Chapter 18

Brooklyn

We headed out to the Impala, grabbing some fresh clothes before heading back inside and changing. I slipped into one of the bathrooms, sliding out of my clothes. I'd defiantly need to repair and wash these clothes before we went on another mission.

I looked at my body, finding that the cuts on my elbows and knees weren't too bad but the ones on my hands were still stinging. When the door opened, I jumped and turned around, relieved to find Dean.

It was crazy how quickly I had gotten comfortable with standing in front of Dean with just my undergarments on.

"Hey," Dean said as I turned away from him and began to slip my jeans on. He walked over to me in the medium size bathroom, his eyes watching me through the mirror. He must have caught sight of my hands because he quickly grabbed them, stopping my actions.

"What happened? Is this when you went after the demon?"

"Yeah, I skidded across the cement. No big deal, I'll be fine," I reassured him.

Dean glanced up at me before reaching over me to grab a small towel. I watched him as he turned on the water, running some of the towel underneath it, before pulling it away.

When the cool water touched my cuts, I hissed slightly and tore my hand back.

"Sorry," He quickly apologized, making me smile. "It's just some cuts Dean. You and I know I've had much worst."

Looking up at me, Dean surprised me when he released my hand and pushed my hair behind my ear. He just stared at me, causing me to get lost in his green eyes.

Past the staring, I could see the worry in his eyes. It wasn't towards my cuts, but towards his brother, the bloody napkin still stuck in his mind. "I know you're worried about your brother," I said, making Dean sigh. He tore his eyes from me, laying the towel down on the counter.

"I think he can do it though," I reassured him, making Dean take a step back.

"He shouldn't have too. It should have been me doing these trials, not him. I'm the oldest, it's my responsibility."

My eyes rolled slightly at his comment, making Dean look at me puzzled, "What?"

"Do you know what the role is for a big brother? It's to look out for the younger one. To teach him what to do and say..."

"Exactly."

"When your kids," I finished, making Dean go silent. You are both adults now, and I know the world that we live in is dangerous at times, but you have to let him make the decisions he wants to make. You can't protect him from everything. Sometimes he has to protect himself."

Dean didn't seem to like my guiding words, but seemed to understand where I was coming from.

He sighed, looking down at his shoes before looking up at me. "And what about you? You don't want me to protect you?"

I smiled, grabbing his wrist with one hand and pulling him closer, "I want you to have my back. But I also want you to take a few steps back." Dean took a couple of steps back, making me laugh and him, smile slightly. "Not now!" He laughed before taking the steps back up to me.

His hands grabbed my hips, his eyes meeting mine, "I love you," He said.

Blushing, I whispered, "I love you too." Dean gave me a quick kiss before pulling his hands away and turning towards the bathroom door. His hand opened the door, but his head looked back at me. "And hey, keep the shirt off."

I grabbed my black pants and threw them towards Dean, only for him to smirk and close the door. Rolling my eyes, I finished getting dressed before exiting the bathroom and heading into the kitchen.

Wendy was gone and Sam took her spot with a laptop sitting on the table. Dean was standing behind Sam, both boys looking up at me when I walked in.

Sam spoke up, looking back towards the computer, "All right. According to this, the crypt has to be below an abandoned building."

"Good times," Dean said, taking a small step back and crossing his arms.

"You think we can trust Cas?" I asked, looking between the two boys.

Sam let out a sigh before looking up at me, "No. But what choice do we have?" I nodded, agreeing with him before sighing, "Alright, let's go then."

Closing up the laptop, the three of us climbed into the Impala before heading out. Following the directions, we stopped at an old abandoned warehouse.

Of course, it's always a warehouse. Why can't it be a nice farmhouse? Or a five stare hotel? Why is it always a warehouse?

"Alright, so here's the plan..." Dean started but was cut off when Cas appeared in the backseat with me. I let out a yelp, causing the boys to quickly look in the backseat.

"Cas! Where have you been?" Dean exclaimed to Cas.

"Busy with things. Are we going to go in or not?" Cas asked, opening the backseat door and climbing out.

Dean let out a sigh before climbing out as well, Sam and me joining him. As we walked up towards the warehouse, Dean started to pick up where he left off. "All right, Cas, Brook, and I will head in and get our Indiana Jones on. Sam, you stay outside."

"What?" Sam asked, stopping and looking at us like we were crazy.

Dean sighed, stopping and looking at his younger brother, "We got this."

"Okay, it does not take three people to..." Sam started but was cut off by Dean who seemed frustrated. "Sam, we saw your bloody rag in the trash can, okay?"

Sam seemed taken back by Dean's words, opening and closing his mouth a couple of times, "That wasn't..."

"Stop. Just stop. Sam, we don't know what's in there, okay? And you almost let a demon get the best of you back there."

So much for listening to me.

"I'm fine," Sam tried to reassure Dean, looking to me for help. As much as I was trying to keep hope for Sam, it seemed that Dean had witnessed something back at Wendy's house that I hadn't. Making me trust Dean on this one.

Dean shook his head, "No, you're not fine. You haven't been fine since the first trial. That's why I called Cas."

Sam still didn't budge, "Dean, I'm telling you I'm okay."

Cas took a step forward, getting a better look at Sam as he spoke, "No, you're not. Sam... You're damaged in ways even I can't heal. Dean's right. You should stay here."

We're all taken back by Cas' words, Sam growing silent.

Trying to focus on the mission at hand, Dean put his hands up, shook his head, and said, "All right, we'll be back."

Castiel starts to walk away, me in follow as Dean hands the demon killing knife to Sam before following us. Once we made it inside, we found our way into the basement, keeping our ears and eyes out.

"Hey, what did you mean back there about Sam?" Dean asked Cas, using his flashlight to light up the basement.

"It's difficult to say. It's something on the subatomic level and his electromagnetic field-" Cas started.

Dean cut him off, getting the idea behind it. "Okay, bottom-line it for me, Bill Nye. Is it lethal?"

"I don't know."

My head looked at Cas, my feet stopping as Dean's did the same. The way he said he didn't know didn't comfort us one bit. Instead, it seemed to make us feel worst.

We made our way through a dark corridor, Cas stopping next to a cement wall and laying his hand on it, "Wait." We stopped, looking at him as he stared at the wall, "There's a draft. There's something behind there. Stand back."

Dean and I take a step back, Dean seeming to take a step in front of me and hold his arm out to keep me back.

Cas closed his eyes, his hand seeming to flow energy through his hand and onto the wall. The wall cracks under his hand before grumbling to the ground.

We made our way through the hole in the wall, finding an old, dusty crypt. The ceiling was vaulted, the only light coming from Dean and I's flashlight. There are ancient artifacts lying around, everything is covered with dust and spider webs.

"Dean, Brooke," Cas said before pointing over towards an item on a shelf, "That's it."

I shine my flashlight over to it, noticing a carved, wooden chest. "How do you know?" I asked, looking over to Cas suspiciously.

"It's the only thing in here warded against angels," Cas said, but my eyes still didn't move from him.

Dean made his way over to the chest, picking it up before placing it on the table in the middle of the room. Castiel moves over to the table while I keep my distance in the corner of the room, my eyes now of the chest. Dean uses a dagger to pry open the lid, reaching in it before pulling out a large stone.

"Winner, winner, chicken dinner," Dean says with a giant smile. His eyes look over to me and I give him a small smile and nod. Though I'm happy we found the stone before Crowley did, I still have this bad feeling in my gut.

Cas held out his hand, "Good. Hand it to me, and I'll take it to heaven."

Dean holds the stone with both hands, looking at Cas suspiciously. "No, we will take it to Kevin so he can translate."

Pausing before nodding, Cas says, "Right. Of course. I'll take it to him right away. No time to waste."

Dean glances over at me, making me shake my head lightly.

"Well, he's not that far. I've been meaning to go check on him, bring him some supplies," Dean said.

Castiel seems annoyed, "I can resupply the Prophet, Dean."

"You know, why don't, uh, why don't Sam, Brooke, and I take it over to him, and you can get back to your mission? Finding the other half of the Demon Tablet - that is priority, isn't it?"

Sighing, Cas lowered his hand, "I can't let you take that, Dean."

"Can't or won't?" I asked, speaking up. Cas looked over at me, his voice monotone, like he was repeating stuff, "Both."

Dean took a step back, making me take a step towards him. Bringing up the past, Dean asked, "How did you get out of Purgatory, Cas?" Silence, no answer. "Just tell us how you got out of Purgatory. Be honest with us..." Dean nods to the stone, "...and this is yours."

Instead of answering, Castiel's blade drops from his sleeve into his hand.

Immediately I gasp and grab Dean's arm, trying to pull him back. Dean holds the stone in one hand while he holds up his other to our friend, "Cas. Cas, I don't know what the hell is wrong with you, but if you're in there and you can hear me, you don't have to do this."

Castiel attacks, raising his blade to strike Dean. He pushes me back, holding up the stone with both hands. The stone takes the blow, causing a flash of light and thunder to rumble.

"Cas! Stop! What are you doing?" I yelled as he attacks Dean again, thunder rumbling above us as the stone takes another hit.

"This is not you! Fight it!" Dean yells to Cas, stumbling backwards.

Holding his head in his hands, Cas yells, "What have you done to me, Naomi?"

"Who's Naomi?" Dean asked, reaching for Cas' shoulder. "Dean, be careful," I say in worry, my hand still holding the flashlight on the two. Suddenly, Cas turns and backhands Dean, throwing him into the wall and watching as he falls to the ground.

"Dean!" I yelled, racing over to him. My hands grab Dean's arms, looking to see he has a small gash on his forehead. When we look up, Cas is over us, throwing a hard punch to Dean.

My hands try to push Cas away as I yell, "Cas! Stop it! Stop it!"

I'm shocked when Cas hard, backhands me, causing my body to collide on the ground. Dean's hand lays on my leg before standing back up and face Cas. He throws a punch, but is stopped when Cas grabs his forearm and breaks it. My body clenches when I hear the bone snap.

Dean drops the stone, shattering it before revealing the tablet inside.

Cas starts beating on Dean, causing me to rise to my feet and try to yank Cas away. My hands grab his arm, trying to hold it back. He turns and grabs my arm, tossing me into the artifacts.

Dean's face is bruised and bloodied, his eyes looking over at me before getting punched again. "You want it? Take it! But you're gonna have to kill me first. Come on, you coward. Do it. Do it!" Dean tempts him on.

Castiel continues to throw punches at Dean, making my stomach clench and my own body hurt from just watching him.

Quickly, I reach over and grab the tablet, holding it high up with one hand. "Cas! Cas!" I yelled, causing him to stop and look over at me. His hand is still holding onto Dean while his blade is still risen. "This isn't you. I don't know what is going on, but I know that we're family. And we need you. Please."

Castiel seems distance for a minute before coming back to reality. He drops the blade, it clanging on the cement ground. Once I knew the blade was out of his reach, I quickly handed Cas the tablet and ran over to Dean who was groaning in pain.

My hands laid on his shoulder and arm, looking him over. When my eyes look up, I'm quick to push Dean behind me, my knees being the only thing keeping me above him.

I kept shaking my head, tears already threatening to spill. My ached while my mind stayed clear. No way was I going to let Dean take another beating. If anything, I'd be the one to take it first.

Cas reaches out towards us, my arms keeping me in front of Dean as I shook my head. "No, no, Cas, please. No," I said trying to scooch us back but failing. Cas suddenly puts his hand on the side of Dean's face, a gasp leaving his lips.

When I turn to look at Dean, he's completely healed. My hands hold onto his face, looking him over to find nothing wrong with him. His hands lay on my arms, completely shocked by the incidence that just happened.

I can't help but pull Dean into me, hugging him tightly before we both turned to look at Cas.

"I'm so sorry, Dean. Brooklyn," He nodded to us.

Dean and I stood up, one of my hands still on Dean's arm, "Cas. What the hell just happened?" I yelled, angry.

"It wasn't me, I was being controlled."

"By Naomi?" Dean asked, making me turn and look at him before looking back at Cas who nodded in response. My mind seemed to put the pieces together quickly, "So, this Naomi has been controlling you since she got you out of Purgatory?" I asked?

Castiel is silent at first before nodding, "Yeah."

"Well, what broke the connection?" Dean asked, confused and still a little shocked by what had happened.

Looking at the tablet, the Angel replied honestly, "I don't know. I just know that I have to protect this tablet now."

"From Naomi?" I asked, making him look at me. "Yes. And from both of you."

Dean and I looked at each other, before looking back at Cas, "From us? What are you talking about?" Once again, before Cas can answer, him and the tablet are gone, a rumble of thunder sounding above us.

"Cas? Cas! Damn it!" I yelled, stomping my foot on the ground in a fit of anger. My back hurts slightly and my shoulder feels like it went through a shredder, but I don't care at the moment.

Suddenly, Sam came barreling into the crypt, looking around in a panic, "Dean! Brooke!" He ran over to us, looking around before asking, 'Where's Cas?"

"He's gone," Dean said, slightly confused.

"We got to go – now," He quickly said, trying to get us to follow him. It took us a minute before we quickly followed. We ran outside, heading for the Impala to find Crowley on his knees off in the distance.

"Oh my god," I mumbled before getting pushed in the backseat by Sam.

Dean took the wheel, waiting until we were inside before quickly driving away, leaving Crowley behind. We waited a little bit, all of us trying to calm down and register what happened.

After we explained to Sam what had happened with Sam, he seemed just as shocked as we were. "So... what happened? I mean, Cas touched the tablet, and it reset him to his factory settings or something?"

"I don't know. And I don't care. All I know is that he beat the crap out of Brooke and me and is off the reservation with a heavenly WMD." Sam goes silent, still trying to absorb his words. There's a slight pause before Dean glances over at Sam then back at the road. "Listen, man, I can't take any more lies from anyone."

Sam sighs, nodding, "Yeah. Um... I know. I'm sorry. I should have told you, both of you," He said, looking in the backseat at me before looking at his brother. "I, I just wanted to believe I was okay."

Dean sighed, seeming to take in Sam's words. "Well, you heard what Cas said – that, that first trial hurt you in ways that even he can't heal. Sammy, I need you to be honest with me from here on out, man. And if you're afraid to talk to me then talk to Brooke, got it?"

Nodding, the youngest Winchester seemed to understand, "Okay. I will."

I watched as Dean glanced in the backseat through his rearview mirror before focusing back on the road. His hands gripped the wheel for a second before speaking again. "Listen, I may not be able to carry the burden that comes along with these trials. But I can carry you."

Sam smiled, looking at his hands that sit on his lap, "You... you realize you kind of just quoted "Lord of the Rings," right?"

"Come on, man. But it's the Rudy Hobbit, all right? Rudy Hobbit always gets a pass," He said, looking over at his brother with a smile. They both smiled at each other, Dean looking at me which made me smile as well.

Dean clicked on the radio, loud music singing from it.

I was caught off guard when Dean reached his hand in the backseat, lightly squeezing my leg before returning to the wheel.

Leave a comment and let me know what you think? A few more episodes before the end of the season!