"That's it, I'm done! All my exams are finished!" Graves sung, coming through the door into the Student Success Center, Stag and Castiel in tow.

"You mean, done with midterms." I corrected as she flopped into a chair across the table from me. I felt Graves don't-kill-my-buzz glare on my face as I quickly saved the post graduate paper I was working on. I turned to the group as the others took seats, offering my hand to Cas. "Hey Stags, Cas man, how you been?"

Cas took my hand and shook it firmly. "Hello Sam. I've been well."

"Hey Sam!" Stag said, giving me a wave and fluffing her red bangs with the other hand. "How are you?"

I wiped a hand across my face, "I'm good now that I've gotten all of you through midterms."

"Yes, Sam, God bless you, I would have shot myself if not for your epic skills."

"Sammy, you're a life saver."

"Your suggestions did improve my style."

And other words of gratitude gushed forth from the mouths of my friends. I guess these people were my friends, Cas was of course, had been since we both started college. But Graves had added me – somehow- to her group. Maybe added wasn't really accurate, more like, kidnapped, branded, and renamed. They were the kind of friends that just…happened. To you. Without your consent.

Stag turned to me. "Oh yeah, hey Sam, are you coming too? You asked him, right Cas?"

I crooked an eyebrow at the red head, looking suspiciously between her and Castiel. "Asked me what?"

Cas looked confused and muttered in a low voice, "Catherine, I don't remember what I was supposed to talk to Sam about." Stag patted him soothingly on the arm. I smiled, storing the information about Stag's true name. They seemed good together. Stag never lost patience with Castiel and both had a carefree innocence about them that refreshed the whole room.

Graves sat up. "Oh, we're having a bonfire thing at my place. I told you about it but I figured -correctly- that you'd forgotten so I told Cas to remind you."

I nodded, recalling something like that mentioned a few weeks back, a spring break get-together of the group that seemed to gravitate around Graves. Graves had a way of including everyone, I'd never been to her house before but as far as I understood it, the door was never locked, all were invited, and the backyard was legendary for its bonfires. I wasn't really the party going type, but the vibe was easy going and…authentic.

"Yeah, sure, when is this goin' down?"

Graves looked over at Stag, "I don't know, does tomorrow work?"

Stag shrugged. "Works for me, late afternoon, right?"

Graves nodded and grinned widely, voice pitching higher. "Cas can you please bring some of your honey nut bread? Stags, ask him, he can't say no to you."

Stag clasped her hands and assumed the praying position. "Oh my dear sweet Castiel, Angel of the Bakery, please, if it pleases thou, bring Graves, a humble and lowly creature, the goodness of your fruits. Please, Castiel, bring us lowest of low children your decadent creations." She batted her eyes and rainbows were literally shooting from them.

I laughed, more at Cas' astonished face than at the outburst, because such things were becoming normal to me. Rainbow-spewing eyes were normal. HAH, never saw that one coming. But then I remembered a detail.

"Hang on. I don't know if I can make it tomorrow, my brother, he's coming into town in the afternoon."

"So bring him along." Stag said, absently adjusting Cas' collar where it stuck up.

"Yes, I think Dean would like the fire pit experience, Sam." Cas said, eyes wide and sincere as he leaned closer so Stag could reach.

"That ok?" I asked towards Graves.

She nodded, standing and gathering her backpack. "Dude yes, more the merrier; I'll have a cold one ready for him."

"I'd be careful, he might marry you if you do that." I said, half laughing but then stopped, because it was somewhat true.

She swung the bag onto her shoulder, "I'd like to see him try, not just anyone can handle this." She jabbed thumbs towards herself. "So I'll see you guys tomorrow? Come by whenever, but the fire lights up at sundown!" Her eyebrows wagged and she shot us with finger guns as she backed out of the student center.

Yes, it would take quite a someone to handle that woman…she might even be too much for Dean.

I smiled, wouldn't that be a change.