Chapter Four

Authors Note: Thanks for reading everyone! If you have any comments, questions, or concerns, please leave us a review or PM us. We hope that you're enjoying this story so far!

Stay tuned for our next update which will be on Christmas! Due to the posting time falling on that day we will have a little surprise for all the readers! Next update we are posting two chapters, one which is a more legitimate chapter and the second which will be a little Christmas special, however we cannot promise how long the special will be.

- A & J

Maple Springs, New York

"Bonding with You and Me"

I sat in the diner with my… dad? I wasn't really sure what to call him, because I didn't think G.I Joe would be his nickname forever but calling him Dean just didn't feel quite right. I mean as a father and daughter pair aren't we supposed to be less formal? Or is that out of the question because we don't really know each other? Did he care one way or another, and would he even respond if I called him dad? Would his response be one like in those sappy moments where he's so proud to be called a father or would he just be uncomfortable? Then our nonexistent relationship would crumble in the dust! The Puppy's nickname had to change too. While he did look a lot like a puppy he was my uncle so eventually I would have to call him something else. Maybe I could call him Uncle Sammy? Gods there was a lot to consider, and it had to suit the two of them as well. With a light sigh I leaned against my hand and looked across the table at my dad who was ordering a few things from the waitress to go, and I didn't miss the smile he tossed her way.

Flirty is certainly an option for him, but that doesn't really sit well with me either. I can't exactly call my own dad a flirt, even if that's what he is. Green eyes? Leather Jacket?

"So..." My dad started, "you're like what? Ten?" He asked and I raised my eyebrow a little. I swear we had a conversation only like ten minutes ago and I clearly stated I was twelve, huh, maybe the mist was actually affecting him or maybe he actually had a not so great memory. Either genetics or maybe he hit his head one too many times fighting ghouls. Couldn't exactly leave him thinking I was ten though I mean I am almost a teenager.

"I'm twelve."

"Twelve… So I was seventeen when I met your mom." He stated. I shrugged and just kept staring at him. "Odd that I can't remember her…" I blinked at that. My mom is beyond gorgeous. Not that I've actually ever met her or saw her myself, but I knew well enough from stories how flawless and beautiful she is. I mean I had to get my good looks from somewhere and usually guys don't forget when they meet Aphrodite.

"She doesn't stick out anywhere?"

"No one comes to mind." I silently huffed at that. "So, what are you thinking about?" He suddenly asked. "You've been staring at me for the past five minutes."

"A lot to process lately." I admitted. "Not only did I finally meet my dad, but I'm going to be traveling the road with him." I beamed. I always liked traveling and car rides surprisingly put me at ease, and I liked watching the scenery pass by the windows. Being at camp 24/7 was never solely fun. Although I do already miss Mattie and even a few of my half siblings. Been a while since I've been able to see them. "Also…" I continued. "I'm not 100% sure what to call you…" I saw him raise an eyebrow now. Like daughter like father I guess with how we both did that to each other.

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"Well, calling you "Dad" doesn't feel quite right since I've only just met you, and calling you "Dean" doesn't quite feel right either. I've been mentally calling you G.I Joe," I don't know how it was possible but his brow rose even more than before. "but that's just because that was the first thing to come to mind since I didn't know your real name. You don't seem the type to go by "Mr. Winchester." either." I explained.

"Ah. I see." He said and sipped on his coffee. "Call me whatever is more comfortable to you. Out of curiosity- what did you call Sammy?" He gave me an ever-so-slight smirk as he asked, curious. I smiled a little to myself.

"Puppy." I didn't miss a beat to say it. Which turned out to be a good thing because he let out a chuckle, and it was an honest to Gods laugh.

"Yea, that suits him." He laughed and took another sip of his coffee. "You're fine to call us Dean and Sam. It won't bother us." He confirmed, and I gave him a slight nod. The waitress came back and handed us our bagged food: Deans double stacked bacon cheeseburger, my BLT with fries, and the salad he had ordered for Sam. Once we had the food in our hands we left the diner and got back in the car to head back to the motel. When we got in the car he turned and looked at me as the salad was sat in my lap.

"Don't worry, I'm not gonna spill his food." I automatically responded to the look, because that was a thing with Mr. Davidson. Don't spill anything in his fancy and oh so special car.

"What? I wasn't really that worried about you spilling the bag," He said, "but don't." he added after a beat, but I had the distinct feeling that there was more to what he wanted to say. So I waited while he started the car in silence. A minute or two ticked by and I was about to attempt charmspeaking him again to get it out of him, but luckily he spoke before I could try. "Feel free to keep calling Sammy "Puppy" that's just too good of an opportunity to pass up." I giggled but somewhere deep down I had a feeling that wasn't exactly what he wanted to say, and honestly I wasn't sure if I wanted to know what it was he was going to say anyways. Call it a gut instinct.

The drive back to the motel was pretty much filled with the music coming from his speakers and neither one of us really spoke. I lightly tapped my fingers on the door handle to the song that was playing, I think it might have been Bad Moon Rising by Creedence Clearwater Revival, because I think Ms. Lucas would listen to this one quite a bit. I will say I actually liked classic rock a lot more than I would ever admit to my sisters or brothers at camp. I had appearances to keep after all. But sitting in the car listening to the music reminded me of the weekends and days I spent in the car with Ms. Lucas. The only person who never abandoned me anywhere.

But I can't say I didn't leave her…

I felt a slight lump in my throat as I thought of her. I wonder if she was ever worried about me, and if she still thought of me. It had been years since I last saw her. For the purpose of staying at camp and not being dragged down to the orphanage again I never contacted her after I ran off with the Satyr. Did she think of me at times or was she too busy now with whatever kids she had to work with, and at a certain point would I be nothing more than a distant memory?

She doesn't think of me anymore, I was probably one of the dozens of children she dealt with. Probably the most troublesome.

The thoughts of Ms. Lucas seemed to vanish when we pulled up to the motel and the music turned off as the engine died down. All I could think of was that I was going to be staying with my dad and uncle after years of searching and wondering why. This was going to be my home now; in this car going to motels and diners. I bet no one at camp expected that me of all people, that Camilla Hale, was going to be actively monster hunting. I tried not to scoff at the thought and walked with my head held high into the motel. The Puppy was typing away on his computer when I sat the bag that contained his salad down on the table, and I was glad that at least one of these two ate pretty healthy meals.

Later that night in the motel I waited for the two men to fall asleep while I laid on a couch. Apparently my dad was a little nervous about letting his new daughter sleep alone in a different room. I don't know whether that was because he was nervous I was gonna run away (which was highly unlikely). Or that a monster was gonna come out of my closet and eat me (which was actually a good like twenty to eighty chance). Regardless I laid on my side curled into the blanket that I draped over the musty couch cushions when I heard the bed creek and someone quietly shuffling around. I kept my eyes closed and my breathing even, it was a little technique I learned when I was bouncing around foster homes. I wondered who was awake but I didn't want to blow my cover by looking, and then there were boots on the floor and the door opened. A cold breeze drifted into the room and I pulled the blanket a little more firmly over my shoulders-whoever was awake was going outside-and then the door closed and the room started to warm up. Noted. I would want to bring a jacket outside.

When I sat up in my makeshift bed, Sam was gone. My dad was still out cold on the other bed but I heard the car's engine start and lights grazed over the window as the sound of the engine drifted away. So I guess now is as good of a chance as any, because right now the only person I had to worry about waking up was the man sleeping on the bed since the other one decided to take a midnight car drive. I quietly rose from the couch, and for once I was thankful it wasn't a creaking bed frame while I moved over to my duffel where I had an outfit laid out for tomorrow. Thankfully I had the foresight to lay out my favorite rose gold scarf on top of the shirt; because the last thing I needed was to wake up my dad by unzipping and then zipping up the duffel bag of all things. If I were a normal kid there would be no way that I could sneak out successfully, because even my light footsteps had him stirring slightly. Dean had an awareness that was pretty good for a mortal but it had nothing compared to some of the Demi Gods I knew.

I didn't bother to put on shoes, since I was a little nervous that would create too much noise that would wake up the sleeping man. Instead I crept along the floor over to the door and opened it slowly and slid my body out of the door frame. I carefully slid the door shut with a soft click and then went down to the pool area where they had little grills. Don't worry security cameras, this was only gonna be the weirdest thing you see all year! That is if the mist doesn't cover it up to look like a little girl wanted to cook some hot dogs but clearly had no skill in doing so. Wait. That would be weird too so I guess one way or another this was going to be a weird sight. I climbed over the gated fence and walked over to the grill and set the scarf down on top of it and turned the dial to flip on the gas. Thankfully with a life like mine I got used to carrying around lighters in my pockets, because you never know when you suddenly want to send Mommy Dearest an offering.

I was grateful as I watched the scarf burn. In my Demi-God Fashion class 101 we were advised to only buy natural fibers in clothing. I know that sounds a little weird but there was a genuine reason my older sister stressed that point so much. As it turns out, synthetic fabric when exposed to extreme heat like, lets say, a flame (again super likely to be exposed to fire in my life) melts! Onto your skin! Ouch and gross on all levels. Now natural fibers have a different effect because they turn to ash and then flake off your skin and can be rinsed off. A really important distinction really, and so I sat there for maybe a half hour watching it turn to ash on the grill. Maybe I should go through my dad and uncle's duffels later and see what kind of fibers their clothes have, and hopefully they don't have too many synthetics in their closets.

"For you mom, just like I promised." I said before climbing back over the fence after I made sure that everything had burned up for my mom. "So thanks, for helping me get this far." I walked back down the sidewalk to the motel room and looked at the little red light on the door and froze.

You have got to be joking. How did I forget to bring a key?

Suddenly my whole sneaking around and burning my scarf in tribute to my mom seemed less like a good idea and more like an awfully miscalculated step. I stared at the door while I tried to wrack my brain on what to do. Climb through the window?

On come on Camilla, that would wake him up so fast! Not to mention I'm pretty sure I saw him lock and salt the window sill. Something about creating a protective barrier from all things that shout boo or want to take your soul.

I wanted to save knocking and waking up my dad to let me back in for a last resort, because then that would require having an excuse to tell him. The furthest I got on that end was half considering jumping into the pool and saying that I wanted to take a swim at one in the morning because the urge was suddenly there. I doubted that he would think too much of it considering I was a "kid" to him. As I thought about the consequences of jumping into a pool with magically styled hair, lights suddenly hit me from the parking lot and I whirled around and dropped into a crouch to fish out a knife that I carefully tucked into my pants. The lights died down and I saw that it was a car light, from my dads car, which my uncle was getting out of. Well... Mom this was either incredible luck or the worst possible timing. I didn't really have time to think about which one.

"Camilla?" I could practically hear the concern in his voice as he stared me down in the parking lot. I must have either looked very suspicious outside at this hour of the night or he was worried because I was his twelve year old niece (who attracts monsters) and was standing all alone outside in a sketchy motel parking lot. I briefly considered pretending that I was sleep walking but somehow I doubt a sleepwalker suddenly grabs a knife when they see lights. So that option was out before I could even try it.

"Heeeeeyyy Sam…" I said, quickly slipping the knife back into my pants, and standing to look at him.

"What are you doing out this late?" He asked. At this point the concern was starting to drain from his voice and he looked more suspicious. Great going Camilla. You have not been in their lives for more than twelve hours and you're already slipping up. Although I could have asked him the same thing, you know, considering he was out late at night and potentially doing something dangerous. While he may have been an adult who could do what he pleased, most people don't sneak out unless they have something secretive their doing. I mean my situation is a prime example!

"I… uh…" My mind scrambled to find an excuse. "I'm on my period." I blurted with a little less confidence that I would have liked to have. Puppy's face dropped a little, and so I guess that lack of confidence was thought of as embarrassment. Which was another emotion I was currently feeling so it wasn't as if it was too far off. I continued with my current lie though. "I completely forgot to pack… uh… feminine hygiene… because I was in such a rush, and I didn't keep track of what week of the month it was... " I tried explaining. "I went down to the motel lobby to see if they had a pad or tampon dispensary in their bathroom, but the door is locked…" After a light pause, Puppy let out an ever-so-slight chuckle and gave me a slight smile.

"Need me to take you to a store?" He asked. I flushed a little in embarrassment.

"Yes please… I'm sorry." I looked down a little. While yes this was all a lie, it still felt embarrassing to ask for that of all things within 24 hours of meeting them! Gods I just wanted the ground to swallow me now. However I wasn't quite ready to go to Lord Hades so I walked a little slowly over to my dad's car. Puppy slid back into the car and I shuffled over to the passenger side and slid in as well. He pulled out of the parking lot, and it was very weird to see how differently they drove. I saw Dean speed at least ten times during our trip, and Sam was going the exact speed limit. So one of them clearly cared a little more about the traffic laws than the other one.

"So, what were you doing up this late?" I asked after some time as he pulled into the parking of a Walgreens. Thank the gods they were open for 24 hours.

"I couldn't sleep." He told me as he put the car in park. "Driving or walking around helps me calm down a little." He explained. I nodded and we dashed in, grabbed the stuff, Puppy paid, and we dashed out. After that it was a pretty silent drive back, until the very end. "I'm sorry if we scared you earlier." He started. "Like Dean said, I would have preferred that you never had to know about this stuff, but it's better than keeping you in the dark. Just stick close to us, do as we say, and you won't get hurt by anything." He calmly warned. He seemed to genuinely care about me and my safety. It warmed my heart a little, to be cared about by someone else other than one of the campers.

Other than Ms. Lucas too.

"It's okay." I responded. "I knew this was going to be a very emotional week, but I didn't think it was going to have as many… roller coasters as it did." I let out a slightly uneasy breath. "Anyways, I'm just happy I found you guys." I confessed and gave him one of my heart-melting smiles. Despite all of the crazy and scary moments that were constantly going one since I arrived here I felt at peace. While the actual relationship with these two was going to be a bumpy road, they are willing to try. That's all I needed. I just wanted someone to try so even if this didn't work out the best at least I know there was an effort put in. But my Gods I hope that this will work out.

"I… This life isn't going to be an easy one, and we will be on the road a lot." Sam said as he turned into the parking lot of the motel. "I think Dean said that tomorrow we were gonna pull off the road somewhere more isolated to set up some shooting targets for you. Practice a little bit every day."

"Shooting targets?" I asked. "Shooting with what?" I blinked. What they do wasn't so dangerous they would actually use guns. Right?

They were going to shoot you with guns earlier remember?

"With guns." Puppy confirmed. Guns. The name had weight to it. I always saw them in shows on the T.V, and Chiron had, of course, warned us about them while we were out and about on quests, but I didn't think that I would be actually using one. Ever. "Shotguns and pistols mainly." He continued. "Throwing knives might suit you too."

Well I wasn't Annabeth with a knife by any means but I did alright. Archery wasn't really my forte either. I preferred close combat, but I could see why Sam and Dean were concerned, considering my height and my age. They don't know what training I've had to endure to get to where I am. I've only been at the camp for four years but, I'd say I've improved quite a bit. I have to be careful when it came to details about camp… I'm still not sure how they would take it. Not to say they wouldn't believe me, I definitely think they would, but I don't know if they would be okay with the fact I'm not entirely… human.

I felt a little pit in my stomach forming at the thought. Did they hunt Demi-Gods too? Or would they if they knew that they were related to one. I mean there have been some fanatics that did crazy things in the name of their religion, although I wouldn't say that I was one of them or even close. Sure I sacrificed to my mother almost nightly but it wasn't like I was killing Gizmo the cat and tossing him in a fire. I gave my mom clothing or foods that I thought she would enjoy or that I personally liked. I can't even begin to describe how many croissants that I offered up to her in the past month. Clearly the pastries were the way to go because look where I am now.

When we pulled into the parking space outside of the motel room Sam was the first one out, although I was not far behind him. I followed my uncle up to the door, and watched as he unlocked the door with his keycard. I still couldn't believe I forgot that damn thing. Still, it made for good conversation with my uncle, so I can't complain too much. I felt like we bonded a little in the car so you know, a win is a win. We went inside and I was fully prepared to collapse into my little makeshift bed and sleep till morning, but fate as it would seem had different plans for me. Because the moment we walked in the light flipped on and Dean was sitting on the edge of his bed. I glanced at the time and it was almost two in the morning. We were gone a little longer than I had thought.

"Where were you two? I woke up to find you both missing. To find baby missing." Dean didn't sound very happy when he spoke and it made me stop walking. Almost made me stop breathing for a moment too- not gonna lie. I almost forgot how scary he can be. If I wasn't so freaked about the way he was glaring at us I might have taken offence to being called baby, twelve, remember?

"Well..." Sam struggled a little with what he wanted to say, but honestly my mind was caught on the fact that telling my dad I was sacrificing my scarf to Mom, who was a Goddess, was not the best way to tell them I was a Demi-God.

"I… Locked myself outside, when I tried to go to the motel lobby for… something..."

"Something," He emphasized the word as if I dishonored his cow. His eyes were narrowed into a little scowl and honestly if looks could kill I would have been dead already. "What something?" He asked, still seeming kind of angry. I swallowed the lump in my throat and vaguely wondered if this was what dads did.

"I'm on my period." I stated, and in an attempt to show my surrender I held up the box of tampons I had previously clutched to my chest. He quickly went from anger, to confusion, to almost fear as he processed that I am indeed a girl, and this is now a routinely, monthly thing that happens. His facial expression was something that I could only describe as "oh" sort of when you're suddenly feeling sheepish and maybe a little bit (or a lot bit) uncomfortable. My poor dad was as white as a sheet and he looked a little petrified. This moment was forever captured in my memory as I was half horrified and half amused. Too bad there wasn't a camera to capture this lovely family moment.

"So where the hell were you then Sammy?" He demanded, seemingly turning his anger around on my uncle rather than me. Which I won't lie, was welcomed. I would sacrifice Puppy to my dads wrath any day if it meant I got out of it unscathed.

"She can't drive your car Dean, she's twelve." Sam deadpanned and honestly that was a little smooth of him. The man was a professional bullshitter, and I was a little proud. What a family. "I saw her and when I asked what she was doing she explained the situation. So I loaded her up in the car and ran her to the store so she could take care of the issue she was having."

I silently cheered as Uncle Puppy was defending me, which took his previous status of potential Bad Dog completely off the record and he was now forever more the Good Puppy. Until he messes up again. Or wears something awful, like… Leg warmers… Orange ones would be even worse. Not likely to happen, but has potential. He already has a lot of plaid and luckily for him it's in season right now, but I have take points off for wearing multiple plaid shirts at once. I have a thing or two to teach these two. Another day.

"U-Um… Well then… Go get situated Cammi." Cammi? Did he just… "We have an early day ahead of us and I want to be checked out and on the road by 7:30am." I cannot believe he called me Cammi, what a… what a uncute name! Mattie tried that once and I promptly put clown makeup on his face for two solid days, and made his hair bright yellow. Not blond. Highlighter Yellow. I shiver just thinking about it, and dashed into the bathroom. Unfortunately I couldn't put makeup on him for calling me that, especially when he doesn't know what I am. I was just barely closing the door when I heard my dad and Sam talk.

"Is this going to be… regular?" He asked.

"Yea Dean. Girls have periods." Sam stated as-a-matter-of-factly, but I didn't miss the amusement in his voice.

"Son of a bitch…" His voice sounded almost defeated. "I'm going back to bed." He groaned and I could hear movement outside my door and a chuckle escape from Uncle Puppy.

I pretended to "get situated" for about five minutes in the bathroom and came back out, stuffed the box in my duffel and covered my face with my blanket and tried to delete the last hour from my memory. All except my dad's priceless facial expression.

Author's Note:

Responding to the comments on Celestial Bronze, so we liked everything that we were reading about your guys responses (MangoCheese, AACM25, Ylandiir). Because we found it interesting to think about, and honestly we have to agree with Ylandiir. My co-writer and I discussed the matter and we agree that when a Demon possesses a human they also are effected by things that hurt the demon. Such as holy water burning them or people dying when trying to exorcise the demon. But we loved everyone's responses! So thank you for participating, and look forward to the next question.

Skyggedrage: thank you for the kind words! We are glad you're enjoying it so far!

Ylandiir: Dean finding out will certainly be an event, and we imagine that he probably won't be taking it too well.

Eternal Wanderer: we are happy to hear you're enjoying the perspective and the childishness of Camilla. We try to really keep the notion of her being a child in mind when we write (its super weird being 23 and writing about a 12 year old girl).

Question: how do you think the Gun training is gonna go for Camilla?

Trivia: Camilla is a huge fan of Aly and AJ. Her current favorite song is "Like Whoa".