A/N: Wow, it's been a while. So sorry! Haven't had much inspiration for this story lately since Supernatural isn't the same for me as it used to be. However, my love for Crowley is still strong so here you go. I've finally figured out the ending for this story and holy crap I can't wait for you guys to read it (if there are any of you still out there - whoops!) Sorry this is short, but it's just a little somethin' to get me back into it.

Sasha

Though I've plateaued, as Crowley says, I'm not feeling myself. In Purgatory, I was cruel, ruthless. Now, I have moments of pure human emotion for Crowley, followed shortly by rage toward the demons I'm in charge of. It's almost like I can't feel relaxed – I'm still feeling everything too much. Crowley says it will go away, but he's never been in my place. Maybe this is what Purgatory does to us if we manage to get out.

For the summer, I'm convinced I will never know. We spend a lot of time with Kevin Tran, urging him into translating the tablets. He's a stubborn thing, but I admire it. For a human, the kid is strong.

And then Crowley has me hunt down another tablet – another Word of God. Getting that was not pretty, but I do manage to stumble back with just a few minor injuries and bloody hands. After dropping the Tablet off with Kevin, I clean up.

As I view myself in the mirror, a headache brings me to my knees. Ringing pierces my eardrums and I see flashes of someone emerging from a bright light. My eyes are closed, but I still see it. It's Dean Winchester, slitting his wrist open and reciting some Latin.

My eyes open now. Everything stops.

"Crowley, I'll be back," I say as I pop my head in his office. He's with a client, so he ushers me away.

A blink and I'm there, standing a few feet away from the man I've known for years. Purgatory-time, Hell-time, Earth-time: I've lost track of the years. I'd recognize him anywhere. He's on the phone, sunglasses covering his eyes, and speaking in a low tone. When he ends the call, he looks lost. I approach him tentatively, but he's on edge judging by the set of his shoulders. He hears me easily. I stop, stare, smile.

"Old friend?" his voice brings me back to all those fights and all those late nights-turned-mornings when we had no clue up from down.

"Benny."

He embraces me then – no tests to see if it's really me, no twenty questions – just genuine emotion. I melt into him.

"Damn it, it's been too long."

Then we're walking through the woods together – I'm silent while he explains it all to me. About Dean and his mission and Castiel, how he got out, how he survived. I smirk. Of course Benny made it in one piece. Of course he manipulated Dean to get him out, and of course he started caring about his new friend. Oh, so Benny.

He asks me how I've been, how I'm out, how I adjusted to being flipside and it's such a damn relief to me to know that I now have someone in a similar position. It's good to know that Benny is struggling just as much as I am.

So I tell him everything – everything. Even the recent occurrences with Viggo and his attempt to take my place beside Crowley as ruler. Benny isn't surprised with my rise to power and I'd be lying if I said that didn't stroke my ego.

"I could get you a nice, comfy position under Crowley and myself," I suggest. "If it'll keep you sharp, you know I'm up for it."

He hesitates and I know his answer before he opens his mouth. "Sash, I'm gon' have t' say no. You know fair-well that I ain't about followin' orders."

"They'd be my orders. Like old times," I nudge him, thinking of the groups we took down together – the killing we'd done – the way we had each other's backs since the day we met. I'd never had a more faithful friend, not even Crowley.

"Right. An' I'm jus' supposed to ignore that king Crowley has all the power over ya? Thanks, but no." He's right and we both know it. "But I am aware that you an' Dean-o are buds."

"Were," I correct. "no longer. After I got my juice back, I made sure to burn that bridge. I was faithful to Crowley and despite the fact those two muttonheads rely on Crowley when they need him they sure like to put down the loyalists."

Benny and I part before I'd like, but Crowley is calling for me and I need to be gone. I give him my number before zapping to the king's office. He looks humored before he starts informing me about Castiel and the Winchester's latest plan.

"You know you're being hunted."

I blink twice, staring at him like this is some kind of joke. "Right. Look Crowley, I've been safe. Haven't dealt with any demons or angels trying to jump me. No worries."

He looks humored, lips pursed for a moment. "And why do you think that is?" There's a silence between us. "All of Heaven is after you. Still. You escaped. We got you. Now, they want you. An experiment: can't take the girl out of the demon, but can take the demon out of the girl. What a way to throw their weight around."

"Let them try."

"They've been," he steps closer, grabbing me by the neck then dragging his fingers across the flesh. "Our numbers have dropped. You never questioned why. I've been sending coteries after you all this time. Why do you think I keep calling you back so often just to gossip or fuck you in my office? They kill. Every last one of them. And they're close. I can sense it. So I call you back home."

"They can try. I'm not going anywhere."

He pulls at my clothes and gives me open-mouthed kisses. Pulls me against him in one movement and takes me right there on his desk.

The weeks fly by once again – I'm buried in body parts and blood. Crowley is searching through his nearest and dearest army for the first sign of a betrayer and – ding ding ding! – we found them. Sixteen of them. All negotiating with angels for information. All getting cozy with Naomi (who, I learn, Crowley had a sexual ordeal with some time ago). These demons? Dead. Gone. Poof! No more espionage, no more question of the king's ruthlessness. No more.

I'm cleaning up when I get a phone call. Benny.

His voice is desperate, whispering about only having one bag of blood left, talking some shit about Dean not coming for him. I'm honestly confused so I ask where he is then zap there quickly. Catskill Mountains. Seven p.m.

"Dean's gone," he mutters, eyes bloodshot and skin looking something awful. "Andrea's dead. I got nothin'." When I ask him what he means, he takes a good ten seconds to breathe before answering. "The girl I loved: dead. My best pal cut ties."

"You're being ridiculous. Dean Winchester leaves everyone – it's just his thing."

Only Benny doesn't laugh. There's nothing in him anymore. I ask if I can get him blood, ask if I can give it, but he turns it down.

"I got no reason no more."

Anger settles in my stomach and I use my power to raise him to his feet, slide him up a tree. "You listen to me: you're better than this. Come. Work for me. Work with me. I'll make you remember what you're good at."

I can see a spark of light fill his eyes before he nods once. So I let him down, watch him brush off the dirt, and snap my fingers.

The two of us are strolling down the hall towards Crowley's office and I'm running things through my head of what I'm going to say to him. The door's open and Crowley is simply staring when we walk in.

"Well, Benjamin. I expected you. Have a seat," he swipes a finger and a chair glides over for him to fall into.

"I'm-" Benny starts to say, but Crowley raises a hand.

"You're war buddies with my girl over there and you want to work for us now that life sucks since you're topside. Say no more." Crowley rolls his eyes. "Just hope you've got the gruff Sash says ya did. From what I hear you were quite the warrior."

The desperate Benny from minutes ago is long gone now. I see the fire in his eyes when he nods at the king. "Yes, your majesty," he bows in an exaggerating manner. "All of Purgatory was damn afraid 'a us."

"So I've been informed."

It was settled then; Benny was with us, turning his back to Dean in the way that Dean always did to others. The old me would be upset for the two of them – knowing they were just trying to protect one another but that was a lifetime ago.

Now, Benny and I planned to fight together again.

Now, we have some Hell to raise.