The Chaos Tree
Chapter 30
.
Behold, a storm wind was coming from the north, a great cloud with
fire flashing forth continually and a bright light around it,
and in its midst something like glowing metal in the midst of the fire.
Within it there were figures resembling four living beings.
In the midst of the living beings there was something that looked like burning coals of fire,
like torches darting back and forth among the living beings.
The fire was bright, and lightening was flashing from the fire.
From Ezekiel 1
Sam stirred and thought he groaned, but he couldn't be sure since his ears were ringing. He didn't understand where he was or why. One thing he did know: he was lying down. There was light everywhere, so brilliant and white he couldn't see a thing. That's when he realized his eyes weren't even open. Flailing a bit, his hand touched a multitude of spiky things that were warm and slender: grass, and he remembered he was in the park. Something moved near his legs, and he suddenly remembered Dean and Caleb. Groaning, he rolled onto his stomach and opened his eyes.
He was blind. That was the first thought that ran through his mind.
"Sam," croaked a voice near his side.
"Here," Sam choked. Clearing his throat, he repeated, "Here. Where … are you?"
A hand fumbled nearby, then touched his back and moved up to his shoulder.
"Caleb?" Sam managed to ask.
"Out," Dean groaned.
Sam could tell his brother was shifting around. But when Dean suddenly froze, Sam felt a jolt of fear and yelped, "Dean?"
Dean knew he should respond; it was an imperative driven into him since he was a child. When Sam called, he answered. But he couldn't have even if he'd wanted to. Directly in front of his face was a massive pair of feet. At least, they looked like feet on top; with toes, the nails, bones and ankles of a normal human foot. But the soles looked more like the hooves of an animal, like a horse or a bull. They were the color of brass and gleaming like highly polished metal. Slowly his eyes traveled upward, and he thought a startled yell might have been torn from his throat. And truthfully, at that moment, he wouldn't have cared in the slightest. The Being had to be somewhere around eighteen feet tall. Some things were worthy of screams, and he was looking at one.
The sound of Dean's yell stirred Caleb's battered psyche. Groaning, he flipped onto his side and opened his eyes. He couldn't see a damn thing. There was blinding light everywhere. Frowning, he looked to the side and saw an outline he recognized as Dean staring upward. His mouth was open and his eyes wider than a two-year-olds at Christmas. "Dean?" His voice cracked. Swallowing, he tried again. "Dean?" Reaching out, he shook his friend's shoulder. It was then he caught sight of the feet. His elbow was almost touching them. "Damn!" Scrambling back, he stared at the impossible sight. Fear reached inside and gripped him tight; a fear so deep he didn't think he'd ever felt such a thing, not even when he was thirteen and thought he'd killed his parents, his foster parents, and his grandmother. Then, the terror that he might inadvertently kill someone he loved had taken years to overcome. Only Mac's unyielding love and Dean's unquestioning acceptance had made him realize he was worthy of a new family. Mac, Dean, John, Sam and Pastor Jim had been the safe foundation upon which he'd built his life. This emotion eclipsed those youthful fears spectacularly as his eyes moved slowly up the feet to the legs. That's when he saw the tips of the wings. "Oh…"
Sam's eyes traveled upward from the tips of the gleaming wings that covered the creature's knees and body, wings whiter, more gleaming and brilliant than sunlight on new fallen snow. Trepidation and fear as massive as the universe stormed through his body, and he wanted to hide someplace dark and safe. But somehow he just couldn't stop looking. He thought he'd known what it was … fear. But it was only now that he realized he had no idea.
Across the creature's legs and knees was a massive set of wings, with a second set covering his torso and chest. A third set fanned out from his back, lower to the ground, while a fourth set was outstretched and curving slightly inward. But it was the sight of the being's face that nearly stopped Sam's heart. The visage of the creature shifted from that of a lion, to an ox, then a man, followed by an eagle. Each image morphed across the face, looking immensely normal and outrageously otherworldly. And Sam knew this was an Angel of the Lord.
Dean finally tore his eyes away from the Angel and turned to see both Sam and Caleb staring upward. Then he whipped around, trying to see what had happened to JT, James and Max. "Crap!" he exclaimed, giving an involuntary scoot backward. Another Angel was inside the dome on the eastern side, his sons and godson at the creature's feet. One set of massive wings was outstretched, touching the wingtips of the Angel in their dome. Quickly he looked due north to the third Angel within that dome, and next to the fourth in the dome on the western side of the Tree. Their touching wings were surrounding the boundary circle created by Joshua and Ryker and orbs of flame appeared to dart between the Beings. At the base of the Tree he could barely see Joshua and Ryker kneeling in their protection circles.
Looking back at the eastern circle, he yelled, "JT! James! Max!" It was then he realized that storm winds were whipping around with fire flashing through the clouds like primordial lightening, and his words were thrown back at him in the torrent.
THEY ARE WELL
Dean craned his neck so he could look back up at the creature above him. There'd been no audible voice, not even inside his head. Caleb was in his head all the time, and he knew what that felt like. No, these words were simply known by him. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out. Fear was an emotion that was second nature to a hunter. They recognized it, acknowledged its presence, and fought on regardless. The fear he now felt was even greater than when he'd met Death. But while this sensation was profound and very real, there was something else that held sway within the emotion: a calm confidence. He knew without the remotest doubt that these Beings would not hurt them. While the knowledge didn't lessen the terror, he found that it helped his feeling of being overwhelmed.
"Are the boys all right?"
Dean turned to see Caleb watching him. "Yeah."
"What's happening?" Sam asked.
"I don't know," Dean murmured, turning back around to where Joshua and Ryker were kneeling. His voice sounded less that it usually was; thinner, as though he were battling his emotions. "I thought the Tree would just vanish."
"Me too," Sam whispered.
"What…" Caleb shook his head as his voice gave out slightly. "Should we do something?"
"Joshua said no," Sam murmured. "Just to stay inside the domes."
"What could we do?" Dean murmured softly. "We're nothing."
"We're not nothing," Caleb said fiercely.
"We're children of God." Sam looked his brother and friend in the eye, his own wet.
Caleb smiled and nodded.
Dean merely watched his brother. This was a Sam he hadn't seen in years, since before he went to hell. This was the Sam who believed in angels and knew with his whole heart that God was sovereign. During the years of the Apocalypse, Sam's view of heaven's inhabitants had been tarnished. But here and now all the wonder of heaven was displayed, the power of God Almighty, and Sam was renewed. He would cherish this moment for a very long time. Needing a little sense of normalcy, he looked back up and said, "I feel weird sitting at the feet of an Angel."
"I believe this is a Cherubim," Sam said, glancing upward a second, then looking back at his brother and Caleb. "When God banned Adam, Eve and their family from the Garden, he sent a Cherubim with a flaming sword to guard the entrance so they couldn't go back inside." He swallowed, as his throat felt suddenly dry. "Their primary purpose is to worship God. They fly around his Throne, worshiping Him and giving Him glory."
Dean spared another glance upward, then had to close his eyes. He felt as though his retinas were burning out.
Caleb was watching Joshua and Ryker, and wondered how long this would go on before the Tree would be restored to Eden. After another minute or two, Joshua abruptly dropped from his knees to his butt on the grass, and slowly slumped to the ground. Jerking to his own knees, Caleb shouted, "Josh!" though he had no idea whether his stepbrother could hear anything. "Josh!"
HE IS WELL . DO NOT FEAR
Caleb jerked and looked upward.
Dean had no idea how the words were said, because he didn't think the Angel had moved at all. The words were just there in the park, as though buoyed by wind and air.
Suddenly the face of the Cherubim shifted away from the lion to that of a man, and for the first time he looked down at the three men lying on the grass.
THE GARDEN IS WHOLE ONCE MORE
The moment the words were there, instantly the whiteness of light, the storms and the lightening were gone.
.
Sam had no idea how dark the world could be. Before he'd felt like he couldn't see anything for the light. Now he thought he was blinded by the darkness.
"I'm blind."
Sam grinned in the general direction of his brother. "Your eyes will adjust in a second."
"It'll take longer than that," Dean groused. He waved a hand in front of his face and could barely see the outline.
"Come on," Caleb said, using Dean's shoulder as a prop to help him stand. He then grasped Dean's arm to pull him to his feet.
"Me next," Sam called, waving a hand in the air.
Caleb pulled Sam to his feet, and they looked back to where the Angel had stood. "I think I prefer Castiel," Caleb mused, attempting to lighten the mood.
Dean grinned. "I guess when angels take on human hosts they're a lot less scary." Though he remembered feeling afraid when Castiel had first shown him his wings so many years ago, that fear had dwindled as he'd gotten to know the angel.
"Not all angels are the same," Sam said, rubbing his eyes. As though he couldn't help it, he went on; "Archangels…"
"Know about them," Caleb growled. They'd dealt with the Archangels during the Apocalypse.
"Cherubim, seraphim, some called the living creatures…"
"Yeah, all right," Dean mumbled, cutting off his brother. Turning, he looked over to where JT, James and Max were now getting to their feet. They looked fine, probably as shaken as they were. Abruptly he caught movement out of the corner of his eye. Turning to the western side of the circle, he froze. He didn't think there could be more surprises in store for them this night, but he was wrong. Three people were moving about in the western circle, and he recognized each and every one. "Dad," he breathed.
"What?" Sam said, frowning. Turning, his jaw dropped.
In the western dome of Joshua's boundary circle stood three men; John Winchester, Mackland Ames and Jim Murphy.
Caleb was already staring into the circle, his eyes hungrily drinking in Mac's smiling face. "Dad," he whispered. He stumbled out of their dome and ran towards where Mac stood.
Sam suddenly took off running as well.
When he reached the western side of the circle, Caleb stood for a moment just looking into Mac's smiling face. Then before he knew it his arms were around Mac's shoulders and his face was wet.
"I'm here," Mac whispered, his arms just as tight around his beautiful boy. "I'm here."
"I've missed you so much," Caleb murmured through his tears. "There have been so many times I've wanted to talk with you, to tell you things, to hear your voice just one more time." Pushing away slightly, he confessed, "I used to try and contact you psychically. I thought if you could just hear my voice, you could contact me back."
"I did hear you," Mac said gently. "But there are some boundaries death cannot cross."
Caleb sighed. "I know. I knew it then too. But that didn't stop me from trying." Sniffing, he turned around, then saw Joshua lying on the ground. Pulling away, he shouted, "Josh!"
Dean stepped outside the dome into the boundary circle, eyes still on their father. It was all like a dream. He hadn't seen his father in thirty years, longer if he counted his time in hell. But even at this distance he could see the familiar mussed and shaggy hair, the stumbled black and gray beard. Caleb's shout shattered his focus, and he turned to see Caleb running toward the prone body on the grass inside the protection circle. Both Joshua and Ryker were down.
"Josh," Dean murmured, changing course, he ran over to Ryker and checked the young man's pulse. Finding it stable, he hurried over to the older man. When he reached Joshua's side, he dropped to knees. "Is he all right?"
"His pulse is slow but steady. I think he's all right." Caleb looked up and gave the area a quick scan before pointing to a duffel sitting a few feet away. "Can you see if there's water in there?"
Dean nodded and scrambled over to the canvas bag. His eyes kept darting to where his father had his arms wrapped around a shaking Sam, who was reciprocating just as fervently.
"Dad!" Max skidded to his knees beside his father, a hand immediately going to Joshua's pulse.
"He's fine," Caleb said with a smile. "Just very tired, I think. I'll have Onida give him the once over when the spell fades."
Max nodded slowly, then his eyes went to Ryker. "I'm checking on Ryker."
Though Dean had already checked, he merely handed Max a bottle of water on his way back to Joshua, knowing the young man would need to check for himself. Max quickly jogged over to where Ryker lay, though the Advisor-to-be was already stirring.
Meanwhile, Mac watched from the half-moon arc attached to the boundary circle. Looking down, he took a deep breath and stepped over the smashed spell jar into the center of the circle. When he didn't disappear into thin air, he hurried over to Caleb, Joshua and Dean.
Dean handed a bottle of water to Caleb, his eyes drifting again to where Sam and their father were standing. John's hand was alternately thumping his son's back, and rubbing it soothingly. He could tell Sam was crying. His eyes went to Pastor Jim, and he saw the older man's tear-filled eyes were on the dome to the north. He followed the Pastor's gaze and saw three other men he recognized by picture only. There was Julian, Guardian of the Triad before Jim's, who had died of cancer too young. He had named Jim as Guardian rather than Griffin, inadvertently creating an irreparable rift in the Brotherhood until Dean's Triad had been able to mend the breech. Next was Maxim, Knight in Julian's Triad, who had also died young; grandfather of Joshua, great grandfather to Max. Sam still had the photo Jocelyn Madrigal had given him the time they'd visited years ago. Lastly, Victor, the Scholar who had left the Brotherhood to retire in Hawaii, broken-hearted at the loss of his Triad. Caleb had met him once decades before, when he'd gone to him for help in trying to find a way to avoid the Apocalypse.
"Dean."
Looking up, Dean smiled. "Mac," he sighed. Clamoring to his feet, he gave the old Scholar a hug, closing his eyes as the ghost sensation of Mac's arms around him faded with the reality; it was a feeling he'd missed for the last decade. When he pulled back, Mac smiled, then nodded toward the dome. Dean swung back around to find his father's eyes on him. "Dad," he choked out. And then he did something he hadn't done since he was four years old. He ran across the green, green grass and threw himself into his father's arms. "Dad."
"I'm here," John murmured into his son's hair. "I'm here. I'm so proud of you; so very, very proud."
Those words were ones he'd longed to hear when his father had been alive, but which had been rarely offered. Now, they were a welcome balm to the long years of hard road.
As though John knew what Dean was thinking, he said, "I should have said that so many more times through the years. You're a son any man would be proud to have. I'm glad I scored the privilege."
Dean leaned back, tears on his face. "I said that to Caleb when I…" he broke off.
Tears fell from John's eyes as his lips curved into a tremulous smile. "I know."
In that intuitive way all parent's have, Dean suddenly turned to see JT standing directly behind him, his eyes on the grandfather he'd never met. Glancing past his son, Dean saw James hugging Mac, grinning up at the grandfather he'd known in life. Smiling, he pulled JT forward and said, "Jonathan Thomas Winchester, this is your grandfather, my dad John Winchester."
John held out his hand and griped JT's. Shaking his head, he said, "You look so much like…"
"My dad," JT interrupted with a smile. "I know."
John felt like his throat closed as he pulled the young man into his arms. "It's so good to meet you at last," he murmured. When he pulled back, JT was grinning and a dark-haired young man had appeared at his shoulder.
"Dad, this is James Murphy Winchester, your other grandson."
Again, John clasped the younger man's hand and pulled him into a hug.
James hugged his grandfather for several long moments before he cleared the moisture from his throat and stated, "Hey, enough with the chick flick moment!"
"And I know who inherited the smart-ass attitude in the family," John grumbled good-naturedly.
"You should hear Mary," Sam said, wiping a face that refused to stay dry. "Her wit puts them all to shame."
"Hey!" James protested.
John grinned. "I've heard Mary," he said. "Lotta her grandmother in her. She could out-scratch a wildcat if she had a mind to."
Sam laughed. He needed to remember that one.
Back inside the park, a shadow fell over Caleb, Joshua and Mac, and Caleb looked up.
"How is my grandson?"
Maxim Madrigal stood over them, tall and handsome, his dark hair mussed and wind-blown. Kneeling, he put a hand to Joshua's face, running his thumb over the older man's cheek in a manner Caleb recognized; it was one Dean had used all the time on the boys, and he supposed was a loving gesture from father's everywhere.
"He's fine," Caleb answered with a smile. "He should be waking up soon."
"This has been a very impressive display of magic," Mac said proudly. "One that will live on in Brotherhood history."
"He wrote it himself," Caleb boasted. Holding out a hand to Maxim, he said, "Caleb Ames."
Mac beamed at Caleb using Ames rather than Reaves.
"My grandson's stepbrother," Maxim stated with a smile, gripping Caleb's hand. Turning to Mac, he said, "And his stepfather." He gave Mac's hand a hearty shake. "Thank you for being the father he deserved."
"The pleasure was entirely mine," Mac replied sincerely.
Max and Ryker hurried over, and like everyone had done thus far, Ryker dropped to his knees and touched the pulse at Joshua's wrist.
Max stared at the dark-haired man and knew who he was. Holding out a hand, he said, "Maxim Sawyer, future Knight of the Brotherhood."
Maxim Madrigal stood and took Max's hand, introducing himself and adding, "Former Knight of the Brotherhood." He glanced over at John Winchester and grinned. "Way former."
Max and Caleb laughed as Mac rolled his eyes. "There's that Knight humor," the latter declared.
Just then Joshua moaned.
"Hey," Caleb said, bending over again. "Hey, you with us?"
"Don't," Joshua breathed, "make me talk."
"Sorry, you did that on your own," Caleb quipped.
"You asked a question," Joshua grumbled, all without opening his eyes.
"Dad?"
That did it, and Joshua pried his eyes open to a bewildering sight. Max was at his left, a dark-haired man standing behind him. And on his right were Caleb and Mac. Jerking upright, his hand flew to his head as the world spun around, and he groaned.
"Hey, hey, take it easy," Mac cautioned.
"Mac?" Joshua whispered, opening his eyes again. Suddenly he looked left and upward. "Grandfather?"
The smile on Maxim Madrigal's face widened into a grin as he nodded.
"It worked!" Joshua struggled to get to his feet, Caleb and Ryker helping him stand. "I didn't think it would, but it worked!" He looked from Mac to Maxim and back again, as though he didn't know who to hug first.
"Let me," Max said, and he stepped forward and hugged his father, whispering, "I'm so glad you're okay. You had me worried."
Joshua grinned, then he was hugging Mac, and Maxim, and Caleb, Ryker and Max again as laughter exploded. "I didn't think it would work, but Pastor Jim told me, so I figured it would."
Caleb frowned. "What?"
Joshua laughed, feeling giddy and light-headed. "Dean said Pastor Jim told him Strength Through Generations. He said it was meant for me. I thought, what is the strongest magic on earth? Triad magic. And what could send an impossible Tree back to where it belonged? Triad magic."
"Four generations of Triad magic," Maxim stated with a smile.
"It was the cardinal points Piruz carved into the box," Joshua stated, explaining and not really explaining all at the same time, but feeling the need to say it all out loud after all his work. "They were the deception and the key." Looking over at Ryker, he continued, "You said it, East for birth, South for life, West for retirement and North for death. And the Brotherhood is all connected through generations in more ways than one," Joshua said, looking from Maxim to Mac to Max and Caleb, then over at John, Sam, Dean, JT and James. "I used the power of those generational connections to send the Tree back to Eden."
"Did you intend to bring the Cherubim here?" Max asked. "Cause those were very scary."
Joshua frowned. "The what?"
Pastor Jim stood beside his old mentor, watching the families connect. "I'm so proud of him," Jim said in reference to Joshua. "His creativity and power have allowed us all this moment in time."
Victor stood just to the right of Julian, looking a little out of place. He had no family in this group save his Triad, having left for Hawaii before he'd truly bonded with Jim. He had barely stayed long enough to aid the newly appointed Guardian in choosing a Knight. However, the new Scholar and the new Knight after Daniel Elkins resigned, had been the sole responsibility of Jim. If he had stayed, if he had helped James Murphy through those first few tumultuous months as leader of the Brotherhood, it would have put a seal of approval on Julian's choice for Guardian. Instead he had let grief and sorrow rule his actions, essentially throwing the young Guardian to the wolves. Those wolves had never stopped circling Jim, not until Dean, Caleb and Sam had forced the old guard to accept their tenure in office. Now those old guards were gone, and the new generation of hunters rallied around Jim's choice for Triad, as they would the next generation.
As though he knew what Victor was thinking, Jim said, "We can only offer what we have to give." Smiling, he looked at the former Scholar. "You needed to go. And as you can see, the future of the Brotherhood is secure."
Dean, Sam and John had moved over to where Caleb, Mac, Joshua and the others were talking. Caleb gave his mentor a long, hard hug.
"I can hear you sometimes," Caleb confessed. "When the going gets tough. You tell me to get back up and keeping fighting." Leaning back, he eyed his mentor. "Sometimes you're even a bastard about it."
"That's Senior Hunter Bastard to you, Junior," John said with a grin.
And Caleb's joyous laugh rang out.
JT, James and Max, along with Ryker were talking and milling around, passing bottles of water to those standing nearby. Maxim was watching Max, his namesake, a smile on his face while gently rubbing Joshua's back.
"I should have stayed," Victor said, watching the reunion of those who'd gone through fire together and emerged complete, if not whole. "I let grief overwhelm me. I couldn't see staying in the Brotherhood even one minute longer without you and Maxim."
Julian patted his long-time friend on the back. "I'm sorry I ran out on you, old friend."
"That was such a bleak time in my life," Victor confessed. "I needed the sun so badly I'm surprised I didn't end up in Africa. Mackland faced the same decision and stayed, lending his stability to the Brotherhood and paving the way for the amazing Triad that followed." He shook his head and met Jim's gaze with sorrowful eyes. "Without Julian and Maxim, I just couldn't continue. But if I had stayed, Griffin would have accepted Julian's decision, and the fracture within the Brotherhood would not have happened."
"I don't know about that," Jim sighed. "Griffin would always have thought he was the better choice for Guardian, even if you had stayed. He was set on a course that he thought would lead him to power, and he dragged several good men down with him."
"We should have been better prepared," Julian stated with finality. "Not just you, old friend, but our Triad. We were young and didn't think anything bad could happen to us. Well, it did, and we weren't prepared. But Jim, you learned from our mistake and prepared a generation that not only mended the rifts within the Brotherhood, but took it to new heights."
For the first time Victor smiled, watching the current Triad, and the three young men who would one day soon run the Brotherhood. "And the new generation will be just as successful. Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."
Julian looked over. "William Faulkner?"
"Winston Churchill," Victor said with a grin.
Soon everyone was sitting on the grass near the eastern border of the spell line, talking and laughing, the boys sharing incidents from their youth, about their first hunts, and other details from their lives. Dean and Sam talked about getting used to their roles as fathers.
"I made Caleb and Dean wait up with me all night when Mary turned six months old," Sam recounted.
"We were armed to the teeth," Caleb declared. "Nothing was getting through all the protection lines, spells and ammunition we had waiting.
Laughter followed at the thought of three burly men keeping watch over the princess in her castle room, where familiar dragons from Sam's youth stood sentry, and a silver winged horse flew overhead.
"And Dad lost me once when I was five," JT announced, giving his father a teasing smile.
"I thought your mom was going to skin me alive," Dean stated, recounting the tale of losing JT when the boy was little. He shook his head. "I had flashbacks of losing Sam in that diner years ago. When I found him, he was asleep in the boat at Jim's pond." Dean grinned at JT.
JT laughed. Only John grimaced at Dean's casual mention of losing Sam. He had reamed Dean a new one before finding out that Sam had given his brother the slip because he was angry at him. And Dean had never complained, never explained. It was Sam who had later confessed he'd hidden from Dean, then had fallen asleep while he waited to be found.
"JT played for the Red Sox," Dean bragged. "They won the World Series! Twice!"
The laughter and conversations rolled on. They told about some of James' exploits, and Max relayed how he and JT had a full-time job keeping the younger man out of trouble.
"Oh, I think I've had my share of saving his bacon too," Ryker chimed in. He was sitting near Adam and Onida, who were both watching everything and smiling.
Adam was aware he was being afforded a unique opportunity, and he could admit his prejudices regarding the Brotherhood were completely unfounded. Victor, the Scholar of two Triads ago was situated near him, answering all his questions.
Caleb sat near Mac, his knees touching his father's. He had introduced him to Onida, who had pressed herself as close to the boundary line as she could get, reveling in this miraculous opportunity to speak with one of the most important men in Caleb's life. She had already met John, who had been Caleb's mentor and teacher. But Mac was Caleb's rock just as Dean was his center. Mac wanted to know everything about her and listened as she talked of growing up in Washington on the reservation, about finding out she had a gift and learning to use it, about her failure to find a new Yaotlapializli, and how her search to find a way to end the witches forever had led her to Caleb.
Jim watched everyone talking, a smile lighting his face. When he met Dean's eyes, he nodded.
Dean scooted over slightly so he was closer to the Pastor, though he kept his eyes on Sam and John, whose shoulders were touching as though Sam couldn't get enough of seeing their dad. He was telling John about Mary, how she excelled in her classes, was interested in Joshua's coven, and was best friends with Joshua's daughter Josie.
"This is some powerful magic," Jim observed.
"We didn't know anything about it," Dean confessed. "I dumped the problem in Josh's lap and told him to figure out a way to get the Tree back to Eden. I told him what you said."
"And what was that?" Pastor Jim asked.
"Strength Through Generations," Dean recounted.
Jim laughed. "Yes, sometimes it does take a village, doesn't it?"
Dean's eyes went to Victor, who was spending most of his time talking with Adam. "He feels bad, doesn't he? That he didn't stay to help with your transition."
Jim regarded the man who had been Scholar of the Brotherhood while he'd been a hunter. "Yes."
Nodding, Dean said, "Things happen for a reason. If he hadn't walked away, you might not have been compelled to go outside the Brotherhood for your Triad. Then Mac and Dad wouldn't have been Scholar and Knight, and we wouldn't be here now. Sometimes things work out just the way they were meant to in spite of us."
Jim beamed at Dean. "I couldn't have said that better myself."
"Oh, I don't know," Dean teased mischievously. "You'd probably have been more elegant and used more words. But I would have gotten the drift anyway."
Pastor Jim laughed out loud, causing Caleb to turn his head. "What's so funny?" the latter asked.
"Oh, just the willfulness of fate," Pastor Jim said.
Mac watched Caleb and Pastor Jim talk, then turned to Onida. He had a brief window when he was one on one with this extraordinary woman, and he seized the moment. "I am so happy Caleb found you. I have prayed he would give up his enforced isolation and share his life with someone. I can say I'm glad he kept his resolve until he found you."
Onida felt her face warm along with her heart. "I too was in isolation." She took a deep breath and continued, telling Mac about her childhood love and his death at the hands of the Tah-tah-kle'-ah. "After Marius was killed, and my child died, I didn't think I could ever love again. I focused on revenge, then my work. Eventually I focused on finding a new guardian to train. And then I met Caleb." Her eyes went to the Knight of the Brotherhood, who was laughing at something Dean had said. Smiling, she continued, "The connection was instant. He was the one for which I'd spent five years searching, and he turned out to be more than the savior of my people." She looked Mac in the eye. "He saved me in every way that matters."
"And you saved him," Mac stated. He opened his mouth to say more, but Caleb turned back around. A quick assessment told him something had happened, and he eyed the pair of them. Not wanting to read anyone, he asked, "What's going on?"
"I was telling your father about the owl witches and you're heroic battle to save the Yakima," Onida stated.
Caleb smiled. "And did you tell him the news?"
Onida frowned. "News?"
Caleb took a deep breath and let it whoosh out. "When we killed the witches, we were able to save several of the children that had been kidnapped. Dad, they had been held in dark caves, and some were being changed into witches."
"How horrific," Mac whispered, looking utterly shocked.
Caleb nodded. "Several children were able to be reunited with their families, but you can imagine the hard row those families have ahead of them."
Mac nodded. "Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, trauma from being held captive, socialization, I imagine in several cases learning to talk, either again or for the first time." He shook his head. "What a daunting task for any parent."
"Exactly. Some couldn't handle the stress, and some kids need homes." Caleb looked to Onida. "We're taking two boys home."
Onida's heart leapt into her throat. "Caleb … are you sure? This, this between us, we're still getting used to us. Are you sure we should add two traumatized children into the mix?"
"They're lost, like we were," Caleb said. Leaning forward, he rested a hand on the boundary line. After a moment, her hand came up to match his. "I was lost, and I found you. Imagine how they feel. They were kidnapped, held captive. They get rescued and their parents don't want them. They need to be wanted, they need to be loved, they need a home where they can play and live and build forts and ride horses. They can go to school with Nicholas, Maisie and Lucas at Joshua's, and they can meet with the psychiatrist Josh hired." Caleb watched Onida nervously. They had spoken about this, talked it through till they were blue in the face, been for it and against it. Now, he'd sprung it on her and he didn't know what she would say.
Mac was watching Onida process the shovel-full of information his son had just dumped in her lap. If he was a betting man, he would guess he was about to become a new grandfather.
Onida stared at Caleb. She didn't want him to come to this decision because he was here with his beloved father, and feeling the euphoria of the moment.
Leaning in, Caleb whispered, "I'd planned on telling you I wanted them when this hunt was over."
That did it. Onida squealed in delight and attempted throw herself into Caleb's arms, but was prevented from doing so by the boundary line. Smacking the wall in annoyance, she gave Caleb a mock glare. "You would have to announce that when I can't hug you."
"We'll make up for it later," Caleb stated, bobbing his brows. Turning to his father, he announced, "You're going to be a grandfather … again! Your…" he counted off in his head, "seventh grandchild is Tristan. He's twelve years old, with black hair and blue eyes. He was kidnapped when he was four, so he'll need a lot of love and attention. Your eighth grandchild is Kaven. He's eight, with auburn hair and the biggest brown eyes you've ever seen. He was kidnapped when he was three, like Nicholas. They've been going to a psychiatrist in Washington, and attending school with the other kidnapped children on the reservation. They're staying with Doctor Maska Etsitty while waiting for a home. She's the one who did the physical evaluations when the children were first found."
Mac couldn't wait any longer. He leaned forward and hugged Caleb so hard, the younger man felt like he couldn't breathe. But he didn't protest it one bit. "Congratulations, son," Mac whispered, tightening his hug even more. "Congratulations." It was everything he had always wanted for Caleb; to have a family of his own.
"What's going on over there?" John asked, observing Mac and Caleb.
Sam smiled. "I'd say Caleb just told Mac he's going to be a grandfather again."
"Seriously?" Dean turned and looked at his best friend. Caleb's eyes were closed and his face was wet. A check of Onida showed tears flowing from eyes. There was a lot of that going around tonight. "Yup, there are more kids coming to Kentucky."
John frowned. "Tell me about it."
Sam and Dean, along with input from JT, James and Max told John about the hunt in Washington. Soon everyone was listening as the tale was told about the owl witches, and the travesty of children kidnapped and held hostage.
"And that's when we brought in Adam," Dean said, pointing to the dark-haired man sitting just outside the barrier.
Adam was in a deep conversation with Victor and Julian, probably grilling them on Brotherhood history and roots.
John nodded thoughtfully. Reaching for a bottle of water, he was shocked when his hand went right through. Pulling back, he knew instantly what it meant: the spell Joshua had cast was fading. Lifting his head, he looked at his sons and grandsons, his heart clenching. He didn't want to leave here. He didn't want to leave his sons. For the first time since Mary's death, he was enjoying being around them in a way that was free from worry and fear; for their safety, for their lives. He could enjoy their anecdotes and tall tales without dissecting whether something nefarious or a supernatural creature was behind the encounters. His eyes went to Dean.
In that unerringly intuitive way that was uniquely Dean, his son suddenly looked up and met his eyes. Sorrow stormed through those expressive green eyes, and he knew Dean understood their time was fading along with the wall.
Sensing the whirl of sorrow, Caleb suddenly looked around at Dean, then his gaze went to John. Eyes widening, he jerked back to face Mac. His father's eyes were sympathetic as they met Caleb's.
"We'll be going soon," Mac said.
Feeling exactly like that thirteen year old kid lying strapped to a bed in the psychic ward, Caleb whispered, "I don't want you to go." And the tears that were so near the surface for all of them, brimmed.
"I know," Mac murmured, reaching up to cup Caleb's cheek. His hand, however, was only a breath of air.
Caleb thought this was worse than when Mac had passed. This was a gift both cherished and bitter, as he needed to say goodbye all over again.
The merriment and laughter faded as the knowledge their time was nearly over skittered through the small group like a jolt of lightning.
Sam turned quickly to John, saying, "Thank you, Dad. For keeping us safe, for making sure we could look after ourselves, for knowing we would need what you could teach us even though I didn't want to learn. I'm sorry for…"
"Sam," John interrupted. He didn't want to hear Sam's apology for acting up, for their stubborn arguments, for their butting heads and their fights. He understood Sam completely, as they were a matched pair. "Through all the years and fights and anger, I knew you loved me. And I believe, through the anger, you knew I loved you."
Sam nodded. "I did, and I do."
John looked past Sam to his brother, his solid rock, his foundation since Mary had died. "I love you," he told Dean.
Dean nodded, his throat tight.
Slowly the merriment dwindled as everyone rose to their feet, knowing the end was near. Since the former Triads could no longer touch anyone, hugs were left off the table as words of love and sorrow, a few last laughs and tears flowed.
Finally Julian looked to Joshua and asked the question that had been hanging unspoken in the air; "Do we need to return to the domes?"
Joshua shook his head as he stood near his grandfather and son. "No." He wouldn't voice it, but the six would simply vanish, returning to heaven and the afterlife.
Julian looked around at everyone. "Well, as the senior Guardian here," there was laughter and a few catcalls. He laughed. "I want to say how proud I am of every one of you. During the hardest of times, you have persevered, just as generations untold have done before you. You are all a tribute to the Brotherhood."
There were smiles and nods around the group, and each turned for final words to the ones they loved.
"I am so proud of you," Maxim told Joshua. "You are truly your mother and grandmother's son. The many times I relied on your grandmother's skills to help me through a hunt are far too numerous to count. I'm so glad her skills are still being used for the good of the Brotherhood."
Joshua thought his heart would explode. Though many years had passed since he'd had to endure Harland Sawyer's condescension and derision for his crafter skills, he abruptly realized those scars of hurt and doubt had remained. Buried, yes, but still felt inside. It was hearing Maxim's unbridled praise and encouragement that made him realize a balm was needed. "Thank you. I needed to hear that."
"I know," Maxim murmured. "I was watching."
Joshua nodded, unable to speak.
Maxim smiled and turned to Max. "Another Madrigal as Knight. Have sons and keep the tradition going."
"I'm a Sawyer," Max deadpanned cheekily, and Maxim laughed heartily.
"Well, my boy," Pastor Jim said. "This was quite a gathering."
Dean smiled, though his eyes remained on his father. "Yes, it was."
Jim smiled. "Go on, spend the last few minutes with your father. I'll see you soon."
Dean gave Jim a grin, and hurried over to where Joshua and Max, Mac and Caleb, James, JT, John and Sam were all grouped together sharing one last moment together.
Ryker stood near the boundary line with his father, watching. "This is going to be tough," he murmured.
"Yes, it is," Adam agreed. "But we'll be there for them."
Ryker gave his father a grin. "Yeah, we will."
"We all will," Onida stated, moving over to stand by Adam and Ryker.
"I am always with you," Mac said, wanting with everything in his being to put his arms around his son one last time.
"We'll be together, in the end," Caleb murmured. "I love you, Dad."
"Tell Ben I love him, and Maya," John urged, "and tell him I'm so proud of my great grandchildren Mac and Lisa Anne."
"I wish you could have met him and Mary," Dean said with a look at Sam.
"I watch them all the time," John said with wet eyes. Looking at them all one by one, he said, "JT, James, I love you." Then his eyes were reserved for only two. "Sam, Dean. I am so proud of you both. I love…"
And in that moment between breaths, they were gone.
.
Silence hung like vapor over the park. Echoes of laughter so boundless moments before were now threaded with ribbons of sorrow and loss. Moonlight's waning crescent joined the stars in giving respite to the darkness for those who remained on the park grounds.
Sam looked over at Dean, whose hands were resting on his hips as he looked down. JT and James were crowding their father, wanting and needing his presence and comfort. Dean's arms went around both boys as he hugged them close. Suddenly Dean looked up and met Sam's eyes. He smiled. Neither was surprised at the tears trembling on their lashes.
"Granddad was amazing," James said with a grin at his brother.
"He was so funny," JT added.
Eyes still connected with his brother, Dean said, "Yeah, he was." The dad they'd known in life had been traumatize and scarred by the murder of their mother. He had gone from being daddy, to being their drill sergeant and fierce protector. But there had been glimpses of the dad he'd been before Mary died through the years. How they wished there would have been more.
"I miss grandpa," Max said, staring at the grass.
"Yeah, me too," James echoed.
JT merely nodded.
Onida stepped over the boundary line and went to Caleb, not touching him or speaking; just being a solid presence at his side.
"I miss them all," Caleb said. It had been a wonderfully magical hour, with everyone back together again.
Joshua walked over. He keenly felt the absence of Mac and was second guessing his spell decision. Maybe he should have tried to find another way, but there'd been so little time. "I'm sorry. I didn't know if the magic would work; I didn't know if the former Triads would appear, or whether they would stay." He looked over at Dean and Sam, then at Caleb. "But I wanted them to. I hoped they would come, and that they would stay for awhile … for us." Sighing, he shook his head slightly. "Maybe that wasn't a good idea after all."
"No," Sam said earnestly. "You gave us the best gift anyone could. You gave me, you gave Dean, time with Dad. Time without the past dragging us down, without the fear of witches or demons or some other supernatural creature coming to kill us. For the first time in my life," he swallowed down the moisture in his throat, "Dad was just dad, loving us."
"You gave me one more hour with Mac," Caleb said, giving Joshua's arm a comforting squeeze. Sighing, he said, "I've missed him so much."
"And I got to meet grandpa Winchester," JT chimed in. "I've been so curious." He looked at his brother James. "You really do look like a combination of mom and grandpa."
Other voices chimed in, with Max saying how good it had been to meet his great grandfather, others talking about either seeing Pastor Jim again or meeting the infamous pastor for the first time.
"Yeah, I'm named after him and I've never met him before," James stated. "This was great!"
Ryker said how good it was to see Mac again, and Adam joined in, saying how he and Ryker had gotten to meet people the others had talked about, and were now able to put names with faces.
Slowly Dean lowered himself to the grass, and after a moment, Sam sat down at his side. Soon they were joined by JT, James, Caleb and Onida, then everyone was sitting on the grass. Joshua and Max sat together, talking quietly about Maxim, Ryker and Adam nearby, alternately listening and talking about what had happened.
Onida was at Caleb's side, her hand tucked in his. "He was wonderful," she said softly. "So wonderful."
Caleb gave her a smile. "Yeah, he was; he is."
Sam's eyes met Dean's, and they lay back on the grass, watching the stars like they'd done so many times in their youth. "I didn't realize how much I missed him until now," Sam confessed.
"I know," Dean whispered. Clearing his throat, he said, "He's been gone so long, you just get used to his not being around. We get used to that dad-shaped hole inside."
Sam gave his brother a sidelong look and smirked. "That was practically poetic."
Dean snorted out a laugh. "I'm trying to be real here."
"I know. But some things just demand a dig. That was one."
Giving his brother a grudging nod, he said, "Yeah, I suppose it was."
"But I know what you mean," Sam conceded softly.
JT scooted over to Dean. "I miss not having granddad around when we were small."
"I miss that for you too," Dean said. He slung an arm around JT's shoulders. "He would have loved being around you both," he said including James, who had crowded in.
"I loved having Grandpa Mac and Grandpa Bobby," James agreed. "Though I would have loved having three, maybe four Grandpas."
"The baby," Max snorted. "More people to spoil you, you mean."
JT laughed. "And grandmas. But I'm grateful for what we had. Grandma Esme, Grandpa Mac and Grandpa Bobby. Many people don't get any grandparents."
"Yeah, I'm grateful too," James said.
There was silence for a little while as everyone thought back over the last hour, relishing seeing those they loved again, committing the moments to memory.
Dean finally looked over at Joshua and said, "Thank you. That was a great gift."
Caleb nodded and added his thanks, and others followed suit. Before Joshua was forced to say anything in reply, they heard the sound of a car engine a short distance away.
Dean rose, followed by Caleb. "We'll go check it out," and they took off jogging toward the northern end of the park and the small parking area beyond.
Sam clambered slowly to his feet, aches in every limb. "Why don't we get all the potions bags and jars cleaned up so we can get some sleep."
Soon everyone was in the center of the park, picking up debris, broken jars and spell bags. Shortly Dean and Caleb walked back into the park followed by Joel and Daniel.
"Looks like you guys put on a wild party here tonight," Daniel said, bending over and picking up a small spell bag. "Why wasn't I invited?"
Caleb laughed. "You got the fun end."
"There wasn't a fun end," Joel countered, cramming some burlap spell bag remnants into a plastic bag.
"Where are Ethan and Elijah?" asked Sam, tossing a trash bag with the remnants of the large spell pouches in it next to his duffel bag.
"At the gym," Joel said. "Since Ethan is Houston PD, he sorta bonded with the Sheriff after you explained everything. The townspeople were given the potion to help against the Tree, and most people fell asleep. But some didn't. They kept us busy asking questions, and there were a couple of scuffles. So we stayed to try and keep things calm. Then that huge bright light went off, and that freaked everyone out."
"Yeah. What was that?" Daniel asked, looking from Dean, to Sam and Joshua.
"An angel," Caleb answered. "A huge, big ass angel."
Sam gave Caleb a disapproving look for his disrespect. "Four very large angels," he added.
Joel and Daniel had frozen at the mention of angels, expressions of astonishment on their faces. As one, they turned and looked at Joshua.
"They weren't that big," Joshua stated.
"How do you know," Caleb griped. "You were working the spell and didn't see them. But they were huge."
Joshua gave Caleb a stern, big brother look and rolled his eyes at Caleb's absurdity.
"Cherubim," Daniel said suddenly.
Sam looked over and smiled. "Yes. God set Cherubim to watch the gates of Eden."
Daniel nodded, and when Sam continued to regard him, he said, "Roman Catholic. I went to a Catholic high school in San Francisco."
"Oh." Nodding, Sam looked around a second before saying, "We need to get the people in the park back to town." Turning to Joel and Daniel, he continued. "Can you guys take them to the high school while we clean up here at the park?"
"We borrowed a truck from the coven leader, and you guys have a pickup," Joel said. "We'll use both then rendezvous back here to bring in you guys."
"Sounds good," Sam said. Looking around, he said, "Max, Ryker, can you guys help us load up them in the trucks?"
Caleb nodded. "I'll text Ethan and Elijah to arrange for them to be unloaded some place without fanfare. No use in scaring everyone."
"Have Ethan talk to Cadmael," Joshua suggested. "It's a good bet Piruz used coven members for the spell on the Tree. He may have a different idea on where to take them. The residents of Lebanon don't know them, so won't miss them."
Caleb nodded and stepped away, typing on his phone.
"Max," JT called, and lobbed his keys to the young Knight-to-be.
Max nodded, and soon the group of six, including Joel, Daniel, Caleb, Sam, Ryker and Max, went to load the sleeping people into the vehicles while those remaining cleared the grass of spell pouches and potion bags. When they finished, they carried the debris and dumped it into one of the metal trash cans near the picnic area. Pulling out his lighter, Dean set it on fire.
Caleb and Sam walked back over, and as a group they all stood around staring, lost in the mesmerizing effects of the flames. Finally, as the blaze dropped lower into the can and started burning itself out, Caleb and Dean dragged the can over to a nearby picnic table. Using one of Ryker's leftover glass jars they dug up some dirt and threw it inside to completely douse the fire. By the time the grounds were cleared, picnic tables put back into place, and all the duffels packed up, Joel and Daniel returned with the trucks, and Max had JT's car.
When Sam asked, Joel relayed, "Cadmael put the coven members at the Community Center. He hopes most will be able to head home before dawn; save more questions for the people of Lebanon."
"That would be welcome," Sam said. "They're being asked to accept a lot as it is."
Yawning, James asked, "We heading back to the hotel?"
"Yes, we all need some sleep," Dean nodded. "Some can ride in the Van…"
"Uh, the Van is crunched," Adam interrupted apologetically.
"What?" Caleb exclaimed in surprise.
"It was a causality of the resurrected spell lines," Daniel said. "Hit the spell front on. Sorry."
Turning to Adam, Caleb asked anxiously, "Are you all right?"
Adam smiled. People over things; that was the way of the Brotherhood, he had learned. "Yes. The coven leader gave me a potion, and it healed my injuries. Then Onida gave me a once over. I'm fine."
"Good, that's good," Caleb nodded.
"So," Dean continued, "we've got the Impala, Ethan and Elijah's SUV, Joshua's SUV, and JT's car."
"Joshua and Ethan's SUVs are on the east side of town," Onida said.
"Okay," Dean said. "Why don't Daniel, Joel and Adam take Mr. Arnold's pickup truck and retrieve the vehicles. JT? You guys can leave from here; get to the hotel and get some sleep."
"But..."
"We'll be right on your heels," Dean assured him. "Once all the cars are retrieved, the rest of us can meet at the gym and divvy up who rides with who, and what to do with the van."
The group made their meandering way through the picnic tables and trees to the trucks.
Daniel, Joel and Adam climbed into Mr. Arnold's borrowed truck while JT, James, Max and Ryker loaded into JT's car. Dean's Triad along with Onida headed over to the Impala.
JT started his car, then leaned out the front window, calling, "We'll see you back at the hotel!"
Dean nodded and lifted his arm, waving until the car disappeared down the narrow dirt road away from the park. Quickly it was followed by Mr. Arnold's truck loaded with the three who would be retrieving the SUVs.
"Always the last to leave the party," Caleb quipped, heading for the Impala.
Sam smiled, though his eyes were on Joshua, who seemed to be moving very slowly. Quietly he asked, "Are you good? You should have gone with JT directly to the hotel."
"I'm fine," Joshua said with a wan smile. "I just thought you three may have questions, so I should be on hand to answer them."
"I think the questions can wait for tomorrow, or next week," Sam said with a smile.
When they were loaded up and on the road, Caleb said, "The Sheriff will want to know what the light was."
"Yeah," Dean sighed. That was going to present a problem.
When Dean didn't add anything, Caleb turned to Joshua and asked, "How are you feeling?"
"Very tired," Joshua admitted. "I need a good, long night's sleep … and maybe a massage."
During the remainder of the short ride, no one talked much as the intensity of the hunt, added to the physical expenditure and emotional rollercoaster of Joshua's spell, were finally taking a toll as their adrenalin ebbed. Within five minutes they were parked in front of the Lebanon High School gym.
Cracking open his door, Dean said, "Why don't you guys stay here. I'll leave the motor running for warmth. When the others get back, send as many as will go back to the hotel. We all need sleep."
"I'll go with you," Caleb said, opening the car door and getting out.
Dean rolled his eyes and sighed as he climbed out and the two fell into step as they walked toward the gym.
Caleb eyed Dean, saying, "I want to make arrangements for the Tourer."
"A death burial?" Dean remarked dourly.
"No, a mechanic."
Dean stopped and stared. "I'm a mechanic."
Caleb snorted. "I noticed," he quipped, continuing on.
Dean growled. "Why don't you ask me to fix it?"
"Because I haven't had a chance," Caleb declared. "I haven't seen the damage, I don't even know if it's salvageable. And we're in Lebanon Kansas, not New Haven Kentucky."
Dean stared at his best friend for a long moment, then finally nodded. "Sorry. It's been a night."
Caleb sighed. "Yeah, it has."
Dean wanted to talk about everything that had happened, from his condemning Piruz to a far-overdue death, to the finale in the park. But right now? He was simply too tired for words.
"Know what you'll say to the Sheriff?"
"I think so," Dean said. "We'll have to come back tomorrow, smooth things over."
Caleb leaned in and opened the double doors.
They stepped inside to see a different gym than when they'd been here just a couple hours before. Gone were the folding chairs, and in their place several blankets and sleeping bags littered the ground with people lying on top.
"You see the Sheriff?" Dean murmured.
Caleb shook his head. Closing his eyes, he gave the room a psychic sweep for Ethan or Elijah. When he opened his eyes, he pointed toward the back end of the gym. "Ethan's over there."
Together they made their way along the gym wall in an effort to avoid stepping on anyone. Ethan saw them coming and met the pair at the back of the gym near the locker room doors.
"Everything is back to normal," Ethan whispered. "Aggressive behavior has stopped, and the ones who were most affected seem confused about everything. It's just like Houston. The confusion, the holes in the memories; people can't believe they'd acted like that." Shaking his head, he continued, "Though some were still unconvinced about a biological weapon introduced into their drinking water, the Sheriff was able to convince everyone to take the potion. Cadmael, Elijah and I will cleanse," he used air quotes, "the water well tomorrow."
"We'll be back too," Caleb said. "This hunt needs smoothing over. Plus I need to check out the van."
Ethan nodded.
"Where's Elijah?"
"In the gymnasium with the children. With most of the adults down after taking the potion, he wanted to keep an eye on the infants and toddlers. William, Keith and Elena, a few other coven members, are there as well."
Sheriff Howard approached and shook Dean and Caleb's hands. "Is everything secure?"
"Yes, you have nothing to worry about," Dean said, adding, "I hope the search lights didn't startle anyone in town."
Caleb and Ethan stared as the Sheriff looked a bit startled. "Search lights?"
"We had to use the ultra high search lights in the park near town," Dean explained. Caleb turned and took a few steps away, pretending to pull out his phone. "We got word of a couple of cell members that had slipped through our net," he continued, ignoring his best friend; the traitor. "You understand how difficult it is to search for anyone at night. We had a helicopter stationed nearby. We called it in to aid with the search, and the stragglers were caught."
Sheriff Howard frowned. "I didn't hear any helicopter."
Dean leaned in and said in a low tone, "RAH-66 Comanche Stealth Helicopter. Been in use by the Department for a couple years now. I would appreciate you're keeping this confidential. We don't want word of our resources getting out. You know how people talk."
"I know how to keep a confidence," Sheriff Howard assured, giving Dean a knowing look. "Most people won't remember much of the night anyway. And if anyone asks, I'll say there was a power surge in the town's electrical grid, causing the intensity of light. No one will question it."
"Thank you," Dean said, shaking the Sheriff's hand again. "You'll have a lot on your plate the next few weeks, but I know you're the man to handle it. If you don't mind, we'll be back tomorrow just to tie things up."
"We want to check the water supply too," Ethan stated.
"I would appreciate the support," Sheriff Howard said. "Now, why don't you boys bed down, get some rest. Tomorrow will be here soon enough."
"Thank you, we will," Dean said. Giving the Sheriff a nod, he and Ethan walked over to where Caleb was standing. Dean gave Caleb a glare. "You were laughing?"
Caleb grinned. "A stealth helicopter? Seriously?"
Ethan grinned as Dean scowled.
"The Sheriff came up with a better story, and he wasn't even trying," Caleb chuckled softly.
"I'm tired," Dean hissed defensively.
"And when did you have time to look up different types of stealth helicopters?" Ethan asked curiously.
"I didn't. I read an article about them on the Internet."
Caleb shook his head, grinning. Instead of teasing Dean further, he asked Ethan, "You planning on staying here, or going back to the hotel?"
"I'll stay here. Elijah and I can take it in turns to watch the kids and get some sleep."
"You're SUV is outside," Dean said. "The keys are probably in the glove compartment."
"I'll come with you and check. Don't think it'd get stolen, but with high school boys around, you never know."
Once outside the gym, Ethan searched the lot before spying his rental. He jogged over, opened the door, and after half a minute came out with his keys jangling softly in his hand. "See you tomorrow," he called out softly before disappearing back into the gym.
"Let's head back to the hotel," Dean said, yawning.
"You realize it's an hour drive away," Caleb said. "We're all tired, so we'll spell each other."
Giving a nod, Dean opened the Impala's car door. Warm air wafted out into the cool night. When he leaned down and looked inside: Onida was gone while Sam and Joshua were both asleep. Sighing, he shut the door quietly and looked across the roof to where Caleb was smirking. "Where's Onida?"
"She sent me a text, said she was driving back with Daniel and Joel in case we needed to talk."
Dean nodded. Shaking his head slightly, he said, "Can you make sure everyone else is headed back to the hotel? With so many of us involved and tired, I don't want to leave anyone behind."
"Yeah, hang on." Caleb reached out with his senses, and after a moment he smiled. "The boys are on their way back; Adam's with them." He closed his eyes and reached out for the warmth and light that was Onida. He felt the wink of bright light, and Onida opened herself up. See you soon, Caleb sent along their connection, and he opened his eyes. "Confirmed Onida's with Joel and Daniel; we're good."
"Then let's get to it," Dean said. "I'm ready for a long, hot shower."
.
TBC
Author's Note: I hope you guys liked this chapter. I think I cried writing and rereading it!
Impala1979: As soon as I read your review of Chapter 29, I giggled, knowing this chapter would tickle you!
Thank you again to all those who reviewed; I wait with barely-contained impatience after I post a chapter to hear your thoughts. So thank you loads!