Chapter 11

"He's going to be okay, Cas. He always is."

Castiel looks up just as Sam sits down by his side, a sympathetic look on his face. Castiel offers him a small smile, but can't force himself to give much more of a reaction.

"Dean will be back any minute," Sam assures him.

"He should be back already," Castiel mutters.

"I'm sure getting the hand of God takes time," Sam says.

"They're traveling through time," Castiel reminds him. "Gabriel should be able to bring them back to the moment they left."

"Well, you know Gabriel," Sam says. "Always one for the dramatics."

"What if something happened?" Castiel asks. "We have no way of knowing if they're okay, if they're even alive. I'm worried about them, Sam."

Sam lets out a long breath and leans back in his chair. "I know, Cas. I am, too. But I'm sure they'll be back any minute now."

"I hope you're right."

The two sit in silence for a few minutes. Even without the verbal communication, it's comforting, in a way, sitting with him. Knowing that they're both worried, anxious Dean won't return, almost makes him feel better. At least he's not in it alone. Sure, Bobby and the Harvelles may be worried, too, but not as much as Sam and Castiel. He knows that much, at least.

With a sigh, Sam pushes himself to his feet. "I'm gonna grab a beer. You want one?"

Castiel just waves the offer away. He's not sure he could stomach a beer. He just wants Dean to come back. It's been half an hour. Where are they?

"Hey, Cas, perk up," Jo says. "You know Dean as well as I do. Even if something did go wrong, we both know he's going to work his ass off to get back here."

"I don't know," Castiel mutters. "Usually, I'd say that, but..." This Dean, he's different. This isn't the same man who fought his way through Purgatory for a year, just because there could be the slightest chance of finding an escape. This Dean, he's ready to give up. He's said as much himself.

"If he's going down, he's going down with you by his side," Jo says. "He'll make it back for you."

Castiel offers her a small smile. "I hope you're right."

~~

There's a flash of bright light, and suddenly, Dean and Gabriel are back, both covered in scratches and blood. Dean falls to the ground immediately, catching himself with his hands.

"Well," Gabriel says, brushing himself off. "That was fun."

"Oh, shut up," Dean snaps, breathless.

Instantly, Castiel is by his side. He puts a hand on the boy's head, healing him, then helps him to his feet.

"What happened?" Castiel asks.

"We got jumped," Dean says. "But we made it out, thank god."

"And, even better." Gabriel holds out a small object, covered in a towel. "Hand of God."

"That's the hand of God?" Sam scoffs. "Doesn't look like much."

"Don't judge it by its looks, Sammy," Gabriel says. "This thing may be stronger than everything and everyone in this building."

"And don't touch it," Dean adds. "It stays in the towel."

"So, now what?" Jo asks. "We've got the archangels, we have the hand of God. What else do we need?"

"Speaking of the archangels," Gabriel says, glancing around the library, "Where's Lucifer?"

"Probably sulking in my room again," Sam deadpans.

"Leave him," Bobby says. "He ain't gonna do anything but complain if we drag him out."

"Oh, I don't know what that, Robert."

With a soft whoosh, Lucifer is in the library, his eyes on the hand of God from the moment he appears. He walks over to it, but Gabriel steps in front of him, blocking his way.

"Ah, nope, the hand is off limits," Gabriel says.

"Relax, Gabriel," Lucifer says. "I just want to look. I could feel its power from down the hall. I'm interested."

"You're not going anywhere near that thing," Dean says.

"What, don't you trust me?" Lucifer asks, his voice dripping in sarcasm.

"No, actually, we don't," Dean says. "Shocking, I'm sure."

"Ugh, fine." Lucifer rolls his eyes dramatically. "Whatever. I'm still not sure what you're hoping to accomplish, though. One hand can't compare to God himself. You're wasting your time."

"Oh, fuck off," Balthazar says. "If you're not going to help, go away."

"Would if I could," Lucifer says. "But the so-called King of Hell' doesn't seem to be in board with that." He shoots Crowley a glare, earning a mockingly sweet smile in return.

"God, we're really gonna spend our last days on Earth listening to Satan complaining, huh?" Dean says quietly, looking over at Castiel.

"We're getting there," Castiel says. "We've got two archangels and a hand of God on our side. We didn't have any of this a couple days ago."

"And yet Gabriel and Lucifer still think it's useless," Dean says. "I'm serious, Cas, I think it might be time to call it a day. Let's go to Vegas."

"Dean, we're not giving up," Castiel says firmly. "Not while I'm here to stop you."