A/N: Hi! So, this idea sort of pounced on me a while back, and I'm finally getting around to typing it. For anyone concerned- YES, it has a full plot, all outlined out, and YES, it has a (relatively) happy ending! Of course, before that, there will be lots of angst...:) So here's the synopsis: When the angels fell, it didn't just release the ones out of heaven, it yanked out Michael and Lucifer as well. I just couldn't help myself...enjoy!
-Jaq

No matter what you do, whatever details you alter...you'll always end up here.

Dean paced anxiously around the outside of the hospital. If Cas couldn't help him, maybe someone else would. At this point, he didn't care, not really. Sammy was dying, and there had to be something someone could do. He hoped.

He breathed out a short breath through his nose, composing himself. "Alright, you bastards," he muttered, squeezing his eyes shut and standing rigidly. "Now would be a great time. I- I'll do anything. Please. Just help me."

Opening his eyes, he wasn't surprised to see nobody there. He was friggin' Dean Winchester, of course nobody would come to help.

It didn't mean it didn't hurt, though.

Angrily, he strode back inside, straight to Sam's room. His brother hadn't improved. Sam was still unconscious, barely breathing, just...lying there. So still.

Dean pulled over a plastic chair and sat down, running his hands through his hair. "C'mon, Sammy..." he whispered, leaning over his brother. They would get through this. They had to.

Several minutes later, there was a knock on the door. Dean opened it, expecting a doctor. The man who greeted him, however, was about as far as one could get. He was dirty, bloodstained, and looked very tired. "Dean Winchester?"

"Who wants to know?" Dean asked, reaching behind to grab his gun with the hand the man couldn't see.

"I am Ezekiel, angel of the Lord. I heard your prayer-"

"So can you heal Sam?" Dean snapped, beating down the hope that had arisen. Hope wouldn't do any good, not if it all failed.

"I can try. First, however, I would need to possess him. I myself am not at full strength," the man answered, giving Dean a serious look.

"Like hell," Dean growled. No way he was going through that again.

"It is the only way to save your brother. He wouldn't even know. When I am finished, I will leave, of course."

Dean hated it, but it was the only plan he had. And it was clear that Sam's condition was rapidly worsening. "Outside," he said threateningly, "now."

Following the angel outside, Dean led him into his pre-prepared circle of holy oil and set it ablaze. Ezekiel gave Dean a confused look and immediately crouched to the ground. "What is going on?"

"Just making sure you aren't going anywhere. Hold on." Walking a short distance away, he took out his cellphone and dialed speed dial three. It picked up on the third ring, and with a breath of relief, Dean asked quickly, "Cas?"

"Hello, Dean," Castiel answered in his gravelly voice.

"Ezekiel. Is he a good guy?" Dean demanded, getting straight to the point.

"Why? Dean, you haven't done anything-"

"Of course not. But I was thinking, maybe we could use some help. And I've got a guy trapped in holy fire who claims he's Ezekiel."

There was a pause. "Ezekiel is, by your definition, a 'good guy.' He didn't take sides in the fighting. He's very passive, and would never intentionally hurt something unless he was forced to."

"Great. Thanks, Cas. You doing okay?"

"I'll be fine."

Dean hung up and walked over to where the man in the circle of fire was sitting. "Alright, Zeke- can I call you Zeke?"

"That is not," the angel began, but Dean cut him off.

"Great. Alright, Zeke, how are we going to pull this off?"

"I...would suggest letting me out, first," Ezekiel said.

Warily, Dean did so, dragging over a hose from the nearby flower garden. As soon as he was free, Ezekiel strode purposefully toward the hospital. Dean followed, and within a minute they were back in Sam's room.

"He cannot give consent in this state," Ezekiel noted. "And he is not going to wake before he dies."

"So what are you suggesting?" Dean asked, trying valiantly not to get impatient.

"There is a possibility...we can enter his head. I will require your help."

Dean agreed, and Ezekiel zapped-for lack of a more technical term- them inside Sam's head.

And Sammy was with Death, and it was all horrible, and Dean honestly didn't even think, just did it. And then Sam was saying yes, and Ezekiel slipped through.

And then Sam woke up.

"Sam?" Dean asked, darting to his brother's side. "Sam," he said urgently, "are you okay?"

"Yeah, Dean," Sam said, sounding...disappointed. "I'm fine."

"Good. Listen, we've got to get you out of here..."

Sam hustled out of the hospital, quiet and unassuming. Minutes later, they were in the Impala.

For the first few minutes, both brothers were silent, watching the cars go by on the road. The day was beautiful out.

"You sure you're okay, Sammy?" Dean asked, turning for a second to face his brother. Sam had been with Death...

"Yes, Dean, I'm alright," Sam said with a sigh. "I just...it never ends, does it?"

"What never ends?"

"This. The life, the constant sacrifices, the crap motels, everything. It never stops. I'm going to keep on hunting until I die, and it'll probably be a bloody death. You know?"

And Dean did know, better than anyone. "Yeah, I know," he said, and pressed the pedal down a little harder. He didn't attempt to make any more conversation, just turned the music up. He hoped Sam didn't notice the glances he gave him, or the way Dean's shoulders had slumped fractionally. Sam didn't want to live. But Dean couldn't just let him die, could he? Dean couldn't be alone, because despite his stupid facade, his reckless demeanor, Dean was broken as hell and if Sam wasn't there Dean didn't know what he'd do.

-:-

Inside Sam Winchester's body, Lucifer smiled to himself. It had taken a long time. But it was worth it.

A/N: Next chapter should be up sometime this week. If you like this idea, please leave a review? They're just...so awesome...! Thanks for giving this a shot. Have a great day!

-Jaq

Song of the day: um...Rock And Roll by Velvet Underground, because I can see that song as the montage of this fic is going on. Plus, it's awesome. After you follow, favorite, and review, I recommend listening to it!