I had that really odd feeling that I was being watched. The cool breeze from the window was a little too cold for my liking. I pulled the blankets tighter around me but it was- wait, since when was the window opened? It was October and I rarely ever slept with the windows open. I'd get up and close it but there was a really eerie feeling about it all. I opened my eyes and practically jumped at the sight of Dean standing over the bed. Was he just watching me? I sat up, nervously.

"Babe, you scared the hell out of me! I thought you weren't coming home for a couple of days," I said, my heart pounding in. I ran my fingers through my hair, taking a deep breath. I took one good look at Dean and knew that something wasn't right.

"Mer," he started, sitting down on the bed.

"Dean, is everything alright?" I asked, moving a little closer to him.

"I just wanted you to know that I love you. Marrying you and having this… this whole apple pie family thing has been the best thing that's ever happened to me. Tell Jude I love him. I'm sorry it couldn't last longer," Dean said.

"Dean, what're you-," I started.

"Don't," Dean warned, scooting over.

"Dean, you're scaring me. Please just explain it to me. What the hell is going on?" I asked.

"Damn it," Dean muttered under his breath. He got up and moved practically halfway across the room. "Great, I'm Pattinson."

"What?" I asked, confused. Did he just make a Twilight reference?

"Nothing," Dean murmured.

"Dean," I said.

"You'll tell him, right? You'll tell him how much I love him. And you have to let him know when he grows up, regardless of the dumb shit I do, you'll tell him about me, right?" Dean asked, not even bothering to face me.

"Dean, slow down. Will you just tell me what's going on? You're-, you sound like you're saying goodbye. What's happening? You at least owe me that," I pleaded, standing up and going over to Dean. He turned around and looked at me, swallowing hard.

"It's not fair to you. We had a normal life. We were getting out. We have Jude and John and… Lizzie Daisy for chrissake! But then Sam came back and I… I can't have both, can I? I can't do this to you. I can bring this home to you. We have a family here and if I-, I shouldn't have come. I'm putting you both in danger and-," Dean started. What he was saying was really scaring me. Dean was so scared himself and I could tell that he felt so helpless.

"Oh my God, Dean! Just-" I exclaimed, attempting to hold him but he tried to push me away. Instead, he pushed me against the wall and the two of us just stared at each other. Oh my God… he wasn't himself anymore. He told me something about vampires. Did they change him? Dean leaned in to me, as if to kiss me and then crashed his lips against mine, aggressively kissing me with need and hunger. Almost immediately, he pulled away.

"I've got to go!" he exclaimed, panicked, before running out of the room.

"Dean!" I called after him. I ran after him, but before I knew it, he was gone. I was left alone standing in my hallway, scared, panicked, and determined to get my husband back. I was 99.99% sure he was a vampire now. This wouldn't be our goodbye.

I ran into my room, put on a bra underneath one of Dean's flannel shirts and then slipped on some jeans. I found my old hunting boots at the back of our closet and put those on too. I went upstairs to Jude's room and he was fast asleep. I sighed, hating to have to do this to him. I went over to his bed and shook him gently.

"Jude, sweetie, you've got to wake up," I said, softly, trying not to sound panicked so that I wouldn't scary him.

"Mama?" he murmured, sleepily.

"Yeah, it's Mama. Look, buddy, you've got to be super brave for me and wake up, okay? I'm going to bring you over to Grandpa's and you can go to sleep but I've got to go find Daddy, okay? He needs some help," I tried to explain to him.

"Daddy, okay?" Jude asked, rubbing his eyes and then opening them. He looked scared too.

I nodded, "Yeah, Daddy will be okay. I just need to see him. I think he needs some help."

"Can I?" Jude asked.

I shook my head, "Yes. You can help by coming to Grandpa's with me, okay?"

"Okay," Jude said. I collected some of his stuff and some clothes in a bag as Jude attempted to put his Velcro shoes on. "I've got you. See, there you go. Alright, let's go, okay, sweetie?" I picked Jude up in my arms and slung the bag over my shoulder. "There you go." I tried to stay as calm as I could as I hurried out to the car. I fastened Jude into his car seat and then got into the passenger seat. I was glad that Bobby's house wasn't too far away from here. I just hoped he was awake.

As soon as I started driving, I called Bobby, "Meredith? It's two in the morning. What're you doing up?"

"I could ask you the same thing," I replied.

"Reading. What's going on? Is everything okay?" Bobby asked.

"Yeah. Can you watch Jude for the rest of the night… until I get back," I asked.

"Where are you going?" Bobby asked back.

"Dean showed up in a couple of minutes ago. I think something is wrong, Bobby. Vampires. Anyways, I'm trying not to freak Jude out but I need him to stay with you," I explained.

"You're not thinking about going after him, are you?" Bobby asked, as if this idea was crazy. I knew it was.

"Yes, Bobby. He needs me and I need to know he's okay," I replied.

Bobby sighed, "You're crazy, you know that?"

"Yeah," I replied.

"Just be careful, okay? I don't want anything happening to you or the baby," Bobby warned.

"Don't worry, I am. I tied one of those pillows people use to make it look like their pregnant around me for extra cushioning," I replied. Bobby sighed. We both knew that was really going to do much but it was worth a try. Besides, there was no way that anyone was going to be able to talk me out of going after Dean. Not after the way he showed up tonight.

"Where did you even get one of those?" Bobby asked.

"Molly left it at my house. She's been using it to design maternity clothes but that's beside the point. Thanks, Bobby. I'll be at your house in a second," I said, before hanging up. I got to the house in a matter of minutes and handed Jude off to Bobby. He seemed pretty understanding about it, which made it easier to leave.

I got back in the car and floored it. I called Sam the minute I was back in the car.

"Hello?" Sam asked.

"Hey, it's me, Meredith. Where are you?" I asked back.

"I'm guessing Dean came," Sam replied.

"Yeah. I'll be there soon. You're close right?" I asked, determination in my voice.

"Meredith, I don't know if-," Sam started.

"I need an address, Sam, now!" I demanded.

Sam sighed, "Yeah, alright, fine." He gave me the address and I scribbled it down. He described the town and everything. I should be there in about half an hour. Dean wasn't the only one who drove at 85 mph and knew every back road there was in America.

Once I found the place, I parked my car and picked the lock, sneaking into the vampire nest. I called Sam again and this time he had a better address. I was surprised that Sam hadn't put up a fight and said tried to fight me because I was pregnant and he didn't want the baby getting hurt but that was old Sam. I almost wasn't surprised because he hadn't been the same at all. I had my machete ready to decapitate any vampires that got in my way. Dean had to be here. I could feel it.

I could also feel someone watching me. It was really freaking me out but I knew I needed to wait for the right moment to turn around or the vampire would either run away or attack me right away and I'd have less of an advantage. I looked around on the ground and there were dead bodies everywhere, their heads cut off, blood staining the floor. Looks like Dean did well. I could feel it… almost… and… I turned around, swinging the machete and chopped the vampires head right off. Wow, this was like riding a bike.

After that one, I was being swarmed. There was one, than two. I worked as fast as I could, swinging at every chance I got. Where the hell was Dean? More heads were coming off but at some point it got too much. I backed up a little and turned around to see another three more. I was locked in. I couldn't jump. There was no way I'd land that and the vampires would be able to come after me. Well, I could go down fighting. I swung my machete as another one charged me, but there was a bright white light. The vampires shielded their eyes as did I, but when the light was gone, I opened them and the bodies were scattered all over the floor. They were out cold. Dead. How… what…

I didn't have time to question it though. Right now, I needed to find Dean. I wiped the blood from my face, or at least enough so that it wasn't bothersome. I took my machete with me and ran to another room. I heard footsteps and whispering as I went down the stairs. I was ready to swing until I saw Sam and Samuel.

"Oh my God," I said, startled.

"Yeah, we could say the same thing about you," Sam replied.

I swallowed, "Have you found him yet?" Sam pointed forward so I turned around to see Dean standing over the head of the vampire he had been fighting.

"You okay?" Sam called out.

"Yeah, good," Dean replied, stoic.

We got to the hotel and took different cars. Dean was freaking out, afraid the he was going to hurt someone. Sam and Samuel lay him on the bed, while Samuel fixed the cure and Sam and I sat with him. He was struggling to fight the hunger. I guess us around him wasn't exactly the most brilliant idea ever.

"What did you see?" Sam asked again. Dean gasped in pain. I grabbed his hand, not knowing what else I could do.

"Meredith, don't! I can't… I can't hold on much longer and you… I can't do this to you- I-," Dean gasped.

"What'd you see in the nest?" Sam asked again

"I don't know, okay? I can't focus right now. Meredith, how the hell, why did you-, you know… we have to talk when I… oh shit… when I get out of this. If I do," Dean started yelling.

"You're going to get out of this, I promise. Just fight this, Dean. I know you're stronger than this. I believe in you," I said to him. Samuel came over with the cure and practically had to force it down Dean's throat. Dean drank it and it squeezed his hand tightly as I could see it taking effect on him. He gasped in pain and I hated seeing him like this. It killed me. Dean then overcame it, gasping for air.

"Mer?" Dean asked.

"Yeah, I'm right here," I said, scooting closer to him.

"I need… I need… oh God," Dean said, before leaning over the bed and throwing up. Sam and I exchanged glances and I sighed.

"You okay?" I asked.

"I'm fine. Just peachy," Dean replied, bitter.

"Here, let's get you cleaned up," I said, taking Dean's hand. I helped him get to his feet and he leaned on me a little as I walked him to the bathroom. I had Dean sit down on the toilet lid while I cleaned him off. We just sat there in silence. I gave him a cup of water to drink as well.

"Meredith, what the hell were you thinking?" Dean growled.

"Do we really have to do this now?" I asked back.

"Yes!" Dean exclaimed.

I sighed, "I was thinking that my husband came to the house at two in the morning in one of the worst conditions I've ever seen him in and that he needed me!"

"But what about you and the baby? What about Jude?" Dean exclaimed. He was livid.

"Jude is at Bobby's! Look, I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking and I just-, I didn't know how I was supposed to react. I mean, did you just expect me to go back to sleep and pretend like nothing happened? In case you haven't noticed, this used to be my life too, Dean! I'm not incompetent," I argued.

"But you are pregnant," Dean retorted.

"I know and I'm sorry. It's just you expect me to sit around and play the good little housewife when I know what it's like out there and I want to be out there with you. It's so hard to be at home. Just… waiting," I tried to explain.

"What if you had gotten hurt? What about John?" Dean asked.

"I-, I don't know. I was thinking about that, okay? All I could think about was you and… and God, you were terrified. And you were saying goodbye, Dean. I couldn't sit there and do nothing," I replied. I knew he was mad at me but I knew that there was nothing I could really say that would change his mind. We stood there in silence again until Dean said something.

"You did pretty well, didn't you?" Dean asked, looking over at me.

I chuckled, "I guess so. I saw you did too. Taking out most of the nest single handedly. I've got to give it to you."

"Meredith, you have to promise me you won't ever do this again… at least while you're pregnant," Dean said.

I sighed, "Okay, fine. I promise."

"I just, I worry too much," Dean started.

"Ya think?" I teased.

"Funny," Dean replied, sarcastically. "We agreed that you'd stay out of this when you were pregnant with Jude."

"I know but I can't just sit here idly. It's too much, Dean," I interrupted.

"Okay, so we'll talk about it when John is born but please, for me and the baby, wait to start hunting again," Dean said.

I nodded, "I know it was stupid. I… if-." And then I remembered what happened back at the nest. I was about to be devoured when something or someone intervened. That white light… "I have something to tell you."

"What?" Dean asked.

"Um, you're right. I could've died. I almost did," I said.

"Mer-," Dean started, his eyes widening.

"Wait. I almost died but, well don't freak out, okay? I'm not going to do it again so you can chill out, Dad," I said, jokingly. A little smile spread across Dean's face. "Something happened. I was fighting and decapitating and everything and then it just became too much. I was surrounded by a ton of vampires and then this white light just came in and blinded everyone. When I opened my eyes all of the vampires were dead."

"Wait, what kind of white light?" Dean asked.

I shrugged, "I don't know. Beats me."

"Like angelic Cas kind of white light?" Dean asked.

"Maybe," I said back.

"Alright, we'll ask him. That's weird. That's really weird, Mer," Dean said.

"I know. I almost forgot about it until now," I said back. "And Dean?"

"Yeah?" Dean asked back.

"Can we keep this between us for now? So… just don't tell Sam or Samuel or the Campbells," I replied.

"Of course," Dean said back.

"Well, I think that's all I need to tell you."

"Okay, well I have to tell you something," Dean replied.

"Yeah?" I asked.

Dean nodded and sighed, "I remember it all, the nest, the psychic link the vamps have to their alpha… yeah, weird right? And then… I remember Sam watching me get turned. He let the vampire turn me. I'm sure of it."

"Sam would never-," I started.

"I don't know. He's different now," Dean said.

I sighed, "I'm so sorry, baby."

Dean shook his head, "It's… whatever." He then just pulled me into his arms. "I'm just glad that you're okay. Jude's with Bobby." I nodded my head against his chest and closed my eyes.

"I'm glad that you're okay too," I replied.

Finally, the two of us came out of the bathroom to find Sam and Samuel waiting for us.

"Took you long enough," Samuel said.

I coughed a little, "Sorry."

"I'm going to get some sleep. I'll see you guys in the morning," Dean said.

Samuel nodded, "You know, I thought you were more like John Winchester before I met you. But clearly you were taught well." I could feel Dean tense up at the mention of his dad so I just held his hand.

"Um, thanks," I said back, awkwardly. I thought meeting Dean's other half of the family would be kind of cool, but Samuel and the others weren't exactly the average American warm fuzzy family. They were a family of hunters. They were cold but they looked after each other.

Dean fell asleep almost instantly but I couldn't fall asleep yet. Samuel was next to sleep and then it was just me and Sam. I could take the awkward tension that was in the room so I stepped outside of the motel room and leaned up against the wall of the outside, just next to the door. I couldn't take it anymore and if I had stayed in there any longer, I would've said something I'd regret. I was just so mad at him... The sound of the door opening startled me.

"Sorry," Sam mumbled, coming outside and shutting the door quietly.

"Hi," I said, awkwardly.

Sam smiled weakly, "Hi." I didn't have anything to say to Sam, especially after learning that he just watched Dean get turned, that he didn't stop him. I crossed my arms over my chest, avoiding any kind of eye contact. "You're mad at me."

"No, no, I'm not," I said back, trying to keep it under control.

"You are. I can tell," Sam said back.

"Alright, fine, you know what? I am mad at you. I don't know who the hell you are anymore," I replied. I could feel my control slipping and that I was probably about to blow up. Sorry, Sam…

"I don't know what you're talking about," Sam started, defensively.

"I've seen you with Jude and with Dean and-, you were amazing with Jude when he was first born. You were there at all of my appointments, at his birth. And then when he was born, God he loved you, Sam. But this time, you're back and… it's like you don't know how to be around him anymore. And Dean! Dean's hurting and all he wants is his brother back but he and I can both tell that something's different," I said.

"I was in Hell, Meredith. I doubt you know what that's like at all," Sam rebutted.

"Yeah, and so was Dean for a hell of a lot longer than you," I snapped.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Sam asked.

"When we found you, you had been back for a year. You went to hell, or so we thought, about a year ago," I replied. Sam didn't reply. He just sat there, staring at the wall. "God, the old Sam that we know and love wouldn't just sit here. He'd- he'd, yell and get mad and-, it's like you can't even feel anymore!" Sam just glared at me. "Fine, you know what? I'm going to bed. But, I don't know where the hell that amazing guy that chased Dean when he left after I told him was pregnant and yelled at him for being an ass. You know, sometimes I think that you're the reason he came back and apologized. And what about the Sam that came to every single one of my doctor's appointment and held me hand during all the needles because you know how much I hate needles? Or the Sam that had the biggest heart I've ever seen...? We want that Sam back."

Sam just stared at me. There was no trace of guilt or remorse on his face, but only a look of confusion. I shook my head, rolling my eyes as I stormed back into the motel room, leaving Sam alone.

Author's Note: Happy New Year everyone! Thanks so much for reading. You all have been FANTASTIC for reviewing the chapters :). I'm a lucky writer to have such awesome readers.