Kate was still asleep in the backseat but Dean's head was beginning to ache. He needed coffee. He figured Kate would want something as well but she had forgotten to wear shoes. He weighed his options and asked Tessa to grab some of her stuff.
Tessa answered Dean's call quickly and dropped by Marie's house. She hadn't met the entire family but she knew that they knew about angels. She wasn't sure if they knew she was a reaper though. She appeared in Charlie's bedroom and soothed the startled girl. "Where can I find shoes and a jacket for Kate?"
Charlie pulled Kate's bag out and handed it to Tessa. "Is she okay?"
"Yes." Tessa said.
Jo cleared her throat.
Tessa looked at her. "Would you like to add anything?"
Jo shrugged. "I just haven't gotten used to all of this."
"I don't think anyone really gets used to it." Charlie said. "She's a reaper, you know."
Jo studied the woman standing at the end of Charlie's bed. "That is scary."
"I do not harm humans. I just guide them to their destination." Tessa said, warmly.
"As long as Kate's next destination is here." Jo said.
Tessa smiled. "Certainly." She was gone in the blink of an eye.
Krissy heard voices and started to go into Charlie's room but she didn't recognize one of them. The door was cracked so she could see that everything was alright. Where did Kate go? She was there earlier. What was a reaper? Why would Jo be afraid of her? She seemed nice. She suddenly gasped and covered her mouth with her hands.
Andy had walked by and tapped her. "They don't like when you listen to conversations."
Krissy scooted away from Charlie's door. "I wasn't."
"Suit yourself." Andy said with a shrug.
Krissy really wanted to figure out what was going on but a small voice in the back of her head told her not to bring it up. Part of it was self-preservation but she also felt like the secrets were heavy and telling the wrong person could hurt people.
(John and Pamela)
John was getting more comfortable with the nymphs. They were open to speaking to them. He didn't fully trust them but they were telling him negative things about themselves as well. They were lethal when agitated. They were stronger than the average creature and could eliminate a crowd of people in an instance. "Have you heard about the freaks?"
Reigna wasn't aware of the new creature. She had been around for eons. She had seen a variety of creatures grow and adapt. She was alarmed at the fury that the freaks had. She didn't know if they would attack nymphs. "I would like to see one."
John cracked his neck. "We have trapped a few but they are fast and deadly."
Pamela grabbed a map from John's truck. She pointed to a few dots that marked where there had been freak activity. "They are hard to track."
Reigna needed to set eyes on the creatures. They were not the only nymphs in America and she wanted to gain information from those that may have experienced the freaks. She also wanted to warn others just incase they were a threat.
John called Rod and Marie to talk to them about relocating the nymphs. The more he thought about it, the more he thought that a defense system would be a great idea.
One of the nymphs touched Pamela's shoulder. "It will start raining soon."
Pamela looked up at the sky. It had been drizzling on and off but the clouds did look heavy. She got into the truck and waited for John to do so as well. Things seemed oddly peaceful. John wasn't tense. She wasn't sure if the nymphs had that affect on people or it was just being able to step away from the chaos.
(Dean and Kate)
Kate stirred. She opened her eyes and gave Dean an annoyed look.
"You've been sleeping for a while. I thought it might be a good idea to get some grub." Dean said.
Kate took the shoes and coat that he was holding out. "How did you get this?"
"Tessa." Dean said.
"Maybe she is being a little too helpful." Kate said. She stretched and put her shoes on. "I'm sorry."
Dean locked the car once she was out. "We got through that."
"I can still be sorry." Kate said.
Dean turned toward the restaurant he had parked at. "You can. We are good though."
"I want to know more about that conversation with death." Kate said.
Dean waved her off slightly. "When we get back into the car." After they sat down and ordered food, he grabbed a napkin and fished a pin out of his jacket pocket. "Here, start writing."
Kate was confused.
"You are worried about things falling apart. I want a list of what is going on." Dean said.
"Do you want a lot of details?" Kate asked.
Dean snorted softly. "Maybe not enough that will get us arrested if someone reads it."
Kate nodded. "Cameron."
"What is going on with Cameron?" Dean asked.
"Weird stuff." Kate said, simply. "I think the spell is wearing off."
Dean had thought about that. He talked with Kate while they ate and felt like they were on the same page. He had something on his mind that was bothering him but he didn't know what to do with it. He would tell her to tell him but it was different.
Kate noticed Dean seemed a little down when they got back to the car. She sat in the front seat with him and turned to face him. "Are you okay?"
"I found something that I don't know how to feel about." Dean said.
"About me?" Kate asked, alarmed.
"No. I should talk to dad but I don't know how he is going to react." Dean said.
Kate raised an eyebrow. "Does it bring back memories, being in this position."
Dean lightly flicked her. "Vivid memories." He weighed his options. He needed her to trust him. "I can explain if you promise not to do anything with the information. Kate, I am serious. I don't know if this has anything to do with what death was telling me."
Kate crossed her heart. "I won't do anything."
Dean moved his hand to feel the texture of the steering wheel. "You can't look into it. I am going to."
Kate could see that he was serious. "I will do what you tell me to."
Dean pulled out of the parking lot and got back onto the interstate. "I found something in the book."
Kate's eyes widened.
Dean narrowed his. "I didn't read the book. I just saw something. It isn't even related to what you are looking for." He sighed deeply. "There is a list of people who checked out the book and returned it."
Kate was very curious. "I'm listening."
"The last name was Henry Winchester." Dean said.
"That isn't coincidental. That makes sense." Kate said.
"He checked it out right before Abaddon attacked." Dean said.
Kate wasn't sure what he was hung up on. It made the book more important but it was logical that a book he was reading would show up for them.
"He returned it." Dean said.
Kate tilted her head.
"He signed it out and returned it. He returned it after the attack." Dean said.
Kate slowly met up with Dean's train of thought. "He survived?"
"I don't know. Maybe someone forged his signature. If he survived, maybe he died soon after. I wouldn't be too concerned about returning a book if I was severely wounded." Dean said.
"He was the last person in the bunker." Kate said. She leaned back in the seat and watched the trees zip by. "He is the last proven person to be there. He could have survived and went into hiding."
"I don't know. Dad thought he walked out on them his whole life. He had closure knowing that he got killed. I don't know what the news will do to him." Dean said.
"I guess the first step you should take is to compare the handwriting in the book to another document." Kate said.
"Good idea." Dean said. "I keep wracking my brain trying to figure out what happened to him."
"That is how I wind up in thought spirals." Kate said.
Dean drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. He had that piece of paper that probably meant something too. He didn't want to cause her to take out the proverbial dam.
"Is that it?" Kate asked.
"Honestly, no. I want to talk to dad first." Dean said.
Obviously, Kate wanted to know what was going on. She did understand the position he was in though. "Is he still with the nymphs."
"Yeah." Dean said. He cracked a smile. "You'll never guess what he's planning."
Kate gasped. "What?"
"He is working on getting the nymphs to Marie's house." Dean said.
Kate's mouth fell open. "Why?"
"The pollution in that stream is more complicated than we thought. If the nymphs are true to their word, they can help protect the property." Dean said.
"Oh my god. Does Charlie know?" Kate asked.
"I don't think so." Dean said. "I don't think she could handle the news."
Kate wiggled excitedly. "I have to witness her reaction."
Dean wanted to see her reaction as well but knowing Charlie, she'd burst his eardrums with the shriek she'd let out. That was a girl thing that he would never fully understand.
(Marie's house)
Rod walked out into the woods with Taylor. He wanted his family to be safe. He needed to know that the new creatures wouldn't turn on them. Time would be his only way of knowing.
Taylor looked up at Rod. "Things have changed."
Rod gave him a soft smile. "Yes, they have. I am glad that they have."
Taylor dropped his gaze and shuffled his feet in the snow. "Do you remember being sick?"
Rod nodded. "That was a rough period of time. I started losing strength and it killed me to have Marie do things for me."
"The first time you met Dean and Kate, we healed you. I was scared that it would only work for a few days." Taylor said. "How are you feeling?"
"I feel better than I did before I got sick. I've got a few aches and pains that come with age but I also don't feel my age." Rod said. "Being up on my feet helps with that. Then, having you kids around also helps."
"Dean just says we are aging him." Taylor said, lightly.
"You might be doing that." Rod said. "You have something heavy on your mind."
Taylor sighed. "I am scared something will happen to you. Before all of this, you didn't have to worry about the supernatural. Now, it is in your face."
"That isn't your fault." Rod said. "It has always been here. We just know about it now. If something happens to me, it will be okay. I have lived a long life. I don't plan on going any time soon but just know I'll be at peace if I do."
Taylor still worried but let it go. There were things far worse than death. He liked the idea of having the nymphs around. He could worry a little bit less about their safety.
(John and Pamela)
Pamela took a small box from Reigna. It held a piece of root that was far older than any of the nymphs. It was an anchor. Nymphs could teleport or jump from place to place but needed an anchor to stay somewhere for a longer than a day. The root was also a show of trust. Destroying the root would cause the nymphs to die.
John cranked the truck and called Rod again. He described a symbol in grave detail. Rod would need to draw the symbol deep into the dirt. That would help the nymphs know where to go.
Pamela looked around her as the nymphs started to leave the forest. It was as if the life was leaving the area. It was dreary and felt hollow.
John noted the dreary feeling too. It was eerie. He needed to get Pamela back to her house so that she could see clients. Had one too many things gone right? He called Frank to check on Simon and was relieved to hear that he was back on his feet. Fluids seemed to cure him.
(Marie's house)
Rod stepped back as a swirl of light gathered over the symbol. He felt a burst of wind and met eyes with a woman.
Reigna held her hand out to Rod.
Rod shook her hand.
Taylor was mesmerized. He watched other nymphs fade into the trees.
Rod spoke with Reigna to form an agreement. He felt a sense of peace.
The nymphs instantly felt at home. The water was clear. The trees were massive. There were no signs of pollution or trash. They were thrilled.
Reigna surveyed the area. "You take good care of this land. We will find the perimeters and make sure your family is safe. Is there anything you would like us to do?"
"I would prefer that you stay hidden. We have a few people that know about you but others that don't." Rod said.
"We will be mindful of that. Thank you for allowing us to stay." Reigna said.
Rod nodded slightly. He couldn't believe how lifelike they looked. They looked human until they began to change. It felt weird knowing that there were beings in the woods that he wouldn't be able to see.
Marie joined Taylor and Rod. "Are they here?"
"Yes." Rod said.
Marie felt a warmth that hadn't been there before.
"What if we need firewood?" Taylor asked.
Rod didn't think about that. They wouldn't want to cut into a tree and hurt one of them.
Reigna appeared beside Taylor. "You don't have to worry about that. If you need a tree, we will vacate it."
Marie startled but introduced herself. The young woman was beautiful. She trusted her immediately.
Taylor answered his phone and smiled. "Yeah, they are going to tell her. I'll keep my phone on."
Kate knew she wouldn't be able to physically be there with Charlie but could be there audibly.
Marie got Jo and Charlie from the house. She made sure Krissy was playing with Kelsey and not following them.
Jo was just as clueless as Charlie was. She followed behind Marie a few yards into the wooded area.
Charlie looked around. "What is it?"
Jo jumped when she heard a woman's voice and whirled around to meet eyes with Reigna. She still didn't know who or what she was.
Charlie's eyes darted around as more women showed up.
Dean could hear through Kate's phone and gritted his teeth when Charlie shrieked. He thought that it would scare just about anything away from the property.
Charlie shifted from foot to foot. "Nymphs?"
Reigna smiled.
"Mother frickin' nymphs?!" Charlie said loudly.
Marie hushed her. "We are keeping it a secret."
Taylor stood beside Jo. "They lived in an area with pollution. So, dad sent them here because it is clean and they can protect the property."
Jo blinked slowly.
Charlie shook Jo by her arms. "They are incredibly powerful and can rip someone in half."
Reigna spoke up. "Only if it is necessary. We are peaceful."
Charlie left Jo to talk to Reigna. "I have so many questions."
Marie stepped back. "Rod and I will let you ask your questions. It is a little too cold out here for my comfort."
Taylor and Jo let Charlie do all the talking as they sat on a fallen log. They were happy to see her so excited but they were also amused. They got a chance to talk about Noah and the gun while they waited.
Jo stood up quickly. "You eat dead things?"
Reigna looked alarmed. "We get nutrients from anything the earth would normally get nutrients from. If you leave scraps of food, it decomposes and we can absorb it."
"So, if there was a body, you could make it disappear." Jo said.
Taylor palmed his forehead. "Jo."
"Yes. That is how we had to handle our previous situation."
Taylor stood up too. "Forgive her. We have no bodies."
"No but if we did, we have a built-in disposal service." Jo said.
Reigna smiled softly. "We prefer plants."
(Dean and Kate)
Kate was in a great mood because she was excited for Charlie. She wanted to ask the nymphs questions too but it would be a little while before they made it back to Marie's house. "When can I look at the book?"
Dean looked over to Kate. "Really?"
"I am just asking. I went to a lot of trouble to get it. I am following orders. I just want to know." Kate said.
"I think we should get home first. I don't want to tip the scales." Dean said.
Kate chewed her cheek. "What do we do about Cameron?"
"What has been going on?" Dean asked.
"He may be seeing demons and his parents have gotten injured in weird ways." Kate said.
That was concerning for Dean. "I can check on them."
Kate nudged him.
"We can check on them since you are stuck with me." Dean said.
"You claim it is because I broke a rule but really, you just like hanging out with me." Kate said.
Dean ruffled her hair. "I do like hanging out with you." He saw her shoulders drop slightly. "I expected you to go to the bunker after I told you not to. That was really tempting. I get it. Death made it a big deal."
Kate frowned. "I know. I just keep doing the same dumb things."
"You are hardheaded." Dean said. "We will work through it."
Kate saw her bag in the backseat and reached to get it. She pulled her notebook out of the bag and sat back in her seat. She would let her mind wander and draw what she saw.
(Sioux Falls)
Caleb walked around the downstairs of the house with Lauren to coax her into sleep. She was fussy and the movement seemed to help. The soft whimpers tore through his heart in the worst way. April promised him it was normal and that Lauren was okay. Still, she was so tiny and a world in which someone so small had to feel any sort of pain was a cruel world. He stopped by the living room window and peaked out. Foot traffic had become nearly non existent as night fell. There were a few cars and a white cat that darted into the shadows. It was much different than looking out the window of a motel.
April stepped out of the shower and dried her hair. She had an odd feeling and shut the dryer off so that she could hear. She heard Caleb walking around and relaxed. He made her feel safe. She still had the weird feeling but blamed it on anxiety. She joined Caleb in the living room and smiled. "She's out."
Caleb looked down at Lauren. "Now. I don't think she feels good."
"She might have a bit of reflux or something. Andy and Ian did the same thing around this age." April said.
Caleb wasn't the type to suggest that they go to the doctor for every bump and bruise but Lauren was so fragile. She wasn't crying. When she fussed it was just a whimpering sound. She wasn't in a lot of pain. He expected his heart to change after she was born, as it did with Andy and Ian but she had nearly crippled him.
April got Caleb to put Lauren in her crib. She made sure the mattress was tilted slightly to help with the reflux.
"How do you know what to do?" Caleb asked.
"She's my third baby." April said.
Caleb pulled their blankets back. "You just know if they are sick or how to heal them."
"You pick up on things that I don't." April said. "You handle the big things way better than I do. I think it is normal for a mom to know when they have a stomach ache. You keep them from diving off the balcony or running into traffic."
"I do my best. Sometimes they go in opposite directions." Caleb said.
April wrapped her arms around his arm. "You are the best thing that has happened to us."
Caleb kissed her head. He let his eyes drift to the crib. He wanted to see Lauren breathe before he closed his eyes.
"Relax." April said. She also did the same thing at times. "She is strong. She doesn't have any ill effects of being premature." She sat up. "She fits in newborn clothes so well now. She is going to be grown before we know it."
"Then that just means we need another baby." Caleb said.
April snapped her head around and glared at him. "Don't even think about it Caleb Fisher."
Caleb grinned. "Three is a good number… for now."
April playfully jabbed him in the ribs but curled into his side. She could see more kids in their future but she had her hands full with the boys and Lauren. "When these guys are a whole lot older."
(Marie's house)
The night was approaching and Kelsey was anxious. Her dad told her that he and Simon would pick her up the next day. She couldn't wait to see Simon. He was her favorite person ever and she was so scared when he went missing.
Krissy sat beside Kelsey. She didn't say anything although she really wanted to.
Kelsey scooted down the mat that Marie had given her and wrapped herself in a blanket.
Krissy lost her battle with silence and got close to Kelsey. "I saw something."
Kelsey looked at her. "Just now?"
"No." Krissy said. She saw that the door was wide opened and got up to shut it. She saw Andy and grabbed his shirt, pulling him toward her.
Andy stumbled. "What the heck?"
"I think I maybe need your help." Krissy said.
Andy groaned. "With what?"
Krissy rolled her eyes. "Shut the door."
"I told Zachary I would be right back." Andy said.
"Then go tell him you won't." Krissy said.
Andy reluctantly found Zachary and told him that he had to help Krissy with something. He had no idea what it was. Her ideas never ended well.
Krissy turned the light on and had Andy and Kelsey sit close to her. "We have to pinky promise not to tell anyone."
Andy saw red flags popping up as soon as she said that. "Secrets aren't the best."
"I don't know if the adults know and maybe I don't know." Krissy said.
Kelsey held out her pinky to link with Krissy's.
"I saw a man in Charlie's room." Krissy said.
Andy furrowed his eyebrows. "A man?"
"Yeah, he was there and talked to them and poof he was gone." Krissy said.
Kelsey gasped.
Andy was skeptical. "What do you mean poof?"
"He disappeared." Krissy said. "A woman stopped by and did the same thing."
The hairs on Andy's arms stood up because there were only a few creatures that did stuff like that. "What did they do?"
"They talked to Charlie. With the man, Kate told me he was nice." Krissy said. She leaned forward and whispered. "He had wings."
Kelsey looked shocked.
Andy didn't. "And?"
"And he had wings!" Krissy said before lowering her voice. "He was an angel. I bet the lady was too."
"What did they look like?" Andy asked.
"Humans." Krissy said.
Andy licked his lips. "What about the guy?"
"He was human." Krissy said.
"Did he wear a weird jacket?" Andy asked.
Krissy gasped loudly. "You've seen him too?"
Andy bit his lip. He was fairly certain she wasn't supposed to know about angels. "Uh, yeah."
Krissy shoved him. "You didn't tell me!"
Andy stabilized himself. "It was none of your business and I bet you weren't supposed to see them and you were hiding."
Krissy's face turned red. "I wasn't hiding." She met eyes with Kelsey and asked if she knew about angels.
Kelsey shook her head. "I thought they were real because heaven but I have never seen one."
Krissy wanted to know what Andy knew. "Spill, Andy."
Andy scooted back. "No. That isn't my job."
Krissy gave him puppy eyes. "Please."
Andy rubbed his face. "Angels are real. They just don't act like they do in stories. They are kind of like normal humans but can do angel stuff."
Krissy eyed Andy. "Is Kate an angel?"
Andy's eyes grew wide. "What? No!"
"I heard her say something." Krissy was in the middle of explaining the conversation she had heard when Jess broke her toes.
Sam heard Andy yell and knocked on the door facing. "Is everything okay?" All three kids froze and stared at him. "Andy?"
Andy stood up and nodded. "Yeah, everything is good."
Sam thought it was suspicious that Andy ditched the girls so suddenly. He figured he and Krissy were squabbling like they normally did.
Krissy slid into her bed and let Sam turn off the light. She didn't say anything else about the angels and Kelsey didn't either. Clearly, they needed to find a better place to hold private meetings.
Andy was so thrown off that he went straight to bed. He didn't know how much information Krissy had or was supposed to have. Why did she have to rope him into things.
Charlie saw a light through the trees and heard the sound of boots breaking branches and leaves.
Rod lowered the lantern so he didn't blind her. "You should head inside."
Charlie didn't want to leave the nymphs. "I'm not in any danger."
"No but it is late and having you off in the woods all night might raise some questions." He put a hand on her shoulder and gently turned her toward the house. "You are free to chat tomorrow."
Charlie waved to the nymphs and walked with Rod. "They are awesome."
"They seem very nice." Rod said.
"Did you know they can get rid of bodies?" Charlie asked.
"What?" Rod asked, pausing from their walk.
"Jo asked. If something dies, they can absorb it." Charlie said.
Rod looked back toward the trees.
Charlie shrugged. "They prefer plants. There are different kinds of wood nymphs. Some can survive very cold or very hot weather. These thrive in the weather we have here. As long as they have water and nutrients. You won't have to till to plant a garden because they can do that."
"So can Taylor." Rod said.
"They are beneficial to the trees that they inhabit. If you have an apple tree, it will grow more apples than usual." Charlie said. "Same goes for walnuts or anything like that. They communicate through a frequency that humans can't hear. They can take on the form of humans. They don't really copy people though. They aren't shapeshifters. They can change their look to suit the time period. So, none of them will appear in historic clothing. They originally didn't bother with clothing. They only do that if they are around someone who they deem too pure. You know, like kids and stuff."
Rod was happy to see Charlie happy. She was typically a bubbly person but sometimes, she fell victim to the world that they lived in. He just let her talk until they got to the house. "You can tell me more in the morning."
Charlie jumped up the steps. "I want to fact check a few things and I was asked to look for hot spots for freaks."
"Tomorrow." Rod said.
Charlie frowned. "I'm not even tired."
"You don't have to go to sleep right now. I just want you to take a bit and calm down." Rod said.
"But-"
Rod shook his head. "If you start research tonight, you are going to wind up deep into the internet and you won't be able to walk away."
Charlie sighed. "I guess you are right." She witnessed how protective Dean was with Kate. She was still getting used to Marie and Rod being concerned. At least she didn't have as many restrictions. If she had super powers she probably would but Marie and Rod were more laid back. She could deal with it. She liked being part of a family again.
Taylor stayed up for a bit to talk to Dillon. Dillon was going to leave the next day and Taylor wanted to make sure they could stay in touch. They were growing a network of hunters' kids. The new generation had a chance of not being as screwed up as the generations before them.
(The next morning)
Kate vaguely remembered driving and then stopping at a motel. She knew she had walked into the motel room and fell onto a bed. She wiggled her toes. No shoes. Did Dean take her shoes? She could feel a blanket on top of her so he probably tucked her into bed too. She rolled over and could see the outline of his form on the other bed. It was still dark. She decided to close her eyes again and will herself to sleep. Her body needed the rest and Dean was wound too tight to not wake up at the slightest movement. She felt guilty. He had to deal with Death just because she was going off the rails. She had grown numb to powerful creatures but Death was something else. He was ancient. He was terrifying. What was the thing she wasn't supposed to touch? If she got too close to it, would Death show up again? How was she supposed to know what was safe? Where did Henry fall into their web of history? Could he have had knowledge like Bobby's grandfather did? Was he oblivious to his importance?
An hour ticked by and Kate wasn't asleep. She started to feel a little bit antsy but calmed herself. She wasn't supposed to use abilities because they made her really tired but she needed to be really tired so that she didn't get up and look for the book. Dream walking seemed to be a good compromise. She picked a direction and drifted off to sleep.
Dean woke up as the sun started to peak through the trees. He rarely was able to sleep in. Kate had moved from where he had placed her the night before. She was in a trance with her drawing but she was also worn out. He checked the time and rolled out of bed. A hot shower sounded fantastic. He needed to have a talk with her but those were always awkward. She was incredibly smart and resourceful but often out ran herself. He hated seeing her upset or in a position where she was endangering herself. He hated having to reign her in. He'd do so without question but he didn't feel burdened. He just worried. He worried about Sam and Taylor too but Kate terrified him. At that moment, he wasn't sure if Death or Kate scared him more.
Kate stirred when Dean got out of the shower. She sat up and waited for him to walk back into the room.
Dean saw her and asked how she slept.
"I dream walked." Kate said with a frown.
Dean paused before grabbing a pair of socks. "Why?"
"I woke up and couldn't sleep. I know I can't use abilities but that one helped me sleep anyway." Kate said.
Dean narrowed his eyes. "Is there more to that?"
"No." Kate said.
"Are you wanting me to be mad about it?" Dean asked.
Kate scoffed. "No. I just figured secrets wouldn't help me."
Dean grabbed one of his dirty socks and smacked her arm with it. "Stop using abilities."
Kate gasped and moved back onto the bed. "Hey I thought you weren't mad."
Dean smirked. "I'm not. I get your reasoning. Go shower and get ready. We have a long day of driving ahead."
Kate scooted off the bed but paused in front of Dean. She wrapped her arms around his middle and hugged him.
Dean hugged her back. He wasn't sure what prompted the hug but accepted it.
Kate let go of him and grabbed a change of clothes to take with her. She had rested well after dream walking. She had managed to stay on neutral ground. She didn't deep dive. She felt like she had control of herself.
Dean wasn't startled when Tessa appeared beside him. He had asked her to come. "I need help. Do I show her the book but stay by her? What is going on with my grandfather?"
Tessa sat down. She was fond of Dean. "I don't know about your grandfather."
"What about the book?" Dean asked.
"I do not make those choices." Tessa said.
Dean sat back in his chair. "That doesn't help me."
"I trust your judgement." Tessa said.
Dean rubbed his face. "I wish people would stop doing that. I get tired of being in charge."
"You are perfectly suited for the job." Tessa countered.
"Am I? I don't feel like it. I feel like I'm just faking it and hoping things turn out okay." Dean said.
"Everyone does that. If you know someone that you think has it all figured out, I promise you they do not." Tessa said. She smiled. "Even your dad."
Dean had seen more of his dad's worries in recent years than he had before. "He sure as hell makes it look easy."
"Sam would say the same about you." Tessa said. "Is there anything I could do for you?"
Dean thought about it. "Some coffee would be nice."
Tessa smiled brightly and nodded her head. She returned a few minutes later with coffee and food. "You know I only do stuff like this for my favorite people."
Dean eyed her. "Favorite people, huh?"
Tessa touched the side of his face with a gentle hand. "Remember that we have been friends for a long time."
Dean swallowed. "No, I don't remember that."
Tessa heard the water shut off and winked at Dean. "Maybe I'll have to jog your memory one day."
Dean's face was a little red when Kate walked into the room. His ears were pink. "You got food."
"Tessa got food." Dean said.
Kate tilted her head. "Did I already mess up?"
"No." Dean said. "I asked her to come here so I could get her opinion on stuff."
Kate raised an eyebrow. "Oh, now you are calling her. Is that why your face is red? Am I going to have another sister-in-law?"
"I wasn't about to ask Death to come." Dean said. "Just sit down and eat."
Kate shrugged but sat down. "I just think you two have chemistry."
Dean squinted his eyes.
"You are quite the team." Kate said. "Tag teaming me at the bunker was a low blow but effective. She seems to really have your back. I wonder why she likes you so much."
Dean pinched the bridge of his nose. "You are on thin ice."
Kate took a bite of her food and chewed slowly. "Aren't I always?"
Dean was amused by the teasing. He had an excellent back and forth with her. "Listen, I asked Tessa about the book."
Kate perked up. "And?"
"I may allow you to look at it with my supervision. I would need you to listen to me and not take off. Death was worried. I understand this is important but things could go south." Dean said.
"I won't do anything." Kate said.
Dean was on the fence. "You can't use an ability. You can't find a shred of information and go down a rabbit hole."
"I won't. I won't blow up or teleport or rush out to save the world by myself." Kate said.
Dean furrowed his eyebrows. "That was oddly specific."
"Are you worried I'm going to spiral again?" Kate asked.
"A bit." Dean said, honestly.
"This is why I think we need a solution for stopping me. I offered you a kill switch and you shut me down." Kate said.
Dean rocked forward. "I'm about to go cut a kill switch if you don't stop talking like that."
Kate held up her hands to placate him. "I think you could chloroform me with holy oil."
"Now that I could do." Dean said with a smirk.
Kate frowned. "You are supposed to be against anything that could harm me."
"You get annoying sometimes." Dean said, jokingly.
Kate kicked his leg from under the small table. "Just for that I'm going to go rogue."
"Can I trust you with the book? Do I need to have Tessa read you?" Dean asked.
Kate crossed her arms. "If you want to see her again, you don't have to use me as an excuse."
Dean just gave her a look.
"Fine. Yes, I promise. I want to know what is in it too much to even think about doing anything to get my rights taken away." Kate said.
Dean thought that was probably true. "Just a little bit at a time."
Kate was grateful for the opportunity. She was beside herself as he grabbed it from his duffle.
Dean placed it on the table and held up a finger to tell her to pause. "We do this together."
Kate nodded.
Dean opened the cover of the book and pointed to Henry's name.
Kate traced the names with her fingers. She could feel the indentations from different pens. Some carved deeper into the paper while others glided across the top. "I could try to get a read off of his signature but that would require energy. I think Pamela or Missouri could help."
Dean groaned. "If we go to Pamela, dad will know. If we go to Missouri, she will absolutely tell him."
Kate laced her fingers together and rested her chin on them. "If you are wanting me to hide this with you, I'll have to decline the offer. That never ends well for me."
Dean flicked her. "I'm not trying to hide it. I'm trying to figure out which way things went so he doesn't get hurt."
Kate blinked slowly.
Dean drummed his fingers on the table. "Yeah, I hear myself being a hypocrite. I'll call him."
Kate studied every inch of the page. She turned to the next page and studied it as well. Nothing big had jumped out yet. She sat back as Dean called John. It was a show of good faith. She could have kept flipping through pages but he did say they would do it together.
(John and Dean's conversation)
Dean felt like it took forever for John to answer. He didn't know why he was worried. His dad wasn't one to go off the deep end without solid proof. Still, Henry was a sore spot. He took a deep breath and let it out when John finally answered. "Hey."
John and Pamela were still on their way back to her house. "Dean."
"Are you with Pamela?" Dean asked.
John furrowed his eyebrows. "Yes."
Kate leaned forward. "You think he's less likely to blow up with her there. Good thinking."
Dean smacked the side of her leg and shook his head. "I found something and I don't know what to make of it. I thought Pamela would be able to help."
Kate crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. She mouthed 'my idea' but slid back out of his reach.
"What did you find?" John asked.
"The book that Kate went to the bunker for. I opened it and came across something." Dean said.
The phone was silent for a moment.
Kate sighed. "I can feel the glare through the phone. Dean already handled it and I assure you I have seen the error of my ways."
Dean palmed his face. "Do you need to go stand in a corner or something?"
Kate slid down in her chair. "I'll hush."
Truth be told, Kate's antics took some of the pressure off of Dean.
"Are you going to tell me or are we going to play 20 questions?" John asked.
Dean couldn't fault John for being John. He was just surprised he didn't get the 'report' order. "On the inside of the cover there is one of those cards you sign when you check the book out and when you return it. The person that checked it out last returned it a few days after the attack. We thought they were all wiped out on the same day. Although I don't know why he would bother formally returning the book to an empty bunker."
"Dean." John said, simply.
"Your dad. Henry Winchester. His name was the last one signed. Now, I don't know if someone forged it or what happened. He could have used the wrong date but someone had to put the book back. It wasn't like it was on a bedside table. Kind of messes with our timeline of when the bunker shut down. He could have been wounded and died a few days later. Still, I wouldn't think to return a book." Dean rambled.
John soaked in the information. "You found my father's name as the last one to have checked out the book that Kate was looking for?"
Dean confirmed that was what he was saying.
Kate spoke up. "We don't know if this is his signature or someone else's. Personally, I think we should compare it to documents with his signature. I also think Pamela may be able to get a read off of it."
John was a little dumbfounded. "Okay. Let Bobby know and he can gather what we have at his house."
Dean was quiet.
"Dean, I know you thought I'd be upset again. I thought he walked out on us as a normal man. Knowing he knew about the supernatural removed that thought. If he lived for another month or another year, I'm sure he either couldn't get back to us or it wasn't safe." John said.
Dean relaxed. "You had gotten closure over it and this kind of tore that to pieces."
"I suspect that will happen a lot. Where are you?" John asked.
Dean gave him the general area.
"If you want to look at it, I can bring it to you." Kate fell back out of her chair and squeaked. "Kidding!"
Dean pulled her by her ankle back to the table. "I had planned on having her travel back to Marie's with me but I might just hand her over to you."
John cracked a smile. "You just stay where you are."
"Tessa could bring it to you!" Kate said.
Dean eyed her, daring her to say something sarcastic.
Pamela suggested that they stop a few miles down the road. There was a rest area with a fantastic view. She could feel John's emotions. He was confused and wanted to know what really happened to Henry. He wasn't angry though. His default emotion was transitioning away from anger and she was delighted.
Tessa returned to the motel once again. She didn't mind stopping in because her job wasn't as demanding as Castiel's. She simply showed up when people died. Peopled died constantly but a soul was fine to wait five minutes. She took possession of the book and promised to guard it.
Kate settled on her bed with her notebook in hand. She started sketching the outline of a face and looked at Dean periodically.
Dean organized and zipped his duffle. "What are you doing?"
"I am really interested in genetics. Each parent gives their child a trait or two. You and Sam don't look a whole lot alike at first." Kate said.
Dean looked at her drawing. "Do I want to know?"
Kate grinned. "I am just trying to figure out what a Dean plus Tessa baby would look like." She threw her notebook and bailed off the bed. He got her arms around her and she felt his fingers dig into her side. She tried to get away and playfully begged him not to kill her.
Dean froze when he heard a knock on the door. He opened it to a concerned looking gentleman.
"Is everything okay in here?" The man asked.
Dean was confused. "Yes."
The man looked around Dean to look at Kate. "Are you alright?"
Kate tilted her head. "Yeah." She let her eyes drift. "Oh no. He is my brother and I was making fun of him so he tickled me. I didn't mean he was actually killing me."
The man took a moment to study them before stepping back. "Just making sure."
Dean shut the door and pressed his back to it.
Kate shrugged. "I have made it this far without getting CPS called on you. Really, you should be proud."
Dean tossed her jacket to her. "You are going to get me arrested."
"I could just compel the police not to take you." Kate said.
Dean narrowed his eyes.
"Obviously when I'm fully healed." Kate said. "Until then you're just going to have to sweet talk your way out of jail time."
Dean laced his boots and stood up.
Kate smiled brightly. "I should act like you are trying to kidnap me when we go out to the car."
Dean put a hand on her head. "That kill switch is looking really good at the moment."
"For the record I'd rather be shot." Kate said.
"You are not getting shot." Dean said with exasperation. He started to open the door but covered her mouth with his hand. He knew she was about to shout something.
Kate paused until he removed his hand. "You know, walking to the car with your hand over my mouth is going to look suspicious."
"Do you want to do the rest of the trip with dad?" Dean asked, lightly.
Kate frowned. "I thought we were having a blast."
Dean took her bag and carried it along side his own. "If you stop being a brat, we can discuss the book."
Kate grimaced. "I'll do my best."
Dean left the keycard on the table and let the door shut behind him. He gave the concerned man an awkward nod and walked behind Kate. "You are aging me, kid."
Kate spun around and tiptoed. "I'm giving you life experience."
Dean thought he had more than enough of that. He ruffled her hair and placed the bags in the backseat of the Impala. She was giving him a unique life experience. Nowhere in the universe did another Kate exist. There were copies of everyone else but Kate and Taylor. That meant that the chances that she wound up with him were astronomical. He didn't need to dwell on that stuff because it would begin to hurt his head.
Kate leaned over and gave him a side hug. "I love you."
Dean smirked. "Yeah, I know."