Chapter 16.

Sam was eating sandwiches in the kitchen when Jack came in and sat opposite him. "Small problem with everything amulet-like in the storerooms."

"What's that?" said Sam.

"Everything is catalogued and described, most of it by Dean."

"I forgot about that." said Sam, "So we need to buy something."

"Or we use these." said Jack, dropping two small silver keys onto the table. "I found them in a drawer in one of the bedrooms. It hadn't been cleared out yet. I doubt Dean has ever seen them."

"Put them on chains and they would be pretty convincing." said Sam, "You've done well, Jack."

Jack smiled. "Thanks."

"Now, we just need to get the presentation right. We can't rush it. Can you do your aura tweaking thing?"

Jack held both keys in his hand and looked at them. For a moment, his eyes glowed golden and golden light shone on the keys. Then he put them back onto the table. "I've never tried this before and I can't promise it will fool Castiel, but in theory, he will detect celestial energy in them."

"Thanks, Jack." Sam called Cas.

"Hello, Sam." said Cas, "Do you need us? We were planning to head back soon anyway."

"No hurry." said Sam, "Just wanted to keep you both in the loop. Jack and I were digging through some very obscure lore and we found something that could help."

"You're on speaker." said Cas, "What have you got?"

Sam switched his phone to speaker too. "A talisman that can ... "

"No warding, no talismans, nothing that makes a barrier." said Dean, "I thought I'd been clear on that."

"Dean, shut up and listen, no barriers involved." said Sam, "This is called a Key of Rhydian and it gives you control over your unconscious mind. You each wear a talisman and that means each of you controls what happens with your own mind. Yours won't block Cas, it will simply stop you from transmitting. Is that okay with you?"

"That actually sounds pretty useful." said Dean, "And you came up with this?"

"Actually, Jack did. I was just a research assistant, this time."

"Sam's just being modest." said Jack.

"I suspect you are too." said Dean, "You've both done well. Thanks, guys. How long will it take to get these talismans?"

"I think I've found a source for them. With luck, we can get them in the next couple of days."

"Could you get them in time for the party?" said Cas.

"Yeah, I think so." said Sam.

"Good," said Dean, "Because that's a big night for Cas and he won't want the mind curse ruining it."

"Mind curse? That's the name we're going with?" said Sam.

"Cas and I are happy with it." said Dean.

"Okay." said Sam, "And are you happy in general? You're both dealing with this well?"

"I think so." said Dean, "You were right that talking seems to help keep it from activating."

"So you two are actually talking, about stuff that matters?"

"None of your business, Dr Phil." said Dean.

Sam smiled at Jack. It sounded like a yes.

"We're fine." said Cas, "We are in control of this thing, to a degree."

"Go on," said Dean, "Tell me again how it could be useful."

"No point." said Sam, "If you both hate it."

"We do." said Cas.

"Then the talismans are the way to go." said Sam, "I'll see you both later." He ended the call and looked at Jack. "If this thing makes them talk to each other properly, it could be the best thing that ever happened to them."

"Do you think they really are talking about the things that matter?" said Jack.

"I don't know, but I hope so. They both need that."

"Who is or was Rhydian?" said Jack.

Sam smirked. "A guy who used to do my laundry in college. I always thought his name sounded like he should be a wizard or something."

"I'll never understand how you and Dean can just make things up like that. You sounded so convincing."

"Yeah, well, I sorta had to. Dean has very good instincts. If I sounded even a little off, he'd know at once that he was being played. That wouldn't end well for any of us."

"So, tomorrow, I'm guessing we need to pretend to go out and get these things."

"Yeah. We can go see a movie or something."

"Not a good idea. I'd slip up and talk about the movie and Dean knows what I have and haven't seen. We could go to a museum."

"I like the way you think."

Jack looked thoughtful. "They haven't talked about the link, have they? I mean, not honestly. They're each pretending to the other that they hate it."

"Another reason to wait another day." said Sam, "It's always possible the link will tell one or both that the other doesn't entirely hate it."