Chapter 5

"Sam…you get them, man for all that we have done...and for...all that we lost" Stephen struggled to utter more words.

"Hey, we're going to bring them down..." Sam said swallowing his tears "you're not going anywhere". Sam felt Stephen's hand go lifeless from his grip. The medic arrived but he knew that it was too late.

Sam splashed water on his face, it had been 10 months and yet the event was fresh in his mind, he remembered everything, the smell of gunpowder mixed with blood, the sound of the fast approaching sirens and the feeling of lightness of Stephen's lifeless hand. He came out and heard the sound of his cell phone ringing. He quickly went and picked it up and answered the phone "this is Sam."

"Please hold the line for director Naomi Colbert," said a female voice after which there was a break in the line and another female voice picked up "I hope this line is secure Winchester."

"Yes ma'am," Sam said looking around.

"I have good news. I guess sending you back home was a good idea. It seems like the other party has agreed to speak to us again." she said sounding genuinely pleased.

"That's great news, so when do we meet them?" Sam's voice picked up too.

"Your meeting is in 2 hours at Madison Avenue on the 24th street. It should give you enough time to reach the city from Clear Falls if you leave now. The party wants to meet you specifically."

"Okay I'll be there," Sam said and closed his phone and the line went dead. The clock on the bedside table showed that it was 8.30. He quickly put on a grey suit with a white dress shirt, he looked around for a tie and could not find any. He went downstairs to find Castiel lost in thought in the kitchen. He was staring out of the kitchen window with a coffee mug in his hand while the toast had burnt black in the toaster. Sam quickly went over pulled out the toast and said, "hey Castiel, are you still here?" he asked snapping his fingers in front of him.

Castiel turned to look at him looking completely stunned. "Uhm... I'm sorry I was just..." he looked at Sam from top to bottom.

"That's okay..." Sam noticed that Cas was looking at him and he explained "I'm goin to the city to sort out something at work and plan to go for an interview too for another job."

Castiel seemed satisfied with the answer "hey can I borrow a tie from you, I can't seem to find mine."

"Yeah sure...I'll get you one"

"Okay," Sam looked around and realised that he couldn't see Dean. He followed Cas upstairs, "Castiel, where's Dean?"

He turned around to answer after a brief moment, "he went to the station. He said he had an early shift"

Sam came up behind Cas who was busy looking for a tie in his cupboard. He touched him over the back of his shirt.

Castiel was standing by the window staring out to the breath-taking view of the valley. The clouds were rolling off from the mountains as though a curtain was being raised from God's great masterpiece that lay underneath. Castiel's mind wandered back to the encounter in the bathroom. He was chewing his bruised lip and reminiscing fondly. He suddenly heard noise above and reality dawned on him that Sam was waking up. The gravity of his situation hit him. He was Sam's boyfriend and he had just had sex with his brother. Castiel gripped the mug tightly and closed his eyes. The images flashed across his mind with Dean's hands gripping his hair being rough and caring at the same time. "Hey Cas, are you still here?" Sam said snapping his fingers in front of his face. Castiel told him something about the breakfast but stopped midway looking at Sam in his grey business suit. He reminded him of his brother Lucian. Cas snapped back when he realised that Sam was asking him something about a tie. "Yeah sure...I'll get you one," and he went up to get it and he heard Sam's footsteps following him. He heard him ask about Dean and he did not answer immediately. He stood behind Castiel and moved a hand over his back. Cas froze for a moment, then the guilt washed over him and he leaned into Sam's touch. He turned around with the tie and put it around Sam's neck. He sat down on the bed and looked up Cas. He looked so vulnerable and yet strangely guilty. Cas was a little confused and Sam snaked his arms around Castiel's waist and pulled him closer.

"Cas I'm so sorry for..." He looked down and said "last night...I didn't mean to..." Castiel put a finger to his lips. As Sam looked up at him with his confused eyes, Castiel planted a kiss on his lips. Sam pulled him closer and eagerly deepened the kiss. Castiel pushed him on the bed and his hands were now moving under Castiel's shirt while Sam's big hands were in his hair. Cas just held on his coat lapels desperately as though he was asking for forgiveness from Sam. Castiel's desperation was turning on Sam and one of his hands made way into Castiel's pants. He closed his eyes tightly and tried to push back the thoughts of Dean's broken face when he had seen them kiss the first time. Suddenly Sam got off him and checked his buzzing phone.

Dean looked at his phone and saw a message from Sam informing him that the he was taking the car and Castiel needed a ride. Dean sighed and kept his phone inside. "What's the matter, boss?" Garth asked.

"Uh nothing," Dean said keeping his phone down. Just then Dean had an idea and he asked, "can you go give Castiel a ride into the town?"

"Uh no, he's not," Jody said interrupted even before Garth could answer Dean's question.

"He's coming with me to city hall. We all need to get paid and the office called saying there's some problem with the request forms. Since you filled them you're coming with me" she said looking cross with Garth who meekly picked up his hat and followed her out the door.

Deans last escape route just walked out if the door with Jody. He picked up his hat and began to walk towards his truck. Dean wasn't ready to face Cas and he was sure Cas wasn't ready to see him. He couldn't believe his life had changed so much since yesterday. Dean pulled out his keys and his phone fell out. As he picked it up and the screen lit up. Castiel's picture of looking in the distance came on. Damn it he had to change that wallpaper. The picture was set by Dean the day he took it when Cas and he had a small picnic by the lake nearby to his house. The smile that ghosted on Cas's face showed the promises of the future that they held together. In a moment, their future had changed. How had Dean been so selfish? How had he forgotten to factor in his own brother in his future? Somewhere in the back of his mind, he knew he wasn't being fair to Sammy. Maybe it was wrong for Dean to hope that Castiel would be his. This was Dean Winchester's life and there were no second chances. Life had taken Cas away as soon as it had given him to Dean.

Cas was still lying on the bed with T-shirt up and hair dishelved and swollen lips. He moved his hands through his hairs and closed his eyes thinking what the hell was he doing? Things were moving too fast for him to comprehend. So far it seemed that he was letting his heart make the decisions but then when had ever used his head. Oh yes, when he had said yes to Sam...The handsome stranger who had stayed with him as the police took pictures of his dead brother. He was there to give him a lift home after the police were done asking questions. He was there when Castiel finally broke down at the bottom of floors of his family's high-rise apartment. He cried so hard that he had passed out and Sam carried him home. Somehow Michael and Lucian also had agreed to him. He was perfect, strong, loyal and absolutely lovable but then his heart had never agreed to him. Somewhere deep in his heart, he knew that Sam was only a convenience, a choice that was right from all aspects but nothing more. Even then his mind went back to those green eyes still looking at him in the falling rain.

Life had never been fair to Castiel. A choice was a luxury that was never offered to him. He was born into the Novak family from Chicago. Their wealth was accumulated not by the right means. But then they were a family and Castiel could never walk away from them. His mother had tried to leave but she succumbed to cancer and his dreams of normal life moved away. He tried again to move out when he went to college but this time, around Balthy came to call him back. To tell him that father was dying and Michael was a broken man. As he walked through the doors of the church to attend his father's funeral he knew that he had made his choice and it would not matter what Dean would say, he would stand by Michael. Sam came by and Michael and Luci thought he was perfect. Then the attack on Michael shook him and Luci's first thought wasn't saving himself but to make sure Cas should make it out safely. Castiel never realised when his carefree and childish second elder brother became that Mafia boss that everyone feared. Sam stepped in his brave knightly fashion and whisked him away to Clear Falls only to leave him to fight for his country and ending up missing. The only decision of fate that he was happy about was when Dean had come up behind him and saved him from those goons. He smiled quietly as his one hand touched his belly in a vain attempt to feel Dean's hand there. His behaviour from last night made him sure of one fact that he should never make his own decisions. He had managed to sleep with both the brothers and ended up hating both of them. His rumination was cut short when the bell rang.

Dean reluctantly rang the bell and there was no answer. He was hoping that Castiel had called a taxi and left. As Dean was about to move away from the door, it opened and Castiel came out. He was wearing a white shirt, tie and blue sweater with a jacket. Dean smiled and then looked down. He pulled his hat lower and headed towards the car. Castiel joined him, an awkward silence hung in the car. Dean looked at Cas who was looking straight ahead. He started the engine; Dean cleared his throat and asked "to the library, right?"

Cas merely nodded and turn to look outside the window. Dean tried to focus on the road. He let out a small laugh and Dean looked at him. "It's ironic that how tables have turned...5 years ago I walked out on you choosing my family (brothers) over you and today you are doing the same." Dean clenched his jaw and closed his eyes and said "Dammit Cas..." he was cut short when the car swerved out of control turning full 360 degrees and coming to a halt as Dean pulled the emergency brakes. He looked next to him and Cas seemed okay but was staring straight ahead with his mouth open. Dean followed his gaze and could only make out through his haze which had fallen over his eyes a silhouette man coming towards them with something in his hands. "Cas you okay?"

The man came next to them and smashed the window on Dean's side with something. As Dean looked up he saw the man pull out a gun. He said "hello Mr Novak, finally nice to meet you. I'm Arthur Cain, please leave the car now"

Cas quickly opened the door and got out. "Cas you don't have..." Dean heard a loud bang go off. Dean's gaze became hazy again. Cain opened his door and said pulling Dean closer said "give my compliments to agent Winchester of the FBI"

There was a buzzing of Sam's phone and he realised that he had an appointment to keep. He broke the kiss and Castiel looked up at him. Sam replied to his questioning glance "babe I have to go." He saw a look of relief which was quickly covered with that of disappointment on Castiel's face. Sam got his other hand out of Castiel's pants with a gentle squeeze on his butt. He said his goodbyes and took Castiel's car. As Sam drove down towards the city through the winding road he thought about that look of relief on Castiel's face. That was a little suspicious or was it? Maybe Sam was being paranoid but it was just a professional hazard.

He began to think of his meeting ahead with Lucian Novak. He still remembered the chill he had felt the first time he had met him. Despite him holding all the right cards in his hands Sam Winchester was sweating.

It was late on chilly Chicago night, he had heard he heard a noise very close to him and his hand had instinctively gone for the gun under his pillow. His hand couldn't feel it.

"Are you searching for this?" said a voice behind him. He turned around slowly and saw that the bedside lamp was on and there sitting on a chair was a man. He was dressed in black with a pair of glasses from which his clear blue eyes were visible. He moved his head to one side and raised his hand holding his badge. "Detective Winchester," he said adjusting his glasses. Sam swallowed hard and looked straight at him. "I know the law enforcement is snoopy but get into my baby's brother pants is really a new low. But I must say they chose a fine specimen" he said looking admiringly at Sam who now realised that he was shirtless. He felt himself blush but he continued looking at him straight. "So what do y'all wanna know?" He asked casually. Sam was a little stunned at this and all he could utter was "excuse me"

"Well, you have been sent here to spy on us right? So what information do you need? I know we're big but not big enough for the FBI?" He stated matter-of-factly.

"Umm we're trying to look for information on Cain," Sam said not believing himself.

"Hmmm, what do we get in return?"

"What?"

"What are you deaf? I'm asking you what's in it for us. Listen, Sam..." He swiftly moved from the chair to holding Sam's face with his hand towering over him. "If you think I let any long haired hippie come close to my Cassie you're mistaken. The fact that you're sitting here alive is cos I wanted to you. So you better listen up" he said letting go of Sam's face. He continued looking at him refusing to move from between Sam's legs.

The city was such a rapid change from all the mountains and forest green and the winding empty roads. Sam got out and looked around to the high rises. He put on his shades and crossed the street into The Block a new age restaurant. He walked in and was greeted by the tall figure of Lucian Novak who asked him to take a seat. Lucian was wearing the same black attire when had first met him.

"So are you ready to talk?" Sam asked eagerly.

Luci was turning his cup and he looked up and asked, "how's Cas?"

"He's fine" Sam replied flatly.

"Are you sure?" He asked looking at Sam straight in his eyes.

"See if this is about the attack that happened few months ago..."

"Yes it's about that and this..." he placed a picture of Cain on the table, "he just entered the country and you know what else, the last I heard from my guys was that they lost his tracks here" he was trying hard to control his anger. Sam stared at the picture completely flabbergasted.

"He knows we defected to FBI and he's here to make an example of Cassie. You're taking me to him now Winchester" he said picking up a fork and stabbing Sam's hand. "Call up that bitch and tell her that Lucian Novak wants to see his brother"

Dean woke up and he saw two figures one tall and one short. As his eyes adjusted to the light, he saw that it was Sam and Lucian. He couldn't believe what he was seeing and jerked back a little at seeing Castiel's Douchy dangerous elder brother. They both looked at each other at first with recognition and then with contempt. Dean knew Lucian through pictures and that one time that he had shown up at Castiel's room to take his stuff. Dean had shown up at the door thinking maybe Cas had come back he saw the blonde hair guy who smiled at him in a sinister manner. He had leaned down and picked up a picture of Cas and Dean, lying near the bedside table and crashed it to pieces at his feet. "You're lucky I promised Cassie not to hurt you. Cos I wouldn't miss a chance to ruin this pretty face" he said shoving Dean against the door with Castiel's bag.

"I must say that FBI really does a good job hiding personal information of you guys. If I knew he was your brother was I wouldn't have let you come close to Cassie" he said not breaking the stink eye contest with Sam's brother.

"Sam we need to talk," Dean said in a rough voice.

"All in good time, first where is Cas?" Luci asked.

"Dean what happened?" Sam asked coming closer.

"We got jumped, I was driving Cas to the library and all of a sudden this other car crashed on us out of nowhere. This guy with long hair ..." Luci put a picture on Dean's lap and pointed to the man.

"I don't know if that was him, my vision was compromised. But he did say to me that 'he knew you were an agent with the FBI' a fact you thought was completely unnecessary to let your elder brother know" Dean said looking angrily at Sam.

"Dean..." Sam tried to explain to his brother when he was cut short by him.

"Don't just don't... Does Cas know who you are?" he asked with a tired voice.

"No," Sam said looking down at his feet.

"Freaking perfect..." Dean yelled.

"Have you guys received any ransom demands?" Luci asked Sam breaking the uncomfortable silence that hung in the air.

Suddenly a cell phone rang somewhere in the eerily quiet room. Lucie picked it up and as he was about to leave the room Sam stepped in front of him. He looked up and rolled his eyes but Sam refused to move. He put the call on speaker, Michael spoke from the other end "Luce get back here...he has Cassie," Lucie was about to say something when Sam took the phone from his hand and said "Michael hey, Sam here...don't panic... We have everything under control... This whole area is covered..." They could hear noises in the background "hey what's this... Did you send them here...?" Michael asked panicking.

"It's just a precaution... We'll find him but we need to protect you and your brother. What did they say exactly?"

"...he said he has Cas and he wants me and Lucie to meet them at the Hoover bridge...listen, Sam, we trusted you...you have to let us go" they could hear the panic in Michael's voice.

"Michael, Cain is a dangerous criminal and you're the two people that have info that can bring him down. We...I promised to keep Cas safe and I still stand by it. So please cooperate with the people there and stay put" he closed the phone and gave it back to Lucie who was glaring at him. Two men were ushered in and one of them placed a hand on Lucie's shoulder and he caught it mid-air and broke his hand. The other one lunged forward but Lucie elbowed him. Sam kicked Lucie's leg and he fell to the ground. He pulled out his gun and said "stay down Lucian Novak" the other two came over and handcuffed him "Take and keep him tied up"

Dean watched as he brother asked his fellow officers carry Lucian out. He was bewildered by Sammy. It felt like he was no longer Sammy, there was an FBI agent in his room. He turned to look at Dean and said "I'm sorry"

"For what Sam, what exactly are you sorry for? The lies, the deceit or the fact that you might have given up Cas to his family's sworn enemy?" Dean said viciously.

"Dean, I needed this, when I joined the agency I was sworn to secrecy. I was working undercover and this was the best way to keep the secret and to protect you" Sam explained.

"You bought him here. So clearly my safety wasn't an issue" Dean said.

"Dean...this case...it's had taken a lot from me including Stephen, " he said turning away from Dean.

He remembered who Stephen was the one friend that Sam had got over Christmas.

"I knew that my family was clearly something Lucian had not found out about and I knew this would be the best place for Cas to hide. What I didn't count on was that you knew Luci" Sam said looking at Dean accusingly.

It was Dean's turn to look guilty. He cleared his throat and asked "so are you going with the deal or not" Sam breathed heavily and went towards Dean's bed. Just then Ash barged in "some lady called Naomi is here looking for you agent Winchester"

Somehow looking at the receding figure of Sam had given Dean all the answers that he was looking for. He would never make the deal to rescue Cas, in fact, the FBI would not allow it and somewhere Dean knew that Sam would not pursue it too. His brother had that same dogged pursuit that his father had towards duty and nothing came in the middle of it.

Sam left dropping the picture of Cain on Dean's lap. "Wow who knew Sam was one of the suits. Hey, who's this?" Ash came close to Dean and picked up the picture.

"He seems to be the guy who's got Cas and shot me," said Dean.

"Well, I'll be damned. I have seen the guy" he said picking up the picture. Dean snapped his attention towards Ash and seeing the interest of the sheriff he spoke up "I saw a picture of him with Fergus. I mean I wasn't snooping or anything. I was making out with Bela in Crowley's office and then things went hot. I tried to remove her shirt and it was stuck in Crowley's table drawer. I yanked her hand and the drawer came open. There it was some sort of a buddy pic of those two I think. Well, later when Crowley came in he was very upset with us opening that drawer."

Dean listened incredulously to this. He put his feet down and said "get my jacket, we have to move now"

"But..." Ash looked at Dean's determined face and shut up.

They were barrelling down the road when they saw Crowley getting into a car and Dean skidded his car to a halt right next to him. Crowley looked pointedly at the car Ash got down first followed by Dean. As soon as Crowley saw him, he rushed into his car. Dean caught him just in time and pulled him out. He shook Crowley and pulled out his gun. "Ok, Fergus what do you have to say?"

"What!?" Crowley said looking stunned.

"Don't pretend I know you're Cain's contact here. I need to know what you told him and where is Cas?"

Crowley pulled his hand out of Dean's grip and said, "you could have asked that nicely and I still would have told you, Dean, that Clear Falls is a great place to go." He said looking around at the curious pairs of eyes looking at them.

"Now get inside," He said curtly.

As they got inside his car he began "I owed money to him in England. I hate the chap but what can you do? Though Dean I don't think you should go alone. He's banking on the fact that either it'll be Castiel's brothers or you who'll come to get him. You should let Sam handle this."

"Are you freaking nuts? Sam doesn't care for Cas. For him, Cas is just a bargaining chip that has lived its usability. I know they won't negotiate and I'm going to do something about it." Dean opened the door letting out Crowley and Ash. As he closed the car door again he asked Ash "where is Luci?"

"Umm in the lock up with a couple of FBI guys looking at him"

"Great, call up make sure everyone else than the FBI is out of the station" Ash nodded and pulled out his phone.

Dean pulled to a stop just a block before the station. He knew the big prankster that Ash was and after looking around in the car, he found a box of firecrackers that were meant for a poor soul in the office or elsewhere. He picked those and crouched his ways around the cars around the station. After minutes later there were loud explosions around the station and that brought out the FBI guys. One of them stay put in the station while the other left to see the reasons for the explosions. Dean swore under his breath and decided to go in. He was gonna be in trouble for assaulting a federal officer. But then it was Cas and he couldn't risk throwing him at the mercy of a madman.

He entered and crouched his way to the cells. The station was clear at entry and as he turned the corner for the cells he saw the FBI guy had fallen to the floor. "Relax he's just napping. Now get me out of here" Luci said pointing to the keys that Dean had on his belt.