Chapter 9

Bobby was studying the main house through a pair of binoculars. He was well aware that if Angela were there standing with him, he would have been hearing comments about needing glasses to see things with. It was highly unlikely though since she had only just been cured of her flash blindness through that Eye of Horus. Where she stashed it, she wasn't telling and it was probably for the best.

The last few days had been hard. It was like getting a big wakeup call in terms of the fact that Dean was going to die. It disconcerted him that he was comforted that his girl had a plan for bringing back Dean but the price was that she was going to the same place Dean was. He didn't care how many times that girl told him she knew what she was doing. He could see it and he heard it in her voice once during one of their phone calls.

She was scared.

His girl was scared of that place. She was scared of going to hell. She did mention that she had been there before and she knew where to go. That didn't mean that she was okay about it. Bobby had been a hunter a long time and he had seen and researched things that could make your head spin and something told him that something happened to his girl when she was in the pit and it wasn't the kittens and walks on the beach experience.

Bobby knew that something happened. She was like Dean and would try to avoid the conversation by making a joke or completely changing the subject. Sometimes she would get rather quiet and thoughtful and it was easily overlooked when other things were going on. He could only imagine what the place looked like and what happened down there.

Eventually she did say a few choice words about her time there. The only sad thing was that the boys weren't there to hear it. Bobby figured that it had to do with the fact that she still hadn't told them about her plan to rescue Dean if all else fails. Hell he was tempted half a dozen times to tell them but knowing how they were in their feelings towards her, it would probably lead to a fallout and icy glares or worse, kicking her out. She and Dean were of similar temperament and if they said things… It probably was better but he felt like he was lying to them with what she told him.

Bobby was putting the last of the things into the box that was to be stashed in the trunk of the Camaro when he decided that he needed to know something. He looked at Angela who was calmly checking the inventory of her weapons stash as well as the concoctions that were medical, cleanup or offensive depending on the situation. He could see it in her eyes that something was troubling her. He asked, "Ya want to talk about it?"

"Talk about what Bobby? Do you want to give me the reasons why I shouldn't be doing this?"

"Don't sass me girl," Bobby warned in a gentle tone. "I know this very idea that ya have has got ya scared. I may be old but I'm smart and I ain't blind. The B-side has got ya scared."

Angela put the last of the stuff in the trunk. She had a look that was very Dean like but looked better on her features. Finally she sighed and replied, "I am scared."

That was encouragement enough for Bobby to encourage her more. "About whether or not it will work?"

"It will work." Angela took the box from Bobby and secured it in the trunk. "It's the place I'm scared of Bobby. I would be going back to the very place that Dean will land in and I will see him again; the one who…" She broke off not sure how to say it.

Bobby wasn't sure then if he really wanted to know. He had to ask though, "You were tortured in hell weren't ya?"

"I don't even know if torture describes it. All I can say is I would rather go through it again than let Dean go there."

Bobby had to admit that she had put on a brave and determined face. That didn't change the fact that she was still scared. It was a wonder that she hadn't had a bad case of heart palpitations that went wrong. It amazed him that she was willing to go back just to keep Dean from going through what she did. She once mentioned in private that her ability to remain strong in the face of crisis was an act and she pointed out what happened when Sam died.

Bobby could understand that. He had asked her why she felt the need to put on an act and be the strong one. She said that someone had to be. In the grand scheme of things, someone had to be the one to stand up and make those choices otherwise what else was there? It sounded like nonsense to him but he understood what she was getting at and it rather saddened him that she felt she had to do everything. It had him thinking that whatever happened in her distant past contributed to her current mindset and the bad joke that she had a damaged psyche.

"It's the little girl," Dean said. "God her face is awful."

"Well it would be. She's the first," Angela said as she popped up behind Dean.

Dean visibly jumped as well as Sam and Bobby. Cerebus didn't bat an eyelid as he harrumphed a bit. Dean was just more vocal about it, "Damn it Angie. Do you have to do that?"

Angela gave him an inquisitive puppy look as well as one of slight confusion as she studied him. She replied, "Considering that I was out there scouting and doing what I do best…" She sighed and gave a tolerant look and said, "Sorry but when I scout, until I'm back at base, it's stick to the shadows."

"Hence the name Shadow Chasers?" Sam asked the question.

"Something like that. As to the girl, it's typical of Lilith. She prefers children and there are stories that are pretty nasty," Angela replied as she stepped up to the window to take a look. She could only guess what was going on behind the curtain.

"Well that was pretty fast," Bobby commented. "I couldn't even see you."

"Benefits of the vamp package and it's a gift," Angela replied. She continued to stare out the window with a firm expression as she studied the scene.

Sam made a slight face at that. He couldn't forget how she seemed to suddenly appear in the basement during his and Ruby's conversation. He had been so certain that he was alone even though he heard the creaking of the steps. It was on par with how fast she could move like when she scared Elena in Milagro. If she could do that against Lilith, then maybe there was a chance. "All right then, let's go. We're wasting time."

Dean said, "Wait," at the same time Angela said, "Hold it," and grasped Sam's jacket sleeve.

Dean noticed that and didn't say anything about it. He noticed that whenever she sensed Sam getting too anxious, she had a way of stopping him and it usually was a touch to his jacket sleeve or grab him by the wrist. He then noticed that she had put her hand on his shoulder in the same movement but she was still looking out the window.

Sam looked at his brother and Angela. He frowned as to why they were waiting. "For what? For her to kill the rest of them?" His voice rose a little in temper since he didn't understand. Well Angela he could since she was the patient type.

Dean shot a look at Sam and replied, "Yeah and us too, if we're not careful. Look." He motioned for Sam to take a look. "You know what I mean right Angie?"

Angela was still staring out, "Yep. That mailman at nine o'clock is a real go getter and a stench that makes your two day old socks smell good Dean."

"I have a system," Dean muttered unnecessarily. It was an automatic response and Dean knew that she must have caught whatever scent she could pick up that sang 'demon' like a canary. He pointed out the other demon, "And Mr. Rogers over there."

"Makes a nice picture if you like the demon version," Angela muttered. "There are more around but not close by. They will come if the alarm is sounded though. Typical guard technique."

Sam looked at his brother and Angela who was staring out and studying the scene. He wondered what she was thinking since her face betrayed nothing unless her sarcasm was anything to go by. "Okay fine. We ninja past those guys, sneak in. Follow Angie's lead."

"And then what? Then give a Colombian necktie to a girl?" Dean looked at Sam like he was nuts.

"I know it's awful but this isn't just about saving you Dean," Sam replied, "This is about saving everybody."

"Then we do it without killing the girl," Angela replied finally looking at both boys.

Bobby then said, "She's gotta be stopped."

"Then we do it without killing her," Angela replied in a firm tone. It was probably a mistake but it was the right thing in her mind. Well no one deserved possession. She looked at the three of them and then out the window. "There is traditional and then there is the innovative." Her hand went to her neck and she started fingering both the star and the amulet thoughtfully.

Dean looked at Angela and then out the window. Even he didn't want to kill a little girl. Angela made hard choices and she was always searching for one that didn't leave a trail of blood. It was then he noticed the amulet and he recognized it as the one that she had found. He figured she must be cooking something up her sleeve. He didn't like it any more than she did but there may not be any other choice here. "Oh damn it."

Angela turned and gave a look at Dean. "Dean."

"Angie you know that there is no other way," Sam said. "We have one shot at this…"

"Three strikes and you're not out," Angela replied, "There is always one more thing you can do." She was still playing with the amulet and the star. She was thinking about the means available to her; the resources she had to work with.

"Okay so you have something then because if we go in…" Sam didn't like it either and while he admired her sense of whatever it was, he was finding this stubborn stance to be a little too much at times. "I know this is hard…"

"And I know it too," Angela replied tempering her voice into a calm she didn't feel, "I made the decision to curse a life because I was a selfish bastard and it's because I'm such a selfish bastard that I would rather get Lilith without harming a child."

Sam and Dean both flinched at her use of the term selfish bastard and for different reasons. For Dean it was fresh in his mind about what she said about Gus. For Sam he felt like he was hearing someone else call her that and he didn't like that at all. He never liked it when she degraded herself since he found her to be the most generous person around.

"Well ya better come up with something," Bobby said. Even he was uncomfortable with that label she gave herself.

Angela looked at Bobby and noticed the look. She really did think she had been selfish when she turned Augie and she explained it Dean. She was selfish with the boys calling them hers and she would defend them to the death. The thing was that she would not cross the line at killing a child. She gave a slight expression and replied, "We do the ninja act but our concern is Mr. Rogers and the mailman. Take them out first and we move in. I know it sounds hypocritical so sue me."

"Didn't say nothing," Dean replied. "So we take out the guard and head for the head honcho. What about the others?"

"That's where Bobby's expertise with plumbing comes into play."


Dean stayed low as he approached the point he was to hit to get his target. He glanced at the area near his feet and saw… He figured Angela was right in that it was better that she be the only one to see Cerebus in this state. True he could see it under his normal dog look but man the mutt was one ugly mutt. The thing was he was expecting the three heads thing since Greek legend said that he was supposed to be a three headed mutt but he wasn't sure if he wanted to see it.

The mutt was still following orders and tagging along. Dean was sure that they were going to be spotted before they could do their part. He wasn't going to argue with Angela though. After the adamant way she was about how to gank Lilith and what she called herself. She did have a good plan and he hoped that it would work.

He got to where he was supposed to be and rattled the picket fence. It worked since the go getter postman gave chase. He led him to where Sam was waiting with Ruby's knife and Sam stuck him. Dean made sure the guy didn't make a sound or try to smoke out and waited until the guy was dead. That was one more demon down. Now it was time for Mr. Rogers.

Cerebus helped on that part and actually lured the guy out. Apparently it was strange for a hellhound to appear without his demonic master even if he was in his normal dog mode. Again the demon gave chase and Cerebus led him straight to Sam and Dean and they stuck him too. He also had a nasty bite on the leg from the mutt which served to prevent the demon from leaving.

Sam pulled the knife out and wiped it on his jacket. It as nasty business and he had seen blood and guts from hunts. He had seen Angela kill with Absolution and the thought occurred to him that she had done a similar act but in that deadly calm that he found disturbing. He took a few breaths as Dean dragged the body out of sight and kept an eye out.

Dean finished moving the body and moved forward. He was to the chain link fence when someone pushed him into it hard. The next thing he heard was, "I'd like my knife back please. Or your neck snaps like a chicken bone."

Cerebus started growling and snarling. Dean could hear the threatening tone and knew the mutt was going to charge. It didn't come though because Sam arrived and said, "He doesn't have it. Take it easy."

Dean managed to spit out, "Yeah. Otherwise the mutt will decide you're dog chow."

"You think I'm afraid of a disgrace to hellhounds? You've got another thing coming," Ruby replied. The growls caught her attention and she glared at Cerebus but he refused to back down. "Down boy or I will do worse to you. You pathetic excuse for a hellhound." She sneered as she said it since she didn't think much of him.

Dean took a breath after he had been released. He was a little relieved that the mutt was hovering around. "How the hell did you get out?"

"What you don't know about me could fill a book," Ruby spat back.

"Yeah and what you know about me couldn't fill a quarter of it," Angela's voice came in as she appeared out of the darkness. She looked at Sam and Dean before focusing on Ruby. "I figured you would find a way out. Your kind usually does."

Ruby sneered at Angela when she noticed that Dean was looking at her strangely. She snapped, "What?"

Dean tried to play it off and replied, "Oh. I couldn't see it before but you are one ugly broad."

"Glad I'm not the only one who noticed," Angela deadpanned. "And I saw it the day you came to kill me."

Ruby rolled her eyes. Of course Angela would bring that up. Ruby knew that she wasn't going to win points with her. They just hated each other, plain and simple. "Sam, give me the knife before you hurt yourself."

"You'll get it when this is over," Sam replied.

"It's already over. I gave you a way to save Dean and you shot me down. Now it's too late. He's dead. And I'm not gonna let you die too."

"Nice to see you so concerned, Ruby. I seem to recall you said the same thing to me once when you pestered me about a plan," Angela replied as she crossed her arms. "It ain't over till it's over."

"And I am not gonna let you drag him on your way to perdition. I told you what you needed to do and you won't cross that line. Now give me the knife Sam."

"Try to stop me and I'll kill you bitch," Sam countered.

"Hit me with your best shot, baby," Ruby taunted. She then felt her throat constrict and she started to gag slightly like she was choking.

"That good enough for you," Angela replied as she watched the expression flit across Ruby's face. Her eyes had briefly flickered and were their normal coloring. The gauntlet had been tossed in the ring.

Meanwhile Dean had been paying attention to sounds that his ear caught. He looked back at the others and said, "Guys, guys. Hey. Have your little catfight later." He looked back trying not to notice the fact that Angela had pulled something like a Darth Vader. She must really hate Ruby if she was being as bad as a demon with the mojo.

The other demons had spotted them. They were outnumbered even with Cerebus and his hellhound feistiness. Dean suppressed the urge to shudder at the dozen or so ugly ass faces he was seeing. It was actually terrifying and it wasn't a horror movie. The bad thing was that they had been spotted. "So much for the element of surprise," Dean muttered.

"Go. Run, run, run." Sam pushed Ruby forward and was followed by Dean.

Dean was right behind Sam and assumed that Angela was following them. He knew Cerebus was right beside him. It was like having a guide dog or something like that. The mutt kept pace with him as he ran towards the house that Lilith was holed up in.

The demons gave chase as they ran towards the house. Once they were in front of the house Dean looked around, "What the hell is taking Bobby?"

Sam looked around as he started picking the locks and noticed that Angela wasn't with them. He was sure that she had been right behind them. At least he thought so. Besides, that was part of the plan; that she would be there. "Dean, where's Angie?"

"That's not our problem now. The bitch ran off on ya," Ruby retorted as she looked at the dozen or so demons that were lined up and waiting to attack.

Dean knew that wasn't the case. Angela wouldn't ditch them like that; not after all those times she came and bailed them out and one time was when she wasn't even a hundred percent. She wouldn't bail out on them. The worm Cary would but not her. She was up to something and he could just feel it. He looked at Sam.

Sam was still struggling with the lock. The look on his face and his agitation was making him fumble at something he could do with his eyes closed. "I'm trying," he let out.

The demons ran towards them when suddenly the sprinklers went on. The first demons ran through it or tried to run through it but received the nastiest burns ever. The screams were rather nasty and spine chilling. Dean watched as the smoke rose. Bobby had come through for them.

"Well that would give a rather nasty sting," Angela said as she walked from where she turned on the sprinklers. "Holy water is such a bitch, isn't Ruby?" She gave a pointed look at the demon.

"Yeah and you're a real gloater," Ruby shot back.

"Disappointed that I didn't ditch you?" Angela gazed at the demon in the eye as she walked like she was taking a stroll. They would be safe for now.

She told Bobby that they would need something like boiling oil to keep multiple demons busy. Of course they all knew that she was metaphorically speaking and Bobby got the gist of her plan. She was talking about creating a shield but with something that would be a pain in the ass to demons, which was why she said his expertise with plumbing was needed.

While they were executing the plan, Bobby was busy blessing the water in the main line. Killing the two obvious threats were to be the distraction that Bobby needed to get it done without being spotted. Angela also voiced that it may end up flushing out any other demons that made up Lilith's guard. Still they all agreed to go through with it and it worked. As long as the sprinklers were on, the demons couldn't cross and there were a few other surprises that she had left just in case any one of them got ideas.

Dean knew that Angela didn't ditch them. He assumed that it was Bobby who was going to trip the sprinklers while she, him and Sam went forward with the plan. He said, "Knew that you wouldn't."

"Like I said before a while back," Angela turned to give a look at Dean and a slight nod.

Dean understood what she meant. She told him after the whole thing when they got her back in her body. She would never willingly leave either him or Sam. If she had to, then it would be with great reluctance and only if she had no choice. Something like being on the very last thread, on the very last rope. He nodded back in understanding.

Sam finally got the door unlocked and opened the door. He walked in and was followed in by Ruby. Outside Dean finally realized their safety net and was laughing in a taunting fashion at the demons that were just itching to get in. At least here was one thing that was going well for them as far as the old Winchester luck was concerned. He walked in after making sure that Angela was following them in after the mutt brushed by.

Angela walked up the steps of the porch and placed a hand on the door. She turned to gaze at the demons that were pissed that they couldn't get through. She also looked around behind them at the houses of the once quiet neighborhood that would fit in the land of suburbia. She gave one last look and walked in just as Dean asked if Lilith knew that they were there.

"Probably," she and Ruby said at the same time. They were both pragmatists but they had different ways of viewing the same situation. Angela just looked around and didn't bother to look down at the corpse by the door. They were in Lilith's playhouse now and she was the one who knew the rules to her game. The trick was to play along and predict what she was going to do next. If they could do that, they would have a chance and that was a good thing in her book.


A/N: So the ninja act begins and they hunt for Lilith. Let's see where it goes next time on No Rest for the Weary...