Sorry this took forever. Busy week. Enjoy!
When Dean slid in behind the wheel of the Impala and realized his baby was alright, relief flooded his mind. The passenger door clicked shut and Dean flinched. His body yelled Sammy; it was instinct. It took a moment for his mind to register that Sammy wasn't here anymore. Castiel stared into the night. His eyes took in the darkness without really seeing.
Dean missed the Impala and refused to let Castiel take them everywhere. Dean wouldn't admit it but seeing the world melt around him was disconcerting. He preferred his foot on the gas pedal, hands on the wheel, and rock on the radio.
He pulled the car onto the street, reveling in the mere ecstasy of seeing nothing but the road in front of him. "Cas?" The angel glanced over. "Where do we go?"
"I'm not sure where to head first but Lucifer will be on the move. We need to get outside of his control."
"What will he do first?" Dean found the exit for a vacant highway. His headlights glowed ominously in the dark.
"Lucifer will raise his generals to organize his growing army," Castiel's voice was level and without emotion.
"Who are his generals?" The Impala rumbled behind Dean's words.
"Beelzebub is the planner. He will be in charge of organizing and setting into motion Lucifer's attacks. He is a deceitful little creature," Castiel scowled at the statement.
"He has more than one? Too good to lead his own army?"
"Astoreth." The name hung rank in the air. Dean suppressed a shiver. "Astoreth will do Lucifer's dirty work; plot, connive, assassinate, recruit, and even lead the charge next to him. Lucifer relies on Astoreth, more than Beelzebub, to bring death and destruction."
"This sounds like one fucked up bastard." Dean didn't want to meet this guy.
"She is a walking time bomb of pain and misery. It's in her every step, every word. She's pure poison to the world," Castiel stated flatly.
"Wait, Lucifer's second in command is a chick?"
"Yes, Astoreth is a female demon. She was one of the first demons to follow Lilith into Hell. She was a pagan idol in the ancient cities. The people believed she was the embodiment of a Norse goddess. The pain she wrought was horrible." Castiel glanced away in disgust. "Anyway, I would not like to come across her again. Gabriel banished her and Beelzebub to a prison equal to Lucifer's in Hell. It has been millennia since she has been free."
"Oh, good. So not only is she the meanest bitch ever, but she's pissed off as well."
"She is Hell's wrath in its purest form."
"So how does Lucifer raise these sons of bitches?"
"Beelzebub and Astoreth will mark two humans and Lucifer must get their acceptance before the demons can enter the bodies. It breaks their imprisonment."
"What idiot would accept that deal?"
"The demons will influence the humans. Beelzebub need only make his human look at Lucifer. Astoreth needs a kiss."
"That won't be hard," Dean growled. Not many could resist Sam if he turned on the charm. "So we're fucked."
"Yes, in a manner." Castiel looked back out the window.
"What will their next move be?"
"You," Castiel said.
"Me," Dean laughed. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"You are a threat. They will need to take you out sooner or later. Lucifer will send Astoreth."
"Great, another vengeful bitch."
"She won't attack you directly, but you have no family to attack, so I cannot tell what her next move might be. She will try and cause you the most harm possible."
The Impala screeched to a halt in the middle of the highway. Dean spun the wheel and took off in the other direction. "Where are we going?"
"I know where she's headed."
Worry raced through Dean's bones as memories of his dreams haunted him. Stop thinking. He focused on the road again; they had a long road ahead of them.
"Where are we going?" Castiel broke his stiff pose to turn his gaze on Dean.
"I have something I need to do," Dean glanced in his rear view mirror to avoid Castiel's eyes. He stifled a groan as the radio paused at the song's end, leaving the car completely silent.
"What is more important than hunting down Lucifer, or even Astoreth," Castiel's voice was too loud in the silence.
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"That's what I'm doing. I know where she is headed," Dean replied.
"How?"
"Because I know where S- Lucifer would send her."
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Castiel looked out the windshield in time to see the passing street sign. Welcome to Cicero, Indiana. "What is in Cicero?"
"Damn it, Cas. Would you stop, please?"
"Why, if we are going there anyway, will you not tell me what you need to do?"
Dean sighed. His hands clenched around the wheel and he glanced over at the angel's expression. It was still impassive as usual. "I have a couple people I know in Cicero. I need to make sure they are alright. I need to get them to safety."
"Who are they to you?" The question sounded harmless but Dean's mind inserted the underlying question. Who are they to you that you would risk humanity to save them?
"Important people, maybe enough to get them killed," Dean growled. The Impala's headlights lit another sign. Morning Hill. The houses all looked similar but he pulled the car through the streets with perfect memory.
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Dean pulled up to a house very similar to every other house on the block. Castiel looked up and down the street but shook his head like he couldn't tell the difference between one house and the next. The gentle roar of the Impala died and Dean pocketed the keys. Castiel opened his door as Dean climbed out of the car.
He silently followed Dean to the dark wood and glass door. He pressed the door bell forcefully. Even as the chimes echoed about the house Dean pressed the button again, setting the tones off from the start.
The house looked the same as when Dean and Sam had stopped by almost two years ago, but when she came running down the stair Dean couldn't stop staring at her. She was bathed in a warm, creamy radiance. Fingertips gliding under his skin. Dean remembered the feel of her hips in his hands, her lips on his. Lucifer saw human's like this?
The curtain over the glass moved and Lisa's tired face peered through. It looked just as Dean remembered it, human and normal. Dean moved into the porch light so that she could recognize him. At first she seemed confused but instinct made her open the door.
"Dean?" Lisa's voice was drawled by sleep.
"Lisa, you need to get Ben and we need to go now."
"What are you talking about? Go where?"
"You're not safe here," Dean grabbed her shoulders gently.
"Come inside," Lisa offered.
"Lisa. We don't have time. We have to go." Dean felt a twinge in the back of his mind. He spun and Castiel followed suit.
A small woman drifted across the street. The pavement cracked under her heels. Her tight black shirt hugged her gentle features. The wind caught her black hair until the vines climbing the side of her face were exposed in the dull light.
Dean stared into the black hole where she should have been. It was darker than the night around her and small tendrils of light laced her entire form. The vines twined around her arms and legs, all sprouting from her torso and glowing like fire. He could feel her movements. Silent were her steps, but each footfall echoed in Dean's ears.
"No," Castiel mumbled.
"What?" Dean asked. He could only guess it was Astoreth. Lisa looked back and forth between Castiel and Dean.
"It can't be," Castiel mumbled, stiffening in his trench coat.
"I told you."
A laugh rumbled across the street. "Dean Winchester. Come out and play, Dean." He could feel Castiel's eyes on him. "Come on. Your little brother says hi."
Dean pushed Lisa. "Watch them, if anything happens… disappear."
"You are not going to fight her alone, Dean. She is dangerous." Castiel moved to step past Dean, but his chest hit Dean's outstretched hand.
"I'm not leaving Lisa and Ben here without protection. She doesn't want to talk to you, Cas. She wants to talk to me. Now, wait for me inside. I can handle this." Castiel faltered and made eye contact with the approaching woman before retreating into the house.
The door shut and he knew Lisa and Castiel were watching through the window. Dean walked into the street. He stopped twelve feet from the woman. "You rang?"
She laughed, "Always so witty when the odds are against you." Her voice was like liquid chocolate, velvety smooth. She laughed again and footsteps rang in the night.
Demons surrounded him in the dull street lamp. Dean counted the number of steps and glanced around to get a count. Eleven to one, great. They circled, but kept their distance.
"Dean Winchester." Astoreth bit her lip and moaned softly. The gentle sway of her hips as she walked forward made each word caress his ears. The pavement continued to crack under her feet. "I so would have enjoyed your company last night. Don't get me wrong. Sam's body is great in bed but from what I hear you're even better..."
She trailed her hand across his shoulders as she circled him. Her touch was soft under Dean's leather jacket but it left a burning sensation trailing behind it. She smelled familiar to Dean. "I have to say it was fun either way."
She leaned in close, and Dean could clearly tell what she smelled like now. She smelled like Sam. She whispered in his ear, "I bet you taught him everything he knows." Her breath was hot against his skin, almost acrid.
Dean scowled. She circled again and moved in close to his other ear. He stayed motionless as her lips brushed his cheek, a kiss of acid. "I bet…" Her breath was heavy as she sighed, sulfur rolling off her breath. "…when you two were alone in those motel rooms… you taught him a few tricks." She swung her hips forward dramatically and continued to dance around him, creating a circle of corroded cement.
"Where is he?" Dean's eyes followed her swift movements.
Astoreth stopped in front of him. "Where is who, darling?" She laid her hands on his shoulders as she stepped in closer. The constant touch burned gently.
"Where is my brother? Where is Sam?" Dean's hand twitched. The knife hilt fell into his palm.
"Your brother is dead, sweetheart. Lucifer killed his pathetic little mind. You should see him in his true glory, Dean. Lucifer is all powerful, the greatest of all angels. And now, he has taken Sam's body as his own and become the first angel to truly exist, to obtain a physical form not inhabited by another. You can't stop him now." She laughed, low and smooth.
"You're a fucking liar. My brother isn't dead," Dean said.
"What was that? Denial? Well I have witnessed Lucifer's restoration, and there is nothing you can do to save Sam. It's Lucifer's body now, and his alone. Sam was a wonderful choice… So…I'll give you a few options and I do hope you choose the right one." She raised one hand in the air, counting as she spoke. "Join Lucifer in creating paradise on earth."
Dean laughed. "What, a barren waste land without life? No thank you."
"Lucifer used to tend Eden. It isn't what you imagine it will be. See, you are one of the few who are not worthless and destructive. He could find a place for you in his garden. Maybe in other places too." She smiled longingly. She stepped back, relieving Dean of the burden of her hand.
"Go fuck yourself."
"I've got Sam for that," she giggled as Dean cringed. "Fine, don't play along. Option two." Her second finger went up. "You die here in a pool of your own blood as your loved ones watch. So what's it going to be?"
"One. You know nothing about them. And two. Maybe I'll just send all you sons of bitches back into the pit where you belong."
"You are so sexy when you try to be all macho." Astoreth laughed and pressed her lips to Dean's, pulling his head down with her soft fingers. The kiss shot fire through his veins as she held him almost powerless. Dean's limbs grew weak. The darkness threatened to swallow him; her lips were so soft and hot. Finally, Astoreth pulled back.
Dean couldn't stop himself from leaning toward her, lips burnt, as if expectant of another kiss. "I'm sorry you have to die," Astoreth whispered against his mouth, hand still curled gently around his neck. Her fingers grasped at his short hair. "We could have had so much fun." Her other fist connected solidly with Dean's cheek, sending him stumbling into the closing circle.
Astoreth laughed heartily and the demons chuckled hungrily with her. The woman nodded and the demons descended. A thick man jumped at Dean from the right and met with thin air as Dean stepped to his left. A punch landed on his ribs as he broke a housewife's nose. He cringed and grabbed the kid's arm and drove the knife under his ribs. Light shattered though his too-dark form. The body collapsed to the pavement. Dean twirled the blade skillfully.
For a second everyone froze, staring at the body. Dean latched onto another arm and slid the blade into the demon's chest. He watched light crack through her form and she, too, dropped to the pavement. The demons didn't stay shocked for too long and attacked all at once. The knife was knocked away and Dean scrambled to find it.
One demon wearing a business suit landed a few solid punches to his stomach, but Dean grabbed the man's throat and the demon dissolved in a flash of light. His hands tingled and he reached for another demon. Each one he touched shattered in light and collapsed before him.
A well placed kick drove Dean to his knees. A women dove on top of him, clawing him before she lost control; Dean grabbed her throat and tossed her unconscious body off of him.
Astoreth watched Dean take a beating from the sidelines. He caught glimpses of her smirk. He fought off all ten demons until he stood alone.
She laughed again and clapped for his success. Dean stepped over the fallen cheerleader and the half dressed high school wrestler. He picked up the shining knife from the pavement and ran toward her.
"Well done, Dean," she shouted as he charged. He buried his knife in her chest, except suddenly there was no chest. She was gone and Dean found himself stabbing thin air.
"Damn it," he shouted.
Astoreth danced to the right, only a few feet away. Toying with Dean, she moved closer to Lisa's house. "Ha, you are so cute." Dean lunged again and she easily twisted out of reach. "That the best you can do."
Dean feinted left and caught her mid spin. The knife grazed her arm and Dean saw the vines tattooed on her skin flare with light. He spun and grabbed her throat. Her skin burned, but Dean only strengthened his grasp as he thrust the blade toward her stomach.
Astoreth caught his arm. They pushed the blade back and forth. Dean felt the tingle in his hand and she started to gasp. He pushed the knife further, the tip sliding into her soft stomach.
Light raced through her like lightning. Astoreth gasped and held on. Dean pushed the knife a little deeper and her grip started to waver.
Fire brushed Dean's arm; that familiar sensation of power spread rapidly across his skin. Astoreth slid backwards. Dean let go and the knife rested bloody in his hands. A long tan arm was wrapped around her shoulders and a hand covered the knife wound. Lucifer's brilliant eyes stared at Dean. So unlike Sam's soft hazel eyes, they startled him; they shouldn't be that shade.
In the gray of the street lamps Dean saw Lucifer's pure light, marred only by the black of the demon in his clutches. Shadow-black wings arched from Sam's back and Dean stumbled backward in surprise. The light faded to Sam's warm tan skin but the wings remained darker than the night around them.
"Sam," Dean whispered. His brother was right there, right in front of him.
"Sam is dead." Lucifer's voice was hollow and deep. The world paused to listen.
"No," Dean muttered, the knife falling from his hand.
"I killed him. It wasn't difficult really," Lucifer stated. His hand fell back to reveal Astoreth's stomach. The wound was gone.
"Sam!" He couldn't be dead, no, Sam was alive. Dean was sure of it.
Lucifer's eyes dulled to a sorrowful hazel glow and he took half a step back.
Dean shuddered at the color, human and perfect and so painfully far away. Lucifer blinked and the blood red was restored. Dean gasped back a sob as the hazel disappeared. He would never see that color again.
"Until next time Brother." The two figures condensed in a flash of light, disappearing.
The blood on Dean's lip brought the metallic taste back to his mouth. He licked it away as he stared down the street. His burnt lips stung in the cold.
Castiel was by his side a moment later. "Dean?"
"I'm fine." Dean limped toward the house. "We need to leave, now."
Castiel pressed a hand to Dean's ribs, making him wince. "Don't lie." After walking into the living room, Dean fell onto the couch, relieved to be sitting. Castiel pushed him against the back of the couch, and pulled up his shirt. Dean's protest was muffled by Lisa's gasp. She stared at the long red scars racing down his chest. The yellowish bruise that covered his stomach was darkening again but the discomfort was nowhere near the pain of the night before.
"Dean?"
"I'm fine." Turning on Castiel he argued, "I've lived through worse." He saw the swirling in Castiel's eyes again and paused. "Cas?" The angel laid his hand on Dean's forehead and calm rolled over him again.
Dean felt his breathing still considerably. He could feel his heart rate slowing. Slowly drifting under Castiel's influence, Dean tried to breath faster. Instead, his breathing just hitched as his eyes drooped. It took all his strength to grab Castiel's arm and pull it away. The angel gasped and staggered back. "Dean?"
"What the… What were you trying to do?" Dean licked his lips. They were no longer burnt and the cut on the corner of his mouth was no longer swollen. The remaining bruises were gone and even his old scars were not as defined. Dean shook the drowsiness from his eyes.
"I don't quite know," Castiel placed his hand on the wall to steady himself.
"Next time, don't get so carried away," Dean grumbled.
Lisa's eyes followed Castiel as he began to pace the room Dean sighed and glanced at Castiel.
"What just happened?" Lisa was still following Castiel around the room with a wary gaze. She wasn't used to Dean's world. "You just fought off… my neighbors… and, and, and… then, he heals you?"
"Lisa, this is Castiel. He's… He's an angel." The comment still sounded crazy, even to Dean.
"An angel? Who do you think I am, Dean? I'm not just going to believe all this shit. I just got over that incident two year ago. No…"
"Lisa," Castiel said smoothly. "I am an angel of the Lord."
"You're both crazy," Lisa argued.
Dean glanced at Castiel as he shifted. The dark shape moved against Castiel's shoulders again. He saw a defined and radiant outline of that something he couldn't identify before. Shadowy wings hugged Castiel's back, flexing and arching every few moments, completely prepared.
"We aren't lying, Lisa," Dean looked back at her.
"So he's your… guardian angel?" Sarcasm dripped from her voice.
"Well… yeah, I guess," Dean's eyes found Castiel again. An odd twinge ran through his chest. It was painless, a simple reminder of what had been.
"What the fuck," Lisa muttered, "is wrong with you two."
A random crack of thunder and a flash of light and Castiel's wings appeared as shadows on the wall.
Dean jumped. Crisp white feathers. Castiel's wings were outlined in his light. Feather's soft against his cheek. Dean closed his eyes and shook his head. Lisa had jumped too. The wings faded with the light.
"I am an angel of the Lord," Castiel's voice became deeply beautiful and startlingly awful. "I have fought Lucifer in the Garden of Eden, and for Hazael against Jehoram of Israel; I was present in Nazareth, and at Bethlehem. I serve in the first order of the archangel Michael."
"Cas?" Dean jumped in at the pause. Lisa was in awe. The angel glanced over at him and then seemed to calm noticeably at the sound of Dean's voice. Castiel's expression softened and he settled.
"I'm sorry," Castiel lowered his head before glancing at Lisa. "I did not intend to scare you."
"We need to go, now," Dean stated as he stood. His leg felt impeccable. Castiel nodded and Dean turned to Lisa. "Please, it isn't safe."
"Why? What's after us?"
"Hell on earth," Castiel mumbled bluntly.
Dean sighed. Lisa seemed incredulous. "He's right. " Lisa's jaw dropped even further. "That's why we're here, to get you some place safe."
"Why are they after us?"
"Because they are going after anyone close to Dean. You are his only family. Because your son is Dean's son," Castiel cut in.
Lisa paused. The stutter of a denial caught on her tongue. She glared angrily at Castiel for a moment.
"I… I can explain… You were, well… you." Lisa turned toward Dean. "I didn't want to tie you down. I didn't think you wanted…"
"I would have been proud. I am proud." His voice was even, a calming combination of understanding and sorrow. "There wasn't much I could do at the time, but I'm here now. He has Sam's eyes and my taste in music… and women… When we were in the basement he saved all the kids down there before he tried to save himself. It's what I would have done." Dean smiled to himself. "Proudest moment of my life."
Castiel pulled the corner of the curtain back. "Dean, we need to leave now."
He headed for the door. Lisa followed ran up stairs without a second thought. She brought Ben down moments later. The eleven year old looked heavy and slightly more gangly than two years ago. Dean took Ben and led them out to the Impala.
He laid his son in the back seat where the boy yawned and resumed his slumber. Castiel climbed in the passenger seat. Not Sam. The Impala roared to life as Dean whipped it out of the driveway. Demons were flooding the street as Dean swerved around them.
They were all glad to leave Morning Hill behind. Dean watched the pitch black eyes glimmer like oil in the streetlights. They soon dissolved behind him.
"Would you have stayed? If I had asked you too," Lisa leaned forward against the front bench.
"I… I don't think so, Lisa," Dean muttered.
She nodded. "Why not?"
"Because I wasn't in any position to make life changes at the time," Dean said smoothly.
"What was stopping you? You clearly wanted to be part of Ben's life. I considered telling you, but I couldn't get a hold of you."
"I was not in a good place when I visited you. I didn't have much time left."
"Before what?"
"Never mind. It doesn't matter. I was gone for a while and then I came back." Dean wanted to get as far from this topic as possible.
"I don't understand."
"Before he died and went to Hell for four months." Dean flinched at Castiel's tactless approach. He shot the angel a glare.
Lisa laughed in the back seat. They both glanced back at her until she realized the sincerity of Castiel's words. "Wait… What?"
"Long story short, I sold my soul and went to Hell to save my brother. Four months later, Cas pulls me out of the pit. End of story." Dean didn't like telling Lisa about this.
"You went to Hell?" Her voice was incredulous again, nearly waking Ben.
"Yeah."
"But…"
"You don't want to go any further, Lisa. Drop the subject."
The Impala grew quite as all three of them stared in different directions. Dean flipped the radio to a local rock station. Hell's Bells by AC/DC came softly through the speakers.
You're only young but you're gonna die. I won't take no prisoners, won't spare no live. Nobody's putting up a fight. I got my bell, I'm gonna take you to hell. I'm gonna get ya, Satan get ya.
Dean sighed and flipped the radio off.
"Where are we going?" Castiel broke the silence.
Dean huffed. He felt the name of a town in the back of his mind. Lisa turned slightly, as if she wanted the answer as well. "Lawrence, Kansas." Dean finally said.
"What's in Kansas," Lisa asked.
"I'm not sure yet."