Chapter 10

"Let me guess. We're about to have a talk."

That was pretty much the gist of things. At the moment Sam needed to talk as much as he needed to think about things. It was a lot to take in and even after all that… He leaned against the Impala while his brother checked the contents of the trunk. Clearing his throat he began, "Look Dean, um… for the record. I agree with you. About me."

Dean stared at his younger brother. He figured something must have happened in his conversation with Angela to make him come forward like this. Winchester pride and stubbornness needed a hard knock which usually included a harsh revelation and Dean was thinking it was the latter and silently he prayed that Sam would see that she only did what she thought best and that it was for him. He didn't give a damn if what Crowley implied earlier was true.

Sam took in Dean's quiet stance as a means to keep going, "You think I'm too weak to take on Lucifer. Well, so do I."

Dean couldn't help but ask, "Did Angie say something?"

"She has nothing to do with this," Sam countered, "Believe me I know exactly how screwed up I am. You, Bobby, Cas… Angie… I'm the least of any of you."

"What did she say?"

"Dean, leave her out of this," Sam countered.

"I can't Sam, because I know that when she finally tells either of us something that she has kept buried for so long because an asshat like Crowley or Brady says something…" Dean sighed, not wanting to get into a fight. He looked at Sam and continued, "All I'm asking is did she say something that upset you enough to bring this up again? Like saying she would do it?"

"No," Sam protested. He didn't let it get that far but it was clear that she had been beating and hating herself so much over the last few years it was no wonder it was threatening to explode. He knew that if she thought it would make things better, she would remove herself completely from their lives she would even do what she offered to do for Suri, her granddaughter, and that was take away their memory of her. No matter how much it hurt her, she would do it if it would keep them safe and happy. "I didn't let it get that far."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Okay, cause let me tell you something," Dean tempered his gruff tones. Since they were on a confession train, he might as well get his say in. "That girl… thinks the world of you and I don't think I need to tell you how that translates to her feelings. Just…" Dean paused trying to think about what to say that didn't come off like he was picking on Sam. "Just… know that you're the first she cares about in that fashion and it… it scares her. Scares her so much that she's willing to let you believe what a demon says is true to think the worst."

Sam didn't need to be convinced of that. He may be slow on a few things but the more he thought about all that she had done when it hit close to home, his mom, Maddison, and Jess…, the more he saw it for what it was. "I know," he replied softly. "It's why I love her."

Dean blinked, not sure if he heard it right. He looked at his younger brother. "What?"

"It's why I love her Dean," Sam repeated. "That and just other things like making you believe you can do anything even when it's obvious it's a snowballs chance. I love her."

It was a relief to hear that Sam finally admitted it but it had Dean question, "Then why are you bringing this up? Saying yes to the devil?"

"Because I'm all we got in this." Sam looked down a bit as he shifted his position. "If there was another way, and I don't mean Angie doing it… I don't think there is."

"And you just admit your feelings and go off and want to do this? You realize how messed up that sounds?" Dean leaned against the Impala with his arms crossed over his chest. He looked at Sam with a piercing gaze. He didn't get it himself. It made for a bad chick flick and made it bad timing and just overall not fair in this universe.

"I do but… Angie… she stands by me," Sam admitted not quite looking at Dean.

"Angie is agreeing to this?"

"She brought it up. She had been thinking about it for a while," Sam confessed. "And I shot her way down quick. I don't know what else to do but… I just gotta try to do what's got to be done." He swallowed slightly and added, "It… it sucks but I don't think Angie sees another way either, which is why she brought it up. It's something that has to be done and… I'm doing it. For her."

"And… scene."

Dean turned to see Crowley but not before noticing the slight look of panic on Sam's face before it disappeared. It had him wondering how much Crowley did overhear of that conversation and he could understand Sam's panic. For anyone to know that Angela has someone she would do anything for to keep them safe… it was leverage that could screw with them. He knew that was why she was terrified of this whole relationship thing.

Crowley though gave no indication of hearing anything that would be worth his while. If he did, more likely he would keep it until it would prove to be useful to him. Instead, he brought with him a newspaper that he held out to the Winchesters, "There's something you need to see."

Sam narrowed his gaze at the demon. He was concerned that he heard his confession to Dean and what he might do with it. He had enough of the universe screwing with her and he would fight to keep it from happening. Taking the paper, he looked at the article that Crowley pointed at, "Niveus Pharmaceuticals is rushing delivery of its new swine flu vaccine to quote 'stem the tide of the unprecedented outbreak.' Uh, shipments leave Wednesday."

"Niveus Pharmaceuticals. Get it?" Crowley looked at Sam and Dean as they looked at him with blank looks. He sighed in an exasperated tone, "You two are lucky you have your looks."

"He means Brady," Angela's voice broke in. She approached the trio with a slow and deliberate step that was calm. It was anything but since she didn't quite look at Sam. "Brady was VP of distribution, Niveus."

"I'm glad someone remembered," Crowley huffed.

"More like pulled out of a nut skull," Angela countered as she returned the look with a piercing gaze of her own. "And not very original."

By then it was clear that Sam and Dean knew what they both were talking about. Crowley couldn't resist rubbing it in, "Ah there it is. The sound of the abacus clacking. We all caught up now?" He looked directly at Angela as if to taunt her but disappointed that he wasn't getting more of a reaction out of her.

Angela merely looked at the demon. There wasn't a point to trading barbs at this moment. Not when there were other things to worry about and that included whether or not there was anything left. She merely took a deep breath and crossed her arms over her chest and remained silent while Sam reasoned, "So Pestilence was spreading swine flu."

"Yeah, but not just for giggles," Dean pointed out, "That was step one. Step two is the vaccine." He turned to look at Crowley, "And you think…"

"I know. I'll stake my reputation that vaccine is chock full of grade A, farm fresh Croatoan virus," Crowley asserted. He went quiet to let it all sink in.

"Simultaneous, countrywide distribution," Angela let out with a tired sigh.

"They don't get to be horsemen for nothing, love," Crowley countered, looking at her. If he didn't know any better, he'd say that she was admitting defeat. It wasn't like her. "So you boys better stock up on… well, everything. This time next Thursday, we'll all be living in Zombieland."

That was a sobering feeling. Angela stared at Crowley and then sighed, "Well I guess we better come up with a plan to stop this."

"Well you're certainly a bowl of sunshine and daisies," Crowley countered, not liking that she wasn't rising to the bait. "What do you have in mind?"

Angela had started moving towards the shed that was hers. She glanced at Crowley and then at the Winchesters before turning to go inside, not saying a word. She was done talking for now. Right now, they had a virus to stop and it certainly wasn't going to work with her recently acquired mojo that wasn't at a hundred percent in the first place. She walked through the place to a chest where she kept things in storage and pulled out a bag.

She went back outside holding the large duffle in one hand and held it up. "Here's our answer," she said before heading into the house.

Bobby had been sitting in his study looking at nothing in particular until his eyes lighted on a picture that he kept on his desk. It was one of the things that stopped him from putting a bullet in his mouth ever since he had become crippled by the angels. It was a picture of him and Angela when she was a little girl. It was one of those rare moments that he actually smiled. She was smiling too and hugging him around the neck while sitting on his lap.

Those were good times then. Granted it wasn't all fun and games since she had been a little four year old with powers that were scary at times, he had been happy and so was she. He looked at the little face that spoke of trust and love, none of the guarded expressions she wore nowadays and the only way you knew her feelings were her actions. That he felt was her true self, the self she had to hide more to protect herself and it became shot to hell when she got involved with the Winchesters and yet she never regretted her choices. She would suffer the consequences but never once regret her knowing them.

"She means much to you," Castiel's gruff voice entered.

"She's an idjit," Bobby countered in a gruff tone but there was no heat to it.

"Oh I know I am an idjit. I commit stupid even when I scold others for doing the same," Angela agreed as she entered through the kitchen with her duffle. She was followed in by Sam and Dean as she said without preamble, "We've got a problem."

"You mean Pestilence?" Bobby watched as she nodded.

"Yep and we have to stop it." Angela gave a smile that was humorless.

"I don't understand why you seem so happy at this," Castiel commented, looking at her with a puzzled frown.

"Just putting a spin on things," she replied with a grin.

"And just what do you have in mind?" Bobby was certain that she went all crazy train on them since this was like a one eighty from earlier. He was concerned but he saw then through her expression that she was worried but there was a task at hand.

Angela opened her duffle to reveal what was inside, "Oh blowing up Niveus Pharmaceuticals. The distribution warehouse." She paused a moment and then added, "While Dean goes to kill Death."

"Yep, they're loading up hotshots of Croatoan in the trucks," Bobby confirmed as he peered through his binoculars.

They had driven through the night to get to the warehouse. It was a somber road trip with only the slight light note that Bobby had the use of his legs again due to Crowley's 'altruistic' side. Bobby felt good, better than he had in months being able to walk. It certainly opened a lot more they could do. The somber note was the fact that Castiel thought Sam's idea was a good one only that it would require him to drink the one substance he swore off for good. Upon learning the reason why, it was enough to silence everyone in the van for the rest of the trip and it certainly had Sam thinking about his plan of saying yes.

Putting down his binoculars, Bobby looked at Sam and Castiel, "Okay. First truck don't leave for an hour. We get in, plant the C-4 every 25 feet, then we pull the fire alarm."

"Well conceived plan," Angela said from Bobby's window, thoroughly starling him and cussing at her. "But we've got a problem."

Castiel looked through the windshield and pointed, "That truck is leaving."

All three in the van saw the truck leave and Bobby cursed, "Balls!" He took a breath, "Okay new plan…"

"I got it," Angela said as she started fast walking in the direction the departing truck was heading in.

Sam felt his lip twitch slightly as she took off and Bobby cursed. He didn't say anything since it would probably cause the biting off heads. He was confident that she could handle it. She hadn't really let them down before. He didn't say anything when Castiel got out of the van and followed in the direction that Angela had taking. He did answer Bobby's question of where he was going by saying, "Following Angie. She needs his help."

"Idjit."

Angela had tracked the truck without drawing attention. She waited until it came to a complete stop and grabbed the arm of the driver. She gave him a back hand and muttered, "Cas, hit the keypad."

Castiel had followed as she asked him to. He was surprised that he still had that bond between them but wasn't going to question it. If it would gain an advantage, then they would use it. He used the butt end of the sawed off shotgun to smash the keypad and the gate began to close. He looked up as Angela finished tying the driver to the wheel and muttered the exorcism rite to exorcise the demon. "You continue to impress me, Angela."

Angela jumped down when she was done and replied, "Only because I'm just getting started. Get the truck over with the others. I'll go help Sam and Bobby."

"Be careful," Castiel said as he gripped her by the arm. He stared at her intently hoping that she would understand.

Angela looked back at the angel and saw the look in his eyes. She nodded, "I will. But you too Cas. I can't lose you."

Castiel let her go and watched as the tail end of her scarf flapped with the overlay she was wearing. It wasn't just for the Winchesters that he rebelled. It was for her because she was right. He got into the truck to move it to position.

Angela ran to catch up with Sam and Bobby and found that they weren't quiet enough. The doors had been shut so they had to try for the side door. It was locked when Bobby tried the handle. Sam pulled out his gun, prepared to shoot the lock and called out for people to get back. Angela stopped him and walked up to the door and gripped the handle. With the hardest pull she had ever done, she had the door open but a bit askew on its hinges and the handle in her hand.

Tossing the handle aside, she opened the door and started gesturing for the trapped civilians to get out. "Come on. Get out."

She was first inside, bent low but ready to grab her chakram or her sword on her back as she scanned the inside. Sam followed with his gun drawn and Bobby brought up the rear with his rifle. Angela scanned the area and saw the place was stacked high with boxes of Croatoan. And there were blind corners all around meaning ambushes. She took a step forward and cocked her head, grateful they didn't bring the dogs along this time because it was still related to Pestilence.

She moved away from Sam and Bobby and she heard the sounds. Her upper lip curled slightly as she moved forward. She had heard that squishy wet sound plenty of times in all her years of living. Skirting around the corner, she saw them and studied her surroundings. She had an idea and started climbing quickly and quietly.

Sam and Bobby had deposited their bags of C-4 on the ground. The area was too quiet and they both looked to Angela for confirmation if she heard or smelled anything. Not seeing her, Sam bit down the need to curse as he moved forward with his gun drawn and Bobby followed suit with the idea in mind to chew out his favorite idjit for being reckless. They came across a group of civilians only they were not civilians, not anymore at least. They were infected with Croatoan.

The group turned and had Sam and Bobby in their sights. They could tell that they were infected by the eyes. And they were out to kill. Sam raised his pistol and was prepared to shoot. There was a slight pause and Sam and Bobby tensed, prepared to shoot, when all of a sudden none other than Angela dropped in from behind the group and grinned while saying out loud and in a pleasant tone, "Hello there."

The infected ones in the back turned to face Angela and started towards her. She knocked their hands away and pulled out her knife and shoved it into the nearest chest, pulling it out and driving it into another. The others started rushing Sam and Bobby and they opened fire, praying that they wouldn't miss and hit her.

The infected ones were taken down with Angela breaking the neck of the last one. She took a deep breath more to catch her breath and nodded at Bobby and Sam. It was then they heard another civilian calling for help. She turned in the direction it came from and her eyes flared. She started climbing the boxes to get to the top and head in that direction.

On the ground, Sam saw her take off and he heard the cries too. They had to get the civilians out. "There's still people here."

Bobby thought it was too risky to be doing that. It was bad enough that Angela was going off on her own. He didn't want to lose Sam too. "Sam, no."

Sam pulled out his gun and held it ready. He gave Bobby the demon killing knife and said, "Wait here." He pulled up his shotgun and disappeared in the direction that Angela had gone.

Sam rounded a corner and came across an infected. He raised his shotgun to shoot as he was pulling on a girl's leg. He shot it but was taken from behind and fell forward. He grunted from the sudden weight and tried to move to avoid getting bitten or eaten or whatever.

Suddenly the weight was gone and he rolled over to find Angela holding the infected that attacked him in a chokehold. She was gritting her teeth and muttering something in a strange language as she gave a deft twist and there was the crunch of bones. She dropped the body to the ground and held out her hand to Sam, "Still embarrassing me?"

Sam made a slight face as he took her proffered hand and was hauled to his feet. He looked at the civilian and asked, "You okay?"

Angela stood there and looked around. She sniffed the air to get a feel for more and closed her eyes. She pulled the gun she had on her belt and turned and fired a round at the charging infected. She looked at the civilian Sam was helping and noticed the other on the ground. He was just stunned but otherwise okay. She beckoned, "Come on, we gotta go." She hauled the man to his feet and led the way out.

Bobby, in the meantime was nervous since there could be anyone in there. He fired on an infected that came his way and rounded on the group that emerged from another corner. He raised his gun but didn't shoot when he realized that it was Sam and Angela with civilians. He gestured for the civilians to run and they left through the exit that Angela created. He paused when he saw Sam and Angela look at him before readying their weapons to go back in.

Angela led the way just walking through while Sam was ready to fire. She could smell them now mostly because of the blood that had been spilt. She ignored the coppery scent and focused on what she needed. She pointed her pistol at her three o'clock and fired, killing an infected. She called out, "Six o'clock."

Sam wheeled around and saw an infected coming at them and fired. He readied his shotgun to fire again. "You got the scent?"

"Yes," she replied as she paused and looked around a corner. She listened and heard grunts and pleas. More civilians needing help. "This way," she gestured.

Sam stuck to the business end of things. True he thought she was being a little reckless but she wasn't compromising anyone's safety. Except maybe her own and that had him worried. Still he trusted her to see them both through this maze of blind corners and navigate to where the civilians were trapped to get them out.

Angela led the way calling out where there were infected ones. It was reminiscent from performing tactical maneuvers with teams like SWAT or the military. She had taught the method to Sam and Dean so they knew how to respond to the clock when she called out a bogey. It was also a means of staying focused. Exfil was a thing she was really good at and she had many more successes at those than most people could claim and she wasn't motivated for it by money or orders.

Rounding another corner, she spotted the trapped civilians and gestured at them. Sam nodded and moved to circle around. There were at least three and probably a few more in hiding. It was quick work getting those three down and one came out in a surprise attack. Angela reacted by bringing up her leg and delivered a kick to the gut that had the infected flipping over her leg and landing on the ground. She pulled her gun and gave a kill shot to the head. She looked up when another shot rang out and a bullet whizzed past her head to hit an infected that had come from behind. She saw Sam looking like he might have hit her but he held a strong stance. She nodded in thanks and went to help the last of the civilians.

They made it back to where Bobby was. Now the only thing that was left was to plant the C-4 and detonate. It was easier said than done when an infected tackled Sam to the ground and tried to choke him. Bobby had his rifle up but was on empty while Angela had been attacked from behind. Her gun flew out of her hand and the infected was pinning her down. All she saw was he infected trying to kill Sam and that got her moving, reaching for her gun while the infected tried to strangle her but she was making it difficult.

Angela reached out and felt the handle of her gun with her fingertips. She grunted trying to reach it and she could hear Sam choking. She then heard a shot and the spattering of brains. She grabbed her gun and twisted firing into the infected and he collapsed on top of her and she pushed the body off and rolled over to see Castiel holding his shotgun and looking at it. She couldn't help but shake her head with a slight grin as she pushed herself to her feet. "Nice shooting Tex."

Castiel looked at Angela with a puzzled expression, "I don't understand that reference."

"Don't try," Angela replied as she patted the angel on the shoulder. She reached down to offer Sam a hand up. "Just humor me."

"Can we commit our act of domestic terrorism already?" Bobby groused at the three of them, relieved that Sam was okay and annoyed that Angela was being cheerful about it.

"Sure," Angela replied taking deep breaths. She patted Bobby on the shoulder, "And when we're done I'll get you a nice bottle of the good stuff." She then walked over towards the bags and started pulling out the blocks of C-4 that she had prepped.

A/N: Sam and Dean have a brotherly talk and learn that Croatoan is going to be spread. Angie and Sam go with Bobby and Cas to stop it. Stay tuned for the conclusion of Dancing with the Devil...