"Samuel Winchester, are you freaking insane?" I exclaimed horrified.

That was it, my brother had gone nuts. Letting Lucifer inside him, to then jump into the Cage, it was 0.00001% chance. Or even less. Had he forgotten when he'd been possessed by Meg? And she was only a black eyed. Lucifer was a fucking Archangel, the second oldest too.

"Abby…" Sam began, but I silenced him with a glare.

"Shut up. Just shut up. Do you even know how insane you are? You're talking about the Devil here, not just a demon. The freaking Devil! Look, I know that you're strong, but this is a lot over your head, Sam. Don't get me wrong, but the plan sucks", I stated while Dean glanced at Bobby, whom looked quite uncomfortable.

"Did you know about Sam's genius plan to say yes to the Devil?" he questioned.

Bobby nodded slowly, making me scowl.

"Thanks, Bobby", I snapped.

"Hey, this ain't about me", Bobby protested.

"You can't do this", Dean told Sam angrily.

"That's the consensus", Sam said, making me nod.

"Good. Well, that's it", I said before my phone began to ring.

"Hello?"

"Abigail?"

I widened my eyes and stared at the phone in wonder. Cas, he was okay? He wasn't dead, at least.

"Cas? Are you okay? We all kinda thought you were dead", I said relieved and just wanted to kiss the phone.

"Is it Cas? Put on speaker", Dean ordered, which I did.

"Where the hell are you, man?" Dean asked Cas.

"A hospital", was his only reply.

Oh shit, was it his Grace?

"What happened?" I wondered.

"I just woke up here. The doctors were fairly surprised. They thought I was brain-dead. Apparently, after Van Nuys, I suddenly appeared, bloody and unconscious, on a shrimping boat off Delacroix. I'm told it upset the sailors", Cas told.

For a slight second, I got an image of the scene happening, before I pushed it away and began to concentrate on the important things here.

"Okay. We actually know how to stop the Apocalypse, in which we'll need the Horsemen's rings. We're actually going after Pestilence now. So, can you just fly here, it's at Bo—" I began before he interrupted me.

"Abigail, I can't", he said.

I frowned confused and stared at the phone. What? Already?

"So you're saying that your Grace is gone? Poof?" I wondered concerned.

"I'm saying that I am thirsty and my head aches. I have a bug bite that itches no matter how much I scratch it, and I'm saying that I'm just incredibly…."

"Human. Wow. Sorry", Dean apologized.

"Do you want me to fly over there and pick you up?" I asked.

"No. If what you're saying is true, and there's another way to stop the Devil, I don't want to waste your strength for me", he said sternly.

I was about to protest, when Dean shot me a glare.

"You're right, Cas. Look, no worries. Uh, Bobby's here. He'll wire you the cash", Dean informed, while Bobby stared at him annoyed.

"Dean. Abigail You said "no" to Michael. I owe you an apology."

"Cas… I-it's okay", Dean said, but Cas continued talking.

"You are not the burnt and broken shell of a man that I believed you to be. And I'm sorry for believing you wouldn't be strong enough to say no to your brother."

I should feel insulted, but I didn't. If I had been in his place, I would have doubted myself too.

"Thank you. I appreciate that", Dean muttered.

"Cas, I'm supposed to apologize. I'm sorry that it was our fault that you fell. I'm sorry that I made you doubt your sacrifice. And I promise you, I won't make you doubt again. I promise", I vowed.

"I believe you, Jophiel", he told me kindly and hung up.

Such a pure being. Did I really deserve him?


We later got to the hospital, where we spent hours in trying to find the right guy with the security cameras. Apparently, Pestilence could mask his presence so I wouldn't be able to find him that easy.

"So, what are— Hey", Sam said and poked on Dean, whom had fallen asleep.

"What are we even looking for?"

I shrugged and continued to stare at the secure camera while Sam and Dean spanked around, doing nothing.

"Guys, look at this", I told and pointed at the screen.

"Oh, now we're talking", Dean said happily before we went out, and found two doctors lying dead, one covered in spots, the other in vomit.

"Found him", I mumbled and gripped my knife harder while I began to cough a bit, but not seriously.

"Goodness, he's definitely here", I said and coughed again.

"You think?" Dean said sarcastically as he and Sam looked like shit.

I really thanked that I was part angel, or else my body fluids would be around my face.

"Come on now", I urged and pulled them up, before I could feel blood come out through my eyes, nose and ears while beginning to feel tired, but it was still something I could handle.

I shoved up the door and came at the demon, whom stabbed my stomach and left the thing inside me.

"Not again", I groaned and stared at the blade in me,while she took my knife from me and shoved me against the wall, with Pestilence's telekinesis as help too.

"Jophiel. Long time no see. I think we haven't seen each since… Ever. Wow, time really flies, nowadays. Your brothers don't seem so well, do they? It might be the, uh, Scarlet fever. Or, uh, the meningitis. Oh! Or the syphilis. That's no fun. And you know the best part? What they feel right now, is nothing compared to what they will feel. Disease gets a bad rap, don't you think? For being filthy. Chaotic. Uh, but, really, t-that just describes people who get sick. Disease itself... Very...Pure...Single-minded. Bacteria have one purpose— divide and conquer", he said and buried the blade deeper and deeper, making me growl.

"That's why, in the end...It always wins. So, you've got to wonder why your daddy pours all his love into something so messy! And weak! It's ridiculous. No wonder your big brother threw that tantrum. All I can do is show him he's wrong, one epidemic at a time", he told amused.

Pestilence then turned and crushed Dean's hand under his foot while kicking away Ruby's knife.

"Now... On a scale of 1 to 10, how's your pain?"

The door suddenly opened beside me and revealed Cas.

"Cas", I said and yelped when the demon's grip around my neck grew tighter.

"How'd you get here?" Pestilence demanded.

"I took a bus. Don't worry, I—" he said and fell down on the floor, coughing up blood, just like my brothers.

"No", I whispered and tried to fly away, but somehow, I couldn't.

Had they blocked me?

"Well, look at that. An occupied vessel, but powerless. Oh, that's fascinating. There's not a speck of angel in you, is there?" he said cheerfully, kneeling so he met Cas' eyes.

From nowhere, Cas grabbed the knife, shoved up Pestilence hand on the glass table, and cut off his fingers, one of them with the ring.

"Maybe just a speck", Cas said as I kicked away the demon from me, released from the mojo.

Cas threw the knife to me, which I caught and used to kill her, just where she had stabbed me.

"Ow", I grumbled and ripped the knife out from me and dropped them on the floor.

"It doesn't matter. It's too late", Pestilence whispered and disappeared.


"Well, it's nice to actually score a home run for once, ain't it?" Bobby stated while the rest of us looked down on the floor.

What did he mean with that? A bomb with Croatoan virus? A bomb with Croatoan and all diseases? Where? When?

"What?"

"Last thing Pestilence said "it's too late."", Sam explained.

"He get specific?" he asked, making me shake my head.

"We're just a little freaked out that he might have left a bomb somewhere. So please tell us you have actual good news", Dean pleaded.

"Chicago's about to be wiped off the map. Storm of the millennium. Sets off a daisy chain of natural disasters. Three million people are gonna die", Bobby informed, something I raised my eyebrow over.

"I don't understand your definition of good news", Cas stated, making me smile slightly.

"Why're you informing us this? It isn't something we can stop", I stated.

"Well...Death, the Horseman— he's gonna be there. And if we can stop him before he kick-starts this storm, get his ring back —"

"Yeah, you make it sound so easy", Dean said with sarcasm dripping in his voice.

"Hell, I'm just trying to put a spin on it", Bobby defended himself, while I began to wonder.

How had he figured all this out? I knew he was smart, but tracking Death?

"Well...Bobby, h-how'd you put all this together, anyways?" Sam wondered, just like I had been about to ask him myself.

"I had, you know…Help", he said while looking extremely unpleasant in the situation.

Something I gave him the 'look' for.

"Bobby…"

But before I could elaborate, the sound of glass being put down was heard, making all of us turn our heads, only to see Crowley stand with some whiskey.

"Don't be so modest. I barely helped at all. Hello, boys. Angel girl. Pleasure, et cetera. Go ahead. Tell them. There's no shame in it", he told Bobby while pouring himself a glass.

I scowled and eyed Bobby suspiciously. What the hell, Bobby?…. What had he done? Please don't say what I believed he'd say…

"Tell us exactly what?" I questioned.

"World's gonna end. Seems stupid to get all precious over one little… Soul", he told while still looking extremely uncomfortable.

Like he should. He sold his freaking soul! That idiot (or idjit)! And didn't that mean that he'd kissed Crowley? Married, single, whatever, a deal was a deal and needed to be sealed by a kiss, or a very long contract.

"You sold your soul?" Dean demanded horrified.

"Oh, more like pawned it. I fully intend to give it back", Crowley corrected him.

"Well, then give it back!"

"I will."

"Now!"

"Did you kiss him?" Sam asked, making Dean glare at him.

"Really?"

"Just wondering", Sam insisted.

Sam, Dean and I all turned our heads to Bobby, who seemed to want to bury himself ten feet below the ground.

"….No!"

Crowley cleared his throat, probably wanting our attention. So I shifted and stared at his phone, which showed a picture of him and Bobby kissing.

The moment I saw that, I wasn't really sure what I would say about it. Bobby, had kissed Crowley, while Crowley had taken a photo while doing it. If it wasn't for the quite or very serious situation, I would've believed that it was hilarious. But now I just wanted to process that Bobby had sold his soul and Crowley had taken a photo. Things didn't got better when I saw my brothers' and Cas' reactions, either.

"Why did you take a picture?" Bobby questioned exasperated while Crowley smirked.

"Why did you have to use tongue?"

Okay, I didn't want hear anymore.

Bobby French kissing was just as disgusting as Dad having sex. It was just… no. It was a lot like parents doing nasty stuff. According to me, watching Gabriel without his underwear was enough, for a lifetime.

"All right. You know what? I'm sick of this. Give him his soul back now", Dean ordered while he seemed to trying to shake off that picture from his brain.

"I'm sorry. I can't", Crowley said, sounding not so sorry.

"Can't or won't?" I questioned.

"I won't, all right? It's insurance", Crowley explained.

"For what?"

"You kill demons. You're an angel, and angels and demons aren't exactly BFFs. Gigantor over there has a temper issue about it. But you won't kill me... As long as I have that soul in the deposit box", he said.

It was really smart, but not good for us. Not at all.

"You son of a bitch", Bobby snapped at him.

"I'll return it. After all this is over, and I can walk safely away. Do we all understand each other?" he exclaimed.


"Let me guess. We're about to have a talk", Dean stated.

"Look, um...For the record...I agree with you. About me. You think I'm too weak to take on Lucifer. Well, so do I. Believe me, I know exactly how screwed up I am. You, Bobby, Cas...I'm the least of any of you", Sam told.

"Sam—" I protested.

"No, it's true. It is. But...I'm also all we got. If there was another way...But I don't think there is. There's just me", he said.

I shook my head and looked at him stubbornly.

"There's still me. When I'm full-on angel, at least", I reminded him.

"Abby, no. Dealing with one Archangel is hard enough, but you'll have to deal with both of them, and you know that. Look, I don't know what else to do. Except just try t-to do what's got to be done."

I nodded slowly, until I could feel demonic presence behind me. Even if Crowley wanted the same thing, I still didn't like working with him. He was a demon, dammit. A demon, who could easily backstab us if he saw another way to survive.

"And...Scene. There's something you need to see", he said and handed me the newspaper.

"Niveus pharmaceuticals is rushing delivery of its new swine-flu vaccine to "stem the tide of the unprecedented outbreak." Shipments leave Wednesday. What good would that be?" I questioned, until I remembered what Dean and Sam had told me about their encounter with the demon Brady.

"Holy shit…." I swore.

"I'm happy angel girl gets it, while you two are lucky to have your looks. Your demon lover, Brady? V.P. of distribution, Niveus. Ah, yes, that the sound of the abacus clacking? We all caught up?"

"So, Pestilence", Dean began.

"...was spreading swine flu", Sam continued.

"And that was only the first step. The last is when the vaccine comes in the picture", I stated.

"And that vaccine is chock-full of grade-a, farm-fresh croatoan virus", Crowley finished.

I shivered slightly and recalled the 2014-universe, how savage those things had been. And then… imagine the whole world, just like that.

"Simultaneous, countrywide distribution. It's quite a plan", Sam admitted.

"They don't get to be Horsemen for nothing. So, you guys better stock up on...Well, everything. This time next Thursday, we'll all be living in zombieland", Crowley joked.

I rolled my eyes and left to pack whatever could be useful to harm Death, or even kill him. Kill Death, yeah right… Binding spells and his own Scythe were the only thing I could think about. But Death was already bound to Lucifer, probably. And Death's own scythe wouldn't be easy to find exactly. But hey! Fought Dad's big sister. How much harder could Death be?


"I think I will have to go with Dean, snatching the ring from Death, you know. It's weird, I'm going to see him the next twenty-four hours, or less, when I haven't seen him in thousands of years", I said to Cas as we lay in the bed together.

He nodded and planted a kiss on my head, his arms wrapped around my waist as I rested my head on his firm chest.

"It may be impossible, Abigail. Death is one of the most powerful and oldest beings in the whole existence. For him, we are less than bacteria. Or at least, that is what he probably believes about humans", he said.

I shifted so my cheek was against his chest while my wings were lying at us like six feathery blankets. But Cas… his wings, they looked so fragile, like a dying bird's. That frightened me. He was as good as mortal, but he wasn't human, not completely. So if he died… he wouldn't go to Heaven, or Hell, where I at least could see him. He'd be gone, forever.

"Dean told me about that you were saved by Raziel. But he didn't tell me where he's now", he stated.

Remorse gnawed in my gut while I could see him, that blade in his throat, just so I could flee.

"Raziel… He's, he's dead. Nathanael killed him. It feel just like when Anael died all over again", I told him bitterly.

"I just want this to be over. Everything."


Weapons list against Death….. Nothing. Only a semi-angel and a Winchester. It could work…. if Death had been 99.99999% powerless at least.

"Good luck with stopping the zombie Apocalypse, I guess", I said to Sam.

"Yeah. Good luck killing Death", Sam replied as I snorted amused.

"Yeah, thanks", Dean replied and gave him a small grin.

"Remember when we used to just... hunt wendigos? How simple things were?" Sam wondered.

Five years ago. Five years ago, Dean and I had fetched Sam from Standford, told him that Dad had been missing. Everything had been so much not complicated then. And now? Stopping the Apocalypse, killing Death.

"Not really", was Dean's reply.

" Well, um… You might need this", Sam told and handed him Ruby's knife.

"Keep it. They're covered", Crowley stated and held up a scythe, Death's scythe in miniature form at least.

I widened my eyes and stared at it with surprise. Okay, where the hell had he gotten that one? Shouldn't Death have noticed it was gone? And retrieved it?

"Death's own. Kills, golly, demons and angels and reapers and, rumor has it, the very thing itself", Crowley explained.

"How did you get that?" Cas questioned.

"Hello— King of the Crossroads. So, shall we? Bobby, you just gonna sit there?" he asked him.

"No, I'm gonna riverdance", Bobby said sarcastically.

"I suppose if you want to impress the ladies. Bobby, Bobby, Bobby. Really wasted that crossroads deal. Fact— you get more if you phrase it properly. So, I took the liberty of adding a teeny little sub-a clause on your behalf. What can I say? I'm an altruist. Just gonna sit there?"

We all stared at Bobby, who was looking at his foot, which moved. And the other too. When Bobby then rose, a huge bomb of happiness exploded in me. I had seen how much it had pained him with being stuck in that wheelchair. Especially during the witch case. But now, he could walk again. Should I be thankful? It was Crowley, after all.

"Son of a bitch", Bobby whispered amazed at stared at himself while I smiled.

"Yes, I know. Completely worth your soul. I'm a hell of a guy."

"Thanks", Bobby thanked him.

"This is getting maudlin. Can we go?" Crowley questioned and began to walk to the Impala.

I smiled at Bobby again, before I went to Cas and kissed him softly. His arms were wrapped around my waist in a gentle embrace, something I loved with kissing him.

"Be careful now", I whispered against his lips and gave him a small peck.

"I will. You too", he replied and pushed away hair from my face.

"Hurry up! I'm starting to age over here!" Crowley shouted over to us.

Dean scowled annoyed, but walked to him as Cas and I let go off each other. We'd see each other, definitely.


"So, you and Mr. Wings?" Crowley asked after some hours of driving.

"Bit late there, Gossip Girl", I muttered and leaned back.

"Thought the King of the Crossroads would snap up the news quicker."

"I do, but sometimes, I just don't care if two feathery ones are a thing. More of the type who concentrates on more important business", he replied.

"It was you who asked."

"Here I am, driving with a pair of ancient beings who are acting like two five year olds", Dean grumbled beside me, but the corners of his mouth said otherwise.

"Better yapping at each other than strangling", I reminded him and smirked.

"Guess you're right there, Abby", he responded and shrugged lightly.

"Any idea how to ice Death? I mean, he's freaking Death. He's gotta be smarter than his yahoos to brothers."

I shook my head and put my hands over my face in exhaustion before letting out a big yawn.

"Just swing at him, I guess. That's all I can think about", I stated and stretched out my wings as far as I could, Dean wouldn't see them anyway.

"Just wake me up when you want to switch."


Luckily, for me, no brother visited my dreams, so I could sleep dreamlessly this time, until we stopped by a building in Chicago, where it was full of reapers. Like, everywhere.

"Hey, let's stop for pizza", Crowley suggested while we walked outside towards the huge building, which I guessed Death was.

But shouldn't Death be radiating power? Or was he just masking it?

"Are you kidding?" Dean said and looked at him annoyed.

"Just heard it was good. That's all. Up ahead. Big, ugly building. Ground zero. Horseman's stable, if you will. He's in there", he stated while I eyed all the reapers, just standing there, like they awaited an order from their boss.

"How do you know?"

"Have you met me? 'cause I know. Also, the block is squirming with reapers", Crowley told Dean.

"He's right, full of reapers here. But shouldn't we feel him? Death?" I questioned, something Crowley shrugged at.

"Dunno. Only one way to find out", was his reply before he teleported away.

After a second of waiting, he popped in again, looking troubled.

"Boy, is my face red. Death's not in there", he said.

I glared at him angrily while looking back at the building. So Bobby sold his fucking soul, for this?

"Bobby sold his soul for this, and where you said Death was, wasn't where he is! You better know another place where he might be", I growled at him.

"Relax. All deals are soul back or store credit. We'll catch Death in the next doomed city", Crowley reassured me calmly.

Like it would help.

"Millions, Crowley. Millions of people are about to die any minute", Dean snapped.

"True. So I strongly suggest we get out of here."


"So, what? Call in a bomb threat? 1,000 bomb threats? I mean, how the hell are we supposed to get three million people out of Chicago in the next 10 minutes? Any bright ideas?" Dean asked in the car, until Crowley disappeared, again.

"Really? Pizza?" I exclaimed and stared at him outside, who seemed to be looking inside the pizza restaurant.

It was then it hit me, the supernovas of ancient power, hanging in the air, the power of Death.

"Dear goodness", I swore and zapped outside and took a small look through the window.

Death, he was in there, eating pizza and drinking soda. During my entire life, I had never thought the Grim Reaper would eat junk food.

"Holy crap", I muttered before flying back to the car.

"What did he say?" Dean asked suddenly, like he hadn't noticed me flying away.

"I didn't hear, but—"

"I said I found him. Death— he's in there", Crowley interrupted after teleporting back to the Impala.

"You coming or… Not", Dean said before Crowley had run away.

Coward.

"Let's do it", I said and teleported him inside the restaurant, where the staff and the customers laid dead on the floor or in the booths.

I took the other way while Dean went right, so he would be as distracted as you could distract Death, as he would kill Death and take his ring. The plan was shit. Especially when the Scythe began to vibrate and heat up in Dean's hand, something I hadn't expected. He suddenly dropped the thing, and I felt completely screwed. Death would could kill us, end of the story. And probably with the Scythe we had tried to kill him with.

"Thanks for returning that. Join me, Dean. The pizza's delicious", Death offered politely while I carefully went beside them and stood there like a stiff stick.

"Sit down. Took you long enough to find me. I've been wanting to talk to you", he continued.

"I got to say— I have mixed feelings about that. S-so is this the part where...where you kill us?" Dean questioned.

"You have an inflated sense of your importance. To a thing like me, a thing like you, well...Think how you'd feel if a bacterium sat at your table and started to get snarky. This is one little planet in one tiny solar system in a galaxy that's barely out of its diapers. If you would compare your sister with me, then she is a little brat. I'm old, Dean. Very old. So I invite you to contemplate how insignificant I find you", Death stated and put a slice of pizza on Dean's plate.

"Eat."

All of my willpower was concentrated on two things, keep watching Dean and not begin to crumble in front of one of my Father's oldest companions.

"Good, isn't it?" he asked Dean, who had put a piece of pizza in his mouth with more etiquette than I had known Dean was aware of.

"Well, I got to ask. How old are you?"

"As old as God. Maybe older. Neither of us can remember anymore. Life, death, chicken, egg. Regardless— at the end, I'll reap him, too", Death stated.

I raised my eyebrow in surprise. He'd reap Dad?

"You'll reap God? Father?" I wondered.

"Oh yes. Your father will die too, Jophiel."

"Why? Why still letting us live? I thought you disliked all of us. You have never like angels", I stated and remembered the look on Death's face when Dad had created us.

But he also should be damn thankful. If I remembered right, he hadn't done a thing against the Darkness while we and Dad had fought our asses off to lock her away, even if that hadn't been one of my most prideful moments exactly.

"I can snuff you out like a candle, Jophiel. So I suggest you keep your thoughts a little more to yourself", Death said with a slight annoyance in his voice, making me trying to quiet down what I thought.

"But what I want is the leash around my neck— off. Lucifer has me bound to him. Some unseemly little spell. He has me where he wants, when he wants. That's why I couldn't go to you. I had to wait for you to catch up. He made me his weapon. Hurricanes, floods, raising the dead. I'm more powerful than you can process, and I'm enslaved to a bratty child with a temper tantrum."

Well, that's another way with describing my brother.

"And you think...I can unbind you? Or Abby?" he wondered.

"There's your ridiculous bravado again. Of course you can't. But you can help me take the bullets out of Lucifer's gun. I understand you want this", Death stated and held up his hand, revealing his ring.

"Yeah."

"I'm inclined to give it to you", he told Dean.

"To give it to me?"

"That's what I said", Death said irritated.

"But how about Chicago?" I questioned.

"I suppose it can stay. I like the pizza. There are conditions", he explained.

"Okay. Like?" Dean wondered.

"You have to do whatever it takes to put Lucifer in his cell."

"Of course", Dean and I said on the same time.

"Whatever it takes."

"That's the plan", Dean told.

"No. No plan. Not yet. Your brother. He's the one that can stop Lucifer. The only one."

I widened my eyes but didn't say what I believed. Not yet.

"So, you're saying that—" I began.

"I know. So, I need a promise. You're going to let your brother jump right into that fiery pit. Well, do I have your word, Dean?"

There was silence instead of words. Even if I couldn't read minds, Dean's expression was all I needed to understand what he was thinking. Could I blame him? No. His answer would either save the world, on Sam's behalf, or the other way round.

"Okay, yeah. Yes."

"That had better be 'yes', Dean. You know you can't cheat death. Now, would you like the instruction manual?"

While watching Death telling Dean how to use the rings, panic began to for in my gut. How the hell would Sam survive in the Cage, forever?


"You have no idea how freaked out I am about this", I stated while pacing back and forth in Bobby's living room.

"Being trapped in Hell is one thing, and it's like your worst nightmares, over and over again. But that's only the first circle. Imagine Sam, a human, in the same cell as Lucifer, the Archangel, who probably will be angry as fuck if Sam succeeds. He'd have to suffer torture no one would ever dream about, forever. And forever is a damn long time, especially in Hell. But I'm not saying that I'd want the fate for Lucifer. Believe me, I don't want any of my brothers down there. But I have already tried to reason with him. Hell, I've even tried to reason with Michael, but both of them are stubborn to the bone and none of them will back down. Ugh!" I exclaimed and fell down in the couch in frustration.

"Why does everything have to be so damn hard?"

Cas sighed and sat down beside me.

"I have no idea what you've to do. All I know is that Sam is the only hope to stop this, all of this. And you are very much aware that Dean already has promised him already. You can't cheat Death, Abigail", he reminded me as I began to snuggle up against his chest.

"I know. I just wish there was some other way, that's all", I mumbled.

"What happened when you were in Heaven? Sam told me that it wasn't his place to tell me. Abigail, what did they do?" Cas wondered, making my gut turn upside down.

Gadreel's screams, Thaddeus, blood and flowing Grace, it was still there in me, crystal clear.

"They sent me to the Dungeon", I began.

"I met Gadreel—the first angel I raised— and then Thaddeus… I let him torture me as much as he wanted, I just wanted Gadreel to get away from it, if just for some minutes."

I kept the 'other' Thaddeus to myself, he didn't need to hear it. Cas widened his eyes and pushed away my hair, his face expression terrible to watch.

"Abigail…" Cas whispered.

"You shouldn't have done it."

I shook my head slowly. I had deserved it, for everything. Angels got tortured to repay their sins, I was no different.

"I needed to do it, Cas. I wasn't a good angel. What fate I left Gadreel to… I just hope that I can do what has to be done now."

With that, I realized one thing: I had to let Sam say yes.