[Fic] DCBB - Round Came the Magpie - Chapter Nine
Chapter Nine
March 1st, 2006
Sam was pacing the room and gesticulating madly as he spoke, only sometimes glancing at Dean. “Apparently wherever they were holding her isn’t safe anymore, so Meg - who I’m pretty sure is a demon, by the way - made new arrangements. I followed her to an old warehouse downtown. She had some crazy ritual stuff set up, a black altar, the works. She was speaking to someone and saying the arrangements are complete and that they could bring the girl tomorrow around midnight. I mean, that can only be Jess, right? But even if it isn’t - though I’m like ninety percent sure it is - there’s still a girl to save and Meg to get rid of. We should call Dad; he’ll want in on this. He has a little less than twenty-four hours to get here, so if he’s close enough…” Sam was already mid-dial.
“Sam, wait, wait,” Dean reached towards his brother and pulled the phone out of Sam’s hands.
“Dean, what are you doing?”
“It’s a trap, Sam,” Dean said his jaw set. “Jesus, where the hell is Ca-”
“I’m here,” Castiel arrived with a light brush of wind. “I couldn’t find anything about why Michael would appear as your father, but I did sense something in the industrial district downtown.”
“Big old warehouse?” Sam asked.
“I imagine that is what it was,” Castiel said uncertainly.
“I followed Meg there and I was just about to call Dad and let him know that he can stop looking for Jess. She’s going to be at that warehouse tomorrow. That Meg girl is a demon. For some reason though, Dean doesn’t think we should go,” Sam remarked a little snidely.
“Dammit, Sam, don’t twist it like that.” Dean met Castiel’s gaze. “I found something when you two were out, I think it’s a trap.”
“Show me,” Castiel said.
Dean lined up at the files and circled one particular section in blue ink. He did that for all three and then waited.
“They’re all from Lawrence?” Sam remarked.
“Yeah, I went through everything, they got nothing else in common except home sweet home. Whoever is controlling this Dae-”
“It’s Meg,” Sam interrupted.
“Well, if that’s the case, then she’s just killing these people to draw us out. Clearly it’s a trap.”
Sam went grim and silent for a minute, then turned his firm gaze on Dean. “Look, all right, maybe it is, but we can be prepared and we have an angel up our sleeve. I just can’t sit back and let this happen, Dean. I need to be there. I need to get her back.”
“Sam,” Castiel said gently. “What if they aren’t actually going to bring her? What if this is all just a clever manipulation to get you there?”
“Well, then clearly it isn’t all that clever. They’re going to assume we realized it’s a trick, but they’re also going to know that it won’t stop us. I can’t leave Jess, Cas. Dean, you understand, right?” Sam’s eyes turned pleading.
Dean sighed. “Fine, but we go in prepared; we aren’t doing this half-cocked. If Meg can hide from Cas, then clearly we can’t underestimate her.”
Sam sent Dean a beaming, grateful smile. Even if Dean and Castiel hadn’t agreed, he would have gone alone. It would have been dangerous, but he would have gone. He was just relieved that he’d be going in with backup.
“If we’re doing this, we’ll need the appropriate weapons. I’ll get the Colt from Bobby and there’s a spare angel blade in the trunk. Then we need a plan,” Castiel said.
They had taken the Colt from Daniel Elkins years ago. He was an old buddy of John’s and also one of the greatest vampire hunters around. Not all hunters specialized, but those who did were amazing. Daniel and another hunter named Gordon - who also specialized in vampires - had nearly hunted the bastards to extinction. Dean wasn’t about to shed a tear over it.
Back when they were after the yellow-eyed demon that killed Sam and Dean’s mom, John managed to convince Elkins to give him the legendary gun that he had been keeping safe all those years. It was the only thing they knew of at the time that could kill a demon. John had just never managed to swing by and return the gun. Dean grimaced and thought Daniel must be pissed. They should probably make the trek out there soon when everything was settled to give it back. Bobby had been keeping it safe, locked up in his basement in the meantime. After all, they didn’t need to concern themselves with bullets when they had an angel at their side.
xx
Castiel returned and the first thing Dean noticed was how agitated the angel looked. He was worrying at his ring the moment he landed and sought out Dean’s gaze.
“What?” Dean asked immediately.
“Your father took the gun.”
Dean didn’t really see the problem. “So?”
“Well, it just seems unusual. He hasn’t bothered with it for years then suddenly he marches over to Bobby’s and picks up the gun? Bobby said John didn’t even explain why he needed it. He just sort of demanded it and left almost as soon as he arrived.”
“Yeah, okay, I still don’t quite get why you have a problem with this. So, Dad had some demons to kill, or vampires, or whatever the fuck. As for him leaving basically as soon as he got there, that’s understandable. Dad and Bobby haven’t got along properly in years. Neither of them has ever told me why, but it is what it is.”
Castiel didn’t look convinced but let the topic drop. “I suppose Sam will be happy.”
“Huh?”
“We’re going to have to call your father and let him know about the situation. I’m not allowing you in that room without being properly armed.”
“Not allowing me, huh?” Dean let a slow smile curl his lips.
“Honour and obey,” Castiel shot back teasingly, despite how serious he was and the fact that his eyes still looked troubled.
“C’mere,” Dean said.
Castiel stepped forward and Dean pulled him in tight, just holding him. Castiel was cool, like usual; angels didn’t burn hot after all. It wasn’t unpleasant though, because it was Cas and he smelled like a valley in the rain and warm, wet earth. Dean felt the steady beat of Castiel’s heart against his own and the slow, carefully measured intakes of air. Angels didn’t need to breathe, but if they didn’t it looked strange.
Castiel relished in Dean’s human warmth. He breathed in the leather, whiskey, and the faintest traces of old cigarette scent that hung around him. Dean hadn’t smoked in years, but it wasn’t a smell that was easy to get out of his jacket, which his father had worn and smoked in before him. Underneath it all was a secret spice that Castiel could probably identify if he wanted, but he’d never felt inclined to try because he much preferred to think of it as Dean’s scent. This man, this human man, was the most important person in creation to Castiel. The most important thing in the world. Dean had given the angel so much, they had been through so much, and when this was all over Castiel was going to lock them up in their tiny blue house, in their tiny dark room, in their big, comfortable bed and not leave it for a week. Maybe longer. Castiel squeezed tighter.
“Hey, you okay?” Dean asked softly. “Just another job, Cas. Don’t worry.”
Castiel couldn’t help but worry though, because he knew there was something about this world that just wasn’t right. It was like looking at a painting that had something deliberately out of place on the canvas and you couldn’t put your finger on what it was until you saw it, and then it was the only thing you could see. That small imperfection among all the beauty. Well, Castiel still hadn’t found the imperfection, but he knew it was there and it was driving him crazy. Something about what they had discussed what seemed ages ago now. A world where Castiel and Dean hadn’t met when they had, a world where Dean was lonely despite all the people he’d touched.
“I love you,” Castiel said firmly.
“Yeah, Man. I know. You too. What’s going on?”
“I love you and that will never and will never be able to change. No matter what. You can do anything, anything in the world. To me, to other people, anything and I will, always, always love you.”
“Dude, you’re freaking me out,” Dean muttered.
“I just need you to know, before all this.”
“Okay,” Dean murmured, sensing the urgency. “Okay,” Dean kissed Castiel, and Castiel leaned into it, pulling Dean tight and close. Kissing back as if Dean were the only thing keeping him alive. Dean moaned into the kiss, pushing back, just as desperate, cupping his hands around Castiel’s jaw and curling the tips of his fingers in Castiel’s hair.
They were flush together, chest to chest, Dean’s heart hummingbird fast while Castiel’s hammered out the same steady beat. Then they were stumbling backwards and crashing onto the bed, Castiel landing heavy on top of Dean and knocking the air from his lungs. Dean didn’t care, just spared a few seconds to gasp for breath and then he was kissing Castiel again. Castiel was delicious cool heat above him; each brush of his slightly rough fingertips on Dean’s skin sent sparks sizzling through his entire body as if it were the first time all over again. They struggled and wrestled with their clothes, wanting the joy of bare skin on bare skin but needing the feeling of connection all too potently to allow the time to divest themselves of layers. Castiel only managed to get their trousers and boxers down to their knees before they were sliding together, velvet wrapped steel against velvet wrapped steel, gasping and panting into the room, the sound of their mingled, pleasure soaked voices competing easily with the steady thrum of the motel room’s radiator.
It was over in a flash of blinding white sparks, their skin now damped with sweat mixing with release and they were left panting chest to chest in the middle of the rumpled bed.
Castiel rolled away when he realized Dean’s breathing was becoming more strained with the added weight of the angel on top of him, but Dean groped and sought out the angel, not tugging him back but settling for fisting his hand in Castiel’s askew shirt, feeling the steady expansion of Castiel’s diaphragm under his palm.
“You okay?” Dean asked softly after a few minutes.
“I don’t know,” Castiel admitted. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For jumping you like that.”
“Dude, if I didn’t want it, you would have damn well known. It’s cool. Clearly you needed it. Sure would like to know why, though.”
“I’m just unsettled,” Castiel answered with a sigh, bringing his own hand around to grasp at the one Dean still had resting on his stomach. “I suppose I have a bad feeling. Which of course makes me all the more unsettled because angels aren’t prone to anxiety.”
“Yeah, well, you’re an honorary human. Deal with it. It’ll be fine though, Cas. You’ll see. Not the first time we broke into a den of snakes and rescued the damsel in distress, now is it?”
“No, I suppose not, but it’s never been this personal before. Sam can’t lose Jessica, Dean. If he did, I’m not entirely sure if he’d ever be able to recover.”
“Shut up before I make you,” Dean mock threatened. “That ain’t happening.”
Castiel just nodded solemnly.
xx
When Sam didn’t show up to come and get them, Dean should have assumed that something was wrong. As it was, he didn’t think about it too much, maybe still feeling the happy buzz from the impromptu sex or just being relatively content for a change. However, when Dean went over to go get Sam and leave for the warehouse and Sam didn’t answer, well, Dean’s stomach fell to his feet.
Castiel opened the door in a flash and saw Sam wasn’t in his room and neither were the weapons he brought out earlier to take with him. Just his open duffle bag stuffed full of clothes was sitting on his still-made bed.
“He wouldn’t,” Dean said quietly, his face white as he looked at Cas. Castiel had two fingers to his forehead and had them flying in the span of a blink.
xx
Sam knew he was being an idiot, but he wasn’t about to wait for their father to show up and he wasn’t about to wait until midnight. Sure, the Colt was the only thing that could kill demons long-range, but Sam didn’t have to kill Meg to get Jess out of there. When he managed to get to the warehouse (Impala taken for the occasion), climb painstakingly up the elevator shaft and saw that there was a distinct lack of guard, he merely chose to turn a blind eye to it. He wasn’t stupid enough to believe it was that easy. All he could think of though, in that moment, despite all misgivings, was that he was staring at Jessica’s blonde head, her tall, slim body tethered to a chair and Sam had to get to her.
“Wow, Sam, I’m actually surprised,” a light female voice drawled.
Sam paused from where he was edging towards Jess and turned to see Meg stroll casually out of the shadows, her hands tucked into her back pockets a slight smile dancing on her lips.
“I didn’t think you were stupid enough to come alone,” she continued.
At the voice, Jess stirred, she lifted her head groggily and danced her brown eyes over to Sam. She was gagged too tightly judging by how red her cheeks were but she was aware enough that she looked shocked and stricken to see Sam standing there. She shook her head slowly.
“Jessie and I got real close while we were waiting,” Meg added. “You know she was convinced you wouldn’t come. Not because you don’t love her but because she would never want you to risk yourself for her. Then again, she doesn’t know just what you are, does she Sammy-boy?”
“Let her go; you have me, just let her go,” Sam said levelly, fighting the panic he felt rising.
Meg smiled, slow and sultry. “Not yet, but soon, if you play your cards right.”
“Sam, stop!” Dean and Cas had burst in the room in a gust of wind and it was Dean who shouted. “How could you be so stupid, Sam? What were you thinking coming here alone?”
“Dean, I’m fine,” Sam gritted. “Meg, what do you want me to do?”
Meg’s eyes had flitted away from the tall young man to run up and down Castiel slowly; they flickered black briefly. “Pleasure to see you again, Clarence. Guess what?” Meg snapped her fingers and Castiel managed to grab Dean tight against him just as the flames sprung up in the circle. “Holy oil!”
“Fucking bitch!” Dean shouted.
“Dammit, Meg! You don’t need to do this. Whatever you want, just tell me. Please. I’ll do it,” Sam couldn’t help the desperation that edged into his tone.
Dean was starting to sweat surrounded by the heat of the flame but that didn’t stop the shudder that passed through him at Sam’s words. Never promise a demon anything, let alone everything - that was rule one. He wanted to say something, anything, to get his brother to be careful and not be an idiot but he knew that look on Sam’s face: absolute, firm resolve. It was the same look Sam wore the night he ran off to Stanford. His next step - if this had been a normal situation - would have been to have had Castiel fly Sam far away from here and Dean would deal with the demon-bitch himself, but the ring of fire surrounding his life raft was a real impediment to that plan. Instead, Dean just reached down and grabbed Castiel’s wrist, holding tight as he waited for the outcome.
Meg just kept on smiling. “You’ll do anything I say to save pretty little Jess?”
“Yes,” Sam said firmly, his voice unwavering.
“Promise?”
“Yes,” Sam gritted.
“Okay,” Meg said lightly. She tossed Sam a knife which he caught instinctively. He stared at it dumbly for a minute causing Meg to roll her eyes. “Jeeze, Sammy, they grew ‘em big and stupid in Kansas, huh? Cut her free.”
It took Sam another second to register that, but when he did, he rushed to Jessica’s side and first freed her mouth.
Jess immediately began to speak, “Sam, Sammy, don’t. It’s a trick. It’s okay, just get your brothers and leave me here.”
“Don’t be dumb, Jess,” Sam said absently, slicing her ropes. “I’d never do that to you.”
“Listen to me, Baby, it’s okay, really, just go. Get out of here,” Jess was speaking quickly and frantic, her eyes darting to the calmly-waiting Meg.
Sam had now pulled her to her feet. He wrapped his big arms around her and relished in the feeling of her familiar curves pressed firm against his body. Even after months of captivity, her own special scent still made Sam feel like he was home. He was trembling as he held her, disbelieving of how easy this all was, waiting for the catch but not caring because in this moment Jess was in his arms again. He pulled back and kissed her, tasting the salt of her tears on her lips.
“I got you Jess,” he whispered.
“Baby,” Jess sobbed. “Please.”
“Over there now,” Meg said firmly, flicking her wrist and sending Jess flying away from Sam. She stopped just inches from the flame.
“Jess!” Sam shouted.
Meg rolled her eyes. “Gosh, Sam, take a pill. She’s fine. Now, that thing I wanted?”
Sam looked at her in trepidation.
“Kill yourself,” the demon commanded airily.
Sam looked at the jewelled blade he still held in his hand, feeling how weighty it felt against his skin and then sick with dread as his hand twitched of it’s on volition, the only hint of what was to come. He looked over at Dean, Cas and Jess, hoping his gaze told them how very sorry he was before he felt his arm rise high then slam and twist the blade deep into his gut. He choked, stock still for a minute while his body tried to register what happened before he fell forward onto his knees, toppling to the dirty concrete below him seconds later. A part of him that wasn’t rapidly succumbing to shock vaguely heard the mingled shouts of his family and girlfriend as he watched his own blood - disturbingly dark in the low light - flow gently away from him. It was funny how it didn’t really hurt, but he was so, so cold and so, so thirsty and so, so tired. Just for a second he would rest…
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March 1st, 2006
Sam was pacing the room and gesticulating madly as he spoke, only sometimes glancing at Dean. “Apparently wherever they were holding her isn’t safe anymore, so Meg - who I’m pretty sure is a demon, by the way - made new arrangements. I followed her to an old warehouse downtown. She had some crazy ritual stuff set up, a black altar, the works. She was speaking to someone and saying the arrangements are complete and that they could bring the girl tomorrow around midnight. I mean, that can only be Jess, right? But even if it isn’t - though I’m like ninety percent sure it is - there’s still a girl to save and Meg to get rid of. We should call Dad; he’ll want in on this. He has a little less than twenty-four hours to get here, so if he’s close enough…” Sam was already mid-dial.
“Sam, wait, wait,” Dean reached towards his brother and pulled the phone out of Sam’s hands.
“Dean, what are you doing?”
“It’s a trap, Sam,” Dean said his jaw set. “Jesus, where the hell is Ca-”
“I’m here,” Castiel arrived with a light brush of wind. “I couldn’t find anything about why Michael would appear as your father, but I did sense something in the industrial district downtown.”
“Big old warehouse?” Sam asked.
“I imagine that is what it was,” Castiel said uncertainly.
“I followed Meg there and I was just about to call Dad and let him know that he can stop looking for Jess. She’s going to be at that warehouse tomorrow. That Meg girl is a demon. For some reason though, Dean doesn’t think we should go,” Sam remarked a little snidely.
“Dammit, Sam, don’t twist it like that.” Dean met Castiel’s gaze. “I found something when you two were out, I think it’s a trap.”
“Show me,” Castiel said.
Dean lined up at the files and circled one particular section in blue ink. He did that for all three and then waited.
“They’re all from Lawrence?” Sam remarked.
“Yeah, I went through everything, they got nothing else in common except home sweet home. Whoever is controlling this Dae-”
“It’s Meg,” Sam interrupted.
“Well, if that’s the case, then she’s just killing these people to draw us out. Clearly it’s a trap.”
Sam went grim and silent for a minute, then turned his firm gaze on Dean. “Look, all right, maybe it is, but we can be prepared and we have an angel up our sleeve. I just can’t sit back and let this happen, Dean. I need to be there. I need to get her back.”
“Sam,” Castiel said gently. “What if they aren’t actually going to bring her? What if this is all just a clever manipulation to get you there?”
“Well, then clearly it isn’t all that clever. They’re going to assume we realized it’s a trick, but they’re also going to know that it won’t stop us. I can’t leave Jess, Cas. Dean, you understand, right?” Sam’s eyes turned pleading.
Dean sighed. “Fine, but we go in prepared; we aren’t doing this half-cocked. If Meg can hide from Cas, then clearly we can’t underestimate her.”
Sam sent Dean a beaming, grateful smile. Even if Dean and Castiel hadn’t agreed, he would have gone alone. It would have been dangerous, but he would have gone. He was just relieved that he’d be going in with backup.
“If we’re doing this, we’ll need the appropriate weapons. I’ll get the Colt from Bobby and there’s a spare angel blade in the trunk. Then we need a plan,” Castiel said.
They had taken the Colt from Daniel Elkins years ago. He was an old buddy of John’s and also one of the greatest vampire hunters around. Not all hunters specialized, but those who did were amazing. Daniel and another hunter named Gordon - who also specialized in vampires - had nearly hunted the bastards to extinction. Dean wasn’t about to shed a tear over it.
Back when they were after the yellow-eyed demon that killed Sam and Dean’s mom, John managed to convince Elkins to give him the legendary gun that he had been keeping safe all those years. It was the only thing they knew of at the time that could kill a demon. John had just never managed to swing by and return the gun. Dean grimaced and thought Daniel must be pissed. They should probably make the trek out there soon when everything was settled to give it back. Bobby had been keeping it safe, locked up in his basement in the meantime. After all, they didn’t need to concern themselves with bullets when they had an angel at their side.
xx
Castiel returned and the first thing Dean noticed was how agitated the angel looked. He was worrying at his ring the moment he landed and sought out Dean’s gaze.
“What?” Dean asked immediately.
“Your father took the gun.”
Dean didn’t really see the problem. “So?”
“Well, it just seems unusual. He hasn’t bothered with it for years then suddenly he marches over to Bobby’s and picks up the gun? Bobby said John didn’t even explain why he needed it. He just sort of demanded it and left almost as soon as he arrived.”
“Yeah, okay, I still don’t quite get why you have a problem with this. So, Dad had some demons to kill, or vampires, or whatever the fuck. As for him leaving basically as soon as he got there, that’s understandable. Dad and Bobby haven’t got along properly in years. Neither of them has ever told me why, but it is what it is.”
Castiel didn’t look convinced but let the topic drop. “I suppose Sam will be happy.”
“Huh?”
“We’re going to have to call your father and let him know about the situation. I’m not allowing you in that room without being properly armed.”
“Not allowing me, huh?” Dean let a slow smile curl his lips.
“Honour and obey,” Castiel shot back teasingly, despite how serious he was and the fact that his eyes still looked troubled.
“C’mere,” Dean said.
Castiel stepped forward and Dean pulled him in tight, just holding him. Castiel was cool, like usual; angels didn’t burn hot after all. It wasn’t unpleasant though, because it was Cas and he smelled like a valley in the rain and warm, wet earth. Dean felt the steady beat of Castiel’s heart against his own and the slow, carefully measured intakes of air. Angels didn’t need to breathe, but if they didn’t it looked strange.
Castiel relished in Dean’s human warmth. He breathed in the leather, whiskey, and the faintest traces of old cigarette scent that hung around him. Dean hadn’t smoked in years, but it wasn’t a smell that was easy to get out of his jacket, which his father had worn and smoked in before him. Underneath it all was a secret spice that Castiel could probably identify if he wanted, but he’d never felt inclined to try because he much preferred to think of it as Dean’s scent. This man, this human man, was the most important person in creation to Castiel. The most important thing in the world. Dean had given the angel so much, they had been through so much, and when this was all over Castiel was going to lock them up in their tiny blue house, in their tiny dark room, in their big, comfortable bed and not leave it for a week. Maybe longer. Castiel squeezed tighter.
“Hey, you okay?” Dean asked softly. “Just another job, Cas. Don’t worry.”
Castiel couldn’t help but worry though, because he knew there was something about this world that just wasn’t right. It was like looking at a painting that had something deliberately out of place on the canvas and you couldn’t put your finger on what it was until you saw it, and then it was the only thing you could see. That small imperfection among all the beauty. Well, Castiel still hadn’t found the imperfection, but he knew it was there and it was driving him crazy. Something about what they had discussed what seemed ages ago now. A world where Castiel and Dean hadn’t met when they had, a world where Dean was lonely despite all the people he’d touched.
“I love you,” Castiel said firmly.
“Yeah, Man. I know. You too. What’s going on?”
“I love you and that will never and will never be able to change. No matter what. You can do anything, anything in the world. To me, to other people, anything and I will, always, always love you.”
“Dude, you’re freaking me out,” Dean muttered.
“I just need you to know, before all this.”
“Okay,” Dean murmured, sensing the urgency. “Okay,” Dean kissed Castiel, and Castiel leaned into it, pulling Dean tight and close. Kissing back as if Dean were the only thing keeping him alive. Dean moaned into the kiss, pushing back, just as desperate, cupping his hands around Castiel’s jaw and curling the tips of his fingers in Castiel’s hair.
They were flush together, chest to chest, Dean’s heart hummingbird fast while Castiel’s hammered out the same steady beat. Then they were stumbling backwards and crashing onto the bed, Castiel landing heavy on top of Dean and knocking the air from his lungs. Dean didn’t care, just spared a few seconds to gasp for breath and then he was kissing Castiel again. Castiel was delicious cool heat above him; each brush of his slightly rough fingertips on Dean’s skin sent sparks sizzling through his entire body as if it were the first time all over again. They struggled and wrestled with their clothes, wanting the joy of bare skin on bare skin but needing the feeling of connection all too potently to allow the time to divest themselves of layers. Castiel only managed to get their trousers and boxers down to their knees before they were sliding together, velvet wrapped steel against velvet wrapped steel, gasping and panting into the room, the sound of their mingled, pleasure soaked voices competing easily with the steady thrum of the motel room’s radiator.
It was over in a flash of blinding white sparks, their skin now damped with sweat mixing with release and they were left panting chest to chest in the middle of the rumpled bed.
Castiel rolled away when he realized Dean’s breathing was becoming more strained with the added weight of the angel on top of him, but Dean groped and sought out the angel, not tugging him back but settling for fisting his hand in Castiel’s askew shirt, feeling the steady expansion of Castiel’s diaphragm under his palm.
“You okay?” Dean asked softly after a few minutes.
“I don’t know,” Castiel admitted. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For jumping you like that.”
“Dude, if I didn’t want it, you would have damn well known. It’s cool. Clearly you needed it. Sure would like to know why, though.”
“I’m just unsettled,” Castiel answered with a sigh, bringing his own hand around to grasp at the one Dean still had resting on his stomach. “I suppose I have a bad feeling. Which of course makes me all the more unsettled because angels aren’t prone to anxiety.”
“Yeah, well, you’re an honorary human. Deal with it. It’ll be fine though, Cas. You’ll see. Not the first time we broke into a den of snakes and rescued the damsel in distress, now is it?”
“No, I suppose not, but it’s never been this personal before. Sam can’t lose Jessica, Dean. If he did, I’m not entirely sure if he’d ever be able to recover.”
“Shut up before I make you,” Dean mock threatened. “That ain’t happening.”
Castiel just nodded solemnly.
xx
When Sam didn’t show up to come and get them, Dean should have assumed that something was wrong. As it was, he didn’t think about it too much, maybe still feeling the happy buzz from the impromptu sex or just being relatively content for a change. However, when Dean went over to go get Sam and leave for the warehouse and Sam didn’t answer, well, Dean’s stomach fell to his feet.
Castiel opened the door in a flash and saw Sam wasn’t in his room and neither were the weapons he brought out earlier to take with him. Just his open duffle bag stuffed full of clothes was sitting on his still-made bed.
“He wouldn’t,” Dean said quietly, his face white as he looked at Cas. Castiel had two fingers to his forehead and had them flying in the span of a blink.
xx
Sam knew he was being an idiot, but he wasn’t about to wait for their father to show up and he wasn’t about to wait until midnight. Sure, the Colt was the only thing that could kill demons long-range, but Sam didn’t have to kill Meg to get Jess out of there. When he managed to get to the warehouse (Impala taken for the occasion), climb painstakingly up the elevator shaft and saw that there was a distinct lack of guard, he merely chose to turn a blind eye to it. He wasn’t stupid enough to believe it was that easy. All he could think of though, in that moment, despite all misgivings, was that he was staring at Jessica’s blonde head, her tall, slim body tethered to a chair and Sam had to get to her.
“Wow, Sam, I’m actually surprised,” a light female voice drawled.
Sam paused from where he was edging towards Jess and turned to see Meg stroll casually out of the shadows, her hands tucked into her back pockets a slight smile dancing on her lips.
“I didn’t think you were stupid enough to come alone,” she continued.
At the voice, Jess stirred, she lifted her head groggily and danced her brown eyes over to Sam. She was gagged too tightly judging by how red her cheeks were but she was aware enough that she looked shocked and stricken to see Sam standing there. She shook her head slowly.
“Jessie and I got real close while we were waiting,” Meg added. “You know she was convinced you wouldn’t come. Not because you don’t love her but because she would never want you to risk yourself for her. Then again, she doesn’t know just what you are, does she Sammy-boy?”
“Let her go; you have me, just let her go,” Sam said levelly, fighting the panic he felt rising.
Meg smiled, slow and sultry. “Not yet, but soon, if you play your cards right.”
“Sam, stop!” Dean and Cas had burst in the room in a gust of wind and it was Dean who shouted. “How could you be so stupid, Sam? What were you thinking coming here alone?”
“Dean, I’m fine,” Sam gritted. “Meg, what do you want me to do?”
Meg’s eyes had flitted away from the tall young man to run up and down Castiel slowly; they flickered black briefly. “Pleasure to see you again, Clarence. Guess what?” Meg snapped her fingers and Castiel managed to grab Dean tight against him just as the flames sprung up in the circle. “Holy oil!”
“Fucking bitch!” Dean shouted.
“Dammit, Meg! You don’t need to do this. Whatever you want, just tell me. Please. I’ll do it,” Sam couldn’t help the desperation that edged into his tone.
Dean was starting to sweat surrounded by the heat of the flame but that didn’t stop the shudder that passed through him at Sam’s words. Never promise a demon anything, let alone everything - that was rule one. He wanted to say something, anything, to get his brother to be careful and not be an idiot but he knew that look on Sam’s face: absolute, firm resolve. It was the same look Sam wore the night he ran off to Stanford. His next step - if this had been a normal situation - would have been to have had Castiel fly Sam far away from here and Dean would deal with the demon-bitch himself, but the ring of fire surrounding his life raft was a real impediment to that plan. Instead, Dean just reached down and grabbed Castiel’s wrist, holding tight as he waited for the outcome.
Meg just kept on smiling. “You’ll do anything I say to save pretty little Jess?”
“Yes,” Sam said firmly, his voice unwavering.
“Promise?”
“Yes,” Sam gritted.
“Okay,” Meg said lightly. She tossed Sam a knife which he caught instinctively. He stared at it dumbly for a minute causing Meg to roll her eyes. “Jeeze, Sammy, they grew ‘em big and stupid in Kansas, huh? Cut her free.”
It took Sam another second to register that, but when he did, he rushed to Jessica’s side and first freed her mouth.
Jess immediately began to speak, “Sam, Sammy, don’t. It’s a trick. It’s okay, just get your brothers and leave me here.”
“Don’t be dumb, Jess,” Sam said absently, slicing her ropes. “I’d never do that to you.”
“Listen to me, Baby, it’s okay, really, just go. Get out of here,” Jess was speaking quickly and frantic, her eyes darting to the calmly-waiting Meg.
Sam had now pulled her to her feet. He wrapped his big arms around her and relished in the feeling of her familiar curves pressed firm against his body. Even after months of captivity, her own special scent still made Sam feel like he was home. He was trembling as he held her, disbelieving of how easy this all was, waiting for the catch but not caring because in this moment Jess was in his arms again. He pulled back and kissed her, tasting the salt of her tears on her lips.
“I got you Jess,” he whispered.
“Baby,” Jess sobbed. “Please.”
“Over there now,” Meg said firmly, flicking her wrist and sending Jess flying away from Sam. She stopped just inches from the flame.
“Jess!” Sam shouted.
Meg rolled her eyes. “Gosh, Sam, take a pill. She’s fine. Now, that thing I wanted?”
Sam looked at her in trepidation.
“Kill yourself,” the demon commanded airily.
Sam looked at the jewelled blade he still held in his hand, feeling how weighty it felt against his skin and then sick with dread as his hand twitched of it’s on volition, the only hint of what was to come. He looked over at Dean, Cas and Jess, hoping his gaze told them how very sorry he was before he felt his arm rise high then slam and twist the blade deep into his gut. He choked, stock still for a minute while his body tried to register what happened before he fell forward onto his knees, toppling to the dirty concrete below him seconds later. A part of him that wasn’t rapidly succumbing to shock vaguely heard the mingled shouts of his family and girlfriend as he watched his own blood - disturbingly dark in the low light - flow gently away from him. It was funny how it didn’t really hurt, but he was so, so cold and so, so thirsty and so, so tired. Just for a second he would rest…
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