Their first stop was a bar. Sam had picked it because it was one that they usually went too, and most of the bartenders and drunks there knew them already. He thought they'd start off easy, getting a little drunk in a familiar place, letting Castiel loosen up a bit before they hit the big stop.

Sam still thought it was ridiculous that Dean needed a bachelor party, but as he had been reminded a thousand times since Dean proposed to Y/N, he was the Best Man, and that's what Best Men do.

The motley crew of friends sat around a table in the center of the bar sipping their beers and getting ready to have some fun. It often took a while for any of them to relax; especially out in public. Dean was always on edge, always hyperaware of his surroundings, eyes focused and evaluating everything around him even after several drinks. Sam could relax after two beers, he was ready if something happened but it's not like he was waiting for it. If it happened, it happened. But it wouldn't happen tonight. Everything had been quiet for the past few weeks: no omens, no signs, no attacks, just calm. Tonight should be more of the same, everything was planned out, ready to go, all they had to do was sit back and enjoy.

"I cannot believe you are actually gonna do it," Sam said, shaking his head at his big brother. "I mean, don't get me wrong, I love Y/N, but… married, shit." Sam was more than a few drinks in, and the mood was light, loosening his tongue a bit more than he'd usually allow.

"I agree with your brother. It does seem out of character for you Dean." Cas chimed in. He sat between Dean and Sam, still wearing his classic trench coat and suit combo. Sam had told him to dress-down, but he didn't seem to understand what that meant.

Dean shrugged and took a long drink from his beer.

Crowley sat forward, dropping his drink onto the sticky tabletop. "Leave him alone boys, the man's in love!" He slapped Dean's shoulder and laughed. "It's true love at last for Dean Winchester! Cheers mate!"

Dean smiled and raised his bottle, "Thanks… true love, who knew?"

"OK! We need another round, and some shots!" Sam stood up and waved at the bartender to call her over.

The liquor flowed endlessly and in staggering amounts. But really, it took an amazing amount to get any of them drunk. Sam was fairly sure Castiel was just playing along and pretending to be tipsy, but he appreciated it. Dean needed to have some fun tonight.

After the tenth round Dean excused himself and snuck outside to call Y/N. Crowley eyed him suspiciously and followed him after a beat.

"Babe, just call me back when you get this." Dean spoke into his cell, pacing in front of the bar; the lights from the bar's neon sign dancing off his face. "Just want to check on you." He hung up, turning around and saw Crowley leaning against the doorframe. "Oh, hey."

"The bride's not answering?" He asked feigning concern.

Dean shrugged, "She's probably still out with your mother." He shoved the phone into his back pocket. "Since when is that a thing by the way?"

Crowley pushed off the building and walked slowly over to Dean. "Oh who knows? Women are strange my friend." He reached into his jacket with one hand. "Oh, I have something for you." Crowley pulled out two long brown cigars and held them out to Dean.

Dean looked down at them but didn't take one. Crowley frowned dramatically "Come on Dean, these are $600 cigars! Only the best for the King and his best friend."

Reluctantly Dean took one and rolled it between his fingers, bringing it up to his nose to sniff it. "Thanks Crowley."

They stood outside in a cloud of blue smoke, Dean leaning against the building with one foot up behind him.

"I miss this." Crowley said between pulls.

"Miss what?" Dean asked, eyeing his companion through the smoke.

"Us hanging out." Dean chuckled. "Oh come on, you don't miss it? We had one hell of a summer." Crowley looked off into the night, remembering the time they'd spent together almost two years ago and smiling excitedly knowing it would soon happen again.

"We sure did. But that's all over now." Dean said firmly. "I can't spend my time messing around with the likes of you anymore."

"Oh, Y/N's gonna make you an honest man now? A real gentleman?" Crowley snickered. "Not likely."

Dean bit his lip and turned towards Crowley, his fist clenched in his hand. "That's enough," he said.

Crowley held his hands up, "I'm sorry, did I hit a sore spot? This is supposed to be your night Dean. Be happy."

"I am happy." Dean pulled his cell phone out and checked it, looking for a message from Y/N. Disappointed, he shoved it back in it's place.

"I'm sure she's fine. Probably having a blast." Crowley said, puffing on his stogie, an evil twinkle in his dark eyes.


There was pain radiating down from the top of your head, spreading like branches of a tree down your face and neck. You opened your eyes and the tiny movement sent a flash of fresh pain through your skull. You tried to lift you hands to your head but you couldn't get it to move, it was held down by something. You took a deep breath and slowly opened your eyes again. You were still in the factory, surrounded by candles; but now you were lying strapped to the long empty table next to the altar. Your arms and legs were strapped down, your left arm hanging over the side of the table. You could move your head but only slightly, the pain was intense. You cleared your throat and tried to speak; your voice was rough and scratchy.

"Rowena?" you croaked, eyes searching for her in the dim flickering candlelight.

"Welcome back to the story Y/N." Rowena's voice traveled to you from across the room, you couldn't see her from where you were.

"What's going on?" You heart was beating fast, like had just started again and needed to catch up. "What are you doing?"

Rowena made her was towards you slowly. She bent down over you, her long red hair falling onto your shoulder. She put a hand on your forehead and smoothed your hair down. "Shh. It'll all be over soon. Just relax Y/N."

"What are you doing? Please, let me go." You cried and struggled against the bindings but you couldn't get them to move at all. Tears began to fall, sliding down past your ears and onto the table. "Why are you doing this?"

"Oh hush. Don't get yourself all worked up." Rowena smiled down at you and moved away, busying herself with something on the altar.

"What is going on!" You yelled finally.

Rowena slammed her hands down onto the table and glared at you. "I told you to keep yourself calm! No reason to shout at me!"

"You knocked me out and tied me to a table!" You ripped against the straps again, the leather cutting into your flesh.

"Aye, I did, and I can knock you out again if you'd like. So just shut it!"

You closed your eyes tight and tried to think of a way out of this. You pressed your back to the table and did not feel your knife; she'd disarmed you while you were out, not that you could get to it anyway. You didn't feel your phone either, but again, you were stuck to the table. There was nothing you could do but try to talk your way out of this; you'd seen Dean do it a thousand times: keep them talking until you came up with a plan or someone came to get you. You took a deep breath and calmed yourself, forcing the tears to stop their relentless flow.

"OK. So, clearly all that girl talk back at the dress shop was just for show huh?" You steadied your voice, trying to sound like you were in control.

"Obviously. You really think I enjoyed watching you dance about trying on dresses?" She threw her head back and laughed, her voice echoing in the empty room. "Please."

"So this was all just a trap for me? Why? What could you possibly want with me?"

The witch smiled at your sweetly, her face softening into a beautiful but terrifying mask. "I don't want you darlin', just your blood," she said, her voice was sweet and happy, like she wasn't saying something horrible. You cringed and turned your face away from her to stare at the decrepit wall next to you. The tears were winning and you couldn't stop them from falling again, they stung your eyes and ran hot down your cheeks. You clenched your fist and felt your ring still in it's place on your left hand. You twirled it around and ran your thumb over the Moonstone, trying to calm down. Dean would find you. It was all right, you'd be fine; Dean will protect you.


The last time Castiel was around scantily clad ladies he and Dean had been chased out of a brothel by a rather large and angry bouncer. Before they had entered the strip club, Dean had made Cas promise not to talk to any of the girls, even if they spoke to him, "And definitely do not bring up their fathers!" Dean laughed, his hand on the angel's shoulder as they walked through the dark lobby.

The boys sat at a dark booth in the back of the room. There was a good view of the stage, but Dean wasn't all that interested. He kept sneaking looks at his phone, wondering why Y/N hadn't called back. She would always at least text him back right away. His concern grew with each passing minute, but he tried to ignore it and have a good time. After all, he was getting married in the morning! He had his brother, his best friend and… well, Crowley. But damn it, he was gonna enjoy his last night of freedom.

The music was terrible and loud, the girls were dirty but cute, the liquor flowed freely, and soon Dean relaxed and stopped checking his messages every few seconds. He actually began to have some fun. Sam bought him a lap dance, but he graciously passed it along to Cas. The look on the angel's face was worth a million teasing remarks from Crowley and Sam about being 'whipped' by Y/N. Castiel sat frozen in his chair as a large-breasted dancer named "Lacey" rubbed up against him, her fire engine red hair whirled around him as she danced. Cas's eyes were wide and his mouth was shut tight; he looked terrified, and Dean couldn't help but laugh hysterically.

Once the girl finished Dean handed Castiel shot and slapped him on the back. "Please never do that to me again," Cas said with a nervous smile. "It was very awkward."

"You're the king of awkward Cas!" Dean bellowed, raising his voice over the defining music.

There was another round of drinks, another round of toasts, another parade of girls strutting past the table. The guys were enjoying themselves, Dean was finally drunk and happy about it. He raised his glass and thanked his friends with a happy grin on his freckled face. "I love you guys!" He said, "We might fight, hell we might even try to kill each other, but we always come back to this." He took a long sip of his whiskey and sat back, smiling to himself.

"To Dean!" Crowley toasted. His salute was echoed by a very drunk Sam and a slightly tipsy Castiel.

Sam stood up, a little shaky on his legs, and went over to his brother. He put his arms around him and pulled him in for a drunken hug. "I love you man. And I am so happy you and Y/N are getting married, I am. And the baby... It's just great."

Dean choked on his drink and froze. He looked around the table and saw that Cas and Crowley had indeed both heard Sam's comment.

"What's that now?" Crowley leaned forward and asked.

Dean cleared his throat, trying to find a way out of the corner Sam had verbally walked him into.

"I'm gonna be an uncle!" Sam blurted out and kissed his brother on the cheek.

Dean patted his giant little brother on the arm, "Why don't you go sit down ya lush?" Sam released him and went back to his chair, plopping down with a thud. Dean took a breath and laughed, "It's true, we are gonna have a baby."

What followed was not the rip-roaring celebratory response he was hoping for at all. Castiel tilted his head and stared at Dean, slowly he smiled and nodded. "That is wonderful Dean. I am happy for you."

"Thanks man." Dean smiled fully now, relieved that the secret was out. He looked over at Crowley and the demon was silent, frowning down into the amber depths of his scotch glass.

"Well don't get too excited there man." Dean said to him.

Crowley lifted his head and smiled, "That's great." He raised his glass, "To Baby Winchester!"