A/N: I have to say I am blown away by the support for this fic. You all are such an encouraging audience. Thank you. :)

Chapter 11

Dean didn't consider little Cas heavy, but holding him for more than fifteen minutes with chains wrapped around his upper arms was starting to wear on Dean's muscles. He managed to slide himself down against a support column to sit on the ground with Cas in his lap. Dean hated feeling helpless, hated that he had no way to attempt picking the locks on the cuffs, and absolutely hated that their rescue was dependent on one pompous, dickwad angel. He sighed, and tried to unbend his locked elbows without jostling Cas too much.

"I'm sorry, Dean," the kid's small voice spoke up.

"For what, buddy?"

Cas lifted his head from where it'd been resting on Dean's shoulder. "You shouldn't be here."

"Hey, I'm glad I am." And he was. Dean would rather be trussed up like this than have Cas in this goon's clutches, scared and alone. He frowned when the kid shuddered. "Are the sigils hurting you?"

Cas started to nod, paused, and then shook his head. "I can't stretch my wings."

"I know. It'll be okay, though. Balthazar will come get us." And boy did that irk Dean to say. He had more faith in Sam and Bobby than he did the angel. But then, Balthazar was Cas's brother, and the promise of rescue coming from him probably meant more to Cas than it did Dean.

Cas tried to nestle further into him. "I'm cold."

Dean tensed. He was still worried about Cas having not fully recovered from his time with Hel, and this dank warehouse was definitely not good for him. He tried to maneuver Cas so that he could wrap part of his coat around the kid, but the chains just didn't allow enough room.

"Hang in there, okay?" Dean murmured.

Footsteps interrupted them as Obadiah approached. Cas stiffened, and Dean hugged him closer.

"Remarkable," Obadiah breathed, stopping to loom over them. "Fledglings are more or less an extinct species, you know."

"You're a real class act, threatening one," Dean retorted.

"It brings me no pleasure to do so."

He snorted. "And that's supposed to make it okay?"

Obadiah's spine straightened. "It makes me better than the barbaric angels on Raphael's side who enjoy tormenting our siblings." His mouth curled into a sneer. "They would not show Castiel mercy, even in this state. There is only one way to combat such evil, and yet Castiel will not fight fire with fire."

Dean wanted to argue, to defend Cas on principle, but in truth he didn't know why Cas had gone to all the trouble of getting those heavenly weapons if he wasn't going to use them. No, that wasn't right; Dean had heard Obadiah claim that Cas believed the other angels had been deceived by Raphael. Which…sure, maybe. Cas had once bought into the lies of Paradise and the Apocalypse himself, after all. And the angels were his family. Sort of. Cas would kill if he needed to, but he always grieved over it.

"The ends don't justify the means," Dean said, because it seemed like something Cas would respond with.

"As if you are in any position to lecture me."

Dean's jaw tightened. Yeah, the Winchesters had plenty of firsthand experience with that. "Then you should know better."

"I know Heaven will be a better place once I'm done! And I need not explain myself to you!"

"Maybe you should explain it to Cas. You know, your brother."

Obadiah's gaze shifted a fraction to the little angel, who stared back up at him wide-eyed. It may have put a chink in their captor's granite expression, but Dean couldn't tell.

"If you tell me where the weapons are, Castiel, we need not go through with this," Obadiah said calmly.

Dean didn't know whether he hoped Cas would just tell the douchewad or stand firm. Sure, after Raphael was defeated, there'd be trouble, but wasn't there always? And even though it wasn't what Cas wanted, Dean would take just about any alternative if it kept him safe.

But Cas just shook his head and buried his face in Dean's shoulder.

Obadiah's eyes hardened, and he continued gazing down at Cas for a prolonged moment. "Well then, perhaps there is a way Castiel can still aid our cause. Balthazar's attempt to restore him is noble, but most likely futile." He hummed thoughtfully. "A fledgling's power can be quite immense, perhaps enough, along with the weapons, to win the war."

Dean tightened his grip on Cas as terror spiked through him. "What happened to being better than Raphael?"

"It is a sacrifice I'm sure Castiel would willingly make. And I will make sure everyone knows of it. He will be remembered as a hero."

"You gonna tell everyone you're the one who strapped him down and drained him dry?" Dean snarled. Cas whimpered into his chest, and Dean cupped the side of his head protectively. "'Cause I'm sure that'll go over well."

A muscle in Obadiah's jaw ticked, and Dean knew the bastard was planning on glossing over that fact. But Dean would die before he let the angel drain Cas's grace like Hel had tried to do.

"I swear to your deadbeat dad I will kill you if you touch him."

The angel scoffed. "Outwitting Lucifer has given you delusions of grandeur. You're nothing more than an ant."

"An ant who put two archangels in the Cage."

"Yes, and the first thing Raphael will do when he wins this war is open that Cage. And you'll be Michael's first stop on the comeback tour." Obadiah snorted. "I'm doing you a favor."

Just the thought of the imprisoned archangel sent chills down Dean's spine. He'd sacrificed his brother to see the Apocalypse averted, Lucifer stuck back in Hell…he was not willing to sacrifice another to keep it that way.

Dammit, Balthazar, hurry.

As though he had heard Dean's silent plea, the angel appeared behind them, dropping a handful of items on the floor with a raucous clatter. There was a sword, a spear, a chalice, a massive book at least a foot wide, a ram's horn…and a harp?

Obadiah turned, and ran his gaze over the items. "I am glad you saw reason, Balthazar."

The other angel's eyes flicked to Dean and Cas, briefly taking them in before returning to Obadiah. "And now it's your turn."

Obadiah hummed in the back of his throat as he took a step forward. "I've been thinking about things…"

"Never a good sign with you," Balthazar remarked, eyes narrowing as Obadiah drew closer to him.

"I need Castiel out of the way until I've finished punishing Raphael's followers." He paused, canting his head in consideration. "Are you willing to fight alongside me, Balthazar? Delay that spell you were preparing just for a little while."

"He's lying!" Dean shouted. "He wants to steal Cas's grace!"

Obadiah waved a hand, and an invisible pressure closed around Dean's throat. He sucked in a ragged gasp, but was unable to fill his lungs.

"Dean? Dean!" Cas cried frantically, wriggling in his arms and against the chains.

Dean's throat was burning, the sound of his own choking echoing in his ears. Spots started bursting across his vision, but he still saw the glint of metal as Balthazar drew his angel blade. The angel lunged at Obadiah, who twisted away at the last second. The force squeezing Dean's neck evaporated, and he coughed violently as fresh, cold air seared his throat.

The screech of crossed blades filled the warehouse, and Dean blinked his vision clear to see the two angels locked in combat. Obadiah swiped his own blade at Balthazar's chest, but the British angel ducked and spun around. Then he slashed and Obadiah parried.

"Why are you fighting me, Balthazar?" Obadiah raged. "We're on the same side!"

"Your definition of ally is worse than mine." Balthazar thrust forward, but Obadiah brought his blade up to block. Celestial alloy met with a resounding clang, and for a moment the two angels were poised like statues, arms practically vibrating as each tried to overpower the other. Then Balthazar pushed himself away. Dancing back a few steps, he and Obadiah began circling each other.

Dean wished he could get up and reach one of those heavenly weapons discarded on the floor, but it wasn't as though he could wield anything with his arms bound. Yet, the angels were drifting closer, the 'ant' probably forgotten. Well, Dean would show him.

He pulled his leg up and worked the knife in his boot free. He hadn't retrieved it before because it wouldn't have done any good, but now he gripped the hilt in one hand, and as Obadiah sidestepped too close, he jabbed the blade into the back of the angel's calf. It didn't even elicit a cry of pain, but Obadiah whirled in surprise and indignation, which was enough of an opening for Balthazar.

The British angel surged forward and rammed his blade into Obadiah's chest. Obadiah threw his head back with a pained cry as brilliant white light burst from his mouth and eyes. Dean dropped his knife and threw his hand over Cas's head to shield his face, squeezing his own eyes shut against the impending nova. A rush of air slapped the side of his head, and in the ensuing silence, the sound of a heavy body hitting the floor echoed dully.

Dean slowly turned his head and opened his eyes. Obadiah lay on the floor, vessel empty. Balthazar stood over them with a masked expression as he gazed down at his slain brother. Then he looked at Dean.

"Is he okay?"

Dean removed his hand from Cas's head and turned to catch the kid's eye. Cas was pale and trembling slightly. "I think he could use a hot chocolate."

With a wry smirk, Balthazar flicked his hand, and the cuffs fell from Dean's wrists. He shrugged out of the chains as fast as he could, holding up Cas as the kid got shakily to his feet. Dean rubbed his sore throat, and thought that he wouldn't mind going for a hot chocolate either.

Two tiny fingers entered his vision, reaching for his forehead. Dean jerked back and trapped Cas's hand in his own. "Whoa there, buddy, I'm fine. Let's save your mojo for now, okay?"

Cas pursed his lips in a pout that made Dean simultaneously feel bad while also wanting to laugh. Then the kid looked up at Balthazar.

"What? Are you bloody kidding me? He's fine."

Dean was about to add he didn't need—or want—Balthazar healing him, but Cas pulled out the puppy look. The same one he'd been using to get hot chocolate the past couple days. Balthazar blinked in bewilderment, but Dean could see the angel's resolve was quickly melting.

"Alright, fine."

Dean still wanted to protest, but before he could, Cas's face brightened, and the words died in his slightly swollen throat. Balthazar reached down, yet instead of the customary touch to the forehead, he flicked his forefinger dead center.

"Ow!" Dean rocked back, knocking against the support column. The throb from Balthazar's 'bedside manner' faded, and then Dean noticed that his throat felt fine again.

"There, all better," Balthazar huffed. "Happy?"

Cas nodded. "Thank you."

Dean scrambled to his feet. "Yeah, thanks a bunch," he muttered. He picked Cas up again, regardless of the kid now being able to stand. He'd had too many close calls recently.

Dean ran his gaze over the warehouse: the dead angel and sigil painted on the floor. When the scene was found, it'd be reported as a mysterious murder with ties to the occult, something the Winchesters would normally investigate. But this was case closed as far as Dean was concerned.

He glanced over the pile of items Balthazar had brought. "So those are the heavenly weapons."

Balthazar snorted. "Of course not, you moron. You think I'd let that traitor anywhere near weapons that can hurt angels?"

Dean's brows rose sharply. Well, at least the guy played a good bluff. "Is Sam still at Bobby's?"

"That's where I left him."

Right, because the angel would never accept help from a 'hairless ape.' Sam was probably pissed and freaking out.

Balthazar turned to the sigil and held his hand over it until his palm started to glow. The white lines smoldered and burned. Then with a wave of his arm, a wind brushed through the warehouse, scattering the ash until nothing remained of Castiel's name or the binding sigil for anyone else to use.

"Right then." Balthazar clapped his hands together. "All aboard." He stretched two fingers to Dean's forehead, who had to resist the urge to flinch away. Once again, he and Cas were swallowed up in a vortex of wind and light before landing back in Bobby's yard.

"Dean!" Sam dropped the spell ingredients he was putting together and jogged over. "Are you guys okay?"

Dean nodded. "We're fine."

Sam touched Cas's shoulder and looked him over worriedly before shooting a glower over to Balthazar. Yep, he was pissed at being left out of the action.

"And Obadiah?" Sam asked.

"Dead."

Sam let out a breath of relief. "We're just about finished setting up the reversal spell." He gestured to the completed sigil and bowl of ingredients Bobby had taken over mixing.

Cas shivered, and Dean shifted his hold to rub the kid's arm. They needed to get this done. He carried Cas over to the symbol and set him down in the center of it. Cas's eyes were wide and fearful as he traced the lines on the ground.

"You all need to wait inside while I perform the spell," Balthazar mentioned. "It could get…explosive."

Cas's eyes widened even further.

"Hey." Dean crouched down and took him by the shoulders. "Everything will be okay, alright? No matter what happens, Sam and I are here for you. You trust me?"

Cas lifted solemn eyes to his. "I trust you, Dean."

Dean gave him one last reassuring squeeze before tearing himself away. He wanted to stay by Cas's side so the kid wouldn't be scared, but his presence might muck up the spell. So he reluctantly headed inside the house with Sam and Bobby, but moved to peer out the window. Balthazar had gone to kneel in front of Cas, and though Dean had no idea what they were saying, it was the most tenderhearted scene Dean had ever witnessed of the smarmy angel.

Finally, Balthazar stood and retreated to the edge of the sigil. His lips moved with an incantation, and then he tipped the bowl to pour the contents onto the rune. As soon as the liquid touched the lines, they began to glow, running like gleaming rivulets of silver. The gleam intensified, suffusing into an aura that swelled up around Cas. Dean's stomach tightened, and he wanted to run back outside. But the nova burst forth with a blinding flash, and he had to throw his arms up to shield his face as the entire yard was swallowed in the flare.

A/N: Only one more chapter! I'm sad the story's almost over. But I am working on my next one. ^_^