Chapter 3:

Thirteen. The first official year every person has as a teenager. Usually it's celebrated with a party where you invite all your friends, or a fancy dinner at an expensive restaurant. Usually you get some cool gadget like your own laptop or one of those new blackberry phones. Well, for my thirteenth birthday, I got the seven deadly sins. Lucky me.

It's been a few days since then, and I've still yet to receive an actual gift from either of my brothers. I didn't even get a "happy birthday, Anna". I haven't said anything though. I mean, they're my brothers, they should remember my birthday on their own, right? Ellen texted me saying happy birthday, so did Jo, who was probably reminded by Ellen. Bobby called and left a voicemail after we left from the hunt saying that he was sorry he didn't get a chance to tell me in person. But still, nothing from Sam or Dean.

I'm trying not to let it bother me, seeing as we're stuck in the car together on our way to see some old lady friend of Dean's who's been having some weird things happen in her neighborhood. But every time they say my name to get my attention, I get all excited thinking they might just remember that they forgot, only for them to ask how my homework is coming, or if I am hungry or have to pee.

Dean knows I'm frustrated. He keeps glancing back at me in the mirror. But I refuse to tell them why. I want them to figure it out on their own.

~ . ~

"Here we are." Dean said, a big smile on his face as we pulled up in front of a fancy house. He turned to look at Sam who rolled his eyes. "Well, don't wait up for me."

"Ugh, gross." I said.

"I'd say don't knock it til you try it, but you're never going to try it." Dean responded as he opened the door.

"Says you." I countered.

"Yeah, says me." He affirmed sliding out. Sam slid into the driver's seat and I climbed into the seat he vacated. "I'll call you when I'm done."

"Sure." Sam said, then to me, "Buckle up, Shrimp."

I did as he asked and we waited for someone to answer the door.

"So who is this lady?" I asked Sam when the door opened.

"Lisa Braeden. An old friend from a few years back."

"Friend? Sam, I don't think Dean has 'friends' that are women."

Dean turned around to look at us. Sam put the car in reverse, ready to drive away, but Dean flagged him down, motioning to me. I pointed to myself confused and he nodded, motioning for me to go to him. I looked over at Sam who shrugged. I shrugged back and got out of the car, making my way over to Dean.

"Lisa, this is my little sister, Anna."

"Hello, Anna. It's nice to meet you." She smiled.

"Nice to meet you too." I replied, even though I could care less one way or the other.

"It's Lisa's sons birthday today." Dean said. "He's having a party outback, Lisa invited us to join."

"Oh." I said as he led me into the house, following Lisa. Suddenly, my stomach dropped and I felt a lump in my throat. So we were going to celebrate some random kids birthday, but we couldn't celebrate mine? Dean led me through the house to the backyard where there were a bunch of kids running around and a bounce house was set up.

"That's Ben, my son." Lisa said, pointing to a boy younger than me opening a present.

"Yes! AC/DC rules!" he shouted, holding up a CD.

"How old?" Dean asked casually, looking around the yard.

"Eight." Lisa responded, distracted as she looked towards the door. "Could you excuse me for a minute?"

"Sure." Dean answered, then looked at me after she walked away. I stared back at him, not saying anything. "Well. How about some cake?"

"I'm good." I replied slightly testily. He didn't seem to notice though. I stayed by him as he got himself a piece. There were two women sitting in chairs watching him and talking. I could tell they were talking about him, and I think he did too, because he said 'Hi' in an embarrassed tone before walking away quickly. I followed him and we ended up standing next to Ben who was also eating cake and watching the bounce house.

I stood close to Dean and crossed my arms.

"What's up?" Ben said, glancing at Dean.

"What's up with you?" Dean countered. A woman and her daughter walked by. I watched as Dean and Ben both stared at their retreating backsides. I squinted suspiciously at Ben. "So, it's your birthday?"

"Guilty." Ben replied. I rolled my eyes. What a dork.

"It's a cool party." Dean said. I wanted to take his plastic fork and stab myself in the eye. Why couldn't I have just gone with Sam?

"Dude, it's so freakin sweet—and the moon bounce, it's epic."

"Yeah, it's pretty awesome." Dean's eyebrows drew together slightly. I stared at Ben, dumbfounded. Was it possible . . . I shook my head, not willing to believe it.

"You know who else thinks they're awesome? Chicks. It's like hot chick city out there."

My mouth dropped open as Ben put his cake down and ran towards the bounce house saying, "Look out ladies, here comes trouble."

I looked at Dean who seemed to be calculating the exact same thing in his head as I was.

"Anna, stay here for a second." He said before taking off, knocking into the garbage can.

I stood against the fence, mouth still hanging open in shock. If Lisa was an 'old friend' of Dean's, and Ben was her son who was turning eight, with no father figure around, and his obvious interest in rock music, cars, and chicks was any indication of anything, it seemed that Ben was—no. It's impossible. It had to be.

I took another look into the bounce house where Ben was jumping around after the girls. It couldn't be. No. Dean couldn't have a kid. He wouldn't. There was no way in hell Dean would do something like that. I mean, he wouldn't do that to me. He knows he means so much to me, and I couldn't possibly share him. He's all I have. That wouldn't be fair. This Ben kid obviously has a good life. So even if he was Dean's, it's not like he'd need him.

My throat felt like it was getting smaller and my heart raced in my chest. I glanced around at all the kids running around and laughing. I couldn't be here anymore. Without so much as a backward glance at Ben, I ran to the gate leading to the front yard. I didn't stop, even when I hit the street. I just ran. I kept running, heading back towards town the way we had come.

I didn't realize I was crying until it was impossible to see through my tears. My nose was running too, and every breath I took had to be through my mouth, or else snot would just pour out of my nostrils. I felt so betrayed. I was so angry. There were too many things going on inside my head.

I grabbed my head, pulling at my hair and sinking onto the curb. I couldn't lose Dean. Not to him. Not to that spoiled little boy or his mother.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. I wiped my eyes on my arm and pulled it out. It was a text from Dean.

Where are you? We gotta head out.

He thought I was still at Ben's party. I stood up, shoving my phone back into my pocket as I began walking down the road further away. I was now on the main road heading back toward town. That was where Sam would be, probably at some diner.

If Dean was so insistent on leaving all the sudden, it probably meant his suspicions were right. He was probably freaking out and needed some space to let things sink in. Well, he could let things sink in on his own. I wasn't going to be there to listen to him talk about it or console him or whatever. I definitely wouldn't congratulate him.

My phone began to ring and I knew it was him calling. Part of me wanted to answer and tell him to go jump off a cliff while the other part wanted to ignore it and keep walking. I knew that both of those would probably get me a trip over his knee. The fact that I had left the party without telling him probably meant I already had one coming. So did I want to make things worse, or try and salvage the situation?

The ringing stopped and I knew I made my decision too late. With a sigh, I flipped the phone open and called him back. He answered immediately.

"Where the hell are you?" he demanded. "I've looked everywhere, twice!"

"I'm not there." I said, trying to sound as if I hadn't been crying. It didn't work though.

"Are you crying?" He asked incredulously. "Are you okay? What happened, where are you?"

"I'm fine."

"You don't sound fine." His voice was gruff and he sounded irritated, but he started to back track and I could tell he was trying really hard to stay calm. "Anna, sweetheart, please tell me what's going on. I'm worried about you."

"Well don't bother worrying about me." I sniffed angrily. "Why don't you just go hang out with your new friend Ben, I'm sure you two will have a great time together! It's almost like you're the same person, some might go as far to say as it's like your almost related!"

There was silence on the other end of the line for a few moments and I almost thought that Dean had hung up.

"Anna, tell me where you are, now." Dean said, his voice unreadable.

"I'm on the main road back to town." I conceded.

"Don't go any further, wait for me exactly where you are."

"Yes, Dean."

He hung up the phone and I leaned against the stone wall lining the sidewalk. It wasn't long before he came striding into view. I crossed my arms and looked down at my feet, feeling awkward as he came up to me. His toes appeared in my view directly in front of mine. He was standing before me, waiting for me to look at him. It took me a moment, but I finally dragged my gaze up to his.

He reached forward, cupping my face with his hand, using his thumb to wipe away the tears that lingered under my eyes.

"You just got yourself into a whole lot of trouble, over a whole lot of nothing, little girl."

"I'm not a little girl." I replied through a new round of tears. He pulled me into him, hugging me.

"You'll always be my little girl." He insisted. "Even when you scare the crap out of me and run off because that pretty little head of yours gets all these crazy ideas—ideas that aren't true."

I bit my bottom lip, knotting my fingers into the back of his shirt.

"So, Ben . . ."

"He's not mine."

"But what if he was?"

"If he was, we would work it out." He pushed me back so he could look into my face. "No one could ever replace you, you know that, right? You and Sam are the more important to me than anything else on this earth."

"I don't ever want to share you with anyone else."

Dean pulled me into him again, hugging me tight.

"I don't think you're going to have to worry about that." He said softly. I snuggled my face into his shirt, eyes closed as tears continued to leak out.

"I'm sorry, Dean. I got so upset. I was angry and scared, and I couldn't breathe. And-" I trailed off. I was going to mention how the fact that he forgot my birthday and I thought I was at his son's birthday also pissed me off, but I wasn't sure if I wanted to bring that up.

"And what?" He pressed. I held my breath for a moment, debating on whether or not I was going to say it. "Come on, spit it out."

"I was already upset before we even got there because you and Sam forgot about my thirteenth birthday, and then we were at some random kids party who I thought turned out to be your son, and it just sent me over the edge. I couldn't handle it."

Dean was quiet for a moment and I glanced up. He had his eyes closed and his jaw clenched.

"You're right. We did forget. With everything going on since the gates to hell opened, it just slipped our mind, but that's no excuse. I promise we'll make it up to you."

"How about you let me off the hook and we call it even?"

Dean raised an eyebrow.

"How about you be extra good until tonight and maybe, just maybe, I'll let you keep your pants up when I blister your ass."

"Dean!" I whined, trying one last tactic. "I'm a teenager now, you can't spank me anymore!"

"Ha. Good try. Come on. We gotta go meet Sam in town so I can get my baby back."

I groaned, but began walking with Dean as we made our way into town.

Part of me felt better knowing that Ben wasn't Deans. But the other part of me began to wonder what it would be like if Dean did have someone else. Did it make me a bad person for hoping that Ben wasn't Deans? Wasn't Dean allowed to have people in his life other than me? I bit my lip, feeling guilty as I answered my own question with a 'no'. I didn't want Dean to have anyone else.

Sam had left Dean's car parked downtown for us. He said he was doing some research and that we could just take the car. Dean said he wanted to go back to Lisa's because something she said earlier caught his interest.

"Do I have to go?" I whined. "Can't you just drop me off at a motel or something?"

"You're actually asking me to leave you at a motel?" He raised his eyebrows at me. I would be shocked too, if I were him. Usually I begged them to take me with them. But I just didn't want to be near Lisa's. He shrugged. "Alright. If that's what you really want, I'll drop you off."

I sighed, relieved.

~ . ~

Dean left me with the usual instructions not to leave the room or answer the door for anyone. He didn't say that I had to do homework, which was nice. So instead, I laid on one of the beds and watched some tv.

Sam came back first. Dean must have told him what room I was in and gave him a key at some point.

"Hey, shrimp. What's up?"

I shrugged, keeping my eyes glued to the tv.

"Dean said there was a case here. Was he right?"

"Yeah, I think we have something going on. Not sure exactly what yet, so I'm going to do some research and hope I get a lead or something."

He sat down at the table and took his laptop out.

"Hey, Sam?" I turned my gaze to him. He made a noise in response, so I continued. "Do you think . . . do you think that Dean will ever want to have kids?"

Sam looked up surprised.

"What?"

"Do you think Dean is ever going to want to have kids? You know, like, a daughter or—a son?"

"I don't think Dean would ever consider bringing a child into this kind of life." Sam responded slowly. "Why?"

"I don't know, I just . . . that kid, Lisa's son. We both thought for a while that he was Deans." Sam raised his eyebrows. "But he's not. But those few minutes where I thought he was—it really upset me."

Sam walked over and sat next to me.

"Why did it upset you?"

"Because." I shrugged. "I don't want to share Dean."

Sam nodded.

"That's understandable." He said. "But even if Ben was Dean's son, you know he wouldn't love you any less. When Dad first went and brought you home with us, Dean spent a lot of time with you. Before you, Dean and I were just as close as you are with him. It was weird for me to have to share him with you. I was a little resentful at first, but then I realized that just because you came along, that didn't mean Dean loved me any less. It just meant that he made more room in his heart to love you just as much."

Sam put his arm around me.

"Dean would never love you less. He would never make you less important than you are. So even if Dean did end up having a kid, it wouldn't change anything."

I leaned my head on his shoulder.

"Thanks, Sam."

"I know things have been hard lately, and you've been feeling neglected. We forgot your birthday and that's inexcusable. But we haven't loved you any less than we ever have."

Sam kissed the top of my head then stood up and went back to doing his research. I bit my bottom lip, feeling a little better, then stood up to go take a shower. Showers usually helped me feel better.

I took a nice long shower, longer than usual. When I finally got out and opened the door to the room, I saw Dean sitting at the table with Sam. I walked over to him and sat down on his lap. He didn't object, so I rested my head against him. He wrapped his arms around me, continuing to talk to Sam like nothing happened. I smiled to myself.

I listened to them talk about the kids of the neighborhood being creepy. Apparently they were what was called "changelings" and they fed on the moms. When Sam had figured out how to kill them, Dean patted my leg for me to get up. I stood up, reluctantly, realizing that where I had my head resting left a wet spot on his shirt from my hair. He didn't seem to care though.

Sam stood up, closing his laptop.

"I'm going to run out to get some kerosene."

Dean tossed the car keys to him and he caught them. I waved goodbye. When I turned back around, Dean was standing behind me with her arms crossed. I knew that look, and immediately began trying to reason with him.

"Dean, please, I didn't mean to run away from the party without telling you-"

He held his hand up, silencing me. I looked down at the floor, knowing what was coming.

"You know the rules, Anna." Dean started. "Running away without telling me because you were having a little temper tantrum doesn't justify what you did."

"I'm sorry, Dean." I said. I didn't want to fight with him. "I shouldn't have left."

"You're right. I can't blame you for being upset, but you put yourself in danger by leaving. You may be thirteen now, but that still doesn't make it alright for you to be wandering around a town you don't know by yourself."

I bit my bottom lip, not sure what to say.

"I don't know what it is about this rule that you have such a hard time grasping. I've been fighting you on it for a long time now. Don't go running into danger without thinking."

"I was just going down the road, Dean." I said softly. "It's not like I was running into a room full of demons."

"Regardless. There's something going on in that neighborhood. You could have been picked up by a changeling. We don't know where the other kids are, or if they're even alive. That could have been you."

I looked up into his face. The concern and hurt in his eyes immediately made me start to cry. I had been so worried all day about losing Dean to someone else, and I hadn't even thought about how Dean would feel if he had ever lost me.

"I'm sorry." I wept, burying my face into my hands. I could hear the sound of Dean undoing his belt and sliding it through his jeans. I didn't bother trying to change his mind. I felt his hand on my shoulder and I let him guide me to the table, where he bent me over. True to his word, he let me keep my pants up. Not that it helped much. The ten licks he gave me seemed to be just as painful as if he had taken my pants down.

I didn't say anything during the whole thing, but when he was done, I let him pull me into his arms.

"I'm sorry!" I said once again.

"I know." He said into the top of my head. "You're forgiven."

I didn't let go for a while, and he didn't ask me to either, which made me feel better.

"I promise Sam and I will do something special for you tomorrow."

"Okay."

He pulled back and wiped my face with his thumbs.

"Why don't you get in bed? I brought you a movie to watch tonight."

I smiled and climbed into the bed I had claimed earlier. Dean pulled a dvd out of one of his bags and put it into the dvd player. I snuggled under the covers, not caring that my butt was tender, and began watching the movie while Dean started getting ready to go out with Sam.