Chapter 27

"I didn't tell you because I wasn't sure we would be able to do it. I didn't want you to be disappointed if it didn't work. I didn't do it earlier because I wasn't completely sure she was the one you wanted. You hid it so deep I couldn't tell for sure, not until Purgatory. Every time you slept you said her name; sometimes terrified sometimes happy. Meg and I want to atone for all the wrongs we have done you, bringing back what you missed and needed the most seemed like the best way to do that," Cas said seriously.

"I was even going to give her my Hellhounds, but apparently you don't need mine. You have more than Crowley himself," Meg said as contritely as she was capable of.

"Oh, those weren't even half of them," Jo said icily.

Flame, Coal and Ember snarled at Meg. Meg swallowed and took a step behind Cas before continuing.

"I really am sorry. I honestly am trying to make up for everything I did to the Winchesters and you."

Sam snorted.

"You are only doing it for Cas, so he doesn't feel so bad about scre-"

"Hey! It doesn't matter the reason! If she wants to prove herself to us or Cas I don't care as long as Jo is back and Cas keeps her in line!" Dean said emphatically.

"Now let's get out of here before someone notices we broke in," he ordered everyone.

Sarah was startled to see them all at the Impala, but said nothing just slid over to the middle of the front seat. Lava took her place next to Jo as soon as she saw her. Sam climbed in the passenger side next to Sarah. Meg put her hand on the back door handle and started to climb in. Jo had reached her limit. She could only take so much and sitting in Baby with her murderer was not happening today. She abruptly turned her back and started walking away down the road, two hounds on each side of her. Dean was in the process of opening his door but slammed it shut when he saw Jo walking off.

"Jo!" he called half concerned, half irritated.

He jogged after her as everyone at the car except Cas pretended not to watch. He caught up to her, put his hands on her shoulders and made her turn around to face him.

"You can't walk back, its twenty miles!" She crossed her arms and glared at him.

"Even if she is your new BFF, I am not getting in the car with her. It is just too much today. So I will see you in the morning, unless I can manage to hitch hike."

She shrugged out of his grasp, spun on her heel and started walking again. Dean closed his eyes and clenched his fist. If she were Sam, he would just let her walk home to cool off. He knew that would probably tick her off more and even with her Hounds he still was worried about her walking that far at night. He walked back to the car to find Meg sitting in the car.

"Get the hell out of my car," he growled at her.

"Cas, you are going to have to take your whatever she is to meet us at the hotel."

Cas held out his hand for Meg, as she took it she said to Dean, "Somebody is on a tight leash."

Scorch snarled at her. Dean handed the keys to Sam.

"Drive ahead a mile and wait for us," he ordered.

He watched Cas and Meg disappear before catching back up to Jo. Again. This was the part of relationships he thought he wasn't good at. He couldn't just leave her to cool off or tell her she was being ridiculous like he could Sam. And to be fair, she had every reason to be mad.

"I kicked her out. I am sorry. I am used to her being kind of on our side now. I still haven't forgiven her for killing you, but she has saved me, Sam and Cas several times. And whatever her motives, she brought you back to me," he said as he tried to take her hand.

She folded her arms back up.

"She tried to kill me before then, remember? When she possessed Sam. She is the reason we all have anti possession tattoos. But that doesn't matter because now she volunteers at mental hospitals, and wants to take Crowley down. Oh wait, she has always hated Crowley. Oh, I almost forgot, she is involved with your angel friend so she gets a free pass."

Jo said looking straight ahead.

"I do remember and it does matter. She is not on my top 1000 favorite people list, but she is trying to make up for it. We have all done things we wish we could take back; her list is just longer than the rest of ours. I am not asking you to do makeovers together or even like her. Just get to the point where you can work with her. I didn't just join forces with her the first chance I could; we worked together out of necessity at first. Then I think she got a thing for Cas and she wanted to help him. I didn't betray you," he had slowly put his arm around her shoulders as he answered her.

"Then why didn't you tell me you thought she helped bring me back?"

She asked turning towards Dean. He pulled her into him and held her.

"I was worried you would freak out. I was hoping to know why she did before I told you. The time just never seemed right either. I am sorry. I won't keep anything from you again."

They walked the rest of the way to Baby in silence, but at least Jo let him keep his arm around her. They climbed into the back seat and Sam drove them back to the hotel.