Hollowing Souls

All Dogs Go to Heaven

Alex took a bite of her ribs, then dropped the bone with a grunt. It was a week later, and they were still only about one hundred miles south of Michigan. Dean had insisted that they keep driving from place to place, and all Alex wanted was to stop at a motel and watch tv. However they had stopped for lunch at a local Rib Shack only for a quick break. She glanced over at the older Winchester; he was deep in conversation on the phone, undoubtably with Bobby, from what she could discern.

As she watched, Crowley appeared right behind Dean. "Crowley thinks you're just gonna what, Dean?" he asked. Dean immediately snapped his mouth shut. "Is that Bobby Singer?" Crowley continued. "Give him a kiss for me." He chuckled, and walked past Dean, making is way over to Alex and Sam. Alex noted that there was a newspaper under his left arm, and she tipped her head, wondering why.

"I'll call you back," Dean said, snapping his phone close. Then he followed.

"Good news, boys and girls! I've got a job for you." Crowley pulled up a chair, spun it around, and sat down. Sam dropped his fork in disgust, leaning away from the demon.

Dean sat down next to Alex. "I'm going to say this once," the hunter growled, leaning forward. "You can take your job and shove it up your ass."

"Is that anyway to talk to your boss?" Crowley asked, voice filled with mock offense.

"You're not my boss, dickbag."

Alex reached out and put a hand on Dean's arm, calming him down. His anger wasn't helping; if anything, it only making the demon more amused.

"Dean, Dean." The King of Hell clicked his tongue. "Been through this. Quit clutching your pearls. You've been working for me for some time. Sam here longer."

"We didn't know," Sam insisted.

Alex shook her head. "Like that makes a difference," she huffed.

Crowley nodded approvingly. "Exactly. Glad at least one of you is making sense." He turned back to Sam. "Let's be honest. You'd sell your brother for a dollar right now if you really needed a soda." Alex didn't miss the pained expression on Dean's face at those words. Crowley continued. "Look. I'm sending you —"

"No."

"Beg pardon?" Crowley tipped his head to look at Dean.

"I've done some shady stuff in my time, but I am not doing this. No."

"Ten quid says you will." He casually reached over, touching the back of Sam's hand. The hunter cried out, pulling away, and Alex heard the sound the sound of bacon sizzling. Except it wasn't bacon; it was Sam's flesh. The hunter cradled his hand as the burning sound continued.

"You like pain, Sam? You like hell?" He turned to Dean. "You need to stop thinking of this as some sort of a deal. This is a hostage situation, you arrogant little thug. I own your brother! Do you understand me?"

Alex bumped shoulders with the hunter. "Dean. Just give up." She lowered her voice. "You're not gaining anything by doing this."

"Listen to the littlest angel," Crowley suggested. "She's got more sense than the two of you combined."

Dean glared at the demon for several more seconds before looking away. He nodded.

Crowley snapped his fingers, and Alex heard Sam let out a breath of relief as the pain disappeared. "Come on, Dean, smile." When Dean didn't respond, the demon continued. "It's not that bad. Here's incentive — you bag me a live alpha, and I'll give you little Sammy's soul back, with a cherry on top."

"And you'll leave me alone," Alex added, wings flaring out slightly.

Crowley ignored her. "Well?"