(RE)BORN YESTERDAY
PART 3

No one moved.

Sam felt Castiel's disbelief and Dean's protective rage and Mary's confusion all hit like a shock wave. But Gabriel—he radiated pure power. It filled every inch of space around them, tingling along Sam's skin and charging the air. He dug his fingers into Dean's shirt and pressed himself as close as he could to his brother. Encounters with archangels never went well for them. He watched, barely breathing, as the deceptively shorter man walked toward them.

"Gabriel?" Castiel repeated. His wings rose up as he moved into a protective stance.

"Whoa there, Cassie!" Gabriel held his hands up in mock surrender, "Is that any way to greet your favorite big brother?"

"How are you here?" Castiel demanded, "Why are you here?"

"Well, you see, that is a funny story." Laughter echoed in the garage as he circled closer. "There I was, dead after sacrificing myself for the sake of humanity and puppies. And the next thing I know, BOOM BABY!" Sam jumped as Gabriel's voice rose unexpectedly, "Dad is standing there, smiling at me. And the weirdest part of this whole situation wasn't Dad wearing Chuck-the-prophet, or that we were reuniting in his own personal bar, or even the fact that I was alive. No, the weirdest part was seeing Auntie Amara standing next to him. Also smiling!" He paused as though he was unable to believe his own story.

"I thought Chuck said he didn't have the juice to bring him back." Dean whispered to Castiel and turned his body to shield Sam from the archangel's view.

"Uniting his power with Amara would be more than enough to recreate an archangel. I imagine they could create entire universes together without much effort." Castiel replied without taking his eyes off of Gabriel.

"I get the feeling that you guys definitely have a more interesting story to tell." Gabriel smirked at Mary for a second, then turned toward Dean and froze. The humor fell away, replaced by a strange seriousness and awe, and Castiel edged closer toward Dean.

Sam's eyes locked on Gabriel and he felt his breathing grow fast and shallow. As much as Dean felt like safety, he knew better. Nothing was safe when an archangel had you in its sights. Taking advantage of Dean's distraction, Sam shoved and slipped out of his brother's grasp.

"Sam, no!" Dean reached for him, but Sam was running as soon as his feet hit the ground.

He tore past the Men of Letters' cars, grateful to be wearing shoes as he skidded outside onto the gravel driveway. In the back of his mind, he knew it was hopeless to try and outrun anyone—let alone an angel and archangel. But the cage was deafening and closing in around him. In his centuries of experience being the plaything of Lucifer, he never gave up on a chance to escape. So, he ran.

Voices and footsteps followed him, but he didn't turn around. The rush of wings filled the air just as his body collided with a familiar beige trench coat. Suite-clad legs folded and Sam's vision filled with blue eyes. "Samuel..." was all the angel got out before furious tiny fists connected with his face.

Sam let out a primal scream, blinded by the rage of being stopped. Arms wrapped around him from behind and he tried to turn and fight the new embrace. The lack of grace made a part of his mind pause long enough for a distinctly feminine voice to reach his ears.

"Shh, shh, I got you, baby. It's okay, Sammy, I got you. Shh, that's it. Just breathe for me. Can you do that? Just slow down and breathe." The voice was soothing, and Sam found he wanted to listen and follow what it said. Footsteps crashed through the foliage behind them and he tensed, ready to run and fight again. "No, baby, it's just Dean. Just your brother. He protects you, right? Dean, come around here where he can see you."

Ragged breaths tore through Sam's throat with a growl, teeth grinding and body vibrating with the need to flee. The footsteps slowed as they got closer until his brother appeared, kneeling by his side. "Sammy," Dean was out of breath, "Hey kiddo, we gotta stop meeting like this." He reached a hand to his little brother's face but yanked it back when Sam growled even harder. "Whoa there dude! Look at me, Sam. Who am I? Hmm? Come on, you know who I am."

Sam snarled instead of answering and tried to twist out of the arms again. But while the body holding him was soft, the grip was strong and unmoving. No one spoke for a while. They stayed still and silent as Sam expended all his energy on trying to escape. As the minutes ticked by, the boy's body gradually grew more and more weak until he eventually slumped against his captor in defeat.

"Okay, it's okay, I've got you. Shh. Good boy, just relax. No one will hurt you or take you." Mary kept up a whispered litany of praise and promises until she felt her son's breathing even out. She relaxed her grasp and ran her hands over Sam's arms and back. She had learned how to deal with the occasional war flashback when John had first returned from the service. And while she would never grab or restrain him during the episode, he'd let her know that gentle touches and words afterwards helped to ground him back in the present. "Talk to him Dean."

"Hey there Sammy," Dean said with a tired smile, "You back with us again? I can't believe I ever doubted your ability to hunt while small, because damn kid, you fight dirty! I swear, you are like a tiny ninja or something." His smile grew stronger and Sam felt himself trying to return it. Dean ruffled his curls. "That's my boy. I was worried I'd have a feral puppy for a brother instead of a kid. Then I would have had to get those weird puppy pads and train you to fetch beer out of the fridge for me..."

"Dean!" Mary sounded torn between the need to be reassuring for her youngest and horrified at her eldest's dark humor.

"What?" Dean asked, still completely focused on Sam. He fussed with the boy's clothes more than necessary, straightening and smoothing the fabric to reassure both of them. That action plus the familiar gruff banter cut through Sam's panic more than anything else ever could, and he kicked a few leaves onto Dean's knees. The scowl he was met with only served to melt it further. Sam mustered up a weak bitch-face in return and fisted his hands in Dean's shirt collar. "Treat me like dog, I chew you shoes and poop on dead man robe," he croaked out, then dissolved into a coughing fit.

"What?" Dean asked again as Mary patted the boy's back, "Cas, what did he say to me? I know that tone—he totally just said something bitchy...I mean bratty." Mary's stern look was as impressive as Sam's on his best day.

Castiel coughed, and when Dean turned to look he caught a blush over top the flabbergasted expression. "He said if you treat him like a dog, he will 'chew on your shoes' and," he looked at Sam questioningly, "'poop on the dead man robe?' I do not understand."

Dean whirled back on Sam, "You wouldn't dare."

Sam managed a grin that said try me. Dean just rolled his eyes and lifted him into his arms. For a moment he just held him close, grateful for the immediate crisis to be over. "You scared me," he murmured as he walked a short distance away from the others. A second later he added, "Bitch."

"Jerk." Sam answered in a hoarse whisper that made Dean tighten his arms just a little more.

"You really okay?" Dean wanted to pull back to look at Sam's face, but the need to keep him close was greater. Sam's head nodded, then switched to shaking. "Was that a yes and a no? Or are you just changing your vote?"

"I—I'm not okay." Sam ended up being the one to lean back so they were face to face. "I don't know if I can do this, Dean. I mean, this is worse than when the wall broke and I had hallucinations constantly. What if I can't handle it? What if I end up back in a hospital again with L-Lu-Lucifer as a roommate? I feel like I'm going crazy!" Tears filled his vision and blurred Dean's face.

"Hey, none of that! We're the freakin' Winchesters, man. Yesterday, we stopped the total annihilation of the damn universe with nothing but our supreme ability to have chick-flick moments!"

Sam gave a tired laugh, "Yeah, okay. I guess you're right."

"Please," he huffed, then continued in an exaggerated high-pitched voice, "I know you're right, Dean. You're always right because you're older and wiser and more handsome."

"I do not sound like that!" Sam squeaked with a slap to Dean's shoulder.

"I'm sorry it's taken me so long to see the error of my ways. However can I make it up to you?"

"I will shit on that damn robe!" Sam warned.

Dean gasped, "Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?"

Sam's head turned quickly to check if Mary had heard him, but she was talking with Castiel. "Yeah, do I know how to make a great first impression or what? I can't even imagine what she thinks of me at this point."

"Look at me," Dean said, suddenly serious. Sam ducked his head, but Dean wasn't having it, "No, Sam, look at me." Miserable eyes met Dean's clear green gaze, "Mom loves you. Always has, always will, no matter your age or size. She doesn't know anything about us or what we've gone through, and her first instinct is still to protect us. When I first found her, she didn't know who I was—didn't even remember dying until I told her. Right now, she is trying to adjust to a world and family that has moved on for 33 years without her. And we are still her priority. When you ran from the garage, she beat me getting to you."

"That's because you live off cheeseburgers and pie." Sam said, fighting back fresh tears.

"Bitch." Dean whispered, drawing Sam back to him.

Sam relaxed against Dean's chest again, placing his ear over the steady drum of his brother's heartbeat. "Jerk," he said just as quiet.

Castiel kept an eye on the brothers as they talked to each other privately. He was relieved to hear Sam speaking English again—or speaking at all, for that matter. Mary was shaking as the adrenaline worked its way out of her system. He bent down and picked up her jacket that had fallen off Sam in the struggle. Handing it to her, she gave him a weak smile of gratitude and huddled into it.

"So," she began slowly, "who is that guy back in the garage? I heard you call him Gabriel, and he called you brother, so am I right in assuming..."

Castiel sighed, "He is the archangel Gabriel. He died several years ago, killed by Lucifer during the apocalypse."

"Excuse me?" she demanded, "Apocalypse? And do you mean the actual Lucifer? As in Satan?!"

"Um," Castiel stalled, unsure how much to tell her without the boys present, "Yes?"

"Yes what?"

"Yes, I am referring to Lucifer, the fallen archangel who is now commonly called 'Satan' by humans. And the apocalypse was started, but we managed to stop it as you can see by the fact that the earth is still here." Castiel kept his eyes on the boys, avoiding Mary's gaze out of shame. He knew none of them looked forward to her finding out the details of the past few decades, but it was clear they would have to discuss it soon. She was too intelligent and observant not to pick up on the fact that both Sam and Dean had been severely damaged by their past experiences—and she was too loving and protective to not demand an explanation.

Mary let out a long breath and followed his gaze to her boys. Dean was perfect with her youngest—Sammy had his normal color back, and was talking and laughing. She tried not to feel the stab of jealousy or regret that she wasn't the one to provide comfort and safety for them. They could only go forward from the present.

"Is Gabriel a threat?" she asked.

"I don't know," Castiel turned to look back toward the bunker but couldn't see his brother, "He has a mixed history with your sons. The first few times they met he was masquerading as a Trickster. He kept trying to teach them lessons—especially Sam. It wasn't until Lucifer was released that they discovered his true identity. But he did die protecting them, and he gave them the information needed to lock Lucifer away again. For what it's worth, he never tried to kill them in the past." Castiel decided to leave out the part where Gabriel had killed Dean hundreds of times while trapping Sam in a time-loop.

"Do you know why he's here? I mean, if God brought him back and he has all of heaven and earth at his disposal, why would Gabriel come here?" Mary felt like she was trying to see an entire picture with just a few puzzle pieces.

"I will have to ask him." Castiel said. Turning back to the brothers, he saw Dean looking at them. Castiel waved them over. "How is Sam?"

"'m fine, Cas." Sam mumbled into Dean's shirt. Lifting his head, he saw a small bruise on Castiel's jaw. "Oh! I'm sorry I hit you."

Castiel smiled and the bruise disappeared, "It is nothing, Sam. I am glad you are alright."

"So, what's the plan?" Dean asked, knowing they would need to return soon. The sun was setting and the temperature was already starting to drop.

Before anyone else could speak, Sam started, "I want to go back now."

"Sam..." Dean protested with a grimace.

"No, I think it will be fine. I mean, I know I panicked, but I wasn't expecting him. I still wasn't all the way awake from that nightmare in the car, and my thoughts were everywhere, and when I felt his grace I just...panicked." He played with the buttons on Dean's shirt to try and hide his embarrassment, "But I don't think he's here to hurt us. Especially if Chuck and Amara were the ones to bring him back. And I kinda want to hear why he's here."

Dean sighed dramatically, "I'll never understand the weird soft-spot for that dick. Even after all the crap he put us through, you still wanted to make him an ally. And that was before we knew he was Gabriel, the runaway archangel."

"Well, he saved us, didn't he? He sacrificed his life so we could escape and he told us how to win. Besides, God and his sister seem to be bringing back the people who can help us." Sam looked pointedly at their mother who smiled back.

"Perhaps if I shielded you from his grace, the encounter will be less difficult for you," offered Castiel.

Sam nodded and they could almost see the wheels turning in his head, "Yeah, that was what made me run. Maybe if you block it and he, I dunno, dialed it back a bit then we could have a meltdown-free conversation." The blush on Sam's face made it look like he was suffering from a severe sunburn.

Castiel reached for the boy, and Dean reluctantly allowed the transfer. "Do not feel ashamed," he whispered to Sam, "You have survived suffering like no other creature on this earth. And instead of becoming bitter or angry, you are stronger and kinder." Sam smiled, not entirely convinced. But he appreciated the words knowing Castiel believed them.

"Okay, let's go." Dean said, poised for battle.

"Just a second," Castiel stopped him, "let me tell Gabriel of our plans. It may help to make things less confrontational." He closed his eyes and spoke to his brother through his grace.

Gabriel?

Yeah, bro? Gabriel's voice sounded eager and hesitant at once.

The Winchesters and I are returning so we can all sit down and talk. If possible, I need you to reign your grace in as much as you can.

Um, okay. Why?

Because Sam is very sensitive to it. We must minimize his exposure until he is able to better shield himself on his own.

Oh yeah, we definitely have to talk.

Gabriel...

Okay, okay! I'm dialing down my awesomeness. Just get back here!

"What is he doing?" Mary asked, bewildered at Castiel's blank expression.

"We call it 'angel radio.' He can talk to the other angels telepathically." Dean explained.

"He is agreeable to our requests, and seems quite eager for our return." Castiel reported.

"Well, I guess it's time to face the music." Dean said.

"As long as it isn't Asia." Sam muttered with a huff as he pressed his face into Castiel's shoulder.

The entered the garage to see Gabriel standing nervously in the exact spot they'd left him. He seemed smaller now, more contained. Sam was relieved to feel the absence of grace in the air and it allowed him to look at the youngest archangel without pure panic. He saw a strange smile form and his golden eyes widen when they locked on Sam.

Dean and Mary stood on either side of Castiel, ready to intervene if needed. Sam felt Castiel's arms tighten as though to remind him that he was safe. It was a little embarrassing how everyone felt the need to protect him now that he was small, but after several emotional meltdowns he supposed it was warranted.

"Oh my dad," Gabriel breathed, "Is he...that really is Sam, isn't it?"

Sam nodded, but didn't say anything.

Dean stepped forward. "Yeah, it is. And you are going to keep your distance, asshole. Understand?"

Sam kicked Dean in the ribs with his toe in a reminder to keep civil.

Gabriel laughed, "Haven't changed a bit, have you Deano. Still just a modern day caveman bursting with aggression."

"Only when my family is threatened." Dean growled.

Gabriel raised his hands in surrender. Then his smile faded and he shoved his hands into his pockets. "I promise, I am not here to threaten your family. Especially since it appears that your family is now part of my family too." The look of awe flooded his eyes again as he stared at Sam.

Mary placed a hand on Dean's shoulder, "Why don't we go inside? I can make some coffee and we can all talk."

Dean's body relaxed slightly and he nodded. "Cas, you and Sam go ahead and get settled in the library. We'll be right behind you."

"Dean..." Sam started, but his brother cut him off.

"Sam, I'm not letting him out of my sight and he's not getting close to you until we know we can trust him. Which may be never." Dean directed the last part to Gabriel. The archangel pouted, and looked like he wanted to argue, but in the end nodded his agreement. "Good, we're all agreed. You two go now. We have to unload the car anyway."

Castiel moved toward the bunker, keeping an eye on his brother. Gabriel, I know you are impatient to have all your questions answered—especially about Sam. But a lot has happened since you died and rushing anything could hurt him. And if Sam gets hurt, it won't just be Dean you'd have to deal with.

Instead of getting defensive, Gabriel relaxed. Yeah, I can see that. I can see scars that go way below skin level on both of these boys that weren't there last time I saw them. I swear to you, Castiel, I am not here to cause anyone anymore harm.

Castiel made his way through the war room and into the library. I am looking forward to hearing what Father said to you after bringing you back—I know you do not make promises lightly. He heard Gabriel snort over their mental link.

Cassie, you got no idea.

Sam sat next to Castiel in the middle of the couch, lost in thought as they waited for the others. Gabriel was always a source of conflict for him. The archangel had repeatedly messed with them in horrible and unforgettable ways. Sure, their first encounter was admittedly hilarious and once they'd learned how horrible the Trickster's victims had really been they stopped being indignant over their deaths.

But the Mystery Spot—that was a whole different ballgame. Sam still struggled every time he heard "Heat of the Moment" come on the radio. After the first few times, Dean had learned to switch the station or get them out of whatever public place they were in to avoid the fallout. Lucifer's games in the cage had only served to cement the experience in his mind and push it to a completely different level of trauma.

TV land was a mixed bag of humor and hurt and frustration. Some of the scenarios were funny to look back on, but at the time they were so wrapped up in the apocalypse that guilt and anger overshadowed their capacity for amusement. Then, to find out that the Trickster was actually the archangel Gabriel had been a hard blow to Sam.

Sam had entered that warehouse hopeful for an alliance with the Trickster. He knew Dean saw it as yet another case of him trying to work with a monster, but they were desperate and losing ground. When Gabriel's true identity was revealed, Sam had allowed himself to cling to the possibility that there could be one angel to take his side. Because every single angel he'd met up to that point had instantly seen him as an abomination. Even Castiel, who eventually became a friend and ally, had hesitated to so much as shake his hand. But Gabriel only wanted them to say yes to Michael and Lucifer—only saw them as pawns in a game he wanted to end.

"You are very quiet, little one." Castiel said after several minutes of silence.

Sam made a face at the nickname , but warmed at the affection. "I am thinking."

"Are you worried?"

"No. Yes. I not sure. Worried why Gabriel here. What he do." Sam chewed his lip as he kept watch for the others. They could hear the rustle of plastic bags echoing from the garage and Gabriel laughing.

"I do not believe he will harm any of us. He seems genuinely agreeable to our conditions and I do not think our father would return him to life so he can continue as a trickster." Castiel put his arm around the boy's shoulders and drew him closer to his side.

Sam stiffened for a second—having spent most of his life isolated left him unused to constant touches. Now, everyone kept carrying him and hugging him. He forced himself to relax and struggled for the right words. "I know. But what he think of me? Now is different. Angels accept different?"

"I cannot speak for the entire host. But I can tell you that Gabriel was known for his love of children—both human and fledglings alike. Before the creation of the earth, he was often seen playing with them and teaching them. He was a prankster long before humans existed. And he was a fierce protector of human children. There was more than one occasion when Heaven had to reel him in after he started smiting those he saw as harmful to young ones."

Sam smiled at the image of Gabriel as the playful big brother to scores of little angels. It was easier to understand the evolution of archangel-to-trickster if one factored in the righteous sense of justice with the devastation of witnessing his beloved family torn apart. Especially having witnessed it to a certain extent within his own family. John Winchester's devotion to his wife and children had twisted into a life dedicated to revenge regardless of the cost to his sons.

His thoughts were interrupted by the bizarre sight of Gabriel effortlessly carrying what appeared to be at least two dozen shopping bags, followed by Mary with the few groceries in one hand. Dean hovered protectively like a hawk clutching an angel blade from the trunk. Mary looked through the entrance to the library, smiling at them on the couch. "I'm going to run these into the kitchen before the food spoils and start some coffee. Do you two want anything?"

"Coffee sounds great," Sam said automatically.

She frowned, "Are you sure?

Sam felt his jaw clench, "Why, because I'm small?"

Mary's frown changed into a full-body posture Sam had only ever seen Dean direct at him—it was the look Sam affectionately called "mom-mode" and he now realized just how very effective and intimidating it was coming from his actual mother. "No, not just because you are small, although we could have a conversation about how certain things will now have a greater effect on you with a diminished physical body. But we can save that for a time when we aren't about to have a conference with some newly resurrected archangel who clearly has a history with everyone here except myself," she took a deep breath, "No, I'm asking if you are sure because you have had a very difficult day emotionally and caffeine can make anxiety worse."

Sam gulped and brought his knees up to his chest in an attempt to ward off the twist of shame and disappointment in his stomach. He felt his cheeks burning, "I—I'll just take a water. Please."

Mary softened at the change, worried she had overstepped her bounds. "Sammy..."

"How about some hot chocolate? Mine is the best in at least three universes. I could make it while you handle the coffee." Gabriel offered with that strange mix of eagerness and hesitance from before—like he desperately wanted them to accept him but had long forgotten how to use anything other than power and charm to get what he wanted.

Sam shook his head without looking up, "No, thanks, water is fine." There was no way his stomach could handle anything rich or sweet at this point.

"Okay...I'll be right back," she paused before leaving, then turned to Gabriel with a small smile, "Maybe you could make it for us tomorrow? I mean, if you're still here and don't have to leave. And Dean doesn't try to stab you." Her oldest son was still hovering with the blade, but Gabriel just laughed.

"Oh, I like you!" he said delightedly, then leaned in for a exaggerated whisper, "And it wouldn't be the first time he's stabbed me. In fact, I might even be a little disappointed if he doesn't try."

Mary gave him a bizarre look, "I really hope you explain that when I get back."

"Yeah, yeah," Dean said as he ushered Mary toward the kitchen, "Don't worry, Mom, I'm sure he'll regale us all with how powerful and awesome he is. Believe me, I'd be surprised if you don't stab him by the end of the night."

"Deano, you almost wound me!" Gabriel scoffed as he deposited the bags on the war room table. "Wait, did you say 'mom?' As in Mary Winchester? What in dad's name have you guys been up to?"

Dean just grabbed the archangel by the scruff of his jacket, dragged him down the few steps into the library, and pushed him into the seat of the couch across from Sam and Castiel. "Park it, short-stuff."

"So aggressive..." Gabriel muttered as he straightened his jacket. His eyes fell on the two in front of him and he leaned back into the cushions. The seriousness was back as he studied them, tilting his head to better focus on Sam.

Sam felt uneasy in the heavy silence as they waited for Mary's return. He needed a distraction from the painful exchange with his mother, and luckily one was sitting not four feet away. Now that Gabriel's grace wasn't overpowering the room and pressing against his skin, it was easier to concentrate on specific details. He was strange to feel how he differed from the other angels he'd known.

Michael and Lucifer were complete opposites to one another—one burned hot as the sun, the other cold as deep space. But both were sharp enough to effortlessly shred through his soul. Gadreel had been heavy and smothering, like drowning in mud. And Castiel's was like a perfect rain—always running either warm or cool, never too extreme.

This was the first time Sam really felt Gabriel's grace. Their previous encounters were all before he had gained experience in sensing the essence of angels. Now, he was in the presence of his third archangel, and it was not what he expected. Gabriel's grace was like the wind. It swirled through the smaller man's vessel in a powerful vortex of playful energies.

Sam gasped as a wave of dizziness made the world tilt. The hand resting on his shoulder moved up to his forehead and the sensation faded into a throbbing ache. "Try not to focus on him. You are causing your grace to reach out. I may not be able to shield you if it is actively seeking him."

"Sorry! I not know. Just thoughts!" Sam clenched his eyes closed and tried to ignore the feeling of failure.

Castiel heard his thoughts and ran fingers through the sweaty curls. A glance at Gabriel showed his surprise at hearing Sam speak Enochian and there was an undercurrent of concern echoing through their connection. Dean came and sat beside Gabriel, turning slightly to keep an eye on everyone.

"You have not failed at anything tonight, Samuel. It will take a lot of time and effort before you are capable of controlling these abilities." He had the feeling that he would be repeating these words often in the near future.

"No, I failed. I rude and...and..." Sam broke off, not having the words to express his sense of guilt. He saw his mother's stern face directed at him and the crushing knowledge that he had already disappointed her.

"You did not disappoint your mother, Samuel," Castiel reassured as Sam shook his head in denial, "Hush, you are tired and in pain. You have experienced several life-altering events in less than a week—any one of which would consume even the strongest person. We will all need to be patient with each other as we adjust. And patient with ourselves."

Castiel, what the hell happened after I died? Gabriel's voice whispered in Castiel's mind.

Too much, brother, too much. Castiel sadly replied.

Mary's entrance was a welcome break to the heaviness of the room. Gabriel started to stand and help her, but Dean pushed him back down as he rose instead. She had brought a tray with their coffees, a bottle of water, and small dishes with cream and sugar.

Sam sipped the cold liquid and was grateful for the way it doused the burning in his throat. He sat huddled against Castiel with one arm wrapped around his knees. When Mary sat on his other side, he almost jumped. She seemed to read everything he was thinking and feeling on his face.

"I'm sorry if I upset you," she said softly as the others fixed their drinks.

Sam turned in surprise, unsure how to respond to a parent's apology. "No, it's my fault. I should have just listened instead of being all defensive. You were right—the coffee would make me more on edge. And the water feels better on my throat."

Mary smiled and leaned down to place a kiss on his temple. It calmed the swirls of conflict and loosened the tightness in his chest. She turned to Gabriel, "Well, I don't know about the rest of you, but I am ready for some answers."

Gabriel froze with his coffee halfway to his mouth, "Right," he said, carefully setting it back down on the table, "I guess that's my cue." Taking a deep breath, he began, "Well, the last thing I remembered was Lucifer stabbing me through the chest with his blade and then a whole lot of nothing. Archangels don't go to purgatory, or some special 'angel heaven.' No, we are made from the same fundamental fabric of the universe and when we die, we disintegrate back into the ether. So, when I suddenly found myself standing in a bar with Dad and Aunt Amara—well, 'surprised' is an understatement.

"We, uh, talked for a long time. Once we got past the crying-laughing-hugging portion of the conversation, he dove right into the 'why I brought you back to life' part. Apparently," he gave Dean and Castiel a pointed look, "all the other archangels are now indisposed except Lucifer. Well, he's sorta indisposed. He's circling a potential vessel right now, so he could very well be back in the game at any time."

Sam gasped as Castiel and Dean both straightened in their seats. After Amara had expelled Lucifer from Castiel's vessel, none of them were sure he was even alive. In all the craziness of the last couple days, he had almost forgotten about the possibly-rogue archangel. But to hear he had not only survived, but could soon be back in a vessel was terrifying.

"What do you mean he's found a vessel?" Dean demanded.

"Do you know where?" Castiel followed and then the two continued to fire off questions, talking over each other while Gabriel just blinked and tried to follow.

Sam stared blankly at his knees. All he could see was Lucifer's face—Nick's face—laughing at him from a great height. He stood no chance against the devil now. Not when he couldn't even out-run his mother. He felt someone take the water bottle from his grasp and gently hold his hand. Turning, he saw his mother's concerned eyes taking in the explosive reactions.

"Everyone needs to calm down," Mary's voice was soft, but firm enough that everyone immediately fell silent. "I get that this is bad news. I may not know most of the story yet, but even I can understand that the devil being loose is a concern. I also know that freaking out about it will not give us solutions. Right?" They all nodded—even Gabriel. "Good. Now, Gabriel, is this something that needs to be figured out tonight? Is he an immediate threat?"

Gabriel shrugged, still reeling a little from everything, "I don't think so. Even if he was able to enter his vessel tonight, I doubt he'd come running here. I mean, Dad said Luci was working with you guys when Amara kicked him from Cas, so I didn't get the impression that there was some big score to settle. Is there?" He looked between Dean and Castiel.

"I have a score to settle," Castiel answered, "and I do not think it wise to allow him free roam on earth. But Sam is my priority. I do not want to do anything that would risk his safety, including giving Lucifer any reason to return here."

"Excuse me," Mary said in a tone somewhere between confused and angry, "You were all working with Lucifer? And when you say 'vessel' do you mean...what do you mean?"

"Yeah, about that..." Dean answered when no one else spoke up, "Long story short? We've lived through our share of apocalypses. The most recent one involved Amara, or the Darkness. She is God's sister and she was pissed because God locked her away before the creation of this world. It took the combined power of God and all four archangels back then, and when she, uh, escaped, we didn't have any of those people. We ended up busting Lucifer back out of his cage in hell, then Chuck showed up, and it took a bunch of angels, demons, and witches joining us to try and take her out. Which, actually, didn't work. Turns out, they just needed to talk their shit out, and that was that. Amara was actually the one to bring you back, mom. As a thank you."

"Wow. Okay, that's going to need some revisiting later. So what about vessels?"

Castiel answered, "Angels have no physical form—if a human saw us in our true form, it burns out their eyes. We require a human vessel, but we must have their consent before inhabiting their body."

Mary glared between Castiel and Gabriel, "Are you telling me that you two are possessing humans?" She turned to Dean, "And you guys are okay with that?"

"Actually, you've met the two exceptions to the rule! I made this fabulous work of art myself, so it is human-soul free." Gabriel dramatically gestured to his face and body.

"I was blown up by Raphael. God brought me back and recreated this vessel. Jimmy Novak was a very devout man who embraced the experience when it was asked of him. He is now in Heaven with his wife." Castiel decided not to go into the terrible events that followed the Novak family since he took residence in Jimmy.

"Moving on!" Dean interjected, trying to keep the conversation geared toward less touchy subjects. He turned back to Gabriel. "So why did Chuck bring you back?"

"He said that he was planning an extended vacation to play catch-up with his sister and wanted to set the angels back on their original path. As guardians, healers, messengers, warriors, yadda yadda. He realizes that everyone kinda went on autopilot last time he stepped out. So he's bringing back the whole gang."

"You mean Michael and Raphael?" Sam breathed, blood pounding in his ears.

Gabriel nodded, taking in the way Sam's face drained of color.

"But—but Michael was driven crazy in the cage, and Raphael tried to take over heaven to restart the apocalypse!" Sam pushed Mary's hand away and sat forward so his legs hung over the edge of the cushions, ready to move if needed, "Why would Chuck bring them back if he isn't going to stick around to keep them in line? Why would he do this to me," he grabbed at his kid-sized shirt as red-hot anger built in his chest, "heal me, and make me defenseless—useless in a fight..."

Castiel tentatively laid a hand on Sam's shoulder to get his attention, "Samuel, you must calm down..."

"Fuck calm!" Sam snarled, the heat spreading through his limbs until he was shaking. He slapped Castiel's hand off of him and jumped to his feet. The need to move, to be alone, to escape everything drove him toward his bedroom.

"Samuel! Stop right now!" Castiel's voice was stern enough to make Sam pause and look back. The angel was on his feet and walking swiftly toward him. "I know you are upset, but..."

"You know nothing! Nothing stupid angel!" Sam squared off against Castiel. He saw hurt flash in those bright blue eyes, but the angel didn't back down. Black wings rose up, ready for defense or flight. The sight made Sam clench his hands into fists. Fire flowed through his veins, fueling his fury with power.

Suddenly, the thunder of wings roared behind him. He spun around and came face-to-face with Gabriel in all his glory. Six blazing wings lowered to frame the figure who now towered over him, arms crossed over his chest. The whiskey colored eyes now shone with golden grace. "If you do not control your anger then you are going to hurt people with your grace. Your brother and mother cannot protect themselves against such an attack. Is that what you want? To hurt your family?" Gabriel's words were harsh, but they cut through the fog of rage.

Sam inhaled sharply and looked back at the others. They all stood, staring at him. Dean and Mary seemed lost, not knowing the words being spoken but recognizing the emotions. Castiel hadn't moved, but the hurt in his eyes had changed to sorrow. Shame surged through his inner fire, and Sam fell to his knees when the shaking turned into violent trembling. The power burned under his skin so he wrapped his arms around himself and folded himself over to rest his forehead on the ground, trying to keep it contained.

"Oh, kiddo," he heard Gabriel sigh just before hands grabbed him by the armpits and hoisted him back against the archangel's chest. There was no time to panic as those hands moved to cover his chest and forehead. "Just relax, little guy. Your grace is surging and has no where to go. Just relax and breathe and let me help."

Sam braced himself, expecting to feel the archangel's grace tear through him. Instead, the build up of fire shifted back through his body and swirled in his chest. For a heartbeat, it seared his ribs and lungs, then suddenly began draining outward as though being pulled by the hand resting there. The trembling and burning died down and Sam gulped in air when his lungs began to work again. The air felt like ice in his chest, but it soothed away the remaining heat.

"That's it, Sammy. Almost there," Gabriel's voice sounded distant as Sam's muscles went lax and he had no choice but to relax completely. Another set of hands unfolded his legs so they were stretched out. He wanted to see who it was, wanted to make sure everyone was okay and let them know he was sorry, but his eyes were too heavy to open. He felt Gabriel's hand move through his sweat-drenched hair, "There you go. Everyone is safe and sound, so you just rest."

And with that, Sam sank completely into the darkness of sleep.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Hope everyone enjoyed the premiere of season 12!
I really tried to get this done before it aired, but that just didn't happen.

Let me know if there's anything you'd like to see, or would hate to have happen...or if you notice any errors (this is unbeta'd)!

Thanks for the comments so far...they are SOUL FOOD!