Chapter 9: Pretty Colors and Forbidden Stones
Sam burst into laughter at the show they were watching, something about the world's stupidest criminals or something. It was just something to watch while the four of them ate dinner since Bobby had returned home. Gabriel couldn't care less. His golden gaze was fixed on the two bodies laying on the sofa. Dean was flat on his back sans shirt with Castiel, also topless, draped over him like an angel blanket. It had been three days since Dean's memories had been returned to him and the hunter was still a bit skittish, his new powers effecting him more then he cared to admit. That wasn't what had Gabriel staring at them though.
Dean had refused to be more then a few feet from his mate at all times. They were also always touching. While before Castiel had seemed uncomfortable with the demon part of his mate, he now accepted it without question, never shying away from the hunter's touch or startling at the sight of his black eyes. Their bond with each other remained wide open with the two unwilling to close it. It was actually helping Castiel get his Grace stabilized more quickly then he would have thought possible.
What had Gabriel staring was the raw power that Dean was putting out in his relaxed state. It was damn near enough to rival his own power. There was nothing wrong with that but since he knew Sam couldn't feel it, much less fathom it, it just left him awestruck. Then there was the fact that the hunter wielded it with such grace and precision that he had seen only Michael, Lucifer, and himself use it like that before. Like right now? Dean was unconsciously using his power to heal, actually heal, Castiel's Grace from it's waning state.
It made Gabriel wonder what the eldest Winchester's power would be like if he let it grow and was properly trained to use it. As it was Gabriel was glad that he was an archangel. The brush of power that was hanging around the two was enough to make any supernatural being's mouth water. As it was he couldn't even focus on the show they were watching because he was too entranced by watching the flow of energy around the mated pair. It was beautiful and a bit frightening.
"Stop it Gabe."
Gabriel blinked as Dean turned to face him. "What?"
"Stop staring. I can feel you looking at us. If you take a picture it'll last longer." Dean said, a twinkle in his eye.
Gabriel gave him a smirk. "Well if you weren't throwing around such pretty colors over there then I wouldn't be forced to stare at you."
"Pretty colors?" Sam asked turning to look at them. "I don't see anything."
"You wouldn't. It's something that I can do that's bit different from my brothers. When most try to see the energy that flows around things they see the lines of power." Gabriel said. "I see it differently. I don't see lines. I see colors. Father once told me it was because of my healing power. That I needed to be able to see the hurt to heal it. Some humans have that power to. They call it aura seeing."
"So you can see the colors of peoples souls?" Sam asked. "I thought that was a myth."
"Not a myth. Just very rare. Most can only see one color at a time. Me? When I chose to look I can see everything. Each color is not only power but emotion. It makes reading people a snap but it leaves me exhausted when I do it for extended periods of time. Watching Dean-o over there is like watching a kaleidoscope on acid. Hence pretty colors." Gabriel said with a grin.
"I didn't realize I was throwing around colors." Dean said. "I was just wanting Cas to get better."
"I am feeling better Dean." Castiel said softly, looking up at him with sleepy blue eyes.
"It's still sour. Not like before but it's still there." Dean said with a frown. "I don't like it."
"What do you mean it's sour?" Sam asked. "Are you able to feel Cas's Grace?"
"Not only Cas. I can feel everyone. Gabriel is lit up like a damn shopping mall Christmas tree. You have dark traces in you. I'm guessing it's from the demon blood." Dean said, turning to look at them both. "It's odd looking."
Gabriel let out a laugh. "Wow. You can really see all that? I'm impressed. You power is beyond anything I've ever heard of Dean. I wonder just what else you'd be capable of. It's a shame we won't get to see it grow."
Cas turned to look at Dean once more. "You didn't tell them?"
Dean shook his head. "Not yet. I was waiting for you to get better." He said kissing the top of his angel's head. "Besides I haven't really decided but it would be nice."
"What would?" Sam asked.
Dean was silent. He looked away and refused to answer. Cas shifted uncomfortably on him and Dean ran his hand along the angel's back soothing him. With a sigh the eldest Winchester turned to face them. He seemed like he was fighting over telling them what he knew.
"I'm thinking about staying like this." Dean admitted. "I know it sounds strange but I like it. It also has some nice perks. Like I won't age. I'm damn near impossible to kill. Not to fond of the nose bleeds but that will fade once I can use my powers a bit better. Cas and I have been talking about it for the past two days. I haven't made my choice yet though."
"You sure about this Dean?" Sam asked, a bit shocked.
Dean nodded. "Yeah. I know it's not something I would have chosen for myself but now that it's done I don't want to look a gift horse in the mouth."
"Wow. How do you know you won't age?"
"Because I've talked to someone. Someone who I know I can trust about this. I wish I could say more but I can't. Once I call him again he said he'll let me know where I can get a book on being a Nephilim for me. Cas and I are going to look over it before we really decide anything."
Gabriel frowned and looked at his brother. "You're okay with this Cassie?"
The smile that lit up Castiel's face could have powered a small city. "Yes. We've talked about it. I'm fine with it."
Gabriel looked down at Sam. The youngest hunter was staring at his brother with mixed emotions. It seemed that Sam wanted his brother to be happy but wasn't sure what to think about his choice of keeping his power. He reach down and slipped his finger's into Sam's hair, letting him know that he was there. The shock of what Sam was upset about threw him. Sam wasn't upset about Dean's choice. Sam was upset because he realized that he would continue to grow old and one day die leaving his mate alone.
Gabriel kissed him softly. ^I love you.^
Sam nodded. ^I love you too. I don't want to leave you alone.^
Gabriel smiled into those brunette strands that he loved so much. ^You won't. I won't let you.^
"Hey! You're back!" Dean said shifting. "Let me go grab it real quick okay Cas?"
Cas let Dean up, watching as he went over to the glass door to let in the hell hound. He watched as his mate gave the hound a good scratch before he took the small bag that it was holding. Dean seemed to genuinely care for the beast and the beast seemed to be equally loyal to him. Turning around Dean smiled as he pulled open the bag and looked inside. Grinning Dean looked up at them.
"Who wants to play 'Let's Screw Crowley Over!' with me?" Dean asked with a grin.
"My favorite game." Gabriel said sitting up a bit more. "What's the game for today?"
"It's called 'The Nephilim has the Stone'." Dean said with a grin.
"What stone?" Sam asked.
Dean motioned him over. "Here. You're human. You can hold it. Hold out your hands."
Sam held out his hands and Dean pulled out something from the bag that was wrapped in black velvet. With a grin he placed the velvet in his brother's hands. Sam frowned at the weight of the object which was extremely heavy for it's small size. Carefully he unwrapped the velvet to reveal a shining diamond. Sam couldn't help stare at it, transfixed as it seemed to be swirling with colors.
He looked up at Dean who was grinning. "Neat right?"
"It's beautiful. What is it?"
Gabriel came over and looked at the stone. "That is the Paradiso Stone. It was hidden by Michael to keep Lucifer from using it. How the hell did you find it?"
"I can walk through walls." Dean said with a smile, going to sit back down with Castiel. "Literally. I can walk into hell, heaven, anywhere with no problems. Crowley said that it's because I don't belong to any of them."
"And he wanted you to find the Stone? Why?" Sam asked. "What is it used for?"
Dean turned to Gabriel. "What is it used for? I never was told."
"Whoever holds the Stone doesn't gain anything." Gabriel said. "It's purpose it to make those that follow the Stone's owner stronger. Say if I was leading an army against Crowley then I wouldn't gain any power holding the Stone. My army on the other hand would be stronger, faster, tougher, and generally have much the honor of being bad asses."
"Wow. This little thing?" Sam asked holding it up. "So why can humans hold it but you can't?"
"Humans don't have the power to wield it. There is also a catch. Once you pick it up, that's it. You're done it bonds itself to your power. You can't put it back down. The only way it's leaving your hand is if you get killed." Gabriel said. "Michael was afraid Lucifer would use it during the war and hid it in a different place then the Vault."
"Well now we need to hide it again cause I won't put it back." Dean said. "I refuse to make a return trip."
"Do I want to know where this was?" Gabriel asked suddenly looking up at Dean.
"No. You really don't." The hunter replied looking quite grim.
"Okay then. Pocket dimension it is." The archangel said waving his hand and opening what looked like a hole in space. "Go ahead and drop it in Sam. It's safe."
Sam carefully wrapped the stone back up and eased it into the space and let go of it. Pulling his hand back Sam watched as it slid closed hiding the Stone once more. Thinking it over Sam came to wonder about what would happen now. Dean was back, they had what Crowley was seeking, and Cas was on the mend. Still he wondered just how safe they really were. Would Crowley still seek them out because of Dean and the Stone?
"Guys...What if Crowley comes looking for Dean to help him find the Stone?" Sam asked. "I mean we can't exactly give Dean to him but if he doesn't get his way then he's just going to try to hurt one of us to make Dean find it for him. I don't really feel like being at his mercy again."
"Already on it Sammy." Dean said, tossing the bag to him.
Sam opened it and pulled out a nearly identical stone. The only difference between the two was the weight. He looked it over and realized exactly what he was looking at. He looked up at his brother with a grin on face.
"You made this didn't you?"
"Yup. The only thing is that I need a way to power it up. I figured that we have the best power source in the world right here." Dean said rather smugly.
Gabriel glared. "Do I look like a battery?"
"Not you! The lay lines! I figure if we could channel enough energy into the stone we can make a dummy that feels like the real thing. Then I can give that to Crowley." Dean said. "Along with my resignation as Prince of Hell."
"Sounds good in theory but do you think it will actually work?" Sam asked turning the fake stone in his hands.
"Won't know till we try." Gabriel said taking the fake stone. "But I can use my power to channel the energy you need into this. Won't take long. Just about fifteen minutes."
"Let me give the stone to Crowley." Sam said softly, causing his mate to look up at him sharply.
"No way. I am not letting you anywhere near Crowley. Not after he threatened to rape you." Gabriel said. "I am not chancing you."
"He doesn't scare me." The younger hunter said. "I just want to make sure that he takes what he wants and goes. I don't want him in our lives anymore."
"Sam..."
"Don't give me that look. Puppy eyes don't work on me. Look if nothing else Crowley has absolutely no use for me unlike everyone else. I'm only human. Please let me go. Let me take the stone." Sam said softly. "I want to help."
Dean let out a sigh and stood walking over to the two. He picked up the fake stone from the archangel and passed it to his brother. Sam started at it for a moment confused. Looking back up at Dean he realized that his brother was giving him his blessing to take the stone. He smiled at Dean and his brother mouthed the word 'bitch' at him and he mouthed the word 'jerk' back. With a chuckle Dean went back to sit with his mate once more. That just left Gabriel's answer so he turned to face his mate with a pleading look.
The archangel let out a heavy sigh and pulled Sam down to kiss him. "If I let you do this then you had better come back in one piece Samsquatch. I mean it. I don't want to have to pull out a paddle."
Sam flushed at the implication of the statement which sent Dean into a fit of laughter. Gabriel took the stone and headed outside with it to start filling it with power, and Fergus trailed after the angel, content to watch. Sam turned back to Dean only to find that he had pulled Castiel close to his chest once more and was leaning back on the sofa with his eyes closed. Deciding it bet to ask his question later, Sam followed after the archangel and the hell hound.
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Sam nervously waited next to the Impala, splitting his time between glancing around and looking at his watch. He was completely alone, well almost if one didn't count the hell hound sitting next to him. Dean, Gabriel, and Cas were far enough away that they couldn't be sensed and it was far enough that Sam couldn't hear his mate very well over their bond. He had wanted to meet the demon on his terms and this was as close to that as he could get. Looking down at his watch he noticed that Crowley was almost late. If he didn't show soon then Sam was going to call him and let him know that the deal was off.
"You really wouldn't do that would you?"
Sam looked up with a glare at the demon, who was looking rather smug in his bespoke suit. "Yes I would. I'm not like my brother."
"Speaking of, where is my son? Or my two play toys for that matter?" Crowley asked, his smug smile growing.
Sam frowned and turned to open the door to the Impala. "Come on Fergus. Let's go home. It's clear that all he wants to do is play games."
The hell hound growled and Sam's wrist was suddenly captured in a tight grip. Crowley was staring at him hard and Sam met his gaze, not at all intimidated by the King of Hell. Sam heard Fergus take a step and Sam put out a hand hoping that the beast would listen to him. Crowley raised an eyebrow at the action so the hunter could only assume it worked.
"Dean told him to rip your arms off if you touched me. I don't know how well he'll listen to me so I would recommend letting me go."
Crowley backed off. "I knew I should never have given that stupid boy the beast. I didn't know that damn thing would fall in love him."
Sam smiled. "That's Dean for you. He always did want a dog."
Crowley glared. "Glad I could fulfill his dream. Now do you have what I want or not?"
"I do." The brunette admitted. "But you need to sign something first. A contract."
The Scotsman started at him before laughing. "You're joking right?"
Sam turned to get in the car once more.
"Wait! Fine. Let me look at it."
With a grin the youngest Winchester pulled out the rolled up set of papers from his jacket and passed them to the demon. He leaned back watching the emotions dance across the face of the Hell King as he read over the papers. Sam knew each and every word on it since he had written it himself. Even his family didn't know what was on it as he had asked Gabriel for the paper and then locked himself in the library to write out the contract. The demon finally looked up at him, his brown eyes cold but resigned.
"You're serious then. I guess you want me to sign this before you give me the stone. What happens if I decide I don't want to sign it?" He asked waving the papers around.
"Then I give the Stone to Fergus and he takes it to Dean who put it right back where he found it with both Gabriel and Castiel sealing it away this time." Sam said pulling out the small bag from inside the Impala. "So if you really want this then I want it signed by you, in blood. Both copies if you will."
With a glare the demon laid the papers down on the hood of the Impala and pulled out a knife and a pen. Making a cut on his thumb Crowley dipped the pen in the blood and signed his name to both sheets of paper. Grinning Sam took the bottom copy and gave the demon the top one. Rolling it up he placed it back in his jacket and pulled the Stone out of the bag and showed it the demon.
"Here it is." Sam said before wrapping it back up and placing it back in the bag. "It's all yours."
Crowley grabbed for the bag and Sam held it just out of his reach. The King of Hell looked confused, it was quiet cute to see. With a sudden evil look, that would have made Lucifer proud, Sam grabbed the demon by his tie and pulled him close. He slammed his lips hard against the demon's kissing him hard and not caring about the demon's comfort. If his noises were anything to go by he wasn't liking it at all. Glad he was making Crowley uncomfortable he pulled away, his teeth catching the demon's bottom lip and biting hard until the he could taste blood and heard a sharp cry of pain. Pulling back from the kiss, Sam spit on the blood on the ground and wiped the blood from his mouth.
"What in the hell did you do that for?" Crowley snapped, blood running down his chin.
Sam grinned, he had bit the demon harder then he thought. "I was just sealing our contract. Isn't that how you seal a contract with a demon? With a kiss?"
"Yes but demons don't try to rip off someone's lips!" The demon snapped as he struggled to stop the bleeding.
Sam grabbed the demon by the tie once more and shoved him hard against the Impala, fire blazing in his green eyes. "Just be glad I only bit you once instead of three times you bastard. That was pay back for you doing the same thing to Cas, Gabe, and Dean. Doesn't feel to nice being on the receiving end does it?"
For the first time in a long time Crowley felt a tingle of fear. The look in Sam Winchester's eyes was one that promised more then just pain. Not too sure why he was doing it he nodded and the hunter released him. Stepping away from the car he was graced with the black bag being shoved hard against his chest making him let out a pained noise. With a smirk Sam got into the car with a wave, sending the hell hound running into the darkness. With a grin he started it, putting it into gear and floored it, spraying the demon with dirt and gravel as he went.
Crowley watched at the car faded into the darkness before shuddering. He could see now why the boy was Lucifer's vessel. Sam Winchester had a streak of vengeance in him more then a mile wide, not to mention a darker side. He found it ironic that he had faced down demons of all types, angels, and even an archangel, but he was more afraid of a simple human then he was all of them combined. Gripping the bag tightly he was suddenly glad that he had signed the contract. He wasn't sure he was up to dealing with Sam Winchester's personal brand of revenge.