Title: Lost and Found

Chapter: 28

Part Three: Culmination

Part Three Summary: AU: Dean and Jo face a new chapter in their life together, while the mystery of Gwen’s past becomes entangled in an ongoing case.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Part Three: Culmination:

After the wedding, while Abigael took Chuck home and went to spend some time in the library visiting with friends, Castiel stayed with Uzziel, taking a few days to evaluate just how bad his level of temptation was and decide what to do about it. He went with Uzziel on his daily tasks, noted how he was with other angels, and finally took him into the throne room for a private chat.

“I’m not cut out for human interaction,” Uzziel began before Castiel even had the main door closed.

Uzziel’s voice was disappointed and depressed even, as though he’d dearly wished to jump right in to human interaction. Castiel suppressed a sigh. Why did they all seem to think getting along with humans should be easy? It had taken months to build a tentative personal connection with Dean and even longer for it to become a friendship. Slowly, they were all realizing that it wasn’t easy. Grasping the topics of the classes was simple until they had to put everything into practice with the goal of blending in.

Previously, they’d not given the matter of blending in much thought. They’d been content in their little bubble of dislike, staying as far away from humanity as they could. It hadn’t mattered to any of them if they fit in and management had encouraged the idea. Now, with the change in attitude that had swept heaven, they were all like…well…honestly, many they were like Castiel had been when he’d fallen. What was that word Dean had used? Ahh, yes. Clueless.

Those who’d chosen to join the AMP were floundering and he appeared to be one of few who had any idea how to behave. The angels who’d fled to earth and returned seemed to lack self-restraint in some areas, Balthazar being a prime example of that. Castiel was going to have to hunt him down and have a few words with him on what was and wasn’t appropriate.

So far, the only group to spend more than a few minutes on earth was the dining class and after their first real meal, they’d had to go back to their first lesson on not appearing gluttonous. He couldn’t let this go on much longer, at least not without more specific guidelines and rules. He couldn’t allow angels to descend on earth en masse to study. They’d all be found out if they were as enthusiastic as Uzziel and that disaster Castiel had previously predicted would occur.

“I should organize matters up here, concentrate on keeping the program running, while you liaison below.” Uzziel sat on the edge of the dais. “I’m sorry, Castiel. I’ve failed you.”

“You haven’t failed me.” Castiel joined him, letting his sigh slip free. Uzziel’s longing to be on earth had only seemed to increase after his time there in South Dakota and Cas was at a loss as to how to address it, so he decided to begin with the assumption all of them had made about him personally and work forward. “Uzziel, I’m not the angel you all seem to think I am. You’ve put me up as the face of new heaven, a folk hero crusading for peace with humanity, but that’s not who I am.”

“Yes, it is.”

“No.” He shook his head. “I didn’t fall for humanity. I fell because it was the right choice. You’re aware of the full circumstances. Dean encouraged me to do the right thing and think for myself. Half the time, I’m flying by the seat of my pants, taking what seems the right choice. I’m not a hero. I don’t belong on a pedestal.”

Uzziel crossed his arms. He was crossing over into sulks now. “You’re something special. Far more than any of us. God chose you out of all of us.”

“The lowest of the angels, a grunt. It is how he works, humbling the proud and so on. I’m doing the best I can with what he’s graciously given me.” He studied the throne room. The balloons, tables, and throng of angels were gone, the reverential feeling returned. “My point is, if I can do the things I have, how much more could others accomplish? Your enthusiasm is admirable. I wish we all had such fervor, but you need to pull back even further. It’s little steps, Uzziel. Give it time.”

“All we have is time.”

Castiel considered how best to say what he had to say next. He was afraid Uzziel simply couldn’t handle the pressure of personal angel-human relations. Perhaps it would be best if he remained in heaven as suggested. “As for going back down, I believe you’re right. It’s not a good idea. You’re too susceptible to falling.”

Uzziel looked at him and uncrossed his arms. “I hadn’t anticipated the longing. Ellen makes being human seem fun, a constant adventure. I don’t understand it. I never had that before. I never desired to be closer to one of them and I do. I could sit and watch her sleep -- and did. I wondered about her….”

It was Ellen that appealed to him. Castiel had seen firsthand how Uzziel was with her. The casual dinner after Dean and Jo’s wedding had given him a glimpse of Uzziel’s affection for Ellen, though Ellen had tried to steer clear of him. The feelings he was developing for her were not like the ones Castiel had for his friends. They had definite romantic leanings and were a fast track to falling. Friendship was one thing, romance another entirely. Romance would bring a desire to spend more time with that person until leaving heaven seemed a little thing. If they didn’t nip it before it got too far, Uzziel could make an impulsive decision he’d regret.

Cas did understand what Uzziel was going through. He’d experienced the strange sensation of feelings he’d not thought he could have prickling at him, pleasant and not at the same time; that urge to know more; the wondering if this was how humans felt, and more. In the end, the choice was Uzziel’s, but Cas would do all he could to help him remain an angel.

“She may be lighthearted now, but it hasn’t always been that way. She was different before she died. Jo was too. They’ve both grasped that their second chance at life is a unique thing. They’re making the most of whatever time they have remaining. What is it about her that you like?”

“I feel when I’m with her. Is that normal, Castiel? To feel emotions now? I enjoy her company. I want to spend more time with her and leave my duties….” A bit of anguish slipped into his gaze. “I can’t stop thinking about her! I close my eyes and I picture her face.”

“I understand. Do you wish to leave heaven?”

“I don’t know. Maybe?”

“Consider what falling entails, Uzziel. When you joined me, you said you hoped to find favor with God by changing sides. Would leaving heaven bring you favor? Look at the circumstances. Why would you be falling?”

“Out of selfish desire,” he whispered, eyes slipping shut.

“You’d be abandoning your job, your heavenly appointment, to become fully flesh. Your angelic powers would slip away, you’d lose the connection with your vessel and he’d cease to be conscious in any way. You’d be alone in that body, cut off from him and from all of us. It’s a lonely existence, Uzziel. Believe me. Losing the connection to us is bad, but the moment you lose the vessel connection you’ll feel hollow inside and terribly alone in a way you never have. It’s deep loneliness that only grows as days pass.” He was deliberately harsh with his words, using a hard tone. “You’d forever crave a reunion with us that you’d never have, even upon death. That’s what your choice means. Eternal separation. You’d mourn your angelic identity throughout eternity and the pleasures of humanity would become bitter ashes as you lived in a decaying body until it gave out.”

In the back of his mind, he heard a very faint, ‘Don’t sugar coat it or anything, Cas.’ It took a second to realize he was hearing Jimmy’s comment on the conversation. It wasn’t often Jimmy said anything anymore. Most days Cas forgot he was still there.

“I need to think.”

Castiel nodded. “I’ve a matter to attend to. I’ll find you later and see what your decision is.”

He decided to go ahead and confront Balthazar. Searching for him took Castiel on a fairly thorough tour of heaven and he finally found him chatting with two angels in busty vessels. At his sudden appearance, the two angels exchanged a worried glance and hastily fled the hallway.

“You’ll refrain from sending anyone else to earth.”

Balthazar blinked. “Ooh, I’ve riled you up. Did Uzziel have a spot of difficulty below?”

“You know he did.”

“He’s such fun to tease.”

“You deliberately sent him towards his greatest temptation. Why?”

He crossed his arms. “Your second-in-command shouldn’t have that weakness. He should be able to mingle with them as you do.”

There was a shifting in Balthazar’s eyes and Castiel suddenly saw the real issue. Balthazar was jealous. He thought he was better qualified than Uzziel to be second-in-command. Castiel almost groaned. He didn’t have time to deal with every angel around him who began exhibiting strong emotion of some sort. “He stays second.”

“Why?”

“I trust him.”

“You used to trust me.”

“Those days are gone. You have to gain my trust and sending the brother I depend on into temptation’s way won’t get you that. You have a lingering dislike for humans that automatically disqualifies you from the position. Not to mention you’re causing trouble wherever you go up here.”

“Then give me something to do, Cas! I’m stagnating here doing nothing. The greatest enemy here these days is boredom and Uzziel’s guard keeps me from doing anything remotely fun.”

“Take the classes, all of them, and if you behave yourself, I’ll consider giving you a position of some sort.” What position Balthazar could possibly qualify for in the present heaven he didn’t know. That would be something to think long and hard on. It’d need to be something that would keep him busy, important enough to keep his jealousy at bay, and yet nothing that would endanger any other area of heaven if he became mischievous.

“Classes,” he scoffed.

“Would you rather be banished from heaven?”

“You don’t have the authority.”

“Are you so certain of that?”

For a long moment, it looked like he might test Castiel’s authority, but then Balthazar backed down. “Fine. We’ll do this your way, but I won’t promise to actually like those hairless apes.”

Balthazar was also a good example of another sort of angel currently running around heaven: the ones who didn’t hate humans exactly, yet still didn’t really like them, and had only backed Castiel because they despised Raphael. “Don’t call them that.”

“It’s what they are.”

“Balthazar.”

“Fine. I’ll be politically correct. I’ll take those classes and be staid and boring and all those things Uzziel is.” Turning on his heel, he walked away.

He didn’t know Uzziel very well if he thought Uzziel was staid and boring. Still, as long as Balthazar behaved himself long enough for Castiel to get other things taken care of, he’d be quite happy.

~~~~~~~~~~

Sam was avoiding her.

Gwen hadn’t been sure of that for awhile, since she and Jo had left on a job a couple days after the second wedding and so had Sam and Dean. They’d met up in Ohio, then again in Rhode Island, and so on, and by the time Thanksgiving arrived, Gwen knew Sam was avoiding her. How did she address it when he disappeared off by himself when they met up? It wasn’t that he wasn’t polite or anything because he was, he simply didn’t stick around to chat like they used to. If he kept this up, she was going to start getting ticked by it because this current arrangement had her feeling lonely when Jo and Dean were together. She was tired of doing things by herself and getting hit on in the bars wasn’t really fun unless she had someone to snark about it with. She missed going to the movies with him or just playing cards in the room.

At least she wasn’t the only one not entirely pleased at present. Jo and Dean weren’t happy with the hunting arrangement either and Gwen wasn’t really surprised. They were newlyweds. In her opinion, they needed to take the time to act like it. Jo had been making discontented noises about how they might need to change the program. Part of Jo seemed pissed at the prospect and Gwen wondered why. If they changed it up and began building a home base, she’d see Dean more often. Gwen kept out of it, however, and wondered if Sam was keeping out of whatever Dean’s thoughts were on it. She’d know if he’d actually talk to her anymore.

She unpacked a little while Jo was out getting munchies, looking forward to working a joint case. From the bare bones Dean had told them on the phone earlier, it sounded like a doozey and her favorite kind of doozey. Missing men and a puzzle at the crime scenes. Maybe she could use her new i.d. -- Gwen Starling. She wouldn’t be surprised if Dean had a Lecter hidden among their i.d.s. It had almost become a competition between them these days to see who could come up with the funniest names to use.

Her phone rang and she picked it up. Wonder of wonders. It was actually Sam. She answered and what he had to say left her breathless and nervous.

~~~~~~~~~~

Gwen had to know he was avoiding her and Sam felt bad about that. He missed their long talks that lasted into the wee hours and in general, her company.

He’d needed the time to think, however, and try to get his head straight on their relationship. There was a lot he’d wanted to consider before being alone with her again. Did he want to pursue a deeper relationship? Did he want to take the risks emotionally? The answers to those questions were yes and yes. He did want more, so he was going to do it. It was time to take Dean’s advice -- and Jo’s, Bobby’s, Ellen’s -- and ask Gwen out. He didn’t have a specific plan in mind and thought they could play it by ear. Dinner maybe. A movie. Drink afterwards.

While Dean was getting provisions for the room, he took out his phone and dialed Gwen’s number.

Jo would be out with Dean, spending as much time with him as possible. After having snack shopped with them together once, he’d decided never again. Jo couldn’t make her mind up any more than Dean could and a ten minute task when Sam did it took them over an hour together. They’d stand there and debate what snack foods went better with what beers and if certain ones could be mixed together for maximum nutrition less noshing. After that, they’d move to the fresh foods, Jo scrutinizing each item before bagging it like she was looking for clues on a job. She’d claimed it was Ellen always did and that she was only following her mother’s example. Neither would consider taking his suggestion of writing out a shopping list beforehand.

Ten minutes versus an hour? No way. Besides, he wouldn’t put it past Dean and Jo to deliberately drag out the task so he’d decide not to go with them, thus giving them time alone.

Gwen answered on the third ring. “Sam? What’s up?”

“Gwen, hi. I was wondering if you had plans for tonight?”

“Is the case discussion dinner with Dean and Jo cancelled?” She sounded oddly hopeful.

“They can discuss without us. Not like we won’t discuss it plenty in the morning once we get started.”

She was quiet a moment. “Are you asking me on a date, Sam?” Was that a touch of flirtatiousness in her tone?

“Yeah. Yeah, I am. Is that…something you’d be interested in?” He bit his lip, heart pounding as he waited for her answer.

“What time?”

“I could swing by your room about six? That’d give us time to eat and catch a movie after.”

“Sounds good. See you then.”

It wasn’t until after the conversation that nervousness set in. He changed shirts four times, combed his hair several different ways, and shaved.

Dean came in the room, carrying several plastic bags in both hands. The bags were almost bursting. “Jo’s got the healthy stuff and we’ve got the rest, though she wouldn’t relinquish the cheese popcorn.” He set the bags down.

Probably because she knew Dean would eat all of it and she’d have to go buy another bag. “You buy beer?”

“Of course. What am I, a heathen? Three kinds. Yours and mine, Jo’s, and Gwen’s. Where did Gwen get a taste for that nasty ale stuff?” He lifted the lid on the cooler and started filling it.

“I don’t know.” Sam went into the bathroom and ran a comb through his hair again.

Dean finished with the cooler and closed the lid. “We should head out early, grab a good table before Jo and Gwen get there, check out the atmosphere.”

“I can’t, Dean.”

“What do you mean you can’t? Come on, let’s go.” He jerked a thumb at the door.

“I can’t,” he repeated, checking his reflection. His shirt looked buttoned properly and his jaw was nice and smooth -- just in case. “You and Jo can get started.” He reached for his aftershave, debated a minute, then dabbed on a little bit to freshen it up.

Dean leaned against the doorjamb. “And where might you be going, young man?” One brow arched.

“I…have a date…with Gwen.” Sam tried to say it like it was a normal thing and knew he didn’t succeed.

His gaze lit up with surprise and Dean grinned. “Well, it’s about time, Sammy! Way to go!” He sounded like a cheerleader.

“Don’t make a big deal about it, okay?”

Standing up straight, Dean spread his arms. “Would I do that?”

“Totally. Yeah, you would.” Sam nodded and turned to leave the bathroom, but Dean remained in the way, raising his hands in a ‘stop’ gesture.

“Okay, okay. I get you. Not a big deal.” Slowly, he stepped back, letting Sam by him. As Sam reached for his coat, he added, “Just a casual date between two consenting adults that have the hots for each other.”

“You’ve no facts on which to base that. It’s opinion.” He drew the coat on. He didn’t really need it now, but would later, especially if they were out late.

“Dude, a blind man could see the sex eyes you make at each other.”

“That’s an exaggeration,” he scoffed. “We don’t make…. She makes sex eyes at me?”

“Oh, all the time.”

“Huh.” He frowned. “I hadn’t noticed.”

“I noticed it for you. Yup. Nice casual date. It also happens to be the first real chance for sex that you’ve had in months.”

“Thanks for the reminder, Dean.”

“Anytime.” He clapped a hand on Sam’s back. “So…. Do you think you’ll get to first base?”

Sam rolled his eyes.

“Second? Third?” He shrugged his brows. “Homerun? Yeah?” He reached for his bag. “Let me give you some condoms. Be prepared for anything, like the boy scouts.”

“I don’t need condoms.”

“Ahh, living dangerously.” He nodded in a knowing fashion and brought out a container anyway, plucking out a few and tucking them into the pocket of Sam’s coat. “Or is she bringing them? I can see her doing that. Bringing her favorite brand along.”

“We’re not going to have sex,” he protested. “It’s only a first date. No sex.”

“Not with that attitude you’re not.”

“Look, it’s dinner and a movie. We’ve done that before. I know exactly what she’ll order at dinner and what movie she’ll want to see. We’ll get popcorn to share at concessions and she’ll get Twizzlers --”

“Twizzlers, huh?” Dean scratched his temple with his forefinger, tossing the condom box back on the dresser. The lid flopped open and the condoms spilled out across the surface. “Kind of suggestive don’t you think?”

“I didn’t until you said that.”

“Just trying to help. How does she eat them?”

“What do you mean, how does she eat them?”

“How does she eat them,” he repeated slowly, placing emphasis on each word. “It’s not a hard question, Sam. Does she drag it out, sort of suck on them, or plow through them kind of like I do with a good steak?”

“I, uh, never paid attention before.” He dug the file out that he’d started and flipped it open, checking to make sure the clippings and notes were all there, then laid it on the table so Dean could take it with him.

Dean held up a finger, smirking. “Pay attention, because if it’s the former?” That finger pointed at him. “You’re so getting lucky tonight.”

“Right. I don’t need your help.”

“Sure. Don’t bring her back here for playtime, okay? I’m having sex with my wife tonight.” His smirk deepened into another grin. “You know, I like the sound of that. ‘Sex with my wife.’ Sort of rolls off my tongue. Sex with my wife.” He repeated the phrase two more time, gesturing with his hands each time.

“I thought the plan was to go out and discuss the case.”

“I can persuade her otherwise, get the magic fingers working.”

“There’s no magic fingers on these beds,” he pointed out.

“Not that kind, Sam.” He held up a hand, wiggling his fingers.

Sam sighed, realizing what Dean meant. “That was too much information.”

“Have fun, be safe, and sleep in tomorrow. I figure we’ve got about four days before the next poor bastard disappears.”

Shaking his head, Sam left the room.

~~~~~~~~~~

In the past, Gwen had never cared much about her clothes. She preferred functional with the occasional girly detail, but now she was wishing she’d bought something a little prettier. All she had were t-shirts and other things Sam had already seen on her tons of times.

Jo laid on the end of one bed. “Why are you spazzing out about this?”

She paused, looking at herself in the mirror. No, not this shirt. She hated it on herself now. “Because it’s a date, Jo.”

“And? You’ve eaten with Sam alone hundreds of times, gone to the movies, done a million other activities. It’s no big deal.”

Did Jo really not get that it was different now? Gwen had been letting herself notice things about Sam, like his voice, calm and tender at times, or the strength in his body -- he could pick her up with one hand if he wanted. Or how good his aftershave smelled and the fact that the wound she’d once stitched up had barely left a scar. “It’s a date. It’s date things. What am I going to talk to him about?” She switched shirts, hated that one and went back to her first choice.

With a laugh, Jo sat up. “You’re kidding me, right? Gwen, it’s Sam. You two never run out of things to talk about and you’re comfortable sitting in silence together. I’ve seen you do it for hours. You’re worrying over nothing.”

She blew out a breath. “I’m nervous. My palm are sweating and I…. I can’t screw this up, Jo. We all work well together and if I mess up, that’s over. I should cancel.”

“You’ll do no such thing! Put your shoes on, grab your coat, and get your butt ready for when he knocks.”

“Am I being stupid?” She put her shoes on.

“Yes. Geez.” Jo swung her legs over the side of the bed. “Don’t think of it as a date.” She stood. “If you do get personal though, go ahead and bring him back here. I’ll be in with Dean tonight.”

There was a knock on the door. Gwen’s stomach did a nervous tremble.

Jo opened the door and gestured at Gwen like a tv game show hostess showing off a prize. “She’s ready.”

Sam looked as nervous as Gwen felt and she stepped outside, falling in step beside him.

Behind them, Jo called, “You kids have fun! No curfew tonight!”

When they turned the corner away from the rooms, Sam glanced behind them. “I take it Jo was as delightful as Dean about this?”

“Very cavalier. Like a proud mama sending her baby out into the world.”

“They have plans tonight, too.”

“I’m guessing those plans largely include your room.”

“You’d be right.”

“Ten bucks says your things are in my room when we get back.” It could go either way, actually, depending on how quickly Dean charmed Jo’s clothes off her --or vice-versa.

Sam thought for a few seconds, then nodded. “Okay. Ten bucks. Dean’ll have to pack me back up because everything’s spread out right now.”

Dinner went well in her opinion. They got into a discussion on Ellen’s frustrations with the computer work (she claimed the computer was possessed) and then a discussion on Ellen’s findings (the Campbell’s certainly liked their secrets, hoarding them even). They’d talked so long in the restaurant that they had to run to make the movie on time. They got popcorn and Twizzlers and halfway through the movie, Sam put his arm around her. He was being such a gentleman that Gwen just settled in to enjoy it, leaning her head onto his shoulder.

It felt natural then when his head turned, his lips finding hers in the darkened theater. The movie was forgotten. The pressure of his lips was slight at first, different from that kiss back in the hotel a couple months earlier, a tentative touch, almost teasing. He cupped her jaw with a hand, thumb sweeping across her cheek, and just when she thought he was going to tease forever with soft kisses, he deepened the caress, lips slanting on hers, tongue slipping into her mouth.

The tone of it changed, a heat rising inside her as he became more demanding. She turned in her seat. Her heartbeat quickened and she reached out, hand sliding against his side, his shirt soft beneath her fingertips. Gwen found the lower edge of his shirt and slipped her hand beneath the fabric. His skin was hot, smooth.

He drew back a fraction, pressed another butterfly soft kiss to her lips, and turned back to watch the movie.

Gwen watched him for several minutes, remaining where she was, a bit confused as to why he’d stopped. She withdrew her hand from beneath his shirt, leaned over, and whispered, “Why’d you stop?”

“Teenagers behind us gawking.” He took her hand in his.

“So?”

“They paid to see a movie, not a show at the movie.”

“So?” Who cared what some teenagers thought?

“We need to be unmemorable, remember? Don’t want to get tossed out of here and maybe have someone remember us later.”

It seemed a lame excuse to her overall, yet still made a point. No excessive PDA in public. “Oh. Right.” Gwen sat back in her seat.

She wondered then if Dean and Jo had ever actually left the room.

~~~~~~~~~~

He’d wanted to keep kissing her. He’d wanted to forget the rest of the movie, leave early, and spend the night finding out if she was a wild woman in bed or not. Gwen’s disappointment when he’d stopped was more than obvious and the excuse he’d given was just that -- an excuse. Maybe it had a basis in fact. It was still an excuse to give himself time to think.

Sam’s bag was on the bed Jo’d claimed as hers and hadn’t slept in. He touched it with a hand. “You want two fives, a ten or some singles?”

“A ten is fine.” Gwen took off her jacket and tossed it on the end of her bed. She stretched, the t-shirt she wore clinging to her curves in a way that made him want to peel it off of her and explore every inch of her.

He dug a ten out and handed it to her before glancing at the door. “I’m going to get another room.”

“We have two beds. Not a big deal, right?”

“Well, I thought to give you some privacy….”

“Sam, really? You’re gonna play that card now? We’re adults. We’ve shared a room before,” she reminded him.

“I know.”

But this was the first time they’d be sharing it directly after what he considered to be a wildly successful first date. There was no downtime to think. He needed downtime or he’d rush headlong to her and their relationship would end up a whirlwind of attraction and need. Not that that didn’t have it’s place. It did. He just wanted to make sure he was ready to take that step before he did it. There wasn’t going to be the mistake he’d made with Ruby. He was going to be rational.

It was partly to guard himself emotionally, he knew that. Gwen made him feel vulnerable and very…young. Well, he thought, she was an older woman by two years even though she didn’t look it.

“I want to take this slow, Gwen. I want to,” he considered the word that’d best convey his feelings, “savor the journey with you. I want to let us --”

“Simmer,” she replied with a spark of excitement in her eyes. Slowly, she smiled. “You’re such a gentleman sometimes, Sam.”

He wondered if she remembered how he’d gone from woman to woman when he’d been without his soul and hoped almost desperately that she’d forgotten that. “Sometimes,” he agreed and reached out, hand sliding through her hair. Leaning down, he kissed her, putting all of the pent-up heat inside him into it, feeling her almost seem to melt against him. Right at the moment he began to want to drag her against him and to hell with taking things slow, he forced himself to pull away and step back from her.

The dazed look in her eyes sent a primal surge of satisfaction careening though him. “Damn, you’re good at that.”

“But when I decide not to be a gentleman, there’ll really be fireworks.”

“I believe you.” One hand raised, ran along her neck and shoulder. “”It’s very hot in here now.”

Smiling a little, he shouldered his bag. “Sleep well, Gwen.” He was opening the door when she spoke again.

“Sam Winchester, you’re a tease.”

He stepped outside. “Maybe.”

“I had no idea.” She appeared delighted by it, eyes wide, a delicate flush on her cheeks.

How cool was it that he’d made Gwen blush? With a last lingering glance, he closed the door. Maybe Dean and Jo had the right idea on anticipation.