BAR

A pool table with red felt. An El Sol neon sign in the background. Claire is holding a pool cue, talking to Brit, who is also holding a pool cue.

"After my mom split and went crazy, Randy was like a father to me. First, I lose my first dad, then I lose my second. And who killed him and trashed my life?" She makes a shot. "The buddy of the guy who killed my first dad and wants to be my third dad." Claire Says

"Wow, sounds just like my life." Brit Says

"Complications and pain. That's all family get you." Tony Says

"Yes." Claire Says

"That's why me and Tony keep moving. No strings. Hey, why don't you hang with us for a while and unload this whole mess?" Brit Says

"Um, you might wanna reconsider. People near me get pretty unlucky pretty fast." Her cell phone rings, she looks at the screen. "Oh, my – that's him again." Claire Says

"The guy who killed your second dad or the guy who killed your first dad?" Tony Asks

"The second thing." Claire Says

"Tell him to get lost." Brit Says

"I did. He's a turn-the-other-cheek kinda guy." Claire Says

"Hon. You seem real sweet, but sweetness don't clean up messes." Brit Says

"Yeah." Claire Says

________________________________

STREET

Dean, Elena and Sam are standing in front of a brick wall covered in graffiti in the rain talking to Crowley.

"Really, Crowley? Radio silence?" Dean Says

"Say something." Sam Says

"You want me do to what?" Crowley Says

"Okay Okay, We need you to bring back—" Elena Says

"Bring back the Blade? I don't think so." Crowley Says

Inside Crowley's throne room there's Rowena, humming bagpipe music, is attaching strips of Crowley's ties to a hex object. Back in the alleyway with Dean, Sam, Elena and Crowley.

"You don't have to give the ting to me." Dean Says

"I should say not." Crowley Says

"No no, just retrieve it and hang onto it until we need it." Dean Says

"You, moose, you're the sane one. You onboard with this?" Crowley Asks

"Wings of Titania, bear mine eyes aloft as I bid thee." Rowena Says

Rowena finishes the spell and gasps. Her eyes roll up into her head, as her spell leads her inner sight to Crowley, who is still with Sam, Elena and Dean in the dark alleyway. Rowena sees and hears this:

"Insane. You want me to procure the most dangerous weapon on the planet for Dean Winchester, the man who goes mental every time he touches it! I thought you'd wanna go for a beer, catch a film." Crowley Says

"Look Crowley, if this plan works..." Sam Says

"It's not a plan. It's a probable death sentence for me and my kind." Crowley Says

"If it works, it's better for you. Look, when the Mark is gone, the Blade can't operate." Sam Says

"Win-win. Huh? Win-win." Elena Says

"Stop that. It can't operate. It's hidden." Crowley Says

Rowena, still with her eyes showing only the whites, still listening.

"Okay, the Blade might be powered down, but the Mark is not. I'm doing everything I can to keep it together. You think the body count around me is high right now? Wait till Hal takes over." Dean Says

"We figure you stashed the Blade somewhere far away..." Sam Says

"Damn right. It's in a crypt with my bones." Crowley Says As Rowena raises her eyebrows

"All right, well?" Elena Says

"I hate Guam this time of year." Crowley Says

Rowena's inner sight retracts back into her body. She's sitting in Crowley's throne room in Hell, smiling into the camera.

HELL

Inside Crowley's throne room in Hell, Guthrie is tidying up scrolls.

"And why is this imperial communiqué coming through you? The king always deals with me mano a mano." Guthrie Says

"Well, the king, my son, had pressing affairs, and asked me, his mother, to speak with you, his most trusted... underling. He said, "Only Guthrie can be trusted with this task." Rowena Says

"I don't know." Guthrie Says

"It's not your place to know, just to obey. I did mention that as His Majesty's mother, I have an unerring sense of what or who is best for my son, yes?" Rowena Says

"Ad nauseam." Guthrie Says

"You will recall, it was I who exposed the traitor Gerald. The one the king executed. Turns out not all demons are nice. And I am a tigress when it comes to my bonny lad." Rowena Says

"What is this task the king requires?" Guthrie Asks

"Your resumé indicates you were a crossroads demon before your promotion?" Rowena Says

"I was." Guthrie Says

"Then you do travel, is that not correct?" Rowena Asks

BUNKER

Castiel comes in through the front door "The First Blade is back in play and Crowley is the one getting it?"

Sam and Elena are sitting at the table in the war room below, looks up at Castiel, surprised.

"I don't mean to be an alarmist, but you –" Castiel Says

"Yeah well, you know us." He walks in from the library, holding a beer bottle. "When we screw ourselves we like to go whole hog." Dean Says

"This would be the Crowley who let the Blade turn Dean into a demon?" Castiel walks down the stairs into the war room

"I don't have a choice, 'kay? I don't do this, I'm down the rabbit hole. Hear evil, see evil, do evil. The trifecta." Dean Says

"Cas, look. Let us worry about this. You've got enough on your plate with Claire." Sam Says

"Claire is gone." Castiel Says

"Gone where?" Elena Asks

"I don't know, I – I should have stopped her. But I am certain that she is destined for more trouble and disappointment. She is so... so full of rage." Castiel Says

"Listen, man, if I could make it better I would." Dean Says

"It's actually why I'm here. I was hoping you might reach out to her." Castiel Says

"Me?" Dean Says

"Yes." Castiel Says

"Seriously, I'm probably the last person she would wanna hear from." Dean Says

"I thought there would be a connection. One extremely messed up human to another, you could explain why you murdered her only friend." Castiel Says

"Oh, well, yeah, when you put it like that." Dean Says

"All I know..." He sits down opposite Dean. "... is she won't talk to me. I thought if she understood the kind of man Randy was and the danger she was in, she might..." Castiel Says

"What the hell, why not? Long shots seem to be the theme around here. I'm gonna go make a sandwich." Dean Says

"I'll, uh – I'll text you her number." Castiel Says

"Okay." Dean Says

Castiel has his cell phone in hand "I like texting. Emoticons?" Dean leaves the room "He seems calm. Considering the effects of the Mark. Metatron in proximity."

"Yeah too calm.." Elena Says

"I think he's worried about what'll happen if he pops the cork." Sam Says

CRYPT

In a crypt. Crowley walks in and blows the dust off the lid of the marble sarcophagus, which bears the name Macleod. He opens the lid to reveal a skeleton and an ornate box. He takes out the box and opens it, but it only contains a First Blade-shaped nothing.

_________________________________

HELL

Rowena is sitting on Crowley's throne in Hell. Guthrie opens the door and walks in, holding a briefcase. He sees Rowena and clears his throat.

"Oh! Ooooh – sciatica! I need a firm chair." Rowena Says

"So I see. I have it. This is my responsibility. I'll deliver it only to the king." Guthrie Says

"You have demonstrated unimpeachable loyalty, Guthrie. You, more than any, deserve this reward from a grateful monarch." Rowena Says

Rowena stabs Guthrie with an angel blade. Guthrie's eyes and mouth light up with demon fire as he burns out.

"Don't screw with me, sycophant." Rowena Says

"What in hell...?" Crowley Says

Rowena looks up at Crowley who walks in, looking down at Guthrie's body.

"Exactly! What the hell is going on in Hell?? You said Guthrie was one of your best, your most trusted, and yet I found him inciting unrest amongst the court." Rowena Says

"Can't be true." Crowley Says

"Can't it? He said you were colluding with someone called – Winchester? Yes? And that you were going to fetch him, what was it – the First Blade? Which could kill us all! He said he got it first because you couldn't be trusted. Naturally I confronted him, and he attacked me! I had no choice." Rowena Says

"I had a vision. Of Guthrie, attacking me." Crowley Says

"A prophecy. I am an interpreter of signs." Rowena Says

Crowley squats down and takes the First Blade from Guthrie's briefcase. "It's not possible."

"I know, sonny – and yet." Rowena Says

"How could he have known?" Crowley Asks

"Spies everywhere. I did try to warn you. Fergus – these Winchesters he mentioned, they're not the hunter Winchesters, are they? Because they too could be a great danger for us. I mean, today we got lucky, but tomorrow, who knows? Who is there left for you to trust?" Rowena Says

WOODS

It's night and a small woodfire is burning.

"Oh, we loved living there. It was our dream house." Brit Says

She's talking to Claire. They're both sitting in lawn chairs. Tony comes out from a beat-up van behind them.

"Of course the family came home from vacation. Screwed up everything." Tony hands a beer each to the girls

"Haha! I just about peed myself when the wife pulled that gun out of her purse." Brit Says

"Haha! We tore outta there and ran two miles bare-ass naked." Tony Says As Claire puts her cell phone to her ear

"Hey, it's Dean. Look, Claire, we need to talk in person. Just tell me where, okay? Call me."

"That him again? The guy that caused you so much grief?" Tony Asks

"Worse. Dean Winchester. The one who butchered Randy." Claire Says

"And why? What was this Dean's connection to Randy?" Brit Asks

"He didn't even know him. Or the others. And he gutted them. And I saw him standing there, soaked in blood. Looking like he enjoyed it. And now he wants to meet and talk." Claire Says

"Maybe you should." Tony Says

"What?" Claire Says

"Me and Tony are worried for you. This guy around, you're always gonna be looking over your shoulder." Brit Says

"We've handled situations like this before. We could take care of him so they won't bother you anymore." Tony Says

"Beat him up bad." Brit Says

"Or... something more permanent." Tony Says
As Claire smiles at him

BUNKER

Dean is in the kitchen, taking sandwich fixings out of the fridge. His cell phone plays rock music. He picks up.

"Yeah." Dean Says

"Squirrel!" He's holding the First Blade. "I've got it." Crowley Says

"That's good to hear." Dean Says

"Of course I'm gonna hang onto it until you work out how to get that thing off your arm." Crowley Says
As Dean ends the call

Metatron is still sitting in the dungeon and Dean walks in.

"I'm guessing you're not here to reminisce." Metatron Says

"All right, we did what you said. We have the First Blade." Dean Says

"Not here? Not on your person." Metatron Says

"Not saying. So back to you. What's next?" Dean Asks

"This is where it gets kind of interesting." Metatron Says

"Uh-huh." Dean Says

"It's very lonely here. And I have little to do but think. And it occurred to me that you really need this Mark taken off of you. And in order to do that, you really need me. So here's the deal. That first little tip I gave you? A freebie. Just cause you're you. Every future step – they're gonna cost you. Big. Oh, and FYI, there's a bunch." Metatron Says

Dean pulls out an angel blade, slams it on the table and goes to close the door.

"Whatcha doing there, Slugger?" Metatron Asks
As Dean locks the door

"I'm settling a score that's taken way too long to settle. Oh, and while I do that, I'm gonna get some information." He picks up the angel blade and walks up to Metatron. "And I'm gonna enjoy every minute of it. Because you're gonna tell me everything. All of it. And it ain't gonna cost me a damn dime. Slugger." Dean Smirks

"So—" Metatron Says

"All right. I'm gonna ask this exactly once, before it gets ugly. What is the next step in removing the Mark?" Dean Asks

"I repeat my offer. Each step costs you." Metatron Says

"You're confused. See, each step you don't give me – is gonna cost you. And it's been a long time coming. I mean, where do I begin? Stealing Cas's grace. Casting out the angels. Making Gadreel kill Kevin using my brother's hands. Starting an angel war. And, oh yeah, you killed me." Dean Says

"My morality is being judged by Dean Winchester? How many people have suffered and died because they believed in you? How many times have you lied to Sam, including, oh by the way, when he was possessed by an angel? And you say, "Oh well, it's all for the greater good." But lately, buddy? That greater good thing just went away, didn't it? Now, people die just because you want them to." Dean punches him in the face, he chuckles "Good, Dean. Go darker." Dean punches him again. "Go deeper!" Dean punches him four times, he starts bleeding from the nose. "Surely you've noticed, every time you respond when the Mark gets you all twitchy, you fall deeper under its spell. You think roughing up a few humans and demons makes it worse? Try messing with the scribe of God, bucko!" Metatron Says

In the bunker war room, Castiel walks up behind Sam and Elena who's still at the table.

"It's late. I'm gonna drive around a little bit, see if I can find Claire." Castiel Says

"Right now?" Sam Says

"I have to try." Castiel Says

"Well, be careful Cas." Elena Says

Sam and Elena looks into the empty kitchen, they see that Dean isn't there.

"Wait, Cas? Where's Dean?" Sam Asks

They all exchange a look and take off at a dead run down the corridor. Dean punches Metatron in the dungeon. Metatron begins panting and bleeding from a blackened eye.

"And Kevin's death? All on you. You put him in harm's way and kept him there. Gadreel possessing Sam? Who was it that tricked Sam into letting him in? Oh, and then my personal favorite: Dean Winchester. Whose entire existence is defined by a war on the dark and monstrous – bromancing his way around the country with the king of Hell!" Metatron Says

Dean punches Metatron twice."Let's try this again. What is the next step?" He Asks

"What is it you humans say so inelegantly? Oh, yes – go screw yourself." Metatron Says

Sam runs up outside the dungeon, followed by Elena and Cas. Dean grabs the angel blade from the table. Sam tries to open the dungeon door, but it's locked. He pounds on the door.

"Dean?!" Sam Says

"Now it's time to get serious." Dean says

In the corridor outside the dungeon, Sam and Elena is pounding on the door, Cas is standing behind them. Inside the dungeon Dean puts the blade against Metatron's throat.

"Dean!" Sam Says

"What is the next step in removing this Mark from my arm?" Dean Asks

"Dean, open the door." Elena Says

"Hey, open the door!" Sam Says

Back to the dungeon, Dean cuts Metatron's face. There's a glimmer of angel grace from the wound and Dean places the angel blade at Metatron's throat. Sam slams his body up against the door to get it open.

"What is... the next step?!" Dean Shouts

Dean rips Metatron's shirt open and starts cutting down his sternum. Blood and grace seeps out. Metatron screams. Outside, Sam kicks the door to no avail. Castiel shoves him out of the way.

"Move!" Castiel raises his arm

The Mark on Dean's arm glows red as he's still torturing Metatron.

"Behold, the river shall end at the source." Metatron Says

Castiel's eyes glow and he sends grace from the palm of his hand to shatter the dungeon door. He looks winded, and Sam and Elena runs past him into the dungeon, where Dean is holding the angel blade against Metatron's chest.

"No, Dean! Hey, stop, stop." Sam Says

Sam grabs Dean and pulls him away, Castiel and Even checks on Metatron.

"You were killing him." Sam Says As Castiel, Elena and Metatron walks over.

"I have to take him back." Castiel Says

"Cas, this won't happen again." Elena Says

"I gave my word. I have fences to mend in Heaven, and as it is, I have a lot to explain." Castiel Says

"If you ever ask me for help again, I will choose death. You realize it's going to get worse, Dean. You're gonna get worse!" Metatron As Castiel drags him away

In the library Dean is sitting at the table, holding his head in his hands. Sam walks in.

"Hey. You okay?" Sam Asks

"He said the river ends at the source." Dean Says

"What does that mean?" Sam Asks

"Maybe nothing. It was the last thing he said before you guys busted in." Dean Says

"Dean. Look, man, we had to..." Sam Says

"Hey, no. I get it, all right. I – I was gonna kill him. And I couldn't stop myself." Dean Says

"We'll figure it out, all right? You know what Cas said about needing a powerful force?" Sam Says

"Yeah, so?" Dean Says

"So, I've been thinking. Look. Cain still has the Mark, right?" Dean nods "And he's lived with it. For years, he's lived with it. So yeah, the Mark is strong, but – Dean, maybe there's a part of you that wants to give in to it. And maybe you have to fight that, you know? Maybe... part of that powerful force has to be you." Sam Says

Dean's cell phone plays rock music and he picks up
"Yeah."

"It's Claire I've thought it over." She walks up to Tony, sitting by the camp fire "Maybe it's only fair to hear your side of it. I mean, Castiel seemed to trust you, a lot." Claire sits down between Tony and Brit.

"Yeah, okay, where do you wanna meet?" Dean Asks

_________________________________

WOODS

The Impala drives up to Tony's and Brit's camper. Dean is alone in the car. Claire looks at him through the camper window. Dean gets out of the car. Brit is lurking in the bushes, holding a bat. Dean sits on the park bench. Tony is also lurking behind him. Claire watches them sneak up on Dean, Tony is holding an axe. Suddenly, Claire gets up and runs to the open camper door.

"No!" Claire Says

Dean turns his head, sees her, then looks around, alarmed. Brit swings her bat for him, but he ducks. Tony and Claire run toward Dean, who takes Brit in a choke hold using the bat. Tony attacks Dean, who shoves Brit to the side and, after a brief struggle, shoves Tony down on the ground next to her. Dean picks up the axe.

"No!" Dean raises the axe. Tony flinches. "No, no!" Claire Says

Dean forcefully swings the axe into the park bench. Tony and Brit run off, unharmed. Dean faces Claire. She turns around and goes back into the camper and Dean leaves.

Later on that day near a wooded area, day. Castiel's Lincoln drives into view. Claire is walking along the road. Castiel talks to her through the driver's side window while coasting alongside her.

"Claire!" Castiel Says

"How the hell did you find me?" Claire Asks

"Angels are able to find those who pray to them." Castiel Says

"Pray? Oh believe me, I gave up praying a long time ago." Claire Says

"Well, it doesn't have to be a formal prayer. I could pick up on a – a longing... Perhaps you wanted to tell me something?" Castiel Says

"No." She stops walking and sighs "I don't know. Maybe. I guess I just..." Castiel gets out of the car "...wanted to tell you that I – I thought about what you said. I'm gonna try doing things a little bit different. Let go of the little bit of monster in me." Claire Says

"Well, I could try to help you with that." Castiel Says

"I still gotta go it alone. But I could – maybe call sometime? Now get out of here, would you? No one's gonna pick me up with that butt-ugly car sitting there." Claire Says

"I'll see you, Claire." Castiel Says

"Oh, hey. Not that you care, but I like you better in a tie." Claire Says

Castiel smiles as he gets back in the car and drives off.