Chapter Fifty-Two

Chain of Command

Valerius Vineyard: August 17, 2010 - Evening

"So just expand this space?" Gabriel asked, looking around her room.

"Please." She frowned thoughtfully and looked around. "Maybe with a slight divider so Marcus can have privacy if he wants."

Gabriel snorted, shooting her a knowing look. "You haven't dragged him into your darling little harem?"

"Eat shit," she said, doing her best not to blush.

Gabriel grinned, waggling his eyebrows. "Just saying, I could make the bed big enough for four."

Azrial rolled her eyes and gently shoved him. "Just make the damn room bigger, you nuisance."

"As the lady commands," Gabriel said dutifully, his eyes shining with amusement.

A snap of his fingers later and the room had doubled in size. It was divided by two standing screens, one decorated with a wolf and the other a raven, that created a faux door between the two spaces.

Azrial sighed in relief. "Thank you. At least now Marcus doesn't have to go down to the field."

Gabriel hummed in agreement. "Cassius is though, isn't he?"

"Yes, but that's because someone needs to be down there to reign everyone in, and neither of his partners came back with him."

"Well, I'm gonna go make sure Samsquatch is doing okay. That thing with his dad..." Gabriel trailed off.

"Their sperm donor walks a thin line," Azrial said. "Believe me."

"I know. You looked ready to gut him earlier."

"He reeks of Alastair," she snarled. "What Father was thinking, letting him into Heaven?"

"Well, we never could tell what dear old Dad was thinking," Gabriel mused. "Though now that he's locked out of this world, you could do anything you want with Johnny."

Death knew Azrial wanted to. Fuck, Death was probably egging her on, not happy that John was upsetting the balance of things. Still, she wouldn't do that to Sam and Dean. They were… Well, her instincts had claimed them as pups. So, they were her pack in some shape or form. She didn't want to dwell too much on what that meant, especially since her whole damn world seemed to be hanging in the balance of the upcoming war.

"We'll leave him alone," she finally said. "Sam and Dean need to work this out on their own. We can say something if he crosses a line or approaches Jo and Claire, but otherwise, it's up to them."

"I don't like this," Gabriel muttered. "But it's your house. I'll leave it be."

"Thank you. Hopefully, the guys will be able to handle it just fine."

Line Break

Dean sighed, dragging a hand through his damp hair. His shoulders were tenser than they had been in weeks, and he couldn't get himself to relax. He stepped out of the bathroom and glanced toward the bed where Castiel was reading.

"Better?" Castiel asked, glancing toward him.

"No, not really," he admitted.

Castiel shut his book and waved him forward. Dean sat on the edge of the bed and stared at the wall. He felt firm fingers start to rub soothing circles against his shoulders and let his eyes fall shut.

"You don't have to talk to him, mate."

Dean grunted as Castiel's fingers began working on a particularly tight knot.

"I want to talk to my mom."

"Then go see her when she's alone. They can't be joined at the hip the whole time."

Dean turned slightly to catch his eyes. "You're right. Can I ask you a favor?"

"Of course," Castiel said. "Anything."

"When I go see her, can you be with me? I mean...like..." Dean struggled to find a way to word his request so that it wouldn't be turned into an innuendo by the angel to make him laugh.

"Dean," Castiel said, dragging his fingers against his jaw. "Of course I can. We can go after training tomorrow if you want; that way, we don't have to find time later."

Dean leaned forward to kiss Castiel, savoring the warmth he provided. It started sweet, but quickly turned hungry. Dean gave in, shifting his body so he could straddle the now upright angel.

"I love you," Dean said firmly. "I love you so damn much."

The soft smile Dean received could make his heart melt, not that he'd ever admit it.

"And I love you. Until the end and even past that."

Castiel trailed kisses up his neck, and Dean hummed in pleasure. The sensation was quickly distracting him from all the shit he'd have to deal with in the next few days. Castiel reached his ear and nipped playfully at the lobe.

"Still," Castiel whispered, his voice husky. "You could have just asked me to be inside you."

Dean felt the laugh bubble in his chest but decided to tease the angel back. "And if I asked you to be inside of me now, mate?"

The word was still foreign to his tongue, but the effect it had on his angel meant Dean would be using it as often as possible.

Castiel growled, lifting Dean in a show of strength he rarely bothered with before tossing him on the bed. "Oh, I'll give you exactly that."

Dean grinned, wrapping a leg around Castiel's hip to drag him closer. "Then you better get started, or we won't wake up in time for training tomorrow."

Line Break

Valerius Vineyard: August 18, 2010 – Late Morning

Crowley watched Azrial flitter around Marcus's office, spitting off tasks to the man who was dutifully writing them down. Aeliana sat in a chair nearby, working on a sewing project she'd started to keep her hands busy while they talked. The other men of the group were down in the field, trying to bring some semblance of order to the resurrected army. Cassiopeia and Orion were reorganizing rooms and telling Gabriel where they needed pockets of his magic to expand areas. Since Cassius was the only one staying with the army, it meant finding two more rooms. Thankfully, Marcus had agreed to just room with them, which only left Aeliana, Felix, and Giaus. Bobby was sulking in the corner of the office, pretending to read a book. Crowley doubted the man had even turned a page recently but let the hunter be for now. Best get it out of the system, or John Winchester may turn up with his guts spilling out near a hellhound pack.

Or maybe Crowley was projecting.

"I think," Aeliana said, her English still shaky despite Crowley's magic. Based on Marcus, she'd hopefully get a feel for the unfamiliar words in a few days. "The house needs separating from the army."

Azrial paused in her pacing, glancing toward Aeliana in thought. "How so?"

"Duties should be shifted," Aeliana explained. "You are not the lady of the house in this situation. You are the general of an army. You cannot do everything, sister."

Marcus nodded in agreement with his twin, tapping his knuckles against the desk. "You are doing too much, my heart. You cannot run the estate and the army. Believe me. You remember how things were when we had just settled here."

Azrial grunted but didn't disagree with either of them as she began pacing again. "We need a chain of command," she mused.

"We need to know more about your flock before we finalize that," Crowley pointed out. "That or leave openings with the expectation they'll be joining us."

Azrial hissed, more annoyed than anything else. "I need to go to Northern Ireland. I can't go alone, though. I know none of you would let me."

Crowley didn't even bother to deny it, and Bobby even hummed in agreement. Aeliana giggled at the universal agreement in the room, pausing her sewing to look up at her nodding brother.

"You are well loved, sister. It is a blessing."

"It makes it very hard to get things done," Azrial said with a breathy laugh. "But I wouldn't have it any other way, despite my complaining."

"So, the question is who goes," Bobby said over his book.

"Someone human," Crowley said flatly. "Northern Ireland is too close to the Men of Letters stomping ground for anyone else. Azrial will be playing with fire as is."

"Tch, I forgot about those bastards." Azrial frowned, gnawing her lower lip in thought. "So, who should go with me?"

"Giaus?" Marcus suggested.

"Can you see him on a plane?" Azrial asked drily.

Marcus winced, tilting his head in silent agreement. "Point taken."

"I can go," Bobby offered.

"No," Azrial said firmly. "I need you here keeping an eye on John. Dean really isn't handling this situation well, not that I blame him after his lovely jaunt to the past."

Crowley cleared his throat. "I think that gives you a clear option, angel." She raised an eyebrow in question. "Take Dean," he said. "It leaves you the ability to reach out to Castiel if something goes wrong and gets Dean away from the estate for a few days."

Azrial weighed the option and turned toward Bobby. "Are you okay with this?"

"All you can do is ask him," Bobby said. "If he says no, we revisit the issue. Sam might even be willing to go if it comes down to it."

"No," Marcus said. "Sam and Gabriel need to work on training. Both are holding back far too much. I understand they will primarily be healing, but they need to be willing to take down an enemy if needed."

"Cassius can help that," Aeliana said. "He, too, struggled with that at one time."

Azrial clapped her hands, a grin filling her face. "That's a fantastic idea, Ali! Marcus, can you arrange that while I'm gone?"

"It will replace my training with them," Marcus said. "I will take over for Cassius in the camp during that time."

"Well, that deals with whose going," Crowley said. "It doesn't answer chain of command, though. We'd be foolish to think no one will push limits during all this chaos."

"While I'm gone..." Azrial trailed off, clearly trying to order her thoughts. "Well, I think everyone sitting in this room is more than capable of handling things. Ali was right, though; I can't be responsible for the day-to-day running of the house and grounds during all of this. Dean will need to begin working with Marcus and I, and Sam and Gabriel really should work with Cassius moving forward."

"Why Cassius?" Bobby asked. "Not that I'm against it," he said at her questioning look. "I just don't know him that well. I met him a few times in the past but didn't ask much about his job."

"Cassius came to Rome from the north," Marcus said softly. "A child of a Roman and a Gaul, but his father was high enough rank that he was able to join the army. He said to me once that this was the first place he felt truly welcomed."

"Not far off from a boy tainted with demon blood," Crowley said glibly. "He would have been an outcast from the start."

"Yes," Aeliana said. "But he was brilliant. Well read. A fierce fighter. A blacksmith of skill. And-" she glanced toward Marcus in question, clearly wondering if she should continue.

Marcus tilted his head. "You did not see him because you were never injured. When not working with Azrial in the forge, Cassius was the base healer after retiring from direct command. A masterful one at that."

"Introduce them tonight," Bobby asked, his voice cracking. "Please."

"I'll tell him to drag his ass up here for dinner," Azrial promised. "Ali, if Dean says no, may I take Felix with me?"

"I am sure he would be pleased to accompany you," Aeliana said. "I think he would be a wise second choice in this case."

"Good," Azrial murmured. "Okay. Aeliana, I want you to take over control of the house. Cassiopeia will be able to help you, but she's never had to coordinate this many people, not like you and I have."

"I will speak with my granddaughter today," Aeliana promised.

Azrial nodded and turned toward Marcus. "You know what I need you to do," she teased softly.

"Keep recruits alive and work out of the villa?" Marcus asked, amusement shining in his eyes.

"And training," she said. "Get them working like a single unit again, please. We can't afford in-fighting right now. If someone is being a problem, toss their ass in a stockade for all I care, and I'll send them back into the afterlife when I return."

Marcus nodded, and Azrial turned to him. Crowley raised an eyebrow at the serious look. "What is it, angel?"

"I need you to do what you do best," she practically whispered. "Lead. Divvy up duties for those in our circle, keep people in line, and for fucks sake deal with any traitors. We can't afford someone tipping our hand. I don't care what you do to them as long as they can never entertain betraying us again."

"I will not suffer another traitor walking these grounds," Marcus snarled. "You have my leave to do whatever is necessary."

"Brother," Aeliana said softly. "Temper."

Marcus grunted but shut his eyes and took a deep breath. Crowley met Azrial's searching gaze and nodded slowly. "If you're sure."

"I am," she said. "I want you going into this battle with the air that you've already taken the title of king from my brother. Make it fucking clear to every damn demon out there that Lucifer isn't the only option."

Crowley smirked. "As if I'd do anything less."

She nodded and turned toward Bobby. "Keep our family together," she pleaded. "Make sure John stays far the fuck away from Jo. I need you to..." She glanced at Marcus, and the man slowly nodded. "Bobby, I need you to act as head of the family."

The hunter snapped his book shut, shooting a searching look between Azrial and Marcus. "Why?"

"We are only as strong as our family is," Azrial said. "There is internal strife due to John's appearance, and it will take its toll. I need you to hold everyone together like you've been doing from day one. Just with a few extra people." Azrial ran a hand through her hair and tilted her head in thought. "I'd also like you to work with Orion on buffing up the property's defenses until Gabriel drags us into his dimension. Also, start divvying out the weapons Crowley and I have collected. It's a lot, I know, but—"

"Princess," Bobby interrupted. "I'll do it."

Azrial looked close to tears at Bobby's firm words, but she took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. "Well, there we go. A chain of command."

"Going forward, I only want you to handle issues that actually need your attention," Bobby said. "You can't go burning yourself out right now."

Azrial snorted, smiling slightly. "I've created a monster," she teased. "He'll be ordering us all around now."

Bobby chuckled but didn't actually argue. Some of the tension that had been present since the run in with John had melted from his shoulders. When his eyes fell back to the book he seemed to be reading. Crowley sighed in relief, relaxing in his chair.

"Then lets finalize some plans and get Azrial on her way," Crowley suggested. "The more firepower we have the better and Gabriel can't pull us into his dimension until she's back."

Line Break

Dean was sparring with Castiel, both enjoying the distraction from the current family drama. He noticed his body was able to move more easily from all the training he'd been doing the past two weeks. It wasn't like he'd lost weight, but rather, he was becoming more flexible. He'd never breathe a word of it to Sam because he knew his brother would go on a massive I told you so rant.

"Well, look at you two!"

Dean didn't turn away from the fight. Azrial and Marcus had gotten him one too many times with that. He heard Azrial laugh, and it sounded like she'd jumped into the sparring pit.

"What's up?" he asked breathlessly, sidestepping Castiel's lunge.

"Welp, I'm hoping to abscond with you to Northern Ireland," she said. "You came highly recommended as a travel buddy."

Dean laughed, ignoring the burning in his lungs as he parried Castiel, whose lips twitched up as well.

"What about my training?" he asked. "You and Marcus have been up my ass since we got here."

"Consider this a different type of training," she suggested. "We'll call it thinking on your feet 101."

Dean couldn't help it; he chortled and accidentally stumbled, allowing Castiel to land a gentle poke to his shoulder. Azrial laughed, a warm sound that indicated she was in a good mood. He turned to look at her once Castiel removed the blade.

"Why me, though? Didn't Bobby want to go?"

She nodded. "He did, but he's of better use here. I need to get you all up to date over dinner about what was discussed in Marcus' office. Are you willing to come with me?"

"Yeah, why not?" he asked rhetorically. "But why are we going to Ireland?"

"Tessa had a lead on my flock," she said solemnly. "You're a hunter and damn good at tracking. I need your help pinning down where they might be. Your connection to Castiel means if things go south, he can get us out."

"Shouldn't I go as well then?" Castiel asked.

"Northern Ireland is a grey zone," Azrial said slowly. "The United Kingdom is watched over by a sect of pseudo-hunters called The Men of Letters. They prevent any creature from crossing their borders. When Northern Ireland broke from the United Kingdom," she shrugged. "Well, they don't police it regularly, but if a big enough threat showed up, they may get off their asses and take notice."

"I see," Castiel said slowly. "So having someone able to pull you out is needed."

"Definitely, especially cause all you bastards don't want me to fly," Azrial whined.

Castiel snorted, his face softening as he turned toward him. "It's up to you, Dean."

He hummed, wiping sweat from his brow. "I still say yes. If we can find even one of your flock, it betters our odds of winning. When do we leave?"

Azrial smiled brightly. "Tomorrow morning. Gabe is going to take us to the Nice airport, and we'll catch a plane from there. I'll knock you out once we're on board if you like."

Dean nodded. "I'll take you up on that. I'm still a bit sketched out by flying in planes. Wings are getting better, though."

"That's good to hear. Come on, you two should go grab a bath or shower. Dinner is in two hours."

Azrial headed back toward the house, gracefully jumping out of the sparring bit. Dean watched her go with a slight shake of his head.

"Never a dull moment, huh?"

"Never," Castiel agreed. "One more round before we head back?"

"You're on!" Dean cheered, jumping toward Castiel with a grin.