say you won't let go, sam winchester [ 4 ]

044. fifth base

"Alright. We've got "Principia Phantasmagoria."" Dean tosses a book on the table. "We have "Archive of the Unnatural Occurrences."" He throws another book down. "And we've got "Jower et Nuet." Kind of a weird name."

""Jour et Nuit."" Sam correctly pronounces. "It's, uh, it's French. It means "The Book of Day and Night."" He explains.

"Okay, that was hot." Miranda comments. Sam lets out a small laugh and Dean pretends to vomit.

"Fancy. So, this is everything that even mentions alternate realities. So there's gotta be something here that talks about the apocalypse world, right?" Dean asks.

"Yeah, maybe." Sam says.

"Dude." Dean says.

"I'm just saying, Dean, Jack was our way over there, obviously, so with him gone..." Sam says.

"Okay, well, Jack's been gone before. We found him once. We can find him again." Dean says.

"No, no, he didn't run away. He is literally in an alternate reality." Sam says.

"Yeah, he got blasted away or... or whatever." Miranda says.

"Okay, so we'll just come up with a plan B, okay? You said it yourself. We just keep our heads down and we'll do the work." Dean says.

"You said that."

"And I was right. Yeah. So you read, do your Sam thing. I'm gonna go for a beer run." Dean says.

"Yeah." Sam says.

"You're lazy." Miranda says.

"Thanks." Dean pats her shoulder.

"So not a compliment." Miranda shakes her head.

"We should probably loop Cas in at some point." Dean says.

"We'll fill him in when he calls. He checks in every day." Sam says.

"Yeah, with a bunch of questions and no leads." Dean says.

"I'm sure he's doing the best he can. Just go get beer or..." Sam waves Dean off, the olde brother leaving.

"Daddy! Daddy, daddy, daddy!" Serena races in, her box full of hair supplies in hand. Sam's heart warms at the excited, hopeful grin on her face, her eyes sparkling with joy. But dread enters when he spots the mischief in her look.

"What?" Sam asks.

"Can I braid your hair? Mommy said I can practice on you." Serena says.

"Did she?" Sam scoffs, looking over at Miranda.

"Hey, parenting is 50/50. With your hair, that goes for beauty salon." Miranda smiles. "Don't like it, get a haircut."

"No!" Serena cries. "No, don't get a haircut. I like braiding your hair. Please, daddy." She gives him puppy dog eyes.

"I-- yeah. Yes, of course you can braid my honey, baby girl." Sam answers and Serena grins. "I still have to work, though, okay, so if it could be minimal silence beauty salon?"

"Minimal? Uh... that means small, right?" Serena asks.

"Yes. You can talk to yourself, but I can't have many conversations, okay?" Sam tells her.

"Capiche." Serena nods, moving to stand behind his chair so she can get to work.

"Weak." Miranda coughs out.

"Shut it." Sam mutters making Miranda giggle.

+++

They couple are still researching, not having moved much since Dean left. Serena braided Sam's hair for about half an hour before her hands got tired and she got bored. He made her undo all the little braids -- only after Wyatt came in and took a picture -- and the girl is now cuddled up in her dad's lap, falling asleep while he reads.