The epilogue. Where the final question I'd left open is answered even though it's pretty much been forgotten about. I'd saved the answer until the end deliberately because this was how I wanted to end it. So I'm sticking to the original plan because no matter what happened in the middle this was the ending I wanted for them.

Thank you so very much to all the people who've read and fave'd and especially to my reviewers for making this bizarre little trilogy so much fun to write and mess with. And thanks to Punky, Lisa and Chelle who have all encouraged and enabled something horrible to make me get this done.

Castiel would be a fool to assume that things would be easy with Dean. Even with Sam's blessing there are tense moments between the brothers where the angel is concerned. Sam always reiterates the fact that he wants Dean to be happy, however, and so the couple weather the occasional storm and the angel gives the brothers space when they need it. He knows that many people would find such a relationship difficult, but where the Winchesters are concerned he very much doubts that they would work well together any other way.

Bobby is another matter. The older hunter is paranoid at the best of times and he does not forgive with ease. Bobby is very capable of holding a grudge and Castiel is well aware that his actions have caused the older hunter as much pain as it did the Winchester brothers. Bobby is also highly protective of the boys and it stands to reason that even though Dean wants things to work and Sam is willing to allow it to happen their mentor and friend is more cautious about Castiel's intentions. His opinion only really begins to change the day that the angel pulls him out of the clutches of a pack of vampires. It is not a fast thing, rather it is gradual and Castiel is merely grateful for the fact that Bobby does not outright tell Dean to end this relationship now.

The angel finds that he can handle Bobby's disapproval because he knows that the older hunter wants the same for Dean that everyone else around the elder Winchester wants; for Dean to be happy. Castiel likes to think that Dean really is happy now that they have acknowledged their feelings for each other. Besides, even though Bobby does not completely agree with the younger hunter's choice everything else in their lives seems to be going smoothly.

Just as Bobby reconciles himself to the idea that Castiel is now a permanent fixture in the lives of the Winchester men and the angel begins to think that maybe this can go right for him things in Heaven begin to fall apart. With the archangels gone, God missing and no clear chain of command they come looking for Castiel. First singly, then in twos, threes and fours until finally they just call out to him en masse one evening. The angel is with Dean at the time and the hunter panics a little when he sees his lover fall to the floor in apparent agony. A cacophony of heavenly voices will do that to even an angel and his brethren can be overwhelming at times. He would wonder how they found him, Castiel does not spend anything like as much time in Heaven as he did in the past because he likes being with Dean far better, but it is over-shadowed by the fact that they are calling to him for help.

He does not want that responsibility, never wants to try to lead again, because he is not built for it. Castiel is not a general and though he can think for himself he has no interest in doing it for others any longer. He got that out of his system with the souls and the war in Heaven. He wants to live out the rest of his existence beholden to none but Dean, both during the hunter's life on Earth and death in his Heaven.

He ignores the call three times before he finally allows the angel known as the Metatron to enter the motel room he is sharing with Dean. His lover objects, naturally, wary of an angel who is supposed to be the voice of God, but Castiel knows this brother is his best option. Metatron is accustomed to issuing commands, he is certain that he can get the other angel to tell the rest to leave him alone.

When Metatron comes it is in the body of a young woman with mousey hair and pale brown eyes. Dean makes a crude comment in greeting and is hushed by his brother. Oddly, Sam seems captivated by the other angel and Castiel makes a mental note to keep an eye on him for a while.

"Tell them to leave me alone," he instructs. Metatron stares at him, unspeaking but the argument sounds clearly in Castiel's mind. Without their Father and leaders the angels are rudderless. "My place is here, now, with Dean as it shall be for the rest of time. I have no interest in leading our brothers. It is time for us to find our own paths and our own places in the world."

"It has only been their need for leadership which has kept many of us from punishing you for your actions, Castiel," Metatron tells him and the angel shrugs. It is an awkward gesture but one that he has learnt from the brothers and it has a whole world of uses that he relishes.

"Then they will come," he responds philosophically and hears Dean mutter something that sounds suspiciously like 'Over my dead body'. "We will be ready. Go and find your own way, Metatron, find your own happiness and leave me to mine."

These are the words that he should have said so long ago when the others came to ask him about free will. This is what should have been his response and his goal. He suspects that the others will never understand.

"I will give them the message, brother," the other angel says gravely, "and I am glad that you have finally solved the last puzzle. Father wishes you well and happy."

Metatron is gone with those words and a peace fills Castiel that he is unable to describe. His Father wants him to be happy with Dean.

"What puzzle?" Dean asks, wrapping his arms around his lover and pressing a kiss to his neck.

"When Veles cursed me someone had to have helped him to do it. He was a pagan god and it wasn't possible that he had the power to bind my grace the way that he did," there is a wonder and distance in Castiel's voice. "My Father was trying to give me a message, I realise that now, without revealing Himself to the world."

"What message?" Dean demands, green eyes hard.

"I believe he wanted me to pursue my own happiness and encourage the others to do the same. I confess that I may have been a little bit slow on understanding His meaning." Dean chuckles at that, his voice low and comforting.

"Come to bed," he whispers and there is a promise to the hunter's voice.

Now, as always in the future, Castiel finds that he is utterly powerless to resist and he follows Dean willingly and blindly into a night of pleasure and love.

Any ideas for future work is welcome, although I guess now would be a good time to get back to Gabriel, Hecate and Aislin. I've been neglecting them.

Artemis