a/n: Thanks to my reviewers, you keep me writing. Don't forget to keep adding those lovely comments!

CHAPTER SEVEN

Now the group was settled in at the local Shining Knight Motel. Yes they actually named it that and made a weak attempt at a medieval theme. Everyone had their own rooms but right now they were hanging out in Bobby's, still too pumped with adrenaline to sleep. Sam and Dean had gone on a junk food trip and come back with chicken nuggets, fries, pie, and candy. Along with beers and soda as well. Jo opted for the sober route and grabbed a can of Coke to go with her slice of chocolate pudding pie.

Jo was seated at a small table in the corner with her food, Castiel stood in the corner right behind Jo's chair. Ellen was across from her daughter nursing a beer while Bobby and the boys were sitting on the edge of the two twin beds. It was easy for them all to see the evolving relationship between Jo and Castiel. At first Dean had been a little jealous. First off he always thought Jo might be somewhere in his future. Second Castiel was supposed to follow him around, not Jo! However Sam had reasoned with him on the drive down here and even explained a bit of his secret conversation with the angel the other night. Dean quickly changed his tune, realizing how serious this might be, and how petty he was being. He did worry about them both though, what happened when Castiel went back to Heaven?

Right now things might be peachy for them since he was in the process of falling. But there were two options here, Castiel ends up getting slaughtered because the other pro-apocalypse angels win, or they somehow win and Castiel ends up head honcho in Heaven. That would mean little time to spend with a human girl. But for now neither of the Winchester boys brought up the depressing complications they had thought up. They wanted to enjoy some of the few relaxing moments they had with their friends. Of course for Dean that meant teasing the crap out of the two lovebirds.

"So"

He began while tossing another chicken nugget into his mouth.

"How's the angel in the kissing department?"

He asked, watching Jo with a big grin on his face. Jo stuck her tongue out at him but she could sense Castiel tense up behind her so she also added

"Amazing, probably much better than anything you've ever gotten."

Dean was about to come up with another retort when Ellen put her hands up.

"Okay kids, let's not gross out the mother alright? "

The older Harvelle insisted and as usual everyone complied. Bobby took another sip of his whiskey and shook his head.

"Ya'll are a bunch of idgits anyway"

He grumbled and that brought a smile to all the hunter's faces.

Later on when they all had wandered into their own rooms, exhaustion taking its toll, Jo settled onto her single full size bed. It was cheap and uncomfortable but the angel laying down next to her made it perfect. She wondered if this was going to be a regular thing, him spending the night. She hoped so. The day had taken a lot out of them both. She turned on the television and curled up next to him, reaching over and wrapping her fingers around his. She felt Castiel gently kiss the top of her head, then she was out like a light. Eventually even the angel fell asleep for a few short hours. Spending his first night asleep next to a human girl he could not even begin to describe his feelings for.

Jo slowly woke up to the dim sound of the TV. A Friends repeat was on. Monica and Chandler were sneaking around or something…She shifted slightly and realized Castiel was still lying next to her, their hands intertwined. Jo lifted her head off his shoulder, expecting to see him staring down at her in that curious way. However he was fast asleep with his head propped against the pillows. She smiled and just watched him for a few minutes. His face was relaxed and all the heavy tension was gone. She wished he could be so at peace more often. But none of them could, not with Lucifer on the rise. So for now she settled back against him and watched the repeat of one of her favorite shows.

For most of the day all of the hunters hung around the motel and relaxed. Jo was cooped up in her room with Castiel until about two in the afternoon. There ended up being a Friends marathon so Jo got to explain to the angel who was dating who, why the jokes were funny, and why Ross and Rachel were not together even though everyone knew they were in love. Finally he informed her he had gotten a call from one of his brothers and must go to meet him and receive word on heavenly matters. She had expected this time to come, an angel had to be needed at some point. So Castiel teleported away and left Jo alone for the first time in awhile.

She decided to grab a bite to eat and stepped out to head to the pizza place across the street. Ellen was exiting her room at the same time and was glad to finally see her daughter alone.

"So you managed to lose the trench coat glued to your side?"

Ellen asked with good humor and Jo grinned at her mother. They had always had a close bond despite the initial conflict over Jo hunting.

"Yea Mom, he is receiving the word of God or something…anyway you wanna grab some pizza with me? I'm starving."

Jo asked and Ellen quickly nodded, happy to have a chance to talk to her daughter alone.

They grabbed a booth at the pizza parlor and ordered a large cheese pizza to share. Jo knew a serious conversation was coming but she also knew it was one they needed to have. Things were changing quickly for her and it might be nice to share with another woman. Ellen took a sip of soda then broke the silence first.

"Alright hun, you gotta tell me what the hell is goin' on with you and that angel."

Ellen said with a curious look in her warm brown eyes. Jo tapped her fingers on the table for a bit, trying to figure out where to start.

"Well, you know he saved me from that hell hound…but I guess things kinda started the night before. The night we all thought was our last on Earth. After everyone passed out I spent the night sitting on Bobby's porch with Cas. He seemed so lonely out there so I talked to him and we just sat there until the sunrise. "

Jo explained, hoping that sort of helped her mother understand how it all began. She knew it probably seemed like Castiel saved her and afterward she liked him, but it was so much more than that. Ellen nodded but was still curious as to how this very strange relationship was unfolding so she asked another question.

"How did he end up in the car with you, when you met us at Bobby's after that wendigo hunt?"

Jo actually laughed first, recalling the awkwardness of Castiel trying to explain that he just wanted to visit her that night.

"He just popped into my motel room and said he wanted to visit me, albeit in a very awkward way. Then we just stayed there and talked and watched TV, later you guys called so he came with me to Sioux Falls. It's weird because even though I know he's an angel, I feel completely comfortable just hanging out with him like a normal guy. Hell, more comfortable than any normal guy since they always get on my nerves and are jerks."

She finished with a smile. Ellen nodded and smiled as well. Deep down she was worried for her daughter since this was one damn complex relationship. But Ellen was also elated because she could see Jo had finally fallen in love. Yep, she was willing to classify it as love, because her daughter had never tolerated any man for more than a couple weeks. She had also never looked the way she did when she was with the angel, she seemed happier. It reminded Ellen of how she felt about Jo's father.

"As long as you're happy Jo, you know I'm rooting for you 100 percent."

Ellen said simply. She left out the love topic, knowing Jo would deny it so early on. Her daughter needed to discover that for herself when the time was right.

When the Harvelle women returned to the motel they were met by the grim faces of the guys. They were quickly ushered into Bobby's room and both women knew something serious was already happening again. Castiel had returned and immediately stepped up to explain the situation.

"I have received word from one of my brothers, one of the few allies I have left. Balthazar informed me that Anna has plans to exterminate your existence Jo, as well as your mother's."

Jo could see the pain flash in his eyes when he mentioned her death.

"Why the hell is she gonna do that? I thought she didn't listen to Heaven's orders."

Jo demanded, wanting to know why a formerly fallen angel was trying to kill her. Castiel frowned but continued to explain.

"Anna seems to be seeking redemption for her past behavior. She will follow any order given to her in order to be redeemed in Heaven. Her plan is to travel back in time and kill Ellen before you were born. This will end your existence as well as your mother's. Raphael is trying to take us out, diminish his enemies in starting the apocalypse."

The angel said with a forlorn look for both Harvelle women. Sam stepped forward, running his hand through his shaggy brown hair.

"Cas, I hate to say it but I think this might be a personal hit as much as it's a business hit. Raphael is killing three birds with one stone here. Number one he kills Ellen, two he kills Jo, which is two great hunters out of his way. And three he hurts you by killing Jo since it's likely someone upstairs knows about you two."

Sam's voice was sad with regret that he had to say that. But it was probably true and no one argued it, Castiel's affection for Jo was no help in avoiding being an angel target. Jo's heart felt like it was cracking as she watched the realization hit Castiel. His face crumpled and his shoulders slumped. His head hung low and he was just staring at the floor with a look of shame on his face. Jo stepped up to him, cradling his face in her hands, forcing him to look her in the eye.

"Cas, this is not your fault, don't you dare feel guilty about this. It's Raphael's fault for being an ass."

Castiel just nodded discretely. Jo knew it was going to take a little more convincing. When they were alone again she would make sure he understood she did not blame him for any of this. She blamed his prick of a big brother.

Jo's hands dropped to her sides while she thought. There was only one option flashing in her mind. She hated asking but what else could they do?

"Cas do you think you have enough angel mojo left to bring us back in time?"

Her voice was tentative, fully acknowledging it might not be possible with his weakening powers. Castiel had become more human each day she spent with him. He met her gaze with a burning determination glowing in his eyes.

"I can do it. I will bring us back and we will save you both."

After much arguing it was decided Jo would travel back with Castiel. Ellen had wanted to go but even the angel had no clue what would happen if she recognized herself. There was a chance nothing would happen but there was also the chance they could 'break the space time continuum'. Castiel was unsure of what that meant but Jo told him a man named Doc Brown said it. Doctors were usually very smart humans so maybe they should trust his warning. Sam and Dean had wanted to go but Bobby wanted them working further on apocalyptic matters. Plus deep down they knew this was a personal issue the Harvelle's had to handle. With his weakened powers Castiel could bring one person, and he was glad they agreed on Jo.

Jo hugged her mother tightly right before she stepped over to Castiel. Her eyes locked with Bobby's for a few seconds and he nodded somberly in her direction. She knew if anything happened the boys and Bobby would take care of her mom.

"Are you ready?"

The angel's deep, rough voice caused butterflies in her stomach. Jo nodded slowly and reached over to hold each of his hands.

"Yes."

Then they were gone, evaporated into thin air.

-1984, CENTRAL NEBRASKA-

It was over before she even realized it had began. Her hands were still wrapped around Castiel's, and her eyes shut tight when she felt him slipping away. Her eyes flashed open and focused on him.

"Cas? Cas!"

She yelled as he collapsed to the ground, coughing up blood. Jo knelt in the dirt and pulled him onto her lap. His body was heaving and shaking, more crimson red dripped from his mouth in viscous globs.

"C'mon hang in there, you can't die now, it's too soon."

She whispered in a choked up voice as tears threatened to spill over.

"Hey! What's goin' on? Ya'll need help?"

An oddly familiar male voice hollered across the parking lot. Jo finally looked up and realized they were in a gravel parking lot in front of a very new looking Harvelle's Roadhouse. She also noticed the familiar voice was attached to a familiar face: William Harvelle, her father.

"Miss? Ya' need some help? Oh god he's bleeding up a storm. C'mon I can help you get him inside."

Jo realized she was just sitting in a daze staring at her long dead father. He was much younger than she remembered but it was still him. She started to move aside so he could help carry Castiel. They each took a spot under his arms and lugged the weak angel into the roadhouse. Once inside they set him on a chair at the bar. The angel was already recovering and propped his elbows on the wooden bar to hold himself up. Jo kept a steadying hand on his forearm, even though it was unnecessary since he was sitting.

"What the hell happened out there Bill?"

Ellen's voice now echoed across the empty bar room. Jo did her best to not look like some twat staring at the young versions of her parents. She forced her eyes away and instead took in the cleaner and less beaten surroundings. The place still felt like home even if it was in better condition than she had ever seen. There were probably less bloodstains on the worn wood from bar fights, and fewer bullet holes in the woodwork. It was night time here and she assumed the place must have just closed down. This left only the Harvelle's and their new time traveling guests in the building.

"I heard hollering and found these two out front. This poor guy was on the ground." Bill explained to his young wife while pointing at the man in the trench coat. Ellen eyed the pair suspiciously at first then offered the both of them a glass of water. Jo suspected it was going to be a test, holy water, so she willingly accepted. She glared at Castiel as she took a sip and he caught on, taking a small sip of the glass Ellen had set in front of him. Both Harvelle's relaxed instantly and took on a friendlier demeanor.

"So what happened to him?"

Ellen asked while eyeing Castiel's injuries. Somehow she seemed to realize Jo would be the easier one to talk to out of the pair. Maybe there was already some vague familial bond the woman did not even realize she was aware of. Jo gave Castiel a once over and went with her best cover up story.

"We were just coming to pick up a friend who was too trashed to drive home. He insisted he was fine, so Cas being the gentleman he is, told our friend he needed to ride home with us. Then he just lost his temper and took it out on my boyfriend."

This explained why neither Harvelle had seen them in the bar that night, as well as Castiel's injury. Jo also realized she quite enjoyed calling him her boyfriend even if their relationship was a million times more complex than that. She had never tried to label it and wondered if the angel was okay with her explanation.

"Damned drunks…you never know what they'll do."

Bill seemed quite pissed off that an innocent man had been beaten up for trying to help a friend. He exchanged a meaningful look with Ellen and when he seemed to get her approval he made an offer to them.

"Well since ya'll are in rough shape and I know this roadhouse is miles from any other civilization….we got a spare room down here you can stay in if you like."

Her father's offer was a generous one and Jo quickly accepted. Castiel needed a chance to recharge in a safe place. Bill was the one who lead them over to a room in the back corner of the bar, a room Jo had later come to know as Ash's room. However in 1984 it was an empty spare room with a cheap looking bed set in the middle. Her father was welcoming and kind as he explained where the facilities were and how they did not need to rush out in the morning. Jo wanted to hug him but called upon every shred of self-control to resist. He was just like she remembered. Out of her parents Bill was the one who dropped his hunter façade the second he was with his family. He truly was a family man and a generous person. Ellen was more reserved and cautious. Jo always figured it was because her mother did not want Bill to worry when he got home, so she did the worrying for him.

Eventually it was just her and Castiel. Bill had ventured upstairs where the Harvelle's lived on the entire second floor of the roadhouse. The angel looked ragged and tired as he stood by the edge of the bed. Jo closed the door to the room, leaning against it for a few moments.

"Are you sure you're ok Cas?"

She stepped away from the door towards him.

"I will be…I think….I feel strange though."

Castiel did not understand everything he felt. Some of it was his body still healing at a much slower rate than he was used to. But now he could also feel pain and the dull ache of tired muscles. Jo paused in front of him, doing her best to offer a comforting smile.

"I think you're just tired. You actually have to sleep now that your angel mojo is almost gone."

It freaked her out to say it, but it was true. Castiel was becoming human at a rapid rate since he was cut off from Heaven. She reached over and started to peel the heavy trench coat off his shoulders. He tensed up and the reaction did not surprise her.

"Relax, you don't need a trench coat to sleep and it will make you more comfortable. Trust me."

Her words seemed to instantly soothe the unsure angel. He let Jo remove his coat and suit jacket. She placed them on the one tiny table in the room. Jo stepped back over and eased the tie off his neck. It was actually strange to see Castiel without all of his layers. Somehow it made him look more human. He was watching her intently and she wondered what was going through his mind.

"Jo…."

His voice was very unsteady and almost nervous as he spoke. She tossed the tie aside and looked up at him, ready to reply to whatever question he had. His lips crashed onto hers and she never got the chance. At first she was confused by his behavior. But within seconds she pieced together that the angel was still a little awkward about making the first move, luckily she found it adorable.

This time it was extremely different from when Famine had control over them both. Castiel was much more cautious but at the same time there was far more emotion in his actions. Each kiss seemed to burn with the numerous emotions he could not put into words. Jo moved her hands from around his neck, to the buttons on his dress shirt. Slowly she unbuttoned them one by one and tugged the shirt off of him. He still had on a thin white t-shirt but now she could feel the heat emanating from his skin. He pushed against her gently, moving them towards the bed.

It was quite familiar as she felt the bed against the backs of her knees, and let herself fall back onto it. Except this time she kept her arms locked around Castiel's neck, causing him to fall onto the bed just as quickly with her. The swift motion surprised him and he just sort of collapsed on top of her. Jo laughed quietly and she felt the angel smile against her lips. Her fingers ran through his tousled hair earning a content sigh from him. His hands were wandering more than usual. Eventually she felt his hands under her shirt, running across her ribs. Then to her dismay he pulled back some, his cerulean eyes just watching her. She had no idea how he managed to look so intrigued and amazed and…something else she could not identify while he gazed at her.

"Jo in case we do not succeed here. I think I should tell you that I….I love you."

His voice was completely serious as usual but heavier with emotion. Jo's jaw dropped. What the hell? They go from making out like some crazed teenagers to him professing his love for her? This was insane how could he love her so quickly? Did the angel even understand what that word meant…Jo was not sure if she did.

She started off slowly, not wanting to him offend him.

"Cas, I don't know what to say….do you know what love means?"

Her brown eyes looked up at him, praying he would not get angry she did not simply say it back.

"If it means I am happier when I am with you, or I would do anything for you, and I only want to have physical intimacy with you, or that I would die for you…then yes I believe I do love you Jo."

Of course he was basing his idea of love off of the hours of television he had watched with Jo, but also the many humans he had watched interact while he spent a millennia above in Heaven. He remembered the young man he had told Jo about, the one who waited years for the woman and son he had lost. Castiel knew he would do the same thing for Jo if he was human. She was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen, along with being compassionate, loyal, and courageous. He could not dream of a better combination. God truly had a masterpiece when it came to the creation of this human girl he was laying with.

It was then that Jo realized Castiel probably had a much better idea of what the hell love was. She tended to forget that while he was not on Earth all those centuries, he could still observe everything going on down here. His words struck a chord in her heart and it made her realize she would do all the same for him. Recognizing it was extremely frightening but at the same time somehow empowering. She felt stronger, safer with him.

"Well then, if that's the guidelines we're going by. I think I love you too Cas."

She replied with a warmth that had never been in her voice before. Jo pulled him close again and kissed him with all she was worth. Even if they did not succeed on this mission, at least now she finally understood what being in love was all about.

Author's Note:

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