January, 25th 2014

I don't own any of the characters, CW and Eric Kripke do!

Beta for this Chapter: Ashqtara

A/N: Hey there my loyal readers :)

I'm punctial, yay! Having free time is so freaking awesome :D I get to actually DO stuff, isn't that great? So yeah, that includes uploading on time! You will have your shipping in this one, I guarantee you that ;P And I'm sorry that Michael still isn't showing his ass but that's all on purpose. You will like how I wrote his appearance, trust me ;P

Ky111+ LegendaryArimaspi: You may have to wait for that but it's gonna be good :)

Now please enjoy :3

Chapter 11

'Cause we are alive,
here in Death Valley,
but don't take love off the table yet

To his surprise, it wasn't long before Dean came out of the house. They couldn't see anything of the living room from where they stood and Sam wanted to get closer, but Abby and Lisa held him back. Damn. Dean shouldn't be in there on his own!

A loud, screeching noise disturbed his thoughts and he felt himself holding his ears. It was coming from the house. Of course it was coming from the house, where else would it come from? Sometimes Sam thought it was really true that the Winchesters were cursed. He tried to force himself to breathe in. God, everything could have happened in there right now. He…okay, that did it. He didn't care what Dean said, he was going in there.

So he shook away Abby's arm and with big strides of his long legs, he made his way down the sidewalk. Other people were looking out of their houses now, wondering where that deafening noise came from. Windows had exploded in, TVs and radios were going nuts, people had screamed on top of it and Sam was pretty sure this was similar to what he had heard when they had first tried to contact Cas or when Michael had tried to touch down. And if that was the case…Yep, he was totally going in there. Just the thought of an angel burning Dean from the inside out, using his body for his own intensions…it was making him so sick he wanted to throw up right in the perfectly neat grass of this perfect little neighborhood.

A few seconds later he was at the Braeden's yard. Lisa and Abby were behind him, though they hadn't been as fast. A bonus of his freakishly long legs, really.

So when Dean suddenly opened the door and strode out, Ben in his arms, Sam stopped cold in his tracks, the two women behind him almost bumping into him. The next thing he knew, Lisa drew in a panicked breath and ran over to Dean and her, no, their, son. God, this was weird. Extremely weird. One second, he was just the only family Dean had and the next, Dean had a 10 year old son? How did that work out? It just didn't fit in with the miserable picture that had been his live for the last few years. First Jess, then Dad dying, Dean selling his soul and going to hell for him. His fast trip downhill with the demon blood. Now he was the vessel of Lucifer and Dean for Michael. Dean having family and that window of opportunity for him to actually be happy seemed like a seriously unrealistic dream right now.

"Is he okay?"

"Yeah, just knocked out, don't worry. He'll be alright."

"Oh, thank god."

Sam had almost missed the small, whispered conversation between Dean and Lisa. Dean had leaned down and put one knee in the grass of the yard, giving Lisa better access to her son. He was also able to sit Ben up and let Lisa give him her own examination. They were still a little awkward with one another, just a little bit. But from their first meeting and now these moments that were filled with so much relief, Sam could see that they actually could act comfortably with one another if they didn't pay any attention to what they were doing. Like how Dean had stroked Lisa's shoulders back there or how now, his whispered words calmed her down and Dean stroked her arm while Lisa touched Ben's cheeks.

Relief was the feeling that pretty much flooded his own mind as well. But even though he felt like hugging his brother right now, he knew that the moment wasn't appropriate. So he drew back a bit, joined Abby on the sidelines.

"They're cute together." She looked at Dean and Lisa, silent or chatting in a whisper until they finally got up to lay Ben down on the couch inside the house and not awkwardly stand in the yard, where people started to look at them a bit funny. Abby and he followed the two of them inside, Sam closing the door behind them, confused when he saw that the lock was completely melted. What the hell…

"You didn't know Dean had a son?" she asked. For her, this whole mess had to seem even more confusing than to him. Sam laughed, it was almost an honest laugh this time.

"No." he admitted, still smiling. Dean had put Ben down on the couch and Lisa put a blanket over him. Sam raised an eyebrow as he eyed the living room. It was surprisingly fine, actually. Nothing knocked over, just the windows blown out, but in this house, to the outside. A clear indication that the wave of high pitched sound originated from in here. What the hell had happened with Dean and the angels that one of them had used his true voice? It just didn't make any sense. Unless they had tried to summon Michael again. In which case either Dean or Ben had to contain him. Or he was gone again? Damn, Sam just wished they could have a break from all this angel crap. Couldn't they just leave them alone? Him, Jess, Bobby, Adam, his father, his mother, Jo, Ellen, Pastor Jim, Caleb and now even Larry, Abby, Lisa and Ben. All their lives were messed up by this damn war between Angels and Demons, if not directly then indirectly and he was just not ready to simply take it in.

But most of all, really on top of them all, Dean was the one who just didn't deserve this. Ever since he was four years old, the older Winchester had devoted his life to others. Hell, when had he ever done something just for himself? The only luxury Sam knew of was that his brother loved to spend money on his food and enjoy it. Oh, and the women. But Sam knew as much as anybody who knew Dean that these one night stands were just to fill up something inside him that was just…missing.

Dean might think Sam didn't hear what famine said to him. Didn't know what the horseman read from the depths of his soul. But he did. And every time he thought about it, he thought he might suffocate from the physical pain it caused him. His big brother had been through so much in his life. Starting with his mother dying and leaving something that nobody could really make up for, continuing with a father that ignored him to take on his revenge for said mother, took his deep devotion for their little family for granted and still wanted more. On top of that came the moment when Sam left them. Yes, Sam knew Dean was still hurting because of that. Maybe he was back now but that night… their experience in heaven had showed him that Dean still wasn't over that. Their father running away, the demon throwing these words at him that deep down, Dean probably even thought were the truth. They had never talked about that, either. There was so much unsaid between them and Sam felt bad for taking on the Winchester way and just shutting up about it. He felt bad for not having been able to help Dean grief after Dad's death. Or for leaving in the first place. Or for not being able to get him out of that deal. Oh god, especially for that. He shouldn't even begin with that, it could take ages. The image of Dean, his whole world, being thrown to the floor and torn apart by those hellhounds and him being pinned to the wall…it would never leave him. Would forever be in his nightmares and be seared into the deepest pits of his mind. Dean had offered his soul for him. He had literally gone to hell for him. And what did he do? Give in to his grief and shack up with the demon that got them there in the first place. Not that they knew that back then. But that didn't make it any better, either.

Every day, people suffered because of these bastards. Maybe that had been it. Maybe that had been one of the reasons to drive Dean over the edge. To make him want to end it all. Finally, with all he thought he could to. By giving in to heaven, to Michael. Dean had driven away after they had killed the whore of Babylon. After the pastor had said that no, he wouldn't be alright. And Dean had nodded, simply nodded. He understood, because he was running around with the same pain for almost thirty years now. And Dean had probably thought 'no more of this crap. I could end this' and stormed out the door. But that wasn't all of it, was it?

"-some coffee?" Lisa interrupted his thoughts, suddenly and abruptly. She looked at him after getting up from beside her son, glancing at him. He tried to rewind and really hear her question and finally shook his head.

"N-no, thank you, Lisa. Sorry." He apologized for being so spaced out. She just smiled and continued making her way over to the kitchen.

"You okay, Sammy? Headache?" Dean asked, immediately on his feet when just a second ago, he had been with his mind completely with Ben and Lisa. It was good to know that Dean would still drop everything when Sam had just as much as a scratch.

"No, I'm fine, Dean." He assured his brother, making him immediately relax at his honest smile.

"I'm more surprised that you are, though. Dean, how did you manage to get these angels away? Don't tell me that Ben…"

"He's fine, Sam. No angel in him, don't worry. They tried chanting but I blasted one of them. They took the dead one away then, when they saw I wouldn't give in. I don't know…maybe other orders? I have no clue. But they're gone. So let's just enjoy the peace and quiet and just to be sure, draw some sigils." He tossed Sam a sharpie he got out of his jacket pockets and gestured for the windows.

"Sure. Abby? I should probably show these to you, I doubt you are familiar with angel sigils?"

"Actually, not so much. But thanks!" Abby smiled. She had been beside him all the time and Sam hadn't even noticed her simple gesture but she had put her hand in his, maybe sensing his distress. Had he been that obvious?

Ben chose that exact moment to wake up.

"Mum?" he mumbled, only half awake. Dean was still at his side and sat down on the couch next to his son (this was still weird). Ben seemed completely bewildered, staring at him.

"Dean? Yeah, you came in…what are you doing here?" he asked. His surprise was not the negative kind though, he sounded almost delighted. Did he know? No, Sam decided. If she wanted to keep it from him to protect him, he was pretty sure Lisa didn't tell Ben. Maybe the boy just liked Dean, he had had an unusual strong trust in the hunter back when they had first met the kid. Ben leaned closer now.

"Were those men monsters? Were you here to kill them?"

"Oh Baby, you're awake!" Lisa chimed in. Sam felt a gentle tug on his arm.

"Come on, Sam. You wanted to show me the sigils?", Abby muttered, patiently waiting until Sam had torn his gaze away. He sighed and finally followed her. His thoughts made a jump and he thought about how to solve all of this, the battle, with the angels, the demons, without any of them having to say yes. Wasn't there another way? They had been searching for one when they first started to leave at Bobby's. Of course they'd rather just run into other problems than actually find anything, got Abby's father killed and half a city turned to dust.

Stop thinking like that. You got rid of that bastard, right? It's not your fault. His positive thinking side whispered gently. Besides, it's not like he wouldn't have risen without you being there. Abby would probably be dead by now too if it wasn't for you and Dean.

Oh but that's where you're wrong. He chimed in, shutting the positive thinking away. It's all my fault. I let Lucifer out. I made this whole thing possible for him. If it wasn't for me, this would never have happened in the first place!

He waved away his thoughts about the fact that this had been the angels and demons plan all along. That he had just played into their hands, they all had. Dean might say they were okay but…he wasn't so sure, really. There was the fact that he had thrown the necklace away and said that he didn't trust him and then this voicemail. God, If he thought of the voicemail now, he might as well collapse completely. That one minute of pure hell still rang in his ears, since he was still playing it to himself sometimes, reminding him of how much he had failed, how off the track he had been and how important it was not to get back on it again.

His hand was drawing one of the angel sigils against a window, when Abby suddenly nudged him.

"Hey, relax. We're gonna be fine. Stop working yourself up so much, it's not your fault." She soothed, rubbing his arm in comfort. But the touch and the words only made Sam flinch. He didn't know why he said it but he just couldn't stop himself.

"Well, that's where you're wrong. I started this whole mess." He blurted but it was extremely quiet. He wasn't even sure if she heard him. However, her hand stopped on his arm and she tilted his head.

"What do you mean?" she asked, her gaze confused but also suspicious, wary. She was a hunter after all. Sam sighed.

"Forget it. Draw that sigil on the other wall." He commanded, almost. His voice wasn't as good at that as Dean but nevertheless, Abby did let it go. She seemed to sense his tensing arm and the nervousness that seemed to slowly boil over and poor down his temples. He couldn't tell her. Abby was one of the only people he knew right now that didn't know, that could see him without seeing the abomination he was. And this war had already killed her father. What would she think if she found out he was the one who started it?

Well, probably not kiss him, that was for sure.

Sam glanced over to Dean by the couch. By now, Ben had the strict order to stay there and drink the cup of herbal tea Lisa had handed him. His big brother was talking to Lisa a few steps away and Sam could have sworn Dean glanced over to him every few seconds. Like he couldn't let his guard down around him, or why? He had noticed Dean doing that a lot lately, glancing at him, looking for him when they were in a perfectly safe environment. Was it the trust issues? Did he do something again? It was grinding him and he didn't know what to do about it. Confronting Dean wasn't an option. He wasn't ready to get everything thrown in his face, wasn't ready for complete rejection, for resentment, from his brother above all else. That was the one thing he wouldn't be able to take in, the one thing that would surely end him. Because if there was one constant in his life, just one, it was Dean's believe in him. And if that was gone, he…he didn't know what he would do. He just…didn't .

"Sammy? You sure you're okay?" Dean's hand was suddenly at his neck, drawing his head up so he was looking in his direction, checking his eyes over, probably feeling his pulse.

"I'm fine, Dean." He said but didn't push his hand away. He wasn't annoyed, after all. Maybe he was even a little glad for the attention. After all, he wouldn't think bad of Dean if he wanted to deal with...well, having a son, for a few minutes.

"Well, you don't look fine, 's all I'm saying." He said and tilted his head but drew the hand away again, frowning.

"Listen, Sam, I was just talking to Lisa and I think we should…"

"Yeah, we should."

"Sam, I'm not even finished yet-"

"Yes, we can stay here for a couple nights, if that is what you wanted. Let me just phone Bobby to clarify everything. Or maybe you should call him, you know, since he's still mad at you?" he asked, eyebrow raised. Dean made a face and drew in a deep breath.

"Nah. You make that call. I'm gonna…go tell Lisa it's settled." Sam nodded and let him go. What was his issue with Bobby? He usually didn't fight with him this much, not unless it…well okay yeah, they fought a lot. Not really fight, more...bicker. Probably nothing to worry about.

So they settled in for the night after the call to Bobby telling the older hunter that they would camp out, calm the household down, take care of Ben and give them all a small break that they could surely use. Sam and Bobby both agreed to do some more research on the Lucifer thing and ways to defeat him.

It was getting dark soon and Sam found himself downstairs with his laptop on his lap, half lying half sitting on the comfortable chair while Abby camped out on the couch, flipping through something that seemed like a journal.

"You keep a journal?" he asked, frowning but his tone interested.

"Yep. Document everything I've hunted….but this isn't mine." She paused, smiling sadly and held it up for Sam to see. It was clearly a dated journal, used over decades, repaired at some edges, but cherished.

"This is Larry's.", Abby clarified but Sam had already figured. Abby sighed. "I figured I'd copy important information, maybe find something about my family in here…" she didn't elaborate further but Sam nodded. He put his laptop away on the table and sat down next to her. The huntress obliged and put her feet to the side for him to sit.

"I understand. You don't want to know how often I've gone through everything in our Dad's journal." He clarified gently, putting an unsure hand on her bent knee. He hadn't been sure what to do around her in the last few days, seeing as she was still grieving. Remembering Dean's shutting down after their father's death, he wasn't sure if it was wise to even get near her. But Abby wasn't Dean, of course. Maybe with the bad mouth and attitude, sometimes. But around him, she had mostly been softer. And every time he did touch her in any way, a hand on the shoulder or elbow, or just an hour ago hand on hand while drawing sigils, she was always leaning into the touch, not flinching away. He didn't mean anything by it, of course. But still…it was difficult to describe.

Abby was looking up now, studying him with a calculating glance, not cool, just curious about what he may be thinking in that pretty little head of his. She opened her mouth to say something, when they were interrupted by a voice from behind.

"Oh wow. I interfered with something important here? Serious romantic air in this house. I'm going to puke. Can someone open the windows?" a snarky voice commented. Sam and Abby both whirled around, Abby her knife and Sam his gun in hand, pointing at the intruder. Upon spotting him, he lowered his gun a little.

"Crowley?" he spat, his voice furious. The demon opened his mouth to comment but Sam had already shot him in the shoulder. Useless, of course, since it was no iron bullet or the colt, for that matter. Unfortunately. But that didn't matter. He wanted this fucker dead.

"DEAN!" he yelled, as if the shot echoing through the house wouldn't warn his brother enough. On the inside, he cursed to himself. They had warded against angels but not demons? Wait, no, there had been salt in the windows and doors…how the hell did he get in?

"Sammy? What-" his brother appeared at the top of the stairs. Sam lifted an eyebrow when he realized how unkempt and disheveled his brother looked, hair in every direction and clothes only half on him. Oh, Dean… Lisa appeared right behind him, dressed in only a top and panties but quickly putting a gown over it, wrapping herself up.

"The hell are you doing in here?" Dean asked, staring at the demon in their living room from upstairs, grabbing the barricade.

~.~.~.~

It was nice to be back in this house, somehow. But Dean guessed that it wasn't so much the house (it was a new one anyway) but rather Lisa and Ben that made him this comfortable.

Comfortable and nervous at the same time, to be honest. He would really enjoy the time here, but in his head, there was always the reminder that there was a freaking war going on outside these walls and a few hours ago, even inside and that had only happened because of him.

God, Ben was his son! How the hell was he supposed to progress that? After the anger and desperation phase that had overcome him right after Lisa's confession, he had now slipped into being simply overwhelmed by that revelation and questioned his every move around the boy.

His decision after Lisa had asked him to stay a few days hadn't been based only on that though. There was something wrong with Sam, he could tell. It had for some time. Only reason he kept checking on him every ten seconds. Something was eating at his baby brother's nerves and he had hoped that maybe staying at one place for a bit where they could be around one another without being the only ones to hang around. Maybe Sam felt crammed in with just him around all the time. Now there was Lisa and Ben, and above all, Abby. Sam may not seen it but Dean had spotted some time ago that the huntress seemed to have an eye for his little brother. He didn't know how serious it was but the young woman was watching him pretty often, studying with schooled eyes from under long lashes. She was smart and capable, Dean had witnessed that. Even with all the sacrifice thing going on, they had gotten Sam home and secure together after the torture and even though he knew that Abby had questions about how Sam was completely unharmed when his clothes were bloody and torn, she hadn't asked a single question. Apparently, she was a genius at reading people, even with the Winchester brothers, where being capable of that was truly an art.

So yeah, he had hoped that staying here for a few nights would maybe get something started that would help his brother deal, in a way Dean wasn't able to help him. Sam knew that Dean had forgiven him for Lucifer. At least he hoped that he knew that. But Dean was his brother, he had always forgiven him. And Bobby had always been more than a father to them. So Dean was figuring, Sam thought the rest of the world would still blame him, if they knew. Blame him for starting this whole thing even if Sam should be aware that he was just a piece on a chessboard that had been played, somebody who had been tricked by forces beyond his control. Dean had seen that now, knew that angels were manipulative bastards and that Ruby…well Ruby was a manipulative bitch, working with Lilith and Lucifer from the very start. He still wished he had more time to make her suffer before her death. After all she's done that demon bitch would have deserved far worse than a stab with her own knife.

But that wasn't the point here. The point was that it wasn't Sam's fault, at least not directly. Sure, there were things Dean was mad at Sam about. Like in heaven, when the worst night of his life had turned out to be one of Sam's best. Yeah, he was mad about that. But he was also mad at himself for acting out and throwing the necklace away. Now he missed the damn thing around his neck, missed the weight of it and the bond with his brother it presented. Damn. But he had been so damn furious with everything, with Sam, with the angels, and that pendant was a way of finding god and throwing it away only meant to get rid of that possibility as well. But now…

He cursed when he bumped his foot into the bed when he was about to finish the salt line at the window. Sure, demons couldn't find them but that didn't mean they couldn't be prepared. A chuckle behind him startled him. The light was turned on and Dean blinked at the blinding light.

"You know, you don't have to sneak around in the dark to do that stuff, there's such a thing as lights to help you see where you're going." Lisa's voice sounded and Dean turned around to face her. His smartass answer got stuck in his throat. She was dressed simply in shorts and a tank top, a gown hanging loosely over her shoulders but her relaxed stance and smile still shut his mouth and made him blink.

"I-I was just…" he gestured with his hand holding the rock salt to the window, the line not yet finished. Oh god, was he an idiot? Since when had Dean Winchester ever had a problem around half naked women? That was certainly a first.

Lisa chuckled and shook her head, coming closer. Dean felt her hand on his, taking the salt away from him. She looked into it, took a piece of salt out and licked it, skeptical.

"Why salt?" she asked, looking up. "Salt against angels?" she lifted a black eyebrow at him and Dean almost chuckled. Hunter question, good. He got his relaxed stance back, even with her that close.

"Uh no. Against demons, actually. They're not as strong but much nastier, messier." He paused, not sure if he should start with a rant about demons…probably not. Only what she needed to know.

"This war, this whole…thing. It's angels against demons. They're after me and Sammy. Can't detect us because we're protected but…I guess we just want to be prepared for the worst." There was a short silence, Lisa was looking down at the salt line and at the small symbol in the corner of the window. Dean's gaze became guilty.

"I'm sorry, Lisa." He confessed, quiet, almost breathless. "I never wanted to drag you and Ben into this whole mess. It's okay if you want us to leave in the morning. Or-or right now, doesn't matter." He mumbled and suddenly sounded strange to his own ears. Lisa looked up, dark eyes studying him with a tilted head and frowning as if saying, Really? You don't look like it wouldn't matter to you.

"No, Dean. I don't want you to leave and you know that. If I had wanted to chicken out because of possible danger, I'd have thrown you out back when we first met." She half smiled at him and Dean frowned, confused.

"You have that air around you, Dean. I told you, I had a phase. Why do you think I hooked up with bikers? Danger was the thing that you oozed and that was the part that caught my eye in the first place." She chuckled at his expression. "Yeah, maybe I got a bit in over my head with you, I have to admit. Monsters weren't exactly the danger I was looking for. But you know, life would be boring if you always get what you expect. So no, it's okay. And I don't blame you. I knew what I was getting myself into and…" she stopped, fully smiling now. When the hell had she gotten this close? "It certainly has its benefits." And suddenly her lips were brushing his, gently but it sent a shiver through him, the warmth the touch of her hand on his chest, almost exactly where he was missing the weight of the necklace. Okay, maybe it was a little more than just a phase. Danger? If Dean Winchester was an expert at anything, it was that. And this…this was what he was also good at.

Before he knew what was happening, his body responded, drawing her closer by the waist, his other hand swiftly stroked the gown away and sneaked underneath her tank top. His head leaned sideways, his own lips responding to the kiss at the same time as his mind caught up with him. But it didn't stop him, only made his grip tighter and let him realize that Lisa's Hand was at his chin and the other one in his hair and wow, was she using tongue already? Well, he wouldn't complain about that, right? His hand pulled down her sleeping-pants with one fluid motion while the other went further under her top, drawing it up and enjoying the warm skin under his fingertips while his lips bathed in the heat of hers, his tongue exploring her mouth, her hand now drawing his shirt up quickly while her slightly cold hands send shivers down his spine and traces of goose bumps over his chest. His senses were exploding, even more than they had in the last few days but it was all focused on Lisa, on her touch, on the feeling of her lips on his. God, sure, he'd kissed before but this…

Lisa breathed his name under her breath, a moan escaping after it and she tasted like the herbal tea she had made just an hour ago, mixed with the freshness of toothpaste but she smelled of orange scented shampoo, her fingers drawing paths over his muscled chest-

A gunshot abruptly cut the joy flowing through his body.

Suddenly, Dean's focus shot back into place, noises and scents flooding him so abruptly, he drew away from Lisa as quick as a lightning bold. They looked each other in the eye, panic completely draining the passion from their limbs.

"DEAN!" the yell sounded down the hall and made his muscles freeze even more. The hunter in question was in action immediately after the shock subsided. He felt Lisa right behind him when he ran down the hall, wondering what had happened for Sam to shoot a gun in the middle of the night. That was when he reached the balustrade.

"Sammy, what-" but he interrupted himself. Wait, was that Crowley? That stance, the suit, Sam's reaction of pure rage…

"The hell are you doing in here?" he questioned, bewildered but also pissed. Lisa was directly behind him, the gown wrapped around her now naked legs–and did he mention she was a yoga instructor once? Man, she had some damn fine legs- and Dean felt Sam's gaze on him, tried to ignore it. Yes, Sam, you know me. Now shut the bitchface, we have other problems.

His hands tightened themselves around the balustrade while he glared down at the monster. A rage flared in him, something that rippled through him. A deep and ancient rage that he quickly swallowed before it could further consume him. Sam was moving around the room slowly, trying the get to his jacket by the chairs. The demon knife was in there, Dean knew. He himself was ready to jump down without further notice, not using the stairs and enjoying the high ground for now.

"Hiding." Crowley answered. "And getting shot by your brother. Would you call off the moose, I'm here to talk, not fight."

"Oh, I'll do far more than just shoot, you slimy, arrogant-" his little brother drew the demon knife from his jacket on the chair, gun still in hand, and stormed at the monster, only to have him appear behind him. Long limps stopping, he whirled around, fully intending to end what he had just begun but Dean was frowning, noticing how Crowley didn't attack back.

"Sam, wait." He bellowed. Noises came up behind him. Ben was awake. How could he not. A gunshot would draw anybody from their sleep. Probably the whole neighborhood with it, too. He prayed inwardly that nobody had called the police. Oh, who was he kidding? Great, one more problem. As if Crowley alone wasn't enough. Sam now glared up at him. Really glared. Dean couldn't put it past him.

"What?! Dean, Jo and Ellen are dead because of him!" he yelled. Dean closed his eyes for a second, breathing in deeply. No need to remind, me, Sammy, thank you.

"I know, Sam, I know. He says he wants to talk. What you wanna talk about, bastard?" he asked Crowley now. The next second, he almost flinched back. Crowley was looking at him from below now and his face….oh my god, his face. The anger in him flared again, like a cat that wanted to jump its target. A power flickered but he tried to hold it in somehow. Crowley's own eyes widened for a second when he set eyes on him. Had he seen that? Shit.

"You're uglier than I remembered." Dean snarled, trying to mask his extreme reaction. He vaguely remembered seeing Ruby's true face, back when his deal had been due. Well, then this would be Crowley's then. God, he's ugly. And was that him that smelled this bad? The whole house seemed to reek of fucking sulfur.

"Right back at ya. Had a little do-over?" Crowley lifted an eyebrow. Not only could he see Crowley's true face, the demon had also seen his, if only for a short second. Well, fabulous. By the sniffing of his nose, the probably smelled something out of the ordinary, too.

"Very funny. So, tell me. What brings a crossroads-demon to us in this godforsaken hour with the purpose to talk?" he questioned, while walking down the stairs. He was aware of Ben behind them, Lisa was too, apparently, as she told him to get back to bed before following right after Dean, weary and her eyes trained on the demon. After what he had just told her about demons, he wasn't surprised. But she didn't grab his hand, just stayed close. Dean appreciated that, as he preferred to have his hands free in case of attack. Crowley smirked. With his back turned, Sam lifted the knife again. Dean subtly shook his head at him and the demon whirled around.

"Sam! I'm hurt. After everything I did for you, you still try to kill me?"

"Everything you did for us!? You knew the colt wouldn't work! You sent us on a fucking suicide mission! We lost friends there, good people!" Sam was full out screaming now and Dean was on his side just in time to actually hold his brother back, standing in front of Crowley now.

"Dean! Let me pass! I can't believe you're defending him!" Sam lashed out with words, now that Dean had him in a grip he couldn't escape from. Dean let him go and shook his head. Why was he so calm again? That eerie calmness was back, consuming him, filling him with its kindness.

"I'm not. Trust me, I want to kill him just as badly. Only thing I know: Demon like him, coming to us on his own when he knows we want to gang him? Not a smart move. He has to have something going on to do something like that. Am I right?"

"Wow. Your reputation isn't doing you justice. You are smart after all. And here I thought Sammy was the brains." Sam almost growled, but reduced it to a deathglare. Oooh, Sammy Deathglares. Crowley was going down.

"Don't you dare call me that." Sam spat, his voice venomous. Ouch. Dean didn't dare to fully let go of his brother yet. Playing the Sammy card wasn't smart of Crowley. Something in him felt proud that he was the only one to ever get through with that nickname.

"But you're correct. I do have something important at hand. And I swear, I didn't know the colt wouldn't work. Who you bring to a party is your responsibility, too. Anyway." He leaned back, as if preparing for a long and important speech. Yay, here it comes.

"I know where Pestilence is." He announced, grinning a winning grin. Literally. Like it was a big fucking deal. Dean blinked. What did he want, for them to fall to his feet?

"Okay, so?" he asked. It wasn't like they were lining up to meet horsemen. Last two times they had found themselves right in the middle of the chaos and seen no other choice but to take their powers to get out of the whole mess. Oh and save the planet from them. Yeah, there was that, too. Crowley seemed hurt. Or played hurt, Dean was never sure with him.

"Are you kidding me? I thought you were after the horsemen? Collecting rings?"

"Collect rings? What the hell for? You want them for your jewelry collection? Take them. They're in my jacket." Dean nodded to the wardrobe near the front door and frowned at the demon. Crowley shook his head.

"Okay. Then maybe you'd be interested to know that he's spreading something you might be concerned about."

"Oh, what? Swine flu? Yeah, seen that on the news." Dean had heard from Bobby about that, the great waves of swine flu running over the whole country, the whole world even. And other illnesses, too. But nothing that they were really worried about, nothing immediate-

"No, dumbass." Crowley hissed.

"Croatoan."

And that was when Dean's blood froze over.

~.~.~.~

I wanna see your animal side
Let it all out
I wanna see the dirt
Under your skin
I need your broken promises

I want the guts and glory baby
This town is wasted and alone

Cause we are alive
Here in Death Valley
But don't take love off the table yet
Cause tonight
Tonight it's just fire alarms and losing you
We love a lot
So we only lose a little
We are alive

~Death Valley, Fall Out Boy

Dudun. Dreadful disease incoming ;P
God, I enjoyed writing the Lisa-Dean bit faaar too much. Did you like reading it? I sure hope so.. ;D

And what do you think about me very subtly adding in Abby as a romantic interest? xD This is very clearly a shipping chapter, I know. But there's also Crowley! So there's that... Loved him and Dean in the last episode btw :)

What do you think? PLEASE tell me, all reviews are love :3