"He came for you after all. Doesn't that please you, Mouse? See, you do matter to them," Crowley coos with absolutely zero sincerity.

"Fuck you, Crowley," Dean snaps, moving further into the room to give Sam room as the younger Winchester enters.

"I have a deal for you, love. You have a broken soul, Nina. So much like his," Crowley says in front of everyone.

"Hey," Dean says, offended, trying to get his attention.

"He must see himself in you," my erstwhile companion continues, eyebrow raised at the thought. "Broken but still so damn good. He hides it behind booze and sex, his guilt, his truly annoying need to save the world. You hide behind a name that isn't yours, Little Mouse."

"What are you pushing, Crowley?" I ask quietly, not sure I'll be able to turn down an offer anymore.

"Me. A chance to repair that soul. A chance to be important. A life where you really matter."

"I can't."

"I'm offering you power, girl. You'd sit at the side of the King!" he shouts, trying to make me hear him.

"You knew from the beginning," I whisper. "I always go back."

He steps closer, meets my eyes, threads a hand through my hair. Sam and Dean stir, but I raise a hand to still them.

"Use those beautiful eyes, Little Mouse. Use them to see what's really in front of you. You get nothing out of it. You get nothing in return from him."

"I do. Sometimes I do," I reply, hoping he'll believe it even when I don't.

"You deserve so much better, sweet Nina," says the demon, looking deflated at my rejection.

"No, I really don't," I tell him, knowing the truth of it. I'm no one. "And my name is Mouse. Nina is dead."

"Yes," Crowley sighs, "I suppose she is."

"Let's go, Mouse," Dean instructs.

"You be good to her, or I'll bring Hell down on you, Dean. Former besties or not," the King of Hell warns in a voice that leaves no doubt he means every word. Facing me again, he speaks not to me, but promises, "And when she's ready, I'll open the gates for her."

And with one final piercing look, more honest and open than any I've seen from him, he snaps his fingers, and is gone.

"Well, that was a lost opportunity," Dean admonishes. "You could have called us, Mouse. We could have been better prepared."

"Sorry, Dean."

"You okay? You have a place to stay?" Sam asks.

"Yeah," I say quietly.

"Good. So, if he comes back, give us a call."

"I will."

"Well, we'll see you soon," Dean says as he gives me a squeeze on the unbroken arm and a kiss on the cheek. Not the rescue I'd envisioned.

I hop off the bed and walk slowly over to the mirror on the wall above the sink in this suddenly lonely hospital room. I'm battered and beaten and bruised. But Crowley said I was beautiful. What did the king really see? Will anyone else ever see it? There isn't even anyone around to look.

Use those beautiful eyes, Little Mouse. Use them to see what's really in front of you. You deserve so much better.

I sigh. I shake my head. I decide.

"Crowley? Crowley, I'm ready."

"Nina, darling, I thought you'd never call."

And with a snap, we're gone.

AN: Thanks for reading! Crowley was fun to write. Reviews make you beautiful in Crowley's eyes.