Chapter 5

The next morning came by too soon and Dean woke up on the chilly backseat of his Baby. After his brain caught up with the rest of his body he had to grin. Wouldn't you smile too, if your first thought after waking up was 'I just slept with an angel'? Yeah, I bet you would. Castiel was roused from his sleep, not that he would've needed to sleep in the first place, by Dean's musing.

"You're thinking loud," he said, holding his eyes closed. Dean had to admit that while Cas definitely wasn't a woman, somehow he looked better. "But it's good, we should get up."

The human was about to protest, but there was loud banging against the roof, that instantly sobered him. Nobody dared to touch his car like that, nobody.

"Get a move on, you lovebirds!" His brother scooped to taunt him from the window, much too merrily.

"Sonofa—Sammy!" Dean yelled, yanking his pants on and tumbling out of the Impala. "You get your ass back here and apologise to my car!"

By the time Dean was out of the back seat, Sam was far off. He laughed manically, stopping his run to shout back: "I think you got that last letter wrong!"

"Bitch!"

Sam laughed more like the crazy person he was and ran back inside. Dean grumbled but turned back, deciding that his shirt could be useful not to mention his only jacket. Castiel was fully dressed, even though there was no way he could've put clothes on in such a short time. It must've been some angel trick. He handed Dean his clothes and the human took them, albeit grudgingly, because it meant that he really would have to get moving. It could be the last day of his life if all went wrong, but when Castiel gave him a reassuring look, he realized that it was okay. Any day could be his last, and if it was today at least that would mean he would go out trying to save his brother.

They headed inside together and were instantly harassed by Gabriel after the door closed behind them.

"Castiel!" the archangel cried out, latching himself on the younger angel's shoulders. "You scheming little, you—oh I'm so proud my baby brother is growing up!"

He wiped a fake tear from his eyes. Castiel looked more than a little uncomfortable.

"Gabriel, please…"

"I can still remember when you were just a little ball of feathers!"

Crowley, who was leaning against the kitchen doorway holding a cup of steaming tea, snorted.

"So the two of you jumped in the shack… fancy that. I never thought it would happen so soon."

Gabriel raised his head. "I know! It shocked me too!"

"Wait a minute," Dean started to protest, but didn't get to continue as Bobby called them into the kitchen to eat so that they wouldn't waste the whole day. After breakfast, lots of good-willed (except in Crowley's case, probably) arguments, and too much laughing from Sam (who swore he hadn't laughed as much in his whole life as he did that morning) they were able to call themselves ready.

The sky was grey and hung low like impending doom above them as the seven members of team free will stood in a silent row on the yard of Bobby's garage. Gabriel stepped forward, giving them all his usual, never-fading grin of confidence.

"Let's light this candle."

Then he snapped his fingers.

-x-

The hospital in Maryland was like most hospitals were: a white sterile looking building with a large parking lot in front, where lots of cars were stopping and starting. People were walking in and out looking worried, indifferent, relieved, tired… the stream was never-ending. Dean turned away from the building and nodded to Bobby, Chuck and Crowley.

"You're makin' a serious face, boy. It doesn't suit you," the older hunter said with his usual gruff voice, and suddenly Dean was very grateful he'd ever met him.

In all truth, for the less than a month he'd spent with Bobby, the man had been like a father to Dean. When he had been a kid, he'd looked up to his father, in a way he guessed he still did. He'd been afraid of him, he'd respected him and he'd wanted to be a good son to him. He never could do it; because no matter how many times Sam and their dad had fought, Sam had still had been the son who made John Winchester the proudest. Dean had been like a soldier—he didn't cause trouble, didn't bring shame to his family and kept Sam safe.

And hell, if it was up to him, he would keep Sammy safe.

Nevertheless, when he'd appeared on Bobby's doorstep, the man had taken him in, no questions asked. Maybe it had been something he'd longed for all his life, and even now as the man stood before him, he could see the genuine worry mixed with pride beneath the man's slightly wrinkled face.

Dean swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat and tried to smile reassuringly.

"This is the face of a champion—no flaws," he joked and Bobby seemed pleased. They didn't say good byes or wish each other luck, because there was no need—they knew it without words.

Chuck quivered behind Crowley.

"You… you'll find Lilith alone," he spoke up quietly, but in an uncharacteristically determined voice. "I really wish I could tell you how it goes from there, but…"

"Chuck, it's okay," Sam said reassuringly and smiled a little. "You've been a big help already."

"I'll be with the prophet boy, so don't get you knickers in a twist, Moose." Crowley smirked as Sam pulled a face at him.

"Everyone set? Good!" Gabriel beamed. "Let's get going kiddo. We have the whole first floor to explore."

"Sam," Dean grabbed his brother's arm, painfully realizing how big his little Sammy had gotten, how he would never see him grow if he—no, they all—couldn't solve this mess they were in.

Sam looked at him, all those unresolved issues that had been between them were still there, but stronger than that was the will that bound them together. They were still brothers, they'd get through this together.

"Dean," Sam said, soft but secure, and Dean let go of his coat and let him walk inside with Gabriel.

He watched the back grow smaller, like watching Sam get younger and younger and remembered what he was fighting for.

Family—and it wasn't just Sam, it was Bobby and it was the Harvelles, Chuck and his odd but pretty girlfriend, and even his parents, who didn't know anything about the things that were happening here—they thought Sam was on a school trip because of Gabriel. He had to keep going for these people's sake, because they deserved to live and be happy.

He knew Castiel was by his side, and felt the soft brush of the angel's fingers against his own, subtle but comforting. He looked up to those blue eyes and thought that perhaps it was alright to fight a bit for himself too.

"Let's go."

-x-

The hallways were lively, and no one paid them much mind as they passed rooms upon rooms—they were just two of the many people who visited the hospital every day. Even their stern unreadable expressions weren't that new… it was the face of unwavering resolution, the face of someone who still has to try even if all seems bad. Dean glanced in from every doorway, not really sure what he was looking for, but never letting it show. Cas walked behind him, brows burrowed in concentration as he felt the area around them, trying to locate any ounce of evil presence.

They were in a hallway near the maternity ward when Dean plopped down on a chair and sighed. A passing nurse gave him a sympathetic look.

"Shouldn't she be here somewhere?" Dean asked, rubbing his forehead.

"She is clever," Castiel stated calmly, remaining upright. "She's able to conceal herself very well, I won't know where she is until we are close."

The angel looked around, lips drawn together in a thin line.

"I'm doing the best I can," he added after a minute of silence.

"Sure…"

They had a quiet staring contest, which ended when Dean tilted his head away, getting up from the chair.

"We should keep looking," he mumbled, but Castiel remained where he was, thoughtful. "Cas?"

"Can I…" the angel trailed off then started again, more sure this time. "Do you remember anything from your past life?"

Dean paused. "No, not really… Why do you ask?"

"Because you're different," he answered without missing a beat. "And because you're the same."

"What the—"

"I can remember you, many times over, as if there were not only two but hundreds, even thousands of lives you lead before this one. Your image, your existence was the sole purpose I did this all."

Dean stared at Cas at a loss for words.

"It would do you well to remember that."

And Dean did, hell, he really did. Just seeing Castiel, flasher-coat and all, made him remember almost painfully how protected he was, how much he still had left. He didn't want to lose it, even though he couldn't remember anything that maybe had been in another life, he didn't want to experience the pain again.

"I will," Dean said, serious like never before. "I'm not going to say it every day, but I do."

The angel's expression softened.

"I might…"

Mid sentence he tensed up.

"She's here."

He spurred to action, Dean at his heels, and led them through the maternity ward to a more secluded hallway. Sam was suddenly by Dean's side, Gabriel walking right next to his own brother. They entered an unlit room at the far-end of the corridor and the door clicked shut behind them. There, wearing a black satin dress and sitting on a desk, was Lilith.

"Hello boys," she said. "How nice of you to visit."

-x-

It was the 28th of March 1999, a Sunday and it was barely past nine in the morning.

After a star trek all-nighter with her friends Rebecca Rosen was walking in the soft glow of the morning sun. Figuring she'd fall asleep better if she was in Chuck's house, she headed there. She was sleepily wondering about Chuck's whereabouts and stumbling in his room, trying to find something light to wear, when she found a small black box.

The tiny object, which she found inside, made her burst out crying and laughing at the same time.

Far from the home of the only living prophet in the ever as homely Harvelle's Roadhouse Ellen and Jo were both still sound asleep, enjoying the only lazy day of their weeks. Unbeknownst to Dean, the previous night Jo had found his old lighter, which he'd lost during the time he'd spent with the Harvelles. She had hidden it to her pocket, wowing that someday she'd use it in the same manner Dean had used it before her.

Ellen would of course try to stop her, but it didn't matter. She'd still be proud of her daughter whatever road she chose.

In Illinois, in her nicely decorated home Pamela Barnes was making herself tea when she felt a horrible shiver shake her whole being. She dropped her favorite cup—one she'd received as a gift from Bobby Singer. It snapped cleanly in two halves and suddenly she was very worried. She tried to call her old hunter friend, but it went straight to voicemail.

For the rest of the morning she sat in the living room, holding the halves of the cup in her hands.

Inside a pretty two storey house in Lawrence, Kansas, John Winchester still slept, while his wife was stirred awake by a strange feeling of worry creeping to her mind. She tiptoed away from the bedroom and on a whim decided to visit Dean's old room. It was the same as it had been on the day her son left; she had kept it that way. There was even an old note on his desk still, scribbled in Dean's unmistakable hand-writing.

"Here I am just waiting for a sign
Asking questions, learning all the time
It's always here, it's always there
It's just love, and miracles out of nowhere"

The old Kansas song echoed from her memory. She realized she was crying when the first drops of salty water fell on the page.

In the unfortunate hospital somewhere in Maryland, a woman with luscious red lips and perfect blonde curls smiled as her eyes blinked white.

-x-

"You…" Sam growled but Gabriel held him firmly back, stopping the teen from taking any steps towards the demon, towards danger.

"Yes, me," Lilith said, smiling as venomously as ever. "My dear Sammy… you've come to get back what's yours? But you sold it fair and square—are you being fair, now?"

Sam didn't get to answer, because Castiel broke in.

"You know what we want, demon," he said, voice gruff with something that could've been anger or disgust. "We will be fair. Hand over the contract, and we will spare you."

Gabriel perked up, surprised. "We will?"

"Or refuse and we shall end your miserable existence."

"But I can't!" She cried out in mock terror. "I cannot break the contact, even if you do ask so nicely."

"Then you leave us no choice."

The lights in the room started to flicker.

"Don't be hasty," Lilith said, emphasizing each word sharply. "It will gain you nothing."

"What do you mean?" Dean asked, glaring at her from behind the trench coat wearing angel.

"I mean," she chuckled, "that you boys have got this all wrong. Can't blame you really, you couldn't have known…"

"Known what?" He continued, while a feeling of uncertainness crept up his spine. "What the hell do you mean?"

"No need to get angry."

Lilith plopped herself down from the desk and started walking around it, irritatingly slow and making dramatic gestures as she spoke.

"I'll tell you: this is a very special little contract, and as such it cannot be broken so easily. I cannot break it, because it is already, ah how do I say, tied to me."

She stopped by the window, laughing silently while Dean thought he should've known how this would o with their Winchester luck.

"Which mean that if you kill me it will be read as a violation against the terms of the contract and your cute little Sam… well, he won't live to see what happens, right?"

"Why you…" This time it was Castiel's turn to hold Dean back. Sam was too much disappointed or in shock to react—he only stood still and stared at the malevolently smiling woman.

"Oh, and the last seal business," she still went on. "No chance. You angels aren't the only one's capable of bringing beings back from the dead… I would think that you of all should know that our Lord is an angel too."

It probably is needless to say, that at this point they had all pretty much lost hope.

Sam looked from Lilith to Gabriel, who turned his gaze down shielding his emotions from the boy. Castiel seemed to be completely abashed as he kept staring at the demon behind the desk and holding Dean, even when there was no need for it anymore. The older Winchester brother let himself be held, tossing his pride aside because he couldn't find any other light in the situation than that he was with Cas.

Because no, they didn't have much and it seemed they never would, but it felt right. He would've wanted to try it… fighting over stupid things and talking and just living. He would've wanted to go home once more and prove his father he was a good son, would've wanted to hear his mother singing once more, wanted to introduce Castiel to them, even if they'd called him crazy after it. He would've wanted to see Sam grow up, wanted him to go to Stanford or some other fancy school and become a lawyer like he sometimes had said he wanted to be. He would've wanted to meet Jessica, to get to know her since she had become such a big part of his brother's life. Hell, he would've even liked to make nice with Gabriel since Sam seemed to like the guy.

There were so many things he would've wanted to do, but most of all, he would've wanted to save his brother. Lilith smiled at him, like a silent invitation: you still can, just say yes to me.

Dean closed his eyes and prayed.

At the same moment, something crashed through the door and everything went white.

-x-

Chuck didn't feel too good.

If he was being completely honest with himself, he hadn't been feeling well since the moment he woke up. It might've had something to do with his natural nervousness, but somehow it was different—he just couldn't put a finger on it and that made it even more unnerving. And so there he was, sitting in the lobby of some hospital, chewing on his lower lip and feeling the sense of pure wrongness nib away in his being. Besides him on another chair sat Bobby Singer, as solemn as ever, watching the passing people with perception that was rarely found. The demon in the room—that is, Crowley—kept walking around as if nervous and even disappeared for a while only to return with a cup of tea from the hospital café.

He sat down across from Chuck, took a sip of his drink and made a face.

"Bugger it all," Crowley growled. "It's taking them too darn long, were sitting ducks here and this tastes like piss."

"Quit yer whining," Bobby grumbled in response. "If something had gone wrong, we'd know already."

"Do—do you think they're doing alright?" Chuck asked unsurely, worry nabbing in his mind.

The older man smiled. The action was a bit rough on the edges, just like Bobby himself.

"Knowing Dean and what he's told of his brother… I don't doubt it."

"They've angels for heaven's sake," Crowley said in a sarcastic tone. "Well, it's true."

"So even Lilith won't stand a chance?" Bobby threw him a look.

"She'll be roasted," Crowley said, smiling wickedly. "Just the way I like her."

The demon resumed to sipping the foul tasting liquid they had the nerve to call "tea" at the café. Bobby too went back to watching the trespassers. Chuck wavered, not sure if he should say something, but decided to keep it to himself.

"This isn't right," he thought silently. "Something isn't right."

Right after that he felt a knock in his… mind.

Yes, a knock.

He looked around, but no one else seemed to react. There was no knocking in the hospital lobby, only in his head. Actually, as alarming as it was, it looked like the entire room had completely stilled. It was as if time had stopped right then and there. The knock sounded again.

"Uh, hello?" he asked aloud, feeling incredibly stupid and fearful at the same time.

To his immediate surprise a gentle, warm voice answered.

"Hello Chuck. I'm glad you answered"

The words came with a wave of power and indescribable emotion, unlike anything he'd ever felt. Chuck gasped and felt his eyes water against his will. He hadn't cried since he'd been 14 and his first girlfriend had been a total bitch. Now though, there was no need, and he still felt like breaking down, right there and then.

"Who are you? What do you want?" Chuck sobbed in a small voice. He absentmindedly noticed that some four meters to his right a small girl was frozen in mid air. She had been jumping up and down in front of her mother. It was surreal.

The strange voice seemed to laugh. It sounded like thousand of silver bells and birds chirping on a lazy summer morning.

"What do I want? Fair enough. I want to help. I've always wanted to help and always will."

A gust of wind blew out of nowhere and for a moment all was silent.

Chuck swallowed.

"I think you know who I am."

"Yes," he nodded. "I want to help too."

After that, he remembered no more.

-x-

There are things you're not supposed to see, ever, and Dean Winchester was fairly certain that the horrified grimace Crowley was making when he suddenly appeared before him was one of those things. The demon didn't come alone, of course. Beside him was an obviously baffled Bobby. And Chuck…Chuck was glowing.

What more, that wasn't even the most unexpected thing in the whole situation. As soon as the three had appeared before them, Lilith had let out a strangled scream, and dropped to her knees as if in pain. Also, Castiel let go of him, taking a few wobbly steps towards Chuck, joined by Gabriel who had a similar expression of awe on his face.

Dean… well, he was confused as hell.

"Ookay," he said. "Could some explain what the fuck is going on over here?"

Sam apparently couldn't bring himself to speak, so the boy just nodded like he was agreeing to the question, moving just a bit closer to his brother out of long forgotten habit.

The Chuck, who wasn't Chuck—couldn't be since he was smiling like he'd just won the lottery—just tilted his head. It was strange, sort of creepy even, because it looked exactly like the tilt Cas sometimes did.

"You called for help, did you not?" He said, and by the voice it was evident that the being in the room was definitely not Chuck the prophet. "I have come now… I am sorry, truly, for it took me a bit longer than I initially intended."

Sam seemed to find his tongue. "So you're…"

"Father," breathed Castiel, answering them all.

"Yes," He said. "I am."

Everyone in the room fell very silent and still. Castiel and Gabriel astounded by the sudden appearance of their Father. Sam and Dean dumbfounded both for their own reasons. Sam couldn't believe he was seeing the Lord with his own eyes and Dean just couldn't believe what he was seeing—and what about Chuck?

"Do not worry for him," God answered his silent question. "He is quite safe, sleeping in his own mind while I borrow his body. It was necessary for me to do this, in order to interrupt the events of this day."

"Father," Castiel spoke up again determined, but as God turned to him he drew back a little, perhaps embarrassed by his own boldness. "If I may… we have been in this situation already before."

"Castiel, child," He sighed. "I know, more than anyone. I have watched over you and Dean countless of times, repeating the same mistakes, repeating the same sad ending all over again, until even I have forgotten how it all began. I was delayed, whether because of my own indecision or something else entirely, I do not know. It seems now that it is necessary for me to take action, to ensure that this is the last time you'll suffer."

"Why?" Dean asked. He had to.

"Why?" God-Chuck's voice seemed to radiate amusement. "Because I love you, that's why." He stepped forward. The angels made way for Him as He walked to the blonde demon. He spoke to Lilith in a sad tone. "You were once a child of mine too. Time can save or destroy, but in this case it will tell. You'll be sealed away until a more suitable scenario for what you bring arrives."

He raised his hand to touch her head and she disappeared in a flash of pure white light. Then He turned around and His eyes fell on Crowley, who might have or might have not been whimpering slightly. He smiled.

"As for you… well. You were never that good of a demon, not really. You would say you all of this, and all that you have done in the past, is out of self-interest. And while it was true, it isn't entirely anymore. Let's say we forget this misfortunate selling souls-business, and give you a better chance at life."

And so, Crowley's heart started beating.

Moving on he smiled to Bobby and then turned to Sam.

"This was truly the best alternative you've had…" He said, maybe more to Himself than to the people in the room.

"Sam… You've grown accustomed to Gabriel's presence, but I have to borrow him for a while." Throwing the messenger a meaningful look he continued. "We must leave, for we have lots of work to do."

Finally, turning to Dean and Castiel He seemed to smile so much that His glow burned brighter.

"Be happy," He said simply, and just like that He was gone in the same blinding whiteness that He had appeared in, Gabriel following in his leave, promising Sam he'd be back to visit when he had the chance.

So yes, with all the bad things, there was something that was meant to happen, meant to be seen—like the look that Dean and Castiel shared as they realized it was all over, all good and right.

-x-

In the end it went all fine.

Chuck came to his senses, and albeit a little dizzy he was otherwise alright. They stumbled out of the hospital without anyone noticing and on the yard realized that they were stranded in Maryland, because God had been helpful enough to make Castiel human too and thus they had nobody to teleport them away. Luckily, He was also helpful enough to move them all to Bobby's house, after a short while of grumbling from Dean. From there the group split up, with the promise of keeping in touch—a promise that was well remembered.

Crowley said that he was going to travel, figure out what he was going to do with the remainder of his life now that he was mortal.

Chuck went back home to Becky and they got married sometime after and had seven children and all was well for them.

Bobby... he got in touch with Pamela after those missed calls. She actually moved in with him, but nobody knew if they ever got married or even engaged.

Sam, Dean and Cas traveled back to Lawrence. Mary cried a lot and John was happy to see both his boys, even when Dean introduced Castiel to them. The former angel—who still wore the stupid trench coat—and the boy who still saw things—and occasionally hunted them too—got to live together like they'd probably always wanted to. It may be needless to say that they lived happily ever after.

Oh and Sam? He grew taller than anyone, just like he had threatened, but what happened in his life after that… well, that's an entirely different story.

The End

-x-

Oh damn, it's over. Sorry for the delay, I was busybusybusy. But... thank you so much to all of you for reading White noise. I've appreciated all your comments and favs and I hope I managed to write the story a fitting end. Now I'm off to other projects, so see you!