Reckless and Brave

LXXVII. (77) Revolution (Part I)

[Lucifer Rising]

Dean was brooding and staring out the window. Holly and Bobby were standing behind him.

Bobby frowned. "Dean? Dean! You listen to a word I said?"

"Yeah, I heard you. I'm not calling him."

"Don't make me get my gun, boy."

Dean turned to face him. "We are damn near kickoff for Armageddon, don't you think we got bigger fish at the moment?"

"I know you two are pissed. And I'm not making apologies for what he's done, but he's your--"

"Blood? He's our blood, is that what you were gonna say?"

"He's your brother. And he's drowning."

Holly shook her head sadly. "Bobby, we tried to help him. We did. Look what happened."

"So try again."

"Pretty sure it's too late."

"There's no such thing."

"No, damnit!" Dean cried. "No. I gotta face the facts. Sam never wanted part of this family. He hated this life growing up. Ran away to Stanford first chance he got. Now it's like déja vu all over again." He sat down. "Well, I am sick and tired of chasing him. Screw him. He can do all he wants."

"You don't mean that."

"Yes, I do, Bobby. Sam's gone. He's gone. I'm not even sure if he's still my brother anymore. If he ever was."

Bobby turned on the table and leaned on it, fuming. He swept the papers and books to the ground angrily, with one swoop. Holly jumped back as a book nearly hit her. He advanced on Dean, who stared. "You stupid, stupid son of a bitch! Well, boo hoo, I am so sorry your feelings are hurt, princess! Are you under the impression that family's supposed to make you feel good? Make you an apple pie, maybe? They're supposed to make you miserable! That's why they're family!"

"I told him, "you walk out that door, don't come back" and he walked away! That was his choice!"

"You sound like a whiny brat. No, you sound like your dad. Well, let me tell you something. Your dad was a coward. Holly, who is younger, is being more mature than you."

Dean narrowed his eyes. "My dad was a lot of things, Bobby, but a coward?"

"He'd rather push Sam away then reach out to him. Well, that don't strike me as brave. You are better than your daddy ever was. So you do each of us a favor. Don't be him."

Dean went back to staring out the window and next thing the siblings knew, they were in a lavish white room. The walls had gold trim and accents and a marble table was in the center.

Castiel was standing there. "Hello, Dean, Holly. It's almost time."

The two of them looked around the room and Holly studied the pastoral paintings on the wall. She saw an angel surrounded by color and felt peace. More peace than she'd felt in a long time.

She turned, hearing a voice. "Hello, Dean. Hello, Holly. You two are looking fit."

Dean replaced the beer bottle he'd picked up. "Well, how bout this? "The suite life of Zach and Cas."" The angels gave him a blank look and Holly giggled hysterically. "It's a...never mind. So, what is this? Where the hell are we?"

Zachariah smiled. "Call it a Green Room. We're closing in on the grand finale, here. We want to keep you two safe before showtime." He indicated the food on the table. "Try a burger. They're your favorite. From that seaside shack in Delaware. You were 11, I think. These are your favorite nuggets and fries. From a diner in Berkeley. You were five, right?"