Chapter 54.
When Asher and Michael suggested they should arrange supper in the form of a typical hunter feast full of meat and beans and potatoes, Sam and Dean were both happy to accept the offer. Only Jules turned it down. Sam was not surprised. Dean looked a little troubled, but she explained as soon as Asher and Michael had left to shop for supplies.
"Whatever happens with Jack," she said, "Cas will need my full attention when he gets home. I'm gonna take a snack back to my room and wait for him."
"You know the problems are all in his head?" said Dean.
"His head is the location for 99 percent of his problems. Doesn't make them any less real to him." she said, "I'm sure one talk with Jack will fix it all, but I promised to be there for him after and I have to keep my promises to him."
"Yeah, someone has to." said Dean.
"It wasn't a dig at you." she said.
"No, I know it wasn't." he said "But my conscience lands a blow, once in a while."
Sam looked at him. It seemed to him that his conscience or something, anyway, was currently beating Dean up 24/7. He looked at Eileen and took her hand, more for Dean's benefit than either of theirs. "Eileen and I are gonna take that honeymoon." he said, gratified to see Dean's eyebrows leap in surprise.
"Yeah?" said Dean.
"I called and accepted the invitation. Exact dates to be decided, but they suggested two weeks."
"Perfect!" said Dean.
"Because, we won't be needed here." said Sam, "Things are quiet." He let go of Eileen's hand.
"Things are fine." said Dean, "And any time they become less than fine, there's me, there's Cas, there's Jules and there's Charlie. I'm thinking the four of us almost add up to one Sam and Eileen."
"And if there were to be any problem, one phone call away. You even have two angels who can teleport us across country if needed."
"We can handle two weeks without you." said Dean, "I mean, I may even find it restful not to have you two coming in from your runs at 4 am."
"More like 7 am." said Sam.
"Before breakfast might as well be 4 am to me." said Dean.
"It's not like we ask you to run with us." said Eileen.
"No," said Sam, "We get that you're old now and need your rest."
"I can still kick your ass." said Dean, but he was smiling at them both and Sam knew mentioning the honeymoon had been the right thing to do.
"I'm gonna grab my snacks while the kitchen's free." said Jules. She turned to Dean, "Send him to me when he's checked in with you."
"He may go to you first." he said.
"No, he won't." she said.
She left. Sam watched her go. "Weird, isn't it, how we're all worried about him, even though we know Jack will set him straight."
"The question is not whether Jack says the right things, which he will, but whether Cas can hear them." said Dean, "He's so sure he messed up."
"Messed up what?" said Anael.
"You. He thinks Jack wanted him to make you go back."
"Jack is ruling Heaven. Angels are supposed to serve Heaven."
"You don't know Jack like we do." said Sam.
"You don't know Jack." said Dean.
Anael's eyes flashed anger in Dean's direction, but a slight curl of his lip showed he hadn't been entirely serious and remarkably for an angel, she noticed and gave a faint smile in return.
"It's so good to see you two not wanting to kill each other." said Sam.
"We're all friends now." said Eileen.
"I don't know about friends," said Dean, "But Anael's shown she has no hostile intentions and I can let bygones be bygones."
Sam nodded. "Good. Makes me feel better about leaving for two weeks."
"Yeah, Anael and I have a relationship based on mutual respect." said Dean, "Right, spare angel?"
"Right, pompous dick." she said.
"Respect. Yes, I see that now." said Sam.
Lydia was being very quiet. He went over to sit opposite her and said, "You okay, Lydia?"
"A little nervous about the future." she said.
"We're gonna make sure you have nothing to worry about. The demons are dealt with and we'll get our best witchcraft expert to help you gain control over your abilities."
"A witchcraft expert who lives in Hell." she said. Sometimes he forgot how weird their lives were and how disturbing to outsiders.
"She rules it, actually. Rowena's okay. I mean, she's made mistakes, but deep down, deep, deep, deep down, she has a heart of gold. I know it sounds crazy, but these days, I consider her one of my best friends."
"I trust your judgement. You know this stuff and I don't." she said.
Charlie came over and sat beside her. "I don't know Rowena very well and never much liked what I knew, but if you judge people by their actions, she's helped to save the world."
"A couple of times now." said Sam.
Dean joined them, standing at the end of the table. "Lydia, we're not gonna let you get tangled up in Hell stuff. Cas will do the talking, Rowena will tell us who can teach you to use your powers, then we find you someplace safe to live, safe and close. We're not gonna leave you on your own out there. You'll be able to call us, anytime. Heck, you don't even have to call. Just pray to Cas and you'll get instant help."
"We'll be here, anytime you need us." said Sam, "And we'll teach you any warding you need to know."
"And I'll be around to help too." said Charlie.
Lydia smiled at her. "Thanks, Charlie. That's good to know."
"You have a hell of a team behind you." said Dean.
"I do. It makes me feel a lot better." she said.
"And any time you need a place to hide, you just come back here. We won't turn you away." said Dean.
Castiel appeared a few feet away. "Dean, Anael, I'd like to speak to you both alone." He looked at Sam, "Not ... "
Sam waved a hand in dismissal of the apology. "It's okay, Cas. I understand. You and I can catch up tomorrow."
"The boys are cooking tonight." said Dean to Cas, "But Jules took some food to your room and I'm guessing you won't feel like making small talk with a bunch of hunters tonight either."
"You know I'd love nothing more, most times." said Cas.
"But you have a date."
"I have a date." he confirmed, "I just need to talk to you two first."
"Yeah, let's grab a beer each and rendezvous at the map table." said Dean.