Title: A Drastic Step

Author: Fenikkusu Ai

Pairing: Alastair/Dean

Rating: M

Fandom: Supernatural

Genre: Angst

Word Count: 1,164

Disclaimer: I do not own Supernatural.

The pie was already gone to Dean's dismay.

Dean had managed to snag a piece along with Bobby, Ruby, and Sam. Gabriel literally inhaled the other half before helping himself to some fried chicken. Unlike Castiel, Gabriel had an appetite.

"So, what's the other way?" Dean finally summoned enough courage to ask.

Gabriel waved his hand. "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Personally, I hope that we never come to it. Do you have any symptoms because of your bond?"

Dean looked down at the stained tablecloth. "No."

In fact, ever since they had come here, they had mysteriously tapered off. For the first time, Dean was beginning to wonder if it was truly a good thing.

Gabriel set down his fork. "Then, he's getting closer to you."

"Meaning?" Dean nearly had to choke the word out.

"That's how soul bonds work. Symptoms are less noticeable when the bonder and bondee are in the same vicinity."

"Well then, what the hell should we do?" Dean asked.

"Hide under the table?" Ruby suggested.

"We can't keep running!" Sam declared. "Someone needs to get his blood."

Slowly, all pairs of eyes turned to Gabriel.

"What am I supposed to do? Fly up behind him with a steak knife?" the archangel quipped. "He's only one of the most dangerous beings hell ever spit out."

"But, you're an archangel," Bobby pointed out.

Gabriel's smile was almost charming. "Actually, my brother is the one who smites the legions of hell."

"Good. Then, let's call him," Sam suggested.

"Michael only appears in case of emergency. Like if the world is ending."

"The world is ending in case you haven't noticed!" Sam snapped.

This was the first time Sam had ever truly defended Dean. Was his brother finally coming around?

"He doesn't have his vessel," Gabriel revealed sheepishly.

Dean could have sworn that the archangel's gaze passed over him. He guessed that there were more secrets being hidden at the moment.

"How about we do something instead of arguing with thumbs us our asses?" Bobby bellowed. "So, this big powerful demon is headed here. Now, what? You're the one who reached out to us. Now, help Dean."

Dean really didn't like the way everyone was staring at him. Ruby vigorously picked at her fingernails. Castiel was silent.

Dean swallowed nervously. "I just remembered. I left something in the car."

"What?" Sam seemed ready to jump out of his chair.

"Something." Dean was already moving towards the door. "I'll be right back."

Of course, he was lying. Gabriel probably knew it too.

Once outside in the cool damp air, Dean walked under the pine trees to where the Impala was parked. He opened the heavy door before settling himself in the driver's seat. He waited.

As it turned out, he didn't keep him waiting long. Within minutes, the cell phone rang merrily in his pocket. With shaking hands, Dean answered.

"Your motley crew won't protect you forever." the familiar tone greeted him.

"We're ready for you," Dean hissed. "Three hunters and two angels, one of them being an archangel. Try attacking. I dare you."

Dean purposefully didn't count Ruby in the equation; he knew that she didn't give a damn.

Alastair chuckled. It made Dean's skin crawl.

"I'm shivering. We both know that you're just running out the clock, my boy. You know that in the end I'm going to carve you from the inside out."

No one could get his blood if Alastair was several counties away. Then again, Dean was at odds if he wanted the demon near him at all even for his cure.

"However, I can wait patiently. Though, in the end, I promise you'll be the one seeking me out."

Suddenly, the call disconnected. Dean let the cell phone drop onto the passenger seat. It was officially game on. Except, he didn't feel like playing.

Dean knew that everything was written on his face when he walked into the house.

"Is everything okay?" Sam asked.

"Fine. Just needed some fresh air."

"Has Alastair been calling you?"

It was a wild guess. A stab in the dark. Except, Sam couldn't have been more right.

"Yes, Sam. Gee, you must be psychic," he snarked.

"Well, what did he say?"

"Gloating about how I'm running out of time. So, how about you tell me what Plan B is again, Gabe?"

Gabriel sighed. "I warned you, kid. It's not ideal. It could leave you comatose."

"What is it, Gabriel?"

"You go spelunking. In the depths of your subconsciousness." The angel tapped his head.

Dean was confused. He couldn't possibly mean-

"If you're serious, I'm going to have to put you to sleep."

"Asleep?" Bobby's mouth hung open in disbelief.

"You'll have to go right where the soul bond is. The spot on the map where the evil lurks. Where your worst nightmare lives. Sound fun yet? You have to be unconscious to get the gooey details."

Dean was beginning to feel a cold chill. "Can't you snap me out of it if I don't wake up?"

"Let's hope so. You'll have no memory of your present life once you first get down though; you will totally lose yourself in your mind. It's a little like a sci-fi movie script. It's important to remember that none of it is real. Of course, you'll forget that part as soon as you go to sleep..."

"So, let's go. I want to get in as quickly as possible."

"You're serious."

Dean nodded. He was terrified, but this could be his only chance. It sounded a hell of a lot easier than snatching a vial of Alastair's blood.

"What if he never wakes up?" Sam was genuinely concerned.

"He will," Castiel replied out of the blue.

"So, you've done this before?" Dean asked Castiel.

"Mostly to rediscover lost memories but never to unravel a soul bond. I don't have the power."

Gabriel smiled. "So, why don't I lead you over to this comfy sofa. You'll need to be, uh, horizontal."

Legs trembling a bit, Dean stretched out on the battered upholstery. A part of him wished that Cas was doing this.

"So, what am I supposed to do?"

Dean caught Sam's gaze. They both knew that this could be the last time they saw each other.

"Close your eyes and count to three. Ready?"

Dean closed his eyes. "One."

"Good."

"Two..."

"Fantastic."

Please, let everything be...

"Three."

"Lights out, Dean."

His vision blackened.

...okay.

Dean awoke in the gritty dirt. Cautiously, he moved his hand. The soil was red from iron deposits. From blood. In wonderment, he ground some of it between his fingers.

"Where have you been?" an angry familiar voice demanded.

Before Dean could reply, a boot was ground into his bare chest.

"Seems that someone was trying to get away. Here, I thought that you were just getting into the spirit of things."

He looked up. Focused on the being's face. Alastair. Dean was in hell.

He was home.