Saving Grace

In The Beginning -- Mary and John

~*****~

Mary just stared at Sam with an impatient look in her eyes. "I don't think she wants the bottle, Lottie." Sam mentions as he once again attempts to feed her.

I didn't blame her for her distrust in him. Something seemed different. And I couldn't put my finger on it. Something about Sam made my stomach turn. He seemed... unclean for no reason at all. "Well, I can't seem to produce any more milk, so I have to get her to drink formula." I retort irritably. It wasn't a whole lie-- my supply had been starting to dwindle, and every website I visited said it was because of a sudden onslaught of stress. And our job, isn't exactly stress free. But Mary was... special. And with the appearance of the supposed Angel of the lord, I had to see just how far it went.

I took the infant from his grasp and easily pushed the bottle nipple into her mouth. Sam just frowned for a moment and sighs. "I think she hates me." Sam mentions.

I hum in response. "Well, besides Bobby, the only man I've seen her like, was Dean." I say softly while Mary's eyes begin to droop. "But that's to be expected." I gaze over at Dean as he snores on the bed. "I'm pretty sure she thinks he hung the moon."

Sam snorted. "When did you get all sappy?" He asked with a chuckle.

I gestured to the sleeping infant. "Your niece." I retort as if it's obvious. Mary shunts the bottle from her mouth and stretches her little arms upwards. "I'm going to get some sleep now. You should do the same." I say to Sam as I lay her down in the small crib we'd put up in the motel room.

Sam hums in response before stretching upwards. "I will. Good night." He hums. I smile before curling up besides Dean. I doze off even before I realize it.

Morning burns at my eyes from what feels like a sleepless night, and I jerk awake when my eyes open. Castiel is sitting on the bed besides me, just staring on out the window. "Hello." He says softly without glancing at me. "And what were you dreaming about, Dean?" Castiel asks as Dean tugs me close to him.

Dean just grunts irritably. "You get your freak on by watching other people sleep?" Dean asks angrily. "What do you want?"

"Listen to me," Castiel says after a beat of silence. "You have to stop it."

"Stop what?" Dean asks.

Castiel presses his fingers to Dean's head, and he falls unconscious. "What the hell?!" I bark at Castiel as I get up. "What did you do?!"

"I haven't harmed him." Castiel says softly. "We will join him."

"Join him where?!" Castiel doesn't say anything, and suddenly, we're standing in a familiar town. "You can't just take me away from--"

Castiel interrupts me. "The child is protected. You have my word."

I swat at him angrily. "Where the hell are we?" I ask in a calmer tone. My gaze sweeps around and it feels as if I've stepped back in time. "Uh... wh-when..." I murmur delicately. "You brought Dean... here? Back in time?" I ask softly.

Castiel nods. "There is something I need to show him. Come." He grasps at my arm and with that strange fluttering noise, we appear before a very surprised, very irritated Dean.

"What is this?" Dean growls.

"What does it look like?" Castiel asks, as if he's testing Dean's patience.

"Is it real?" Dean growls.

"Very."

"Okay, so what, angels got their hands on some DeLoreans?" Dean asks angrily. "How did I get here?"