Cht 6

Sterling had watched the exchange between Nate and Crowley. He discovered that the more he sought to understand what was going on in the demon's brain, the more insight he automatically gained. Every time he focused his intent on hearing and seeing what was going on, then on knowing what the demon was thinking, the tenuous connection between them became that much closer. He discovered after a day or so that if he worked the same magic over the door to his chamber, that he could walk at leisure through the hallowed halls of hell and observe scenes from Crowley's previous incarnations.

Somehow, someway, there was a bond forged as they were connected in body, despite being two separate souls. Sterling could feel the darkness of the demon's essence, but other notions surfaced as well. He felt pangs of different emotions and underlying it all, a yearning. The demon felt unsettled, as though unfulfilled. Sterling found himself commiserating with the depth of depression that Crowley emanated from his very being. At the closest, when Sterling was sleeping usually, he saw flashes from the demon's existence prior. He saw himself as Crowley making deals, ruling over demons, sobbing in a church, weeping openly in a hotel room, and sitting in total darkness shaking with DTs while the voices in his head hammered at a newly resurrected conscience. The latter was the most wrenching scene, despite being void of visual images.

It was at that point that he felt a distinct shift. Crowley, it seemed, had turned a corner there and felt completely unmoored for a time. Through further dreams, Sterling saw him sitting resplendent on his throne, suffering from a dreadful ennui through countless meetings and petitions, scarcely daring to name the unsettled feeling that had taken over him. But Sterling placed it. He no longer wanted to rule. The darkness had ebbed and his soul had shifted to something more complex than a pure evil elemental force. He was in fact, practically human himself again. And feeling remorse for thing he previously had taken pleasure in, thanks to the Winchesters.

Through Crowley, Sterling had seen what the larger Winchester had attempted on him in the church. He knew, through Crowley's awareness what the boys did. And he knew that Crowley, whether he wanted to admit it or not, was on a path of redemption. What's more, he felt Crowley's need for kinship and love, more strongly than any inkling of regret.

Through Sterling's snatches of insight into Crowley's being, he felt certain parallels between his and Nate's relationship compared to Crowley and the Winchesters'. His grudging acquiescence with Nate's devious and sometimes deceptive plans correlated to Crowley helping the boys in his own rarefied way. Sterling was loathe to admit it, but he and Crowley were alike in a lot of ways. He could understand how circumstances would lead Crowley to want possession of his body. Not only was he well able to find the First Blade and help Crowley redeem himself, but he also was a dead ringer—so to speak—for Crowley's many carriers. He refused to think of himself in terms of a meat suit.

With all these things in mind, Sterling tried something he had not yet considered doing. He reached out to Crowley himself. He watched for the first available opportunity, which did not take long since Crowley loved preening himself, and faced Crowley's reflection in the mirror. Crowley was shocked at first when he turned to straighten his tie in the mirror of a men's room, only to find himself facing Sterling's reflection in his own chambers in hell.

"I need to talk to Nate," Sterling said simply.

Crowley waved a hand at the restroom door, assuring that no one could come through in the next few minutes, as they would see an out of order sign on the door if they approached.

Crowley eyed his doppelganger appreciatively in the mirror with a cynical brow and said only, "brilliant trick mate…and why should I allow this?"

"Because I know what you want," Sterling replied, with a derisive grin and tapped a finger to his temple. "I am in here, you know, I feel all those delicious feelings you're still having, and between you, me and Nate, we can get your blade."

"I see," Crowley replied, eyes narrowing. He refused to show his admiration of the human for being able to gain access to his mind, nor the fear at the fact that his secrets might be on display for this virtual stranger. "And what's in it for you?"

"First, I am not, as some would believe a bad man," Sterling answered, "and using my access in law enforcement, your knowledge of all things dark and mysterious, and Nate's incessant skill at stealing any and everything, we can crack this thing wide open. Second, the sooner we get it back the sooner I get my body back, per your deal with Nate as stated."

Shrewd, Crowley remained silent for a moment. Sterling then hit upon a plausible compromise.

"Look mate, I want to help you, I do," he urged, "so when you meet with Nate next, at least make sure there is a mirror present like this, so I can get my two cents in as well. How's that then?"

"Very well,"Crowley reasoned.