October 18th, 2006

One year ago

"Hey come on, Sammy. We need to get a move on."

Sam jumped into the passenger seat of the Impala, throwing his laptop in the backseat. A pair of hands caught of it, setting the computer, setting it on the floor. Dean, who was sitting behind the wheel, looked in the mirror. A blue eyed face stared back at him curiously.

"Ready to go back there, Cas?" Dean asked. Castiel gave him a nod and looked back down to his lap. A copy of Sherlock Holmes was laying open, a blue pastel bookmark lodged between its pages. He took the bookmark out and started to read.

After a good ten minutes, Dean glanced back at Cas. "Whatcha reading?"

"A book."

"Well, no duh."

"Sherlock Holmes."

Dean laughed. "He was a hunter, you know."

Sam frowned at Dean. "You're joking me." When Dean didn't say anything, Sam threw his hands up in the air. "Are you serious?"

"Yeah man. Sherlock was also secretly dating John Watson too," added Dean sarcasm dripping from his voice. Sam leaned over and punched Dean in the shoulder, muttering 'dumbass'.

Cas, who was ignoring the two of them, finally spoke up. "So what are we hunting this time?" A spirit?"

Dean did a half shrug. "Sammy thinks it's a Pagan god, but we aren't sure yet."

"Which god?" Cas asked.

"I don't know," replied Sam, looking over his shoulder. He then turned back to Dean. "How far are we away from Niles?"

Glancing at the passing road sign, Dean added up the miles in his head. "Well Chicago isn't far- around 20 miles. After we get there, Niles is a half hour's drive."

"Okay," said Sam. "I'll do some research along the way."

An hour later, they arrived in Niles. Checking into a motel, Dean parked the Impala. Sam wanted to go on a walk to stretch his legs, so he volunteered to go get supper as well. After locking the car, Dean went into the motel room to find Cas watching Jeopardy. The angel frowned. "These questions don't make much sense. They aren't even that historical."

"It's just a game show. You can get money off it if you win." Dean sat down on the bed, shutting the T.V. off. "You know," he whispered, "Sam isn't going to be back for a while. We got the whole room to ourselves."

"That's true," Cas muttered, resting his head in the crook of Dean's neck. The angel gave him a soft kiss on his collarbone, pushing Dean back on the bed. Taking off his leather jacket, Dean stripped Cas of his beige trenchcoat too. Castiel smiled, sliding his hands under the hunter's shirt, feeling Dean's muscular chest. With one swift movement, the soft hands pulled his shirt up and over his chest.

"You should be researching, you know?" Cas whispered to Dean. "Sam's going to be pissed."

"Screw Sam. He doesn't matter right now, Cas."

Dean leaned over towards Castiel. The angel could smell him, the scent of cinnamon and pine needles. "I love you," Cas breathed, kissing Dean in the nip of his neck. The Winchester ran his hands through Cas's silky hair and pressed his lips against the angel's forehead. Flipping on top of Castiel and straddling him, Dean bit his lip.

"I love you too." Dean whispered before he found Cas's lips with his own. Cas closed his eyes, wrapping his arms around his partner's figure, pressing their bodies flush together.

BAM. Someone slammed open the motel door. Dean jumped off the bed grabbing his gun of the nightstand. He slowly lowered it as he realized it was Sam.

"Dean! The Pagan god. It found me." Sam was out of breath as he looked at the two of them, shirtless and red in the face. Shaking his head, Sam's eyebrows rose. "Am I missing something here?"

"Sam," said Dean, ignoring his brother's last comment. "The Pagan god. Where is it?" When Sam didn't respond, keeping his eyes locked on Dean's chest, Dean stepped towards his brother and waved his hands in front of his face. "Sammy. Why. Did. You. Run. Here?"

"That freakin' spirit tailed my ass to the motel. For all I know, it could be right outside the door." Grabbing a gun and wooden stake from his duffel bag on the floor, Sam turned to Dean and Cas. "Put some goddamn shirts on!"

Cas grabbed his shirt off the ground and flicked out his angel blade. Something suddenly smashed through the wall, the window shattering glass everywhere. A strange looking creature barreled in, resembling a half deer human. It's eyes glowed a turquoise blue, and as it stood up, Cas realized it must've been at least eight feet tall. It had a sickening hunched back and three pairs of horns that protruded from its head. Long fangs poked out of its mouth, looking like they could crunch through anything.

"Shit," yelled Dean. "What is this thing?" He shot it in the head, hoping to give his brother an opportunity to stab the beast, but they only affect the bullet had was making the creature more enraged. The animal tossed its head and snorted, launching itself at Dean. The charging horns gave him barely enough time to sidestep in the creature.

"Sam you got to stab this thing. I don't have a stake."

"I know!" Sam yelled back. His eyes widened. "Dean watch out!" Before he could finish his warning, the beast's antlers came intact with his brother's back. Blood splattered everywhere, spraying the floor and beds. Dean let out a small gasp, not having enough time to scream. The deer's horns impaled his chest, their ivory spikes budding from his skin, letting crimson red blood bloom around them.

"No!" Cas screamed throwing himself at the Pagan god. He swung his angel blade, making a high arc in the air. It came down on top of the animal's head, severing the creature in half. Letting out a gruesome screech, the beast burst into white light, leaving a pile of black dust behind.

"Dean!" Castiel ran over to where the hunter laid unconscious, bleeding out on the floor. "Oh my god...Dean." Cas rested his palm on the wound and tried to heal it. To his surprise, it didn't heal; the wound only bled worse. "What...why.." stuttered Cas, flipping around to the pile of dust. "What did you do to him?!"

A cold hand grasped Cas's. He turned back to see Dean was awake- barely. "Cas," he whispered hoarsely. Castiel blinked, tears running down his cheeks. With his remaining strength, the dying hunter reached up and wiped his tears away. Cas gently pushed Dean's hand back down, his voice cracking. "Dean. I'm so sorry."

"Shh, don't cry, Cas," croaked Dean. "It's...going to be okay."

"No, Dean, hold on. We'll call an ambulance- the hospital or nine-one-one. Please, Dean."

"Cas. I've been to Heaven. To Hell. It's been too long; I want to rest…"

Sam shook his head, tears streaming down his face. "Dean you can't die. You have to keep living. For me."

"Sammy." muttered Dean. "You're a hunter- a kickass one. You can live without me." His sentence turned to a bloody cough. "You have Cas to watch out for you. You don't need me Sam."

"You're wrong, Dean!" Sam shook his head. "I need you more than words can explain. Please."

Dean smiled faintly. "I'm dying and you are still acting like my little brother Sammy." Switching his gaze to Castiel, Dean's smile faded. "Cas. Take care of my brother. I can't imagine him dying too."

"Dean. You are not going to die." Cas sternly grabbed the hunter's hand. "You can't."

Laughing, Dean looked at the ceiling. "Don't push yourself too hard. I wonder where I'm going- Heaven or Hell? Maybe if I go to Hell, I can drink some beers and play poker with Crowley all day."

"Dean, stop it. You are not dying!"

He coughed up even more blood. "You can't stop the inevitable, Castiel. Dean choked on the last words, coughing more violently than ever. He grabbed Cas's hand tightly. "Remember something for me Cas." Cas sobbed, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Cas."

"Dean…"

"I love you."

Sam finished his beer and threw it into the trees, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. Cas stared at his hands, had running out of tears to cry himself. After a few seconds, he looked up at Sam.

"You know what? Dean is right. He wanted me to look after you, Sam. I can't go back to heaven. I am staying with you, no matter what. I need to. For you and Dean.