Sam watched his dad reluctantly shove some file folders into a satchel.
Since when did John Winchester carry around a satchel?
Since his girlfriend bought him a worn leather one, complete with iron buckles and wardings strategically branded on the inside. That's when.
Sam inwardly shook his head at how different their lives got in just one year. He realized that while he still hated hunting, still hated being a pawn in the Supernatural game, it was way better than he ever thought possible.
"You sure you're gonna be okay? I can just send Dean and Bobby. Or maybe you can get her to come with? Ellen'd love the chance to - "
"Dad. We'll be fine. She's so far off right now...I don't think hanging at The Roadhouse will be helpful."
John paused, one hand fiddling with a buckle on his bag. "Yeah, but Ash has those omen patterns, and Jimmy has word on that weird shit in Montana…"
Sam sighed, one hand buried in his hair. "Believe me, Dad, no one wants to hear about those demon omens more than me. I'm just…" He paused to glance toward the second floor. "This whole thing with Adam really fucked her up. I can't leave her."
"I can stay with her," came a growly voice from behind, laced with annoyance and frustration.
Rolling his eyes, Sam turned to face his brother. "Dean. We went over this already. You - "
Dean flapped a hand at him dismissively. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. She needs to talk. I'm bad at the talking. You took a whole psychology course in school and passed. Whatever. She's upset, and you can't blame her for that."
Sam splayed his hands. "No one's blaming her for anything, Dean. I'm saying she needs therapy, and it's not like we can take her to someone and have a guarantee that she won't be locked up somewhere."
John stood quietly. The bristling he felt at not even being considered for this job had long passed. If anyone in this house was the worst at talking it out...well. He let his boys go back and forth for a few minutes - Dean lobbing little potshots at being left out, and Sam patiently defending what was already decided, somehow restraining from whining, "It's My Turn With Her".
When it looked like Dean was about to step it up a notch, John stepped in. "Enough. We did already go over this. Dean - you're with me. I want your backup in case something goes wrong." John held his breath. Luckily, Sam didn't take the usual offense, instead recognizing John's not-so-subtle version of manipulation.
Dean's eyes flickered to John before rolling. "Yeah, okay." He pointed at Sam. "If you need me back here, call. You understand?"
Sam nodded, knowing enough to keep his mouth shut.
John pulled him in for a quick hug. "Take care of her. We'll be back in a couple days." He flashed a smile at Dean before heading out back.
Once alone, Dean dragged a hand down his face. "Seriously, you're really okay not getting this intel first hand?"
Sam shrugged. "No? But what other choice do we have? We don't know the guys Jimmy knows, and if anyone can blend in with a group of hunters to get information, it's you."
Sighing heavily, Dean rocked on his heels. "Yeah, I know. And you're the best one to deal with her right now." He sighed again. "Okay. Just...really...call if you need something."
"We'll be fine, Dean. Go play the hunter's son."
"Shaddup, Dr. Phil."
xxxxx
The combo throaty rumble of the Impala and John's truck sounded through the yard, the tires crunching the gravel on their way down the drive.
Kate joined Sam at the window, watching them leave.
"You sure about this?" Sam asked, wincing because he just spent a half hour defending "this" a few minutes ago.
Kate's tired eyes swiveled up to his. "Absolutely. Why? You having second thoughts? You can call Dean and - "
Sam gently cuffed her on the head. "That's not what I meant, and you know it."
"We're gonna tell them as soon as they get back, Sam. I'm not interested in secrets. I know damn well how that works out in this family." Sam arched an eyebrow at that. She shook her head. "Nevermind. Point is, they'd never let me do what needs to be done in order to keep them safe. That blindness is not an option right now. We're asking forgiveness instead of permission. That's all."
"When has that ever worked in our favor?"
"Um...Stanford?"
He blinked at her.
"Look. I'm gonna be a mess either way. Does that help? We already had our sharefest - you know what's in my head. I can't sleep, eat, relax, nothing. When we're done, I probably still won't sleep, eat, or relax...but at least we'll be safe."
"You don't know that for sure." Sam stepped back from the window, arms folded in front. "Dean's gonna be so pissed that we didn't tell him."
Kate scoffed, "Dean'll forgive us. You'll moon eye him and I'll do my I've Been To Hell, Pity Me routine."
Sam huffed. "What about Cas? He - "
"You know Cas agrees with me. He doesn't like it, but he knows I'm right."
They stared at each other.
Sam's hands dropped in defeat. "Show me these angel wards."
xxxxx
The next two days were spent carefully warding the house, yard, and garage. Various anti-angel and demon sigils, learned from her stint with her other Winchester brothers, were strategically placed, hidden from view. The goal was to have multiple layers of protection, in case one was discovered and destroyed.
Cas even showed up for a little while, offering direction and support. Sam could see the longing in the angel's eyes, but what was he supposed to do? It wasn't like he could set his sister up on a date forbidden by Heaven.
Satisfied with their work, they lounged on the porch swing, watching the sun slowly cross the horizon in preparation for a spectacular sunset.
Technically, they were sprawled on the swing, Kate practically using Sam as a mattress, his long legs gently rocking them back and forth.
"Any better?" He asked, brushing her hair off his face.
She turned and nestled against him. "I'm getting used to it. It's like...it's like after the first Trial. Limbs buzzing a little, headache...nothing major."
Sam huffed. "That's kinda major, Kate."
She shrugged. "Major is relative. Compared to how I felt during the third Trial, this is great."
He sighed. It wasn't an argument he could win, and he knew it.
Kate poked him. "And you? Is the headache from that demon sigil still there?"
He shrugged. "It's okay."
She growled, "Sam."
"It's in the base of my skull rather than my eyes. Better than when I was next to it."
"Maybe we don't - "
"It stays, Kate."
She sighed. It wasn't an argument she could win, and she knew it.
His arms around her, Sam continued rocking, and together they watched the sunset, waiting for their family to come home.
xxxxxxxxx
Okay...this is the official end of Snippets. As in, no more Snippets. I have a few loose ends to wrap up with other stories, then I'll start the third in the Quantum series, Mesh. Which...yeah, was supposed to be started in December.
Lalalalala...