Disclaimer: Not mine.

Chapter 10

Sam looked at the map and then at Castiel who nodded, they'd found her. Sam glanced over at where Dean was hunched over the laptop and worried at his bottom lip. He knew Dean would refuse to stay behind but the thought of him being anywhere near Lilith again…but if he kept Dean out of it his brother may never forgive him. Dean looked up and smiled at him and Sam smiled back softly.

"What is it?" Dean asked, getting up to wrap an arm around Sam's waist.

"We found her." Castiel answered and Dean swallowed but nodded.

"When do we leave?" Dean asked and Sam sighed, kissing him softly.

"If I asked you to stay behind…."

"Sam." Dean warned and Sam sighed.

"I don't want that bitch near you again Dean, I don't want to risk you." Sam whispered and Dean stared at him, seeing Sam's fear. "Please Dean; let me and Cas take care of this." Sam pleaded and Dean sighed. A year ago he would have immediately said no but now, with everything they'd been through….

"Alright." Dean answered and Sam blinked in surprise but then kissed him.

"Thank you."

Dean moaned as Sam pulled out of him and then collapsed beside him. Dean tugged Sam into a hug, kissing him softly and Sam smiled, gently running his fingers through Dean's hair. "Missed this." Sam admitted and Dean grinned, making Sam laugh. "I know, you did too." Sam added.

"Promise me you'll be careful."

"I will, Cas'll have my back as well. This will all be over soon and then we can get on with our lives, take a holiday or go back to hunting. Whatever we want to." Sam promised him.

"Sounds too good to be true. I…I guess I'm still expecting to have you taken away once it's done. Heaven and Hell can't really want to let you go can they? With your powers and all?" Dean whispered and Sam sighed.

"I won't let them separate us Dean, anyone who tries better have a death wish." Sam swore and Dean clung to him.

"Wish I hadn't agreed to stay behind." Dean mumbled and Sam kissed him.

"I don't want to be fighting her and worrying about you Dean, it's safer this way." Sam argued and Dean sighed but nodded.

"Gonna spend the whole time worrying."

"So sleep the time away." Sam offered and Dean rolled his eyes.

"Like I can sleep when this worried." He grumbled and Sam leant up on an elbow.

"I can solve that for you; put you to sleep till I get back. You'll never even know I was gone." Sam offered softly.

"I…..please." Dean finally answered and Sam nodded, leaning in to kiss him again. Dean clung to him, kissing deeply but then slowly his hands slipped from Sam's body and his lips stilled, head slumping to the side, eyes closed in sleep. Sam settled him more comfortably on the bed, tucking him in gently. He kissed Dean's forehead and got dressed before leaving the room.

"Hey Sam, where's Dean?" Bobby asked.

"Asleep upstairs. He asked me to put him out so he won't spend the whole time worrying." Sam explained and Bobby nodded.

"I'll keep an eye on Sleeping Beauty then. You just kill her." The hunter told him and Sam grinned, looking at Castiel who nodded and they both vanished.

Sam turned to Lilith, all her demons dead, and she backed away before smirking. That expression really looked odd on the face of a child, making it even clearer the poor girl was possessed. Sam stepped towards her and she waved a finger at him.

"Bad Sammy, don't want me to kill poor Dean again do you?" She taunted and then another demon stepped forward, Dean slumped, still asleep, in its arms. Sam stared in shock; calling on everything he had left of his angelic nature to hide his horror. How had they gotten Dean from Bobby's? "He doesn't want to wake up and play with me but that's okay, we can play once he's back home." Lilith stated, running a hand across Dean's slack features. "Did you really think you could stop this? Stay there and Dean will live, try to stop me and he dies." She warned and Sam glanced around for Castiel, spotting the other angel cloaking himself but cautiously approaching the demon holding Dean. "Bad Angel!" Lilith yelled and Castiel went flying.

"Let him go and I'll let you live." Sam told the demon holding Dean and the demon edged closer to Lilith who laughed and moved over to an altar. As she went to do whatever she had to Castiel broke free and went for the other demon while Sam attacked her. His sword easily slid into her heart and he felt so sorry for the child but after having Lilith in her the poor child was probably better off in Heaven. She convulsed, staring at him with white eyes as she snarled but then the white faded and terrified blue met his. "It's alright little one, soon you'll be home and safe." He promised as her eyes slid shut.

"Sam!" Castiel cried out and Sam turned to see Castiel holding Dean in his arms, covered in blood.

"No." Sam choked, rushing to them. He gently took Dean from Castiel, cradling him close, feeling his fading life force. "No Dean, not like this. We promised." Sam whimpered and pain filled green fluttered open briefly. "Stay with me." Sam begged as Dean's eyes slid shut again. Sam made the blood vanish from Dean's body, looking for the wound and then sobbed, Dean's throat had been slit down to the bone, how was he even still alive? Sam shifted Dean in his arms, feeling how lax his body was becoming and then sealed his lips over Dean's, kissing him through his tears, wanting Dean to know he wasn't alone. Sam couldn't heal him and Castiel couldn't without permission which wasn't being given. All he could do was hold him as Dean died. Sam kissed him with everything he had, willing his own life into his brother.

Castiel moved away as the brothers began to glow, softly at first but then they were eclipsed by light and shadows. He tensed, sword ready in case it was an attack. He could not save Dean but he would not allow anything to harm his body or his grieving brother. The light faded and he stared in awe at the sight of Dean with his arms wrapped around Sam as they kissed. How?

Sam pulled back and stared into Dean's eyes, tears still streaming from his eyes. Sam gently reached out to trace Dean's face, feeling the warmth of his skin, even as Dean leant into his touch. "Dean." Sam sobbed in relief. Dean smiled and kissed him again. "I don't understand…..did I do this? Thought I'd lost you." Sam whispered.

"I don't know." Dean answered, smiling at him. "Love you, not going anywhere." Dean promised and Sam held him close. He stood, cradling Dean to his chest and Dean didn't say anything. It had been way too close. Sam glanced at Castiel who sheathed his sword and joined them.

"How? He was dying; I could feel his soul leaving." Castiel whispered. "There was light and shadows surrounding you both and when it vanished Dean was healed."

"I don't know." Sam answered. "Let's get out of here."

"Hello Sam." The voice had Sam spinning around, knowing he was dreaming, and he smiled.

"Hello Joshua."

"A good job with Lilith, the Seals have been reset."

"Thanks. Joshua do you know…."

"How Dean is still alive?" The angel asked and Sam nodded. "You saved him Sam."

"But how?"

"Because he is the one thing all sides of your nature need therefore they all worked together to save him."

"The light and shadows….."

"Were a physical manifestation of the two sides of your powers working together. You bound Dean's life and soul to yourself. As long as you live Dean will never die." Joshua assured him and Sam slumped in relief. The idea of outliving Dean had terrified him.

"Thank you. Will…..will I ever see you again?" Sam asked, feeling the dream fading.

"I am always here for you little brother." Joshua promised and then Sam found himself back in bed with Dean asleep in his arms.

The End.
Seemed a good spot to end this. So basically they all lived happily ever after.