Disclaimer: Do I really have to go through this every time? I don't own any of the characters, not even our surprised guest. I don't own Rolling Stones: Laugh I nearly died, Triumph: Fight the Good Fight or Kansas: Carry on my Wayward Son.

A.N: I'm sure, no one wants to hear what I have to say at this point in time. so I will just say, enjoy this next chapter. Not like I have anything to say.

Summary: AU S6 ending. The wall in Sam's head has come down. Can there be hope in the most hopeless time? Can a miracle be worked or is it the end?


Chapter 3: The choice

Dean held his breath as he heard Sam's groan. At least that is what he thought he heard. He was unaware of Castiel's hand tightening on his shoulder. Sam's hand twitched and stretched and then finally curled on the arm of the chair. And Dean could no longer ignore his eyes, as Sam's neck seemed to regain life, instead of hanging limply and he could see his little brother swallow.

Sam blinked again has he registered the eyes staring intently into his own.

"There now…" He cooed as He ran His hand through Sam's hair.

Sam swallowed as he took in more, his eyes roving around before settling back on the familiar face in front of him.

"Dad?" he asked his voice husky, "Am I dead?" He had to clear his throat.

John Winchester's face broke into a smile as He stood up and looked down at Sam who was staring up at Him in amazement. "I'm not your natural father, but I did create you, Sam Winchester. Those who see me, see what is less threatening and most comforting. For you and Dean that is your father, John Winchester. I am in fact, Castiel's creator and father." He inclined his head.

Sam's mouth dropped open as he caught on faster that Dean did, "God?"

John's face smiled and nodded.

"Sam?" came a disbelieving voice.

Sam's head whipped to his side, almost giving him whiplash. He looked up at a ragged Dean and had to blink to find his older brother in the man before him. He had a deep 5'o clock shadow and his hair was messed up as if he hadn't bothered to run a comb through it.

But it was his eyes.

His once vibrant eyes were dull and red, though now they held a spark of hope within them as they looked down upon him.

So Sam said the first thing that came to mind, "You look awful."

Dean laughed and began crying at the same time before he dropped to his knees and pulled Sam into a fierce hug. He reveled in the fact that Sam hugged him back.

Bobby sniffed and kept wiping his hand over his face. It was the most beautiful sight. Even Castiel, kept blinking, a smile on his face. And God, stood silently, that secret, pleased smile as He looked fondly down at the Winchesters.

"You don't look so hot yourself, Sammy", Dean breathed out tightening his grip almost as if he was scared if he let go that Sam would disappear, "If this is a dream, now I don't want to wake up." He murmured.

"I assure you, Dean. This is no dream. Now, we have much to discuss, young ones", God looked around the group, including everyone.

Dean managed to look up, along with Sam, but he didn't release his grip and neither did Sam.

"What do you mean, Father?" Castiel asked curiously.

God smiled that smile of His. "I am giving, all of you a choice in this matter." He looked at Bobby, Sam and Dean.

Everyone looked confused at the highest being's words.

"All of you have done well. And I am very pleased. Very pleased indeed, so thus I shall give you a choice. You may choose to stay or go. That is to say, all of you have a place in heaven and rest assured all of you will be together so have no fear of that. On the flip side, you may choose to stay on earth for the remainder of your lives and still when you die, you will have a place in heaven. Your choice is whether you want to end it now and begin anew or do you want to continue until the end of all of your natural born days."

God looked at Castiel and smiled, "And Cas, have no fear, of course, you can come and go with them as you please. Whether here on earth or in heaven. You are the Winchester's guardian after all." He looked back at them patiently, waiting on an answer.

There was stunned silence at this, even Castiel was shocked. He never realized that his Father would be so merciful with the Winchesters, but he shouldn't have had any doubts in the first place. They were chosen after all. It is fitting that his Father should offer such a choice. His eyes, rested on the brothers and Bobby awaiting to hear their choice.

Finally, it was Sam who was able to speak first, "Wow….." he paused and couldn't help but repeat, "Wow."

Dean gave a breath of disbelief and Bobby just stood shocked again.

"To finally be able to lay it all down and rest, huh? And now?" Sam asked and God nodded.

Sam looked at Dean who had his head sort of lying on his shoulder. Neither one had let go of the other. He looked back at Castiel's father. "Can I ask you something?"

God nodded with a smile, "Of course."

"Let's say, we did decided to stay on Earth, now, for our natural born days. Would there still be a need for us to be hunters?"

"Where there is good in the world, there is also evil. There must be a balance, so that there are choices that can be offered. Without evil in the world, there would be no choice, hence there could be no growth." Here He looked at Castiel with a fond smile.

Castiel ducked his head, knowing well what his father was saying.

Dean blinked, looking up at God. He had to mull that over for awhile but as usual, Sam caught on fast, "So there is still a need for us?"

God smiled that secret smile.

Sam looked at Dean, "What do you think?"

Dean answered simply, "I'm game with whatever you are gamed with. Bobby?" he asked.

"I'm gamed with whatever you and Sam are gamed with", came the gruff answer.

Sam didn't see Bobby but he smiled at his voice and looked at Castiel.

Castiel cocked his head, "Whatever the three of you decide, I shall be by your sides, always."

Sam then nodded slowly as if coming to a conclusion as he looked back at the patient being in front of him, "Then I want to stay."

Here Dean's head shot up in surprise. "You do?" he asked.

Sam looked at Dean and nodded, "Yes, we've come a long way. We are given yet another chance, and we can't just waste it taking the easy way out. There is still fight to fought. And we have to fight the good fight. I didn't come all this way, just to give up and take the easy route. That would completely lessen all the sacrifices we've made, and beside, heaven will be there when we get there." He looked up at God who as smiling, "Why rush it? And besides, " He looked back at Dean, "We still have a job to do, and I intend to do it. If evil is still going to rear its head, then someone got to stand up, and cut it off. May as well be the two of us."

"Three of us, you idjit", came a voice as Bobby walked up to the chair and placed his hand on the back of it. He looked down at Sam with a smile.

Sam looked up and smiled at Bobby.

"Four of us." Castiel added walking and standing next to Dean.

Dean looked hard at his brother before slowly he grinned and looked up at God, "Guess we are staying and fighting. Team Free Will to the end."

Fight the good fight every moment
Every minute every day
Fight the good fight every moment
It's your only way

All your life you've been waiting for your chance
Where you'll fit into the plan
But you're the master of your own destiny
So give and take the best that you can...

God in John Winchester's form smiled. "As it should be. I knew that you all would choose to stay and fight, that is precisely which makes you a worthy team to stand up for what's right." He looked at each them in turn, "So, it's decided." He looked at Castiel, "I shall take my leave."

"Are you going back home?" Castiel asked worried that his father would disappear so soon after reappearing.

God smiled, "Of course. It's time that the natural balance was restored. I think we've had enough apocalyptic messes, don't you think?"

That made Bobby, Sam and Dean each give their variations of agreement.

"Indeed", God nodded, "So, until we meet again, my sons." And with that his form of John Winchester began to waver and shrink until it was nothing but a ball of light. The light floated up and touched each male in turn, including Castiel before it drifted out the window.

Castiel rushed to the window to watch as the light drifted up to the heavens until it looked like a twinkling star among the other stars.

"Wow…." Bobby breathed as he watched over Castiel's shoulder.

Castiel smiled. "Indeed."

There was a long silence that followed as Bobby sat down one on the beds and Castiel stood by the window, leaning on the wall facing the group. The brothers was still in their positions having yet to let go of the other.

It was Sam who broke the silence as he asked teasingly, looking at Dean, "So, now do you believe in God?"

Dean just rolled his eyes, "Kinda hard not to after that."

Castiel smiled and Bobby chuckled as the miracle of the night still enveloped them. Dean hugged Sam to him and buried his face in his shoulder, shaking.

"Dean, it's okay. I'm here", Sam murmured and suddenly a growl broke.

Everyone blinked. Even Dean pulled back and looked at Sam who smiled sheepishly, "So how long was I out?"

"About a week", Dean answered softly.

Bobby stood with a chuckle, "I'll whip up some food then."

"Thanks. I am kinda hungry now that I think about it", Sam stated as his stomach growled again, "Make that really hungry."

"What do you want?" Bobby asked.

"Anything edible?"

Dean barked a laugh as Bobby nodded with a smile and walked out. Castiel proceeded to follow Bobby.

"Hey, Cas. Stay.", Dean spoke.

Castiel turned and look down at the brothers who were both staring up at him. He smiled and nodded and took Bobby's spot on the bed, close to the chair.

"Aren't you getting uncomfortable?" Sam asked worriedly noting the seeming uncomfortable position Dean had himself in.

"I'm good", Dean answered tightening his embrace.

"Come on, help me to the bed, I want to see on something soft. My behind is killing me!"

With a small laugh, Dean helped Sam up and Castiel stood and helped Sam sit down. Dean sat on one side, still gripping in a hug that he had yet to release. Castiel took a set on the other side of Sam, who slumped on Dean, his head on his older brother's shoulder.

"You sure you okay?" Dean asked carding his hand through Sam's hair.

"Oh, yea. I'm good. Just weak, tired and hungry."

"Nothing food and rest can't cure", Dean muttered then asked, "But are you sure you are okay?"

"Mentally, you mean?"

Dean said nothing as Sam chuckled, "Yeah, I am, actually."

"Do you….remember….?" Dean couldn't bring himself to asked.

Sam shook his head, "No. I don't."

Castiel smiled lightly, "I would not expect you to remember hell. My father has put your soul back together. It is bright as a newborn's."

"How do you know? You can't know unless you check can you?" Dean asked bewildered not that he was complaining.

Castiel's smile widened, "Simple, the light of my father resides him. In you. In Bobby and in me. Such nightmares are past, Dean."

Dean smiled. That sounded so good.

Sam proceed to sit up.

"Hey, not so fast", Dean cooed as he help Sam upright himself, "You haven't regain your strength."

Sam smiled at Castiel, "Thanks."

Castiel looked confused as he cocked his head, "For what?"

"Hmmm, just being you."

Castiel lowered his head.

"Oh my, is he embarrassed? Did you just embarrassed him? You did! He's blushing!" Dean snorted in laughter, "Where is a camera when you need one?"

Sam bit his lip to keep from laughing.

Castiel lifted his head and glared at Dean, "Rest assured. I do no such thing."

"That doesn't stop your vessel from doing so", Dean grinned.

"Please, be quiet, little brother."

Sam forked an eyebrow.

Dean looked between the two of them, "Oh, yea, we have to settle that issue. I'm the big brother. You two are the little brothers."

"I'm the big brother to both of you. I am older and an angel, hence, it is fitting that I'm the older brother." Castiel answered.

"He got a point", Sam quipped.

"But, Cas has the mentality of a child, hence little brother", Dean stated.

Sam nodded, "You have a point as well."

"So who is the little brother and who is the big brother?" Dean asked.

Sam shrugged. "Personally, I don't see why this is a conversation? We are all brothers. End in point."

"No, not end in point, Sammy. I'm your big brother. You're my little brother. What would you consider Cas, little or big?"

Sam hummed and looked at Castiel who was smiling in amusement, "Honestly, you both have valid points. He could be either one."

Dean pouted, "Well, we need to settle this dilemma. I want to be the older brother."

"But you already are", Sam chuckled, "And besides, haven't you never once thought about you having an older brother?"

"Not really. I like being the older brother."

"Oh, wait, if both you and Castiel are the older brothers, that means I have two older brothers", Sam shuddered, "One is enough."

Dean shook Sam playfully and Castiel laughed as Dean pointed out, "Yes, but even if he's considered the little brother, he still would be older than you, hence either way, you now officially have two older brothers! Congratulations, Castiel, meet your new baby brother!"

"Thank you Dean", came the reply as Sam growled.

"Heck no! I want a recall!"

"Too late, Sammy!" Then he mocked glared at Castiel, "But check this out. You have Sam as a little brother, but if I ever hear you calling him Sammy like I do, we gonna have to fight."

Castiel's mouth twitched, "I shall reserve that high honor to you, Dean."

"Great...", Sam deadpanned.

"Great!" Dean chirped, "Now…." He eyed Castiel, "We just have to get you to acknowledged that I'm the big brother and you are the little brother."

"Dean….I have stated my reasons clearly for why I'm the big brother to you."

"And I have stated my reasons for why I'm the big brother", Dean shot back.

"And both of you can state whatever you want as long as it's silent."

"Shut up, Sam", Dean growled, though warmth was in his eyes, "This is serious business." He looked back Castiel, "I'll give you ten reasons why I'm the big brother so listen up."

Sam snorted, "Why not 101?"

Dean ignored Sam as he began to recount his reasons while Castiel listened patiently. Sam shook his head in amusement. If this was the intent of what serious business they have, he would gladly listen. He smiled as now Castiel and Dean were having an healthy argument on who was what position of brother.

Sam found he wouldn't have in any other way.

You think that a little more money can buy your soul some rest
You better think something else instead
You're so afraid of being honest with yourself
You'd better take a look inside your head

Nothing is easy, nothing good is free
But I can tell you where to start
Take a look inside your heart
There's an answer in your heart

Fight the good fight every moment
Every minute every day
Fight the good fight every moment
It's your only way…

TBC…..


A.N: I like the whole argument on who is what position of brother between Castiel and Dean. I don't know about anyone else, but I could see this discussion happening.

If nothing else, it amuses me to no end, frankly, they both have good points. Who would be what position of brother between Dean and Cas? Poor Sam has two older brothers no doubt. I'd love to hear what anyone thinks about that. I honestly still can't decide...

And really, did anyone here, really think I would write this story without a way of fixing Sam? That's my MO; start with the hopeless and end up hopeful. Though doesn't negate the fact that even I felt blue, the first chapter and a half, and I wrote this knowing what would happen...basically anyway.

Last chapter coming up!