A/N: Here we are, at the end. I have loved writing this and I hope you guys liked reading it. Thanks.

Epilogue:

A Day of Perfect Peace

"There is no real ending. It's just the place where you stop the story."

― Frank Herbert

Dean opened his eyes slowly, his head felt tender and heavy, the way it does after you've slept too long. It took a moment for his vision to clear and he looked up at the ceiling, wondering where he was, or what had happened for that matter. He cast his mind back as far as it would go, but his mind had not yet shaken all its cobwebs off. The last thing he remembered was Cas, Cas was gone. Dean shot up in bed, or he tried to, but a jolt of pain through his midsection stopped him. He groaned his discomfort and lay back down. A moment later he heard footsteps outside the door. Castiel opened the door and saw him, relief and joy plain in his features.

"Dean!" he cried happily and launched himself across the room. He hugged Dean gently, mindful of his wounds and Dean held him as tightly as he could, liable to never let him go. They parted a moment later.

"Cas?" Dean asked, the panic in his chest eased. "Yer alive, thank God."

"Course I am." Castiel said with a smile.

"What happened?" Dean asked. "I don't really remember."

"Lucifer and the gang found me at the ranch and they took me." Replied Castiel. "You found me."

"Did I git shot?"

"Twice, Michael and Lucifer both." Said Castiel somberly. "I thought Lucifer killed you. Dean I was so scared, I thought I'd lost you."

"I ain't goin' nowhere." Dean taking Castiel's hand.

"I love you." Castiel said.

"I love you too, Cas."

Castiel leaned down and kissed Dean softly, as if he were afraid he'd break him. Dean wrapped his arms around him, pulling him close. Having Castiel here in his arms like this, made all the pain and worry drain from him. This was all he needed, for the rest of his life. They parted and there was silence for a moment before something occurred to Dean.

"There was somethin' else though," he said. "Weren't there another feller?"

"Gabriel, he got hurt too, but he's alright. He's staying with us at the ranch, I hope you don't mind."

"If memory serves me right. He helped me save ya." Dean said, memories slowly beginning to trickle into the forefront of his consciousness. "He kin stay as long as he likes. Sides, we're gonna need all the help we kin git on that farm."

"I'm sure he'll be happy to hear that."

Dean heard another set of footsteps outside the door, their voices having travelled to the other room. Bobby stepped through the open doorway a moment later, followed by Sam. Dean felt his spirits lift further than he thought they could and his face broke out in a radiant smile.

"Sammy!" he said happily.

"When'd you git here?" he asked.

"Bobby wrote me as soon as ya took off." Sam said.

"That's a week's journey." Dean said puzzled. "How long I been out?"

"A while." Bobby replied. "Thought ya weren't gonna make a few times, got a touch o' fever from the wound, but hell kid youse as tough as yer Pa."

Dean laughed. "I dunno bout that." He said.

"How bout we try'n git ya outta this bed fer a while." Bobby said. "Sit ya on the porch, sun'll do ya good."

"I like the sound o' that." Replied Dean. "And hell, I could use a drink."

They chuckled as Bobby left the room and returned a moment later with a rickety wooden wheelchair. Dean scoffed when he saw it.

"That really necessary?" he asked.

"Damn right." Bobby said. "You ain't walkin' nowhere fer another week at least."

"What?"

"You should listen to him." Castiel said, giving Dean's hand a pat. "He knows what he's talking about, he's the reason you're alive."

"A week though?"

"It'll be fine, I'll be here the whole time."

"Well good." Replied Dean slightly mollified.

Sam and Castiel helped Dean out of bed and into the chair and Castiel proceeded to wheel him out onto the porch. The sun was high in the sky and Dean could smell honeysuckle on the air. Sam and Castiel sat themselves in the porch rockers on either side of Dean.

"So." Dean began. "How the hell did we git outta that mine anyway?"

"Gabriel heard the shot. He found us and helped me get you into a mine cart and we wheeled you out of there." Castiel said. "It wasn't easy getting you on a horse mind you, but it was the only way we could get to Deadwood fast enough."

"Well, how did we git here then?"

"We moved you here in a wagon, soon as you were strong enough. Bobby said he could take better care of you than those hacks and he was right."

"How's Gabriel?"

"He's good." Castiel said. "He hasn't said much, I think it's strange for him to be out of the gang. I don't think it's really sunk in that it's over."

"Ya know," Sam began. "I cain't believe after all that time we spent huntin' those sons o' bitches, ya turn up an kill em all yerself."

"What kin I say Sammy, I'm a legend o' the west."

"Don't encourage him." Castiel said. "He's had enough danger."

"If I didn't love ya so much, I'd take offense ta that." Dean said, affronted.

"Well, if I didn't love you so much I wouldn't be saying it."

Dean chuckled and leaned over for a small kiss, despite Sam's presence.

"Eugh." Sam said. "I don't wanna have ta see my big brother doin' that, cut it out."

"Sorry Sammy." Dean apologized. "How's California anyway?"

"It's great." Sam said, glad to change the subject. "School's goin' good an me an Jess, well…"

"What?"

"We're gettin'; married."

"That's great Sammy." Dean said thrilled. "Please tell me I'll be fit ta travel by then."

"Are you kiddin'? I wouldn't let ya miss it."

Dean sighed and adopted his most paternal look. "I kin tell ya all about married life, son."

"What?" Sam asked with a laugh.

Dean looked at Castiel, who still wore his little straw ring and they shared a smile. He looked down at his own and then back at his brother.

"It's a commitment not to be taken lightly, young man." He said.

"Geez, even Pa never sounded like that."

Dean laughed as Bobby stepped out onto the porch with a tray loaded with sandwiches. He dropped his wares onto a table before Dean.

"Figured ya'd be hungry, ain't had solid food in a while."

Upon seeing the food Dean's stomach gave an almighty growl as if to prove Bobby's point. He grabbed a sandwich and tucked in.

"Thanks Bobby." Through a mouthful of food.

"Don't mention it." Replied Bobby. "An if ya ever scare me like that again, I'll kill ya myself. Ya idjit."

"Good to know."

"Don't worry about him, you'll have me to deal with." Castiel warned.

"And me." Sam chimed in.

"Now ya'll are threatenin' me into not dyin'?"

"Yep." Bobby said. "Now eat up. Oh, by the by, I got a letter from Jess fer ya Sam."

Sam looked up excitedly. "Really?" he asked.

"Sure, came in this mornin'."

"I'll be back in a while." Sam said giving Dean's shoulder a light squeeze. "Damn, I'm glad yer alright." He said and was gone.

Dean and Castiel were left alone on the porch. Dean looked at himself in his wheelchair and Castiel rocking languidly in his chair and had to laugh.

"What's so funny?" Castiel asked.

"I'm havin' visions o' the future." He said. "You an me, old men jus sittin' on the porch."

"Watching the sun set, maybe have some iced tea." Castiel added with a smile.

"The smell o' lilacs in the air." Said Dean, returning his smile.

"That doesn't sound too bad." Castiel noted, reaching over and taking Dean's hand.

Dean gave his hand a little squeeze, looking into those soft blues eyes that he loved so much.

"No it don't."