Chapter 5: Tentative Plans
Explaining took some time. So did a brief demonstration of their shared talents. They kept it small, a little bit of healing on his part and a short hop transportation, right outside the Bunker, for a demonstration of Castiel's new abilities. Castiel refused to do any more demonstrations after that, saying that using demon energy made him feel ill.
Crowley didn't protest. He felt the same way about using Castiel's Grace. It was like getting little doses of the cure Sam had foisted on him, and he didn't care for it, even if it did keep the bloody cravings away.
What followed after that was a heated discussion. Sam was all for finishing the cure on Crowley and attempting to negate the connection that way. Crowley was against that. Dean was also against it, for different reasons, while Castiel was in favor of it, but unwilling to risk the complications that might result from their now-tangled essences.
The same issues were raised with the suggestions of exorcism, imprisonment, and power-dampening. Blocking both the angel and the demon's powers was too complicated for conventional methods, and would leave not only Crowley, but most likely Castiel, at risk. Purifying Castiel was a possibility, but the rituals they had for that weren't designed for angels, and no one knew what it would do to Castiel himself. There was also the issue of Castiel's borrowed Grace, and it's side effects. There was a significant chance that any ritual to cleanse Castiel might well leave him powerless. Given that most of Heaven and Hell wanted Castiel dead, the brothers were against that.
Finally, they decided they'd have to delve further into lore. Sam offered to do that, to see if any of the Men of Letters had encountered anything similar. In the meantime, the younger Winchester also offered to research rituals, and see if he could put something together from scratch.
Crowley wasn't holding out much hope, but at least it was a better plan than trying to kill him in his sleep. Not that he wasn't concerned Sam might try to kill him, consequences be damned, but the research was a good distraction, and it gave him time to think up something else.
Which only left the question of what the rest of them would do while Sam was researching.
Castiel volunteered to help the younger Winchester. The two of them appeared to have become close as of late. And from the way they were tossing book titles back and forth, they'd apparently been research partners sometime recently.
Dean wasn't interested in research. Crowley had to admit he was curious but he had priorities. Taking back Hell and killing Abbadon was first on his list. Until that was accomplished, he'd keep every advantage he had, including dubious access to Castiel's powers.
He couldn't help wondering if it would be possible for him to smite Abbadon, if he got close enough. Although, that might have a negative effect on his own demon essence. Still, it was a nice thought to contemplate. Hands on vengeance, as it were.
Apparently Dean had similar thoughts, at least about priorities. He interrupted his brother and Castiel. "Okay. You two work on that. Me and Crowley will work on dealing with Abbadon,and maybe the Heaven situation." He tilted his head to look at Crowley. "You said you had a lead on the First Blade?"
"Tentative lead, yes." Crowley sighed. "I found where it fell to the bottom of the ocean. Unfortunately, it isn't there now. I did some research, before I got kidnapped, and apparently there was a submarine exploration in the area a few years back. Some museum or something. Happens that, among the list of things they picked up off the sea floor, there was something that might have been our little prize. Described as 'an ancient, long-bladed knife of animal bone'. Best I could do. Never managed to make the museum though."
"Does Abbadon know?"
"If she does, it's not from me." Crowley made a face. "Wouldn't put it past her to follow my trail, but I assure you that I didn't say a word." He held up a hand. "Honor as a demon."
Sam snorted. "Because that's worth a lot."
"Hey." Crowley glared at the taller Winchester. "I've kept my deals, thanks. Unlike you lot, I stick to my word." He shrugged. "I might bend the letter of the deal, and I won't deny that I've done some pretty horrible things, but let's face it, love, I still keep my word. For better or worse. And I've put my arse on the line pulling yours out of the fire. So...a little bit of trust, hey?" He spread his hands. "Besides, don't exactly see you getting any better offers."
"Yeah, yeah. We got it." Dean cut in before his brother could respond. "So...where's this museum we need to go to? And how do we find out if they've got the First Blade or not?"
Crowley tapped a finger on a desk. "Stands to reason it's not on display. Otherwise someone would have found it by now, with our luck. Means we'll have to get into the back store-rooms. Now, a scruffy looking fellow like you wouldn't get a chance to ask permission, let alone gain entry. However, as luck would have it...I reckon I can wrangle an invitation for myself and my...assistant has a nice ring, don't you think?"
"Peachy." Dean scowled, but didn't dispute it. "Then let's get moving. The sooner we get the First Blade and take out Abbadon, the better."
Crowley smirked as he followed the hunter. He couldn't agree more.
Author's Note: Short chapter, but the characters wanted it that way. Next chapter will probably involve split perspectives, and things will be moving forward on both fronts.