Castiel watched Meg teleport Dean and Amil away and focused on Raphael. The archangel was obviously shaken and injured. Raphael was holding his middle, and Cas could see burn marks on his face and hands. Upon seeing that Amil was gone, Raphael let out a scream of rage.

"Go after them," Raphael shouted.

Nobody did. All of the archangel's followers were either engaged in battle...or dead.

"Give up this foolishness," Gabriel ordered.

"Or what? You'll run off and join the Pagans again?" Raphael asked and then focused on Castiel. "See what you've done? That kind of power shouldn't exist, but, since it does, it should be kept under tight control."

Castiel stepped towards the angel he'd always thought of as his big brother. At one point he'd looked up to Raphael. Then, Raphael had smote him for being a threat to the prophet Chuck. That had definitely killed the hero worship. Now, he saw Raphael as nothing more than a threat to his son's safety.

"Amil wouldn't have accessed those powers if you hadn't triggered them." His control slipped as he thought of how Amil had looked: terrified, helpless, calling and reaching for Meg, and then falling. If Dean hadn't caught the baby... Castiel accessed his grace and felt it power him. His spine straightened as he felt his wings manifest, and he spread them. "You took my son, Raphael. You are trying to restart the apocalypse!"

"The apocalypse is supposed to happen! It's Father's will. The abomination could be an asset to our side," Raphael claimed, and Cas could see a fanatical look in his eyes.

"Who are you to interpret Father's will?" Gabriel asked. "Father left a long time ago, and he didn't even bother to show up the last time the Apocalypse was happening."

"You know nothing," Raphael sneered.

"We all know nothing! That's the point. We're all on our own. It's up to us to decide what's right. Personally, I think kidnapping babies is wrong," Gabriel said.

"It's not a baby; it's a crime against nature!" Raphael shouted, and Cas could see he'd become completely insane. "It should have been destroyed before it was born!"

Cas gripped his angel blade tighter in fury.

"You defiled yourself with a demon...engaged in forbidden, carnal acts...created a monster...and you have the nerve to come here and fight me? Me! The one who has held everything together since you stopped the apocalypse and sent our brother to the Cage. And you're helping him, Gabriel?"

"Yes," Gabriel said simply.

Cas could see that there was no hope, and it saddened him. Steeling himself, he sent a subtle nod to Gabriel.

Gabriel lunged towards Raphael with his angel blade. Of course, the elder archangel blocked it. While he was distracted, Castiel sent a blast of power at Raphael and thrust forward with his angel blade. He had almost made contact when—

—when Raphael suddenly stiffened. His eyes widened, and he burst into flames. His scream was loud, as it contained not just his human voice but his true, angel voice. Within minutes, Raphael—vessel and angel—was reduced to ashes.

Castiel stared at the pile of ash in shock, then looked around. Every angel still alive in the warehouse had stopped fighting and looked confused. Off in the far distance, Cas saw a shadow move towards a door and disappear through it. He briefly thought about following but didn't. For some reason, whatever that shadow was caused a shiver of fear to run through him.

o.O.o

Chuck had watched Raphael rant with increasing dismay. He had known that the archangels were defective ever since Lucifer's betrayal and Gabriel's defection. The remaining archangels, Raphael and Michael, had been so obedient that he'd hoped that it would suppress the insanity.

No such luck.

Instead it had increased, combined with fanaticism.

He hated fanaticism.

He supposed that part of it had been his fault for leaving them on their own for millennia. Angels were not created to think for themselves, after all. He'd thought about finally returning, had even intended to, but he just couldn't do it. He liked being "Chuck Shurley" and dating Becky and just doing what he wanted without responsibility.

So he'd destroyed Raphael instead.

The only archangel left was Gabriel. Well, Michael was in the Cage, but that was fine. It kept him contained. He was probably insane too.

Gabriel showed no signs of insanity. Cowardice, laziness, gluttony, and lust. But no insanity.

Chuck could relate to a few of those. Honestly, Gabriel was the angel most like himself. Because of that, he had a soft spot for the archangel, and so he hadn't punished him for running to the pagans.

Gabriel would probably take over Heaven, and that was fine. Chuck would continue to be Chuck.

Well, until Amil grew into his powers. Then, he had plans... That was why he'd made sure the baby hadn't burned out by that premature activation of his power. He'd also put a subtle ward on those powers, so they could not be accessed until it was time.

o.O.o

"Gabriel—" Cas began.

Gabriel raised a hand. "Go. I'll clean up here."

Cas didn't need to be told anything more. He teleported to the bunker. The wards were up, so he sent a text to Dean.

A few minutes later, the door opened. Cas entered without a greeting. Dean didn't seem to mind and just told him they were in Meg's room. Cas hurried through the halls and opened Meg's door without knocking.

Meg was curled up on the bed with Amil, giving the baby a bottle. Castiel paused in the doorway, relief and love overwhelming him.

"Is he..." he asked when he could finally speak.

Meg's face was blank, which was never a good sign. "Physically, he's fine."

Cas took several steps into the room and stopped at the edge of the bed. Amil spotted him and reached out. Meg set the bottle aside and tried to hand Amil to Cas. The baby had a firm grasp on her shirt, though, and refused to let go.

"No. My Ma!" Amil protested.

Meg sighed and cuddled Amil close. Amil rested his head against Meg's chest but continued to watch Cas. Hurt and worried, Cas sat down on the bed and reached out. Amil gripped two of Cas' fingers.

"He's been like this since we got here. He won't let me go for more than a minute or two," Meg explained.

"He's always been attached to you."

"Yeah, but now it's literal. The cord was cut five months ago," she grumbled, but Cas noticed her hold the baby tighter.

"He saw Raphael attack you, and that obviously disturbed him." Cas wondered why Amil wasn't burned through by that burst of power. He could sense Amil's grace had gone back to normal levels. He'd have to keep an eye on the baby.

"Disturbed me too," she replied wryly.

"Me also," he said. He wanted to lean forward and kiss Meg, but he knew that despite her earlier proposition, she was very sensitive right now and probably wouldn't appreciate the contact. So he raised his other hand and rested it lightly on her arm. She stared at it for a few moments but didn't shake him off.

"Raphael?" she asked.

"Gone. Smote."

"Good." She looked down at Amil. "He can never take you again. You're safe."

Amil just watched her.

"This is going to take time, I think. We have to be patient."

"Easy for you to say. You're not being leached to."

Cas wished he was. After thinking Amil was dead, he would welcome it. He didn't understand what Meg was complaining about. Their child was alive.

Abruptly, Meg shoved Amil at Cas. The baby immediately stared crying and reaching for her. She gave Cas a long look and got up, leaving the room.

"Ma! No! Ma!" Amil cried.

Cas cuddled Amil against his chest and patted his back. "It's okay. I'm here. Da is here."

Amil pushed against Cas futilely with one tiny hand. "No."

"I'm sorry," Cas said, rocking his son. "I'm sorry that I left you. I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you."

The guilt had been weighing on him. It had been drowned out by the pain of believing that Amil had been dead, but it had still been there. Now that the pain was gone, he could feel every bit of it.

"Da. No," Amil sobbed.

"Please forgive me," Cas said, holding his upset son tight.

To his surprise, Amil's crying slowed. Cas loosened his hold and looked down at his son. Amil was watching him, the baby's eyes wary and full of distrust.

"I love you more than anything," Cas said.

Amil reached up and patted Cas' cheek, and Cas felt immense relief.

Meg returned a few hours later. Amil was asleep in Cas' arms by then, having finished his interrupted bottle.

"Why did you leave?" Cas asked.

Meg crossed her arms. "Because you needed this."

Cas looked at Amil. The baby, woken by Meg's voice, briefly opened his eyes. Cas froze, but Amil closed his eyes and snuggled closer to Cas, clutching his coat. "Yes, I did. He was unhappy though."

"Yeah, well, we're parents. We'll make him unhappy about a billion times more before he's grown. He'll deal with it." She paused. "Or be in therapy later. Either way, we'll have done our jobs."

"I don't like it."

"Well...I can see I'm going to be the disciplinarian in this family," she said, sitting down on the bed. She stretched out and reached over, lightly brushing Amil's hair.

The next day Gabriel contacted Cas, and Gabriel was into the bunker.

"It's over. Completely," Gabriel said immediately, forgoing even a greeting. "Little Guy is safe."

"You're sure?" Meg demanded. "Absolutely sure?"

"Yes. I've taken control of Heaven. There really isn't anybody strong enough to oppose me. The few angels who were left that had followed Raphael are imprisoned or destroyed. I've issued an order that Cas and his family are off limits. Any angel who violates that order will be smote on sight."

Cas nodded. "Thank you, Big Brother."

Gabriel walked over and smiled at Amil. The baby cowered against Cas' chest, eyeing Gabriel warily. Gabriel reached out and placed his hand on Amil's head. Amil fussed for a moment, but then Cas felt his son relax. A few moments later Amil looked at Gabriel and gave a happy, high pitched squeal. Gabriel took the baby.

"There's my nephew," Gabriel said, lightly bouncing Amil in his arms. Amil babbled cheerfully. "I knew you were still in there."

"What did you do?" Meg demanded. Cas suspected she was seconds from reaching for a weapon.

"Healed his spiritual pain," Gabriel replied. "He doesn't remember the kidnapping or anything about the battle."

"Thanks," Meg said reluctantly. "But maybe ask before poking around my son's brain?"

"Of course," Gabriel said, but didn't apologize. He gave Amil a hug and handed him back. "I gotta go. Lots to do."

"Are you going to like being in charge? You can no longer...be you," Cas asked.

"Oh, I'll always be me, Little Bro," Gabriel said with a grin. "I'm introducing the concept of delegating to Heaven. Samandriel and Ambriel have already been a big help."

"Hannah?" Meg asked, her voice tight with scorn.

"Hannah didn't survive the battle."

"Can't say that I'm sorry."

Gabriel just shook his head and disappeared with the sound of flapping wings.

"It's over," Cas said after a moment. He almost couldn't believe it.

"What now?" Meg asked.

"I suppose we'll—"

"You'll start looking for a place to live," Dean said from behind them.

Cas turned and saw him leaning against the sofa. Sam was sitting in a chair.

"I don't understand," Cas said.

"This is your eviction notice. Time to vacate the bunker. You need to find your own house."

"With Crowley and Raphael defeated, I no longer have to worry about Amil's safety. That means I can help you on more hunts," Cas protested.

"Nope. You're officially out of the hunting business, Cas."

"Dean—"

Dean walked over and Amil reached for him.

"Dee!" Amil greeted happily.

Dean looked startled and took Amil. The baby settled happily in Dean's arms. "You're a father, Cas. This Little Guy is more important than any monsters. Our job is to hunt. Yours is to be there for Amil. And Meg too, I suppose."

"Yeah, hate you too," Meg said, but there was no heat in Dean's or Meg's words. Something had happened to change their relationship. Cas had a feeling he would never know what it was, but he was grateful.

"What if you need me to heal you?"

"Tell you what? Broken bones or worse, we'll call you. Will that work?" Sam asked.

"I suppose," Cas agreed, reluctantly.

It wasn't that he didn't want to be with Amil or Meg. It was that all he had known since leaving Heaven was the Winchesters. Even when he'd been living with Meg and Amil, he'd gone on hunts at least once a week. This was new to him.

"Look, this isn't goodbye. We'll still visit," San reassured him.

"Yeah. We're Uncle Dean and..." Dean broke off and grinned. Sam rolled his eyes. "Uncle Sam."

"Dean..."

Cas was still unsure, but then Dean handed Amil back, and Amil happily patted Cas' cheek.

"My Da!"

Cas hugged his son close and knew that he'd be able to make the adjustment.

With Sam's help once again, Cas found a new house for his family in the same area as the old one. He'd liked the location and felt that it was a good place to raise Amil. Meg said that she didn't really care, but he could see the approval in her eyes when she'd toured it for the first time.

The Winchesters were true to their word and did visit if they had a hunt in the area, usually two or three times a year. Cas had thought it would be awkward seeing them again after Dean had thrown them out, but it wasn't. Sam always brought educational gifts for Amil, and Dean brought sweets. The Winchesters were true uncles to Amil and still true friends to Cas. Plus, they admittedly enjoyed staying in a guest room instead of a dingy motel.

Life without the Winchesters constantly in it was strange for Cas, but he barely had time to truly think about it. Amil kept him occupied, and when Amil was asleep, Meg did. She introduced him to the concept of "binge watching" television programs, the vapid entertainment of gossip magazines, and, after about a year, sexual intimacy between them returned. He hadn't missed it but did enjoy that aspect of their relationship.

o.O.o

Meg sighed as Castiel placed a trail of kisses down the side of her neck and then tugged her pants off.

The Winchesters were visiting and had taken Amil out for ice cream and a visit to the local fair. Meg and Cas were taking full advantage of a child-less house.

Continuing down her body, he pulled off her underwear and reached over to the nightstand. He was surprised when Meg sat up and placed a hand on his arm.

"No," she said.

He immediately moved away from her. Since their return to sexual activities he'd been extremely conscientious of consent with her. He made sure to always check with her when proceeding and always got a clear, verbal yes or no. She never said anything, but he could tell that she appreciated it.

"You wish to stop?"

"No, not stop. I mean no to that," she said, nodding to the condom he was holding.

His brow wrinkled. "This prevents pregnancy. We don't know if Amil was a one time event."

"I know that." She paused and then looked him in the eyes. "I want another baby."

Cas moved next to her and shook his head. He couldn't understand where this was coming from. "Meg, as I said last time, you—"

"Last time was stupid and I was... Never mind. Listen to me. I know that with Amil I was bad even for being a demon. But I've been pregnant eleven times in my existence. Not a single one of those I chose."

"I am sorry—" he began, the old guilt flaring up.

"Shut up," she said, firmly. "I'm not sorry that Amil exists. But...this time I'm choosing. And I don't want Amil to be the only one of his kind. I want another baby."

Cas was silent for so long that she reached over for her shirt. He stopped her with a hand on her arm.

"All right. I will have another child with you. If you are absolutely sure. This is not something—"

She silenced him with a kiss. "I am absolutely sure."

Three months later their daughter was born. Cas made sure to be there for the entire labor and gently helped their daughter enter the world with his own hands. Meg named her Eadlin, Lin for short.

o.O.o

Chuck quit typing and sent the document to Becky. He was finally done.

He hadn't included his involvement in the story, of course. Instead he'd glossed over a few facts, and embellished others. He was a writer, and that's what writers did.

Eadlin's arrival hadn't been anticipated, but then that's what Free Will was all about. Choices. Castiel had never been meant to make choices, but he was. Thankfully, his choices placed him outside the arena of battle.

Which was perfect. He wasn't meant to take part in what was going to come next.

Amil, and now Eadlin, however...

Thank you to everyone who stuck through with this fic to the end. I appreciate it, and every comment!