Okay people, only one chapter after this! The fight is on!

Thanks as always to Lizzy and Loreley for reviewing :)

A/N: Some dialogue is taken from "Hammer of the Gods"

Chapter Ten

Sam swallowed hard, looking up at Lucifer who was still way too close for comfort. The fallen archangel was waiting for him to speak and Sam's mouth was suddenly dry.

"Well?" Lucifer inquired, raising an eyebrow.

Sam steeled himself, reminding himself that Cas had probably rescued Dean, gotten him out of there by now. Hopefully his brother was all right. "Okay, here's how it's going to go," Sam said.

Lucifer held a hand up, pressing a finger against Sam's lips. "Hold on, first of all, you don't get to say how it's going to go, Sam. Once I'm inside you, I'm on top, so you need to learn who's running the show now. It will be easier for you."

Sam clenched his jaw, jerking in the demons' grasp, but they still held him tightly, bruising his arms with their grip. "If you won't even hear my terms then we have no deal."

"Oh, so I should just drag your brother over here and we can see how long you hold out while I carve him into steaks?" Lucifer inquired. "Because I will, Sam. You know it." He straightened up and motioned to one of his demons.

"Not if you can't find him," Sam said quietly.

Lucifer spun back toward him and grabbed his chin forcefully. "What was that?"

Sam offered him a small defiant smile. "Screw you, Lucifer."

Rage burned in the devil's eyes. "Oh, Sam, you will wish soon enough that you had consented when you had the chance. Because now I'm going to have to force a yes out of you."

Before he could make good on his promise, there was a surprised scream from a demon at the back of the group. Lucifer released Sam and straightened up, an incredulous frown on his face. Sam's demon guards released him to turn toward the threat as more demons screamed and fell. Sam smiled as he watched the attacker slash his way through the demons, with blade and bright bursts of light.

Gabriel finally put his blade through the throat of one of Sam's guards and let the dead demon slide off the blade and thump to the ground before he turned nonchalantly toward Lucifer.

"Wow. Your bodyguards suck, bro."

Lucifer just stared at him for a long second, eyes narrowing. "Gabriel."

"That's right," Gabriel told him, bobbing his eyebrows. "I think it's high time we had a chat, don't you?"

Castiel saw Gabriel take out the demons from where he was sitting with Dean. He knew he should get Dean out of there, but he was also worried about the elder Winchester's condition. Castiel could take him to a hospital, and come back for Sam, but didn't want to leave Dean anywhere he would be vulnerable to any angels or demons who happened by. Besides, Gabriel and Sam might need his assistance and Castiel wouldn't leave them to Lucifer's mercy, whether for Dean's safety or not. He wasn't going to leave any of his family on that mountain.

Dean groaned and shifted, coughing slightly before the act left him gasping in pain. Castiel tried to soothe him as best he could, but he wasn't very good at such things. He only vaguely recalled times when he was a young angel where Gabriel would ease his sparring injuries, or scraped knees and bent feathers when he was still a fledgling. And then later Anna or Balthazar might sit by his bedside when he was injured in battle and he would return the favor, but perhaps Dean wouldn't respond to the same things. He was human after all. Castiel wished he could at least give Dean something to drink as he was likely severely dehydrated on top of everything else, but he didn't have any water and there was no way to get some.

"Dean," he tried calling quietly. "Perhaps it is best if you try and stay awake."

Dean's eyes fluttered weakly. "S'm?"

"No it's Casti—Cas," he replied, reaching up to touch Dean's forehead and frowned when he felt his skin was clammy and still too chilled for his liking. He slipped a hand under his coat that still covered Dean and pressed his palm to the hunter's chest to monitor his heartbeat and breathing. His pulse was thready and his breathing was ragged.

Dean scrunched his face up and squirmed. "Gon-gonna—buy me…dinner first?" he whispered, eyes finally opened.

Castiel sighed in exasperation as he tucked the coat back around Dean's shoulders snuggly. "You are very badly injured, Dean."

"Yeah…got that," the hunter replied. "Where's Sam?"

Castiel felt warmth in his chest as he always did witnessing the two brothers' devotion to each other. "Gabriel is looking after him as I told you he would. He'll be here soon." He hoped.

Dean still looked anxious, but that was only to be expected. "Alright." He rested back against the rock again and Castiel decided to check his broken collar bone, try to get his arm resting in a more comfortable position, when Dean's eyes suddenly went wide, looking at something past Castiel's shoulder. "Cas!"

Castiel spun around, stopping as an angel blade appeared right in front of his face. He caught his breath, following the tip of the blade up the arm that held it, finding a face he knew all too well.

"Zachariah," he said bitterly, a sinking feeling in his stomach.

"Castiel," the higher angel said, a pleased note in his voice that Castiel hated. "I am so glad to find you here. As well as Michael's vessel."

Dean shifted behind him, a growl escaping his throat. "You son of a bitch."

Castiel quickly reached back to put a hand on his uninjured shoulder to make sure he stayed put. He could feel the rage and hatred surging through the elder Winchester and shared his sentiments.

"Don't be like that, Dean," Zachariah said. "I'm the only angel here who can heal you. Poor little fallen Castiel certainly can't. You let me take you to see Michael right now, I can have you back good as new in no time."

"Pass," Dean said.

"I won't let you touch him," Castiel snarled viciously, trying to remember where his blade was. And then he realized that in his haste to get Dean to safety he had left it over by the cliff. He clenched his jaw, cursing inwardly as he tried to keep a straight face.

"Quite possessive, aren't you?" Zachariah quipped. "Guess I'll have to put the guard dog to heel first." He swung the hilt of his blade, smashing it into the side of Castiel's face.

The lesser angel collapsed against the rock, just barely keeping himself from falling on Dean and leapt to his feet, standing in front of his charge, the taste of blood in his mouth. "I'm warning you, Zachariah. I will not let you have Dean. If you try to take him by force, I will kill you."

Zachariah chuckled. "Oh, Castiel. You really are pathetic. You think you can stand a chance against me?"

He lunged again and Castiel grabbed his sword arm, punching him firmly in the face, and delivering a firm roundhouse kick to his chest before he dove for his own blade. He snatched it just as Zachariah was recovering, and spun around to see the higher angel reaching down to grab hold of Dean. The hunter cried out as Zachariah hauled him upright and slammed him back against the rock.

"Stop!" Castiel demanded, taking a step forward, his blade raised threateningly.

Zachariah ignored him and turned with a smirk back to Dean. "Last chance. I can either heal you or make it worse right now, and I would be lying if I said I wouldn't enjoy it. Michael never has to know."

"Screw you," Dean choked out, managing to kick Zachariah in the fork on his legs.

The angel angrily slammed him against the rock again before throwing him to the ground and delivering a sharp kick to Dean's already abused midsection. Dean let out a whimpering cry and curled around himself.

But he was out of Zachariah's grip and Castiel took his chance. He snarled and leapt at the higher angel, sending them both to the ground. He stabbed down at Zachariah but the other angel caught his blade and, despite Castiel's better position, was the stronger of the two.

Zachariah laughed and forced the blade up sharply, throwing Castiel back before he slammed the hilt of his blade into Castiel's ribs, knocking him to the side with a grunt of pain. Castiel scrambled to his feet at the same time Zachariah did, effecting a fighting stance, his blade held at the ready. Zachariah, seeming to tire of the fight, lunged forward. Castiel got a slice in, cutting deep into Zachariah's side, before the higher angel grabbed his arm and twisted viciously. Castiel cried out as he felt something twang. His blade fell out of his nerveless fingers and Zachariah kicked at his knee. The joint cracked and Castiel screamed as he collapsed, pain radiating up his leg. Zachariah knelt and grabbed his rumpled tie, using it to haul him up close to his face as he readied his blade to stab down at Castiel.

"You've been a thorn in my side for too long, Castiel," Zachariah growled. "It's finally time you to cut you out."

Castiel grabbed his hand with his good one, desperate, but knowing there was nothing much he could do. This was it. Dean would be taken to Michael and it was all his fault. He had failed the one cause he had left.

"Cas!" he heard Dean's soft cry and hoped his friend wouldn't try anything stupid.

"That's right," Zachariah smirked. "'Cas' isn't going to be able to protect you anymore."

"This isn't over, Zachariah," Castiel gritted out.

The higher angel chuckled cruelly. "For you it is." He readied his blade and started to bring it down toward Castiel's throat.

Gabriel reached down for Sam and hauled him to his feet. "Get out of here, kid," he said calmly.

Sam sent a stupid look his way, wrinkling that big dumb forehead of his, but Gabriel glared at him. "Now."

Sam finally got the sense to stagger out of Lucifer's reach even if he still didn't run away to Cas and Dean for some reason. But Gabriel figured that was all he could ask for so he took it. Hopefully Sam would have the common sense to haul ass when the actual fighting started.

"Little brother," Lucifer said to Gabriel, a small smile on his lips as he looked him up and down. "You look…well, as well as can be expected for slumming with the pagans." His face scrunched up in distaste. "I hope you didn't catch anything."

"And you look…what is that, leprosy? Or is your vessel just corroding from disgust?" Gabriel quipped back.

Lucifer let out a chuckle. "Oh Gabriel, always joking. You know, I actually kind of missed that."

Gabriel smiled. "Well, I'm afraid joking is off the table today. I came to talk." He spread his arms. "I mean, what the hell, Luci? You think all of this is going to prove anything in the long run? I'm sorry you feel wronged and all, but what are you gonna do about it? Chain yourself to a tree?"

Lucifer shook his head, taking several steps closer to Gabriel. "You never could take anything seriously. You never understood either."

"Oh, I understood," Gabriel snapped. "How could I not? You were angry that Dad paid more attention to the humans than us; angry at Michael, who you always thought was on your side, for taking Dad's and then you decided to throw a fit. Am I missing anything?"

Lucifer's eyes narrowed. "You make it sound so petty."

Gabriel laughed. "Uh, yeah, because it is."

"No," Lucifer snarled. "The humans are nothing, they are weak, filthy creatures. We are their superiors and yet we were supposed to bow to them? How can you not see where I am coming from, Gabriel?" He stepped forward and Gabriel flinched slightly as Lucifer reached out to grip his shoulder tightly. "Join me, Gabriel. Like in the old days. We can fight this together. Michael will have no chance against the both of us."

Gabriel shook his head with a smirk. "Pass."

"Are you with Michael, then?" Lucifer growled. "Is that it, little brother? Because I never would have expected that."

Gabriel's eyebrows shot up. "That loser? No way. I kinda got stuck with those losers," he motioned to Sam still standing to one side. "Because I actually stand with the humans, Lucifer. You gonna kill me for that?"

Lucifer was silent, and Gabriel actually felt a worm of fear eek through his chest, but then he heard distant shouting, and Lucifer was distracted long enough to turn around. Gabriel slipped a hand into his jacket, for his blade as he heard Lucifer growl.

"That little piece of filth," Lucifer growled.

"Gabriel," Sam gasped out, and Gabriel glanced over to where Lucifer was looking and saw where Castiel and Dean were hiding out further along the mountain top, but there was another figure there, and Gabriel instantly recognized him.

"That bastard," he said under his breath as he saw Zachariah smash a blade into Castiel's face. Anger surged through him, but he knew he had to keep Lucifer from going over there or Cas and Dean were both dead.

Decided, he pulled his angel blade from his coat and was about to stab it into Lucifer's back before he could think any more of it, when his brother turned around, palm glowing, and hit Gabriel directly in the chest with a ball of power.

Gabriel was thrown backwards, skidding over rocks and brush before he was stopped by a boulder. His blade had been torn from his grip, and pain sang through his body as Lucifer strode over to him, looking down balefully.

"Really, Gabriel? You try to kill me?" he demanded. "As if you could. You really have fallen, haven't you?"

Then he strode off toward the others.

Suddenly Sam was at Gabriel's side, gripping his shoulder and trying to haul him up. "Gabriel, come on, get up!" he pleaded. "We have to go stop him! He'll kill them all!"

Gabriel groaned and forced himself up against the rock with Sam's help. The sasquatch practically lifted him to his feet, and Gabriel staggered for a minute before he got his footing again and slapped Sam's giant hands away.

"Hands off the merchandize, kid," he snapped and bent to retrieve his blade. "Let's go save our brothers."

"I've been waiting a long time for this."

Castiel refused to close his eyes to meet his end. He met Zachariah's instead and saw some annoyance there that Castiel was obviously still defiant, but it didn't stop the other angel. Nothing was going to stop him…

Until a shadow appeared suddenly over him, accompanied by an angel blade popping out of his throat. Castiel jumped in shock as Zachariah gagged and then blinding light flared from his eyes as his grace exploded. Castiel did close his eyes then, and as the light faded, he felt Zachariah's weight collapse on top of him, causing a jolt of pain to stab through his body, but also relief.

The weight was suddenly lifted and he opened his eyes, expecting to see Gabriel, or even Sam standing there, but froze in horror as he saw who it really was.

"Castiel," the growl that came from Lucifer's throat as he stared down at him made Castiel go cold inside. "I told you not to take my things."

He cried out as Lucifer reached down and snagged the front of his shirt, hauling him to his feet and forcing Castiel's weight onto his injured leg. Lucifer had him by the throat now, his angel blade teasing at the top button of Castiel's shirt as pure hatred burned in the fallen archangel's red eyes.

"Oh, I will make you hurt for that," he snarled.

"I don't think so dickwad."

Lucifer turned at the voice and Gabriel lifted a hand, flinging a ball of energy toward Lucifer. It hit the older archangel on the underside of his chin and flung him backwards, head over heels to slam into the dirt. Castiel staggered as Lucifer's grip was ripped away from him and Gabriel caught the lesser angel as he collapsed.

"Gabriel," he choked out, clutching at his brother to stay upright.

"Told you I wouldn't let him touch you, little bro. Or…well, not too much anyway." Gabriel looked a little worse for wear, the front of his shirt was singed, but he had kept his promise. Castiel felt a surge of emotion wash through him.

But Lucifer was stirring, a groan ending in a growl coming from him. Castiel knew he would be back on his feet before long. Gabriel carefully infused a little healing grace into Castiel. It wasn't much, but it was enough to dull most of his pain and allow him to stand on his injured leg. "Get them out of here, kiddo."

"Gabriel, no, let's all go," Castiel pleaded, grabbing his sleeve.

Gabriel shook his head, a devil-may-care grin on his face. "Nah. I'm more of a loner anyway."

"Dean!"

Castiel turned to see Sam running up and falling to his knees beside his brother's crumpled form, taking his face between his hands. Dean's eyes opened and he forced a smile as he saw Sam but he was in pain and fading fast. Sam's eyes were filled with tears of relief mixed with worry to see Dean in such a state and Castiel turned back to Gabriel with a sudden sincerity.

"Promise me you'll come back," he demanded. "Promise this time."

Gabriel just smiled at him a bit sadly and Castiel's stomach clenched. Gabriel nodded toward the Winchesters. "They're your family now, Cas. Your brothers. Go with them."

"You're my brother," Castiel said desperately, gripping Gabriel's sleeve. Lucifer was regaining his feet, growling in rage and Castiel was getting more and more desperate.

Gabriel gently pried his fingers off of his coat. "Go, Cassie. I'll be fine."

"Gabriel!" Castiel pleaded, but Gabriel had shrugged him off and was already standing his ground, arms open, waiting for Lucifer to steady himself.

"Well, bro? You wanted to chat? Let's chat!"

Lucifer surged forward with no warning, taking Gabriel to the ground, rolling around. Castiel hurriedly stepped out of the way, and joined Sam and Dean, wincing at the bruises from his fight with Zachariah.

"Cas," Sam said, eyes wide, as his hands rested on Dean's shuddering frame. "He's really bad off."

Castiel moved across from Sam, resting a hand on the top of Dean's head. His hair was soaked in sweat but his skin was still too cold.

"S'mmy," Dean murmured, then coughed, blood spattering his lips. Sam gripped his hand and placed his other on the side of Dean's neck.

"Hold on, Dean, don't try to talk," he pleaded, unable to stop a tear from sliding down his cheek as he looked up at Castiel hopelessly. "What can we do for him?"

Castiel swiftly checked Dean's battered stomach again, knowing that Zachariah had only worsened the internal damage, and the dark red splotches of bruising told their own story. Castiel swallowed hard as he pulled his trench coat over Dean again. Why couldn't he heal Dean? What good was he if he couldn't even look after the humans under his charge, his family?

"Ideally I should get you out here, but I don't know whether flying is a good idea with my failing energy and Dean's internal injuries," Castiel said, sick to his stomach with the realization. "It…It could possibly make it worse and he's in a delicate position as it is."

Sam closed his eyes and squeezed Dean's unresponsive hand harder. "Gabriel can heal him."

"If he lives," Castiel whispered and cast a glance over at his older brother, currently locked in a desperate fight with Lucifer. Castiel didn't think he had ever felt so helpless. He simply put his hand on Dean's shoulder and kept vigil over his human family as he watched his heavenly one fight to the death.

Gabriel just barely dodged a swipe that would have gutted him and kicked out at Lucifer in return. His big brother caught the blow on his shin and punched Gabriel in the face instead. Gabriel staggered back, blood dripping from his nose, taking a moment's breather as Lucifer shook his head.

"You have gotten rusty. All that vacation time did not do you good, little brother."

"You're one to talk," Gabriel countered, and stabbed quickly toward Lucifer's shoulder, only to have his blow parried and have to block another blow himself. "You have been in the Cage for millennia. Surprised you're not flabby."

"What can I say? I had a purpose. That's more than you ever had, Gabriel." Lucifer struck again and grazed him across the ribs. Gabriel hissed and darted backwards, his blade held out as he and Lucifer circled each other again.

Gabriel shook his head. "Lucifer, you're my brother and I love you," he said. "But you are a great big bag of dicks."

Lucifer's brow furrowed. "What did you say to me?"

"Look at you," Gabriel said, licking his lips as he waited for the next attack. "Boo-hoo. Daddy was mean to me, so I'm gonna smash up all his toys."

"Watch your tone," Lucifer said coldly, advancing again.

Gabriel took several steps backwards. He had to sell this, get Lucifer where he needed him and the best thing he had to do it with was the truth he had been keeping inside for a long time. It was just too bad if Lucifer didn't like what he had to say. "Play the victim all you want. But you and me? We know the truth. Dad loved you best. More than Michael. More than me. Then he brought the new baby home, and you couldn't handle it." Lucifer took a more determined step as Gabriel continued to retreat. "All of this is just a great big temper tantrum," he added. "Time to grow up."

Lucifer growled and lunged at him. Their blades clashed, and sparks flew off of them. They traded several blows, before Lucifer punched Gabriel in the ribs and sent him staggering back a few steps.

"Gabriel," Lucifer said, shaking his head, holding his arms out. "If you're doing this for Michael—"

"Screw him," Gabriel scoffed, straightening up. "If he were standing here, I'd shiv his ass too."

Lucifer smiled without humor. "Oh, you disloyal—"

"Oh, I'm loyal," Gabriel informed him firmly, holding himself ready for the next assault. "To them. To people." He looked over to where Castiel and the Winchesters crouched, broken, bleeding and human. They had already given more to this fight than Gabriel ever had. It was only fitting that he should help them survive it.

"So you're willing to die for a pile of cockroaches?" Lucifer inquired incredulously as he lunged forward again and clashed blades as Gabriel danced around him. "Why?"

"Because Dad was right," Gabriel gritted out as he made a backhanded sweep with his blade and caught Lucifer across his corroding cheek. He actually thought it improved the leprosy look he was going for. "They are better than us."

Lucifer's eyes filled with rage and disbelief. "They are broken, flawed abortions!" He struck again, but Gabriel caught his wrist as Lucifer countered his blow the same way.

"Damn right they're flawed," Gabriel said almost proudly. "But a lot of them try to do better. To forgive—And you should see the Spearmint Rhino." Lucifer sneered and threw him backwards. Gabriel staggered but kept his feet, shaking his head. "I've been riding the pine a long time, but I'm in the game now. And I'm not on your side, or Michael's." He smiled, no sarcasm, just a genuine smile. "I'm on theirs."

Lucifer shook his head in derision, sweeping his bade toward Gabriel and catching him across the arm. Gabriel faltered, and allowed Lucifer to get close enough to grab him by the front of his shirt. He braced himself for the pain to come, but Lucifer hesitated.

"Brother, don't make me do this," Lucifer said quietly, his blade at the ready.

Gabriel shook his head. "No one makes us do anything," he said truthfully. He was almost there. He almost had Lucifer in the right position. Just another second…

"I know you think you're doing the right thing, Gabriel," Lucifer said, his eyes looking so sincere that for a moment Gabriel almost thought he had his old brother back—before Lucifer had gone insane and power hungry and bent on destroying the world. Something deep inside of him wanted to break, but he couldn't allow it to. Not yet. A soft, almost apologetic smile spread over Lucifer's features. "But I know where your heart truly lies."

Gabriel was almost ready to strike. It was now or never.

But before he could, Lucifer's eyes darkened again, and he spun around toward the real Gabriel, standing on the edge of the cliff, blade raised above his head, ready to strike. Damn. The ruse hadn't worked as planned.

Lucifer's blade buried itself into Gabriel's chest.

"Right here," the older archangel said.

Gabriel cried out, pain and shock ripping through him. His decoy disappeared as his power faded, unable to keep it up anymore. He tried to get his blade up, but Lucifer caught his wrist, directing the blade deep into his thigh instead of his chest. Painful, but not a mortal wound. Gabriel had failed.

He almost fell, but Lucifer reached out to grip the back of his head, keeping him upright. Gabriel reached out to grip Lucifer's shoulder, digging his fingers into his shirt.

Gabriel looked up at him, speechless. Of course he had known this was a possibility, but the fact that Lucifer had actually stabbed him…it hurt in more ways than one.

"Amateur hocus pocus," Lucifer said, shaking his head in disappointment. "Don't forget, you learned all your tricks from me. Little brother."

Gabriel swallowed the blood that was bubbling up in his throat and shook his head once. "Not all of them," he gritted out.

Lucifer's eyes narrowed and he cocked his head questioningly but it was too late. Gabriel reached for his own blade, still stuck in Lucifer's thigh and twisted. The fallen archangel screamed.

Gabriel smirked at his brother triumphantly. "I am the Trickster, and I just don't die that easy." Then he grabbed the front of Lucifer's shirt and yanked him with him as he stepped backwards off the side of the cliff.

Well…look on the bright side. This is the last cliff hanger of the story ;-P