A/N: Thank you so much to all who are reading! It is very appreciated! I hope you are enjoying this tale! Thank you so very much to the followers!

I do not own Supernatural, Sherlock Holmes, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, or any other books / movies / TV shows / and/or songs that may be referenced in this story.

Chapter 18

The Gang's All Here

Victoria looked at her phone that Sam must have put on her nightstand. She had been asleep for thirty six hours. It was ten in the morning. She looked over, Sam must already be up. She wondered where everybody slept.

Victoria stretched as she sat up in bed. Her body felt strong, powerful. She thought of the word invincible, but she knew that word was dangerous. It often came to one's thoughts before one had an unfortunate meeting with Fate. She showered, dressed, and headed downstairs. She stopped on the landing and started to head back up.

Sam stopped her, "Tor, you okay?"

"I'm going back to bed so that I can wake up."

Sam looked at her questioningly.

"Obviously I'm having a nightmare. Either that or the self-proclaimed King of Hell and his witch of a mother are in my kitchen having tea with your brother."

Sam shrugged.

"You know what? I think I'm in a coma, and I've been in a coma the last nine years. That thing I thought was a demon was just a human who put me into said coma. That's it. I'm going to try and wake up from that."

Victoria Doyle started walking back up her stairs when Sam grabbed her arm. "Tor, you know that's not true."

She turned around and looked at him. "How long have they been here?"

"Just about an hour. We figured you would wake up about now."

Victoria sighed and headed towards the kitchen. "Where's Mary?"

"She's in your guest room organizing your old case files."

"That's nice of her."

"She didn't really feel comfortable down here."

"I completely understand that."

Crowley, Rowena, and Dean were sitting at the kitchen table. Cas was leaning against the counter, arms folded, glowering at Crowley. He looked at Victoria as she entered and smiled at her a little. She returned the gesture before opening her fridge.

Mrs. Turner must have cooked for everyone last night. Victoria pulled out a piece of fried chicken and a biscuit. She completely ignored the supernaturals in the room, although she could feel everyone's eyes on her. She nibbled at the fried chicken as she put her biscuit in the microwave.

Crowley decided to break the silence. "Victoria, the boys here tell me that you're a Chosen One, which of course I can now see for myself. They make them prettier now. The last one I met was the size of Moose here with a face resembling an unshapely piece of rock."

Victoria took her biscuit out of the microwave and placed the chicken inside of it. Sam took the empty seat at the table since Victoria was eating standing up.

She looked at Castiel. "He's not here for training purposes?"

Cas glowered once more, "Unfortunately, no."

Rowena remained silent and continued to sip her tea. She could feel the energy radiating from the woman, she decided for the moment it was best to keep her own council.

"Tor, I know this isn't ideal, but they can help. Rowena can open the cage so Lucifer's ass can go back in."

Victoria looked at Dean. He looked tired, and somewhat disheartened. She could tell he did not want to work with the likes of these two, although he felt there was no other choice.

Victoria finished her biscuit, poured herself a cup of coffee and went to stand by Castiel.

"That's true dear, I can put him back where he belongs."

Victoria turned her head, examining the woman. She was ancient, had seen many things, good and bad, but one thing was constant, she always looked out for herself first.

Victoria turned to Crowley. His thoughts were revolting, murky, and macabre. She saw other Chosen Ones, one Crowley himself killed. She saw all the things he had done to Castiel, Sam, and Dean. She saw his addiction to human blood, she saw him consume humans, kill thousands, damn more to eternal suffering. She saw him makes deals with the others in the room, not for their good, or for the good of the world, but for his own. After all, he was a demon.

"I don't understand why he's still alive."

"The four of us can't seem to kill each other love. We've all tried, on numerous occasions. However, we all need each other in the end. Like a successful boy band whose members try to have solo careers."

Dean rolled his eyes. Cas continued to glower.

"You killed one of my predecessors."

Crowley narrowed his eyes at her and slightly turned his head as he took another drink of his brandy. "Ah, yes. That was ages ago. I had heard all the hype and wondered if they were as invincible as one was lead to believe, they're not. One good blow to the heart, and farewell, Chosen One. Which makes me ponder, Victoria, as to why you're being so discourteous when you evidently need my assistance. Lucifer almost succeeded in massacring you, had it not been for Moose here, you would be dead." He took another drink of his brandy. He continued to stare at her, almost as if to challenge.

Victoria had never met a demon she didn't instantly smite. Talking with one was an entirely new experience.

"Had you not murdered that Chosen One, you would have learned that what doesn't kill us quite literally makes us stronger. I fought the Devil two days ago, Crowley, and didn't die."

"He made you his bitch. Sorry Darling, all hype."

Victoria could tell he was challenging her, he wanted to see what she could do. He knew she was powerful and he wanted to see how much. Crowley and his mother adored power, they always tried to align themselves with it.

She could feel Castiel stirring beside her. Crowley's words were getting to him. She discreetly put her hand on top of his. She read that Crowley noticed. He seemed to notice everything.

"You may be right, but I wasn't that literally. I believe that was you. Do you miss being led around on a leash?"

Crowley smiled as he drank more from his glass. "I like this one boys."

"I'm glad a demon approves of me. I might be able to live with myself now, I was having such a rough go of it before."

Sam smirked.

"As you probably already know Darling, I want to witness a taste of your power. Call it a favor, if you will. Or insurance, I want to know my chances of dying are slim to none when combating Lucifer. Self-preservation and all that."

Victoria looked to Castiel first, then Sam. They both nodded. She shrugged and put her coffee mug down.

"What were you thinking?"

"Well, I'm the strongest entity in the room, so what can you do to me?"

He must not have known about Castiel's newly repaired wings, or he had a largely inflated view of self.

"I can smite you, but I assume you were thinking along the lines of something else."

"Yes, I would enjoy the show more if I were not dead."

Victoria pulled him from this chair and pinned him to the wall with a flick of her wrist. Everyone, including Crowley, looked surprised.

"There are two hundred and six bones in the body you're possessing. I have the ability to break every single one beyond repair, one at a time, or all at once, if I choose. I can also keep you in that body, try to vacate."

Crowley tried, and nothing happened. He smiled.

Victoria released her hold on him. Crowley straightened his suit.

"Color me impressed, love." He resumed his seat and finished his drink. "I'm on board boys, what's the plan?"

Victoria looked across at Sam as he was helping her make the bed.

"I don't like the plan."

"Which part?"

"Any of it. Summoning Lucifer?"

"We've done it before."

"And it failed, did it not?"

"Well, yeah. But we'll have the angel banishing sigil on stand-by, just in case."

"Which will send Castiel away too."

"Right, but he always comes back. He'll just call."

Victoria sat on the bed and leaned her head against the headboard. Sam sat next to her.

"We both almost died Sam. As you know I don't usually doubt my ability, but in this case, I can't help it. Not to mention receiving help from a demon and a witch? It seems…"

"Insane?"

"Something along those lines."

"Look Tor, you're stronger now, Cas can help you focus that, and you'll be ready. He's got to go back to that cage, and we're the only ones who can do it."

"Don't you get tired of having the weight of the world on your shoulders Sam?" Victoria looked at him not with empathy, for she had never had to save the world, but with sympathy.

"Yeah, Tor, I do. Dean and I, we've been through this so many times, Cas too. But now we have you, and you were meant to do this."

"I think you were too. You don't have the abilities, of course, but do you know how extraordinary that makes you? And your brother? You can't smite or heal but you've saved the world. That makes you truly astounding Sam Winchester."

Sam halfway smiled as he turned his gaze from her to his hands.

"Not flattery?"

"I would never do you the disservice of flattery. I care for you too much."

"You care for me?" He returned his gaze once again to meet hers.

"Don't go out and buy a Hallmark card or anything." She gave him a little smile.

"Wouldn't dream of it."

They broke their stare when Dean coughed loudly in the doorway.

"There's an abandoned warehouse about fifteen minutes from here. Tor, if you're up to it we should probably head over there so you can train with Cas. Get your new strength all concentrated."

Victoria stood up, Sam followed suit.

"Of course, I'll be right down."

As soon as he thought they were out of earshot Dean slapped Sam on the back of the head.

"Ow." Sam held his head, "What was that for?"

"I saw that stare Sam, don't ruin this."

They continued to walk down the stairs.

"You're talking to me about staring? And don't ruin what?"

"What is that supposed to mean? And don't ruin what we have with Tor. Whatever you're feeling, it's not gonna work."

"You and Cas stare at each other all the time. All the time Dean. We all notice it. It's like intense too. I'm not going to ruin anything with Victoria. We care for each other, that's it."

"We do not stare at each other all the time. We look at each other when we're talking, that's it. Like normal people. Care for each other? You sleep in the same bed Sam. I wasn't gonna say anything because Mom said not to, but that's weird, because you know, nothing's happening."

They were standing facing each other on the landing now.

"Did you ever think that maybe it's nice just having someone there? Look, Dean, I'm not going to lie to you, I probably care more for Victoria than she does for me. I know who she is. I'm not kidding myself. I will never make her feel uncomfortable, or try to pressure her to become something she's not. I get it. But I have a chance here to form a relationship with someone who cares for me. Can you let that happen?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"Dean, Cas is like a brother to me, you know that, but you and him? You two are more."

Sam keeps talking so Dean can't interrupt. "I don't mean the way you're thinking, no subtext here." They both smiled a little.

"You admire each other. He turned his back on Heaven for you and you searched Purgatory for him. He's your best friend. You share a bond, Dean. I was jealous even, until Tor. Honestly, I thought you might be her favorite too, until she asked me to come with her here. Just like you need Cas, I need her. So please, don't ruin it for me, just be happy someone finally likes me more."

"I don't want your heart to get broken, Sammy."

"I don't think she wants that either. I know what I'm doing Dean, just trust me."

Victoria joined them on the landing. "Ready, Dean?"

She grabbed her coat from the banister. "Where's Castiel?"

"He's waiting for us at the warehouse. He refuses to ride in the back seat of your car anymore."

Victoria smiled as she headed out the door. "Bye, Sam!"

"Bye."

Dean patted his brother on the shoulder. "I think Mrs. Turner is bringing over some pie, so don't eat any of it."

Sam nodded as Dean left.

"Victoria, you have to focus. Your hand to hand is improving, but you have to try and block my attacks completely, even if they no longer cause pain. Archangels are much stronger than I am."

"You're plenty strong." Victoria said, trying to catch her breath.

"You're stronger." Cas lunged at her with the blade, she caught it in her hand, causing it to bleed. He let go of the blade, quickly turned Victoria around by her shoulder, and held her to his chest with his hand holding the wrist that controlled the blade to hers. His other hand was gripping her free one.

Victoria released the hand that was being held by her side from his grip. She rapidly grabbed his other hand and forced it from hers. Before he could confine her again she turned around and pushed him onto the ground. She knelt over top of him with the blade held above his heart. She smiled a bit, thinking she had won.

"Focus." Cas said, before grabbing the blade and switching their positions.

Victoria tried to regain the wind that was knocked out of her. "That's not entirely fair Castiel, had you been anyone else I would have stabbed you."

"Fights are not fair Victoria. You know that." He sat down on the ground and took her hand to pull her up to his level. "I worry about you, I worry about this fight." He looked away from her to where Dean was sitting reading an inappropriate magazine. "They deserve better than this. They gave up so much, they deserve to spend time with their family."

"Aside from me, I think that's what they're doing. Granted the situation isn't ideal, but you and Mary are their family, and y'all have been inseparable."

Cas looked at her and smiled faintly. "I have been around since the beginning, and I ended up with a human family."

Victoria smiled slightly at him. "You turned into so much more than a soldier. You are the epitome of what your species can become. As are they." She looked at Dean. "I never truly realized how alone I was until the four of you more or less forced your company on me. I can't say I haven't enjoyed it. Although it does complicate matters."

Castiel titled his head.

"The other day, after the fight with Lucifer, when I woke up my first thought was of Sam's welfare. Caring for others to that degree complicates this job, priorities shift, the minority wins, no matter the cost to the majority. I think you already know this."

Cas glanced at Dean. "I understand that sentiment, yes."

"That's what I loved about Ezekiel, his intentions were always pure, to the point, he never doubted himself or his abilities. He was so good, and he always acted on that goodness. He was never unsure that he was doing the right thing."

"That can be a dangerous thing for angels."

"For some maybe, but not for him. I could read his thoughts Castiel, when I chose, and they were never anything but pure."

"He was a good soldier."

"And Guardian."

"I am sorry, Victoria."

"It's not your fault in the slightest. I simply lament his passing from time to time." She smiled at him sadly.

Dean looked up from his magazine. "Less talking, more fighting. There's a pie waiting on me."

Victoria rolled her eyes as she stood up. Cas did the same.

Mrs. Turner, Mary, and Sam were sitting around the kitchen table when Cas, Dean, and Victoria returned. Victoria made Dean sit in the back of her Mustang on the ride back.

"Victoria, it's good to see you up and around again honey."

Victoria smiled at her landlady as she went to pour herself a cup of coffee. Dean took a seat at the table while Mrs. Turner cut him a large piece of chocolate meringue pie.

With his mouth full Dean muttered, "Oh my God, this is so good."

Mrs. Turner smiled, pleased with his enjoyment. Mary laughed slightly as she looked at Victoria. Mary noticed she was ever so slightly holding onto her right side.

"I told these boys if they want to get in some shooting practice y'all can go up to the farm and use Bill's old targets. He had a trap too I think. Y'all can go tomorrow and Mary and I will go into town. We could both use some new clothes."

Victoria nodded as Mrs. Turner got up to leave.

"Now, there's leftovers in the fridge for tonight. Victoria, you and the boys can cook for us tomorrow when y'all get back. You youngins have more energy and we'll be tired from shopping."

"Of course, Mrs. Turner. Good night."

They all said their appropriate adieus as Mrs. Turner left.

As soon as Mary heard the front door close she went over to Victoria and quickly lifted up her shirt before Victoria could refuse, revealing a large bruise on her ribs.

"Sweetie."

Cas walked over to her. "You did not tell me about this." He reached out his hand to heal her and Victoria pushed it away.

"You can't heal me every time Castiel. I did not tell you about this for that reason, and I didn't want you to feel responsible. It will heal stronger than before."

Cas put his hand back by his side. "I am responsible. I'm sure that occurred the second time I pinned you to the ground."

Victoria smiled. "Probably, that was an interesting and unexpected maneuver."

Sam looked inquisitive.

Dean finished his pie and looked up. "Maneuver? Tor, come on. You swept his feet out from under him and he landed on top of you. On that concrete floor. It was the like the worst noise ever. I'm surprised Cas isn't black and blue too."

"I am an Angel of the Lord, Dean, I do not bruise."

Dean rolled his eyes as he cut himself another slice of pie.

Sam walked over to her to inspect her injury. She winced as he lightly traced the bruise with his fore and index finger. "At least two of your ribs are broken. Do you have a wrap?"

"Upstairs hall closet."

Sam nodded and left to go fetch the dressing. Victoria put her shirt back down and leaned against the counter to drink her coffee.

"I'll ask Mrs. Turner tomorrow if we can stay at her farm house until the time comes for us to fight the devil. It's spacious with plenty of land. It's too small for all of us here."

Mary nodded in agreement.

Cas was watching Dean eat the pie. "Are you not concerned with the side effects eating that will inevitably result in? Remember the last time? Your human digestive tract will cause you grief later."

Dean looked at his friend. "Really, Cas? Are you trying to ruin the best thing that has happened to me today?"

Cas shrugged as Sam came back in the room with the wrap. Victoria sighed as she lifted her shirt so Sam could bandage. She shut her eyes to escape the pain. When she could no longer feel his hands she opened her eyes.

"Thank you, Sam, that does feel better. You two have bandaged each other up a great deal haven't you?" She picked up her coffee cup and held it in between both of her hands. She let the warmth of the mug spread throughout her body.

Sam and Mary retook their seats at the table. Sam and Dean looked at each other.

"Broken bones, dislocated shoulders, bullet wounds, yeah, we know how to bandage a few things." Dean put the last bite of pie into his mouth.

Mary's face was overcome with guilt and sadness. Victoria noticed it and wanted to make it better.

"Until Castiel."

Sam nodded. "Now he heals us. When he can pull himself away from Netflix."

"That was one time, and a very intriguing episode."

Victoria smirked as she rinsed out her mug and put it beside the coffee maker. She looked at the three other mugs that had accumulated there. She had lived there eight years and it had always only been her mug by that coffee maker. She hated to admit it to herself, but she liked the change.

Dean was rummaging around in the kitchen when Victoria interrupted him.

"Do you have any beer or liquor or anything like that?" Dean looked at her.

Victoria filled the kettle that was on the stove with water from the sink, put it back, and turned the burner on before looking at Dean.

"No, I do not."

"You don't drink either?" Dean sort of plopped into one of the chairs, he rubbed his chin with his hand.

Victoria got her and Sam's coffee mug and put tea bags in them and placed them by the stove, she then sat by Dean.

"In spite of my better judgment I have come to care a great deal for your family. When you all entered my life I was determined to not let any of you infiltrate my heart, for feelings get in the way of what I do. I failed miserably at this. I am fond of each and every one of you, particularly your brother. He never fails to exceed my expectations, he has been the only human to ever do so. You four have drastically changed my life in a way that has made me happier then I can ever remember being. At this point I feel comfortable with you enough to tell you why I don't have any alcohol in this home, it's not because I don't have vices."

Dean looked up at her.

"I'm not a perfect being Dean, by any stretch of the imagination. I am flawed, horribly so. As you already know my personality leaves something to be desired."

"You're not so bad once we got to know you."

"No one else has taken the time."

Victoria got up when the kettle started whistling. She turned the stove off and poured the boiling water into the mugs.

She sat back down and resumed speaking. "After Ezekiel left I found myself dreading the nothing. After my cases were taken care of I was truly alone with my own mind. I had never experienced that before. My mind was always busy. Whether it was with school or training. I never had to be alone with my thoughts. My thoughts are not attractive when not occupied. Give me a puzzle and I'll solve it, give me a demon and I'll smite it, give me a human and I'll evaluate them, but the nothing? That was too much for me to bear. I knew other people drank to alleviate their pain or loneliness, so I thought I would try it to eliminate the nothing. It worked, all too well."

"What made you quit Tor?"

She looked Dean in the eyes for a second and then stared down at her hands. "That was one of the moments of my life I am the least proud of. It was about a year after Ezekiel left. I had just finished taking care of a shape shifter problem down in Louisiana. I came home to the nothing in my mind and just started drinking. I lost an entire weekend. When I woke up there was a message on my phone for a case. During the time I was trying to occupy my mind with copious amounts of alcohol a young couple on their honeymoon were killed. I could have prevented that, I could have saved their lives. Because of my inability to handle my brain's boredom two people didn't get to live out their lives. I quit right after."

Dean felt closer to her in that moment than he had the whole time he had known her. He could sympathize with her, understand the guilt, in that moment she became more human, less machine. "Tor, had I known I would've thrown everything out of the bunker."

Victoria smiled at him. "I've had my moments of almost drinking again. But then I think about that couple. That always makes me stop. The nothingness never went away, the boredom sometimes knocks on my mind. Usually when I'm alone, not solving anything, just being. But I can tell you one thing for certain, I haven't heard the knocking since the day I met you and your brother. You could have an entire liquor store in that bunker of yours Dean Winchester and I wouldn't be tempted to drink a drop."

She got up before he could reply, took the two mugs and headed towards her room.