(Warning, implied possibility of dead children. Because demons.)

We step out into the familiar hallway, growls emanate briefly from the two hellhounds at the unfamiliar demon before they smell their king. Crowley walls down the way with Dante in tow, bloody and haggard but not too much worse for wear, much to Crowley disappointment. He'd have to remedy that later. Dan steps out of the shadows. He looks no different after the hundreds of years, perhaps a bit more tired around the eyes. Those eyes narrow at the guest.

"Who's the demon?"

"A failure attempting to fix the fact that he's a failure." Dante swallows but walks forward.

"And he succeedin?"

"No. Is my ghost hunter there? Dragoness?"

"Yes, I just stepped out to get some air that didn't smell like pine and blood."

"I suppose sulfur could be a reprieve to some." We reach the door at this point and Crowley looks from Dante to the gaping hole and back. "You wanted to know the source of my power? Well, one of them is inside. As promised." Dan's eyes widen, and then he huffs a laugh as the demon steps in.

"I ain't seein him again, am I?"

"Do you really have to ask?" Dan rolls his eyes and steps through the door as well. Crowley takes one more look to make sure the hounds are doing their job and follows suit.

On the other side Dragoness sits curled like a wall around Bobby and Dante. Her head low and listening eagerly to some story or other as Dante stares. He is being quite pointedly ignored while Bobby finishes his tale.

"And the dick didn't even call. He left me with a Hell of a mess; two strigoi, one pregnant and hungry, and a fucking idiot cult providen' them food! I fuckin high tailed it outta there. Came back with a silver shrapnel bomb made outta my best silverware. Killed the vetalas, half the cult, and a dog they had too. Was a horrid weekend that was supposed to be spent fishin! And that's where this stupid scar on my hand is from. Cut it puttin the bomb together."

"Not the vetala Robert, but your own clumsiness was what caused your injury? I find that a bit hard to believe."

"Well, it's what happened." At this point Bobby takes a big breath and turns to the hole into Hell and the king. "Crowley, who's the friend?"

"Someone who wanted to see where my power came from."

"And yer just gonna show him?"

"Yes. Show is an apt term." Dragoness is grinning and regarding the demon.

"Well, spawnling demon. Have you come to dance the dance of death? The thin line between success and failure? How do you think your steps are so far? Have you found the beat, or have you been left behind, confused and dazed?" Dante just looks quietly at the dragon, in awe.

"I believe I lost my way at the last song ma'am, and I shall never find the beat again." The dragon chuckles.

"He is eloquent Crowley, may I not keep him?"

"If he survives the demonstration, why not." He's not gonna survive the demonstration, Crowley. I sigh as the demon sighs, in tandem, him not knowing whether to be hopeful, and me knowing that he should not be.

"So why are you here? A demonstration? You could do that easily enough without me King of Hell."

"I made a deal that I wouldn't kill him." Both Dragoness and Bobby look at Crowley for a moment, and then Dragoness shakes the clearing with laughter.

"A poorly worded one I assume. Oh little spawnling demon, you attempted to make a deal with my protege' how amusing. Let us see how this ends."

Protege? Oh…. Oh no. Oh boy.

Crowley pushes me down to parse through my thoughts later, going as fast as they are, they are probably a bit hard to follow. He looks up as Dragoness blows fire into being, exuding her soul for all to see. Dante looks in awe at the orb that floats above him for a moment, before exploding out of his body against his will as the sound of a snap echoes. The red smoke rushes out and rams into the black miasma that is the confused demon Dante. He is pile driven into Dragoness's soul and seconds later cannot be seen at all, the red smoke surrounding the burning orb like a swarm of gnats circling a light.

I stand in Crowley's body, looking at the spectacle, keeping his meat suit upright for him. Bobby is rolling his eyes at the dramatics while Dragoness is watching happily, probably thinking about what that tidbit of information would do. A quick glance at me and a show of teeth confirms my theory. The smoke clears from the small sun and wisps around in the air, no black smoke in sight. Crowley rushes around a moment, setting himself up for another pile drive, at Bobby. Bobby sees the smoke coming and looks at it with such irritation and ire that I could almost believe he thought Crowley was an annoying acquaintance.

"Oh, balls." He is swept up and away, his human form disintegrated in moments from the force. The little white orb is swiftly folded into the smoke and carried home.

Crowley straightens as I am pushed aside and...Bobby is pushed next to me.

"What the Hell? Crowley, why you got me-"

"Your job description is what I want it to be Robert, you've been in Hell, Hell owns you. Now, I am sorry Dragoness, but I need my hunter for a bit."

"Problems in paradise?" The smoke curling from her nostrils speaks of amusement as she holds out a claw to beckon her soul back, like a tool and not her very being.

"Yes, familial in nature, and missing."

"Rowena's missing?"

"Among other things. So, It's time to do your job Robert. Hunt. Let's go find a witch, I'll decide if I'll burn her later." Crowley pauses and nods to Dragoness before turning and heading toward the door.

….

"The fucking Vatican?"

"Yes Robert. Now, they were in none of the hiding spots I was told of, so… Where is she?"

"And why would I help you?"

"Because Rowena could be in danger, and I believe you happen to like her."

"She ain't in danger. She's in charge. If they ain't usin specially designed bunkers that would be safer for both of them, it's because Rowena wanted a fucking hotel." He's got a point Crowley. Look for the most expensive B&B or hotel that's within Running distance of ground so holy You might have trouble walking on it. "Like Bec said. Running distance of safety, but nice." Crowley sighs but brings up his phone and looks up 5 star hotels or otherwise expensive places to stay. The closest to the main entrance, or at least consecrated ground, is Palazzo Cardinal Cesi. The one that closed for cardinals of the church. Four hundred dollars a night, so definitely expensive. Where did she get the money?

"She's a witch, she doesn't need money." She Needs to be careful this close to a holy place with practicing witchcraft. She really could get burned, and not by you. "Why do you think I'm in a hurry? If anyone burns her, it Will be me."

"Yer a sick sonova-"

"Witch. I know. I'm trying to find her. Now. Let's get prepared for an interesting conversation, some pleading, and lies, shall we?"

We enter, and feel a tingle. Crowley looks up and sees a ward against demons, painted quite nicely into a mural. What is it with people hiding these things?

"Surprise is a powerful tool." Right, I forgot because they don't fucking work anymore. We walk up into the main rooms, ignoring a glance from a tourist and looking for an attendant. We walk past a gorgeous courtyard with a lovely couple sitting at a table making eyes at each other. The waiter nearby gives us a side eye but continues on his way to...wherever the kitchen is. We find the receiving desk and again in perfect Italian, with no hint of an accent this time, Crowley speaks.

"Hello, I am looking for a friend; red hair, scottish accent, goes by Rowena perhaps." The attendant pauses but smiles at Crowley's own charming gaze.

"I believe someone of that description is indeed staying here, but I can't really tell you where sir. I can call her room though." Crowley pauses and then smiles.

"Of course, tell her Robert Singer is here. It's a bit urgent."

"The Hell Crowley?!" Crowley doesn't react, just smiles, hands in pockets as the attendant dials. "Crowley! Don't drag me into this bullshit!" I feel a bit of a jolt and sigh. Crowley hated talking mentally, absolutely never did it unless he had to. So, I am supposed to convince Bobby Singer to play along. And I am being told to talk mentally too. "You can try Bec, but I ain't helpin-"

"Let me put it this way Bobby. This is about food theft, demon food. As in children, babies. They could still be alive, or they could-" I can feel Robert change his priorities immediately.

"Fine. If Crowley promises to return the kids that are there, alive and unharmed, to where they belong or somewhere safer." We both feel a slight affirmation from the King of Hell as he waits, and listens, to the phone call. He can hear both sides, there is a male voice currently, going in and out, talking to someone else there. The phone is held out.

"They wish to hear from you sir." Crowley smiles and mouths something to the attendant, who smiles and chuckles. A prank indeed. You're up Bobby, Crowley can imitate your voice, but he can't prove he's you, you're gonna have to figure something out.

"Yeah Yeah."

Crowley holds the phone up and let's Bobby do the talking. There are a few things that Demons just Can't say after all. Well, one.

"Rowena, I-"

"How do we know it's you? Why are you here?" The voice is gruff and curt, short and nervous.

Bobby sighs and says one word.

"Christo. Happy?" Crowley twitches a bit but there is silence on the other end for a moment and Crowley chuckles silently. The silence stretches...but.

"Room 5." The phone goes dead and Crowley hands the square box back to the attendant, smiling. Phones are so advanced now. The most expensive ones didn't even place calls, just showed holograms of each person.

"Thanks, this is going to be such a surprise for them. I got here early."

"Oh, I'm sure they'll be happy to see you."

"Yeah, sure. Let's get this over with princess."

Room 5 isn't far, as in a few turns away from the desk. Crowley stands in front of the door and knocks. And waits. And waits. And sighs before breaking the door knob and walking in.

His mother and the other demon are on the other side. His mother is sitting in a chair. Her dress has sigils on it, as does the floor. The demon is sitting outside the devils trap which has been recently broken. That's why we couldn't sense or summon either of them. Rowena looks up from her book and nods. Bobby growls out the question.

"Where are the children?" Jarrod smirks at Bobby's voice.

"They were delicious." Bobby festers and snarls, but Crowley is in control despite the occasional allowance to use his tongue.

"No Jarrod, they weren't." Jarrod stiffens at the sound of Crowley's voice. "Now. How about you both explain what the Hell is going on before I destroy you for wasting my time!"

"Fergus. I was gettin tired hearin about babies and eatin em. I dinnae like it."

"Neither do I. Stopping a full life from forming in favor of a meal that is barely aware enough to know what it is, I find it a bit short sighted, wasteful, and a favorite among demons. So, I created a branch to deal with it. Not me. So the fact that I am currently HAVING TO DEAL WITH IT, it is quite annoying."

"Fergus, I-"

"I don't care mother." Crowley looks to the demon to his right and snaps. The demon goes up in smoke, or the body does. The smoke is directed as usual without much thought by Crowley sending out red smoke and grabbing it. Back once again in his body, Crowley looks at the witch in the chair. "Mother, where is the food?"

"You mean the babies." Crowley sighs and sneers.

"Yes mother. The babies. Where are they?"

"And why should I tell ye?" Crowley snaps, completely done with this event and Rowena explodes, a shower of purple sparks. No smoke, no soul. An illusion. Crowley stares.

Really, you thought she'd buy the fact that Bobby escaped?

"It was kinda thin Crowley. Even I could-"

"Shut up. Both of you." With a thought he's in an alley on the street below, and quickly heading for Saint Peter's Square. His mother had a head start, and he did not know what she was planning. He quickly pushes the shower curtain called Chew Toy into place as per usual, and quickens his pace. He didn't have a contract with Bobby after all, he couldn't wear him, just give him brief control of the body. He most definitely was not going to try to step foot on that holy soul without some human protection. The fact that he is heading toward it at all is a testament to his anger. A spell bag is produced from his pocket and held onto for a moment.

"Ego quaerere in lumine." A light of red flashes in the distance and Crowley actually grumbles deep in his throat. No one could make you angry like family after all. Rowena is most certainly heading for safety like he had guessed. If she reached certain parts of the Vatican, he would most likely not be able to follow. He takes a step and vanishes, appearing to the right of the square behind an informational pavilion. He walks quickly across the street and into the square hoping to head her off. The first step into it burns as any consecrated ground does, mildly for Crowley, even less so with me. He rushes toward the glowing red mane that is quickly walking toward the basilica. Rowena turns and sees the black suit and familiar face and breaks into a run. Crowley curses and mimics her. She runs past the obelisk and Crowley follows, each step burning slightly more.

One step too close to the obelisk and suddenly he doubles over in pain, one knee on the ground. Every soul in agony as fire and rage fills and burns him.

"Signore! Signore?" A man runs up and leans over hand touching Crowley's shoulder. Crowley looks up at the man, eyes red for a half second. The man recoils and Crowley blinks, shaking his head and covering his face as he stands.

"Sto bene. Sto bene!" The man nods, backing away and doubting what he had seen. Crowley looks for the red glow only he can see, apparently judging by the lack of reaction from the crowd, and frowns as it disappears into the basilica. He walks forward, ready for the intense pain this time and continues towards his mother.

"What is she doin' with the kids anyway?" Crowley doesn't respond. As he walks further from the obelisk the pain lessens, and I wonder what is in it. "Piece a the true cross supposedly. Looks like it isn't so supposed." Huh. Well, I wonder what that means about religion, Jesus, the trinity. "Does it matter? People believe and it hurts him, so in my book, that's pretty damn holy." I guess.

As we get closer to the basilica the pain increases again, this time worse than before. Crowley eventually stops at the steps, and looks inward. He puts a single toe on a step and the shoe bursts into flames before he quickly douses it with a thought.

He could withstand that pain; his suit, his body, wouldn't. They'd have to be repaired constantly, taking a lot of focus. It would also be damn noticeable, walking around like a fucking candle.

"Bollocks." Crowley takes out his phone and opens his contacts, searching for a moment before calling.

"Father Pietro. Long time no see. Yes, we had an agreement, I don't come near the Vatican, you- well. Call off your priests. I am not here to start trouble, I'm here to stop it. There is a witch, someone who has crossed me and can cause a lot of trouble for both of us, currently attempting to find sanctuary within the basilica. I want her. I will take her off your hands, whisk her away, punish her, burn her at the stake for you even. However, in honor of our agreement, and of not terrifying your patrons by walking around in a blaze of unholy glory, I'm calling you. Of course she is guilty, she's a witch. ...She has killed at least 500 people in her very long century spanning life. Is that enough? … Rowena. Oh. You have heard of her. Good. Yes, she still has red hair. I will be waiting in the...Fine. Call me. I'll just take in the sights. Get a bite to eat. ...No promises on not tempting anyone father. I have my job, you have yours." Crowley hangs up and looks at the young child staring at him, he flashes his red his eyes and walks away, smiling slightly at the sound of crying behind him.

"You got guys on the inside?" Selling sin to saints for centuries, Bobby. He has 'guys' everywhere. "Point. So, what are you getting to eat? More babies?" Crowley is silent, walking through the square quickly, looking at the city that hasn't changed despite the world around it. The sting of the holy is in the air in this city, like a few others on earth, and Crowley is not very pleased with being here on business that will not yield new rewards.

We spend the next three hours at Antico Caffe San Pietro with coffee that was bought solely for the use of the table, at least after smelling the coffee. It is apparently not up to his standards, but it was the closest restaurant open to the Vatican that wasn't a food truck.

We get the call as he is tentatively sniffing the coffee again out of sheer boredom.

"Father Pietro. I hope it is good news? Oh? Well, I understand you not wanting to come face to face with the King of Hell. Image and all that. I'm sure you can hire someone to walk her over to...She's unconscious. Father Pietro, what brutality. Ah, I suppose she might run into a wall at the sight of another witch catcher collar. Where ever did you find one? I'll happily buy it- fine. Just...prop her in a wheelchair and bring her to your church's hotel. Of course she's staying there, it's expensive. One hour, cover her red hair with a hat, sunglasses- Of course you know what you're doing but as someone far more versed in trafficking bodies I believe I have a bit more experience than the bloody Vatican...I hope. As I said. An hour. Ciao."

"She ran into a fucking wall?" Something is off. "I'd say." We both feel confirmation from Crowley as we head back to the hotel.

We settle into the room after flashing a room key taken from the demon and giving instructions to the desk attendant. Crowley takes the time to look around what must have been Rowena and Jarrod's room for some time. He's kept Jarrod alive, for now, sequestered away in another stomach I suppose. Crowley looks around the room; thin holy papers and gold leaf sit on the desk. Tibetan holy papers made for wrapping things. The bed has been slept in, so Rowena has been sleeping here. We spend another fifteen minutes searching and it yields nothing. So when there is a knock on the door Crowley is sitting reading the bible.

"It's open." The door is pushed and it creaks as it swings, revealing two men. They are rather well built and are pushing a Rowena whose hair is up under a hat and sports large sunglasses that obscure her face. One of the men is holding her shoulder, so she stays upright, but her head tilts to the side. Fortunately it just appears like she is asleep.

"Good job boys. You can leave her just inside, I'll take care of her from here." The two men glare, and one of their hands clenches, but Crowley raises a brow and sets the bible down. "Gents, is there a problem? You are merely leaving a mother with her son. The son happens to be the King of Hell and the mother a 700 plus year old witch, but still." The men look at each other and then push the wheelchair into the room and leave. Crowley waves a hand and the door closes, doorknob and lock fixed. Crowley wastes no time; with a wave shackles appear around Rowena's wrists, ankles, and a gag in her mouth. I wonder if it is Crowley's favorite one.

"Crowley has a favorite gag?"

"Yes Robert, my favorite has razor blades and glass on the inside." So if they try to talk-

"I get it, thanks." With another wave the hat and glasses vanish, and that is when we notice the slight sapphire-red veins coming from around her eyes.

"What the Hell is that?"

Crowley stands and goes to his mother, standing over her a moment before opening her eyes. They are bloodshot. Crowley frowns. He doesn't know. There is however, a very simple way to find out.

With a snap Rowena's soul leaves her body and returns to the King of Hell. Her son. Crowley. Both Robert and I are pushed down into other prisons so he can talk to his mother, without anyone learning anything he isn't prepared to share. Bobby's agreement with Dragoness prevented it, but with his mother, he wasn't taking risks. Both of us are shunted to different prisons, I to the empty one that used to contain all of the personal ones he collected, and Bobby to, well, it must be the one where he eats. I hope he survives. We sit, I sit, in silence. Waiting for Crowley to finish examining his mother.

That's when Rowena's body moves.