She pushed the window wide open and hauled herself out. She began running across the field, keeping her eye firmly fixed on the fireball in the sky. Her lungs burned but she didn't care, she kept on going. Eventually it fell. She picked up the pace and headed straight for it. As she got closer she realised it had fallen down a grassy bank. She was going too fast to stop, and tumbled down the bank toward it. Eventually, she stopped.

"Bloody hell" she muttered rubbing her head which had grazed a large rock on the way down. No time to think about that now, as she turned over.

"Cas!" she screamed, realising that her hope was warranted.

On closer inspection she realised that she needed that hope more than ever. He was injured, badly. His trench coat was more blood red then the beige, his face, and hands covered in cuts and grazes. She called his name repeatedly, but he didn't answer. She became aware of a presence, they were not alone. As the temperature dropped, she shivered but remained defiant.

She turned, her breath catching in her throat as her suspicion was realised.

"You're not taking him" She spoke, cradling his lifeless body in her arms.

"You can see me?" The reaper spoke.

"Of course I can see you"

"But you shouldn't, I mean, I'm not here for you…."

"I'm the redeemer, the rules don't really apply."

"I see. Still, it is his time."

"I say it isn't" She replied, anger growing inside. She got to her feet and drew Cas's angel blade.

"If you kill me, another will come."

"This isn't for you. It's for me"

"But it's not your time"

"I decide when it's my time you son of a bitch. Now, If I do this I can undo everything I just did- open the gates on both sides. If you don't give him back to me, that's exactly what I'll do, I swear!"

"You wouldn't?"

"You don't get it, you're a reaper. I love him, and I refuse to watch him die, not like this. It's not his time, I don't care what you or anyone else says! He gave up his grace for a second time just to come back here, to me and you're telling me that it's his time to die?"

"Yes, I'm sorry"

"You get Death here now- or so help me, I'm opening the gates!"

"Even if I…." the repaer began, before realising his boss had made an appearance.

"… It's alright. Go, leave us" Death spoke. The reaper disappeared

"Give him back or…."

"… or you'll open the gates. I heard you the first time."

"What are you waiting for?"

"I think you're bluffing"

"Excuse me?"

"I don't think you can unseal the gates."

"Do you really want to find out?"

"Do you?"

"Just give him back to me, and you'll never hear from me again"

"Tempting, but no"

"Why?"

"Because Celeste, it's meant to happen this way"

"Screw you Death- nothing happens without your say so!"

"So eloquent, just like your father."

"I wont ask again- give him back to me!"

His face softened a little.

"On one condition"

"Name it"

"You owe me a favour that I can utilise at any given time. Failure to do what I want will mean instant death for Cas"

"Done!"

And he was gone.

She turned back to Cas.

"Cas!" she shouted.

"Celeste" he began. "Where are we?"

"The field by the bunker!" She smiled, grabbing him and holding on tightly.

"That is painful" he protested.

"Sorry, it's just I thought I'd never see you again… I thought…"

"The gates are sealed. It seems one can only pass through if they willingly surrender their grace"

She leaned in and kissed him, the familiar softness of his lips, the way he tasted… exactly as she had sworn to remember that fateful night. As his hands reached up to cup her face she was so overwhelmed with relief she thought she might cry, but she was determined not to.

"I love you"

"I love you Celeste"

As she looked at him, she realised something. He was her life now, here and now. She knew the brothers and her mum and dad would all be looking for a way to send her home now, but she was already home, with Cas. Here.

"I can't go back Cas. I'm in love with you, the you that is here… in this time. I don't even know what would happen if I went back, what if you weren't there? I couldn't bare it. I want to stay, with you- here"

"You have to go back, you aren't meant for this timeline. If I am here, then surely I will be there too?"

"But not like this, this is perfect"

"But your father will surely find a way to bring you back?"

"Not if we find it first, and destroy it"

"They'd be heartbroken Celeste"

She drew a deep breath. He wasn't wrong, but still.

"They sent me here without having a sure fire way to bring me back. In some part of their mind, they always knew my being here forever could happen"

"I don't think that will offer much comfort"

"I know. But I've done what I was sent here to do. It's my decision what happens next" She spoke resolutely.

"You would give that up, for me?"

"Yes, just like you gave up your grace for me"

"I am not sure Sam and Dean will approve"

"Lets worry about that later. Right now, we need to get you back to the bunker. Do you think you can walk?"

She helped him to his feet, slowly. As they walked back toward the bunker she knew he was right about Sam and Dean. She only hoped she could convince them.