"Why are we stopping here?" Meg asked looking around the South Dakota town. "Last time I was here, I was possessing Sam."
"Oh, I didn't tell you," Kevin said absently looking up from his notepad. He was still trying to decode the tablet, even though the tablet was gone thanks to Gadreel, but he still had his notes. "Sam and Dean hooked mom up with their sheriff friend from here. Apparently their friend Bobby Singer used to own some property and mom thought it would be the perfect spot to set up another base of sorts. She came ahead to start getting it together. It's almost done."
"Great. So we're not going back to your house?"
"No. We figured it'd be too easy for bad guys who knew us to head there. This will give them a surprise, especially when they can't locate it," Kevin said giving her a smile. "They'll know it's there, but won't be able to access it."
Meg nodded, "Cas'll be pleased at least. Doug will too if that junk yard is still there."
"Yea, mom's not touching that. The only thing the leviathons destroyed was the house. The rest of the property is fine."
"And this one'll be above ground?"
"Definitely," he chuckled.
"Good. At least the option of fresh air is there then," she smirked.
They followed Kevin's gps until she pulled up to the junkyard. She remembered it briefly from a few years ago and glanced around as she drove through. She glanced in the rearview to see Doug sniffing around eagerly from the bed of the pickup they had taken from the Bunker. She pulled up behind Mrs. Tran's car and shut off the ignition. Kevin got out to greet his mom when she appeared out of what Meg assumed had been a barn or warehouse of some sort. She opened up the hatch of the truck and Doug bounced out, going to explore his new home.
"Meg, it's good to see you," Mrs. Tran said from behind her. Meg turned to give her a smile. "You've popped out since I saw you last."
"Yea," Meg chuckled putting a hand on her slight bump, "Little parasite is fending well."
"Good to hear. Now come on inside and I'll give you the tour. Some of the paint fumes may still be a bit pungent, but I think the worst of it is gone," she said looping an arm in Kevin's and leading the two of them into the building.
Meg noted immediately upon entering, that the outside was only a ruse for what the building actually contained. Upon entering, there was a staircase straight ahead, an archway to the right that led into what she assumed was eventually going to be a study and to the left, a sunken room complete with fireplace. She heard voices coming from up the stairs and gave a cautious glance in that direction.
"Oh, that's just Garth and his wife. They came to help," Mrs. Tran said when she noticed Meg's stare. Meg nodded. She had no choice but to trust her judgement. Mrs. Tran walked over to the archway, Kevin and Meg behind her. "This will be the study and Kevin, you're room is attached to this through that door over there." Meg looked around and saw a door to left. Mrs. Tran motioned for them to back out. "The rest of our bedrooms are up the stairs. This is going to be the main living area with attached kitchen. There's a basement door in the kitchen, along with a back door."
Meg followed behind, her hands in her pockets as they stepped down the few steps into the sunk in living area. There were some folding chairs sitting there and the remains of a fire in the fireplace. Towards the right was another four steps up to what she assumed was the kitchen. There was a half wall that seemed to help divide the room and when she walked up, there was a cart table sitting towards the left, while to the right was a horseshoe kitchen, complete with the basement door Mrs. Tran had mentioned.
"Now, they're still finishing up stairs and we're waiting for Garth's father-in-law to get here with some furniture. Mostly, the three of us have been camping out in the living room. Garth said tomorrow should be fine to start moving upstairs and there should at least be mattresses by then."
"Is Garth staying here with us?" Kevin asked.
Mrs. Tran shook her head, "As soon as everything is set up, they're headed to their own home. He figures if there's a pregnant demon already supposed to live here, three werewolves under the same roof for an extended period might be a bad mix."
Meg nodded, "I'm gonna give Cas a call and let him know where I am."
"Of course dear. I'm going to fix up some lunch then."
Meg walked out the back door, pulling out her phone and hitting her speed dial. She waited for him to pick up, but it dumped her into voicemail. She left a message saying where they were and disconnected and dialed Sam next.
"Hello?"
"It's Meg."
"Oh, hey. You guys make it?"
"Yup. You should see the new digs. Very inconspicuous."
"Yea?" he chuckled.
"Yup. Warehouse from the front, pretty spacious house underneath."
"Did they have any problems getting the wards up?"
"Not that I know of," she said glancing back. "Nothing was said to me, so who knows. I guess you're buddy Garth is here."
"Yea, he helped Mrs. Tran out with the floor plans and a few safety features."
"Ah. Did you hear from Cas at all?" she asked fiddling with a hole in her sleeve.
"I haven't. Dean may have. I'd say call and ask him, but I'm sure that would be an awesome phone conversation."
"Oh yea...wait, aren't you with him?"
"I found a case I wanted to check into. He stayed at the bunker."
"So you're hunting alone? Without Mr. Moody-pants?"
He sighed into the phone, "Yes. He stayed at the bunker. Thought for sure I was heading for a dead end and no I don't need any help, you're fine where you are."
She huffed, "Whatever, just be careful."
"You're going to have to suck it up and just go with me to get you some maternity clothes," Linda tutted at her as Meg stood in her bedroom staring at her opened zipper and the bump preventing her from closing her pants.
"Ugh, do I have to? I'll just leave them open, who says you need your fly zipped anyway?" she grumbled back.
"Trust me, you'll be more comfortable and so will Ryse," Linda said patting her on the shoulder. "Besides, we need to go out anyway to the grocery store, we can stop and get you clothes first. Nothing fancy, just a pair of pants or two."
Meg continued to grumble quietly to herself as she checked her phone. Nothing. It had been a few weeks since she'd heard anything from Cas and she was worried. She knew he was still alive, but his text replies had been vague and short so she had no idea what he was up to.
Frustrated, she pulled off her jeans and grabbed the sweatpants she had on previously, not caring if she went out looking like a bum. She'd stab the first person she heard comment about it she decided, walking down the steps to grab her jacket and let Linda know she was ready. Kevin was at work in the study. It had been filled with books quicker than she could have imagined it. In fact, the whole place looked more like they had been living there for a year rather than a three weeks.
"I figured we'd meet up with Jody for lunch if that's ok with you," Linda said when she saw Meg was ready.
"Whatever, at least it gets me out," Meg sighed. She followed Linda out the door and to the car, looking around to see Doug chewing on an old tire. She shook her head, "Ya know, it's still strange to see that hellhound acting like a normal dog."
"Where is he?" Linda asked looking around.
Meg pointed to them, "Over there chewing on an old tire. I'm so used to them tearing apart living things, to see it tearing at what it thinks is a chew toy is just strange."
"Were there a lot that you dealt with?"
"A few yea," she said getting in. "I set some on Sam and Dean once. I think they killed two of their friends."
"You sound like you were such a pleasant person," Linda drawled as she pulled out of the yard to head into town.
"Oh I was," she huffed. "I really was a bad ass. And then Lucifer got caged back up and Crowley tried to take over and life just went to crap."
"Well, at least you're on our side now," Linda pointed out.
"Taking touched by an angel to a whole new level," Meg muttered, making Linda laugh.
They rode into town in silence. Linda parked along the lot of the department store and Meg followed her in and to the maternity section and started searching through the racks, occasionally handing Meg something. She made Meg go try things on to make sure they were the right size.
"Think they'll let me keep the pants on?" Meg asked through the door as she put one leg in and then the next, pulling them up over the waist. She had to admit, they were alot comfier than the rest of her current clothes.
"I don't see why it would be an issue," Linda said.
"Good, cuz I'm doing it whether they like it or not," Meg muttered.
"Is there anything else we need while we're here?"
"Beats me. I don't need anything."
"Do you want to get anything for the nursery while we're here?" Linda asked as Meg came out of the changing room. Meg shrugged. "Let's take a look. You don't really have anything yet for her. She's going to be here before you know it."
"I know," Meg replied, feeling slightly embarrassed. "I thought it would be something to do with...whatever, he's not here and you're right. Let's look."
Linda stuck her arm through Meg's and gave it a pat, "I know. Don't worry, he'll get his business taken care of and come back to be here with you."
"Hope so. If not, I may have to kill him myself."
"There's the spirit," Linda chuckled. "Have you heard from him?"
"I've heard from him, but we haven't really talked since he left. They've just been real short messages, no information, very vague. Part of me is worried something's going on that he doesn't want to tell me. The other part says screw it." They had arrived in the infant section. "I feel stupid admitting it, but I actually kinda miss having him so close."
"I'd say you're only human, but well, we know that's not entirely true," Linda replied quietly. Meg smirked at her. "You are pregnant though, so we'll chalk up the feelings to that. Wouldn't want you losing your tough demon image."
"Oh, I think that's already done," Meg chuckled reluctantly. "I'm ever so slowing heading in that house wife direction as much as I hate admitting that."
"Once Ryse is born, you'll be able to go out more, maybe help out on hunts to keep you busy," Linda suggested.
"Yea, ok. No, I'm going to be stuck at home raising the kid and joining the PTA. Soccer mom here I come."
"It won't be that bad. You'll be protecting your family from home, you'll be the rock the rest of them need."
Meg shrugged. She allowed Linda to pick out a few items and followed her up to the register. The clerk seemed to cop a bit of an attitude with them for Meg wearing the pair of maternity jeans she purchased. The look Meg gave her must have brought home the message not to say another word about it, even silently, because the girl changed her mood real quick.
After they left the store, they met up with Jody Mills, the boys' sheriff friend. Meg leaned back in the chair and let the two women talk. Halfway through their lunch, her phone rang. She finished the french fry she was chewing and saw it was Sam.
"Howdy Bullwinkle. How goes it?" Meg greeted.
"Um..."
"What's going on?" she huffed. The two women stopped their conversation to look at her.
"Have you heard from Cas today?" Sam asked her.
"No. Why?" she asked, alarm shooting through her. Sam was silent on the other end. "Sam, what's going on?"
"Cas got a lead on Metatron. Apparently Gadreel was using the Horn of Gabriel to lure unsuspecting angels to their doom unless they joined Metatron's cause. Cas headed here while Dean and I checked out a different city. We found Gadreel, but Cas wasn't answering, so I headed here to his hotel. He's not here, only his phone."
Dread crept into her gut and the next thing she knew, she was standing in the hotel room with Sam. He stared at her in shock.
"How did you do that? I thought your powers were wonky," he said, the phone still held up to his ear, his voice echoing in her's.
"Um," she looked down at her stomach, "I think it was the kid." She ended the call and texted Linda to let her know she was fine. She was sure the women were freaking out at her sudden disappearance. "So what's this now? You lost Cas?"
"We didn't lose him," Sam ran a hand through his hair. "He disappeared. All that was here was his phone."
He handed it to Meg, who had a second to look at it before looking at the figure standing behind Sam.
"Well, well, isn't this a surpise," the figure declared giving Meg an interested look. Sam stepped between them, holding up his gun he had on him. Meg assumed by the angelic presence she felt, this had to be Metatron. She really wished she had an angel sword on her now. "Easy there tiger. I'm here to trade. You have something of mine and I have something of yours. Bring him here tomorrow...say 6-ish? If not Castiel dies. No come backs this time."
"An even trade?" Sam asked as Meg seethed behind him.
"I'm an entity of my word," he said flashing a smile. Seconds later and flutter of wings and he was gone.
"We are doing it right?" Meg asked when Sam didn't say anything.
"As long as Dean hasn't spoiled it," Sam said holding the phone to his ear.
"You left Dean with Gadreel? I'm sure there's a good chance with Mr. Grumpy-pants," Meg replied sarcastically.
"Dammit, he's not answering," he growled. "You coming or staying here?"
"Dude, I am coming with you," Meg said following him out the door to the Impala. "No way I'm being left behind while Cas's life hangs on the line."
They got in and seconds later, Sam was backing out of the spot and heading out of town. Meg glanced briefly at the scenery as it flashed by, a thousand thoughts going through her mind.
"You look good by the way," Sam said after clearing his throat.
"Thanks. Linda made me go buy maternity clothes," she grumbled. He gave her a confused look. "I was still trying to fit in my own. It was quite uncomfortable."
"How's the new place?"
"Not too shabby. Very homey. I'm glad I went with Kevin. No offense, but that bunker was a bit too confining for me. Doug seems to like roaming around what's left of the junk yard."
Twenty minutes later, Sam was pulling up to an old industrial warehouse. Meg followed him inside and had to bite her tongue at the comment she had for him when they found the spot he said they had bound Gadreel. The chair was knocked over and empty, a trail of blood leading out of the circle. Meg looked around for any other signs before Sam motioned for her to follow him.
"Dean!" Sam called looking around. They found Dean propped up against a wall, seeming unconscious. Sam rushed over and started shaking him, taking note of the bloody fist. "Hey, are you ok?"
Dean stirred, "Yea. You gotta stop asking me that."
"I've been calling you. I mean, why didn't you..uh-" he looked at the bloody figure lying unconscious next to his brother.
"He won't talk."
Meg stared at the figure, afraid for the worse. Sam nodded, "I figured."
Dean looked up at Sam, a desperate plea in his eyes, "He wanted to die, and I was going to kill him. But then I stopped cuz I know we need him to talk."
"Dean," Sam said, "listen. Metatron has Cas. He's offering a trade."
"We can't trust Metatron."
"I know that. Obviously. But look, this is going to be the first time we know for sure where Metatron is. Let's take Gadreel to the meet-up, make the exchange, and then trap Metatron."
Dean nodded and then seemed to notice Meg standing there for the first time, "Please tell me I'm seeing things."
"Nope, sorry Dean-o," Meg replied shoving her hands in her pockets as Sam helped him up.
"What're you doing here?"
"Sam called, said he couldn't find Cas and the kid decided it would be fun to take mom on a field trip," she answered, crossing her arms over her belly. "So what's the plan?"
