A/N: Here you are, ENJOY!
Katie realized that when they weren't hunting, they would have to find their amusement elsewhere. And in the past five months since she joined back up with the guys, her and Dean have taken up pranking each other. She knows it's juvenile and childish, but he started it and she was going to finish it. Which is why she was currently snapping shot after shot of him while he slept. She laughed at how funny he looked as he slept, his hair a mess on his head. This will be great revenge.
"Can you say facebook anyone" she muttered to herself as she moved around his bed to get another shot.
Sam looked over to her and just shook his head. Slowly but surely he could see their relationship changing. Whether it was the fact that every restaurant or diner they ate at, Katie would sit next to Dean. Or the fact that when they were hunting and needed to split up, Dean always insisted Katie go with him. It seemed all these little things were so obvious to him, and yet they seemed to ignore them. He heard Katie laughing again and turned to see her still taking pictures of Dean.
"What exactly are you doing?" Sam asked and Katie looks over to him.
"I'm taking pictures of Dean" Katie replies simply.
"I see that" Sam says. "But I'm still trying to figure out why?"
"Because he looks exceptionally ridiculous right now and this is my chance to get him back for that stunt last week" Katie says.
"Yeah" Sam says chuckling remember his brother putting blue dye in her shampoo. "That was—" he notices the glare Katie's sending him and quickly stops laughing. "Not funny at all"
"Yeah, well I'm going to get him back by hitting him where it hurts the most" Katie says turning back to Dean. "His image" she laughs. "I am going to post these pictures via facebook and I think Dean will have a few hits to his ego"
"Yeah, that sounds like loads of fun" Sam replies sarcastically turning back to his laptop. "You know if you're bored you could help me find us another case" He began typing away. "While you and Dean have plenty of time with all the practical jokes, I'm the one left with all the boring research"
"Well I thought you liked the boring research thing" Katie replies smiling at the glare he was sending her. She turns back to her phone as she looks through the pictures. "Plus it brings balance to our dysfunctional team of misfits" she looks over to Sam. "I mean you're the brains, the wiz at the research" Sam shakes his head before turning back to his laptop. "I'm the beauty, but I can also be the muscle in case things get out of hand" she turns back to the sleeping eldest Winchester. "And Dean—well Dean is the comic relief" she looks back down to her phone. "Ooh this is a good one"
"Whatever, right now the wiz at the research is coming up with nothing" Sam says running a hand over his face.
"Don't worry about it, I've already got us a case" Katie says looking down to her phone. Sam looks back over to her clearly annoyed.
"What?" Sam asks and Katie looks over to him. "So you had a case this whole time and you just let me sit here for hours trying to find something"
"Hey, like I said I thought you liked the whole research thing" Katie says with a shrug. "Who am I to take away the joy that brings you" And then there's another glare and she shakes her head.
"What is it?" Sam asks and Katie walks over to type something on his computer over his shoulder.
"There." Katie says standing up straight once the article appeared. "Read that" she took a seat at the table across from Sam, as he read the article. Once he was finished he looked over to her.
"Ok, so there's been a lot of admits to this hospital" Sam says and Katie nods. "So what?" Katie sighs and stands to her feet walking back over to Sam.
"So, look at the dates" Katie says pointing to the screen. "Admits have literally doubled at this mental hospital" she looks down to Sam. "That's not normal" she looks back to the screen catching a line. "These people were fine, they were normal and then one day out of the blue they're just not" she points to the screen again. "And here, the majority of these patients all share the same symptoms of schizophrenia" she looks over to Sam. "So yeah, I think this our thing" she walks over to snap a couple of more pictures of Dean.
"Alright, I guess we can check it out" Sam says looking over the article some more. "We can fill Dean in, in the morning"
"That sounds like a plan Sam I Am" Katie says and Sam looks over to her.
"Never, ever call me that" Sam replies and Katie simply gives him a wink before turning back to her phone.
"You what, something's missing" Katie says looking between the picture on her phone and Dean in the bed. "I know" Katie turns to Sam. "Sam take a picture of me by Dean for my profile picture"
"What?" Sam says looking over to her. "No, I'm not getting in the middle of whatever is going on between you two"
"You're no fun" Katie replies turning back to Dean. She tilted her head looking over to him, when she finally got an idea. "I got it" Sam watches curiously as Katie walks over and lays beside his sleeping brother, holding her phone above them, before he hears the snap of the camera. "Perfect" she suddenly feels Dean moving and stays still, but soon his arm moves around her. "Wait, wait—" his arm wraps around her pulling her so close that her head gets pressed against his chest. "No, this can't— " she tries to pull away but even in his sleep, the man isn't letting up. "Sam, help" she whispers.
"I think you should use your beauty and muscle to get you out of this one" Sam says and she can't see him but she can hear the amusement in his voice. She hears him walking until she sees him lie down in his bed switch off the light. "Good night"
"Sam" Katie whispers in the darkness. "Please, I didn't mean it" Sam doesn't say a word and after a while she hears him snoring as well. "Damn" She's left there trying to think of a way to get out of this without waking up Dean. Soon her mind gets too fuzzy to think of a plan and she begins to realize just how comfortable she was. Dean was nice and warm and she didn't hate the way he was holding her. And so she finally let the soft thumps of Dean's heart lull her to sleep. She would just have to come up with some sort of explanation in the morning.
The next morning, Katie's eyes opened to the sun that shone into the room. She couldn't explain it, but last night was the first good sleep she'd had in a long time. She was just so comfortable.
"Morning princess" Dean's deep voice said so close to her ear.
"Morning" Katie replied with a yawn before she finally realized where she was. Without thinking, she quickly jumps out of the bed and to her feet.
"Hey, what's your problem" Dean says sitting up in the bed. Katie notices the look in his eyes and shakes her head.
"Oh, just wipe that stupid look off your face" Katie snaps turning her eyes away from him.
"Hey, I'm the victim here" Dean says and Katie turns back to him to see the smirk still on his face. "You think I was thrilled to find you on me like that" she scoffed. "If you wanted to cuddle all you had to do was ask"
"Oh, please you're the one that wanted to cuddle jackass" Katie replies. "I—" she looks over to the floor where her cell phone had fallen. "I tripped and landed on your bed and when I tried to get up, you wrapped your arm around me and wouldn't let go"
"Guys, keep it down!" Sam said throwing a pillow at Katie before turning over in his bed.
"Hey" Katie called tossing the pillow back at Sam.
"Sorry Sam" Dean says looking over to his brother. "It's just Katie here doesn't want to admit that she wanted to cuddle up with big daddy"
"Ok, one, big daddy? Ew." she shakes her head. "What are you a pimp?" she holds up her hand. "Look how many times do I have to say I didn't want to cuddle with you" she looks over to the bathroom and then over to Dean.
"You can say it until you're blue in the face princess" Dean says standing from the bed. "But you wanted to cuddle and I think you even liked it" Dean begins easing toward the bathroom as well, both keeping their eyes on each other.
"I did not" Katie replied before turning and running for the bathroom, grabbing her bag on the way. Dean was right behind her, when they both reach the door, trying to push the other out. Katie reached out her hand and began tickling the Dean's stomach, a place she'd found was very sensitive to touch. Caught off guard, Dean moves away from her touch, letting her slip past him into the bathroom, slamming the door in his face.
"There better be hot water when you leave this bathroom!" Dean called and he could've sworn he heard her laughing at him. "I'm serious!" Dean turns to see Sam sitting up from his bed.
"What dude?" Sam says noticing his brother looking at him. "I'm not going to call you big daddy"
"Ha ha, funny, everyone is just so funny this morning" Dean says shaking his head.
"So you hear about the case Katie found for us?" Sam asks standing from his bed and walking over to his laptop.
"No, what has our favorite witch found for us?" Dean asks walking over to take the seat across from his brother. Sam opens his laptop and bringing up the article before sliding over to his brother.
"Read that and tell me what you think" Sam says and Dean nods before looking down to the read the article.
"Hmm" Dean mutters after a moment before looking back over to his brother. "Are we sure this is our thing" he glances back down the screen. "I mean no one has mysteriously died here at Spring Meadows" he shrugs. "And a bunch of crazies don't really scream supernatural"
"My thoughts exactly" Sam said pulling the computer back. "But she seems to think it is"
"Well then I guess we can check it out. It's not that far from here" Dean said before turning back to the bathroom. "We could be on the road if the princess would get out of the damn bathroom!"
"Don't rush me!" Katie called from the other side of the door. After a couple of moments later Katie finally came out of the bathroom, now dressed and ready for the day. She glared over to Dean who was standing to his feet and walking over to her. "Happy now?"
"Very" Dean replies walking toward the bathroom only to get a kick to the butt. He glares over to Katie before going in, closing the door behind him.
"So I told Dean about the case and we're going to check it out" Sam says watching as Katie sits on the couch across from him on the couch.
"Sounds like a plan" Katie says as she slips her feet into her shoes and begins lacing them up. Sam looks at her for a moment and Katie looks over noticing. "What?"
"Nothing, uh how did you hear about this any way?" Sam asks.
"I got a call from a friend" Katie replies. Sam quirks and eyebrow. Even after all this time, Katie rarely mentions anything about her life before meeting them. That includes her family or even friends. "Her son, he's just twelve and he—" she sighs dropping her foot to the floor. "Just completely changed on her. He was fine, and he was healthy, he was just like any normal boy and then he starts hearing voices" she looks over o Sam. "And I know that these things can happen and so did she, she passed it off as one of the bad things that happen to people, but then she noticed something" Katie slid back in her seat and looked up to the ceiling. "The people at the hospital showing the same signs as Tyler, saying the same things" she shook her head and looked back over to Sam. "So she called me for help, and that's what I'm going to do"
"So she knows—" Sam trails, but Katie already knows what he's asking.
"That I'm a witch?" Katie asks standing to her feet. "Yes, she's actually one of the few people who do" Katie begins walking toward the door.
"Where you going?" Sam asks and she looks over to him.
"Coffee" Katie sighs. "I'm definitely going to need my daily caffeine fix if I'm going to have to put up with your brother today" she shakes her head at the thought. "You want anything?"
"Coffee's good" Sam says.
"Will do Sammy Whammy" Katie says and there is another glare sent her way. "C'mon you don't like that one either?" she laughs to herself before opening the door. "Well call me if world's about to end, I'll be down the street" Sam nodded before watching her leave. Sam turned back to his laptop looking over the article and sighed. A few minutes later he looked up to see Dean walking out of the bathroom, wearing nothing but a towel around his waist.
"Where'd Katie go?" Dean asked looking over to Sam who simply shakes his head as he closes his laptop.
"Why, you upset she missed your little peepshow?" Sam asks chuckling to himself as he stands to his feet.
"You're just full of jokes, aren't you?" Dean asks watching his brother walk over to his bed and grab his bag. Dean shakes his head before pulling on his own clothes.
"Well you finally did it Dean" Sam says and his brother looks over to him confused. "She's gone, she's says she's tired of the pranks and the she's not gonna deal with it anymore" Sam sighs acting disappointed. "So she left and she said she's never coming back" Dean looks over to his brother waiting for the punchline, but it never comes.
"You're kidding?" Dean asks and Sam looks up to see the seriousness in his brother's eyes.
"Geez Dean, she just went for coffee" Sam says grabbing his bag and heading for the bathroom. "Don't worry your secret crush will return soon"
"I am a grown man Sammy!" Dean called as Sam closed himself in the bathroom. Dean shook his head before turning back to his bed. "I don't have a crush"
Dean was right and they were able to make it to Katie's friend's house in a couple of hours. After pulling up in front of the house, Dean turns back to look at Katie.
"You sure you don't want us to come in with you?" Dean asks and Katie looks over to him and smiles. Sam looks between the two noticing how protective Dean's gotten since Katie's been back.
"Yeah, I'll be fine" Katie says. "I just want to talk to Syd and get the full story on what going on with Tyler" she looks over to the house. "It shouldn't take too long" she chuckles and turns back to Dean. "Plus if the poop does hit the fan, I am fully capable of taking care of it Deany-Poo"
"Don't ever call me that" Dean says shaking his head. "And stop saying poo or poop, it's weird" he looks back over to her. "And I know you can take care of yourself, but I also know that you're hot headed and go into situations without thinking them through first" he sighs. "Just promise you won't do anything stupid"
"Fine" Katie sighs, but she smiles as well seeing how worried he is about her. "I promise that if anything happens in all the thirty minutes that I'm here, you're the first person I'll call"
"Alright, so me and Sam are going to go get a room and then just call us when you're ready for us to pick you up" Dean says.
"Aye aye Deany weeny" Katie says chuckling at the look on his face. She shakes her head as she gets out of the car.
"Don't call me that either!" he calls and she turns and gives him a wink, before heading up to her friend's front door.
She looks up to the beautiful house, in the beautiful neighborhood and she can't help but to be a little jealous. This was always her dream. But with her life she knew the chances were slim of her ever having this. She lifted a finger, pressing the doorbell and soon it swung open. Sydney Price looked exactly the same, well except for the puffy cheek and red eyes Katie assumed was from nights of crying for her son. But other than that, she had the same red hair, that was not cut short into a pixy style, and she was still about an inch shorter than Katie
"Katie!" The woman greets surprised. "You're here" The woman brought Katie into an embrace.
"Of course I'm here, I promised" Katie says as they pulled from the hug.
"Where are my manners" Syd says shaking her head. "Please, come in" The woman moved aside letting Katie come into the house.
Sam and Dean waited until Katie was inside the house before finally pulling off. The ride was silent, but it wouldn't be for long. The youngest Winchester was curious.
"Aren't you the least bit curious as to why she didn't want us to meet her friend?" Sam asks and Dean looks over to him.
"Not really" Dean replies with a shrug. "I mean her kid's been deemed mentally unstable, maybe a bunch of people asking her questions isn't what she needs right now" Sam looks over to his brother shocked at the answer. "What?"
"Nothing, that just makes sense" Sam says and Dean looks over to him offended. "No, I mean you—" Sam simply shook his head. "Never mind, that was kind of an insult" Sam turned back out the window. "But this case is kind of reminding me that we really don't know much about her past or who she was before she met us" Sam turns back to his brother. "I mean how many people do you think she's told about who she is?"
"Not many" Dean replies knowing Katie's secret is something she holds on to tightly.
"Right, so this woman must be someone important to her right?" Sam asks.
"I don't know" Dean replies. "We all have pasts, you know that, and I know that, sometimes we want to leave as much of it back there for as long as possible. So maybe her taking the reins on this one is her way of doing that"
"Maybe" Sam sighs before turning back out the window.
Katie walked in noticing the house in a bit of disarray. This place definitely didn't scream the neat freak person she once knew. She also noticed the slight chill the hit her as she entered.
"I'm sorry about the mess" Syd said walking past Katie and picking up a few discarded tissues and clothes that lain about. "I guess I really haven't been in the tidying up mood"
"It's fine Syd" Katie says looking over to her friend. "I really just can't imagine what you're going through right now" Syd stopped and turned to Katie as she took her hand. "I promise I will do whatever I can to help you"
"I know you will" Syd replies. "You were always there when I needed you and I'm just glad now isn't any different" Syd gave Katie's hand a gentle squeeze. "And please just let me know if there is anything I can do to help"
"There actually is" Katie says walking over and taking a seat on the couch. Syd sat in the chair across from her. "I need you to tell me exactly what happened to Ty" Syd sighed turning away. "I just need to know if there were any strange things that may have happened that seemed related to his—" Katie wasn't sure what to call what was happening to Tyler. "His condition"
"I don't—" Syd closed her eyes placing her hand on her cheek. "He seemed fine, he was just my little guy, but then—" she opened her eyes and looked over to Katie. "He mentioned something about bad dreams" Syd sucked in a breath, her face suddenly looking mortified. "Oh, no" she turned back to Katie. "What if the dreams—" she shook her head. "I should've seen this coming"
"Syd, there's no way" Katie says reaching over and taking her friends hand. "There's no way you could've known. Tell me about these bad dreams"
"He said there was a monster that was trying to steal his brain" Syd recounted. "I assumed that he was sneaking and watching horror movies when I wasn't around and I didn't make much of it" Syd closed her eyes and ran and hand across her face. "But they do, don't they?"
"It's a possibility" Katie sighed. "Did he mention what this monster look like?"
"Not really, all he told me was that it wore a hooded robe" Syd shrugged. "He never saw its face" the woman shook her head. "That's it, that's all I know" Katie saw the tears beginning to fall from Syd's face. "This is all my fault, I should've—" she looked back over to Katie. "Should've paid more attention"
"Syd" Katie says giving the one's hand another squeeze. "This isn't your fault and I know it's easy to blame yourself, but this—" Katie shook her head. "I don't think there is anything you could've done to stop this" Syd nodded. "Look me and some friends we're going to talk with Tyler, right now he's our only lead, maybe he can shed some light on the rest of this"
"I don't know if he'll be of much help" Syd replies and Katie looked to her confused. "A few days ago he suddenly just stopped talking" she shook her head. "Which I remembered was so strange, because he would usually mumble things, things that didn't make sense, but he would say them non-stop until suddenly he just didn't utter a word" she closes her eyes and shakes her head. "He just stares right through you as if he can see something that none of us can see"
"Ok, so that maybe so" Katie says. "But we're going to go anyways and see what we can find out"
"Thank you" Syd said standing to her feet. Katie did as well as the woman brought her into a hug. Katie stiffened when she felt that chill again. "I don't know what I would do, if it weren't for you" they pulled from the hug and Katie plastered on a smile.
"Of course I would be here Syd" Katie replies. "You've kept my closest secret all this time and you didn't look at me like I was some sort of freak" Katie smiles. "I owe you, but please, I—" she shook her head. "I don't want to give you any false hope, because like I said I promise to do everything in my power to figure this out, but even that may not be enough"
"I know you can only do so much" Syd said with an understanding nod. "But you're here, you're here and you're helping and I couldn't ask for anything more"
"Alright, I should be meeting up with my friends, but I will call you if I find out anything" Katie says and Syd nods releasing a relieved breath. "And you should try to get some rest"
"I'll try" Syd replies. Katie turns and walks out the door, Syd standing there watching. Katie stops once she is on the sidewalk and turns back to her friend before giving her a final wave before continuing on her way. Syd leaned her head against the door, her small smile widening into a grin. "That was easy enough" the woman's eyes turn a cold black as she closes the door. "She's headed your way boss, I hope you're ready"
Dean lay back on his bed in his motel room barely paying to the television that was on. Sam witnessed him check his watch probably five times in the last ten minutes.
"Dude" Sam says and Dean looks over to him. "Are you ok?"
"What?" Dean asks confuses. "What are you talking about, I'm fine" he looks down to himself. "Do I not look alright or something?"
"Not really" Sam replies and Dean looks over to him sending a glare his way, when his cell phone finally rang. Sam watched his brother snatch the phone from the lamp table next to his bed, clear his throat before bringing the phone to his ear.
"Yeah" he answered coolly.
"Hey, it's me" Katie replied.
"Oh, hey" Dean says grabbing his keys. "You're ready for us to pick you up from Syd's?"
"Uh, no actually, I left Syd's a while ago, I want you guys to meet me at the hospital" Katie replied.
"Miss, I think this is your size" Dean heard someone say from the other line.
"Oh, thank you" Katie replies.
"Wait, where—" Dean shook his head standing from the bed. "Where are you? I thought I told you not to go off on your own"
"I know, but I had something to do, don't crap a cow, I'm fine" Katie says. "Meet me at the hospital" she said the last part quickly not giving him a chance to reply before hanging up.
Dean muttered a few curses under his breath and that lead his brother to believe that he didn't have a pleasant conversation.
"Dean" Sam says interrupting his brother's string of swearing. "What's going on?"
"That woman—" Dean shook his head and Sam soon understood what was happening. "That woman is insufferable!" At this point Sam was just annoyed by his brother and the woman he was obviously in love with.
"Alright" Sam said waiting for the conversation to get back to the case. "Now what?"
"Now we meet her at the hospital" Dean replied tossing his keys on the bed. "So get suited up so we can go"
Dean rushed them both out of the room, the moment they were dressed. Sam glanced over to his brother as they drove to the hospital, just shaking his head.
"Dean" Sam says and his brother looks over to him. "You know that—" Sam knew this was a long shot, but he was curious about the results. "You know you can talk to me about anything, right?" Dean looked over to his brother totally confused by the start of this conversation. "It's just if you have something your mind that you want to get out, I'm here, I'll listen"
"Alright Dr. Phill, I will keep that in mind" Dean says and Sam simply shakes his head.
"Yep, long shot" Sam thought.
Dean pulled into the parking lot of the hospital , scanning the area for Katie, but to his disappointment, she was nowhere in sight. Sam rummaged around in the glove compartment before pulling out two badges, handing one to his brother.
"Who are we talking to again?" Dean asks looking over to his brother.
"Uh, Dr. Rush" Sam replies. "According to the articles, he's being the lead physician since the whole crazy epidemic started"
"Right" Dean says as they step out the car and head into the mental facility. The moment they walk inside the place is cold and has that smell that they only find in hospitals. The dim lighting doesn't help the attractiveness of the place. They noticed the place seemed a bit dated, even the nursing staff looked like they stepped right out of the eighties with the white dresses and matching bonnets. They walked over to the nursing station, hoping to be directed to Dr. Rush, but there was a nurse in front of them. Dean's eyes seemed to trail down the woman's backside, all the way down to her legs. "You know I wouldn't mind playing crazy if the nurses looked like that" he whispered over to his brother. Sam simply shook his head.
"Well then" the nurse said from behind the desk to the nurse in front of her. "I guess you're all set. I think I'm still going to call over to central office, because I told them specifically that we're almost at capacity and I needed more bodies here to handle it" the woman shook her head. "And then they just send me one woman, no offense, I doubt you're that good"
"You're right, and I'm sorry about that, but right now I'm the only one who had the time to spare" the woman replied and both Sam and Dean's eye brows quirked at the woman's familiar voice. "But I was told to tell you that more nurse should be here within the week, but please rest assured that I plan to be a great help"
"Well you better honey" the older nurse replied. "Here is you temporary badge just until we can get you a permanent one" she pointed to double doors that were to their left. "Everything, patient rooms, doctors offices, is through those doors. You're going to find Nurse Martin, who is going to be showing you the ropes before we toss you to the wolves" the nurse looks down the stack of papers on her desk. "You know what I have some paperwork for Martin that you can take to her, just give me a second while I help these two gentle behind you"
"Yes ma'am" the nurse replies before turning to Sam and Dean, both biting back the "What the hell?" that wants to come out of their mouths when they see that it is Katie. "Gentleman" she greets with a smile as she sees the confusion in their eyes.
"Ma'am" Sam replies with a nod. She looks over to Dean who seems to be at a loss for words. He was glad she wasn't a mind reader because she would definitely punch him right in the stomach if she knew what was going through his head right now.
Katie nods back before moving out of the way so they can move up to the desk.
"Can I help you two with something?" the older nurse asked. Sam stepped up flashing his badge while his brother's eyes seemed to be glued to Katie.
"Yes" Sam looked over to Dean before elbowing him in the side. Dean quickly turned taking out his badge as well. "We're here to see Dr. Rush, we need to ask him a couple of questions" The nurse looked between their badges curiously before looking back up to the brothers.
"Well Dr. Rush is in a therapy session at the moment, but should be finished soon" The nurse replies. "I guess you can wait in his office if you don't mind"
"That will be fine" Sam replied with a kind smile.
"The nurse can let you in" The nurse says. "Nurse Bennett?" Katie turns to her with full attention. "Would you let these gentle through the doors one your way to Nurse Martin" Katie nodded walking over taking the stacks of files with her.
"Of course" Katie replies before turning to Sam and Dean. "Just follow me" Katie walks over to the double doors, scanning her badge along the lock causing the doors to open.
"So this is what you were doing?" Dean asks still unable to keep his eyes to himself, those unfriend like thoughts not going away.
"Yeah, I needed to get places only a nurse could get to" Katie replies sitting the files on a nearby nursing station before turning back to Dean. "You still mad?" it took Dean a moment to realize that Katie had just said something to him.
"Huh—" Dean looked over to Sam who was just shaking his head. Dean turned back to Katie. "Wait, did you say something?"
"I guess not" Katie replies shaking her head as well. "Alright, you guys go talk to Dr. Rush see if these patients have anything in common and I'm going to talk to Tyler"
"Right" Dean says with a nod. "Meet back up here in thirty" Katie nods before going in search of Tyler's room. Dean watched until she disappeared around a corner before turning to Sam who was giving his a look. "What?"
"Nothing, it's just—" Sam shook his head. How could this not be clear to them. "C'mon Dean!"
"C'mon, what?" Dean asks and Sam simply turned away and went to find the doctor's office. "C'mon what Sam?" Dean called after his brother before going to catch up.
Katie walked down the hall aimlessly. There was something about this place that just didn't feel right. She felt it the moment she stepped through the doors and the feeling only got worse the further she walked down these halls. She soon walked past another nursing station, this one had a large white board with the names of patients. Katie spotted T. Beemer in room 532. She turned and went in search of the room. It didn't take long for her to find the room and the moment she did she looks around the hallway to make sure there was no one around before she walked in. Tyler lay in a bed, in a room with about five other patients, who all seemed to be doing the same thing. Just staring up into space at nothing in particular. Katie walks over to him noticing he looks a bit like the little boy she met so many years ago, but he had dark circles around his eyes, he looked so… frightened.
"Something isn't right" Katie whispers looking over to the mirroring expressions of the other patients. "What is doing this to you people?" she shook her head before turning back to Tyler, taking a seat on the edge of his bed. "Tyler, I know it's been a while, but my name is Katie and I'm a friend of your mother" he didn't say anything. Well he didn't do anything that signaled he heard what she was saying. "I'm here to help—" she reached out to take his hand, but the moment she did the feeling of fear and confusion overwhelmed that she had to let go and move away from him. "What the hell?" something caught the corner of her eye and she turned to see someone quickly move by. She walked out of the room and looked down the hall just in time to see the dark figure turn down the hall. "I guess I play follow the mysterious stranger who could possibly be leading me to my death" she mutters to herself. She looks over to Tyler once more before going to find some answers.
Walking down the hall and turning the corner, Katie was there just in time to see the figure once again turn down yet another corner. She sighs before continuing to follow. That uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach seemed to get even worse to closer she got to the mysterious figure. Everything inside of her was screaming to stop, go back and find Dean and Sam. This was dangerous, but her feet kept moving. She turned yet another corner wondering if this was all some sort of game to walk her in circles.
"Ok, where are you taking me!" Katie yelled down the hall her voice echoing off the walls. She looked up when the lights began flickering off and on and that's when she continued. She didn't stop until something inside of her told her it was time to stop. She looked forward, but there was no one in sight, but she stiffened when she heard something moving behind her. She could feel the heat from their body on her back and she hesitated a bit before finally turning to the darkness that seemed to be looking back at her from under a hood. Suddenly bony fingers grab at the sides of her face, and even though she was ridiculously close to this mysterious, she could make out the words he was muttering. What didn't go missed with the excruciating pain that seemed to explode inside of her causing her jump back and hunch over in pain. The moment she was able to capture an ounce of a breath she stood up straight and ran as fast as her legs would take her. Each hall seemed endless, but she kept running, her only goal is to get as far away from the one that brings pain. Soon the light in the room dims and everything seems a bit fuzzy, and she wonders what's happening to her eyes. It doesn't stop her from running, she doesn't think anything can stop her from running. She reaches up to her cheek, she can't still fill his cold fingers on her skin and the thought make her sick.
She finally spots a familiar door and runs inside closing the door behind her. She peeks out of the window to see if she has truly evaded the one who brings pain. She allows herself an ounce of relief when he doesn't appear, but that relief is gone when she turns to see the once comatosed like patients that were in the room before, Tyler included, now sitting up in their beds pointing at her.
"He's coming" They all say simultaneously. Katie watches is confusion as they seem to repeat these words. "He's coming" it seems to get louder. Too loud" she quickly opens the door and runs out in hopes of finally finding quiet. She ends up running into the arms of someone familiar.
"Hey" Dean says catching Katie in her arms. It's the look in her eyes that tell him something is wrong. "What's happening?" Katie turns her head meeting his eyes. There are only two words echoing in her head, seeming to etching itself in her brain.
"He's coming" she whispers. And suddenly it's all just too much for her, and she finally gives in to what she's been fighting since the one who brings pain's hands touched her skin. She finally gives in to the dark. And that's when she collapses in Dean's arms. Dean looks down to her, trying to hold in the mixture of emotions that are threatening to get out simply because something is wrong with the woman in his arms. He hoisted her up into his arms before looking over to his brother.
"We should get out of here" Sam says. "C'mon there has to be a back way out of here" They found a back entrance and headed back to the impala where he laid Katie in the back seat. He gave her one final look before walking around to the driver's seat where he looked over to his brother.
"Ok, so maybe this is our sort of thing" Dean says.
"What do you think happened?" Sam asks looking back to the unconscious Katie. They'd know her for quite a while. She was fighter, never went down without a hell of a fight. For something to do this, had them both confused and a bit worried.
"I don't know" Dean says and Sam turns to see the seriousness in his brother's eyes. There was another emotion as well, one Dean couldn't hide, especially not from his own brother. Dean reached forward and started the car. "But I for damn sure going to find out"
Later that night Dean and Sam watched as Katie unmoving body, remained unmoving. She was totally out, and the longer she was out the more worried they got. And while Sam went into deep research mode, Dean pulled up a chair next to her bed and just waited. Dean places his elbows on his knees and rested his chin on his knuckles and looked up to her face, as if he was trying to will her to wake up. He didn't want to admit what not hearing her voice, and not seeing her eyes was doing to him. They didn't know what was happening to her and that scared the hell out of him. Dean thanked whatever god was listening when he heard a small groan escape her lips.
"Sam!" Dean called standing to his feet and the youngest Winchester ran over. "Hey princess" Dean grabbed her hand and made sure to speak softly. "Can you hear me?" he felt her squeeze his hand. "I need you to wake up for me" No truer words were spoken by this man today. Suddenly Katie's eyes flitted open and she looked confused. "There you are" she turned at Dean's voice looking between both brothers, her eyes widening in horror. She snatches her hand out of Dean's grasp and jumps to her feet, letting the bed separate her from them. Sam and Dean, watch in confusion as their friend's back finds the corner of the room and slides down, burying her face in her knees and begins rocking back and forth.
"Dean—" Sam says but Dean holds up a hand for him to just wait. Dean carefully walks over to her, kneeling down to her, gently placing a hand on her knee. To his surprise she was shaking. She was scared and just couldn't imagine what could've made the most fearless woman he'd ever met so afraid. She snatched her need from under his hand.
"Hey, princess" Dean says keeping his voice soft and calm. "You're alright, nothing is going to hurt you" he placed his hand on her knee hoping the contact would reassure her. "Nothing is going to hurt you, while I'm here" He looked over his shoulder to his brother who was watching her just as confused as he was. Dean sighed before turning back to her. "I need you to do me a favor. I need you to tell me what happened?" Katie lifted her eyes slightly meeting Dean's eyes and that's when he noticed the tears in her eyes. It was this moment that he realized he never seen her cry or rather she'd never let him see her cry.
"He's coming" she said her voice barely a whisper. " she closed her eyes bringing her hands to her ears. "He's not done, he's coming for me" she opens her eyes to look back to Dean. "To finish." She dropped her head back down, wrapping her hands around her knees.
"Who's coming princess?" Dean asked. "Who—" he placed a hand on her shoulder. "Who did this to you?" he felt her tense up under his hand before she looked back up to him.
"Rape my mind" she said closing her eyes tightly. " Pain—" she opens her eyes. "He brings pain" she shakes her head. "I can't—" they both looks at her, thinking the same thing. "He's coming" They're losing her.
"Listen to me princess" Dean says pushing her hair back behind her ear. "He won't hurt you, not while I'm here, ok" she simply dropped her head back down to her knees and Dean stood to his feet and walked over to his brother.
"So what do you think?" Sam asked glancing over to Katie who was rocking back and forth. She was muttering something, but it was so quiet he couldn't make it out.
"I don't know" Dean says looking back over to her as well. "I've never heard of anything like this" he shakes his head turning back to his brother. "What could do this to people?"
"I'll call Bobby" Sam says already pulling out his cell phone. "Hopefully he's heard of something like this happening before"
"Katie" she placed her hands over her ears. She didn't want to hear the voices anymore. "Oh Katie" the voice purred. "You can run, but you can't hide"
"Shut up, just—" she mumbles shutting her eyes tight again. "Shut up. You're not real"
"Look at them" the voice taunts and Katie looks up to see the two men with their backs to her. "They can't protect you, you know" she wants the voices to stop to just—"You're nothing but a freak to them and sooner or later they're going to count their losses and just let him have you"
"You're lying" Katie says shaking her head. "Stop the lies, stop talking, just shut up" it was this room. The room was too small and she needed air, fresh air. She jumped to her feet and headed for the door, but Dean saw her and caught her before she could leave. She dropped her head on his shoulder as he brought his arms around her.
"It's ok" he soothed. "It's just in your head, it's not real" she lifts her head to meet his eyes. "Try to remember, it's not real"
"Have to go" Katie says looking over to the door. "Have to make the voices stop"
"Hey" Dean says but she doesn't turn to him. "We're going find a way to make the voices stop, trust me" he sighs wondering how much of this is actually getting through to her. "You gotta stay here ok, you gotta stay with me" he ushers her to the bed farthest from the door, helping her to sit. She simply scoots back bring her knees back into her chest and dropping her head.
Dean turned to his brother when Sam's phone rang. He figured it was Bobby when Sam looked over to him before bringing the phone to his ear.
"Hey Bobby" Sam answered. "Yeah… Yeah" Sam sighed. "What do we do?" there was another pause as Sam listened to Bobby's instructions. "Are you sure?" another pause. " I know you do, it just seems—" Sam sighs. "Right, no, I understand, thanks Bobby" Sam hangs up the phone and turns to Dean.
"What did Bobby say?" Dean asks anxiously. They needed to find this bastard fast before he lost her. "Does he know what this thing is?"
"Yeah, he says we're dealing with a Broslin demon" Sam says turning to look over to Katie. "A demon who feeds of the minds of his victims" Dean follows his eyes and sighs.
"Yeah, until they're nothing but a vegetable" Dean says shaking his head. "She must have gotten away before he could finish her off"
"The weird thing Bobby mentions was that this thing doesn't just feed on random people and it really doesn't feed in large quantities likes this" Sam walks over and takes a seat at the table in the room. "It looks for big fish, you know something that's going to last" he looks back over to their friend. "I think it may be Katie"
"What like some big elaborate scheme to get her here?" Dean asked. "And what feed off her brain?" Sam nods. "No offense, but there are way smarter people out there, why her?"
"I don't know—" Sam says looking over to Katie. "Maybe it's—" he turns back to his brother. "Her powers, what if feeding off her mind taps into her powers" Sam shakes his head. "There's no telling how long that can have him juiced up for" Sam sighs before looking over to his brother. "She was right, he is coming back for her to finish what he started."
"Over my dead body" Dean replies glancing over to Katie. He wasn't going to let this bastard hurt her again. All he needed to know was one thing. "How do we kill it?"
"That's the other thing about this demon" Sam says and Dean turns to him. "Only those who have lost touch with reality can see him" Dean shakes his head taking the seat across from his brother.
"So how are we supposed to kill this thing, if we can't see it?" Dean asks. "Run into the hospital and just shoot aimlessly in the halls, hoping we hit him?"
"Dean, no look, we—" Sam says stress that last word hoping his brother catches the hint. "We can't kill it" Dean looks over to Sam confused for a moment before he follows his eyes to Katie who is still sitting on the bed rocking back and forth.
"You're joking, Katie?" Dean turns back to his brother. "She barely knows where she is right now, and you're telling me she's the one who has to go up against the demon who almost killed her?"
"Dean he didn't finish" Sam says turning back to his brother. "He didn't finish, which means she's still in there" they both look over to her. "Our Katie, is still in there somewhere and she can fight this thing"
This didn't feel right to Dean. He wanted her nowhere near this bastard again but at the moment it seemed she was the only one who could save her.
"Dean I know this seems like an impossible situation" Sam says. "But we're going to be there, and she—" he looks over Katie. "I have no doubt that she can do this"
"I hope you're right Sammy" Dean says not taking his eyes off of her.
"Me too" Sam muttered looking over to Katie as well.
They packed Katie into the backseat of the impala. They were going to finish this tonight. The closer they got the more unsure Dean got about this whole plan. It wasn't until they were parking a block away from the hospital that decided to say something.
"Sam I'm not sure about this plan" Dean says and Sam looks over to him. "I mean it's like we're bringing her right to him"
"I know, but right now this is all we have" Sam says looking back to Katie who seemed to be looking out the window. "This is how we save her and all those people in there" he looks over to his brother. "You have to know she can do this" Dean sighs looking back to her.
"Well I guess if anyone can, it would be her" he shakes his head before looking over to his brother. "Alright Sammy, let's go get this son of a bitch" Sam nodded before they both stepped out of the car and headed back to the trunk. Sam looked down to their arsenal unsure what he should bring.
"Kind of hard to choose a weapon when you can't see what you're trying to kill" Sam says glancing over to his brother.
"I know, which is why I'm taking a little bit of everything" Dean replies making sure his guns were loaded and ready to go.
"To each his own" Sam says before grabbing a gun and tucking it under his shirt. "I'm going to get Katie" Sam walked around to the backseat, but the moment he peeked inside the window his jaw dropped. "Dean!" Dean quickly ran over to his brother. "She's gone!"
"What do you mean gone?" Dean asks looking inside the car. He begins looking around. "Where the hell did she—" he finally spots her further down the street just as she turns a corner. "There!" and he's off to follow her, his brother right behind him. For someone who had lost half her mind, she sure was fast. They ran into the parking lot of the institution just in time to see Katie push through the doors. Sam and Dean share a look before finally running over to get inside as well. The moment they enter they spot Katie, but they also notice something else. Everyone in the building seemed to be just stuck, staring at nothing. "This is just freaky"
"You can say that again" Sam says waving a hand in front of the face of the front desk nurse they had met earlier.
"Sam" Dean says and Sam turns following his brother's eyes to Katie who was walking through the doors. They both walked over following close behind her. They started to have doubts about this whole plan as they followed her for what seemed like forever. But suddenly she came to a halt and both men knew they'd found what they were looking for.
"I guess this is when our invisible friend makes an appea—" Dean's tossed against the wall with a loud thud before he can even get the rest of his sentence out.
"Dean!" Sam says before pointing his gun looking for something, anything. But there's nothing. "Dean, are you—" Sam is slang against the wall his gun getting knocked from his hands.
Katie stands there completely still, the voice in her head screaming "He's coming!" They're getting louder and louder, until she feels him standing behind her. That's when one lowly voice whispers. "He's here."
"I knew you would return to me, my dear" the demon hissed in her ear, his bony fingers wrapping around her arm. She hears him chuckling, his face so close to hers, but she refuses to turn and face him. "You know I wasn't hesitant to take this deal to get you out of the way, especially with… them" he seemed that last word with disgust. "But after that first taste in the pretty little head of yours, I think even I may have to send up a few prayers to the guys upstairs"
Katie closed her eyes somehow finding the courage to turn to face he who brings pain. The moment she knows she's face to face with him, she blinks open her eyes only to once again face the darkness that lies under his hood. Dean looked over to her seeing the tears in her eyes as she stared at something he couldn't see. He knew it was the Broslin.
"Get away from her you bastard!" Dean yelled sliding to his feet. The demon simply stuck his hand out toward Dean, closing his fist suddenly making Dean cry out in pain as his insides twisted and blood came gushing out of his mouth.
"Dean!" Sam called trying to stand as well. He was able to make it to his feet, when the same feeling his him and he was dropping to his knees in pain.
"You know I think I've hit the lottery with this one" The broslin purred looking down to Katie who was literally shaking with fear. "Not only do I get to feed off one of the most powerful witches I've come across in ages" the demon looks over to Sam and Dean. "I get to see their faces when I do it"
Katie closes her eyes tightly wishing to be anywhere else.
"Princess" Dean's voice breaks through to her clearly pained. "Listen to me. I know you're in there" she feels her hand curl into fists at her side. "You have to kill this son of bitch" the demon's chuckle soon turns to a cackle. "You can do this"
"Oh Dean, she can't hear you" the demon yells in laughter. "She's mine now!" The broslin reaches his hand toward Dean hoping to finally shut the human up once and for all, but to his surprise a hand shot out and grabbed his wrist. The demon turned back to Katie. "I knew you were strong, but breaking through—" he laughs. This amuses him. "This is going to be fun my dear" she released his hand and he took a step toward her, but she stepped back far enough to spin around sending a kick right into the demon's chest causing it to stumble back. Catching him off guard, she kicks him again and again, until his back his pinned to the wall.
"This is impossible!" The demon yells looking over to Katie in what one would have to guess as disbelief since his face was still hidden. "How did you—" he stopped as Katie moved in so close that he could feel her breath on his skin. She simply stared at him for a moment as if searching for something. Suddenly she tilted her head to the side, a smirk coming to her face that made even the demon fill uneasy.
"I know how to kill you" she sang. He looked back to her, knowing that his end was coming.
"Please don't do this" the demon pleaded. "They will continue to come after you, even after I am dead"
"Of course they will" Katie replies with a shrug. "But I'll handle that problem when it comes, but this problem I think I will handle now" she suddenly reaches forward snatching the hood from the demon's head.
Sam and Dean look in disbelief at the grotesque demon that seems to appear out of nowhere. Katie reaches a hand behind her not taking her eyes off the demon in front of her. Soon Sam's discarded gun slides across the floor and up into her hand.
"I don't usually use gun" she says looking down to the weapon in her hand. "They're just so loud and messy and—" she looks up to the demon. "Primitive, you know?" she smiles and that's when the broslin knew his end was upon him. "But I do know one thing" she pressed the gun into it's chest. "They hurt like a bitch." She pulled the trigger and instantly saw the lights flash behind the demons eyes. She stepped back letting him fall to floor, before suddenly it's body seemed to dry up and burst into a pile of dust. Katie took a couple of steps back letting the gun fall from her hands and feeling herself fall to her knees.
"Hey" Dean says getting to her as fast as he could. "You ok, princess?" Dean looks at her for a moment, hoping she's back. Her eyes suddenly snap open and she turns to him.
"He's coming" she says and Dean's eyes widen in horror, but soon a smile comes to her face.
"That's not funny" Dean says shaking his head.
"Yeah, it kind of was" Katie replies happy that her mind was hers again. She looks over to Sam who smiles shaking his head as he stands to his feet.
"We should probably get out of here" Dean says as Katie helps him to his feet. "The spells broken and there are going to be a lot of confused people out there"
"Yeah, I want to check something out first" Katie says.
She ends up outside of Tyler room, watching as he and the other patients look around in confusion. She smiled, he was back.
"You ready to go princess?" Dean asks and Katie rolls her eyes before turning back to see her wounded guys.
"Stop calling me that" Katie sighs before walking over to them. "Let's get you guys patched up so you do keel over"
They made it out to the car where Katie stopped and turned to Dean.
"Dean, I think maybe you should hand over the keys" Katie says.
"Fine" Dean says reaching into his pocket and pulling out the keys. "But no crappy music"
"Deal" Katie replies taking the keys from his hands. "But only because of what you said back there" she moves in close to him and presses a gentle kiss on his cheek. "Thanks for that" Dean simply nods unable to form words at the moment. She smiles before turning and walking around to the driver's seat.
"Dean" Sam says and Dean turns to his brother. "Are you—" he resists the urge to laugh. "Dude, are you blushing?"
"Shut it Sam!" Dean snaps before getting into the passenger seat. Sam laughs despite his pain as he climbs into the back seat of the impala.
The next morning they pulled up in front of Syd's house for one last thing before they left town.
"So are you sure you don't want us to come in with you?" Dean asks the thought of separating again, not seeming like a good idea right now.
"Don't worry Deany poo" Katie replies and Dean shakes his head at the name. "I will be in and out before you can say Dean's a jackass"
"Fine" Dean says ignoring to comment. "But you got five minutes and then we're coming in to get you, understand" Katie looked at him for a moment not sure what to think of Dean's sudden protectiveness of her. On one had she found it sweet but on the other hand it didn't help her with these feelings she was trying to get over. She simply nodded before turning and getting out of the car.
"And never call me Deany poo again!" He called and she laughed as she walked up the walkway to Syd's door. She reached forward to ring the doorbell and when the door open it was the woman on the other side that looked like a deer in the headlights.
"Katie, what—" the woman looked confused as she looked to the eyes of someone who should not be here right now. "You're supposed to be—"
"A vegetable" Katie says walking in causing the demon to back away. "Well your boss failed" she slammed the door behind her as the demon continued to back away from her. "I mean for a moment he thought he hand me, hell for a moment I thought her had me, but—" she shook her head with a small smile. "He underestimated me, and he underestimated them"
"Look you—"
"Please don't interrupt me" Katie says looking back over to the demon possessing her friend. "But he was good, I mean finding Syd, getting you to possess her and get me here" Katie looked around the house. "And you almost had me fooled until I touched you and you made my skin crawl" the demon remained silent unsure how she would get out of this situation. Katie lifted her eyes back to the demon. "But I needed to know why, and that's when your boss spilled the beans." She sighed. "I guess I'm learning more and more about angels every day. I mean they'll turn to anyone to get what they want, even demons" Katie took another step toward the demon's whose back found the wall leaving her trapped. Katie smirked before lifting her head to the ceiling. "I hope you're watching, I mean really paying attention. Send who you want, demon, witches hell send my mother for good measure, but I am here, I'm not going anywhere, and I won't let you hurt them" Katie dropped her head back to the demon. "Now to deal with you. I think it's time my friend comes back so she can go see her son" Katie closes her eyes before reciting. "Exorcizamus te, omnis…"
Four and a half minutes later Katie walked out of the house to find Dean standing outside of the car as if ready to burst through that door if she missed that last half a minute. Sam seemed to remain in his seat in the car shaking his head at his brother.
"See I told you" Katie says walking over to them. "In and out"
"I know" Dean says. "You're good at taking orders princess, you should do it more often" Katie playfully punches his arm before walking to get into the car. Dean couldn't help the smirk that came to his face as he stepped inside the car as well. He started the engine and drove along the road. After a few moments he couldn't hold the question in anymore. "So princess, did you keep the nurses uniform?" Katie quirked an eyebrow wondering the reason behind the strange question. "You never know, it could come in handy sometime" And there was the Dean Winchester she knew.
Katie smiled sliding forward in her seat bringing her head between Sam and Dean. Dean glanced over his shoulder to her.
"I hope you took a picture Dean, because you're never seeing me in that outfit again" She said adding a slap to his head before sliding back in her seat.
"Good thing I got a picture then" Dean muttered, but she heard him.
"Dean, what did you just say?" Katie asked and he couldn't help the smile that was on his face.
"Who me?" Dean asked glancing up to the mirror to see the glare she was sending him. "I didn't say anything" Dean reached forward turning up the music hoping it would be enough to end the conversation. He was wrong.
"Dean freaking Winchester if you took a picture of me in that outfit, I will murder you!" Katie yelled over the music. Dean pretended he didn't hear her as he simply began singing along with the song. "Dean I'm serious!" he turned to her pointing to his ear, mouthing the words, 'I can't hear you' Katie shook her head before slouching back in her seat folding her arms over her chest. "Yep, your brother is a dead man Sam!"
Sam looked between Katie and Dean and just shook his head, something he'd been doing a lot of when it came to those two. He looked over to his brother who was looking up to the rear view mirror at the woman sitting in the backseat and the look on his face was undeniable.
"Yep, you're falling hard Dean" Sam thought to himself before turning back to the open road wondering what was next on this road trip from hell.
"I'm so serious Dean, start planning your funeral!" Katie yelled and Dean just laughed.
A/N: Well there you are. There is only one final chapter in this rewrite and it's one I'm looking forward to writing. Thanks for reading!
NEXT CHAPTER: Sometimes she wished she didn't have to sleep, because if she didn't sleep, she didn't dream. Because unlike others Katie's dreams always held the possibility of coming true. And she just couldn't let this latest one happen. She just couldn't.