Summary: Delaney Mannings is dropped off with the Winchesters a few months after her father's death. She stays with them for two years and they become close. What happens when she has to go? What happens when she comes back?

Chapter 9: Stone cold truth

General POV

Delaney gripped her pack tightly her face slightly pale.

I can't do this, she told herself. I can't face them.

At that precise moment John stepped out of the motel, his eyes roaming the parking lot for her. When he saw her he smiled and enveloped her in a tight warm hug.

Delaney was in a slight shock. This wasn't going at all like how she had imagined it in her head. She had seen them refuse her and tell her they didn't love her anymore. She had felt the pain like if it was real.

"Delaney! You've grown so much!" John said happily into her ear.

Delaney couldn't help but smile into his neck and laugh.

"Yeah. And apparently so has Sam. He's real tall! Taller than me!" Delaney pulled back.

John held her out at arm's length. He examined her closely. Delaney looked away embarrassed

"You've gotten so much more beautiful." He said softly his eyes twinkling with joy. Delaney blushed.

"Much more prettier than the girls Dean has been seeing. That boy and his hormones!" John said extra loudly so Dean could hear. Delaney's stomach gave a painful twist at the sound of his name. To think he was just a wall away…

"How's your mom?" John started to lead her towards the entrance of their room.

"Um… great." Delaney answered awkwardly.

"How long are you going to be staying? Another two years?" John smiled.

"I sure hope so." Delaney tried to give him the best smile she could but she was pretty sure it came out like a grimace.

"Yeah. That would be nice. We missed you so much! Come in, come in."

She had no way out now. So she followed after him and took a real deep breath before she entered.

She felt the air get cooler and the light get slightly easier on the eyes. Which meant she was inside a room. It took her awhile to adjust to the change but once she did she saw Sam standing next to a seventeen year old Dean. His look was of pure surprise and…Joy.

Delaney's and Dean's roamed one another's faces and bodies surprised by the change and the unfamiliarity.

Delaney stared at him dumbfounded. He was happy to see her.

"Hi, Dean." Delaney gave him a small awkward wave. Her heart wasn't beating as fast, almost as if it had stopped. She wasn't breathing either expecting him to burst out in anger even with his face lit up with joy.

He seemed to have thought he was putting up a goofy idiotic smile so he cleared his throat and toned it down to a smirk.

Delaney, honestly, had always liked the first smile better. It was the Dean he rarely showed.

"What? No hug?" Delaney stretched out her arms. Her heart was starting to beat again.

"Depends… do you want a hug?" Dean asked.

"Um… is that even a question?" Delaney smiled and walked over to him. She hugged him tightly around the waist and almost giggled in happiness. He's not mad at me! She thought almost ecstatic.

She breathed in his familiar scent.

"I missed you guys." Delaney confessed when she let go of him. She was able to talk clearly and easily now that her conscious was relieved.

"So did we." Sam said. "Oh, let me see your stuff. We only have 2 beds and the couch so you'll have to share with someone. No, I'll take the sofa. You take the bed." Sam took her pack.

"No, it's okay. I'll take the sofa." Delaney had forgotten about the bed-sharing and sofa-sleeping. She inwardly sighed.

"No. The lady gets the best bed." John said.

"Wow. Such gentlemen." Delaney gave in way too easily.

"I hate to ruin the moment but I have to go. Bobby called for a job. I'll be back in three days. Call every night. Bye, boys. Bye, Laney." John kissed her on the head.

"What? I just got here!" Delaney whined.

"I know. I'm sorry. I'll be back as soon as I can." John said.

"No! No! At least… stay for breakfast." Delaney grabbed John's arm.

"I really have to go." John sighed. He wanted to stay like he always wanted to but… he had a job to do.

"Please! I'll hurry up and make something." She let go of his arm and bustled over to the small kitchen area.

She opened the small fridge and took out the first thing she saw and placed it on counter only giving it a quick glance. She registered what she saw then turned to the counter slowly.

"'Big Joe's Burger Joint'?" Delaney turned to face them.

"Yeah… I believe that's mine." Dean walked over and took the plastic container.

"Same Dean." Delaney smiled and opened the fridge again. It was empty except for that.

"Where's the food?" Delaney turned to John.

"The fridge is usually empty. We usually go out to eat." John explained.

"Oh. Well… let's go. Before John has to go." Delaney ushered.

Ten minutes later they were all in the Impala. Delaney and Sam in the back, Dean in the passenger seat, and John driving.

"Oooo! This place seems nice!" Delaney sat forward and pointed at a small diner.

"Yes." John drove into the parking lot. They all got out of the car and proceeded towards the diner.

They were seated by the largest window which kept on making each of them turn, instinctively, to see who was passing by.

"How is your mom, really?' John asked.

"Honestly… not the same. I left without her knowing. She just wasn't mom anymore." Delaney fingered the salt shaker. "I wasn't allowed to do pretty much anything without her permission. That part wasn't as bad. It still annoyed me but it wasn't what ate at me. What bothered me was her… was her. How she acted. She was refined . Toned down. Serious. Cold. She wasn't like that before. I don't know what happened to her over those two years but it's like someone swapped two people's personalities. I just couldn't take it. It was almost like if she was depressed. But… I don't know."

"You have to be easy on her, though. This job is a big booger. It changes people drastically. We don't what Sons-a-bitches your mom has been dealing with. Your mom is a strong woman but sometimes we break. I've seen men go crazy because of this. Hunters. Just… understand." John turned towards the window as a man passed by. He kept his eyes on the man until they couldn't see him anymore.

"I do. But, I just couldn't live in that environment anymore. I needed to get away. At least for awhile." Delaney sighed.

"I understand. And any time you need somewhere to go, you know we're here. You'll always be welcome. We're your second family, right?" John smiled.

"Yeah." Delaney smiled back.

"Hello, my name is Brenda. I'd like to take you order." Brenda was a tall lean redhead and… beautiful. Dean seemed to think as much.

"Take anything you want." He winked. Brenda giggled and Sam rolled his eyes.

"Not today, Dean. Cool it." Sam shoved him back so he wasn't sitting upright in his seat.

"Sorry. My son and his hormones." John gave Dean a stern look and Dean sighed.

"Some scrambled eggs, two pieces of bacon, a stack of pancakes, and orange juice." Dean smiled.

"All for you?" Sam asked.

"Of course." Dean leaned back in his chair and placed his hands behind his head.

"We'll share." Sam told Brenda.

"Ok. You?" She asked Delaney.

"Exactly like his but hash browns. And a smaller portion." Delaney ordered.

"Some coffee, huevos rancheros, and two pancakes." John barely looked at Brenda.

"O…k. I'll be back with your food in a sec." Brenda left with their orders.

"That was funny." Delaney giggled.

"What?" Dean asked.

"You were flirting with her." Delaney answered like if it was the most obvious thing.

"I do it all the time." Dean shrugged.

"Exactly my point. You need to relax, Dean. We don't need to be feared by every woman in town for being some perverts." Sam said in a highly annoyed voice. Apparently, this subject had been grazed before.

"Nobody thinks I'm a pervert." Dean answered.

"You don't know that." Sam said.

"Well, except for you maybe. Yeah. Considering you're a woman." Dean shrugged.

"Seriously, Dean." Sam persisted.

"Oh, shut up." Dean waved him off.

Brenda came back with their food and they began to eat like starved wolves.

"Sam told me you were asleep in the Impala. Why didn't you come in? It must've been cold." John bit into his pancake.

"I didn't want to bother you guys. I knew you were probably asleep. I assumed you would be very tired from a hunt or something." Delaney lied.

"How'd you get into the Impala? Dean questioned.

"Picked it open. I swear I was as careful as can be!" Delaney tried to assure. She knew they cared a lot about the car. Some things you don't forget. Like a man's love for his car.

"You better have been." Dean warned.

"I was." Delaney crossed her arms.

"Even if she wasn't it would only be minor damage. Stop being a child, Dean. We could fix it." John called for the bill.

"What? How come when I scratched the Impala you went full on abusive? Dean opened his mouth in shock.

"You did that out of stupidity. Delaney did it for survival." John pointed a finger at Dean. Delaney was surprised to see that John had a serious face on.

When Dean opened his mouth to say something John quieted him and Dean reluctantly went back to his eating.

John smirked softly and Delaney smiled.

Brenda finally came with the check and they left for the motel.

"What job did Bobby give you?" Delaney asked from the backseat as Dean fiddled with the radio.

"Oh, just a Wendigo. Taken various people from the woods but the idiots keep on going back, I thought they'd have more sense than that." John shook his head.

"Maybe they think the people missing have been hurt and can't manage to get back home. Or maybe they think that they fell in a ditch or something." Delaney suggested. "That would be a reason why they keep on going back. I doubt they know a Wendigo is living by their homes."

"Dad, don't kill it." Sam spoke up.

They were all silent and even Dean turned to face him.

"Don't kill it because it's Delaney's brother." Sam smiled.

Delaney took a while to remember that that had been Dean's nickname for her.

"You reminded him!" Delaney turned to Sam.

"Oh, yeah. Good thing he did too." Dean turned to the front of the Impala again.

"Why, Sammy?" Delaney questioned him.

"Because I like your reactions to that nickname." Sam smiled.

"Hey, some of those hurt. Most of them." Dean put in.

"That's another reason why I like them." Sam suddenly started to scoot across the backseat, farther away from Delaney.

"No hitting." John warned.

Delaney shrugged and began to tickled Sam.

"Stop!" Sam laughed. "No tickling. I'm not even ticklish!"

"Then why are you laughing?" Delaney continued to tickle him.

"Stop! Stop! Stop, Stop!" Sam laughed turning red.

"Ok, I'm going to drop you off here. I'll be back in a couple of days." John stopped in front of the motel room. Dean got out followed by Sam. Delaney lingered.

"Be careful. Please." Delaney said quietly. John turned to her, placing his arm in the back of the front seat.

"I will. I'll be back soon. Ok, Delaney?" John smiled at her softly.

"Ok. But… just be careful." How she said it reminded John of how when she was younger, she had always ordered him to be safe. The times when she caught him leaving. She had always been so caring.

"I will. You be careful. Make sure Dean doesn't strangle Sam." John touched her cheek and rubbed it softly with his thumb. "Now go in."

"Yeah. See you soon." Delaney kissed him on the cheek and slid out of the Impala.

"Delaney?" John stuck his head out of the Driver's side window.

"Yeah?' Delaney had the door open and from it came a distant sound of arguing. Delaney peered in curious then turned back to John.

"I'm really glad you came back. We missed you. More than the boys like to admit. They were real shaken up after you left. Especially Dean." John's face was serious. Delaney noticed that deep in his eyes she saw a trace of worry. Like if he was still worried about him. Like it might still be bothering his eldest son.

"I never meant to hurt them. I just… she was my mom. I swear I never wanted to leave. I missed my mom a whole lot and I probably made it seem like I wanted to go but… honestly… I never wanted to leave." Delaney rubbed at her arm.

"Was?" John frowned.

"Sorry. Is my mom." Delaney blushed.

"The truth is… we need you, Delaney. A whole lot more than we planned. I'm afraid that's the stone cold truth. We never try to get too attached to anyone but you…you forced your way in."John breathed. Delaney looked away, embarrassed.

"Don't feel bad. And don't take it like if we resent you for this or don't like the fact that you're one of us. We love you, Delaney. And it's partly a good thing." John gave her a reassuring smile.

The last part didn't bother Delaney. She knew it was bad to get attached in this line of work. It wasn't personal.

"I love you guys, too. You're my family." Delaney smiled back.

"Well, see you soon. Stop those two dimwits from hurting each other."John started to leave.

"Tell Bobby I said hi and that I'm sorry for making him worry!" Delaney called.

"Okay. Bye, Laney!" John exited out of the parking lot and Delaney closed the motel door behind her.


Phew! Long chapter! So, what did you guys think?

They were happy to see Delaney and Dean had no problem with her. But... don't get so comfortable yet. Dean's not letting on about how he really feels about her return but he will in the next chapter. And boy, will they both let it out!;)

Thank you so much! I was really starting to doubt I would get to the 20's but I did. You have no idea how much I appreciate the reviews you leave and the time you take on this. You have made me really happy!

Thanks to Deanwinchesterluvr91, PushUpDaisies, and Dean'sbbygirl for reviewing.

I will probably put up the next chapter tomorrow.

Reviews please!