Chapter 2

I stared at Sam standing in front of me. He looked resolute in his stance. Bobby sat on the nearest table. I wondered where Dean was.

"Where is Dean?" I asked.

"Well I was asleep," Dean answered. "But there seems to be a family meeting of sorts and someone forgot to invite me."

I smiled at him. He appeared tired but alert. He crossed the room quickly and wrapped his arms around me. I was a bit startled. I had expected that response from Sam not him. I stared up at him.

"So, I take it you're not mad at me?" I asked.

"No," Dean shook his head. "Especially if you decide to cook."
"Dean," Sam sighed.

"Come on, I got a year to live. I'm going to enjoy myself," Dean grinned.

Bobby rolled his eyes, "Okay, you both get back to bed. In the morning Kelsey can cook for an army. She probably will, knowing how the last time she was upset we had to stop her."

"I'm not upset," I said.

"You will be," Bobby growled.

I frowned at his retreating back. Dean whistled and Sam scratched his head.

"Someone want to fill me in?" I asked.

"Not really," Dean said.

"Nope," Sam concurred.

"Uh-huh," I narrowed my gaze at them. "Well, I guess you boys need some rest."
They nodded and left me in the room.

I perched on the table and stared at the wall. Something else had transpired. I thought that I knew everything. What was I missing? I heard a sound behind me and turned.

"Well," Ellen's voice emerged from the darkness. "You certainly haven't aged since I last saw you."

I remained silent.

"Bobby seems to know what you are, but do the boys?" Ellen continued.

"We have no quarrel," I said.

"I saw my husband's body," Ellen said. "John never explained."

"I thought you had put that behind you," I studied her carefully.

She came into the light. There were lines under her eyes. "I forgave John a long time ago."

"Well at least one of you did," I commented.

Ellen chuckled wryly, "Yes, well that's John Winchester for you."

"You wanted to ask something?" I prodded.

"It was John who we saw in that cemetery wasn't it?" she asked quietly.

"Yes," I told her. "It was John."

"Where is he?" Ellen asked.

I thought about it for a moment. "I'm not really sure. He's not in Hell and that's what matters."

"But the deal that was made," Ellen prompted.

"There are ways out of deals," I said. "As much as a demon might want you to believe that a deal is airtight and ironclad there are ways around them."

"So, it's not like they can claim his soul and drag him back into Hell?" Ellen wondered.

I smiled at her. "Are you asking about John or someone else?"

"Who else would I be asking about?" Ellen challenged.

"Yes, who indeed," I murmured.

"You know that Sam is going to keep searching," Ellen said.

"They told you?" I was surprised.

"Yes," Ellen stared at me.

I looked at her carefully. Her blink response was not normal.

"I guessed," she admitted.

"Guessed what?" I asked.

"You're not going to say anything are you?" Ellen shook her head.

"I'm known for being cryptic," I told her.

"What do I do now?" Ellen asked.

"What would any mother do in this situation?" I suggested.

"I'm going to find my daughter," Ellen nodded.

"That would be a good idea," I said.

"She probably won't want to see me," Ellen mused.

"She'll get over it," I replied.

"You certainly know a lot about parents and children," Ellen observed.

"Well," I shrugged. "I spent a lot of time with John Winchester. He taught me a lot about parenting."

Ellen's eyebrow almost met her hairline. I laughed at the expression on her face.

"John was a good father," I said.

"John Winchester was one of the most stubborn sons of bitches that ever walked the face of the planet," Ellen pronounced.

"Now," I worked hard to suppress the grin, "I wouldn't say that. I'm sure that there were a few people more stubborn."

"Like who?" Ellen demanded.

"I can't name any right now, but give me a moment and I'm sure that I'll think of some," my mouth twitched.

Ellen laughed.

The door swung open and Bobby appeared through it.

"What is going on with the people in this house?" he demanded.

"You're the one who called me," I pointed out.

"Yes," Bobby agreed. "And I thought that everyone was going to sleep."

"Bobby," Ellen said sweetly. "You know how it is when women get together. We just have to chat."

"About what?" Bobby demanded.

"Men, of course," I chimed in.

Bobby rolled his eyes and walked back through the door. Ellen doubled over with laughter. Then she stopped.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Is it right to laugh?" she was somber. "The Roadhouse is gone. Ash is gone. A lot of hunters are dead. We've failed to prevent the unleashing of the apocalypse…" she trailed off.

"Just because the world's ending doesn't mean that you stop living," I said.

Ellen stared at me for a moment. "That's got to be damnedest thing I've ever heard."
"Well," I shrugged. "It's the truth."

"I'm not doubting it," Ellen smiled. "I'm just saying that it's so…"
"Unlike a human?" I offered.

"Yes," Ellen agreed.

"Well," I stared at the wall behind her. "Humans tend to be, um, over – dramatic."

"Why do you suppose that is?" Ellen pressed.

"It has to do with the finiteness of your existence," I replied.

"Then how do you explain demons?" Ellen asked pointedly.

"Demons never make any sense," I told her. "If they did, then they wouldn't be demons."

Ellen stared at me oddly.

"You're tired," I told her. "You should get some rest."

Ellen nodded in agreement and left the room.

I remained where I was for a few more moments and then wandered around the house. I found Sam and Dean asleep in their beds. I fixed the covers and they settled deeper into sleep. I sat on the ledge by the window. I recalled how much of their lives I had spent watching them sleep. My attention strayed to outside of the house. Bobby's house was a solid anchor for them. It had served them well when they were growing up and when they really needed help, they could always return.

It was here that they had sheltered when John had died. It was here they could always return. I thought of what Dean had said about a family meeting. The only two people who were joined by blood were the brothers. But the bond with Bobby was just as strong as the one they had formed with John. Perhaps in ways it was more forgiving as Bobby tended to accept them as they were. I chuckled, well, almost. Bobby certainly wanted to strike Dean for making that deal. I sighed and waited for the sun to rise.

I left them as the rays of light came streaming through the window. The kitchen was actually overstocked. Bobby took preparation for war seriously. I smiled as I started going through the stacks of things.

"I figure that you should probably take it easy in terms of food," Bobby's voice cut through my thoughts.

"Afraid that Dean's going to gorge himself?" I grinned.

"Well, this is Dean we're talking about," Bobby mused. "That boy could put a competitive eater to shame."

I chuckled at that thought. I pulled the flour, sugar, milk and eggs and placed them on the counter.

"What are you going to make?" Bobby asked.

"Hmm, I was thinking apple pancakes and bacon," I suggested.

"Don't got any apples," Bobby scratched his chin. "But I did get some blueberries."
"That'll work," I replied.

"You ever think of just hanging all of this up?" Bobby asked.

I studied him for a few minutes. "Well, Bobby, I'm not…"
"I know," Bobby nodded. "But you could choose to become human couldn't you?"

I felt my eyebrow arch at the question. "Are you propositioning me?"
Bobby's eyes widened in shock, "No."

I laughed at his discomfiture. "It's okay," I told him.

"I meant…I meant…" he stammered.

"What?" I asked innocently.

"That, you might want to…have a family," Bobby ground out.

"Hmm," I grinned. "I will say that I've had family."

"You've raised the boys, yes," Bobby stated. "But surely that's not enough."

"I don't have the same desires as you do, Bobby," I replied gently.

"You don't?" Bobby frowned.

"No," I said.

"What are your desires?" Bobby appeared curious.

"I have only one desire," I answered. "To fulfill the wishes of the one who gives me my orders."

"Oh," Bobby frowned. His facial expression reflected his doubt.

"I tried to make it simple," I smiled.

"Oh," Bobby shook his head and made himself some coffee. I returned to my cooking.