For propriety's sake, Kelsey not only wore her nightshirt, but also a pair of Sam's boxers, to bed.

Dean was on his best behavior, trying not to touch Kelsey after he climbed into bed with her. He still felt self-conscious with his father right there, even though John's back was to them.

However, once his father fell asleep, Dean threw all caution to the wind and pulled her close. She started to snuggle with him but then sat up.

Kelsey felt bad that Sam was on the floor, so she crawled out of bed and knelt next to him, gently shaking him. He drowsily peered up at her.

"What is it?" he sleepily whispered.

"Come on," she whispered back, tugging on his arm. Sam clambered to his feet and she drug him toward the bed.

Dean knew better than to talk her out of it, so he scooted over to accommodate both of them. Once everyone was settled under the covers, Kelsey curled against Sam with Dean at her back like they had been in Colorado.

Sam promptly fell back asleep without a second thought. Tired from all the revelations tonight, Kelsey soon followed suit. Dean stayed awake into the night as he considered everything and the impact it would have on all their lives; he finally drifted off, holding tight to Kelsey.

And that is how John found the trio at dawn.

He shook his head with a slight smile before silently exiting the room in search of coffee.


Kelsey stirred, feeling like she was encased in a furnace.

Squeezed between two Winchester men, one partially underneath her and one practically on top of her, she pushed and prodded enough that she could crawl to the edge of the bed.

Once on her feet, Kelsey looked up to see John trying to hide a grin behind the newspaper he was reading. She blushed and murmured a hello before casually grabbing her pack on her way to the bathroom.

She emerged fully dressed in her own clothes before she approached the eldest Winchester. He motioned to the coffee and store-bought wrapped pastries lining the table in front of him.

Kelsey took a coffee cup and sat down in the other chair across from him. She glanced at Dean and Sam who were both still sprawled on the bed without a care in the world.

"So I won't ask how you all feel about each other," John said, bringing her attention back to him as he laid the newspaper aside. She tried to fight back another blush and lost.

John kindly smiled at her.

"I wanted more for my boys than this life. But here we are. And here you are," he quietly said. "All I ask is that you protect them like they protect you."

"That won't be a problem, sir," Kelsey said. John nodded and resumed reading the newspaper. Kelsey drew her knees up to her chest, sipped her coffee, and waited for Sam and Dean to wake up.


Dean was the first to open his eyes.

He realized two things that horrified him: a) he was in bed with his brother and b) his dad was in the room. Dean tried to keep his cool and not panic as he eased away from Sam, who was still on his back and his peaceful face turned toward his brother.

As Dean twisted in the covers, he spotted Kelsey. She gave him an adoring smile from her perch in the chair. His memories of the night before flooded his brain, reassuring him that she'd been the buffer between him and Sam, that they hadn't done anything inappropriate with their father present.

Dean fell back against the pillow and audibly sighed in relief. Sam stirred and sleepily peered at his brother.

"Are you boys going to sleep all day?" John's voice boomed, causing both men to leap out of bed.


Dean made a blissful sound of approval as he ate one of the Hostess fruit pies Kelsey had offered him from the stash John had bought earlier that morning.

Kelsey laughed at him, have learned long ago of his love affair with sweets.

Sam rolled his eyes from the chair Kelsey had vacated as he dropped some sugar in his coffee.

John simply observed the banter between the three.


"So let me get this straight, you're going back out there, alone?" Dean incredulously asked his father. "You know we can help you find this thing—we were always better together."

John shook his head.

"Not yet, son," he replied. "Like I said before, you boys need to keep doing what you're doing."

"But Dad," Sam pleaded. "I agree with Dean. We're better when we are with you."

"Listen, Sammy," John said, turning to his youngest. "I promise I will come for you all when I need your help. But right now I need to this on my own."

Kelsey watched Dean and Sam as they struggled not to whine in protest. John tugged each son into a bear hug before catching her gaze.

"Keep an eye on my boys," he said as he pulled her into a hug.

"You know I will," she murmured as she buried her nose into his neck, momentarily aching for her own father's embrace. She was afraid John was the closest she'd ever be.

A/N: Obviously I'm enjoying this—hope you are too. Please take a moment to tell me what you think by reviewing. Much appreciated!