Dean breathed a sigh of relief when they pulled up to Bobby's. Piper had insisted they come here, declaring that they needed a place to rest and regroup. Dean had agreed immediately. Sam had taken some convincing, but when Piper had pointed out that Bobby's was the biggest, deepest source of supernatural knowledge and lore around, he had conceded.
He got out of the car and turned to open the back door for Piper. She smiled and came up to press her lips against his, smiling against him before she turned away to help Sam get the bags out of the trunk.
The night after they'd taken care of the Whore of Babylon, she had… Rocked his world, to put it very lightly. He was still sore in some places, and he had some pictures burned into his mind that he was certain would never leave. He was, once again, grateful for Piper.
She was the only reason he was still going, still fighting. He loved his brother, and he would die for Sam. But Piper had not only never left him, but she'd never betrayed him, never lied to him, had never made him feel like anything less than her hero.
He would walk back into hell for Piper without blinking, but she would murder him for it.
Saying "yes" to Michael had crossed Dean's more than once in the last few days. He felt responsible for the world, and maybe he couldn't save all of it, but he could at least save half of it if he let the archangel use his vessel. He knew that Michael could guarantee Piper's safety, and that was the important thing.
Piper, however, wouldn't see it that way. Piper would kill him, she would track him down and kill him dead if he said "yes" to Michael. She would see it as giving up, and even if he didn't see it that way, even if it wasn't giving up, per se, she would see it that way. And once his wife got an idea in her head, it was damn near impossible to get it out of there.
So, instead of entertaining the idea of being an angel condom, Dean just followed Piper into Bobby's house, and silently relished the feeling of coming home with his woman.
She smiled sunnily when she walked in. "Hi, Bobby!"
He grunted, but it was friendlier than it was when he made the same sound at Sam or Dean. "Get your stuff in here, kids, and let's get to work."
xxxxx
Piper watched Dean settle on the couch next to her, a book in his lap and a drink in her hand. There was still a pleasant ache between her thighs, and a bite mark on her shoulder that throbbed every so often. Dean had been… Desperate, fierce, possessive, and more dominant than he ever had been the night before. It still made heat spiral up through her belly when she thought about it, and the sight of his strong frame towering over her, growling out orders and claiming her with his hands and his lips, would stay with her forever.
She knew it was because he was upset, desperate, and tired. She just hoped that she had helped, that she had lifted his burden for a few hours.
She was still ignoring the research she should be doing and daydreaming about her husband when Castiel appeared with none other than Adam Mulligan in his arms.
She jumped, then frowned. "What the hell, Cass?"
"Something's happening," The angel said ominously.
"Well, Jesus, put him here," she said urgently, leaping off of the couch and smacking Dean on the arm so he would move, too. He grumbled and stood, and they watched together as the angel put Adam down on the couch.
"Welp," Dean said casually, "Fuck."
xxxxx
Piper was watching an anxious Adam play with his food, his eyes darting to the exits. She rolled her eyes. He's definitely a Winchester.
She walked into the kitchen and slid into the seat across from him. He jumped and stared at her. "Hi, Adam," she said softly, "How you holding up?"
He blinked. "Am I supposed to answer that?"
She shrugged. "You can, or you don't have to. It's honestly up to you."
He shook his head. "No, it's not. You guys can spout the dewy-eyed, bromance thing all you want, but I'm on lockdown."
She sighed and ran a hand through her silvery hair. "Yeah, I'm not gonna lie to you. We're trying to protect you, as offensive as that probably seems to you."
He shook his head and crossed his arms. "Zachariah said you'd say that."
She smiled. "I'll just bet he did, the dick." She sighed. "The angels don't like us much."
"You, specifically," Adam said calmly.
She nodded. "Yeah, I've been kind of a wrench in their plans." She sighed and sat back. "Look, Adam, we just… We just want you to hang out for a few days, okay? I promise, we're trying to do the right thing." She smiled. "It doesn't seem like it now, and the guys are bad at showing it, but you're family, Adam. And that means you're stuck with us."
He scoffed. "Yeah, no offense, being a Winchester doesn't seem like a big thrill ride."
She shook her head. "Oh, it's not. Sometimes it sucks ass." She took a deep breath. "But it does mean fighting for the right thing, and sticking by each other no matter what, even if it means you get hurt so your family makes it." She tried a smile. "Just know that you're part of that, Adam."
He snorted, but looked pensive. "Whatever."
xxxxx
"What the fuck do you mean he's gone, Bobby?" Dean snapped, running his hands through his hair.
"Dean," Piper scolded, "It's not Bobby's fault. The angels probably took Adam."
He groaned and leaned his head back. "Where would they take him?"
Sam's voice had him sitting back up. "I don't know, but Cass is on it," his younger brother said as he walked into the living room. "We'll find him."
Piper's slender hand on his back had Dean reaching his arm up and over her head to wrap it around her shoulders. "Hopefully before they get to him."
xxxxx
They were still waiting for Cass to return with a report, and Dean was watching Piper bake furiously to keep herself busy.
He watched with appreciation as she moved, her curves highlighted by her tight jeans, her pale hair swept up and twisted around a pen. When she bent over to put a cookie sheet in the oven, he thought his heart might actually stop.
She turned back and smiled wanly at him, reaching behind her to untie the apron she was wearing. Once she pulled it over her head, she slid into the seat next to him. He rested his arm on the back of her chair and slouched down a little so she could lay her head on his shoulder.
She sighed and cuddled into him, her hand landing on his thigh. "I'm scared," she said softly.
He looked down at her, but she didn't return his gaze. "Scared of what, kitten?"
"I think this is a trap, Dean," she said thickly, emotion making her voice tremble, "I think they're going to tell you that it's you or the kid." She looked up at him then, and the resigned look on her face, coupled with the tears in her hazel eyes, killed him a little bit. "And I think you're going to give yourself up for Adam."
He stared down at her, unsure of what to say. "Pipes, I…"
When he couldn't find the words, she let her head rest on his shoulder again. "And I think the worst part is I don't know what I want. I mean, you're… You, and I love you, and you're going to want to save Adam, even at your own risk, because he's family, and because he's an innocent."
"But on the other hand… I don't know if I can do this without you. And no matter what Michael said, I don't know if I believe that he won't leave you a shell. And even if he doesn't, I don't think you could live with yourself if you said yes." She gave a deep sigh. "I just don't know what I want, what to root for."
He didn't know how to comfort her. She was right… On all accounts. She knew him inside and out, she knew exactly what he would do. She was right, if he was given a choice, he would protect Adam. It was so ingrained him to protect his brother that he wouldn't even think about it.
So he just held her until the timer beeped.
xxxxx
Piper stifled her fear as they stepped into the abandoned warehouse. Instead of giving into the terror, she used the nervous energy it gave her to move quickly toward the little "room" the angels had built.
She led the way, and when she opened the door, she was greeted with the sight of Adam, slumped against the far wall.
She ran forward. "Adam!" She knelt by his side, hands on his face. "Adam, talk to be, honey, come on."
His eyes blinked open, and he blearily focused on her. "You came for me."
She smiled and helped him stand. "Well, like I said, you're family."
Adam looked at her for a long moment, then turned to her husband. "Dean, it's a trap."
Dean nodded. "I figured."
"Dean, please," that smarmy voice made Piper's skin crawl, and she turned to glare at Zachariah, who had appeared behind them. "Did you really think it would be that easy?"
Dean smirked. "Did you?"
Piper shoved Adam behind her as Sam attacked Zachariah. "Stay behind me," she told Adam softly, wincing as the angel tossed Sam across the room.
Zachariah turned to smile genially at Dean. "You know what I've learned from this experience, Dean? Patience."
He waved his hand, and an unbelievable pain bloomed in Piper's stomach. She opened her mouth to gasp, but blood came flowing out instead, and she coughed. Everything in her wanted to collapse onto her knees, but she stayed stubbornly standing, trying to shield Adam.
"Piper!" Dean shouted, taking a step toward her. He looked at the angel. "Let her go, you son of a bitch."
Zachariah ignored him to look at Piper. "Curious." He shrugged. "I mean, I thought I was downsized for sure. And for us, a firing… Pretty damn literal. But I should have trusted the boss man. It's all playing out like he said… You, me, your hemorrhaging brothers and whore."
He raised his fist in Sam's direction, then another to Piper and Adam's again. She was vaguely aware that Sam started coughing up blood, too, but her focused narrowed to the second wave of agony in her stomach. "Fuck!" She screamed, finally feeling her knees give out.
Adam caught her, and she was grateful to see that he was fine, she had managed to shield him again.
"Oh, God, Piper!"
xxxxx
Dean watched Piper slump, ice and fear and rage gripping his heart as he watched blood pour from her mouth. He turned and saw Sam on his knees, also trying to breathe through the blood.
Zachariah was smirking. "You're finally ready, right?"
Dean couldn't year his eyes away from Piper, who was being held by a petrified Adam.
"You know there's no other choice. There's never been a choice."
"Stop it," Dean begged, "Stop it right now!"
The angel was still smiling. "In exchange for what?"
Dean closed his eyes and honestly, truly thought about saying "yes."
What other plan did they have? He could guarantee that Piper would be safe, he would save some people, and he could stop fighting. Any other way, he had no idea if she would be safe, or if they would make it out. This way, he would know for sure.
He opened his eyes, and met hers. They were tear-filled, and she was still coughing, but those hazel depths were… Serene.
She would accept whatever he did without anger.
She trusted him.
Well, fuck that then.
Mind moving quickly, forming a battle plan, Dean kept the devastated look on his face when he turned to look at the angel. "Fuck, Zachariah. Stop it, please. I'll do it."
"I'm sorry. What was that?" The angel asked playfully.
"Okay, yes. The answer is yes. Just, please…"
"Dean!" Sam shouted, but Piper's eyes just filled with more tears as she leaned against Adam.
"Do you hear me?" Dean snapped. "Call Michael down, you bastard!"
"How do I know you're not lying?" Zachariah demanded.
Dean met the angels gaze. "Do I look like I'm lying?"
Zachariah smiled and snapped his fingers. Dean heard Piper's breathing even out, and he closed his eyes in relief as Zachariah started chanting. When he opened them, he met Piper's gaze and shot her a slow, deliberate wink. He flicked his eyes over to Sam and did the same.
"Zodiredo… Noco… Aberamage… Nazodpesade… He's coming."
"Of course, I have a few conditions," Dean said casually.
The angel whipped around. "What?"
Dean shrugged, a fierce satisfaction roaring in his chest. "A few people whose safety you have to guarantee before I say yes."
Zach's eyes flicked to Piper. "Sure, fine. Make a list."
Dean let his smirk become a feral sort of smile. "But most of all… Michael can't have me until he disintegrates you." He caught Piper's victorious grin out of the corner of his eye.
The angel froze. "What did you say?"
Dean smiled and stepped forward. "I said… Before Michael gets one piece of this sweet ass… He has to turn you into a piece of charcoal."
"You really think Michael's gonna go for that?"
Dean stepped forward again. "Who's more important to him now? You… Or me?"
"You listen to me," Zachariah snarled, closing the distance between them. "You are nothing but a maggot inside a worm's ass. Do you know who I am after I deliver you to Michael?"
"Expendable."
Zachariah got close, into Dean's face. "Michael's not gonna kill me."
Dean shrugged. "Maybe not. But I am."
He whipped the angel blade out of his jacket and jammed it up through Zachariah's chin, turning away when white light burst from the now-dead angel. He let the body drop and turned to help Sam to his feet. "You good?"
Sam nodded, and Dean looked over at Adam helping Piper out. Dean met the kid's eyes and nodded then walked out the door with Sam's arm draped over his shoulders.
As soon as they were out, the door slammed behind them. Dean whirled and tried the doorknob, but it didn't move.
"Piper! God dammit, Piper!"
"Dean!" "Dean!" He heard them both calling for him, and helpless rage welled in his heart.
"Piper!"
xxxxx
Piper turned and pushed Adam behind her as the white light coming from the ceiling became blinding. "Stay behind me!" She shouted, closing her eyes and resisting the urge to cover her ears.
Strong hands were on her shoulders, and they suddenly pushed her away. She cried out and stumbled, then turned to see Adam staring at the white light defiantly. The proud line of his body and stubborn set of his jaw marked him as Winchester.
"Adam!" She cried, trying to be heard over the whining, piercing noise ringing through the air.
"Let her go!" Adam shouted into the light. "Let her go, and I'll say yes!"
"No!" She cried, scrambling to her feet. "No, Adam!"
She ran toward him, and almost got close enough to touch him before the world swirled away from her.
She opened her eyes and she was standing outside the warehouse, a few yards from Sam and Dean. Dean was facing away from her, and Sam was speaking urgently and softly.
She was in shock, so she just waited for Sam to see her. When he did, his eyes widened, and he grabbed Dean's shoulders and turned him around.
Those panicked green eyes met hers, and she felt her face start to crumple.
"Piper!" He ran to her, crushing her to him as soon as he got there. "Jesus, Piper, what happened?"
She buried her face in his chest, inhaling his scent deeply. "It was Adam, he said yes to save me, Dean we have to save him-"
His lips pressed to her head soothed her into silence. "We will, Pipes, we will."
xxxxx
Dean held Piper that night as she slept, his head leaned onto the back of the couch. She had fallen asleep during frantic research. She had barely sat still since they'd gotten back, desperate to find a way to save Adam.
Dean understood, and had researched alongside her until she's started to nod off. Once that had begun. He'd gathered her into his arms and sat back on the couch with her, holding her while she cried herself to sleep.
He realized that she had never had anything like that occur. Piper was generally too smart to get into situations that would require someone to sacrifice themselves for her. Not that this instance had been her fault, but he had realized that it didn't matter. The guilt was the same.
He was grateful Adam had done what he couldn't, but that was one of the thoughts Dean was certain would send him straight back to hell when the time came.
And if their was anything Dean understood intimately, it was guilt. So he would guide his wife through this the best he could, and he would let his own guilt settle in his heart.
xxxxx
Hi everyone! Here's my notes:
I own only Piper Finley, the original character. I don't own Supernatural or the characters. (heartbroken)
Reviews, comments, and kudos give me the warm fuzzies and keep me going.
If there are any mistakes in continuity, canon, or geography, blame me.
**I'm back! I missed you guys!
