They moved with purpose. Cas-two vanished, his job was to place Angel banishments on the doors then go in. Once both Cas' got Jack out, the plan was for them to leave and return to the bunker. The guys would flush the Angels rather than kill them, it was safer and quicker.
Hopefully, Bobby and Sam would turn up soon because having backup was always a good thing. Dean followed D2, around to the back doors. They entered without fanfare, armed to the teeth.
Cas dropped in next to his counterpart who was tied to a chair, as was Jack who looked exhausted and pale. The room was wide and open with a dusting of boxes and the Angels were talking amongst themselves. Dean made eye contact with his friends and asked,
"Cas, Jack...you okay?"
They mumbled 'yes' together as the Angels turned towards them.
"Raziel," Cas-two said.
"Castiel, how? How are there two of you?" The tall blonde man scrutinised them. Dean watched as he clasped his hands together. It became a prayer gesture with his fingers touching his bottom lip.
The suit Raziel wore looked expensive. It was slick, neat and brought up all sorts of memories Dean didn't need. He managed to keep his shit together; the adrenaline helped. Inhaling a deep shuddering breath he pushed the thoughts away. The fine tremble in his hands, something else to ignore. There was 'crazy' in the guys' tone and behind his creepy pale eyes, Dean readied for the fight that he knew coming.
"Surely you can see the difference?" Cas flung the words at Raziel, eyebrow raised.
"They're not from here Dick-face," Dean added. Tactful as always.
Raziel squinted hard and then looked surprised. "Ah, yes. I see it now."
"That's great, I'll get my Angels and be on my merry way," Dean said as he moved towards Jack and Cas. It was a slow backwards pace and he didn't get far before the blonde man seethed,
"That is not an Angel, that is an abomination."
Cas fought his bonds, wrists dripping blood and Dean winced, "Jack, his name is Jack and he is not an abomination."
Cas never used that tone, ever. It was kinda terrifying. As Dean tried to school his face he made a mental note of everyone's position. Then he realised that he was stuck in the middle with himself. Well didn't that say a fuck-ton about this situation generally? he thought.
"Yeah, what he said," Dean added shaking himself off while getting closer to the chairs. He didn't take his eyes from Raziel. The other Angels moved in closer to their leader as tensions rose.
Cas-two was working the bindings which looked silver, hot damn was that angel blade rope? It was warded too, the glowing runes shimmered as Cas-two picked at them... Shit.
"Listen, guys, we don't want any trouble. They wanna go back to their own universe and we can all go back to ignoring each other." D2 the placation echoed in the tense silence.
"Be quiet, Pet." Raziel growled, "Castiel debases his vessel with you, that doesn't mean you get to address us. You are not our equal. I thought we had made that clear?"
D2 sneered. "Yeah, you made it clear and I'm pretty sure I made it clear that you're a dick." Dean sniggered which got him a scowl from Raziel.
"You know... you look down on me but I wouldn't banish my family because they loved someone, even if I didn't approve. It makes you a bigot and a jackass." D2 paced trying to keep their focus on him, "Look at you all high and mighty torturing a kid. I'm sure your maker is so proud...and another thing, how dare you stop Anna from coming to our wedding. Don't say that you didn't, because I know that you did; douchebag. She had no other choice but to deal with your sorry ass instead of being Cas' best man. She's our friend and that was a super dick move."
"He didn't?" Dean gasped feigning shock. It was a little camp and D2 laughed.
A sneer from Raz interrupted them, "Another abomination, a perversion of a sacred right." Raziel looked smug rather than chastised.
Both Dean's were aghast, everyone was, Including the Raz's cronies. It seemed all but Raziel knew that he'd overstepped the line. Picking at his cuticles, completely oblivious to the looks he was receiving.
"You really are the lowest fucking form of life Raz." D2 snarled, as he dragged out each word.
Dean glanced at Cas-two who was having some success with the ropes. It looked complicated more so than simply cutting them. He'd ask about it later if they made it out of this shit storm.
"You can take your counterpart Castiel, but the Nephilim stays. It doesn't belong in any universe." Raziel motioned for his people to move in.
"You don't know me at all do you?" Cas-two threw at him with a pitying expression.
"I don't know why you can't be happy for him Raz." The nickname his double used seemed to irk the angel more than anything else so far. "You know Dean…this guy went to Chuck and asked him to pull Cas back to heaven?"
Dean was actually astounded any Angel would try. Chuck had special feels for Cas and had made that very clear. Dean could see the hate dripping from this guy, and wasn't surprised he, in particular, had tried. "Dick move man, dick move." He replied as he started to pace. They needed more time.
Dean's double seethed, a dangerous anger rolling from him. "And when he wouldn't go back to heaven on his own... he stabbed him with an Angel Blade. Oh yeah... I owe you one for that Raz." he punctuated it with a flick of his blade.
Dean's anger rose in a wave, like a tide of fire and rage crashing against his ribs.
If anyone stabbed Cas he'd reign down Armageddon on their asses, angel or not, he would hunt them down. Instead of answering he raised his eyebrows and the hunter continued his monologue,
'Thankfully Chuck fixed him. Then made him blade proof…" The snarl that escaped the furious man was unnerving.
Dean didn't know how he was keeping his shit together. The times he'd been that angry, the only way to stop him was by dragging him away. Hell, he was struggling now. This version of him had some serious self-control, it made him look at the guy differently.
"Dean." Cas called from across the room, "Are you okay?"
Dean turned and tried to keep the emotions from his face but something told him Cas could feel it and that's why he'd asked. The nod was as brief as the eye contact but it would have to be enough. Clenching his hand around the Angel blade made him feel more in control. 'Deep calm breaths, Dean' he reminded himself.
D2 picked up his rant, "...do you know what I would have done to you if he'd died Raz? There would be nowhere in Heaven you could hide, not even Chuck himself could protect you. There would be nowhere you could escape me..." Dean could feel the threat, the fury his counterpart was throwing off, it was unnerving.
Rezil laughed, "Silly Pet, you think I'm afraid of you?"
"You should be. I took down Lucy, stopped Uriel and the Darkness...you're a fly Raz, and a bully. One day, you bet your ass I'm coming to take my vengeance and I'll keep a piece of you as a damn trophy."
D2 brandished his Angel blade, "Cas is mine and nobody hurts what's mine."
There was a rustle of movement behind them, Cas was free. Blood dripped from his wrists but even injured, two Cas' were better than one. The Dean's put their guns away. D2 was seething and the tension in the room was ready to snap. Where in the hell were Sam and Bobby? Getting Jack free seemed to be taking forever and they were running out of time.
"You don't scare me. My brothers were stupid, weak and I am neither." Raz scowled.
D2 forced a dry laugh,"You can't even admit we bested them, can you? Jesus Raz, you're so dumb."
"I will never admit that you are in any way equal to Angels," He laughed. The rough scratching noise grated on Dean's already frayed nerves. "No, Pet. Hell will freeze over before that happens."
Then things got weird.
"Raziel," Chuck called, appearing out of thin air and everyone stared in confusion.
They all expected Raziel to flinch, he didn't.
"Charles." his tone was reverent but his expression was still screaming 'psycho with a hard on'.
"I told you to stop bothering them, did you think I was joking?"
"Father they have Nephilim, it's an abomination."
"It isn't your place to police the world Raziel."Chuck chastised but there was no force in it. Typical Chuck.
"Someone has to." Raz sneered at his father.
"Ah, you think I'm too lenient?"
"Ha." Raziel laughed. If Chuck was shocked it didn't show. "Yes! You let this fifth be with my brother. It's not pure, or faithful to you. It's a hunter. It's disgusting. Castiel has been contaminated by this human and its emotions and he needs to be cleansed. You refused that and now they bring a Nephilim here! When we enough be enough?" The Angel was glowing with rage.
"Raziel we can continue this discussion in Heaven. This isn't the place-" Chuck tried to defuse the situation and it only seemed to make Raz worse.
"No." he interrupted, it was a whisper. A low slip of sound so full of loathing and rage it made Dean shudder.
Raziel turned to his wingman and nodded. The angel lifted his arms together, the symbols on his forearms aligning. They were carved into his flesh and shone red with blood. It had dried smeared but Dean could make out the Enochian letters.
Chuck didn't move. What exactly did Raz think was going to happen? The Angel pressed the runes together and the flash of light was blinding. The pure white glow flew towards Chuck he just smirked, cause you know, he's God. What happened took them all by surprise. Chuck vanished.
"What did you do?" Cas yelled from behind Dean.
"I sent him away, it's only temporary of course and he'll be...upset when he returns but this must be done."
"Shit." The Dean's cursed together.
The Angels started to move in. Dean wished for back up to arrive one more time and as if summoned Sam and Bobby ran through the doors.
The fight was immediate and intense; Sam took on Raziel along with Bobby. The other Angels threw themselves towards Dean and D2 as they shielded Jack.
Cas nodded to him, they were nearly done; just a few more minutes.
The room started to glow and Dean stared in awe as Raziel shuddered like he was fighting off the flu. He smirked and yelled, "Even weakened, I am still strong enough to destroy them, sister!"
Dean had no idea what was happening and didn't have time to dwell. The female, a short curvy middle-aged woman brandished her angel blade and ran at him. She knew what she was doing, shit.
D2 moved in to take on her partner, the chubby rune guy with an overcomb and a dishevelled suit. The clang of blades rung out and Dean willed the Cas' to move faster. The woman got a little too close to Dean's jugular for comfort. Sliding on his ass along the floor he grunted. Getting thrown across a room was never fun. Bobby protected him as he lay on the floor trying to drag himself up, he hurt everywhere.
The woman was on Bobby, leaving Sam with Raziel. Dean flew at them with renewed vigour.
Sam him far wall with a loud smack then fell in a heap and Dean winced. Sam didn't move and panic rose. Dean lashed out at the woman; Bobby got the upper hand and slid his blade into her ample chest. A cry of pain, a flash of light later and they were down to two.
"Sammy!" The Dean's called together. D2 was holding his own but couldn't afford to be distracted. They exchanged a look and Dean left Bobby to go check on him. His heart was in his throat as he bent to feel for Sam's pulse. His shaking fingers found the rhythm after far too long, it was weak but there. D2 charged for Raz while Bobby, cornered by the guy with the runes. Cas-two had joined D2 in fighting Raziel, they were okay for the moment but who knew how long that would last.
Cas moved towards Sam but Dean held up a hand, "No, get out so we can end this!" They needed to finish it. "Cas, get Jack out."
Sam stirred and Dean sighed with relief. "Sammy?" He shook him gently, "You okay?" and Sam nodded. Dean watched Cas tug and chant at the bonds holding Jack. The younger man's head lolled forwards before he shook himself awake. Dean was shaking from head to toe, his breath coming in pants.
Only minutes later came a yell, "Dean, we're done.'' Cas called from behind and then they were gone. Cas-two nodded at D2, then vanished. Raziel sneered, victorious as he swung his blade but Dean got there first. Grabbing Raziel's shoulder he stabbed with force and the Angel screamed,
"You made me bleed human and for that, you will die!" and threw himself at Dean who ducked and the blade narrowly missed D2. Fuck that was close, Dean thought.
"Hey, douchewad!" Bobby yelled as he ran to the door, "Not today." and he slammed a hand on the angel banishing sigil.
"Buh bye A-holes", Dean smiled as the white light consumed them. Collapsing to the floor in a heap, they all breathed heavily and checked each other for injuries.
"Everyone okay?" Bobby asked as he nursed a few small slashes on his arms while looking a little pale. They all nodded. Sammy was fingering a cut above his eye; he was going to have some serious concussion. D2 was holding his side as blood dripped from his lip. Thankfully they were all surface injuries. Well, as far as he could tell, maybe not D2's ribs but it should be okay until they got back. Everyone still had their limbs so it was a win.
"The others will be back at the bunker. Bobby, are you coming back with us?" D2 asked.
"Nah, best be gettin' back, Jody has the girls coming over and I need to get patched up. I'm getting hell for this, she told me to stay at the bunker. You Ejit's owe me one."
"Since when do you let anyone tell you what to do Bobby?" Dean laughed and they all stared at him like he'd said something dumb.
"You met Jody right?" Bobby asked and Dean nodded, "You seen her mean side?"
Dean shook his head.
"Yeah, you don't wanna either."
They chuckled. Bobby hugged them all including Dean and they separated to go home. Sam got in with the Dean's and Bobby took his truck.
"That was a close one," Dean winced, nursing some bruises forming on his ribs.
"Yeah Anna was working some mojo, if they'd been at full power it wouldn't have gone that well." Sam hissed as his fingers touched the cut on his head. D2 kicked the Impala into high gear wincing himself as he jarred his injuries. Weren't they a healthy looking bunch.
Dean looked at D2, "Don't know how you kept your cool in there dude, kudos. Raz really stabbed Cas?"
D2 seethed, nodded and recounted the story,
"That evil son of a bitch told him to leave me. Cas said no and got a blade to the stomach as a 'fuck you'." He took a deep shuddering breath, visibly trying to stay in control. "He managed to get back to the bunker, to me and I almost had to..." he cleared his throat, "...he was dying in my fucking arms. I couldn't...we couldn't... then Anna got Chuck and he fixed it. It was so close this time, too god damn close."
"Shit." Dean felt sick, even the second time around that story was awful.
They fell into a thoughtful silence. Dean would be hunting that psycho down. He'd watched Cas die, he'd held him as his light faded away. Remembering sliced him to his core. They shared a look as he finished the thought, the pain and hate of people who hurt their family. Yeah, he got it.
As if the D2 knew what he was thinking he added, "He begged me not to. I drowned myself in him afterwards and he begged me while we were...well you know and I couldn't say no. I told him that it was cheating."
Then he smiled and so did Dean. Yeah, that was definitely cheating.
"Thanks for stabbing the asshole, that was really fucking satisfying." D2 grinned and Dean nodded, "Happy to help." They laughed and Sam piped up, changing the subject, "So you going to head out tonight or when these guys have gone?" he asked his brother.
"We'll wait until this is over, it wouldn't be right leaving you in this shitstorm." D2 cleared his throat, "The hotel is booked from tomorrow. We can bump the flight from tonight until tomorrow morning. That should be enough time."
Dean was only partially listening but the next bit peaked his interest.
"Do you have a plan?...wait, don't answer that, stupid question."
Dean had to ask what Sam meant, D2 laughed, "Because Cas plans everything to the last detail." Sam replied. "He doesn't go anywhere without having a minute by minute plan, activities, restaurants…"
Sam and D2 chuckled at his surprised expression while Sam turned to the rear seat. He was trying to address them both at the same time.
"Yep, Dean's honeymoon has a minute by minute schedule."
"Even…" Dean smirked, unable to help himself. His expression said it all and they snickered at him again.
"Well, some things are left to the imagination." D2 smiled and winked at his double in the mirror.
Dean regretted opening his mouth, "Dude, TMI."
"You asked."
"Shut up."
Sam saw an opportunity, Dean could see it in his face...shit. He took a breath.
"Sex in the snow?"
"Too cold, I wouldn't be at my best...you know what I mean." D2 vetoed.
Sam thought for a second, "By a nice roaring fire…?"
"Done that, but would definitely be up for a revisit. The flames add to the mood."
Dean flinched.
"Ohhh, Jacuzzi?"
"That's a new one, I'll run that by Cas when we get back, bubbles could be fun. I like bubbles." That one was made worse by the genuine interest Dean could hear in his counterparts voice.
They were doing it for his benefit and he was trying to stay straight-faced but it was difficult.
"Dude, your face is priceless." Sam snickered. Obviously, he wasn't succeeding.
He scowled, then a thought came to him…
Dean spoke again before thinking, "Do you really call him honey bee?"
The other men laughed hysterically all the way back to the bunker. Dean slouched into the cream leather. As ACDC rocked on the stereo, Dean wondered how fast he could get outta dodge. Again.
