A/N: Continuing the re-edited version.
Catch-Up: Claire is left alone when her mom is possessed by a demon and her dad becomes Castiel's vessel again. With no one to look after her, Dean takes her under his wing.
Story Setting: Between the end of season four's episode Rapture and season five's episode Free To Be You And Me.
Special thanks to my Beta Saysesydo. You're the best. Any remaining grammar/spelling mistakes are mine and mine alone.
CHAPTER TWO
Claire woke unaware of just how screwed the world had suddenly become. The sun was shining brightly through the windows and nothing seemed any different. As always the first few moments of Claire's consciousness were filled with a warm peace of mind, until realty hit her point blank in the heart. Again. She tried to disappear back into sleep but the sudden ring of Bobby's phone made that impossible. So she just lay there, staring blankly at the wall, her back to the old man, listening to his conversation. Bobby sighed with relief then groaned. Claire heard glass tapping glass and knew he was pouring himself another drink.
"Are you boys alright?"
There was a distant hum from the other end of the line and Claire's stomach relaxed knowing it had to be Dean. She's been worried when he'd vanished and had refused to go to bed, so she'd settling on the couch with another of Bobby's books. She didn't know when she'd fallen asleep, but it had been a surprisingly peaceful one, she hadn't had the nightmare, only a dream about a warm summer's day with her family.
"I'm sorry boy."
The teenager could feel the old man's eyes on her back.
"Of course I'll bring her, where are you?" Bobby jotted the address on a random piece of paper. "Claire's fine. She's asleep on the couch. – Do I look like an idjit to you? I'll call in a favor. There's a woman I know about three miles outside of town, she's got two daughters, I helped her out a few years ago. Claire'll be safe with them."
When she heard the old man hang up the phone Claire sat up, looking over at him. "Was that Dean?"
"Yeah. I've got to go meet him, so I'll be leaving you with some friends of mine."
"I heard. - Is….Is everything alright? Did he find Sam?"
Bobby nodded sadly.
Claire frowned, slipping off the couch. "Bobby? - What's wrong."
Bobby met the young girls gaze wearily. "Nothing, things have just gotten…"
"Screwy?" Claire murmured.
"Yeah. But we'll get through it. We always do. I'll just need for you to stay with Mrs. Daniels until me and those idjits get back, okay?"
Claire nodded sadly. "Okay."
~SUPERNATURAL - FAMILY DON'T END WITH BLOOD~
An hour later she was sitting on another strangers couch. The Daniel's house was very much like her own had been. She glanced over her shoulder to Bobby, who stood in the far corner with Rose Daniels, a woman in her mid-thirties with long dark hair. When they'd arrived, she'd been introduced as Claire Winchester. Bobby had told her on the way over that it would be safer if they did not use her real name, and she'd expected to have to pose as Bobby's niece of something. It had been a surprise when he'd said she'd be going under the name Winchester rather than Singer.
"Why not use your name?" Claire had asked curiously.
"Everyone knows I ain't got no kin, kid, nothin' but the boys. So they'd never believe that you're of any relation to me," he'd replied matter-of-factly. Claire thought she saw a shadow of regret cross his face. "Besides…" he smiled over at her. "…one look at ya, and they'd know we ain't related."
Claire had laughed at that, then felt utterly awful about it. How could she laugh when she'd lost her parents? Bobby must have sensed her sudden misery.
"We'll find your mom, Claire. Dean never breaks a promise." If he can help it.
Claire nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat and turned to silently stare out of the window, telling herself that her mom was still out there somewhere and that as soon as Dean was back, he'd find her and get that monster out of her. Then she'd at least have half her family back.
Claire turned back round on the couch, but continued to listen to what was being said.
"My kind of trouble," Bobby whispered none too quietly.
Rose nodded understandingly. "Well I owe you Bobby, me and the girls wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you…" she glanced over to Claire with a small smile. "…she'll be fine here. – How long will you be gone?"
"A few days at most, all things going well."
"She'll be fine." Rose nodded.
"Thanks Rose."
Three years ago Bobby Singer had saved Rose Daniels and her two daughters from her psycho ex-husband. Of course this being Bobby it wasn't a simple case of making the guy back off, cause said ex wasn't exactly human. – He was a rather pissed vampire, who'd been determined not to lose his family.
Bobby smiled, before walking over to Claire. "Hey Kid." He dropped down next to her on the couch. "You'll be alright here; we'll be back in a couple of days. No need to worry okay. Then we'll see about gettin' to work on findin' ya mom."
Claire could see the old man wasn't convinced, there was something more going on than just Dean and Sam needing to be picked up, but she was too tired and just that little bit afraid to ask what it was. So instead she'd forced a smile and leaned close to Bobby. "What if mo-…the demon comes back?"
"I doubt she will, but you know she's not your mom right, so just stay away from her…." He pulled out a coin from his pocket and handed it to her. "…keep this on ya at all times, it'll keep ya safe and if ya see her, remember what I told ya 'bout the salt. Got it?"
Claire nodded. Bobby had given her a very brief lesson in hunting before they'd left. Now all Claire had to do was pray that it wasn't going to be needed. Without a thought she threw her arms around the old man. "Be careful Bobby." She whispered, her throat tightening. She'd already lost one family; she didn't think she could face losing another.
"I will kid. – We'll be back before you know it." With that the old man got to his feet and left, ignoring the stinging in his eyes.
Claire watching him go from the window, the protection coin playing between her fingers, neither of them knowing what it was going to cost Bobby to leave it with her.
~SUPERNATURAL - FAMILY DON'T END WITH BLOOD~
For almost a week Claire was in a constant state of anxiety. She'd received a call from Dean telling her that Bobby had been hurt; but that he was fine and they'd all be home as soon as the hospital discharged him. That had calmed her fears slightly, though she was still concerned for the old man. The demon possessing her mom hadn't tried to make contact again and Claire wasn't sure if she should feel relief or sorrow. And on top of everything she hadn't seen or heard from Castiel either, which felt wrong, like he was no longer watching over her. Ever since her arrival among the Winchesters she'd never felt alone, but now as she sat in this strangers house she felt very much so. She couldn't say when or how they'd come to mean so much to her.
While she lay on a small camp bed in the room of Mrs. Daniel's eldest daughter, Grace, staring up at the ceiling, she wondered when she'd started thinking of Dean and Bobby as family. After all she'd only known them for a few days, yet she was constantly worried about losing them. She figured it was a kind of coping mechanism; having lost her own family, she was clinging to the only one available. But part of her thought it might have had something to do with the short time she was bonded to Castiel. Over the past few days she was remembering things, feelings mostly. They were faint, shadows really, but it made her wonder if her easy ability to trust Dean came from that. If her feeling towards the hunter was somehow being influenced by those of the angel she had briefly shared her body with.
She finally came to the conclusion that it didn't matter. That she didn't care. All she wanted was somewhere safe with people she knew would protect her from the evil that she now knew was in the shadows and far more terrifying than she ever thought possible. And she got that from Dean and Bobby.
After three days Mrs. Daniels could tell Claire was practically climbing the walls. She knew the girl needed a distraction, something to keep her mind off all the possible disasters that were waiting around the corner to swallow them whole. So she'd decided to take Claire to the local junior high school in Sioux Falls. The principle was a close friend of hers and after a brief conversation where Mrs. Daniels explained that Claire's family had left her with the single mom due to a family emergency, for an unforeseen time, the principle had agreed to allow her to attend.
Claire hadn't really minded all that much. She'd liked school, before it all went to hell. But she couldn't help but worry that someone would find out that she wasn't who she said she was, and that she would be taken away from all she had left.
~SUPERNATURAL - FAMILY DON'T END WITH BLOOD~
Dean sat in the Impala, his mobile phone in his hand. He needed to call Claire, let her know what was going on. He'd called her the previous night to tell her that they weren't going to be back as soon as they'd thought.
He was still pretty shaken up that a demon had been able to get to Bobby. He'd tried to rip the old coot a new one for not having his anti-possession charm on him, until he'd told the younger man that he'd given it to Claire before he'd left. After that the fight kinda went out of him. Dean was glad that he at least didn't have to tell her that Cass was dead. He'd been dreading delivering that piece of news since the moment Chuck had broken it to him.
Thankfully the angel hadn't remained that way and Dean had never been happier to see anyone in his life when Cass appeared in that storage locker, just in time to save them from that psycho angel Zachariah. Though Dean had to admit, it was kinda daunting to know that God had not only put them on that plane but had brought Cass back. After all, up until a year ago Dean was well and truly on the other side of the fence when it came to the God thing. When Chuck had told him that the archangels had killed Cass he'd had two very strong and instant thoughts. One: 'Holy shit Cass, you idiot.' The other: 'What the hell am I going to tell Claire?' After all it was her father's body those dicks had blown to pieces. Luckily now he didn't have to worry about that. Cass was alive, Bobby was alive. – They were alive. Claire wouldn't be left alone…again, and to Dean that strangely was all that mattered.
"You going to use that or stare at it all day?" Sam asked; trying to sound light hearted as he slid into his seat.
"I need to call Claire, let her know about the delay."
"So what are you waiting for?" Sam frowned, looking between his brother and the phone.
Dean shrugged, he had no idea. Flipping open the phone he scrolled down to the number Bobby had given him for Mrs. Daniels and hit call. "Hello, Mrs. Daniel, can I speak to Claire please."
Dean listened as the woman yelled. "Claire, your fathers on the phone." It still made a shiver rush though him, and Sam had obviously heard the woman's loud call because his hazel gaze turned questioningly on him. Dean ignored him completely and waited for the teenager.
Mrs. Daniels had assumed he was Claire's father when he'd called and introduced himself as Dean Winchester. He hadn't bothered to correct her; it was just easier to let her think that's who he was, cause he was pretty sure 'I'm-the-guy-that-took-her-in-after-a-angel-and-a- demon-stoll-her-parents-bodies' wasn't going to cut it, even if she did know about the whole monsters under the bed thing.
"Hey Dad," Claire said, her voice tight as it always was when she had to pretend. He hated hearing it, knowing how painful it must be for her.
"Hey Kiddo, just calling to let you know Bobby's going to be alright. We'll be home in a few days, but me and Sam have to make a quick trip to help out a friend while Bobby recovers a little more. – Are you going to be alright there?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. – Mrs. Daniel's enrolled me at the local school."
"She what?" Dean gaped. "What did you tell them?" he asked with mild panic.
Claire's voice dropped. "She told the principle that my parents were called away on a family emergency and that I was staying with her for a while and needed a distraction."
Dean didn't exactly sigh in relief. "I see."
"It's fine…Dad."
Dean's gut tightened at the name, he had to admit he kinda liked being called that. Though he knew it would stop once they were back home. "Alright," Dean finally sighed. "Just be careful. Don't tell anyone anything about yourself. Rule number one Claire, don't tell anyone the secret." Dean shifted in the seat as he felt Sam's eyes burning into him.
"I won't. I don't think anyone would believe me anyway."
She was smiling; Dean could hear it and it caused his own lips to curve. He gave a little laughed. "No, I don't think they would. – But it's the way it works Kiddo, for our safety and theirs, no one can know what we do."
"Got ya." There was a long pause. "So is Bobby really alright?"
Dean relaxed a little in his seat. "Yeah, he's fine, grumpy as hell, but that completely normal." He didn't want to tell her about the whole never walking again thing. Not over the phone. He didn't want her worrying.
"Yeah." Claire laughed softly causing Dean to smile wider.
"Alright, well we need to get going. I'll call you when we're on our way home Okay. Be careful Claire. - Oh, and enjoy school."
"Yes Dad," Claire replied with playful sigh, "See you soon."
The pair hung up at the same time. Dean threw the phone on the dash and starting the engine.
"Did she call you dad?" Sam asked with a frown.
"The woman thinks I'm her father. Bobby told her she was Claire Winchester. - She's just playing along."
Sam lifted a brow and stared at his brother. He knew that look on Dean's face; it was the one he'd carried all their life. It meant that Dean was in protector mode. Sam had to admit Dean was a natural father, he'd seen it time and again over the years. Hell Dean had been more of a father to him than their own dad, which was probably why Sam's current fuck up was having such a soul destroying effect on Dean. "Is she alright?" Sam finally asked as the car speeded down the highway.
"She's fine. - She's a smart kid."
Sam smiled and turned to stare out the window. "Guess that means she won't fit in here." He aimed for light banter, and missed utterly.
~SUPERNATURAL - FAMILY DON'T END WITH BLOOD~
Two days later Claire received the call she's been waiting for. They were coming home. She felt relieved and excited. It was strange how these men had become so much a part of her life in such a short time. She still lay awake some nights contemplating it, usually when the nightmares woke her and all she wanted to do was search out Dean or Bobby or pray for Castiel to appear by bed and comfort her. She was desperate for an anchor in the chaos and as it turned out there was no better or more trusted anchor than the three men. It had kind of freaked her out the first time Mrs. Daniels had said her father was on the phone. She'd allowed herself to hope that she'd meant her real father. But that hope was shattered on hearing Dean's voice. He'd instantly apologized and she'd cried herself to sleep that night. But the next time he'd called, the next time Mrs. Daniel's had said 'your fathers on the phone' it hadn't hurt quite so much. It had been surprisingly easy to call him dad, though the pain of loss still ripped at her heart.
When Mrs. Daniel had said the word that morning, Claire had practically sprinted to the phone. "Hey, Dad," she'd said with excitement and ease that had clearly left Dean speechless for a few moments.
"Hey, Kiddo," he'd finally forced past the blockage in his throat. "Huh...we'll be home in a few hours Okay. – I'll drop Bobby off at the yard then come get you."
"Great." Claire grinned, "I'll see you soon, Dad."
They knew it was said for Mrs. Daniels benefit, but it still felt strangely natural to say the word. It seemed to roll of Claire tongue like it belonged there, leaving her wondering if she'd continue using it once they were back at the salvage yard.
"See ya in a while Kiddo."
Claire hung up the phone and rushed into the lounge where the woman was sitting with her two daughters. "They're on their way. I better pack." She grinned, before glancing around mournfully. "I…don't have anything."
Mrs. Daniels smiled. "Your clothes? - It's not like Grace needs them." She looked at her daughter who was far too tall for a twelve year old. "And your school books."
"Oh, I…." she trailed off, tucking her hair behind her ear. "…I don't know…"
Mrs. Daniels red lips curved as she got to her feet, a knowing look in her eyes. "Take the books, just in case. When you and your dad leave, you can give me a call and I'll collect them from Bobby. – Now let's go find you a bag."
An hour later Claire's things were packed and she was sitting anxiously on the steps in the Daniels hall waiting for Dean. She glanced down at her watch. How long would she have to wait? She liked the Daniels family and their house but she just wanted to go home. Home? Since when had Bobby's rundown salvage yard been home? Claire wondered. Probably around the same time as the old man and the hunter had become the closest thing she had to family.
After another thirty minutes she couldn't take the waiting any longer and pleaded with Mrs. Daniels to take her back to the yard, saying she'd like to be there when they got back. The woman was reluctant at first, but seeing how Claire was once again climbing the walls, she gave in and piled the three girls in her people-carrier and headed for Singers Auto Salvage.
"Alright, Claire. – We'll give them an hour, if they're not back by then I'm taking you home with us."
Claire nodded as she climbed out of the car and rushed towards the house, dropping down of the porch, with her elbows on her knees, Grace coming to sit beside her.
Grace Daniels was shy but friendly and she never asked too many questions. The two girls got on well enough and Claire figured that if she did end up staying in Sioux Falls, at least she'd have one friend. They sat watching Grace's sister Penny, who was only a year younger, walk around staring at all the cars. The girl was clearly a tomboy in the making. Mrs. Daniels called for the girl to be careful and not to touch anything, which was received with a roll of the eyes and a murmured, "Parents."
They didn't need to wait an hour, no more than fifteen minutes. Claire heard the Impala before she saw it, its low growl echoing in the silence of the salvage yard. When the shiny black vehicle pulled in, Penny's jaw almost hit the ground, but Claire didn't pay her much attention as she shot to her feet and ran to meet the car as it pulled to a stop. The moment Dean stepped out of the car; Claire flung herself at him, tears filling her eyes.
"Hey, Kiddo!" Dean welcomed; more than a little bewildered by her reaction to his arrival. His throat tightened as he held her close in a comforting parental way. "…you okay?"
"I was worried," she replied, her cheek resting against Dean's black t-shirt.
"I'm sorry; we had a little trouble on the road." He held her at arm's length.
"But other than that you're alright? – That demon hasn't…?"
"No, haven't see it"
"I was just scared something had happened to you and Bobby."
Dean's heart tightened in his chest. "Hey, Kiddo, you never need worry 'bout us."
Claire nodded disbelievingly; knowing that now they were all she had, she would probably always worry. She heard the passenger-side door open and Bobby's gruff voice calling out.
"You idjits just gonna to stand there or you going to help me out."
Dean smirked at Claire before heading for the boot to retrieve the old man's wheelchair. Claire's mouth fell open on seeing it and she rushed to Bobby, tears filling her eyes once again.
The old man smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry kid. I'm fine, just traded in two legs for two wheels is all."
Claire threw herself into the old man's arms and held on for dear life. Bobby patted her back as he looked up at Dean with a misty look in his eyes.
The scene was broken when Mrs. Daniels approached. "Bobby? Oh my God, what happened…?"
Claire pulled back and went to stand beside Dean, his arms unconsciously going around her shoulders.
"Hey, Rose. Thanks for looking after the kid."
"It - It's fine. – Are you…. Alright?" the woman murmured, looking at him with concern.
"Perks of the job." Bobby joked nonchalantly.
Mrs. Daniels nodded sadly before turning her gaze on Dean. "You must be Dean?" she held out her hand to him.
"Yeah, thanks for taking care of Claire for us," he smiled charmingly.
Mrs. Daniels blushed. "It was no problem, she's a great kid, if ever you need me to look after her again, just ask."
"Thanks. Will do."
Claire looked between them suspiciously. Her attention was quickly drawn away when another vehicle pulling into the large drive. She stared over at brown station-wagon. "Who's that?"
"Friends." Dean replied.
Claire frowned. "Oh?"
Mrs. Daniels took her cue and called for her daughters to get in the car.
"Well, hopefully I see you around." She said, batting her long dark lashes at Dean, before smiling at Claire. "See to later Claire."
"Yeah, you too." Dean replied in his usual seductive tone.
"Yeah. Bye. Thank you so much for having me." Claire replied politely, ignoring the annoyance Mrs. Daniels flirting was causing in her.
Bobby grumbled a goodbye and rolled himself towards the house. As the single mom got into her car, two women stepped out of the station-wagon and Claire stared and sighed.
Then something suddenly occurring to her. "Dean?"
"Yeah."
"Where's Sam?"