April 28th, 2015
Lebanon, Kansas

Alex's head thudded against the table, the sound echoing throughout the room. The bunker was empty, and only the rumbling of the air pouring through the vents was there to keep her company. Books lay scattered out in front of her, remnants of the Winchesters' research. The pile to her left was any and all things relating to the Mark of Cain. To her right, Sam's notes on the removal of grace.

The door swung open, and Alex looked up to watch Sam and Dean stalk into the room. A third figure followed, and Alex jumped to her feet, eyes narrowing as she regarded King of Hell. "What's Crowley doing here?" She spat out the words, and her vehemence was reward by a toothy smile.

"Missed you too, darling." The demon strolled forward, eyes turned upwards to take in the bunker's architecture. "Rumor has it you've become, well, quite volatile, and the Hardy Boys have insisted that I clean up their mess."

"Our mess?" Sam's nose wrinkled in disgust at the insinuation. "You're the one who gave her the grace, Crowley. This one's on you."

His concern was waved off, and Alex lifted her chin as the Crowley came to stop in front of her. "Perhaps I tempted her with a bigger mouthful than she could chew," he relented, and Alex's eyes narrowed, unsurprised to find the demon deflecting the blame. "But she's the one who took the bite."

"Look." Alex ground out the words, and her grey eyes flashed as the torn remains of her grace threatened to bubble up. "You want to take my grace, fine. Take it. It's caused me more harm than good." Her gaze flickered over to Sam and Dean, jaw set as she refused to let her fear show.

"Fine by me." The demon drew a small, glass vial out of his suit pocket, and Alex's teeth dug into her lip as an angel blade appeared in the other. "Might want to take a seat, cupcake. This could hurt."

His wrist flicked out the moment her back hit the chair, and a gasp of shock and pain left Alex's lips as the angel blade slit her throat. Her grace boiled up, unbidden, drawing all of the heat from her bones as it bubbled out of her veins. In its wake, it left nothing but ice, numbing her senses and dulling her eyes.

Alex reached up, hesitantly feeling the thin scar that stretched across her throat, resting just below her Adam's apple. The tips of her fingers still felt numb, and the girl shivered, drawing the blanket around her shoulders as tight as she could. Everything was numbed. Her ears felt waterlogged, and her vision was dim and blurry; the staircase at the far end of the room was slightly fuzzy, and the book titles on the far shelf unreadable. She always did have poor eyesight as a human.

Her hand dropped back down to the table, and her head followed, resting on the cool wood as she screwed her eyes shut. Human. The only chance she had of being an angel again was if Castiel found their grace. And he only had one year left before her deal was up.

Alex ran her finger tips over her forearms, tracing the skin where the King of Hell had once made her contract appear, a covenant written into her very bones. She had one year left before her time was up. One year. Some days it felt like a lifetime, others merely hours.

The bunker creaked around her, and Alex snapped her head up, searching for the source before she fell back against her chair. The Winchesters were gone, off on a case somewhere in a different state. They had left almost three days ago, and nothing they had said gave any indication of their return.

Her phone rang, and Alex folded her arms on the polished oak table as she answered. "Hey, Sam. When are you guys going to be back? The fridge is running low." Her stomach growled, and the hunter grit her teeth against the pain. "And I don't like being alone."

"Uh, well ... I don't know." Sam's voice was apologetic, and Alex's temple pressed up against her forearm. "Something else has come up. We're in West Virginia. Uh, this guy on death row Houdini'd his way out of his cell."

"Huh. So, you're hunting a magical murderer?"

"Yeah, or — or a, uh, teleporting demon or a who-knows-what that can walk through Supermax walls." Alex heard the faint sound of Dean's voice, and Sam scoffed in amusement at the unheard comment.

"Well, if you guys need back up, I'm doing absolutely nothing here." Alex's voice took on a note of hopefulness, and she leaned closer to her phone. "Want me to head on over?"

"No, no. You stay put until you're back on your feet." Alex heard the engine rev beneath Sam's words. "Fingers crossed, we'll be back by the end of the week. Uh, there's cash in the top cabinet by the fridge if you need some money for food or a-a movie or something."

"Okay." Alex's face fell, but she forced her voice to remain cheerful, not wanting pity from the younger Winchester. "Just remember to be careful walking into a high-security prison, and don't let anyone recognize you. Death row is still a possibility for our future, so tell Dean I said don't fuck this up, alright?"

"Alright." Sam forced a chuckle at her pointed humor. "She said don't fuck up so she won't have go to jail," she heard him repeat to Dean. "He says he'll see what he can do," he told her after a second. "We promise to stay safe, okay? Listen, we're here, so I need to call you back."

"Sounds good." The Winchester hung up, and Alex pushed herself to her feet, letting her blanket fall back across the arms of her chair. If the Winchesters wouldn't have her, Castiel would. She threw back the last few sips of her beer with a shake of her head; if she had to stay in that God-forsaken bomb shelter for one more day ...

She pressed her phone up against her cheek as she hurried off towards her room, throwing open the door as the other end of the line clicked. "Alex. Is everything okay?"

"Afternoon to you, too, Cassie." Alex put her phone on speaker and tossed it onto her nightstand as she dug her bag out from underneath her bed. "Where are you at? Still tracking down Cain?"

"Yes. I'm in Indiana on what might turn out to be a lead." Alex could hear a voice in the background, sharp and taunting, but the seraph ignored it. "How are you doing? You haven't answered any of my calls. Sam said Crowley removed your grace."

"Yeah. It, uh ... it was a bit out of control, and everyone agreed it would be safer just to get rid of it." Alex scrubbed at the scar on her throat, trying to erase the thin, raised line, and after a second, she added, "I hate this. Please can I come to you? If I have to stay in the bunker by myself for another day, I — I'm going to shoot myself."

No answer came, and Alex threw her laptop into her bag, her impatience growing. "Listen, either I come to you or I'm going off to find my own lead. Your call."

"I'm in Quincy, Indiana." The location came with a resigned sigh, and Alex grinned. "If you leave now, you should be here in six hours. I will text you my address."

"Great." Alex slung her bag over her shoulder as she pushed herself to her feet, snatching her gun off of her dresser. "Love you, Cas. I'll see you soon." She hung up and shoved her phone into her pocket and grabbed her angel blade as she hurried out of her room and down the hall.

Quincy, Indiana

Alex slammed the car door as she stepped out into the grey, gloomy air. The dark clouds promised rain, and the ex-angel drew her sleeves down over her forearms, shivering at the damp chill. A truck sped by as Alex made her way up to the front of an old, dilapidated school building, and she cast a quick look around before she slipped under the fence and darted across the courtyard.

The inside of the school was as grey and dismal as the weather, and Alex's boots clunked against the tile floor as she made her way down the hall. "Cas?" she called, softly at first as her voice cut through the air. "Castiel?"

There was a noise at the end of the hall, something quiet and almost unnoticeable, and Alex hesitated, unsure of what she had heard. The noise faded, immediately replaced by a raspy scream. Her angel blade was in her hands with the second as Alex tore down the hall, sliding to a stop outside of the far room. The dim light filtered down through the broken glass, illuminating the two figures inside. One was tied to a chair, head thrown back in agony as the second stepped away. The interrogator looked up, blue eyes flashing in surprise at the sight of her, and Alex felt her shoulders sag in relief.

"Alex." Castiel set his weapon down on a school desk as he crossed the room, and Alex leaned up to kiss his lips, humming happily when he reciprocated the action. "I didn't expect you here for another hour."

"I made good time." Alex slipped past him, twirling her weapon in her hands as she circled around to stand in front of the bound man. Even without her grace, she could tell it was a demon. "Who's the black-eyed skank?"

"Arthur Wright. Or, at least, that's what his identification claims." Castiel circled around to stand at her side, his shoulders brushing hers as his eyes narrowed in disdain. "I didn't bother asking for his name, though."

"It's Vinny." The demon tossed his head to get his hair out of his face, his black eyes flashing angrily as he stared up at the two of them. "Not that you'd care." Despite his defiance, cuts littered his exposed skin, evidence of long-endured torture.

"Yeah, you're right. I don't." Alex tucked her weapon away as Castiel picked up his. "This is supposed to be your lead on Cain? He doesn't even look crossroads material." She shook her head. "No way they're besties."

"Me and Cain ain't friends." The demon spat on the ground, his nose wrinkled in disgust. "He kills demons. Low—level guys like me keep our distance." His head fell back in a cry of pain as Castiel's weapon cut through his exposed bicep, and the black fled from his eyes. "Alright!" he yelled, and the seraph pulled the silver weapon away. "Alright," the demon repeated, a snarl in his voice. "He's been seen the past few months making passes through Bogg's marsh, one county over." He looked between Alex and Cas with a shake of his head. "Like I said, we keep our distance."

Castiel's weapon lifted, the tip circling slowly before aiming itself at the demon's right eye, and the demon's head recoiled as the weapon barely grazed the cornea. "And that's all you know." The statement was made quietly, and the demon nodded eagerly as the angel blade pulled back ever so slightly.

"Yes," Vinny agreed, relief making him breathless. "Yes, I swear."

The weapon fell back to Castiel's side, and the seraph gave a small, curt nod. "Okay." The demon's face lit up as the blade plunged into his stomach, and Alex watched disdainfully as the creature died. "Bogg's Marsh." Castiel drew away from the body, blue eyes blank and unreadable. "Have you ever heard of that place?"

"Nope. But it can't be too hard to find." Alex turned away from the body, digging her phone out of her pocket. She tugged on the seraph's thick coat as she leaned into his shoulder, cheek pressing into his arm. "Give me two minutes, and I'll see what I can do."

She pressed herself closer into his warmth, and she felt Castiel's free hand come up to massage her neck until he reluctantly pulled away. "I should go take care of this." He nodded towards the body, and Alex stepped back to let him work. She took a seat on the desk, watching as he effortlessly tossed the corpse over his shoulder and disappeared out the door.

She glanced down at her phone with a frown, lifting it up to try and improve the signal through the concrete walls. Her eyes turned passed to a framed photograph that hung on the wall, the glass cracked and the frame askew, and the ex-angel blinked in surprise. Alex leaned forward curiously, shaking her head as she studied the face. For a moment, she thought the individual had been Sam; they had the same facial structure, the same look in their eyes. "Riley." Alex read the name aloud.

"Who?" The sound of Castiel's voice had her turning away, a small smile on her face. The seraph crossed over to her, and Alex gave a small shake of her head as she held up her phone to show the location the demon had spoke of. Castiel squinted, taking her wrists in his hands to steady the screen. "How far away?"

"Not sure yet." Alex slid off of the desk, taking his hand in hers as she led the way out of the classroom. "Do you want to drive, or should I?"

"I'll drive." Castiel dropped her hand so he could reach for his keys. "Find us a way there." He led the way back out across the courtyard, and Alex ducked beneath the chain—link fence before following him over to the Lincoln Continental. "Alex." The seraph paused by the front panel, his face darkening, and Alex tilted her head to look up at him. "If we find Cain there ..."

"Hey." Alex reached up to take the lapel of his jacket, and she tugged gently to quiet him. "I've met Cain before. If he didn't kill me then, I don't think he's going to jump to kill me again." She watched as reluctance danced in his eyes, and she leaned up, pressing her lips against his. "Come on. Just because I'm human doesn't mean I'm helpless. We'll be in and out before Cain ever knows we were there."

The wind at Bogg's Marsh was stiff and cold, and Alex suppressed a shiver as she kicked the car door shut. She screwed her eyes up against the freezing air as she glanced over at Castiel, unsurprised to find that the seraph remained unaffected by the weather. His cerulean eyes scanned the land in front of them, and Alex circled around to stand at his side. "Which way, Captain?"

She watched as the seraph took one last pass over the park before his gaze dropped down onto her. "Stay close," he ordered, and Alex fell in step at his side as he started down the dirt path. "We don't know what we will find."

"I had no intention of going off on my own, thanks." Alex rolled her eyes as they started off up the hill, head lifted as she looked at the forest ahead. "By the state of that parking lot, people don't really come here, and the demon said that his kind keeps their distance from this place."

"How is Dean doing?" Castiel led the way through the trees, his voice surprisingly passive, and Alex glanced up at him in surprise.

"Dean?" she repeated. "He's ... doing the best he can." She shrugged, unsure what else to say. "He's not happy with me after the — after the grace thing, and I don't know ... I mean, is he really that mad, or is it the Mark? I can't predict him any ... shit."

A wide, treeless circle lay before them, the ground decorated with hundreds of mounds of dirt. Graves. Alex's words died her throat as she looked out over the mass graveyard, and despite the cold weather, she felt the hot flames of fear and adrenaline lick at her spine. Castiel pushed past her, and Alex followed, hurrying down the hill to make her way among the mounds. "How many do you think there are?"

Her question went unanswered, and Alex turned to find Castiel kneeling down beside one grave, his phone pressed up against his ear. She crossed over to him, crouching at his side as the seraph turned a white sneaker over in his hands. "He's dead," he told the Winchester on the other line, his face dark with concern. The surprise of the brothers could be heard even from where Alex was, and Castiel tossed the shoe back onto the ground with a dry, "Just call it an educated guess."

"Who's dead?" Alex turned the shoe over to see the name 'Tolliver' written on the sole. Wind cut through the clearing, and Alex shivered, turning to hide her face from the blast. She opened her mouth, ready to comment about the cold, but she fell silent at the sight of a darkly—clad figure standing at the edge of the graves. "C—Cas — hey."

She hit the seraph in the shoulder with the back of her hand to get his attention, and Castiel turned in surprise. "I'll call you back." He hung up, and Alex shifted sideways as the seraph stepped forward to put himself between her and Cain.

"Hello, Castiel." The man strolled forward, dark eyes flickering between the two of them. "It's good to see you again, Alex." He nodded towards her, face growing thoughtful. "I see you've lost your grace. Recently, I believe."

"How ...?"

"I've been keeping an eye on the three of you, yes. I'm guessing it was not long after after you finally killed that innocent child." The look in his eyes intensified, and Alex lifted her chin against the allegation. "You've been dancing there for some time, haven't you? The line between justice and cold-blooded murder. How does it feel to have finally put a foot on the other side?"

Alex felt her jaw tighten, unable to force words through her constricted throat. "What have you done?" Castiel's voice shook angrily as his arms spread out, motioning to the unmarked graves that surrounded the three of them.

Cain's gaze turned out across them, his expression placid and unreadable. "These bodies?" he asked, and Alex curled her fingers in the hem of her jacket to resist reaching for her blade as he turned back to them with a dismissive shake of his head. "Just cleaning up a mess I made a long time ago."

"Cain, I know what you are," the seraph began as the Father of Murder moved closer, and Alex shifted away. "But you resisted for so long."

"What can I say? I got the taste back." Cain chuckled as he came to stop inches from the two of them, his breath warming the icy air. "With Abaddon's army gunning for me, I had to take up arms again, and I liked how it felt."

His words were met with silence, and only when Cain had turned away did Castiel find his voice. "Those were demons," he insisted. "These ..."

"Humans." Cain crouched down to pick up a small, dirty teddy bear that was resting beside one of the graves with a disinterested shrug. "Eh. The Mark thirsts for all kinds."

"This is a massacre."

"Yes. And soon it'll be a genocide." Cain tossed the toy back into the mud as he rose back to his feet. "My children, my whole poisoned issue. A lot of them are out there right now ... killers, fighters, thieves, some more peaceful than others. But they still carry it. The disease." His blue eyes darkened as he regarded the two angels. "If the Mark wants blood, I'll give it mine."

"You'll kill them all?" Disbelief darkened Castiel's face, and Alex watched as his fingers curled and uncurled in unease. "You were Adam and Eve's firstborn. Your descendants are Legion."

"At most, I'm culling ..." Cain paused, thinking, "one out of ten."

"Of everyone."

Cain shrugged, disinterested by the seraph's concern. "I've got time. How's Dean, by the way? I hear he did good, took Abaddon down." He watched as Castiel's face hardened, and he gave a small pout. "He's not well."

"He's having trouble keeping it under control, even without the First Blade," Alex relayed, and she felt both men's gazes turn onto her. "I don't think he's strong enough to fight it on his own. If we don't find a cure —"

She cut off when Cain scoffed. "Cure?" he repeated. "There is no cure. I'm living proof of that. But don't worry about Dean," he promised after a second's pause. "I'll get to him, in due time." Metal glinted in the sunlight, and Cain's eyes flickered across the angel blade in Castiel's hands. "Sorry, Castiel. You're not on my list." Alex shifted back, hand coming up to reach for her own weapon, but she froze when Cain turned to her. "Neither of you are."

The Father of Murder disappeared into thin air, leaving them alone among the dead. A cold wind followed his departure, and Alex flinched away from the icy blast. "What are we going to do?"

Castiel didn't immediately answer, and Alex opened her eyes to see that he had retreated two steps, his phone in his hands. "We should contact the authorities," he decided, and Alex hurried over to him, pressing herself into his arm. "At the very least, revealing his burial site will slow him down until he finds another one."

Alex's eyes turned out over the graves, her face darkening thoughtfully. "Good idea," she finally agreed, glancing back towards her mate. "I'll text Sam ..." She trailed off, frowning to find that Castiel was already ten paces from her side, his phone pressed up against his ear. "I'll text Sam," she repeated to herself, digging her phone out of her jacket pocket as she broke into a run after her mate. "He'll want to know."

Lebanon, Kansas

Alex pushed herself off of the hood of her Marquis as the Lincoln Continental pulled up alongside her, the windows rolled down to let in the warm summer air. The engine died with a spluttered cough, and Alex rolled her eyes as Castiel got out, carefully closing the door as not to damage the car. "I thought I'd lost you about twenty miles back behind that train," she teased as he circled around to stand in front of her, and she leaned up, welcoming the kiss that came in response to her greeting. "You made better time than I expected you to."

"The train wasn't very long." The seraph brushed over her joke, his face set in stone. "Have you spoken to either Winchester yet?"

"Not since we talked on the phone back in Indiana." Alex led the way over to the bunker entrance, her boots echoing on the metal stairs as she jumped down to the door. "I doubt they went anywhere, if that's what you're concerned about." Her theory was confirmed as she pushed her way into the bunker, leaning over the rails to catch sight of both Winchesters sitting in the library. "See?"

"You're back," Sam greeted as the two descended, and he partially closed his laptop as Alex bounded across the room and up the library stairs. "How'd it go?"

"Not good." Alex grimaced in agreement to Castiel's words, and she sat down on the edge of the table as she glanced up at the seraph's darkened face. She heard Dean rise to his feet behind her, the legs of the chair scraping against the wooden floor, and the seraph's gaze turned onto him. "It appears that Cain has been killing off his descendants, and he shows no intention to stop."

"You — you spoke with him?" Shock filled Sam's voice, and Alex watched as he and Dean exchanged worried looks before his hazel eyes flickered down to her. "You didn't mention that."

Castiel nodded, answering for her. "It appears that, even without the Mark, Cain's murderous tendencies have returned." His head tilted so he could watch Dean pace across the room, and his shoulders fell slightly in defeat. "I'm sorry I couldn't bring better news."

"It's not your fault, Cas." Dean swiped a hand through his hair as he came to stop behind his brother, and a small shake of his head emphasized the seraph's vindication. He reached down to paw through the thick stack of folders on the table, a mixture of both old and new research.

"Thank you," Sam added, and the table creaked as he leaned his elbows against it, opening up his laptop once again. "Alright, so I called the sheriff, and he gave me a few names, some preliminary IDs on the bodies."

"And?" Dean asked.

"And it seems to fit with their story," Sam finished with a grim nod, and Dean's fingers tightened on the Men of Letters' folder he held in his hands. "I mean, there's no way to tell the relation to Cain, obviously, but he's wiping out entire families, one after another."

With a sigh, Dean dropped the file back onto the table. "So, who's next? Is he done with the Tollivers?"

"Tolliver?" Alex repeated, and she rose up from the corner of the table with a frown. "That was the name written on the bottom of that shoe Cas found. How do you two know this guy?"

"He's the inmate who escaped death row." Sam let out a reluctant breath, his eyes not lifting from the computer screen. "Yeah. But, uh, it looks like Cain's done." He squinted as he scrolled through the FBI database, lips pursed tightly together in concentration. "I mean, his father didn't have any siblings or any other children I can see, and Tommy was never married, so I ..." He trailed off, hazel eyes darting up and down the screen, and his shoulder fell. "Oh, come on. Dammit."

"What?"

"Tommy did have a son," Sam reported. "Estranged, who lives with his mother in Ohio. Uh ... Austin Reynolds, twelve years old."

"Is the kid still alive?" Dean crossed over to lean against the back of his brother's chair, peering down at the screen, and after a second, Sam nodded.

"As of an hour ago, yeah," he announced, and Alex let a breath of relief escape her lungs. "That's when he updated his Facebook status. But I mean, come on. It's a kid." He looked up from his laptop, eyes turning onto Castiel. "You don't really think Cain would ..."

"Yes, he would."

"There were all sorts of people buried there," Alex agreed darkly. "Men, women, children. Anyone and everyone that carried his blood." She watched as Dean started towards the hallway, and she lifted her voice. "Where are you going?"

"We know where Cain's going to be." Dean's eyes flashed as he turned back to the three of them. "That kid's in danger."

Sam's chair creaked as he twisted to face his brother, a frown on his lips. "Okay, so what, we track him down to Ohio, and then what?"

"Then I'll do what I have to do." The Winchester's eyes narrowed, and Alex watched as one hand came up to tightly grip the Mark. "I'll kill Cain."

He disappeared off towards the bedrooms, and Alex exchanged a look with Sam before the Winchester rose to his feet and hurried after his brother. "Dean, wait!" he called, and with a shrug, Alex followed.

"— he gave me the Mark, Cain said that this day would come," Dean was explaining as he made his way into his room, and Alex fell in step at Sam's side. "That after I killed Abaddon, I would have to come and put him down." He reached for his duffle bag that lay in the corner of his room, tossing it haphazardly onto the bed as he pulled a shotgun off of the hooks on the wall.

"Great." Sam leaned up against the doorway, but a nudge from Alex had him stepping inside to stand beside the bed. "So you're taking orders from a madman."

"No, he wasn't mad then." Dean shoved the weapon into the canvas bag with a shake of his head. "Cain resisted the Mark for a long time, but then I came, kicking up trouble about the Blade. I sent him down this path. This is on me."

"It doesn't mean you have to be the one to go after him," Sam retorted, and he folded his arms across his chest as Dean paused to look over at him.

"Yes, it does," Dean corrected firmly. "And there's only one thing that can kill him."

"The Blade." The word tasted sour on her tongue, and Alex spat it out, mimicking Sam by crossing her arms. "Great."

"Dean's right." A hand came to rest on her shoulder, and Alex's arms fell back to her side as she looked up into Castiel's face; the features, normally so impassive, held traces of concern and frustration carved deep into the lines.

She sighed, ready to give in, but Sam still remained less than convinced. "Dean, wielding the Blade against Cain himself ..." He trailed off as Dean's hand came up to cover the Mark, and his voice cracked slightly as he forced himself to go on. "Win or lose, you may never come back from that fight."

"I know." Dean's arm trembled slightly as he released the mark to zip up his bag, and when he finally looked back up, his green eyes flickered with determination. "But this is my mess, Sammy." He pushed his way past the three of them, and Alex stepped aside to let him through. "I'm the only one who can stop him."

De Graff, Ohio

The Impala rolled to a stop outside a farm home, the headlights darkening as the engine died. "This the place?" Dean slung a hand over the back of the seat as he looked out towards the home, and when Sam nodded, he fully removed the keys from the ignition. "Alright. So what's the plan?"

"We find Austin, and we get him out." Sam threw open the door, and Alex followed, leaving room for Castiel to crawl out beside her. "Hopefully we're not too late." He nodded towards the barn, where light spilled out from the loft. "Cas, take Alex and check the barn. We'll take the house."

The seraph nodded, and Alex fell in step at his side as they crossed the lawn. She stretched open her eyes, trying to see better through the dark, but without her grace, all she could see was darkness. "What do you see?" she asked, taking a step closer to her mate as her toes bumped against something buried in the long grass.

"There's someone upstairs." The barn door opened silently beneath Castiel's touch, and Alex slowly followed him inside. "Stay here. I'll go see who it is."

"Sure thing." Alex did her best to keep the disappointment out of her voice as she took up a post near the door, reaching back to draw her gun as the seraph disappeared up the stairs. She pressed her back up against the doorway, head turned out into the night, and she cocked it slightly to listen for Castiel's returning footsteps. She could see Sam and Dean on the front step of the house, knocking insistently, and she squinted to try and make out the details on their faces when Sam shook his head.

She was so focused on the brothers that Castiel's reappearance at her side had her jumping away. "Austin is upstairs playing with a basketball," he informed her as he swept by, and Alex followed him out into the night. "He's safe."

"Okay, good." Alex tucked her weapon back into her pocket as she and Castiel returned to the Impala, where both Sam and Dean had retired to after knocking on the door. She tucked her hands into her sleeves to fight back the evening's chill as Castiel repeated his findings to both of the brothers.

Sam's face was one of relief, but Dean's eyes remained dark. "Cain will strike soon," he warned. "Maybe tonight, maybe tomorrow, but soon." He looked over at his brother, worry painted across his features as he added, "And when he does ..."

"Yeah, I got it." Sam shoved his hands into the pocket of his jacket with a frown. "You charge in with the Blade solo. And the kid? What, we just watch and wait until Cain attacks? I thought this was a rescue mission."

"We save the kid after Cain shows."

Sam frowned at Dean's firm tone, but Castiel jumped in before he could speak. "We know what Cain's after," he reminded, and Sam's eyebrows lifted in surprise to find Castiel defending his brother. "That's our only advantage. We want to trap Cain, we use it."

"A twelve year old as bait." Sam gave a small, slow shake of his head. "I can't believe what I'm hearing."

"Neither can I." A fourth voice joined the conversation, and Alex's eyes snapped around to lock with Crowley's gaze. The demon was crossing the darkened lawn, the wind tugging at his black coat, and Alex was unable to stifle a grimace of disgust as he came to stop at her side.

Her expression as mirrored by Dean. "What's the matter, Crowley?" he retorted. "You suddenly grow a conscience? Too good to put a minor in danger?"

His sharp words were met by a chuckle that quickly faded away. "I don't give a damn about the kid." Crowley's lips pursed together as he looked between Sam and Dean. "I'm talking about the risk to us."

"There is no us." Dean stepped forward, and Crowley's gaze turned back onto him. "You're here for one reason. That's to hand me the Blade."

"What the hell are you even doing here?" Alex added, and she scowled at how the demon's eyes turned down onto her.

"Didn't you hear? Dean gave me a call about the Blade. Told me this was life or death." Crowley turned back to Dean, an eyebrow cocked at how the Winchester's hand was outstretched, fingers curling expectantly. "So about that." Crowley lifted his chin, and Dean's eyes darkened. "Seeing as this is shaping up to be one of those, uh, two-step capture-then-kill kind of deals, I think your buddies would agree it's better to keep the Blade out of your hands until we've got Cain sewn up. Just to be safe."

Dean looked backwards, searching for support from his friends, but Sam merely shrugged. Alex mimicked him, adding aloud, "Maybe that would be best. Why risk anything before we have to?"

She ignored the triumphant gleam in the King of Hell's eyes. "Now, back to this plan of yours."

"Okay, wise guy. You don't want to use the kid as bait, what do you suggest?" Dean folded his arms across his chest, and even in the dim light, Alex could see the frustration in his gaze. "Huh?"

"Rune of Amaranth." Crowley removed his hand from his pocket to show off a small amber crystal. "Used in the finest occult illusions — it can fool even demons for a time." He tossed the rock up and down twice before returning it to his pocket. "Given the right spell, it should mimic the little tot perfectly."

"Okay, great. We'll use that." Alex turned to look up at Dean, a plan forming in her mind. "Crowley will take Austin somewhere else — somewhere far away. And then we'll wait for Cain."

"You really want to put the kid in my hands?" Crowley scoffed loudly, and Alex fell silent with a frown. "Why don't you play babysitter? You have experience watching over brats." His dark eyes flickered up to Dean, glittering with undisguised amusement."

"You can take him farther away," Alex retorted sharply. "And I'm more use here."

"Are you?" From his other pocket, Crowley produced a small vial of dull grace, and Alex felt her cheeks flush hot with anger. "What exactly are you without this?"

"Alright, alright, that's enough." Dean stepped in between them, hands spread to keep the two at bay. "The kid's not going with either of you, okay? We —"

"Dean." The low rumble of Castiel's voice had the Winchester falling silent, and Alex turned to follow the seraph's gaze. A boy stood in the middle of the darkened lawn, a basketball in his hands, his eyes stretched wide as he stared at the strangers.

"Austin Reynolds?" Dean fumbled in his pockets as he stepped forward, and the boy stepped back. His hands were clenched, and the light in his eyes made him look like he was two seconds from bolting.

"It's okay." Alex moved forward slowly to stand just in front of Dean, hands spread in innocence. "My name is Agent Phillips. We're with the FBI." She motioned back to the Winchester, who had managed to retrieve his fake ID and was holding it out to the young teen. "We're not here to hurt you. Is your mom home?"

"She — she's at work." Despite the tremor in Austin's voice, he held his head high as he addressed her. "She works the overnight shift at the hospital."

"Okay." Alex softened her face, head tilting slightly to one side, and she was rewarded when the boy's posture relaxed slightly. "Is there somewhere you can go? Friends or relatives in the area? It's not safe for you to be alone out here tonight." She pointed to Sam. "That man right there is Agent Ford. He's going to take you to wherever you can go."

"I — my aunt lives in town." Austin's eyes flickered between Alex and Sam, unsurety in his gaze. "Why isn't it safe?"

"There's a man on his way here. A very dangerous man who wouldn't hesitate to harm you." Alex dropped her voice, softening it the best she could. "We're here to stop him, Austin. And we need you to trust us so we can get you somewhere safe." She nodded towards the house, adding, "If you need to call your mom first to let her know where you're going, you can. But we need to move quickly."

"O—Okay." Austin stepped forward hesitantly, and Dean stepped aside to let the child through to Sam.

"Hey." Sam smiled down at the boy, his shoulders hunching slightly to appear less intimidating. "Do you know how to get to your aunt's place?" He accepted the keys from his brother, and Alex turned away to let Sam take control of the situation.

"Alright. You get that rock thing working." Alex pointed to Crowley before her finger turned onto her and Dean. "We need to find a way to trap Cain. What's going to hold him?"

"Devil's trap." Dean's face was grim. "We'll lure him into the barn." He stepped away from the demon, motioning Alex after him. "Let's go. I don't know how long we have."

Alex stood in the loft of the barn, leaning her head up against the wide window as she stared out into the darkened grass below. "How long is this going to take?" She stepped away from the window, lips pursed tightly as she brushed a hand through her hair. She could hear a basketball in the next room, and she peered through the planks that served as a wall to see Austin dribbling the ball in a slow, methodical fashion. She blinked, watching for several more seconds in hopes of catching sight of something — anything — that would indicate that the apparition was the result of a spell, but there was nothing.

"Don't know." Dean was crouched on the floor, his attention on a distinct line of pebbles on the wooden planks. He adjusted one of the stones, pushing it back into place, and Alex sighed when no further explanation came.

The basketball ceased its movement, and Alex watched as the apparition exited the room and descended the barn stairs. Dean looked up only long enough to see the boy disappear before his gaze fell back onto his project.

Alex returned to the window, sitting down on a pile of hay to watch. She could see Austin crossing the grass, and she ducked down when the apparition paused. A second figure stepped out in front of him, and even in the darkness, the ex-angel recognized the form as that of Cain. "Dean." She hissed out the Winchester's name, and green eyes snapped up to meet hers. "He's here. Stay down."

She peered back out through the window in time to see the apparition running back towards the barn, and, although she couldn't see, she knew Sam was there waiting for the boy. Her attention turned back to Cain, hindered by Castiel. The seraph's hand was stretched out, the blue in his eyes glowing in the night air.

She couldn't hear the words spoken, but the wave of Cain's hand had Castiel flying out of the way, and the ex-angel flinched as her mate crashed through a wooden fence. Cain crossed the lawn, and Alex ducked back down, pressing her head into her chest to keep out of sight as the Father of Murder entered the barn. She waved Dean backwards as she jumped forward, hurrying after Sam and Austin into the main room of the loft.

Sam slammed the doors behind her, and Alex threw herself next to him as the doors shuddered beneath Cain's weight. She planted her feet against the floor, teeth grit as she pushed back against the pressure. The door shuddered once, then twice, and then it stopped.

She heard the apparition gasp from behind her, and she spun around to see Cain standing in the middle of the room, a silver knife in his hands. Austin was looking up at him, his eyes stretched wide. "Don't." The apparition's voice was soft, and his feet carried him one step back. "Please, don't."

Cain looked over at Sam and Alex, and Alex squared her jaw as the knife slid into Austin's stomach.

The apparition dissolved in a cloud of purple smoke, and the faint triumph in Cain's eyes faded into realization. "Illusion spell." He twisted the blade in his hands as he watched the smoke dissipate, his lips turning downwards into a thin frown.

"Oh, yeah." Sam stepped forward, head held high. "The real Austin is long gone."

Cain barely seemed to hear him, his attention still on the fading smoke. "Eighteenth century magic," he murmured to himself, and Alex watched as Crowley entered the room from behind the Father of Murder. "If I had to hazard a guess, Rune of Amaranth."

"Good eye," Crowley appraised, and Cain turned his gaze onto him. "Something I picked up from my mother."

"Well, I know you fear me, so I can only assume ..." Can kicked at the straw that covered the loft floor, revealing the thick red line that indicated the edge of the large devil's trap that Alex and Dean had laid down. "Oh. Clever." He lifted his eyes to Alex, and the ex-angel rolled back her shoulders under his gaze. "Won't hold me for long, you know."

"It won't need you." Sam pulled open the barn door and stepped through, and Crowley crossed the room to follow.

Alex turned to fall in step at the demon's side, but an outstretched arm had her pausing with a frown. "I want you to stay here." Crowley kept his voice low, his dark eyes flickering uneasily over to Cain. "Keep an eye on both him and Dean. Don't engage in the fight. That's an order."

Alex squared her jaw, searching the demon's face for any sign that he was willing to negotiate, but his expression, like his tone, was firm. Reluctantly, she nodded, stepping back, and Crowley closed the doors behind him as he followed after Sam. "Do you ever get tired of being told what to do?" Cain's voice had her turning back to face him, and Alex crossed the room with a shake of her head.

"What do you think?" She kicked at the straw, rolling her eyes at the obvious question. "But I do it because I don't have a choice. Unlike you." Her eyes flashed as she lifted her chin to meet Cain's sharp gaze. "You're capable of fighting this — you did it for, what, how many years? And now, all of this galavanting around and killing kin, where does it all end?" A step forward had her standing with her toes against the devil's trap. "The Mark isn't going to be satisfied when you kill off all your descendants. It's going to want more and more until there's no one left."

"Do you know why I gave Dean the Mark instead of you?" Cain met her at the line, his own boots scuffing against the planks as his toes met the painted trap. "Because you can't carry it. It's not in your blood." Alex lifted her chin, and the Father of Murder let out a low chuckle. "Now Dean, he shares my blood. The evil that taint my line, that's always been a part of him. But not you." The man's sharp blue eyes glinted as he tipped his head, and his voice dropped in to a low, thoughtful murmur. "The evil inside you is something new entirely."

His gaze turned upwards at the sound of the barn door opening, and Alex stepped back as his lips curled up into a smile. "Hello, Dean." He straightened his back, lifting his head higher as he waited for the Winchester to return the greeting, but when nothing came, his smile grew. "At a loss for words, my son?" he taunted. "Allow me. This is the part where you tell me it's not too late and I can lay down my arms, abandon my mission. 'We don't have to fight.' "

"I'll spare us the formalities." Dean's fingers squeezed the First Blade, his knuckles paling from his tight grip, and green eyes turned onto Alex with a displeasing frown. "Get out of here."

"No." Alex took two more steps back before firmly planting her feet in the straw. "I can't, Dean. Crowley told me to stay until this was finished."

"As long as you're in here, you're a liability." Dean's tone left little room for disagreement, but when Alex merely lifted her chin defiantly, the Winchester shrugged. "Suit yourself." He moved forward towards Cain, and Alex let her muscles relax as his attention turned onto the man. "You're past talking down, Cain. You're fully mental."

"Oh, I prefer to think I've finally gotten it clear." Cain's feet carried him along the edge of the devil's trap, and Dean followed, his arm and the Blade trembling in anticipation. "When I made my bargain with Lucifer, killed Abel, I released a stain upon the earth, a stain deeper and far more lasting than mere precedence."

"Your bloodline's tainted, so you say."

"So I know," Cain retorted, and he came to a stop, turning fully to face Dean. "Not all killers are my descendants, and not all of my descendants are killers, but enough are, enough for me to know that extinguishing them is the least I owe this world." He tipped his head, studying Dean, and he asked, "Can you honestly tell me that humanity's not better off with fewer Tommy's and fewer Leon's ... fewer you's?"

"And what about the kid?" Dean challenged.

"He could go either way," came the measured response. "I prefer to be thorough." Cain's eyes dropped down to the First Blade, and his head tilted again. "How's it feel, Dean, to be holding the Blade again?"

The old jaw bone caught in the dim light of the barn as Dean lifted it, turning it in his hands to study its deadly features. "It feels like a means to an end." He moved across the painted line, entering the devil's trap, and Cain sidestepped to make room.

"Then do it." The man stepped back as Dean lunged forward, and Alex settled herself warily against the wall, arms crossed as she watched the man duck out of the hunter's way. The two danced across the trap, Dean's blows never hitting their mark, but the first blow from Cain sent the hunter sprawling onto the ground. He stepped back, waiting for Dean to clamber back to his feet, and on the next swing of the Blade, Cain grabbed Dean's wrist.

The two stood motionless, muscles straining as they both fought for control of the weapon, and Alex's arms fell back to her side, hands stuffed into her pockets as she watched from the sidelines. "I think you can do better," Cain hissed. A punch to his face had his head snapping to one side, but his grip on the Blade didn't waver. "Unless ... you're holding back." Dean's fist came at him again, and he caught hold, squeezing tight to hold it motionless as they continued struggling for the weapon. "What is it, Dean?" Cain goaded, his voice strained with effort. "Do you think if you hold back enough, you won't succumb, that you'll leave this fight the same way you entered?"

With a sudden burst of strength, Cain threw Dean onto the ground, First Blade and all, and the Winchester hit the floor with a dull, heavy thud. "Look at my example, boy!" Cain's voice cut through the air, as loud as thunder, and Dean's head fell back as he struggled to regain the breath that had been knocked from his lungs. "There is no resisting the Mark or the Blade. There is only remission and relapse!"

The man dropped to his knees, fingers curling in Dean's jacket as he pulled the Winchester close, and the moment his free hand tightened into a fist, Alex was on her feet. "Hey!" The ex-angel managed to take two steps before a cold, forceful wind knocked her off her feet. Her back hit the far wall, and a breathless cry left her lips as she crashed to the ground.

"You told me that day would come." Dean grabbed at Cain's jacket, forcing the man's attention back on him. "You told me that I would have to kill you!"

"Is that so?" The same force had Dean flying across the room, and the First Blade fell from the Winchester's hands as he hit the wooden wall. Cain rose to his feet, his tongue clicking as he regarded the two hunters. "I'm afraid you've misunderstood my intentions here, Dean. When your pet angels found my burial site, I thought about ending them and swatting them like flies." His eyes turned onto Alex as she pushed herself back to her feet, grunting at the pain in her ribs. "But then," he continued, turning back to where Dean was likewise forcing himself to his feet, "I thought about you. Your biggest weakness, the thing I noticed the moment I met you — your courage, your reckless bravado. I let them both go, knowing they would report back to you, knowing you would bring into the battle the one thing that can kill me, the one thing I truly want."

The First Blade slid across the floor on its own volition, the handle scraping against the wooden planks as it shot toward Cain. The Father of Murder trapped it with his boot, and Alex felt her footsteps falter halfway to the devil's trap. "Oh, it's been too long." Cain knelt to pick up the First Blade, his eyes flickering closed as his fingers curled around the handle. "That old feeling makes me wonder how I ever had the strength to resist." His eyes opened at the sound of Dean's rushing footsteps, and he caught the Winchester by the throat.

Dean's eyes stretched open wide, and his hands scrabbled against Cain's wrist as he tried to pry the fingers from his neck. "This may be hard to believe," the man began as Dean gasped for air, "in light of what I'm about to do to you, but I care about you, Dean. I truly do. But I know I'm doing you a favor. I'm saving you."

The First Blade glinted in his hands, and Alex's feet carried her another step forward. "Stop!" The word rattled in Dean's throat as he stretched a hand out towards her, and Alex halted. Her grey eyes reached his face, looking for any sign of deception, but there was nothing but firm determination. "Saving me from what?" he wheezed, eyes rolling back up onto Cain, and he let out a breathless gasp as the hand on his throat tightened.

"From your fate." Cain flung Dean to the ground, and the Winchester grunted as he skidded across the straw. "Has it never occurred to you?" Cain kicked Dean in the ribs, rolling the Winchester onto his back. "Have you never mused upon the fact that you're living my life in reverse? My story began when I killed your brother, and that's where your story will inevitably end."

"No." Dean's head rolled back against the straw as he shook his head. "Never." He pushed himself upwards on shaking arms, but a kick to the sternum sent him falling back.

"It's called the Mark of Cain for a reason!" Cain's voice boomed through the small room, his lips pulled back in a snarl before it faded away. "First ... first, you'd kill Crowley." He twisted the First Blade in his hand, a foot pinning Dean to the ground, and Alex reached back, her fingers curling uncertainly around the handle of her gun. "There'd be some strange, mixed feelings on that one, but you'd have your reasons. You'd get it done, no remorse." He dropped down to his knees, straddling the Winchester with one hand wrapped tightly in the hunter's jacket. "And then you'd kill the angel Castiel. That I suspect would hurt something awful." He chuckled, and the First Blade pressed against Dean's neck as his eyes turned onto Alex.

The ex-angel froze, her gun in her hands, but Cain only let out a scornful laugh. "And then you'd kill her." His voice was low with malice, and Alex looked away, unable to hold the man's sharp gaze. Her eyes met Dean's, watching as the Winchester's teeth grit. "Now that ... killing your little sister would push you right up against the edge. And you'd ask yourself how you could ever survive it." The Blade pressed tighter against his neck, and Cain lowered his head, his face inches from Dean's. "But the truth is, you won't be able to. Because after that, then comes the murder that would finally turn you into as much of a savage as me."

"No." The word was choked out, and Alex pulled back the hammer on her gun, fingers digging into the metal of the trigger guard as she wavered in indecision; Cain was too close to Dean to risk a shot.

"Your brother, Sam." Cain continued on, oblivious to Alex and her weapon. "The only thing standing between you and that destiny is this Blade. You're welcome, my son." Cain reared up, the Blade rising to strike, and Alex saw her chance.

The bullet tore through Cain's skull, entering just below the ear, and the impact sent the Father of Murder reeling back. A snarl erupted from his lips, and then Cain was on his feet, Dean forgotten. "You." The look on the man's face was less than human, and Alex shift back as the floorboards cracked beneath his anger, breaking the devil's trap and freeing him from his prison. "You should have stayed on the sidelines."

Three steps carried him across the room, and Alex pressed her back into the wall, jaw clenched in fear. His hand raised, the First Blade flashing through the air, and Alex flinched away for the blow that never came.

The weapon clattered to the ground, the sound drowned out by a howl of pain, and Alex's eyes snapped open to see Cain's bloodied arm, the hand severed at the wrist. The man dropped to his to knees as he cradled his wound, and Alex pressed herself further into the wall as Dean discarded a large, bloody knife in exchanged for the First Blade.

Cain's teeth grit as the Winchester circled around to stand behind him, and the Father of Murder lifted his gaze to Alex's face. "What's the matter?" he taunted, and Alex looked over at the hesitant hunter.

"Tell me I don't have to do this." Dean's voice was on the edge of a plea, the Blade clenched tightly in his hand. "Tell me that you'll stop. Tell me you can stop!"

Cain's voice dropped low, intense and quiet. "I will never stop."

The First Blade plunged deep into Cain's back, and Alex forced herself to look away as Cain died. She felt his body collapse in front of her, and the ex-angel lifted her gaze to Dean's eyes. The green irises were barely visible beneath his dilated pupils, and his chest heaved as he gripped the bloody First Blade. "Thank you." Alex sidestepped the corpse, a wary eye on the trembling Winchester. "Dean. Dean." She watched as Dean's gaze snapped over to her. "Let's go downstairs."

The Winchester silently led the way, and Alex followed as they moved down the rickety wooden stairs. Sam stood in the room below, Crowley and Castiel at his side, and at the sight of his brother, Dean's shoulders fell. "Dean?" Sam's voice trembled slightly at Dean's beaten face and quivering muscles, and the concern on his face grew when Dean didn't acknowledge him. "We heard a shot fired. What happened?"

"Dean," Crowley repeated, and his hand extended expectantly towards the bloody weapon. "The Blade."

Dean turned at the demon's words, his eyes dropping onto the ancient jawbone, and Alex watched as he slowly held it out. The weapon bypassed Crowley's open hand, instead turning onto Castiel, and the seraph blinked in surprise as he accepted the bloodstained bone. Crowley's face twisted in outrage, his eyes darkening furiously. "You lied to me."

"It's not the first time today." Dean spoke slowly, his voice firm and deliberate. "Cain's list ... you weren't on it."

Crowley's eyes turned onto Alex, fire dancing deep within them. "You. Did you know this as going to happen?"

"They didn't tell me anything." Alex kept her tone level the best that she could as she addressed the fuming King of Hell, chin lifted. "Dean didn't say how he got you to agree to hand over the Blade. And honestly, I didn't ask. The less I knew, the less I had to tell you."

The demon let out a frustrated snarl, but, faced with all four of them, he vanished into thin air. The moment he was gone, Dean collapsed into his brother. "Hey, hey, hey." Sam wrapped his arms around him, supporting his brother the best that he could. "You did it. Dean, you did it." He guided Dean down to sit on the stairs, and his eyes lifted onto Alex, a plea in his gaze. "What happened up there?"

"Nothing we couldn't handle." Alex reached back to tuck her gun into her jeans, shaking her head as she looked down at Dean. The Winchester's eyes were half-lidded and distant, and the ex-angel pursed her lips. "I can tell you the details later. Once Dean's back somewhere safe."

She felt Castiel come to rest at her side, and as an arm wrapped around her waist, she finally felt the adrenaline fade, leaving behind exhaustion and pain. "Alex is right. The three of you should return to the bunker." The seraph's gaze dropped down to the Blade. "I need to take this somewhere safe. I will meet you there as soon as I can."

"Alright." Relief softened Sam's face, and he slowly helped Dean to his feet. "Thanks, Cas."

"Thanks," Alex echoed as the two disappeared out of the barn, and she finally let her head loll back against her mate's shoulder, eyes shut. "Don't be gone long."

Castiel's lips pressed against her hair. "I'll return as soon as I can," he promised. "Go with the Winchesters and get some rest. You can't push yourself as hard as you could with your grace." He nodded off towards the open barn door, and, with a quick departing kiss, Alex followed after Sam.

Lebanon, Kansas

The memory of fire woke her, and Alex jerked awake with a strangled gasp. She could feel the heat of the flames on her skin, and the acrid tang of smoke and burning flesh still stung at her nose. Her eyes snapped open, but she was met only with the cool, dark interior of her bedroom. The light from the bunker's halls spilled in from beneath the door, and Alex shut her eyes as she willed her heat to slow. With a shiver, she swung herself out of bed, grimacing at the pain that had sunk into her bones overnight. Her ribs ached with each breath, and the ex-angel grunted as she bent down to search for a sweatshirt she had discarded late last night. She pulled the thick fabric over her head, rolling up the oversized sleeves before she shuffled out of her room. "Sam?" Alex lifted her voice as she made her way down the hall towards the library. "That you?"

"Hey. You're up." Chair legs scraped as Sam pushed himself to his feet to greet her, concern darkening his hazel eyes. "How are you feeling?"

"Exhausted. Sore." Alex watched as Sam sat back down, and she dropped down into the chair next to him, leaning her head up against his shoulder as she stifled a groan. "How's Dean?" she asked, letting her eyes fall closed. "Is he still asleep?"

"He hasn't stirred since we got back." The muscles in Sam's shoulder twitched as he typed on the keyboard, and Alex opened her eyes to watch him work. The Winchester paused, and Alex tilted her head up to look into his face. "So ... what exactly happened last night?"

"Dean killed Cain." The ex-angel closed her eyes again, the memories from the barn flashing through her mind. "Cain told him that there was no escape from the Blade and that ... that Dean was living his life in, uh, in reverse. With that Mark, it's Dean destiny to kill all of us. Crowley, Cas, me, then you."

Sam's shoulders tensed, and Alex reluctantly pulled her head away. "That's not going to happen." Hazel eyes turned down onto her, and the girl nodded.

"I know," she promised, "but ... but it doesn't matter what we believe, does it? Only if Dean does." She glanced over at Sam's shoulder, tempted to return to it, but she reluctantly chose to drop her head down onto the table. "Have you heard anything from Charlie and that weird Book thing?"

"Nothing yet. She usually checks in at the end of the week." Sam's head swiveled at the sound of a door slamming, and Alex squeezed her eyes shut, trying to pick up on any approaching footsteps. It was Dean for sure — Castiel was still out with the First Blade — but she couldn't pinpoint his location. "Looks like Dean's up." Sam spoke up, and Alex lifted her head. "I'm going to go see how he's doing."

The Winchester walked away, and Alex waited only a few second before she followed after him. She could smell the faint scent of coffee, made earlier in the day by Sam, and she followed her nose to the kitchen. "Morning," she heard Sam say, and he was answered by a low, tired grunt.

Dean stood by the kitchen counter, a ceramic mug in his hands as he poured himself a cup of coffee from the glass pot. He didn't look up as Alex entered, his dull green eyes focused on his drink, and Alex frowned at his bruised, the scrapes accentuated by the paleness of his skin. He let out another grunt of frustration as he watched the last few drops fall into his cup.

"Here. Let me make some more." Sam stepped forward to take the coffee pot. "I think I need another cup myself."

"Yup." Dean easily relinquished his grip and crossed the room to sit down at the kitchen table, his steps still unsteady, but stronger than they had been when they had first returned to the bunker.

Alex glanced over at Sam with a small frown, and her concerned look was matched as the Winchester filled the coffee reservoir with tap water. The machine hummed as it started, and Alex leaned up against the doorway as she watched Dean take a sip from his mug.

Neither Sam nor Dean spoke while the coffee brewed; Dean's eyes were distant, lost in his thoughts, and Sam watched him silently. He didn't speak again until the machine stopped. "Dean, um ... " he began, picking up the coffee pot to pour himself a mug, "what you did back there ... it was incredible. You know, if you can do that without losing yourself ..." He crossed the room to sit down across from his brother, and Dean finally lifted his head to meet Sam's gaze. "That's cause for hope, even without a cure."

"Yeah." Dean's response was distant, and his eyes dropped back down onto his mug. "Maybe." The sound of footsteps approaching had him looking up, and Alex turned to see Castiel enter the room, blue eyes drifting across the four of them. "So, where's the Blade?"

"Somewhere safe." Castiel stopped at Alex's side, a hand coming to rest on her shoulder momentarily, and Alex leaned into his shoulder with a tired hum.

"Good." Dean pushed himself to his feet with a shake of his head. "Well, if you guys will excuse me, I think I'm gonna go sleep for four days." He brushed past them, pausing briefly to pat Castiel on the shoulder, and the seraph watched him go with a contemplative frown.

"How is he?" He looked down at Alex, but the ex-angel just shrugged, deflecting the question onto Sam with a nod of her head. Castiel understood, turning his gaze to the Winchester. "Sam?"

"Cas ..." Sam's eyes watered slightly, and the hunter blinked, shaking his head to chase away the tears. "Dean's in trouble." His gaze turned towards the door through which his brother had disappeared, and he shook his head again, slow with fear and regret. "He ..."

"Give him time." Alex stepped away from her mate to sit down across from Sam, eyes flickering up to see Castiel's concerned features. She knew her voice sounded as hopeless as she felt, and the ex-angel squared her jaw in an attempt to cheer the hunter up. "He's recovering from the fight and from the Blade. That takes time. Maybe ... maybe he's stronger than you think."

Sam hesitated, and his hazel eyes flickered with hope. "Maybe," he reluctantly admitted, and he pushed himself to his feet. "I'm going to go call Charlie. Maybe she's found something." He picked up his mug and disappeared out of the kitchen, and Alex leaned back in her chair with a drawn-out sigh.

"What about you?" she asked, tipping her head back to look at Castiel. "Are you going to stick around for a bit?"

"Not today." Castiel stepped up behind her, warm hands coming to rest on her shoulders. "I promised Hannah I would meet with her to discuss heaven's options for restructuring. I won't be gone long." He bent down, lips pressing against her blonde hair, and Alex closed her eyes with a reluctant hum. The kiss lingered a second longer before the seraph pulled back, and Alex let her head fall to her chest as his footsteps faded away.