Once we were back in the hotel room, I looked at Dean and Sam and asked, "Do you think that it could've been an accident? I mean the chief seemed pretty sure that it didn't erupt as fast as we thought."
"I don't know. I mean when have the 'proper authorities' had a good grasp of what's going on?"
"Fair enough. So what do you guys think it could have been?" I asked as I stretched out on the couch, my head propped up on the arm rest.
"I think that it may be a pretty good possibility that something followed you in from wherever it was that you came from. Well more along the lines of however it was that you got here. Do you remember anything about that?" Sam looked at me, with a thoughtful look on his face.
"Uh-uh" I shook my head, "I remember getting knocked out by a car in the street, and then waking up here. I thought it was a dream at first, but it's feeling more like my life before was the dream. It's so weird."
"Hey, we'll get you back, don't worry, little sister." Dean said, crouching by the couch and squeezing my shoulder slightly. "You know our story just as well as us, if not better, so you know all the crazy situations we've gotten ourselves in to, and out of. We'll help you find your way home. Even if we do have to borrow Dorothy's slippers."
I laughed, sniffling slightly, "There's a pair in the museum down 24." I fought the tears that were pushing themselves past my eyes. "I'm really glad I got stuck with you guys. I don't know what I'd do if I were by myself."
"Probably get eaten." Dean laughed.
I lightly punched his arm. "Hey! Everything I know, I learned from the best, so, I like to think I would be ok."
He laughed, and before he got up gave me a light kiss on the forehead, like a protective older brother would do. "Why don't you get some rest, huh?"
I nodded, already sleepy, and curled into the couch. Sam was already asleep on one of the beds, and I could hear Castiel reading on the other. I heard movement and low talking as Dean sat down on the bed.
"So what are we going to do if we can't get her home?" Castiel asked, keeping his voice low, so that he didn't think I could hear.
"I don't know," Dean sighed. "I'd love to adopt her into our little motley crew, but it's no life for a young girl."
"I would not say that to her."
Dean chuckled, "I know, but it's the truth. I mean, Sam and I had no choice going into this, and I wish we would have."
I heard the bed groan a little as he lied down. "The other thing is if she is the reason for all the weird things that are happening, how do we know that everything will calm down if she leaves?"
"We don't." I heard the bed squeak some more, and resisted the urge to look at what was going on. "I think that we need to stop thinking what we would like to happen, and look at what is best for her. This is not her world, and if we ask her to stay, what would our reasoning be? Because we like her or because we think she is better off here?"
Those words hurt a little because I was stuck in the same conflict, and was almost hoping that if we figured out how to get me home, they would try to talk me into staying here. Listening to Castiel though, it sounded like reason might be winning the battle so far. I sighed lightly and sat up a little, looking at the bed. I could see them lying next to each to other and still talking quietly. When they saw me, they both sat up.
"What do you need, kiddo?" Dean asked.
"Nothing, I just heard you guys talking, and I wanted to let you know that when the time comes, I do want to go home. That being said, I also wanted to say that I'll never forget any of the time I spent here. I'm really glad I got to be here and get to know you guys."
I heard Sam move and saw him sit up, "Hey, we're glad to have you, even if it's only for a little while."
"Thanks," I said, blushing slightly.
"So how comfortable is that couch?" He asked.
"Eh, you know. Standard hotel comfort levels." I laughed.
"Well, since Dean got it in his head to share a bed with Castiel there, why don't you crash over here? I mean the beds aren't great, but I'm sure there better than the couch." He looked down, blushing slightly at what he was offering.
I looked over at the bed. It was certainly big enough for two. I looked at my hands for a second, not wanting to make eye contact, and looking back up, nodded. "Sure, sounds great, but I got to warn you. I kick in my sleep."
"Don't worry, I have had to share a bed with Dean most of my life, I think I can handle a kick or two more." He laughed, as Dean looked indignant.
"Alright, but don't say I didn't warn you." I joined in the laughter, and soon Dean and Castiel were too. I was a little surprised at the offer, but was also glad I didn't have to sleep on the couch anymore. I wasn't joking when I said it was cheap hotel standard. I felt like I was sleeping on grass. Actually, that's a lie, grass is more comfortable.
I got off the couch and padded my way over to the bed. I sat on the edge closest to the night stand and swung my legs up. I sat cross-legged on the bed and looked over at Sam. "Thank you."
"No problem. I figured you might get a little lonely over there on the couch by yourself." He smiled.
"Now be careful. Someone could take that the wrong way," I said lightly shoving his shoulder and smirked. "No funny business, right?"
He laughed lightly, but I could see there was sadness in his eyes. "Right."
"I'm sorry. That wasn't meant to hurt. I didn't think."
"It's ok. No worries."
Not thinking, again, I impulsively reached up and brushed some of his bangs out of his face. I looked at him and quietly said, "Don't worry. You'll find someone. I mean Dean did."
He laughed at the last part, and he reached up and closed his hand on mine. "I don't think it counts if he's in denial."
"Sure it does. I mean, everyone else knows, so he's got to figure it out eventually, right?"
"I wouldn't count on that. My brother can be pretty dense sometimes."
"It's an older brother thing," I joked. "My brother was best friends with his wife for almost twenty years before he figured out he wanted to marry her. Of course, he had to find the right time to transition from friends to lovers. That was a fun time."
Sam laughed, and I realized that he was still holding my hand. I squeezed gently, and was slightly disappointed when he pulled his hand back. I guess it showed on my face, because he made an awkward smile and apologized.
"It's alright," I said, as I flopped down on the bed, my head bouncing off the headboard a little, making me wince and reach up and rub my head.
Sam smiled slightly, and reaching over me, making my heart skip a little, turned out the lights.
