Chapter 37

The two story house was set back in a stand of trees, hidden from view and isolated like Dean wanted. He parked the car on the far side of the house to hide it and got out. The others followed suit and helped get the things from the back to take inside.

Charlie looked around at the shape of the place wondering how long it had been since someone had lived in it and if there were any unwanted guests hiding in the shadows. Shutters were haphazardly hanging on the windows, paint was peeling off in long strips, weeds and vines had taken over the yard and part of the porch and a few window panes were missing here and there. She shuffled closer to Sam and watched as Cas grasped the door knob and opened it with ease. Dean went in first and looked around deciding to use the large room to the right for the interrogation. He found a decent chair and sat it up and swept some trash from a small table before sitting his weapon's bag in it. Sam looked around the place and retrieved several more chairs to use, offering one to Charlie.

"You start on the devil's trap." Dean ordered Sam tossing a can of spray paint his way. "Clear an area over there."

Sam quickly caught it and moved over to the side of the room and took a long forgotten towel to wipe the dust away before starting to draw out the trap as Dean pulled what he would need to summon Crowley from his bag. Cas took a seat by Charlie knowing he wasn't needed yet and waited for them to finish their tasks.

"What's going on?" Charlie asked quietly.

"Dean is going to summon a demon." Cas said like it was nothing unusual and something they did on a regular basis.

Charlie did a double take with the information and turned again to watch the brothers with interest. This was all new to her and she was taking everything in. Sam stood up and studied his design for a moment before touching it up and turning back to his brother.

"It's ready." Sam said dropping the spray can back into the pack and stood by Dean as he finished putting the last of the ingredients into the bowl.

Dean began to speak in Latin as he tossed a match into the bowl causing the contents to flare up brightly and smoke for a moment. It was only a matter of seconds before a figure appeared in the devil's trap dressed in a dark suit and sipping on a glass of amber liquid.

"Moose, Squirrel, what's the occasion? Feathers and who have we here my lovely red headed creature?" Crowley asked as he turned to face them and looked down at the devil's trap. "Really boys, I thought we were friends, BFFs? A devil's trap?"

"We're not friends Crowley." Dean growled at him.

"Is he talking to me?" Charlie whispered to Castiel as she eyed the man standing in the devil's trap. He was dressed in a three piece dark suit and spoke with an English accent. She would never have thought that this uppity person was a demon.

"Why are your demons teaming with Lucifer and protecting the Horsemen?" Sam asked.

"My demons? Well, when you freed the devil, he decided to visit hell and riled up the masses. Needless to say I was not welcome anymore and had to disappear before becoming his latest victim. So I ask you what are you three are going to do about it." Crowley droned on as his voice got louder and higher at the end.

"What do you know about the CEO of a pharmaceutical company in Wisconsin?" Dean asked him not bothering to let him out of the trap.

"Not a thing, but I might be able to find something out. I still have a few contacts." he suggested looking down at the trap. "If you would..."

Dean grumbled under his breath as he begrudgingly moved to the trap and pulled a knife out and squatted down to scrap through the outer circle so Crowley could step out.

"Hello my dear young lady, and who might you be?" Crowley asked Charlie as he stepped over to her and took her hand kissing it like a proper gentleman might do.

"Charlie." she said looking him up and down for a moment. "So you're a demon right?"

"Yes, the name's Crowley, former King of Hell." he said bowing slightly to her and smiled.

"King of Hell, and now you're what?" she asked curious about him.

"Incognito my dear and now it looks like I shall be helping you trap the devil."

"Alright, leave Charlie alone." Dean said in disgust. "We need some recon on this CEO and find a weak spot so we can grab him."

"You know I'm on Lucifer's Most Wanted List correct?"

"You wanted to help, so help." Dean stated madly. "You want us to put the devil back in the cage...Do your part. You're not blameless in all this you know."

"I shall see what I can find out." he said before vanishing.

"Dude! Do all demons do that like angels?" Charlie asked.

"No, he was the King of Hell so he has more power than most demons." Cas told her.

"Interesting to know. Does he always try to sweet talk women?"

"Ignore Crowley; he's only in it for himself." Sam told her as he helped Dean to gather the items up from the spell.

"How long do you think he'll be?" Charlie questioned thinking time had a different aspect for angels and demons.

"I'm hurt Moose, have I not helped you in the past?" Crowley asked when he appeared nearby.

"So what did you find out?" Dean asked him not wanting to waste time.

"We should talk alone Squirrel." Crowley told him looking over at Sam for a moment.

"Why? What's wrong?"

"What's going on?" Sam asked not catching everything being said.

"Moose shouldn't be here for this...This little operation." Crowley offered.

"And why is that? What are you not saying Crowley?" Sam demanded as his temper flared. He looked at him hard and Crowley started to cough as a puff of red smoke slipped between his lips.

"Ummm...Sammy man...He still might be useful so let's not kill him...Yet." Dean told Sam laying a hand on his shoulder to stop him before he went too far.

Sam blinked several times as his concentration was broken and he looked at Crowley with a bitchy look.

"My my, it seems you've changed Moose. You've learned some new tricks since last time we worked together." Crowley commented looking at him warily as he straightened his tie. "You can capture this guy when he leaves work. He usually stops at this French restaurant on his way home to pick up a meal. Seems he's acquired a taste for the cuisine."

"Good. Sammy you're staying here with Charlie while Cas and me handle this. Get this place ready for our guest."

"But I want..." Sam started but Dean stopped him by holding up his hand.

"It's either that or I have Cas take you back to Bobby's and lock you in the panic room until this is over." he told Sam in a tone that didn't leave room for argument. "Oh and Sammy, you better be here when I get back..." Dean continued wanting him to know there'd be no more running and doing this on his own.

Sam scowled at Dean and saw he meant business and finally hissed, "Fine..." He turned on his heels and stomped out of the room to be followed by Charlie who looked pissed at Dean in passing. She didn't show any fear of him and wanted him to know it. He might be able to control his brother, but she wasn't bending to his brute force.

Crowley smirked as he the watched the confrontation between the brothers and wondered what had transpired to cause this. He was curious about Sam's interesting powers and if he could somehow use it to his advantage.

"Let's go Crowley, you're helping too since this will benefit you too." Dean sneered at him before heading out the door.

spn

Charlie found Sam in what she thought was a large living room where they had left the bags. He had found a ratty broom and was sweeping dust from around the chair in a growing circle. She could tell by his body language he was brooding and upset. She watched him stop for a moment and grab the chair for support as his body wavered slightly. After a few slow breaths, he continued to clear the area.

"Sam..." Charlie spoke quietly and cautiously. "Look I know your brother's being a douche bag, but as much as I hate to say it, he's right."

Sam looked up at Charlie a look of betrayal on his face and started to speak, but she cut him off.

"You're not a hundred percent Sam and you can't face a demon or however many there are like that and not get hurt. Dean's trying to protect you from yourself though I don't particularly like his methods but he's doing it because he loves you and doesn't want to see you get hurt. I can see how much he cares for you; it's written across his face and in his eyes. I know, I know, you stubborn men don't talk about feelings and such, but it's true and if you take a moment and appraise the situation you'll see I'm telling the truth. I don't know what went on between you two before you contacted me, but I'm in agreement with the douche bag that we need help to do this." Charlie said not letting Sam speak yet. She walked closer and laid a hand on his arm and looked up into his angry eyes. "What can I do to help?"

Sam stared at her like she was betraying him as she defended Dean to him. He had to admit that he wasn't fully over the withdrawal yet, but he was close. He looked down at the floor he was sweeping and tried to think logically and without emotions and knew they both were right. At least Dean did let him come and he could be a part of this and help get the information they needed on Pestilence. He looked back up at Charlie in a different light and knew she was being the reasonable one here. He let his shoulder slump slightly and accepted what was happening.

"You can get the spray paint out of the bag for me." he finally said. "I need to draw a devil's trap to hold him."

"You're going to have to teach that to me." she said, happy that Sam had listened to her. Charlie looked into the heavy bag Dean had been carrying and froze as she surveyed all the deadly weapons. This was the part she didn't like but knew it was the only way and she had to remember what they were dealing with was not human. She snagged a can of spray paint and turned back to Sam, her emotions under control and hidden.

spn

"You know what to do Cas?" Dean asked as they staked out the restaurant waiting on their target.

"Yes, take out the driver and take his place while Crowley takes out the other guard."

"Right, I'll tranq the big boss and we take him back to the house to interrogate."

"If Crowley's information is correct he should be here shortly." Cas said glaring at Crowley.

"And Crowley, no funny business got it?"

"Please...I'm offended that you'd suggest..."

"Can it dirt bag, I know you're only helping 'cause this gets you your throne back." Dean shot at him making him huff with the insult.

"I'm telling you Moose shouldn't be around when you question him." Crowley offered but only got death glares from the hunter and angel. "It's your party." he shrugged ignoring them.

"Let's hope he's not running behind." Dean grumbled as he shifted around in his seat impatient to get this done. He let his hand rest on a pocket that had the two rings and could feel the outline of them. He knew better than to leave them where Sam might find them and decide to take off on his own again. Dean had secretly put tracking devices in his duffle and on his cell and laptop in case he did that. He had a feeling Charlie could easily find the last two but hoped they wouldn't think about the first. The only thing in his favor was he had the lead to the next Horseman.

"I think that may be them." Cas said watching an SUV pull up into a no parking spot and a young man get out to head into the restaurant.

"Crowley you take the one standing by the car, Cas the one inside." Dean told them as he got ready to do battle.

Dean got into position to take down the boss while Crowley appeared behind the demon standing by the car and shoved an angel blade into his back. At the same time, Cas appeared in the passenger seat and stabbed the driver with his blade. Neither knew what took them out and Cas quickly removed the bodies before anyone was the wiser. He took the driver's place and Dean waited in the shadows for the target to come back out, the dart gun ready. Crowley disappeared into the shadows to wait to see how this played out. He had his money on the Winchesters since they seemed to always come out on top in these type of situations. He wasn't a fool because he knew how they felt about him, so he was going to watch his back closely.

A/N: They're getting one step closer to the third ring. Thank all for the support and thank you to the guests who left reviews that I can't personally thank. You know what I like... NC