Chapter 25

We drove most of the night on the return trip to Bobby's. John at one point pulled over to the side of the road and got out of the truck. I stayed where I was and gave him some time to continue to pull himself together. John returned to the truck however he stood outside the passenger door. He opened it and indicated to me via a head gesture that I should drive. I slid behind the wheel and continued driving the rest of the way to Bobby's. It occurred to me to ask him how he figured that I could operate a vehicle, but he was too physically and emotionally exhausted for me to press him any further.

It was an hour after sunrise when we arrived at the junkyard. I parked the truck and got out of it. I stopped and watched John in the truck, he hadn't moved nor had he said a word about anything since we left that roadside bar. I was about to return to the truck when I heard the front door open and I spun and saw Sam racing out of the house.

"Kelsey!" Sam cried and nearly knocked me over with his hug. I returned it and saw that Dean had followed him out of the house. However Dean's face fell when he saw his father. I sensed the joy at seeing his father being replaced by a wall. Dean nodded to me and then went to truck and pulled John out of it. I was surprised by Dean's strength, and then I saw it clearly; Dean had been taking care of Sam and John. I needed to have a stern conversation with John, but it could not be at that moment, however I could wait.

"Is Dad all right?" Sam asked me.

"He'll be all right Sammy," I told him.

Dean looked at me with an odd expression in his eyes. I shook my head to indicate that I would tell him later.

Sam stared at me for a moment, "He's going to disappear into a bottle for a bit."

I kissed the top of his head, "Don't worry about it. Something really hard just happened. But your dad's strong. So how about some breakfast?"

Sam's face broke out in a grin and he ran inside ahead of us. John walked listlessly past me and then I felt a hand on my arm. I turned and faced Dean.

"What happened?" he asked quietly.

"A hunt went wrong, and the person he was with died," I explained.

"Great," Dean muttered, "now he's going to be drunk for a while."

My head spun at that for I heard the resigned tone in Dean's voice. This was something that was all too familiar to both boys. I fought the urge to find a shovel and hit John. I also knew that there was no way that I could leave them now. But I had to find a way to get back to Hell and find out what the Fallen and its spawn had planned. I didn't like the feeling of foreboding I was getting. I didn't trust them.

Dean took a deep breath to steady himself and then he walked toward the house. He stopped and turned back to me.
"Are you staying?" he asked in a quiet tone that belied his years.

I studied him carefully. There was something behind his eyes; it was a sadness that he tried hard to mask.

"Apparently," I answered.

I followed him inside.

John simply sat in a chair and stared at the wall. I noticed that both Bobby and Deacon said nothing but were seated across from him. I felt a tug on my arm and Dean indicated that I should continue to follow him. I went to the room where Sam was seated on the bed with an open bag beside him. I frowned at this.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"We don't know," Dean answered.

"I missed something?" I was confused.

"We're leaving in a few minutes," Dean told me.

I doubted the sense of that action. It was safer and better for the boys to remain at Bobby's until John pulled himself together.

"Come on Sammy, let's get packing," Dean ordered.

Sam shot him a withering look. Dean chose to ignore it and instead began placing his things in the large duffel on his bed.

Sam stood and began following his brother in terms of packing. Both boys were silent as they quickly gathered everything that was scattered around the room. I realized that they had a great deal of practice at this. There was a loud shout in the next room and we quickly went to it.

John stood in the center of the room while Deacon remained seated. Bobby, however, was facing the door. I felt my frown deepen.

"What is the matter with you?" I demanded.

Bobby turned to me with tear-rimmed eyes, "You couldn't begin to understand Kelsey."

I took a deep breath, "Of course I wouldn't understand."

Deacon's head snapped up at the tone in my voice. I smiled at him and he raised an eyebrow at me.

"I didn't mean it…" Bobby trailed off.

"I understand," I said tightly, "John can inspire anyone to violence."

John turned to me, "If you expect to come with us," he warned.

"If?" I challenged.

Dean chuckled slightly behind me but quickly covered it with a slight cough.

"Look, it's too dangerous to stay here," John argued.

"Oh?" Bobby shot back, "And who's friggin' fault is that?"

"Women and children are present eh, Bobby?" Deacon spoke up in an attempt to lighten the mood.

"What women and children?" Dean, Sam and I said at the same time.

Deacon smiled briefly at that, "John, it makes no sense to take them and go."

"No," John was adamant, "There will be people coming and I don't want…"

"What?" Bobby shouted at John.

"Nothing," John answered.

Sam pulled on the back of my shirt and I turned to him.

"Dad," Dean began, "surely we're safe here with Bobby?"

"No," John said glumly, "we're not."

"This is a damn fool thing to do John," Bobby was having a hard time keeping his anger under control.

"But Dad," Dean continued.

"Damn it Dean!" John raised his voice.

"John," I warned.

John backed down and turned his back to his older son.

"I'll put the things in the car sir," Dean said.

"See! Told you," Sam whispered.

I was exasperated at that point. I pushed Sam gently forward and he walked to the room and placed his bag over his shoulder.

Dean merely picked up his things and stalked out of the room, through the house and to the car. Sam and I were moving with him. Sam struggled to match his brother's pace. There was a great deal of anger inside of Dean as well. Dean had the trunk open and waited for Sam to place his bag in it. Dean then handed me the keys.

"What?" I was confused.

"It's safer if you drive," Dean said quietly as he pulled open the driver's door.

I got in the car and he along with Sam followed suit. We sat there waiting for John to come out of the house. He walked directly to his truck and I drove behind him as he made his way down the Interstate.

We drove in silence. Dean stared out the window while Sam settled in the backseat.

"Maybe this is for the best," I suggested.

"How?" Sam asked.

"Maybe we'll go to Pastor Jim," I offered.

"Not likely," Dean answered.

"Why?" I was curious to know their thoughts.

"Because he's going to hide for a while," Sam spoke grimly.

"Hide?" I kept my attention on where John was headed.

"Yep," Dean snorted, "He's going to find a crappy motel and leave us there."

"We'll have Kelsey with us," Sam piped up.

"Until she leaves," Dean grumbled.

"I won't go anywhere for a bit," I said.

"We've delayed you long enough," Dean reasoned.

"Yes," I agreed, "But the three of you need me right now."

"So you'll stay?" Sam's face lit up.

"Sure," I saw that Dean was also relieved.

We drove for about two hours and crossed the State lines before John decided to pull into a motel parking lot. I parked the car behind him. Dean got out of the car and joined his father inside the office. I waited with Sam.

"Kelsey," Sam leaned forward.

"Uh huh?" I responded.

"What really happened to Dad?" Sam's voice was low and serious.

I turned to him and smiled, "Things went wrong. I don't know exactly. I wasn't there."

"But the other person died," Sam said.

"Yes, the other man died. It happens. More often than I like to think about," I confessed.

Sam sat back in the seat.

I saw Dean walking back to the car. He pulled the door open and pointed to the back of the motel.

"It's room 516," Dean said succinctly.

I started the car and drove around to where the room was. We got out of the car and I frowned.

"Dean," I asked him, "Where is your father?"

Dean looked around as well, "I dunno, he was behind me."

Sam stood next to his brother and then we saw the truck pull into the space next to us. John got out of the truck and grimaced.

"John Winchester!" a voice called.

I spun in the direction of the voice and saw the man who had introduced himself as Caleb.

John frowned as he stared at the three of us.

"Kelsey, get the boys inside the room and lock the door," he ordered.

"John," I began.

"Damn it Kelsey!" John growled at me, "Will you just be a person and do what I ask."

I pulled Sam with me and headed for the door. Dean stood staring at his father.