Disclaimer: I do not own supernatural or any of their awesome characters.
A/N: Well here we go, I tried to make it a longer chapter for you Dimitra! I appreciate all the reviews, though last chapter was light on them ;0). So please review! ALSO, bored on the web I stumbled onto something awesome!!!!!! Jo and Ellen are back on a new Supernatural episode, November 19th!!!!!!! I CANT WAIT!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nothing Is Easy
"New York, Bobby?" Dean asked holding the cell phone up to his ear, pacing, looking for a stronger signal. Jo got out of the Impala and waved her hand for Dean to hurry up. Dean looked back at her and gave her a 'hold on' look. Jo rolled her eyes. They had been pulled on the side of the road for over an hour and she was tired. It wasn't that she wanted to get back in the car, oh no. They had left the roadhouse four days ago and had traveled around a lot really stopping anywhere. Jo was tired, hungry and grouchy and she more than ready to take a shower. Jo gave up on Dean and got in the impala. She closed her eyes and reflected on the last four days.
At first it was exciting being alone with Dean, then it became strained, the tension between them was high. Jo knew that Dean missed Sam, missed being away from him. Jo snapped out of it when Dean got in the car.
"Well the reception was shitty, but from what I could get they are all safe." Dean said looking at her. Jo nodded happily. "One of Bobby unlimited sources said that Naga is in New York." Jo shook her head harshly. Her mind couldn't contemplate going to New York at this time.
"Dean I need to eat, I need to sleep, and I really need a shower. I am prepared to leave you, hitch hike to a motel and get what I need." She folded her arms and looked at him. Dean thought it was cute when she stuck her lip out. Dean got the map out and spotted a town about thirty minutes away.
"I understand, Hobble is really close, we can be there soon." Dean was aware that Jo was still staring at him. Jo gave him a look and grabbed her stomach. "Yes, we can hit up the local V.I., okay?" That seemed to satisfy Jo enough for her to sit back and relax.
XOXOXOXOXOX
Castiel was on his own looking for any sign for Naga, one of Bobby's friends had pointed him to a penthouse in New York. When Cas had gotten there he had walked into the lobby and he was completely repelled. When the demons started to close in on him Cas took his only option and left the scene. He was used to having all of heavens power backing him now he could feel it waning. There were still options for him to take and he still 'had a few tricks up his sleeve' as Dean would say. Unfortunately, Naga building was too guarded for him to take it alone. He was going to have to recruit people to help him that meant that there was danger and he was in charge of Dean and Jo to keep them safe.
Thankfully, he still had the support of Ellen. Ellen was a fierce warrior that could be trusted. After the first night that he met Jo and Ellen, he had seen the potential that was within her, he had looked past her hard exterior and accepted that she was that way because she had lost her husband and dealing with the supernatural can change your life, not always for the best. He had for sure almost gotten his head taken off by Ellen when he had come into her room asking her for her help. Once she had calmed down he had told her of what he knew. He had explained the importance of Dean and Jo's relationship and how fortunate that Jo had a connection to Joan of Arc, all would be world saving in the future. He had also asked Ellen for her help. Keeping a diligent eye on Dean, Jo, and Sam was more that taking the majority of his time, he had needed some help. Cas knew that God was out there waiting to be found. He had obtained Dean's necklace, a very powerful charm that would glow in the presence of God.
Cas knew there were plenty of bad things that were happening as the result of the apocalypse, which made him; think that any miracles that were happening would be easier to spot. On occasion he would hear of miraculous deeds and he would send Ellen to check the charm. All cases had come back negative but Cas did not give up hope. If anything, it had boosted the moral of Ellen and him hearing the stories that people had told of being healed, escaping death, or having their prayers answered. It was disappointing that all came back negative but they both felt uplifted. He knew that Bobby and Ellen were close and did not fear that they would be unsafe at the cabin; Bobby had made the cabin as safe and study as his panic room. Cas needed to get back to Dean and Jo.
XOXOXOXOXOX
Jo watched Dean finish off the last of his burger and stuff six french fries in his mouth, the boy must have a steel stomach. The breakfast that she had was making her very tired and all she could think about was a shower and sleeping for about ten days. She couldn't help but watch Dean and think about how much her life had changed in the last weeks.
"What?" Dean asked wiping his mouth thinking he has something on his face. Jo chuckled to herself.
"Nothing, I'm sorry, I am just sleep deprived." Dean got a hurt look in his face. "Yes Dean you can order pie." She said laughingly. Dean's expression lifted immediately.
"Good, they have like a dozen choices." He said grabbing the desert menu. Jo sat back watching Dean eat trying not to fall asleep. Finally after his sweet tooth was satisfied Dean drove the impala to a motel and checked them in. It was the usual dingy fair; the room at least looked cleaner and smelt better than the one in Wyoming. There was only one bed but she didn't complain, he didn't mention anything.
They didn't talk very much, Dean was busy protecting the room and told her she could use the shower first. She just nodded and didn't tell him she was going to take the first shower anyway. The hot water felt good getting off four day dirt and grime, she must have stayed in there a long time because it had seemed for just minutes, Dean knocked on the door and asked if she was okay. She quickly got out and put her pajamas on, then headed for the bed. Dean quickly got into the shower after her and she sighed and almost turned on the television but stopped herself. That was her safety when she was alone, but now she had Dean with her, she felt safe. Jo turned out the lights and lay in bed, surprisingly awake. Dean came into the room put his stuff down and did one final sweep of the room. Jo traced his every move with her eyes and noticed that little water specks were still on his hair. He finally came to the bed and took his shirt off then stopped when he started for his pants. Jo flushed.
"I really don't do pants in bed." He said with a shrug and pulled down his sleep pants to reveal his boxers. Jo finally breathed out the breath she was holding. He got into bed and laid on his back with his hands folded behind his head. Jo stayed as still as possible. After a few minutes Dean looked over at Jo and saw she was looking at him.
"Cant sleep huh?" Dean asked. Jo, exhausted, nodded her head.
"Its like a switch that wont turn off." She said. Dean looked back up to the ceiling thinking that this was the last place he had thought he would be, then his thoughts drifted to Michael.
"You seem so accepting that you are Joan of Arc's vessel. Why?" Dean asked the question that had been on his mind. Jo breathed in.
"I don't know, but I am. It's like destiny." She said her best answer. Dean shook his head.
"I won't be Michaels bitch, I just can't." He said.
"That's okay Dean, you do things your own way. That's who you are." She said almost reaching out to him. 'Three leggy girls, three leggy girls', she kept saying in her head, trying to remind herself not to get to close. He did smell really good, and his naked muscular chest looked like it needed to be touched.
"I know, but it seems like you are so much better with the whole thing." He said snapping her back into reality.
"Dean what in my life had been easy? For either of us? We just aren't the 'American Dream' type of people. It just seems like this is something I need to do, I trust her." It was true she did trust Joan completely.
"Aren't you scared?" He asked looking back to her. Jo looked into his eyes.
"Fucking terrified." She said barely above a whisper. Dean took his arms and scooted her to him in one scoop. She didn't fight him, she melted into him. They didn't talk anymore after that, Jo feel asleep when she started to hear Dean snore.
XOXOXOXOXOX
Dean awoke to his phone ringing; he gently pushed Jo to the side and grabbed his cell. His first thought was that it was Sam, but quickly saw a number that had to be Cas.
"We are in Hubble Tennessee, motel crappy I'm sure you can find it, room 23."
"I will be there momentarily." Cas said hanging up. Dean closed his phone enjoying the fact that he didn't have to have epic conversations with Cas and he didn't mind. Dean looked over at Jo who was still sleeping. Dean reached over to her and shook her, probably a little too hard because she came up swinging.
"Whoa Jo, it's me." Dean said hands rose. "You'd better get up, Cas is coming." Dean laughed to himself, looked at her and went into the bathroom. It took Jo more than a few seconds to become aware of her surroundings. She lowered her fists blinking her eyes hard. After four days of barely sleeping Jo was breathing hard trying to wake up. She shook her head trying to get the fuzziness out. Jo quickly got dressed just in time to hear the knock on the door. She checked out the window to see who it was and it was Cas. Jo opened the door smiling, "Hi Cas how are you?" she asked.
"Hello Jo. I have to talk to you and Dean." He said seriously. Jo nodded her head letting him inside.
"Cas. Tell me you have some good news." Dean said coming out of the bathroom.
"I need your help, you should both sit down." Cas said his hand waving towards the bed. Jo and Dean looked at each other both surprised that he was so intense. They both sat on the bed thighs touching Dean cleared his throat and shifted away from her. Jo just kept looking at Cas shaking off being uncomfortable.
"I did locate Naga's lair, but was repelled by her safety precautions. I need your help to get inside. I am hoping that our sword is inside. We are going to need many items." He said.
"Isn't that a little dangerous for us? Especially since the sword might not be there?" Jo asked thinking that she was unprepared.
"It is a risk that we have to take. I have a list of things that you should get, I will go get the other items listed. We have a small window of time, we should make haste." Cas said handing Dean the list. Dean took it giving it a once over.
"I am sure that we can get almost all of these things." Dean said handing the list to Jo. Jo looked it over and nodded.
"Okay a few days, maybe three." Dean said realistically.
"You both have one." Cas said. Even Jo thought that was a short time to acquire the items. They both gave Cas a troubled look.
"You should see my list." Cas said. Dean laughed.
"Okay, okay fine." Dean said. Jo hoped that some of the things on the list would help them get into getting the sword. Cas said a quick goodbye and then was on his way. Dean looked over the list.
"Well most of these are charms but what are some of these things is in the trunk, like the iron and silver, the holy water." He said scanning the list. Dean and Jo spent the rest of the day getting them ready for what for sure was going to be one hell of a fight. They talked a little but Jo was mostly concerned about what was going to happen the next day. Dean had talked to Bobby and Sam, they both wanted to be in the action but Dean said that they had it handled. Jo thought that it was unfortunate that Dean and Sam were still having a problem dealing with each other but they would find away. If her and her mother could deal with each other then there was hope for family relationships everywhere.
Dean was noticing that Jo and he worked well together. They had gone into town for supplies both keeping an eye out for each other and working quickly to buy the supplies that they needed. When they got back to the motel they both started filling their packs with all the supernatural things that they could find. While she was cleaning knifes, he cleaned the guns. When he needed something, she got it for him before he got the words out of his mouth. He had thought about how strong she was being even though she was scared. The night passed quickly much like the night before they didn't talk much but held onto each other feeling the comfort that was being offered by each of them. Cas arrived early the next morning looking a little gruffer than usual. He was carrying a large cloth sack of things, walking to the bed he spread them out. Jo looked over the items. There was a bag of dirt on the bed Jo looked at Cas.
"That is holy dirt from Chimayo, New Mexico." Dean held up a piece of jagged wood. Cas looked at it, "That is a stake from the oldest tree." Dean didn't ask if it was 'the' tree but continued to look over the items, they consisted of medallions and other silver pieces.
"Okay so we are loaded up with all kinds of crap. So what's next?" Dean asked sitting on the edge of the bed. Jo and Cas took seats at the table.
"I know that she is currently not there. There are three demons guarding the lobby, two at the door of her apartment. We need to go in fast and get in. I am going to place us on the roof of her building, from there we will go down two fights of stairs and two red doors will signify her place."
"That doesn't sound so bad." Jo added in.
"Well I am glad you are confident." Dean said looking at her. "Those demons are going to toss us like rag dolls if we don't get the first element of surprise." Dean said to him. Cas went to the bed and picked up the pieces of silver, handing one to Dean and one to Jo.
"Put these in your pocket and keep them there." Cas said. "Are you ready?" Dean and Jo looked at each other and then nodded to Cas.
"Try to be as silent as possible." He reminded them. They both gathered their things and stood in front of Cas. Dean sucked his breath in trying to keep it together and just do it. He really hated this part. Cas put his hands on both of their fore heads. To Jo it was over before it started. She was shocked when she was standing in front of an amazing skyline; they were on the roof of a New York building. Jo quickly she peered over the edge, her hair blowing wildly, to see hundreds of little red lights and could hear honking horns. Dean grabbed her shoulder and pulled her back next to them. Cas walked them over to the door way and silently pointed to the top of it. In chalk there were symbols unlike Jo had never seen before, different symbols that looked to be traced with what looked like to be blood. Jo surmised that Cas would not be able to pass through the door unless they destroyed the circle. She quickly dropped her sack and grabbed the holy water; she unscrewed the cap waiting for Dean. Dean took out his lucky lighter and held the flame close to the circle. It quickly caught flame and burned a hot orange. Jo then splashed the holy water dousing the top of the door frame. Jo watched as the fire had burned away much of the white chalk and the water she had thrown had stopped the fire and cracked the frame.
Once Cas nodded all three of them went through the door and down the stairs. She had on hand on her gun and one on the handle of her knife. As Jo's feet hit the stairs she was alert to the point that every little noise had her ready to shoot her gun. Dean was leading, Jo, then Cas. When they got two floors down Dean did not hesitate to kick open the door and round the corner throw a small grenade down the hall and shooting at the three demons that were now running toward them. Jo felt the heat on her cheeks before the explosion happened. The demons stopped short of seeing Cas and Dean and grinned a brilliant smile. The tall demon on the right lifted his hand to make Dean go flying against the wall and was surprised when he didn't go anywhere.
"What the?" The demon asked. Dean looked at him sort of surprised to see that the silver piece in his pocket was working. The demons hardly missed a beat and started running to them. Jo was around the corner waiting for a clear path.
Dean and Cas collided with the two demons and started fighting. Cas had easily pinned one of them down and Dean seemed to be holding his own. Jo looked at the both of them wondering if she should help them.
"Hurry up Jo! Find the sword!" Dean yelled at her. She could hear the unmistakable grumbling of more demons coming there way. Jo in a flash started moving again. The blast had been loud but hardly anything was on fire, she kicked the rest of the red door down. Jo quickly looked around and saw no immediate danger. She lowered her gun and took her hand off her knife in awe. The beautiful penthouse was immaculate. Jo walked through seeing black leather furniture and almost every inch of wall covered in mirrors. Jo thought that it was a bit tacky and weird to have so many mirrors. She took a second to orient herself, as she walked on the marble floors, turned the corner to go down the hall and came to a door with black handle in the middle. As Jo slowly pushed the door open her eyes widened. The room was large with dark red walls, glowing symbols all over it, ceiling to floor. Her eyes widened and she got a very uncomfortable feeling. Jo had felt evil before but was almost overwhelmed.
There were glass cases holding objects, including some things that Jo recognized. As she made her way down the small isle she walked to the back of the room to a case that she knew contained her sword. Jo ran being conscious of her footing to the case and saw Joan's sword. It was a deceivingly large sword, it looked exactly like the picture that Cas had shown her that night in the bar. Her feelings were about multiplied by ten she felt a rush unlike anything that Jo had experienced. Jo was trying to hurry and felt like she was going to jump out of her skin. She looked around for something to break the case when it dawned on her that she had her knife. Breathing heavily she covered her hand with the knife in it with the end of her shirt and raised her fist ready to break the glass case.
"Hasn't anyone told you that you shouldn't touch other peoples stuff?" Naga's cold voice said ringing out in the silent room. Jo twisted around as fast as she could and looked at the woman that had been plaguing her existence ever since she was told about the sword. Naga stood tall clad in expensive clothing hands on her hips, staring at Jo. Jo thought that she was beautiful and she looked powerful. "Oh but you are a tiny thing!" Naga said. Jo raised her eyebrows insulted. Jo was intimidated by Naga but was trying not to show it. Her hand slowly made it up her back to her knife. Naga looked at her knowing what she was doing. Her eyes went to black with red lines pulsing through them; Jo had never seen that before.
"Naga, I came from my sword." Jo said finding her voice.
"So you are the vessel? Not mommy? I wouldn't have guessed that." Naga said looking Jo up and down and tilted her head to the side. "Then again, I have been wrong before, like Papa Winchester in hell." Jo's head came up slowly because that bitch had just stepped over the line. Fear turned to anger hearing the name of Dean's father. Even though Naga was watching her every move, Jo finally got a firm grip on her knife. Naga looked at her with her tongue in her cheek.
"I would let that knife behind your back go, if I where you." She growled. Jo didn't and Naga raised her hand, her eyes widening. Jo smiled when the silver medallion in her pocket worked. Jo didn't think she just charged. It was first a calculated blow with her knife trying for the throat. Her knife barely scraped her skin. Naga screamed something terrible and threw Jo off of her into one of the glass cases, Jo's back taking the force shattering the case into a million pieces. Naga touched her hand to her throat and saw blood.
"You are going to pay for that." She growled. Jo got up trying not to notice the pain in her hip, limped up grabbing her gun and firing rock salt into Naga. Naga screamed in pain putting her head down. Jo saw that she was quickly recovering the black lines around her skin closing the wounds. She flew at Jo scraping her nails down Jo's chest. She whipped back as burning pain radiated through her body and Naga's manicured hands around her throat she pushed Jo to the wall and lifted her up until her feet were dangling. Jo's oxygen was cut off and it was hard to reach for the bag in her jacket pocket. Thankfully Naga was to busy concentrating on choking the life out of her to notice Jo struggling.
Jo didn't know if it was elation or lack of oxygen but when her nails tore in the bag Jo slammed the holy dirt in Naga's face. Naga immediately released her grip on Jo's throat and screamed in pain. Jo went crashing on the floor, landing on her stomach, breathing heavy hoping that the dirt would give her enough time to get the stars out of her head. Naga was scratching at her face trying to relieve the excruciating pain in her eyes and face. Jo shakily got up, hopping to her knife picking it up. By that time Naga was standing raising both of her hands at Jo. Jo went to run at her but found she couldn't move.
"Dear Cassy didn't tell you that those things expire after a while?" Naga asked laughing dirt smeared over her face. Jo panicked trying hard to struggle over the hold against her. She was going through her brain thinking of what to do next when Dean came from behind her and stabbed her with the piece of wood. Naga didn't scream this time she just slowly but her hand down and released Jo, she went to her knees. Dean dug in the stake deeper and Naga was knocked to the floor. Jo grabbed her knife and went to the case that held her sword, she brought her fist down breaking the glass. The sword acted like a magnet and went straight into her hand, Jo felt the power of her sword pulsing through her. When she turned around she turned into an empty room.
Castiel had exorcized the last of the demons and ran to aid Dean and Jo. He rounded into the room to find Jo standing there holding Joan of Arc's sword. Castiel saw that Jo was alone.
"Where is Dean?" He asked scanning the room.
"I... I don't know. I turned around and boom they were both gone. Cas! Where did they go??" Jo said starting to panic. Cas looked at Jo and noticed that there was a glow around her. "I will KILL that bitch!" Jo said feeling a rush of energy she walking fast to Cas and pointing the sword at him, Cas had expected this. "Find them now!" She screamed. Cas pushed the sword down and looked deep into Jo's eyes.
"Give me the sword, Jo. It is a powerful object and you have a powerful connection with it, you will become overwhelmed." Jo didn't want to give Cas the sword, it was hers. "Now Jo." Cas said in a stern voice. Jo raised it closer to his throat. "We have to find Dean, Jo." Hearing Deans name snapped her out of it. Jo stepped back and saw what she was doing; she immediately dropped the sword and handed it over to Cas.
"I'm sorry Cas, I'm a little confused." She whispered. Cas nodded.
"The feeling will pass. We need to leave." He said tucking the sword in his trench coat grabbed Jo's hand and touched her forehead.
XOXOXOXOXOX
"I should be with them." Sam said pacing in Bobby's cabin. Bobby and Ellen looked at him understanding his frustration. "I can help."
"I know, Sam. Castiel said to stay here." Ellen said trying to be comforting. The truth was she wasn't one to run from a fight and she was getting a little pissed off herself. Same perked up his head, "Did you hear that?" He asked not waiting for an answer. Sam ran to the door and slammed it open. Ellen got up and looked past Sam to see Castiel holding Jo.
"Oh my God, what happened?" She asked pushing through Sam and grabbing Jo out of Castiels arms. Ellen ran to the bed and gently laid her down. Jo was still conscience but was moaning. Ellen saw blood and ripped open Jo's shirt. Ellen saw long red scratches and tiny pieces of glass in her arms. "Dean." Jo whispered. Ellen touched Jo's face and stroked it.
"It will be fine sweetie." She said in a calm steady voice.
"What the hell happened Castiel? Where is Dean?" Sam asked through his teeth. Bobby went to the bathroom to grab things to clean Jo's wounds. Cas checked on Jo and whipped around when Sam grabbed his shoulder forcibly.
"I asked you a question!" Sam yelled. Cas lifted Sam's hand off of him.
"Naga took Dean." Cas said.
XOXOXOXOXOX
Dean's first thought was that his head hurt like a son of a bitch, his second was that he was bound and tied. The last thing he remembered was walking to help Jo and then Naga grabbing him. He tried wiggling his hands but found they were numb from being tied up. He looked at his surroundings and surmised that he was in a warehouse under one light. He smelt blood.
"You are awake I see." Naga said coming out of the shadows. "That was an unpleasant experience." She said pulling a chair up to him. Dean shook hard in the chair trying to get free. Naga laughed.
"Don't bother your not going anywhere." Dean stared at her wanting to kill her. "You see, I may have lost the sword but gained something bigger." She said with sick satisfaction.
"Yea? What's that you slag?" Dean asked harshly.
"You my dear. You are the key to your brother saying yes to Lucifer." She said looking for his reaction.
"He won't do it." Dean said. Naga kept a straight face.
"Yes he will. He will say the mother of all 'yes's' to save you Dean." Dean's heart dropped. Naga got up when a dark figure emerged, she turned to him. "Ah, Abatu meet Dean. Dean meet Abatu. I'm sure you will be great friends." She said stopping when she was about to pass Abatu. "Just don't kill him, we need him." She said then proceeded. When Naga walked out of the warehouse she laughed to herself when she heard Dean scream in pain.