A/N: Fee: This doesn't exactly follow on from last year's advent. Harry was just supposed to be a cameo. But if I were to mash them together, I would argue that when Harry became Master of Death, he basically ended his destined fate. He doesn't command Death in the sense he can escape it or order Death about, just that he can avoid it/him for a bit longer. It also gives him the opportunity to speak to the dead (through the resurrection stone). The ability to become immortal comes from Ash or Savitar (if I remember that correctly…)

But at the moment – the thought I was working on with Death is that 'Death is inevitable' and there's no way to escape him in the end. (As Death says to Dean that he will eventually reap God himself)

Hope that clears things up?

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Advent - December 24th

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The first notion they have of anything being wrong, is the phone call Ash receives as they sit in the kitchen.

Thorn has been trying to introduce them all to the wonders of tea when the shrill ringing cuts through the pleasant chatter.

Despite the lateness, or earliness depending on whether or not you were working to dark hunter times, it wasn't all that unusual for Ash to receive calls. This is why, in the beginning, neither Dean, Castiel, Sam or Thorn thinks anything is wrong.

It doesn't last.

Ash shoots an apologetic look at the table and stands to take his call, moving just out of sight through the kitchen door. It's polite, but unnecessary, Dean thinks. He's grown up in a household where phone calls are almost as important as a gun.

Almost, because whilst calls can prepare you for what you're about to face, it's the gun that's going to take the fucker down.

Sam just smiles as Ash passes him, but Thorn immediately draws him into a low voiced conversation. It's almost like Thorn is jealous of Sam's attention on Ash.

Dean tries not to snicker.

He glances to his side where Castiel is sitting, willing to share in the eye-rolling camaraderie that he would have shared with anyone else. But the smile immediately drops from his face. Castiel is still sitting stiff and silent beside him, but every so often he would look to Dean's neck, where the mark of Artemis had been rebranded into his skin, and glance away again.

Dean would think this behaviour really annoying, but he's fond of the angel. They've saved each other's lives so Dean thinks that that makes them friends.

He's not too sure what Castiel's opinion on this is, seeing as how he's not even sure angels can have friends and whatnot – he's not taking Thorn as an shining example of angelhood here because…well…it's Thorn – but Dean's willing to give it a try.

Besides. The number of close friends that Dean has that are still alive are pitifully low. He can literally count them all on one hand. So it's not like he's going to give up the opportunity to throw one away.

Especially one who is obviously loyal to a fault and ready and willing to stand, not only at Dean's back, but at his side as well.

Hell, Castiel's already proven that he's willing to thrown himself in front of Dean if he thinks it's a good idea.

And, at the moment, his new maybe-friend isn't too happy. With the situation or with Dean, Dean isn't too sure. It's probably a bit of both. Dean tends to inspire that kind of thing.

"Cas?" Dean asks, his voice a low whisper.

Castiel blinks, and it's the only sign that he's shocked at Dean finally talking to him directly. Or, Dean thinks, it could be Dean's new nickname for him. Either or, really.

"Yes, Dean?" Castiel says, and Dean notices the way his eyes, once again, flicker to the brand on his skin. Feeling embarrassed, Dean covers it with his hand.

Is this the reason for the silence? The reason Castiel won't look at him, even though he's faced down a couple of angels and a goddess to try and keep Dean safe.

The light touch of fingertips touching the back of his hand draws Dean out of his thoughts. He looks up to see Castiel focusing on the hand pressed against his neck.

Once again, there's a light brush and Dean hesitantly moves his hand away. As soon as Castiel sees the tattoo again his face…well, it doesn't exactly crumple, but there's a sadness in his eyes that Dean doesn't like to see.

"Is this what's bothering you, Cas?"

Castiel's fingers pause and then he draws back, his face stoic once again. "I apologise."

Dean only very nearly manages to stop an eye roll. "You don't need to apologise. Just…why?"

It's a struggle to ask the question. It's going a little too far into chick-flick moment then Dean's comfortable with. But there's something different about having this conversation with Cas. It's like Dean doesn't expect Cas to burst into tears or try to hug him or something – which was always a concern when doing things with Sam.

"I-" Cas says, and then frowns a little. A slight crease appearing between his eyes. "I regret that you-"

Dean shifts uncomfortably, "You know I had to do it, right?" The look of incomprehension on Cas' face tells Dean that he really didn't. Dean sighs, of course he didn't. When was his life ever going to make these moments easier?

"Cas," He says quietly, "I gave my word. My word. I don't back down from that."

Castiel blinks again, his shoulders slumping a little. "You have sold your soul to another pantheon. Again."

Dean opens his mouth, and then has to close it again. Cas almost sounded jealous there for a moment. But that couldn't be right…could it?

It clicks. Let it not be said that Dean Winchester can't work out things for himself every now and then. He's not a moron after all. Even so, he's not going to just blurt out his suspicions in case he is wrong.

He starts out hesitantly, "Just because I'm working for Artemis now…doesn't mean that I-" His voice chokes off, even as Castiel's eyes brighten.

This has been a big thing for him. Ever since his mom died he's lost faith in God and anything good happening to him. Yet here he is, sitting in a kitchen with two angels – well, one's the anti-Christ, but he's not going to go into that – and he's been saved multiple times from a fate worse than death.

It's almost like someone is watching out for him. And Dean is finding it increasingly difficult to not believe that someone is watching over him now.

To be honest, he's been feeling like that for a while now.

"I'm still…" Dean tries again, "Well, I mean, you're here…"

This isn't going very well. Fortunately, Castiel seems to know what he means and gives him a small smile.

That shouldn't cause warmth to curl in his chest the way that it does.

Dean can't really find the energy to care. He smiles back and glances over at Sam and Thorn to see if they'd stood witness to the moment between him and his angel. Hey, Sam has an angel, why couldn't Dean?

Fortunately, Sam and Thorn are two busy discussing something or other about Sam's new job. Sam isn't taking it well.

"What?" Ash says sharply, drawing Dean's attention away from the domesticated bickering of Sam and Thorn. Seriously, it's like they don't even know how they're acting sometimes. Dean doesn't have that much info on old married couples – the ones that've been through and survived everything and, despite it all, still look like they're just meeting for the first time – but he has seen old hunting partners.

And Sam and Thorn have that sort of chemistry about them.

Which is ridiculous when you think logically about it. Because Sam and Thorn barely met a week ago and there shouldn't be any reason why they're able to practically finish each other's sentences by now.

Well, Dean thinks, maybe not on Sam's part. Thorn could have telepathy which would totally explain how he's arguing with Sam without actually saying anything.

God damn eyebrows.

"What do you mean-" Ash cuts off and there's a pause and then a quick, "I'll be right there."

The look on his face when he strides back into the kitchen is enough to get Dean and Sam standing. They're used to clusterfucks and how quickly you usually need to be on your feet to deal with them.

"I need to go." Ash says, his face set into something worn and stern with a hint of worry. And then he's gone and Dean is left with the thought that everything is going to crumble around him.

###

Ash appears next to his dark hunter just outside Sydney, Australia. Or, at least, he thinks he should have. But he can't see Rain anywhere. No, his attention is dragged to the blood soaked streets and the bodies littering the floor.

His breath catches in his throat and he feels his body start to numb. He hasn't seen anything quite this bad since the hospital.

"Rain?" He calls out taking a step forward. His foot lands on something solid but squishy. Ash looks down and wants to gag. It's a hand, a dismembered hand with a telling bow and arrow tattoo on the back of it.

Slowly, reluctantly, his eyes track up. And still it takes a few moments for his brain to process what he's seeing. Rain has been ripped apart and trampled so thoroughly into the ground that Ash can't even begin to differentiate.

He wants to gag. He wants to throw up. He wants to crawl into a corner and, for the first time, tell them that he isn't cut out for this job.

But he can't, because people are relying on him and there are more humans out here that need help. He'll have to try and get them to safety and then work out why this place was attacked.

A noise makes his head jerk up. And that's when he notices that he's surrounded on all sides. By daimons, sure. But there are also humans with pitch black eyes. Demons. And they're covered in blood. It's smeared across their faces and dripping down their chins as they stare at him blankly. Their clothes are soaked in it, so much so that he can't pick out individual colours anymore.

One of the daimons steps forward and smiles at him. "Greetings, Acheron. Why don't you join the party?"

Ash doesn't even remember what happens next. One moment he's completely surrounded, the next the daimons have exploded into gold dust and the demons are streaming black clouds into the sky.

He stands there, shell shocked, for a few seconds. His brain is telling him that he needs to move, he needs to pick up Rain's soul and take it back to spend the rest of eternity in as much comfort as he could provide.

But then his phone rings. It's another one of his dark hunters calling for help, screaming at him to save them.

Ash doesn't remember what he says but he disappears within two seconds of hanging up – Rain's soul can wait for the moment, another one of his warriors is in trouble – to a scene that's exactly like the one he's just left.

###

There's something wrong. Dean can tell. He has a sixth sense for things getting screwed up.

Doesn't mean that he's not going to go do them anyway, just that he knows when he's going to have to get his gun.

His sixth sense is proved correct, yet again, when Ash appears back in the kitchen covered head to toe in blood and swaying.

"Ash!" Sam shouts and moves to slip under Ash's arm so he doesn't collapse. Ash doesn't even seem to notice.

Instead he turns to Thorn and says "Demons have teamed up with the daimons."

Thorn curses and immediately goes for his phone, barking commands into it before Dean thinks it's even had a chance to ring.

Sam helps Ash sit in a chair and then hovers uncertainly, looking helpless. Dean knows how he feels, because he's feeling pretty much how Sam looks right now.

"Where are they?" Thorn askes sharply and Ash just looks at him.

"They're everywhere. The daimons are travelling with the sunset. Attacking my hunters and ripping them to pieces. And then going after the humans. The demons are just joining in the slaughter."

Thorn curses again and disappears.

Sam has barely had time to get Ash a glass of water before Thorn is back, blood slicing across the front of his shirt in an arc. Dean thinks it might be an arterial spray.

"Shit." Thorn says, "shit, shit, shit."

Ash chuckles mirthlessly.

"They're heading here." Thorn starts to pace. "I mean, eventually. The sun is going to set and they're going to be here." He glances at the steel shutters, once again, covering the windows as if he can gauge how much time they have left before nightfall.

"I have to warn the rest of my men and women." Ash stands, planting two hands on the table top before he can steady himself and tuck all weaknesses inside.

Dean doesn't know what Ash has just seen and lived through, and he doesn't want to, but he has the feeling that he's not going to get much of a choice.

"Ash." He says, stealing Ash's attention before he can disappear, "Is there anything…? Do you need me anywhere?"

Ash blinks, like he can't remember who Dean is for a moment, then he straightens his sunglasses, "New Orleans is your city to protect, Dean." He says. "Right now you can't do anything until the sun goes down. But when it does then get out there and protect the humans. That's your job."

Dean nods, even as a bitter taste fills the back of his throat at not being able to get out there now.

"If you need to, head to Sanctuary. So far the other lamini have been undisturbed. The demons might not heed the rules if they're here for you, but the daimons almost certainly will. And if they don't…" Ash gives a vicious grin, "Well then, Savitar will just have to get involved then, won't he?"

"You…think the demons are after me?" Dean asks, hating the guilt that sits heavily on his shoulders.

"You escaped hell, Dean." Thorn says, "I think there's a pretty good chance that they're after you."

Before Dean can retort though, Thorn is already turning to Sam. "I'm sorry," Thorn says, reaching for Sam's wrist, "this is probably going to hurt."

Sam gives him a look of confusion and then he's screaming. Dean leaps forward to do something, anything, but Cas is there, holding him back. And then it's over and Sam is kneeling on the floor, clutching his wrist to his chest.

"What the fuck!" Dean explodes with.

Thorn ignores him and pries Sam's arm away until he can see the inside of his wrist. There's a mark there. Thorn hums and brushes his thumb lightly over the skin causing Sam's breath to hitch and a full body shiver to wrack his frame.

Thorn smirks slightly and then let's go, standing up. "Welcome to the Hellchasers, Sam. You've got some extra power, can still go out in sunlight and are now, technically immortal. But please don't try and test that out." He says, "I'd be grateful if you'd kill some of the bastards out there tonight."

Then he turns to Ash and pulls out his sword.

"Let's go."

They disappear and Dean and Sam are left staring at one another. Dean's just busy wondering what the fuck when Sam makes a strangled noise and staggers to his feet.

"Dean," he says, "Dean. Bobby."

Dean curses because of course Bobby is going to be a target if they're coming after him. Normally he'd just give the old man a ring and tell him to hole up somewhere safe, but daimons won't be affected by devil traps.

"Shit." Dean says and then blinks and looks at Castiel. "Will you help?"

Castiel nods. "I will."

Dean smiles and then takes a deep breath. There's still a while until sundown, but there's so much to do. "Okay, I'll give him a ring and warn him. Is it possible to do that appearing out of nowhere trick again? How far can you travel?"

Castiel seems to know what he means as he says "I can collect Bobby Singer for you."

Dean nods. "Right, well. As much as I like this place, it's not safe. At all, as shown by the last three attacks." He rolls his eyes, "As much as it pains me to say, our best bet is to use Sanctuary as our base of operations." He turns to Cas again, "Will you be able to get him there?"

Cas nods, "As soon as it is needed I will transport him there."

Dean turns to Sam, who is still clutching at his wrist, whilst digging out his phone from his pocket. "Okay, Sam. Sanctuary. We'll need to demon proof it as much as possible. I can't go out to help just yet so it'll be up to you.

"I don't trust the daimons to hold up to the rules. But I know the demons won't so…"

"Right," Sam says, and runs to the bedroom. He appears five minutes later with a duffle bag filled with as much stuff as they have in the apartment. At Dean's eye he says, "I'll pick up more on the way."

Dean nods and chucks the Impala's keys at him. "Be safe, Sammy."

For once Sam doesn't complain about the nickname. Instead he crushes Dean in a hug. "I'll see you when you get to Sanctuary."

Dean claps Sam on the shoulder, "You can count on it."

Then Sam is gone and Dean's dialling Bobby's number and convincing him to follow his plan. Not that it's that great of a plan. But it's one that he hopes will keep his loved ones alive until tomorrow.

Castiel gives him a long look that Dean can't even begin to decipher and then he's gone as well. Leaving Dean alone with nothing else to do but sharpen and load his weapons.

Without the Impala, he's going to have to run to Sanctuary. And he's going to cut a swath of destruction through the enemy forces whilst he does so.