Skipping Stone

by Meztli14

I thought the dreams came about because I watched the episodes right before going to bed. But they weren't dreams. It was my new reality. Season 1 and onward, AU-ish.

9. The Army of Darkness - Part 4

Yeah, it's been a looong time. Last time I updated Skipping Stone was back in June, the nineteenth to be exact. I don't have any excuses but I got reasons. Two different things. A wise man once said, writing is hard. Yeah, I had gnarly writer's block. Also I'm easily distracted by reading other fanfics and I just so happened to discover a new, what do you kids call it? Ship? I give you…Dramione! I think that's how you spell it. Yes, Draco and Hermione from Harry Potter. I never even read or watched anything after the fourth book/movie but I love them together. I can say I recently had inspiration to get this chapter done for you people. I'M GOING TO A SUPERNATURAL CONVENTION! The one in Denver is as close as possible to where I live so I took my chance. Me and my mom are going for the whole weekend. Anyway, let's get this going. A whopping thirty one pages! Read on and don't forget to show some love!

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So far ten minutes had passed by and nothing had happened but that didn't mean nothing was gonna happen. The cold cement against my back was somewhat uncomfortable but nothing I couldn't handle. If anything, it helped settle my nerves. Sam had begun pacing, keeping an eye on the basement door while walking over to the window, head tilted and listening for any sounds that didn't belong. All the while he never put away his gun.

Upstairs had been silent, with near silent creaks of movement from Bobby or Dean, at random intervals but the same path. Knowing them, they were probably making circuits around the house, looking out windows or maybe checking salt lines. It wouldn't surprise me if there were weapons hidden all over the house. Sounds like something Bobby would do.

As for me? I was sitting in the corner thinking how much everything was out of whack. Up until now everything had been fine. The shapeshifter had been killed early but Rebecca had still been rescued, minus the torture. Unfortunately for Lenore she had still been sliced and drugged by Gordon but again, Dean and Sam had busted in and gotten her, along with her nest, to safety just like in the episode. I ended up killing the shapeshifter a good couple minutes early and I was sure poor paranoid Ronald had already been killed by the FBI sniper by the time I arrived.

The rest of the time line had gone on as it had originally except for now. Thinking about our predicament I knew, absolutely knew, that Ellen wasn't suppose to show up until tomorrow. According to part two of All Hell Breaks Loose, this morning would have been when Bobby showed up with food for Dean but the eldest Winchester would have denied the food and then yelled at the old hunter, telling him to leave.

I wasn't sure on the next few events so the order was kinda hazy. I knew Dean would have his speech next to Sam's body, telling him that he failed at his job of protecting him and not knowing how to fix it. It'd be past nightfall when Azazel would show up at Jake's makeshift camp and goad him into doing what he said by threatening his family. It was always about the family, wasn't it?

What I did know for sure was what followed those proceedings. Dean, driving recklessly in the Impala might I add, ending up at a crossroads and summoning a demon to make a deal. His soul for his brother's life. It wasn't even the regular ten years either. They were so eager, they only gave Dean one year. Now that I thought of it, if Crowley didn't want Lucifer out of the cage, then why would he have let that demon make a deal with Dean? He was the boss, right?

I tilted my head back, eyes closed as I thought. Okay, Crowley didn't want Lucifer to rise but Lilith did. She'd been all for getting killed in the season four finale. She might have just told him something different or hid her plans, who knows. Actually, the latter made more sense. Even though she ran the crossroads with Crowley, no one knew Ruby had been working on Lilith's orders to get Sam hopped up on the blood so he could kill her, breaking the last seal and releasing Lucifer.

Man, this was giving me a headache. When I got home I'd have to re-watch season three, I wasn't remembering as much as I would have liked. If anything Crowley would be easier to deal with than Lilith. Okay, maybe not as easy. This wasn't season nine or ten, I'd have to tread lightly. But still, if he was made aware that Lilith was working on popping Luci's lock, than maybe I could make a deal with him. The only problem with that was I would have to expose myself. Knowing Crowley of now, he'd want to kidnap me and torture me for the information. Best bet would be to tell Dean and Sam about it. However, that would mean telling them about something that might not happen anymore. And the only way for that to stay that way was for Sam not to die. With what the boys did for a living, that would be tricky. I did have an idea but it was shaky at best.

As for Ruby, that would need to be done delicately. I wasn't sure if the blonde woman she'd possessed in season three was still alive but I knew I couldn't exorcise her in the event she would go and tell Lilith or came back using a different name. That would make everything harder in the end. The only thing I could see working was allowing the Ruby of season three to live. She proved useful by helping kill that demon with those housewives, whichever episode that was. Add in the fact I needed her to help fix the colt and that her knife came in handy, she was pretty much off limits. For now at least. Looking back though, Lilith's plan was pretty good.

Have Ruby show up and help the Winchesters on occasion then break down Sam's defenses by saying she could help break Dean's deal. That would make it easier for Sam to work with her after Dean's death. Offering a chance at vengeance was a brilliant idea to draw Sam in, it was a Winchester trait of theirs. The fact that Ruby possessed pretty women helped her along that front as well. Jared had been attracted to Gen from the get-go, I wondered if Sam would also be attracted to the Gen look-alike too.

This whole dilemma was delicate because the best time to get rid of Ruby would be when or if she showed up in Gen's body double. The human soul had moved on already and Ruby had just slipped in, so there was no danger in killing an innocent woman. It would be the killing part that would be super weird on it's own because she looked like Gen but it was difficult because Ruby only showed up in that particular meat suit after Dean was dragged to Hell. At this point that was an impossibility. But I wouldn't put it past Lilith to try and set the brothers up again.

Sam suddenly paused mid-step and I held my breath watching as he walked over to the basement window, head tilted. I could see the change overcome his face. His lips pursed into a line, his eyes narrowed, and his arms positioned themselves like I'd seen cops do, both hands on the gun, pointing the weapon down but with his speed, he'd have that thing up and shooting in under a blink.

It wasn't until a few seconds later that I heard what he had already. Far off in the distance was the faint rumblings of a car that was gradually getting closer. Upstairs had been quiet but I was sure Dean and Bobby were getting into position.

Keeping the canister of salt in my hand let me have a somewhat weapon, both defensively and offensively. I also had it in case any demons managed to make it down the stairs. It was unlikely considering Sam had emptied out the first container, coating the stairs and space under the door. If Sam happened to get knocked out, I at least wanted to be able to surround his fallen body with the white crystals. That way he was protected while he was unconscious.

By now the engine was loud enough that I could tell it was right in front of Bobby's place. The sudden silence and the opening of a car door had me nervous. Sam inched forward, just out of the window's line of sight, arms raised and gun at the ready.

I squeezed myself tightly into the corner, eyes on the sunlight pouring in from the window that happened to face the front of the house as well. If whoever was out there crouched down and peered in they wouldn't see me but they'd be able to see a good majority of Bobby's basement. Unfortunately for them they would also see the business end of Sam's Taurus staring back at them.

Silently, I slid down into a crouch, again trying to be as small a target as possible, salt held close. What I wouldn't give for the security of my angel blade. I could hear the shuffling of gravel and I knew someone or something was on the move, heading right for the front door. Sam moved with the sounds, gun tracking where they were as they climbed the stairs. Obviously, they were hoping to catch Bobby off guard, making him think it was only Ellen. Boy, were they in for a surprise.

The knocking had me flinching, catching Sam's eye and I didn't think he could get more serious and determined. It was the famous Winchester protective instinct. Dean and Sam would die first before letting anyone or anything hurt me. It was both flattering and overwhelming.

There was a second batch of loud knocking and I could hear Bobby's grouchy response, "I'm coming, keep your panties on," and the squeaking from the front door. It was nearly quiet except for the mumblings of words that were too low for me to make out. I did hear a second creak, heavier around the front door and I held my breath. Nothing happened though and I wondered if maybe Dean had joined them.

Seconds later I could clearly hear multiple footsteps enter the house and make their way into the library but I couldn't tell who was who. Finally, they stopped and more murmurings were traded back and forth. I looked over at my appointed bodyguard who kept his gun up and pointed at a specific spot in the ceiling above us. Well, I suppose that's where Ellen was standing.

I jolted though when hearing the patterned knocking above us. I didn't understand what the pattern meant but apparently it was a green light because Sam put away his gun, reaching up to tap loudly at the ceiling, answering in a different pattern. He glanced over at me and gave a small smile-nod combo.

Not willing to give up my container of salt quite yet, I went to follow after Sam but he stopped me at the bottom of the stairs. He gave a quick glance up and then turned to me.

"Just stay behind me or stay close to Dean or myself, 'kay?"

I nodded at him, my grip getting tighter on the canister. Making our way up, I was aware of the gun Sam had on him. If something happened I could grab it or any other gun that was upstairs. I wasn't super confidant about firing any shotguns so hopefully I wouldn't have to.

Finally reaching the first level I kept myself directly behind Sam, following him as he maneuvered into the kitchen and toward the library, stopping at the border of the two rooms. Because of his larger frame I couldn't see anyone but that meant, hopefully, they couldn't see me either.

"Sam."

Ellen sounded relieved and I was sure that Dean would have called them to see if they had any leads on Sam when he'd disappeared. I caught movement from Sam's left and saw Dean stop next to his brother, catching sight of me. He nodded, giving a small reassuring smile before turning to look at Ellen, who was still hidden from my view.

"So, there's someone we want you to meet. She's a good friend of ours."

"It's your girlfriend, isn't it? The one you had us on the look out for?"

I ignored the girlfriend comment, instead focusing on the voice questioning Dean. It couldn't be, could it? My need to know grew and I peeked out between my two bodyguards, my eyes growing wide and focusing on the blue eyes staring back at me.

~~~SPN~~~

Dean was more worried about this whole thing than he usually would be. Out of all the supernatural creatures they faced, demons were always a wild card. They didn't follow rules or had instincts like other creatures did, making it difficult to predict what they would do. Even then he was fairly confidant but not this time. And he knew why he wasn't. Bobby, Sam, and himself were trained and had taken on their fair share of the supernatural but it was the brunette currently trusting him with her life that had him worried.

He knew she had done a pretty good job dealing with Gordon but he was human. This, this was different. Demons were a serious matter. Considering she was psychic gave another element of danger. If the demons got to her, they'd torture the information out of her. The thought made him grip his gun tighter.

He made another pass by the window, barely moving the curtain to see the yard. So far nothing. A check downward let him know the salt line was still in place, so he gave a final look out the window before making his way back to the library.

Bobby was double checking his shotgun, nodding at Dean as he walked in the doorway. "It still quiet?"

Dean nodded, glancing out the back door overlooking the field of cars that covered a majority of Bobby's property. Another quick look let him know the salt line was still intact.

"You worried 'bout the girl?"

Dean wanted to roll his eyes. Would it kill the old man to at least call Angie by her name? "You mean Angie?" Dean spoke, giving a pointed look to Bobby.

"What?" Grumbled the veteran hunter. "I'm an old paranoid bastard of a hunter, what did you expect? The only one who doesn't seem to have a problem with my attitude is her."

Dean knew he probably wouldn't win the argument so he let it slide. "Yeah, I'm a bit worried. I'm not sure if the demons know about her yet, but we need to make sure they don't find out."

Bobby nodded, "I can agree with that. They'll torture that girl for all she knows."

Suddenly Dean's head whipped around, looking toward the front of the house. Bobby stood up, shotgun in his hand. The oldest Winchester tucked his gun into his waist, grabbing the flask from his back pocket. Inching forward, Dean glanced out the door window, not seeing the car but he could very well hear it.

Flattening himself against the wall behind the door, Dean waited as the sound of an engine drew closer. After a good twenty seconds he took a glance through the curtain, making out the small car as it came to a halt in the front of the house.

Tucking himself back against the wall Dean listened, growing worried when he heard not one but two sets of footfalls. So "Ellen" hadn't come alone. Dean wasn't worried. They would still need to pass through the front door and over the rug hiding the devil's trap underneath. Even then he'd active step two of the whole process; a nice splash of holy water to both of their faces. If Ellen was on the up and up, she'd be fine. Not sure about her friend though.

Seeing the shadows through the curtain, Dean was ready for the knocking, loud enough to carry through out the house. Bobby didn't make his appearance for a few seconds, letting the visitors stew on his front porch. Ellen's shadow reached out and knocked again prompting Bobby to peek out from around the corner and nod at Dean before he made a show of stomping to the door.

"I'm coming, keep your panties on!"

Bobby opened the door grandly and Dean could see how the surprise was real in his eyes. Dean wondered who the other person was.

"Bobby."

This was Ellen, her voice steady with the barest tremble. To Dean Ellen had always been a force of nature. She'd cut you down to size using her words or her twelve gauge, regardless of who you were. But now it sounded like she was scared. Dean wondered if she knew what had happened to the Roadhouse.

"Ellen, come on in." Bobby made room for them to step into the house, blocking Dean from sight with his body.

Dean waited until they had passed through the rug before springing on them, holy water flying in the air. He felt the urge to shuffle his feet like a kid, glancing at Ellen as she gave him a dry look while wiping the water from her face.

Dean found himself apologizing before the stern matriarch, "Sorry Ellen, can't be too careful."

"It's good Dean-o. You do what you gotta do." The blond man standing next to Ellen spoke, bringing Dean's attention on him.

Dean managed to keep the surprise off his face and glanced over at Bobby who stood against the locked door, nodding back at him. With the demonic tests passed, Dean waved at them to follow, leading the new arrivals deeper into the house with Bobby following after. "We got stuff to talk about."

"This about Sam? You find him yet?" Immediately Ellen stalked after him, firing off questions about the youngest Winchester. Within seconds of Sam disappearing, Dean had called Bobby for a meet up but also Ellen right after, putting out an APB on his brother and imploring Ash to do a mass search for the wayward hunter. She had no idea what had happened after that phone call.

Reaching the library Dean nodded at Ellen. "This definitely has to do with Sam." He said no more but crouched down and gave a very specific rat-a-tat against the floorboards.

"Dean?" Ellen questioned but then raised her eye brow at the tapping that answered back. "Who was that?"

Dean remained silent, everyone's attention on the sound of footsteps coming up from the basement. Seconds later Sam came in through the kitchen, arms hanging loosely but Dean could see the line of his shoulders ready for anything. Sam's eyes widen when taking in their guests and he quickly glanced at Dean, who nodded at him. For a second Dean wondered where Angie was but his answer was the slight peek of legs that were walking behind Sam. Good on his brother. Dean was certain he told her to stay behind him. If Sam was unsure about a situation, he would have Angie shielded until the coast was clear. Dean would have done the same thing. Sam paused right before entering the library, still on alert but he gave Ellen a smile.

"Sam." Ellen's shoulders slumped in relief, smile on her face. Her eyes were bright and happy but then they narrowed when seeing the extra pair of legs behind Sam. Her gaze slid over to Dean, eyebrow raised in question. The older Winchester made his way to Sam's side spying Angie tucked behind his brother, staring at him with wide brown eyes and salt canister in her hand. Dean gave her a small smile, trying to convey that everything was okay. He turned to look at the rest of the room.

"So, there's someone we want you to meet. She's a good friend of ours." Dean placated.

Ellen was silent, studying the two brothers while her blond companion spoke. "It's your girlfriend, isn't it? The one you had us on the look out for?"

Dean froze, keeping himself from outwardly showing too much awkwardness. They had never mentioned calling Angie his girlfriend for the duration that they had known about her until they actually met her. He wasn't sure how she'd react knowing that people only knew her as being his girlfriend.

He turned his head slightly when seeing movement and saw Angie peek out from between Sam and him, her eyes growing big. He knew why; he'd been surprised as well. She made to move forward and he maneuvered out of the way to let her by but he stayed within reach of her.

"Ash?"

Her voice was amazed and in disbelief, taking in the mullet-haired man standing next to Ellen. From their conversation earlier Dean had figured out that through Angie's visions, or however she saw what she did, Ash had perished in the destruction of the Roadhouse. To see him alive must be a very…interesting experience for her. Dean felt his muscles tense when seeing the look on Ash's face as he gave his attention to Angie.

"Now I know why Dean was so eager to find you." Ash completed the look with a goofy-looking but flirty smirk.

Before Dean could do anything Bobby had crept up behind Ash and smacked him on the back of the head, much to Dean's surprise. "You keep those mitts to yourself, you hear me boy. You do anything, you got me to deal with."

Angie's demeanor changed, her hip cocked and arms crossing over her chest. "And that's only after I beat you down myself."

Even though Angie was dressed in a pair of his sweats, her posture showed off enough of her curves that it took quite a bit of Dean's will power to not stare any lower than the small of Angie's back. But a quick peek never hurt anybody. Instead Dean smiled at her comeback, glancing over at Sam to see him also with an amused smirk on his own face.

Ash conceded, laughing while looking between Angie and Dean. "No harm, no foul, Milady. It actually makes a whole lot of sense now."

Dean watched at Angie's head tilted at Ash's words and turned to look over her shoulder at him, eyebrow raised in question. Admitting defeat Dean leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Gordon called you my girlfriend but without knowing your name, the term kinda stuck. Sorry."

Angie nodded at him before turning back to Ash and Ellen, hand held out to shake. "I'm Angie." Huh, that was easy.

Ash was on the move, by-passing Angie's hand and instead gave her a hug. Angie tensed at his initial touch but she didn't seem to mind it, not as much as Dean did. He gave Ash a pointed look, making sure the blond man's hands stayed at her shoulders and no lower. The computer genius smirked at Dean, before letting her go so Ellen could walk forward.

The older woman also hugged Angie and Dean smiled at the motherly concern on her face as she looked Angie over. "You okay, girl? Dean said you took some serious damage from Gordon. Damage that killed you."

Angie smiled softly at Ellen, a sight that had Dean transfixed. "It would have killed me but I managed to get out of there quickly and patched up just as fast. I stayed under the radar as long as I could but the boys needed me."

Ellen gave a sharp nod, pride tilting her lips. "Good girl. Unfortunately, I haven't seen Gordon since than. Had I, he'd have an ass full of buckshot two times over. Good to see you healed up." Dean saw the change in Ellen's eyes as she looked over at Dean and Sam. "You wanted to talk?"

Sam was first to speak. "What happened, Ellen? Dean and Bobby went to the Roadhouse. How-how did you get out?"

Ellen sighed, walking over to the couch and collapsing in it. "Honestly, I wasn't suppose to. I planned on staying there the entire night and then closing up shop." She quirked her lips in a bitter smirk. "But, we ran out of pretzels of all things. Damn pretzels."

"What about Jo?"

The older woman quirked another bitter smile. "She was away hunting, can you believe that? Here I am, wanting her to stay at the Roadhouse because then she'd be safe but look what happened."

Angie poured a shot of whiskey and offered it to the older woman who took it gladly. "What happened then?"

Ellen drank the shot, nodding toward the blond man. "Ash called me. Wanted to know where I was and that he'd pick me up. Wouldn't tell me anything until he pulled up in front of the store and was hauling ass out of town."

Dean could see Angie's eyes widen as she looked over at the technical genius. "You left the Roadhouse?"

"You sounded pretty sure of yourself on the phone." Ash shrugged. "The call dropped so I tried calling Dean again, managed to talk for a bit and then hung up. But what you said kept bothering me so not two minutes later I was driving out of there, hoping to find a motel and call Dean again about the change in plans. But then I saw the huge ass cloud of demon smoke attack the Roadhouse in my rear-view mirror. Knew I had to get Ellen so I called her for a meet up, grabbed her, and got here as fast as possible."

Dean watched as Angie's shoulders sagged and she collapsed next to Ellen on the couch, tilting her head and chuckling quietly. Dean felt a nudge from his brother at his side, who was tilting his head slightly in Ash's direction. Crap. Ash was staring at Angie, not creepy or perverted but in a way that Dean knew he was figuring something out. Like how Angie knew what was gonna happen at the Roadhouse. Double crap.

"Hey Ash?" Sam's voice was enough to break the man's concentration, causing him to look away from Angie. "What were you gonna tell Dean?"

Dean sighed with relief at Sam's diversion. Although he trusted them with his life, he didn't want Ellen and Ash to know that Angie was psychic and that she had already told them about the churches and the devil's gate in Wyoming.

Ash took the bait, pulling out a roll of papers from his back pocket. He walked over to the desk, the rest of the room following him as he unfurled the sheets, starting to explain about the amount of omens surrounding southern Wyoming and how Samuel Colt built railroads connected to a bunch of churches. The first page was a map of the southern part of said state with a scattering of x's around the area. Dean and Sam glanced at Angie who nodded at them slightly. Dean shared a look with his brother.

"..and if you connected the dots, you get this," Ash was saying, taking a marker and tracing the outline of what Dean could clearly see was a large pentagram. Yep, definitely a devil's trap.

Bobby hmm'ed, glancing at Angie before turning to Ash. "What's so special about that particular area? You figure anything out Ash?"

The resident genius starting shifting through his papers, laying three out for the others to see. "When I did some checking about the area, I found something a bit disturbing. There was a lot of weird shit going on back in the day, I won't bore you with the details but whatever's there, it's big." At this Ash paused, pointing at the very center of the pentagram. "And it has to do with the old cowboy cemetery right dab in the middle."

Angie glanced at Dean and Sam, quirking her eyebrows and tilting her head subtly in Ash and Ellen's direction. Dean knew what she wanted and he shook his head. Again, he would risk his life but there was no way he was willing to risk hers, even if it was Ellen and Ash. He glanced at Sam and saw he was just as determined as Dean to keep Angie safe. Either Angie was using her mojo or Dean and his brother were so transparent about keeping her safe because she made a show of rolling her eyes at them before turning to look at Ellen and Ash.

"Angie, wait. Can we talk to you for a minute?" Sam spoke getting her attention before she could say anything that would blow her cover. Ellen and Ash were looking between Angie and the brothers with Bobby watching quietly from behind his desk.

"Can it wait until after I talk to Ellen and Ash?" Angie was staring at them, her eyes narrowed in challenge. She knew what they wanted to talk about.

Dean could see the suspicion in Ellen's face and was proven right when she asked, "There's something you ain't telling us, isn't there?"

Dean morphed his face into innocence, shaking his head at Ellen. "No, not that I know of. What about you Sam?"

His brother shrugged his shoulders and shook his head, face just as innocent. "I don't think so."

"I'm psychic."

Dean groaned, pinching at the bridge of his nose. Well, there went that plan. He looked at Angie, who wore a slight smirk before turning to Ellen and Ash. The older woman's eyes were wide, looking over at Dean and Sam before turning to the younger brunette sitting next to her.

Ash on the other hand was nodding. "I thought so, you were just a bit too sure on the phone. Not to mention you knew exactly who I was. Granted, the boys could have told you about me but you were too comfortable calling me by name."

Ellen looked over at the brothers before turning to Bobby, the one person in the room who would be unbiased and truthful. The older male nodded at her. "She checks out. She even told us about Wyoming."

Ellen's amazement ended, her expression all business as she turned her gaze from Bobby to Angie. "Well, what are we dealing with?"

"A devil's gate. It's disguised as a mausoleum in the cemetery. It's locked up but Colt built the devil's trap in case something managed to squeeze through."

"What's with the omens then?"

This question came from Ash and suddenly Dean remembered their conversation earlier in the morning. "They're waiting for the gate to be opened."

Ellen's face was troubled as she spoke, "But no demon can get across, how do the plan on opening it?"

Dean looked over at Angie who in turn was looking at Sam. He would have to ease Ellen and Ash into what had happened. "That's the part about Sam that we needed to talk about."

The two guests looked over at his brother, waiting for the explanation. Sam seemed a bit disturbed but he picked up where Dean left off.

"Dean told you about me disappearing right?" Two nods in reply. "Well, Azazel-that's Yellow-Eyes' real name- he dumped me and a few others in Cold Oak, South Dakota. Anyways he wanted a showdown between us, literal death match. I-I actually almost lost but Angie showed up and helped out."

At this the entire group looked over at the small brunette who seemed a bit embarrassed at the attention. Ellen nodded at her before turning back to Sam. "What was his plan?"

Sam ran a hand through his hair, tossing a look at Dean. "The winner would lead his army. We figured that the winner from Cold Oak would be the one to cross over the rail lines and open the gate."

"So if you're here whose the other person from Cold Oak?"

"His name's Jake, he's an Army vet but he actually ran off when Dean and Bobby showed up. Not sure where he's at but we're thinking that Azazel will get him to open the gate."

Ellen nodded, looking over at Bobby. "What do you reckon Bobby? Should we go after Yellow Eyes or stop Jake before he can open the gate?"

Bobby grunted. "Stopping Jake would be a smarter move." He looked over at Angie. "What do you think girlie?"

Dean kept the frown off his face at Bobby but glanced at the clairvoyant brunette as well. She wore a frown and her eyebrow was wrinkled in thought, no doubt going through all her visions. She looked up at the faces staring back until she locked eyes with Dean. He nodded at her, letting her know that they could take whatever she was about to say.

She gave a sigh. "Honestly, it's hard to say. Looking back at what I'd seen, you all laid in wait for Jake to show up in the cemetery, which he did. But by that point he had embraced Yellow-Eyes and forced you all to stand down when–when he made Ellen turn a gun on herself." Angie grew quiet and Dean glanced at the older woman in question who only pinched her lips tightly and nodded at Angie to continue. "He ended up opening the gate with the colt that Azazel gave him and letting out a whole lot of demons. Somehow there was a break in the rails and Azazel showed up. While Bobby and Ellen were trying to shut the gate he was throwing Dean and Sam around a bit. He was gonna kill Dean with the colt but…" Angie trailed off, looked up at Dean and then looking over at Sam.

"But what girl? Spit it out." Bobby prodded.

She looked over at Bobby before looking at the brothers again. "Someone stopped him."

Ellen was watching Angie, her eyes narrowed. "Who was it?"

Angie seemed unsure, but she looked up and stared at Dean and his brother. "Your Dad."

~~~SPN~~~

Sam's breath hitched and his lungs seemed to cease functioning as Angie's words replayed in his head. Your Dad. Your. Dad. Sam quickly glanced at his brother who looked like he was about to go into shock.

Sam turned back to Angie, her face watching them intently. He wanted to be sure. Needed to be sure. "D-Dad? As in John Winchester? Our father, John Winchester?"

Angie gave a nod.

All at once the breath he'd been holding was released and Sam almost collapsed into the chair that he'd grabbed earlier that morning. He raked a hand through his hair in amazement. "How?"

Angie answered him, seeing as Dean had yet to speak. "Well it was a gate to Hell. An opened gate to Hell."

Finally Dean made a sound, a dark chuckle paired with a smirk as he shook his head, rubbing his eyes. "John friggin' Winchester."

Bobby grunted his agreement. "If anyone's stubborn enough to do it…it'd be your Daddy."

"What exactly happened?"

Angie looked over at Sam and Dean before answering Ellen's question. "Azazel was about to shoot Dean but John showed up right behind him and managed to grab onto the demon and actually pull him out of the body he was possessing. There was a slight scuffle but enough for Yellow Eyes to be distracted while Dean grabbed the colt from the ground and shot him. Bull's eye to the heart."

"What about the Hell gate?" Ash asked, surprising Sam as he'd been completely silent up until this point.

"Bobby and Ellen manage to close it but not before a whole lot of demons get out."

"Damn," muttered Ellen.

Bobby tucked himself into his desk. "You know when this all goes down?"

Angie stared off into the distance and Sam was sure she was either having the actual vision or she was thinking back on it. Finally she seemed satisfied because she spoke, "Originally, Azazel would be visiting Jake tonight and then the actual shebang would happen tomorrow night but everything's out of whack so I'm not sure."

"Why originally?" This was asked by Ellen, her eyes narrowed on Angie.

The woman in question fidgeted in her seat before answering. "Well, when I had first seen all this happening, you weren't suppose to show up until tomorrow morning. That's why I said it's out of whack. But I think the real reason is me."

"You? Why?" This was from Ash, his head tilted. Sam knew that as a genius Ash's mind worked differently than others so chances are he already knew why everything was unbalanced.

"Well, I was never actually in any of the original visions that I saw, so everything that I've seen didn't have me to influence it."

"But because you've been helping out and helped them last night, the future you saw is different now, right?"

Angie nodded at Ash's reasoning. "Pretty much, some stuff remained the same, just the slightest bit different but mainly unchanging. So far I haven't gotten into trouble so we should be good."

That peaked Sam's interest. "Trouble? With who?" A glance at his older brother showed the same concern.

Angie paused and Sam could see her trying to figure something out. Finally she decided on whatever she was thinking of because she started speaking again, "Well, as long as I don't change anything too big, we should be fine."

"Angie who is it? Who would come after you?"

Sam had been hearing this tone of voice all his life so he was able to pick up on the protective growl that lay beneath Dean's question. Angie looked at Dean before turning to Sam who lifted his eyebrows at her. It'd be nice to know who they would be up against. Just in case.

She gave a small sigh. "Fate. Or Fates. Whatever you wanna call them."

Fates? That seemed familiar to him. A swat from Dean brought him out of his thoughts as Dean provided the clue he needed.

"Isn't that those three sisters with the gold thread thing?"

Just like that Sam remembered. "Yeah, from Greek mythology."

Bobby was on the move, heading to an over packed bookshelf, and muttering to himself as he perused through his collection. After a few seconds he headed back to his desk, setting the thick book onto the wood surface. Everyone crowded around the older hunter as he started flipping through the pages, pausing and turning the book around to show everyone else the picture that dominated the paper.

The colors were dark, set in what looked like a cave of some sort. On the right side of the page was a woman sitting down with a staff in her left hand. The staff itself had a bundle of thread clustered on the top of the instrument. Using her other hand the woman was feeding the thread across to a second woman who was sitting on the far left. This woman had her left hand gripping the thread while her right was fiddling with what looked like a spindle on the floor next to her, more thread woven around the object. Sitting in the middle of the picture, a bit to the left was a third woman. This one wasn't holding an object or even touching the thread but with her legs crossed and chin in her palm Sam would go so far as to say she looked bored.

Bobby tapped the page. "Met the Fate sisters. Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos. These ladies are responsible for how you go down and I mean that literally."

Angie was nodding along with Bobby's words. "Yep, apparently they're super anal about everything sticking to a script, at least Atropos is. I'm worried that me getting involved would cause them to react but considering I'm alive, I think we're good. For now."

Sam glanced over at Dean, seeing the thoughtful look on his brother's face. Dean was incredibly strategic and Sam knew he was going through a variety of different scenarios while also taking into account all the variables that are in front of him. Sam watched as Dean came to a conclusion and his brother turned to Angie.

"Angie, do you know where the colt is exactly?"

Angie, Sam thought, knew when it was game time. Her face was serious as she answered Dean. "Azazel has it but not sure if he has it on his person or stashed somewhere, so a summons is probably out of the question since we won't know if he even has it. For sure I know he gives Jake the colt but only when Jake is about to cross over the rails lines."

Dean nodded. "And considering how everything is out of synch with what you saw we should head over there now and stake out the place. Maybe use one of the churches as a base."

Sam nodded at his brother's plan. "We can use Bobby's locating spell before we leave and see where Jake is. That way we know how much time we got to set up."

"I'll get to packin'. Come on Ash." Bobby was up and heading out the room, the blond genius right behind him.

"I got some ammo and such in the car, I'll bring those in so ya'll can see what we're working with."

With Ellen's words she was out the door, leaving Sam with his brother and Angie standing in the library. He looked over at Dean, his older brother's eyebrow furrowed in thought.

"Angie, does Azazel show up before or after Jake opens the gate?"

As one the brothers turned to Angie who also had her own face scrunched up in concentration. "After."

Dean nodded. "I'd rather not have Jake open the gate at all but that's the only sure fire way to get Ol' Yellow Eyes to come out in the open. How did he get Ellen to pull a gun on herself?"

"He used telekinesis or telepathy on her. She was in control of her mind but her body did what he asked."

"Crap."

Yeah, that was Sam's train of thought too. Maybe they could talk to Jake, get him to give them the gun before he could open the gate? "Angie, from what you've seen did we try to talk Jake out of opening the gate?"

Again her face went blank but it didn't take but a mere few seconds and she was back to reality. "Yeah, you did but at that point he was too far gone to be reasoned with."

Sam nodded. Well, he didn't want anyone of them to kill Jake but maybe after the gate opened they could shoot him in the leg or something. Just to incapacitate him. Maybe once Azazel was dead everything would go back to normal. Or at least kinda normal. That made him think of something else. "If we kill Azazel, what happens to the other kids? The ones like me."

Angie shot Sam a look and he knew she was thinking what he had. The kids with the demon blood. "All the psychic stuff disappears. Not sure it'll work but I'm hoping once Azazel's dead, Jake will go back to normal too."

Sam nodded. That would be nice. He didn't want to have to kill Jake. It was the lull in his thoughts that let him hear what Angie said next.

"How long do you think my clothes would take to get cleaned? Or should I just hit up the local stores for some clothes? Probably the store right? It'll be faster, that way we can hit the road as soon as possible."

Sam's head snapped in her direction, seeing Dean do the same thing. He also knew what would come out of his brother's mouth in a few seconds.

"Oh there's no way in Hell I'm letting you come with us."

Seeing Angie's eyes narrow at Dean and her poster change let Sam know that Angie was no pushover. She was gonna be coming with them one way or another. He was just curious how she was gonna beat this into Dean's head.

"You're not gonna let me?"

Sam fought the urge to wince. He'd hear this tone of voice from Jess in the past and he knew Angie meant serious business. Dean took a small step forward, trying to win the argument using his height as an intimidation. "If I have to Angie, I'll find some rope and tie you to one of the beds upstairs."

Angie's lips quirked into a smirk and she let out a soft chuckle at Dean's threat. It sounded funny but Sam knew Dean was serious, if it meant keeping her safe. Especially after so many close calls and false alarms. Dean's nerves were taut.

Looking at his brother, Sam could see that Dean seemed a bit offended by Angie's dismissal. "I wouldn't laugh Angie. I'll do it."

Sam could hear the implied threat and he turned to see Angie's reaction. She actually had a soft smile. "I know you would Dean. It's just that…" Angie paused and her smile turned impish and she perused his person. "I always saw you as more of a handcuff kind of guy." She added a raised eyebrow to her statement.

Dean grew quiet, his head tilting at her words before he shook away the thoughts that were no doubt running rampant through his head. Sam knew Dean was growing attached to Angie but he had kept his growing interest buried deep. This was a hunt that could be very dangerous for her and that was why he hadn't given a hint of anything to her. So for Angie to say something like that threw Dean off.

Using Dean's silence Angie continued, "Either way I'm going. I don't even have to leave with you, I could always go with Ellen or Bobby."

"Angie-" Sam's mouth snapped shut when seeing the glare and pointed finger in his direction from the small brunette.

"But, as a compromise, I won't go with you to the cemetery. I'll hang out with Ash at the church. Deal?"

Sam glanced at Dean who had gotten over his flustered state and was staring back at Angie. At this point it seemed more like a battle of the wills. Either they let her come or Angie would find a way to Wyoming herself. At least if she came with them, they'd be able to keep an eye on her.

"She could always ride with me."

Ellen was leaning against the doorway, duffle bag over her shoulder, watching the whole scene with sharp, dark eyes. Angie's lips curved into a smile, tilting her head coyly at Ellen's offer.

Ellen walked into the room, placing the bag on Bobby's desk and stood next to the female psychic. "I don't know about you two but I'd like to see my daughter again and if Angie here can keep us safe then I say she comes with us. You tell her no all you want, but I'll tell her yes."

Sam looked over at his brother, seeing the grim set of his lips. Dean was not excited about Angie's underhanded move. Granted, neither was Sam but Ellen made a point. Angie gave them an edge in this whole thing. She knew what was gonna happen but Sam could also understand the concern Angie had earlier. What they could do was at least stay as true to the original timeline as much as possible. He didn't want the Fate sisters to be after Angie for changing things too much.

The other thing that bothered him was how to deal with Jake. From what Angie hinted at Jake had to be killed to be stopped. He wasn't sure who did it but he really didn't want to have to resort to that.

Looking over at Dean, Sam could see him starting to fold. The fact of the matter was that Dean wanted Angie to be safe but she was so intent on coming that she was gonna bypass him on her own terms. If he relented he could at least make sure she stayed as safe as possible in this situation to the best of his abilities. As much as Sam knew the amount of respect Dean had for Ellen and Bobby, enough to trust them with his life, he didn't trust anyone but himself and Sam with Angie's life. Sam wasn't the only one to notice Dean's crumbling resolve. Angie knew too because she spoke again.

"Like I said Dean, I won't go in there with you. You guys go in and I'll hang out with Ash. My words are my bond."

Sam watched his brother look over at Ellen before turning his eyes to met his. Sam answered with raised eyebrows. This was probably the only way to keep Angie safe in a situation like this on their own terms. Sam knew this and so did his brother. Dean was just too stubborn to immediately see it.

"You're riding with us and leaving with us. And you listen to what we say when we say it, got it? No questioning our decisions. You stay with Ash the entire time."

Angie squared back her shoulders at Dean's words. "Like I said, my words are my bond."

Dean's lips curled up for a split second before he nodded curtly. Angie's face split into a smile that she shared with Ellen. A commotion from the doorway drew the room's attention to Bobby and Ash at the entrance to the library, a bundle of clothes in the older hunter's hands.

"Now that that's settled, here you go girlie." Bobby tossed the articles of clothing to the petite psychic. Sam immediately recognized the shirt from when Dean was in his mid teens and the pants from when Sam was around thirteen. That would really be the only time their clothes would somewhat fit her properly. He felt like he should be surprised Bobby had kept their teenaged clothes but really, he wasn't. For all of Bobby's gruff exterior, he knew the older man was quite sentimental when it came to Sam and his brother.

"Don't just stand there. Boys, help me with the map."

Sam smiled as Bobby broke the tender moment, wrangling the men into helping him with the map and wooden pendulum while Angie disappeared to change and Ellen started cataloging their supplies. Within a few minutes they knew where Jake was and they all sighed in relief when he was found outside Wyoming. They had a good couple hours on him, at least for now.

A church was selected as home base for Ash and Angie to set up at while the others went to check out the cemetery, keeping in contact with their phones. Dean had claimed the task of fortifying the building but Sam knew that he would do that anyway. He wouldn't be able to trust anyone else to do it. Now that everything had been finalized, their movements were systematic, packing up the cars in less then ten minutes.

Per negotiations that morning Sam was waiting in the library to escort Angie to the Impala while everyone was already outside. The fact that Bobby wasn't going to be taking the Chevelle would make this easier.

Footfalls from the hallway brought his attention as Angie walked in, hands in the process of tightening the belt Bobby had loaned her.

She paused, looking around the empty room and spotting only the younger Winchester in attendance. "Everyone's eager to get going I suppose."

Sam nodded. "Yeah, Jake's not on the move yet so we figured we were on a time limit."

Angie finished her clothes adjustment, nodding her agreement. "So the Impala?" She spoke, leading the way out.

Before Sam could answer they were exiting the house, Bobby and the others were in one of his trucks while Dean stood at the trunk of the Impala, doing last minute checks. Sam shrugged awkwardly, "I know you wanted to ride in the Chevelle but we wanna keep a close eye. You know." Man that sounded horrible.

Angie rolled her eyes as she walked down the staircase. "Relax Sam, this is a very serious and dangerous event about to take place. There's no room for pity feelings of feminism. You two are the authority on all things supernatural. Getting offended by something as your concern for my safety is stupid."

"Funny you should feel that way, considering you practically blackmailed us into taking you with us." Dean growled as Sam and Angie walked up, Bobby coming up behind Dean.

Angie lifted a finger to make a point. "That move had nothing to do with feminism. Taking me with you is just a tactical advantage. You didn't extend the same concerned courtesy to Ellen like you did me."

"She's got the training, you don't."

Angie nodded at Dean's words but didn't comment. Instead she turned to Sam, raising an eyebrow. "You got your ink right?"

Sam glanced over at his brother. It still made Sam uneasy that Angie knew some of the things he didn't want just anyone to know, demon blood and being possessed by a demon just to name a few. He nodded at her, his hand reaching up to slightly pull back his shirt, offering the smallest peek of the tattoo Sam and his brother got a few hours after leaving Bobby's place that night those months ago.

Angie nodded but turned her head to Bobby. "What about you old man? You get any ink done?"

Despite the nature of their get together, hearing Angie call Bobby old man made Sam smile. Bobby grunted at the younger woman but Sam didn't detect any of the animosity that had been initially shown to Angie when Bobby first met her. The veteran hunter was starting to grow a soft spot for the psychic. Sam bit back a smirk.

"That really ain't my thing, sister."

Angie shrugged her shoulders but paused to look up at Bobby with a focused stare. One that made Sam pay attention to the conversation. "That's fine. Just asking but I think you'd look more badass with an anti-possession tattoo. But that's just me."

The moment was over and Angie ducked into the back of the Impala but Sam shared a look with his brother and Bobby. Angie had said it pretty causal but there was an implication in her words. It made Sam concerned. Maybe they could convince their father figure to wear an anti-possession charm at all times from now on or even, like Angie hinted, get him to tattoo the symbol on his skin. It'd make Sam feel better.

"Let's get moving. We're wasting daylight."

With Bobby's words they piled into their respective cars and took off for Southern Wyoming.

~~~SPN~~~

The thundering engine and blasting music made it hard to exchange chit-chat but that was fine by me. Considering where we were going, I was sure no one wanted to speak. Dean's grip on the steering wheel hadn't lessen in the five hours since leaving Sioux Falls and Sam hadn't broken from his contemplative expression. I knew they were both trying to look at every angle to spot any flaws and make up contingency plans for those lapses. Which was why I hadn't spoken since dropping the hint about Bobby getting his own tattoo.

It's not like I out right told him what would happen to him. I just said he'd look cool with a tattoo. I'd caught the faint glance they shot each other and hoped they came up with their conclusion. Not much Fate could do to me if I didn't even say anything.

To past the time I started thinking of all the things I could tell them, that would help but I was worried which tidbit of information would cause more harm than good. Telling them about Bela could help. She was greedy as all get out and only out to benefit herself but if they could break her contract she'd be indebted to them. But to do that, the Winchesters had to be at their lowest. Getting involved with Bela would mean getting involved with Lilith and Crowley.

I was sure Lilith could be killed by the colt but there was only one bullet left and that needed to be saved for Azazel. She needed to be killed but also needed to be freed for that to happen so it was a delicate situation. Using Crowley's bones would definitely be an ace but again, this wasn't a Crowley that had dealt with the boys for years. This version was still quite ruthless and I was sure he would love to talk to me. I didn't want anyone to have to make that choice.

I thought about dropping a hint of the Men of Letters but it wasn't like they could get into the bunker. At least I don't think. The only thing I wasn't sure about was if the place had wards that were active until someone opened the place up with the key. Since I didn't know where or what rules applied to the garage entrance, there wasn't a sure fire way for the boys to get inside without the key.

So that idea was out, for now. Let's think small. The anti-possession tattoos were brilliant, maybe Ellen and Jo could get them done. Rufus too. One thing that could help would be the devil's trap on the bullet Henry did. That was a fantastic idea. I knew from Donny's collection at home that his particular nine millimeter bullets were slightly pointed while his forty's were flat. It would be easier to do the trap on the forty's flat head but maybe just engraving the trap on the sloped side of the nine would work just as well.

I wonder if carving a devil's trap into the side of an iron knife would work too? I shifted deeper into the backseat, my mind racing. It'd probably be better to have the engraving at the tip of the blade so the host wouldn't have such a deep wound. That was if the host was still alive after getting rid of the demon.

Maybe they could recreate the handcuffs Crowley wore for a portion of ninth season. That actually might be a bit much. Maybe. I don't know. That was something to pitch to Bobby later. That and the panic room. What else?

Hmm…maybe writing down and memorizing an Enochian exorcism? I mean wouldn't an Enochian exorcism be stronger than an average Latin version? Oh! Not to mention reciting an exorcism backwards. Nearly forgot about that one. Not sure when Sam figured that one out, four or fifth season maybe? I couldn't remember.

Hex bags would be something to look up. Not sure if they had a list of ingredients somewhere on the internet but it wouldn't be very hard to figure out. What else? Getting some holy oil could help with Hellhounds and frying a demon. That was something to think about.

Even with the harsh volume of Dean's music, the rocking of the Impala was lulling and I let my wind wander as we still had at least six more hours to get to our destination. Now where was I?

If they had an angel blade, that would help out a whole bunch. Granted if I came back and started waving that sucker around, it could cause trouble. Heaven would no doubt be interested in how I got a hold of one of those toothpicks. I was pretty selfish in that I didn't want to hand over my own blade but really it would help a bunch. One thing I wasn't sure on was if they somehow kept track of those things. Did it use a bit of some random angel's grace whenever I used it? Again, since I wasn't in a chair staring Naomi down, I figured I was safe.

Actually the shifter killings had more to do with the material of the blades then the grace used to burn out demon essence, right? Maybe? That was something to think about. So maybe supernatural creatures pervious to silver could be killed by an angel blade? Looking at my past experiences it seemed like it was safe to put shapeshifter down on that list. Skin walker probably. Werewolf too. Hmm… there was something else. The creepy thing with the pointy spike coming out of their wrist. Wasn't that thing killed by silver? What was that thing called?

"The answering you're looking for is Wraith."

I jolted up in place.

The blinds were opened enough that natural light filtered in but not really enough for someone to glimpse a peek into the familiar living room. I couldn't hear the sounds from the fridge or any kind of murmurings from the neighbors so the silence was creepy. Worse was the fact that Zane was no where to be seen, although I spied his dragon toy near the front door. He was always there when I got back which meant this wasn't real. At least I was sure it wasn't real.

"Only half real."

I recognized the voice and immediately the hairs on the back of my neck rose, my eyes darting around the pseudo-apartment in search of the underlining sense of power permeating the air. There. He was leaning against the kitchen counter, eyes narrowed as he studied me. I certainly wasn't expecting this. Well, I did but not this soon. He took the initiative, leaving the cooking area and waltzing into the living room where he proceeded to throw himself onto the couch next to me, lifting his feet up and onto the coffee table. I was surprised by my flash of irritation at his manners but that passed quickly considering whose feet were on my furniture.

He was staring again, studying me for whatever reason. It made me nervous and a bit lightheaded. He hummed under his breath, apparently done with what he was searching me for and began digging into an inner jacket pocket. I had just enough time to catch the item he threw at me "Here, before you pass out."

Staring down I found my hands clutching the shiny white and blue wrapper. Baby Ruth. Of course. He turned to stare at me, eyes flaring brightly for a split second, and I could feel something powerful poking at me. Before it was just a general feeling but this time it felt deliberate. I knew what he wanted. Sighing I ripped open my impromptu gift, the scent of chocolate sharp, and took a quick bite.

Once I started to nibble at the candy bar he continued, "This place is based off a real environment but you're not really back to being there. Me, on the other hand, am real and very much here with you."

"I'm dreaming aren't I?"

He glanced at me again, smirk pulling at the corner of his lips. "Not necessarily. Pocket dimension based off your apartment. You're here but you're still in the back of that car. Right now it just looks like you're snoozing. If I had tried to just show up and grab ya completely, you would have known something was up and alerted the Hardy Boys."

I tilted my head. Yeah, probably. I could practically feel the power coming off him and I definitively would have noticed that. I wonder if Dean and Sam would have?

"So you ready to go back home?"

I nearly dropping the candy bar. "What? No."

"Why not?" This time he seemed a bit peeved.

I stood up from the couch. "You know why not. I gotta help them. This night is important."

He slowly stood up to match me but his height was something else that had been undermined since he was taller than me. "Yeah, tonight is big. And if anyone happens to figure you out, it'll be even worse. Because of that, I'm sending you back whether you want to or not."

I don't know where it came from but I stood as tall as I could, glaring daggers at him. "No. I'm gonna stay and help them tonight. Then I'll leave."

The pressing of power started again but I ignored the rough sensation on my skin. No way was I gonna let him bully me into leaving before I could help.

He stepped forward, his eyes bright. "Do you have any idea the trouble you could get into. The trouble you've almost got into? You know this isn't the first time you've been here right?"

"I remember a few times. Back when I was a teenager."

"Yeah and that's not counting all the times since you were five. Did you have any idea what kind of draw you had on the supernatural? Hell, that Shtriga almost had you when you were seven. Not to mention the vampire nests."

"Why?" My question stopped his tirade. I was serious though. Considering how upset he was getting there had to be a reason for it. Why, with what he is, why would he be so concerned about me? "How do you know all this? Did you bring me here? Take me back home? What's your connection to me? Why even be concerned about me?"

He was quiet, studying me again, his presence prodding about me again. Except it wasn't demanding like when he wanted me to eat the candy bar but this wasn't really a poking either. I could feel it around the top of my head and shoulders, gentle but not in a creepy lecherous way. Like if I was petting Zane's head. He was being…affectionate with me? That was definitely something to think about. Concerning actually.

"You know what I am right?"

He was watching me again, looking for my reaction to his question, the affection gone but his essence was still heavy in the air. How could it not, considering who he was. I gave a curt nod, the corresponding actor flashing through my head as I compared the two doppelgangers.

He smirked, no doubt seeing who I was thinking about. "I'll admit he's a good looking guy but my hair is way better than his."

I tilted my head. "Yeah, I know who you are."

He nodded. "Good. So imagine my surprise when you first showed up here. And with how powerful I am I was able to track you down fairly quickly but I thought it was a coincidence so I just sent you back. But than you kept showing up and at the worst places too. I couldn't understand how you would show up wherever the Winchesters were."

I stood straighter. What did he say earlier about a Shtriga? That made some sense. "I showed up at that hotel where Dean and Sam were staying at, in that town with the Shtriga, didn't I? Since John was tracking it, he would have noticed the sharp u-turn that sucker made when I popped up." I pointed a finger at him. "But you showed up and took me back home. Since I was gone, the Shtriga must have honed in on Sam instead."

He shrugged nonchalantly. "Hell if I know. I just grabbed you and left."

I glared at him. I held back the small smile when he bunched his shoulders up defensively, a bit upset with my disapproving face. "What? It's not like they're my problem."

Now that was an opening if I ever heard one. "But I'm yours?" I said it with a questioning tone but it was more statement.

By the way his lips thinned, he knew I caught him. So I waited but the man refused to say anything. He didn't want to confirm anything. Alright, time to poke the bear. Or maybe griffin would be more appropriate.

"I'm not human am I? Or maybe I'm only half human. All I know is that I'm important. Important enough for you to personally come get me? Right?"

Again he didn't say anything. Fine, time to step it up. If he was as worried or concerned about me as he was leading me to think, then he wouldn't be able to resist my next few words. "Fine, be like that. I'll just ask around until I find out what I need to know. And don't play dumb, you know how dangerous that is. Also, considering the fact that I still managed to make my way back to Winchesterland, even though I'm sure you've been doing what you can to keep me out, it won't matter. I'll make my way back here and I will get to the bottom of it. So you can either tell me what I want to know or I use more stupid, dangerous, and possibly nefarious ways to get the information I want."

The hairs started to rise on my skin and I could feel the static charge build within the little pocket dimension. Oh, he was pissed. He took slow, rigid steps toward me, his eyes glowing bright. The subtle sounds of thunder could be hear from somewhere outside the fake apartment and the walls were giving ominous creaks. He was gonna destroy his own creation with his rage.

He was directly in front of me now so I tried one more time. "Please just tell me. I know there's something wrong with me. I'm not normal. I just wanna now what I am. If I'm a something."

I could see a slight change at my words, in his stance and the tightening of his eyes. He turned away from me, his movements sharp and his words just as sharp. But they didn't really hold any bite toward me.

"Don't say bull like that. You're not a thing, you're you. Angela Mercer. You have an older brother named Jared whose in the military and a twin brother named Donny. Your parents, Daniel and Sarah Mercer, love their children. That mutt of yours would protect you with his life. You got friends who love who you are. There's nothing wrong with you."

Well that was an interesting speech. Suspicious but interesting. But I knew there was something wrong. "That's all true, a bit creepy that you know all that but still true. The fact of the matter is that I managed to show up here on my own. By my will. Sure you sent me back but it didn't work, at least not for long. I always managed to get back here. Now though, I'm gaining more control over it. I can do telekinesis, or something similar to that. That's not normal. At least not in the world where I've been living. But here, it's possible. So that leaves me to think that I'm suppose to be a part of this world and me coming back here is just trying to fix that. But you knew all this, right?"

It was quiet again, the sounds of thunder gone and the apartment still. His eyes no longer held anger as he stood there, those same golden eyes flashing resignation as he collapsed dramatically onto the couch. "You're too smart and stubborn for your own good, you know that?" He spoke with weariness and a near bitter chuckle.

I actually didn't think he'd confirm everything I'd said. But then again he didn't really say what was true and not. I'd have to keep an eye on what he told me. I smirked. "So I've been told."

He rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I blame it on your parents."

I sat back down on the couch. He was starting to cave. "So, what can you tell me? Am I human? Half human? Non-human?"

He was squinting his eyes, no doubt trying to weasel out of saying anything but he sighed. "Might as well. Yes."

I paused, waiting for more but all he did was raise an eyebrow at me. "That's it. Yes what?"

He groaned, pinching at the bridge of his nose. "Yes and no. You're human…ish."

I perked up. "Human-ish? So how much 'ish?' Like half or quarter? Eighth?"

"Half human, okay. Your mom's full human. Dad? Not so much."

I paused, tilting my head. So Dad was a bit different? Hmm…he was pretty sneaky and he seemed to know stuff that we had done when we were little. I can see it. But why would I have the most of his heritage as opposed to Donny or Jared. Granted, now that I knew what was going on, I could see some of that in Donny. Jared didn't seem to get of the extra stuff in his DNA. Maybe it skipped? I got most of it and maybe Donny just happened to siphoned some off of me when we were in the womb?

"Time's up."

Snapping out of my thinking I was alarmed to see him so close to me, hand reaching for my shoulder. I leaped away, ready to yell at him but all I heard was a raspy sound coming from my throat. That bastard took my voice away.

He must have seen the anger brewing on my face because he rolled his eyes, "Relax, it'll come back." He stood up from the couch and maneuvered around the coffee table to my side, handing reaching for my shoulder again. "As much as I hate you for putting me in this position, I'll have to do what I can. So until next time Sweetheart, don't get killed."

I jolted awake, feeling the Impala shudder to a stop. The light outside the windows was leaving, the sun a couple hours from disappearing and I could see the small white church ahead of us. I must have been "asleep" for quite a few hours.

"You ready?"

Dean was out of the car already, heading to the trunk while Sam was looking back at me, eyebrow raised. I nodded at him. "Good to go."

I followed him out the car, trailing behind the two hunters as they grabbed gear, managing to snag a duffle in an attempt to help, and found myself in the middle of the group as we marched up to what would be home base for this event.

Once Bobby had done a quick walk through the building, we all shuffled in. Immediately the Winchesters were pulling out canisters of salt and spray paint while Bobby and Ellen unloaded the collection of weapons on a dilapidated pew. Seeing Ash head for a small table to set up his computer and such, I rushed over to help, hating that I was somewhat useless. But no matter. I knew enough that they were the professionals and to not get in the way. Much.

"Alright, let's see what Jakey's doing," spoke Dean, walking back into the large room.

He had disappeared for a good thirty minutes to salt the outer hallways and rooms of the building while Sam had stayed in the sanctuary with the rest of us. Although it was very discreet I knew he was hovering around me, trying to salt the room but be within a few feet of me. So I threw him a bone and made a show of walking around the room, studying everything so he could get it done faster and properly.

Again the men set up the map and locator on the floor, everyone's eyes on Bobby as he started the needed spell. All too soon it began moving but it was over just as quick as it started. I sucked in a sharp breath. Jake was a few hours away, closer than he had been before we left Bobby's. Oh crap. I was messing everything up.

"Alright people, it's game time."

All too soon guns were drawn and checked, tucked away, and I stood there watching Bobby and Ellen disappear out the door, the two men who had been protecting my life next in line. Instead of immediately leaving they paused, both turning to me. Sam spoke first.

"We'll try and keep it as close as possible to your prediction, that way nothing happens later with the Fate sisters. We'll try talking Jake down too. We'll come back in a few hours."

Sam left and soon it was just Dean and me. There was a look to his eyes, staring at me intently, taking in my features. I knew Dean, or at least Jensen's Dean, denied being the touchy-feely type but that was exactly who he was. When he claimed someone, loving them as family, that was it. To the ends of the Earth he'd go for them. I had spotted differences between Jensen's Dean and my Dean, this Dean, but the look on his face was something the two men shared. I'd become someone important to him. Family.

"Listen, if something happens tonight, if we don't come back, you need to haul ass out of here. Grab Ash and go." He dug in his pocket before holding something out to me. I hadn't let the fear of tonight get to me until I saw the Impala's keys in his hand. He gave them a tiny shake, waiting for me to take them.

Breath stuck in my lungs, I forced my hand to stop shaking before reaching out to grab them from him. Except when I did he grabbed at my fingers. The move was almost desperate and as I watched his thumb brush the knuckles of my hand, I looked up at him. The look in his eyes, the warmth, was enough to cause a hitch in my breath but it also made everything complicated. I was lying to them, all of them. Although I was probably born in Winchesterland I had spent all my life in a monster-less world. My knowledge of the future was from a TV show that I just happened to be a fan of and now it seemed I wasn't even fully human. This was gonna blow up in my face. I just didn't know when.

"We'll be back."

All too soon Dean was out the door, leaving me standing frozen with the Impala's keys in my hands. Not really knowing what to do with myself, I rigidly turned away and walked back to the front of the sanctuary where Ash was sitting in a pew, his research and laptop displayed before him on the small table we had set up. I sat further down from the technical genius but I noticed the glance he sent me and I was thankful that he didn't make any comments.

A bit more than forty-five minutes later, Sam's voice came over Ash's phone, letting us know they were about a mile away from the cemetery and wanting to know Jake's progress. Ash preformed the spell and relayed back that Jake was a little more than an hour out. I was quiet during the whole exchange, memorizing the time from when they had left to when they had called us.

With Ash occupied with Sam's call, I was able to study the small collection of weapons the others had left behind for Ash and me in case of emergency. I had never fired off a shotgun so the handgun was the obvious choice. No matter, my aim was better with the pistol anyway.

When Sam tried calling in roughly fifteen minutes later to let us know they had made it to the cemetery, the line was rife with static and we only managed to hear half spoken words at best. The influx of demons was making the phones useless. Perfect.

Leaving Ash to poke and prod at the phone, I wondered over to the small table and plucked a silver handgun from the lineup.

"Hey, what the Hell ya doing?"

Glancing over at Ash I knew I had a few precious moments before he might try and stop me. "You know, considering Sam was aiming for law school, I'm surprised he didn't catch my loopholes."

Ash was thoughtful for a second and then he starting shaking his head. "You agreed to your words, not theirs. You said you wouldn't go in there with them and you did "hang" out with me for about on hour thus meeting the conditions of your promise."

"Yep." I started power walking toward the door but broke into a run when hearing movement from Ash.

"Hey!"

Blasting through the doors I didn't waste time grabbing a rock and tossing it at the tree line while diving on the other side of the Impala, out of sight. It was not two seconds after I'd settled when I heard the doors slam open. I was just hoping that the rock I had thrown would be enough to cause a few branches to sway. Apparently my decoy work because Ash cursed and went back in the church, no doubt intent on trying to get a hold of Sam or Dean.

I waited a few seconds more then took the Impala's keys out and sat them on top of the tire I was hiding behind. Just in case. Looking back at the church, I held my breath as I got to my feet and basically slunk my way to the trees, glancing at the church every few seconds to make sure Ash wasn't looking out a window. I waited until I was a good ten feet into the brush before breaking out into a run in the direction of the cemetery. Now I just needed to get there in time. That was one thing I was not looking forward to. Dean and Sam were gonna be pissed.

~~~SPN~~~

"Sam, we got a problem."

The answering static let the blond man know that his words weren't reaching the younger Winchester and he let out a soft curse. He knew that girl was much more smarter than they thought, which had caused them all to underestimate her.

Leaving the phone for now Ash studied his computer, watching as the computerized map showed the increase of demon activity outside the large trap. Angie had waited for the inability to communicate before making a break for it. That way she knew Ash wouldn't be able to tattle on her. With good reason. The Winchester men were gonna be pissed as Hell.

Needing something to do, Ash set up the wooden contraption again, watching as the locator spell told him Jake was reaching the rail lines. From where he was entering, he'd reach the cemetery before Angie did.

Ash wanted to look up Angie's position but from what Bobby told him, any spell aiming at finding the brunette wouldn't work.

Ash settled himself in front of the computer, keeping an eye on the growing numbers of demons. This was going to be restless wait.

~~~SPN~~~

Unbeknownst to the blond man, his alcoholic drink, which had been set down underneath his pew to the right of his position, had been moved atop a small table against the wall, next to a window covered with long moth-eaten curtains and just above the small generator he was using to power his machine.

Peering in the church from the window itself the petite woman reset her glasses on the bridge of her nose and walked off into the woods.

~~~SPN~~~

Dean was pretty sure everything was going the way Angie had described it. The phones had refused to work after reaching the cemetery and Dean wasn't sure if that was because of the demon activity or the Hell Gate. They had positioned themselves amongst the tombstones, counting down the minutes until Jake to showed up.

Earlier when they had reached the cemetery Dean had instantly noticed the gate. Definitely creepy-looking like Angie said. The devil's trap on the door was a good indicator too. There was a hole in the center of the trap where Dean was sure the colt would go to unlock it.

They hadn't wasted any time, immediately finding hiding spots. It was a good thing too because it was only about ten minutes later that they'd heard the crunch of grass. Jake, still dressed in his fatigues, had arrived, stepping between the slabs of stones, making his way to the crypt.

Everything had been going according to Angie's prediction. Sam had tried to talk sense to Jake but he'd refused. He'd then forced Ellen to place her gun against her temple. In the flurry of movement, Jake had stuffed the colt into the door while Bobby and Dean had pulled the gun away from her head but Dean had still jolted when hearing a gun shot.

Turning around he'd been so sure he'd find Jake dead on the ground like Angie had said, bullet in his head. That wasn't what he saw. He'd been surprised that Jake was very much alive on the ground and clutching at a bullet wound in his thigh, glaring up at his brother. Sam had glanced over at him, looking a bit unsure but Dean had nodded at him.

They hadn't had time to contemplate the divert when the devil's trap in the door of the gate started spinning. The four hunters had shared a glance before spreading out, diving for cover. Dean taken a few seconds to grab the colt from its slot within the crypt and then grab one of Jake's arms to help Sam pull the military man behind a tombstone, all the while hearing the loud banging coming from the other side of the metal barrier. He had just ducked behind a slab of stone when hearing the large slam of doors opening and the ground had shook violently as an enormous mass of black cloud shot past them.

Which lead him to this moment. Hunkered down behind a tombstone with his brother at his back, head ducking down as demonic stragglers screeched on by.

It was Bobby's voice that shook him into action. "Come on, we gotta close it before anything else escapes."

Dean spared a thought that maybe his dad hadn't gotten free yet but it was gone as he stood up to follow Sam and the others to shutting the door but he paused. In his hands was the colt. Angie had said he'd shot the bastard so that moment had to be coming up. He took a step to help the others but stopped. The hairs on the back rose and he felt a chill down his back.

Turning around he was met with the smug smile of the Azazel. Before he could lift the old gun and get a shot off, the vintage firearm was wrenched from his grasp and sailing through the air into the demon's hand.

Shit.

"Little boys shouldn't play with Daddy's guns."

Dean was suddenly up in the air, trying to turn his body so he didn't land wrong. He managed to twist to the side but he wasn't anticipating the crack of his skull against a tombstone. He lay limp, his mind foggy from the hit.

"Dean!"

He knew that voice anywhere. Sam was coming to try and help. He managed to get up to one knee, just in time to see his brother get thrown against a tree across from him.

"You just sit tight Sammy, I'll get to you in a bit. I just wanna have a talk with Dean-o here." Azazel smiled over at Sam before his bright eyes trained themselves back on Dean.

The older Winchester managed a snarled lip before feeling his body forced from his kneeling position to his back pressing against the very headstone that he had crashed into.

"Dean. Dean. Dean," cooed Azazel, kneeling next to the downed hunter. "You sir, impressed me. I mean, Sam was gone. I couldn't find or sense his soul whatsoever. But then bam! I suddenly felt Sammy alive and kicking just earlier today. Now, demons can't resurrect people without making a deal so whichever crossroads demon you dealt with didn't file the proper paperwork after resurrecting Sammy. I know, I know. Red tape. It'll drive ya nuts. But that's just fine with me as Sam's back in the game."

Dean growled low in his chest when seeing the happiness in Azazel's face at the thought of Sam. What was interesting was that Azazel had thought Sam was dead. Considering Cold Oak was suppose to be a fight to the death, he could see that. But why hadn't he been able to sense Sam?

A flash of movement from behind the tree Sam was pinned to gave Dean his answer but it showed just how much self control he had when his eyes refused to dart over to where Angie was creeping up behind Sam or curse out loud like he wanted to. What the hell was she doing here?

"Again, you impressed me with that move Dean. I'm glad. I liked Sam better than Jake anyhow."

At this Dean watched as Azazel's eyes looked over his shoulder to where he knew Jake was laying after being hidden by Sam.

"No offense to you Jake. Sam's always just been a favorite of mine." Azazel gave a smirk to the prone soldier and Dean heard Jake's answering growl.

"Kiss my ass."

Azazel's smile widened and Dean felt a chill when seeing the predatory quality to it. "You know Jake? I only need one leader."

Yellow Eyes gave the slightest head tilt and Dean gritted his teeth when hearing the crunch of vertebra from behind him.

"No!"

Dean glanced over at his brother, seeing the pained and frustrated look on Sam's face. His brother had tried to save the service man, hoping that getting rid of Azazel would free Jake of the demon's influence.

Another bit of movement caught Dean's eye and he saw Angie peek out from around the tree that Sam was pinned at. Slowly a hand snaked out and started creeping across the bark toward Sam's forearm. Missouri's words played in his head. "Whatever she's doing to hide herself, it's powerful. Really powerful." "Not sure if there's anything that'll be able to track her down. Me included."

Azazel had been so sure Sam was dead because he hadn't been able to sense his brother in the last twenty-four hours. But Dean had a inkling why that was. Sam had appointed himself Angie's bodyguard from the second they officially met in Cold Oak. In the last twenty-four hours there was hardly a time he had strayed far from her. Seeing as Angie was naturally hidden from supernatural detection, it would make sense that her shield would include Sam due to his proximity to her. That was his theory anyway.

Dean watched as several things happened at once. Azazel frowned as Angie's closeness triggered Sam to disappear. The woman in question had finally grabbed hold of Sam's arm, causing him to jolt and gain movement over his own body at the same time Yellow Eyes spun around and caught sight of the two.

Dean gave a shout of warning, enough that Sam dived to the ground for his discarded gun that had fallen when Azazel tossed him into the tree. But Dean saw the contact between his brother and Angie break with Sam's dive, allowing Azazel to mentally toss him to the side and keep him to the ground.

"Angie!" Dean heard Sam shout, both of them watching as Azazel turned his eyes on the psychic, who glared back at him.

"Well, well, well. Where the Hell they've been hiding you Sweetheart?"

Angie ignored him, reaching behind herself and pulling out one of Dean's extra guns he'd left behind at the church. She didn't waste a second, empting the entire clip into Azazel's chest in quick succession. Dean growled, struggling against the telekinetic hold on his body as Yellow Eyes hissed in pain from the iron rounds, hands clutching at his wounds.

The powerful demon gave a painful chuckle, turning to look at Dean with a smirk and wink. Dean's struggles grew as he watched Azazel take a step toward Angie. He saw the flinch that she gave but after a few seconds her lips fought the smirk that he could see she wanted to show and even Sam's face changed into slight confusion.

Seeing Azazel fling a palm at her, Dean figured that the demon wasn't able to use his Hell-gifted abilities like he was with Sam and him. Dean let go of the breath he was holding. Angie was safe from him so far.

The brunette knew it too, according to the smirk that she let bloom on her face. "It's okay. At your age performance issues are more common than you think."

Azazel growled at Angie's jab, lifting the colt at her. Dean heard Sam echo his shout of distress, both of them struggling against their demonic hold. Even with her ability to heal quickly, Dean wasn't sure she'd be able to survive the supernatural weapon. Angie understood that, her smile slowly leaving and a look of determination taking its place.

Dean's breath hitched in his throat, Sam's own sharp intake loud enough to be heard from ten feet away. He was sure his little brother could also see the faint outline of a man coming up behind Yellow Eyes. The phantom man solidified seconds before he lunged forward, wrapping his arms around the demon. Dean watched with wide eyes as his dad pulled away, taking with him a thrashing cloud of darkness, Azazel's dead host collapsing to the ground. He watched the struggle in wonder for a few seconds before Angie was suddenly at his side.

"Dean, here."

He felt the slap of the colt's grip in his palm, tightening his fingers just as Yellow Eyes threw his dad away and ram his way back into the meat suit's mouth. Rising from the floor Yellow Eyes took a step toward his dad but Dean was ready.

"Azazel!"

Knowing that his real name would get his attention, Dean watched as the demon spun around toward him, rage on his face that quickly turned to shock when the bullet embedded itself in his chest. With satisfaction Dean watched the shock and confusion play out on Azazel's face as he look down at his wound and back to Dean, the sound of crackling sparks from the wound in the background. One, two, three, four. Four flashes of light flared from inside Azazel's body before one last bright flare and crack akin to lightening sounded, the dead body falling to the floor.

Instantly Dean's body was entirely his own again, slowly getting to his feet with Angie's hand helping to lift him up. Across from them Sam was also getting his legs back, a little unsteady.

Dean barely registered the tired grunts from Bobby and Ellen as the iron doors of the Hell gate slammed shut and the lock spinning back in place because all his attention was on the man getting to his own feet, dressed in the jeans and shirts that Dean had last seen him in.

Shuffling forward Dean watched his dad focus on him, the soft smile forming on the older man's face when he laid eyes on his first born. Dean heard the crunch of grass on his left as Sam appeared next to him, a quick looking showing him his brother's expression of amazement.

In two steps their dad was in front of them, soft smiles for both Dean and his brother. The older sibling let out a small shuddering breath when feeling John's hand grip his shoulder, the pride directed at him enough to cause his lip to quiver in the slightest. In response Dean saw a tear slid down the cheek of his father, making him fight to keep from crying as well. Sam gave the same response when their dad placed his other hand on the younger man's shoulder, giving a proud grip and playful shake.

John glanced over Dean's shoulder, causing him to look as well and see Angie staring wide-eyed at his dad. Even from their distance Dean could see the build up of tears that the psychic refused to let go. Dean felt pride grow in him as his dad nodded his head to the woman who straighten her spine and gave a nod back at him.

Turning back to Dean and Sam, John gave another proud shake and smile along with a few more tears before he let go, easing back several steps. He stood for a few seconds, the same soft proud smile on his face as he looked at his two sons even as his form grew bright, flickering and flashing brightly before he disappeared.

Dean let go of the air he was holding, taking in small ragged breaths as he glanced at his brother, barely aware of the stinging in his eyes that signified tears. Sam was staring back at him, breathing shallowly and twin trails of tears making their way down his face.

"D-Dean. Sam."

The broken voice caught his attention causing both Sam and him to turn around. Angie was on her knees, one hand on the ground to steady herself. Dean could see the way she was tilting and was at her side before she could fall over.

"Angie?" Sam's voice was worried, bringing Ellen and Bobby over, the three of them standing around Angie and Dean.

Dean leaned Angie against him, looking her over for any injuries she might have gotten without him noticing. She seemed fine, the tears from earlier still clinging stubbornly to her lashes.

"Don't be mad at Ash. If anything be mad at Sam. Mr. Lawyer over there didn't figure me out."

Angie's speech was tired and she gave a faint point in Sam's direction. Her words registered with the younger Winchester and he grimaced.

"She never agreed to what we said, only her own words. She said she wouldn't go in with us and that she'd hang out with Ash. She technically did everything she said she would."

Angie gave a faint chuckle against his chest but Dean noticed the way her body tensed and she gave a sharp look to the empty space between Sam and Ellen. She shook her head, "No, not yet."

He had a feeling what was coming next. She gave almost a glare to the empty space and Dean wondered what she was seeing. He had the urge to grab his gun. A tight grip on his shirt pulled all his attention to the woman leaning against him. Her eyes were narrowed, the line of tears causing them to shine as she held Dean's own gaze.

"Isaac and…Tamra? No, Tamara. Don't let them go in the bar." Her voice was urgent, her eyes looking over to whoever or whatever Dean was sure was standing unseen amongst them. "One was with the lady with the high heels." Again she looked over at the empty space and Dean could feel her grip begin to slack.

"Hey, hey, no. Don't look at whoever or whatever you're seeing. Stay with me." Dean was tapping gently at her cheek and she glanced over at him then looked around at the others surrounding them before locking eyes with him again.

"There's seven of them in the bar. The deadly seven." Angie studied him intently before the grip on his shirt released, her eyes fluttered close, and suddenly Dean's arms were empty.

~~~SPN~~~

Bolting upright, my head felt light and the hallway where I'd originally disappeared from started to tilt slightly making me groan and lay back down, curling into a fetal position with my face pressing against the carpet. This trip was worse than the others. I was physically and emotional exhausted. The physical fatigue I expected.

I had run down a large hill, falling for a majority of it, then proceeded to drop-kick someone and land on my back in a puddle of ice cold water. Surprisingly I'd managed to sleep fairly well at the sketchy hotel. If I was by myself, I might have been more hard-pressed to relax but knowing there were three men in the room who were standing guard helped to lull me to sleep. Next was the mad dash through the woods to get to the cemetery as soon as possible.

I had known just how close I was to the cemetery when the nauseous turning of my stomach and the unpleasant feeling underneath my skin grew as I walked on. I had just fought against the intense need to vomit when I had felt the tremble under my feet and threw myself against the trunk of a large tree as demon smoke surged by me, blocking out the moonlight. Interestingly enough the vessel-less demons had avoided me, giving me a very wide berth as I soldiered on. It wasn't so much that I was in their way but more like they didn't want to be anywhere near me. That was something else to think about.

I didn't have a whole lot of time when reaching the fringes of the graveyard, arriving in time to see Azazel looming over Dean and Sam come running over to help. I hadn't wanted to do it because of how sketchy it was but I'd had to shove the gun in the waistband of my jeans at the small of my back so I could creep toward the tree where Sam had been held.

I'd heard Azazel's words to Jake and I'd been happy when seeing the soldier hidden behind a tombstone. Chances are he'd been injured somehow to keep him from taking off and I'd been fine with that. However, I'd also almost blew my cover when hearing the sound of his neck snapping. I'd just managed to grab Sam when Azazel spotted us. Dean immediately yelled for us, which prompted Sam to pull himself from my grasp and reach for the gun lying in the grass at our feet.

He'd gone sailing through the air, slamming against a large headstone and curling on his injured side. Both men had yelled when Azazel turned his attention on me, lips curled into a predatory smirk.

Hearing him say the nearly same words he'd said to Mary had caused a chill to zip down my spine but I'd ignored it, instead reaching behind me and whipping the gun out in front of me. Some of my anger at him had showed in the way I'd wasted the whole clip, slug after slug embedding into the demon's chest.

Unless the bullets happened to be melted down from an angel blade or craved with devil traps, I'd known the iron rounds wouldn't slow him down for long. I'd been proven right when I'd felt the sick, tingling feeling on my body but it had only lasted a second and I'd seen the flash of irritation on Yellow Eyes' face. He'd tried to use telekinesis on me but it'd failed. And of course I hadn't been able to resist taunting the demon. Again the same nauseous sensation pressed against my skin but this time it had barely registered in my mind before it'd been dismissed. Azazel had even lifted a hand in thinking it would make it work.

I could admit the fear I'd felt when seeing him point the colt at me. According to a certain someone, I was half of a supernatural creature so the chances of me surviving a bullet from that gun had been very low, even with my healing ability. But luckily John had shown up and did exactly that he had done in the episode. With him grappling Azazel's smoke form, I'd been able to run over to the empty meat suit, snatch up the colt, and give it to Dean. The older sibling calling Azazel by name had gotten the demon's attention and he'd spun around, pissed and facing off with Dean. That had been what Dean needed. At that point everything fell into place the way it was suppose too.

A sharp whine at my back caused me to jerk and I rolled over. Zane was laying down with his massive head placed on his paws, his eyes unblinking and tail thumping softly against the floor.

He gave another whine and got up to get closer only to flop back down on his side, his back curved against my torso. I smiled at his display of comfort, my lips twitching and I could feel the small quiver in my jaw.

As for the emotional exhaustion I was feeling? I was an absolute wreak. Watching the reunion in person was vastly different than watching it from a TV screen. I knew the show was just that, a show about two brothers played by two actors. The fact that they played these characters so well helped you forget that but it's always there in the back of your head. These were fictional characters in a fictional world. But what I had seen, experienced, that was real. The blood I'd spilt was real. Dean. Sam. John. Bobby. Ellen. Ash. They were real. Living, breathing people that hunted down things that shouldn't exist. That entire world was a real place that I myself apparently belonged in. With them.

But seeing him standing between Ellen and Sam reminded me of my parents and brothers. My home was with my family and I couldn't ask them to come to this place. Not with all the supernatural dangers in addition to the normal ones. So even though he was bothering me with his impatience and whining, I was ready to go home. But before I left, I told Dean and them what I could in regards to what would happen next. I knew the married hunting duo would show up first and as much as I thought Isaac was a jerk off, no one deserved to go out like that. And Tamara didn't deserve to see that happen to her husband. I knew I wouldn't want to see my family or anyone from Winchesterland die in that way.

From the corner of my eye I made out the gliding droplet that was following the contour of my cheek before it spilled over the edge and disappeared. I didn't even know I had let one go but it reminded me of the Winchester reunion I had just witnessed. That was all it took for me to grip Zane's fur, bury my face in his neck, and finally let out the sobs I'd been holding back.

~~~SPN~~~

Tonight had definitely been one for the record books. Bobby was sore, grumpy, and more than ready for some food and sleep. Making their way through the woods back to the church, Bobby glanced over at the two boys walking in front of him. Even in the dark he could see the slight slouch in their shoulders, Dean especially. Bobby knew he'd been difficult about the whole Angie thing but could anyone blame him? The girl literally just showed up out of no where. It was too much of a coincidence for Bobby.

But then again not completely. She'd apparently been showing up all over the place wherever the boys were at since they were teenagers. Nonetheless, Bobby hadn't made it to this age as a hunter for nothing. He was sure she was something more than just a psychic but he'd be keeping that suspicion to himself. He didn't need another witch hunt on his hands. Suddenly Bobby paused, sucking in a deep breath.

"Bobby?" Ellen had stopped at his side, her words getting the boys' attention.

"You smell that?" At his words the others all lifted their faces, taking in deep breaths of Wyoming night air.

As one everyone snapped their eyes to each other, all of them coming to the same conclusion about the scent in the air. Something was burning. They rushed forward, jumping over roots and ducking under low hanging branches. Bobby's fear started to increase when seeing the faint glow between the thick trees that grew brighter as they rushed forward.

"No!"

At Ellen's cry the quartet exited the forest, the scorching heat licking at exposed skin and the angry rumbling from the blaze dimmed their hearing as it devoured the abandoned church.

"Ash! Ash!"

A movement in his peripheral caught his attention and he witnessed Dean lunging at Ellen, wrapping his arms around her waist when she'd tried to run toward the church in search of the blond man. Dean made eye contact with Bobby, passing him an unspoken message and Bobby nodded his understanding. He watched the older brother walk off with his arms full of Ellen, her legs flailing and her shouts becoming more sob-like in nature.

"Bobby."

Even with the roar from the flames Sam's even tone had his attention instantly. Looking around he found the younger hunter at the edge of the forest, crouched down and studying something.

Walking over Bobby loomed behind Sam's shoulder, eyes a little wide in awe when Sam presented what he had found. "Is that…?"

Sam nodded solemnly, studying the thin, delicate item held between his index finger and thumb. He looked up at Bobby. "It's a piece of gold thread."

---

Ta-da! Did you guys see that ending coming? Probably, huh. Oh well. What about the guy who was talking to Angie in her dream? Any guesses on that guy or what Angie is? Let me know what you people think! Also, anyone else going to the Denver con this weekend? I created a game with Supernatural as the theme, it's pretty sweet. I'll give you a clue. When you win, you shout ¡buenas! Seriously, let me know what you guys think of this chapter. And don't forget to show some love to my other fic Honor Thy Father. Peace out. -Mez