Chapter Seven

"They'll both be fine." the doctor told them. "Athena is sleeping but Autumn is awake if you'd like to visit with them." He pointed in the direction of Autumn's room and together the three young men made their way to see her.

"What do you think? Will it leave a nice scar?" Autumn asked playing with the bandage around her arm. The doctor was amazed that the bullet had managed to do what so many toy swords had done. It went through between her arm and torso. It took a good deal of skin and bled like crazy but nothing that wouldn't heal.

"Hell of a story for the grandkids." Curtis agreed. He'd heard the shots and then saw Dean's car speed by so he'd gotten in his truck and gone to the house. The place was doused in blood so he'd got straight to the hospital.

"Grandkids?" Autumn asked. She gave a yawn. "I don't think so. Maybe some hot guy I've picked up in bar but no grandkids." she gave Dean a lopsided smile. "Anyway, the important stuff. How's the kid?"

"Athena's fine." Sam told her. "A lot of blood loss, so they filled her back up. She's sleeping now, but woke up on the way to the hospital. She has a good deal of bruising but the doctors aren't concerned with that right now."

"What the hell did you tell them?" Autumn had been trying to figure out what had been said since she had woken up and a cute doctor was stitching her arm shut.

"Just the address." Curtis told her. "Everyone in the county knows that house is weird. But it won't be now?"

"Nah, we took care of all that." Dean confirmed.

"How you feeling?" Curtis asked Autumn. She shrugged.

"You know, I always thought it would hurt being shot, but it's not the being shot part that hurt, it's the moving part." he chuckled.

"I've got to get back." he leaned over and kissed the top of her head.

"Bye." she said softly. Dean followed Curtis out of the room. He had some cash he'd won playing poker in the waiting room and it was burning a hole in his pocket.

"Here." he offered it to Curtis. "For their bills." Curtis had paid everything up front in cash. But no refused a refund.

"Keep it. It's the least I can do. You guys cleaned that spirit out. So no more little kids dying. I know it doesn't directly effect me much but," he paused a moment. "But, I feel partially responsible. Like I should have locked the house up better or something." Dean shook his head.

"No, kids would have gotten in one way or another. There was nothing you could have done. Now take the money." Curtis looked back toward Autumn's room and Dean followed his gaze.

"I'll take the money if you promise me something."

"What?" Dean didn't like the sound of the other man's voice.

"Promise me you'll keep her safe. Don't let anything happen to her." Dean didn't bother pretending to think.

"Done." Curtis took the money from Dean's hand and walked off.

"He coming back?" Autumn asked when the older Winchester came back.

"I don't think so." Dean said slumping down in one of the never comfortable hospital chairs.

"Well, before we leave I'll just have to go say my goodbyes." she resolved. "So when are they going to release us?" she asked.

"Don't know." Sam stood up. "But I'll go find out and check on Teenie too." Dean noticed that Sam had Autumn's hand and Autumn had tears clinging to her lashes.

"Thanks, babe. You're a doll." Autumn said releasing his hand and letting him leave.

Autumn was released that night but didn't leave until she'd made sure Athena had eaten lunch the following day. She only left long enough to pack up their belongings. She was saving her goodbyes until she and Athena could do them together. Athena tried to convince her this wasn't necessary that she really didn't have any thing to say to the boy except thanks. But honestly Autumn was a little nervous about seeing him again. Sam had filled her in on what he'd done after hearing the shots and she was shaken by how quickly he'd found loyalties to her.

Athena was released, two days after being admitted, by grudging doctors. John couldn't have been happier to see her. Athena was still at little less than normal but managed the dogs affections. Dean and Sam had to pack the girls car because Autumn wasn't doing much lifting and Athena had enough trouble on her own two feet without added weight. The innkeepers prepared a large dinner for them and the following morning when they left had all the leftovers boxed up for the road. There was just one thing left and that was saying bye to Curtis Webbler.

No one else got out of their cars when Autumn did. She crossed the gravel drive, and dirt lawn alone. Curtis was on the front porch steps tinkering with some tractor part. He barely looked up when she approached. Autumn sat down next to him picking up a screw driver and twisting it in her hands.

"We're leaving." she said. He nodded. "Sam told me how you rushed to the hospital and paid for our treatment and everything. That was really sweet." He gave her a grunt. "Well, I doubt it's any consolation but I did have fun with you, and will miss your tiny town."

"It's more than you think. Here." he pulled a key from his pocket. "I'm not sure if you're really with Unexplained or not, but if you ever retire and need a place, my door is always open." he put the key in her hand. "If it's not, that'll get you in." she smiled.

"Thanks." she shook his head.

"Don't mention it. Now, go you've got a family waiting on you." she leaned forward and kissed his cheek. Then stood up and went back towards her car. Dean was hollering at her to speed things up and she made a face at him. It suddenly hit her to turn around and say something else, but she didn't know what. So she kept going. "Don't forget to buckle up." Curtis called after her.

"Ladies first." Dean said. Grinning from ear to ear she responded.

"Then get your ass on the road, pretty."

A/N: Thanks for sticking with me through another boring fic. Feedback is ALWAYS welcome! Along with any suggestions or thoughts you may have…. Are thoughts and feedback the same?… Oh well. Incase you didn't notice this fic was more me than Katie. But we'll have the next one up soon and she'll be doing MUCH more writing then, and hopefully keep me from sending Sammy and Athena off to la la land without a word. Did anyone notice how much they just disappeared? Well hope you liked it and lots of love to those of you who were kind enough to read it all.