Blood and Feathers

Dean woke up about nine according to his clock. He let out a loud yawn and stretched. He looked around the room and realized they were at Bobby's. He shook his head clearing his mental cobwebs and slowly remembered Cas was in the panic room. He got out of bed and headed to the kitchen. During Cas's time with them he had grown fond of coffee; Dean decided to take him a cup to him.

The smell of coffee was strong as he made his way into the kitchen. He poured a cup and greeted Bobby who was at his desk. "Morning Bobby."

"Morning." Bobby said without looking up

Dean smiled to himself/ "Learn anything yet?"

"Nope." He looked up at Dean. "Having a rough day?" He asked and pointed at the two cups.

Dean shook his head. "No the other one is for Cas."

The older man shrugged. "Oh, I didn't know he liked coffee. I thought he said everything tasted like… molecules."

"He seems to like coffee." Dean said with a shrug. "Did you see him this morning?"

Bobby shook his head. "Figured he wasn't going to talk to me so I saw no point in it." He looked back down at his book. "Seems to prefer you anyways."

Dean frowned and wondered what Bobby meant by that. He chose to ignore the remark and made his way to the panic room. He still hated the fact that Cas choose to lock himself in there but he had a good reason, plus some space might ease Cas's troubled mind. He rapped on the door. "Cas it's me." He said. There was no answer. He knocked again and nothing. Worry flashed through what if Cas did something desperate? He blocked that thought out of his head and opened the door as he juggled the two coffee cups. "Cas." He called as he walked in.

First thing he noticed was that there was no Cas in the room. "Cas!" He called. He thought maybe the angel had gone invisible or something. No angel appeared. He felt weak and the coffee cups hit the ground with a shatter. "Bobby!" He called and before he knew it Bobby was there at his side.

"Heard the shouting." He looked down at the broken coffee cups and frowned.

"Cas is gone!"

"I see that." He looked around. "I didn't see him leave though. You think he flew off?"

Dean began to panic. He rushed around the room and looked for any sign of Cas or a hint as to where he went. All he found was one lone feather under the bed. He picked it up his heart was in his throat. "Cas…"

"You smell that?" Bobby asked as he sniffed the air

Dean brought himself out of his mental fog and sniffed. "Sulfur, you think a demon got him?"

Bobby looked around. "No signs of a struggle though." He looked at Dean his wise old eyes were full of worry. "You think he just left with the demon?"

"Why would he leave with a demon?"

"Maybe the demon threatened us or more to the point threatened to kill you."

Dean frowned. Would Cas really leave some demon willingly? He bit his lip. Worry ate at him, what could he do to save Cas? "Bobby," He started and the older man looked at him. Dean placed his hand on his shoulder where Cas's hand print was until it healed. He could almost feel the bits of grace clawing at him through his own clothes. "Me and Cas we… have a profound bond."

Bobby raised an eye brow. "And?"

Dean gripped his own shirt sleeve. "I think I, I think maybe I can track him."

"What like angel GPS?"

He nodded. "Or something like that. Cas told me that when he contacted me he amplified the bond so he could reach me. It's still like that maybe we can use it to find him."

"What if he doesn't want to be found?"

"I got to try…" He rubbed his arm. "Just give me some time. If I can't reach him maybe he'll get so annoyed with me praying to him he'll come back."

Bobby nodded. "I'll go get Sam then." He left leaving Dean alone.

Dean laid his hand on his arm and tried to think. "Cas." He spoke out loud that helped him think. "Where are you?" He could feel his arm burn and tingle like it did before. He closed his eyes and tried to envision Cas thinking that would help. "Cas where are you? Please come back man. Please I need you." He pleaded. He's throat felt raw like his soul. He pleaded even more poured his soul out into his thoughts. "I don't think I can handle you being gone please come back." Mournful, tearful, sorrowful he cried out to Castiel in the hopes that something could reach him.

"Dean." He heard Cas's voice speak clear as day.

"Cas?" Dean asked. He felt his hands tremble. Just the sound of his voice made him happy.

"What are you doing?"

"Reaching out to you." In a brief moment he could sense Cas like he was beside him.

"Dean just… go on. I am going to handle this. I'll defeat Alacastor just go on with your life. You needn't worry about me anymore."

"Bull shit, you're family I'm going to worry about you. Now you either tell me where you are or bring your feathery ass back home."

"I can't do that Dean. Please understand that I'm doing this to keep you safe."

After that Dean saw a flash of an image, a location, sharp pain ran through his head and he screamed.

"Dean!" Sam shouted as he rushed to his brother's side and caught him. "What happened?"

"I was contacting Cas." Dean said with a cry as he rubbed his head. He now had a bad headache. "But I now where he is." He whimpered in pain as he held his head which felt like someone was hammering a nail through it. "We got to go."

"But Dean you're clearly hurt." Sam started as he helped Dean up. "What the hell were you thinking anyways?"

"I was trying to save Cas!" He shouted which made his head hurt worse. "Damn it Sam that stupid son of a bitch went out there to kill Alacastor by himself." He gripped Sam's arm to steady himself he felt like the room was spinning around him.

"What?" Sam frowned his tone indicated worry

"Yeah that's what he told me. Said we shouldn't worry about him, it's a damn suicide mission."

Sam shook his head. "But Dean Cas is an angel he can take on a demon he's done it before."

"Yeah but this demon Sam it, it has Cas's number man. I mean he can control him Cas can't go in there guns blazing Alacastor can just take him over and bam gone Cas." He rung his hands. He was so worried he couldn't stand himself.

Sam shook his head. "Okay fine let's go get him." He patted his brother's shoulder. "Even if I said no I know you would just jump in the Impala and take off after him."

He nodded. Sam was right even if he didn't agree to go with Dean, he would go by himself. The sinking nagging feeling that Cas was in trouble just grew at the thought. He pushed himself from Sam and staggered a few steps until he got adjusted. "Okay man let's go."

Castiel's frown deepened. He stared at the cup of coffee in front of him as if it personally offended him.

"What's wrong, you look even more constipated than usual." Crowley snipped as he lifted up his own coffee. While neither needed food they were both at least trying to blend in and plot their move.

"No I'm not, plus angels don't defecate." He responded. He could feel the pull of Dean still even though he lost contact. Dean was so desperate, so hurt and in such need of his return. Cas started at the foggy coffee as it grew cold. Maybe this was a bad decision? He felt Dean's longing for him again and Cas clutched the table. He had grown used to hearing the man's prayers, him calling out to him but since he increased Dean's range when he reached out for help it was much worse. Painful almost, Dean was so needy afraid of him never returning to him.

"It's your boyfriend isn't it?" The demon asked.

"Dean's not my 'boyfriend'." Cas said using air quotes on the word boyfriend.

The other man rolled his eyes. "Whatever, listen your ambiguous relationship with Dean isn't part of the conversation." About that time another man approached and Crowley held out his hand.

The new man laid some paper in his hand. "Lord Crowley I found the plans for the building."

"Thank you Mark." Crowley said

Cas eyes the blueprints with a weary glance. Working with Crowley was not exactly his idea of a good time. But as the humans say the enemy of my enemy is my friend. "How many is in the building?"

"Straight to business again? Angels are so practical." The king of Hell teased

Cas narrowed his eyes at him. He wanted nothing more to drive his angel blade in the man. He was driving him insane. Between Dean's constant prayers for his return and Crowley's constant talking and snide remarks he was ready for a drink. He mentally sighed; he needed to stop hanging around Dean so much he was going to pick up that drinking habit.

"There are about five people in total. Counting Alacastor, three demons and two hunters he seemed to have picked up, ugh Sir Castiel." Mark said

"Ooh sir is it," Crowley grinned. He looked at Cas. "Did they ever call you that in the garrison?"

Cas shot him a dirty look and looked at the other demon. "Thank you, Mark."

The demon nodded and smiled as if Cas thanking him meant he wouldn't smite him later. "You are welcome, sir Castiel." He looked to his leader. "I have assembled about five other demons to join us. Alacastor has he's human pets leave to gather more monsters."

"Hmm if we can get in maybe we can turn the monsters against them." Cas said. He finally sipped his long cold coffee. The nagging pull of Dean calling out to him returned and he shook his head. He picked up on the fact that Dean and Sam were coming for him. Great just what he needed. He wondered why these humans felt such a need to protect him.

"Good idea." Crowley smirked. "See you're a great leader." He gave him a dark smile. "If you ever need a job in Hell I'm sure I can open up a place for you."

"Never, once we are done with this I am done with you." Castiel snapped. Anger raged how dare that demon think he would simply work in hell for him.

"You forget our deal mate?"

He narrowed his eyes. "Our deal says nothing of me working in hell with your kind. Our deal was I kill demons that get out of hand."

"You see Mark," Crowley started. "You should drop the sir as Cassie here thinks he's better than us."

Cas slammed his hand on the table anger spilled over like the cup of cold coffee. "Get to the point!"

The patrons stared at the trio and Crowley waved his hand making them freeze. "Castiel your anger is showing. You're scaring the humans."

He stood up from the table. "I do not have time for your nonsense demon!" He huffed. He was ready to leave, he was done with Crowley. The so called King of Hell just kept smiling like everything was coming up roses.

"You can't do this without me you know. You go in there no distraction, he wraps your mind and bam no more Cassie. Your precious human never to be seen again." He got up from the table. "Is that what you want Castiel? Loose Dean and Sam like that; hell Alacastor will probably make you kill them for the fun of it."

He looked away Crowley was right, going alone would be suicide as long as Alacastor had the spell on him. He sighed and nodded. "Fine."

"There's a good little angel." He picked up the blueprint of the building. "Let's go."

Castiel found himself outside the old building beside Crowley. The demon had stopped teasing him since he's blow up at the dinner. He wondered what Crowley's end game in all this. It was clear they were using each other. The demons charged in and him and King of Hell followed suit. The plan was that the lesser demons would take out Alacastor's crew and Crowley would make said demon undo the spell or kill him. He wanted to make an example out of him.

"Selling monsters is just bad for business." Crowley said and pulled Castiel out of his thoughts. The demon was in front of a cage that had a very ill ghoul in it. "All this does is make hell look bad. Alacastor is supposed to be getting souls not making himself rich."

The angel frowned and shrugged his shoulders. "Demons are deplorable."

"You're still hanging out with one."

They kept walking and Crowley stopped him. Castiel however could sense Alacastor ahead of them.

"I know you're here." Alacastor called. "Might as well come out, or I'll drag you out."

The two of them stepped out of the shadows.

"Crowley and the angel Castiel what a par. Didn't know you know each other."

"We have friends in common." Crowley said.

"What brings you two here?" Alacastor asked with a smirk.

"Oh you know me don't really care for a demon who goes off on his own. Here you're after my job," Crowley pointed at Castiel. "And he well he's really pissed at you for plucking him and putting him under a spell."

Alacastor laughed. "Oh really, yes Alacastor King of Hell does sound good does it not." He looked over at Castiel. "Have me a big strong angel on my side. He's a good dog he'll do what I want."

"I am not your dog." Castiel said his angel blade dropped into his hand. He stepped forward aiming to kill.

Alacastor held up his hand. "No you see someone," He smiled and Castiel felt a sinking feeling in his stomach. "Had already come to visit." He snapped his fingers and two demons dragged out the Winchesters.

"Damn." Crowley mumbled.

The two of them looked worse for wear. "What did you do?" Cas demanded.

The demon shrugged. "Caught them spying so I roughed them up. This is pretty simple Castiel. I need you in my inner circle. Demons are afraid of angels you see and if I have you as my personal attack dog then well it would be a lot easier to gather an army. After all no one would go against a guy with an angel on his team." He looked at Crowley. "Right Crowley. Getting the bigger kid to fight your playground fight."

Cas stared at the brothers; the two of them were tied up and Dean was unconscious. Sam looked at him his face bloodied. Anger boiled in Castiel. He let out an animal like cry and charged at Alacastor.

"Stop!" The demon said and held up a hand

Cas stopped. He had no control of his body. Fear washed through him.

"Damn angel. Maybe I should just get another one you're a pain in my ass." Alacastor said

"Feathers get it together!" Crowley shouted.

Cas could sense Crowley's fear. He knew why he couldn't control himself. While he wanted to stab the demon earlier he wanted to it on his own terms.

Alacastor looked at him his dark eyes seemed to look straight into Castiel. "Castiel," He said in an even tone. "Kill the Winchesters."

Cas wanted to scream and shout but he couldn't. He's body started forward towards his friends, his brothers. No! He shouted in his mind. He got closer he could see the pure horror in Sam's eyes.

"Please Cas don't! You got to fight this!" Sam begged

"Feathers!" Crowley called. Cas could sense him backing away a rat leaving the sinking ship.

Cas raised his angel blade. Sam screwed his eyes shut and waited for it all to end.

"Don't!"

Cas stopped when he heard the voice call. Slowly he regained control of his mind. He let go of the angel blade and it hit the ground with a thud.

"Oh man." Sam breathed a sigh of relief

Cas looked over at Dean who had woken up. "Dean."

He smiled at him. "Couldn't just forget about you."

There were sudden shouts from around them. Castiel moved fast and untied the two Winchesters.

Crowley smirked at Alacastor. "I came prepared."

Alacastor looked at Castiel and raised his hand up. "Kill them."

It didn't work this time.

"Ain't going to do it this time buddy." Dean said with a smirk. "See we broke your little spell on him."

The demon's eyes grew wide preparing to smoke out of his body but Castiel was faster. The angel warped across the room and planted his blade deep in the demon's chest. Alacastor screamed as body crumbled. It was over and done. Cas cleaned off his blade with a rag he had in his coat. He looked at Crowley and pointed the blade to him.

Crowley held up his hands. "Pleasure doing business with you boys. See you around." And he vanished.

"Scum, shame we didn't get him too," Dean said

Cas felt relief wash over him. It was over finally over. He glared down at the fallen demon's body. "At least this is done and over with." As soon as he said that Dean pulled him into a tight hug.

"Damn it Cas. Next time don't go and take off like that. Especially with Crowley."

"Sorry Dean." He patted the hunter on his back as he held him closer.

Sam patted him on his shoulder. "Glad you're back Cas."

Cas smiled. "Me too Sam." Dean let him go and Cas hugged Sam.

The three of them headed out of the building after taking care of the monsters and the left over demons.

Castiel smiled to himself as he got in the back of the Impala. Dean talked about going to a bar and Cas didn't care as long as he was with his family. The car eased down the road Led Zeppelin blaring and Castiel wouldn't have it any other way.