Disclaimer: Not mine

Chapter 4

Sam stared at the angel he had once called friend, taking in the difference to the Castiel he knew. This one had never laid siege to Hell, had never died or lost his connection to Heaven and so he had no reason to doubt what Heaven did. "The Samuel Winchester of this reality or dimension is yes. But if you take a closer look at me you will realise that I am Sam Winchester, just not this one."

Castiel stared at the young man before him. Such things were not possible and yet…he searched the man and found that he truly was Samuel Winchester. But such travel was considered impossible by any other than an Archangel. And then he felt the lingering Grace within the mortal….tainted, dark Grace. "What are you?" He asked in confusion.

Sam sighed and shrugged. "I don't know anymore. I was Lucifer's Vessel but I can't feel him anymore, not since shortly after throwing us back into the Cage anyway."

"I can feel his tainted Grace lingering within you as well as the blood of demons. Explain." Castiel demanded and Sam sighed but did so. Castiel was shocked by what he heard; he had been killed and then cut off from Heaven? How could he have done so for two humans? "Why did you call me?"

"Because I was hoping you might know how to get me home or be able to tell me what I am now and what this means." Sam indicated the vial.

Dean slumped down on the bed; he had tried everything to find this other Sam but nothing. He had to find him, see him for himself. He bowed his head, staring at the carpet even as a few tears fall. He missed his Sammy so much, missed hunting side by side and then curling together in bed to sleep or have fun. Holding Sam in his arms as the life drained from his body…it would haunt him until he died. He got up and dug out his Dad's journal, slipping the photo out of it, staring at the last picture he had of him and Sam together. It had been taken four days before Sam had been taken to Cold Oak. A sudden knock at his door startled him and he quickly put the photo and journal away before grabbing a gun and going to the door. He opened it a crack and froze.

"Can I come in?" Sam asked and Dean swallowed before opening the door and backing away to see if he could cross the wards. Sam walked inside and looked around, seeing only one bed and Dean's things scattered around.

"Sa…I…." Dean didn't know what to say or do and Sam gave him a sad smile.

"I'm not your Sam just like you're not my Dean. But I…I missed you." Sam whispered.

Dean stared at him, taking in the difference that time had made in his baby brother. His hair was longer, shaggy, his body more muscled and his hazel eyes were dimmer somehow, like he'd seen and done far more than his Sam ever had. Dean took a deep breath and then reached out to touch him. He was definitely real. "But you are Sam."

"Yeah."

"So what happens now?" Dean asked, sitting back on the bed even as Sam sat at the small table under the window.

Sam shrugged. "Well it looks like I'm stuck here permanently. So the question is do you want me around?"

"I want to say yes." Dean admitted. "But…"

"But I remind you of him, your Sam." He finished for him. He took out a card and put it on the table. "My contact details. You can call me or not whenever you want." He offered and Dean nodded. Sam got up and put his hands in his pockets looking awkward even as he moved towards the door.

"Sammy." Dean called and Sam turned back to him. "Be careful."

Sam flashed him a grin. "Always." He moved towards Dean and hugged him briefly before leaving.

Sam collapsed on his bed. Seeing this Dean hurt. Physically he seemed almost identical to his Dean, other than the scar on his cheek. He dressed the same, even down to the amulet Sam had given him as a child. The question was would he ever call him? Not to mention the fact that this Dean had no clue over Sam's…odd blood make up. Or the both of them being angelic vessels, not that it mattered here with Sam being dead. No one able to kill Lilith to undo the Final Seal. It was nice to know he wouldn't have to deal with the Apocalypse here at least. Most of the big threats appeared to either be dead or not causing any problems at the moment. So now he was a bit lost as what to do. He could track down Lilith, maybe even Crowley and make sure they would never be a threat to Dean but would that stir up more problems for Dean and Bobby? He groaned and closed his eyes. Why couldn't life be easy?

"I met him Bobby." Dean admitted before taking a drink from his beer bottle.

"You found him?"

"No, he tracked me down to meet."

"What happened?"

"Nothing much. Made an idiot out of myself and he left his number so I can call if I want."

"Will you?"

"I….I don't know. Seeing him, who Sammy could have been, it hurts Bobby." He admitted softly.

"I know son. The question is will it hurt more not having him in your life?"

Dean stared at his phone and the card before slowly dialling the number and putting it to his ear.

"Dean?"

"Sam." Dean licked suddenly dry lips.

"Is something wrong?"

"No. I just…are you okay? Got everything you need?"

On the other end of the phone Sam smiled softly at the question. "I'm fine Dean. Had to uh, pick some pockets for money at first, stole a car. But I'm getting there. Even managed to get some id."

"Good, that's good."

"So are you on a hunt?"

"Just finished." Dean answered, wincing as his stitches pulled.

"Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine."

"How bad is it?" Sam asked, able to tell from what Dean said and how.

Dean sighed. "Just a few stitches."

"Okay."

"Are you hunting?" Dean asked and Sam chuckled.

"Of course. Gotta keep up the family business."

"I've got a hunt in Seattle, we could, I mean if you're interested…we could do it together?" Dean offered awkwardly.

"You want to hunt together? Really?"

"Yes." Dean stated firmly.

"Okay. So I guess I'll meet you there."

"Yeah. I better get some sleep."

"I'll see you soon Dean. Look after yourself."

"You too." Dean hung up and put the phone down, hoping he had done the right thing.

TBC….