A/N: Episode: Taxi Driver. As this is pretty much an episode rewrite, it contains episode dialogue, which obviously I do not own. Episode: Taxi Driver.

Sorry its been so long, and also I apologize in advance for any spelling/grammar mistakes that appea#r in this chapter, I haven't had time to fully proof it.

They kept Bobby safely between them as they hurried back the way they came. Sam's fingers tightened instinctively around the machete in his hand as they approached the small corridor where he'd been tormented by Lucifer's voice.

He wasn't the only one aware of that, as a few feet in front, he saw Gabriel glancing back at him, his brow raised questioningly. Sam gave him a reassuring nod and inhaled deeply.

As they passed swiftly through, Sam exhaled the breath he'd been holding. His eyes closing briefly. The weight of fear lifting for his shoulders.

They picked up there pace, hurrying past tortured souls until a gentle cooling breeze began to filter in, accompanied by welcomed light.

"Almost there Bobby." Sam informed the older man in front of him. He reached out to squeeze Bobby's shoulder.

"Not so fast."

Ice pierced through Sam's heart, fingers tightening once more on the blade. Though it would be useless against the archangel, who was nothing more than a taunting voice in his head. He could hear his blood rushing in his ears. It's not real. He told himself.

"I'm behind you." The cheery voice said, sending an icy shiver down Sam's spine. It was too close not to be real.

Against his better judgement, Sam turned. Nothing. Just as he'd expected. Exhaling a long breath, Sam shook his head, scolding himself for giving into his fears.

With a humorless laugh, he turned back, only to find his nightmare staring back at him, a wide grin on his face. Logically, Sam knew it couldn't really be Lucifer. Not with the face he wore, but the vision still managed to freeze him to the bone.

Seeing Lucifer wasn't the worst past however, he'd survive that before, well with the help of Castiel. – Who wasn't there. - No, what made this so much more terrifying was the fact that Satan stood in front of their escape with his arms around angelic brother's neck, an angel blade in his right hand.

"Let him go." Sam ordered shakily, tightening his grip on his weapon.

The devil smirked, shaking his head as he rose the blade. Sam's heart stopped. He couldn't lose Gabriel, not now. Not yet. A cold sweat peppered his back. He swallowed thickly, forcing back the nausea.

Suddenly a scream echoed around him, and Lucifer's eyes widened in shock. To Sam's surprise the fallen archangel didn't explode with divine light, but instead began to crack and implode. Gabriel quickly following suit with the same effect.

With a frown, Sam watched the bodies crumple to the ground. Behind them bathed in light stood Gabriel and Bobby, there features pinched with worry and anger. Sam exhaled in a rush, his whole body beginning to shake as the reality of the situation took hold.

"You okay, boy?" Bobby asked deep frown etched on his face.

Sam nodded, chest heaving. He moved towards the exit on shaky legs. He stared down at Gabriel, eyes searching the older man's features.

"You alright?" Sam whispered, reaching for the ex-archangel.

Gabriel gave him a reassuring smile, and Sam couldn't hold himself back from learning in to kiss the man. Not caring who was watching.

The kiss was brief, but enough to anchor Sam back in the real world. Straightening he turned to see Bobby staring meaningfully off into the distance. "Let's get out of here." Sam announced breathlessly.

The sky was a dull grey when they exited Hell. Sam instantly inhaled, desperate to clear his lungs from the lingering sulphur. Looking down at his watch, he found it had returned to normal, the seconds had slowly to a calm tick, and he released a relieved sigh, even as his heart skipped. It had felt as if they'd only been in hell for little over an hour, but his watch made it clear that it had in fact been 18 hours. It didn't seem possible, but of course it was.

"We need to get back to the clearing." Gabriel announced, his eyes briefly scanning Sam from head to toe, worry in his amber gaze.

"I'm fine." Sam insisted, "Let's go. I'm guessing we don't want to be caught in the dark. He glanced around at the trees, before looking up at the sky. Heavy dull clouds blanketing the sky. He shot Gabe a soft reassuring smile, and the man inclined his head. Turning to lead the way.

Tightening his fingers around the machete, Sam looked down at Bobby, who stood silently watched the pair of them. "Ready?" He asked, reaching into the pocket of his jacket for Ruby's knife and handing it over.

Bobby looked from the blade to the hunter, "Feels good." He smiled, marching off after the ex-archangel.

(*_*)

They trekked through the heavy woodland for over an hour in silence, each of them focusing on their surroundings and the possibility of pursuit. Once they were comfortably away from the enterence to hell, Sam and Bobby's pace began to slow, their bodies relaxing. Gabriel however didn't allow himself to relax. He remained ahead of them, body wound tight. Sam could see it in the way he was carrying himself.

Gabriel was a warrior again. More so than when he'd first crashed into Sam's life two years ago. The way he moved now, reminded Sam of the powerful archangel who'd marched into that motel dining room, all righteous fury and steely determination. The memory caused his heart to flutter and his breath to catch, and he wondered, in hindsight, if he'd felt something back then too.

Was that why it had all been so difficult? Why he'd pushed Gabriel away, fought his feelings? Had there always been something in him drawn to the archangel?

"So, what's all this about?" Bobby interrupted gruffly, startling Sam from his thoughts.

"We're closing the gates of hell." He replied absently, his gaze never leaving the man ahead of him.

"What?"

At Bobby's surprise, Sam tore his attention away from Gabriel, looking down at the older hunter. "Kevin, Kevin Tran. He's a prophet."

"I remember." Bobby sighed gruffly, rolling his eyes.

Smiling awkwardly, Sam continued, "Right. So anyway, he's been deciphering the demon tablet. It turns out, it had the instructions for closing the gates of hell. That's why we're here. For you. Rescuing a soul from hell. It's one of the trials."

Bobby hummed thoughtfully, before turning his attention back to the path in front of them. "And him?" he grunted.

Sam straightened, slightly defensive of Bobby's tone. "He's the one doing the trails." He stated firmly, more than a little pride in his voice as he added. "He insisted on coming back here."

Bobby stared up at him, brows pinched. Sam didn't meet his gaze through, instead determinedly focusing off into the woods. "And what you said back there, that's…true?" Bobby pressed carefully.

Shoulders slumping, Sam closed his eyes briefly and inhaled, before turning back to the old man, "Yeah, Bobby." He muttered, a plea for understanding in his eyes. "We're a couple." He dragged his fingers through his lengthy hair, "Is that a probably?"

Bobby looked searchingly up at Sam, eyes narrowing before flickering over to the ex-archangel. "Compared to your last girlfriend, I guess he's an improvement."

Sam huffed out a relieved laugh and the tension he hadn't realized he was carrying slipped away. "Dean would disagree. They're practically trying to kill each other on a daily basis." He sighed warily, rubbing his free hand down his jean leg.

Bobby nodded, "Yeah, I can imagine. After everything he did. – So how many of these trials, after this?"

The tension flooded back in at the reminder of everything Gabriel had done to him over the years, all the reasons why Dean hated the ex-archangel. "That's in the past." He stated harshly, "It's not like Cas hasn't fucked up." He snapped, and Bobby frowned up at him, surprised. "Sorry." Sam muttered guilty. "There's just one trail left." Sam said, grasping onto the change of subject and returning his eyes to cautiously scan the trees.

"What is it?" Bobby asked curiously.

Sam shrugged, "No idea. Kevin's working on it, but…." He trailed off with a sigh, eyes flickering over the Gabriel, who'd stopped a few feet ahead and was looking around.

"Well, you saw back there," Bobby said with a eager cheer in his voice. "I ain't got a lot of rust. Just feels so good to be back in action again. Might be handy if you had me around to help."

Sam drew himself up short suddenly, his head snapped around to stare regretfully down at the old man. He rubbed awkwardly at the back of his neck, "Huh…Bobby…" he inhaled deeply, then swallowed the sudden lump in his throat, hating the news he'd have to break. Nothing would make him happier than to have the man back in their lives. "I'd love that, believe me. The thing is…" he paused to gather himself, "for this trial to be complete, uh…"

"We should rest here." Gabriel interrupted suddenly.

Sam turned to see the man marching back towards him. "What?"

"It's the best place." Gabriel informed matter-of-factly. "We can see if anything approaching."

"Maybe we should keep walking." Sam stammered, scanning the area.

Gabriel shook his head, glaring at the taller man, "Are you arguing with me? Really?" He snapped, "When exactly did you survive Purgatory?"

"Gabe."

"Trust me. We don't want to be out there in the dark!" He pointed furiously at the woods.

Bobby looked between them as Sam stepped closer, "I'm sorry. You're right." Gabriel fixed gazes with him, before rolling his eyes and marching off, leaving Sam along with the dead hunter. "Where are you going?" he called.

"I'm gonna grab some wood, it gets cold." Gabriel threw back over his shoulder. "You stay there, the last thing we need is you getting lost, or worse." Sam opened his mouth to argue, but then Gabriel was gone, so all he could do was exhaled a long weary sigh, rubbing at his eyes.

"What's wrong with you two? You're not exactly acting like loves young dream." Bobby remarked.

"It's being back in this place. – He won't talk about it." Sam muttered, turning to face the older man who'd been more of a father to Sam over the course of his life than his real father ever had. "He spent four years locked up in this place, fighting, and killing." He shook his head, leading the older man over to a fallen tree stump, where he lowered himself down. "He only got out when Dick Roman was killed. – They seemed to switch place, Dean and Cas ended up here, and Gabriel ended up back on earth. He just dropped out of nowhere the same second Dean and Cas vanished."

Bobby's grey brows drew tight together. "But Dean's not…"

"No, they're both back. Dean found a way out, and Cas… well, he got help from the angels. - Though we're not sure why."

Bobby released a relieved breath, "Meanwhile you shacked up with one." He laughed, tone still filled with disbelief.

"He ain't an angel anymore. He's human. This place stole the last of his grace." Sam said quietly, his eyes searching the stark landscape surrounding them. "It took him almost a year to recover from this place, and now…"

"He'll get through it." Bobby insisted, setting his hand on Sam's shoulder and giving it a reassuring squeeze. "You did. After hell."

"I lost my soul, then my memory, then my mind. I'd rather not have that happen to him."

The pair fell silent, both men turning their attention to the woods, watchful of any threat. Sam listening out for sign of Gabriel. His heart hammering and his stomach twisted in tight painful knots as he waited anxiously for the ex-archangel's return.

Eventually Gabriel reappeared, arms laden with wood. Sam was on his feet instantly, rushing over to help. Predictably, Gabe ignored his efforts to lighten his load, instead marching past him and over to where Bobby was sitting. He dropped the wood and crouched down to start building the fire.

Sam closed his eyes, taking a deep calming breath, fighting down the frustration that was building in him. He knew what the man was doing. He'd seen Dean do the same thing countless times over the years. After a few seconds, Sam opened his eyes and headed back to the tree, "What happened?" he asked, noticing the scratch on Gabriel's jaw.

"Nothing?"

Sam glared, his frustration almost reaching boiling point. "You've got something on your face."

Gabriel's lips vanished as he pressed them into a tight line, and concentrated on the fire. He tried to repress a groan as he rose, but failed, causing Sam to leap to his feet and grab the man, yanking him forward.

"It was nothing." Gabriel insisted angrily, "Nothing I couldn't handle."

Sam ignored him, yanking up his shirt to reveal a deep slash. "Dammit Gabe." He spat.

"Jesus, its nothing!" Gabriel growled, trying to pull away. "I spent four fucking years in this place, I can handle one vampire!" He yelled furiously.

Sam inhaled slowly, his eyes meeting the angels. "A vampire?" he seethed. "Bobby, could you finish that?" He asked while gripping Gabe's arm and dragging him a few feet away. Ideally he'd drag Gabriel out of view, but it wasn't safe, so instead he put as much distance between them and the dead hunter as possible and lowered his voice. "Will you please stop pretending everything is okay?" He snapped, "I know what happen to you here. Dean has told me enough for me to know how bad it got. – And I share a house and a bed, with you. I know you still have nightmares." He swallowed thickly, his eyes burning into the older man's, "I'm not asking for a play by play, Gabe, I just want you to be honest."

Gabriel looked up at him, jaw tight and frame defensive, his fists clenched at his side with their knuckles white. "I – I just need to get out of here as quickly as possible, okay?" he whispered hoarsely.

Sam squeezed his shoulders, "Not long now." He reassured sincerely, his tone filled with certainly, "we'll just meet up with Ajay and we'll be back home. Safe."

(*_*)

If only it had been that simply.

Sam sighed wearily as he trapped on yet another root, protruding from the dry barren dirt. He was cold and hungry, and couldn't wait to get home for a warm shower and a comfortable bed. He'd gotten too used to the comfortable living that came with having the Bunker, and his body was paying for it. Glancing expectantly down at his watch, he huffed out an impatient breath. They were early, having set off the moment there was the barest hint of light.

Things had been a little less tense after his talk with Gabriel the night before. They'd sat close together, sharing each other's body heat, while Sam filled Bobby in on everything he'd missed. He'd also been forced to explain what would happen to the old man once they were out of purgatory. Bobby hadn't been particularly keen, but – he accepted his fate.

"I'll do my part, get to the end of this but – I ain't exactly the retiring type, so you idjits figure out a way to spring me."

Sam had just smiled, nodded and swiftly changed the subject.

"So," Bobby grumbled, tugging his cap from his head and giving it a scratch, "Where's your cabbie?"

Frowning, Sam checked his watch and felt his stomach twist as the minute slipped by. "Perhaps he's running late."

"Reapers are never late." Gabriel said, his tone hard and filled with anxious fear. "He was very specific about when he'd be here. – Shit!" He yelled, panic crystal clear in his voice. "Fuck!Fuck!Fuck! We're fucking stuck here! Daaammmmmmitttt!"

Sam hurried over, quickly grabbing hold of his boyfriend's shoulders, "Gabe," he said breathlessly, "It's going to be…."

Loud voices from the tree line caught their attention and they turned, weapons raised as figures exploded from the undergrowth. Sam looked over to Bobby, smiling inwardly as the man set himself ready to fight, but when he looked back down at Gabriel, he frowned. The man was deathly pale and visibly shaking, eyes fixed on the approaching hoard. "Gabe? – Gabriel!" Sam yelled before rushing forward to intercept the vamp heading out directly the ex-archangel.

Sam fought to keep their attackers away from his boyfriend, who seemed to have spaced out. He couldn't blame him, didn't blame him. He just wished it hadn't happened now, here. Sam glanced over at Bobby, unsurprised to find he was holding his own, despite having been dead for over two years.

A strangled sound caught Sam unaware and before he had time to react, he was being tackled to the ground, a large fist driving over and over into his face.

Then it stopped, a loud cry echoing around him. He breathed a sigh of relief as the weight on his chest vanished and he opened his eyes to find a familiar amber eyes staring down at him. Sam smiled and lifted his hand. Gabriel's fingers wrapped around them and tugged, helping Sam to his feet. "Thanks."

Before he could say anything more, Sam caught sight of Bobby struggling to fight off three vamps. Turning, he started to rush over, only for a figure to rush past him. Sam skidded to a halt as a familiar face waded in on the fight. The vamps that Bobby was struggling to fight off, took one look at the new comer and switched target.

One by one the vampires were killed until all that was left was one, covered in blood and shaking, he looked over at Sam. Out of the corner of the hunter's eyes, he saw Bobby, knife raised, ready to attack. "No Bobby!" He yelled breathlessly, hurrying over, "No, wait! Wait!" Staring at the vampire, Sam frowned.

Before he could ask what the man was doing there, Benny informed him, "Dean sent me."

Sam exhaled, shoulders slumping. He glanced over at Gabriel, "See." He smiled reassuringly. "I knew Dean would get us out."

"Dean?" Bobby grunted beside him, glaring cautiously at the remaining vampire. "Not my Dean?"

"He's a buddy of Deans." Sam said tightly, but it was clear from his tone there was more going on.

Sam wasn't an idiot, despite what Bobby may call him. He knew exactly what was going on between his brother and the vampire. He wasn't blind. He'd known from the first moment he'd seen them together. And even if he didn't notice the tension between them, Gabriel was always quick to remind him, despite having never actually meeting Benny. Apparently Sam's description and the overheard phone calls were enough for his boyfriend.

"A 'good' buddy," Gabriel unhelpfully clarified, his fingers wiggling in quotation marks. There was a look in Gabe's eye though, defensive and unimpressed. Again, Sam wasn't an idiot. He knew defensive brother mode when he saw it.

Benny seemed unaffected by the conversation going on around him, "Dean's waiting." He muttered, walking away.

"A friggin' vampire?" Bobby snapped, refusing to move. "Well, you two really went off the rails while I was away, didn't ya?"

"We need to get moving!" Benny grunted back to them impatiently.

(*_*)

"Hey, Benny." Sam called, walking a little quicker to catch up with the vampire, leaving Gabriel with Bobby. "Benny, listen. – I – I guess I owe you." He sighed, fingers flexing on the machete in his hand. "You saved my brother's ass a few times in here, and I – respect that."

"And now I'm saving yours." Benny muttered, "I'm a disgrace to my own people." He scoffed.

"Yeah, well – thanks." He glanced back at the two men before him, "But – when we get back –" He cleared his throat. "Dean's dealing with – stuff."

"The angel." Benny sighed, his gaze fixed on the path ahead.

Sam looked up surprised, "Mostly, yeah. – Look, I don't know what's going on between you two, and its none of my business, I get that, but he's my brother and -"

Benny drew to a halt, looking up at the taller man. "Is this where you tell me to keep away from your brother?" he huffed, brow quirked humorlessly.

Sam straightened, licking at his stomach, "I – I – don't know." He shrugged, "All I know is I don't want Dean getting hurt. So if your seri…."

Benny smirked at the younger man, "Don't worry, Sammy." The vampire interrupted, "He won't be seeing me again."

Sam opened his mouth, only for Gabriel to appear at his side, "What's going on?" the ex-archangel asked worriedly, joining the pair, looking curiously between them.

"Nothin'," Benny shook his head, "We're here." He gestured to the shimmering portal at the top of a cliff face.

"That's it? That'll get us back top side?" Bobby frowned, staring at it.

"Mh Hmm." Benn nodded, "You boys remember what I told you?"

Sam nodded, "Yeah. All right Bobby!"

Bobby handed the knife over to Gabriel with a reassuring smile. Taking the blade, Gabriel tugged up his sleeve and set the endlessly sharpened edge to his flesh, "Okay, old man. Let's get you out of here." He cut, hissing at the pain.

"When we get to earth," Sam said, looking down at a nervous Bobby, "it's an express straight to heaven. No time for goodbyes."

Bobby nodded regretfully. "Already said goodbye to you once, Sam. Didn't seem to take," he smirked, "no reason to think I won't see you again somewhere down the road."

Sam swallowed thickly, pulling the old man into a firm hug. "Yeah."

"But if they give me a rocking chair up there, I'm raising hell." Bobby laughed, taking the knife from Gabriel and slicing at his forearm.

Sam took a step back as Gabriel recited the Enochian, watching the man's arm shimmer and glow as Bobby was absorbed into it. "You okay?" he asked when the glow died.

Gabriel nodded. "Fine. Let's get this done."

"Okay Benny, it's your turn." Sam exhaled, taking holding out the knife.

Benny shook his head just as his name echoed through the woods. "Hurry. Time for your two to go." Benny insisted, giving the pair a little shove, before turning to face yet more vampires.

"Benny?"

"Go on. It's me they want. Go on, you just make sure you tell Dean I said goodbye. – I was never any good up there anyway."

"Benny!" Sam yelled as the vampire rushed forward into a fresh fight.

"We need to go, kiddo. Come on." Gabriel insisted, yanking on his boyfriend's sleeve.