( VIRUS )

ABANDONED HOUSE
[ ☾]

"Why are we even listening to him, Dean? This is totally insane." Sam says.

"I don't disagree." Dean says. 

"One big happy family, are we, then? Fantastic." Crowley says.

"You ready to go?"

"Yes. Yes. I am. Sam, keep the home fires burning." Says Crowley.

"What are you talking about?" Dean asks. 

"Sam's not coming."

"And why the hell not?" Asks Sam. 

"Because I don't like you...I don't trust you...And—oh, yes—You keep trying to kill me." Crowley says.

"There's no damn way. This isn't gonna happen!" Sam yells. 

"I'm not asking you, am I? 'cause you're not invited. I'm asking you." Crowley points at Dean. "What's it gonna be? Gentleman...Enjoy your last few sunsets."

"Wait. I'll go." Dean turns to Sam. "What can I say? I believe the guy." Sam watches Crowley and Dean leave in the Impala.

Sam is on the phone, holding a bottle of whiskey. "And then Dean just walks..." Sam scoffs. "Right out the door with Crowley."

"Well, look, Sam, I got no love for demons, and, yeah, this whole thing is crazy, but...I don't know." Bobby says. "After a year of chasing up zilch, maybe it's time to go crazy."

Sam scoffs. "Yeah, maybe. Hey, Bobby?" He asks.

"Yeah?"

"Uh...Remember that time you were possessed?" Sam asks.

"Yeah. Rings a bell." Bobby says.

"When Meg told you to kill Dean, you didn't. You took your body back." Sam says.

"Just long enough to shank myself, yeah." Bobby says.

"Well, how'd you do it? I mean, how'd you take back the wheel?" Sam asks.

"Why are you asking, Sam?"

Sam takes a swig from his bottle. "Say we can open the cage. Great. But then what? W-we just lead the devil to the edge and get him to jump in?" He asks.

"You got me."

"What if you guys lead the devil to the edge and I jump in?" Asks Sam.

"Sam." Bobby says.

"It'd be just like when you turned the knife around on yourself. One action—just one leap."

"Are you idjits trying to kill me?!" Bobby asks.

"Bobby—" Sam starts.

"We just got done talking your brother off the ledge, and now you're lining up to say "yes"?" Bobby asks.

"It's not like that. I'm not gonna do it. Not unless we all agree. But I think we got to look at our options." Sam says.

"This isn't an option, Sam."

"Why not?" Sam asks.

"You can't do it. What I did was a million-to-one, and that was some pissant demon I was brain-wrestling." Bobby says. "You're talking about taking back control from Satan himself."

"Yeah.Yeah, I am." Sam says.

"Kid...It's called "possession" for a reason. You, of all people, ought to know."

"I'm strong enough." Says Sam.

"You ain't. He's gonna find every chink in your armor, Sam, and use it against you—Your fear, your grief, your anger. And let's face it—You're not exactly Mr. Anger management. How are you gonna control the devil when you can't control yourself?"

NIVEUS PHARMACEUTICAL
[ ☾]

Dean, from inside the Impala, is watching the building through binoculars. "Demons?" He asks. 

"Nah. Human shields. The demons are up top—12th floor." Crowley says.

"All right, then. We'll have to find a way in through the back." Dean says.

"You Winchesters make everything so complicated." Crowley disappears.

"Ah, crap." Dean says as Crowley reappears in the building behind the security guard, slitting his throat. "Oh, crap. Crap! Crap!" Dean exits the Impala, runs to the door of the building, and knocks on the door.

"Door's open!" Crowley yells. "What?"

"You killed them?" Dean asks. 

"We're on a tight schedule. Come on. Now you're squeamish? Please." Crowley walks Dean to the elevator, Dean steps inside, Crowley does not.Go get 'em, tiger."

"Wha—You're not coming?" Dean asks. 

"Oh, no. It's not safe up there. There's demons."

"Yeah, I get that." Sam says

"Look, just do what I told you, a-and try to be convincing." Crowley says. "It'll work like a charm. Trust me."

BRADY'S OFFICE
[ ☾]

Brady hears a thud out in the hall and gestures towards his door, which open. "Dean Winchester. What, no appointment?" He asks.

"Kind of an 11th-hour thing, you know?" Dena asks.

"Well, then, you're just on time. Have a seat. How's your brother?" Brady asks as Dean pulls out a weapon. "Well, down to business, then. What can I do for you?"

"Actually, it's about what I can do for you." Dean says.

"Really?"

"Me and Sam dropped two of your jockeys. I think you know that." Dean says.

"Yes. I got the memo." Brady says.

"Well, we kept their, uh, secret power rings."

"Mm." Brady hums.

"Which is why I'm here. I heard some folks saying that you wanted them back and you were willing to pay." Dean says.

"Hmm. Where are they?"

"Not here. But you want them, you'll come with me—Nice and civil—We'll get out of your little batcave here, and we'll discuss a transaction." Says Dean.

"Who says I want them?" Brady asks.

"What?" Dean asks.

"Who...Says...I want them?" Brady asks slowly.

"You know...Folks."

"See..." Brady clears his throat. "War and famine, even if I could cram the rings back on their bony fingers, I doubt it would do much good. They're withered husks right now—Fetal position on the floor—All thanks to you. So I don't want the rings. What I want is retribution. And I'm gonna rip it right out of your ass!"

Dean is thrown out through Brady's office door. Dean groans. "This...is so good. Therapeutic, for sure. You know, Dean, I really owe you one, buddy, 'cause I feel..." Brady kicks Dean. "So..."

"Unh!"

"Much..." Brady kicks Dean.

"Unh!"

"Better!" Brady kicks Dean.

NIVEUS PHARMACEUTICAL BUILDING
[ ☾]

Dean runs into the elevator and pushes buttons repeatedly. "Dean, where are you going? We're just getting started!" Brady yells. Dean exits on ground floor. Brady appears behind him and hits him on the head. "Good meeting, Dean. You know, I'm excited."

Crowley approaches from behind, and drops a sack covered in a devil's trap over Brady's head, then bashes Brady's head with a crowbar. "Evening, Uncle." He says.

"What the hell was that?" Dean asks.

"That was perfect." Says Crowley.

"Perfect? He didn't want the rings. He wanted me." Dean says.

"Imagine the surprise on your face."

"What?" Dean says. 

"Your ignorance and misinformation—I mean, completely authentic. You can't fake that." Crowley says and Dean gives him a look. "What? I-it went like clockwork."

"Not for me, you son of a bitch!" Dean yells.

"That's what you get—working with a demon."

IMPALA
[ ☾]

Crowley carves a sigil into Brady's torso. "Hey, hot stuff, watch the upholstery!" Dean yells.

"Up yours, mate. This bit of carving will tie our friend here down. No zapping off, no smoking out—Locked in the meat suit..." Crowley says. "An important piece of our bargaining strategy. Now, up here, we don't want I-50. Take 93 north."

"What are you talking about?" Asks Dean.

"Look, we can't take this guy back to your brother."

"Why the hell not? Crowley!" Dean yells. 

"They got history, all right?" Crowley says.

Dean angrily screeches the Impala to a halt. "You want to go anywhere, you start talking. What history?" He asks.