CHAPTER 30

Dean lay in the middle of the floor, flat on his back, with a massive Hell hound sitting on his chest and growling in his face. He could just make out Cas over his left shoulder being pinned to the wall by another unseen creature, Hell bent on ripping him apart. He couldn't see his brother at all and that scared him even more than the invisible beast literally breathing down his neck.

"SAMMY!", Dean bellowed, trying to sit up. The evil dog laid it's paw on Dean's chest and shoved him back down. Dean had the distinct impression that the thing was toying with him before it bit his head off. He growled back in frustration and tried to raise the angel blade over his head. The hound snarled and slammed it's other paw down on Dean's arm while digging it's claw's in. Dean grunted as the full weight of the animal began to crush his chest and the blade went flying out of his hand as his wrist hit the floor. Dean let out an agonized scream when the monster raked it's razor sharp nails down the inside of his arm.

"DEAN?!", he heard from the far side of the room. Dean let out a relieved sigh at the glorious sound of Sam's voice. But it was labored like he was struggling to defend himself from one of Crowley's guard dogs. "HOLD ON! FUCK! DEAN, I'M COMING!" As if to proclaim that he'd be too late, the Hell hound pressed down hard on Dean chest, pushing all the air out of his lungs. He tried to call out to both Sam and Cas, but all he could get past his lips was a breathy wheeze.

The beast continued to put all of it's weight on Dean's chest as he flailed futilely. Just as his eyes began to roll into the back of his head, Sam came into his field of view, several deep gouges marring the left side of his face and blood coating the front of his shirt. Holding his angel blade over his head, Sam brought it down towards his brother's chest, looking to an outsider like he meant to kill him. But, fortunately for Dean, the blade was stopped short as Sam drove it into the monster's back, piercing it's heart. The creature shrieked and fell sideways, it's unseen claws scratching at the floor frantically until it went still. It wasn't until Dean took a ragged breath, that Sam turned his attention to the angel in the room.

But, it seemed that Sam's concern was unfounded. Because when Cas pressed his palm to what appeared to be the side of the creatures head, it began to scream in agony as it's entire body lit up, giving Sam and Dean their first look at the beast. It did look like a dog, a Doberman, in fact. But the Arnold Schwarzenegger version. Huge shoulders and flanks with massive jaws full of sharp teeth. Dean shuttered as he lay on the floor, holding his bleeding arm. Just the thought of that thing nearly crushing the life out of him made him swallow hard.

A beam of bright light poured out of the beast's eyes and mouth as it howled in pain. It raised it's paw, meaning to rip out the angel's guts. But Cas bellowed in rage and shoved his hand harder into the side of the monsters head. The Hell hound jerked, seized up, and tumbled over backwards. It hit the ground on it's back and became invisible again. But they didn't need to see it to know what had become of it. The smell of charred flesh and the smoke rising from where it had fallen, told them all they needed to know. Both the brother's were awestruck at the raw power of this celestial being. He walked over to the brothers and touched each man on the temple, healing their wounds instantly.

"Wow, Cas...", Dean said, shaking his head. "I sure am glad you're on our side." Cas turned away, brushing off his coat. He cleared his throat before turning toward the brothers again.

"Yes, well...", Cas said, modestly dropping his eyes. "The demon we're about to face will be far stronger than a Hell hound." He looked around at the hounds that the brothers couldn't see before looking back up at the hunters again. "Even stronger than a PACK of Hell hounds."

"Yeah, I still feel better with you here, Cas", Dean said, rubbing his neck and looking away.

"You do?", Cas whispered, looking bewildered. "But... I... I thought you hated me."

"Why would you think that?" It was Dean's turn to look confused. Castiel just stood there looking embarrassed to have said anything.

"Well, you haven't been very nice to him, Dean", Sam said after Cas refused to look Dean in the eye. "What's he supposed to think?" Dean face turned beet red in shame and he looked away too.

"I didn't like him", Dean grumbled low under his breath. Cas' eyes shot up, his wounded expression making Dean cringe. "At least not at first." Dean heaved a heavy sigh, mentally kicking himself for his behavior. "I didn't have a lot to like you for, Cas. You just appear outta nowhere, throw us up against the wall, and try to kill Jo's baby."

"I am sorry about that, Dean", Cas said. "I was... misinformed."

"I know, Cas. I'm over it." Dean stood up and walked over to the angel, laying a hand on his shoulder. "You saved my life. I never thanked you for that, did I?"

"You don't have to thank me, Dean", Cas whispered, his cheeks flushing a bright red.

"Yes, Cas, I do." Dean grabbed Cas and pulled him into a tight hug. "Thank you", Dean whispered into Cas' ear before pulling away.

"You're welcome." Cas tried to keep any emotion out of his tone, but his voice cracked, giving him away. The angel wasn't used to getting any gratitude for anything he did. He was used to following orders with out ever expecting anything in return. This new feeling wasn't something he was ready to explore right now tho. They had work to do. "We... we should really get going. Jo needs our help."

"Yeah! Of course! You're right, Cas", Dean said, his focus turning to the mission at hand. "Is she behind that door?" Dean pointed at the only door in the room other than the one they came in through.

"Yes", the angel growled as he stalked over and laid his hand on the door. "But, she's not alone." Dean and Sam both looked up at Castiel with wide-eyed fear.

"Wha... what do you mean?", Sam stammered. "Who's in there with her?"

"WHO DO YOU THINK?!", Cas snapped back. "DO YOU REALLY THINK CROWLEY WOULD LEAVE HER ALONE?!" Sam took a step back, unprepared for the tongue lashing he was getting from this man who was almost a foot shorter than he was, but wasn't scared of him in the least. "Now get behind me and be ready to move when I break down this door!" Dean grabbed his angel blade and scooted in close behind Cas and Sam followed suit.

"We're ready, Cas", Dean said with a little trepidation in his voice. Castiel pressed both hands against the door and closed his eyes, seeming to concentrate hard.

"Keep your heads down." Barely a split second after Cas' warning, the door exploded, sending splinters of wood flying in all directions. But, amazingly, not one sliver hit the brothers. It was almost like they were being shielded by some invisible force emanating backward from the angels body. Had he used his own wings to protect them from flying debris? Dean even thought he felt a course feather brush his cheek as the last bits of wood floated to the ground.

"C-Cas?", Dean whispered, slowly raising his head to look around the room at the mess that used to be a large, solid wooden door. Cas suddenly ran forward, nearly causing Dean and Sam to topple forward. The hunters managed to keep their footing and stumble forward through the entrance to the next room. The sight before them, froze them both in their tracks. Dean opened his mouth to speak, but was having trouble making any sound come out. He was finally able to make his voice work before his throat closed up on him again. "J-Jo?"

Jo's only response was a hysterical scream.