Not Until We Are Lost

Johnny had enjoyed his peaceful time with Mary. Not having to worry about hiding in plain sight in a world that didn't like men and women to travel together unless they were siblings or married. Not having to try to find her in a world where bunnies were zombies. Not being dead and mending. Just them. Just knowing that she couldn't be lost. He liked that.

The problem was, he knew that she needed to talk about what had happened. As much as they both may have wanted to brush it under the rug, Mary needed to speak aloud her story. She needed to express whatever emotions she had about them, and he knew they weren't going to be light or good.

So he gathered a few food items from the magical food window and brought them to his room. His room, because he didn't think that anybody would bother them there. Her room might have all kinds of visitors. Like Dean. Who he was not eager to talk to. Especially after the encounter with Jo and the hitting. He had snacks for them to munch on, and cold sandwiches in case their talk went on a long while. He had drinks. He was pretty sure that he'd covered all the bases.

All he had to do was wait for Mary to come back. They had been spending their nights together most of the time. Switching off rooms for whatever was the closest when they decided that sleep was a thing that needed to happen. He hoped that her not finding him waiting would prompt her to seek him out.

This was not going to be easy.

Sleeping wasn't pleasant for Mary these days. It seemed like every time she closed her eyes, she was back in that speakeasy, tied to that chair with the psycho carving away at her skin. She always woke with her wounds hurting, even though she knew damn well that the sensation was merely psychological. That pissed her off, truthfully. She was a hunter. Hell, she was a Winchester. She was supposed to be better than this-stronger, braver, and anything but waking in the night after nightmares.

She didn't know what time it was and didn't much care. Instead, she wandered down to the common area in search of some food and hopefully something to keep her mind off things. She was paler than usual and more than a little shaken up, but she was already trying to hide that just in case anyone else was here.

She still had to find her dad. In fact, she wanted to see him more than ever just about now. How many times had he been there to help her get back to sleep after a nightmare? Heck, even as a little girl she'd slept easier knowing that he was around to kill any monsters that might be out there. And that feeling hadn't quite gone away. Hadn't he killed this particular monster? Even if she possibly wasn't technically a monster and even if the damage had been done, he'd still been there to put an end to the woman that had kidnapped and tortured her. Maybe Mary should feel more conflicted about it, but mostly she was just glad that her dad had been there for her. Glad that he'd proven that he would always be around to slay the monsters and keep her safe.

She ordered a cheeseburger and french fries and settled into the seating area with her food. Eating would help. It had to, right?

Jo still couldn't quite get her mind to wrap around the fact that they were all on a freaking spaceship. With aliens. And with weapons that ceased to be anything dangerous at all outside of their rooms. That was the kicker, really.

She was perhaps less happy than she had been on that damn island, and that was saying something. The only potential upside was that it seemed like their group might be entirely intact. All the same, she was getting tired of having to go searching for the people she cared about with every location change.

She wasn't really sure who she was looking for first as she roamed the halls of the dormitory area, for lack of a better word. She didn't know if everyone's rooms were in this same section but she couldn't find access to anywhere else on the ship, so she just had to hope that somebody she was looking for showed up soon.

Mary hadn't lost track of how many days she'd spent on the island so far. In fact, she'd been keeping count of each sunrise and each day was a little bit more torture. Johnny had shown signs of waking but hadn't yet. Her dad, Rob, and Cas were nowhere to be seen. She both wanted to see the three and feared the reaction from Dean and Rob. After all, it was pretty hard to hide the fact that Johnny hadn't died like any other human who'd been shot in the heart would have. She still wasn't convinced that Jo would leave him alone once he woke up. At least she'd been able to convince her mom to hold off on any hunting until then.

Anna had been somewhat of a buffer as Mary and Jo settled into not speaking to each other more than necessary, but even that was driving Mary nuts. That putting someone that she'd just met in the middle, and simply fighting with her mom wasn't all that great either.

Her cuts were still bandaged but were starting to heal. More slowly than she would have liked, but she supposed she just had to be thankful for the first aid supplies they'd found in that cave.

While Johnny had been out, she'd done her best to keep him clean and tended to as much as she could. Even if Anna and Jo hadn't been determined to keep her from overexerting herself, she probably still would have stuck to her spot at his side while she waited for him to wake up. Knowing that the Johnny of her time must have gone through something similar to this alone after their first kiss only strengthened her resolve. She couldn't have known then and being here now didn't make up for that, but she was determined that he see that he shouldn't have to go through things like this alone. Though if she had her way, there wouldn't be any more near-death or deathlike experiences to recover from.

Then again, when did a Winchester ever get his or her way when it came to the safety of those they loved most?

The first few days on the island were a blur. They'd found a place that was as out of sight as they could manage. With any luck, no one would notice that Johnny hadn't woken up yet. The less questions asked, the better. They'd gotten supplies out of the first aid kit in the cave, though Mary didn't dare trust sleeping in the cave. The wolf would know to find them there and there was only one entrance and exit. At least out in the open, they had more chances of hiding and getting away. She did her best to brush off the unsettling knowledge that Evan had told her he could track just about anything or anyone, even before he'd changed into a werewolf. That was a problem that she couldn't do much about so it was better to focus on everything else that needed her attention.

Nobody would allow Mary to take watches through the night on her own, which frustrated her to no end. Maybe she could understand it, since her injuries were still healing. But that didn't mean that she liked it. Not to mention that she wasn't sleeping all that well at night anyway. She was sure that they all heard her nightmares, but so far nobody had mentioned the fact that she sometimes woke up screaming. Jo had simply been there most times, comforting without question and without judgment.

It made Mary miss her mom-the one from her time-all that much more.

Johnny still wasn't awake, but he was breathing and his heart was beating. That was something. With the dragon, it had taken a week. She didn't know if the timeline would be similar with this type of injury of if he'd be out for longer. She still held on to her hope that he would wake eventually. He had to.

There hadn't been much time for Jo to ask questions and Mary knew she'd earned a bit of a grace period due to her recovery, but she knew that it was coming. Unfortunately, that chance came sooner than she would have hoped.

( Answers no one wants to hear. )

After the rescue, everything was a blur. Mary remembered begging Cas to make sure Johnny made it back to the apartment. Begging them all not to give up on him just yet. It raised questions. Questions that nobody pushed too hard because she was in rough shape as it was. Someone suggested taking her to the hospital and someone else shot that down. It would raise too many questions. She didn’t have much chance to fight as she was brought back to the tiny apartment and someone gave her medical care. Later, she wouldn’t remember who. Castiel had done as asked and Johnny was placed in the bed. Maybe Mary looked worse than she had guessed because no one argued all that much when she climbed into bed with him. It wasn’t like there were many other places to sleep and she wasn’t ready to let go just yet. He had to come back from this. Didn’t he? If he could heal from that fight with the dragon… He just had to.

She didn’t know how long it took, just that it took too damn long. She checked him every time she woke over long enough to do so, and each time he was still, clammy, not breathing, no heartbeat. Then suddenly… she woke up to the sound of heavy breathing. Her fingers found the pulse in his neck. She almost laughed with relief. Almost. If he was breathing again, he would heal from this. She was sure of that.

Mary started to get better a little bit over the next few days. She wasn’t well, but she was there for the few times that Johnny regained consciousness long enough to choke down a snack or take some water. She was glad that she was able to be there for it, and she hated the idea that he’d gone through this on his own after the dragon attack.

She wasn’t sleeping all that well and she had no desire to talk to anyone about what had actually happened. It was simply easier to focus on healing her own physical wounds and making sure Johnny was taken care of as he healed too. The questions would come soon. Oh, she was sure of that. She was preparing for it and she didn’t honestly know how it was going to look when the other shoe came down on them.

She certainly wasn’t prepared for that period of resting and healing to be cut short. Instead of in bed, she awoke to the sensation of gritty sand beneath her. Her cuts itched and the skin was extra tender as though it had been burned. It was only once she opened her eyes and sat up that she realized that all skin that wasn't covered in bandages was lobster red in the face of a sun that was beating down on her. But then again, red… things were in color again. She looked around further, trying to get a feel for where the hell she was. A beach stretched out before her, waves rolling in and rolling out with a rhythmic sound. As she turned, she saw lush greenery behind her. She was also wearing jeans and a white button-down shirt that she'd never seen before.

"What the hell?" she said out loud.

Arlene didn’t think of the women she took as people. She didn’t care to know their name or what they did for a living. Didn’t care for much beyond what she’d learned while staking out her prize, while following them and watching and waiting for the best opportunity to take them. She didn’t look at them as victims either. They were all a part of her grand plan. She’d left the bodies all over the city, adorned with her artwork and faces covered in mud. They could be anyone. They were anyone.

The blonde one that she’d taken wasn’t much of a screamer. That was... disappointing. Usually the good girls broke first. The other women, the broken, tarnished ones. They’d seen more, so it took longer. But this one? This one was surprising. The whore had broken before the good girl in this case. Instead of screaming, the blonde had doled out several threats that first day. There were less threats by the second day. Soon, she would scream just as much as the woman in the room down the hall.

Arlene wasn’t too worried about the friends and family that would supposedly find her and make her pay. No one was looking for a woman. And certainly, no one was looking for her. She lived a quiet life outside of this place. She visited the tea room regularly-there were so many lovely girls there. She walked her dog, ate in diners, made small talk with the neighbors. She was careful not to linger for too long with any of the ladies that she took. The neighbors might start to question things if she wasn’t home by sunset every night like clockwork. She certainly did make it home at that time, only to sneak out yet again so she could keep a watchful eye on her prizes through the night. And then she slipped home just before dawn so everyone could see her leaving in the mornings.

She would break this one too. In the end, they all welcomed oblivion. When she sensed that they were ready to welcome that final departure, she was happy to grant it like the merciful artist that she was.

----

Mary wasn’t sure if she’d been in the dingy room for hours or days. She thought it might have been at least a day or two because her kidnapper had had time to carve up both her arms and had fed her at least a few meals. The Slayer didn’t talk much but seemed to want to take her time with the torture. There was just as much time spent cleaning Mary’s wounds, feeding her, caring for her. And yes, her. It had been a surprise when Mary had gotten the first glimpse of her captor, who was a woman not much older than her. A woman who probably wouldn’t have looked out of place in one of those high society clubs. She was a classic beauty, and her expression was permanently fixed with a cold and remote stare. She never made eye contact with Mary, never made conversation. She only came in the room to carve more intricate designs in Mary’s flesh or to offer meals or medical aid.

Currently, Mary hadn’t seen the woman in awhile. She’d heard screams from somewhere else in the building and she couldn’t help but feel like she should be helping, not tied to a godforsaken chair. She was half-conscious and trying to call up the determination she’d had when she’d first come in, that knowledge that no matter what else happened, the people that mattered the most would hunt this woman down and make sure she didn’t hurt anyone else again. There had been a good amount of hope that they’d find her in time, but Mary was starting to lose hope. She was starting to let her mind wander down the darker path of what might happen to the people she loved if this didn’t have a happy ending. This was going to kill her parents, she knew that. And Johnny. What were the odds of something like this happening a second time to someone he cared for? And Rob. And Cas. There were a lot of people who were very good at blaming themselves and Mary couldn’t help but think that she was letting them all down.

Her head lolled to the side just a bit as she drifted in that half-conscious state, trying to get at least a little sleep before the torture started anew.

Mary didn't know how long she was out. Her brain was still fuzzy when she first opened her eyes, and her head was pounding. She was able to focus enough to see that she was in some sort of dimly lit warehouse. A moment later, she heard a noise and realized that someone was behind her. Then came the pain. Cold metal sliced through the skin on her arm like it was butter. Mary bit her lip to keep from shouting out, not wanting to give the sick fuck what he wanted. At least, she was assuming that it was a man, though she couldn't see him.

In between cuts, she managed to catch her breath enough to speak.

"Whatever you do to me, I'll be your last. There are people out there who are going to find you and hunt you down."

There was no verbal response, which was perhaps creepier than if the guy had launched into a monologue. Instead, the knife bit into her skin once again. This time, Mary couldn't stop herself from screaming as the knife darted in and out of her skin.

She wasn't giving up on her chances of survival. Not just yet. But she knew that the situation wasn't looking good. It was some comfort that no matter what, her parents and probably Johnny and Cas would hunt this bastard down and end him. She just had to hope that they found her before it was too late. She knew that if they didn't, this would kill them. Especially Johnny. He'd already lost his family to a serial killer. This was just... She had to hold out hope that they'd all track her down in time.

Johnny hadn't slept.

It wasn't a long enough period of time to determine if he didn't need to shut his brain off like a normal human being. One night wasn't a good indicator. He felt like shit as the sun rose, and couldn't really tell if it was because he had been sitting on the couch, waiting for the door to open, the sound of keys jingling to unlock, not sleeping or if it was because of the anxiety he'd been filled with the whole time.

He'd been turning the events of the night over and over in his head. Wondering if he'd done something wrong. Maybe she'd changed her mind over the course of their time together. Maybe she'd come to see him as nothing more than a friend. Their night at the movie might have been affection she lavished on those closest to her, and not the sort that went along with deeper feelings. Maybe he'd misread. And now it was him stepping over lines and boundaries.

This, of course, was not what she'd indicated when she'd left. But she might have been saying those things to be nice, hoping that he'd take the night to think things over and realize that it wasn't the time or place for those kind of feelings. Or maybe he'd realize that he didn't really feel those things, that they were just the product of the game that he and Mary had been playing for the rest of the world. Then she wouldn't have to let him down, gently or otherwise.

She'd said she'd be back, either way. And that's what Johnny was waiting for. For Mary to walk through the door of their shared space so he could tell her he was sorry. That if she didn't want that from him anymore, he'd let it go.

Johnny waited until noon for Mary to come back to the apartment. When she didn't show, he went up to the bar to ask Harry if she'd been seen there, and to wait for her. He knew that if she didn't find him in the apartment, she'd come upstairs. Then they could go back to the tiny basement dwelling and talk. In the mean time, he could use alcohol as a distraction, though it wouldn't do much for actual brain quieting, at least the ice and liquid would give him something new to look at. And maybe Harry would have work for him.

But Harry saw the worry and ordered Johnny to sit on the customer side of the bar. He glanced hopefully at the back door and the front every time Johnny did. He kept the talk light and far away from any subjects that might call her to mind, and continually supplied Johnny with new drinks. He didn't pry. He didn't ask if there had been a fight. Harry knew only that Mary had said she needed to take a walk by herself, and that Johnny was worrying about her.

As two pm approached and rolled by, Johnny's worry was in high gear. Surely Mary should have returned by now.

After her mom had gone on her way, Mary headed down to the basement apartment. Johnny had seemed happy enough to take his leave early and avoid whatever Jo might have to say about the lie they’d been living. She wasn’t sure if she was hoping that Johnny would be awake or already sleeping.

Things had been a little uncomfortable since the night out that wasn’t supposed to be a date. He’d been quiet and a little bit sullen. She remembered enough to realize that she’d stepped over a line somewhere, so she was trying to give him a wide berth lately. Encouraging him to leave early some nights was one way. Going straight to bed when she got in after work and taking daily trips to the store instead of spreading out the grocery shopping so it was more of a weekly thing were other ways that she was giving him as much space as that tiny apartment could allow.

Which was why she half-expected Johnny to be feigning sleep or something along those lines when she got back after work. She put the key in the lock and did her best to quietly open the door, just in case feigning had turned to actual sleep.

A few days after she’d gotten the information about Mary’s whereabouts from Cas, Jo finally realized that she’d put it off all she could. She needed to see her daughter. She also needed to track down Dean, but that would come next. She knew Mary’s location and maybe it would be better to see Mary first anyway.

Once inside the bar, she didn’t go straight up to the counter. She spotted Johnny behind it and Mary was weaving in and out of tables, delivering orders and chatting with customers. They both looked at home here. If one didn’t know better, it would be easy to believe that they’d always lived in this time period, and that they belonged here.

Jo took a seat at a table and simply watched and waited quietly for Mary to notice and approach her. She would want to talk to Johnny too but she needed to work up to it all. She still wasn’t sure how she felt about the fact that he’d practically whisked Mary away from that diner and now they were still together. She was glad that he was watching out for her kid, but she was also... well, she couldn’t help but wonder what his intentions were and what Mary’s intentions were. She didn’t want to see either of them hurt and there was a bit of an ‘ew’ factor about a friend of hers dating her daughter. Especially when you figured in how old he’d be in Mary’s time.

( Things are not as they seem... )

Rob had had some interesting days as of late. The fact that he had to keep his boss off him as he worked was definitely the strangest of it all. He’d had to deal with overly aggressive types before, but he’d never had it coming from an employer, male or female. Thankfully, he had a small plan should the geezer continue to be overly forward.

The Man of Letters was quietly putting away some of the new stock. He’d noticed a few titles that came from different years, or at least he thought they had. Not that he was an expert in pulp. It was just a feeling. Not that any of the dates as far as copyrights went made sense.

“I’m going out for lunch. You want anything?” Pendergast moved closer to the young Winchester, a little closer than he preferred.

“No, I’ll eat later, thank you.” Rob shook his head, ignoring the way Pendergast was breathing down his neck.

( ---- )

Mary spent the rest of the week looking forward to Sunday. She didn't actively think about it, but every so often, it would just creep into her thoughts and make her smile. It wasn't a date. She'd reminded herself of that more than once. All the same, the thought of getting out to dinner and a movie and maybe taking her mind off things for a few hours. She had always loved movies. Losing herself in a story that almost always came wrapped up more neatly than life. Sitting in the dark for a couple hours and just focusing on someone else's life.

The dress itself was like something out of one of the old movies she'd watched as a kid. It was a darker gray so it could have been red or purple or something along those lines if there were colors. It was off the shoulder and fell to just below her knee. It fit her like a glove and she couldn't help but admire the dress in the mirror once as she was getting ready.

It was silly to spend so much time getting dolled up for something that wasn't a date, but she did it anyway. She would tell herself that it was simply playing the role that was expected of a newly married wife out on the town, but she knew deep down that there was probably another reason.

Her hair was curled neatly and pinned with an oversized jeweled flower. It was silly and girly, but it felt right for now. There was a little more make-up than usual too.

Finally, she realized that she was as ready as she'd ever be and stepped out of the bathroom to look for Johnny, who she could only hope hadn't been waiting too long.

The discussion with Cas had revealed quite a bit more about the two former angels. Mary had also been able to straighten out the misconception that Johnny was her ‘mate.’ Though unfortunately, it seemed a little late for that since he’d already talked to Johnny and Mary could only assume that he’d used the same term with him. She just couldn't be sure how Johnny had taken it. At the meeting, he'd seemed unphased by the assumption, though there had been a lot going on. She could only assume that it was more uncomfortable when used in a one on one conversation by someone who was a part of her life. Worse, she wondered if he thought that she’d been the one to give Cas the idea that they were an item.

They'd fallen so easily into the charade of husband and wife that there were times when she had to remind herself that it was just that. That he'd made it clear that he couldn't make any promises, that he wasn't ready to be what the Johnny of her time had become to her. She was okay with that, but she could respect that it might be difficult for him to feel that way and then have others jumping to incorrect conclusions.

She stuck the key in the lock and let herself in, not quite sure where she would find the man whom she was currently sharing an address (and a fake name) with.

She headed into the kitchen first and fixed herself a drink with some gin that they’d been allowed to take home. She fixed Johnny a drink too, knowing full well that it wouldn’t do much for him unless they had 8 bottles of the stuff. It was still more of a comfort thing than anything. She returned and took a seat on the overstuffed armchair, setting his drink in front of him.

“I heard that you talked to Cas. I’m... sorry I didn’t get the chance to correct him about that whole ‘mate’ thing before you two talked.”

She could only assumed that that would have been awkward for Johnny, that assumption. They did have a precarious dance going on and people assuming things only made it more difficult for them to keep things platonic, assuming that was the correct word. He needed time, and she could respect that. Unfortunately, it was hard for others to understand what was going on unless she explained it. And explaining the circumstance meant explaining everything and while she understood that it probably needed to be done, she didn’t feel that it was her place to do so until he was ready.

( Honey, I'm home! )

Cas had gotten a job at the bar before Mary could even blink. It had been a surprise to find him behind the bar that first night, but she was glad to see someone she knew in the job. She still felt off-balance on this strange planet, particularly after meeting Lucas. She couldn't put her finger on it, but something just felt wrong there and she couldn't quite shake it. So if he came back, she was glad that they'd both be there. And she couldn't help but wonder if Cas might recognize him and know which angel he was somehow. Possibly.

After the shift was over, Mary had insisted that Johnny turn in early and let them do the clean up, particularly since he'd seemed a little bit more stressed than usual over the course of the night. Once the bar had cleared out entirely and Johnny had headed downstairs, Mary felt that perhaps she could speak a little more plainly with the former angel.

"So how are you feeling about the job?" she asked as an ice breaker. "And how's Anna?"

He was more than satisfied with the area that he'd been placed in. Every city this size had a seedy underbelly, ripe with sin and corruption. People hiding shameful secrets. Delicious things that he enjoyed so very much.

Lucifer was not opposed to flexing his power when he needed anything, either. So while he'd not turned up on this world with anything to call his own save for the clothing on his back, it didn't take him but a couple of hours to secure a place to stay, a nice car to drive, and a wardrobe befitting a prince. Not to mention a fine box of cigars that would have an embargo on them in a few years.

The Morningstar cruised in the black 1930's Bentley 8-Litre Gurney Nutting Sportsman Coupe that he'd acquired from a showroom, taking a snails pace and enjoying the sights and sounds of the life around him. There was freedom, and then there was freedom.

As he passed from one street to the next, Lucifer felt like he was being pulled toward a particular place. When he saw the sign for The Duchess, he felt like he'd arrived. Parking was easy enough. He just charmed another guy out of the spot he'd been about to take.

It was with an otherworldly grace that he entered the establishment with. He glanced around a moment, before finding a table and sitting himself down. It wasn't, as some might have expected of him, in the shadows or in the back. He picked a spot where he would be seen. Then he waited for service.

The bike ride helped take the edge of things, but eventually it was back to reality. And reality was that they were all stuck on some 1940s fetishizing planet. Worse than that, they didn't seem to have been given places to stay this time around. Mary just hoped that that meant that there wouldn't be as many creatures to worry about after dark. Unfortunately, her cynicism was already at war with her hope there.

The sun had already set by the time they got back to the diner. She checked in with Jo and avoided Dean, hoping that her mother would pass on the message to her dad. Jo wasn't thrilled with the idea of splitting up for the night, but Mary made the point that it would be a lot easier for people to find shelter in pairs. Besides, she was pretty sure that her parents might end up just camping out in the Impala and she didn't much like the idea of trying to sleep in the front seat.

She really didn't like the idea of doing that and leaving Johnny to fend for himself. Even if he could probably handle most if not all that this world might throw at him, she didn't like it all the same.

So once the unpleasant parental conversation was taken care of, Mary left the diner yet again and looked up at the cowboy who was looking a little less cowboy-like and a little more... dapper, maybe?

"So, where to now?"

There was a little bit of a purse to her lips, just the faintest hint of worry. She'd almost always had a false credit card or three to fall back on. This was new territory entirely. Perhaps it was forward to assume that they actually would end up finding somewhere to stay together, but she had just found him again not too long ago. She didn't want to let him out of her sight just yet. So unfortunately he'd probably just have to have that awkward conversation with her if he wanted his space for the night.

There was the meeting, and then there was... a diner.

Johnny sat up straight and sudden, his head whipping around to see what the new surroundings were. One hand was on a gun, but stalled there when he glanced down to see what he was wearing. His typical suit was gone. Replaced with a different, vintage cut. His hat was nowhere to be seen. There were no boots on his feet, only shiny black shoes.

His eyes took in everyone around him, noting that they'd all apparently been dumped in the same spot. Slowly, his brain registered that all he was seeing was devoid of color. Even with all the new information, he couldn't take a moment to rest. There was one face that he needed to see.

The vigilante pushed out of the booth and turned in a circle, scanning the room. Jo, Dean, Cas... there she was. He moved to where Mary sat, relieved to see her. Now ready to take in the rest of it completely, since he was certain she was here and unharmed.

A lot of information had been spilled on them in a short amount of time, and nobody had had a chance to process it before they'd been moved on. He expected that Mary wouldn't be in the best of shape, and he planned to do whatever he could to make her feel better.

Eventually, Piotr decided that enough socializing had gone on. People knew that their friends and loved ones were here with them, and that was a good thing. They could catch up further later, however. If he didn't interrupt, the meeting would go on far longer than anybody wanted it to. He'd provided some snacks, but no actual food. There would be a need for actual food at some point.

He cleared his throat to get the attention of everybody present.

"We are all here right now for the same purpose." Piotr's voice wasn't loud, but it was demanding. His accent cut through everything else easily. The edges of it were sharp, the middles heavy. He wouldn't, couldn't be ignored. "All of us were brought to this place, world or dimension, and we have all been seeking answers since we woke up. It is time to share what we have found."

He smiled a little at Mary, at Cas, then at Rob, still not giving up his position.

"I will do this in the most orderly manner that I can, so we can get the information and compare notes as needed."

Piotr turned to Castiel, who had spoken up first.

Piotr was anxious to get everything rolling. While putting the meeting off had given extra time to round up others who might need to be in on it, it meant a delay of information that he wasn't truly comfortable with. He'd managed to play it off with everybody that he'd encountered, making as if this wasn't as big a deal as it really was to him. Inside, Piotr had been twitchy. Anything could happen at any time. They were all dealing with the unknown. There were too many variables, the risk was far too high. Lingering only swayed things away from their favor.

It was very domestic, the way he readied for the guests. He didn't let Max lift a finger. It was the only way he could keep himself from stewing, really. To move, work. Put plates together. Ready beverages. Create a spread that Martha Stewart would have been proud of.

He even dressed up.

Black suit, crisp white shirt, black tie, shiny black shoes, hair combed impeccably, guns tucked away in their holsters under his arms and hidden carefully by the jacket of his expensive outfit. Not a lick of metal showing anywhere to give him away, and that was more a throwback to the long nights of watching a mark than anything else. Piotr didn't have any good reason for it now, but it felt right.

When there was nothing left to do, he leaned against the arm of the couch and worried his lip between his teeth. There wasn't a watch to check on his wrist, so he glanced every few minutes at the clock on the wall, ticking away in its hideous orange and purple motif, strange detached bunny ears the hands, a mangled face grinning behind them. It was disturbing at best, though Piotr didn't really see the image, just the minutes.

The doorbell rang and he opened it, taking up the entire doorway. He smiled at the first guests and stood aside to allow them in. He made motions toward the table of snacks and directed them toward the kitchen for drinks. Every single newcomer got the same treatment. Max still not allowed to do anything that might have taken even an iota of the control out of the Russian's hands. They weren't military people, those who were showing up, they weren't highly trained like he was, but he would be damned if he wasn't in command of everything.

There were so many faces that he didn't recognize, and still no sign of the one that he was still seeking. Rayne was not with any of the others that showed up. Piotr couldn't help the worry he felt for his charge. The strange woman who he'd met in Malden, what felt like a hundred years ago now. He didn't ask after her, knowing that if any of these people knew her, she would have been here. He'd been careful to set the time of the meeting right after sunset to accommodate her and any others that might be like her. If she was here, by some strange chance, and had not been informed of the meeting, and hadn't come looking for him, if she had, in fact, decided to keep herself secret, then she had a reason for it, and it wasn't Piotr's place to draw attention to her. The hope of that was beyond slim, however, and he knew it. She wasn't here, he just had to admit it.

He let everybody mingle for almost an hour, to make sure that all the people that had been told had a change to show up. That and it was obvious that some of them had been looking for each other for a while, and they were just now discovering one another. He couldn't bring himself to break that up. He knew how he would have felt if he'd found his friend. He wouldn't have been able to focus on anything else but making sure that she was alright.

Finally, he stood in the center of the living room, his eyes skating over the seating, knowing that there wasn't enough for everybody and regretting it, and cleared his throat to get the attention of the assembled.

"We are all here right now for the same purpose." Piotr's voice wasn't loud, but it was demanding. His accent cut through everything else easily. The edges of it were sharp, the middles heavy. He wouldn't, couldn't be ignored. "All of us were brought to this place, world or dimension, and we have all been seeking answers since we woke up. It is time to share what we have found."

He smiled a little at Mary, at Cas, then at Rob, still not giving up his position.