Chapter 24.
Sam was half asleep in the empty library when Jack came in. He sat up suddenly and looked at the laptop screen, trying to remember what he had been researching.
"Hello." said Jack.
"Apparently, you talked to Mom about me." said Sam.
"Sorry. I was worried. You weren't yourself. You weren't being rational. I was afraid. I didn't mean to cause trouble."
Sam felt bad. He hadn't intended to make Jack feel guilty. "It's okay, Jack." he said, "Truth is, I needed her. You did the right thing."
"Good." said Jack.
"For future reference, do what you need to do. I won't give you a hard time over it. Your intentions are always good and so are your instincts." He looked around. "Have you seen Cas? You said in your text that he didn't want to be contacted unless there was an emergency, but that was hours ago and I haven't seen him all night."
"He's in his room. He and Jules are having a sleepover."
"A sleepover?" said Sam.
"That's what he said." said Jack, "What happens in a sleepover?"
"With those two? I have no idea." said Sam. His imagination supplied possibilities from painting each other's nails to summoning and binding demons.
"I went past his door earlier. There was a tie hanging on it. Does that mean something?"
Sam stared at his screen, trying to think of a safe answer for a very innocent nephilim who hadn't seen his second birthday. "Uhh, basically, it means 'Do not disturb.'" he said.
"He looked happy with her." said Jack, "I think they're good together."
"Yeah, I think so too." said Sam.
"It's probably a good sign that they want to be alone together. Should I stay out of their way?"
"Tonight, yes. In general, no. Cas would think you were annoyed with him. This thing with Jules may go the distance or it may not, but if he does get serious about her, that means she joins the family. She won't replace it. He still needs us."
"Good. I want him to be happy and if he needed me to back off, I would, but I really don't want to."
"Nobody will ever replace you in his life." said Sam, "Nobody will ever be more important to him than you are. Also, you make him laugh more than anyone else can. You made him laugh at the party. Do you have any idea how hard Dean and I try to make him that happy?"
"I'm glad I help. Sometimes, he seems so weighed down, so sad."
"Yes, he has a lot to deal with." said Sam, "He's under pressures that we know nothing about. I think life was a lot simpler for him before he met us. I really hope he can find some happiness with Jules. We all need a little love in our lives."
"So, are you looking for someone?" said Jack.
Sam shook his head. "I had someone. She died."
"I'm sorry. And you never found anyone else?"
"Potentially. She died too. After a while, it just doesn't seem worth looking anymore."
"How about Dean?" said Jack.
"I'm not sure he ever looked. He keeps things simple."
"Castiel might be the least messed up of all of us. At least he's trying." said Jack.
"Less of the us, kid. There is nothing wrong with you."
"You think I'll find love?" said Jack hopefully.
"Yeah, I think there's a good chance. Just don't rush into anything. Be smart. Be cautious. Don't get your heart broken."
"I'm not sure it's optional." said Jack. He pointed to the time on the laptop. It was 3:06. "Are you planning to sleep at all?"
"Are you sending me to bed?" said Sam.
Jack smiled. "Yeah, I think I am. And you said to do what I need to do. Someone has to look after you, Sam, because you won't look after yourself, will you?"
"I try to." said Sam.
"I know the Dean thing and the talismans thing and the Jules and Cas thing ... They're all driving you crazy and you want to make everything okay for everyone and this must all be so hard ... "
Sam heard the slight mimicry. "Are you doing me?"
"Maybe. I learned from the best." said Jack, "Go to your room, hang a tie on the door and get some rest."
"Yeah, I don't think I'll do the tie thing."
"Why? Does it mean something more than you said?"
"Yeah."
"Do you think they're having sex?" said Jack.
Sam considered it for a moment. It wasn't impossible. "No, probably not." he said, "They're just having a sleepover."
"I still don't really know what that means."
"I'm kinda curious what it means to him." said Sam, "But I guess we'll hear about it tomorrow."
"Then there's really no reason to wait up now." said Jack.
"So what are you doing up?" said Sam.
"Mostly worrying about you. If only there were some way I could stop doing that."
Sam raised his hand. "Okay, enough. I'll go to bed." He closed the laptop. "You should sleep too."
"Okay." said Jack. He headed for the doorway.
"Oh, and Jack," he said, waiting for Jack to turn before he added, "All this caring about other people that you do, it's very good, very positive, very human. Your mother would be proud."
"Thanks, Sam." said Jack, "Sleep well, okay?"
"Okay. You too." said Sam. He checked his phone one last time before heading to bed. No messages from Dean. He hoped that was a good sign. "Sleep well, Dean." he said quietly.
