Title - Cold And Broken Hallelujah
Chapter Title - Seal It With A Kiss
Author - OblivionsGarden
Genre - Hurt/Comfort/Romance
Disclaimer - I do not own Supernatural in anyway shape or form. I only own the plot points surrounding my oc's, not recognized from the books or films. For this chapter I own, Rachel Singer.

To: TheSpazChik - Thanks for the review (: xx
To: isis . mama - Thanks for the review! And don't worry, all will be revealed in time (: (Also, glad you're enjoying this!) xx
To: tvfanatic1994 - Thanks for the review! xx

A/n - Sorry this chapter took a little longer, I had a bit of writers block. As a result this chapter isn't the greatest, but the next chapter should be better. Promise. xx
Please read and review, I'd greatly appreciate it. Hope you enjoy, xx (:

Rae woke up to warmth and comfort and for a moment, refused to open her eyes to the day. She tightened her arm around whatever it lay over until that something moved slightly. Frowning, she let one eye open and found herself snuggled against Crowley's side, arm draped over his middle. The man himself was unmoving, an uncomfortable and confused expression on his face. She bit her lip, suppressing a chuckle at his face as she sat up, pushing herself away.

"Sorry." She muttered, a blush creeping onto her cheeks.
"Mm." He offered, glancing at her.

She took a moment to appreciate waking up in a nice bedroom, rather than a motel room. She turned to look at Crowley, noticing he was still naked beneath the sheets. She found it odd to see him in such a casual scene, so used to him in an immaculate suit and coat. She yawned, bringing her knees up to her chest.

"You never told me about my soul, last night." She commented. Crowley's eyes finally met hers, the reluctance in them speeding her heart rate. "What?"
"I got a better look at it last night and... It's definitely different."
"Spit it out Crowley, since when do you get nervous to say something?" She knew. She knew what he was going to say but was still asking with the slightest hopes her suspicions would be proven wrong.
"I'm not nervous. You should be, kitten."
"Why?"
"You... Are not a human, Rachel."

Rae's heart dropped as she stared back at the demon. She darted her tongue out to wet her lips as she nodded. Crowley's head tilted slightly as his eyebrows furrowed.

"Well... I was expecting more of a reaction."
"I already knew, kind of... I mean, I kind of had it coming." She turned her back to Crowley, letting her legs dangle over the side of the bed, using one arm to keep herself covered with the duvet. "Who the hell has angel friends and can smell hell hounds?" She forced a laugh, biting the inside of her cheek as she felt tears threatening to fall. "I should've expected it, I guess." Crowley narrowed his eyes, confused by her reaction. "Um, can I have some clothes?"

He nodded clicking his fingers, returning her to the jeans and vest top she had been wearing the night before. She stood from the bed, turning again to look at Crowley. He nodded again silently, sending her back to her motel with another click.

In the privacy she collapsed into sobs, wracking her body. She let herself fall onto the bed, curling up into a ball. Of course she had known that there was something different about her but not being human? That was the last thing she needed. The one thing she never wanted to happen. And who does she tell? Who does she have to talk to? The only family she had was Bobby and the Winchesters. It was never a good idea to tell a hunter you weren't human. Nine times out of ten the conclusion drawn was: Human equals good, not human equals bad. Hell, she'd drawn that conclusion herself on more than one occasion. All of her friends were hunters, too. All except four. Gabriel was dead, Cas would side with Sam and Dean should it come down to it, Balthazar wasn't talking to her and Crowley? He wouldn't care.

Eventually she climbed to her feet, wiping the tears from her cheeks. She stretched, her bones protesting after being curled into each other for so long. She picked up her phone, finding a handful of missed calls from Bobby and Dean. She called Bobby first.

"Why do you have a phone if you aren't gonna answer the damn thing?" Bobby answered.
"Hello to you too, Uncle B." She sighed.
"What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing. Tired, I guess."
"Hm. Well, did you finish your case yet?" She could hear the suspicion in his voice.
"Yeah. Vengeful spirit. Again. Honestly this job is repetitive." She smiled a little, finding comfort just from speaking to Bobby. "What's up, anyway?"
"I want you to go back with the boys. I've had Dean on the phone talking about Sam letting him get bitten by that vampire. He's gettin' paranoid."
"He's not. Sam just watched, I saw him." Rae sighed again, recalling the mountain of other problems in her life. "Then he told me he'd called Samuel cause he had a cure. Then acted like he knew nothing about it."
"Jesus." Bobby sighed. "Give him a call, see where they are. He called me and I confessed a whole bunch of crap to him."
"What?" She frowned.
"Something about people asking for the truth and getting it."
"Where's the problem?"
"One girl committed suicide, and one guy killed another."
"Ah." She nodded. "I'll call him, see what's happening. Later, Uncle B."
"Wait... Rae are you sure you're alright?"
"Yeah, positive."
"Alright. Well, give me a call, keep me updated."

She sighed, tossing her phone into her bag. She should call Dean but if he was getting the truth and she spoke to him, whose to say she wouldn't confess everything. That she wasn't human, that she's been sleeping with the king of hell, that she might even be falling for the king of hell. Rae's eyes widened at her own thoughts. Falling for Crowley? She dropped into a chair, letting her head fall to the table, wincing at the smack of her forehead against the wood.

"Something wrong?" Crowley's voice came from behind her and she closed her eyes for a moment before sitting up.
"No." She answered. "Miss me so soon?" She turned in her seat to look at the man, now fully clad in his usual, suit and coat attire. He frowned a little when she met his gaze.
"You've been crying."
"Mm." She coughed. "I'd say I'm only human but I'd be lying." Her voice was monotone, lacking her usual sarcasm, filled with only the painful truth.
"Here,"

Crowley moved forward holding out his fist. With a frown Rae held out her hand letting him drop the item into her palm. A long silver chain adorned with a silver ankh.

"Jewellery? What are we high school sweethearts?" She scoffed.

Crowley rolled his eyes taking the ankh into his hand and lifting the looped top, revealing a small dagger like blade hidden inside.

"You need me, you draw blood and say my name." He explained. "Quicker than setting up a summoning, safer than a phone number."
"Oh." She nodded. "Why are you giving it to me?"
"You seem to have new questions every five minutes." He rolled his eyes dramatically. "Lift your hair." She did as instructed, shivering as Crowley's fingers brushed against her skin whilst he fastened the chain into place.
"And you want me bothering you all the time do you? And why an ankh? Don't they represent the key of life?"
"It's for emergencies. And an ankh is popular for jewellery, it's inconspicuous... Something hunters no nothing about apparently." He moved to sit opposite her. "I think we should come to an agreement."
"I don't have another soul to deal away."
"Not that sort of agreement, love." He smiled a little. Rae returned the action, liking this mildly gentler side to Crowley. She didn't know how long it was going to last for so she made the most of it. "I can find out what you are, in return for your continuation of working with Samuel and our other arrangement."
"Other arrangement?" She frowned.
"You've forgotten last night already?"
"That's not exactly an arrangement. Just something that happened." She corrected, finding it hard to hide the smirk. "I think I can agree to that. But I have some rules too."
"Why am I not surprised?" He raised his eyebrows, crossing his arms over his chest. "And they are?"
"I don't want to know what you're up to. Why you want the alphas or anything. Nor do I want to hear about your day job." At his questioning look she continued. "Torturing, making deals and causing havoc. You know, a demons days work... And you can't ask me about Sam and Dean or anything about that side of my life. If there's anything you need to know about the alphas I'll tell you." He nodded, waiting to see if she was finished. "Speaking of Sam and Dean... Not a word of this gets back to them or Uncle B or anyone who knows me. It stays between us, otherwise I'll be in hell sooner than planned."
"Reasonable." His lips tugged downwards in an approving nod. "Deal?"
"Deal."
"Seal it with a kiss?" He stood, straightening his jacket in an arrogant manner.
"You're a right royal pain in the arse." Rae stood, pecking his lips before seating herself again.
"I prefer the way you kissed me last night." He muttered grumpily before dissapearing.

Rae shook her head with a frown, glancing down at the necklace. She lifted the charm, pulling the small dagger out. She started to question whether she really knew Crowley at all. She always expected the worst of him... The anger, the pain and the torture. And yet here he was giving her a way to call him with ease and promising to help find out what she really is. And then pouting like a child when rejected for a proper kiss. She wondered if maybe there was still some good left in the man. After all his years of being a demon she knew if there was it'd be the smallest part of him, maybe an eyelash worth of good.

She chuckled to herself, dropping the necklace beneath her shirt and gasping slightly as the cool metal hit her skin.

Rae took a breath, pushing away thoughts of Crowley and the possibilities of what she was to the back of her mind, raising her fist on knocking on the wood of the hotel door. She heard a deep voice say her name before Dean swung the door open and pulled her inside.

"Hey, what the hell, Dean?" She protested, slapping his hand away from her arm. She turned to face the room, finding Cas stood over Sam who was tied to a chair. "What have I missed?" She asked, wide eyed, taking in Sam's beaten and bloody form.
"Sam admitted something is wrong with him. Cas is gonna find out what." Dean grunted, pushing past her. "Carry on, Cas." Rae shook her head and dumped her bag onto the nearest bed.
"How much do you sleep?" The angel asked.
"I don't."
"At all?"
"Not since I got back."
"And it never occurred to you that there might be something off about that?!"
"Of course it did, Dean. I-I just never told you."

It wasn't long until Cas was elbow deep in Sam's chest, the youngest Winchester screaming and gasping in agony. Rae was on tenterhooks, waiting for an outcome. She didn't know what Cas was doing, the angel having given nothing in way of an explanation.

"Did you find anything?" Dean asked when he extracted his hand.
"No."
"So that's good news?"
"I'm afraid not. Physically, he's perfectly healthy."
"Then what?"
"It's his soul. It's gone."

"Then we start a list. If it's so hard to spring someone out of the box, then who's got that kind of muscle?"
"I don't know. You have no memory of your resurrection?"
"I woke up in a field. That's all I got."
"No clues? None?"
"I've got one."
"What?"
"Samuel. He came back too, right?"
"Let's pay grandpa a visit." Cas dissapeared at Dean's words
"You guys pack up the car." Rae spoke up at last. "I'm gonna use the bathroom."

Once Sam and Dean were gone, Rae tugged the necklace from beneath her shirt, pulling out the blade. She pushed back the sleeve of her jumper, and made a small cut on her forearm. She gave the room a quick glance before whispering Crowley's name.

"That was sooner that expected."
"Did you pull Sam from the pit?" Rae pulled her jumped back down, returning the necklace to it's hiding place.
"Hello, Crowley. Lovely to see you. Thank you, dear. You too." He grumbled. "What on earth are you talking about this time?"
"Sam... He's soulless." She spoke fast, fearing an appearance of the brothers or worse, Cas. "It takes someone with major mojo to lift someone back up. You're the king, you could do it, right?"
"I'm flattered but I can't talk right now, darling. Busy man." He dissapeared leaving Rae fueled with aggravation.

She stomped her way down to the car park, ignoring the glare Dean gave her when she slammed the door of the impala.

"Sam!" Christian greeted as the trio entered. "Rachel, always a pleasure."
"Eat me, ass hat."
"And, Dean."
"Hello, Newman. Where's the man?"

Samuel cleared his throat from across the room. "Come right on in." He gestured into his office and the three followed him.

Rae could tell by his reaction to Sam's lack of a soul that he knew something. She was willing to bet money it all lead back to that smug demon king.

"So, what's with the book club outside?" Dean asked once Cas had dissapeared.
"Putting together a hunt."
"That's a lot of guys for one hunt."
"You found him, didn't you?"
"Who?"
"No way. Alpha vamp?" Rae recalled the amount of planning that had been happening before the recent turn of events with Sam and Dean.
"Maybe. Yeah."
"How? We've been tracking the fucker for months." She scoffed.
"We're good." Samuel glanced pointedly at Dean, effectively numbing her excitement.
"When's the run?" Sam asked.
"Dawn."
"Thanks for e-vite." Rae pouted.
"You didn't call us? Why?"
"'Cause of me. You don't trust me very much, do you? Especially when it comes to big game like this." Dean answered for him.
"That's not true."
"Okay, well, then, we're in."
"No offense, but-"
"So you don't trust me."
"No, I just don't know you. Not like I know Sam and Rae."
"All right. You call the plays. Hundred percent. I'm here to listen."
"Since when?"
"Big daddy bloodsucker? I ain't gonna miss that. But this is your deal. Okay? I get it. I'll follow your lead. I trust you."

"I don't trust him. Dude's hiding something."

Rae rolled her eyes at Dean as they left the compound, even though she too thought Samuel was hiding something. The only difference being Dean was thinking about the alpha. Rae was thinking about his resurrection.

Rae thought about calling Crowley again but decided to wait until after they went for the alpha vampire. She'd see him then anyway.

The hunt went well, considering how tough it could be to take down a pack of fangs. They never went down easy and never without a fight. The alpha was tough and not at all what Rae expected. She knew it was stupid to imagine a Bela Lugosi -esque man, pale and dark haired.

"Who's walking him in?" Gwen asked in the back of the van as Samuel drove.
"Me and Samuel, as per." Rae answered.
"You're gonna walk in this big guy." Christian scoffed, looking the small framed girl up and down.
"Christian's right, Rae. It's gonna take all of us."
"Great." She muttered, slumping back into her seat.
"Don't worry honey, I won't let him hurt you." Christian mocked.
"Do yourself a favour and worry about me hurting you."

Crowley was nowhere to be seen at the warehouse. Samuel began the interrogation with the others around, whilst Rae stayed by the door, hoping for a glimpse of the demon. She never joined the questioning of the alphas, preferring to drift away from everything in her mind. Usually her mind settled for the common topic of the king.

How had Crowley gone from cross roads demon to the king of all of hell? Why was he so invested in her? Was it because she wasn't human? But he hadn't known that a year ago. Had he? No, he couldn't have. And this new arrangement they'd agreed to. Was she stupid to agree? Their relationship part of it was something she couldn't help but enjoy. No longer did she feel regret towards sleeping with the enemy. Rather, she found herself planning to stop in a town centre on her next hunt to find a lingerie shop.

Rae made to leave with Samuel and the others but when she spotted movement down the adjacent hall she hung back, finding Sam and Dean lurking. She joined them to listen to what they had to say to the alpha, figuring it'd be far more interesting than Samuel's questions.

"Purgatory? Purgatory's real?"

Rae's eyes widened. She should've paid more attention so Samuel and what he's been asking for. What does Crowley want with Purgatory?

"Samuel brought you here... to find out where Purgatory is?"
"I keep telling him... How would I know such a thing? But he refuses to untie me."
"You know exactly where it is. Why does Samuel care about any of this?"
"He doesn't care. He does as he is told."
"Well, if the old man's Kermit... whose hand's up his ass?"

Rae's stomach dropped. If the alpha said anything about Crowley, should he know, Sam and Dean would know Rae had known about it all along. Before she could calm her churning stomach, a gun cocked behind them.

"Evening, guys." Samuel was pointing a gun at their backs.

After the alpha had broken free, three demons, one of which was Christian, vanished with him in their grasp.

"Well, that was dramatic." Rae's breath hitched as she turned to face Crowley. "Hello, boys. What an unexpected treat."
"Bring Christian back now."
"I'm sorry?"
"My nephew! The one you just crammed a demon into!"
"Oh. No. I had him possessed ages ago. Samuel, really. I keep an eye on my investments."
"No wonder he was such a dick bag all this time." Rae muttered, just catching Crowley's smirk as he neared the group.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, wait. You two know each other?"
"Not in the biblical sense. More of a business relationship, I'd say. Don't we darling?" Crowley glanced between Samuel and Rae.
"You're Crowley's bitch."
"Rae, you too?" Dean shook his head.
"It's not what you think." Samuel reasoned as Rae shifted guiltily.
"It's precisely what you think. That alpha he's caught me is getting him a gold star." Crowley scoffed. "She, however, is something else entirely."
"Long story, boys. But I can promise you this isn't out of choice."
"At least you have one friend who still tells you the truth." The demons smirk was aimed at her, showing that should he feel the need he could reveal all. She avoided the stares from the boys, staying quiet instead.
"Since when do you give a crap about vampires anyway?"
"Since, uh... What's today... Friday? Since, let's see, mind your business."
"You may as well share with the class, Crowley. We know you're looking for Purgatory."
"So you heard about that?"
"Yeah. You want to tell us why?"

Crowley's eyes scanned the room, falling to Rae who had suddenly became more interested in what he had to say. She could see the amusement in his eyes at her curiosity and knew that when this was over and they were alone together he'd have something to say about it all.

"Isn't it obvious? Location, location, location. I'm a developer. Purgatory is vast, underutilized, and hell-adjacent, and I want it."
"What for?"
"Best shut your gob. Employees don't question management."
"We ain't your employees."
"Of course you are! Have been for some time now, thanks to gramps. I don't keep Captain Chrome dome around for his wit, do I? Samuel knows things. More than any of you, actually. Walking encyclopedia of the creepy and the crawly. Then Rachel, no matter how much she puts herself down, is one of the best hunters around. And so young. Not to mention I already own her."
"You own my soul not me." She corrected with a grumble.
"And I knew..." Crowley continued as though she hadn't spoken. "You two are so hung up on family-loyalty nonsense, they said jump, you'd get froggy."
"Yeah, well, the game's over."
"Yeah, well, afraid not, not if you want to see Sam's soul ever again."
"You're bluffing."
"Tell them, Samuel."
"He pulled us both back, me and Sam."
"What? You knew?" Sam looked between his grandfather and Rae.
"No. I didn't Sam, I swear. If I did I'd have told you, you know that."
"She would've too."
"No, Cas says it takes big-time mojo to pull something like that off, and you're nothing but a punk-ass crossroads demon."
"He got a promotion." Crowley nodded, pointing at Rae in confirmation.
"Was a punk-ass crossroads demon. Now? King of hell. Believe me, I've got the mojo. I snap my fingers, Sam gets his soul back. Or you can be...You, and I shove Sam right back in the hole. Can't imagine what it's like in there... and I can imagine so many things." He chuckled. "So, we clear? Me, Charlie... you, angels. Job's simple enough... Bring me creatures. Aim high on the food chain, please. Everybody wins. It's been a pleasure." He looked pointedly at Rae as he wiggled his fingers in a wave. "See you soon."

"Get out of here." Samuel moved to leave at Dean's words, stopping at the door to turn to Rae. "She stays with us." Dean added, the older man leaving the three behind. "Want to tell us what's going on Rae?"
"What else is there for me to tell you?" She shrugged. "He came and told me Sam was back and that he wanted me to work with him and Samuel."
"What's he offered you?" Sam asked.
"Nothing." She lied. "I mean, I had a broken shin bone when he came and he fixed it. He's been fixing me up all year. Broken bones, bruises, cuts... Everything."
"So what, you get him alphas and he keeps you in tip top condition?" Dean shook his head. "How is that worth it, Rae?"
"I'm not in it for the health care, Dean! He owns my soul and no matter how much I deny it, that means he has me right where he wants me. It's either work for him or go to hell three years early."

Silence passed between the three as Sam and Dean ultimately decided whether or not they still trusted her. If they did or not, they were bound to tell Bobby who she was working for.

"So, what now?"

Rae returned to the motel, checking into her own room rather than sharing with the Winchesters. She still had their trust as far as she could tell, although not as complete as it once had been. She knew they knew they needed her to help get Sam's soul back.
As expected she received an angry phone call from Bobby which she gritted her teeth through. Just as she finally climbed into bed, Crowley appeared in her room.

"That was a fun little evening we had."
"Oh of course it was." She rolled her eyes continuing to shuffle down into her duvet. "You're lucky the Winchester's still trust me... Sort of."
"I'm lucky?"
"If they didn't I'd be pissing you off as much I can right now." She smiled as the warmth surrounded her. "When Cas finds out he's gonna be even more suspicious than he was."
"Suspicious?" She could hear Crowley moving around the room but couldn't bring herself to sit back up.
"He hasn't said anything outright but I can tell... He could smell you on me."
"Hm. Good." She felt the bed dip behind her but still didn't move.
"Good? You think Cas being able to smell you on me is a good thing?"
"Not him, but others. Let's them now you belong to me."
"I suppose the brand on my ribcage wasn't enough, then?"
"You're very bitter for a twenty one year old."
"And you're very possessive for someone who isn't supposed to care about a human."

Rae sighed, moving the covers away from her face and rolling onto her back, looking up at Crowley. He was wearing a curious expression as he turned his head to look at her.

"So, purgatory?"
"Mm." He hummed with a small smile. "I wondered when you'd ask."
"Do I get any answers other than location, location, location."
"It's the only answer you need."
"Course it is."
"What happened to not wanting to know what I'm up to?"
"Right." Rae sighed. "Course, forgot about that... Any news about what I am then?"
"Not yet, darling."

She frowned, rolling onto her side and propping herself up onto her elbow. Crowley met her gaze with a bemused expression as she paused to stare at him.

"You're very confusing you know that?"
"Oh?"
"You're a cold hearted demon but then you sleep with me and give me that necklace and call me pet names but still... Cold hearted." Crowley stood with a deep chuckle.
"Two sides to every coin, love."