The Other Winchester
Prologue
Some people said that all the weird stuff happening around the world was a sign of global warming, a sign that we had used up our world and spat it out.
They said that this was payback and the earth was giving up. Others said that God's judgement was coming, the end of days right around the corner with six billion people having a ringside seat.
After months of earthquakes, tornados and volcano's erupting all over the Earth and pretty much every biblical plague occurring as laid out in Revelations, something weird happens. It stops! No judgement, no hellfire and damnation just the earth continuing to turn pretty much as it always had, or so people thought.
What was unknown, was that underneath the calm exterior, in the shadows between night and day, a battle raged. A battle between the armies of heaven and of hell and in between a group of hunters scattered across the globe fighting for humanity. A battle that if lost would mean the end of us all.
xxOOxx
Sioux Falls September 2010
Sitting at his desk in the house that had been his home for as long as he could remember Bobby Singer was reading with an intensity that the stillness of his body disguised.
He ignored everything around him in his search for answers. his house a cluttered mess, every surface covered with books. Books stacked high on floor with no room to walk. Empty bottles of vodka and take out cartons with uneaten food lay unnoticed and neglected.
Sighing, he ran his hand over his face, a feeling of hopelessness washing over him. As he so often did in these moments, he questioned every decision made during the months running up to that fateful day, the day when one of his 'boys' sacrificed himself so selflessly to save the world. One thing always remained, the certainty that they should have found another way to stop Lucifer and Michael.
"Sam, what did we let you do?" He whispered softly to himself, "how could we have been so stupid?"
Sam may not have been his biological son, but he and his older brother Dean were the closest thing to family he had, and he sure as hell was not leaving him in the pit with Lucifer, no way, it just wasn't going to happen.
Dean may have made a half assed promise to Sam not to try to get his brother out of the cage, that he would go and live an apple pie life with Lisa and Ben, but there was no way on God's green earth that Bobby Singer was doing that.
It was bad enough that Dean had spent forty years in hell and he hadn't been able do a thing about it but he'd be damned if he wasn't going to fight to get Sam back. The thought of Sam being lost for an eternity was unacceptable.
The sound of an engine coming down the dirt road toward his house pulls the old hunter from his dark musings.
Setting aside his book he gets up from his desk, picks up his shotgun and makes his way to the front door. Cracking the door open, he watches a black Harley Davidson motorcycle pull to a stop a few feet from the house. He continues to watch, not willing to make his presence known, as the rider dismounts and pulls the helmet from their head giving him a clear view of its rider. A petite young woman, with a slight build in her early to mid twenties, with chocolate coloured shoulder length hair.
He watches as the rider stares at the house, surprised at a simultaneous look of longing and anxiety which passes across her face for the briefest moment before she begins walking towards the house.
Opening the door further, he steps out as the young woman approaches, her gait confident and assured - a direct contrast to the hesitation he saw in her only moments before.
He frowns, a sliver of recognition flowing down his spine as he watches her approach. He was sure that they had never met, but he couldn't shake the feeling of familiarity he got when he looked at her.
She looked harmless enough and he was pretty sure that a stiff breeze would knock her over, as dainty as she was, but Bobby Singer was no fool, and funky feelings or not he knew that looks could be deceiving so as she approached the house he raised his shotgun.
"Hold it," He said gruffly. "don't come any closer. Who are you and what do you want?"
Stopping, the young woman raised her hands a small grin on her lips.
"I'm looking for Bobby Singer," her voice coloured by a soft Irish Brogue, "is he here? This is Singers Salvage Yard?"
Bobby narrowed his eyes warily, he knew better than most that demons would take on any form, use any story to trick you before stabbing you in the back or ripping your guts out through your chest. He wasn't about to let a pretty girl with an easy smile take him out like some rookie on his first hunt.
Not lowering his shotgun Bobby stares hard at the young woman.
"I'm Bobby Singer. What to you want?" the question laced with distrust and a hint of warning.
For the first time his visitor appears nervous, lowering her gaze as she appears to carefully consider her next words. After a few seconds she slowly releases a breath and raises emerald-green eyes shining with a steely determination.
"My name is Haley, Haley Winchester. My dad John said that you could help me find my brothers Dean and Sam..."
"You're a God dammed liar John Winchester is dead and has been for going on five years and he sure as hell ain't got no daughter." Bobby erupts furiously, his anger burning hot and fast, his voice snapping across the short the yard between them.
"Do I look like an idgit!?" He continued with a snarl. "Now get the hell off of my property before I put my gun up your ass and see how many pieces I can spread over this yard."
Taking a step back, Haley raises her hands again, green eyes wide with panic.
"I know that my dad is dead, but I only found out a few weeks ago. He sent me a letter; the courier said that it had been with his company for five years with instructions to deliver it to me on a specific day and time. That was three weeks ago I have the letter you can read it."
"What?!... what?!" Bobby couldn't believe what he was hearing.
Not lowering the shotgun, Bobby stared at her intently searching her face for signs of deceit, instead clear green eyes peered at him expectantly, with only a hint of caution. Which was not surprising since he was still pointing his shotgun at her. Once again a sense that he recognised her washed over him.
God dammit, he thought, why is she so familiar?
"God dammit! Your eyes they're green," he blurted out, the connection between the older Winchester brother and this young woman snapping into focus,"no wonder you looked so familiar, you've got Dean's eyes."
Relaxing slightly,he lowered the shotgun. "I'm not saying I believe you, but I'm willing to hear you out."
Stepping aside he gestured that she should come into the house. He knew that if there was anything supernatural about her that she wasn't getting across the salt lining the step across the doorway.
"Thank you." Haley said. "That's all I ask."
Bobby watched as she crossed the threshold easily before following her through.
"Just need to get a few formalities out-of-the-way, then we can talk." He said as he handed her a small bottle filled with Holy Water. "Here drink."
Taking the offered bottle Haley took a sip, and handed it back with a small smile as the Holy water had no effect on her.
Finally Bobby handed her a long silver knife. "Right girlie, this one's gonna sting."
Haley ran the sharpened silver blade down her arm; her reaction, nothing more than a twitch and an intake of breath. So with a trickle of blood running down her arm she passed the third test.
With a satisfied nod, Bobby takes a seat behind his desk, indicating that Haley should sit.
Just how many other kids has John Winchester got out there? he thought every couple of years a new one pops up. Hadn't the idgit heard of taking precautions?
"So you're a Winchester? Didn't think they came in your size."
Haley laughed, green eyes sparkling. "I take it my brothers are tall?"
"Yep size of small trees those boys, but you well you're kinda small..." He said, trailing off. a blush flaring under his beard. He wasn't sure that commenting on the young woman's size was proper. "Now, let me see the John's letter."
Haley appeared to visibly relax and pointed to her back pack at her feet.
"It's in my backpack. Is it okay if I get it out?"
Without waiting for a reply she immediately began rummaging through the backpack. After a minute she pulled a worn envelope from the bag and handed it to Bobby.
"It's a bit ratty I've read it so many times." she said, a look of sadness sweeping across her delicate features. "It's the last thing my dad sent me."
Bobby opened the letter and began to read.
Dear Haley,
It's dad, I know that it has been a long time since I last wrote so I'm sorry for what I'm about to tell you. By the time you get this letter I'll more than likely be dead. You'll be reading this in about five or so years from now.
I've tried so hard to keep you away from this life. Keep you safe in a way that I couldn't keep your brothers safe.
I always knew that you were special had a bigger role in all of this, but had hoped, prayed that you would never be touched by the evil in this world. Time it seems has caught up with us and your fate is with to your brothers.
I can not tell you much, only that your brothers need you and the world needs you to take up the fight with them. I know that your guardians made sure that you never stopped the training I started when you were little and believe me when I tell you that you are going to need every bit of that training to survive what's coming.
You to go to Sioux Falls to Uncle Bobby; he'll know how to find Sam and Dean. You'll probably have to convince him of who you are. Neither he nor your brothers remember you and for that I'm sorry. It was just too damn important that you be kept safe. I've sent with this letter a copy of my journal, which should help convincing them. If you can convince Bobby, then he'll help you with Sam and Dean. I've also sent a picture of the boys as they are now. I'm pretty sure they won't have changed much in the last five years.
Tell them I love them and that I'm sorry I can't be there to help fight this battle.
I love you, my precious daughter. Fight hard, watch your brother's backs and kick evils ass.
I love you, always.
Dad
Finishing the letter, Bobby looks up into the anxious face of the young woman sitting across from him. His mind struggling to comprehend what he had read. The contents of the letter had revealed more than a random Winchester kid, but a child taken away and hidden by her father for reasons known only to him.
"You're their full sister?" He asked. Seeking confirmation that she believed that what he had read was real.
His heart broke for the child she had been as her eyes filled with pain, eyes so haunted that he couldn't hold her gaze and looked away.
"Yes, Dean's my big brother and Sammy..." she relied softly a small wistful smile crossing her face. "Sammy's my twin."
"I know that you don't have any memories of me, but for the first eight years of my life you were my Uncle Bobby. I spent so much time here with my brothers whilst dad was away hunting."
"I remember one summer being here for six weeks. Sam and I were always following Dean around, he was our hero. He could run, fight and talk crap better than anyone else we knew. Best of all, when I fell over and scratched my knees, he would always pick me up and tell me it'd be okay. He was the best big brother a little girl could have."
"You though were my favourite Uncle, you crabbed at me when I got under your feet, but when I broke my arm falling from one of the trucks you made me feel better with ice cream for breakfast."
Haley stood and glanced around the old study, then walked slowly across the room and picked up an old photograph from the fireplace. In the picture was Dean, Sam and a little girl with skinned knees and a huge grin. "Who's the little girl in the picture?" she asked, as she handed it to him.
Staring at the picture, Bobby knows instinctively that the little girl was Haley as a child and this photo, evidence of her existence, had been in his house all along. John Winchester you son of a bitch, he thought, what did you do?
"This is you?" he asks, knowing in his gut that what she told him was true, but needing to hear her to say it. As if somehow that confirmation would shake loose the blocked memories.
"Yes that's me." Tears slid from her eyes to stream down her now pale face. "Can you help me?"
He nodded. "I know where Dean is and I can take you to him..."
"and Sammy?"
"I'm sorry but Sam's gone. There was a battle, he sacrificed himself to save everyone. It's been near on three months..."
"He's dead?" Haley, whispered. Her face ashen as she stared in shock at the older man, fat tears spilling from her eyes. "Why would dad send me back to help if it was already to late? He can't be..."
Bobby stood and approached the young woman, shocked as she began to sob, grief-stricken at the loss of her brother. He'd never dealt with a girl and had no idea how to comfort the one in front of him. He settled for patting her softly on the arm.
"I've been searching for ways to get him back. I just don't think it's possible to pull him out of the cage he jumped in to."
On hearing Bobby's words Haley hitched in a breath, visibly making an effort to rein in her turbulent emotions.
"Cage?" she asked. A puzzled look crossing her pale features.
"Take a seat, this could take a while." Bobby said, as he moved to once again sit. He waited until Haley sat, then pulled a bottle of whiskey from the drawer and poured two glasses, handing one to Haley. "What do you want to know?"
"Start from the beginning Uncle Bobby," she said with determination, "I want to know everything."
They sit up late into the night, Bobby reciting everything he could remember of the last five years. He tells Haley a tale of ghosts and monsters, angels and demons and the two brothers at the centre of it all. He talks of Team Free Will and their battle to save humanity. Finally, he tells of a man trapped in hell and a brother whose hell it was to know that he was the one to start the apocalypse, that his brother was paying the price and that there was nothing he could do but wait to die. Not taking a gun to his head, because he promised he'd live the normal life that they always wanted, but could never have.
xxOOxx
With only a few hours till dawn, Haley crawls into a makeshift bed on Bobby's old sofa, mind racing as she considered the events of the past five years.
Her brothers had both been to Hell. One was still there and the other was living an "apple pie life" with some woman and her kid. Anger flared, as she recalled Bobby's response to her question about Dean's search for a way to get Sam out of the cage. Bobby's stuttered, You've got to understand... Sam made him promise that he wouldn't try to get him out. He said that we couldn't risk Lucifer getting free. Had done little to calm her down. When she found him she was going to kick his ass. Promise or not, Winchesters don't give up on each other and there was no way she was leaving her brother to rot in Hell.
Haley pissed, pissed at her dad for taking her away, pissed that he hadn't sent for her sooner and pissed that whatever he had done had resulted in her whole existence being wiped from her families memory. It was so unfair that she hadn't been there for them. Maybe if she had been things would have been different. Feeling her eyes close she whispered a quiet promise into the darkness I'm coming for you Sammy.
Her first order of business, reacquainting herself with a big brother who really shouldn't piss off his little sister.
xxOOxx
A few days later in a quiet street in suburban America, Dean Winchester is sitting with Lisa and Ben at breakfast. Listening absently to Lisa chat to Ben about school, making sure that he had everything he needed for the day.
Dean couldn't help but wonder if this was the life he wanted. He had spent the past thirty years hunting, fighting the monsters that very few people knew existed and he had liked it, had liked taking his baby from town to town never knowing what he'd face, saving people, picking up chicks, eating, oh how he loved to eat and getting drunk. Never settling down that was his life. Deep down he knew that even though he'd promised Sam, his heart tightened at the thought of his brother, he'd never be able to live this life forever. It was almost time to go.
Dean liked Lisa, thought that if anyone could make him happy it would be her, but knowing that Sam was in hell was ripping him apart inside. Logically he knew that what Sam said was true, they couldn't risk letting Lucifer get free.
He'd spent forty years in hell with the demons tearing at him and ripping him apart, he just couldn't face going on knowing what his brother was enduring. Christ, it's already been thirty years, he thought.
"Dean?"
He looked up to find Lisa staring at him expectantly, eyes filled with worry. "You okay?" she said. "You look a million miles away."
"Yeah, I'm good, peachy just.." He trailed off as the doorbell rang. Waving Lisa down as she began to stand, "I'll get it, you finish up your breakfast."
He could feel her concerned stare as he walked to the door and knew that he would have to speak with her soon.
Opening the door he came face to face with the one man who knew him almost as well as his brother and who he least expected to see. They hadn't parted on the best terms. Bobby had been mad at him for not even attempting to get Sam out of the pit.
"Bobby, what are you doing here?"
"Something's come up." Bobby said, pushing past him leaving a young attractive dark-haired woman in blue jeans and a black biker jacket standing nervously on the step.
"I'm with him." She said walking in, not waiting for an invite.
"Hey, Irish come on in." Dean said sarcastically to her back. A moment later he grinned as he glanced appreciatively over her shapely butt. Nice, he thought.
Following them in, he raised his voice. "Hey Bobby, gonna tell me what you're doing here?"
"As I said, something's come up." Bobby replied, his voice holding just a hint of wariness as his gaze flickered to the young woman at his side.
Dean watched her lay a hand on Bobby's arm in a gesture which appeared to calm the old hunter, surprised when Bobby nodded as if to say he was okay. For as long as he had known him Bobby was never one to let strangers in and he knew that he had never met this young woman before.
"Couldn't have just phoned?"
"No, it's to important," Bobby replied "I needed you to hear me out without being able to hang up."
Now that got his attention. He straightened and crossed his arms, his whole posture stiff.
"What's going on Bobby? You got a new girlfriend, gotta say looks at little young for you, but damn do you have good taste." He said, his tone laced with sarcasm.
The young women laughed, her eyes sparkling with undisguised amusement. Dean looked from her back to Bobby whose face had turned an unnatural shade of red
"It's not that you idgit, what do you take me for?" Bobby said gruffly. "You're gonna feel awfully foolish about this in oh roughly five minutes."
He pulled John's letter to Haley from his pocket and handed it to the younger man. "Read!"
Dean looked at the letter as if it was going to bite him.
"I said read dammit!" Bobby growled.
Opening the letter Dean began to read, within seconds he raised turned his eyes to the young woman now standing nervously awaiting his reaction.
"You Haley?"
"Yes." Haley answered nervously.
Interrupting Bobby said "Just keep reading boy."
Turning his attention back to the letter Dean continued to read, he recognised the handwriting as his dads, but couldn't tie what was in the letter with what he knew. Finishing he looked up, anger radiating from every pore of his body as he turned on Bobby.
"Is this a joke?" he said. "Cause gotta say I'm not seeing the punch line!"
"Dean-" Haley interrupted.
"No, I'm talking not to you." Dean glared as he cut her off. "Bobby do you really believe this crap?"
Bobby nodded. "Yeah I do."
He handed over John's journal, the photo of Sam and Dean and the photo from his mantel at home.
"Look at these they're real Dean. How long has that picture been in my office? I don't ever recall either of you boys mentioning that summer or that girl. Who is she?"
"I don't know, someone we met while we were there. Who cares it was twenty years ago, she's certainly not my sister. Don't you think I'd know."
Angrily, he turned his attention to Haley. "Who the hell are you?"
"I know you don't believe me Dean, but you read the letter. Dad did something to make you forget. He said that it was for my protection. I didn't even know until three weeks ago that you didn't remember me."
"Well, how did he do it, why do you remember me but not the other way around?"
Haley felt her heart-break at Dean's rejection, his refusal to even consider the possibility that she was his sister.
"Dee, please try to remember. Bobby said that I have your eyes. Look at me, look at the girl in the picture, we're the same." She pleaded.
"No... No! There's no way my dad would have split us up. He always drummed into us that family was the most important thing and that you stuck together no matter what. He wouldn't have done that." Dean growled, angrily shoving his hands through his hair. "No, I want you out of here before I forget you're a girl and kick your ass."
Bobby observed as the scene unfolded, letting the kids thrash it out.
He knew Dean and there was no way that Dean was going to accept this without some sort of proof, family just meant too much to him. A Winchester left to fend for herself on the other side of the world for all these years just wouldn't sit with him, and Haley, well he may not "know" her but he had spent a fair number of hours talking with the girl over the last days and she was a spitfire, hell on wheels he'd say. All Winchester sass and charm in just the right combinations.
He continued to watch the siblings, seeing the exact moment that Haley's upset turned to anger. Oh oh, this ain't gonna be pretty, he thought. Those kids may just tear each other apart.
"You know what Dean Winchester, screw you. I've done what dad asked, I can't help it if you don't believe me. I'll say one last thing before I go. What the hell are you doing to get Sam out of Hell?" Haley snapped, green eyes bristling with anger and outrage.
Turning she stalked angrily out of the door.
Bobby smirked. "Well she's certainly got the Winchester temper."
Ignoring him, Dean quickly followed Haley outside, catching up with her at Bobby's truck. He reached out to grab her arm, surprised when Haley suddenly turned and with a tug on his arm, and a sweep of her leg he found himself hitting the ground hard, her boot firmly placed at his throat.
Haley smirked down at him, her perfectly arched eyebrow raised in amusement. "You don't think dad would have left a Winchester unable to defend herself, do you?" She laughed. "I've been training and hunting for as long as I can remember."
Amusement fading as quickly as it flared, she knelt to glare at Dean.
"You may not believe me, but that doesn't mean that I'm not telling the truth. With all that you've seen over the years you can't even open your eyes to the possibility that I'm your sister...If you won't help me get Sammy out, then I don't need you. I'll find a way to do it myself"
"Wait, what's that?" His eye-catching on the pendent around her neck.
"It's nothing, dad give it to me when I was little. Other than a few letters it's the only thing dad ever gave me." Haley stepped back, allowing Dean to get up, disconcerted when instead of stepping away he moved closer, peering intently at the pendent.
"Bobby, what do those symbols look like to you?"
Bobby moved over to look at the pendent. "Are those what I think they are?"
"Yep, Enochian."
Dean felt his whole world shift. He couldn't believe that this girl, with a letter from his dad, a pendent encrusted with angelic symbols and kick-ass moves was 'his sister'. Could his dad have done this? If so, why and why was she back now? He needed answers not more questions and he knew who he needed to call to get some.
"I gotta make a call..." he said, walking back towards the house. "Oh by the way, nice moves."
"Thanks," Haley said quietly, "you taught me well."
Dean turned abruptly. "What?"
"You told me that it doesn't matter that you're a girl Hale, you're a Winchester first and a Winchester's gotta know how to kick evils ass, all Winchesters. I practised a lot and got good."
"Sounds like something I'd say." Dean smiled suddenly. "I know you think that what you're saying is true, but I need some proof and I know someone who might be able help." Without another word he turned and made his way back into the house.
Puzzled Haley turned to Bobby. "What was that?"
"Sounds like he kinda believes ya, don't it?" Bobby replied. Things are gonna get interesting around here, he thought.
xxOOxx
"Lisa, could you get Bobby and Haley a coffee while they wait?" Dean said, passing a worried Lisa on the stairs. "I got to make a call."
"Dean is everything okay?"
"I really don't know."
Entering the bedroom that he'd been sharing with Lisa for the last few months Dean sat on the bed.
What the hell is going on, could she really be my sister?, He thought.
What Haley had said was true they had seen some strange stuff over the years, but this a sister separated from them for twenty years and by his dad. What reason could he have had to pull a little girl from her family and make sure that no one remembered who she was?
Clearly, Haley believed that she was his sister, had memories that placed them together as children. The most obvious and the explanation Dean was that somehow Haley's memories were wrong and that she was a tool being used to get to him and in turn to get Lucifer out. Any demon or angel out there knew that a Winchesters weakness is family.
He looked closely at the picture Bobby had given him and tried to remember that summer, tried to pull something from his memory of the girl. He remembered Sammy mopping after him all the time, bugging him about hunting and how he didn't want to become a hunter, how school was important. He remembered Lily Lobbitz the waitress at the grill in town with the big boobs, his first crush. It was the best summer of his childhood. Why then couldn't he remember the girl in the picture? With a sigh he gave up, nothing was there.
"Okay, Cas you out there man? I could really do with your help."
"Dean." Castiel said, appearing before him not more than a couple of inches from his face.
"Dude, have you forgotten already?" Dean stepped back. "Personal space."
Castiel smirked as he stepped further away; Dean was pretty sure that he knew exactly what he was doing and did so deliberately.
"How can I help you?" he asked, head tilted.
Dean drew in a deep breath, not quite believing what he was about to say to his friend.
"There's a girl here who says that she is my sister, that dad hid her away for the last twenty years. She's also wearing a pendent covered in Enochian symbols. You wouldn't know anything about that?"
Rolling on the balls of his feet he waited for Cas to reply. He knew that Cas would tell him that it was a lie, he just needed confirmation. Then they could research and find out what the freaking hell was going on and who was dicking them around.
"She's telling the truth Dean," Castiel replied, she is your sister."
"WHAT?!" Dean exclaimed loudly. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. "You're kidding me. Why would my dad do that?"
He paced up and down the small room, his agitation is clear.
"Did you know all this time Cas and not think to tell me? I thought we were friends. After everything we've been through why didn't you tell me?"
"I have only known for a short while, the pendent that she wears keeps her hidden. Not only from demons, but even from angels and from the powers of heaven."
He looked at his friend with sadness. "I am sorry my friend. I wanted to tell you but certain events had to come to pass before you learned of Haley's existence."
Dean could feel himself tearing up; Haley was his little sister. How could he be her brother, love her like he loved Sammy, when he didn't know her?
"Okay, spill everything now... No wait you can tell everyone at once."
Making his way downstairs, Cas on his heals he wondered how the hell was going to explain Cas to Lisa and not freak her out? Sure she knew some of what his job used was, but she didn't know about the Apocalypse, or what had happened to Sammy. She never asked and he never told.
Stopping suddenly on the stairs Dean a sudden realisation hitting him. Freaking hell, I checked out my sister's ass and thought Bobby was her sugar daddy. Damn it, way to make a great first impression.
Bobby and Haley turned to him expectantly as he walked into the lounge.
Bobby grinned at Castiel. "Hey Cas, thanks for coming."
Haley looked from Dean to Bobby and Castiel. "I thought that you were going to make a call?"
"Remember Haley, I told you about Castiel the other night." Bobby said not mentioning that he was an angel. Lisa was with them after having sent Ben off to school. He didn't know how much Dean had told her about his life and didn't want to say something that may freak her out.
"Oh, ooh, he's..."
Before Haley could blurt out something, Dean walked hurriedly over to Lisa.
"Can you give us a few minutes?"
Lisa looks at him confused, but replies "Sure, I have to get to work anyway"
Waiting until he heard the door close Dean turned to Haley.
"Haley, this Castiel" and sarcastically to Castiel, "Cas this is Haley, my sister."
Haley's mouth dropped open, shocked at the indifferent way Dean announced that he believed she was his sister.
"Ok Cas, get with the details." Dean said, unaware of the turmoil his sudden acceptance had wrought within the Haley.
"What that's it?" Haley interrupted indignantly. "You were ready to kill me and toss me out the door, but just like that you believe him, because he says so. I'm your sister; you should have believed me first over some, some..."
Struggling to find the right words. "Holy tax accountant!"
"Oh for freaks sake, I didn't know you were my sister. I still don't know you. Cas is my friend, so yeah I'm gonna believe him over some girl that I just met."
Standing toe to toe, the top of Haley's head barely reaching Dean's shoulder, eyes flashing with dangerously.
"That's not the point Dee; you should have believed me first." She retorted angrily. "I needed you to believe me! Oh my God, Uncle Bobby was easier to convince than you." She paused, the fire draining from her suddenly, "Although, he did threaten to turn me into fertilizer for his yard."
She turned to Castiel. "I'm so sorry, that was rude, please go on."
Castiel's gaze passed over the three humans waiting for his explanation. He knew that what was he was about to tell them would hurt them greatly, but if they wanted to save Sam they needed to know the truth.
"It was Gabriel. He left our home, disillusioned with heaven and his brothers. He told me that he knew that one day the Apocalypse would be triggered and that you Dean, and Sam would become vessels for Michael and Lucifer..."
"...What you don't know and what only he knew was that Haley was the key to stopping Lucifer from ever taking over Sam, but without her there was no one to stop it happening."
"Oh come on! Sammy pulled off his swan dive into the cage with Michael because we fought with everything we had against our 'destinies' and made a choice. Team Free Will, remember." Dean said his voice deceptively calm, anger radiating from his every pore.
"That was unexpected. No one except for God himself could have predicted that you both would not simply play the part set out for you," Castiel said, "or that you would cause so much chaos in your determination to fight for the right to live..."
"So Gabriel thought Haley was the key?" Bobby interrupted, bringing the conversation back to the topic at hand.
"Gabriel wanted to remove any possibility of Sam rejecting Lucifer so he went to your father and told him that Haley was in great danger, that she would only be safe if she was hidden, shielded from all who would wish to harm her. He told him that when the armies of heaven and hell became aware that she was important to an upcoming battle that she would become a target, her life in danger. ...
"...He convinced your father to send her away, gave him the pendent that Haley now wears and told him that from the day she put it on her destiny would be hidden for as long as she continued to wear it. Heaven and Hell and that everyone who knew her before that point would forget her existence and her importance to the upcoming battle. Only your dad and Haley would remember her life as the sister of the Winchester brothers."
Bobby pondered for a moment on what Castiel had said, not quiet understanding. When it was clear that Castiel had said all that he was going too, he asked "If it was so important to keep her hidden why did he tell you, why not just leave her hidden?"
"After Dean and I trapped him in the ring of Holy fire, challenged him to stand up to his brothers he decided to fight on the humans side. He knew that Lucifer was still going to take over Sam." Castiel said. "He also knew about the rings, that they could send him back to his cage. My brother is very thorough when he takes a side. He knew that you were going to need a way to get Sam out and that Haley was the key. So he told me and sent me back to have your dad write the letter that would bring her home."
At that point Bobby and Dean started interrupting "What, there's a way to get him out?", "How?", "What's that got to do with Haley?"
Castiel looked direct at Haley, who was ashen faced after listening to his explanation for her isolation from her family.
"You are the key Haley, you and Sam, two halves of one soul bound together by blood. You can pull him out."
Haley, mind a whirl of emotions, green eyes awash with tears, stepped towards Castiel. A pressed a hand to her chest as though to stop her heart from bursting through. "I... I can get him out, how is that possible? "
"Yes, you can get him out, but you can not do it alone."
"Just wait a minute Cas. How can their two souls be bound together?" Dean interrupted twin looks of hope and doubt marring on his face.
"Two children, born of the same mother on the same day, joined together by their souls. It's a very special bond to share, powerful in both Heaven and Hell. Their bond intensified by the Demon blood in Sam's system."
"They're twins Dean." Bobby clarified.
"Twins! Come on. Have you seen Sam?" he scoffed. "I mean Haley no offence, but you're tiny. Sam's about two foot taller than you...You may have gotten the cute genes, but Sam got the leg size."
"Dean, don't be an ass," Haley said, mind racing. Now that she knew that it could be done she wanted to get her brother out of hell as soon as possible. Not caring what the consequences of that might be, "I only have one question."
"What's that?"
"The only thing that matters." Haley replied with a small grin. "How soon can we do it Castiel?"
"It cannot be done here. We must return to the cemetery to the exact spot where the portal to the cage opened." Castiel said, "It is the place were the line between Hell and Earth is at its weakest. It is in that place that we can use your bond to find Sam in the pit and retrieve him..."
"...Dean you will be the link that holds Haley to this world. The bonds you share as siblings will stop her soul from becoming lost in Hell."
Dean looked apologetically at Haley.
"Shit, Cas, I don't feel any bond with Haley... sure, you've told me that she's my sister but that doesn't make me love her the way I do Sam."
"Dean, I understand. You don't know me -"
"The bond is still there Dean only hidden." Castiel interrupted. "As soon as Haley removes the pendent your memories of her will return."
Hearing this Haley reaches for the pendent, intending to remove it immediately.
"Wait! Not yet, removing it will cause Dean and Bobby some pain as their memories of you return...even Sam will feel the effects in the cage."
Dean looked at Bobby silently asking permission. Satisfied with his slight nod Dean turned to Haley "Do it."
Haley couldn't help by feel nervous as she lifted the pendent, its weight heavy in her hand. She had worn this pendent for twenty years a constant through her entire life and now it was the one thing standing between her and her brothers' memory of her.
She watched Dean and Bobby closely as she pulled the pendent over her head, searching for some sign that their memories were returning.
"Anything?"
Dean smirked. "I think it still works if you're holding it?"
With a nervous laugh, Haley tossed the pendent on to the couch and waited. Almost immediately Dean and Bobby were holding their heads in pain.
Dean fell to his knees, pain flaring as his mind flooded with hidden memories. Memories of his dad telling him to take Sam he was going back for Haley. A memory of him looking after two babies in motel room after motel room, telling them that he was their big brother and he was gonna look out for them always.
The memories started to come faster and faster. His mind assailed by images of a laughing little girl, learning to walk, talk, run and fight. Each memory held a new emotion, laughter, tears, hope, joy, family. Dean could feel his heart swell with love for a sister that only a big brother could have.
Finally the memories slowed as he remembered the night that his father had taken Haley away. He was twelve, confused and hurt that Dad had said he was taking Haley away on a trip and that he wouldn't see her for a while. Haley was crying saying she didn't want to go without her brothers. He remembered hugging her and telling her that it'd be okay and he'd see her soon, He also remembered the look of guilt on his dads face as he left with Haley in the front seat of the Impala, tears streaming down her face as they drove off into the night.
As the memories subsided Dean looked up, his eyes searching. Seeing Haley he strode across the room and pulled her into his arms. A whispered "Hales." They needed no words as tears slid unheeded down their cheeks. They each held on to the other, neither wanting to let go for fear of breaking the spell that bound them together. Eventually, Dean pulled back, placing a gentle kiss to Haley's forehead.
"I guess we have a lot of catching up to do sis?"
"Yeah, we do." She whispered softly
"Haley girl, I hope you're not all hugged out and have one for your old Uncle," Bobby said. His own eyes watering as he watched the two siblings reunite.
Haley rushed over to Bobby and grabbed him tight. It felt so good to know that she was not alone anymore that there were people in the world who cared for her, who were her family. For so long she had felt lost and rejected feeling like a piece of her was missing. Now it felt like the hole in her soul was filling up, but only one person could completely close it, Sam. Looking over at Dean she said "Let's do this."
Dean immediately went to the phone to call Lisa and tell her that he had to leave. She was upset that he was going, but had suspected that he was going to leave. Wishing him well she hung up knowing that she was unlikely to see him again. His life, his world was not hers and they didn't belong together.
Leaving Bobby, Haley and Castiel downstairs Dean went upstairs to pack. Once again he found himself sitting on the bed that he shared with Lisa.
He knew that no matter what happened, he wouldn't be coming back. If they didn't get Sammy back then he was going back to hunting, that was his job and he couldn't deny it any longer. He wasn't meant for this life. Haley had said that she was a hunter too, maybe when this was over he could teach her how a Winchester hunted; after all they are the best. Although, rubbing the back of his head, after the move she used against him earlier, she may have a move or two to teach him. Feeling lighter than he had in months he threw his few possessions into a bag and headed back down stairs. It was a good day; he had his sister back and a way to get his brother back, they don't get better than that. He had a good feeling that for once fate and luck was on the Winchesters side.
"What's the plan Cas?"
"I take you and Haley to the cemetery and we get Sam out of the cage."
"That's it? We just go in and get him. That easy huh, I wonder why I didn't think of that?"
Castiel looking quizzically at Dean. "Yes, it is that simple. We will either succeed or we will not and Haley will die."
"Okay let get this done. I ain't flying angel air, and I ain't leaving my car behind."
Walking out the front door Dean indicated that Haley should follow as he made his way to the garage. He raised the shutter on the garage. "So, do you remember ma Baby?"
"Oh my God, dads Impala, he gave her to you?" she squealed excitedly. Walking round the car she loving stroked the black exterior "Can I drive her?"
"No, no girl gets to drive ma baby."
Peering at Dean through long lashes, green eyes sparkling. "Fine, I've got a baby of my own and I don't share either."
Walking to Bobby's truck, Haley got in the back and started to pull at the tarp securing her bike.
Dean followed curiously, wondering what his sister was doing.
"Is that monster yours?" He asked, as Haley's finished uncovering her bike. Whistling appreciatively. "It's not too powerful for someone as tiny as you?"
Choosing to ignore Dean, she instead shouted. "Uncle Bobby, can you set up the ramp so I can get her off."
To Dean she said "Let's see whose baby is more powerful shall we?"
Dean grinned. He knew a challenge when he heard one. "You're on!"
The two continued to bicker good-naturedly as Bobby and Castiel watched on.
Castiel thought that humans still confused him; to Bobby it was the most beautiful thing in the world. It was amazing to think that just a few short hours ago these two souls were lost to each other, now they had memories to share and a future to create.
"Would you two idgits pack it in, don't we have your brother to save."
Mouthing a quick sorry to Haley, Dean said "Okay, let's go we're burning daylight here."
TBC