Chapter Twenty Three

"Thought I'd find you two out here."

At the sound of Bobby's voice, Sam and Dean turned from their perch on the hood of the Impala where they had been there an hour, passing a bottle of whiskey back and forth.

"Want a drink?" Dean asked, holding out the bottle.

"No, thanks."

Sam raised an eyebrow. It wasn't like Bobby to refuse a drink.

"I figure one of us should be sober if we're going after the boss of the fugliest thing I've ever seen," he said.

Sam shrugged. "Why do you think we're drinking? It might be our last chance."

"That's all the more reason to stay sober. Stack the odds in our favor."

Dean wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "Bobby, we've been here before. Every time we go after something big like this, something big goes wrong. We're just enjoying our lives while we can."

It was true, Dean thought. They'd gone after yellow-eyes and they were too late; the devil's gate had been opened. They'd tried to save him from the pit, and Sam had to watch his brother get dragged to Hell by the hounds. Sam had gone after Lilith, and he'd started the damn apocalypse. Dean had gone after Lucifer, and Sam had died. There was no guarantee that going after Dick Roman was going to end up with them all safe and well. Especially since their only weapon was the shinbone of a long-dead nun and a funky mix of blood.

"And getting soused at noon is enjoying life?" Bobby asked.

Dean nodded. "Sounds good to me."

Bobby frowned. "Where's Lucifer."

"Out getting Crowley's blood," Sam said, snagging the bottle of whiskey from Dean and taking a swig. "It's the last ingredient."

The last ingredient of a spell that was written millennia ago. There was no knowing if it would work. Dean wasn't even sure he wanted it to work. He wanted Dick Roman dead, no question, but what would happen when he was gone? He hadn't asked Sam, he'd been scared of the answer, but what if Sam and Lucifer decided to go back to the cage after it was taken care of?

What was Dean supposed to do if his brother left him again? He couldn't stay a hunter, the life had worn him down, but he couldn't live a normal life either. There was no way he could live in a world ignoring the signs of the supernatural, knowing he was supposed to help. What he really wanted, though he'd not say it aloud, was to go out on this hunt, go down in a blaze of glory. Then Sam would be free to go back to his personal heaven with the man he loved without guilt. And, if Lucifer kept his promise, Dean would be able to go to Heaven. He would get to rest for a while.

"Okay," Bobby said sternly. "I know that look. I'm cutting you off."

Sam clutched the bottle to his chest. "What look?"

"Not you," Bobby said. "Dean. He's got that 'thinking of doing something stupid' look, and I'm just about done pulling you two back from the cliff."

Sam turned bleary eyes on Dean. "What are you thinking of doing?"

"Nothing," Dean lied. "Bobby's just getting a little paranoid in his old age. It's to be expected."

Bobby wrestled the bottle from Sam and held it behind his back. "I'm not paranoid. I know you, dammit, and I know whatever you're thinking isn't good."

Dean held his hands up in front of him. "I'm not thinking anything."

Bobby sighed and scrubbed a hand through his beard. "Fine, don't talk to me. I'll be inside if either of you want to drag yourself out of your alcohol-sodden pity party to work on a plan."

"We'll be right there, Bobby," Sam said, waving an airy hand.

Bobby stomped back into the house and Sam pushed himself to his feet. Dean thought he was going to go inside too, but he paced back and forth in front of the car and then turned on Dean.

"What are you thinking?"

Dean tried for an innocent expression. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Sam rubbed his forehead. "Please don't lie to me, Dean. Bobby's right. You have that look, and I want to know what's going on."

Dean remained stubbornly silent.

"Fine," Sam threw his arms up, "don't talk. I'll go after Dick Roman alone and you can sit in the panic room till it's over."

Dean crossed his arms over his chest. "And how are you going to work that?"

"Lucifer."

Dean scowled. Sam wasn't making an idle threat. He really would leave Dean in the panic room to stew while he went after Dick. He weighed his options; he could lie, tell him he was scared of what they were doing, but he didn't like to lie to Sam. He could tell the truth, but Sam would definitely lock him in the panic room if he thought he was going into this hoping to die.

"Dammit, Dean, tell me!"

"What are you going to do when this is over?" Dean asked.

Sam frowned at the change of subject. "When we've iced Dick?"

Dean nodded.

Sam pushed his hair back from his face and perched on the hood of the car again. "I don't know. Probably deal with whatever new fugly comes along. Something always does. Why?"

"You're not going back to the cage then?" Despite Dean's best efforts, the question didn't sound as carefree as he had intended to make it. His desperation was all to evident to his ears.

Sam gave him a sympathetic look that Dean would rather have chewed thumbtacks than see. "I'm not leaving again, Dean."

Dean felt the first fluttering of hope coming to him. "What are you going to do then?"

"I figure me and Lucifer will get a place of our own close by. Lucifer doesn't think money will be a problem; Crowley has plenty, and he's basically Lucifer's bitch." Sam grinned. "We've talked about it. Besides, we can't go back to the cage while Heaven is still in such a mess. Gabriel needs Lucifer to help him."

It sounded to Dean like Sam was only staying as long as Heaven needed Lucifer. How was he supposed to tell Sam he needed him too? He couldn't say it; Sam would think he was joking having spent a lifetime avoiding that kind of conversation.

Sam stretched his arms out in front of him. "I like the idea of Lucifer and me having our own place. We can still hunt. We'll just have a real home instead of endless motel rooms." He turned to Dean and smiled. "It'll be good to have a home again."

Dean saw the excitement in his brother's eyes that his imagined future brought him, and he couldn't bring himself to spoil it. From what he'd heard, he'd have his brother around for the foreseeable future, and that would just have to be enough.

"You think we can get that bottle back off Bobby?" he asked.

Sam laughed. "Sure, I'll tackle him and you wrestle the bottle from him."

"I was being serious."

"So was I. He'll never see it coming."

Dean began to laugh too. It had been too long, he thought, since they'd had time together like this, just being brothers. There was always something getting in the way. As if his thought had summoned him, there was a fluttering sound, and Dean knew their time was over.

"Lucifer." There was obvious pleasure in Sam's voice at Lucifer's return.

He looked up and saw Lucifer's beaming smile. "Sam."

"That's my cue to leave."

"What? No, you don't have to go," Sam said.

Dean shook his head. "Get while the getting's good, Sammy, remember? I'll see you two later."

He plodded back into the house, thinking maybe he could help Bobby and Castiel plan out their storming of Dick Roman's base.


Dean watched as Bobby held the last vial of blood over the bowl and poured it down over the bones. It oozed thickly, dripping down over the remains of one Sister Mary Constant, their chosen righteous mortal.

"Okay, that's me done," Bobby said, stepping back. "We've got the blood and the bone…"

"I guess it's time to see if these things work," Sam finished for him.

They had sawn the bone in half and Sam and Dean were each taking a piece; whoever got the opening would take the shot. Lucifer had argued, saying he and Castiel were angels and therefore they should take the risk, but Sam had pointed out they were just as fallible as him and Dean against a leviathan. Besides, this was why Dean had come back from his solitary hunts and Sam back from the cage: for the leviathans. It felt right that they were the ones to finish this once and for all.

Dean watched as Sam examined the bone and a sick sinking sensation settled in his gut. He and Sam had discussed the fact they likely wouldn't come out of this unharmed, but that had just been supposition. Now it settled over him that something was going to go horribly wrong. He didn't know where this certainty had come from, and he didn't like it. He thought he should say something to the others, warn them, but he didn't know what to say that they weren't already aware of.

There was a fluttering sound, and Castiel appeared. "You were right, Bobby," he said. "Dick Roman is in the head office of Sucrocorp."

They all took a collective deep breath at the news. They had their weapon and location. All there was to do now was strike.

"I guess we better get going then," Bobby said, tugging off his cap and running a hand through his hair.

Lucifer moved to Sam's side and entwined their fingers. Sam leaned against him, pressing their shoulders together. Dean knew they were both nervous and this was their way of taking comfort. Part of him wished he had someone he could take comfort from on as the nerves were building in him. Sam caught his eye and smiled grimly, and Dean knew he was just as worried as him.

Dean crossed the room and picked his half of the bone from the bowl. He tucked it into the inside pocket of his coat. "Let's get moving then."

Sam squeezed Lucifer's hand and then released him. He pulled on a jacket and stowed his half of the bone in a pocket, too.

"You know what to do?" Bobby asked them both.

Sam nodded. "Go for the killing shot."

"There's going to be a lot of Leviathan's to get past," Bobby said. "Leave them to the rest of us. You boys just aim for Dick."

"Ready?" Lucifer asked.

There were murmurs of agreement and then they were gone. Papers drifted in the breeze of their departure and then the silence was cut by a ringing phone.


"A supply closet, Lucifer, really?" Dean said.

"I'm sorry. Would you rather we appeared right in the midst of a dozen hungry Leviathans?"

"No, but I'd rather I wasn't pinned to a filing cabinet by Cas."

Sam snorted and Bobby shushed them.

Dean was pressed closer to cabinet for a moment and then his lungs expanded gratefully as someone got the door open and they began to file into the hall. Bobby leveled his machete over his shoulder and Lucifer and Castiel snapped their wrists so their blades slid into their hands.

There were no leviathans in sight, but Dean knew they were close. The hairs on the back of his neck were standing on end. His every muscle was tense, but his heart was steady. This was where he was at his best, facing down the enemy. He looked askance at Sam and saw he was smiling slightly. It was good to know that, among all the changes in Sam, this hadn't changed. He was a hunter as much as ever.

"We come here just to stand around?" Bobby asked gruffly. "Or are we hunting?"

"Hunting," Sam said, stepping away from Lucifer's side and looking around.

They were in a hall of heavy-looking wooden doors with small glass panels. Sam moved towards one on silent feet and peered inside.

"Big mouths?" Dean asked in a hushed voice.

Sam shrugged. "Two, maybe. They look like they're— Crap!"

Sam sprung back and the door flew open. Two men ran out into the hall, then paused as they took in the sight of the blades.

"Hunters!" one bellowed, and then its head transformed to reveal the sharp teeth and forked tongue. It looked ready to take a bite out of any of them, but Bobby acted fast. He swung his machete through the air and the head fell to the floor with a thud.

"Hunting, remember?" he said.

The second leviathan took one look at its decapitated buddy and made to run, but Lucifer caught the back of its pristine suit and dragged it back.

"Castiel, if you would," he said politely.

Perhaps he was thinking of the leviathan that had killed him, or perhaps he was just eager to get started, whichever it was, Castiel smiled as he swung his blade.

There was the sound of pounding footsteps and around the corner came more leviathans, heads thrown back and teeth on show.

"Go, Sam!" Lucifer shouted. "Find Roman."

Sam seemed to teeter on indecision for a moment, before acting. He grabbed Dean's arm and dragged him along the hall. Dean got with the program quick, and soon they were sprinting together. Dean was aware that Bobby, Castiel and Lucifer were facing high odds against them, and they were all — possibly — at risk from the leviathans, and while he wanted to turn around and help them, he didn't. They'd all been given their tasks, and this was his; he had to go with Sam and take out Dick before he made his escape.

They stopped at every door and checked inside for a sign of Dick, but there was nothing until they reached the next floor. This seemed to be the show part of the building, where clients were brought to be impressed. The doors were glass, and they led into individual offices and conference rooms. The largest of the rooms, with glass doors naming it as the Bellevue Suite, was the one they wanted. As Dean peered inside, he saw Dick Roman sat at the head of a long table with a smile on his smarmy face.

He gestured them inside and Dean and Sam exchanged a look before entering. It wasn't a look of discomfort or doubt, it was a reassurance. They were together. They were armed. They were going to do this.

Dick stood to greet them, his smile widening. "Winchesters," he said with genial pleasure, "I was hoping you'd come."

"We figured we owed you a visit," Dean said cheerfully.

Dick sauntered towards them, not seeming to be in a hurry. "You did. You stole my prophet, after all."

Dean stepped to the left, shielding Sam slightly with his body. With a soft huff, Sam stepped around him so he was in front of Dean.

"Our prophet. Our friend," he said.

Dick's smile grew as he came to a stop a few feet from them. "I thought you might say that."

He moved so fast Dean didn't even have a chance of reacting. He shoved Dean away, into the wall. Dean's head collided hard with the wall, and for a moment he saw stars. He blinked to clear his vision and looked up. His heart, so calm until then, began to pound. Dick was on the other side of the long room and he was holding Sam around the chest with one arm, the other was wrapped around his neck. It was tight, too tight, Dean could see that Sam's breathing was compromised as his face was red. Despite that, he looked completely calm, as if he knew it was okay because Dean would get him. Dean would, that was his job, but he needed a little help.

"Lucifer!" he shouted. "Castiel!"

There was the familiar fluttering sound and then they were there, Bobby, Cas and Lucifer, standing beside Dean.

"Lucifer," Dick said with surprise. "I didn't know you were here. I would have rolled out the red carpet if I'd known."

"Release him," Lucifer said coldly.

Dick looked amused. "I don't believe I will. You see, Satan—may I call you Satan?—I am not afraid of you. You may be an archangel, but I am a leviathan. Angels don't scare us. I will squash you like a bug and then I will feast on the flesh of that poor man you are possessing."

Dean knew Lucifer must be scared, Dick had Sam by the throat and from the way his face was reddening the grip was still too tight, but he betrayed no fear as he raised his blade.

"I will end you and your foul race."

"You cannot kill me with that little pig-sticker," Dick said.

"True," Lucifer said in a musing tone. "I cannot kill you with it, but we have something that can. Dean."

It was a request and command, and Dean obeyed. He pulled the bone from his jacket and gripped it tight in his fist.

Dick raised an eyebrow. "A bloody bone? You think that will kill me?"

"I think we're about to find out," Dean said, taking a step forward.

"I don't think so," Dick said, shaking Sam slightly. "Sam's not doing so good right now. Imagine how much worse it will be for him after I break his back. No. Here's what's going to happen. You are going to slide that bloody bone across the table to me and I will give you back your brother."

"Don't," Sam said in a strangled voice.

"Quiet," Dick snapped. "Come on, Dean. Hand it over."

Dean hesitated for a moment, and then he noticed Sam's eyes. They were blinking slowly, lethargically, as the oxygen deprivation got to him. He was going to lose consciousness soon, and how much longer would it be then till death? Lucifer would bring him back, but not before he had to experience the horror of dying again. He had to do it. He stepped forward and laid the bone on the polished tabletop.

"Slide it over," Dick said softly.

Dean shoved it and it slid across the table toward Dick.

"Thank you," Dick said.

"Now, let Sam go," Lucifer said with ill-repressed tension in his voice.

Dean looked at Sam and saw his eyes were half-closed. He was slipping. Dean felt like he couldn't breathe, too. If Dick held him much longer, they would lose him.

Dick surveyed them for a moment and then he nodded. Slowly, so slowly it was painful to watch, he unwound his arms from Sam. Sam stumbled forward, gasping and rubbing his throat. And then he wasn't. Then he was reaching into his jacket and pulling out the bone. All signs of struggle and pain vanishing—and Dean realized he'd been faking, and he was going to kick Sam's ass for that later—Sam shoved the bone up and into Dick's neck, spearing him on it.

Sam stumbled back a step as Dick's face changed into the horrifying real face of a leviathan for a moment and then he was Dick again, and black blood was seeping from his nose. There was a pounding sound, like a heartbeat, and waves of energy seemed to pulse through the room.

"Sam!" Dean heard Lucifer's shout as though from the end of a long tunnel, and his eyes found Sam's back. Sam who seemed not to be even breathing now, even though he stood on his own two feet steadily. Then the heartbeat sound increased and Dean was pushed back by an invisible force and his arm came up to cover his face.

He knew a moment of disorientation before he lowered his arm and saw the room was spattered in black blood. Lucifer was running forward and shouting Sam's name, and Dean thought this had to be it, Sam was dead, but when he reached the end of the room he saw there was no body on the floor, no sign that Sam had ever been there in fact. There was nothing.

Sam was gone.


So… That happened. Oops.

Thank you all for the continued support for the story. It's much appreciated.

Until next time…

Clowns or Midgets xxx