Sam sat down beside Dean to watch of Kate while Dean spoke to John. "Go. I've got her."
Dean looked at Kate. "If she so much as twitches, you let me know."
Sam nodded and waved him away.
Dean walked down the stairs and dialed John's number. "Dad."
John answered. "Dean."
Dean was silent, waiting for what John had to say.
"Fill me in, son." John said with a tired voice.
"Dad, I'm sorry I didn't before. I-" Dean stammered.
John stopped him. "Son, I know it is complicated. Just fill me in."
Dean sat on the porch swing and slowly told John all that had transpired. "She is asleep right now."
John listened quietly. "Was she any better before she fell asleep?"
Dean sighed. "She seemed more calm. I think most of it is out of her system but I wont know until she wakes up."
John had stopped for the evening. "Do I need to stop by?"
Dean groaned. "No. Dad, look I've got it. Bobby is here too."
John heard the unspoken defense in Dean's voice. "Dean, I'm not trying to be overbearing here. I am concerned."
Dean knew how John dealt with things. "Everything will be okay."
John sighed. "This isn't something small. This isn't her running off because she is scared. She hurt you and Sam."
"I know, dad. I know. I'll handle it." Dean replied.
"I'll dig up what I can to help. I want to help her too. I know she is just a kid. I'm not trying to kick down the door." John added.
Dean relaxed. "Sorry."
John chuckled. "Son, I know I am a hard ass but I do care."
Dean felt guilty for fighting against him. "This is a new level of messed up."
"Let me know when she wakes up. I'll do my own research." John said before ending the call.
Dean shook his head and put the phone in his pocket. John wasn't one for goodbyes. He spoke briefly to Bobby before going back to Kate's side. "Has she stirred?"
Sam gave him a look. "No. I would have told you."
Dean sighed. "Do you think you could read her while she is asleep?"
Sam looked at her. "I don't exactly want to get electrocuted again."
Dean grimaced. "We will just wait until she wakes up." He laid down on his own bed and rested his head. He felt defeated.
Sam could see the stress and exhaustion that had Dean drawn as tight as a bow string. He second guessed his decision to leave for Stanford.
Bobby focused on cleaning up the mess in the kitchen. He had burned through all of the lore he could find and was waiting on Missouri to return a phone call. John had called him to fill in some of the details that Dean may have left out and was surprised with the level of parental concern in the man's voice.
John grabbed a drink and settled in with his journal. He was on a simple hunt but needed to wrap it up. He had been training Craig and had asked him to help on this specific hunt. He knew the man was suffering and also knew that he was going to dive head first into the life with or without help. He heard a knock on the door and opened it.
Craig walked through the salt line and held his hand out for the silver blade. He knew John was meticulous an was glad to be along for the ride. Knowing that what happened overseas was the product of some kind of monster and not him going crazy had helped him move through a lot of his issues. He had been a better father to Taylor than he had been in years. He finally felt like something made sense.
John moved his duffle from the extra chair and motioned for him to sit down.
Craig looked at the lines around John's face. "You look like hell."
John rubbed his face. "I've got stuff going on at home."
Craig nodded in understanding. "Is it Kate?"
John snorted. "It usually is." He had told Craig a bit about Kate's abilities but not how strong they were. He told him because she was friends with Taylor and he would personally want to know if one of his kids were around someone with abilities.
Craig sat forward. "She got into something didn't she?"
John raised a brow. "You sound like you know something."
Craig sat back and bounced his knee. "Taylor was worried about her."
"He was worried? Why?" John asked.
Craig opened his drink. "He said that he got worried and called her but she didn't answer her phone."
John nodded. "She has been a little distracted."
Craig mulled his son's words over in his head. "I'll let him know she is okay."
John chuckled. "For now."
Craig smiled. "That bad huh?"
John got up to get his own drink. "She got herself into something that made her aggressive."
Craig didn't push for more information. He sent Taylor a short message telling him to stop worrying about his friend.
Taylor got the message and relaxed for a moment. He wasn't an anxious person but he couldn't shake the worry. He wondered if his dad would consider it disobeying an order if he messaged Sam to ask how Kate was doing. Sam would understand getting weird feelings that wouldn't go away.
Sam was downstairs making sandwiches when his phone chimed. He was surprised to see the message from Taylor. Taylor had sent a message asking if he could call so Sam told him to go ahead.
Taylor considered telling his dad what he was doing before he did it but didn't want to bother him. "Hey, Sam. Thanks for letting me call."
Sam bit into his sandwich. "What's up?"
Taylor figured he should cut right to the chase. "I'm worried about Katie. I messaged her and even called and she didn't answer. I just feel like something is wrong."
Sam swallowed the bite. "She wont be using her phone for a little bit. I'm afraid she got herself into some trouble."
Taylor frowned to himself. Is that why he felt weird? "Can I ask what happened?"
Sam was thrown off by the intrusion. "I think that is private and she wouldn't appreciate me sharing that."
Taylor fidgeted with his fingers. "I can't explain why I feel the way I do. I didn't mean to pry."
Sam could hear the concern in his voice. "I'm all ears."
Taylor thought about saying never mind. Surely Sam would think he was crazy or just copying them to fit in. "Last night I was asleep but woke up scared. I know that sounds stupid. It felt like when you watch a scary movie and you are waiting on something to jump out at you."
Sam furrowed his brows. "Go on."
"I couldn't sleep and couldn't get it to go away so I texted Katie. When she didn't answer it got worse." Taylor said.
"We had something going on last night and she got to bed late." Sam told him.
Taylor second guessed the feeling. Maybe he was paranoid like his dad. "It got really bad again this morning. I sound crazy. Just forget it."
Sam cleared his throat. "When did this feeling get bad again?"
"I don't know for sure. A few hours ago." Taylor said.
"How is the feeling now?"
Taylor was confused by the question. "Not as bad but I am still worried. Could I talk to her?"
"She is asleep right now." Sam said.
"Are you sure?" Taylor asked.
Sam went up stairs and checked on Dean and Kate. He poked Kate but she didn't stir. "She is sound asleep."
Taylor sighed. "Thanks. I'm sorry I bugged you."
Sam assured him that it was okay.
Taylor hung up and sat on his couch. He was glad she was okay and sleeping but he was tired of the feeling that had taken up residence in his rib cage.
Sam went to go down the stairs but stopped himself. That conversation was strange. She was asleep, right? He crouched beside her bed and listened to her breathing. He gently placed a hand on her cheek and tried to read her.
Kate was standing beside a creek, watching two children sail leaves down like ships. She was waiting for Ada to appear again. She had walked around the village trying to find out more information but things weren't as clear as before. She had to figure things out before the boost wore off.
Sam saw her standing beside the creek and wondered if this is what she meant by Scotland. He walked over and cleared his throat.
Kate turned and jumped. "Sam."
"Why are you here?" Sam asked.
Kate backed away from him. "I have to get answers before it goes away."
"You came here on half power." Sam said.
Kate tried to grab his hand.
Sam shook his head. "No, I don't trust you not to zap me."
Kate felt her heartbreak. "I wont. I promise."
Sam looked at her. "No. Walk and I will follow. You have two minutes before I wake you up."
Kate threw her hands up and walked back down the path. "This is where Ada lives." She said and pointed to a small house. "We have the same mark and I need to speak to her."
Sam was skeptical. "We can figure things out back in the real world. How long have you been here?"
Kate shrugged. "I don't know."
"Did you fall asleep or were you trying to get sympathy out of Dean so he wouldn't bust your ass." Sam asked flatly.
Kate stared at him. "You try throwing up demon gunk."
Sam snorted. "Try getting punched in the chest hard enough to lose your breath."
Kate rolled her eyes. "I didn't hit you that hard."
Sam couldn't believe that she was still disconnected. "You did. You left a bruise. The fact that you don't care scares me."
Kate felt bad then. "I didn't mean to."
"We are leaving now." Sam said and touched her back.
Kate shook her head. "Please let me talk to her."
Sam was getting irritated. "You shouldn't even be here." He touched her arm and tried to wake them both up. "What did you do?"
Kate gasped. "I can't leave"
"What do you mean you can't leave?" Sam demanded.
Kate's eyes got wide. "I- I tethered us but I can't undo it. I'm too weak."
Sam ran his fingers through his hair. "You tethered us?!"
Kate opened her mouth and closed it.
Sam tried to pull them out again but there was some kind of barrier preventing it. "Now what? What was your plan? You could have trapped us here forever."
Kate could see how angry he was and regretted the experiment.
Taylor had turned on his favorite tv show when he doubled over from the fire in his stomach. He broke out in a cold sweat and paced the room. He had just gotten off the phone with Sam. Everything was okay. He was freaking out over nothing. He called his dad.
"Taylor? Slow down." Craig said when he answered the phone. "You called Sam? I told you she was fine. What has gotten into you?"
John's interest was peaked.
Taylor tried to calmly convey his feelings but they just came out as panicked gibberish.
Craig blew air through his nose. "He said she was sleeping, Taylor. I'm in the middle of something. Leave them alone."
Taylor swallowed. That was a direct order. He had to make himself calm down. As soon as he hung up the phone, though, he knew he couldn't. He called Dean and kept calling until he picked up.
Dean was groggy when he answered the phone. "Hello?"
"Dean! I'm sorry. I'm worried and I know Kate is asleep but the worry wont go away. Can you please just make sure she is okay?" Taylor pleaded.
Dean rubbed his eyes. "Hold on." He turned on the light and saw Kate sleeping with Sam sitting in the floor beside her. "She looks fine."
Taylor wanted to pull his hair out.
Dean nudged Sam. "Sammy, get up." When Sam didn't move he nudged him harder. "Sam, dude. Uh I'm going to put the phone down, Taylor."
Taylor bit his cheek.
Dean shook Sam and then shook Kate but neither woke up. He tried to pull Sam's hand from Kate's cheek but something was pulling it back. "Shit. Shit. Shit." He grabbed his phone. "Taylor. What do you know?"
Taylor was speechless. "I-I don't know anything. I had a worried feeling and called Sam. He checked on her and she was fine. The feeling got painful and I called you."
Dean ran down the stairs and got Bobby. "I can't wake them up."
"Balls." Bobby grumbled. He grabbed the holy water and sat Kate up enough to help her drink some. He nearly fell back when she woke up and knocked the cup across the room.
Dean saw Sam's eyes open as well. "Taylor, I'll call you back."
Taylor sat his phone down and rubbed his arms. The feeling had faded and he was just left with the rush.
Kate was sputtering and fighting but Sam was simply staring at her.
"What happened?" Dean asked.
Sam shook his head and walked out of the room.
Kate coughed up the rest of the holy water and calmed down. "I'm sorry, Bobby."
Bobby soothed her. "It is okay. I did kind of waterboard you."
Kate looked around. "Sam?"
Dean answered. "He went downstairs."
Kate tried to roll out of bed and run after him.
Bobby stopped her. "Catch your breath."
Dean eyed Kate for a moment before going after Sam. "Sammy, are you okay? What happened in there?"
Sam was angry. "I can't talk right now."
Dean nodded. "Alright. I understand." He ran back up to check on Kate.
Kate was crying hysterically.
Bobby looked to Dean and shrugged.
Dean sat down beside Kate. "Breathe. You are going to pass out if you don't breathe."
Kate thought passing out would be good. She hadn't meant to trap herself and Sam and having him angry at her made her want to melt. She tried to go to Sam.
Dean sat her down. "I wouldn't try to talk to him right now."
Kate covered her face and sobbed. The demon boost was gone and she was left with the crippling guilt.
Dean was starting to gather that what ever had happened was pretty severe.
They heard the front door open and slam which didn't help the situation.
Bobby held his hand up and went out to find Sam. "If you bust my door we are going to have issues, son."
Sam was sitting on the steps. "I'm sorry, Bobby."
Bobby sat beside him. "It is okay. I'm just trying to get you to talk."
Sam leaned forward and grabbed a piece of gravel. He rolled it around in his hand before throwing it.
"Is what happened something we need to know about?" Bobby asked.
Sam's jaw twitched. "I'd say so."
Bobby nodded. "Do you think you can fill me in?"
Sam was still pissed. He was angry at her but he had been terrified for both of them before they had been pulled out. "She trapped us."
Bobby furrowed his brow. "Where?"
Sam threw another rock. "She went back to Scotland to figure some stuff out before the boost wore off. Taylor called me worried about her so I decided to make sure she was just sleeping. I found her there and tried to talk to her. She said she tethered us so I couldn't pull her out before she got a chance to talk to this Ada kid. She ran out of fuel and couldn't undo the tether."
Bobby felt is own anger rising. "Taylor called Dean or we wouldn't have known anything was wrong for a while."
Sam rubbed his neck. "I don't know how."
"We can figure that out too. Right now I need to know about this tethering thing. Did she hurt you?" Bobby said.
Sam shook his head. "Bobby, I am so angry that I want to break things. I am pissed that she pulled that in the first place but I know she didn't mean to get us trapped. She was so scared."
Bobby could see the battle going on in Sam's head. "You don't have to make excuses. It is understandable that you would be angry."
"She is just a kid, Bobby." Sam said and hung his head.
"Well, she is. She is a smart kid who isn't blind on this stuff. I don't think you are going to get through this by trying to swallow all of that. If Dean got drunk and swung at you, how would you feel?" Bobby asked.
Sam looked out into the salvage yard in search of an answer. "I would be mad that he got drunk and came at me but I don't think he would swing at me like that."
Bobby smirked. "I have seen him swing at you."
Sam smirked back. "Yeah, when we argue."
"It is hard being the older brother. You probably feel like you can't be mad because your job is to protect her." Bobby added.
"I might have given Dean a little bit of hell over the years." Sam admitted.
Bobby laughed. "More than a little bit. You grew up to be a decent adult."
Sam smiled. "That is the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me."
Bobby clapped him on the back. "You are one of the best men I know and I'm glad I got to see you grow up."
Sam didn't respond but let the compliment seep in. "I'm kind of surprised I reached adulthood."
Bobby grimaced. "Me too. You were hellbent on not reaching adulthood for a while."
Sam rubbed his forehead. "I ran a few times but I don't think I put myself in the line of fire like this."
Bobby chuckled. "No, you went the parental assisted suicide route."
Sam snorted. "Dad and I had a few disagreements."
"Son, I thought for sure he was going to wring your neck a few times." Bobby said, lightly.
Sam sat forward. "He just kicked my ass instead."
Bobby nodded. "John can be a bear but he does love you boys."
Sam sighed but didn't reply.
Bobby knew it was a sore spot. "You survived your brother too." He said, changing the subject.
Sam grinned. "Barely."
"I guess all of your bad ideas were just training for Kate's." Bobby added.
Sam frowned.
"She adores you just like she adores Dean. She gets misguided but I don't think, without some kind of influence, she would purposefully hurt you boys."
Sam felt the exhaustion creeping up his bones. "I know she wouldn't. That is why it is hard to be angry."
"Do you think you are about ready to go talk to her? She was pretty upset that she trapped you." Bobby said.
Sam furrowed his brows. "She needs to be upset. She could have gotten us both hurt."
Bobby nodded. "She needs to know you aren't going to completely shun her."
In that way she was like Sam, so he knew Bobby was right. He hated when Dean was mad at him and would work himself into a frenzy until he knew Dean didn't hate him. "Has anyone talked to Taylor?"
Bobby shrugged. "Do you want to call him and then come inside?"
Sam nodded. "I'll do that."
Bobby left him on the steps and went up to their room.
Dean looked up but didn't speak.
Bobby gave him a subtle nod to let him know that Sam was okay.
Kate started crying again and buried her face in Dean's shirt.
Bobby cleared his throat. "Sam is going to give Taylor a call to let him know that she is okay."
Kate whipped her head around. "Why Taylor?"
Dean sighed. "Apparently Taylor knew something was wrong. He called a few times worried about you. If he hadn't woken me up, I wouldn't have known about you and Sam."
Kate gasped. "How?"
Dean tilted his head. "I don't know. That is something we will talk about."
Kate tried to stand up. "I need to talk to him."
Dean stopped her. "Sam will give him the information he needs."
Kate started panicking again. "I can talk to him at school."
Dean sighed. "You aren't going to school or class tomorrow."
Kate's mouth dropped open. "Why?"
Dean looked at her with side eyes. "You aren't going to be around people until we get this figured out. Last thing we need is you getting mad at a kid and hurting them."
Kate felt the rest of her heart shatter. "I wont. I promise. I'm not angry anymore."
Bobby leaned against the door facing. "You aren't going to feel like going to school tomorrow."
Kate looked at him, confused, and then she understood. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen."
Bobby shook his head. "It did happen though."
Kate was hit by the magnitude of what she had done. She felt her chest growing tight and froze.
Dean patted her back. "Take a breath."
Kate looked at him with wide eyes and still couldn't get a breath.
Dean could see the true panic and wrapped his arms around her. "Come on, breathe."
Kate finally got a breath and broke down again.
Sam walked up the stairs and softened when he saw how distraught she was. He held his arms open for her to hug him.
Kate wrapped her arms around his waist. "I'm sorry, Sammy. I'm really sorry."
Sam patted her back and broke the hug. "I know."
Kate felt like she had done permanent damage.
Bobby excused himself to make a call to John.
John was growing irritated with the lack of information.
Bobby braced himself for John's frustration. He told him everything he knew and about how Taylor had helped.
John was stunned. He looked at Craig. "Taylor called Dean."
Craig felt his own frustration growing.
John asked Bobby to wait while he relayed the information to Craig. "Don't fuss at the kid, he may have very well saved two of mine."
Craig sat back. He was also stunned. "Does this mean he has some kind of ... power.. too?"
John shrugged. "They are around each other a lot. It could have been a gut thing."
Craig excused himself so that he could call Taylor to make sure that he was okay.
John went back to his conversation with Bobby. "How is Sam?"
Bobby was thrown off. "He doesn't seem to have any ill effects."
John chuckled. "That isn't what I am asking."
Bobby rubbed his head. "He is angry. He feels betrayed and is hurt."
John nodded. "I'm assuming that Dean is still Dean."
Bobby grumbled "He is angry too."
John knew he would be but Dean knew how to handle it. John blushed although he was alone. "This is a bad time to say it but don't tell Sam. I'm going to be at his graduation. I realize I was wrong and I don't like this college idea but I might as well send him off on a decent note."
"I think that is a wonderful idea." Bobby replied. "Did Missouri have anything to do with that?"
John laughed. "She talked some sense into me."
Bobby knew how Missouri was "Good. It's about time."
John grumbled but accepted the jab. "Keep me updated on the home front. Craig and I have to scope out this house tonight."
Bobby assured him that he would keep him in the loop. He hung up the phone and went back to the bedroom. "How is it going in here?"
Kate had cried until she had no more tears. Her voice was gone and she was weak. She was miserable and didn't know how to fix things.
Dean stood up and spoke to Bobby in the hallway. He kept an eye on her but spoke in hushed tones.
Sam put his arm around Kate's shoulders. He was still frustrated but knew the guilt she was feeling was rough.
Kate melted into Sam's side. "I'm sorry."
Sam sighed and pulled her closer. He knew she was sorry. "What is on your mind?"
Kate slumped. "I am stupid."
Sam frowned. "You aren't stupid."
Kate hid her face. "Why do I keep messing up?"
Sam looked at her. "I don't think you have enough impulse control. I know the sigil did something to you. Why didn't you tell one of us when we got back to the truck?"
"I don't know." Was all Kate could say.
Dean and Bobby were both at a loss as to how to best help her.
"Is all of that out of her system?" Bobby asked.
Dean shrugged. "I guess we can test her. Dean walked into the room and sat beside Kate. "Do you feel like you're going to punch anyone?"
Kate offered him a slight smile. "No."
Dean patted her leg. "Come outside."
Kate didn't argue although she was confused.
Dean pick up the concrete blocks.
Kate was surprised when she was still able to move them.
Dean furrowed his brows. "I guess it isn't out of your system."
Kate put the block down. "It is harder than earlier but not as hard as it usually is."
Dean nodded. "Maybe it is fading."
"Do you want me to run?" Kate asked.
Dean considered it. "Would it help you calm down or do you think you are pretty calm?"
Kate looked toward the path. "I think I am calm."
"What else is different?" Dean asked.
Kate sat down on one of the blocks. "I'm not sure. My abilities are more clear but I think I burned a lot of energy when I.. when I trapped us."
"You know Sammy has a right to be angry about that, right?" Dean said in a lower tone.
Kate shuttered. "He does. I can't say I am sorry enough. I didn't mean to trap us."
Dean nodded. "Is there anything that happened that you need clarification on or want to defend yourself over?"
Kate looked him in the eyes and then dropped her eyes back to her feet. She hadn't meant for things to go the way they did and it was true that the demon boost had clouded her judgement. She had made the initial choices and lost control of herself. She was truly sorry and wanted to make amends. "No."
Dean ran his fingers through his hair. "You make this really hard, kid."
Kate remembered what he said last time she had gotten into major trouble. "I'm sorry."
Dean led her back to the house. "Go to the kitchen and sit down. I'm going to talk to Bobby real quick."
Kate did as she was told and felt like she was walking to her death.
Bobby offered to take over but they knew she connected the wrong doing to Dean. Disappointing him hurt worse than disappointing Bobby.
Dean leaned against the wall. "I'm never having kids."
Bobby chuckled. "They are a handful. Missouri had an idea that I think would be a good idea."
"What is it?"
Bobby rubbed his beard. "She can get her hands on a bracelet that will prevent Kate from using her abilities."
Dean scoffed. "Like handcuffs?"
Bobby shook his head. "Like the safety switch on a gun. Once she takes it off, she will regain her abilities. If she is in danger or needs to do something, she can easily take it off. Wearing it would give her time to think before she did something."
Dean let the information sink in. "That is a good idea. She isn't going to like it."
Bobby nodded. "She will be okay."
They walked down the stairs with Sam behind them.
Dean touched her back and sat beside her.
"Is the jury done deliberating?" Kate asked, lightly.
Sam smiled at the reference.
Bobby nodded at Dean to explain what was going to happen.
Dean sighed. "Do we need to discuss everything?"
Kate shook her head. "No. I know what I did was wrong. I've explained what happened and I'm not trying to defend myself."
"This is pretty bad, kiddo." Dean started. "You will miss school tomorrow and will be grounded for the foreseeable future. I'm not sending you back to class until I know for certain that you can control yourself. Having to write those reports over burns and medications seemed to help so you will have another one of those."
Kate tilted her head.
Dean nudged her. "We will figure out what that looks like. Maybe it is just on the dangers of mixing sigils."
Kate nodded.
"I did some stupid stuff in my life and I paid dearly for it. I didn't mess around with the supernatural though. I had Sam to take care of." He looked at Sam and gave him a small smile. "Once I am sure that you are not dangerous, you are going to be helping Lacy out with her sister's two kids. I think some community service would do you some good and maybe chasing after those two will make you understand that it isn't fun chasing after you." Dean continued.
Kate let that sink in. "Do you just want more alone time with Lacy?" She asked with a twinkle in her eye.
Dean smiled at her. "There's the sass."
Kate put her head down.
"I'm going to run with you more and make sure you don't have enough energy to get yourself into trouble. What ever training you do now, just assume it will be doubled."
Kate groaned but didn't argue. So far, all of the consequences seemed fair.
"Before you flip out, just listen." Dean began. "Missouri is going to get a bracelet that prevents you from using your abilities."
Kate felt her heart beat faster but she kept her mouth shut.
"It isn't going to get rid of them. If you get into a dangerous situation where you need to protect yourself, all you do is take it off. That will prevent you from accidentally compelling people." Dean said.
Kate sighed. "Alright." Her abilities seemed to get her into more trouble than not. "Will I still get to practice?"
Dean nodded. "Yes but we will cross that bridge when we get there."
Kate just wanted things to be okay again. "I'm guessing that isn't it."
Dean smirked. "No. You have one hell of a butt warming coming."
Kate cringed. "Understandable."
"Sam is going to read you to make sure that you don't have anything else we need to know."
Kate held out her hand without a fight.
Sam quickly scanned her and let her hand go.
"Head upstairs." Dean said and tilted his head toward the hallway.
Kate complied and ran up the steps.
"Is she good?" Dean asked.
Sam sighed. "From what I could tell. She does feel guilty."
Dean bowed his head and took a few breaths. "You two are giving me the hard job."
Bobby chuckled. "If she decides to punch me, I'll make sure to skin her for it."
Dean looked at Sam for a long moment. "So, what did you decide?"
Sam shrugged. "I don't know yet."
Dean sighed. "Well, let me know." He groaned and turned toward the stairs. He wished he had the power to compel people because he would use it on Kate to behave herself.
Kate wasn't scared anymore. She didn't fear the spanking although she was certain it would be awful. She just wanted her debt paid.
Dean sat down on his bed. "Are you sure there is nothing you want to say?"
Kate shook her head and went to stand by him.
Dean found it harder to steel himself with her being so compliant. He also knew that her guilt would eat her alive if he didn't do his job properly. "Grab the ruler and come back over here."
Kate followed the order although she hated the wooden thing.
"Why are you here?"
Kate sighed. "I didn't tell anyone what happened with the demons. I compelled Bobby and Sam and tried to compel you. I was rude and disrespectful and hurt you and Sam. I lied about a bunch of stuff and went on a few trips without telling anyone. I also trapped me and Sam in a vision."
Dean appreciated the understanding. "Drop 'em."
Kate bit her cheek but pushed her jeans down.
Dean sighed and took her arm, pulling her down across his lap. He truly hated what he was about to do. He brought his hand down for the first swat and had to push the pity away. He would rather her have a sore butt than get herself killed. He covered every inch of skin between mid butt and mid thigh.
Kate could feel the sting but was determined not to fight it.
Dean rested his hand on her thigh. She would usually at least try to wiggle away. He had swatted her pretty hard and her skin wasn't as bright as it had been in previous times. "Would some of those left over powers happen to effect your pain tolerance and how quickly you heal?"
Kate froze.
Dean tapped her. "Now would be a really bad time to lie."
Kate looked back at him. "I don't know. I'm not trying to get out of it. I promise." She tensed.
Dean chuckled. "Kid, you just have to make things more complicated."
Kate started crying. "I promise I'm not trying anything."
Dean patted her. "I know. I am just going to wear my hand out before I get my message across."
Kate groaned. "I'm sorry."
Dean picked up the ruler and laid it against the back of her thigh. "We will just switch gears then."
Kate gulped.
Dean swatted her with the ruler and got the reaction he was expecting when he had used his hand. She could definitely feel it. He briefly considered how handy that power would have been when he was a kid and pissed John off. He kept swatting with the ruler until she started to really struggle. He brought the ruler down three times with more force. "That is for punching me and trying to kick me."
Kate wiggled. "I'm sorry."
Dean scoffed. He could see pink lines from the ruler and felt bad but the ones from the first round were already beginning to fade. "Kid, if you don't stop healing I'm going to have to use this every night for a week."
Kate squeaked. "It hurts plenty!"
Dean scooted her closer to his hip. "As long as you learn your lesson, I don't care how fast you heal."
Kate pushed against his leg, worried about the tightened grip.
Dean started swatting with the ruler again. "You will not compel anyone. You will not lie to us and you will not go on your little trips without letting someone know. It is the same as if you walked out of the house."
Kate reached back as the sting got to be too much.
Dean stopped her hand and held it in his own.
Kate dropped her head and cried. "I'm sorry. I promise I will never do anything like this ever again."
Dean sighed. He had heard that promise before. He didn't want to keep swatting forever. She was well warmed up and chastised. He swatted her with his hand. "How are you feeling?"
Kate lifted her head. "How do you think?"
Dean patted her. "Brat, I'm asking in relation to healing faster."
Kate sniffled. "It hurts."
Dean chewed his lip. That was by far the hardest spanking he had given her but the new ability did pose a problem. He knew that it wasn't the strength of punishment that made a difference as much as what happened inside her head. "Hop up, find a corner."
Kate frowned. "I learned my lesson."
Dean gave her a look. "I don't know, that sounds like disobeying an order."
Kate stepped around him and faced the corner. She hated being put in a corner.
Dean ran downstairs.
Bobby gave him a look.
Dean rubbed his head. "An added bonus of her run in with demon juice is that her pain tolerance and ability to heal are far beyond what they were."
Bobby furrowed his brows. "Balls."
"It isn't a bad thing in the long run." Dean said. He looked at Sam. "Sammy, I need you to come with me."
Sam knew what Dean wanted and reluctantly followed him.
Dean opened the bedroom door. "Kate, you may turn around."
Kate saw Sam and blushed.
"What we haven't covered is you hurting Sam and getting trapped in that vision. You could have been stuck there forever had Taylor not called me." Dean said.
Kate melted. "I'm sorry. I really am."
Dean held up his hand. "You have a choice."
Kate's mouth dropped open. She didn't want to know what that choice was.
"For pulling the trapping stunt, I think my belt would suffice." He wouldn't have considered it if she wasn't healing so quickly. He knew it would have a psychological impact even if he tapped her with it.
Kate started to cry again. "Dean, please."
Dean stopped her. "Or since it was Sam that you trapped, you can take the last few swats from him, with the ruler."
Kate's eyes flicked between the two brothers.
Sam was against the idea at first but it made sense. He was her last line of non parental friendship and this would probably solidify the need to not repeat the same lesson.
Kate wiped her tears. "That isn't fair!"
Dean smirked. "Belt or Sam, choose."
Kate shifted from foot to foot. "John said I was too young for the belt."
Dean nodded. "That was before you developed this new ability."
Kate looked into Sam's eyes, searching for any sign of alliance. She knew Sam didn't want to do it but maybe if he did they would be on the same page again. He wouldn't swat her as hard and it had to be better than the belt.
Dean saw the look she gave Sam. "You got it?"
Sam sighed. This was awkward for him. "Yeah, I got it."
Kate second guessed her decision as soon as Dean turned away. "Sam, I'm really really sorry. You don't have to do this."
Sam watched her. "Why shouldn't I?"
Kate held her breath. "You are my friend."
Sam nodded. "Your friend that you punched and trapped in freaking Scotland."
Kate bounced on her toes. This was so much worse than Dean. "I'll never do it again."
"Good, because I don't want to do this again." Sam said and grabbed her arm. He needed to rip the bandage off before he abandoned ship.
Kate landed across his knees and was thankful that he let her keep her jeans up. "I'm sorry."
Sam situated her. "I know, Kate."
Kate wanted to get out of the embarrassing situation as soon as possible. She was caught off guard when the first swat with the ruler caught the upper part of her thigh. She tried to wiggle free. Alarm bells were going off in her head. "Ow!"
Sam tapped her. "Stop fighting me."
Kate groaned. "That hurt."
Sam swatted her again. "That is kind of the whole point."
Kate whined. "You don't have to hit me THAT hard." She was under the impression that her sweet gentle Sam would hold back.
Sam rubbed his temple. "I really don't want to have to do this again, so hush. You have five more."
Kate slumped and pulled Dean's pillow to her face. The last five were centered in her sit spots and the space above and below. She was sobbing by the time Sam let her go.
Sam felt like a dick. He heard the door open and gave Dean a sad look.
Dean knew the emotional turmoil Sam was dealing with.
Sam let Kate up and hugged her while she cried into his chest.
"Did you think he was going to go easy on you?" Dean asked.
Kate looked at him. "Well, yeah."
Dean smirked. "Lesson learned?"
Kate nodded.
He held out his arms to hug her as well. "Good, I really didn't want to use a belt on you."
Sam nudged him with his elbow. "You are a jerk."
Dean rubbed Kate's back. "We are good now. You have your grounding and stuff but you are forgiven."
Kate dried her tears. She looked at Sam for the same confirmation.
Sam nodded. "Good here too."
Kate was exhausted and just wanted to sleep.
Dean stood her up. "You have some apologies to make to Bobby."
Kate groaned but wiped her face. "Okay."
Bobby grunted when her head hit his chest.
Kate wrapped her arms around him. "I'm so sorry, Bobby."
Bobby patted her back. "No more dumb choices, okay?"
Kate nodded.
Bobby made her a sandwich and told her to eat. He was pleased with the lack of tension in the house. He studied both Sam and Dean and felt a spark of joy. He whispered something to Sam before speaking in a hushed tone. "You know, I'm glad to see her back to normal but do you think any of this had to do with what she saw when she read Lacy?"
Dean stepped closer to Sam. "What did she see?"
Sam blushed. "Oh, uh. Something to do with you but she wouldn't say."
Dean turned red and he looked at Kate. His mind was racing with possibilities.
Kate turned her head to hide a giggle.
Dean didn't even want to ask.
Bobby gave him a few seconds to stew before clapping him on the back. "Relax, son. She didn't see anything."
Kate giggled freely and grinned at him.
Dean grabbed his chest and sat down. "All three of you are horrible people." He looked at Bobby. "We had a pact."
Bobby rubbed Kate's head. "I don't remember a pact."
Dean got up and grabbed a drink. "That wasn't funny."
Kate put on an innocent face. "What would I have seen that you are worried about?"
Dean narrowed his eyes. "Nothing." He caught Sam in a head lock when he walked by. "You too?"
Sam pushed his arm away. "Harmless prank."
Dean chuckled. "I feel pretty harmed."
Kate took a bite of her sandwich and mumbled. "You love us."
Dean looked at each of the three faces looking back at him. He snorted. "I guess I do."
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Author's note. Kate has a habit of taking good things and winding up in bad situations. How could a high pain tolerance and rapid healing possibly backfire?