Chapter Ten:

Electric Light Orchestra

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Despite its massive halls of oddities and supernatural phenomena paraphernalia, the bunker did not, in fact, have a theremin. It did, however, have something similar. Sam informed Castiel it was a Jacob's ladder. Similar to the ones in old timey horror movies whenever a mad scientist was involved, used mainly for setting the background atmosphere. Two long metal poles curved outwards at the top, forming a tall v shape. Electricity would spark from the base of it and travel to its top and arch over before dissipating into the air. The brothers loved it.

Dean would charge up at the very top, just when the arch of mini-lightning would dissipate, so it wouldn't hurt too much, apparently. Castiel learned by observing that even if they could control electricity, it burnt them out if the voltage was too intense or all at once. A few times, they'd trail up the length of the electric charge until it was fully absorbed into each one. In order to do it again, they'd have to safely release the stored charge elsewhere or risk sending a real sized lightning bolt into something in the room. With Cas there, it would probably seek him out since his vessel was the perfect lightning rod. So Sam and Dean started to burn a chair bit by bit without a true flame forming into a proper fire. The wood would simply turn to charcoal in that space, and glowing ember would show for a short bit before dimming. Having doused the wood with water several times helped keep the fires down.

Castiel still sat nearby with a fire extinguisher on his lap at the ready. He enjoyed watching the brothers attempt to send little lightning strikes to each other like a game of catch between miniature gods of thunder.

A knock came from the front door above, and Castiel just barely heard it from the room they were in. His heart jumped at the sound and the brothers paused in their antics to watch him carefully. He stood and heard another series of friendly knocks.

"They're here." He announced and set down the fire extinguisher on his way to the front door.

Dean hesitated in following until Sam nudged him forward. They let off the excess energy they had stored in themselves into a lone brick in the room, since their temporary fireman was out of the area now. Double checking everything on their way to the front door, making sure that nothing would go awry while they're out of the bunker, retrieving their car and truck. Thinking about what they'll find when they get there had both on edge so they put it out of their minds as they followed in Cas's wake.

They arrived into the library at knee height and saw Cas greet Jody and Claire inside. Keeping themselves out of direct line of sight. Dean headed for one dark lamp while Sam caught on and headed to the other. Keeping themselves from touching the bulbs but still within the light brown lamp shades. Cas was the only one that noticed them go hide, and figured that they might want to wait for him to explain things before revealing themselves fully.

He scowled for a second, letting him do all the hard work. They knew he wasn't very good with conversing with humans. Especially ones he'd only met a handful of times. Jody was pleasant company and he hated having to break the news to that friendly smile.

"Castiel!" Jody greeted him with a hug and was glad that he looked alright. She let go to study his eyes and found some trepidation there but it was gone when the angel looked to Claire next.

"Cas." Claire said with a shy smile and went in for her own hug. It was always going to be a bit awkward between them, if only because he was wearing her late father's visage. He wished it wasn't so, but, he can't do anything about it now. "So where's Sam and Dean? Why couldn't they help you drive?"

Right to the point. Castiel frowned a little. "Let's sit down." He motioned down to the library tables and realized that it was Claire's first time in the bunker, and even Jody had only been there once before. Both acting a little fearful of how large and intimidating the place was. It had been years for the Winchesters to make it their own, but they still kept it more or less the same. Personal touches here and there, an updated sorting system for the library that made it easier for them to do their own styles of research, as well as 'creature comforts' that Dean had put in everywhere during his 'nesting period'.

Cas took their bags and followed them down the stairs, setting them on the table closest, the one with a world map lit up from underneath and watched the teen explore around the library beyond. A small smirk at the warning sound Jody gave her adopted daughter to mind her P's and Q's. Claire rolled her eyes and came to sit at the book free table in the library, and throw her feet up on the next chair over.

Jody huffed but said nothing since Cas didn't seem to perturbed about it. She sat down next to Claire and Cas paced for a moment before sitting down as well opposite. The table hiding his bouncing knee. Folding his hands on top of the table he looked at the lamp for some way of starting this conversation. The soul inside kept itself still as possible, unnoticed by either woman.

"Thank you for coming."

"Anything for family." Jody smiled warmly and reached forward to grasp Cas's hand. She let go and leaned back in her seat to peer around the place. "So where are they?"

"Uhmm. Here... Around." Cas started and sighed. "Before I say anything else, I want you to know that they are in no pain."

That had the reverse effect he was going for as both women sat up straighter and eyes went wide.

Cas hated how humans were still as unpredictable as ever. "They... are in a different state of being. No longer physical in the traditional sense as you would consider something physical. They are here, but, are incorporeal."

Jody's eyes narrowed. "What are you saying?"

Claire could read the angels minimalistic expressions better and her breaths quickened. A delicate hand covering her mouth while the other curled into the table. "What?" She whispered, voice going watery. Heart breaking.

Jody leaned forward, swallowing a few times as her eyes went a little glassy as well. Clearly trying to compartmentalize her feelings. "Explain." She finally captured Cas's eyes in her own. Demanding he speaks quickly and succinctly.

Castiel frowned deeply. It was easy to forget that humans always would have different reactions to death then angels. To normal humans, death was more permanent. They wont see their loved ones again until they themselves died. He tore his eyes away from Jody for a second to look at the lamp again. It was turned off, but the soul inside swirled under the shade slowly sending out its light on the three seated. The other lamp just as steady as a held breath.

"It was a hunt." He started and saw both of them shudder, tears springing to their eyes and their breaths came sharp and fast. He had to continue on, keep them from suffering the loss for too long. "I do not know what they were hunting. All I got was a cut off phone call from Dean at first. I drove as fast as I could, following the GPS tracking system Sam set up for me. When I got there..." he had to take a moment for himself now. Seeing Claire half shut down with the news, and Jody going into denial, shaking her head minutely. "One of them had already dispatched the thing that killed them. So it's dead. It can't kill anyone anymore." Castiel knew that part was very important to the Hunters. If they were to be killed, they went down swinging. "When I showed, it was too late." Cas forced himself to continue explaining faster now, get it out there before the emotional events rush back to mind and shut him down as well. He swallowed thickly, minds eye going to all that blood. The lifeless bodies strewn out on the ground. He clenched his eyes shut tight and asked instead, "Did Dean or Sam mention a Reaper named Billie?"

Jody looked at him blankly, shaking her head a little. Claire hid her face but stayed quiet.

"There was a Reaper that informed Sam that the next time they died, their souls would be thrown into the empty. It is neither Heaven, Hell, nor Purgatory. They were told that whichever Reaper found them would get to do it. The brothers had died numerous times, as you know, and they'd upset the natural order so much so, that they were hated among Reapers. They vowed revenge for killing Death most of all."

Both of the women's jaws dropped. He guessed neither Sam, nor Dean mentioned that to them in detail. Crap. Castiel sighed and continued, "That was over a year ago, now, or at least, two months ago, Sam and Dean had been captured by the US government and held in secret for months. Dean knew the only way out was if they'd died and escaped. They made a deal with Billie to help them out, and at the end, one would go with her willingly at midnight. Reapers don't kill people, so they had to wait for one to die. Making that deal," Cas scowled at the lamp for a second. It was a stupid deal. He firmed his jaw and looked up at Jody again, glancing briefly at Claire. "Billie said that it would have cosmic consequences if they broke it. I couldn't let one of them die, so I stabbed the Reaper, Billie, to break it."

Jody looked at him in confusion. "So what does that mean?"

"The consequences for a broken Reaper deal lie with me," he stated as if to reassure them that the brothers wouldn't suffer additionally. He knew they weren't convinced, he continued on reluctantly, "however, the brothers would still be taken by whatever Reaper first showed at their death, and that soul would be sent away to the empty." He let that sink in. Just because they dodged them once, did not mean the threat was gone. "When I arrived at the building they'd perished in, the Reapers had not yet shown. There were sigils in many surfaces inside the building and it kept the events within hidden just enough to confuse the Reapers for a short time. In my grief, I knelt by their bodies and felt their souls still within." He grinned slightly. Hoping that they'd see the silver lining in this story.

Castiel laid his hands out on the table the same way he'd had on their bodies. "I had a hand on each one, and felt their souls come to me. I pulled them out and they clung to my hands. I could feel Reapers coming in fast and knew we ran out of time." Castiel continued on, retelling the events from his side and would help each brother tell it from theirs. As he spoke, Jody would ask a question or two for clarifications sake, and Claire slowly stopped silently crying. Eyes wide with hope, replacing horror. Tear tracks still stained her cheeks but were drying as he spoke. Describing the pranks in detail to help alleviate the pain of loss. Emphasizing that they are capable and willing to have fun, even now.

When he got to the part where they are able to manipulate energy and what they were doing downstairs in the shooting range, the lamp light swirled a bit more and both of the ladies attention went straight to it.

Cas paused and watched as the soul peeked out from the lampshade and hover upwards cautiously. As if testing the waters. The souls had been in near constant motion in this new existence, so for them to have this level of patience through their own story was admirable.

Jody leaned back in her chair so quickly that she nearly lost her balance. The chair going up on its back legs and the soul went forward as if to try and catch her, which sent her reeling back all the way. Falling onto the floor and scrabbling to get upright again Jody yelped, panicking. Claire shot her chair back with the backs of her knees and stood up with slightly more composure, but still backed up as the soul approached.

The other soul came over, buzzing sharply at his brother, and whoever it was retreated from the two humans back to center of the table. Staying still long enough for Jody to get to her feet and grab hold of Claire's hand. Clutching at it tightly. Fight or flight warring in her posture.

"There is no reason to be scared." Castiel lifted his hands in a calming gesture. "The Winchesters retain their intelligence. Unlike most souls without bodies, they are still aware of their surroundings and under their own willpower. They wont hurt you. They're still themselves."

Jody nodded a bunch of times. Claire was frozen still.

Claire spoke up, "This is really Sam and Dean?"

"Yes. Dean?" He held his hand out palm up and the soul that had been at their table went towards it to indicate who was who. "And that is Sam." Castiel gestured with his other hand. Sam blinked politely. "Even I have trouble distinguishing them sometimes, unless they are making physical contact with me. It's getting easier and easier to tell them apart. Their personalities shining through, if you pardon the pun."

Claire stepped forward, reaching out her own hand towards Sam. "Can I touch them?"

Cas frowned a little, head cocking to the side as Sam backed up a foot. "I don't think that would be wise. I am able to touch them because of my grace. I don't know what a soul touching a living person would do. It might stop your heart from the sudden electrical impulse."

Claire recoiled her hand instantly towards her chest and kept it there with her other.

"I don't know." Castiel admitted, glancing from one soul to another. "Better not risk it if we don't have to."

"So all souls look like that?"

"Yes, more or less." Castiel said. "Even they change their appearance." As he said this, Sam started to pulse light at them more drastically as an example, and Dean sent a few sparks out. Swirling and turning in the air to show off their range. "Also depending on their mood and level of borrowed energy of course. Either electrical or natural. Just an hour ago, they were sending lightning bolts to each other with the borrowed energy of a Jacob's ladder. They can possess animals and likely people too. Similar to ghost possession. It is not pleasant, but does no lasting harm once they leave the living being." Castiel debated if he should reiterate the no touching policy but it looked as though neither human wanted a Winchester taking over their body anytime soon. The brothers likewise refused to get too close as if reading the angel's mind.

Castiel started to explain other aspects of their existence as Jody finally got over her shock and swell of emotions to come forward too. It was becoming clear that even though they were reduced to souls, what Castiel had said first was true, they weren't in any pain. Of course, it was hard to tell from this end what they would be experiencing on that. She found herself saying as much.

Sam went to the lamp and made it flicker out a message in Morse code too fast for Jody to keep up, even though she knew it. It was just a strobe light to Claire's eyes. Not yet an expert on the nonverbal and unwritten forms of communication.

Castiel translated for Sam. "He says that they know you traveled a long way today, and we have many more hours of travel to go, so you should rest up before we get going."

To that, Dean appeared a little miffed but understanding in the way he moved around before settling somewhat on the surface of the table. Having to wait tended to make Dean moody.

Claire looked like she really really wanted to see what the souls felt like. Despite the warnings, her fingers twitched on the tabletop. Dean too seemed curious but a sharp spark and buzz from Sam kept his brother in check as he had Cas translate their side of the story now that Cas got the events basics down.

Jody had even more questions about what they're experiencing and before anyone knew it, it had been several hours since their arrival. Plenty rested, Dean shoved Sam aside from the lamp to send Cas his own message via Morse code. This time it was slow enough for Jody to decipher on her own.

She chuckled and agreed. "Yeah, Dean. Food does sound good and we should hit the road."

Dean sparked in pleased surprise and had a bounce in his step as he circled around the two of them in happiness. Sam was also pleased and the mood lightened considerably now that everyone was on the same page, and had the same goal in mind.

Castiel led the humans into the kitchen followed by Sam and Dean a decent space behind them to keep from accidentally touching.

Thankfully, there was enough food left for a decent dinner and as the ones that still had stomachs ate up. Dean entertained them with his flickering lamp light rendition of 'Knockin' on Heaven's Door' with Sam soon doing backup on the other lamp. The song slipped into 'Mr. Blue Sky.' which made Jody spit food out while laughing so hard, when she figured out why Dean picked it.

"Electric Light Orchestra!" She snickered and covered her mouth to keep the others from seeing chewed food.

Claire laughed at Jody laughing, and the souls could barely keep up the song's tempo at the mirth filling the room. Human souls that still lived inside their bodies were always much brighter and the auras surrounding them gave them a colorful hue that changed beautifully. Able to tell their feelings just by watching the colors of their aura if nothing else.

Sometimes though, they'd catch Jody or Claire looking at them with a sadness in those eyes and knew that it couldn't be helped. They had died. They died. Horribly. Nothing can change that.

Even if they became corporeal again, they'd still be dead, just able to move things. It was sad, and trying to tell Jody or Claire or anyone else what to feel about that was wrong. They were entitled to their own feelings. Sam and Dean just wanted them to know that they don't necessarily want to be dead, but there's worse fates then this if they had to be dead.

Hell for one. Purgatory a distant second. Or third if your counting hundreds of years in the Cage with Lucifer and Michael. Point is, there were less desirable places to be then on Earth as a free floating soul. Even the empty didn't sound so bad on paper, but, from what Cas implied, is that it was far from pleasant. If their time in solitary custody taught them anything, is that pure nothingness, was worst of all.

The meal finished, leftovers scraped into the trash that was finally removed from the building, the humans, angel, and souls were ready to go. Cas did one final sweep of the bunker, making sure the training grounds weren't at risk of catching fire, and that everything was turned off and safely cleared away. Finding that Jody and Claire were in the kitchen doing the dishes and being directed by Dean the proper place for everything. Sam busied himself with finishing up the pages of a book he'd seen open on the other table. It was on a page he didn't have Cas turn to earlier. Sam wondered if there was a reason the King of Hell flipped it there. If it was on purpose or idly turning pages. It looked promising but his attention was torn away when Dean gave him a friendly shock.

'Come on, Sammy! Time to get my baby back baby back baby back.'

'Heh, you want your baby back? Baby back? Baby back?'

'You know it. Too bad we gotta go ride coach instead of first class in Jody's jeep.'

'Yeah, can't let anyone see us, and besides, it's not safe for the driver to have a very bright light on in the car while driving at night. The reflections on the windows are distracting.'

'Pretty sure Cas is gonna insist we ride with him.'

'With him? You mean inside?'

'When you say it like that it sounds creepy.'

'I dunno, wont be too bad. He's an angel, it's not like we're possessing him. Not like the animals.'

'Why can't we just do that? Like, I grab something, you grab something, then we don't have to worry about this little light of mine, letting it shine.'

'Huh. Maybe. It's a long trip though.'

'We'll let the critters go when we get to a hotel for the night and grab something new afterwards.'

'And abandon some poor bird or squirrel several states away from its home?'

'And now I sound like a dick.'

'No, it was a good idea, we just... I guess we should just stick with Cas or in the trunk or something.'

'I'd rather be in Cas.'

'Heh, I know you would.'

'What's that supposed to mean?'

'Nothing! Nothing!'

'Shut up, Sam.'

'Oh hey, our ride is here.'

Castiel came back into the map area and saw the souls perk up at his arrival. He lifted up the weapons bags to his shoulders and Jody dropped off the damp dish towel on the map table on her way over. She hefted her's and Claire's bags and gave a shrill whistle for the absent teen to get a move on. She came back from a nearby restroom, blushing, and made for the stairs after them. At the top of the landing, Cas lifted up his hands as the brothers came closer.

Jody quirked an eyebrow at the hand gesture he was making then gasped as the brothers were snatched from the air with both hands and their beings were just sucked right into his half curled fists.

"What the hell are you..? What did you do?!" She shouted and stomped up the last few steps to grab his shoulder.

Cas startled at the sudden outrage. "The – the warding on the bunker keeps them inside the walls unless they are inside a vessel. They can't pass unassisted." He explained and lifted up his right hand, flattened it, and let go of Sam's soul.

The soul lifted up and out, looking around quizzically and backing up a few inches once he saw how close Jody was to him.

Castiel peered back at Jody over the light of the soul. "See? They are unharmed. This is the only safe way to get them in and out." He cupped his hand gently and lifted it slower this time, and Sam willingly went back inside. Proving the angel's point.

This mollified the sheriff who backed up and down a step. Giving him a hard look anyway. "You could have asked them first before vacuuming them in."

Cas bowed his head in shame. "Yes. I understand. I will." He then lifted up his hands even though he felt the souls inside his chest now. It would be another conversation and a half to explain the metaphysics of grace and soul interaction inside an angel's personal vessel without a host soul inside it anymore. Jimmy was long gone, and so this body was all Cas's and currently, a veritable playground for the Winchesters who apparently enjoyed checking it out. It made him have several conflicting emotions about that but he schooled his facial features and tone into something acceptable in responding to Jody. But really, souls kinda tickled.

With his hands still up, he addressed them, "I apologize for snatching you from the air, I will endeavor to do better." And nodded once firmly before lowering his hands again. Grinning at Jody who seemed satisfied enough to let it be. Castiel now understood what the brothers had talked about with her. She had a 'Mom' voice that could command anyone. Even Claire was silent and attentive during the berating.

Castiel let them outside, locking up behind them. Jody took the lead from there towards her jeep. It was parked a bit further down, out of sight of the bunker's entrance. Claire picked up the pace to walk beside Castiel and peered at him a few times. He finally noticed and grinned.

"Is there something you wish to say?" He asked kindly. Practically seeing the awe surrounding her.

"So, uh, what's that feel like?"

"Pardon?"

"Having the souls or whatever in there."

"I imagine it is different for me then it would be for you." Castiel said and admitted quietly, "Dean is settled next to my heart, I think he likes the steady beat. Sam is still exploring. He is currently in my right foot."

That got a chuckle out of the teen as she looked down at the foot in question and tried to picture a 6 foot 4 inch tall Hunter chilling out inside the black dress shoes. Laughing harder at the thought that he would be dizzy as hell as they continued their brisk walk.

Cas kept his voice down, "Inside, it uh, I believe they don't really sense time and space. I might as well be sitting reading, or doing jumping jacks. As you know, I am a multidimensional wave of celestial intent. This vessel is simply a means to interact with earthly beings."

"Showoff." she snickered again and bumped into his side.

They got into the jeep and Castiel called Dean to come out. The soul lifted from his hand but stayed close since the angel was now in the front seat of the jeep and it was pulling out onto the main roads. "Did you wish to reside somewhere else?"

Dean's soul shook side to side as a 'no' and then put himself right back into Castiel's cupped hand.

"Very well." and gingerly pulled him back inside the rest of the way.

"Got him in the palm of your hand." Jody commented wryly and Castiel's eyes crinkled.

"Feeling's mutual." He admitted with a soft grin, and folded his hands. Cas felt Dean settle right down next to his heart again. "It's what you do for family." He added a few minutes later when they were on the main highway. With his left elbow, the angel bumped lightly into Jody's forearm in a similar way Claire did to him. Turning his head slightly to the back seat to include the teenager in the sentiment, because of course, they were all family here.

Claire put in headphones and muttered an affectionate, "Dork." Before closing her eyes and sinking into the music as much as the seat.