Dean stood in the doorway of the kitchen and watched as his brother sat with Gabriel, Lucifer, and Amenadiel at the table. The archangels had fixed it up so it actually resembled a kitchen. What had basically been a condemned house before looked much more homey now.

It had been two days since they arrived in the other world, and since Dean's last fight with Sam. Since then, he'd been thinking about what his mother said nonstop. Everyone had said it, but somehow it was different coming from his mother. When your own mother told you that you were being a dick, it left a bigger impression. She hadn't said it in so many words, but it was basically what she'd said.

Dean was conflicted. He believed he was right about the archangels. They couldn't be trusted. That had been proved over and over again, so he believed that Sam was making a terrible choice. But his mother was in his head again, telling him that terrible or not, it was Sam's choice. He didn't have the right to make it for him. Sam had always hated his decisions being made for him. It was why he and their father had nearly come to blows so much. But how could Dean just sit back and watch him make what he believed was a horrible choice? But more than that, how could he simply just let his brother go?

Dean watched his brother with Gabriel. He watched him a lot with the archangel, and it only ever made him angry. He saw that Sam was choosing to be with an archangel that hurt them both, and he wasn't the least bit ashamed of it. It didn't bother him at all that Dean hated it, which only made him hate it more and become more angry about it.

This time, however, as Dean watched, he actually paid attention to what was going on. Sam was smiling and had a hand on Gabriel's. They spoke quietly for a minute, and then Gabriel leaned in to kiss him. Sam looked happy. He was happier than Dean had ever seen him. Not one single time in his life, did he seem that content.

In that moment, Dean wondered if his mother was right. Was it Sam's happiness that he feared the most? Was it the realization that if Sam left, he'd be happier? Was he really so much of a dick that he would begrudge his brother happiness? It was an easier question to answer than it should've been. Yeah, he was that much of a dick, especially lately. Sam couldn't be happy with him after everything that had gone down between them. He knew that, but he insisted on trying to force him. It wasn't fair, but Dean didn't know how to just stop.

Dean stood there for another minute or two before heading out of the room. He found Michael in the living room on the couch. Normally, he would've glared at the archangel or come at him with some kind of comment, but for the first time, he needed something from Michael. "Your relationship with Lucifer was the same as mine and Sam's. How do I do it? How do I let my brother go?"

Michael was shocked by the question, but he quickly recovered. "You realize that it's what's best for him, and that's your job. Though I can't pretend it wasn't different for me. It was either let my brother go or watch him die. As I believe you humans say, it was a no brainer."

"But it wrecked you," Dean pointed out.

"Of course, it did. Can you imagine having to cause your brother immense pain to save his life? Right or wrong, it kills you," Michaels said.

"Was it what it did to him or was it actually having to let him go?" Dean asked.

"It was probably a little bit of both. At the end of the day, it was what was best for him, and believe me, I understand the irony of that. That Hell could possibly be the best option. I still wrestle with that decision, even though I know it was the only one I had," Michael told him.

"I…I don't know if I can do this," Dean said miserably.

Michael sneered in response. He had no tolerance for this self-pitying human. "If you're looking for sympathy, you are talking to the wrong person. "I sent my brother to Hell! He was alone and filled with anger. He felt betrayed by the one person who was supposed to keep himself, and I mean me, not our father. Think about what that would be like, to have to banish your brother from this dimension, knowing he will hate you for the rest of his life! Don't whine to me because your brother wants to move away, to someplace he can be happy. You and I are not the same."

Dean said nothing. When it was put that way, what could he say? It was true. His dilemma wasn't even close to the one Michael had, and it wasn't like he had much of a choice anyway. As much as he yelled about stopping Sam from leaving, what could he really do?

Michael was about to get up and leave, but he suddenly sensed something. Actually, he sensed a lot of things. Angels.

Dean noticed as Michael's demeanor changed. "What?"

"They're here, or at least close," Michael said.

The others came in as well. Lucifer, Gabriel, Sam, and Amenadiel came in from the kitchen, and Castiel, Maze, Mary, Bobby, and a few others came from various other parts of the house. "Angels are close."

Just then, they all heard shooting and yelling coming from outside.

Lucifer smirked. "It sounds like it's time to put a stop to all of this.

His brother's nodded and summoned their blades.

Xxxxxxxxxxx

Chuck was walking around the library of the bunker while Rowena watched the rift. "You know, there's no need to fret. I'd know if something tried to step through, and I've seen to it that it won't close."

"You have. So, this Grace is no longer necessary?" Rowena asked.

"Correct. Though it will be over long before the Grace is gone," Chuck said.

"Oh, Charles, I've missed you," Rowena said with a smile.

Chuck laughed. "You'll be the last person to say that today."

Just then, Jack walked into the room. "Um… God?"

Chuck turned and smiled at his grandson. "No need to be so formal, Jack. Nobody really calls me that anymore. Usually, people call me Chuck. Although, I'd prefer a little something different from you."

"G…Grandfather?" Jack asked, testing the word out nervously. When his grandfather smiled, he relaxed a little, though he was still nervous for other reasons. "I've made a decision."

"I know," Chuck said.

"I don't want to intrude, but a decision about what?" Rowena asked with nervousness of her own. She didn't know why, but this didn't seem like it would bode well for her. She was thinking very much about the Devil's threat to her should anything happen to his son.

"I've offered my grandson a gift. He's decided what he wants," Chuck said while grinning at Jack. He was proud of his grandson for the choice he was making. Not many would have the courage to ask for this.

"I couldn't wait until my father came back, could I?" Jack asked.

"I'm afraid not. He wouldn't allow it, and if he out and out forbid it, I would have to abide by his decision. He is your father," Chuck said.

"I figured that," Jack said before taking a folded piece of paper out of his paper. "I wrote this for him. I figured he should at least hear what I want and why."

Chuck took the letter and placed it in his own pocket. "I'll give it to him as soon as he stops trying to punch me. It might take time," he joked.

Jack managed a tiny smile. It was a big feat given how nervous and scared he was. "What will it feel like?"

"It won't hurt," Chuck promised.

"W…what are you going to do to him?" Rowena asked with alarm in her voice. Now she was certain this was going to end bad, both for her and the boy.

"I told you, Rowena, I would never hurt my grandson. He'll be fine," Chuck assured her.

"Well, sort of," Jack said. He couldn't help but feel like he was killing himself by doing this. Who he was now would be gone.

Chuck read his mind. "I can understand how you'd reach that conclusion, but it's not true."

"It kind of is. I won't remember. My life will be completely different. A part of me will be gone," Jack said with a shudder. His fears were creeping up. He was beginning to realize the severity of what he was about to do.

"You can change your mind, Jack. It's not too late," Chuck told him. He knew his grandson would not change his mind though.

Jack shook his head. "I don't fit in like this. I'm not really happy. I want to be happy, and I want my father to be happy. I think this is the only way we can be. It's the only way I can have a real life with him. I need to do this. Do it now, please. I don't think I can wait any longer.

Chuck stepped closer to his grandson and raised his hand.

"Wait. Since I won't be in any position to say it afterwards, will you tell my father I'm sorry if he's angry. I said it in the letter, but I'd like someone to tell him too," Jack said.

"Oh, he's definitely going to be angry, but that anger will be directed to me, not you," Chuck said before bringing his hand to Jack's forehead. A bright light immediately surrounded the boy.