Time flew by, which tended to happen when Dean was working on his precious car. While teaching Cas the dos and don'ts of car maintenance, he'd checked the engine, changed the oil, and added air to the tires. And when that was done, they'd moved on to one of the older cars. Which allowed Cas to show off what he'd learnt.

By the time Dean looked up at the clock, it was midday and Dean's stomach demanded food. "Let's take a break." Dean announced loudly, wiping his hands off on one of the rags.

Cas looked up from the car engine he'd been tinkering with, wincing as he straightened.

"You okay?" Dean asked with concern, much as he had every time Cas showed an ounce of discomfort. The fact was, he'd forgotten that Cas was still healing, mostly because it was something he hadn't needed to concern himself with in years.

"I'm fine, I'd like to finish this however." He said, gesturing at the car in front of him. There was a light in his eyes that made Dean smile.

"Don't strain yourself buddy, we have all the time in the world."

The light died and Cas turned back to the engine. Dean wanted to kick himself, of course Cas wouldn't want reminding of their current situation, or the consequences.

"How about I go crab us a couple of sandwiches." Dean tossed his rag on the tool trolly.

"I don't need…" Cas began, then was cut off by the sound of his stomach. He frowned down at it, confused.

Dean smirked, "Seems your body has other ideas. What do you fancy?"

Cas looked up at him, "Peanut Butter and Jelly. I became rather fond of them."

Dean cocked his head, "I thought you didn't need to eat?"

Cas flushed, "I – I couldn't sit in a diner and eat nothing, people would grow suspicious."

"Right." Dean nodded, "So, is that what you did, hang out in diners." He asked casually. Despite his anger, he'd been dying to know exactly what Cas had spent the last six months doing.

With his head still buried in the hood of the classic Ford, Cas cleared his throat before replying, "I travelled."

"Want to elaborate on that?" There was no reply, instead Cas just stood there, stiffly. "Look," Dean sighed, "I – I just want to know where you've been, Cas."

Cas straightened and turned to face Dean fully. The hunter's eyes were drawn back to the streak of oil on the man's cheek, and fingers, as they had been countless times over the past couple of hours. He licked at his lips, and tried to focus on the angel's words.

"For a while," Cas started, "I travelled by bus. On my third trip, an old woman and her granddaughter were sat in the seat opposite me, and she offered me a sandwich. I tried to refuse, but she wouldn't take no for an answer, so…"

"You ate the PB&J?"

He shrugged, "When she got off the bus in Denver, she insisted I take what was left of her food."

Dean nodded understandingly, they'd met a few of those kind of grandmas' over the years.

"Now and again the bus stopped at roadside diners and I would order just so I didn't seem out of place. – But food was never a necessity."

"Well, it will be from now on." Dean remarked casually, not even considering that Cas wouldn't be staying.

Cas looked down at his grease covered hands, "I – I suppose I shall."

Dean's stomach twisted at the pained sadness that passed over the angel's face. "You have to stay Cas." He insisted firmly.

"I know." Cas whispered, "It's just – heaven is all I've ever known. Or at least, all I remember."

Dean's brows furrow. "What's that mean?"

Exhaling slowly, Cas looked up from beneath his lashes, staring at Dean thoughtfully.

"Cas?" Dean stiffened, "You still don't trust me." He sighed,

Castiel's eyes widened in surprise, "What? No, Dean. It's not about trust. Of course I trust you…"

Dean's shoulders slumped as Sam's words from earlier came back to him, "Right, yeah. I get it, we haven't exactly been good friends. – I haven't been a good…anything to you, I get why you wouldn't want to confide in me."

"That's not it, Dean." Castiel insisted, his voice hardening, "I – I'm still processing what Gabriel told me."

Dean winced, shaking his head. "Right, sorry. – I'll go and get those sandwiches." He turned, hurriedly marching away. He shouldn't be prying into Castiel's life, he didn't have the right to. It was just – once upon a time, there wouldn't have been this chasm between them. Once upon a time, Cas told him stuff he hadn't told anyone else, and Dean – well, he'd done the same. When had that changed? When had they stopped being able to trust one another with their darkest secrets?

As he walked, his mind attempted to find the answer, and it kept coming back to their years apart. When Dean was off living his supposedly normal life, while Cas was fighting a war in heaven. To Cas choosing to work with Crowley over coming to Dean for help. To the lies and the secrets. Crowley, Raphael, The Leviathans. That's when it all went to hell.

It was also when Dean realised that he felt more than simple friendship for Cas.

"I'm not an angel." Cas announced, loudly, causing Dean to stop in his tracks.

He turned slowly, frowning, "What?"

Cas met his gaze, "That's what Gabriel told me. I'm not an angel. At least not like the others. I…" He trailed off, brows creasing in thought. "I was born."

"Uh?"

"I was born, here on earth. I had a mother and a family. I grew was raised like any other human child."

Dean took a step forward, "I don't understand."

"I'm a Nephilim. – No, I'm more than that, I'm – God isn't just my father because he created the host, he's my literal father."

The words swirled around Dean's head, pushing painfully behind his eyes. "Like – you mean like Jesus?" Dean said carefully.

Cas held his gaze, his back straightening. "Not like." He stated calmly.

The whole universe shifted around Dean with that revelation.

/*\/*\/*\

Stepping out of the dungeon, Gabriel slumped against the wall and closed his eyes, His fingernails bit into his palms, he was clenching his fists to tight. He couldn't feel it though, not when his arms were burning up from the inside. When his nerves were being seared apart. "See you boys in an hour." Crowley called behind Sam, as the hunter pulled the door closed behind him. The click it made felt louder and more painful to Gabriel's sensitive hearing.

There was a loud hum resonating through his head, and it made even the sound of his own breathing agony to his ears.

"Gabe?" Sam yelled, and Gabriel flinched at the sound, his hands going to his head. "Gabriel?" Within the loud volume of his boyfriend's voice, Gabe could hear the worry and fear. He cracked open one eye, "I'm fine , Sammy." He whispered as quietly as he could.

"What?"

Apparently, he was too quiet. Repeating himself, he added, "I need to have a lie down. You guys carry on without me." Pushing himself off the wall, he headed in the opposite direction to the den. The sound of each step like nails down a chalkboard.

It wasn't until he reached his room and attempted to throw the door closed behind him, that he realised Sam had followed him. Gabriel didn't turn to acknowledge him however, instead he carefully lowered himself down on the bed, his eyes closing the second his head hit the pillow.

The silent oblivion of sleep was gently luring him under when the bed shifted, and a warm hand pressed to his forehead.

"You're hot."

"Shhhh." Gabriel hushed, wincing once more. "Don't let everyone know." He tried to joke, but it fell flat.

"I'll get you some water and a damp cloth."

Gabriel shook his head and moaned, "Just set the alarm for an hour and let me sleep." He ordered, his tone edged with irritation .

There was a blissfully long silence , and then the drumming of footsteps. Against his better judgement, Gabriel opened a single eye and watched as the bedroom door closed behind Sam. He sighed with relief and gave himself over fully to unconsciousness.

/*\/*\/*\

Closing the door softly, Sam exhaled a long pained sigh and tried to breathe as he rested his head against the solid wood . As the hours ticked by it was becoming harder to accept Gabriel's decision, it was tearing him up inside. Swallowing the lump, Sam fought to quiet the voice in the back of his mind that whispered to simply let Gabriel sleep through the next injection. Hell, perhaps he could let Crowley go, if the demon wasn't there to be cured then the trails would have to be put on hold. It would give Sam enough time to find another way.

Straightening up, Sam took a deep breath and turned to stare at the closed door . As much as it was killing him, he knew he wasn't going to do anything. His fingers tightened around his phone, sending a dull ripple of pain through his palm.

Turning, Sam headed in the direction of the den . He arrived to find Kevin and Claire arguing about something happening on screen. The pair instantly fell silent and looked up at him. Claire's eyes widening with worry while looking past him. "Where's Pops?"

Sam forced a reassuring smile, "He's gone to take a nap, he said to carry on without him."

The room filled with a tense silence, Claire exhaling and shaking her head. "I…" Getting to her feet, she muttered, "I need the bathroom," and rushed past Sam.

His heart clenched and he sighed, giving Kevin a smile. He didn't say anything more, instead he turned and headed for the kitchen. He needed to take Gabe some water.

Dean is staring off into space, when Sam strolls into the kitchen, the ingredients for a PB&J sandwich scattered out in from of him. He doesn't even react to Sam's arrival until Sam clears his throat and calls his name. Then Dean jerks back into the here and now, blinking rapidly.

"Uh, hey." He looks around, momentarily confused, "Where's Gabe?"

"Resting." Sam replied, his voice rougher than usual.

Dean looks at him with understanding and nods, "How is he holding up?"

Sam looks away and shrugs, "Where's Cas?" He asked in a change of subject.

Dean went back to preparing his sandwich, "In the garage, repairing a fan belt."

Sam's eyes widened with surprise, "You're letting Cas tinker with the impala?"

Dean gave a little shake of his head, "He's working on one of the old cars. I - I figured if he was gonna be sticking around on earth, he should learn how to fix a car."

Sam nodded, that seemed reasonable, "So he's definitely sticking around?"

Dean's head snapped up, eyes wide, "He can't go back, they'll kill him."

"I meant, around the bunker?"

Dean stared for another few seconds, then shrugged, "I - guess. I mean, we haven't discussed it. I - tried but we got - distracted."

Sam can't hold back the smirk, "Oh?"

Dean's head snapped up and fixed his brother with a hard stare, "Not like that, gutter brain. We - Cas isn't..." Dean trailed off, his hand pausing mid-air.

Sam frowned, "Dean?" He called with renewed concern. It takes his brother a little longer this time.

Dean does that blinking thing again, coming back down to earth, and the knife clatters to the counter. There are a few moments of silence while Dean piles the sandwiches on plates and pours milk, then sticks it all on a tray.

"Dean?" Sam said, watching his brother move around the kitchen. For a moment, he's four years old again, Dean making him lunch while their dad if off god knows where. "Dean?"

"Yeah Sammy. " Dean replied, distracted.

"When this is over." Sam said, his throat already trying to close around the words. "When Gabe's..."

Dean stopped, looking over at him. "Yeah." He pressed cautiously.

"I - I'm going to stop."

Dean narrowed his eyes, stepping around the counter, wiping his hands on his jeans. "What?"

"Not forever." Sam clarified, "Just... - I'm going to need time to..." He swallowed the tears he'd been fighting off all morning, "Last time, I rushed into hunting, I channelled all my anger into killing yellow eyes, and then again after you. If I don't step back, god only knows what I'll get us into this time."

Dean folded his arms and leant back against the counter, thinking. "Honestly," Dean breathed, "I've been thinking too." He lifted his head to meet Sam's gaze, "To be honest Sammy, if it weren't for Heaven and Hell pulling our strings, I'd have probably quit by now."

Sam frowned, "What? But I thought you hated civilian life? You were miserable with Lisa."

Dean let out a long sigh and dropped his gaze, "It wasn't the life that was the problem, it was – who I was with."

Ah, Sam thought, nodding. "Right." He hadn't understood that at the time. He'd been blind and thought that Dean would be happy with Lisa, and honestly, in hindsight he thinks Dean thought the same thing.

"Fact is, I don't want this anymore." Dean muttered, the toe of his boot scuffing up the kitchen tiles. "I've lost too much, we've lost too much." He corrected. "Remember what Henry said? As long as there are Winchesters there's hope? I don't want use to be the end, Sammy. I've already lost two kids, I don't…"

"Two?" Sam frowned, only for the truth of that statement to slam into him, and his stomach dropped. Shame and guilt flooding in.

"I know Ben wasn't mine , but – he felt like mine. He always did, and…." Dean trailed off, standing silently, the air around him crackling.

"I – I didn't think – You never talk about…"

"I know she was a monster, Sam. I know you had to do it," He meet Sam's eyes with so much understanding and forgiveness that it only made Sam feel worse. "If you hadn't done it, I would have, I know that."

"So why…?"

Dean shrugged, "In one word? Claire. – Every time I'm with her, all I can think about is how it might have been . If only we'd taken a moment, looked for another solution."

Sam swallowed thickly, the tears in his eyes now rooted in guilt. Deep down, if he were truly a hundred percent honest, at least with himself, he knew why he'd killed her. He'd been angry, it was a momentary act of vengeance for killing Amy. He'd wanted Dean to feel how he'd felt. – Though he had never consciously acknowledged that to himself before . "Dean, I'm – god, I'm sorry man. I – If I could…"

"It's fine Sammy." Dean waved off, "The past is the past." He smiled reassuringly, though it didn't reach his eyes. "But I want another chance. I don't want to end up dead on some random vamp hunt. That's not how I want to go."

Sam nodded, "Me neither."

They both fell silent, Sam staring down at the phone in his hand, noticing that it was almost time for the next injection. This was what Gabriel wanted, right, them to have freedom and a chance to live their lives. He was sacrificing himself for the future of his family.

/*\/*\/*\

Claire carefully pushed open the bedroom door and stepped into the half-light, closing it gently behind her. On the bed, Gabriel lay on his side, facing Sam's side of the bed. Padding over, Claire carefully climbed onto the mattress, holding her breath as she tried not to wake him, then she stretched out facing him.

For the first time in years, she felt it again, sharp and agonising, tearing at her heart. The grief at her parent's loss was never fully gone, instead it lives permanently, humming away in her chest. A constant presence but something that thanks to Gabriel, she had learnt to live with. Because she knew they were together in heaven, waiting for her. Happy. Knowing that, had made it easier to move on and accept her new life. Her new family.

And now it was happening all over again.

She turned her face into Sam's pillow to muffle the sound of her sob, her body tense as she fought against moving. She should have gone to her own room, then she could cry as hard and loud as she wanted, but she needed the reassurance that he was still there, for a little longer. She needed to know that this man, who'd become a father to her, was still breathing.

She startled when an arm slide over her, and turned her head to find Gabriel's tired eyes on her. Horrified at herself, he moved to roll away, muttering a wet, "Sorry."

Gabriel shushed her quietly and tugged her back, pulling her close to him. It took a few seconds, but finally Claire melted into his embrace, burying her face in his chest, and finally letting the broken sobs take over. For all her 18 years, in that moment, she was a terrified child seeking the comfort of her parent.

/*\/*\/*\

Sam stood at the end of the bed just watching the pair sleep. It was an oddly heart-warming image, seeing as Claire was a fully grown adult. He was sure a stranger would easily misinterpret the situation. There was a fresh wave of guilt, as Dean's words about envying their relationship with Claire came back to him.

Despite that, he lifted his phone, thumbed open the camera app and took a photo, wincing as the flash illuminated the pair, causing them to startle awake.

"Shit, sorry." Sam hurriedly apologised, lowering the camera sheepishly.

Gabriel looked up at him, eyes red and hair ruffled, "Is it time?"

Sam pressed his lips into a thin line, so tempted to shake his head and tell him to just go back to sleep. Instead, he nodded. "Yeah."

With a groan, Gabriel rolled onto his back and dragged a hand down his face. He lay there for a few seconds, face in his hands, then pushed himself up . His movements were stiff and laboured.

"You okay?" Sam asked, moving around to help, only for Gabriel to wave him off.

"I just woke up, what do you think." He grouched. Getting to his feet, he swayed, and Sam gripped his elbow long enough to steady him.

"Thanks." Gabriel smiled weakly, then looked over his shoulder. Claire was already on her feet, looking just as tired, "You should go get something to eat." Gabe said with concern, "I'll meet you in the kitchen, okay?"

Claire looked at him sceptically, but didn't argue. "Okay."

She vanished and Gabriel sighed, "You need to look after her, Sam." He said firmly, "She's not…"

"I know." He replied, "I don't need to be told, Gabe."

"Of course." Gabriel muttered, heading for the door. "I'm just worried."

"You don't need to be." Sam informed him when they reached the hall, "I've been talking to Dean, we're – we're retiring."

Gabriel looked up so fast that he lost his footing, luckily Sam was there to right him. "What?"

"Turns out he'd as done with this life as I am." Sam shrugged.

They walked on together, Sam's arm around Gabe's back in a subtle show of support.

"What are you going to do?" Gabe asked.

Sam shrugged, "Haven't thought that far ahead. – Dean mentioned maybe taking over where Bobby left off."

"So not fully retiring then?" Gabriel smiled.

Sam shrugged, "I don't think either of us could ever go completely cold turkey . We just…don't want to end up like every other hunter."

Gabriel let out a long-relieved breath, "I'm glad. That's all I want for you guys. If I had my way, you'd have the lives you were never allowed to have, before all this shit started."

Sam drew to a halt, stopping Gabe. "I don't want that life. – If I could have anything, I'd want you. – You, me and Claire back in Indiana."

Gabriel looked up at him with sad wistful eyes. "You have no idea how much I wish that was our ending Sam." He swallowed and reached up to pull Sam into a chaste kiss.

They started moving again, "And Dean and Cas?"

"I think they're on their way. They're in the garage fixing cars and eating PB&J sandwiches." Sam replied with a small laugh.

"Good, I'm glad."

They stopped outside the dungeon door and Gabriel inhaled deeply, then reached for the handle. Sam watched him step inside with an air of strength he knew Gabriel didn't possess and felt a tidal wave of anger.

Calming himself as best he can, Sam followed his boyfriend in. As usually, Gabe headed straight for the table while Crowley continued to bluster in an unconvincing show of bravado.

"How we doing? Time for the next love injection?" The demon said with a smug grin and a dry chuckle, but the fear was clear in his eyes. Sam had seen it in enough demons over the years. "Ch-ch-ch-changes. Turn and face the strain, ch-ch-ch-changes. Just gonna have to be a different man. Time may change me, but I can't trace—" He hissed, the song dying on his lips, the second Gabriel jabbed the needle into his neck.

Gabriel stepped back and Sam held his breath, watching for the look of pain. It came quickly, Gabriel letting out a moan for the first time. Above Crowley's head, the bulb blew, plunging them into darkness.

/*\/*\/*\

Dean's careful with the tray as he takes the steps up to the garage. The last thing he wants is to spill the milk and go back for more. He'd already had to pour away two glasses because they'd started to grow warm while he spoke to Sam.

At the top of the steps, he suddenly became aware of the engine sound, "Shit." He choked out, hurriedly rushing towards the Ford. "Cas! Cas, turn off the engine Cas!"

The angel frowned at him through the windshield for a second before doing what Dean said. Dean set the tray on the hood of the nearest car and ran down the garage to the huge doors, throwing them open. A gust of fresh air exploded into the large space and dean inhaled deeply.

"Dean?" Cas asked with concern in his voice.

"What the hell! You can't start an engine in a closed space. Are you trying to kill yourself?" Dean snapped turning back to fix Cas with a hard look. "Jesus." He cursed, shaking his head at the angel.

"Yes, Dean." Cas replied, his eyes never leaving the hunter's.

Dean stared at him. It had taken years for Dean to realised that Cas actually did possess a sense of humour. It was dry as the Sahara but fuck at least he had one, which was more than could be said for the rest of heaven. So, looking at him now, Dean could see it in the man's eyes, the little twinkle that said he knew exactly what he was saying.

The corner of Dean's mouth ticked upwards and a warm feeling erupted in his chest, before bursting free in the form of a raucous laugh that echoed of the concrete walls. Shaking his head, Dean grabbed a crate from the corner of the garage and carried it over to the nearest low wall that separated the parking spaces. "Grab the tray and get over here." He said, still chuckling.

The walls weren't the most comfortable places to still, but there wasn't any other option, unless they wanted to eat in the Impala. Dean glanced over at the car thoughtfully, it wouldn't be the first time they'd eaten in there.

Getting to his feet, he stepped around the crate, holding up a hand to stop Cas, and headed for his baby. He yanked open the passenger's side door then walked around to the driver's side. "Get in, I'm too old to be sitting on hard concrete."

"We could just go to the kitchen, Dean." Cas said while heading for the open door. He held out the tray to Dean. Cas climbed in and made himself comfortable. Dean set the tray carefully between them and grabbed his glass of milk.

"It's probably warm now." He complained.

Cas reached over, touching his finger to the side of the glass. Instantly Dean's palm began to cool, and he looked up with a smile. Cas shrugged, "We may as well make the most of my grace while I still have it."

Dean paused in his drinking, looking at Cas over the rim of the glass. Shit, he'd almost allowed himself to forget what all this was going to mean for Cas. Lowering the glass, he dragged the back of his hand over his mouth and licked at his lips. "Me and Sam were talking about that. What we're going to do after…"

"Oh?" Castiel said before beginning to drink.

"Yeah," Dean looked down into the half empty glass. "We're retiring."

Cas' head snapped up, the milk leaving a mark around his lips. "You are?"

Dean nodded, his eyes unable to leave the top of the angel's lip. "Maybe not fully, but – Sam wants some time to – grieve and, well I – I'm… - this life has kind of lost its appeal. I want to try something new. Something different." He admitted softly. His tongue poked out to dampen his suddenly dry lips.

"Such as?" Cas asked, his deep voice smooth as velvet against Dean's senses.

Dean's fingers tightened around his glass, and he inhaled deeply, heart hammering anxiously against his ribs. His mind was a whirling dervish of conflicting thoughts and feelings, fear and shame. A constant battle within him between what he wanted, desired, - loved, and what he'd always been told he deserved. What he wasn't allowed.

"Dean?" Cas frowned. His voice quiet and calming.

'But trust me when I say, what he feels is as real as your feelings for him.' – 'He loves you, asshole.' Dean has spent his entire life facing the unknown, walking straight into danger without an ounce of reassurance that it'll turn out alright in the end.

'He's not like other angels…' – 'I was born, here on earth.'

Reaching out with a surprisingly steady hand, Dean dragged his thumb across Cas' top lip, wiping away the milk, then hooking his fingers beneath the man's chin and inhaling deeply, Dean leant forward and brushed his lips against Castiel's own.

It was brief, Dean pulling back too quickly. "Uh," He flushed, "Sorry, I…" Before he could go any further, Castiel's fingers curled into the collar of his shirt and pulled him back, taking control and deepening the kiss. Dean moaned and dropped the glass, not caring about any mess, because he was kissing Cas, finally . At long last, he had what he wanted.

/*\/*\/*\

As the hours ticked by, Gabriel became increasingly drained. Yet, with every dose he delivered, the power within him grew stronger, burning and crackling beneath his flesh. He'd already blown out the TV, as well as countless bulbs .

The force building inside him was incredible and uncontrollable, Gabriel feared what would it do once it is released . He'd been becoming increasingly anxious, terrified of the fallout. Sitting in the darkened bedroom, Gabriel worried at his lip. He was two steps away from it all being over. Just two more injections of his blood and Crowley will be cured.

Then with one final line of Enochian and…

"Sam?" He whispered into the silence.

"Yeah." The hunter replied, voice carefully low to protect Gabe's sensitive hearing.

The bed shifted with Sam turning his head. Gabriel winced at the movement of the mattress, his head beginning to swim anew. "You guys need to leave."

All care vanished as Sam hurriedly sat up straight, "What do you mean, leave?"

It took a few seconds for Gabriel to reply, fighting the wave of nausea that rose. "You've seen what's happening, you know...this isn't going to end pretty, Sam. I can feel it. When I blow, I don't want you and the others getting hurt."

At any other time, there would be laughter, innuendo, flirting, but not this time. Sam sat there silently. Gabriel knew he wanted to argue, but the evidence of what was bubbling away beneath Gabe's skin was all around them. The darkness of the room wasn't solely about his aversion to light. There was also the fact that Sam's hair was being attracted to Gabe every time he got to close, which at one time would have been hilarious, but now just highlighted the power Gabe was producing.

"I won't leave you alone." Sam insisted finale, voice low and harsh. "Whatever happens, I'm staying with you."

"Sam" Gabe sighed.

"No, Gabriel. I left you to die once, I won't do it again."

Gabriel winced at the reminder of the last time he'd sacrificed himself for the greater good. "We weren't anything back then, I wa..."

"Exactly. Now you mean too much to me to let you go through this alone."

Gabriel closed his eyes and sighed, "This place could get levelled Sam. Probably will." He said matter-of-factly. "And with that in mind, " he carefully turned his head, finding Sam's gaze in the dark. "You have a little over two hours to grab as much stuff as you need and get the hell out of dodge."

Sam looked back at him silently, his heart racing. It had been a long time since Gabriel had heard any heart but his own. "I'm serious Sam, hopefully it's just a precaution, but if not, you might want to save some stuff."

There was another few seconds of tense silence, then Sam exhaled a breath he seemed to have been holding and scrambled off the bed. He paused only a second before rushing for the door, carefully pulling it closed behind him.

Alone, Gabriel closed his eyes and tried to stay calm, even as the reality of the situation began to crush him beneath its immense weight.

/*\/*\/*\

Sam took a moment to breath, thumbing at his cell phone and bringing it to his ear whilst turning to knock on Claire's bedroom door. He shoved it open merely a second later to find the room empty, all while Dean's dial tone played in his ear.

Leaving the door of the room open, Sam hurriedly headed in the direction of the library. With the TV out of order, Claire and Kevin had probably relocated there. Gritting his teeth in frustration, he hung up the phone and picked up the pace. Turning into the Crow's Nest, he called out, "Claire? Claire?"

"Yeah." The young woman replied, appearing at the top of the library steps, flushed and with a terrified look in her eyes. "What's happened? Is Pops…?"

"Gabriel's fine. I need you to go and pack your things. Anything you don't want to lose."

"What? Why?"

"I'll explain later, we don't have time, just go pack." Sam said in a rush, gaze moving past Claire as he stepped further into the space. "Kevin, same goes for you."

The young man stared at him blankly, unimpressed. "All I have is a few clothes and these," He held up the tablets.

"Whatever you have, shove into a bag." Sam ordered. He looked back to Claire, who was hovering uncertainly on the step. "Go. – No, wait, have you seen Dean and Cas?"

Claire shook her head, "Not since breakfast."

"Okay, get going."

Claire hurried off, Riot close on her heels. He seemed even more skittish that usual, but that made sense considering the charged air. Looking briefly over to check that Kevin had gone too, Sam headed off towards the garage, stopping by the kitchen just in case.

He took the concrete steps two at a time and looked around. The place looked empty, but the garage doors were wide open. There was no way Dean would have left them like that. A whole fresh wave of fear and panic settled across Sam's chest. "Dean!" He yelled, stepping cautiously into the garage, eyes flickering around for any sign of trouble.

The Impala was still there, so he knew Dean and Cas hadn't left. "Dean!" He bellowed again, and frowned as he noticed movement coming from the car. Hurrying over, he looked through the window and…

"Fuck!" He gasped, turning away with a pained look.

Moments later, Sam heard the car door opening and feet stepping out. He didn't turn around, too fearful of that he would see. He was already going to need to invest in a new supply of brain bleach.

"Dammit Sam." Dean grouched behind him.

"Sam, what's happened?" Castiel asked breathlessly, the same air of panic in his tone that Claire had a few minutes previous.

Cautiously, Sam looked over his shoulder to find Dean fastening his jeans while Cas' hands were still on the hem of his t-shirt. God, in any other circumstance he'd be overjoyed and teasing Dean, but – well, nothing made him happy now. "Sorry," He muttered, "Gabriel's fine," Sam sighed, fully turning to face them. "Well, relatively speaking."

"So, what's with the yelling and the interrupting." Dean asked, frustration etched all over his face.

Sam wished he could feel sorry, "We need to pack up." He said, getting right to it. "Anything we don't want to lose, you need to stick in a box, put in the Impala, and maybe the truck, and drive away from here."

Dean frowned, his features moving from frustration to confusion and worry. "What? Why?"

Gritting his teeth and taking a deep breath, he prepared to explain what Gabe has said to him, only for Cas to beat him to it.

"Because Gabriel's going to explode." Cas said with a calm that unnerved Sam.

"What?" Dean gasped, suddenly panicked.

"He can feel it." Sam sighed, dragging his fingers through his hair, "And so can I. Whatever it is, its already taken out the TV and every bulb within twenty feet of him."

"The TV?"

"You saw what happened in the infirmary." Cas replied, "And that was only twenty minutes after knocking Naomi and Crowley unconscious back at the gas station."

"Wait," Dean gapped, looking between the pair. "Are you saying, he's going to go – nuclear?"

Castiel exhaled a long regretful sigh and lowered his gaze to the floor, fingers playing anxiously at the hem of his shirt. "Yes." He answered bluntly, then looked up with sadness. "Human souls are powerful, you know that." Cas began to explain. "It's why I… - But an angel's grace is – fifty times that."

"But Gabe isn't an angel." Sam and Dean said in unison.

"Just because he doesn't have power, doesn't stop him being an angel. He still has his grace, its who he is. It's a part of him on a fundamental level, its just – empty."

"Like a dead car battery." Dean hummed.

"Exactly. The battery is still a battery. Before, because of purgatory and being cut off from heaven, his battery died, and right now it's being recharged."

"Okay, so he'll become an angel again, big deal." Dean shrugged.

"Except," Cas sighed, "It's like charging a battery by hooking it up to a nuclear power station. It's a different kind of power, they're not compatible. Gabriel wasn't built for this, no one was."

Sam's stomach plummeted, so much so it may as well be back in the cage. "Is there any way to…"

Castiel started shaking his head before Sam had even finished speaking. "I'm sorry, Sam. I wish there were, but – when he finishes that trial…"

Sam stared down at his shoes, his chest aching as if a werewolf had just ripped out his heart. The fact was, he'd been foolishly telling himself that there was hope. That Gabriel might make it through this. That they were all just overreacting. Now however, the reality of a life without Gabriel was right there, and he couldn't deny it anymore.

Tears welled in his eyes and he couldn't breathe .

"Woah there Sammy, okay, it's okay." Dean said, his hand on Sam's arm. "Breathe."

Sam shook his head as his knees went from beneath him. "I – I'm going to –"

Dean caught him as he crumbled, pulling him close as together they landed on the hard cold concrete floor. Sam's face buried in his big brother's shoulder.