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Chapter Eleven

Dean was elbow deep in the Impala's engine when Bobby found him. He'd heard a strange whining noise last time he took her out, and he was determined to work out what was wrong before he drove her again.

"You got a minute?" Bobby asked.

Dean looked out from under the hood. "What's up?"

"I want to talk about Sam."

Dean wondered what it was about him working on a car that made people think it was time for a deep and meaningful discussion—first Castiel and now Bobby. It was damn inconvenient.

He raised his head from under the hood and rooted around in the toolbox for a wrench. "What about him?" he asked distractedly.

"Something's wrong," Bobby said.

Dean turned to look at him and he saw a deep frown creasing Bobby's brow. He sighed and dropped the wrench back in the toolbox. Wiping his hands on an oily rag, he leaned against the car and gave Bobby his full attention. "Something like what?"

"He's been bouncing around like a pup with two tails since him and Lucifer came back, but since we brought in that leviathan, he's been like… I don't know, depressed. Even having Lucifer around didn't change it, and you know how sickeningly happy they usually are together."

Dean had noticed the same change in his brother. He was smiling and putting on a good show, but Dean, and apparently Bobby, could see through it. It was in his eyes that Dean could see the change. They were no longer bright with excitement, they were dull and lifeless even when he was smiling broad enough to crack his face.

"You talk to him about this?" Dean asked.

Bobby nodded. "I caught him earlier. He said he was fine, but I don't believe him."

Dean shrugged. "Maybe it's being apart from Lucifer that's done it."

Bobby looked thoughtful. "Yeah, maybe. They definitely need each other now, even more than they did before. Have you noticed?"

Dean had noticed. He'd not seen Sam and Lucifer together much since they'd been back until the day after they'd taken out the leviathan. When Sam arrived that morning, Lucifer had been with him, and they'd had a few days together before Lucifer had to go back upstairs to deal with the angelic issues that were going on. Despite Sam's hidden sadness, he couldn't help but notice how they were together. They gravitated towards each other at all times. Even when Sam was doing something simple, like brewing the coffee, Lucifer was beside him, watching his every move, and Sam would do the same. If they had been close before they went into the cage, it was nothing compared to how they were now. Dean found it a little unnerving, but he guessed they were bound to be more in sync after over two centuries together. A small, hidden part of him was a little jealous. He was used to being the closest person to Sam, but Lucifer had usurped his position. Sam had moved on and created a life that he wasn't part of while Dean had been left with a different, darker path.

"Yeah, I've noticed," he said, looking moodily out onto the scrap-yard.

Bobby opened his mouth as if to say something, but then he snapped it shut again. "Anyway, I was hoping you could try and get him talking," he said. "He might open up to you."

Dean snorted. "Yeah, 'cause I'm known for open, honest conversations."

Bobby smiled and clapped him on the shoulder. "Have a go, all right?"

Dean nodded. "I'll do my best, but don't expect me to—" His words cut off as he heard a shout from inside the house.

"Dean!"

He and Bobby exchanged a look of horror and raced together into the house. As they crossed the threshold, they saw Castiel standing in front of Sam with his arms spread wide, facing off against a figure in a black overcoat.

"Crowley," Dean spat, starting forward with a fist raised.

"Now, now," Crowley said, raising his hands in front of him. "You don't want to go punching me. You'll only hurt your hand."

Dean ignored him completely, and stepped closer. Crowley sighed and waved an arm carelessly in the air. Dean was forced back against the wall and pinned in place.

"Let me go," he said through gritted teeth.

"I will when you've calmed down," Crowley said conversationally.

"Calm down!" Dean said, his face tight with anger. "You sent us after Lucifer with a gun that didn't work, getting my brother killed in the process, and you want me to calm down!"

"How was I to know it wouldn't work? Besides, your brother looks fine to me now."

Sam was fine now, but that didn't make up for the minutes of horror as his brother lie dead on the floor. It didn't make for Dean having to lay his body out, praying desperately that Lucifer would be able to heal him. Crowley may not have known the Colt wouldn't work, but Dean needed someone to pin his anger to, and Crowley was the person he had in mind.

"Speaking of your brother…" Crowley held out a hand to Sam who was still trapped behind Castiel. "Nice to meet you, moose. I'm…"

"I know who you are," Sam said. "Lucifer's replacement in the pit."

Crowley spread his arms wide. "What can I say? Someone had to do it since you tamed Lucifer, and I was the voters' favorite."

"And how's that working out for you?" Sam asked. "You enjoying it?"

Crowley shrugged. "I've had worse jobs. Being Lilith's right-hand man was a lot more work that what I've got going on now."

Sam smirked. "Sounds like it. If things are going so well for you, why did you need the Purgatory souls? You struggling to summon the power to rule?"

Dean was impressed by Sam's nerve facing off against the King of Hell. Sam had never been a coward, but there was a new self assurance in him now. He had faced worse and he wasn't scared to do it again.

Crowley scowled and redirected. "Speaking of your boyfriend, how is he? I heard he got his fairy wings back."

Sam grinned. "He's fine, thanks. He'll be here soon to say hello in person."

Though he tried to hide it, a flash of fear crossed Crowley's face. Dean figured he couldn't be too excited about the prospect of meeting Lucifer. As his replacement, there had to be a certain amount of animosity there. Not to mention the fact that, when he wanted to be, Lucifer was a scary ass dude. Dean had seen a glimpse of that after Sam had been shot and then again after they come out of the cage, and he wasn't eager for a repeat performance.

"Well, if I'm interrupting date night, I best get down to business," Crowley said. "I have a couple of questions, and I'm hoping you, moose and squirrel, can answer them for me."

"Let me down and we can talk," Dean said.

With another wave of his arm, Crowley released Dean.

Stepping away from the wall, Dean asked, "What do you want to know?"

"Straight to business," Crowley said. "I like that. You would make a great… Never mind. I want to know what you're doing about the leviathans."

"Why do you care?" Sam asked.

"I care because they're taking out my demons!"

Dean laughed. "I'll make sure to give a crap about that later."

"Leviathans can kill demons?" Sam asked, looking amused. "That's awesome."

"Hate to burst your bubble, moose, but they can't really kill demons. They can eat their meat-suits though."

Sam frowned. "Why are they doing that?"

"Apparently they've developed a taste for us," Crowley said. "I put it all down to that Dick."

Dean snorted. "Dick?"

Crowley rolled his eyes. "If we're done with the school-yard humor..."

Dean grinned. "We're done."

Crowley looked dissatisfied but he continued. "The leviathans have a leader, Dick Roman, and he's not a fan of the demon race."

"Dick Roman. As in the Dick Roman?" Bobby asked.

Dean frowned. He'd heard the name on the news but he didn't know anything about him. Judging by Sam's look of confusion he hadn't heard of him at all. It was good to know that, while he might be a walking hunter's journal now, there were still things Sam didn't know.

"Who's Dick Roman?" Sam asked.

"Big time billionaire business mogul," Bobby said. "You know, I thought something was up when he went from recluse to media whore, but I never guessed it was this. So, he's a leviathan now."

Crowley nodded. "Yeah, and his name really suits him. I approached him, businessman to businessman, offering a deal of sorts—"

"Why am I not surprised?" Dean mumbled.

"-and he blew me off." Crowley continued as if there had been no interruption. "Bloody rude if you ask me."

"So, you tried to shaft us by hooking up with Dick but he wasn't interested, and now you're here to... What exactly, team up?"

"Hell, no," Crowley said with an affected shudder. "I just want you boys to do your jobs."

"And that would be?"

"You're hunters, aren't you? Hunt them already!"

Dean wondered when it had become their responsibility to deal with the woes of the world. They were hunters, some among many, why was it down to them to save the world?

Bobby crossed his arms over his chest. "Look here, there's only so much we can do. You've got a whole demon army at your command. Why don't you have them do it?"

"Weren't you listening, you halfwit? They're eating my demons!"

"So you want them to eat us instead?" Dean said.

Crowley nodded. "Pretty much."

Dean stiffened. "Okay, I've had it with this shit. Bobby, get the holy water, we're exorcising this filth."

"Good luck with that," Crowley said. "I'm the King of Hell now. It's going to take more than a little holy water and some snappy latin to do away with me."

Outside the window, rain began to pelt the windows and lightning flashed across the sky. Knowing what was coming, Dean grinned.

"I think you're right," Sam said, looking exceptionally satisfied. "A standard exorcism isn't going to cut it this time. No problem, we've got back up."

The room began to quake and Crowley looked around with a furrowed brow. "What's going on? What's your back up?"

"That would be me," a smooth voice said.

Crowley spun on his heel and took a step back as he came face to face with Lucifer.

"That's my cue to leave," Crowley said, throwing back his head.

Red smoke streamed out of his mouth and into the air. Dean barely had a moment to think before Lucifer reached up and caught the smoke in his bare hand. With a smile, he lowered his hand, effectively forcing the smoke back down Crowley's throat. When the smoke was gone, Lucifer stepped back and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Lucifer..." Crowley said, clearing his throat. "I've been meaning to arrange a meeting for some time. It's good to see you out of the cage. I'm glad that I could play some small part in that."

"You?" Lucifer asked. "How exactly did you help?"

"Well..." Crowley shifted uncomfortably. "I was the one that teamed up with Raphael who took out Michael, thereby clearing the way for you to come back. There's no need to thank me. I was just doing my job."

Lucifer's smile grew wider, and there was a dangerous gleam in his eyes. "Yes," he said slowly. "You are part of the reason Michael is dead. I would like to kill you where you stand for that but, unfortunately, you are a necessary evil in Hell now. I have, as you so rightly said, exchanged my pitchfork for a pair of fairy wings, and I am now dedicated to Heaven."

Dean realized Lucifer had been there listening the whole time. Sam had likely called him the minute Crowley showed up, but Lucifer had been waiting for the right moment to make his appearance, lightning and all.

"Fairy wings?" Crowley said, tugging at his collar. "Did I say that? What I meant was..."

"Enough!" Lucifer snapped. "You are still alive because I have need of you. Continue to annoy me, and I will smite you where you stand."

Crowley nodded vigorously. "Right. No smiting necessary. I'll tell you whatever you want to know."

Dean was amused to see that Crowley was genuinely scared of Lucifer. He didn't blame him, Lucifer could be scary when he wanted to be, but it didn't sap the enjoyment he felt watching Crowley squirm.

"Tell me about Raphael," Lucifer said. "Where is he?"

"No idea," Crowley said quickly.

Lucifer raised an eyebrow.

"As God is my judge, I haven't seen hide nor hair of him since he exploded like a sack of pudding."

"What are his plans now?" Lucifer asked.

"Wouldn't know. He left me high and dry. He was supposed to split the souls with me, but he sucked down the lot and royally shafted me in the process."

"I believe," Castiel said slowly, "that he is telling the truth."

Crowley beamed at him. "Knew there was a reason I liked you, Cassie. Now, how's about we make a deal. I'll go on my merry way to deal with the day to day running of Hell, while you boys take care of the leviathans. As an added bonus, I'll even keep my demons out of your way."

"Let me make a counteroffer," Lucifer said. "You will keep your demons and I will let you walk out of here with both legs attached."

Crowley clapped his hands together. "Absolutely. No demons for you boys. Check."

"So, we're just going to let him stroll back into Hell?" Bobby asked, disapproval clear in his tone.

Lucifer sighed. "We really have no choice. I have abandoned Hell now. It will be chaos without someone to take control, and Crowley, as inept as he is, will suffice to do the job. If we take him out, someone else will take his place. At least with him, we have control over his actions."

Crowley didn't looked thrilled by this analysis, but he didn't dispute it either. "So, we got a deal?" he asked.

Lucifer nodded. "Yes, you will continue to do as you have been doing and I will let you live. Now," He walked towards the door and turned waiting for Crowley to follow, "I think it's time you and I had a little chat about Hell."

Crowley followed him and turned back at the door. "It's been good seeing you, boys. I'll see you again... soon."

As he said the last word he locked eyes with Dean, and Dean felt some understanding pass between them. He knew then that his mission over the last two years to land himself a ticket to Hell had been successful. The only problem was that his brother wasn't there to cushion the fall anymore.


So… That was fun. I love writing Crowley, he's so deliciously snarky.

Brotherhood series: I spent a little time with SandraEngstrom2 tonight outlining a chapter and we came up with a helluva story arc. I can't wait for you all to read it. Shouldn't be too long now, as the story is winding down. Hope to see some of you there when it's time to post.

Until next time…

Clowns or Midgets xxx