Authors Note: This is an AU/Deathfic in which I have totally disregarded key elements of Season 5. If you are familiar with my stories then you know my Deathfic’s are final and they never have a happy ending. Tissues will be available as always at the exit. Thanks for reading.

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He stepped in front of Dean without a moments thought to his own safety and it had tragic results. Being an angel, Castiel never gave much thought to his own demise. He had been a celestial for so long and human only recently, that it just never occurred to him that he could somehow die. Being mortal however, with all it's limitations, was quickly becoming abundantly clear all too well.

The trio had been enjoying a meal at a local diner after finishing up an easy hunt. Bacon Cheeseburgers, Salads and Castiel’s newly acquired love of chilly cheese dogs had topped the menu and hit the proverbial spot. It was dark when they finished and headed back to the car. How ironic that Castiel, who had literally been to Hell and back and had fought against any number of supernatural entities, would fall victim to something as human as a would be carjacker.

He didn’t feel the bullet strike him in the chest, only the sensation of falling and someone catching him and easing him down. Blinking his eyes trying to clear them, he looked up and found Dean leaning over him. Dean held him in his lap, his left hand clutching Cas’s, his right desperately trying to stop the bleeding. Sam’s first thought was to go after the carjacker but he quickly changed his mind when he saw Dean desperately catching Castiel as he fell. He pulled out his phone and hit 911.

“Hold on Cas…Don’t check out on me now dude.” Dean beseeched from the darkness that was rapidly surrounding Castiel. “Sammy where the hell is the ambulance?”

A few feet away Sam paced, yelling at the 911 dispatcher to hurry and send help. Hanging up he dropped down next to Dean and took Castiel’s other hand.

“They’re on their way. How you doin’ Cas?” Sam asked squeezing it gently.

“Can't breathe…...” Castiel struggled to speak as he looked up at the youngest Winchester. He tried to keep his eyes open but it was becoming increasing difficult to do so.

“Paramedics are on their was Cas, just hang in there.” Sam said struggling to keep his voice light. He and Dean shared a panicked look. This was bad, really, really bad. Dean sadly shook his head as he confirmed to his brother the ambulance most likely wouldn’t get there on time.

Castiel’s breaths came slower, his chest tightened as he struggled to breathe. Pain that had been almost overwhelming a moment ago was now a rapidly fading memory. Cas didn’t need to be a genius to figure out he was dying. He wondered if all humans felt this way before they died. Forcing his eyes opened he looked up at the two men who had become his brothers.

“I am not afraid.” He said to them, his voice weak and fading.

“We know you’re not Cas.” Sam answered, tearing beginning to stream down his face. Hearing sirens, Sam leaped up and ran to flag them down, hoping against hope they might still be in time.

“Of course not Cas.” Dean answered as well, struggling to keep his voice from shaking. Cas looked up at Dean, blue eyes locked to hazel.

“No regrets.” He whispered with the last of his strength. Closing his eyes, his chest stilled with his final breath and Dean felt his heart cease to beat. Dean clutched his friend tightly, tears streaming down his face. Seconds later paramedics arrived with Sam and they immediately took action. Moving out of their way, Dean stood next to Sam and they both silently willed their fallen friend to somehow survive.

The paramedics worked valiantly for over 10 minutes but to no avail, their friend, their compatriot, their brother was gone.

Reluctantly they allowed the paramedics to transport Castiel to the hospital where he was officially declared dead. Each steeped in their own regrets, neither said a word as they later crept into the morgue where Castiel laid awaiting autopsy and stealthy removed his body. Their load even heavier when they laid him in the back of the Impala and speedily pulled away.

Dawn was almost breaking when Dean pulled over, off the side of the road, and into a stand of trees. Sam didn’t need to know what Dean was of mind to do, it was on his mind as well. The thought that someday they might have to do it for each other was not far from either of their minds. Wood was gathered and the pyre built, then Castiel was lain on top.

Once again they had stood in silence as the flames burned brightly and the wind wisped the smoke around and over their heads till it disappeared into the treetops. Looking up they watched as the sun rose and brightened the sky above them and then they saw it….one brightly shining star. All the others had disappeared as the new day began but this one single star…it stayed, twinkling brightly, sparkling outwards, before it too melded into the blueness of the morning sky.

“You don’t think….” Sam started as he looked over at his brother who mirrored that same question on his face. “I mean it can't be…..can it?”

“You mean, do I think that Cas is back in heaven and he found a way to let us know, then yeah I do think.” Dean answered with a grin growing on his face. “Sammy my boy, together we have seen stranger things, and if anyone could figure out a way to do it would have to be Cas.”

Sam stared upwards and thought for a moment. “Do you think there is hope for us Dean, you know to make up to heaven someday when it's all said and done?”

“I’d liked to think so Sammy, I’d really like to think so.” Dean answered back with a nod. Though Dean had some doubts as to where he and his brother would finally spend eternity, it was comforting to think that somewhere there was a better place. Somewhere where they would never face monsters again. Where they would never fear losing each other again. A place of safety, peace and comfort surrounded by those they loved and lost.

Every now and then they would catch it, Cas’s star as they later began to call it, and it would give them hope at times when they needed it the most. A shared hope that they had at long last find their final reward.

The End.

*breath taken away* *hugs the computer*

Wow! That was such a powerful story, very well written, full of emotion!
And the line ‘Cass looked up at Dean, blue eyes locked to hazel’ just made it for me!

Love your story! I send you pie(your choice) and hugs!

:skip

I got a little worried when I read your post how all your tragic fics end tragic but this one ended bittersweet. I loved it. It was very good. I loved how Cas refered to them as his brothers and they referred to Cas as one too and he did deserve to go out like any other hunter. But i bet the people at the morgue will find it odd he's not there. lol

Thanks hon. You know I had totally forgotten about this fic. I usually post my fics on ff.net but not this time and I don't even remember why I put it here instead. Looking at the date I'd say this was the last fic I posted on either site. I've kinda given up on writing...not enough time these days.

Thanks again.