"What's that?" Sam asked.
"An escalator," Cas answered, trying to keep Sam moving as he stopped in the middle of the walkway.
"But it's flat?"
"It's for people who have to go somewhere really fast or don't feel like walking."
"Can we try?"
"Maybe if there's another one on our way to the gate."
"It looks like a lot of fun. Why are there a bunch of restaurants?"
"Sometimes people are here for hours, so this is so they can have a real meal."
"That's cool. We're not going to be here for hours, right?"
"No, Sam, an hour at the most."
"Okay? Why does Dean look sick?"
This was precisely what Castiel was trying to keep Sam's mind from. He knew Dean hated plane rides, but he didn't want his fear to influence Sam. He's heard horror stories about children on planes. Yes, they were babies, but Dean wasn't going to take a chance. Maybe it would have been better if Christie and Steve were still here, but Amara had to leave days earlier. She didn't want to add two more children to the already stressful situation.
"He doesn't like flying," Cas tried to explain.
Dean had lovingly explained that "people were not meant to leave the ground. It's not natural."
In fact, had they not gotten the information about the trial so late, he one hundred percent believed that Dean would have suggested they drive down to Utah. It would take forever with a child and a pregnant mate in the car, but he would try his best.
Sam looked to ask another question when he saw Lucifer sitting in an area off to the side. "Luci!" he yelled, loosening his grip and running into the alpha's grasp.
"Sammy!" he called, catching the running child before he ran directly into his knees. "I was wondering what was taking you so long. I've been here so long. 'Where's my best little friend?' I kept asking myself. I wanted to show you the movies I downloaded. See to know what you wanted to watch.
"Oh, hey, Cassie."
"Glad to know I'm still important to you," Cas deadpanned, pulling himself and Dean into a seat across the way from Lucifer. Cas sat on Dean's lap and pulled the alpha's nose into the crook of his shoulder while everyone talked around him as if nothing was happening.
"I mean, I suppose I have to keep you in my life, being my baby brother and all. I mean, where's the appreciation I deserve."
"And what appreciation do you think you deserve?"
"Well, a home-cooked meal from my favorite brother would be appreciated."
"I'm sure Gabe would love to cook you something when we get there."
"You mean giving me diabetes before the age of thirty-five. No thanks."
"Luci, Luci!" Sam interrupted. "What movies did you get us to watch?"
"Right," Lucifer said, shaking his head as if getting back on topic. "Sorry, Cassie was trying to interrupt us from our important conversation. Shame on you, Cassie. Anyway, I got something about, the internet said dancing lemurs, a non-talking horse, and a series about fairytale creatures. I've been told these are the best of the best."
"I heard about the lemur one. Can we watch that? Peter at school said it was really funny."
"Then that's the one we'll watch. You have your snacks?"
"Cassie has it for me. He says they need to last a bit, so I can't eat all of them now. But I got goldfish."
Sam and Lucifer were lost in their conversation about the snacks they brought, while Cas turned back to his alpha.
"How are you feeling?"
"Is it too late to try and drive there?" Dean tried to joke, but Cas knew he was serious.
"The trial starts tomorrow. You don't want to be up all night trying driving and trying to stay awake tomorrow. You know, planes are statistically the safer way to travel."
"You can try and trick my brain with your numbers, but I know the truth."
"People are supposed to stay on the ground," the two said together, amusement coming through from both of them.
Cas felt his phone buzz in his pocket. Seeing that there was a text from Amara, he opened it up.
Tell Dean everything's going to be okay. I see barely any turbulence and a smooth ride.
Cas handed his phone to Dean and felt the alpha relax some. Dean might not trust numbers, but he did trust her.
"Welcome to American Airlines flight 2736 to Salt Lake City, Utah, leaving from Gate B25," a woman at the front desk of the gate stated. "We'll be starting our boarding procedure shortly. Please note your boarding group on your ticket as we prepare to get everyone aboard. This is a full flight, so there will not be any available seats. We'll start with business class boarding and current military members."
As their boarding group number got closer to being called, Cas felt Dean begin to tense up, knowing that they would be trapped in a flying cylinder within the next half-hour. Cas tightened his grip, trying to give off some of his calm energy through touch.
The four made their way out of the terminal, and Lucifer guided the way to the exit. Sam was leaning, sleepily, against Lucifer's shoulder and got slightly cranky when anyone went to move him. Cas and Dean carried all of the luggage that Lucifer couldn't hold himself. At the same time, he texted back and forth with Gabe. The four walked into the hot Utah sun as looked for Gabe, who was waving wildly once they came into sight.
"You're here!" the small beta yelled, moving to hug all of them.
"Did you get Sam's car seat?" Cas asked as soon as he got the chance.
"It did come in. I'll be honest. I had no clue what I was doing. Did you know that the fire department will help you with car seats?"
"Please tell me you didn't call 911 trying to get a car seat in your car?" Dean asked.
"Noooo. I drove up, knocked on the door, and asked. I'm not stupid, Deano."
"Thank God for small mercies," Lucifer muttered as Gabe went back to unlock his care getting chuckles from both Cas and Dean.
"Are you guys coming?" Gabe yelled over his shoulder. "I'm not afraid to leave all of you behind. I'll do it too. I don't care what Kali says about it."
"Don't lie," Lucifer said. "We all know you're terrified of Kali. You don't have to try and convince us."
"Yeah, yeah," Gabe waved off. "You all ready for tomorrow? I don't think I've slept the last couple of days. Ever since we've been connected as the same Novaks, we won't stop getting phone calls. We're thinking about just getting rid of the home phone."
"Why do you have one anyway?" Cas asked. "Everyone uses their cell phone."
"It came with the cable, and it took effort trying to talk to the cable company trying to get rid of it. Been there, done that. Wished I could get a T-shirt, but that's not going to happen because it's the cable company. Kali's just resorted to unplugging the things. It took a bit before they died. Now it's been peaceful until they realized they weren't coming through and just started coming to the shop. But jokes on them, they have to buy something if they don't want to be kicked out. Jokes on them, I don't talk to them and make money off their stupidity. I win."
"Glad to know you've gotten one over big media," Dean shook his head.
"I wish it was actually news agencies, then it might actually be respectable. It's not. It's all these conspiracy places, TMZ a couple of times, and bloggers trying to get the story before everyone else. Everyone else is just speculating based on some of the reports coming out and leaving us the hell alone. Why can't other people be like that?
"Anywho, we've taken time off of work until this case is over. Not like we'll be able to really think about anything else. Do you think this trial will really be as long as they've been speculating? There's so much evidence they've been saying. Have anyone said anything to you? Since you were on the case and everything. You must know something."
"Gabe, why don't you tell us what you're thinking about," Lucifer turn, getting annoyed with the rambling as Gabe was merging onto the highway.
Gabe got quiet for a moment. "Have either of you heard from Michael?"
"Not at all," Lucifer answered. "Why do you care?"
"I know we're not the closest family ever, but we usually hear from him every once in a while. I've heard nothing from him, which is unusual. You don't think... He couldn't, right?"
"He's not in jail if that's what you're asking. I'm sure he would be if he had anything to do with it," Lucifer continued. "He's probably just lying low like you are. Probably more than you are, honestly. He was closer to them more so than anyone else, especially to the public. Don't worry about it."
Lucifer said all this nonchalantly as if it was nothing he worried about when he, in fact, was concerned about this the same as everyone else. That seemed to be on everyone's mind. Why was Michael staying low when the rest of them talked nonstop since the news was seen. What reason could he have for not talking to anyone? No one could get in touch with him either. Every time, it would go straight to voicemail until that had filled as well. They hoped Michael had a perfectly good reason for whatever he was pulling.