Disclaimer: I don't own the supernatural characters.

Warnings: Harsh language, violence, some physical violence but nothing too graphic, thoughts of self-incrimination.

Author's Note: Not quite sure where this one came from. Not even sure if I like it or not but … it is set just after The Darkness is released. I have no knowledge of spells or how to perform them, so I have just used my imagination.

I apologize for the lateness of this chapter. If there is anyone still out there who is interested in this … here it is, just for you, the FINAL CHAPTER!

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time out to read this story of mine, it means a lot. And thank you all for your understanding and patience. This chapter just did not want to be written … but I persevered through the writer's block, and eventually got through it.

Hope this is a satisfactory ending for all of you.

On a different note, the inspiration for this story was inspired by Streets of Philadelphia by AlxM. I wanted to do a time travel type of story in the present … and this was the outcome. If you get a chance, you should check out that story, it is amazing.

Anyway, enough rambling from me. Hope you all enjoy this final chapter of Unforgiven Remedy.

UNFORGIVEN REMEDY

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

"No, I didn't." John denied loudly, shocked that one of his sons would think that he would ever be capable of doing something like this … especially to one of his own.

"I wouldn't. I couldn't ever do something like this to Sammy. Not ever." John's voice shook slightly, pleading with Dean to believe him. "I swear to you, I did not do this Dean."

"I know." Dean agreed simply, gently.

John breathed a sigh of relief at Dean's words, now feeling more confident than he had before because Dean believed him.

"You could never do something this horrific or cruel to Sammy. But the you of this world could." Dean announced in an eerily, calm, controlled voice.

"What?" John gasped, too shocked to think of a more eloquent response.

"I told you how the you of this world was trying to beat the evil out of Sam." Dean gently explained. "Well this –" Dean swept his hand up and down Sam's back. "Most of this was caused the last time you whipped Sam before the me of this world found out and got Sam as far away from you as humanely possible."

John's eyes widened, sickened to think that his hands were responsible for creating such horrendous wounds upon his youngest son's back. Even though, technically, it wasn't him who had done this to Sam, John couldn't help the overwhelming guilt that surrounded him and the sadness within his heart that even a look-a-like fictional version of himself could have caused his own son such intense and psychological pain.

And it wasn't until now, seeing the handy work that his … double had bestowed upon his boy, that John finally began to understand Dean's anger at this whole situation and why he was so upset.

"This scar right here," Dean shifted Sam's body slightly to the right and pointed out three particularly large and vivid claw marks just above Sam's right hip, and John could tell by the jagged and gapping scars that those wounds had been deep. Scarily deep.

John raised his eyebrows questioningly to Dean, wanting to know how or what had done that to his baby boy.

"Werewolf," Dean answered his father's unasked question. "The one out in Ohio, remember? Sam hadn't been there because he'd been at Stanford at the time. But in this reality Sam never went to Stanford; so most of these are from hunts Sam never should have been on."

Dean watched as slow realization began to enter John's dark eyes, John too speechless to say anything, too overwhelmed by the shredded mess of his son's back.

"And this," Dean added, pushing down his own shirt and revealing the scar of the bullet wound. "Was caused by the you of this world. You tried to shoot Sammy but I got in the way instead." Dean paused as he watched his father's eyes grow impossibly wider, looking from Sam to Dean in a desperate, pleading, helpless kind of way because now John could see, first hand, the direct result his impulsive actions had caused.

"Okay Sammy, you can put your shirt back on." Dean said, waiting until Sam had put his shirt on before he spoke once more. "Now do you understand why I got so pissed at you when you said this wasn't real and you not realizing how dangerous this whole stunt was?"

John nodded slowly, too dumbfounded to speak right now, his large dark eyes filling with unshed tears as he turned his gaze upon Sam, pleading for his boys to forgive him.

"I – I didn't realize Sammy," John said, his tone impossibly low and soft, fill of remorse, regret and guilt. "I thought …" John took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I didn't think it would be this real." He whispered in a lame attempt to justify his actions. "I only wanted to help."

"We know that Dad," Dean soothed his distraught father, not used to seeing the proud and stubborn elder Winchester looking so vulnerable and lost. And as much as Dean wished he could stop hurting his father, because it looked as if finally, John understood why this had caused such distress for the Winchester siblings, Dean knew that he had to push on … just a little bit more so that their father completely understood the full gravity of the situation that had unfolded here today and would hopefully deter John from ever performing such a stupid stunt ever again.

"We didn't know this wasn't real Dad. As far as I knew, my kid brother was trapped in some weirdo-bizzaro world where every decision he made would turn out bad because I thought he was trapped in a curse that was slowly killing him.

Seeing everyone Sam loved turn against him and me not being able to be here with him, to help him, was killing me." Dean stressed, letting down his shield so that his Dad could see how hurt and scared Dean had really been throughout this whole experience.

"It's okay Dean," Sam instantly tried to soothe his older brother, wanting nothing more than to take away the stark terror and hurt he could hear within his brother's voice. "I'm right here Dean and I'm not going anywhere." Sam promised, hoping to ease the fear from Dean's deep green eyes.

"Yeah, I know Sammy," Dean offered his brother a shaky, trembling, grateful smile before he turned his attention back to their father. "But as bad as that was, and as frustrated as I felt at not being by my brother's side, as Sam's body got colder and colder, knowing that he was dying and there wasn't anything that I could do about it …

The absolute worst thing about this whole thing was seeing Sam in this world, being persuaded and tempted by Bobby – of all people – to put a loaded gun in his mouth and pull the trigger because ending his own life was the only way that Sam could truly save me.

And you want to know what the kicker is Dad? Sam was so low, had been convinced that his mere existence was what had caused our family to experience all of the bad luck over the years, that Sam had seriously considered doing just that.

He was going to put a God damned loaded gun in his mouth and blow his damn brains out. And I wasn't here to stop him. I couldn't reach him in this fucked up place, couldn't kick my stupid little brother's ass for even thinking that killing himself was ever an option.

Do you know how scared I was Dad? I believed that Sammy's life was in danger and I couldn't get to him. I was terrified. Only to find out that this had been nothing more than an elaborate scheme cooked up by an arch-angel with a warped sense of humour and my very own flesh and blood father.

You should have been helping us Dad, not becoming some accomplice in Gabriel's fucked up plan. You should have stopped it before Sammy decided that blowing his brains out would be a good idea; before you just sat here, justifying your actions by telling us that this was for our own good and we needed to be taught a lesson.

What did it matter anyway if we got hurt here because none of this was real, right? But it was real for us Dad. It was real for me. And you did nothing to – "

"But I did help Dean," John interjected quietly, not being able to handle seeing his oldest son's pain any longer because he did understand how stupid and naïve his actions had been, not completely understanding the repercussions of his actions, not to mention the lasting and damning effects this would have upon his sons for years to come.

"I was the one who brought you into this world to be by your brother. I did help you Dean. You asked to be brought here and I brought you here." John announced, pleased and proud with himself, hoping that all would be forgiven now because John had brought Dean here – to this world – in time for Dean to save Sam's life. Shouldn't everything be forgiven and forgotten now?

Dean blinked, several times in rapid succession, trying to comprehend his Dad's words before he angrily shook his head, bitterly disappointed in his Dad once more.

"So, what?" Dean demanded, the hurt and betrayal easily detected within his tone. "Because you helped to get me here, does that mean that everything you did here today is automatically erased?"

"Well, not completely," John muttered under his breath. "But maybe a little." He added hopefully.

"You are un-fucking-believable, you know that?" Dean scoffed at the blank, confused look upon his Dad's face. "I pour my heart out to you like some hormonal teenage girl and you still don't understand why I am so pissed." Dean exploded, anger once again replacing his desperation.

"No Dean, I get it. I do." John insisted, his dark eyes suddenly deadly serious and fill of remorse and regret. "I understand that I overstepped the line. I got blind-sided by the end result that I failed to see what all of this was doing to you boys. And for that … I am truly sorry."

Dean shared a stunned, disbelieving look with Sam at John's humble tone, his lowered head indicating his deep remorse and guilt over the events that had occurred here today.

Even though this is what Dean had been fighting and arguing with his father to understand ever since he had learned that this whole thing had been nothing more than an elaborate hoax, Dean didn't feel immense relief or gratified satisfaction in his father's admittance to the back lash and repercussions his neglectful and thoughtless actions had had upon his boys.

No, Dean felt empty and hallowed out. Because in order to make his father see and understand, Dean had completely broken the once proud and stubborn Winchester. And Dean could never find any satisfaction in that.

A tense, awkward silence surrounded the three Winchester men at John's heartfelt apology. It was clear to both brothers that John had finally recognized the part he had played in this vicious, cruel game that Gabriel had fashioned for them because John had failed to see the consequences of his actions.

He had wanted to help his boys – and quite possibly he had; only time would tell for sure if this experience would bring the siblings closer together – settle their differences and become brothers once more. But, as usual, John had failed to see that his actions had only caused his sons more pain.

Now that John had seen the physical evidence of what his actions had caused to his boys, he finally understood why Dean had been so angry with him. John did rush into things blindly sometimes, but he had never intentionally wanted to hurt anyone.

He had just wanted to save innocent people's lives, kill the evil beings that lurked in the darkness, protect his boys as best he could until he made that yellow-eyed son of a bitch pay for killing his beloved wife, leaving his children motherless.

John thought he knew best. He'd strived to reach those end goals as quickly as he could, not even considering that his own actions could sometimes cause more harm than good … not to the innocent lives he was trying to save, but his friends … and his very own sons.

If John could have, he would have to kick himself for all of the times he had left his sons alone and vulnerable; for all of the times his decisions had gotten either of his boys hurt on hunts or … just what the hell had happened to his boys in Phoenix?

Dean's words from earlier kept replaying within John's mind; the way Sam's body had frozen, his eyes widening in shock and horror before a look of absolute terror crossed his younger son's features, losing all colour; while Dean's body shook with rage, his green eyes narrowing with guilt, anger and betrayal before he had regained his composure so that he could be strong for his younger brother.

Something … terrible had happened in Phoenix. Sammy had been hurt somehow – and John hated to think how exactly his youngest had been hurt, because the way both of his sons were acting it obviously hadn't been just a simple fist fight, like John had assumed when he had seen the bruises upon his boys – and Dean felt both guilty at himself and extremely angry at John for failing to return to Sammy when he said he was going to and not turn up two weeks later.

John wished he could question his boys more about Phoenix, but he knew neither one would offer up any more information on the matter. Still, it hurt John to realize that his boys had had to go through something that obviously still caused them such tremendous pain by themselves.

Why neither Dean nor Sam thought they couldn't tell John what had happened was a complete mystery to John. John had seen his boys get hurt before; and save for a few faded bruises his sons had, they had seemed less hurt than what they would have had they been on a hunt gone wrong.

What could be so bad that neither of his boys had told him the truth all of those years ago and had still kept that secret to this day?

John's imagination was going over time, thinking of all of the different scenarios that would make these two proud, strong men act the way they had as soon as Dean had mentioned that town's name. And none of those scenarios were good. All of them had John screaming for someone's blood, because how dare anyone think that they could ever hurt his boys?!

The only reason John could think of why Dean and Sam had stayed silent about this for all of these years was because they knew John would be pissed and would be angry enough to do something so drastic – like killing or torturing – or they thought the truth would cause John to see them differently.

Were they trying to shield and protect him … or were they scared and too ashamed to tell him?

John hoped it was because they were trying to protect him and not because they were scared.

John shook his head and deliberately pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind, knowing that if Dean said it was handled, then it was handled and whether John knew the truth or not would make no difference to the outcome that had already befallen them/him/her. John fervently hoped that Dean had made them/him/her suffer before he … handled it.

John had made a lot of mistakes, he knew that, but this one, right here, helping Gabriel and putting his boys through hell, had to be one of his worst mistakes yet.

And he honestly had no idea on how he could possibly make this right with them. No amount of words could smooth this over. All John could do, was to stand there, helplessly and wait for his boys retaliation.

Dean looked upon his father's subdued, meek posture and body language, realizing that he had done something that no one else before him had managed to do.

He had brought the once proud, stubborn, arrogant John Winchester down to his knees and broken him in a way that all of those evil sons of bitches John had beaten over the years, had only ever dreamed about.

And something about that thought, that knowledge, made Dean feel sick to his stomach. He immediately wanted to take back his words, wrap his arms around his father and plead for forgiveness for what he had done, for what he had said to have reduced the almighty John Winchester down to this pathetically weak and humbled man.

This man standing before him now, hands clenching and unclenching at his sides, chewing upon his bottom lip indecisively, head hanging in shame, was not the same man that Dean had admired and looked up to when he was a child.

Dean took a step forward, opening his mouth to take it all back, admit that he was in the wrong, if only he could bring back the strong, stubborn, proud man that Dean knew his father to be; but one look at Sam standing beside him, looking almost as lost as Dean felt, stopped Dean dead in his tracks.

Dean had done this for Sammy. Dad had unintentionally hurt his little brother with this cruel lie, had almost broken Sam completely by manipulating him and using Sam's own emotions and guilt against him. And Dean suddenly realized that he couldn't take it back.

This time John Winchester needed to learn a lesson. And no matter how bad John felt or how broken he seemed, Dean knew that he couldn't let John off the hook so easily this time. John had gone too far. And it was time that John learned that once and for all.

Dean closed his mouth and stared at his father indifferently, remembering who he was doing this for and why. He had almost lost Sam tonight. And that was something Dean would never forgive. Nobody hurt his little brother and got away with it … not even their Dad had that right.

Dean's resolution and conviction strengthened as he gazed down at John pityingly, feeling Sam's eyes upon him. And as Dean turned to look at his brother, he could see the questions within his little brother's eyes, asking if Dean would put their Dad out of his misery and forgive him.

Dean stubbornly shook his head, indicating to Sam that John would have to earn Dean's forgiveness for what had transpired here today.

Sam's expression softened, understanding why Dean was doing what he was doing, and he appreciated it, but Sam had to do what he thought was best, even if that meant going against his brother's wishes.

Dean snorted softly. Yeah, trust his overgrown, big-hearted kid brother just to forgive what had happened to him here in this world. Just because their Dad had shown an ounce of remorse and humanity for his actions, that was enough of a reason for Sam to forgive and forget. He never liked anyone to suffer – even if they deserved it – and if it was in his power to make it better, then he would.

Unfortunately, Dean couldn't forgive as easily as that. Because he knew the toll this would have on his little brother. He knew that Sam would suffer through nightmares because of this ordeal, be filled with more self-doubt and guilt than before.

So, no.

Dean would not forgive John for this. Or Gabriel, for that matter. But that didn't mean he didn't still respect John Winchester. The man was one of the greatest hunters Dean had ever known.

And he was still his Dad, regardless of his short comings. Plus, this might be the last time that Dean ever saw his father again, so, maybe he could be civil to his father … at least for the moment and for Sam's sake.

Sam wouldn't want to take any action that could be seen as contradicting Dean's own. He would hold his tongue and not try to ease their Dad's misery if it was what Dean wanted. But Dean also knew that Sam needed some sort of closure. And if forgiving Dad was the way that Sam got closure, then so be it.

Dean sighed inwardly, almost tempted to roll his eyes because of course Sam could get Dean to do what he wanted by a simple soulful-pleading-puppy look as Dean inclined his head slightly, giving Sam the go ahead to do what he wanted.

And that dimply smile that Sam shot back at Dean, full of gratitude and admiration, was exactly why Dean did what he could for his brother. If Sam was happy, then Dean was happy. It was as simple as that.

DW SW DW SW DW SW DW SW DW SW DW

After confirming his intentions with Dean, Sam approached their father, hating to see him like this, even though Sam knew John had this coming for a long time.

And out of the two brothers, Sam was the one who should be gloating in his father's misery, because finally John Winchester had admitted he was wrong. And look, the world wasn't coming to an end because the great John Winchester had admitted to a flaw.

Sam should feel vindicated. But, instead, Sam felt bad for his father. And although Sam and John had never completely seen eye to eye and would butt heads almost constantly, Sam was a grown man now and not a hurt, pissed off teenager who had wanted to escape from under his father's strict thumb in order to prove to himself, to show John that school was important, and he could do something with his life other than hunting …

Now, Sam knew about failure and some of the hard decisions – life and death – that his Dad had had to make for them over the years. Now Sam could understand why his Dad had done things and why they had to live the life they had, knowing failure, grief and regret because of his own foolish decisions.

Sam scoffed inwardly at those thoughts, the irony not lost on him as he suddenly realized that he and his Dad were not so different after all.

Both John and Sam had made a lot of mistakes during their lives, unknowingly hurting those around them, their decisions leaving a wave of destruction in their wake. The only difference between them was that Sam knew regret, remorse and guilt, while John pushed those insignificant feelings to the side and carried on … until now.

Sam hesitated, not more than two steps away from his Dad, unsure on how he went about consoling his tough-as-nails-drill-instructor-from-hell father, because never in his life had Sam seen his father remorseful for his actions.

And yet, here John stood, looking absolutely miserable and Sam – who had no problem in oozing the charm and becoming a sympathetic ear for the people in his everyday life, be it friends or witnesses to a case – had no idea on how he should comfort John.

Comforting and absolving his older brother of unfounded guilt came as naturally to Sam as breathing because Sam had been doing it for most of his life. But how in the world did he go about making John Winchester feel better about himself?

His big brother was a well-known denier of all things related to emotions and the click-flick moments he avoided as much as he could. Occasionally, Sam could get him to unload some of his emotional baggage. But their Dad …

John was a closed book on that matter completely; never opening up his emotions to either of his sons. Instead, John had found comfort within the bottle or he completely ignored it altogether … especially if it was his own emotional baggage.

Sam glanced back at Dean for help. Dean had spent a lot of years caring for, not only Sam, but their old man as well. If anyone knew how to comfort John, Dean would.

But Dean wasn't in the forgiving mood at the moment. With how angry and frustrated Dean was, it could be days before Dean would even cool down enough to even consider it. So, it was up to Sam to do what his brother couldn't.

Dean couldn't help but smirk at the bewildered look upon his younger brother's face. If it hadn't of been such a serious situation, Dean would have burst out laughing.

Instead, Dean bit the inside of his check to contain his laughter and tried to look non-interested and irritated instead. Sam was the one who wanted to forgive Dad, not him, so Sam should be the one to figure it out.

It was only a few seconds later that Dean gave into his brother's infamous pleading, puppy-dog look, letting out a long, exasperated sigh, even as his features softened. But as much as Sam wished Dean to help him, in this instance, Dean had no idea on how they should proceed.

He'd always just patched Dad up, offering up a few pats on the shoulder in sympathetic understanding – even if he didn't understand half of what his Dad had been talking about in his drunken, slurred state – while helping the old man to bed. And as soon as John's head hit the pillow, he was snoring. So, Dean had never had to get into the emotional side of things with their Dad.

The only family member who wanted to talk about his feelings, was Sam. Dean had a life-time of dealing with all of the emotions that made up his little brother; be it from frustration, to fear, to panic attacks, to being heart broken, to being bullied and tormented at school, to feelings of failure, regret, sadness.

Whatever emotion Sam exhibited, Dean had a remedy for it, because he had seen all of his kid brother's emotional states – even the ones he tried to hide – and if there was one person in his life that he let down his emotional barriers for, then it was this damn kid standing before him, giving him those damned big eyes of his.

But how to help their Dad get over emotional issues … that was something Dean had never experienced before and had no back-up plan or go to defence for this situation.

Dean shook his head at his brother's pleading look, shrugging his shoulders, indicating to Sam that he had no clue on what to do now.

Dean wasn't surprised when Sam shot him an irritated bitch-face before turning back to their father.

Dean couldn't help him. Well, that was okay. Guess Sam was just going to have to trust his gut and go with it.

Squaring his shoulders in quiet determination, Sam reached out a slightly shaky hand and gently placed it upon his father's shoulder, almost recoiling in shock when John jumped violently at the physical contact, wide, dark eyes staring into Sam's with confusion and just a hint of panic.

Sam immediately felt the tension leave him, giving his Dad a genuine smile, fill of all of the emotions he felt for his father but could never express to him in person, as well as understanding and forgiveness.

"Dad," Sam said, his hand tightening upon John's shoulder, before letting go as his father's eyes grew impossibly wider, before tears began to gather within the seasoned, gruff hunter's hollowed dark eyes.

"Sammy, I'm so sorry," John declared, his voice wavering with emotion as he fought to make his youngest boy understand that he had never meant to hurt him. He had never meant to hurt either of his boys.

"It's okay Dad," Sam replied, gently cutting off his father's apology, knowing by his Dad's remorseful, guilty expression how truly sorry John was for what had occurred here today.

"I get it Dad. I really do. Thank you for trying to help us." Sam glanced back at Dean, Dean's features softening a little as Sam offered him a reassuring smile before turning back to their Dad once more. "And Dean … he'll get over this eventually. But next time you want to help us … how 'bout you just tell us instead of conspiring with an ex-trickster."

John looked surprised for a few seconds before he burst out laughing. "Yeah, that may be safer. I thought that if I appeared to you out of the blue after being away for so long that it would freak you out." John chuckled softly. "Guess this way wasn't much better, was it?" he said, his voice filled with bitterness and self-loathing.

And that's something Sam could relate to. How many times had Sam heard these same emotions within his one voice after one of his epic screw-ups? Too many times, Sam realized with a shake of his head.

"Don't be so hard of yourself Dad. I know that you were only trying to help."

John looked up in surprise at the understanding, gentle tone that he heard within his youngest son's voice. John searched Sam's expression for several seconds before he nodded, humbly accepting Sam's unspoken token of forgiveness and his instant understanding of John's part in this whole scenario.

Sam smiled softly at John's look of gratefulness and gratitude, taking a moment to bask in one of the rare instances when John and Sam were seeing eye to eye on something. But it wasn't too long before Sam's thoughts began to cloud with self-doubt and guilt once more.

Dad had already admitted that he was sick and tired of seeing his sons screw ups and had taken this drastic measure as a way to open his sons' eyes before it was too late. But, did that mean that John had seen everything that the two of them had done throughout the years?

More specifically, how many of Sam's epic mistakes had John witnessed? Had he seen the whole apocalypse fiasco? Of how Sam had betrayed his brother, becoming addicted to a substance that still made Sam feel both sick with dread and horror, as well as a sick kind of longing and excited high that demon blood triggered within Sam; only to realize yellow-eyes true intentions for him as Sam released Lucifer from his cage?

Did Dad think he was a monster now? Did Dad truly mean what he had said earlier, when he said that he never would have killed Sam? Knowing what John did now, would he have changed Sam's destiny by hunting him down like Gordon Walker had done, wanting to destroy him before he fulfilled the evil destiny he was intended for, which included releasing Lucifer, starting the apocalypse and finally allowing Lucifer to possess him?

Was Dad truly glad to see him even though Sam had disappointed and betrayed Dean at every wrong decision he had made; from coming back from Hell soulless and trying to turn Dean into a vampire as well as trying to kill Bobby; to leaving Dean to rot in Purgatory for a year while Sam did nothing to help; to getting friends killed because he was too weak or too damn stubborn to back down from his own point of view; to saving Dean from the Mark of Cain only to release another evil upon the earth?

"What is it Sammy?" John inquired, seeing the kaleidoscope of emotions that flashed through his youngest son's expressive hazel eyes.

Sam chewed upon his bottom lip nervously, not knowing if he wanted to know the truth to his questions. But he knew if he didn't ask his father this one final question now, he would regret it for the rest of his life.

"Have you seen everything we've done throughout the years Dad?" Sam asked, his heart pounding loudly in his ears, trying to prepare himself for the worst.

"I've seen most things," John replied evasively, shrugging unconcerned. "Why? What's on your mind son?"

"Are you ashamed of me?" Sam blurted out before he could stop himself and then wished he could take it back as John just stared at Sam blankly, a stunned look within his dark eyes.

Sam blushed, anxiously wringing his hands together, quickly lowering his eyes, suddenly realizing how vulnerable and naked he felt under his father's intense, horrified stare, acutely aware of Dean's presence moving up closer behind him, almost as if he could sense his little brother's distress.

Dean instinctively moved up behind Sam when he noticed his little brother's drooping, dejected shoulders. He was far enough away to give Sam the privacy he craved, but he was also close enough where he could step in if he had to.

Sam had been jerked around enough today as it was. No way was Dean about to let that happen again. And if Dean had to step in, there would be no more talking, Dean would have no qualms or hesitation in taking his father down. Dean just hoped it didn't come to that.

"It's okay Dad," Sam said softly. "You don't have to answer that. I just …" Sam raised his eyes to look back at Dean before facing their father again, bitting his bottom lip nervously. "Please don't blame Dean for any of the things we've been through over the years. He is … he is the most patient, forgiving and understanding big brother in the world and has taken his job of looking out for me very seriously … even when there were times, I didn't deserve that loyalty." Sam continued, his tone oozing with self-disgust and bitterness. "Dean wasn't the one who screwed up here Dad. I did. So, if you need to blame anyone, blame me, okay?"

"Sammy, what rubbish are you blubbering about now?" Dean moved up beside Sam, having reacted once he had seen the desperation within his little brother's eyes, his tone light and teasing. "I told you I didn't want to hear you talking crap about yourself, didn't I?

C'mon Sammy, I don't want to have to kick your ass, but I will if you keep talking this shit." Dean warned, his touch gentle, even as his green eyes flashed, letting Sam see how serious he was on this matter. "Besides, Dad knows that I've made my fair share of mistakes too. And if I had been doing my job properly, then neither of us would have been played like we were."

"Dean –" Sam objected, instantly rising to his big brother's defence, because in Sam's eyes, Dean could do no wrong.

"That's enough boys," John commanded, his tone soft, even as his held up hand had a commanding air. John eyed his two sons carefully, noticing how tense both of them were – Sam, because he was nervous and Dean, because he was preparing for any situation to occur and was hunter ready – before he smiled.

"Okay, first off, Dean … you have done an amazing job in looking out for your brother for all of these years."

Dean opened his mouth as if he was about to argue with his Dad's assessment, while Sam shot his brother a smug I-told-you-so look.

"Dean," John placed a hand upon his oldest son's shoulder and squeezed firmly before releasing his hold. "Take the compliment here kiddo and accept the fact that you have looked out for Sam the best way you knew how."

Dean frowned, opening his mouth, no doubt to argue yet again before he closed it. "Yes Sir," he said, his voice clipped and controlled even though John could see that Dean didn't really believe what John had told him.

John resisted the urge to roll his eyes or sigh with exasperation because both of his boys could be so God damned stubborn. Wonder where they got that from, John mused darkly, instantly recognizing his own stubbornness within his two sons.

"What you two have done for each other over the years has been nothing short of incredible." John looked between his grown sons and couldn't help beaming with pride. "While, at times, I have literally felt the grey hairs exploding onto my head at some of the stunts you two have pulled … I can honestly say that I have never felt prouder of how the two of you have turned out."

John paused to swallow back the lump of emotion that had lodged in his throat, noticing his sons surprised, stunned looks at his statement. "You two have stuck by each other through everything … hell, you guys have saved the world several times over. And it doesn't matter if you felt you were the cause for the end of the world starting or not."

Here, John looked at Sam sternly, who blushed deeply and lowered his eyes. "You made an effort to clean up your mess and saved the world, which is all that really matters."

Before either of his sons knew what exactly was going on, John stepped into Sam's space and hugged his boy tightly. "I have never been ashamed of you Sammy, you got that?" John said, his tone lower, gruffer with emotion.

Sam blinked in surprise, reciprocating his father's hug, tears of relief and gratitude within his eyes. "Thanks Dad," Sam whispered.

John clapped Sam on the shoulder before he released Sam and turned to his oldest, bringing Dean into his arms before the older boy could object or complain. "I am so proud of you Dean. Never give up on your brother or yourself because together, the two of you are unstoppable. Do you understand son?"

"Yes Sir," Dean responded, hugging his father back fiercely, all of the anger and frustration he had felt toward John earlier melted away. God, he missed this man. Even with all of his faults, Dean would always admire and respect his father, the same way that Sam idolized and looked up to Dean.

"Good." John stepped back, happy to see that his message had been received. Although it may not have been the message John had originally wanted to tell his boys, it would have to do because John could feel another presence coming toward them.

"Sorry to break up this heart-warming Winchester bonding moment guys, but it's time to go."

Both Dean and Sam started at the sound of Gabriel's voice as he materialized before them, their startled looks morphing into seriousness. And even though they wanted to argue, they knew that there was no way that John could ever come back with them, no matter how much they may have wanted it.

Dean's eyes narrowed suspiciously, his body automatically tensing, a low growl of warning emanating from him when Gabriel moved closer toward Sam.

"Easy tiger," Gabriel held up his hands in surrender, that cocky, smug smirk that Dean had wanted to wipe off the arch-angel's face with a few well-placed punches, appeared easily upon the ex-trickster's lips. "No one's hurting anyone here Deano. It's time for you and little Sammy here to go back to your world and for your Dad to go back to the afterlife."

Sam bristled at Gabriel's use of his nickname. Sam was by no means little and no one had the right to call his Sammy except Dean … and maybe his Dad, if he was feeling particularly generous.

But Sam knew that it was futile to go up against the ex-trickster, arch-angel because Sam didn't approve of Gabriel's name calling. He wasn't a kid anymore and had better control over his rising frustrations at being continually referred by a nickname he associated with a chubby twelve-year old.

But Dean on the other hand …

Sam glanced to his left, seeing his brother's tense jaw, hands clenching and unclenching, the vein upon his forehead throbbing.

Yep, his brother was pissed.

Sam made a low soothing, reassuring warning noise from within his throat, urging his brother to calm down and was relieved to notice that Dean relaxed slightly, nodding stiffly for Gabriel to proceed.

"But before you whammy us back, let me warn you one last time Gabriel, that if you ever do anything – and I mean anything – to fuck with either me or Sam again, I will have great pleasure in roasting me some arch-angel feathers with some holy oil." Dean glared at Gabriel fiercely, the low, guttural growl of his voice conveying the seriousness and conviction of Dean's threat. "Do we understand each other?"

Gabriel's expression sobered before he smirked once more. "What's the matter Dean? You're still pissed at how I treated little Sammy here today, aren't you Deano?"

Dean scoffed loudly. "You were trying to convince him to blow his brains out, so forgive me if I'm not receptive or grateful for what you did." Dean said, and everyone could hear the sarcasm within the older brother's voice.

"Stand down Dean," John chuckled dryly, affectionately. Even now, Dean still had Sam's best interests at heart. "It's over son."

"Yes Sir," Dean replied automatically, even as his dark, deadly glare remained fixed upon Gabriel.

Gabriel searched Dean's expression for several seconds before he nodded in understanding. If he ever did anything to hurt Sam like this again – even if it was for their own benefit – then Dean wouldn't hold back the next time they met.

"Okay boys, let's get this show on the road, shall we?"

"Dad …" Sam murmured, glancing over at John sadly.

"It's okay Sammy," John smiled. "I'll be fine. And remember boys, you're stronger together. Keep up the good work, I'm proud of you both. And …" John hesitated as he watched Gabriel place his fingers upon his sons' foreheads. "I love you." He whispered before his boys disappeared and John was left with the smug arch-angel.

"Well, that went well." Gabriel grinned at John's incredulous look before he placed his fingers upon John's forehead. "It was nice working with you Johnny-boy, but … let's never do this again or Dean might just kill the both of us."

John had to agree with that honestly blunt assessment. "Keep an eye on my boys Gabriel,"

Gabriel nodded before he sent John Winchester on his way. Left alone in the world Gabriel had created for Sam, he knew that this experience had brought the Winchester siblings closer together – even if the two of them were too stubborn to admit it yet! – and he had succeeded in what he had set out to do.

Now all he had to do was wait.

He would be staying put for at least the next six months until Sam held up his end of their deal, and then Gabriel would disappear once more.

He wasn't quite ready for the world to discover that he wasn't as dead as what they all believed he was.

Besides, the world didn't need him when it had his two favourite chuckle heads, united and stronger, to defend it against the evil and things that went bump in the night … including the greatest evil to have walked to earth so far, the Darkness.

These two bumbling idiots had defeated Lucifer. And Gabriel had no doubt that they would win against the Darkness too.

THE END