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“His name is Azazel, and he’s a yellow eyed demon. A class of demon that is regarded as a ‘prince of hell’, one much more powerful than a regular black-eyed one.” Dean said.
He turned to John, who was standing there, fuming. “What?” John said. “You’ve known who it is the entire time? How could you keep this from us? From me?” He whirled around to Sam. “Did you know about this?”
Sam looked pained. “I did. Dean told me a while ago.”
“And you didn’t think to tell me?” John asked harshly.
“We had a better chance of winning the lottery than getting you to pick up the phone.” Dean said, just as harsh.
“I called you when Dean was dying and you didn’t respond!” Sam said, throwing his hands up in the air. “So don’t act like it was easy to get a hold of you.”
“You know how long I’ve been tracking this thing.” John said, yelling. “Finding this thing comes before anything.”
“Don’t worry. You made that abundantly clear.” Sam said, annoyed. “I mean, you cared more about revenge then you did about your own sons.”
“I did what I could for you boys.” John said, defensive. “It wasn’t easy.”
“It’s not hard to give us a stable place to grow up, and a normal life.” Sam argued back. “I mean, come on, Dean is a better father than you ever were.”
Dean turned to Sam, in shock.
“Dean also brings his ‘daughter’ along.” John said. At the look of irritation on Dean's face, John huffs. “Yeah, I did a bit of looking into your daughter. Claire Novak, huh? Disappeared in 2001, presumably taken by her father after he found her mother was killed. And sorry son, but you don’t look like James Novak to me.”
Dean scowled. “You investigated my daughter?”
“Not your daughter.” John said. “A girl who you seem to pretend is your kid.”
Dean called his fist. “Want to say that again?”
“Okay, let’s calm down.” Sam said, holding up his hands. “Now come on, let’s focus on the real issue here. How are we going to find him? And what else have you collected dad?”
John scowled and pointed to the papers. “Like I said, that’s everything I know.”
“Alright then.” Sam said. “Let’s take a look.”
Dean drummed his fingers on the table. “So, we know what Azazel is doing. What we don’t know is why ?”
Sam frowns. “Well, he went to the infants rooms at six nor the right? Maybe that’s a significant factor?”
“And the cattle death, the electrical storms, temperature fluctuations.” John said, pointing to the map. “I traced it and it all seems to happen precipitating the demon's visit.”
“And it looks like it’s about to happen again.” Dean said, frowning at the map. “Salvation, Iowa?”
“Well, how are we going to know which house?” Sam muttered. “I mean, it’s not like this town is very small.”
“Let me call Cas, and see if he can’t help.” Dean said. “I’ll be right back.”
“What’s this “Cas” going to help with?” John asked them, but Dean ignored him.
Dean left without any confirmation they heard him, and slipped outside.
“Hey Cas.” Dean said, the moment the call was picked up.
“Dean-o, it’s been a hot minute! How’s my favorite brother-in-law?” The voice, definitely not Cas, said. “And where the mini-you? She behaving well?”
“Gabriel.” Dean said. “Nice to talk to you again. She’s fine. With a family friend right now.”
“Glad to hear.” Gabriel said. “Now was this a phone sex opportunity, or did you need something from my dear brother?”
A moment of fighting later, and Cas said into the phone, “Dean?”
Dean laughed. “Cas?”
“Sorry, Gabriel grabbed my phone.” Cas said, finally. “Did you need something?”
“Yeah, actually.” Dean said. “There’s a woman in Salvation, Iowa that I need you to find.”
“Any particular reason why?” Cas said, ignoring Gabriel mocking comments in the background. “And does it need to be done now?”
“Yeah, we’re tracking the yellow eyed demon.” Dean said. “We might finally get him. He’s finally resurfaced. This might be my chance.”
Cas was quiet for a moment, so Dean did what he did best: charm people.
“Please Cas?” Dean asked him softly, putting his hand on Cas’s arm. “Remember how you said you would help?”
It’s quiet for another moment before Cas sighs deeply (a habit Dean has no idea where he got from) and says, “Fine.”
Dean whooped. Before he could think anything better of it he said, “Thanks, love you.” And ended the call.
What he said crashed into him like a pile of bricks, and he was glad that Cas couldn’t say anything else on the matter. He took a moment to compose himself, since he couldn’t walk in with a blush painted all over his face. Not when John was in there.
He took a few minutes and walked back in. John looked at him critically, and then back to his papers. He sat down by Sam, before John got a call and stepped out to take it.
“So,” Sam asked, once the door was closed. “What did Cas say?”
“That he would keep an eye out for her.” Dean said. “And I know he’ll text or call when he finds her.”
The phone dinged a moment later and Dean grinned. There was the address and a “ love you too ” text. He studiously ignored that for now, and turned to Sam and nodded.
“Alright then.” Dean said, clapping his hands together. “Let’s head out then, shall we? Salvation, Iowa, here we come.” Sam just groaned. “Fine.”
Dean grinned. Now we’re finally getting somewhere. It was all he could to hope they could finish this case soon.
He could hardly wait.
“A vision.” John said, flatly. “It’s bad enough we had that mysterious Cas helping us, but now Sam has visions?”
“It’s not that weird.” Dean muttered, receiving a look of small gratitude from Sam.
“And tell me why I should believe this vision of yours?” John asked, arms crossed.
“Because the woman looks exactly how Cas described her.” Dean pointed out. “Not to mention, they have the same name. If anything, this is proof that we’re on the right track.”
“And my visions happen exactly as I see them.” Sam said. “They always had. That’s the only reason I was able to get Jess before she died.”
Jess nodded. “Everything happened exactly the way he described it to me.”
“I’m just supposed to trust this random hunter I’ve never met?” John said nothing for a moment. “And when we’re going to tell me this? I’m not happy about the two of you keeping secrets from me.”
Dean isn’t sure if John was actually looking at him, or if he was paranoid. He figured it was probably a mix of both.
“What did you want me to do?” Dean asked him. “Smoke signal you? And I trust Cas, so shouldn’t that be enough?”
Jess watched the argument like a ping pong tournament.
“Something like this happens, you pick up the phone and call me.” John says, staring right at Dean. “And if I always went off word alone, I would be dead. I need to meet this “Cas” before I can say I trust him.”
“Oh, you’re serious.” Dean laughed at him. John gave him a nasty glare. “And fine, I'll see when Cas isn’t busy.”
Jess shared a look with Dean, and whispered, “Tell him I said hi.”
Dean nodded and turned back to John.
“Of course I am.” John said. “You pick up the phone and call me.”
“We had a better chance of winning the lottery.” Dean said, glaring.
“We called you when Dean was dying, and never even called back.” Sam said, crossing his arms. “Dean is right.”
John sighed. “I’m not thrilled with this new tone of yours, Dean, but I guess you’re right.”
The phone ringing broke the silence. Sam answered it with a tentative “Hello?”
“Hey there, Sam.” A woman’s voice said. “Long time no see.”
“Who is this?”
“I’ll give it a second.” She said. “I’m sure it’ll come to you.”
“Meg.” Dean said, quietly. “It’s her.”
Sam sucked in a surprise breath. “Meg? How is that possible? You fell out of a building last I saw you.”
“Yeah.” She said, “That hurt my feelings. There’s easier ways to reject a girl, you know?”
“How are you alive?” Sam asked her.
“Sheer will and determination baby.” Meg laughed. “But enough catch up. I want to speak to your dad.”
Jess rolled her eyes, but said nothing.
“He isn’t here.”
“Don’t play dumb Sam.” Meg said. “It’s not a good look on you. I know he’s there. Put him on the line. Now.”
Sam hesitated for a moment, but ultimately handed the phone to John. John picks it up quickly, and has a harsh conversation with Meg.
Jess and Sam have a hushed conversation, but Dean is lost in thought about this weird situation they found themselves in.
Dean feels stupid that he never realized what Meg was. Of course she would be a demon. That was the only way she could have survived the fall. He had a feeling the girl she was possessing was either already dead, or barely clinging to life. He felt bad for her. It was a horrible thing, to be aware but not in control of your own body.
For her sake, he hoped the real Meg wasn’t there anymore.
John went back and forth with Meg for a while bit longer, before hanging up the phone. He looked haunted, and Dean almost felt a flash of remorse before he pushed it away.
“So?” Sam asked him.
“Caleb is gone.” John said solemnly. “Meg killed him. She wants the Colt.”
“Why?” Jess asked. “What use could she have for it?”
Dean ran a hand down his face. “Because she’s a demon.”
“How could you know that?” John demanded.
“It makes sense.” Jess said, nodding. “It would explain how she survived that fall. No human could have done that.”
“I should have recognized it.” Dean said. “I’ve spent how long hunting these things? And I missed one right under my nose.”
“Dean,” Jess said, putting her hand on his shoulder, “You couldn’t have known.”
“But I should have.” Dean said, muttering. “And now that girl has been suffering because of me. I can’t even imagine what she's gone through. Even if she does survive, there’s no coming back from the feeling of being possessed.”
“What,” John scoffed, “Have you ever felt that? I’m sure she’ll be fine.”
“I have, actually.” Dean muttered. “And it was one of the worst things I’ve ever had to experience in my life.”
John gave him a look, and Sam whipped his head around to stare at Dean.
“So what did Meg say?” Jess asked after a few moments of silence. “Why did she want the Colt?”
“No idea.” John finally admitted. “But I have to get to Lincoln. By midnight.”
“That’s impossible.” Sam says. “Not by car. And you can’t just bring the gun with you as a carry-on.”
Dean is quiet for a moment, before sharing a look with Jess. He groans, and gets up, alerting both Sam and John to him.
“I may have a suggestion.” Dean says, hesitantly. “But Dad,” the word tastes sour in his mouth. “You can’t freak out. This is the best option, and believe me I would not suggest it unless we we’re desperate.”
John stares at him for a moment, before nodding. He didn’t look happy though, which made two of them.
“Gabriel,” Dean began, closing his eyes. “Mind getting your feathered ass over here? It’s an emergency.”
He opened one eye, squinting. John looked at him like he was insane, and Sam wasn’t far behind him. Jess just looked amused. Dean couldn’t get why sam was so shocked, he knew about angels.
It was quiet for a moment, silence ringing in the small motel room. Dean started to get annoyed. “Alright Gabriel, enough games or I’ll you know who about your sweets stash.”
As he predicted, a moment later Gabriel popped up in the middle of the room. “Woah, let’s not do anything harsh here okay? I’m here.”
Immediately both John and Sam had their guns trained on him. Dean rolled his eyes. “Put the guns away, they’re not going to work on him anyway.”
“You would know, right?” Gabriel said, grinning and elbowing him.
Dean rolled his eyes again. “Yeah. But in my defense, I didn’t know what you guys were.”
Nothing says romance like a knife to the chest.” Gabriel cackled. “That’s a story for the kids.”
”Kids?” Dean asked. “I’m stopping at one.”
“Who the hell is this?” John demanded. “And what is he doing here?”
“He,” Dean said, gesturing to Gabriel, “is going to be your ride to Lincoln. He’ll get you there in no time.”
“I’m not letting this thing take me anywhere!” John said, gun still trained on Gabriel. “Get rid of him. Now.”
“Well that’s hurtful.” Gabriel said, sucking on a lollipop.
“Do you want to get to Lincoln or do you want to waste time?” Dean asked him. “Because this is a way to get you there before the deadline.”
“Dad,” Sam said, quietly. “We’ve already seen enough people die from this thing. Don’t make it any more people.”
John was silent for another moment, before he sighed and lowered his gun. “Fine. But one wrong move and I’ll stick this where the sun don’t shine.”
“That’s fine,” Gabriel said, shrugging. “It won’t get me any way.”
“Gabriel, please,” Dean said, “Don’t antagonize him.”
“You’re lucky that’s all I’m doing.” Gabriel said. “I could have dropped him a wormhole, but I didn’t.”
“What are you?” Jess asked him.
“Trickster, at your service.” Gabriel said, bowing. “Well then John, let’s go.”
“I still don’t trust you.”
“That’s fine, I don’t trust you either.” Gabriel said. “See ya soon Dean-o, it’s been too long.”
“Bye Gabriel.” Dean said, waving.
Gabriel grabbed John and they disappeared before John could even protest.
Sam whirled around to Dean. “Who was that?”
“Gabriel.”
“Obviously.” Sam said, rolling his eyes. “I meant how do you know him.”
“Oh. He’s Cas’s brother.” Dean said. “So, I guess my brother-in-law.”
Sam looked like he was almost blue screening for a moment.
Jess laughed. “I think you broke him.”
“So…” Sam said. “He’s an angel?”
“Archangel actually.” Gabriel said, appearing again. “But that’s neither here nor there. I dropped off John, let me know if you need anything else Dean. I’ll see you around and tell Claire I said ‘hi’.”
Dean grinned. “Tell Cas ‘thanks’.”
“Why him? I did all the hard work.”
“Yeah, but you’re not the one I’m married too.”
Gabriel rolled his eyes once more. “I see how it is. I’m heading out, don’t call me again. Later, losers.”
And with that, Gabriel disappeared.
Sam blinked in shock, before shaking his head in disbelief. “Well, that was something.”
“That’s Gabriel for you.” Dean said. “Now, let’s find this woman and save her family.”
Sam nodded. “You’re right. Let’s go.”
Jess shook her head in disbelief. “I can’t believe I’m marrying into this.”
“Come on,” Dean said, elbowing her. “You love the craziness.”
“Yeah,” Jess said, grinning at Sam. “I guess I do.”
Dean mimed vomiting.
“Shut up Dean!”
“I can’t believe this is it.” Sam said, sitting in the Impala. “After everything…we’re finally here.”
“I know.” Dean says, leaning back and watching Monica and her husband eat dinner.
Jess nods. “It almost doesn’t feel real.”
“Well, it’s our job, and we have to do it.” Dean mutters. “Wherever it takes us.”
“Yeah.” Sam agrees.
“Except that isn’t exactly normal hunter fare.” Jess says, shifting in the seat. “Not that it hasn’t been a good learning experience, but I think I can deal with less near death experiences.”
“You’re in the wrong line of work then.” Dean laughs.
“I suppose so.” Jess said. “Maybe once this is all over I can go back to trying to get into med school.”
“Maybe.”
“Dean,” Sam begins. “I agree with Jess. But…I want to say thanks. In a way, I'm glad you went and got me. You didn’t have to. But you did, and I feel like my life has gotten better with you back in it.”
“Awww.” Dean says, making a fake cooing noise. “How disgustingly adorable.”
Sam rolled his eyes again. “Seriously Dean. You’ve always had my back, even when no one else did. Even when I didn’t deserve it. And with what almost happened to Jess…I don’t think I could have done this without you.”
Despite himself, Dean could feel a warmth under his skin, and a flush on his face. He cleared his throat. “Yeah, well, who else is going to help you? And I don’t want any of this “just in case” talk. We’re going to be fine. You’ll see. It’ll all work out.”
Dean found that he was eating those words. Of course it didn’t work out as planned. They managed to save the family, but the house had burned down and they missed the demon. Not to mention, John was nowhere to be found. Sam was going hysterical and Dean just needed some peace. It was times like these that he was glad Jess was still around.
He looked at Bobby as he walked into the kitchen.
“Boy, you look terrible.”
“I agree.” Claire said, scoping up her cereal.
“Wow, feeling the love here.” Dean muttered, downing his coffee. “Ugh, I need another cup.”
Bobby squared him a look. “No. What you need to do is to call that angel of yours. This is the big leagues son, and we’re just barely minor players.”
“You’re right.” Dean said, muttering. “Let me call him and see where he’s at.”
He pulled out the phone and shot a quick text to Cas. A few moments later, Cas appeared inside the kitchen.
“Dean, did you need something?” Cas asked him. “Your text said it was urgent. Also, hello, Claire. I hope you’re doing well.”
Claire nodded stiffly. “Fine.”
“Yeah.” Dean said, running a hand down his face. The pounding headache he had was fighting him, and it was not one he was going to win. “We need help.”
“With what?”
“John is missing.” Bobby said. “Any chance you can try and find him?”
“Possibly.” Cas says.
“Great.” Dean groaned. “So you don't even know for sure if you can find him.”
Cas gave him a look. Dean looked down muttering to himself as Cas turned to look at Bobby. “Azazel is aware that my brothers and sisters are interested in whatever he has planned. And because of that, he may have warded against them. And if he has, I wont be able to find him.”
Claire put her hand on his arm. “Daddy, are you okay?”
Dean sighed tiredly at her. “Daddy is fine, just tired. It was a long trip here, Claire-bear.”
“You should try laying down.” Claire says. “That’s what I did when I had a stomach ache and Grampa Bobby made me soup.”
“He did, did he?” Dean said, laughing. “Was it chicken noodle?”
“How did you know?” Claire asked him.
“That’s what Bobby made for me when I was your age.” Dean told her. “My dad couldn't cook to save his life.”
“That’s why I’m glad he dumped you here.” Bobby said. “Because at least then I could be sure you had one hot meal a day.”
“Bobby…” Dean rolled his eyes. “Enough of my traumatic childhood. We need to actually find him. You finished that panic room right?”
“I had that weekend off, so yeah, I finally did.” Bobby said, nodding. “Let me show it to you guys.”
As Dean went to wrangle Sam and Jess, Cas stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. Dean turned to him, confused as Bobby went to show Claire downstairs.
“Yeah Cas, what did you need?”
“Are you okay?”
“Seriously?” Dean gave him a look. “We don't have time for a heart to heart where I cry onto your shoulder.”
“Dean.” Cas said. It was his no nonsense tone. It meant Dean had no chance of evading this conversation. “Seriously. We haven't spent time together, real time, in about a year. It’s been a hard few months for you guys. I just want to make sure youre dealing properly with everything.”
“What, you want to make sure I’m not drowning in booze?” Dean asked him sarcastically. “I’ll be fine. Once this is all over, you, me, and Claire are going to go have a long vacation. Then Sam and Jess are going to get married, and have little lawyer-nurse babies. Everything is going to be fine. It’ll be normal .”
“Is that what you want?”
“Yeah.” Dean said. “You, me, Claire, toes in the sand, those awful Hawaiian shirts? Nothing better to imagine for me.”
Cas lets out a small smile. “They really are horrid.”
“That they are.” Dean said. “No we, are we done, or do I need to break out the waterworks?”
“You’re incorrigible.” Cas said, walking ahead of him.
Dean grinned, following him. “That wasn’t a no!”
They check out the room, have lunch, and a few hours later, the door slams open, revealing the last person they expected.
Meg.
Meg smirked at him. “Hello boys. Did you miss me?”
“Not in the slightest.” Dean said to her, springing to throw the holy water on her. She waves her arms out, and he slams against the bookshelf, out of breath. Claire runs over to him, and he can feel his vision blacking out.
Dean vaguely hears a, “Ah ah, angelcakes. This is between me and them. How about you take a breather and come back when I’m done, okay?”
A bright white light permeates the room, and Dean can see Cas is no longer there.
This is so not good, is the last thing he thinks before succumbing to the darkness surrounding his vision.
Sam looks to Bobby in worry. Dean has passed out, Claire is hiding from him, and Castiel is gone. Gone! Like Meg sent him away, and he has no idea if Castiel is even okay. For Dean’s sake, he hopes he is. He doesn’t want to see how Dean is going to deal with all this once he wakes up.
Meg turns to Jess, eyeing her up. “You survived? I’m surprised. I thought he killed you.”
“Who?” Sam said, fists clenching. “Did you have something to do with that?”
“Not me , personally.” Meg says, grinning. “But I did know who it was. Sadly he never finished the job. Oh well, it just means more for me to clean up. Never say I wasn’t a team player.” She points to them, holding them against the wall. “I want the Colt. Now.”
“We dont have it.” Sam said.
“We buried it.”
Meg tsked. “You know, the more I heard about you, I was actually worried. But all this? So underwhelming. Truly, I thought this would be more of a challenge. I guess it’s true what they say, never met your heroes.”
Sam catches the eye from Dean behind her. He held his finger up to his lips. “Well, sorry to disappoint.”
“I mean, did you really think I wouldn’t find you?”
“Actually,” Dean said, causing Meg to turn around. “We were counting on it.” He struck her with the weapon he had in his hand, causing her to crumple on the floor. “That’s for banishing my husband, bitch.”
Sam got up, and turned to Jess. “Are you okay?”
She shakes her head. “I’m fine. Dean, you good?”
The blood rolling down his head answered the question, Sam figured, but Dean shook his head. “Fine. But we need to figure out what Meg did with Cas.”
“…And dad.” Sam reminded him, giving his brother a weird look. “Bobby, you want to grab her and chain her up?”
“Oh now you want to pretend I’m here.” Bobby said. “Fine, I’ll go get the stuff, you two have your heart to heart.”
“Right.” Dean said, like it was not something he was very interested in. He has sat down on the table and Jess walked over to him to help clean his head wound.
Sam had wondered for months now why Dean hadn't been so keen on actually finding their father. Almost like he was focused on a different mission that was more important. While Jess was dabbing at Dean’s head wound, Sam decided to ask him just that.
“So Dean,” Sam asked him, quietly. “You’re not hiding anything else for me. Right? We both need to be transparent. There cant be anything hidden from each other now. It’s too important.”
Instead of ensuring Sam he wasn’t, Dean laughed. “Oh, I’m hiding a lot from you sam. But nothing that is critical to the mission. So don’t worry.”
Sam frowned, unhappy with the answer.
“You’re all done.” Jess said, grinning. “It’s no angel magic touch, but it’ll do.”
“Hey chicks dig scars.” Dean said, getting up from the table. “I’ll be fine.”
“What do you care about chicks, youre married. To a man.” Sam said, rolling his eyes.
“Eh.” Dean said, waving his hands. “Just because I’m married doesn’t mean I cant look sometimes.”
“You’re disgusting.”
“Hey, Cas knows I would never do anything. Why would I go for a great value steak when I have Wagyu beef at home?”
Sam laughed and shook his head. “Wait.” Sam snapped his head to look at Dean, confused. “What do you mean ‘eh’.”
“I’m not explaining it.” Dean said, walking away.”‘Ask Cas when he gets back. Come on Claire, lets get a snack. All that fighting makes me hungry.”
“Wait. Dean? Dean! Come back!”
“You know, of the two, I didn’t think you were into bondage Sam.” Meg said, grinning. “You could have just asked.”
“Hilarious.” Sam said, rolling his eyes. “Where’s our father?”
“Oh, I thought you knew.” Meg said, eyes glinting black with malicious glee. “I killed him. Died screaming, actually.”
“You’re lying.” Dean said. “You’re lucky I’m not going over there to peel your skin from your body.”
“Oh that’s right. As Alastair’s let you sure learned some tricks didn’t you?” Meg said, laughing. “You’re a real celebrity down there Dean.”
“I’m flattered.” Dean said dryly. “Now tell us. Where is he?”
“Angelcakes or daddy dearest?”
“Both.”
“Gone. Dead.” Meg said laughing. “Who knows what happened to poor Castiel. He really shouldn’t have gotten involved with you.”
“How do you know about him?” Dean pressed. “How did you learn about that sigil?”
“Oh, you learn a lot when you bother to listen.” Meg said, nonchalant. “But you would know all about that, wouldn’t you Dean?”
“Dean, Sam, a word?” Bobby said, pulling them over.
“Who’s Alastair?” Sam asked him.
Dean shoved the unwanted memories away. He didn’t have time to think about them right now. Especially not front of Meg.
“No one good.” Dean said. “He’s not important right now. We need to figure out what she did with them.”
“You and I can take a look at the books.” Bobby said. “Sam is on Meg duty.”
“Great.” Sam said, groaning. “I’m bringing Jess as a buffer though. I can’t promise I won’t stab her if I can’t.”
“Fine by me.” Dean said. “I’ll be back as soon as we get something.”
Sam nodded, and Dean had a horrible feeling about all of this.
“Who is Alastair?” Sam asked her. Dean wasn’t being forthcoming, so he would get his information elsewhere. “You mentioned him earlier.”
“Ooo, now you’re asking the right questions Sam.”
“Maybe we shouldn’t ask.” Jess asked. “Something tells me Dean isn’t going to be too happy fainting out we went looking for information.”
“Well, if he actually ever told me anything. I wouldn’t have to resort to this.” Sam muttered. “So Alastair? What’s the deal with him?”
“He’s the grand torturer.” Meg said. “And when your older brother was brought down to the Pit, it was very big news. Alastair wanted to break him in. So he offered him what he offers anyone: stop the torture if you start torturing. For a while Dean really held out, but he like most people, ended up breaking. So Alastair took him under his wing me he became his protege. The things that Dean can do with a blade…truly a work of art.”
Sam looks at her, speechless then to Jess.
Meg grinned. “What, cat for your tongue?”
“I’m just shocked, is all.” Sam says. “But the real question is: what did you do to Cas and our dad?”
“I sent Cas away with a little banishing symbol.” Meg said. “He’ll be fine. Probably. As for your dad…he’s not dead.”
“He isn’t?”
“He will be.”
“I got it.” Dean said, walking in. “With everything going on, I can’t believe I forgot it.”
“What?”
“Time to put this thing back to where she belongs.” Dean said. He recited a paragraph in Latin, and Sam can see Meg squirming.
As Dean continues to recite the paragraphs, Meg continues to recoil in pain.
“I’ll tell you!” Meg says, finally. “I’ll tell you where he is, just stop.”
“Fine.” Dean said. “Where is he?”
“A building! In Jefferson City.”
“Thanks.” Dean said. “Say ‘hi’ to Alastair for me when you see him.”
“You promised!”
“I lied.”
As he continues to recite, Jess puts her hand out. “Wait, stop.”
Dean tunes to her. “What?”
“Maybe you should stop.” Jess says. “I mean, remember what Bobby said? That she’s possessed? It’s probably the only thing keeping her alive after she fell out of that building.”
“We have to finish this.” Dean said. “It’ll be kinder to do this than continue to let that thing possess her.”
“Do you think so?” Sam asked him. “She might not even have been telling the truth.”
“Oh she wasn’t.” Dean said. “But this is the kindest thing we can do for Meg. The real Meg, I mean.”
“If you say so.” Sam said.
Dean finished the recitation, and the black smoke poured out her her and disappeared into the floor. Dean rushed over to Meg, who limply leaned forewarn. He unties her and pressed his fingers to her neck to see if she had a pulse.
Miraculously, she did.
“Thank you.” She whispered, before spitting up blood. “You know it’s a trap.”
“I know.”
She is laid down gingerly, groaning in pain. “They want you to go to him. I saw everything, but it’s all jumbled in my mind.”
“Do you know where they’re keeping our dad?” Dean asked her.
She nodded weakly. “Sunrise.”
“Sunrise?” Dean ask her. “What does that mean?”
He took a bother look at her and knew he wouldn’t be finding out anytime soon. He sighs and gets up, looking to Sam, Jess, and Claire.
“We have to go.” He said to them. “Now.”
“He’s right.” Bobby said. “Before the paramedics get here. I’ll be fine. Just go.”
Dean nodded and they scattered to get ready to leave. He had a feeling that things were going to get worse before they got better.
Staring into the eyes of his father, he knew something didn’t seem right, And, for the past few years, he had learned to trust his gut feeling. It was almost never wrong.
Jess was watching Dean intently. He was glad he had out Claire to sleep a while ago.
“I’m proud of you.” Buzzed in his head until he felt like he was going insane. He knew John Winchester would never say that.
Especially not to him. Sam, maybe. But Dean? Never.
It made him feel like he was going crazy. The John Winchester he knows would never act like this.
“He wouldn't be proud of me.” Dean said to himself, looking at the gun, and then back to John. “He would be furious. He would rip into me like never before.”
“What?”
“Dean?” Jess asked. “Are you okay?”
“He wouldn’t say he was proud .” Dean hissed, ignoring her question. “I wasted a bullet.”
“Dean, what are you talking about?”
He clicked the gun and pointed it towards John. “You’re not my father.”
“Dean!” Jess yelled.
“What had gotten into you?” John asked him. “Have you gone insane?”
“No.” Dean said. “But I know John Winchester, and you aren’t him.”
Sam walked back into to see the tense stand off. He looks between the two, and asks, “Dean, what are you doing?”
“I think dad is possessed. Has been since before we even rescued him.” Dean tells him. “It’s not him.”
“How would you even know?” Sam asks him.
Dean can feel his eyes tear up, the words running through his mind, over and over. “I just do. He’s different.”
“If you’re both so sure, then kill me.” John said, looking at them. When neither of them move, John grinned, and his eyes turn yellow. “Thought so.”
All three of them slammed against the wall, unable to move. John picked up the gun a shook his head. “What a pain in the ass this things has been.”
“It’s you.” Dean said quietly.
“We’ve been looking for you for a long time.” Sam said to him.
“Oh I know.” Azazel said. “I have to say, I’m shocked your lovely girlfriend is here. She was supposed to be gone months ago.”
“So you’re the one who tried to kill me.”Jess said. “Good to know.”
“Quiet, the adults are talking.” Azazel said, waving his hand, and keeping Jess’ mouth closed so she couldn’t open it until he wanted her too.
“So why did you do it?” Sam asks him.
“Why did I kill Mommy? And try to kill your pretty little Jess?” Azazel asks. “Simple. They got in the way.”
“In the way of what?”
“My plans for you.” Azazel said, grinning. “You, and all the children like you.”
“Are you done monologuing?” Dean asked him. “Because I’m about to fall asleep.”
“Funny.” Azazel said, turing to Dean. “But that’s what you do, isn’t it? Mask all that pain with humor? Hide the truth you can’t bear to face?”
Dean raised an eyebrow. “And what is that?”
“That they don’t need you.” Azazel says. “I mean Sam has Jess, so why would he need you? And John? He couldn’t care less about you. You try and you try, but it seems like no one cares. You need them more than they need you. Not to mention how John feels about your relationship with Castiel.”
Dean swears his heart almost stops momentarily. “What?”
“He heard you the other night. How you said ‘I love you’. It made him disgusted. Wonder what he did wrong raising you. Interesting how even your own father can’t love you unconditionally. How could you ever expect an angel too? I mean, he’s not here now is he? Ever notice how everyone leaves you Dean? Ever think it’s your fault?”
Only all the time, Dean thinks. Instead he laughs again. “Hilarious, Why don’t you tell that bedtime story to your kids. Except oops, you can’t.”
“I’m sure yours will like the story much better.”
“You leave her alone.” Dean says, straining against the wall. “Don’t touch her!”
Instead of Azazel saying anything else, he smiles. Dean can feel immense pain in his chest, over taking him. He coughs out blood, and can feel his wounds reopening.
Dean spits out more blood, only for him to realize his vision is fading again. Something tells him this ain’t going to end well. The darkness overtakes his vision.
The last thing he hears before he falls into consciousness was Sam yelling his name.
Sam looks back at his brother, Jess next to him. He could really use diving intervention right now. But had no idea how Dean gets a hold of Castiel, or Gabriel for that matter.
So Sam figured he’ll have to do with what he has, and right now? That’s making sure Dean doesn’t bleed out in the back of the Impala.
“Hold on Dean.” Sam says. “We’re almost there. Only five minutes away.”
Dean says nothing, and Sam turns to Jess. “Are you okay?”
“As good as I can be I guess.” Jess says.
“Is Daddy going to die?” Claire asks, her tear stained face breaking Sam’s heart.
“Not if I have anything to do with it.” Sam says, pushing the accelerator down more. “He’ll be fine. One way or another.”
“Why didn’t you do it Sam?” John, who had been quiet up until now, asked. “I thought we agreed. Killing this demon is the most important thing we can do. It goes before you, or even me.”
“I’m tired of losing people.” Sam said. “And I couldn’t do it.” He steeled himself for the next part of what he had fo say, but before he can talk, a large semi truck slams into the Impala.
The last thing he he hears before he falls unconscious is the sound of a truck horn.
He only hopes they still have enough time to get Dean to the hospital.