Hello! I'm back! I've been having a rough time of things lately, so this is all I can post for now. Please forgive me.

Disclaimer: Please.

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"You're serious?" Kate whispered frantically as she sidestepped the hallway behind her much larger brother. Sam smiled back at her apologetically, putting a finger to his lips in silence and motioning behind her with his head. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes and instead kept her eyes peeled in the empty hallway.

This is real. We're really doing this. We're really breaking in to someone's apartment. We're really breaking into the apartment of someone who might be a werewolf. We're so going to jail. Or Hell. Or both.

The distinct click of a door opening drew her back from these thoughts. Dean cautiously pushed open the faded white door, waiting for any kind of surprise to be lurking around the corner. When none did, he stood up straight and strolled inside, siblings in tow.

The apartment itself seemed so strangely normal. (Kate had to laugh at the thought. Only they could describe something as being "strangely normal".) It was very modern, with stainless steel appliances adorning the kitchen and a blue-grey paint job on the walls. Clean and well-kept, with photos and artwork framed wherever there was space. She couldn't help but admire the place, imagining what it would be like to live in such a spacious and comfortable home. But she quickly shook the thoughts out of her head and focused on the task at hand: prove that this man was not a monster.

Sam secretly admired the place himself, but would certainly not let Dean know. They had a job to do. But he smiled at seeing his little sister's admiration of the place. It reminded him a lot of when he and Jess went apartment hunting…

There was the usual pang of guilt and grief that hit him when he thought of his dear Jess, but something else accompanied it this time. As he glanced at the photos on the shelf, of Kurt holding two baby girls and fishing, he realized it was a different guilty sadness. This was the realization that Kate would never really have those memories. She wouldn't be able to have the normal life, getting married, having kids, buying a house, growing old. She was already cursed as a Winchester, and now…

Now they were bringing her hunting.

The horror that filled him was indescribable. He knew there had to be something he could do…

But he had to focus. He could dwell on this when the werewolf was dead.

"Anything?" He asked hesitantly, looking at his siblings. Kate and Dean both shook their heads as Dean closed the refrigerator.

"Nothing but leftovers and a six pack." He answered.

"Look in the freezer." Replied Sam, flipping open a book. Kate rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, maybe there are human hearts behind the Haagen Daas." Dean smirked and Sam gave them both a glare. He was in no mood, and Kate sensed it. She raised an eyebrow at her brother, but he just looked away, pretending to be fascinated by the papers he absently flipped through. What could she do? Shake it off for now, kill the werewolf, and then find out what his issue is.

Dean's head snapped up from the fridge toward the window. The quiet echo of footsteps on metal clang in his ears, his instincts burning at his very core. Go.

Immediately, he walked carefully to the window and pulled back the translucent curtain, gazing out onto the street below, searching for any signs of movement. Kate followed closely, curious as to what had brought him there. Without even thinking about it, he put his arm out to keep her from getting any closer. They didn't know if the sick freak was lurking out there or not, why invite him?

Once he was sure no one was waiting on the balcony, he slid the glass door to the side and stepped out, once again with Kate close behind, one hand on the gun at her waist. The only sounds disrupting the silence were the crickets and a train bell echoing in the tunnels nearby. Kate eyed the buildings around them, hoping beyond hope that no one saw them through their windows and called the cops. That would be the last thing we need.

"Sam, come here." The order came clear as day, unyielding and absolute. She peered around at him questioningly, wondering what there was to call their brother out, before following his steadfast glare and gasping aloud. Sam leaned above her and peered down into the tunnel to get a better view.

There, directly below them, were deep claw marks dug into the wall, as if something jumped from where they were standing, clung to the wall with the sharpest of knives, and fell to the floor below.

"Well, I'd say that's some pretty substantial evidence there." Dean stated matter-of-factly. Kate sighed and turned around, heading back into the apartment. Sure, that was some pretty straightforward clue slapping them in the face, but as the three continued their search for more, she had the strongest tug of frustration yanking her brain. They were missing something, and she just knew it…

It only took a minute of searching for them to hear the gunshots, and far less time to take off running toward them.

The alley below was exactly as one would imagine a violent crime scene in an alley would be: dark, cold, and filled with an aura of wrong that would have sent most people running home without a second glance. Of course, the Winchesters were not most people. They knew in the back of their minds what they would find waiting there, but it didn't seem to quite register with them yet, nor did it seem it ever would.

As they got closer to the dumpster strewn at an angle against the face, a familiar sense of dread washed over the three at once. Dean lead the charge as usual, not a hint of fear or discomfort crossing his face. Kate couldn't imagine how many times he had seen what she knew would be back there. Sure, she had seen plenty of violent deaths before, it came with the job. But she wasn't sure she'd ever get used to it. The sight of it wasn't really what affected her the most though. Many people thought that would be what haunted her, the image assaulting her every time she closed her eyes, but really it was the smell. The smell, that bloody, stale, gaseous, rotting smell that assaulted your nose even without taking a breath. If Death were a perfume, this was how Kate imagined it would be. It was the smell that made eating impossible, that invaded her imagination and made nightmares real.

And it clung to that alley like nothing before.

Sam hesitated as they approached the dumpster. He knew what was coming, had seen it hundreds if not thousands of times before. Every hunting instinct told him he was not mistaken. There was a bloody, mangled body behind that dumpster. He could already imagine it, the insides twisted at impossible angles, blood squirting out of now severed arteries, and the heart missing, as with all of the other victims. At first, he was just sad that some poor soul had lost their life. Then he was hit with the usual if we had been faster guilt. This time, he had another knew emotion, new instinct, to cope with.

I can't let Kate see this.

She was so young, an innocent girl. How was she going to be able to deal with this level of violence? She shouldn't see this, couldn't. She couldn't know how dangerous the world really was, what could happen. She couldn't know. She couldn't know the danger that their livelihood put her in, that they were the reason she would be scarred and traumatized and terrified for the rest of her life. He couldn't do that to her.

Dean kneeled down next to the body, careful not to step in anything and incriminate himself. Peering into the mangled hole that once was apparently a police officer (according to the badge and gun tossed aside in the attack), he confirmed what his head had already told him. No heart.

"Hey, what the hell?" Came a surprised cry behind him. Dean stood up quickly, fearing the worst at the indignant cry from his baby sister, and just froze in confusion.

Sam stood in front of Kate, the impossibly tall man keeping her at arm's length from him. She stepped to the side, and he followed suit, always sure to copy her exact movements.

"Umm… Mother may I please see the victim?" She asked sarcastically, eyeing her strange companion. Sam didn't move or make a sound, his eyes downcast. Dean raised a brow.

"Sammy, what're you doing?" He asked, confused. Kate crossed her arms and stood indignantly, waiting for a response. Everything about her posture screamed impatience and frustration. Sam stayed silent, pushing Kate back when she tried to shove past him. Sighing, she threw her arms up in frustration.

"Never mind. I'll go call 9-1-1." She huffed, pulling out her cell phone and walking back toward the street. "You probably have about two minutes."

Dean eyed his brother, who didn't take his gaze off the girl as she put the phone to her ear, fake-sobbing in horror as she no-doubt anonymously reported the terrifying sight. He didn't really know what to think of his behavior. But, it could wait. As Kate had said, they didn't have a lot of time. So he filed away his observations under Will Discuss Later and turned back to the body.

"This Kurt guy is looking more and more like our Kujo." He said confidently, effectively breaking Sam out of his stupor. He watched as a sudden realization came to them.

"Dean, if this guy's out here, we'd better go check on Madison."

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Sam gently knocked on the eggshell white door, listening intently for anything that may indicate a struggle, or something out of place. Kate and Dean stood on either side, waiting urgently for what would come next.

What they didn't expect was for the door behind them to swing open, a nervous-looking Glen poking his head out. Kate was amused to see the "Mission Church" shirt still clinging on for dear life as everyone turned to face him.

"What's going on?" He asked, sleepily.

"Official police business, Glen." Dean snapped back. Kate nudged him angrily just as the door to apartment 3 swung open, and a tired looking Madison stepped into view. Sam fidgeted nervously.

"Maybe we should talk privately?" He suggested. Madison nodded quietly, stepping aside and gesturing for the three to step inside. Kate, being the last to file in, turned back to Glen with a smile, hoping she was sending a good message that everything was alright. He seemed to understand, nodding before silently closing the door.

"Coffee?" Madison offered kindly. Sam and Dean eagerly nodded, reminding Kate just how long they had actually been up and working. While she felt the pull of fatigue on her eyes, the bitter remnants of her first cup of coffee scarred her tongue, and she politely declined.

"Has Kurt been here?" Kate blinked at her brother, slightly surprised. Apparently, they were cutting right to the chase. Madison seemed just as surprised, but hesitated.

"Not exactly…" Dean raised an eyebrow.

"What exactly does 'not exactly' mean?" He asked with a light chuckle. Madison took a breath.

"Well… He was outside last night, just… looking. Just looking at me." Kate shuddered and put a hand on her shoulder in a comforting gesture. Madison sent her a watery smile in return. Meanwhile, the boys exchanged knowing looks. "Has he done something?" Sam grimaced, spinning his coffee cup absently in his hand.

"We're not really sure-"

"It's probably nothing." Dean quickly answered. Maybe it was just her imagination, but did Kate see excitement in his eyes? "But we just don't want to take any chances. In fact, one of us should probably stay here with you. Just in case he stops by."

Kate immediately glared at her older brother. Seriously, Dean? She hoped to convey the thought but he pointedly ignored her icy look. How could he possibly think this was ok? They were on a case, hunting down a vicious killer, and he just wanted to sleep with a possible target? Her life was in danger, and he acted like it didn't even matter. Looking to her other brother for support, she found Sam giving him a lighter, but similar look. Something that told her that he did this thing rather often, more so than she was sure she was comfortable with.

Clearing her throat, Kate brought her attention back to Madison.

"So, where does Kurt work?" She asked.

"He owns a body shop." Madison replied helpfully.

"Would you mind grabbing the address for us?" She nodded and walked briskly out of the kitchen. The three watched her go (some more… intently than others) and the second she was out of earshot…

"You go, I'll stay." Sam ordered seriously. Once again, Kate blinked in shock at him. That was fast…

"Forget that!" Dean laughed. "You go after the creepy ex, I'm going to hang here with the hot chick."

"Dude, why do you always get to hang out with the girls?" Kate scoffed.

"Sam, did you seriously just whine?" The boys ignored her.

"Because I'm the oldest." Dean answered with finality. She rolled her eyes, dropping her head into her hands.

"Really, it's like you're freaking 12." Sam frowned, his eyes narrowed.

"No, screw that!" He exclaimed. He placed his coffee down on the counter, and put his hand out in front of him. Oh no, they aren't seriously… "We settle this the old fashioned way."

The gauntlet was thrown. Dean narrowed his own eyes at his little brother, frustratingly enough having to look up to meet his eyes, before placing his own coffee down beside the other, and placing his fist on his outstretched palm. The universal signal, it's time.

One, two, three…

Sam grinned triumphantly.

"Always with the scissors, Dean." He teased. Dean was not pleased.

"Shut up, best two out of three." Kate banged her head on the table in frustration.

"Really? This is real?"

Once again, the stage was set. This time, for keeps.

One, two, three…

Dean's muffled curse was all she needed to hear.

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"You understand that you deserved to lose, right?" Kate teased the grumpy older man driving the car. He gripped the steering wheel with a tightness that she knew could easily joke the life out of someone, and she was pretty confident she knew what smug grin he was picturing…

"What do you mean?" She scoffed.

"Please. That was karma stepping in for the way you treat women." He frowned harder.

"I don't…"

"Dean, the whole time we've talked with Madison you've stared at her like a piece of meat. And judging from the reactions of others and from what I have observed, you are certainly no Prince Charming."

Dean was well aware of the fact that he was good with the ladies, and he was not always a gentleman, but for some reason, he felt himself filling with a shame he didn't think he had. He looked over to the passenger seat at the teenage girl causing the problem. She was leaning against the door, her eyes glued to the window as she made a conscious effort to ensure Dean knew that she was upset. Her jeans were dirty and her hair was tied up in a loose bun that was falling to her shoulders now. This was never the kind of thing he expected to happen. He thought it would just be he and Sam all the way to the end, the two of them fighting for each other against the world forever. Now they had a third in the group, and she was a girl to boot.

If there was a God, he was playing some sick game with Dean Winchester.

"You're right." He sighed. Kate's eyes widened as she gazed out the window at the passing streets. She never expected him to even acknowledge what had happened, let alone admit she was right. Her eyes stayed on the street, looking for the sign for the mechanic shop Kurt owned. She could have said a lot of things, but knew that silence was the best option.

It was a small victory, and she would take it.

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Never had Sam been so grateful for the loud chirping of his cell phone.

"Let me guess, you're sitting on her couch like a stiff, trying to think of something to say?" Dean snickered. Kate rolled her eyes and gestured for the phone. He grinned and hit the speaker button.

"Did you find Kurt?" Sam asked quietly, with an urgency Kate understood to be embarrassment.

"Not yet, but-"

"Because I'm good- really, really good- I have a line on where he might be." At this point, Kate was worried her eyes may just get stuck behind her eyelids. She climbed into the car, buckling her seat belt as she did.

"So what's she wearing?" asked Dean, a cheeky smirk on his face. Kate pursed her lips, then lost her patience and turned to her brother.

"OW! What the hell, Kate?!" Sam chuckled and hung up, while Dean nursed his now bruised arm. Kate smirked.

"Get over it, you baby. You deserved that. Leave Sam alone." Dean rolled his eyes.

"I'm just having a little fun with him, relax. I know he'll be fine." He looked at her briefly before starting the car. His face grew serious. "Believe it or not, he needs this."

Kate was about to ask what he meant, but the atmosphere felt completely off. Curiosity burned in her, but once again, she knew that silence was the best option. She would find out sooner or later anyway, of that she was sure.

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I know, it's so late and I'm sorry. My mom has been really sick, I've been working three jobs, and my friend died last week. Between all of that, school, and the usual social dilemmas, writing has been impossible. Thank you for your patience, and for even bothering to read this, it means so much to me. Please let me know what you think too, as my readers your opinions are incredibly important. Thanks again!