The wheels of the Impala came to a stop outside of a motel that had seen better days, but the Winchester boys couldn't complain, they had seen worse.
"Where are we again?" Sam asked Dean as he stepped out of the car.
"Beacon hills. I got a call from someone who knew Bobby; he said his name was Chris Agent or something. I'll go check us in." Dean walked off leaving Sam to unpack the car. After growing up while moving around so much the boys had gotten good at packing and unpacking. Life as a hunter meant they had to learn how to leave town fast, after a hunt they wouldn't want to stick around and put innocent people's lives at risk by attracting demons to where they were, even with the wards carved on their ribs.
Usually they had angelic powers to help them cover their tracks, however this time after the whole show down in heaven between Castiel and Metatron, their normal source of power was asleep in the back seat of the Impala, powerless.
Sam had finished unpacking their supplies by the time Dean walked back.
"Sammy, you really should rest, those trials took a lot out of you and it's only been a week. You shouldn't even be hunting yet." Dean's face flooded with pain and guilt for not being able to help his little brother, because it was his job to protect him, and Sam knew that as far as Dean was concerned he had failed.
"Dean how many times do I have to tell you I am fine?"
"I'll believe it when I see it. Anyway I am going to try to get this little angel inside." Sam looked over to see that Cas had not moved at all since they had arrived.
"Well I am going to get some rest it's pretty late, night jerk."
"Night bitch."
Sam walking in to their motel room and collapsed on the bed closest to the door, although he would never admit it to dean, he was worn out from those trials, so much so he didn't even bother to take his shoes off.
He only vaguely noticed Dean walk in carrying Castiel in his arms and gently lowering him on to the second bed in the room. Sam heard the sound of Cas waking.
"uhm… Dean?"
"I am here Cas go back to sleep" Dean whispered.
After that Sam was out like a light.
'Where am I?' Sam thought as he looked around the room. There were chairs and tables scattered across the room, sparks flew from broken lights hanging from the ceiling.
That's when he remembered he had been here before, it took him a moment but eventually he came up with a name 'The Elysian Fields Hotel'. He was surprised he could still remember the name but then again how could he forget, 4 years ago Gabriel had sacrificed himself here to save Sam… Wait, no to save Kali, yes that's right he did it for Kali.
Sam started to make his way across the ballroom to the doors. Something on his way stopped him in his tracks, 'is that… ash? I don't remember there being a fire.' He followed the trail of ash while trying not to fall over the rubble.
'Is that a hand? A body?! No it can't be…' Sam fell to his knees next to the shorter man, cupping his hand under the man's head, moving the body so he could check for a pulse. He could feel a slow pulse, and slowing far too fast.
"Gabriel… Gabriel? Come on. Not again. I can save you this time. It's my fault your dead"
Gabriel's eyes slowly opened, Sam could see the pain in them.
"Sam… He-hey… Ki-kiddo." Gabriel said between breaths. A small smirk graced Gabriel's face for a brief moment before for his face contorted with pain.
"Shh, Gabriel it's okay, everything is going to be okay" Sam knew the pain Gabriel was feeling was Sam's fault for not staying and helping fight Lucifer.
"You know… I always li-liked you… More t-than Dean at least." Gabriel tried to speak through deep breaths.
"Gabriel stop, stop talking just rest." Sam said as he pulled Gabriel closer into him so that Gabriel's head was resting in the younger Winchester's lap. Sam slowly ran his hand through the angel's hair, offering the only comfort he could.
"Just, just let me talk. Everything I did… killing Dean… 200 times." Sam winced at the memory, as Gabriel continued talking through the pain, "I never meant to hurt you… I just wanted, I just wanted to prove a point to you. Samsquash, you can't save everyone; not your father… not Dean… not even me." The angel gave a small dry laugh, "I thought joining 'Team Freewill' would help redeem the things I have done over the past, well the past millennia. I left heaven when I was most needed, because I-I, I couldn't watch Luci and Micky fight and then here on earth… I caused you pain because I thought, well I thought it was the easiest way, I…" Gabriel paused and he opened his mouth in a silent scream. As tears ran his face Sam noticed they had a faint blue glow 'his grace.'
"Sam I hope… agrh I hope you, you could…" The body in Sam's arms went limp.
"Gabriel?! Gabriel no! This is my fault, I am sorry… Gabe?"
Sam woke up to the muffled sounds of Dean and Castiel moving around the motel room, he just buried his head in is pillows hoping that his brother didn't see his tears. Closing his hoping the darkness could consume him. Thankfully a dreamless sleep soon took over Sam's body.