A/N: Oh, this one is going to be interesting...ENJOY!
It still puzzled Gibbs how he ended up on the other side of the interrogation table, but here he was staring at the piercing eyes of the man who he called his friend. But he knew what lead to this point, and knew what he had to do.
"Agent Gibbs" Fornell said his voice full of frustration. "Tell me where she is" Gibbs looked at the man for a moment and only smirked.
"I don't know" Gibbs replied. Tobias only sighed.
"I will find her and I will find them and if I find out what you're telling me isn't true, you know what will happen" Tobias said leaning forward on the table. He kept his eyes on the agent in front of him, his friend, making sure he saw the seriousness in every word he said.
"I know what will happen" Gibbs said sitting back in the hard chair. "I'm just not sure you do"
16 hours earlier
"You sure you guys have to go" Katie said, Hope resting her head on her mother's shoulder. They watched as Bridget and Lacey got their things packed.
"Hey, it's not our fault you spent most of our visit hunting Casper" Lacey replied and Katie only glared at her. "No, I'm meeting with some people about this whole interior decorating thing in LA and Bridget here has decided to accompany me"
"I'm just going so me and AJ can go shopping" Bridget called from the kitchen.
"Well call me with any news ok" Katie replied as Lacey walked over and hugged her sister careful of the baby in her arms.
"I will" Lacey replied before looking down to Hope. "I've only been here a week and I don't want to leave you doll" Lacey rubbed a finger over the girl's cheek.
"Yeah, she has that affect on people" Katie replied and Lacey laughed. "So, did you talk to Sam?"
"Yeah" Lacey sighed. "That was a very awkward conversation"
"He'll come around" Katie replied.
"Well he better hurry up because I want this" Lacey said looking around the house before turning back to Katie. "And I want this" she placed a finger in Hope's hand.
"You'll have it" Katie replied smiling to her little sister.
"So, I've packed snacks" Bridget says walking into the living room, AJ's small legs following behind her. "We're ready to go"
"Please don't go, me and Hope are gonna be here all alone" Katie whined and Bridget only shook her head as she walked over.
"You could come with us" Bridget said and Katie only gave her sister a look. "Right, well we will miss you" AJ ran over and hugged one of Katie's legs. Katie only looked down to him, sadly.
"Aw, little guy, I'm gonna miss you too" Katie replied. Katie crouched down to be eye level with the little boy. "Can you say bye to your cousin AJ" the little boy gave a Hope a wave. "Now can you give your favorite a hug"
"Hey!" Lacey called but Katie ignored her as AJ's small hands wrapped around her. "I'm telling mom!"
"You mean when she comes from her never ending vacation in Paris?" Katie asked laughing as she stood.
And soon they were off. Katie and Hope watched from the doorway as her sisters pulled off. She gave on final wave before closing the door.
"And then there were two" Katie said before looking down to her daughter, who's eyes were drifting closed. "And one of us is ready for a nap" Katie climbed the stairs to Hope's nursery, to put the little girl down to her nap. She walked back downstairs right where she left off, not knowing what she would do with herself. All the guys were held up in one of Bobby's cabins in the middle of the woods trying to get their captured leviathan to talk before whatever Katie did to him wore off.
Katie was about to head to the kitchen when the doorbell rang. She turned and walked over to answer it.
"Well finally someone answers the door I recognize" James says with a smile. Katie only chuckles. There's still something about this guy that she doesn't quite understand. "Sorry to pop up like this, but I was wondering if Dean was here?"
"Uh, actually no" Katie replied. "Was there something I could help you with?"
"Not unless you have a buzz saw I could use" James replied with a sheepish smile. "Mine cracked out on me this morning and I just need for these shelves I'm putting up for Mrs. Cozy across the street"
"Mrs. Cozy?" Katie asked smiling at the woman's name.
"Yeah, she's the one always yelling at the kids who walk on her lawn" James chuckled. "She has no idea that's why they do it" Katie laughed.
"Um, I guess you can look around the garage" Katie said. "That's where Dean keeps his tools" she moved aside to let him in.
"Thanks" James replied stepping in. He looks around a bit. "It really does look great in here"
"Well that's no thanks to my wonderful sister who lives to decorate" Katie said. "Follow me" she begins walking toward the back door to the garage. She opens the door and flicks on the light and is surprised to see a car.
"Wow is that a mustang" James says walking in as well.
"Yes it is" Katie said walking over to the car, the hood up. She ran a hand on the side and smiled. That sweet husband of her's was going to surprise her.
"Does it run?" James asks walking over and looking inside.
"That I don't know" Katie replied. "I actually don't think I'm supposed to see this yet" she continued to smile when she noticed James open the door.
"You mind if I-?" Katie looks at him for a moment. "I just want to hear her pur" Katie shakes her head.
"Sure, why not" Katie replies a little curious herself and watches as the man takes a seat. He flips down the sun visor and down falls the keys in his hands. He puts the keys into the ignition and Katie listens as it actually starts up.
"I can't believe he did this" Katie thought. James turned off the car and puts the keys back before getting out of the car.
"Sounds awesome" the man says and Katie nods. "Is he selling this, because I'm willing to offer him top dollar for it"
"It's not for sell" Katie replied with a smile. "Now let's find that buzz saw" James only nodded before they began their search. Katie was looking on one of the shelves when she felt as if someone was watching her and when she turned she met James' eyes.
"Uh, sorry, but that's weird tattoo you have there" he said and Katie looked down to see the word 'beginning' peeking from under her shirt. She quickly pulled it down. "I'm sorry I didn't mean-" the phone rang interrupting him.
"I should get that" Katie said easing toward the door. "Keep looking, I'm sure Mrs. Cozy is waiting for those shelves" James nodded as he watched Katie hurry out of the garage.
Katie shook her head as she walked into the living room, to find her phone sitting on the coffee table. She quickly picks it and presses it against her ear.
"Hello?"
"Hey, it's me" Dean says.
"Oh, hey how's interrogating?" Katie asks taking a seat on the couch. "Better question when our you coming home, I'm missing my husband"
"Katie" Dean says seriously and it's in that moment that Katie knows something isn't right.
"What's wrong?" Katie asks and Dean sighs. "Dean-"
"Turn on the TV" Dean says and Katie furrows her brow in confusion.
"The TV, Dean, what's going on?" Katie asks.
"Please, princess just turn on the TV" Dean says.
Katie grabs the remote control from the coffee table and hits the power button, turning on the television. The moment she does, he eyes go wide when she sees Sam and Dean's faces on the screen. Katie turned up the volume to hear what the reporter was saying.
"The two men, who up until today were presumed dead, locked the doors of a bank vault filled with customers and opened fire, leaving no survivors. Sam and Dean Winchester are now the subjects of a manhunt throughout the state of California."
"Oh my God" Katie said bringing her hand to her mouth in horror.
"Princess, that's not us" Dean said and Katie nearly laughed.
"I know that!" she snapped. "Who are they, that's what I want to know"
"Leviathans" Dean replied. "It's some sort of plot to draw us out, look that's not all we found out"
"Hey, I found it" James said walking into the living room, buzz saw in his hand. He looks over to Katie who's eyes are glued to the television. He follows her eyes and is shocked to see his neighbors on the television. "Is that Dean and Sam?" Katie whips her head to him.
"Oh, God" Katie stands to her feet.
"Who's that?" Dean asks and Katie ignores him.
"Look James I know I don't know you, but I need you to do me a favor, I need you to leave and not tell anyone about this" Katie says watching as James looks at the TV. "James!" he turns his head to her. "I know this makes no sense but those two men are not Sam and Dean" he looks at her confused. She runs a hand through her hair, her head starting to hurt. She shakes it off and turns back to him. "Just go and forget you ever met us ok?" James nods before turning and heading out the door. Once the door closes behind him, Katie collapses on the couch again.
"Princess, you there?" Dean asks.
"Dean" Katie says her eyes turning back to the television. "Your faces are being plastered over the news for the murders of dozens of people" She closes her eyes the headache she's trying to ignore getting worse. "What are we going to do?"
"Princess, you need to get Hope and pack up some things and leave" Dean said and Katie opened her eyes.
"What?" Katie asked. That was the last thing she wanted to do.
"Princess, when the changed into us, they also got all of our memories" Dean replied. "Meaning they know where we live, they could be heading your way" Katie closed her eyes once again, her head now pounding. "Princess-"
"I heard you!" Katie snapped standing to her feet. "You just said that there are demons on their way here, and that me and our daughter have to leave our home" she wanted to cry, to yell to do anything but she couldn't. "Our home"
"I know" Dean said his voice not as strong as he hoped. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry princess" she looked around the living room. "I promise-"
"Where do we go?" Katie interrupted. She wasn't in the mood for promises of a better future, for another house, another dream, because at this point she didn't believe in promises anymore. Promises were just words, that often failed her, so at this point she just didn't want to hear it.
"You could come here, to the cabin" Dean said.
"No" Katie replied as she began walking up the stairs. "I'm not bringing my daughter anywhere near that bastard you have tied up"
"I don't know where else" Dean replied.
"I'll think of something, and then I'll call you" Katie replied before slamming the phone shut.
Abby bounced nervously in the elevator waiting for the doors to finally open. Once they did she was running as fast as her platform boots would take her. She ran into the middle of the bull pen where Gibbs and his team looked over to her like he was crazy.
"Gibbs!" Abby said her voice full of panic. "What are we gonna do?" she shook her head. "It's not true, I know it's not true, I know what they're saying and showing but it's not true"
"Abby" Gibbs said standing to to his feet. "What's happening?" Abby looked at him like he was crazy.
"You don't know?" Abby asked and he shook his head. She looked around to the rest of the team who looked just as confused as Gibbs. She turned to McGee. "McGee, news, now!" McGee grabbed the remote and pointed to the monitor and as soon as he did the images of Sam and Dean holding machine guns shooting appeared. The banner on the bottom of the screen reading, "Presumed dead convicts murder dozens in bank" Abby turns back to Gibbs' who's eyes are still on the screen. "Gibbs, what are we gonna do?"
"I can't believe this" Tony said. "They're murders"
"No!" Abby snapped. "They are a lot of things Tony, but they are not murderers" Abby turned back to the monitor. "Those two men are not Sam and Dean"
"Demons?" Ziva asks and Abby shakes her head. "Are you sure?"
"Do I have irrefutable proof, no" Abby says. "But I know deep down in my heart that Sam and Dean are not capable of this, I know Katie would not marry and have a baby with a murderer"
"Katie" Gibbs said walking over to his phone.
"It's no use, I already tried and she's not answering" Abby said and Gibbs drops the phone. Soon the doors of the elevators slid open and out came Agent Tobias Fornell accompanied by two other agents, all headed toward Gibbs and his team.
"Agent Gibbs" Tobias says walking over to the senior agent.
"Tobias" Gibbs greets already aware of the man's purpose here. "What can I do for you?"
"I think you already know" Tobias says before looking up. Gibbs follows his eyes to the director who stands on the balcony watching them. "I assume you've seen the news?"
"Yes, but I have to say I have no idea why you would start your search for Sam and Dean Winchester here" Gibbs replied.
"I'm not" Tobias replied. "I'm starting my search for one Katherine Winchester here" Agent Fornell looked to the eyes watching him. "I'm going to need to ask you and your team a couple of questions" the agent turned to the forensic specialist. "That include you Ms. Sciuto" Abby only glared over to the agent. "And I expect everyone to be very cooperative so we can get this over with" they all silently nodded. "Ms. Sciuto you're up first, if you would follow me" Abby looked over to Gibbs who only nodded before she reluctantly followed after the man looking to take down her best friend.
Katie moved quickly throwing clothes into her bags. She'd been moving quickly none stop, not giving herself a chance to really think about what's happening. She believed if she did, she would find herself crying in a corner. She suddenly stopped when she heard the soft cries from the baby monitor. Katie takes a deep breath before going to check on her daughter.
"You're ok" Katie says scooping the baby in her arms. "Momma's here" she gently rocks the baby against her chest, rubbing circles on her back. "We're gonna be ok" she soothes only half believing the words that come out of her mouth. She looks around the nursery. It's different since they first moved in. Pictures of Hope and her uncles and Father on the walls. Memories they created in their home, they were now forced to leave them behind. Katie shook off the thought before laying Hope back into the crib. She grabs another bag and begins packing some of Hope's clothes along with a few bottles and as many diapers as she could. Once she's done, with a wave of her hand she sends all their bags and Hope's car seat to the only vehicle they have. The car in the garage she's not supposed to know about.
She grabs Hope from her crib and sits on the rocking chair, to put on the baby's coat. When she's done she wraps the baby in a blanket and cradles the baby in her arms before standing to her feet. She stands there once again looking around the room, trying to remember every part of it, every happy memory.
"How did I know I would find you in here" Katie says walking into the nursery where she finds Dean hovering above the crib. She walks over wrapping her hands around his middle, lying her head on his back.
"I couldn't sleep, and thought I would come check on her" Dean whispered.
"Aren't you glad she's finally sleeping through the night" Katie says stepping over to look at the sleeping baby. "Those were some very intense nights"
"Yeah, I thought you were going to kill me" Dean replied. "You and lack of sleep really isn't pretty, which is weird since you with months without it"
"Well I'm now a sleep addict, and when I don't get it, I just flip out" Katie said and Dean chuckled wrapping an arm around her waist. They stand there quietly for a moment. "Look what we did" he smiles bringing her closer to him and placing a kiss to her head.
"Yeah" Dean smiles. "Look what we did"
Katie was snapped out of her memory by the sound of the doorbell ringing. She stood there frozen picturing who could be at the door. Her mind went to leviathans, or even the FBI. Her husband and brother in law were now the most wanted men in America, and now people knew that she had a connection to them. The doorbell rang again and Katie decided to check it out for herself. She slowly stepped down the stairs, Hope nestled close to her chest. She stood at the bottom step to peek out the small window on the door.
"Katherine Winchester!" A voice called from the other side. They sounded like feds, but she was well aware that even leviathans could sound like feds, hell they could dress up like her husband and have the whole world fooled. "NCIS, your father sent us!" Katie perked up. Would Jet really send someone for her. She shakes her head, she knows him better than that. She steps off the stairs and begins walking toward the garage. She's almost there when she hears a crash as a window shatters, and something hard hits the side of her head. Katie stops and lifts a hand to her head and sees the traces of blood on her fingers. She quickly turns her head at the smell of smoke and soon a flame erupts somehow. She blinks a bit before heading toward the garage. She had to get out of there, she had to get Hope to safety. She manages to get to the garage and able to open the back door of the mustang to put Hope in her car seat. She almost jumps when she feels hands on her shoulder. Turning around she's met with a familiar face, followed by darkness.
"Ms. Scuito, before we start I want you to know that the sole purpose of our investigation is to find Sam and Dean Winchester and bring them to justice for the crimes they've committed" Tobias said his voice gentle and friendly, but Abby saw right through it. "This is not about getting your friend, Mrs. Winchester into any trouble" the goth only rolled her eyes. She knew better. "When was the last time you spoke with Katherine?"
"I don't know" Abby replied. "It's been a while I guess" she turned back to the agent. "We're not really even that close" Tobias opened the file that was sitting in front of him.
"Well According to this, you and Ms. Winchester were friends since you were sixteen years old" Tobias read and looked up to see Abby's shocked face. "I was also witness to when she showed up right here at NCIS to visit you, not to long ago" Tobias closed the file. "Now do you want another crack at it?"
"You have no idea what's happening" Abby replied. She shook her head.
"Then tell me Ms. Scuito" Tobias replied. "Is it demons, or vampires" Abby turned back to him. "I've read their file backwards and forwards and I know all the crap they spill to justify the fact that they're murderers" He stood to his feet, placing his palms on the table and leaning forward toward her. "I know you want to protect your friend Abby, but people are dead, and I need to find her before her husband decides to turn on her, is that what you want?" Abby shook her head.
"That's not going to happen" Abby replied. "You know what your problem is Tobias?"
"No, tell me please" he replied standing up straight.
"You're like everyone else believing what's being shown to you, rather than using your gut" Abby replied. "Because if you were you'd know that Sam and Dean Winchester are not capable of what they're being accused of"
"C'mon Abby you saw the tapes, it's them clear as day!" Tobias snapped. "How do you explain that!" Abby just shook her head before standing to her feet.
"Are we done Agent Fornell?" Abby asked and the man nodded.
"Yes" Abby turned and headed for the door. "Oh and Ms Scuito just so you are aware all of your telephone and internet activity are being monitored, if Mrs. Winchester does contact you we will know it and we will find her" Abby didn't even spare the agent a glance before she continued out of the room. Once she left one of Tobias' agents walked in. "Bring in Agent McGee" the agent nodded before going to retrieve the agent.
"So what they're going to interrogate us to get to Katie" Tony whispered. Him and the rest of the team were huddled around Gibbs' desk. All except for Gibbs who'd went up to the directors' office as soon as Abby and Fornell were gone. "She has nothing to do with this"
"She's married to one of their suspects" McGee replied. "If we were the ones leading this investigation, who would be the first person we'd question about Dean's whereabouts?" Tony looked over to McGee and nodded. "It just sucks because we know the truth"
"Do we?" Tony asked and Mcgee and Ziva looked over to him.
"C'mon Tony after everything we've seen with our own eyes, you can't tell me that the idea that the men on that screen are not Sam and Dean is totally impossible" McGee countered
"Plus, we've spent time with them Tony" Ziva added. "Talked with them, fought with them, nothing about them screams murderer" Tony turns back to the monitor as the news keeps plastering their faces. "I agree with Abby, I believe they are innocent"
"As much as any of us would like to believe, that doesn't help us right now" Tony replied. "We can't just go into that interrogation room and tell them 'they're innocent, and the people on TV are these things called shape shifters' they'll throw us in the looney bin"
"You're right" McGee replied. "But right now they only speculate that we have information about Katie"
"We do" Tony whispered. "We know where she lives, who her parents are, hell we know what she is"
"Fornell doesn't know that" McGee replied.
"Are you suggesting we lie to Federal Agents McGee?" Tony asked and both her and Ziva turned to him for his response.
"No" McGee replied. "I'm saying we're in an impossible situation, one where we have information that could probably clear them, but none that anyone outside of the four us would believe" he leaned against Gibbs desk. "I'm saying that Katie is family, and that whatever you do when you go into that room is totally up to you" they all turned when they saw one of Fornell's agents walk into the bull pen.
"Agent McGee" the agent said and Tim stood to his feet. "Would you come with me?" McGee nodded before sharing a glance with his team. He gave them a nod before following after the agent.
"What the hell is going on Leon!" Gibbs snapped, his eyes piercing the director on the other side of the desk. "Why is my team being interrogated?"
"You knew this was coming" the director replied taking a seat. "I came to you and asked you to give me all of the information in case something happened, in case I needed to protect you, but you refused and now you will suffer the consequences" he shook his head. "There are now two men out there killing people and there's a connection between them and you, and her name is Katherine Winchester" Vance looked back over to Gibbs. "There's still time, talk to me, tell me where she is, and all of this is over, we find Sam and Dean and she's free" Gibbs only looked at him for a moment before turning and heading for the door. "She's just a girl Gibbs, don't let some girl ruin everything you've worked for" Gibbs' hand gripped the doorknob as he turned to his boss.
"You're wrong" Gibbs said. "She's not just some girl" And with that the senior agent turned and left the office.
That night Sam and Dean were in the impala after figuring out their doppleganger's pattern. They were traveling to Sam and Dean's old hunts, which meant right now they were headed to St. Louis. Dean grips the stirring wheel of the hatchback. Since their evil twins are riding around town in an impala, it would draw way too much attention. Changing cars was only the tip of the ice berg. They had to get new fake ID's and cell phones, which was all made possible by one of Bobby's crazy friends, Frank.
"Try her again" Dean says looking over to Sam. It's been hours since he's heard from Katie and he's starting to get worried. She would've called by now to let him know that they were alright, that they were safe, but nothing. He was worried. There were things out there, demons and Feds out there to get them, and he had no idea where his wife and daughter were.
"Still nothing" Sam replies hanging up the phone. "Look maybe she tossed the phone, I mean a lot of people have the number"
"Yeah" Dean says. "She has until morning, or I'm out" he looked over to his brother. "They're more important than these bastards" Sam only nods. The car is once again in silence as they continue down the dark road.
Ziva and Tony await for McGee's interrogation to be over when Gibbs comes back to the bull pen.
"Any newsa boss?" Tony asks and Gibbs doesn't say anything.
"Oh my God" Ziva says and they turn to her only to see her eyes to television. They follow her eyes, and both nearly double over when they see what's being reported now.
"If you're just tuning in with us, as you can see firefighter are currently working on putting the fire out on the house" the reporter says. "We're still unclear how the fire started or if there was anyone in the house when the fire started"
"Is that-" the glanced over as McGee returned his eyes falling on the television as well. The reporter places a hand on the earphone in her ears.
"We just got reports that this house may belong to the wanted criminals Sam and Dean Winchester" the reporter says. "According to witness testimonies the men lived here with a woman and child and another man younger than the two"
"Boss" McGee says catching Gibbs' arms as the agent stumbles back a bit.
"There have been no reports of a a third man, woman or child with the two suspects" the reporter says turning to look at the inflamed house. "Placing the likelihood that they may be in the house very high"
The bull pen goes silent at the reporters words. She just said that there's a good chance Katie and Hope were in that house when it was set on fire. The thought makes them all sick to their stomach.
"Agent David" A voice says breaking the silence. The Mossad officer turns to the FBI Agent. "Agent Fornell will see you now"
Sam and Dean's silence was interrupted by the sound of a phone ringing. Dean turned to Sam, hoping it was Katie on the other end. Sam quickly answered the phone.
"Hello?" Sam answered quickly.
"Hey, it's me" Adam answered and Sam sighed.
"It's Adam" Sam said looking over to his brother, who's face grew disappointed. "Yeah, what up?"
"Are you listening to the news?" Adam asked.
"No" sam replied. "we kind of got tired of seeing our faces"
"Well it's not just your faces anymore" Adam said. "Look turn on the radio"
Sam looked over to Dean who only stared back in confusion. Same reached forward and turned on the radio.
"If you've been following we've just received news that the house that was set on fire belonged to one of the mass murder suspects Dean Winchester"
"Fire?" Dean said before pulling the car off to the side. "Did she just say fire?"
"Neighbors say they saw a woman and child inside the house earlier today before the fire started"
"No, no, no" Dean muttered as he listening. This couldn't be happening. They weren't gone. It was the words Dean repeated to himself.
"Firefighters still have not found any remains inside the house, but at this point would suggest anyone inside that house for that long may not have remains" the reporter said. There was a brief pause. "This just in, we've indentified the wife of Dean Winchester as Katherine Winchester"
And there it was. Her name, Now they had her name, they had her life. Her parents, brothers and sisters, everything.
"We will keep you up to date with the man hunt for Sam and Dean Winchester and if his wife was in this house when it was set on fire" the reporter said.
Sam quickly turned off the radio seeing how upset his brother was.
"Dean they got out" Sam said. It's the only thing he could believe at this moment. He watched as Dean closed his eyes and brought his head to the steering wheel as his hand still gripped it. "Dean-"
"Just shut up for one second Sam" Dean said. "I'm just tired of the talking, of everyone talking, just please"
Sam nodded before leaning back in his seat.
It was the flashing light that woke her up. Her eyes blinked open to see a blinking neon 'Free Hotdog' sign. She's confused as anyone in her situation when, something hits her.
"Hope!" Katie yells sitting up in her seat. She's in a car, not sure how she got there. She quickly decides to save that question for later as she focuses on her daughter. She turns to the backseat where Hope is asleep, pink rabbit in hand. Katie sighs in relief when the drivers door opens and in sits someone she didn't expect. "James?"
"You're awake, good" James said. He held up a plastic bag. "I brought food and water"
"James, what are you-" she looked around outside at the unfamiliar place. "What am I doing here?"
"You got hit in the head" James said reaching over to check the wound but Katie moved back away from his touch. "It's ok, I not going to hurt you"
"That's kind of hard to believe when I have no idea who you are" Katie replied turning back to Hope.
"She's ok, not even a scratch" James said and Katie turned back to him. "For what it's worth I don't think they meant to kill you in the fire" James started the car as Katie just stared at him in confusion.
"They?" Katie asked.
"The leviathans" James replied before pulling off.
Tony sat behind the table tapping his fingers. This wasn't unfamiliar territory for him. He would say what he needed to say and be gone. He looked up when the door opened and in walked Tobias.
"Are you here to tell me that this is all over?" Tony asked.
"Why would I tell you that Agent Dinatzo?" Tobias asked as he took the seat across from the agent laying a folder down in front of him.
"Because I believe we've been watching the same news" Tony replied. "Katie's-" Agent Fornell looked at the man closely.
"What, dead?" Fornell asked and Tony only glared at the man's bluntness. "Well I don't think she is and I don't believe you think she is either"
"All I know is what I saw" Tony replied. "The house they say she lived in burned down, neighbors reported seeing her earlier in the house, and there are no reports of her leaving"
Tobias looked at him for a moment, before opening the folder.
"Tell me Tony, what was your relationship with Katherine Winchester?" Tobias asked and Tony looked at him confused.
"Excuse me?" Tony asked.
"Your relationship with Katherine, were you friends, dating, what exactly?"
"There was no relationship" Tony replied quickly. "She was Abby's friend, that's how I knew her"
"Just Abby's friend, huh?" Tobias asked. "Agent Dinozzo are you aware that there are security cameras rolling in NCIS offices twenty four seven without interruption?"
"Yes" Tony replied trying to figure out where this was going. He watched as Tobias shuffled some papers around before pulling out eight by ten photos and lining them up in front of him.
"Is this you and Katherine sitting on the edge of your desk as she lays her head on your shoulder?" Tobias asks looking down to the picture before looking up to Tony. Tony didn't reply. "Well it's a dark picture" he pointed to the next picture. "How about this one, is this you with Katherine in the NCIS gym?" Tobias once again looked up to Tony who still didn't say anything. " Oh this is a good one, is this you and the rest of Gibbs' team with your hands on her pregnant belly" the agent chuckled. "You were trying to feel a kick huh?"
"What do you want!" Tony snapped slamming his hands on the table. The man had finally gotten to him. "Please tell me so all of this can be over, you want me to tell you that we were friends, fine yes we were, she's been here, and we've talked, there you have it, that doesn't incriminate her or me"
"No it doesn't" Tobias replied as he gathered up the pictures. "But it does give a little insight as to why this woman, who you've met years ago after believing she was a murder suddenly became a member of the family" he closed the folder. "Something changed, and I'm going to find out"
"Why?" Tony asked and Tobias looked to him confused. "Trying to find out what did or didn't change with her doesn't help you find Sam and Dean" Tony leaned forward on the table. "You're wasting your time here Agent Fornell"
"I'll decide that Agent Dinatzo" Fornell replied. "That's all the questions I have" Tony stood to his feet and headed out the door.
"she must have really did a number on you I tell you" Tobias said and Tony stopped and turned to the man. "Whatever she did, I mean I can't even explain how"
"What are you talking about?" Tony asked.
"This woman has been in trouble with the law for years, and married a man with an even worse rap sheet" Tobias said standing to his feet. "And yet she has you and the rest of Gibbs' team in her corner, how does that happen?"
"Your problem is that you're thinking with your head Fornell" Tony replied before turning and leaving the room. Tobias just stood there. He was becoming more and more intrigued as the night went on.
Katie sat in the passenger side of the mustang occasionally glancing over to the man driving. The neighbor she finally realized she knew absolutely nothing about.
"Who are you?" Katie asked turning to him.
"A friend" James replied.
"Well I have a lot of friends, lots of people who think they're my friends, and lots of people who want to be my friend" Katie replied. "Which category do you fall into?"
"I am the friend who just saved you and your daughter from being burned alive in that fire" James said and Katie winced at the words. Her home was gone, burned down. James looked over to her. "It was just a house"
"It was more than that" Katie said before turning back to him. "Do you have a phone?"
"Why?" James asked.
"Because my house just burned down and the last time my husband talked to me I was in that house" Katie replied. "He's probably freaking out, and I need to call him" James nodded before reaching into his pocket before handing her the phone. She dialed Dean's number, but it only went to voicemail. "I don't get it"
"He probably got rid of it" James said. "So they can't be traced" Katie nodded before dialing another number.
"Hello?" A gruff voice answered.
"Hi, it's me" Katie replied and she heard the man release a deep sigh. "I'm alright"
"That's good to hear" Bobby replied. Katie heard someone talking in the background. "It's Katie, she's fine" the man mumbled.
"Is that Dean?" Katie asked.
"No, it's Adam" Bobby replied. "Sam and Dean are still searching for their evil dopplegangers"
"I tried calling but I guess they tossed their phones" Katie replied.
"Yeah" Bobby replied. "When the whole world's after you it's better to be cautious, here take down this number" Katie grabbed a pen from the glove box and wrote the number on her hand.
"Thanks, Bobby" Katie said before hanging up and quickly dialing her husband.
Sam looked over to his brother who hadn't said a word in almost thirty minutes, his head still laying on the steering wheel. He wanted to somehow comfort him but he knew there was only one thing his brother wanted right now. Their silence was interrupted by a vibrating noise. Sam looked over to see Dean reach in his jacket pocket and pull out his cell phone.
"What!" Dean answered.
"What's wrong?" A voice asked and the moment he heard her he lifted his head. "Dean, what's wrong?"
"Princess?" Dean asked a smile coming to his face. "Are you ok, is Hope ok?"
"Dean we're fine" Katie replied. "We got out of the house before-"
"I'm sorry" Dean said knowing how much their home meant to his wife. "Look where are you, I can come get you"
"And then what?" Katie asked. "We all go search for the evil bastards that destroyed our lives" she sighed. "I'm not taking my daughter hunting, and right now I just need to go somewhere there's quiet"
"I need to know where you are" Dean said.
"And you will once I get somewhere, if I get somewhere" Katie replied. "Hey you can call me at this number at any time and I'll probably call you a ridiculous amount of times"
"Hey, we're going to get through this" Dean said. "Just like we always do"
"Dean they know our faces, our names, and they're showing the world and calling us criminals" Katie said. "Everything changes today, with our friends, and family" she closed her eyes. "Guess I'm not too sure about beating this when I feel so beat up right now"
"We will get through this" Dean repeated.
"Ok" Katie replied. She could hear the certainty in his voice, and knew he believed it. "Look you have to go and find your evil twins, I will call you later"
"Yeah" Dean said. "I love you princess"
"I love you too Dean" Katie replied before hanging up the phone. She turned to James and handed him the phone.
"Keep it" James replied. "I have a feeling you'll need it more than me" Katie just brought her hand back as she continued looking at the man. He glanced over to her. "What?"
"It's time for you to start talking" Katie said.
"And what do you want me to say?" James asked.
"Well let's start with the truth and see where it takes us" Katie replied folding her arms over her chest and waiting for the man to begin.
"Gibbs" Tobias greeted as the older agent walked into the interrogation room. "Have a seat" Fornell pointed to the chair on the other side of the table. Gibbs looked over to the chair before walking over and taking a seat. "I assume by now you know what this is about?"
"You're looking for two murderers" Gibbs replied. "I'm still not sure why you're looking here"
"well you're right and you're wrong" Tobias said taking the seat from across from Gibbs. "The sole mission is finding Sam and Dean Winchester, but I've been given my own mission to achieve that" Gibbs looked at him for a moment.
"Find Katie" Gibbs said and Fornell nodded.
"There've been reports of the brothers and then there were reports of them with an unidentified woman" Tobias replied. "She knows where her husband is, and she's the one who's going to lead us to him" Gibbs didn't respond. Tobias already thought he knew the truth. "You know I've been talking to every member of your team and they've all told me the same thing, that Katherine was just a girl, Abby's friend, nothing else"
"That's what she was" Gibbs lied. For so long he just wanted to just tell the truth, to finally let the world know that he had a daughter. A beautiful daughter that he loved more than he thought was possible after he lost Shannon and Kelly.
"You sure about that?" Tobias asked looking at his friend closely waiting for some sign that he was lying, but Gibb's eyes never glazed over.
"Yes" Gibbs replied and Tobias only sighed. Gibbs is trained in this, he knows how to lie.
"I think you know more than what you're telling" Tobias said standing to his feet. "Agent Gibbs" Fornell's voice full of frustration. "Tell me where she is" Gibbs looked at the man for a moment and only smirked.
Gibbs returned to his home that night unable to stop thinking about his daughter. He walked in the front door to find Elizabeth sitting on his couch a bag sitting next to her.
"You're leaving?" Gibbs asked standing just a couple of feet away. She stared ahead her fists under her chine.
"I have to find my daughter" Elizabeth replied. "She's-"
"Hiding" Gibbs replied. It was the only thing that made since. Ever since he saw the news he knew she wasn't dead. He would feel it. "You and I both know that if she's hiding to protect her daughter, you won't find her"
"You found her once" Elizabeth said looking over to Gibbs.
"Yeah, but I think she wanted to be found" Gibbs replied walking over and taking a seat on the couch next to her. He wrapped and arm around her waist and she pulled closer laying her head on his shoulder. "I think right now there's more at stake, she'll come back" Elizabeth sighed.
"She doesn't deserve this" Elizabeth replied. "She should be happy, she should be able to just have her family and be happy"
"She will" Gibbs replied placing a kiss on her forehead.
"Not all stories end with happiliy ever after Lee" Elizabeth sighed.
"Why won't you tell me who you are?" Katie asked and James glanced over to her.
"Because at this point it's not relevant" James replied.
"It is because I blacked out and the only person I remember seeing is you" Katie said. "You're not one of them that much I know, but you know about them, are you a hunter"
"God no" he replied as if the idea was ridiculous. "No offense" Katie turned to him again.
"You know I would find that offensive, so you obviously know that I am a hunter" Katie said. She turned when she heard Hope stirring in her sleep.
"She probably needs to be changed" James said and Katie just turned to him. "And we could get some gas" he looked over to her. "And then I'll answer all of your questions"
Katie shook her head turning back to look out of the window. She should be more suspicious of the man, she should demand that he answer her, but she wasn't. Why she wasn't, she didn't know. He saved her and her daughter, and there was something about him she knew she could trust. Plus the headache was still there, and it seemed to be getting worse. She closed her eyes and laid her head against the cold glass.
The car is silent until she hears voices. Katie opens her eyes and finds that she's no longer sitting in the mustang but at the counter of a diner.
"I mean, honestly, I just…" Katie turned her head and there sitting a few seat down from her was Sam and Dean. "You know what? I can't stand the guy. Talk about a hero complex. And he doesn't have relationships. No, he has applications for sainthood. Oh, and he thinks he's funny. He thinks he's a damn comedian."
"No" Katie whispered realizing that it was them, the evil doppelgangers that ruined their lives.
"Who has two thumbs and full-blown bats in the belfry?" The leviathan Sam said pointing his thumbs to himself.
Katie began looking around trying to figure out where they were. She looked down to the menu sitting in front of her.
"St Louis" Katie read.
"How are these guys even a threat?" Leviathan Sam asked and Katie turned to look over to them.
"Boss says they gotta go, they gotta go" Leviathan Dean says. "Tell you the truth I just think he wants them out of the way so he can get to her"
"Her" the Sam doppelganger sighed. "She should be the one we're after, she's the real threat"
"I know" the evil Dean said. "But I'm guessing the boss has something up his sleeve"
"Boss" Katie says as the evil Dean stands and walks over to a teenager at a nearby table.
Katie's hand goes to her head as the headache seems to get worse. She looks up just in time to see the doppelgangers pull out their guns.
"Hey, kid. Hey. Why don't you fire up the camera on that thing?" The demon Dean says pointing the gun at the teenager.
"No!" Katie yells standing to her feet. She tries to move but her feet stay in place. Her head whips around at the sound of gun fire. She turned to see the evil Sam with his gun pointed to the ceiling as he pulls the trigger.
"All right, everybody be cool! This is a robbery!" The Sam says and Katie closes her eyes bringing her hands to her head.
"Anybody moves" The evil Dean says. "and I'll execute every last one of you!"
Katie jumps at the feeling of someone's hand on her arm. Her eyes snap open as she stares over to James.
"Hey, you ok?" James asks. Katie doesn't say anything as she looks around. They're stopped at a gas station in the middle of no where, the night sky now replaced with a sunny day. "Did you see something?" Katie's eyes turned back to James at his question.
"Get out of the car" Katie says and he looks over to her confused.
"What?" James asks.
"I said" her voice dangerously low. "Get out of the damn car" James shakes his head before turning and getting out of the car. Katie glances back at her sleeping daughter before getting out as well. She looks around to see that there are no prying eyes.
"What is this about?" James asks as Katie walks over to him.
"What did I see?" Katie says moving to stand in front of him. "You know that I'm a witch, how?"
"Look, we don't have time-" before the words could leave the man's mouth Katie was placing her hands on his shoulder before kneeing him in the stomach. James blew out a puff of air as he wrapped his arms around his stomach. Katie only grabbed his arm and pushed him face down on the hood of the mustang, pinning him there in place.
"You better make time" Katie replied pushing his bent arm further into his back. "Because I'm this close to breaking your arm and leaving you in the middle of nowhere"
"Fine!" James yells. "I know who you are, I know everything about you Katherine Winchester" he sighed. "I know because I wrote it" Katie looks down to him confused.
"What do you mean you wrote it?" Katie asks. "Wrote what, wrote-" It finally hits her. She releases his arm and takes a step back and James sits up from the car and turns you her. "You're-"
"Yes" James replies.
"What are you doing here?" Katie asks and James just gives her a look. "He sent you" the man nods. "Why?"
"You're too close to the edge" James replied. "He sent me to make sure you didn't fall off"
"The edge of what?" Katie asks when Hopes starts crying. Katie only looks to the man for a moment before going to tend to her daughter. James sighed as he watched her walk away.
Adam stood pacing the cabin, Bobby still downstairs trying to figure out how to kill the leviathan. Ever since he saw the news he's been worried about Katie and Hope. He's was glad that they're alright, but not that they were alone. He just wished he was there. Adam was snapped out of his thoughts when her heard his phone ringing.
"Hello?"
"Hey it's me" Katie answered. "Bobby having any luck with the leviathan… it's ok momma's almost done"
"No, not yet" Adam replied. "Where are you?"
"Gas station bathroom changing Hope" Katie replied. "Look I saw something, it was the bastards wearing your brother's faces, they were in St. Louis"
"We know" Adam replied. "There stopping in every town Sam and Dean had hunts"
"They want to be found" Katie said. "We need to find out how to kill these bastards before they walk into a trap"
"I couldn't agree more" Adam replied. "So are you guys alright?" he heard Katie sigh.
"We're fine, I'll call you if I see anything else" she said quickly before hanging up the phone. Adam looked at his phone. He could hear it in her voice that she wasn't fine.
"All done" Katie said lifting Hope from the changing table and back on her shoulder. She walked past the mirror making sure the baseball cap was firmly in place to hide her face. The last thing she needed was for people to see a dead woman walking around. That's when it hit her. She was dead for all intensive purposes. All the years of staying in the shadows and under the radar ruined by two demons. She couldn't believe that everything she worked to have was slipping through her fingers. She sighed before turning and walking out of the bathroom. She peeked out the window to see James leaning against the car. His presence here still confused and scared her. She began walking down the aisles of the gas station for something to eat. She stopped when she heard something crash behind her. She turned to see containers of borax on the floor. She looked around confused before positioning Hope in her arms better as she crouched to the floor to pick up the container. The moment her fingers touched the container, her hand felt like it was on fire. Katie dropped the container and stood to her feet looking at her hand. She blinked a bit when she saw the skin on her hand melting, and in an instant they were fine. Standing there in the middle of the gas station she smiled. "Mommy figured it out" Taking out her cellphone she once again dialed Adam. "He it's me, and you're gonna love me" And so she told him the one thing they needed to know.
"You sure about this?" Adam asked.
"No, but right now it's all we have" Katie replied.
"Ok, I'll tell Bobby" Adam said.
"And I'll call Dean" Katie said as she arrived at the car. She looked over to James who looked back to her.
"Hey, this is it" Adam replied. "We can finally go back to normal"
"I don't think anything will ever be normal" Katie said before hanging up her phone. She pointed to James. "This little nightmare is almost over and when it is I'm finding my husband and you can't be there, so it's time for you to talk"
"OK" James nodded. Katie nodded before going to put Hope in her car seat. The beginning of the ride was silent until Katie turned in her seat.
"You should start talking" Katie said. "You said he's afraid because I'm on the edge, on the edge of what exactly"
"The line" James replied glancing over to Katie. "The single line that separates good and evil" Katie looked at him for a moment before erupting with laughter. He looked at her confused. "What's so funny?"
"What do you mean, what's so funny" Katie said. "You, so the big guy thinks I'm dancing the line, what have done to make him think that"
"It's not what you've done" James said. "it's what's been done to you, he just sent me here to make sure you were strong"
"And here I was thinking that he had faith in me" Katie sighed turning to look out her window. "Well the next time you see him tell him there's no way I'll be joining the side that's ruined my life for as long as I can remember"
"Long as you remember what side that is" James said and Katie glanced over to him.
"So that's it?" Katie said. "That's the only reason you've been undercover neighbor for all these months?"
"No, I was sent here for other reasons" James said returning his eyes to the road. "Things I can not reveal to you"
"More secrets" Katie sighed. "That I'm sure will probably bite me in the ass sooner or later" she shook her head. "What I don't get is why you, I mean you're kind of really up there on the power chain and being sent to make sure all my arrows are pointed in the right direction seems like very… beneath you" he looked over to her and smiled.
"Making sure 'all your arrows are pointed in the right direction' as you say may be some of the most important things I've ever done" he turned back to the road. "You are important to the future, and that future is over if you give up on them" she scoffed.
"By them I would assume you mean the people who are hunting my husband and his brother" she laughed. "Probably the same them who are grilling my friends at NCIS about me" she turned to James. "I'm not going bad or anything but I have given up on them, they hunt me and they hunt my family when we're the ones out there risking our lives everyday for them"
"If you don't protect them, then who will?" James asked and Katie turned to him and shook her head. "This is what you were chosen for-"
"Execept I didn't ask to be chosen!" Katie snapped. She glanced back to Hope making sure she didn't wake her. "I wasn't given a choice because I think your father knew if I was that I wouldn't be here right now" the car fell silent before James pulled the car to the side of the road and turned to her.
"I get you're angry" James replied. "It's understandable, but what you just said you can't say"
"What-"
"No, because my father is everywhere and if you say things like that he will make you wish you hadn't by giving it to you" James said. "But I know it's a lie, wanna know why?"
"Enlighten me" Katie replied crossing her arms over her chest.
"Because this life may come with monsters and being beat to crap" James said before turning to the sleeping baby in the back seat. "But it comes with her, and it comes with a husband who'd do pretty much anything for you, so no your life isn't what you want it, but it's not that bad either, that's what you need to remember" he turned forward and took a deep breath. "I think it's time for me to leave"
"What, now?" Katie asked looking over to him. "You drop something like this on me then you leave"
"There's nothing left for me to do" James said.
"How about the leviathans?" Katie asked quickly. James turned to her.
"The answers that you're seeking are here, you just have to find it" James said and before Katie could respond, he was gone.
"What is with you angel's and these vague answers!" Katie snapped a little too loudly, causing Hope to wake up crying. "Perfect"
She'd been driving for most of the day and into the night when her cell phone rang. She answered it quickly.
"You're alive so does that mean we won?" Katie answered.
"Yeah we won" Dean replied. "They're dead and so is the one back at the cabin, meet us there"
"I was already headed that way" Katie sighed tiredly. "I will see you soon" she hung up the phone and tossed it in the passenger seat.
The night was quiet, but Katie's head made up for that. She tried deciphering what James was saying. The answers that she's looking for are here. Somewhere on earth. All she had to do was find them. That was easier said than done.
Her mind soon traveled to his warning and his father's fear. She wondered if she was really that close. She didn't feel any different. She assumed that if someone was that close to the dark side they would know it, feel it. Katie glanced up in the rearview mirror at her sleeping daughter and shook the thought off.
"No way it'll happen" Katie said with a soft smile. That little girl held her heart. She was enough to keep Katie where she needed to be. So maybe she did give up on trying to save the world, but she'd never give up trying to protect her daughter.
It wasn't until the next morning that she pulled up to the run down cabin in the woods. She sat there for a moment final realizing that this was it. That this was her life, this was her daughter's life. The more she tried to pretend that it wasn't, the more she'd only be hurt in the end. She heard the sound of an engine and looked to the side mirror to see a red hatchback pull behind her. Dean quickly got out of the car and walked over to her.
"Hey" Dean said looking down to her before peeking into the backseat at Hope who was still asleep. "You just get here?" Katie only nodded before turning back to the cabin. Dean followed her eyes and sighed. "This isn't it, this isn't it's going to be"
"Yes it is" Katie said her voice low. "This is how it's always going to be, and it's time I finally accepted it" she opened the door to the car and stepped out. "This is our life Dean" Dean saw the sadness hidden behind her eyes and reached to take her into his arms but she moved away to walk around the car to get their daughter.
A/N: And there you have it...