Chapter Twenty-Six

The drive back to the bunker wasn't as awkward as I thought it would be. Sarah really was a genuinely nice person and even though I saw more pictures of her family on her phone than I would ever want to, I enjoyed her company. And I admit - her daughter was really stinking cute. Plus, it was nice to not be the odd man out in the back seat for once. Now there were two of us.

When we pulled up to the bunker, we had about 12 hours left to get back to Crowley before he started killing again. As we plunked down the stairs, slow and tired, I wondered what we were going to do. There was no way Sam would allow Crowley to include me in any sort of negotiation but- and I couldn't believe I was thinking this - after I'd gotten to know Sarah, it made me realize just how important these people were to them. If it meant I could save people like Sarah from a painful and terrible death, shouldn't I just make that sacrifice? The thought made a shudder rip up my spine and nausea to twist my stomach.

Sam put a hand on my shoulder and I jumped a little as we stepped off the last step and headed into the bunker, laying our bags on the table. "You okay? Don't worry...there's no way-"

"Shouldn't we talk about it?"

Looking comically shocked, he opened his mouth but then closed it when Sarah walked up beside him, yawning. Shaking his head a little at me - a silent communication that we'd talk about it in a few- he turned toward her with a sympathetic smile. "I'll, uh, show you where you can sleep."

"Thanks again, Eva," Sarah said, surprising me by wrapping her arms around me in a hug. "My little girl has a mother thanks to you."

As she followed Sam down the same hallway where his bedroom was, her words hit me hard. I'd helped to save someone's mother. Bess, her little girl, would grow up with a mom to hold, hug, to sing along with in the car. It was something I'd never had and I was grateful to be able to help give that to her. It felt pretty damn good. I didn't even realize I was crying until Dean cleared his throat, wiggling a tissue in front of my face. "You did good, kid."

My face crumpled and I had the strong urge to sob but the look of fear on Dean's face as he watched me, made me laugh instead. But tears still rolled down my cheeks and I sniffled in spite of Dean's comical inability to deal with it. "No, no...please don't do that. I'm not qualified for that...sort of thing." His eyes lit up when Sam walked back into the room. Dean put his hands on my shoulders and turned me in a one-eighty towards his brother, and gave me a little push. "She's crying, Sam. Make it stop."

Sam looked annoyed at his brother and then at me. "What's-"

"He's just being stupid." I waved my hand in Dean's direction, wiping my eyes and turning so I could see both of them. "I'm fine. We need to talk about what to do."

"No, you should go to bed so you can sleep," Sam said, trying to muffle a cough.

"You both need sleep too. More than me, actually." I watched both of them give the other one a cryptic glance as they shifted on their feet. "But Crowley needs an answer and none of us are going to be able to sleep until we figure out what to tell him."

"There is no we in this conversation, Eva," Dean stated, walking a little closer. "This is a problem for Sam and me. Not you."

My mouth fell open and I narrowed my eyes at both of them in equal measure. "Uh, it's me who can stop him from killing innocent people so you can't push me out of this conversation."

"Yeah, we can," Sam agreed with his brother. "Because that will never happen."

A lump formed in my throat but I swallowed it away however I couldn't keep my voice from breaking a little. "Sarah could have died. There are how many other people out there just like her, out there? People that could be dead...could die in terrible ways? I'm just one person."

Sam had started shaking his head before I was even finished. "We will find another way."

"And if you don't? It's what you two would do!"

"No, Eva! Just...no." Sam threw his hands up, pacing around the room. "It's not happening."

"I'm not excited about the idea either but...I'm willing if it means more people won't die. I got out last time. I can do it again."

"You got out because Meg owed you a favor!" Sam shouted, making me jump. "You think Crowley will give you another opportunity to escape?" He shook his head, snarling a little as his eyes grew glassy. "If you think I'm...we're going to let that happen, you're crazy! Because we would never stop looking for you!" Stumbling a little from the exertion, he grabbed a hold of the nearest chair and sat down, coughing a little and trying to catch his breath.

Side-eying Sam with concern, Dean said, "So, what are the other options? We're not giving up. I say we keep going, close the gates."

"And ignore Crowley? Let people we know, people we've saved, get killed?" Sam shook his head vehemently, standing again. "No, I can't."

Dean studied his brother. "So what are you saying? You want to stop? After we've come this far? You want to just stop and hand over the tablet?"

Sam looked utterly defeated. "I'm saying...maybe this isn't one we can win. But maybe we can bargain. Keep Eva out of this...hand over the tablet...agree to stop the trials."

I licked my lips, wishing I had some water. "Do you even know where Kevin is?"

"Yeah...I mean, no, but I can reach him," Dean answered, waving his hand in the air.

"Well, there has to be a way to, I dunno, convince Crowley to trade tablets or something. Buy us some time?" My eyes widened with an idea. "Maybe we can set a trap for Crowley? Trick that weasley little bastard..." I had to admit - the idea made me giddy and if anyone could pull it off, it was these two.

Dean narrowed his eyes in thought, his mouth falling open a little was the equivalent to a lightbulb lighting up over his head the moment he got an idea. "Hey...remember those cuffs we saw in our dungeon? I wonder if they'll hold a demon as powerful as Crowley."

My eyes widened in excitement. "Are there little sigils engraved on them?"

"Yep. Thanks to your geeky boyfriend, we were able to translate them and figure out that they were a sort of demon trap." Dean slapped Sam hard on the back making his brother grunt. "It pays sometimes to be a nerd."

Ignoring Dean's comments, I stood up, feeling hopeful that I wouldn't end up Crowley's bitch at the end of the day. "That was the sort of thing that kept me from using my powers when he had me trapped. If something like that held me-"

Sam finished for me, his eyes just a tad brighter. "Then it would hold Crowley."

Dean grinned big. "Hell yeah!"

~~WIWL~~

Thankfully, Crowley agreed to meet us the next day in the afternoon, which gave us time to perfect the plan and sleep before leaving. In the end, the plan wasn't flawless but what plans were in this sort of thing. Sam didn't like that I was going to be there - well, at least for the first part - but thems the breaks. As we ate grilled cheese sandwiches and potato chips from Dean's stash, we discussed everything from possible things that could go wrong to what happens in a perfect world. Of course in the perfect world scenario, in the end, Sam is completely healthy, the gates of Hell would be closed forever, and Crowley...well, Crowley no longer exists as King of Hell. But I'd been warned that perfect scenarios rarely worked out for the brothers.

"Are you coming to bed?" I asked Sam, as I finished cleaning the dishes.

"Uh, yeah, I just have to talk to Dean a minute."

Yeah, about not calling me if you need my help after you finish the trial... "Okay. I'm gonna take a quick shower first."

I was torn between trying to eavesdrop on their conversation and actually heading to the shower but in the end, I was just too tired to spy. So, I grabbed my bag and headed to the bathroom. The Men of Letters bathrooms were strange, to say the least. It was sort of like an upscale locker room - several showers and toilets all in one space. But there was also a little small room that I was pretty sure was an old timey steam room and then a gigantic, claw foot bathtub that I was positive no one had ever used. Every time I looked at that tub, I vowed to one day grab a good book, lock that bathroom up, and get a good soak in that bad boy. But unfortunately, tonight was not the night. So, I got undressed and I turned on the shower, slipping in when it was hot enough. As quickly as I could, I shampooed and conditioned my hair, rinsing off all the suds just as quickly. After I dried off, I got dressed in sleep shorts and a t-shirt; the warmth of the shower made my eyes heavy and my muscles relaxed.

When I walked into Sam's bedroom, he was laying on the bed on his back, eyes focused on the ceiling. Slowly, I climbed in next to him, pulling the covers up to my neck and just watched him. "You want me to turn the light out?" I asked him.

Turning his head, he blinked at me as if he didn't even realize I'd climbed into bed with him. "Uh, yeah, thanks."

I reached behind me and turned off the lamp, the darkness swallowing us up and leaving us with nothing but our thoughts. Usually, the darkness made it more comfortable for us to talk about difficult things so I waited, wondering if he was going to tell me what his biggest concerns were...or forbid me to leave the bunker again after I returned. When he didn't say anything, I reached out and put my hand on his chest and he responded by covering it with his own large palm.

"You okay?" I finally asked.

After a sharp inhale, he replied softly, "I'm as okay as I can get with all this going on, you know?"

"Can I do anything?"

"Yeah, come here…" His arm swept under my head and I scooted so I was laying my head on his chest. He shivered.

"My hair is wet...I can go dry it."

When I tried to get up, he held me there with his arm wrapped tightly around my shoulders. "No, no, it's okay…just stay here with me."

I swallowed, the sound of his voice soft and eerie. "I'm proud of you...for fighting like you are. For not giving up."

He scoffed. "Dean is the one fighting. I was all ready to give up a few hours ago."

"Yeah, because you didn't want anyone else to die," I pointed out. "You never stopped wanting to finish the trials. Not once, no matter how bad it made you feel. You're a rare and remarkable person, Sam Winchester."

"It doesn't feel that way. It feels like I'm just making up for all the things I screwed up in the past. It feels like-like penance."

"Penance?" I questioned, raising my head a little. "You're crazy. Granted, I don't know all the details about your history or your brother's but I feel like I know enough to be able to call you and Dean two of the most selfless people I've ever met." When he was quiet, I poked him in the side and he grunted. "Stop thinking about all the bad stuff. Think about the good stuff."

"Like what?"

"Well, you have a brother who would do anything for you. Think about how nice it's going to be to wipe out all the demons and never have to deal with them again. All those people that you're going to save from making ten-year deals or from being possessed and ultimately killed."

The quiet in response indicated that he didn't really agree. "What about all the people who deserve to go to hell? What happens to them?"

It was a question I'd asked Castiel a long time ago - back when they'd first started this journey. But there were no real answers. There was only speculation. And there was no turning back now so what was the point in asking those questions. And I'd never been a big fan of this whole shutting-the-gates thing because of the likelihood of Sam not surviving it. But again, not a whole lot I could do about it except support him because he wasn't going to stop. Hell, I wasn't sure he physically could stop. "More ghosts, maybe?"

"So, instead of demon possessions, we're dealing with evil ghost possessions? How is that better?" he asked, his voice getting louder.

"These questions are pointless, Sam. Maybe you'll have more ghosts. Maybe not. But there will be no more demons which-which is a big win. Ghosts don't make deals with people to send them to hell. And there will always be ghosts and skinwalkers and ghouls and-and other things. But taking out demons is big."

His arm tightened around my shoulder. "You're like my own personal Tony Robbins."

Laughing, I snorted, "But with a smaller forehead, right?"

Then he grew serious. "If I don't make it out of this, you know it's not your fault, right?" My chest tightened and I tried not to physically react but I could feel my muscles stiffen at his question. "I'm...I think I'm prepared to die tomorrow, Eva. So, it's okay. Okay?"

With tears filling my eyes, I took a breath, trying to speak without it being all shaky from emotion. "You can't think like that, Sam."

"No, no, I'm-I'm trying to be realistic here, Eva. I can feel it inside me. It's strong...like, really strong. And I've never felt something like it before." With a pause, he grunted a little as he tried to put it into words. "I told Dean - I feel like it's purifying me. Changing me. I don't think it's something I'm going to come back from. And that's okay with me as long as the world is a better place after I'm gone."

Now, I was crying. "Well, it's not okay with me."

Sam turned on his side so that he was facing me, his hand finding my wet cheek in the darkness. "I don't know how to thank you for everything you've done for me this past year. And if I don't make it past this...promise me that you'll move on. That you'll figure these powers out and just...be happy. I want you to be happy."

On the pitiful scale of one to ten, my sobs were an eleven. So pitiful, that Sam shushed me and pulled me to his chest. "So much for being your personal Tony Robbins," I wailed rather pathetically which made Sam chuckle a little. When I'd calmed down a little, I added, "And yes...I promise. But I'm not counting on that happening."

"You can't come, Eva."

"But-"

"No, I don't want you there. If everything happens how we plan it, I don't think you should be around Crowley. You'll only be a way for him to-to pick at old scabs. Distract me." The next sentence hurt a little...okay, a lot but it wasn't Sam's fault. Most likely, he was right. "And I don't need you there."

After a little more sniffling and a lot more thinking, I pressed a kiss to his chest, right over his heart. There was so much I wanted to say and do but I just couldn't figure out how to put it into words or actions. I refused to accept that he was ready to die, that he was okay with that. But nothing I said or did would change that and it wasn't up to me to change that. I felt helpless and just a tad lost. So I closed my eyes and allowed myself to sleep.

~~WIWL~~

"Got everything, Sammy?" Dean asked, demon-cursed cuffs dangling from his hand.

Sam nodded, glancing at me, his brow wrinkled in worry. "You okay?"

I felt a tad bit like a badass in my black t-shirt and khaki cargo pants. I'd found them in a supply room when I was exploring the bunker a few weeks ago. They were mens but the smaller sizes fit pretty well. Technically, this wasn't my first rodeo with The Winchesters, it was my first one that I'd been invited to by them. "Yeah, just anxious about everything. No word from Cass?"

Dean scoffed. "Of course not."

Chewing on my lip, I looked up at Sam with worry in my eyes for the angel and he shrugged in response. Apparently, it was pretty typical for him to disappear like that, and I should have been used to it since he'd done it a few times back in my training days. But it was just so odd that he'd vanished on a trip to the grocery store.

"What are you most worried about?" Sam asked, trying to get my mind off my missing friend.

I frowned. "I hate to admit it out loud but being close at all to The King of Hell doesn't give me the warm and fuzzies."

Looking sympathetic, he put his hand on my shoulder, leaning down to look into my eyes. "Crowley won't get anywhere near you. I promise."

Pressing my lips together, I nodded my head, as I thought about my other tremendous worry - Sam's safety and my need to see him through this no matter what he was prepared for in the end. And I supposed I could be happy without him but if I didn't have to give that a go, I wouldn't complain one bit.

"Good luck," Sarah said timidly from behind us, sitting at the table. "I don't know exactly what's happening but for you guys to look this stressed, it must be big."

Sam smiled tightly at her. "Thanks, Sarah." Walking over to her, he leaned on the table a little to talk to her. "As soon as we know you're safe, Eva will take you home."

"But you're leaving with them?" Sarah asked me.

"Yes, but I should be back later this afternoon." Hopefully. "I'll have the key so if anyone happens to knock or anything, whatever you do, don't open the door."

"Yeah, we'll all be able to get in," Dean added, looking impatient. "Just stay inside and don't worry. It'll be over soon."

"Okay," Sarah sighed, her eyes going to Sam. "Be careful out there."

I nearly snorted because these guys didn't know the meaning of "be careful" because their entire personas required them to be reckless. "I'll be back soon," I told her.

All of us looking a little serious and just a tad somber, we piled into the car. Dean turned over the engine and blared some Styx which I did not appreciate. I'd never been a fan of classic rock let alone the band Styx. But it seemed to help them both loosen up a little during the drive - Dean mumbling the words a little and Sam subconsciously tapping his fingers on his knee. Kevin was already parked when we pulled up and I nearly forgot about how dreary our mission was when I saw him. Smiling, I pushed open my door and almost jogged to him, his eyes looking wide and scared as I tackled him in a hug.

"Uh…hi," he grunted as I released him.

"Hi, Kevin. It's so good to see you alive."

"Hello, Eva. It's good to be alive, I suppose." The hopeless tone of his voice matched his tired, ragged face. "Half of the demon tablet is buried under that." He pointed to an old, fading billboard that advertised some restaurant that appropriately had a picture of a cartoon devil on it.

"You hid the demon tablet under the devil? Seriously?" Dean grimaced.

Kevin shrugged. "What? I was delirious at the time."

While Dean dug it out, Kevin sidled up next to me. "I heard Crowley was holding you prisoner."

Sam cut his eyes to us, listening in which made me shift nervously. "Yeah, it wasn't fun. How did you hear about that?"

"Demons talk." Something passed in the young man's eyes - a certain sympathy that only someone who had been in Crowley's clutches could understand. "All I heard is that he's obsessed with finding you again and -"

"Oh!" My outburst was loud and odd, all three of them looking at me. But I didn't want to hear anymore about Crowley's wants and desires regarding me. And I certainly didn't want Sam to hear it. "Look! Dean got it!"

Still looking at me as if I'd grown a second head, Dean rose off the ground, the cloth that was wrapped around the tablet falling off. Shaking his head a little, he decided whatever drama I had going on wasn't worth it and handed the half of the tablet he'd dug out of the ground to Kevin. Kevin put the two halves next to each other and they melded together magically.

"You sure this is gonna work?" Kevin asked, handing over the tablet.

"It's our only choice right now," Sam winced. "You have the directions we sent you to the bunker?" Kevin nodded. "If Eva isn't there by the time you arrive, she will be soon. You remember the knock, right?"

"How could I forget?" The prophet rolled his eyes. "So, when I get there, I do that knock and if Eva answers, great. If not?"

"Just wait. She'll be there soon."

Kevin's eyes shifted to me briefly. "And what if she never gets there? Does that mean-"

"No," Sam cut him off, looking determined. "If she's not there when you get there, she'll be there soon."

I nodded, hating the way doubt clouded over Kevin's face. "Okay. Good luck."

Dean shifted, patting Kevin on the shoulder so hard it made the young man wince. "Hey, relax, you'll be a mathlete again before you know it."

"I'll be there as soon as I can," I assured him as the guys headed toward the car.

"Just...be careful, Eva. You know what he's like."

A chill went up my spine at his warning. "I will. I'll see you later."

As we drove away, Kevin waved from beside his car and I waved back, chewing on my lip. "How do you guys handle all this stress all the time?" I asked, not really expecting an answer.

"I drink," Dean replied, shrugging. "Sammy watches figure skating."

Sam snapped his gaze toward Dean. "I do not!"

"Do too."

Making a noise somewhere between a snort and a huff, he admitted, "It was one time. And it was because it was the only station I could get to come in."

"There's nothing wrong with watching figure skating, Dean," I noted from the back seat.

Sam shook his head but stayed quiet; Dean's face completely transformed into one of incredulity. "No, but there is totally something wrong with a dude who watches figure skating but won't admit to it."

"One time!" Sam announced loudly, holding his finger up in emphasis. "It was one time! And I wasn't even really watching it!"

Dean smiled at his brother, raising his eyebrows. "See...won't admit it."

I laughed at the two of them from the back seat, an overwhelming amount of love building up suddenly in my chest for them both. You could say what you wanted about Dean but he was pretty good at distracting people from the seriousness of a situation. However an hour later, we were driving past an old, rundown sign that read "Singer Salvage Yard" and all three of us stiffened in our seats.

"Stay in the car," Sam ordered. There was no question who he was talking to.

"Okay."

They got out and walked for about ten feet, for some reason both of them eyeing an old rundown car surrounded by weeds. Then Crowley appeared, looking as casual and smug as ever. "Hello, boys." Sam and Dean turned toward him, both of them scowling and their hands twitching to draw weapons. "What's that old expression? Success has many fathers; failures a Winchester?" He chuckled. "I can see the Nephilim sitting snug and happy in your back seat but where's the stone?"

"You show us yours and we'll show you ours," Dean demanded.

Crowley cocked his head. "Really, Dean? I'm trying to conduct a professional negotiation here and you want to talk dangly bits?" His mischievous eyes moved to Sam. "I think we need the Nephilim here for that particular part of the conversation."

I couldn't see Sam's face but I could only imagine the fury Crowley saw there which made The Demon King's grin grow. "Are you jealous, Samantha? That your woman chose me over you? I'm sure it's not the first time you've been passed over for someone much better looking. I'll use her skills much better than you can, I assure you." Crowley winked in my direction and I pressed my molars together. "I'm a little shocked that you're giving her up so easily. But as they say - another man's trash, another man's treasure, am I right?"

It took everything in me to stick to the plan. To stay in the car unless otherwise instructed. Although I was pretty sure, I could have wasted that rude turd from where I was sitting. I wasn't sure why I'd considered giving myself up over trying to kill him in the first place. Maybe it was because my powers were so unpredictable but now, from where I was sitting and what I was feeling, I was positive I could have done it. The slimy way he smiled, the disgusting words coming from his mouth, and the arrogant way he looked at the brothers made my fingers tingle with magic, eager to comply with my wish to see the end of the demon.

Sam took a deep breath, his jaw ticking but he managed to stay quiet. Dean had warned Sam that Crowley would use me to goad him into doing something stupid. That he couldn't react to whatever the King of Hell said no matter how angry it made him. Any sort of divergence off the plan could ruin everything and we'd be back at square one. I trusted that Sam could hold his tongue and keep rooted to that spot, but it looked like he was having a hard time doing it.

"I need to see the stone," Crowley demanded, frustrated that the younger Winchester stayed silent. "And I want her out here. I need her to sign on the dotted line too."

Sneering, Sam reached into the inside of his coat and pulled out the tablet, holding it out for Crowley to see. "Eva stays inside the car until we read over the contract."

Crowley cocked his head. "Really though, Moose...I figured you'd be kicking and screaming like a toddler over this. I'm impressed with your willingness to hand her over so easy...all over a bunch of people you saved a lifetime ago."

Sam glared at Crowley. "This was her decision, not ours."

"Ahh...she has a bleeding heart, that one." Disgust was clear on his face. "How lovely. Have no fear...I'll beat that out of her before long. In a month, you'll not even recognize her. On my arm, she'll be magnificently atrocious to all mankind."

As I sat there, listening to them, I grew angrier and angrier, my magic becoming a little out of control. The fear that I wouldn't be able to control it when I got closer to him was palpable. But staying in the car wasn't an option. I'd have to get out and face him eventually. And that's what I did as Crowley rolled out a six foot contract onto the ground in front of them. Sam twisted around at the sound of my door opening, his head shaking a little as I closed the door and walked up next to him. Crowley's eyes widened a little at the sight of me standing there, the fear and anger clear on my face.

"Don't worry, love. It'll all be over soon and you'll be back where you belong. I just need your-"

"We're not signing anything until we read it," Dean growled, kneeling down to pick up the contract.

Crowley rolled his eyes in impatience. "The highlights - we swap tablets, the Nephilim belongs to me, and you stand down from the trials forever. Everything else is just legalities."

"And you stop killing everyone we've ever saved," Sam added.

"Agreed," Crowley grinned, looking in my direction again and looking pleased as punch at the sight of the fury in my eyes.

When Dean started to bend over, Crowley made a noise. "Not you...Sam is the star in this production. He has to be the one to sign, along with the soon-to-be Queen."

I rolled my eyes, making a sound of disgust.

"No one is signing anything until I read the fine print," Dean demanded.

The brothers put on a show of bickering so Crowley would think they weren't on the same page. They were so good at it. Even though I'd been clued in on the plan, I was feeling like I needed to break them up after a few seconds.

As Dean read over the contract, I reached over discreetly and grabbed Sam's hand. Without looking at me, he squeezed, his thumb moving softly over my knuckles. I wished I knew some sort of magic to give him strength, to make sure luck was on his side, but I didn't. All I could do was let him know that I was here and on his side no matter what happened. In actuality, I didn't have the experience or physical prowess to do what I was about to do so if anyone needed luck, it was me.

After several minutes, Crowley addressed Dean impatiently. "Are you going to move your lips the whole way up here or can we get down to business?" Then he rocked back on his heels, his eyes glancing down at our hands that were still clasped together. "I might even let you visit, Sam. We'll do brunch.'

"Wait...wait...wait...what's this here? About Eva and...and…" Dean's face twisted as he looked up at Crowley. "This is not going in here, you freak."

The look on The King's face said that he knew exactly what Dean had read and I had a terrible feeling that I did too. "I have to keep my options open. The creature has been quite combatant in our past interactions so I had to-"

"You were holding her prisoner, you douchebag!" Dean yelled.

"-add an additional clause. If she can't provide the services I'm paying for then she is to provide me with an heir who can do it for her." He shrugged like it was no biggie. "Long story short, the half-breed is my bitch."

Sam's hands squeezed tightly around mine as he realized what he was hearing. "You-you want her to provide you with an heir meaning-"

"I know you two aren't the sharpest tools in the shed but you do know how that works." Crowley winked at me. "I'll make it fun, love." Then he made a face. "Well, fun for me, anyway."

"That is not going in there," Sam growled, letting go of my hand and stomping toward Dean. Gritting his teeth, he grabbed the contract out of his brother's hands and looked closer at it. I wasn't sure if this was still part of the show or if Sam had sort of lost sight of the plan by how aggressively he looked over the thing. "Take it out."

"Sorry, boys. No can do," he smirked wickedly. "It stays."

"Then there's no deal!" Dean growled.

As I watched them argue, my heart was beating faster because it was now or never. I'd never been very brave in my life - I always kept my shower curtain halfway open, I screeched at wayward spiders in my home, and one time I saw my own shadow out of the corner of my eye and nearly peed my pants. So, if I pulled this one off without a hitch, it would be a miracle. Especially since I had the strong urge to let my magic go and dissolve Crowley like he deserved. And while I hesitated to move, knowing that I had to stay calm and collected, Crowley decided to make the move for me. In mid-sentence, he disappeared and in the same breath, reappeared right behind me, his hand slithering around my waist from behind.

"I'll make it easy on you boys…" The point of an angel blade stuck into my throat, my eyes going wide. This certainly wasn't part of the plan but I'd try my best to adapt. "Sign it...or there will be no Nephilim to argue over."

Sam looked panicked but Dean shot me a knowing glance, adding on a little nod of approval for good measure. Slowly, as Crowley continued to taunt and demand a signature, I slid my hand up my back and wrapped my fingers around the demon-cuffs. I tried my best to ignore the blade breaking through the skin at the base of my throat as I felt the cuffs, getting them in the best position to make my move. Just as Crolwey slithered his hand from my waist and down my hip, I pulled them out and clasped the cuffs around the wrist that was holding the blade.

Slightly shocked, it took him a moment to realize what had happened and in that moment, Dean was on him. With force, he tugged me backwards, Sam catching me with his large palms on my shoulders; fear and relief evident on his pale face. "You okay?" he asked as I heard Dean and Crowley throwing verbal shots at each other behind me.

"Yeah…" My voice was shaky and quiet but the adrenaline flowing through my veins was shocking. I couldn't believe that I'd actually done it and not screwed it all up. A smile grew on my face as I looked into his green eyes. "Yeah, I'm good."

"Now who's the bitch," Dean growled, laughing in Crowley's face, shaking his hand in the air that was now attached to the other end of the cuffs.

"Fine! You wanna play this game?" I turned around just in time to see the captured King punch Dean in the nose.

Filled with a surprising amount of rage, I sucked in a breath at the sight. I could feel my magic react instinctively when I saw a few drops of blood drip from Dean's nose thanks to the demon. Sure, Dean hadn't always been a cheerleader in response to me being in Sam's life but that didn't mean I wasn't protective of him. As the overwhelming amount of magic rushed through me, I panicked, unsure if I could keep it reigned in. I grabbed onto Sam's arm and in a strained voice, I said, "I have to go…"

"Eva-"

It was all I heard before I popped out of there, landing on the doorstep of the bunker. Feeling as if I were going to combust, I dropped to my knees, curling in on myself as I tried to breathe and calm down. It was the same thing that had happened after I'd dusted those angels - an overwhelming build up of magic that I couldn't seem to control. It was equally amazing and terrifying. Slowly but surely, it calmed but I could still feel it, itching to burst out of me. By the time Kevin pulled up in his mom's car, I felt in control enough to stand up.

"What happened? Are you okay?" Kevin asked as my phone dinged in my back pocket.

I blew out a breath and winced at the prophet. "Yeah but I was supposed to bring the tablets back with me and I-I couldn't."

Looking panicked, Kevin nearly screeched, "Crowley still has them?!"

"No, no, calm down...the guys have them. Everything worked out. Crowley is trapped and ironically, he will be the last nail in the coffin of Hell." I tried to smile but it was difficult, knowing what that meant for Sam. "By tomorrow, Crowley will be cured and Hell's gates will be closed."

Kevin smiled, his eyes lighting up for the first time since I'd met him. If only Linda were here to see this moment. She would have been so freaking happy to know that her son was going to be free from Crowley's threat. "You have the key, right?"

I unzipped a pocket I had on the leg of my cargo pants, pulling out the little box that contained the key to the bunker. "Let's go in."

The metal door squealed as usual as it opened, and I let Kevin pass before I closed it and locked it up. I'd had specific instructions on what to do after I returned and to be honest, I was just happy to be at this point. It could have ended much differently and I could be strapped down in my own personal Hell right now, being pulled apart by red-hot tweezers and dull knives.

"Oh, thank God...I was worried I'd be trapped down here for the rest of my life," Sarah gasped, watching us come down the steps. "I mean...not that I don't have faith in Sam and Dean but-"

I waved my hand at her. "It's okay, I get it."

After I pulled my phone out of my back pocket, I took a seat, thankful to be off my shaky legs for a moment. Sam had texted me, worried that something was wrong with me. I sent him a short text back that was all was fine, Kevin was here and safe, and I was getting ready to take Sarah home. Quickly, he responded back with, "Be careful. Wish me luck."

"Good Luck. I love you. If you need me, I'm here."

After several minutes of silence, he replied, "I love you too. Remember what I said yesterday."

Boy, did I remember. Sam was okay with being dead. And that I was supposed to go on with my life not feeling bad about it at all. That he wanted me to be happy knowing that he'd died to close the gates of Hell. But I hated to break it to him - that was easier said than done. If I felt anything through our connection that indicated I could help him, I would be there in a heartbeat and face his wrath after I'd saved him.

"Now what do we do?" Kevin asked, putting his bag down on the table and looking around the bunker for the first time.

"Now," I sighed heavily, "We wait."

The feeling in the air was heavy with tension and anticipation of what tomorrow for all of us would look like.