Family Means Blood

Sam couldn't understand it as he flipped through the pages of the book he had taken from Becky so long ago. A handful of pages were now etched in black print. The book had started doing this only recently. Only the first chapter was finished and all it told Sam was that Kevin just got pushed into the bathtub by three bath resistant angels. Sam sighed, shutting the book and staring at the grim cover. A dark figure still lurked in the shadows and Dean was still holding the lost looking angels looking tired and worn. The younger Winchester stuffed the book into his back pocket, silently wishing he had never seen the damn thing. He opened his bedroom door and made his way to the bathroom. Sure enough. Sam entered just in time to see the angels jump from the water and push Kevin into the suds before making their escape into the kitchen. Kevin yelped, glaring at his sopping wet clothes before meeting Sam's gaze.

"How does Dean do it?" he questioned. Sam shook his head, flinging a towel at Kevin before walking into the living room that was also conjoined with the kitchen. Dean was holding the three angels down, wrapping their wet bodies in towels. Sam smirked, rushing over to help his brother dry off the angels. When the wee angels would attempt to slip from the brothers' grip Sam and Dean would tickle the angels until they were giggling so hard they could barely move.

"Quick, grab their clothes!" Dean shouted, holding all three angels while Sam rushed into the bedroom to grab each angel their clothes. When the angels had finally gotten dressed Dean left to go make sure Kevin didn't drown in the bathroom and Sam escorted the angels outside to play on the tire swing by the lake. The younger Winchester pushed the three, laughing with them as they each flew off the tire and did flips in the air. Balthazar was just about to do a summersault off the swing when there was a loud splash from the center of the lake. Everyone froze, looking out into the blue water to see it rippling slightly from the splash.

"What was that?" Gabe questioned. Sam stepped in front of the angels, squinting out at the lake. A hand suddenly shot up from the water, frantically clawing to get out.

"Oh my God!" yelped Sam as the mystery person thrashed in the deep water. Without a moment's hesitation, Sam jumped in, swimming towards whoever was drowning. Sam's eye nearly popped out of head on seeing who was currently drowning in their lake. "Samandriel?" Sam gasped, grabbing the angel around the waste and hauling him up to the surface for a breath. The angel gasped, burning lungs finally swallowing in air. He gagged and sputtered, spitting up blood along with the water he had inhaled. Sam helped the angel to edge of the pond and the two of them were greeted by the sound of the rest of the crew running from the house to their aid.

"What the hell happened?" Bobby questioned, setting Balthazar down on the ground next to his heaving brother. Balthy must have ran to get help. Sam caught his breath for a moment before nodding towards Alfie. All eyes turned towards the coughing angel. Samandriel was streaked with blood and a long cut in his gut was leaking white light. The three youngest angels stared at their brother with wide eyes filled with fear and Dean quickly scooped them up and gave them to Charlie, instructing her to keep them occupied for a while. Charlie dragged the unwilling to leave angels away back to their room while the men helped drag Samandriel to one of the spare bedrooms. Bobby looked over the wound once the bloody and soaked clothes were removed.

'Well?" Kevin questioned, once Bobby had sewed up the glowing wound in Alfie's gut. Bobby wiped the sweat from his eyes and forehead, setting down his needle and thread, and grabbed the bottle of whiskey on the nightstand.

"That's all I can do for him I'm afraid. Hopefully he'll heal on his own," Bobby stated as he took in a big gulp of whiskey. Alfie opened his eyes a fraction, greying eyes searching the faces around him.

"My…my brothers. Where…a…are they?" Alfie stammered, sounding like his entire being was draining away. All eyes turned to Dean and the hunter stepped out of the room, coming back with Balthazar on his shoulders and the other two holding his hands as they entered. Alfie smiled at his little brothers, waving his hand for them to come sit by him. Hesitantly, the three flapped up onto the bed and Alfie ran his fingers delicately along each of their wings. Dean and Sam shared a look. They didn't like this. They didn't like how Alfie was acting like he'd see them only this one last time. Gabriel's eyes skimmed to the wound in Alfie's gut and tears started to trace down his face. Alfie wiped the tears away, smiling sadly at his brothers.

"Who did this?" Cas questioned, sounding like he was close to crying as well. The weak angel laying on the bed suddenly went rigid and his eyes darkened. Dean wondered if they should have the angels leave for a second. Maybe they shouldn't hear this. There was no time to pull them back however. Alfie was already opening his mouth to answer.

"There was an attack on heaven. Lucifer…he lied. He attacked us…killed….s…so many…" Alfie trailed off into a heavy coughing fit that almost split his stitches. Blood and a clear liquid that glowed bright white and blue light was spat into his hand as he coughed and choked. Cas, Balthazar, and Gabriel squealed in terror, reaching for their brother, but again Dean held them back. Sam, Bobby, and Kevin pushed a towel into Samandriel's hands and attempted to calm the shivering angel while Dean tried to calm his own. Charlie quickly entered the room, carrying a water bottle and some pain medication. They would have to use everything they got, but at least it would dull some of the pain Alfie was going through. "Luci…h…he's taking over Heaven…" Alfie continued through his fierce coughing.

"But…he promised," Cas whispered, sounding so small and scared. Dean squeezed him and his brothers tighter. "He saids he'd do anything for his brothers!" Cas shouted, angry and hurt from the news of his brother's betrayal. Since Michael allowed Lucifer out of the pit to see his three younger brothers the angel had protected his family and done everything possible to make up for ruining what he had, but now he had stomped all over it again. Lucifer had made a promise to Michael and the others so he didn't have to stay in the pit any longer. Why was he doing this now? Why was he betraying his brothers' trust especially after telling the three how he would never hurt his family? Alfie collapsed into his pillows, shivering and hacking. Lies. They were all lies.

"Sammy, come on," Dean whispered, exiting the room with the angels securely in his arms. They walked into the living room and the older Winchester dropped the angels gently on the couch before grabbing what they needed. Sam gave his brother a questioning look as Dean started to dig out a bowl and special ingredients meant to summon angels. Dean caught Sam's look and mouthed one word. Angels. Sam froze, glancing at the angels staring blankly up at the ceiling. Sam wondered if they were praying, asking for answers. Dean did a small chant and the TV blasted static for a moment before going black again. Dean and Sam looked around, but there were no angels to be seen. "What the hell?" Dean grumbled.

"They…they can't come. They're stuck," Gabe stammered. "Two spoke through the static. They're trapped in Wausau, Wisconsin." The Winchester brothers both shared a look before quickly grabbing the angel blades they currently barrowed from the angels and heading for the door. The angels raced after them, but Dean stopped them.

"Guys, it's too dangerous. If Lucifer is killing angels he could –"

"Luci wouldn't hurt us! He promised!" Cas shouted, stomping his feet angrily. Dean kneeled down in front of his angel, brushing a lock of hair from Cas' watering eyes.

"Cas, Lucifer lied. He was just trying to get his hands back on Heaven," Dean tried to explain. Cas continued shaking his head, tears falling faster.

"He…he wouldn't…" Cas sobbed hands clenching at the bumble bee pillow pet Lucifer had given him. Dean held out his hands and Castiel threw himself into the hunter's hold, sobbing hard. Dean held the angel close, rubbing his back before finally pulling away.

"Just stay here and watch out for Samandriel. We'll be back," Dean promised, ruffling Cas hair and planting a small kiss to the angel's brow before pulling away. He shared one last look with Balthazar and Gabriel, silently instructing them to take care of each other before exiting the house.

The cemetery Dean and Sam had tracked the distressed angels down to was a mess. Tomb stones were blown to pieces and scorch marks burned into the ground. They found a body of a young man. An angel blade was thrust through his chest and his wings were burnt into the ground. The Winchesters couldn't tell who he was, but he was still one of angels' brothers. They continued looking. There had been two alive according to whatever the angels heard through the static, but where were they.

"Over there!" Dean shouted, pointing at two angel, shivering close together in the mud. The two ran over to the angels, startling both slightly. They were both female and the two hunters recognized them instantly. "Hey, Amber," Dean whispered, kneeling down next to an angel with blue-grey hair and eyes that seemed to change color. His eyes then roamed to the angel with darker curly hair –Hannah. Both angels looked as though they had gone through a meat grinder. Their skin was covered in muck and blood, deep cuts glowed against their skin, and their eyes were weary with exhaustion.

"We're going to take you home," Sam reassured the angel, helping Hannah up while Dean helped Amber. "Samandriel made it over. Do you know where anybody else might be?" Sam questioned. The two angels shook their heads, eyes staring at their feet. Sam shared a look with Dean and the two began to help the two sisters back to the Impala.

"Stop," a blunt voice growled from behind. The four turned only to see Lucifer standing proudly before them. Amber and Hannah pushed themselves in front of the two Winchesters protectively, ignoring the Winchesters as they tried to hold back the angels. Lucifer sized up his two sisters and grimaced. "Look at yourselves. Why do you even bother to fight? Why not just join me?" Lucifer questioned. Amber spat at the ground, angel blade falling from her dress sleeve and falling into her hand. Hannah whipped out her own blade as well.

"We did not side with you the first time. We certainly will not serve you now, brother," Amber hissed.

"Let us go, Lucifer. You have made your point. There is no need for slaughter," stated Hannah. Lucifer twirled his own angel blade between his fingers, eyes gleaming devilishly.

"Oh, but, sister, I think it is," Lucifer hummed before lunging. The clank of metal and metal pounded in the brothers' ears as they watched Lucifer fight the two wounded angels. Dean shared a look with Sam before jumping into the fight himself. Sam followed right after. Slice, block, stab. It felt like they were on repeat as they fought. It didn't feel like they would ever end. That is until Lucifer's blade sliced against Hannah's shoulder. Blood and light flooded from her as she collapsed to the ground, screaming in agony. Lucifer went to finish the blow, but both Sam and Dean blocked his blow with their own blades. Lucifer stared at them, hesitating at first, but whatever world he had blinked into had vanished and he sliced his blade downwards. Amber ran at Lucifer, knocking her brother's arm as she blocked his stab at the Winchesters. Anger glistened in Lucifer's gaze and he sliced his blade through the air at her. Blood and light flashed around the blade as it slit the angel's throat and three horrified screams were heard from the doors of the Impala. Everyone froze in terror as Cas, Balthazar, and Gabriel ran from their hiding spot in the trunk to their sister. Lucifer leapt backwards, looking just as horrified as the others. The toddlers gathered around their sister, tears burning in their eyes as she reached out a hand to them, taking their tiny hands in her own and squeezing gently. Her eyes were glowing softly with blue light just like the deep slash in her throat.

"I…It's alright, babies," she choked, smiling at them as best she could as her body began to burn from the inside out. "Father awaits me." All three angels let out strangled sobs, hugging their sister and pleading, but there was nothing to do. With a bright flash of light and a strangled scream, black shadows burst into flames and all was silent except for the sound of crying children. The angel of protection was gone. Hannah pressed a hand to her wound, holding in what blood and grace she had. She struggled to her feet, dropping to her knees next to her beloved sister and the wailing angels surrounding her. Lucifer's eyes stayed on his three baby brothers, mouth hanging wide open.

"Th…this wasn't supposed to –"

"Lucifer!" Michael shouted, appearing with a faint flutter. The archangel was just as bloody as the others and his eyes were fixed hatefully on the other archangel. Lucifer glared back, but he was distracted when three little angels, stood. They were staring at him with the worst look of disbelief and betrayal.

"You lied to us," Gabriel spat, fat tears rolling down his face. "You said you cared! You said you loved us!" the small archangel continued. Lucifer's heart tugged in his chest. Gabriel thrust a finger towards Amber's empty vessel and Hannah's bleeding form. "Does this look like love?" Lucifer opened his mouth, but he was stopped.

"You used us!" Balthazar screamed. "Used us to make yourself look good to gets into heaven!" Lucifer shook his head, at a loss for words as he was shot at by his smallest brothers. His eyes turned too little Castiel, the only angel that had yet to shout at him. He waited watching as Cas stepped out from behind his brothers and up to Lucifer. The two stared at each other before Cas finally snapped.

"You abandoned us all those years ago…we should have knowns you'd do it again." Lucifer reached out for Cas, but the angel pulled away, fat tears running down his face. "NO!" Cas screamed, running from his older brother and out of the cemetery.

"Cas!" Dean screamed, jumping to his feet. Gabriel and Balthazar ran after their brother, not looking back as they disappeared from sight. Dean called out to them, running after the angles as fast as he could. Sam stayed behind, pushing himself to Hannah's side and looking at her wound. Lucifer took a hesitant step, looking like he was actually going to go after the angels, but he took back the step and disappeared. Michael swore, shouting every blasphemy possible before disappearing after his brother to stop him from causing any more damage to their torn family. Hannah struggled to her feet, but collapsed as her wound began to take its toll. Sam caught her, cradling her in his arms gently. She tried to get up again, but Sam held her down, keeping her still.

"But…the l…little ones," Hannah moaned, reaching out in the direction Cas, Gabe and Balthazar had run. Sam shook his head.

"Dean's got them. Let's get back home and get the rest of the Calvary. Six heads are better than two and an injured angel," he explained. Hannah looked resistant at first, but gave a nod of agreement. Sam helped her up, book falling from his pocket. Sam frowned, picking it up. Sam fingered through the pages, stopping when he found several more pages filled out. Sam flipped to the latest chapter currently glimmering to life.

Family Means Blood: Peril of the Protector.

To be continued next week…