Hello all you beautiful readers! I hope you all have been enjoying this season of SPN - Scoobynatural is by far one of my favorite episodes!

Here we go with another installation of Kate! This chapter takes us past season 7. There is a few spoilers from season 7/8 in this chapter just so you know.

Huge thank you to my Dean, Emma Winchester 424! She's my cheerleader to keep cranking out more Kate and Emily stories. Head on over to check out her fic about Dean's daughter Natalie. I swear every chapter is like watching an actual episode!

Enough with me talking, let's get the show started. This story was fully inspired by the song "Hymn for the Missing" by Red. I highly encourage you to listen to it before you read to help set the tone :) I've never incorporated lyrics into a story, so I wanted to take a stab at that writing style. I hope you enjoy!

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!

Kate – 25

Sam – 29

Dean – 33

The Winchester siblings had been through a lot. They'd endured more than one person could ever imagine in a lifetime. Yet somehow, they always clung together, they persevered. They would fight for each other until the world came to an actual end. At least, that was what Kate prayed for every night before she drifted into three hours of night terrors against a hidden tree.

I tried to walk together
But the night was growing dark

It all had happened so fast that Kate couldn't fully get a grip on what was actually happening. They'd killed the monster—Dean had stabbed the evil son of a bitch in the neck. But then…it all went black. She felt like she was spiraling through a cyclone with no end. She tried to keep her head from spinning for even a second, and only then was she able to catch a glimpse of Dean tumbling along with her.

"Dean!" she called out in fear as she tried to reach him, but the revolving force was too strong, and her arm never made it past the side of her body.

A few seconds later, her body landed harshly on top of some dead grass.

Thought you were beside me
But I reached and you were gone

Kate let out a painful groan as she rolled onto her side. Her head was throbbing uncontrollably. There was no doubt that she had a concussion, but that was just another Thursday for her family. Her green eyes were still squeezed shut as she sat up. One hand rested against her head and with the other, she reached out around her. "Dean? Man, what happened?" she called out.

She waited for the slew of curse words that was surely on the tip of her brother's tongue, but she was only met with silence and the eerie sound of screeching birds in the distance. Taking a deep breath, she opened her eyes and they started to adjust to the darkness around her. She was outside somewhere, that she could make out. But this was different. It was like a wasteland where trees were half dead from a sky that was permanently overcast. It wasn't like anything she'd ever seen before.

She quickly twisted from side to side, trying to take in her surroundings. The sudden movements caused her head to pound even more, but she pushed it aside because there were more important things happening.

Dean was gone.

Sometimes I hear you calling
From some lost and distant shore

Nothing scared Dean Winchester. The man was as courageous as they came. At least that was what he wanted everyone to believe. There was one flaw in his system that let him experience actual terrifying fear—when he knew one of his siblings was in danger.

He didn't know where the fuck he was, but he knew his sister was in this mystery spot with him, and that alone was enough to make his insides panic. He saw her when they'd spiraled through some kind of galactic chimney. If she was here, it meant she was alone. And if she was alone, it meant he couldn't protect her.

And that scared the shit out of him.

He turned to see Cas right behind him and he felt momentary relief at seeing a familiar face. He asked the only thing on his mind, "Where's Kate?"

Cas looked up and around, stating matter of factly, "She has to be in here somewhere like we are."

But that wasn't good enough for Dean. He stood up and took a threatening step closer, the angel's seemingly calm demeanor irritating him. "Where. Is. She." Before Cas could respond there was some rustling in the trees around them, quickly drawing Dean's attention in that direction, forcing him to take in his surroundings for the first time. His head snapped back at Cas. "Where the hell are we?"

"You don't know?"

If Dean had known the answer, he wouldn't waste time asking it when his sister was missing. "Last I remember, we ganked Dick," he recalled hastily.

"And where would he go in death?" Cas pried.

"Wait. Are you telling me...?"

Cas explained without a trace of emotion, "Every soul here is a monster. This is where they come to prey upon each other for all eternity."

"We're in Purgatory?" He didn't even give himself time to process that before he spat out, "How the hell do we find Kate?!" He could feel the fear start to tighten in his chest.

"I'm afraid we're much more likely to be ripped to shreds before we'd ever find her." It was like the angel had resigned himself to such a fate, not even flinching at its mention.

Dean saw deep red eyes glow over to his left and he gripped the knife in his hand tighter, his hunting instincts quickly taking over. It was becoming life or death, and he knew they had to get moving so they could find his sister before whatever was lurking out there got to her first.

"Cas, we better get –" When he turned back to face his friend, he was no longer there.

Dean's eyes danced around, trying to see through the darkness as his heart pounded so hard in his chest that it physically hurt him. Cas had jumped ship and he was suddenly and terrifyingly alone.

"KATE!"

Kate's head snapped up toward the tops of the trees, but it wasn't like she could see anything through the darkness. Why had it sounded like someone had called her name?

"DEAN!" she yelled back.

But they both only heard the screeching of birds masquerading as their names.

I hear you crying softly for the way it was before.

It had been two months. Sixty-three days to be exact, and that was only if time worked the same in this crazy place as it did in the real world. Kate had never run so much in her entire life. Her legs physically ached every day, but she'd been lucky enough to find a hidden cave down by the river where she'd hid out for the last two days.

It had been sixty-three long days without her brothers. Sam was hopefully on the outside, searching tirelessly for a way to find them in this hell hole. And, Dean, well he still had to be out there. He could fight better than her anyway—he'd be the one to make it out of this in the end. It was only a matter of time before something found her in this cave, and maybe, just maybe, that would be her last fight.

She shivered as she pulled her jacket in around her. Her other hand permanently gripped her knife—the only weapon that had made it through the cosmic funnel with her. It was better than nothing. But to wreck her emotional state even more, the knife had been the one Dean had given her for her birthday with her initials engraved on it. With a deep breath, she clutched it harder like her life depended on it.

By now, her clothes were covered in dirt. It was as if the added filth were weighing her down. She was thankful for one thing, though—her hunting skills. Not only did she know how to hunt monsters, but she knew enough about actual, normal hunting that it was helping her survive. Food was scarce in this place, but at this point, she had to force herself to each whatever she could find if she wanted to not starve to death. She had to survive….right?

Yes. Dean. Dean. Dean. He was out there, you have to keep fighting. She struggled to convince herself as her mind drifted to him and she couldn't stop her throat from closing up. Then the tears came unannounced. They poured down her face as her exhausted body depleted itself of any remaining energy. Would there come a point when she would just give up? What was she fighting for anyway?

The tears fell into the river, drifting away as if she'd never been there all along.

Where are you now?
Are you lost?
Will I find you again?

Ever since Cas had abandoned him, Dean had been running and fighting for his life. He couldn't recall a time when he had slept more than an hour at once. He assumed there would come a day when his body would collapse, refusing to push on. And when that time came, Dean Winchester would push on. He would search every damn inch of this rotting territory until he found his sister. And she would be alive, so help him God, she would be alive.

Are you alone?
Are you afraid?
Are you searching for me?

It had been days since Kate had said a word. She often wondered if she would go mute. If she stayed in this hellhole forever without saying a word, would her voice just disappear from lack of use? She pondered that for a few days, and then she found a hidden resolve to fight it. If she didn't have a voice, that would be one more thing this place took from her. And the small part of her that was still fighting urged her to speak.

She whispered to herself with a raspy voice, "I'm looking for you, Dean."

She tried to stay strong. Dean was out there somewhere and eventually they'd find one another. Because that was how it always worked, right?

She silently wondered if he'd already been ripped to shreds—that was something she'd never voice out loud. How could he still be searching for her? There was only a thread of hope that she tried to cling to on these lonely and dark nights.

Her stomach growled again, ripping her from those thoughts. Staring at the berry in her hand, she examined it closely. It wasn't like she truly knew what a poisonous berry looked like in this land.

But there was a small, silent part of her that hoped this one would be.

Why did you go? I had to stay.
Now I'm reaching for you.

Every morning that went by, Dean cursed Castiel. He'd abandoned him—left him to fend for himself in one of the most dangerous places known to mankind. It was like he had suddenly given no shits about him or his sister. He cursed his name so bad that it would make Satan cower.

But then every night, he prayed to the same rotten angel Castiel for help. For him to watch over his sister and let her make it out of this alive…even if he didn't.

Will you wait? Will you wait?
Will I see you again?

Almost four months. Over 100 days of torture in this place. Today was like no other though.

Kate was sprinting through the woods, a monster hot on her tracks. Her lungs were starting to burn as much as her legs were. Finally, the exhaustion had caught up to her and she hadn't lifted her leg up high enough as she tried to jump over a branch. Her foot got caught and she fell—hard. Spinning around as fast as she could wasn't enough as the vampire pinned her to the ground.

So, this was it. She'd go out at the hands of a fucking monster. She guessed that was how it had always been written in the stars for them anyway. Her body had stopped fighting and she simply closed her eyes and waited for her fate. She'd at least made it this far. Dean would understand.

However, the blow never came. Instead, a sudden thrust of energy from someone knocked the monster off her. There was a clear struggle before the man chopped the bastard's head off. It had all happened so fast that she hadn't seen who it was. There was a jolt of energy that revived her lifeless body. She quickly sat up and exclaimed with elation, "Dean!"

But it was short lived. The man turned around and flashed his fangs at her.

"Sorry, sweetheart. The name's Benny. And I'm your ticket out of Purgatory."

It had taken Kate a while to fully understand and process that she was in purgatory. She still didn't want to believe it. But this vampire was very convincing…telling her about a portal that God created so humans could escape this place. If she were honest, she didn't believe a word he said. He was a monster and all they did was lie. But really, she had nothing else to go on. He was the first creature in this place that hadn't been hell bent on ripping her actual heart out, so he got a point for that.

Her options were to either trust a vampire or literally roll over and die. She picked her poison. And the former option seemed more promising to keep her alive a bit longer to find her brother.

Then the vampire had offered to take her to the portal. Said he could get her out safely for the small price of catching his own ride along with her. Her eyes had narrowed and she gripped her knife until her knuckles were white. "I'm not—" She paused when she heard her actual voice. It was still raspy from lack of use, catching her off guard for a moment. She coughed a few times, trying to get it back. She swallowed hard and tried again. "I'm not going anywhere until we find my brother."

Benny let out a small chuckle that made Kate livid. "What makes you think he's even alive in this place?" He threw open his arms, motioning around them at all the destruction.

She had no reasonable explanation for it, but she knew. She replied with clenched teeth, "He's looking for me."

Because no Winchester would leave another behind.

You took it with you when you left
These scars are just a trace

Sam sat at a local diner, pushing the food around on his plate, his mind completely distracted today. He'd done what he was supposed to—it was part of the agreement. If one went missing and was presumed dead, you didn't go looking. You let it be and move on. Otherwise deals would be made and it would only add to their vicious cycle. So, he'd started to live as normal of a life as he could conjure up. But that didn't mean it was easy by any means. He fought daily with his decision to not look for them; he struggled with suddenly finding himself alone and out of the family business. His heart ached to depths he hadn't even know. But he'd met Amelia. And somehow she started to help patch up the holes in his heart.

"Something wrong, Sam?" Amelia asked with concerned eyes.

Sam continued to push his food around as he mulled over a response. Amelia knew he'd lost the two people closest to him. She knew enough to understand he'd get into depressed moods from time to time. But today he had a very specific reason to be so down. Exactly a year ago, he'd brushed off the day as nothing too special, not doting on his sister like he should have. He should have gotten her the damn ice cream cake she always loved, but he hadn't. The guilt of how her last birthday was spent still haunted him because he wasn't going to get any other opportunities to make it better.

"Sam? You okay?" Amelia prompted again.

He turned to Amelia and explained with remorseful eyes, "Today would have been Kate's twenty-sixth birthday."

Now it wonders lost and wounded
This heart that I misplaced.

There was blood matted along Dean's hairline and the side of his face from a harsh blow he'd taken yesterday. He couldn't even remember the creature anymore—there had been too many. He tried to keep walking, always having to be on the move in this place. His vision was starting to blur from a mixture of the blow, unimaginable fatigue, and dehydration. But he had to go on…Kate. Yes, it was for her. She was in this place, remember?

But was she really?

A small voice inside his head tried to counter his instincts, attempting to convince him that it had been a lie all along. That he had no point to keep fighting and just needed to give up. Kate could be back on Earth with Sam living a happy life. His mind was so foggy right now that he couldn't remember what was true. But he stumbled forward, pushing along. Because that was what Dean Winchester did regardless. He never gave up.

Swishhhhhh…it was the sound of water rushing over rocks. Water? He needed water. Yes, water would help. Was he dreaming? It was questionable, but his feet led him to the left without another thought.

Meanwhile, Kate and Benny were trudging forward, too, along the river. Kate thought it would be the best way to find Dean. He'd have to drink, and so did she. Which meant they would eventually cross paths in this million-acre shit-land, right? They'd been walking along the damn river for weeks now and nothing.

She was exhausted. They'd been stumbling along today for three hours straight and she needed a break. Without a moment of notice, she stopped and plopped herself down along the riverbank to rest. Benny had continued a few steps ahead until he realized she'd stopped. He turned around with a slight groan. "The more breaks you take, the longer it'll be before we get out of here."

Kate didn't respond and just stared straight ahead across the river.

"We ain't going to find your brother by sitting here either."

She felt her blood boil by the comment. There was no rational explanation other than it rubbed her the wrong way for him mention her brother. She'd been wandering planet nothingness with this vampire for almost a month now. Which only meant she'd been without Dean for five months. Five long months without knowing if he was even still alive. The emotion pressed against the back of her eyes and she turned to the vampire, stating flatly, "I don't give a fuck what you think or want us to do. I'm your ticket out of here, so we break when I say we break."

Before Benny could retort something sarcastic right back at her, they heard some rustling in the trees on the other side of the river.

Where are you now?
Are you lost?
Will I find you again?

Dean stumbled down to the rocks that lined the river. Bending over, he cupped water into his mouth and over his head. Damn, that felt good. He reopened his eyes and looked straight ahead. However, he wasn't expecting to see two bodies staring back at him. His knife was at the ready for whatever creatures were about to attack him, but he couldn't make out what monsters they were. His vision wouldn't focus no matter how hard he blinked or squinted, the concussion being too strong. His only move was to wait for them to attack first.

Kate felt her heart stop. It literally stopped as time stood still. She stood up and gripped Benny's arm, not taking her eyes off Dean for a second. "It's…that's Dean," she said in pure disbelief.

She took off running with a burst of energy she didn't know existed. She ran down the bank and into the river, drenching her shoes and jeans.

"Dean! Dean! It's me!" she ecstatically screamed.

The eldest Winchester tried to focus. The voice…it sounded familiar. But this was another trick. A damn shape shifter had found his sister and morphed into her form. That had to be it because there was no other explanation in his mind, a part of him truly doubting that he would ever find her alive. But this damn shifter changed into his little sister. Which meant his sister had to be dead.

Suddenly all he could see was red. Blood red. There would be torture. Lots of torture for this son of a bitch. He felt his legs start to tremble with rage.

"Dean!" she exclaimed one last time as she finally reached him, but before she could say another word, he took a swing at her.

Kate hadn't been anticipating the hit in the slightest. His fist connected with her cheekbone and knocked her back a few steps. She stumbled but managed to remain on two feet.

Dean's hazy eyes burned fire as he lunged toward her. "You'll pay for what you did to my sister."

She held up her hands in surrender as she tried to catch up with what was happening. "Dean, it's me." She took another step back. "Please. It's me, Katie."

"Begging ain't going to save you, bitch."

Kate began to panic as Dean was now inches from her, ready to attack at any second. She knew she couldn't take him—he was taller, heaver, and all-around more skilled than her even on his bad days. She had to figure something out. Her mind filed through every conversation they'd ever had, searching for something, anything. Finally, she had it. "Madagascar!" she yelled as she kept her hands out in front of her. She searched his face for any signs of recognition.

He hesitated when he heard the word. There was something about it that rang a bell in a far, distant corner of his mind.

"Madagascar, you ass hole," she tried again.

Dean's head turned sideways as he stared at this figure in front of him. He knew that phrase. It was…it was…a phrase he and his siblings had invented. That was right. A secret code so they'd know that the other was real and this wasn't a dream.

His knife started to fall to his side and tears pricked his eyes. "Katie?"

She nodded vigorously because she knew her voice would crack if she spoke. Dean didn't wait a second longer before pulling her into his arms. He closed his eyes and let the tears spill over as did she. He embraced her with all the energy he had left, immediately noting her even thinner frame. However, it was okay. Everything would be okay now because they'd found each other.

He clutched her tight to his chest, holding her head close to his heart.

And for the first time in almost five months, Kate felt whole again.

Are you alone?
Are you afraid?
Are you searching for me?

Dean hadn't let Kate out of his sight for a second since they'd found each other four days ago. Not only because he didn't quite trust the vampire she'd picked up, but because he couldn't trust anything in this place. Kate seemed to have enough faith that Benny wasn't going to kill them in their sleep, but he was still hesitant. If anyone knew how to sleep with one eye open, it was Dean Winchester.

Tonight, Benny was keeping watch, so the two Winchester siblings could catch some much-needed shut eye to regain strength.

Kate was nestled into Dean's side, using his chest for a pillow as he wrapped his arms protectively around her. They were under his leather jacket for added warmth on these cool nights. She hadn't slept this close to him since she was a little kid in a thunderstorm, but neither of them questioned it. On Earth, Dean would have shoved her away and reminded her of personal space before smacking her in the back of the head. But today, here in this place, he'd hold her until it was over. He wasn't going to risk losing her again.

They sat in silence until she poked his chest, whispering, "Hey Dean?"

God, how he had missed even her stupid childhood phrase of I want to ask you something but I think I need permission before I do it. He'd never take it for granted again. "Yeah?"

There was a beat of quietness. There was no explanation as to why she felt the need to voice this, but she just had to get it off her chest, to voice her innermost fear out loud so she could truly start to feel at peace. "I didn't think I'd find you again," she confessed. She could feel Dean's muscles tense up, clearly not liking that she thought that. Before he could say anything, she added, "Not because I didn't think you'd stop looking for me. I just…I figured I'd get killed first." It was something she'd struggled to accept when she first arrived here, but all those lonely nights led her to start embracing imminent death.

He pulled her in tighter if that were even possible. He didn't like what she was saying one bit, the guilt attacking him internally for not finding her sooner. With a deep breath, he responded, "You're a better hunter than you've ever given yourself credit for, Kate." She basked in the momentary praise, absorbing the love that she'd ached for these months. Finally, Dean added, "I knew we'd find each other." He said it with such an air of certainty that Kate believed him, even though his words couldn't have been further from the doubts he'd felt in the past weeks.

They rested in silence, neither closing their eyes quite yet to sleep. "Hey Dean?"

Dean's lips curled up in a smile at her. "Yeah?"

She wanted to ask something that had been on her mind since she'd arrived here, but she never could give the question a voice. Because the second she said it out loud, she'd be forcing an answer. But now that she had Dean back, it would be okay. He'd know the answer. She took a deep breath and asked, "Do you think Sam is looking for us?"

Without a millisecond of hesitation, Dean replied with confidence, "Of course he is."

Kate smiled, finding comfort and solace in his response.

Why did you go? I had to stay.
Now I'm reaching for you.

Kate and Dean had hunted full time together ever since she'd graduated high school eight years ago. They knew each other's habits, hunting styles, skills…you name it. They'd been on countless hunts together, but they'd never been hunting like this. Typical hunts required research, questioning witnesses, lurking around at night and breaking in. Sure, they hunted the actual monster, but that fight was just one day in a weeklong process.

However, here in Purgatory, there were no breaks or added steps. It was hunting. All day. Every day. There was no stopping to research the next one or even prepare for what was to come. They'd spent the last six months taking their hunting skills to a whole new level together. They became in-sync with one another, anticipating movements and actions before they even happened. They fought side by side without speaking a single word as if the entire thing were choreographed.

It was a level of connection that they would have never reached on the outside land. They depended on one another more than they ever had. Their bond had strengthened and there would be no letting up.

Will you wait? Will you wait?

Will I see you again?

They'd done it. After one year, they'd finally made it. The vampire had led them to the portal that would take them back to their land. The portal had instantly activated in the presence of the two humans. It felt like a dream, only it had been a damn nightmare.

Dean had Benny's essence in his arm and he, Kate, and Cas were taking off up the rocks to get to the mystical blue exit point. Dean was the first to hop inside the portal, quickly pulling his sister in with him. Kate reached out for Cas, stretching with all her might to grab him as Dean kept hold on her.

"Cas!" she yelled at him when he wasn't coming any closer, but she had his hand. She remembered holding his hand with a strong grip. She wasn't about to let him go, not when they were at the finish line.

But suddenly she wasn't gripping anything anymore. And they went tumbling back through the cosmic dryer until it spat them out in the middle of the 100-mile wilderness in Maine, with Cas was nowhere to be found.

They both felt like their fight hadn't been worth it. Because they'd left another behind.