Chapter 21.
Cas found Jack in the kitchen, washing some cups. "You're going with Sam to try to get those talismans?" he said.
"Yes." said Jack.
"Tell me honestly, do you think they will work?"
Jack looked thoughtful. "Yes, I think they will."
"But if they don't, you have those wards somewhere safe?"
"No, Dean said he wouldn't use them. But I can make new ones any time you need them. I have the tiles. I know what to draw."
"Good. They are Plan B. C involves some loss of grace."
"Powering down when we need you against Michael?"
"That's why it's Plan C."
"Is there a D?" said Jack.
"Exile."
"Who gets exiled and where? Distance doesn't break the connection?"
"Heaven could conceivably shut down the link forever. Certainly, it will be easier to control it there." said Cas.
"You don't want to go there. You'd hate that." said Jack.
"It's a long way down the list. The talismans should work. If they don't and I have to leave, you'll need to watch over the Winchesters."
Jack nodded. "I will. You know I will. Just please don't go. I need you."
"With luck, there won't be any need. Now, do you need me to teach you to dance?"
"No, I'm learning from online videos. I don't want to learn too well. I think people like me better when I don't do things too well and if Dean really can't dance, he won't be the only one."
Cas smiled. "You're a lot better with people than I ever was. Being half-human must help."
"Being half-archangel must be good for something. Maybe I could close the link or shield your minds or something."
"It's possible." said Cas, "We really have no idea what your powers are."
"I've asked everyone to drink moderately at the party. Sarah lost her son to a drunk driver. I think anyone getting drunk might spoil the party for her." said Jack.
"Well done." said Cas, "I'm taking my car and going to her place now. I need to focus my mind on some bees."
"I can come with you, if you want." said Jack.
"No. Getting those talismans is far more important."
"Dean might go with you. I thought you were supposed to be sticking together."
"Dean wants me to knock him out. He doesn't want me around, sucking up his thoughts."
"You can't knock him out." said Jack, "Mary needs his help."
"I'm not going to. It's not good for him. The bees will keep me focused away from Dean."
"What do the bees actually do?" said Jack.
"They don't do anything, they just are. They be."
"Bees be?" said Jack, smiling.
"It's one of their best qualities. And they never obsess over what you're wearing or get disappointed because you don't know the difference between a carburettor and whatever that thing is that isn't a carburettor but could be."
"I don't even know anything that isn't one that looks like one." said Jack.
"I take off this coat all the time." said Cas.
"Okay. I never asked, but okay."
"He called it armour. I wish it had some protective capabilities."
"He may have meant that figuratively." suggested Jack.
"In this coat, I have been stabbed, sliced, shot ... "
"You might be taking the metaphor a little too literally." said Jack.
"It's not like I hide behind the coat."
"No. It's just like a uniform you wear, so people know who you are." said Jack, "And I think we'd find it pretty weird if you just appeared one day in Bermuda shorts and a tank top."
"I don't get why he has a problem with the coat." said Cas.
"Are you sure he does? Because he's never mentioned it." said Jack.
"There's something else. Last night, he was afraid. He pretended it was nothing, but it was real, cold fear."
"Of you?" said Jack.
"I don't know."
"There's all kinds of crud in his head. It could be old fears, falling into the mind link and seeming new to you. Talk to him about it after the link is shut down."
Sam came into the kitchen, waving the keys to the Impala. "We have the car." he said to Jack.
"Dean must really want those talismans." said Jack.
"Yeah. Of course, one scratch and we're both in trouble, but at least we should get there and back fairly quickly."
"Let me know as soon as you have the talismans." said Cas, "I will head straight back."
"I will." said Sam, "You give Sarah a hug from me. Tell her Dean will wear whatever she wants him to."
"Did he eat anything?" said Cas.
"Not yet. That won't last. He's fine."
"Mary will take care of him." said Cas, wishing he felt more certain that anyone could.
"Just go and do what you need to do." said Sam, "I promise, Jack and I will get those talismans and everything will be fine."
"Does Dean hate my coat?" said Cas.
Sam grinned. "No, Dean just wants you to be happy. He wants you to enjoy the party."
"Which I can't do fully dressed?" said Cas.
"He just thinks everyone is happier dressed as a cowboy. You get used to it." said Sam.
"This trip to get the talismans, is there any risk?" said Cas.
"None at all." said Sam.
"Well, be careful anyway." said Cas.
"We'll fix this." said Sam, "You'll both be okay. Jack, are you ready?"
"Ready!" said Jack. They headed of to the garage.
Cas sent a text to Sarah, "Need bees."
Her reply was swift and simple, "My home is yours."