Chapter 16

Sam stood outside the Slayer school, leaning against the Impala's hood, beer in hand. He overlooked the grounds, finding himself admiring, not for the first time, the amount of work Buffy and her friends had put into this life. He and Dean had done their duty, destroying every monster they came across, and saving whoever they could. He felt proud in that, but it was still overshadowed by what Buffy had accomplished.

He took a deep drink of his beer, hating the situation they were in. Buffy shouldn't be a captive. She certainly shouldn't be a meat puppet for the Devil. She deserved better.

Being stuck in his own dismal thoughts, Sam didn't hear his brother approach. It wasn't until Dean reached into the car for his own beer that Sam noticed his presence.

"Hey," Sam initiated. Dean looked troubled, and didn't reply straight away. Furrowing his brow, Sam asked, "Dean? What's going on?"

"I'm in," Dean stated bluntly.

"In with?" Sam left the question open ended, waiting for his brother to fill in the blanks.

"The whole "up with Satan" thing. If Buffy's plan, whatever it is, doesn't work, well," Dean shrugged casually, "I'm on board."

"You're gonna let me say yes?" Sam asked, shocked.

"No. That's the thing. It's not on me to let you do anything. You're a grown, well overgrown, man. If this is what you want, I'll back your play."

"That's the last thing I thought you'd ever say."

"Might be. I'm not gonna lie to you, though. It goes against every fiber I got. I mean, truth is, you know, watching out for you, it's kinda been my job, you know? But more than that, it's," Dean stopped, taking a deep breath before continuing, "it's kinda who I am. You're not a kid anymore, Sam, and I can't keep treating you like one. Maybe I got to grow up a little, too. I don't know if we got a snowball's chance. But, but I do know that if anybody can do it," He paused again, finding it hard to speak the words, "it's you."

"Thank you," Sam replied, truly touched by his brother's words.

"If this is what you want. Is this really what you want?"

"I let him out. I got to put him back in," Sam stated solemnly.

"Okay. That's it, then."

Sam nodded, before turning his body fully towards Dean, "I'm gunna get Buffy back. I promise you that."

Dean sighed deeply, "This ain't about Buffy."

Sam crinkled his brow in confusion, "I thoug-"

Dean held up his hand, "Don't get me wrong, I'm gunna be happy as hell to have her back. But this," he waved his hand between them to indicate the conversation they'd been having, "It isn't about getting her back. I'm not trading you for her. She'd kill me if she thought I did," Dean said with a sad reminiscent smile. "We don't know her plan. We don't know if it's going to work. We need to be able to stop Lucifer. That's the bottom line."

Sam nodded. They finished their beers in silence, enjoying the scenery and each other's companionship as they had many times in the past.

Buffy strolled through Venice, her arm threaded through the arm of the man beside her. Her high waisted skirt flowed out around her as she walked, the late afternoon sun heating her skin, and filling her with warmth. She felt content, knowing for the first time in months, that she was on the right path. A small smile lighted her lips.

"It could always been like his, you know," Lucifer said from her side, leading her towards a quiet lane, hidden amongst some terraces.

"Huh?" Buffy stated, confused.

Lucifer smiled dotingly, "Your life. It could be like this, easy and relaxing. Strolling through the streets of Italy one day, having breakfast in Paris the next."

Buffy chuckled, "Yeah right, and when real life comes calling? I have a life and responsibilities, ya know."

His smile slipped as he become serious, "You don't have to be that person anymore. You don't need the weight of the world on your shoulders. Say yes to me. I can fix the world. Make it a better place."

Buffy hesitated, looking down and biting her lip, "My family and frien-"

"They'll be looked after. They'll lead good lives. I'll make sure of it."

Buffy looked up to him, hesitation covering her features, but this time, it was combined with hope. She reached her hand out for his, which he grabbed quickly, a large smile stretching across his face.

Dean sat at the table in the War Room, staring at Willow as she took another phone call. She had been constantly on the phone for the past three days. He had no clue who she spoke to, but he could take a guess what they were talking about.

Friends of hers started to arrive yesterday, five of them in total. They were all as different as the next one, coming from different parts of the world. Hell, one was even a demon, with red skin and small horns that were covered by his hair. They all had something in common though: power. Standing in a room with them, you could feel the air crackle with mystical energies. Whoever they were, they were here for Buffy's plan.

Dean saw Willow snap her phone shut, and turn towards the door, obviously intending to leave. He quickly got up from his chair and followed.

"Where you headed, Red?" Dean asked as he caught up to her.

Willow jumped, not having heard his approach, too lost in her own thoughts, "I'm going to meet a friend out front."

"A friend like your other friends?"

She gave him a side eye before replying, "Yes."

"That's a lot of witches," he said as if unmasking some sort of conspiracy.

"Do you have a problem with that?" Willow asked defensively.

"No, no!" Dean said quickly, waving his hands in front of him. They had reached the main entrance and started to descend the stairs to the parking lot. "I just figure, that many witches, that's a lot of power. Buffy's plan needs a lot of mojo, huh?" He tried to ask nonchalantly.

Willow rolled her eyes in his direction, "Stop it, Dean. I'm not gunna spill any beans so stop trying."

Dean stopped mid stride, groaning loudly as he rubbed his face in frustration. When he lowered his hands, he noticed Willow had kept walking, meeting an older woman in the parking lot. Dean went to turn around when he noticed Bobby's car come pull into the lot. Moving down the stairs, he nodded at the women as he passed, and noticed the strange witch pull a large staff from her car. On top of the thick, silver staff was a large creamy coloured ball. He furrowed his brow, wondering at its purpose, before hustling over to meet Bobby.

"I still can't get used to you at eye level," Dean joked, coming up to Bobby to give him a quick hug before stepping back.

Bobby nodded, distracted by the women behind him.

"You get it?" Dean asked, enquiring after the hunt Bobby had been working on.

Bobby was still staring at Willow and the new witch, ignoring Dean's question.

"Hello?" Dean asked, waving his hand in front of Bobby's face, "Earth to Bobby! That devil's deal rattle your brains?"

"Huh?" Bobby asked, finally focusing on Dean.

"Did you get it?"

"Oh yeah, all the go juice Sam can drink. Found a couple demons not far from here. It was easy done," He looked back behind Dean.

Dean turned around to watch Willow and her friend walk back into the school, staff held tightly in Willow's hand.

"You know her?" Dean asked, staring at the new comer.

"No, it's not her," Bobby replied, shaking his head. He moved to the car, grabbing his bags. "That staff she brought, it's a conduit. Biggest I've ever seen. Not that I've seen many, they're pretty rare."

"A conduit?"

"Yeah, it's used to channel magic, across large distances if need be. Used in bigger spells. One that big, I'd say they're planning on channelling a lot of magic."

Dean frowned, but helped grab Bobby's bags. "We should stash the blood in our room. This is still the back-up plan, I don't want Willow finding out and putting a wrench in things."

Dean entered the War Room later in the day, Bobby not far behind him. He swung open the doors, and instantly spotted Willow in the far corner, conversing quietly with Spike. As Bobby made his way to Sam, Dean started towards the witch and vampire. He wasn't far into the room when Spike spotted him. With a nod, Spike announced Dean's presence to Willow, causing the witch to look in his direction. With a quick squeeze on the vampire's arm, and a seemingly assenting nod in return, she moved away. Dean narrowed his eyes at Spike, receiving an eye brow lift in return. Dean had the very strong feeling they had been talking about him.

Disgruntled, Dean moved to the table, taking a seat next to his brother, watching as Willow conversed with her fellow magic users.

"You keep that up and you'll burn a hole in the back of her head," Sam commented beside him.

"I hate being outta the loop," Dean grunted in displeasure.

Sam's response was interrupted by Willow walking back to the table, "We're ready," She announced, waving an arm in the direction of the other witches and wizards. Four more had arrived this morning, two more demons, and a husband and wife team. "It's time to find Buffy."

"If it was that easy, Red, we'd already have her," Faith replied, her voice heavy with scorn. She had been just as unhappy as Dean at being left out of the plan. The Slayer was used to being in the thick of the action, and hadn't taken well to being put on control duty. For the last couple of months, she'd been stationed on the road, dealing with fallouts from Lucifer's release.

Bobby spoke up from across the table, "I've been keeping an eye out for some omens," he reached into his backpack, and pulled out a couple of newspapers, "Cyclone in Florida, temperature drop in Detroit, wildfires in L.A."

"Wait. What about Detroit?" Dean asked.

"Temp's dropped about 20 degrees, but only in a five-block radius of downtown Motown."

"That's the one. Devil's in Detroit," Dean replied firmly, recalling his trip to the future.

"Really? As far as foreboding goes, it's a little light in the loafers. You sure?"

"Yeah, I'm sure."

Willow nodded, "There's been a spike in mystical energy there. It makes sense."

"Alright, we doing this?" Dean asked, standing.

"Yes," Willow agreed distractedly, as she formed a plan in her mind, "Dean, Sam, Faith, Kennedy and Spike will come with us. The Coven, as well."

The room erupted with complaints at the statement.

"Listen here, girly, I put my soul on the line for this, I'm not being side lined," Bobby grumbled.

"Wills, I'm not staying behind, no way," Xander added.

"I'm coming too!" Dawn yelled, "I'm getting Buffy back!"

Only Castiel and Andrew stayed quiet, content with the decision being made without them.

"No!" Willow practically shouted. She turned to Dawn and Xander, "It's too dangerous. We don't even know if it'll work. Xander, we need you to help run the Institute if things go bad. And Dawn, there's no way in hell I'm letting you near this. Buffy didn't switch places with you for you to put yourself this close to danger." She frowned in thought, and turned to Kennedy, "I need you to stay."

Kennedy frowned in response, and went to argue but Willow raised a hand to forestall her, "You need to protect Dawn. With us in Detroit, they might send someone to take her. We could be setting up our own trap."

Castiel cleared his throat, "I will be coming. As will Bobby. We have been involved since the beginning. We will not be left behind now."

Willow was obviously displeased, but nodded, "I can't stop you, and I'm not going to waste the effort trying."

"What's the plan?" Sam asked.

"I can't tell you everything," Willow replied, "But I will say this, only you, me, Dean and Spike will be going near Buffy and Lucifer. Everyone else is going to be on demon control, protecting the Coven."

Dean looked over at the magically inclined group, who had chosen to keep to themselves, not joining the others, "They don't need to get close?"

"No, they'll be channelling through me." Willow looked grave, "Let's go."

That night, everyone divided into their groups and started the drive to Detroit. Sam and Dean rode in the front seats of the Impala, while Castiel slept in the back.

"Aw. Ain't he a little angel?" Dean joked.

"Angels don't sleep."

"Sam, I got a bad feeling about this," Dean murmured. He felt torn, the urge to see Buffy almost tearing him apart, but the chance of losing either her or Sam for good, he could barely handle the thought.

"Well, you'd be nuts to have a good feeling about it."

"You know what I mean. Detroit. He always said he'd win in Detroit. Here we are."

"Here we are," Sam replied solemnly.

"Maybe this is him rolling out the red carpet, you know? Maybe he knows something that we don't."

"Dean, I'm sure he knows a buttload we don't. We just got to hope he doesn't know about the rings. Hey, um," Sam started hesitantly, "on the subject, there's something I got to talk to you about."

"What?"

"If Buffy's plan doesn't work out, and we gotta use ours, and I," he stumbled over the words, "Triple Lindy into that box, y-you know I'm not coming back."

"Yeah, I'm aware," Dean replied gravely.

"So you got to promise me something."

"Okay. Yeah. Anything."

"You got to promise not to try to bring me back."

Dean looked at his brother in shock, almost swerving the car into the opposite lane, "What? No, I didn't sign up for that."

"Dean-"

"Your Hell is gonna make my tour look like Graceland. You want me just to sit by and do nothing?"

"Once the Cage is shut, you can't go poking at it, Dean. It's too risky."

"No, no, no, no, no. As if I'm just gonna let you rot in there."

"Yeah, you are," Sam replied bluntly, "You don't have a choice."

"You can't ask me to do this," Dean said, almost begging.

"I'm sorry, Dean. You have to."

"So then what am I supposed to do?"

"You'll have Buffy. Stay with her, make a life. You have barbecues and go to football games. You go live some normal, apple-pie life, Dean. Promise me."

Dean didn't reply, instead staring at the dark stretch of road in front of him. The end of this drive had no happy endings as far as he could see.

Bobby arrived before them, and had posted near the building that was in the centre of the temperature drop radius. He had his binoculars out, scoping the building. Dean pulled up near his truck, and got out, "No one else here yet?"

"Faith," the hunter grunted out, "she rode up on her bike only 5 minutes ago. She's checking out the area, seeing how many demons are posted around."

"What you got?" Sam asked.

"Demons. At least two dozen of them. You were right, something's up." Bobby said to Dean.

"More than something. He's here. I know it."

Dean walked away, rounding to the trunk of the Impala. Bobby dropped his binoculars, and looked towards Sam. Bobby had a sad look in his eyes, but with it, was a mix of pride.

"I'll see ya around, kid," Bobby said, bringing Sam in for a hug.

"See ya around," Sam replied with a soft smile.

Pulling apart, Bobby added, "He gets in, you fight him tooth and nail, you understand? Keep swingin'. Don't give an inch."

"Yes, sir." Sam stepped away from Bobby, moving closer to Castiel and holding his hand out for the former Angel to shake.

"Take care of these guys, okay?"

"That's not possible," Castiel replied stoically.

"Then humor me," Sam said with a small smile.

"Oh. I was supposed to lie. Uh. Sure. They'll be fine."

"Just, just stop, talking." Moving towards the Impala's trunk, where they kept the demon blood, Sam noticed the incoming lights of the rest of the group.

"You better do it in the car. We'll distract the others," Dean commented.

Sam nodded, grabbed the jugs, and shuffled himself into the back seat.

Willow and Spike stepped out of the van, with Coven close behind. She looked at the group, "Where is Faith and Sam?"

"Sam's in the car, he's getting some weapons together, and Faith-"

Before he could explain, the roar of Faith's motorcycle engine answered for him. She pulled up beside them, killing the engine and turning to face Willow.

"Beside the boys here, the rest of the streets are clean," Faith commented, pushing the kick stand in place. She moved to the van, and pulled the Scythe, and the conduit, out of the back. She moved towards Willow, handing over the staff, and falling beside her, with the Scythe resting against her shoulder.

Willow nodded, "Alright," she began, turning towards Dean and Spike, "We'll go through the front door. Lucifer wants us, so we'll deliver."

"You're going to bring that in?" Dean asked, pointing to the staff, "Bit obvious don't you think?"

"There's a glamour on it. Unless he's looking for it, he won't see it," Willow explained. "The Coven will make their circle here, it's a good as place as any. Bobby, Castiel and Faith, protect the circle. No matter what, the circle cannot break." The seriousness in her voice conveyed the importance of their mission.

Bobby nodded, "I'll get the salt. If we can't hold em, that will." Castiel went with him to the car, as the Coven started to arrange themselves in a circle, sitting cross legged on the ground.

Willow moved into the middle of the circle, and placed the conduit in the middle, before stepping back out.

The Coven clasped hands, forming a perfect ten person ring. They began to chant quietly, almost sounding like a faint hum. The orb on top of staff began to glow softly, shining a white light onto the faces of the magic users.

"What are they doing?" Dean asked quietly. He expected to be fearful, or disgusted, in the presence of such strong magic, but instead he felt peace, and warmth.

"They're joining themselves to the conduit. Now, when they produce their magic, it will funnel into the orb, and then into me." Willow said matter-of-factly, watching the ritual.

The chanting began to peak, becoming louder, causing the orb to grow brighter.

"It feels-"

"Nice?" Willow asked with a soft smile.

"Yeah," Dean grunted out, "I didn't think magic would feel this way."

"This is magic from the earth," Willow explained. "No dark entities needed."

Dean smiled at the joke, before his attention was brought to the orb. It had become so bright, that looking at it was beginning to sting his eyes, "You sure you can handle all that power?"

"I'll have to," Willow replied seriously, her back becoming straighter, making her look more determined than the hunter had ever seen her.

The light suddenly stopped, bringing the area back to darkness.

"What was that?" Sam asked from behind Dean, causing the older brother to jump in fright.

"Jesus, Sam! Don't do that," Dean exclaimed, causing Willow and Sam to smile. Their smiles dropped as the seriousness of the situation settled in.

"Let's do this," Willow stated bluntly, moving towards the building, with the three men following closely behind.

Sam moved in front of the others, and held his hands up, "All right! We're here, you sons of bitches! Come and get it!"

Six demons left the building, coming towards the group.

"Hey, guys. Is your father home?" Dean asked voice thick with sarcasm.

Manhandling the group, the demons dragged them inside, and up some stairs. Pushing them inside the closest room, the demons closed the door behind them, coming to stand behind the group.

"Hey, guys. So nice of you to drop in."

Dean ignored Lucifer, instead looking directly at Buffy. She looked good, great in fact. The wounds he saw on her last time we're gone, and her skin had a bronzed sheen, as if she had been tanning. Dean's brow furrowed as Buffy ignored him, instead smiling at Lucifer who was drawing on the window, cutting a line through the condensation he had caused with his cold breath.

"Sorry if it's a bit chilly. Most people think I burn hot. It's actually quite the opposite," Lucifer explained.

"Well, I'll alert the media," Dean replied bluntly, still trying to catch Buffy's eye.

Lucifer turned to face them, putting his back to Buffy. Dean couldn't help but drag his eyes from her as he caught the sight of Lucifer's face. It was covered in sores, looking as if he'd been the victim of the plague.

With Lucifer's back turned, Buffy sent a small quick smile in Dean's direction, causing his heart to stutter. She quickly settled her face, and turned back to Lucifer, who moved to stand beside her.

"Help me understand something, guys. I mean, stomping through my front door is, a tad suicidal, don't you think?"

"We're not here to fight you," Sam stated.

"No? Then why are you?" Lucifer looked in Dean's direction and smiled, turning towards Buffy, and running a hand through her hair. "For her?" Lucifer asked, still looking down at Buffy, as if he were caressing lover.

Dean felt like he was going to vomit when she smiled back at Lucifer, leaning into his touch.

"She won't leave with you," Lucifer said with a smile, turning back to them.

"Buffy?" Willow choked out.

"I'm sorry Wills," Buffy replied, barely looking in their direction, "It has to be this way."

"Buffy, no," Dean mumbled, taking a step forward. Lucifer put a hand up, halting his progress, "What did he do to you?" Dean spat out between gritted teeth.

"Showed me the truth, Dean," Buffy replied. The way she said his name almost brought tears to his eyes. There was no emotion, no softness, no love in the word. She practically spat it out.

"Buff-" He could barely say the word, causing Lucifer to smile widely in his direction.

Sam stepped forward, lessoning the space between him and Lucifer, "I want to say yes."

"What?" Willow hissed out, while Spike mumbled "idiot", from behind Dean. Dean looked back at the vampire, confused, before his attention was brought back to his brother and the devil.

"Excuse me?" Lucifer asked, turning from Buffy, and towards Sam, causing the blonde girl to frown in Sam's direction.

Taking a deep breath, Sam closed his eyes. With bright flashes of light, the demons behind them dropped dead.

"Chock-full of Ovaltine, are we?"

"You heard me. Yes."

"You're serious." Lucifer said, turning towards Sam, clearly intrigued.

"Look, Judgment Day's a runaway train. We get it now. We just wan-"

Sam was cut off with an emphatic, "No!" from Buffy. Moving too quick for anyone to stop, Buffy moved around Lucifer, throwing a punch at Sam's temple, causing him to drop to the ground unconscious.

Dean stood in shock, as the woman he loved stood over the body of his brother.

Buffy turned back to Lucifer, almost angrily, "You promised!" She practically yelled, as if in a spat with her lover.

He looked at Buffy in obvious anger, "What do you think you're doing?"

She didn't back down, "You said we'd change the world together, and you were going to use Sam instead!"

"He's my vessel!" Lucifer shouted.

Dean found the situation surreal, watching as Buffy argued about being the Devil's meat puppet. He didn't know whether he should laugh or cry.

"Well it's too late for that now," Buffy commented, pointing to Sam's body.

"Obviously," Lucifer replied in a grumble, staring down at Sam, his chance at a perfect vessel.

"So I say yes."

His head snapped up at her statement.

"Don't look so surprised," she quipped, "this is what you've wanted for months."

"Buffy, no!" Dean managed to croak out, still not able to move from Lucifer's hold.

She didn't even look at him, instead focusing on the deteriorating man in front of her, "You protect my friends and family, and I say yes. That's the deal."

Lucifer smiled, and closed his eyes. A bright light blinded them, as the Archangel's essence left his body. The light filled the room, and shined out through the windows.

"BUFFY!" Dean heard himself scream as Lucifer's hold on him loosened, sending him falling to the ground.

A/N:

My first post of 2018! I hope you liked it. Not long left until the story is complete!

Please review and let me know what you think.