Dried tracks on his dirty cheeks and the worst dull thumping in his brain. It felt as if someone were trying to break out of his head. He couldn't even open his eyes, they were sealed shut with the salt of his tears. He thought he was in the car, maybe. He couldn't think. The pain, the thumping, it was never ending.

"Dean." he heard, "You have to get up."

"No." he mumbled weakly. "No more. Just let me die here..." He dry heaved a few times. His body felt like it was made of lead.

"Dean!" The voice was more insistant, "Get up Boy! It's not your time!"

"Shut up. Just shut up Bobby..." his voice trailed off. "No more... No. Dead. All Dead."

Waves of pain rolled over him, head, heart and spirit, all writhing in pain. Finally he passed out from it all.

"Balls." Bobby's spirit left the car.

"Katy, wake up."

"Hmm? Go away. I'm tired."

Bobby sighed. "Get up girl, I need your help."

Katy sat up in bed, red curls all around her face, eyes still closed. "Bobby, I don't wanna get involved ok? I'm done helping. No one ever helps me and mine, so NO."

She fell back in the bed and curled up under the covers.

"Katy bug, if you don't help, he's gonna die. It's not his time to die. It's one of the Winchesters." He hoped this plea would work.

She sat straight up with bright blue eyes wide open, "Oh the Winchesters that you always told me to stay away from when I was growing up?" She stared at his spirit.

"How did you get in here anyway? This building is warded six ways from Sunday."

"No time to explain. I was trying to get him here, but he wrecked the car and has just given up. He's only a couple miles down the road. You're my only hope."

She rolled her eyes, "Star Wars references Bobby? Really?" She got up from the bed and padded over to the window and looked down. "There's snow on the ground, good 2 inches." She looked at her cell, "It's freakin' 20 degrees out there...and it's 3:17 in the morning." She went to the large stone fireplace and added a log, stirring the embers hugging her flannel nightgown tight.

"He's gonna freeze to death, Katy. He needs help. He's all tore up, inside and out. Go get him and bring him in out of the cold."

She wrinkled her freckled nose, "Where were you when Mom..."

"Katy."

She heard another distinct voice behind her. Bobby took a step back. Katy turned to see Death standing there.

"I would consider it a...personal favor, if you would retrieve him."

She growled with her teeth showing, "And you were so eager to help me last year?"

Death nodded slightly, "I will forgive your attitude. This once. It is very important that he live. If you can bring him back, quickly, I will come visit next time you make your wonderful blueberry scones and Early Grey tea. We can talk then."

Katy snorted, she was not impressed by Death, but she knew to show some respect.

"Fine. I will get your precious Winchester. Meet me downstairs Bobby." She looked at Death, "I need to get some warm clothes on." Death walked through the fireplace and disappeared.

A few moments later she walked down the stairs, bundled up for the cold.

"Ok, where is he?" She glared at Bobby.

"Main Street, just this side of Wilkinson. Hurry Katy." Bobby pleaded.

She exited out the back of the shop and jogged to the garage. The old pick up creaked and groaned as it started. Bobby sat next to her. "Truck is as old as I am." he muttered. "Complains just as much too." she replied. They headed down main street and a short few minutes later she saw the Impala. The passenger side pushed into a tree.

"Katy, take his car, leave yours. It's better to keep him hidden if we can."

"Looks like the frame is bent, might not be possible Bobby." She shut off her truck and got out in the falling snow, flashlight in hand. "There's no snow tires or chains on the car. No wonder he wrecked." She examined the passenger door. "She still might run..."

She went to the drivers side and pulled the door open. "Oh my God!" She backed up with her hand over her mouth. The overwhelming smell of vomit, alcohol and sickness wafted out. She took a couple deep breaths and quickly leaned in and found his neck, feeling for a pulse. She backed out, exhaling. "He's alive. What the hell is wrong with him?"

"Alot. Now get the car moving and get him inside." Bobby snapped.

"Bite me." she muttered, pushing limp legs out of the way and getting behind the wheel. Baby started with a little protest, "At least she has antifreeze.." she spoke to his stationary form. The trip back to her place took almost an hour. She had the drivers window down so she could breathe. The impala limping all the way and both happy to be finally stop in the garage.

Bobby was no where to be seen now. She grabbed a cold hand and pulled the unconscious Winchester up. She tried pulling him up on his feet but his legs collapsed. Rolling her eyes she pulled him over her shoulder in fireman's carry. She groaned as she shut the garage and remembered the step to the second story. For a moment she considered putting him in the small hunter's quarters in the back of the shop, but upstairs it would be easier to hide him and make sure he was recovering.

By the time she got upstairs her back was on fire as well as her thighs and knees. With each step she went over every curse word she had ever heard in a rather loud voice.

She staggered finally at her bed and tried to lay him down easy but it was more like a sack of potatoes falling.

"Sorry Dude." She frowned. Katy immediately started to access his health. He was breathing, heartbeat was strong but his color was pallid. His clothes were caked with unknown stuffs. She started undressing him and contemplated washing his clothes, but decided to throw them away. Taking the contents of his pockets she put them on her nightstand. A bucket of warm water and washcloth to wash him down as best as possible. She pinched his skin and determined he was dehydrated. His temperature was 101. She placed a sheet over him and then a heating blanket cranked up high. She tried to gently wake him but he didn't stir. "You're gonna make me do this aren't you?" she asked him. She almost wished he would answer.

She disappeared in the bathroom and returned with a bag of saline, some Liquid acetaminophen and tape. She tried to find a good vein in his arms but nothing looked good. Finally she found one on the back of his hand, "Just for the record, I hate doing this. Don't like IVs and I don't like finding a vein..."

So focused on getting the needle in she didn't notice that his eyes opened.

"There! Got it!" She looked up and was shocked to see him looking back at her.

"Ow." he said weakly.

"Hey there. Sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you." She quickly pushed some acetaminophen in the drip, his eyes conveyed serious pain.

"Here, drink some water." she put a glass of cold water to his lips and he drank a sip, only spilling a few drops.

He started shivering violently and groaning, he rolled over and threw up on the floor.

"Sorry." he moaned.

"It's ok. Here's a bucket, if you need to throw up again..."

He grabbed the bucket and proceeded to heave once again. She warmed a washcloth and cleaned up his face when he was done.

Once everything was cleaned she sat down on the edge of the bed. His eyes were still open.

"I smell booze, so I'm assuming that you are trying to drink till you drop. Well, you've dropped. Wrecked your car and could have frozen to death."

"How did you...find me?" he croaked.

"Some friends of yours asked me to help you. Apparently it's not your time to die. Not just yet."

He closed his eyes, "Just let me die." he whispered.

"I can't. I have been tasked with keeping you alive." She put a fresh washcloth on his forehead.

"No, I want to die...I don't...have anyone left...everyone is gone. Everyone is dead."

He was starting to move around too much, risking his IV.

"Stop moving..." she tried to hold down his arms. "Look!" She said sharply. He immediately stopped and looked up at her.

"You aren't the only one that's lost everyone OK? I will get you better. After that, what you decide is between you and Death. Got it?"

His eyes widened and he slowly nodded.

She let his arms go and they stared at each other for a few moments.

"What's your name anyway?" she asked.

He swallowed and grimaced, looking away.

"Dean. Dean Winchester."