Thank you once again williewildcat! ;) Ahh, you'll have to wait and see what happens between Jen and Sam!! ;)

CHAPTER TWO.

I remained outside, not knowing what was going on in the motel room, merely sat on the proverbial doorstep outside, staring across the parking lot at a group of children playing innocent games, untouched by demons and angels and all manner of monsters and ghoulies. I watched them sadly, thinking that in their innocence, they were safe - I wished sometimes that I had not lost mine.

A few minutes later and Dean had joined me, alone, without Sam, thankfully without Ruby.

"Care to explain your strong reaction to Ruby, Jenna?" Dean said, a soft grunt escaping his lips, as he eased himself down beside me.

I shrugged lopsidedly, before saying - "Other than a strong desire to smite her, which I seemingly borrowed from Castiel, nothing much to tell!"

Dean waited and when it became obvious I was not going to say more upon the subject, he laughed softly.

"You're a regular Chatty Cathy, just like Castiel!" he said, more to himself than to me. "Does that happen often - you borrow emotions from Castiel?"

"More than you realize!" I said dryly, but said no more once again.

"Does that not ... bother you?" Dean pressed.

"No," I said, without hesitation. "Really, it's the most comforting feeling in the world ... like I'm never truly alone. I like it."

A warm feeling spread through me, and I closed my eyes with a slight smile as I felt the touch of Castiel's lips upon my forehead, as he gave me a kiss from afar. He knew what I'd said, and was responding in kind. I sent back a kiss of my own, the first time I'd ever done so, and felt through our connection he'd received it. I felt him smile.

"You're talking to him now aren't you?" Dean observed, as he watched my face closely, looking a little wistful over my brief exchange with Cas. "I can see why you like it - you look ... happy, contented. I've never felt a connection to anyone, you know. Keep hold of that, Jenna. Don't throw away what you have! Don't be like me!"

"I won't throw it away," I said and I meant it.

Losing Castiel would literally mean the end of me.

There was a brief silence again, which Dean broke by saying - "I don't think Sam hates you, you know."

"Hmm, after today, I really wonder.... " I said, quietly, looking away from Dean uncomfortably. "I saw the way he looked at me - as though I were the most disgusting thing to him right then - all because I dared to take a stand against Ruby. I don't fancy my prospects with him right now."

"He'll come around," Dean predicted. "Just try your best at stopping Alastair from getting to Ruby, that's all I ask."

I made no promises to him - promises that I wasn't sure I could even keep. I hated to break a promise, so made none.

Dean took my silence for what it was and didn't take offence. I think he even shared my feelings regarding Ruby to a certain extent, which made the emotions a little easier to bear.

"Why does he want her anyway? Alastair I mean!" I clarified quietly. "Why is she so important to the seals?"

"She doesn't know. All she does know is that he wants her," Dean said, with an indifferent shrug.

I didn't say anything to that, merely continued to watch the children playing so innocently across the parking lot.

"I'd best go back inside," Dean said softly to me after a while. "You gonna be alright out here alone for a while?"

I nodded at him, before saying - "I'll head over to the diner in a minute, and get some food. I haven't eaten for a while."

"Order me something will you? And something for Sammy and Ruby?" Dean asked, as he stood with a groan of protest.

I nodded at that before saying - "Will do. Be back soon."

Dean nodded wordlessly, before I wandered off, head down, mulling over the sudden weight of responsibility upon my shoulders. I had to pretend a civility I didn't feel towards another - something I did not know if I could do. But did I have a choice? I didn't think so. I would just have to reign in my feelings, Cas' feelings and all for the sake of Sam.

It was a pretty big ask, but to keep the peace I would have to.

Little did I know that the choices before me would all of a sudden become fewer, and all within the space of time it took to order four burgers ...