seven


The musky bar he sat in was like most Sam and Dean visited – brick walled, old furniture. Most people wore just a shirt and jeans, more casual than the bars and clubs Sam imagined most people his age would be in. He was hunched over some newspapers and his father's journal, two beers sitting in front of and he'd barely sipped one. Dean was off at the bar; he'd told some girls that he was a reality TV scout looking for people with 'special skills.' His older brother had brought him another beer not long before, effectively 'double parking' him.

As Sam read over the headline for the hundredth time, he furrowed his brows.

Couples throats slashed in own home

Of course, it wasn't just monsters who could slit someone's throat. Humans were no doubt capable, but the circumstances had peaked Sam's interest. No prints, no hair, no nothing. He sighed as he gathered the papers together, bringing the already-sipped beer to his lips. It was no use reading the article over and over – they'd go by the victim's house tomorrow, use the EMF.

Sam felt the table vibrate under him, his second beer (which was far too full) almost spilling. He placed his beer down and shuffled the newspapers around until he found his phone. Next text message flashed upon the small screen on the front of the flip phone, and he pried it open, curiosity peaked.

Dean isn't responding to my texts, safe to assume he's passed out in a ditch somewhere?

He smiled as he caught a glimpse of the name, letting out a small chuckle. Effy had messaged him a couple of times in the four days since he'd called her. It'd only been little things – mainly Effy was updating them on their absent fathers. She was barely hearing from Paul these days either, the older Bennett much too focused on chasing down his father. He took his phone in both hands.

Hitting on girls at a bar. He's a reality TV scout now, haven't you heard?

Sam set the phone down and sipped his beer, his smile bigger when his phone went off again.

Of course! How could I forget?

He figured if she was texting him to get to Dean, it'd have to be kind of important. Things were still pretty awkward, at least for Sam. Like they were just ignoring the fact that they hadn't talked for two years.

Was it important or can it wait until the hangover?

She'd changed. Well, of course she had. It'd been two years. Sam had changed, too. But she was braver now. Stronger. More self-assured. He wondered what had happened in the last two years for her. Why didn't she go to school? He could've sworn she hated the life more than he did.

Not too important, no. Dad called, hasn't heard anything.

Still, Paul was chasing after his dad. Sam had heard from Dean that John said he would meet Paul and Marie near Bobby's. But John being John, he bailed before they got there. Marie left to care for her own mother, Garrett was in England, and Sera was… somewhere, hunting things no doubt. And Effy stayed behind.

Thanks for checking in.

He looked over to Dean as he sent the text. She talked to Dean an awful lot. They were on the phone to each other at least twice a week, not even including texting. He wondered if Effy cared about Dean in a… different way now. Hell, Sam had never seen Dean even bother with keeping in touch with a girl before. Maybe Dean cared too.

No problem.

He put his phone down and sighed, sipping on his beer again. It was warmer; he'd taken too long to get to it. Running a hand through his hair, Sam found himself wondering if things would ever be like they used to once more. He wanted to go to law school, take his BAR exam and get a job, get a house, maybe even find a wife. Have children. He wanted normal. But it scared him how easily he settled in to the life, how it was like he was meant to be a hunter and nothing else.

Unexpectedly, his phone lit up and vibrated once more.

So if Dean's chasing tail, you must be hunched over books and brooding, right?

Sam allowed himself to laugh.

I guess you could say that.

He sat in silence for a time, wondering what she was doing. He could almost perfectly envision her hunched over and researching, much like he was. Taking over research from Bobby while he lay passed out somewhere. Just as easily, though, he could see her sitting outside somewhere, looking up at the stars with a beer and a cigarette in hand.

You should get some rest, Samwise. I'll call in a couple days.

Sam's mouth curled into a smile at the nickname. He sighed as he gathered his things, finishing his first beer before taking the keys his brother had left him, leaving the second beer for whoever would claim it.

Catcha, Eff.


Effy was always surprised by the sheer amount of stars she could see in Bobby's yard. The old man had passed out hours ago, and the sun had set only two hours past. She brought a cigarette to her mouth and took a drag as she leant against one of the many totalled cars in the yard, inhaling it deeply before smoothly blowing it out of her nose. She wasn't a smoker, she was adamant about that. But sometimes… late at night she'd sneak off outside and light one up as she looked up at the stars, thinking.

She heard a whimper, smiling as she saw a dark, four-legged creature trotting towards her. She reached out and scratched behind its ear. "Hey, Rum." The dog leaned in to her hand, closing his eyes at the satisfaction he felt from the scratching behind his ear. The large dog settled at her feet, lying down beside her. She smiled fondly at him; he was a guard dog, first, but the sweet old thing loved his cuddles.

A dull tingle started in her arm. She uncrossed it from under her breasts and raised it to her eyes. She pulled the sleeve of her chambray shirt up, tracing her fingers where she felt it. It was dark, though she was sure she could see a feint white glow along her skin. She lifted the cigarette back to her mouth, taking another drag as she lowered the sleeve and pressed her arm even harder into her ribs, trying to force it to stop.

Sighing, she flicked the cigarette away. She'd tried to distract herself by texting Dean. She'd told no one about… whatever this was. Whatever was happening to her. She wanted desperately to speak to her Nan, but it would be early morning there. Noelle Wilson would be passed out in her rocking chair, one last drop of port in a glass beside her.

When Dean hadn't answered, Effy texted Sam. She didn't know why. They'd messaged back and forth a couple times, though it always felt awkward and strained. She supposed it was because she needed something, anything else to do other than sit by herself and look up at the stars.


Noelle turned, teapot in hand, pouring two-earl greys in the delicate china she'd treasured for decades. "How's university, ma lune?"

Effy smiled at her Nan's nickname. "It's alright." She nodded as she looked around from where she stood; a deck overlooking the sea from high above, two patio chairs beside her. "How's paradise?"

"Wonderful." Her grandmother smiled over her shoulder as she poured soy milk in to the teas.

Effy furrowed her brows as her eyes scanned the horizon. "You used to come here with Pop, didn't you?" She turned to look at her grandmother. "That's why you moved here."

"Yes." Noelle smiled sweetly as she walked over to her youngest grandchild, passing her a cup of tea before sitting down in her patio chair."

"Thanks, Nana." Effy smiled as she sat in the chair next to her grandmother, holding her tea over her knees as she leaned forward.

"What is wrong, child?" Noelle's amber eyes looked sad as they watched the young Bennett girl. Effy had never dwelled much on why her grandmother's eyes were so unusual – they'd always made her feel at ease, comfortable. Even now, just looking in to her grandmother's eyes were calming her.

She sipped on her tea and her eyes trailed the horizon, eyebrows furrowing in contemplation. "I know Sera and Garrett went to uni. But…" She sighed as she looked to her feet. "They're still…"

"Hunters." Her grandmother finished for her. "Yes, darling." Noelle frowned as her eyes watched Effy intently, studying her, from the wisps of her brown hair down her long floral dress, to the rings on her toes, feet bare. She looked every bit the bohemian Noelle had been in her youth. "And you do not want to be?"

Effy shrugged as she took another sip of the tea. "I kind of just always wanted to be normal." She shook her head. "To not have to worry about my imminent death." SO far, the last year of her life had felt the most normal it ever had. She still spoke to her family on occasion, but she hadn't worn her combat boots in ten months. Hadn't had a pistol strapped to her belt for eleven. "Get a job, have a family." She chuckled before leaning back in the chair. "It sounds so stupid…"

"You will live a long life." Noelle's voice was quiet, but it was no less certain.

Furrowing her brows, Effy looked over to the older woman. "How do you know?"

Noelle chuckled as she sipped her tea, pinky finger lifted. "Believe me, I know." She smiled sweetly as she lowered the tea to her lap. "Am I ever wrong?"

Her grandmother had her there. "No."

"You are destined for great things, child."

Effy snickered as she looked back to the horizon. 'Great things.' That sounded ominously like 'unusual things'. "I don't suppose great things means curing cancer or AIDS?"

Noelle smiled as she set her tea on the small circular table beside them. "One day, you will know what I mean, Elizabeth."

Effy shuddered at her name. "Nan." She mocked a glare at her grandmother.

The Wilson matriarch stood, smiling as she moved to her grandchild and placed a soft kiss on the top of her head, brushing the hair out of her face. "Effy." She said in a warning tone, a sweet smile still tugging at her lips. Effy smiled at her name and brought a hand to her face, cupping her grandmothers. "Much better."


"Supervisor Davidson." Effy lowered her voice and spoke in an American accent as she answered the phone marked 'FBI'.

"Supervisor, I'm Officer Philips calling from Sevierville, requesting confirmation that Agents Leonard and Houlihan have clearance to take over our investigation." A deep southern voice came from the other end. Effy could practically see his wide-legged stance, thumb in his belt and bloody cowboy hat.

She cleared her throat and narrowed her eyes. "I find it somewhat insulting that you think the Bureau would send agents to a town in the middle of nowhere for no good reason, Officer Philips." She paused, stifling a smile. "They have complete clearance, and I would recommend you stay out of their way and help with whatever requests they may make. Am I understood?"

"Understood, ma'am."

Effy smiled. "Wonderful." She hung up before he could respond; worried her accent hadn't been the most convincing. Honestly, she loved answering the phones when Bobby was out. It was a bit of a thrill being such a bitch. A woman in charge. It felt good.

It was evening; Bobby had been called out to tow a car a couple miles away, leaving Effy with the phones and the books. He'd been worried at first, when she'd wanted to work the phones a couple months back. But she'd turned out to be a better actor than even Bobby himself, and had a knack for weeding out the important information in his makeshift library.

She sighed and stood up from the desk; she doubted 'agency' calls would be made again tonight, and she'd only be gone ten minutes. She walked towards the back door, picking up her packet of cigarettes and lighter she'd hidden in the pantry before slipping outside.

It'd been nine days since she'd last been for a cigarette, when she'd texted Sam. The days just shot past so damn fast these days. Dean had texted her a couple times, telling her they were working a case in upstate New York. That Sam had met a girl. Effy smirked as she imagined the disappointment on Dean's face – he was always the proverbial 'white knight', he probably didn't enjoy not getting the girl.

Rumsfeld trotted over to her, sitting at her feet. She smiled down at him as she put a cigarette in her mouth and pulled out her zippo to light it. Effy had managed to take him for a couple of walks while she stayed at Bobby's, and damn but the dog needed it. He was used to just lying down on the bonnet of Bobby's truck, occasionally following the old man through the car yard.

Her phone vibrated from her back pocket.

Hey Eff, just finished a milk run in AZ. Heading East, in NE tonight. Call in the morning.

She smiled at the message. Dean was only a state over. Maybe they'd drop in for a visit? If Bobby didn't mind…

Effy felt Rumsfeld jump to his feet, dashing off into the darkness. She pushed herself off of the car, frowning as she tried to make out shapes in the blackness of the night.

"Rummy?" She hoarsely whispered, worried for the dog but also about the reason he must have dashed away.

She saw headlights flash in to view around the front of the house, the car slowly approaching the property. She flicked her cigarette away and dashed behind a pile of old tires, skirting around the side of the house and keeping to the shadows. Bobby wasn't expecting anyone. She kept creeping around, drawing her knife from her boot as she tried to get a view on the car.

A large black two door Sierra Grande, if she was correct. A car much larger than any of the 'utes' (as her mother called them) she'd seen outside of America. A car that belonged to a certain Winchester. She saw the doors open on both sides, two tall men getting out.

Effy trotted over, knife still in hand, as she surely enough saw John Winchester's face illuminated by the light that hung above Bobby's front door. She couldn't see the other man yet, but that hardly mattered to her. Rumsfeld stood growling a few meters in front of her, John's eyes locked on to the old dog.

"Didn't expect you to show your face here again." Effy smirked as she stepped out of the shadows, placing a gentle hand on Rumsfeld's head. She could barely hold the contempt out of her tone. She was still pissed; he'd dropped her off at Bobby's and promised to stay on the radar over a month ago.

John rubbed his jaw as he leant against the bonnet of his truck. "I think you'll forgive me."

The other man ran forward in to the light that just barely shone to them in the yard, a warm smile tugging at his lips as his eyes met Effy's. "Jesus Christ." Effy hissed as she ran towards him, jumping in to his arms and squeezing him so tight she thought she might never let him go. And she didn't want to.

"Hey, monkey."

She breathed in that bloody aftershave, the one he'd warn for as long as she could remember. His grey hair was slightly longer, and his dumb tortoise-shell thick rimmed glasses with the tape at the bridge were still n his face. "You could've called." She mumbled in to his canvas jacket, arms still tight around his waist.

"You know me, love. I'm all about the theatrics." He smirked down at her as she pulled away slightly to look at him.

Effy chuckled and shook her head. "No, dad. You're really not."

Paul smiled as he let go of his youngest, nodding over to John as he spoke. "We need your help, sweetheart."

John pushed himself off of his truck and stood forward. "If you're half as good at ganking vamps as you were in Mesa, we're gonna need you along for this one."

"Vampires?" Effy asked and John confirmed with a nod.

She looked back at the house, sighing. Bobby. He was still out towing a car. It'd be fine. She'd leave a note. Besides, all she'd have to say for him to get off her back is that she's with her father.

"I'll go get my stuff." She smiled before bounding off into the house, Rumsfeld following her to the door before plopping himself down on the mat, keeping his eyes on the two men.

"You should call your boys, John." Paul said as he walked towards the passenger door, John at the driver's. John sighed as he opened the door. "If I know my sons, they're already on the job."


A/N: Two updates in a week?! Who am I? I've already written the next one too! This one is short, granted, but it's also just a bit of a filler and gives a liiiiittle bit more insight in to Effy's relationship with her grandmother (which is hopefully interesting! It'll play a huuuuge part in who she is and who she becomes throughout the series :) ). I also think think that John, after hearing about Elkins death, would turn around and let Paul find him because he NEEDS help to find the Colt (which he suspects Elkins might've known about at this point). Paul would be hesitant to get Effy in on it, but he trusts her enough as a competent hunter to be of assistance to them !

toomanyfandomssolittletime: Thank you! I just think that ~realistically~ Effy wouldn't be with them all the time, you know? She's her own person, she has her own life and her own shit to get done. Eventually she will, of course ;) Thanks for the review!