Oh, yeah, everything is unbeta'd. All my mistakes are my own. Also, didn't do quite as many re-reads and edits so there will probably be more mistakes than usual.
Disclaimer: Kripke owns all Supernatural characters. I'm only borrowing them.
Pairing: Dean/Castiel - very graphic. This is my first attempt at something like this because this muse wouldn't leave me alone. Please let me know what you think, constructively.
Overall Warnings: Rated M for swearing, graphic sexual content with S and M undertones, implied forced sexual torture and other adult subject matter.
This chapter is mainly Swearing and other adult subject matter.
Chapter 14 – The Order
Balthazar startled Sam when he appeared in Bobby's library with Dean in tow. He swiftly deposited Dean on the atrocious sofa then disappeared as quickly as he'd appeared. That left Sam to curse while he pulled at his hair. "Freakin' angels."
Balthazar popped back in right behind Sam, making him jump in surprise, to calmly state in his normal weak British accent, "Oh, yeah. Tell HeMan there to give me a call when he wakes up. We so have to catch up. Ciao." Then he once again poofed out of the room as suddenly as he had appeared, not giving the others a chance to do or say anything.
"Arrgh," Sam groaned in irate irritation. "How the hell does Dean stand this? Freakin' . . . What the hell, Bobby?"
"Don't you even think about redirecting that anger over here, boy," Bobby warned menacingly while he walked over to Dean, intent on assessing him. "I don't know why you keep assuming that I have an inside track when it's pretty obvious that I've been with you the whole time, worrying just as much. Now, can it before I have to knock some sense into that oversized head of yours."
Having effectively shut Sam's tirade down, he leaned over the couch and noticed Dean's furrowed brow. He gently laid a hand on Dean's shoulder and called out, "Dean? Are you with us, boy?"
Dean's eyes fluttered open and he turned to look at Bobby. He frowned slightly in confusion but answered hoarsely, "Yeah, yeah. I'm here." He quickly glanced around to figure out where he was. He recognized the décor instantly and rubbed a hand over his face to help wake himself up.
He mentally cursed Cass for putting him to sleep. True, he needed it but now here he was back with Bobby and Sam who wanted answers and he didn't have any. That meant that he had to be a lot more awake than this to avoid and counter Sam's interrogation. Bobby knew when to back off but Sam . . . Sam was like a hungry dog with a bone.
"Dean," Sam immediately started as he pulled up a chair to the couch.
"Sam," Dean countered sharply in a slightly hoarse voice. "I know you want answers. Believe me, I know. But, right now, I really need to eat." Luckily, his stomach reinforced his position by rumbling loudly at that moment.
Bobby nodded and straightened up, stating, "There's sandwich stuff in the fridge. Bottled water?" Bobby asked quietly, remembering the last time they tried to get him some water.
Dean sighed heavily. He really wanted water but he still didn't trust it, even bottled, so he countered, "Soda?"
"Got coke or ginger ale. Pick your poison."
"Ginger ale," Dean decided quickly. Bobby nodded again then headed to the kitchen. Dean slowly sat up, taking care to hide the grimace at the discomfort in a very specific region of his body. He made another mental note to talk to Cass when he managed to become upright. He noticed Sam move forward in his chair, preparing himself just in Dean needed help.
"I'm fine, Sam," Dean huffed irritably. He felt out of sorts, hungry, thirsty and generally cranky. He slowly stood up then moved into the kitchen where Bobby already had his drink on the table and was currently making him a sandwich.
"Your foot asleep or something?" Sam asked from behind him.
"No, why?"
"'Cuz you're walking kinda funny," Sam observed with bemused concern.
"Just a little stiff from sleeping so much," Dean lied easily, doing his best not to flush with heated embarrassment in front of his family. He sat down gingerly then shifted slightly to find a comfortable position. Unfortunately, the shifting only increased the problem and soon he was really wishing that Cass was available. He shook his head and mentally slapped himself to snap out of it. He so was not some horny, love sick, teenage chick.
What the hell? Did I actually just compare myself to . . .? I cannot even finish that thought. Geez, am I messed up, Dean thought frantically while he mentally hand palmed his face.
Bobby distracted him by placing the sandwich and chips in front of him. Then Bobby sat down next to him with Sam sitting on the other side of the table. Both of them watched him tear into the sandwich like he was starving.
"Dean," Sam started again. Dean looked over at him as he took a huge swallow of his drink so Sam continued, "Want to tell us what the hell is going on?"
Dean shrugged and took another bite of the sandwich. He chewed enough to talk around the food in his mouth before he answered, "I got no clue." Sam glared at him as he swallowed and he glared back then reiterated firmly, "What? I don't. I don't know, Sam. I honestly do not know what the hell is going on. Okay?"
"Well, what do you know?" Bobby solicited casually.
Dean tilted his head slightly as he chewed his next bite some then rehashed, "You know I've been remembering things, right?"
"You're talking about the hunts that didn't happen," Bobby verified cautiously.
"Yeah," Dean confirmed with soft reluctance. "Anyway, it all got confusing, like really confusing."
"That'll happen when you don't sleep right," Bobby stated knowingly.
"Yeah," Dean scoffed then added sardonically, "'cuz it's so easy to sleep when you have continuous nightmares, all night, every night."
"You mean, of Hell," Sam guessed confidently. "Right?"
"I wish," Dean muttered despondently. "No, I'm used to those, or, at least, as used to them as I can be. No. These were way worse." The men absorbed the enormity of that statement quietly while Dean finished his food and drink.
Bobby watched him try to lick up the crumbs and verified verbally, "Did you want another one or were you planning on eating the plate, too?"
Dean looked up at him with puppy dog eyes and asked with such childish hopefulness, "Could I?"
That expression reminded him so much of Dean when he was younger that he had to fight the loving smile that threatened. Instead he opted for a gentle smirk and grumbled under his breath, "Just don't get used to this, boy." Bobby grabbed up his plate and went to make another sandwich.
Dean finished off his drink while Sam prodded, "So what did Gabriel say about it?"
Dean frowned thoughtfully, searching his mind, and then remembered, "They think it has something to do with the demon since the memories started after that. Also, found out that Cass has had that same thing happen to him so it looks like the demon hunt is back on. Yea," he added sarcastically because he really thought meeting that thing again was a very bad idea.
"Who did he take you to?" Sam pried, wanting as much information as he could get.
Dean gave him a questioning look then turned his attention to the sandwich and drink that he'd just put down in front of him. Dean eagerly took another bite while he waited for Sam to explain. His mood improved as the food and drinks he'd ingested made their way down to his stomach. He smiled at his sandwich, feeling all was right with the world again.
Sam rolled his eyes at Dean's sudden lack of attention to the topic at hand and his total absorption of focus on his food then redirected harshly, "Dean." Dean glanced at him in question so he explained briskly, "After you went comatose in Bobby's bathroom, Gabriel said he was taking you to someone who could help. Who did he take you to?"
Dean's chewing slowed down and his brow furrowed at the implications related to the answers of those questions. He stalled slightly, using the food in his mouth as an excuse, even though he knew he wasn't fooling anyone. He knew why he was taken to Cass but he wasn't sure how to explain it to his family without explaining it to his family.
"And why did that dick, Balthazar, bring you back? Is that who he took you to see? Why would he take you there?" Sam continued harshly, saying the questions aloud as soon as they entered his mind.
"Balthazar?" Dean repeated with confusion as he derailed Sam's train of thought then narrowed his eyes as the last thing he remembered before he passed out came to mind.
"Yeah, he's the one who brought you back," Sam confirmed then remembered, "Oh, yeah, and he said that you two had to chat when you woke up. That you needed to call him."
"Balthazar," Dean shouted hotly. "Get your feathery ass down here! Pronto."
A moment later, they heard the rustle of feathers then that annoying British accent. "Really? That's how you call angels? Feathery ass? Really? It's a wonder that Cassie put up with you this long. But, then again, Cassie always was a little odd and then you and he . . ."
"Where is he?" Dean demanded abruptly, intentionally cutting Balthazar's rambling mouth off before it revealed too much.
Balthazar arched an eyebrow at the impertinent question but shrugged since he didn't really expect any better out of Dean. He answered easily, "He's been summoned again. I would guess that a decision has been made."
"And?" Dean prodded impatiently, trying to ignore the clenching of his stomach which strongly suggested the reappearance of Bobby's sandwiches in a much less appetizing display.
Balthazar studied Dean intently for a long moment before he admitted gently, "It is highly unlikely we will know the decision before tonight. I am sure that Gabriel will let you know when it is announced. In the meantime . . ."
Dean returned his attention back to his food and wondered if he could actually stomach anymore right now. He didn't notice Balthazar trail off as he tossed his sandwich down in disgust and took a long drink. He sighed then returned his attention to the angel that was still staring at him. He arched an eyebrow and suggested with a great deal of snark, "Take a picture. It'll last longer."
Balthazar smiled widely while he declined diplomatically, "I would but apparently Cassie beat me to it." Dean's entire body immediately tensed at that blatant dig but before he could do anything Balthazar appeared beside him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Now, as I told your darling Sammy here, we need to talk."
With that comment, they both disappeared. Once again, Balthazar left Sam cursing and Bobby rolling his eyes. Bobby got up and quickly moved to the study to avoid the powder keg named Sam that was once again lit. He really believed that he was getting too old for all these dramatics.
- SPN - SPN - SPN - SPN - SPN -
Dean blinked at the bar he now stood in the back dark corner of. With a quick glance he immediately recognized it as one that he and Sammy went to a few months back. He also spotted the petite bar maid that had helped him get one over on Sam.
He turned to spot Balthazar heading to the bar and quickly moved to follow, wondering what they are doing here. Balthazar had already ordered by the time he made it there. Balthazar motioned and they headed to an empty table in a quieter area against the back wall.
Balthazar sat down on one side while Dean sat on the other. Balthazar slid a cold beer over to him which he automatically caught. He stared at it, really, really wanting to drink it, but knew he couldn't. He glanced up and saw Balthazar shooting back a shot from the whiskey bottle on the table.
Dean arched an eyebrow and asked in a loud enough voice to be heard, "Planning on getting drunk?"
"Aren't you? Or does Cassie's fate not bother you?" Balthazar countered harshly.
"Oh, it bothers me alright, especially the part where I don't know what it is," Dean snapped back irately.
"Well, then, cheers," Balthazar toasted easily and tossed back another shot.
Dean rolled his eyes slightly then motioned for the petite waitress. She sauntered over and greeted enthusiastically, "Hey, Dean. Long time, no see." She leaned over the table, giving him a good view down her blouse, which he, of course, appreciated as he took in the more than ample display. She continued seductively, "I thought you would be back before now. You left my number that night, you know."
Dean smiled warmly and countered easily, "Not intentionally, sweetheart. Been busy. I'm sure a beautiful lady like yourself has been as well."
She sighed dramatically and pouted, "Not really. There's not really much to pick from around here. Of course, now that you are here . . ."
Balthazar watched the scene ambivalently and wondered when the two would remember that he was there. About that time, Dean countered with a nod toward Balthazar, "Well, right now, I am taking care of some business and was wondering if you could get me a Sprite."
"And afterward?" She hinted coyly.
Dean just smiled and arched an eyebrow but intentionally never verbalized anything. She blushed heavily and returned giddily, "That Sprite will be right up." She moved back to the bar, making sure to work her hips invitingly, and Dean, being the man he was, watched with avid interest.
"Let me guess," Balthazar drolled out dryly. "You are so going to 'hit' that."
He was not surprise in the least that Dean was already looking around for something else now that his brother was gone. It was human nature which made them such bad mates. And this human was worse than most, based on all of his previous exploits. That was also one of the main reasons he was actually going to do what Castiel told him to, for the most part anyway.
Dean gave himself a slight shake then redirected his attention with obvious reluctance to Balthazar. He eyed the angel a moment before he demanded abruptly, "So you want to tell me what we are doing here?"
"Was there something wrong with the beer?" Balthazar wondered curiously.
Dean shrugged and pointed out, "Haven't tried it?"
"That I did notice which caused me to ask why. I always figured you for a beer drinking, macho man trying to prove himself tough," he snarked slightly.
"I don't need to prove jack squat. I just don't feel like it," Dean returned defensively, already tired of the angel. "Now, tell me why-"
"Exactly. Why don't you feel like it?" Balthazar intentionally misconstrued.
Dean glared at the angel then verified reluctantly, "You aren't going to answer me until I answer you. Right?" Balthazar smiled widely, causing Dean to huff irritably, "Fine. Just can't stomach it right now. Haven't been feeling that good lately. Now, why . . .?"
"For how long?" Balthazar interrupted impatiently.
Dean blinked at the continued interrogation then countered with snark, "What? What the hell? For a while now, Dr. Quinn, medicine angel. Why are trying to diagnose me?"
Balthazar ignored the questions and continued clinically, "Since the demon? Is this demon related as well?"
"No," Dean argued irritably then blurted out without thinking. "Started little over a month after that." Then he shook his head and wondered why he kept answering the stupid questions so he redirected demandingly, "I answered your questions, and more than one I might add, so quid pro quo, Clarence. What the hell are we doing here?"
Balthazar gave a very obvious, surprised blink before he clarified, "Pardon?"
"Don't use that sappy British crap on me," Dean growled irritably with narrowed eyes. "I know that none of you angels give a damn about me so what's with the wingman routine?"
Balthazar gave him a wide-eyed innocent look before stating, "Is there something wrong with misery sharing company? Don't you humans have a saying about that. After all, we are both needing serious distractions right now so why not?"
"What? You don't have any orders? Or even other brothers to spend time with?" Dean continued to pry, knowing there was something more going on. "Come on, chuckles. I lie for a living. I know when someone is pissing on me and telling me it's raining so just stop with the bullshit friend thing."
"Can't you just be relaxed and calm for a moment?" Balthazar countered irritably, desperately trying to keep his temper.
"Sure, I can. But, right now, I'm about to be pissed and leaving if I don't get some answers soon," Dean warned menacingly then quickly relaxed his face into a wide smile as he turned toward the waitress. "Why, thank you, sweetheart."
"Harmony," she replied easily as she set his drink down on the table along with a napkin. Dean moved to get his wallet out but she touched his arm and told him, "It's on the house this time." She slipped him a piece of paper into his hand and whispered into his ear, "I get off in an hour."
Dean smiled widely and responded in kind, "Good to know. I bet we could make all kinds of harmony together." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively while Balthazar groaned at the horrible come-on line.
She blushed and preened slightly under his attention then glanced quickly at Balthazar before telling Dean, "Just call me if you need anything. Anything at all."
"You got it, baby doll," he promised without changing his expression. She smiled again then left to wait on another table. He took a long drink from the glass as he watched her go, still very able to appreciate a nice ass when it wiggled in front of him.
As soon as she was out of earshot, Dean dropped the façade and immediately threatened with a growl, "Now tell me what the hell is going on or I'm going to send an angel into the outfield."
Balthazar slowly smiled as he acknowledged reluctantly, "You are definitely unique. Thank Father. Heaven knows, more than one of you would be a disaster of biblical proportions."
"Can the 'I can see what they see in you' crap. I don't care what you, or the rest of the freakin' dick angel squad, think, you pompous putz. Why are we here, damn it?" Dean bit out tightly.
Balthazar narrowed his eyes irritably then pursed his lips thoughtfully. Finally, he shrugged and relented haltingly, "It's not like it's a state secret or anything. In the simplest terms, that even a Neanderthal like you can understand, Cassie asked me to take you out and show you a good time when he received this summons."
"What are talking about?" Dean prodded with dread, knowing that something serious was up and he wasn't going to like it any more than the last six years.
"He knew that you would be doing your angsty, worrywart routine and he didn't want you to go through that. So he told me to take you out and make sure you had a good time, a very good time . . . very, very good time," he added with innuendo.
At the last innuendo, Dean's eyebrows raised exponentially before he clarified with disbelief. "He told you to get me laid?" Balthazar stared directly into his disbelieving green eyes before he very slowly nodded once. Dean's mouth dropped open slightly before he verified again, "Cass?" Balthazar nodded again. "Castiel?" Nod. "Castiel, the nerdy tax angel, asked you to take me out drinking and screwing random chicks while he was receiving his punishment?" Yet another nod. "Is this some kind of joke? Gabriel put you up to this, didn't he?"
"No," Balthazar sighed heavily. "Castiel asked me to distract you."
"And get me laid?" Dean growled menacingly.
Balthazar stared hard at Dean for a long moment, knowing this is what he had to do but hating every bit of it. Finally, he firmly answered, "Yes."
"He actually said, 'Make sure Dean gets laid?" Dean verified for the last time.
"Yes," Balthazar gritted out, mentally shutting out what the consequence of this act would do to Castiel.
Dean returned the hard stare the entire time and knew that Balthazar wasn't lying about this. He felt something inside him crack but he refused to acknowledge anything other than what was right in front of him. Castiel had ordered his brother to get him laid and said brother was sitting right across from him attempting to fulfill that command.
In less than a minute, Dean's face cracked into a cocky grin and he smirked easily, "So not a problem." He'd perfected this façade over the past three decades. It was as easy to him as breathing at this point. Then his face folded into a slight frown, clarifying, "He didn't tell you to watch or anything, did he?"
Balthazar's eyes grew wide and he quickly assured him, "No, no, Heaven's, no."
Dean smirked again, "Good. Don't need you picking up any of my secrets. Oh, by the by, you might want to start monitoring Cass's TV viewing, if he has still has that privilege after his sentencing."
"Why?" Balthazar wondered vaguely, totally thrown by the drastic emotion changes as well as the changes in topics.
"It seems he has a thing for pornos and he did deep throat a demon once after watching the pizza man so you might want to keep an eye out," Dean suggested knowingly, big brother to big brother.
"Dully noted," Balthazar acknowledged even though he was totally lost at the moment. He nodded slightly before adding, "Oh, yeah, and TMI."
"Not like you haven't done the same, I'm sure," Dean taunted knowingly while his eyes wondered back over to Harmony. He pursed his lips a moment then told Balthazar, "Look, I get what I'm supposed to do but since my 'date' is otherwise occupied at the moment, how about you pop us back to the house? Let us all compare notes then we can pop back here in time for her to get off, if you know what I mean." Dean wiggled his eyebrows suggestively while he smiled widely.
Balthazar thought for a long moment while he eyed Dean's beer with a frown. There was something very wrong here but he could not for the life of him figure it out. Even though Dean seemed to be following the plan, everything felt very off. It was like the clues to solving the puzzle were directly in front of him but he still couldn't piece them together. Finally he shook his head to clear his thoughts and agreed, "It's a sound, logical plan. But we will come back here in an hour?"
"Definitely," Dean promised eagerly. "Alrighty then. Just give me a moment," Dean added quickly as he stood then wandered over to Harmony.
Balthazar watched him closely as he walked up to Harmony then talked to her for a brief moment before returning to Balthazar. He came back to their table and told the angel, "We need to be back in an hour so let's roll."
- SPN - SPN - SPN - SPN - SPN -
Dean and Balthazar appeared in Bobby's study right beside Sam, causing him to startle slightly and curse. Bobby only glanced up nonchalantly from the book he was reading. Dean smiled widely and wondered conceitedly, "Miss me?"
"Not really," Bobby snarked under his breath.
"Aw, you know you love me, Bobby," Dean argued knowingly. Bobby shot him a glare then switched his eyes toward Sam as he spoke.
Sam sniffed suspiciously then demanded with outrage, "You went to a bar? A bar? Really?"
"Hey, don't blame me," Dean evaded defensively. "Blame featherbrain here. He apparently needed a wingman and thought of me. Yeah, I know. I'm touched, too. But, you know me, the workaholic of the group. I was a good boy as usual and told him that there was work to do. Now here we are."
"Yeah, you're touched alright," Sam snarked facetiously. "In the head."
"Hey!" Dean objected with his normal affront.
"We only have an hour so shall we get on with it," Balthazar urged sternly, still hating his role in all this. The sooner it was over with, the better for everyone concerned. Then he could really get wasted.
"Right," Dean agreed readily and clapped his hands together eagerly while he questioned quickly, "Any news on the demon front?"
"Well," Bobby started then continued, "I've called every contact I know and have all my feelers out. So far, nada."
"Yeah, nothing on the Net, either," Sam added quickly.
"Or in the books," Bobby interjected.
"Wow, that's a hell of a large goose egg," Dean observed with slight snark.
"Oh, well," Balthazar quickly concluded, "What rotten luck. Dead ends all around then. Seems like it's Miller Time. Shall we?"
Dean rolled his eyes slightly then fixed Balthazar with a glare while Bobby clarified curiously, "I thought you were off beer at the moment, Dean. Something about dehydration and the like."
"Oh, he's being a good boy. Drinking Sprite and other boring things like that," Balthazar offered helpfully.
"Can we focus on the hunt?" Dean snapped irritably, only slightly amazed that he was the one stating that for a change.
"What's to focus on?" Bobby demanded sardonically. "There are no signs, no lore, no nothing, unless your angel buddies know something we don't." He saw Balthazar about to be mouthy so he quickly added, "About the hunt that is."
Balthazar snapped his mouth shut abruptly then informed them, "No, we don't. In fact, that's what's up on the agenda. Gabriel's already hunting down some leads, beginning with Crowley, from what I understand."
"Now, if we all have is nothing but dead ends, what exactly are we staying here for?" Balthazar wondered curiously.
Dean glared fiercely at the pushy angel but Sam spoke first. "Dean, what about your visions?"
"What about them?" Dean wondered distractedly.
"Maybe you should tell us what you've been seen," Sam suggested hesitantly, secretly wanting to know what it was about them that was driving Dean crazy.
"Why?" Dean demanded harshly.
"There might be clues in them," Sam pointed out logically.
Dean rolled his eyes at that load of crap and countered hotly, "Bull. You just want to know because it's something that you don't know."
"You don't know that," Sam argued hotly.
"Sure, I do," Dean maintained firmly. "You know how I know. Because if there were any clues in there, Cass or Gabriel would have told us since they have both already been inside my head. Which, by the way, is much better and more thorough than me tell you?"
"How do you figure that?" Sam snapped irritably, refusing Dean's very valid point.
"Because they actually watched the movie in 3-D, complete with HD and surround sound, things that I could never come close to explaining," Dean finished confidently.
"He has a very valid point there, Sam," Bobby pointed out.
Sam threw up his hands and exclaimed with a great deal of frustration, "Then what the hell are we supposed to be doing?"
"Exactly what you are doing," Dean answered easily. "Hunting the SOB down. That's the only option open right now and you both know it." They stared at him helplessly because everything he'd just said was absolutely true. Sam sighed heavily and slumped in his chair wearily.
Dean was tempted to tell him to get some rest but couldn't because he knew he was going to need someone to pick him up later, especially if Balthazar was telling the truth about the whole not watching thing. He also knew that he was going to have to leave soon to take care of that whole SNAFU because Balthazar wasn't letting him off the hook which was really strange when he thought about it.
Yeah, the angels definitely had an ulterior motive in play which he seriously dreaded. He remembered the last time they had jerked him around this much and didn't look forward to going through another time like that. He really needed to figure out what it was. At least this was distracting him from the visions, and Castiel.
"Well, now that that's settled. Shall we?" Balthazar suggested breezily.
Dean glanced at him then told the others meaningfully, "It's going to be a late night. Don't wait up."
"Should you . . .?" Sam trailed off in a huff when he saw them disappear. He threw ups his hands and growled low under his breath.
Bobby, however, had no such reservations as he yelled out, "Well, be sure to suit up and double wrap. Don't want to go spreading stuff around, demon or no demon."
Sam's shocked eyes shot over to his foster father then he dropped his head into his hands, mumbling with disturbed disgust, "Oh, I so didn't need to hear that."
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