Jensen realized almost immediately that they had a problem. "Damn it. We asked Cas not to listen in, and that dickwad just stranded us here." He looked around the large room. It was a cross between an abandoned warehouse and strip club. Random poles were everywhere. He didn't even want to think about Balthazar using the place. "And where the hell are we, anyway?"

He rubbed his eyes trying to forestall the headache he could feel building right behind them. He was with Dean on this one… freaking angels. "I mean, it's not like we can just pray to him, if he doesn't have his ears on."

"Well," Jared said. "We could call him." He pulled his phone out of his pocket and wiggled it. Only it wasn't his… wasn't the one Misha had bedazzled as a prank. Instead, it was Sam Winchester's honest-to-God cell phone.

"Did you have that the whole time?" Jensen asked, thinking back to his embarrassing moments of prayer.

"No. Not the whole time," Jared said. "I found it in his coat." He quickly dialed Castiel's number, holding the phone out so they could both hear.

"Hello?"

It was funny how Castiel always seemed surprised… like he wondered who could be calling him. When really? Who could be calling him?

"Sam?"

"No. No, not Sam. Castiel it's me. Jared."

"Oh." He sounded disappointed. "Not-Sam."

The silence stretched uncomfortably. Jensen pulled the phone out of his hand.

"Hey Cas, buddy, could you come get us? Balthazar just left us here."

There was a pause. "So now you are done. And you need me."

Jensen rolled his eyes. The angel was definitely still pissed. "Cas, get your ass…"

"I'm here," he said from behind them, startling them both.

"Don't do that."

"But you just asked me to. Would you like me to leave again?"

"No, no," Jared said quickly, trying to salvage the situation, and assuage hurt feelings all at the same time. "Look Cas, I know you wanted to stay, but it's really better if you don't know what's going to happen."

"I understand."

He was staring at the ground, and Jensen sighed.

"Do you understand?" he asked. "Because seriously, there are some things you don't need to know until or unless they come true."

"What do you mean, unless?"

Jared gave him a warning look, but it was too late. Some things just couldn't be unsaid.

"I mean…" He faltered, looking to Jared for help.

"He means… just us being here could have made a difference."

"I suppose…"

"And that's a good thing. You wanted to change things." Jensen smiled encouragingly.

"With Dean," Jared added, unnecessarily.

"Yes, of course."

Thankfully, Castiel seemed satisfied with that because Jensen really wanted to get out of there.

But when the angel spoke next, they could hear the sadness in his voice. "So where you come from Dean and I do not get together."

Okay so maybe not exactly satisfied.

"Look Cas, just because it hasn't happened doesn't mean it won't. The future's not set in stone. You should know that from your time travels."

"And yet we were never able to save Mary Winchester," he said, his voice sounding defeated.

Jensen once again glanced at his boyfriend for help. They had to do something. This ship was sinking fast.

"Hold that thought," Jared said. "I think we should have this conversation in a more comfortable setting."

"Of course." Castiel touched his fingers to their foreheads, without any warning, and they were suddenly back in Bobby's study.

Unfortunately so was Bobby.

"Where have you idjits been? I've been looking all over for you." Bobby was obviously in one of his moods. Even so, Jensen found it slightly endearing.

"Freaking angels," he said by way of explanation, ignoring the glare he got from Cas.

That seemed to satisfy the hunter.

"I'm gonna be gone for a couple of days. Garth wants some help with a case over in Missouri."

"Do you need us?" Jared asked, prompting Jensen to smack him on the arm. They stared at each other in silent argument. They couldn't possibly go, but he could tell exactly what Jared was thinking. Sam and Dean would have asked.

"No, I think I got this," Bobby said packing his necessities as they talked. "Besides I need some time away from you two. You boys are gonna drive me to drink." He held up the bottle of Hunter's Helper for emphasis.

At Jensen's look he added, "Okay, to drink more." They watched silently as he finished up. Finally, he threw his bag over his shoulder.

"Bye Bobby," Jared said. "It was nice seeing you."

"Yeah, man, take care of yourself."

"What the hell? See, this is what I'm talking about. You're both acting like you're never gonna see me again."

"Hunting is dangerous," Jared said, trying to throw something in that sounded right.

Castiel watched them, and Jensen swore he could see a flicker of amusement on his face. He gave him a warning look, and Cas mouthed, "what?"

"Well okay then." Jensen wanted to hug bobby. It sounded irrational, but where they came from Bobby was dead. And even though they saw Jim around when he was in an episode as a ghost or memory or whatever now and then, he felt a wave of nostalgia for the gruff man. Maybe it was because he knew they would be leaving soon. Leaving Castiel. And even though they still had Misha, he was going to miss the quirky angel. That was probably it.

"I'm out of here," Bobby said, taking the opportunity to leave the room as quickly as possible.

"You really spooked him."

"Me?" Jensen said. "It wasn't my fault."

"Is someone going to explain to me what's going on?" Castiel said. The amusement was completely gone from his face.

"Well, we talked to Balthazar…"

"Obviously."

"Don't interrupt me every few minutes Cas if you want the story."

He looked contrite. "My apologies. Go on."

"We talked to Balthazar," he said again. Just for spite. "And he's agreed to send us home."

Castiel seemed skeptical. "What does he want in exchange? Knowing my brother, he must want something."

"Actually, we were able to convince him that us just being here could work things out for him. Possibly."

Castiel nodded and if angels could blush, he probably would have.

"You told him about Dean and I? I mean there's nothing to tell but you know…" He glanced away embarrassed. Jensen decided to end his misery.

"We didn't tell him anything he didn't already know, Cas."

"Good. Thank you."

Jensen nodded. He knew Castiel was probably worried they told Balthazar about what went down the other night. Or rather who all went down the other night. Jensen wasn't about to voice his suspicion that the angel had been watching them all along.

"Okay, here's the deal Castiel. Balthazar is sending us home in a few minutes..."

He glanced up, panic and hope both warring for dominance in his eyes. Panic that they were leaving. Hope at having Dean back.

"So soon?"

"Soon? It's been forever," Jensen said, and regretted it almost immediately. He could tell Castiel took it personally. "I mean, shit, Cas, that came out wrong." He grabbed the angels hands and stared into his blue eyes. "Honestly, I wouldn't change anything. If I could somehow go back and avoid coming here, I wouldn't do it. I'm not sorry at all that I met you."

"But I'm not…"

"Stop. Just Stop." He pulled the angel into a hug, which he thankfully returned. Jensen breathed in the scent that was uniquely Castiel. Well, it was probably a little bit of Jimmy, too, but that was beside the point. He couldn't resist kissing him on the neck. "You're an amazing badass Angel of the Lord. You got this okay? Give him hell," Jensen said as he pulled away. "I want you to go after Dean, and you make him your bitch."

"I don't understand," the angel said slowly, tilting his head in confusion. Jensen smirked at him, and his face cleared. "No wait… I think I do."

He could see by the embarrassment on Castiel's face that he understood perfectly.

"Dean Winchester is in love with you, whether he admits it or not. Trust me, I know. And even if for some stupid reason he pushes you away, I want you to remember that it's not because he doesn't want you. It's because he's confused and a stubborn idiot. Just don't stop trying okay?"

"I promise. I will continue to pursue Dean until he is …. my bitch."

Jensen smiled fondly as he touched Castiel's face, trying to memorize every inch. Every single bit that looked so familiar but was, in actuality, quite different. Would he somehow lose Castiel when he was back with Misha? He hoped not.

Leaning down Cas kissed him softly. Jensen recognized it as a promise that he would not hesitate in his mission. That he would do whatever he needed to do to get Dean.

Jensen couldn't help deepening the kiss. Not too much but enough to let Cas know how much he would miss this. Miss him.

Jared cleared his throat. "Sorry to interrupt."

They pulled away, both slightly dazed.

"But Balthazar will be here any moment.

"Right, bye Cas," he said again, kissing him on the cheek.

"Goodbye…" He hesitated. "Jensen."

He felt more pleased than he probably should have that the angel said his name, even if the pronunciation was not quite right.

"My turn," Jared said, pushing him away to get to Castiel before the douchy angel showed up.

And with an equal amount of surprise, Jensen watched as Cas pulled Jared into a heated kiss. It was almost as if he was afraid Jared wouldn't kiss him back. It was amazing watching the two of them, and Jensen wondered if he could get Balthazar to give them another hour or so…

But that thought lasted only a second because on the other side was Misha, and he couldn't wait to get back to him.

Jared seemed a little shell shocked when they finally pulled apart.

"Wow, Cas that was… wow," Jared said, for once at a loss for words.

"This is the last opportunity I will have… and I want to thank you both…"

They smiled fondly at him, as he seemed to struggle with what he wanted to say.

"For… for making it extremely difficult for me to look at Sam Winchester in the same way ever again. Or Sam and Dean's relationship. They are brothers." He shook his head. "It will be difficult."

Jensen laughed. So not where he thought that was headed. "You're welcome, Cas." The angel was already somewhat awkward around Sam. Now it was probably going to be a thousand times worse.

"I am grateful though. For everything you've both done."

"Our pleasure, Cas," Jared said, beating Jensen to it. Although it sounded less suggestive coming from Jared. "And I mean it…"

"Well if you boys are done playing footsie." Balthazar appeared next to them, causing Jensen to jump in surprise.

He glared at him. Perverted angel was probably watching the whole exchange.

"What? Do you want me to go away?"

"No. No," Jared said. "We're ready. Right?"

"Almost," Castiel said, pulling them both into a hug. "Goodbye, Jared and Jensen." This time the names seemed to flow much easier.

Reluctantly, they pulled away, and with a ruffle of feathers, he was gone. Jensen missed him almost immediately. Still he had Jared, and he knew in a few minutes time he'd have Misha, as well. And he'd always have the memories…

He froze, staring at Jared.

"What?"

Instead of answering, he addressed the angel. "I want to remember."

"Excuse me?"

"This isn't my first time doing this, Balthazar. I know once we leave here, if things change, we might not be able to remember this. And I want to remember everything."

"Me, too," Jared said, giving him a surprised look like he couldn't believe Jensen thought of it.

"Yeah, I bet you do," Balthazar said with a smirk.

Whatever. Jensen didn't care what the angel thought.

"Just make it happen," Jared said, glaring at him.

"Fine. You'll both be able to remember your little adventure. Happy?"

"Yes, actually, I am," Jensen said, his excitement building at the thought of going home. "Let's get on with it."

"Fine." A swish of his wrist and everything they needed to reverse the spell appeared. Balthazar handed the lamb's blood to Jared, who seemed reluctant to take it.

"Wait," Jensen said. "We fought an evil water spirit and you're squeamish about lamb's blood?"

"I hate the thought of slaughtering innocent animals for this."

"Seriously, can we just get on with it?" Balthazar was getting a little pissy, and Jensen worried they might lose him soon if they didn't hurry.

"Go ahead," he said.

Balthazar repeated the spell in Latin, as Jared added the necessary ingredients. Jensen grabbed on to him, suddenly afraid of losing him in the process.

Jared's hand in his, their fingers laced together, was the last thing he remembered before everything went white.