5

Weeks turned into months. I still got calls from both of them. And the closer it came to Rachel finally returning, the less they called.

I finally got a call from Sam, "Look, things are getting rough. We are doing what we can, but I'm gonna leave you a number to reach Bobby. When you're ready to join us and if you can't get ahold of us, call him. It'd probably be a good idea to see him first anyhow. He can teach you a few things that will be helpful."

"Alright, that's fine. I can do that."

"It's in South Dakota. I'll text you the number and address. Call him first when you're ready to leave."

"I will. How's Dean?"

"Missing you like crazy and trying to focus on what we do. Not an easy task." He chuckled. "It's strange, we've always done just fine on our own, but now it just feels like we're missing something."

"Aww, Sam, are you saying you miss me too?"

He chuckled again, "Guess I am."

"Well, I miss you too, Sam." And I did. The three of us felt more connected than I thought possible, but there was no denying the connection.

"Are you talking to Dee?" I heard Dean in the background and my heart leapt.

"Yeah, just giving her Bobby's info."

"Let me talk to her." I heard a rustle as the phone was passed. "Dee?"

"Hello to you too, Dean."

"It's good to hear your voice, babe." He said. "So, when are you joining us?"

"Just a couple of weeks now. Rachel has a flight next week and I'll make sure she has everything in order before I leave."

"And there's no way you could just leave and… I don't know, leave her a detailed note?"

"I miss you too, Dean, but I need to make sure this is settled before I leave."

"Yeah, I know. We gotta go, babe. I'll call you soon."

"You better."

We hung up, still without saying the 'l' word. I was no longer working at the tavern. I had settled all my loose ends and was literally just biding time until Rachel arrived and I would leave.

The next week Rachel showed up. Margaret had already been living at her home and was delighted to have her now only daughter back with her. They settled in quickly and I finally prepared to leave

I said goodbye to Rachel and Margaret, feeling better knowing that Margaret would be taken care of. My car was packed with my clothes, laptop and mechanic kit in the trunk.

I had one last stop to say goodbye to Ted at the tavern. I pulled into the parking lot and stepped out, relishing one last look at a place I would always consider home.

I had decided to leave the care of my accounts in Ted's care. I trusted him and no one else with access to my growing wealth.

"So, this is it. You're finally leaving us?" Ted said wiping his hands on a towel as I entered.

"Had to happen sometime." I replied sitting in a bar stool.

"Going after that boy?" He raised an eyebrow at me.

"I'm chasing my happiness." I answered.

He nodded, "That's all one can do in this life. I wish you all the luck in the world, Dee. You've certainly been a ray of sunshine on this town. And I know of many that would be eternally grateful if they knew who was behind the Lily Foundation."

"Seeing families taken care of is all the gratitude I need."

"You really are something special, Dee. Dean's lucky to have your love." He sighed and walked around the bar and hugged me tightly. "Can't help feeling that you're leaving us and heading into danger. Promise me you'll stay safe, visit and call Lucy and I regularly to check in and let us know that you're alright."

He pulled away and I nodded, "I will, I promise."

"Good. Now go on. Hit the road, before you change your mind."

I nodded and stood up. Ted walked around the bar and grabbed three bottle and handed them to me. They were unopened bottles of SinFire. "For the road. Just don't drink it while driving, young lady."

"Thanks, Ted. And you know me better than that."

He smiled, making his eyes crinkle. "Yeah I do. Stay save, hun."

"Thank you for everything, Ted." I said as I grabbed the three bottles and headed back to my car.

I put the sinfire in the trunk and climbed into the driver's seat.

I pulled out my phone and dialed Bobby's number. A gruff voice answered the line, "Hello?"

I cleared my throat, feeling a bit intimidated by the harsh voice. "Hi, I'm trying to reach Bobby."

"Is this Dee?"

"Um, yeah."

"Sam told me to expect your call. So, you're the girl whose changing everything for those boys, huh?"

"I thought they were the ones changing things for me." I replied.

He chuckled, "You have no idea what you've gotten yourself into. Sam give you my address?"

"Yes."

"Good, get here and I'll let the boys know you're on your way. We've got some work to do before they come and get you. I'm not sending you out there with them without knowing you're prepared."

"Sounds fair enough."

"This ain't about what's fair. Them boys say that you can defend yourself and fight. Said that you've already proved useful. I wanna see it for myself before I let you work the field. If I thought I stood a chance at convincing you to give up this death wish, I would! Now your ass here and we'll get to work."

"Alright, I'm on my way."

I had taken more months than Rachel had thought to graduate. She had to push herself through the summer to get her classes done almost a year of schedule. It was fall now and a chill was in the air, but I kept my window down as I drove through the night.

I stopped sometime after 3am for a quick nap and the sun woke me up. I got back on the road and ended up at the Singer Salvage yard before noon.

Bobby rolled his wheelchair to the front porch as I walked up. "So, you're the girl that changing everything? I really hope you're more than just a pretty face, darlin'."

I crossed my arms, "Where would you like me to start?"

"You've had a long drive, don't you wanna rest?"

I shook my head, "The sooner I prove myself to you, the sooner I'm out there helping Dean and Sam."

He narrowed his eyes at me and then nodded. "Alright, boys said you shoot and are good with daggers. How 'bout a demonstration. Grab your gun and daggers."

I headed back to my car, Bobby rolling on my heels. He whistled as he approached Aphrodite. "Dean said you built this yourself. That true?"

"I had help with the interior and painting, but the engine was my design, with help from a friend, but built by me with my hands." I popped the hood and let Bobby get as good a look as he could.

"Well, a good mechanic is always helpful. Let's see what else your mechanic hands can do."

I grabbed my revolver which I refused to leave behind and a box of bullets with my practice daggers. I followed Bobby around the yard and he had me load my gun.

"I'll call the target you hit it." he eyed my revolver as I flicked the barrel closed. "That's a mighty gun for such a small lass."

I handed him the revolver and he turned it around admiring the detail in the craftsmanship before handing it back.

Hours later my first box of bullets was gone and I had demonstrated my dagger skills as well.

"Alright, let's get something to eat inside. Get your things, bring them inside."

I grabbed my bag and the SinFire and headed inside. Bobby was in the kitchen as I set my things down on a chair and brought the Sinfire bottles into the kitchen and set them on the counter.

"Peace offering?" Bobby asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Would it help?" I asked with a smile.

"Whiskey?" I nodded and he chuckled, "Whiskey always helps." he got out two glasses and I made us a couple of sandwiches after he told me where to find everything.

We sat and ate while we sipped on the whiskey as he told me what the strange markings on the walls were. "They're demon markings. Keeps them from entering and keeps this house safe. You'll need to learn to draw them. And demon traps too."

I nodded, "That I can do."

"I'm sure you can." He picked up a phone and tossed it to me. "Go ahead and call him. Let him know you're here. Let me talk to him before he hangs up."

I nodded and dialed the number saved as Dean's.

"What's up, Bobby?" Dean answered.

"Well, for starters, I'm not Bobby."

"Dee? Why are… you're at Bobby's! Does that mean…?"

"Yeah, I'm just here with Bobby. He has a few things to teach me apparently before I can join you, but I'm here."

I heard a small shout from Dean, "Damn, that is good to hear, Dee! Can't wait till you're with us. We've gotta finish up this case, but once we're done, we'll come get you."

"Sounds good. Oh, Bobby wants to talk to you." I handed the phone to Bobby.

"I just wanna make sure you're sure about this, Dean. She might be strong, tough, and a pretty young thing, but this changes things for all of us." He wasn't being rude and he even looked at me with warmth and concern. "Yeah, I get that it's her decision, but it's your's also. you gotta be sure, not just about taking her, but be sure about her as well." He nodded, probably at something Dean said. "Yup, I'll make sure she knows the markings. She'll be ready by the time you get here. Yup, her she is."

He tossed the phone back to me and I brought it to my ear. "How long do you think till you get here?"

"A few days at least. This is an important case related to stopping Lucifer, so we have to see it through."

"you don't need to explain that to me. Just be careful."

"I will. I'll see you soon, babe."

"I'll be here waiting."

I hung up and handed Bobby his phone back. "you ready to call it a night? Or you wanna work on markings?"

"Let's do what we need to."

Bobby nodded and got me paper and pens and books to copy markings from. He had me practice different markings and traps and other symbols. Surprisingly enough I picked them up really fast and was drawing them perfectly within a couple of hours.

"Seems you've got a knack for this. Maybe being a hunter is your destined career choice."

I sat up and looked at the markings. This felt familiar, like I had drawn them before and had a deep rooted knowledge of them. "I'm beginning to think that this is my fate. Like I was always destined to be a hunter. But that sounds crazy."

"To be honest, the way the boys talk about you it actually sounds like you are. But this ain't all coloring pretty designs. There's real danger and death is a huge possibility here, doll. And sometimes it ain't about saving one life, but saving thousands."

"I know. I mean don't get me wrong, I'm sure once I'm out there things will be different and I'll see that it's not exactly what I thought it would be. But I don't really have any expectations for what it'll be like. I know it's dangerous, but I can't shake this feeling that I'm supposed to be with them. It's bigger than just being with Dean."

Bobby listened intently and nodded. "So, there's no changing your mind?"

I shook my head.

"Didn't think so." He sighed. "Alright, let's call it a night. I think you've got everything down. We'll work on it a bit more while we wait for the boys to come and get you."

He directed me to a room upstairs I could use and I passed out still wearing my jeans and shoes.