Chapter 20

Sherlock entered the house right after Dean. His eyes were instantly drawn to the double barrel end of the shotgun, but the witch wasn't exactly aiming it at them but rather the door itself. Did she mean to shoot John or Sam?

"I knew it was a trick," Sam said as soon as he and John had entered.

"It's not for you." Dean had made the same realization as Sherlock.

"Get in and close the door," Abby ordered.

"We are also armed," John said. "Four of us against one of you and I'm not afraid of getting shot again." It was a lie. He was afraid and Sherlock could hear just the faint waver in his voice that he was trying to hide.

"She's not aiming at us," Dean said as he moved to the side. "She's making sure we get in safely incase more black eyed sons of bitches show up."

"Oh," John said and blinked. "Well then sorry about that."

"Apologize later and close the damn door," Abby said. Once Sam had closed the door and locked and bolted it she lowered the gun. "I don't blame you lot for any trust issues but when someone is holding a shot gun not aimed for you please listen to them."

"You are the witch," Sherlock said as he looked over. She was dressed in a lavender blouse that was purchased at Harrod's Sherlock remembered seeing the same blouse in a catalog Mrs. Hudson was thumbing through. The jeans were older and the shoes were leather walking shoes. There was a recent bite mark wounds on her arms, from cats as well as cat and dog scratches. There were various hairs from both animals, but she only had a few cats in the house by the scent of a cat box not far away. "You also work with animals, a veterinarian."

"That is correct," Abby said as she looked him up and down. "So is this famous consulting detective and now you are consulting with hunters." She scowled at the others.

"I'm not a hunter," John said.

"You are the assistant to Sherlock Holmes," Abby said as she made her way across her house.

"I'm also a doctor," John protested.

"A fellow doctor," Abby said as she glanced out the window to her backyard. "Where did that man go?"

"What man?" Dean asked.

"He wasn't possessed if that is what you were wondering, not that I think he was. He was wearing a tan overcoat and trapped in a ring of fire."

"Castiel," Sherlock said.

"One of the demons must have trapped him in a ring of holy fire," Sam said.

"I would have opened the door for you sooner," Abby said. "But I turned on the sprinklers to help him."

"Where is he now?" Dean asked as he looked around.

"Worry about that later," Abby said as she ran to her dining room table. Instead of dishes, bowls of fruit or decorative baskets of flowers she had knives, chains of silver, small bottles and vials, a mortar and pestle, candles and a book. There were also bullets. "We have to go to Cliftdon Hall."

"What is that?" Sam asked.

"A church," Sherlock answered. "This spell has to performed on actual holy ground?"

"I try to keep my magic on the light side of the force," Abby explained and earned a nod from Dean. "We need everything here. However I must warn you that since the magic involved is different than what had caused this then there might be a side effect."

"What kind of side effect?" Dean asked. He had no idea if it was physical, spiritual or mental and hoped it would be as something as minor as still having the taste for English tea.

"I am not certain how it would effect you specifically," Abby said. "I have consulted with several witches and they said it will not cause any harm."

"They are certain about that?" Sam asked in a worried tone. "We are going by what a group of witches say and just hope that any side effect might be minor?"

"We are not going to let you perform the spell," John said and stood in front of Dean and Sherlock. "You take one step near them and…"

"The side effects listed were things like keeping the preferred tastes of the other body," Abbey said. "And addictions. The more powerful side effects is they might be able to reach each other's minds or call out to each other via telepathy."

"That don't sound bad at all," Dean said and shrugged. "Worth the risk if that's the risk."

"This is our last possible chance, John," Sherlock said. "We are going to the church."

"Fine," John said and glared at Abby. "If anything does go wrong we will hunt you down and kill you."

"I am perfectly aware of that," Abby told him.

"Why are bullets part of the spread?" Sam asked and pointed at the ammo.

"That is to keep us protected from anything that might attack us," Abby explained. "These bullets were made from melted down goblets and chalices used in communion and plates used for tithes. They were cooled down in a solution of holy water and salt and have crosses carved in the front. Each one has a small Latin word carved in the side and each word is used in an exorcism."

"These bullets can kill a demon?" John asked in an impressed tone.

"Only one gun is known to do that," Abby answered. "These would slow them down and cause extreme agony."

"Girl did her homework," Sam said, clearly impressed.

"My car is in the front."

They gathered up the supplies needed in a rucksack and reloaded their pistols and shotguns with the bullets. Sam had looked out the window to see if there more demons and gave them an all clear sign before they ran out.

A dripping wet Castiel was standing over the sleeping forms of the two children who were possessed. Their salt rock wounds were healed and their clothing mended.

"Cas?" Dean was the first to speak. "What did you do?"

"I remove the demons without causing harm," Castiel explained. "And I healed them."

"Meeting at Clifton Hall," Dean answered as Abby unlocked the car. "You should let Sherlock drive."

"Why?" Abby asked.

"Because I will be able to transport everyone there the fastest," Sherlock answered as he grabbed the keys and slid behind the wheel.

With the combination of how fast he drove along with his knowledge of roads and Dean's driving skills Sherlock was able to arrive at the church within a few minutes and despite all of those factors they were still second to arrive after Castiel, but that was only because he was an angel with the ability to teleport.

"What happened to them?" John asked as they stepped out. He indicated the several bodies that surrounded the angel.

"Cas smoked some demons," Dean answered. He kept looking around as they approached the church.

"How did Crowley know we would be here?" Sam asked.

"He knows that you might need a church," Sherlock said. "The book in Abby's possession is not a first edition. There must be another copy."

"Eight copies to be exact," Abby answered once they reached the pavement. "I am the only one I know who hasn't had theirs stolen."

"These were the only ones around," Castiel answered once they reached him. "I am certain more will come."

"We better not waste any time," Sam said as he opened the door.

It was mostly dark inside , the fading light of the sun entering the windows was the only light that was inside. There was the scent of wood and freshly cleaned carpet as well as candle wicks that had been recently snuffed. It was also almost too quiet yet there was a soft scuffle of shoes rubbing against the carpet.

"We are not alone," John said in a low voice and pointed towards the direction of the pulpit. There were at least two dozen people inside all of them dressed conservatively and staring at them without any expression on their face. "Now I feel like Im in a movie where the folk have been taken over by aliens or robots or if I'm guessing right, demons."

"They are all possessed," Castiel said. He was poised like jungle cat ready to pounce.

"Waste them," Dean said and fired his pistol at one of them.

"First children and now a church?" John's asked and shook his head.

"Shut up John and attack," Sherlock said and fired his own gun at one of the demon's striking them in the eyes.

"Cover me," Sam said as he dove under the pews.

"Sam," Dean shouted out as he fired round after round at the demons. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Sam sneaking under the pews and making his way past the demons, but where was he heading? Dean looked up at the pulpit and then at the sides of the church. There were plenty of speakers and a microphone.

"Your brother has a clever plan," Sherlock said and fired at another demon.

"Behind you," Dean shouted and shot the demon that was about to attack Sherlock. He and the detective were side by side, nearly touching each other and slowly spun around, taking out the demons.

""Exorcizamus te, omnis immundus spiritus, ominis satanica potestas, omnis incursion infernalis," Sam had reached the microphone and continued with the exorcism. His words carried out through the speakers.

Sherlock watched as the demons thrashed back and forth and several ran to the back, only to be stopped by Castiel. The angel grabbed the arms of the two demons nearest to him and their eyes and mouth were illuminated with a golden flash before they toppled over. A few more raced towards the front entrance where they were ready for them. Two more just looked at each other before their heads whipped back and long trails of black smoke flew out of their mouths. The remaining demons were on the ground writing in agony before more smoke flew out of their mouths. More flew out of the mouths of those who were shot.

"What did I just witness?" John asked.

"A group exorcism," Sherlock explained.

"That means they are normal again?" John asked in a relieved tone before staring down at one he had shot. "Bloody hell I killed him."

"You are a soldier, John," Sherlock reminded him. "You killed many men before."

"But this is-"

"War," Sam finished. "Continuing war between good and evil and sometimes there are casualties, even civilian ones. You of all people know that."

"But for you dismiss it coldy," John shook his head. "You are almost bad as him." He pointed at Sherlock.

"He could have been dead before the demon entered," Dean said. "Sometimes the demons kill the bodies the inhabit themselves."

"That's somewhat of a relief," John said.

"More will come," Abby said as she rewound the tape. "We need to perform the spell now."

"Cas I need you, Johnny boy and Sam to seal off all entrances," Dean said.

"I'll find some salt," Castiel said before he disappeared.

"Follow me to the pulpit," Abby instructed and ran towards it. She waited for them to catch up with the rucksack. "There are two small cloth bags in there, use the contents to make a circle."

Sherlock grabbed one and handed the other to Dean. His was full of teeth, canine, lupus canis to be exact. He set some down, starting the circle.

"Bones and teeth?" Dean asked in disgust. "Where the hell did you get this?"

"She works at a veterinary office," Sherlock reminded him.

"These were from cats that were humanly euthanized," Abby explained as she lit a few candles. "The wolf teeth came from a wildlife shelter. When you are done with the circle step inside it."

Sherlock was curious to what else she was going to have them do when she poured what looked like ash and a few herbs into the mortar and ground them up. She placed the mortar over the flame of one of the candles for a few seconds.

"Making potpourri?" Dean asked and earned a glare from Sherlock. "Sorry."

"This is going to hurt," Abby warned and grabbed Dean's wrist. "Blood must connect with blood." She cut a small x shape in the palm of his hand. "Sherlock?"

"Here," Sherlock said and brought up his wrist and gritted his teeth as the knife cute into his own hand.

"Now hold together, let the blood connect," Abby said.

"This makes perfect sense," Dean said as he and Sherlock grabbed each other's hand, making sure the cuts lined up.

"Try to stay quiet," Abby commanded as wrapped a silver chain around their wrists. She grabbed the mortar and continued to chant as she dipper her fingers into the mixture and painted it across their foreheads.

She set the mortar down and picked up a few vials. She pointed to her mouth, indicating she wanted both of them to open theirs before she squeezed a few drops onto Dean's tongue and then Sherlock's. The droplets tasted like ordinary water. Abby squeezed more liquid onto their tongues, the second vial tasted like oil and the third was one of the most bitter things Sherlock had also tasted and by Dean's expression he didn't like it either.

"Put your foreheads together," Abby said and resumed her chanting.

Sherlock was thankful that he and Dean were close in height. He was able to press his head against Dean's and stare into the silver-blue eyes that were once his and hopefully will be once again. He could feel their breathing becoming in sync and was certain their hearts were also beating in the same rhythm.

They were both trembling and the speed of their shaking grew causing them to vibrate. Sherlock could no longer breathe and felt himself being shoved forward at an alarming speed. The rush only lasted for a second before he felt himself fall backwards and landed on his backside.

"Dean!," Sam had shouted and ran up to them.

"Sherlock," John came rushing up to Dean while Sam was looking over him.

"I'm fine," Sherlock said as he rolled over. "I'm fine." He repeated. It was his voice. His real voice. He stared at his hands, recognizing them as his own before he ran one of them through his hair and felt his soft curls. "Sam it worked."

"Sherlock?" Sam asked as his mouth turned up into a grin.

"Halleluiah," Dean shouted from the other side with his own voice. "Johnny boy I'm back."

"Your back," John said as he pointed at both of them. "It worked. The ruddy spell actual worked." His smile faded as he turned towards Abby. "Oh."

Sherlock turned to where Abby was. The witch lay crumpled on the ground motionless with blood trickling out of her nose. John had rushed to her side and felt her pulse.

"Is she-" Dean had started.

"Alive," John said as he checked her body. "It's as if she just fainted."

"That was a powerful spell," Sam said. "It took a lot out of her."

"We should take her someplace safe," John said.

"I will take care of," Castiel said. He kneeled down next to Abby and placed a hand on her forehead.

"Please tell me it worked." Were the first words out of Abby's mouth.

"It did," Dean told her. "I would love to give you a victory kiss right now but we gotta clean this place up."

Castiel had taken care of those who were once possessed. He had healed those who were still alive and claimed to have sent them home. Sherlock and the others had put the bones and fangs back into the bags and rebottled most of the ash and herbs before they put the items in the rucksack.

"You almost seemed disappointed," John said as they were about to leave.

"This had been one of the most ineffable situations I have been in," Sherlock said. "It has opened up my mind and eyes to everything."

"We wouldn't have met if this hadn't happened," Dean said and placed a hand on Sherlock's shoulder. "I'm going to miss you and John."

"Don't speak like that," John said. "I'm sure we will meet again."

"There is e-mail and phonecalls," Sherlock said. "Skype also will work."

"You told me it was dull," Dean said.

"For you three I will gladly make an except-" He paused when he noticed the others had stopped in their tracks. He followed their line of site to the curb.

Crowley was standing in front of Abby's car. He was not upset, but he wasn't smirking either.

"Crowly," Dean had snarled the name as both brothers had assumed their defense stance.

"As you can see your little plan had failed," Sherlock said. "Mostly because you are an idiot."

"Everyone is an idiot compared to you, Zero Pigment," Crowley said in a calm manner. "Congratulations men, you have won despite all the hurdles I threw your way."

"This was a game?" Sherlock asked. "Of course it had to be. You are a bigger fool than I thought if you were actually going through all that trouble to keep us in each other's bodies. Did you really think for a second in that pathetic mind of yours that we would be willing to give up an innocent boy and your precious tablet?"

"I would, but then again I am the king of hell and you lot are burdened with morals and a conscience."

"Still can't believe you had your soldiers magic block us," Dean said in disbelief. "You had to know if all else fails we would live each other's lives from now on."

"But would you be happy?" Crowley asked and raised his eyebrows.

"We would have adjusted," Sherlock said as he reached for his pistol

"In a way I have won," Crowley said. "Even if I didn't get the tablet I made you squirm and I owe Winchesters a bit of that." He disappeared.

"Who the devil was that?" Abby asked as soon as Crowley had disappeared.

"Not the devil," John said. "But he is the king of hell."

"This is why I don't care for black magic," Abby said. "I don't know about you but I want to return home."

Sherlock glared at the spot where the demon was standing before he agreed. He did smile at the idea of going home where he can sit in his chair and drink from his cup and be his true self. He inhaled deeply before he sat in the passenger seat and decided to let Abby drive them home.