War, What's it good for? Absolutely nothing!

Disclaimer: Nope still nothing, was hoping for an early birthday present from Mr Kripke but sigh still nothing.

Author's Note: This is a different story altogether for me so please bear with me. This is a futuristic story, everything in the show has been and passed, the biggest difference is that all of the seals are broken

Author's Note 2: Please accept my deepest and sincerest apologies for not updating before this. As most of you know, I am a university student and was trying to complete my Honours year, which included writing a 15000 word thesis as well as course work. This semester was a killer and I was totally overwhelmed for a while, trying to get everything finished and also to present a paper at a Symposium on Monstrosity in literature and film. So I had to (sob) let a few things move to the sidelines for a little while. On the upside the thesis is finished and handed in, entitled The Dracula Myth, from Novel to Movie, my last undergrad essay is finally finished and handed in, now just one small test to finish and I am done for my undergrad and just sweating to see if I will be doing my Masters or will be able to go straight through to PhD.

So after such a longwinded apology I hope that you enjoy this update and they will be more frequent from now on as I am on my big, big break from uni until March next year.

Thanks to everyone, for your patience you guys rock!!!!!!!

Chapter Twelve: Angels, Demons and Who Else?

Then:

'Probably got concussion Dean.'

'Ya think?' Dean leant over and gave Sam a weak slap on the back of the head.

'Dean! What the hell?'

'Pullin' a shit stunt like that, what the hell Sam! On your own?'

'Yeah well I gotcha out anyway.' Sam returned his attention to his driving but kept glancing over at his brother as if Dean would disappear if he didn't. 'What's going on Dean? I mean that was too easy.'

'Dunno Sam, but I'll be happier when Bobby and Ray are back at the church too.'

'I mean Armageddon has supposedly started, but there's no sign of the Angels or Lucifer or anyone of importance, just idiots like Rodgers.'

'Sam what was that with Doc Saw?'

'What?'

'Sam?'

'That ... that's ... we're here.' Sam pulled into the driveway and headed around to the back of the church away from prying eyes. He pulled up and sat for a minute, 'he's the doctor from the camp Dean, the one who...'

'Ahh geeze Sammy.'

'It was a trap, if Bobby and Ray ... I walked ... wheeled into it.' Sam slammed his hand against the steering wheel, 'so stupid.'

'Sam...'

'Just like I always ...'

'Sam!'

'Never ... damn it Dean!' Sam caught his brother just as Dean was about to face-plant the dashboard, 'Dean?

Now:

Sam sat staring at his cooling coffee for longer than he even realised himself. Ethan was still working on Dean, the surgery was now in its third hour and still no news on how Dean was doing. A rustling sound behind him startled Sam so much that he spilt his coffee over his lap. 'Damn it.' He cussed as he turned slowly to see who had managed to creep up on him.

'Castiel?' Sam uttered in surprise as he stared at the dark haired sombre faced man dressed in a crumpled shirt and pants and a trench coat that had seen better days, with scorch marks, holes and rips in it.

'Sam Winchester.' Came the monotone reply and the acknowledging nod, 'how fares your brother?'

'He, he is in surgery …' Sam said haltingly, he gazed up at the angel with tear filled eyes, 'where were you Cas?'

'I … have … been … busy.' Castiel shrugged nonchalantly, his passive expression giving nothing away. 'I am sorry Sam Winchester.'

'What for?'

'I am unable to help you.' Castiel indicated Sam's wheelchair, 'there is nothing I can do for you.'

'Yeah well I don't … not like that it matters anymore,' Sam swallowed down on the bitter taste filling his mouth, 'can you heal Dean?'

'Sam?' Ethan stepped into the room, a grave expression on his face he all but ignored the newest arrival as he looked down at his young friend.

'What … what is it Ethan?'

'I've done all I can … medically speaking.'

'Which means?'

'His injuries were numerous Sam, I don't know how he survived as long as he did.'

'Ethan spit it out what are you talking about?'

'If he survives the night then …'

'No, no Castiel please … heal him now.' Sam spun around to beg the angel but he was alone with Ethan, Castiel was gone. 'Fan-fucking-tastic.' Sam muttered, 'I need to see my brother Ethan.'

S—D

Castiel stood next to the bed and stared down at the sleeping man in it, he took in the rugged surroundings, the less than perfect medical supplies and most importantly he stared at the crucifix hanging above the bed. He sighed heavily and ran his hands over his eyes before he returned his gaze to the crucifix, 'what is it that you would have me do?' he asked, he held his hands slightly out to the sides with his thumbs pointing out, his head lifted up to the warmth only he could feel. 'Tell me what is it that you would have me do?'

Sam wheeled into the small recovery room Ethan had set up in the old rectory, with his heart beating so hard he could feel it pound against his chest, he stayed just inside the doorway unable to look at his dying brother.

'So what's a guy got to do to get a piece of pie around here?' Dean's voice filled the room and brought Sam out of his depressive reverie.

'Dean?' Sam blinked owlishly as he stared in disbelief at the occupant of the bed. Still deathly pale with dark smudges under his eyes Dean had a sparkle in his emerald green eyes, and he was no longer connected to any machines or oxygen.

'Hey Sammy you alright there? You look like you've seen a ghost or something.'

'Dean … Dean?'

'That's mah name don't wear it out.'

'But, but Ethan he … he said that you …' Sam pushed himself closer to the bed but still refused to touch Dean not wanting to find out it was all a dream or hallucination or something equally as freaky.

'Dude hey Sam … it's okay Castiel did some angelic mojo on me.'

'Cas was here?' Sam shook his head and tried to work out what exactly happened, 'Cas was in here?'

'Yeah I woke up just as he … he couldn't fix everything but he said that I aint gonna die not yet anyway.'

'Damn it Dean.' Sam ducked his head and hid his tear-filled eyes under his long fringe, 'I – I thought that I was coming in to…'

'Hey Sammy, Sammy look at me please …' Dean's smile faltered when he saw just how badly Sam was feeling. 'Come on dude don't make me do a full on chick flick moment.'

'I don't understand … why all the secrecy? He came to me just before and then he disappeared when Ethan came to tell me about you.'

'Dunno what to say he … was looking up at the cross and then did the whole white light mojo and then left.'

'I will never understand that angel, Dean never in a million years.'

S—D

Bobby took a long swig of his whiskey and then slammed the empty glass down on the table, 'that's it I aint sitting here any longer, I gotta go.'

'Go where Bobby?' Ray asked his concern rising even higher when he saw the murderous glint in Bobby's eyes, 'you aint gonna do something stupid are ya?'

'They … they … dammit Ray you heard Ethan, we've lost Dean … I lost mah boy.' Bobby snarled his grief quickly morphing into a white rage, 'I gotta do something.'

'Dude think about it, what about Sam? He'll need ya more than ever now.'

'I aint no use to anyone Ray, the only thing I can do is avenge Dean, for his brother, friends and hell for me. Those boys may not be blood kin but they're mah boys.'

'I understand that Bobby, but Sam's still here and he's alive, he'll need ya to help him through this.'

'Dean's dead Ray and I aint sitting round here with my thumb up my ass…'

'Sorry to disappoint but news of my death has been greatly exaggerated.' A weak but determined voice came from near the door way, silencing both of the men to the point where Bobby's legs started to give way on him.

'D-Dean?' For the first time in a helluva long time, Bobby didn't know what to say.

Dean stood leaning heavily against Sam's wheelchair looking more like a walking corpse than his usual healthy soldier style self, 'Dean what the?'

'Hey guys what's up?' Dean grinned as he managed to lower himself into a nearby chair, breathing heavily he closed his eyes and waited for the dizziness to pass, Cas might have done some mojo on him but he still felt as weak as a newborn.

'Dean?' Ray breathed his gaze darting from Dean to Sam, to Bobby and then back Dean, 'but … but Ethan told us…'

'Yeah well it's good to have friends in ahh high places.' Dean opened his eyes as he spoke and looked tiredly at his two friends, 'Cas … he ahh … did some of his mojo…'

'Cas helped heal Dean, he couldn't fix everything but Dean's not gonna die.' Sam finished for his brother when he saw just how much this was taking from Dean, 'we should get you back to bed.'

'Yeah, yeah first … we gotta make plans coz this war aint even started yet.' Dean scrubbed his face with his hands trying to wake himself up a little more but he knew he was fighting a losing battle. 'Damn it.'

'That's it Dean you're going back to bed.' Sam declared as he watched his brother sway dangerously, 'Bobby, Ray can you please help him?' Deep down it killed Sam to ask them for help but there was only so much he could do while confined to his wheelchair.

'Sam I'm …'

'Don't you …don't you dare say fine, I'm … I'm gonna go and find Ethan.' Sam span around and wheeled out of the room before anyone could say another word to him.

'Well … awkward.' Dean tried for the old standby smirk but failed miserably when he felt himself listing to the side unable to sit upright any longer.

'Okay Lazarus let's get you back to bed.' Bobby finally found his voice, sandwiching Dean between himself and Ray, they managed to get the barely conscious Winchester back to his bed.

S—D

Janice huffed and shifted the dirty washing basket to her other hip, though her own injuries were healed, she still felt the pull of new skin and scar tissue, humming softly to herself she rounded the corner to go out to the laundry when she saw a sight that nearly broke her heart.

'Sam honey you okay?' She asked quietly not wanting to startle the fragile young man.

'Huh? Oh hi Janice I ah didn't hear you coming.' Sam swiped at his face and turned to give Janice a warm dimpled smile, 'how you doing?'

'I'm okay … how about you Sam? How are you doing and please don't say I'm fine.'

'You ah know me too well Janice,' Sam blushed and ducked his head a little, 'I'm doing … okay I guess.'

'What is it Honey? Oh Lord it's not Dean is it?'

'No, yes,' Sam sighed and lifted tear-filled eyes to look at the woman who in such a short space of time has become the closest thing to a mother he had ever had. 'Cas healed Dean, he's still weak and hurting but he's gonna have to take it easy for a while.'

'Oh, how do you feel about that Sam?'

'It's great, Dean's still here with me I … I don't know what …'

'No, that's not what I meant, I can see how much it means to you to have him here with you but … how do you feel about Cas appearing to help Dean and you're still in your wheelchair?'

'Dean deserved to be healed Janice, he's … he's so needed.' Sam swiped at an errant tear running down his cheek and stared at his useless legs, 'he's needed more than me.' He added in a whisper.

'Oh Samuel Winchester I don't know whether to slap you or hug you.' Janice exclaimed shaking her head.

'What?' Sam blinked at her, 'it's true Janice I don't deserve to be healed, Cas will always be Dean's angel he's not there for me.'

'And why do you think that Dean is the only one who deserves to be healed?'

'Coz he didn't deserve to go to hell, he did that for me … me who then turned around and betrayed him in the worst way possible. Hell Janice I … I'm a freak but Dean …'

'Oh Sam, don't you see if you weren't here … Dean wouldn't be Dean he'd be a killing machine with a suicidal attitude.'

'Kinda like I was when he was in hell.' Sam chuckled humourlessly.

'Sam please listen to me, whether you are in a wheelchair or running a marathon, as long as you're alive and at your brother's side then … well then the rest of us can rest a little easier.'

'Not a good gamble Janice, I'm too much of a risk.' Sam went to wheel himself away when Janice caught his right hand and held it tightly to her breast while she leaned over and kissed him chastely on the forehead.

'My darling boy, you are and never have been too much of a risk,' Janice said tenderly cupping Sam's cheek in her free hand, 'believe me please, I can't talk for anyone else but for me I am so glad that you're here.'

'Thanks Janice.' Sam choked out the thanks and brushed a soft kiss on her cheek, 'I'm glad that I have you on my side even if I don't have anyone else.'

'Sam?' Janice pulled back and stared at the young man in shock, 'what makes you say that?'

'I – I know that Bobby, Ray, Ethan and hell even Dean I know that they are there but I don't know if I have their full trust, I know I don't deserve it and well … perhaps I never will.'

'Where is this coming from Sam?'

'Nothing … don't worry I'm just tired and feeling a little sore and sorry for myself.' Sam pulled away from Janice and wheeled himself away from the church, he knew that Dean would still be with Ethan and not needing him for a while, he needed time to think, and to plan exactly what he was going to do. He had to end this himself, and it had to end no matter what.

S—D

Dean opened his eyes expecting to see his little brother's emo face staring at him, 'ah Bobby what's going on?' He rasped, 'where's Sammy?'

'He's sleeping' Bobby explained holding a glass of water up to Dean's mouth, 'he's exhausted.'

'Has anyone checked Sammy's injuries lately?' Dean asked feeling better after a few sips of the iced water.

'Ethan did before, he's a little worried bout the kid.' Bobby said avoiding Dean's penetrating stare.

'What do you mean by that? Is something wrong with Sam?' Dean started to climb out of his bed, his pale face now devoid of any colour.

'No, no now calm down ya idgit, Janice had a talk with Sam before and it sounds like he's a little depressed.'

'Geeze Bobby give me a heart attack why don't ya,' Dean sagged back against his pillows, 'Sam's always depressed about something, I'd be more worried if he wasn't depressed.'

'Yeah well maybe ya should be worried, Janice said that it sounded like Sam was planning something and he aint talking to no one.'

'Dammit Sammy,' Dean ground out, 'help me Bobby.'

'What the … yer stayin' put boy.'

'No, no dammit I have to talk to Sammy now Bobby before he does something stupid.'

'Dean!'

'Dammit help me Bobby or I'll do it meself.' Dean ground out as he once again tried to sit up without nearly fainting.

'Where are you going Dean?' Cas asked as he materialised next to Bobby.

'Dammit Castiel can't you give a guy warning.' Bobby growled holding his chest as his heart banged against it, 'honestly I'd say that the two of you are determined to send me to an early grave.'

'Cas what you doin' here?' Dean frowned at the angel, 'not that I'm not grateful and all.'

'I have come with a warning.' Castiel said without showing any emotion, 'you are … better Dean?'

'Yeah thanks, so what's the warning about?'

'Sam.'

'Sam? Don't you guys ever … why can't you give him a break he's really trying hard not to use his mojo anymore.'

'No this time … we think that Sam is the target he has to be protected at all costs.'

'What the hell you talking bout?' Bobby snarled, 'why can't ya leave that boy alone?'

'Lucifer wants Sam.' Castiel deadpanned, 'he is more of a danger than the demon led group.'

'Excuse me? Did I hear you right? Lucifer wants our Sam?' Bobby stood up and positioned himself between the angel and Dean.

'Why does he want Sam?' Dean asked feeling like his stomach was about to rebel violently he laid back and closed his eyes to try and to stay vomit free.

'He always wanted Sam.' Castiel shrugged as though it was common knowledge. 'Although given Sam's current physical condition…'

'Damn it Cas just tell us.' Dean tried not to yell but sometimes the angel could just push all of his patience buttons.

'Lucifer is after Sam because Sam was marked as the one to be his … receptacle.'

'His what?'

'He was marked to be the ultimate vessel for Lucifer to enable him to walk the earth.'

'Ah Sam's crippled he can't walk anywhere.'

'Exactly that is why it is imperative to protect Samuel at all costs, Lucifer will use the opportunity for Sam to walk again as a bargaining chip.'

'Why would he need to bargain …?' Dean asked as he desperately tried to stay aware enough to stay in the discussion.

'Coz Lucifer is an angel and he needs Sam to say yes.' Bobby interjected his hand finding Dean's arm and gave him a slight supportive squeeze. 'And if Sam was desperate enough to get out of his chair…'

'He may say yes.' Castiel nodded.

'You don't know my brother very well.' Dean declared as he stared up at Castiel. 'Sam will never say yes to Lucifer not even if it meant his walking again. Sam is a good person, he might have made a few mistakes in the past but he aint gonna give in to Lucifer!' Dean insisted breathlessly, 'so we protect Sam and then what?'

'Yeah Castiel then what?' Sam asked wheeling himself into Dean's room, he glared up at the rumpled angel and then at his brother and 'father'. 'What happens when you send poor little cripple Sammy away to hide from the big bad devil?'

TBC