A/N: Angels and those subject to angelic constraints can lie if it will save someone's life – L&D ch2 & ch17
Hey Oddballs! We're back!! It's my theological advisor's busy season, so I'll post updates when I can.
Chapter 49: Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch...
"If I may?" Bobby watched Raphael move back into the center of the room. "A suggestion to the council? It is not a requirement for the defendant to be present during defense or prosecution testimony. The Winchesters may return for the closing arguments." He glared down at Hillary, who was not holding back in her growling. "Perhaps without the canine companion."
Hillary barked at Raphael. Loud. Bobby shook his head at the archangel. Wrong thing to say, he thought, especially if it was true about Hillary sharing Sam's emotions. Sam didn't like to be left out. Never had.
Another warm breeze swept through the courtroom. Bobby had the impression the council liked Raphael's suggestion. Okay, fine. That meant he and Sam could get on with finding Dean without any angels meddling in their business. Not that Michael had meddled in a bad way, but Bobby would rather it looked like he and Sam did it entirely on their own. No need to get anyone in trouble.
The room went bright white, blinding him. When the spots faded from his vision, Bobby found he was standing in his living room. Sam stood facing him, seriously pissed off.
"Let's find that brother of yours," he told the youngest Winchester. "I think I've got all the ingredients we need." Bobby headed over to his desk where the ingredients and the spell book waited for him.
"Hope this doesn't take too long," Sam mumbled. "I'm pretty sure they have him tied up."
Bobby paused in his task to look the kid in the eye. "Really? You sure about that?"
Sam massaged his wrists. "Pretty sure."
"What's that about?" Bobby demanded with a wave at Sam's hands. Sam thrust them behind his back pretty damned quick for it to be nothing. Sam shrugged with an innocent face. Like that didn't look suspicious?
"Never mind," Bobby snapped as he focused on the book. He added the ingredients in the proper order, saying the incantation while Sam watched anxiously. He held a crystal suspended by a silver chain over a map of the city. As he repeated the incantation, the crystal wavered over the map. During his third recitation, the crystal pointed off at a thirty degree angle to a small neighborhood on the edge of town.
"Damn," Bobby breathed.
"What?" Sam demanded, moving closer. "What is it? Where's Dean?"
Bobby pointed out the area on the map. "In one of the worst areas of town. Used to be a nice neighborhood, until all the drug dealers moved in."
"Do we know what part of the neighborhood he's in?" Sam asked as he studied the map.
"I got the street," Bobby replied. "And I plan to go in loaded for bear."
Dean blinked away the bright spots from his vision. His hand was clutching Hillary's collar and the big dog was still growling like nobody's business. If he ever got the chance, he needed to buy a frigging leash.
"What are you doing?" Bela's voice was like nails scraping a chalkboard. "Sit down!"
Dean had to blink a few more times before the room came back into focus. Bela stood in the doorway leading to the front hall with her gun drawn and pointed at Hillary. Bitch. He tugged on the collar again until Hillary took the hint to shut up and come back with him to the chair. As he sat, Dean eyed the mattress on the floor. It was a real shame he couldn't stretch out right now, but he had no idea if he'd be able to get back up without help. Crap. So he sat in the lousy chair with the cross-piece which cut into his back just below his shoulder blades, right where it would make his upper back as sore as the lower part. Yeah, life these days was just frigging awesome, wasn't it?
"How did you get loose?" Bela demanded as she advanced on them.
"Loose?" Dean asked. "I'm right here, you stupid bitch. Do I look like I got out?"
"Your hands!" she snapped as Hillary started the low warning growl. Bela stopped a couple of feet away. He heard Hillary's 'too close' warning in the deep growl.
"Unless you want a permanent limp," Dean told her, "I'd suggest backing up a little. I'm getting real tired of holding Hill back."
Bela's eyes narrowed on him but she took two small steps backward. Hillary's personal boundary around him glowed faintly on the floor and Bela was still inside it.
"Two more," he instructed her. When Bela was safely outside of Hill's no-tolerance limit, Dean let go of her collar and shook out his aching hand. He shot the dog a glare. "Do you have any idea what a pain in the ass you are?"
Hillary snorted as she sat on his boots, her butt wriggling for space between his feet. Dean gave her the space she wanted, noticing his dog's attention never wavered from the bitch holding the gun. His attention was more focused on the creepy guy watching them. Dean didn't care for the strange, almost reverent look on his face.
"What's his flipping problem?" he asked Bela. Creepy guy sat up straighter.
"You didn't answer the question about your hands," she repeated.
Dean shifted his attention back to her. "It just came off," he answered truthfully.
She rummaged in a pocket before throwing another tie-wrap at him. "Put that on," Bela demanded.
Dean sighed as he held it between his thumb and forefinger. Between the trial and the way his back felt, he had had just about enough. The tie-wrap suddenly represented everything in his life he wanted to toss.
"You know what? Make me." He dropped it on the floor. He watched her weigh her options, whether to shoot him or Hillary for not putting on a stupid tie-wrap.
"And I promise," he said in a low voice, "if you pull that trigger you're going to hit me, not the dog."
Bela chewed her lower lip in indecision. Creepy guy cleared his throat. "I believe they are more useful alive, are they not?"
He had a strange accent, almost familiar but Dean couldn't quite place it. Bela grunted as she retook her seat.
"Fine," she snapped. "But we better get that proof soon."
"Proof of what?" Dean demanded.
"The angels!" Bela snapped. What? "We know all about your buddy Mike. Now all we need to do is see him, and then you're free to go." She smiled sweetly. "I promise."
Dean snorted, but his focus was still on creepy dude. His eyes shifted over to Bela briefly. "You really don't want that kind of trouble, lady. Trust me."
With Hillary watching Bela and him keeping an eye on creepy dude, they had all the potential bases for an attack covered. Dean found himself wishing Hillary hadn't made such a nuisance of herself during the trial. Those bench seats hadn't been comfortable, but they were better than this. Besides, right now, some place, angels were arguing over the fate of his little brother and Dean had no idea how it was going. If he were there, he would at least be able to gauge the arguments and try to figure out who was winning.
He sighed heavily as he ran a hand over Hillary's head. Was having the dog worth it? Then again, it wasn't like he would be able to change the outcome of the trial anyway, regardless. And she was pretty good company. It had been surprising to learn he had bonded her with Sam. (He would have to ask Mike later if there was an angel manual, or at least a list of 'cans' and 'can'ts'.) Well, it did explain a few things, like why she refused to let him out of her sight when she thought he might be in trouble. That was kind of the essence of having Sam for a brother. He might be a royal pain in the ass, but he was loyal and protective to a fault. Heck, it pretty much described being a Winchester. Yeah, Hill was definitely a Winchester now. No turning back.
The thick soft fur was soothing between his fingers as he stroked her head and neck. No, he wouldn't want to change it. Hill was stuck with them now.
Bela was really jumpy, startling at the slightest sound. The creepy dude just sat there, staring. Dean's mind started to drift as he watched for any opening, any means of escape. He wondered if there was a way to eavesdrop on the trial.
Then, with a jolt, he realized that the trial could be over, except perhaps for the closing arguments. They had paused time while he, Sam and Bobby were gone, so no one would be suspicious of their disappearance. Would they resume normal time for the duration of the trial, or complete it with time still paused? And if they had completed it, had they decided not to allow them to hear the closing arguments?
Crap.
Double Crap.
Double Frigging Crap.
Dean really missed being able to swear. It was like having his hands tied. He leaned back in the chair, kicking one foot over his knee. Creepy dude jerked back and Dean realized he must not have moved much in the past half hour. Tough.
"Don't tell me you're paying this crazy bitch?" he asked. Maybe he could talk the creepy dude into letting him go.
The man shook his head slowly. "My master has employed her."
"Watch it!" Bela snapped, her gun lifting to point at him instead of Hillary briefly.
Dean rolled his eyes before returning his gaze to creepy dude. "What's all this crap about angels and Mike?"
"I believe I told you to shut up?" Bela said just as creepy dude opened his mouth.
Fully irritated, Dean turned his head slightly to glare at her. "Didn't your mother teach you not to interrupt when the adults are talking?"
Her cheeks flushed with red. Dean continued to glare at her as he repeated his question. "Why are you people after angels? Like they exist."
Holy Crap! Dean nearly froze with the realization. He had been able to lie. That had to mean lying was a means of protecting their worthless lives. So... So what? What was he missing here?
"You know they do," the creepy dude said in a serene tone which sent chills up Dean's spine. "You have seen them, been blessed by their presence, something my entire order covets."
Covets. Good grief, where was Sam and his dictionary brain when you needed him? Dean shifted his eyes back to look at the guy. "Covets?" he repeated a little angrily. Maybe if he sounded like he knew what it meant, he wouldn't have to ask.
"Certainly," the man breathed out. "I can see it in your eyes." His eyes shone like he just met his favorite comic book hero and a second, colder chill settled into Dean's spine. "They have blessed you."
Ah-ha! So they wanted to be blessed by angels, was that it? "Dude," Dean shook his head sadly as he shifted in his chair again. Hillary pressed further back as if she were afraid Dean would do something stupid now. "First off, there is no such thing. Okay? Second, even if there were, do you really think someone you trapped and caught would be into blessing you for it? I mean, that's pretty warped, dude."
"I saw them appear out of thin air," Bela insisted loudly. "Their voices can't be recorded. How would you explain it?"
Dean gave her an incredulous look. "The basis for your whole 'there are real angels' theory is the movie 'Oh, God'?" A loud laugh tore from him. "Lady, you're even more screwed up than I thought. Really, therapy. Get some."
For the first time, he saw some doubt cross the creepy dude's face. Ah, it was starting to work. He made a point of checking his watch, hoping Sam and Bobby were getting closer to finding him. There was no telling how long he would be able to stall this crazy bitch. She might try to shoot him or Hillary before they arrived, and if she hurt Hill...
He tried to shake the disturbing thoughts from his mind as he raised his gaze from his watch. Then another thought entered his head. What if he could convince creepy dude that Bela was a total nutbar? Now that might be worth a try. After all, if she wasn't going to be paid, there would be no point in keeping him here.
"So, Bela," he said conversationally, "you've been seeing people appear out of thin air, huh? Anything else? Spaceships? Little green men from Mars?"
Her face flushed red as the gun shifted to point at him. Creepy dude frowned, more doubt crossing his face.
"Oh, that's right." Dean snapped his fingers. "The ones from Mars are gray, with the big eyes, right?"
The gun lowered, aiming at his crotch. What a bitch. She probably would, too. Dean held up both hands in surrender.
"Okay, okay. Relax," he said as he leaned back, the chair pressing painfully against his spine. Dean's breath caught in his chest as pain wrapped tightly around his ribcage. Spots danced in his vision as searing knives cut through him. The room tilted crazily, spinning out of control as the dark spots widened, blacking out the world around him in strange splotches.
Sam crept up to the first house within the cul-de-sac. He and Bobby had already checked out the five houses from the corner to here. Sam's nerves thrummed with anxiety and anticipation. They needed to find Dean. Now. Sam felt like he might explode if it took much longer.
He could tell a lot about the occupants of a house just by peering in the front window, if he could. This one had no curtains, so it might be abandoned which made it very promising. Then he heard a dog barking. A really big dog. Sam spun to see where Bobby was. Bobby waved for Sam to go around back.
The dog barks increased in volume and intensity, like Hillary was scared or angry. Or both. When he reached the back door, Sam could hear the barks clearly and the dog was screaming Dean's name in her panic. Shit! Without waiting or bothering to coordinate with Bobby, Sam kicked in the back door. It bounced violently against the interior wall as he rushed inside, gun ready.
Sam raced through the kitchen, drawn by the nearly hysterical barking. He burst into the den to find Hillary standing over his brother's body, keeping Bela and some guy away.
"Back up!" Sam ordered, holding his gun on them.
Bela lowered her gun slowly to the floor before stepping backward. The man was already against the far wall. Bobby rushed in from the front door. He growled a little, his face displaying his shattered emotions when he caught sight of Dean on the floor.
"Cover them!" Sam ordered as he dropped to the floor beside his brother. Hillary moved off of Dean carefully, her huge paws not coming close to stepping on him. Sam pressed a finger against his brother's neck, searching for a pulse. Steady. Strong. Oh, thank God. He lifted his gun and aimed at Bela, right at the place where her heart would be if she had one.
"What did you do to him?" Sam demanded, his voice slow and steady so she could not possibly misunderstand him. Bela's eyes were wide and her mouth opened and closed a couple of times without anything coming out.
"Nothing," the man replied, a bit too calmly for Sam's liking. The guy should be shaking with fear. "Dean simply leaned back in the chair and then he passed out. She did nothing." His head tilted to one side. "Perhaps he is being punished by God for claiming there are no angels."
Holy shit, a religious fanatic?
"You never did have standards for your clients, did you?" Sam asked Bela. She still did not answer, but she regained enough of her composure to glare at him. He spotted a piece of plastic on the floor. On closer inspection Sam discovered it was a large tie-wrap, which was a perfect cheap substitute for handcuffs any day, and would cause the kind of cuts in Dean's wrists Sam knew he had. The bitch!
Sam motioned for Bela to turn around. After Bobby nodded that he had the guy, Sam shoved her against the wall and used the tie-wrap to secure her wrists. She had several more tie-wraps in her purse. How convenient. Sam was able to secure her ankles and the religious fanatic as well.
"God will rescue me," the fanatic told him. "The angels will come."
"You better hope not," Sam told him as he hefted his brother off the floor. "And if one does, it better be Gabby and not Ralph, because I have a feeling Ralph would level this place."
He allowed Bobby to help him carry Dean out to the car while Hillary marched along beside them. With Dean inside propped up against the driver's side back door and Hillary beside him with her head in his lap, Sam closed the other back door and raced around the car. Bobby stopped him from opening the driver's door and took the Impala's keys out of his trembling hands.
"Dean'll kill you if you wreck his car on the way to the hospital," he said gruffly. "Now get your ass in the car and call that asshole doctor."
Sam rushed around the car as he pulled out his cell. By the time he dropped into the passenger seat, he had found the phone number he wanted. When Bobby pulled out of the neighborhood, Dean's doctor got around to answering his damn phone.
"Hello?"
"This is Sam, Dean Win-uh, Singer's brother. He passed out after leaning back in a chair. We'll have him at the ER entrance in..." He shot Bobby a questioning look.
"Ten minutes," Bobby answered without looking at him.
"Ten minutes," Sam parroted.
"Good, good," the asshole doctor replied. "Because I may have found the source of his back spasms. I'll be in the ER waiting on you."
The doctor hung up before Sam could say or ask anything else. He slid the phone into his breast pocket as he stared anxiously out the front window, as if he could will them to arrive at the hospital faster.
"Sam?" Bobby asked after they took a corner rather hard, wheels jumping the curb and throwing Sam against the door. He glanced back to check on Dean, but since his brother was still unconscious it was impossible to tell if the bad turn had made any difference. Hillary grunted her displeasure with Bobby's driving. "What did you mean about Ralph leveling the place?"
Sam gripped the armrest as Bobby careened around another car.
"Ralph and Mike are pretty tight," he explained. "kind of like me and Dean. I just figured he'd react about the way I would."
"And how would that be?" Bobby's voice was hesitant now, as if he didn't really want to know the answer.
Sam debated with himself on whether or not to answer this one. It was pretty personal. "Bobby, if you hadn't come in when you did, I might have shot Bela," he admitted. "My first thought was that she... did something... to Dean." Even now he could not admit he had feared Dean was dead when they arrived. "I can see Ralph going off on the person who caused Mike pain. You saw how hard it is on him, both of them, when it happens."
Bobby grunted, eyes still on the road. Even with the hospital in sight, Sam could not feel any relief. He wouldn't stop worrying until Dean was conscious. That asshole of a doctor had better have some kind of freaking answer this time!
