A/N Note: The muse is back! Hopefully, I can get in a habit of posting again. I have much more to go on this story. I want to bring it to the current season without going too AU. Please be kind and review.
Thea drifted. Lost. Broken. Alone.
She was back in that empty room. The table and thirteen chairs mock her. The bare walls and simple furnishings prick at her subconscious. A warm breeze comes in through an open window behind her. Suddenly it all becomes too much. She feels like a pawn and is tired of it. Tired of being moved across the board like a rag doll. Manipulated and intimidated into decisions that she didn't grasp the consequences of. As anger fills her, the sky outside darkens. The wind increases and thunder crashes.
Drawn to the window, Thea sees hills in the distance. The breeze blows in and she smells salt and electricity on the air. She feels a tingle on her arms and sees the tattoo moving past her elbows and midway up to her shoulders. Delicately interwoven, the lines have an ethereal quality. Moving and flexing her arm, Thea almost sees the lines shimmer and move with the muscles underneath.
Feeling curious, she studies the landscape outside the window, alien and familiar the same time, like a faded dream. The more she struggles to remember, the less she grasps. As the storm rages outside, she felt like the elemental power of nature was all to closely mirroring her emotions. In the rumble of the thunder she thinks she heard another voice, smooth and dangerous. Leaning forward to try to make out the words. she is thrown across the room by the shock-wave as lightning strikes just outside window.
Blinded, she shakes her head to clear her vision. As she reopens her eyes, she recognizes the masculine tones of Crowley's bedroom. Surrounded by the familiar scent of the treacherous man she had let into her life, everything that she was forced to witness and endure comes rushing back. Feeling sick, she goes to run to the bathroom, but is held down by the soft ties Crowley used. Panicking she struggles against the bonds. Panic soon gives way to anger and before she knows what happened she is free and running to the toilet. Feeling the cool tiles under her feet, Thea collapses next to the toilet. Retching for what seems like forever, she rests her head on the toilet. Suddenly all of the stress and trauma catches up to Thea and she starts to shake.
Standing on shaky legs, she looks at herself in the mirror. Covered in blood she assumes is her own, she sees no obvious injuries. She can't help but wonder why she is even still alive. Closing her eyes, she struggles not to break down in a panic. Losing the battle, she grips the counter tight. Panting, she struggles for control. From behind her she hears the flutter of wings and feels a coat gently placed around her, covering her. Not trusting herself to speak, she grips the coat tightly. Comforted by its warmth, she inhales Castiel's scent. Turning to face Castiel, her legs buckle and as he catches her in his arms there is no denying the spark between them as they touch.
Resting against his shoulder, Thea notices that he carries her easily, as if she were weightless. Her arm moves on its own as it slides up his chest and around his neck. Bringing his head close to hers she can feel the stubble against his jaw. Those amazingly deep blue eyes searched her own, Thea saw the concern in them.
"Take me home, please." Her voice sounded foreign, raspy like someone who has been stuck in the desert with nothing to drink.
Her bedroom was exactly as she and Crowley had left it. The whiskey glass was still on the table by the fireplace and his jacket was still folded neatly on the chair. The fire had gone out, leaving the fireplace dark and cold. The light from the moon outside was the only light. Castiel gently laid her down on the bed and turned to go. Thea wanted to ask him to stay, but the words wouldn't come. Instead, she reached out and took his hand.
Instantly he froze, turning his head he looked down at her. She noticed that in the moonlight his blue eyes almost seemed to glow. She knew he could see all of her in that moment, but his eyes never left her face.
Moving slowly, Thea stood and closed the distance between them. Dropping his hand to wrap her arm around his neck, she felt him tense as they stood together. Carefully, as if she were made of glass, she felt him relax and move his arms around her.
"I'm so sorry." Castiel said, rasping into her hair. Thea shudders as his breath caresses her neck. She suddenly is warm and as the trench-coat slips from her shoulders she feels the coolness of the air in the room. The coat slides down her back and is stopped by the angels strong arms around her.
A moment passes. Time seems frozen as her modesty is protected by a thread and dependent on the pressure of Cass's arms around her. They lock eyes.
The coat falls.
Thea moves back, knees hitting the edge of the mattress. She can see where her blood stains Cass's white shirt. Her hands are steadier than her heart feels as she reaches for the buttons. He stops her. Eyes darkening as he watches her intently. Thea is stuck by the question as to who is looking back at her through those brooding eyes, the soldier or the man. The air is suddenly thick with anticipation.
She feels the burning of the markings weaving up her arm. Her skin prickles with goosebumps.
Suddenly she is flush up against his hard chest. One arm around her back and the other smoothly tangling in her hair to angle her mouth perfectly for a kiss she is sure she can feel in her toes. His lips are soft and firm. Thea moans as he moves her head to the side so he can nibble his way down her neck to her collarbone. Her hands are pressed up against his chest and she can feel his heart beating as hard as hers. Thea loses herself.
Buttons fly. She nearly shreds his shirt in an effort to get it off. Hungry for contact she hooks her leg around his. Pushing off the bed, she wraps her legs around his narrow hips and his arms move lower supporting her weight easily. Thea is not sure how long they stay like that. Forced to breathe, she rests her forehead against his. She can feel how much he wants her as his bulge is pressing against her upper thigh.
Not breaking eye contact, he gently lays her down on the bed. Hovering over her, his arms frame her in a cage of safety. She notices the mark on his right arm has grown to match hers. Just beginning to top her shoulders and turn to her back.
"We need to talk." His raspy voice gives her shivers.
"Yes, we do." Thea agreed. "But not right now." With that she pulls his head in for another kiss.
He resists only slightly. Making short work of the rest of their clothing, he grinds up against her and she can feel all of him. She is only slightly bothered by the coolness of his skin against her heated body. All logic is soon replaced by pleasure and lust as he works his mouth and tongue down her body to her breasts while his hands do magical things to parts further south.
Soon, Thea is reduced to whimpers and groans. Castiel plays her body like a finely tuned instrument. Just when she thinks she cannot take anymore, he finally enters her and in that moment she finds release. As her head clears, he flips them over so she is on top. Her hands on his chest, his hands on her hips, he guides her back into rhythm. Sweating and panting in time, they crest again together. Laying together on the bed a mess of tangled limbs they are oblivious to the door opening until they hear Dean shout.
"Thea? You in – My EYES!" Dean throws an arm up covering his face.
Like a bucket of ice water had been thrown on them, Thea grabs the first thing she can find, which happened to be the Castiel's coat. Turning her back to Dean, who is standing frozen in shock in her doorway she quickly buttons it and crosses the room. Pushing Dean out, she leans against the closed door.
Sighing, "I suppose there went the idea of hiding in here for the next week."
"Indeed." Thea wanted to melt again as she locked eyes with the angel still lounging on her bed, sheet knotted against his hips. Walking back over, she slipped the coat back off. Castiel sat up and reached for the coat, but Thea tossed it quickly behind her.
In a blink, Cas moved across the room retrieving his coat. Thea heard Dean knocking on the door, but all she cared about was the angel behind her. Turning to face him, she grabbed his hand and saw the marking on his arms had grown up to his shoulder matching hers.
"Cas? What is happening to me? To us? To..."
"Crowley? I don't know. Not for certain."
Thea felt like all of the air had been pushed from her lungs. If Castiel didn't know what was going on and Crowley was not going to tell her, what was she going to do? She felt torn, pulled in opposing directions. Panic started to rise and and forced it down with some difficulty.
"Anything? Can you give me anything Cas? I'm falling apart here."
"The only thing I know for sure is that this mark is old, it seems to be acting as a sort of link. But to what or to what end, I do not know."
"Thanks, that gives me something at least." Thea said grabbing the first things she could, a pair of worn jeans and a tank. "Now, we should find out what Dean wanted before he breaks the door down?"
Opening the door quickly, she moved back as Dean stumbled forward. As he caught himself, Thea watched him notice the markings. Something flashed in his eyes, but all he said was "You stink like sex."
"It was a perfectly natural and beautiful act Dean. No need to be jealous."
"Ha, now if only I could erase the image from my brain." Brushing past Dean, Thea made her way down to the library. She needed her books.
Crowley hadn't been human for a very long time. Yet, as he faced the being in the pit. He felt fear, cold and heavy in the pit of his stomach. Fighting the urge to turn and run, he instead forced himself to try to find the advantage in the situation. Breathing slowly, he watched the being, watching– no studying – him.
"So, I'm having trouble finding the advantage for you in helping me." Crowley finally spoke, having regained some inner-equilibrium. Pacing back and forth, Crowley's mind raced.
"Mmmm, we fail to see the issue. We also fail to see how exactly we helped you."
"So I'm just a pawn, is it?" Crowley baited.
"If you like..." Came an almost purr.
Crowley was getting unnerved, he didn't have control of the situation. If he didn't figure out the endgame, his game may end.
"Alright." Crowley narrowed his eyes. The being smirked. "You be controlling the board for now. Both I wouldn't get comfortable."
"Oh, We're very comfortable here. It's the best place really."
"Best place for what?" Crowley asked, feeling nothing but dread.
"To watch the show of course. Everything is going to come undone and when everything is in pieces, we will walk free, Proditor."
Crowley turned on his heel and walked away. Laughter chased him.
Torchlight illuminated the hallway and flickered over the door he was trying not to run from. There in Enocian, was a name: Legion.
As soon as Crowley was out of sight, he vanished.
Back in his private suite, Crowley tossed one book after another off of his shelf. Priceless tomes bore the brunt of his anger as he searched for the one book that might, if he had any luck left, get him out of this trouble. Having no luck, he stalked to the bedroom, drink in hand, hoping that Thea would forgive him.
"Bollocks!" To his eternal surprise, Thea was gone.
Red hot anger surged through him as he traveled again. This time to Thea's library.
Arriving just in time to see her bent over her desk, buried in a book. In just a few steps he stood opposite her.
SLAM! His hand hit the desk with enough force to shake it.
"Hello Crowley." Thea said, an ice cold chill flavoring her words. As she acknowledged his hand slamming onto the desk where she was working. "Dramatic as usual."
"Has the world gone mad?" Cocking his head to the side he studied her. He could see the anger in her eyes, his demon responded with appreciation. Logic told him that she should not be reacting this way, not this soon.
"Nope, just busy. Please just tell me what the fuck you want and get out." Unable to stop himself, his jaw dropped. "What?" Crowley just watched intently as Thea slid the chair back slowly and stood up facing him across the desk. "Thought I would be a meek little mouse after what you did?"
Standing still, he allowed her to approach. He was was shocked again when she slapped him across the face hard enough to make him take a step back. Taking a moment to refocus and push the demon back down. He didn't need to push her over the desk and claim her right now. There would be time for that later, after they fixed things. Crowley stopped breathing for a moment. There on the page Thea had been about to start reading was the spell. The one he used.
Unfortunately, as he looked up to tell her she swung again. Acting out of instinct, he grabbed her wrist this time just before she could connect. Voice roughening, he whispered, "Another time, Poppet. I just want to talk."
"Crowley." He heard a growl from the doorway. In the split second he was distracted, Thea was pulled from his grasp. The next second, Castiel's fist was approaching his face. Castiel, he could fight. He staggered back from the force of the blow. Recovering quickly, the fight was on.
The angel and the demon circled each other. In the periphery of his vision he noted that Thea ran for cover as the electricity built in the room.
She hid behind the desk as they attempted to kill each other. She had no idea how to stop it. Both of them were too far gone for her to try to separate them. The book she had been studying slid to the edge of the desk from an impact and as she caught it. Her eyes landed on the page she had been about to read and suddenly she felt lightheaded. The burning on her back intensified as the two sides of the mark drew close enough to almost touch. Shaking her head to clear it. She read the passage. Once. Twice. Three times.
Putting the book down and peeking over the edge of the desk, she saw Castiel standing over Crowley. Both bloodied and panting. Castiel glanced her way and Crowley took that moment to strike. Quick as a snake, he had Castiel by the throat and with the added pressure of the angel sword in his hand made sure that he would not move.
"Enough!" She shouted slamming her hands and the open book on the desk. Her eyes narrowed when Cass hissed as the blade made a shallow cut as Crowley adjusted it in his hand. For several moments no one moved or spoke. "Crowley, let Castiel go." Crowley merely raised a single eyebrow.
"Crowley..."Thea could feel the burning of her marks as they spread across her back now. She felt hot and cold, strange feelings taking residence in the pit of her stomach.
Thea suddenly felt like she was passenger in her body. She watched herself hold out her hand and the Angel blade flew across the room to it. Cass took advantage to distance himself from the demon, casting a searching look her way, he moved to a position that he could come between Thea and Crowley to intervene.
Crowley's look of total shock was nearly worth it.
"What the..."
"Uh uh." Thea marched across the room to Crowley and laid the angel blade against his lips silencing him. "I see you now. Don't forget that." Crowley narrowed his eyes slightly, but involuntarily swallowed, betraying his nerves.
Coming back to herself, Thea's hand started to shake. The angel blade dropping to the floor as she backed away from both men in the room. Pouring herself a drink, from the bar by the window. Several silent moments passed before any of them spoke.
"Thea..." Both Crowley and Castiel spoke. Glaring at each other briefly before watching the still figure, still with her back turned. Both of them concerned, but for different reasons.
For once, Crowley know that the truth and only the whole truth would be the right play.
Watching Thea knock back two fingers of scotch then reach for the bottle again, he readied himself to try to get her back on his side. Before he could, she turned around. Nearly physicality repelled by the pure power emanating from her now, he searched for the right words. Selling sin to saints was surely easier than
this.
"Thea," He started. Holding his hands out as if to indicate peaceful intent.
"Don't." The single word. Quietly uttered, it disturbed Crowley more than it should.
He made to start again, and found himself unable to speak. Looking at Castiel for help and hating himself for it, he made motion for Castiel to try.
He watched as angel studied Thea's back for several more moments before noticing the book on the desk. Crowley watched helplessly as the angel read the spell that was the key to this whole mess. Castiel shot him an unfathomable look which held more darkness than it should have. Yet, before the angel could speak, Crowley is stunned to watch as Thea turns and the angel is frozen in place too.
"Nope." Thea grinds out through gritted teeth. Weaving her way through the library, she avoids both the angel and the demon. Grabbing the book, she heads for the doorway.
"Sorry boys, not going to do this." He watches as she studies Castiel with what looks like longing and regret. Then she catches his eyes and he is surprised to see the depth of hurt in them. Then she is gone. Moments later, he find himself in his office. Straightening his suit, he pours himself a glass of scotch and settles in for a long night. The King needs a new plan.
Meanwhile, down in the depths of the pit, a figure steps to a dimly lit doorway and smiles. The barrier holding him in rippling and pulsing. "Soon." The being purrs. "Everything is falling into place."
Elsewhere, in the middle of nowhere, a bee-keeper stops and looks around. Satisfied there was nothing to be on alert about he goes about his business.
Finally alone in the house, Thea shakily reads the page for the 100th time trying to figure out what to do. It breaks her heart, but she can not see the angel or the demon for answers. The mark is so close to completion, she needs to figure out a new plan before it does. Its going to get worse before it gets better. A knot forms in her stomach.
A frustrated writer finishes another bottle of cheap whiskey, passing out in front of his computer yet again.