A firm hand on Dean's shoulder made him jerk his head, snapping him back to the present. The flashlight in his face momentarily obscured the security guard peering at him.
"You can't sleep here buddy. Gotta move along."
"Yeah, sorry." Dean rose slowly to his feet, his muscles stiff from cold and fatigue. He nodded to the guard as he made to leave.
"Hey, I hope it gets better, whatever it is."
Dean smiled weakly. "Thanks." He walked away slowly, limping slightly as his body protested against being forced into action. He didn't mind taking his time though, he was in no hurry to go back. The peace he had felt with Jo was still with him, her embrace still warm on his body and he wanted to hold onto it for as long as he could. He went over the encounter again and again as he walked. It would take more than a dream, however real, for Dean to forgive himself, but he could feel a change all the same. It still hurt to think of her, but now it felt like the kind that could eventually heal, and when he thought that she had loved him too, a little piece of him fell back into place. The gaping hole he had felt before was still there, but it seemed a little smaller somehow and not so jagged around the edges.
He realised now how lost he had felt, wandering blindly through the darkness, not caring what happened to him, just trying to escape the pain. Now he had his compass back, his guiding star to light the way. He smiled a little, she had always been that for him without even knowing, the light that kept him going and reassured him he was on the right path. She was right, he did need to keep fighting, those angel bastards needed to get the hell off his planet – literally! The enormity of what he faced still scared him and the prospect of losing anyone else, he couldn't bear to think about. But he would keep going, for her. Hopefully he could borrow some of her strength until he regained his own. At least he knew he wouldn't be alone in this, Sammy, Cas and Bobby would be there of course, but even without them, Jo would be with him.
The Impala came into view as he rounded the corner. Dean had reached the hotel where he had left Kara and he stopped looking up at the windows. He wondered if she was still there, still alone. He pictured her asleep, peaceful. Maybe he would be able to sleep tonight after all. He took a step towards the hotel as the image of Kara changed to Jo, his own body curled against her for comfort. He stopped midstride shaking his head, laughing ruefully. "Oh this is going to be awkward." Dean took one last look at the hotel before turning and heading to the Impala, still chuckling to himself.