T H E N. . .

Sam & Dean made plans to put Lucifer back into his cage but things went wrong. Dean had to deal with the idea of losing Sam forever and met Lucifer (Sam) and Michael (Adam) on the battlefield where the apocalypse would get its big finish. Sam fought for control of his body and let himself fall into Lucifer's Cage taking Michael/Adam with him. Dean made a promise to Sam and went back to Lisa hoping to live a normal apple pie life with her and her son Ben. Dean sat eating dinner with Lisa and Ben unaware of Sam watching them from outside on the street…

N O W. . .

"I said I was out Cas, so just leave me alone." Dean hung up without waiting for a response. He stared down at the black screen of his cell phone. Gentle footsteps approached him from behind, and a pair of slender arms wrapped around Dean's waist. He tensed for a split second surprised by the embrace.

"It was Cas again wasn't it?" Lisa asked.

Dean maneuvered around so he was facing Lisa. He looked down at her for a moment before forcing a smile, putting the phone back in his pocket. "Stupid Angel doesn't know when to give up."

"Dean what if something is really wrong? You can save—"

"No." Dean cut her off, "After what happened to Sam I told him I was out of hunting for good. I'm not going back to that. I made a promise to Sam that I would stay here and that's exactly what I'm going to do."

Dean leaned down as Lisa inclined her head back. Their lips parted and connected for a few long moments. Lisa looked at Dean with a glint in her eyes. Dean was content with standing here with Lisa. At first it was weird to wake up in a bed that hadn't been slept on by hundreds of people before and still smelled faintly of cheap fabric and sex. He pushed Lisa's hair out of her face and kissed her again.

"Besides," He said pulling her closer to him. "If it's so damn important he'd show up here instead of call."

"Hello Dean."

Dean's eyes hardened. Why was he not surprised?

Behind Lisa stood Castiel, the pain in the ass angel but all around good guy that had saved Dean from hell, wearing his usual attire. Dean sometimes wondered if it would kill him to try another look for a change.

Lisa let go of Dean to face Castiel. Dean had been completely up front with everything about his life and the angel that followed him like a lost puppy. She wasn't the least bit surprised either to see Cas. Lisa gazed up at Dean and squeezed his hand.

"I'm going to go check on Ben."

Dean nodded not taking his eyes away from Castiel. When the two of them were alone Dean turned and went over to the window. He stared out at the streetlights. "What are you doing here Cas?"

"I'm here for you." He replied.

Dean scoffed. "I've told you before Cas I'm done, count me out of whatever you have for me."

Dean's voice inadvertently rose, "I don't care if the world is going to end for a second, third or millionth time. I have a life here now with Lisa and with Ben. Go find another hunter to burden. Besides shouldn't you be up in Heaven keeping things in order?"

"They'll manage for right now." Castiel continued without so much as flinching from Dean's anger. "You don't understand, I'm here beca-"

"I don't want anything to do with what I used to be. It's been four months, just let me—"

"Sam's back."

Dean's voice caught in his throat. Something began to rise in Dean's stomach he wasn't sure if it was bile or shock, maybe a mixture of both. He froze and stared in wide-eyed disbelief at Castiel. Everything inside of him seemed to shut down there was a light ringing in Dean's ears at this news. He blinked a few times and shook his head.

"What?"

Castiel nodded, "Sam is back from hell. Or rather, Lucifer is back."

Dean swallowed hard. "How the hell is that even possible? He and Ad—Michael were sealed in that stupid cage."

"I don't know. I'm just as troubled about this as you are."

Dean scoffed. "Troubled? I'm way beyond troubled right now. How do you know he's back?"

Castiel didn't move but he did hesitate in answering Dean. "Because I know of the angel who raised him."

The world was spinning, or at least it seemed to be. The double vision kicked in and sent Sam's stomach into a frenzy. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath trying not to vomit. There was a metallic taste in his mouth. Blood, his own blood from the split lip. His back hurt and there was a deep gash on his left arm. He was lucky he only walked away with those wounds. After all it wasn't exactly easy trying to tackle a handful of demons alone.

Sam felt a tug on the collar of his shirt as he was pulled to his feet. He opened his eyes and focused on the male blonde demon holding onto him. He tried to force the strength to take a swing but Sam was still trying to fight down the urge to throw up.

"Pathetic." The demon said. His black eyes bore into Sam. "Back from Hell only to get sent to pits again. Didn't last long did it?"

"You talk too much." Sam managed to say. He shoved the knife he had hidden into the gut of the demon. The attack caught the demon by surprise and he staggered back preoccupied with the wound. It wouldn't kill him and in fact the demon began to laugh at the absurd nature of it.

Sam did have time to get his bearings though temporarily forgetting about the second demon that was approaching from behind. Sam out stretched his hand to the first demon and concentrated. The demon's body tensed and he began to dry heave.

Sam heard a shriek from behind him and a thud like a body hitting the ground. He didn't glance back though. The demon began to expel from the body of its meat suit, spilling out onto the floor. When the last bit of black smoke sizzled into a circle the body of the man collapsed to the floor of the empty house. Unlike in a regular scenario, the man on the floor was dead. No doubt Sam punctured a vital organ with the knife and the man bled to death.

"You are really reckless you know that?" A young man essentially still a boy, entered the room, the body wasn't older than sixteen but the being inside was eons its senior. Sam glanced up without saying a word. His eyes lingered for a second on the female body crumpled on the floor behind him. He cleaned off the knife and put it away.

"That demon could have killed you while you tried to exorcise that one."

"I thought that's what you were for, Sammael."

The young man named Sammael smiled pleasantly and nodded. "I'm not always going to be there to play the angel on your shoulder. I'm only here to help you get back on your feet Sam Winchester."

"You can let me go back to Dean." He growled.

"In due time. Right now you'll stay here and keep practicing. I gave you your little powers back without needing to drink demon blood; you're welcome for that by the way. Oh yeah, I also raised you from Hell sans Lucifer." His voice began to raise to a frightening level, "Try being a little thankful!"

Sam flinched and clenched his jaw. "You still haven't told me why."

Sammael rolled his eyes, "I told you, because I'm a good guy. Besides, we all need you to save the world. No better hunter than a Winchester." he smiled.

"Since when do angels care about Hunters?" Sam asked suspiciously.

Sammael's eyes narrowed. "We all have a part to play in this world Sam, your part is not over yet. Your destiny has just begun so sit back and enjoy the ride."

"And if I say go screw yourself?"

Sammael snapped his fingers and Sam doubled over in pain. There was an intense hot jab to his gut that was almost too much to endure. Sammael knelt down and lowered his voice to a whisper. A slight smile played on his lips.

"It wouldn't be beneficial to your health Sammy."

Snapping his fingers once more caused the pain to disappear. Sam stared up, anger lit his eyes but he wasn't going to try anything. Sammael rose up and turned his back on Sam walking to the other side of the room. He heaved a sigh and looked back.

"I can be a very great ally or your worst enemy. Then again, I suppose that is any angel." He mused. "Sam. I'm trying to help you and your brother but I can't do that and you can't save the world unless you practice and become the mean, lean, demon-fighting machine I know you can be. So, we go again."

"Alright Cas are you going to tell me about this dick angel who brought Sam back?" Dean's knuckles were white as he gripped the steering wheel of the 67 Impala.

News of Sam's return took principle over his apple pie life. He bid Lisa and Ben a quick farewell and promised to return after he got things sorted out. Though to be perfectly honest Dean wasn't sure he was going to return. Not that he believed that white light at the end of the tunnel was coming up on his ass anytime soon, he just knew that he wouldn't see Lisa for a while. She deserved better than him that was what Dean kept telling himself anyway.

"His name is Sammael, he is or was an Archangel of Heaven. He was an Angel of Death. I have been hearing whispers about Sammael active on Earth, but I didn't know how serious it was." Castiel sat perfectly still in the passengers seat staring out at the road ahead of them.

"Wait, what do you mean was an Archangel? Did he like rebel like you?"

Castiel tilted his head to Dean. "Sammael is nothing like me." He sounded offended by such an innocent comment. "Sammael fell from Heaven centuries ago. Actually, he vanished from Heaven, shortly after the fall of Lucifer. He has done well to stay out of the radar of Heaven. Sammael is no longer welcome back for his abandonment. And we assume he has found a vessel able to sustain him. He also retained most if not all of his angelic powers. What makes him more dangerous is how much he hates humanity. Sammael is not one to be taken lightly."

Dean swallowed. He shifted slightly in his seat.

"Okay, so why would he bring Sam back? To start the apocalypse all over again?"

"I'm not sure. Sammael may hate humanity but he doesn't work for any sides. He wouldn't take orders from Lucifer. And I know for a fact he would not stand to listen to God. It doesn't make any sense." Castiel said.

"Well that's just perfect. We have two crazed angels to deal with and one is in the form of my brother, who until an hour ago I thought was lost in Lucifer's Cage. This day just keeps getting better." He said sourly.

Dean wanted to be happy that Sam was back, but since he had a hitchhiker with him known as Lucifer the archangel of insanity, he was anything but thrilled. The two of them were silent for a long moment. A million things whirled around in Dean's head it was hard to focus on driving.

"Where is this angelic bastard anyway? Is he with Sam?"

Castiel turned to look at Dean his face still void of emotion, though Dean could swear he saw concern lingering in the angel's eyes. "I cannot let you face Lucifer. Despite what you may think Dean, you are not strong enough to face Lucifer again and live. You were lucky last time. Plus, Sammael is with him now and that would be like walking into an army of a million trained soldiers all with orders to kill you. You would be dead before you had a chance to speak."

Drumming his thumb on the wheel Dean contemplated arguing with his friend, but knew that he had a point. Lucifer had very nearly killed Dean last time. He killed Bobby and even Castiel, before the two were brought back. Dean didn't want to hope that he would run into such luck. He rubbed the back of his neck.

"Thanks Cas. If we aren't heading toward them then where the hell am I going? What's in Ohio that's so important?"

"Help. A last weapon that I hope we would never have to use. I will explain." He sighed. "We could be there now if you'd only—"

Dean held his hand up to silence Castiel. "Whoa, whoa no! We've been through this. Didn't poop for a week. Ringing any bells? I'm not sure about you angels but I actually like being regular. Thank you."

"Then maybe you should, how does the saying go, put the pedal to the metal?" Castiel suggested with the slightest hint of a smirk in the corner of his mouth. Dean chuckled at the challenge and raised a brow. He checked the rearview mirror. The highway was deserted. Perfect.

Dean licked his lips and a mischievous grin stretched across his face in the dark. "Then hold onto you holy ass Cas." His foot laid hard on the gas pedal and the car accelerated. The impala sped through the night making its way toward Ohio and as Castiel said, their last hope in the fight against Lucifer.