"Good God, the Roadhouse. It even smells the same." Dean said as Ash picks up his cape and mask. "Bud, blood and beer nuts. It’s the best smell in the world." Ash said and he walks behind the bar and snaps his fingers. "How 'bout a cold one? Up here? No hangover." Ash asked and Dean, Sam and (y/n) sit on the bar stools.
"So…no offense…" Sam started to ask but Ash interrupts him, knowing what he was going to ask. "How did a dirt bag like me end up in a place like this? I’ve been saved, man. I was my congregation’s number one snake handler." Ash said and (y/n) smiles. "And you said this was your heaven?" she asked. "Yup! My own…personal…" Ash said and shotguns his beer while the trio watch. He burps.
"And when the angels jumped us? We were…" Sam said. "In your heaven." Ash finished. "So there’re two heavens?" (y/n) asked. "No. More like a hundred billion. So, no worries, it’ll take those angels boys a minute to catch up." Ash said.
"What?" Dean asked, confused. "See, you gotta stop thinking of heaven as one place. It’s more like a butt-load of places all crammed together. Like Disneyland except without all the anti-Semitism." Ash said and the trio still look confused.
"Disneyland?" Sam asked. "Mm-hmm. Yeah. See you got Winchesterland and (l/n)land." Ash said as he holds up his hands to indicate the bar. "Ashland." He points all around outside the bar. "A whole mess of everybody-else-lands. Put them all together: heaven. Right? At the center of it all? Is the Magic Kingdom. The Garden." he said.
"So everybody gets a little slice of paradise." (y/n) said, understanding "Pretty much. A few people share—special cases. What not." Ash said. "What do you mean special?" Dean asked. "Aw, you know. Like, uh, soul-mates." Ash said and Dean and (y/n) share a glance. "Anyway. Most people can’t leave their own private Idaho’s." Ash said. "But you ain’t most people." (y/n) said.
"Nope. They ain’t got my skills. Hell, I’ve been all over. Johnny Cash. André the Giant." He listed then he turns to Sam. "Einstein. Sam, that man can mix a White Russian. Hell, the other day? I found Mallanāga Vātsyāyana." He said. "Who?" Sam asked. "He wrote the Kama Sutra. Huh, that boy’s heaven? Ah, sweaty. Confusing." Ash said.
"All this from a guy who used to sleep on a pool table." Dean jokes and Ash nods. "Yeah. Now that I’m dead, I’m living, man, a whole lot more." he said.
"So how’d you find us?" Sam asked him. "I rigged up my very own holy-rolling police scanner." Ash said as he pulls out a laptop then hits the power button and it starts up, displaying a mess of sound graphs and making an annoying piercing sound.
"That’s angels. Blabbing Enochian, okay? I’m fluent." He said then he turns it off and puts in back under the counter. "I heard that you were up. Of course I had to come find you. Again." He said. "Again?" (y/n) asked. "This ain’t the first time here. I mean, you three die more than anyone I’ve ever met." Ash said. "Really." Dean said, surprised. "Ah, yeah… you don’t remember. God! Angels. Must’ve Windexed your brain." Ash said.
"So, uh. I mean, have you found anybody else? Ellen and Jo?" Sam asked him and Ash looks taken aback. "Ellen and Jo are dead?" he asked and (y/n) looks upset and doesn’t answer. Ash looks to Dean and Sam. Sam looks guilty and sad while Dean turns his head away.
"Uh, yeah. Yeah. A few months now. Sorry." Sam said and Ash takes a minute to compose himself. "Um, hmm. Uh, they went down fighting?" he asked and Sam nods. "Yeah. 'Til the end." (y/n) tells him. "Yeah, a lot of good it did." Dean said, bitterly, then he looks back at Ash.
"How ‘bout our folks?" Dean asked him. "I’ve been looking all over for John Winchester, Mary too, but so far: nada. Same thing for (f/n) and (m/n). I’m sorry. But hey! There is somebody that wants to jaw with you. Hold up." Ash said and he leaves the bar and goes into the back room that used to be his. There are symbols on it like the ones he chalked onto the door of the shack.
It only takes moments before he’s returning with Pamela Barnes. The trio look happily surprised. "Pamela!" Sam said. "Nice to see you three again." Pamela said, her eyes were normal now. "Ooo." Ash said, fake shivering.
Later, Sam and Ash are sitting at the bar as Ash is working the laptop. "So this is how you get around up here?" Sam asked him. "Hm, more or less. It’s awesome to finally have an application—a practical application—for string theory." Ash said while Dean, Pamela and (y/n) are sitting at one of the tables in the raised section.
"So!" Dean said. "So." Pamela said before she reaches over and swats both of them lightly on the head. "That’s for getting me killed." She said to them. "Yeah. That’s…probably less than we deserve." (y/n) said. "Makes you feel any better, we got Ash killed too." Dean said while, at the bar, Ash raises his hand in a rock salute. "I’m cool with it." He calls out as he snaps his fingers.
"He’s cool with it. So you…you good?" Dean asked Pamela. "I’m good. Really. Remember my death scene? Gut shot. Coughing blood. You told me I was going someplace better." Pamela said. "I was lying." Dean said. "You were right! My heaven? It is one long show at the Meadowlands. It’s amazing! You should see it." Pamela said, happily.
"Yeah." Dean said as (y/n) shrugs. "You two don’t believe me." Pamela said, questioning. "No, we do, it’s just, you know. Spending eternity trapped in your own little universe while the angels run the show, that’s lonely. You know. That’s not Nirvana. That’s the Matrix." (y/n) said. "I don’t know. Attic’s still better than the basement." Pamela said.
"Yeah, but you know this place feels real, but it’s Memorex. Real is down there." Dean said as he holds his hands out. "Yeah, well, close enough. Look, guys, I’m happy. I’m at peace." Pamela said.
"What? Are you trying to sell us a time share? I mean, what’s with the pitch?" Dean asked her and she chuckles. "I know that Michael wants to take you out for a test drive." Pamela said. "Pamela…" Dean interrupts but Pamela shakes her head. "Just saying. What happens if you play ball with them? Worst case." She said.
"A lot of people die." (Y/n) said, eyeing her. "And then they come here. Is that really so bad? Look. Maybe…you don’t have to fight it so hard. That’s all I’m trying to say." she said just as Ash and Sam turn on their seats.
"Hey! Found a short cut to the Garden." Sam said and Ash gives them a thumbs up, Pamela returns it. "Oh yeah." He exclaims.
Underneath a Come In We’re Open sign, Ash draws another sigil-formula. "All Access Pass to the Magic Kingdom." he said as Dean and (y/n) stand behind him. "Good." Dean said and Ash turns to look at him. "Not good?" (y/n) asked. "That Zachary fella’s going to be watching every road to the Garden." Ash warns them while Sam and Pamela hug.
"Watch your ass." she tells him and Sam nods and leaves. "It was nice seeing you again, Pamela." (Y/n) said and Pamela nods before the two hug then she goes and hugs Dean. "You better keep an eye on him." Pamela said to (y/n) as she points at Dean. "I will." (Y/n) said as Ash finishes his formula and stands up.
"Ah, gentlemen and lady. I don’t mean to be a downer or anything but…I’m sure I’ll see you again soon." He said. "Well, keep a sixer on ice for us." Dean tells him. "Yeah." Ash said, nodding, and he opens the door and they walk through, Sam first.
It’s the house in Lawrence, which is dark, empty and kind of spooky, a train’s whistle could be heard. "What the…Why are we back home?" Dean asked. "I don’t know." Sam said as he looks around.
"So what are we going to do?" (Y/n) asked. "Keep looking for the road again, I guess." Dean said when Mary appears behind him. She’s in her nightgown, the same one she was wearing the night she was killed.
"Honey. Why are you up?" Mary asked and Dean turns to her. "Look. I’m-I’m sorry. I love you but you’re not real and we don’t have time—" Dean said but Mary keeps going. "Did you have another nightmare? Tell me." she said.
"I gotta go." Dean said to her. "Then how 'bout I tell you my nightmare, Dean? The night I burned." she said and blood appears on the nightgown above her stomach. "Guys, let’s get out of here." Dean said in a shaky voice and they turn to go.
"Don’t you walk away from me." Mary growls and Dean stops. "I never loved you. You were my burden. I was shackled to you. Look what it got me." Mary said and she blinks and her eyes turn yellow, which made everyone stand frozen in place.
"Dean." Sam and (y/n) said. Dean turns to them, looking devastated. Then the lights in the house change color, taking on an unhealthy green hue. The room changes around them; and the doors are gone. Mary blinks and her eyes are her own again. "The worst was the smell. The pain, well. What can you say about your skin bubbling off? But the smell was so…You know, for a second I thought I’d left a pot roast burning in the oven. But…it was my meat." Mary said as Dean moves away.
He goes to the wall to investigate where the doorway used to be. It’s bricked over. "And then, finally, I was dead. The one silver lining was that at least I was away from you." She said and she takes a big breath. "Everybody leaves you, Dean. You noticed? Mommy. Daddy. Even Sam. And eventually, (y/n) will grow bored of you and walk away." Mary said as Sam looks very upset at her words but he doesn’t say anything. (y/n) shakes her head at this. "You ever ask yourself why? Maybe it’s not them. Maybe, it’s you." Mary said to Dean then she chuckles.
"Easy now, kitten." Zachariah said as he walks in behind Mary while she smiles in evil glee. "You did this." (y/n) accused. "And I’m just getting started. I mean, guys. Did you really think you could just sneak past me into Mission Control?" Zachariah said. "You son of a bitch." Sam growls.
Then very large angel goons appear behind Sam, Dean and (y/n), holding them easily in place. "You know, I’d say the same thing about you, Sam, but I have actually grown quite fond of your mother. Or at least the Blessed Memory of her." Zachariah said and he moves Mary’s hair then bends down and kisses her neck.
Dean has to look away. "I think we’re going to be logging a lot of quality time together. I’ve discovered she’s quite the...MILF." Zachariah laughs. "You can gloat all you want, you dick, you’re still bald." Dean retorts. "In heaven, I have six wings and four faces, one of whom is a lion. You see this because you’re…" Zachariah said as he run his fingers down Mary’s arm. "...limited." Zachariah said then snaps his fingers and the image of Mary disappears.
"Let’s brass tack this, shall we?" Zachariah asked. "You gonna ball-gag us until we say yes? Huh, yeah, I’ve heard that one too." Dean said and Zachariah steps up to Dean, gives a small chuckle then turns, quickly, and slams his fist in (y/n)'s stomach. She folds over with a pained groan.
"(Y/N)!" Dean and Sam yell. "I’m going to do a lot more than that. I’ve cleared my schedule. Get her up." Zachariah demands and the angels get (y/n) up and he punches her again. The boys struggle against the angel holding them. "Leave her alone, you son of a bitch!" Dean shouts, angrily.
"You know, I noticed that this little girl is both of you boys' weakness. Especially you, Dean. And maybe...hurting her..." Zachariah said and he punches (y/n) again, making her scream out in pain again. "...will break you two." He said and he punches her again.
"Let me tell you something. I was on the fast track once. Employee of the month, every month, forever. I would walk these halls and people would AVERT THEIR EYES!" Zachariah said and the house rumbles and shakes. "I HAD RESPECT! And then they assigned me you. Now look at me." Zachariah said, gesturing to Dean, then he chuckles unhappily. "I can’t close the deal on a couple of flannel-wearing maggots? Everybody’s laughing at me…and they’re right to do it. So! Say yes, don’t say yes; I’m still going to take it out of your asses. It’s personal now, boys, and the last person in the history of creation you want as your enemy is me. And I’ll tell you why. Lucifer may be strong, but I’m… petty’. I’m going to be the angel on your shoulder for the rest of eternity." Zachariah said and he goes to raise his fist again to (y/n) but a voice makes him stop.
"Excuse me. Sir?" the voice said and Zachariah turns to face the newcomer, A slightly, older, black man. "I’m in a meeting." Zachariah tells him. "I’m sorry. I need to speak to those three." the man said. "Excuse me?" Zachariah said, shocked. "It’s a bad time, I know, but I’m afraid I have to insist." the old man said. "You don’t get to insist jack-squat." Zachariah spat but the newcomer doesn’t back down, just stares at Zachariah. It seems to unnerve him.
"No, you’re right. But the boss does. His orders." the man said. "You’re lying." Zachariah tells him, uncertain. "I wouldn’t lie about this. Look, fire me if you want. Sooner or later, he’s going to come back home and you know how he is with that whole wrath thing." the man said and Zachariah looks at the trio.
He looks back at the man but the old man doesn’t back down. There’s the fluttering of wings and Zachariah and his goons have disappeared. (Y/n) gasps and groans as the boys go over to her. "You okay, (y/n)?" Sam asked her as Dean gives her a look of fear and worry. "Never better." (Y/n) said and they help her up to see they are no longer in the house with its creepy green lighting.
They are in a verdant, green garden—a conservatory, surrounded with the sounds of a forest. They walk down stone steps, approaching the old man who saved them. "This is heaven’s Garden?" Sam asked. "It’s-it’s nice…ish. I guess." Dean said. "Kinda peaceful looking." (Y/n) said. "You see what you want to here. For some it’s God’s throne room; for others it’s Eden. You three, I believe it’s the Cleveland Botanical Gardens. You came here on a field trip." The man said and Sam nods in agreement and remembrance.
"You’re Joshua." (y/n) said and Joshua nods. "I’m Joshua." he said. "So, you talk to God." said Sam. "Mostly, He talks to me." Joshua said. "Well, we need to speak to Him. It’s important." (y/n) said.
"Where is he?" Dean asked. "On Earth." Joshua replied. "Doing what?" Dean asked. "I don’t know." Joshua said, shrugging. "Do you know where on Earth?" asked Sam. "No, sorry. We don’t exactly speak face-to-face." Joshua replied.
"I…I don’t get it. God’s not talking to nobody so…" (y/n) said then Joshua speaks over her. "Why’s he talking to me. I sometimes think it’s because I can sympathize—gardener to gardener—and, between us, I think he gets lonely." he said. "Well, my heart’s breaking for him." Dean said, disgusted.
"Well, can you at least get him a message for us?" Sam asked. "Actually, he has a message for you. Back off." Joshua said, which makes the trio taken aback. "What?" Dean said, shocked. "He knows already. Everything you want to tell him." Joshua said.
"But…" (y/n) said but Joshua shakes his head. "He knows what the angels are doing. He knows that the Apocalypse has begun. He just doesn’t think it’s his problem." he said. "Not his problem?" Dean said, stunned. "God saved you already. He put you on that plane. He brought back Castiel and Ariel. He granted you salvation in heaven..." Joshua said then he turns to face Sam directly. "...and after everything you’ve done too. It’s more than he’s intervened in a long time. He’s finished. Magic amulet or not, you won’t be able to find him." He said.
"But he can stop it. He can stop all of it." Dean said. "I suppose he could, but he won’t." said Joshua. "Why not?" (y/n) asked. "Why does he allow evil in the first place? You could drive yourself nuts asking questions like that." Joshua said.
"So he’s just going to sit back and watch the world burn?" asked Dean. "I know how important this was to you, Dean. I’m sorry." Joshua said. "Forget it. Just another dead-beat dad with a bunch of excuses, right. I’m used to that. I’ll muddle through." Dean said, emotional. "Except…you don’t know if you can, this time. You can’t kill the Devil, and you’re losing faith, in yourself, your brother, your girlfriend and now this?" Joshua said and Sam and (y/n) look at Dean, realizing just how desperate and depressed Dean really is.
"God was your last hope. I just…I wish I could tell you something different." said Joshua. "How do we know you’re telling the truth?" Sam asked. "You think that I would lie?" Joshua asked, stunned. "It’s just that…you’re not exactly the first angel we’ve met." (y/n) said. "I’m rooting for you three! I wish I could do more to help you, I do! But...I just trim the hedges." Joshua said, truthfully.
"So what now." Dean said, questioning. "You go home again. I’m afraid this time, won’t be like the last. This time, God wants you to remember." Joshua said as he raises his hand. There’s a whooshing sound and a bright light, similar to the one at the convent, blinds them.
Sam’s eyes open and he sucks in a huge breath and sits up in shock. He pants as two more whooshing sounds are heard again and Dean and (y/n) sit up on the second bed. Dean coughs and looks down at his chest as (y/n) takes in a deep breath and pants as well.
"You guys alright?" Sam asked them. "Define alright." Dean said and he reaches over and picks up his cell phone. He stands up as he dials and (y/n) could see his back is covered in blood from the exit wounds.
Castiel and Ariel, looking lost and without hope, lean against the divider while Dean, Sam and (y/n) pack up their gear in the background. "Maybe…maybe Joshua was lying." Castiel said and the trio look at him. "I don’t think he was, Cas. I’m sorry." Sam said then he sighs.
(y/n) watches as Ariel moves into the entryway then looks up. "You son of a bitch. I believed in…" she growls, with anger, as she searches above for any sign, anything…There is nothing. Cas looks up as well, as if he'd get answers but nothing as well.
Ariel lowers her head, hits the side of her fist against the doorway, hard but not hard enough to do damage, and Cas turns back to the trio, looking at Dean. He pulls the amulet from his pocket. "We don’t need this anymore." he said as he tosses it to Dean who shakes it out to look at it. "It’s worthless." Castiel sneers and he turns away.
"Guys. Wait." (y/n) calls out to them but the sounds of wings were heard and Cas and Ariel were gone. Sam tosses his shirt on the bed, angrily, (y/n) places her hands over her face, letting out a long sigh, while Dean hasn’t looked up from the amulet in his hands.
"We’ll find another way. We can still stop all this, Dean." Sam said and Dean looks up at him. "How?" he asked. "I don’t know, but we’ll find it. All three of us, we’ll find it." Sam said but Dean doesn’t look like he believes him and Sam knows it, as does (y/n).
Dean picks up his bag and walks past Sam and (y/n) without saying anything, he doesn’t even look at them. At the door he pauses and drops the amulet in the trash then opens the door and leaves.
Behind him, Sam takes a deep breath, looking sad, but determined, and he walks out. (Y/n) stands there for a moment then walks over to the trash can and sees the amulet. Part of her wanted to leave it but...she couldn't.
So she bends down and picks up the amulet and stares at it. Then, quickly, pockets it and heads out of the room, shutting the door behind her and heads over to the Impala.