Yeah, this is going to be more than a 3-shot. I tried my best, but the story just went a little further than I'd originally planned. I'm thinking we'll have one more chapter after this one, and an epilogue. Sorry about that. (Yeah, I'm not sorry.) Thank you SO much for the reviews!

Dean barely let the car come to a stop before he was out, running towards the house. Police cars were scattered across the front lawn, along with vehicles he recognized as belonging to his in-laws. Dean ignored the cop yelling at him, pounding his way up the steps and through the front door. He elbowed his way past another cop, letting out a little breath of relief when he saw Hailey in his father-in-law's arms. She wriggled until Leo set her down, hurrying to Dean on her tiptoes. He knelt and gathered her in his arms, breathing in her hair, letting out a sigh. She was quiet, keeping her head on his shoulder, her nose in his neck, and he kept running a hand up and down her back. Piper walked into the living room as police officers walked towards Dean, and she held her hands up.

"It's—it's okay. He lives here."
"This the father?"

Dean turned back with a sneer on his face until he saw a familiar officer.

"Darryl."
"Dean, hey."

Darryl Morris walked over to shake Dean's hand, and the officers backed off. Dean held tightly to Hailey, grateful his voice didn't shake.

"What do we know?"

Darryl sighed, glancing to Hailey. Dean closed his eyes, pressing a kiss to her hair as he knelt back down. He set her down and she faced him. Dean smiled, running a finger down her nose.

"Go back to Papa, okay?"

Hailey nodded, running on tiptoe back to Leo, who took her in his arms. Piper ran a hand over Hailey's hair and they walked into the kitchen. Dean turned back to Darryl.

"What the hell's going on, Darryl?"

He let out a long sigh.

"We're not entirely sure."
"Oh, don't give me that shit."
"Dean, we're doing the best we can here. We don't have any leads, no indication that anything like this would ever happen."

Dean ran his hands through his hair.

"Do you know of anyone who would do something like this?"

Dean turned back to him, a sad smile on his face.

"What, take my daughter? No. No, I cannot fathom anyone doing anything like this."
"No enemies? No one who might have a score to settle with you?"

Dean let out a laugh.

"What, someone I once hustled pool from? Come on, Darryl. You know I moved around a lot. I was never in one place long enough to make enemies."

Darryl nodded and sighed.

"I know. I'm sorry. We're just kind of grasping at straws here, Dean."

Dean nodded, stepping closer to speak under his breath.

"Have you—"

Darryl nodded.

"He called just before you got here. Furious would be an understatement."

Dean nodded. The one thing you did not do was mess with Sam Winchester's family. Of course he would be all over this. Molly would be fine. Dean just had to keep telling himself that. He had to keep repeating that and just ignore the ice in his stomach. Darryl cleared his throat.

"I need to make a few phone calls."

Dean nodded to him.

"Darryl, where's Mel?"

Darryl looked at his notepad as he shut it.

"Molly's room."

Dean shrugged his jacket off, tossing it onto a chair as he walked down the hall. He stopped in the doorway outside Molly's room, steeling himself before looking inside. His heart twisted at the sight, the toys on the floor, Molly's pajamas scattered on the floor from where she got dressed that morning. The moose from Sam was on her pillow, resting right beside where Melinda was sitting, twisting Molly's baby blanket in her hands. She was shaking, her knees bouncing, and she looked up, meeting his eyes. They just looked at each other for a moment, before Melinda's face scrunched up and she dropped her head into her hands. Dean pushed away from the wall and walked to her, placing his hands on her knees as he knelt in front of her.

"Hey. Mel, hey."

She shook her head, pushing him off as she stood up. She turned from him, still shaking her head, her body trembling as she crossed her arms over her stomach. Dean stood behind her, raking a hand through his hair, before he just thought, Screw it. He reached out and grabbed her, pulled her to him, clutching her to his chest. She let out a sob, wrapping her arms around him, clinging to him like he was her only lifeline. Dean ran his hand through her hair, resting his cheek on top of her head as she cried.

"I—I can't lose her. She—she's all I have."

Dean shook his head.

"We're not going to lose her. I'm right here, Mel. I'm not going anywhere."

Melinda sobbed into his chest, until a knock sounded at the door. Melinda stayed in his arms, and they both turned their heads to the door. Darryl stood there, holding an envelope. Melinda's heart fell.

"Oh God, no."

Darryl cleared his throat.

"It's addressed to you, Dean."

Dean closed his eyes, unwrapping one arm from Melinda and reaching out to take the envelope from Darryl. He opened it, pulling out a letter typed in a large font. He took in a shaky breath, reading the letter out loud.

"This has nothing to do with you. As always, your brother is the one to blame. She's fine, for now. The authorities will receive a call with information soon. RR."

Darryl gently took the letter from Dean's shaking hand. He handed it to an officer standing beside him, who slid it into a plastic bag and walked away. Darryl looked to Dean, who was still staring at his hand.

"Dean, do you have any idea who 'RR' is?"

Dean shook his head, racking his brain, and Darryl saw his face when he realized it. Dean brought his eyes to Darryl's, and Darryl's heart dropped. It was only a few times he saw that unique blend of sheer terror and agony cross someone's face, and it never ended well. Dean swallowed.

"Richard Roman."

Darryl's shoulders fell.

"No."

Dean nodded, letting his eyes close. Melinda pushed on his chest, where she could look up at him.

"Wait. Richard Ro—Dick Roman? The owner of Richard Roman Enterprises?"

Dean nodded, and Darryl sighed.

"He's more than that, I'm afraid."

Melinda looked to Darryl, beginning to tremble in Dean's arms again.

"Tell me."

Darryl let out a deep breath.

"There's been talk for a long time that the CIA has been trying to take him down, due to his alleged acts of … well, terrorism."
"What? What does that … What does that mean?"

Dean wrapped his other arm around Melinda, whispering to her, until she pushed out of his arms, walking to face Darryl.

"Why does this man have my daughter? What does she have to do with anything?"
"I think it's Sam. They're trying to snuff out Sam."
"Okay. So he'll just—he'll find them, and he'll save her."

Melinda turned back to Dean, nodding her head, waiting for a reaction. Dean was staring at Darryl, a broken look on his face, tears gathering in his eyes. Darryl cleared his throat.

"Mel, uh… This isn't the first time Roman's done something like this. It was kept out of the media, but he took a senator's son in Vermont. The senator voted for a tighter trade agreement or something, I'm not sure, and … the boy—"
"No."

Melinda closed her eyes as she shook her head, and Dean caught her as her knees buckled. He knelt with her on the floor, holding her tightly, staring at Darryl until he left the room.

"I swear to you, she will come home. I will bring her home myself if I have to. I promise, baby, our little girl will come home."

He didn't say it, but they both heard it.

If it's the last thing I ever do.

Dean spoke with Sam for just a minute, rambling and not making an ounce of sense, but managing to get out the name "Dick Roman." Following a beat of silence, in an icy, absolutely deadly tone, Sam simply said "I'll find her," before Dean heard the dial tone in his ear.

Melinda refused to leave Molly's room. Hailey had come to be with her, sitting in her lap, resting her head on Melinda's shoulder. Melinda just sat on Molly's bed, running her hand through Hailey's hair. Her family was all around, her parents in the kitchen with her Aunt Phoebe and Uncle Coop, Aunt Paige and Uncle Henry. Her brothers were both out driving around, trying to find some sign, anything they could use. Her other cousins were doing the same. And all Melinda could do was sit in her baby's room. As the sun went down, Piper walked in the room, wordlessly taking Hailey into her arms, walking her to the bathroom to help her get ready for bed.

Melinda picked the moose up off of Molly's pillow, running her fingers over the much-loved, nearly ragged stuffed animal. She looked up, seeing Dean standing before her, just watching her. Melinda set the moose back down and Dean walked to her, going down on his knees. He rested his hands on her knees, then looked up to her, her breath catching in her throat at the devastation on his face and the tears in his eyes.

"I'm sorry. I'm just so sorry."

He laid his head in her lap, pressing his cheek against her thigh. Melinda let out a breath and put her hands on his head. She ran her fingers through his hair for a second before lifting his face. She ran her thumbs along his cheekbones, smiling at him as tears slid down her face.

"This is not your fault, Dean."
"Mel, it—"
"The letter said it, honey."
"Mel, I—"
"Goddamn it, Dean. Stop."

He tried to pull his head from her hands, but she wouldn't let him. A tear dripped from his eye onto her thumb and he brought his eyes back to her, defeat coloring his face. She took in a deep breath.

"This is not your fault. It is not your fault by proxy because Sam is your brother. It's not Sam's fault. Do not."

Dean shut his mouth, letting out a sigh that told Melinda more than words ever could. Melinda pulled his face to her, pressing a kiss to his forehead. Dean moved back, running his hands over his face, rubbing his hands on his jeans as he stood up. Melinda stood up beside him, wiping the tears from her cheeks before she turned to him. She gave him a smile, which he returned, before it slid from his face. Melinda took in a breath and, before she could talk herself out of it, stepped to him, reaching up to take hold of his face, pulling it down and bringing his lips to hers. Her hands drifted from his face to his shoulders, as his hands slid up to cup her face. She pulled him closer, letting out a noise that he swallowed, that made him smile. Melinda was the one to finally break the kiss, breathing hard as she laid her head on his shoulder, moving as close to him as she could and still breathe, and after a moment, Dean spoke quietly.

"We'll bring her home."

Melinda nodded, moving closer to him as he tightened his grip on her.

"I just … She has to be okay, Dean. She has to be."

Dean pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"She will be."

Melinda let out a ragged breath against his neck, closing her eyes until they heard a little voice at the door.

"Mama?"

Melinda stayed in Dean's arms, both of them turning their heads to see Hailey standing in the doorway. Melinda put on a smile.

"Yeah, baby."
"I need somebody to tuck me in."

Dean smiled, letting go of Melinda as he walked over to lift Hailey into his arms while Melinda wiped her face. Dean turned back as Melinda walked up behind him, laying a hand on his back, following him down the hall to Hailey's room. Hailey was smiling at Melinda from Dean's shoulder, and Melinda's heart was aching. She was caught in a myriad of emotions. She had Hailey right in front of her, safe and sound, which she was so grateful for. At the same time, she was terrified, worried sick about Molly. She let out a ragged breath, causing Dean to turn to face her as he stepped into Hailey's bedroom. He gave a sigh as he looked at her, but she shook her head, putting on a smile as she reached for Hailey.

"Come on, little bit."

Melinda gathered the animals Hailey usually slept with, putting them around her, moving the covers up around her, setting her baby blanket on top. Dean stepped away from the closet, Hailey's big blue eyes watching him. Melinda gently stroked Hailey's bangs from her forehead as Dean knelt down, looking under the bed. He moved back, smiling over at Hailey.

"All clear."

She nodded, then looked over to Melinda.

"Mama, is Molly okay?"

Melinda looked down, until Dean reached and took her hand. She smiled at him, letting out a ragged breath, then looked back to Hailey.

"Yeah, honey. Molly's okay."
"I miss her."

Tears filled Melinda's eyes, and Dean tightened his grip on her hand. Hailey looked over to him and he gave her a soft smile, moving his hand to stroke her hair.

"We miss her too, kid. But she'll be home soon."

Melinda closed her eyes, praying he was right. Dean started singing softly, Hailey's lullaby of Just The Way You Are, until her eyes began to drift shut. She was asleep before the end of the song, but Dean kept singing. His voice broke at the end of the song, as he felt Melinda's hand grip his tighter. She bit her lip to keep from sobbing out loud, as tears cascaded down her cheeks. Dean sniffed as he stood up, pulling Melinda up with him. He started to lead her out, but she stopped at the door, turning back as Hailey rolled over onto her side.

"I can't go. I—I have to stay here with her."
"Mel."
"No. No, I—I need to make sure she's okay."
"Honey, honey. Hey."

She looked up at Dean and he led her out of the room, into the hall. He pulled the door shut behind him, as Melinda was shaking her head. She took hold of his arms.

"Dean, we can't leave her in there alone. She—she needs us. We have to make sure she's okay!"
"Baby, she's fine."
"You don't know that! What if—what if she—"

Melinda was shaking as she laid her head against Dean's chest. His arms came around her as he sighed, as he felt his shirt grow damp with her tears.

"Mel, baby."
"I'm so scared, Dean."

He let out a sigh as he felt her arms come around his back, pressing them closer together. Her voice was muffled against his chest, and thick with tears.

"I just want her home. I want my baby here with me."
"I know, sweetheart. Soon. She'll be home soon."

They heard a cough down the hall, both of them looking over to see Melinda's father standing there. He let out a sigh.

"There's a, uh … There's another letter that you need to see."

Melinda was shaking hard, her knees buckling as she tried to walk. Dean held onto her, whispering to her, pressing gentle, quick kisses to her cheek and temple. She leaned back into him, letting her head fall onto his shoulder. Dean practically carried Melinda into the living room, where Darryl was shouting into a phone. Piper stood up when she saw her daughter, and her sisters Phoebe and Paige walked over, too. Phoebe stroked Melinda's hair as Piper and Paige each took her hand, and they led her to the couch. Dean was right behind her, sitting on the arm of the couch. Darryl hung up his phone as he blew out his breath. He walked over with an envelope in his hand.

"There's no fingerprints on it, nothing."

Dean nodded, reaching a shaking hand out to grab the envelope. He swallowed hard, opening it. Another typed letter was there, along with a smaller envelope. He took in a breath before he read the letter out loud.

"There is no reason this can't end happily. Your brother knows what he should do. If he fails to do so… Well, let's just say, he'd better not fail. She is a beautiful little girl."

Dean had to stop, clutching the letter tightly in his fist as Melinda let out a sob, lifting a shaking hand to cover her mouth as she cried. Tears were rolling down Phoebe's and Piper's cheeks, and after a second, Paige reached over, taking the letter from Dean's grip. Paige cleared her throat as she continued to read.

"The authorities have been contacted, so now, it's up to them. Do as they say and Molly will be fine. The envelope included with this letter is proof that she is still alive. Further instructions will follow. RR."

Dean and Melinda froze, looking over as Paige tilted the envelope, causing the smaller envelope to slide out into Leo's hand. Piper slowly reached over and took the envelope from him, sliding her finger under the flap to open it, holding out her hand. Not a sound was heard, not a breath was taken as the contents of the envelope slid into Piper's hand.

One small, blonde ringlet.

Melinda let out a sob, reaching over, taking the curl between her fingers. She shook her head, closing her eyes as she began to shake again. The curl fell into Dean's hand as Melinda pushed herself off of the couch, running through the room until she burst outside, onto the back porch. The police officer patrolling out there looked over, flashing her with his flashlight, but she kept running, through the trees at the back of the property. She faltered over a root, then stopped as she was violently sick. She sobbed and screamed as she hit her knees, rolling over to sit at the base of a tree, pulling her knees up, wrapping her arms around them. She let her head fall to rest on her arms, and she heard panting breaths coming up in front of her. She looked up, to see Dean looking down at her. She scrambled to her feet, going to run towards the house when Dean caught her arm.

"Mel."
"Hailey. Someone needs to make sure Hailey is—"
"She's fine, babe."
"You don't know that. What if someone—"
"Your mom is sitting with her, Mel."

She was breathing hard, fighting off the nausea that was threatening again. Dean stepped closer to her, gently taking hold of her arms. She let out a shaky breath, collapsing back down onto the ground. Dean sighed and knelt beside her. Melinda drew her knees up again, looking down for a long time before looking over at Dean.

"You should have been here."

Dean nodded.

"I know."
"You should have been here."

Dean stood up and shut his eyes. He knew his wife, and he knew that right then, she needed to blame someone. He was there, he was an easy target, and he would take it. Dean was already claiming this as his fault; Melinda blaming him would work quite well with his self-loathing. He hung his head as Melinda shook her head.

"She needed you to be here. She needed you here, and I should have let you—No, I should have made you come home."

Dean's head snapped up, looking over at Melinda. She covered her mouth with a hand, shaking her head. Her voice was barely audible.

"This is all my fault."
"No."

Dean was on his knees in front of Melinda, taking her face in his hands.

"Mel, no. Baby, this … This is nowhere near your fault. Don't—don't do that."

Tears slid down Melinda's face.

"I don't know if she's hurt, if she's sick, or scared. I don't know if she's hungry or cold."

Melinda shook her head as Dean moved closer to her, wrapping his arm around her as she leaned into him.

"I'm supposed to be the one to make sure she's all right. I'm supposed to take care of her, and I—I just—"
"Mel, stop."

She shook her head as she let out a sob, as Dean blew out a breath. He stood up, bending down to lift her into his arms. Melinda laid her head on his shoulder as he carried her, bridal-style, back into the house. He walked through the kitchen, ignoring her parents' wide eyes, passing her Aunt Phoebe outside Hailey's room, ignoring her mouth dropping open as he carried Melinda back to their bedroom. He laid her on the bed, crawling up beside her when she wouldn't let him go. He gathered her in his arms, pulling her close to him, whispering gently.

"Let go, Mel. Just rest and let it go."

She gave a snort through her tears.

"Let it go? You really think I can sleep right now?"

Dean smiled and shrugged his shoulders. Melinda shook her head as she curled into him. Her voice was quiet when she spoke.

"I don't think I'll ever be able to sleep again."

But she did. She fell asleep right there, in that big bed, wrapped up in the comfort and safety of Dean's arms. Her head was on his shoulder, one hand clutched in his shirt. And as she slept, she dreamed of happier times.

"And then Tony was like, 'Oh, hell no. Not in my shop.' And just whaled on the guy!"

Melinda stood just outside the bathroom, both hands on the sink. She was bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet, a repetitive motion she'd been repeating for nearly two minutes. Her calf muscles burned, but she could barely feel it. Dean was in the shower, and he kept right on talking to her, not even realizing that she wasn't answering him. She tuned back in to his rambling just in time.

"Did I tell you about the new guy, Mel? Said his name was Cas. Total hippie."
"Are you serious?"
"He's got a few screws loose, I know. But he seems like a good guy. Kinda lost."

Melinda bit her bottom lip as she looked over at her phone. One more minute. She could hang on for one more minute. Right? She kept on bouncing, smiling as she heard Dean curse, muttering about soap in his eyes. She switched the timer on her phone off before it could beep, at the same time that Dean stepped out of the shower. He walked out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist and steam billowing around him as Melinda turned to face him.

"Anyway, I said we'd meet Dad at like, 6, if that's okay with you. Mel?"
"I'm pregnant."

Dean froze, staring wide green eyes at Melinda. She stood flat-footed next to the sink, the test in her hands. Dean blinked and swallowed.

"What did you just say?"

She smiled as tears shone in her eyes.

"I'm pregnant."

She held out the test, which Dean took in both hands, staring down at it. She coughed as a tear slid down her cheek.

"I—I haven't been feeling 100% for a while, but I thought it was just some little bug or something."
"Or something."

Melinda nodded, but Dean just stared at the test. She went on with her story.

"I, uh… I was late. I've never been late a day in my life, so… I—I thought I should… Dean, say something. Please."

He lifted his head, saw the pleading in her watery blue eyes. He couldn't help the grin that spread across his face, the laughter that bubbled up.

"You're pregnant?"

Melinda nodded, and Dean just laughed, setting the test aside to take her in his arms, cradle her face in his hands and kiss her deeply. After a moment, he pulled back, keeping her face in his hands.

"We're having a baby?"
"Looks that way."
"I love you."

She meant to say it back, was going to, but he covered her mouth with his again, and she just decided she'd tell him later.

They were late for dinner that night, too.

"Dean!"

He ran in from the garage, motor oil staining his shirt.

"What?"

She was standing at the sink, her hands dripping water and bubbles from the dishes she'd been washing. She turned to look at him, blue eyes wide. He repeated himself.

"Mel, what?"
"It moved."

Dean blinked.

"What moved?"
"The baby, you idiot!"

He straightened, walking over to her.

"Are you sure?"

She blew out her breath as she reached and grabbed a dishtowel.

"Yes, I'm sure! I was just standing here, and all of a sudden, it was like a … a fluttering. Like butterfly wings, right here."

She took his hand, pressing it against the tiny belly she had. A moment passed, and she let out a laugh.

"Did you feel it?!"

Dean shook his head.

"I didn't feel anything, Mel."

She sighed, turning to face him.

"It's moving, Dean. The baby—our baby is moving."

"Dean. Are you asleep?"
"Yes."
"Well, wake up."

He let out a groan, moving over to grip the pillow tighter. He heard an exasperated sigh behind him, then let out a curse as light flooded his sensitive eyes.

"Damn it, Mel."
"Are you awake now?"

He sat up, giving an impressive yawn before turning to her.

"Yes, my lovely wife. I am awake now. What can I do for you?"

She bit her cheek, but smiled at him.

"Give me your hand."

Dean sighed, but did as she asked. She turned his hand, palm down, and laid it low on her belly. The belly was quite impressive now, and she could no longer button her jeans. She'd taken to stealing his, refusing to buy maternity pants, even at six months' along. Dean sighed. He knew what she was doing, and it never worked. Every time the baby would kick, or start moving, Melinda would yell for him, or run to him, grabbing his hand and clamping it on her belly. And as soon as he touched her, the baby would stop.

"Mel—"
"Hang on."

He let out a sigh, then snapped his head to her belly as he felt a tender thump against his hand. His eyes were wide as he met hers.

"Was that…?"
"Finally."

His eyes stayed wide, his mouth open, as he brought his other hand to stretch across her stomach.

"Hang on."

Melinda grunted as she moved around, pulling the shirt—one she'd stolen from him—up over her belly. Dean stared at her bare skin, then laid his hands on it. She sucked in a breath at his touch, but he barely heard it. Melinda guided his hand to just above her hipbone, and he jumped as he felt another kick. Another followed quickly after, and he looked up to Melinda with a smile on his face. She was smiling back at him.

"Guess who's not sleepy tonight?"

She breathed a laugh as another kick hit Dean's hand.

"We're active tonight. Oh, hey. I learned a trick today. Watch this."

Melinda took his hand, moving it around, then gently pressing it into her belly. A second later, the baby kicked that spot. She moved his hand again, pressing down, smiling when the answering kick came.

"I think she wants to play."
"Maybe he does."

Melinda smiled as she reached over to run a hand through Dean's hair. He kept staring at her stomach, gently pushing, smiling when he felt the baby. She kept running her fingers through his hair, talking softly.

"I had a couple of sips of Peyton's Mountain Dew today. God, she went crazy!"

Melinda laughed, causing Dean to smile.

"I just … I can't believe I finally got to feel it. It's so …"
"Awesome?"
"Awesome!"

Melinda laughed, reaching over to flick off the lights. She nestled down into the bed, and Dean moved close to her, keeping a hand on her stomach.

"I love you, Mel."
"Not as much as I love you, Winchester."
"You'll go to hell for lying like that."

Melinda's laugh rang out, then faded as she drifted off to sleep, a little kick against Dean's hand the last thing she registered.