AN: Hi everyone. I apologize for the long delay in updating. I've never been so late before. My uncle's death and funeral took up a lot of time and energy and honestly, I wasn't in a good head space to finish this chapter. Thanks to everyone who stuck around and for those who sent their condolences. I want to thank OldGirl-NoraArlani, sylvia37, AlxM, iwokeuponthewrongsideoflife, sjwmaw, Kathy and Laureleaf for their reviews.
Lady Ferryn stepped out of the light that marked Jessica's departure. Standing in the middle of the glade, she made a slow turn and the sigil beneath their feet glowed brightly before fading away completely. Dean was glad to have a little more breathing room, he walked closer towards the edge of the clearing while the fairy addressed the small group.
"It had been a long time since I had visitors to my home." Once again the image of a magnificent throne room ghosted into and out of visibility. "Thank you again for your service, but I am reminded why I choose the solitude of my forest. It is time for me to leave you." And with that she was gone. The sparkles that filled the air became thicker and brighter. Dean could almost feel the fairy lights against his skin. All at once each spark exploded, like a million mini supernovas, then there was nothing but darkness.
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Dean first became aware of the smell of dirt and leaf mold. Then as his brain came back on line, he realized he was lying face down on the forest floor. He pushed himself to his hands and knees and saw Sam, Mom and Cas lying nearby. Cas was beginning to stir. Dean scrambled to his feet.
"Sam?" He shook his brother's shoulder and felt a surge of relief when Sam turned his head towards him.
"Yeah, I'm good," Sam said as he began to get up. Dean checked on Mom, but Cas was already helping her to her feet. He scanned the clearing and was surprised to see that it looked almost the same, but with some obvious differences. For one the clearing was dark without the sparkles, although Dean estimated that dawn was only a couple of hours away. The clearing was no longer a perfect circle and the ground now had rocks and small scrub scattered around. Even the massive oak was gone, or at least seemed no bigger or more impressive than the neighbouring trees. Checking that his gun was still in his waistband, Dean brushed the dirt from his jacket.
"Well, that was...exciting." His family gathered around him. They all looked a little ruffled by the events that had taken place. Dean figured they were as eager as he was to get the hell out of this forest. "Sam, does your compass work now?" Sam pulled the little device from his pocket and moved it around. Cas held his flashlight so that they all could read it.
"Looks like." He studied the dial for a moment. "The cars should be that way," Sam said as he pointed into the forest. "But I have no idea how far we are from them." Dean shrugged. It's not like they could call a cab, so they'd walk until they got there. He'd just be glad to get back to the comfort of his Baby. He was worried about Sam and knew his brother needed some quiet time to sort out his meet and greet with Jessica.
"Alright, well we'd better get started." He picked up the weapons bag that had been discarded during the encounter with Lady Ferryn and slung it over his shoulder. They hadn't gone more than a few steps towards the edge of the clearing when a voice called from behind them.
"What's up, bitches?"
Dean spun on his heel and drew his gun. Beside him, Sam and Mom had done the same while Cas used his flashlight to illuminate the dark glade. A small figure stood a few feet away. She was wearing a green Christmas sweater with frolicking llamas on it and a giant grin on her face. Dean couldn't believe what his eyes were telling him.
"Charlie?," he gasped. He felt more than saw Sam stiffen beside him. Then his arms were full of petite redhead. Charlie squeezed him around his middle and Dean stuffed his gun away before returning the hug. She stayed in his arms for a long moment, then pulled away.
"Hey Dean," she said laughingly before flinging herself at Sam to hug him too. He met Sam's eyes over top of her head. His brother looked as stunned as he felt, but then closed his eyes and curled around Charlie. When he let her go, he held onto her shoulders.
"Charlie, what….how are you here?," Sam demanded weakly. She laughed again at Sam's wide-eyed disbelief.
"Hey Sam. Don't worry, nothing bad." Turning, Charlie saw Castiel and dashed to him, embracing him firmly. The angel was obviously startled and was slow to bring his arms up to return the hug, but overall he seemed pleased at the display of affection. When Charlie let him go, this time Cas made the introductions.
"Charlie, this is Mary Winchester, Dean and Sam's mother." Charlie gasped and then flung her arms around Mom too and gave her a quick hug before pulling back sheepishly.
"Sorry, it's just that I'm so happy to meet you." Charlie looked at him and Sam over her shoulder for a second. "It's awesomesauce that Sam and Dean get you back. They totally deserve it after everything they've done. You must be so proud of them." Mom looked a little overwhelmed, but smiled at Charlie's enthusiasm.
"I am. It's nice to meet you Charlie," Mom said graciously.
"Charlie?" Dean pulled himself together and echoed Sam's earlier question. "Did Ferryn bring you here?"
"Who, the fairy-slash-angel lady? Hecks no. Ash and I were playing Carcassonne at the Roadhouse when Bobby got back from his visit. And he told us that you guys were here. So Ash booted up his computer. Apparently when the fairy pulled up shop, she left the door open a crack." Charlie looked excited and smug at the same time. "Ash said he could send me here, so I figured, why not pop down to say hi?"
"Wait - you hang out with Ash at the Roadhouse?" Sam had confusion all over his face.
"Well, not all the time. Usually I'm with my Mom and Dad having Christmas. But, even Christmas morning can get boring when you it happens every day. Go figure? But sometimes, I'll swing by, hang out, play some games, have a drink. But enough about me, what's happening with you guys?" She tilted her head and gave Dean a penetrating look. "I'm glad that you're back to your normal self. Last time I saw you, you were a little, uh grrr, argg." She made air quotes around the monster noises.
This time Dean couldn't help himself and he massaged his right arm where the Mark of Cain had been. Last time he'd seen Charlie, he'd just laid a serious beat down on her alter-ego, including breaking her arm. There was no way to apologize for that, and yet the kid had forgiven him when the bruises were still dark on her skin. But, he'd never quite forgiven himself, and then she was dead, trying to save him from himself. He shook his head.
"Yeah, I am too. Charlie...I'm so sorry, for everything. By the time we got to the motel…" The memory of Charlie's bloody body, dumped into that dirty bathtub choked him. The Stynes had butchered her because of him. The redhead put her hands on her hips.
"Dean Winchester! If you think for one second that I blame you for those d-bag Stynes killing me, I'll go all Xena on your ass!" Dean was taken aback by her outburst. Charlie looked so much like a furious kitten that he had to smother a smile. He tossed a look at Sam, but his brother was just staring at Charlie, a combination of misery and guilt on his face. The redhead followed his gaze and then swung to face Sam. "That goes for you too, Sam." Sam just shook his head, denying her absolution.
"It was my fault, Charlie. You only got killed because I dragged you into everything." He was about to say more, but Charlie cut him off.
"No," she said firmly. "I got killed because I ran away. It was kind of my thing, running every time things got too hard. It's what got my parents killed, and it's what ultimately got me killed. But you did everything you could to protect me." Seeing that neither he nor Sam seemed to feel less guilty, she sighed and flung her hands in the air in frustration.
"You Winchester's...always taking on the weight of the world!" Charlie took a hand from both him and Sam, dragging them together in front of her. She looked at them both seriously. "Do I want to be dead? Of course not. But Dean, Sam, you are like brothers to me. I love you both very much." She squeezed their hands and Dean tried to blink away the tears that threatened to well up again. "You've died for each other, right? Well, if I had to die, I'm glad it was to save my family, because you are both worth it." Charlie smiled up at them earnestly.
Dean was floored by Charlie's statement. That this funny, sweet, amazing girl thought of them as family was one thing. He felt that way too. But to think that she loved him enough to lay down her life for him, well, he was never going to feel worthy of that. Beside him, Sam sniffed, wetly and nodded. Dean had to clear his throat so that he could answer.
"Okay," was all he could manage. With a final press, she let got of their hands. Sam turned away again, but this time both Mom and Cas went to him. Dean tugged her to him for another hug. "I love you too, kiddo," he whispered into her hair. When he let her go, she wiped her nose on the sleeve of her sweater and then smacked him with the back of her hand, a big grin on her face.
"So Dean, I'm dying to know. How was the Ghostbusters reboot?"
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Sam was perilously close to his breaking point and had to turn away again. Clenching his hands into fists, he desperately fought the wave of emotion that threatened to swamp him and send him to his knees sobbing. It seemed like they had been in this glade for a long time, but really, it had been less than 90 minutes since they had followed Lady Farryn here. Sam felt battered, exhausted and exposed. His emotions were scraped raw and he had cried more in the past hour than he had in the past year. Revisiting his worst failures and biggest regrets was something he usually did in private.
Cas appeared in his peripheral vision. His friend said nothing, just placed a firm hand on his shoulder and squeezed companionably, his face a mask of concern and compassion. Mom was there too, but Sam avoided her eyes not wanting to explain and humiliated by his weakness.
He could hear Charlie and Dean as they talked about movies and even through his heartbreak, he had to smile at how animated and enthusiastic Dean was. Those two had such a special relationship. Charlie always brought out a side of Dean that his brother normally kept carefully hidden. With her, he always seemed looser and happier. Plus Dean was able to indulge his massive passion for pop culture. She was good for Dean.
Sam rubbed his forehead with his fingers and straightened up, shrugging off Cas' hand. He appreciated the gesture, but he needed to push everything down again and find some equilibrium. Later, safe in the seclusion of his room, he would find a way to shut the Pandora's box this hunt had burst open. When he turned back towards Charlie and Dean, he saw his brother's assessing glance. Dean frowned, and Sam felt his cheeks flush. It was embarrassing how easily Dean could read him. Feeling fragile, he forced what he hoped was a pleasant expression on his face. Charlie looped him into the conversation.
"So Sam, Dean tells me that Jurassic World sucked. What did you think?" She beamed up at him, but Sam wondered if she really dropped out of Heaven to discuss movies. Still, he appreciated her ignoring his red eyes and her attempt at keeping the conversation light.
"Uh, the dinosaurs were cool. Shame about the plot though, " said Sam.
"Told ya, Charlie. You didn't miss anything." Dean slapped him on the back and his hand lingered there for a long moment. Sam recognized the silent support for what it was - big brother looking out for him. He heard a soft electronic chime, but before Sam could check his phone Charlie jumped.
"That's my 2 minute warning from Ash." Charlie seemed upset. "I was hoping I'd have more time." She flapped her hands. "Oh, I hate this part." The redhead looked at Mom. "I'm glad I met you Mrs. Winchester - take advantage of this second chance." Charlie clutched Cas' arm. "Castiel, watch out for them. You know how these Winchesters are."
Cas smiled at that and bobbed his head in acknowledgement. With a final rub, she let him go. Sam expected that she'd say goodbye to him next, leaving Dean for the final farewell, but as always she surprised him. Charlie gave Dean another tight hug. "You behave yourself Dean. No more throwing yourself into harm's way," she scolded. Dean huffed out a laugh.
"Uh, have you met me, your highness." Dean looked at her fondly, even when she smacked him again. Then she was in front of him.
"And you Sam, c'mere." Charlie tugged on the collar of his jacket, so he bent down so that she could whisper in his ear. "Sam, you are a good person, and you deserve to be happy." She shook him a little to emphasize her words and then she kissed his cheek before wrapping her arms around him. He held her small frame as tight as he could without hurting her. God how he wished she could stay, but he let her go and the moved a couple of steps away. Her form began to shimmer.
"Peace out, bitches," she said flashing an exaggerated peace sign and a sassy pout. Then, like a mirage, she was gone and the glade was dark and empty again.
