I know, this has taken way too long to update. It truly is a pain in the butt when real life gets in the way of what I'd rather be doing. This chapter was not the easiest to write and I hope that it turned out okay. Ideas have been running through my mind all the time (so much so I can't sleep most of the time because that's when I get all the ideas) and there just hasn't been time with all the real world stuff. It would be so nice if it was possible to just write and not worry about everything else.

Thank you very much to all those who are still reading this. It means more than you will ever know that you enjoy reading something that I enjoy writing and do mainly just to get the ideas out. Thank you for the reviews and the adds to alert lists. But mostly just thank you for taking the time to read this. It means more than you will ever now.

The biggest thank you goes to Ridley for letting me borrow the Brotherhood and entertain my muse. I've been rereading most of the Brotherhood stories and they are just so amazing and so beautifully written. Again thank you very much!

So onto the chapter I suppose. I hope that it is up to your expectations and that you enjoy it. I'm going to try to make the next update much sooner. Thanks again for reading and for putting up with my slowness. I read a lot of stories as well and I know how hard it can be sometimes to wait for a chapter. Enough rambling...enjoy and thanks again!

Shea

Chapter 5

Running Home

As relieved as Kat was from being off the branch, the pain intensified drastically once she was back on solid, cold ground. Dean had carried Kat as Caleb pushed his jacket against Kat's back over that part of the hole. Right as the jacket was pushed against it to hopefully attempt to stop the blood flow, Kat couldn't help but let at a pained gasp from the sudden pressure on the already throbbing area. Caleb kept his hand over the jacket to keep a good amount of pressure on the wound while Dean gently lowered Kat to the ground. By that time Sam was there as Dean shrugged off his jacket to apply to the front part of the wound.

Sam nearly dropped the kit from the shock of seeing the shape that Kat was in. He knew that she was injured, but actually seeing her down from the tree allowed him to see the extent of the injury. Seeing those around him get hurt was something that he knew he would never get used to and he couldn't help but hope that some day he wouldn't have to look down at one of his friends or family members in an immense amount of pain so far from medical help.

As Dean was still applying pressure to the wound, he couldn't help but notice how pale and quiet Kat had become. It also didn't help that he knew it wouldn't be long before he would feel the blood leaking through the jacket. There was no way the bleeding would stop on it's own and they wouldn't be able to stitch a wound to this extent with the supplies that they had with them. At the same time, if the bleeding wasn't stopped or at least slowed, Kat would soon die right there. Dean tried to force that thought out of his mind and as much as he hated to admit it, he needed some reassurance from Caleb on this one. He did the only thing he felt he could do and looked toward Caleb for some type of direction.

Caleb was in pain, but it was nothing he couldn't handle and they had much bigger problems to deal with at the moment. He watched as Dean attempted to stop the blood which he knew would need more than that to stop. Glancing up from the injury to Kat's face, he could tell that she was in a tremendous amount of pain. It was obvious that the blood loss was beginning to take it's toll as it seemed to drain her strength, meaning that they would have to deal with shock soon. It was too dark to attempt to get back to the jeep. Usually it wouldn't be a problem but considering the shape Kat was in and the fact that his own right arm was basically useless made the thought of a trip back in the dark seem impossible. How could one simple hunt go to hell so fast? But then again that was always the type of luck that they seemed to have. Knowing that sutures were out of the question and that the bleeding would not stop on it's own and that pressure and bandages would only slow the bleeding, but at the moment that seemed to be the best option they had. Before he could think any more of that idea he felt himself being watched and looked up to see Dean staring at him, most likely having come to the same conclusion.

Caleb nodded at Dean and then noticed Sam's gaze on Kat and he could see the wheels turning in Sam's head. "Sammy, why don't you grab some branches that we can start a fire with since we're going to be here for a while." He watched as Sam set the kit down with a nod of his head and went to grab some firewood. "Just stay close so you don't give any of us a heart attack."

Kat felt her own worry as well as that of the boys. That was never a good sign. "Sending Sammy away. Now I think I should be worried," she said quietly with a dry laugh trying to overcome the heavy silence.

"You know Sam," Caleb began looking down into Kat's gaze, "He'd worry himself way too much and end up blaming himself. Hell the kid probably blames himself for the curse of the Bambino. It's better to keep him busy."

Kat gave a slight nod as she bit her bottom lip harder when Dean applied a bit more pressure. The pain was shooting up her side and was not helping with all of the emotions of everyone else as well. She noticed both Dean and Caleb once again going silent and staring at each other.

"Hate to break up you two star searching in each other's eyes, but what's the prognosis here? I'd for one like to know how we're gonna get out of this one in one piece, or at least breathing," Kat looked between the two.

Dean quickly looked over his shoulder to make sure that Sam was still staying close before turning back to look at Kat. His mind was a blended mess that he was trying to calm himself down to think straight which made the idea of having to come up with words to make a gone to hell moment seem positive impossible. Both Caleb and Kat picked up on Dean's discomfort even though his expression didn't change. The only difference was that Caleb was tuned into what was going on in Dean's head. He heard his friend forming the words with the thought that they would have to bandage the area and hope that it slowed the bleeding enough so that if…no when…they made it back to the farm that hopefully Mac would be able to fix her. Caleb knew how much it effected Dean when someone close got hurt no matter how good of a front the put on. The whole situation made them all feel helpless. Being the eldest, Caleb knew it was his job to take charge also knowing full well that Dean would end up pulling through because it's what the kid was good at.

"Well actually I was hoping that you picked up some of that witch craft from all that time you spent with Josh. You know, maybe a potion or a magic spell," Caleb was trying to keep the mood light even though it was nearly impossible.

Kat rolled her eyes," Humor me then. And I knew you were jealous." She added a smirk before Dean forced another grimace on her face from the pressure.

Dean shot Caleb a look of both humor and confusion at Kat's statement, but found it not to be the time to get all the details. Sam had gathered a nice pile of branches that he had placed in a circle which was ready to become a fire. Finding himself having done what was asked, he returned next to his brother and tried his best to look calm. As he was collecting firewood he had let a few tears make themselves known, but knowing that they would not help, he collected himself and hoped that everyone would be too focused on Kat to notice. Shooting a look at his brother, Dean could tell that Sam had been crying, but saw the way his brother had composed himself and Dean found himself being proud at the person that Sam had become.

Caleb let out a sigh because the whole situation sucked out loud and he hated to admit it, but he was scared and unsure about this one. "We're gonna wrap you up like a mummy and first chance, when it's light enough, we go home. Mac should be back and can give you more bedside manner while the rest of us get our asses chewed by Johnny and Jim because of this."

At this point, the nervousness and worry from the guys was becoming overwhelming for Kat. She never quite understood why she could always get a read on their emotions and always just put it off to the fact that she had partially grown up with them. The fact that Caleb seemed so unsure of himself and that Dean was having a harder time holding it together truly worried Kat and made her wonder why they never had the right amount of faith in themselves.

She did the only thing she could do at the moment and with a smile replied to Caleb, "I won't be ours…it will be yours since this was all your idea. Dean, Sammy, and I just came along to keep your so called fine ass alive."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. And it's not so called, it just is and I know that you know that. Unless of course you have a new preference in the wizard boy," Caleb gave into the easy banter and was glad that Kat was okay enough to help calm their nerves. He walked over to their packs to see just how much material they had to use for bandages.

"It's best to just let him believe it. Damien doesn't realize that they're all checking out mine, not his when we're out," Dean said with a smirk as he shifted his hands again on the jacket and heard Kat gasp. "Sorry," he added as he looked into her eyes and she could see the genuine worry in his ever expressive eyes.

Kat waited a few seconds to keep the pain at bay, "Don't worry about it. And Caleb's just jealous because you have the youth that he wishes he still had. On that note, Sam, try to keep their egos in check. You're the only one that I think we can still have hope for." She winked at Sam to try to help lighten his mood a bit and attempt to lessen the worry.

Sam still couldn't believe how wrong all of this was. Kat was bleeding to death and they were all acting like nothing was wrong. This isn't how it was supposed to be. Teenagers were not supposed to be dealing with these situations. There were supposed to be having school and dating issues while playing sports and going to club meetings. This right here, is what he hated about this life. People he cared about were always getting hurt and he felt horrible because for once Dean was not the one dying and Caleb was not seriously hurt. He knew it was wrong, but he couldn't help but be grateful that for once it wasn't one them in the situation.

Sam was shaken out of his thoughts when he felt his brother's hand on his back, "Earth to Sammy. You still in there?"

All three pairs of eyes were on Sam as Caleb had returned and was beginning to take out the bandages and tape he was going to use. Almost unconsciously, Caleb was using his left hand as much as possible because at the moment, his right arm was in too much pain to count on. The first thing they would need to do was get Kat's bleeding to stop or at least slow and then he could worry about the two small holes in his own body. Dean switched his attention from his brother, who seemed to be back with them, to Caleb. It was obvious that the bullet wounds were bothering him and even if the blood had began to slow, he would still need them patched up.

Dean walked over to his friend and rested a hand on his left shoulder. "Damien, let me take care of Kat while Sammy patches you up."

Caleb was about to argue that he was fine, but could tell that Dean would have none of it. "Fine. Runt, get over here and let's get this over with." Caleb shrugged off his jacket and flannel and rolled up his sleeve as Sam came over to him to be his doctor for this injury.

Dean gave his brother a quick nod when he handed him the bandages and tape that would be needed. Sam then watched as his brother pulled the rest of the bag with the supplies over toward Kat. Caleb sat on the ground with his back against the tree watching as Sam came over to kneel beside him.

"So, Doctor Sammy," Caleb said with a smirk, "I expect to get at least one scar out of these to impress the ladies with."

Sam looked back up at Caleb ready with the comeback as soon as the words left Caleb's mouth, "And how will you start that story? You were hunting and ended up getting shot twice by a girl? That will go over real well." To top it all off he added his usual eye roll that had become common as of late.

Caleb mentally slapped himself knowing full well that he should have been ready for that one. "In time you'll learn, Runt, that telling women the truth is not always the way to go. I'll find a way to spice up the story," He replied with a wink.

Sam just shook his head as he began to wrap the bullet holes on Caleb's upper arm. The first aid kits weren't the most packed since the hunt was supposed to be simple. Dean had given the minimum amount of bandages that he possible could and Sam understood that they need as much as possible for Kat. It didn't take long at all to wrap the front and back of the bullet hole on the upper arm. When it came time to cut the bandage, Caleb had handed Sam the medium knife that he had on him during the hunt. With a nod Sam took the knife, cut the bandage, and then began to tape it so it would stay in place.

As Sam finished with the tape he glanced at Caleb's face. Caleb's eyes were focused on where Kat and Dean were. He followed Caleb's gaze and saw his brother talking to Kat, but couldn't quite hear what they were saying. Sam turned back to Caleb's arm and realized that he would have to get the older hunter to discard his flannel in order to reach the are the bullet went through at his shoulder.

Sam cleared his throat, "Caleb. I need you to take the flannel off so I can get to the shoulder." He watched as Caleb turned back toward him and carefully, with a hiss of pain, removed his right arm and shoulder from the flannel over shirt. "She's going to be fine," Sam felt the need to add.

Caleb looked at Sam as he cut the sleeve of Caleb's t-shirt. "If you wanted me to strip Sammy, all you had to do was ask. No need to take it out on the shirt." He got what he wanted from the comment when he saw a quick smile flash on Sam's face. "And I know Kat's gonna be fine. She has Captain One Helluva Big Brother over there with her. It's Jim that scares me."

"This hunt sucks," Sam said as he set to work on the shoulder wound.

Caleb sighed, "I definitely have to agree with you on that one. But, this is just how our luck is. I'm just surprised it's not your brother over there. Guess that means no one's getting a ring since it isn't Dean close to dying." It had become a big joke for while that whenever Dean came close to dying it seemed someone received their ring. It was never funny at the time, but after Dean was in clear he would mention it.

"Do you ever notice how someone's always getting hurt on these hunts," Sam said sadly. "I mean, they're always supposed to be simple, but someone always ends up hurt. It's just not fair."

Caleb knew where the kid was coming from. Hunting was far from easy and as of late it seemed that Sam was quite different from John who was out for revenge and Dean who took joy in saving people. Sam wanted more and Caleb was beginning to see that. It's not that he didn't want them to have normal lives, but normal would be impossible for them. There was no way that John was going to let Sam get away from hunting and it scared him to even think what would happen to Dean if Sam would leave. The saddest was perhaps the fact that Dean would never have that normal life. He had a taste of it for 4 years before his whole world was ripped from him. And of course the universal decided to play with them even more with how the hunts always went.

"Life just isn't fair, Runt," Caleb winced as Sam pushed tight against one of the holes. "Just like it wasn't fair when I had to go without a bedroom door. It's just how the universe is."

Sam just wouldn't accept that. "There has to be something more out there. You went to college and have a somewhat normal life. Kat's going to college too. I've heard Jim talking about it. Anytime I even mention it to Dean he shoots it down." Sam was looking right at Caleb now, stopping what he was doing for a few seconds. "I want something more than this. I'm tired of seeing someone get hurt every time. There's no way that mom would have wanted this for us."

Caleb hated having to deal with this. "Sammy, it's just not that easy. I went to college, but still hunted. Mac probably would have killed me if I hadn't gone. He tried to get me to have that normal life, but we're part of something bigger here with the brotherhood. I know hunting's not easy and it sucks most of the time. But look at what we're doing for people," Caleb sighed hoping that this was all sinking into Sam. "Dean's just been busy lately and cares more about hunting than the whole college thing. To each their own. Kat's going to college because it's either that or become a nun." The last was said with a smirk at the idea of Kat being a nun.

"That's if she lives," Sam said quietly as he got back to wrapping Caleb's shoulder.

"Sam, don't say that," Caleb's voice raised a little at Sam suggesting that Kat wouldn't make it.

Sam hadn't quite meant it the way it sounded. "I know, it's just so frustrating. Dean should go to college, I'm sick of him following dad's orders all the time. Dad should be encouraging Dean to go instead of expecting him to be one of his soldiers. I want more from this Caleb. I don't want to be a hunter and watch everyone around me die!" Sam was angry at just about everything at the moment.

Caleb sensed Sam's anger and knew he had to tread lightly here. He took a calm breath before replying, "I agree that Jonny can be a pain in the ass sometimes, but he's trying to protect you boys…"

"Protect us," Sam somewhat loudly interrupted and to top it all off had a huff.

"Yes, protect you," Caleb said evenly and more calmly than he though he'd be able to. "And there's nothing wrong with wanting that little bit more Sammy, but we're special here. Whether you like hunting or not, you're family is counting on you to watch their backs. You can't be careless with this. Someone could get hurt if you're not on your game. Family's one of the most important things here and the brotherhood is also your family." Caleb really hoped he was getting through to the kid.

Sam gave a dry laugh, "Someone gets hurt anyway, Caleb! Don't you see that? Right here, Kat's lying there with a hole in her side and you have two gunshot wounds. And the worst part is that this is better than some of the other injuries we've had."

Caleb watched as Sam began to tape the bandage and knew that this was going to cause problems once Sam was 18 if not before that. "I know where you're coming from, okay? But…"

Sam quickly cut him off and looked him square in the eyes when he said, "No, you don't! I'm actually glad that it's not you or Dean laying there right now like Kat."

Silence followed as Caleb just looked at Sam. Honestly, what could he really say to make it any better? There was no way to blame the kid for being glad that his brother and the guy that he saw as another brother were not the ones with overly serious injuries. This right her is what sucked about being older. There was no easy answer or response here. He could see Sam holding back the tears.

With a sigh, he looked at his two bandaged spots in his right arm, began to put his flannel back on, and replied, "There's no easy answer here, Sammy. Life sucks and right now it sucks out loud. We will get out of this. As for the other stuff, I don't really know what to say either. The future will be here and only time will tell, I suppose. Don't feel ashamed to be happy that Deuce isn't the one dying here." He looked at Sam's face and saw him starting to calm down even if he was starting to put too much weight on his shoulders and smirked, "Besides, his creativity was starting to go down hill."

As fired up as Sam was, he couldn't help the half sob, half laugh that was let out after Caleb's remark. Right now, he needed to be focused on helping get them all out of the woods. He'd done his first job in patching Caleb up. Although he was still bothered by what his future seemed to consist of at the moment, he would push that aside and focus on it after this was all over.

After getting his flannel back on, Caleb was glad to see that he had at least gotten through to Sam at the moment. His arm still hurt like hell, but he'd survive. There had been much worse in the past and probably much worse ahead of him in terms of injuries. He reached his left hand down, which Sam took, and helped him stand up.

"Now, let's go check on what Deuce and Kitty Kat are doing over there," Caleb smirked at Sam as they began to walk over.

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Dean was sure that Sam could handle Caleb and vice versa. He could tell Sam was upset, which meant that Sam would end up getting pissy. Even though he was a big brother, there were just some times that he didn't feel like dealing with a pissy Sam. Although having to deal with a hole in a friend's body wasn't any better either. Dean had all the bandages with him and a whole roll of tape. This was not going to be easy, but hopefully the bandages would help to stop or at least slow the blood flow greatly.

Kat was in pain. It was plain and simple. There were no ifs, ands, or buts about it, she was hurting. She'd been injured before, but this was the worst that she had ever felt. Not to mention that the emotions from the guys were making it much harder to focus on her own feelings. She saw Dean walking toward her and noticed the sad and nervous look on his face. Even with his mask, she could always read him too well.

Dean took a full look at Kat and hated what he saw. There was a jacket bunched up underneath her left side and another bunched up on the front, which she was currently holding down. She looked exhausted and pale. Definitely not a good look on her. He really hoped that this would work, because he was going to try to avoid the only other thing they could do for as long as possible.

"You weren't kidding when you guys said like a mummy," Kat said quietly as she eyed the amount of bandages.

"In case you haven't noticed," Dean swept his hand in the air indicating her side, "you're letting the stuff that's supposed to stay on the inside on the outside."

She grinned, then replied sarcastically, "Really? I was always told red was my color. Thought I'd try a new statement."

Dean couldn't help the little chuckle, "Well you're certainly making some statement."

Kat just nodded as Dean walked over to the left side of her. He put the bag down holding the supplies and sighed. He figured it'd be easiest to get the back bandaged first. Then she could return to laying on her back while getting the front. There was no sense in wasting the bandages to wrap completely around her. It's not like she'd be going anywhere on her own anyway.

"I'm gonna need to get you on your right side so I can take care of the back first," he glanced up at her face. "Need help?"

As much as she hated to admit it, she did need his help. Kat nodded and Dean gently pushed her onto her right side. She hissed in pain and then began to bite her bottom lip to keep from crying out. He gently removed her arm from her jacket and rolled up the two shirts she was wearing to expose her back and with it the wound. Dean knew it was still bleeding by the color of the clothes, but tried to shake off the need to throw up. He could handle this and he took a deep breath as he began to secure the bandage to the back hole.

"So," Dean began, needing to have some type of distraction for the both of them as they worked. "What was Damien talking about with the Josh thing?" He really was curious.

Kat rolled her eyes and tried to stay still and ignore the pain caused by the extra pressure. "He's just mad because I've been hanging out with Joshua some. You know how jealous he gets."

Dean was never really fond of Sawyer. Especially after hearing what he had done to Caleb when they were teens. "Why would you want to be hanging out with him anyway?"

She knew he wouldn't like that she was spending time with him, but in all honestly Joshua wasn't nearly as bad as Dean always made him out to be. "Dean, he's not a bad guy. Yes, he made a few mistakes in the past, but Caleb forgave him and I'm pretty sure you can too."

"You two dating now," Dean really hoped that the answer was no because this was one of his best friends here.

Kat couldn't help but let out a little laugh even though it caused some more pain, "Oh yes. He just rocks my world. He's even better than Reaves was in bed."

"I see now. It's a mine's bigger than yours type of thing going on here," Dean leaned over to look at her with a wink and then began to tape the bandage to make it secure. "Witch boy beating demon boy, very interesting."

"You want in on it too," Kat playfully asked as Dean rolled her back so she was once again laying flat on her back.

"Nah, it would be unfair to the two of them," Dean grabbed more bandages from the bag to get ready to work on the front. "Just, don't trust him too much and be careful. Wait, so doe that mean that you and Caleb…" Dean wiggled his eyebrows in a suggestive way to get the point across.

"I'm a big girl, Dean. And I don't kiss and tell so it's none of your business. You're one of my best friends and unless you were a girl or gay, there's no way I'd be able to let you in on that information. Plus it's just fun to see how much it bothers Reaves," Kat sucked in a breath at the pain in her back as the pain from the front was forgotten for a few seconds.

Dean always loved the way that Kat and Caleb would dance around each other. They were friends, but if there was anything else was never quite so certain. It certainly was fun to watch though. Especially when Caleb would piss Kat off to the point where she would hit him. Although, being on the receiving end of an angry Kat a time or two, he felt his friend's pain.

"I think I have my answer right there then," Dean replied as he pushed up the front of Kat's two shirts to get a look at the front when he saw something very interesting a few inches from the hole that was in her body. "Kat, is that a tattoo? Does Jim know?"

Kat sighed, of course he had to notice her tattoo, "No, dad doesn't know and I'd like to keep it that way."

"Looks like little Kitty Kat is growing up," Dean said mockingly using her hated nickname as he set to work on the wound while checking out the tattoo as well.

"Shut up and you better keep it quiet or I'll let dad in on a few things," Kat said as she shut her eyes against the pain.

As Dean bandaged the bleeding hole in her body, he couldn't help but recognize the way the tattoo was drawn. It was a fairy of some sort but very different from the cartoon ones. "Did Damien draw this?"

Kat nodded and waited for the pain to become bearable before answering, "Yeah. Remember with the dragon stories that you guys always told Sammy?" Dean nodded. "Well, I used to complain to Caleb that I was never in them. You know when I was a younger spoiled brat. Anyway, one day he said that I could be the fairy that was a pain in the ass, but was like a sister to their group. When I finally decided to get the tattoo done, I went to him to see if he'd do a drawing for me, which after some negotiating he did."

Dean nodded, "That explains the fairy part, but the letters?"

The expression on Kat's face fell as she replied very softly, "Dad, mom, and my little brother."

He could have slapped himself for bringing it up. One of the things that it seemed that they had all had in common when they were brought together was some evil forces screwing up their lives. They all had destroyed families and it was never and easy topic. There were times that Dean found it easier to open up to Kat about this past, but she very rarely mentioned her biological family.

"Kat," he began, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…"

Dean was cut off as he saw his brother and Caleb making their way over. Instantly the masks on both Dean and Kat's faces were put back into place. For once he was angry that the chick-flick moment was interrupted, but at the same time knew that he and Kat were okay because that's just how the friendship was. They had an understanding and he also knew that they would be talking later.

"You look like shit," Dean said to Caleb.

"Yeah. Well, someone shot me," Caleb motioned to Kat. "Twice, I might add. Twice."

"It's not like I was aiming," Kat easily jousted back. "Because if I was, I think we all know that those holes would be much lower."

"Glad to see that the sparkling personality is still there," Caleb replied easily while leaning over to see Dean finishing with the tape. "How you doing anyway," his voice laced with worry.

"Oh just peachy," she couldn't resist saying, but after receiving a look from the three of them decided to just be out with it, "Honestly, it sucks. And it's getting harder to stay awake, but I'm pretty sure I didn't hit my head."

Caleb nodded, "Just stay awake to make sure." He watched as Kat nodded before looking at Dean. "Deuce, we need to have a chat over there. Sammy, stay with Kat."

Sam watched as his brother and Caleb walked just out of ear shot before looking down at Kat.

"That's never good when they do that," Kat said tiredly.

Sam sighed, "Believe me, I know."

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Once they were just out of earshot, Caleb turned to look at Dean. "This is bad Deuce. Very bad. How'd the bleeding look?"

He saw Dean sigh before replying, "Not good. I don't think it's going to stop on it's own. You're right, Damien. This is oh so very bad."

"You know what we have to do if it doesn't stop," Caleb could tell that Dean had been thinking the same thing.

"I know man," Dean said quietly. "It'd be slow though and we'd have to hope that it wasn't infected or something. It's gonna suck when Mac has to open it back up."

All Caleb could really do was nod, "You got a point there, but at least she'd be alive. We won't do it till we're absolutely sure that it's the right way to go."

Dean nodded and the two reached the silent agreement before going back to the mess that this hunt had become. At least they had taken care of the creatures, now they were just stuck with the consequences of the hunt.