Chapter Eleven "The Beast Below"
Sunlight streamed through floor-to-ceiling windows causing a headache-inducing glare off the white walls and furniture in the sterile office building. Sam swirled tepid coffee around in a paper cup and tapped his fingers on the arm of the chair that was too small for him. Next to him, Cas was completely still, staring off at something Sam couldn't determine. Maybe the opposite wall. There was nothing there, but Cas' gaze never wavered. Sam wondered if he were zoning out again.
"Why do the angels meet in an office building?" Sam asked, hoping for at least a flicker of acknowledgment.
"Humans don't come here," Cas said, still fixated on the wall. "It's innocuous. And it gives the angels a space to work on Earth."
"And is there some reason we have to wait so long for a meeting with the boss?"
Cas turned to face Sam. "The gates of Heaven can only open in one place at a time and it takes considerable effort to move them. It would have been a waste of time and energy for Gadreel to move the gates to us, rather than us coming to him. And everyone has to wait. Angels can't just fly to and from Heaven anymore. The trip is more substantial."
Sam stared at Cas, amazed at how many words had just come out of his mouth. "Okay," he said. "Still, after everything you did for him, you'd think he'd put you at the top of the list."
"Considering I requested a meeting last night, I'd say we have a while to wait before we consider ourselves inconvenienced."
Sam was beginning to realize how much he would have hated a normal human existence of waiting in DMV lines and keeping a schedule and things like that. He much preferred doing things in his own time. Or Dean's time, usually.
The thought of his brother brought Sam's focus back to the moment. He was about to ask Gadreel to help him get into Purgatory to rescue his brother. The man who tried to kill Gadreel. But if an angel ever owed a human anything, surely this was it. In spite of all that had gone wrong between them, Sam still held out hope that Gadreel would feel some obligation to him if not to Dean.
The only other option was getting Crowley to send him through the backdoor from Hell, and Sam really did not want to do that.
But it had been all day, and there was still no sign of Gadreel. Charlie had brought them something to eat after seeing Jody off earlier, but that was hours ago. Sam wasn't sure how many cups of angel coffee he'd downed. The funny thing was the angels drank the coffee too. They really seemed to like it. They bustled about in their business suits and tapped away at their computers, and Sam started to wonder what the hell was wrong with the world. But he'd been wondering that for a long time.
It was a considerable shock when the elevator doors across the lobby opened to reveal Gadreel standing there, looking exactly the same as the last time Sam saw him. The other angels looked like a bunch of office workers, but Gadreel still looked like a bartender. He exited the elevator and crossed the lobby, ignoring the stares of other angels as he approached Sam and Cas.
"I must admit, I expected you sooner, Castiel," he said with a faint smile. Inexpressive as he was, Sam could tell he was happy to see Cas. Sam knew Gadreel better than anyone.
"I thought it best to keep my distance," Cas said. "For all concerned."
Gadreel looked as if he were about to argue and then thought better of it. "I am surprised to see you, Sam," he said, switching focus abruptly.
Sam faltered for a moment. "Yeah, I... didn't expect to be here either, honestly."
"Of course if I can be of any help to you, I will gladly do so. Come. We can speak more openly upstairs."
Sam wondered if upstairs meant "upstairs" or "Upstairs." As it turned out, Gadreel just meant the top floor of the building where a spacious office had been set up full of computer monitors and very heavily guarded.
"The closet leads back to Heaven," Gadreel explained as they entered.
Sam smirked. "Sounds like The Chronicles of Narnia."
Gadreel stopped and stared as Sam as if he'd just spoken Farsi.
"It's a book," Sam said. "Where some kids find another world in a wardrobe—never mind."
"The human imagination is often more correct than it knows," Gadreel said. He moved over to the desk and sat down, motioning for Sam and Cas to do the same. "Castiel mentioned a problem that required addressing. I am at your service."
Sam didn't realize he was nervous until he took that first shaky breath to speak. "Well, it's about Dean," he said. "No—wait. Let me go back. The Alpha vampire is trying to create some kind of empire on Earth. He turned Dean, but he didn't count on Dean preferring Purgatory to life as a monster. The thing is, the Apha didn't stop. He's out there right now turning more and more people, and if we don't stop him... He's gonna wipe us all out."
"And by 'us' you mean?"
"First the hunters. Then he'll have free reign to feed on humanity forever."
Gadreel spread his hands as if to literally give support. "Of course I will do all I can. I do not have the resources that Heaven once boasted, but what I have I will gladly supply."
Now for the tricky part. "I'm grateful," Sam said. "The thing is, I think we need to bring Dean back."
Gadreel's eyes narrowed in that pensive way he sometimes had. Sam remembered it well. "You mean to bring your brother back to life. Again."
"All I need is someone to get me into Purgatory. I can do the rest."
Gadreel had a look on his face as if someone had just died. "I am afraid that will be impossible," he said. "Purgatory is outside our purview. It would be suicide for any angel to attempt entrance even just to deposit you there. I cannot... I will not send my brothers to die like that. Fighting the Alpha is one thing. It falls under the protection of humans, and I will send out my most trusted angels to assess the situation. But as for bringing Dean home... I am afraid you are on your own."
Sam found it impossible to be angry with Gadreel after that speech. He seemed genuinely sorry that he couldn't help, and at the same time, Sam knew he couldn't change Gadreel's mind. Still, he tried one last thing.
"He was the only one to give you a chance," Sam said.
Gadreel nodded. "I know. I hope you are able to get to him. If anyone can, I'm sure you will."
Somehow, Sam knew Gadreel meant it. He didn't hold anything against Dean. He had no thoughts of revenge. It was as if Sam could read Gadreel's mind, but he knew it was just a result of having been possessed for so long. Gadreel probably sensed the same things about Sam.
Through thee whole meeting, Cas hadn't said a word. When they got ready to leave, he said goodbye to Gadreel, and he seemed reluctant to leave. Sam could understand; he'd spent plenty of time without his family too.
~oOo~
Charlie sat in the cushy armchair upside-down with her legs draped over the back and her hair brushing the floor. Sometimes, it helped her think. Over the past several weeks she had been working on a million different things at once: studying vampires, researching angels, organizing the chaotic filing system of the Men of Letters. But now, she could only think about one thing: Dean. Could he really come back? Would he? She hardly dared to hope, but she couldn't seem to stop herself.
When she returned from Oz, the first thing Charlie had wanted to to was sit down with Dean and have a beer and talk about everything that had happened since the last time they saw each other. Finding out he was dead had been the biggest shock of her life. Existence of monsters notwithstanding. Because Dean just didn't die. He was so strong, so full of life even in his eminent cynicism.
Charlie blew a stand of hair out of her eyes and rolled to the side so that her legs dangled over one arm of the chair and her neck rested on the opposite one. She felt the foggy exodus of blood rushing from her head back to where it belonged.
So many things could go wrong. Sam might not be able to get into Purgatory. And if he did, he might get killed there, and no one would ever know. Assuming he survived, he still had to convince Dean to come back, and even in her limited exposure, Charlie knew how stubborn Dean could be. But she also knew how much he was willing to do for his brother. He had to listen to Sam. He had to come back. Charlie could get used to the vampire thing if it meant having Dean around. Yeah, it felt like some crappy teen paranormal novel, but she would just have to look past that. He was still Dean. He had to be.
When Sam and Castiel returned late that evening, they were in the thick of some argument, and Charlie's hopes fell. Obviously, the angels hadn't agreed to help Sam get to Purgatory. Sam had made passing mention of another option last night, but Castiel had rejected it outright. It seemed that Sam was revisiting the idea.
"Dealing with him never ends well," Castiel was saying loudly as they entered the library.
"Only if you double cross him," Sam shot back.
Castiel got a strange look in his eyes, that Charlie would guess was remorse. Which didn't make sense, but she didn't have time to sort it all out because she was trying to follow the conversation.
"The price is always too high, Sam," Castiel went on, speaking more softly.
"Not if he wants the same thing we do. He's not an idiot, Cas. He knows the vampires are bad for business, just like when he helped us with the Leviathans. And he's kind of like you."
Castiel's eyes widened. "What?"
"He likes Dean when he's not supposed to. I don't know why. I don't wanna know why, but he's got a soft spot. I can use that."
Castiel shook his head. "He'll use this against you. He knows he can demand just about anything to repay this favor."
"Not if I make it seem like I'm doing him a favor."
"He's not going to be fooled."
"I'm not talking about fooling him. I won't lie. I'll just focus on how bringing Dean back will help him."
"You don't think a master manipulator will see through that?"
"It's worth a try."
"I'm not so sure of that."
Charlie got up from her chair and crossed the room. "Can I ask a question?" she said.
"Sure," Sam replied.
"Who the hell are you talking about?"
"Crowley," Castiel said darkly. "The King of Hell."
Charlie stared at Sam with a new appreciation of just how batshit insane he was.
~oOo~
Cas refused to go with Sam to summon Crowley. He also insisted that Sam no do it in the bunker. So, while Sam was traipsing through the middle of nowhere to perform the summoning ritual, Cas was driving to Maine. That showed some confidence in the plan at least. Charlie wanted to go along too, but Cas pointed out that they needed her to keep working. She didn't seem very happy about it, but she agreed to stay behind. She probably didn't want to add to the tension between Sam and Cas.
It didn't matter. Once Sam brought Dean back, Cas couldn't complain. This had to work. It was the first job Sam had felt this invested in since forever. Fighting vampires these last few months, he'd been on autopilot. But laying out the ingredients for the spell, Sam felt alive again. His heart was pounding in his ears and his palms were sweaty, but he was excited too.
Crowley took his time, and Sam expected no less. Still, the King of Hell couldn't resist an invitation to meet with a Winchester for too long. He had tied his fate together with theirs a long time ago, and there would be no extricating himself. Perhaps he resented that, but he also seemed to enjoy it.
When he finally arrived, he looked mildly annoyed. His expression changed when he saw Sam. "Almost didn't recognize you, Moose," he said with a smirk. "You've really let yourself go."
It had been so gradual for Sam that he barely noticed, but his appearance must have been a stark contrast to the way he used to look. His hair and beard had grown longer, and he was thinner.
"Crowley," Sam said, careful to keep any emotion from his voice. "You've been quiet lately."
"I have other things to do than keep tabs on you. Heard about Dean though. Shame, really. I expected a visit from you then."
"He wouldn't have come back."
Crowley inclined his head to the side in concession. "True. He did always hate what he was when he was human. But you didn't call me to reminisce."
"No," Sam agreed. "I called you because we can help each other."
"What? With your vampire problem."
"The more humans get turned, the fewer souls you get when they die. And I doubt if you want your supply of meatsuits dwindling to whatever livestock the vampires need to survive."
"Ah, common enemy argument. I suppose I can give you that. But the vampires have always tried to enslave humanity, and they have always failed. They are too limited. They need humans to survive, but humans like to kill them. That's why they spend so much time hiding in the dark."
"They're not hiding anymore. The hunters are overwhelmed. Soon, there won't be any of us left to fight. What will you do then?"
"What is your solution then?"
"The Alpha turned Dean. He must have had a plan. But Dean never follows the plan."
"Annoying habit of his. But he's in Purgatory, and as you said, he won't come back."
"He will if I tell him what's happening. That everyone is gonna die without him."
"That you are going to die without him. You know he doesn't really care about the rest of the world. Not enough to live again."
Sam nodded. "All you have to do is get me into Hell. I can find my way from there."
"And what do I get out of this?"
"We fight the vampires, kill the Alpha, you don't have to get your hands dirty."
"Just one thing."
"What?"
"You and your brother have this irritating tendency to try to kill me when I am no longer useful to you."
"Can you blame us?"
Crowley looked offended. "After all I've done for you? No, here's the deal. I will take you to Hell, ensure you safe passage, even join in the fight if I have to, but you must swear to me that you and your brother will never again make any attempt on my life. Those are my terms. Break the deal, Dean goes back to being dead."
Sam stared at Crowley weighing the consequences of agreeing. Crowley was a nuisance, but he had always been the lesser of all the evils in the world. And he was willing to fight with the hunters on this. Sam would probably neglect to mention that part to Cas. He wouldn't like the idea of working with Crowley on a regular basis.
Sam had come this far. He wasn't going to back out. He knew going in that he would agree to whatever terms Crowley set forth. This wasn't as bad as it could have been.
"I suppose you'll have to write up a contract?" Sam asked.
Crowley smiled. "In anticipation of this event, I already have," he said. "Just a few revisions regarding the vampires, and you've got yourself a first class ticket to Hell."
~oOo~
Castiel did not enjoy driving. It was slow and boring and made even more obnoxious by other drivers who didn't seem to know what they were doing. Which was sad because he had only been driving regularly for a little over a year. He had already made the trip from Kansas to Maine once. He knew his way. The monotony of it all left far too much time to think.
Dean was coming back. Maybe. If anyone could convince him, it was Sam. It was the one thing Castiel was certain could never happen. And he took comfort in that thought. Yes, Dean was gone, and he felt that absence as acutely as Sam did. But Castiel never again wanted to look into the eyes of the man he murdered. To see his best friend who he had failed so terribly. It was almost too horrible to imagine.
But here he was, driving down the highway toward the certain reunion that he did not want to have. A few miles back, Sam had sent a text message informing Castiel that Crowley had agreed. By the time Castiel reached the site of the portal's opening, Sam and Dean might already be there. They would have to dig up Dean's body of course which was another thing Castiel wasn't looking forward to. The whole thing just seemed wrong.
Part of it was undoubtedly the fact that Castiel knew he didn't deserve to have his friend back. There was more to it, though. It was the image of Dean's green eyes going dark, of the way he fell to the concrete floor. Castiel could not separate the idea of Dean from his last memories of him. Seeing him again would only bring it back worse. Castiel would never be free of that scene playing out in his head.
Still, he drove on. Because he had made promises. He had to watch out for Sam. And if Dean did refuse to come back, he had to be there for Sam when he came home alone. If Dean did come back, Castiel knew what he would have to do. He would make Dean believe that he was happy, that everything was okay. He would do whatever it took to keep Dean on this Earth. He knew what kind of sacrifice that might require of him. He had known all the way back when he gave Dean his blood. Vampires had to feed, and once they got a taste of something, they never forgot it. Dean would hate himself, but that was nothing new. Castiel would give his blood until he had no more to give because Dean would need it.
I know, I'm late again. :P I ended up having some unexpected things happen yesterday, so I didn't finish the chapter until now. I'm going to try to write some more this weekend and get ahead on things, so I won't have to be in a rush.
