belonging in his eyes. But a thought cut his happiness short, "What about Dean?"

"What about Dean?"

Adam's question hit them hard. They had been so involved in their own newfound happiness that they had all but forgotten about Dean, once again.

God looked at them indulgently, *He will remain with me...*

A sudden movement caused everyone present to step back in fright.

Castiel, who had remained stock still until know jumped at their father, "You will give him to me!" Collecting his powers Cas prepared to be destroyed when a gentle light held him safe.

*Stop it, Castiel. You know that I love you, and you are one of my most trusted. You searched for me, you spread my word when no one else could hear me. You carry a piece of my power within you.*

Castiel gasped in surprise. He possessed a piece of his father's powers? Then why hadn't he been able to save Dean?

*Because Dean does not need to be saved, Castiel. What none of you understand is the fact that Dean was born because of my will. I needed someone to take my place in Heaven. Someone I could trust to want the best for every being, someone that would never be tempted to destroy, to hurt or possess the three dimensions belonging together.*

"Dean?" Castiel exclaimed in disbelieve.

*Yes, Dean. He has been my chosen for as long as I can remember. I had to wait for a soul to come into existence that could love, fight and hate and forgive. Once he learned to hate due to his mother's murder. He fought all the way until he jumped between Lucifer and Michael. And he forgave them for what they had done. Because he knew their conflict, he felt the same on a different scale with his own family. But he loved them nonetheless. But his love was really ignited when he met you, Castiel.*

Disbelieve made Castiel want to back away, but he still couldn't move. "He doesn't love me. I hurt him, I beat him when he had doubts... That is no true love..." Hating himself for the beating he had delivered when Dean had tried to go to Michael enveloped Castiel.

Setting Castiel down God watched as doubt crept up inside his little angel, *Never doubt Dean's love for you, Castiel. I hate to say it, but not even if you hurt him on a daily base would he ever hate you. Dean needs help, he set himself on a self-destructive path and if he does not have the support of his family and his mate, he will wilt like a flower in the desert. He may not seem like it, but right now Dean Winchester is at his weakest. Will you let him destroy himself, or will you help him with your love, Castiel?*

Before the shocked Castiel could answer God continued, *I will go for now my children. But I will be seeing you again soon. You have to take care of my chosen now. Once he is ready I will come to him and we will start anew.*

With a sudden bolt of lightning God vanished, leaving behind the trembling form of Dean Winchester.

Castiel jumped forward, before he even knew that Dean's knees would give away, and caught the hunter in his arms. "Dean...Dean...Dean..."

Dean meanwhile lay limp in his angel's arms. Thinking about what had happened and considering what knowledge God had left him with.

When Dean didn't react to his name being called Castiel hefted him up in his arms, prepared to take him to his room, to let him rest. But before he could transport them he was stopped by his brothers.

Raphael stepped forward and looked at the weak looking, but strong human being held safely within his brother's embrace. "How can it be that one so fragile will hold that much power and responsibility in the future?" Shaking his head and looking at Michael the Archangel continued, "You will have my support from now on, Dean Winchester. Even when I will not be around be sure in the knowledge that you have my support." Grabbing one of Dean's hands Raphael healed whatever hurt he could find in Dean's body. Sure, God had brought him back to life and ensured that he lived without pain or suffering, but the warmth emitting from Raphael's healing always found its way into the very soul.

Looking proudly at his mate, Michael laid a gentle hand on Dean's cheek, ignoring the possessive growl coming from Castiel, "I am sorry to have caused you so much grief, Dean. I hope you will find it within your soul to forgive me one day." Leaning down Michael pressed a chaste kiss on Dean's brow, transmitting a bit of his powers into the human to strengthen him.

Gabriel stepped forward next, "You showed me that I could stand up for myself. Because of you I was able to fight for my beliefs for the first time ever. I do not feel ashamed of myself anymore, Dean. Thank you!" Gabriel gently kissed Dean's cheek and was surprised when he didn't receive the same treatment as Michael.

Castiel quickly grasped Gabriel's hand and joined their minds, leaving God's knowledge that Gabriel's mate, Lucifer, would come around and that they would be joined forever again.

Lucifer growled as he watched Castiel join minds with his mate. How dare he! But just as quickly as the rage flared, it left him. The memory of what he had done and caused for every single being in this world, and his mate in particular, hit him hard once again. Sighing in defeat and acknowledgement Lucifer stepped forward and took hold of Dean's right hand while also squeezing Castiel's arm. "I know what you think of me, brother. I know that I am the last being you want to see. But be sure in your belief that I will never ever hurt Dean again. I promise on my powers, on my very existence that I will support him on everything that will come." A surge of power went through the three of them as the vow was eternalized, unable to be broken and acknowledged before God, humans and angels alike.

Watching in disbelieve at the vow Lucifer just made Gabriel felt his heart break at the self hate and doubt his mate was emitting. Gabriel knew he still loved his mate, he knew that they still belonged together. But he also knew that if he went to him now, he would not be able to trust Lucifer or be able to love him like they did before his fall. His very soul and heart yearned to be with Lucifer but... Turning away Gabriel was the first of the Archangels to vanish.

Lucifer felt his heart break again and again at the desolate look on his mate's face. Hating himself more and more Lucifer considered running away and sparing his mate the pain of his existence. Before he could run both his older brothers lay hands on his shoulders.

"You have to give him time, Lucifer." Michael's voice echoed in his ear.

Raphael continued, "He is hurt and has the right to be angry at you, brother."

Shaking his head Lucifer asked in a weak, almost broken voice, "What should I do? I do not deserve him, but we are bound together. Even though I almost broke our bond when I... when I killed him."

Looking at each other over their brother's head Michael replied, "Court him, show him that you still love him and want him to forgive you."

Nodding Raphael said, "If you leave him alone for too long he will think that the bond means nothing to you. And then he will vanish again, never to be found by us, just like the last time."

Lucifer gasped in fright at the thought of Gabriel leaving them, leaving him forever. "No! He will not leave! I won't let him!" With that Lucifer vanished too.

Grinning Michael looked at Raphael, "I think they will be alright from now on. We should probably go and take our new post now. There is much to do." With one last look at the remaining humans the last two Archangels left for their new posts on earth.

Castiel watched in relief as the Archangels vanished one after the other. Now they wouldn't be a threat to Dean anymore. But he had to admit that he felt sorry for Gabriel as he knew what the other angel had to be thinking, doubting himself and the bond he shared with another...

Slowly coming back from his thoughts he saw the Winchesters and Bobby waiting impatiently for him to acknowledge them so that they could approach.

Setting Dean more firmly in his arms he stepped forward and looked on as first Mary and John grabbed Dean's hands. "My baby" Mary whispered as she looked at the exhausted lines on Dean's face, telling the hardships her little boy had went through since that fateful night years ago.

John held Dean's hand tightly. So much had he done wrong while raising both his boys. So much could have been avoided or done differently if only Mary had been with them. 'You hurt them both so much and still they love you, John.'

As if reading his mind Dean's grip on his parents hands tightened before he settled once again in Cas' arms.

Tears of joy escaped the older Winchesters' eyes as they looked upon their eldest child, knowing that despite everything that had happened he would come out of it stronger than ever.

When John and Mary stepped back Sam stepped forward, hating to leave Jess' embrace but needing to be with Dean at this point. "He bro, I know you feel like crap right now, but don't worry Cas will take care of you. And then we will sort out the mess we made of your mind, or what counts as your head anyway!"

Sam grabbed Dean around the shoulders and gently picked him up, but just enough so that he could embrace his big brother properly. Before he could set him down again Adam stood beside them and hugged Sam and Dean, relieved that his brothers were alive and well.

Adam whispered a sorrowful confession to Dean, "I'm so sorry Dean, I didn't listen when you told me that angels were assholes. I nearly brought on the end of the world when I said 'yes' to Michael. But when you died for us, for me, I knew that we had to stop... And somehow I managed to drive Michael off... Just because you showed me what real strength was." His voice broke at the end and he felt Sam squeeze him tightly.

Sam's eyes locked with Castiel's, "Take care of him, Cas."

Nodding in consent Castiel looked around at Dean's family once again before leaving with his mate in his arms and love in his heart.

A voice, now known as God's voice, echoed in his head, telling of the great things to come.

The power shared by love and multiplied due to the care one has shown not only his family but the whole world.

Love of the hearts united, binding them together for all eternity, till kingdom come.

End

AN: Different sequels will follow about what happens further to Dean, Sam and the others as well as the future of the archangels.

Please Review and share your thoughts about this story with me, and if anyone would volunteer to beta this story I would be very grateful!