They could still hear the shouting but it was much farther away. Dick started for the sound. Sam and Dean made to follow, but Dick turned. "No, only Sam."

The others held onto Dean while Sam and Dick ran to find the other two. Sam followed Dick, as he seemed to know where Castiel was. They ended up in the dungeon.

Dick knocked on the door. "Cas?"

"You can come in." Castiel shouted from inside.

They entered and found Castiel inside with a trapped demonic Dean. He was inside a circle of Enochian sigils. Dick looked them over with approval. "Nice."

"They were the only things that could hold him." The demon was pacing in front of them looking angrier than before. "The devil's trap didn't work since he's technically human."

Sam was standing back from the others. He watched the demon pace. He got an eerie feeling that it was watching him. He turned and jumped when he saw the bloody knife the demon had been holding stuck in the wall by his head. He must've thrown it at Castiel in an attempt to kill him.

Sam jumped again when a hand landed on his shoulder. "You alright, Sammy?" Dick looked concerned for the first time since he arrived.

"Yeah, I just need a minute." Dick clapped his shoulder a couple times and left the room. Sam looked at the demon again. He was watching him with an amused smile and not moving except to trace his teeth with his blood soaked tongue.

Castiel blocked him from his view. "Sam, maybe we should leave."

Sam nodded but made no move to leave the room. "What is that, Cas?"

"You haven't figured it out?"

Sam couldn't even shake his head. He had a good idea, but he was hoping he was wrong. Castiel sighed.

"This is the part of Dean that formed while he was in Hell. The demon that was forming while he was torturing souls." Castiel glanced back and the demon tilted his head as if listening. "It was the first thing I saw of your brother."

Sam huffed out a laugh. "Why did you save him?" Seeing that, Sam would've thought Dean was completely gone.

"I had to, and I could see glimpses of the others still in there. It wasn't all this." He waved a hand at the demon.

Demonic Dean crouched and seemed to study the sigils and looked around the room. His movements reminded Sam of a bird. Nothing human came through and it was freaking Sam out. "Let's go."

As they walked away, the demon screamed and scratched at the floor. Sam walked faster.

"Why didn't Dean tell me about this?" Sam leaned against the tiled wall and tried to calm down. The demon's shrieks echoed throughout the bunker and he doubted it would stop.

"We didn't know if it would've mattered when you were finally faced with it."

"Cas, he can't take that thing back into himself. It'll kill him." Sam could understand why everyone had been acting so weird about this now. He would never want Dean to deal with that demon again.

"He's been dealing with it since I rescued him. It won't kill him if we can get them back together."

Sam ran a hand through his hair. "Like we even know how to do that. How long will that trap hold him?"

Castiel shook his head. "I'm not sure. Probably not too long."

Dick jogged down the hall back to them. "Hey, someone needs to go back up there. Dean is throwing a fit and everyone else is a mess."

"I'll go." Sam pushed off the wall. "Cas should stay here to guard the room."

"Agreed." Dick nodded. Sam walked up the hall, relieved to get away from the demonic version of his brother.

Castiel looked at Dick. "So, should we take shifts to keep an eye on him? That trap won't hold forever and Dean needs to be safe."

"Sounds like a plan. I'll take the first one. You go help Sam keep Dean in line." He opened the door as Castiel started down the hall. He heard him tell the demon to shut up when it shrieked at him.


When Castiel reached the main room again, he could hear a lot of talking. Sam was trying to calm them down, but no one seemed to be listening. Dean was arguing about what he should do, Nerd was arguing the opposite point, Flirty was trying to get them both to shut up, while Happy and Sad Sack stayed together by the wall. Sad Sack was still hysterical and Happy did his best to comfort him. Sam was in the middle with an exasperated expression.

Dean saw Castiel first and pushed by Nerd to get to him. "Cas, will you please tell them that I'm fine and let me see what's happening?"

"No, Dean," he shook his head as Dean crossed his arms, "you're not safe to be any closer to that thing than you are now."

"That's exactly what I said." Nerd piped up from behind Dean.

"I don't want your opinion, Nerd." Dean turned to look at him. "I'm talking to Cas." He looked back at the angel. "I just need to see him, please."

"No." Castiel looked at Sam as Dean started protesting. Sam still looked pale and seemed distracted by the sounds coming up from the dungeon. Dean was still talking so Castiel cut him off. "You need to stay here. All of you should go back to your rooms."

He looked around at all the Deans. The only ones that seemed to want to protest were Nerd and Dean. When they made to talk, Castiel raised a hand. "I'm not listening to another word. Everyone go to your rooms."

There was a lot of grumbling, but they all headed for the hallway. Castiel stepped closer to Sam. "If you need to take some time, you can."

Sam shook his head. "No, I'm fine. I'll keep looking to see if there's anything about putting a scattered soul back together." He walked off to the library slowly.

Castiel turned and watched all the Deans enter their rooms. He kept watch and listened for anything strange in their rooms.


An hour had passed with no problems and no sound but the continued shouts of the demon. Castiel could see the toll it was taking on Sam, who kept fidgeting in his chair and flinching when the shouting started. He was going to say something when Dick came down the hall to switch their duties.

Castiel met Dick by Dean's door. "Keep an eye on Sam. He doesn't seem to be handling this well."

Dick glanced at Sam in worry and nodded. "No problem, Cas."

Castiel left Dick to guard Dean's door and made his way to the dungeon. He entered the room and found the demon sitting in the middle of the trap. It looked up at him as he moved closer, but made no move to stand. His eyes followed Castiel as he moved around the room. He sat at the table near the trap.

The demon didn't look away for a couple minutes. He then stood and walked to the edge of the trap and put a hand up to test the edge. When he couldn't get through, he screamed in frustration and then moved to sit back down and watch Castiel.

It repeated this cycle for close to an hour. Towards the end, it would just scream where it sat and then smile as if it knew the tension that sound caused for Dean and Sam.

Castiel was so focused on the demon that he didn't realize someone was opening the door until the demon stood suddenly and faced the door. He turned and saw Dean enter slowly.

"What are you doing here?" Castiel stood and ran over to Dean.

"I had to see him." He seemed shaky but didn't look away from the demon's glare.

"Did Dick let you come?" Castiel doubted it.

Dean looked at the angel and smiled. "No. He still thinks I'm locked in my room."

"He locked you in?" Castiel hadn't done that before leaving.

"After I tried to sneak by him a few times, yeah."

"How did you get out?"

"I still know a few tricks," Dean smirked, "even without my full brain." He looked over Castiel's shoulder and his smile fell. "I just need to look at him, Cas."

Dean took a step forward, but Castiel put a hand on his chest and stopped him. "No, you shouldn't."

"He's trapped." Dean pointed to the sigils. "Besides, you're here. I'll be fine."

"I don't think it's a good idea."

"Please." Dean pleaded with his eyes. "One minute is all I ask."

Castiel really didn't want to let him do this, but he didn't think it would be easy to stop Dean either. He dropped his hand. "Fine, but one minute is all and then I'm taking you back."

Dean nodded. Castiel stepped out of the way. The demon was standing at the edge of the trap with an intrigued look on his face. Dean took a few steps closer and Castiel moved to stand behind him.

The demon growled as Dean got closer. Castiel grabbed the back of Dean's shirt. He wanted to be able to move Dean quickly if the trap failed.

"Cas, you don't have to hold onto me." Dean kept his eyes on the demon as he talked.

"I will." Castiel wasn't letting him get that close without Castiel feeling somewhat secure in his ability to move him out of the way.

"Fine, but could it not be my shirt?" The feeling of the fabric pulling made Dean nervous.

Castiel released his shirt and moved closer to hold his upper arm. He would've held his hand, but he didn't think that would make Dean feel better.

Dean rolled his eyes as Castiel held his arm. It wasn't much better, but he did appreciate the feeling of safety it gave him as he faced the demonic part of his soul. He finally studied its appearance, and it seemed to be doing the same to him.

After a couple moments, the demon tested the barrier of the trap again with a shriek. The move made Dean jump back. He would've fallen if Castiel wasn't holding his arm.

The demon laughed as Dean regained his footing. Castiel used his free arm and punched the demon in the jaw. It had enough force to knock the demon back a couple steps.

"Let's go." Castiel pulled Dean away as the demon continued to laugh.

Castiel shut the door to the dungeon behind them as the demon started screaming again. He let go of Dean and let him take a couple breaths. "Are you okay?"

Dean nodded. "Yeah, fine."

"You sure?"

He shook his head slightly. "No." He laughed lightly. "I don't want that thing back, Cas."

"I know, but you have to." Castiel raised a hand towards Dean, but he turned away from him.

"Did you see all that blood? How many people do you think he killed before he got here?" He pulled his arms in to hug himself as he thought about it. "How much did they suffer just because he enjoys that?"

"Dean, you can't think about that."

"Why not? It's my fault."

"No, it's not." Castiel walked around Dean to look him in the eye. "Nothing that thing did is your fault."

"Yes it is." Dean looked at him with the beginning of tears in his eyes. "It's because of me that that thing came into existence. If I hadn't made a deal, gone to Hell, and then made the choice to start torturing souls, he wouldn't exist. Everything he does is on me."

Castiel grabbed Dean's shoulders. "You can't blame yourself. You fight him every day and you keep him from controlling you. Most people wouldn't have the strength for that. You aren't responsible for his actions when you're not able to control him."

Dean shook his head and stepped out of Castiel's hold. "Let's go back before Dick's head explodes when he finds out I'm gone."

Castiel nodded and flew them back into Dean's locked room. He unlocked it and faced a surprised Dick. He was a little angry when Castiel told him what happened, but he gladly left for the dungeon to take his turn as guard. He'd also told him that Sam had retreated to his room with his laptop muttering about researching alone.

Castiel closed the door and locked it again from the outside as he remained inside with Dean. "Don't worry, Cas. I'm not going back out again." Dean sat on his bed, resting his head on the wall.

"I know." He moved closer to the bed. "I don't want to leave you alone right now."

Dean chuckled. "What are you afraid of?"

"The way you're talking about yourself." Castiel sat on the end of the bed by Dean's feet.

"I'm just telling the truth. I'm responsible for that demon existing and I don't want to take it back into myself."

"You can't stay separated."

"Why not? I think most of myself functions pretty well apart." Dean shrugged. "I say we just kill that demon and let the rest of us live as we are."

Castiel frowned. "I guess that's an option, as long as you're ready to live the rest of your life in this bunker."

"What?"

"You wouldn't be able to hunt, Dean. You're extremely vulnerable. You'd have no survival instinct alone, no deep reasoning skills, and no empathy. It would be very easy for anyone to kill you."

Dean sighed. "Great." He tilted his head up to look at the ceiling, jumping when the demon's scream echoed in the bunker again. "There is always another way. A way to make sure that monster is gone forever, to end all of this."

Castiel's eyes widened. "Dean…" A knock on the door cut off his response. He unlocked it and opened the door to find Happy.

"Can I come in?" He clutched his hands together and bobbed on the balls of his feet.

"Sure." Castiel moved out of the way to let the man inside.

Dean groaned. "I really don't want to deal with this guy right now."

Happy ignored him and looked at Castiel. "I wanted to ask if it was possible for you to talk to Sad Sack again. He's really not handling all of this very well and I don't know what to do anymore."

"Well, I don't know if I should leave Dean right now." Given what he just said, he didn't want to leave Dean alone at all until this problem was fixed.

"I know, but you helped him so much last time and he's asking for you."

Dean leaned forward on his bed. "When did you talk to him earlier?"

They both ignored him. "I'm not sure what I could do to help."

Happy shrugged. "Just talk to him. You're really good at calming us down, Cas. You always know the right thing to say."

"I don't know about that."

"You do!" Happy reached out and grabbed Castiel's arm. "Whatever we need to hear at that moment tends to be what you say." He could see Castiel coming around. "Please?"

Castiel sighed. He couldn't say no to him when his eyes were shining with so much hope and affection. "Alright, I'll talk to him." He looked at Dean, who was watching them with a strange expression. "As long as Dean comes too."

Happy looked at Dean. He really wasn't interested in dealing with the panicking part of himself, but Castiel wasn't going to let him stay. "Fine."

"Thank you." Happy smiled brightly and gripped Castiel tight. "Thank you so much." He laughed briefly and jumped forward and pressed his lips to Castiel's in a sweet kiss.

Castiel was surprised but didn't pull away from it. He heard Dean say something and stand up, but he didn't understand the words as Happy loosened his grip on his arm and gently rubbed his shoulder.

The next thing Castiel knew, Happy was being pulled away by an angry Dean. "What do you think you're doing?!"

Happy was taken aback. "What? I thought it was okay to do that now." His eyes were wide as he looked between Dean and Castiel.

"No," Dean shook his head, "that's not okay. What's wrong with you?"

The reaction disheartened Castiel slightly but he didn't have time to think about it as Dean grabbed him and led him out of the room. He heard Dean apologizing.

"Don't," Castiel pulled his arm out of Dean's hold, "he was just happy and wanted to express it. I don't have a problem with what happened." He said the last sentence as Happy approached and saw him relax. Dean looked shocked but Castiel turned away and entered the room across the hall where Sad Sack was waiting.

Castiel felt a stab of sadness when he saw the man. He was sitting on the bed with his knees pulled up to his chest, his hands weaved through his hair as he rocked back and forth sobbing. He sat on the bed beside him, making him flinch.

"Dean," Castiel tried to look at his face, but he had his head hidden by his knees.

Sad Sack shook his head. "I can't take it anymore, Cas." He sobbed a couple times. "Before, everything was dulled, but now," he gripped his hair tighter, "it's too much."

Castiel glanced back and saw Dean hovering in the doorway, a concerned look on his face. He faced the crying man again and gently touched his knee. "I'm sorry. I wish you didn't have to feel this so much."

Another scream made him shake and he covered his ears with his hands and screamed himself. "I can't take it!"

Castiel took hold of the man's arms and pulled him closer. He resisted at first, but then shifted his legs so he was sitting on them and let Castiel pull him into a hug. Sad Sack clutched at Castiel's coat and cried. The angel just held him and rubbed his back gently.

"I'm so scared, Cas. I don't want to deal with this anymore. That thing in the dungeon is too strong. He'll kill all of us."

"No he won't. I'll protect you." He looked at Dean in the doorway, Happy watching behind him. "I won't let anything happen to you."

"What if he gets loose?"

"I'll be here. Sam is here." He turned back to Sad Sack and pulled him back so he could see his face. "You can't give up, Dean. No matter what happens, you have to keep fighting."

His face scrunched up slightly as he fought back tears. "I'm not strong enough."

"Bullshit." Castiel held his gaze. "You are more than strong enough. If you ever think you're not, know that you have family here to help and protect you."

He sniffed and nodded. "Thanks, Cas."

Dean was still standing in the doorway and he couldn't bring himself to move closer. He couldn't think of how many times he'd had this internal conversation with himself before. Seeing it happen in the flesh hit him stronger than he imagined possible. Seeing Castiel speak so strongly for him made him swell with happiness.

"We're going to fix this. I promise." Castiel gave the crying man a small smile. He nodded again and leaned his head forward to rest their foreheads together. His hands were still holding the front of his coat and Castiel rubbed his back again gently.

Sad Sack seemed to even his breathing and nudged his nose against Castiel's. The angel tilted his head slightly and the other man pressed forward and kissed him. It was much more desperate than the last kiss Castiel had gotten. The man pulled Castiel closer by his coat and sucked on his lower lip. Castiel returned it without thought and hugged him closer.

Dean felt his mouth fall open in shock as yet another version of himself kissed Castiel. He ran forward and was about to grab Sad Sack when Happy stopped him with a tug on his shirt.

"Leave him." Happy took a step back when Dean rounded on him. "I think Cas can decide if he doesn't want to kiss someone."

Castiel pulled back when he heard Happy speak. Sad Sack stopped too and sat back on the mattress. They both looked at Dean as he turned to face them again, irritation clear on his face. The angel looked back at the man on the bed.

"Don't worry about anything. Sam and I will make sure nothing happens to you." He smiled as Sad Sack smiled and stood to leave. He ignored Dean and left the room, knowing he would follow.

"What the hell was that?" Dean was getting angrier by the second. First Happy kissed Castiel, then Sad Sack, and now Castiel seemed to be mad at him and ignoring him. "Did I miss something while I was asleep?"

Castiel turned to face Dean and debated telling him what had happened, but just shook his head. "Don't you think you should be more concerned with fixing this soul problem than worrying about who kisses who?"

"I'm just confused. I expected something like this from Flirty, but…" Dean opened his arms helplessly. "You're okay with what's happening?"

Castiel debated how best to answer that. He didn't want to tell Dean the extent of his feelings, knowing he would see some of it when he remembered what happened with Flirty, but he didn't want to lie either. "Why are you so angry about it?"

"I'm not angry." Dean struggled with how to explain what he was feeling. He wasn't angry, but he didn't like the other Deans kissing Castiel. It couldn't be that he was jealous, could it? He never got a chance to finish his thought as Nerd opened his door.

"Hey, I need to talk to Cas." He was oblivious to what they'd been talking about and was reading a magazine as he waited in the doorway.

Dean looked at him in exasperation. "What, you want to make out with him too? Take a number." It came out rougher than he meant.

Nerd looked up in surprise. "What?" He looked between the two of them in confusion. "What's wrong with you?"

"He's just tired," Castiel lied and walked away from Dean. "What is it?" He entered Nerd's room. Dean followed.

"Well," Nerd was watching them cautiously, "I think we've exhausted all the books in the library and we've come up with nothing that can fix this."

Dean sighed. "Fantastic."

"But I was hoping you might have some idea of how to fix this." Nerd looked at Castiel.

Castiel shook his head. "I don't know how this happened or how to fix it."

"But is it possible that you could do something like this if you wanted to?"

Castiel considered that for a minute. He could see how an angel could do something like this and what it would take. "I suppose."

"Then, would you know how it might be possible to fix it?" Nerd was watching him intently.

"I could imagine some possible ways that an angel might try to fix this, but…" Dean cut him off.

"You couldn't bring this up before?" He felt like that was an important piece of information.

Castiel looked at Dean with a raised brow. "Without knowing for sure if an angel was responsible or not, it seemed better to search for another solution."

"But, you think you might be able to fix it?" Nerd asked.

The angel shrugged. "I could try." The other men nodded and Castiel put a hand on both of their chests and focused. He could feel the one soul from both of them, wanting to go back together. He tried to get them to do so but he seemed to hit a wall telepathically and pulled his hands back in frustration.

"What happened?" Nerd was studying his face.

Castiel shook his head. "I can't do it. It was like something was blocking me."

"Like whoever did it was preventing you from fixing it?" Dean asked. He had felt a slight tugging in his mind but only for a slight moment.

"No, it didn't feel that way. It was strange."

Nerd crossed his arms. "Maybe you need both parties to want to be put back together for it to work."

They both looked at Nerd. Castiel tilted his head slightly. "Do you not want to be put back?"

He laughed lightly. "Are you kidding? Of course I don't want to give up my freedom. I can finally say whatever I want, do whatever I want. Why the hell would I go back to where I'll be shoved down and silenced?"

"Why did you even let him try then?" Dean felt frustration bubble up as he spoke. He wanted this nightmare to be over.

"I wanted to see if it would work."

"So we just need to try with someone that wants to join back up." Castiel thought he might be able to bring the pieces of Dean's soul back together if he had two willing subjects.

"Fine." Dean left the room without waiting to see if Castiel would follow.

Nerd looked at Castiel once Dean was gone. "Let me know if it works."

Castiel and Dean moved down the hall and stopped by Flirty's door. Castiel was hesitant to knock, given what happened the last time they were alone together. Dean knocked for him.

Flirty opened the door and leaned against the doorframe. "Hi guys. How can I help you?"

Dean talked when Castiel hesitated. "We might have a way to fix this problem."

"Really?" Flirty looked Castiel up and down before looking at Dean. "Why is that news not causing you to jump for joy?"

"Because when we tried it on Nerd, it didn't work." Dean bristled at the looks Flirty kept giving Castiel. The angel was avoiding eye contact with him.

"Then I don't think you found the answer." Flirty chuckled and moved to close the door.

"Let us try with you to see for sure."

Flirty paused in closing the door. "Why?"

"What do you mean 'why'?"

"Why should I? I don't want to go back to the way it was."

Castiel looked up then. "None of you can function properly apart. You need to be back together."

"I think I function well enough, don't you?" Flirty smirked at Castiel.

Dean looked between them and rolled his eyes. He could practically feel another surprise kiss coming. "Nevermind." Dean shoved Flirty back with a hand on the chest and closed his door. "Let's try the next one."

They moved to the next room. Happy let them in. Sad Sack was sitting quietly on the bed. They explained what they were trying and why it hadn't worked yet.

Happy shrugged. "I don't think it'll work with me then either."

"What?" Dean wasn't expecting that.

"I like being out. I don't really want to be put back either." He smiled sadly and moved to sit by Sad Sack.

"Great," Dean turned to Castiel, "we can't find one of them that wants to be fixed."

"I do." Sad Sack had stood from the bed. He moved closer to the pair, eyes desperate. "Please, I don't want this anymore. It's better when we're together."

Dean looked at the depressed version of himself and wished that he could take in any other aspect over this one, but beggars can't be choosers. "You're sure?" Sad Sack nodded. "Okay, Cas, give it a try."

Castiel stood between them and put a hand on each of them. He concentrated and reached out to them. He could feel their pieces reaching toward each other but it still wasn't enough. He tried to push it, but got lightheaded and had to stop.

"Cas!" Dean saw blood drip from the angel's nose and put his arms out just as Castiel's legs gave out and he fell.

Happy and Sad Sack helped him move Castiel to sit on the bed. He hadn't lost consciousness but he was disoriented.

"It won't work, Dean." Castiel shook his head, pain pounding in his temples from the movement. "Even with you both wanting it, it won't work."

Happy brought Dean a tissue for Castiel. Dean took it and wiped the blood from the angel's face. "Its okay, Cas. We'll figure something out."


They went back to Nerd when Castiel felt normal again and told him what happened. He thought about it briefly.

"Maybe it won't work unless all the pieces want it and try to go back at the same time."

Dean snorted. "No problem. Let's just go try to convince the psycho in the dungeon that he should want to be in prison."

Nerd glared at Dean. "Obviously it wouldn't be easy."

"That might be the answer in theory but Dean's right." Castiel crossed his arms with a frown. "There's no way that demon will want any part of it. He'd rather kill you all first."

"So we're back where we started?" Dean was getting frustrated and wished he could just wake up from this nightmare.

"Seems like it." Nerd was more upset that his solution hadn't seemed to work. Of course, now he could keep trying to solve the puzzle.

Castiel left the room without a word. He felt like he'd failed Dean. He was so close with Sad Sack but he wasn't strong enough to fix this. Dean had followed him to the hallway and was about to speak so Castiel spoke first.

"You should talk to Sam. Let him know what's going on and see if you can help him feel more calm about everything."

Dean nodded. He definitely needed to do that, but Castiel was worrying him. "You alright?"

"I'm fine. Just go talk to Sam." Castiel walked away with no destination in mind. He heard Dean knock on Sam's door as he rounded the corner to a hall that lead to the

kitchen.


He wasn't sure how long he'd been sitting at the kitchen table, but the demon had screamed a couple dozen times and Castiel could tell it was getting more agitated. When it finally escaped, it would be hard to stop or trap again.

Slow shuffling footsteps alerted him to the man's presence before he made it to the kitchen. He sat up straight when he reached the doorway.

"Hey, Cas."

Castiel glanced back to look at Happy. "Hello."

"What are you doing?" He moved to sit across from Castiel.

"Just thinking. What's happening out there?"

Happy huffed out a laugh. "Sam and Dean and trying to talk the others into wanting to all join up."

"How's Sam?" He had been really worried about the younger Winchester.

"Seems more like himself. He's determined to help Dean." He smiled fondly.

"Good. I just wish I could do something." Castiel shook his head and kept his focus on the table.

Happy frowned. "You are doing something. You're doing what you always do: watching over us."

Castiel laughed and leaned back in his chair. "Yeah, and what a great job I've been doing."

"Hey," Happy reached over the table and took Castiel's hand, "you're doing everything you can. I'm really glad you're here. We all are."

He had flashes of his incident with Flirty. "I'm sure."

Happy furrowed his brows. "Why are you so sad?"

"I just feel helpless and confused."

"About what?"

Castiel looked Happy in the eye and wondered what he knew about Flirty's feelings. He guessed a lot since he'd kissed him too. He looked at their joined hands and smiled.

Happy followed the angel's gaze. "Does this have something to do with what happened with you and Flirty?"

His eyes darted back up to Happy's face. "You know about that?"

"I know how he feels about you and he's dropping a lot of hints about something having happened."

Castiel pulled his hand free of Happy's. "I know that he can't really help it, but it's hard to take anything seriously when he would flirt or make out with anyone who crossed his path."

"Is that what's bothering you? You think his feelings aren't real?"

"I don't know what to think about it." Castiel shrugged and placed his hands on his lap.

Happy smiled and shook his head. "Oh, Cas. You really don't get it. You think Flirty is the only one that likes you?"

Castiel looked at him in confusion. "He's not?"

He shook his head again. "No, we all do. We're all Dean, and every aspect of him cares about you and admires you." When Castiel just stared dumbly, Happy continued. "Flirty is attracted to you and likes how strong you are. Sad Sack finds comfort with you and likes how you make him feel when he hates himself. Nerd likes how smart you are and admires the strategist that you are. Dick wants to fight by your side forever and loves how devoted you are to protecting him and Sam."

"What about you?" Castiel leaned on the table slightly.

"I like how kind you are and how much of a heart you have. I also think you're fun to be around and the best friend I've ever had."

Castiel smiled. "So you're saying that every part of Dean really feels that strong about me?" Happy nodded. "What about the demon?"

Happy's smile fell. "Like would be a strong word for him. I would say it was more that he has a respect for you. You were able to defeat him. Part of him hates you and fears you for that. He would do anything you said if pushed hard enough."

Castiel nodded, taking in all the new information. Happy stood and made to leave. Castiel grabbed his wrist. "What about the core Dean?"

Happy looked at the floor. "You saved him. He was being torn apart in Hell and you saved him. Who couldn't love the person that saved their life, their soul?"

Castiel's heart thudded in his ears. Dean loved him? He stood quickly, keeping Happy's wrist in hand and moved out of the kitchen at a quick pace. Happy followed willingly. He had an idea.

"Cas, what are you doing?" Happy laughed as Castiel dragged him down the hall.

He stopped suddenly and turned to Happy. "Do you trust me?"

"Of course I do."

"I believe that I can fix all this. I just need you to help me. You have to want this to work, all of you."

Happy furrowed his brows. "How?"

Castiel didn't explain, but led Happy through the hall and found Dean and Sam talking to most of the others.


"Cas, I really don't like this." Dean and Castiel were leading the group to the dungeon. Castiel had explained his plan to them and gotten an agreement from everyone, albeit a hesitant one.

"Do you have another idea?" Castiel knew the trap wouldn't hold long enough for them to come up with another plan.

Dean shook his head. "You really think this will work?"

"I think it's our best chance." Castiel stopped at the dungeon's door. Dick was inside with the demon. Everyone else lined up down the hall with Sam at the end to make sure no one tried to sneak off.

Nerd was in the front of the line, eager to see if this plan would actually work. Happy was behind him and was optimistic. Flirty looked slightly worried and Sad Sack was shaking in fear. Sam looked worried about all of this as well, but he hoped this would be the end of it.

Castiel turned to talk to all of them. "You all understand what's going to happen? I need cooperation from all of you to make this work." He watched as they all nodded to him. "Wait just a moment."

He opened the door and entered alone so he could talk to Dick about this. The demon greeted him with a shriek. Castiel glared at him, making him tilt his head curiously. He gestured to Dick to have him follow and led him into the hall.

"What's going on?" Dick was surprised by the group waiting outside.

"I think I can fix what's happening. I need everyone's help."

"Okay, what's the plan?" Dick was on board with anything that would protect Dean.


After explaining everything to Dick, Castiel entered the dungeon with the group. The demon grinned, showing all of his sharp teeth and moved to the edge of the trap.

Castiel kept eye contact with him and moved as close as he could without stepping into the trap. The demon widened his milky eyes and snapped his teeth at the angel.

Dick and Sam were standing in front of the others and waited for orders from Castiel. Sam was still shaky with facing this part of his brother, but he was ready to protect the group if he had to.

The demon kept his eyes on Dean as he waited behind Sam. He growled deep in his throat.

"Hey, look at me." Castiel used a commanding tone and circled the trap. The demon blinked but didn't look away. "I said look at me!" Castiel put some grace into his voice and flashed it in his eyes.

The demon turned his head sharply and set a hard glare at the angel. He stalked to that edge of his trap and smacked at the edge, causing him to be pushed back by the sigils. He howled at Castiel.

"You're gonna listen to me."

He sneered like he wanted to challenge that statement, but he continued to look at Castiel as he talked.

"I know what you want. You want to kill, to torture, and be free." Castiel walked until he had the demon facing away from the group.

The demon smiled and laughed. Castiel nodded. "I thought so. You can do all of that if you let me put you back together with the rest of Dean."

He had barely said Dean's name before the demon screamed and charged the edge of the trap. He clearly didn't like that idea. The sigils flashed as he hit the edge repeatedly. It was failing slowly.

Castiel took at breath and waited for the demon to relax. When he stopped shouting, Castiel spoke again. "Think about it. You can't function fully without them. You'll still get to do what you want as a part of Dean. You'll kill monsters all the time."

The demon seemed to consider that but shook his head and growled.

"You can't logic him into agreeing, Cas." Dick was getting worried that the trap would fail before Castiel could convince the demon.

"Dick, be quiet." Castiel hadn't looked up, but the demon did. He turned to face them and ran across to scream at them. "Don't!"

The group jumped back, aside from Dick. The demon laughed. Castiel circled again and blocked his view.

"Stop it." Castiel tiptoed the edge of the warding. "If you refuse, the other option is death. Is that what you want? Would you rather die or live?"

The demon glared at him. He glanced at the others and then back to Castiel. With a shrug, he turned away and stood in the middle of the circle. He opened his arms and looked at Castiel like he expected him to kill him.

Castiel furrowed his brows. He hadn't expected this. He was calling his bluff. He probably knew that Castiel didn't want Dean to stay fractured and scattered. Castiel decided to not back down and stepped into the trap.

"Cas, no!" Dean and Dick spoke together and moved closer.

"Stay there!" Castiel pointed at them. He wouldn't risk them.

"Look out!" Sam pointed behind Castiel.

Castiel turned just as the demon ran up to him. His eyes shined blue with grace again and the demon stopped just short of touching him. They stared at each other for a few seconds.

The demon narrowed his eyes and leaned his face closer like he was smelling the angel. He bared his teeth and let out a low noise.

Castiel stood his ground. "You can't intimidate me. I'm not afraid of you." He pulled his head back and stared circling Castiel. Castiel moved with him so he was never behind him. "And you will do what I say."

He got a snarl for that. Castiel reached out and roughly grabbed the demon's shirt. The demon grabbed his neck.

"Cas!" Dick moved again but stopped when Castiel put a hand up.

Castiel used his free hand and pulled the demon's fingers from his throat, bending them back at an unnatural angle. The demon screamed and tried to attack him. Castiel pushed him back, flinging him into the trap's edge where he bounced and fell to the floor.

"You will go back together with the others because your only other choice is death. Is that what you want?!" Castiel stood as the demon pushed up to his feet and huffed in rage.

He charged Castiel again and was smacked down at the angel's feet. He shrieked, shaking the walls, and looked up at Castiel.

Castiel grabbed the demon's hair and pulled him up to look at him. "Do you want to die or continue fighting and killing?"

The demon glared at him but seemed to be submitting to Castiel. "You want to live?" The demon nodded as much as he could in the tight grip.

"Good." Castiel motioned for Dean to come over.

Once Dean was inside the trap, the demon began tensing up and looked poised to attack. Castiel tugged his hair. "Stop it!"

When Dean was close enough, Castiel put a hand on his chest and focused on joining them together. He was still hitting resistance but it gave and the demon slowly vanished.

Dean felt like he had been punched in the chest and gasped. Then everything felt like it was on fire. He could feel the presence of the demon and thought he was trying to tear him apart from the inside. Dean screamed and fell to his knees.

Castiel watched in shock as Dean's appearance changed. He aged up to his current age and seemed to flash between his normal appearance and the demon. His voice was loud and had a demonic tone as he cried out in pain.

"Help me!" Dean grabbed his head, which felt like it was going to explode.

"Let me in there. I can fight him back." Dick ran up to Castiel, totally on board to join Dean again.

Castiel touched them both and easily pushed them together. Dean shouted but then seemed to calm slightly as Dick fought for control inside. The demonic flashes had stopped and he seemed more normal.

"Hurry, the rest of you." Castiel put a hand out to the others.

Sad Sack ran over and took Castiel's hand. Once he was gone, Dean sobbed a couple times.

"God, it hurts. Please fix this, Cas." Dean held onto Castiel's coat as the others stepped up for their turn.

Happy went next and helped level Dean out. Flirty followed. Nerd was the last and nodded to Castiel.

"You figured it out." He smiled at the angel.

"I had some help." Castiel put a hand on his shoulder and put the final piece of Dean back.

Sam and Castiel both crouched next to Dean as he took a few breaths. Sam put a hand on his shoulder. "Dean, you okay?"

Dean still felt like something was moving around inside him, but he felt more normal than he had since this started. He looked at his brother and sighed. "Yeah, I think I am."

"Dean?" Castiel was looking at him in concern.

"I'm alright, Cas." Dean smiled at him.

They both helped him stand. He was a little unbalanced but walked fine. "I think I need to sleep for a couple days."

Sam laughed. "I bet"

They walked Dean to his room. He fell onto his bed and almost immediately fell asleep. While he slept, memories surfaced from all the other parts of him. Everything they'd done and said came flooding into his mind. He woke up and had a deep fear pounding in his chest. What was he going to do now?


Dean emerged from his room and didn't see Sam or Castiel anywhere. He walked by Sam's room and heard the TV inside and figured he was in there. He continued down the hall and went to the kitchen. That's where he found Castiel.

Castiel turned when he heard Dean stop in the doorway. He stood. "How are you feeling?"

"Alright." Dean came down the steps slowly. "A little weird about what happened."

Castiel tilted his head slightly. "Why?"

"It's not fun to have all the vulnerable parts of yourself exposed for everyone to see." Dean walked by Castiel and retrieved a beer from the fridge.

"Well, it's like Sam said. We've seen all those parts of you before, just not so extreme. It was nothing to be embarrassed about."

Dean took a drink and shrugged. "So you weren't surprised by anything?" Dean watched his reaction.

Castiel remembered all that was said and done with the other parts of Dean, things that Dean should remember now. "Maybe some things." He gave Dean a small smile.

Dean smiled and took another drink of his beer. "Any of it make you want to run away screaming?"

He shook his head slowly. "I've already seen and accepted the worst part of you, Dean. I'm not going anywhere. I like every part of you." He had taken a couple steps closer to Dean.

"They seem to like you too." Dean put his drink down.

"You remember everything?"

Dean nodded. "The good and bad." He'd had flashes of kissing Castiel and being in bed with him, but he'd also seen all the people that suffered at his hands, as the demon, while he made his way to the bunker. What were a few more nightmares?

Castiel saw his face grow sad. "Dean," Castiel put a hand on his shoulder, "it's not your fault. Whatever bad happened, was not your fault."

Dean looked away from Castiel. "Sure it is, but I can't do anything about it now."

Castiel brought his hand up to Dean's cheek. "Focus on the good."

"The good?" Dean looked at him now and smiled. "You want more of the good, Cas?"

Castiel smiled. "If you do."

He laughed and leaned down to brush his lips close to Castiel's. "I think you know that I do." Dean kissed him and felt pleasure rise up through him. He wrapped his arms around Castiel's waist.

They kissed in the kitchen briefly before Dean pulled back and took Castiel's hand. He led him back to his room and made a few new memories. They never did figure out who or what had scattered Dean in the first place. Dean wasn't sure if he wanted to thank them or hate them, but it turned out alright for everyone.

The end