The brothers, omegas and hunters split into three groups, one to find the murderers and whoever sent them, the second groups mission was to find Kathy, the scientist who worked at the underground lab and was instrumental in freeing Sam, the third group stayed behind to protect the homestead.

Dean's first stop was their cabin, it would have been his first choice if he were hunting Sam. He knew immediately people had been there by the tire and boot tracks in the yard. The door was unlocked, something they would never have forgotten to do and when Dean and Emma went inside, it was clear someone had been there. Emma was angry but showed it with tears and that bothered Dean more than if the girl had gone on a tirade. Anytime their kids cried, it made the mother feel like he had a knot in his gut. It made him want to immediately fix whatever was wrong. He'd fix this alright, fix it with some bullets.

Dean had three choices, head back to Bobbys place, go the mansion or the site of Landon Pharmaceuticals, betting the facility was rebuilt. He still didn't know who was pulling the Ro Corp strings but he would soon enough.

…

Sam eventually found Kathy at her parent's vacation cabin, a safe place the woman had told Bobby about many years ago. The group was greeted by an unrecognizable woman aiming a shotgun at them, along with two big dogs that looked more like wolves. Since everything that had happened years earlier, the brilliant scientist had become a shadow of her former self. The woman had lost so much weight that Sam wondered how she was able to even hold up the gun. Hollow eyed and hair pulled back in a ratty ponytail, she stepped off the porch and waved the gun at them. The dogs flanked her, baring teeth and bodies tensed.

Nick crouched down and held out his hand, "It's ok, you are safe." The two massive king shepherds relaxed and trotted over to the teenager. They sniffed his hand before both lying down in front of him. Kathy couldn't believe her eyes; it was as if the kid had some sort of mystical power over the two well trained guard dogs.

"Kathy? Kathy its me, Sam Winchester." Sam holstered his gun and motioned for the others to do the same. "Do you remember me?"

"I remember everything and I sure don't want to be a part of whatever it is you're here for so turn around and leave."

"We need to talk. Kathy we can end this, all of it but I need your help."

A tall, slightly stooped man stepped out on the porch unarmed, "Kath, it wouldn't hurt to hear him out. We've been hiding over fourteen years, so if this young fellow has a way to fix things, then let him speak."

….

Sam explained everything to the couple, how and why he was being hunted and the real reason his blood was so special. He told her how as an infant, Azazel fed him demon blood and that combined with the virus had a very different affect on him. He revealed nothing about his children. Sam feared anyone knowing about them except the trustworthy little family group they had, would put Nick and Emma in danger.

Kathy's husband looked first to her and then Sam, "Wait, are you talking about a real demon…the kind from the bible? I've got to say, as a man of science I find all of this hard to believe."

"But you see things fall from the sky from who knows where and see people turn into monsters but a demon, that's where you draw the line? It's all real, everything. There are people like me and my brother who hunt these things. There are vampires, ghosts, werewolves and so many other things that exist beyond your wildest nightmares."

Nick, who normally had very little to say, added with a measure of pride in his voice, "Hunting is our family business."

Sam smiled and patted his son's hand.

Kathy quietly mulled over all this new information and came to a conclusion, "You know what, I believe you."

"So, you have a way to get my blood into the right hands?"

"Yes, there is a place, a facility in Atlanta with a crack team of virologists working on a cure…or so my daughter says. I can show you the way on a map. My husband and I stay far away from anything involving the virus. We still have targets on our backs since the disaster. Ro Corp and the federal government would have a field day with us. It is something we regret every day of our lives and living like this," she looked around the cabin, "is penance for what we were involved with."

The scientists, who spent years in hiding while the world fell apart around them, made Nick angry and frustrated. He spoke out.

"I would think you'd want to help fix the problem you've helped create instead of hiding in this shack. This is not penance; this is you both being cowards. You're talking about the CDC, right? So why not just say the CDC? I don't want my dad hurt and I won't lose him. Just take his blood now."

Kathy and her husband were properly shamed by the baby faced teenager stating facts to the both of them. That hit home for the couple more than if an adult had said it.

"Your right, we have been cowards. Self preservation is all we've thought of since this happened and we haven't been doing very well at even that." The couple looked at each other, something unspoken passed between them. "We can go with you but once we get there, our daughter will take you in, we don't have clearance."

Roger nodded in agreement then added, "This place isn't the CDC. The group is funded by an entity other than the government. They were working in conjunction with the CDC but there was a clash of protocols."

Sam pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a deep sigh, "So a rouge group."

"Not exactly rouge…ok yes, they went rouge. But at this point does that matter?"

…

Emma was the only person in the world who could get away with fiddling with Dean's music because she was the baby girl, but even he had his limits. She glanced over at him and his eyebrow was cocked, that meant she was on his last nerve so she didn't put in her favorite tape and sat back.

"Mom?"

"Yeah."

"You and Dad are brothers."

"Uh, what? What are you talkin' about," he gestured to the player, "put your tape in and shut up."

"So, you being an omega is the reason why we don't have webbed feet or something? Cause we looked up inbred in that big old dictionary grandpa has and it doesn't sound good."

Dean never wanted stiff drink more than that moment, that and roll of duct tape for his precious daughter's mouth.

"That whole thing is between me and your dad and you two don't need the details."

"Nick and I figured it out just from some of the conversation's you guys have had over the years and stuff Grandpa mentioned and," she paused, "other things. We didn't say anything even though we both have lots of questions because me and Nick didn't want to upset you. Now that we're fourteen, we feel you and Dad are old enough to talk about it."

"Why do I feel like I'm the kid and you're the adult. I thought Sam gave you both the talk."

"He didn't talk about that."

"Ok, yeah, we're brothers. End of conversation."

"Of course, you are. Please explain why we aren't full of defects. I'm not judging, just curious about it. We know we are different from other people. Is that why?"

"No sweetheart. See, when it comes to omegas, our kids don't have the same problems a brother and sister would have if they had a kid. Omegas are fertile longer and get pregnant easier and then we've got the whole dick and balls thing going on. Me and Sammy, we are like peas and carrots, eggs and bacon he's the sun and I'm the moon, we need each other but it's not something we tell anyone. You know there are plenty of people who would have tried to make life hell on earth for us pre-virus outbreak, in some places our relationship was illegal."

"You could go to jail for it?"

"Or worse. Way back when, couples like us were more common. Omegas used to be treated like farm animals except we weren't for eating, just breeding or sex work, forced marriages, punching bags, crap like that. It's gotten a lot better but not for all of us."

Emma gasped, her hands fluttered to her chest, "That is horrible! So, omegas were treated how women have always been treated. I learned a lot about what it means to be female from talking to Val and the others."

It dawned on Dean that he never thought about all the things females have had to endure since the dawn of human existence. He realized his daughter had no female role models, no elder women to look up to.

"I've never really thought about that before. I guess you've pretty much grown up in a real sausage fest with no women around. Mom would have been a great role model for you, in fact, you two are a lot alike. At least from the things Dad told us about her. I don't remember much cause I was only four when she…you know. I remember all the good stuff like how great she was at cuddling or the sights and smells in the kitchen when she was baking cookies, the way the sunlight hit her pretty yellow hair, and her smile. I remember-I remember she was beautiful."

Emma picked up on the minute changes to her mother's features, the sadness in his eyes, the twitch around his mouth, the grip on the steering wheel and even his breathing. She sensed melancholy, hurt and longing mixed in with joy reliving the memories. Her mother was conflicted.

"I have got you as my role model and you are all I need, Mom. It was just nice to talk to other females, especially because most are older than me. Zora told me that women hunters don't get as much respect as the men sometimes. Well, I'm gonna make sure I'm respected."

"Hey, I respect lady hunters, your whole family does. Did you know in high school I was a really good lady hunter." He gave her a wink and Emma let out a giggle.

"I know it! Dad wrote about it in his journals, man was he pissed off back then."

"Journals?"

"Yeah, we found a bunch of old ones and read 'em. I know we shouldn't have but it helped me and Nick get to know you both better. I promise, we only read the old ones. It was neat sort of taking the journey to adulthood with you and Dad through his words and drawings." The twins also got first hand accounts of the horrible things the brothers, especially Dean, had gone through. Things no kid, teenager or anyone for that matter, should have to endure. Much of it was centered around John and the twins had decided they didn't miss out on anything from not knowing their real grandfather.

"Wow, well I guess you got an eyeful."

"I know there's more to it, that everything was written from Dad's perspective. Mommy, you were hurt and you're still hurting. I know I can tell you anything…well, you can tell me anything or Nick even. We are very mature for our age and we both understand people better than our classmates do. We are good listeners."

"Thanks for the offer, sweet pea. Don't worry about me, I'm tough as old boots. The past made me who I am but I'm not living in it and you shouldn't either. Let's think about the future together as a family. You can ask me things and if I don't know the answer, I'll find it and you tell me anything any time you want. I'm a pretty good listener too yah know. You are my beautiful, freckle faced, baby girl with the crazy hair."

"I've got cowlicks! Hey, Mom, guess what."

"What."

She held up her wrist to show off the intricately woven bracelet she was wearing, "Liam made this for me, isn't it cool?"

"Crap…not the handmade bracelet! Sammy made me one back in the day and that was about as good as a promise ring…no way no how my baby girl is getting tangled up with that bruiser…ok, take a breath…he's a good kid…takes after Alfie…oh god, does she need a birth control talk or do I just tell her not to do it…she's not doing it, she's only fourteen…"

"Mom?"

"Uh, yeah, it's great. I'm surprised his big fingers can weave something that nice."

Emma was beaming just thinking about Liam, "He's very sensitive and creative."

"Good thing that kid looks like his mom. He's gonna be a big guy like his dad though."

Dean gave her the cocked brow when she giggled.

"What."

"It's a good thing you can't get pregnant from kissing because I'd be having octuplets."

"What?!"

…

Sam was resolute in his decision to go to Atlanta and there was no changing his mind. Nick knew when it came to his dad, the man could be unyielding but that didn't mean the teen had to like his decision. Just like Sam didn't like that his son refused to go back to Bobby's along with most of the others. In fact, Sam tried to pull him from the truck cab but the kid fought so hard that the hunter gave up. Not that he couldn't have yanked the skinny teen out with one pull, Sam just didn't want to fight with him.

They were even more alike than each other realized.

"You're hanging back when we get to Atlanta, is that understood?"

Nick had his arm out the window to catch the warm breeze, reminding Sam of himself and how he used to do the same thing as a kid. It was freeing in a way as if you could just catch that breeze with your whole body and fly away.

"Yes, I understand. I still wish you would have just given a blood sample. I'm worried about what will happen to you. Mom doesn't even know where your going, shouldn't you clear it with him first?"

Sam's big mitts tightened around the steering wheel, "I'm an adult and we don't have to give each other permission to save the world."

Nick turned his head, giving his dad a hard stare with those wolfish hazel eyes of his. Dean nicknamed him the boy with kaleidoscope eyes, always changing depending on his mood or circumstance.

"I don't know what the world was like before. I'd rather live in a world I know than lose my dad."

"Your grandpa died of the sickness."

"And my grandma was killed by a demon. I'm sorry you and mom don't have your parents but I never knew them. Nana Cay and Grandpa Bobby are my grandparents. Do you want the same thing for me and Emma, to leave us parentless?

"That won't happen."

"So you say."

The two traveled in silence for a while, Sam keeping an eye on the rambler in front of him and the vehicles behind him. They wolfed down the last of the sandwiches Cayden sent along, grainy brown bread loaded with butter and jam.

"Nana makes good food."

"He sure does."

"So, we are the way we are because of the virus and the demon blood inside of you." It was a statement, not a question.

"I'm sorry we didn't come right out and tell you both. I was worried you and Emma would think there was something wrong or bad about you. That's how I felt growing up, that I was bad, defective, not worth loving all because of Azazel."

"You and mom always said we were Winchester special. We know that's not true, there are things we can do that other kids can't. Does this mean we're part demon?"

"No, and I'm not either."

There was another long stretch of quiet except for the crunch and chewing of the stale granola bars the two were eating.

"Does Emma know?"

"Kind of."

"Because we kind of read some of your journals…now that you've said it out loud, you confirmed it…"

"How do you feel about this?"

"Fine, I guess. It's weird going to school with regular people though, Emma and I pretty much hide everything but I can't hide my eyes and the other kids look at me funny sometimes and ask what's wrong with me. Danny is the only one who thinks my eyes are cool and pretty."

"He said your eyes are pretty?"

Nick nodded vigorously, resembling a bobble head. A smiled played at the corners of his mouth, "Danny understands me."

"Well, you grew up together, your practically brothers."

"True."

"Dad, I've been feeling weird lately. Maybe it is because of the virus demon blood but Emma doesn't have the same problem."

"Weird how?"

"My crotch hurts."

"You mean your penis or scrotum or…?"

"No, the in-between place. I think I know what's happening to me because of the birds and bees talk you gave us, but I want to be sure. I also get angry and feel like punching things and wanna cry over everything. I'm very conflicted and I don't like any of this. I don't feel like myself."

"Oh god, why isn't Dean here…I need to take him home…he'll need rest and care…maybe he won't present just yet…It took Dean awhile….what do I do…I'm not letting my kid go through what my brother did…out in the middle of nowhere…

Sam tried to sound as calm and matter of fact about it as possible, "The way your feeling is normal and it could be a while before it finally happens. You are the same age as your mom when it happened to him, Dean was a late bloomer and that is ok. We are maybe an hour from Atlanta, once we get there, I'm sending you straight home with one of the others."

Nick placed his hand on Sam's arm, his voice gentle, "I'll be ok."

The omega in the making had no idea if he'd be ok or not because it was something he hadn't experienced. Nick imagined it was going to hurt and be one of the suckiest things ever. He did wish he was at grandpa's home and his mom was with him. Nana Cay would place a cool, comforting hand on his forehead and everything would for sure be ok then.

…..

Singer Salvage showed no signs of life except for a couple of barking mutts who immediately charge at the men. They were both shot dead. There were also chickens and a cat cleaning itself on top of a rusted out car. There were no vehicles parked in front of the weathered house and nothing to indicate someone was there. Edgar wondered if some how they were tipped off and left.

Bobby watched from a small hole in the steel window covers, in fact they were all watching from one spot or another, waiting for days for someone to show up. Their vehicles were easily hidden among the carcasses in the salvage yard. Everyone there was a hunter, people used to waiting for days in any kind of weather to kill what they were after. It was the armored vehicle that concerned Bobby the most, he didn't want a repeat of what happened at the compound.

Baby Mia had been taken to the school long before they showed up but Cayden refused to leave and at the moment the omega was watching the intruders from the attic. His eyes filled with tears as he watched their dogs Tippy and Tyler shot dead but still the omega stayed silent.

…..

They heard a thunderous clap above them, scaring the hell out of Dean and Emma. The sky tore open and from the darkness came a blizzard worth of snow followed by a huge figure tumbling out and straight atop a van containing some of the warriors, crushing the men inside.

Dean veered off, narrowly missing the accident scene. Baby's back end fishtailed on the snow but he managed to guide the car to a stop. It all happened so fast that it left the Winchesters stunned for a moment.

The creature was bigger than the bison Dean had seen in his travels. It flopped and flailed its elongated arms before righting itself with the sharp, bone like protrusions jutting from its elbows. It stretched to its full height, its gargoyle-like head whipping from side to side, huge black eyes taking in its new surroundings as it trailed its snout through the air. It was covered in soot colored fur except for the bony protrusions which had iridescent scales and wicked looking hooks on the ends. When it leaped off the vehicle, the ground shook just from the weight of it.

It looked skyward at the rapidly closing hole, two massive wings unfurled and the creature took flight but didn't reach its only way home in time. Angry, it took its fury out on yet another vehicle in the caravan but luckily, the people were already out and had armed themselves.

Dean knew his little girl wasn't prepared for anything like this, to date she'd only done small hunts with the full support of her family and only when necessary. For the most part, the twins were only trained to hunt but had little experience in dealing with creatures. Certainly nothing of this magnitude.

"Em, you stay here. If that thing heads this way you get out of here."

Emma exhaled sharply; she could see her own breath. Though it was only September, the entire area around them looked like the dead of winter.

….

Sam approached the huge campus of structures and at the heart of it was a sleek and modern building with floor after floor of glass windows. He looked back at his son and gave a reassuring smile. At least he hoped it looked that way because Sam wasn't sure about any of this.

TBC

A/N- I won't be able to update for about a month due to circumstances. Thank you, dear readers, for hanging in there through all the chapters. Here's wishing you a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year.