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Monday, August 29, 2011

Supernatural Death Note Chapter 147

Lady Laran and Tisha Wyman Warnings: Bad language, violence, and some sex. Spoilers: My favorite show is Supernatural. Anyone who knows me will say I am almost obsessed, unless they happen to be Laran, who knows I am. Laran loves Death Note. We both love to write. Never in our wildest dreams did we ever think we'd be writing an alternate universe/crossover between the two. What started as a several chapter story has turned into a novel. The story had a life of its own. This saga begins towards the end of season 4 and before L truly got involved with the Death Note. This is a story of healing, family,friendship, humor, and horror. We do not own either show or its characters, but I'd take Dean in a heartbeat. We make no money from them. Thank you for reading. Comments are highly appreciated.


Friday 


Friday morning was semi-clear when Dean headed to see who was awake just yet.  He knew that Ryuuzaki would be as the man was pretty much a total insomniac.  It still made no sense to him as to how he could stay awake so long and not become ill, especially with the ungodly amount of sweets the man put away.  Mello was nearly as bad in regards to chocolate.     
Watari was in the central main room that all the wings opened into when the older Winchester came out.  "Good morning, Dean."


"Good morning, Sir, "  ex-hunter replied.  "I am looking forward to this evening.  There's that new area  on the northern outskirts of town that a lot of well-to-do people have moved into.  God, I hope this is not going to be a trend.  They've added some nice restaurants there.  There's a Steak and Ale.  I haven't seen one of them in a while.  I got reservations a week ago.  It's perfect for Near.  They won't care."


"Won't care about what?"  Watari set his book in his lap, which he'd been reading to enjoy the rare silence.  Mello, Near, and Matt were working on assignments for the moment, and L was focused on his case.  He'd left a tray of hot coffee and cakes for the detective to munch through for a while.


"You said I had to find a place that won't mind how he dresses and the need for privacy...not a lot of people.  He can wear some sandals and snow boots over them.   The rooms only have four or five tables in them.  The only time  he'd have to leave the room is for salad.  if wants it, he can me tell what to fix for him, and I'll do it.  I only plan to wear jeans, shirt, and cowboy boots."


The older man gave him a soft smile.  "You did well, Dean.  I'm glad you were able to find such a location.  It'll help Near relax a bit more and enjoy his outing."


"That's what I want.  He hasn't had these opportunities.  There's got to be ways to give them to him and not frighten him away.   I want to help do that."


Watari nodded.  "Outings are rare for them considering who and what they are.  Near even more so," he said softly.  


"I want to have the time to do things with all of them and Ben.  It's just...Near does so little normal things.  I understand why, but there are things he can do if the circumstances are right. They're all my kids, Watari, but Near more so. We've been through some tough times together."


"Being orphans and in the programs they're in, it's difficult to give them that one on one time.  It's one reason Ryuuzaki has them now instead of at the school," he said softly.  "It's good to see them getting out and interacting."


Dean spoke just as softly, "I think of them as my boys too.  Dad was never around much.  You know that.  Mom was dead.  Sammy and I took care of each other.  Who am I kidding.  I raised him since I was four, but you know all that.  We were pretty much orphans too.  Once in a while, Caleb, Pastor Jim, or Bobby took us, but Dad didn't want to do it all the time.  It limited his travels.  We weren't learning what he wanted us to know when we were with the others.  Sammy was too little to understand when he told Dad that we got to play.  I want to give them time to be kids, to play."


 "We try to encourage that though the studies are demanding," Watari answered, looking into the flames that were burning in the fireplace.  "Near's issues with sunlight make it difficult for him to join the others in outside games."


"There's a lot of good inside games, Watari.  Do you think, when winter is over, that we could convince Ryu to build a gymnasium here?  Why should Near be left out of games because of the sunlight?"


 He nodded.  "I can ask him," he said to the other.  "Sunlight is needed for children but with his fair skin.  He burns quite badly after a few moments.  Hence the special inside garden for him.  The plants grow in minimal light."


"They can use the gym for their martial arts, if they wanted to.  They can play volleybally and basketball.  There are other sports, like kickball, that can be played in a limited space."


 "This is certainly a conversation I will bring up with him."


"I'd be willing to work more cases if he thinks I should do it.  Just let him know that."


Watari nodded.  "I shall definitely bring it up with him and see what he thinks."



"That's fair enough.  Everyone's still asleep upstairs.  I'm gonna fix some breakfast.  Have you eaten?  I hope to find Lisa's cookbook.  I could eat cold cereal but I'd rather have one of the dishes you cooked for me.  She's  got all the recipes.  I will fix some for you if you haven't eaten.  I guess I could do something in our wing, but I just wanted out for a bit.  Thought I'd go for a walk after I ate.  Is it still snowing much?"


The older man held his hand up to stop the flow of words.  "I have warm scones on the stovetop covered.  A bit of coffee and those will do you some good with the mixed fruit in the refrigerator.  As far as snow, we've had about an inch this morning so far.  It's not a blizzard but coming down steadily"


"I guess we'll be taking that all-terrain vehicle I rebuilt during the summer.  Near and I tonight; all of us tomorrow.  It's a monstrous thing.  That will make a  good walk for me.  I'll go pick it up at the shop.  I don't relish putting any of our vehicles on the road or trying to get out of here in them.  We do need to get a  a small snow plow for here.  That way we can drive the vehicles."


"That and I would advise either renting or looking into getting a snowplow for the roads on your land that you're responsible for.  Even if normal vehicles can't make it, an all terrain kind will have an easier go of it," he suggested.


"I hadn't thought about the other access roads to the mountain trails that are on our land.  I hadn't thought of the possibility of anyone trying to climb those trails this time of year.  Would anyone really try to climb them this time of year, Watari?  Come to think of it, these really aren't the kind of mountains to have an avalanche or anything.  They're not skiing type of mountains.  We don't have to worry about that, do we?  I honestly thought about putting road  closed barricades up.  Keep people from trying those trails in this weather."


 "I meant the roads leading to town," he said mildly, putting his book aside and leading him to the kitchen.  "I wouldn't put it past someone to try to reach the garage in this weather if there's an emergency."


"Hell, I need to find out if the state or the county do that here.  Damn!  I don't want  someone having a wreck or getting  lost in a drift somewhere.  I'll make some calls after breakfast.  I'll take the walk later."



"Make sure to dress warmly and take a thermos of hot coffee with you," he said, setting scones onto a plate along with honey and butter.  He poured coffee for Dean and set it on the table, then set a kettle on for himself.


"Ill make sure that I do that," Dean spoke softly, sipping the coffee with enjoyment.  He was allowed a cup once or twice a day, but figured he'd be drinking tea with the older man.  Coffee for breakfast and in a thermos was unheard of in his household.  He smiled softly and enjoyed the cup even more as he quietly asked, "Decaf?"


 "Exactly," he said, adding water to the teapot to allow the leaves to steep before bringing it, milk, and a tea cup to the table.  "Now try the scones."


Dean smiled softly as he took another sip of coffee.  He knew this particular Englishman so very well.  He had told no one how felt about the man. Watari was the consummate Englishman, and Dean would never embarrass him with an emotional  reaction the him.  They'd already had so many that  Dean felt almost ashamed of.  His breakdowns, loss of control, and emotional outbursts would be difficult much less for an Englishman.  Dean thought as much about Watari as he did Bobby. Bobby was the Dad  Dean had wished grown up with.  The older man in front of him was the grandfather he wished he had had."


Dean bit into the scone, and his mouth stayed still for a few seconds, his eyes closed.  Watari watched the reaction, recognizing the  younger man enjoying something new.  A tongue slowly slipped out, licking up honey, butter, and the few crumbs that were there.  "It's wonderful, Watari.  Thank you."


The Englishman smiled and chuckled at his surrogate grandson.  "I'm glad you like it.  Not all Americans are fond of English cuisine.  I'm rather glad  you and the others are open to trying new things."


The young man across from him smiled the type of smile that not everyone was  given the chance to see.  It was genuine and open and the laugh lines around his eyes wrinkled a little.  He had two of the scones, finished his coffee and reached for his cell phone.  "I hope it works?  Ryu did put up those towers so it ought to."  Dean walked over to a cabinet in the kitchen by a wall phone and grabbed a phone book out of it.  Walking back to the table, he set the phone book down and resumed his seat.  He began to call the local sheriff's office, figuring they would know if the roads would open, or if he'd have to hire a snowplow.


"It works," he said.  "We've tested those in a variety of locations and weather types.  Ryuuzaki simply cannot function without full access to the world," he murmured, going to refresh the coffee  and tea cups.  He buttered a scone for himself, and the older man nibbled his food while watching to see what the verdict was on the snowplow.


Dean talked to a dispatcher and was on the phone for about five minutes, jotting down a number.  He sighed, took a sip of the coffee, thanking the older man, and dialed the number he had written down.  He continued to talk softly so as not to bother the other man.  Watari noted that the ex-hunter wrote down a several numbers and some words.  He nodded to himself, took out his wallet, pulling a credit card from it.  He read the numbers off the card.  Hanging up the phone, he replaced the card in his wallet and put it back in his jean's pocket.  He looked up at Watari and smiled.


 "Snowplow service for hire?"


Dean smiled sweetly and nodded, taking another drink of his coffee.  "Yes, sir. In about two hours.  I'll walk down and bring back the ATV at that time.  It will be a little easier.  He gave the price of a mid-sized plow.  I'll have to talk to Sam.  A new one is not cheap.  Have to see what we have in the account.  We did buy those cars and tools, you know?  I might be able to find a rebuilt one cheaper."


 "Depending on how often it snows, it just may be more financially feasible to continue to employ his services in inclement weather.  It frees up more time for you and Samuel and keeps both of you out of the cold.  I would do it when here as well," he murmured.


"That will be the deciding factor, I guess.  If it snows like this a lot, I just don't know.  He says that it's clear to you get to fork that heads to the back way to Big Bend.  That's a long way from there to here, but we have to have the roads clear.  He charges $350.00 and that's if I'll work on his car for parts only  I agreed for this one time, but, Hell, Watari.  My labor's not that cheap and it could be a lot more than if I'd just paid him, you know?"


 "Let's do some research on the recorded snowfall for the last five to ten years, balance that with the trade off on services.  We'll price snow plows, upkeep, and fuel and see which is the most cost effective per year."


"That's what I'm gonna to talk to Sam about.  I don't want spend my small amount of shop time doing free labor.  That cuts into groceries and things.  I have the upkeep of the shop to consider.  It gets around that I'll do that and I'm in trouble."


 "You both have too much on your plates..although, Bobby might be willing to do the plowing.  We'll need to bring him in on this discussion and see what his thoughts are on it."


Dean sighed softly.  "Yeah, maybe Bobby could do it.  He'd probably enjoy it.  He used to do it South Dakota.  Hell, he may have a plow up there that just needs some work."


"We will figure it out.  Again, just a matter of research and discussion."   He took his cell phone, typing in a message and hit send.  Watari knew that the best way to handle things was to delegate, so he'd given the research to one of the boys.


Dean watched him and murmured, "Thank you, sir."  He got, took his dished to the sink.  He did not bother opening the dishwasher.  To him, it made no sense leaving dirty dishes in a machine until it was full.  He reached under the sink grabbed a bottle of liquid dish soap and turned on the hot water.  He washed his plate and cup.  Turning, he asked, "Are you through, Sir?"


 He handed the cup over to Dean and headed to the second coffeepot.  One was labeled 'decaf' and the other 'regular.'  The older male restarted a fresh pot of regular coffee, guessing that L would be requiring fresh soon.


Dean disappeared into the main room and knocked on the door to his brother's wing.  It was still early morning, and Sammy was usually out of bed early, but there was Sarah.



"You gonna need me to cut more stuff today?  I need to walk down to the shop after the plow gets here and pick up the ATV.  I'm leaving here about 5, with Near.  The roads are bad, so I need the extra time."


"What's your schedule like for the day?"  She was thinking on what she had cut already and timing on painting them.


"I know I cut quite a bit this week, but you've been working on them? Right?  I know we're gonna be gone tomorrow.  As long as it's like this, the diesel school is closed.  I gotta couple of hours before I need to walk down to the shop.  I can put it off for a while, but I want to have it done and the cutting done so I have time to shower and rest up before I take Near out to Steak and Ale."

"I've got what you cut yesterday primed and drying so if you want to cut as much as you can before you have to go, that'd be a huge help.  I can start the painting while the the cutting is being done.  I've got a list of patterns and number of each that has to be cut out in the woodshop," she grinned.  She had been a busy girl.

"That sounds good.  I'll head out there."  Dean smiled and headed to the coat door on the patio.  He grabbed his snow boots and winter clothing.  The woodshop had only been open a few days.  It was a metal building and would not be the final one.  It had electricity, but the building had no heating or cooling  in it.  Watari grabbed the patterns and list from Sarah as she brought them into the kitchen.  Dean stepped back in, earmuffs on, pulling a hat over his head.  He reached for patterns and the list and headed out the door.

Sarah headed to her workshop and began painting the finer details on one of the 'bigger' projects that she'd planned for Christmas.  She was determined to make these lovely and reusable in the future as well.

Dean turned on the overhead in the shop, and pinned the list to the cork board that mounted on the wall.  He put the patterns in plastic sheets.  These were much smaller than what he had been cutting for her. Reading the instructions, he noted the size and thickness of the wood needs, and the type she wanted. The first set had to be rounded.and made of redwood.  She wanted apples with the stems and leaves on them.  Dean thought for a moment and went into the storage area.  They had bought several large pieces of redwood that could be routed into bowls.  He got out the skill saw, the jig saw, and Dremel tools. The next couple of hours, Dean cut out small squares about 5"x5" and, using Dremel tools, shaped them into apple shapes with stems and leaves.  It was mostly hand  work.  He found a stool and work at the work bench. The older Winchester  spent time on them, making them look as life like as he could.  The rest of the time, he sanded.

Watari knocked on the shed door.  "Dean?"  He chuckled, seeing how covered in sawdust the other was.

The younger man looked up from where he was working at the work bench.  There was a metal basket filled with beautiful red Delicious apples.  The kind that were large and used for caramel or candied apples.   There appeared to be somewhere between 25 and 30 of them.  "Yes, Sir?  Is it time for me to quit?"

 "Lunch time actually.  Soup and crusty bread, how does that sound?"  He smiled at his surrogate grandson.

Dean turned and looked up at the wall clock on the northern end of the building and saw the time.  "It's 2:00?  How the ...  I had no idea I'd been in here that long.  Man!  I've got to get the ATV.  We have leave here at 5:00."   He started grabbing tools, cleaning them off and putting them up.

 "That clock stopped," he said, checking his own watch.  "It's not even one yet."

Dean looked relieved.  He pulled out the shop vac and proceeded to blow the sawdust off the table he had used the saws on.  He vacuumed all of the dust off the floor and work bench.   Turning the saw onto blow again, he blew as much of the dust off himself as he could and then finished the floor. Grabbing the basket of apples and Dean  followed the older man to the house.  The younger man  had no idea how cold he was until he entered the patio.  His feet and hands started to tingle and hurt.  He took a deep breath, noting how quiet it was.  "Where is everybody?"

Watari had noticed that Dean worked all those hours with his gloves off.  Knowing the difficulty of doing the kind of work the man had created, he understood the need, but Dean needed some type of thin glove that would allow him to do delicate work and still keep his hands warm.  There also needed to be a heater the woodshop.

The older man made mental notes of that and guided him into the kitchen where the boys and the rest of the group was waiting.  Ryuuzaki wasn't there as he was pretty involved with a case at the moment.  The scent of fresh soup and bread filled the air.



 Sniffing the air,  Dean set the apples on the counter and proceeded take his winter   outer wear.  He turned to take them into the patio and hang them, but knew he had to walk to the shop.  "Did the plow get here yet?"


"Started about thirty minutes ago," Sam said, looking at some papers as he did so.  "Matt got the estimates we needed for buying a used or new one and all the numbers we need."


"What's the best we can do, Sam?"  Dean went the stove and put soup in a bowl.  He sat down between Lisa and Sara, across from his brother and Cas.The heat in the kitchen began to overwhelm him  a little.  He closed eyes and took a deep breath.  Looking up, the cold man noted the heating vent right over his head.  Knowing this group, this was intentional.  He started trembling from the heat hitting his half frozen body.  He looked up at Castiel and saw the knowing look.  Dean reached for his spoon and almost dropped it.  The surprised look on his face was seen by all.  "What the Hell!"


 "According to the research, it would pay for itself in about a year and a half.  However, Bobby has one that he's going to get for us when he can.  It just needs a bit of work," he said and Bobby nodded.
   
 Near looked at Dean.  "Dean's body is overly cold and is reacting to the warmth.  The shaking and tingling will stop soon."



Dean whispered his thanks to Near.  He gripped the spoon in a vice-like grip and managed to get a spoonful into his mouth.  He slowly chewed the meat and swallowed.  "So, we have this guy do it until we can get the other one down here and repair it?"


Castiel continued to stare at the trembling man.  "Why did you leave you coat and boots in the kitchen, Dean?  Are you planning on going back out into the cold?  I promised Sam we would keep you from harming yourself.  You need a hot shower or bath and a nap until it is close to time for you to take Near out."


"Cas, that's over stepping it, " Dean murmured softly.  Lisa nudged him and Sarah turned and stared.


Matt spoke up.  "I'm sure he's got work to do.  What's on the agenda, Dean?  Can we help?  Mells, Near, and I are done with our work for today unless Ryuuzaki springs something on us." 


"I was only work two hours.  It somehow turned into a little more than three.  Sarah, there's thirty apples in a metal basket on the kitchen counter.  You didn't put a size, so I made the big Delicious apples and I used redwood.  so unless you're turning them into caramel or candied apples, they area  pretty shade of red.  You would just have to maybe stain the leaves green and the stem brown or black.  I was through with the shop, guys.  I just got to walk down and get the ATV back here.  They didn't happen to do the all the way up here and to the trailer compound  first did they?"


Sarah's eyes lit up.  "You did great, Dean!"  She got up and looked them over.  All some of these would need was a clear varnish to preserve the color.  "I love it; these are fantastic!"


Sam nodded.  "It's done all the way to our drive and the shop.  Lisa sent some cookies and coffee as a thank you," he told him.


Dean smiled as Sarah.  "I didn't have the time to do more, but you only needed thirty.  I had just finished the thirtieth when Watari came and stopped me.  I had planned on using that redwood for some large bowls and things, but that wood cried out to be apples."


Dean took another bite of soup, shook his head, and looked across at his brother.  "Sammy, would you drive me to the shop?  I was trying to keep from asking someone, but I think Cas is right."


 "Dean..if you have time, you could offer these at craft fairs and online at artist sites.  These are gorgeous.  I've never seen any of this quality," she told him.
   
 "Sure, I don't mind.  Do you need the boys for anything or should I let them be Sarah's minions for the day?" 



"Let them be her minions for the day.  Thanks, Sam.  Sarah?  Seriously?  i wouldn't know what to ask for them?" 


 "For a dozen?  I'd say about fifteen to twenty, depending on size," she told him.  "Also too if they want the raw form like these or have me touch for detail work on stem and leaves plus a seal on the main part of the apple."


"Sarah, I don't know anything about marketing stuff like that.  I know cars.  I'll make them.  You market them?  I prefer doing the bigger ones.  Little ones will cost them more in the long run.  They're harder to do, and will take more time."  Dean proceeded eat his soup and reached for a slice of bread.  His shaking and slowed down.  He just felt drained.  He cold could do that to you.  He just had not realized he'd gotten that cold.


 "I can do that," she told him, getting up and handing him some water to help hydrate him.  "I could put you to work a few hours a month and make a small fortune."


Dean took the water and drank about a third of it, not realizing he was thirsty.  "Really?  Exactly how much is a small fortune?  We'd split it after costs."


 "I'll give you an estimate by tonight or tomorrow.  Between the apples and other ideas I have, we've got a potential market that we need to explore.  I had no idea  you were this good with power tools."  It was obvious she was plotting now.


Sam looked at his brother in surprise when he saw him turn red.  Cas  just stared at him in confusion.  The others who could see his face could remember a few times during his healing where he had done so, but seldom.


"The stuff you gave me before this was simple.  You just needed me to out flat items.  Nothing required any skill other than following a drawing."


Sarah moved in front of him, cupping his face.  "You would be surprised.  A lot of carpenters can't do this," she told him, pointing at the apples.  "It takes a steady hand, eye for detail, and imagination to be able to make this out of my plans.  We make a good team, brother mine."


No one thought it possible, but Dean was more red then he was before.  He stared in Sarah's eyes and swallowed hard.  "Okay.  You tell me how many you need, and when you want me to do something different, draw me what you want.  Until then, I'm going to make what you asked me to make for Christmas."


"We'll talk about this after Christmas and the weddings are done," she told him.  "Afterwards, when the chaos settles, we'll plan things out and set up the sites.  How's that sound?  We'll put Sammy-boy to work on the computer side," she teased.


"That actually sounds good."  Dean looked at the clock.  "It's almost one.  Sam, you ready to haul me over there?  I really want that shower and a nap.  I need to be up around 4:30 to be ready to go.  Near, we still have the dinner date, correct?  I found a good place that will comfortable for you."


 "I'm ready," he said with a grin.  
   
 Near nodded, a small almost smile on his face.  "Near will be ready," he told him.  He'd been looking forward to this and hoped that Dean would remember.  It seemed the other had.



Dean grinned.  "Good.  Let's go, Sammy.  Near, 5:00.  The reservation is at 6 . It's  normally about 25-30 minutes to town, but the roads are gonna be bad.  I want to give us plenty of time.  I'll call and make sure they know we're still coming."  Dean grabbed his cell phone and hit the number for restaurant as he walked towards his winter outerwear.  He grabbed them and walked onto the patio and sat down and put the boots on.  He got an okay from the restaurant.  After he had dressed for outdoors, he stuck his head back into the dining  area and said, "They're holding it for us."  He walked through, touching Ben's back as he headed towards the big front door.


Sam bundled up before heading to his truck.  "Crap, it's cold.  I didn't think Texas could get this cold!!!"


"The Panhandle and west Texas do, Sammy.  Damn the cold sure can drain you fast.  I knew heat could, but not the cold.  It's a dry cold and you don't realize you're freezing."


He climbed into the truck and started it, hoping the engine would heat fast.  "I didn't remember it getting this cold on our trips.  Damn, this is unreal."


"You don't remember that trip to Montana when I got so sick with the flu?  Dad  wouldn't stop.  He wouldn't drop us off somewhere.  Said the the case was an emergency.  We stayed in that car.  He said it was dangerous to leave it running for the heat.  We bundled in all the  blankets, Sammy.  I was damn cold cause I had that fever.  I spent half the time in the snowbank upchucking, Man.  This is cold, but it isn't that cold."


"Vaguely, I remember melting snow for drinks," he said.  "You mentioned something about me being like a boy scout for thinking of it,"  He started driving to the shop.


"I know I was grateful.  It kept me from dehydrating.  Dad kept stopping at places and buying stuff to eat that I couldn't even look at.  I need Mom's tomato and rice soup.  That's what she always gave me.  It's a miracle Dad didn't kill me."


 "I think we've got the recipe for that somewhere.  Sarah found one," he said, coming to a stop at the shop.  "I told her that you mentioned it a lot when we were growing up.  She said she'd tweak it until it's the same as the one Mom made."


"How would she know, Sammy?  How would she know if it was like what Mom made?  I'd have to judge everyone she made.  I won't go there, Sam.  after the kilt fiasco, Hell, no.  Women are weird when it comes to their cooking.  If wasn't like Mom made and I told her, it might hurt her feelings.  She gets hurt, Lisa gets pissed.  I'll just do without the soup.  Thanks though."


"Dean, shut up a moment.  Sarah offered it and will make the original recipe.   You try it, compare it to your memory and make suggestions.  She'll make notes and try again a different day.  She offered this," he told him.  "Sarah was really excited too."


"Sam, I don't understand that.  I really don't understand that.  Why is she being so nice to me all of a sudden?  I thought.  Hell, I don't what I thought.  Tell her thank you and I would like that.  It was mainly when I was sick that Mom made it.  I don't get sick easy.  You know that."


Sam look at his brother before Dean got out of the truck, thinking about the health problems his brother had faced since the incident with the creatures in the cave.  Dean had never fully recovered from any of it.  He still had problems.  "Yeah, Dean.  I know.  I'm not leaving until that ATV starts and I'll follow  you."


He looked at his older brother.  "Besides, she's trying to fit in.  She's an only child and wants to be accepted as part of the family.  Sarah knows how much the soup means to you and wants to give you something from home."


"Hell, Sammy. She is family. She became my sister when she said she'd marry you. I told you years ago you should marry that girl. I was right."

 "I know, Dean.  Trust me, I know but she's trying to fit in.  So please, let her do this for  you?  She's been looking forward to it since she found the recipe," Sam said, smiling softly.

"Okay.  Tell that when she thinks I need it, to surprise me.  Just remember to have her dress real for tomorrow night.  I found that Celtic restaurant.  It looks strange so think they might be some of her people.  Anyway, I have a major surprise for her tomorrow night.  Okay?  I got some appointments tomorrow after the tux fittings, so I'll be gone part of the afternoon.  I'll take a cab.  I have the address of the restaurant.  I'll meet you guys there. "

"Sounds good, Dean," he said with a grin.  "She'll love it."

Dean grinned back at him.  He had told his brother about the restaurant a week or two before  and said no cameras.  He was hoping that Sam would not bring one, but was afraid to remind him of that.  Sam was just capable of doing the opposite.  Dean had not thought about their cells.  They took excellent pictures and videos.  

Dean went around back to where the vehicles were stored.  He was glad he had put antifreeze in the car.  He got inside, started it, and listened to the engine.  It sounded fine.  He let the engine heart up and turned on the heater.  It worked, and started blowing hot air into the vehicle.  Dean smiled, put the vehicle into reverse and backed out.  He turned onto the highway, Sam following him.  A half mile down the road, he pulled  onto their road and took it slow down the frozen gravel.  On his agenda was having this paved when the weather was better.  

Parking the large vehicle, he  shut it down, turned everything off, and getting out, he locked it.  He waved at his brother and  headed towards the cabin. 

Sam caught up with him and they entered the house.  No one was around.  The kitchen was clean.  Hanging his winter gear in the patio coat pantry, Dean smiled at his brother, told him he'd see him later, and headed towards his wing.  Castiel appeared at his door, opening before he could do so.  He let Dean know that the room was comfortable and that Bobby had given him a book to read.  He was going to relax for a while.  Ben was helping Lisa along with Matt and Mello.  

Dean smiled, thanked his friend, and started up the stairs.  Cas, touched him on the shoulder and he stopped. "You are too tired."  Dean found himself standing outside his bedroom door. He shook for a minute.  His body did not respond well to  Cas' transfers.  

He opened the door. He was not alone.  Lisa was wearing a flannel night gown.  She walked toward him, pushed him into a chair, and removed his shoes.  Dean sat quietly watching her.  She slowly undressed him and put his clothes in the laundry hamper.  Reaching down, she took his hand and led him into the bathroom. The whirlpool tub was running and it was foaming.  He could see the steam rising.  Lisa took off the nightgown and entered the tub, holding his hand and pulling him along.  The woman before him pulled him down into the hot foaming water. It smelled of a light spice. The water was hot.  He hissed a little and slowly settled into it, feeling the powerful jets of the whirlpool pulsating against his back.  

Lisa moved closer with a large sponge and liquid bath soap.  She slowly bathed him.  Dean's eyes closed and he lay there and let her run the soft sponge over him. When she had finished, she had him turn  around and lean into her. Her fer  carefully wet his hair and shampoo it.  Dean groaned slightly.  Her movement made him sit up.  She stood up and dried off.  He looked up, watching her.

She saw the question in his eyes, and smiled softly, reaching her hand down for his.  He slowly clasped it, letting her pull him slightly. Standing, he stepped slowly out of the tub onto the soft mat.  She dried him.  Looking up as she dried his feet, she told him, "I bathed earlier.  This is just to help you relax and sleep. I've set the alarm for 4:30. I am going lay beside you so you aren't alone."

Dean smiled, grabbed her hand and the two of walked to the large four poster bed in the their bedroom.  Lisa crawled across the bed and Dean joined her.  She laid on her side.  Within seconds his arm was around her, his head near her shoulder, and Dean Winchester was sound asleep.


Supernatural Death Note Chapter 146



Lady Laran and Tisha Wyman Warnings: Bad language, violence, and some sex. Spoilers: My favorite show is Supernatural. Anyone who knows me will say I am almost obsessed, unless they happen to be Laran, who knows I am. Laran loves Death Note. We both love to write. Never in our wildest dreams did we ever think we'd be writing an alternate universe/crossover between the two. What started as a several chapter story has turned into a novel. The story had a life of its own. This saga begins towards the end of season 4 andbefore L truly got involved with the Death Note. This is a story of healing, family,friendship, humor, and horror. We do not own either show or its characters, but I'd take Dean in a heartbeat. We make no money from them. Thank you for reading. Comments are highly appreciated.


Cookies



Dean looked surprised,  but Sam had a look of relief on his face.  “Good.  Maybe he’ll listen to you better then the rest of us.”


Dean’s head jerked as he stared at his brother.  “I thought we had this lined out, Sammy.  I agreed to everything.  Why the hell do you think I let myself be pushed, prodded, and all but....  forget it.  I know what I’m supposed to do.  Just give me a break.  It’s holidays, Sammy.  I haven’t had this kind of Thanksgiving since I was little...before you were born.  It was nothing like what’s going on downstairs.”


Castiel's voice was sharp.  "Stop it..both of you.  Sam, I appreciate your concern but the constant reminders can come across as insulting nagging.  We will watch him; he has accepted it.  Enough."


Sam nodded, “Well are you guys ready. There must be hundreds of cookies down there. Watari put a lamb stew on earlier today. Sarah told me. He’s cooking it in their own kitchen to leave the big kitchen for the baking. Sarah made bread today. One kind is made with cornmeal. She said it was for the stew, so we got a good supper for tonight.”


The angel's voice softened.  "It sounds good.  I believe we have to assist the ladies now?"


“Yeah, I’d like too,” came a soft voice still near the bathroom. Dean had not moved.


Castiel looked at him.  "Dean...please do not feel upset.  He was showing his care in a method that was too aggressive and will not do so again.  It is time to have enjoyable family time."


“No, Cas. Sammy’s okay. He defended me from the others actually. Sammy, I know I’ve been a pain in the ass a lot lately. I’m sorry.” Dean slipped into a pair of slippers. “I’m not going any where tonight with all that snow. Let’s go see if there’s still some baking to do. If not, I’m raiding the cookies.”


"Raiding cookies?  What did the cookies do to you," the angel asked, confused.  Raiding for him was a warfare term.


Dean got a mischievous look on his face. “They haven't done anything, Cas. We’re going to free them.”


He blinked, confusion getting worse.  "Are they captured?"


“Yeah, Cas. The jail is a set of cookie jars.” Dean grinned, heading past both his brother and the angel and out the bedroom door.


Castiel followed, giving Sam a bewildered look as he followed his grinning friend.  Apparently, he was missing something and wasn't quite suire what it was.  Hopefully, he'd figure it out soon.


Dean reached the stairs and slowed down. Reaching out to the rail, he grabbed hold of it and took his first step. Suddenly, all three of them were in the main living area of the cabin. The fire was burning brightly.


Sam caught Dean as he stumbled, not finding the step. “Damn it, Cas! Warn a man before you do that.”


Cas turned and stared at him. “You are tired, Dean. I saved you some steps.”


Dean just stood there looking at his friend, a look of confusion on his face. “Okay, Cas.”
Sam, still holding on to his brother, grinned.


Castiel simply shrugged and followedf his nose to where the women and Watari were working.  A stack of cookies were waiting on the table as well as a LOT of ingredients.


Lisa looked up as Cas entered the kitchen, followed by Sam and Dean.  Mello and Matt grinned at the angel.  They could Sam and Dean’s faces and knew that Cas had intervened in some way.  Dean looked over at the table and the ingredients and grinned.

“What do you want us to do?”
    Lisa smiled.  "You guys get to decorate the sugar cookies as well as help measure out the ingredients so we can mix and spoon out to get them baked."
Dean smiled softly at this remark.   “Are we all mixing or just one?  I don’t mind sitting that part out and just decorating.  What was it I heard Missouri say once?  Oh, yeah,’Too many cooks spoil the broth.’  I guess they could, you know.  Cas has never done anything in the kitchen  Why don’t show him, and Sam and I will watch and learn.”

  "You're going to do this in rotation," she said, taking Cas  aside and showing everyone how to measure dry and wet goods.  One person would read it off, get the dry good set and then wet, passing that off to Watari and I, who will mix and get them onto the cookie sheets to put into the oven.  The rest will decorate the cookies."


Cas did the reading and measuring, while Sam and Dean put the cookie sheets in the ovens and removed them when the timer went off.  After twenty minutes, Dean was placed at the measuring of ingredients.  Castiel joined Sam.


 As the cookies baked, Lisa showed them how to decorate the cookies once they were cool, encouraging them to be creative.


Sam took a Santa, wreath, bell, and angel and began decorating.  Castiel took the same four and began working on his.  Dean stared at the cookies.  He finally reached down and took a candy cane, a bell,  and a wreath.  He grabbed nothing that was too difficult.    Santa faces, angels, and snowmen scared him.  He eyed the Christmas tree with misgiving and decided to stay with the one he selected.  They would easy enough and the mistakes would not show as bad.  He did want to decorate cookies.  He vaguely remembered watching his mother when he was three.


 Near padded into the room, peeking over Dean's shoulder.  "What is Dean doing?"


Dean looked over to where Mello and Matt had selected reindeer, a Rudolph head, and a Santa head and grimaced.  He was glad they could do it.  “I am decorating cookies.  You want to try?”
 
The smaller teenager climbed into a chair, tucking a leg against his chest in his usual crouch and pulled what looked like a bell shaped cookie to him.  He watched the others for a moment, figuring out what was needed to do the art and began decorating.


Dean worked slowly on his, taking a lot of time, being very careful with each frosting he added.  He took longer then the others but it didn’t seem to bother him.  Sam looked at what he was doing with surprise on his face at seeing the art.  His brother may have picked the easier cookies to decorate, but the work was beautiful.  Everything was smooth, and the decorations on the wreath were well done.


 Near's bell turned out rather lovely too.  He'd used white and blue frosting with silver sprinkles to give it a gorgeous iced frosted look.  Watari smiled at the cookies being produced.  "These are almost too lovely to eat."  The angel's had turned out beautifully as well.


Dean reached for more of the simpler cookies, not noticing  Sam’s face wrinkling in frustration.   Sam could tell that Dean was quite good at this, so why was he picking the simple cookies?  He began to realize that his brother didn’t think he could.  This was the guy who could do wood working?


Watari simply smiled and shook his head, telling Sam silently to leave him be.  Once Dean's confidence built, possibly he'd move to more complicated ones.  He handed Near a few more cookies, then went to pull a pan out to let it cool and put another batch in.


Everyone stopped and watched when Near, realizing he’d been given two Christmas trees, handed one to Dean.  The older Winchester froze and looked at the cookie in the young teen’s hand.  Hazel eyes stared into gray.  Dean took a deep breath and reached for the cookie.  He smiled softly and thanked Near.


Near only gave that soft partial smile that was so rare before focusing on his work.  Watari could only hide his pride at how his ward had managed to encourage without being pushy.


Dean worked extra hard on the Christmas because of Near.  It took him a while to do it, but he wasn’t  dissatisfied with the look, so he set it with the others.


 The white haired one saw it and nodded.  "This is pleasant to look upon," he told him.


Dean stared, eyes wider then Near’s.  “Seriously?”  A pin dropping could have been heard in the kitchen  Neither the ex-hunter nor the  young teen noticed that everyone was listening to them and all activity had stopped.


 He nodded again.  "It shines like a Christmas tree back at the House," he answered.  "The balance of ornaments is very pleasing to the eye."



The older brother’s eyes were changing colors faster then usual.  At this moment they had turned green as he smiled softly, and a husky whispered, “Thank you.”  was heard.  Dean reached for another Christmas tree, a slight smile curving his lips, and a gleam in his eyes.
    Near nodded, reaching for one that was shaped like an ornamnet.  As he worked on it, Mello and Matt were pulled to measure out more ingredients
Dean finished the second tree and looked for another one.  There were only the more difficult ones left.  His mouth formed a slight ‘O’ and his brows raised.  He began to pull his bottom lip into his mouth, between his teeth, trying to make a decision.   Santa heads, snowmen, reindeer, and Rudolph heads were all that was left.  He had a frown of frustration on his face as he looked from cookie to another.


Matt, who had walked by to hand more of the dry ingredients to Watari, made it easy by putting a snowman on Dean's plate before heading deeper into the kitchen.  He bit back a laugh at Castiel's attempt at Santa.  The angel had done the beard colors all wrong, making it look all psychedelic.


Dean looked up in surprise at Matt as he went past them.  He reached for the white frosting and set to work on the snowman.  Looking over at Castiel’s Santa, Dean grinned.  “Hey, Cas, that is one colorful cookie.  I like it.”


"I have no idea who this character is supposed to be," the angel admitted.


“Well, Cas, the only version of him I’ve met wasn’t a good one.  If I saw before Mom died, I don’t remember him.   That’s Santa Claus.”

Sam spoke up and told Castiel about Saint Nicholas, Kris Kringle, and how the legend grew.
Dean decorated his snowman and listened to the conversation, learning a few things he didn’t know.  He felt contented for the first time that day.  They were all together and Thanksgiving was coming, and after it two weddings and Christmas.   He would not let himself think of everything that needed to be done.  Not today.  He grinned and  got one of the tiny candy carrots for the snowman’s nose.  His grin got bigger as he strategically placed a second carrot on the snowman, got up and took it to Lisa.


Lisa burst into a peel of laughter, giggling at the second snowman.  "Oh my god, Dean, that's too funny."  She leaned in, teasing him.  "Rascal you."


Dean grinned, leaned in and inhaled the fragrance of the cookies in her hair, he nuzzled her and nipped an earlobe.  Whispering he responded to her comment, “If we can find a snow girl for him, I bet there’d be a big batch of snowball cookies by morning.”  Dean ducked knowing that Lisa had a damp dish towel in in her hand.



 She smacked him with said towel, giggling harder.  "You'd better eat that one before one of the kids see it," the woman said in between peals of giggles.
Dean’s eyes widened.  “I don’t think so, Lis.  That kind of situation is your department.  I don’t, ummm.  Just eat the cookie, Lis.”  Dean turned red and handed the cookie back to her. She munched on it, giggling as she did so.  "New cookies on table to decorate.  Get back to work."


“Yes, ma’am,”  there was a little bit of the old Dean in his swagger as he walked back towards the table and saw the that new ones were poinsettia flowers and some pumpkins and turkeys. “All right!”  Dean grabbed a pumpkin and sat down.
 Near blinked, looking at him.  He was working on a turkey at the moment.  "Dean is enthusiastic."

Dean grinned and winked at Near. “ I was finding new appendages for the snowman.  Lisa liked ithem so it made me more enthusiastic about decorating cookies.  Now there’s a pumpkin.  I don’t guess I can Halloween decorate it, can I?”

"It is November so Halloween would be out in regards to decoration," Near answered, wondering why Dean would ask such a thing.

Dean stared at Near for a minute, wondering how to explain him just being himself for the first time in a long time.  He chewed on his bottom lip, thinking for a minute.  “Near, I was being an ass okay.  I wasn’t intending to make the Thanksgiving pumpkin cookies into jack-o-lanterns.”  Dean’s voice trailed off and he got a strange look on his face.  Sam recognized and thought ,”Oh lord.”
    How is doing that being an ass?"  He tilted his head in confusion.

   For a moment, Dean had a trapped look on his face.  “When someone does or says something stupid, it’s called making an ass of yourself.  I knew I couldn’t do jack-o-lanterns, but I said it as a stupid joke.  I made an ass of myself.”

   "How does that make Dean a beast of burden though?"  Matt had his head down when Near's question was heard.


"It doesn't, Near.  Jackasses  are stubborn and kind of stupid at times.  Sometimes when a person is doing something silly or corny they are called an ass for the same reason."  Dean turned back to the pumpkin and began to put orange frosting on it.  Only Sam, leaning over to give his brother and Near a drink, heard Dean mumbling under his breath, "How in the Hell do I get out this one?"  Sam realized that Matt and Mello were not going to let his brother live this one down.  He handed drinks to the others, his grin getting bigger at the thought of what Dean had so innocently let himself in for.


 White slightly curly hair moved as the genius tilted his head, trying to determine what asses had to do with being silly.  Mello and Matt both knew that look and didn't bother with hiding the laughter.  "Is this another instance of sarcasm?"


Soda sprayed from Sam's mouth at the look of shock on his brother's face.  Dean stared at the young teen.  "What?"  He looked across at the tall Winchester holding his sides and the splattered spray on the table.  He gave the man a 'WTF?' look and Sam laid his head on the table and the laughs had gone almost to giggles


Matt was pretty much on the floor by this time, laughing so hard that he was crying.  Mello was trying so hard to keep his snickers under control but couldn't.  He knew Near was trying to understand but couldn't find it in him to really explain.


Dean stared at the three, trying to cope with all of it.  He looked at the white haired young man next him.  "Wh..what exactly do you mean by sarcasm, because that was sarcasm.  When I use sarcasm, I'm at the top of my game and it won't necessarily be pretty."


 "Near is confused," he said, shaking his head.  "Near does not understand how silliness can be compared to a beast of burden at all."


"Near, I'm not sure how to explain it any better.  I'm sorry.  I shouldn't have said anything.  I had no idea it would confuse you like this."  The older brother look around the table.  Except for Cas, everyone was laughing.  He was pretty sure Cas didn't understand either.  He wasn't going to get any help from this group.  "I'll be right back, everyone."  Dean got up and left the kitchen.


 Sarah emerged from one of the stairwells, coated in paint.  "Dean, you ok?" She could hear the laughter in the kitchen and wondered why the older Winchester looked so out of it.

Near looked at Lisa and Watari.  "Did Near do something wrong?"


Dean was moving faster then he had all day.   He  turned when he heard Sarah's voice.  "Sarah, I have to find a book on why people will call themselves or someone else an ass, poking fun, and why it is not sarcasm."


She frowned at that, then shook her head.  "I think I might have something that will help explain slang," she told him.  "Let me guess, a really cute pixy type boy didn't understand something?"


"That's one way to put it.  When I tried to explain he asked if it was it was another instance of sarcasm.  The table is covered with spit out soda from Sam.  Matt's on the floor, and Mello is trying to be nice.  I don't think Cas knows what the Hell we're talking about.  I thought about asking Watari, but he and Lis were there.  They said nothing.  I don't think I have a book like that.  I can't imagine Sam even buying me one."  Dean sounded  like he was hanging on by a thread.  He did not want Near to think badly of him.  Somehow he'd put his foot in it big time.


 "That's because I have one," she said to him, gesturing for him to follow her.  "Dean, you didn't do anything wrong.  The fact is, Near is a bit isolated due to his issues and common slang doesn't always make sense to people like him.  The best thing you can do is simply find a good source of information for him to help him learn."


Dean looked hopeful, "Does it have jackass or ass in it?"


 "It does," she answered, letting him open doors since she was covered in paint.


Dean took the book the paint splattered woman pointed to.  He looked down at it and back up at Sam's future bride. a look relief on his face.  He leaned and kissed her forehead.  "You are a god send, Sarah.  Dean started for the door to the wing shared by his brother and future sister-in-law, when something came to mind.  He turned.  "I didn't mean that God, Sarah.  That word can mean any god.  Whatever god you want to be sent from is fine with me."  Dean cracked a beautiful smile and headed back out the door.


"I know what you meant, goof," she teased, heading to the kitchen to ask for a snack.  She'd been focusing on her work and had forgotten about lunch until now.


Dean entered the kitchen and sat back down.  He held the book out to Near.  "Sarah loaned me this.  I'd like for you read it in your spare time.  Maybe it will help you understand the meanings of certain terms of slang."  Dean reached for the pumpkin cookie and some black  frosting and some red frosting.    He took several other colors and worked on the pumpkin for a while.


 "Ah, Near thanks Sarah and Dean," he said, setting the book carefully out of the way of the food before focusing on the decoration.  Watari gave the older Winchester a grin, silently telling him that he'd handled it well before handing Sarah her food and shooing the artist out of the kitchen.


Dean smiled and kept working on his pumpkin. He had been decorating the cookie for over 30 minutes, when Sam got curious.  He motioned to Matt  to see if the teen could get a look at the cookie.  Dean had so many different colors of frosting.  Matt got up and walked over to the stove to check on the timer.  When he walked back, he looked over Dean's shoulder a the pumpkin and didn't move.


Dean's pumpkin had a Thanksgiving turkey scene but not the normal kind.  He had a turkey laid out n the ground, it's head chopped off.  He had spent time on the feathers.  There was an ax nearby.  He had added a small puddle of red near the neck and the severed head.  To him, someone had to kill that bird.  The hunter drew the picture.


Green eyes went huge behind the tinted goggles.  "Holy hells, Dean, that's morbidly awesome!  Like something out of my video game!"  He cheered.  "I should've thought of this!"


Dean grinned.  "Thanks.  I knew I couldn't do Halloween, but this is Thanksgiving.  Somebody, somewhere is going to kill the damn bird.  This is my salute to the dinner."


Blue eyes went wide and Mello checked to see what Matt was liking so much.  "Bloody hell, that's just awesome.  Morbid but awesome," he complimented him.


"Thanks, Mello."  Dean set the cookie with the others.  "If you guys don't mind, I'm going to take a nap so I can be ready for everything this evening.  I'm tired."

Supernatural Death Note Chapter 145

Lady Laran and Tisha Wyman Warnings: Bad language, violence, and some sex. Spoilers: My favorite show is Supernatural. Anyone who knows me will say I am almost obsessed, unless they happen to be Laran, who knows I am. Laran loves Death Note. We both love to write. Never in our wildest dreams did we ever think we'd be writing an alternate universe/crossover between the two. What started as a several chapter story has turned into a novel. The story had a life of its own. This saga begins towards the end of season 4 andbefore L truly got involved with the Death Note. This is a story of healing, family,friendship, humor, and horror. We do not own either show or its characters, but I'd take Dean in a heartbeat. We make no money from them. Thank you for reading. Comments are highly appreciated.



Back at the Cabin




 "We will," they chimed as Sam got ready to leave as well.




As they opened the door, the wind gusts almost took their breaths away.  The snow was coming down hard.  “Doc, you better leave now, if you’re thinking about it, or you’re gonna get stuck here.  You might oughta call and check on road conditions before you leave.”


"Doing so now," Nancy said, having picked up the phone before Dean had opened the door.


Dean shut the door and waited. 


"Passable if we go now," she said, picking up the samples to send out.  "We're going now; I'll give a call when I get home," she promised and the doctor agreed, fastening his coat.


They all left the clinic, the two heading towards their cars, and the Winchesters walking towards their cabin, faces down to keep the wind and biting snow out of their eyes.  Dean forced himself to keep up with his longer legged brother.  It was cold, he hurt, and he was tired, but was not going to complain.  The mild sedative was wearing off and he felt numb inside over the events of the day.  He wasn’t sure he felt anything.  He wasn’t panicking and  that was good.  He wanted to talk but to who?  He needed something but what.  He shook his head.  Just get inside.  Get warm.  Get home.


They got to the backdoor and Sam opened it, shivering as the two stepped into the warm air.  "Thank goodness for heating," he grumbled.


“Why’d we come this way, anyway?  We could’ve cut across like we did this morning instead of through the trees and rocks.  That’s what we get for keeping our heads down to avoid the wind and the snow.”


 "Because you led us this direction?  I don't know."


“I was fighting to keep up with you so how the hell was I leading?”


 "Oh screw it, we're home at least," he said, tramping down the hallways and following what smelled like fresh baked cookies.


Dean followed his brother and the smell.  Lisa was just pulling out a sheet of chocolate chip cookies out of the oven.  There were racks of cookies all over the counters and jars of cookies on the table.  Dean’s eyes widened.  He’d never seen so many home made cookies in his life. 


"Something smells good," he chimed, watching as Matt and Mello helped put another sheet of cookies into the ovens.


Dean stared from rack to rack and at all the jars.  “How many different kinds of cookies are there?”


 "About six or so," Lisa said.  "I'm going to start with sugar cookies for everyone to decorate later."


“Are these for Thanksgiving or for Christmas too?  Why so many?”


 "Thanksgiving, and sweets rarely last long around this time," she said with a smile.


“I don’t remember Thanksgiving very much.  I was four the last time I had one.  Sam probably had some with Jessica’s family, but I wasn’t that lucky.  When do you actually start celebrating all these holidays?   When do you decorate and things?  Thanksgiving’s not until next week and you’re making all these sweets.  They’ll be gone before next Thursday.  You’re gonna be cooking all that time?”


 "Pretty much," she laughed.  "And it's all fun.  I enjoy baking."


“It’s smells good.”


 "Wash up and you can help," she said with a grin.


Dean grinned and headed slowly towards their wing.


 Sam went to clean up as well, going to check to see what Sarah had gotten herself into.


Dean finally reached  his wing and opened the door.  He entered heading towards the stairwell.  He looked towards the stairs with  a sigh a grabbed the railing.  Closing his eyes for a second , he placed a foot on the first step only to find it on the top one and himself looking into a pair of piercing blue eyes. 
“Hello, Dean.”  The startled hunter reeled backwards, trying to catch himself on the stair rail.  “Cas!”
The angel moved quickly, keeping him from falling over.  "You are looking much improved."


“Thank you.  How are you doing?  Where have you been?”  Dean started walking towards the master bedroom, expecting his friend to follow


"I have been busy with various tasks assigned to me; I have been watching over you though," he said, following his human friend.


You mean God’s back? I thought you were fallen, Cas? I thought you were on the run? I’ve been worried about you. Afraid to contact you. Why didn’t you let us know? What happened?”




"Things came to a head, everyone fighting against each other before God arrived...He has been cleaning things up," he told his friend.


“God’s really back? I guess that means you're back on duty? He’s taken you back?You’re roaming free.”


The angel nodded, looking more relaxed than he had in a very long time.  "He has.  Apparently, I was fulfilling parts of the plan that no one knew of and he is pleased.  I've been commended for it and because we are friends, I am allowed to visit."  That was part of the angel's reward.


Dean entered the master suite and walked slowly towards the bed and sat down on it with a sigh, closing his eyes, he shrugged out of is jacket, and leaned down to remove his boots, looking up at his friend , he licked his lips and smiled softly. “How long can you stay,” was the soft response.


"For a while, I may have to disappear for a bit to check on another charge but I will return," he answered.


“Great! Let me get cleaned up. I had thought about soaking, but I think I’ll take a quick shower. Lisa’s baking cookies and kinda needs help and I promised Sarah I’d cut ornaments for her. There’s so much to be done and just not enough time to do it all in.. I’m not sure just how well I am, Cas. That’s the problem. Let me get that shower. I’m getting tired already and it’s barely in the afternoon. Geez!”


The angel frowned at him. "You do realize they don't expect you to take on the weight of everything?"


“Yeah,I know, Cas. It’s our first Thanksgiving and Christmas as a family. Hell it’s our first Thanksgiving and Christmas period...a real one, any way. I want to bake those cookies, Cas. I’m excited about it. I was .only using it as an excuse, man. I can do the woodwork. I want to do it. Hell, it will be fun to do it. I owe Sarah. I hurt her. “


"Knowing Sarah, a simple apology would suffice. However, if I am welcome, I will aid in this endeavor of cookies and...woodwork?"


"That would be great. Let me grab my shower and I’ll be ready”. Dean grabbed some clothes and headed for the bathroom






:Castiel nodded, settling to wait for the other to finish with cleaning himself.  It would be nice to spend time with the Winchesters.  Dean was a good friend of his and to see him so happy was a blessing.


Dean stripped, placing the dirty clothes in the hamper. He leaned in and turned on the water, and reaching for a thick towel, he stepped into the large, glass enclosed shower, shutting the door behind him. He hung the towel over the top of the glass wall and adjusted the the temperature of the spray. He stepped into the steaming spray and stood under it, letting the wet heat pound down on him. He placed hands on the wall of the shower and leaned into the water, allowing it to pour down his back He kept his eyes closed as the large rivulets poured over his head and back, washing down his face. He took deep breaths and let pounding heat massage him. It felt good and Dean lost track of time.


Fifteen minutes later, there was a knock at the bedroom door and Sam’s voice was heard calling his brother’s name. The door opened slowly, and a dark slightly damp, shaggy heard peered in. “Dean?”


"He is in the shower, Sam," came the deep voice.  Sam was looking better too, and Castiel was very pleased about it.


“Cas! How are you doing? I was wondering where you were and  was going to try to contact you.  I know he’s been worried, but he doesn't  mention it. You know how he is? “ Sam walked up and held out his hand to the angel.


"I do, I do," he said, shaking Sam's hand.  "You are looking well and for that, I am very pleased."


"Thanks, Cas. You too. I’m glad you’re here. Can you stay awhile? Dean needs his friends right now. Ellen and Jo are coming. There’s going to be a couple of weddings between Thanksgiving and Christmas. We’d love for you to be here. To be honest, I need someone to help me keep an eye on him. He’s never gotten completely well. He still over does things, Cas. I worry about him. He might not notice if you’re watching. He’s wary of the rest of us. The doctor ran him through the ringer today.  I’m hoping he won’t over do today, but will take it easy.”


"I will be here for a while, though I will have to go and check on my charges at times," he said softly.  "He did tell me a little about having overwork issues."


“He pushes too hard, Cas. We’re all worried, but it’s been hard on him. There’s been some strife with the girls. Hell, Cas, with all of us at some point. We finally took his life over; pretty much. That’s why he was at the doctor’s. I hadn’t thought of it before but could there be some residual from that blade Lilith stabbed him with.?”


At that moment, another voice spoke. “Let’s hope not, Sammy,” came softly from the bathroom door, where the older Winchester stood listening to the two of them.


The angel looked at Sam and promised him.  "Dean is one of my charges and a friend.  I will not let him fall."