Chapter 1
The tick of the clock passed so slow that Claire wondered if time was moving in slow motion. She sat slumped at her desk while she tried to listen to the droning of the teacher who was so boring half the class was almost asleep. If it wasn't a required class she needed to graduate, she would never have dreamed of taking it. She never understood why someone would continue teaching when you could tell they didn't enjoy it.
Claire was lucky, she tested out of most of the classes she needed for graduation and only had two left to have enough credits to graduate early. The only reason she was even sitting through them was because she wanted to make Jody proud of her. Jody had opened her home and her heart to her when she had no where else to go. She didn't question or think any less of her for what she had been through in her short life. Jody treated her as an adult, well most of the time, but she still saw her as her kid. Jody was her rock and shining light in a dark, ugly world. She had grown to love her like a second mother and was happy that she had accepted Castiel's offer and came here. She not only gained a second mom, but two great, loving sisters and two protective big brothers. Claire still wasn't sure how she saw Castiel, but she was becoming more accepting of him now. It kind of made her feel good when she saw the happiness in his eyes just by her talking to him. It actually made her feel good too.
Looking at the clock again, she saw they only had ten more minutes before the class was dismissed and she could head for the library to wait until it was time for Krissy and Alex to pick her up. Since both of her classes were after lunch, Jody or Cole would drop her off at school. The girls shared the car since they were usually together most of the time anyway, so Krissy drove it the college that Alex and her attended. They couldn't see having more than one and saved their money for other things.
It had been just over six months since Sam and Cole had been kidnapped. Dean and Sky joined forces to rescue their brothers with the help of Castiel and the girls. Not to anyone's surprise, Dean and Sky became a couple and Cole and Krissy began dating. Jody had helped them find a nice large, three bedroom house only a few blocks from hers with a decent fenced in backyard and covered deck where they had great barbecues. Cole started working as a deputy with Sioux Falls Sheriff's Department with the help of Jody's great recommendation and his Marine background. Sky was still doing consultation work, but still kept secret exactly where she went and what she had to do. The brothers still hunted, even let Sky come on a couple of hunts that weren't too dangerous. Whenever Dean and Sam were in town, they stayed with Sky and Cole. The brothers made a point of getting back to Sioux Falls every chance they could and staying a few days to a week depending on hunts. So far, Dean and Sky had made their relationship work around Dean's hunting and Sky's consulting work. It still bothered Dean when Sky was gone, not knowing what dangers she could be in.
Sky and Cole were getting a crash course on Monsters 101 from everyone and had not run off screaming into the night yet. Both were shocked that they had not come across monsters before now. They were both becoming knowledgeable and experienced hunters with the brother's and girl's help.
Castiel helped Dean and Sam with hunts and helped restore order and harmony in Heaven. He would visit Claire whenever he could now that she was more accepting of him. Castiel was still working with the angels to get the souls from limbo and to Heaven where they belonged. He enjoyed his time with the girls and Jody, since they had accepted him into their family. It was nice to be wanted by everyone and to have a new family.
spn
The bell rang dismissing class and Claire quickly gathered her book and highlighter to head for her locker before going to the library to do what little homework she had. If she could of tested out of these last two classes, she would have, but unfortunately that was not the case. Kids rushed past her to their next class as she wandered down the hall ignoring them. They were kids to her, something she never really got to be and couldn't relate very well with them. She kept to herself, only speaking when spoken to and most left her alone thinking she was weird.
Seeing the library was mostly empty, Claire found a nice, quiet corner and made herself comfortable as she flipped through a text book looking for her homework for that class. In less than thirty minutes she had the work done and was glancing around trying to decide whether she wanted to stay in here or wait outside for her ride. She heard whispers and giggles behind her and knew they were talking about her, but it didn't faze her anymore, she brushed it off. Cheerleaders and stuck up girls were not anyone she wanted to make friends with. Gathering her things and stuffing them in her bag, Claire got up and headed outside without even a glance at the girls. She would rather be outside anyway, she didn't like being pinned up inside for long. It was a nice day and there were only a few stray clouds being blown around in the sky. She was enjoying the soft touch of the breeze as it blew across her skin.
spn
A small group of students were gathered off to the side of the building and Claire walked slowly toward them, sensing something wasn't right. As she got closer, she could see some of the upper class jocks circled around another student who she figured was a freshman. The closer she got, she realized what was happening, the younger student was being bullied by the jocks. Nothing angered Claire more than seeing someone taking advantage of younger or weaker kids. Bullies were something she could not tolerate and would not stand by while it happened.
"Stop it." Claire stated just loud enough to catch the bullies' attention. She stood to the side looking at them no emotion showing on her face.
"You talking to us weirdo?" leader of the group sneered at her with disgust.
"Well, there doesn't seem to be anyone else around acting stupid." she shot back at him stopping just outside the circle.
"You calling me stupid?"
"I could call you a sniveling coward who likes to pick on kids who can't fight back." she shrugged at him.
"Oh you're so gonna pay for that." he growled at her stepping toward her frowning slightly that she didn't show any sign of fear and was holding her ground. She looked at him with contempt and anger wanting him to swing first so she could teach him a lesson. He was just like all the other bullies she had met and he didn't scare her one bit.
spn
"See Claire?" Krissy asked as she pulled her car to the curb. "I need to get home, got a hot date tonight."
"She's usually here waiting..."Alex started sticking half her body out the window to look around. "Kris, there's trouble." Alex rushed when she spotted Claire being corner by several large guys in letter jackets.
"Let's go." Krissy said without hesitation when she spotted Claire too. No one messed with her sister and got away with it.
The girls got out of the car and walked boldly toward the group and their sister ready to defend her if needed. She knew Claire could take care of herself in a fight, but when four ganged up on one were not good odds.
"Too bad you're a girl or you'd be on the ground right now." the guy spat at her getting in her face.
"Hey Claire." Krissy interrupted stepping up behind her sister. "What's goin' on?"
"These douche bags thinks it funny to bully that kid because he's smaller than them."
"That right?" Krissy questioned glaring at the guy who looked like probably the star football player.
"Why don't you butt out bitch." he shot at Krissy as several of his friends stepped up beside him.
The others backed away carefully, not wanting to leave, but not wanting to get involved. The younger guy picked his book bag up and moved closer to the girls staring wide eyed at the altercation. He couldn't believe they were standing up for him since he didn't know them, but he was glad. It was nice to know there were still good people around.
Krissy stepped up slightly, lining herself with Claire, but giving her room to maneuver.
"Do you ever think with that tiny brain before you talk?" she asked him. "I mean, I've seen some ass wipes in my time." Krissy laughed at him. "You're so pathetic."
"Keep that up and I'll forget you're a girl."
"Bring it on jackass." she challenged him standing non-threateningly waiting for him to attack.
"That's it, you're so gonna get hurt bitch."
The guy threw a punch at Krissy who easily dodged it. He stumbled forward into another guy before getting his balance glaring at her madly. He threw another punch only to have her grab his arm and toss him on the ground hard.
"I'd suggest you stay down."
"Get her." he yelled at the other guys standing there looking shocked at what she did.
None of the other three guys even got a chance to attack before they were on the ground groaning and moaning as Alex and Claire stood over them. They didn't know what hit them as the girls used the street fighting skills Dean had taught them. He told them; don't let your opponent see it coming, put them down hard so they don't get back up. No matter how big your opponent is, they can be taken down he had told them. The other kids cheered the girl's victory when the guy tried one more time to attack Krissy, but she punched him in the stomach and then in the face, blooding his nose. He was lucky she pulled the punch or he would be out cold with a broken nose or worse. The others had been videoing the entire thing and were now sending it to friends.
"If I ever hear about you or your pals bullying any other kids, I'm going to find you and kick the shit out of you, do I make myself clear?" she questioned grabbing his shirt and pulling him partly off the ground to get his attention. When he didn't answer, she gave him a hard shake waiting for an answer. "I can't hear you."
"Yeah." he mumbled trying to wipe the blood from his face while sliding away from her and trying to get up.
"Now get out of here." she ordered. "But remember what I said and don't think I won't know, there are plenty of eyes and ears who will be keeping watch." she commented looking at the students around them.
"Hey what's going on out here?" a teacher asked hurrying up to them. "There's no fighting on school property!"
"We were helping them up; it seems they tripped on the uneven ground." Krissy said innocently grabbing a hand full of shirt and pulling the guy to his feet. Alex and Claire did the same thing to the other guys pushing them into each other. The guys grabbled with each other trying to help support each other.
"Come on, let's go." Krissy told Alex and Claire as she walked away. Alex and Claire fell in on either side of her and strolled away from the flustered teacher and the other students who were whispering among themselves.
"I'm calling the cops." the teacher called, but the girls just kept on walking. "They'll wanna talk to you."
"Thanks, guys." Claire said once they were out of hearing range.
"Always there for ya, Sis."
"Hey, hey!" a male voice called to them just before they got to the car.
Claire turned around and saw it was the guy who was being picked on. "Yes?"
"I just wanted to say thanks; you didn't have to help me."
"Wasn't nothing, I don't like bullies."
"You guys were awesome."
"Yeah, well, we need to head home, so you take care."
"Bye." he said walking away giving them a small wave and big smile. His step was lighter and he held his head higher knowing someone stood up for him.
"So-o-o-o..." Alex started. "Who's gonna tell Jody?"
