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Castiel opens the door and peers in. Dean is sat on the bed with a beer in his hand he is staring at the wall with a blank expression.

"Dean?"

Dean turns his head.

"Hmm?"

Cas comes in and closes the door.

"I umm I stopped at a diner along the way and brought you a pie." He puts the pie on the table. "It's pecan."

Dean shrugs.

"Thanks."

The hunter goes over to the table and opens the box. He gets out the plastic cutlery and cuts into the pie. He hums as he eats the pie. He swallows and notices Cas looking at him with a tight expression. Dean puts the fork down and frowns at the angel.

"You want to tell me something? That's why you brought me a pie."

"I hoped the pie would help...soften you up?"

Dean scoffs and shakes his head.

"Seriously?"

Cas responded with a shrug.

Dean rolls his eyes and folds his arms.

"Alright Cas what is it?"

"I've...I've been thinking about what Chuck said you know about umm the Mark. I...I decided that I um...I would like to take the Mark."

"No!"

"But Dean."

"No Cas. That's not happening."

Cas sits down in the chair and clasps his hands together on the table.

"Look just hear me out. "

"No Cas." Dean sits down opposite and shakes his head. "You don't want this you...you have seen what this does the Mark is a curse. I made my choice and I'm not letting anyone else go through it. No way."

"Not even for Sam?"

Dean glares at him.

"Don't bring him into this."

"Dean." Cas said softly. "I saw your face when Chuck said He can bring Sam back you want him back you miss him."

"Of course I miss him. Sam has lived his life he got married, had a son and he had grandchildren he had the perfect life the life he always wanted. He..." Dean huffs a small laugh. "He even got to have a mundane death. Old age. I will never have that." Dean whispered the last part.

"But you could if you took the deal. You and Sam can live your lives out together. Dean...Sam missed you. Yes he had the normal life he had Eileen, their son, their grandchildren but...his life was not perfect thats because you were not there."

"No. I seen Sam, he looked fine he looked happy."

" He was happy with the life he created he was happy he finally had a child of his own and got to grow old but...like I said you were not there and...Sam he wanted to have this life with you in it. He may have stopped looking for you but he never stopped thinking about you his son Dean Sam told him many stories about you he wanted Dean to know everything about his Uncle well... " Cas smiled a little. "Almost everything, had to be age appropriate he didn't want to traumatize him."

Dean looks down. A small smile spreads across his face. It was nice to know that Sam ensured Dean had a vital part in Dean Jr's life it was nice to know that Dean Jr knew how awesome his Uncle is it was nice to know that Dean was still involved and valued despite not being there for his family.

"Sam had his life you are right." Cas nods. "Now it is your turn we all know your dream life includes Sam."

Dean didn't argue. Castiel is right Dean tried the Apple pie life with Lisa and Ben he loved them both but there was always this massive hole in Dean's life that even Lisa and Ben couldn't fill only Sam could fill that hole Dean can never imagine any life without Sam in it. Dean found himself at that moment understanding what his brother went through. Sam had everything, the perfect woman, the perfect son, the perfect grandchildren but none of them could fill the emptiness in Sam's heart the life wasn't perfect not without Dean by his side it has always been Sam and Dean one couldn't live without the other if they did they will not be fully happy.

Dean has lived without his brother for so long the thought of having his brother back was tempting part of him wanted to call Chuck down here and agree to the deal but the other part of him remained uncertain. There was one problem.

The Mark.

"I...I can't Cas." Dean looks at the angel with a resigned sigh. "The Mark I can't let you take it I can't let you..."

" Dean. " Cas cuts him off. " From the moment I was ordered to get you from Hell my job has always been to protect you. Yes I have made mistakes but I never stopped looking out for you and your brother. You guys have always been my top priority. If God is offering a solution, a way to free you from your suffering then I want to be the one to ensure that happens."

"Cas you shouldn't feel you have to do this."

"No Dean I want to do this. I want to do this for you I want you and Sam to be happy." Cas smiles, "I want you both to live your lives this time together. Also this can be a way for me to repay my sins make up for all the damage I have caused."

"Cas you have nothing to make up for."

"I do...I still do and...It will just put my mind at ease knowing you are okay and you are a free man."

"Cas..." Dean felt himself choke up. "You don't deserve this. You will go mad you could..."

Dean closes his eyes as he imagines the worst possible scenarios.

"We'll worry about that when the time comes but Dean I don't care about the pain, I don't care what the Mark does to me as I said you and Sam have always been my priority. This is my purpose Dean and I must fulfil my purpose. I..." Castiel's eyes suddenly shine with tears. "I want to say thank you...for everything. You guys have been the best thing that has ever happened to me."

Dean felt the tears sliding down his own cheeks.

"Are...Are you sure?" Dean asks his voice cracking.

Cas nods.

"I'm sure." Cas sighs and gestures to Dean's pocket. "You better call Patrick."

As soon as Cas said the witch's name the phone suddenly rings. Dean picks up his phone and presses the button.

"Hello? "

"Dean its me."

" Patrick I was just about to call you. I've made my decision. "

"Dean you need to listen to me God He is not what He says He is He... "

"I'm doing it. " Dean cuts him off. "I'm getting rid of the Mark for good. I got it all sorted out we just need you to remove the spell."

"Wait so who is taking the Mark?"

"I am. " Castiel replied. "I am taking the Mark. "

It went silent for a few moments. Then the witch asked.

"Dean we need to talk, it is urgent."

"Uh... "

"Face to face would be good. "

"Alright. I'll send you an address. "

"Good, I'll see you there. "

Then the call went dead.

"Did he..." Cas frowns. "Did he just say God is not who we thought He was?"

Dean shrugs.

"He ain't wrong I still can't believe God eats bacon." Dean scoops up his car keys. "Come on lets go."

As Dean leaves the room Cas kept thinking about Patrick's words the witch sounded worried, scared even.

Maybe he fears God? It must still be a shock to him that he has met the Lord. That must be the reason right?

Castiel's thoughts are interrupted when Dean calls for him. Castiel shakes his head and throws the trash in the bin.

Then he goes out and closes the door behind him.