It had been an hour since Rowena had told them that the only thing they could do was watch over him, to stay by his side and watch him die. But that was not the Winchester way, nor was it how Cas wanted to handle things. They couldn't sit around his bed, doing nothing, while Jack faded from the world. There was no way that they would let it play out like that.

"How many times have we been dead or close to death. Yet here we are. Still alive and kicking. Jack is one of us now. With him it won't be any different," Dean said. "We always find a way. Always." They sat on chairs around a small table they had dragged into the room. None of them wanted to let Jack out of their sight. Rowena, though there was nothing she could do to help, had stayed, and had made the boys some coffee. Cas had his elbows on the table, face in his hands, defeated. He wanted to believe what Dean said, but looking at Jack's condition, there wasn't much time to find another way. Sam, always the one with a positive outlook on things, patted Cas on his shoulder.

"Dean's right. Jack will be fine."

"How?" Cas asked. "What are our options?"

"So, archangel grace that wasn't his didn't help. Seems to me he needs his own grace," Sam said.

"It's time to find Nick," Dean added. "He's human, but he might have some mojo left in him to give Jack some more time."

"I can do a locator spell," Rowena said. "We'll find Nick and with his leftover grace we will have this wee lad up and about soon enough. I'm sure of it. Just give me a few minutes to get everything sorted." She stood up and left the boys to their own devices to get everything ready for the spell.

"Nick might not want to come back with us," Sam said.

"He won't have a choice," Dean interjected.

"Dean, he's human now, so let's just be a bit careful with him and not spook him. Who knows, maybe he does want to help."

"Human or not, he still has Lucifer's face and it still makes me uneasy. I hadn't mind if I never had to see him again," Cas said, finally with his head out of his hands and looking a bit more hopeful. "But I would do anything to help Jack. He's… Well.. He's Jack. I can't lose him."

"Neither can we Cas, neither can we. And we won't." In that moment Jack coughed and his his head moved to the side, his brow furrowing. Dean stood up and walked over to him. He sat on the side of his bed and stroked a hand through Jacks blond hair. "We won't." Jack stirred and his eyes fluttered open for a second.

"Dean?" Jack mumbled softly. It was hardly noticeable, but they all heard it.

"Yeah kid, I'm here. We're all here. We'll get you better kiddo. Wait and see."

"It hurts Dean."

"What does?" Dean asked concerned. Jack frowned, as if he was thinking or trying to do something but couldn't get it done.

"I don't k- I…" He seemed out of breath and had difficulty talking. He gulped in air and his body shivered. "Everything." He managed to open his eyes a little and looked directly at Dean. "I'm on fire," he said and closed his eyes again, too tired to keep them open. Cas and Sam had walked up to the bed as well and Cas put a hand to Jack's forehead. It was hot and clammy.

"He has a fever. He's never had one before, so it must feel strange to him."

Sam crouched down and took Jack's hand. "It's ok Jack, it's a fever. I've had them many times. You feel hot and cold and weak, but you will be fine, I promise. Try to sleep ok." Sam wanted to stand up and take his hand away, but Jack had suddenly grabbed it with more strength then he looked capable of at the moment.

"Don't want…" a deep shuddering breath "to sleep."

"You need to rest Jack," Cas said.

"No, please. I…"

"We'll be here when you wake up," Dean tried to comfort him.

"But, if I dn't wake up.." Jack slurred. "I wnt to.. want to.. stay." Dean looked at Sam and Sam at him, pure heartbreak had fallen over their faces. They were at a loss as to what they could say. Luckily Cas stepped in. He took Jacks face between both his hands and pressed his forehead against his.

"He, Jack, don't worry. You're staying ok. You're staying with us. We're your family. You're… You're my son, ok. You're my kid and hell will freeze over before I'll let you go anywhere." He pressed a kiss on Jacks furrowed brow and eased it away.

"Dad?" he muttered.

"Yeah?"

"Thnk u." That was the last thing Jack could say before he went under and slept. Cas stood up and though his eyes were watering, he held back his tears.

"I'll go check on Rowena, see how far she is." Dean and Sam nodded and watched him swoop out of the room, before they put their eyes back on Jack, who seemed to at least be in a peaceful sleep.