Jack made his way towards the library where he knew his father would be. If the Piano playing wasn't enough to know where the man was, the fact that he'd told Jack where he would be was. His father had tried to talk to him earlier, but Jack was feeling really guilty and wasn't ready to talk about what happened, so the man told him to come find him in the library when he was ready.

Jack remained in the doorway, not sure how to proceed with the situation.

Lucifer noticed the moment his son entered the doorway. "There is no need to lurk, child. Come."

That was the only invitation Jack needed. He immediately made his way over and sat down at the piano next to his father.

"I presume you're ready to talk now?" Lucifer asked.

Jack nodded. "Are you still mad at me, Father?"

"I wasn't all that angry in the first place. I can understand the need to sulk. It is every child's right from time to time. However, I could not abide by the disrespect you showed a man who had only ever been kind to you," Lucifer said sternly.

Jack looked down shamefully. "I know I shouldn't have said what I did."

"I'm glad to hear that, and I can tell you were sincere. You have apologized, and I have punished you. There's no reason to dwell on it further. I would like to explain to you why I did not allow you to come with us," Lucifer said.

"Uncle Gabriel explained it. He said you were trying to protect me. He said you see me as a child," Jack said.

"You are a child, Jack. I know that seems untrue to you because of how old you look, but the truth is, you have been in this world for merely a few months," Lucifer said.

Jack nodded reluctantly. "Um, Uncle Gabriel says you want me to go live with you when you leave."

Lucifer sighed. He was bit annoyed that Gabriel had told Jack that. He wanted them to know each other just a little better before he sprung that fact on the boy. But if Gabriel told Jack, Lucifer had no doubt that he had a good reason. "Yes. You are my son. Naturally, I want you to live with me."

"I thought you were just going to leave without me," Jack admitted.

"I told you I would not abandon you."

"I know. I just didn't consider that you'd want me to come with you when you left. What about the others? You're my father, but I think of them as my family too," Jack said.

"Jack, I want your word that you will speak of what I'm about to say to you to no one," Lucifer said in a firm tone.

"I promise."

"I am expecting that Sam will be joining us when we leave. As for Castiel, he is welcome to come see you whenever he wishes, and if you wish to see him, I will be more than willing to make arrangements," Lucifer said.

"Sam's coming with us? Why? Why would he want to leave his home?" Jack wondered. He would of course be glad if Sam came, but he just didn't understand why he would.

"It is complicated, and he has not yet said that he would, but I believe it will happen," Lucifer said.

"What about Dean? You said I could still see Castiel, but you didn't mention Dean," Jack said.

Lucifer sighed somewhat dramatically. "If you truly must, but only if his attitude changes. I'll not allow him to keep upsetting you."

"H…he doesn't upset me," Jack lied. The truth was, Dean was upsetting him lately with how much he went after Jack's father. He also upset him before Castiel came back when he spoke of how evil he was. But Jack knew Dean was a good person, and he liked him.

Lucifer took on a stern, parental look. "Do not lie to me, Jack, even if it's to protect someone else. I will not tolerate it."

Jack quickly nodded. "Sorry."

"It's alright. I just need you to understand that I expect you to be truthful. In return, I will never lie to you, even if I feel that a lie would make you feel better," Lucifer told him.

"Okay. I promise I won't lie to you," Jack swore. "So, when would we be leaving? Will it be soon?"

"Well, it would've been if a new problem with an alternate universe version of my brother hadn't presented itself," Lucifer grumbled.

"Are you going to let him out? Your brother from this reality?" Jack asked.

Lucifer huffed unhappily. "It doesn't seem like I have much choice in that aspect. As much as I wish it were different, it seems I need the bloody bastard."

"Why do you hate your brother?" Jack asked curiously.

"Because he betrayed me. He took our father's side over mine. Most did, but Michael went further than that. He cast me out. He personally sent me to Hell and didn't blink an eye when she was ordered to do it, and he's lobbied since then to have me killed. He nearly ruined Sam's life to do so, and almost destroyed the world, all because Father wrote it down as one of his plans. Plus, he's just a sanctimonious bastard," Lucifer said. He really hated Michael, more than anyone else, with the only exception being his father. He'd completely turned on him. He acted like Lucifer was the worst kind of filth simply because he wanted the right to make his own decisions.

"I'm sorry. I understand why you wouldn't want him out," Jack said.

"That's not why. I hate Michael, but my hatred isn't the reason. I don't want him out because I don't trust him. I have no idea what he'll do once it's all over. For all I know, he'll pick up where he left off, which would not help anyone in the slightest," Lucifer explained.

"What will you do if he does what you fear?" Lucifer asked.

"I will ensure that he doesn't," Lucifer swore. He was not going to let Michael become a threat. If it even looked like he would, he would stop him.

Xxxxxxxxxxx

Gabriel was walking by Sam's room on his way to his own when he heard the muffled sounds of cries. He tentatively opened the door and saw Sam on his bed with his head buried in his hands. "Sam?"

Sam immediately looked up and rubbed his eyes. He spoke as if nothing was wrong. "Hey. Everything okay?"

"I think that's what I should be asking right now. What's wrong?" Gabriel asked. He shut the door and walked over to Sam.

"Nothing. I'm fine," Sam lied.

"Liar. Even if I didn't just hear you, I'd be able to tell by the look on your face," Gabriel said. Sam had that miserable puppy dog look. It was the same look he'd had during Mystery Spot. It was a killer. "What did your douche of a brother say?"

Sam sighed. "He all but admitted that he's never forgiven me for the apocalypse."

"Are you sure he said that he didn't forgive you? Maybe your reading into it," Gabriel said. He doubted it, but he wanted to believe for Sam's sake that Dean wasn't a total dick.

Sam shook his head. "He said that he didn't know if he'd forgiven me. If he doesn't know, it means he hasn't. If he hasn't forgiven me after eight years, he never will."

"Then he's an idiot. You made stupid choices at the time, but the majority of the apocalypse was on Michael and his band of idiots! The little moron should know that! Furthermore, if he wants to go blaming you, he should remember that his dumbass played a part too!" Gabriel fumed. He'd never liked Dean, and this was why. He was a judgmental little asshole! Yes, Gabriel had blamed Sam a bit for his choices as well, but that was mostly because he'd tried to warn Sam and he wouldn't listen. He got over it though. He realized that nothing was going to stop Michael from getting what he wanted. Michael was the one to blame. Well, and their father.

"I made stupid decisions. I know that I am at least partially responsible for what happened, but I tried to make it right. I tried to do good. I've done everything I can to make it right," Sam said miserably.

"I know," Gabriel said softly before sitting down on the edge of the bed next to the hunter.

"I knew deep down that he'd never forgiven me, but I ignored it because I knew I wouldn't be able to come back from it if I heard the words. You know, I've forgiven Dean for everything he's ever done to me. He tricked me into getting possessed and I still forgave him because I got why he did it," Sam explained.

"He what?" Gabriel asked with a small edge to his voice.

Sam quickly explained taking on the trials to shut the gates of Hell and Dean getting Gadreel to possess him as a result. He then explained everything that happened when Gadreel was inside him.

"That little bastard!" Gabriel yelled angrily. "My father made it so angels have to get consent to possess a human for a reason! He wanted angels to be different from demons. Your brother flouted all of that!"

"He was trying to save me. I didn't want to be saved like that, and it pissed me off when I realized, but I forgave him because I know what it means to do whatever it takes to save your brother. But I still have to live with the consequences of that choice. I still have to live with someone I cared about dying at my hands," Sam explained.

"It wasn't your fault," Gabriel said.

"I know, but it doesn't matter. He still died by my hands. It's not the point though. The point is Dean doesn't see us as equal. I forgive him every time, but he doesn't feel he can do the same with me. I can't keep living like this, Gabriel. I can't keep sitting here on eggshells waiting for something that won't ever happen," Sam said near tears.

"You shouldn't have to," Gabriel said.

"I…I just can't do it anymore. I can't stay," Sam cried.

Gabriel hesitantly went to touch him. He wasn't sure if Sam would want him to, and he also was still kind of hesitant to touch people or let people touch him, but Sam needed comfort. He helped Sam lay down and ran a hand through his hair as he cried.