[Free to Be You and Me]
EXT. GREAT PLAINS MOTEL – NIGHT
INT. MOTEL ROOM – NIGHT
Sam laid in an otherwise empty bed, shirtless and trying to sleep. He opened his eyes, sighed, and rolled over. He sat up and saw Jess beside him.
"Hey, baby," Jess greeted and Sam stared. "I missed you."
Sam kept staring before saying, "Jessica. I'm dreaming."
"Or you're not. What's the difference? I'm here."
"I miss you so much."
"I know." She reached out to take Sam's hand. "I miss you too. What are you doing, Sam?"
"What do you mean?"
"Running away. Haven't we been down this road before?"
"No. It's different now."
"Really?"
"Last time I wanted to be normal. This time I know I'm a freak."
"Which is all a big ball of semantics. You know that."
"No."
"Even at Stanford you knew. You knew there was something dark inside of you. Deep down, maybe, but you knew. Maybe that's what got me killed."
Sam looked up, startled. "No."
"I was dead from the moment we said hello."
"No."
"Don't you get it? You can't run from yourself. Why are you running now?"
"Why are you here, Jess?"
"Would you believe I'm actually trying to protect you?"
"From what?"
"You. Sooner or later the past is going to catch up to you like it always does. You know what happens then?" Sam looked down. "People die. Baby, the people closest to you die."
"Don't worry because I won't make that mistake again."
"Same song, different verse. Things are never gonna change with you. Ever."
Sam looked down, then back up. Jess was gone.
One Week Earlier
EXT. GREAT PLAINS MOTEL – DAY
A car pulled up in front of the motel.
GARBER, OKLAHOMA
Sam got out of the shotgun seat and said, "Thanks."
"You're welcome," the driver replied.
Sam went around to the back of the car and opened the trunk.
EXT. TAFT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL – DAY
Dean closed the trunk of the Impala. He was wearing a suit and tie, Kennedy was wearing a dress, in contrast to Sam's casual dress. Dean and Kennedy both hid a long knife under their coats and went into the hospital.
GREELEY, PENNSYLVANIA
INT. MOTEL ROOM – DAY
Sam squirted lighter fluid onto papers in a sink.
Sam lit a match and dropped it in. His fake IDs and credit cards, including one for the Pennsylvania state police, caught fire.
INT. HOSPITAL – DAY
Dean and Kennedy showed their Pennsylvania state police IDs to a doctor.
"Hi, Detective Bill Buckner, and this is Toni Armas," Dean said.
"Yes. How can I help you, Detectives?" the doctor asked.
"We're here about those patients, the exsanguinated ones."
INT. BAR – DAY
Sam was visible through the window walking up to the bar. A sign that read "BUSBOY WANTED" was on the door.
INT. BAR
Sam held a crate full of fruit and dumped it out.
EXT. NIGHT
Dean shoved a man onto the ground while Kennedy twirled her machete. The man bared vampire fangs.
"Eat it, Twilight," Dean retorted as he brought his knife down on the vampire's neck.
"Twilight?" Kennedy repeated. "Are you Team Edward or Team Jacob?"
"Neither. Wait. How do you know that?"
"I have eyes, ears, and a brain. Not bad, vampire slayer."
INT. BAR
Sam chopped lemons.
EXT. NIGHT
Dean, face blood-spattered, hacked at the vampire's neck. Kennedy made sure no one was around.
INT. BAR
Sam sliced lemons and wiped his forehead.
EXT. NIGHT
Dean wiped his cheek, smearing some of the blood and Kennedy offered him a towel.
EXT. NIGHT
Dean opened the trunk of the Impala. Kennedy stood next to Dean.
INT. BAR
Sam carried a rag over to the bar and started wiping it down.
A waitress, Lindsey, eyed him appreciatively and carried off somebody's glass and beer bottle.
Sam continued to clean the bar with soapy liquid.
EXT. NIGHT
Dean and Kennedy washed the car and he splashed Kennedy, which soon turned into splashing each other.
INT. IMPALA – NIGHT
Dean and Kennedy drove, listening to music.
EXT. ROAD – NIGHT
The Impala drove on.
INT. MOTEL ROOM – NIGHT
Dean dampened a washcloth in the motel room sink and started to clean his jacket. Kennedy was asleep on one of the beds. Castiel appeared behind him. Dean saw him in the mirror and startled.
"God," Dean muttered, thumping the sink. "Don't do that."
"Hello, Dean," Castiel greeted.
Dean turned around; Castiel was inches from him.
"Cas, we've talked about this. Personal space?"
"My apologies." He stepped back. Dean grabbed his jacket, walked towards the bed, and gently shook Kennedy who let out a protesting groan.
"How'd you find us? I thought we were flying below the angel radar." He rubbed his ribs to illustrate the point.
"You two are. Bobby told me where you both were." He looked around the motel room, which had no signs of Sam's presence; not even a second bed. "Where's Sam?"
Dean put on his jacket without looking at Castiel. "Me, Kendy and Sam are taking separate vacations for a while. So. You find God yet? More importantly, can I have my damn necklace back, please?"
"No, I haven't found him. That's why I'm here. I need your help. The both of you."
Kennedy crossed her arms and yawned before saying, "With what? God hunt? Not interested."
"It's not God. It's someone else."
"Who?" Dean and Kennedy asked.
"Archangel. The one who killed me."
"'Scuse me?"
"His name is Raphael."
"You were wasted by a teenage mutant ninja angel?" Dean questioned, earning a swat from Kennedy.
"I've heard whispers that he's walking the earth. This is a rare opportunity."
"For what? Revenge?"
"Information."
Dean went back over to the sink, picked up his knife and a washcloth, and started to clean the knife. "So, what, you think you can find this dude and he's just gonna spill God's address?"
"Yes, because we are gonna trap him and interrogate him."
Dean paused and turned back. "You're serious about this."
Castiel turned around to face Dean. Dean dropped the washcloth and walked back towards Castiel and Kennedy who was putting on her shoes.
"So, what, I'm Thelma and you're Louise and we're just going to hold hands and sail off this cliff together?" Dean wondered.
Kennedy rolled her eyes and muttered, "Oh, God."
Castiel stared at Dean, confused. Dean went around Castiel and did something with the knife.
"Give me one good reason why Kendy and I should do this," Dean said.
"Because you're Michael's vessel and no angel will dare harm you," Castiel replied.
Dean looked at Castiel. "Oh, so I'm your bullet shield. You'd better not consider doing that to Kennedy, because we're gonna have problems."
"I need your help because you two are the only ones who'll help me. Please."
Dean and Kennedy exchanged a look and considered.
Kennedy let out a sigh as she moved to stand next to Dean. "All right, fine. Where is he?"
"Maine. Let's go."
Castiel reached to touch Dean and Kennedy's foreheads with two fingers. Dean and Kennedy leaned away.
"Whoa," Dean and Kennedy protested.
Castiel removed his hands. "What?"
"Last time you zapped me and Kendy someplace, I didn't poop for a week. We're driving," Dean said.
INT. BAR – NIGHT
Lindsey was throwing darts; they landed near the center of the target. Sam was at the bar next to the bartender.
"Hey Keith, you play?" Lindsey asked.
"That depends," Sam replied. "What are we playing for?"
"World peace."
"Oh, is that all?"
"Can I ask you something?"
"Shoot." Sam wiped his hands off on a cloth and tossed it at the bar.
Lindsey retrieved her darts. "You finished that crossword puzzle in the kitchen?"
"Uh, I guess. Why?"
"The New York Times Saturday crossword?"
Sam looked down. "Was it?"
"Uh-huh. You blow into town last week, you don't talk to anybody, you're obviously highly educated. You're like this..."
"Riddle wrapped inside an enigma wrapped inside a taco?"
Lindsey nodded, smiling. "Here's what we play for. When I win, you buy me dinner and tell me your life story."
"Sounds fair."
A News Anchor John spoke on the TV in the background. "—last year alone, standards of ??? and see how that turns out—"
Sam threw all three darts into the center of the target.
"And now ??? with ???—"
"Very mysterioso," Lindsey said.
"Spring hail, lightning strikes, and now fire—"
"I like it."
Sam's attention was on KPJT 6 News on the TV, which shifted from one video of a hailstorm to another, then to video of trees on fire, then to the reporter live with fire and firemen in the background. While the reporter was onscreen, so was a box that says "LIVE REPORT" next to a scrollbar repeating "FIRE CONSUMES TOWN, RESIDENTS FORCED TO EVACUATE..."
A reporter spoke. "—the town of Tully? tonight, John. Locals say that what started as a torrential hailstorm late this afternoon suddenly turned to massive lightning strikes that triggered the fires now consuming more than twenty acres here along the Route 17 corridor. County officials are advising all Tully residents to prepare for what could become mandatory evacuations."
The bartender shut the TV off. "Damn. Is it me or does it seem like it's the end of the world?"
Sam looked away.
EXT. STREET – DAY
Dean, Kennedy and Castiel got out of the Impala.
WATERVILLE, MAINE
"And we're here why?" Dean asked.
"A deputy sheriff laid eyes on the archangel," Castiel replied.
"And he still has eyes? All right, what's the plan?"
"We'll... tell the officer that he witnessed an angel of the Lord, and the officer will tell us where the angel is."
Kennedy frowned. "Seriously? You're going to walk in there and tell him the truth?"
"Why not?"
"Because we're humans," Dean explained as he pulled out another fake ID and stashed it inside Castiel's coat, then adjusted Castiel's coat and tie. "And when humans want something really, really bad, we lie."
"Why?"
"Because that's how you become President. Stow the glare, Kendy. You know I'm right."
INT. SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT – DAY
"Deputy Framingham?" Dean and Kennedy called.
The deputy turned around. Dean and Kennedy both held up an FBI ID.
"Hi," Dean greeted. "Alonzo Mosely, FBI. These are my partners, Eddie Moscone and Denise Walsh." Castiel did nothing. "Also FBI."
Castiel still did nothing. Dean and Kennedy stared at him. Castiel caught on and pulled out his FBI ID, which he displayed upside-down.
Dean turned it over for him before saying, "He's, uh, he's new. Mind if we ask you a few questions?"
Castiel looks at the ID, curious.
"Yeah, sure. Talk here, though," Framingham said, indicating his right ear, leading Dean, Kennedy and Castiel to his office. "Hearing's all blown to hell in this one."
"That happen recently?" Dean and Kennedy asked.
"Yeah. Gas station. Why you're here, isn't it?"
Dean and Kennedy exchanged a look before the former replied, "Yes, it is."
They all sat down.
"You mind just, uh, running us through what happened?" Kennedy asked.
"A call came in," Framingham answered. "Disturbance out at the Pump and Go on Route 4."
"What kind of disturbance?" Dean wondered.
"Would not have believed my eyes if I hadn't seen it myself. We're talking a riot. Full scale."
"How many?"
"Thirty, forty, in all-out kill-or-be-killed combat?"
"Any idea what set them off?" Kennedy inquired.
"It's angels and demons, probably," Castiel said, causing Framingham to look at him and the angel looked back. "They're skirmishing all over the globe."
"Come again?" Framingham asked, turning back to Dean and Kennedy. "What did he say?"
Dean, Kennedy and Castiel spoke simultaneously.
"Nothing. Nothing," Dean and Kennedy said.
"Demons. Demons," Castiel stated before shutting up after noticing the looks Dean and Kennedy were giving him.
"Demons, you know, drink, adultery," Dean explained to cover up. "We all have our demons, Walt."
Framingham looked back and forth before replying, "I guess."
Dean and Kennedy looked at Castiel. "Anyway."
Dean and Kennedy returned their attention to Framingham before Dean asked, "What happened next?"
"Freaking explosion, that's what," Framingham said. "They said it was one of those underground gas tanks, but, uh, I don't think so."
"Why not?"
"Wasn't your usual fireball. It was, um—"
"Pure white," Castiel finished.
"Yeah. Gas station was leveled. Everyone was... it was just horrible. And I see this one guy, kneeling, real focused-like, not a damn scratch on him."
Kennedy frowned. "You know him?"
"Donnie Finneman. Mechanic there."
"Let me guess, he just, uh, vanished into thin air?" Dean asked.
"Uh, no, Kolchak. He's down at Saint Pete's."
Castiel turned to Dean and Kennedy before saying, "Saint Pete's."
"Thank you," Dean and Kennedy replied.
INT. ST. PETER'S HOSPITAL – DAY
Donnie was sitting in a wheelchair, catatonic. Dean, Kennedy and Castiel observed him from the hallway window.
"I take it that's not Raphael anymore," Kennedy noted.
"Just an empty vessel," Castiel confirmed.
"So is this what I'm looking at if Michael jumps in my bones?" Dean wondered.
"No, not at all. Michael is much more powerful. It'll be far worse for you."
Dean looked away and Kennedy looked at him, worry swimming in her eyes.
INT. MOTEL ROOM – NIGHT
Sam had his laptop open to a calligraphed page of the Book of Revelation in Latin. He highlighted a section and magnified it, then picked up the phone and scrolled past Adele, Alana, Bobby, Butcher, Cassidy, Cory, Courtenay, Dan, Darilyn, and Deborah to Dean. He stared at the highlighted number for a moment, (212) 555-0113, and scrolled up to Bobby.
INT. BOBBY'S HOUSE – NIGHT / INT. MOTEL ROOM – NIGHT
The phone rang and Bobby answered.
"Sam?" Bobby asked.
"Hey Bobby," Sam greeted. "How you doing?"
"Well I ain't running any marathons, but I'll live." Sam laughed. "Where are you?"
"Uh, Garber, Oklahoma. I found a town up the road showing some Revelation omens."
"What omens?"
"All right, listen to this. 'And upon his rising there shall be hail and fire mixed with blood.'"
"Well ain't that delightful."
"Yeah. But we already got hailstorms and fire so I'm guessing blood can't be too far behind."
"Okay."
"What?"
"There a reason you're calling?"
"Dean and Kennedy didn't tell you?"
"They told me."
"Yeah. So I just thought you might want to find out who's in the area and put a man on this."
"Okay, let me see if I can think of the best hunter who might be in the immediate vicinity—oh, that'd be you."
"I can't, Bobby, I'm sitting this one out."
"Sam—"
"I gotta go. I'm so sorry."
"Hold on, Sam—"
Sam hung up and Bobby threw the phone down.
INT. ABANDONED HOUSE – DAY
Dean and Kennedy walked through the empty cabin, the former paging through John's journal. He set it down on the table and turned. Castiel was there, holding a ceramic jar.
"Where've you been?" Dean asked.
"Jerusalem," Castiel replied.
"Oh, how was it?"
Kennedy swatted Dean's shoulder. "Be nice."
"Arid," Castiel answered. "It's all right, Kennedy." He set the jar on the table.
"What's that?" Dean and Kennedy wondered.
"It's oil. It's very special. Very rare." He sat.
"Okay, so we trap Raphael with a nice vinaigrette?" Dean asked.
"No."
Kennedy rolled her eyes and shot Dean a look before asking, "So this ritual of yours, when does it got to go down?"
"Sunrise."
"Tell us something," Dean said. "You keep saying we're gonna trap this guy. Isn't that kinda like trapping a hurricane with a butterfly net?"
"No, it's harder."
"Do we have any chance of surviving this?"
"You and Kennedy do."
"So odds are you're a dead man tomorrow."
"Yes."
"Well. Last night on earth. What are your plans?"
"I just thought I'd sit here quietly."
"Come on, anything? Booze, women?"
Castiel looked at Dean and away, uncomfortable. Kennedy's eyes shifted as she registered Dean's words.
The blonde shook her head. "Dean, I -- no."
"You have been with women before," Dean said. "Right? Or an angel, at least? Kendy, have you been with anyone since we dated?"
Castiel rubbed the back of his neck and Kennedy shook her head.
Dean continued. "You mean to tell me you've never been up there doing a little cloud-seeding?"
"Look, I've never had occasion, okay?" Castiel replied.
"All right."
Dean grabbed his jacket. "Let me tell you something. There are two things I know for certain. One, Bert and Ernie are gay. Two, you are not gonna die a virgin. Not on my watch. Kennedy can make that choice for herself. Let's go."
Dean left. Castiel stared after him, glanced at Kennedy, then followed. Kennedy followed moments later.
INT. BAR - NIGHT
A patron played pool. Sam took a tray of empty glasses and trash.
"Hey, Sam," a man greeted and Sam ignored him. "Sam."
"Sam? What happened to Keith?" Lindsey wondered.
Sam put down the tray and looked over before asking, "Wait, what?"
Lindsey gestured at the man, whose name was Tim, and his two companions, Reggie and Steve.
"He called you Sam," Lindsey said.
"Yeah. Uh. Sam's my middle name," Sam lied.
Lindsey laughed. "Keith Sam? Man, I'm sorry."
"Well, actually, it's Samuel, so it's not quite as dumb as it sounds," Tim told her.
"Are you guys friends?"
"Hunting buddies," Steve answered. "With his dad. Samuel here is quite the hunter himself."
"Wow. You killed deer and things?"
"Yeah, and things," Tim replied.
"Um. Why don't I get you guys some drinks?" Sam offered.
The three hunters sat at a table. Sam put beers in front of them and took the fourth seat.
"Sorry.Didn't mean to bust you back there," Tim said.
"No. It's all right," Sam replied. "So what's up?"
"Bobby called."
"And?"
"You were right. Major demon block party going on."
"But why? What are they up to?"
"Don't know yet," Steve said.
"Bobby told us you were off limits," Reggie added. "That true?"
"Yeah, that's right," Sam said.
"That's fine in theory and all, but we could really use all hands on deck here," Tim told him.
"I know you could. But I can't. I'm sorry."
"Why not?" Steve asked.
"It's personal."
"Look, man, what baggage is so heavy it can't be stowed away for the freaking apocalypse?" Tim wondered.
"Like I said—"
"Yeah," Reggie interrupted. "You're sorry. Heard it the first time."
"Suit yourself. More for us then, right?" Tim replied.
"Good luck," Sam said.
"But hey. Beers are on you when we get back."
"Yeah, you bet."
"So your parents were drunk when they named you and you shoot Bambi?" Lindsey asked.
"It's a long story."
"That is it. Enough with the kung fu wandering the earth thing. I'm gonna buy you dinner and we're gonna talk."
"Lindsey, I can't."
"No. The only way to avoid bloodshed is to say yes."
INT. BROTHEL BAR – NIGHT
Dean drank, Castiel looked terrified, and Kennedy glared at Dean.
"Hey. Relax," Dean said. "Kendy, stow the glare."
"This is a den of iniquity. I should not be here," Castiel told him. "You're making your former lover uncomfortable."
"Dude, you full-on rebelled against heaven. Iniquity is one of the perks."
A hooker approached. Dean noticed and said, "Showtime."
"Hi. What's your name?" the hooker asked.
Castiel tried not to look at her.
"Cas," Dean answered and Castiel startled while Kennedy's glare deepened. "His name is Cas. What's your name?"
"Chastity," the hooker replied.
"Chastity." Castiel drank his beer and Kennedy slouched in her seat, annoyed that they were still there. "Wow. Is that kismet or what, buddy? Well, he likes you, you like him, so dayenu."
Chastity tugged Castiel up and said, "Come on, baby."
Dean caught Castiel on the way past. "Hey, listen. Take this." He held out a handful of money. "If she asks for a credit card, no. Now just stick to the basics, okay? Do not order off the menu. Go get her, tiger."
Castiel remained still.
"Don't make me push you," Dean told the angel.
Castiel took the money and turned to follow Chastity. Another hooker walked past; Dean and Kennedy followed her, the latter to prevent her former flame from doing something stupid. The hooker and Dean clinked glasses at the bar.
"Well, cheers to you," Dean said, glancing to Kennedy. "Lighten up, Kendy. You've had that sour look all night."
Kennedy slammed her glass down. "You forced me to come here, Dean. You did. So you don't get to tell me the expression I should have. Leave me the hell alone, okay?"
He sighed, knowing she was right and turned back to the hooker.
A scream sounded. Dean and Kennedy exchanged a look and went to investigate.
INT. BROTHEL BACK CORRIDOR – NIGHT
"Get out of my face!" Chastity cried. "Leave me alone! Bastard! Screw you, jerk!" She threw something at Castiel, who was a little disheveled. "I'll kill you!" She stormed past Dean and Kennedy. "Screw you too! God! Oh! Jerk! Bitch!"
A low growl escaped Kennedy's lips as she glared after the hooker, then Dean, before finally looking at the angel with a slightly calmer expression.
Dean and Kennedy approached Castiel and Dean asked, "The hell did you do?"
"I don't know," Castiel replied. "I just looked her in the eyes and told her it wasn't her fault that her father Gene ran off. It was because he hated his job at the post office."
"Oh, no, man."
"What?"
"This whole industry runs on absent fathers. It's, it's the natural order."
Two bouncers entered from the door Chastity left through.
"We should go," Kennedy said in a relieved tone. "Come on."
Dean, Kennedy and Castiel headed for the door at the opposite end of the corridor.
EXT. ALLEY – NIGHT
Dean was laughing as he closed the door behind himself, Kennedy and Castiel.
"What's so funny?" Castiel and Kennedy asked.
"Oh, nothing," Dean answered. "Whoo. It's been a long time since I've laughed that hard. It's been more than a long time. Years." His face fell as he realized.
After a moment, he turned to the still irritated blonde. "I'm sorry for forcing you in there, Kendy. We gonna be okay?"
She considered his apology. "So long as you buy me a drink we'll call it square."
"Consider it done."
INT. BAR – NIGHT
Sam and Lindsey were sitting at a table, eating.
"So... you gonna tell me who those guys back there really were?" Lindsey asked. "And don't say hunting buddies."
"Okay. Um. We used to be in the same business together," Sam answered.
"What business?"
"How's your salad?"
"Witness protection, right? You're Mafia?"
"I'm not Mafia."
"Okay, I get it. Don't mean to pry, my bad."
"I used to be in business with my brother and a friend of ours. Truth is I was pretty good at the job. But... I made some mistakes, I did some stuff I'm not so proud of, and people got hurt. A lot of people."
"What was your poison?"
"Sorry?"
"Come on. You were hooked on something, I know the look." She pulled a medallion out of her pocket. "Three years sober."
"You work in a bar."
"So do you. Look, Keith. I don't know you and I'm the last person to be giving advice, but I do know that no one has ever done anything so bad that they can't be forgiven. That they can't change."
INT. PETER'S HOSPITAL – DAY
A nurse walked down the hallway. Dean and Kennedy watched her go and slipped into the room, shutting the door behind them and closing the shades. Castiel was already inside; he poured the oil in a circle around Donnie's wheelchair.
"When the oil burns, no angel can touch or pass through the flames, or he dies," Castiel explained.
"Okay, so we trap him in a steel cage of holy fire, but one question. How the hell do we get him here?" Dean wondered.
"Very simple. There's, well, almost an open phone line between a vessel and his angel. One just has to know how to dial." He leaned down to Donnie's ear and chanted in Enochian. "I'm here, Raphael. Come and get me, you little bastard." He left the oil circle.
"Just out of curiosity, what is the average customer wait time to speak to an archangel?"
"Be ready." He lit a match and dropped it on the oil, which burst into a ring of flame.
Kennedy subconsciously grabbed Dean's hand and he squeezed it gently.
EXT. ROAD – NIGHT
Dean, Kennedy and Castiel drove up to a house.
"Well that's a day Kendy and I'll never get back," Dean said.
INT. HOUSE – NIGHT
Dean, Kennedy and Castiel entered the house.
"Dean, Kennedy, wait," Castiel told the hunters.
There was a bright light.
Donnie was already inside the cabin, flaring with lightning in the shape of wings; he was Raphael. Lightbulbs shattered.
"Castiel," Raphael called.
"Raphael," Castiel greeted.
Castiel, Kennedy and Dean walked closer.
"And I thought you were supposed to be impressive. All you do is black out the room," Dean taunted.
"And the Eastern Seaboard," Raphael added as lightning flashed outside. "It is a testament to my unending mercy that I do not smite you here and now."
"Or maybe you're full of crap. Maybe you're afraid God will bring Cas back to life again and smite you and your candy-ass skirt. By the way, hi, I'm Dean. That's Kennedy."
"I know who you are. And now, thanks to him, I know where you are."
"You won't kill him. You wouldn't dare," Castiel said. "You wouldn't kill her either."
"But I will take him to Michael. I would kill her; she's not needed."
"Well then," Dean stated. "Sounds terrifying. It does. But, uh, hate to tell you, I'm not going anywhere with you. Kendy's very much needed." He grabbed a beer.
"Surely you remember Zachariah giving you stomach cancer?"
"Yeah, that was, that was hilarious."
"Well, he doesn't have anything close to my imagination."
"Yeah? I bet you didn't imagine one thing."
"What?"
A smirk crossed Kennedy's face as she said, "We knew you were coming, you dumb son of a bitch."
Dean lit his lighter and dropped it. Holy oil ignited in a circle around Raphael.
"Don't look at me or her, it was his idea," Dean told the archangel.
"Where is He?" Castiel demanded.
"God?" Raphael determined. "Didn't you hear? He's dead, Castiel. Dead."
INT. BAR – NIGHT
Sam wiped down a table. The door chimed open and someone entered.
"Bar's closed," Sam said, turning. "Hey."
"Something you want to tell me, Sam?" Tim asked.
"What? No."
"You sure about that?"
"I—I don't know—jeez. Are you okay? Where are Reggie and Steve?"
"Oh, Steve's good, he's, uh, his guts are lying roadside outside the Hawley Five and Dime."
"I'm sorry."
"Sorry don't cut it, Sam."
"What do you want me to say?"
"The truth." Sam said nothing. "Okay, fine. Let me give you some of my own, then. We go into town, we catch ourselves a demon, we get jumped by ten more. Steve bought it."
"I'm sorry."
"Saying it twice don't make it so, Sam. You see, this demon, he, uh, he told us things. Crazy things, things about you, Sam."
"Demons lie."
"Yeah. I'm gonna ask you one last time. The truth. Now."
The door chimed again. Reggie entered, hauling Lindsey.
"Lindsey!" Sam cried.
Reggie held a knife to Lindsey's neck.
"What's going on?" Lindsey asked.
INT. ABANDONED HOUSE – NIGHT
"But there's no other explanation," Raphael said. "He's gone for good."
"You're lying," Castiel retorted.
"Am I? Do you remember the twentieth century? Think the twenty-first is going any better? Do you think God would have let any of that happen if He were alive?"
"Oh yeah? Well then who invented the Chinese basket trick?" Dean asked, earning a swat from Kennedy and he took her hand to prevent her from hitting him again.
"Careful. That's my Father you're talking about, boy."
"Yeah, who would be so proud to know His sons started the frigging apocalypse," Kennedy retorted with a glare.
"Who ran off and disappeared. Who left no instructions and a world to run."
"Daddy ran away and disappeared," Dean taunted. "He didn't happen to work for the post office, did He?"
"This is funny to you? You're living in a godless universe."
"And? What, you and the other kids just decided to throw an apocalypse while He was gone?"
"We're tired. We just want it to be over. We just want... paradise."
Kennedy scoffed and crossed her arms. "So, what, God dies and makes you the boss and you decide you can do whatever you want?"
"Yes. And whatever we want, we get."
The windows burst in and Dean instantly shielded Kennedy from the glass.
INT. BAR – NIGHT
"Just take it easy, okay?" Sam said. "Put the knife down."
Reggie put the knife down on the bar, but kept hold of Lindsey.
Sam continued. "It's true. What the demons said, it's all true."
"Keep going," Tim told him.
"Why? You gonna hate me any less? Am I gonna hate myself any less? What do you want?"
"I want to hear you say it."
"I did it. I started the apocalypse."
INT. ABANDONED HOUSE – NIGHT
"If God is dead, why have I returned?" Castiel wondered. "Who brought me back?"
"Did it ever occur to you that maybe Lucifer raised you?" Raphael questioned.
"No."
"Think about it. He needs all the rebellious angels he can find. You know it adds up."
"Let's go."
"Castiel, I'm warning you. Do not leave me here. I will find you."
"Maybe one day. But today, you're my little bitch."
Castiel left. Dean and Kennedy followed and paused before saying, "What he said."
INT. BAR – NIGHT
Tim held up a test tube of red liquid.
Sam stared at it and asked, "What is that?"
"What do you think it is? It's go juice, Sammy boy," Tim answered.
"Get that away from me."
"Away from you? No. This is for you. Hell if that demon wasn't right as rain. Down the hatch, son."
"You're insane."
"Here's what's gonna happen. You're gonna drink this, Hulk out, and you're gonna waste every one of the demon scum that killed my best friend." Tim nodded at Lindsey, whom Reggie had just handcuffed to the bar. "Or she dies."
"You wouldn't do that."
"It's funny how watching your best friend die changes that."
Reggie and Tim advanced on Sam, who retreated.
"Come on, you know you want it, Sam," Tim said. "Just reach out and take it."
Reggie charged Sam, who tossed him into the pool table. Tim joined in, he and Reggie restraining Sam and pouring the demon blood into his mouth, then holding his mouth closed so he'd swallow. They dropped Sam and backed away. Sam got up.
"There, was that really so bad?" Travis asked.
Sam spat it in Tim's eye and pounded him and Reggie both, then grabbed Tim, slammed him into the bar, took Reggie's knife, and held it to Tim's throat. He noticed Lindsey watching, scared, and threw Tim over to Reggie.
"Go," Sam ordered.
"Don't think we won't be back," Tim warned.
"Don't think I won't be here."
INT. IMPALA – NIGHT
Dean drove, Castiel rode shotgun and Kennedy was in back.
"You okay?" Dean asked, but Castiel remained silent. "Look, I'll be the first to tell you that this little crusade of yours is nuts, but I do know a little something about missing fathers."
"What do you mean?" Castiel questioned.
"I mean there were times when I was looking for my dad when all logic said that he was dead, but I knew in my heart he was still alive. Who cares what some ninja turtle says, Cas, what do you believe?"
"I believe he's out there."
Kennedy nodded. "Good. Then go find him."
"What about you two?"
"What about me and her?" Dean wondered. "I don't know. Honestly, I'm good. Kendy seems good. I can't believe I'm saying that, but I am, I'm really good.
"Even without your brother?"
"Especially without my brother. I mean, I spent so much time worrying about the son of a bitch. I mean, I've had more fun with you and Kennedy, despite her attitude, in the past twenty-four hours than I've had with Sam in years, and you're not that much fun. It's funny, you know, I've been so chained to my family, but now that I'm alone, hell, I'm happy."
Dean looked over; the shotgun seat was empty. His smile faltered.
Kennedy silently climbed into the passenger's seat, despite the moving car, and took Dean's hand. He subconsciously brought her hand to his lips and kissed her hand.
"You've still got me, Dean," the blonde said quietly.
Dean glanced at her and smiled. "I know. Thanks, Kennedy."
"Anytime."
EXT. GREAT PLAINS MOTEL – NIGHT
INT. SAM'S MOTEL ROOM – NIGHT
Sam slept alone.
"Sam. Sam," Jess called.
Sam woke up and looked around. Jess was back. He kissed her on the neck and she rolled over to face him.
"So. This is your life now? Think you can just live forever with your head buried in the sand?" Jess asked, running her thumb over Sam's chin.
"I love you, Jess," Sam told her as he sat up in bed, turning away from Jess, who sat up as well. "God knows how much I miss you, too. But you're wrong. People can change. There is reason for hope."
"No, Sam. There isn't."
Jess put a hand on Sam's shoulder and morphed into Nick. Jess had been Lucifer all along.
"How can you be so sure?" Sam wondered.
"Because you freed me," Lucifer said.
Sam turned, saw Lucifer where he expected Jess, stood and backed away.
"That's right. You know who I am," Lucifer told him.
"Lucifer," Sam noted.
"You are a hard one to find, Sam. Harder than most humans. I don't suppose you'd tell me where you are?"
"What do you want with me?"
"Thanks to you, I walk the earth. I want to give you a gift. I want to give you everything."
"I don't want anything from you."
"I'm so sorry, Sam, I, I really am, but Nick here is just an improvisation. Plan B. He can barely contain me without spontaneously combusting."
"What are you talking about?"
Lucifer stood and moved closer to Sam. "Why do you think you were in that chapel? You're the one, Sam. You're my vessel. My true vessel."
"No."
"Yes."
"No. That'll never happen."
"I'm sorry, but it will. I will find you. And when I do, you will let me in. I'm sure of it."
"You need my consent."
Lucifer crossed his arms over his chest. "Of course. I'm an angel."
"I will kill myself before letting you in."
"I'll just bring you back." He sighed. "Sam. My heart breaks for you. The weight on your shoulders, what you've done, what you still have to do. It is more than anyone could bear. If there was some other way... but there isn't. I will never lie to you. I will never trick you. But you will say yes to me."
"You're wrong."
"I'm not. I think I know you better than you know yourself."
"Why me?"
"Because it had to be you, Sam. It always had to be you."
Sam looked up and Lucifer was gone.