They had tried everything short of torturing Crowley to get Bobby soul back and had no other ideas or option left.

They had to ask for help.

Castiel already told them, that he was of no use and couldn't make the demon hold his end of the contract. But thanks to recent events they had one more person to ask.

Someone how knew all about souls and was willing to deal with them.

Balthazar.

Of course, no one was thrilled about the idea, but what other choices did they have left? Leaving Bobby to die in 10 years time and go to hell? Surely not!

That's how Crowley ended up once again in Booby's study, stuck in a devils trap and the entire house warded against hellhounds.

Sam, Dean and Cas were currently summoning the angel in question, while Bobby starred daggers at the trapped demon.

"Give me my soul back and we can forget this ever happened", he offered Crowley, "don't make it harder on yourself."

Bobby had no pity for the demon but he didn't want to accept help from Balthazar if it wasn't necessary .

"Bobby, Bobby", the demon replied with a smirk, "there is no way you will get it back. Say bye, bye to you place in heaven."

"You son of a..."

Thunder exploded in the sky, as the room was plunged into darkness. Behind them, the form of an angel appeared, snarling at the Winchesters for the rude summoning.

"You again!", Balthazar spat, "I agreed to help you Cas, not these mutt-heads."

"Watch you mouth you dick", Dean shouted back. He kept on insulting the angel and his winged family of douchebags, but Balthazar didn't react. He simply starred at the devils-trap and its occupant.

"My dear?", he whispered silently. It was barely audible but the demon seemed to have heard it and turned around in surprise.

Crowley mouth dropped open. His legs gave away and he crumpled in shock to the ground.

"Go away", he begged shakily, "you can't be here. This is a trick. No. You are dead. I saw you die! I buried you body, I mourned your death."

Furious he turned to Bobby. "Is that your great plan? Playing with my feelings? Conjuring up the illusion of him?"

How could they do this to him? How did they know?

He screamed and shouted in anger and terror. The walls were shaking, books clattering to the floor all around them. Wind whipping at their cloth, forcing them to shield their eyes from the onslauther.

And then it was silent.

They opened their eyes again, to find Balthazar crouched next to the demon, whispering soothing words into his ear.

"I didn't know, Crowley", he assured the shacking form on the floor, "I tried to contact you, but I couldn't find you. I faked my death, to escape Michael's wrath when he found out what we had done. I am so sorry my dear."

Holding Crowley's face in his hands, he placed a soft kiss on his lips.

"I tried to find you afterwards, but you were gone. I tried everything in my power but no one knew where you had gone, my love", tears were streaming down Balthazar face, "and I couldn't warn you, it had to look real."

"What the hell is going on?" demanded Dean. "The angel, who was supposed to help us get the demon to give the soul back, is kissing said demon! What the hell?"

"Shut it Winchester!" Crowley growled, getting up from the ground. "How about a new deal? His soul for the angel?"

"Excuse me?" said Sam, "we can't just give you the angel, there is no..."

"Deal", interrupted Balthazar, leaning in to seal the deal with a hot and passionate kiss. "Now, I was a naught boy... how a bout some punishment?"

Smirking he grabbed the demons hand and they vanished.

The End