Empty, numb – a hollowed out version of himself. That's how Sam Winchester felt as he entered the Bunker – entered his home. Except it wasn't his home. Not really, not anymore, not now that the only person who ever made him feel a sense of home, family, belonging was gone.

Feeling a hand on his wrist, brought Sam out of his reverie. Castiel's blue eyes gazed searchingly at him, conveying a thousand questions, assurances, burdens. Sam held his gaze and then pushed the unlocked door, entering the bunker.

A blur and then Castiel is gone, expelled from the Bunker.

This is not good.

And yet Sam could not feel the stirrings of any real concern or worry – couldn't really feel any emotion at all. After all, the only person he truly cared for was gone so what else really mattered?

This woman – proper and slight and standing with a sense of regality as though she owned the place. Looking at Sam expectantly like she's waiting for me to attack or scream or cry – when really just breathing is all-consuming right now.

"Toni Bevell. Men of Letters, London Chapterhouse. Oh, you won't have heard of me - us. We're very traditional. Keep out of the way, keep to our studies."

Sam took in the information, as though removed from his own body.

"You, um... What?" Sam mumbled.

"They sent me to take you in." Lady Toni asserted, readying her weapon and aiming directly at the lone occupant in the room – Sam.

"To take me in?"

This has to be a joke right – this woman is clearly out of her league. Unbidden, images of the Yellow Eyed Demon, Lucifer, Amara flashed in Sam's vision. Comparing this Toni woman to them – not even close. She thinks she is going to take me in? All 5 foot 6 of her? Ha!

"Assuming the world didn't end, and - Yay." Lady Toni quipped.

Only Sam knew the real sacrifice that had been made to ensure the world kept turning. Sam could logically rejoice that the world remained safe and yet personally couldn't muster any enthusiasm to live on whatsoever.

"Look, lady –." Sam tried.

But Lady Toni just kept coming "We've been watching you, Sam. What you've done, the damage you've caused - archangels, Leviathans, the Darkness, and now, well - the old men have decided enough's enough. I mean, let's face it, Sam. You're just a jumped-up hunter playing with things you don't understand and doing more harm than good. Now, where's Dean?"

Sam flinched at the mention of his brother – still so raw and yet so unreal.

"Dead. Listen, lady. I don't know who the hell you are or what the hell you want –." Sam rasped and stalked towards her recklessly.

"Stop." The Lady warned.

"Put the gun down." Sam reasoned calmly.

"I said stop." Lady Toni repeated firmly.

"You and I both know you're not gonna pull the trigger" Sam scoffed – beyond caring about this women and her charter and her whole damn attitude.

Thinking about how he longed for some time alone to just stop and think and take in what has happened with Amara and Chuck and Lucifer and Castiel and Dean. To work out what even happened and how-

Before he could complete his thought there was a sound he had become a little too familiar with.

The pungent smell of gunfire, a blur of movement and then -