Requiem for Snow
Title: Requiem For Snow
Rating: PG-13
Characters: Michael!Dean, Sam, Castiel, Melpomene, Gabriel, Mnemosyne, Heather Nate, Bobby, Morpheus
Notes: This story follows canon up to Changing Channels - sort of - and borrows chunks of the rest of Season Five completely at random. This story has no beta. I also apologize for taking over a year to update this story. Life and other plot bunnies attacked.
Trailer 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8LXZM9nRC4
Trailer 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wijPDaRc9iA
Trailer 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eR1JNDxstk
Warnings:Mild violence, language, complete disregard for Mythological Canon
Summary: The January before he went to Hell, Dean and his brother Sam faced the Last Calusa in Key West, Florida. Following the defeat of this ancient curse, the brothers left, barreling straight into their destiny and the inevitable showdown against Lilith and her minions. But what they assumed was just another hunt was actually a key part in the plans of the Apocalypse. A plan not laid by the powers below, but by the ones up above.
The train was blessedly empty for a Saturday. Noah couldn't even think about sleeping, as tired as he was. The idea of putting as much distance between him and Bethel was the only thing he could think about. Next to him, James Novak was eating what had to be his fourth sandwich. Not that Noah blamed him. The man said his last knowledge of there being food in his system was Valentine's Day. Noah was just glad that James was remembering to chew. He leaned back in his seat, rubbing his eyes before opening the bottle of Mountain Dew he'd picked up at the store when they purchased the sandwiches and took a long swing. The rush of sugar helped more than the caffeine.
Their injuries were all minor; scrapes, bruises and a twisted knee. The two of them had gotten straightened up at a Minute Clinic at a CVS Pharmacy in Woodstock. James was more hungry than hurt, and after a visit to Wal-Mart and returning to Noah's hotel to pick up his things, and put the sandwiches together. Now they were on their way back to Potomac. He wasn't sure how exactly the angel had done it, but James after they'd gotten over the shock of what happened in the field and gotten cleaned up, something in the man's mind came into focus and he knew exactly of the connection the two of them already had.
Noah was rather glad, because he had no idea how James would find his way home otherwise. After being possessed by an angel for nearly two years, the man wasn't exactly thinking straight. Noah felt he could help his cousin more if he was on familiar ground; and New York State was definitely unfamiliar.
“You know you're hungry when this Iron Kid's Bread tastes good.” James said, adjusting his seat and setting the sandwich half down on the tray table. “Or perhaps it's the bologna and cheese singles.”
Noah took another swig of soda. “I imagine if you're hungry enough, just about anything would taste good.”
“True.” He opened his own drink and took a large gulp. “I think you were smart in telling me to the get the Dr. Pepper. Pepsi would have been too sweet.” He glanced at him. “Although the police station coffee was good too.”
“It was pretty good.” Noah gave him a rueful smile. “Reminds me of the coffee at the department when Alice makes it.”
“What does she teach?” James asked, picking at the sandwich slice. “You still haven't told me what you teach either.”
He screwed the cap back on his bottle of soda. “I teach multivariate calculus, probability and statistics and concepts.”
“Math concepts?” He frowned, his Dr. Pepper halfway to his mouth. “Is that just a basic math class?”
“More or less. It's the easiest math class you can take at Georgetown and it's the one most students take for their general education requirement.” He smirked. “I use it as a learning tool to find out what states are actually teaching kids any form of math these days.”
James chuckled. “And Alice?”
“Alice teaches a concepts class, just like almost all of the department, but she also teaches number theory and history of mathematics.” He held up a hand. “Which is actually pretty amazing. She always has at least four history majors or minors showing up in that class every time it's offered.” He grinned. “She also makes coffee that could double for rocket fuel.”
He smiled ruefully. “So in other words, it's real coffee.”
“Exactly.” Noah shook his head. “I always have a few ambitious students try to take probs and stats for their gen ed, I think it's some sort of bragging rite half the time, like taking two languages in high school.”
James nodded. “I have no idea what I'm going to do now. I seriously doubt my job is still open back in Pontiac.” He tensed up. “I know that Claire was someplace safe, but I have no idea where she is now.”
“Are you sure you don't want to call whoever it was who you went to Bethel with? Sam Winchester, or something?” Noah frowned as he took a drink of soda.
“I would, but the cell that was in my pocket was destroyed.” He winced and rolled his shoulder. “Is it me, or is this train moving slowly?”
“It's you.” He glanced out the window, counting for a moment. “We're going about sixty miles an hour.”
“Well, being possessed by an angel is like being hauled around by a comet.” He picked up his sandwich. “I'll call my aunt and uncle when we get to Maryland. I'll look up their number online.”
Noah took his phone out of his pocket and started punching buttons on it. “Don't need to wait to do that.” He scrolled through a few things. “Who are you looking for and where do they live?”
He put the food down. “Charles and Katherine Darrow - they live in Clayton, Missouri.”
**
Jo rubbed her face. “That's - I can't believe all that, Sam.”
“I know.” He shook his head. “It's hard to take in all at once, and I'm sorry.” He'd been against telling his friend everything that happened since he last saw her, but Jo insisted. In a way, it sort of felt good. Sam couldn't explain it, but by venting on all the more-than-normal insane hunting incidents, Michael possessing Heather, and Team Humanity's plan, it was as if a great weight was lifted off of his shoulders.
“Do you know where Dean is?” She shifted in her seat, huddling in the sweatshirt of Sam's that she was using for a coat.
Sam turned the heat up. “No. I imagine that if things went the way they were supposed to, which I suspect they did because Lucifer hasn't shown up, Michael will probably drop him off back in Sioux Falls before too long.”
“Your brother is crazy.” She leaned back. “After he swore he wouldn't say yes to that archangel.”
“I think it was parental instinct.” He sighed. “That's what I keep telling myself anyway.”
“Heather's another matter entirely.” She retorted, flatly.
“I think Heather likes living.” Was his short reply. “It was be possessed or freeze to death. And don't bring her blind faith into this. She grew up in a completely different environment than either of us.” San couldn't believe he was defending the girl over actions that still pissed him off. “And seriously, her blind faith in an angel isn't all that much different than the blind faith Dean used to have in our dad.”
Jo opened her mouth to speak and then her expression changed. “Well, she is also only thirteen.” She coughed as they went across the state line from Ohio into Indiana. “I hope the rest of the girls are safe.”
“Me too.” He gave an errant chuckle. “At least you don't have to explain to authorities where the hell you've been for the past three months.”
“No kidding.” She hugged herself. “Olga seemed to be doing fine when we left.”
“I think knowing that she's safe was her biggest factor in remaining calm.” He grimaced. “You hungry?”
“I could eat, yeah.” She stretched. “I say we get drive-thru just so your brother can find his car smelling of onions whenever he gets back.”
Sam laughed. “Glad to hear you still have a sense of humor, Jo.”
“I try.” She stretched and pulled back the sleeves of the hoodie. “And also, for the record, you are a Sasquatch.”
He snorted. “You're only saying that because you're a foot shorter than I am.” He paused. “Wait, that means Heather's taller than you now.”
“Oh, great.” Her voice was dripping with sarcasm. “Can we not talk about her?”
“Sure.” He kept his frown to himself. It was weird, the way Jo was talking about Heather. The two barely knew each other, and yet, it sounded like Jo absolutely hated her. Sure, he was still mad at the girl, but he didn't hate her. He decided he would just shrug it off, figuring that Jo was still in shock. “Burgers and fries then?”
“Absolutely.” She tucked her hair behind her ear. “You still want to drive straight through?”
“Only if you have no objections to taking the wheel once we get to Illinois so I can sleep.” He replied, smiling again. It'd be good to get back to South Dakota.
“Not a problem. I slept for an entire month in a warehouse.” She made a face. “Okay, that sounds fucked up.”
“Well, it's okay.” He didn't want to mention Heather and her lack of sleeping. “Besides, it'll freak Dean out all the more when he gets back.”
*
“Are you Castiel?” The voice was thickly accented and the angel couldn't place it. He had to lie there for a moment, trying to process what was going on and where he was. He remembered the portals opening and the valley filling with light. He then remembered being pulled out of Jimmy's body - and then, blackness. “Are you Castiel?” The voice repeated itself.
Castiel opened his eyes and blinked a few times. Standing over him was one of the last beings he ever expected to encounter. It was a pagan, half-dressed in silver colored armor, staring at him with very blue eyes. He cleared his throat, trying to place the man and then it came to him. It was Thor - the Norse god who went missing over a century ago. A second glance revealed Mjolnir was hanging from the pagan's belt. “Yes, I am Castiel.” He moved to sit up, surprised when the man offered him an arm to help. Once he was on his feet, he nodded. “Thank you.”
“You're welcome.” He smiled broadly. “Arael said you would be joining me some day. Although how long it has been, I do not know.”
“Arael?” Castiel stared at him. “Arael is nothing more than an angelic legend.”
Thor laughed. “Some might say that I am no more than a legend, yet, here I stand.”
“Is this Elysium then?” He frowned, taking in the room he was in. It wasn't large, the walls the color of butter and the floor was a deep mahogany. There were two sets of double doors, at opposite ends of the room. The nearer ones were open, offering a glimpse of a verandah and then, a green lawn. The only decoration in the room was a large rug, done in reds, blues and greens.
“That it is.” Thor stepped closer to him and adjusted the collar of the shirt he was wearing. “There, that's better.”
Castiel frowned and looked down at his attire. He was also half-dressed in armor, like his companion. Whereas Thor's tunic was a dove gray, his was ecru, but they were both trimmed in red. The tunic was unfamiliar, but the armor wasn't. It was his - his vambraces and greaves, as brightly polished as the last time he put them on - before the assault on Hell. “I do not understand what is going on... why am I here?”
Thor smiled, his face reminding the angel of an overeager puppy. “Surely you know that the only ones who come here are the ones meant to be here.”
“Yes, but that does not...” He stopped as the pagan held up his hand.
“If you are here, Castiel, it means that Arael sent you here. Granted, she should have told you more, but I am guessing there was not enough time.” The smile on his face not fading an iota.
The angel thought for a moment. Arael was an angelic legend, told to fledglings. She was supposed to be the sister of the four first angels - and, since she would bring the number of archangels to five, she was supposedly in the middle. The peacekeeper between the two sides. It was mainly a story to make young angels behave and get along with one another. If it had been Thor's voice who had come out of the portal, then Arael must have been there. “Mnemosyne. She's Arael.”
“That she is.” Thor chuckled. “I don't know who pulled off the better trick, her or Gabriel.”
Castiel shook his head. “You asked her if it was time. Time for what?”
“Time for it to end.” He sounded ashamed. “I do not know if I would be glad of it, or sorry to see the day come already.”
“Day?” Castiel was perplexed. “I am afraid I do not understand.”
“The Last Day.” There was a touch of hesitancy in his voice. “You really don't know why you are here?”
“No.” He put as much venom into the word as he could. “And why are you here? You're one...”
Thor held up his hand. “I am not like many of the others of my pantheon. So few of of us chose to transition onto an alternative method of surviving. My father and brother were fools to feed on humans. I knew it would run them afoul of a hunter eventually. They may not have been dead when I arrived here, but I did my grieving then, because I knew their time was running out.”
“Baldr and Odin were killed by Lucifer.” Castiel said without hesitancy.
He shook his head. “Like I have stated, Castiel, I have already mourned them. Perhaps someday I shall join them in Valhalla, if that is where they are, but I confess, once they turned humanity into prey, it was hard to watch them become monsters.” He smoothed back his hair. “Now you are here.”
“Are there other angels here?” He absently played with the strap holding one of his vambraces in place. “And how, exactly did...”
“I'll explain what I know in a moment. I must show you something first.” He headed for the pair of closed doors. “Did anyone mention that there was something in Elysium that Lucifer must not get?”
He thought for a moment. “One of the muses, I think it was Erato. What is it?”
Thor pulled the double doors open and Castiel could see it led into a well-lit room. They stepped through the doors - and Castiel felt his breath leave him. He had never seen such a massive enclosed space. He could not see the other end of it, nor any of the side walls. He went up to the ledge and looked down. His hand gripped the railing out of pure instinct, rather than actual fear. The floor was perhaps twelve feet down, but that was not what made him start.
The room was full of angels.
All of them were still, half kneeling, their heads down, wings curled in such a fashion Castiel felt they were only waiting the order to take to the sky. They all seemed to be listening to something, something he himself couldn't hear. A moment later, all of their heads came up, and they stood, the sound of their boots hitting the stone floor at the same time almost deafening. He became aware of Thor standing next to him - and as they watched, the angels turned and walked out of the room - and into some place out of sight. Not in the same precision in which they rested, but in a relaxed order. He could not make out conversations any more than he could make out details of each angel - but there were so many - more than Castiel could imagine being in one place.
It seemed to take hours for the room to empty.
When unseen doors slammed shut, Castiel turned around to see if the ones he had come through were still open. He was relieved to see they were, and that's when he noticed that carved above them was the number seven - in a dozen languages.
“I can see why Lucifer shouldn't get his hands on these angels, but...” He paused. Seven. “How many rooms are there like this, Thor?”
“Twelve. And the rooms grow to allow for more angels to join them.” He let out a breath. “This is the Army, Castiel.”
“I can see that it's an army...”
“No, it's the Army. The one that will be unleashed on the Final Day to clean out the earth, to save the unjustly damned from Hell, destroy the Fey, return Eve's children to purgatory, and send what is left to the Oblivion.” Thor stated it as plainly and as calmly as if he was pointing out that it was sunny.
Castiel collapsed to the floor and gaped up at him. “That... how...” He frowned. “And we're here because?”
“The Army needs generals, Castiel. Those that are sent here by Arael are the ones chosen. Hades is here as well.” He sat down on the floor with him. “I know, it's a lot to take in.”
“Where... where did they all come from?” If he just knew that, he could work on accepting the rest.
“They were human once - these are the children of mankind who never drew breath. Those who died at birth and died in the womb.” His face grew sad. “Have you never wondered where the babies were in Heaven?”
“I did.” Castiel took a breath. “Is there some place where we can have a drink?”
Thor stood, smiled and hauled him to his feet. “Certainly. For now, I think some rest and relaxation are just what you need.”
The two of them headed out of the massive room and into the other, the doors shutting on their own behind them.
**
The gravel crunched under Dean's boots as he walked through the salvage yard. Michael had left him near the train tracks, in the place where he was guessing Heather landed a few weeks ago. He had a feeling she'd waded through snow to get to the road. He, on the other hand, walked through mud and patchy snow to clean said mud off. His mind was still trying to process all that happened in the field. He wasn't even sure what to feel.
Castiel had been drawn into Elysium a second after Lucifer fell back into Hell.
Dean would have liked to have said good-bye. No, he should have been able to do it. To at least explain why he did what he did. To... oh, he didn't know. Making Castiel understand probably would have taken more time than he had left in his life. But there should have been time to say good bye, to talk about things, to apologize, to do - oh, he didn't know, something. It would have been nice if Michael had hung around to make sure Noah and Jimmy were okay, but apparently, with Lucifer back in his cage, there were more pressing matters to attend to. He'd have called when he landed, but his phone was nothing more than a chunk of melted plastic and circuits, destroyed sometime between the beginning of the month and now.
He stepped onto the porch, smiling at the familiar groan of wood. It was good to be back here. Dean paused and looked around the salvage yard, smiling. The piles of cars, the cottonwood that he and Sammy used to climb when they were little, it was all - it was a hunter's postcard, or something. This was the safe haven he'd always looked forward to visiting. He knocked on the door, hoping that Bobby and Heather were here. He knew that Sam wasn't, the Impala was gone. It was hard to know which one of Bobby's cars was currently working. A face appeared in the glass, and a moment later, the door opened.
“Dean.” Heather's voice was almost inaudible.
“Hey, Gosalyn.” He stepped forward and pulled her into a hug. “It's over.”
She returned the hug, and he could feel her sigh. “You okay, Darkwing?”
“Yeah.” He winced. “When does the motion problem stop?”
“Few weeks, at least when you're walking. It's not so bad in a car.” She pulled back and held out a bottle of water to him.
“Seriously?” He smirked as he took it from her and he saw Bobby standing in the hallway. He chuckled and downed a large swallow of holy water. It was cool and almost calming. He kept a hold on the bottle as he stepped into the house. “Hey.” He grinned. “Am I in time for lunch?”
“Wipe your feet, you idjit.” Was Bobby's reply and he went into the other room.
Dean chuckled and did as he was told. When he took off his coat, however, he frowned as a shower of spent bullets fell from the space between the outer garment and his sweatshirt. “What the hell?” He looked up to see Heather giving him an amused look. “Did you have this happen?”
“Uh huh. I've got all mine in a mason jar.” She rubbed her nose. “I'm still working on figuring out what all kinds they are.” She went into the library.
“Damn.” He hung up his coat and a few more chunks of metal fell to the ground. “I wonder if Jimmy is going to have this happen as well.” He hung up his coat as Heather came back with a jar.
“Here.” She handed it to him. “What... who's Jimmy?”
“Jimmy Novak is the name of the man Castiel was possessing.” He bent down on the floor and started to gather the fallen bullets. A moment later, Heather was helping him. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” She shrugged. “Okay as far as I can be, I suppose.” Her face fell. “Wait, you said Castiel was possessing Jimmy?”
Dean nodded solemnly. “Cas... Cas was pulled to Elysium.”
“I'm sorry.” Heather hugged herself. “I mean...”
“It's not your fault.” He let out a sigh and quickly changed the subject. “Anything happen here? While I was gone?” He dropped a handful of metal into the jar.
“Have a new bus driver and I don't have to walk a half a mile to get on the bus anymore.” She shrugged. “Got my report card, all that typical seventh grade stuff.” She poured her handful of bullets into the jar and stood up. “Sam called. He and Jo should be here late tonight or early tomorrow morning.” She frowned. “Well, whatever you want to call three am.”
Dean chuckled, put the last of the bullets into the jar and rose. “Ungodly hour, how about that?” He set the jar on the hall table. He staggered a little and caught himself with his hand on the wall. “A few weeks on the walking, you said?”
“Yeah.” She gave him an understanding smile. “If you want, after lunch, we can go play tag, or something that would make you feel better.”
“You think that will work?” He smirked and they made their way through the library towards the kitchen.
“I've been using gym class as a method to get used to things. It's taken me this long to get back to sleeping more than three hours at night.” They went into the kitchen just as Bobby stirred something in the crock-pot that was giving off an amazing smell. “Which explains why I have a B in that class and not an A.”
Bobby snickered. “I think that teacher is pissed you didn't go out for the basketball team.”
“I was six inches shorter when the season started.” Heather snorted and went to the fridge and took out a bag of shredded cheese. “You like taco soup?”
“Don't think I've had it.” He drank another gulp of water. “Smells awesome.”
Heather put the shredded cheese on the table and went to the pantry to get something; corn chips would be Dean's guess. “Well, neither of us could sleep last night so we started looking up recipes.”
He looked from Bobby to her. “You two turn into the Bradys while I was gone?”
“Na.” Heather set a bag of Fritos on the table. “These are the Adventures of Whiskey and Foxface.”
“Foxface?” Dean took the bowls out of the cupboard. “Who calls you that?”
“The kids at school started calling me that.” She shrugged. “Of course, unlike the fictional character, I'd have the sense not to eat the berries.”
“Is this a book thing?” He set the bowls next to the crock-pot.
“Yeah, idjit.” Bobby started to fill the bowls. “You should read 'em too.”
“I'll put it on my list.” Dean set the spoons around on the table as Heather sat down.
“You have a reading list?” Heather gave him an incredulous look.
“Sure I do. I've just never read anything on it.” He took the bowls from Bobby.
“I find that shockingly easy to believe.” Heather opened up the bag of shredded cheese as Bobby sat down.
Bobby chuckled. “Eat your lunch, Heather. You can sass Dean after he's back to his usual surly self.”
***
Claire's aunt and uncle hadn't said a thing about the dog. She was under the impression that they were so glad she was safe and back with them, she could have shown up with a pack of goats and they wouldn't object. They were going to be spending a few days here in Virginia before returning to Missouri. The police kept asking her questions about how she survived the fire and she kept saying she didn't remember. Of course, she'd told the full story to her aunt and uncle, and she still wasn't sure if they believed her or not. They had believed her when she first told them about Castiel, so it was possible. She rubbed Knightly's head, tossing the remote to the TV aside.
“Nothing on, Claire?” Uncle Charles sat down on the other bed, grunting slightly.
“Not really.” She shifted to sit with her legs folded. “You okay?”
“I'm not as young as I used to be.” He rubbed his knee. “Don't you worry about me, Claire-Bear.” He chuckled. “That's your aunt's job.” He said as she came out of the bathroom, her hair still damp from her shower.
“Honestly, Charles...” She shook her head as her cell phone, which was sitting on the dresser, began to vibrate. She picked it up and answered it without looking at the caller ID. “Hello?”
“Aunt Kathy?”
Claire recognized the voice instantly and her eyes widened - and so did her aunt's. “That's...”
“Jimmy?” The woman's voice cracked. “What, how...” She fumbled with her phone until she had it on speaker.
“I'm all right, Aunt Kathy.” Claire's father let out a worn chuckle. “A few bruises and scrapes, but nothing major.”
“Dad?” Claire screeched. “Where are you?”
“Claire?” Her dad's voice became strained. “You're there too?”
“Yeah, I'm here...”
“Where are you?” Uncle Charles's voice was oddly calm.
“I'm in Potomac, Maryland. I'm at...” There was a pause. “I'm at a friend's house.”
Claire saw her aunt and uncle exchange glances and she spoke up again. “Where's Castiel?”
“He's gone.” Her father's voice sounded half sad, half relieved. She didn't know what to make of that.
“Potomac?” Her aunt cleared her throat. “You're in Potomac, Maryland?”
“Yes...” A pause. “Where are you?”
“Dad, we're in Arlington, Virginia - how close are you to there?” Claire was starting to think this was all an extremely vivid dream. She set a hand on Knightly's head as she heard her dad talk to someone and then spoke again.
“They're about twenty minutes apart - if the traffic is light.” There was a light chuckle in his voice. “It'd probably be better if I came to where you are, my friend, Noah - he knows the area.”
“Noah?” Uncle Charles spoke up. “I didn't know you knew someone by that name, James.”
There was a sound on the phone and then another man's voice was heard. “Hello?”
“Who is this?” Aunt Kathy asked.
“My name is Noah Levin, I'm a professor of mathematics at Georgetown University.” A pause. “And if you don't believe me, you can ask my parents, I can bring them with us.”
Claire let out a sharp gasp and covered her mouth as her aunt and uncle turned to stare at her. Noah Levin. The muses told her about him; and so did Castiel. She gave the two adults a sheepish look just as her father's voice cut through the silence.
“Do you remember who Noah is, Claire?” He sounded as nervous as she felt.
“Yes, dad.” She looked from her aunt to her uncle. “I'll try and explain it to Aunt Kathy and Uncle Charles, but if they don't believe me...”
“Where in Arlington are you?” Noah spoke again. “We can be there within the hour.”
*
Bobby's kitchen smelled faintly of lemon scented cleaner and gravy. It was an odd mixture in Sam's mind, and while he supposed it could be considered rather 'homey' this place didn't seem much like home anymore. Maybe it was the fact that it was clean, maybe it was the fact that too much had happened. Whatever it was, he couldn't place it and he couldn't bring himself to get used to it. “Castiel's gone then?” Sam frowned over his beer.
“Yeah.” Dean shook his head and sipped his own bottle of beer. “I'm trying not to think about it, honestly.” He looked Sam over. “Do you know what happened to the other girls?”
“No. I assume they all got out. The only body they found in the warehouse was the demon's.” He rubbed his forehead and then got up, going over to the fridge and taking out a container of leftover pasta. Food would help at this point. “You going to be okay?” He emptied some of the contents into a bowl and stuck it into the microwave. Sam wasn't sure what to make of how his brother was. Being possessed by an archangel - there had to be some sort of residue, or something.
“I'm okay, Sam.” He let out a breath. “Nothing feels off or wrong, if that's what you're wanting to know. Apart from the walking thing, I'm good.” He turned the jar of bullets over in his hands. “You seen Heather's jar?”
“Yeah. Although knowing her, she'll have figured out how to turn it into an art project before too long.” He took the hot bowl out of the microwave and grabbed a fork. “You want some?” He indicated the food.
“I'm good, Sammy.” Dean yawned. “I suppose the other good thing is, I don't remember much of what happened. I don't think Heather does either.”
“Have you talked with her much?” Sam sat back down and stirred the contents of his bowl before starting to eat it.
“A little.” He shook his head and took another drink of his beer. “I was thinking of leaving for Indiana in a few days. Go see Lisa and Ben.”
“That sounds like a plan.” He stabbed at his food. “Bobby says there's a few cars that are in decent condition if Jo and I want to leave. We just might leave together.” He realized how silly that sounded and saw his brother smile. “What?”
“You're more her type than I am.” He smirked. “I say go for it, Sammy.”
“I doubt we'll actually do it.” He ate a few mouthfuls of pasta. “I want to get some rest and I think Jo just wants to wander for a while.”
“Where would you go, Sammy?” Dean downed the last of his beer.
“As far away from monsters and hunting as I can get.” He stared at his brother. “Is that...”
“I think we've done more than our fair share of hunting.” He smiled. “I think it's time for the two of us to retire. And we can't retire here.”
**
Melpomene shifted in her seat at her mother's table, trying to do her best to pretend that the silence in the room wasn't deafening. Deep down, she hadn't expected their plan to work. There had been far to many variables and far to many risks; but yet, it had. She rested her head on her knees, looking across the table at Erato, who was focused on her hands, and then to her son Morpheus, who still looked pensive. Her mother was keeping her gaze into her mug of tea, as if it held all the answers they needed now. Clio rested her elbows on the table, her hands resting on the back of her neck and Urania was leaning on her hand, her gaze unfocused.
The sound of a door opening in the house caused them all to turn as Terpsichore came into the main room, looked around at all of them and promptly slumped in her chair. She looked as if she hadn't slept in forever and her hair was disheveled. “What day is it?”
“April second.” Clio replied, moving back to her earlier position. “Father lifted our travel ban, but everyone else is still under curfew.” She snorted. “Needless to say, our big brother isn't pleased with that.”
Urania made a noise of disgust. “As if he doesn't have enough things up here to have fun with.” She turned in her chair so she was facing the group. “Maman, are you certain we still can't go over there and forcibly drag our sisters here?”
Mnemosyne let out a resigned sigh. “I am certain, Annie. If such a thing were possible, I would have done it a long time ago.”
Melpomene moved in her seat as Morpheus leaned his head on her should and she hugged him lightly, not missing the look Terpsichore gave her. She rested her chin on his head and cleared her throat. “It's not entirely over. We still need to avoid the remnants of both the armies of Heaven and Hell.”
“I say we petition father to get us out of any deals Apollo makes with demons.” Clio sat up. “It's about time he did his own dirty work.” She snorted. “Or shit, let's just make a petition to stop helping demons period.”
Urania made a noise like a horse. “Anything like that has to be unanimous and the day Calliope agrees with us on something Apollo objects to, well...”
“She would if she knew...” Cori started to say before their mother interrupted.
“It can't be helped.” She shook her head. “Morpheus, are you feeling all right?”
Next his mother, the boy nodded and Melpomene tightened her hold on him. She knew what her sister was talking about.
“We should do something to get our minds of this.” Erato straightened up in her chair and looked around at their stunned faces. “I mean, we're getting to live. The world's not ending. Shouldn't we be, I don't know, happy about that?”
There was a round of chuckling before Melpomene answered her. “We should.” She gave her son a small smile as he sat up straight. “We might as well celebrate a little.”
“I say we play confessions.” Terpsichore sat up, grinning. “Clio, what's the big secret of Lost?”
The muse of history looked taken aback. “Why would I know that?” Her smile betrayed her attempt at cover.
“Because J.J. Abrams is one of your darlings.” Erato put in. “Fess up.”
Clio threw up her arms and grinned. “They're all in Purgatory and the polar bears are nothing but bullshit!”
“Oh that's brilliant!” Morpheus sat up, grinning. “Aunt Annie, who's River Song?”
The muse of astronomy beamed, as if she'd been longing to give the answer for ages. “Amy and Rory's daughter!” She threw up her arms. “And the Doctor's wife!” She rounded on Erato. “Vampires are almost done, what's the next big thing in romance?”
“Angels.” She rolled her eyes. “Duh.”
The muse of dance grinned and spoke up. “Penny, who's going to win the Game of Thrones?”
Melpomene folded her arms and smirked. “That's not been determined yet.”
“Either that or you're just not telling us.” Mnemosyne put in, grinning. The tension in the room had eased greatly. “Penny, Morpheus just reminded me of something - you said you met that Moffat fellow that Annie did. What on earth did you put into his head?”
“Oh, just a modern version of Sherlock Holmes.” She waved her hand dismissively. The less they talked about the events of the past few months, the better in her opinion. She didn't want to think about any of it right now. About angels, about demons, about the Winchesters, and much to her shame, about Heather. Heather would be fine, just as Nathan and Noah would be.
**
Heather hugged Dean tightly, trying not to think about the fact that he was leaving again. “Drive carefully.”
“I always do, Gosalyn.” He hugged her and pulled back. “And we'll all be back here for the Fourth of July.” He tapped his fingers on the trunk of the Impala. “I've left most of the weapons here with Bobby. They're safer here than they are with me. Don't let anyone steal the Colt and don't do any freelance target practice. At least, not until you take a gun safety course.”
“Already signed up for it.” Heather grinned. “It starts next Saturday.”
Dean chuckled. “Now, I don't think I need to tell you to behave yourself and all that nonsense, right?”
“Right.” She shouldered her backpack. “Do you know where Sam and Jo went?”
His expression changed, ever so slightly. “I think they went South.” He pulled a smile. “Don't worry, they can take care of themselves.”
“Right.” She gave him an identical smile and turned as she heard the bus approaching. “I better hurry.”
He gave her another quick hug. “Be good.”
“You too.” She waved and ran for the road, arriving there just as bus came within sight. When it stopped, she got on and glanced back once at Dean, standing next to the Impala, talking on his phone. Most likely to Sam. She went and sat down in her usual seat on the bus, her head against the window.
The snow was almost completely melted, turning what had been fields of white into fields of mud. It was as if Mother Nature suddenly remembered that it was springtime in South Dakota, and green overtook winter brown. Crocuses and daffodils appeared almost overnight and the bitter wind slowly began to warm. She was even starting to think about summer, despite the fact that it was only April. Due to the number of snow days the school had taken (a grand total of twenty-two of them) she wouldn't be done with the year until June tenth. She wouldn't have cared if school had gone on to the twenty-fourth. She was just happy that there was a school year to finish and a summer to look forward to.
Of course, the only other person in her class who knew just how lucky all of them were was Nate. However, his mind had turned to soccer, and was taking out his stress on the field and spending time with his friends.
Heather hadn't really had any inclination to make any friends with her classmates. After what happened back in November, she was far to wary of doing so. Even though she knew very well that she didn't have to worry about some demon sacrificing her to raise Famine, she just wasn't ready to make that leap any time soon.
The bus turned around on side road and headed back the way it had come from. When she looked out the window, she saw the Impala leave the drive and head in the opposite direction.
Heather had an uneasy feeling that she wouldn't be seeing it again for a long time.
Epilogue
Rating: PG-13
Characters: Michael!Dean, Sam, Castiel, Melpomene, Gabriel, Mnemosyne, Heather Nate, Bobby, Morpheus
Notes: This story follows canon up to Changing Channels - sort of - and borrows chunks of the rest of Season Five completely at random. This story has no beta. I also apologize for taking over a year to update this story. Life and other plot bunnies attacked.
Trailer 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8LXZM9nRC4
Trailer 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wijPDaRc9iA
Trailer 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eR1JNDxstk
Warnings:Mild violence, language, complete disregard for Mythological Canon
Summary: The January before he went to Hell, Dean and his brother Sam faced the Last Calusa in Key West, Florida. Following the defeat of this ancient curse, the brothers left, barreling straight into their destiny and the inevitable showdown against Lilith and her minions. But what they assumed was just another hunt was actually a key part in the plans of the Apocalypse. A plan not laid by the powers below, but by the ones up above.
The train was blessedly empty for a Saturday. Noah couldn't even think about sleeping, as tired as he was. The idea of putting as much distance between him and Bethel was the only thing he could think about. Next to him, James Novak was eating what had to be his fourth sandwich. Not that Noah blamed him. The man said his last knowledge of there being food in his system was Valentine's Day. Noah was just glad that James was remembering to chew. He leaned back in his seat, rubbing his eyes before opening the bottle of Mountain Dew he'd picked up at the store when they purchased the sandwiches and took a long swing. The rush of sugar helped more than the caffeine.
Their injuries were all minor; scrapes, bruises and a twisted knee. The two of them had gotten straightened up at a Minute Clinic at a CVS Pharmacy in Woodstock. James was more hungry than hurt, and after a visit to Wal-Mart and returning to Noah's hotel to pick up his things, and put the sandwiches together. Now they were on their way back to Potomac. He wasn't sure how exactly the angel had done it, but James after they'd gotten over the shock of what happened in the field and gotten cleaned up, something in the man's mind came into focus and he knew exactly of the connection the two of them already had.
Noah was rather glad, because he had no idea how James would find his way home otherwise. After being possessed by an angel for nearly two years, the man wasn't exactly thinking straight. Noah felt he could help his cousin more if he was on familiar ground; and New York State was definitely unfamiliar.
“You know you're hungry when this Iron Kid's Bread tastes good.” James said, adjusting his seat and setting the sandwich half down on the tray table. “Or perhaps it's the bologna and cheese singles.”
Noah took another swig of soda. “I imagine if you're hungry enough, just about anything would taste good.”
“True.” He opened his own drink and took a large gulp. “I think you were smart in telling me to the get the Dr. Pepper. Pepsi would have been too sweet.” He glanced at him. “Although the police station coffee was good too.”
“It was pretty good.” Noah gave him a rueful smile. “Reminds me of the coffee at the department when Alice makes it.”
“What does she teach?” James asked, picking at the sandwich slice. “You still haven't told me what you teach either.”
He screwed the cap back on his bottle of soda. “I teach multivariate calculus, probability and statistics and concepts.”
“Math concepts?” He frowned, his Dr. Pepper halfway to his mouth. “Is that just a basic math class?”
“More or less. It's the easiest math class you can take at Georgetown and it's the one most students take for their general education requirement.” He smirked. “I use it as a learning tool to find out what states are actually teaching kids any form of math these days.”
James chuckled. “And Alice?”
“Alice teaches a concepts class, just like almost all of the department, but she also teaches number theory and history of mathematics.” He held up a hand. “Which is actually pretty amazing. She always has at least four history majors or minors showing up in that class every time it's offered.” He grinned. “She also makes coffee that could double for rocket fuel.”
He smiled ruefully. “So in other words, it's real coffee.”
“Exactly.” Noah shook his head. “I always have a few ambitious students try to take probs and stats for their gen ed, I think it's some sort of bragging rite half the time, like taking two languages in high school.”
James nodded. “I have no idea what I'm going to do now. I seriously doubt my job is still open back in Pontiac.” He tensed up. “I know that Claire was someplace safe, but I have no idea where she is now.”
“Are you sure you don't want to call whoever it was who you went to Bethel with? Sam Winchester, or something?” Noah frowned as he took a drink of soda.
“I would, but the cell that was in my pocket was destroyed.” He winced and rolled his shoulder. “Is it me, or is this train moving slowly?”
“It's you.” He glanced out the window, counting for a moment. “We're going about sixty miles an hour.”
“Well, being possessed by an angel is like being hauled around by a comet.” He picked up his sandwich. “I'll call my aunt and uncle when we get to Maryland. I'll look up their number online.”
Noah took his phone out of his pocket and started punching buttons on it. “Don't need to wait to do that.” He scrolled through a few things. “Who are you looking for and where do they live?”
He put the food down. “Charles and Katherine Darrow - they live in Clayton, Missouri.”
**
Jo rubbed her face. “That's - I can't believe all that, Sam.”
“I know.” He shook his head. “It's hard to take in all at once, and I'm sorry.” He'd been against telling his friend everything that happened since he last saw her, but Jo insisted. In a way, it sort of felt good. Sam couldn't explain it, but by venting on all the more-than-normal insane hunting incidents, Michael possessing Heather, and Team Humanity's plan, it was as if a great weight was lifted off of his shoulders.
“Do you know where Dean is?” She shifted in her seat, huddling in the sweatshirt of Sam's that she was using for a coat.
Sam turned the heat up. “No. I imagine that if things went the way they were supposed to, which I suspect they did because Lucifer hasn't shown up, Michael will probably drop him off back in Sioux Falls before too long.”
“Your brother is crazy.” She leaned back. “After he swore he wouldn't say yes to that archangel.”
“I think it was parental instinct.” He sighed. “That's what I keep telling myself anyway.”
“Heather's another matter entirely.” She retorted, flatly.
“I think Heather likes living.” Was his short reply. “It was be possessed or freeze to death. And don't bring her blind faith into this. She grew up in a completely different environment than either of us.” San couldn't believe he was defending the girl over actions that still pissed him off. “And seriously, her blind faith in an angel isn't all that much different than the blind faith Dean used to have in our dad.”
Jo opened her mouth to speak and then her expression changed. “Well, she is also only thirteen.” She coughed as they went across the state line from Ohio into Indiana. “I hope the rest of the girls are safe.”
“Me too.” He gave an errant chuckle. “At least you don't have to explain to authorities where the hell you've been for the past three months.”
“No kidding.” She hugged herself. “Olga seemed to be doing fine when we left.”
“I think knowing that she's safe was her biggest factor in remaining calm.” He grimaced. “You hungry?”
“I could eat, yeah.” She stretched. “I say we get drive-thru just so your brother can find his car smelling of onions whenever he gets back.”
Sam laughed. “Glad to hear you still have a sense of humor, Jo.”
“I try.” She stretched and pulled back the sleeves of the hoodie. “And also, for the record, you are a Sasquatch.”
He snorted. “You're only saying that because you're a foot shorter than I am.” He paused. “Wait, that means Heather's taller than you now.”
“Oh, great.” Her voice was dripping with sarcasm. “Can we not talk about her?”
“Sure.” He kept his frown to himself. It was weird, the way Jo was talking about Heather. The two barely knew each other, and yet, it sounded like Jo absolutely hated her. Sure, he was still mad at the girl, but he didn't hate her. He decided he would just shrug it off, figuring that Jo was still in shock. “Burgers and fries then?”
“Absolutely.” She tucked her hair behind her ear. “You still want to drive straight through?”
“Only if you have no objections to taking the wheel once we get to Illinois so I can sleep.” He replied, smiling again. It'd be good to get back to South Dakota.
“Not a problem. I slept for an entire month in a warehouse.” She made a face. “Okay, that sounds fucked up.”
“Well, it's okay.” He didn't want to mention Heather and her lack of sleeping. “Besides, it'll freak Dean out all the more when he gets back.”
*
“Are you Castiel?” The voice was thickly accented and the angel couldn't place it. He had to lie there for a moment, trying to process what was going on and where he was. He remembered the portals opening and the valley filling with light. He then remembered being pulled out of Jimmy's body - and then, blackness. “Are you Castiel?” The voice repeated itself.
Castiel opened his eyes and blinked a few times. Standing over him was one of the last beings he ever expected to encounter. It was a pagan, half-dressed in silver colored armor, staring at him with very blue eyes. He cleared his throat, trying to place the man and then it came to him. It was Thor - the Norse god who went missing over a century ago. A second glance revealed Mjolnir was hanging from the pagan's belt. “Yes, I am Castiel.” He moved to sit up, surprised when the man offered him an arm to help. Once he was on his feet, he nodded. “Thank you.”
“You're welcome.” He smiled broadly. “Arael said you would be joining me some day. Although how long it has been, I do not know.”
“Arael?” Castiel stared at him. “Arael is nothing more than an angelic legend.”
Thor laughed. “Some might say that I am no more than a legend, yet, here I stand.”
“Is this Elysium then?” He frowned, taking in the room he was in. It wasn't large, the walls the color of butter and the floor was a deep mahogany. There were two sets of double doors, at opposite ends of the room. The nearer ones were open, offering a glimpse of a verandah and then, a green lawn. The only decoration in the room was a large rug, done in reds, blues and greens.
“That it is.” Thor stepped closer to him and adjusted the collar of the shirt he was wearing. “There, that's better.”
Castiel frowned and looked down at his attire. He was also half-dressed in armor, like his companion. Whereas Thor's tunic was a dove gray, his was ecru, but they were both trimmed in red. The tunic was unfamiliar, but the armor wasn't. It was his - his vambraces and greaves, as brightly polished as the last time he put them on - before the assault on Hell. “I do not understand what is going on... why am I here?”
Thor smiled, his face reminding the angel of an overeager puppy. “Surely you know that the only ones who come here are the ones meant to be here.”
“Yes, but that does not...” He stopped as the pagan held up his hand.
“If you are here, Castiel, it means that Arael sent you here. Granted, she should have told you more, but I am guessing there was not enough time.” The smile on his face not fading an iota.
The angel thought for a moment. Arael was an angelic legend, told to fledglings. She was supposed to be the sister of the four first angels - and, since she would bring the number of archangels to five, she was supposedly in the middle. The peacekeeper between the two sides. It was mainly a story to make young angels behave and get along with one another. If it had been Thor's voice who had come out of the portal, then Arael must have been there. “Mnemosyne. She's Arael.”
“That she is.” Thor chuckled. “I don't know who pulled off the better trick, her or Gabriel.”
Castiel shook his head. “You asked her if it was time. Time for what?”
“Time for it to end.” He sounded ashamed. “I do not know if I would be glad of it, or sorry to see the day come already.”
“Day?” Castiel was perplexed. “I am afraid I do not understand.”
“The Last Day.” There was a touch of hesitancy in his voice. “You really don't know why you are here?”
“No.” He put as much venom into the word as he could. “And why are you here? You're one...”
Thor held up his hand. “I am not like many of the others of my pantheon. So few of of us chose to transition onto an alternative method of surviving. My father and brother were fools to feed on humans. I knew it would run them afoul of a hunter eventually. They may not have been dead when I arrived here, but I did my grieving then, because I knew their time was running out.”
“Baldr and Odin were killed by Lucifer.” Castiel said without hesitancy.
He shook his head. “Like I have stated, Castiel, I have already mourned them. Perhaps someday I shall join them in Valhalla, if that is where they are, but I confess, once they turned humanity into prey, it was hard to watch them become monsters.” He smoothed back his hair. “Now you are here.”
“Are there other angels here?” He absently played with the strap holding one of his vambraces in place. “And how, exactly did...”
“I'll explain what I know in a moment. I must show you something first.” He headed for the pair of closed doors. “Did anyone mention that there was something in Elysium that Lucifer must not get?”
He thought for a moment. “One of the muses, I think it was Erato. What is it?”
Thor pulled the double doors open and Castiel could see it led into a well-lit room. They stepped through the doors - and Castiel felt his breath leave him. He had never seen such a massive enclosed space. He could not see the other end of it, nor any of the side walls. He went up to the ledge and looked down. His hand gripped the railing out of pure instinct, rather than actual fear. The floor was perhaps twelve feet down, but that was not what made him start.
The room was full of angels.
All of them were still, half kneeling, their heads down, wings curled in such a fashion Castiel felt they were only waiting the order to take to the sky. They all seemed to be listening to something, something he himself couldn't hear. A moment later, all of their heads came up, and they stood, the sound of their boots hitting the stone floor at the same time almost deafening. He became aware of Thor standing next to him - and as they watched, the angels turned and walked out of the room - and into some place out of sight. Not in the same precision in which they rested, but in a relaxed order. He could not make out conversations any more than he could make out details of each angel - but there were so many - more than Castiel could imagine being in one place.
It seemed to take hours for the room to empty.
When unseen doors slammed shut, Castiel turned around to see if the ones he had come through were still open. He was relieved to see they were, and that's when he noticed that carved above them was the number seven - in a dozen languages.
“I can see why Lucifer shouldn't get his hands on these angels, but...” He paused. Seven. “How many rooms are there like this, Thor?”
“Twelve. And the rooms grow to allow for more angels to join them.” He let out a breath. “This is the Army, Castiel.”
“I can see that it's an army...”
“No, it's the Army. The one that will be unleashed on the Final Day to clean out the earth, to save the unjustly damned from Hell, destroy the Fey, return Eve's children to purgatory, and send what is left to the Oblivion.” Thor stated it as plainly and as calmly as if he was pointing out that it was sunny.
Castiel collapsed to the floor and gaped up at him. “That... how...” He frowned. “And we're here because?”
“The Army needs generals, Castiel. Those that are sent here by Arael are the ones chosen. Hades is here as well.” He sat down on the floor with him. “I know, it's a lot to take in.”
“Where... where did they all come from?” If he just knew that, he could work on accepting the rest.
“They were human once - these are the children of mankind who never drew breath. Those who died at birth and died in the womb.” His face grew sad. “Have you never wondered where the babies were in Heaven?”
“I did.” Castiel took a breath. “Is there some place where we can have a drink?”
Thor stood, smiled and hauled him to his feet. “Certainly. For now, I think some rest and relaxation are just what you need.”
The two of them headed out of the massive room and into the other, the doors shutting on their own behind them.
**
The gravel crunched under Dean's boots as he walked through the salvage yard. Michael had left him near the train tracks, in the place where he was guessing Heather landed a few weeks ago. He had a feeling she'd waded through snow to get to the road. He, on the other hand, walked through mud and patchy snow to clean said mud off. His mind was still trying to process all that happened in the field. He wasn't even sure what to feel.
Castiel had been drawn into Elysium a second after Lucifer fell back into Hell.
Dean would have liked to have said good-bye. No, he should have been able to do it. To at least explain why he did what he did. To... oh, he didn't know. Making Castiel understand probably would have taken more time than he had left in his life. But there should have been time to say good bye, to talk about things, to apologize, to do - oh, he didn't know, something. It would have been nice if Michael had hung around to make sure Noah and Jimmy were okay, but apparently, with Lucifer back in his cage, there were more pressing matters to attend to. He'd have called when he landed, but his phone was nothing more than a chunk of melted plastic and circuits, destroyed sometime between the beginning of the month and now.
He stepped onto the porch, smiling at the familiar groan of wood. It was good to be back here. Dean paused and looked around the salvage yard, smiling. The piles of cars, the cottonwood that he and Sammy used to climb when they were little, it was all - it was a hunter's postcard, or something. This was the safe haven he'd always looked forward to visiting. He knocked on the door, hoping that Bobby and Heather were here. He knew that Sam wasn't, the Impala was gone. It was hard to know which one of Bobby's cars was currently working. A face appeared in the glass, and a moment later, the door opened.
“Dean.” Heather's voice was almost inaudible.
“Hey, Gosalyn.” He stepped forward and pulled her into a hug. “It's over.”
She returned the hug, and he could feel her sigh. “You okay, Darkwing?”
“Yeah.” He winced. “When does the motion problem stop?”
“Few weeks, at least when you're walking. It's not so bad in a car.” She pulled back and held out a bottle of water to him.
“Seriously?” He smirked as he took it from her and he saw Bobby standing in the hallway. He chuckled and downed a large swallow of holy water. It was cool and almost calming. He kept a hold on the bottle as he stepped into the house. “Hey.” He grinned. “Am I in time for lunch?”
“Wipe your feet, you idjit.” Was Bobby's reply and he went into the other room.
Dean chuckled and did as he was told. When he took off his coat, however, he frowned as a shower of spent bullets fell from the space between the outer garment and his sweatshirt. “What the hell?” He looked up to see Heather giving him an amused look. “Did you have this happen?”
“Uh huh. I've got all mine in a mason jar.” She rubbed her nose. “I'm still working on figuring out what all kinds they are.” She went into the library.
“Damn.” He hung up his coat and a few more chunks of metal fell to the ground. “I wonder if Jimmy is going to have this happen as well.” He hung up his coat as Heather came back with a jar.
“Here.” She handed it to him. “What... who's Jimmy?”
“Jimmy Novak is the name of the man Castiel was possessing.” He bent down on the floor and started to gather the fallen bullets. A moment later, Heather was helping him. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” She shrugged. “Okay as far as I can be, I suppose.” Her face fell. “Wait, you said Castiel was possessing Jimmy?”
Dean nodded solemnly. “Cas... Cas was pulled to Elysium.”
“I'm sorry.” Heather hugged herself. “I mean...”
“It's not your fault.” He let out a sigh and quickly changed the subject. “Anything happen here? While I was gone?” He dropped a handful of metal into the jar.
“Have a new bus driver and I don't have to walk a half a mile to get on the bus anymore.” She shrugged. “Got my report card, all that typical seventh grade stuff.” She poured her handful of bullets into the jar and stood up. “Sam called. He and Jo should be here late tonight or early tomorrow morning.” She frowned. “Well, whatever you want to call three am.”
Dean chuckled, put the last of the bullets into the jar and rose. “Ungodly hour, how about that?” He set the jar on the hall table. He staggered a little and caught himself with his hand on the wall. “A few weeks on the walking, you said?”
“Yeah.” She gave him an understanding smile. “If you want, after lunch, we can go play tag, or something that would make you feel better.”
“You think that will work?” He smirked and they made their way through the library towards the kitchen.
“I've been using gym class as a method to get used to things. It's taken me this long to get back to sleeping more than three hours at night.” They went into the kitchen just as Bobby stirred something in the crock-pot that was giving off an amazing smell. “Which explains why I have a B in that class and not an A.”
Bobby snickered. “I think that teacher is pissed you didn't go out for the basketball team.”
“I was six inches shorter when the season started.” Heather snorted and went to the fridge and took out a bag of shredded cheese. “You like taco soup?”
“Don't think I've had it.” He drank another gulp of water. “Smells awesome.”
Heather put the shredded cheese on the table and went to the pantry to get something; corn chips would be Dean's guess. “Well, neither of us could sleep last night so we started looking up recipes.”
He looked from Bobby to her. “You two turn into the Bradys while I was gone?”
“Na.” Heather set a bag of Fritos on the table. “These are the Adventures of Whiskey and Foxface.”
“Foxface?” Dean took the bowls out of the cupboard. “Who calls you that?”
“The kids at school started calling me that.” She shrugged. “Of course, unlike the fictional character, I'd have the sense not to eat the berries.”
“Is this a book thing?” He set the bowls next to the crock-pot.
“Yeah, idjit.” Bobby started to fill the bowls. “You should read 'em too.”
“I'll put it on my list.” Dean set the spoons around on the table as Heather sat down.
“You have a reading list?” Heather gave him an incredulous look.
“Sure I do. I've just never read anything on it.” He took the bowls from Bobby.
“I find that shockingly easy to believe.” Heather opened up the bag of shredded cheese as Bobby sat down.
Bobby chuckled. “Eat your lunch, Heather. You can sass Dean after he's back to his usual surly self.”
***
Claire's aunt and uncle hadn't said a thing about the dog. She was under the impression that they were so glad she was safe and back with them, she could have shown up with a pack of goats and they wouldn't object. They were going to be spending a few days here in Virginia before returning to Missouri. The police kept asking her questions about how she survived the fire and she kept saying she didn't remember. Of course, she'd told the full story to her aunt and uncle, and she still wasn't sure if they believed her or not. They had believed her when she first told them about Castiel, so it was possible. She rubbed Knightly's head, tossing the remote to the TV aside.
“Nothing on, Claire?” Uncle Charles sat down on the other bed, grunting slightly.
“Not really.” She shifted to sit with her legs folded. “You okay?”
“I'm not as young as I used to be.” He rubbed his knee. “Don't you worry about me, Claire-Bear.” He chuckled. “That's your aunt's job.” He said as she came out of the bathroom, her hair still damp from her shower.
“Honestly, Charles...” She shook her head as her cell phone, which was sitting on the dresser, began to vibrate. She picked it up and answered it without looking at the caller ID. “Hello?”
“Aunt Kathy?”
Claire recognized the voice instantly and her eyes widened - and so did her aunt's. “That's...”
“Jimmy?” The woman's voice cracked. “What, how...” She fumbled with her phone until she had it on speaker.
“I'm all right, Aunt Kathy.” Claire's father let out a worn chuckle. “A few bruises and scrapes, but nothing major.”
“Dad?” Claire screeched. “Where are you?”
“Claire?” Her dad's voice became strained. “You're there too?”
“Yeah, I'm here...”
“Where are you?” Uncle Charles's voice was oddly calm.
“I'm in Potomac, Maryland. I'm at...” There was a pause. “I'm at a friend's house.”
Claire saw her aunt and uncle exchange glances and she spoke up again. “Where's Castiel?”
“He's gone.” Her father's voice sounded half sad, half relieved. She didn't know what to make of that.
“Potomac?” Her aunt cleared her throat. “You're in Potomac, Maryland?”
“Yes...” A pause. “Where are you?”
“Dad, we're in Arlington, Virginia - how close are you to there?” Claire was starting to think this was all an extremely vivid dream. She set a hand on Knightly's head as she heard her dad talk to someone and then spoke again.
“They're about twenty minutes apart - if the traffic is light.” There was a light chuckle in his voice. “It'd probably be better if I came to where you are, my friend, Noah - he knows the area.”
“Noah?” Uncle Charles spoke up. “I didn't know you knew someone by that name, James.”
There was a sound on the phone and then another man's voice was heard. “Hello?”
“Who is this?” Aunt Kathy asked.
“My name is Noah Levin, I'm a professor of mathematics at Georgetown University.” A pause. “And if you don't believe me, you can ask my parents, I can bring them with us.”
Claire let out a sharp gasp and covered her mouth as her aunt and uncle turned to stare at her. Noah Levin. The muses told her about him; and so did Castiel. She gave the two adults a sheepish look just as her father's voice cut through the silence.
“Do you remember who Noah is, Claire?” He sounded as nervous as she felt.
“Yes, dad.” She looked from her aunt to her uncle. “I'll try and explain it to Aunt Kathy and Uncle Charles, but if they don't believe me...”
“Where in Arlington are you?” Noah spoke again. “We can be there within the hour.”
*
Bobby's kitchen smelled faintly of lemon scented cleaner and gravy. It was an odd mixture in Sam's mind, and while he supposed it could be considered rather 'homey' this place didn't seem much like home anymore. Maybe it was the fact that it was clean, maybe it was the fact that too much had happened. Whatever it was, he couldn't place it and he couldn't bring himself to get used to it. “Castiel's gone then?” Sam frowned over his beer.
“Yeah.” Dean shook his head and sipped his own bottle of beer. “I'm trying not to think about it, honestly.” He looked Sam over. “Do you know what happened to the other girls?”
“No. I assume they all got out. The only body they found in the warehouse was the demon's.” He rubbed his forehead and then got up, going over to the fridge and taking out a container of leftover pasta. Food would help at this point. “You going to be okay?” He emptied some of the contents into a bowl and stuck it into the microwave. Sam wasn't sure what to make of how his brother was. Being possessed by an archangel - there had to be some sort of residue, or something.
“I'm okay, Sam.” He let out a breath. “Nothing feels off or wrong, if that's what you're wanting to know. Apart from the walking thing, I'm good.” He turned the jar of bullets over in his hands. “You seen Heather's jar?”
“Yeah. Although knowing her, she'll have figured out how to turn it into an art project before too long.” He took the hot bowl out of the microwave and grabbed a fork. “You want some?” He indicated the food.
“I'm good, Sammy.” Dean yawned. “I suppose the other good thing is, I don't remember much of what happened. I don't think Heather does either.”
“Have you talked with her much?” Sam sat back down and stirred the contents of his bowl before starting to eat it.
“A little.” He shook his head and took another drink of his beer. “I was thinking of leaving for Indiana in a few days. Go see Lisa and Ben.”
“That sounds like a plan.” He stabbed at his food. “Bobby says there's a few cars that are in decent condition if Jo and I want to leave. We just might leave together.” He realized how silly that sounded and saw his brother smile. “What?”
“You're more her type than I am.” He smirked. “I say go for it, Sammy.”
“I doubt we'll actually do it.” He ate a few mouthfuls of pasta. “I want to get some rest and I think Jo just wants to wander for a while.”
“Where would you go, Sammy?” Dean downed the last of his beer.
“As far away from monsters and hunting as I can get.” He stared at his brother. “Is that...”
“I think we've done more than our fair share of hunting.” He smiled. “I think it's time for the two of us to retire. And we can't retire here.”
**
Melpomene shifted in her seat at her mother's table, trying to do her best to pretend that the silence in the room wasn't deafening. Deep down, she hadn't expected their plan to work. There had been far to many variables and far to many risks; but yet, it had. She rested her head on her knees, looking across the table at Erato, who was focused on her hands, and then to her son Morpheus, who still looked pensive. Her mother was keeping her gaze into her mug of tea, as if it held all the answers they needed now. Clio rested her elbows on the table, her hands resting on the back of her neck and Urania was leaning on her hand, her gaze unfocused.
The sound of a door opening in the house caused them all to turn as Terpsichore came into the main room, looked around at all of them and promptly slumped in her chair. She looked as if she hadn't slept in forever and her hair was disheveled. “What day is it?”
“April second.” Clio replied, moving back to her earlier position. “Father lifted our travel ban, but everyone else is still under curfew.” She snorted. “Needless to say, our big brother isn't pleased with that.”
Urania made a noise of disgust. “As if he doesn't have enough things up here to have fun with.” She turned in her chair so she was facing the group. “Maman, are you certain we still can't go over there and forcibly drag our sisters here?”
Mnemosyne let out a resigned sigh. “I am certain, Annie. If such a thing were possible, I would have done it a long time ago.”
Melpomene moved in her seat as Morpheus leaned his head on her should and she hugged him lightly, not missing the look Terpsichore gave her. She rested her chin on his head and cleared her throat. “It's not entirely over. We still need to avoid the remnants of both the armies of Heaven and Hell.”
“I say we petition father to get us out of any deals Apollo makes with demons.” Clio sat up. “It's about time he did his own dirty work.” She snorted. “Or shit, let's just make a petition to stop helping demons period.”
Urania made a noise like a horse. “Anything like that has to be unanimous and the day Calliope agrees with us on something Apollo objects to, well...”
“She would if she knew...” Cori started to say before their mother interrupted.
“It can't be helped.” She shook her head. “Morpheus, are you feeling all right?”
Next his mother, the boy nodded and Melpomene tightened her hold on him. She knew what her sister was talking about.
“We should do something to get our minds of this.” Erato straightened up in her chair and looked around at their stunned faces. “I mean, we're getting to live. The world's not ending. Shouldn't we be, I don't know, happy about that?”
There was a round of chuckling before Melpomene answered her. “We should.” She gave her son a small smile as he sat up straight. “We might as well celebrate a little.”
“I say we play confessions.” Terpsichore sat up, grinning. “Clio, what's the big secret of Lost?”
The muse of history looked taken aback. “Why would I know that?” Her smile betrayed her attempt at cover.
“Because J.J. Abrams is one of your darlings.” Erato put in. “Fess up.”
Clio threw up her arms and grinned. “They're all in Purgatory and the polar bears are nothing but bullshit!”
“Oh that's brilliant!” Morpheus sat up, grinning. “Aunt Annie, who's River Song?”
The muse of astronomy beamed, as if she'd been longing to give the answer for ages. “Amy and Rory's daughter!” She threw up her arms. “And the Doctor's wife!” She rounded on Erato. “Vampires are almost done, what's the next big thing in romance?”
“Angels.” She rolled her eyes. “Duh.”
The muse of dance grinned and spoke up. “Penny, who's going to win the Game of Thrones?”
Melpomene folded her arms and smirked. “That's not been determined yet.”
“Either that or you're just not telling us.” Mnemosyne put in, grinning. The tension in the room had eased greatly. “Penny, Morpheus just reminded me of something - you said you met that Moffat fellow that Annie did. What on earth did you put into his head?”
“Oh, just a modern version of Sherlock Holmes.” She waved her hand dismissively. The less they talked about the events of the past few months, the better in her opinion. She didn't want to think about any of it right now. About angels, about demons, about the Winchesters, and much to her shame, about Heather. Heather would be fine, just as Nathan and Noah would be.
**
Heather hugged Dean tightly, trying not to think about the fact that he was leaving again. “Drive carefully.”
“I always do, Gosalyn.” He hugged her and pulled back. “And we'll all be back here for the Fourth of July.” He tapped his fingers on the trunk of the Impala. “I've left most of the weapons here with Bobby. They're safer here than they are with me. Don't let anyone steal the Colt and don't do any freelance target practice. At least, not until you take a gun safety course.”
“Already signed up for it.” Heather grinned. “It starts next Saturday.”
Dean chuckled. “Now, I don't think I need to tell you to behave yourself and all that nonsense, right?”
“Right.” She shouldered her backpack. “Do you know where Sam and Jo went?”
His expression changed, ever so slightly. “I think they went South.” He pulled a smile. “Don't worry, they can take care of themselves.”
“Right.” She gave him an identical smile and turned as she heard the bus approaching. “I better hurry.”
He gave her another quick hug. “Be good.”
“You too.” She waved and ran for the road, arriving there just as bus came within sight. When it stopped, she got on and glanced back once at Dean, standing next to the Impala, talking on his phone. Most likely to Sam. She went and sat down in her usual seat on the bus, her head against the window.
The snow was almost completely melted, turning what had been fields of white into fields of mud. It was as if Mother Nature suddenly remembered that it was springtime in South Dakota, and green overtook winter brown. Crocuses and daffodils appeared almost overnight and the bitter wind slowly began to warm. She was even starting to think about summer, despite the fact that it was only April. Due to the number of snow days the school had taken (a grand total of twenty-two of them) she wouldn't be done with the year until June tenth. She wouldn't have cared if school had gone on to the twenty-fourth. She was just happy that there was a school year to finish and a summer to look forward to.
Of course, the only other person in her class who knew just how lucky all of them were was Nate. However, his mind had turned to soccer, and was taking out his stress on the field and spending time with his friends.
Heather hadn't really had any inclination to make any friends with her classmates. After what happened back in November, she was far to wary of doing so. Even though she knew very well that she didn't have to worry about some demon sacrificing her to raise Famine, she just wasn't ready to make that leap any time soon.
The bus turned around on side road and headed back the way it had come from. When she looked out the window, she saw the Impala leave the drive and head in the opposite direction.
Heather had an uneasy feeling that she wouldn't be seeing it again for a long time.
Epilogue