Sara hadn't noticed before how loud the ticking of the grandfather clock in the living room was until she sat there in complete silence, unsure what to say. She had asked Jody and the girls for some privacy, but now she wished she'd asked them to stay, even though she was positive Jody was right on the other side of the kitchen door with the rifle she kept hidden in the pantry.

Crowley was a patient man, she observed. He wasn't bothered by the fact that she hadn't say a word in fifteen minutes. He just sat there in the arm chair across the coffee table, looking at her. Sara didn't look at him directly, but could feel his eyes on her.

"You look quite like your mother," Crowley finally said.

Sara forced herself to look at him, and noticed right away they had the exact same colored eyes. She swallowed. "She said I looked like my grandmother."

"No, fortunately you don't look anything like that whore," Crowley said. "Well, a bit. The hair, perhaps. But the rest of you is Regina. Except for my eyes, of course."

"Why did you leave?" Sara was surprised at the first question out of her mouth.

Crowley looked as though he'd been expecting this question. "Do you really need to ask?"

"Yes."

He leaned back, lacing his fingers together. "What have they told you about me?"

"Not much," she admitted. "That you're a demon. And the King of Hell. And that you tried to kill Jody. And Dean. And Sam. And Castiel . . ."

"So nothing good, then?"

"No."

"Well, then they're probably right." His eyes moved over her, examining her for a moment. "I'm going to be very blunt with you. When I met your mother I had no intentions of staying with her. It was a fling and she ended up pregnant, which I thought I could use to my advantage – a half demon, half child is a very powerful thing. I never meant to get attached to Regina. It's a dangerous thing for someone in my . . . particular line of work to do, getting attached to a human. Then after she had you, I decided to let things lie until you were old enough. But your mother died and I couldn't take you. So I left you there."

"My life was horrible," Sara replied. "Orphanages and foster homes. One time I thought a couple was going to adopt me. They chose a baby instead. It was awful."

"I imagine so."

"Are you sorry?"

"No."

"Why?"

His eyes danced with something odd – pride, perhaps. "Because it made you strong."

Sara looked away, crossing her arms.

"How long have you known that you're different?" Crowley asked.

"A few months," she said quietly. "I knew regular people didn't have nightmares as detailed as mine. Things are getting worse. I broke a lamp the other night. With my mind. And yesterday . . ." she shook her head. "My eyes turned black."

"Your powers are developing," Crowley nodded. "I figured that would be happening around this time. I even sent my men to keep an eye on you, but you were too smart for that. But I want to know about anything . . . else."

Sara frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I mean," he said, leaning forward a bit. "Have you had any odd visions? Heard voices?"

She shook her head. "No. Well, I mean, there's the headaches, but I supposed that just came from the stress."

"Headaches?" he asked, intrigued.

"Yeah," she said, tucking some hair behind her ear. "They're really sharp. Right behind my eyes. There's like this high pitched ringing noise, and then they go away."

"I see." He was frowning, and his brow furrowed the exact way Sara's did.

"Am I . . . will I turn into a demon?" she asked.

"No," he replied, standing, and she stood as well. "You're as much human as you are demon. You'll keep your humanity, darling. Don't fret over that. If these . . . headaches continue, I want you to call me."

"You're not taking me with you?" Sara was surprised.

Crowley raised an eyebrow. "I didn't come here to kidnap you, Sara. I came here to see you. I'll stop and check in when I can. Jody, love," he called, and Jody emerged from the kitchen, looking suspicious. Crowley reached into his coat pocket, and Jody tensed, but frowned when he pulled out an envelope and handed it to her. She took it.

"What's this?" she asked, opening it. Her eyes widened. "This – this is ten thousand dollars."

"Yes," Crowley said. "I suppose that will be enough for now. I'll send more next month. I've also taken the liberty of securing her citizenship and her records are in the mail for you. You're her official guardian now." He looked at Sara. "As for you, I don't want you leaving this house alone. And you should carry a weapon on you. I took care of those angels who were following you, but more might come, and you should all be prepared."

"You're just going to leave again?" Sara demanded. "You show up after seventeen years, and you're just going to leave again? Demon or not, you're still my father. I . . . it's not fair. I don't even know you. I don't even know if I want to know you. But, if I'm this half demon thing like you say, I should at least be able to defend myself, and it's your responsibility to teach me. Besides . . ." she hesitated. "I want to hear more about mum."

Crowley raised his eyebrows at her little outburst, and looked at Jody, who didn't look at all pleased but gave him a little half shrug and a look like "What can I do?"

"Okay, then," he said, turning to Sara. "Thursday evening. I'll be back then and I'll show you how to use your powers."

"Good," she said.

He looked at for a long moment, lifting her chin gently and examining her. Sara was surprised she didn't feel the need or want to flinch.

"Sara," he said. "I picked that name." He disappeared, and Sara blinked rapidly.

"Honey?" Jody asked softly as Sara walked towards the other side of the living room, arms crossed tightly over her chest. "Sara?"

Sara swallowed her tears, but couldn't hold it anymore. "Jody," she said, her voice breaking. "Am I a monster?"

Jody gathered her into her arms, pulling her to sit on the couch. Sara buried her head in Jody's shoulder and cried, and Jody rubbed her back and held her tightly.

"You're not a monster," Jody promised her. "You're my daughter."

Dean stopped the Impala in front of the farmhouse, bolting from the front seat, gun in hand. Sam was right behind him, and Castiel was parking behind them.

"C'mon, c'mon," Dean muttered, hoping it wasn't too late.

He felt an overwhelming sense of relief as he entered the living room. Sara was curled up against Jody, sleeping soundly. Jody had her arms around her, and was staring into the distance, like something was bothering her. She looked up when she saw Dean, pressed a finger to her lip, and gently untangled herself from Sara. She put a pillow under her head and pulled a blanket over her, before gesturing for the boys to follow her to the kitchen.

"Where are the girls?" Sam asked, shoving his pistol into his pants at the small of his back.

"Upstairs," Jody sighed, grabbing a few beers from the fridge and handing them out. "Sara just fell asleep. She's had a bit of a rough night."

"What happened?" Dean asked, frowning.

"Crowley came by," Jody said heavily, sitting down. "Guys, Crowley is her father."

"What?" Sam and Dean exclaimed.

"You're telling me," she said, taking a long drink.

"It would make sense," Castiel said slowly. "Puriel said she was more powerful than most. Crowley was already King of the Crossroads when Sara was conceived. That's a rather extensive amount of power anyway. The angels would want her alive because they would have a bargaining chip over the King of Hell."

"So, if Crowley came for her," Sam frowned. "Why is she still here?"

"He left her here," Jody said. "Gave me guardianship and ten thousand dollars. I guess he figures she'll be safe here."

"Well, he's not wrong," Dean said, and Jody smiled.

"So what do we do about Lucifer?" Sam asked.

"Whoa, wait," Jody narrowed her eyes, voice sharp. "What about Lucifer?"

"Cambions are very powerful creatures," Castiel said. "There have only ever been about six in the last four hundred years. Most didn't live past their teens – they were struck down by angels. If Lucifer was ever able to manipulate one, he could have them open the Cage – or worse."

"What do we do?" Jody asked, eyes wide.

"I can mark her," Castiel said. "Hide her from angels. But that is only a temporary solution. Lucifer will have felt the emergence of a Cambion, and he has nothing to do in the Cage but search. Eventually, he will find her."

"Crowley said something about teaching her to protect herself," Jody mentioned. "He's coming back Thursday."

"Alright," Sam sighed. "We'll give him a call and get a heads up. Until then, he'll have his men stationed all over town. Guaranteed."

"Great," Jody said. "As if I didn't have enough problems, now my town is infested with demons."

"Not necessarily a bad thing this one time," Dean said reluctantly. "If he's serious about keeping her safe, he's not going to slack. And that means protection for you and the girls, too."

"Okay," Jody said. "So all I have to do is watch the King of Hell's daughter, keep Satan away, make sure Alex doesn't relapse, and try and get Claire out of the principal's office. Sounds easy."

"I do not envy you," Cas admitted.