You have just moments, I am shielding your true thoughts from Lucifer and your movements. He cannot see or hear you.

So you're really still here, Cas?

Yes, now GO!

Dean was sent into motion without even honestly meaning to move in the first place. He started toward Sam, ignoring Lucifer's raving about how he was going to make him into a perfect soldier. There was one target and one target only.

Sam Winchester, his last hope.

Sam's eyes immediately found his and the younger brother's frown deepened. His eyes shone confusion and Dean shook his head and put his finger to his lips in a "shhh" manner. Every step felt like an eternity in his mind. One step took him one step closer to the end. The end of what, he wondered. Would this be the end of the Apocalypse or just his own suffering? The most he could hope for was Sam's peace. He would go to Hell if that meant that Sam went to Heaven. There was nothing that Dean hoped for more, however, than to meet his mother, father, grandfather, grandmother, and brother in Heaven. That would be the ultimate ending, but somehow he doubted that that would happen.

There was never a happy ending for Dean Winchester.

Cas, can he hear us?

No, but you don't have long.

"Sammy," Dean swallowed once he stood in front of his brother, "I'm sorry, I really am. You told me when you first took me that you wanted me to be proud of you and I am. I always have been. You know that, right?"

"Yeah, I was just mad," Sam looked down momentarily, "Lucifer's anger was consuming me. I'm sorry for what I've said. . .and what I've done."

"I know, I forgive you."

Sam gave him the faintest hint of a smile and shifted on his feet, "What happens now? How are you able to talk to me?"

"Cas is taking care of it," Dean murmured, mentally preparing him for the moments to come, "He's still here."

"Oh, that's good, I guess."

"Yeah."

What happened to last moments not being socially awkward? Dean sighed mentally. Then he caught glimpse of the knife on Sam's belt, partially hidden by his coat. This was it.

"Sammy. . ." Dean couldn't find the words he wanted to say. His eyes filled with unshed tears as the moment he always knew would happen came to bear on them.

"Dean?" Sam asked with innocent confusion.

Dean nearly choked at that. He had to do it NOW!

"I'm so sorry!" Dean's arm shot out, his hand diving for Sam's belt. His fist gripped the hilt of the dagger that had slayed so many demons in the past. Now it would vanquish one more. The cold blade rubbed against his finger and Dean whipped his arm back and then around to connect blade to Sam's neck. In midair his hand was frozen. Sam was also frozen with the blade centimeters from his throat, terror in his eyes. Dean struggled to move his hand, wrist, anything, but it was useless. He was immobile.

Suddenly, Sam cried out and his eyes turned scarlet once more. He whimpered in pain as Lucifer's voice echoed throughout the chamber.

DEAN WINCHESTER, DARE YOU DEFY ME?!

Dean kept struggling to drive the knife into his brother, but was met with the same results. His desperation intensified as he heard Sam began to moan repetitively, "Make it stop, make it stop, make it stop, make it stop--"

Cas! Cas, where are you? What happened?

YOUR PRECIOUS GUARDIAN ANGEL IS NO MORE, DESTROYED IN THE ATTEMPT TO CHALLENGE THE DARK LORD.

"MAKE IT STOP!" Sam began screaming at the top of his lungs as Lucifer's voice grew to a deafening cackle, "DEAN, PLEASE!"

But Dean didn't know what else to do.