- voices rant on -

"Crowley?"

Standing in front of him, toting a glass of some alcohol or another, was none other than the King of the Hell, looking characteristically smug. "In the flesh."

Dean's lip curled, and he fingered his gun in its holster. "Great, just what I needed. Forgive me if I don't jump for joy."

Crowley offered him a dry smile. "I see you still have your brilliant sense of humour."

"What are you doing here, Crowley?" Dean demanded brusquely, mentally mapping the security cameras scattered throughout the store. Briefly, he took note of Cas, who was tapping a glass hamster cage experimentally and had apparently not noticed the King of Hell harassing Dean.

"Oh, not happy to see me?"

Dean pulled a face. "Is there any particular reason why I should be?" he growled. "The last time I saw you, you tried to rob Bobby of his soul."

"Yes, and you humiliated me in return. I assure you, I am as unhappy to see you as you are to see me." The demon quirked an eyebrow, and Dean fell silent. "Here's the thing, Winchester. I've run into a problem that's a little, shall we say, out of my range of ability."

"Well that narrows it down," Dean scoffed, but Crowley ignored him.

"You see, I'm... losing things. Things that are very valuable to me."

"So what? No offense, but we are so not friends," Dean stated contemptuously.

Crowley raised an eyebrow. "Oh, no offense taken," he said, looking Dean up and down judgmentally. "Really."

Dean crossed his arms and frowned. "Well, I think that all that Scotch and hellfire must be doing something to your brain, because we have no reason to help you."

Crowley chuckled and strolled lazily down the aisle. "Don't be silly, Dean. I don't expect you to assist me out of the goodness of your heart." The demon cast a characteristically smug look at Cas, who was currently inspecting a hamster cage and watching curiously as its inhabitants swung themselves around in a plastic wheel. "Rather I believe that you will find it in your best interest to offer your... services, once you hear my problem."

"What, your little sulfur-sucking demon smoke clouds can't deal with it?" Dean mocked. "In case you haven't noticed, we've got bigger problems." The finality in his voice was clear. "So if you don't mind…" He turned away, but was only able to take a single step before he felt a firm hand clasp his shoulder.

"Actually, I do mind," Crowley barked, and the sudden seriousness that permeated his voice startled Dean into silence. Crowley gazed gravely at him for a few moments before removing his hand. "Think about it, Dean." The brief flash of severity disappeared from his face, replaced by a cynical smirk once more. "Just how desperate do I have to be to be coming to the Winchesters for assistance?"

Underhanded cracks aside, Dean had to admit that Crowley had a point. Even as the words left the demon's mouth, there was a forced quality to his glibness. He regarded Crowley cautiously. "Alright," he permitted. "I'll listen."

As you may have noticed, I changed the time. I decided I wanted to deal with Season 6 Dean & Cas rather than whatever confusing crap I had going on before. This is much easier. Sorry for the confusion, anyway.