Meg pulled the chair over and sat down in it, leaning forward to grab Ryse's hand. She hadn't been kidding when she said it was worse than she remembered. She'd felt helpless then, and still felt just as helpless now. Hell, she'd felt helpless most of Ryse's life. Being a mother wasn't exactly in her make-up, but Castiel assured her she was fine, that she did the best she could and wasn't any worse than any other mother out there.

Then there were the rest of the people that made up their so-called "family".

Kevin wasn't so bad and neither was Sam. She got along with all of them perfectly fine. Dean on the other hand, she never got along with. Some days were better than others, and if there was one thing they almost all agreed on, it was Ryse. For the sake of keeping things peaceful, Meg would just avoid coming to the bunker and just stay home.

Home. That was another one of those fun words. Home was something she hadn't had since she was human, not that she remembers much from that time. Sure, she had a family of sorts, but never really a honest to goodness home.

Her eyebrow twitched when she heard the door open. Figuring it was just Castiel chasing her down to apologize once again, she ignored the sound. She jumped when instead she heard the dinstinctly female and British voice speak behind her.

"How is she?"

Meg turned to look at her, "Sleeping. Seems ok. Clarence wouldn't want to brag, but I'm sure he healed her up perfectly fine."

"So what's happened since we saw you last?" Clara asked coming over to sit on the desk in the room.

Meg shrugged, "Not much. Found out I was pregnant just after you guys left, was in denial for a few weeks. After a particularly good fight with Dean about stupid ass decisions, I told Cas I couldn't stay here at the Bunker anymore. There was just too much...everything. And it felt too crowded. I needed space. I don't like being caged, never did."

"Understandable," Clara nodded. "So what happened then? Ryse had said you guys have a house somewhere?"

"Yea. The plan was to go with Kevin back to his house with him and his mom, but they had other plans. Linda helped rebuild the Winchesters' friend Bobby Singer's old place in Sioux Falls."

"So that's where you guys live?"

"Most days," Meg nodded. "It's not bad. Open space. Doug roams the junk yard that's still left. Homey."

"And protected I'm sure."

"Yup, there is that," Meg nodded again. "Some days it's ok, other days it's a pain in the ass. But Ryse was able to grow up like a semi-normal kid, not that she's normal considering who her family is."

"I think you guys did pretty well considering," Clara smiled. Meg gave her small smile and turned back to watch Ryse.

The was a faint whisper that brought Ryse back to being semi-conscious at least. The familiar scents and feel of her blankets didn't even register in her head as she turned to roll over, pulling her blankets tight. A moment passed before she bolted upright, wide awake and brain flying to remember the last few moment before she lost consciousness.

"It's about time you woke up," she heard her mother's familiar voice say. She turned her head to see her parents sitting in her desk chair next to her bed. And it was her parents, not her parents as they were in the past, but the ones who raised her. She leaped out of the bed and wrapped her arms around both of them.

"Careful," she heard her dad chuckle as he steadied the chair from toppling them all. "You might be a little sore."

"I'm home," Ryse said as tears pricked her eyes, "I'm fine now."

"What the hell were you thinking taking on an unknown angel like that?" her mom asked glaring at her.

"I was thinking I didn't want him killing Uncle Kevin," Ryse shrugged. "Who was it anyway?"

"Gadreel."

"Oh..." Ryse replied quietly. "Hey, this means you guys knew everything. You knew all of that that happened back there and never told me."

"Which we couldn't tell you any of it," Castiel nodded. "If we would have told you all about the events that happened while you were in that time, you could have altered everything. Remember, we had this discussion before you went back. You yourself asked about the whole butterfly effect."

"I know," Ryse sighed, "But still. Would've been nice in some instances."

"Which instance?" her mom asked raising an eyebrow at her. Ryse rolled her eyes.

"I'm glad to be home," Ryse smiled hugging them both again.

"We're glad to know you're ok. You know how anxiety ridden these last few years were? Especially when it passed that supposed ten year mark," Meg said ruffing her hair. "Who taught you to lie anyway?"

"You did."

"Supposedly, I need to reteach you," Meg smirked. "Now come on, get off our laps and we'll go see everyone else."

"They were worried about you," Castiel added as Ryse obeyed. She followed them out into the hallway, grabbing both their hands. "They'll be glad to see you."

Ryse smiled, "Same. How long was I asleep for?"

"Three days."

"Oh I bet the Doctor has a severe case of cabin fever," Ryse chuckled. "Clara says he doesn't like staying in the same place for very long."

"Actually, they've been popping in and out the past three days," Meg informed her. "They should be back soon though."

Ryse nodded and let out a sigh, glad to be back in her own time with the people she grew up with rather than the ones who didn't know her yet.

They walked out to the main room to see Sam and Kevin sitting at the table reading. Dean was just walking back in from the kitchen. Ryse dropped her parents' hands and went running to him, catching him around the middle.

"Kid's awake I take it?" Dean chuckled holding his beer bottle away so it wouldn't spill. Sam and Kevin called their greetings from where they were sitting, Ryse running over to both of them next.

"Nah, we just thought we'd let a changeling into the bunker, shake things up a bit," Meg replied. Castiel rolled his eyes at her. "Kid's awake and 100%."

"Great to have you back," Sam said hugging her. "Sorry about the...ya know-"

"Uncle Sam, don't worry," Ryse smiled, "I know it wasn't you that was in control. No hard feelings and no feeling guilty over it, got it?"

Sam chuckled and nodded at her, "Yea, I got it. I'm just glad to finally know the Doctor got you back safe & sound."

"And I guess I can finally thank you," Kevin added. "If it wasn't for you, I'd probably be dead."

"I couldn't let him kill you Uncle Kev," Ryse replied. "Who would teach me chess?"

"Not that you can beat me," he responded leaning back in his chair.

"Hey, I was close!"

"Yea, that one time, however many years ago that was," he smirked. "Besides, my skills have only expanded since then."

Ryse narrowed her eyes, "Them sound like challenge words."

"Bring it on," he said as she ran over to get the chess board. It was good to be home.

A/N: couldn't decided if I wanted to split this and the epilogue up since this is on the shorter side, but I decided to do it anyway. and since it took me too long to decide, figured i'll just post both hehe. so this is the second to last chap. hope you have enjoyed :)