DEAR JACK,
Getting here was all that mattered, or so I thought.
A new feeling emerged when I stepped foot inside.
Before I thought I belonged.
Everything we went through only reminded me I don't.

❂

THE RIDE TO THE RIFT HAD BEEN UNUSUALLY QUIET. There had been no signs of angels or monsters that would slow them down. Dean had kept white knuckles on the wheel as his annoyance had spiked as Sam asked Jack and Rose when they had chosen to start dating. He knew it would only bother Dean which was enough to take the stress off the idea of what was to come when they reached the rift.

The moment it had came into view, Sam had stood up in the car. "It's closing," he stated. The beam of light from the rift had began to flicker as it had struggled to stay open much longer. Turning back to Jack, Rose and Gabriel, he had instructed them to head on out.

Bobby had been the first to jump out of the bus, amazed by the sight of the rift. It was the first time he had ever seen an opening— a chance— to flee from the dangers of this world. Jumping out of the car, Sam signaled for everyone on the bus to follow. "We're running out of time! Come on!"

A sudden surge of energy had caused the rift to shine brighter as it had grown stronger for a moment. "How is that possible?" Rose questioned. Jack had shook his head in confusion, "I don't know," he whispered. Taking her hand in his, they had followed Sam and Dean towards the rift.

Castiel had approached the rift when Dean had given him and Ketch the signal to head on through. Placing a hand on each of Jack and Rose's backs, Dean moved them forward. "Cas, take them with you." With a silent signal, he had made sure Cas had understood that Jack and Rose would not be waiting for Constance and Lucifer who had been fighting through the group to get to the rift next.

Understanding, Cas moved them forward. "Go, I'll be behind you both."

As they approached the rift, Rose had went to turn away. "Wait, Gabe." Reaching out, she had offered for him to follow with them. Had it not been for their love for candy, their short, but sweet friendship, Rose would have moved on ahead.

Shaking his head, Gabriel motioned for her to go. "I gotta be out here, kid. I'll be through soon." Reaching into his pocket, he had managed to pull out more candy as he tossed it her way.

Catching the few pieces, she had stuffed them into her pocket as she turned back to the rift. Squeezing tight onto Jack's hand, each had taken a step causing the rift to engulf them and bring them home.

The warmth of the bunker had hit her hard as the two had been reminded of what home had felt like. Taking in a breath of relief, Rose had looked around the room as she headed further into the library until they had met a familiar face.

Rowena had almost lost her concentration on keeping the rift open as soon as she had seen Rose. After hearing she had been trapped in another universe, she had demanded the boys bring her back.

Last time Rose had heard from Rowena, she had known that Lucifer had killed her. He had beaten her and burnt her until he was sure she would never return back. And just as Lucifer believed, Rose thought she would never see her again.

Dropping Jack's hand, she made her way over in surprise. "Rowena, you're alive."

"Very much, now get over here, dear, and help."

Rushing over, Rose had taken a seat beside Rowena. Rubbing her hands together, she had shaken off the nerves of messing up and held her hands out towards the rift. Eyes turning black, she had mustered up all the power inside her to send an energy surge strong enough to keep the rift open for Sam and Dean. "Kuth Munto Nuntox," she had repeated alongside Rowena.

One by one, people from the other universe had began to make their way into the bunker. All had entered in while looking around at their new and safe surroundings.

"Rowena, I am so sorry," Rose whispered. She was sorry for many thing and all those things Rowena had known nothing about.

Rowena had given a glance in her direction and was met with black eyes that she never had expected to see. Holding her breath, she turned back quietly as she repeated the spell once more. Her heart was broken and confused on what had happened while they were apart. Had it been Crowley, she would have verbally torn him down for being so careless. But with Rose, she was quiet. Rowena was never sure how to express love and concern and Crowley and Rose had been prime examples of her struggle to understand how to do such a thing.

On the other side of the rift, Gabriel had sacrificed his life in order to slow down Michael. Claiming to always run, he had wanted to finally take a stand and fight for what he had believed in.

"Go," Sam instructed Dean. As his brother had disappeared into the rift, Sam had hesitated. Turning back, he watched as Constance had helped up a bloody and bruised Lucifer to guide him towards the rift.

As they approached, Sam had reached out and placed a hand on Lucifer's chest. Sending him a glare, Constance had tightened her grip on Lucifer. "Move," she demanded.

"Sam, what are you doing, man? I'm hurt," Lucifer said with blood trickling out of his mouth. "Please." He knew Sam always had a heart and to guilt him was a ticket into getting them inside.

"How'd you two think this was going to end? They're not your kids," Sam said. Shoving hard, he had thrown Lucifer down onto his back with Constance tumbling alongside him. Quick on his feet, Sam ran through the portal before the two could recollect themselves.

"Go!" Lucifer yelled as Constance got to her feet. "Get them back!"

There was a hesitation in Constance as her love for Lucifer was always the thing that had driven her to do what she does and be who she is. This moment of hesitation was enough for Sam to head into the bunker as he looked to Rowena and Rose. "Close it," he called out. "Now!"

Instantly, Rose and Rowena had dropped their hands down. The rift had began to dissolve in power and slowly shrink. Before it could fully close, a burst of light had appeared as Constance had fallen to her knees on the bunker floor.

Rose had stood up suddenly, causing her chair to topple over as she looked to Sam. "No," she whispered.

"I pushed her," he whispered back. Constance had slowly gotten to her feet, wiping off the dirt that had covered her clothes after being pushed over. A warm smile had came to her face as she looked over to Rose with her arms extended out.

Standing up next, Rowena had glanced from Constance to Sam in worry and anger. Catching her attention, Constance had narrowed her eyes at Rowena but knew better than to make a scene.

"What the bloody hell is going on, Samuel," Rowena spat as she leaned towards Sam. "She is a vile woman."

"I-I tried to stop her," Sam whispered nervously.

Approaching, Constance's warm smile had faltered for a moment. "Rowena," she greeted coldly. Turning to Sam, she had reached out and took her hand in his. "Thank you for getting us to our new home. For a moment there, I thought I wouldn't make it."

"He should have left you to rot," Rowena said through a cold smile. Pushing her hair over her shoulder, Rowena straightened herself out as she kept a dangerous eye on her. "Here I thought my Rose would be able to live a life without you."

"Every girl deserves a mother in their life and you certainly aren't there for her. Leaving her with hunters and turning her into a monster."

Rowena crossed her arms as she held her head high. "I left her with a proper family. Something you in all universes could never give her." Scoffing lightly, Rowena rolled her eyes. "Turning her into a monster is all you're trying to do."

"Fergus made her a monster. It's all in the MacLeod blood, I'd assume."

Making his way over, Dean had stood himself between the two as he held his hands out to keep them apart before it got dangerous. "All right, enough." Turning his back to Rowena, he pointed a finger down to Constance. "I wouldn't try it with her, lady. She'll blast your ass into next tomorrow."

Shoulders slacking, Constance had let out a small sigh to admit defeat. Though she never would have before, she knew in order to stay in the bunker, she needed to. It was what Lucifer had asked of her. Blend in, and be overly friendly. Enough for the Winchester's to forget, have Rose forgive her, and find an opening until he could make it back.

"I'm thankful to be here," Constance said softly. "I don't mean to start any trouble. Just bad blood."

"Then drop it," Dean said sternly. Dropping his finger down, he had reached out and grabbed Rose by her shoulder to guide her away. However, Jack had followed along as he made his way next to Rose. "You helped get everyone here," he said happily.

"Yeah, everyone," she said quietly.

"Who is that lady? The one that stood up to Constance. I like her!"

Rose glanced over her shoulder to see that Rowena had been in a deep discussion with Sam. He had looked panicked and nervous as he kept looking from her to Constance. It was a mistake and he already felt that all the guilt was put on him. "She's my grandma."

"Grandma? She's so young!" Jack said in amazement.

"Yeah, she's actually over 300 years old so I guess she looks good for her age," Rose said. Looking up to Dean, Rose had been concerned with what was to come. "You guys told me she wouldn't be here."

"Thought we could do it, kid," he said regretfully. "I'm sorry. I thought we'd have it."

"What about Lucifer?" Jack questioned.

Both had looked to him but none were sure how to answer. They had managed to leave one behind and that was a small win— but it wasn't for Jack. Shaking his head, Dean had seated them alone together. "Listen, guys, we tried."

"You we're going to leave Constance behind..."

Cutting him off, Dean spoke up. "Because it's what we needed to do. You said so yourself, she's bad news."

"Did you leave Lucifer behind on purpose?"

Dean hesitated and soon found himself shaking his head. "No. Michael was there when we left. He killed Gabriel and Lucifer stepped up. I'm gonna get us some drinks, okay? Stay here."

Dean had headed off in search of some beers and left Jack and Rose to their silence. Each felt defeated and lost with what getting here brought them. One had a parent they didn't want and the other had lost one. Reaching into her pocket, Rose had let the candy sit in the palm of her hand as she thought of the death of Gabriel. He had died for them and now he was gone and she had only known him for such a short time.

Holding out her palm between the two, Rose had looked to Jack. The corners of her lips barely turned up as she met his eyes. Neither had felt the happiness they thought would follow when they had gotten home. Yet sharing the candy was enough for now to get them through it.