Hey! Sorry it's been so long, I've been really sick thanks to some medicine I've been taking and I'm just now starting to recover enough to write. So here's the final chapter of this story! There's probably at least one more story in this series, more if I get enough requests to continue. Thanks for all of the wonderful reviews so far! Keep it up! ;)
Just a warning, there might be sort-of religious themes in this chapter…I don't really know if it counts as religious, but…..well, just to be on the safe side, I thought I'd warn you…. :) And, obviously, this story is AU, but it goes even more AU in this chapter. :)
Oh, and someone told me that there are little stars blocking out the middle of some of my words. My computer has a swearing filter on it and it's been filtering my own stories apparently but in the middle of words... I didn't know it was doing that, but I'm trying to fix it. If it shows up again in this chapter (filtered) would someone please tell me, so I can try to figure out how to make it stop? Thanks! :)
One by one the hunters began to climb to their feet, groaning as their sore bodies protested the movement.
Dean couldn't help but notice exactly how ticked they all looked. Crap. Crap, this is bad, this is bad. He jerked hard against his ropes, but knew he wasn't going to be able to get free.
"Sam! SAM GET UP!" Dean's scream went unanswered. Sam is barely breathing, the kid looks seconds away from death. He's not going to be able to get away.
The knowledge hurt more than any physical injury Dean had ever had.
No. Sam, no. Come kiddo, please. Get up.
"See! I told you! The freak kid is a demon!" one of the hunters yelled, angrily. Grabbing his fallen rifle in his hand, the hunter walked towards Sam, the others following close behind.
The rifle was pressed directly between Sam's closed eyes.
NO! Dean didn't realize he'd actually screamed the word out loud until the hunter's glanced at him, looking amused.
The hunter tightened his hold on the trigger about to fire.
Oh please. Please save him.
"THAT IS ENOUGH!" A voice like thunder echoed through the car graveyard, the sheer power of it driving the hunters to their knees. A bright white light appeared nearby, a dim figure walking forward through it. When it finally darkened, then faded away, a man stood there in its place. A long tan trench coat over a white button-up shirt and black slacks graced his form, messy brown hair giving him a rogue-ish look.
Dean would later swear he saw wings spread behind the man's back.
"You will leave. And you will never bother the Winchesters or their friends again. Is that understood?" the man's voice rang through the yard, his gaze hard and challenging.
The hunters stared at him, still too shocked to move.
"NOW!" the thunderous tone was back full force.
The hunters ran, practically tripping over themselves in their haste to get away.
The man turned to face the tied hunters, giving them a once-over.
Dean couldn't stay silent any longer. "I don't mean to be rude to the man who just saved our butts, but who the heck are you?"
The man's penetrating gaze met the older brother's eyes. "I am Castiel. I am an angel of the Lord."
Dean's jaw dropped. "Angel?"
Castiel nodded. "I was sent to assist you and your brother, Dean Winchester."
The mention of his brother had Dean's gaze ripping away from Castiel's and falling on Sam. Sam's chest was heaving now, small gasps falling from his lips as he struggled to breath, his body struggling and failing.
Dean decided to wait until later to argue with himself about believing Castiel or not. "Please. Help him."
Castiel looked down at Sam, quickly kneeling beside him. He pressed two fingers against Sam's forehead, closing his eyes in concentration. Sam's gasping slowed, his breathing evening out. Color began to return to his cheeks, his trembling body finally stilling.
Perhaps I'll just skip that argument with myself. Holy crap.
Castiel stood and faced the hunters. Almost immediately, their bonds released them, the ropes falling limp to the ground. "Sam will wake soon. Then we must talk."
…..
After explaining to a shell-shocked Sam what had happened and introducing Castiel to Sam, Dean turned to Castiel and gave him the opportunity to speak.
"I require Dean and Sam to walk with me. Please. There is much to be explained and little time to do it in."
….
Castiel regarded Sam in silence for a moment, then began, his voice soft and quiet. "When you were six months old, Sam, a demon came to your nursery. Your mother found him bent over your crib and she sacrificed her life to save yours."
Sam's wide eyes met Dean's, his face pale. "So she did die because of me." He murmured.
Dean shook his head firmly. "No, she died for you, Sammy. There's a difference."
Castiel looked on the pair, pity clear in his eyes. "She died for Dean too, Sam. Dean would not have lived long without you, neither would have your father. You gave them reasons to move on after she died. Do not feel guilty. She is with the Father now and at peace."
Dean threw an arm around his brother's shoulders in a rare show of affection. Somehow, he felt the moment called for it.
"The demon was sent there to kill you, Sam." Castiel revealed.
Sam and Dean both stopped walking, staring at Castiel in surprise.
"What?" Dean swore violently.
"Why?" Sam's voice was soft, tone sounding slightly dazed.
Castiel turned to face Sam fully, his eyes dark and serious. "Because you had been granted gifts from heaven. Abilities that would help you fight and defeat evil. And the dark forces knew they could not risk you learning how to use them."
Sam felt a blossom of hope spark in his chest. "So….." he couldn't ask the question.
Castiel seemed to know what he wanted to say. "You are a warrior on the side of heaven, Samuel. You are not a demon. I promise."
Sam sagged against Dean, who was giving him a small smile. "Told you not to jump to conclusions, Sammy." He grinned.
"I must go now, but if you need me, just say my name three times and I will come. I am your….how do you humans say it…guardian angel, I suppose." Castiel laid a hand on Sam's shoulder. "Good luck, Sam. You and your brother have an important work to do that can only be done together. I wish you both the best."
Within the blink of an eye, Castiel was gone.
"Holy crap."
…
"So now what?" Sam asked quietly.
Dean glanced over at him from where he was lounging on Bobby's couch. "Well. One thing seems clear to me. You need to learn how to control your mojo crap. You almost died and we have to make sure that doesn't happen again." Dean's voice was hard and though he sounded angry, Sam knew better, knew that Dean was afraid for him, afraid of losing him.
"I suppose we've got to start training then." Sam agreed.
"We'll take a couple of days to recover, then, yeah. We'll start training."
…..
Dean switched off the lights and lay back in bed, sighing softly. It had been a long day. Something nagged at him, though, refusing to let him sleep. Sam had been quiet after the crazy revelations they had received today and Dean couldn't help but worry about him. He knew what was running through Sam's head. The kid was too predictable. Dang it, Sam. He silently cursed his brother, lying in the other bed. You and your blasted chick flick moments.
"You know, Sammy….." Dean started. He paused, making sure he had Sam's attention. "Even if your powers had been demonic…it wouldn't really have changed anything. Not….not between us." Dean really hoped he didn't sound as uncomfortable as he thought he did. "You would have just been proof that…well, I never would have given up on you or deserted you. I never will. No matter what happens."
There was no response for a moment and Dean began to wonder if Sam had already fallen asleep and missed his whole confession. You'd better be awake, Sam, or I'm going to freakin' kick your butt.
"Thanks, Dean."
Hearing his tone, Dean knew why Sam had taken a moment to respond. The kid sounded like he was fighting tears. Such a girl, Samantha. Dean thought fondly. Course I started the chick flick moment….dang it.
There was silence for a few minutes and Dean began to drift off, sure that Sam was already asleep, when he heard a small snickering coming from the other bed.
"What?" Dean dared to ask.
"I'll never quit you, man!" Sam managed, laughing so hard he could barely breathe, gasping between breathless laughs.
Dean rolled his eyes. And Sam says I'm the one with a strange sense of humor…..
"Shut up and go to bed, Sam." He growled, but he couldn't keep the smile out of his voice. Yep, Sam's going to be okay. We both are. Whatever comes, we'll face it together. Evil has no chance against the Winchesters.