“And you,” Sam said, “didn’t tell me about the fact that you started this.”

“Sam,” Maya said.

“You didn’t tell me this is your fault.”

“Sam!” Maya said more sternly and he closed his mouth and looked away. “Do you want to hate each other?”

“No,” Dean whispered. “I don’t.”

She looked at Sam, and he said quietly, “No.”

“Then stop lying to each other. Tell each other the truth. Stop punishing each other. Sam, Dean has a mission, and he needs you.” Sam nodded, frowning. Maya held out her hand to Dean, and he came back to the fountain and took it. “Dean. This is your brother. Your blood. No matter what else he may be, he will always be that.”

Dean nodded too, and then bent and kissed the top of Sam’s shaggy head. “Sorry, man.”

“Me, too,” Sam said. “I’m sorry.” He looked at Maya. “Can we get out of here? I’m so tired, Maya.”

“Of course,” she said gently and took his hand.

***

It was faster than through the tapestry, and much more direct — one moment they were in the marketplace, the next they were in front of their motel, the briefcase at Dean’s feet. It had been midmorning when they left but it was night now, and the city felt restless around them.

There was no sign of Maya.

Dean picked up the briefcase, which only felt a little heavier with the addition of the sword. They walked silently through the lobby to the elevator and pressed the Up button.

“Weird day,” Sam said, watching the arrow descend to the main floor.

“Very weird.”

“You know . . .” The elevator arrived and the door slid open, and they both got in. Sam pressed the number of their floor. “Most of those things we saw in the Marketplace? Anywhere else, we’d be hunting them.”

“I know.” The elevator rose creakily, and Dean put a hand on the wall to support himself. “I’m exhausted,” he said quietly.

“Me too. I feel like I could sleep for a year.” The elevator came to a stop and they stepped out and went to their room. Dean had to hunt in his pockets for their keys.

“Dean?” Sam said quietly. “Tell me the truth. Are you in love with him?”

Dean put the key in the lock and turned it. He looked back at Sam. “I don’t know.” He pushed open the door and flipped on the light — and smelled sulfur.

Ruby started up from the bed. “I thought you guys were dead!” she exclaimed and went to Sam. Her arms started to go around him, but she stopped herself and crossed them over her chest. “I couldn’t locate you no matter what spell I used.”

“Why were you looking for us?” Sam said, looking down at her. “We haven’t been gone that long.”

“You’ve been gone for three days,” Ruby stated flatly. “Where have you been?”

Sam looked at Dean helplessly. “Dean, could we –?”

“Yeah,” Dean said. “I’ll get another room.”

“I have one,” Ruby said. “I’ve been here for a while. Come on, Sam.” She tugged on his hand and led him down the hall.

Dean closed the door behind them and locked it, put the briefcase on his bed and sat on the edge. He held his head in his hands as he wondered what Sam would tell her. It didn’t surprise him, not really, that Sam couldn’t just tell Ruby to leave — they still had a weird sort of connection. He was pretty sure Sam didn’t love her. He wondered sometimes if Ruby loved him or if she were in it for something else.

He looked up at a rush of wind and a flutter of wings and saw Castiel sitting on the other bed.

“I was worried,” Castiel said without preamble.

“Yeah,” said Dean. “Ruby said we were gone for three days.”

There was a slight twitch of disapproval on Castiel’s mouth. “To the other side.”

“Crazy place.”

“Yes.” He paused, studying Dean. “You are not well.”

“No,” Dead said wearily, “I am not well.”

“Do you . . . desire comfort?”

Dean closed his eyes a moment. It would be perfect, wouldn’t it, to lose himself in Castiel for a while, to be held and kissed and told he was worth saving — but he said, “No. I desire answers,” and hated himself.

“I see,” Castiel said. “What are the questions?”

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