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Well, things are starting to get interesting. :P

On with it, shall we?

(Odette PoV)

CHAPTER EIGHT- A SPOONFUL WEIGHS A TON

They were here.

My head snapped up and I rose, uncertain of what to do or say.

I headed unsteadily down the steps. They got out, and for a minute, we just stared at each other, not sure how to proceed.

The green-eyed man coughed awkwardly. "Uh, how 'bout we start with introductions?"

He held out his hand. "I'm Dean Winchester."

I shook it hesitantly. His grip was firm, and I could feel his roughened, callused hands. "Nice to meet you."

He smirked at me. It wasn't a smile, but at least he didn't seem to be angry with me today. My answering smile was tentative.

The shaggy-haired one came forward. "I'm Sam Winchester. Dean's my brother."

"Older brother," Dean supplied.

I shook Sam's hand and smiled timidly at him. I wasn't sure what they thought of me. I was only a kid, after all.

His grin relieved me. "Nice to meet you too."

But then my eyes turned to Castiel and I froze. Any relief I'd felt after shaking Sam's hand instantly fled. The mental image of him with his wings spread out on either side, imperious and beautiful, had me swallowing nervously.

He too, held out his hand, and I grasped it, noting it was cool and firm, more nervous than any other time in my life.

I desperately tried not to gulp. "I am Castiel, angel of the Lord."

His tone held absolutely no expression, neither did his face, just like before.

My hand slithered out of his and I blinked twice. Hard.

"Angel?" I spluttered, nonplussed.

"Yes." His face remained stony.

"OK." I squeaked, trying to wrap my head around it. I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised, the kind of beauty and sternness I'd seen in him wasn't exactly human.

After all, hadn't I thought he looked like an angel the first time I saw him?

"OK," I said again, a little higher than I usually spoke. "Hi."

"Hello." His voice was a smooth, deep, bass. Castiel didn't smile, but his face wasn't quite so severe as it had been a minute ago.

"You'd best give me your luggage to shrink."

My mouth opened slightly. "I'm sorry, did you just say you want to um, shrink my luggage?"

"That's correct." He looked at me deliberately. "The boys don't have space for more than one suitcase, they say, and yours," his gaze roved over onto the porch, "Are quite large."

I blushed a deep shade of pink. "Uh," I shifted aside. I watched as Castiel stared at the suitcases as if they were some new life form he'd created. And suddenly, they were stacked on top of each other, the size of small pincushions.

My eyes popped wide as Castiel gathered them in his arms and disappeared from view, presumably to deposit them in the car.

"How're those bruises, kid?" Dean looked at me, head on one side.

"Sore." I smiled at him again.

He nodded. "Takes 'em a week to start fading. Some best friend you had. Threw you like a boomerang."

My smile faded. "I was wondering about that, too."

Sam glared at Dean. It was then that Castiel reappeared.

"Everything's ready. We can go."

I looked at all three of them, then. "Thank you. I appreciate what you're doing for me, I really do. I doubt you're going to enjoy lugging a 14-year old kid around while you hunt monsters." I turned to Sam, who seemed the least intimidating.

I swallowed hard. "But I want you to reconsider. I'm going to be a liability to you. I won't be of any help at all. I'm not strong. I don't know how to hunt. I'll understand if you guys change your mind."

They stared at me for one long minute. Then Dean threw back his head and roared with laughter.

"She's a regular Mary Sue, isn't she, Sammy?" He chortled, glancing at me, half-amused, half-derisive. "We don't mind at all, kid. I'll be in the car." He looked at me amusedly and walked on ahead.

"So," Sam rocked back on his heels. "How are you holding up?"

"I'm all right." I managed a watery smile. At the disbelief clearly written on his face, I added: "Under the circumstances."

The guilt washed over me again, instinctive and strong, but I beat it back down. I'd thought too much about him and them already. Anymore and I would fall apart.

He didn't push any further, sensing that I would not say more. I was starting to really like Sam.

"Need anything else?" He asked me.

"Just this." I slung the two bags over my shoulder and walked on ahead, looking one last time at my house.

I smiled when I saw Dean lolling against his car.

"'67 Chevy Impala, huh? Nice car." He blinked at me, surprised.

"You got good taste." Then he shifted from foot to foot, clearly uncomfortable.

"Uh, Odette, listen, if you're coming with us, we... need to know about your ….uh, parents," he stopped awkwardly.

The throb started in my chest full force. I curled a hand around my torso, grappling to suppress it.

I wanted to cry right then and there, but I'd done enough of that last night. I sighed in relief as I managed to beat it down. It must have shown on my face, because I saw Sam step on Dean's foot out of the corner of my eye.

"I'm an emancipated minor, Dean. You don't need to worry about that." I smiled through gritted teeth.

Castiel was shuffling his feet behind me, for some reason.

He screwed up his face in confusion. "What does that mean?"

"It means that my p- parents," I forced the word out, "Have no legal control over me."

I blinked back my tears, hoping they wouldn't notice. Sam was eying me concernedly now, waiting for me to break down, I suppose.

Dean opened his mouth. "Sorry, I didn't mean to pry. I just want you to know what you're getting into. You know, skeevy motel rooms, road tripping day in and day out, the works. It's not an easy life."

I shook my head. "Better than the kind I live here. As for those skeevy motel rooms," I flipped out my credit cards. "I can help with those."

Dean's eyes bugged wide. "Where did you get your hands on those, kid?"

"I haven't robbed any banks, if that's what you're thinking.

Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies." I had nothing more to say.

I slid into the car.