Dean was the first to hear the rumble of an engine approaching Bobby's house. He grunted to let Bobby know someone was there and the pair walked outside to greet the new arrivals. The car pulled to a slow stop and Brian got out. He walked up and shook hands with Bobby, before giving Dean a half smile and a clap on the back. He ducked his head back in the car and told Katie it was okay to get out.
Dean frowned. The kid looked rougher than she normally did. It was obvious she was tired and had been crying. The mop of blonde hair stuck to her face and covered her eyes. She swept her hair back with her hand and looked up at her dad. For a moment she reminded him of Sammy at that age. He made a mental note to attack his brother with clippers before Sam's hair started to look like Kate's.
Bobby nudged Dean and suggested he take Katie inside to put her stuff in her room while he and Brian talked.
Kate didn't want to leave her dad outside but begrudgingly followed the eldest Winchester into the old house. Bobby's house smelled and looked like it always did. She was certain nothing ever got moved or dusted. The familiarity was almost soothing. Dean carried her bags upstairs to the room beside his. "This is our stop kiddo. Nothing fancy but at least you got your own room." Dean said, redirecting his eyes toward the room he shared with his brother.
He knocked on his own door to let Sam know that Kate and Brian had arrived. Sam got up to greet Kate and offer for her to sit down on his bed. He wasn't sure what to say or do. She looked scared and he didn't want to upset her. He settled for sitting down beside her and asking if she had any books she liked to read.
Katie smiled brightly and rattled off a list of books she had read lately.
Dean scoffed. Great, another nerd.
Dean left the two upstairs and returned to Bobby's side to take part in the conversation the two older hunters were having.
Bobby's brows furrowed and Dean briefly thought that if Bobby kept rubbing his head with that ball cap, he'd be bald by nightfall. He had missed a crucial part of the conversation but didn't interject.
Brian looked at Dean and shifted uncomfortably. "Bobby tells me that you will be helping make sure Katie is taken care of. I know it is a lot to ask but I appreciate it. I am trusting you with my life force."
Dean picked up on the man's body language and tone. "Yes sir. She ain't the first kid I've taken care of. She might be a walk in the park compared to Sam. You have my word that she will remain safe and protected and not a hair on her head will be harmed."
Brian sucked air through his teeth and rubbed the back of his head. "I'll take your word, son. Your daddy is a good man and I am sure he raised you two to be good men. I wouldn't bank on her being a walk in the park. She will keep you on your toes."
Dean smiled and nodded his head. "How long are you gone for?"
Bobby looked Dean in the eye and shook his head.
Brian thought for a moment before defeatedly looking at Dean. "Son, I don't know. If all goes to plan I'll be back in a few weeks but when does anything ever go as planned. I've got people that want my head on a stake. I just have to kill them before they kill me. They wont expect Katie to be here. She will have three hunters protecting her. They cannot get to her. I cant stand to see her hurt in any way and they'll use her against me. I don't know when I'll make it back... or... I-I just need to know Kate will be okay."
Dean had seen the same look in his own father's eyes and didn't press him any farther. He had already accepted his place in keeping her safe but seeing that look on Brian's face cemented the fact that he was responsible for her safety.
The three men entered the house and Dean yelled up the stairs for Sam. Sam and Kate walked down the stairs slowly. She had a death grip on Sam's hand, slowly squeezing the life from his finger tips, but he was okay with it. He had done the same to Dean more times than he could remember.
Brian knew the longer he waited, the harder it would be to go. He took Katie's hand and led her out to the front steps. He sat beside her and prepared her for the goodbyes. She let tears well in her eyes but was determined to remain brave. She had to be so her dad wouldn't feel bad about leaving her. Brian suddenly remembered the ragged cat that he had flung into the floor board during their escape. He told her to stay and walked quickly to the car, extracting the cat and returning to stand in front of the girl. He pulled her prized possession from behind his back and presented it to her.
Katie jumped up and squealed, "Millie! Daddy, how? I dropped her.. I tripped.. I'm sorry dad. Uh Thank you Daddy!"
Brian smiled and hugged her close to him. There was his Kate. The glimpse was brief but seeing her act like herself warmed his heart. "You followed orders and did exactly what you were supposed to do. I just happened to have enough time to snag Millie from a puddle."
Kate cried freely now. Some times she felt as though she was too old to carry a stuffed animal around but it was the one thing she had that reminded her of a mother that was taken before Katie could form memories. The emotions from the past 24 hours came crashing down and she fell into her dad's arms.
Brian wanted to stay there forever and never let go of his girl. He knew he was being tracked and every moment he spent with her was another moment she was in danger. He hugged her and kissed her forehead.
She looked into his eyes and knew he was steeling himself. She knew he had to go. She wiped the tears on Millie and steadied her breath. She pushed herself back from her father's embrace and smiled weakly. "Its okay daddy. I'm okay. You can go."
Brian was once again amazed by her resolve. He knew she was safe. He knew she would be okay. It didn't make him feel any better. He kissed her head once more and tilted her chin up to look him in the eye. "Be good. Mind Bobby. Listen to Sam and Dean."
She wanted to roll her eyes but didn't. Of course she expected nothing less than an order and reminder to be good. Following orders is how she stayed safe. "Yes sir." she answered. "I'll be a perfect angel."
He smiled knowingly, again warmed to see another glimpse of her true self. He backed away and Bobby took that as a signal to come outside to say goodbye. Sam and Dean followed. It was getting dark but Brian noticed Dean grabbed Katie's hand for support. He also noticed that Sam did the same with her other hand. She was the most protected little girl on the planet and in that moment he knew she would be okay. He got in his car and backed out of the drive way. He didn't linger and look back because he knew it would only hurt him more.
Bobby sighed and turned to guide the kids inside. He also noticed that Sam had copied Dean in comforting the girl. Dammit if he wasn't proud of those boys. He opened the door and nodded his head in the direction of the living room. He knew Kate was in good hands. He knew her well enough to know she'd bounce back and be back to her fiery self within days. He was certain this was the calm before the storm but he didn't like seeing her subdued. He really was getting old he thought. He smirked, thinking that she might just knock the Winchesters down a few pegs given the chance. Good, they didn't need to be quite as bull headed as their father. He glanced outside once more and said a silent prayer. "John, you best get your ass back in one piece. Those boys still need you."