We pulled into the gravel parking lot of a little local diner for breakfast, piling out and stretching on the way in. It was very homely - waitresses asking customers if they wanted "the regular", a friendly owner who greeted you warmly when you came in, a cooking staff who were happy to simply have a job, you know the type of place. A waitress walked us to our seats in a back corner booth, Sam across from Dean and I. Then she smiled kindly at us while handing us huge, slightly sticky menus to pick our meals from.

"I know what I'm gonna get," Dean declared as soon as he got his menu open.

"How can you pick that quick?" Sam asked. I was surprised Dean chose that fast too. Usually he at least took some time to look at all his options!

I leaned over and peered at the teensy font listing what came with the "Farmer's Special": 2 eggs, a huge slice of toast, grits, bacon...from the looks of it, the dish seemed to be one of every item on the menu!

"Good luck eating all that," I muttered.

"You'll see, girlie," Dean teased under his breath.

"Don't call me girlie," I shot back, playful but slightly annoyed. I'd been asking him to quit calling me girlie for what seemed like ages but it was no use.

Sam and I slid deep into concentration on our menus, trying to choose our meals. Eventually, I settled on French toast with powdered sugar and cinnamon, while Sam opted for a light meal of a steak biscuit and toast. The waitress who had seated us came to take our orders not long after we'd all decided, her eyes wandering over Sam as he gave her his order. I don't think he noticed, but Dean and I flashed a quick glance of recognition at each other while she lingered after taking Sam's order. I guessed there probably weren't many men who came to this joint that were as good-looking as the boys.

As she made her way back to the kitchen between the tables and mismatched chairs, Sam pulled out his laptop. He typed a quick query in and began clicking and scrolling furiously. Dean just glanced at me and raised his eyebrows, and I shrugged in return. I'd gotten used to Sam researching pretty much every available minute. I mean, the guy practically lived and breathed arcane facts and stories he dug up for cases. Finally, Sam leaned back after he found whatever he was looking for.

"I figured out that Amelia and Elizabeth's remains are in the same morgue - the morgue at the Mercy Hospital Washington, where they were both taken for treatment. It's not too far from here; in fact, it's only about a 20-minute drive."

"Awesome," "Sweet," Dean and I said, again speaking at the same time. I giggled softly, then glanced over at Dean. The glimmer in his vivid green eyes told me he was holding in a chuckle too.

We slip into silence after that, with Sam still clicking away and Dean leaned back with his eyes closed. I knew he must have been tired from the emotional roller coaster that had come along with the discovery about what I was - and that it actually turned out to be a good thing. Which reminded me: I needed to work out why I could only mentally talk with Dean. I gently called Dean's name in my head, starting very quietly and getting louder until he responded. He jumped a little when he finally heard me but Sam didn't notice, since he was buried in his researching.

Good, you finally heard me. I thought to him, giggling in my head. Any ideas on why I can't talk with Mr. Research over there?

Well, he said, his voice soberingly serious. You know how that demon killed our mom, right?

Yeah, I remember you telling me. You guys killed that son of a bitch a while ago though, so what does it have to do with anything now?

It's...complicated. But the short of it is the demon fed Sam its blood, and he has...powers, I guess you could call them. Maybe those powers are keeping you from talking with him. But uh, do me a favor? Dean asked.

Of course. What is it? I responded, concern momentarily clouding my face. I quickly deadpanned once I remembered no one else could hear us.

Just, uh, don't bring it up to him right now. The stress of finding out what you are and all has really hit home with him since, well, he feels like a freak sometimes too. Not saying y'all are freaks by any means, but, uh, well you know what I'm sayin', right?

Yeah, I do. It's just too much for him to deal with right now. I don't blame him, I mean, it's been one hell of a roller coaster for me, I can only imagine what it must've been like for y'all. I'll let things lie for now. But you know we'll have to tell him eventually, right?

Yeah, yeah. And when the time comes, we will. I promise. Just...not now is all. 'Kay?

'Kay, Dean. No prob. I responded as our waitress came sashaying back with out food.

"Looks like it's chow time!" Dean excitedly said as he dug in. Sam and I shared a chuckle before digging in ourselves. The French toast was delicious! It was so good I absolutely had to get another slice to munch on en route to the hospital. From the quiet that had once again fallen over our little trio, I could tell the boys' meals were just as good as mine.

After we finished and left a generous tip for the waitress - at Sams' insistence, of course - we clambered back into the Impala, headed off to the morgue.


A/N: Sorry it's been so long since I updated. So the boys and Emily are back on the trail of whatever it is they're hunting...speaking of, what is it? We'll probably find out next chapter - and I promise it won't be as long before I get it posted! Thanks to everyone who's stuck with the story. :)