Singer Salvage Yard, Sioux Falls, South Dakota

    Dean hadn't gotten much sleep that night. He was kept awake by soft whimpers escaping Cassandra's lips and her constant flinching. She woke up once, almost yelling as she shot up, but Dean was there to comfort her before she could break down. He held her in his arms and played with her hair while she slowly fell back to sleep. He could tell she was fighting it. Her eyelids would droop but she'd quickly open them again, too afraid to let the nightmares take over again. Finally Dean had assured her that he'd wake her up if she had another nightmare. She went to sleep after that.

    So the next morning when Dean trudged down the stairs, Cassandra still tangled in the blankets on his bed, he looked worse than he had the day before. Sam arched an eyebrow at his older brother as he handed him a cup of coffee.

    "Did you get any sleep?" Sam asked. Dean shook his head and took a sip. "Why don't Bobby and I take care of her today and you get sleep? I really don't think she'd mind."

    Dean opened his mouth to argue when Bobby wheeled in, cutting the Hunter off.  "Dean, you need sleep. It's been two weeks since you've gotten more than two hours. Go back to bed. Sam and I got her. She'll be fine," Bobby told him. Dean glanced between the two warily before sighing, reluctantly giving in. He handed the coffee back to Sam. "Sam can bring her down here and she can sleep on the couch if she's not yet awake."

    Understanding Bobby's orders, both Winchester brothers went back up to the room Dean always stayed in and nudged the door open. Sam rounded the bed and pulled the blankets back, carefully scooping the blonde up in his arms. She didn't wake up but she shifted slightly.

    "Get some sleep, Dean," Sam whispered. Dean nodded and crawled under the warm covers where Cassandra had just been while Sam left the room, managing to turn the light off in the process.

    Sam quickly made his way down the stairs, tucking the blonde's legs closer to him when he rounded the corner. Bobby looked up upon his entry, frowning when he saw just how bruised and beaten Cassandra truly was. Now that all of the blood was gone he could see it clearly. But that's what was only on her face, neck, and hands.

    "Jesus. Michael really did a number on her," Bobby muttered as Sam laid her down across the couch. The younger Winchester nodded and sighed.

    "Yeah. But the way Dean looked at her when I picked her up, I have a feeling there's a lot more we can't see," Sam replied. Bobby nodded. "Did Jody tell you anything besides that she was dead?"

    The Hunter sighed and shook his head. "No, not really. She probably thought that Death was raising more zombies so she called me. I'm just glad she didn't take her to a hospital. I don't know how we'd lie ourselves out of that one," Bobby explained. Sam nodded and grabbed his laptop before walking over to the couch, taking the empty spot next to the blonde's legs. It was only a few minutes of his fingers dancing across the keyboard before he pulled up the report.

    "Woah."

    Bobby looked up.

    "Well, there are pictures of her when they first found her. Uh, a woman was going for a run when she saw her on the riverbank. Called the cops but left shortly after that. Look at this," Sam said. He turned the laptop around so that Bobby could see it. His eyebrows rose at the picture.

    Cassandra had been covered in more blood than dirt so Sam figured that one of the angels had just planted her there, probably for he or Dean to find. Her skin was a sickly pale. A purple handmark wrapped around her throat and it was clear that Michael had choked her before throwing her around. A few nails were broken, almost as if she were fighting to get away, and when Sam scrolled down he found a photo they had taken of her torso. MONSTER was still clear across her skin but it was mostly covered by black bruises all over.

    Below that photo had been another. Her hair was moved to the side, exposing the back of her neck. There was a hole, almost as if she had been stabbed, but it was  the marking that the blade had left that they knew all too well.

    "Bobby...she shouldn't even be alive," Sam muttered. He looked up towards the immobilized Hunter. "She was stabbed through the neck with an angel blade. Her Grace can't save her from a weapon like that."

    "So, then why, after a week and a half of being dead, did she suddenly come back to life? Who or what brought her back?"

    Sam shrugged. "Beats me. Joshua told us that God was done saving her and obviously it wasn't Michael since he's  most likely the one that killed her. I can't think of anyone who would bring her back. Heaven sees her as an enemy," Sam replied. Bobby sighed and nodded, his gaze shifting over to the blonde. She turned onto her back in discomfort before her eyebrows furrowed. Her eyes fluttered open a moment later. "You're awake," Sam said with a smile. She nodded groggily and reached up to rub her eyes but stopped, cringing.

    "Take it easy, girl," Bobby said. "You just came back to life and you're still pretty beat up. You need to rest." Cassandra managed to sit up and shook her head, her tongue swiping across her lips before she let out a huff.

    "No, I need to kill something." She leaned her head back on the couch and closed her eyes, struggling to catch her breath. "God, I was so stupid to actually believe—"

    "Cassandra, stop," Sam interrupted. She turned her head towards him. "We're not mad. We're worried. You're a mess. You need to allow yourself to rest. And stop beating yourself up over this. He played you. It's what angels do."

    "I know why he took Adam."

    Bobby wheeled closer to the couch, arching an eyebrow at her.

    "Adam has Winchester blood. He's suitable to be a vessel. Dean won't say yes but Adam will. He's not strong enough to hold out as long as Dean would. He'll give in. I know it. Especially when Michael feeds him bullshit about me," Cassandra explained. Sam and Bobby exchanged glances. "I don't know for sure, but it's the only thing that makes sense."

    "Dammit," Sam hissed.

    "Look, we're back to square one. All of our plans have failed unless there's something you haven't told me yet. I want to fight. I want my revenge on that bastard so tell me how we can get it. Dean says you guys spoke to Gabriel before Lucifer killed him. What'd he say?"

    Bobby and Sam exchanged reluctant glances. Cassandra caught on, looking between the two with raised eyebrows. Sam shook his head, almost as if they were communicating telepathically. "Dean said—"

    "I don't care what Dean said," Bobby snapped. "She needs to know. Gabriel left it for her. She needs to see it."

    "See what?" the blonde questioned warily. Sam sighed and looked back to the Nephilim.

    "Before Gabriel confronted Lucifer he gave us a DVD. It told us a way to lock Lucifer up instead of killing me." Cassandra leaned forward slightly, intrigued. "He also gave us another DVD that was meant specifically for you.  We didn't watch it yet but I know Dean wanted to wait to tell you. I guess he just thought that you weren't ready yet."

    "'Not ready'?" Cassandra repeated in disbelief.

    "You just came back to life, Cassandra. You're still shaken up and jumpy. We don't want to put too much on your plate," Sam defended.

    "Sam, this is the Apocalypse we're talking about. My sanity doesn't matter. What the hell did Gabriel say?"

    Sam only sighed and got up, making his way over to the liquor cabinet and pulling out a DVD. Cassandra arched an eyebrow at him and he shrugged. "You don't drink. It seemed like the best place," Sam said. She rolled her eyes and slowly got up, walking over to the Hunter and snatching the DVD from his hands. She turned it over in her grasp before looking back up to him.

    "Why are you giving me a porno?" she asked, holding up the case. Sam scratched the back of his head.

    "Gabriel had a sense of humor," Sam replied simply. She eyed the DVD warily before walking over to the couch and sitting down, grabbing Sam's laptop from the table. She opened it up and typed in the password. "How do you know my password?"

    "It's not that hard to guess," she muttered distractedly. Her eyes skimmed over the report from the riverbank before she quickly exited out of it, unable to read anymore. She popped open the case instead and slid the DVD in. Sam and Bobby made no move so she looked up. "Well, do you wanna see what he has to say or am I alone in this?"

    "Even after getting your ass handed to you you still have an attitude," Bobby grumbled, wheeling towards her and positioning his wheelchair next to the couch. The blonde rolled her eyes.

    "Bite me, Singer," she snapped as Sam sat down on the other side of her. She hit play and leaned back, furrowing her eyebrows when a short brunet popped up on the screen. "Wait a minute. I know him."

    "You do?" Sam inquired. Cassandra nodded, pressing her tongue between her lips in thought. Her eyes widened and she gasped.

    "He was my religion professor Sophomore year of college. Funny as hell but a damn good teacher." Cassandra let out a small laugh. "No wonder why he knew so much. He was part of it." She turned up the volume and focused her attention on the computer screen. She bit back a snicker at the half naked women in the background before Gabriel appeared alone in a motel room.

    "Cassandra Moore. I have yet to meet you as your family which breaks my heart. But you do have to admit I was a damn good Religion professor," he started. A small smile tugged at Cassandra's lips. "If you're watching this then it means I'm dead. It's a shame. I was so young. But no reason to dwell on the past, let's talk about the future. Whatever lies Michael has fed you, push them all to the back of your mind. He's always been a liar. Sam and Dean told me how you met Joshua. You are the Savior, Cass. Joshua was telling the truth."

    "What are you, the next Jesus?" Bobby asked. The Nephilim shrugged, never tearing her gaze away from the laptop.

    "As the boys had told you, there's a way to stop Lucifer. The Cage that you pulled him out of, you can shove his ass right back in with the rings of the Four Horsemen. The only problem with that is that Michael won't let you get away with it that easily. He's going to do everything he can to stop you, even if it means killing you. He was never a good father."

    Cassandra's heart clenched in her chest at the memories of Michael flinging her around. She could see a part of a silver blade out of the corner of her eye in the memory but she ignored it.

    "In the mansion that he left for you is an arsenal of Heavenly weapons. Most of them were created specifically for you, but there's one in particular that I snuck in there when he kidnapped you. You can absorb power from other angels as they die. It's like stealing their Grace. In the basement is a black box. Inside that is a vial full of Grace. Don't ask me how I got it, it doesn't matter. Before the big battle I need you to take that. It'll bring you to full power and you'll be strong enough to shove Lucifer back in and kill Michael."

    Sam, Bobby, and Cassandra all exchanged wide eyed glances. There was a way to win against both Heaven and Hell. They just needed to find a way to Nebraska and get the Grace before Michael figures it out.

    "You're the only one who can stop this, Cass. It's your destiny. Your creation may have been a mistake but something good will come out of it. Kick my brothers' asses for me, will ya? I believe in you. I've always believed in you. I have since the moment you were born."

    Gabriel glanced over his shoulder, almost as if someone were coming, before looking back to the camera. Cassandra furrowed her eyebrows and cocked her head to the side slightly in curiosity.

    "Despite what you may think, I love you. You're my niece. Now go save Humanity. They need you."

    The video cut out and the screen went blank. Cassandra slowly closed the lid of the laptop and stared straight ahead in thought. She could kill Michael, getting her revenge, and throw Lucifer back where he came from. She could stop everything.

    "Cassandra?" Bobby asked cautiously. "What exactly are you thinking?"

    She was silent for a moment, her lips parting slightly as she hesitated to reply. She sucked in a sharp breath. "I need to kill Michael." She looked to Sam. "How do we get the Horsemen's rings?"

    "Well, we already have War and Famine's. Now we just need Pestilence and Death's."

    "Easier said than done," Cassandra grumbled. Sam nodded in agreement. "Alright. Well, do we know how to track them?"

~*~

    Hours later, after Dean had woken up and he and Cassandra had gotten dressed, the brothers found themselves in the kitchen while Bobby stayed in the library with Cassandra. The echo of yelling brought Bobby and the Nephilim towards the kitchen in intrigue, watching as Dean started to leave the room while yelling.

    "What the hell is wrong with you?" Dean shouted. Cassandra and Bobby exchanged confused glances.

    "Dean—"

"No, don't 'Dean' me. I mean, you — you have had some stupid ideas in the past, But this—" Dean turned to Bobby. "Did you know about this?"

"What?" Bobby and Cassandra chorused.

"About Sam's genius plan to say yes to the devil?" Dean clarified. The blonde's eyes widened and she looked to Sam, her lips parted in shock. He sent her an apologetic glance. Bobby sighed but nodded. "Well, thanks for the heads up!"

"Hey, this ain't about me," Bobby defended. Dean turned back to Sam, pointing a finger at him.

"You can't do this."

"That's the consensus," Sam replied. Dean nodded, scoffing.

"Alright. Awesome. Then end of discussion." Dean's phone rang, grabbing everyone's attention. He looked back over to his little brother. "This isn't over." He brought the phone to his ear. "Hello?"

"Are you fucking crazy?" Cassandra hissed at Sam, walking towards him while clutching her ribs. "We just got away from Michael and now you want to say yes to Lucifer? Have you gone mad?"

"Cassandra—"

"No! Sam, there's no justable way to defend this. This is the Devil. Either you've forgotten that or you've really gone off the rails," she growled. Sam leaned forward and narrowed his hazel eyes at the blonde.

"At least I haven't actually said yes and gotten myself killed over it," Sam retorted. Cassandra scowled and shoved him back. Sam stumbled into the counter before shoving her in return. She ran into Dean who caught her effortlessly, steadying her back on her feet. Cassandra went to lunge for Sam when Dean's voice cut her off.

"Cas?"

Sam's and Cassandra's heads snapped towards the Hunter.

"He's alive?" Cassandra inquired at the same time Sam asked, "Is he okay?"

"We all thought you were dead. Where the hell are you, man?"

Cassandra tried her best to listen in but she couldn't. She still wasn't strong enough to use any of her powers.

"Are you okay?" Dean asked Cas on the other line. He was silent for a moment before replying. "You want to elaborate?...S-so, a hospital?"

Sam and Cassandra exchanged confused glances, but Cassandra quickly narrowed her eyes into a glare at him. Sam rolled his eyes and scoffed in disbelief. If they hadn't wanted to know what Castiel was saying so badly then they would've been throwing punches at each other, Cassandra probably getting her ass kicked.

"Uh, well, I got to tell you, man — You're just in time. We figured out a way to pop Satan's box," they heard Dean say. Cassandra went to slip from Dean's grasp when he glared down at her, stopping her. She held her arms up in surrender and leaned against him instead. "It's a long story, but, look—we're going after Pestilence now. So if you want to zap over here..." Dean's eyebrows furrowed and he glanced down at Cassandra. "What do you mean? You're out of angel mojo?"

She looked up, her eyes widening. If her powers were weak and Cas was drained then they were completely and utterly screwed going against a Horseman.

"Human. Wow. Sorry."

Cassandra threw her arms up in defeat and Dean let her go. She walked past Sam, sending him a nasty look in the process, and grabbed a glass to get some water. She made her way over to the fridge, still listening to Dean's words as he leaned back on the table and ran a hand down his face.

"Alright. Well, look, no worries. Uh, Bobby's here. He'll wire you the cash."

Bobby's eyebrows rose as he stared back at the Hunter is shock and disbelief. "I will?" he questioned.

"Cas...I-it's okay," Dean said, ignoring Bobby. Suddenly his face seemed almost annoyed and he glanced over to Cassandra with a 'what the fuck' expression as she sipped her water. She only shrugged, unsure of what was going on. "Thank you. I appreciate that," he said unconvincingly. After a moment Dean opened his mouth to reply when he pulled the phone away, raising his eyebrows at it. The blonde concluded that Castiel had hung up. Cassandra instantly turned back to Sam.

"You're crazy!"

"Yeah, well, at least I'm not stupid!" Sam shot back instantly.

Dean and Bobby looked at each other before looking back to the bickering Hunters.

"I was helping angels, not the literal Devil! I wasn't allowing anyone into my body!"

Sam arched an eyebrow at her, deciding to hit her personally. "Oh, really? You haven't allowed anyone into your body? 'Cause you and Dean seemed to be alone in that bathroom together last night and this morning for a long time. Is that how you get him to forgive you for going off the rails? You just sleep with him?" Sam argued. Dean's eyes widened and Cassandra's mouth fell agape in shock while Bobby let out a low whistle.

"Oh boy," Bobby muttered.

Cassandra reached forward and slapped Sam across the face. Sam quickly retaliated and pushed her. She caught her balance easily before landing a blow to his gut.

"Hey! Hey! Hey!" Dean yelled, stepping between them. Sam stood up straighter and went to punch her back when Dean pushed on his chest, keeping him away. He did the same to the blonde, separating them. "Would you two quit it? Now isn't the time to act like an old married couple!"

"That'd be domestic violence, but I'd be happy to beat his ass," Cassandra growled, never tearing her gaze away from Sam. Dean rolled his eyes the moment Sam opened his mouth to reply.

"You'd be on the floor if I just slapped you. Without your angel juice you're just as weak as you were when we first found you. Not so high and mighty now, huh, Savior?" Sam retorted. Cassandra ducked under Dean's arm and lunged for Sam but Dean quickly grabbed onto her, wrapping his arms around her torso and arms and holding her back.

"You're just pissed that Gabriel said it was me who gets to defeat them and not you. We're only in this problem because you let a demon influence you to let Lucifer out! At least it was my own father who I trusted!" Cassandra shouted. Bobby sat back and watched, unable to do anything, while Dean pulled his girlfriend back, struggling not to hurt her what with how injured she was.

"Low blow," Sam sneered. The blonde's blood red lips curled into a smirk and she shrugged.

    "Are we not going to mention the fact that you also got all hopped up on demon blood in the process? If that doesn't say freak then I don't know what does!"

    "How is demon blood worse than the entire world relying on a girl with nine suicide attempts, two deadbeat dads, broken Grace, and giving in to the first person who showed her any type of affection?"

    "Hey!" Bobby roared. Every head turned towards him, falling silent. "Would you two shut up? You were both stupid. I thought you two forgave each other already!"

    "She's acting all innocent in this!" Sam argued.

    "He's accusing me of being a whore!" Cassandra added. Bobby and Dean both rolled their eyes at Sam and Cassandra, Dean shaking his head.

    "Would you two quit acting like children?" Dean requested. Cassandra looked up at the Hunter while Sam looked over to him. "In case you've forgotten, we know where Pestilence is and we have to go get his ring somehow." Sam sighed, knowing his brother was right.

    "Fine," the younger Winchester gave in. Cassandra nodded in reply.

    "Thank you. Sam, get whatever you need. Cassy, go to sleep." The Nephilim's eyes widened and she looked up to Dean in shock. He raised his eyebrows. "What, you thought I was gonna let you come? No way in hell! You can barely fight Sam let alone take on a Horseman. Rest, regenerate your powers, then heal yourself. Until then, you're under house arrest."

    "But, Dean—"

    "Cassandra," he warned. She scowled and shoved his arms off of her, stomping away to the living room where she flopped down on the couch. Dean shook his head and turned back towards his brother.

    A few minutes later, with Cassandra still on the couch, Sam and Dean descended down the stairs with a duffel bag in hand. Cassandra looked up, her expression softening when Dean glanced over her way. Sam went straight to the car but Dean made a detour towards his girlfriend. The blonde stood up and let Dean pull her into a hug.

    "Be careful," she muttered against his shoulder. "You don't seem to die easy but there's still that small chance and I can't defeat them on my own." Dean let out a soft chuckle and pulled her against him tighter, resting his chin on her head.

    "Just focus on getting better, okay?" He felt her nod. "And don't worry about me. Sam and I will be fine. I promise." Dean pulled away and pecked her on the lips, smiling down at her. "I love you." Cassandra's lips curled into a smile when she registered his words.

    "I love you, too."

    Dean kissed her one more time before grabbing the duffel bag and turning on his heel, walking out of the house. Bobby wheeled after him but Cassandra stayed inside, sitting back down on the couch with a sigh. She hated being stuck on the sidelines but Dean was right; she was too weak to fight a Horseman.

    Bobby wheeled back in a few minutes later, arching an eyebrow at the blonde. "You okay?" She nodded but didn't reply. "Sam said some pretty harsh things to you. I don't expect you to be fine," Bobby added. She turned and narrowed her eyes at him.

    "I just got killed. I think I can handle some harsh words from Sam of all people. Trust me. I'm okay."

    Bobby let out a laugh. "Cassandra, sweetie, you may be able to jump back from anything physically but we both know that mentally, you're just as screwed up as Dean."

    Cassandra looked away almost like she was ashamed.

    "And that's okay because we've all got that darkness in us. I heard you guys the night of the accident if we're being honest here. You two help each other with it and I'm glad that you two have each other because without you he'd be a mess. He wants to come off as strong for Sam and I and I know he opens up to you," Bobby explained. Cassandra sighed and shook her head.

    "Not as much as you'd think. The only times he's opened up was when I tricked him using the stuff I learned in college. I mean, I feel like I barely know him and he knows everything about me."

    "I thought you said he doesn't know you," Bobby replied with a single eyebrow raised. Cassandra rolled her eyes.

    "He knows more than I let on. I don't like that he knows all of it, but he does and I can't take it back. I'll admit, some of it did feel good to get off of my chest but he just treats me so fragile, almost as if I would break. I hate it, y'know? I wish he'd just treat me like..." Cassandra sighed and shook her head, unsure of how to describe it. Bobby nodded.

    "I know what you mean. Ever since I got stuck in this wheelchair they act like I'm not capable of anything. And I do feel helpless but I manage."

    Cassandra cocked her head to the side. There was something more in his voice. Something that he wasn't telling her. She's recognize that tone any day. It's the tone both her and Dean usually talked to when they lied to each other about how they were feeling.

    "Why are you looking at me like that?" Bobby asked. She leaned forward in her spot on the couch.

    "Because there's more than you're letting on. I can read people. It was supposed to be my job, remember?"

    Bobby sighed and rolled his eyes, holding his arms up in surrender. "Alright, fine. Let's just say you aren't alone in wanting everything to be over." She arched an eyebrow. "Earlier this year I opened up to Dean about how each morning I was ready to just bite the dust but was too much of a coward to do it. And then when I read up about you more I realized that if you can get through everything you have then I can manage in a damn wheelchair," Bobby admitted. Cassandra frowned, tilting her head as she stared at him with pitiful eyes. "Don't look at me like that. I didn't tell you this for a reaction."

    "No, you told me so that I'd open up," she accused. Bobby shrugged and nodded.

    "No point in trying to lie." He wheeled forward a few feet.

    "Bobby, how broken was Dean after Hell?"

    "It wasn't just after Hell that worried me. Right after he made the deal he told me that he did it because then maybe his life would mean something. I just wish we had you around then. Hell, I wish we had you around after John died. Those boys would've needed you," Bobby told her. Cassandra chuckled softly and bit her lower lip.

    "Yeah, I was in no position to be around them. I was worse."

    "But after Hell was when Dean fell into drinking. Constant nightmares that were so bad to the point where he'd drink himself to sleep. I love that boy like my own son but I really didn't know what to do and neither did Sam. So when he started to open up to you that night I was starting to think you were a gift. I mean, it took him awhile to warm up to you, but now look where you guys are. I wouldn't be surprised if he proposed to you in the next year."

    Cassandra smiled and shook her head. "Not even Dean could put up with me that long. I can't even put up with me that long."

    "He loves you. And so does Sam." Cassandra's head snapped up at his words and she stared at him in disbelief. "He didn't mean what he said, Cassandra. He's just pissed. I mean, we all are, but we're more worried. We know why you did it but Sam just takes these things harder than the rest of us. He shows it more, too."

    "Bobby, what he said to me..." The blonde trailed off and shook her head. Bobby frowned slightly but let her continue. "He's not wrong. I got mad because he was right about everything. I got mad because he actually voiced it unlike you and Dean. I don't deserve to be here. I really don't. I screwed up big time."

    "You both said some pretty harsh things but you were both right in your own ways. Sam ain't as strong as he lets on and neither are you, but Dean and I are the same way. You and Sam just show it more and that gives you guys the opportunity to voice it and attack each other." Bobby chuckled. "I was shocked, though, when you two started to get physical."

    "Hey, he earned it."

    "I know he did. And I would say you did, too, and Dean and I probably would've let you guys keep going at it since it'd get your anger out but you're in no physical condition to be getting in a fight. Michael really did a number on you," Bobby told her. Cassandra's gaze dropped to the floor and she fumbled with her bruised fingers in her lap. Bobby noticed her sudden change in demeanor and frowned. "You alright?" She shook her head and sniffled before looking up, her eyes red and watery all of the sudden.

    "I trusted him," Cassandra said. "I was ready to give up everything for him and he killed me. I mean, what kind of father does that to his child?"

    "I didn't have a good dad growing up either. Not all parents are good parents. My daddy never killed me, but he did beat the crap out of my mom and I. We've all got daddy issues around here, Cassandra, but we've all managed to get through it just like you will," Bobby told her softly. She nodded and sniffled again, wiping away a few tears only for more to replace them. "But that's not what's got you so worked up."

    "When he was throwing me around that room my mind went back to that night in Knoxville with Evan. It's like I was reliving it all over again and I couldn't stop it. And when I woke up on that riverbank—" Cassandra's voice cracked and she tuned her head to the side slightly, the tears slipping down her cheeks faster. "The temperature wasn't cold but I could feel that snow again. I could feel myself bleeding out in the alleyway and the hypothermia setting in. I thought it was never going to end."

    "Cassandra, what exactly happened when you were nineteen? I know you told Dean but he wouldn't tell us. He said it was for you to tell when you were ready," Bobby asked. Her breath hitched in her throat and she shook her head.

    "I'm not surprised you don't know. My parents paid big bucks to cover it up. They were mostly ashamed of me. They said that I was asking for it by hanging out with a guy seven years older than me." She grabbed Sam's laptop and opened it up, quickly typing in his password, before going through dozens of sealed records until she stopped. Her gaze lingered on the photographs before she handed it over to Bobby. He eyed her warily but took it. "I didn't tell Dean that the files existed. I didn't want him to see."

    When Bobby scrolled down, the first picture he saw was of her body in the alley. The skin around her mouth was bruised from his hand pressing down so hard and blood stained the skin. She was practically blue and frozen from being left in the snow for so long. But when his gaze drifted down to her legs his breath hitched in his throat. They were bright red, stained with blood, and also frozen. He looked up to her, his lips parted slight in shock.

    "Keep scrolling," she whispered.

    Reluctantly, the Hunter kept scrolling until he saw the picture of her sheet-covered corpse in the morgue just hours before she had woken up. She had finally thawed out but she looked worse than she had in the alley. But what truly surprised him was the picture of a man below that. His eyes were burnt out of his skull, but the bruises and cuts were worse than Cassandra's at the moment.

    "I was mute in the beginning. I wouldn't let anyone see me except for Adam and Jess and only Jess could have physical contact with me. My parents wouldn't come. They just buried the story and went on as if nothing happened. They were really religious and the fact that I was no longer 'innocent' ashamed them. They didn't want their church or anyone in it to know."

    "Jesus."

    "And when Evan's body showed up I completely lost it. The hospitalization record was destroyed but they basically bacheracted me. I don't know if it was the fact that I saw him or I saw what he looked like, but that was my first real mental breakdown. Everything went downhill from there," she explained. Bobby studied the picture closer.

    "This looks like an angel smiting."

    Cassandra furrowed her eyebrows. "What?"

    Bobby nodded. "Yeah. You've never seen one?" The blonde shook her head. "Well, it's what the one angel did to Michelle since she was a demon. Your eyes are burnt out of your head and your insides are liquefied. I don't know who would've done it to him, but it was definitely an angel."

    "Bobby, that was the year that Gabriel acted as my Religion professor."

    "You think he knew?"

    "It'd make sense. I could tell in the video that he was genuine. Now that I know the signs after Michael I know that Gabriel wasn't lying. Maybe he found out and got pissed. I mean if the son of a bitch raped my niece and I was an Archangel I'd beat the shit out of him and smite him, too."

    Bobby shrugged and started to hand the laptop back to her when he stopped. He zoomed in on one of the documents before sighing and looking up to her.

    "What is it?"

    "Now it makes sense." She stared back at him blankly. "Why you can't have kids. Whoever brought you back couldn't heal you." She snatched the laptop back and quickly cleared the history before slamming it shut.

    "Or they just didn't want to risk me reproducing," Cassandra grumbled while setting the computer back on the table. Bobby frowned at her. "I don't get what I ever did to have such a horrible life."

    "Considering how good of a person you are, we all wonder the same thing. I also wonder that with Sam and  Dean. Those boys may screw up the world half the time but they do it to save the ones they love. Besides, they usually clean up their messes afterwards."

    Cassandra chuckled and shook her head. "Yeah, mine just get worse." She pushed herself from the couch and stood up, quickly managing to balance herself. "I think I'm gonna try and take a nap if that's alright with you." Bobby nodded. "I guess have Dean wake me when he gets back." She started to make her way towards the staircase when Bobby called out her name, stopping her. She turned to face him.

    "Remember what I said earlier. Just because Sam said those things doesn't mean he doesn't love you. You're like his baby sister. He just wants to keep you safe when Dean can't."

    Cassandra nodded mutely but never replied, slowly and carefully making her way up the stairs to Dean's room.  She stopped in front of the full-length mirror hanging on the closet doors and cocked her head to the side as she studied her face. She quickly peeled off her jacket and her shirt, tossing them to the floor and stepping closer to the reflection in the glass. She glanced down at her torso and frowned. It didn't seem to be getting any better.

    She ran her hand over the skin, gritting her teeth when the warm sensation started to flood over her. It was a struggle, but she was getting it to work just a bit. Every cut healed itself and the bruises were now four shades lighter, letting her breathe a sigh of relief.  She shimmied her jeans down her legs and kicked them off to see that the bruises on her thighs were completely gone. Her neck still had a red handprint wrapped around it but she knew that'd take the longest to heal.

    Cassandra decided to climb into bed and pulled the covers over her body, enjoying the warmth of the fuzzy blanket directly on her bare skin. She sunk down into the mattress and let her eyes flutter closed. She fell asleep moments later.

~*~

    The first thing Dean had asked when he got back was where Cassandra was. Bobby had pointed upstairs and Dean raced to the second story, stopping outside of the doorway of his room. He saw Cassandra curled up under the blankets sleeping soundly, her clothes discarded on the floor next to the mirror. Furrowing his eyebrows in confusion, Dean walked over to the bed and crawled in, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. Cassandra shifted and he debated letting her sleep but decided against it. She needed to hear what happened if she was going to fight in this war, too.

    Dean planted his lips on her forehead, his eyes fluttering closed, before pulling away. Cassandra scrunched her eyebrows together and opened her own eyes to see Dean staring back at her with a small smile playing on his lips.

    "Hey," the blonde whispered groggily. "You're back."

    "I'm back. We also got Cas."

"Good. I've missed him," she admitted. Dean chuckled and nodded. "What time is it?"

    "Bobby said you've only been asleep for a few hours. Did you at least sleep good?" Dean questioned. Cassandra yawned and nodded before sitting up, the blanket still pulled to her shoulders. Dean shifted until he was underneath it with her and he let the blonde rest her head on his chest. Dean pulled her against him, tracing patterns on her bare thigh. He figured she was just wearing the flannel but when he bumped her arm he realized that she wasn't.

    "Are you naked?" Dean inquired. Cassandra giggled and shook her head. She felt Dean's hand slip up and over her torso, his fingers running across her scars, before stopping at the fabric of her bra. "Damn. I was hoping you were," he joked. She turned her head so that she could see his face and frowned up at him.

    "Was it really that bad?" Cassandra asked quietly. Dean let out a sigh and nodded. "What happened?"

    "I'll tell you and Bobby at the same time. Sam and Cas are downstairs. Do you wanna go see them?"

    Cassandra shook her head and pressed herself closer to Dean. "I just wanna sit here with you for a bit. I'm not really in the mood to see Sam right now." Dean nodded and leaned down to kiss her lips. The blonde's eyes fluttered closed and she moaned as Dean's hand ran across her inner thigh. He chuckled but continued to kiss her, never letting his hands wander too far. "You don't have to act like I'll break down," she muttered against his lips, her hand pressed against the back of his neck. "You're able to touch me."

"Cassy, you're still physically broken. The bruises and cuts are still really bad. I just want to wait until you heal," Dean replied, pulling away to speak. She rolled her eyes and let the blanket fall from her shoulders before turning and sitting across from him in the bed. Dean's eyes raked over her body.

"I got enough juice to heal most of it. It's just small bruises now and the cut on my eyebrow. You're not going to hurt me," she assured him. Cassandra straddled his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck, her elbows resting on his shoulders. "Don't worry. I'm fine." She smiled.

Dean immediately kissed her again, pulling on her lower lip with his teeth. Her eyes fluttered closed and she let out a shaky breath when he started to kiss down her neck, stopping on her collarbone and sucking on the skin. Cassandra turned her head to the side and let him brush her hair out of the way, giving him the room to give her the affection they both wanted.

"No matter what happens, I love you," the Nephilim whispered, her lips parting when Dean squeezed her ass. She couldn't remember if he had ever done it before and she wasn't sure how to feel about it. Still, she continued to let the Hunter kiss her, arching her back and pressing herself against him when his fingers dug into her waist.

"Princess, if we continue I don't know if I'll be able to stop," Dean admitted, pulling away from the skin just above her bra. She glanced down at him and tilted her head, furrowing her eyebrows.

"You think I don't know that? Dean, I want this. It's you and I know that. You won't hurt me. I trust you."

    Dean licked his lips and searched her eyes for any sign of reluctance or hesitance, relieved when he found none. Cassandra's fingers fumbled with the hem of his t-shirt, rolling her lower painted lip between her teeth. Dean couldn't resist anymore and let her slip it off, tossing it to the side of the bed. She leaned forward and locked lips with the Hunter, smirking when Dean reached around her back and unclasped her bra and let it slide off of her shoulders. She set it with his shirt without pulling away, pressing her bare chest against his. Dean groaned.

    "Dammit, Cassy," he grunted.

    "What?" she questioned, leaving soft kisses down his neck. Just as he had done to her, she sucked on his collarbone, leaving her mark.

    "I'm gonna have to take a cold shower before we go downstairs before of you." Cassandra giggled and traced her lips over his tattoo lightly before Dean gently grabbed her chin, pulling her head up so that he could kiss her. She kissed back instantly, swiping her tongue over his lower lip. They were softer than she expected them to be, making it ten times better. Dean's hand slid over her back before coming around to her chest, his hand brushing against her breasts lightly. Cassandra shivered at his touch and let out a soft moan.

    "You liked that, didn't you?" Dean whispered. Cassandra nodded, tracing her fingers over his abs. Dean winced and she pulled away in confusion, glancing down to see a bruise developing.

    "Sorry. I didn't notice that before."

    "It's fine," the Hunter replied, ducking his head down and latching onto her chest without warning. Cassandra gasped and threw her head back, arching her back and pushing herself closer to him. Dean's free hand rested on her hip, his fingers digging into her skin. She felt him finger the hem of her panties and she started to run her hands through his hair, tugging lightly. Dean moaned at the feeling. He worked his way back up to her shoulder, sucking on the skin there as he started to slip her hand inside her underwear.

    Suddenly the door opened and Cassandra jumped, her eyes snapping open. Dean's hand quickly retreated and Cassandra pressed herself against him to hide herself, her cheeks flushing a deep read.

    "Dean, Bobby says—" Sam stopped upon the sight in front of him, his breath hitching in his throat.

    "Really, Sam?" Dean snapped. Cassandra's eyes widened and her cheeks grew even warmer if possible. She'd rather Castiel or Bobby walk in than Sam, especially after all of the things he had said earlier that day.

    Sam's lips parted and his eyebrows rose in shock before he quickly stepped out of the room, closing the door behind him. Dean sighed and Cassandra pulled away, ducking her head down in embarrassment.

    "Not sure if I want to go downstairs now," Cassandra muttered. Dean chuckled and pulled her head back up, placing a kiss on her lips.

    "It's fine. He didn't see any part of you that he shouldn't have. Besides, he's walked in on way worse," Dean assured her. Cassandra managed a small smile before grabbing her bra. She started to slip it on, ignoring Dean's frown. "I love you."

    "I know. I love you, too," Cassandra said softly, leaning forward and planting a kiss on his lips. "We should probably get down there before it somehow gets even more awkward." Cassandra rolled off of Dean and stood up from her spot on the bed, making her way to her clothes on the floor. She slipped her jeans on and buttoned them before pulling on her shirt and leather jacket. Dean handed her the brush on the dresser and she muttered a quick thanks before starting to run it through her hair to make it look presentable.

    Dean slipped on his shirt and they quickly rushed downstairs, stopping when everyone rose their eyebrows at them. "What?" Dean asked, glancing between each man. Bobby cleared his throat and focused his attention on Cassandra, pointing to his collarbone.

    "Have fun?"

    The blonde looked down, a dark blush taking over her cheeks as she quickly covered up the hickey with her jacket and hair.

    "I see you're feeling better," Bobby added.

    "Shut up," the Nephilim grumbled, making her way to the couch. Dean wedged himself between Cassandra and Sam in the chance that another fight broke out. "So what happened?"

~*~

    Dean sat in the chair with the back against the desk, spinning the Horseman's ring on the desktop. Cassandra leaned against the wall behind Bobby with her arms crossed over her chest and Sam sat in a chair next to Dean, Bobby in his wheelchair across from the two brothers.

"Well, it's nice to actually score a homerun for once, ain't it?" Bobby said. Dean sighed and flipped the ring down, making it stop. "What?" Cassandra took notice in the Winchesters' depressed expressions and she glanced over to Castiel, greeted by the same one.

"Last thing Pestilence said: 'it's too late'," Sam replied. Cassandra arched an eyebrow.

"He get specific?" she questioned. Sam only shook his head.

"We're just a little freaked out that he might have left a bomb somewhere. So please tell us you have actual good news," Dean said, struggling to keep his head from falling back to his arm. They had been sitting their for hours. Once Cassandra's butt grew numb on the couch she decided to stand in the corner. That was an hour ago.

"Chicago's about to be wiped off the map. Storm of the millennium. Sets off a daisy chain of natural disasters. Three million people are gonna die," Bobby explained. Cas furrowed his eyebrows, his head propped up by his fist.

"Huh," Dean muttered before letting his head drop to his arm.

"I don't understand your definition of good news," Castiel chimed in from behind the eldest Winchester. Dean lifted his head up, turning towards Cassandra with a flat expression. She shrugged and raised her arms up in defense. She didn't control the angel.

"Well...Death, the horseman — he's gonna be there. And if we can stop him before he kick-starts this storm, get his ring back —"

"Yeah, you make it sound so easy," Dean snapped.

"Hell, I'm just trying to put a spin on it."

Dean licked his lips and everyone turned to Sam as he started to speak.

"Well...Bobby, h-how'd you put all this together, anyways?" Sam inquired. Bobby hesitated.

"I had, you know...Help."

A glass slammed down on the table in the kitchen and Cassandra's head snapped up and she arched a single eyebrow at the crossroad's demon while Sam, Dean, and Cas turned to face him. Crowley smirked.

"Don't be so modest. I barely helped at all." Crowley made his way into the room and leaned against the doorway. "Hello, boys, Cassandra. Pleasure, et cetera. Go ahead. Tell them." The demon sniffed the alcohol in the drink, cringing in disgust and setting it down, before the smug smirk returned to his vessel's face. "There's no shame in it." Bobby narrowed his eyes at the demon.

"Bobby? Tell us what?" Sam asked as he and Dean turned back to him.

"World's gonna end. Seems stupid to get all precious over one little...Soul," Bobby explained with a little shrug as if it were nothing. Cassandra's lips parted in shock and she glanced over at Crowley who sent her a wink. She recoiled at the action, furrowing her eyebrows at the suggestive smirk on his lips. Then she realized he was eyeing the hickey. She rolled her eyes and zipped up her jacket, positioning her hair to cover her shoulders.

"You sold your soul?" Dean demanded.

"What the hell did you do while I was asleep?" Cassandra yelled.

"Oh, more like pawned it. I fully intend to give it back."

Cassandra quickly averted her gaze to Crowley. "Well, then give it back!"

"I will."

"Now!"

"Did you kiss him?" Sam interrupted.

"Sam!" Cassandra and Dean chorused. Sam shrugged, not at all ashamed in asking.

"Just wondering," the younger Winchester defended. Everyone focused their attention back on Bobby who stared at them in disbelief.

"No!" he shouted. Sam squinted his eyes at the Hunter. Crowley cleared his throat behind them and they all turned to see him holding out his phone, an image of he and Bobby kissing clearly plastered across the screen. Sam and Dean leaned forward, furrowing their eyebrows as they studied it. Cassandra's eyebrows rose in shock. "Why'd you take a picture?"

Crowley turned his phone back towards him and glanced down at the photo before looking back to Bobby. "Why do you have to use tongue?" he retorted. Cassandra bit back a chuckle. Dean quickly got up, shaking his head.

"Alright. You know what? I'm sick of this." He made his way across the room in long strides, stopping just in front of the demon. "Give him his soul back now," Dean demanded.

"I'm sorry. I can't."

"Can't or won't?"

"I won't, alright? It's insurance."

"What are you talking about?"

"You kill demons. Gigantor over there has a temper issue about it. The Princess of Heaven is ready to go on a murder spree and she doesn't care who's on the other side of the blade. But you won't kill me...as long as I have that soul in the deposit box," Crowley explained.

"You son of a bitch," Bobby growled.

"I'll return it. After all this is over, and I can walk safely away. Do we all understand each other?" Crowley roared. Everyone exchanged glances, no one happy about the situation. But, much to their dismay, they all agreed. It was their only shot at winning this war.

Dean left shortly after to load up the Impala, leaving Sam and Cassandra alone while Bobby retreated to another room in the house. Sam sighed and rubbed his temples. Cassandra started to walk out of the room to help Dean when Sam jumped up, grabbing her wrist. She stopped, turning and arching an eyebrow at him.

"Cassy." Cassandra tried to hide her shock at the use of the nickname that was reserved for only Dean. "I'm sorry about what I said earlier. And that I got physical with you. I shouldn't have done that. You're not in a good place physically or mentally and I shouldn't have taken my anger out on you," Sam told her. The blonde nodded and licked her lips as he dropped her wrist. She glanced away in thought before looking back to the Hunter.

"First of all, I'm tired of you treating me like cracked glass. I'm not going to shatter, Sam, so stop acting like it. Secondly, we just got me back from saying yes to Michael and we just stopped Dean from saying yes. You saying yes to Lucifer is only going to make things worse. I'm sorry but you're not strong enough to overpower him. None of us are. Not me, not you, not Dean, not Bobby and not even Castiel or Crowley. Third, I don't want to lose you."

Sam furrowed his eyebrows at her words.

"I know it may not seem like it, but I do love you, Sam. I love all of you. You heard Gabriel. We can shove him back in but we won't be able to get you out, too, without releasing him also. If I don't make it out of this then Dean needs somebody to be there for him. And if Dean doesn't make it out then I will need somebody. I have a bad feeling one of us isn't going to come out and I don't want it to be either of you. I'm not letting you do this."

"Cassandra, you can't stop me."

"I can and I will. It's me who has to lock him in the Cage so it's me who will do it. We'll get to Nebraska and we'll get that Grace to power me up."

"You could go down with him!"

"It's better than you!" she shouted back. Sam narrowed his eyes at the blonde and Cassandra closed her eyes, letting out a deep breath and calming herself. "Look, Dean can survive without me. It won't take long before he forgets about me. He won't forget about you."

"Dean loves you, Cassy! Just face it; I'm the weakest out of all of us. Even if I fail, you can still kill Lucifer."

"Dean will lose us both and I'm not letting that happen! Will you stop trying to sacrifice yourself for once and just think clearly? Bobby was dumb enough to sell his soul, but you? You're making the dumbest move of us all. Saying yes to Lucifer? I'm sorry, Sammy, but that's dumber than what Evan did eight years ago."

"You are the last person who gets to yell at me for saying yes."

"No, Sam, I'm the first!" Cassandra's hands curled into fists at her sides and her chest heaved. "I saw the consequences of my actions! Hell, even you did! You think that Lucifer will be kind enough to kill you after all of this is over? He will destroy you in ways that you can't even imagine. Listen to me, Sam. Saying yes is the worst mistake you will ever make. Don't do it. Please," Cassandra shouted, a single tear slipping down her face. Sam's heart clenched at the sight but he shook his head.

"I started this," the Hunter whispered. "I have to end it." He started to walk away when Cassandra gripped his wrist, pulling him back towards her.

"Sammy, no. Stop blaming yourself. You didn't know."

"Stop defending me. We both know the truth here, Cassandra." With that Sam tugged his wrist from her grasp and walked out of the house to talk to Dean. Cassandra watched him go with tear-filled eyes. She let out a scream of frustration and spun around, swiping a stack of books off of the desk.

"Temper tantrums don't do anything. Trust me. I know." The blonde whipped her head around at the sound of Crowley's voice. "Still can't talk little Sammy out of saying yes?"

"Bite me."

"Looks like Dean already did," Crowley replied, his gaze lingering on her shoulder before drifting back to her eyes. She scowled. "You can't stop him. Just accept it."

"Watch me. He's not getting himself killed."

"You said it yourself, Cassandra; Lucifer won't kill him. He needs him, just as he needs you."

Cassandra slowly looked up at his words, furrowing her eyebrows. She shook her head. "What?"

"Oh, you didn't know," Crowley replied, tilting his head down slightly and raising his eyebrows. Cassandra eyed him warily as he approached her. He stopped only inches from her face and brushed a lock of hair out of her eye before tracing his fingertips along her jawline, his gaze drifting to her lips before locking on her eyes."Sweetheart, Lucifer wanted you on his side so badly because of your power. That Grace that you've got stashed away in your fancy mansion, it's part of his."

"I don't understand."

"Before Michael banished him, he took a bit of his Grace. Everyone thought it was so he wouldn't be as powerful and that was probably why, but before Gabriel fled he stole it. That whole mansion was built by Gabriel. Every weapon was made specifically for you by Gabriel. And that Grace? Well, that Grace is what Lucifer needs to be at full power. If he gets that then Sam has no chance," Crowley explained. Cassandra's breath hitched in her throat and her piercing blue eyes widened in realization.

"Twenty-fourteen. When Dean and I were sent to twenty-fourteen Lucifer stole future-me's Grace. Part of it must've been his," Cassandra said softly. Crowley's lips curled into a smirk.

"Well, then. You have an advantage. What was future you doing when he took your Grace?"

"He had just killed Future-Dean. She was a mess and he held her back. He had held her prisoner for years, trying to train her into the perfect soldier. She wasn't listening and he knew that after Dean's death she wouldn't comply so he took everything from her."

"So keep Dean away from Lucifer and get the jump on him first." Cassandra nodded. "And, Cassandra?"

"What?"

"Even if it is Sam that he's using as his meatsuit, you still have to push him in or kill him. One human is not worth the world," Crowley told her. Cassandra's face fell but she nodded. Crowley pulled his hand from her cheek and tucked it in his coat pocket. "We should go check on the Hardy Boys, yes?" Cassandra nodded mutely and the two disappeared, reappearing behind the Impala just as Sam finished his self-deprecating speech to Dean.

"And...scene," Crowley said. Both brothers turned to see him and the blonde round the Impala, stopping next to Dean. "There's something you need to see." Crowley pulled out a newspaper and handed it to Sam while Dean wrapped an arm around his girlfriend's waist, pulling her closer. Sam glanced down at the newspaper and started to read.

"Niveus pharmaceuticals is rushing delivery of its new swine-flu vaccine to 'stem the tide of the unprecedented outbreak.' Uh, shipments leave Wednesday." The Hunter looked up to Crowley.

"Niveus pharmaceuticals. Get it?" Sam and Dean exchanged confused expressions, as did Cassandra. She hadn't known what happened with the demon Brady. "You two are lucky you have your looks. Your demon lover, Brady? V.P. of distribution, Niveus." Dean's eyebrows rose in realization as he and Sam finally grasped the concept. "Ah, yes, that the sound of the abacus clacking? We all caught up?"

"I don't understand," the blonde chimed in. "Who's Brady and what does he have to do with this?"

Crowley's lips curled into a smirk. "I see you didn't tell your girlfriend the truth about sweet little Jessica." Cassandra's eyes widened and she looked between Sam and Dean.

"What? What does this demon have to do with my sister?"

"I'll explained later," Sam assured her. She pursed her lips and bit back a reply, instead nodding.

"So, Pestilence," Dean started.

"Was spreading swine flu," Sam finished. Dean nodded his head to the side.

"Yeah, but not just for giggles. That was step one. Step two is the vaccine. And you think—"

"I know," Crowley interrupted. Cassandra let out a soft sigh. "I'll stake my reputation — That vaccine is chock-full of grade-a, farm-fresh croatoan virus."

"Simultaneous, countrywide distribution. It's quite a plan," Sam said with a slight chuckle, shaking his head. Cassandra glanced between the two Hunters and the demon with worried eyes.

"They don't get to be Horsemen for nothing. So, you boys better stock up on...Well, everything. This time next Thursday, we'll all be living in zombieland." Crowley averted his attention directly on the Nephilim. "And I suggest you worry more about getting that ring of his than killing Lucifer. You'll need that Grace Gabriel stashed away for you, Sweetheart. Death is the one who can end all of this. Maybe he'll take a liking to you like I have." With that being said, Crowley disappeared into thin air. They all knew he would be coming back, but he was being kind enough to give the trio some privacy.

"Dean." Dean turned to Sam. "Why don't you go inside and tell Bobby everything and get some stuff?" the younger Winchester suggested. The hunter glanced between the two before nodding, pressing a kiss to Cassandra's forehead before leaving. Once he was out of earshot Sam let out a sigh. "When you were...dead, we went after a demon that worked closely alongside Pestilence. I knew Brady from college. He introduced Jess and I our Freshman year. When he came back from Thanksgiving break he had gone off the rails and I tried helping him. It turns out he was possessed.

"Azazel couldn't have that so he ordered Brady..." Sam trailed off, glancing away. Cassandra took a step forward, eyeing him warily.

"Sam, what did Azazel order him to do?" Cassandra demanded lowly and calmly. Sam looked back to the Nephilim and she swore he was about to cry.

"He ordered Brady to kill Jess in the exact same way that my mom died."

Cassandra's lips parted in shock and she shook her head, stepping back. Tears quickly pooled in her blue eyes and she leaned against the Impala for support. "No. No, Dean said that Azazel killed her." Her voice cracked.

"That's what he wanted us to believe. I'm sorry, Cassy," Sam told her softly. She shook her as the tears started to fall and she clenched her eyes shut. "I'm so sorry." Sam quickly pulled her into his arms and she let him, resting her head against his chest as she sobbed. The memories of her nightmares quickly took over, this time amplified stronger than ever before. Sam held the blonde against him and soothingly rubbed her back, resting his chin on her head. "I killed him. He won't hurt anyone again."

Cassandra balled the fabric of  his shirt in her fist and she stared straight ahead with cold eyes. "Good. I hope the son of a bitch burns for what he did," Cassandra growled. Dean came back out, lingering off to the side as he watched the two. He could tell that this was their way of making up. This was their apology to each other. After a minute or two Cassandra pulled away and wiped away a few stray tears, forcing a smile on her lips. "Oh, I need to stop breaking down so much and being so weak," she said with a slight chuckle.

"It's normal. You just show emotion more than the rest of us that that's okay," Sam assured her. She nodded and licked her lips, glancing around before looking back up to Sam.

"I need to get to Nebraska and get that Grace before Michael does. I'll be back soon."

Sam frowned and furrowed his eyebrows. "Are you strong enough?"

"I think so. I healed most of my injuries earlier so I think I've recharged enough. I'll be back before you guys leave," she assured the Hunter before disappearing. Sam let out a sigh and turned to see Dean. He only shrugged.

Three chapters left!