I'm back! (For now) Here's another chapter! And at some point in this story it will switch to Andie's point of view and remain there—I'm just trying to explain background right now and this is the easiest way to do it without boring y'all to death. As always, review!

~wwsadd

And it's Not Thank You

(Sam's PoV)

So I'm just gonna come out and say it. I don't remember my mom. I mean, I was only a baby when she died, and Dad and Dean aren't exactly the world's best replacements for a happy family.

I got used to the constant moving, the really bad food, and the ridiculous pace at which I was forced to switch schools. I trusted Dean to have my back—even if dad was about as present as Santa Claus most of the time.

But it still made me sad. I could see how lonely my big brother was. He was stuck with me 24/7 and had to hunt ghosts and stuff on top of that. My dad didn't get him…expected him to be a soldier. He never got to be a kid.

I remember the first time he snuck out of our motel room to go…well, do whatever it was he was doing with the blonde bimbo from first period. I didn't ask him about it, and he didn't share. Mostly because we both knew that I didn't want to know.

So I was shocked when he brought Andie home with him. I could see in the way he looked at her that this was different than with all the other girls. From the minute I met her, I could see how well the two of them fit together. She was tough, worldly, and quick. He needed someone that could keep up with our crazy life, and he found her.

Imagine me and Dad's surprise that she came from the same family as what Dean was supposed to be hunting. That deal she made with Dad though… showed just how much of a Winchester she was… deep down anyway.

First it was great. Andie was funny and smart and wasn't afraid to put Dad in his place. For a while it was like we were one big happy family—something I'd never felt before—something that was wonderful. And seeing her and Dean together… made even my dad, the John Winchester, ease up on his Marine Corps bull crap. Like maybe the world wasn't coming to an end.

Dean taught her how to shoot; rifles, pistols, crossbows—all that good stuff. Dad taught her how to rewire credit cards and forge IDs. I taught her how to live in the cramped back seat of Dean's stupid car without killing someone. It was awesome. Because she taught us how to be a family.

But, sadly, if there's anything I've learned in my short life, it's that good things never last. And this good thing came to an end one day in early spring.

The door slammed open, letting the glaring sunlight into the dingy dark hotel room. "No! It's not okay this time!" The petite dark-haired girl hollered. She flung the small revolver on the empty worn chair in the corner and spun to face her livid boyfriend.

"Don't get all high and mighty on me, D. You can't question every goddamn decision I make—I know what I'm doing!" He growled back, shoving the door shut, the grimy windows rattling.

The two other people in the room watched with wide eyes. "I don't know how many times I have to tell you this, Dean. The world is not black and white! If you keep making "decisions" like the one you made back there," she said, lifting her fingers and making angry air quotes, " then you can literally kiss me goodbye." She snapped, stomping her foot.

A thick silence descended. No one spoke. No one breathed. They all knew the girl had made a deal. But it was a deal as leverage—a deal that sealed her fate in her choice of lifestyle, not her choice of life partner. The two didn't break eye contact—deep hazel held the bright green.

"Fine. But I'm not sure I want to kiss you." He snarled, yanking the door back open and disappearing through it.

The girl turned, her eyes shining with the tears she held back. "I'm sorry John. We just don't… mesh anymore. I think it's time for us to stop being partners. He's no Batman and I'm tired of pretending to be Robin." She sighed, causing the younger boy to laugh once and then stare guiltily at the floor.

The older man nodded, resigned. "I thought it might come to this… you two spent every waking second together for three months; you were bound to get sick of his bull shit sooner or later." He replied, getting heavily to his feet. "I'll write you out directions for your next hunt this afternoon. I hope you're ready to fly solo, kid." He continued gravely. She nodded wordlessly.

The young boy's eyes went wide. Not because she was leaving, he expected that—everyone left sooner or later—but she actually let him call her kid without putting up a fight about it. Now that was scary.

Andie wasn't gone for good. She checked in basically all the time. But if you ask me, it was mostly to convince Dad that she was keeping her deal. Not that she needed to convince him; he was always lecturing Dean on not living up to the same standards that Andie was setting. Apparently she was better at Dean's job than he was. Dean didn't like that too much.

I adjusted to her absence; just as I always adjusted. But I missed my family.

… … ... …

(Andie's PoV)

I wondered idly how long my brother could go without breathing. I knew it would be only another few seconds before his face started turning purple; however, I was more concentrated on Aaron at the moment. That damn fool didn't know what he was getting himself into.

"Wow; babe, you look…" I didn't let him finish his sentence. I wasn't about to let him start pushing me around again. This ended. Now.

Taking the hand I had pressed against Caleb's chest, I clenched my fist and swung at Aaron's face with all my might. I felt my knuckles split open, but that wasn't nearly as disturbing as the feel of his cheek bone fracturing as my hand connected with his face. I had momentarily forgotten how fragile humans are. He went down so fast that even I was surprised. Kira screamed, and for a moment I thought she might faint.

"Oh. My. God. What is your damage?" She screeched, falling to her knees next to her pansy-ass boyfriend.

I laughed. "Kira, don't ask questions you don't want to know the answers to." I quipped, replying automatically. The familiarity of the words brought me up short, and I turned to face my still-silent older brother.

I wanted to say something to him, really, I did. But my mind was in total chaotic confusion. He was the same. He hadn't changed one single bit. But I had. And I had no idea how to even start apologizing for it.

"Caleb… I—" I started, but then trailed off. Luckily the Ipswich Police chose that moment to make their appearance.

"Guys, cops up on Old Dell Road!" A voice I couldn't identify rang out over the sound system. People scattered like marbles.

Wordlessly Caleb grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the trees. Pogue was right behind us, and I could hear Reid and Tyler hurrying to keep up behind him. I kept my head down, my eyes trained on the ground in front of me. We made it to Ty's Hummer unbelievably quickly. Caleb yanked open the door to the backseat and all but shoved me inside. "Jesus Caleb, calm the fuck down." I muttered, scooting over so there was room for him to climb in behind me.

… … … … …

(Kate's PoV)

Sarah and I ran toward where she had parked. "Who was that?" She whispered loudly. I sighed. I was still in shock—as I'm sure the boys were too; they had all but disappeared.

"Caleb's little sister Andie. We haven't seen her in months." I said shortly, knowing I'd give her a far more detailed explanation later. I had seen the way Sarah's eyes lit up when Caleb had introduced himself, and I knew she was interested. But if there's one thing that she needed to know about in order to get close to him, it was D. She defined Caleb in more ways than one.

"They looked like they'd seen a ghost." She remarked, flinging open the driver-side door of her car and hopping in. I gestured to the new guy, who seemed to be looking for a ride before climbing into the passenger seat.

"They probably thought they had. None of us knew she was back." I explained. New Guy got in the back seat as Sarah attempted to start the engine. It made a horrifying snarling noise, before spluttering to a silent stop.

"Uh oh." She mumbled, and we all tensed when we heard the sirens behind us. I stuck my head out the open window.

"Yo Pogue, her car won't start!" I hollered. If he left us here I was going to kill him. I fully expected him to help us out—he spent more time on that damn motorcycle than he did with me, and he should put those skills to some actual use.

Instead Andie stumbled out of the Hummer. I heard her brother shout at her to get back in the car, but she dashed over and asked Sarah to pop the hood. It literally took her thirty seconds.

"Try to start it again." She called. We all cheered when it started, and the next thing I knew she was in the backseat next to New Guy. "Drive." She ordered tersely. Sarah didn't need to be told twice. We tore through the trees, making it quickly back to the highway.

I turned in my seat to look at my long-lost best friend. "So… uh… what the hell?" I managed to ask.

… … … … …

(Andie's PoV)

I laughed. Mostly I was just relieved to be out of Ty's Hummer. That was about to be the most disastrous car ride in the history of the world. Plus, now I was sitting next to my new friend. So much better.

"Well, geez Kate, if that's how you feel I can leave." I quipped. She glared, but couldn't keep her face straight and quickly cracked a smile.

"You're the same old pain in the ass I see." She replied lightly. I stuck my tongue out. "Sarah Wenham, this is Andie Danvers. D, this is my roommate Sarah…" She trailed off. I could feel the uncomfortable silence descend, so I smiled brightly and waved.

"Hi! It's really nice to meet you. Kate can be kind of a drama queen sometimes. If you ever need help convincing her to take her meds, I'm your girl." I told her, causing everyone to erupt in another bought of laughter. It was so good to be back here, even if the pain in my chest was still there—it was at least bearable now that I was away from my brother.

The darkly handsome boy next to me cleared his throat, reminding me it was my turn to make introductions. "Oh. Chase Collins, this is Kate Tunney, and…Sarah. Girls, this is Chase; apparently my new partner in keeping the peace at Spenser." I joked.

Chase chuckled. "Ladies… pleasure." He said, eyes twinkling even in the dark interior of the car. "So… what exactly was that back there?" He asked, shifting to face me. I sighed, and added an eye roll for good measure.

"That was my idiot older brother and his bigger idiot arch-nemesis Aaron Abbot. My suggestion would be to keep your distance from both of them—it's not a good idea to get in the middle of their little squabbles." I explained.

He laughed quietly. "Isn't that what you just did?" He asked, arching an eyebrow quizzically.

I laughed too. "Well sure, but that was only to save your ass." I lied; causing him to smirk mischievously at me.

"Looks like I owe you one then." He replied, his voice dropping an octave.

I winked, playing along. "Don't you forget it." I ordered, cheerful that this was visit was turning out exactly as planned.