A/N: I'm trying to catch up with posting these to match where Crossfire is. This one is Kelly's POV. Takes place in chapter 28 of CitC. Let us know what you think!

Chapter 22: Desperation (Kelly's POV)

"That if desperate times call for desperate measures,
then I'm free to act as desperately as I wish."
― Suzanne Collins, Catching Fire

"Coffee. Black."

I turned to find Five sitting at the counter. He had finally ditched the uniform and looked even younger now, in a sweatshirt and jeans.

"Hello to you too," I replied while grabbing a mug and pouring him a coffee. "Get bored of the house?"

"It's too chaotic there. I can't think. Plus the coffee here is better and I get to eat for free."

"Sorry, what?" I had never promised anyone free food. Not even Dean.

"Call it a quid pro quo for the shooting practice."

I sighed, I should have known he wasn't helping me practice out of the goodness of his heart. Or you know, as thanks for a roof over his head.

He continued. "You are improving. It's nice to see I'm as good a teacher as I am a student."

"Thanks. I think? So what can I get you, apparently on the house."

Five ordered and I went to do my rounds. He told me he had decided to stay the remainder of my shift, grumbling that he would take a ride home to conserve his energy. A couple of hours had passed and I was back at the counter. Five was telling me a story of the time he travelled to the 1800s when Greta came by.

"Well, hello there. You must be one of the kids in Kelly's care."

Five glared in response to being called a kid. I cut in before he could be an ass, "Yes, he is. Greta this is Five. He's my...nephew. Five, this is Greta, my boss."

I emphasized the boss so he would check his usual attitude. He gave me a funny look at calling him a nephew but plastered on a fake smile for Greta.

"Seems kind of young for coffee, don't you think?" Greta looked from his mug to me judgingly.

"Trust me, honey, I'm older than I look."

Greta looked from Five and then out through the front window. "Well, aren't you popular today?"

I followed her eye line and saw the Impala pulling into the parking lot. Dean appeared to be alone as he climbed out. He caught me looking through the diner window and waved me to come outside, which was unusual.

Greta turned to me, "go on. Don't keep that fine man waiting. I'll make sure Five here gets dessert. Important for a growing boy!"

I mumbled thanks and headed outside, meeting Dean at the front of the Impala. His face was dark and he looked troubled. Well, more troubled than usual. I gave him a hug and could feel he was tense. I stepped back, crossing my arms across my chest for warmth. I'd left my coat inside. "I wasn't expecting you. Sam said you guys were on a job?"

"Yeah, we, uh, wrapped that up."

"Did you want to come in, Greta mentioned dessert for Five. Sure she's got some pie for you." I forced my voice to be light, hiding the worry building in my stomach as Dean's expression grew darker, even after the promise of pie.

"I can't. I've got to get back on the road. I wanted to see you though. Before I go."

"Before you go?"

"I have to do something. It's to keep you safe. All of you." There was a tone to his voice I knew not to trust. A tone that was usually followed by a stupid plan when it came to the Winchester boys.

"Dean, you're kind of freaking me out. Is this about the demons that attacked the house?"

His expression changed, anger flashing now, "the what? Demons attacked you?"

I moved forward, closing the gap between us again and grabbing his hand. "Yeah, but we handled it. Sam didn't get a chance to tell you?"

Dean swore under his breath. "No. He didn't."

"Wherever you have to be, it can wait. I think you should come inside first. Tell me what's going on. Wait for Sam."

"I can't. I need you to know I meant what I said earlier." He moved forward, taking my face in his hands. "The life I wanted? When I picture myself happy, it's with you. Being with you has made me happier than I've been in a long time. Fuck, happier than I had any right to be." He kissed me. It was a deep kiss and I felt like he was a drowning man clinging to me like a life preserver. He finally broke the kiss pulling me into a hug, before pulling back. "I have to go."

I took a second to catch my breath. "You need to stay. Dean, you can't just roll in here, say that and take off again without an explanation."

He kissed me on the forehead, "I can't stay. I promise you though, you'll be safe."

He stepped back, moving around the car and getting in. I felt frozen on the spot as I watched the Impala peel out of the parking lot.

I was snapped out of my daze by Greta sticking her head out the door, "where's he off to? Driving like he's got the devil on his tail."

"More like the devil's brother…"

"What dear?"

"Nothing. I'll be back inside in a minute."

I pulled my phone out of my pocket and saw a 'call me' text from Sam. The phone barely rang when he picked up. "Hey, have you heard from Dean?"

"Yeah, he just showed up at the diner and he scared the shit out of me. What the hell is going on?"

Sam filled me in on the job they'd been on, taking down the Whore and Dean proving to be a servant of heaven. He finished with, "I think he's going to say yes to Michael."

"I think you're right. What he said to me? Sounded like he wasn't expecting to see me again."

"Did he say where he was going? "

"No. Nothing. I tried to get him to stay. Sam, you have to find him."

"I will. I think I know where he'll go next. I've got Cas with me. Can you head to Bobby's? He might go there next. If we find him though, we're locking him up till we can talk some sense into him."

"Sam, please find him. I'll see you at Bobby's."

I hung up and headed back into the diner. I wanted to leave right then but I still had about an hour left, and the diner was packed. I couldn't leave Greta, not without risking getting fired. I was already on thin ice having taken off so much unexplained time. Five was staring at me and what happened. I filled him in on everything including my current dilemma of wanting to leave work.

"May as well finish out your shift. Better than pacing angrily around the old coot's place. You think you can do more than Sam and that angel?"

"I want you to know I hate that you're right."

"Chalk it up to years of experience. Now, since you're still on the clock. Can you get me more coffee?"


Five was in the car waiting for me by the time I cashed out my tips. I drove as fast as I dared in town until we hit the side roads when I pushed the car to its limits. My initial worry over Dean had turned into anger as I finished out the end of my shift. Anger that he was going to say yes. Furious he was giving in after so much. The rage was simmering to a peak when we were only a few minutes from the house. Five had been silent but staring at me frequently throughout the ride. He had a look of concern on his face, possibly at my driving skills.

"Hey, can you pop ahead? Tell Michelle to meet me at the car. I can't stop long."

"And if she asks me why?"

"Just tell her to meet me at the fucking car okay?" I snapped and instantly felt horrible, but Five blinked away before I could apologize.