Episode 14 – Point Of No Return
Summary: Dean calls Cas for help while Merrick's crew is taking on the last remaining seals…
Time for a big disclaimer: Please, dear readers, whatever happens in this story, keep in mind that I am a sucker for happy endings and would never write an unhappy one. The chapters to come will be hard, but don't doubt that there will be light at the end of the tunnel.
That being said… I hope you like where I am taking this. It's part of my big, complex plan for the rest of this fic which has been around since chapter 3 or 4, and I'm growing more nervous with every update. ENJOY!
xXx
Welcome to your life
There's no turning back
Even while we sleep
We will find you
Acting on your best behavior
Turn your back on Mother Nature
Everybody wants to rule the world
- Everybody wants to rule the world, Lorde
xXx
Kemuel cannot meet his eyes when he returns from Japan.
"We were too late, Castiel. Way too late."
His hands ball into fists of their own accord and he forces the breath he has been holding pointedly slowly. It's not the angel's fault, he tries to tell himself. When they are too late, they have to deal with it.
"Cassie! How's it going?"
Of course this would be the moment his brother shows up, all forced cheer and fake smiles while Castiel can see the tired look in his eyes and the way his wings are dragging behind him, clearly exhausted.
"Well," Castiel begins, not even bothering with such much as a twitch of the lips. "Kemuel brought news from Japan. That's another seal down, which takes us to 59 – oh, but Sam called and they did find something in Vegas: three broken seals."
"Three?! How on Father's green earth did these dickbags manage to break three seals in Vegas?"
"They have the False Prophet. He broke each of the Tablets of Stone."
"You mean the second edition dear ol' Dad gave Moses after the old chump destroyed his first copy?"
Castiel nods gravely. Gabriel can joke all he wants; it won't change the fact that as of now, 62 seals have been opened.
"Any news from lover boy in Rock City?"
His face falls before Castiel has a chance to reign in his reaction. "No, I –"
His phone rings. A quick glance at the caller ID makes his heart stutter. "It's Dean," he informs Gabriel and Kemuel before stepping out of eavesdropping range.
"Hello Dean, I was beginning to worry."
"Cas, this ain't a usual check-in," is the first thing he hears and the way Dean's voice shakes so uncharacteristically makes the blood freeze in Castiel's very human veins.
"Dean, are you okay?" he asks, already able to imagine Gabriel's pointed eye-roll since Castiel's first question did not pertain to the seals.
Where he expects to hear the usual "I'm fine", however, Dean rasps out a shaky "No. Cas, I'm not fine."
"What happened? How can I help?"
Why is his heart rate increasing? Why is he suddenly starting to perspire and why is his chest feeling so tight? Castiel sucks in a deep breath in an attempt to calm himself down enough to actually hear Dean's reply.
"I don't know – fuck, that's just it, Cas, I don't know! I got no idea what I've been doing since I last saw you and I came to covered in blood in some dingy motel room and I got nothing, man, not a thing."
"Dean, listen," Castiel grits out. Dean needs him to keep a clear head, he cannot loose his proverbial cool, not now. "Tell me where you are, then stay there until I am there. I am coming for you as fast as I can. I'll help you."
"You don't understand, Cas," Dean all but murmurs. "I'm gone. I've been gone and done fuck knows what. I lost it, Cas."
He hears the implication but the thought alone is unfathomable. Dean cannot have turned into the monster everyone feared he would. No. Not now. Not after…
"Dean, we'll cross that bridge when I'm there. Tell me where you are, please."
"Detroit, Morningstar Motel. Classy, right?" A dry laugh, then Dean falls silent.
"I will be there as soon as I can."
"Thanks, man."
The line goes dead and for a full minute, Castiel cannot move.
"Cassie?" Of course Gabriel would stay behind. "Cassie, what's wrong? Another seal down?"
"I don't know," he replies hollowly. "I need to go."
"What? You've got a position here, brother –"
"Dean needs me, Gabriel!"
"Oh, of course, 'cause your black-eyed boyfriend's so much more important that stopping the apocalypse!"
"Something happened! He needs me!"
"And for what? What happened, Castiel? Did he finally go 'round the bend? Kill a virgin, drink her blood?" Castiel shudders. "Yeah, 'cause that's what he's capable of, only you and moose don't wanna see it 'cause you're so blinded by love that you haven't noticed how violent that boy's gotten!"
"Don't you think I noticed?" Castiel retaliates, shoving Gabriel with both hands on his chest. "I did and it's been killing me, knowing that there is nothing I can do to help because we are in over our heads with this. But now, now I can help!"
"How? Don't think for a second that you can fool me, kiddo. You ain't got it in you to do what needs be done."
Castiel glares for lack of any comeback at all and Gabriel holds his gaze, fury in his eyes, his face hard. Moments pass like this before the archangels steps closer so that they are standing toe to toe.
"Listen to me, Castiel. Your boyfriend is a Knight of Hell. You saw what they did. You can imagine what Dean's capable off when he finally gives in completely. I know you, Cassie – you might mean well but you always fuck up epically. Only this time, if you fuck this up, the consequences are gonna be bad. So promise me, Cas: Take him down. Or I'll do it and throw you in the cellar for the next few millennia for treason. Oh wait," the angel adds with a sneer. Castiel feels a pang at the reminder of his new-found mortality.
"I get it, Gabriel. Now let me go."
"Mark my words, Cassie. There'll come a moment when –"
But which moment that would be, Castiel never learns for he is already out of the room. He needs help to reach the motel as soon as possible and even though Dean called him, Sam needs to be involved. The Winchesters have a talent for talking each other out of bad situations – they will need this today.
He finds Haschmal in the armory with another low-level warrior, Jophiel, he thinks. They immediately stand to attention when Castiel enters, which after all this time still does not fails to amaze him. He has lost all his powers but none of the respect his fellow brothers and sisters grace him with.
"I need your help," is what he begins with, and the two are more than willing. He sends Haschmal for Sam – and for Sam only. Alexandra Kahr is a capable huntress yet she has never been too fond of Dean. Castiel would not trust her within twenty feet of him in whatever state he currently is. Meanwhile, Jophiel takes him straight to the motel with strict orders not to reveal his location to anyone. She promises, and Castiel can but hope she will keep her word.
Then he enters the building.
xXx
He finds room 309 without problems and pauses in front of the door, considering the brass numbers in his line of sight. What an inconsequential number, Castiel notes. He doubts, however, that he would have felt better if it were something foreboding.
He knocks, expecting to hear footsteps that never come.
"Cas?"
"Dean, please open the door."
"I can't let you in, Cas. You still got that lock picking set, right?"
His hand jerks towards the inside pocket of his trenchcoat. It was a present from Dean, along with lessons as to how he could open doors in the absence of a key. With shaking hands, Castiel sets to work.
It cannot have taken more than a two or three minutes, but the time drags by until finally, Castiel pushes the door open, shutting it firmly behind him.
"Dean!" The gasp escapes him before he can stop it. Dean is sitting on the floor inside a large devil's trap painted on the floor between the two beds. The first blade is lying on the mattress to Castiel's left, where he also spies the door to the bathroom.
"It's the only way I wouldn't run off, Cas," Dean explains, his left hand scratching at the skin of his right arm which is exposed since he is only wearing a t-shirt. A bloodied t-shirt.
"It'll be alright, Dean. Sam's on his way –"
"You called Sammy?" There is a faint touch of panic in his voice.
"Yes, he needs to be here. We'll find a solution."
"I got one for you –"
"We have to consider other options first –"
"I'm a monster, Cas!" Dean is shouting now, jumping to his feet and would probably have advanced on him if it weren't for the pentagram on the floor.
"You're not right now," Castiel argues, knowing that his point will be moot as soon as the call of the Mark becomes too strong to ignore.
"Listen," Dean starts after breathing in deeply, "I called you 'cause we had a deal. You said you'd take me down, Cas, and I need you to do it now."
"We don't know for sure if we actually can kill you, Dean."
"Then hand me the damn blade and I'll do it myself!"
There is no doubt now – Dean does not want to die or he would have turned the blade on himself in the first place. But no, he called Castiel, knowing that he would not be able to do as he threatened before… before things changed.
Castiel drags his eyes back from the floor to meet Dean's. "If you really wanted this, you would have done that before calling me."
"Damn it, Cas," Dean grouses and would have gone one, yet suddenly the door bursts open and there is Sam, alone, knife at the ready. He glances around, taking in the situation.
"Who put you in there?"
"I did."
"Why?" Sam's voice is barely more than a whisper. He certainly knows the answer already, though Castiel figures he wants to hear his brother say it in person.
Dean swallows, his eyes wet. "'cause I got no clue what I've done for the past two weeks. I've been loosing time and every time I get to I'm covered in blood. I know what it means, Sammy. I'm loosing control. Trapped myself and then called Cas 'cause I'd've run otherwise."
"So what, Dean, you expect us to just slaughter you?" A resigned nod and Castiel feels his chest tighten again. "No."
Dean's head whips up and he blinks at his brother with wide eyes.
"I won't kill you, Dean. There's gotta be a way to help you."
"I'm beyond help, Sammy! Now stop this crap and get this show on the road!"
"You're fine right now, aren't you? You're lucid? We'll find a way to keep you that way, there's gotta be a spell or a ritual, I'll check the library and Cas'll see if maybe Gabe knows something and we'll figure this out, you can't leave me, Dean."
It all escapes Sam in a rush and he stumbles over some words but his resolution is evident.
"Cut it out, Sammy!" Dean snaps. "There's no salvation for me, get that in that thick head o'yours!"
"I'm with Sam on this," Castiel finally says, drawing the brothers' attention. "We have to check first if there really is no way to save you before taking drastic measures."
A frustrated roar tears from Dean's throat and he kicks at the invisible walls surrounding him. With great effort, he locks his jaw, lowers himself to the floor and proceeds to glare at them.
For a few seconds, no one moves.
"Alright, okay," Sam stammers, running a hand through his hair. "Let's think. There's gotta be a way."
"We cannot exorcise him. He is not possessed."
"We could cure him."
Dean growls from his position on the floor. "Are you outta your mind? You almost died last time! No way in hell you gonna try that shit with me."
"Also it would close Heaven since you would be completing the Trials of God, Sam. And, frankly…"
"What, Cas?" Sam snaps at him.
"I doubt Dean can be classified as a usual demon. His soul was not twisted in Hell after death like Crowley's was. The ritual has been designed to cure such demons, not Knights of Hell."
Silence falls and Castiel can see Sam's thoughts tumbling over each other in his head. Dean seems satisfied that they have abandoned this line of thought but is still glaring at them. The Mark is glowing faintly where it has not done so when Castiel laid eyes on Dean, however. If it weren't for its distinct form, it would not be noticeable on Dean's arm given how irritated the skin has become from all his scratching.
"The Mark," Castiel murmurs, unsure of where his thoughts will lead him, yet there is something…
"What's that, Cas?"
"The Mark," he repeats. "It's what kept Dean alive after Metatron stabbed him. It's the Mark that turned him into a Knight and that compels him to kill again and again."
He can see the moment of clarity in Sam's hazel eyes when he understands.
"We get rid of the Mark," the younger brother says, "we get Dean back."
"What? Wait, no!" Dean is scrambling to his feet again. "That ain't gonna work either, you can't just cut it off and Cain's dead, he can't do nothing either."
The point throws Castiel for a loop momentarily. Cain is gone, unable to do anything. Who else holds power over the Mark? Crowley?
Next to him, Sam releases a long breath and Castiel glances over, then does a double-take when he sees Sam's wide-eyes expression.
"Sam?"
The hunter swallows hard, pinches the bridge of his nose and starts pacing without saying a word. Castiel repeats his question and Dean's face has twisted into a scowl, half worried, half annoyed.
Finally, Sam stops, facing them both dead on.
"We don't need Cain. We go back further, up the chain of command. Get the one who put the Mark on him in the first place."
Castiel's brain freezes, then jumps into overdrive. "Lucifer?"
"You're crazy! Absolutely crazy!"
Dean may be complaining but Castiel's eyes are fixed on Sam. His expression allows no room for doubt and his eyes are hard, his entire body tense. It is a mad idea, probably certifiable, and Castiel has had some rather ridiculous ideas himself so he should know what he is talking about. But at the same time, Castiel knows that Sam is right. Lucifer would be able to erase the Mark and restore Dean to his former self. If it weren't for one problem.
"Sam, you locked Lucifer into the Cage. We have no way of getting to him."
The corners of Sam's mouth twitch at that and a hand sneaks into his breast pocket. Castiel watches, the reality of what Sam is suggesting dawning on him with shocking intensity, as the younger Winchester holds out Death's Ring.
"Yes, we have."
xXx
An eerie calm spreads through Sam's body, fills him up and evens out his breathing, lowers his pulse. The Ring is cold in his palm, an object foreign to this plane.
It is so obvious now that he has realized it. He doubts they would manage to kill Dean even if they wanted to, and damn, Sam would rather end his own life than leave Dean to die and suffer in Hell for all eternity or roam the earth as the exact thing he has been taught to hunt with all his power.
Sam was prepared to pay any price necessary after he brought Dean's lifeless form back to the bunker all these months ago. Nothing's changed. Dean is his brother and deserves so much more, especially now that he's finally gotten his act together with Cas.
It is selfish, true. But it's Dean.
Dean, who's ranting inside the devil's trap like a gossiping teenager, gesturing wildly and flinging curses at the both of them, but Sam tunes him out.
"Sam… are you sure?" is all Castiel asks.
"Yes. What about you, Cas?"
The former angel hesitates. "I am under orders from Gabriel. He wants me to end Dean's life if he has lost control."
Even if Sam hadn't known Cas for as long as he has, he still would've been able to tell that Cas's struggling. He's biting his lip, eyes trained on Sam and not for a second darting over to Dean.
"It's your choice, Cas. I can't make you… but I could really use your help."
Only then does Cas look at Dean, who seems to have run out of steam and is watching them both, left hand scratching his skin again. When Cas speaks next, he's talking to his brother.
"I know what we agreed, Dean. But that was before we… you know. You cannot expect me to fulfill my part now. Things have changed and I will do whatever it takes to save you."
Sam suddenly remembers the picture in Cain's house, the one of the woman who was the reason the man abandoned his station at Lucifer's side. For a moment Sam wonders if Cas could be the same for Dean as Colette was to Cain. Maybe. Maybe if they didn't have such a long history, and if Dean weren't Dean, with all his issues and inferiority complexes and a little brother to protect. Maybe if Cas told him he loves him.
"Cas, I can't believe I'm saying this, but listen to your freakin' brother!"
"No. I won't."
Dean forces out a breath, is probably trying to come up with a way to stop them. Sam has never been gladder that Dean lost his ability to pray when his eyes turned black for the first time.
Castiel is looking up at Sam now, decided and on board. Alright. Now all that's standing between Sam and saving his brother is binding Death and visiting Lucifer.
xXx
"How many left to break?"
"Three before the final one, Lilith."
"You did good. Lucifer will be pleased with your work."
"Thank you," Beth manages, even though her voice trembles slightly.
"Are your men already working on these three seals?"
"Yes," Merrick butts in. He only just arrived, not having been able to give Crowley the slip unnoticed before. Judging by the smirk he is sporting, Beth would assume the King of Hell is getting more and more anxious by the hour. "One team is in Argentina right now, though I heard about the angels targeting that location as well. It hardly matters – we have other groups in other countries, ready to strike should they fail, and two more working on the remaining seals. The one in Mali should be reporting back soon."
"Good." Lilith is still inhabiting the body of the young girl from Rhode Island, but her tone is cold and eerie. "Can we expect the last three seals to be broken before the day is over?"
Merrick nodded. "I assure you."
"Then we can advance to St. Mary's Convent."
"Oi, what's that?" Gavin throws in, showing no respect or curtsey. Beth resists the urge to smack him across the head.
Lilith's stare speaks volumes. At least Beth is not the only one Gavin annoys.
"The place where the sixty-sixth seal shall be broken." Her lips curl into a toothy grin. "Where you'll kill me."
"What, me?!" Gavin yelps.
"You're the False Prophet," Lilith deigns to explain. "It is your honor to complete the seals and set Lucifer free this time around."
"Oh, alright…" Gavin looks worried, probably about killing a girl and Beth shakes her head as they follow Lilith and Merrick. She only hopes that the competence of the Prophet aren't an indication of the times to follow.
xXx
Sam leaves Cas with Dean while he hitches a ride back to the bunker with the same angel who brought him to the motel. All he has to find is the book with the rituals pertaining to Death, get the ingredients and they're all set.
"What's going on?"
Alex is standing in the doorway, narrowing her eyes at Sam who is running a finger along the spines of the books on the shelf.
"Cas needs my help," Sam lies. "He's joining in but he's not as strong as he used to. He needs back up."
All Alex does is nod. "I'll go get my stuff. Meet you in the garage?"
"Alright."
Sam speeds up his actions, hurriedly checking the book and collecting what they need. He'll have to send Haschmal for certain items, but it seems manageable. When he turns around in order to go off in the opposite direction as the garage, he finds himself staring down the barrel of a gun. Alex' gun.
"What, you run off with an angel and don't think I'll be suspicious as hell?" she grips. "What's going on?"
"It's complicated."
"Isn't it always?"
Sam swallows, eyes darting around the room, looking for a way out of this without causing too much hard.
"Listen. I gotta do something and you can't come with me. So put down the gun, get your things and check on another seal. We're running out of time to stop this."
"Then why aren't you with me, Sam? Is it your brother?"
His expression probably betrays him for Alex' eyes widen and her grip on the weapon tightens.
"Look, I'm really sorry," he begins, then does the only thing he can think of – he pounces on her, hitting the gun out of her hand and smashing her head against the bookshelf hard enough to knock her out, yet not hard enough to cause any damage.
"I'm sorry," he murmurs as he picks up the duffel bag with ingredients and the book and walks out of the bunker.
xXx
A white light erupts from the bowl and the second the ritual works, Sam feels the connection running through him. His body floods with relief. One step closer.
"You must be joking," comes Death's dry remark and Sam's eyes blink open and settle on the old man in a suit, standing with his back to the window and surveying the room. He glares at both Sam and Cas before he eventually glimpses Dean. His expression remains blank.
"I know you didn't give us your ring to abuse it and I'm sorry, but we need you," Sam hurries to explain. "One thing and then you'll be free, I promise."
"Like you promised to return my ring as soon as Heaven was reopened?"
Well. Sam clears his throat nervously. "For real, this time."
Death's eyes come to rest on Dean. He seems wistful all of a sudden. "I will have to disappoint you, Sam. Castiel. Removing the Mark of Cain lies even beyond my capabilities."
"We know," Castiel cuts in. "That is not what we're asking."
"Don't listen to them!" Dean interrupts. "They're mad!"
"Oh, that one was quite obvious," Death drawls, raising his hand. Silver, semi-transparent shackles glimmer around his wrists. "Though I'm afraid my options are rather limited, Dean."
"Exactly." Sam finally finds his voice again. He knows beyond the shadow of a doubt that the horseman will reap him first chance he gets when this is all over. But he knew going in that binding him – again – would mean signing his own death warrant. "You will take me into Hell and into Lucifer's cage. You retrieved my soul so I know you can get in there. You will protect me from harm and enable me to talk to Lucifer."
The eyebrows of his vessel draw up. "You wish to converse with the devil? Now, why could that be?"
"I think you know."
"Indeed."
Silence envelopes the room. Sam cannot feel Death resisting the binding which is good. Sam isn't sure he'd be strong enough to really fight him. Eventually, Death sighs.
"I need to know that you are sure, Sam. The price you will have to pay will be enormous. It might not be worth what you will receive in return."
"I owe him this," Sam insists, finally voicing a thought that has been sitting at the back of his mind for a while now. After all Dean has done for him, Sam needs to give something back. He has the opportunity to let Dean have something with Cas, a chance at happiness, even if the apocalypse is on the horizon. It makes a twisted kind of sense but Sam knows it is the right thing to do for him in this situation. The alternatives are just too dire. "I won't let Dean die and I won't let him become a monster –"
"I'm already a monster, Sammy! Damn it, listen to me!" Then Dean groans, clutching his arm. It hurts to see his brother in such agony and Sam's resolve doubles.
"Let's go," he orders, meeting Dean's eyes across the room. Cas nods at him, shifting his stance.
"Very well," Death say with a finality to it. Then he touches Sam's shoulder and all goes black.
xXx
Merrick's phone chimes, the sound bouncing off the walls of the ancient convent. Beth expected to find ruins but apparently the ground had closed up again after spitting out the Devil last time.
"The last one has been broken," Merrick announces as he puts the keylock back into his phone.
"That was fast," Gavin comments from the ground where he is petting Bouncer's fur.
"Well, they're efficient and know what they're doing, as opposed to some people," Beth sneers and to her surprise, Gavin actually picks up on the teasing this time.
"What're ya suggesting? I managed to resurrect the girl, didn't I? Ya shouldn't call me incompetent, mind you."
"That girl is the most ancient and most powerful demon to ever walk he earth," Beth grits out before she can stop herself, "and you should show her some respect."
"But she's just a kid!"
"And standing right here, you know," Lilith chides with a roll of her eyes. "Also, I'm eager to start. I haven't spent years in purgatory to dawdle."
She looks at Gavin expectantly and he jumps to his feet, flushing in embarrassment. "Oh, yes, apologies."
He picks up the knife Merrick brought from the depths of Hell for just this moment and approaches Lilith who emanates calmness and authority. Beth uses these last moments to bask in her presence and get accustomed to it. Soon she will be standing in the presence of Lucifer himself.
"So shall I just…. How should I do this?" Gavin asks with wide eyes, hand clutching the knife.
Beth can't help the groan that escapes her. Really, one would think starting the apocalypse could be done with a miniscule amount of awe and honor. But of course, they're talking about Gavin here.
"Stab me in the throat," Lilith advises. "The faster I bleed out, the faster the cage will open."
"Yes. Of course. Obviously." Gavin takes another step forward, raises the knife, takes aim and delivers the blow.
He misses the carotid artery – who the fuck misses the carotid artery? – and rams the weapon into the space between Lilith's shoulder and collar bone. Beth catches her glare at the False Prophet before she tumbles down, hair fanned out across the stone floor. Yet the blood starts flowing, filling the lines in the ground and the earth starts to shake.
"We should take our leave," Merrick decides. "We won't survive standing right here for very long."
Beth nods and she drags Gavin back at his collar because the guy didn't look like he was going to move on his own. He's too preoccupied with staring down at Lilith and his own hands.
The spiral on the floor is almost completely filled with blood when they finally manage to teleport away, anxiety rushing through all their veins in light of the events that they have set in motion.
xXx
When Sam opens his eyes, he is in a dungeon. The air smells stale, with a hint of copper to it, and the walls are dirty, crusted blood covering large parts of the stone.
In one corner Sam spies a crumbled form, trembling violently. "Adam?" he calls out softly, hardly able to believe that his plan worked.
"He cannot hear you. Neither can Michael," Death explains, pointing out the second figure of which Sam can't discern shape of features.
"Well, well, well, the wayward son returns."
Sam spins around and there he is – Lucifer, grinning at him from where he is leaning almost casually against a wall. The voice that has haunted Sam's mind for months, years even. He remembers how it felt to have Lucifer inside his body, the synergy, the sense of belonging, and the revulsion at what the fallen angel did. His vessel, Nick, looks good, all lacerations gone. Though it is probably just part of the Cage's magic.
"What brings you here to my humble accommodation? I see you brought a friend." Lucifer sends Death a toothy grin, pushing himself off the wall. "What's up, Sammy? Devil's got your tongue?" He laughs at his own joke.
"I came to negotiate a deal."
Blue eyes widen. "And why would you want that? You see, I've been a bit out of the loop for the past few years. Been having too much fun with brother dearest and our little chew toy."
"You remember Cain?"
Lucifer's lips spread into a broad grin as he takes a step in Sam's direction. "Sure I do. So eager to save his brother… Like some other people I know." He winks, smirking. "My best soldier for centuries, but then he had to go and get himself a girlfriend. Tedious, to say the least. What? Is he making trouble again?"
"He gave his Mark to Dean."
The information lights Lucifer's eyes on fire. "Ohhh, nice one. Wait!" He holds up a hand, touching the index finger of the other to his lips and striking a thoughtful pose. "I can connect the dots, my brain's still very much intact, despite how much brother Michael tries to give me brain damage," he sneers, then grins at Sam and crosses his arms in front of his chest. "You're here to get me to remove the Mark, aren't you, Sammy?"
"Yes." Sam's pulse doesn't spike. He doesn't even flinch.
"And what are you prepared to give me in return?"
Suddenly, Lucifer is standing right in front of him, their faces inches apart and the angel's eyes take in his features.
"Name your price," Sam dares him, though deep inside he knows what Lucifer will ask for. It is not a difficult conclusion to come to.
Predictably, Lucifer chuckles, lowering his head and looking up at him through his lashes. "Oh, don't play coy, Sammy. You know what I want. Death over there knows what I want. Dean-o knows what I want. Is he too far gone already or did he try to stop you?"
Sam doesn't reply. Lucifer raises a hand and brushes his knuckles over Sam's cheek in a twisted caress that makes Sam's stomach turn and his skin explode in goose bumps.
"I will cure your brother if you say yes. Your body for his life. I'll even throw in a 'Not harming him' clause, if that'll make it easier."
"Him and Castiel. They're both off limits."
Sam's willingness seems to surprise the fallen angel since he takes a step back, blinking back at him. "You'd actually trade your life for Dean's, even if Dean would live in a world that has me walking in it with my one true vessel?"
This is it, Sam realizes. The point of no return. But it's not really a choice, is it? He can't kill his brother and he can't damn him to an eternity of doing first Crowley's bidding, then Lucifer's as soon as the last seal breaks. Dean will be restored, with Cas at his side, and Gabriel's still there so they have a fighting chance of taking Lucifer down. After all Sam has done wrong in his life, this merely seems like one more thing, one more crime. He will never be remembered as a force of good in this world, may as well make it count and protect his brother like Dean has done it all his life.
"Yes. You make Dean human again and never, ever touch him or Castiel, and you get a free ride." Sam's voice isn't shaking. He is perfectly calm, a dull sense of finality hanging over him.
Lucifer holds out his hand. "You'll need to juice up on demon blood before we'll complete it. Don't think you can trick me out of a vessel, Sam. When you've done that, I'll come to you, make Dean human and take my price."
"You'll come to me?" Sam echoes, confused. As if on cue, the ground of the dungeon starts to shake, almost throwing him off balance.
Lucifer spreads his arms, grinning at the ceiling. "You really thought I wouldn't feel the Prophet rise and the seals break?" He barks out a laugh, then offers his hand again. "Take the deal now, Sammy, or once I'm on earth again I'll take your brother under my wing and make him my second. He'd do a marvelous job, what d'you think?"
The shaking is getting stronger now and Sam looks around to meet Death's gaze. "As soon as we're done, take me back to Detroit."
A slight nod and another laugh, shriller this time, sounds from Lucifer. "Detroit? Dean's in Detroit?"
Sam's jaw tightens. "Yes. We doing this or what?"
"With pleasure," comes the answer and then the devil shakes his hand, firm and powerful.
The last thing Sam sees is Lucifer's satisfied smirk before Death pulls him back out.
xXx
Sam comes to on the floor of room 309, finding both Dean's and Cas' eyes fixed on him, one hopeful, one afraid.
"Did it work?" Cas urges him, helping him to his feet.
"Yes. He's gonna do it."
"Damn it, Sammy! You can't fucking do this!" Dean shouts, trying to get out of the confines of his devil's trap but to no avail.
"I believe this is the moment you do as you promised and unbind me," Death drawls, looking at him expectantly.
Sam nods, speaks the counter incantation and offers the horseman's Ring to him, his palm upturned. "Thank you."
"The man who sealed earth's fate should not thank me for enabling him to do so."
"Yeah, sorry."
"Oh, you will be, Sam Winchester," Death murmurs, more to himself than to anyone in the room. "You will be."
He leaves without another comment. No piece of advice, no warning to Dean, not even a jab at Cas. Sam feels hollow in the wake of his departure.
"What now?" Cas' question pulls him back into reality.
"We'll have to ward the room. I don't want Gabriel messing this up, or any other angel for that matter. Then I'll need to get some demon blood."
The room goes quiet. Then Dean explodes.
"You've got to be kidding me, Sam! What the fuck are you thinking! What gives you the right to fuck up the world like that? Ain't it enough that some gang's breaking seals, now you need to hand Lucifer the key to the kingdom?!"
"What did you do, Sam?" Cas' voice is barely audible.
"My body for Dean's humanity. Plus you're both on his no-hit list."
"You stupid son of a bitch!" Dean cusses, pacing as much as his confines allow.
Castiel merely squares his shoulders, his eyes filled with gratitude despite the worried crease of his brows.
Sam gets it. He feels the same emotions battling inside his chest.
xXx
While they are warding the room, Dean's state worsens. He paces more and more, hisses when they pass him by. His eyes are a constant black now and he clearly is in pain. It's incredibly hard to ignore him and it's even harder to say his goodbye to his brother when he isn't even Dean anymore.
"When I come back, all will be fine," he promises, trying to smother the burning in his eyes.
Cas and he go about the following hunt in silence. Years of practice have taught Sam where to find demons in any city and Detroit is no different. They take down five, drain them, fill canisters with blood. He hands Cas the keys for the drive back and opens the first one while the voice from the radio goes on and on about tornadoes and earthquakes, tsunamis and storms.
It's been so long since he drank even one drop but it's still calling to him, red and thick. He catches Cas' eye for a moment, then brings the container to his lips. It doesn't taste like nectar anymore as it did at the height of his addiction. It's vile and nauseating but Sam keeps going until they are back at the Morningstar Motel. Only now does Sam take in its name and he laughs harshly at the irony.
Cas helps carry the rest of the blood in through the back door to avoid suspicion. Sam sits down at the chair facing the beds, his eyes constantly on Dean while he drains ounce after ounce.
Dean's not Dean anymore. Would probably stay like this for weeks at a time, unaware of right and wrong, just feeding the Mark. He'd probably slay Sam or Cas without a second's doubt.
Sam looses track of time but the moment he sets down the last container, empty now, there is a knock at the door.
"Room service!" sounds Lucifer's voice through the door, cheerful and light.
Both Sam and Castiel freeze. It all suddenly becomes so real.
"Ah, Castiel," Lucifer greets him when the former angel opens the door after disrupting the warding. Not that it would have made much difference if he hadn't, probably. "The grapevine told me you got cozy with what would have been my best general."
"We're not here to chat," Sam snaps, taking a deep breath in a losing battle to calm himself down. Panic is setting in now, but he wouldn't back out of the deal even if he could. They have gone through every option and Lucifer is their only chance. Period.
"No, we're not," Lucifer murmurs as he takes in Dean's demeanor. Where in the cage his skin was smooth and unmarred, only few moments on earth have left their trace behind. Sam's eyes are drawn to the red splotches where the muscle is visible. The vessel is failing.
"You know, I'm feeling generous," the devil announces. "I'll cure Dean first and grant him one last tearful moment with his brother before I take what's mine."
"And then you'll go and leave both Dean and Cas alone," Sam reiterates, just to make sure.
"That is the plan," Lucifer agrees, waits another second as if daring anyone to stop him. When no one speaks up, he steps towards Dean who has gone quiet and drops on one knee when Lucifer approaches.
"You'd be a nice asset, Dean Winchester, but I'm afraid our partnership won't come to pass."
Sam's breath catches in his throat as Lucifer extends a hand and touches the Mark, which is glowing crimson. It seems to pulse and Dean cries out in pain, yet a moment later, the Mark seems to be sucked right off his skin and into Lucifer's body, leaving Dean gasping. He falls forward and catches himself on his elbows where he remains for a few seconds until his breath isn't as ragged anymore.
When he looks up, his eyes are green and Sam almost collapses from the joy of seeing them like this.
"Dean," he breathes, waiting for his brother to react.
"Sammy?" Dean's voice is raw and thick, a veil of guilt and tears shrouding his eyes as he glances down his body, taking in the bloodied shirt.
"You're alright, Dean," Sam assures him. "The Mark's gone; you're save."
Sam advances slowly until he is right in front of his brother, close enough to reach out and pull him into a hug – our last hug, a voice inside his head whispers viciously. Dean shudders against his chest and then he starts sobbing, sounding utterly broken and all Sam can do is grip him tighter.
"I don't wanna spoil the fun," Lucifer interrupts, "but could we hurry this up?"
Dean tenses in Sam's arms as if he only just realized who's in the room with them. He draws back enough to look Sam straight in the eyes.
"What have you done, Sammy?"
"What I had to."
"You should have killed me like I asked you to."
"I couldn't do that."
"So instead you're letting the devil loose?"
"The seals were being broken anyway –"
"What, like that makes it somehow okay?!"
"No, just, fuck, Dean," Sam groans, "can we not fight now? I couldn't kill you. I couldn't let you become a monster. Only Lucifer can remove the Mark."
"Sounds so easy, doesn't it, huh?" Dean murmurs, shaking his head and running a hand through his hair. "Don't think I'm not really fuckin' pissed right now."
"It's fine."
To their right, Lucifer groans, clearly annoyed. "Guys! Please!"
Sam pulls Dean into one last hug and this time, neither of them seems to want to let go but they have to eventually. When Dean steps back, there are new tears in his eyes.
Meanwhile, Sam looks at Cas. "Thanks. Look out for each other, will you?"
Cas is incredibly tense, eyes darting towards Dean every few seconds and his jaw clenched so firmly that it has to be hurting by now, but he nods solemnly.
Then, inhaling deeply and reminding himself that Dean is fine and well and safe from harm, Sam says, "Yes". Lucifer smiles at him, closes his eyes and the entire room is flooded with light.
xXx
It's my own design
It's my own remorse
Help me to decide
Help me make the
Most of freedom and of pleasure
Nothing ever lasts forever
Everybody wants to rule the world
xXx
End Notes: Please don't murder me in my sleep! *hides-behind-a-rock* This was always going to be the "mid season catastrophe" and I really hope you don't hate me now. Remember my disclaimer about happy endings.
Also, the idea for Sam going to Lucifer because of the Mark was inspired by this tumblr post (I hope the link works on ffn?)
So…. Thoughts? Do you hate me? Should I get a bodyguard?