A/N: This ended up quite differently than I first imagined. It's...weird, I'll say. And John won't appear for real for a few more chapters. Sorry about that.

Chapter 7: Deal

Dean opened the cooler and tossed me a beer. "You adjusting to the life?"

"If by adjusting you mean used to only getting three hours of sleep a night, then... yeah, I'm adjusting pretty well. Can't imagine how I even lived my life before this."

"Yeah, Sam and me didn't get that luxury. We were sort of forced into the life. Our mom... she was killed by a demon. Our dad dedicated his life to find it, and waste it."

"And he killed everything he could until then?"

"He died before Sam and I could put a bullet through its head."

I glanced sideways at Dean, silently admiring his arm muscles. "This life isn't so bad, you know."

"Is that what you think?"

I sat on the front hood of the Impala. "It's what I know. In case you've forgotten, I spent quite a while on and around an island with my adoptive brother."

Dean traced the Circular Gallifreyan tattoo on the back if my shoulder. I arched backwards, my skin tingling where he touched. "What's this?"

"It's a symbol, part of the written language of my people."

"What does it mean?"

" 'I love pie'." I grinned. Dean playfully bumped his shoulder into mine, taking a swig if beer. "Really, though, what does it say?"

" 'Family will always find each other'." I said quietly. "I guess it's right, because I found you." Glancing down at his lips for a second, I leaned forward hesitantly.

"You're not gonna go running off now, are you?" Dean teased. I rolled my eyes, but smiled anyway. "only if you don't."

"Let's seal this deal, sweetheart." Dean lowered his gaze, setting his beer-free hand at the back of my neck. I jolted forward, dropping my beer, taking handfuls of his worn leather jacket in my hands.

I propped myself up on my elbows, squinting in the brightly lit room. "Sammy, turn out the light."

"Sorry; 'Sammy' is out right now."

"Dean!" I pulled on the first shirt I touched, sitting up fully. "Dean, I can ex-"

"I don't want to hear it. Whatever you and my brother have going on is between you two."

"But-"

"I'm shocked you two kept it quiet for so long, though. Was everything else just an act? "All that..." Dean shifted his weight. "That stuff with me- was any of that real?"

"Of course it was real!" I shouted. "I never would have been able to do any of that if it wasn't."

"Right, right."

"Dean Winchester," I kissed him hard on the lips. He pushed me away, pain in his eyes. "I can't do this, Elizabeth. Sam... he loves you. You're the first real girl that's been in his life since his girlfriend, Jessica. You make him happy, Liz, and I can't take that away from him."

I folded my arms. "I can't just have one of you." I whispered. "I know it sounds awful, but I can't change what my heart feels."

"Then at least try to control it!" Dean shouted. "For Sammy's sake, Elizabeth, please control it."

"Fine." I brushed past him, eyes stinging, and dragged my backpack into the bathroom. I slumped to the floor, leaning against the closed door. The sound of Dean's footsteps grew louder, and the door slammed. I sighed, hugging my knees to my chest. All the years as a pirate, having men act like pups around me, never prepared me for the day I had to choose between two men I loved.

"Stop it," I muttered. "You're acting like a child again."

I went out into the main room and sat the desk with a pad of motel stationary and pen.

I'm sorry.

I wrote.

I need to be away for a while. I'll be back soon, maybe a week or two. Sorry to have to do this, but I need some time to myself. I promise I'll call you when I get the chance, though I don't know when that will be. Don't kill each other while I'm gone.

Love you both,

Liz

I left the pad on the table between the beds. Taking one last, quick look around, I swung my backpack over my shoulder.

"Where are you going?" Castiel stood in front of the door. "Away," I grumbled. "I need to go, for a short while."

"It's not safe."

"I've killed dozens of freaks since I bumped into you two years ago. I think I'll be fine." I shoved past him and shut the door quietly.

"You don't understand, Elizabeth."

"I understand enough, Castiel." I snarled, yanking my arm out of his grasp. "I can kill you in two seconds, don't forget." I kept several shots of my own blood in an airtight container in my backpack. Sticking a needle in him wouldn't be too hard.

"You... are in danger." Cas stared at the ground, almost ashamed. "There are demons after you, Elizabeth. Powerful ones. In the wrong hands, you are a dangerous weapon in this war."

"How can I trust you?" I whispered. "You've been using my blood for two years, Castiel. Tell me: how do I know I can trust you?"

"For the same reason you trust Sam and Dean. We are family."

"When Hell freezes over, Castiel, you and I will be family."

"Actually, that can be arranged." A balding man in a dark suit smirked. "Hello again, Elizabeth."

"Crowley," I paled. "Wh- what are you doing here?"

"To see you, of course. King a Hell, I gotta know what everyone's talking about."

Castiel stepped in front of me protectively. "She is not an object to be bargained for, Crowley."

"Oh come on, let the girl speak. We go way back, of course."

"You killed Liam." I whispered. "Pan may have told them about the dreamshade, but you were the one who gave Killian the cure."

Crowley spread his hands out. "Liam was going to die anyway. If not on that island, then in some bloody naval war. Killian too, I might add. I actually saved you a ton of heartache."

"I am three hundred and twenty- five years old." I growled. "You call that saving me?"

He shrugged. "Killian chose to take revenge. I had nothing to do with that."

"Nothing to do with it? Crowley, you ruined my life!"

"No, actually, I didn't. If you look closely, you managed to get someone to love you- well, two someones."

Castiel stared at me, my face burning. "You think you own my soul, Crowley-"

"I know I do, Jones. You sold your soul for the cure."

"You did what?" Castiel shoved me up against the wall. "Elizabeth, please tell me that you did not-" he let me go, backing away.

"It was over three hundred years ago, Castiel. My brother was dying. I had no choice."

"You could have let him die!" Cas lowered his gaze, backing away slowly. I gaped at him. "Cas," I whispered.

"I'm sorry," he said quietly, and disappeared.

"Now, darling, what are you running from? You've got two boys wrapped around your finger; why would you want to leave?"

"I can't take this anymore!" I seethed. "Having to hide my relationship with Sam from Dean and the other way around, it... it's not what I wanted."

Crowley twirled his finger, pointing it up in the air. "I've got a little news flash for you, Elizabeth. You're falling in love with the wrong man. Men, I should say."

My heart rate accelerated. "Who am I supposed to fall in love with?"

"Can't tell you that. But what I can tell you is that he already loves you. Somewhat, anyway. And do you know what you are going to do?"

"What am I going to do?" My hands clenched into fists. I really wanted to kill him. Crowley smirked. "You are going to go off on a little adventure for me."

"Like hell I will."

My limbs tightened against my body, frozen. "I own you, Elizabeth. Best not to make me angry."

"What do you want?"

"Your brother."

"You could have gotten Killian three hundred years ago."

"Your blood brother." Crowley tightened his hand; I screamed. "John, I believe. I want you to find him, and bring him to me."

I stretched my neck up, trying to get some air. Crowley glanced up disinterestedly and unclenched his hand. "Sorry about that."

"Where is he?"

"London, I suppose. He's hidden from me."

I leaned against the wall. "Dad would never let just anyone find him." I laughed weakly. "Only his...blood." I looked up at Crowley in horror. "That's why you're asking me to find him. Because you know only I can."

"Let's call it a deal. You give me your brother, and I give you the one you're supposed to love."

I massaged my neck. "How do I know you'll keep your end of the deal?"

Crowley snapped his fingers. A small, rectangular strip of paper appeared in his outstretched palm. "Your plane ticket to England. First class. Mind you, the flight leaves in two weeks. You better be on it."

I stood up, wary of what happens next. Crowley fingered the back of my neck, stepping closer. "Let's seal the deal, shall we?"

With every fiber of my being screaming DANGER!, I kissed Crowley (quite passionately, unfortunately), catching him off guard. I stepped away, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. "There," I said finally, out of breath.

"I'll bet you never kissed Sam or Dean like that."

I picked up my backpack. "The deal is sealed, Crowley. Make sure you keep up your end of the deal."

"And you yours."