Did That Look Like Alanis Morissette To You?

The door to the motel swung open, momentarily encasing the three men in a blinding white light. Only Cas was able to look into it, and what he saw made him fall to his knees.

The light ebbed and was replaced by a young woman; pretty, slim, with flowers woven into her hair.

"What the-" Dean started, but Castiel commanded across the room:

"On Your Knees", in that deep, throaty voice that had Sam and Dean following his order automatically.

The girl flounced in, light on her feet, heading straight for Castiel. She placed a solitary finger beneath his chin and raised his head so he was looking at her properly.

Gently, she dropped a single kiss on his forehead and, as his vessel began to weep silently, she stepped back to face the Angel, and grinned widely – showing her teeth.

She turned to Sam and Dean, who were now on their feet, and shook their hands warmly in turn before flouncing again – this time over to the window – and stroking a plant that was wilting there on the sill.

"Cas," Dean tore his eyes away from the figure, "Who is that?"

Castiel was now standing also, his cheeks damp but the tears no longer falling.

"That is God, my Father"

"But it's a woman!" Dean responded, concerned Cas had let all this God hunting go to his head.

"He is my Father and He is my Mother. God has no gender"

"Why doesn't he – she – say anything?"

Castiel turned to Dean and looked at him as if he were no more than an amoeba.

"You know the damage an Angel can do? Imagine the Voice of God"

During this conversation Sam had fallen down onto the floor again – guilt about the apocalypse, about Ruby and the blood was weighing him down. He was beyond even the ability to cry.

God moved from where She had now revived the plant at the window and, to the surprise of all in the room, knelt down in front of Sam; cupping his cheeks until he was looking up into Her eyes. She then took his hands in Hers and smiled that world encasing smile: She had forgiven him.

As She stood up, God left something small and cylindrical in Sam's hands. Looking down at it, Sam forgot anyone else in the room existed.

God moved onto Dean. She lifted one of his hands in Hers and then reached for Castiel's with the other. She brought the two men's hands together until they were clasped, and then God winked.

Dean started to say something but She silenced him with a finger to his lips. Then, grinning widely, She patted the top of their arms to bring them closer together, made kissing mimes between them, and flounced back into the light. As the door closed behind Her the plant on the window sill started to flower.

Dean turned to look at Cas who was already staring at him.

Over the other side of the room, Sam had removed the lid of the small object in his hands and was beginning to turn the base of it round and round.

"It's Jess's lipstick." It was uncertain whether Sam was talking to Dean or just to himself; his eyes never moved from his hands.

"She used to wear this all the time, back when we first met. I used to put it on her: used to trace the shape of her lips." His fingers ran over his own as he spoke. Again the tears would not fall.

"She lost it about a month after we moved into the house," He continued, "I always missed this lipstick." He rolled it down again and replaced the cap.

"What did God give you?" Sam turned round to ask Dean.

But by now Dean had Cas upon the bed; clothes flying, hands roaming and mouths seeking purchase.

"Forget I asked," mumbled Sam as he grabbed his coat and vacated the motel.

Sam, having nothing to remember Jess by, had received the best memento possible.

What Dean had wanted most, however, was God's blessing to jump one of His Angels.