Just a short one-shot based on 'The Executioner's Song'.

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I do not own Supernatural

Sam's hands shook.

"Chill, Moose. You may as well get used to the idea... he ain't coming out of that building. On the small chance that he does... he's going to look at you as nothing but something to kill"

"Shut it, Crowley." Sam didn't raise his voice but it shook.

Cas looked searchingly at Sam.

"Sam?"

"Just...just don't, Cas."

With these words, Sam moved away from the pair.

Cas watched him leave, gave Crowely a swift look and knew there was no chance of him moving with the lore of the first blade so close.

He walked over uncertainly to Sam, who had his back to him.

Sam was crying...but Cas had never seen him looking so angry.

Sam let out an angry scream, kicking the dirt on the floor. Even Crowley, observing from afar, would not have added to Sam's anguish at that moment. He watched, hands in his pockets, a frown crossing his face.

Cas, faltering at first, placed a hand on Sam's shoulder.

Sam jerked but didn't tell Cas to leave.

"I can't lose him again, Cas... I just can't."

"I know."

"What's gonna happen?"

Cas shook his head. "I don't know, Sam."

Sam wiped a hand across his eyes and sniffed. "He doesn't deserve this."

"Neither do you."

Sam looked at Castiel, his eyes heavy and tired. The look was clear... and one he noticed the Winchester brothers shared. At that moment, with the other in danger, they didn't give a damn about themselves.

"What do you want to happen, Sam?"

Sam shook his head again, his eyes filled with tears. "Since when has that ever mattered?"

Sam stood, his eyes fixed on the building, almost unblinking.

"So...shall I bring up the elephant in the room?" Crowley coughed.

"Shut it, Crowley."

"Oh, come on, we need some kind of..."

"I said shut it!"

"You're very brave even without big brother here aren't you, Moose?"

"He'll be pissed when he comes out. I'd tread lightly, Crowley"

Crowley sighed loudly but his voice became slightly softer. "Look, we're all thinking it. Even you. We need a plan. Chances are your brother's going to walk out a raging lunatic and no words of love or reassurance from you are going to work. You'll just be a fly in his path. Something to swat. Tunnel vision. We need a plan."

Sam stuffed the mud with his foot. How could he even begin to contemplate a plan to take down his own brother?

All he knew for certain was that the plan was not going to come from Crowley's brain. He turned in desperation to Cas, his body shaking.

"What the hell are we going to do if..." Sam shook his head, unable to finish.

Cas looked at Sam solemnly. "I'll sort it. I think... I think it's best all round that you stay out of it."

"But..."

"It's for the best."

Sam looked at him, his eyes filling over again. "What...what are you going to do?"

Cas looked downwards. "Nothing I want to...and only if I have no other choice. Okay?"

Sam didn't say anything. He'd be damned if he was going to agree to anything... but privately he was pleased that if the worst had to happen [he was finding it hard to even contemplate that] Cas was in charge and not Crowley...

Not him. Cas had given him the gift of being exempt from the task... and he wasn't entirely sure he was even going to be able watch and let it happen, let alone be responsible for killing his brother.

Killing his brother.

Dean.

As soon as he had seen Dean appear, he had known.

It was Dean. His brother. His Dean.

Yet he looked... beyond exhausted. As beyond shattered as he had ever seen him... so as happy as he was to see his brother in one piece and in seemingly sane-mind... a shiver ran through Sam's body.

Yet his arms were waiting for Dean to fall into them... and for now, the fact that his brother went to him...that he could comfort him... that was enough for now.

For now, Sam lived minute by minute. Further than that was becoming harder and harder to imagine.