Thank you Jenjoremy for beta'ing for me and Gredelina1 for all that you do.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Crowley didn't spend his life waiting for calls for help from the Winchesters, but that didn't mean it wasn't a treat when they came along.
He tucked the phone back in the inside pocket of his overcoat and stood up from his throne.
"Sir?" the demon proffering the clipboard to him said tentatively. "Is there a problem?"
"Mortal enemies need a little help with something," he said. "I'll be back soon."
"But, Sir, we have many more items to bring to your attention, and there are eleven demons waiting for an audience with you."
"Wait is the word," Crowley said. "I don't expect you to understand, Marius, but being King is about more than signing contracts and dealing with petty squabbles. I have a responsibility to myself to take pleasures when they come along."
"And the Winchesters offer you pleasure?" Marius asked sounding appalled.
Crowley sighed. It was hard being the only intelligent demon in existence. "Not in that way, you bloody fool."
"Then how?"
"Yes, Crowley, how?" Sam Winchester said from behind the door.
"Moose!" Crowley said happily. "I just had a call from your brother. You two have a bit of a spat or are you playing hide and…?" He trailed off as Sam pushed open the doors and entered the room. Only it wasn't Sam Winchester. It was Abaddon running the switches and Sam was stuffed down inside. "Seriously, Moose? Again? Do you like being a meat puppet, is that it?"
"He might," Abaddon said. "I didn't bother to ask."
So that explained Dean's call. Once again the big lummox had gotten himself into trouble. And what trouble it was. They didn't have much chance of coming out of this one on top, but that wasn't Crowley's concern. He was worried for himself. If Abaddon was out in public again, that meant she had something up her sleeve.
"Sir?" Marius said in a querulous voice.
Crowley waved an airy hand and the demon fled.
"Nice loyal demon you've got there, Crowley," Abaddon said.
Deciding civil was the way to go, Crowley ignored her statement, sat down again and leaned back in his throne. Looking hopefully casual and in control of the situation he asked, "What can I do for you then?"
Abaddon smiled strangely. She looked triumphant. "You can hand over that throne and die like a good demon."
Crowley raised an eyebrow, though inside he was rattled. "And why would I give up my throne? I like it. Had it made just for me, perfectly contoured."
"That's precisely your problem, Crowley. You think sitting on a throne and giving orders is what a king does. A king fights for what he has—he doesn't just step into a power vacuum and take over. He earns it." Abaddon's lip curled back with disgust. "He doesn't have thrones made that fit the contours of his ass!"
"They should," Crowley said lightly. "It's unbelievably comfortable."
Abaddon sighed. "You're an insult to Hell."
"And you're a stupid tart in an overgrown meat suit you haven't got a chance of keeping," Crowley replied. "You might have him stuffed down now, but Sam Winchester is going to rear up and deal with you. That's what he does, you know. You heard about his time with your buddy Lucifer, didn't you? Satan couldn't hold him down, and unlike you, he was actually scary."
"I am going to hold onto this one until the end of time."
Crowley shrugged. "You can try. I'll enjoy seeing you fail."
Abaddon smiled strangely. "You have a lot of faith in your friend."
"Friend!" Crowley snarled. "Take that back!"
"Abaddon laughed. "You can't fool me, Crowley. That's why I am here. I am declaring this fight over. You're going to step aside and let me lead uninhibited by you or your lackeys."
"And why would I do that?" Crowley asked.
"Because if you don't, I am going to break this body apart from the inside out. And when it's wrecked, every bone broken and organ ruptured, I am going to smoke out and leave it to die."
Crowley raised an eyebrow. "And I care because…?"
"I know how devoted you are to the Winchesters. I have my spies. I know when they call, you answer. I know you were a part of their fight against that toad Metatron. I know all about it."
"Hold up," Crowley said. "You think I'm devoted to the Winchesters?"
"Yes."
Crowley burst into laughter. He squirmed in his throne as the laughter rolled over him, making his eyes water and his stomach cramp.
"Stop laughing!" Abaddon snapped. "Stop laughing now!"
Her anger made him laugh even harder. It was the most hilariously ridiculous thing he'd ever heard.
It took a long time for him to calm himself enough that he could speak, and even then an occasional chortle escaped him. "Abaddon, pet," he said. "I am about as devoted to the Winchesters as I am to you. I probably care more for you than them, as we're at least the same species."
"Then why are you always with them? I am told you answer their calls and summons every time."
Crowley sighed. "Okay, you've obviously not spent much time with humans before, so I'll break it down for you. Sam and Dean Winchester are hilarious. They make the greatest mistakes of anyone ever, and screw up so royally the world suffers, and it never ends. And through that, they've got this fabulously complicated co-dependency thing going on, so one of them is almost always suffering because of the other—which I love. Spending time with them is the most entertaining thing I've ever found." He considered. "Besides, there's sometimes a fight to get in on. You think the fact you're in Sam Winchester means you win, but you couldn't be further from the truth. All you've done is open up a world of suffering for Dean and I am going to enjoy that."
"You're lying. You care for him."
"If I had some holy oil handy, I'd immolate you right now, love, meat suit and all." Seeing the doubt, he went on. "I can prove it if you like. You stay there and I'll get the Molotov. Marius…" he called. "Need some holy oil and a match in here, please."
Abaddon's eyes narrowed and he stared impassively.
"Fine. I believe you. But this is not over."
"Didn't think it was," Crowley said cheerfully.
Abaddon turned and marched from the room. When Crowley heard the door slam, he tugged at his collar and breathed a sigh of relief. He'd bake Sam Winchester like a rotisserie chicken without thought for the man, but he didn't want to piss off the big brother. That would not end well. When there was a Winchester gunning for you in revenge, it was best to keep well out of the way.
He wondered if Abaddon realized that.
Castiel and Bartholomew walked along the perimeter of the park together, heads bowed and expressions solemn.
"And you are sure she has taken him?" Bartholomew asked.
"Positive," Castiel said. "I felt the demon move and when we got outside, Sam was gone and her former vessel was there."
"Dead?"
"Yes."
Bartholomew tutted. "The Winchesters certainly keep things interesting if nothing else."
Castiel didn't answer. He thought it was an unkind comment, but he couldn't risk insulting Bartholomew and losing his assistance. They needed him and the other angels to save Sam.
"Well, I did tell Sam Winchester that we angels owed him a debt, and I would like to see Abaddon dealt with. She has been a menace much too long. At least the King of Hell knows his place. He even assisted us against Metatron, though I am reasonably certain that was motivated by entertainment more than anything else."
"He did help us though," Castiel said.
"Do you think he will help again?"
"I don't know. He has as much interest in dealing with Abaddon as anyone, but that has been true since her reappearance, and he has yet to make any headway."
"Still," Bartholomew said, "we may find a use for him." He nodded to himself. "Yes, Castiel. You have my word and that of all loyal angels that we will do what we can to save Sam Winchester."
"Thank you," Castiel said seriously. "I will tell Dean."
"One more thing, Castiel," Bartholomew said. "I assume you know that your time is running out fast now. I can sense it, so you surely can."
Castiel nodded. "I am aware."
"Then I would like to offer you… replenishment. I can arrange for more grace for you."
"No!" Castiel said quickly, then amended. "Thank you, Bartholomew, but I will not take from another angel to sustain myself."
Bartholomew stared at him for a moment, his expression thoughtful, and then he said, "Very well, Castiel. I will be in touch."
"I will do the same if I find sign of Abaddon," Castiel said.
"Good."
Bartholomew walked away and Castiel made for his car. He felt some hope now that they had the angels on their side, but he doubted that hope would reach Dean through his despair. His friend was suffering greatly, and it was not all his own, which made Castiel worry for Sam even more. His friends were connected in a way an infinitely small number of humans were; that connection was hurting them now. Dean was feeling Sam's anguish, and Sam would be feeling Dean's in return.
Kevin and Charlie were impatient because Dean appeared to have given up, but Castiel knew better. Dean hadn't given up, but his fight was focused on getting him through life minute by minute the way Sam was, and Dean was only feeling a portion of what Sam was.
Castiel was scared for Sam's mental wellbeing as well as physical now. He wondered how much longer Sam could hang on.
When Castiel had left the bunker to meet Bartholomew, Dean had been sitting at the laptop staring at the program running as it searched for Abaddon. Before he'd set out, Castiel had made Dean a plate of sandwiches and a large travel mug of coffee. It looked like he had touched neither in Castiel's absence.
"Dean," Castiel said, "you need to sustain yourself to fight."
Dean raised his eyes and Castiel saw he had taken an even greater downturn while he was away. He was pale and his eyes were devoid of life. Castiel felt a surge of worry for both of his friends.
"Not hungry," Dean said.
Charlie came into the room then. She glanced at Dean and then nodded pointedly to Castiel. "Cas, can you come look at something?"
"Of course," Castiel said.
Dean didn't even react as Castiel promised he would be right back and walked away.
He followed Charlie into the kitchen where Kevin was standing leaning against the counter. They both looked solemnly at Castiel.
"What can I do for you?" he asked them.
"You can tell us what's going on," Charlie said.
Castiel frowned. "You already know."
"No, I mean with Dean. This is much worse than when Gadreel had Sam. He's wrecked."
Castiel considered. "If I tell you this, you must swear not to tell Dean."
They both nodded at once and looked attentive.
"Dean and Sam are soul mates," Castiel started. "And because of that, they are sharing something right now—emotion. Dean is feeling a part of what Sam is feeling, and that, compounded by his own worry, has rendered him like… this."
Charlie gasped. "That's what Sam is feeling, too?"
Castiel shook his head. "No. For Sam it is much worse."
Tears glinted in her eyes. "How he is he even… you know… alive?"
"He has no choice," Castiel said. "He is not in control of anything. There is no escape for him."
"But," she frowned. "It wasn't like this last time. Dean wasn't feeling what Sam felt."
"No, because Gadreel stuffed him down so deep not even emotion could escape. I cannot be sure, but I assume Abaddon has Sam aware and just below the surface."
Kevin looked sickened.
"Do not tell Dean," Castiel reiterated. "It will cause him nothing but more pain to know Sam is suffering the same way he is."
"We won't," Charlie said fervently.
Castiel nodded his satisfaction. "I should get back to Dean."
He made for the hall, his pace increasing when he heard the banging on the door. His heart sank when he heard Crowley's voice shouting, "Come on, you bloody idiots. I've got news."
Castiel hurried up the stairs and yanked open the door.
"Feathers," Crowley greeted, pushing past him and walking through to the library. Castiel followed, noting that Dean didn't even look mildly interested at the demon's arrival.
"What is your news?" Castiel asked as Charlie and Kevin appeared beside him.
"I saw Abaddon," Crowley said perfectly calmly. "In the moose."
Dean's head snapped up. "Is he okay?"
"No idea," Crowley said. "I mean he's alive, but couldn't tell you anything else."
"Why did she come to you?" Dean asked in a cracked voice.
Crowley laughed softly. "She thought she was coming to declare victory, stupid bint. She figured by using the moose as a meat suit, I'd give her a free pass. She actually believed I cared for him." He rolled his eyes. "Helping you has done nothing for my reputation, you know."
"Where is she now?" Castiel asked intensely.
"No idea. She popped in, chatted and stomped her feet, and then left when I refused to give up the throne. It was a good time."
"I'm sure," Charlie said sarcastically.
"Don't be getting snotty with me, Ginger," Crowley said. "I'm doing you a favor filling you in on this. Thought you'd like to know he's alive at least."
Dean moaned.
"Wow, you are a mess," Crowley said, addressing Dean. "Being soul mates isn't all fun and games, is it, Squirrel?"
"What?" Dean asked, but before Crowley could answer, his phone rang.
He answered, "This is your King," and then paused. Castiel concentrated and heard the voice speaking on the other end.
"Sir, I have news. Abaddon has commanded us to gather. We're going to storm Hell, Sir."
Crowley raised an eyebrow. "Is that right?"
"Yes, Sir. She says it's time to take what's ours."
"Do you happen to know which entrance she's using?" Crowley asked.
"The Devil's Gate in Wyoming, Sir."
Crowley grinned. "Thank you, Celeste. You stay undercover and I will summon you when I need you."
"Yes, Sir."
Crowley ended the call and said, "Boy, have I got news for you."
Before Crowley could gloat and hold the others in suspense, Castiel spoke. "Abaddon is going to Hell with her army."
Dean lurched to his feet. "What? Where? When?"
"The Devil's Gate in Wyoming," Castiel said. "I don't know when."
"Pretty soon," Crowley cut in. "She's got to gather them all first, but, yeah, she'll be there in a matter of hours."
"We have to go," Dean said, his pale face animated now. "We have to stop her."
Crowley snorted. "And how are you planning on doing that?"
"I'll talk to Sam," Dean said. "Make him take control. It worked when Lucifer was in him. It worked for my dad and Bobby. I reached them. I will Sam."
Castiel felt a flicker of hope. It could work.
"You'll be killed," Crowley said neutrally.
"No," Dean said. "He wouldn't let Lucifer do it. He won't let her. Sam's strong." He turned to Castiel. "Are you coming?"
As if Castiel would leave him to face this alone. And if it cost his life, it would be worth it to give Dean his chance.
"Of course," he said.
"Me too," Charlie said, and Kevin nodded solemnly.
"No," Dean said firmly.
"Why not?" Charlie asked. "He's our family, too."
"Because you're the only ones that know," Dean said. "If we don't come back, someone has to carry this place on. You have to find hunters that can use the information here and show them how to do it."
"You're saying goodbye," Charlie said, wiping her hand over her face.
"Yes," Dean said simply.
"You can't think we'll let you do this," Kevin said.
Dean glanced pointedly at Castiel and Castiel understood what he wanted. Regretfully, he pressed his fingers to Charlie's forehead, sending her to sleep. Dean caught her and eased her to the floor as Kevin shouted inarticulately and made to run. Castiel was too fast. He touched Kevin's forehead and caught him as he dropped.
"Nice work," Crowley said approvingly. "Kids would only have gotten in the way anyway."
"That's not why we did it," Castiel said. They had done it to protect them.
Crowley raised an eyebrow. "Sure you didn't. Anyway. I'm off. I have an invasion to prepare for."
He made for the door and Castiel watched him go.
Dean turned to him "You ready for this?"
"Yes," Castiel said confidently. "Let's get him back."
As they powered towards Wyoming, Castiel leaned back in the seat with his eyes closed and reached for the mind of Bartholomew on angel radio, sure he would be listening now with his promise to help Sam in his mind.
He found him almost at once, and spoke before Bartholomew could say more than his name.
"Bartholomew, we have news of Abaddon and Sam. They are going to be in Wyoming. She is going for the Devil's Gate with her army. Dean and I are going there now, but we might not be fast enough. Can you stall her?"
"I will do what must be done," Bartholomew replied solemnly. "All angels will."
"Thank you," Castiel said fervently.
"We are doing our duty," Bartholomew said,
Castiel open his eyes and turned to Dean. "The angels are prepared to stall her."
Dean nodded. "It's going to be okay," he said, speaking to himself. "We're all going to be okay."
Castiel was pleased to hear the positivity in his friend. He wasn't sure if it was because he was sensing something different in Sam, too, but he hoped so. Sam needed to be strong to fight down Abaddon, and if he was still despairing, it would be much harder.
Castiel returned his attention to angel radio, hoping to discover how close Abaddon was to her goal and if they would make it. He heard Berieah's voice report, "The demons are in position, Bartholomew, and the abomination is arriving now."
"Good," Bartholomew replied. "You know what to do, all of you. Leave none alive."
Castiel's breath caught in his throat. 'None alive.' Bartholomew couldn't mean what he thought, surely. He had sworn to help Sam.
Then Castiel felt it, the jolt of grace and power raging through his mind as every angel in Heaven fixed their will on the same thing at the exact same moment—pouring their grace down onto earth.
Suddenly, Dean jolted, and the car veered into the wrong lane.
"Sam!" he bellowed. His hands fell from the steering wheel as if he wasn't even aware that he was supposed to be driving and he cried out again, as if in mortal agony. "Sam!"
A car horn blared and Castiel saw headlights rushing at them.
So…Everyone loves a good cliffhanger ending, right? Maybe not. Being fans of Supernatural you are at least used to them though. I will be back with the final chapter soon.
Good News: My new story is about ready to post. Jenjoremy has the first couple chapters right now, so I should be able to post seamlessly between the last chapter of Missing and the first of the new one, so you'll have something to read if you're so inclined. I'm really excited to see what you think of it, as it's been something of an experiment for me to write and I'm really proud of the final product.
Until next time…
Clowns or Midgets xxx