Chapter 29.
Sam and Jack left the bunker and walked to the small wooded area nearby. Once there, Sam felt safe to say, "Well, it worked. We fooled them."
"When Castiel held it and detected something almost celestial, I thought he was onto us." said Jack.
"From now on, in the bunker or in any communication other than face to face between you, me and Mom, the talismans are real and Rhydian is an actual, historical figure. One slip and they will work out everything. If they ask about Rhydian, tell them to ask me. I can more easily fake a history for him than you can. If you have to tell them something about him, make sure I know what you said. We need to be telling the same story. If they ask to see the documentary evidence, stall. Tell Dean it's in Greek, for a start."
"That won't work on Castiel." said Jack, "He speaks Greek."
"I know." said Sam, "Trying to deceive an angel has always been a challenge."
"But it's worth the effort. They believe in the talismans." said Jack, "Dean seemed very relieved."
"Yeah, he did and I'm sure he is, for Cas's sake, but just watch for signs he's not handling it well."
"I think Castiel isn't handling it well." said Jack, "When he first put it on, just for a second, he looked devastated."
"Castiel is definitely not handling it well and I hope Dean won't make him live without the link, because he needs it. Dean does too, whether he'll ever admit it to himself or not."
"You still hope they'll decide conscious control is better than abandoning the link altogether?"
"Does it seem impossible to you?" said Sam.
"They are both incredibly stubborn." said Jack, "I'm not saying it won't happen, but they may need some nudging in that direction."
"Very, very subtle nudging." said Sam, "Always remember that you're dealing with two deeply paranoid, profoundly suspicious geniuses who know us so well they probably see that we're lying before we open our mouths."
"We've fooled them once." said Jack.
"When both were distracted. Don't get over-confident."
"I won't. You're not the one Dean has already threatened to kill. In fact, you're the only one certain to be safe if he gets angry." Jack's smile showed he didn't see his own life as that much at risk either.
"Tonight, we get to see whether we've convinced them enough for the talismans to work when Dean is asleep. If Cas can still see his dreams, we're screwed."
"What are we depending on, that Castiel will believe he can't see the dreams or that Dean believes he can stop them from transmitting to Cas?" said Jack.
"Both would be best, but either will do. I have a lot of faith in their ability to make themselves believe almost anything. As long as they do, all that stubbornness is working for us, not against us. If Dean is convinced he is in control, he'll act accordingly and take control."
"Mary's right. You are devious." said Jack, in a tone of admiration.
"Dean can kick my ass any time he wants. I had to get creative very early in life."
"My biggest regret is that I never got to have a childhood." said Jack, "I wish I could have grown up, with a brother, maybe."
"Dean never really got a childhood either." said Sam, "And I only did because he decided I should have one. None of us had a perfect start to life. That's why the party's important. We've missed out on a lot of the fun stuff, along the way. We should grab some when we can."
"I'm not complaining." said Jack, "I feel like I have the family I missed out on. A lot of people have a lot less than I have. I just wish sometimes that I could have been a little kid."
"We all wish you could have had that." said Sam.
"I don't know much about birthday parties. You'll make sure I don't get anything wrong, won't you?"
"You can't get a birthday party wrong." said Sam, "You just have to make the person having the birthday feel loved. Just do what you always do, act in accordance with that strong, selfless love that Cas detected on the Keys of Rhydian. Just let Cas know that you love him."
"I do love him. I always will. When I needed him, he protected me. When I was lost and confused, he taught me. Every time I feel alone, he's there to tell me I'm not. I love you all, honestly, I do, but Castiel more than all the world."
"I know." said Sam, "And that's only right. We will never be jealous of Castiel. He deserves all the love you give him. He deserves everything good."