Chapter 21

I felt a tingle on the back of my neck and I stood perfectly still. It had been a matter of hours since we had realized that Dean was gone, but he was now returned and it was almost to the exact time. Bobby would have no memory of our conversation and for that I was thankful. However, Dean would tell Bobby what he had seen when he had been sent forward in time. I frowned as I realized that I was being summoned again.

I moved quickly to the place where I was being summoned and appeared before the circle of the others. I glanced at my side and saw Azrael there. I frowned at him but he shook his head.

"You rang?" I asked quietly.

Michael glared at me and then at Azrael. "Azrael, you were not summoned. You may go," he told him.

Azrael smiled and folded his arms across his chest. "And leave her to be beaten again by you? Never going to happen."

"I can take care of myself," I muttered.

"Not when you can't countermand the order not to fight him," Azrael hissed.

I sighed for he was correct. Michael scowled at him.

"I didn't recall that she was not permitted to fight me," he said.

"Oh I'm sure that I believe that one," Azrael smiled coldly. "Just be grateful that I won the coin toss."

"The coin toss?" Raphael demanded.

"With Sammael," Azrael's grin widened. "You remember her? Lots of attitude."

Raphael blanched slightly.

I stared at Raphael for a moment and then shook my head. He glowered at me in turn. I sighed as I stared up at the others. Zachariah stood away from them and appeared incensed.

"Lost Dean again I see," I murmured.

"He's completely hard-headed," Zachariah grunted.

"Hmm, what did you show him?" I was curious.

"The world being scorched by Lucifer, because he won't agree to be Michael's vessel," Zachariah spat.

"Didn't work out huh?" I guessed.

"He said something about learning not what I wanted him to," Zachariah huffed. "We'll find him again."

"How did you find him?" I asked.

"Like I'm going to tell you," Zachariah puffed.

"Bet you told Dean," I grinned.

Zachariah's face went purple with rage. Azrael pulled me behind him and glared at the others. I tapped Azrael on his back.

"You can't smite all of them," I whispered.

"Who says I'm alone?" he replied.

I nodded my head and spotted some of the others who were there. I shook my head and stared at Michael.

"Civil war is a good idea Michael?" I pressed.

Michael scowled at me. "This is not civil war."

"Oh yeah?" I laughed. "You think that this is the Father's will?"

Raphael snorted. "We will do what we think is best."

"Careful," I cautioned. "That's beginning to sound like Lucifer."

"We are not of the same ilk," Raphael replied indignantly.

"Want to bet?" I taunted.

I felt another summons and quickly left them before they could grab me. I knew that they wouldn't take on Azrael and I sensed Joshua approach as well. He wasn't happy and I knew it. I moved quickly and found Dean outside of a motel. He was waiting by the Impala.

"Hey," he greeted.

"Hey," I replied.

"So," he sighed. "You know what they did to me?"

"Uh huh," I nodded. "What's happening?"

"Sam's inside," Dean jerked his chin in the direction of the room.

"Have you forgiven him?" I asked.

"I don't know," Dean exhaled. "But I saw what may happen if we separate. He'll be vulnerable to Lucifer."

"Yes," I agreed.

"You've always said that we were stronger together," Dean fixed me with a hard stare. "Why is that?"

"Your brother needs you as much as you need him," I shrugged. "What makes you good hunters is the fact that you balance each other."

"Oh yeah?" Dean sighed.

"Yeah," I nodded. "You kick doors in when he can't charm his way in."
Dean rubbed his jaw for a moment and shook his head. He stood straighter and steered me into the motel room. I found Sam staring at a book and then he saw me. He smiled.

"Well," I nodded. "At least this is a start."
"Don't push it," Dean warned.

"Uh huh," I wrinkled my nose at him. "When have warnings ever stopped me?"

"She's right," Sam agreed.

"Yeah," he shrugged. "So you know what they made me see."
"Yes," I nodded. "How did they get you?"

"Castiel asked me the same thing," Dean sighed. "Apparently they are using the 'fringe' elements to spy for them."

"Visiting them in dreams and giving them your picture," I nodded. "Yes, the 'fringe' elements are always the best ones to use for such things."

"Because they're so far off the deep – end?" Sam asked.

"In part," I nodded. "But also because they're likely to believe anything that they are told and hence do it."
"Well that explains a lot," Dean said.

"It certainly does," I agreed.

"So what's next?" I demanded.

"Find the devil and kill him," Sam smiled.

"And in the mean time?" I pressed.

"Kill every thing else that we find," Dean nodded.