The heavy weight of Sam's body felt like a mere feather as Dean half-dragged, half-carried his brother to the Impala. Never had anything felt better than having Sam in his arms.

Once again he sent up a silent thank you to Death. It felt weird. The being that inculked most fear in him was the one who had done him the greatest favor of his life.

With difficulty, he managed to get the car door open and settle a limp Sam inside.

'Don't leave me, Dean,' Sam whispered as Dean released his hold, his voice quivering in fear. 'I don't want to go back to the Cage….back to Lucifer.'

Dean's heart crumbled into a million brittle pieces. ' Hey. I'm never gonna leave you again, Sammy. Never. And there's no way you're going back to the Cage. It's over, little brother. You've done your bit for humanity, paid all your debts. Your place is with me and that's where you're going to stay.'

He pushed back Sam's sweaty hair and caressed his cheek. 'All you have to do is rest, put all that's happened behind you. Okay? Now let go of my arm and we'll get the hell out of here and into a warm motel room.'

Sam's fingers released their death grip on his big brother's arm and allowed Dean to close the door.

A minute later, the Impala took off, the Winchesters together once more.

:

Going merely on instinct, Dean decided to put plenty of mileage between the place he'd found Sam and an eventual halt at a motel.

Supernatural events always left a trace to those who were capable of spotting them. He was sure Death wouldn't double-cross him but Sam's escape from the Cage could be of interest to someone, so Dean was going to take every precaution to keep his sibling safe.

Every few minutes he'd glance over at Sam. His brother had his eyes closed, his chest rising and falling in sleep.

Sam was hurting and it would take time for him to get back to normal but it could be done. Dean had been through much the same torture at Alastair's hands, something he'd pushed down into the depths of his mind without ever dealing properly with the trauma.

Sam had a different character though. He liked to talk things through.

Dean hated chick-flick moments or anything similar which would put his inner feelings on show, but if it would help Sam, he was ready to do whatever it took.

Two hundred miles later, Dean drew into a motel car park. He'd debated on whether to find a secluded one or go for one in a busy city. He went with the second option.

The more hassle and crowds of people around gave better protection than a lone building in the middle of the countryside.

Switching off the engine, he cupped his brother's cheek. 'Hey, Sammy. C'mon, you gonna wake up? We've arrived.'

Sam's eyes sprang open and he backed up against the passenger door, his face twisted up in panic.

:

'It's okay. It's only me, remember? You're out little brother. No-one's gonna hurt you anymore.'

Sam's chest heaved in alarm like that of a trapped bird, but as he slowly realized where he was, the trembling calmed.

'Sorry, Dean,' he murmured. 'It's just...'

Dean ruffled the long unkempt tresses. 'I get it, dude. You've nothing to apologize for. I've picked out a nice motel, more luxurious than what we usually go for. When we go inside, you're gonna take a shower, eat some food, then sleep for as long as you need. After, we'll talk. You good with that?'

Sam's eyes misted up and he burrowed into his brother's chest. 'Was it you Dean? Was it you who got me out?'

Dean's arms closed around his baby brother. 'It's a long story and we can keep it for after. But in a nutshell, it was Death who yanked you out.'

'Death?'

'Yeah, Death, ' Dean snorted. 'But that's all you're getting out of me until you've showered, eaten and slept for a week. Deal?'

Sam nodded. 'Deal.'

'Fine. You wait there until I book in.'

Panic returned in Sam's eyes. ' I'm coming too, Dean. Don't wanna stay here on my own.'

Dean sighed. Although Sam was dressed in the same clothes he'd been wearing when he'd jumped into the Cage, he looked like a scarecrow, dirty and disheveled. The motel receptionist would get a fright at seeing him.

'Okay, but stay behind me dude. You're not exactly looking your best.'

When a slight smile fluttered around Sam's lips, Dean felt his heart sing. Things would be okay. Soon he'd have his little brother back whole and happy at his side.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

After leaving Bobby, Castiel in a bout of nostalgia transported himself to where the Men of Letters bunker was situated

He gazed up at the drab, redbrick building with a sigh.

In the other timeline, it would be years before the Winchesters discovered its location. He could, of course, hint to Dean about it but that would change things even more. He'd already lost trace of the older Winchester. What else could happen?

In the meantime, he'd have another talk with Raphael.

Castiel felt he was doing important work in Heaven this time around.

In the other timeline, Heaven had practically been emptied of angels and because of that, even the stability of the souls conserved therein had been in danger.

He had to make sure that didn't happen this time around. He wanted the angels to thrive but this obsession they had with the Apocalypse had to be removed.

Castiel kind of yearned for when angels limited themselves to observing humanity, only intervening when strictly necessary. Things were easier then, everyone knew their place.

As he whooshed up to heaven, he wondered where Dean had ended up.

He'd find him eventually and when he explained that was trying to smooth things over in Heaven, he was sure Dean would be happy to give him a hand.

It would keep the hunter occupied and less likely to dwell on the fate of his brother.

Castiel was convinced Dean would understand the importance of his work and help him out. They would make a great team, an angel and a human, guardians of Heaven and Earth!