Chapter Eighteen: OMFChuck

Damon sat behind his desk long after his class was over. He couldn't shake this feeling in his gut that something was wrong. It nearly made him feel sick. He was snapped out of his thoughts when Caroline touched his shoulder.

"Damon? You alright?" she asked concerned.

"I think Bonnie's in trouble." He mused with a deep frown.

She shook her head, taken aback. "What, why what happened?"

"I don't know. But she's not answering her phone and neither is Hope." He was already rising to his feet and digging through his drawers for his keys and phone. "I need to go." He sped out of the school and she gave chase, stepping in front of his car before he could get in.

"Damon, slow down. Tell me what's going on." She demanded with worry in her eyes.

He huffed, impatiently. "She called me, Caroline. Sam and Dean are in way over their head and she's caught in the middle of it. I thought I could stay away and just give her the space she needed but if she's in trouble and I did nothing to help her I'll never forgive myself. So, I'm going." He pushed her aside and hopped in the driver's side.

He turned the key in the engine and the door of the passenger side slammed shut. "Fine, then I'm coming with you." The look on her face told him there was no room for argument. She flipped through her previous text messages. "Last place she said they were was Kripke's Hallow, Ohio."

"Buckle up, Blondie. I drive fast." He ripped out of the parking lot, and in no time, they were passing the 'Leaving Mystic Falls' sign.

…

"I am not leaving without Bonnie, Castiel!" he yelled, vein bulging in his forehead.

Sam, in an effort to diffuse the situation stood between them. "We'll go." He turned to his brother, squeezing his shoulder. "You go look for Bonnie; Hope and I will go after War." He looked to his girlfriend who nodded in agreement before he turned back to the angel. "Can you take us there?"

"Yes. Dean…when you find her, call to me and I will come back for you." He placed a hand on Sam and Hope's shoulders, and then were gone.

With a heavy sigh, Dean b-lined for the door, and when he yanked it open, Bonnie stood on the other side, dried tears tracking her cheeks. "Bonnie where have you been? I was worried that something happened to you." He reached for her but his hand went right through her arm. "What the hell is going on?"

She offered him a sad smile. "I'm not really here. It's kind of like a dream…except you're awake. It's the only way I could talk to you in private." She walked past him into the room.

He was looking at her like she had grown three heads. "If you aren't here than where are you?"

"Michael found me." She mumbled bowing her head.

He stepped closer instinctively, wanting to reach for her, but paused as he realized she wasn't physically in the room. "Are you okay? Did he hurt you?"

The witch shook her head. "No, I'm fine. He wants me to convince you to say yes. He was trying to persuade me by showing me a world where we never met…how you die, what happens to the world when you do…what my life is like." Her voice broke painfully. "I think he thought it was working…I don't think he knew I'd figure him out."

He eyed her with concern. "What did you see?"

She sniffled. "It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter because I realized that I'm the catalyst that sets this whole thing in motion." She shrugged sadly.

Dean shook his head. "Wait, what are you talking about?"

"Without me…you don't give in to Michael. You fight it, and you die in your own way; in a blaze of glory, fighting the good fight…protecting Sam." Tears filled her eyes and she didn't bother to stop them. "But because of me…to save me, you say yes. And Michael wins." She breathed.

"No, no…I don't understand-"

"There isn't much time. He'll be here soon. I just needed to tell you that it was okay." She brought a hand to his cheek, but neither of them felt it.

Dean fought his own emotions. "Why does this sound like a goodbye?"

Her lips parted in a watery smile. "Because it is. You have to let me go, Dean. No matter what he says, or does…you can't give into him. Promise me."

He stepped back as if he was burned. He didn't want to believe what she was saying, but slowly it was all becoming clear. Chuck's words resonated in his head.

"The only thing I can tell you is to keep Bonnie close; she is a huge factor in all of this. You don't get through this without her."

"She plays a pivotal role in the Apocalypse and the Big Guy upstairs had to move a lot of pieces to bring you two together."

He had asked if she would die, and his response had been ominous and ambiguous at the time. "She doesn't have to…but that choice ultimately is yours."

His conversation with Michael flashed behind his eyes.

"There has to be another way to stop this."

"There are many ways. Some are better, some are worse…but there is only one scenario where Bonnie lives." The angel continued enticingly. "Say yes to me, Dean and I will assure you Bonnie will be protected for the rest of her very long life."

"No…" he breathed, tears brimming in his sunlit eyes. "I can't, Bonnie. You can't ask me to do this." He pleaded desperately.

"I'm not asking. There's no other choice. I can't lose you to him. Not like that. This is my decision." She wished she could hold him, kiss him, spend her last moments on this earth feeling his arms around her…but life was a cruel and fickle bitch; something she learned long ago.

"And I'm supposed to be okay with losing you?" he exclaimed, letting anger rule his emotions. "I'm supposed watch you sacrifice yourself for what? What would be the point of all this without you Bonnie?" his voice broke on her name painfully. "I've waited my whole life for you…I can't just let you go now."

The door busted open, pieces of the door frame cracking and flying into the room. Dean shielded himself from instinctively, and when he glanced back up Bonnie disappeared.

"Hello Dean." Michael smirked. "Sorry about the door, I could have avoided that, I'm sure…but what can I say? I'm a sucker for a dramatic entrance."

The hunter stood defensively. "Where is she?"

"Who, Ms. Bennett?" He snapped his fingers and she appeared in front of him, panicked and panting but frozen in place. Dean made a move towards her, but Michael halted him in his place with the point of a long delicate finger. "She was a very bad girl." He caressed a hand down her cheek and Dean could see the revulsion on her face, unable to pull away. "I thought we had an understanding, Bonnie."

"Like I would ever choose to help you over him. You disgust me." She snarled back hatefully. She whimpered when he gripped her chin painfully in his hand.

"Well that's disappointing. But not problematic." With a sigh, he released her, but his invisible hold on them both stayed strong as he made himself familiar with the room, linking his hands behind his back. "My father's plan has finally brought us all to this moment. You both have made such great sacrifices…and for that you will be rewarded."

"You expect us to believe that?" Dean grunted, trying to fight the unseen power holding him. "After all the lies you've told."

Michael blinked, offended. "Perhaps my intentions have been clouded…but I assure you everything I speak is the truth." A twisted smile curled his lips. "Bonnie certainly believed me. Did she tell you what I showed her?" The hard clench in Dean's jaw was answer enough for him. "I guess not." He settled into the lounge chair, looking too large for it, but still commanding as if he were a King on a thrown, about to watch his jesters preform. "Go on then, darling. Tell him about the beautiful life you would have had." All she did was glare back scornfully. "Fine then…it was never you, Dean."

"Stop it!" Bonnie demanded with tears in her eyes.

"It was never supposed to be you." He continued on, unbothered. "Bonnie was always destined for another, but we had to painstakingly pull certain strings to bring her into your life. It was the only way you would commit to me, Dean. I guess our girl here figured that out." Dean looked at her with a confused frown, and his heart dropped at the guilty bow of her head. "Don't you see it? She will always love him…she is hardwired to. It's her destiny."

"That's enough! None of that matters now." Bonnie snapped back, desperate to stop his from saying anything more; desperate to prevent that heartbroken look on Dean's face.

"Damon…" The hunter whispered on a sigh. His worries had been confirmed, and it tore a hole through his chest. "It's him, isn't it?" he asked her, an insecurity and vulnerability in his eyes she'd never seen before.

"It never happened. What he showed me, it wasn't real. It was a universe that you and I – this you and I, don't even exist in." She pleaded with him to understand. "I love you. I've always loved you."

"But you'll always love him too. In this world…and all others." He nodded to himself in resignation when a tear slipped down her cheek unchecked. Because that was how destiny worked. It didn't matter what you did, or how hard you fight…destiny would find a way. "Chuck said it…but I didn't want to believe him." He said more to himself than anyone.

"What?" She choked out.

Michael laughed. "Chuck. Creator of the divine universe, and he hides away in middle America, wearing a housecoat and moccasins." They both stared at him in disbelief. "Oh, you didn't know? Chuck…is God."

…

Sam, Cas and Hope stood in the desolate street astounded. It looked like a post apocalyptic zombie movie. Cars had been flipped over and set on fire, shops had been ransacked and vandalized, nothing but the stench of death in the air. They started walking further into town, keeping their eyes peeled for any sign of human life, staying quiet but prepared for anything. Street after street, there was not a soul in sight and they had begun to think they were too late.

"What exactly are we supposed to be looking for, Cas?" Hope asked, focusing her hearing on their surroundings.

Suddenly the angel stopped. "And there went out another horse that was red." He quoted, pointing towards a car parked outside of a church.

Hope scoffed. "A mustang…clever. What's the plan?" she asked Sam for what felt like the hundredth time. If she didn't know him any better, it seemed like he had not intention of filling her in at all. But Sam, wouldn't do that. That's what made them such a good team, right?

He thought hard for a tense moment. "I wish I knew what we were dealing with in there. Cas, do you think you can take a peek?" He looked over when Cas didn't respond. "Cas?" But he was already gone.

"Sam…" Hope started, waiting for him to look at her. "Are you going to tell me what your plan is once we get our hands on him? Cause it kind of sounds like you're cutting me out." She crossed her arms with a humorless smile.

"I wish I didn't have to." He replied before sighing. "I'm worried about you."

"I can take care of myself-" her was tone defensive.

"I know, Hope. That's not why I'm worried. War can make anyone turn against you, and as strong as you are, if he were to get to you, none of us stand a chance." He broke to her gently, brushing a stray hair from her face.

She swallowed, avoiding his stare. "And you'll have to stop me." She surmised.

"No…" Hope glanced back up. "I'm afraid I won't be able to." He corrected. He'd rather die then be put in that position.

She wanted to argue with him. She wanted to tell him that there was no way in hell she was letting him go in there without her. She had half a mind to vamp speed her way in there and take War out on her own, but that would be reckless, and stupid and she knew better. But she didn't come here to sit and twiddle her thumbs. She parted her lips to challenge him, and over his shoulder Castiel appeared.

"I know who he is." He confirmed.

…

"Ooh…" Michael smirked, folding his hands on his lap to enjoy the show. "The tension in here is thick." He was amusing himself by torturing them both with the truth, drawing out the inevitable for his own entertainment. He had them both exactly where he wanted them, what was the harm in savoring it?

Dean had been combative; as much as he could be in his hindered state, but he attacked with words. Bonnie however had been silent, her internal thoughts drawing her into herself. "Why didn't you tell me?" She finally uttered sadly. "God told you my destiny, and you didn't think that was worth mentioning?" she was quiet, but there was bitterness behind her words. He'd kept so much from her in their time together, she had to question what she didn't know.

"In his defense, he didn't know he was God at the time." Michael interjected cheekily.

"Shut up." They both snapped.

"What was I supposed to say, Bonnie?" Dean began tiredly. "That a Prophet of the Lord said your destiny was to become a vampire so you could be with another man forever? It's not exactly good pillow talk." He masked his vulnerability with his solemn tone. He shifted his attention back to Michael to deflect. "So what now, Michael? You got me so what's your plan? Talk me to death?"

Michael rose, crossing the floor in two long strides. "I'm trying to inspire some motivation in you, Dean." He stepped out of the way, wrapping an arm around him, as he would a brother. "Look at her…beautiful, even in her tears, isn't she?" Dean tried to pull away but Michael forced him to look at her. "Look at what she was willing to give up for you. To keep you from me…admirable." He mused with a half smile in Bonnie's direction. "So the question is…what are willing to give up for her?"

"Don't listen to him, Dean, please." She cried.

Michael shot her a glare. "Quiet." And suddenly her words and pleas became silent despite her efforts. "She deserves better than this, doesn't she? After all she's been through?" Dean didn't answer, mostly because right now, he couldn't disagree with him. She did deserve better, he hoped to be the man to give her that, but his heart broke to think she was only in danger because of him.

The hunter sighed sadly, offering Bonnie a pained smile. "She deserves the world."

"Then give it to her, Dean!" Michael exclaimed encouragingly, slinking over to stand behind Bonnie, his large hands resting on her dainty shoulders, the pressure of his fingers digging into her collarbone making her wince, and cry out in scream no one heard. "Let her be happy! Give into me and I will spare her life. Refuse, and you will leave me no other choice…" His hands gripped around her throat painfully, and Dean could see the veins in her forehead bulge.

"Stop!" He screamed, his voice cracked with emotion.

"What's the magic word…" The angel coaxed.

"Yes!" Dean said without hesitation. "Yes, I consent, okay! Please…just let her live." He begged through his tears. He sighed in relief when Michael let go, and she gasped for air.

Michael released Bonnie from his invisible hold, and she collapsed to the floor, her sobs now filling the room. Dean's heart broke; not for him, but for her. For the pain that this decision would bring her, for doing the one thing he promised her he wouldn't. But what was the alternative? Let her die at Michael's hand? He would never let that happen, and he knew that Michael was banking on it. Bonnie Bennett was his weakness; she always was.

The angel was beaming. "You made the right choice, Dean. I promise you…she will be protected." He vowed. He released the hunter from his bindings, and Dean immediately rushed to Bonnie, pulling her close and tucking her head under his chin.

His eyes found Michael's desperately. "Just give me this?" The angel didn't move. "I've already said yes. You got what you wanted. Just let me say goodbye to her."

Reluctantly, Michael stepped back giving them their space.

"Why?" She cried, pulling back just enough to look at him. "Why did you do that? He'll never let you go, you know that."

He brushed the tears from her cheeks, cradling her face in his hands lovingly. "I had to. And I'd do it again. I love you, Bonnie. More than I've ever loved anyone…saving you was the easiest choice I'll every make." He rested his forehead on hers, and he took in a deep breath, taking her all in, committing this feeling of her arms around him to his memory. If he was going to sit backseat to Michael for all eternity then this was the one thing he wanted to cling onto.

"I don't want to let you go." She whimpered, her fingers gripping his as if he'd slip away.

His hand grabbed hers, and placed it over his heart. "You'll always be here." He kissed her slow, savoring the taste of her lips, his brows furrowed at the bittersweetness of it all.

"What am I supposed to do without you?" She whispered through her hiccupping sobs. It felt like an anvil was sitting heavily on her chest, forcing all the air from her lungs. It was a pain she'd never felt before. She threw her arms around him again, burying her face in his chest. "Promise me you'll find your back."

But Dean couldn't make a promise he couldn't keep. His eyes found Michael's hard glare over her shoulder, and he knew that their time was up. He slowly pulled away, even though she desperately clung on. "Bonnie…" he pleaded. "It's time." He helped her to her feet, and wiped the tears from her eyes, looking her over once more. "I want you to be happy. Live your life...make your own destiny."

Fresh tears pooled in her eyes. She knew what he was telling her, and the selflessness of it was enough to shatter her heart all over again. "I love you."

"I love you." He kissed her forehead, and her eyes slid shut. "Tell Sam I'm sorry." He slipped out of her arms and walked over to Michael. "Alright." He grumbled briskly. "Let's get this over with."

"Don't have to tell me twice." Michael smirked, and then clapped a hand on Dean's shoulder. A blinding white light filled the room, and Bonnie had to shield her eyes. When she opened them, the body of Adam fell lifeless to the ground, and an ethereal set of black wings spanned from Dean's back.

She let a trembling breath, walking towards him. "Dean?" she asked hesitantly.

He turned, slowly, calculatedly, and she gasped when she saw the glowing blue of his eyes. "I'm afraid Dean's no longer home." He closed the distance between them, despite her cautious steps back. "Thank you for your sacrifice, Ms. Bennett. If it's any consolation to you at all…what you felt for Dean; what he felt for you…that was real. God may pull the strings, but your devotion to each other…that could not be forced." With a flap of his wings, he was gone, leaving a gust of wind in his wake.

Bonnie stood alone in the room, shell shocked and devastated.

…

Hope sat in the pew of the church rolling the ring between her fingers. It was the first time she felt like she was put on the bench, but she understood what Sam was trying to protect her from. After seeing how War influenced the people in that room, it was clear that the monster in her would have slaughtered the lot of them had the horseman gotten her within his sights. When the fight was over, and Sam had severed his fingers, the ring along with it, Hope assisted by compelling the survivors to forget this ever happened.

Sam slid in beside her. "Are you okay?"

"Yes…no." she laughed unsmilingly. "I don't like feeling useless like that." She admitted demurely. He soothingly ran his hand over her thigh, his thumb moving back and forth over her knee. He didn't say anything, giving her the space to express herself in her own time. "Sitting on the sidelines, waiting for someone else to win the fight. But you were right; who knows what would have happened, or how many people would have gotten hurt. Do you think he'll come back?"

Sam shrugged. "War's gone for now, but we couldn't kill him, and we still have a long road ahead until we have possession of the other rings."

Cas stood at the aisle of the pew. "I'll contact my source to see where we can locate the next ring. I should get you home."

Sam shook his head. "We're going to do damage control here. See if there are any other survivors. I'll call you when we're done."

Castiel nodded. "Very well." He disappeared leaving Hope and Sam alone.

They walked down the aisle of the church, when suddenly someone entered through the front doors. "Geez what happened in here?" The man glanced around at the destroyed sanctuary.

"Nothing to worry about." Sam deflected walking towards him. "You alright? Do you need help?"

Hope eyed the man warily. "Sam…" she warned.

"You know what…I do need help." The man responded.

"Well I'm Sam." He answered pleasantly. "This is Hope. Helping people is kinda what we do."

"Hi Sam." The man smiled, but there was something about it that was off putting. "It's nice to meet you…finally."

Hope defensively stood at Sam's side, keeping the man at a distance. "Lucifer." She snarled, her fangs protruding and her eyes glowing yellow.

"In the flesh." He grinned, holding his arms out. "Not my own of course, but soon hopefully." He teased holding his palms together in a prayer. "Hey Sammy. Thanks for coming all this way to see me. Really means a lot." Her drawled, feigning appreciation.

Sam's brows furrowed. "You set this up?"

"Well, yeah, I had to get your attention somehow. You've been blocking me out, and you know how much I enjoy our conversations. Come on, Sam…" he drawled jokingly. "You can't say you're not a little excited to see me."

…

The blue Camero sped passed the welcome sign. "Where are we going?" Damon asked, keeping his eyes peeled.

Caroline zoomed in on the map. "The Sleepy Lodge on Vought St."

Damon's gaze slipped to her, nosily. "How do you know that?"

"Find my phone." She answered nonchalantly.

"You track Bonnie's phone?" he exclaimed accusingly.

"Excuse me! First of all, don't get all self righteous with me okay, you'd do it too if you even knew how to use it." Damon rolled his eyes, but he knew she was right. "And second, yes, I track Bonnie's phone; I track all of your phones because you guys seem to run off and get yourselves into trouble every other Tuesday! God forbid there be an emergency." She snapped pointedly, raising her brows.

Damon squinted, keeping his gaze focused on the road ahead. "Fair enough. How far are we?"

"About three mins away. Turn left here."

When he finally pulled into a parking spot, Caroline jumped out and ran right up to the office. "Hello?" She called out, leaning over the counter. She rang the bell incessantly. "Hello! Is there anyone here?" she glanced around, it was eerily quiet. "Where is everyone?" she whispered to herself.

"Caroline!" She ran back out and Damon had his eyes locked on a spot across the lot. Light was shining out of it as if the door was open.

…

Bonnie didn't know how long she sat there in the corner beside the bed hugging her knees to her chest. It could have been hours; it could have been days for all she knew. Time had lost all meaning to her. All she had been doing was replaying her last moment with Dean before Michael took him from her forever.

…

Damon sped to the hotel room, standing in front of the busted door frame. "Bonnie!?" He yelled out, scanning the room. He stepped over the threshold unhindered, darting into the bathroom to check for her. Empty. He sighed both relieved not to find her dead, and terrified that she could still be in danger. He looked down and saw her toothbrush in the cup holder and something in him snapped. He threw his fist at the mirror, shattering it instantly, but the shadow of something in the prism of shards caught his eye. He turned around and there was Bonnie standing behind him, looking lost and dejected. "Bonnie…" he whispered, engulfing her in his arms, and closing his eyes in relief. She broken instantly at his familiar scent, bringing her back to reality. Her tears soaked through his shirt as she sobbed, and Damon did nothing but let her, soothing caressing her back. Something terrible had happened; never had he heard Bonnie cry this way. It was like her breath had been stolen and each sob became more painful. He wished he could bare the grief for her. Over the top of Bonnie's head, he saw Caroline by the door, her hands covering her mouth. She wanted desperately to comfort her friend, but she hung back silently.

Slowly, Bonnie's sobs slowed to labored breathing, and quiet sniffles. "He's gone." She breathed, knowing he'd hear her. "Dean's gone."

…

AN: Whoa! So sorry for the long wait. I wrote and re-wrote this one a couple times, and I ended up getting frustrated with it for a bit and had to take a break. I had lots going on in this one, and I wanted to make sure I didn't rush to get it completed. I still don't know if I'm completely happy with certain parts but it is what it is.

We are now moving into Act 2 of this story! Damon and Bonnie reunite, Michael is driving Dean, and Lucifer has his sights on Sam. Whaaat's gonna happen!?

Also, I snuck in a little Kripke easter egg if any of you picked up on it.

Thanks for reading! - Vanessa