CHAPTER 19

Chuck waited a moment to let what he'd said sink in a little. Then he turned and looked straight at Dean, "Dean, you once said that you aren't a family man; you're a killer. You need to realize that you may be a killer, but you aren't a murderer. There's a difference, you know. Being a killer of bad things does not preclude being a family man. You have been one your whole life." He paused for a moment. "I know you have questions; it's your turn now.

Chuck looked at Dean expectantly, but Dean was at a loss for words all of a sudden.

"I imagine you want to ask me about Lisa?" Chuck prompted.

Dean nodded, his mind was sorting through a million questions, but only one came forward, "Did you stop her pregnancy, too?"

"No, her miscarriage was just a bad thing that happened, like they do. Dean, God doesn't interfere in people's lives that much. He didn't do anything to stop the baby she carried."

"Have you ever stopped any baby of mine?"

"No. You've been careful enough."

"Why didn't you just let Jess have her baby? Couldn't you protect them?"

"By that time, God didn't have contact with anyone, but Joshua. There was no one who could have protected her. We couldn't trust the archangels and Joshua refuses to come to earth."

"There's another thing. Chuck was born and lived; he didn't just blink into existence when all this began. I met Chuck and he was a quivering wreck, practically an alcoholic. How are you and he…?"

"I told you earlier, I come and walk the earth during times of great catastrophe; when the lives on earth are the most in danger. When I get here, I don't know what is happening; I am born, and I live and behave like any flawed, human being. I am placed in a position where I can document the events as they happen until I am needed or the danger passes. At that time, I am given back my knowledge and I return to Heaven."

"When you stopped the apocalypse and put Lucifer back into his cell, the danger had passed and I went back."

Dean was angry, he growled, "Why? Why is it like that? And if God is aware there is danger coming years in advance, why the hell doesn't he avert it?"

"As I said, God doesn't interfere in people's lives much. Almost every catastrophe that has happened has been man-made. It's free will." He took a deep breath, "I promise you, this isn't an 'ant farm'. He is not playing with your lives, but what happened … well; He tried and failed to avert it. Now all He can do is try to make it right. Nothing that has happened to you or Sam is fair. You've had more than your share of sorrow and horror."

"Actually, we owe a debt to all of the hunters all over the world, living and dead. They worked overtime to put the demons back in hell and they will be rewarded."

Dean interjected, "Even Walt and Roy?" He hadn't forgotten or forgiven the two men who shot him and Sam in cold blood in that hotel room.

"Ah, well, they are a special case, aren't they?" Chuck answered. "Have you found them?"

"No, they've gone to ground. Sam and I have been looking for them off and on ever since we got back. I don't suppose you can help us out there?"

Chuck laughed. "No, I can tell you they're still alive, but I have no idea where they are."

Dean grinned a little at him, "Could you put out feelers? Like Zachariah did when he was looking for me?"

Chuck smiled and shook his finger in Dean's direction, "No interference, Dean." He turned to leave. "You know, you guys could try to forgive them." In the next moment, he was gone.

"I could, but that's just not me." Dean was smiling as he said that, but then he looked at Sam. "Well, there are exceptions..."

Sam smiled back, "Yeah"

Dean grinned at him, "Sarah, huh? You know, as I recall, she was smokin'" He hissed in a breath.

Sam threw a pillow at him, "Dean, shut up."

SPNSPNSPN

Lily and Bobby were sitting on the couch in her living room. They were talking and kissing. The day had been full and nerve wracking and wonderful. Their lives together would begin soon and suddenly everything was in their hands.

Lily had been quiet for a moment and then she turned to Bobby, "You know, it's a little frightening. We've only been together, I mean, physically in the same room together, about three times. If my parents were here, they would be advising caution and telling me to take my time. All of the good advice parents give." She smiled at him.

"You can talk about them now? Can you tell me a little bit?" Bobby squeezed her as she turned her head into his shoulder. Then she got up and moved to a book shelf.

"Let me show you."

She opened a photo album and started telling Bobby about her parents and grandparents, her brother and his wife and their children. She told him about her life with her first husband and how she had liked his new wife. She would pause every once in a while, to get her voice back or dry her eyes, but she kept going.

"I put this together when I knew I was going to see you again. I wanted to show you that while it hurts, and it always will, it's not gonna stop me from being a good mom or a good woman for you."

Bobby smiled at her. "I'm proud of you. You've come a long way since May."

Lily beamed at him, "I know I have. I had a great incentive to get here."

Lily put the book back on the shelf. "Bobby, we've been texting and emailing and phoning each other for the last four months, but we've only been in the same room together three days. So while we've gotten to know each other pretty well, we haven't done it in a conventional way."

Bobby started to speak and Lily held up her hand.

"Some would say we're rushing things, but I think we've done alright. I wanna tell you something and I want you to hear it, but the only comment you should say to me is whatever is in your heart.

"Bobby, I love you." Lily gazed at him with a straightforward look. She was done being scared or nervous. "I have said those words before to my husband, but until I met you, I didn't know their full meaning.

Bobby was looking at Lily and smiling. "Lily, I love you, too."

She gasped and smiled.

"Lily, I've said those words and meant them to Karen; I thought she was the love of my life. Now I know… I have been given two loves and both of you are precious to me. Loving Karen won't take away from the love I feel for you. And loving you won't take away from the love I've always felt for Karen. You aren't her replacement; you're a bonus gift."

Lily and Bobby held each other for a moment and then kissed.

"Now, it's late, I gotta get back to the motel. But I wanna stay." Bobby said with a smile.

"Yeah, I don't think the boys would appreciate it if you stayed here tonight. But I want you to stay, too."

"Well, we've got a lifetime to be together."

They kissed once more, and then parted. Bobby left the house and Lily locked the door and went to bed.

END OF PART 2

AN: I hope the scene I wrote between Bobby and Lily wasn't too schmaltzy. I liked it; I hope you did, too.
There are five more chapters to go. I would love and appreciate a review.
Thanks,
Sali.