Author's note. Hopefully, this chapter answers some questions. Sometimes, things make more sense in my head than they do on paper.

Caleb drove back to Bobby's house with April in tow. "Kate can take the edge off."

April's head was swimming. "Did they say what was wrong?"

"No, they just said to come back." Caleb said. He got out of the car and opened April's door.

April was shivering and hot at the same time. She hugged Andy once they got inside and rubbed the back of Ian's head.

"Kate, can you help her?"

Kate put her hand on April's arm and pulled enough of the sickness away to help April function.

"So, we learned something bout Ian." Bobby said.

April sat down. "What?"

"Kids, can you take Andy upstairs?"

Andy whined. "I want to stay." He caught Caleb's look and sighed. "Okay."

Bobby sat down across from April and bounced his leg. "Not to be crude, but was there any way that Steven was possessed when Ian was conceived?"

April's mouth dropped open and her face turned red.

"That is personal information and I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important." Bobby said.

"Well, I suppose." April said. "Why?"

"Earlier, we noticed a few things. The lights flickered, the oven fell open by itself, and things have moved without being touched. The common thread is Ian." Bobby explained

April was shocked. "What?"

Caleb rubbed his face. "Andy has seen him move stuff."

April whipped her head around. "What?!"

"One day he asked me if Ian could have abilities. I didn't think so. He was asking a hypothetical question. How could a baby have abilities?"

"That is impossible." April said.

"Well, not if Steven wasn't... Steven" Bobby said.

April held Ian to her and kissed his head. "He is just a baby."

"Dean is on his way back. He has a bracelet that will block abilities. As long as Ian has that on, we will have time to figure out what is causing this." Bobby said.

Caleb put his arm around April. "It is going to be okay."

Bobby leaned forward and spoke quietly. "Someone has insight about a coming war. It hasn't started yet but I guess it is a big thing one day. That person knows a thing or two about a lot that we don't. Dean has a theory that whoever put Kate and Taylor together, also pulled you here. If there is a war coming, and somebody wanted a dream team, this would be how to make it."

"They are kids." April said.

"I know and with that bracelet, Ian will be just that. We don't have answers that we need." Bobby said.

April didn't know what to think or say. She just wanted her boys to have a normal life but demons seemed to be fighting directly against her.

Caleb rubbed her back. "It is going to be okay."

Dean held the bracelet in his hand as he drove. It was so small. He prayed to Cas again, hoping he'd show up. He didn't show up with the hellhounds but maybe that was because Kate did. Each time he saw older Kate, she left him with more questions. He ran through scenarios in his head that would lead her to make a deal with Crowley. If she thought she was saving one of them, he didn't doubt that she would jump on that grenade. However, she said she promised him blood. Then, Crowley only took a vial. He jumped and slowed the car down. "Cas."

"You requested that I be here." Cas said.

"Where were you last time I called?" Dean asked with an annoyed tone.

"I was busy." Cas said.

"Busy? We almost got eaten by hellhounds!" Dean said.

Cas slowly turned his head and looked at Dean. "You look to be in one piece."

"Well, older Kate showed up." Dean said.

Castiel nodded. "So you didn't need me."

"Uh, I need to ask you some questions." Dean said, changing the subject.

Castiel stared at him, waiting for the question.

"Kate said that the creatures were created to fight hellhounds. The guy who created them lost control and they've been mutating since."

Cas nodded. "That would line up with what Naomi said."

"Ian seems to have abilities." Dean said.

Cas bristled. "Then it is true?"

"What?" Dean asked.

"There has been chatter that Ian is half demon." Castiel said.

"Well, maybe but that doesn't mean he is bad." Dean said.

"It means he will one day be very powerful and a threat to humanity." Cas said.

Dean sighed. "Naomi said that about Taylor and Kate." He gave Cas the bracelet. "Older Kate gave me that. I think it will help Ian."

Cas studied the bracelet. "Yes, this will prevent him from using abilities and prevent others from detecting that he has abilities."

Dean tapped the steering wheel with his fingertips. "Why us?"

"I am unsure what you are asking." Cas said.

Dean struggled to find words to describe where his head was at. "Azazel killing my mom was one thing. It could have been random. Then, of course, Brian and my dad link-up because Ruth died the same way. That, I can wrap my head around. Yet, someone started dosing our family with grace hundreds of years ago. Kate confirmed that her ancestor made a demon deal. We have been at the center of this for centuries and I want to know why. Someone is still moving chess pieces around because of how we met April. How did we wind up with two Nephilian and an... Ian?"

Castiel looked out the window. "I have been searching for Gabriel. He is the angel that we believe is responsible for the Nephilian. He was presumed dead for eons. It is now believed, by a select few, that he disguised himself."

"Disguised himself as what?" Dean asked.

"What do you know about Loki?" Castiel asked.

"The Norse god? Not a lot." Dean said with furrowed brows.

"Loki was the god of mischief, according to lore." Cas said.

"So Gabriel is Loki? Wouldn't that be the wrong time frame?" Dean asked.

"If my sources are correct, it is possible that Gabriel has disguised himself as a trickster. Loki is an infamous trickster." Cas said.

Dean slowed the car down so he could think. "You are losing me."

"He would be incredibly hard to find because he can create anything from nothing." Cas explained.

"So all of this is one big trick?" Dean asked.

"No, this is all very real. Gabriel was always one for justice. I speak with older Kate frequently. We believe that Gabriel created the bloodline for Nephilian because there will be a fight between Lucifer and Micheal. That has been foretold for longer than I have existed. However, Nephilian should be able to overpower an archangel. Kate thinks that they were tied to your bloodline because you and Sam are supposed to be vessels. It would make sense to keep you together so that you can work together." Cas said.

Dean's head was hurting. "Why not just make me and Sam... not.. vessels?"

"I do not have all the answers. I have speculation and educated guesses, as Kate calls them."

"What about Ian?" Dean asked.

"Hell has been trying to create an antichrist for ages."

"Don't call him that." Dean said.

"The child was planned but Kate and Taylor can manage his abilities, should the bracelet not contain them. Having him on our side prevents him from falling victim to demonic influence."

"What would Loki or a trickster have to do with all of this?" Dean asked.

Castiel blinked. "Winchesters are known for being cocky. Perhaps, while arming you for the upcoming battle, Gabriel thought it would be prudent to knock you down a few pegs."

Dean narrowed his eyes. "That sounds like a Kateism."

"She is perceptive," Castiel said.

Dean furrowed his brows. "Do you talk to older Taylor?"

"I do." Cas said.

"Is he okay?" Dean asked.

"He is."

"So he grows up and is he still Taylor?" Dean asked.

Castiel looked back out the window. "Yes."

Dean sighed when Cas vanished. He just wanted to make sure that Taylor ended up doing okay. He had some answers or at least a decent train of thought but he still didn't know why his family was chosen. Were they really that cocky?

### ###

Sam opened a beer and slid it across the table. "Dean is going to break your legs."

Taylor smiled. "He has been complaining since I turned 16."

"You are 21, right?" Sam asked.

"Yeah. Well, in my time."

Jess rested her elbows on the table and stared at Taylor. "Why is he going to break your legs?"

Taylor chuckled. "Dean got pissy when Sam outgrew him. Sam is saying that he will get mad that I have as well"

Sam smirked. "I'm a little angry myself. What are you, like 6 5 or 6?"

"6 foot 5 and a half." Taylor said.

"Yeah, he is going to be pissed." Sam said.

"With that out of the way, I did come here for a reason," Taylor said. He placed a small box on the table and opened it. "Dean has one of these pendants. You now have one as well."

"Why?" Sam asked.

"That much I can't tell you right now. If you knew what they were for, they wouldn't work." Taylor answered.

"What do I do with it?" Sam asked.

"Put it somewhere safe." Taylor said. "Things are going to get pretty bad. They will get better though."

Jess frowned. "What do you mean?"

Taylor gave her a sad smile. "I can't tell you. I shouldn't be here now but if you think Kate is bossy now, wait until she gets older."

Sam smiled. "She's doing okay then."

Taylor got up and patted the table. "When you drive to my grandparents' house for Christmas, stop by a small gas station called Ramey's. Get Dean his Christmas gift there."

Sam raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

Taylor opened the front door. "You'll see."

Sam sighed. "I wish they could say things without the mystery."

"He is really freaking tall." Jess said.

Sam leaned back in his chair. "I guess you really do need to eat your vegetables to grow up big and strong."

Jess laughed and hugged him. "Your family is so weird but I love it."

### ###

Andy jumped on the end of the bed as soon as the sun came up. "Wake up!"

Caleb sat up. "What time is it?"

"It is your birthday." Andy announced.

Caleb had never made a big deal over his birthday. "Ah, it is."

"You are 43 now," Andy said.

Caleb chuckled. "23, bud"

April was feeling much better and no longer running fevers. "Maybe he wanted to sleep in for his birthday."

"I made coffee."

April sat up. "You did?"

"Kate showed me how one time." Andy said. He ran out of the room.

"Wait, don't burn yourself." Caleb called after him. He rolled out of bed and followed Andy. "I'll pour."

Andy waited for him to take a sip and giggled when he pulled a face.

"That is some strong coffee. We will put some creamer in your mom's cup." He watered down the coffee and poured the creamer on top. "There we go."

Ian stood up in his crib and clicked his tongue so April would pick him up.

"Now, who taught you that?" She put him down on the bed and adjusted his sock. The bracelet seemed to work and didn't seem to bother him. She was paranoid about it falling off, though.

Caleb placed April's cup on the bedside table and propped himself up against the headboard.

Andy crawled between them and pulled a blanket over his legs. "I was thinking. Ian can share my room."

April ruffled his hair. "He is okay in here."

"Brothers share rooms." Andy said. Dean had told him about sharing a room with Sam growing up.

"We could try it. I just don't want him to wake you up during the night." April said.

"I can handle it." Andy said, confidently.

April sipped her coffee and leaned back. She was happy.

### ###

Sam and Jess borrowed a car from her parents. He placed their bags in the backseat and another bag in the floorboard in case they ran into any trouble. "Are they mad that we are going away for Christmas?"

"They will be fine." Jess said. "I used the route you mapped out and planned our stops. Taylor said to go to Ramey's but I also planned hotels."

"Hotels?" Sam asked.

"Yeah, you know the places you sleep when you go on road trips." Jess said.

"No, I mean. A motel is fine." Sam said.

Jess scoffed. "My dad asked what I wanted for Christmas. Instead of gifts, I get this." She said and held up a credit card.

Sam swallowed hard. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, Sam. They usually buy me stuff that I don't use. I'm grateful but they like things that I just don't have the need for." Jess explained.

"Okay, I guess." Sam said.

"It is okay to spend a little money, Sam. I know that isn't how you grew up but this makes me happy. We can enjoy our trip. That one has a hot tub."

Sam sighed. "I don't have swimming trunks."

"You don't need them, silly. The hot tub is in the room." Jess said with a suggestive smirk.

Sam blushed. "Okay, now I'm fine with spending money."

### ###

Caleb felt slightly off. Most years, his birthday was just another day. Even when he was a kid, it was right before Christmas, and got lost in the festivities. Things changed though. He got everything he wanted. He was having coffee, in bed, surrounded by people he'd give his life for. "If you want to go out to eat, that is okay with me."

April let Ian down in the floor. "Today is about what you want to do."

"Oh, I'm good with anything. This right here is nice."

Andy bounced on the foot of the bed. "We need to have fun!"

"Would breakfast at the diner be fun?" Caleb asked.

Andy jumped off the bed and ran out of the room.

"Where are you going?" Caleb asked.

Andy slid back into the room. "I'm going to get dressed."

### ###

Dean slid out from under a pickup truck. "Everything looks good now."

Taylor ran his hand down the side. "Now if someone dings the Impala, I can just pull the dent out."

Dean sat up and glared at him. "Watch your mouth."

Taylor scoffed. "I didn't say I'd ding it. I said I could fix it."

Dean narrowed his eyes. "We do not talk about baby getting dinged."

Taylor cracked a smile. "Fine. I can't believe the guy let this go. It wasn't that hard to fix."

"Well, it wasn't that hard because Bobby has spare parts. The man who junked this used his insurance, or I guess, the insurance of whoever hit him to get another vehicle." Dean said. He put the keys in the ignition and turned it on. "She sounds great."

Taylor was excited to gift the truck to Caleb. "Are you sure he won't get upset?"

"Oh, he will. He will say it is too much but honestly, he needs it. Now, he can run Bobby's errands and I won't have to put boxes on baby's seats." Dean said.

Bobby joined them. "Son, you can't tell there was ever a dent there."

Taylor smiled. "Bending metal like that isn't much different than compact dirt. I don't think I could bend a pole though."

"Well, now we are going to have to test that out." Dean said and shoved him.

"I've got a whole row of cars over there that you can take the dents out of." Bobby said. He checked the tailgate to make sure it latched. "I told Kate to get him over here."

Dean chuckled. "He can't say no to her."

Bobby raised an eyebrow. "He ain't the only one."

Caleb was finishing up breakfast with April and the boys when Kate called him.

"Happy birthday!" Kate said.

"Thanks, Katie." Caleb said.

"Could you stop by today? I drew some pictures for Andy's room and I want to give them to him." Kate said.

Caleb shrugged. "Yeah, we will stop by."

Kate ran outside. "They are on their way!"

Dean shut the truck door and pulled the shop door down. He was just as excited about the truck but he wouldn't show it.

Caleb pulled up to Bobby's house and saw Kate dart inside. He let Andy out ad waited for April to get Ian.

Kate handed Andy the papers. "Is that the kind of dragon you wanted?"

Andy grinned. "I'm going to color it blue."

Kate ruffled his hair and shot Dean a look.

Dean knew that Caleb wouldn't want to be the center of attention. He clapped him on the back and asked for his help outside.

Caleb followed Dean out. "What time are you all leaving for Marie's."

"Around lunchtime probably. They don't live that far away." Dean said. He walked to the garage and unlocked the side door. "They have enough rooms I guess. Marie really wanted the little kids there on Christmas eve."

"I'm not even sure Andy believes in Santa. I never asked." Caleb said.

Dean flipped the light on and dug the keys out of his pocket.

Caleb looked around. "What did you need help with."

Dean tossed him the keys.

Caleb wasn't catching on.

"Get in, turn it on." Dean said.

Caleb wasn't sure why Dean needed him for that. If he was working on it, Taylor could help. He got in and turned the truck on. It sounded perfect.

Dean opened the passenger's side. "The truck is yours, dumbass." He said with a smirk.

Caleb's eyes grew wide and he shut it off. "What?"

"It is yours." Dean said.

Caleb got out and walked around the truck. "What? Why?"

"You've needed one for a while. The car Bobby is letting you use is on its last leg." Dean said.

Caleb rubbed his head. "Dean. Man, this is too much. How much was this? Why?"

"Some rich guy junked it. We spruced it up. It is your birthday but you need a reliable vehicle. You can pick up boxes of crap for Bobby and spare Baby's upholstery. It is winter and you have Ian and Andy with you. You don't want to get caught in a snowdrift." Dean said.

Caleb smirked. "I can pull Baby out when you get her stuck in a snowdrift."

Dean scoffed. "Don't disrespect her like that."

Caleb let out a slow breath of air. "Are you sure? Is Bobby sure? I can pay him."

Dean popped the tailgate and sat on it. "Yes, we are all sure. Taylor did most of the cosmetic work. I'm serious about hauling stuff. Just assume that is your job now."

Caleb got back in the front seat and ran his hands over the steering wheel. He got out and walked back around the truck.

Dean clapped him on the back. "I'll give you two a minute."

Caleb snorted. "Asshole."

"Dumbass." Dean said as he dodged a punch and went inside.

Kate ripped the door open before Dean could grab it. "Did he like it?"

Dean chuckled. "Yeah. I'm giving him some time to process."

Bobby had explained the gift to April and Andy was vibrating with excitement. "Can I see it now?"

Dean scooped him up and held him upside down. "In a minute."

Andy screamed and giggled. "You're gonna break my head."

Dean acted like he was going to drop him. "Your head would break the floor." He righted him and let him go. "How has Ian been with the bracelet?"

April looked at Ian and then Dean. "We haven't noticed anything."

Dean went back outside to raise the shop door. "Pull her out. Andy is about to burst."

Caleb laughed. "Hold on." He got the truck out of the shop and pulled it in front of the house. It felt good to drive something that was in good condition and his own vehicle. Most of the cars he had been driving were borrowed or abandoned.

Andy gasped. "Now can I go?"

"Wait for him to park." Bobby said.

As soon as the truck stopped, Andy hit the door.

Caleb nearly hit him while opening the door. "Whoa, slow down." He moved back and lifted Andy to sit in the driver's seat.

Andy grinned. "This is awesome!" He twisted the steering wheel and wobbled the gear shift. "Can we drive it?"

"I can drive it when we leave here." Caleb said.

Andy bounced on the seat. He dove into the backseat and buckled and unbuckled the seatbelt. "Get Ian's car seat!"

Caleb opened the back door. "Calm down."

Andy jumped out of the truck and hugged Caleb. "I can't."

Caleb chuckled. "You might want to thank Dean."

Andy let go and ran to Dean. "Thank you!"

Dean caught him midair. "You are more excited than Caleb was."

Caleb raised an eyebrow. "If I tried to hug you, you'd gut punch me."

Dean put Andy on the ground. He knew Caleb was grateful. Caleb, like Dean, didn't like to show a lot of emotion. "I'll go get that car seat." He carried it back and placed it in the backseat. He knew how to strap it in because April had shown him. "Each year these things get more complicated."

April walked outside with Ian. She smiled. "This is quite the gift."

Caleb smiled and kissed her. "It is for all of us."

April checked out the truck and let Ian sit in the front seat. "Andy is going to want to camp in here."

Dean left them outside. He had a smile on his face when he walked through the door. "I'd say he is happy."

Bobby nodded at the window. Caleb had his hand on April's shoulder. "I'd say with more than just the truck."

Sam called Dean to let him know that they had left and that he had talked to Taylor.

Dean went out to his car for privacy. "You mean older Taylor?"

"Yes. I was shocked but he talked for a little while and gave me a pendant." Sam said.

"Kate gave me one. Did he say what they were for?" Dean asked.

"No, he said they wouldn't work if we knew." Sam said.

Jess was bursting at the seems wanting to tell Dean about Taylor.

Sam poked her side. "So, he looks good."

"Does he? Is he still Taylor?" Dean asked.

"Well, uh, you aren't going to like it." Sam said.

"What?" Dean asked.

"He's taller than Sam." Jess blurted out.

Dean took a moment to process what she said. "Dude, how? You are like 7 feet tall."

"He does eat better than you did at that age." Sam said.

Dean scoffed.

"You can't break his legs. They'll heal." Sam said with a chuckle.

"I can make him drink a bunch of coffee. That should stunt his growth." Dean said.

"I don't know. He's good though. He seemed good."

Dean sighed. "Good. I don't know why they are coming back now."

"He said things were going to get bad." Sam said.

"Kate said something like that too." Dean said. "They are okay though." He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Drive safe. I'm going to go inside and stack books on Taylor's head or something."

Sam chuckled. "Bye, Dean." He continued to drive to the first hotel. "This place looks fancy."

"It is a basic hotel," Jess said.

"A hotel though," Sam said.

The man behind the counter gave Sam a nasty look but didn't ask questions.

Sam slid the keycard into the door. "I wonder what his problem was."

"He probably thought you were going to take advantage of me." Jess said with a smirk.

Sam sat his bag down. "Now, why would he think that?"

Jess flopped down on the bed. "No idea."

"I'm the one being taken advantage of." Sam said with a chuckle.

Jess got up and grabbed his jacket, pulling him with her. "Yes, yes you are."

### ###

Caleb jingled the keys in his pocket. He still couldn't believe that he had a truck.

April changed Ian and put a blanket around him. "Andy, wait for one of us."

Andy really wanted to be in the truck. He looked out the window and fidgeted. They were taking forever.

The sun was sinking down, casting hues of red, orange, and yellow across Bobby's yard. The air was still and crisp.

Caleb read the title of a book. "Bobby, you need an extra room just for books."

Bobby grumbled.

Caleb heard the screen door slam shut and groaned. He went outside and caught Andy before he could open the truck door.

Andy shrieked but stopped when he saw Caleb. "You scared me."

"Didn't your mom tell you to wait?" Caleb asked.

"It isn't dark and I ran real fast," Andy said.

Caleb sighed. "So, you realized she told you to wait because it could be dangerous."

Andy's eyes grew wide. "Oh."

Caleb turned him around and swatted him four times.

Andy yelped and stomped his feet when Caleb let go of him. "I'm sorry!"

"Bobby's yard is well warded but with these new creatures, it is best to be safe. Even if it was completely safe, your mom told you to wait." Caleb explained.

Andy sniffled. "I didn't think about that."

Caleb put a hand on Andy's head. "Head back in and apologize to her. Then park it until we get ready to go."

Andy looked toward the house. His face turned red.

"If anyone teases you I'll smack them too, okay?" Caleb said.

Andy smiled. "Okay." He put his hand in Caleb's and walked back to the house. He took a deep breath and inched over to April. "I'm sorry I didn't listen."

April kissed the top of his head. "Thank you for apologizing."

Andy sat down in one of the chairs and shuffled his feet.

Dean nudged Caleb. "Poor kid." He said teasingly.

Caleb nudged him back. "You have no room to talk."

"No, but since I'm not the one trying to keep him in line, I can act as the fun uncle." Dean said.

Caleb huffed. "Don't you dare."

Dean stepped away from him. "I'm going to slip him some candy before you leave."

Caleb groaned. "Is this payback for Kate and Taylor?"

Dean raised an eyebrow. "Maybe." He grabbed some jellybeans and sat down beside Andy. He discretely handed him a few.

Andy looked around and then looked Dean in the eye. "What are these for?"

Dean gave him a wink. "Sympathy."

Andy popped the jellybeans in his mouth and chewed happily.

Caleb stepped out of Bobby's office and jokingly glared at Dean. "He isn't teasing you is he?"

Andy giggled. "No!"

Once Caleb was done talking to Bobby, he told April and held his hand out for Andy.

Andy jumped out of his chair and pulled on Caleb's hand.

Caleb thanked everyone again and then let Andy lead the way.

Andy got into the backseat and buckled his seat belt. "Do we have to go straight home?"

"Ian is pretty sleepy." April said.

Andy frowned.

"We are going to be driving to Marie's the day after tomorrow. You'll get plenty of time in the truck." Caleb said. He saw Andy's face and gave April a small smile. "I have some errands to run. Maybe you can go with me tomorrow."

Andy perked up. "Okay!"

### ###

Kate leaned against the door jam and crossed her arms.

Dean looked up. "What?"

"I remember when you use to sneak me jellybeans." Kate said.

Dean snorted. He grabbed the jar and held it out. "Here."

Kate turned her nose up. "No. I don't want your guilt gift."

Dean laughed. "What has you prickly?"

Kate cracked a smile "You've been Mr. Hardass for ages and now, suddenly you sneak candy to children."

Dean stepped toward her.

Kate squealed and backed away.

Dean pivoted so she couldn't run by him .

"Hey, it was an observation," Kate said with a grin.

Dean raised an eyebrow. "Uh huh. This is why you don't get jellybeans anymore."

### ###

Jo put in more hours at the Roadhouse since school was out for winter break. Truthfully, she could just be done with school and work. Ellen wouldn't allow that though. She felt a bit of sadness that Taylor was going to his grandmother's for Christmas. Ellen couldn't leave the bar so Jo was stuck. She sat a mug of beer on the counter.

"Add it to my tab." An older hunter said through crooked teeth.

Jo smiled sarcastically and rolled her eyes. It wasn't a tab if it was never paid off.

Ellen watched Jo from across the room. She hadn't been herself in a while. She had grown up and sported a scowl most days. Ellen didn't want her to be bitter. She sighed and called Bobby. "Singer, do you think you all have room for one more?"

### ###

The morning of the 23rd was busy for everyone. Caleb had errands with Andy. Bobby was preparing to go pick up Jo and Dean was tuning up the car.

"Bobby, can I go with you?" Taylor asked.

"Sure. Just get your stuff."

Taylor grabbed his bag and tossed it into the car. He missed Jo and wanted to have extra time with her.

Dean shut the hood of the car and looked at Kate, who had a grin on her face. "Oh no."

"That leaves me with you." Kate said.

Dean chuckled and bumped each tire with his foot to check the pressure. "It has been a while since that has happened."

"It will be fun." Kate said.

Dean ruffled her hair. "You'll get to ride shotgun."

The house was quiet with Bobby and Taylor on the road. Kate made herself some hot chocolate and sat on the couch.

Dean sat beside her with some coffee. "Talk to me about your scars."

Kate groaned. "I talked to Sam about it."

"I know and he told me. I want you to talk to me about it." Dean said.

"You'll get mad and it will ruin how peaceful things are." Kate tried.

"I'm not going to get mad. I want to understand something that is a problem for you."

Kate sighed. "I heal and it doesn't hurt."

"How does carving up your leg not hurt?" Dean asked.

"Well, it does but not bad." Kate said.

"Is that why you do it?" Dean asked.

Kate chewed her lip. "No. Most of the time it is mindless like when I chew my nails."

"Okay, I can understand that. Why didn't you tell me?"

Kate scoffed. "You'd have gotten mad."

"Am I unreasonable?" Dean asked.

"No. I just... didn't want to talk about it. I felt stupid and I don't know."

"It isn't stupid. Sam did explain some of it but it can get worse. I don't want you injuring yourself for any reason. If you are in a spot where you want to do that, talk to me." Dean said. "I don't care if it is in the middle of the night or if I am gone and you call."

"Thanks, Dean. You are a really good brother, even if you are a hardass." Kate said.

Dean rolled his eyes. "Just ruin the moment."

Kate smied. "No, chick flick moments."

Dean held his arm out so she would scoot over. He flipped through TV channels until he found a rerun of Die Hard. "Best Christmas movie ever."

Kate leaned her head on him. "Die Hard isn't a Christmas movie."

Dean propped his feet on the coffee table. "Agree to disagree."

Kate yawned. "Hey, Dean?"

"What is it?" Dean asked.

"Don't tell anyone, but you're my favorite person." Kate said.

Dean squeezed her. If she still thought that eight years from now, then he really must be doing something right.