Chapter 23.

Buying two silver chains did not take long and after that, Sam drove to the Frank Walker Museum in Stockton. He and Jack shared a love of museums and it had the added advantage that even if Jack did let slip that he had been there, at the word "museum", Dean's eyes would glaze over and all curiosity would cease.

Jack's curiosity was limitless and there was no exhibit that didn't fascinate him. He looked at the medical equipment from the 1900s and compared it to the only slightly more recent versions they had in the bunker. He read old articles and obituaries and gazed at photographs of people long dead as if he longed to get to know them all.

"I found a photo for Cas, for his birthday." he said, "It took some searching, but I found her."

"Found who?" said Sam.

"His first vessel. He said he had nothing to remember her by. I looked online and there was a photograph of her. I bought it and framed it. It's small, but I think he'll like it."

"That's a really thoughtful gift." said Sam.

Jack smiled.

"You want some sugary junk food?"

"I blame Dean." said Jack, "But yes, I really do."

As Jack drank his soda, Sam checked the time. "We shouldn't go back too soon, although I feel bad making them wait this long. Things were bad yesterday. I never thought they would suffer so much."

"And you think we should have given them an instant fix?"

"I do wonder whether it might have been better." said Sam.

"Stop wondering." said Jack, "Dean would never have believed in it. He would have worked the whole thing out and then we'd never stand a chance. Cas is seriously considering leaving if there's no other way to stop the link."

"There's nowhere he could go where it wouldn't still be active." said Sam.

"He thinks Heaven could block the signal."

"After everything Heaven has done to him, he'd willingly put himself back in their power?" said Sam.

"I think it was the fourth option on a bad list." said Jack, "What worries me is what comes after that. I don't think there's anything he wouldn't do to end this. Plan B is removing his own grace. That's never been a good idea. Plan E could be suicide."

"Then our plan really has to work." said Sam, "Dean is just as bad. He wants Cas to switch him off every night, so he can have no dreams."

"If I had what they have, with either of them or with you, I'd just spend all day talking to them in my head." said Jack.

"You might feel differently if it gave them access to every thought in your head."

"I generally say whatever's in my head anyway." said Jack, "So it's not like it would be a big revelation to anyone."

"I guess that's the advantage of sincerity." said Sam.

"But there are advantages to artifice too." said Jack, "If we can trick them, we save them both from whatever stupid plans are forming in their minds. So we just need to time it right, present it properly and convince them and it will all have been worth it."

"You're right. I just hate knowing they are both going through so much."

"It could still be good. It hurts them now, but maybe it's bringing up stuff they need to deal with."

"I'm sure it is. Cas didn't detect the energy from the keys when you were talking?"

Jack took a small box from his pocket and put it on the table. "Warded against angels."

"Clever."

"Also filled with some frankincense and sandalwood. I figure a vague smell of incense might make them believe these keys spent some time around magical workings." said Jack.

"You're remarkably good at this." said Sam.

"We only get one shot. We have to make this work. Heaven would tear him apart."

"Ditch the box before we leave. Its existence could raise questions." said Sam.

"Good point. We make a great team." said Jack.

"We have to. We're up against a great team and we only have two advantages, their absolute faith in you and the fact that their minds are blitzed. We're relying on Dean Winchester not questioning anything."

"Put like that, it does sound hopeless."

"But Dean is distracted. I don't think I've ever seen him more distracted. I hate taking advantage of that."

"We're doing it for Dean." said Jack.

"I know. It doesn't make lying to him easier."

"I hate that part too," said Jack, "But we know he'd do the same for us."

"Yes and this is not a Gadreel level deception, close, but not there. Our family, Jack, we'll twist and turn any way we have to to save each other."

"And as long as that's the motive, it's justifiable, right?"

"That's what I tell myself. And, as you say, Dean would do the same to us. I just hope it works."

"I think we can make it work." said Jack, "And if we do, Cas and Dean can relax and so can we."