(Marie's house)
Four days went by after Ian's party and Marie had three anxious little ones on her hands. Desiree and James were on their way from California and would be at the house soon.
Two hours later, Desiree saw the first part of the winding roads that would lead to the house. "Wow, they really live in the country."
"The kids have loved it, though," James said. He reached over to hold his wife's hand. "Are you okay?"
Desiree shivered. "Yes. I am just so ready to see the kids."
James had stayed by Desiree's side as much as he could. He nursed her back to health and sat up with her when the nightmares came. He had his own nightmares. The state that Walt and Roy were in was horrific. It was truly one of the worst things he had ever seen. Knowing that Desiree was present before the deaths, and during, broke his heart. He wanted to wash those memories away so that she didn't have to suffer.
Caitlyn sat on the porch and waited, as patiently as possible, for her parents to show up. She had done all of the worrying so Ben and Carolien didn't have to. That left her exhausted and fragile.
The dogs started to bark and run to the front of the house. Marie heard them and walked outside with Ben on her hip. "Caroline, they are coming down the driveway."
Caroline shot out the door and stood by Caitlyn. She hugged her sister and a few tears slipped from her eyes.
The moment the car stopped, Ben won his battle to get out of Marie's arms and nearly fell down the steps. He ran to the car and clapped his hands.
James opened the door and scooped Ben up, placing a kiss on his cheek.
Desiree got out, slowly. She saw the girls and welcomed them in for a hug. She took Ben from James and hugged him too.
"Mommy, we are so glad to see you." Caroline sobbed.
James hugged the girls.
Marie smiled. "You are welcome to come inside. Those dogs can be pests."
The family moved inside and Desiree was able to sit down so that she could be next to all three of her children. She had no words.
James shook Marie and Rod's hands and asked if the kids had been any trouble.
"No, not at all," Marie said. Ben was trouble in Mickey Mouse sneakers but it was nothing that Marie couldn't handle. "Are you all hungry?"
"A little," James said. "We drove as far as we could without stopping."
"I'll leave you to catch up. If you need anything at all, just let us know. Dinner will be ready in about 30 minutes." Marie said.
Rod followed Marie to give the family some privacy. He put his hand on Marie's back and spoke quietly to her. While he had spoken to James, he had not spoken to Desiree. No one thought that it would be a great idea to take the kids and leave that afternoon. Just the brief glance that he had gotten of Desiree's face told him that she was well and truly exhausted. "I'm going to check on the bunkhouse. The boys were supposed to have it fixed up but I'll make sure."
Marie kissed him and waved him off. The boys that Rod spoke of were teenagers that they used as hired hands. It gave the teens something to do that didn't involve drinking or drugs. It gave them an income and she liked cooking for them. They had been busy elsewhere when Ian's party was held. She really wanted Taylor to meet some of them. She heard a noise behind her and turned around.
Caitlyn looked very tense. "Can I have some water for my mom?"
Marie filled a glass but sat it down. "Oh, sweetie, come here."
Caitlyn rushed over and wrapped her arms around Marie's stomach, sobbing into her apron.
Marie rubbed her back. "It is okay, let it out."
"I was so scared." Caitlyn choked out.
Marie sat down in a chair and lifted the girl so that she could hold her. "I know. You are so brave though."
James checked on Caitlyn and saw that she was in Marie's lap.
Marie gave him a wink to tell him that it was okay. She got Caitlyn calmed down and sent her off with a glass of water. The poor girl had been holding onto so much fear and worry.
Desiree was overwhelmed. She was heartbroken and wanted to never let go of the kids. They were precious and she had almost left them.
Ben noticed the smell of garlic bread and left his parent's side.
Marie caught sight of him as she pulled the bread from the oven. "Are you hungry?"
Ben got into one of the chairs and patted the table.
"You have to wait. It is very hot." She held out her hand. "Let's tell everyone." She picked him up when they got outside and let him hold the metal rod that they used to bang against the triangle. That was their way of calling people inside to eat. Not long after, she could hear the sounds of four-wheelers coming from the field. She boxed up a few servings of food and met the boys at the back door. "The kids' parents are here. They'll need some quiet time. I hope you don't mind taking the food to go."
None of the boys minded one bit. They were delighted to have food, and good food to boot.
Marie smiled. "If you want seconds, you just knock on the door." She went back inside and caught Ben with a piece of bread. She had him sit down at the table and passed out plates.
Desiree, James, and the girls entered the kitchen and the adults sat where the girls told them to.
Rod joined them as well. He filled drinks and made sure to put a lid on Ben's cup.
They were able to talk a little over dinner. Ben was messy with his pasta but it was endearing. He had red sauce down his shirt, up both arms, all over his face and some in his hair.
Desiree covered her mouth. "Benny, oh goodness."
His cheeks were shiny from garlic butter and crumbs covered what the sauce didn't.
The girls wanted to show them around outside so Marie offered to get Ben cleaned up. "You could go enjoy a walk. I'll have him cleaned up and bring him out if that is okay. She got confirmation and let Rod clean up the plates. She heard the back door open and boots hit the floor. She shook her head. Apparently, the boys didn't have time to take off their boots when it came to leftover food. She didn't mind. That is what mops were for. She put Ben in the bath and let him splash around for a bit before washing his hair and face. She got him dried off and put him in a new outfit.
Ben wasn't happy to have to leave the bath but the offer of giving the dogs treats distracted him. He ran to the laundry room and grabbed the container of treats. "Doggies."
Marie opened the door for him. She laughed. Ben fed the dogs treats like he had learned to do with corn for the chicken. They would have very fat dogs if Ben was in charge of all of their meals.
Desiree liked the country. She liked the large fields and horses grazing, swatting flies away with their tails. It was a welcome reprieve from the crowded suburbs. She was leaning against the fence, watching the horses when Ben grabbed her leg. She startled but regained her senses rather quickly. "Hi, bub."
Ben climbed the fence to look at the horses as well. He pointed to a few of them and tried to say their names.
Marie watched from a distance. Those kids needed both parents. They needed to heal.
(Sioux Falls)
Kate went with John to collect samples from the two dead freaks. As much as he wanted to wait, leaving them there could cause data to be skewed. That was Kate's terminology. He was trying, fighting against his instincts, to let Kate take a bigger part in the investigation. He wanted her back at Bobby's house, far from the deadly creatures.
Kate instructed John on what samples to collect. She wasn't allowed to touch the freaks, which was annoying but she realized John was about to blow a blood vessel from the stress of her being within 100 miles of the creatures. "Now that it is brainless, can I please look at the anatomy?"
John sealed the box he had placed things in. "From over there."
"But Dad, I can only see so much from here," Kate whined.
"I'll take photos," John said.
Kate pressed her head against the bar. "You could bring it closer. I'll stay behind the bars."
John sighed. "Keep your hands on that side."
Kate sat down on the floor to get a better look. "Can you check the salivary glands?"
John found a good space to open and showed her.
Kate wrote down some notes. "That isn't a normal color."
John used a pen to poke at it. "It is probably because of venom."
"Interesting," Kate said while writing. "If they are all like that, I'd like to see if the saliva is replaced by the venom. That would make the most sense but I'm not making assumptions."
John watched Kate write. She was brilliant. She never stopped thinking and was looking at a terrifying, semi-human monster without fear. She was studying it like a trained professional. That scared him.
Kate squinted her eyes. "If the venom is saliva, do the mutated canine teeth have any pores? Does a scratch really turn someone or is it only a bite? Caleb got clawed. We need to determine if it is something on their skin as well."
John spent two hours poking and prodding at that freak as well as the other dead one. Kate was full of questions and observations. He went to check on the other two and flipped the light on to see something odd. The one that had been alive just days prior, had seemingly died.
Kate looked through the cracked door.
John rubbed his head. If that was the one that bit older Kate, was her blood the cause of the infection and subsequent death? Did older Kate do something to the freak? John turned his head. "You can come in."
Kate stayed with her back against the wall as instructed. The freak had black around its mouth as well as several other 'pathological anomalies' that the rest didn't have.
John took photos but didn't enter the cage. He would wait for Castiel to do that.
"What did that?" Kate asked. "This could be the answer to our questions."
"I don't know," John said, uneasily. He put a hand on her back to steer her towards the door. "I do not want to be around it until Castiel clears it. If it got sick and died, the illness could be contagious."
Kate's natural reaction was to argue but she bit her tongue. She wasn't worried about herself but the possibility that she could hurt people if she was turned, did make her pause. That is the last thing she wanted to do.
(The next day)
Taylor dropped his bag off at his locker. He had so many textbooks that his backpack had started to wear out. Football made his week busier than usual but that was okay. he was forming friendships with most of the guys. There were a few that were known party animals and he tried to keep those relationships at the acquaintance level. It was hard though because they were all varsity guys. He wanted to it in, but not at the cost of his own skin.
Hailey was excited about homecoming. Her older sister, Heather, was cheer captain and that made her cool by association. Walking the star quarterback out at the ceremony also earned her 'cool' points.
Kate felt comfortable in school. She got to talk to Hannah a lot and that helped her mind not spin out of control. She could say something truly insane and Hannah would just listen.
"Use my blood," Hannah said.
"Yeah, I don't think they'd go for that," Kate said.
"You need different types of blood. I tick a lot of boxes. My mom would probably sign off on it." Hannah said, confidently.
Kate shrugged. "We will see. I went to look at the dead freaks yesterday and dad wouldn't even let me in the cage."
"Parents are overprotective but I get it," Hannah said. She chewed her cheek. "Is it weird for you to call him that?"
Kate drew a circle in the dirt with her toes. "It was at first. We were friends, originally, when my real dad was alive. He isn't any less my dad but it started to feel weird calling him John. He has changed a lot and does more dad things now. Sam and Dean call him that. It just makes things less complicated."
"I think it is cool," Hannah said. She remembered 10-year-old Kate and was a little sad to see how much Kate had changed. Brian's death stole part of her childhood. Hannah had changed too, though. Having a vampire kidnap you tended to change someone. Helping Kate scheme to save Brian's soul was another change. She was more confident. She knew the world was actually a dark place and saw things in a different light.
Kate heard the bell and locked elbows with Hannah. "Are you going to the homecoming game?"
"Uh, duh," Hannah said.
Kate smiled. "Duh for me too. I can't really skip it when Taylor is playing."
"I'd skip if it was Ryan but Taylor is cool," Hannah said.
(After school)
Taylor worked through an intense practice. The coaches wanted things to be perfect for the big game. Taylor also wanted things to be perfect. He had so much weight on his shoulders. Rumors made it through the grapevine. The other team was notorious for having bad sportsmanship and had put a target on his back for being a freshman. He could take a hit, so he wasn't worried about getting tackled. If anything, he was worried about faking an injury if he needed to. He could limp around but couldn't make his skin not heal. He felt silly for worrying about it but he was going to be in front of a ton of people.
Kate walked over to the high school after school was over. She was excited to see Taylor play the next day. She looked at some of the decorations and tilted her head. It was almost odd seeing their last name displayed with the other names. It was also odd seeing American high school football culture in action. It was as if a major NFL team was playing. The cheer team was practicing and she watched them for a bit. The dancing didn't look fun but some of the stunts did. She would never cheer but tumbling might be a good after school activity.
After practice, Taylor walked around to the back of the bleachers to the parking lot. Dean was going to pick them up. He saw Kate and took a few steps towards her before looking up, having a gut feeling that something was wrong. He saw someone leaning against the railing at the top of the bleachers and the wooden railing gave way. He caught the person before they hit the ground, thankful that they hadn't fallen from the highest set of bleachers.
Hailey gasped as she fell. She suddenly stopped unharmed and found herself face to face with Taylor. She let out a shaky breath and looked up at the bleachers she fell from. "Uh, thank you."
The other cheerleaders looked over the railing and gasped as well.
Taylor put Hailey on her feet. "Are you okay?"
Hailey stumbled slightly. "Yes. You caught me."
Heather ran down and wrapped her arms around her little sister, checking her for injuries. "Thanks, Taylor. I was so afraid that she hit the ground."
Taylor bashfully stepped back. "Yeah, no problem."
Kate had made it over to Dean's car when she heard someone scream. She turned just as Taylor caught Hailey and covered her mouth.
Dean had gotten out of the car and was leaning against the hood, waiting for Kate to get closer. He saw the whole thing as well. As Taylor approached, he started slow clapping.
Taylor ducked his head.
"That is one way to get the girl." Dean teased. He stood up straight and acted stern. "Did you plan that? Did you knock that poor girl off just so you could catch her?"
Taylor's face was read. "No!"
Dean mocked Taylor's raised pitch. "No? I'm giving you a hard time." He put a hand on Taylor's head and turned it around. "She is looking at you."
Taylor saw Hailey and blushed harder. She gave him a shy wave and he returned it.
The coach walked around the side of the bleachers and looked at the place where she fell from. If that part was weak, it was likely that other areas were too. He whistled loudly. "Unless you've got somewhere to be, come help find weak spots."
Dean nudged Taylor. "Run along, hero. I've got all afternoon."
Kate grinned. "I have nowhere to be either."
Taylor groaned and ran back to where the coach was standing. He glanced back at Dean and Kate, warning them to keep their mouths shut. After a thorough walk around every railing on every set of bleachers, it was determined that several places were unsafe. It needed to be fixed before the game the next day. "A family friend works for a company that fixes stuff like this. I can ask if he could help."
The coach gave him permission to make the call. The last thing the school needed was a lawsuit.
Taylor ran back over to Dean after he got off the phone with Caleb. "I'm so glad you aren't busy because Caleb and a few other guys are going to come fix the railing. You're strong and capable, thanks for volunteering."
Dean scoffed. "I am fine waiting around for you."
Taylor mocked Dean's stern expression. "Do I need to call dad?"
Dean jabbed him in the stomach. "I'll help but only so you continue to look good. What is that girl's name anyway?"
Taylor opened the driver's side door to toss his backpack into the seat and stood back up. "None of your business."
Dean smirked. "While we are waiting on Caleb, I'm going to get food."
Taylor's back was to Dean and he tried to keep from grinning. "Bring me back a burger." He walked a bit more quickly than normal to go back to the other players. He heard a 'dammit Taylor!' from behind him and whipped his head around to smirk at Dean.
Dean shook his hand. "I'm going to kill him."
Kate laughed. "Did he charge the door handle again?"
Dean swore under his breath. "Yep." He cranked the car and pointed to the front passenger seat.
Kate acted shocked, although jokingly. "I get to ride shotgun?"
"For the foreseeable future. I need us to form an alliance to put Taylor back in his place." Dean said.
Kate tapped her fingertips together. "It has been a long time since we have formed an alliance."
"Right, so don't be dead weight," Dean said.
Kate looked at him. "When is the last time you came up with a good prank? Is it not you that is usually the victim?"
Dean flicked the side of her head. "Don't make me take away your shotgun privileges."
Kate sighed. "So touchy."
Caleb showed up with a few of his coworkers. He brought the boys so that April could go to an appointment. "Andy, stay where I can see you unless you are with Kate."
"Okay, Dad," Andy said. He wanted to see what Caleb was going to do anyway.
Taylor lifted Ian and put him on his shoulders. "The coach can show you where the damage is."
Caleb left the boys with Taylor and headed up the stairs to the top of the bleachers.
Taylor took the boys to the front of the stadium so that Ian wasn't tempted to go into the parking lot.
Several of the cheerleaders saw him carrying Ian and asked if that was his little brother.
Taylor froze. "Uh, his dad is like a brother. So, I guess they are like nephews."
Ten minutes later, when Caleb found Taylor and the boys, the girls had taken over entertaining them. "Hey, you were supposed to be watching them."
Taylor rolled a football in his hand. "I am. I'm throwing a ball with Andy and Ian chose sides."
Ian put his head down and did a front flip on the ground. He jumped up and clapped when the girls did.
Caleb laughed.
Hailey asked if Caleb was the dad. "Can we show him a few flips?"
Caleb scratched his chin. "I guess. Just don't let him get hurt."
Hailey grinned and went back to Ian.
Caleb gave Taylor a fake disappointed look. "Stop using my kids to get their attention."
Taylor's mouth fell open. "I wasn't!"
Caleb shook his head and grabbed a few things from his truck. If they were going to get the railing fixed, they needed to work quickly.
Dean and Kate returned with food for the three of them.
Taylor bit into his burger and closed his eyes. He was starving. He felt little hands on his leg and snorted. He let Ian take a big bite and gave him some fries. "They've taught him how to fly."
Dean tilted his head. "What does that mean?"
One of the older girls that was usually a base for stunting, called Ian over and got him to stand in front of her. She put her hands on his hips and threw him in the air just high enough to grab both of his feet.
Ian barely wobbled and continued eating his fries. He liked being thrown in the air and was comfortable with it.
"Oh, is he a member of the squad now?" Dean asked.
Hailey smiled. "We would love to have him be part of the squad but we don't have a guy's uniform that small."
Dean wiggled his eyebrows at Taylor and got a glare in return. He finished his food and threw the bag away so that he could help Caleb with the rails.
Taylor did the same.
Kate looked at Andy. "It's just me and you now."
Andy tossed her the ball. "Can you throw?"
"Uh, probably," Kate said. She kept a close eye on Ian although he was busy with the other girls. She watched Hailey too. She seemed nice. She wasn't snooty at least. She had an idea and called John. "I want to go to the lab."
"Not today," John answered, simply.
"Why? We need to get all of this figured out soon. We can't do that if I can't even run samples." Kate said.
"We will talk about it later," John said, firmly.
Kate sighed. "Right. Okay, bye."
John could hear the bite in her tone. He knew it was coming. He knew why he was doing what he was doing and knew why he couldn't tell her all of the details.
Kate shoved her phone in her pocket and threw the ball with Andy a few more times. She was annoyed, to say the least. She briefly wondered if she could just run the samples and him never find out. Of course not. He always found out.
With the railing in perfect condition and the debris cleared, Dean and the rest of the guys walked down to the bottom of the bleachers. "Kate, we are about ready to go."
Kate gave him a thumbs up.
Dean noticed the attitude behind the gesture and groaned inwardly.
Andy said goodbye to the cheerleaders and helped Ian say goodbye too. He held his hand as they walked to Caleb. He got through the gate and turned to latch it again. Ian got away from him and took off after something.
Dean, thankfully, was standing between Ian and the parking lot. He scooped him up and got a good grip on him so he didn't throw himself to the ground. He carried him over to Caleb and held him out. "I believe this belongs to you."
Andy was out of breath from running. "I'm sorry dad. I thought I had his hand."
"Not your fault," Caleb reassured Andy. He got head-butted in the ear by Ian who was upset. He sighed and popped Ian's leg. "Enough." That worked for a minute but Ian protested going into his car seat.
Hailey ran up to Taylor to go over what they were going to do tomorrow. She heard Ian scream and looked worried.
"You got the cute side of Ian. He wasn't finished playing and is mad now." Taylor said.
Hailey relaxed. "He is very cute. So, you need to be here early tomorrow. We need time to map out where we are going to walk."
"Okay, is there a specific time?" Taylor asked.
Hailey shrugged. "My coach didn't tell me a time yet. Obviously after school but I don't know if you need to head straight here. I could let you know in a few hours though."
Taylor blinked. "How?"
"I'll give you my number, silly," Hailey said. She grabbed his hand and wrote her number on his palm with a pen she got out of her bag. "There, just text me so I will have yours and I can let you know what the time will be."
Taylor looked at his hand for a moment. "Okay, I'll do that when I get to the car. I left my phone there."
Hailey smiled brightly. "Okay, see you tomorrow." She spun around, accidentally brushing his face with the tips of her hair.
Taylor turned on his heel and started to walk back to the impala. He looked up and saw Dean with a look on his face.
Dean waited until Taylor got to the car and dramatically fanned his face. He blinked rapidly to dry tears that weren't there and crushed Taylor in a hug. "I've never been so proud of someone."
Taylor groaned and fought the hug. "She is going to tell me what time I need to be there tomorrow."
"Girls don't smile and skip away like that for everyone," Dean said.
Taylor rolled his eyes. "Don't make it weird."
Dean got in the car and cranked it. "Oh, by the way, you've been demoted to the backseat?"
"Why?" Taylor asked with a snort.
"Not only did you shock me, which I owe you an ass-kicking for, but you also used my Baby as a weapon," Dean said.
"Your baby isn't hurt," Taylor said.
Kate shimmied into the front seat. "Enjoy the backseat, you second-class citizen."
Taylor got in. "Does that make you a second-class citizen most of the time?"
Kate put her feet on the dashboard. "No, I just let you sit here."
Dean smacked her feet down. "There is more than one seat back there."
Kate put her feet on the floorboard. "As I said, so touchy."
Two hours later, Taylor got a text from Hailey with an updated time and a question. His throat felt dry. He knew there was a homecoming dance Saturday but hadn't given it much thought. She asked if he was going.
Dean could see Taylor's face changing colors. "What's up?"
Taylor groaned. "There is a home coming dance. Hailey asked if I was going."
Dean cracked a smile. "Well, are you?"
"I mean, I wasn't going to. I don't have anything to wear to something like that." Taylor said.
Dean shook his head. He took Taylor's shoulders and steered him to one of the chairs. He sat down across from him and rested his elbows on his knees. "Are you that dense?"
Taylor jerked his head back. "What?"
"She isn't asking if you are going. She is trying to bait you into asking her to go with you." Dean said.
Undertanding dawned on Taylor. "Oh. Oh no."
"Oh no?" Dean asked, sitting back.
"If I asked her, then what? I don't have anything to wear." Taylor stammered.
Dean took the phone from Taylor's hand and turned so that Taylor couldn't get it back. He quickly typed 'I was actually going to ask if you wanted to go with me.' He hit send and gave the phone back to Taylor.
"Dean! Seriously!" Taylor said, his face turning a bright shade of red.
"You're welcome." Dean said.
Hailey replied in record time and Taylor swallowed hard. He was in no way prepared for a home coming dance.
"It is Saturday evening. That gives you plenty of time to pick something out. Hell, I'll take you to the mall myself." Dean said.
Taylor rubbed his temples.
"You better answer her back before I take your phone again," Dean warned.
Taylor glared at him and went back to his conversation. Hailey was pretty. She was really really pretty. She was nice and sweet. His head was elsewhere but catching her earlier did pull his focus.
"Ask her what she is wearing so that you can get her one of those flower wrist things. Then, that will give you an idea of what to wear." Dean said.
Taylor didn't think it was bad advice but walked out of the room anyway.
Karen heard him shuffling into the kitchen and turned. "Why the long face?"
"Dean's a jerk," Taylor said.
Karen hugged him. "What did he do this time?"
"Taylor was missing the most obvious hints ever and I just helped him along," Dean said.
"Now I have to go to the homecoming dance and I don't know what to wear," Taylor said.
Karen cracked a smile. "That is an easy fix. You boys have it easy. A girl has to pick out a dress and shoes. She has to do her hair and makeup. Boys just throw on a suit and show up."
Taylor looked back at Dean. "Since you were so eager for me to go to this dance, you can drive us."
"Oh, you've jumped to picking her up. What a gentleman." Dean teased.
"Are you done?" Taylor asked.
Dean shrugged. "Give me some time. I'll have new jokes."
Taylor spun around. "Karen, how can I help you with dinner."
Karen winked. "You are a gentleman. I couldn't say the same for Dean."
Dean acted hurt. "I thought we were friends."
"We would be better friends if you'd find some potatoes," Karen said.
Dean nodded. "I can do that."
Kate was already pre-irritated before John even set foot on the property. She had a good reason for wanting to start testing. The faster they found answers, the fewer people would die.
John parked his truck and took a minute to sort his thoughts. He did not have the patience for Kate's attitude and he could feel it as soon as he parked.
Kate was sitting on the porch and got up to go inside when his door opened.
Dean heard Kate go upstairs and then heard John come inside. Great. Those two butting heads never ended well. She put Sam's angst to shame.
John stopped by Bobby's office and discussed some of the freak-related research with him.
"Kate seems to be in a mood," Bobby said.
"She wants things to happen instantly and we can't afford to move too quickly," John said.
Bobby nodded. John had told him about the bite marks on older Kate. It was a big detail that could send her spinning in several directions. She could learn that she survived the bite and grow too bold. She could go off the deep end knowing that her blood had an effect on the freaks. It was best that she didn't know that until later.
At dinner, Dean and Taylor were talkative. Taylor was trying to downplay what happened with Hailey and Dean was set on making it out to be a bigger deal than it was.
Kate was quiet. She gave one word answers when spoken to. She had visions the night before. To her, that was enough reason to get the ball rolling. She had so many things swimming around in her head and needed to start crossing things off the list.
Karen made the mistake of trying to get Kate to take an active part in the conversation.
Kate responded more rudely than she meant to.
"Katelyn," John said.
Kate groaned. "Sorry, Karen." As soon as she was excused she left to go upstairs but got stopped by John. "I'm going to bed."
"No, you're going to sit on the couch and we are going to talk," John said.
Kate gritted her teeth.
"I know that you are annoyed. I have explained to you that we cannot start testing yet." John said.
"We can start some testing. I'm asking for a baseline. You said you would let me be more involved." Kate said.
"I did. I am letting you be involved." John responded.
"No. I'm not involved because there is nothing to be involved in. We are sitting on our hands while those creatures are out there tearing hunters to shreds." Kate said.
"Lower your voice." John warned.
Dean dried the last dish and touched Taylor's back. "Run."
Taylor went out the backdoor and ran around the side of the house.
Dean followed him. "I don't know why she argues with him."
"Not everyone has the common sense that we do." Taylor said.
Kate bounced her legs anxiously. "What aren't you telling me?"
"You know most of the information. I do have a few things that I cannot explain right now." John said.
"Why?" Kate asked.
"There is more going on than just testing. I am trying to solve something before I let you around this stuff." John said.
"Not telling me can cause this to be more dangerous," Kate said.
"Kate-"
"No, you lose it if I hide something from you. Way to be a role model." Kate spat.
John narrowed his eyes. "I will not tell you to lower your voice again. I spoke to your older self. There are things that you cannot know right now because it can mess with time."
"That isn't it. Maybe part of it is but I know you are just holding something back." Kate said. "If I do not know something, and cannot solve this fast enough, more people will die."
"It isn't your job to single-handedly solve this," John said.
"I'd like to work on it with other people but you. won't. let. me."
"I said no. That is the end of it." John said.
Kate slammed herself back against the back of the couch and crossed her arms.
John opened the door to walk outside and paused. He felt pressure in his head and whipped his head around. "Are you trying to read me?"
Dean and Taylor looked toward the house when John's voice raised. The door slammed a second later. "Oh, damn."
Taylor felt a pit in his stomach. "I hope to God she didn't try to read him."
Kate's eyes widened and the vein in her neck jumped.
"Answer me, young lady." John boomed.
"How... how did you know? If you have abilities isn't it hypocritical to act like you don't?" Kate asked, her mouth getting ahead of her.
"Room, now." John ground out.
Kate took off running up the stairs and shut her door behind her. Okay, so she had possibly tried to read him but she had gotten better at that. How could he feel it? No one else could feel it.
John waited a few minutes before going up to her room. He was tired and did not want to argue. He wanted to finish the days work and go to bed. He opened the door and pulled the desk chair out to sit on. "Did you try to read me?"
"Yes, sir," Kate said.
"Why the hell would you think it was okay to dig in my head?" John asked.
Kate's eyes wandered.
"Look at me," John demanded.
"You won't tell me. There is something big. I don't care what it is. I am not more important than dozens of hunters." Kate said.
"I have chosen not to tell you this one thing because there are consequences if you know right now. I am trying to understand it. That doesn't matter though because I told you no. You do not argue with me and then try to read me." John said. "As your father, I will set boundaries and you will abide by them."
Kate felt her temper flare. "Just because you are doesn't mean you aren't wrong."
John grabbed her arm and hauled her over his lap. He started raining down hard swats over her shorts and didn't start lecturing again until she started showing signs that he was making an impact. "You do this every single time a boundary is set. You do not know everything, little girl, and you need to do as you are told."
Kate stiffened.
"You, as your older self, told me that some things are off-limits. Your older self has information that I want but you can't give me because there are rules to this time stuff. Do you know who Atropos is?"
Kate twisted. "Let me up."
John growled and shifted her. He started spanking her again with purpose.
Kate's resolve weakened. "Okay, ow, dad, I won't ask again."
"You will not read me or anyone else," John said, turning her thighs a darker shade of red.
Kate winced. "I won't I promise."
John stopped again. "Atropos is a fate. When you mess with fate, the real Fates can go after you. I cannot tell you what is going on because it could screw up the entire timeline."
Kate let tears seep out of her eyes. "I understand, I'm sorry."
John finished by starting over for one more round. He rubbed his hand down his thigh and let her up. He pulled her back to sit on his leg and let her wrap her arms around him. "I listened to 19-year-old you. I'm asking you to listen to me now."
Kate sniffled. "I'm sorry. I am just stressed. I have so many ideas and they are overwhelming."
"Keep writing them down. We will start as soon as it is safe." John said. He got her settled and had her go to bed early. "Don't let your attitude get you into hot water again."
Kate pulled her blanket up to her chin and clicked her tongue so Millie would join her. "So I'm guessing older me still has a knack for making you mad?"
"Older you has an attitude the size of Texas," John said. "We will just have to fix that now." He turned the light out and went downstairs. He went outside to finish getting things from his truck and saw Taylor looking at him apprehensively. "Taylor, why do you look like that?"
Dean smirked. "He has something to ask you!"
John turned to Taylor.
"Uh, uh, I lost rock paper scissors so I have to ask but it wasn't my idea." Taylor stammered. "You know you reminded Dean to wrap it up... uh... was that for a reason? You have been stressed. Like... did .. Pamela?"
John blew air through his nose. "Taylor, if you aren't out of my hair in five seconds..." He chuckled and shook his head when Taylor nearly fell trying to get into the house. "Dean, get over here!"
Dean walked out of the shop with a sheepish grin on his face.
"Next time don't make your brother ask the stupid questions," John said. "No, Pamela is not pregnant. I reminded you because you are you."
"It was out of the blue. I was just putting two and two together." Dean said. "As for making him ask, he tried to get Andy to ask."
John pinched his nose. "Andy had the sense not to."
"I for one just wanted to know if we were getting another sibling," Dean said with a smirk.
"Dean, I'm done having kids. I'm just thinking, if I am going to have grandkids one day, I'd like for you to at least know the mother's last name." John said.
Dean raised an eyebrow. "Where did you get that idea from?"
"If I thought you needed to know, I would have told you when I called," John said.
Dean furrowed his eyebrows. He could hear a hint of humor in John's tone.
"Dean, if you aren't out of my hair in five seconds..." Dean's retreat was smoother than Taylor's but still make John chuckle. He swore not to tell anyone what older Kate said. Knowing that he would one day be a grandfather gave him a sliver of peace. He leaned against his truck. He figured it was Sam who gave him that honor. With the way things were going, he was going to end up strangling his oldest and youngest. He looked up at the sky as if Mary was looking down on him. He snorted. If anyone would have asked him when Sam was little, if he would ever be the easy kid, he would have said no. Sam was willful and defiant. That changed though. Maybe that meant that Kate would change. She was set to save the world one day, he just had to try not to strangle her first.