The first thing Dean did when he arrived was pull Madison into an empty room and spank her bottom. When her face bubbled into sobs, he sat back onto the floor, pulling her close and rocking her gently. "Maddy, you can't ever do that again. I have never been so scared in my life," he pressed kisses to her wet cheeks. "I don't know what I'd do if anything ever happened to you."

"I just wanted to see my brother," she hiccuped as he tenderly pushed back strands of her tear soaked blonde hair so they wouldn't fall into her eyes. "Dad's gone...and he's not coming back."

"Oh, Maddy," Dean sighed audibly. Seeing his sister cry broke his heart. "I don't know where Dad is, but I can guarantee he is going to do everything he can to get back to his family. Dad's not going down without fight. He's not one to give up and we're not going to either."

"We have to find him," she sniffled wiping her nose against her forearm. "Maybe if Sam..."

"Stop right there, Madison," he tilted her chin so he could look into her green eyes. "Sam doesn't want this life anymore. I will not take responsibility for dragging him back into it."

"If you won't, I will," Madison pushed away from his chest suddenly and spoke with a defiant set to her chin.

"Madison Elizabeth, you listen to me, and you listen good," he paused, considering how to present the next part. "Your brother is not to know about Dad. He has his new life. He's getting an education and you know how important that is to him. He and Jessica are engaged. Seriously, Maddy, do you think it would be good for us to drag him away from all of this?"

"But this is different," she argued not realizing how much her voice projected across the apartment. "Dad's in trouble and he needs all of us together!"

"Madison Elizabeth Winchester, keep your voice down," Dean warned as she pulled away and stood glaring at him. The Winchester family left no room for disobedience. Maddy knew she was treading on thin ice, but Sam needed to know. Besides, her bottom was already sore so what else could she lose. Dean postured himself so he was towering over his little sister. Normally this was intimidating, but not this time.

"You don't get to make all the decisions for this family just 'cuz you're the oldest! Sometimes you don't know what's best for us and now is one of those times!"

The nerve in Dean's jaw twitched, she'd hit him where it hurts. "You are this close to getting my belt across your bottom, young lady," he held his fingers up measuring the distance. Madison's face paled. Her brother had only ever followed through on that threat once and it had not been a pleasant experience, to put it lightly. "Do you understand?"

"Yes," she grumbled until he cleared his throat. "Yes, Sir."

The door flew open and the siblings looked up to see Sam standing there. From the look on his face, they could tell he'd heard more than Dean would have liked. Madison took the opportunity to run toward her younger brother. He caught her around the waist, lifting her up and wiping a tear from her cheek before letting her balance on his hip with her arms around his neck. He'd heard everything from the bathroom and was hoping to ignore it, only stepping in because he knew he needed to protect Maddy from herself. That girl didn't know when to keep her mouth shut with Dean or Dad.

"Dad's in trouble?" Sam asked as rectorical question.

Dean ran his fingers through his sandy brown hair in frustration, this was exactly what he hadn't want to see happen.

"He's missing," Madison informed him ignoring Dean's sigh. "We've tried and tried to call him, but he's not answering his phone. Something's wrong."

"Maddy, we don't know that for sure," Dean tried to backpedal wishing to not to stir up more of his brother's curiosity. Sammy was better off at school.

"But he always checks in...he always calls to see how we're doing and you know it, Dean!"

Dean did know it. There was no good response but to acknowledge her statement as truth. Their father had never been away more than a day without checking on his kids through one method of communication or another. Deep inside, Dean's heart ached for his little sister. She looked so young wrapped in Sam's arms. Over the past week, her sleep had been so broken by nightmares and fevers he would be surprised if she'd gotten two consecutive hours. Dark shadows circled her sunken eyes. When had she lost so much weight? He shook his head, his mind unable to wrap itself around their father's disappearance. He was in over his head and he knew it.

"Dean...Dean?" Sam's voice pulled him out of the swirling pool of thoughts although Dean wasn't sure how many times his younger brother had repeated his name just to get a response. "What was he hunting?"

"The demon," Dean's explanation was simple yet held all the information needed. The demon was the same thing that started their Father's obsession with chasing down the powers of darkness 13 years ago when their mother died over Madison's crib.

Their silence was interrupted by a sniffle. "Dad's not coming back, is he?"

"Oh, Maddy," Sam wiped a tear off her cheek with his thumb, pressing a kiss in it's place. She rested her head on his shoulder, clinging to the comfort of his arms.

"Hey," Dean stepped forward switching gears immediately, "We are going to find him, Madison. I promise you that. We aren't going to give up until we do."

Maddy's point of view

My brothers had stayed up all night discussing possibilities and running through scenarios. Each led to more questions than the first. Sam was willing to come with us, but he had a big important interview on Monday that would determine the outcome of his life. I slept on the love seat across from the couch where Dean lay uncomfortably.

"Dean?" I whispered into the darkness. I knew he was still awake, I knew his breathing.

"Madison?" she could hear his grin even without seeing it.

"Is it really gonna be the three of us again?" Man I missed that, the way it used to be.

"At least for a few days, Maddy," he shifted on the sofa. "But Sam's life is here now and we can't take him away from that."

"But it's what dad would want," I interjected.

"But..."

"No, don't but me, Dean!" I argued stubbornly. "He belongs with us. We're his family, we're all he has."

"Get some sleep, Madison," he growled in a tone that betrayed his fondness for me.

"Dean?" I whispered after another moment of silence.

"Yeah?" he knew I wasn't done.

"I'm glad we're together again," I sighed before snuggling up beneath the covers. That night, I slept soundly for the first time in months. When I awoke, the smell of coffee and waffles filled the apartment. The sofa where Dean slept was empty, but when I listened carefully, I could hear Dean and Sam's hushed voices coming from the kitchen. Stifling a yawn, I crawled off the love seat, taking a moment to shake off the stiffness in my muscles from having slept in such a small space. I attempted to slip into the room undetected, but Sam noticed the moment I entered.

"Morning, sleepyhead," he greeted with a smirk. Reaching up, I patted my hairline to determine just why he was so amused. My hair stood on end every which way. Embarrassed, I combed it down with my fingers. Dean poured me a cup of black coffee and set it down at the table before gesturing me to join them.

"Mads, Sam and I discussed it and we decided it'd be best if you stayed with Bobby this weekend while we look into Dad's disappearance. You're too worn down from the nightmares you've been having, and quite honestly, I just don't want to have to worry about protecting you."

"That's bullish…." I began, but Dead stopped me dead in my tracks with one look.

"You're not coming and that's the end of this discussion!" his tone held finality giving me no option to argue.

Sam's weak smile was sympathetic as he set a waffle down in front of me covered with strawberries and whipped cream in the shape of a smiley face. He'd obviously spent too much time in this place because waffles with smiles had no place in our world.

"Hey, how about Sunday evening when we get back, you and me go see a movie or do something normal for a change. Hmmm?"

I faked a smile so he wouldn't feel bad and nodded. There was a knock at the door and I looked up to see Uncle Bobby and Chris through the window. Normally I'd be thrilled to see them both, but today was not that day. Instead, I chose to ignore them all and dig into my breakfast though it was now lunchtime. I think normal people referred to it as brunch, but then again, we'd never been normal.

Chris took a seat beside me and leaned over to steal a bite. I stabbed him playfully with my fork, but not before he stole 1/4 of my belgian waffle.

"So, what're we going to do this weekend?" he asked, nonchalantly.

I turned my glare toward Dean, "Nothing," I responded, icily. "I'm doing NOTHING."

"Don't do that, Mads," he shook his head, "You're not going to make me feel guilty about keeping you safe so you can stop with that poor little girl routine right now or you and I are going to need to go have another little talk."

"Dad would let me go," I snapped, but Dean wouldn't have any of it. He jerked me out of the chair by my arm, dragging me painfully into the next room where he planted a hard smack on my bottom.

Dean's tone lowered, "Do you see Dad here?" I knew he wasn't trying to be cruel, but his question mixed with the pain on my lower end brought tears to my eyes. The next time he spoke, his voice was gentle. "I can't control much about what happens to those I love right now, but I can tell you I do not want to worry about your safety while we search for him. Please, Mads."

The look of defeat on his face was enough for me to drop the attitude. Turning my attention to the cuticles on my chipped, black nails, I bit my lip enough to prevent the waterworks that were fighting to the surface. Resolved not to show weakness, I stuck my chin out and lifted my eyes to look at him. His gaze was gentle and perhaps even concerned. I knew he was tired as well. He always managed to get up with me whenever I was sick or awakened by a nightmare. Whenever I needed him, he was there covering for Sam and Dad's absence, trying to be the parent I needed and making up for what we both lacked.

"Just go with Uncle Bobby and try to stay out of trouble. We'll talk more when I get back. OK?" he shrugged, "I know this life isn't easy for you. God, I wish I could offer better. You know, Aunt Syd and Uncle James left the invitation open. We can get you registered in school again. You'd be safe and things could be normal. It's more than I can give you."

"Maybe," I sniffled, "But I'd be alone."

I could see his eyes processing my words. It only took a moment before he opened his arms to me, "Come 'ere." Without hesitation, I threw myself against his chest, allowing him to press a kiss atop my head while rubbing my back in circles. His arms were my safe place. That could never change. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath inhaling his scent so I wouldn't forget it while he was gone. Without a word, he pulled off his hoodie and pulled it down over my head. My need to feel close to him while he was away was no secret. He knew me too well. "Now, don't you go getting all sentimental on me," he ruffled my hair. "Come on, anklebiter, time to go."