chapter 7

Thursday Continued

Rosie was almost done with fifty pages in the notebook by the time Sam got back to the motel. The door gently opened and in came Sam hauling behind him one of Rosie's favorite things - library books. The one thing that never failed to disappoint the young girl was that no matter where they went, there would always be a library in close proximity.

"You went to the library!?" The youngest Winchester asked with excitement. Sam smiled and set a couple books down on the table. Among them was The Odyssey, which was her favorite, as well as Hamlet, which was another book that she cherished.

"I did Petal," He grinned, "Got a couple of your favorites," Sam said, ruffling her hair.

"Thanks Sammy," She looked down at her notebook sadly, "But I should probably work on this a little more before I take a break."

"Rosie, take a little bit and relax. Come watch some Top Gun with me, while you read whatever." Dean piped up from the small couch. "You've been at it for at least an hour.

Sam raised an eyebrow and looked down at his watch. "Have I really been gone that long?" Both of the siblings nodded, while looking at him. "Sorry, I must have got caught up in the research." He shook his head, curly hair bouncing in every direction.

"Working on the case? Is the research going well?" Rosie asked, trying not to raise any flags with her brothers.

"Yeah, it may be something bigger than we thought beca-"

"Rosie," Dean chimed in from the other side of the room, effectively cutting off his younger brother. "I told you you're benched for now kid. And I think you know that means knowing the details of the case." He gave her a stern look and she immediately looked down at her hands.

"Sorry, I was just curious," She said quietly, just loud enough for Dean to hear her.

"Hey Petal, it's okay. This is just temporary. I tell you what," He began, "Why don't I read over what you have so far and you can take a little break with Deano over there." Sam smiled, somewhat sadly.

In truth, it was very hard for the brothers to hide anything related to hunting from their sister. She had known about the supernatural and been a part of the life for so long that it was common to discuss cases frequently. Both of the brothers knew that this would be a learning curve for everyone. Dean understood more than Sam, because in his mind, he couldn't imagine a world without hunting.

"Okay Sammy," She looked up at him with big blue eyes. "Sorry for asking about the case." Rosie began. "I'm really trying to be better, it's just hard not to hear about it."

"I know Rose, no need for apologies." Sam reached out his hand to take her notebook, which she closed and gave to him. In return, Sam also handed over a copy of Hamlet and Rosie smiled, walking over to the couch to sit next to her oldest brother.

"Can - can I sit next to you bubba?" She asked timidly, unsure as to if all was okay from earlier. In response, Dean lifted up his arm in acceptance of his little sister. She smiled and snuggled close to him, opening her book and began to read.

About another half hour later, Sam had finished what Rosie had written about with her assignment that he had given her. "Rosie," He began. "This is really good Petal." Sam smiled and stood to his feet, closing the notebook.

Dean ruffled her short curly hair like Sam did earlier and squeezed her shoulder. "Good job kiddo,"

Rosie beamed at the compliments, shut her book, and stood to her feet. "Thanks guys," her voice was quiet and uncharacteristically shy.

"Hey," She began, "Is there anyway we could get out of the motel for a bit? Maybe I could go for a run or something? I'm feeling a little cooped up in here."

Both Sam and Dean looked over at each other in apprehension. "Uh, I don't think going out alone is such a good idea right now Rose," Sam was the first to say.

"Yeah, no Rosie, not now, unless you want Sam to go with you." Dean said, volunteering his brother, "But there's no way you're going alone right now kid." Rosie nodded and looked over to Sam.

"Please Sammy?" She asked with hopeful eyes.

"Yeah, let's go Petal," Sam responded, "It's been a couple days since we did PT anyway," He shrugged, "and dad'll probably ask us about it when he gets home."

There it was. The word she had been trying to escape from. The name that would inevitably lead to a downward spiral.

Dad.

"Oh - uh, yeah, p-probably," She stuttered, making her way into the bedroom and shutting the door behind her. Almost immediately there was a knock.

"Rosie," It was Dean's voice. "Open the door kid." He said with a stern yet loving voice. Rosie just stared blankly at the door, fear still gripping her. "Rosie. Now."

With that order, she unlocked the door and it opened instantly. Dean looked around, as if to assess if any damage had been done.

"I'm fine Dean," She said quietly, "Everything's okay, I'm just gonna get changed so Sammy and I can go run." Rosie tried to conceal her true worry.

Dean held her gaze for a moment, trying to gauge the truth behind her words. "Okay," He finally said, "Five minutes and then I'm coming back. Don't," Dean pointed a finger in her direction, not unkindly, "lock the door again."

"Yes Dean," She answered, turing to unzip her duffle bag, Dean left and shut the door behind him. Rosie needed something. Not her knife or anything harmful, but something better, or so she thought - alcohol.

Digging beneath her clothes, she found three small bottles of Jack Daniel's sitting underneath all her underwear, knowing that her brother's wouldn't dare go through any of her personal items. Rosie looked around the small room, opened the cap and downed the whiskey. Debating on whether she should save the other or drink it, Rosie opted for just one more.

"It's only two," She shrugged, knowing that she had drunk a lot more, in a much shorter period of time before. With that the second small shot was opened and downed by the youngest Winchester. Then, Rosie had a truly destructive thought. Dad will be home tomorrow and he'll probably find the last one. The thought bounced around in her head. Just do it Rosie. She thought. And with that she opened the third shot and held it up to her lips.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing Rose Mary Winchester," Dean's voice growled behind her. Rosie spit out the alcohol in her mouth and froze dead in her tracks.

"FUCK!" She said to herself in a whisper only she could hear. All of the alarm bells in her head were sounding and she didn't know what to do or say.

"ANSWER me Rose Mary!" Dean's voice was rising now.

"It - it's not alcohol!" She tried, "I just fill the bottles up and -" Stop Rosie, She thought to herself, Be honest. Rosie sighed and ran a hand through her hair. Extending out her arm, she held the bottles up for her brother to take. "That's a lie," She began, "It was whiskey,"

"Rosie are you FUCKING serious, kid? I mean was that ass beating now enough for you? You're just asking for more?" He yelled, grabbing the bottles and throwing them against the walls, involuntarily making her flinch at the noise they made.

"NO!" She yelled, tears now freely falling down. "I just - I just-"

"You just WHAT Rosie? Huh? You just what?" Dean's anger was reaching new heights, mostly in disappointment as he thought they made more progress after their earlier 'conversation.'

"I just have a problem Dean!" She shouted her confession and Dean put a pause on his rage momentarily. "I'm addicted," She cried. "I've been drinking for so long that if I can't harm or hurt myself, my mind goes straight to alcohol or pain meds!" She paused trying to catch her breath. "I just have been doing this for so long bubba, I can't just stop! And knowing dad is coming home it just made me run! Run back to what I knew might help me!" Rosie fell to the ground in despair. "I just can't stop," She whispered.

Meeting her on the ground, Dean dropped the anger and focused on one thing - protecting his little sister.

"Rosie," He tried to say gently, but it just came out as pain in his own voice. Dean was hurting at seeing his sister so lost - it was breaking down his defenses too.

Upon hearing all the commotion, Sam was standing at the door frame, momentarily unsure as to what to do. Picking up the three bottles in one hand, Sam sighed and walked over to the kitchen trash. His mind ran wild at the thought of his sister doing this especially after the punishments she had received for this very thing. With a determined look on his face, Sam walked into the room holding the notebook he had given her. Dean was still sitting on the ground holding their sister, who's tears had already bagan to dry.

"Stand up Rosie," Sam ordered in a voice too much like Dean's. Dean looked up at him confused, immediately releasing any grip he had on Rosie. The youngest Winchester looked up at him with big blue eyes in confusion.

"Sam?" She questioned, trying to go back into Dean's arms.

"Rosie, I said stand up. Now." Rosie was baffled at his tone of voice, until she noticed what he had in his hand. "After all of this," Sam held up the notebook, "After all of the shit you wrote down in here about drinking and theft," She flinched at his tone of voice, as she had never truly seen him this upset, "You still go and pull this?" He took a step forward to her.

"Woah Sam," Dean intervened, as Rosie took a step back, "Take a breath."

"Seriously Dean?" He scoffed, "You of all people telling me to back off."

Dean put a hand on his chest, not in anger, but understanding. "Sam, listen to me. As pissed as you are, don't do anything in anger. You told me that."

Sam glanced at Dean, then looked over at Rosie and finally exited the room. Out of curiosity, both of the siblings followed him. The second oldest Winchester grabbed the lighter from the kitchen table and held the notebook over the sink.

"I hope it was worth it, Rose." He said, lighting the small book on fire, causing Rosie to gasp.

"Sam!" She said loudly, mostly out of disbelief and grief as she had spent so much time and effort working on that project.

"Now you know exactly how it feels to work and put effort into something, only to have it destroyed." Sam's voice was uncharacteristically bitter and cold. Dean, now feeling out of place, crossed his arms, staying silent.

"Sam, I'm sorry!" She tried to plead, but was met with deaf ears.

"You will be," Sam threatened, dropping the book in the sink and grabbing the keys off the table. "Get in the corner and think about what the hell kind of decision you just made." He paused, looking deadly serious in her direction. "I've never spanked you before Rose, but that's about the change as soon as I take a minute to calm down." Rosie's face reddened and eyes widened unlike ever before. She had never been spanked by Sam and the mere thought of it scared her beyond belief.

"Sammy please," She tried to beg, "Please, I'm so sorry! I just wasn't thinking, I promise I'll -"

"Stop with the promises Rose Mary," He said, interrupting her and holding up his hand, which Rosie just now realized how large they were.

Shit! Rosie thought. His hands are huge! She swallowed knowing that his hand would wreak damage on her butt.

"Get your ass into the corner and think about this punishment you're about to get and how you deserve every second of it." He pointed towards the corner once more.

Rosie stood in disbelief, but the sound of Dean's hand meeting the seat of her pants, snapped her out of her thoughts.

"Now," Dean ground out.

"Yes sir," She swallowed, running into the kitchen corner and planting her nose there. She heard Sam say a couple more words and Dean responded quietly. The door slammed and she could hear heavy footsteps approach behind her. The oldest Winchester cleared his throat and tapped her shoulder.

"Turn around Rose Mary," He ordered, gently guiding her shoulder around to face him.

"Dean," She whispered, looking down at her shoes.

"Be quiet, Rosie," He shrugged casually. Rosie's eyes began to brim with tears as she continued to stare at the floor. "Eyes up, kid." Dean said, placing his hand under her chin, and trying to bring her eyeline up to his own. Rosie tried to fight his grasp as embarrassment took over her being.

"Dean-" She tried to squirm her head away from his grasp.

"Rosie enough," He said, and when she didn't listen, Dean repeated himself, louder this time. "ROSIE, ENOUGH!" He yelled and landed a swat on her butt. That action seemed to be enough to snap her back to reality and Dean was now bent down, looking into her eyes.

"When I say enough, I mean enough." He growled out. "You're already in enough trouble as it is and then you pull a stunt like this?" He said baffled, "You must have a death wish or something kid, because everything you've done lately leads you one step closer to meeting the business end of my belt." His voice was silent, almost like a deadly whisper.

Rosie swallowed as she tried to break his eye contact, but found it too difficult to look away. "Can I explain-"

"HA!" He laughed sarcastically. "I don't think that anything you say will explain this Rose." Dean crossed his arms across his chest and looked down at her with intimidation. "But try." It was not a request, but an order.

"I thought that maybe-maybe I could just-that I could just-"

"Spit it out Rosie!" Dean was becoming impatient.

"I don't know!" She cried out, "I don't know!" The young girl couldn't hold her tears back any longer.

"What do you mean you don't know? Answer me Rose Mary Winchester!" Dean was at the end of his rope.

"I told you that I don't fucking know!" She screamed at him.

Dean froze, his eyes widening ten sizes. "What did you just say to me?" His voice was as quiet as a whisper and as cold as an icy lake. Dean's hand rested on his belt buckle as he took a step closer to his sister, standing over her, which she always hated. Rosie looked away, not daring to repeat herself. "That's what I thought." Dean ground out.

"I want you to go into the bathroom and grab a bar of soap. Stand next to the counter and wait for me to calm the fuck down," He said in the same tone she had moments earlier.

Rosie nodded and began to walk away, when Dean grabbed her shoulder. "I'm sorry, I didn't hear that."

"Yes sir," She whispered. Dean swatted her and Rosie hightailed it to the bathroom. Grabbing a bar of soap from under the sink, Rosie stood next to the sink just like Dean had instructed and waited. And waited and waited and waited until finally he came into the small room and flicked on the light switch.

"Sit." He ordered and Rosie sat down on the lid of the toilet seat, looking down at her hands. "Listen Rosie and listen good, cause I'll only say this once." He pointed a finger in her face. "I know you're struggling right now, I get it." Rosie looked up at him in shock as that was the last thing she thought he'd say. "But that does not give you any excuse to talk to me like you just did. Do you understand me?" He threatened.

"Y-yes sir," She stuttered.

"The next time you choose something destructive instead of coming to me, I'll belt you every night for a month." Rosie audibly gasped at that idea, as he raised his eyebrows in her direction. "Sounds like you don't want that, huh?"

"N-no sir." Rosie whispered. "No, I don't want that."

"Then listen closely Rose," His finger was now underneath her chin, "If you ever speak to me like that again, all talking will be over. You'll be over my knee faster than you blink." He scoffed, "I'm just about done hearing you out Rosie. You've given me absolutely no reason to trust you or even listen to your side of the story."

"But De-"

"No Rosie," He shook his head. "No." Rosie's lip quivered at the idea of her older brother not trusting her at all anymore. But could she blame him? It was true she didn't give him any reason to trust her. "You're seventeen fucking years old. This behavior is inexcusable." Rosie nodded, a couple tears falling freely down her face. "Open Rose," With sad eyes she opened her mouth as Dean shoved the bar of soap into her mouth after lathering it up in the sink.

"B-bean," She stuttered through the bubbles, "P-please."

"No Rose." He shook his head, looking down at his watch. "One more minute." The minute seemed to last an eternity as Rosie held the soap in her mouth until finally the time was up. "Spit." He ordered and Rosie couldn't run faster to the edge of the sink to rinse out her mouth.

"This isn't the first time that I've done this week." Dean's voice was short as he shut off the sink water, leaving Rosie still trying to spit out the rest of the bubbles. "If I have to do this again, you will not like what happens. Do you understand me, Rose Mary?"

Rosie nodded, still trying to spit the suds from her mouth. "Y-yes."

"Rosie..." Dean growled.

"Yes sir," She whispered in response. "Sorry bubba,"

Dean nodded, internally rolling his eyes at the name. She only ever called him that name when she needed comfort, and he wanted to provide that; but, he also knew that she deserved to be punished and comfort wasn't something he could offer at this particular moment.

"Rosie," He sighed, putting a hand on her shoulder and turning her eyes to meet his own. "I need you to listen to me." Rosie's focus was completely on her brother.

"This last week has not been easy and it's not something that I can just let go. You understand?"

"Yes Dean," Her voice was a whisper.

"Buttt," He held out the last syllable. "Just because you seriously screwed the pooch, doesn't mean that Sam and I don't love you any less kid." Dean held his hand under her chin, not unlovingly. "That's why Sam and I are so pissed at you right now, because the sister we love keeps letting us down." Tears were now freely falling down her face. "You're not disappointing me Rosie, but your actions are, and we can't just let this behavior and attitude slide. Do you understand me?" His voice was now turning back into a stern tone.

"Y-yes sir," She stuttered and the pad of Dean's thumb wiped her tears.

Just then, the door to the motel opened and the sound of footsteps were heard throughout the small room. They heard a bag land on the table and Rosie took a deep breath, getting ready to face Sammy.

"Dean." The voice called out, not in question.

Rosie froze and her heart felt like it momentarily stopped beating. Taking a step back from her brother, she was frozen in fear.

"Co...coming," Dean responded, a little fearful himself. As the oldest sibling Winchester stepped out into the main room, he saw the person who wasn't supposed to be in till tomorrow - their father.

"Hey dad," He said, trying to keep his composure.

"Hey Dean," John sighed, walking over to the fridge and grabbing a beer from one of the shelves. "Where is everyone?" He asked in question, looking over at his son, not knowing anything that had been happening over the last few days.

"Well, uh, Sammy is out doing research and Rosie is in the bathroom," Dean somewhat stuttered out. John raised an eyebrow in question.

"What's going on Dean, you look like you've seen a ghost. Well, not literally," He softly laughed to himself.

"Oh, uh just, just kinda been a rough couple of days," Dean tried to gently ease into sharing the events of the last couple days.

"Dean," John now looked somewhat serious at his son, both out of exhaustion, irritation and worry. "Report."

Every Winchester dreaded that word as it meant everything needed to be out in the open - no lies. Dean sighed and was about to begin to tell his father the events, when he heard a crash coming from the bathroom. John and Dean looked at each other, drawing their guns and carefully heading to the small room. Peaking around the corner, they saw that the window to the bathroom was open and the blinds were rattling against the glass.

"Shit." Dean sighed, running a hand over his face.

"What?" John questioned. When he didn't respond fast enough, he grabbed his son's shoulder, "Dean, what's wrong?!"

"Rosie," He began, "She's gone."