Chapter 7

The morning came. I didn't need sleep. Neither did Richard, however he chose to amuse himself by indulging in a nap. I shrugged my shoulders and watched the outside. The others proceeded slowly into the main sitting area. Bobby stared at me for a moment. He wore the expression of a troubled man.

"Don't worry," I said, "I don't need sleep".

"Okay," Bobby nodded.

"Is it over?" John asked.

I shrugged. I turned my attention back to the window.

I knew that it was time I returned to Hell. I needed to discover what was really going on. I knew that there had to be others. The rumors were apparently true. I thought of the best rumor hound I had in Hell. Her name was Coolbeans. She was good at finding out gossip and anything else that no one wanted found. I smiled to myself. She was among the first of the spawn but she was at least decent in terms of how she handled things. She preferred to remain in Hell. I was constantly amazed at what she could discover. I would get her to figure this out for me. Personally I always felt that she was enjoying a bit of rebellion. That suited me perfectly fine. I had had to do my share of fighting in Hell to preserve my staff. I thought of her husky way of speaking and the cryptic method of her writing. It always drove everyone else nuts that she knew everything.

I felt a tug on my skirt. I looked down at the little hand holding on me. I smiled at Dean. He waved his hand for me to kneel beside him. I smiled at this. Children were always able to get around any defense. I knelt.

"What you did," Dean whispered.

I nodded.

"Thanks," he kissed my chin.

I smiled as he ran back to his father. John frowned at that. I said nothing. I was quite accustomed to children behaving like that.

It was a part of who and what I was. I had accepted it a long time ago. I turned my attention again to outside the house. Then I saw it, the flash of light. I went to the door and opened it. I felt my arm being grabbed. I turned to face Richard.

"Kelsey," he whispered.

"You're the one who wanted this favor," I reminded him.

"You do know he's not alone," Richard continued.

"I know," I nodded.

Richard released my arm. The others stood staring at us. Pastor Jim was holding Sammy. I smiled and walked through the door.

I heard the door slam shut behind me. I walked steadily across the road to the open field. I stopped. I looked directly ahead of me. Raphael appeared. I waited for him to speak.

"That was a huge favor," Raphael said.

"I take it, that it's over?" I smiled tightly.

"Yes," Raphael nodded.

"I know he's here," I said.

"Well, of course you do," a voice said behind me.

"Michael," I stated flatly.

"It would help if you faced me," Michael whispered.

I glanced at him through the corner of my eyes. He had chosen to retain his form. It was a good thing that long hair was coming back into vogue.

Michael stood beside Raphael. He nodded in the direction of the house.

"They're all safe in there," he said.

"You could have reversed what happened to the baby," I accused.

"Yes," Michael admitted, "but we have our reasons".

"This isn't a good idea," I gritted.

"Being upset isn't going to help Denri," Michael said quietly, "Perhaps we've allowed you to stay with them too long in Hell".

"You can't move me," I argued.

Michael stared at me for a moment. He said nothing. I narrowed my eyes. He couldn't move me. He didn't have the power. I left of my own volition. I stayed in Hell. They couldn't possibly…

Raphael looked at me with distressed eyes. I was still one of them. I was only there because it suited their purpose.

"Of course," I nodded.

"Of course what?" Michael prodded.

"The war isn't over," I shook my head.

"Did you really think it was?" Michael asked.

I closed my eyes for a moment. I thought of those two boys in that house. I thought of the loss of their mother. I thought about the fact that they had in fact also lost their father, the man who John Winchester would have been.

I started to walk away from them.

"We've not come to an agreement yet," Michael called.

I stopped and turned. I waited for him to speak.

"We've got a long time, but one day I'll need you to do something," Michael said.

"I know what your deals are like Michael," I answered.

"That was a huge thing that you did for Richard," Michael observed.

"Yes, Raphael told me that," I told him.

"Did Raphael also mention what kind of demon we had to fight?" Michael asked.

That got my attention. I admit I was curious as to what it was they had to fight.

"No, he didn't," I replied. I knew that Michael wanted me to admit this.

"It was one of the Fallen," Michael placed his face close to mine.

"How did a human cross a Fallen?" I was curious.

"That's what I wanted to know as well," Michael nodded.

He was angry. I had only ever seen him angry once. That was when the war first broke out. It was a frightening thing to behold. However he never seemed to be angry when dealing with me. But he tended to forget that I was not one of his soldiers to command. Michael liked to overlook that fact. Yet others followed him. He was adept in battle.

"I take it you found out," I returned his stare.

Michael walked away from me. I also hated the fact that he would do that as well. He was very cryptic when it suited him.

Raphael smiled at me for a moment.
"He was the one who fought it," he said.

"I figured," I smiled at him.

"Tell him to be careful," Raphael nodded. Then he turned and walked away.

I stood in the field for a moment. I looked back at the house. I had to tell Richard what had happened. Although what I really wanted to do was to tear him apart. He knew what he was up against. He could have done battle without having to involve them. But there was something that I didn't know. So until then, Richard would keep part of his head intact.

I sighed heavily, and then walked back to the house. I opened the door and found Richard waiting. The others made themselves a bit too busy. My mouth twisted in a half smile. It was a good ploy on their part.

"Well?" Richard demanded.

"I need a shovel," I said.

"A what?" Richard's head snapped up.

"A shovel," I repeated.

"What do you need a shovel for?" Richard demanded.

"To hit you upside the head," I answered.

I walked away from Richard and stormed outside.

I threw myself onto the porch railing. I had to return to Hell. I knew this. I had been gone long enough. If I were gone too long, things would start to go haywire. I walked a dangerous path where the newsletter was concerned. I had to protect the ones who were in my care. I was not going to let anyone endanger them.

I heard the door open. I looked up and saw John headed toward me. He seemed genuinely concerned. I said nothing as he took a seat on the windowsill. He studied me for a moment.

"I take it that you're leaving," he said.

"I have to go back," I smiled.

"I see," John nodded.

"I don't suppose I could convince you to start over somewhere and raise your boys. Forget all this stuff?" I asked.

"No," John shook his head.

"You loved her that much?" I questioned.

"Yes," John lowered his head.

I watched him for a moment. The pain was still so raw for him. It was the sort of pain that could refuse to heal.

"You have two beautiful children John," I said gently, "they need their father".

"They need their mother," John grated.

I sighed. He was stubborn. He had a great deal in common with Elkins.

"Well, I should go," I stood.

He stood as well.

"Will we see you again?" he asked suddenly.

"I'm always around," I replied, "Of course, I wonder if you're going to change from being such a stubborn son of a bitch".

"Nope," John smiled.

Again I thought of the devastating effects of that smile. I shook my head.

"See you around John," I told him. I walked down the steps across the field and then disappeared.