CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR: A Plan In Motion
"How was the hunt?" Sam asked as he made his way down the steps, eyeing the group of hunters all crowded around the kitchen table. He had just heard the two female hunters come in and was curious how everything went. As he came to the bottom of the steps, all conversation ceased after the young demon had spoke, four pair of eyes landing on him.
"Everything okay?" The demon questioned warily, stopping in between the kitchen and living room with his arms crossed.
"You might want to call your brother down here." Bobby said gruffly, a hint of regret in his voice. Sam nodded hesitantly, noticing the awkward way Jo was perched in her seat, the look of pain taking over her features.
Moments later, Dean staggered down the steps, hair still a little wet from the shower he just got out of, to meet three accusing gazes from the old hunters and Sam's confused one. "What?" He snapped, stopping to stand next to the tall demon.
Ellen gestured for Jo to stand up who obliged, lifting her shirt to reveal multiple deep cuts and purple bruises. Both the brothers inhaled sharply, concern evident on their faces.
"What the hell happened?" Dean demanded, suddenly getting pissed.
Pulling down her shirt with a grimace and crossing her arms to mimic Sam, Jo looked at the eldest demon with what looked like pity. "Crowley wants to see you."
Dean scoffed. "Good for him. What has that got to do with… that?" He pointed to the blonde's stomach, not wanting to go into detail.
John stood up, looking angry. "He had a demon attack Jo to send you a message." He paused to regain his composure before he met Dean's puzzled face. "What does he want son?"
"The hell if I know! When Meg and Ruby snagged me a couple months back he just said something about needing me alive, I don't know." The eldest demon lied as he ran a shaky hand down his face. His jaw set with determination, Dean snatched his car keys from off the kitchen counter and went to the back door only to have John slide in between him and his way out.
"Where you goin'?" John demanded, his tone harsh as he met his son's gaze.
Dean's eyes became enveloped with black as he leaned in close to his father's face, his voice dangerously low. "To send Crowley a message. Get out of my way."
John searched the eldest demon's eyes, gauging how good of a chance he had at convincing him to stay. Figuring Dean would sooner fling his ass across the room then listen to him, the old hunter side-stepped away from blocking the door.
….
"I see you got my message." Crowley teased, eyeing the musty motel room with disgust. He glanced down and sighed with annoyance as if he hadn't expected there to be a devil's trap waiting for him. "Really? Can't we be professionals?"
"You threw that out the window when you had Jo attacked." The eldest demon spat, still fuming as he watched Crowley's lips curl at the ends.
The King shrugged, not seeming too bothered by his choices. "It got your attention."
Dean yanked the demon killing knife from his waistband, pointing it at Crowley threateningly. "I won't kill you yet just because I don't want your followers on my ass. But here's my message." He stepped forward to where he was just outside the devils trap, eyes flashing black. "You don't touch her or any of them."
"Well Squirrel, I have to admit I didn't expect you to be such a softie about some hunters." The King pointed out, putting one hand in his pocket as he watched the irritated demon in front of him.
"This is between you and me. It has nothing to do with them!" Dean barked, mouth twitching with anger.
Crowley approached the edge of the trap to where he was mere inches from the eldest demon. "You could just come willingly. You only have ten months left." He noted, a smug smile creeping across his face.
Dean narrowed his eyes before he chuckled, backing up slightly. "Crowley, you don't scare me." He said matter of fact as he smirked.
Looking amused, the King gave him a pity smile. "Why don't you ask Ruby about her time spent in Hell. You'll change your mind." The eldest demon stared at him with defiance, silently glaring. Figuring he wasn't going to say anymore, Crowley raised his eyebrows impatiently. "We done here?"
Regretfully, Dean leaned down and scraped part of the trap away, quickly grabbing the grizzly man's jacket before he could disappear. "Touch them again, and I'll gut you."
"Don't be a tease." Crowley quipped, his gaze flickering to a spot behind the eldest Winchester. "Hello Moose, I was wondering when you'd be joining us."
Dean spun around, meeting Sam's accusing gaze as he felt his stomach drop.
"I'll let you two work out your problems." The eldest demon glanced back briefly to confirm the King had left, trying to mentally prepare himself for the conversation that was about to take place.
"How could you do this?" Sam asked, his voice soft as he met his brother's defeated green eyes. "How could you not tell me?"
Dean chuckled humorlessly, half-heartedly lifting one of his shoulders. "I figured I'd get myself out of it."
The taller demon scoffed, his tone more upset than angry. "Why do you feel the need to take on all of this by yourself?"
"My job is to protect you." The eldest son gave his brother a weak smile, trying to lighten the mood. "Why kind of big brother let's his little brother take care of him?"
Sam, un-amused, took a step towards him, looking confidant. "It doesn't matter. I'm gonna get you out of this. You're not going to Hell."
….
"How does going to Hell affect demons? Isn't that your kind's home base?" Bobby questioned, his brows furrowed in confusion.
Sam was sitting across from the old drunk at the worn kitchen table, hearing the soft sound of Dean's radio playing upstairs. John was leaning against the counter, staying completely silent throughout the demon's whole explanation about what had happened with Crowley.
The taller Winchester looked at the baseball capped hunter knowingly, a look of horror shining in his eyes. "Hell for Demons is actually worse. And if Crowley has plans for Dean, I doubt it'll be pretty. See," Sam paused, using his hands to emphasize what he was saying. "When a demon goes to Hel, it's for a punishment, like how we double-crossed him. But the fact he's only taking Dean worries me."
The old drunk exhaled slowly, leaning back in his chair. "I'm sure we'll figure it out. How long he got?" Bobby asked, genuine concern lacing his words.
The youngest demon shook his head sadly, annoyed at his brother for wasting time he could've been helping him. "Ten months. I'm hoping it'll be enough time." As if just remembering Jo was not in good condition when he left, Sam glanced in the living room to the blonde's sleeping form on the couch. "How's she doing?"
Bobby smirked, remembering how Jo had threatened to shove the bottle of Whiskey he had been cleaning her wounds with up his ass if he continued. "She's fine. She's a tough girl."
Sam just nodded before excusing himself, saying he wanted to relax a little in his room.
After making sure his son had left, John stole the demon's seat at the table, looking like he was about to explode.
"Go ahead." Bobby encouraged, sensing his friend needed to get something off his chest.
"What have we gotten ourselves into?" John asked, his tone remorseful.
Bobby narrowed his eyes, not clear on what the elder Winchester was saying. "Come again?"
John gave his friend an 'are you serious' look before elaborating. "Do we really want to be involved in all this? The last thing I need is more demons on my ass."
"They're your kids, John. They're supposed to make your life hard. You wanted to be a father, helping to save Dean from Hell would be something a parent would do." The whiskey-drenched man argued, trying to get through the thick head of the hunter across from him.
John looked unconvinced before he picked at the label of his beer bottle he had been nursing.
….
The youngest demon was half-way up the stairs when the music that had been playing softly suddenly turned up several notches. Rolling his eyes at his brother's rudeness, Sam knocked on the door.
"Dean?" Hearing no reply, he walked in only to be flung to the opposite side of the room, right into a picture frame on the wall. Shards of glass rained down on top of Sam as he tried to cover his face, looking up to see Azazel with his forearm wrapped around Dean's neck, the eldest demon's back pressed against the yellow-eyed mans chest.
"Hiya Sammy." Dean's nostrils flared as Azazel spoke, applying slight pressure to the short-haired Winchester's throat.
The tallest of the three staggered to a standing position, his eyes switching to black as he met Yellow eye's cruel gaze. "Let him go."
"Dean-o here didn't like the present I was planning on leaving you. He was pretty upset when I told him about your latest habit." Sam's face shone of utter shock as he locked eyes with his brother, not missing the flash of betrayal and disgust that was evident in Dean's defiant glare. "Sammy, I'm gonna need you to come with me. Just a short field trip. I'll let big bro here go if you do."
"Don't Sam." Dean ordered, growling when Azazel tightened his grip.
"Fine." The youngest demon agreed, taking a step forward and ignoring his brother's shouts of protest. "Let him go."
"Sure thing." The Yellow Eyed man shoved Dean to the floor, looking down at him with self-pride. "Say goodbye to Sammy, might be your last chance."
Dean stood up and went to punch the smug look off of Azazel's face but only swung at air.
Glancing around the now empty room, the eldest demon ran worried hands through his hair.
"Sammy?!"
….
TBC
Thanks for continuing with me on this journey, it means a lot. I really appreciate all who read, review, follow, and favorite. You guys are all great. Thanks to babyreaper (Sam can be a little hypocritical sometimes. And just you wait, things are going to get bad hella quick.), Nina Ferraro (I'm glad you enjoy it! Don't worry, it's coming.), bookworm0313 (I like to keep you on your toes(; ), LeeMarieJack (I've sent you a pm to try to clear things up. Any other questions it may be easier for me to answer through a pm instead of an Author's note), ncsupnatfan (So many questions, all will be answered! Glad you still like it!), kasey123 (I'm working on it(: ), and Souless666 (Did you read the PM I sent you? I hope it helped. And addiction works quickly haha.) for reviewing. It means a lot!