Tony had been furious when he found out that Dean had sold his soul. Furious, yet understanding. Because if he had been in the same situation…Tony won't lie and say he wouldn't have considered it. He just wishes that Dean would have called him.

Not being in the know sucked. When Sam went missing, Dean had called Tony after 36 hours and no leads. The phone call had been brief and to the point. It was over a week before Tony received another call, saying that they were together again and the situation was taken care of. No details, and definitely no mention of the deal that went down.

No, Tony wouldn't find out about that particular doozy until four months down the line. Dean had called him sounding broken, tired, and maybe a little drunk. The conversation had started out like the standard: how was your week? As they kept talking, Dean started talking about this hot but pesky Bella chick, and this total bitch named Ruby who keeps telling Sam that she can break Dean's deal. Oh. Wasn't supposed to say that part. But there are no take-backsies with information that important, and in about an hour Tony was up to date on the happenings in his brothers' lives.

Since then, Tony has been using every spare moment he has to try and find a way out of Dean's deal. But it's hard; it seems that every time he has a moment someone kills another naval member or marine. For a while, Tony considers quitting. He almost does. Kate's dead, and whatever they do seems to never be enough. People are still killing eachother, committing violent acts on one another for petty reasons.

Remembering the events of what Tony likes to call the "Mystery Spot SNAFU" is really what convinced him not to leave. The first few leads on the Trickster had come through the work of McGee; Sam and Tony just didn't have the resources or time to be constantly searching. There were still fuglies to be ganked after all.

The events following Alabama had shown Tony how persistent his team can be. The moment his face had appeared on national television next to the words "wanted" and "killing a family", Tony had received a call from a very displeased Gibbs. Who was even more displeased, Tony suspected, when he hung up on him. But taking the time to explain to Gibbs that the "family" he killed was actually a den of ferocious werewolves wasn't on his list of priorities. Besides, even if he told Gibbs, it's not like he could actually do anything about it: Tony and Sam's DNA was all over the place. Killing isn't exactly a clean event.

The NCIS team had nearly tracked him down twice, causing Sam to be more broody than usual. Tony doesn't like broody Sam. What he doesn't like even more was the look of betrayal in his team members' eyes as he evaded their capture. Three guns had been pointed at him but not a single one fired. If that's not an "I love you" Tony doesn't know what is.

Tony is distracted from his musings by his phone going off for the fifth time. Running a hand through his short locks, Tony pulls his cell from his pocket. It's Dean. Oh joy. While Tony could understand Dean's decision, and he had died for the sake of bringing him back during the alternate world that was 'Mystery Spot', he still wasn't very pleased with man. The two had never sat down and really discussed the matter after the initial phone call that had clued Tony in on the situation.

Tony decides to answer the phone. Usually phone calls from his brothers are, at least as of late, a matter of life and death.

"What?"

"Geez, what's got your panties in a twist?"

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe the fact that you're going to Hell and seem to be completely fine with it."

"I thought we talked about this."

"No, you talked. I was just finally clued in."

"There was no other option." Dean's response dared Tony to say otherwise.

"Do you think Sam really wanted you to—

"It doesn't matter what Sam wants or doesn't want. He's my brother. I wasn't just going to let him die."

"What about how you felt when Dad—

"Doesn't. Matter. Sam's alive, I'm going to Hell. I was probably headed there anyway."

Tony was silent for a moment. How can you argue with a man who has such a low opinion of himself? Dean makes an ass' stubbornness seem like McGee caving in to a plan in return for the location of Abby's latest tattoo.

"How can you say that, Dean? You save lives. You put age-old restless spirits to rest. You kill demons. You're basically John Constantine."

"Wasn't he supposed to go to Hell?"

"…Yeah, but in the end he was going to go to Heaven before Satan brought him back to life," Tony started before realizing what Dean was doing, "Hey! Don't change the subject."

"You started it."

Tony silently fumed for a moment, "Don't start."

"The point is, Tony, that what's done is done. We should stop focusing on the past and look to the future."

"That's a laugh, coming from you or anyone in this family."

"Well…maybe we should start."

Tony shakes his head, bringing his fingers to the bridge of his nose and pinching. "Yeah, I hear you."

"Now are we done sharing and caring? I hate this chick flick crap."

"You can barely call this a chick flick moment. Now, if this had been face to face and you had shed a tear or two…"

"Hey! If anyone would be crying it'd be you, you—

"So what did you call me for in the first place? Who's in the hospital now?"

"Ha-ha. Very funny. I actually called to ask you if you were watching the 'I Dream of Jeanie' marathon. I know how much you used to love Jeanie. Every time she said "Yes, Master" I could swear your mind went to the gutter you kinky bastard."

Tony's mind went blank. Really? Dean was calling over…'I Dream of Jeanie'? Tony couldn't hold it in. He laughed long and hard. He even had to put the phone down.

Wiping a tear from his eye, Tony picked up the phone and said, "I'll be sure to put it on. What channel?"

"TV Land, you weirdo."

An easy grin splitting his face, Tony responded, "Thanks. I…needed that."

"Yeah…well, you're welcome. I got to go. Samantha is back with the grub."

"Yeah. Talk to you later."

Hanging up the phone, Tony was glad that he had answered.

Appropriate Disclaimers Apply

Notes: Sorry about the tense shifts. I wrote this in two sittings, so I may have missed some things. As always, thanks for all the lovely reviews/favorites/alerts. I love you guys. Feel free to drop a note.

Peace. Out.