A Family Shattered

Chapter 3

Dean-Age 24

Sam-Age 20

Katy-Age 18

Christmas 2002,

Katy sat alone in her room at the shadybrook mental institute, she'd been there since she was 12 years od. Dean had thought it was for the best at the time, and it had broken his heart to send her there. He brushed a hand through his short hair staring at the hospital in front of him, knowing that today was the day he was finally taking her out of there, he had to make this up to her. Sure he and Sammy visited twice a year, on her birthday and at Christmas but leaving her always broke their hearts, especially since without fail she would sob and beg them to take her away from there. Dean was jolted out of his thought by Sam's hand clamping down onto his shoulder gently.

"I'll take her back to Palo Alto with me Dean. You hunt, I'll take care of kitten."

The older man shook his head, he couldn't let his brother sacrifice his education to take care of their mentally unstable sibling.

"No 've got school. Kitten's my responsibility. I'll make sure we're close to you though. Gotta protect you both right?"

Sam stifled a chuckle at the fact that Dean was still playing big brother, probably always would, but still he seemed surprised by what his brother was saying, it shouldn't have surprised him though, Dean would do anything for Kitten.

"What about hunting Dean?"

Dean shrugged and sighed softly, Hunting didn't seem as important as it once did, he just looked over at Sam.

"I'll figure something out"

Dean and Sam slowly made their way to Katy's room, their hearts broke as they looked in watching their baby sister just staring out of the window like she was waiting for someone. Sam entered the room first and knelt by her chair smiling slightly.

"Merry Christmas Kitten"

She turned and looked at him with sam eyes, something wasn't right with her, he could feel it.

"You're here?"

He nodded and took her hand placing it against his cheek so she could feel for herself that he wasn't a dream.

"Yeah. Ofcourse we're here babygirl, its Christmas"

Katy nodded slightly, it disturbed sam to see her eyes looking so dull and empty.

"how long this time Sammy?"

He frowned and took her hand away from his cheek to kiss it lightly.

"Dean says its time to come home Kitten"

She turned her teary gaze to Dean, he'd almost had to look away from the jade eyes that were so much like his own 'Mom's Eyes' he thought as he looked back at his baby sister.

"He's telling the truth Kitten. I'm getting you out of here"

She simply nodded and spoke softly

"John says its time to tell you who he is"

Dean frowned and scrubbed his hands over his face

"Kitten...John's not..."

Sam gave Dean a warning look and cut him off.

"Dean, Stop. Its Ok Kitten, Tell us who John Is"

Katy smiled sweetly to her brothers and played with Sam's fingers nervously.

"John is real. He's Daddy, he stayed to take care of me"

Dean and Sam exchanged looks but didn't try to discount her story, they'd seen too much in their lives not to believe what she was telling them. Finally after a few moments of silence Dean frowned and grumbled

"sonofabitch"

Sam just looked stunned as Dean silently fumed, they hadn't seen the signs that their sister was being haunted, by their father of all people.

"Why didn't you tell us Kitten? We could have stopped him from haunting you."

The girl frowned and shook her head

"No Sammy, not Haunting, Taking care of me"

Dean looked to Sam both knowin that they would have to salt and burn John's bones, however they weren't sure of how it would affect their sister's mind. The elder Winchester sighed and headed for the door.

"get Kitten's things together Sammy. I'm gunna sign her out"

Sam nodded then kissed Katy's forehead as he got up to get her things together. Katy watched him grab random things and spoke softly.

"I need my bear Sammy, Don't forget Deanie Bear"

Sam smiled and picked up the bear that he'd bought her for her 5th birthday that she'd decided to name after Dean ofcourse, and popped it into the duffel that they had brought for her. He looked at his sister and frowned, something was wrong, usually she'd have been out of her chair hugging all over "her" boys, but after reminding sam to get her bear she had just turned towards the wall and whispered to 'John'

"No Daddy. Sammy and Deanie can't know. They will be mad at me"

Sam looked up confused, What could she have possibly done that would make them mad at her? He momentarily stopped packing and looked to her as Dean came back into the room, Sam brushed his hand through his hair.

"Kitten...What does dad want you to tell us?"

Katy shook her head and nervously started to play with her hair

"N-nothin' Sammy"

Dean frowned and looked over at his brother

"You goin' Spinny Sam?"

The dark haired man shook his head and sighed

"She told 'dad' that she couldn't tell us something because we'd be mad at her if she did"

Dean frowned and made his way over to Katy, kneeling in front of her he brushed some hair of out her face.

"Kitten...Listen, whatever Dad wants you to tell us, you can. We could never ever be mad at you baby. I promise"

Katy looked down and bit her lip

"When we go K? Not here."

Dean nodded and kissed her cheek

"Ok Kitten. When we get to the Motel"

The girl nodded and got up to change into the clothes that they'd brought her. And ten minutes later the Winchester siblings were on the road heading towards Palo Alto.

[Motel]

The three Winchesters sat in a crappy motel room, Sam&Dean sat on one bed with katy across from them on the other, Dean reached over and gently took her hand in his.

"Ok Kitten. Can you tell us now, what Dad wants you to tell us?"

The girl shook her head

"Not yet. Please don't make me Deanie"

The brothers frowned but nodded, Dean was officially worried, his baby sister was freaked out about something and she wouldn't tel them. He sighed softly and got up heading for the door.

"I need some air. I'll be back in a bit"

When he returned an hour later katy was asleep on the bed that they would share, and sam was laid out on the other one reading a text book, Only Sammy could use homework as a welcome distraction to a stressful situation. The eldest Winchester looked between his younger siblings and gently picked Katy up to move her from his side of the bed before sitting beside her sleeping form.

"She say anything Sammy?"

Sam looked up and shook his head, then looked at his brother the sadness in Sam's eyes was overwhelming even to Dean, he hated it when either of his siblings got that look, he knew he had to fix whatever was going on.

"I went to give her a hug after you left Dean, and she jumped away from me like I was going to hurt her. And then she just curled up and cried for you until she fell asleep"

Dean sighed and decided to chance the crazy, he spoke to John.

"Dad...If you're really here we need to talk to you. Please, you gotta tell us. She won't"

John thought about it a minute and then showed himself but shook his head.

"I can't tell you. Its up to her to tell you"

Dean frowned

"how do we help her dad?"

John smiled and looked at his three beautiful children a moment before turning his gaze soley on Dean.

"being with her is helping her Dean. Just look out for your Babysister. Both of you"

The boys nodded and kind of had that 'duh' look to them because looking out for her was a givin, it had been drilled into their heads since she was a baby.

"We're all she has. We'll always look out for her Dad"

John nodded and frowned looking at Katy who was now cuddled up to Dean, her hand just under his shirt on his stomach.

"She's been through alot that I couldn't protect her from boys. But once she tells you, you'll be able to protect her better"

Dean nodded and sighed as he brushed a hand through his sister's hair, as John disappeared again, Dean looked to Sam.

"I need to know that you're gonna have my back, taking care of her"

Sam looked at him and nodded.

"I've got your back Dean. Anything to Protect her"