Hello my dears. I would like to thank Perdition Raiser, giawinchester and Raheem for the wonderful reviews. I would also like to thank those of you who have followed and favoured since my last update.
So here is the next chapter, its a long one. I hope you like it.
Disclaimer: I don't own Supernatural.
It was decided that Castiel, Dean and Sam would go and call the angel. Dean said he knew a place, an out of the way disused barn which they could lay a ring of holy oil down in without question, and without causing a major fire if they had to light it. Castiel thought it was strange that Dean would know this, but then he assumed that Dean had scouted out the places around the bunker when they had first moved in. No doubt he had found it then.
And so the three of them made their way to the place Dean had last been to summon Crowley to see how Cas being human changed his deal. Damn that seemed like a life time ago, though in truth it was only days. How had so much happened since then? How had he fallen in love with Cas in such a short amount of time? Or was it really a short amount of time? Especially considering he kinda got the impression he had loved the angel for a lot longer than he had allowed himself to admit. But that didn't matter. What did was making sure this angel didn't hurt Cas.
Once there Dean laid out the ring, making sure it was complete, and brought out his angel blade before he allowed Cas to try and contact his brother, but he knew he couldn't put if off forever.
"Okay Cas. Do your thing." He muttered, making sure everyone was armed and ready for anything. He did not like this plan at all, but he would be ready if it went sideways, just as he was pretty sure it would.
Castiel nodded before closing his eyes and concentrating on the angel radio he could still hear in his head. Finding he had it in his mind he started to speak.
"Ezekiel, if you can hear me brother it is Castiel. I require your help. We have found a way to open heaven, but I cannot do it alone. Please if you can hear me we are in an abandoned barn on the outskirts of Lebanon, Kansas. Please come to us and help. Thank you brother." With his prayer finished Castiel opened his eyes and turned towards the door.
"Now what?" Dean asked after a minute had pasted. He was impatient to get on with this. To see if this guy really would help them out.
"Now we wait." Castiel responded with a smile at Dean. He knew it would take a while for his brother to get to him. The angels had no wings now after all.
With that he settled himself into a crossed-legged sitting position prepared to wait for however long it took for Ezekiel to get to him.
Dean watched Cas sit down as casual as you like and felt like screaming. If they called Crowley he would be hear by now… but he needed to do this the way Cas wished. This was Cas' mission, Cas' problem to fix. He was here as moral support and to protect the one he loved. With that thought he moved so he could sit beside Cas, looking towards the door and making sure he was between the former angel and it. At least now he had time to ask the questions which had plagued him earlier when they had discussed Cas becoming what he once was.
"So Cas, you're gonna get your grace back." He said gently, hoping his words wouldn't carry to his brother who was still standing on the other side of the room.
"Yes, temporarily." Castiel replied smiling at Dean wondering if he wanted him to stay an angel. Wondering if Dean saw this as a way of getting him back to full power as it were, if Dean would prefer him that way.
"You sure you can give that back up? I mean it wasn't like it was your choice to be human." Dean said shifting uncomfortably at how much he wanted to sit there and beg Cas to not do this. To stay with him and stay as he was now. To not let anything change.
"I have accepted my humanity Dean, I am willing to continue as I am." Castiel replied simply, smiling at Dean as he saw the insecurities in his eyes.
"But you gonna be happy like this forever?" Dean asked not understanding how anyone could give up everything Cas had had for a crappy human life and actually enjoy it.
"Do you want me to be an angel Dean?" Castiel asked tilting his head at the man next to him. It was a question he would need an answer to before he proceeded in his plan. Because if Dean wished it, he would be an angel for him. He would prefer to be human, be with Dean as they were now, but if the other man did not agree…
"I want whatever you do Cas. If that's what you want then I'm good with that." Dean replied quickly, wanting to reassure Cas that as long as he was happy, then he would be too. Even if he knew that was a complete pile of shit. He wanted Cas as he had him now, human. He didn't want him going away to be with the other angels, he wanted Cas at his side, and he didn't want anything to stop that from happening, screw the deal he had made. He wanted Cas for himself because he just did, period.
"I want to be with you. The best way to do that is being human. I am happy Dean, I have you and I have what we mean to each other. I could ask for nothing more from my life." Castiel responded with a smile. He could see Dean's wishes in his eyes even if the man would never speak them. He was Dean Winchester, he would always put what others wanted before his own needs. It was one of the things Castiel loved most about him. Because yes, he knew this was love, even if Dean would not let him say it. He knew it deep in his soul, in the remainder of his grace that was inside him. He had always loved Dean, from the moment he had gripped him tight and raised him from hell.
"You sure Cas, cos if not I could-" Dean started to say, not sure how he was going to finish that sentence, but wanting to make sure Cas knew he was okay with whatever he wanted.
"I am sure Dean." Castiel interrupted taking Dean's hand in his own and holding it tight, hoping to show how much he meant his words through the connection.
"Okay then." Dean replied with a soft smile as he squeezed Cas' hand back just as tightly. He had to accept that Cas wanted to be human and with him. Even if he couldn't understand why.
With that they both fell silent as they turned to watch the door hand in hand as they waited for the only angel Castiel could think of who would help them to come and do so.
It was four hours later and Dean was so fed up now. Not only had they forgotten to pack any food, his ass was getting numb from sitting on the floor.
"Okay, there is no way he's coming right?" He said into the silence, it wasn't the first time he had said those words, but it was the first time he allowed his exasperation at this situation show.
Of course the whole time they had been waiting he hadn't let go of Cas' hands once, but still. This was taking the piss in his mind.
"I do believe you are correct Dean. I have heard nothing on angel radio to show he has heard my prayer. It is possible he did not survive the fall." Castiel responded with a sigh and a heavy heart at being responsible for the death of another angel. He had killed so many of his family. So many deaths lay at his feet.
"Right then. On with plan B." Dean replied standing up and pulling Cas with him as he stretched out his muscles. It was strange to think he was relieved that they were now summoning Crowley. How fucked up was that? That he felt relief at summoning the king of freakin' hell? Somewhere his world had got seriously messed up.
"Fine." Sam agreed with a sigh. He had been so sure this would work, but with the angel being a no show, he couldn't really come up with any other reason to say no to Dean. Well except Crowley was a conniving dipshit, but he doubted that argument would work. They all knew that fact after all.
It didn't take long for Dean to get what they needed from the car and set up the summoning ritual. Once done he turned to Cas to get his nod before he lit the candles. Time to see if Crowley could help them.
Crowley turned up promptly, wondering if it was the moose wanting to talk some more. But what he found was so much more interesting than just boring old Sam Winchester. Because there was Dean, and beside him, protective as always was Castiel. It was strange to see him without his wings, though he could still sense the residue grace inside him, the grace which clung to his now so very human soul. It was fascinating to Crowley.
"Hello boys. Castiel oh my, don't you look different." He purred to the room, noting the devils trap that surrounded him but paying little attention to it. It wasn't like the Winchesters could keep him after all. But he did wonder why they summoned him, all three of them, and just what the former angel knew of his current working relationship with his lover.
"As do you." Castiel replied with a frown as he realised for the first time he could truly see Crowley's face, or the face of the meatsuit he wore, rather than the demon below the skin. It was a strange experience to see through human eyes after eons of seeing as an angel.
"Yes, I imagine I do." Crowley responded with a chuckle before turning to the two Winchesters with an expectant look. "So why have you kids summoned me? Because I doubt it's to catch up, have a nice little chat over a drink." he said giving Dean a meaningful look upon the words catch up, not that he really needed an update, he could see all he needed from just watching Dean and Castiel. They were definitely walking the right path to get where he wanted them to eventually go.
"We need your help." Dean stated plainly, trying to work out how to have this conversation without revealing the deal he had made with this demon. Hmm, maybe he should have thought through summoning Crowley with Cas at his side, but too late now.
"And why would I help you?" Crowley asked raising his eyebrow at Dean and wondering just what was going on.
"If you do not you will not be leaving this barn." Castiel said narrowing his eyes at the demon he had once chosen to work with. That had not gone well, but here they were doing it again. Though at least this time they had some leverage.
"Is that so?" Crowley asked softly turning his eyes from Castiel to Dean and back again. So Castiel was as clueless as always then. Surely Dean had learnt by now that keeping secrets was never a good idea.
"Yeah it is. So I guess you gonna have to help us." Dean replied with bravo, though whether it was real of fake he wasn't quite sure. He had agreed to Crowley's freedom after all, but neither of them had put a time limit on it, and he had a horrible idea that knowing Crowley as he did that meant it was permanent.
"Oh no, you've got me." Crowley responded with sarcasm dripping from his lips as he rolled his eyes at Dean.
"We need you to find the remainder of my grace." Castiel said ignoring Crowley and Dean's words. They were here for one reason and one reason alone.
"Your grace Castiel? There is some left is there?" Crowley asked his eyes lighting at the idea of the power that he could control with that in his hands.
"Don't even think about it." Dean growled at him, clenching his hand around the angel blade. He wanted to kill the bastard so much for the threat he could hear in his voice, but he knew he could do nothing to him. If he did then Sam would die. Son of a bitch.
"Remember who you are talking to squirrel. I will not only think about it, I will do whatever I wish. I am the king of hell." Crowley replied narrowing his eyes at the man. He held so much that was close to Dean's heart in his hands, he could destroy him with just a word. Did he really think he could threaten him?
"Oh yeah? How's Abaddon these days?" Dean asked glaring right back. He couldn't let Crowley get that grace, it was part of Cas, the person he loved. And there was no way he would let Crowley hold it over their heads.
"Oh touché. Rumour has it she is up and about. How are you and Castiel?" Crowley counted with, smirking when he saw Dean did not have an answer to that. Oh yes, he was the one holding all the cards here. He liked it so very much.
"Crowley stop this. I need my grace to open the gates of heaven and return the angels." Castiel said interrupting whatever was going on. He felt that there was a lot more under the surface here than he knew, and it involved Dean and Crowley. But now was not the time for it. He would ask Dean later, try to work out just what he was missing. But right now they needed help so he could return his family to their home.
"Is that so? Well I can't just go out and find it. I need an incentive." Crowley replied with a shrug, though there was a smirk on his face as he wondered just what these three would give him for finding Castiel's grace.
"You are not getting anyone's soul." Castiel responded narrowing his eyes at the demon. He knew how he worked, and he would not let that happen. Not for anything.
"Don't worry Castiel, your boy toy's soul is safe from me, I know you have first dibs on that one. The moose is safe too, for now. No what I want is a simple promise, nothing more." Crowley replied with a wave of his hand. Souls he had plenty of, but a weapon against Abaddon? He was falling short on that front.
"Nothing is ever simple when it comes to you." Castiel responded with a sigh knowing he would give Crowley his promise, as long as he found his grace.
"Oh how you know me so well. I want the promise that one of you will kill Abaddon for me." Crowley stated as if it was an easy thing to accomplish.
"And how are we supposed to do that?" Sam asked not buying it for a second. He and Dean hadn't found a way to get rid of her before, so why did Crowley think they could now?
"There was once an army of knights, but now there is only one, there must be some way." Crowley responded making his eyes go wide as he tried to look innocent, not that he fooled any of the three others there.
"You know the way Crowley, what is it?" Dean asked with exasperation. He was so done with these games. He would give Crowley his word, and he would give Cas his grace. Then everyone would be happy.
"Rumour has it that the archangels killed them with the first blade." Crowley replied conversationally wondering just how much the former angel knew about that weapon, just how much he would allow him to get from the Winchesters.
"Only Cain can control that power, and you and I both know it." Castiel growled as he realised what it was Crowley wanted one of them to do. He didn't care if it was the only way to get his grace. He would not let one of the Winchesters take on the mark of Cain, especially as he knew it would Dean who did it. He would not let that evil touch the man he loved, not ever.
"True enough." Crowley replied with a shrug. It was the only idea he had to kill the bitch, but if Castiel could come up with something better, then he was all ears. After all he would he had gone to some effort to get Castiel and Dean together, he would prefer not to rip them apart again so soon.
"No." Castiel stated simply. His grace was not worth that cost. Nothing was worth that cost.
"Agreed. But the bitch needs to die." Crowley responded with a sigh as he looked at the former angel, giving him a chance to come up with a different solution to his problem.
Castiel was silent for a moment as he thought. While it was true Abaddon would be hard to kill, surely if an angel and the king of hell worked together they would succeed? She couldn't be stronger than the two of them together, could she?
"If you can find my grace then between us I am sure that we can remove her from the world." Castiel replied with a sigh as he realised he was going to spending more time with Crowley than he had wished. Though in truth, any amount of time was more than he wished.
"Now that I can work with. And no doubt if I have you are my side your back-up dancers here will be joining the fight as well. Ah, the four of us working together, this could very well work. And you never know, this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship." Crowley responded his eyes lighting up. Yes together he and Castiel could very well succeed where he alone had so far failed.
"Did you just mis-quote Casablanca?" Sam asked completely bemused by Crowley's words. He had been silence so far in the conversation, mainly because this had nothing to do with him and the whole first blade and Cain conservation had gone straight over his head, he thought it had probably gone over Dean's as well. Plus this was between Crowley, Dean and Cas, he was just there to make sure everyone behaved. But that sentence he couldn't let pass without comment. I mean who knew the demon had a soppy side?
"So what if of I did moose? It's a good movie. But back to the matter in hand, Castiel?" Crowley replied turning to roll his eyes at Sam before going back to the work in hand. Sorting out an agreement between him and the former angel.
"We have a deal." Castiel said with a nod.
"I would watch using that word around me now darling, you are after all human. And with humans I like to seal my deals with a kiss." Crowley replied with a smirk as he let his eyes drift to Castiel's lips and licked his own. He could see out of the corner of his eye that Dean looked very much like he wanted to kill him. How entertaining.
"I am not kissing you Crowley." Castiel stated simply. Nothing on earth could induce him to kiss the demon, especially not when Dean was at his side. Dean was the only one he ever wanted to kiss.
"That is fine. I would prefer not to kiss you either. You'd no doubt taste of squirrel here, and having that taste once in my mouth was more than enough for me." Crowley replied with a smirk at Dean as the man's eyes went wide. Secrets are never a good foundation for a relationship, Dean needed to come clean.
"Crowley, I think it's time you left." Dean said moving forwards to break the devils trap and hoping Crowley would leave before he could say anything else to Castiel, anything else that would mean he could work out just what Dean had done.
"I'm sure you do Dean. I'll call when I have the grace." with that Crowley disappeared leaving a confused Castiel to turn to Dean.
"What was he talking about Dean?" Castiel asked with a frown on his face as he tried to make sense of Crowley's words and his and Dean's behaviour towards each other.
"It's nothing Cas, come on lets go home." Dean replied not looking the former angel in the eyes as he said the words. He knew if he did, then Castiel would be able to see he was lying. He hoped that by the time they got back to the bunker Castiel would have forgotten all about this. Not that he truly believed that would happen, but he could hope.