OH MY GOODNESS GRACIOUS I AM SO EXTREMELY SORRY!
I am so undeserving of your consideration and I am so grateful that any of you have even stuck with this at all so thank you so so soooo much! I've been on vacation and dealing with a lot of personal issues and just got my brand spanking new laptop so I'll be able to update better now and save my files without fear of the wrath of my mother! :D And I started college and just finished my first few weeks here so things are a little crazy, but I think I'm managing to make time…
But, that's a story for another day. For now, on with the story!
I'm seriously considering just skipping a few episodes, 'cause there's really not many changes to make when Kate's thrown in… but I might be good and leave them in. Any votes?
Disclaimer: Seriously? I need to repeat myself again?
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Immediately upon waking, Kate Winchester noticed three things.
First, she was definitely not where she normally fell asleep at all. She distinctly recalled falling asleep on a park bench somewhere, or on the cold, hard ground behind a bush as a desperate attempt to hide herself from people or monsters alike, her arm supporting her growing-more-heavy-by-the-second-head as she wearily fought her exhaustion as best she could. Now, instead she lay curled up in a queen size bed, curled up in comfort and warmth, not soaked in grime and dew as she normally would be.
Second, she could hear hushed voices talking animatedly in the other room. At first, this startled her. She never traveled with anyone, and this could only mean that someone had intruded. However, it didn't take her long for the memories of the previous few nights to come over her and calm her nerves, reminding her of just who would be having the apparently-serious discussion: her brothers. The thought painted a graceful smile to her lips.
Finally, she smelled food.
The delicious aroma of coffee and take-out diner food is what finally allowed Kate to rouse herself from sleep. She sat up slowly, stretching and blinking the leftover sleep from her eyes. A quick glance at the clock told her it was nine-thirty in the morning. She yawned, swinging her legs over the side of the bed and rising. Excitement filled her at the prospect of spending another day with her brothers.
"Dean, come on." Sam's voice flooded through, irritation apparent in his voice. "What're we going to do, force her back on the streets?" Kate's heart nearly stopped, her body freezing behind the wall by the kitchen out of sight. Did they really want her to leave already? She'd thought that they were finally bonding, getting closer. Panic flooded her until she heard Dean speak up.
"Hell no!" He exclaimed in outrage. It deeply relieved her to know that they cared a little for her… At least, she hoped. She strained her ears, listening further to the conversation as Dean continued. "All I'm saying is, it's not up to us what she does, where she goes. It's up to her. The least we can do is give her the choice, we can't make her come hunting with us!"
"Well, what do you propose?" Sam whisper yelled back. "'Cause I'm not leaving her out there on her out there on her own again where anything can get her!" Her heart swelled. They really did, they cared. It was a new sensation, this elated joy and knowledge that she was finally not alone! She couldn't imagine going back to her old life, living in the gutters, sleeping minutes a night in public parks and alley ways, working any odd jobs that came along just for food and maybe shelter…
Dean sighed, snapping Kate out of her thoughts. "Well, I was thinking… Bobby might be able to find a place for her…"
She heard Sam's breath hitch for a moment. "… What, you mean like… A real home?" He gasped. Though she couldn't physically, her mind's eye could see his expression, brow raised and mouth slightly twisted open into a small frown, staring incredulously at his brother. She could imagine Dean too, looking anywhere but at his brother, trying to avoid the inevitable puppy eyes and sadness in his eyes. She couldn't think about that though, her body was frozen and her mind was reeling.
'A… A normal home?' She thought. At first, you'd think there'd be comfort in the thought, any normal person would. We must remember though, Kate is still a Winchester. And the Winchesters? They're everything but normal. In fact, Kate's heart was breaking.
'They… They don't want me…' The very thought almost brought tears to her eyes. How could they talk like they cared, like they had any attachment to her, when all they really wanted was for her to be gone? It just wasn't right, completely unfair…
Her thoughts were broken by Dean's sigh.
"Yeah, I guess." He answered slowly. "Normal." Everything went quiet for a moment, each Winchester lost in their own thoughts.
Sam couldn't believe what his brother was saying. Even the thought of abandoning the newly found Winchester sickened him, sending his stomach rolling. While the thought of having a normal home, with no hunting, a family that wasn't constantly in danger, never even knowing the things that hid in the dark, it was all he'd dreamed of his whole life, he could see reality here. Kate had already been exposed to the danger, hell, had LIVED it on multiple occasions. There was no chance she'd be truly safe anyway, why take her away from the only family she'd ever known…
Meanwhile, Dean was practically arguing Sam's every thought. Sure, he didn't want to just leave the poor kid somewhere, she'd been through enough, but he sure as hell didn't want to take her on the road. Yeah, the evidence was piled up and somewhere in his mind, Dean knew it was true, but part of him nagged the back of his head, suspicion never truly dying. He didn't really trust her completely yet, and wasn't really sure what to make of the revelation. Sure, the other night he'd been all set to take her in then and there, but now he'd had some time to think. This was his father they were talking about, the man would never do something as stupid as this. It had to be some kind of trick, something to get to the Winchester boys. He thrust a hand through his hair, trying to focus his thoughts. Even with his suspicions, Dean couldn't argue that she could clearly hold her own and hunt. She'd been doing it for a while apparently, after the stories she'd shared of various spirits, wendigos, shapeshifters, demons, etc. But with Winchester luck? She'd only be in more danger than she would anywhere else. Not to mention that she was so young, she had the opportunity to live a life they didn't get the chance to…
Kate took a deep breath, pushing back all of her thoughts of the conversation she'd just overheard and painting a smile on her face. She was well practiced at hiding emotion, and she couldn't risk her brothers knowing she'd listened, then they'd REALLY want her out. Strolling through the doorway with her cheery demeanor, Kate vowed then and there to make sure that those boys found reasons to hold on to her.
"Goooood morning gentlemen!" She called out in greeting. Both boys jumped a little, straightening and smiling back at the charming teenager. Dean eyed her instinctively, looking for any signs his little sister may not have slept enough, or that something may be wrong…
Or that she's not really human…
"Well, good morning princess." He replied cheekily. "How was your beauty sleep?" Kate rolled her eyes.
"Apparently a lot better than yours, sunshine." She teased back. Sam stifled a chuckle, smirking at his brother who simply rolled his eyes and sipped his coffee. Sam cleared his throat.
"We brought some food, if you're hungry." He said, smiling warmly. Kate beamed.
"Thank goodness!" She said happily. "I feel like I haven't eaten in… well, days I guess!" She giggled, taking the bag of goodies from Sam and plopping down in the chair opposite him to dig in. The warm, delectable scent of pancakes wafted through the air and descended delicately upon her nose, filling her mouth instantly with saliva. A twinge of guilt hit her for mooching off the boys, but she soon decided that she'd look around in their next town for some job to do to make some money.
As their sister ate, Dean and Sam began packing their bags, loading up the beautiful Impala once again. The question was, where were they headed?
"I've been reading up on some news articles in a town about three hours from here. Definitely our thing." Sam said, holding up a printout. Dean raised his eyebrow, then shrugged.
"Ok, we'll head over there as soon as we drop the girl off." He replied casually, nodding and strolling over the door of the motel room. Sam froze, eyes widening.
"What?" He gasped. "You can't be serious, Dean." He jogged a few steps to catch his brother before he opened the door. Dean stopped turning to face his brother seriously.
"Oh, I'm dead serious, Sam." He said, his eyes hard and stern. "Look, I get that you're you and you can't help but melt at this girl's story like the chick you are, but me? I'm not buying it. You can't expect me to just sit here and believe that she's our sister, that Dad went and screwed around with some… kid… on a hunt? It's all wrong! We're his only kids, he didn't screw around! She's got to be lying, or twisting the truth or something. Maybe she's a creature, she's got magic, practices hoodoo, I don't freaking know man. All I know is, that… thing… in there, is NOT who she claims to be."
Sam stood at the door in front of his brother, dumbfounded at what he'd just said.
"Dean, do you hear yourself?" He asked, angry and clearly exasperated. "Just a few minutes ago, you were telling me about giving her the opportunity to have a normal, happy life. Now suddenly she's some creature? What the hell is wrong with you?" Dean glared sharply at his brother.
"You know what Sam? I'm done having this conversation with you." He turned toward the door, reaching for the handle, when it swung open, startling the older hunter.
"Oh, sorry Dean!" Kate apologized softly, holding up a small bag. "This one got left behind. Figured I'd bring it out." She brushed past the two, beaming oddly and practically dancing to the car. Sam looked away from her to his brother, raising an eyebrow. The gesture clearly asked what he could think of that. The look was wasted, as Dean ducked in through the open doorway and disappeared.
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The roar of the Impala certainly helped calm Dean's stormy thoughts as he settled once more into the ever-comforting familiarity of his baby. Metallica's For Whom the Bell Tolls blasted at a soothing million and a half decibels, and he thoroughly enjoyed drumming his hand on the steering wheel with the beat, singing along under his breath. These were the moments he loved being on the road.
Glancing in the rear view, he caught sight of Kate (if that was her real name) staring out the window, nodding along absently to the music. She appeared to be in deep thought, a stoic expression on her face. She'd been that way all day, except when she got into character posing as an intern when the boys went FBI for the interview. Even researching in the library, she hadn't smiled or shown any kind of emotion the whole time, instead just working diligently on the case.(*) He briefly wondered if that was how she did her cases all the time. A flash of curiosity went through him, but he quickly shook it off, reminding himself that it didn't matter what she was thinking about. She was probably just plotting their deaths or revenge for some twisted relative of hers they'd ganked, or something along those lines.
Shaking his head, Dean sighed and focused his attention on the road. He couldn't dwell on these things. Not now, at least. He'd just have to keep an eye out, make sure she didn't try anything.
Speaking of keeping an eye out…
"HOLY SHIT!" Dean yelled, slamming his foot on the brake as hard as he could. The car jolted, protesting to such treatment, and slammed to a stop. The three occupants were a little shaken, but not quite as much as the poor blonde woman who had just run into the road, frantic and screaming, now pounding on Sam's window. He rolled it down gently.
"Alright, alright, calm down." Sam said soothingly. "Calm down. Tell us what happened."
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"I-I swerved and we crashed and when I came to-" Kate's heart went out to this poor woman. It had to be terrible for her. She was pale and panicked, her hand pressed to her head in grief and distress. "The car was wrecked and my husband was missing…" She didn't miss the look that the brothers' shared and she glanced at Sam, confirming each other's thoughts. The young woman seemed to miss all of this.
"I went looking for him, but I saw that man from the road… He-He started chasing me and-" Dean stepped in.
"Did he look like he… lost a fight with a lawnmower?" Sam glared incredulously at his brother and Kate almost shook her head. Seriously, Dean? The poor distressed girl simply stared at him.
"How did you know that?" She said, almost a frightened tone setting in. The three glanced unmovingly at each other, before Dean smiled a bit.
"Lucky guess." He covered with a sideways smile. Sam looked like he wanted to slap him, but he resisted and instead moved on.
"M'am," He said in a soft, comforting tone. "What's your name?"
"Molly. Molly McNamara."(**) She replied, not noticing the tensing of the group.
"Molly, look maybe I think you should come with us, we'll take you back into town-"
"I can't." She said, shaking her head adamantly. "I have to find David, he might have gone back to the car…"
"Well, we should get you somewhere safe first, and then Dean, Kate and I will come back here, we'll look for your husband…"
"No! I'm not leaving here without him!" Her voice was thick with tears as Sam continued looking at her pleadingly. She ignored him and looked to Dean, speaking almost at a whisper. "So just take me back to my car please."
They all looked at each other, weighing their options, before deciding that there was really no use arguing any further. After agreeing, all four piled into the car and drove.
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"I don't undertstand…" Molly whispered, staring into the snowy ditch below them. "I'm sure this is where it was, we hit that tree right there... This doesn't make any sense…" Her confusion sent her marching forward, inspecting the sight she was so sure she'd hit only a few hours ago.
Meanwhile, Sam looked to Dean.
"Dean, we got to get out of here. Greely could show up at any second."
"What are you going to tell her?" He whispered back urgently. Sam shrugged.
"The truth?" Dean's eyes widened and he shook his head slightly.
"She's going to take off in the other direction." He pointed out. Speaking of…
"I know it sounds crazy," she said, pointing behind her. "But I crashed into that tree. I don't know who could have taken it, I mean it was totaled." The hunters each glanced around, flashlights aiming in every possible direction, nodding absently. Molly seemed to take this personally.
"Please." She begged. "You have to believe me."
"Molly, listen, we do believe you." Sam yelled down to her. "But that's why we want to get you out of here." Molly seemed to only be half paying attention as she glanced around in confusion and fear, aching for her husband to be found.
"But what about David?" She demanded. "Something must have happened, I have to get to the cops."
"The cops," Dean interrupted. "You know what? That is a great idea, in fact we'll take you down to the station ourselves, ok? So just come with us, it's the best way we can help you and your husband." He soothed, hoping to whoever-was-up-there that she'd just listen. Finally, she nodded, faintly whispering her consent and beginning her ascent up the ditch, and back to the car.
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The car sped along the frozen road, the dull roar not nearly as comforting to Dean anymore. The silence was slightly eerie as he drove, no one really sure what to say. Molly seemed to find something.
"We were supposed to be on Lake Tahoe." She said quietly. Sam felt a pang of pity.
"You and David?" He inquired quietly. She smiled a bit.
"It's our five-year anniversary." She replied. Dean's eyes widened.
"One hell of an anniversary." He said sarcastically. Kate glared from her spot in the backseat at his total disregard for the poor woman's feelings. Molly only smiled and huffed a little.
"Right before we were having the dumbest fight." She said, rolling her eyes a little and sighing. "That's the only time we ever really argue, when we're stuck in the car." Sam couldn't help chuckling.
"I know how that goes." He said, amused. Dean looked over at his brother as if to say "what do you mean, we don't do that" but Sam knew it was true. Looking back at all of their major fights, they were all within the four doors of the Impala. His thoughts were interrupted by a suddenly pale Molly.
"You know what the last thing I said to him?" She said, voice laced with pain. Sam glanced back, listening intently. "I called him a jerk." Guilt and the sound of barely choked back tears filled her voice. "Oh God… What if that was the last thing I said to him?" Tears leaked past and she wiped them away. Kate couldn't take anymore and took Molly's hand.
"Don't worry Molly." She said, a small smile held in hope. "We're going to figure out what happened to your husband, I promise. It'll be ok, you'll see." Covering Molly's ice cold hand with hers, she tried to radiate hope and whatever other positive emotions she could because this poor woman was breaking her heart. She couldn't take it. It didn't matter what it took, she was going to fix this whole mess. Silently swearing it, Kate smiled when Molly finally seemed to cheer a bit.
Though it seemed, the moment was just too soon.
Dean looked confused when the radio began its strange fritz, feedback and static the only sounds coming through, until the all too familiar rifts of House of the Rising Sun by The Animals drifted through. After raising an eyebrow, he turned to Sam.
"Did you…?" Sam looked just as confused as he did, staring at the radio.
"No." Dean sighed.
"Great, I was afraid you'd say that."(***)
Molly leaned forward pale and slightly shaken.
"This song…" She said. Her tone rang warning bells in Dean's ears as he saw her face.
"What?"
"It…" She looked at him. "It was playing when we crashed." His stomach dropped and he looked over at his little brother, his eyes shone in understanding and they seemed to be thinking the same thing.
Shit.
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Alright! I finally made it through!
*- Ok, so I know this seems weird, but I wanted to keep the general episode plot the same (including the ending for those of you who haven't seen it yet), so I figured I'd throw this in there to explain that much while also adding to my little sub-plot.
**- I don't know how the names are spelled in this episode, so we're going with that. And she mumbled in the episode so this is what I got. Whatever, it's fanfiction. Who cares. Lol
***- I was going to end it here, but decided against it. Let me know if I should edit it to end there or not, I could use some feedback!
Thank you so much for reading! Now I'm back in the game, so I'm literally spending this weekend just watching our boys and writing up chapters. I will post them as soon as they're finished, I promise.
Reviews are lovely! 3