Chapter 10

"Smooth," Angela said after Dean punched out the guy.

As they were making their way through the house, they were snuck upon by the girl's father. Dean was the first to grab him and reassure him that they were not there to hurt him and to be quiet. The guy was receptive to the fact that they were there to help him and told them where Lilith was. Angela glanced up at the ceiling of the second floor.

This was it. They were almost there and she could see for herself if she could save Dean. She then looked down at Cerebus who was smart enough not to make any sounds since he was still in his hellhound mode. She knew that he would do his duty and protect Dean and if necessary, he would die trying. One more of her following that would do what she said no matter what.

Dean was telling the guy to go down to the basement and put a line of salt along the door when the guy refused to go without his wife. Dean said yes but it was apparent that it was going to be a problem so he slugged the guy and punched the lights out. Dean shot a look when she commented and replied, "Well excuse me but I don't know that finger trick you do to knock someone out."

Ruby made a slight snorting sound. So there was an easier way to do this? She shot a look at Angela and muttered, "Something else you didn't bother to mention?"

"Bite me bitch. Like you could do it," Angela retorted in a heated whisper as she opened the door to the basement to give Dean a hand. She looked at Sam and gave a slight nod, trusting him to do what he had to. She realized that maybe the thin line would have to be crossed but there was a hope she could cling to that Sam would use what she slipped into both his and Dean's jacket pockets after showing them.

Sam caught Angela's gaze. He couldn't make any promises but he nodded that he understood. He started quietly towards the stairs holding the knife like it was Absolution or Orion. He had to admit that the idea she suggested could work if either he or Dean got close enough to do what she showed them. It was like she said, there was convention and innovation.

It was strange that she wasn't doing it herself but she explained that Lilith already had a good whiff of her. The bitch would know if she was standing within the same room even if she was able to ninja her way that close. Sam thought she could do that since he had seen what she could do. Even he couldn't see her when she went scouting throughout the neighborhood. She even laid out the path before taking off and they still couldn't spot her. She was that good.

She was good enough to kill Ruby and she almost did twice now. First it was the mind thing and then the Darth Vader pinch thing… well it wasn't exactly like that but it still achieved the desired effect. Sam had noticed that the closer they got to the goal, the inhibitions that Angela was so adamant about keeping, were fading. Twice she lashed out in a killing or trying to kill Ruby. The way she looked at the scene like a general would in a battle… Then there were the disappearances, like she was going to set up a plan or something. It was like she was convincing herself that it was no holds barred or something.

There was one restriction that she was maintaining and even Sam could see that it was faltering. Using the knife to kill the girl… Ruby would say that using alternative means would be the plan with the higher body count. Sam knew though that it was more likely Angela's soft spot for children that was holding her back. It never occurred to him that she might have been in his position before and had made a decision that haunted her and prompted her to try harder. He made his way up the stairs towards the girl's room slowly with the knife.

Meanwhile, Angela was helping Dean with the salt and making sure the guy was comfortable. She was outing a lot of trust in Sam to do what he had to do. She wasn't for killing a child but she knew that if there was no other way, then it had to be done. It reminded her of another time she was in a similar position and in the end she ended up killing the boy and since then… It was why she worked so hard for the alternative means.

Part of it was part of that desire to prove mostly to herself that she wasn't a monster. It came across as being unreasonably stubborn but how could the boys understand where she was coming from? Part of that was that she really didn't tell them everything about herself. Bobby knew hints of it and didn't put up too much of a protest when she insisted upon other means of getting rid of Lilith. This was really hard since it involved a child and the boys knew that she had a soft spot for them. They had eyes and could see.

"Everything okay?" Angela looked at Dean's handiwork. She motioned for Cerebus to get across the line before Dean finished.

"Guy's probably gonna have a headache when he wakes up," Dean replied.

"Well better alive with a headache."

"Tell me about it," Dean muttered as he finished lining the door with salt. Looking at Angela, he wasn't sure if he should talk about it now but since it involved his contract, he might as well. "Angie, about your idea for snagging my contract, how do you know it's gonna work?"

"I don't but it's worth a try. It's all in the wording." Angela was past being evasive on it. She might as well lay it out on the line for Dean.

"What if there's the slightest chance that you nabbing in could be considered welching?"

Angela looked at the look Dean was giving her. So apparently someone had been talking to Dean too. Whoever it was she knew it wasn't Gabriel. As much as he liked the Winchesters in his twisted way, he wouldn't bother talking to Dean. It didn't matter though. She replied, "It would have to be worded in the contract and it is a fine line. I have broker's rights so I can hold a contract and make a deal."

"So there is the chance that the deal could be off?"

"It would have to take some fancy manipulation on Lilith's part but it is very difficult to do. Often it takes really drastic measures to change it like that. If Lilith is what she says she is, she loves her skin and won't attempt it." Angela looked at Dean and studied his face. "There is a chance that it could be considered welching if she made the change like that."

Dean considered her words. This was a catch-22 situation. If it wasn't a welch, there was a chance that he could get out of it. If it was, then Sam would die. He knew he couldn't take that chance. The thing was, would she be willing to take that chance with Sam's life? "What are you gonna do?"

Angela sighed. She wasn't willing to risk Sam's life, her personal bias aside. Neither was she willing to risk Dean's life either. She was in between a rock and a hard place. It was just a matter of luck that she had a couple ideas she pulled out of her ass for the occasion. She replied, "I don't want to risk either of your lives."

"Then don't do it. I know how you feel about the Rose."

"Dean."

"No buts about it Angie. I know how you feel and I was there the first time." Dean looked at Angela with that determined look of his. As much as he would like to be out of this deal, he would much rather stop Lilith before she made life hell for some other poor soul. "Rule number one is first. Not your version but mine. Mine is first this time around. You get me?" He looked at her to make sure she got it and he had to be strong in order not to fall for the eyes.

"I do Dean but you mean a lot to me too. I may have Sam topside but not you," Angela replied aware that it sounded like a really bad romance novel. The truth was she wanted them both alive and kicking. She loved them both but differently yet it was regarded differently by her. Mainly it was because of the fact that she could outlive them both. She knew the fragility of life better than they could.

"I know Angie but remember the goal? We still look after each other but we stop being martyrs about it. Even you agreed to that or are you applying double standards again?"

Angela sighed. She was doing it again. She was applying double standards again. "You're right, I am."

"Angie, you're not just some commodity or whatever the hell it is called. You're family and that means if you did something stupid and you died Sam and me would be devastated. Well we were when you did die and don't argue semantics with me. The point is that you need to be smart about this too. You are trying in regards to the girl Lilith is riding."

"That is because I don't like it when children are used and discarded like trash."

"Yeah right. I know you have a thing about kids," Dean countered as they walked up the stairs to the main floor. "Don't risk it Angie. Just watch out for Sam."

Angela looked at Dean and replied, "I get it. Rule number one. That won't stop me though from determining if there is the chance or not."

Dean looked at Angela with a frown. "What do you mean?"

"An idea I pulled out of my ass. There is a way to find out if changes had been made. I just looked it up before we started this plan."

"Nice timing," Dean nodded in sarcasm.

"Bite me."

"Right like I want fangs," Dean replied teasing her. He paused and looked up at the ceiling of the first floor.

Angela looked up too and then looked at Cerebus. He was sniffing the air. Something was up. She could smell demon scent but nothing was sitting right with her. She muttered to Dean to finish the joke, "You'd look good in my kind of fangs." She motioned towards the stairs.

"Well I hate to be I told you so," Ruby muttered as she and Sam passed Dean and Angela as they made sure the mom and girl were safe in the basement.

"All right Ruby, where is she?"

"I don't know."

"Well can she get pass the sprinklers?"

"At her pay grade, she's not sweating holy water Sam," Angela said as she followed in while looking around. She glanced at her watch and noted the time. Damn.

It was a moment of desperation and Sam pointedly ignored looking at Angela and looked at Ruby saying, "Okay, you win. What do I have to do? To save Dean. What do you need me to do?"

Dean overheard and demanded, "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"Shut up," Sam replied. "Ruby."

"You had your chance. The only chance you have now is the little goody two shoe over there that doesn't do anything unless she throws a temper tantrum," Ruby replied like they were idiots as she motioned in Angela's direction. "You can't just flip a switch. We needed time. Blood bitch over there can it's just that she chooses not to."

"I did when I wanted to choke your ass," Angela replied in a low voice that held the bare hint of a warning.

"Well there's gotta be something, some way. Whatever it is, I'll do it," Sam countered. He rounded on his brother when he grabbed him. "Don't Dean. I'm not gonna let you go to hell."

"And I won't either," Angela replied out loud. "Not if I can help it and if there is a chance." She looked pissed but she shot a look at Dean and he understood.

Dean knew what she told him but he wasn't going to let her take that risk. She would have to get close to Lilith and that meant the possibility of death. He couldn't hit Sam with a double whammy like that. He said, "Yes you are. You both are. I'm sorry. I mean, this was all my fault. I know that. But what you're doing is not gonna save me and what you want to do Angie won't save me. It's only gonna kill you."

Angela took in the look that Dean was giving her. He was telling her no but she had one extra trump card. She looked at Sam and saw the tears threaten as he asked, "Then what am I supposed to do?"

Dean looked at his huge little brother and felt his throat convulse with emotion. He could see the hurt and anger and helplessness that was filled in Sam's eyes. He didn't have to look at Angela. He knew she was the strong one of the group and even if she didn't show that much emotion, she felt it. Finding his voice he said, "Keep fighting. Take care of my wheels. Sam, remember what Dad taught you. Okay?"

Sam couldn't speak. The emotions were barely being kept in as he looked at Dean. He nodded that he heard his brother.

"And remember what I taught you and talked to you about." Dean made a slight motion with his eyes towards Angela.

Sam didn't nod but gave a slight smile as the tears were near the breaking point. He could do what Dean asked. He would remember because Dean was his brother. He was the best big brother he was ever going to have.

Dean knew that Sam would listen to him. He smiled to reassure his brother and he looked at Angela. She would do what he said and he didn't make her promise. He wasn't like Dad in that regards and he knew she would do it because of what she felt for Sam. He looked in the direction of the clock as it started tolling the hour and felt Cerebus nudge his leg. He wasn't going to be alone.

"I'm sorry Dean," Ruby said as the clock struck midnight. "I wouldn't wish this upon my worst enemy."

That's a first, Angela thought as she heard the final stroke. She put her hand into her jacket pocket and pulled out the fist. She controlled her breathing as best as she could even though she felt the need to cry and the tears were ready to pour. She could see them in Sam's eyes and she wouldn't blame him.

Suddenly Cerebus started growling low. Dean glanced down and the sight he saw… it was horrible. He followed the gaze of the mutt to what he was growling at. "Hellhound. There." He pointed slightly just as Cerebus started growling and snarling louder.

Angela looked and saw the hellhound. It was puny compared to Cerebus but just as deadly. It was also one ugly son of a bitch even though Cerebus was rearing his three heads right now and she was partial to him. She moved slowly to get a good look. She said, "Cerebus…" She then noticed the hellhound coming closer. She then shouted her command in the language she trained him in while at the same time pushing everyone to run.

Dean took off and was followed by Ruby and Sam. He cast a look at Angela and asked, "Cerebus?"

"He'll buy us time," was all that Angela shouted. She knew he would give that hellhound a run for his money. "Trust me."

Dean was willing to believe that as he ran into what appeared to be a study. Sam and Ruby shut the doors and with Angela's help, they held it as the two fighting hellhounds beat against the door. There was crashed and bangs along with snarling and Dean didn't want to see what was happening as he opened the bag of that black dust to keep the hellhounds at bay. He laid the line down and heard Cerebus moan in pain as he finished. He then rushed to make sure the windows had a line too since the banging stopped.

Ruby looked at Sam and said, "Give me the knife. Maybe I can fight it off. Come on. That dust won't last forever and the hell mutt you brought is finished."

"Sam don't," Angela said.

Dean looked. He knew what Angela knew. That wasn't Ruby. "Wait. Sam, that's not Ruby."

The next thing that happened was Sam being pinned to the wall and Dean being pinned to the table. Ruby missed Angela at first but gave a hard punch. Dean asked, "So how long have you been in her?" He grunted as he tried to resist being pinned to the table he was on. He knew he was dead meat the longer he stayed there.

"Not long," fake Ruby now Lilith replied as she cracked her neck, getting used to her body. "But I like it. It's all grown up and pretty."

"Still a little girl at heart right queen bitch?" Angela stood up from where she had been thrown. "I couldn't smell it before since you all smell alike at some point except for Ruby."

Lilith looked at Angela and grinned. She liked Absolution and how she managed to thwart her on her plans to capture her. "You really are a specimen Absolution. And so very pretty. It's too bad I can't have your body."

Angela stood there and narrowed her eyes slightly at Lilith. Here was yet another who wanted her for whatever purpose. It was same every damn time. Finally she said, "You wouldn't be able to wear it to the prom with the same flourish." Her hand was clenched in a fist. "So what did you do with Ruby?"

"She was a very bad girl. So I sent her far, far away."

"That's reassuring." It was a flash that Angela moved and headed straight towards Lilith. She grappled and muttered something before releasing Lilith. She waited but nothing happened.

Lilith looked at Angela. "Did you just try to use a verification spell on me?"

"And idea that was pulled out of my ass," Angela replied.

"Big mistake," Lilith replied with narrowed eyes. She motioned with her hand and there was a sickening crack as the body flew across the room.

Sam and Dean watched as the limp form of Angela landed with a crash and remained there. Both shouted, "No!"

Lilith looked at them with a grin on her face. "Too bad. I really wanted Absolution's power but because she wants what she can't have and tried to mark me… If you must know puppy chow, I didn't change anything."

Dean realized what Lilith was saying. The bitch knew that Angela would be going after the deal. His girl never stood a chance and now she was dead. He heard the sickening crack of the neck snapping. He watched as Lilith turned her attention to Sam and she said, "Hello, Sam. I've wanted to meet you for a very long time."

Sam was oscillating between the shock of seeing Angela meet her death and the scared and angry feelings of being in the position he was in. It was disgusting when Lilith reached for him and gave him a kiss.

"Your lips are soft."

Sam resisted the urge to spit. It was disgusting. "All right, so you have me. Let my brother go."

Lilith was amused by the whole situation. "Silly goose. You want a bargain, you have to have something that I want." She tsked Sam and gave a coy look. "You don't."

Dean knew the situation was hopeless. He still had to try and keep Sam alive. "So this a part of your big plan huh? Drag me to hell, kill Sam, and then what? Become queen bitch?"

Lilith sneered at Dean and replied, "I don't have to answer to puppy chow."

"But you do have to answer to me."

Three pairs of eyes turned to the corner where they met a pair of glowing orbs. Out of the shadows came Angela and she was holding Absolution out and pointed at Lilith. She inched her way forward with her eyes focused on Lilith.

Lilith looked at Angela. "Impossible. I killed you."

Angela glanced over at where her body lay. It disappeared in a shimmer. She looked at Lilith and replied, "Wonderful thing on the fly doppelgangers and projections are. And it's so simple too." She narrowed her eyes in playful jest. She knew that there would have to be explanations later but that was later. "So you thought to kill me. Why couldn't you just tell your pets that were after me to do it?"

Lilith was still in shock that she had been outmaneuvered by Absolution. She managed to compose herself and reply, "Well I could have just had you killed but there is something about you that I just like. That and you have something that I want but you have to be alive."

"That's a first. Most just want to kill me and then take what they want," Angela replied with a slight look. "So now that we are here, why not talk about it? Something you want for something I want."

Dean looked at the situation. Did Angela just say what he thought she just said? A look at Sam told him his brother was thinking the same thing. She better not be thinking of a damn deal. He hissed, "Angie." He struggled as he said it as if trying to get free would enable him to stop her from making the biggest mistake of her life.

Lilith looked on in pleasure at Angela. "Well you are very pretty and you have what I want but I don't think that it's enough to trade for what you want."

"A pity then," Angela replied. She then threw what was in her hand at Lilith and started saying the transfer incantation.

Lilith was pissed when the sigil hit her right on the mark. She glared at Angela and replied, "Do you think to steal the contract from me? For that…" She flung her hand forward to try and pin Angela to the wall.

Angela was in the middle of the incantation when Lilith made her move. She had to defend herself if she was to finish it. With her adrenaline up, she countered by putting her ability full force. Hers and Lilith's hit at the same time and it was like pushing on a wall. Each put their will behind it.

To Sam and Dean, it was like watching Star Wars or something. Sam coined it as Newton's law in motion. When two forces of equal force interact, there was an equal and opposite reaction. That occurred when Angela was flung to the side from the force next to Sam and pinned. Her nose was bleeding from the strain.

"Nice try," Lilith replied as she walked towards the door. In a sing song tone, she said, "Sic em boy," and opened the door.

At that moment, Angela shouted for Cerebus. The door was let open and the hellhound that was Lilith's bitch made it in. On its heels was Cerebus and it grabbed her bitch's leg and there was groan of pain. That was short when Cerebus was flung and broken wood impaled him. It wasn't the thing to kill him but it would put him out of commission for a time.

Angela and Sam screamed for Lilith to stop while she was laughing as her bitch tore into Dean. They listened to Dean's agonized screams as he bled out. Sam cried out no as Angela looked at Lilith. She knew what was next and the bitch wasn't going to have it. Her rage boiled and she glared with her glowing orbs at full intensity at Lilith as she let loose the flash of light that she knew so well.

A/N: NO! Dean became puppy chow for the hellhound and now Lilith wants to kill both Sam and Angie. Find out more on No Rest for the Weary...