It took me a while to get this one right. I've deleted it and rewritten it several times. But this version, I'm happy with. So yeah. Standard disclaimers, yadda yadda yadda, angst warning, but there's some fluff there for ya, too.

He'd opted to travel with Ellen and Jo to Carthage. Alex hadn't voiced any dislike for the idea, but her face had been thunderous. She'd spent half an hour before they left, explaining what was going on to James. Cas was not ashamed to admit that he listened from the corridor as she'd spoken to the child, trying to make him understand why they had to leave.

'But why do you and Daddy have to go? Daddy said it was the last night on earth. Is something bad gonna happen?'

'Not to you, baby. You know we'd never let that happen.'

'Are you gonna come home?' James' voice broke a little as he spoke, and Cas felt something inside him drop heavily into his stomach. He knew the answer and he didn't know how Alex was going to answer that.

'You know we're gonna fight tooth and nail to get back to you, sweetheart. We always do right?'

'All of you?' His words were high pitched and it was clear he was going to cry.

'All of us.' The sheets rustled, and James' muffled cries reached through the door. Cas knew without looking that Alex had gathered the sobbing boy to her, holding him tight.

'Please come home, Mommy.' He said quietly between cries. Alex didn't reply, and the angel contemplated walking away, as Sam came up the stairs. The younger Winchester sibling looked at him with sorrow, then nodded, so Cas pushed the door open slowly, revealing himself to Alex, who looked up, but did not give anything away with her expression. He moved to the bed, sitting the other side of James. The boy let go of his mom and pushed his way into his father's arms, fisting his tiny hand into the tan trench coat. 'And Daddy. Please. Please come home.'

Cas shook off the memory, feeling his heart clench. He couldn't focus on that now. He had a job to do. Upon arriving in Carthage, he'd seen the reapers, dozens of them, gathered. He had explained what he could see to Ellen and Jo, but they didn't quite understand. He knew he had to find what they were gathering for. He left Ellen and Jo, making his way through the town. He spotted a reaper in a window, and he frowned, willing himself inside. As he appeared in the building, a presence niggled at his senses, and his frown deepened.

'Hello brother.'

A blinding white light surrounded him and he raised an arm to fend it off. As the light faded, heat surrounded him and he found himself inside a circle of holy fire. Outside the flames, Lucifer stood, his features highlighted by the flames. He smiled slowly and Castiel felt anger curling like a fist in his stomach.

'Lucifer.'

Lucifer tipped his head slightly. 'So I take it you're here with the Winchesters.'

'I came alone.' Castiel lied, and Lucifer smiled.

'Loyalty. Such a nice quality to see in this day and age. Castiel, right?' Cas' face was tight as he tried to give nothing away. 'The angel who gave his grace to a human.' His eyes flickered away as the devil spoke. 'I'm told you came here in an automobile.'

'Yes.'

'What was that like?'

Castiel looked around the room, trying to appear disinterested.

'Um. Slow.' He replied. 'Confining.' He wasn't lying. All the time he'd spent in cars, his opinion of them hadn't changed.

'What a peculiar thing you are.' Lucifer said slowly, the smile on his face widening. Castiel saw it then, the burns littering the face of the enemy, and he was pale, dark circles under his eyes. He did not look healthy at all.

'What's wrong with your vessel?' He asked, curiosity colouring his tone. Lucifer ran a hand down his own cheek, looking at his hand as if expecting something.

'Yes. Um, Nick is wearing a bit thin, I'm afraid. He can't contain me forever, so -'

'You...' Cas stepped forward, the fist of rage in his stomach making him feel bolder in the face of the more powerful angel. He came up against the ring of fire, close enough to feel the heat scolding his skin, but not enough to catch fire. 'You are not taking Sam Winchester. I won't let you.' You're not having Alex either.

'Castiel, I don't understand why you're fighting me, of all the angels.' Lucifer said, confusion in his voice.

'You really have to ask?'

'I rebelled, I was cast out.' The devil said slowly. 'You rebelled, you were cast out.' His eyes glinted. 'Although, your reasons were different to mine, I suppose. Almost all of heaven wants to see me dead, and if they succeed, guess what?' He leaned forward slightly, as if sharing a big secret. 'You're their new public enemy number one. We're on the same side, like it or not. So why not just serve you own best interests?' He grinned widely, the skin on Nick's face splitting a little more at the expression. 'Or maybe those of your family.'

'I'll die first.' Cas said, his voice firm.

The devil's grin only widened. 'I suppose you will. But who would protect Alex Winchester then?' Castiel's only reaction was the tightening of his jaw. 'Oh, Castiel. You can't lie to me. I understand, you know. How much it hurts to love someone so much but not have that same devotion back? It's why I fell, after all.' The angel in the fire still gave no reaction. 'And the boy...hmmm. I haven't seen him, but I have been told he resembles his mother greatly. And the gifts he will have...' He stepped closer to the fire, and Cas resisted the urge to push through the flame and attack him, knowing it would kill him if he did. 'What do you think will happen if Sam doesn't say yes? You know what she is right? That your grace made her vulnerable?'

Castiel didn't reply, even though the threat was in his throat. At that moment, a demon materialised and Lucifer's attention was dragged away from him. The female demon looked at Lucifer with adoration in her eyes, and he stepped over to her, smiling gently.

'I've got the Winchesters pinned down. For now, at least. What should I do with them?'

'Leave them alone.' Lucifer ordered and the demon looked confused by it.

'I'm sorry, but are you sure?' She looked up at him as he came even closer. 'Shouldn't we -'

'Trust me, child.' He ran a hand down her face and she smiled dreamily. 'Everything happens for a reason.'

Cas looked around as the two were distracted, spotting a pipe bolted to the wall. As he started to form a plan, Lucifer turned his attention back to the ring of fire. 'Well, Castiel, you have some time. Time to change your mind. Will it be Sam, or Alex?'

Her ears were ringing, and the street was full of smoke and ash. It was harder to breathe, but she wasn't sure if it was because of the fire or because of the shock. Two people she was only just coming to call friends were dead, and as she looked over at Dean and Sam, and saw the horror in their eyes, she had to swallow down the bile rising in her throat. This whole mission had gone to hell in a handbasket so quickly it hurt. The deafening noise of the explosion made the world vibrate around them, and she wondered if they'd gotten all the hellhounds.

'Alex!' Dean yelled, above the noise of the flames. 'Alex, we need to move!' Strong fingers gripped her wrist, and she felt herself pulled along, Dean in front of her and Sam behind. The three ran down the street, ducking through a copse of trees as more demons ran down the street. Dean stumbled and fell, swearing as he hit the ground. Alex was at his side in a second, checking him over. 'I'm fine, I'm fine.' He pushed her hands away, and she looked back at Sam, who shrugged. The eldest Winchester checked the Colt, and motioned to Sam's weapon. Sam looked down, checking his ammo. 'We've gotta find the devil. Get this done.' Sam nodded in response.

They moved through the bushes, keeping close together. The town opened up in the centre, into a square of sorts where they usually held fêtes and public events. Now though, it was full of people, staring up into the sky. A fire burned in the middle, and there, amongst the possessed townsfolk, stood Lucifer. Alex sucked in a breath as she saw him, feeling fear curl through her. His vessel might have once been good looking, but the way it looked now, as if his skin was stretched too tight, burnt in places, with a deathly pale complexion – all he did now was strike fear straight into her.

'Guess we know what happened to some of the townspeople.' Dean muttered, checking the Colt again for bullets. It was fully loaded. He looked back at his siblings, raising an eyebrow. Sam looked beyond him to the field. Bobby had told them that the land where the previous battle had taken place had been rebuilt on, which was now the centre of town. This was where Death was being brought forth.

'Okay.' He said, and Dean nodded curtly.

'Okay.'

'Last words?' Sam asked, and Alex swallowed.

'I think I'm good.' Dean replied, looking to Alex.

'Yeah. Me too.' She said quietly, and Sam reached out to grasp her shoulder for a moment.

Dean tilted his head to the side and his mouth was set in a tight line. 'Here goes nothing.' He stood, coming out of the bushes and to the side of the grouped people. Alex went straight through the middle, and Sam went straight for the devil, where he stood filling in a hole in the ground.

'Hey!' The youngest sibling yelled, readying his shotgun to fire. Lucifer turned, dropping the shovel. 'You wanted to see me?' Sam taunted, taking aim with the gun. Lucifer smiled and Sam resisted the urge to shiver.

'Oh, Sam, you don't need that gun here. You know I'd never hurt you. Not really.'

Dean appeared from the other side then, holding the Colt at dead aim for the devil's forehead, smiling dryly. 'Yeah? Well, I'd hurt you.' He shrugged a little and tightened his finger on the trigger. 'So suck it.' He fired, and Lucifer hit the deck.

For two seconds, the entire town was silent. None of the possessed humans moved, and all three Winchesters watched the corpse, daring to hope that it might be over, that they might be done. Then the body moved and Lucifer inhaled deeply. He sat up, holding a hand to his forehead, and Alex took a step back.

'Owwww...' The devil got to his feet. Sam's mouth was agape and Dean was frowning in confusion. 'Where did you get that?' Lucifer motioned to the gun, looking hurt more than pissed. Then he stepped forward, landing an uppercut to Dean's jaw. The eldest brother went flying backwards, hitting a tree hard. Sam started forward, but then Lucifer turned, fixing a somewhat pleasant smile on him. 'Now, where were we?' Sam looked to Alex, who tried to shake off her fear. Lucifer seemed to notice her then, and turned his gaze on her briefly, a chilling look in his eyes. 'Don't feel too bad, guys. There's only five things in all of creation that that gun can't kill, and I just happen to be one of them. But if you give me a minute, I'm almost done.' He picked up the shovel, preparing to shovel more dirt, and Alex seized the chance. She took a step forward, raising her gun, but in that second, Lucifer raised his hand, and she froze, unable to move. 'I'm not going to hurt you, sweetheart. But that would be a very stupid idea.' Her hazel eyes moved to Sam, and he looked between her and Dean. Alex flicked her eyes, and Sam nodded, moving to check on their brother. Dean was unconscious but alive, and after making sure of this, Sam stood, looking over to the devil, who stood leaning on the shovel. 'You know, I don't suppose you'd just say yes here and now? End this whole tiresome discussion? That's crazy, right?'

'It's never gonna happen.' Sam's voice was filled with rage, and Lucifer shrugged, turning back to filling in his hole.

'Oh, I don't know, Sam. I think it will. I think it'll happen soon. Within six months.' He glanced over to Alex. 'I think it'll happen in Detroit. One of you, at least.'

'You listen to me, you son of a bitch. I'm gonna kill you myself, you understand me? I'm going to rip your heart out!' Her brother was beyond angry, his entire body vibrating with rage. Alex felt the devil's amusement as he chuckled.

'That's good, Sam. You keep fanning that fire in your belly. All that pent-up rage. I'm gonna need it.'

Sam blinked, visibly calming his emotions. He looked to Alex, who was still frozen, and too close to the devil for his liking. Behind her, the masses of townspeople stood still, not moving, not responding to anything around them.

'What did you do?' Sam questioned. 'What did you do this town?'

'Oh, I was very generous with this town.' Lucifer gestured around him. 'One demon for every able-bodied man.'

'And the rest of them?' The question was hesitant, because Sam already knew where the rest of the town was. Lucifer was burying them where they had held festivals, where they'd laughed and enjoyed summer days. The whole of Carthage was dead and buried.

'In there.' Lucifer jerked his head back towards the hole he'd been filling in. 'I know, it's awful, but these horsemen are so demanding. So it was women and children first.' He put the shovel down, moving slightly closer to Alex, but still addressing Sam. 'I know what you must think of me, Sam. But I have to do this. I have to. You of all people should understand.' He reached out, running a cold finger down Alex's face.

'What's that supposed to mean?' Sam ground out through gritted teeth. Alex couldn't move, and the devil was touching her, like he owned her. He leant in close, cheek to cheek, putting his lips near her ear. Alex's eyes widened and Sam felt like shouting at him to leave her alone. Then the devil drew back, looking at him as if he'd forgotten where he was in his speech. He smiled.

'I was a son. A brother, like you, a younger brother, and I had an older brother who I loved. Idolized, in fact. And one day I went to him and I begged him to stand with me, and Michael – Michael turned on me. Called me a freak. A monster. And then he beat me down. All because I was different. Because I had a mind of my own. Tell me something, Sam. Any of this sound familiar?' He smiled broadly, then clapped his hands together, making Sam jump. 'Anyway. You'll have to excuse me. Midnight is calling, and I have a ritual to finish. Don't go anywhere.' He leered at Alex. 'Now that you could if you would.'

Sam remained by Dean, wanting his sister by his side, but she was stuck, too close to the devil for her comfort. Lucifer turned, and began chanting. After a few moments of this, he turned to the possessed townsfolk, raising his arms into the air.

'Now, repeat after me. We offer up our lives, blood, souls -'

Dean stirred. The demons began to repeat the words their master spoke.

'Now, repeat after me. We offer up our lives, blood, souls -'

'To complete this tribute.'

'To complete this tribute.'

One by one, the demons flashed gold, the vessels falling over dead. Dean opened his eyes as it started, watching with his brother in horror as the entire town was snuffed out like popping Christmas lights. Dean's eyes roamed over the area, seeing Alex stood, unable to move, right next to where the devil stood at the front of the hundred or so dead bodies on the floor. Now it was just them four left, and Alex felt cold grip her heart. Lucifer looked over to them, taking in their expressions of horror.

'What? They're just demons.'

The ground began to shake, and Lucifer smiled as the brothers tried to keep their footing. Castiel appeared then, next to Alex. He reached for her, trying to pull her free, which made Lucifer laugh. He waved a hand.

'You can keep her for now, brother. But she won't be yours forever.' His eyes flashed dangerously, and Alex scrambled away towards her brothers, Cas behind her, urging her on. As they reached the tree base, Castiel reached out to make sure he was in physical contact with all three siblings, and willed them away.

Lucifer glared as the foursome disappeared, but shrugged, knowing it would not be long before he found them again. As the ground continued to shake, and the ritual completed, he smiled over into the darkness.

'Oh, hello Death.'

Sioux Falls, November 2009

The house had been quiet. No one quite knew how to process. Bobby had thrown himself into fixing cars again, doing what he could with his limited mobility. Dean and Sam had been researching non stop, silent in their tasks. Alex had been trying to occupy James, who was uncharacteristically silent. He'd not had experience of knowing someone who had died, and explaining it to him had been painful. Cas had assured him that Ellen and Jo were in heaven, but it was still a diffcult concept to grasp for him. He simply didn't understand why these nice people he had met, who he'd gotten attached to quickly, as children did, were now gone and not coming back.

Six days after Carthage, James was asleep in bed and Dean went into the kitchen, finding Sam sat at the table with a book and a beer. His little brother looked up as Dean stood, looking confused. 'What's up?' Sam asked, and Dean looked around.

'Have you seen Alex?'

'I think she went outside.' Sam shrugged. 'Ask Bobby.' Dean turned, finding Bobby at his desk in the study and Cas watching TV. News reports played repeatedly, noting the increased numbers in natural disasters and crime. World was going to hell and they knew why, but the media couldn't figure it out.

'Seen Alex?'

'I thought she was with you.' Castiel said, looking up. Bobby shrugged.

'I saw her go outside. Thought she might be training again.'

Dean walked out, not noticing Cas get up from his seat. As he went out onto the porch, the angel followed close behind, sighing when he was outside of the wards. It was taking a toll on him to stay inside, but he did so gladly, knowing he could protect both James and Alex more adequately. He kept close to the Winchester brother as he headed through the yard, calling out for his sister.

'She's not here.' Cas said suddenly. 'I can't feel her.'

The hunter span round. 'Feel her?' He asked. 'That's a whole world of creepy. I thought she was shielded from angels.'

'She is. Just not from me.' Dean raised an eyebrow and Castiel knew he needed to provide an explanation. 'She has a part of me inside her. I know where she and James are at all times.'

The look on Dean's face was not one Cas could translate and he exhaled, stretching out his senses, looking for the Winchester sister. He looked over towards the yard exit, frowning. 'She's gone.'

'Gone where?'

'She is still close.'

Dean looked around, spotted a missing car from the select few he knew actually worked. 'She's taken a car. She wouldn't -' He left the question hanging and Cas shook his head.

'She wouldn't leave James. I shall go and retrieve her.' And he disappeared. Dean shook his head, heading back into the house.

Cas appeared outside of a bar in the town of Sioux Falls. Loud music emanated from it, and he knew by the looks of the place that it was a dive bar, the sort of place he would expect to find Dean. He approached the doors, receiving a filthy look from the bouncer stood at the front with his arms crossed over his burly chest. Cas paid him no mind as he entered the building. The music became clearer and louder as he did so and he stopped just inside, searching for Alex.

The bar was busy, bodies bustling everywhere, and the stench of human sweat and alcohol was rife. Cigarette smoke curled through the air in an unappetizing manner, and Cas blocked all these things out to focus on his goal. Across the room, he found her, dancing, a man behind her. She was clearly drunk, if the way she moved was anything to go by, the look on her face of absolute nonchalance, and the glass of clear liquid in her hand. The man's hands were roaming around her waist, and Cas' eyes darkened as he watched. Something rose in his chest, tightening and loosening all at the same time and he took a few steps forward.

Because when I arrive, I, I bring the fire

The music increased in pace, and Alex threw herself forward, her hair moving wildly around her head as the man behind her grinned, and one of his hands palmed her breast through her thin camisole. For the most part, she seemed not to notice, until his hand went south, and she opened her mouth in a little "o".

Make you come alive, I can take you higher

Cas moved quickly then, coming up to her side and glaring at the man who was touching her inappropriately. She noticed him, smiling dreamily as she attempted to push the guy off.

'Cas!' She said about the music.

What this is, forgot? I must now remind you

He stared at her, his eyes drifting to the hands around her waist. She frowned back, then seemed to notice the guy now grinding against her. 'Hey, guy, get off.' She pushed at him, and the guy looked towards Cas, disgruntled by the interruption.

Let it rock, let it rock

'Buzz off, man. This is my dance.' The guy grumbled, trying to pull Alex around to face him. Cas was about ready to drop him to the floor, but Alex beat him to it, planting her elbow in the guy's face. He went down with a thud, as Alex giggled and sipped at her drink.

Let it rock, let it rock

Cas raised an eyebrow at her. 'You're intoxicated.' He stated, glancing back to the man on the floor, who was cupping his bleeding nose. She giggled again and stumbled backwards, the glass falling from her hand to shatter on the floor. The angel moved quickly, grabbing her before she could fall. Several people were staring at the commotion.

And now the son's disgraced, he, who knew his father

'I am taking you home.' He said to Alex, having to raise his voice above the music. She pushed at his arms.

'Get off.' She said, slurring her words.

When he cursed his name, turned and chased the dollar

'You are drunk, Alex.'

'No shit, Sherlock.' She mumbled into his coat as she slumped forward.

But it broke his heart, so he stuck his middle finger

Cas wrapped one arm around her waist, hoisting her up into a cradle. She fought, but the alcohol was weighing heavily on her system, and she went limp, her fists ineffective against his angelic strength. 'I am taking you home.' He repeated, walking towards the exit.

To the world, to the world, to the world

As he moved through the door, he took them home, and he had no doubt the surly bouncer would have been confused by the door opening by itself but no one emerging. He'd chalk it up to the wind or some such, as most humans did. The ignorance was sometimes astounding. As he crashed to a stop on the Singer porch, he remembered the wards, and his shoulders dropped. Alex was half way asleep, and he nudged her gently. 'Alex.'

'Wha.' She said, throwing an arm around his shoulder.

'I need you to knock on the door. I cannot reach.'

'Jus shout.' Alex slurred, rubbing her nose against his neck. He tried to ignore the feeling of her skin on his, grinding his teeth together.

'That will wake James.'

The mention of her son made her freeze, and for a few seconds they stayed there. Then she braced her hands against his chest and pushed. The surprise of her action made him drop her and she tumbled to the ground with a heavy thud, rolling against the door. Her head hit the frame, and the door shook. She grunted, bringing a hand up to where she'd hit her head, and the door flew open, revealing Dean and Sam with guns aimed. When they saw it was Cas, they dropped the guns, looking down in shock at their inebriated sister.

'Alex?' Sam asked, bending down and reaching out to her. She slapped his hands away.

'Ge' los.' She spat, looking at him with unfocused hazel eyes.

'Oh yeah, this is healthy.' Dean said, putting his gun back in the waistband of his jeans. 'Getting hammered. Where was she?'

'S'no lie you don.' Alex slurred, rolling over onto her knees. Castiel watched impassively as she promptly crawled to the edge of the porch and threw up. Sam wrinkled his nose, and Dean rolled his eyes.

'She was at a bar in town. She had drunk a significant amount of alcohol and was letting a man touch her.' The anger in Cas' voice was unmistakable.

'Oh, a drunk and a slut. Nice move, Alex.' Her elder brother muttered.

'You're not my...' She threw up again, then fell forward on her stomach, passing out. Dean sighed.

'She always was a lousy drunk. Anything stronger than beer and she's like a cave woman.' He poked Sam. 'You can carry her upstairs. She's gonna need a bath or something.'

Sam nodded, a resigned look on his face as he moved forward. He grabbed Alex by the shoulders, rolling her over. Thankfully she'd gotten most of the puke over the side of the porch, and boy was Bobby gonna be unhappy about that. Cas stepped forward, prepared to help, but Sam was already picking up his significantly smaller sister and carrying her into the house.

'Dean, would you break the warding for a moment so I could enter?' He asked quietly, and Dean blinked, as if remembering where he was. He stood to one side as Sam passed.

'Yeah, sure man, sorry.' He disappeared inside the house for a moment, and Cas felt the wards break. He slipped inside, and Dean restored the symbols. As he did, the air pressed down around the angel, and he twitched, feeling the discomfort return. Dean looked at him, puzzled. 'You know you don't have to keep doing that right? We're not gonna be here much longer, we can probably do without the wards.'

'No. It is safer this way.'

Dean shrugged. 'Your call.' He looked up the stairs. 'At least you found her before she got in any real trouble. When she was about twenty, she went off on a drinking binge that woulda made me proud. Dad, not so much. She was out of her gourd. Amount she puked, we thought she might have to go to the hospital.'

'Will she be okay this time?' Cas wondered out loud, and Dean waved a hand.

'I've seen her worse. She's dealing the only way a Winchester knows how, unfortunately.' He turned and headed for the study. 'You might wanna go give Sam a hand. She can be a bit...violent when she is drinking.'

'That I have witnessed.' Castiel mumbled, making his way up the stairs.

When he got to the top, he heard a grunt, and Sam fell backwards out of Alex's room. He rolled over onto his stomach and pushed himself upwards. 'She woke up.' He said sullenly. 'Clocked me. I'm gonna have a damn bruise. She's a nasty drunk.'

'You're a dick.' Alex's voice came from the bedroom, and Castiel glanced to James' room. The door was closed, but with no inhibitions, Alex could wake him up if she got any louder. Sam looked at him despairingly.

'I will deal with this.' He said, and Sam took off, throwing him a grateful smile. Cas approached the bedroom door slowly, opening it. Alex was laying on her side on the bed, looking pale and sickly. He noted her thin frame, the muscles of her arms and toned stomach. But she was too skinny. She'd lost so much weight in a few months, through stress and working out. Moving forward, he sat on the bed with his back to her, considering how to proceed.

'Bet you think I'm a real catch now, huh?' She said quietly, throwing an arm over her eyes. 'Can we turn off the light? It's too bright in here.' Cas stood up and flicked the light switch, returning to his seat without a word. 'Thanks.' She waited for a moment. 'You gonna ignore me all night?'

'I am unsure what to say.' He said simply.

'That makes two of us.' Alex muttered, dropping her arm back to the bed.

'We were worried when you disappeared.' Cas said slowly. 'This is unusual behaviour for you, Alex.'

'No, this is pretty usual for a Winchester.' She echoed her brother's earlier sentiments. 'When we stress, we drink.'

'Has this become a frequent occurrence?'

Alex shook her head and immediately regretted it. She held one hand to her stomach, trying to quell the nausea. 'No. I guess...with everything...Jo and Ellen...I just...needed to let loose.' She sighed. 'I'm sorry. I know...I wasn't doing it to hurt you.' Her voice fell to a whisper. 'I didn't really even know he was there, I just kept knocking the drinks back...' A groan came from her mouth, and she rolled back. 'Could you make the room stop spinning? I think I'm gonna puke again.'

Cas turned, looking at her in the darkness, the paleness of her skin standing out. She'd had a tan when he met her originally - not that she was any less beautiful without. But this pale, sallow version of her made him sad. Made him feel like he had done this to her. Logically he knew it was not his fault, but something else, something she would not tell him. He paused in his train of thoughts - if this is what love did to humans, no wonder they seemed to be mentally unstable.

He cautiously reached out two fingers, touching her forehead and taking away the inebriation. Normally he would allow her to feel the effects of her drinking binge, let her understand that she did it to herself, but he needed answers, and drunken Alex would probably not give the right ones.

She sighed as the nausea and disorientation was taken away, and sat up. 'Thanks. I promise, I won't do it again.'

'We need to talk, Alex.'

Those words sent a stone of dread sinking to the bottom of her stomach. 'Talk? About what?'

He lent over and turned the lamp on next to the bed, illuminating the room softly. She blinked, letting her eyes adjust, and he drank her in for a moment. She was dressed in her usual jeans and camisole - although it looked like Sam had managed to get her boots off before she'd punched him. Her chest was glistening with sweat, and her hair stuck to her forehead, the rest of her long brown locks messed up and frizzy in places. She'd put a little make up on before she'd gone out tonight, but the black eye liner she'd tried was now smudged and partially rubbed off.

She ran a hand through her hair, trying to smooth it down, as if sensing he was inspecting her. 'Cas, you're kinda making me uncomfortable.' She whispered, bracing herself with her arms on the bed.

The urge overcame him so quickly, he couldn't help it. He lent forward, sliding a hand through her messy hair to grasp the back of her head, and brought his lips crashing down to hers. She yelped a little, but then melted into the kiss, despite her mind telling her she shouldn't, that she should resist him, but then his hands were wandering over her skin and she felt like she was on fire. She let him deepen the kiss, relishing the feel of his tongue exploring her mouth, his fingers threading through her hair. She brought her own hands up to hold him tightly.

A soft moan escaped her as the kiss became more intense, and she found she needed him, so badly it felt like she would burn without him. 'Cas...' The gasp of his name spurred him on, and he pushed her back onto the bed, covering her body with his own. Her hands were under the trench coat now, and under the jacket, pulling his shirt from the waistband of his pants.

'Alex...' He whispered reverently as he kissed a trail down her neck, along her chest to the top of one breast, her skin goosepimpling in his wake. He pulled at her top, but then stopped, moving back up to capture her mouth in another kiss.

'Cas...'

He hummed in response as one of his hands slipped around her stomach, coming to rest just above the top of her jeans, his long finger slipping lower. 'Alex...' He said again, and she opened her eyes to see him staring down at her before they kissed again. But then he pulled away, kissing her neck once more, his lips close to her ear.

'Alex, I love you.'