Disclaimer: Not mine.

Chapter 8

Castiel stared at the older, more powerful Archangel, feeling nervous for the first time since the apocalypse had been foiled. He could feel Michael's rage as the angel stared at him. He didn't understand what had happened; the war was over so why would Michael have approached Dean? Why would Dean even consider saying yes after everything?

Dean studied Castiel, sensing his uneasiness, even fear but did nothing to relax him. For leaving Sammy to rot he deserved it. "Explain yourself now." Dean growled.

"What would you like me to explain sir?"

"Abandoning Sam to hell."

"He knew the consequences of fulfilling his destiny."

"He trusted you! Was it all an act? Did you ever actually come to see the real Sam at all or was it just your way of pushing him to say Yes?" Dean demanded angrily. Had Castiel just pretended to be their friend for that year?

"Why does it matter Michael?" Castiel asked, confused by the archangel's behaviour.

"Because he's my brother! And you left him to become one of those things. You deserted him." Dean answered, wings shifting in agitation and Castiel's eyes widened slightly in shock. His brother? Did that mean….was it possible?

"Dean?"

"You think Anna was the first to ever rip their Grace out to be human?" Dean asked and Castiel just stared at him. Michael had willingly fallen to earth, become human? Was that why no one had been able to find him? "They were so set on my fighting Lucifer, I figured if I wasn't around they'd let it go. Guess I was wrong." Dean snorted in disgust while Castiel tried to digest what he learnt. Dean hadn't said yes to Michael, he was Michael. How could they have missed that? There should have been some sign…he'd healed his soul after hell! How could he not…Dean sighed when he saw the look on the younger angel's face. It was hard to stay so mad when he looked so lost and confused. "Castiel." He called more gently and wide blue eyes came up to focus on him. Dean sighed and then put a hand on Castiel's shoulder, feeling him flinch slightly. "Come here little brother." He whispered, tugging the younger angel closer to hug him. He felt Castiel tremble in his hold, scared and confused and he wrapped his wings around him, rocking him gently. He was too you, he should never have been expected to try and sort Heaven out. "It's alright Cas, it's alright, I've got you." He murmured and he felt Castiel slump against him, one hand curled in his jacket.

Castiel clung to his older brother, to Dean, the man he'd fallen for. He was so confused, one minute Dean had been yelling at him but now he was holding him, comforting him. Wrapped in Michael's wins he felt safer than he had in centuries. First Bobby and now Micha…Dean had yelled at him for leaving Sam in hell…..had he really done something wrong? "I'm sorry." He whispered, clinging to his brother and he felt Dean's hand move to the back of his neck, rubbing the tight muscles gently.

"I forgive you Cas." Dean replied softly.

"Sam…..how is he?" Castiel looked up at his superior and Dean sighed.

"Better, he's getting there…..slowly." Dean answered sadly. "At first…..he was like a wild animal. Much longer there and he would have turned." He admitted and Castiel looked away in shame. "Would you like to see him?" That made Castiel stare at him in shock and Dean shrugged. "He doesn't remember you yet so you'd have to remain invisible though. See Sam? See the one he had abandoned to be destroyed and turned into the thing he hunted?

"Yes." He whispered and Dean nodded, stepping back but then taking Castiel's hand and they were suddenly in a house. Castiel looked around curiously, they had appeared in a large bedroom, dominated by a massive bed…..a bed that was occupied. Sam Winchester was curled up asleep, looking so innocent and young in his sleep. Dean walked over to the bed and sat down, tugging Sam into his arms and Castiel realised Sam had been put to sleep since he didn't move at all in Dean's arms. "He is…younger?"

"Yeah. It was the only way to help him adjust. De-aged us both because he couldn't put together what we looked like with the few broken childhood memories he was regaining. He….he's still so broken, so childlike." Dean admitted, running his fingers through Sam's hair. Dean removed his power from Sam and he shifted in his sleep before his eyes fluttered open and he smiled up at his brother. "Morning Sammy."

"De." Sam smiled and cuddled against him.

"You sleep good?" Dean asked and Sam nodded.

"Hungry De." Sam told him and Dean nodded.

"Kay let's get some breakfast." Dean got up and helped Sam up, Sam leaning against his brother as they moved out of the bedroom. Castiel followed, watching as Dean looked after Sam. He felt…guilt; it was guilt as he watched the childlike Sam cling to his big brother. This was his fault; if he had gone after Sam…..he stayed invisible all day, watching them. He only didn't follow when they went into the bathroom but he could hear Sam laughing and splashing in the bath. When the re-emerged Sam was leaning against Dean, half asleep. Dean settled Sam into bed and Sam cuddled against him before kissing Dean's cheek, making Dean smile and kiss him back. "Sleep Sammy, I've got you."

"Will he ever recover fully?" Castiel asked softly and Dean shrugged.

"I don't know. He…he dreamt of my death so his memories are coming back. At this age…he was so smart, brilliant. Always talking, always wanting to learn. Now…" Dean kissed Sam's forehead sadly.

"This is my fault." Castiel whispered a hand half out towards Sam.

"You didn't make him jump Cas, Sam chose to." Dean answered.

Bobby laughed and threw a piece of popcorn at Sam in retaliation for the one Sam had thrown at him. Sam laughed as it landed in his hair, throwing more at the hunter. Dean watched from the kitchen, grinning as they play fought. "Okay, okay settle down you two." He called as he walked over with a tray of drinks. He set them down and then laughed and covered his head as they teamed up on him. "Alright! Enough! I give!" He reached over and grabbed Sam, pulling in to tickle as Sam shrieked in laughter. Bobby grinned as he watched the two play but they eventually settled and Dean started the movie. Shrek wasn't really his thing but it made Sam laugh and that was very important these days.

TBC…..