Dean awoke to a warm weight lying sprawled across his chest. It actually took him a moment to register that it was Katie; she was out like a light, a slight snore rasping in and out of her mouth. It had been a week since they had found her, a week of doing nothing more than resting.

He had persuaded Sam to hold off, to stay here at Bobby's just a little longer. He didn't know why but he felt as if they should all spend as much time resting as possible.

Catherine seemed to have sensed his feeling. She had been feeding the three hunters as if they would never eat again. She was constantly in the kitchen trying out new recipes anything she felt they would enjoy.

She was also training. Dean and Sam had spent a lot of time at Bobby's growing up; they were familiar with the training area that Bobby had set up at the rear of the salvage yard. As kids they had often spent time out there with either John or Bobby, setting up or knocking down targets.

Catherine though made those exercises seem like child's play. She was preparing herself for a war and god help the hapless Winchester that got caught in her net when she wanted to train. Running, shooting, hand to hand you name it and she did it. Full out no apologies, no looking back. Dean couldn't help but admire the strength and skills she was honing.

He reluctantly began the process of climbing out from underneath Katie. He had promised her that Bobby and Sam wouldn't find out that he was sharing her bed. She wasn't ashamed of the time spent together; she was just too embarrassed to have it be obvious to the guys. Dean understood, the time they spent alone was far to short in his opinion and yet he was unable to tear himself away from Sam more than a couple of hours each night.

Yeah, bad news was defiantly on the way. As much as they all tried to ignore the signs they were all jumpy as hell.

As Dean dressed he looked down at Catherine marveling at how young she looked when asleep. It was her eyes he guessed, anyone that looked into Catherine's eyes saw an old soul looking back. Catherine was a woman that had seen and done too much to ever be young again.

Dean walked from the room as quietly as possible, heading down the hall towards the room he shared with Sam.

888

Catherine awoke the moment he left the room. Sadness sinking in her heart, she should have said something to him. Something significant, something to let him know just how much she had come to love him.

She rolled off the bed and started her sit-ups the rhythm soothing her clouded mind. As she finished and jumped up she went to the window and threw open the curtains. She looked out across the backyard and felt it, today was the day.

888

Bobby was sitting in the kitchen drinking a cup of coffee when the phone rang. As he moved to pick it up he was suddenly struck with a bad feeling. "Hello, Oh, Hi Ellen. What, he's gone and no one has seen him for a week. Thanks Ellen" Bobby slammed down the phone and headed out the kitchen at a breakneck speed. "Katie, he's coming you gotta get out." Bobby shouted as he headed out the front door.

Catherine moved away from the window and drew a deep breath. And so it begins, she quickly turned and began packing her bags, careful to remove any trace that she had ever been here. She left her room at a run packing her personal items. As she left the bathroom, Sam and Dean came out of their room. Dean dressed and alert, Sam still trying to shake off sleep.

Catherine approached the boys, God how she had come to love them. Sam as a brother to replace the ones she had lost and Dean as a part of her heart that had been missing.

She gently touched Dean's cheek. "This is it Dean, Bobby just got word Jacobs is missing, I can't stay, it's not safe, not for me or Bobby. I have to leave."

Catherine held up a hand when Sam started to interrupt. "No, Sam just listen. I need you both to take the information on the demon, your father had to the Roadhouse; I want you to quietly give it to a man named Ash. He's the only one that may be able to figure out a way to track the demon. He's a total nut, but he's smart. You can trust him. You can trust Ellen, also. Just make sure you don't say anything of importance, if anyone and I mean anyone else is in the bar. And no matter what you do, do not mention me. Not to Ellen not to anyone. Most people believe I died over three years ago, and I would rather not have that fact disputed."

Catherine took a deep breath and took Dean's hands in hers. She gently fingered the silver ring he wore. "I will call every night. If I don't get thru I'll leave a text message. Don't call me back just wait until the next night. I can always tell where you are and no matter where you go, I will find you. I won't be able to catch up with you for a while. I can't be seen anywhere near you guys." Catherine leaned up and kissed Dean, holding him to her for a moment.

Dean hugged her back, knowing that there was no way to persuade her to stay with him. "I'll see you soon, Katie girl" he whispered nuzzling her cheek.

She reached up and kissed Sam on the cheek whispering, "take care of him for me."

As she fled thru the front door, she turned once more. The light coming from the door lit the smile that she sent them. "Listen, if we happen to meet somewhere, remember you don't know me." And with a last smile she fled out onto the porch.