07. lucifer rising
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  TWO HOURS PASS AGONIZINGLY slow. While Sam wailed in the basement below, Dean screamed for Castiel out in the scrapyard. Andy typed furiously at Bobby's computer, trying to find any more signs of breaking seals. Bobby and Natalie were hunched over religious texts, comparing stories.

Andy huffed, leaning back in her chair. She ran a frustrated hand through her hair. "I'm grasping at straws here. I can't tell if half of these are seals breaking or global warming."

Bobby hummed in agreement as he shut another book. "Same here."

Natalie looked between them with a frown. She stood and walked over to Andy. "Here. I know what the seals are. Let me look."

Andy slacked her jaw. "And you couldn't have done that sooner?" She stood and moved aside for Natalie, who smiled sheepishly. "Be my guest."

As Natalie began to sit, her face turned serious. She tilted her head as though listening for something. Andy furrowed her brows. "What is it?"

"Castiel is here. With Dean."

Bobby huffed. "About damn time."

"How do you know?" Andy asked.

"Angels can sense each other," Natalie explained. She looked around.

"Are you safe here?" Andy asks. "You are on the Angels Hitlist."

Natalie furrowed her brows slightly. "What do you mean?"

"Well...can you trust Castiel?"

Natalie paused. "I...don't know. He was punished severely by Heaven. He might not be...as forgiving anymore."

Andy frowned. "Then you should go."

"Go? What do you mean?" Natalie looked perplexed.

"Go look for the Seals. You're safer on the move than sitting here." Andy touched her shoulder lightly. "It's okay. Bobby and I got it here."

Natalie eyed her, considering her words. "Thank you, Andy." She finally said after a moment.

"Don't thank me," Andy rolled her eyes softly. "Just go. And be safe, okay?"

"Okay," Natalie nodded. Andy blinked, and she was gone.

She sighed, running a hand down her face. Bobby watched her, an eyebrow raised curiously. "What's the story with you two?"

Andy huffed and shook her head. "One that requires more than just a couple glasses of whiskey."

Bobby chuckled. "When this Lucifer business is over, we're catching up, kiddo."

"Agreed," Andy nodded softly.

The home's back door swung open and Dean trudged in. He was pale and the bags under his eyes had deepened. He looked around the room. "Where'd your Angel go?" He asked Andy.

Andy crossed her arms over her chest. "She sensed Castiel and left." She simplified.

Dean's mouth formed a small 'O' shape and he nodded.

"About that," Bobby stepped forward. "What happened with him?"

Dean's face hardened. Bobby and Andy shared a glance. "What, Dean?" Andy insisted. She had a gut feeling that he made a stupid decision.

"I..." Dean sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I agreed to 'give myself wholly to the service of God and his angels'."

Andy stared at him. She shook her head. How could he be so stupid? So reckless? She knew the answer -- for Sam. But still, it was foolish.

"Correct me if I'm wrong..." Bobby spoke first. "But you willingly signed up to be the angels' bitch?" Dean narrowed his eyes and Bobby scoffed. "I'm sorry. You prefer 'sucker'?"

Dean leaned against the doorframe and looked down.

Bobby rolled his eyes. "After everything you said about them, now you trust them?"

Dean pushed himself off the wall. "Come on, give me a little credit, Bobby. I've never trusted them less. I mean, they come on like shady politicians from planet Vulcan!"

"Then why the hell-"

"Because what other option do I have? It's either trust the angels or let Sammy trust a demon?!" Dean snapped.

Bobby nodded slowly. "I see your point."

Dean's eyes turned to Andy expectantly. "What, no snarky comment? No witty remark?"

Andy sighed. "Do you really think so little of me?" She narrowed her eyes. "Don't get me wrong, I think that was really stupid of you. But you did what you had to for Sam. I get it."

It took Dean a moment to understand what she said. It seemed to shock him that she didn't chew him out. He nodded slowly and then everyone fell silent...including Sam. The three Hunters took note of the sudden silence coming from the basement.

Dean glanced over his shoulder at the basement door. "You hear that?"

Bobby nodded slowly. "Yeah. That's a little too much nothing."

The three of them took off down the stairs, Dean leading the pack. He ran up to the reinforced steel door and slide open the peephole. Andy leaned forward, almost pressing herself against him to see.

Sam was convulsing on the ground of the panic room, gasping for air.

"Oh my god..." Andy breathed. "He's having a seizure."

"What if he's faking?" Dean asked quickly, not taking his eyes off his brother.

"You really think he would?" Bobby questioned.

Dean hesitated. "I think...he'd do anything."

Suddenly, Sam was pulled up into the air and flung against the wall by an invisible force. "That ain't fakin'!" Bobby said before he and Dean rushed to open the door.

Andy watched in horror. Bobby and Dean ran to Sam, each grabbing one of his arms and pulling him to the ground. Andy stood over them, chewing on her nails as Sam continued to convulse under their grasp. Dean quickly removed his belt and shoved it between Sam's teeth.

"We're gonna have to tie him down for his own safety," Bobby explained as he struggled to hold on to Sam. He looked back at Andy. "There's cuffs somewhere back there."

She nodded sharply and rushed out of the panic room. She rummaged through Bobby's mess of a basement, finding everything but handcuffs. A few things she wish she hadn't seen. Eventually, she found them and headed back in with the box.

Dean and Bobby were hoisting Sam up onto the bed. His shaking had subsided slightly, but he was still twitching and the occasional pained moan slipped past his lips. Andy hurried over with the box.

"Thanks," Bobby muttered as he took two pairs and began to cuff Sam's left wrist and ankle to the bed.

Andy tossed the box aside as she held the other two in her hand. She approached Dean carefully. "Do you want-"

Dean snatched them from her before she could finish her sentence. Andy fell silent as she watch him cuff his brothers right side. Even with his back turned to her, she could see how much this pained Dean. She couldn't imagine if it was Caelum going through demon blood withdrawals. She probably wouldn't be able to even be in the room, let alone cuffing him to a bed. She didn't realize how truly brave Dean was.

"I'M GONNA ASK ONE more time," Bobby began, leaning against his desk. Dean sat at the far end of the couch, bouncing his leg and staring at the wall ahead. Andy sat at the opposite end, watching him intensely. "Are we absolutely sure we're doing the right thing?"

Dean clentched his jaw. "Bobby," He stood slowly. "You saw what was happening to him down. there. The demon blood is killing him!

"No, it isn't," Bobby shook his head. Andy look at him confused, as did Dean. "We are."

"What?" Dean scoffed.

Bobby sighed deeply. "I'm sorry. I can't bite my tongue any longer. We're killing him. Keeping him locked down there. This cold-turkey thing isn't working. If..." Bobby sighed once again, pinching the bridge of his nose. "If he doesn't get what he needs soon...Sam's not gonna last much longer."

Dean stared at Bobby. Andy could see it in his eyes, he knew Bobby was right. There was no denying it after what had just happened. But Dean, ever stubborn, shook his head. "No." He said plainly, voice cracking slightly. "I'm not giving him demon blood. I won't do it." He eyes began to water.

"And if he dies?" Bobby asked quietly.

"Then at least he dies human!" Dean exclaimed. The room fell deadly quiet. Andy held her breath, eyes flicking between the two men. Dean shuddered as he took a long, deep breath. "I would die for him in a second...but I won't let him do this to himself. I can't." He gulped. "I guess I found my line. I won't let my brother turn into a monster."

Dean, suddenly exhausted, sat back down on the couch. Andy and Bobby shared a look but remained silent.

As the night progressed, Dean was the first to fall asleep. Andy watched him. Even in his sleep his face was tensed. She frowned and looked at Bobby. "Can I ask you something?" The old man looked up from his book and nodded. Andy fiddled with the hem of her shirt. "Sam and Dean...what's their story? They haven't really told me much, not that I can blame them. I haven't exactly been an open book, either."

Bobby smiled sadly and nodded. "They're good boys. I knew them growin' up. Their mother died when Sam was only a few months old, demon. Their dad..." Bobby's voice turned bitter at the mention of John Winchester. "He raised them huntin'. They were always on the road. Dean raised Sam more than their own father did."

Andy frowned as a sudden wave of sympathy for the brothers hit her. "I know what that's like..." She said softly. She looked over at Dean. She had been so bitchy to him and for what? It turns out, he was just like her. Raised in hunting, forced to grow up faster. Andy had nothing else to say. She thanked Bobby quietly before she, too, fell asleep.

  THE SOUND OF STOMPING feet woke Andy. She shot up from her position on the couch, eyes darting around frantically as she reflexively tried to find a weapon. That's when Bobby's face came into view. "What the fuck happened?" She asked.

"Sam got out." Bobby said, exhausted.

Andy furrowed her brows. "Out? How the hell did he get out?"

"I don't know," Bobby shook his head. "Dean's gone to get him."

Andy blinked, looking around. She hadn't even noticed the elder Winchester brother was gone in her sleepy state. She rubbed her eyes and straightened up. Looking closer at Bobby, she noticed a growing bruise on his forehead. "Did he do this?" She stood.

Bobby grumbled and nodded. "I caught him. He was right there and...I hesitated." The old man sat in his chair, defeated.

Andy frowned. "Bobby..." She rummaged through his mess of a house, finding a small first aid kit. She took out some alcohol wipes. Heading over to him, she kneeled, looking closer at the wound. The bruise was still light and it would get worse. Dried blood mixed with fresh on top of it. Andy inhaled sharply. "I'm sure you did what you could." She began patting the wound softly.

Bobby hissed. "I didn't do squat. That's the problem."

The blood cleared quickly. Andy stood and threw the wipe out. "You didn't wanna hurt him, Bobby. I get it." She looked at him seriously. "Don't beat yourself up over it. Dean will bring him back."

"What I'm still trying to wrap my head around is how the hell he got out in the first place!" Bobby sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

Andy's brow furrowed. "Ruby?"

Bobby shook his head. "She's a demon. She couldn't get through the warding."

"Damn..." Andy huffed.

Silence fell between the two after that. There was nothing more to say. Andy bit her lip and sighed. "I'm no good just sitting around here waiting." She picked up her bag and looked at the front door. "I should go help Nat look for Seals. I should be useful."

Bobby nodded in silent understanding.

"Call me when Dean and Sam get back?"

"I will."

"Got a car you can spare?" She asked, realizing her Beetle was still at Ruthie's.

Bobby chuckled and rummaged through a drawer before tossing her a set of keys. "Don't total it, okay?"

Andy gave Bobby a thin-lipped smile before heading out the door. The key unlocked a rusting baby-blue Ford Ranger. Andy cringed slightly. Couldn't have given me a nicer car, old man? She bitterly thought.

As she started up the old car and pulled out of Bobby's lot, she thought of Sam and Dean. Two brothers fighting over what was good and what was evil. It was almost biblical. Andy scoffed at the irony. But when she thought about them, she mostly felt sick. Her stomach would twist thinking about Sam doped up on demon blood and Dean doing everything in his power to keep his brother from becoming a monster.

  AS ANDY DROVE, THE sun slowly began to set. She had been driving for four hours straight and there was still one more until she reached Ruthie's. Her eyes fluttered every now and again. The lack of sleep over these last couple of days was starting to catch up with her. She turned the radio up louder, hoping it could keep her awake.

As she did so, the signal was interrupted and the car was filled with static. "Shit!" Andy hissed as she turned it down.

"Sorry."

"Holy shit!" Andy swerved and roughly pulled the truck off the road. She slammed on the break and looked to her right. Natalie smiled sheepishly from the passenger seat. "What the fuck, Nat!?"

"I said 'sorry'," Natalie shrugged shyly. "There's no way I can really warn you before I...appear."

Andy ran both her hands through her hair as she tried to calm her rapidly beating heart. "You can't just call?"

"I needed to talk to you right away. In person." Natalie's tone became serious.

Andy raised a brow and looked at her. "What's wrong?"

"The Seals, everything we've been fighting for is a lie."

Andy's eyes widened and her stomach dropped. "What?"

"Castiel found me. He told me everything. Heavens higher-ups want the Apocalypse to happen. And the last Seal is about to break." Natalie's voice was steady but Andy could see the fear in her eyes.

"What's the final Seal? We gotta stop it!" Andy began rummaging around for her phone. She needed to call Bobby. She needed to call Dean.

Natalie gulped. "Lilith is. Her death is the final Seal that releases Lucifer. The first demon he ever created. Her life for his."

Andy froze and her breath caught in her throat. She slowly looked up. "Sam...he's been planning to kill Lilith this whole time."

Natalie nodded. "One of Heavens ploys. He has no idea."

Andy's mind raced. There was no time to stop it. Lucifer would be released. "Where is Sam and Dean now?"

"Dean is with Castiel as we speak," Natalie paused. "Sam, on the other hand...I have no idea."

"Shit," Andy breathed.

"Andy." Natalie took her by the arm. Andy's eyes snapped to hers. "I need you to pray to Castiel. He will help you. I can't show my face or Zachariah will kill me. You understand?"

Andy nodded and Natalie was gone. She shuddered as her breath quickened. None of it made any sense. Why would Heaven want Lucifer to rise again?

She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She felt stupid as she shut her eyes. "Castiel? I don't know if you can hear me but...it's Andromeda. Natalie- Sariel said you could help me. I know about Lilith and the final seal. Let me help, please. I need to see this through."

Slowly, Andy opened her eyes. There was no whoosh sound or the familiar wind that indicated the presence of an Angel. She huffed and rolled her eyes. "That was fucking stupid..."

Just as she began to turn the car back onto the road, Castiel stood in front of it. Andy grabbed her bag and rushed out. She had never been so relieved to see him. "Castiel...you heard."

He nodded solemnly. "I did," His demenour quickly became more frantic. "We need to go. There is little time." He held is hand out to her.

For once, Andy didn't hesitate to take it. In the blink of an eye Andy and Castiel were in a house. Andy looked to her left, past the Angel, to see Dean standing there, just as shocked. She looked around the home. It was dark and covered in books. A man stood in front of them on the phone, having a conversation that none of them should have been privy to.

He was shaggy, wearing slippers and a bathrobe. His faced paled at the sight of them. "Wait...this isn't supposed to happen..." The female voice on the other end of the line said something and he quickly clarified to her. "No, lady, this is definitely supposed to happen but I just gotta call you back." He snapped his phone shut.

He looked between the three of them, shocked. "What...what are you doing here?"

Dean's shocked face hardened as the man addressed him. "Tell us where Sam is. Now."

"Woah, Dean-"

"I don't have time for this, Chuck! Tell us!"

Chuck nodded rapidly and scurried to his computer. He grabbed a pile of papers on the desk and handed them to Dean. He looked them over. "St. Mary's? What is that, a convent?"

"Yeah," Chuck nodded rapidly. His eyes kept darting over to Andy. It made her feel uneasy. "But you guys arent supposed to be there. You're not in this story."

Andy's brows furrowed. "I'm sorry, I'm lost here. Story? What does he mean?"

"Chuck is a Prophet of the Lord," Castiel explained. "He writes Sam and Dean's lives as he sees it happen."

Andy looked back at Chuck. He smiled and waved sheepishly. "Big fan..."

She was even more confused. "Am I in these books?"

Before Chuck could answer, the house began to shake. A bright light pierced through the the windows and a high-pitched ringing stung at their ears. Chuck looked around nervously. "What? Oh, man. Not again!"

Lights began to burst and Andy covered her head with her arms. She looked to Castiel for help. "It's the Archangel!" He explained over the noise. "I'll hold him off! I hold them all off! Just stop Sam!" He yelled. Before Andy or Dean could do anything, he touched their foreheads and the found themselves in the convent.

The silence was deafening. Breathing heavily, Andy looked around their now dark surroundings. Dean looked at her, brows furrowed. "Why...did Cas bring you?"

"To help." Andy answered simply as she began to walk forward.

Dean followed her. "I don't need your help."

"Not you," Andy shook her head and narrowed her eyes. "Sam."

Dean fell silent. The continued walking through the convent until they came upon a long hallway. At the end of it, through the door way, Sam and Ruby stood over a blonde woman -- Lilith.

Ruby's head snapped to them and Andy's stomach dropped. Ruby smirked and with a wave of her hand, the heavy wooden doors slammed shut. Andy and Dean took off running.

"Sam!" Dean called out. He slammed his fists against the door. "Sammy!"

Andy joined in pushing against the door, hoping their combined strength would bust it open. On the other side of the door, Andy could hear Ruby's voice yelling for Sam to kill Lilith.

Andy looked around feverishly for anything that could break down the door. A stone podium caught her eye. "Dean!" She pointed to it. He nodded and together they lifted it. They began ramming it into the door. Andy could feel it working with every hit. The door began to crack and the wood splintered off.

She stumbled forward with the last hit as the door caved in. Dropping the podium, Dean grabbed her arm to stop her from falling. Andy went to thank him, but her words caught in her throat. As she and Dean stepped through, Lilith's dead body lay splayed out and her blood pooled around her. Next to her body, Ruby crouched over a cowering Sam. Andy could see the regret in his eyes.

Dean's face hardened at the sight of Ruby. He pulled the demon knife from his pocket and headed straight for her. Ruby stood and narrowed her eyes. "You're too late."

"I don't care," Dean spat. As he raced towards her, Sam stood and held her arms so Dean could make the killing blow. The light flickered in Ruby's eyes and her body dropped to the ground.

Andy's eyes followed her body, but then they noticed the blood. The pool that had been around Lilith's body was now forming an intricate swirl. She stepped away from it and over to Sam and Dean. "Guys...look,"

The brother's snapped out of the moment and looked to what she pointed out. Dean furrowed his brow. The swirl came a stop in the middle and suddenly a white-hot burst of light emerged from it. A beacon from Hell.

Dean grabbed onto Sam as well as Andy and pulled them. "Let's go."

"Dean..." Sam's voice shook as he stayed frozen. "He's coming."

Andy also found herself unable to move. He held onto Dean's arm, watching in horror. The three of them cowered together as the light grew brighter and brighter.

And then they were abruptly not. Andy blinked, taking in their new surroundings. They were on a plane a few hundred feet in the air. It was, by all accounts, a miracle.

AUTHORS NOTE

holy crap is there a lot going on. So yea, I kinda crammed ep 21 & 22 together but I wanted to finish the season in 7 chapters and that's what I did!!

aNy way! I'm sosososo sorry it took me so long to get this chapter out. I got hit with a bad case of writers block + plus I'm working full time this summer and I'm normally too tired to write when I get home (perks of working at a camp).

Idk how I feel about the chapter as a whole but I really like bits of it, especially Andy's realization that all Dean really does is try to protect his brother and I just love that. As always, let me know your thoughts!!