Chapter Twenty: Pills, Demons and Etc. ((Velvet Revolver))

Dean resisted the urge to punch Gabriel for that particular comment. But just barely.

Castiel said nothing, just moving to sit at the room's small table. Dean suddenly had the feeling he had royally fucked something up. He got that feeling a lot when talking was involved. He knew it was a bad idea. However, there wasn't time to dwell on it, because Gabriel pushed the door open, carrying a box in his hands.

"Morning sunshines!"

The hunter scowled at him. "That door was locked."

Crowley ambled into the room behind Gabriel, looking tired, but smirking all the same. "And I unlocked it."

He wondered who's idea it was to let demons keep their powers in Purgatory when angels couldn't have theirs. And humans got none wherever they went. This system was hardly a smart plan. At least Dean had to use lock picks to get in.

"Just shut up and eat," Gabriel said brightly, setting the box on the table in front of Castiel. "I brought donuts."

Dean sat at the table, pulling a jelly donut from the box, taking a bite with a grumbled thanks. Castiel got up to make more coffee in the tiny coffeemaker. If there was one human skill he'd mastered, it was the making of coffee. Dean wondered if he'd still drink coffee once he was fully powered- up again and didn't need to eat or drink. Or drink Pepsi. Or eat hamburgers. He really should try some more kinds of pie before he went back. Dean wouldn't want the angel to miss out on trying as many kinds of pie as he could.

He realized he was staring and quickly adverted his gaze. Unfortunately, he looked toward Gabriel instead, and the archangel had such a wide grin on his face, he knew he'd been caught. He took a vicious bite of his donut. Jelly squished out of the pastry, oozing all over his hand.

The small coffeemaker had just enough of a pot for four cups of coffee, which was perfect. Castiel had a habit of watching the pot, waiting for the coffee to be done. Dean teased him that it was never going to be done when someone watched it, but Castiel hadn't understood him, instead going into laws of science that made such a thing physically impossible. The human just rolled his eyes.

Once the coffee was done, Castiel handed them each a Styrofoam cup full of the steaming beverage. There were also packets of sugar and creamer for Gabriel, who wouldn't drink coffee until it was more sugar than coffee. Crowley stole one of the creamers.

Castiel looked at the box of donuts. There were at least four different kinds, and he was confused which one he should try. Finally, he picked up the one that looked the least messy. It was a dark brown, almost black, with dried glaze on it.

"Chocolate," Gabriel supplied, biting into his own. Castiel nodded, taking a bite.

He looked at Dean, who was licking jelly away from the flat side of his hand. He nearly choked on the donut.

The hunter paused, looking up at him. "Dude, chocolate not your thing?"

Castiel shook his head quickly, taking another bite. Dean shrugged obliviously. Gabriel laughed, and Crowley just smirked.

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The club was empty when they arrived. Completely empty. Not even the employees had shown up yet. It was eerie. Balthazar let them in after a few minutes of knocking. It was hard to hear the club door from the apartment, he assured them. Dean just thought they woke him up.

He certainly looked the part. He was still in pajamas and looked vaguely hung over. Yawning so hard it looked like he was going to dislocate his jaw, he ushered them all to the bar to sit. He started making his own coffee, which Dean suspected was more than just coffee.

"Alright. I finally got in touch with our guy last night."

The hunter rested his chin on a hand. "So what'd he say? Will he let us use this sword?"

"Well, he agreed to meet with me. That's a step in the right direction."

"You haven't pissed him off before or something, have you? Nothing that'll hurt our chances of getting this thing?"

Balthazar looked thoroughly amused. "I've pretty much pissed everyone off at some point. Especially the other angels. But they still do business with me."

"Somehow I'm not surprised," Gabriel slumped over the bar with a grin, arms outstretched in front of him.

Dean had to agree. "So what time do we leave?"

Balthazar shook his head. "There is no 'we' this time, darling. Not in your case, anyway."

"What are you talking about?"

"If I show up with a human, there's no way he's going to deal with me. You're sitting this one out."

"That's bullshit!" Dean snapped.

The blonde only shrugged. "That's the way it is, take it or leave it. Also, there's one condition for my assistance."

The hunter looked very close to showing him just how much he appreciated the other's 'assistance'. It involved a fist. Instead, he growled out, "And what might that be?"

"I need Cassy to come with me to meet him."

"Oh hell no." Dean pushed off the bar, face set. "Fuck this. C'mon guys, we're going to get Sam."

A hand shot out, grabbing his wrist hard enough to stop him. He looked back to meet Castiel's frown.

"Dean, this isn't fair."

That caught him off guard. "What?"

"You don't get to do this. You don't get to tell me you can't deal with what's going on, and then act possessive right afterwards."

His jaw dropped in shock, hearing a different version of the same speech he'd given Castiel the night of their first fight. The three around them looked just as shocked.

Then the anger kicked in. The default response. He yanked his arm out of the angel's grip. "Fine then. Do whatever you want."

He almost regretted his words at the look that flashed in Castiel's eyes, but it was gone a moment later, and the angel turned back to the club owner.

"We agree to your terms-"

"On one condition of our own," Gabriel interjected quickly, holding up an index finger. At Castiel's confused expression, he grinned. "You're taking me along too."

Balthazar seemed to consider this, looking the smaller angel over. "Well… I suppose an archangel tagging along could only add credibility to our case…"

"Then Gabriel and I will accompany you." Castiel aimed a sharp look Dean's way. "Is this a satisfying compromise for everyone?"

"I told you to do what you wanted," he grumbled, leaning back against the bar with his arms crossed. He knew he looked like a sulking child, but at this point, he was too upset to really care.

Balthazar looked between the two, arching a brow. Finally, he shrugged. "Works for me. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go get ready. We'll be leaving in about an hour." He pointed at Dean and Crowley. "You two are free to stay here, just try not to break anything, alright?"

"Try our hardest," the demon promised, looking far too amused to be speaking earnestly.

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Gabriel found Dean sitting on a table in the back of the club. He'd gone there to sulk after Balthazar went back up to his apartment. He'd snatched a beer from the cooler as soon as the angel's back was turned. It was mostly empty at this point, sitting beside him on the table. The archangel shoved his hands in his pockets, leaning against the wall.

"So what's up with you and Cas?"

Dean rolled his eyes. "Abso- fucking- loutely nothing. Thanks for asking."

"Well you're Mister Charming today, aren't you?" the shorter man drawled. "No wonder you're fighting."

"We're not fighting," he snapped, taking a swig of his beer.

"Obviously."

"What the hell do you want anyway? Aren't you supposed to be leaving with the Angel Party?"

"We're leaving in a few minutes," Gabriel sighed. "I just wanted to remind you that I wouldn't let anything happen to him. You know that, right?"

"He's free to do whatever he wants."

"Balthazar's not included on that list, in case we were talking about 'whoever' instead of just 'whatever'," he shot back. "I dunno what went on with you two, but you're not gonna change Cas's mind so easily. I know him better than that."

"Maybe he needs to change his mind," Dean countered. "At least then when the time comes to split up it'll be easier on us all."

Something that looked like realization dawned on the archangel's face. "That's what this is about."

"It's not about anything. This isn't even an issue. We need to hurry up and get that stupid sword so we can save Sam. It's already taken way too long."

Gabriel glared at him, face set in its rarely- used serious mode. "You, Dean Winchester, are the most infuriating human I've ever met! Sort your shit out before we get back, because you're cleaning up this mess you made with my brother, whether you like it or not!"

Dean stood so fast the table shook, nearly knocking over the remainder of his beer. "Or WHAT? Huh? This isn't any of your business, Fun Size, and I'm not gonna sit here and take threats from a half- powered joke of an angel!"

Gabriel punched him before he had time to think anything else, falling back against the table as the archangel's fist slammed into his cheek. This time the bottle did spill, the last bits of beer dripping down to the floor. He stared at the smaller man in shock, hand going to the spot. It hurt, but it's not as if he hadn't been punched before. It was more surprise than actual pain.

But the angel was already storming off, muttering darkly under his breath. Dean watched him go.

Dean didn't come out of hiding until he was sure the angels were gone. The conversation with Gabriel was awkward enough; he didn't need to have one with Castiel right now as well. He'd already been punched once today.

Crowley was sitting at the bar with a drink of his own. Dean tossed his empty bottle in the trash, getting another from the cooler. He slumped against the bar, popping it open and taking a drink.

"So I see you've managed to piss off the both of them, then," the demon remarked, studying the bruise that ran along the side of Dean's face.

"It's not really that hard, actually. For being so laid- back, Gabe's got a quick temper."

Crowley chuckled. "Nearly everything about him is short, including his temper."

Dean grinned against the mouth of the bottle. "You can say that again."

"What did you say to him, anyway?"

He hummed, as if trying to remember. "I think it was the part about him being a half- powered joke of an angel that really set him off."

"You have a talent for knowing the absolute worst thing to say, you know that?"

"I've heard it said once or twice," he shrugged, tipping back a good portion of the bottle. "So far I'm two for two. Wanna try your luck?"

"I'd just fling your pretty ass around the room and you know it."

"Don't call my ass pretty, dude."

Crowley just shrugged, smirking against his glass.

"So, do you want to go over this plan of yours? I take it you're not keen on discussing the details of your angelic romance, and I'm not really too keen on hearing them."

Dean nodded. This he could do. "We get the sword from Bal's angel associate, and then head out to the place your friend gave us after you persuaded her. The sword's supposed to use the angels' power to amplify or something, which'll give us a shot at Luci that we don't have down here. We get Sam back, most importantly, and then hopefully take the devil down while we're at it."

"You really think that's going to work?"

"Best option we've got. We don't stand a chance if we go in there as we are. Even with your demon powers and whatever mojo Gabe's got saved up. Cas has basic fighting down, but he's no hunter. And we might not be able to count on Sammy for the fight. We don't know what kinda shape he'll be in after staying with Luci."

Crowley nodded. "Do you do this a lot then?"

"What, head into places knowing you've got less than a fifty percent chance of getting back out? Yeah, it happens a lot in this line of work."

"Well alright then. So long as this is your area of expertise."

They drank in silence for a while. Dean wondered what was going on with the others. He hoped everything was going smoothly, but knowing who was involved, it wasn't likely. Something was going to go wrong. They'd better make sure Cas was okay.

"So after this, you're just going to pop off once this is done?" Crowley asked.

"That's the plan," he replied, turning his thoughts from how the angels could screw their mission up. "What about you?"

The demon shrugged. "I'll probably team up with Chuck. It'll be the closest I get to being in power again without getting hunters like you sent after me all the bloody time. Besides, he could be useful."

"Gabe's staying with you, I guess?"

"Hm. Probably. Unless he changes his mind before then. He wants to go back to Earth."

"He's staying here cuz of you?"

He nodded. "It's his choice. I'm here, and I'm not leaving unless I absolutely have to. But I'm not forcing him to stay."

"So when he said he wouldn't go when Cas came for him, you were the reason. He really doesn't wanna be here, but he'll stay because of you. Isn't that giving you one hell of a guilt complex?"

He didn't really understand it. If someone did something like that for him, he'd never be able to be okay with that. Then again, the Winchester family was pretty much known for guilt trips.

Crowley just gave a half- hearted shrug. "Like I said, it's his choice. I can't very well feel guilty for something I had no part in. And besides. I'm a demon, remember? Guilt's not exactly in the job description.

"Neither is helping us," Dean countered. "You're doing that anyway."

He hummed again, finishing his drink. "Suppose so. Maybe I'm defective."

"I could've told you that. Anyone that would have a thing with Gabe has to be mental."

"I've often thought the same."

The human chuckled, downing another good portion of his beer as the other pushed off the bar to wander off. With his conversation gone, Dean needed to find something to do, otherwise he was going to get drunk waiting for the angels to return. Somehow, he didn't think that would do anyone any favors.

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Sam waited, his back pressed against the brick wall of the alley. He tightened his grip on the hilt of the silver knife at his side, silent except for his breathing. Dean had told him to wait while he checked the warehouse. He'd been gone for a few minutes now, and Sam was starting to worry. What if something had happened? If his brother was trapped in there, he needed to go in and help. But if he was working on a plan, and Sam came in and messed it up, Dean would be pissed.

So he wasn't really sure what to do at this point.

He frowned. He was giving it another minute, and then he was going in. Usually Dean didn't make him stay back and wait; usually they went in together. But he supposed that Dean was worried about him. He'd pretty much mother henned him since he woke up. Apparently, the trip back from Purgatory had taken a bit more out of him than the trip there. So he was willing to give a little bit to appease his brother's worry at this point. It was still somewhat annoying though.

The minute was over. He was going in.

Sam tipped his head out of the alley, giving a brief look around before sliding out. The door to the warehouse was still open. He hurried over to it, careful not to be seen. But before he could slide through, a hand grabbed him by the back of his jacket, pulling him back. He struggled before his brother hissed at him.

"What are you doing? I told you to wait here!"

"You were taking too long," he countered. "What's going on?"

Dean nodded in the direction of the alley Sam had come from. They quietly made their way back to the cover before Dean cursed.

"Is it bad?"

"We've got a real problem." The older Winchester ran a quick hand through his hair.

"What's that?"

"There's a few of them. Nothing we can't handle… but…"

"But what? What's going on?" Sam frowned. His brother looked nervous, something that didn't usually happen on a normal hunt. Even with Shapeshifters.

Had he mentioned how much he hated Shapeshifters lately?

"The problem isn't how many of them… the problem is the people they're trying to look like right now. These aren't just random Shapeshifters, Sam. Somehow they've managed to get a hold of some pretty important people to go parading around as."

"Like who?" Sam tried again.

"I tested them and everything. Silver. Worked just like it's supposed to, they're definitely Shapeshifters. So we're going in there. But just because you think they're your friends doesn't mean they are, remember? And the most important part is getting that ritual weapon away from them. They can't use it, at any cost. I'll leave that to you. Get the thing and get out. I'll take them down. Okay?"

"Yeah, Dean, of course. I got it."

Dean nodded. "Then let's go. You take the front, I'll go around to the back to cut off the other exit."

"Okay."

Sam ducked out of the alley once again, heading for the open door. His brother followed behind, circling around the building. He heard noises coming from the next room, so he followed them, knife at the ready. The small entry room opened up into a large space, full of some sort of old machinery. The Shapeshifters were in the middle of the room, and Sam stopped in his tracks.

There were three of them, talking amongst themselves and staring at something the one in the middle was holding. One was familiar, but he didn't know him well enough to place.

The other two were Castiel and Gabriel.