...
Okay, just a few things. This chapter is really a continuation of the last story, I just didn't include it because what I had before was such a good cliffhanger :) The story really restarts next chapter.
I'll only be posting season 6, so to stretch it out I'll be posting every other day.
That's all for now. Enjoy!
Oh, and if you haven't done so already, I would suggest you read the first part of this series, which is called And I Hope That You'll Remember Me.
...
June 20th, 2010
Alex stepped through the front door, breathing a sigh of relief. She must had thrown off the demons. Of course, this is definitely where they'd expect her to be. She locked the front door, cursing the fact that, apart from the downstairs bathroom next to her, it was the only door that locked. Hurrying into the kitchen, she dropped her bag. She placed her Colt 1911 on table, checking it one more time. She felt her knife in her pocket and pulled it out, flicking out the blade. She smiled, putting it back in her pocket. She pulled off her jacket and dirty black Hell Hazers II t-shirt, and pulled on some maroon three-quarter sleeve shirt and a forest green plaid sweatshirt, ignoring the strange sensation as the clothing passed through her wings. She had just started rolling up her clothes when she heard a noise, and her mind started to wheel.
"Okay," she started to plan out loud. "I need salt. Salt, iron. Devil's trap." The panic room. Iron walls coated with salt, and stocked with all the shotguns and ammunition she would need.
There were two footsteps upstairs. Forgetting her backpack, she grabbed her smaller bag containing her journal and other things and tore through the study and the hall. The back door opened, and a demon stepped through, black eyes gleaming. Alex panicked, and, in an act of desperation, reached out, placing her palm over the demon's face. Her fear and panic mingled with her grace as it raced down her arm and into the demon. White light flared out of his face, and he crumpled to the ground dead. Alex just ran. She ran down the rickety stairs and towards the panic room. She reached for the iron handle, throwing the door open. Then everything went black.
...
She came to in a dark room. She tested her limbs: bound tight. Memories came flooding back, and Alex panicked. She struggled at her bonds, but to no avail. She fought to control her breathing, forcing herself to take deep breaths. She recognized the room immediately. A single, bare bulb hung from the ceiling. A bed sat against the wall to her left, and there was a table in front of her.
"Ah. Home sweet home."
Alex's head swiveled towards the voice, and her wings flared angrily. A low growl rumbled through her chest to hide her fear. Crowley.
The demon strolled forward. "You know, you've given me a hell of a time tracking you down. Was that a demon-proof room? Very clever."
Alex swallowed nervously, but her eyes remained cold. "What the hell do you want?"
Crowley ignored her hostile tone. "I think you know, darling. I told you I would find you. Perhaps going to Bobby's wasn't the best of your plans, hmm?"
"Safest place I got," Alex snapped, then clamped her jaw shut. She glared up at the demon.
Crowley leaned against the table, but didn't respond. "Now. I have to admit I'm a bit surprised. After that trick you pulled in Brandon, we lost sight of you. I had demons staked out along the roads. Even still, you managed to make it all the way into Sioux Falls. Impressive indeed."
Alex refused to say anything. Castiel, she prayed. Please, Cas. Please help me. I - Crowley found me. I don't know where I am. He's, he's gonna . . . just help me.
There's no point in praying," Crowley continued, seeing her silence. "This place is warded against angels. No angels can get in, no angels can get out without my say so. Although, I suppose it wouldn't matter. He won't answer you, darling. We made a deal, you see."
Alex knew what he meant, but refused to show it. She just cocked her eyebrow, asking him to continue.
"You've probably heard about the war. About how Raphael is kicking your mate around like a rag doll. So I offered him a little soul-making opportunity."
"Purgatory."
"You've heard of it." Crowley approached, interest flashing in his dark eyes. "What exactly do you know about it?"
"Nothing," Alex lied smoothly. "Just that it's a monster's hell. Literally."
A hand came down heavily across her cheek. "Don't you lie to me," Crowley growled. He grabbed her throat, forcing her face to look at his. "There's no angel here to protect you now."
"Crowley." The door was thrown open. "I told you not to hurt her."
Alex's heart melted in relief, and her wings flattened submissively at the sound of her mate. She craned her neck to see, but couldn't quite turn that far. She let out a whimper, pulling her wings in close. Crowley rolled his eyes at Castiel's entrance.
The angel strolled over to her, brushing Crowley out of the way. Alex looked up into the beautiful blue eyes of her mate. "Le pas enay," Castiel murmured gently. "Has he hurt you?"
Alex couldn't manage words, and just closed her eyes. She heard Crowley sigh loudly in annoyance. "Castiel. If you don't mind, I was in the middle of something."
"You told me you wouldn't hurt her," Castiel snapped, turning around. "What is she doing here?"
"I own her, Castiel. Finders keepers. I've owned her for a while now. Except someone escaped from the last angel I was going to give her to."
"You already given me to him," Alex snapped.
"The lease wasn't up!" Crowley snapped back. "He didn't own you for another six days."
Alex bared her teeth in frustration. "I'm not an object to be bought and sold," she growled.
She was ignored. "She is not yours," Castiel said, and his wings flared out angrily. "She's mine."
Crowley stood up straighter, his eyes flickering between Alex and Castiel contemplatively. "I believe you're mistaken," the demon said calmly. "I own her now." When Castiel took a menacing step forward, Crowley added, "Ah ah. Remember our deal."
"She was not part of the deal."
"Yes. You really missed out on that one. Could've given her full immunity. Anyways, if I give her to you, what would you even do with her?"
"I'll give her back to Dean."
"Dammit, Cas. I'm not an object you can 'give'!" Alex snapped.
"Be quiet."
"Give it up, Castiel. And don't you worry. I'll give her to a good angel. He'll take good care of her. If you want, I'll let you go over the applicants."
A low growl rumbled in the male angel's chest.
"You can't take her back to heaven," Crowley continued. "And she's not safe alone on earth."
"She'll be fine alone," Castiel said quietly.
"Really, Castiel. I expected more from you. She's a female angel. They have needs."
"She is quite stable on her own," Castiel growled. "She hasn't been around another angel for a month."
Crowley frowned. "She can't keep it up for long, Castiel. Somehow, someone is going to find her."
Castiel shook his head again.
"Now tell me — not that you actually get a say. But, hypothetically, wouldn't it be easier if I sold her off? She's an expensive bargaining chip, Castiel. She goes to an angel you choose, and we use the souls to help fund your little war."
Castiel's wings flared high, finally fed up with the demon. "I said no. She is not yours."
Crowley shook his head. "Fine, if you wish, I will let her go. For now. But I will find her again, and I will sell her. You know as much as I do how valuable she is. And next time, I'll keep all the profit for myself."
Castiel turned to look down at Alex. She looked back up at him, silently pleading. He was so close she could almost touch him. Castiel blinked. "Untie her."
The bonds fell away, and Alex jumped up, hugging Castiel tight. She burying her face in his coat, breathing ragged.
"Is she always this clingy?" Crowley asked mildly. He was ignored.
A hand came to rest on her back, keeping her near.
"You're not seriously going to take her with you, are you Cassie?"
"No. She's not safe in heaven. I can take her back to Dean."
"Didn't you hear? Dean tossed her out. Said he didn't want an angel in the house." Alex heard the table groan as the demon leaned against it.
Castiel didn't immediately reply. "Then I'll take her to Bobby Singer."
Crowley clicked his tongue. "I'm still going to find her, Castiel. She wasn't part of the deal, which means she's free profit."
Alex felt her mate shift his weight from one foot to another. "Give me five minutes with her. Alone."
Alex looked up to see Crowley gone. Castiel stepped away, and Alex frowned. She opened her mouth to speak.
"Don't." Castiel looked down at her, and Alex obediently said nothing. "Do you know what's going on here?"
Alex nodded slowly. "You and Crowley are looking for Purgatory."
"Do you know where it is?"
Alex shook her head. "No, and I don't want to. Cas, seriously. You should stop looking for that place now."
"It's the only way." Castiel's blue eyes flickered with emotion. "I — We're losing the war, Alex. Raphael is strong. Stronger than I imagined. I, I thought that because I stood up to Michael and Lucifer, I could do the same with Raphael. I was wrong. This is the only way."
Alex shook her head, even though deep down she knew he was right. "I — please don't. I don't want to lose you."
"You won't."
Alex looked up, wrapping her arms around her mate. "Please be careful."
Castiel didn't hug her back. "I don't know what to do," he finally admitted. "With you, I mean. Crowley is right. He found you once, he can do it again." He looked down at his angel. "What should I do?"
Alex stepped back, heart sinking. "What do you mean?"
"I mean I can't protect you. Not from both Raphael and Crowley. Perhaps it would be best if I let him trade you — just for a short time," he quickly added. "Just to keep you safe. You're already stable. You just need someone to protect you." His eyes narrowed, and his blue wings flared. Then he was gone.
Alex stared at the spot he had left from, thoroughly confused. He was going to let Crowley sell her? No. No, that can't be what he meant.
"Sit down." Crowley's voice reached her ears, and she spun around, fists balled. Crowley remained unfazed. "Do us all a favor, darling, and don't do this. We both know who has the upper hand."
Alex let out a huff, but obliged. "What?"
"Your mate has agreed to my terms. I know, shocking." Crowley leaned against the table. "He's thumbing through the list of potential mates right now."
Alex closed her eyes, shaking her head. He was lying. Crowley was lying.
...
Four weeks. That's how long she had to stay there. She was left in her prison cell, waiting. Castiel rarely visited her.
One day, Castiel appeared. Crowley looked up from where he was studying Alex. He had been a regular occurrence, Crowley. Most of the time he said nothing; he just stood there, deep in thought. However, upon the angel's arrival he cleared his throat. "Ah, Cassie. Found someone you like?"
Castiel turned to the demon. "Balthazar is no longer alive," he informed him. "He's been dead for almost a month."
Crowley raised an eyebrow. "I don't think so. He put in that offer only five or so days ago."
Castiel frowned, angry. Then he met Alex's gaze. "Then I choose him."
"Balthazar?" It was Crowley's turn to frown. "Couldn't you pick someone with a higher offer?"
"This is my choice." Castiel remained adamant. "He was in my garrison, and I believe I can trust him."
Crowley rolled his eyes dramatically. "Fine. There were worse angels, I suppose. Now, Castiel, I will leave you to say goodbye. I will contact Balthazar immediately." Then he was gone.
Castiel turned to face Alex. She lowered her gaze, shaking her head. Castiel knelt beside her. "I'm sorry," he said, his voice low and soft, his voice making Alex miss him even more.
She threw her arms around his neck. "Don't leave me," she begged. "You promised, Castiel. You - you said you'd never give me up for anything."
Castiel clutched her tighter. "I know, le pas enay. But if you stay with me, you. will. die. Don't you understand?" He pulled back to look her in the face. "I love you, and I promised to keep you safe. And if that means letting you go so you will live, I —" He blinked, shaking his head. "I'm sorry." He hugged her dearly, curling his wings tightly around her. "Lucifer's keeping you stable," he whispered. "Balthazar won't push you if you fight back, okay? Tell him why I chose him." He kissed her forehead gently. "I will come back for you."
Alex nodded. "I know."
The door flew open. "Cassie? Awkward. Didn't expect to find you here." Balthazar strolled in. He scented the air, and his wings arched high with interest at the scent of the female angel. "It's Alex, right?"
Alex said nothing, but kept her head buried in Castiel's coat.
"Hm. Never really struck me as the silent type. Why don't you let go of your boyfriend in the trench coat and come over here?"
Castiel gently nudged her towards the angel. Alex dug in her heels. "Alex." Castiel's voice was low and soft. "Go with him."
Alex shook her head, wings trembling slightly. Balthazar stepped closer, holding out his hand. Alex took it. Then they were gone.
...
The next thing she knew, she was in a house. "Leave me alone," she whispered, flaring her one good wing.
Balthazar blinked slowly. "Excuse me?" He stepped closer. "You have no right to talk to me like that." His wings flared high, and Alex, instincts taking hold, lowered hers. The angel ran a hand down her arm, and Alex shivered. The other hand tipped her head to both sides, fingers running over her neck and shoulders. "Not bonded, hmm? Good. Like Crowley promised."
"No," Alex protested, pushing him away. "Cas, Cas said no."
" 'Cas said no?' " Balthazar repeated, eyebrow raised. "And that's suppose to mean something to me?" he chuckled. "You're not his, love. Neither of us are. So why should we listen?"
Blue eyes met hers, and Alex shied away. "No." She tried to push him away. "I-I — Castiel is mine, I, I'm his."
"You're not."
"No!"
"No." Balthazar tipped his head, studying her. Then he shrugged. "Cas was right. You are strong." He turned and sauntered off up a large flight of stairs.
"Wait." Alex followed, completely bewildered by the sudden change of heart. "W-What? Is — is that fucking it?"
"Yep. A female angel would be nice, but if you're gonna scream the whole way down . . ." Balthazar shook his head, but didn't bother to look back at her. "It's not worth it. I can find cuter girls."
Alex frowned. Part of her was was relieved he wasn't pushing her; then again, the angel part of her was deeply hurt that he rejected her. "So . . . I can go? I— I'm still really confused here."
"Nope. You're still going to stay. This place is about as under the radar as you get." Balthazar disappeared into a large living area. "So get comfy. You're not leaving."
Alex sat down on the couch, eyes focusing on the far wall. "How long will I be here?"
"Until it's safe. Or until Cas is dead." With a snap of his fingers, a glass of whiskey appeared in the angel's hands. "This is the only shelter in the storm, darling. No one knows we're here. Only Cas and that black-eyed friend of his knows I'm even alive."
"Great." Alex's head lolled back in disgust and boredom. "So I'm on lockdown? And you're the only freaking company I get?"
"Afraid so." Balthazar leaned against the wall. "But don't worry. I won't be here much." And with those words, he was gone.