EPILOGUE - What If God Was One Of Us?

Back in the bunker, Sam and Dean were on their second beers. Happy to be back together and feeling refreshed and renewed, the brothers were talking about their days' experiences. Not much was left out, or had to be implied; they knew each other too well and the new spirit of full disclosure had seemed to stick. For now, at least.

Dean was describing in great and loving detail the burnouts and victory lap at the Daytona 500 when Castiel and Gail entered the bunker.

The brothers stopped talking immediately, and looked at the pair.

Gail was very happy to see them again but a little shell-shocked at the scene she had just witnessed, so she merely smiled and sat down at the table.

Castiel was also silent. The part of him that was human was shaken from reliving his murder at his brother's hands, and by Gail's reaction to it. The fact that she had rushed to heal him, even though she must have remembered that history could not be altered by her actions, had touched him deeply. He had trusted her with the complete truth about his past human incarnations, something he had never shared with anyone, not even the Winchesters, and this trust had been rewarded.

Unnerved by the silence, Dean said, "Well?", bringing Gail out of her reverie.

But Cas was the one to speak first. "Sorry, Dean, we've just come back from a long trip." He and Gail exchanged smiles.

Dean sighed. Damn Cas. He looked at Gail, raising an eyebrow, but she was sitting back now, letting Cas take the lead. It was his story; it wasn't for her to divulge.

"Will somebody please say something?" Sam broke in.

Cas looked at the two brothers and decided it was time. They were the closest to family he had ever had and now that Gail knew the truth, Dean and Sam were deserving of the full story, as well.

So Cas opened up to them, telling them everything. When he was done, it felt like a giant weight had been lifted from his chest, one he'd carried for far too long.

"I'll take that beer now," he quipped.

Sam and Dean were shocked by Castiel's tale, but never doubted it for a minute. In a way, it explained a lot.

But...Crowley was Cain?

The brothers had a lot of questions, but as if by tacit agreement they decided to go easy on Cas. He'd given them each an amazing gift today and they could tell it had taken a lot out of him to tell his story. They'd never seen him so open and vulnerable, not since he'd been human, and the brothers appreciated his trust in them.

So Dean walked to the fridge and got Cas that beer. Bringing it back to the table, he asked Gail, "And for you?"

"I don't suppose you have any wine?" she shot back.

"No, but maybe Cas can fix you up," Dean retorted. "Isn't that one of the things you guys can do?"

Castiel shook his head, smiling, as Sam and Gail laughed.

"Never mind, smartass," Gail replied, still laughing.

Dean sat back down and looked at Cas again, turning serious.

"Sorry, Cas, but I've gotta understand this," he said. "If Crowley was Cain, who was the guy I got the Mark from?"

"I can only guess," Cas replied. "Crowley must have set you up. I think he transferred the Mark from his own arm to a Demon posing as Cain. Maybe his assistant, John. When you received the Mark from John, you were really receiving - my brother - Crowley's original Mark, the one that God branded him with after he'd killed me." Castiel had stammered when he reached the part about Crowley having been his brother; it was still very difficult to say this out loud.

The theory Cas had put forward made a certain amount of sense to Sam. Crowley had always been a duplicitous little bastard. It would be just like him to feign innocence as Dean received the Mark from the being he thought was Cain, then sit back and watch all the fireworks. Crowley liked his little games.

But Sam was puzzled by one thing: "Why didn't you tell us, Cas? Why didn't you tell us that it was Crowley who was actually Cain?"

Dean was also very interested in Castiel's answer. He now understood why Crowley had been the only one who knew how to remove the Mark from another being. Crowley had grabbed Dean's arm just before Cas killed him, reclaiming the Mark. But, Dean felt betrayed. Why the hell had Cas never told him this before?

He asked Cas this question now and Cas replied, "I'm sorry, Dean. I truly am. But my Father forbade me from telling anyone." He hung his head as he said this, looking so forlorn that Dean relented.

"OK, I get it," he said. "You don't want to piss off the Boss."

Cas looked up then and, despite himself, he smiled. He was relieved Dean had forgiven him. It had been the hardest secret he'd ever had to keep, and to have kept it from Dean had nearly killed him.

Suddenly, as if on cue, both Castiel and Gail put a hand to their foreheads, wincing.

"What is it" Sam asked. "What's wrong?"

But they didn't hear him. The Voice had been loud, nearly head-splitting. "Come to Me. Now."

Gail looked at Cas, wide-eyed. "What was THAT?"

"Angel Radio," he replied, grimacing. Cas turned to Sam and Dean. "We have to go. Now. We'll return when we can." He swallowed hard. "IF we can."

Before the brothers had a chance to ask him what he meant by that, Castiel had grabbed Gail's hand and they were gone.

Castiel and Gail reappeared in Heaven, standing at a reception desk. Gail looked around, amazed. So this was Heaven. Funny, it didn't look any different than any other reception area she'd ever been in. A little fancier, maybe.

They were told to wait a moment. The receptionist gestured to the chairs across from the desk, but Castiel was too nervous to sit. "This is unprecedented," he whispered to Gail. As if it mattered that he was whispering. God had sent for them, and He knew All, Gail thought. Castiel would know this, of course, but in his agitated state, his human traits were emerging. It was kind of cute, really.

But his nervousness was contagious, and Gail's stomach started to flutter. The message had been stern and to the point, and here she was, about to be brought before God Himself.

"Castiel, I'm scared," she whispered back. If it weren't so intimidating, the scene would have been quite funny. Here they were, whispering like schoolchildren about to be called into the principal's office. "What should I do? How should I act?" she asked him frantically.

But before he had the chance to even think of an answer, the office doors opened. "Come," said the Voice.

Sam and Dean were into their third beers now. They speculated about what Cas and Gail's sudden departure could mean.

Sam remarked, "You know what? I just thought of something."

Dean raised his eyebrows.

"We never did get Gail's decision," Sam continued.

Dean's heart sank. "Maybe we did. They were both tuned in to Angel Radio."

As the implications of this set in, the brothers sat back, thinking.

Dean finally broke the silence. "Well," his voice was casual, "I guess all we can do is wait."

Castiel and Gail walked into the office. She trailed behind him, shaking with apprehension.

"Come in, " God said. "Have a seat."

Gail ventured a look. A man stood behind the desk, gesturing to the chairs in front of it.

As they took their seats, God sat back down behind the desk. Seeing the look on Gail's face, He chuckled.

"Relax, my Daughter," He said to her in a reassuring tone. But how could she? Was she actually sitting across a desk from God? Surreal didn't even begin to cover it. She had expected something different, somehow. A ball of light so bright her eyes couldn't take it? A burning bush? But He appeared to her in human form, and He even had a nice smile.

"I've appeared to you in human form," he said to her, mirroring her thoughts. "As a new Angel, you wouldn't be able to look at Me in My true form. It takes years of service for that."

God looked at Castiel then, whose expression was unreadable. "Speaking of which..." God said to him.

Castiel sat up straighter. "Yes, Father?"

"I believe there are a couple of matters we need to discuss." God's voice was gentle, but was there an edge to it as well? Or was Castiel imagining it?

They sat quietly for a moment, then God continued. "First, there's the not-so-little matter of your decision, Gail," He said. Her stomach fluttered again. God knew her name, was addressing her personally! It was exciting, but scary, too. She couldn't shake the feeling that she - that they - were in trouble, somehow.

"That's my fault," Castiel said quietly. Gail's heart went out to him.

Unbelievably, God sighed. "I know, my Son." He sounded annoyed but resigned. "Took a little trip off the path, didn't you?"

Was it Gail's imagination, or was there a touch of amusement in there as well? She risked another peek at God's face, but His human visage revealed nothing.

"I'm sorry, Father," Castiel said. "I have no excuse."

Gathering up all the nerve she had, Gail spoke up. "I'm the excuse," she said. God gave her an inquisitive look and she hastily added, "Respectfully."

"I understand you're new here, Gail, so I'll make allowances," God told her. "What is your decision?"

This was it. Did she have the courage? "I'd like to remain an Angel, and..." she trailed off, losing her nerve. Was she really supposed to give God her ideal scenario, here?

"And what?" He prompted.

Gail looked to Castiel for support and he nodded. So encouraged, she blurted out: "And be assigned to Earth in the same capacity as Castiel, helping Sam and Dean. Helping humans."

There. It was out. Let Him smite me if He wants, Gail thought to herself. God looked at her sharply and she berated herself. He's God, He can read all your thoughts, shut up already before you get yourself in bigger trouble!

Then, mercifully, He smiled.

"I have a couple of questions for you, first," God replied.

"Sure, anything," Gail said quickly.

"Why did you choose to review my Son Cain's life as Fergus MacLeod?" He asked her.

It was hard to explain, exactly. She stammered, "I - I just wanted to see what kind of life he could have had, to...cause him to make the choices he made."

Silence. Then God asked, "And why did you say what you did to him in the Garden?"

This was an even harder question. Gail wasn't exactly sure herself, she'd just blurted it out. "I don't know, exactly," she admitted.

He leaned back in His chair, scrutinizing her. Gail could feel Castiel's gaze on her as well, but Gail didn't want to look at him right now. She'd likely broken every rule there was in doing what she'd done in the Garden, and she didn't want Castiel to suffer any repercussions by association.

Silence. Then God leaned forward and said, "I accept your decision. It is done."

Gail was glad, relieved actually, but then God turned to Castiel and said, "And as for you, my Son..." Her heart sank.

Castiel said, "I'm ready to accept your punishment, my Lord."

No! Gail thought.

"No?" God looked at both of them sharply. Crap, I've got to stop doing that, Gail thought. But she was so panicked at the idea of Castiel being punished that she couldn't help it. It was all her fault.

"Be that as it may," God said, as if she'd spoken aloud, turning back to Castiel, "I forbade you to ever speak of the events in the Garden."

"I know," Castiel replied, then summoned up his courage and continued, "but I felt I owed my - family - an explanation." He'd stammered it out, but it felt good to say.

God sat back. "So...you consider Sam and Dean Winchester your family?"

Castiel lifted his head proudly. "Yes, I do," he said. He'd gone this far; might as well emulate Dean and go "all in".

"So that is your decision, then?" God asked Castiel.

"Yes, it is," Castiel replied firmly. Then, as Gail had done, he added, "Respectfully."

God looked from Castiel to Gail, then back again, a smile playing on His lips.

"Then, so it shall be," He said. "You both will return to Earth and carry on My work."

Gail looked at Castiel, and their faces broke into simultaneous grins.

"Thank you, Father!" Castiel said, and Gail added, "Yes, thank you."

They started to rise, but God held up His hand. "Just...one more thing." They sank back down in their chairs, apprehensive.

There was a knock on the door, and God said, "That must be the Prophet now. Come in," He called.

A man entered the room who Gail didn't recognize, but she heard Castiel gasp. As he approached the desk, the man extended a sheaf of papers in one hand.

"I've finished the next installment of the Winchester prophecies!" Chuck said excitedly. "I knew You'd want to read them right away, my Lord."

God stared at Chuck but did not take the papers that were being extended to him. "Give them to Castiel," He instructed. "Then leave here."

Chuck looked at Castiel warily, then glanced at Gail curiously. Castiel rose and Chuck handed him the manuscript; reluctantly, it appeared to Gail. Then, after one more glare in Castiel's direction, Chuck bowed to God and left the office.

"I never liked that guy," God said.

Gail laughed aloud, then covered her mouth quickly with her hand.

"It's all right, my Daughter," God said gently. "I always thought that laughter was one of my better creations. If there was more of it on Earth, perhaps there would be less hatred."

He looked at Castiel, then. "You have shown yourself to be worthy of my limitless affection. And patience." A smile tugged at the corners of His mouth. "You are truly a unique individual, Castiel. There is something to this idea of 'Free Will', I think." He mused, frowning. "With some limitations, of course."

Castiel was happy to receive his Father's approval, and Gail was glad for him. After all he'd been through, it was gratifying to hear him praised that way.

"So, in the spirit of Free Will," God continued, "I am giving you this choice: You can either take the Prophet's manuscript to Earth and share it with the Winchesters - " He inclined his head " - and Gail, of course. They foretell all of your futures." Castiel looked startled at this. God continued, "Or..." An ashtray and a package of matches suddenly appeared on the desk before Castiel.

"Your choice, my Son," God said.

Castiel looked at the sheaf of papers in his hand. Did this really mean what he thought it meant? Owing to his Exalted Angel status, Castiel had always known things, perhaps more than he had the right or even the desire to know. Many would give a great deal to have this ability, but he'd often found it burdensome and, especially in light of recent events, heartbreaking. When Castiel had been given the knowledge that Dean, Sam and Gail were going to die, he had wished the ability away. Now here he was, holding their futures in his hand. Did he want to read it?

He looked at Gail. She raised an eyebrow to him as if to say, Your choice. But Castiel instinctively knew what she was thinking. Hadn't she felt the same way about her own powers many times? And she was right.

He tossed the manuscript on top of the ashtray and struck one of the matches, setting it on top of the pile of papers. Watching it burn.

"I never liked that guy, either," Castiel muttered, and his Father laughed.

Castiel and Gail reappeared in the bunker just as Sam and Dean were considering giving up their vigil and calling it a night. They stood, and Gail ran to each of the brothers and wrapped her arms around them in turn. Then she stepped back and told them, "I decided to remain an Angel."

Their faces fell, so she hastily added, "But I get to stay here on Earth, just like Cas. And...I'd like to help you guys, like he does. If you want."

Sam's face broke into a grin. "Hopefully you'll do a better job than he does."

"Yeah, try giving us a straight answer, once in a while," Dean chimed in, but he was grinning too.

Cas looked at them both, startled, but then he realized the brothers were only teasing. Just like family would do.

His heart swelled, and he stepped forward to hug Sam, then Dean.

"You can stay here with us, if you want," Sam said to Gail, but she exchanged looks with Castiel.

"I appreciate the offer," Gail said to Sam, "but I think - " Castiel took her hand - "we'll be making other arrangements."

Dean smiled and lifted an eyebrow. "Really, Cas?" he said, his lips twitching with amusement.

Once again, Castiel found himself thankful that Angels didn't blush. "No, it's nothing like that, Dean," he said earnestly. "It's just that - as a new Angel, Gail will need a lot of guidance, and - I'll be spending a lot of time teaching her. When we're not here, of course," he finished quickly.

Guidance? Teaching? Dean thought. Cas was killing him. But it was late, and Dean decided to let him off easy. For now.

As if reading Dean's thoughts, Gail said, "But it's late. We'll let you guys get some sleep." She stepped forward and gave each brother a kiss on the cheek, smiling. "Apparently, I don't sleep any more. That'll take some getting used to, let me tell you. Better have some coffee ready in the morning, just in case." Then she thought about what she'd said. Could she still drink coffee? She'd have to ask Castiel. One of the many, many things she'd have to ask Castiel.

She walked back to where Castiel stood, patiently waiting as always. He took both of her hands in his. "Can I have a moment with Sam and Dean?" he asked her.

She looked at all three men affectionately. "Sure," she said with a smile, then ascended the steps of the bunker and with one last look, went out the door.

Cas looked at the brothers. "Lesson One: We don't need to use doors," he deadpanned, and Sam and Dean cracked up.

"I wanted to tell you something." Castiel's voice turned serious. "I can no longer see into the future." The brothers exchanged glances. "I'm still at full Angel status, but...I elected to let that go. I think it's the right decision, but I've thought that before. It just - seemed like the way to go."

He turned to leave, then turned back. "I just want you both to know," he cleared his throat, determined to say what he needed to say. "I just want both of you to know that I consider you my brothers. And that makes me glad."

Sam and Dean smiled at him, touched.

"Oh, and Dean," Castiel added, "I wanted YOU to know that Gail and I were given an additional gift." Dean looked at him inquisitively. "One day a year, every year, we get to be human. To experience everything that humans do." He smiled. "Everything," he repeated.

Then he turned and left the bunker without another word. Way to go, Cas, Dean thought, smiling. Way to go.

Rowena was standing in a graveyard on a remote Scottish hillside. What was she doing here? Was she really considering this?

Yes, she was. She sighed. She had tried to go it alone but she needed a foil, a partner in crime. Life was too boring, too easy when you had all the power in the world but no one to share it with. Was it possible that after all these years she actually did feel love?

She looked down at the tombstone thoughtfully, then waved her arms and opened Fergus MacLeod's grave.

- END OF BOOK 1. -