This will run alongside my version of 7x17. Warning – will include graphic torture and later Destiel, and obvious spoilers for The Born-Again Identity.

"If I never get to say this to you again, I am so sorry." And with that, Castiel touched Sam's forehead, and red veins sparkled over his skin, leading their way through his arms, up his neck towards his nose, where finally, they vanished, and Castiel stared in horror as he saw Lucifer greet him, lying where Sam was. Castiel screamed and ran backwards, sobbing, Lucifer laughing in his face.

-SPN-

One Month Later

"It has been one month, Emanuel." The nurse said exasperatedly but soothingly to Castiel. "You've got to accept that these… images, are figments of your imagination."

"Do you believe her, Cas?" Lucifer asked from behind her, throwing a tennis ball at the wall and catching it, before repeating the process.

"Uh… I'll try." Cas said, still staring at Lucifer.

"You're seeing images now aren't you." The nurse said, reaching out to touch Castiel's hand. "Please, Emanuel. You're safe here. Nothing can harm you." Castiel gasped as the nurse's eyes vanished, and her face contorted until she was a skeleton, bones clapping as she called 'Emanuel's' name.

"Elmanuel!" The nurse shouted, before Castiel finally saw the truth- she was fine. "I'll be back soon. Don't worry, if anything tries to hurt you, there will be people to come in and help you."

-SPN-

Three and a half months later

"Cas." Dean smiled sadly as he entered the room. "How you feeling?"

"Horrible." Castiel moaned. "How are you? How's… Sam?"

"Fine, thanks to you." Dean smiled, before it vanished and he frowned. "Why do you have syringes in your arm?"

Castiel subconsciously stroked one. "They say they can help me to expel Lucifer from my system. These will help me, once they put in the dose."

Dean walked forward, and stared at the names of the chemicals, before gasping and tearing the syringes out.

"Dean? What is it?" Castiel gasped, rubbing his arm.

"These chemicals… they're for putting you in a coma."

"Meaning?"

"Comatose injections never end well."

"They'll just put them back in…" Cas said, eyes wide in fear.

"We've got to get you out of here." Dean roared, grabbing Cas' hand and pulling him up, before swinging open the door and piling out with him in tow.

"No, Dean. I'm dangerous." Castiel protested as Dean ran along the corridor with him.

"I know. I don't care anymore. We can help you… Can't I Cas?" Castiel yelped as Dean's image was replaced by Lucifer, smiling back at him as he continued to run, and Cas gasped as he saw they were heading for a room full of fire. When Cas blinked, everything returned to normal, and Castiel continued to run with Dean, moaning softly.

"Sir, you have to put him back!" One of the in-tow nurses shouted from behind them as they piled into Dean's truck.

"Yeah? Pull me." Dean spat, and with that, the car drove off.