everyonelives | there are prizes all around you if you're wise enough to see

[Something in her heart seizes at that, because Stefan Salvatore was so many things to her over time, but no matter what, he'll still be the man who pulled her out of that car.]

Yeah. He did.

[Her eyes glance over to Sullivan, who gives her a small nod behind her parents backs. Whatever they are, they're human - at least for now. Which is why when Miranda, still shaky on her feet, reaches for her daughter and pulls her into a tight embrace, Elena lets her, closing her eyes tightly as she sinks into that familiar hold she'd missed so much.]

I'm okay.

[Not right now, not emotionally, but she will be once they figure this all out.]

( Dean hangs back, there for emotional support more than anything, but the scene warms his heart. He's danced this dance before. He never thought he'd have something in common like this with her. He's already thinking about what comes next. How much they've missed. The life they lived. Who their daughter is now.

The family holds each other for a long time, a few minutes at least. Grayson finally manages a smile, and kisses the top of Elena's head. )

Not that I want to let go, but eventually, we need to get around to you being in your thirties. And all your... ( he looks around them. ) friends.

( Dean heads straight to Sullivan, nodding at him. "Go, I can answer questions. You should see your son." )

["Yeah, we ... have a lot to talk about, actually." But that's not a conversation for this cave, and they should probably make their way back to the cars.

She's also unsure if they have enough space to go home with three more people than they arrived with.

Sullivan gives Dean a grateful nod at that, before taking his leave. Miranda, on the other hand, tracks that voice that sounds familiar - rougher, also older, but still someone she knows (19). She turns and squints at Dean, trying to place it.]

Dean Winchester?

Mrs. Gilbert.

( he turns to her and joins the family, moving closer. )

It's good to see you. We're going to figure this all out. I know you're looking for answers, but right now, we should get out of this cave, okay? You can trust me. You remember who raised me.

( his and sam's thoughts on him aside, they saw the professional hunter. not the neglectful, gruff ex-army dad. )

[She gives him a gentle look at that, because what she does remember is making the boys plates of hearty leftovers while Grayson and John talked in his office and the way Dean devoured it like it was the best meal he ever had, while at the same time pretending he was too cool to care. And she remembers the way if looked after his brother.

If he was looking after Elena too, maybe things haven't been so bad.]

I remember you.

[And she can trust that. Her limbs still feel shaky, so she turns to lean on her husband.]

But yes. Let's go somewhere ... not here.

( he remembers her care. her hospitality. her warmth. in a way that hurt his heart when he heard about what happened to her.

Grayson stays by her side, "Dean," he acknowledges.

He gives Elena a quick, 'You okay,' look. )

You guys go first, I'll be right behind you.

[Elena gives him a thin smile that says she's very much faking it until she makes it, but she nods and draws her parents attention back to her. They can talk about it later.]

The exit is back this way. We'll go slow.

[And she will lead her parents out through the tunnels and in the direction of the cars where hopefully seating arrangements will be all sorted out when they get there.]

there are prizes all around you if you're wise enough to see

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