Patrick led the brothers to this fancy hotel. He winks and waves at the woman on the counter as he goes past then he steps into the elevator. The Winchesters followed the witch all the way to the 4th floor. The elevator opens and Patrick points down the hallway.
"Just down on the right lads number 42 you won't miss it."
Once they reached the door Patrick gets out a key card and swipes it. He then opens the door.
Inside there is luxury suite with a massive television. In the other room is a grand double bed with silky dark red sheets. In the corner is a mini bar. Dean let out a low whistle as Patrick grabs a bottle from the shelf and fills three glasses.
Dean takes the offered glass and looks around in awe.
"Damm."
Patrick sips his drink and chuckles at the older hunter's reaction.
"Nice right?" He sits down on the couch. "Got this all for free."
Dean frowns.
"Did you just say free?"
" Well dear old Susie from downstairs is a very generous woman. " He grinned into his glass.
Dean thought back to the brief interaction between the He-witch and the woman on the counter. The old woman blushed pink as Patrick winked at her. She was giggling like a teenager with a crush when Patrick went into the elevator. She was completely mesmerized by him.
Then Dean realized what happened.
"You charmed your way in here."
"I have my way with women." Patrick smirks. "They all love me."
Dean scoffs and sits down. Shortly after Sam takes his glass and sits down.
"Cherry liquor?" Patrick opens the box. "It comes with the room."
Dean shrugs and pops the chocolate into his mouth. He licks his lips and goes for another one but the witch moves the box away and wags his finger at him.
"Now now don't be greedy. Sam."
He shows the box to the younger hunter. Sam shakes his head.
"No thank you."
The witch shrugs.
"Suit yourself." Patrick puts the box of chocolates down. "So..." He sighs. "I guess we can't delay this any longer. What is it you wanted to tell me?"
Dean looks at the mini bar.
"I think we are gonna need the whole bottle."
"God has a sister?"
Patrick almost choked on his drink when he first heard the news. God, the Big Man has a sister?
They never mentioned a sister in the Bible?
"According to Death yes." Dean nods. "God does have a sister."
If someone told Patrick this piece of information years ago he would have laughed and dismissed it as complete nonsense but now Patrick believed it. After all he met a bloody angel last year. Being in the presence of a angelic being can really open your mind.
"We were close." Sam shakes his head. "So close. We had everything we needed to remove the Mark then Death stopped us and..." He waves his hand with frustration.
"You have two options." Patrick replied. "Either take Death's advice and leave the Mark alone or remove the Mark and release God's sister who I would imagine would be very pissed off and put the whole world at risk."
"That's a way to put it." Dean says. "I already made up my mind I'm sticking with the Mark I'm not putting anyone in danger its my responsibility to keep this bitch locked up."
"But Dean."
"No Sam." Dean cuts his brother off. "We already discussed this It's not worth it."
A flash of pain and worry goes across Sam's face. This was killing the younger Winchester he didn't want to give up. The Winchesters have already triggered one Apocalypse they didn't want to cause another end of the world event. The choice was Dean or the world. Sam knew his brother would always put everyone before himself this is a time Sam had no choice but to respect his brother's decision because he knew deep down Dean was right about this.
"That brings us to the next part of our discussion." Patrick tilts his head. "Why you have come to me?" Dean opens his mouth to answer but Patrick raises his hand to silence him. "I already know the answer to that question. Now that the Mark is permanent you want to make sure it doesn't affect your life and only way that's going to happen is if we continue this little business between us. We got to maintain those youthful looks. Am I wrong?"
"Got it spot on." Dean replied.
Patrick puts his drink down and gives the brothers a serious look.
"Boys, I'm a gambler not a bank you can't just come in and trade in some lives whenever you bloody feel like it. If that was the case my game would have no purpose."
"Patrick this isn't a game." Sam says.
"Ya think I don't know that." Patrick glared at him. "However, I'm willing to make an expectation just for you and only you." He points at the older Winchester. "Come to me few days before your 35th birthday I will perform the spell just like last time then you leave me alone for a few years until you nearly hit 35 again." He smiles. "Simple as that huh?" Both brothers look dumbfounded. Their reaction made the witch frown. "Something wrong?"
"We thought it would involve some more persuasion on our side." Dean laughed. "We didn't think you would say yes."
Patrick gave them a 'Really ' look.
"You think that low of me?"
"Uh no." Sam shakes his head. "No it's just um...ummm."
"Don't get yourself worked up about it." Patrick says. "I get it we're not exactly besties we still got a long way to go on the trust but this is not me helping you because I care this is strictly business. This deal will benefit the both of us. Dean you won't go crazy and I can continue my business without any problems. I don't fancy the Darkness destroying the world that I am currently living in if I want to die I will make that decision I'm not letting someone else take that decision away from me that includes God's sister. This is a win win situation." He sticks his hand out and grins. "To the seal the agreement Winchester."
Dean looks at the hand with a stunned expression.
Surely there has to be a catch.
The older Winchester narrows his eyes with suspicion.
"Sounds too good to be true. What's the catch?"
Patrick lowers his hand and does a dramatic eye roll.
"We really do need to work on trust for this partnership to work. Look Dean, it's not just myself I am thinking about if I say no and let you walk out of the doors I am not only putting myself at risk but also the millions of people out there in the world. I seen the darkness from the Mark and it's ugly when the Mark wakes up it will be hungry for blood you will lose control and you will kill somebody you may even kill an innocent." He raises his eyebrow. "You may even kill your brother. You wouldn't be able to live with yourself the guilt..." He grits his teeth as he imagines it. "It will be too much to bear. You don't deserve that Dean you are a good man. A stupid man yes but a good man."
Dean's hands clench tightly. He slowly shakes his head.
"You don't know me."
"I know every client that walks through my door asking for my help."
"So what you're psychic?"
"Don't need to read your mind to know who you are Winchester. I'm a good judge of character. You may not see it but we all do right Sam?"
Sam agreed with the witch. Dean is a good man he didn't deserve any of this. It hurt Sam to see his brother drowning himself in sorrow and guilt every day Sam wished his brother can see what everyone sees. A good man, a good brother, a good hunter, a hero.
Not wanting Dean to go through anymore pain Sam leans towards his brother.
"Take the deal." Sam said his voice desperate. "Patrick is right and I know you don't want to kill anybody so please take the deal."
Dean looks at his brother's puppy eyes then he looks back at the witch. Patrick waited patiently for the older Winchester's response. Dean runs a hand down his face and sighs heavily.
"Fine you have a deal."
Patrick's face brightened at that.
"Excellent!"
The witch shakes the older hunter's hand.
"I will see you next year Dean."
It became a regular routine every few years Dean arranged to meet up the witch and he would shave off a couple of years. So far it was good Dean had no urges, no rage for the first time in his life he finally felt at peace. Rowena softened towards the brothers as the years went on she turned out to be quite helpful on some cases. She did ask if Patrick was single. The image of those two together made Dean feel sick.
Yeah Dean was never going there.
Castiel finally got his own grace back and he helped Hannah rebuild Heaven into a much better place. Crowley did well Crowley things. He kept Hell in order and made sure the demons left the Winchesters alone. The Winchesters still carried on hunting. The hunts are simple just like the good old days there was no more end of the world problems and it was nice. It was nice to finally go back to how things used to be.
Eventually Sam turned 35. It made Dean realize that he wasn't the big brother anymore. Sam is getting older while Dean is stuck in a loop he will never get past the age of 35 because of the Mark so Dean had to remain forever young. It also made Dean realize that one day his brother will grow old and die.
Dean will then be alone.
Dean couldn't watch his brother getting old he didn't want to be the one to bury him. As Sam gets older while Dean stays young it will eventually cause problems. Dean didn't want to put Sam through anymore pain the Mark is his mess and he is not going to drag his brother down with him. So Dean did what he thought was the best option.
He ran.
Patrick steps out of the casino with a big smile on his face. He counts his large cash of money and stuffs it into his wallet. He goes into the nearest bar and treats himself to a cocktail. He sucks the straw and hums to the music that played in the background.
"Patrick!"
The witch suddenly bent forward as he received a hard slap to the back. Patrick grits his teeth and turns in his seat. He then frowns.
"Dean?"
Dean smiles and slides into the seat next to him.
"Fancy seeing you here." Dean let's out a laugh and takes a swig from his bottle. "So what have you stolen this time? "
"Keep your voice down." Patrick glared at him. "Wait a minute?" The witch raises his eyebrow. "Are you drunk?'
"No."
Dean hiccups and waves his bottle round. Patrick looks at Dean's eyes. The hunter's eyes are unfocused.
"Yeah you're drunk. How much did you drink?"
Dean shrugs.
"Dunno."
The older Winchester can usually handle his drink. For Dean to be drunk he must had a few bottles. From the look of the bottle it seems Dean has gone for the strongest alcohol going. This means something or someone has upset the hunter.
"Dean you are not gonna drive in that state...right?"
"State?" Dean again laughs. "I'm fine. I can drive."
"No no you're not. Last thing we need is you getting killed in a bloody car accident. I'm going to call your brother. "
Patrick goes to get his phone out. Dean grabs him by the arm and stops him.
"Don't."
"You don't want me to call Sam?"
Dean's eyes droop. He is struggling to keep them open.
He's had a lot to drink alright. The witch thought.
"What about the angel?"
Dean shakes his head.
"Why?" Patrick asks. "Has something happened? Did you boys have a fight?"
"D...Don't call...call him." Dean slurred.
Patrick sighs.
"Right that's it. Come on up you go."
The witch pulls the hunter out of the chair. He slings an arm over the hunter and helps him exit the bar.
"If there was no eyes on us right now I would have happily thrown you out of this damm bar. I'm not kidding. Now, where's the car?"
"Not telling you any...anything."
"I'm going left then."
The two men walk a couple of blocks. They eventually turn a corner into a small car park area.
"Found it." Patrick guides the hunter to the car. "Now..." He holds out his hand. "Give me the keys."
"I'm not giving you my keys."
"You don't need to." Patrick holds up the car key. "Already got it."
"What?" Dean pats his pockets. His eyes are wide with shock.
"It was quite easy really." Patrick unlocks the Impala. "You're drunk, you're not so alert, you currently lack awareness. "
"Step away from the car." Dean glared.
"No."
"I SAID..." Dean clenched his fists. His face turns red with fury. "STEP AWAY FROM MY FUCKING CAR!'
Dean charges towards him. Patrick quickly turns round and raises his hand. A series of words come out from the witch's mouth. Dean froze and seconds later he drops to the ground.
"W...Wha..." Dean tries to move his body but he couldn't. Not one muscle would move. "Patrick! What did..." He swallows. "What did you do to me?"
Patrick towers over him. He gives the older Winchester an apologetic look.
"Sorry Dean you left me with no choice." He then sadly shakes his head. "Why do you always get yourself in a bloody mess? Hmm?"
Dean stopped fighting. The alcohol started to overpower him. He felt his eyes starting to close. He tried to keep them open but he couldn't he was so tired. With all his strength Dean locks eyes with the witch. A growl escapes his throat.
"You son of a b..."
Dean falls asleep before he could finish the sentence.
Dean felt something hard hit his head. He slowly opens his eyes. He quickly shuts them as the light blinds him. He groans and throws his arm over his face.
"Fuck!"
"Good morning Dean."
Dean lowers his arm. He cracks an eye open and sees the He-witch sat opposite him.
"Here." Patrick puts a glass of water down on the table. "For the pills."
"Mmm." Dean turns his head and sees the box of pills. He sits up and let's out another groan. His head is pounding. He grabs the box and shakes a couple of pills out. He takes them and swallows them down with water. "Argh!"
He leans back on the pillow.
"Coffee?"
"Please!" Dean muttered.
The witch goes to the pot and pours the steaming hot coffee into a mug. He then comes back and puts it on the table. The smell got Dean sitting back up. He wraps his hands around the mug and brings it to his lips. He sips it and sighs with content.
God he needed that.
"How are you feeling?"
"Like crap." Dean answered as he rubs his head.
"You were pretty out of it." The witch chuckled.
Dean's eyes squeeze shut as he tries to recall recent events.
"Did you..." His eyes widen. "Did you drive my car?"
"I did. She was a sweet ride."
Horror shows on Dean's face. He goes to stand up but Patrick stops him.
"The car is fine, I parked it somewhere safe I took good care of her."
"You had no right. "
"I couldn't leave you when you were in that state. Sorry for doing the right thing." Patrick sips his own coffee. "You didn't answer my question yesterday. Has something happened between you and Sam? Did you have a fight?"
"No." Dean shakes his head. "No nothing happened."
"Why didn't you want me to call him?"
"It's nothing. " Dean repeated. "Just forget last night ever happened."
"So if I was to call Sam right now he would tell me everything is okay? There are no problems whatsoever." Dean sighs. Patrick gives him a stern look. "Don't treat me like a fool Dean you should know by now you can't get past me that easily."
"Are you always this annoying?"
Now Patrick looked pissed.
"I'm just looking out for my client. I'm making you sure you don't go off the bloody rails. Just remember what or rather who you are carrying. The Darkness? Hmm? We don't want your reckless behavior causing any problems my spell can only protect you from so much. That incident last night, don't do it again! You understand? "
Dean blinks. He is stunned. Usually the witch is so calm and relaxed this is the first time Dean has ever seen him truly angry.
"I said..." Patrick's voice is low and dangerous. "Do you understand?"
Dean said nothing. Instead he nodded. Patrick leans back in his seat. He pinched the bridge of his nose.
"I don't like getting angry at people." The witch shakes his head. "But understand that I am angry for a reason. If anything happened to you under my watch your brother will have my head. "
"This is about saving your own ass."
The witch shrugs.
"One reason yes but also what I told you all those years ago about you being a good man. I still believe that. Dean you are better than this. So I am going to ask again what happened between you and Sam?" Dean hesitated. He really didn't want to talk about it. "Bottling it up will not help you. It will make you feel worse. So come on." Patrick smiles. "I'm all ears."
"I left." Dean quickly responded. "Okay? I left."
"You left your brother? Why?"
"I'm not the big brother anymore. "
Realization dawns on the witch's face.
"Ahh."
"Yeah. Sam is getting older while I am..." He gestures to himself. "It hit me you know that one of these days Sam is gonna be...old he will live his whole life while I'm...stuck. I don't think I can watch him die I can't just stand there as he..."
Dean couldn't get the words out. Even talking about it made his heart ache.
"You don't want to be the one to bury him." Patrick says.
Dean grimaced at that. He lowers his head into his hands.
"I understand. " Patrick continued.
Dean lifts his head.
"No you don't."
"Believe me I do."
Patrick's mind went to his final conversation with Lia. When Lia told him about her daughter.
"I buried my daughter." Lia shows the two photos her daughter. One when she was child and the other as a elderly woman. "And she looked like this."
Lia shakes her head.
"It's not natural."
Patrick closes his eyes and pushes that memory away. He didn't want to think about what happened next. He looks at the hunter and sighs.
"Dean, immortality has it's perks but it also has a downside. Losing your loved ones that is the price you pay. I know it is hard to accept but that's the way it is."
"I left a letter for him. " Dean says. "I told him to go and live his life, make the most out of it I don't...I don't want to bring him down with me he deserves to have a life...a good life. Patrick. "
"Yes Dean?"
"Don't ever give Sam the offer. Okay? I don't want him to go through this. He shouldn't have to keep living because of me. Of course part of me does want Sam to stay and take the same deal as me but...It's not fair on him and deep down I know it's not right. I know you are thinking the same. So please Patrick keep Sam away from this, keep him away from all of it. I... " Dean felt the tears form in his eyes. I gotta let him go. "
"Okay Dean." Patrick nods. "If that's what you want I will of course respect your decision."
Dean wipes the tears away and nods.
"Thanks."
The witch stands up and clasps Dean's shoulder. He gives the hunter a smile.
"You hungry?"
"Uh..."
Suddenly Dean's stomach rumbled. It caused the witch to laugh.
"I take that as a yes."
The brothers will now go their separate ways. More time jumps on the way. :)