Kate sat up in her makeshift bed and popped her back. Sam and Dean were still asleep. She was afraid to fall asleep so they let her camp in their room. She tried to go back to sleep but her mind was much too busy. She wrapped herself in a blanket and tiptoed out of the room. Bobby was still asleep as well. She didn't want to turn on the tv and risk waking people up. She looked out the window at the stars. Her mind was starting to get spooked by the shadows so she stepped back and looked for something to do. She noticed a stack of books and a page of notes sitting beside the couch. She picked up the notes that were written in Sam's handwriting. He had been researching their shared abilities. She cracked a book open and read. She read page after page, absorbing information.

"I thought we talked about this." A voice said from behind her.

She whipped around and nearly threw the book.

Dean turned on the light and smiled. "I wouldn't do that again."

Kate didn't try to defend herself. She just shrunk into the couch.

Dean sat beside her and patted her leg. "Relax. Sam's findings concern you. We had planned to show you all of this anyway."

Kate just stared at him, blinking.

"This isn't demon information. This information is okay for you to have." He said.

"I want to know about the demons though." She replied.

"Leave the demons alone until your dad gets here. We will fill you in as we go, like with Sam's notes. Do you want some coffee?" He asked as he got up to make a pot.

Kate looked over the back of the couch. "Can I really have coffee?"

Dean laughed. "No, but I can make you a cup of coco."

Kate settled back in with Sam's notes and the book. Her mind lost it's focus and drifted back to the demons. Being told not to look into it made her want to look into it but Dean had cured her of that. She chewed her lip and hummed a song to herself. She pulled out her notebook and decided to busy herself with another drawing. She drew herself as Alice in Wonderland. She loved the book and the movie because she often felt like Alice. Her life was a confusing place of twists and turns and things that made no sense. She drew a white rabbit with a pocket watch. She shaded in the trees and let her imagination run wild. She wondered how a hunter would handle Wonderland. She imagined meeting the mad hatter and the queen of hearts. The queen was evil so she was sure a hunter would put a stop to her in a hurry. However the mad hatter was goofy and not mean. She thought that he would be a treat to hang out with at least once. She doodled her favorite characters and filled the page with different shades of black and gray. She drew a pair of yellow eyes and a wide grin on the branch of a tree. She looked at the Cheshire's smile and froze. She felt fear building inside of her. The cat's ability to fade into invisibility reminded her of her dream. She stared into the empty yellow eyes and dread filled her stomach. She couldn't take her eyes away from the page although it was making her sick. She jumped when she felt a hand on her arm.

"Whoa, whoa. Kate. It is just me." Dean said, handing her a cup.

Kate slammed her notebook shut and tossed it on the table.

"Talk to me." Dean said, sitting down beside her.

Kate didn't speak but handed him the note book. He flipped through to the most recent page and looked at the Alice in Wonderland drawing. The page was littered with swirls and whimsical characters but he didn't know why she had shut down. "What happened?" He asked gently, trying to get her to meet his gaze.

"I don't know. I just got scared." She said weakly.

"Scared of what?"

She pointed to the tree with the Cheshire smile. "I thought about the Cheshire cat and it reminded me of my dream and I just got scared."

Dean shut the book and pulled her closer to his side. "If I see a Cheshire cat I'll make sure to gank him." He said.

She smirked. That answered her question as to how a hunter would handle wonderland.

An hour passed before anyone else woke up. The house was still and quiet. Dean didn't push Kate to talk but sat beside her as long as she needed.

Bobby padded down the hallway to see who was awake. "Couldn't sleep?" He asked.

Kate shook her head. Dean shifted his weight and grabbed a pillow, placing it beside him as he had done the day before. He turned the tv on and told Kate to lay down.

"I'm okay. It is already morning." She said.

Dean shook his head. "Not for you. It is 4am. You could get some sleep before Sam gets up."

She shrugged her shoulders and curled up beside him. She relaxed as he ran his fingers along her scalp. She instantly felt sleepy and wondered if that was one of the pressure points that made people pass out. She pulled her blanket over her face and fell asleep.

Bobby walked back in the room holding his own mug of coffee. He looked down at Kate and raised a brow. "How do you do that?"

Dean smiled. "Years of practice."

Bobby saw his empty cup and motioned for him to hand it to him. He took it to the kitchen and refilled it, grabbing a few strips of jerky on his way out. He handed both to Dean and winked. "Don't tell Sam."

#######

Brian hissed as he went to raise himself from the couch. The pain medication had lulled him to sleep and he had momentarily forgotten the state of his ribs. Kate had seen him bang up before but he was hoping he looked better by the time they reached Bobby.

John and Mike were up most of the night messing with the demon. They had gotten a few shreds of information and then called it a night.

Brian wanted to storm down the stairs and lay into the demon but stayed on the couch, holding his chest. The lower level demons had referred to him as Alrek. He had been at war with Alrek for a few years and having him trapped and helpless felt bitter sweet. He could finally take time and get back to Kate but his time was still running out. He would have to tell Kate about the deal because she deserved to know that he wouldn't be around forever. She was scared and he was not there for her. She was fighting her own war and he could do nothing to help her. He popped the cap off the pill bottle and took another dose. He pulled out his phone and sent Bobby a message asking how she was doing.

#########

Kate mumbled in her sleep and stirred. Dean put his hand on her shoulder and settled her.

Kate sat on Bobby's porch and sipped lemonade. She drummed her bare feet as she swung gently. Bees zipped around gathering pollen for their hive. She closed her eyes and hummed quietly to herself. A slight buzzing sound interrupted her thoughts and she opened her eyes. Floating in front of her face was a brilliant blue light. She was startled at first but something about the light was soothing. She reached for it and it moved away. She didn't know why but she felt that she needed to follow it. She walked off the porch and across the gravel. She felt the rocks under her feet as she walked. The light entered the woods and Kate stopped, frightened to enter the woods. She was overcome with a sense of calm as the light floated closer. The light began moving again and she followed it. She walked until she saw a small house up ahead. The light hovered around the door, urging her to open it. She cracked the door open and was met with blinding light. The white light warmed her body and buzzed much like the blue light. She stumbled back at the intensity. The blue light hovered right by her face for a moment before moving to the door. "Wait, where are you going?" She asked the light. The light bobbed slightly and then entered the doorway. The light flickered once more and the door shut behind it.

Kate heard a ticking sound and got control of her body again. She knew where she was and felt safe. Dean's steady breathing soothed her and she rested with her eyes closed. When she heard Sam coming down the stairs she opened her eyes and sat up.

Dean leaned over and whispered. "Are you okay? You seemed fidgety."

She smiled and gave him a hug. "Yeah, I'm really good."

Dean wasn't sure what that meant.

She described the dream and the floating blue light. "I saw the same light in my other dream but this dream was good. I felt safe and warm."

Dean was glad that the dream hadn't been about hounds but what was up with the blue light?

Sam made his way into the room, humming a tune. He sat down in a chair and stretched his legs out.

"Why are you in a good mood?" Dean asked.

Sam shrugged his shoulders. "I just woke up feeling good." He went back to humming with his eyes closed.

Dean looked between Kate and Sam with his brows furrowed. "Sam, what are you humming?"

Sam stopped and tilted his head. "Just a song, why?"

"Because Kate was humming it when I came down stairs."

Kate thought for a minute. "Maybe it was on the radio?"

Dean put his elbows on his knees and cleared his mind. "What radio Kate? The impala's?"

Kate thought back to the last time she had listened to the radio that wasn't one of Dean's cassette tapes.

Dean stood up, smacking his thigh. "New rule. If you two develop telepathy, you can't use it against me."

Sam rolled his eyes and smiled at Kate. "Oh, we are absolutely going to use it against you and you wont even know."

Dean walked by and smacked Sam's head. "Bitch."

"Jerk." Sam shot back, smacking Dean's hand away.

############

John woke up and went straight to the coffee pot. He was not a patient man and wanted what ever information they could get out of Alrek before tossing him in a pit. He looked over and saw that Brian was awake. "How are the ribs?" He asked.

Brian grunted and took a breath. "Hurt like hell but fine."

The gash on Brian's stomach was deep but hadn't hit anything internally. Although slow moving, he was moving and alert. As far as John was concerned, he was out of the woods as long as he didn't do anything to make the injuries worse. He had promised a certain little girl that he would return her dad in one piece and he intended to keep his promise.

Brian limped over to the table and John handed him a cup of coffee; hunter's fuel. "I'm going down when you go." He stated.

John didn't argue. "Just stay back. I don't think Kate would forgive me if you got beat up any worse than you are currently."

Brian smiled. "I'll let my ribs heal but I have a bone to pick with him." He said, tilting his head in the direction of the cellar door.

Mike shuffled into the kitchen and threw some frozen biscuits in the oven and sausage patties on the stove.

"I wasn't aware that we'd be getting a continental breakfast." John said.

Mike blew air out of his nose. "Smartass."

The three sat and made a game plan for the day. They would get answers out of the demon and one of them would go into town to grab some supplies and food.

Brian made it slowly down the stairs and propped himself up against the wall.

Alrek twitched and snickered. "Moving a little slower today there, boy."

John flicked him with holy water and he huffed in pain.

They drilled him with questions and got very little answers. He cackled darkly and made comments about Kate and the boys.

Brian wanted to tear into the son of a bitch but John's hand stopped him.

John wrapped an iron chain around Alrek, eliciting a scream. Demons were everywhere and it didn't surprise him that a few would know of Sam and Dean's whereabouts but he didn't like the sound of his boys' names coming out of Alrek's mouth.

Brian was fuming. He had worked hard to trap the demon to prevent him from getting to Katie. It was attempt to protect himself but nothing mattered more than keeping Kate safe. He thought about Kate's vision and nausea hit him. He knew what awaited him and blanched at the thought of hellhounds but the thought that Kate would even dream of them made him sick. "What is the name of the demon that holds my deal?"

Alrek laughed and spat in Brian's direction. "What's the matter? Getting scared?"

John tightened the chain. "Answer."

Alrek laughed again. "Knowing wont help you. You can't get out of a deal. You are going to hell and that little girl of yours is going to be a sitting duck."

Brian walked over and punched him in the face as hard as he could before stumbling back and holding his side.

John put the bag back over Alrek's head and helped Brian up the stairs. "He is just getting into your head."

Brian wheezed. "He is right."

John handed Brian another cup of coffee and pills. "One thing I can promise you is that she is going to remain safe. My boys would move heaven and earth to make sure of that, Bobby too. I'll see to it that she is taken care of. In the event that one of us can't be with her, there is a list of hunter's a mile long willing to let her bunk with them for a few days. She has an army behind her."

Brian knew that but things could happen in the blink of an eye and he was leaving her. "I don't know how to tell her."

John grabbed a bottle of jack and poured a bit in two glasses. "I can help figure that out. I'm inclined to say rip the band aid off but I raised boys and haven't had to tell them that kind of news."

Brian drank the alcohol and let it warm his chest. "It isn't fair to keep her in the dark but I just want her to be a kid a little bit longer."

John chuckled. "I think she is passed that point."

Brian didn't disagree. Kate was her own type of person. She was still a little girl who liked kittens and flowers but her ability to adjust was far beyond her years. She had mended his wounds for years and never blanched at the blood. She stayed calm in serious situations and thought on her feet. On the other hand, she had a fire that rivaled hell's. When she was mad or feared for someone she cared for, she would forget herself and stand brazenly in front of a moving train if she thought she could prevent it from hitting them. That quality is what terrified him. He knew as soon as she knew about the deal, she wouldn't stop digging and trying to find a way to fix it. It wasn't her job to fix it and although she may not have thought so, she was still a little kid. "Someone is going to have to lock her in a padded cell to keep her from trying to heel the hounds." He said lightly.

John smiled fondly. "I don't doubt that." They joked but the possibility of her getting herself in harm's way trying to protect Brian was very real. He had been slightly amused with the grief she had been giving Dean with looking for answers but the reality of the situation was grave. She reminded him of Sam in ways and Dean in others.

Brian's phone chimed and he checked the message from Bobby. Kate was good and hadn't had another bad dream. Her knew found dreams and quirks made things increasingly difficult. He thought back to a time when he simply busted down doors and killed monsters before returning 'home' for the night. How had things gotten to this level of difficulty?

#######

"Can we go somewhere today?" Kate asked, looking out the window as the sun came up.

"Where?" Bobby asked.

"I don't know. Anywhere?"

He agreed that she probably needed to get out of the house. "Give me a bit and we will figure something out."

Dean took every chance he could to drive baby and didn't mind running errands. Bobby wrote him a list of things to do and suggested he take Sam and Kate with him.

Kate walked out to the impala and drew air into her nose. The day was already getting warm and Bobby's yard always smelled faintly of motor oil. She had grown fond of the scent. Since her dad had caught his demon, he would be able to pick her up soon. She wanted to soak in every comfort she could before she left.

Dean pulled up to a strip of offices. He told Sam and Kate to wait and he ran into a building to pay Bobby's utility bills.

Sam turned around and propped his arm on the edge of the seat. "How are you doing?"

Kate shrugged. "Okay, I guess. Just so much has changed and I am still getting used to it."

"We will help you work through it." He said, patting her knee.

She knew they would but she just wanted answers instantly.

Dean got back in the car and drove to the next stop. He let them get out of the car and help him take a stack of packages into the post office. Kate sat her stack down and looked out the window. It was still early but people were starting to come out of their homes and walk around. The clouds were fluffy and white against a blue sky. She wondered where each person was going.

Sam walked over. "What are you looking at."

Kate tapped the window. "It is such a pretty day and I was just watching people."

Sam decided he would watch as well. He spotted a park on one corner. "Would you want to go to the park?"

Kate giggled. "I'm not five, Sammy."

He nudged her. "No, but you are nine and I for one will say that swinging has no age limit."

Dean agreed to the pit stop and walked over to the city park with them. There were only two other families there with small children. He gave Kate a boost on the swing and then leaned back against the leg of the swing set. Kate's laugh made him smile. He wondered how often she got to be a kid. If she was anything like Sam and himself, it wasn't often. He didn't tease Sam about swinging, as he felt like his brother deserved every tiny shred of childhood he had left. Two birds flew overhead, diving and flapping at each other. Dean followed them with his eyes and then paused. Directly behind the swings, out of Kate's line of sight sat a yellow house with white shutters. Rose bushed lined the front of the house. The house was far enough away that he couldn't read the numbers on the side or the name on the mailbox. However, he was certain it was the house that Kate had drawn. He decided not to point it out.

The park began to get more crowded so Sam hopped off the swing and landed a couple feet away.

Kate gasped and copied Sam. She misjudged the distance and had a temporary feeling of flight.

Dean reached and caught her before she hit the ground. "Real smooth, Sammy." He said, popping Sam on the head.

The three walked back to the impala and headed out to complete their list. The last stop was at a shopping center. Dean saved the worst for last. He turned and looked at Kate. "Rule number 1. Stay with me or Sam at all times. 2. Do not walk off on your own. 3-"

Kate rolled her eyes. "Oh my god, Dean. I know the rules."

He squinted his eyes and opened his door. "Good."

She did stay right with them as they made their way through a few select stores, gathering the things on Bobby's list. Dean stopped to talk to a worker, looking for a recommendation between two items. Sam had stepped back and was looking at an end cap of books. Kate was by Sam, glancing around the store. She stepped a few feet away from Sam but remained in his line of sight. A door opened and the flicker of light bounced off something in the store window directly across from where she and the boys were. She found herself inside the shop, kneeling next to a box of crystals. They were beautiful and drew her in. One was iridescent and shifted colors when she turned it in the light. She was lost in the rainbow of moving light when a solid hand grabbed her arm. She jerked, her heart nearly leaving her chest.

"You were with me the whole time." Sam hissed as he nearly drug her back to the original store. She hadn't fully realized she had walked out of the store and her heart was racing. "What the hell was that?" Sam asked her.

She stuttered, glancing at the back of Dean's head. "I-I-I saw a flicker of light and next thing I know you grabbed me." She wrung her hands and shifted.

Sam rubbed his head. "This stays between you and me this time."

She relaxed a little. Sam was her ally.

"It doesn't happen again, are we clear?" He asked, letting go of her arm.

She scrunched her eyebrows. He sounded like mad Dean. "Yep, totally clear."

Sam relaxed and walked to stand beside Dean. "There is a shop across the hall that I think we should check out next."

Dean gave Sam a confused look but shrugged his shoulders. "Alright."

Kate vowed to never leave Sam's side again. He was a proven ally but didn't want to push her luck.

They walked back over to the store and she made a beeline for the crystals. She sat on the floor and held each of them in her hands. The iridescent crystal mesmerized her so she held it up to Dean. "Can I please, please get this one?"

Dean didn't see why not. He bought her the crystal and they made their way back to the impala.

Kate walked along the sidewalk, cradling the crystal in her hands, nearly bumping into people as they passed by.

Sam hooked his arm in hers and steered her safely to the car. "So, what is the story with that thing?"

Kate didn't know. "I just really like it and I think I'm going to make a necklace."

Sam chocked it up to Kate's girly side. She kind of reminded him of a racoon with her affinity for shiny things.

Safely back in the car, Dean dumped the questionable amount of bags in the trunk of the impala and announced that they would pick up lunch. Bobby did the majority of the cooking and it was due time that he got a break in meal planning.

Sam and Kate waited in the car, watching Dean through the window. He leaned on the counter and the waitress blushed. Cindy was head over hills for Dean and Kate thought that as gross.

Dean was in excellent spirits when he returned to the car and ignored Sam's scoff. He pulled the impala out of it's parking space and cranked the radio.

Kate held her crystal near the window and watched as the colors danced in her hands. Dean turned right and headed down the road to Bobby's house.

Kate hitched her breath and stared at her crystal. The light imitating from her hands was a clear, brilliant blue. It only lasted a moment before the crystal returned to it's normal hues. She clasped the crystal in her hand and held it close to her chest. She didn't know for sure if the crystal was connected but it brought her comfort. The crystal was warm in her heart and filled her heart with a type of peace she had only felt during her dream. A tear slipped out of her closed eyes and she sighed. 'I'm going to be just fine.'