Chapter 91.

Sam had finished his lists for the supply run the next day when Eileen came to find him. "Pizza's in the kitchen, come and eat." she said. She saw the list on the tablet screen. "Anything you need me to get?"

"Maybe you can come with me tomorrow." he said, "I'd like that. A supply trip is so much more fun with you around. Did you and Anael have a good time?"

"The best time." said Eileen, "She helped me pick out some clothes for when I'm pretending to be human and I did the same for her. She knows fashion, I know men."

"Meaning?"

Meaning I told her one of the great secrets."

He felt a moment of fear. "Not the Star Wars thing?"

She grinned. "Not your secrets, Sam, just a woman thing."

"A woman thing I'm not allowed to know?"

"You already know it. How something small and satiny can be more effective than being naked."

"Oh." he said, "Would you really call that a secret?"

"It was to her, apparently. Dean does like that stuff, right?"

"Dean loves it. So, did you … ?"

"You'll find out tonight."

"Sounds hopeful."

"And for daytime wear, I got some things I think you'll like. Hunter gear is great, but I like to dress up sometimes."

"Great, but don't say you're pretending to be human."

"It's not a self-esteem thing, Sam. It's for her. I don't want her to feel like she's alone and hunters never are like other women, are we?"

"She's not pretending either." he said, "She's as human as any of us."

"That kind of thinking is why I love you." said Eileen, "Do you know how it went with Dean and your dad?"

"He says it went okay." he said. It was accurate and he knew she understood that it didn't necessarily mean it had gone well. He had no doubt that John had been pleased by the news and that he had sincerely congratulated Dean, but things were never that simple. John didn't need to express doubts to awaken them in his number one son and even before talking to his father, Dean was harbouring plenty of doubts of his own.

"You need pizza." she said.

He stood and she took his arm.

In the kitchen, Jules and Anael were opening pizza boxes. He was surprised Dean hadn't already been attracted by the smell. He swore Dean could sense pizza from a county away.

Anael saw him and said, "Dean isn't with you?"

"He will be as soon as he knows there's food." he said.

"But he's okay?"

"Yeah. Mom and Dad are happy about you two."

"Good. I know if they hated the idea, it would be hard for him to choose me."

"No, you're wrong about that."

"I've been telling her that," said Eileen, "But she won't believe me."

"Cas went to check on him some time ago." said Jules. The fact that Dean didn't send him back here suggests things are okay."

"I hope so." said Anael.

"Ill get Cas to bring him here.." Sam suggested.

"For the food," said Anael, "Not for me. Don't make Cas think it'sa competition."

"He's honestly fine about you two now." said Jules.

"He's overprotective, that's all." said Sam, "It's a common failing in our family."

"Overcompensating for the lack of protection you had as kids." said Eileen.

"Actually, Dad was overprotective too. That's why he lost his mind when I said I was going to college. We're basically a messed up family and all three of you girls are crazy for wanting to get mixed up with us."

"Lucky for you, you're gorgeous and I'm shallow." said Eileen.

"Do you really think I'm crazy?" said Anael.

"No!" he said quickly "It was a joke. No, there is nothing crazy about loving my brother."

"I know I do." Said Eileen.

""Me too." said Jules.

"Hey, don't confuse Anael." he said.

"No, it's fine," said Anael, "I can tell when they're joking."

"Oh. Good." said Sam. There were times when the Sisterhood of the Bunker was alarmingly intense, but he suspected the ladies felt the same about their brotherhood. He decided to avoid further discussion. Taking a slow breath, he prayed aloud, "Cas, there's pizza in the kitchhen. You and Dean should get here before we eat it all."

A minute or so later, Cas and Dean came into the kitchen. "Why didn't you use the mind link?" said Cas.

"I wasn't sure you two weren't using it and I didn't want to intrude." he said.

"We're not doing much of that, these days." said Cas. Sam wasn't sure whether there was a reproach in that for Dean and judging by Dean's expression, he wasn't either.

Dean took a slice of pizza and smiled at Anael. "Good trip?" he said.

"Very good." said Anael, "I have something to show you later."

"You could show me now." said Dean.

"Not appropriate." said Anael.

"Oh, I see." he said.

Sam hid his smile by obscuring it with his pizza. Eileen had been wise to encourage a satiny purchase. Den would appreciate the Hell out of it once they were alone.

He noticed that Anael didn't attempt to discuss John with Dean. She may not be an expert on humans, but she was becoming good at understanding Dean. Cas had probably made tentative investigation of how it had gone, but he too had been wise enough to do it away from witnesses. He saw that Dean didn't offer any information either.

Eileen opened a bag and took out a smart blue jacket. "I got this." she said, "It's for when I have to pretend to be FBI or normal."

"Hey, you're the most normal person I know." Dean protested.

"That says more about you than me." she said.

"Yeah, probably." he agreed.

"It's great." said Sam, "I like it."

"Got some shoes too." she said, "Anael thought I should."

"Always get more shoes than you think you need." said Anael.

"I'd show you, but I need to eat my pizza." said Eileen, "Greasy fingers."

"Yeah," said Sam, "You brought us food. Only fair you get your share."

For a while, they all feasted on the pizza, then Anael said to Cas, "I know how I like my coffee now, strong, with cream and sugar, but I also love caramel lattes. I like pizza too. I like the ones with mushrooms" She said it as if she had something to prove and he thought it was aimed as much at Dean as Cas. Angels annoyed him with their lack of preferences and she was eager to be seen as anything but an annoying angel.

Maybe Dean was aware of that. He nodded and said, "We're so compatible."

If angels could blush, she would have. That small, insignificant comment had pleased her. It was supposed to, he knew. Having apparently stopped trying to talk her and himself out of pursuing the relationship, Dean was now making a real effort to show her some real affection.

Expressing his feelings, especially those feelings, did not come easily to him, but that he was willing to try would mean a lot to her. It meant a lot to Sam. He had given Dean a hard time for being over-invested in Castiel's relationship, now he was just as bad over Dean's, but it was important.

He couldn't fully enjoy his own connubial bliss if Dean had to live a lonely life alongside them. He never showed any envy of them, but Dean never showed most of what he felt and the loneliness had been etched onto his face for years. Now, suddenly, it was far less obvious. He was genuinely happy a lot of the time. That had to continue.

"Do we need to save some for Charlie?" said Anael.

"No," said Sam, "Charlie has a date."

"Dates are good things to have." said Anael.

"You really liked the zoo, didn't you?" said Dean.

"I've loved all our dates." she said.

"We've only had one."

"Eileen said men don't count very well." she said.

Dean shot Eileen a look and she disarmed him with a sudden smile. Eileen was good at that. "I'm teaching her what she needs to know." she said, "Being a woman is hard, even for those of us who went through the full apprenticeship."

Dean seemed placated. "Well, with you, Jules and Charlie to teach her, she'll be in good hands."

"And Sarah." said Anael.

"And Sarah." he said.

She chuckled and said, "But I'm in good hands every night. Excellent hands. Talented hands."

Dean could blush and he did. He met Sam's amused gaze and then avoided further eye contact. "I do my best." he said to Anael.