Chapter 2
She pulled into Bobby's driveway just as the sun was coming up. Bobby was out in the yard packing his car up and there was no sign of Racheal, yet. Katie shook her head at the state of Bobby's car as she got out of her jeep and walked over to help the older hunter.
"What's that look for?" Bobby asked.
"You really should let me fix that thing up." Katie said waving her hand at the old Charger.
"Hey. The engine in this thing is brand new." Bobby said, a little insulted.
"Yeah, but the outside looks like crap. Even for a Dodge." Katie said, trying to hide a smile. She just loved ribbing Bobby about his car.
"You shut your mouth. Not all of us have the talent for cars you and that brother of yours has." Bobby snapped. "Plus I ain't got time to make her pretty. I got a business to run, a daughter to raise, and an occasional hunt to do."
Katie didn't attempt to hide her smile this time as Bobby finally looked up at her while closing his trunk. She burst out laughing as Bobby patted the lid after he closed it and headed for the house.
"Damn kids." Bobby grumbled. "You comin' in or what?"
"Alright, alright." Katie said as she threw her hands up in mock surrender. "I'll behave."
"I doubt that." Bobby said as he held open the screen door for her. "You may not use the name Gracie girl, but you're all Winchester."
"So you keep reminding me." Katie replied sullenly as she walked into the kitchen.
Katie walked over to the coffee pot and poured two cups of coffee as Bobby sat down at the table. She picked up both cups and joined Bobby at the table.
"So you and my Racheal got any plans while I'm gone." Bobby asked sipping his coffee.
"If it's alright with you, I'd like to take a trip up to Michigan to visit with Pastor Jim for a bit." Katie said.
"You planning any hunts on this trip?" Bobby asked.
"Nope." Katie replied. "You made it very clear I was not to take Racheal on any hunts unless you were with us and since you're gonna be in Alabama somewhere that means no jobs till you get back."
"Good girl." Bobby said. "I shouldn't even let you leave the house, seeing as you're license ain't exactly legal, but yeah you can go to Jim's. No where else though. You girls decide you're bored up there you come straight home."
"Yes sir, Uncle Bobby sir." Katie replied with a mock salute.
"I hate it when you do that." Bobby said with a shake of his head and a short chuckle.
A strained silence suddenly filled the kitchen. Katie was wishing for Racheal to make an appearance already when Bobby finally broke it.
"So," Bobby began. "I been hearing some funny things about you lately."
"Like what?" Katie asked.
"Like you hunting with a partner makes you good, but you hunting on your own makes you scary good." Bobby replied.
"What the heck does that mean?" Katie asked.
"A couple guys I know have seen you in action." Bobby replied. "They got to the job just as you were finishing it up."
"So?" Katie replied.
"So they all seem to agree that it seems like you're trying to get yourself killed on a job, but you're too good to succeed in the attempt."
"I'm not doing anything of the sort Bobby." Katie replied. "I just don't have as much to worry about when it's just me. If there's another hunter there I gotta worry about keeping them alive and unhurt."
"You don't worry about getting yourself hurt?" Bobby asked.
"Not so much." Katie replied. "Don't get me wrong I mind getting myself dead. I think I'm just used to being hurt."
"Well I mind you being hurt, so knock it off." Bobby snapped. "Caleb asked me to look out for you since you won't go home to him or your family and I don't want him coming after me cause you do something stupid."
"I'll try to be more careful." Katie replied.
"Good. Dad has been worried sick about you, Grace." Racheal said as she walked into the room.
"I got that impression already Rache." Katie said with a smile. "You all packed?"
"Dad say it was ok for us to go to Jim's" Racheal asked.
"Yep." Katie replied.
"Then yes, I'm all packed." Racheal replied. "When are we leaving?"
"Tomorrow." Katie replied. "I wanna get some sleep first."
"Well, I'm leaving now." Bobby said as he stood up. "You girls behave yourselves."
"You know us, Dad." Racheal said as she hugged her father.
"Yep, that's why I'm telling you to behave." Bobby replied.
"We'll try." Katie said as she stood and accepted a hug from Bobby.
She followed Bobby and Racheal back into the yard and stood next to Racheal as Bobby got into his car and drove away. After a minute, Katie turned and headed back toward the house.
"Where are you going?" Racheal asked.
"To bed." Katie replied. "I've been awake for almost 2 days."
"I thought you were just saying that." Racheal said as she followed Katie into the house.
"Nope, I really wanna take a nap." Katie replied.
"I could drive while you sleep." Racheal said.
"Oh hell no." Katie said as she headed up the stairs. "You don't have a license yet."
"Neither do you." Racheal replied.
"I'm still not letting a thirteen year old drive my Jeep." Katie said.
"So what am I supposed to do while you're sleeping." Racheal called.
"Read." Katie called back as she reached the door to the room she shared with Racheal.
She closed the door before Racheal could reply and sank down onto the bed. She thought about calling Dean to let him know she'd made it to Bobby's, but decided against it. The reason he always called between two and four in the morning was because Sam was usually asleep and John was doing the same or gone. Instead she called Caleb, let him know she was ok, and then drifted off to sleep.