Author's note: This has to be my favorite story out of all the one's I've written, so I'm sorry to see it go ;(

This is one of my last chapters. I'm thinking I only have 1, maybe 2 to go. I might do a third as an Epilogue for you guys though. Tell me what you think about an 'After the Fact'(Epilogue) Chapter?

I've loved this story, and I'll definitely miss all of your kind reviews :( I'll try to make the next chapters extra long for you guys though.

The hospital door moved just barely, enough to the point where Dean could see inside the room, without giving away that he was there. A nurse was talking to Castiel about medical terms and such, and as she spoke, Dean entered the room.
It was far past visiting hours, something he and Castiel both knew as they locked eyes. Dean was glad to see happiness spread across Cas' face in a grin, and he hurried to hide himself in the linen closet as silently as he could, hoping for the nurse to not notice him as she began to leave.
"Thank you, miss...?" Castiel implied the question, not sure that he had caught her name. He had also wanted to stall her to the point where Dean was completely concealed in the closet.
"Nurse Naomi." She said with a strange smile, her heels clicking against the linoleum as she turned off the light in his room per departure.
"Dean." Castiel whispered once her footsteps had faded. He was waiting for his eyes to adjust to the darkened room, and he jumped a little as a hand rested on his shoulder, and something weighed down his bed. He hadn't even heard the closet door open and close.
"Cas? You alright?" Dean asked. "I snuck you this." He placed something in his lap, and Castiel was glad to find that it was another food item that the hospital had banned. He smiled, thanking Dean as he attempted to unwrap the food as quickly and quietly as he could in the dark room.
"Sorry I'm late." Dean apologized, and he was glad to find that his eyes had adjusted to the lack of lighting. He could now see Castiel's face more clearly. "What's the news?" He asked casually, though hope and excitement was bubbling inside him.
"Nothing." He mumbled. "I've been here for a while now, but nothing new has happened, except one nurse's child lost its first tooth, and another's sister is visiting from Vietnam. So exciting..." He said, his sarcasm and lack of true excitement emphasized.
"So... You know that medicine? The artemisinin? Has anything happened yet?" He asked, trying to hide the obvious fact that he was overwhelmed with hope.
Castiel's face seemed to be the opposite reaction of Dean's expectations as his face fell, and spoke a soft and almost regretful "oh"
They were both in silence, Dean confused and Castiel seeming to prelude that he was going to have to tell Dean something important.
"Dean, I-"
"Don't." He cut in, shaking his head as Castiel began to speak, his morbid tone scaring him. "Don't tell me you're dying or anything."
Castiel shook his head rapidly. "N-no! I'm not... I mean, I- never mind. It's about... The artemisinin."
He sighed a breath of relief. "Okay. So... What about it? Is it working yet?" He moved himself so that he was more comfortable as he sat on the hospital bed.
Castiel averted his eyes, and he knew the only way he'd get this out was if he could do it in one go. He looked up to the green eyes, forcing himself to watch as the green eyes drained of the last bit of happiness Dean had.
"Dean, the medicine has an... Extremely small chance of actually saving me." He said, wincing as Dean searched for words, his breathing uneven as he realized what Cas was saying.
"So... The doctor lied?" He asked, urging Castiel to say yes, that there was nothing else behind it. "The doctor lied, right? There's another medicine out there that can save you, right?"
Castiel's blue eyes were searching the white hospital sheets for an answer. "I... No... Not exactly..." He took a deep breath, and when Dean didn't respond, expecting an explanation, he continued. "The doctor told me about all the possible ways to save me. Artemisinin was created to cure Malaria, yes, but it isn't even above a fifty percent chance of a success rate. The doctor told me he wouldn't recommend it, because it could end my life as easily as it could have cured it. I... I told him to tell you about it, and to not give anything away about the chances of... You know."
Dean had stood in the middle of the confession, his head in between his hands, and his feet carrying him in a rapid pace around the room.
"No, Cas. I don't know. I don't know about the chances of anything." He looked up to Castiel. "You lied to me. You fucking lied to me. I sold my shit and took extra jobs, and barely ate anything, saving all of my money for this moment. Hell, I had to work with your brother! Remember, the one you didn't tell me about?"
Castiel's eyes were wide as Dean said this, surprised and hurt. "How did you-"
"Lucifer told me. Instead of the person I trusted most in this shit planet, he told me." Dean turned away from Cas, afraid of what was going to happen, to Cas, to himself, to them in general. "I know why you hid the medicine bullshit from me, I get it, but you shouldn't have. What I don't understand is why you didn't tell me about freaking Lucifer!" He crossed his arms, pissed, and he attempted to lower his voice, knowing that he'd soon be shouting.
"You think I want him as a brother? He beat my ass right in front of you! I don't exactly call that a 'brotherly bond'!" He huffed, wishing he could do more to turn away from Dean then twist his body uncomfortably in the hospital bed and cross his arms.
"You made me... Happy, Cas." Castiel was surprised by Dean's quiet voice now. "It made me happy to know that there was a medicine that could save you. Then I find out it was all a bullshit lie." He shook his head, laughing in disbelief. "I know you did it to protect me, but I would have done it anyways. I mean, yeah, I lied to you about smoking, okay? You know if I was in the hospital, I wouldn't make you spare every expense you could to get me a medicine that could do nothing for me except kill me faster! I'd never do that to you, Cas. I wouldn't be able to face that fake hope. I felt that, and now I find out that you… That you…"

"It made me happy." Castiel whispered, and Dean turned towards him with surprise on his face and his mind was completely blocked with puzzlement. "What did you just say?" He asked, spinning on his heel and moving toward Castiel.

He looked up, meeting the shining eyes in the dark. H swallowed back the tears in his throat, but as he spoke, his voice cracked, and tears poured over his face. "It made me happy." He repeated, though loud enough for Dean to hear now. He looked over to his nightstand where he found a small notepad. He was writing something down as he spoke to Dean. "It made me happy to see you filled with that hope, Dean. Each and every time you smiled and said that you had more money for the medicine, each time you became more and more happy. You were a lot more glad than you would have been if there wasn't a cure, and you actually smiled. Yeah, you worked your ass off for nothing, but you were happy while doing it. Every time you grinned about something I knew was fake… It made me feel like it was just that more real." He looked away from the pen and notepad, tears streaming down his face. "I loved it Dean. Because I love you."

Dean hadn't moved, and he hadn't spoken. He could feel each tick of the clock, each breath between them, and each and every pound of his own heart that marked the time. Other than those motions, his world seemed to move in slow motion, close to not moving at all.

He had gotten back to the bed, hugging Castiel tightly, who was frozen, almost shocked by Dean's reaction. "Cas…" He sobbed. He had never cried before, but now as Castiel wrapped his arms around Dean, he felt each and every shake and tremor that traveled through his body as he cried.
"Cas… I'm…" He sputtered, tears leaking out of his eyes, and Castiel shut his eyes. Dean was crying? He took the time to realize their situation. They had nobody beside themselves in the world. Their parents weren't close to them at all; their brothers both gone; all their friends betraying them or hating them; Castiel dying in a hospital bed. He was leaving Dean alone in a world with nobody. His life at school was ruined since meeting Castiel, and there was no hope he'd be able to recover from this whole ordeal. Cas had thought he'd grow old and have children with a nice woman, but no… Dean was scarred from his childhood, and this entire problem wasn't helping.

So here, this broken child broke down even more, crumbling in this one person's hold.

"Cas, I'm so sorry." He cried out, and Castiel began crying as well, unable to control his fear any longer. He was dying… He was leaving Dean behind. He was losing everything that he cared about most.

"Cas, I want to save you." He said, his arms squeezing around Castiel tighter.
"Dean?" Castiel asked quietly, and by the steadiness of his voice, Dean was surprised to find him crying as he pulled back to meet his gaze.

"I don't want to die."

The doctor was right. There was only about one week left on Castiel's life, and multiple medical professionals had confirmed that. Unless there was a miracle or medical breakthrough, he could die.

They were trying to live life as normally as possible. The doctors had released Castiel from the hospital, and now he was free to go home, though on his last day, he was to report to the hospital for… the end.

Castiel thought about this as he watched the lights of the city turn on. They were on their way to the school, Dean smiling and rocking out to Warrant as they sped down the highway, 10 pm coming soon. They were late, yeah, but Dean had made a promise to Castiel.

Cas leaned over, turning up the music, and Dean grinned as he glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. They had sped by the different street signs at top speed, and were soon approaching the school grounds.

He took a sharp turn into the school parking lot, rolling down his windows. The music coming from his car echoed across the school parking lot, just like most other cars had done. It was a tradition at Freewill High school; to show up the night of prom with music pounding, full blast, and open windows.

People had just started arriving, even though the night had started half an hour ago. Dean cranked down the music as he turned off his car, Castiel rubbing his ears and complaining about the volume his speakers were capable of.

His ears were ringing as Dean waited for him outside the car. Castiel took a deep breath of the cool night air, his head leaned backwards. He opened the door, kicking his feet out and following Dean.

Dean had worn a classic tuxedo, though his jacket was open, revealing the white shirt below. Instead of a bow tie, he wore a simple black tie.

Castiel hadn't dressed up as fancily as he could have, choosing to wear a simple white button down and a blue tie. Their clothes had been tossed in the backseat.

Tonight was his last night. Tomorrow morning he'd be administered to the hospital, for them to ensure his passing was painless.

He followed Dean into the school gym, laughing a little as he saw that a girl had already broken one of her heeled shoes.

They instantly went towards the back of the room, trying to spot out Lucifer from the crowd. "There." Cas pointed towards the food table, where Lucifer was seen pouring something into the punch. They walked over to where Lucifer was seen pouring the liquid into the punch bowl. Dean snatched the flask from him, taking a swig. "Whiskey?" He asked incredulously. "Whiskey?" He asked again.

He shrugged, a devilish smile on his face. "With a hint of Vodka. One glass and you're out." He laughed, pointing to someone who was getting a drink for himself and his date. 'They'll be having some sort of drunk sex in a dumpster in about 5 minutes."

Castiel rolled his eyes. "You're always like this." He muttered, and Lucifer glanced over to him with a strange glance.

Dean ignored the tension between them, leading them both to a point near the center of the gym. "Alright Joey. What are we doing?"

Lucifer looked around the dance floor, a sort of curious and calculating look in his eyes as he stared at each and every dance coupling. "There." He stated, nodding towards Tori and Michael, dancing to whatever Fall Out Boy music poured from the speakers. Tori wore a light purple dress, one that looked like if she moved her legs the wrong way, her entire ass would fly out, which was probably what she intended. Michael looked like he always did, trim and proper, his tuxedo in perfect condition, and his hair gelled to the point where it wouldn't be moving if you hit in with a jack hammer.

Dean nodded, signaling for Lucifer to continue. "Tori won't be hard to handle. A dress like that? Not a smart choice for someone who wants to be prom queen. As for Michael, I don't think we can mess up his hair, even if we ran it over with a freaking bulldozer." He considered. "Hmm…I know Michael is kind of easy to piss off at times. He has some sort of anger problems that we can use to our advantage, though I'm hoping he doesn't go all psycho bitch on us." He laughed, as it had happened before, but it wouldn't affect him.

Someone announced over the speakers that there would be a slower dance going on for the couples, and as if it was prepared for that exact moment, a song began to play.

"Can't help but falling in love with you" by Elvis Presley began to pour out of the speakers with a slow and kind rhythm to it, Tori wrapping her arms around Michael and dancing in a slow twirl and spin.

Lucifer rolled his eyes as he looked over to Dean and Castiel, both looking towards each other awkwardly. He groaned. "Go and have your fun. Whatever. Just… try to get Tori out, alright?"

Castiel nodded as he smiled towards Dean.

Dean was blushing again.

He placed his hands in Castiel's, leaning in to whisper. "What do we do?"

Cas couldn't help but laugh out, his cheeks tinged pink. "Anything we want." He said. Dean's hands rested on his hips, and so Castiel wrapped his arms around Dean's neck.

They began to move with the music, Dean blushing profusely as Castiel's head came to rest against his chest. They moved along, trying to get closer to Tori and Michael's dancing session.

Castiel leaned away from Dean for a moment as they passed. His hand reached out, poking out her right earring, glad that she hadn't put backs in the hook jewelry.

She grasped at her ear as she felt it falling, though it was already on the ground. She broke apart from Michael, and people backed away from the behind of Tori, mumbling and laughing as she bent down to pick up her lost jewelry.

There were a few flashes, and Lucifer came up behind Castiel, pulling him away from Dean, who looked a little pissed when Lucifer flashed him a cruel smile, twirling Cas around the room in a dance that allotted perfectly with the music. "Okay, Cassy. Up next, I want you to-"

"Why should I even listen to you?" Castiel said angrily, following Lucifer's footsteps as they moved further and further away from Dean, whose arms were crossed, and his foot was tapping as he watched them with close eyes.

Lucifer looked down at his brother, who had certainly grew more balls than the last time they met. Maybe Dean was leaving a good impression on him. "Because this is something both of you need done. I need you to get Michael to follow you up to the roof."

Castiel swallowed, choosing not to express his fear of heights to his older, and teasing brother. "What? I'm not going to bring him up there! He'll kick my ass just because no one's looking."

Lucifer shook his head. "No. You don't get it, do you? The only people that go up there together are couples. If people thought Michael was gay, then he'd become a hypocrite, and lose his position as captain of the football team. Get it now?"

He nodded slowly. "Okay… I can do that, I guess." Lucifer nodded, releasing him. "Don't tell Dean." He whispered in his ear before leaving him.

Castiel had no idea why Dean wasn't allowed to know, but now he spotted Michael in the back of the room. Tori must have gone to the bathroom to fix her dress and her earrings.

Castiel moved past the different people near him, cursing himself as he met Dean's eyes. Now he watched Dean trying to get through the crowd. Why wasn't Dean supposed to know anyways?

He sighed, choosing to follow his brother's plans. Castiel looked around for a quick way to grab Michael's attention.

He grabbed a cup of punch from a passing girl, moving towards Michael. "Hey, assbutt!" He spoke from behind him, and as Michael turned, he threw the cup, the red and alcohol-spiked liquid pouring over him, staining his clothes.

He looked towards Castiel angrily, a fire sparked in his eyes as people laughed all around them. Cas broke off into a run towards the stairway, which he could only hope was unlocked.

He could hear people being pushed aside as Michael ran after Castiel.

He had reached the door now, pushing on it. It opened with a click, and he sighed in relief, barreling up the stairs, attempting to take them two at a time without falling.

He heard Michael's quick steps following him upwards, and he could only hope that Dean hadn't followed them all the way over and up here, though if he saw Castiel being chased down, he'd probably be on his way to help.

Castiel broke out at the top of the stairway, panting. Michael burst through the doors shortly after him. "Castiel!" He said, and the couples that were indeed on the roof like Lucifer had said, turned their way.

Michael had grabbed Castiel, and his hands closed around his throat. Castiel struggled, clawing at his hands. What was Lucifer's plan now? Was this his entire plan? To see his brother murdered? It would definitely get Michael out of the competition. He felt a rush of fear. This is why he didn't want Dean here! Castiel thought frantically.

There was only a very small passageway that oxygen flowed through, but it wasn't enough to get him breath, and it completely closed off as Michael tightened his hold.

There were various screams all around them, and now Castiel had fallen to his knees, choking, hoping for a single piece of oxygen to reach him.

I love you, Dean. He thought.

His eyes began to close, but then the pressure was released, and his eyes shot open, breathing heavily, choking down the oxygen, never so glad to have air in all his life.

He spotted a guy with long hair, and his instant thought was Sam.

Sam had pulled Michael off of him, and he now stood near the edge of the rooftop.

Castiel looked around, spotting Gabriel. That must have been who Sam was up here with…

He didn't have time to think about that. He tried to stand, but with the lack of air for so long, coupled with the disease, he was too weak to stand.

Someone burst through the door, and he looked up to see Dean, who had begun his way to Castiel.

Dean fell forward suddenly, tripped by Lucifer.

He looked up to him in surprise, and Lucifer knelt down, grabbing him by the collar of the shirt and punching him repeatedly.

Castiel tried to shout out, but his throat was sore, and he couldn't find the energy to yell. "Dean…" He managed, though it was barely above a whisper.

He reached out his hands, dragging himself towards them. He pulled himself along, managing to get his foot out to a sort of crawling position, though his knees were wobbly.

Lucifer had thrown Dean into the concrete of the roof, saying something to him, but with all the screaming and shouting and ringing in his hears, he barely heard anything. "Dean!" Castiel said, slightly louder this time.

Dean turned towards the sound. "Cas!" He cried out, and a foot slammed his head into the ground.

"No! Luci-" He was cut off, coughing up blood as he tried to call out for him to stop.

An administrator had burst through the door, a frightened girl pointing and shouting, obviously having led him here. He restrained Lucifer, while the girl tried to get Dean to stand up. He pushed her away, leaning against the wall. He looked over towards where Michael and Sam seemed to be talking about something, though their stances indicated something worse.. "Sammy!" He shouted out.

It all happened in slow motion. A deputy had come through the rooftop access door, pushing down Lucifer and handcuffing him. Dean had reached out a hand, watching helplessly as Michael pushed Sam off the roof.

Sam grabbed onto the shirt of Michael, both of them twisting and falling downwards.

"Sam!" Dean cried out, though there was nothing he could do. He couldn't move, he could barely shout.

Castiel's head hit the ground as he passed out, blood trailing freely from his throat and nose, and Dean was forced to watch both events occur.

People stood in a crowd around Castiel, and others peered over the wall, looking for any sign of movement from the two boys that had fallen.

Dean shut his eyes, tears pouring down his face as they dragged a cackling Lucifer out of the school.

Someone touched the side of his face, and he winced as it hurt the cuts and bruises.

"Dean." A soft voice whispered. Castiel's face was smeared with blood, his right sleeve stained with it, from where he had attempted to wipe it away. Castiel was kneeling beside him, and he fell, unconscious into Dean's hold. They both were crying.

Sam had sacrificed himself to bring down Michael, who had obviously been intent on killing someone. He had been pushed down, and had dragged Michael with him.

Sam was dead.

Cas was almost there.

And Dean wished he was.