God had talked and sat with Dean for an earthly hour. However, he was gone only minutes in Heaven time. When his vanishing act was over and he was seated back at the long white rectangular table, between the angels, facing Castiel he spoke quickly.

Before the Archangel's or Cas could get out there inquires on his sudden disappearance and reappearance God's voice thundered through the room.

"I call before the council Dean Winchester."

Dean struggled to get his balance and to keep from vomiting. The roller coaster feeling swarming his body again. He was standing, bent in half, one hand on his stomach the other on his knee. Cas was already on his feet and standing in front of Dean before he had time to think of anything else.

Cas places one hand on Dean's shoulder and lowered his voice so only Dean could hear him.

"Are you alright, Dean?"

Dean straightened his body in an upright position and gradually opened his eyes. To his right side stood Cas, with his hand still on Deans shoulder. He could see Cas's face perfectly. The angels in front of him were an entirely different story. All he saw were figures of bright light.

"I'm pretty far from alright, man! What the Hell is happening to me?"

"You are in Heaven Dean. This is the Council."

"I know where I'm at. Why can I only see you and bright lights? Where's the rest of the Angels? Where's God?"

"In Heaven angels don't need to wear their vessel's. They are directly in front of you. You are looking at their souls Dean."

"Then why can I see you?"

"I was on earth when they called me. I already had my vessel on."

Cas felt anger creep up in his entire body. He left Dean to protect him. He spent his last days alone to keep him from harm. He volunteered his own life to keep him safe. Now all that was in vain. Cas removed his hand from Dean's shoulder and balled his fist. He took a step around Dean. Placing himself between Dean and The Council.

"I request for the duration of the case that the Council move into their vessel's. Dean's eyes are not accustomed to the brightness of angel souls."

God nodded his head and in seconds Dean could see all the faces glaring at him.

Cas then spoke in a deeper voice than Dean had ever heard.

"I came when the Council called. I have answered the questions asked and I have given personal information freely. I pleaded guilty and volunteered my own life to you. Why has Dean been called to the council? Have I not given you enough to determine my fate?"

Dean could not believe what he had just heard with his own ears.

"You volunteered your life!? What the hell!?"

Cas did not take his focus off the Council members even though he was now speaking to Dean.

"It's my life to give. Shut up and don't say another word."

"Screw that!"

Dean grabs Cas by the shoulder and spins him around on his heels so he is facing him again.

"That's not how I see it! I asked you to stay with us. I told you we would find a way to save you or fight to protect you. Then you just left. You left! I thought you were looking, trying to find an answer like I was. Is this why you ignored my prayers because you knew you were going to give up your life? Why didn't you stay? We could have found a way to fix this together. Why's it always come to this, to your life?"

Cas studied Dean's face for a moment. He said his words angrily and forcefully but Cas didn't see the anger in Dean's expression. He saw concern, fear, hurt, and for the first time ever Cas saw helplessness on Dean's face.

"You spoke of fighting off Archangels with no fear and while I admired your bravery, I knew if I stayed and we fought we would all end up dead. My way left you and Sam safe. My way was the only way to keep you safe. This is my fault there is no reason for you to die because of me."

"Your fault!? That's crap! This is his fault."

Dean pointed his finger at God.

"He connected our souls when he created you and I. You were protecting me that night. Your soul did only what it was supposed to do! Isn't that right Chuck?"

Dean gave a very sarcastic laugh and bowed his head a little.

"My apology your greatness."

Dean lifted his head back up and narrowed his vision. Looking at the man sitting in the middle of the table.

"Isn't that right, God?"

The Archangels turned their focus off Dean and Cas and on to their father. Everyone was looking at God now, except Cas.

"Dean."

Dean's eyes found Cas again. Those blue eyes that hit Dean like a flood every time they connect. Dean could easily get lost and drowned in them. Dean started to examine the rest of Cas's face. Dean's eyebrows found each other in the middle. He had never seen this look that Cas had before.

"Cas?"

"Dean, as soon as I saw your soul in Hell I knew we were connected. I took one look at your soul and knew I would die protecting you. I don't know why the other night happened but it was not God's fault. It's my fault."

"You knew we were connected this whole time? Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"Why didn't I tell you that your human soul was connected with Angel's soul and that it has never happened in the history of the universe and that I don't know what it means?"

Dean took a slight step forward towards Cas.

"You should have trusted me, trusted our bound. We could have figured it out together."

"I hate to interrupt but why if your souls have been connected this whole time did they just now decide to join?" Muriel asked.

"I think I can answer that one." Chamuel faces Muriel to answer him directly.

"You see souls in any kind of relationship can be connected. Parents and their children, siblings, friends, or even sexual partners, but to join souls you have to have something most don't."

Chamuel turned his head towards Cas.

"Tell me Castiel."

Cas turned from Dean to face his brother.

"What did you say for the first time, out loud, just before your souls joined?"

"Anything for Dean Winchester."

"No. Don't be shy now brother. The line right before that."

Cas took a deep breath and turned back around to face Dean.

"Your mind was fighting my grace away, Dean. I needed to focus and to stay calm to help you. Funny thing is what keeps me grounded and keeps my mind calm is you. You were not supposed to hear it and none of this was supposed to happen this way. Forgive me."

Cas turned back to his brother.

"I said I love you, Dean."

Chamuel smiled before he said smugly,

"A declaration of love. It's the most beautiful invitation for souls to join."

Cas did not know how he should feel. If he were to die at least he would die knowing that it was for something special, for love, for Dean.

"He was unaware of the potential of his words. I ask the Council to take that truth into consideration." Amitiel started.

Haniel, who had not stated an opinion or question, stood from his seat, cleared his throat then said "I believe this to be an honest mistake on the part of a rather young angel and a slight overlook from God himself. He connects there souls and did not inform them. How were they to know that a declaration of love would join them? My vote, innocent. My punishment, none."

He took his seat.

Chamuel then got to his feet and turned to look at his sister Amitiel. "Honest mistake?" He asked.

She nodded her head "Honest accident." Then she gave God a small wink. "My vote, innocent. My punishment, none."

Chamuel did not even notice the wink before saying "My vote, innocent. My punishment, none."

Three down, two to go Cas thought to himself.

"I'm confused. I thought for them to join both souls had to be in love?"

Cas wished Muriel would stop asking questions.

God answered this time with a sheepish grin and a simple, "They do." Followed a moment later by

"My vote, innocent. My punishment, none."

Four down, one to go.

Every eye in the room was fixed on Muriel.

"One last question before my vote."

Dean already knew what was coming. He could feel the heat rising up his neck. The heat off his own skin made him feel as though he was in Hell, not Heaven. His hands were starting to shake and there was sweat forming on his brow.

"Dean Winchester, do you love Castiel?"

Dean opened his mouth to speak but no words came out. In past situations, he would say things like, I need you or we are family, but at this moment The Council and Cas needed more than that.

"Dean's feelings or lack there of should not decide my fate."

Muriel let out a loud and long laugh.

"I fail to see the humor in this." Cas was getting more upset by the moment.

"He has been the reason behind every move you have made over the last few years. Joining with his soul is not the first law you have broken for this human. Your love for him made you disobedient to Heaven witch lead to your rebellion that lead to a domino effect of disappointments. The murder of your brothers and sisters, you playing God in front of the world, the release of the Leviathans, Metatron's ungodly rule, the angels fall from grace, the hiding of the angel tablet, and that's just to name a few. So you see, the humor in the situation is that Dean has already decided your fate!"

Cas knew the statement was correct.

"If everything I've done is terrible in the council's eyes why was I never called before you until now?"

"There was no council while our father was missing. After his return, he made it clear that any law broken while he was away could not be judged by the Council. So, we watched and waited to see what the great Castiel was going to pull next. It was only a matter of time."

Cas had never felt so ashamed of himself. He lowered his head so he did not have to look at his brother, sister, or father.

Dean's hands stopped shaking and the heat he felt now was of annoyance. He was getting mad again hearing the way Cas was being spoken to. Hearing how his sins were being laid bare. Dean stepped forward and to the side so he was standing shoulder to shoulder with Cas.

"Everything Cas has done he did with good intentions. He always thought he was helping people and working for the greater good. You can keep talking about everything you believe he did wrong but how about remembering the good. He stopped the apocalypse. He stopped the four Horse Men before they destroyed Earth. He locked Lucifer back in the cage. He helped to defeat Dick Roman, Abaddon, Cain, and even a prince of Hell. After God went MIA and Michael died he stepped in to lead Heaven because no one else wanted to. He's a hero!"

Dean turned. He grabs Cas by his tie with one hand and directed him to turn as well. Not letting go of his tie, Dean took his other hand and lifted Cas's chin. Dean locked eyes with Cas.

"And he gripped me tight and raised me from Perdition. He gave up Heaven for me. He lost an entire army because he refused to kill me. He stood by me when I possessed the mark. He cured me when I was a Demond. He has stayed and fought by my side without hesitation and without being asked. He has protected Sammy with his life just as I would. He left when the Council called in order to save my life not realizing he is my life."

Dean lowered his hand from Cas's face. Looking into Cas's eyes Dean felt everything except the two of them fade away.

"I do love you."

Dean pulled Cas in by the tie and when their lips met it was perfect.

Dean's hand left Cas's tie and wrapped around his neck. His fingers grazing Cas's messy brown hair. Dean's other hand sliding under the tan trench coat and around Cas's waist. Pulling him closer than ever before. Cas melted into Dean. His arms tossed around Dean's back. His fingers clenching on to Dean's shirt.

The kiss was full of want and need. The passion that was shared between the two reach new depths.

Light surrounded the intertwined men and without them even noticing they were gone from Heaven.