Dean drove the impala up Bobby's driveway. He shut off the car and opened the door slowly. Sloane had fallen asleep and he didn't want to wake her.
"I guess she is a Winchester after all," Sam said.
"What do you mean?" Dean asked.
"We put her in the car and start to drive, she falls asleep. You try to put her down at night in the motel, she cries for hours until we take her for a drive. Sloane is just like us, always got to be on the move."
Sam looked at Dean. His older brother suddenly had a sad look in his eyes. Dean met Sam's eyes and tried to smile.
"Yeah, I guess you're right," Dean admitted.
"So, about time you get here. What took you so long?" Bobby asked coming out of the house.
"Dean was driving below the speed limit," Sam answered.
"What? You're kidding right?"
Dean ignored them. He opened the back driver's door and unstrapped the car seat. He carefully lifted it out then quietly shut the door.
"Hey, I have some precious cargo," he said.
"Why thank you, Dean. I didn't know you thought so highly of me," Sam joked.
"Shut it college boy, and get Sloane's stuff."
Bobby walked forward. Ever since Peri's phone call he had been dying to see Sloane. He had understood Dean though, for wanting to protect Sloane by going underground for long periods. However now it seemed Dean was finally going to let him in. Bobby knew that Dean was in over his head. Bobby also suspected that the boy also blamed himself for Peri's disappearance.
"So, this is Sloane. Let's see her boy. I hope she looks like Peri, cause you were one funny looking kid," Bobby said.
"Thanks, Bobby. I can just feel the love."
Dean pulled the blanket away from Sloane so Bobby could see her better. Dean beamed with pride every time someone wanted to see Sloane. Although, so far most of them had been old ladies with blue hair who insisted on giving him parenting advice.
Bobby looked at the baby and smiled. She was a cutie. She had a round little face with chubby cheeks. Wisps of brown hair stuck out of her pink toque she wore on her head.
"Well, Dean, I think I can honestly say you didn't screw up this time. Sloane is a beautiful baby," Bobby said.
"Oh he knows, Bobby. I keep telling him, she's going to break boys' hearts," Sam added.
"Boys? Oh hell no. She isn't dating till... Ever," Dean said.
Bobby and Sam looked at each other. They then started laughing. They couldn't help it. The man, who would do anything with two legs and boobs, suddenly had a change of heart when it came to his baby girl.
"Am I interrupting?" Ellen asked.
Sam and Dean looked at her. They hadn't seen her since the opening of the devil's gate two years before. Both felt guilty over Jo's death.
"No, come on Ellen. Come meet Sloane Winchester," Bobby said.
"Sloane Mary Winchester-Michaels, if you want to get technical," Ruby said coming up the driveway.
Everyone was silent. No one had expected Ruby to show up. Dean looked down at Sloane deciding that that was the safest place to look. Sloane wouldn't give him shit or scream and yell. He took her little hand and stroked it.
"What? No one is going to say hello?" Ruby asked breaking the silent.
"Hi, Ruby. What brings you here?" Sam asked. Where Bobby could possibly exorcise you? He wanted to add.
"Came to watch over my family. How's Sloane doing, Dean?" Ruby asked looking at the older Winchester.
"Okay," Dean said softly.
"Well, isn't that a mouthful."
"You aren't wanted here. Get lost," Ellen said.
"Can't. Peri sent me. Remind me when I see her to kick her ass."
"What do you mean she sent you? She can't do that! No one knows where the hell she is, let alone if she is alive!" Dean yelled.
"Dean, haven't you been having some dreams lately?"
Sam looked at his brother. He wondered if Dean was going to admit it in front of everyone. Dean was shocked. He never thought that the dreams could be messages from Peri.
"Are you telling me that Peri has been talking to me in my dreams for months?" he asked.
"Yes, she sent me here. Dean, she... Things aren't looking good for her."
"What do you mean?" Sam asked.
Ruby was quiet. She couldn't tell Dean that when Peri came to her, Peri was naked and covered in blood. Ruby knew that Dean was barely holding it together as it was.
"Ruby, what the hell do you mean?" Dean demanded.
"She's losing, Dean. Lilith is breaking her little bit by little bit. Peri... I doubt if she makes it though to tomorrow."
Dean felt his anger rising. He handed the carrier to Bobby. He then turned and ran down the driveway. He grabbed Ruby and punched her.
Sam dropped the stuff and went over to his brother. He tried to pull him off of Ruby.
"Where is she, Ruby? She told you, didn't she?! Where is Persephone?!" Dean screamed.
"Dean, stop!" Sam tried.
"Not until she tells me where Peri is."
"I don't know, Dean! If I did she'd be here with us! She's my family, you ass!" Ruby yelled pulling away from Dean's blows.
"Demons don't care about family!" Ellen yelled.
"Maybe not yours but I care about mine. I gave my damn soul up so I could give birth to my son. I'll be damned if I'm going to let that bitch Lilith take what's left and destroy it!"
Dean let Ruby go. He believed her. He felt his legs buckle. It was all too much. He couldn't do it anymore. Sam held him and saw Dean's tears. Dean let out a sob. He was done being strong.
"I failed her, Sammy. I let myself believe that I could have it, that I could have that happy ending but I can't. I don't deserve it," Dean cried.
"Dean, you deserve it. And you didn't fail her. Look at Sloane, she's safe and sound. That's what Peri would have wanted. You didn't fail anyone."
"No, I failed you then Peri. I couldn't keep you safe, Sam. You died on my watch. Now... Peri is next. I couldn't protect either of you."
Sam couldn't believe what he was hearing. His older brother that he had worshipped for as long as he could remember, was breaking in front of him.
Bobby felt tears come to his eyes. He wanted nothing more than to hug Dean and let the boy finally have it all out. Unfortunally, the boy had a little girl that needed him to man up.
Sam pulled away from Dean. He did the only thing he could think of. He pulled back and punched his brother in the face.