This is short, but more to follow very soon! Thanks for your patience!
Chapter Seven:
Slumped at the library table, Sam stared wearily at the haphazard stacks of books in front of him. So much information, and all of it worthless. He resisted the urge to just get up and walk away from it all, from the bunker and his brother and his life, because hadn't that just worked out so well in the past? It was several seconds before the buzzing of his cell phone dragged him back to the present. He stared at the text display and the name displayed there for a moment, before sprinting up the stairs to unlock the door.
The figure framed in the doorway was dusty and disheveled, and possibly the sweetest sight Sam had beheld in a long, long time. He reached out and grabbed the man in a hug; after a moment the hug was stiffly returned.
"Sam," Castiel said as he awkwardly patted the taller man's back. "I was not sure I would find you here."
Sam huffed a pale imitation of a laugh as he ushered the angel inside and locked the door. "Where else would I be?"
The two men descended the stairs; Castiel watched as Sam poured an unhealthy amount of Scotch into a tumbler and downed it in one long draw. Sam watched as Castiel's eyes swiveled around the room, knowing what his next question would be, and dreading putting the answer into words.
"Where...is Dean?"
Sam stared into the empty glass and sighed. "How much do you know?"
"Metatron said he was dead."
When Sam looked away and didn't respond, Castiel stepped closer, trying in vain to catch the younger Winchester's gaze. "Tell me that is not true."
"I wish I could."
Castiel studied him for a long moment, then: "There is more."
Sam's face twisted into a sad smile as he pushed the glass away and sat wearily in his chair. "Yeah. There is."
Castiel sat down at the table and listened as Sam recounted the events that led to his brother and the King of Hell being imprisoned in demon trap protected cells in the bunker. The angel remained silent until Sam presented his plan to have Crowley take him to Cain.
"That is a very foolish thing to consider," Castiel said as he rose from his seat to stare down the hallway over Sam's shoulder. "Cain is more dangerous than any demon you have faced before."
"More dangerous than Dean will be if he gets out of here with Crowley and takes the Blade with him?"
Castiel stared him down: "More dangerous to you."
Sam stood, towering over the angel, but Castiel held in gaze in defiance. "There is nothing you can offer Cain that would make him take back the Mark. "
"Then give me another option, Cas, 'cause right now I am fresh out of ideas." Sam found himself back at the bar, with the tumbler in one hand and the half empty bottle in the other. "I need your help. Dean put his ass on the line more than once for you. The least you can do is help him now...help me help him." He turned, the empty glass still clutched in his hand.
"Please."
Castiel stood a moment, thinking. Then he turned toward the hallway, nodding to Sam as he passed.
"I guess you want to talk to Dean? Good luck with that," Sam said as he fell in step beside the angel.
"No," Castiel replied. "I want to talk to Crowley."
TBC
