Usually, demons were met in houses and run down buildings. Traps could be set and demons could be contained. Going up against more than one demon in a semi-open area was nerve wracking and felt wrong. Dean immediately saw two and blasted them with salt.

John pulled his gun out and kept steady awareness of his surroundings. He fired off a round and a demon stopped in their steps. Devil's trap bullets were an ingenious idea that he wasn't sure why they hadn't figured out years before.

Caleb heard a whoosh and tried to spin around but the arm around his throat prevented that.

Bobby hit the demon with a salt round and got it off of Caleb's back.

Caleb grabbed the back of his thigh and hissed. "You shot me in the ass."

Bobby put a hand on his back and looked around them. "It was either that or let the son of a bitch snap your neck."

Caleb limped for a moment before shaking his leg. "Thanks."

John drew a symbol on a tree. Castiel had given them specific symbols and all they needed to do was to get them on four trees, far enough apart to trap the demons that were there.

Dean stepped forward and then fell back and slid across the ground and up a tree. He grabbed at his neck and sputtered.

Bobby fired off another shot.

Dean hit the ground. He hadn't even seen the demon that tagged him.

Bobby dug his knife into another tree and Caleb did the same.

Dean managed the fourth symbol shortly before he got thrown again.

Castiel dispatched two demons and then healed Dean.

"How many?" Dean asked.

Castiel surveyed the area. "Eight." He flicked his hand. "Six."

Caleb was hit by a wall of smoke and stumbled back. The smoke paused and then ran into a barrier above him. He scooted himself back.

Bobby helped him up. "They aren't going to want to possess your salty ass."

Caleb groaned. "Funny."

Birds flew from the trees and left a sickening silence to swallow the forest.

Dean got closer to John so his back was covered.

A loud whistling sound replaced the silence. Something hit the ground at a high speed and sent dirt and debris flying into Bobby and Caleb's eyes.

Castiel ran to dispatch the new demon but another banished him with a sigil.

Dean's heart picked up speed. Their main defense just got sent to who knows where. The perimeter they had drawn kept the demons inside the square. However, it did precious little to prevent new ones from showing up outside the bounds.

David walked from the center of the shallow crater he created. "I want to speak to Taylor."

Caleb felt his chest growing tighter. He grabbed his side and hit his knees.

David's eyes were black. "Now."

John splashed a demon with holy water before it jumped Dean. "No. You've done enough."

David growled loudly and brought a tree down on Bobby and Caleb.

There was a scuffle that ended with Dean on his back gasping for breath.

John knelt beside Dean to cover him. He couldn't get close enough to David to do anything.

Caleb tried to get an exorcism out but David knocked him unconscious.

Taylor paced. "Sam, they need help."

Sam was sitting in front of the door. "You can't go out there."

"I can feel it." Taylor said.

Sam didn't see anger in Taylor's eyes, he saw fear. "Not without a plan."

Dean rolled onto his knees and pushed himself up only to be knocked in the head again.

John swung the demon knife at the demon that attacked Dean and incapacitated him.

David raised his hand which caused the trees to crack, breaking the perimeter. He walked over to John and Dean and knocked the knife from John's hand. He hit him in the stomach and shoved him against a tree.

John saw stars in his eyes from lack of air. He got a good jab into David's ribs that caused his grip to falter.

David dropped John and hissed. His hands flew to his back.

John saw the arrow and then another demon dropped to their knees from the same wound.

Dean felt cool air rush through the trees and most of the demons fled.

Sam ran to Caleb and Bobby and made sure they were both breathing. He threw a chain around David's neck and locked it. He tossed John the demon knife and pointed to the second demon.

John looked at Sam for a moment, searching for an explanation. He crouched down in front of the demon on the ground. "I already killed you once."

Craig tried to break free from the arrow that had him bound to one spot. His torrent of threats were cut short by the demon blade cutting into his chest.

"Stay dead." John said and let the body hit the ground.

David was taken over by the demon inside him. His voice was deep and the growl escaping his mouth was terrifying.

Sam ran back to Caleb and Bobby. "Where does it hurt?"

Bobby was out of breath. "My leg."

Castiel ran from the bunker. He got the tree off of Bobby and healed his wounds. He pointed toward the bunker. "Go."

Kate hugged Bobby as soon as he got inside. She hugged Caleb too. "Where are Sam and Dean?"

"Out there." Bobby said.

Castiel touched Dean's head and healed him again. His grace was strained. He put the palm of his hand on top of David's head and absorbed the information that was stored there. He burned the demon from his body and left David's limp form on the ground.

Dean braced Castiel. "What did you do?"

"The demons are gone. I know what they were after."

Dean threw Castiel's arm over his shoulder. "Let's get you inside."

John grabbed Dean's salt rifle from the ground and touched the side of David's neck.

Castiel turned around. He vanished for a moment and then returned. He stumbled into the bunker and flopped into the chair that was pulled out for him.

Kate checked on Cas. "Cas, are you okay?"

"I just need rest." Cas said. He looked at Bobby. "David is back in Sioux Falls."

Bobby called Jody. He resituated his hat. "You will find David wandering around that building you found him in. He will be talking out of his head and possibly violent."

Jody was quiet for a moment before speaking. "You are going to explain all of this aren't you?"

Bobby chuckled. "Yeah. Just... just don't sell me out."

"Is this for Taylor?" Jody asked.

"Yes."

Jody sighed. "Then I'll pick David up and make sure he stays locked up for a long time." She would be suspicious had she not seen David's eyes change colors and witnessed him vanishing before her eyes. Something was going on that was far bigger than breaking and entering.

John dropped his gear on the table. "Where is Taylor?"

Sam sighed. "In his room."

"The arrows were from him weren't they?" John asked.

Sam straightened his shoulders. "If you are going to be angry about it, be angry at me. I let him."

John rubbed his face. He spoke briefly to Sam before knocking on Taylor's door.

Taylor was fully expecting John to be angry over leaving the bunker. He was given an order.

John sat on the chair beside Taylor's bed. "How did you know which one was Craig?"

Taylor kept his eyes on his feet. "Spent the first twelve years of my life with him."

"Even though he was in another body?" John asked.

"Yeah."

John shifted so his elbows were on his knees. "It is over."

Taylor didn't respond.

"Where were you when you hit them?" John asked.

Taylor groaned. "I know. I went outside. I had to. I'm sorry."

John stopped him. "I am asking how far away you were."

"Standing over the door where the railing is." Taylor said.

John nodded. "That is a hell of a shot."

Taylor was confused.

"Sam told me." John said.

Taylor finally looked at John.

"You shot both of them and then returned to the bunker."

Tayor nodded.

"What was on the arrows?" John asked.

"Blood." Taylor said.

"Kate's?"

Taylor swallowed. "Yes, but it was a tiny bit and it wasn't her idea and the spell that brought Cas back was done by me and she didn't do anything."

John pinched the bridge of his nose. "I am not angry at you."

Taylor stared at him.

"Castiel was gone. Bobby and Caleb were pinned. Dean was down. You followed Sam's orders and then went back inside. You controlled yourself." John said.

"So it is over?" Taylor asked.

"Castiel got information from David and the demon that had him. Jody is going to pick David up and has enough against him to put him away for a long time. Craig is dead. I used the demon knife on him." John said.

Taylor's throat felt tight. His mouth was dry. Tears threatened to pour from his eyes. It was really over. He tried to speak but his throat was too tight.

John put a hand on his shoulder and patted him. "I will give you your space. We can talk about what Cas found in a little while."

Taylor nodded. He was grateful that John understood his need for privacy in order to process the strong emotions that came with Craig and David.

Kate was antsy. She hugged Dean and made sure he was in one piece. "Cas healed you twice?"

"Yep. Good as new." Dean said.

Kate chewed her lip.

John joined them in the library. "Dean."

Dean walked over to him.

Kate panicked but stayed where she was.

"Sam changed my order to stay in the bunker. Kate's blood was used for those two arrows but it wasn't her idea. She didn't do the spell to bring Castiel back." John said.

Dean glanced at Kate. He raised a brow at John. "Sam changed your order?"

"I'll let him tell you that story." John said. He clapped Dean on the back.

Dean went back to Kate. "Breathe. You are in the clear."

Kate wrapped her arms around his middle. "Really?"

"For helping just now." Dean said.

Kate groaned. "Don't let the victory distract you or anything."

Dean tilted her chin up. "I will give you the benefit of waiting until there aren't extra people in the bunker."

Kate scrunched her nose. "Thanks."

Jess found Sam and jumped so she could wrap her arms around his neck.

He spun around once and lowered her. "I told you I'd be right back."

John had Castiel do another check and then called everyone into the library. "Sam, Jess, Castiel can get you back to your apartment."

Sam wanted to get Jess far away but also didn't want to leave his family hanging. "You won't need me?"

"Things should be okay for a while." John said.

Sam figured part of the reason for getting them out was so that Jess didn't call the cops for what would seem like Dean murdering Kate.

Castiel sat down again. "I will be ready in an hour."

Caleb clapped Sam on the back. "Took you long enough to show up."

Sam elbowed his side. "Because I was told to."

Caleb and Bobby were displaced without a vehicle. "How are we getting back out there?"

"Cas can help you tomorrow." Dean said.

"You and I could run out and get a couple of things." Bobby said.

Caleb shrugged. "Works for me."

Kate got nervous. "Wait, or you could stay."

Caleb snorted. "Sorry kid, I'm not a shield."

Taylor pulled himself together and joined the others.

Caleb shoved his shoulder. "Thanks for saving my ass."

Taylor blushed a little.

Bobby thanked him as well.

Taylor was thankful that the plan had gone well and they weren't upset. He said goodbye to Sam and thanked him for talking him down from what would have been a disaster.

"For Christmas, we could just fly like normal people." Jess said.

Dean shook his head. "Drive. Planes are death traps."

Kate smiled. "He has a fear of flying."

Jess smiled back.

Castiel got Sam and Jess back to Stanford and made sure that the house was safe. "It would be wise to be on the lookout."

Sam agreed. He blinked and the angel was gone.

Bobby approached April. "If you wanted to go with us, Andy could get some fresh air."

April wasn't sure if it was safe.

"Caleb and I will be with you." Bobby said.

April spoke to John briefly and decided they did need the fresh air.

Kate groaned. She was hoping that they'd stick around and push the talk to the next day or just... never.

John whistled and told Taylor and Kate to go to the library. He wanted to figure out exactly what happened.

Dean joined them. "So, where were we?"

Kate rested her head on the table. Her abdomen was so tense that it hurt.

Taylor studied the wood on the table and picked at it with his thumbnail.

"Kate, what happened with the spell?"

Kate looked up. "I don't know. I never got a chance to ask."

"It didn't stop at the line you drew." Dean said.

Kate looked down again.

"Were you trying to get enough for both Sam and Andy?" Dean asked.

"I don't know." Kate mumbled.

"By the time you woke up you had used up three units from me and two from Jess." Dean said.

Kate bit her lip. "I didn't know it was that much."

"Had Jess not been here you absolutely would have died. Jess and I both felt like shit and Castiel had to step in so I didn't die from it too." Dean said.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know it was going to take that much." Kate said.

"Are you sure you didn't know?"

"That directly affects you and Jess. I would have told you." Kate said, softly.

"You just wouldn't have if it was only going to hurt you." Dean said.

Kate slowly shook her head.

"Taylor, did you know?" Dean asked.

Taylor stopped picking at the table. "No."

"How much did you know during all of this?" John asked.

"I knew she was going to use a spell. I knew she was a ghost and stuff like that." Taylor said.

"Is that true, Kate?"

"This was all my fault." Kate said.

"That isn't what I asked you." John said.

Kate sighed. "Yes."

Dean and John stepped away from the table and discussed what they should do.

John turned back after a couple of minutes. "Taylor, let's take a walk."

Taylor slid his chair back and glared at Kate. "Why every time WE do something, do I get stuck with John?"

Dean leaned against the table. "She is so much worse off."

Taylor clenched his jaw and walked around the table.

Kate was frozen for a moment. "I think I broke him."

"If his own mouth gets him into deeper weeds, that is his own fault."

Kate bounced her legs. She chewed her fingernails and avoided Dean's gaze.

"Room." Dean said.

Kate slowly stood up and headed to her room. She was certain that Dean had never been so upset with her before.

Dean sat down on the chair in her room and propped his feet on her bed. He leaned back and put his hands behind his head. "So, what the hell?"

Kate sat on her bed. She looked everywhere but Dean's face.

"If you stall, everyone will be back and it won't matter to me." Dean said.

Kate pulled her pillow into her lap and groaned. "I am sorry."

Dean scoffed. "You'd think so. Explain what went through your head."

"I told you."

"I still don't understand." Dean said. "The end result was nice but the path to get there is riddled with bad decisions."

"Everything is okay now." Kate said.

"No, it isn't. I can't trust you but more than that, I am wondering how closely I have to watch you to make sure you don't try to get yourself killed. Throwing yourself in front of someone to prevent them from getting shot is one thing. I think everyone in this family would do something like that. Loading the gun and handing it to someone to shoot and then jump in front of it is another. That, only you would do." Dean said.

Kate sniffled. "You literally sold your soul."

"In another timeline. If something got ahold of Sammy or one of you two kids, I would be tempted to do something like that." Dean said.

"So you can understand." Kate said.

"No, if I did something like that, dad would raise me from hell just to kick my ass." Dean said. "That is an issue with you. However, I don't think any amount of punishment is going to get you out of the mindset that you should protect people at your own life's risk. Why lie about all of this?'

"Well... you... you wouldn't have let me do it." Kate said.

"Damn straight I wouldn't have." Dean said. He dropped his feet to the floor and looked at her. "You died, Kate. No matter how much CPR I did, you died. Seeing you take that first breath was one of the best things I have ever seen. Then, you jerk me around and tell me that you plan to die a second time."

Kate let tears fall. "I'm really sorry."

"I do not believe that you didn't know that more blood would be taken." Dean said.

Kate started crying harder. "I didn't."

"You fully intended to die." Dean said.

Kate wiped her eyes. "I told you I was supposed to."

Dean tilted her chin so she had to look at him. "No, you weren't. You weren't supposed to buddy up with a reaper and die at 11. You are supposed to get older and do whatever the hell older Kate is doing."

"I couldn't let John die." Kate said.

"We have discussed that and that is not what my problem is." Dean said.

Kate pulled her chin away. "The rest was because of that."

"Multiple birds with one stone." Dean said. "Except you aren't a damn stone. You don't gamble your life. Even after finding out you would lose part of your soul, you still went right on ahead with it."

Kate covered her face with her pillow.

"If I consider the circumstances, I could see why choices were made." He paused. "Except you got that spell from the spellbook Andy had. That flat out broke the promise you made not to deal with magic anymore. Before all other choices were made, that one was made. Magic is dangerous. Putting spells together to create your own is even more dangerous." He sat down on her bed and pulled her arm. "Stand up."

### ###

Taylor was silent as he followed John. He was still dealing with anger and felt that, although he played a minor role in Kate's plan, he was getting the brunt of it.

John opened a door and pointed to a bench. "Sit."

Taylor bounced his legs.

John sat opposite Taylor. "You are angry."

Taylor didn't respond.

"You are angry at me." John clarified.

Taylor bit the inside of his cheek and pushed his anger down.

"Now is your time to talk." John said.

Taylor shot off the bench and paced. "I begged for weeks for you to take me seriously about David but I just got shut down and pushed away. It took him trying to kill several people before it got any kind of recognition. You were so sure of yourself about Craig that you wouldn't even entertain the idea. I was right! I was right about everything! Then, Kate drags me into this crap with her and I admit I let her but mainly to keep her from doing it alone. But I'm the one getting whipped for it."

John gave him a moment. "Are you done?"

Taylor spun around. He was breathing heavily and his fists were clenched.

"We didn't realize it was serious. We should have but something was clouding our judgment. You prevented deaths today and in the end, Craig is gone and David will be locked away." John said.

Taylor punched the wall. "He needs to be dead."

John stayed on the bench. "What would that solve?"

"He'd be dead!" Taylor shouted.

"David is still a minor. We don't kill kids. The demon that had him is gone so he is nothing but a human. A very broken human." John said.

"Then you should have let me out there. I'm a minor too. I have no problem killing him."

John sighed. "That is exactly why you were told to stay inside." He held up his hand and stood up. "You listened and you saved all of us with those arrows. I am not condemning you for what happened with Craig and David."

Taylor was suddenly aware of how he was conducting himself. He swallowed hard. "I-I..."

"You have been making snarky comments and raising your voice for days. I want to know why that disrespect is mostly directed at me." John said.

"You consider having opinions to be disrespect." Taylor said. He stiffened and mentally kicked himself.

John encroached on his personal space. "You will control yourself."

Taylor slowly nodded.

"I am trying to level with you." John said. "My patience only goes so far so how you respond directly relates to if I bust your ass now or a few minutes from now."

Taylor slowly blinked. "Yes, sir."

"Sit." John ordered. He took a deep breath. "Sam and I never had the best relationship. He challenged me in ways that Dean didn't. We have different definitions of respect and it made his teen years hell."

Taylor wasn't sure where John was going.

"I can look back and see where some of Sam's anger came from. There were times he was disrespectful because he thought he was bigger than he was. I think all teenagers lose their heads for a while. I did. Dean did. Sam and I had a chance to talk while he was here and he brought up a few good points. Dean is usually the one around. I am usually gone. That can be hard on a kid. It can also be hard to have someone be gone and then when they are here, they are on your case."

Taylor studied the backs of his hands.

"I am giving you the opportunity to tell me why you have an issue with me. If you chose not to take the opportunity, we will sort it out the other way." John said.

Taylor knew deep down what his issue was but he didn't want to put it into words.

"Say what you need to say." John said.

Taylor put his face in the palms of his hands. "It is stupid."

"It probably isn't." John said. "Get it off your chest. Even if it doesn't make sense, you need to get it out there."

Taylor took a deep breath. It would probably be the only chance he got. "It isn't fair."

"What isn't?"

"I try so hard and it is never good enough." Taylor said.

John motioned for him to continue.

"I have feelings and thoughts that only bother me when I'm angry." Taylor said. He scratched the side of his head. "I am grateful that you guys took me in. Craig was... Craig. Then, David took over where Craig left off and I can never thank you enough. I try to stay out of the way and only do things to help out. Dean is cool. I think... I think that I get angry when I say something and you react the way you do. Dean doesn't. I know it can be disrespectful and I try to be respectful most of the time. I think part of me was used to Craig coming and going and when he was home, everything I did ended with him punching me or screaming at me. It is just old wounds and I know you aren't doing that. Kate is my best friend. The choices I made were my own but another part of me is frustrated because of how Dean is with her. I know she isn't getting off easy right now. I... I don't know."

John gave Taylor time to process. "You wanted to know why you got stuck with me."

Taylor grimaced. "I didn't mean that."

"You did though." John said. "That is understandable. I am usually harder on you guys than Dean is. However, last time you two got into it, you ran off to fight David and Kate was involved but not as deeply. This time, Kate really hurt Dean. You were directly disrespectful to me and I wanted to get to the bottom of it."

Taylor felt ashamed. "I'm sorry."

"Are you jealous of Kate?" John asked.

Taylor considered it. "No."

"Sam was jealous of Dean and Dean was jealous of Sam. It happens." John said.

"This is the best family I have ever had. I don't deserve-"

"Don't finish that sentence." John warned. "You do deserve to be here. We fought hard to keep you here."

Taylor looked away from him.

"Does the lack of legal papers make you feel left out?"

Taylor's cheeks turned pink.

"That was done for you. You have Bill's last name. That was a big thing for you. I wasn't going to step over that line and change something that meant that much to you." John said.

Taylor chewed his lip.

"I see you like I see Kate or the other two. You got here by different circumstances but I claim you." John said.

Taylor felt like shit.

"Bobby can get the papers and I'll sign them." John said. "Is that the root of all of this?"

Taylor sighed. "Maybe."

John soaked it in. "Even with different last names, I expect you to show respect."

Taylor nodded. "Yes, sir."

"I am not going to be around all the time. There is no way around that. If I call you out on something it will be something you already know about. Have I done that so far?"

"Yes, sir." Taylor said.

"If there is a time where you feel like I am not seeing you and am only seeing your faults you will come to me or go to Dean, respectfully, and say something." John said.

Taylor nodded. He felt sick to his stomach.

"Are we on the same page now?" John asked.

"Yes, sir." Taylor said, sheepishly.

John started taking off his belt. "We covered the lying. I know most of what happened is on Kate. You know not to hide things and not to put yourself in danger. I don't think I need to lecture you about those."

Taylor eyed him nervously.

"The attitude and anger is what we are going to focus on." John said.

Taylor swallowed.

"I think you need the talk and reassurance more than a sore ass," John said. He doubled the belt over. "If you cop that kind of attitude or yell at me again, you will be getting double what you are about to." He motioned for Taylor to stand up and lean on a table.

Taylor rubbed his face. He slowly put himself where John wanted him. He wasn't sure how many he was getting or what double would be.

"Do I need to explain why you are here?" John asked.

Taylor sighed. "No, sir." He looked down at his legs and groaned. He had put basketball shorts on after helping Sam with Andy.

John tapped his back. "Thirteen."

Taylor was mid-thought when the first line of fire hit him. He hissed and gritted his teeth. He was going to throw away every pair of shorts he had and strictly wear jeans. His leg jerked forward with a second lick.

John gave him six before speaking. "I expect respect from all four of you, equally. Am I clear?"

Taylor tried to keep his voice from cracking. "Yes, sir." He twisted when a seventh lick landed across his thighs.

"You will be honest and follow orders."

Taylor put his hands behind his head and pressed down. "Yes, sir."

John put a hand on his back. "Six more. It would be wise to stop fighting it."

Taylor took shallow breaths. The soreness from the paddle was reignited by the belt and it was far worse than just being belted. He held his breath on the eighth lick and rolled his ankle.

"Taylor." John said. "Don't make me have to keep going."

Taylor took a shaky breath and folded his arms in front of him. He broke down during the final five and was wracked with sobs by the time it was over.

John put his belt back on. He placed his hand in the middle of Taylor's shoulder blades and told him it was over. "Do you want me to stay?" Taylor didn't answer so John stayed. He turned and leaned against the table and let Taylor have his moment.

Taylor eventually calmed down enough to stand up. He sucked air through his teeth and used his shirt to wipe his face.

John lightly clapped him on the back "Let's talk about David."

### ###

Kate stood up slowly. "I'm sorry."

"Drop 'em." Dean said.

Kate looked down at her jeans. "No, come on. Please Dean."

Dean tapped her leg. "Drop them."

Kate shifted from one foot to the other. "Please."

"Two." Dean said.

Kate gasped.

"Dad was set to come in here. I told him I could manage it. The stipulation is that every time you fight me or argue, I'll add a number." Dean said.

Kate chewed the side of her thumb.

"Whatever number you get up to, you will be getting from him." Dean said.

Kate bounced on her toes. "I'm sorry."

"Drop 'em." Dean repeated.

Kate slid her jeans to her knees and apologized again. Her heart was in her throat.

Dean pulled her arm and put her over his left leg.

Kate felt his other leg putting pressure on her calves and yanked her pillow closer to her face.

Dean cleared his throat. "Did you go behind my back and read the grimoire?"

Kate spoke into her pillow.

Dean smacked her.

Kate groaned and picked her head up. "Yes."

Dean covered her backside in stinging swats.

Kate tried to accept the punishment. She knew it was going to be bad. The mix of getting a spanking over underwear and how hard he was swatting made it hard to not fight him.

"Did you before Azazel knocked you out that you would be using the spell?" Dean asked.

Kate tried to shift herself but he put a hand on her back. "I had visions."

Dean swatted her twice. "Yes or no."

Kate stiffened. "Yes. I had an idea but I didn't know. I didn't let him out to do the spell."

Dean put his hand on the back of her leg for a moment. "I didn't think you did. You hid it though." He recovered where he had smacked before.

Kate had started crying and just wanted it to be over with. She twisted when he got back to her thighs.

Dean pulled a hairbrush from beside him and rested it on her leg.

Kate flinched. "Is..is that?"

"Wood-backed hairbrush," Dean said. He tapped her with it.

Kate panicked and tried to twist out of his grip.

"Three." Dean said. He knew the lesson needed to be drawn out and taking a belt to her would make her numb after too many lashes. He didn't want to bruise her and she'd be getting a few licks from John. He tapped her again. "Did you put yourself in danger?"

Kate didn't want to answer.

"Four." Dean said.

She shook her head. "No, please! I was going to answer!"

Dean swatted her with the brush. "Then answer."

"Yes." She instantly hated the stupid brush. Where did he even get the stupid brush?

Dean's heart twisted when she started crying harder. He knew the thing hurt. "You put yourself in danger several times, even after we found out and I tried to stop you." He hit her sit spots and paused to adjust her. "Stop fighting." He stopped her from putting her hand back. He held her hand in his and squeezed it. "Your life is important. You are important."

Kate tried to kick her legs when a barrage of hard swats landed on her thighs. She squeezed Dean's hand and promised the world if he'd let her up. "I'm sorry!"

"You are the only sister I have and I'll be damned if I am going to let you think for a second that it is okay to put yourself in danger and take unnecessary risks." He had to prevent her feet from slipping around his. He could feel the heat coming off of her skin and the bright red hue told him he was reaching the point he needed.

Kate sobbed into her pillow. Sure, the spanking hurt but so did her heart. She didn't mean to worry them the way she had. She realized how dangerous the spell had been. "I'm sorry!"

Dean finished up the spanking and put the brush down. He pulled her up into a hug. "Don't ever do something like this again. Do you understand me?"

Kate nodded. She couldn't talk through tears.

"You scared me so much." Dean said.

Kate hated herself for that. "I'm sorry."

"No more, okay?" Dean said. He rubbed her back.

Kate sniffled. Her butt was on fire. "No more."

Dean got her somewhat calm and patted her back. "I have to get dad."

Kate locked her arms around his neck. "Please don't. Please."

Dean patted her again. "You have four. Please don't make it five."

Kate reluctantly let go of him. She was panicking. She already hurt so much.

Dean was surprised to see John and Taylor standing side by side looking at a paper.

John looked up. "How many?"

Dean sighed. "Four."

John closed his journal. "I'll be back."

Dean went back to Kate's room with John.

"I've got it from here." John said.

"She will want me after." Dean said.

John shook his head. "Okay."

Kate started crying again when John came into the room. She had chewed into her thumb and had a small wound.

John cleared his throat. "Four?"

Kate nodded. "I'm really sorry."

John slipped his belt through the loops and doubled it.

Kate stared at him in horror. "Please no."

John sat down on her bed and pointed to the spot in front of him. "Pull your jeans back down."

Kate shook her head. "Please."

John pulled her closer and yanked her jeans down. He put her over his knee and blocked her hand from protecting herself. "Do you want to stay at four or should I add up everything you just did."

Kate buried her face in her hands. "Four."

John knew she was spent. He snapped the belt across her backside four times in quick succession. He placed it beside him and gave her a moment to calm down. "Dean is about to kick the door down if I don't let him in. Do you want me to stay?"

Kate shook her head. "I'm sorry."

John patted her and stood her up. "You did your time. Dean."

Dean opened the door. His heart shattered. Those four licks were heartwrenching.

John hugged Kate before he left.

Kate let Dean pick her up and hug her. "I'm really really sorry."

"I know. It is all over. Please never pull something like this again. I don't like doling out the punishment for it but I also don't like watching you go through something dangerous." He sat down and held her.

Kate cried until she had no more tears. "I didn't mean to hurt you."

"We are over it. Just no more." Dean said. "I love you too much."

Kate rested her head on his shoulder. Dean showed his love in a variety of ways but didn't always speak it out loud. She sniffled and wiped her face. "I saw Tessa during the spell."

Dean shifted her. "You did?"

Kate nodded.

"What did she say?" Dean asked.

Kate gave him a small smile. "Good luck."