Three Men, an Angel and a Baby – Part 10

"What do we do now?" Sam asked worriedly, as he looked in the direction that his sister had ridden off. He could feel her intense anger through their bond, the swirl of emotions taking him by surprise and threatening to overwhelm him. Sam knew that Haley was upset at having been put to sleep by Castiel without her consent, that she felt violated, she was not going to forgive them easily for this.

"We let her ride it off, Sammy" Dean replied as he looked over at his brother "She'll come back when she calms down. There's not a lot around here, so she's unlikely to find something to kill"

Sam continued to stare into the distance, feeling the bond stretch as Haley's bike carried her further away from the motel. Haley had only been back in his life twenty four hours, but she was already so ingrained into his being, their bond tying them so tightly together that he couldn't imagine not having her in his life. No wonder he had spent the last twenty years feeling angry, he was sure that he was subconsciously grieving the separation from his sister. He had heard that twins had strong connections, but this was ridiculous. Surely the intensity of the connection wasn't normal?

"Come on Sammy, she's already pissed off, if we go running after her now we'll only make it worse. I promise if she's not back in a couple of hours we'll go and get her" Dean said nudging his brother towards Bobby's room.

Nodding Sam followed his brother into the motel room, his thoughts on his sister who was getting further away with each passing second. He hoped that she came back quickly; he was worried that she would run into trouble and would be on her own with no one to back her up.

Dean walked over and took Mary from Castiel "Hey baby girl, have you been good for your daddy today?" he cooed as he blew a soft raspberry on her plump pink cheek. Mary laughed and wiggled excitedly in his arms, her tiny body trembling with joy "Any luck with the research Bobby?"

"I ain't got jack. Seems our Mary is unique" Bobby replied gruffly, pausing briefly he considered whether he should continue, deciding that he might as well get it out of the way "Nothing about Mary, but I did remember something last night"

Sam and Dean were surprised by Bobby's hesitation; it wasn't like the old hunter to hold back, whatever he had remembered it couldn't be good. Dean shifted Mary in his arms and leaned forward slightly, his eyes narrowed "Come on Bobby, spit it out"

"Well, you remember the year you spent the whole summer at my place, Sam, you'd have been about to turn eight" At the brothers nod he continued "Your dad was off chasing a lead on Azazel, he turned up the day after your birthday and announced that he'd discovered something and needed to go overseas for a few days. Well when he got back he was quiet, much quieter than I ever remember, he had sadness about him. He wouldn't talk about where he'd been or what he'd found out, he just said he'd had to take care of something and that it was done. He didn't look at Sam for days, but when he did he got this odd look on his face"

"That's the summer that dad took Haley away" Sam said, he remembered that summer clearly it had been the best of his life, no hunting, no motel rooms just a home for eight weeks. Just him and Haley exploring Bobby's and annoying Dean, they were having the time of their lives, then the day after their birthday dad said he was taking Haley away on a trip and he left with her. That was his last memory of her; all he remembered after that day was feeling upset and angry.

Dean watched his brother carefully as a rush of emotions flashed across his face "So, you think that there's a connection between Azazel and Haley, that she's one of the psychic kids the son of bitch infected with his blood?" Dean asked,

"Maybe"

"She could be one of the psychic kids, but dad didn't know about them until years after he took Haley away, it's got to be something else. There has to be another reason for dad taking her away" Sam said the thought of Haley being infected with demons blood made him want to throw up.

"I do not believe that Haley has been infected Sam. I can see the taint in your soul where the blood has infected you; Haley's soul is bright and pure" Castiel assured Sam. He too had considered the possibility that Haley had been infected by Azazel, but could see no evidence in her being of this.

Sighing in relief "Thanks Cas, that's good to know"

"It must have been a damn good reason, because there's no way dad would have abandoned his own kid. No matter what" Dean said, he was struggling to come to terms with his dads actions, hell he was struggling to come to terms with the fact that he had a sister he just wished that he remembered her. It would make things a hell of a lot easier.

"You're right Dean, Haley had dad wrapped around her little finger. He always called her his angel; it must have been something big to force him to send her away"

"Not that he cared to share that before he made the deal with Azazel... I say we get rid of the pendent, get our memories back and face head on whatever son of a bitch is after her. We can't fight it if we don't know what's coming" Dean insisted he hated being in the dark and the missing memories were affecting his judgement when dealing with Haley, he needed to get them back.

"I do not believe that is wise Dean, we do not know what we would be up against" Castiel interrupted "we still have to find a way to stop Lucifer and the Apocalypse. For now Haley is shielded and that will keep her safe, we should concentrate on the problem at hand"

"What if it's all connected to the Apocalypse, Dean's destined to be Michael's vessel and I'm Lucifer's true vessel. It can't be a co-incidence that our sister is protected by a powerful Angelic shield and has been hidden away almost her whole life" Sam said his mind spinning. He couldn't begin to imagine what effect the separation would have had on Haley. His sister came across as sassy and confident, he suspected that she was one hell of a hunter, she was a Winchester after all, but at what cost?

"Son of a ..." Dean thought nodding his head; Sam was right it had to be connected.

Sam looked up at the clock on the motel room wall and noticed that Haley had been gone for about an hour, he could feel her emotions calming and she seemed to be nearing the motel "She's on her way back" he said with a smile, happy for the first time since she left the motel in a rush of temper.

"How the hell can you tell that she's on her way back Sammy?" Dean asked

"I can sense her; I think that's how I could break through the power of the pendent. We're connected, tied it's always been that way. I remember when we were kids always knowing where she was and how she was feeling. I guess it's a twin thing" he said with a shrug of his shoulders "It's fairly intense though"

Castiel considered what Sam was saying about his bond with Haley "I believe that you are correct Sam, your bond with Haley as her twin would be strong, perhaps strengthened by your psychic abilities"

Nodding Sam got to his feet and turned to the door just as Haley was walking in. He immediately sensed a change in her emotions, she was definitely calmer. Deciding to try and cheer her up he said "Find anything to kill sis?"

"Just these cheese burgers" she replied with a grin as she held up the bag in her hands "I thought everyone might be hungry. No drinks I'm afraid there's only so much I can get on my bike" When she had ridden off it had been her intention to find the nearest monster or jerk and beat the shit out of it, but she was no more than a mile or so away from the motel when she felt the weight of Sam's worry push its way through her anger and stopped in a lay-by to think. She knew that the whole situation was difficult for everyone and that they were going to have to adjust; Dean would just have to learn that he couldn't push her around or completely disregard her wishes, she was a grown up and had been taking care of herself for a long time. So she decided to let it go this one time and she would try and speak to him privately about it later. So as a peace offering she had picked up dinner from a diner not far from the motel.

"Haley, you've just officially taken over Cas's role as Team Free Will's resident angel" Dean said with a wide smile as he handed Mary to Cas and rushed towards the bag containing the food.

"There's pie too" Haley responded with a small smile and then realising what Dean had said "Team Free Will?"

"A long story, Hales lets have dinner and we'll tell you all about it. Time to bring you up to speed on the Apocalypse" Sam replied with a grin. He knew that dinner was Haley's way of a peace offering and was grateful for the effort that she was making.

"Oh my God, Angel I tell ya" Dean said happily as he pulled a cheese burger from the bag and bit into it happily before pausing to throw a burger to Bobby and Sam "Oh my GOD, this is freaking amazing" Looking over at Haley he saw that she was standing in the middle of the room watching him with a sad smile; making a decision he walked over to where she was and placed a light kiss on her forehead "I'm sorry Haley, forgive me"

"Okay, but we'll talk later about what's acceptable behaviour Dean" she responded with a laugh as she stepped in to give him a hug. Dean stood surprised for the briefest of moments before wrapping his arms around the tiny woman and returning the hug enthusiastically.

Haley turned and walked over to Castiel and said "You too Cas, that was not cool"

Looking down at Mary, Haley could see her tiny eyes drooping with tiredness and suspected that it was bed time for the baby "If no one has any objections, I'd like to take Mary and get her ready for bed, she looks about ready to fall asleep and I'd love to spend some time with her before she does"

Castiel nodded and handed Mary to her "mother" and watched as Haley picked up her bag and left the room with the baby. He felt unable to tear his eyes away.

"Hey Cas, you with us?" Dean asked with a laugh. Cas was already on his way to being besotted with Haley, Dean recognised the look, which he guessed wasn't a bad thing given that their future selfs had a baby together.

"Yes Dean, clearly I am with you as I have not yet left the room" Castiel replied his eyes still directed to the place Haley had recently vacated.

Haley made her way into her room and placed the Mary into the centre of the large bed, careful to place a pillow at both sides in case she rolled over. Speaking softly to the baby as she removed her jacket and gun holster she said "Okay Mary, let's get you bathed, changed and a bottle. Are you hungry" Mary looked up at her with wide eyes and a toothless grin; she appeared to be happy so Haley left her for a moment to retrieve the baby's bag from the end of the bed and after pulling out a fresh diaper, a tiny romper suit and a bottle of formula she went to the bathroom and turned on the taps. Looking at the bath she thought "that's huge for a tiny baby, I hope I don't drown her"

Turning off the taps and checking the temperature of the water Haley was finally satisfied that she was organised; she then stripped Mary out of her dirty clothes and wrapped her carefully in one of the large towels that she had found in the bathroom, they were not the softest, but they would have to do. She knelt down and lowered Mary into the water, careful to keep her secure and washed her tiny body with a soft sponge and some baby soap that she had found in the bag. Mary kicked lightly and giggled as the water ran over her "Do you like that baby girl" Haley said with a smile and a giggle as the baby seemed to relish the sensation of being in the water.

Once she was done Haley lifted Mary from the water and carefully dried her before replacing her diaper and dressing her in her clean clothes "So Mary how did I do?" she asked as she made her way back into the bedroom. The baby simply yawned and snuggled softly into her "mothers" chest. "Okay, let's get you your dinner before you fall asleep"

Picking up the bottle from where she had left it on the table and placing the nipple into the baby's mouth Haley's eyes widened as Mary latched on hungrily. A few minutes later, Mary had fallen asleep the nipple slipping from her mouth. Placing the bottle on the table beside the sofa she watched the baby sleep, laughing softly at the light snoring coming from the baby "I will protect you with everything that I have baby girl and I will never let you go. You will never doubt that your momma loves you, because she's gonna tell you every day"

Satisfied that the baby was deeply asleep, Haley got up from the sofa and placed Mary onto the bed before covering her lightly with the soft blanket that she had found in the baby's bag. After only a moment's hesitation she lay down beside the baby and placed her hand gently on her stomach as she watched her sleep. A few minutes later Haley felt her eyes close as the rhythmic sound of the baby's soft snoring lulled her into sleep.

A short while later Sam and Dean returned to their room, sure that Haley would have gotten Mary settled. They had decided that they needed to tell her about the Apocalypse and their role in it. They also had to tell her about their dad, a conversation that they were not looking forward to. Bobby and Castiel had agreed that this was a conversation that the siblings needed to have in private and decided to stay in their own room.

Sam stopped as he entered the room and felt Dean nudge him lightly from behind "Come on Sammy, in you go"

"Shush Dean, look" Sam said as he pointed to the bed. His sister was asleep, her hand lying lightly on the baby's stomach. She looked so young, so peaceful, that he was unwilling to wake her.

Almost immediately, Haley's eyes opened and she looked at her brothers standing in the doorway "Hey guys"

"Hey sis" Sam said as he walked further into the room.

"Hales, go back to sleep" Dean said softly

"No, I'm up. I'll never sleep tonight if I keep sleeping during the day" she said with a pointed look at Dean. Noticing the serious expressions on her brother's faces she sat up and asked "What's up?"

"It doesn't matter, we can talk about it in the morning" Sam answered,

"No it's fine, I'm good to talk now" Haley had a feeling that she knew what conversation was coming and her heart sank.

Dean and Sam sat down on the sofa opposite where Haley was sitting on the bed; taking Haley's hand in his Sam said softly, his eyes sad "It's about dad. I'm so sorry Haley, but he's dead"

Haley looked at her brothers, her green eyes luminous with tears which threatened to overflow "I know, I suspected ... Dean changed the conversation so quickly when I mentioned calling him that I guessed there was something wrong. What... how did it happen?" Haley said brokenly with a small sob. She remembered her dad, strong and proud, her superhero and couldn't believe that he was really gone, that she would never be able to reconnect with him or find out why he gave her away.

"There was an accident, I was dying and he made a deal with the demon that killed mom, his soul for mine" Dean said as he watched his sister struggle to hold back the tears. He had never in his life felt so helpless in the face of someone's pain.

The brothers watched helplessly as Haley struggled to unsuccessfully hold back the tears that had started to fall from her eyes, her breath hitching in her chest; standing up suddenly she said "I... I need a minute" and rushed to the bathroom and quickly closed the door behind her. Sam and Dean looked at each other their own eyes glistening as they listened to their sister's quiet heartbroken sobs coming from behind the closed door.

TBC

A/N First off, thanks for reading and thanks to those who left a review on previous chapters. Each one is valued and cherished. I also wanted to give a huge Scottish shout out to TwinchesterAngel who reminded me that Haley could have also been infected by Azazel (how could I have missed that Lol) and to Carver Edlund whose continued support has been amazing and keeps me writing. Thanks guys. Candygal1