That was cool.I do not spell words good so my reviews at short. I love your writing. you should write Supernatural books. Not kidding.

What a great conclusion to a fantastic story! The feels are what I enjoyed best, the Winchesters showing Castiel that he belongs with them, that he's one of them, family. I liked Sam looking to the future, with wanting to teach Cas to drive; that that's important to him and also letting Cas know he'll still be wanted - therefore not useless - even when he's fully fallen and human without superpowers. I liked "Dean looked ready to commit murder..." because it just shows that Cas *is* family and you don't mess with Dean's family. I also loved Dean shooting Crowley with a "harmless lead bullet;" after all, it didn't violate the contract and it served him right. Dean got it right: "'That was for Cas,' Dean interrupted. 'You come near my family again and you're gonna wish I'd used the Colt.'" Damn straight.

Thanks for writing and sharing such a wonderful story!

What's not to love about this chapter? There's action, humor, drama, atmosphere, mounting tension, and oh yeah tears. I was balling by the time I finished Sam's POV. The boys honored their end of the contract, but when it came time for the trade, they find Cas's antidote had petrified in Crowley's pocket so the Winchesters had to do the one thing they didn't want to: ask Cas to take them back to the mansion so they can make Crowley's anti-venin themselves in order to 'thaw' Crowley enough to get Cas's meds. Cas who's barely holding on and fading fast, dying in front of their eyes. But in order to save Cas, they have no choice. The mood of Sam's POV is so poignant, as is the symbolism of the pendulum clock tick-tocking Cas's seconds away above Sam's head. On the one hand, I'm surprised Sam didn't take that damn clock down and hurl it across the room to quit reminding him of time winding down; on the other, perhaps he figured as long as it still tick-tocked, Cas still had time and he would hold on long enough for Dean to get the anti-venin to Crowley and get back to the mansion with Castiel's cure. Again, I loved the feels, no surprise there, that sense that Cas belongs with the Winchesters and so they'd do *anything* for him. I loved the image of Sam kneeling beside Cas and trying to hold him to this life by talking with him, asking him a question. And then Cas's faint smile, like a blade in Sam's heart because "Cas hardly ever smiled" and now he offered it while dying, to thank the Winchesters for being there for him, for being his new family. Best line was probably Dean's "'And I swear to God, if Cas dies I'm coming back here with a sledgehammer.'"

Once again the tension is ratcheted up, between the snakes (gross!) holding Dean and Sam and, more importantly, a poisoned-weakened Castiel finding out the hard way that Stheno was not the only gorgon in residence. I liked Castiel's persuasion to Crowley, so I expect the asshat to get there eventually; he'd better hurry, though, before Euryale takes her vengeance on Cas. Lots of great action this chapter, easy to see in my mind's eye. The boys' plan didn't go as they had hoped, thanks to Euryale, which made them simultaneously hope for Cas to rescue them and hope he'd stay away because of the poison eating through him. So, yeah, they're all screwed 'til Crowley gets there and as he's all about himself - as he's proven time and time again - I expect him to show. I do feel most sorry for the Winchesters, though, waiting under a coiling, writhing pile of snakes - talk about the heebie-jeebies!

And now the tension and stress ratchet up a notch as the boys find out Stheno has another sister, Eunice, and both confront the boys. Nicely done! I didn't see that little revelation coming. Cas is getting worse so the boys sideline him - which made Cas beyond grumpy - not because they don't want him around but because they're terrified of losing him. Cas translates the protection spell for the boys and performs the spell not because it will ultimately help him, but because it will protect the boys so they can kill Stheno before she hurts anymore people or the Winchesters themselves. I loved that Magnus had things that made both Winchesters drool. And poor Sam; he has to be the mature, level-headed one and has to referee Crowley, Dean, and Castiel. I loved how the Winchesters showed Cas they care about him, that he's their friend, practically family, so they care a great deal about what happens to him. Favorite part was "'No, you're just too damn important to risk your life,' Dean growled. 'Especially when you don't have to. Sam and I got this. Just take it easy for once'" because it illustrates how much Castiel does mean to the Winchesters and you know I can't resist those feels.

Onward to find out how the boys get out of this predicament. It'd be nice if one of the gorgons would just willingly milk a snakehead but as that would be too easy (not to mention bad fiction) as well as stupid on her part (like the boys wouldn't return eventually to gank the pair of them) and given your warning in the A/N at the beginning of the story, I can imagine how this is going to play out. Eww...!

The elements of fiction, as usual with your stories, are awesome; especially, in my opinion, characterization. Multitasking is definitely the way to go, Cas looking for the gorgon while the Winchesters look for ways to defend against her, while Crowley sits on his ass feeling sorry for himself and drinking away his woes. Poor fricking asshat. I loved poor Dean's reaction to all those books and finding himself in a research position. Yeah, I like grumpy Cas too! I loved both Winchesters' reactions to Cas taking off on his own and how they both worried about him, even though time is of the essence. Turns out they ought to worry for Castiel, facing the gorgon after cutting off one of her snake heads, is finding himself affected by the poison after all; so much so, he actually takes to the ether, returning to the mansion and the Winchesters. And they discover the poison is hard at work against their best friend. So now the stakes and tension are raised; the Winchesters were already taking the poisoning seriously, not willing to risk Castiel's life by not believing Crowley, but now Cas has to admit it's working on him. Now the clock is their enemy. My favorite parts are all those in which the boys claim Cas as family and being there for him when he needs them; even the snippy comments/texts that show they care about him. Probably my favorite line, however, goes to Crowley: "'Yes, let's just stand around and gawk,' Crowley snipped. 'It's not as though anyone's *dying* here.'" I loved Castiel's thought process on why he chose to sign the contract, and I got a kick out of the inner voice that sounded suspiciously like Dean telling him not to engage Stheno. I also loved Sam's wondering if they were teaching an angel how to lie.

Once again, I really love your characterization. You do such a fantastic job with the boys, including Castiel. So now everyone knows and has agreed to the deal. You go, Sammy! Showing that demon how it's done. There is one thing that does bother me about the signing of the contract: in order for it to be binding for ALL of them, shouldn't Crowley have to sign it? I didn't see where he did and a kiss works both ways so I see that as binding but it seems to me as though Crowley has to sign it as well for him to be bound by it. Of course, since I only watch Castiel episodes, this could be explained in canon and I'm simply ignorant of how demon deals work; if that's the case, sorry! Funniest line has to go to "Still looking as though he'd like to smite them all, Cas slowly took the pen..." Ah, my sweet angel. Unsurprisingly, I love how the boys rally around Cas, how they take the poison as a serious threat, even when Cas doesn't want to. So now it's off to Magnus's former mansion to discover how to gank gorgons so they can trade a cure for a cure.

I decided to stay with S5 AU TFW so here I am!

I enjoyed the set up and Crowley's less than honorable way of asking for help, though it did serve him right; no one made him move into the mansion, after all, and no one certainly made him free a freaking gorgon for God's sake. But as motivation, it rings true for him and the Winchesters. I am a tad bit disappointed that Castiel wasn't still with the Winchesters, that they weren't keeping him close after the events of "The Collector," though I don't know how much time has passed between these 2 stories. Still, it would've been nice if they'd asked him to stick around after that - but that's just me; you know I tend to get hyper-protective towards my angel.

I also wanted to head-smack Dean. Really? You haven't asked Cas to stick around and you say you remember his failing powers and waning flying abilities but you call him so you don't have to drive your car? Seriously, dude? Your delicate nose and precious car's upholstery are worth more than the angel who's falling for you?! Man up, asshole. (Ahem. Sorry! As I've said, I tend to be hyper-protective of Castiel.) Don't get me wrong; this was a totally Dean response considering what had happened - and yes, Dean-o, it was too funny - it just pisses me off that he would take advantage of Castiel in that way because he knows Cas would never deny him anything. Hell, the angel lost *everything* for Dean after all. Granted, Dean couldn't have known how the night would end, with Cas in dire straits because of Dean's laziness (clean the fricking car out yourself next time, douchenozzle). Sorry!

Needless to say, I want to read more to see how it turns out, to make sure my angel is taken care of; I have to know what happens next, what the Winchesters do to rectify the situation they find themselves in. And they damn well better take care of that angel!

I adore your stories for your Catch Me When I Fall verse, they're so heart warming!

Also, imagining Crowley flailing his stone arm and clubbing monsters was hilarious.

But I do have to point out that, from where I stand, they did, in fact, break the contract. Yes, they agreed not to kill each other, but the basis of the agreement was a non-violence pact for 6 months or so. So, since the deal was done, both Crowley and Cas received their antidotes, the non-violence pact should have been started. So, Dean shooting Crowley, although doing no damage, was a violent act and broke the contract, correct? Not that it makes a huge difference, it was just something I saw and was, like, "way to go Dean, you failed", lol.

Thank you for the story, another amazing story from you. Just the several other supernatural stories I have read by u, they have all kept me on the edge of my seat. The suspense on wanting to know what happens next is thrilling. You have an amazing talent for writing stories.

rereading and smiling like a happy grandma just like the first time. I will never not say that this fic should have been an episode. because damn it so should have

I truly enjoyed it! Thank you!

Hello there, my dear Cas!whump - oholic friend! I have to say, your stories make me happy! If hurting Cas is wrong, well, I am guilty then. As always, you are great!

Team Free Will is my life and you write it amazingly! AHHHHH!

AHHHHHH! CAS! MY BABY!