Castiel knew before he even turned to his brother that Gabriel was furious.

"So what, you're just gonna send them to a Hunter's house and hope for the best while we go find our Dad-detector?"

"While providing with an entry point for ourselves, I have Angel proofed the home which already has protection against all other forms of creatures. It is the safest place for –"

"That's not the point and you know it!"

Castiel flinched, shooting small pains up his back and wings.

"You never even asked me and you expect me to help you find something that might help you find Dad? News flash – Dad's gone or in the very least stopped caring a long time ago."

"Where is your faith, brother?"

He watched his brother pointedly avert his eyes.

"Cass, you didn't see what Kushiel –"

"Do not use me as an excuse. I was there, Gabriel, I know what happened."

"Then how can you still think that he cares about us!? He abandoned you to that, Cass!"

"You think I do not know?"

With a thought, Castiel removed the clothes that encased his chest, shedding light on the scars that stretched along his skin. Slamming his hand over the center of it, he continued to meet his brother's challenge head on.

"I have been a part of this since the beginning, sacrificing everything to this cause. If this is all a great cosmic test then I should like to know my grade, I should like to know if I am doing the right thing in rebelling against all that I had been taught proper."

At last, Gabriel seemed to understand the purpose behind all of this as he continued to stare, entranced by the lines marring his skin.

"Yes, I do believe our Father is the best means of averting this entire genocide, but I would like to speak with him on this matter as well."

"…What happens if we can't find him, Cassie?"

"Then…"

Castiel briefly considered this as he returned his clothes to their initial state.

"Then we make bullets from Balthazar's blade to fit the gun said to kill any creature."

Bobby looked…well, he didn't look happy.

"Dean. Sam."

When Chuck came into view he looked particularly annoyed, something Sam wasn't sure he had seen for quite some time. Then again, it had been years since their Dad unceremoniously dropped them on his doorstep so he could disappear for months on end.

"Well, you comin' in or are we havin' a tea party in the garden?"

Sam heard his brother chuckle despite the circumstances as they walked into the house in single file. It wasn't until they were in the house, taking a wide look around to familiar surroundings, that he realized that they really should have questioned Bobby's choice of décor a long time ago. Between the old books all over the place, the easy access weapons around the house and the cleverly placed alcohol, it was a real miracle that they didn't get into more trouble growing up. As Sam looked back to Dean, he noticed his brother wasn't wearing his cot, something he remembered their Uncle not even blinking an eye at. Oh yeah, they really should have caught on a long time ago.

"I see Castiel wasn't exaggerating circumstances."

"Yeah, it's been…"

"Weird as Hell?"

"Pretty much."

There was a clap on the back, some chuckling. That's it. Sam didn't know what he had been expecting, but that certainly was not it. Then Bobby was turning to the Profit, eyeing him over like he did all of his guests – like they had personally done something to offend him.

"I take it you're Chuck."

Introductions were made; Bobby got everyone a tall glass of water before Dean decided it was high time they talked about more important things.

"How much did Cass fill you in on?"

Everyone turned their heads, focusing on the winged man and making him unconsciously shift in his seat.

"I know the basics; how you got like this, how he re-ascended to Heavenly status, apparently. You guys are on some kind of mission to stop the Apocalypse, what else is there to tell?"

"How about the Colt? He mention anything about it?"

"Doesn't have to, there's enough lore about the damn thing. Every Hunter worth his grain knows its valuable – if it even exists."

"It does, Bobby."

The old Hunter – the idea still felt weird to acknowledge, their Uncle hunting monsters – looked genuinely impressed, or as impressed as Bobby ever looked.

"Alright, keep talkin'."

"But Castiel is more interested in finding God then helping me – us – get it."

"You're kidding."

"Wish I was."

Bobby cursed under his breath, shaking his head before returning his gaze to Dean. He knew he could make him interested. Now he just had to get him to say yes…

"Dean, can I have a word with you, please?"

Fuck.

"What's up, Sam?"

"Alone, Dean."

Ooh, Bitchface #4. Sighing, the winged man stood, knowing full well when this was going. Sam waited until they were both on the porch before he started laying it into him.

"Dean, what are you doing?"

"I'm having Bobby give us a hand."

"Yeah, behind Castiel's back."

"You've known the guy for what, an hour? Now you're all –"

"He's an Angel, Dean, and your friend. Do you really think that it's a good idea to do the one thing he told you expressively not to?"

"He didn't say anything about getting Bobby to help us –"

"You're wheedling technicalities, Dean! Did you even notice that he did what you asked him to?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Gabriel. He took Gabriel with him."

He thought on it a moment, knowing that he was right but reluctant to give it any merit.

"Yeah, reluctantly."

"Really?"

"What about Lucifer? Didn't you say something about having a weird dream? What if it's him?"

Sam shifted in his chair.

"I guess it could be."

"You really think if he finds out, if he doesn't already know, some Demon is hiding the Colt he'll just sit back and wait to go get it?"

"Dean, I don't think it'll take them long to find it if he already knows –"

"Yeah? Well time is funny- last blast from the past took four days from what Gabriel said."

He watched his brother think on it, a bubble of hope in his gut that he would convince him to go along with it. He wanted to prove himself useful, to show Castiel that he could help too. He wasn't just some damsel in distress ruining his life.

"Okay, Dean."

Yes!

"But we're giving them a day."

"What?"

"C'mon Dean, I'm still tired. We need to rest and we're probably gonna have to get some help on Demon fighting from Bobby before we go in guns blazing."

Dean knew he was right like he knew that all those paintball tournaments as a kid was finally going to pay off.

Gabriel needed a vacation. All this time jumping, attempted and successful healings and flying in general were starting to wear his Grace thin. He supposed that this was what he gets for being the only Archangel fighting against the Apocalypse, but man did it suck. It didn't take long to find the truck, compacted on one side with its two trapped passengers. Rather than look at the people within, Gabriel watched his brother carefully. Castiel's eyes hardened, his jaw setting as his hands clenched at his sides.

Gently, Gabriel placed a hand on his forearm.

"You okay?"

"Yes."

"You s-"

"There."

Confused, Gabriel followed his brother's gaze until he spotted the amulet they had come for; the strap had snapped when the necklace had caught on the window crank during the crash, the amulet handing by the thread precariously over the side of the seat. With a thought, he made it move to his hand. Well, that was easy. Turning to his brother, he noted no change in his brother's expression.

"Uh, Castiel?"

"We have to save them."

"Cass, we can't –"

"We have to stop the Apocalypse."

"Oh."

Looking back to the younger Dean, unconscious and wrapped in a blanket of warped metal, he finally understood.

"That's what we're here for, kiddo."

As Lilith drew her last breath, her blood working its way across the church ground, Lucifer spread his glorious white wings and prepared to rise to Earth. He had waited so long for this moment and yet still he dreaded it. He had always longed for Freedom, longed to be reunited with his family and yet…he did not want to battle with his brother, his flesh and blood. Yet those were his Father's wishes and fight Michael would, regardless of what Lucifer wanted.

With a heavy heart, Lucifer ascended. For now, he pushed those thoughts aside. He must focus on the now, he told himself as he crested over Hell. I must find my vessel.