Alex sent the children inside while Sam and Dean stared at their brother. "Adam, how are you here?"

"I...don't know." Adam shook his head. He was pale and had dark circles under his eyes. "I just woke up down the street and started walking."

"We're gonna have to do the usual tests but we should check you out first. Make sure there's nothing wrong." Alex elbowed Sam in the side and he moved so they could test Adam. Once they were satisfied it was really him, they all went inside.

"Mom, I'm hungry." Madison reminded Alex.

"Right. Um, we can go get some food and be right back." Alex told Sam softly. "Let him get cleaned up and make sure that he's okay and we'll be back soon."

While Alex and the kids were gone, Sam and Dean let Adam shower and gave him a change of clothes. Alex was back with styrofoam boxes full of scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and biscuits with and without gravy. The kids tore into their food, ignoring the tension from the adults and ran to explore the bunker when they were done.

"What do we do with him?" Alex and Sam picked up the dishes and took them to the kitchen. "We can't just send him away. And if he's out...is Lucifer?"

"I have no idea, Lex." Sam shrugged as he rinsed a plate. "But you're right, we can't send him out on his own."

"Mama!" Seraphina came into the kitchen, a doll in one hand and its detached arm in the other. "Winnie's arm fell off!"

"Well, that won't do, will it?" Alex took the doll and its arm and smiled at her youngest daughter. "I'll fix her and have her back to you in no time."

Seraphina grinned widly and ran off, chasing Levi as he came bolting through the library. The pair ran down the halls and Madison gave chase to them both.

"So, these are your kids, huh?" Adam asked Alex as she gave him some coffee.

"Yep." Alex smiled fondly. "Listen, we don't know exactly what to do with you but you're welcome to stay here with us."

"Do you know what happened to Michael?" Dean asked.

"No. I guess when I came out of the cage, he was gone too." Adam gulped his coffee.

"Why'd you say yes?" Sam blurted out and Alex kicked him under the table.

"He said he'd bring my mom back." Adam shook his head in disbelief at his own stupidity. "I shouldn't have fallen for it."

"It's okay." Alex patted his hand gently. "We don't have a case right now but we do have a place for you to stay. You can't tell anybody where we are and don't let anymore angels in, okay?"

"Deal." Adam smiled. John Winchester wasn't much of a father but he had nieces and a nephew and they seemed pretty awesome so far. He could have a family here. A new family.

-0-

The children warmed up to Adam quickly but the adults were still wary of each other. Adam was given his own room and kept to it once the sun went down.

"I think it's a good thing that he's here." Alex said, running a brush through her hair. It was growing fast and was almost to her shoulders now. She put the brush down and joined Sam on the bed. "What's wrong?"

"If Adam's out, then Lucifer's out." Sam mumbled. "And if Lucifer's out, then it's only a matter of time before he comes after us."

"He won't get to us." Alex promised, kissing Sam on the cheek. "Even if he does, we can handle him. We did before."

"Yeah." Sam sighed. "But we lost each other last time."

"We always find our way back." Alex reminded him.

"If I didn't know better, I'd say you were going soft Mrs. Winchester." Sam teased her, wrapping an arm around her as he turned.

"I can still kick your ass, Mr. Winchester." Alex giggled as Sam lowered her to the mattress and kissed her.

-0-

It didn't take long for Lucifer to find the boys. He knew they would be near Alex but there was an interesting development on that front as well. His unwilling partner in crime had birthed three children and now she had a real reason to cooperate with him. But he wouldn't make himself known just yet. Half the fun was in the chase.

A/N: Another short chapter, I know. It's going to pick up soon. I promise. :)

Cara: I'm glad to be back, dearie. ;)