The Soul Burns Brighter Than The Sun

Dean's sitting at the kitchen table with Sam when his phone rings. Jody's name flashes across the screen and he considers not picking up, but Sam's there, and he'd start asking questions if he left the call alone. It's not like Dean doesn't want to talk to Jody, it's just that he can't bear talking to anyone these days.

"Hi, Jody," Sam says.

"Howdy, boys." She greets them and begins talking about a case she's asking them to take over. Dean doubts they will, Sam hasn't let him pick up a gun or knife in months, not since their last hunt.

Jody's voice cuts through the phone. "Alright, if you boys don't wanna take the case, I'll see if Castiel will, but I think he's helping Claire in Colorado-"

Dean doesn't hear a damn thing after that, and by the looks of it, Sam doesn't either. For the first time in days, Dean opens his mouth and speaks. "Cas is alive?"

Jody's voice is quiet on the other end. "He didn't tell you?"

Cas is alive, and Dean is figuring out what he should do about that when they learn Cas's accidental jailbreak broke The Empty, letting out most of its occupants. Now that every villain they have ever fought is back, Team Free Will 3.0 has their work cut out for them.

This is a A03 book
Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/48586954/chapters/122557750