I don't own Supernatural or any of its characters, I only own Jade. I make no monetary profit off of this story.

Author's Note: if you haven't caught on, the point of these chapters while they're trapped in the cabin during all this is to explore how they'll react to reaching their limits with cabin fever. The mood swings, the mistrust, the animosity. Them at their worsts and bests and oddness in between. Partly for the intent of changing things about them and setting stuff up for when the storm lifts and they go into their normal hunting mode, partly because I'm entertained by toying with them like this and it's what my brain wants to do. I really, really, really love exploring characters and how they act in different situations, more so than any other part of a story, I like to challenge myself with this and make them real to whoever reads, so that when the other stuff comes up (action, sex, etc…) that it's more intense and entertaining to read. Just wanted to give y'all some sort of explanation.

SilverShadowWolf46: glad you're liking the story and sticking with it! Thank you for your review, I look forward to your next.

KatieMarrie: it was intended to be humorous in a lot of places, glad you laughed. Thank you for your review, I look forward to your next.

Thedeathberry911: so glad you love it! And yes, Crowley is the sexiest beast to ever grace television. I'm not sure yet what Jade's gonna be doing, I never know til I write it. And I would love to piss Crowley off if it meant make-up sex. Glad you're sticking with the story. Thank you for your review, I look forward to your next.

Twilight Zone

Chapter 10: Piece Of My Heart

After the boys, Cas, and Jade had gotten through their second hand of poker, Crowley's assistant returned and gave the news that she'd passed on his orders to Hell before she vanished again to complete another task. The King of Hell stayed on the other side of the cabin, having long finished that book, a book he'd read a thousand times anyway, he focused his eyes on the fire, feeling an aching to be home, actually missing Hell a little bit. At least his office in Hell, anyway.

He wasn't happy with what he'd done at the table, that he'd actually bowed to Cas's request with the rest of them and opened up like that. He didn't like it one bit. It made him feel alarmingly vulnerable to release that much of what he thought. Crowley was never one for showing you his whole hand, but rather only what he wanted you to believe he had. It was the easiest way to have a trick up your sleeve, to have a few extra plays ready in case things went wrong. In all honesty, it was the only thing that had ensured he'd survived as long as he had, his ability to manipulate and bluff. Especially considering he had a knack for pissing off very powerful beings. The boys knew that list included nearly all of Heaven and Lucifer himself, which was only the tip of the iceberg. He was sure they wouldn't believe him if he tried to name off the rest of the list.

Dwelling on these thoughts, he nearly chuckled as an ironic realization hit him. He liked the Winchesters for several reasons, but now that he thought about himself, he realized what the bottom line, the original reason was. They, at least Dean in certainty, reminded him of "good guy" versions of himself. They consistently pissed off extremely powerful beings, did whatever it took to win a fight, refused to answer to even the highest of archangels, refused to answer to Lucifer, refused the "roles" destiny threw at them during the apocalypse, they played by their own rules and their own rules alone. They were stubborn, defiant, proud (though they didn't see it that way), and never feared their enemy. Of course, they obviously hadn't done even half of the terrible things Crowley had in his lifetime in order to achieve whatever it was he wanted to achieve, but that's why they were the "good guy" versions, wasn't it? They did what was necessary only if it fit their ethics or morals. Crowley didn't have any ethics or morals. Even with the smidgen of humanity he had now, he was still fairly sure that he didn't have any ethics or morals. Those are something learned and instilled through a childhood and lifetime, the sort of thing he obviously hadn't experienced.

Distantly realizing that he was wrapping himself up in his own mind so much that he was getting a headache, he sighed and pulled back out of thought, rubbing his face momentarily then getting out of his chair and walking to a window to look out. He felt a few sets of eyes at the table look at him as he did so but didn't even glance at them. Gaze searching through the snow that was now calmly falling rather than being whipped around by the wind, he blinked in confusion as he saw his hellhound. If he was void of powers currently, he could he see it? Briefly considering turning and mentioning it, or to ask Cas if he could see the hound as well, then decided against it. There was no way he was going to let them all know he could see the hound until he knew what was going on and could make a fully informed decision about it. Giving his beard a brief scratch, he stared out at his loyal dog, wondering what exactly was going on.

He was snapped out of his thoughts yet again as his assistant appeared next to him, causing everyone at the table to look up just as she set a hand urgently on his forearm.

"Sire, I have a lot of sensitive information from Heaven." She said quietly, not intending for anyone else to hear her. He set hand over hers and gave the table a glance to make sure no one was close enough to hear either of them yet.

"They can know. Just not of your next task that we spoke of in private. They cannot know about that until it's been done." He answered quietly.

"Hey! What's going on? She got news?" asked Sam, finding the way they were discussing things by themselves very suspicious, he stood up, intending to walk over if they didn't make their way towards the table. Elise nodded at her King very slightly, a nod that she was sure only he'd notice, which he did before turning to the table.

"Yes, she has news. Relax, Moose." He said, slipping an arm behind her, setting his hand at her low back and leading her to the table. Elise absentmindedly, naturally arched her back with his touch and folded her arms when she reached the table

"Well…what's going? What'd you find out?" asked Dean, laying his hand of cards face down on the table.

"There are battles raging all over Heaven. I was lucky to find a schmuck that was still alive to talk to. Rumor has it that an archangel worked with the warlock Ainfean, then the warlock killed him once the spell was done. No one knows if he cast a spell in Heaven or simply spread lies to pit brothers and sisters against each other but whatever he did, it worked. No one can really remember why they're fighting each other but they continue anyway. He's having them do this because he wants the fighting to spill out of Heaven onto earth. He wants those who survive the fighting to be bitter, violent shells of tainted grace, willing to do his bidding. An angel army under his command." She explained, clear disgust for the warlock on her face.

"They're…slaughtering each other?..." asked Cas, an expression of horror dawning on his innocent features.

"Yes. No civil war, no end game, just bloodlust and blinded rage." She replied with a sigh.

"Why would he want an angel army under his command? Does he want to conquer mankind or…what? What's his reasoning?" asked Sam, wanting to know the motivation.

"No. He doesn't care about mankind." Said Elise.

"Then what? What's he want that kind of a weapon for?" asked Dean.

"To kill my King." She stated, look of disgust and hatred profound on her pretty features before she sighed, glancing at Crowley briefly. All eyebrows went up and all gazes landed on Crowley. Jade found herself gritting her teeth, not cause of Elise this time, but at this information.

"Prick…" Jade muttered, not aware that everyone could hear her, not thinking about it all that much. Crowley heaved a sigh.

"We have…history. He's hated me for a very long time."

"Why? What'd you do?" demanded Sam, not even questioning if Crowley was at fault here, certain of it.

"I technically didn't do anything. He made a deal with me and didn't read the fine print." Retorted Crowley, giving Sam a dirty look. Dean heaved a sigh and rubbed his face.

"So, you screwed him over and now he's flipping everything upside down in revenge?" asked Dean, earning himself an annoyed look from the King.

"No, you dunce, I made a deal with him, a contract was filled out, I gave him the chance to read the fine print, he refused and just signed it. His fault, not mine. I kept my end of the bargain. If anyone did double-crossing, it was him." Argued Crowley, heaving a sigh and calming a bit when Elise set her hand on his arm discretely.

"What was the fine print, then?" demanded Cas, in a much calmer and softer tone than the boys, not wanting the tension to return.

"That if he at any point and time turned the extra powers I granted him against me, for any reason, that I would imprison him. I held up my end, he tried to kill me when he got what he wanted. So, I locked his ass away and buried the key. Obviously, someone let him out." Explained Crowley, raising his eyebrows at everyone.

"Great. So basically there's a psycho, vengeful warlock trying to shatter Heaven so that he can have an angel army hunt you which will basically start a war between Heaven and Hell on earth, with all of humanity in the way as collateral damage. And it's your fault." Said Sam, his tone bitterly sarcastic and angry. Not noticing the dangerous glare that Elise was giving him, being fiercely protective of her king.

"I keep expecting you to get smarter than you are but I forget that Moose don't develop all that well." Retorted Crowley in an exasperated tone, tired of arguing with Sam.

"Who gives a shit about the blame? We need a plan, now we know what he wants and how he's gonna do it. I'd say that's plenty to start planning." Said Dean, waving his hand to stop the both of them from bickering, not agreeing with his brother placing blame on Crowley but not going to say so out loud.

"Dean, if we are to mount an attack against him, I need my powers, my grace. Crowley will also need his powers back or we will pose no chance." Said Cas, looking at his friend. Crowley ignored the two of them and turned to Elise, leaning in to whisper in her ear.

"Go and get him now, take your time, do it right, bring him here when it's finished." He muttered for only her to hear, she nodded and disappeared, causing everyone to look up and stare at Crowley. Jade butted in, preventing another argument about secrets.

"Are you guys completely void of everything? I mean…are you both entirely human?" she asked, partly extremely curious, never having believed such a thing was possible for angels and demons.

"I believe so." Replied Cas, she then turned to Crowley.

"And you?" she asked.

"Ditto." Was all he retorted, earning himself a suspicious gaze from Dean, who clearly noticed Crowley was hiding something. The King waited for the elder Winchester to confront him in front of everyone about it but he didn't, Dean wanting to wait until he could ask him privately.

"We've stopped stuff without your guys' help before, we can do it again." Said Sam, leaning back in his chair.

"Oh, bollocks…not the big stuff, Samantha. Lucifer, leviathan, all the big stuff you had my and/or Castiel's help and you damn well know it. Maybe not in that end fight but you certainly had it to get to that end fight. In fact, if I recall correctly, you and Deano would both be suffering eternity in Hell, dead a long time ago, stayed dead, if not for myself and Cas. Don't be such an arrogant prat." ranted Crowley, clearly offended and annoyed by Sam's statement. Cas quickly jumped in, wanting things to not get hostile again.

"We do not underestimate either of you. We just….I just would feel much better if I was at power and could be your back-up, protect you both, the way I am supposed to." Said Cas, causing both brothers to blink at him. They knew he somewhat considered himself their unofficial guardian angel but he'd never addressed it so openly like that.

"Then we need to start lookin. Old spells, ancient spells, find out what he used and how we can undo it or at least get you two back to full power. I agree, things will be a lot easier with you two as our big guns. Crowley, when your assistant checks in again, have her bring stuff from Hell about ancient spells and whatnot. I'm assuming you have records." Said Dean, looking at him. Crowley blinked at him.

"Yes, we do, altogether they're roughly big enough to fit in all three pyramids of Giza. I don't think that's quite practical, Dean." Replied Crowley.

"Guess not…shit." Sighed Dean, standing from the table and wandering over towards a window, running a hand through his short hair.

"That does not mean we can't still look for things." Said Cas, not liking seeing his friend so stressed, though that seemed to be the common theme these days. Dean opened his mouth to reply then shut it, staring out the window.

"Guys…the snow stopped." He blurted, wondering how long ago it had stopped snowing, staring at the dark, snow covered yard.

"What?" asked Sam, blinking as he walked over to look for himself. Dean left the window and walked to the coat rack, grabbing his coat.

"I'm gonna shovel a path to the Impala." Stated the elder Winchester, eager to do something away from everyone, something that would require exercise. He grabbed the shovel from the closet.

"I can help." Said Sam, looking for the other shovel.

"Don't. I got it. Conspire with these guys." Said Dean, giving Sam a look, the younger brother understanding that Dean wanted time to be alone as he nodded.

"Alright. Have fun." Replied Sam, walking back over to the table as Dean opened the door.

"Oh, your mutt comes at me and I'm hittin it with the shovel, Crowley." Stated Dean, having turned back, looking at him.

"He'll leave you alone, don't get your panties in a bunch." Replied Crowley with a roll of his eyes. Dean walked out, shutting the door behind him and immediately busied himself with the snow on the porch, glad to be able to do this and have time to think in silence.

"I haven't the slightest clue how we are going to accomplish this." Stated Cas, running a hand down his face, feeling the scruff that was beginning to thicken and darken like it had while he was in Purgatory.

"I want a gun." Blurted Jade, looking at Sam.

"What? No. No way. You are staying out of the violence at all costs." Retorted Sam, shaking his head once.

"I can shoot, Sam, Bobby taught me how. I'm not gonna sit on the sidelines while you guys risk your lives. Let me help." She argued.

"No." blurted Crowley in a firm tone, staring at her, not looking at Sam when the Winchester gave him a surprised look. Jade rounded on him.

"Why not?" she demanded.

"Because Moose is right, that's not where you belong. This isn't some paintball or laser tag match or a hunting competition. You will sit on the sidelines, out of harm's way." Retorted Crowley, eyes still on hers, his way of showing he was in charge, something he does to everyone he talks to.

"Like. Hell." She snapped back angrily.

"Enough, please, no more arguing. We can make this decision when it comes to the point where it's time to fight. Until then, I think it would be beneficial for her to have a weapon, for her own safety, should anything go wrong." Said Cas, looking at the two men before him until Sam finally nodded.

"Alright, fair point." He said, pulling a pistol from his coat on the coat rack and bringing it over, setting it in front of her.

"Thank you…." She replied, taking it, swiftly checking if it was loaded and that the safety was on. Sam raised his eyebrows, seeing she wasn't lying, Bobby had taught her.

"Sure. Just don't pull it out unless you absolutely have to." Said Sam, who left the table and opened a cupboard, looking for something to eat.

Crowley opened his mouth to speak then heard something, a howl, but it wasn't the howl of his hound. He looked around for recognition of anyone else noticing it but no one seemed to. Internally debating for a moment, he grabbed his coat and pulled it on.

"Dean doesn't want company." Said Sam, looking at him.

"Too bad. Lover boy and I need to have a chat. He truly wants me back inside and you know he'll make that happen." Retorted Crowley, buttoning his coat then opening the door and stepping out before anyone could object again.

His boots crunched on the thin ice and snow left on the porch, seeing Dean had gotten a surprising amount done already, several feet from the porch. Dean was moving slowly now, had probably gotten too into it to start and now needed to tone it down. Looking around, the King didn't see Growley, which worried him. Crowley went down the porch steps to the walk that Dean was uncovering.

"Releasing all that pesky stress?" asked Crowley, still wary and keeping an open ear. Dean visibly tensed then sighed and stood up fully.

"Til you came out to add to it." He said, turning to look at Crowley.

"Shame, really, that you continue to pretend you hate me." Retorted the King. Dean eyed him for a few moments.

"What says I don't?"

"You haven't killed me. You've had many chances, great chances, chances my enemies would die for. Yet here I stand. Alive and well."

"Maybe you're still useful."

"Maybe I'm one of your very few, still living friends and you just can't bring yourself to admit it because of who I am." Said Crowley, brows raised at Dean, who stared at him for a few moments. He opened his mouth to say something sincere, a partial agreement, then was cut off as they both heard a howl.

"Dammit, man, what's your hellhound's malfunction? Ever since I came out here, he won't shut up." Snapped Dean, a vulnerable part of himself grateful for the interruption. Crowley's brows furrowed then he glanced around warily.

"That's not my hound." He stated simply, causing Dean to blink at him.

"The fuck you mean that's not your hound?"

"I mean, I know my hound's howl, I raised it from a puppy, that was not his howl."

"And let me guess….we're way past go…" said Dean as he gripped the shovel tighter, rehashing something Crowley had said to him long ago, the last time they faced a hellhound together. Crowley started looking around warily, unsure if the hounds would charge him if they sensed his powers were lacking right now. As Crowley turned to the right, Dean stepped out into the deep snow, looking for pawprints in it, ears tuned to listen for it. Dean only got a few steps farther before he felt hot air huffed at him then a growl, right next to him, he froze, knowing a sudden move would make it attack. Crowley heard the growl and turned, seeing the hound in a breath's distance of Dean. He slowly made his way towards it.

"Oi!..." he half shouted to get its attention, causing Dean to look over as well, though both men soon glanced to the other side of Dean where another hound was closing in. Crowley noticed how the first hound snapped its head to the side to look at him and appeared to lower its head slightly in submission, so he took a chance and continued walking towards Dean, eyeing both the hounds as he did so.

"Dean, don't move." He said, still eyeing the hounds, earning himself a confused look from Dean.

"You can see them still?" asked the Winchester, not moving.

"Yes."

"How many are there?"

"Two right here eyeing you like dog treats. Five others keeping their distance for now…" replied Crowley, just now seeing them pacing by the tree line. One of the hounds near them growled at Crowley as he reached Dean and instinctively stood between it and the Winchester. He took a threatening step towards it, as though he was about to hit it, eyes widening slightly when the hound gave a partial whimper and backed off a few steps, now also pacing.

"…Did…you just…scare one away?" asked Dean, extremely confused, remembering hearing Crowley say that he only controlled his own hound.

"Apparently…power lacking or not, they still recognize me as King. That's the thing with hounds, Dean, they don't conspire like demons do. They still see me as their owner, their papa." Replied Crowley, eyeing the other hound until it also backed off, watching them regroup with the others, glancing over to see his own hound on the other side of the yard at the tree line.

"Why are they here? And how the hell can you see them still?" asked Dean, relaxing now that the hounds weren't so close, though he wasn't sure how far away they were so he kept the grip on the shovel tight.

"I'm assuming one of my enemies in Hell is working with Ainfean now. Not really a stretch to believe that. And I have no idea. Maybe power is coming back slowly." Sighed Crowley, he took two steps away from Dean and towards the group of hounds, waving his hand once at them, watching them run off into the woods after he did so. Dean stared as he did this, wishing he could see the hounds.

"They gone?..." he asked, brows furrowed.

"Yep. Just Growley here, now."

"Why didn't your mutt fight those off?"

"Because he's a survivor, like me, knows how to pick his battles. Had they attacked me, he would've attacked them. He's back on guard now." Replied Crowley, turning to look at his hound as it began walking around the yard.

"How'd you know they would listen to you and not tear you apart when you stepped in front of me?" he asked, curious, wondering if there were other things Crowley could still do that he hadn't told him about. The king turned and looked at him.

"I didn't." was his simple reply, steady gaze on Dean's face as shock settled on the man's features. He walked towards him to go around him, patting Dean's arm as he went. The Winchester turned towards him.

"Why, Crowley?" he asked, unable to hold the question in, watching as he turned to face him.

"Because that's what friends do, right? You tell me, Dean, I'm new to this whole smidgen of humanity thing." Retorted Crowley, brows raised at him, feeling he might as well be sincere since they were alone.

"I might be your ally but I'm not your friend." Replied Dean, stubbornly as he stepped over, sighing, feeling bad after saying that and not liking that he felt bad after saying that. Crowley narrowed his gaze at him for a few silent moments, seeing the truth that wasn't being spoken.

"Sure, Squirrel, sure."

Xxxxxx

Hardly two minutes after Crowley had gone outside, Elise returned. Except she didn't return alone. Sam, Jade, and Cas blinked when she suddenly popped back in then all stood up when noticing that she had someone with her. Not long after standing, once they all recognized the person, Sam dropped his glass which shattered on the floor, the only noise in the room for a few moments was the crack of it shattering.

"Where is he?" asked Elise, meaning Crowley, an irritated look on her face.

"He…he is outside. With Dean." Answered Cas, staring at the new guest, who had duct tape over his mouth.

"I'm leaving him here. King's orders. Let him know I'll call to report either later this evening or tomorrow." She said then vanished, the hold on the person she'd brought dropping.

The surly man ripped the duct tape off of his mouth with a growl of annoyance then stared at Sam, Jade, and Cas, not having any idea what to say to them. Watching Sam's look of shock linger, Cas' expression of confusion turn to happiness, and Jade's happy tears. No one spoke for several moments, all too confused and shocked to hear another howl outside, not having a clue that Dean and Crowley were facing hellhounds at the moment. Finally, Sam broke the silence.

"Bobby?..." he asked in a mix of a whisper, a broken voice, confusion, and shock.

**( and there's the big surprise, though I'm sure a lot of you might've guessed it. I couldn't help but add him in. I hope I write him well enough. Thank you guys for reading, I hope you enjoyed it, please leave me a review on your way out)**