Chapter 13

Lucy woke up from her sleep feeling the best she had felt in weeks. She had slept deeply, barely even dreaming and when she did dream, they all had been good. She rolled over and looked at her clock. It was noon. She had slept all night and half of the next day.

Must have needed sleep more than I thought. she mused as she got out of bed. Lucy stretched out her stiff muscles then went to open the blinds over her window. Sunlight streamed in, brightening the dim room, making Lucy blink. When her eyes adjusted, she could see Dean and Bobby working on the Impala. Sam must have been in the house somewhere.

She quickly changed her clothes and headed downstairs. She could hear running water as she went so she then headed for the kitchen. The windows were open and music, Dean's most likely, filtered in from the backyard. Sam was once again doing dishes and hadn't noticed Lucy come down.

For a moment Lucy stopped to admire Sam. He was wearing jeans and a plain blue t-shirt that was loose enough to be comfortable but still teasingly accented his muscles. His feet were bare and one tapped in time to the music. Lucy smiled when she heard him quietly singing along with the music. Her heart raced as she watched him. She wanted to just walk up behind him and wrap her arms around him, holding him close. Wanted to tell him how she felt about him and what he had done for her.

But she couldn't move. In all honesty, she was afraid. Afraid of putting him in danger like she had her mother. Deep down though she also was afraid that Sam didn't feel the same way about her. Sam was kind and thoughtful but she couldn't confuse that with romantic feelings. Also, if they were going to be traveling together she didn't want to complicate things. It could make for an uncomfortable time.

Lucy bit her bottom lip and quietly turned away from the kitchen, instead going out the front door to sit on the porch.

-)*(-

Sam heard the front door close, making him look out the kitchen window. Dean and Bobby were still out back so it must have been Lucy. He quickly dried his hands and raced to the front of the house. He went out onto the porch and found Lucy sitting cross-legged in a rocking chair. She was wearing loose, gray sweatpants and a dark blue t-shirt with a wide neckline that made the shirt drape open over one shoulder. Her golden hair was loose and draped over the other shoulder. Sam suddenly found it hard to breathe.

Lucy looked up at Sam and she gave him a gentle smile. He felt his knees go weak with that smile and he had to fight hard to stand straight.

Thank god I don't have to travel alone with her. I don't think I could take it. Sam thought.

"Hi, Sam." she said warmly, pulling him from his thoughts. Sam was relieved to hear her talk like that. It was a vast improvement over yesterday.

"Hi, Lucy. Did you sleep ok?" he asked, sitting in the chair next to her.

"Yeah, like a rock. It was great." she answered, surprised with it.

"That's good. Do you want something to eat? I could make you something?" Sam said, standing to go to the kitchen. Lucy shook her head and grabbed his arm, gently guiding him back to his chair. He looked at her curiously as her face grew serious.

"Sam, I'm ready to go with you and Dean." she said, looking directly at Sam. His eyes widened in surprise.

"Are you sure? We don't want to rush you." he replied, clearly concerned.

"Yes, Sam. It's been long enough. Mom wouldn't want me to dwell for long. Plus, we're not safe here. I can ward the place in case we ever need to come back but we can't stay here permanently." she said confidently. Sam nodded, taking in the truth of Lucy's words.

"Ok, tonight we'll talk with Dean and Bobby and then we'll help you pack." Sam replied.

"Great. Thanks, Sam." Sam looked at Lucy quizzically, confused by the sentiment.

"For what?" he asked.

"For…" Lucy paused then looked at Sam and grinned, "Don't worry about it. Just thank you." Sam looked on confused, wordlessly watching as Lucy went back into the house.

After they talked with Dean and Bobby about their plans, everyone began tidying up the house and help Lucy pack. Besides clothing and other essentials, Lucy packed some of her tools and her weapons. They put everything in her car with the intention of leaving it at Bobby's for safe-keeping.

During this time they also received a call from the sheriff's office. Lucy had been cleared of the murders in town. Now there wouldn't be any trouble when they left.

A couple days later, all that was left to do was invoke the wards in the house and the workshop. Lucy pricked her finger and placed it on the now invisible markings. The areas that held the marks glowed a faint red when activated and then was gone. Lucy then locked up and met the guys out front. She stopped before getting in her car and looked back at the house. It felt strange leaving and potentially never coming back.

"It'll be ok. We'll come back someday." Sam said following her gaze.

"Yeah, you're right." she replied. Lucy took a deep, calming breath then turned and got behind the wheel. Sam got in the passenger side as Lucy turned the ignition and the Corvette roared to life. In front of them in the Impala they could hear Dean cheer at the sound of Lucy's car. She chuckled and put her car in gear.

"You ready, Sam?" she asked, giving the younger Winchester a grin, which he returned in kind.

"Of course."

With that, Lucy stepped on the gas and followed Dean's car out onto the open road.

-)*(-

Pain wracked his body as he fell onto the floor. Castiel didn't know how she had done it but the girl had weakened his control on the souls from Purgatory that were now within him. He didn't know where he had transported himself to either. All he knew was that he had to maintain control.

Castiel centered all his focus on keeping the souls contained. He didn't know how long it took but eventually the pain began to subside and he could no longer hear the roaring of angry souls. Castiel rested against the cool floor, breathing heavily. He thought of the nephilim girl and anger welled up inside him. Didn't she understand what he was trying to do? Why did she have to fight against him? She would have been his champion in conquering this world and bringing it under control. Instead she fought him and almost ruined everything.

Castiel sighed and his face set in determination. The girl would have to die, regrettably, as would all others who stood in his way. As Castiel rested and regained his strength, one thought lingered in his subconscious. One that was not his own.

We are Leviathan. We will be free.

-)*(-

That's the end of "The Outcast"! I hope everyone enjoyed it and I thank everyone for even choosing to read it. I am honored.

I am going to write another story involving Lucy. However this one will have a bit more humor and more Lucy/Sam developments. Hopefully I can start posting that soon. Thanks again!