[Elena nods, before going to pack a bag and pulling Caroline and her parents off to the side to discuss the change of plans. She holds the reassurance, that he's not an imposition, to herself for now. That may be better saved for a conversation later.
Castiel looks up from the plate he's working on, brows furrowing in confusion.]
We're going to the Braedans?
[Because Cas doesn't know this is a taboo subject as of yet.]
( She's not. Not even close. And they're intertwined now. They're each other's people. And you hold your people close. Plus, Cas won't keep him sane. Elena will keep him sane. )
We're going to the Braedans. They want answers and if they want their memories back, you're going to give em. ( A beat. ) He's mine, Cas. Ben. He's my kid. He did a DNA test. And I erased everything about me.
[Castiel is hard to read, usually, because facial expressions are not something he's accustomed to. The problem is, Dean knows him fairly well. So he might be able to pick up on the lack of surprise at the tail end of that statement (9).]
[Yep, and not long after that they're in the car, on their way to Battle Creek.
In a neighborhood with a lot of more efficient vehicles and quieter cars, the rumble of the Impala stands out on an early Saturday morning. Rudy moves towards the window, watching as the sleek, black vehicle pulls to a stop in front of their house.]
( Dickerson's passed out here before, but last night it was all hands on deck, so he actually stayed in the guest room and not on the couch. Ben and he didn't really sleep as he realized when he got up early to get some water, but, everyone is up, at least.
Lisa's coming down the stairs from taking a shower, drying her hair over her outfit choice of the day. )
[Rudy's not going to rush it, but he is scoping out the car. He seems to have two other people with him, one woman, one man, which is good. At least in theory. If he had no support to bring with him, that may have been a red flag.]
I'm not going to rush him, but go let Ben and Lisa know that he's here, and he's not alone.
[He's willing to give the guy the benefit of the doubt, for now. It's a very tentative for now, because he has a lot of questions, and this is more about Ben and Lisa than him. But he wants to at least try not to have this start out in an angry place.
Ben comes down the stairs with a frown, running a hand through his hair. "Wow, this must be so hard for him." His tone is dry and Rudy doesn't blame him.]
( He doesn't need a pep talk. He doesn't need a second to gather his feelings. He did get a little sleep on Elena's shift. He just wants to... see them again. And then go from there. He doesn't hesitate before climbing the familiar step up to the front door, flanked by Elena and Cas.
[Rudy takes the lead here. It seems like the best choice to make, given everything. He moves to the door and opens it with a small smile.]
You must be Dean. I'm Rudy, Lisa's husband.
[He doesn't say it to prove a point, but more to set the tone. He's guessing with the woman at his side, that isn't what he's looking for. But best to start there. He extends a hand to him with a small smile and waits for him to bridge the gap.]
("I already have a dad and I don't need another one," echoes in his mind, but he gives a strained smile, one that doesn't quite reach his eyes.
He shakes his hand. )
Dean Winchester. This is Elena, and Cas.
( He looks past Rudy to see if this is just the greeting, or if they're waiting in another room to see if he's real, or not a danger, or maybe they decided against seeing him altogether. )
["Nice to meet you," Elena nods as she shakes his hand. Cas gives a small wave in acknowledgement.
Rudy nods before taking a step back.]
Please. Come in.
[Ben is there as they step into the entryway, arms crossed in front of his chest and sizing each of them up. He doesn't say anything, mostly because he isn't sure what to say, but he's there.]
( Lisa stands back, neutral, by the television console. She doesn't remember him, only recognizes him from pictures she doesn't remember taking. As far as she's concerned, she's here for Ben.
Dean steps into the house, also not knowing what to say, or where to go. He follows his instincts and moves to the couch that's largest for the three of them, but doesn't sit yet.
Sitting means his guard's not up. As Rudy closes the door, he sizes Ben up. He's older. Early-to-mid thirties. Another person he doesn't remember around Ben's age is leaning on one of the bottom steps leading to the second floor. He nods to him. And then he finds Lisa, who doesn't show any recognition. )
This is Elena and Cas. ( he says again, but to Ben, Lisa, and Ben's friend?
( Of course that's their question right away, and with that, he does sit, because he has to, and they should to. But they won't. And he doesn't blame them. He looks at Elena, then Cas, and back at Ben. )
Cas' full name is Castiel. He's an angel. The work I was in was with the supernatural. I hunted things, like the Changeling when you were eight, and I save people, like you when you were eight. If you had your memories of me, this wouldn't land like it does, and you have every right to throw us out, but I owe you the truth and I'm done not being there for you. He took your memories of me away because you were kidnapped and your mom was manipulated. And, rather than keeping the both of you in danger, I opted to take you out of it entirely. And that's on me.
[Angels? Angels? He's not buying it (3). He can't read Dean well enough to know whether or not what he's saying is the truth, but it feels like a whole lot of bullshit.
"I know it's a lot," Elena says softly. "But there's a lot of layers to the world we live in. Castiel is just one part of it."
Ben scoffs, dismissing this woman who came with the crazy person, before glancing over at Rudy.]
This sounds crazy, right? They're clearly crazy.
[Rudy pauses quietly, studying Dean and Elena both (14). And he's ... well. They certainly both believe what they're saying. Whether it's a shared delusion or something else, he can't really say for sure.
"Hard to say," is what he actually ends up saying, and Ben blinks at him in surprise. "Still on your team, buddy. But they both at least believe that this is true."]
( He knows this is coming, but before he went any further he had to start here.
Something innate in Lisa understands the circumstances, the danger, why she would shield her son from someone like this and Dean speaks with conviction. Outside of her logic brain screaming 'Get him out of there,' she doesn't move.
Dickerson's down-home, bad-guy law enforcement schtick short circuits and he slides one step down accidentally from the crazy (1). )
We believe it's true, because it is. And Cas can restore it all. He can give it all back to you. Both. And he will.
( If they ask. He holds up a hand. )
But I have to say something beforehand. I didn't leave you behind, not like that. My life is complicated. And fucked up. And I left it behind for the year I lived with you and your mom. And then it found me, literally. And things got screwed up again. We broke up. Your mom moved on. But someone came after you. Because of me. And I couldn't let that happen again. Now, I don't know what I would've done. If I had known. I might've done it all over again, because I loved you and I loved your mom. But, you were twelve. I know you don't want to hear this, but I make hard calls. But, you called. And I'm here. And I'm not going anywhere. You can ask me anything, no matter how crazy it sounds to your new husband or your friend.
( Boyfriend? Not the time. He wants to know everything about him now Everything about those thirtysome years. )
[Ben doesn't know what to do with any of that information because he's still angry, and he doesn't know what to believe. But he wants those memories back and Rudy knows that he's going to want them back which is why he's going to step in.]
How is this return process going to work exactly? How were they taken in the first place? Because it seems like you were tied, by your own admission, to some traumatic memories, so if we're going to just unleash them, I think it might be best if we try and do this in the way that isn't going to retraumatize my wife and stepson.
[Castiel knows he's supposed to answer that question, but he's an angel so he has no idea how. Elena, on the other hand, tips her head to the side and blinks at him. "Therapist?"
( But, his hand going up pauses, because of everything they went through. The kidnapping. Her being possessed.
He takes a second, trying to define exactly how this works. )
There's no how - I sound like friggin Yoda. If you want them back, Castiel can return them. Just like that. In a snap. I know it sounds insane, I know it's not logical or therapeutic. But, he snaps his fingers, if you want him to, and Lisa and Ben will both remember what they can't. I can't say it won't hurt, I can't say there won't be an adjustment. It was bad at the end. And if you want me to preview you the bad, I will.
( Dickerson's (8) has him taking a step off the staircase, hand hovering behind his concealed weapon. )
I know what this sounds like. Do you want Cas to go all angel on you? We can prove it. You're just gonna hate it.
Before Ben can finish that question, Castiel sighs, heavily.]
Perhaps it would have been better if we started here.
[The lights in the room flicker and the wall that Castiel has positioned himself against is shrouded in shadows that take shape into feathered wings, reaching up towards the ceiling.]
Does that answer some of your questions?
[Ben stumbles backwards, not sure what to make of that. "Holy shit."]
( Dickerson manages to only back himself into the railing (13), but Lisa jumps out of her skin, knocking down some things off the shelf, including a picture of her, Bed, and Rudy. )
Like I said. Angel.
( Dickerson is not a godly man, but he went to church as a kid and it feels sacreligious to prepare to shoot an angel, so his hand lets go.
"That's--" is all he gets out. )
And that's his parlor trick. Lisa, I wouldn't lie to you. To either of you. And I'm sorry I took it away. I thought I was doing the only thing I could at the time. To keep you safe.
[Huh. Yeah. That happened. He's fairly unflappable, given his profession, but in all his years as a therapist, he's never really seen anything like that.]
... am processing.
[That's probably the best way to put it.
Okay. Operating with the idea that angels are real, at least. That much he can handle right now.]
And I think Lisa has a valid question. I think there's some concern that because you did it once, there's a chance you could choose to do it again.
I won't. This is opt in. To it all. Unless you don't like what you see. It's not on me anymore. ( he sighs and looks at Lisa again. ) You were in the hospital, Ben was taken, Sam had no soul at the time, and I took the safest option. I'm not the same person I was back then. I have a support system. I didn't come here, guns blazing alone. I came with the solution and with the woman I love. I gota network. A family. I have people.
( to Ben )
You're my people. You never weren't. Blood or not, family's more. Leaving you behind wasn't easy. And, as far as I'm concerned, I won't leave you like that again. And I'm sorry I did.
[Elena can see that as much as Dean means his words, they're not landing. Possibly because these aren't the versions of them he should be apologizing too.]
I have an idea.
[Her hand reaches to take Dean's giving it a small squeeze.]
If you want your memories back, Castiel can do that for you. I booked us a hotel in town. We can go and let you guys process whatever you're going to be getting back, and when you're ready to talk, you can give us a call and we can come back.
[Because it may be easier for Dean to not be in their face, hinging his expectations on this. It may be better if they work through the things they're getting back and talk to Dean when they're ready.]
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everyonelives2025-03-12 08:39 pm
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Castiel looks up from the plate he's working on, brows furrowing in confusion.]
We're going to the Braedans?
[Because Cas doesn't know this is a taboo subject as of yet.]
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We're going to the Braedans. They want answers and if they want their memories back, you're going to give em. ( A beat. ) He's mine, Cas. Ben. He's my kid. He did a DNA test. And I erased everything about me.
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I'll be ready to leave when you are.
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He finds Elena and the group, making a gruff apology to them. )
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In a neighborhood with a lot of more efficient vehicles and quieter cars, the rumble of the Impala stands out on an early Saturday morning. Rudy moves towards the window, watching as the sleek, black vehicle pulls to a stop in front of their house.]
Dickerson, did you say he drove an old Chevy?
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Lisa's coming down the stairs from taking a shower, drying her hair over her outfit choice of the day. )
Impala. 67. That him?
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[Rudy's not going to rush it, but he is scoping out the car. He seems to have two other people with him, one woman, one man, which is good. At least in theory. If he had no support to bring with him, that may have been a red flag.]
I'm not going to rush him, but go let Ben and Lisa know that he's here, and he's not alone.
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Dickerson peers out the window behind Rudy before heading back to the kitchen.
"Heads up, he's out front and he's not alone. One man, one woman. Kind of looks like he brought his accountant," he says, glibly. )
He brought backup?
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[He's willing to give the guy the benefit of the doubt, for now. It's a very tentative for now, because he has a lot of questions, and this is more about Ben and Lisa than him. But he wants to at least try not to have this start out in an angry place.
Ben comes down the stairs with a frown, running a hand through his hair. "Wow, this must be so hard for him." His tone is dry and Rudy doesn't blame him.]
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He knocks. )
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You must be Dean. I'm Rudy, Lisa's husband.
[He doesn't say it to prove a point, but more to set the tone. He's guessing with the woman at his side, that isn't what he's looking for. But best to start there. He extends a hand to him with a small smile and waits for him to bridge the gap.]
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He shakes his hand. )
Dean Winchester. This is Elena, and Cas.
( He looks past Rudy to see if this is just the greeting, or if they're waiting in another room to see if he's real, or not a danger, or maybe they decided against seeing him altogether. )
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Rudy nods before taking a step back.]
Please. Come in.
[Ben is there as they step into the entryway, arms crossed in front of his chest and sizing each of them up. He doesn't say anything, mostly because he isn't sure what to say, but he's there.]
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Dean steps into the house, also not knowing what to say, or where to go. He follows his instincts and moves to the couch that's largest for the three of them, but doesn't sit yet.
Sitting means his guard's not up. As Rudy closes the door, he sizes Ben up. He's older. Early-to-mid thirties. Another person he doesn't remember around Ben's age is leaning on one of the bottom steps leading to the second floor. He nods to him. And then he finds Lisa, who doesn't show any recognition. )
This is Elena and Cas. ( he says again, but to Ben, Lisa, and Ben's friend?
"Dickerson," he says quietly. )
Where do you want me to start?
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[Ben would prefer to go right to the heart of it, rather than dance around things. He glances over at Rudy.]
Because this wasn't just a plain old trauma response. It feels like you brainwashed us somehow.
[Okay so maybe he hasn't quite made it back down from the eleven he was at last night.]
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Cas' full name is Castiel. He's an angel. The work I was in was with the supernatural. I hunted things, like the Changeling when you were eight, and I save people, like you when you were eight. If you had your memories of me, this wouldn't land like it does, and you have every right to throw us out, but I owe you the truth and I'm done not being there for you. He took your memories of me away because you were kidnapped and your mom was manipulated. And, rather than keeping the both of you in danger, I opted to take you out of it entirely. And that's on me.
( pause for laugh. )
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[Angels? Angels? He's not buying it (3). He can't read Dean well enough to know whether or not what he's saying is the truth, but it feels like a whole lot of bullshit.
"I know it's a lot," Elena says softly. "But there's a lot of layers to the world we live in. Castiel is just one part of it."
Ben scoffs, dismissing this woman who came with the crazy person, before glancing over at Rudy.]
This sounds crazy, right? They're clearly crazy.
[Rudy pauses quietly, studying Dean and Elena both (14). And he's ... well. They certainly both believe what they're saying. Whether it's a shared delusion or something else, he can't really say for sure.
"Hard to say," is what he actually ends up saying, and Ben blinks at him in surprise. "Still on your team, buddy. But they both at least believe that this is true."]
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Something innate in Lisa understands the circumstances, the danger, why she would shield her son from someone like this and Dean speaks with conviction. Outside of her logic brain screaming 'Get him out of there,' she doesn't move.
Dickerson's down-home, bad-guy law enforcement schtick short circuits and he slides one step down accidentally from the crazy (1). )
We believe it's true, because it is. And Cas can restore it all. He can give it all back to you. Both. And he will.
( If they ask. He holds up a hand. )
But I have to say something beforehand. I didn't leave you behind, not like that. My life is complicated. And fucked up. And I left it behind for the year I lived with you and your mom. And then it found me, literally. And things got screwed up again. We broke up. Your mom moved on. But someone came after you. Because of me. And I couldn't let that happen again. Now, I don't know what I would've done. If I had known. I might've done it all over again, because I loved you and I loved your mom. But, you were twelve. I know you don't want to hear this, but I make hard calls. But, you called. And I'm here. And I'm not going anywhere. You can ask me anything, no matter how crazy it sounds to your new husband or your friend.
( Boyfriend? Not the time. He wants to know everything about him now Everything about those thirtysome years. )
no subject
How is this return process going to work exactly? How were they taken in the first place? Because it seems like you were tied, by your own admission, to some traumatic memories, so if we're going to just unleash them, I think it might be best if we try and do this in the way that isn't going to retraumatize my wife and stepson.
[Castiel knows he's supposed to answer that question, but he's an angel so he has no idea how. Elena, on the other hand, tips her head to the side and blinks at him. "Therapist?"
Rudy smirks.]
I am. So you understand why I'm concerned.
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( But, his hand going up pauses, because of everything they went through. The kidnapping. Her being possessed.
He takes a second, trying to define exactly how this works. )
There's no how - I sound like friggin Yoda. If you want them back, Castiel can return them. Just like that. In a snap. I know it sounds insane, I know it's not logical or therapeutic. But, he snaps his fingers, if you want him to, and Lisa and Ben will both remember what they can't. I can't say it won't hurt, I can't say there won't be an adjustment. It was bad at the end. And if you want me to preview you the bad, I will.
( Dickerson's (8) has him taking a step off the staircase, hand hovering behind his concealed weapon. )
I know what this sounds like. Do you want Cas to go all angel on you? We can prove it. You're just gonna hate it.
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Before Ben can finish that question, Castiel sighs, heavily.]
Perhaps it would have been better if we started here.
[The lights in the room flicker and the wall that Castiel has positioned himself against is shrouded in shadows that take shape into feathered wings, reaching up towards the ceiling.]
Does that answer some of your questions?
[Ben stumbles backwards, not sure what to make of that. "Holy shit."]
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Like I said. Angel.
( Dickerson is not a godly man, but he went to church as a kid and it feels sacreligious to prepare to shoot an angel, so his hand lets go.
"That's--" is all he gets out. )
And that's his parlor trick. Lisa, I wouldn't lie to you. To either of you. And I'm sorry I took it away. I thought I was doing the only thing I could at the time. To keep you safe.
( All she can muster is,
"Why did that have to be your call, Dean?" )
You okay over there, Rudy?
no subject
[Huh. Yeah. That happened. He's fairly unflappable, given his profession, but in all his years as a therapist, he's never really seen anything like that.]
... am processing.
[That's probably the best way to put it.
Okay. Operating with the idea that angels are real, at least. That much he can handle right now.]
And I think Lisa has a valid question. I think there's some concern that because you did it once, there's a chance you could choose to do it again.
no subject
( to Ben )
You're my people. You never weren't. Blood or not, family's more. Leaving you behind wasn't easy. And, as far as I'm concerned, I won't leave you like that again. And I'm sorry I did.
no subject
I have an idea.
[Her hand reaches to take Dean's giving it a small squeeze.]
If you want your memories back, Castiel can do that for you. I booked us a hotel in town. We can go and let you guys process whatever you're going to be getting back, and when you're ready to talk, you can give us a call and we can come back.
[Because it may be easier for Dean to not be in their face, hinging his expectations on this. It may be better if they work through the things they're getting back and talk to Dean when they're ready.]
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