Darkness pressed in from all sides. Cas squinted but there was nothing to see. They had stepped into a void. An unease crawled over his skin. The darkness became suffocating. Cas was sure they were bound to be lost in the nothingness. Then, light broke. Cas had to shut his eyes against the sudden brightness. Remembering that he was probably in danger his eyes flew open. He was in a giant room. The wall directly in front of him was a clear panel. He concentrated on what was outside the room and saw that they were looking into a smaller cavernous room. His eyes scanned the rest of the walls and noticed that they were all blank. A small couch was set up in the middle of the room facing the panel. Cas turned around to gage the Winchester's reactions to see Sam staring pointedly through the panel. Dean, however, was missing. Cas felt his heart drop into his stomach.
"Where's Dean?" he asked Sam not even bothering to keep the panic from his voice. Sam turned his head to where his brother ought to be. Seeing that he was missing he withdrew his weapon from the waistband of his jeans. Cas searched the room again. There was no one else. He and Sam were alone in this strange viewing room.
Sam walked around the edge of the room. One hand stretched against the wall obviously searching for a way out. Cas watched him for a moment before walking over to the giant panel. It was the focal point of the room. Whatever they were supposed to be watching was happening through the window. He stared into the darker room but could not see anything. He put a hand up to the glass. It was warm. The contact with the glass made a light flicker inside the darker room. Cas scanned the room eagerly. There was a man lying in the middle of the floor. It took a moment for Cas to comprehend what he was seeing.
"Dean!" He shouted and slammed a hand on the glass. Sam was at his side in an instant.
"Where?" He asked. Cas pointed to the crumpled figure in the middle of the room. Sam put a hand up to the glass.
"Stand back" he ordered. Cas took a step back. Sam walked over to the couch in the middle of the room. He was searching for a wood piece strong enough to break off.
"Can you help me?" He asked Cas after not finding anything. Cas nodded his head and went to grab an end of the couch. They locked eyes and heaved the couch up. They made three quick steps towards the window.
"Ready?" Sam asked him. Again Cas nodded. They drew their weight back and threw the couch as hard as they could manage at the panel. The couch sank through the window and disappeared. The window was still intact. Cas moved in front of the window. He placed his hand on the glass again. It was solid.
Cas pulled his fingers into his palm and began pounding on the glass.
"Dean!" he shouted. Dean did not move. Sam walked over and stood next to him staring at his brother laid out on the ground.
"He can't hear you." Cas turned around at the sound of the voice. Sam crossed the room in two giant moose steps. He lifted Jeeves off the ground and glared at him threateningly.
"What do you mean? Why is he down there? What is going on?" Cas asked his questions tripping over them. He was keeping one eye on Sam and another on the still form of Dean.
"Answer him!" Sam shouted while shaking the man.
"I did tell you there would be a price to pay." he answered. Cas turned his back to Dean to face the man head on.
"But you didn't say it would be..." he trailed off. Sam dropped Jeeves on the floor and removed his weapon once more.
"Why bring us here if you were just going to kill Dean?" Sam asked menacingly.
"Kill him? We didn't kill him. He is alive down there." Jeeves explained calmly. Cas watched him intensely. He did not seem even the slightest bit phased by the gun being currently pointed at him. Cas was not sure if he believed that Dean was alive. He had still not moved.
"But why separate him?" Sam continued his questioning. Jeeves rolled his eyes and began walking the length of the room.
"I've told you already. There is a price." he answered.
Cas turned to face the window again. He would not believe Dean was alive until he saw him move. Cas drew his bottom lip into his mouth and stared nervously down at the crumpled figure that was Dean. The inside of his head was screaming at him to move, to show any sign of life but he did not.
"But why Dean? Cas is the one that needs to be healed." Sam asked. Cas could not see Sam's face but he heard hesitation in the question as though Sam had not wanted to drag Cas into this mess.
"You humans never read the fine print. He did the summoning. He has to prove his worth." Jeeves answered.
"He has to prove his worth to heal Cas?" Sam asked.
"Yes." the man answered. Cas turned around at this answer.
"And how does he do that?" Cas asked.
"By successfully completing our tests." the man answered. Cas folded his arms across his chest. More than ever he was wishing he had stopped Dean when he had the chance.
"Isn't that subjective?" Sam asked. Cas could see Dean roll his eyes at Sam's question in his head.
"Yes. I suppose it is." the man answered.
"And what if he fails?" Cas asked timidly. He was afraid of the answer. Afraid that if Dean failed it would cost him his life, that it might cost them all their lives.
"Then you will not be healed" he answered. Cas could not believe what he had just heard. If Dean failed they would simply be in the same position they were in before. Dean would not have to die.
"Dean won't die?" Sam asked clearly thinking the same thing Cas was.
"I didn't say that." he answered. Cas felt the momentary relief slip away from him.
"Sam, shoot him." Cas said quietly. Sam looked over at him. His eyebrows raised in confusion for a moment before he turned to face the man again. He tightened his grip on his weapon.
"That won't do anything." Jeeves said while staring directly at Sam.
"Maybe not but it might hurt enough that you stop giving us vague answers." Sam responded.
"If Dean dies during a challenge then he fails. Not all of the challenges are life threatening. I have no way of knowing what the outcome will be but ignoring the possibility of his death would be dishonest." Jeeves explained. Cas squinted in confusion.
"Anyway. He should be waking up soon. You might want to take a seat." Jeeves continued when neither Sam nor Cas asked another question. Cas turned to see that the couch was back in the middle of the room. He was not surprised. He was all too well versed in making objects appear. He did not sit down though. Instead he stood as close to the glass as he could manage. Sam silently joined him. Their watchful vigil continued for five minutes before Dean started to wake up. Cas watched as Dean struggled to his feet and dragged his fingers through his hair massaging a sore spot on the back of his head. Quickly the hunter realized he was in danger and backed himself against a wall. His head turned in every direction searching for any way out of the room. Cas pressed a hand against the glass. He had to resist the temptation to call out to Dean, to let him know that he was in no immediate danger, yet. He knew calling down would be pointless. Dean turned around to face Sam and Cas. It was obvious by his lack of recognition that he could not see them.
"Hello Dean." Jeeves said. Dean turned in a circle searching for the location of the bodiless voice.
"Where are you?" Dean shouted in response. Cas heard his response as though Dean was standing right next to him. His eyes quickly scanned the room once again. He knew without an attempt that Dean would not be able to hear him if he spoke aloud. He kept quiet and focused on Dean.
"Around." Jeeves answered. Dean turned in a complete circle once again.
"Where are Sam and Cas?" Dean asked with a barely controlled rage.
"They are fine." Jeeves answered sparing a glance at Cas.
"He won't believe you if he can't see us." Sam said. His eyes had not moved from his brother since he woke up.
"Prove it." Dean yelled into the dark room. Jeeves looked at Sam and Cas standing as close to the glass as possible. He rolled his eyes.
"This codependency is rather unhealthy." He said before waving his hand in a complicated motion. Light flooded into the dark room. Dean turned to face the onslaught of light with a hand pressed above his eyes. Cas watched as Dean focused on the new area of the room he could not see before. His eyes flickered from Cas to Sam before he charged full force at the room. As though the glass in front of them was made from rubber he bounded off and fell to the floor.
"Dean!" Cas exclaimed pushing his weight against the glass. He felt a hand land on his shoulder and saw Sam shaking his head. He let Sam pull him away from the glass but his eyes never left Dean.
"There, now is everyone satisfied that you are all alive and well? Can we begin?" Jeeves asked. Dean lifted himself off the ground.
"Begin what?" Dean sneered. He was glaring at Jeeves.
"Your tests, of course." Jeeves answered gaily. Dean met Cas' stare. Cas watched as he processed the new information. Unlike Sam, Dean did not question why he was being tested instead of Cas. He rolled his shoulders and plastered a cocky smile across his face.
"Let's do it." Dean said with a bravado only Cas could recognize as fake.
Triggered by Dean's assent the room around him lit up. It was a plain white room similar to the one he and Sam were standing in. Dean looked around. There was nothing to be seen in the room.
"The tasks are inherently simple. They are designed to test your strength, wisdom, and courage." Jeeves began explained. Dean smirked.
"And then what? I unlock the holy triforce?" he asked sarcastically. Cas heard Sam whisper under his breath "And he calls me the nerd."
"Should you succeed in proving your worthiness in the three categories we will heal Castiel." Jeeves responded ignoring the quip. Dean frowned.
"Alright what are we waiting for? Let's get this show on the road." Dean said as he clapped his hands together.
"Indeed. The first task is a test of your commitment. Do you really want to heal Castiel? Are you willing to give up all of the things that bind you to this world?" Jeeves explained. Dean squinted in the direction he knew the now hidden room to be.
"Ha. Really? That's the first task? I don't even own anything worth taking but sure." Dean joked.
"We shall see." Jeeves answered. Cas watched as he flicked his hand in a complicated motion again. The room Dean was in began to shift. The walls faded away and an open road began to unravel in front of him. Cas had a sneaking suspicion what Dean was going to have to give up. The thought made him nervous. He knew Dean would chose his life over a material possession but he was right when he said he did not own very many things. The loss was sure to be hard.
As Cas suspected a car began flickering into existence on the road in front of Dean. It was the impala. Dean hands immediately clenched into fists. Dean did not say anything as the room continued to change. Cas could see the tension pooling on Dean's shoulders. He did not turn around but reached a hand out to touch the hood of his beloved vehicle.
"Dean is rather an unusual case." Jeeves had walked up to stand next to Cas. Dean had his back to them still. Cas took his eyes off Dean for the first time since he began moving around to look over at the man standing next to him. He had a small tight grin on his lips. His eyes were hungrily fixed on Dean as though he were a particularly delicious steak. Cas did not like it.
"Why?" He asked simply. Jeeves' smile grew larger. Cas could see the bottoms of his teeth begin to stick out under his thin lips.
"He doesn't have much material wealth now does he?" Jeeves posed his answer in the form of a question. Cas did not respond. He turned his gaze back to Dean who was circling the car. He visibly stiffened next to the passenger seat. He turned to face the window and Cas saw a pleading look in his eyes. When no response came Dean reached into the car through the open window and pulled a bulky brown leather jacket from inside.
"I wonder if that will make this easier or harder for him?" Jeeves questioned again.
Cas felt a sharp pain in the middle of his palm. He stretched his hand out in front of him and noticed small half moon imprints. He was having a difficult time quelling the rage he felt. This man was deriving amusement from Dean's pain.
"Killing me won't solve anything." Jeeves said. Cas looked over at him once more but to his surprise he was staring at Sam. Cas looked over to see Sam slowly drag his hand from the inside of his coat.
"Now then let's move this along" Jeeves said while waving his hand in the same complicated motion he had used before. Cas watched as a gasoline can flickered into physicality next to the Impala. Dean did not notice the new object. His eyes were fixed on a silver squared lighter in his hand. He flicked the top of the zippo open and ran his thumb across the flint wheel. Fire sprang from the eyelet. Cas watched as Dean began searching the ground for kindling. His eyes fell upon the gasoline can. He snapped the zippo closed and walked around the Impala towards the can. He hesitated for a moment in front of the can. Cas could hear his heart beating heavily against his chest. Dean threw the old jacket he still held in his left hand on the floor. He bent down and grabbed the can by the handle. Quickly he unfastened the lid and began pouring the clear liquid on top of the leather. After he had throughly soaked the jacket he made his way to the impala. Through the open windows he mercilessly splashed gasoline coating the interior of the car. He emptied the can on the hood. Gingerly he picked the coat off the ground. He held it away from him to avoid the combustible substance.
Cas watched Dean place the jacket inside the gasoline soaked impala. He brought his fingers nervously up to his mouth and began to play with his bottom lip. Dean took three steps away from the car window. Cas saw a flash of silver and a spark. Dean extended his right arm forward in a casual toss. Fire sprang from the drives seat. Cas began chewing on the outsides of his thumb nail. His eyes flickered from Dean to the car repeatedly. Cas registered soft chuckling coming from his left but could not focus his attention on the room he was physically in. He was with Dean. Suffering next to him while the Impala burned from the inside out.
"That was fun." Cas heard Jeeves claim as though from behind a thick cloth. Dean turned around and walked away from the burning vehicle as though he could not stand to watch something he treasured burn. Cas felt an overwhelming guilt grip him. He could not reconcile with the idea that everything Dean loved burned. Cas focused on Dean's expression but he saw nothing but a cold stoicism. After a few moments of silence, Dean said "What's next?"
Jeeves chuckled and clapped his hands together. Cas looked over at Jeeves to see a smile that was too wide for his face plastered across his lips.
"I think you guys are really going to like this next one." He said before waving his hand in the same motion. The room around Dean began to dissolve. He was once again standing in a dark cavernous room awaiting judgement.
Four torches sprang to life in the corners of the room. Dean moved to the center of the now square room.
"If you could please remove your shirt and shoes." Jeeves directed. Dean turned in a tight circle searching for the voice. After a moment he shrugged and bent down to unlace his boots. Once barefooted he removed the plain dark blue button up shirt he was wearing off.
"All of your shirts, please." Jeeves said with snark. Cas had to once again resist the urge to throttle the being standing too close to him. He had joked about the amount of layers Dean wore numerous times but hearing the criticism from someone else made him overly defensive. However, Dean did as requested without a snide comment. He reached his hand behind his back and pulled the shirt over his head in one quick movement. Balling up the shirt and tossing it into the pile of clothes he formed seemed far to complacent for Cas' liking. The lack of sarcasm and jokes about his naked body were making Cas nervous. Destroying the Impala had been difficult undoubtably but Dean did not have time to recover from that loss before being presented with another arduous task.
"This next challenge is rather straightforward. It is designed to test your strength. Please begin." Jeeves directed. Cas watched as Dean's back stiffened into a defensive position. Suddenly he snapped his head to the left and stared into the dark corner. Cas could not see anything but Dean must have heard something. Dean brought his fists up in front of his face. Cas squinted and tried to see anything in the darkness of the room. The torches were only lighting the middle section of the room and he could not see anything other than Dean.
Finally Cas saw a giant mass emerging slowly from the left corner. Dean took two small steps back. The figure moved across one of the torches. Cas stared at the newly lit figure and felt a weight drop into his stomach. A large well muscled man with dark black eyes was stepping closer to Dean every second. Dean took a defensive stance watching every move the demon made. The demon stopped a foot from Dean as though waiting. They stood motionless, staring at each other, waiting. Cas silently resumed chewing on the tips of his fingers. Dean could certainly handle himself in a fight but he was half naked and lacked any defensive weapons. If this demon was allowed to use his powers this fight would be over very quickly. Cas turned to look at Jeeves with the intention of asking him what the rules were of this match to see a wide set grin on his face.
"To the death!" he exclaimed while raising his hands above his head a dramatic touch meant for Sam and Cas' benefit since Dean could not see him. Suddenly Cas' attention was split. The demon had stepped forward and swung a giant fist towards Dean which he quickly moved left to dodge at the same moment that Sam stepped forward and demanded "What do you mean to the death?"
"You two are quite irksome." Jeeves sighed before continuing "What part of that was hard for you?"
Sam snarled quietly under his breath again restraining the violent urge he must be feeling towards the snarky conduit.
"Dean must defeat the opponent using only his god given talents." Jeeves explained when neither Sam nor Cas spoke. Cas was too distracted by the current battle inside the other room to care much what the increasingly annoying being next to him was rattling on about. Why did they always have to encounter the sassy supernatural beings, Cas wondered while he watched Dean dodge another attack. As far as Cas could tell Dean was relying on his superior speed to wear the demon down. At the very least he had not been struck yet. A small spot of hope creeped its way through Cas' mind. Dean could handle himself in a fight and maybe, just maybe, he could get through these tasks unmarred.
A life devoid of sickness and death flashed through Cas' mind briefly. Cas watched as the demon reeled back his fist and quickly made contact with Dean's chest. The blow knocked Dean back. Cas could see his chest rising and falling in quick succession as though he were struggling to get oxygen. Dean could not pause. The demon was charging at him once more. He barely moved away from the giant in time. The blow that struck him seemed to have slowed his reflexes. The demon and Dean began circling each other once more. Each sizing the other attempting to find a weakness they could exploit. The demon lunged forward. Dean quickly leaped sideways, moving his body out of reach while extending his fist forward. He made contact with exposed ribcage. The demon staggered backwards. He stared at Dean with murderous intent. Cas was not sure if Dean had actually caused the Demon damage or had merely pissed him off. Once again the demon charged. This time, however, Dean was too slow. The demon caught him around the middle and dragged him to the ground. The grappled harshly for a few moments. Dean was well practiced in removing himself from holds. The demon could not pin him for longer than a few seconds.
The tension in Cas' chest mounted until he was sure it would explode from him. Every moment that Dean fought this demon felt as though he was struggling for his life. Cas watched as Dean finally gained the upper hand and the demon fell flat on his chest. Not wasting an opportunity Dean walked forward and placed his hands around the sides of the demon's neck. In a quick slight of hand Dean had snapped the demon's neck. Cas let out a sigh of relief before remembering that would not be enough to kill a demon. His did not let the lifeless body leave his sight. It was bound to start moving once getting over the initial injury. To his immense surprise Jeeves began instructing Dean.
"Very good, Winchester. You fought admirably. Now finish it." He waved his hand again. Cas saw a small familiar knife materialize next to Dean. Without hesitation Dean picked the knife up, crossed the room and plunged it into the belly of the demon's neck he had just snapped.
A/N I am very sorry this took so long to update. Gishwhes and school man. I know it's kinda short too. I am just terrible.