Chapter 4

Angela looked out the window as she watched the Impala take off with Dean and Crowley. She pursed her lips since she didn't like what was going on and didn't have the full picture. Her only relief was that Zeppelin and Xander were going with him. She took in a deep breath and sighed as she hugged her arms around her body. She didn't look at Sam but asked, "Can you tell me what is going on?"

Sam had been watching through the same window. He felt hurt and angry that Dean decided to go with this plan. He wasn't upset with Angela since in all fairness, she hadn't been around to hear the story. Sighing he replied, "Crowley appeared after we passed through our fifth town saying that he knew how to find Pestilence."

"He can find Pestilence?" Angela raised a brow at that.

"Well the guy who knows where he is." Sam shrugged his shoulders as he turned away from the window.

Angela thought about it and nodded, "Okay."

"It's not okay since it's Crowley."

"And I'm not arguing with that," Angela replied softly. She gave a gentle look in Sam's direction and caught his eye. She could see his frustration with things. She sighed and looked away looking for something to do. Glancing back and giving a slight smile she asked, "So what did you do?"

Sam glanced at her and took a moment to really look at her. She looked really nice and her hair was down, the way he liked it. When he heard her question and saw her grin he made a slight sound and a sort of smile, "I tried to kill him several times. And I missed."

Angela hummed at that and gave a slight smile, "I would have done the same but I got it out a long time ago." At the look Sam was giving her, she explained, "When Ellen and Jo…" She made a slight gesture with her head.

"When you said that Kess needed a moment," Sam said more as a statement.

"He really did need some time. I just… took the opportunity. And I let him have it."

"But you didn't kill him."

"No."

"Any reason why?" Sam wasn't looking to pick a fight but he was curious as to why she let the demon go after whatever she did to him.

Angela had walked right by the lit fireplace and shifted to look at Sam. She remembered that conversation with Crowley and she had some reason why. "The finger pointing game," she replied after thinking about it. "Point a finger and three are pointing right back at you. That and… I couldn't really fault him though being able to tell whether or not a demon is bullshitting me is a little bit out of sorts."

It was an honest answer and Sam had calmed down enough to be a bit more conversational. He offered, "Still better than what most people can do."

Angela hummed and grinned at that, "Flatterer."

"You're right," Sam admitted. He gave slight grin but it was sober. He put his hands in his pockets and looked downward as he decided how to ask what he really wanted to know.

"You're thoughts are loud, Sam."

Sam looked up and saw that Angela was still standing there. She was looking at him with a gentle expression that was encouraging. Sighing slightly he asked, "So… uh… about Karnak…"

"It was funerary. For Gabriel and very… releasing," Angela replied, knowing what Sam wanted to know. "And they wanted to make sure that I'm okay. I mean it's not every day that I 'tear' the veil and practically scare people." She air quoted when she said the word 'tear' since she still wasn't sure about the idea but she did know that she felt different and it wasn't just grief.

"You don't think you did anything like that?"

"No I don't," she replied, "But I know something is different. Mostly it has to do with my senses and reaction time." She gave a slight smile to indicate it wasn't a big deal as she said, "I know this because a couple of wise asses decided I was a worthy target to try and rough up."

"And you showed them different," Sam said more as a statement than a question. He knew she could take care of herself but he still felt a little guilty that he hadn't been there though she would probably give the lecture she gave him a long time ago.

"First a fist fight that made the ass look like one and then when he tried a cheap shot… Let's just say I have a lot more power to move something." Angela shrugged her shoulders at that. "Certainly made them think twice."

"So nothing unusual."

"If there is… I can't see it and don't want to unless it decides to show itself first," she replied. "I got enough on my plate currently figuring out how to stop the Apocalypse… along with other things." Angela put her fingertips together and looked downward, not sure how to say what she had thought about along with everything else that had gone on the last week in Karnak time.

Sam heard the slight uncertainty in her voice. "What other things?"

Angela pursed her lips while still pressing her fingertips together. She wasn't sure how to say what she wanted to say without it hurting Sam. Yet he was expecting an answer and she decided to tell him and pray that he wouldn't take it the wrong way. Swallowing slightly she looked up at him as she replied softly, "About… us."

Sam resisted from panicking though inside he was quaking. Did she want to end things? Was she having second thoughts because of what happened? Knowing that to assume was not the best thing to do, he swallowed back his panic and asked, "What about it?"

"That…" Angela started chewing her lower lip and then looked away. "It isn't fair… to you. With everything going on and what could happen…"

Sam blinked at what he was hearing. She sounded like she wanted to end things but not quite. Or she was making reasons he should break up with her and put it on her. It was a typical thing she did in general. "Do you want to back off?" He asked the question to put the ball in her court. He knew what he wanted but he needed to know what she wanted.

"No," Angela replied quickly. She didn't want to but… "Just I can't ignore a few things that are… different between us." She started to play nervously with her fingers. "For instance… what I am."

That was an issue. If he and Dean lived to be old men, and that was a big if, she wouldn't age. They could be in their sixties and she'd still look like she was in her twenties. She already was five hundred years old. Still it didn't matter to him. "And it doesn't matter to me," he replied.

Angela looked up and stared at Sam in an inquisitive fashion. Sam got the impression that she was studying his words carefully by staring at him in that fashion. He had forgotten, and she admitted freely, that she had a damaged psyche and had a low sense of self-worth. It made his own guilty feelings seem insignificant but she never treated them that way. She replied, "It doesn't matter that I am not completely human meaning that I have a blood habit, pointy teeth and abnormal senses that would freak most people out?"

"No."

"Not even the fact that I could, and it's a strong and painful possibility, outlive you?"

"Not even," Sam replied with a shake of his head. He knew what he was getting into the moment he realized his full feelings for her and what Akira explained to him when Angela expressed interest, real interest. He took in the slightly baffled look on her face like she couldn't believe what he was saying. It sort of hurt but then he recalled how he questioned her readiness to forgive him for the mess they were in and still trying to fix. The feeling was mutual.

"It should," she finally replied very softly to the point that it was almost a whisper.

Sam heard her thought and replied, "But it doesn't." He took a chance and advanced towards her and reached for her hand. He held it in his large ones and rubbed it, tracing the contours of it while he continued, "It doesn't because I meant what I said and was serious when I did the gesture thing. I love you, Angie and… maybe it feels like the worst time ever but… I don't care if it means getting to spend any amount of time with you, making you happy. If I have a lifetime with you, I'll take it. Why are you talking about this?"

Angela watched as Sam rubbed her hand. She always had liked it when he caressed him. She swallowed slightly at that and replied, "Because I've… been thinking about this plan and… even if we do get all four rings and open the door… what do we do then?"

Sam was considered the quick to read between the lines when it mattered. He realized what she had meant and he jumped to conclusions, "No way Angie. I mean it."

"The only way to get Lucifer back in… is to say yes and take control and jump in."

"And there is no way you're saying yes."

It was on the tip of Angela's tongue to protest hotly and ask him who made him the boss. Sensing that Sam had more to say, she remained silent and let him speak. She pursed her lips and gave him her full attention.

Sam was surprised that she didn't protest but hid it as he blurted out, "If anyone says yes, it will be me." He noted the widening of her eyes but he continued, "I can get Lucifer to jump in."

"You mean take control of the wheel," Angela replied in a low tone.

"Bobby did. You did." Sam paused when he saw she was struggling what to say. No doubt she was going to tell him it was a snowball's chance and she was probably right but she would also think about it. Finally he said, "Look, I'm not lining up to say yes unless everyone is on board, including you. It's something I need to do. Just… think about it."

Angela was silent when Sam finished and then left the room. He probably blurted that out right on the fly and needed time to process it himself. She would give him that and turned to look out the window. She turned back when she heard the clink of a whiskey bottle and Sam offering her a glass. Normally she would have taken the bottle and left him the glass but she needed to taper down since she had been on a drinking binge and she needed her reflexes up if and when they got their info on Pestilence. She did offer him a kiss to his cheek to show that she was thinking about things.

She couldn't help but overhear Sam when he called Bobby to update what was going on. He gave the song and dance about what happened while she was gone. She took a peek around the corner and noticed that nearly over half the bottle was gone. And his speech sounded drunk. She almost winced when she heard Bobby scream over the line about the idea of Sam saying yes to Lucifer. Thinking about it, even she knew that was the conundrum of their plan.

How are you gonna control the devil when you can't even control yourself.

Angela was brought out of her thoughts when she heard that and winced. She knew both Dean and Bobby could be harsh and she still remembered how Dean sounded earlier that year. She watched as Sam looked at nothing in particular as he hung up his phone. She watched his facial features seem to sadden and opened her mouth slightly and closed it. She knew what the argument was about.

Stepping into the room quietly she came up to Sam and said softly and firmly, "I believe you can."

Sam was used to her sneaking up on him but it still made him jump slightly when she appeared really close and did it very quietly. He figured it was a bit of a game for her coupled with the old habits excuse. He was used enough to process what she had said and looked at her. "What?"

"I believe you can," Angela repeated. She gave a slight smile before adding, "Different strengths, Sam. And… I don't doubt us but the things that could make life more difficult than it already is." She gave a slight shrug. "But I'm with you."

Sam looked at her as she looked at him with a firm conviction. Ever since this started she always seemed to have faith in him even when it was clear that she shouldn't. "Angie…"

"I'm not saying we're going to agree on the same things cause we won't but… I will stand by you." Angela looked at Sam, her heart showing in her eyes. "Anything involving life and death on a world saving scale… all or nothing."

"Always and forever," Sam corrected, agreeing with her after he realized the magnitude of what she was saying. "But if ever any moment you or I think that it's not worth it…"

"Sam," Angela interrupted. Slowly she reached up and moved a few errant locks out of the way. "That is what I meant," she added with a smile. "Always and forever."

Sam stared at her and managed to grasp her hand to stop her from what she was doing. Staring at her, he leaned forward until her was really close. He could sense her nervousness but she didn't run away not even after he pressed her against the wall. Gently he pressed his mouth against hers and kissed her hard. When he tried to pull away, she chased and returned it, inviting him in, trusting him.

That's what you get for working with a demon.

That was about right and Dean was pissed that he had to learn that of all things from a demon and to top it off, a demon like Crowley. He wiped the blood away from the cuts he sustained from tangling with the demon stable boy and grimaced more from pain than actual anger. This had better be worth it and he hated the feeling that he owed the demon and it ate at him as he sat in the driver's seat of the Impala driving back to where Sam and Angela were.

He had managed to make it to the bottom floor with Zeppelin but the demon was too quick. He was there in the elevator and would have taken more of his vengeance out of his ass if it hadn't been for Crowley. It still made him pissed to the point that he rubbed both Xander and Zeppelin's heads for comfort.

Crowley managed to bag the demon with a sigil drawn sack and beat the crap out of his skull. If the human that owned the meat was alive, he was most certainly dead now. Now the demon was sitting in the back with Crowley. This was definitely like the start to one of those really bad jokes though if Angela were there, Dean was certain she'd be able to make some sort of wise quip and it would come off sounding good. Thinking about her, he hoped that Sam filled her in on the details and that she kept his brother from being too upset. Sam did seem relieved that she was back and it had Dean wonder what it was they really had.

A sound caught Dean's attention and he checked the rearview mirror. He also noticed that Xander was facing backwards with his front paws on the backseat and watching both demons intently and a consistent low growl was coming from his throat. He saw what was going on and glanced towards the back and barked, "Hey, hot stuff, watch the upholstery."

"Up yours mate," Crowley retorted as he finished his carving act. "This bit of carving will tie our friend here down. No zapping off, no smoking out. Locked in the meat suit. An important piece of our bargaining strategy."

Dean was quiet for the moment. That made sense. It just seemed a little grotesque to have to carve it directly into the flesh. Then again he and Sam and Angela had angel markings carved onto their ribs. It was kind of the same thing and plus he really couldn't afford to be squeamish with this now that they were in this.

"Now, up here, we don't want I-50," Crowley spoke up leaning forward. He moved away when the growl from Xander got louder and Zeppelin turned to look back at him and gave him a toothy growl and bristling fur. Shifting, Crowley continued, "Take 93 North."

Dean relished the feeling of satisfaction of the puppies growling at Crowley. They wouldn't hurt the demon without his say so but it was fun to watch them assert their dominance. It was short lived once Crowley started giving him different directions, "What are you talking about?"

"Look, we can't take this guy back to your brother," Crowley admitted, "Or to her."

That caught Dean's attention. Something was up if the demon was saying something like that. "Why the hell not?"

Crowley didn't say anything but sat back away from the growling puppies. Dean though wanted an answer, "Crowley."

Crowley didn't want to reveal what he knew. In any game of business, you got the best deal by how well you played keeping the cards most important closest to your chest. This tidbit he knew could jeopardize what they needed to get to Pestilence. Yet Crowley knew that if he didn't say anything, Dean was the type to go for the throat in demanding answers and it was something he wanted to avoid. He admitted, "They got history, all right?"

That wasn't enough for Dean. He was certain he knew of all of Sam's past encounters with demons so to hear this… He had to know and he had to know about his girl too. Slamming on the brakes, he brought the Impala to a screeching halt. Turning around, he stared hard narrowing his eyes at Crowley and said, "You wanna go anywhere, you start talking. What history?"

Crowley looked at Dean. He wasn't really scared of the elder Winchester but it was a rather intimidating sight to see Dean Winchester glaring at him and two hell puppies growling and baring their teeth at him and ready to pounce. He probably could beat the puppies off but it wasn't worth it especially since they were bred to hunt his kind. Pursing his lips, he gave, "He was one of Sam's friends from Stanford. His name is Brady."

That was a start. It answered some questions but not all of them. Dean looked at Crowley, "And Angie."

"He… was the demon that almost killed her."

Dean could now begin to understand why Crowley didn't want Sam to be near this. Sam had it rough with people he trusted betraying him and he knew his little brother really didn't like being manipulated into doing things that were against his nature. He also knew that Sam had issues with meeting people that he perceived hurt Angela in the past whether it was an accepted thing like with Cary or something like this.

"So you can see why we can't let your brother be a part of this," Crowley was saying. He eyed the puppies warily since they hadn't given up on giving him the death look. "Now for Angela… she's a bit more controlled but after what happened…"

"Okay enough about that," Dean interrupted. As far as he was concerned if it wasn't a problem, then he wasn't going to touch it. "You don't know anything about her."

"Oh I know plenty," Crowley countered in his low tone. "I know that she has… talents that you can't possibly conceive. Talents capable enough to cause ripples of panic on both sides of this war and yet I am working with you and making sure she stays in the game because she's probably the only one that can pull this off." He glared at Dean as if daring him to challenge what he asserted. "Besides I know you and the moose can't do anything without her babysitting you."

"Hey," Dean warned, "Enough."

"What?"

Dean thought about what to say. The last time he tried to be tough he ended up babbling like an idiot and felt very embarrassed by it. Finally he said, "I get it and it's all the more reason that Sam and Angie be there."

"And you're going to made things harder to pull the deal off," Crowley countered, glaring back at Dean. "They have history and if the little bugger here decides it's playtime it will make things difficult."

"But that shouldn't be a problem because Angie knows how to make scum like you talk." Dean was going out on a limb here but he had observed how she could get someone with a tough façade to talk.

"And you're comfortable with her ability to make even someone like me scream and in the most grotesque way possible?"

It was a valid question and Dean knew that. He should have known that Crowley would have pulled that out of the hat. What demon hadn't heard of Angela and her days of torturing demons? Alistair used to talk about her all the time when he was in hell, claiming that she was an adversary worthy of getting to know and then adding a few touches of his own to her arsenal. And Dean knew that he would rather he say yes to Michael than let her go through that again.

"Look, maybe she can come because she doesn't lose her temper so easily… if she has one." Crowley looked aside as if to think about it. He shrugged his shoulders before looking back at Dean. "But Sam… Does trying to kill me ring any bells?"

This was a difficult decision and while Dean knew that they could pull this off without Sam and Angela, he knew that in the long run, keeping it from Sam was not going to go well. The lies and the deceit nearly tore them apart before. To do it now was not going to win any points with anybody. Besides, Sam deserved to know and as far as Angela went… He knew she had a laundry list or a shit list like he and Sam did of the things they wanted to get back at. Yet unlike him, she was willing to put it aside to stick to the mission. She was the kind to compartmentalize even if it made her seem cold but she still felt and it was evident in her eyes even though her expression said different.

Crowley sat in the back and sighed. He really didn't want Sam to be near this demon since he knew things could go wrong. If it did, then to salvage it would require him to put his neck on the line more than he already had. "Look…"

"No," Dean said, interrupting. He turned his gaze towards Crowley and noted the look on the demon's face. "Sam is in this." When Crowley looked like he was going to protest, he cut him off, "Look, I let you leave him behind so we can get this asshat and I let you manipulate me into luring him down so you can bind him. There is no way this is going without Sam or Angela. No way." He then turned and started the car again.

"You better be right," Crowley muttered a little put out. He knew he couldn't pull this off on his own so he was going to play fiddle for now. Otherwise you may see a side of my sweetheart you won't like.

Dean didn't say anything for a while. Secretly he wondered the same thing. Out loud he said, "I'll talk to Sam."

A/N: And another Samgie moment and the origin from the one shots of the phrase 'always and forever'. That scene was inspired by Athanasia's All or Nothing. And we've got Dean and Crowley bagging a demon. Stay tuned for next time on Dancing with the Devil...