A/N: Thank you so much for reading this story! I hope you enjoy this chapter!

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I do not own Supernatural, Sherlock Holmes, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, or any other TV Shows, Movies, Books, and/or Songs referenced in this tale.

Chapter Warnings: This chapter begins one of the main themes for Part 2. If you guys would like to see any scenes added just let me know!

Chapter 16

Perchance to Dream

The voices were muffled, as if she were in some sort of a confinement, but one she could not see to get out of.

"Everything is coming along just fine."

"Oh, good, I know they will be so glad to hear it."

"Have you spoken to her yet?"

Pause.

"No, it's a very difficult situation. He is trying to make sure she doesn't find out until everything is okay for certain. After what happened last time."

Although she couldn't see where she was, she could tell it was warm, and cozy, and just all-around habitable. She felt as if she were swimming in a waterbed. The voices, however, made for a bit of an uncomfortable, disconcerting sound.

They were moving. There were other voices, far too muffled to make out.

Then they were stationary again, only not really, they were moving but just not at the same rate, or way.

"Okay," The voice said, "What are we going to listen to on the way back, hum?"

Victoria Doyle woke up looking into the eyes of her nephew who was on the other bed.

"Hey Jack. You okay?"

Jack nodded, scanning her face, almost as if he were hoping for something.

"Do you need anything?" She tried to sound sweet, unbothered. But the dream had bothered her.

He shook his head this time, his hand searching to find the dog.

Victoria smiled at him and tried to sit up. Sam's arm kept her down. She was used to this, in the mornings. Otherwise her strength would overcome his grip and she could startle him. It happened a few times, before Victoria became accustomed to her new normal.

She grabbed her phone to text Dean and ask him to take Jack to breakfast.

She smiled as she heard a soft knock on their adjoining door in a minute. "Hey kid. Let's take the dog and head down to get some grub."

Jack slowly got up. He hadn't taken his eyes off his Aunt and she knew something wasn't right. Did he sense her dream? Was it the Grace?

He tilted his head at her. Did he hear that?

Jack snapped Loki's leash onto his collar and followed Dean out of the room. Minutes later, Castiel knocked on the adjoining door. He waited until Victoria said, "Come in", waking Sam.

Sam's morning look never failed to amuse her. She straightened his hair before he stumbled off the bed to go to the bathroom and make coffee.

"You wished to see me?"

Victoria sat up in bed, motioned Cas to sit in front of her and licked her lips as she subtly bit them inside her mouth, uncertain. "Would it be possible for Jack and me to have the same dream?"

Castiel looked pensive, and slightly concerned. He began slowly, "I believe it would be possible, considering you share…" he hesitated.

Victoria finished his thought for him, "Grace."

Cas nodded slowly, almost painfully.

Victoria wondered how that was even working in her body. Each time she thought too much about it she became too thoughtful, forcing her to completely abandon the thought, or at the very least try to.

She took the coffee cup Sam handed her and smiled slightly at the peck on the cheek she received as well.

Castiel tried to push down the guilt with offering help. "Did Jack share his dream with you?"

Victoria took a sip from her steaming cup. "No. But I just knew. I tried to play it off, which I probably should not have done, but I didn't want him to, well…"

"Freak out?" Cas offered, the words foreign.

Victoria chuckled. "Yes, that."

Sam looked inquisitive.

"I think Jack and I shared a dream."

Sam nodded. Anything that reminded him that Lucifer not only permanently damaged his life but now Victoria's as well he tried to shove down.

"Can you tell me what it was?"

Victoria went clammy, cold, and she didn't know why.

She knew Sam would know this would only be to get him out of the room, but she couldn't tell him, not yet, it just felt too, strange? Personal? Weird? She didn't know.

"Sam, can you go make sure Jack is getting some fruit with his breakfast? And maybe bring some back up?" She tried to smile broadly, but it didn't reach her eyes.

Sam knew. He nodded and left.

Cas furrowed his brow.

Victoria felt ill, her stomach seemingly in her throat. "Castiel, I think I was, a fetus?"

Dean looked at his brother at the buffet bar. Tor must've wanted them both out, huh. Sam came over with a plate of Sam-breakfast and a plate of fruit.

"What was your dream, Jack?"

The boy tilted his head at his Uncle. "Aunt Victoria…"

"Thought you may have had the same dream."

"And she didn't tell you?" Dean's voice was a warning. This wasn't like Sam, normally he understood space.

Sam just looked at him. A face Dean knew all too well, the one face Dean was less apt to argue with then all the other Sam faces.

Jack just shrugged. "It wasn't a big deal. Kinda weird. Like I was in a really dark, wet place. And I heard voices that I could kinda hear, kinda couldn't." He went on eating his breakfast.

"What did the voices say Jack?"

"Umm, that everything looked good, which was good, and wondering what kind of music to play."

Sam nodded, face solemn.

Dean needed the kid out, now.

"Hey, uh, Jack. Why don't you go and see if Mom and Cas want anything? And take this plate of food back up to your Aunt Tor, huh?"

Jack happily nodded as he took the plate, Loki's leash, and left.

"What's going on Sammy?" His tone was low, deep, hushed, and urgent.

"We've got to go back to Colorado, Dean."

As far as excuses go, it was a pretty crappy one. Sam and Dean told everyone else they just wanted some time to drive Baby and gank a vamp, just like the old days. They got a lot of head tilts. Especially because Cas knew what they were doing and even he knew the lie was crap. Victoria titled her head because Sam was constantly worried about her safety and could barely pry himself away from her. Jack was confused because of how many times Sam and Dean mentioned they were all 'family'. But the Angel, Nephilim, Chosen One, and Mary Winchester all decided to make the best of it in the bunker.

"That was the best you could come up with?"

"Shut up Sam."

Sam rubbed his forehead. "If what I'm thinking is right, Dean, I don't know man, I just…" He couldn't continue and Dean felt a pang of guilt.

"Look, we don't know nothing for sure, okay? All we know is that Tor and Jack had the same weird dream, probably because of that Grace."

Sam knew more.

He hesitated. He hesitated a lot.

Dean knew, but he just kept waiting on his baby brother to tell him. He knew he would. He knew they weren't driving out to that warehouse those bastards were keeping Tor because of a shared dream.

"Dean?"

There it was. "Yeah, Sammy?"

"The other kidnapper, right before I uh…"

"Killed him?"

Sam scoffed, "Yeah, he uh, said there was a doctor."

Dean was connecting the dots. He furrowed his brow, scrunched up his face, and sniffed in order to try to hide the emotion. Or to try and stifle the emotion.

"And what are we looking for?"

"Evidence."

Victoria looked at the message on her phone over and over again.

Dickson County Sheriff's Office – Miss Doyle, we have a case that requires your particular set of skills.

She turned the phone over and over in her hands. Should she call Sam and tell him while they were out on their "boy's trip"? What the hell even was that? And why did it piss her off? So annoying. Was Dean comfortable with leaving Jack and Mary alone now? Should they all just get in the Mustang and head off to Tennessee? Oh no, that car was way too small for that.

Crap.

She'd call Dean.

"Hey Tor, you okay?" The man picked up on the first ring.

"Uh, yeah, fine. Look, I have a case. And I was wondering which course of action would piss your pissy brother off the least."

She regretted that as soon as she said it, but luckily the eldest Winchester found it hysterical. He had to stop laughing before he could answer her. "Take Cas. Jack is doing really good with his powers, and I think Loki helps him out. So, Mom will be fine. Besides, they can bond."

"Thanks, Dean."

"Be careful Tor."

"You too."

Victoria hopped off her bed and began to pack. She and Cas were gonna take the 'Stang.

"Was that Tor?"

Dean looked over at his brother, whom he allowed to drive.

"Yup."

Sam was hurt she didn't call him.

Dean read his face. "Can you blame her man? First, you won't let her work a case with just the two of you, and then all the sudden you decide to go on a hunt with your very human, albeit smart and handsome, brother for a trip down memory lane? She knows something's up. And we'll be damn lucky if she doesn't read Cas's mind to find out."

Sam paled. How had he not thought of that?

"She won't, Sammy."

Sam looked pained, exhausted, tired, and pained.

Dean had to switch from annoyed brother to supportive brother. "Look, she needs you, man, okay? You came into her world and made it so much better…" He was cut off by Sam's sardonic laugh.

"Better? Better? Dean, what has she been through since she's known us?!" As his voice became louder so did his pressure on the pedal.

"Sam…" it was a warning.

"She's been kidnapped, tortured, used, had her soul cloaked, bit a man's throat out, boiled a demon's blood, almost ripped a woman's heart out, and oh yeah, frickin' died!"

Sirens were heard behind them.

"Son of a bitch!"

Dean angrily handed all of Baby's papers to Sam.

Sam tried to smile at the officer but even the effort was futile.

"Mr. Winchester," The abnormally tall officer began as he handed the papers back to Sam, after taking them to his cruiser. "Even though you have friends at the department, I would suggest you keep within the speed limit. You were going 30 over, it's dark out here and deer run through. Hate to see that car smashed up."

"Me too." Dean grunted through gritted teeth.

"I'm sorry officer."

"Be safe." With a nod, he got back in his car.

"Get out Sam."

"Dean, I…"

"Get. Out. Sam."

They were back on the highway, with Dean driving this time, before they continued their conversations.

"Which part do you think wouldn't have happened if Tor hadn't met us?"

"Any of it."

"From the way I see it, Lucifer still would've taken over her sister's body. But Tor would've died that day."

Sam looked at him quizzically.

"You saved her, Sam. And the only reason she was able to hold him off that long was because she had all that extra strength from fixing Cas's wings."

Sam thought.

"Look, all right? I used to think we messed up Cas's life, or I did. We made him 'fall' or whatever." Dean scoffed lightly, "But Sammy, the three of us, we always ended up saving the world. And yeah, maybe he would've been better off still being that dorky dick-headed angel, but I just can't think that way, ya know?"

"He made his own choices, Dean."

"And Tor didn't? Can I be in the room when you make that suggestion to her?"

Sam smiled slightly.

"You and me Sammy? And hell, even Cas? We take on all this guilt that we shouldn't. I know saying that won't keep it from happening, but damn, we need to chill."

Sam licked his bottom lip, "But if this is true, Dean?"

"Then we'll deal with it, Sammy, just like we always do."

Victoria was most definitely having a 'human moment'. Castiel could feel the tension radiating from her body. He could also feel her Grace, which hadn't happened since she had acquired it. There was a great deal in her, and he wondered if it would dissipate. He hoped it would dissipate.

Victoria did have her Eagles cassette playing, but that reminded her of Sam, so she switched it for a Credence Clearwater Revival one.

She looked tired, but Cas knew better than to offer to drive. So, he just sat in the passenger seat – in very uncomfortable silence. He would much rather have flown.

Victoria surmised that whatever the Winchester boys were up to, Castiel was in on, so she figured her anger could be extended to him. Unless… No, she wouldn't use guilt on the Angel, nor would she read his mind without consent, both were cruel. And she knew that their lies were probably for what they considered good reason. But lies always come out in the end. And when they did, she would handle it then.

"I apologize Castiel, I think Sam and Dean's sudden departure made me a bit testy."

"I understand, Victoria."

"I know they have something going on, but I'm not going to ask you what it is."

Castiel looked as if he were about to protest, but then looked relieved.

That look of relief confirmed her suspicions. "At least they just didn't tire of us." She attempted humor.

"I have often feared that myself, which is one reason I always try to make myself useful."

Victoria wrapped the hand that wasn't on the steering wheel around his. He smiled at her.

"Both of them are so closed in, I think it may be because they are afraid of letting people in. They are afraid of how many people they would make demon deals for. The smaller the number, the better. I'm fairly sure you could literally sit on the couch in Sam's room and do nothing and they would still want you around."

"Sam might find that 'creepy'."

Victoria broadly smiled at his one-handed air quotes.

"Thank you for coming with me."

"Of course." Cas paused, "Can I use the big gun this time?"

Victoria and Castiel decided to stay the night in a motel on the way to Tennessee. She was sitting on the bed in her pajamas turning her phone over in her hands. She was deeply annoyed. "Dammit" she muttered, before Facetiming Sam.

The youngest Winchester was surprised to see Tor pop up on his phone, but it made him smile.

"Hey." He breathed out with a slight smile. He could tell something was different.

"You okay?"

Victoria looked at his concerned face. "I'm annoyed."

Sam tried to hide his smile. "Oh yeah?"

"Yes, dumbass." She heard Dean chuckle.

"Why are you annoyed?" Sam's smile was no longer hidden.

"Because I miss you." Victoria rolled her eyes at herself.

"Oh." And there was the crooked, self-satisfied grin Victoria had seen a few times before, usually when he knew he had 'won her over'.

"You're exasperating, Sam Winchester."

"I know."

Victoria laid back on the bed. "Why are y'all still driving? You both need to rest."

Sam winced, knowing he'd have to come up with another lie. "We're just trying to get there as quickly as possible, maybe prevent another attack."

Victoria nodded. "Maybe if you tell me the exact location, I can try to hear it? I do have some extra mojo." She smiled at the use of Dean's term.

Sam swallowed. "Uh, yeah, uh, I'll text it to you as soon as we figure it out."

Victoria sighed.

"Where's Cas?" Sam wanted the subject changed, quick.

"He went to get me a pizza." Victoria wrinkled her nose. "From Chicago. I had a craving? Weird, right?"

Sam swallowed again. "No, not really. Dean has cravings all the time."

"True."

He watched as she absent-mindedly scratched at her chest. Concern washed over him. "Are you okay?"

"What?"

"Your chest."

"Oh, yeah, its been itching. Castiel checked me out, said I was in good condition for a human with Angel Grace and then went to get my pizza." She shrugged. "He's also getting me some aloe vera. From the actual plant."

Sam chuckled. "Cas." He skipped a beat. "Cas with wings."

Victoria had waited to say this, but she knew she couldn't hold it in anymore. "I don't know what's going on Sam. And that's okay. I don't have to. But whatever it is, be safe. Okay?"

Sam pursed his lips and nodded. "Tor, I…"

"No, it's okay. Seeing you, even in this very limited capacity, dissipated my anger. I just… I just…" Damn her pride, why was this so hard? "Uh, need you."

Sam remembered the words of the Victoria with the cloaked soul. "I need you too Tor."

"Be careful Sam, whatever you are getting into. And call Castiel if there is any type of need."

"Of course."

"Bye."

"Bye."

Victoria tossed her phone beside her just as Cas popped in with pizza and Coke. She smiled at the Angel. "You brought my second favorite drink?"

He handed her a jar of a gooey clear substance from his coat. "For your chest."

"Thank you Castiel."

Victoria was sitting in a meadow, surrounded by wildflowers. By her side was a still-steaming mug of coffee and a book.

"Hello Victoria."

She looked to see Ezekiel next to her.

"Is this dream you, or now you?"

He scrunched his face.

"Now you."

"How are you finding yourself handling the Grace?"

Victoria sighed. "At first, I barely noticed it. And now it seems to be emerging. I feel it, as if it is trying to escape. It scratches at my heart."

Ezekiel solemnly nodded. "Angel Grace is not meant to be in a human. As you are aware. The reason you are not being burned from the inside out is because you are one of the Chosen."

"I assumed." Victoria held the mug between her hands. She took a sip. Dream coffee was delicious. "Can it be removed?"

Ezekiel hesitated. "There may be a method, where you reside. My brother knows the way."

Victoria's brow furrowed. "Will it eventually burn me from the inside out?"

"No."

She titled her head at him. "How do you know this?"

He shared with her a sideways glance. "I simply do."

"And the burning?"

"Can be calmed. I believe you will eventually become accustomed to it."

"Yeah, well, it sucks."

Ezekiel was not used to this Victoria, not yet. He slightly smiled, in spite of himself. "When is the Grace the quietest?"

Victoria thought. "When I'm near Jack, I think."

He nodded.

"Huh. Okay. So, it is not dangerous?"

"No, it is not."

"It's not, evil?"

"No, Victoria, no Grace is evil. Not even his."

With a kiss placed on the top of her head, he was gone.

Victoria awoke with a start, and without Sam. She had to rip her hand away from her chest. Castiel eyed her wearily.

"Castiel?"

"Yes, Victoria?"

"The Grace burns. I think yours might help subdue it. Can you…" She could not believe she was asking this. Dear Lord above. But she needed sleep in order to fight whatever they were going to face, and she was also just tired. She mustered up her courage and faced the confused Angel. "Can you lay beside me?"

The lake was peaceful, as always. The line went up and down, the beer was always cold. Dean looked over, and there he was, Cas, sitting in another chair, staring at his Father's creation.

"Hello Dean."

"Hey Cas."

They both took sips from the beer bottles in front of them.

"How's Tor?"

"She is sleeping on me."

Dean looked at his best friend with confusion. "She's what?"

"Her… his grace is affecting her Dean."

"Well, it's not supposed to be stuck into a human. But, what the hell, ya know? She's alive."

"I think my Grace soothes her. As does Jack's."

"I guess that makes sense."

"I am not sure how it is operating. I am doing my best to figure that out, Dean."

"I know buddy, you got this." Dean patted the Angel on the back.

"How's Sam?"

"A friggin' disaster. I only let him drive because I was about to fall asleep at the wheel." Dean smirked, looked at Cas, who only tilted his head, rolled his eyes and looked back at the lake.

"What is he looking for, at the warehouse?"

"Evidence to support his theory. Which I hope like hell isn't true."

"Me too Dean."