Dean sat hunched over the hole Sam had disappeared into taking their half brother Adam, Michael's second choice for vessel, with him. Leaning against the Impalas passenger door I slid down until my butt touched the ground and stared off into the distance past Dean. There were no words for what had just happened. My heart ached for Dean, I understood the pain he must be feeling. He was now all that was left of his family. There was nothing I or anyone else could possibly say to take that pain away.

It wasn't what I'd pictured the Apocalypse looking like, and perhaps Sam's actions had made all of that moot and everything the brothers had experienced would replay itself at some later date. The world wasn't ending in a sea of fire, and we were still breathing. But the cost seemed much too high in my opinion.

After a fluttering sound my view was blocked by a figure in a tan trench coat.

It couldn't be...

My eyes are playing tricks on me...

Maybe I had died and this was hells sick joke...

The figure lifted two fingers and touched Deans forehead, with that simple touch his battered face looked as good as new. Frightened and shaking I pressed myself tighter against the Impalas door as I got to my feet. Dean stood up, running one hand over his face as if to make sure this was real. Then both of us watched as Castiel walked over to where Bobby lay cold. The same two fingers touched Bobby's right temple. Bobby sat up disoriented and confused looking at Castiel as though he were a ghost. A cold chill rocked my body as I suddenly realized the truth. Although unseen to the human eye Castiel was sporting his angelic wings. When his eyes met mine I saw the coldness Sam had often talked about. Then he was standing in front of me and raised one hand towards my face.

"Don't touch me." I snapped at him.

"I can take away your pain."

Grabbing his wrist tightly with both hands I stared him down.

"I said don't touch me. Pain reminds me I'm alive... and human."

He continued looking at me a few moments longer. While my insides battled between anger and utter heartbreak his face was void of any emotion.

I let his wrist drop and dug around in my pocket for my car keys. Dean and Bobby stood on either side of Castiel. I turned to Dean.

"I'm gonna go find a decent place to crash. Give me a call when you boys are done here."

I pushed my way past Castiel and turned back.

"And don't bring him with you." I said tilting my head in the angels direction.

Time for a shower and sleep.

Maybe if I get lucky I'll wake up back in the real world.

Whatever that means...

That evening around the dinner table I sat pushing my food around my plate listening to Deans non-stop ranting. He was pissed that while his brother was gone Castiel had gotten a shiny pair of new wings, and after everything that had happened Castiel still chose to follow God even though by all appearances he had left the building. Instead of staying to help his human friend through this hellish ordeal he'd went back to heaven to play Sheriff and try to restore order in the heavenly realm. I understood his anger too well. While the three of us walked about like zombies on auto-pilot trying to cope with our losses, Cas had just waltzed away like it was the easiest thing in the world to do. Of course having no feelings could explain that... not that that tiny little fact mattered to us.

As for me I was still trying to sort through the contradictory feelings I had. I bounced around from being content that at least Castiel wasn't dead, sad over the loss of Sam, to angry that there was nothing I could do, but more than anything confused where to go or what to do from here. At least Dean had plans. Sam had made him promise to go live an apple pie life, and with his bags packed he stood switching his weight from one foot to the other. Bobby gave him a long hug, then both men broke away Dean clearing his throat. He looked at me awkwardly.

"Dean..."

I wanted to tell him it would get better, even though it'd always be there. That pain... Whatever I wanted to say he must have understood.

"Yeah."

He took a step towards me and I wrapped my arms around his waist in an odd hug. "Stay in touch, okay?"

"I will." He gave Bobby's shoulder a manly squeeze before he turned and walked out the door.

I stood at the door until the Impalas taillights were out of view and the steady purr of its engine could no longer be heard. An overwhelming emptiness overcame me and I nearly succumbed to the tears I'd been holding back. Sam was gone, so was Castiel and now Dean. That's when Bobby sat me down and said he'd be going home, and how I needed to make a new start for myself. As much as it hurt to hear him say that I understood, a hunters life just wasn't for me. I packed my bags that night and slept off and on and when the sun was peeking out over the horizon I was already behind the wheel to wherever I would land. I didn't know where I was going, but I figured once I got there I'd know that was where I was meant to be. Two days later after multiple stops at gas stations and hotels for the night I passed a for sale sign on a house and knew that I was home.

Dialing the real estate agents number from my cell she agreed to meet with me in an hour. To pass the time I drove around the neighborhood and spotted a small diner near the town square. While I nursed my glass of iced tea the overly friendly waitress filled me in on all the towns gossip. Leaving a tip I thanked the kind older lady, she really reminded me of my own grams. Taking a different return route I noticed a grade school a few blocks from the house I was interested in.

That would be nice, that is if I ever had more kids...

A black Lexus was parked in the driveway when I pulled up, so I parked along the side of the road. Ms. Buyers greeted me warmly and opened the front door, letting me tour the place in privacy for which I was grateful. I'd never been keen on the whole sales pitch of breathing down a persons neck when they were trying to make a decision.

Overall the place was perfect. Vaulted ceilings, each bedroom had its own private bath, the master bedroom with a jet tub and separate shower. Spacious kitchen, finished basement, so many extra rooms I couldn't think of what to turn them all into! Although I was already sold on the place before my little tour the large backyard and rear deck with the fire pit was as far as I made it before returning to tell her she had her buyer. The only hitch came with having to wait to have my funds transferred from my bank back home to here. I gave her my attorneys number so she could verify that I did indeed have the funds to fully pay for this place and then some. She agreed to give him a call and said we'd talk again on Friday, today was Tuesday, hopefully by then every i dotted and t crossed. Until then I guess I was camping out at the nearest hotel.