A/N: Hello all, here's another chapter.
"You sure you don't want to go in?" Dean asked looking back at Katie.
"Yeah I'm sure the last time I was in a morgue I nearly barfed on the coroner" Katie replied. "Almost blew our cover, so I think I'll let you two take this one"
"You know you've been barfing a lot lately" Dean said then his eye brows nearly shot up. "Wait you're not, are we-"
"Dean chill, breathe, no, no, hell no" Katie replied. "Our lives are complicated enough without a miniature you in the mix, no offense"
"Some taken" Dean replied.
"Please as much as you two go at it I'm surprised I'm not knocked up" Sam said before getting out of the car. Katie and Dean share a look before looking out the window at Sam.
"That was actually a good one Sam" Katie replied. "A bit creepy, but good" Dean laughed and gave Katie a quick kiss before heading into the morgue to check out the latest "heart attack" victims.
Katie got a bit bored waiting for the guys to return. She looked up at the pine tree air freshener that hung from the mirror. She held up a hand and watched it moved. She dropped her hand and looked toward the open window. She missed her powers. She never knew how much she relied on them until they were gone. And now she had to do everything like she was a regular hunter, which is ironic since she figures she probably wouldn't have become a hunter if she wasn't a witch. She decided to get out of the car and stretch her legs a bit. She knew Dean probably would toss a fit for her leaving the general vicinity, but he would get over it. Katie was walking and couldn't help the feeling she was being followed. She turned but there was no one there.
"Ok paranoid girl" Katie said to herself and she walked over to a nearby bench and watched the people walk by. Everyone with their normal, happy lives. Sort of made Katie upset sometimes, especially on really bad days when she just wanted to jump and yell, "Hey the world isn't candy canes and gum drops, it's full of demons, ghost and everything else John Carpenter movies are about!" But she restrained herself. On the whole candy cane and gum drops part needed to totally be revamped and two the rest just made her look like a crazy person. Katie was snapped out of her thoughts by her ringing phone.
"Hello?" Katie answered.
"Uh hello is this uh Katie Carlson?" a woman's voice asked.
"Who's asking?" Katie replied.
"Oh my name is Kelly, I'm a friend of Lacey's" the woman replied.
"Wait is Lacey alright?" Katie asked. The threat of the shifter ringing through her mind.
"Yes, uh No, look I'm worried about her, there's this guy" Kelly said. "She says it's nothing but-"
"But what?" Katie asked.
"He hits her, and she says it's no big deal, but it is" Kelly replied. "Look she used to talk about you, her cool kick ass sister, and she won't listen to me, I figured maybe she would listen to you"
"Is she still in classes?" Katie asked.
"Yeah, but I'm not sure for how long, this guy is a real piece of work" Kelly said. "Hates it if a guy even glances at her"
"Ok thanks Kelly for calling me, I will take care of this" Katie said.
"Uh could you not tell Lacey I called you, I don't want her to think I betrayed her or anything" Kelly said.
"Oh course this conversation never happened" Katie replied before hanging up the phone. She turned to see Sam and Dean walking out. She walked over to them.
"You know after all this time you would think you would know wait in the car actually means you have to be in the car" Dean says.
"Yeah sorry" Katie said mindlessly before getting back in the car. Sam and Dean share a look before getting in as well.
"Well heart attack, doesn't seemed to be the culprit" Dean said. "Victims heart was as healthy as a horse" Katie didn't say anything. She couldn't stop thinking about Lacey. "Hey everything ok?" Katie looked up.
"Where we headed?" She asked.
"Sherriff's station, talk to the locals to see what's what" Dean said.
"Ok so I have to ask you guys something" Katie said and both Sam and Dean paid attention. "You guys really don't need me for this preliminary info getting stuff right, I mean you guys rarely let me talk to cops"
"Well the last time we let you, you punched a cop" Dean replied.
"Exactly me and law enforcement just don't get along, which brings me to my point" Katie continued. "I need to leave for a while"
"What why?" Dean asked. "The last time you said that I didn't see you for weeks"
"I know, and It's nothing like that, it'll take me a couple days tops" Katie replied.
"Well where are you going?" Dean asked.
"To see Lacey" Katie replied. "I just got a feeling that I need to see her"
"Well how are you going to get there without your powers?" Sam asked.
"Well I know someone" Katie replied.
"I don't like this" Dean said. "Why can't it wait until after this case and then we all can go?"
"Because it just can't wait" Katie replied. "Look I will be fine, I promise and I'll call like every hour"
"Why do I get the feeling that you're not telling me everything?" Dean asked.
"Fine, I think Lacey maybe in some trouble" Katie said. "Not our kind of trouble, but trouble no less, and I need to take care of it"
"What do you mean take care of it?" Dean asked.
"Dean I'm going to be fine" Katie said. "Now pull over"
"Why?" Dean asked.
"Dean I can't just disappear in front of a sheriff's station" Katie replied. " Let me out here" Dean pulled the car over.
"Look I'm sure this case-"
"Dean, everything will be all good" Katie said about to get out of the car. "But just in case I would put up some money for my bail" Katie said jumping out. Dean rolled down his window.
"That's not funny" Dean replied.
"Yeah it is husband" Katie said before leaning in the window and kissing him. She heard Sam make some weird gagging noise but she ignored him.
"Be careful" Dean said after pulling from the kiss.
"Aren't I always" Katie said with a smile, Dean just looked up at her knowingly. "Fine I promise I will be careful"
"You better, because if I have to come find you, someone's not going to be happy" Dean replied.
"I will keep that in mind" Katie said. Dean gave her one more glance before pulling off. Katie watched as the impala disappeared down the street. She looked around a bit and there was no one around. "I hope this works" Katie closed her eyes. "Uh I pray to thee Castiel-"
"Yes" A voice startled Katie and she opened her eyes.
"Uh hey" Katie said "I need a favor, but I totally understand if this is just not your thing, I mean I don't want you to feel that I'm taking adva-"
"What is it that you want exactly" Castiel replied cutting off Katie's babbling.
"A ride" Katie said sheepishly. "I need your angel mojo to take me to my sister, she needs my help even though I think she's still mad with me, from the whole not calling her thing, but she doesn't under-"Castiel reached out and touched Katie's shoulder and before she knew it they were in a library. Katie bent over to grab her knees. She felt all weird on the inside. "What's wrong with me?" Katie asked taking some deep breaths.
"It takes some getting used to" Castiel replied. "Now why are you here?" Katie stood up to face him. "You should be focusing on stopping Lilith from opening the seals"
"Yeah and I am it's just my sister needs my help right now, and family trumps evil psycho demon, for now anyways" Katie replied.
"Time is running out" Castiel urged.
"I know" Katie said a bit louder than intended. "But if we beat this thing we do, and if we don't we don't right now I'm worried about my sister, I will get back to the world's problems later. Look I'll call you later when I need you to send me back
"Miss" A voice called and Katie turned to see the librarian. "You have to keep your voice down."
"I'm sorry, we-" Katie turned back to see that Cas was gone, she turned back to the librarian. "I'm sorry it won't happen again.
Katie walks out of the library and is a bit taken aback by all the students. It brings back memories of her days of being college students. Back when she thought she actually could have a normal life.
"Yeah this is going to be fun" Katie said to herself as she headed to Lacey's dorm. It had been a while since she's been here, and she gets a little turned around but she finally finds it. She raises her hand to knock but hesitates. She shakes off the hesitation and just knocks. The door opens to reveal someone who isn't Lacey.
"Can I help you?" the woman asked.
"Yeah, I'm looking for Lacey I'm her sister" Katie replied.
"Wait you're Katie, I'm Kelly, I called" Kelly replied. "You got here fast"
"Yeah, well I was in the neighborhood" Katie replied. "So where is Lacey?"
"She's in class now, but I think she should be coming back soon" Kelly replied.
"And this boyfriend is he with her?" Katie asked clenching her fists.
"Uh, I'm not sure, if he's not he's at the local hangout for students." Kelly replied. "McClaren's"
"And his name?" Katie asked.
"Uh it's Ian" Kelly replied. "Ian Walker"
"Thanks" Katie turned to leave.
"Hey wait" Kelly called. "What are you going to do?"
"I'm just gonna talk to him" Katie replied. "Or at least that's what you should say if anyone asks" Katie gave a smile before turning and leaving the young woman. Katie was walking around the campus when she spotted Lacey. She noticed her sister wearing some oversized sweat shirt and big bug eyed sun glasses. Katie clenched her fists at the thought of her sister hiding bruises. Now was not a time to talk with Lacey, she needed to find this Ian guy. She turned and headed off campus. McClaren's wasn't that far from the campus and she was there in no time. She looked up at the Neo McClaren's sign before taking a deep breath and walking in. She looked around a bit. There were lots of people reading books and on laptops. She turned toward the loud laughing of a group of guys over by pool tables. She walked over and leaned against the wall trying to see if one was Ian or not.
"One of you guys Ian?" Katie asked and the guys looked up at her.
"Oh I am pretty lady" one of the guys replies walking over to Katie but another guy puts a hand on his chest stopping him.
"Don't pay him any attention" the guys said removing his hand. He walked over to Katie and held out his hand. "I am Ian, and you are?"
"Katie" Katie replied shaking his hand. "You think that maybe we could go somewhere to like… talk" Ian looked back at his friends who were all grinning and giving him thumbs up before turning back to Katie.
"Yea, sure my place isn't that far from here" Ian replied tossing down a pool cue and grabbing his jacket. "Later gentlemen" he said as he and Katie walked out the door. They walked outside of McClaren's and Ian started to get a little grabby, Katie just pulled away.
"Not here too public" Katie replied.
"Right my place is this way" Ian replied.
"No I have a better idea" Katie said. "Follow me" Katie started walking past him. Ian just got a stupid grin on his face and followed her. She leads him down an empty alley. She stopped when they were in deep enough that no one on the outside would see them. She turned to face him and he began walking toward her, but she held up a hand to stop him. "Do you know Lacey Carlson" The smile from his face quickly vanished.
"Wait what?" Ian asked. "How did you- who are you?"
"I told you I'm Katie" She replied. "C'mon think, she's probably mentioned a Katie hasn't she?"
"Wait you're her, her sister?" Ian asked.
"Ding Ding!" Katie said. "We have a winner" Katie took a step toward him. "So I hear you're into the physical stuff, you know knock women around, very kinky" Katie took another step. "But there's a problem, you see my sister is like my best friend who I love to no ends"
"Look I don't know what you heard" Ian replied. "But what happens between me and my woman is our business" Katie laughed.
"Your woman" Katie replied. "That's really really funny. So like I was saying, I love my sister and I hear that you've been putting your hands on her, in a not so nice way" Katie took a step closer to her. "You are a coward to hit someone who cannot defend themselves, to hit a woman who you claim to care about" Katie took one more step and she was standing right in front of him. "However there is this thing called self-defense, where you can hit someone if they strike first" With that Katie pulled back her fist and hit Ian right in the nose.
"Son of a-"Ian said putting his hands to his nose. When he brought them down, Katie could see the blood gushing out. "You're gonna be sorry you did that bitch" Katie smiled at him.
"You're gonna hit me?" Katie asked a grin on her face. "C'mon" Ian ran to tackle Katie but she moved out of the way quickly and he ran in to a wall. "No don't hit the wall silly, hit me" Katie taunted. She couldn't help noticing Ian pissed off expression.
"When I get my hands on you-"
"IF!" Katie yelled. "If you get your hands me, is what I think you should be saying" Ian ran after her again, Katie once again moved out of the way, but was able to grab his arm and pin it behind his back. She slammed him against a wall. "You see not all women just take it" Katie pushed his arm and he let out a yelp of pain. "There are those of us who fight back, and then there are those who have people who will fight for them. You bastard you hit my sister, and that may have been the biggest mistake of your life" Katie released his arm and Ian turned to her. "But I believe in a fair fight so show me how big a man you are" Ian clenched his fists and ran toward Katie but before he reached her, she kicked her foot hitting him right in his family jewels. He immediately fell to the ground in pain. "Stay away from my sister, or I swear you'll be sorry" Katie turned and walked away. She noticed it was getting dark and was hopping Lacey was back in her dorm. Katie was standing in front of the dorms when her phone rang.
"Hello" she answered still a bit out of breath.
"What's wrong" Dean replied.
"Nothing, I'm fine" Katie said.
"Then why are you out of breath?" Dean asked.
"I was just running, what's up?" Katie asked.
"Nothing, I just wanted to call make sure you're alright" Dean said. "There's a lot of scary stuff out there"
"Ok wait are you alright?" Katie asked.
"Uh yeah,…no…maybe" Dean replied and Katie stopped walking.
"What does that mean?" Katie asked.
"I don't know yet, look don't worry about me, just stay safe" Dean replied before hanging up the phone.
Katie looked at her phone a bit confused before shaking her head and putting it back into her pocket.
"Yeah, I really need to get back" Katie said to herself. She looked up at the building before taking a deep breath. She finally just walked in. She walked up to Lacey's door and knocked. This time when the door opened it was by Lacey and she wasn't wearing the big glasses. Katie could see the bruise on the side of her eye. She wasn't wearing the baggy clothes and Katie made out the bruises on her arms.
"Katie, what are you doing here?" Lacey asked. Katie ignored the question and grabbed Lacey's chin to examine the rest of her face. Lacey pulled away. "Answer the question!"
"Look at you" Katie snapped. "Were you going to tell me or Jason, or anyone, the police?"
"You don't know what you're talking about, just go away" Lacey made to close the door but Katie held a hand on it stopping her.
"No I won't just go away Lace" Katie snapped. "You're going to talk to me"
"Oh now you want to talk!" Lacey yelled opening the door. "Because I remember for four freaking months there was not a word from you, but now you feel chatty"
"Lacey my husband died!" Katie snapped. "How was I supposed to deal with that, I didn't want to talk because there was nothing anyone could say that could make it better, was it the right thing to do, maybe not, but it's what I did" Katie took a step closer. "You can be mad at me for what I did in the past or you can forgive me, either way you're going to tell me why the hell you're letting some douchebag knock you around"
"How did you-?" Lacey started. "Kelly called you didn't she, I should've known she couldn't keep her mouth shut"
"Keep her mouth shut?" Katie repeated. "Are you listening to yourself? That girl cares about you, and she was worried, which is why she called me and why I took care of Ian" Lacey looked up at her sister.
"What did you do Kat?" Lacey asked angry. "Did you hurt him?"
"Did I hurt him?" Katie asked. "Have you looked at yourself in a mirror lately? He hurt you Lacey, someone who claims to care about you, doesn't hurt you like this"
"You don't understand!" Lacey yelled. "None of you do. He does love me, he just gets angry sometimes, but he doesn't mean it, he's sorry, I know he is" Katie looked at her sister in disbelief. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. When did her sister start feeling that this is the kind of relationship she should be in?
"Lacey listen to me" Katie placed her hands on Lacey's shoulders. "You are beautiful, and you're smart, and you're funny, and you're my sister who I love more than I will ever be able to explain, and anyone who hurts you doesn't deserve to have you in their life. What Ian does he doesn't do it because of love, he does it because he's a coward. He likes to hit women who can't fight back, and because of that I showed him one who could" Katie took her hands down and took a step back and waited for Lacey to respond.
"Look I get that you came all this way because you care, but I didn't ask for your help Kat" Lacey replied. "This is my life, so just stay out of it" Lacey closed the door in Katie's face. Katie stood there for a moment shocked. She couldn't figure out what had happened to the smart, strong little sister she used to have. She finally turned and walks out.
Katie walks to a nearby motel. She can't leave, not until she fixes things with her sister. She thinks of whether to call Jason or not, but decides not to. Her brother's temper is worse than hers. Katie lies in the motel bed and stares up at the ceiling.
"Why the hell is this happening?" Katie asks herself. "Why can't my family just be safe and happy, why does everything always have to go so wrong" Katie closed her eyes and soon sleep took over.
Katie woke up the next day kind of later than expected. She kept waking up through the night and was tempted to just stay awake, but she figured her with lack of sleep wouldn't be good for anyone. She sat up from the bed and grabbed her phone from the bedside table and dialed.
"I was wondering when you were going to call" Dean answered.
"Sorry" Katie yawned. "I slept longer than I intended"
"So how's Lacey?" Dean asked.
"I really don't know" Katie replied. "Hopefully I can find out soon though"
"So you're not coming back today?" Dean asked.
"I don't think so, look I should be back tomorrow" Katie said.
"Fine tomorrow or I'm coming to get you" Dean said and Katie smiled.
"So what's happening at your end, how's the hunt?" Katie asked.
"Not good" Dean replied. "I've caught ghost sickness"
"Ghost sickness? How?" Katie asked.
"From Frank's corpse at the morgue" Dean replied. Katie closed her eyes.
"OK so do you got any leads to who's ghost started this whole thing?" Katie asked.
"We're thinking Frank's wife" Dean replied. "Look I'm doing fine you shouldn't worry"
"Yeah except I am worrying, and this disease is only going to get worse before it gets better" Katie said. "I should come back"
"No, look nobody wants you back here more than I do, but you have to help your sister." Dean said. "We're figuring this out"
"Look just call me if- I don't know just call me if you need me" Katie said.
"I will, and you do the same ok?" Dean replied.
"Ok I love you babe" Katie said.
"Love you too princess" Dean replied before hanging up the phone.
Katie sat her phone down and when to take a shower. After showering and getting dressed Katie headed back to Lacey's dorm. She knocked on the door, but got no answer.
"Katie?" a voice called. Katie turned around and saw Kelly standing there with her backpack.
"Uh is Lacey in class or something?" Katie asked.
"Uh no she doesn't have any classes today" Kelly replied. "She left early this morning though, haven't seen her since"
"Damn it she probably went to see Ian" Katie replied. "Look if you talk to her just call me ok?" Kelly nodded and Katie ran past her. The first place Katie went was McClaren's, but Ian or Lacey were nowhere in sight. She did see some of the guys Ian was hanging out with yesterday further back in corner. Katie walked over and all they looked up at her. "I'm looking for Ian, where can I find him?"
"And why would you tell you anything bitch" one of the guys asked.
"Because if you don't want your face to end up like his, you'll talk" Katie replied and all three guys stood up towering over her.
"You think you can take all of us?" another one of the guys asked.
"I guess there's only one way to find out" Katie said before her phone rang. She looked at her phone and saw that it was Kelly calling. " Another time though" Katie answered her phone turning and walking out of McClaren's.
"Hey what's-….Kelly calm down, what happened….I'm on my way" Katie closed the phone and stood there for a moment. She clenched her fist and closed her eyes. She took a deep breath and opened them and began walking.
Katie stood in the doorway of Lacey's hospital room as her sister slept. She had new bruises since she saw her last. Including a black eyes and busted lip. Katie walked in and placed a kiss on her sister's forehead.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of this" Katie whispered in her sister's ear before standing up straight. She turned and saw a man standing in the doorway. "Can I help you?"
"I'm detective Barretta, I was assigned Ms. Carlson's case" the detective said.
"I'm Katie, I'm Lacey's sister" Katie said looking down at Lacey. "Did you find him?"
"Not yet but we're working on it" Detective Barretta replied. "Rest assured we will find him" Katie looked over at him and smiled a bit.
"I hope you do" Katie looked back down at Lacey. "I hope it's you who finds him"
"What does that mean miss?" The detective asked.
"It means Ian's the kind of guys who makes a lot of enemies" Katie replied. "Anyone of them could get to him before you can get a chance to read him his rights"
"Miss this is a police matter and interfering will only make matters worse" The detective replied.
"Detective, my sister's lying in a hospital bed because of this guy" Katie replied looking over at the detective. She took one more glance at Lacey before walking back over to the door. "Excuse me" Barretta moved aside and let Katie pass. Barretta signaled for one of his officers to come over.
"I want someone at this door, no one gets in or out without checking out first"
"Yes sir" the officer replied. "Where are you going sir?"
"I'm going to keep an eye on the sister, I have a feeling if I don't, this Walker kid is going to have a lot more than jail time to worry about" Detective Barretta said before leaving the officer to go after Katie.
Katie searched all day over the campus. Ian was hiding and he was hiding well. The sun was setting and the moon was soon high above her. Katie was walking when she suddenly stopped.
"You suck at following people" Katie turned around. "I know you're there, so just come out" Detective Barretta came out of the darkness.
"So no luck?" He asked.
"So is this what cops do now a days, let civilians do all the work?" Katie asked.
"My people are searching for Ian, I'm just here to make sure you don't do something stupid" Barretta Replied.
"Something stupid, nah" Katie said. "I'm going to do what I should've done the last time I saw him"
"And what's that, kill him?" Katie didn't say anything. "And what will that solve. Ian will be arrested and he will be locked up for a very long time, which is what he deserves"
"He deserves far worse than that" Katie replied. "Lacey is my baby sister, she-"Katie felt a tear fall down her cheek. "Look you should go do your investigation or whatever" Katie turned around.
"I will" Barretta replied walking over to Katie. "But first I'm going to make sure you don't go off and do something reckless. He grabbed Katie's arm and she stiffened in his touch. The feeling she got was strange and familiar. Usually in a situation like this she fought back, especially since he was a cop and Katie really hated cops, but she didn't. She actually let him pull her away, as if she was supposed to. Katie sat in the front seat of the detective's car and watched the road as he drove. "So where are you staying?"
"Uh the motel, around the corner" Katie replied still trying to understand what was happening.
"Ok that's where you will stay until we find Ian" Barretta replied. "I find you anywhere near my investigation and I won't hesitate to put you in jail." He pulled into the parking lot of the motel and looked over at Katie. "We will find him" Katie just nodded and got out of the car. She watched as his car drove away and that's when it hit her. Why the feeling felt familiar. It was the same feeling she got when she shook Richie's hand when they first met.
"But how-"Katie thought to herself. Then she remembered her conversation with Castiel.
"Why him, why did Gabe draft Richie into scheme?" Katie asked.
"He didn't "Castiel replied. "Father Richard was chosen by my father to look after you"
"I don't understand" Katie said standing to her feet. "Wait when we first met there was this, I don't know how to explain it, like this weird feeling"
"Your souls were connected" Cas said. "It was he who was supposed to help you to get on the right path"
Katie looked in the direction that Barretta's car had drove in, and was now gone. She blinked a couple times before running her hands through her hair.
"Well I guess you're it Barretta" Katie said before turning and going back to her room.
She stripped off her jacket and picked up her phone. She dialed Dean but she got no answer.
"C'mon Dean" Katie said before hanging up. She then dials Sam.
"Hey" Sam answered.
"Hey, I'm trying to find Dean" Katie said. "Is he with you?"
"No, I'm looking for him now" Sam replied. "He freaked out and then just ran off"
"What do you mean freaked out?" Katie asked.
"He just went off about how hunting monsters is crazy and that he was done" Sam answered. "He just threw me the keys to the impala and just ran off"
"Damnit" Katie replied. "It's the ghost sickness, it's making him overly paranoid, everything is probably freaking him out right now, look he's probably just went somewhere he feels safe, try your hotel room"
"Ok" Sam said.
"Wait do you guys have any new leads?" Katie asked.
"Yeah a Luther Garland, strangled and pulled behind a truck, he's our ghost" Sam said.
"Dragged behind a truck?" Katie asked. "Were there any remains left?"
"That's just it, his remains are probably all over that mill" Sam replied.
Katie paced the room eyes closed trying to think.
"Hey you still there?" Sam asked.
"Yeah I'm thinking" Katie said. "Look, get to your room, and see if Dean's there, I have an idea but I have to run it by Bobby first"
"Right" Sam replied before hanging up.
Katie quickly dialed Bobby, hoping her hunch was right. After a couple of rings the old hunter finally answered.
"Yeah" Bobby said.
"Hey Bobby it's me, it's about Dean" Katie said.
"The ghost sickness" Bobby replied.
"Right, well they found the ghost, only problem is his remains are scattered all over the place, so the old burn and kill just won't work" Katie said.
"Any ideas?" Bobby asked.
"Actually I do" Katie said. "How's your Japanese?"
After explaining her idea with Bobby, Katie hung up and sat on the bed waiting for Sam to call back about Dean. Night went on as Katie lay on the bed clutching her phone. She was worried about Dean, about Lacey, there was just too much happening at once. Katie's eyes were getting heavier and heavier as time pass. She was near sleep when her phone rang and she quickly sat up from the bed.
"Sam, did you find him?" Katie asked.
"Yeah he found me" Dean replied. "I'm ok"
"No you're not ok, I'm coming back" Katie stood off the bed.
"No" Dean replied. "This disease whatever it is, is doing things to me"
"Hallucinations" Katie said.
"Yeah, and I'm doing things and seeing things" Dean replied "Look I think it's safer you stay away until we figure this out"
"Dean we don't stay away from each other" Katie snapped.
"Yeah but I don't want to hurt you" Dean replied. "I can't hurt you, not you. Just stay away until we figure this out"
"Fine but I will be back tomorrow" Katie said.
"Ok I'll see you then" Dean replied.
"You better" Katie said before hanging up the phone.
The next day Katie arrived at the hospital. She made her way to Lacey's room to see her sister being helped by Kelly to put her jacket on.
"They released you already?" Katie asked. "This soon?"
"Yeah, they said I should be fine" Lacey replied looking over at her sister. "But they did give me a crap load of pain killers"
"The good stuff?" Katie asked with a smile.
"You are looking at the daughter of Linda Carlson, of course it's the good stuff" Lacey replied.
"Lacey I-"
"Katie wait me first" Lacey said. "When you were gone, I was so scared that you were, well gone, and I didn't think I could handle that." Lacey walked over Katie. "I mean you're the one person that I depended on, who I knew that whenever I needed someone would always be there, and then you just weren't and I got scared." Lacey looked down. "I felt alone, and that's when I met Ian. And he was sweet, and charming and he just knew exactly what to say. I wasn't alone anymore" Lacey looked back up at her sister. "And when the abuse started every fiber in my body told me to just run, but I couldn't, I didn't want to be alone anymore"
"Lacey-"Katie started.
"No let me finish" Lacey interrupted. "You were right, he didn't love me, and he never did. He just wanted something he could control, and I finally saw that last night. I'm sorry Kat" Katie pulled her sister into a tight hug.
"Lacey, I'm so sorry for making you feel that I wasn't there for you" Katie whispered in her sister's ear. She pulled away but not far and made sure Lacey's eyes met her. "But listen to me and listen good. I love you and I will always be there when you need me, no matter the time or place or situation, I will always be there. I don't care where I may be or how I'm feeling, you will never ever be alone got it?" Lacey nodded a yes.
"Knock knock" all three girls turned to the door way to see Detective Barretta. "I hope I'm not interrupting. Ms. Carlson I'm Detective Barretta and I've been working on your case"
"Any luck finding Ian?" Lacey asked.
"Yes, we picked him up this morning sneaking back to his apartment" Barretta replied. "He's being booked as we speak"
"Good" Lacey replied. "Least he won't be able to do this to anyone else"
"No, Mr. Walker has quite the track record, I'm sure he won't be hurting anyone for quite a while" Barretta said.
"He's lucky" Katie mumbled.
"Well I should be going" the detective said before turning and walking from the room.
"Hey!" Katie called after the man and ran down the hall to catch up. "Thanks for what you did last night, there is no telling what I- just thanks"
"No problem" Barretta replied. "It's funny, I just felt like I had to keep you from finding Ian, like I was meant to do it or something" Katie looked at the man with a small grin.
"Well maybe you were" Katie replied. "Maybe you were supposed to keep me on the right path so to speak"
"Maybe" The detective said. "Here call me if you need some help staying on the right path." Detective Barretta handed Katie his card before turning around. Katie watched as he inched further and further away.
Hey!" Katie called once more. Barretta turned to face her again. "What's your first name Detective Barretta?" He smiled and looked around a bit before turning back to her.
"Thomas, it's Thomas" he said and she quirked an eye brow and shrugged.
"Well see you around Tommy" Katie said before turning around and heading back to Lacey's room.
"It's Thomas!" he called after her.
"I like Tommy better" She called back not even turning to face him.
After making sure Lacey was settle back in her dorms Katie returned to the college Library. She walked back into the section where she and Cas had arrived. She looked around and made sure no one was around. She opened her mouth to call him, but before she could even say his name, he was standing there in front of her.
"You know that is still weird" Katie said looking up at him.
"So you are ready to return?" Cas asked.
"Wait, Thomas Barretta, he's like Richie isn't he?" Katie asked.
"Yes, it seems my father has chosen another to help you along your path" Cas replied.
"Does he know?" Katie asked.
"No, he's is supposed to help without any outside interference from anyone" Cas replied. "All his doings will be from his heart"
"Good, because I don't want another repeat of what happened to Richie" Katie said. She looked around once more before turning back to Cas. "Coast is clear, so let's get going"
"I must send you back alone" Cas replied. "There's a lot happening , since my father's absence and I am needed"
"Ok" Katie nodded. "I'm not going to feel nauseous again am I?"
"I'm afraid so" Cas said before placing a finger to Katie's forehead, Katie coughed violently as she wrapped one hand around her stomach. She looked up to see she was in a hallway, standing in front of a door. The door was cracked open. Katie slowly grabbed the doorknob and opened to door. She was shocked to see the body of a man, a sherriff lying on the floor.
"You're not real!" Katie heard Dean yell. Katie looked up to see a double door. Katie ran over to try and open it but it was locked. Katie pounded on door.
"Dean! Open the door" Katie continued to pound. She stopped when she heard Dean cry out in pain. "Dean!" Katie took a step back and then with all of her might slammed into the door. It hurt like hell but none of that matter. The door didn't budge. She stepped back a little further and once again slammed her body into the door. She heard wood cracking. She heard Dean's cries getting faint. Katie took a few more steps back and with all the strength she could muster, ran slamming through the door. She looked down to see Dean laying on the ground with his hand on his chest not moving. Katie ran over to him and climbed on top of him. She placed her ear to chest but she couldn't hear his heart beating.
"No! not again, Dean wake up" Katie started shaking him. She then began pumping his chest hoping CPR would work but it was. Katie felt tears streaming down her face. This couldn't be happening. All those feelings of loneliness, and sadness came flooding back to Katie. She felt her heart breaking as she looked down at Dean's unmoving body.
"You can't leave me again, you promised!" Katie yelled. She laid her head on Dean's chest and closed her eyes. "Please" she whispered. And suddenly she hears it. Badump….Badump…Badump. She opens her eyes and lifts her head to see Dean looking back up at her. After a moment Katie finally stood to her feet and quickly wiped the tears from her face, before grabbing her arm. Dean stood to his feet and took a step towards her but she stepped back. Dean turned and saw the door that was now busted it open then looked back at Katie.
"You're hurt" Dean said.
"And you died again" Katie replied gripping her arm. The pain was starting to catch up with her, and everything was starting to hurt. Dean could see the pain and the fear in her eyes.
"I know but I'm here, I'm ok" Dean replied taking a step closer, but Katie stepped back once again.
"We need to get out of here" Katie replied walking past him, out of the room.
Soon they were got in contact with Bobby and Sam. Sam scared the ghost to death, finally breaking Dean's ghost sickness. They all met back up right outside of town.
"So you guys road-hauled a ghost with a chain?" Dean asked grabbing some beers from the car. He handed one to Sam.
"Iron chain etched with spell work." Sam replied.
"Hmm, that's a new one." Dean said shaking his head.
"It was what he was most afraid of. It was pretty brutal, though." Sam said.
"On the upside, I'm still alive, so uh, go team!" Dean replied with a cheery smile.
"Yeah. How you feeling, by the way?" Sam asked.
"Fine." Dean says taking a drink of his beer.
"You sure, Dean? 'Cause this line of work can get awful scary." Bobby said looking over at Dean.
"I'm fine. You want to go hunting? I'll hunt. I'll kill anything." Dean responded on the offensive.
"Awwww, he's adorable." Bobby replied. "I got to get out of here. You boys drive safe." Bobby turns to see Katie standing off on the other side of the road with her back facing them. "See ya later girly" He called Katie turned around and gave a wave and a small smile as Bobby walks over and gets in his car.
"Hey, thanks Bobby" Sam says.
"Hey Bobby" Dean ran over and leaned down into the window. "You find out anything, about you know?"
"Right, almost forgot" Bobby reached over to the passenger seat and picked up a big folder. "Here, that's all I could find on Elizabeth Sullivan" Bobby handed Dean the folder and when Dean grabbed it, Bobby still held on tight. "You be careful with her boy, she's no one to play with" Dean just nodded and Bobby released the folder. He gave one final nod before pulling off. Dean walked over to the trunk and opened it, sliding the folder under his weapons.
"What's that about?" Sam asked.
"I'll tell you later" Dean replied slowing lowering the trunk. He walked back over to the side of the impala and stood next to Sam.
"So uh...so, what did you see? Near the end, I mean." Sam asked.
"Oh, besides a cop beating my ass?" Dean asked taking a sip of his beer.
"Seriously." Sam says. Dean looks up at Sam and sees a yellow in his eyes.
"Howler monkeys. Whole roomful of them. Those things creep the hell out of me." Dean says hoping Sam believe the lie.
"Right." Sam says taking a sip of his beer.
"No, just the usual stuff, Sammy. Nothing I can't handle." Dean replied. Sam turned to see Katie, her back facing them again.
"She tell you what happened with Lacey?" Sam asked.
"No, not yet" Dean says glancing over at Katie as well. "But she isn't saying much of anything to me since she found me"
"You were dead Dean" Sam replied. "That's all she saw. I guess all that crap she was feeling before, all the stuff she thought she'd got over, came back"
"Yeah, now it just feels like we're going backwards" Dean replied. He glanced over at Sam who had one of his looks. "What?"
"I think I may be able to help" Sam replied. "Where are the keys?" Dean reached in his pocket and handed Sam the keys. He wasn't sure what this plan was, but he was willing to do anything at this point. He watched as Sam climbed into the driver's side of the impala and started the engine. Dean glanced over at Katie to see her watching as well.
"Sam what are you doing?" Dean asked. Sam looked up at him and smiled.
"Helping" he replied before pulling off. Dean and Katie watch the retreating impala in shock. After a moment they realize Sam wasn't coming back and look at each other.
"What the hell?" Katie snapped. "Where's he going?"
"He wanted to help" Dean replied. "I guess that meant giving us some time alone" Katie growled and just started walking. "Where are you going?"
"To find Sam and kick his gigantor ass" Katie replied. Dean grinned a bit. He quickly caught up to her. They walked in silence for a while.
"So are you just not going to talk to me?" Dean asked.
"What is there to talk about Dean" Katie huffed, Dean just sped up and stepped in front of her. She tried to move around him, but he wouldn't let her pass. "Move!"
"No, not until you talk" Dean replied.
"I don't want to talk Dean, I just want to not be in the middle of nowhere" Katie tried once again to get around Dean, but he wouldn't let her pass. Katie was getting more and more annoyed.
"Ok Dean if you don't move I'm seriously going to hit you" Katie snapped.
"If that's what you have to do to make yourself feel better then go ahead" Dean replied.
"Really, you do know I hit harder than the average girl don't you?" Katie asked.
"I'm aware" Dean replied. "Just not the face, that's my money maker" Katie just folded her arms, not amused by his humor. "Talk to me" Katie just shook her head and tried to move pass him again, but this time Dean grabbed by the arms and pulled her back in front of him. Katie pulled out of his grasp and to his surprise she shoved him.
"You want me to talk fine!" Katie snapped. "You freaking died again Dean" She shoved him again. "I sat there and I looked at you dead, again and it happened again." Dean watched as tears filled her eyes. "You promised me, you promised and then you just died" Katie stopped hitting Dean and looked up at him, tears falling down her face. Dean came to bring his arms around her but she stopped him "No I'm not done" She turned "Dean so much is happening all at once, and sometimes I feel like I can't even breath" She turned back to look him. "We have to figure how to stop the end of the world, there are demons trying to kill slash figure me out, my sister just got out of the hospital because of her abusive boyfriend, oh oh my brother in law has been using his demon powers, my mother in more or less words told me she never wanted me and then you-" Katie pointed a finger at Dean. "You have the nerve to die on me AGAIN!" She yelled. "So you know what I'm not fine, I'm a wreck. I'm sad, and angry and I just want you to stay here, alive ok?" Dean nodded. "Ok now the hugs" Katie said and Dean walked over and brought his arms around her. Katie squeezed him tight. "No more dying" Katie said as she pulled from the hug and leaned her forehead against Dean's.
"No more dying" Dean repeated. Katie brought her lips to Dean's and kissed him gently. He brings his hands to the sides of her face and kisses her deeply. His hand moves down her arms and grabs her hip bringing her closer to him.
"Ow ow" Katie says pulling from the kiss.
"Did I hurt you?" Dean asked looking down at Katie.
"No the door hurt me" Katie replied before hitting Dean on the arm.
"What was that for?" Dean asked.
"I freaking broke down a door for you" Katie said.
"Thanks" Dean said smiling. Katie playfully turned away from him. He just came from behind her and lifted her off the ground and began carrying her bridal style. "My woman doesn't walk when she is hurting" Dean said and Katie laughed.
"Dean I can walk" Katie replied.
"No, nothing but the best for my princess" Dean replied.
"Dean where are we going?" Katie asked looking ahead of them.
"I have no idea" Dean replied. "I think I may help you beat Sammy ass for doing this"
"He's gonna come back right?" Katie asked.
"He better come back" Dean replied. "He has my car" Katie rolled her eyes.
"Dean there's something I want to know" Katie said. "Who do you care about more, me or that car?"
"Don't ask questions, you won't like the answers to babe" Dean replied and Katie playfully hit him on the shoulder.
"Not funny" Katie replied laughing. "I have nightmares that you leave me, and it's not for another woman either, but for that car" Dean laughed.
"Yeah I married a weird one" Dean replied. "So do you mind if I put you down now?"
"I thought nothing but the best for your princess?" Katie replied.
"Yeah, but I think you been eating too much of the caramel corn" Dean replied. Katie gasped and jump out of Dean's arms.
"You're one to talk" Katie said poking Dean's belly.
"Please I'm in the best shape of my life" Dean replied.
"And what shape is that, a circle babe" Katie said laughing. She ran and hopped on Dean's back. "You will carry me, and you will like it"
"Yes Ma'am" Dean replied laughing as he moved his hands to her thighs.
A/N: There you have it. So what did you think? Did you like Barretta? We will see more of him in later chapters. As always please review!