Hey guys, WriKai here! So sorry that it took so long for me to put up the new chapter. Been in a bit of a writers block slump lately, and I didn't want to put anything up until I was certain that it was good and that I had the next few chapters set up as well.

Enjoy!

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We caught the thing the next day, and with the plans I had sketched out set up a short-term holding facility that would last until we could get a better one set up closer to London, as well as figure out transportation. And that… That was how my life was. Doing missions with T.J., doing research with him, practicing and training with him. He was… He was my partner, like how Sam and Dean were partners or like how me and Kevin had been. He was my best friend, and he made it easier to stay in London.

Training with T.J. was fun. I know I already said that, but I honestly can't express enough just how great it was to have him there. Some days, it felt like I was with Kevin again, and we were just doing what we would do.

Other days I reminded myself that T.J. wasn't Kevin, and that he was his own person. Those were good days too, because those days I didn't look at him expecting an angel to come in at any moment and kill him.

We reviewed information learned together. He had a knack for lore and memorizing information on different creatures and their characteristics (it was funny, I was the one that ran calls and information and lore for other Hunters at one point, but I'd never had that innate sense of memory and knowing the creatures that T.J. had), whereas I had the obvious skills for magic and spellcasting.

"I'm adamant in the belief that you are lying as to your abilities." He said one day. We were practicing hand to hand combat. No weapons, just practicing different fighting techniques against each other, like friendly sparring. I'd pinned him three times already, but he'd gotten me back once. The three had just happened to be subsequent after his one.

"What makes you say that?" I asked with a smile.

"You said that you used to lie and hustle pool for money, correct?" He asked. "Pick pockets as well?"

"Yeah."

"I believe you hustled me in the first round."

"I thought you said you couldn't be hustled?" I chided, going in for a side sweep that I hoped he would dodge.

"I didn't realize you would take those words as a challenge."

"You obviously don't know me well enough, then." I smirked, lowering my guard just a bit so that my sides were exposed. He took the bait, aiming a heel kick the exposed area. I blocked, grabbing his outstretched leg and pulling it sharply to the side. He fell, that perfect little "o" of surprise visible on his face for maybe a moment before his back slammed in to the ground. I kept hold of the leg, putting it in to a lock that exerted pressure on the back of his calf. His back arched a little, showing me that he was in the proper amount of discomfort and pain before his hand rapped sharply twice against the mat. I let go, and offered him a hand up. He took it graciously, smiling.

"You have had an interesting amount of training, haven't you?" He asked. I shrugged.

"Living on the streets isn't doable without pickpocketing skills and a lot of fighting expertise."

"Valid point." He brushed off a bit of dust from his shirt, taking a moment to glance at the time. "Do you want to work on some weapons training or call it an early evening?" I took a glance at the time as well. 6:12, and I had a few things I still wanted to test.

"Let's head out." I said. "I've got a new idea on some invisibility sigils to cloak a small area that I want to test out."

"As much as I would appreciate you indulging within that line of inquiry," both of us straightened up at that voice. It was Ketch. We turned to look, seeing him in the doorway. "I do believe I have an assignment for you, Ms. Dillinger."

"An assignment?" I asked. It was almost time for my six weeks to be up. I had already made my decision, I wanted to stay, but… Assignments weren't supposed to be handed down individually until after you completed four months, minimum, of partner work. "You mean for myself and T.J., right?"

"Sadly, Thomason is not included in this assignment." Ketch stated. I glanced over at him, then T.J. He looked just as shocked as I was.

"But… He's my partner." I said. "He and I are supposed to do all assignments together until the period is over."

"It is over." Ketch said.

"Huh?"

"Have you noticed that you two are the only two trainees?" He asked. "That there are no others except for the two of you."

"I figured you guys didn't recruit frequently." I glanced over at T.J., who was continuing to be silent and contained. Little things here and there from working as a Hunter for them, including a lack of questioning Ketch. He actually looked a bit scared, actually, at me questioning him. "But why so early?"

"Because you two are exceeding typical learning." He answered. "And because you are needed back in America."

"What?!" I thought I was staying here, indefinitely. I thought I was living in Britain, now, and not going back. I turned back again to T.J., looking for some sort of backing and finding none. "Don't tell me you knew about this?" I challenged.

"Thomason was unaware." Ketch said quickly. "The look on his face is because he does not wish to return to just being a Hunter, correct?" Thomason nodded.

"What… What will I be assigned to, sir?" He asked quietly. I turned back to Ketch.

"I want him to come with me." I said quickly. Ketch shook his head.

"I'm afraid his assignment here is equally vital." He said. "We've gotten word of a grimoire in West Sussex, and need Thomason to investigate. His knowing of magic from you in tandem with his training and past Hunting experience make him the perfect man for the job."

I turned back around, looking at T.J. for another moment before turning back to Ketch. "What's my assignment?" I asked, steeling my voice. "What am I doing in America?"

"You're helping Mick with his work."

"Will I have to interact with Sam and Dean and…" I took a breath. "And Castiel?" I didn't mind Crowley and Billie, but they others… I didn't know if I quite could.

"Possibly." Ketch admitted. "You are the one with the most knowledge on not only them, but also Hunting culture in America. You are essential to what Mick needs."

"And what is it he needs exactly?"

"On hand consulting, to start with." He said. I took a deep breath. This was a part of the job. I owed them everything, now. I had to step up and do this.

"When do I leave?"

"Tomorrow morning."

"I guess I should go and pack, then, shouldn't I?"

"Preferably, yes." Ketch agreed. "We'll send a car to pick you up at five. Private plane, as is standard."

"Will I be needing any equipment?"

"Feel free to visit the armory, if you prefer." He said. "But do you believe you will need anything?" I thought on that for a moment.

"No." I said. "I'd rather pick up some ingredients instead."

"Very well." Ketch offered her a short nod as well. "You will be fully briefed on the ride to the airport. I'll be riding with you there."

"Wait." I said, noticing he was prepared to leave. Ketch paused, waiting for me to continue. "I have two requests."

"Which is?"

"I would like to be able to call on Thomason," I turned to look over at him for a second. "For consultations and assistance he may be able to provide from London."

"Thomason, would you be agreeable to that?" Ketch asked him.

"Yes sir." He said, not even taking a moment to pause.

"Very well then. And the second request?"

"Before I do anything to help Mick," I thought for a second, making sure this was what I really wanted before saying it. "I would like to visit Mrs. Tran's grave, alone."

"I'm agreeable to this," Ketch said. "But I would prefer you not be alone, and have some sort of escort or person with you."

"Twenty minutes." I pleaded. "So I can pay my respects. Somebody can be waiting outside the cemetery for me." Ketch thought about that.

"Very well." He agreed. I smiled, relief flooding through me.

"Thank you." He turned to leave, then, all business as usual. "See you tomorrow, then." I said as he walked off. Once I was certain he was out of earshot, I turned to T.J. "Do you know anything?"

"No."

"Did you know about your assignment?"

"No."

"What the hell is this, then?"

"I don't know." He stated. "I'm as shocked as you are."

"Well get pissed then, or something!" I said. "Show some sort of emotion! Ask questions! Don't just leave me the only one doing it!"

"It's not my place."

"But it is." I argued. "You're a Men of Letters now. We're supposed to ask questions, supposed to be inquisitive and search out the answers in every place imaginable. That includes our own people."

"Ketch is… My superior." He said. "It would be unwise for me to do so."

"He's in charge of me too!" I pointed out. "And I still ask questions!"

"You're valuable to them." T.J. rebutted. "You have the freedom to question them."

"You're valuable too!" I argued. T.J. just shook his head, but I kept going. "No, don't try to do that, you are. I wouldn't have been able to do anything without having a person around like you. You have ideas I couldn't even dream of!" It was true. When I'd finished up my ideas on more permanent containment areas for the nuckelavee, T.J. had asked questions and pointed out a few other possibilities that may be easier to maintain. It is the 21st century after all. A way to track it in case of an emergency, alongside the simplest lazy river encircling the creature, was all we actually needed. A few safeguards were good, though, and T.J. even had some ideas on that.

"But I can't do them myself." He reminded me. "And I don't have the innate knowledge of America and it's… chaos, as you do." On that, he was right. He still relied on intel given, and believed it unquestioningly, whereas I did my own research and tended to get a few extra bits of information the Men of Letters missed. "I still need the backup from the Men of Letters, and their intel and advice. You can function independently, in a chaotic landscape, without me."

I hated it when he was right about something I didn't like.

"You better believe that I'm going to call you for consults." I said, jabbing a finger in his chest. He smirked. "And if you find a cute guy that you start dating you better fucking tell me."

"You'll be the first I call." He promised.

"Good." I nodded once, firmly. "I should…" Any gumption I may have had suddenly trailed off. "I should probably go home and pack."

"You want any help?" He offered. I nodded.

"Yeah, sure." I thought for a minute, remembering who was waiting for me back in my apartment. "And while I'm gone, if something comes up and you need Karma to come save your ass," T.J. shook his head before I could finish my sentence.

"No." He said, kindly but firmly. "I'll be assigned a team who probably will not take as kindly to having a guardian hellhound as the pair of us have. Many still believe that the creature should be kept in a cage, and examined for ingredients."

"Bevell needs to get the stick out of her ass." I muttered. T.J. let out a short bark of a laugh. I don't think he expected me to say that. He shouldn't be surprised, though. He knows me by now. He knows how much of a bitch Bevell still is.

"Don't say that too loud!" He hissed, crushing me in a short hug. We both laughed this time, not because of anything particularly funny, but just because… We needed to laugh. We both just needed to laugh together again before I left to go back to America and he went out on his own.

We needed to laugh because we knew the inherent risks of what we both did. We knew that there was always a chance that one of us may not get to see the other again.

"Do me a favor." He requested, letting me go.

"Sure."

"Talk with Castiel." I froze, then, uncertain of what to say, much less what T.J. was getting at. "You miss him. I can see it when you talk about what life was like in America, or when you see other couples in the street." I shook my head, but this time T.J. kept on talking. "Don't argue with me on this. It bothers you that you don't know whether or not he would accept you."

"It doesn't matter." I said. "He's as loyal to the Winchesters as Karma is to me. It wouldn't matter whether or not he accepted me." I shrugged. "It's a lost cause."

"What is it you always told me?" He asked, smirking a little. "Like when I wanted to talk to that blonde bloke last week? You got this." He offered me a short job. "You got this, Kylie. Now come on, it's time for you to pack."