Sam remembers Dean's reaction when he learned that his little brother prayed at night. Yes, Sam had faith. He believed in heaven and angels that were good and protective.

Sam still had faith. But, not in that heaven or those angels. His faith was in the real world, now. He believed in himself and his brother and what they could do. But, he did hold on to his faith in one angel, at least.

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"Cas, how did you know?"

"I did not know. But, I would not leave my friend."

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Cas tightened his grip on Dean's arm. He was no longer concerned if he were discovered. The atmosphere in the room was changing. Cas' grip grew stronger as he felt a heat rise from Dean's skin.

Cas felt the Mark moving under his fingers; still he refused to let go. He would not leave Dean alone no matter what the end result. He had promised.

After witnessing what had happened to Cain, Cas would do whatever was necessary to keep Dean with him.

When the last of the lights had flickered out ,Cas watched as Dean spasmed and after one quick breath , collapsed. Still unsure of what might come next, Cas decided to take Dean from the barn and return him home to his family.

Whether or not he would recover was yet to be seen.

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Dean awakened in his own bed, with no idea how he got there. Cas must have come back for him, he thought. But, Dean knew he wasn't in heaven. He should be dead, he carried the Mark and they should both be dead.

He sat up and placed his left hand on his right arm. He could feel the raised pattern on his skin, through his shirtsleeve. He thought again of the poem 'EROICA'. Maybe they had misinterpreted the meaning. Maybe there was no way out. Would this never end.?

Dean absently rubbed his hand along his arm. He realized that the pattern on his skin felt different.

Dean yanked up his shirtsleeve and looked at his arm. He saw not Cain's Mark but four cylinder shaped scars like fingers burned into his flesh.