He had been the guardian of Eden; to protect Eden from evil.

Gadreel: The Wall of God.

God had chosen him to guard his prized creations; the humans.

He hadn't meant to let Lucifer into the garden. Actually, what he hadn't meant for was the corruption of mankind. The humans were cast from the garden, hell was created, and Lucifer fell from heaven.

He was tricked, he made a mistake, he was imprisoned, and he only desired redemption.

Gadreel had failed.

So many years he had spent imprisoned and tortured, and then finally the time came when he was released. Gadreel wished it had been on better circumstances. He was released when all angels were expelled from heaven. Gadreel has relished in his freedom, but feared even more so of his fellow angels. He didn't ever want to go back to that wretched prison. He had only wanted to be of help to Dean Winchester, but his fear skewed his decisions. All the mistaken decisions he had made. Gadreel understood why he had once been called the 'original chump' He had been foolish.

Gadreel had listen to Metatron, as he had listened to Lucifer. He was so easily deceived.

He had wanted to rebuild heaven. He had wanted to help. He had wanted to redemption.

It was not until his death Gadreel saw the truth. Angels were meant to protect humanity above themselves and anything they desire. Gadreel had wanted and wanted, and he lost his way.

The fearsome, noble little angel Castiel.

The righteous, brave soul of Dean Winchester that had been tainted by the Mark of Cain.

The compassionate, kind soul of Sam Winchester.

The one said to have been the boy king. There was a boy who demons whispered about; the one who took on the devil and won. A defiant boy who infuriated heaven. He was said to be tainted. Gadreel felt something akin to kinship with him. Sam Winchester did not believe he could ever achieve redemption. The boy with the demon blood become the boy who saved the world once.

They taught him much.

His true mission. The one that God had assigned to all angels.

Gadreel had hoped his death would allow Castiel to escape. He hoped heaven would be given another chance. He felt his sacrifice could be of use; that his death could be of use.

Gadreel died, and then there was nothing.

"Awaken Gadreel."

Gadreel did nothing.

A gentle hand caressed his head, "It is time to awake, my son."

Gadreel slowly opened his eyes. There was not nothing anymore. He did not feel the presence of his vessel's soul anymore, but he was in his vessel still. He also felt the glorious and radiance of his once scarred and broken wings. A scruffy man leaned over him with gentle eyes. His hand softly caressed Gadreel's hair continuously.

The man was warmth with absolute righteousness and light.

Primordial grace.

The man radiated warmth and love.

The lord glory by thy name.

It was Him. It was Father.

Gadreel wanted to apologize. He wanted to apologize for breaking Father's heart, for failing, for being heaven's longest running joke, for being such a fool and a sap. He wanted to, but he wouldn't allow himself to. He didn't deserve to be in his Father's presence let alone speak to him.

Perhaps now was the time for his final punishment.

God stroked his thumb across his child's misguided cheek, "Gadreel, it's alright. It's alright, my son. Fear not. My child, do you not wish for redemption?"

Gadreel considered it. He did, but the true mission was more important.

To protect humanity.

God smiled, "That's it. You've learned much, Gadreel. I've heard the Winchesters have that effect on angels. Now then, I have a mission for you."

Gadreel's eyes widened. He hadn't so well on his last mission from Father. He could not deny a mission, but Gadrel didn't know what he would do if he managed to fail again.

God hushed him, "Do not worry, Gadreel. I have faith in you. We don't have much time. You may speak, my son, it's alright."

Gadreel asked with a slight tremor in his voice, "Father, may I ask the details of my mission?"

"Things are being set in motion. Time had passed since your death, and things have changed. You must find Sam Winchester, and take his soul back. Back before The Winchester gospel of Sam and Dean began. Stay with him, protect him, and assist him. Change it."

Gadreel frowned, "Father, time travel is very difficult, and I do not know if that will be possible."

God said, "I shall assist you in getting there. You'll be hidden from both heaven and hell. I believe you should take with you John Winchester's journal, and the demon killing blade. Nothing more I can allow. Sam will need your assistance and most of all companionship."

"I mean no disrespect, Father, but why not send Castiel? He is a good warrior, and one of the Winchester's greatest friends. Sam trusts Castiel, and surely he would be a better choice than I."

God shook his head, "There are a few reasons why I cannot, but Castiel would be noticed if he were to disappear. None would think the angel Gadreel was assisting in not only stopping the end of times, but all tribulations after. None shall notice you were no longer imprisoned for I shall take care of that."

Gadreel held his chin high with resolve, "I will do so. I will not fail the mission. Thank you, Father."

God took Gadreel's face into his hands and gingerly kissed his forehead, "Go to Sam Winchester, but stay hidden and do not interfere until the time comes for you to take him back. Have faith in yourself, my son. You are capable of more than you know. Free will's a wonderful thing, so I cannot interfere, but I know you'll make the right choices. Go to him, my child."

Gadreel smiled at his Father. He relished in the feeling of having his full wings once again as he set out to find Sam Winchester.

He had another mission from God, and this time he would not fail.

The bunker was quiet aside from the grunts and groans of Sam Winchester struggling under his demonic brother's hold. Dean had Sam's large frame pinned down. A large axe held in one hand he watched his brother struggle with little concern for it.

Sam was scared. There wasn't much that scared him. Losing Dean certainly did, but he had already lost him to hell. He was scared because the creature inhabiting his brother was not him. Dean always protected him, Dean looked out for him, Dean loved him; this creature was going to kill him. Sam knew that, and he tried not to tremble as the demon with his brother's face observed him like a pinned butterfly.

Dean's eyes flashed to their inky black color and he smirked, "Goodnight, Sammy."

Sam closed his eyes right before the axe hit him, and Dean chopped and chopped. The axe continued to slam down on the bloody mess that was becoming his chest.

Dying was practically instantaneous, and Sam was glad Dean had killed him on the first hit.

Sam's soul, or spirit more accurately, watched this all happen as he waited for a reaper to take him.

A woman, Mary Winchester, carried her young son Dean into the dark nursery. "Come on, let's say goodnight to your brother."

Mary flipped the light switch filling the room with light. Baby Sam lied in his crib looking with curiosity at his mother and elder brother. Mary sat Dean down on the floor and he rushed to the crib. Dean leaned over the side of the crib and kissed Sam on the forehead.

Dean said, " Goodnight, Sammy."

Dean froze with the axe in mid swing. He blinked and the blackness evaporated from his eyes. His eyes were wide and staring at the bloody gruesome mess before him. The axe dropped to the ground, and Dean stared at his hands before looking back at the stained red floor and corpse. His tongue flicked out to wet his lips, an old habit, and Sam wondered if Dean tasted the blood that's splattered all over his body and face.

"Sammy?"

Dean's voice was low and brittle. It was very different from the Dean who had mocked him then brutally slaughtered him. He said Sam's name with a slight confusion, and like his tongue was made of glass.

Dean fell to his knees not taking his eyes off the corpse of his baby brother. His eyes glistened, but no tears fell. The sound that erupted from Dean's throat was like a wounded animal; raw and filled with pain. He screamed. It wasn't the ferocious roar of anger Sam had heard before, but a howl of grief and loss. Dean collapsed onto his hands and knees as his guttural howls echoed throughout the bunker.

Sam bit his lip as his chest clenched in want to reach out for his big brother. Whatever humanity had been left in Dean had been torn apart completely now. Sam hoped the reaper would hurry the hell up. He didn't want to see what Dean would do after, and he didn't want to see his brother in so much pain anymore.

A firm hand clamped down on his shoulder. Sam would've jumped out of his skin if he had any when he saw it was Gadreel standing behind him.

Gadreel said, "Sam, nothing can be done here now. There is another option. We can change it. We can go back and change it."

Dean knew nothing of what was going on as he tore apart the bunker. He huffed like a panting wolf in between the pained wails he tried to keep in. Everything he touched was destroyed.

Sam tried his best to keep his eyes on Gadreel and off of Dean, "Time travel?"

"Yes, Father spoke to me and gave me a mission to assist." Gadreel's hand stayed on Sam's shoulder, "We can change it. Your brother will not come to this. Many tribulations can be avoided. You will still bear the scars of war you do now, and those memories will be with you, but your brother will be unburdened by those years of suffering. "

" My dad dying, Lilith, Dean going to hell, Ellen and Jo, the apocalypse, Lucifer, the leviathan, Bobby, the angels falling, Dean getting the mark. We can change all of that?"

Gadreel nodded, "We are capable. You're family and comrades can be saved while diverting the supposed plan. It would be different from your former trips because in this you're soul will be released and sent back to unite with your younger self."

Sam demanded, "Why would you help me?"

Gadreel tilted his head, "Why wouldn't I? There's nothing more we can do here for any of them."

"I'm going, but you're going to fully explain yourself once we're there. This better not be some trick."

"It is no trick, and I shall do what you ask. We must leave now."

Sam spared one last glance at his brother. Dean's fingers were threaded through his hair as he grasp his head doubled over in an attempt to regain control over himself.

That Dean would never be; not if Sam had anything to say about it.

Gadreel's hand clasped Sam's shoulder tighter as the two flew from the the bunker. Leaving the former human to fermate in his sorrow and confusion.

Gadreel and Sam were both surprised to find themselves in an unfamiliar hotel room. It isn't as crappy as a number of ones Sam and Dean had stayed in over the years, but it wasn't exactly Hampton either.

Castiel addressed them, "Hello Sam, hello Gadreel."

Gadreel furrowed his brow, "I don't understand. I was supposed to bring Sam to the past. We're simply in Michigan. Why are we here?"

Castiel tugged on his trenchcoat sleeve, "I cannot come with you for obvious reasons. I just wanted to ask of you to show my former self what had occurred. All of it; hide nothing. I'll even give you some of my memories he will be able to retrieve. I have made mistakes but I am a better man for it. I do not wish for our friendship to have been for naught, Sam. And Dean as well. I do not know what to say but I wish you the best. It'll be some time after you leave before this timeline ceases to exist, but in that time frame I will watch over him."

Sam pulled Cas into a hug, "I'll save him. I'll fix it. All of it, and it'll be hell to get past you to even so much as look at me, but I'll try my damn well hardest. You're family Cas, and I'm not losing any of my family again."

Gadreel held out his hand to Castiel, "I guess this is goodbye."

Castiel pushed Gadreel's hand away and hugged him, "Goodbye, brother. Watch over him when I cannot."

If the real Dean were there he would've complained about misty goodbyes.

"I shall."

Sam wasn't looking forward to trade his goofy loving friend for the stick up the ass angel who thought he was an abomination. He'd miss him, but they might be friends again some day.

Castiel looked skyward, "It's time. Father can not allow you to stay here any longer. Good luck."

Sam swallowed the lump that was building in his throat, "Thanks, Cas, for everything."

Castiel gave Sam a small smile, "You too."

Gadreel put his hand on Sam's shoulder and this time when Sam felt the sensation of flying he woke up. He shot up in bed. Taking in his surroundings he realized he was back in his old college dorm room. Luckily the bed next to him was empty. His old roommate had transferred, so he didn't have one back then. The calendar next to his bed said it was July 7, 2004. He had stayed on campus for summer since he had wanted to save money and work when he didn't have school to worry about. Old memories came back clear as day. He knew his G.P.A by heart, the way to the coffee shop he had frequented with Brady, and that he wouldn't meet Jess until September. Sam knew he wasn't going to let that happen. Jess didn't deserve to die, and she could find someone better for her. Sam had loved her, but he had grieved then moved on. It wouldn't do any good to open that old wound. Jess was alive, and she would stay that way. Alive and innocent without a Winchester fucking up her life.

Sam called out, "Gadreel, where are you?"

There was no reply, so Sam decided he'd see how his appearance had changed in the meantime. His voice was certainly a little higher and more boyish. The bathroom was small, but Sam remembered being grateful for the water pressure it had. Sam was anticipating it, but he was still shocked when he looked into the mirror. He had a baby face, bangs, and his limbs were still a little too large for his body. He was still rather tall, but he had gained a few more centimetres over the years, and a lot more bulk. FBI wouldn't exactly work anymore since he barely shaved; he was twenty years old again.

Gadreel said, "Sam, I have returned. I assumed you would require sustenance and there was this machine where you put money into it to restrive snack items. I also have water for you."

Sam walked out of the bathroom and Gadreel looked at him from head to toe, "You're younger."

"So I've noticed."

Gadreel handed Sam the water and candy bar, "You have questions."

Sam ran a hand through his hair, which was much shorter than he was used to, " Yeah, I do. Why you and not Cas is a big one. You're not a bad guy, Gadreel. It's just…"

"I understand. With all that has happened between us. I understand. Truthfully I don't know the full details of it, but of what I do know is I learned the angels true mission, and I would be less likely to be noticed missing then Castiel. We're treading dangerous waters. There is much to do."

"There's a hell of alot." Sam agreed, "But I want to call Dean first, and hopefully my dad's with him."

Gadreel sat down on the opposite bed, "Of course, Is there anything I can do for you?"

Sam turned over his cell phone in his hands, a flip phone, with no internet on it, "You know you're not my butler. You don't have to do everything I say. You can do whatever you want."

Gadreel took a moment to contemplate his options before he came to a conclusion, "I have nothing else to do. I cannot go to heaven, and I know none on Earth. You are my only friend."

Sam sighed, "Fine, just don't say anything when I'm on the phone, okay?"

"Okay."

Sam waited with the phone pressed to his ear as Dean's ringtone went off.

Please pick up, please, please, please, pick up.

"Sammy?"

Sam drew in a sharp breath. Dean was alive, and his voice sounded so young. It was different from the deep bark he had gotten used to. He had figured he would be able to be fine once he heard Dean's voice, but it only made it even more difficult. Sam wasn't sure how he'd hold up when he actually saw Dean again; green eyed, young, alive, relatively happy.

Dean asked, " Sammy? You there?"

"Yeah, I'm here. Um, Hey." Sam counted the small victory of being able to keep his voice steady.

"Hey." Dean paused for a moment before continuing, "Why'd you call Sammy? Is something wrong?"

Sam tried to recall the last time he had called Dean since he left for college. He couldn't.

"Oh no, nothings wrong." Sam assured, "I just wanted to call my big brother. So, how are you?"

Dean replied hesitantly, "Okay, well I'm good. Me and Dad are just resting up after this one hunt; a couple bumps and bruises from a salt and burn, but nothing major. What about you? It's summer so you don't have school to study your brains out. You meet any cute girls? Partying it up at the beach?"

Sam smiled, "No, I'm still on campus and I'm not dating any girls right now. What case are you guys planning on doing next?"

Dean was confused. Sam had never shown an interest in anything so much involving hunting at all; including him and their dad. It was why he left; to get out of the life. He hadn't even corrected Dean about being called Sammy. Dean glanced at John who was busy making himself a cup of coffee, "Sammy, are you sure you're okay? Like 100% totally fine?"

Sam remembered one of the things Dean had said, "I'm fine. As long as you're around nothing bad's going to happen to me."

"Damn right. I just wanted to make sure."

Sam said, "I miss you, Dean. You need to watch yourself too; especially on hunts."

The surprise was clear in Dean's voice, "Uh, I miss you too. Um, don't spend all your time in the library and don't take joints from strangers. Damn, are we done with this chick stuff? I can feel myself growing ovaries over here."

"You're such a jerk." Sam chuckled.

"Whatever, bitch."

Sam fiddled with a string of thread on his hoodie, "Um, do you think I could talk to Dad?"

The other end of the phone was silent for some time before Sam could faintly make out Dean's voice as he told John he wanted to talk followed by a choking sound. Sam waited patiently as Dean handed off the phone to John. John's gruff cough echoed through the phone. Sam remembered how he had been when he was young: innocent, hopeful, in love with a bright future. He also remembered how he had been rebellious, arrogant, angry, and ungrateful.

"Hi, Dad."

"Uh, Hi."

It had been so long. Sam had almost forgot how his father's voice had sounded.

John asked the same question Dean had asked, "Sam, are you okay?"

Sam ran a hand through his hair, "Yeah, I'm fine. I just kind of wanted to hear your guy's voices. I miss you, and I just wanted to say I was sorry. Tell Dean I said I was sorry too. I was kind of an egocentric dick, but we're family. No matter how bad it gets that doesn't change."

John didn't like what it sounded like he was trying to say. He had a bad feeling about it. "I'll tell him. Um, do you want to talk to him?"

Sam knew his dad was getting suspicious, and heart to hearts always made him uncomfortable. The uncomfortableness almost overshadowed the suspicion and concern, almost. Sam glanced at Gadreel. He had to wrap it up. He had to get going before they decided he needed them to come to Palo Alto. He was also sure if he kept talking any longer he might not be able to keep his cool.

"I should probably let you go. Be safe, and I'll see you soon."

"Sam, wait!"

Sam pressed the end call button and closed his phone before he ended up saying something he'd regret. He wanted to plead for Dean to get his ass back on the phone and stay on the phone as he came to get him, but he couldn't.

Sam tried to throw the phone at the wall, but Gadreel caught it

Gadreel's eyes were sympathetic, but unwelcome, "If you succeed John Winchester will live, and your brother will never break the first seal in hell. You shall see them again."

Sam rested his head in his hands, "We need to find the colt. Stopping Yellow Eyes comes first and foremost. We also need to get some our old hunts out of the way; maybe even before someone dies. Dean and Dad won't be anywhere near Salvation when the time comes. We need to track down the other kids like me, and try to keep Dean and Dad off my tail. They both suspect something's up, so we'll need to try and stay off the radar."

Gadreel sat the journal and Ruby's knife down next to him, "These will prove useful. I'll assist however I can."

"Not going to ditch me?"

"No, I will watch over you."

Sam threw on a jacket putting the knife in his inner pocket, "We've got work to do."

John stared at his phone. The screen displayed 'call ended' until John closed it.

Dean asked, "What'd he say?"

John mumbled, "He said he'd see us soon."

"What?"

John threw his phone making it bounce off the wall, "He said he wanted to hear our voices. That he was sorry to you and me. He said...he said he missed me. He fucking said we're family no matter how bad it gets that doesn't change. Then he hung up. I have a bad feeling about this. Something's not right. Dean, you need to tell me exactly what Sam said to you."

Dean bit his lip, " I had a feeling something was up, but he said he just wanted to call his brother. He asked how we were doing, asked about hunts which he never does, said he missed me and told me to look out for myself. He told me 'as long as you're around nothing bad's going to happen to me.' He sounded kind of happy to just hear me, though I could tell something was bugging him. Dad…"

John crossed his arms, "I'm worried too."

"Could it be something after him?" Dean asked, "Is he in trouble? This isn't some normal trouble stuff because that call seemed so...so…"

"Final." John said.

Dean clenched his fist, "He said he'd see us soon. Do you think he's going to try and find us or was that a subtle message to come get him?"

John knew what he had said in a fit of anger when Sam had left. He had still been a little sore when Sam had called, but that didn't matter. His youngest boy needed him.

"We're going to Palo Alto."