Gabriel watched from the window of the broken down church as Sam threw the holy oil at Abaddon.

That's my Sammy. Fighting strong 'till the end

Sam was paler than before with big dark circles under his eyes, dirt clung to his sweaty face, he was skinnier, his cheeks hollow and his jaw had scratchy stubble, Gabriel didn't like seeing him like this.

He heard the faint flutter of wings and ran around the corner just in time for Cas and Dean not to see him.

Dean ran inside and Cas popped off again.

"Sammy, stop!" Dean ran inside and stopped when he saw Sam, hand near Crowleys face "Easy there. Okay. Just take it easy. We got a slight change of plan." Dean held out his hands.

"What? What's going on? Where's Cas?!" Sam straightened.

"Metatron lied. You finish this trial, you're dead, Sam."

"So?" No way, Sammy. You're not giving up. Not now. "Look at him. Look at him! Look how close we are! Other people will die if I don't finish this!" Sam stepped away from Crowley, his tall figure swaying.

"Think about it. Think about what we know, huh?" Dean stepped closer to his brother "Pulling souls from hell, curing demons, hell, ganking a Hellhound! We have enough knowledge on our side to turn the tide here. But I can't do it without you."

Sam paused "You can barely do it with me. I mean, you think I screw up everything I try. You think I need a chaperone, remember?" he shot.

"Come on, man. That's not what I meant."

"No, it's exactly what you meant." The venom dripped off his words "You want to know what I confessed in there? What my greatest sin was? It was how many times I let you down." His voice turned into a whisper "I can't do that again."

"Sam-" Dean tried.

"What happens when you've decided I can't be trusted again?" His eyes started to tear up "I mean, who are you gonna turn to next time instead of me? Another angel, another-" He swallowed as if to get rid of the sick in his throat "another vampire?" Sam shook his head and bit back tears "Do you have any idea what it feels like to watch your brother just-"

"Hold on, hold on!" Dean cut him off "You seriously think that? Because none of it- None of it! Is true. Listen, man, I know we've had our disagreements, okay? Hell, I know I've said some junk that set you back on your heels. But, Sammy...come on. I killed Benny to save you. I'm willing to let this bastard and all the sons of bitches that killed mom walk because of you." His voice broke "Don't you dare think that there is anything, past or present, that I would put in front of you! It has never been like that, ever! I need you to see that. I'm begging you."

Blood fell from Sams hand. "How do I stop?" Sam squeezed his hand, the orange glow came and went.

"Just let it go." Dean walked towards his younger brother.

"I can't." Sam had tears rolling down his face now "It's in me, Dean. You don't know what this feels like."

"Hey, listen" Dean wrapped a bandana around Sams cut hand, "we will figure it out, okay," He gave Sam a smile "just like we always do. Come on." Dean pulled him into a hug "Come on. Let it go, okay? Let it go, brother."

Sam pulled back, "Hey, Dean" He held out his arms, the orange glow brightened then faded completely.

Gabriels back tingled and nails raked along his shoulders and across his wings, it killed.

"See?" He gave him a smile and a nod, "Sam?" Sam fell to the floor, yelling in pain. He picked him up of the floor and half dragged him out to the Impala "I got you, little brother. You're gonna be just fine."

That's when the pain became unbearable, it started in his lower back then grew until it covered his entire torso and the back of his neck.

He stumbled back, he didn't want Sam and Dean to hear this.

Fire engulfed his wings, from the stumps to the very tips of every feather, burning and shriveling them, eyes burning and glowing, every scrap of his grace being wrenched out of him. Screaming into his hands, leaning against the peeling white wood of the broken church.

He fell.

There was one final surge of pain and it stopped, his back tingled, face stained with tears.

Knees buckled underneath him, tears falling to the ground, sticks and stones sticking into his legs.

When the crying dulled and he could see again he looked up to his wings, only scorch marks now, echoing the power he once held in his hands.

He heard a distant roar of an engine as the Impala started up.

Gabriel crawled to the edge of the church, watching them race towards the horizon.

"Wait" He whispered weakly "I need you"


A/N: For all of you who want me to continue on with this story, I have. This story continues on in m other story Bets, although tat one is more of a Destiel story than a Sabriel one. Thanks for reading and as always, I'm open for constructive criticism.