Chapter 36.

Sam went to the kitchen to fix himself some lunch and found Jack and Mary already eating something that seemed to involve a lot of baked beans.

"I could open a second can." said Mary.

"I'll just have sandwiches." said Sam.

"Will you be okay tonight?" said Jack, "Because Dean and Sarah will both ask things you don't want them to ask."

"I know and I'll lie to both of them for as long as I can." said Sam.

"How did Dean sound when you spoke to him?" asked Mary.

"Uncertain, unhappy, lost." said Sam. He turned to Jack and said, "You're sure you understand why we're not taking you?"

"This is hard enough for Dean," said Jack, "He doesn't need someone else worrying about him. Of course, I'll be worrying anyway, but he won't have to see me worry."

"Thanks, Jack." said Sam, "And try not to worry too much. It's a giant leap forward him just being there. Being willing to have Cas and me present is even better. I think this is all good. I just wish he wasn't so afraid."

"It's hard for me to imagine Dean being truly afraid of anything." said Jack.

"Show him a monster and he's fine. He can handle it. Emotional stuff, not so much. Of course, this would be a lot easier for everyone if there weren't any secrets between us, but we have a damn meerkat infestation of secrets."

"Compared to the other stuff you two have been through, this is nothing." said Mary, "Dean knows you. He'll know you only did this to protect him."

"Well, we'll see." said Sam.

"Are you taking Cas's car?" said Mary, "You can use mine, if you like."

"Cas would think I don't like his." said Sam, "We'll take the Pimpmobile."

"It's not a bad car." said Mary, "It's just a bit ... "

"Yeah, exactly." said Sam.

"A few of the hunters are saying Cas and Jules ... " she said.

"An innocent sleepover." said Sam.

"Should I set them straight?" she asked.

"No. Don't get involved. That's up to Cas and Jules. I actually think things are going pretty well there. I feel bad taking him away from her. I hope it's the right thing to do. It's not easy balancing the needs of both relationships. Dean needs him and I think Cas needs to help Dean, but if it screws things up between Cas and Jules ... "

"They're taking it slowly." said Mary, "So a night or two apart won't make any difference. It may even help Cas understand his feelings."

"Oh, I think he's clear on those now." said Sam, "I walked in on a kiss earlier and neither of them seemed to be in any doubt."

"Let me make you a sandwich." said Mary, "We have chicken and various greenery and I'm sure even I can stick all that between two pieces of bread." She got up and started to prepare it and he let her, glad of any chance to let her mother him.

He had almost finished eating his chicken salad sandwich when Jules came into the kitchen. "Sorry to interrupt." she said, "My seraphic assistant and I need some coffee."

"Should be some ready." said Mary, "Are you still sorting all those letters and things?"

"We are. We're finding some interesting things. For example, there's might be a coin here somewhere that allows communication with the dead."

"Cool!" said Jack.

"Unfortunately, we have no idea where. If we find it, we'll let you know." She looked at Sam, "Hey, Sam, I'm sorry if Cas seemed unwelcoming earlier. It's just ... "

"I should have knocked." he said, "It's fine. It's great. We've been waiting a very long time for Cas to learn to set some boundaries for himself. It seems he's finally doing that and we have you to thank. Are you sure you're okay with him going to Sarah's place?"

"Of course. I know Dean is important to him. I'll never try to make him choose between us. If Dean needs him, of course he needs to go. I'll text him some Bible verses or something."

"You're doing a Bible study?" said Jack.

"Yeah, we're doing a Bible study." said Jules.

"That's probably a lot more interesting than kissing." said Jack.

"And there speaks a young man who has never been kissed." said Mary.

"No, I haven't," said Jack, "But the amount of enjoyment to be derived from one set of lips touching another is surely fairly limited."

"If it's just the lips, yes." said Jules, "It's when one soul touches another that the good stuff starts."

"Castiel doesn't have a soul." said Jack.

"Well, whatever he has, it's a great kisser." said Jules.