A/N Thank you everyone who stuck with this story to the end! Posting with just minutes to spare before the first airing of Season 10 in the US. Hope you enjoy!
Finale
"Sam, I do not think torturing demons or drinking demon blood with aid us in saving Dean. We need a plan to save him before we can find him," Cas cautioned.
In frustration Sam shoved the knife into the demon, ending the torture.
"Any bright ideas on how we can save him? We could possibly cure him, but I don't know if that will work on a Knight Of Hell," Sam asked, wiping the blood off the knife.
"There is a way. Love can help him control the Mark and be himself again, albeit with demon powers. It might be useful for Dean to keep his powers," Cas said thoughtfully.
Sam snorted in reply.
"Love, Cas? Seriously? I tried that and it didn't work. He left me with a broken arm."
"Not brotherly or familial love; his true love, his soul mate. Do you know who that would be?" Cas clarified.
Sitting down, Sam thought.
"Not anyone alive. I think it is Jo, but she died several years ago.," Sam said quietly.
"Jo Harvelle? I can have Hannah bring her back, I don't have enough grace but she will help. I will return shortly," Cas said hopefully.
Before Sam could protest, Cas disappeared. He was only gone a few minutes.
"She is not there, Sam! We checked Hell and Purgatory and she is not there!" Cas panicked.
"Osiris brought her spirit back a few years ago. Could she be trapped somewhere on Earth?" Sam suggested.
Cas nodded.
"Let us look."
Jo had spent weeks using all her energy to try communicate with Dean. She wanted to reach out to the real Dean, the Dean that she knew was hidden deep inside of the exaggerated demon version of Dhim. The past few weeks she thought Crowley was trying to undo every selfless thing Dean had ever done, encouraging him to be selfish, ruthless and cruel. She knew the Dean Crowley was trying to mold would turn against his master eventually, no longer an obedient soldier content to take orders. The rebellion was bound to happen and she was determined to be there when it did to take advantage of the heightened emotions to force Dean to see and hear her.
Rolling her eyes she turned her back on Dean and his latest blonde conquest. She might be stuck with him but she didn't have to watch that. Before she could wait them out, she felt a tugging sensation and was transported to an old warehouse. A smile broke across her face when she saw her captors.
"Sam! Cas!"
"Sorry to do that to you, Jo but we need your help," Cas said gravely.
"I need your help, too. I am trying to save Dean," she grinned.
"That is what we need your help for. How did you plan on saving him?" Sam asked.
"Love can help him control the Mark and everything that goes with it," she replied patiently.
"How did you know that?" Cas asked, startled.
"I listened to Cain when Crowley and Dean didn't. Now what's the plan?" She asked with a hint of exasperation.
"Yes, gentleman, what is the plan?" Crowley demanded, throwing the warehouse doors open.
Dean followed a few steps behind, black eyes flashing. He flicked his hand, pinning Cas and Sam to the wall with a smirk. Turning, he stopped in mid-stride to stare at Jo.
"Whose idea of a sick joke is this?" he growled. "Cas, Sam, Crowley? I don't care whose, you are dead."
"Actually it is all your idea. I am here because you would never let me leave after the little jaunt with Osiris," Jo retorted.
"Really? Who is making you say that?" Dean demanded, inching closer to Jo's spirit.
"Seriously, how thick is your skull, Winchester? Or is that part of being a demon now? I never left; I've been here the whole time. Occasionally I have even made you hear me or see me. That stupid Mark has interfered, and your whole demon thing. I have been with you every step of the way, even in Purgatory. You asked me to wake you up from your nightmare, remember? I have been trying ever since then to do as you asked. I've tried even harder when I realized I could help you control the Mark, control your demon side."
She jutted her chin up fiercely, never looking away from his eyes.
'Why would I want to control something that has finally set me free? No whiny brother, no saving worthless saps that can't save themselves, no rules, no responsibility. This is the life," Dean extended his arms.
Jo stepped closer to him, stopping a foot away.
"That isn't the real you. You have buried the real you and your conscience. You might have more power now but you were stronger before, back when you did the right thing and had family that loved you," she tilted her head to the side. "Now you are a pale imitation of what Dean could be. If you let out the real Dean, you will be stronger."
"Love and a conscience are weaknesses, they make you vulnerable," Dean glared.
"A little, but love makes you do things you never thought you could. It pushes you to heights you only dreamed about. Like controlling the Mark of Cain instead of being a slave to it. Even though you are a Knight of Hell now the Mark can still force you to do what it wants," Jo steered the conversation back to the Mark.
Crowley laughed.
"And you think you can help him control it? What can a dead hunter do, other than rot in a corner of Hell for eternity? I could easily supply the accommodations," he taunted.
"Cain's true love helped him over come the Mark's power; Dean's could do the same," Jo returned the King of Hell's mocking smile.
Dean felt pressure coming from the brand on his arm. Crowley laughed again.
"And you think you are it? How precious? Should I book the honeymoon suite for you lovebirds?"
Jo ignored him.
"Dean, I know you love me. You have been trying to find my replacement in blonde waitress. Taller, sluttier, non-hunter versions of me. You miss seeing me."
Dean rubbed his arm, hoping to ease the pressure. Jo closed the gap between herself and Dean. Gently she set one hand on his cheek.
"Why do you think I am still here? You couldn't bear to lose me again. You let Bobby go, and Kevin, but you couldn't lose me again. You asked me to wake you and be alive for you because you were living in your own nightmare with me gone. You tried to protect me from this life when I was alive, even though you really wanted me to hunt at your side. You tried to act like it was just attraction or a crush on my part, but we both know that you fell for me the second I punched you and broke your nose. Just like I fell for you the second you took away my shotgun. We were meant to be together. Look at us, defying the odds even after death," she finished softly, a single tear running down her face.
"Jo," he whispered, years of suppressing his feelings expressed in that one word.
He closed his eyes and tired to lean into her intangible hand. Slowly he opened his eyes, his black demon eyes.
"Can you still love me like this?" he asked gruffly.
"I prefer the green, but yes. You are still you," she whispered.
He lifted a hand to rest it next to her cheek. Dean felt the Mark burn his forearm. He looked Jo deep in the eyes knowing he could control the Mark; with Jo at his side the Mark would no longer control him. He focused all his thoughts and energy on Jo. Slowly, her transparent cheekbones solidified under his hands. With a gasp, Jo inhaled her first real breath in years.
"Did you?" she asked incredulous.
"You saved me, I had to save you right back," he winked before leaning into kiss her.
Reluctantly he pulled back, capturing her hand in his in the process. Releasing Cas and Sam from the wall he turned to Crowley.
"Crowley, I'll give you a thirty second head start. My nightmare is over, but yours is about to begin."