Chapter 11

Crowley

Dean went to a Gas N' Sip to pick up the rest of the items they needed for the Summoning, and he figured a blacksmith-type-God might appreciate Jack Daniels better than wine, so he picked up two bottles of it along with a bunch of hot wings. After he paid for everything, he stowed it all in the car and got in himself, putting the key into the ignition.

The first thing he was going to do was contact Cas. There was so much he had kept from Dean, and it wasn't like him. It made Dean feel hurt and frustrated. Sam kept secrets from him, that was a given. Brothers lied about things but Cas wasn't supposed to. He was supposed to be…his Angel.

Ugh. Fuck this. I need to call him.

He had him on speed dial, and waited for him to pick up.

It rang once.

Twice.

Three times.

"What."

That wasn't the way he usually said hello. "I need to talk to you, Cas."

"I'm a little busy."

Dean's stomach churned. He felt like some chick calling up their boyfriend. "Cas, please."

Cas sighed on the other line and heard him walk away. "What is it, Dean?"

He sounds annoyed. "Sam told me a lot. A lot that you didn't."

There wasn't an answer.

"Why didn't you?"

"Because it's not up to you to clean my messes, Dean. You've already done that enough. Cassandra is another mess. I failed her once, and it ended her life. Now that she's back to me, I'm not exactly eager to risk her life again."

Huh? "How would she be risking her life?"

There was a pause. "What did Sam tell you?"

"He said that there was Enochian on the back of the watch, and that it's made of the same kind of metal that's used to make Angel blades. Two huge chunks of information that you failed to tell me when you called. Why?"

Castiel sighed. "Your brother and I had a very heated dispute. Those details slipped my mind because I was overcome with my frustration. I apologize, Dean. I should've told you."

There was the Cas he knew. "It's okay. It was just...weird. You usually tell me things like that. Did you catch what it said on the watch?"

"Yes, Sam helped me read it."

Goddammit Sam. "Well, what does it say?"

"Information concerning Cassandra, which I'm not going to tell you."

Wait, what the hell? Like what? "Why?! Cas-"

"Like I said, this is my mess to clean up. Just let me handle it. I really have to go Dean."

"Cas-" Dean couldn't think of anything to say, but he just needed…he wanted Cas to be next to him. I miss you.

"Yes, Dean?"

Dean took a deep breath, and as he breathed out he lost his energy. "I hope you're okay, whatever it is you're in the middle of."

Cas didn't respond at first. "Something is wrong."

Yeah damn right something's wrong. I want to see you, you're keeping secrets from me, I don't know where you are and you won't tell me, and you're not acting like your usual self. Ever since Cassandra came into the picture you've been emotional, distant, and I haven't seen you since you left the Bunker after her outburst. "It's been a while."

That's it, you said it, now stop talking.

Castiel didn't answer for an unbearably long five seconds but then finally said, "You miss me."

Dean didn't answer.

And all of a sudden everything was weighing on him at once.

Cas keeping secrets. Sam keeping secrets. Worrying about how they were going to gank Abaddon, the souls being unable to pass on, the Angels walking around the earth stirring up chaos and mayhem, Kevin, the newfound worry for Cassandra's safety, and most of all the one word that was just the icing on the cake.

Castiel.

Worrying about him.

His safety.

And deep down worried if…he's with…someone.

"Where are you."

Shit, he wants to poof himself into my car.

"Dean? I'll come to you."

"It's fine."

"No, it's not fine. I can hear in your voice that you are unwell. Tell me where you are, Dean."

"I'm unwell because the one person in my life who isn't supposed to keep secrets from me is doing just that, and dammit Cas you know I'd help you! Why isn't Cassandra something we can fix together?"

"Dean, where-"

Fuck it. Dean hung up. Son of a bitch.

He threw the phone down and banged his hand against the steering wheel, breathing hard with anxiety.

"Trouble in Paradise?"

Dean jumped and immediately drew his gun, pointing at the source of the noise.

There in is his black tailored suit and scruff was the ever annoying, King of Hell.

Crowley.

"Dammit, Crowley, I told you that the next time I saw you-"

"-Yeah, yeah, you'd kill me. I love you too. Any who, that's all in the past, anyway, isn't it?"

"How long have you been in here?!'

"I just caught the bit where you were whining how "He used to call you on his cellphooone" and now he doesn't." Crowley crossed his legs and wore a sly smile on his face, knowing he struck a nerve.

Fuckin' A, Crowley. Dean gave him a death glare. He was so not in the mood for his annoyingly witty demeanor right now. "What the hell do you want?!"

"Well jeez, if I'd know I would be caught in the middle of a lovers' quarrel I wouldn't've popped in, but it appeared that you were just stocking up for a game night with the guys," he glanced at the alcohol and hot wings.

Dean glared at Crowley, but didn't say a word. The last thing I need is the King of Hell knowing about an Angel who doesn't have access to her powers. "That is what I'm doing," he lied.

Crowley's expression changed to one of surprise. "Oh, it is something important. You wouldn't be this uptight and defensive if it wasn't. So what's scheduled tonight for channel Winchester? Because I have a request."

"First of all, hell no. Second of all…hell, no." Dean's gaze didn't waver.

"Oh come on Dean, stop looking at me like that…you know what it does to me," he smirked.

Ugh. "I'm busy. Get lost."

"I was just going to ask for a look into the Winchester Archives."

"Why?"

"I know how to destroy Abaddon."

Fuck. "The Knights of Hell aren't exactly the dying kind. She is a big issue but right now I'm in the middle of something."

Crowley practically convulsed. "I know what we need to kill her. So what on earth could possibly be more important than killing the last knight of hell?!"

Dean didn't answer.

"Oh, my. Well you're not going to keep Daddy in suspense, are you? You've piqued my interest."

You know what, Cas? You don't' want to tell me anything, fine. I'll just find out on my own. "You know how to read Enochian, right?"

"Hmm." Crowley became thoughtful. "I'm better at speaking it than reading it but yes. Why, you got some kind of spell to make a certain Angel hot for you and want to put it into use?"

Dean grimaced, his voice coming out harsh. "None of your business why, I just need you to read something."

"Ha, yes. What's with all the secrets? I told you why I need your help. Hey, wait a minute," Crowley grinned. "How about an exchange of information? Plain and simple. You help me, I help you…it could even be fun."

I hate working with demons, especially freakin' Crowley. "To anyone else, I'd say yes. But the thing is…you're the King of screwing us over."

"Well, to be technical, you kind of owe me. If it weren't for me, your brother would still be Gadreel's play thing. I helped you, Dean."

I want to trust you Cas, but dammit all you've pushed me to my limit. "What do you want?" he said it in a tone less harsh, but he didn't put the gun down.

"Is that thing really necessary? First of all, you know it won't kill me. Secondly, if we're going to be business partners we need to be professional about it. Stow away your toy for now, Squirrel," he winked. "You can take it out for me later."

Dean reluctantly put the gun under his seat and started driving.

"Talk," Dean commanded.

"Oh, we're skipping formalities? I was going to ask what's going on with you and Giraffe."

Dean flushed out of reflex, and hated himself for it. "How much did you hear?"

Crowley snickered. "Not much, but since you keep asking me that it must've been juicy. I really wish you two would just bang each other and get it out of your systems, its exasperating for the rest of us onlookers to endure."

Dean gritted his teeth. "So what do you want to know, anyway?"

"Well, first of all, who's Cassandra, and what needs fixing?"

Dammit, he heard me say her name. "No one. Why are you here?"

Crowley frowned, annoyed at being kept in the dark, but continued on. "Fine, straight to business. The weapon that the archangels used to kill the Knights of Hell is called the First Blade."

"Never heard of it."

"I've been chasing that blade for decades. The closest I got to it was when one of my droogs, Smitty, caught wind of a protégé demon of Abaddon's who claimed knowledge of the blade. Sadly, before Smitty could nab the guy, a hunter by the name of John Winchester nabbed the protégé."

"Okay, so?"

"I'm here to see if there's anything in the John Winchester Memorial Library that might lead us to the first blade…to killing Abaddon."

"Well, that's fine and dandy except for a few things. One, that means working with you, two, my dad's journal is back at the bunker, and three, how do I know this isn't a trap?"

Crowley grinned. "You don't. That's what makes it fun."

"I don't have time for fun. So give it to me straight. Is this going to end up with me in a body bag?"

Crowley paused for a minute. "Well, Squirrel, since we're being honest with each other…no, it won't. Now…speaking of honesty…"

Dean sighed. "The thing is I can't tell you why I need your help because I don't know. There's a bunch of Enochian on the back of this watch and we don't know what it says."

"Ah. So…since the spat with Angelboy, getting his help is out of the question."

"He knows what it says but he won't tell me."

"Well, that's a first, isn't it? Giraffe keeping secrets from his pet. Now I see why you've got your panties in a twist." Crowley nodded. "Well, fine. If you help me, I'll help you. Is that simple enough for you to wrap your head around, or do I have to dumb it down for Squirrel?"

Dean scowled. "I'm heading back to the bunker. You're staying in the car, I'm coming back out with the watch and Dad's journal, you translate what's on the watch and then I'll see if Dad mentioned anything about the First Blade."

"How do I know you're going to give me what I want?"

Dean smiled for the first time since Crowley got in the car. "You don't. That's what makes it fun."

"Touché."

Suddenly Dean's phone went off again.

The caller I.D. was Sam.

Dean answered. "Hey Sammy, I'm almost back."

"Okay, great. What'd you get?" he sounded out of breath.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, why?"

"You're breathing hard like-" Oh. "Son of a bitch, I'm gone for fifteen minutes-"

" - Dean, nothing happened."

"Yeah, okay I thought maybe you could keep it in your pants until I got back-"

"-DEAN! THERE IS SOMETHING STUCK TO MY SHOE!"

Oh. Sam probably put Dean on Speaker. Ha. Oh, that just made it more fun. "So do I. Did you mice have fun while the cat went out for booze and wings?" Dean grinned.

Oh my Goodness, a feminine voice said in the background. Ha. Cassandra. She was probably mortified.

Crowley shot dean a conspiratory look but he ignored him.

"Wait, your shoe?"

"Yeah, not that big of a deal just don't bring up Cas." There. I could be talking about Castiel but now Sam knows I mean Cassandra. And Crowley thinks I mean don't talk about Castiel because he and I had an argument.

"You got a Greek God Beer and Buffalo wings? Dean-"

"Relax, I got Jack Daniels, he'll appreciate it. I'll be there in five minutes. Find the summoning spell."

"Already did. Just get here and pray this works."

"Yeup. Also, the Enochian issue has been resolved."

"Oh. You got Castiel to change his mind?"

Dean hesitated. "Yeah, he and I talked."

"Figures. Did he tell you the ingredients?"

I fucking knew it. He was hiding something. "No, he didn't Sammy. Ingredients for what? Cuz last time I heard you didn't know anything because Cas wouldn't tell you."

There was silence.

"Oh, you are definitely in Funky Town. In fact you've got fucking reservations! Two minutes, and you've got a hell of a lot of explaining to do." Dean hung up. "Son of a bitch."

Crowley sighed. "I could feel the brotherly love from over here. The Enochian is a spell?"

"Yeah, but I don't know for what. Sam knew what it was the whole time, but apparently Cas didn't give him details. I'm so sick of all this deception crap."

"Yeah. It's really sad to know the only person who's been honest with you today is the King of Hell."

"Don't fucking remind me."

Dean pulled up in front of the Men of Letters Headquarters. "Wait here."

Crowley nodded. "Just try to keep the length of your upcoming hissy fit to a minimum, I'm not the most patient person in the world."

"You're not even a person," Dean countered, but he grabbed the food and whisky, heading down the steps of the bunker.

When he got inside, Sam was pacing and Cassandra wasn't in sight. He looked up at the sound of the door opening.

"What the hell, Sam?!"

"Dean, we'll talk, just-"

" - No. Now. What does it say on the watch?!"

"I don't know! Cas didn't tell me the translation. He just told me it was a spell and what the spell was for."

"Where's Cassandra?!"

"Bathroom. Look, I'll tell you but it can't be when she's around," Sam was whispering.

"Why the hell not?!"

Sam had to be quick. "It's an activation spell for Cassie's powers. But once her grace is activated, it will also wake up the soul of her vessel, and they'll be fighting each other for control of the body."

Wait…what? Dean fell silent. "Hell."

Sam almost had tears in his eyes, and the next part he said was barely audible. "If Sarah's soul wins control of her body back, it will destroy Cassandra forever. The spell could kill her."

Son of a bitch. No wonder Cas wouldn't tell us. Dean had to sit down, almost stumbling over from the weight of what he'd just been told. We could lose her forever. And some stranger would take her place. This whole time we thought that Cassandra's body was her own but it belongs to the human soul that's still inside. "What the hell do we do?"

Sam took a deep breath, full of anxiety. "We can't tell her."

"This is kind of a big piece of information to keep from her isn't it? Doesn't she deserve to know?!"

"Cas didn't want to risk it killing her, so he wouldn't tell me the ingredients to the spell. I wanted to know the ingredients just in case. But this would be too much for her to handle. You've only known her for a little over two days and this almost brought you to your knees, Dean. What the hell do you think it would do to her?"

Sam had a point. This news could completely destroy her. Plus, it would be terrifying. He couldn't picture being told that he believed this whole time that the body he resided in didn't belong to him, and he was suppressing the life of another person. Not to mention if the spell is performed to get her full power back, what if Sarah Rose won?

"For now, we'll put this on hold then. We'll focus on summoning Hephaestus, killing Abaddon and finding Metatron."

"Put what on hold?" Cassandra came back in from the bathroom in a pair of Sam's sweatpants and a tank top.

Uhhhh… Dean stared at her from head to toe. Her hair looked messy and her walk was a lot more…relaxed.

Dean's accusatory stare shifted to Sam.

Sam flushed. "She wanted to dress for bed and she didn't have pajama pants, so I gave her a pair of mine."

Yeah, okay. "Fine. We'll have to take you shopping for clothes soon, Sweetheart."

Her gaze was upwards, however. "Someone's here," she said.

"Yeah, um…" Dammit. They think it's Cas.

"It's not Castiel," she said, her gaze going to Dean.

What? Now you pick to put your intuitive abilities into overdrive?!

It was Sam's turn to glare at Dean, and he walked up the stairs to go outside.

He opened the door and stepped out to see none other than Crowley leaning against the impala.

"Hello, Moose. How are you doing now that there's only one tenant up in your brain?"

Sam practically exposed his teeth to snarl. "Why the hell are you here?!"

"For a business transaction. I've been waiting patiently but apparently Squirrel didn't keep his promise about cutting the hissy fit short."

Shit. Sam felt a pair of hands grab his arm from behind. "That's the translator." Cassandra was in her sweatpants, barefoot outside, in front of the King of Hell.

Crowley's eyes immediately went wide. "Well, well well. You boys have been busy. Finally found a way to turn Castiel into a girl so Dean can-"

"Cassie, go inside," Sam whispered. "He's dangerous."

"Who is he?" she asked.

He took a few steps forward, his walk oozing with charm. "Crowley, at your service."

He's British. "Are you a monster?" she asked, her voice just filled with curiosity, not malice.

"Only under the sheets, Lizzie." He winked.

She blushed from awkwardness. "You're the one who can read Enochian, right? Can you tell me what this says?" She walked away from Sam and up to him, taking the watch off of her wrist. "The writing is really small, but-"

"I can see it. Hmm…" he took the watch from her and held it up at eye level.

"Cassie, please go inside," Sam walked up to Cassandra, pulling her arm to get them to leave.

"Cassie?" Crowley looked up at Sam, then back at Cassandra. "Did they actually turn Castiel into a woman?"

Cassandra laughed. "No, I'm-"

"Cassie! He's the King of Hell!"

Cassie froze, then stared at Crowley, who was six inches from her, holding her watch. The King of Hell?

Crowley grinned. "Guilty as charged. And who might you be? It's rude not to get acquainted with each other."

Cassandra got a confused look on her face, and looked him up and Down. He's kind of short to be the king of Hell. He was even shorter than her. "I…" Maybe telling him who she was wasn't exactly the best idea, especially if Sam was acting like this.

Dean came up from the stairs and motioned for Sam and Cassie to go inside. Sam stood his ground, but Cassie hid behind Sam, clutching his arm. He grabbed for her hand, and she put it in his.

Crowley noticed, and raised an eyebrow. "That's not Castiel." His expression shifted from politely interested to confused.

Dean walked back over to Crowley. "He'll leave soon, guys. Sam, take her inside."

Sam hesitated, but Cassie was pulling him towards the bunker. Her small hand in his jump started his heart and he succumbed, walking towards the door with her.

"It was lovely to meet you, Lizzie." Crowley winked again.

Cassie waved shyly, then descended down the steps back down to safety. Sam followed, closing the door behind them.

Dean carried a defeated expression on his face while he looked to Crowley. "Deal's off, Crowley. I don't need to know what's on the watch. I want to gank Abaddon as much as you do, so I'll look in my dad's journal and tell you if I find anything."

Crowley raised an eyebrow, confused. "You're up and down today, Squirrel. You were just talking ten minutes ago about honesty, and you're so lit up with lies and secrets I could plug you into an outlet."

He took a deep breath. But before he could say anything back, his heart dropped and he couldn't breathe.

Standing there, livid and in his full glory was Castiel.