Breathe Life Into Me

“Kevin, it’s just me!” I called out, walking onto the boat and shutting the door behind me. I set a bag of fast food on the table.

“I believe the closet would be safest” I heard him but didn’t see him.

I looked around and noticed a closet door opened slightly. I shook my head at him. “Safe from what? Would you please come out of there?” I put my hands on my hips. He stayed.

“Crowley. He's in my head, Brit. And if he's in my head, he knows where I am! You know, we-we should move out. We'll find another place”

I walked over to him and he jumped when I swung the door open. “Come on, Kev. Chill out a little. Have a burger. Eat some pie. I got apple. Can’t forget to eat your fruits. An apple a day keeps the doctor away”

He didn’t respond to my pun. I thought it was funny.

“Come on, don’t lose it on me now” I muttered, guiding him to the table.

“Just tell me when this all ends, 'cause that's the only thing I want to hear”

“We’ve told you this before, Kevin. This isn't going to end. Look, other guys, they got it easy, you know? It's all backyard barbecues and bowling teams, but you...Dean...Sam? Ya got to carry a little extra weight”

“I can't take it” He collapsed into the chair and held his head in his hands. I leaned back on the table, hovering over him.

“Yes. You can” I encouraged. I moved my hand to his and made him drop it so he had to look up at me. “Look...I know this whole thing sucks. But you suck it up and you push through because that's what we do. And when you get on board with that, the ride is a lot smoother” I tried explaining what Dean has said a million times to us. It had a good response sometimes.

“French fry?” I offered, opening the bag for him.

But he suddenly shot to his feet. “I'm gonna...be in my room. Let me know when there's a good day”

He grabbed the bag and walked back into the closet. I looked back down at the table and realized he grabbed the pie I got for Dean. How did I suddenly become the most sane person with all the answers?

Sam’s POV

“I see it” Mel voiced and went to race forward but this tight feeling in my chest made me pull her back.

And it was right as a vamp lunged at her, almost ripping her head off. I didn’t stop to think or hesitate though. I threw myself in front of Melissa, throwing the vamp down on its back. Then, I reached for my knife but there was no need because Mel came out of no where swinging some kind of weapon over her head and down on the vamps neck, decapitating it. I jumped back as the head rolled down hill and I looked up at Melissa. She was breathing hard and I almost didn’t recognize her...but at the same time she reminded me of....

“You almost cut off my arm!” I found myself yelling at her, standing up to my feet.

“Sorry! Was that not right?” she quickly panicked, dropping the weapon.

I calmed myself. “No, no...it was perfect...where’d you get that?” I gestured to the weapon.

She shrugged. “The thing dropped it when you grabbed it...I just figured...”

“No...really, that was good...just next time, make sure I’m in the clear, okay?” I said a bit smugly. She just nodded.

I shook my head and kept walking, heading over to where Mel was about to run but she was now trailing behind. We reached three trees that met as one and a few large boulders. I grabbed onto one and pulled it away from where it leaned and a wind tunnel started to pull us closer through the portal that Ajay told us about.

“It’s a rabbit hole” Mel made a face and I turned to face her.

“Seems so...”

“Well, what are we waiting...” she started but I stopped her from coming further.

“Before we go in...you need to know...Hell...” I tried to explain but I wasn’t even sure how to explain it myself.

“What could you know about Hell, Sam?” She put her hands on her hips. I cleared my throat, rubbing the back of my neck. “You mean you...”

“Me...Brittney...Dean...”

“You’ve all been?!” she exclaimed.

“Yea...”

“Have I?”

“No...not technically...and not until now...” She nodded. “I guess I should welcome you to the club...but I would do anything to stop you from doing this...” I hung my head.

“But you can’t stop me...because we’re in this together...everything will be alright...”

I froze up a little hearing her actually say the words and the way she smiled. There’s no way...is her conscious...trying to fight it’s way back to us...? I guess anything is possible...but that would mean...

“Come on, Sam” she pulled me along and we both walked through the portal.

I may not remember a lot of when I was in the cage but I still remember bits and pieces. It’s like a faded dream that makes you wonder if it was real or not. For me it was very real but it still seemed like it never happened too...if that makes any sense. I noticed Mel shivered and gravitated closer to me as we made our way down the corridor. The smell was intense: rotting flesh and fresh blood. I didn’t even want to think about what the walls were made of....

I saw Mel take a barrette out of her head and she laid it high up on the ledge. It was a good idea. This place was bound to try and trap us. We turned another corner I took off my watch and laid down the same way. Mel jumped toward me when we passed some bodies chained and hanging from the walls and ceilings. Cries, moans and screams filled the air.

“I’m innocent. Help me!”

“Eddy? Eddy?!”

“You came. I knew you would. I've been praying for it forever. You came. I knew you would. I've been praying for it forever. You came. I knew you would. I've been praying for it. Forever”

Melissa pulled me along as we headed through another door. It squeaked as it shut behind us and I looked around the cell. How were we going to find Bobby? Will we get a sign? Will we just know?

But just as I was asking myself these questions and beginning to doubt everything about this trial...I saw a slumped bulky figure in the corner wearing a leather jacket and ball cap. There was no mistaking it. It had to be him.

“Bobby?” I murmured.

The corner of his eye met mine and I noticed Mel had inched closer. But then he spun quickly, raising his fist and hitting Mel square in the jaw. She fell to the ground.

“Bobby!” I scolded, helping her up.

She grunted, massaging her face. I went to hold her back, expecting her to retaliate but when she didn’t I remembered that with her new lost memory came her new personality.

“Get the hell out of here, you black-eyed son of a bitch” Bobby grunted at me.

“What? Bobby, it's Sam"

“Yeah, and I'm Elvis. Move your ass!”

“Bobby...”

“Get!”

“Bobby, it’s really us! If it wasn’t then how would I know about you and Tori Spelling?” Mel grunted back at him.

I did a double take at her as my stomach churned uncomfortably. “What?”

“You’re a fan aren’t you? Or what about your free pedicure at the Mall of America? You made me and Dean swear to never tell another living soul how it changed your life” she was rambling now. I felt like I couldn’t breath. If only Dean could be here....

“How did you...” I started.

“I-I don’t know...” Her voice cracked and she was now trembling. But then Bobby pulled her in for a tight hug and she instantly relaxed, taking in everything about him. Bobby could be her cure...this could be what she needs...

He hugged me next and I couldn’t help but miss it...everything...we really needed him but had to go on without him...it’s been really hard. “I’m real sorry I decked ya, Mel but you’re the 200th Melissa I've seen today. That's how they screw with me. Just endless Sams, Brittneys, Melissas and Deans all wearing the same black eyes...” Something occurred to him. “Wait a minute. What the hell are you two doing here? Please don't tell me it's what I think it is...”

“No, no, no, Bobby, we're good. We came here to get you. You don't belong here, Bobby”

“And we’re getting you out of here” Mel grinned.

He leaned closer to me. “Should I be worried about her holding that thing?” he gestured to the weapon she had picked up in Purgatory. “Yea, you really should be” I told him honestly.

Brit’s POV

“Well good morning, Sleeping Beauty” I commented as Dean came walking in.

“What’s that smell?” he made a face as he hovered over my shoulder.

“They’re eggs, jackass” I shoved him back.

“Sure doesn’t look like eggs”

I turned my back on him. “Yea, I know. Only Mel’s got the talent to cook...” Mel’s got the talent for everything..well she did....

Dean laughed hard. “Have you ever actually tasted Mel’s cooking? I mean actually had it before? It tastes like tar mixed with dog crap”

I chuckled lightly. “So...are you feeling better?” I wondered.

I could feel him watching me. “A little...it was wrong of me to try and push her to remember me and what we had...if she remembers she has to want it...and I cant force her to want it...”

“Ya never could” I reminded him, shutting off the oven. “Kevin, get over here and eat something!” I called to him as I scooped some onto a plate.

“And here I thought you were cooking for me” he pouted.

“The time I cook for you will be never” I walked over to the closet.

“Ouch”

“Kevin, come on. You can’t just hide in there forever...” I started but jumped when the front door opened and Kevin came walking through.

“What the hell? Where have you been? What happened to being scared?!” I exclaimed, setting the plate down on the table.

“Oh you didn’t know? Oh yea, I passed Kevin on my way in...” Dean voiced, smugly.

I glared at him. “And you were just gonna let me keep talking to to the door?”

“It’ll teach you to keep a better eye on our prophet” he shrugged, reaching for the plate.

I grabbed it away quickly and reset my eyes on Kevin. “I am scared. So I made a preemptive move”

“So...wait made a what now?” Dean asked.

“Kevin. What did you do?” I demanded, worried.

“I can't sit here with the tablet like a sitting duck and Crowley breathing down my ass. Getting rid of the tablet just takes off some of the pressure”

“Wait. Getting rid of it?” Dean repeated.

“Temporarily. I hid it"

“What? Where?”

“If I tell you where, it's not hidden, is it?"

“Kevin, tell me where the damn tablet is, or I swear to you I will...” Dean threatened but I put a hand up to stop him.

“You'll what, Dean?” Kevin shot back and then walked over to the closet, slamming the door shut.

“Kevin...!” Dean scolded and the door opened back up. But he walked over to me, took the plate from my hands and looked me in the eye as he thanked me and then he walked back into his confined space.

I sighed and snapped my eyes back at Dean. “What?” he snapped.

I opened my mouth to tell him what but stopped at the sound of fluttering wings. “Kids. So cute when they're little. Then they turn into teenagers, and the party's over” a voice filled the room.

Dean jumped to my side as we spun to face a woman in a suit with a well-put-together demeanor about her. “We haven't been formally introduced, Dean. Brittney. My name is Naomi” she offered her hand.

But Dean backed up into me, forcing me to back up as well. “Oh, I know who you are. And I know what you did to Cas after he got out of Purgatory” he spat.

“After I rescued him from Purgatory, you mean, at the cost of many angels' lives”

Her tone was patronizing and manipulative. I glared at her. “You screwed with his head and had him spy on us” I hissed.

Her eyes met mine and I could see the look in her eyes. I’ve seen it before. She saw me as dispensable. Replaceable. Of no use. That just made the hatred in my heart burn even more.

Her eyes met Dean’s again. “Well, it is true that I have spoken with Castiel many times, trying to reach out to him, trying to help him. Dean, you must have noticed how Purgatory changed him. I mean, he's been unstable in the past, but I was shocked at how damaged he is now"

“Stop, okay? Don't try to spin this. You think I don't know that you told him to try and kill me and Melissa?”

“Hmm. Yeah, I suppose that is how he would hear it. When I learned of the Angel tablet, I did tell Castiel to get it at any cost. That's my job: to protect heaven. I'm a warrior, just as you are...just as Melissa was...” she sighed as if she had suffered a great loss.

Dean tensed up. “Are you the one that caused Mel’s amnesia?” he grunted and I could feel him wanting to strangle her.

“Oh no. Not at all. That was all natural”

“There’s nothing natural about it!” I grabbed his arm to hold him back and so he would calm down a little.

“It is not my fault that happened, Dean. I even told Castiel to leave her there because I knew this was going to happen. She had witnessed too much. She had been through too much. And her condition was only going to be a distraction to the rest of you. But you were just so persistent...”

Mel never talked a lot about what happened in Purgatory. All she told me was that there were all kinds of monsters clawing at her soul, tearing her apart bit by bit...we all forgot about it though. Once she admitted to it we figured there was no need to worry about it anymore. I guess we took the situation too lightly...it was more serious than we thought...she was in more danger than we thought....

“Anyhow...now Castiel is in the wind with a hydrogen bomb in his pocket, and I'm...scared. For all of us”

“Save it. See, I don't trust Angels, which means I don't trust you” Dean told her.

“And yet you haven't warded this place against us. I know. You're hoping Castiel will return to you. I admire your loyalty. I only wish he felt the same way. I know you don't want to believe it, Dean, but we're on the same side: shutting the Gates of Hell, bringing Castiel in from the cold...bringing Melissa back to her real self...”

“And why would you want that?” I voiced.

“She’s just as important to us as you all are. You all factor in quite nicely when put together”

“And yet you still wanted her to stay in Purgatory”

“You are obviously not listening. I wanted her there because I knew she was too damaged...but now she is here, her condition is damaging all of you. And we just can’t afford that”

“Who’s we?”

She ignored me and looked back at Dean who was in some serious deep thought. “Take a moment. Think about what I've said...oh and I know you've been doing business with Ajay. He did mention, didn't he, that his way into Hell is through Purgatory?” Our eyes shot up at her. “I knew you'd want to know. You see, we can be of help to each other” With that she was gone. No...that means...Melissa...will she...how will they...

Is it my turn to break down now?

Sam

“You know where the hell you're going?” Bobby asked as we led him down Hell’s corridors.

“We’re almost there” I told him.

“Get back, get back” Melissa hissed at us but it was too late.

We’ve been seen. I watched Mel swing her body in a very fluent motion as she swung her weapon at one of the demons, slicing the top of its body off from the bottom half. I turned again readying myself for the second demon but Bobby beat me to it.

“Let's go! We got to get out of here!” I yelled at them but when I turned again I saw two Melissas standing there and another Me and we were all facing a very anxious Bobby.

“Bobby, they’re messing with you. Don’t listen to them” I tried.

“Don't listen to him. He's not real” the other Sam said.

“Bobby, we need to go now...” one of the Melissas said.

“You have to...” the other started but then Bobby lunged toward the other Sam, stabbing him and then one of the Melissas right after. They both fell to the ground.

“Umm you knew which was which somehow...right?” Mel asked, nervously.

“Took a chance. 50/50 for each” he shrugged.

There was no time though so I grabbed Mel’s hand and we all took off down the hall. “What do we do now?” Bobby wondered. I saw my watched and grabbed it as we kept going. We saw Mel’s hair clip up ahead as well and then...we were out.

Mel stumbled down to the ground but I never let go of her hand so I was able to help her gain her balance again. “What the hell is this?” Bobby looked around.

“All right, don't get all pissed off...it’s Purgatory” I told him.

“Balls” I cringed at the curse I knew him say too well but I also couldn’t help but smile a little.

“Come on. We can’t have much time left. We have to keep going” Mel said and I nodded. We kept moving and I proceeded to explain Bobby the real reason why we came for him.

“So, how many more of these trials after this?” he asked.

“Just one. Don't know what it is, though. Not yet. Kevin's still translating”

“Well, you saw back there in Hell, I ain't got a lot of rust. Just feels so good to be back in action again. Might be handy if you had me around to help”

“Bobby, I'd love that, believe me. The thing is, for this trial to be completed, your soul has to enter Heaven...” Even as I said it I felt my chest constrict. “And besides, if that weren't the case, we burned your bones, Bobby. There's nothing to tie your spirit to earth”

“Yeah. Yeah, well...you know, I always figured that'd be the end of it. You know, just a Hunter's funeral. Zip. Nothing. And I was okay with that. Imagine my surprise”

“I still don’t much about any of this but I guess if there has to be an eternity, I'd pick Heaven over Hell” Mel voiced.

“Yeah. 'Cause there's nothing screwy going on up there” he grunted.

“What’s going on in Heaven?” her eyes met mine and I just cleared my throat awkwardly.

“What’s wrong with you, girl? You’re acting like...”

“Like she’s a novice to hunting? Technically, she kind of is...” I told him.

“What are you sayin?”

“I have amnesia. I don’t remember being a hunter. I don’t remember where I grew up or even who I really am. And it doesn’t help much when I’m kept in the dark about everything” she folded her arms and held her head high.

I felt Bobby’s eyes boring holes into me. “She doesn’t remember...anything?” he asked.

“At first she just forgot the semi-bad stuff that made an impact on her life which we saw as a win: she didn’t know who Katherine was, that her family was killed, that Dean was dragged to Hell, she didn’t even remember anything about Jesse though...”

“That’s not exactly a win, boy” he scolded.

“I know, I know. But we were all afraid to mess with it. We figured it was for the best...but then she couldn’t remember any of us...or even her own name...”

“But why? How?”

“It’s a long story, Bobby...” I sighed.

“Well you better start spilling or else you can just forget about me doing my part in these trials” He threatened and I sighed again. Oh how I’ve missed him...

Brit

Ajay was dead. Which meant trouble for Sam, Mel and Bobby. Which also meant Dean and I had to step in...and we were going to need some help.

“Hey, Benny” I sighed with relief when I saw he actually showed up.

“Hey, love. You just couldn’t resist the old Benny Charm huh” he commented and I rolled my eyes at him but still gave him a hug.

“I’m real sorry we let you down”

“Don’t worry about it. If I didn't want to be here, I would’nt have come” I just nodded and backed up.

“If you want nothing to do with this, I completely understand” Dean told him.

"Wow. When Dean Winchester asks for a favor, he's not screwing around” he joked.

“Benny, sending you back there is the last thing I ever wanted to do”

“I know. I know"

“But my little brother is stuck down there...”

“This would be the little brother who wants to kill me, right?”

“And also my sister, Benny” I pleaded.

His eyes went to Dean. “Melissa is stuck there too? Again?” Dean just nodded. “Why didn’t you...”

“She can’t remember me, Benny. She can’t remember anything. Purgatory...it did something to her...and I just really need your help. You got access to the place...”

“By access you mean getting beheaded?”

“Yeah, you're right...it's too much. It's not like I've exactly been there for you lately”

I looked up at Dean as his voice shook and his whole body started to shake. “What? Oh, come on, Dean. You know I love a challenge”

I snapped my eyes back to Benny. “You're serious?” I asked quickly.

“Hey, they’re your siblings...your girl...” His eyes went to Dean again. “I say let’s do this” he nodded.

Suddenly I felt a big weight lift off my chest. “We owe you” Dean told him, fighting back the tears.

“Oh, you don't owe me nothing. Truth is...I could use a break from all this”

“It really been that tough?” Dean wondered.

“I'm not a good fit, Dean. Not with vampires and, for sure, not with the humans. I don't belong. And after a while...that starts to wear on you. Right? Cry me a river. Like you need to listen to this”

“Well, when you get back up here, we're gonna fix all that, okay?”

“When I get back?"

“Yeah, you find the portal, and your ride out of Purgatory with Sam just like you did with me, okay? As soon as I send you back, I'm gonna haul my ass up to Maine, and I'm gonna be waiting there for you when you get topside”

Benny hesitated. “Yeah. That sounds like a plan, chief. Let's get on with it.”

“You sure about this?” I asked again.

“Not my first rodeo, princess” he commented.

Dean reached into the Impala and pulled out a machete. He extended his arm and Benny took it. They did a man-hug. “Thank you” Dean breathed out. Benny looked to me and smiled a very sad smile which didn’t sit right with me. But I still smiled back.

“Well, come on. You a wimp?” he readied himself. Then, Dean swung the machete and sliced Benny’s head off with a clean cut. This had to work...otherwise...I don’t know what....

Sam

“Dean and Brittney spent a year in this place?” Bobby repeated.

“Running and fighting, all day, every day” I nodded.

“I spent a year in this place?” Mel voiced.

“Well a year and a half technically. But you said you couldn’t remember much...just the part of your soul being shredded”

“I highly doubt I was telling the truth” Yea, me too....

"And that’s why she can’t remember? Because her soul...”

I nodded at his question. “Except...she remembered you” I noted.

“I haven’t the slightest idea why...”

“Me either...your death was one of the worse times in our lives...I would assume it was the first memory to go...”

“But you also said that Bobby kind of helped raise me...raise all of us...that has to mean that a husband and wife bond has to be different from a bond between father and daughter..." she reasoned.

"It’s love all the same, but evenso, you and Dean were always the odd couple out. So that makes you different either way” Bobby said.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” she asked.

“Nothing. Just that you guys were...special” I told her.

“But what about Brittney? I mean...she’s like my sister, right? Why wouldn’t I remember her?” she hung her head sadly.

“Well, it's like you said. The different bonds you have with one another is what it comes down to. A father-daughter and husband-wife bond is different than a sibling bond. It's not like anything else in the world. It’s strong and diligent...which means it’ll be hard to get it back. But not impossible. Nothing’s impossible” he smiled at her.

“Must have been hell on you not being able to get them out all that time...” Bobby moved the topic along. I averted my eyes. “You did try to get them out, right...?”

“Look, Bobby, Dean and I had an agreement, okay...?”

“I know that agreement. I taught you that agreement. That's a non-agreement” I could feel his rage and disappointment.

“Damn...a lot happened when I was gone” I just nodded. His eyes went to Melissa.

“You listen good, girl. When you both get back you will try...”

“I’ve been trying” she sighed, exasperated.

“No. You’ll try like your life depended on it. You got that? Because what you all have with one another...” He started getting choked up as he looked between the both of us. “You will try your hardest to get your damn memory back. Understand?” She didn’t object. She just stood there and nodded like a child getting berated. “Okay then...lets get this show on the road...”

~~~

I looked around, panic settling in. “Sam?”

“This is it. This is the place. I'm sure of it” I spotted the head at the bottom of the hill.

“Where your cabbie's supposed to meet you?” he asked.

I looked at my watch. “Now”

“So, he's running a little late"

“No, see, that's the thing. He was very specific, Bobby. To the minute”

“And if he doesn't show...?”

“We got no way out” Mel inhaled quickly at her own words.

“Melissa!” I jumped at Bobby’s yell and I turned quickly right as four vamps came at us.

I got the first one and then raced to help Mel with her attacker as I saw Bobby get his easily but the fourth was taken down by someone else right before it even laid a hand on Mel. Bobby charged at this fourth party but I quickly grabbed hold of him to stop him.

“Bobby, no, no, wait! Wait! Wait!” I pulled him back and then met eyes with Benny.

“Why are you here?” I demanded.

“Dean sent me” he breathed out.

“Dean? Not my Dean” Bobby shook his head.

“He's a buddy of Dean's, Bobby”

“A buddy"

“A good buddy” Benny nodded.

“A frigging vampire? Well, you four really went off the rails while I was gone, didn't you?” Bobby snapped.

Then, Mel stepped forward, inspecting him closely. I tensed up. “Nice to see you too Little Lady” he took a step back to bow to her.

“I...know you...don’t I?” she narrowed her eyes.

She remembered Bobby...then Benny...is it because she’s back here where she lost her memories...that now she’s getting them back?

He nodded at her, smiling. “Dean will be very glad to hear that. He’s very worried about you, worried you’ll never remember him again...” She backed off and his eyes went to me again. “Him and Brittney are worried about all of you”

“Benny, listen. I know you saved my brother's and Brittney’s ass a few times down here, and I respect that...” I started as I found all of us following him further into the forest as he had explained the way out of this place.

“Yeah, and now I'm trying to save yours. You know, I'm a disgrace to my own people” he chuckled and then stopped, looking up the steep hill that had a glowing portal spinning on the top.

“This is the spot”

“The seam that gets us back up top?” Bobby asked.

He nodded. “Yeah, that's it. You kids remember what I told you?”

I nodded at him. “Yeah. All right, Bobby, here it goes. When we get to earth and I release you, it's an express straight to heaven. No time for goodbyes” I took out the knife.

“Already said goodbye to you once, Sam. Didn't seem to take. No reason to think I won't see you again somewhere down the road” I smiled sadly. He looked at Mel.

“Nice...seeing you...remembering you...? I don’t really know how to go about this” she shifted awkwardly.

He laughed. “Just remember what I said...and do your best” He smiled at her. She smiled back lightly and nodded. Then he sighed deeply. “If they give me a rocking chair up there, I'm raising hell” he muttered, slicing his arm with the knife.

He handed it back to me and I started the incantation as I sliced my arm as well and Mel did the same, mimicing my motions. She didn't even hesitate, not even when Bobby's spirit split into two and entered our bodies. I cringed, feeling a serious amount of pressure weighing me down. “All right. Come on, Benny. It's your turn” I held out the knife to him. He didn’t take it. “Come on...”

“Hurry, Benny” Mel started and I saw more vamps heading toward us.

“Benny” one hissed.

“Still working with the enemy huh. The ones who put us here!” he snapped.

“Benny, hurry up” I pleaded.

“Time for you to go, Sam” was all he said as he pat my shoulder, gave Mel one more look and then turned his back to us.

“Benny...”

“Go on. It's me they want. Go. You just make sure you tell Dean and Brittney I said goodbye. I was never any good up there anyway”

The look on his face was...really sad. I never thought I would feel sympathetic toward a vampire...but here I was. “Benny!” Mel called, tossing the weapon she had picked up earlier. He caught it and took out the closest vampire to him. I had to stay focused.

I grabbed Mel and pulled her up toward the portal. When I turned I saw Benny on the ground fighting for his life...but then we were sucked through the portal and back on Earth.

Brit

“There” I hissed as we trudged through the mud and passed the trees.

I saw a bright light and then nothing...except for Sam and Melissa. I raced over to them and hugged Melissa tight. She tensed at first but when she realized it was me she wrapped her arms around me and hugged back.

“I’m so glad you’re okay...”

“Me too” she breathed out.

“Purgatory, right? A real garden spot, ain't it?” Dean commented, hugging Sammy tight as well.

“Yeah” Sam replied.

“Did you get him out?” I asked with a grin as I hugged him next.

“Only Bobby” Mel answered.

I backed away to look at her. “What?” Dean asked her but she kept her head down. “I mean, that's fantastic about Bobby but...”

“Dean...” She forced her eyes up at him and she stood taller. “Benny got us out. A bunch of vampires showed up and he used himself as bait. But I get the feeling that even if that didn't happen, he didn't want to come back. I’m really sorry”

I watched her put a hand on his arm. That was the first contact she’s offered to him in weeks. I looked up at Sam and he looked back at me, smiling and nodding.

I looked to Dean who couldnt take his eyes off hers. “You're probably right” he nodded.

“So uhh Bobby...how'd he hold up down there?”

“I think he’s good with all things considered” She had this look in her eye..a look I havent seen in a while....

“Ornery as hell, of course” Sam added.

“As he should be. Let's put that old man where he belongs” I spoke.

So then Sam rolled up his sleave and began to recite the incantation as both him and Mel held out their arms and a light began to rise out of their lasserations and then it switched from white to a light blue. I smiled...but then the cloud suddenly turned to a redish black color.

“What the hell?” Dean muttered.

“Hello, kids” We all spun to see Crowley approaching us. I felt my blood boil. “Bobby Singer. I'd know you anywhere” he looked up at the cloud.

“Let him go, Crowley. He doesn't belong in Hell” I demanded.

“He does if I say he does. He's inflicted untold damage on my kind. From where I sit, actually, Hell's too good for him”

Sam and Dean charged at him.

“Really?” he sighed, flicking his finger and they both flew back into me and Mel. We were all rammed in between two large tree trunks.

I watched Crowley bring Bobby back down to his level but then there was a flash of light now coming through the murky cloud. “Oh, come on!” Crowley complained, facing Naomi.

“Let me see if I've interpreted the situation correctly. The Winchesters, Hails and a Stern have freed an innocent from Hell, to which you are wrongfully trying to return it”

“Siding with them, Naomi? You don't know those four. Before they're done, we'll both be locked away”

“I'm just hoping they lock you away, dear. The rest I'll figure out"

“Bureaucrat. You're fighting outside your weight class"

“Don't call me a bureaucrat” her voice boomed as her eyes began to glow and she extended her arm toward Crowley.

Then, he was gone and the pressure on our bodies were gone with him. We all stood to our feet as we watched Bobby’s soul turn back to a blue/white and then shoot up into the sky...into Heaven. She looked at me and Dean.

“I told you you could trust me” was all she said and then she was gone.

“What the hell was that about?” Sam snapped.

“I'll tell you later. Let's get this trial done” Dean said, pulling out a scrap piece of paper.

Sam and Mel stood close together and recited the phrases. I saw both of the cringe in pain as a white light surged through their veins. I rushed to Sam to keep him standing on two feet.

“Hey! Hey, talk to me!” Dean tried, grabbing hold of Mel’s face.

“It’s okay, it’s okay...” Sam soothed.

“I’m fine...it’s done...” Mel breathed out.

Then, I watched as he fought against hugging her and just holding her in his arms. He even backed away. But then it was her who initiated the hug. She jumped into him so hard they both almost fell over but he didn’t hesitate. He wrapped his arms around her and was going to savor this moment.

~

We couldn’t bury Benny. It didn’t feel right after everything he did for us...and even Sam was suddenly on Team Benny. Too bad our troubles still weren’t behind us. Kevin was gone. He grabbed his notes and all of his stuff and took off, leaving us, once again, completely clueless.

Dean

It was late and we were all heading right to bed. It was just one of those days. I saw Mel head over to the stairs to head up but she stopped. Something was holding her back and I took it as an opportunity to redeem myself.

“Hey...” I kept my voice soft and light. She turned to face me. “I uhh...I just wanted to say that I was really out of line today...it’s just the thought of you going to Hell scared the shit out of me and...”

“Because you’ve been before” I looked up at her. “Sam told me...”

“Yea...I heard you remembered Bobby...” I murmured, feeling kind of hurt that she would remember him and not me.

“Well, not really. I remembered something about Tori Spelling...and that he liked her or something...she’s very compelling” she nodded.

I had to smile. “Yea...” I agreed lamely. “But still...I was moving too fast and pushing you too hard...I shouldn’t have...”

“Tried to kiss me?” she finished for me. I was still embarrassed as you can tell. “Dean...” I looked back up at her. “I can’t be the Melissa you know...the Melissa you grew up with...I don’t know how to be her...”

“Just be yourself...”

“But you see, I don’t even know how to do that. And I’m just...not in love with you like she was...or like I used to be...I don’t know what it was like, I can’t remember the feeling...” Can I go jump off a cliff now?

“But...maybe I can learn how to again...I mean...I’ve done it once before already, right?” I smiled.

Brit must have told her about how we’ve lost our memory of each other before...but then got it back the more we spent time together over the years....

“So...third time’s the charm?” she said hopefully.

I just nodded. If she was willing...this had to be it. If she wants her memory back...then we have to be on the right track right now. We’re so close...I can almost see it. I’ll make her fall in love with me all over again. Third Time’s The Charm.