Her fingers swept through his hair as he ducked his head, her breath caught in her throat for a long moment. He'd told her about Andrea, and Lucas, eventually, sharing more with her about his feelings for the woman and her son than she had ever thought she would be privileged to know. "It's better'n a maybe," she told him, her own voice quiet in the strange stillness around them. "Keep it together, Dean. Ayden's watchin'."

"Has to be some reward after all of this, right?" he asked, lifting his head, just barely holding back the tears he let so few but her see. He nodded his head to let her know he'd heard her warning and understood. He knew this was tearing his sister apart enough without making matters worse. He wiped a hand across his face and cleared his throat to steady his voice. There was only one last thing he needed to say. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and brushed a kiss against her cheek, just like he had when he was six, though there were no tears now. The little boy had grown into a man a long time ago. "I love you, Mom," he told her quietly as he hugged her close, clinging for just a moment, drawing courage from the simple desire to make her proud of him in his final hours.

Ellen wrapped him up in her arms, cursing the wheelchair not for the first time. A year ago, she'd forced herself to take control back from a demon possessing her, driven a knife deep into herself, just to keep from killing this brave man who clung to her. Now she had to let him go, and there was no other option. She kissed his cheek in return, holding on tight as long as he allowed her. "I love you too, son."

Dean swallowed the lump that was forming in his throat, lingering for a moment in the warm safety of her embrace, before pulling away at last, a watery smile on his face as he moved to his feet. When he turned to Bobby, he was surprised to find the old man looked as close to tears as he'd ever seen him, but in all his years he'd known Bobby, he'd never known the other man to break down, even once.

"Well, what?re you waitin' for?" the man started. "Let's get this over with before we all start blubberin' like a bunch of babies."

Dean smiled a little at the old man's scolding. Bobby was as uncomfortable sharing his feelings as was Dean - it was something the two of them had in common - but it was better this way. Like Ellen, Bobby already knew how Dean felt about him, knew Dean had often thought him more a father than his own flesh and blood, but none of that was important now. What was important was that Bobby knew that no matter what happened, Dean was going to be all right. "I love you, too, Bobby," Dean quipped, only partly in jest.

"Save it for your sister," Bobby replied, giving Dean's face an affectionate pat. "You take care o' yourself, boy. And you give Lucifer the lickin' he deserves."

"I will. Don't worry," Dean replied, wrapping both arms around Bobby's shoulders in that way men hugged each other without quite hugging. "I won't let you down. Promise." Those few words said a lot more than they seemed. Without saying it out right, Dean was telling Bobby in his own way that he was going to take care of everything - Lucifer, Michael, Sam, Ayden, and Ellen. "Tell Cas I'm sorry," he added, frowning a little at the thought of the angel. Maybe he'd understand someday.

"Tell him yourself," Bobby said. "This ain't the end of the story." Dean wasn't sure what to say to that. He'd never known Bobby to be much of an optimist, though in his own way, he had given Dean the courage to go on when Dean had lost all hope. Dean said nothing more, knowing if he did, they would be blubbering all over the place. He reluctantly pulled away, meeting Bobby's gaze for the last time. "I'm proud of you, boy. Couldn't be more proud if you were my own son."

Dean only nodded and muttered, "I know," before dragging himself away from Bobby and turning to Ayden.

His little sister looked very small standing alone, her hands pressed deep into the pockets of her jeans, dark hair swaying about her face in the slight breeze that brushed all of them. Green eyes that were so like Dean's, so like Sam's, lifted from their contemplation of the scuff marks on her shoes as Ayden drew in a slow breath, already close to tears without a word being spoken. She didn't know what to say, anymore than she'd known what to say to Sam. So she gave up trying, pulling her hands from her pockets to thump into Dean, holding on tightly in the hug he now would never have the chance to get used to.

Before he had a chance to say a thing, Dean found Ayden pressed close against his chest, his first instinct to wrap his arms around her, darting a brief glance at Ellen as if to silently ask if he was doing this right. "It's gonna be okay, Ay. Promise," he told her quietly as he held her close. Though he couldn't bring her mother back, he could promise her he and Sam were going to do their damnedest to make sure no one ever hurt her again. Not angels, not demons. "You're gonna be okay, Ayden. You've got Ellen and Bobby now, and they're gonna take care of you."

He didn't need Ellen's reassuring smile to know that he was doing it right. Ayden reacted to the warmth of her big brother's arms around her, her grip lessening before she could crack ribs as she sniffled softly. "I wish you didn't have to go," she whispered to Dean through her tears, lifting her head to look up at him. "I only just got my family and now you're all leaving again."

He smiled down at her as reassuringly as he could, despite his own misgivings and uncertainty about how all this was going to turn out. He knew he and Sam were taking a big risk, but they'd been over it a thousand times and didn't really seem to have much choice, especially now that Ayden had been dragged into all this. "This isn't goodbye, Ayden," he told her, fingers touching her cheek as he held her gaze. "No matter what happens, we'll see each other again. I promise you that." He'd been to Heaven, after all. He knew what awaited him there. It wasn't such a horrible fate really. He knew his happiest memories awaited him there, and one day when she was ready, she'd be a part of that.

"You can bet Lucifer won't be wasting time swapping insults, so save me the pity party and let's get on with it. I have some conditions which need to be satisfied first," Dean growled back at the archangel. The jury was still out on Gabriel. Dean wasn't sure if he was friend or foe, but at least this particular angel was soft on humanity. It was Dean's only ace in the hole.

"Hey, watch the attitude, Deano," the archangel informed him mildly. "It ain't just a case of wearing your pretty meatsuit to the ball - there's a time and place, too." He tucked his hands into his pockets, glancing skyward for a moment. "Look, here's the deal. Michael's open to anything to wear you to the prom. Healing, killing, guarantees, the works. And you'd better believe it, or I just got beat up by my big brother for nothing."

Dean ignored the verbal slap on the wrist. It just wasn't worth getting into a pissing match with an angel when they were so close to D-Day. "I believe I made myself clear on the conditions, once before," he replied, not bothering to restate them in front of the trio of witnesses. Dean had demanded three conditions be met. The first was healing Ellen's legs, the second was offing Zachariah, and the third was the assurance that his family would be protected. That was all he really cared about. "And Sammy goes to Heaven. I don't care if he's wearing Lucifer or not."

"Yadda, yadda, yadda." Gabriel dismissed the reiteration of what he considered to be a useless repetition with a roll of his eyes. "That one's a guarantee made by Dad himself before you were ever born." He fixed Dean with a look that was filled with some kind of regret, some touch toward the humanity this angel had chosen to side with. "You're sure about this?"

"You wanna hit pause and discuss it over coffee" Don't have much choice, do I" Long as those I love are safe, that's all that matters," Dean replied. No, he wasn't sure. He'd never be completely sure, but what choice did he have" No one - including Cas - had come up with any brilliant alternatives, and time was running out. Sam had already said yes; Dean didn't have much choice but to do the same. He just hoped their plan worked. This wasn't about killing each other; it was about ending this angelic family spat once and for all, and Dean knew as soon as Michael took over, he'd know the plan, inside and out.

Gabriel sighed, gritting his teeth. "Yeah, well ....brace yourself." He glanced past Dean to the three who were watching. "You three might want to cover your ears," he suggested, hinting toward the sound of an archangel's presence unclothed, something Dean had encountered himself a few times. He held Dean's gaze for another long moment, shaking his head, and began to chant in Enochian.

Dean wasn't quite sure what Gabriel's reluctance was all about. This was what the archangel had been working toward for years, wasn't it' Why the sudden change of heart' Did he actually care what happened to Dean, or was he just dreading having to face his big brother again? Or maybe, Dean realized before it was too late, maybe it really was only Gabriel's love for the human race and his fear that Michael and Lucifer would destroy everything with their little brotherly spat. "I'm not gonna let everything go to hell, Gabriel. You can trust me..."

Dean's words were cut off as the world started to shake with the violence of an earthquake, and there was a blinding white light, coupled with a deafeningly high-pitched sound of ringing that was painful to the ears. Dean threw his hands up over his ears and fell to his knees on the ground. Even as the call was answered, even as Michael made his appearance known, the object of his visit was still only human and as susceptible to the painful arrival of an archangel as any other human.

Only the other archangel in their midst remained unmoved by the spectacle of another archangel taking up residence in his chosen vessel. Ayden cried out in pain as the sound shocked through her, throwing her hands up and over her ears as she dropped down onto her own knees beside Ellen's wheelchair, squeezing her eyes shut against the painful, intrusive light. Ellen, too, for all that she wanted to be strong for Dean, couldn't keep her eyes on him as Michael descended, turning her face away as she covered her own ears, her head bent close to Bobby in the cacophony of sound that enveloped them all.

For a moment, it seemed like the world was coming to an end, and then it was over. The ear-splitting sound was gone, the earth had stopped shaking, and the blinding heavenly-white light had dissipated. Dean was still on his knees, looking almost as if he was praying, head bent forward, and eyes closed as if in supplication. Nothing seemed to have changed for a moment, until he at last raised his head to reveal a strange otherworldly light in his eyes, if only for a moment. It wasn't like the black or red or yellow of demons eyes, but more like a light that shone through him, beautiful yet fierce to behold. After a moment, the light faded and he moved to his feet. There was no awkwardness in his movement, no confusion on his face. The angel wearing Dean smiled, as if he was either pleased or amused, and though the mouth that smiled was Dean's, there was an expression there that was wholly Michael.

Forcing her eyes open, despite the fear of being blinded that still tugged at her, Ayden's gaze snapped straight to her brother as she pulled herself to her feet. She hadn't been allowed to witness Lucifer taking Sam, for fear that the Morning Star might choose to do something about keeping her from interfering. It had not occurred to her until this moment that Michael might be just as dangerous to her. Evidently something along that line had also occurred to Gabriel, who took a smart couple of steps away from his newly-earthbound brother. A couple of steps that placed him quite firmly in front of Ayden, Ellen, and Bobby, all the while watching Michael with wary eyes.

Michael knew there was no point in debating the facts. He also knew he would never win their love, nor did he care to. They loved Dean and because of that, they would do nothing to cause the body he was wearing any harm. It gave him a certain amount of power over them, but he did not bother to flaunt what was so obvious already. He only smiled at her, a smile that was different than Dean's, though it came from his face. The smile was ever-patient, perhaps even amused. He had not come here to waste time debating with Dean's loved ones, though they did deserve a certain amount of acknowledgement from him. He raised a hand and reached forward to touch two fingers to Ellen's forehead. No words needed to be said, no mumbo jumbo. He only had to will her legs healed, and it would be so.

Over the months, Ellen had grown used to the constant pain from the severed nerves low in her back, the inability to move from the waist down, the lack of sensation below her hips. It had been torture at first; that feeling of helplessness wrapped up in pain and torment that was never-ending. But she had persevered, for the sake of her husband, and for the sake of the boys who needed her to be their rock a while longer. And yet, in just a moment of thought from the archangel squatting in Dean's body, all that was wiped clean. For the first time in months, she could feel her toes, wriggling them inside her boots in amazement. For the first time in months, the prickling ache in her back was eradicated, the nerves sealing themselves together once again. She wasn't stupid enough to doubt that she had been healed and would stay so. But she wasn't sure if she had the strength or the willpower to get herself up and out of the wheelchair she hated so much.

Michael didn't wait for or expect a Thank You. It was Dean she would have thanked for making the bargain and repaying the debt he felt he owed her for saving his life, and Dean was buried somewhere inside Michael, ignored for the moment. Michael turned next to Bobby. Though no bargains had been made regarding the man, his fate was tied to the others and he could see the man's hatred for those of his kind darkening his expression, even if he was relieved to see Ellen finally cured.

"'Bout damned time," Bobby growled, bending to tend to his wife, both his expression and demeanor softening with regard to her. "You all right?" he asked, gently.

"There's still the matter of Zachariah," Michael remarked. "Dean is very insistent."

Ellen curled her hand into her husband's, using Bobby's strength to rise from the wheelchair and stand on her own two feet for the first time since she had taken back control of her own body from the demon who had wanted to kill Dean. A little shaky perhaps, but she was healed, her wonder overwhelming the seriousness of the situation for a brief moment. She met Bobby's eyes with a smile that hadn't been on her face in months. "You know me," she told him fondly. "Right as rainwater."

Her hand squeezed his as Michael spoke again, her attention turning from the angel to the young woman still standing behind Gabriel. Ayden's face had flushed angrily at the first mention of Zachariah, but for once, she kept her mouth shut, mindful of the not-quite-threat Michael had given her. "And so he should be," Ellen nodded firmly, standing straight. "That dick's got a lot to answer for."

"An eye for an eye," Michael said without inflection or emotion, glancing between the foursome. "Which of you wishes to exact vengeance?" he asked, as if he was testing them, in a way. Dean wanted vengeance for Ayden's mother, among other things, and while Michael was willing to agree to this condition - though he didn't have to - he was unwilling to do the deed himself. It was not his debt to repay.

Gabriel's eyes narrowed as he noted just who was being included in this question. "Hold up, bucko," he shook his head. "I'm not part of this. Neither is she." He jerked his head toward Ayden, crossing her off the list.

"Wait, what?" the girl objected, silenced with a look from Ellen. Though Gabriel wasn't generally to be trusted, the older woman agreed with him in this case. Ayden wasn't going to become a murderer for the sake of vengeance.

Not another moment passed before Bobby spoke up. Like Ellen and Gabriel and most likely Dean, he didn't want any blood on Ayden's hands, even if this was, in part, about vengeance for her mother. She was an innocent, and he knew Dean would want her to stay that way. Each of them had their own beef with Zachariah, and as Dean's self-appointed foster father, he felt it was up to him to step up and do the deed, since it seemed the angel wasn't going to allow Dean to do it. "I'll do it," Bobby volunteered, without volunteering any reason or explanation. He wasn't doing it for himself or for Ellen, but for Dean and Sam and Ayden.

The decision was made, just like that. Gabriel reached out, his blade in his hand once again, offering Bobby the hilt. "There you go, Pops, try not to hurt yourself."

Reluctantly, Ellen stepped away, drawing Ayden under her arm as she met Bobby's gaze. She knew why he had spoken up, why he had volunteered himself. She didn't have to be happy about it. She just had to support his decision.

Gabriel handed Bobby the angel blade; the decision had been made. Though the outcome was uncertain, Michael was confident justice would be served. He had upheld his part of the bargain; his presence here was no longer necessary. He looked to Gabriel, that sober expression on his face once again. Though some may have deemed Gabriel a traitor for the part he had played in all this, Michael believed even that to be part of God's plan. If it hadn't been for Gabriel, Dean may never have agreed to any of this, and for that alone, Michael was willing to forgive his brother all past transgressions. "I am no longer angry with you, brother. I am sorry for what I must do, but Lucifer must be stopped. Our Father has decreed it. I leave Zachariah's fate in your hands." And with that said and a flutter of wings, he was gone. And so was Dean.

"What?" Gabriel exclaimed, more than a little outraged at being put in that position by a big brother he had little to no respect for any more. More than that, he had been denied his chance to prevent the big prize fight between two brothers he loved dearly, in order to see one of their lesser cousins put down for his crimes. "Oh, you have got to be kidding me ..." He turned, looking at the three mortals standing with him, and made a face. "Fine. Zachy, baby, come on down!"