"Shit." That was the only thing Dean could think to say. They had come so close to getting out, so incredibly close to escaping the lingering threat of the Empty for good, for earning Heaven. Billie's death eliminated all possibilities of that.

Another scream echoed around them, the creature staying out of the light but incredibly close to their spot and instinctively Dean glanced and beckoned at Sam, placing himself in front of him and Cas so that his body would act as shield against whatever was threatening them.

"Dean," Sam said softly. "Nothing's going to help."

"I don't care," Dean snapped. "I'm not letting you die without a fight."

"Damn this," Lucifer said angrily. "We're stuck here."

Gabriel, a soft smile on his face, gazed up at the canopy above them as if he was seeing God himself. Okay, that might not be a good comparison, Dean thought. Maybe a 'Savior' would be more accurate.

"Gabe?" Asmodei asked tentatively. "What is it?"

"Grace," Gabriel replied softly. "It's our Grace."

Four soul-like balls of blue light, fiery blue, seemed to dance down into the clearing. Asmodei laughed aloud, it was the first time Dean had heard the Angel laugh and he smiled at that. Nudging Cas, he said softly, "I think one of them's yours. Go get it."

When Cas turned to look at him his eyes seemed to be on fire with passion and excitement. He ran forward, raising his arms to the sky where the brightest Grace, blue on the outside, almost violet in the centre, descended into his hands. His hands shook and he breathed in the fire.

The flare erupting from Cas's body was so bright Sam needed to cover his eyes. He pulled Dean with him as he stumbled back, steering clear of waves of celestial energy shooting across the clearing.

The ground under his feet seemed to shake, he tripped, Dean steadied him. "You good?" he heard his older brother ask from somewhere near him.

"I'm fine," he heard himself say.

Dean gasped next to him. "Oh my- Cas?" Sam's eyes shot open, worry for his friend overpowering the urge to save his eyesight.

Cas was collapsed against a tree where as the other Angels were upright for the most part, Lucifer leaning against Asmodei. Cas's shoulders were shaking, his legs trembling. "Cas?" Sam called, worry infecting his voice. "Hey!"

Dean was by his side hardly an instant before Sam. "Hey," Dean whispered, voice low and terrified. "Cas? You okay?"

Sam put a hand on Dean's back, trying to calm him. "Cas?"

Cas looked up. His eyes blazed blue as he looked up at them. Cast on the forest behind them the ginormous shadow of his wings stained the trees such a deep black that it took Sam's breath away. He heard Dean's soft intake of breath beside him, and faintly wondered what it was like for Dean to see those wings when they were attached to the man he loved. Then Cas stumbled forward again, half collapsing into Dean who grabbed his Angel, holding him to his chest.

"Hey! Cas?" Dean said, alarmed. Sam grabbed one of Cas's arms.

"Cas!" Sam glanced wildly around at the three Angels standing around, Lucifer still using his brothers as support, with their returned Grace. "What's happening to him?"

"Amara," Lucifer said softly. "Her touch, Darkness, remains. It taints mine too, weakens it slowly until it's really bad; at the peak of pain, then...well, it goes away, the Grace returns to normal."

"You didn't think of mentioning that earlier?" Dean snapped, concern for Cas making him angry. He knelt and lay the half conscious Angel across his lap, stroking his hair. "Sammy, hand me the coat."

Sam did so quickly. "Is he alright?" he asked anxiously.

"He'll be fine," Dean said, voice wavering as he slipped the coat on the Angel.

"I took the brunt of the damage she inflicted," Lucifer said softly, watching Dean grip Cas's hand. "I knew it would happen to me but I needed to see if it would happen to Cassie. I can handle it without anyone being too worried. No one would have noticed or cared."

Gabriel made a disgruntled sound at the statement and Asmodei shot him a look that Sam knew quite well; the "my brother is a fucking idiot who can't accept the fact people care about him" look.

Cas felt like he was burning from the inside out. Faintly he could hear Dean's voice, worried and almost frantic sounding, calling to him. He waved a hand and blearily mumbled, "I'm okay."

"No," he heard Dean say. "You're really not. Come here." He enveloped Cas into his strong arms. He felt the Earth shaking-scream rip through the skies again, louder and closer than ever before. Icy terror flooded down his spine.

Asmodei couldn't be more content with the way he would die. It was a weird thing to say but he really was okay with it. He was with his brothers, his friends, and he would see Esmerelda again. He could remain in her Heaven, find it finally. His only regret was Cas and the Winchesters. Cas and Dean had so much ahead of them, Sam had so much knowledge in that brilliant brain, so much potential in that life ahead of him.

An idea struck him. "Brothers, Sam, Dean," he called. "I have an idea."

"Yeah?" Gabriel was beside him in an instant. "What?"

Dean looked up, face hopeful. Cas's half closed eyes widened. Sam moved closer. Asmodei's voice almost failed him. "I can fight the monster, whatever it is. Lucifer, Gabriel, fly them up as far as you possibly can. It sounds impossible but just...just trust me if nothing else."

Lucifer's eyes widened. "But you won't get out," he said softly. His eyes turned sad as he realized the unspoken truth behind the words. "You don't want to."

Asmodei shook his head sadly. "No. I'm sorry."

Gabriel nodded. "Okay," he said. "I'm not going to press you to come. But we can only take one person each and Cas is too weak to fly."

"I'll stay," said the soft but firm voice in the back. Dean was staring directly at them. "If it means Sammy and Cas get out, I'll stay."

"No!" Sam and Cas said at the same time.

"No," Sam snapped. "You promised you wouldn't leave me! You promised me Dean! I'll stay, okay? You're the better hunter, you're the better brother! You've got Cas! I'm not letting you throw that away."

"No," Cas whispered, staring up at him. He pushed away from Dean angrily. "Dean Winchester, you and your pathetic self-loathing, self destructive desire to sacrifice yourself for everyone you love! It's my fault we're here in the first place. I stay."

Lucifer spoke up softly. "I can-"

"No!" Gabriel, Asmodei and Cas all shouted.

Lucifer raised his hands in defeat. "I'll take that as a compliment."

The light from the fire on the tree faded suddenly and they were plunged into absolute darkness.