A/N: Thanks so much for your continued interest in this story. It's definitely reaching the climax, but I don't want to rush through it too fast, so there's more chapters to come. Enjoy!

Sam POV

And here we are again. Just like I knew we would be eventually.

When the Winchesters run into a fight, it always seems to be the Big One. The one that counts the most. We're making all the preparations, trying to be ready for a war I'm not sure we can win. But then I realize that that's the way it's always been. And somehow, we've managed to come out on top. Every time.

That thought does nothing to calm the storm of doubt currently swirling inside me though. The only small comfort I find is in my brother's words, his seamless determination. Right now I have one eye on Dean as he combs over the explosives, and one eye on Crowley as he uses my blood to make his demonic call. He hasn't stopped complaining about the handcuffs, but Dean and I feel a lot better knowing they're still latched to his wrists. I'd be even happier if we left them on for the actual fight too, but Dean had shaken his head at that suggestion. "We need him," he said. I know he's right. I'm still far from okay with putting all our faith in Crowley, but I'm also positive we've got no chance without his help.

"Alright Sam, everything's here. I'm gonna go set the charges," Dean says. I nod my approval and he gets up from the table, taking the box of explosives with him. "Thank god Baby's getting outta here. Still, it'll be a shame to lose everything else."

"It's a last resort Dean," I remind him, watching his expression carefully. He smiles, soft and easy, like we're talking about the weather.

"Yeah Sammy. I know."

I watch him walk away, then give my full attention to Crowley, who's been listening to Dean and I's conversation. It makes me uneasy, especially due to the permanent smirk that seems plastered to his face.

"What?" I demand. I'm starting to think killing him now is our best option.

"Oh nothing. Just hope you boys are up to this," he says, placing the bowl of my blood on the table as he comes towards me. "There's a little too much lovey-dovey going on here for my taste. Brings out the worst in me I'm afraid."

"Did you make the call or not?" I ask, eyeing the bowl of blood.

"All taken care of Moosey, don't you worry. Think it's about time the handcuffs came off now, eh?" Crowley flops his arms in front of me like a marionette doll, flashing a cocky grin.

"Not yet Crowley. We wait until the demons get here."

He frowns at me, but the retort dies on his lips as Kevin comes into view, followed closely by Adriella, who carries a backpack, a few other bags slung over her shoulder. Oh shit.

"Uhhh Sam?" Kevin asks, staring at Crowley with a rarely seen hatred seeping into his expression. "What the HELL is Crowley doing out of the dungeon?"

"I thought it best to give him the shortened version of our situation," Adriella admits sheepishly. "I'm afraid I left some things out. But Kevin's bags are prepared. I will bring them to the car." Without waiting for a reply, she heads for the door. I watch her go, eventually returning my focus to the prophet currently seething at the foot of the stairs.

"Look Kevin, we're gonna get you out of here okay? Me, Dean, Adriella and Crowley are staying behind to fight. Crowley's called his army. We're going to take down Abaddon," I say, inclining my head towards the King of Hell. "Believe me, I'm not happy about all this either, but it's our best option right now. Just make sure you have the tablets and everything else you need, okay?"

"Hold on. Hold on," Kevin says, hands raised. "We're not all leaving? That's not...I mean...you guys can't stay! According to Adriella, Abaddon's bringing her army too. You'll never survive...you won't..." he stops, watching my face. I smile sadly back, waiting for him to get the picture.

"No Sam," he shakes his head. "Please no."

"Look Kevin, my brother and I have made our choice. That means we need you to go. We need you and Cas to get out, to keep looking for a way to put the angels back in Heaven. We'll take care of everything here. Hopefully you won't ever have to worry about having demons on your ass ever again," I say, trying not to let my smile slip. As I watch the moisture pool behind Kevin's eyes, the reality of what we're attempting finally hits me. And I realize that I'm already resigned to the end result. I know we're probably going to die.

But I also know that our deaths will bring about the deaths of most, if not all the demons out there right now. At the very least, we can bring down the biggest players.

And as I catch sight of Dean coming back into the room, charges set, I think maybe, just maybe, it'll all be alright.

Maybe this is how it's supposed to end.

"Cas I swear on anything that might still be holy, if you don't get in the fucking car, I will make you," Dean threatens, growing more aggravated by the second as he roughly attempts to shove Cas into the Impala.

"Dean I'm staying. I'm fighting beside you and Sam. It's my choice," Cas replies calmly, shaking off Dean's hold on his shoulders. Kevin huffs out an audible breath from the driver's seat, the remnants of a few leaky tears still evident on his cheeks.

"Yeah well it's the wrong one. So I'm making the right one for you," Dean snaps. "You and Kevin need to leave. Right. Now. According to the one member of our party that is actually still an angel, the demons are basically on top of us, man. Go. Now." Dean has stopped with the manhandling, but his expression is still murderous.

"Cas, Dean's right," I cut in, "You guys gotta go. We'll meet back up with you later, okay?" I cringe at the obvious lie, and I watch Dean do the same. His expression shifts from murderous to something else, something softer.

"Look I know...I know it's not how we wanted it. But Cas, you gotta go. You're human for god sakes. And you're only halfway trained. This fight is too big. Me and Sam can't be worrying about you while we're trying to...you know...kick ass," Dean tries for the humor, but it falls short, overshadowed by the sadness that leaks into his voice. "Please. Please go Cas," he begs. "Please go now."

Cas shakes his head in denial, glancing back and forth between the two of us. His shoulders slump in defeat as he takes in our expressions, and he closes his eyes for a long moment. Finally, he nods, climbing slowly into the passenger seat. Dean slams the door shut behind him, trying for one last signature smirk.

"See ya on the other side, huh?" he says, "and you better take care of my Baby." He smacks the side of the car affectionately, stepping back to stand beside me.

We watch as Kevin puts the car in gear and pulls away, Cas's dismal expression visible as he twists to watch our shrinking figures, almost as if he's trying to memorize our faces.

It's a strange picture- a young prophet and a former angel riding off to who knows where in a car that has only ever belonged to my brother and me. I sling an arm around Dean almost unconsciously, patting his shoulder a few times before I let go. We watch as the car that has been our home for so long now disappears around the next corner, kicking up a small puff of dust that seems to hover for just a second too long, caught up in the gravity of this moment. I sigh, not sure if I'm ready for what comes next.

But apparently, it doesn't matter, because at that moment, the door to the bunker swings wide open, Adriella's voice piercing the air.

"They're here!"

If at any time you start to hate all these cliffhangers, let me know haha. Apologies! Next chapter will hopefully be posted by the end of the week. Have a beautiful day. Reviews are always appreciated, good or bad.