Hey there everyone! I'm going to wrap this up in a few chapter with end of season 11 and pick up with part 2 when season 12 starts!
Just to give you a little idea, Part 2 of this story will be dealing heavily on how the girls help in the search for Sam, how they all adjust to their new relationships - while possibly making some new ones - and how they take up arms to defend (or ally?) themselves against Lucifer. All while getting through senior year of high school!
Stay tuned for great things and thanks for staying loyal!
Sara yawned, and sighed heavily. Her father had ordered her to stay in bed as much as possible but if there was one thing Sara was bad at, it was sitting still. For the past three days she'd done nothing but sleep, read some books her father and Sam had brought her, watch some bad TV, and chat with Claire and Alex, who were also healing. Sara's legs ached to get out and stretch, and she made up her mind – she needed to walk around, and she was getting her appetite back. Her father had left a the day before to "deal with some things" and Sam and Dean were out looking for a Hand, so there was no one to make her go back to bed – if she could avoid Jody, anyway.
She slowly sat up, her shoulder pulsing with pain but she ignored it, carefully pulling on a clean t-shirt and shorts and shoving her feet into some slippers. She was sore, but ignored that too as she made her way out of her room and towards the kitchen.
She frowned when she heard voices coming from in there. She had wanted to avoid Jody, but her stomach growled, so she pushed the door open.
The smell of something delicious hit her immediately and she almost drooled over the rich scent. Jody was leaning against the counter, beer in hand, while a woman Sara had never seen before stirred some soup on the stove. She was around Jody's age, with honey blonde hair that was pulled back into a ponytail. She was dressed similarly to Jody, in a button up shirt and jeans, and Sara noticed a Sheriff's jacket draped over a chair. She was smiling, and had one of the kindest faces Sara had ever seen.
Jody glanced at Sara, putting her beer down. "Hey, honey," she said gently. "You should be in bed. Claire and Alex are napping."
Sara grimaced. "I'd rather take a maths test than spend one more moment in that bed," she replied.
Jody smiled, laying her hand on her surrogate daughter's cheek gently. "Hungry?"
"Starved."
"Well, you're in luck," Jody said. "Donne makes the best chicken soup."
The woman smiled at Sara, and Sara blinked in surprise when she enveloped her in a gentle embrace. "Hi there, kiddo," she said, releasing her. "Jody's been telling me all about you. You have a seat there and I'll get you a bowl."
Sara nodded gratefully, sitting at the table as Donna ladled some soup into a bowl. Sara pushed some hair behind her ear and smiled at Donna as she slid the bowl in front of her. "Is Dad here?" Sara asked Jody, picking up her spoon and slowly wrapping her fingers around it – the burns on her hands were painful, but she was healing quickly, leaving her joints feeling stiff and heavy.
"He came back this morning but you were sleeping and he didn't want to wake you," Jody replied, sitting across from Sara. Donna sat, too, opening her own beer. "Gavin went with him."
Sara nodded. "Sam and Dean?"
"Should be here anytime now," Jody continued, glancing at her watch. "Sam started bleeding again so Dean stopped to stitch him back up."
As if on cue, the heavy steel door could be heard creaking open, and then slamming shut as heavy footsteps rang through the bunker, as well as what sounded like a mild argument between the Winchester brothers.
". . . don't need anymore rest, Dean. I don't need to sleep, I need a beer and the new episode of Game of Thrones."
"Dude, you're such a nerd."
"So you're not watching it then?"
"I didn't say that . . ."
The kitchen door opened, and the boys entered, stopping and looking surprised.
"Donna," Dean said, looking as though he were in shock.
Donna beamed and jumped up in excitement, unable to contain herself. "Ohhh, hey you guys!" she exclaimed, moving forward to hug Dean, who hugged back but still looked shell shocked. She moved to give Sam a gentle squeeze and kiss on the cheek. "How ya feeling, Sam?"
"Had worse," he smiled at her. "It's good to see you."
"You look great," Dean blurted out, and everyone looked at him. He swallowed, looking embarrassed.
Donna blushed, but looked thoroughly pleased. "Yeah, well, I dropped a few pounds, started working out. Figured I should keep in shape if I'm gonna have to be fighting the monsters and such."
"You're hunting?" Sam asked, raising his eyebrows.
"Oh, no, not really," she said, waving her hand and sitting back down. "Not like you two. But if I catch wind of something in my neck of the woods I'll check it out. Took out a few vampires and a real ugly looking fella up in the mountains. Tall, pale, had big claws and teeth." She wrinkled her nose. "Had to improvise with some gasoline, motor oil, a box of matches and an old Dr. Pepper bottle, but he went down eventually."
"Well, congratulations," Dean said, opening a cabinet and grabbing a bottle of whiskey and some shot glasses. "Hunter custom to take a shot for your first Wendigo kill."
He poured the shots for everyone, save for Sara, who sipped on her juice as the adults knocked back the alcohol, most making faces at the pungent taste.
"Sara, you look like hell, kiddo," Dean said, sitting down next to her. "How you holding up?"
"I'm okay," she admitted. "I heal fast."
"That's not what I meant."
Sara stared at the table, not looking at anyone. She suddenly felt very self-conscious, everyone's eyes were on her. Her face burned with embarrassment and shame.
She was surprised when someone laid their hand gently over hers, and looking up, she realized it was Sam. Something in his eyes made her feel less alone, and she relaxed a bit.
"I know what it's like to be victimized by Lucifer," he told her. "And I know it's not any easier with it being Cas."
Sara nodded, her face still burning. "I think I'm going to go have a shower," she said quietly, standing. "Thank you for the soup, Donna. Welcome home, boys." She briskly made her way out of the kitchen.
Jody sighed, rubbing her temples. "I'm worried about my girls," she said. "Claire's been so angry about Castiel and Lucifer. Sara's getting sicker and weaker. And I'm at least eighty percent sure Alex is keeping something from me."
"Duh," Dean said, and Sam nodded.
Jody frowned. "Do you two know something?" she demanded, eyes narrowed.
"I know that Alex has a boyfriend," Dean continued, taking a drink of beer. Again, Sam nodded.
Jody looked shocked. "What? How can you two possibly know that?"
"Because I know what a lovesick teenager looks like," Dean continued, as though it were obvious. "Hell, I grew up keeping relationships from Dad."
"And I grew up keeping them from Dean," Sam agreed.
"What?" Dean frowned.
"But why wouldn't she tell me?" Jody asked, looking offended. "The girls have always come to me with boy problems before."
"Simple," Dean said, leaning back in his chair. "Whoever she's smitten with is either someone you wouldn't approve of, a whole lot older, or a chick."
Jody frowned again. "Alex knows better than to assume I would hold dating a girl against her. So that means she's with someone older or that I wouldn't approve of?" She put her head in her hands. "How am I supposed to handle supernatural problems and normal teenage problems at the same time?"
"Just give her some time," Donna said sympathetically. "She'll come 'round."
The sound of the door scraping open interrupted the conversation, as well as yet another argument.
"Why does it matter? I'm a grown man, Da, I don't need you to tell me what to do."
"I'm not telling you what to do, son, I'm giving you a warning, and a serious one at that."
"No offense but I don't think it's an especially good idea to take advice from the man who used to lock me in the barn at night."
"Well, if you'd been home by curfew . . ."
Dean rolled his eyes and mumbled something vulgar under his breath. The door opened and Crowley entered.
"Working hard, I see," he remarked.
"Yeah, you look like you're doing so much better," Dean snapped, pouring more whiskey into his glass.
"I've got a lead," Crowley retorted, pouring a glass for himself.
"Okay, you're getting way to comfortable here," Sam said in annoyance.
Crowley raised his eyebrows, though, ignoring Sam as he caught sight of Donna. "And who is this stunning young thing?" he asked, dialing up the charm and gently kissing Donna's hand.
Donna giggled girlishly, turning bright red at the gesture. "Oh, gosh," she blushed.
"Don't hold your breath, Donna, he's a demon," Dean said, looking a tad jealous.
Donna squeaked, yanking her hand away and delivering a swift slap to Crowley's cheek.
"He's also Sara's dad," Jody remarked, taking a drink of beer.
Donna gasped in embarrassment, grasping Crowley's hand. "I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed. "You have a lovely daughter."
"I'm not sure if I should be offended or amused at the moment," Crowley remarked, sipping his whiskey before pulling a face. "What is this, piss?"
"Cheap," Dean corrected. "So what's this lead you have anyway? Sam and I'll check it out."
"No, actually, you won't," Crowley replied. "It's in Saudi Arabia. I'll go, you and Jolly Green stay here on Lucifer Watch." He paused. "And, there is one more thing."
"Of course there is," Dean huffed.
"It's come to my attention that my mother is not as dead as I believed," he continued. "I don't know where she is or what she's up to. Do not under any circumstances let her near Sara."
"Why is it the only ones that ever stay dead are the good guys?" Dean complained.
"We don't stay dead," Sam reminded his brother.
"Yeah," Dean said darkly, taking another drink of beer. "Maybe says a lot about us, don't it?"
"Indeed," Crowley agreed, sitting his glass down. "I'll be off, then."
"Hold on just a second," Dean said, and Crowley frowned, raising an eyebrow.
"Sam and I got something to talk to you about," Dean continued, standing. Sam stood, too.
Crowley's curiosity was piqued, but then again, so was his suspicion. "Fine," he said. "If you'll excuse us, ladies." He exited the kitchen, walking out of earshot of the women, and turned to face the brothers. "What's this about?"
"We did some digging," Dean started.
Crowley frowned. "Into what, exactly?" he demanded, narrowing his eyes.
"Into Regina's death," Sam replied, and Crowley felt an overwhelming sense of anger and grief, and also a flutter of nervousness.
"What gave you the right –"
"Something in the story just didn't add up," Dean cut him off, crossing his arms. "An animal attack is what the official cause of death was ruled as. But that didn't seem to make any sense, see? Regina was attacked on her way home from work and her body was found in the woods. Sam did some research – Regina didn't work anywhere near the woods and her car was found still at her work. Now you tell me – how did she end up miles away, in the woods, without her car?"
"I made some calls," Sam continued. "When Regina was found it was ruled that she died from her injuries – from a deep gash through her abdomen. Seemed familiar to Dean and me."
"Really familiar," Dean agreed.
Crowley could have snapped their necks and stepped over the bodies without flinching. "Exactly what are you implying?"
"We're not implying anything," Sam said. "We're telling you that we know what really killed Regina – and we think you do, too."
"Even if you had any idea what you were talking about, you both know as well as I do that the problem has been taken care of," the demon said with finality in his tone.
"You really think it's fair, keeping the truth from Sara like that?" Dean frowned, sounding more concerned now.
"I think it would upset her," Crowley retorted. "There are some things, besides for the obvious, I wish to protect her from. So as far as I'm concerned – and as far as you're concerned – Regina's death was an accident. Tragic, yes. But an accident nevertheless. Now, Moose, you're in my way."
Sam and Dean glanced at each other, but they knew he was right this time – Crowley was a no good, untrustworthy son of a bitch, but he was also Sara's father, and they had to respect his wishes. With a slight sigh, Sam stepped aside, and the King of Hell showed himself out.