Chapter Sixteen

"You should go to him, Lucifer."

Lucifer looked over at Gabriel. "My place is here. You can't do this alone."

"You're no good to us if your attention is divided."

"My attention will always be divided. I cannot wholly focus on Heaven when Sam is in the world."

"Which is exactly my point. Why are you doing this to yourself? You're miserable here."

Lucifer sighed and turned to look out at the ocean. They were in the heaven of an elderly fisherman who spent eternity at the shores of the Indian ocean. Lucifer liked it here. It reminded him of Membata.

"I am here for Sam," he said eventually, tearing his eyes from the water to look at his brother.

Gabriel's brow creased with confusion. "How is you being here benefiting Sam?"

"It doesn't," Lucifer said. "It would be better if we were together, but I am trying to be a better man for him, and that means doing my duty to Heaven."

Gabriel smiled. "I never thought I would say this after everything that happened, but you are a good man, Lucifer. Sam made you a good man. You returned to the cage for the sake of the world, leaving your love behind. There is no greater sacrifice than that. And as for Sam, he knows how good a man you are. You have nothing to prove to him."

Lucifer wanted to believe Gabriel's words, but he still felt he had much to atone for. He had done great damage and it was not yet washed away.

"Go to him for a while," Gabriel suggested, "and return when you feel ready. You need to find a balance between your perceived duty to Heaven and your duty to Sam."

Lucifer nodded. "I think you may be right."

Gabriel smiled. "I'm always right, you just don't always see it."

With one last look out over the ocean, Lucifer left heaven.

After stopping at a diner and picking up a meal for Sam, Lucifer made his way to their motel. What he found there made a feeling of unease settle over him. The gun cleaning kit was still out, open on the bed, and there was a half empty cup of coffee on the table, but there was no sign of Sam.

"Sam?" Lucifer asked, looking around the room. He checked the bathroom but found it empty too.

He walked over to the table, looking for a clue as to where he went, but found none. Without another second's thought, he left and went to Bobby's. He manifested in the study, much to Castiel and Bobby's surprise.

"Damn, you angels and your popping in wherever you please," Bobby said, shaking his head. "I'm just getting used to Cas doing it."

"Where's Sam?"

Bobby frowned "What do you mean? I thought he was with you."

"I went to the motel. It appears he left in a hurry."

Castiel's brow furrowed. "I thought he was with Dean."

Bobby pulled his hat off and ran a hand through his hair. "I don't like this. Something doesn't feel right."

Lucifer stiffened and then his eyes went wide.

Bobby looked over at him, eyes tight with concern. "What is it?"

Lucifer's expression hardened. "Dean is praying. Raphael has them."

"Where?" Bobby asked.

"I don't know!" Lucifer's hands fisted at his sides. He was helpless. He could hear the pain in Dean's prayer. He didn't want to imagine the things Raphael was doing to them, to Sam. He felt like he was being torn apart by his rage and agony. It was his greatest fear coming to fruition. Sam had been taken.

"Gabriel!" Lucifer shouted. "Get down here, now!"

A second later, Gabriel arrived. He spun on his heels to face Lucifer. "You rang?"

"Raphael has them. He has Sam."

Gabriel's posture straightened and his face went hard. "What do you want me to do?"

"Something, anything, help me find them. We can search the globe."

"That won't work, Lucifer, and you know it. Raphael is smart. He won't stay in one place long. We don't have a chance."

"Then what are we supposed to do?"

"I know you don't want to hear it, but maybe I should return to Heaven. Guard the gates for them."

Lucifer shook his head. "I can't lose him again."

"I will watch for him, guide him when arrives. I won't let anything happen to him. I will keep him safe in Heaven."

"No! I'm not letting this happen. He's not going to die! We'll find a way to save him."

"Lucifer, I should go," Gabriel said solemnly. "In case they arrive."

"Fine," Lucifer spit. "Go. I'll find them without you."

With a rustling of wings, Gabriel was gone. Lucifer turned his attention to Castiel and Bobby who were standing watching him with expressions of deep concern and something less easily identified.

"This is your fault!" Lucifer said, turning to face Castiel. "If you hadn't put those sigils on their ribs we would have been able to find them by now."

Castiel shrunk back under Lucifer's intense gaze.

"Now easy, boys," Bobby said, putting up his hands. "Lucifer, I know you're upset, but you're taking this out on the wrong person."

Lucifer swiped a hand across the table, knocking it clean of books, sending papers flying through the air. "I need Sam!"

"And we'll find him, but you need to calm down if we're going to do it."

"What do you suggest we do, sit around and wait for them to arrive at Heaven's gates?"

Castiel glanced at Bobby and then to Lucifer. "I have an idea."

"What is it?" Lucifer asked sharply.

Castiel shifted. "It might not work, but I would like to try something. I won't be long."

Before Lucifer could question him further, Castiel disappeared.

Lucifer's hand came up to tangle in his hair. He had never felt so at a loss in his long life. Sam was gone, and he didn't have the first idea of how to find him. Gabriel was right, Raphael wouldn't hold them in one place long. He would be on the move. Lucifer could scour the globe, but Raphael would always be one step ahead of him.

"We'll find him, Lucifer," Bobby said softly.

Lucifer turned to him, and the obvious agony in his eyes made Bobby suck in a breath. "How do you know?" Lucifer asked, he felt like a child seeking reassurance.

"I've seen them boys get out of all kinds of messes before, they will make it out this time, too."

Lucifer sighed. "I can't lose him, Bobby."

"And you won't. They're strong and they're together. Dean will take care of him."

Lucifer tried to take comfort in that, but it wasn't easy. Dean was only a man going against an archangel. There was nothing he could do to protect Sam if Raphael was to set his mind to hurting him.

Lucifer heard the sounds of an angel's approach and he looked up to see Castiel had returned, and he wasn't alone. Standing beside him was a disheveled man with a scrubby beard.

"Chuck!" Bobby said, sounding stunned.

The newcomer gaped at Lucifer. "Holy... wow... you're Lucifer."

"You brought the prophet," Lucifer said, addressing Castiel.

Castiel nodded. "I thought an insider's perspective would help."

"You did good, Cas," Bobby said.

"Can you see them?" Lucifer asked Chuck.

Chuck looked astounded at being spoken to directly by Lucifer. On any other occasion, Lucifer would be sympathetic to his plight, but in that moment all he could think of was Sam, and the second's pause before Chuck answered was too long.

"Speak!" he snapped.

Chuck nodded jerkily. "Yeah, yeah. I can see them."

"How is Sam?" Lucifer asked.

Chuck raised his hands. "Don't smite me, okay? I don't control it, I just see it."

Lucifer's jaw tightened. "You are trying my patience."

"He's not doing so good. Neither of them are."

"Any clues about where they are?" Bobby asked.

"It looks like some kind of prison. It's empty apart from them as far as I can see, and it's... nasty."

"Bobby, the alpha's Crowley was taking, they were in an prison, were they not?" Castiel said.

Bobby clapped his hands together. "You're right. That abandoned place in Missouri."

"You're sure?" Lucifer asked, his hands fisting at his sides.

Bobby nodded. "Yeah, it's on the north side of Evergreen."

"Castiel, show me," Lucifer commanded.

"Hold up!" Bobby said. "I'm coming, too."

Lucifer nodded jerkily. The more people the better prepared to help Sam they would be.

He snapped his wrist and his sword slipped into his hand. He was ready.


"Dean!"

The sound of Sam calling to him tore at Dean. He felt sick. Sam needed him and he was trapped in this cell without even a paperclip to his name. He had checked his pockets twice for his lock pick, but Raphael had apparently fleeced them when she'd knocked them out. He had tried everything to escape his cell, but all he had for his trouble was bruised hands from beating on the bars. He had prayed to them all in turn, Lucifer, Gabriel and Castiel, and he had received no response.

Raphael hadn't come back to him again, which meant Sam had no reprieve from whatever it was that she was doing to him.

He sat in the corner of his cell and brought his knees up to his chest. Fisting his hands in his hair, he tried not to think of what was happening to Sam.

After an indeterminable amount of time, he heard footsteps coming along the hall. Bracing himself for more of Raphael's taunting, he stood up and moved to the bars. But what he saw there wasn't Raphael or even Sam, it was Castiel and he looked livid.

"Cas, man, get me out of here," Dean said in a rush. "She's hurting Sam."

Castiel gripped the door of the cell and tugged. The bolts sheared away and Dean was freed. Not wasting a second to thank Castiel or to see whether he was following, he ran down the corridor and through the door.

He came out in a hall of sorts. It may once have been a recreation room or canteen for prisoners, but now it had been given a more macabre purpose. There was blood smeared on the floor and walls, and it stank of copper. Dean's eyes fell on the center of the room, and his heart sank. Sam was shackled to a bed, and he was a mess. Bobby was beside him, and he was talking in a gentle voice. "You're okay, Sam. We'll get you fixed up in no time."

Dean sprinted over to them, and he joined Bobby in unstrapping the leather restraints holding Sam to the bed.

Sam's eyes were almost closed; all that Dean could see was a sliver of white. His breath was coming in rasps and his skin was sheened with sweat and blood. Dean felt sick at the sight of it. Sam's chest looked like it had been through a meat grinder; it was a mess of torn skin and flesh. His fingers were crooked and his right foot was turned in which made Dean think his hip was dislocated if not broken.

"Jesus, Sammy," he said, thanking his rarely lucky stars that Sam was unconscious.

As if Dean's voice had been the trigger Sam needed, his eyes opened and he rolled his head to look at Dean.

He licked his lips and spoke in a whisper. "Dean?"

"Yeah, I'm here." Dean reached out and touched Sam's head; it seemed to be the only part of him not battered and bleeding.

"Did she hurt you?" Sam asked.

Dean shook his head. "Nah, I'm fine."

Sam's eyes closed for a moment and a look of relief crossed his features. "Lucifer?"

"He's here, too." Dean looked around the room for the first time and saw Lucifer by the opposite wall. He was facing off against Raphael, and they both had angel blades drawn. The voices, which till then had been a murmur at the back of Dean's mind, were suddenly clear.

"You will not kill me, Lucifer," Raphael said. "I am your brother."

"You were my brother," Lucifer said in a voice heavy with his fury, "until you laid a hand on Sam."

"A human," Raphael spat. "You would choose one of them over family."

"Sam is my family!"

"Lucifer, we need a little help here," Dean said. "Sam needs you."

He turned his attention back to Sam. "You're going to be fine. Lucifer will take care of you."

Sam nodded jerkily and winced.

Dean tugged off his jacket and laid it under Sam's head. "Just hold on a little longer."

Behind them, there was an almighty crash, and the floor shook. Dean dragged his eyes from his ailing brother and looked at Lucifer. He had Raphael pinned to the wall with his blade at his throat.

"Lucifer, please," Raphael said. "Forgive me."

Lucifer shook his head, his teeth gritted with fury. "It is our father that deals with forgiveness. I am the one you come to for retribution." He leaned his weight on the hilt of his sword, and the blade sliced through Raphael's throat. There was a sick scraping sound as the blade reached bone, and Dean winced.

"Lucifer?" The voice was so soft it was almost silent. It seemed to have taken the last of Sam's strength, as his eyes rolled back and his head tilted to the side.

"Sam? Sammy? Wake up, now!" Seeing no response from Sam, not even a twitch of an eye, Dean shouted out to Lucifer.

Lucifer was there instantly, hovering at Sam's side, carding a hand through his hair.

"He's not... He can't be..." Dean couldn't finished the sentence.

"He's alive," Lucifer said in a soft voice.

Dean breathed a sigh of relief. He knew if Sam was to die, Lucifer would be able to bring him back, but he didn't want Sam to have to go through that, not again.

"Heal him!" he ordered.

Lucifer cupped Sam's cheek in his hand and closed his eyes. There was a second's pregnant silence, and then Sam's eyes snapped open.

"Sam," Lucifer crooned, pulling Sam against his chest and burying his face in the crook of Sam's neck. It was such an intimate pose that Dean felt uncomfortable witnessing it, but he couldn't look away. He needed to see Sam to reassure himself that he was okay.

Lucifer slipped his arms under Sam, cradling him to his chest, and then a moment later, they were gone, leaving Dean standing alone with Bobby and Castiel.

"Where do you think they went?" Dean asked.

Castiel looked at Dean, face emotionless. "I do not think that is our place to know."

"Yeah, I guess you're right," Dean ran a hand through his hair. He missed being the one to comfort Sam. It was his job to take care of him. Sighing, he looked to Castiel. "Let's go home."

Castiel placed a hand on each on their shoulders, and with a rustling of wings, they were gone.


So… All better and Raphael is a goner. Woohoo.

Until next time…

Clowns or Midgets xxx