Author's note: I am so tired. My brain is on fire most days. I keep getting hit with one bad thing after the other. I'm still trying to update as soon as possible but there are days where I don't have the energy to write. This chapter was supposed to be longer but I split it again.

(Sioux Falls)

Kate was exhausted, physically, emotionally and mentally. Time travel was big. Everything was big. She explained to everyone what she experienced on her side. She missed events that happened and had no memory of them. Tony left. Dean and Kim went on a Valentine's date, as Kate suggested and Dean even brought flowers. Kate was annoyed with that one because she could have teased him about it. Cameron's family got in a car wreck but all three were okay. Little bits and pieces of memory were missing. A few bits returned. It left her feeling disoriented and vulnerable.

Dean knew Kate was hurting. He chewed his cheek and fiddled with his hands. "I will do something if it will make you feel better."

Kate eyed him. "What?"

Dean looked pained. "I'll tell you about our date."

Kate's eyes widened. She scooted to the edge of her chair and gave him her full attention.

"You had better feel better after this. I swear if you tell Taylor anything I will skin you both." Dean said.

Kate crossed her heart. "Tell me."

Dean leaned in to be closer to Kate. "I told you I got flowers. I also got a teddy bear and took her somewhere nice."

Kate wiggled excitedly.

"We also went for a walk around the town square." Dean said.

"What next?" Kate asked.

"We ran into her sister and made her mad. She couldn't stand seeing Kim happy." Dean said.

"And?" Kate pressed.

"You don't want to know anything that happened after that." Dean said.

Kate pulled a face. "Disgusting."

Dean smirked. "Feel better?"

Kate shrugged. "I did until that last part."

"The deal was that you would feel better." Dean said.

Kate smiled. "When are you going to be boyfriend and girlfriend?"

Dean sat back. "It isn't like that."

"Why?" Kate asked. "What did you tell her sister?" She gasped. "You guys told her you were dating!"

Dean hushed her. "I was playing along."

Kate grinned. "How did it feel? Did it feel natural? You think maybe you like her?"

Dean rubbed his face. "I knew that was going to bite me in the ass."

"I'm happy now." Kate said.

Dean held an arm out so she would hug him. "I'd do anything to make you happy."

Kate pulled back. "You'll get married?"

Dean grabbed her sides, eliciting a giggle from her. "That is Sam's job."

"I just want sisters in law." Kate said through a fit of giggles.

"April counts." Dean said. He let her go and steadied her. "Tell sad Kate to go away."

Kate fixed her ponytail. "For how long?"

"Forever preferably but I'd settle for a few hours." Dean said.

Kate hugged him. "I think I can do that. At least I don't have to go to school." She sat back down and tucked her feet under her. "I'm surprised you aren't making me go."

"This is big, Katie." Dean said.

"Everything else has been big." Kate countered.

"You could always go back to school if you want to have an attitude." Dean said, lightly.

Kate batted her eyelashes at him.

Dean snorted. "I have a few things to do. Think you can handle staying in the present for a bit?"

"No, but I can try." Kate said.

Dean made eye contact with Karen. "Let me know if she starts doing weird stuff."

Karen gave him a smile. "I've got her."

(Caleb's house)

Ian's daycare was closed for a few days due to renovations. He looked out the window, wanting Andy to come home.

April did her best to entertain him but he was unamused by all of her tricks. She asked if he wanted to play with his cars, thinking that having to look for his cars under other toys would trick him into helping her clean up.

Ian really liked his cars. He opened the door to his room and scooped up the cars that he always put under his pillow.

April let him play as she sat down on the floor. She found a stray sock and tossed it into the hallway so it could go to the laundry. She found a small plastic piece as well and held onto it until she could find the toy that it went to. She sighed. Of course it was one of Andy's transformers. "Did you get this off bubba's shelf?"

Ian nodded.

"How did you break it?" April asked.

"I dinnit break it." Ian said.

"How did it get broken?" April asked.

Ian turned back to his cars.

April sat the transformer out of the way. She hoped that it was fixable because Andy loved it. He made sure to always keep his complicated transformers on his shelf, away from Ian. Apparently the shelf wasn't high enough to prevent Ian from pulling them down. She wouldn't automatically blame Ian had she not seen Andy put it on his shelf before school. Andy always needed Caleb's help to transform it back into a car due to the small moving parts. She gently pushed a basket to Ian. "Can you find all your cars?"

Ian pushed the basket away.

"You don't want them to get lost." April said.

"No." Ian said.

"Can you look under the bed?" April asked. She wanted to encourage him to help because strong arming him didn't work. She continued picking up small toys. They really needed to go through the toys and get rid of some. She found a car and tossed it into the car basket.

Ian gasped and snatched the car out of the basket. He glared at April and pushed the basket under Andy's bed.

April took a deep breath. "That isn't going to fly." She could try to pick battles but disrespect was a slippery slope. "Do you need to lose your cars for the day?"

Ian got mad.

April pulled the basket out and placed the cars into the basket. She made Ian look at her. "No sir, you do not act like that."

Ian melted into anger.

April just about caught a toy car to the face. She sat Ian on his bed and told him to stay. Of course he didn't.

Ian kicked off and dumped one of the other baskets.

April swatted him and sat him back down. She was grateful that Lauren could sleep through anything. Once Ian had thrown an impressive tantrum and took a breath she asked him if he was done throwing a fit.

Ian kicked at her. "No." He tried to get the basket of cars back but April wouldn't let him. Suddenly, he stopped mid scream and stopped fighting. "Actually I done." He grabbed a random toy and tossed it into a basket.

April was confused. He rarely just gave in like that. A moment later she heard the front door unlock.

Ian scrambled and picked up as many toys as he could before the door shut again.

"Hey, babe." Caleb said. "I forgot my work keys."

April slowly backed away from Ian and walked to her room to grab the keys.

Caleb caught them as she tossed them down. "Is everything okay?"

Ian ran to the top of the stairs and wrapped his arm around April's leg. "We okay."

Caleb raised an eyebrow. "Were you giving your mom a hard time?"

Ian shook his head. "No, daddy."

April almost laughed. She patted Ian's head and stepped down so she could be on the same floor that Caleb was on.

"Where you goin?" Ian asked.

"To talk to your dad." April said.

Ian quickly followed her.

"We are okay. He is just having a rough morning." April said, letting Caleb hug her.

Caleb eyed Ian. "You know following her isn't going to help you, bud."

Ian chewed on his fingers. "Sorry mama."

"What happened?" Caleb asked.

April gave him the short story.

Ian frowned. "I stop yellin."

"Was that because you heard my truck?" Caleb asked.

Ian scooted closer to April.

"You listen to your mom." Caleb said. "I don't want to hear that you are being a brat just because I'm not here."

Ian nodded.

Caleb didn't want to step in too far because he wanted April to handle it. Ian wouldn't learn anything if he always took over. He grabbed the paint stir stick off the top of the refrigerator. "If he decides to throw another fit." He gave April a wink and kissed her. He ruffled Ian's hair as well.

April left the stick on the table. The wink from Caleb was because neither of them would use that on him any time soon. The thought seemed to leave an impression on Ian, though.

"I clean my room." Ian said.

"Your cars stay away for now." April said.

Ian frowned but let April lead him back to the room.

April had a moment of sad realization that Ian was moving farther away from being a baby. He had connected that the sound of Caleb's truck meant he was coming back home. He knew Caleb would be upset if he caught him throwing a tantrum. So much was going on in his little head and she often forgot that he wasn't a typical 2 year old.

(Andy)

Andy approached the new kid when they got to go out and play. The new kid had been there for a few weeks but didn't talk to anyone. Andy noticed he knew a few signs so he would sign to him between trips up and down the slide.

The boy brightened when he saw Andy. He waved and bounced on his toes and flapped his hands.

Andy looked around to make sure none of the teachers saw him. He had already gotten fussed at twice for signing. He didn't understand why. If the kid knew signs, why couldn't he use them? Why did they tell Andy not to do that? He felt bad for the kid. He didn't even really know his name. He wasn't deaf but he didn't talk.

The boy excitedly told Andy about a dog.

Andy thought he meant he got a dog but he wasn't sure. He jumped when he heard his name called in a harsh tone.

A teacher walked over to Andy and grabbed him by the arm, pulling him away from the other kid. You have been told not to do that.

Andy stumbled because she walked faster than he did. "Why?"

The teacher took Andy to the office. She spoke to the guidance counselor and left Andy sitting in a chair at the side of the office.

Andy was confused and frustrated. He didn't understand what he did wrong. Sure, he had been told not to sign but that felt wrong to him. He was later sent back to class with a pink slip of paper detailing his transgressions for his parents to read. Just what he needed.

(Taylor)

Taylor was worried about Kate. He had nervous energy and a headache.

Hailey sat beside Taylor on the bleachers out by the field. They didn't have play equipment like the little kids but they were allowed outside to hang out during free periods. Since it was slightly warmer, that day was one of those days. She moved to sit on a row above him so she was closer to his height. She put her hand on the back of his neck and used her fingers to ease the tension in the muscles.

Taylor closed his eyes and took a slow breath. "That feels good."

"My sister does this for a living." Hailey said.

Taylor furrowed his eyebrows.

Hailey smiled. "Heidi." She giggled. "The 2nd one."

Taylor nodded slightly. "Why did they name you all with the same letter?"

"Family tradition I suppose." Hailey said. She found a knot near Taylor's skull and frowned. "Does this not bother you?"

Taylor reached back to feel the knot. "I guess I get used to it."

Hailey scooted so that she was directly behind Taylor and told him to bend his head forward.

Taylor relaxed as the tension left his neck. He didn't realize he was holding so much tension but he felt the difference right away.

Hailey paused. "Oh great."

Taylor looked up. "Why is he even out here?" He made eye contact with the teacher that had given them so many problems before.

Hailey didn't move, even as he approached.

"What are you doing?" The teacher asked in a harsh tone.

"He has knots in his neck and my sister showed me how to get rid of them." Hailey said.

"You do not need to be all over each other. This is a learning institution." The teacher said, crossing his arms. "Surely you can learn to control yourself."

Hailey moved her hands away from Taylor. "If you are insinuating something, please know that I'd do this for anyone else. Surely you can understand the difference between public displays of affection and massage techniques. The personal trainer for the football team does the same thing, would you like to go talk to him about it?"

The teacher shifted his stance. "You can lose the attitude, young lady. You know what is appropriate."

"I do. The student handbook says nothing about what I was doing." Hailey said. She rocked back onto her heels and then forward. "If you are going to get angry at something as innocent as this, I might as well make it worth your time and make out with him. You know, since the two are basically the same."

Taylor bit his lip and closed his eyes. He couldn't laugh. He always knew Hailey as meek and mild. He had yet to see that side of her.

"I do not appreciate the disrespect." The teacher warned.

"I don't appreciate the disrespect either." Hailey said.

The teacher stepped closer.

Hailey put a hand over her chest and feigned shock. "What? You don't think an adult can disrespect a teenager? I assure you they can. The peeks down our shirts, the unneeded touching during class. Oh yeah, we talk about it. Your hand doesn't need to be on a girl's lower back to explain a homework assignment. See, I don't think you mind me rubbing Taylor's neck. I think it makes you a little jealous. Maybe if you found an adult woman to obsess over, teenagers wouldn't distract you so much."

Taylor covered his mouth.

"Office, now." The teacher scolded.

Hailey skipped down the steps to the bleacher. She stopped when she was directly in front of the teacher. "Don't follow me. I'm not comfortable with you looking at me when I walk away."

The teacher growled and looked at Taylor. "You will be talking to the principal as well."

Taylor shrugged and followed Hailey. He let out a near giggle when they were inside. "What was that?"

Hailey blushed.

Taylor stopped her. "No. It's okay. I mean… it was hot."

Hailey pulled him to the large glass window where the creepy teacher had a clear view of them. She pulled Taylor down far enough to kiss him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and only released him after a few seconds.

Taylor stammered. He looked at the teacher and grabbed Hailey's hand. "Damn."

Hailey shrugged. "Just giving him something to worry about."

Taylor smiled. He didn't know what to say but happily walked her to the principal's office. He knew none of his family would be mad at him so he wasn't worried about the office. He did wonder if Hailey's family would disagree with her actions. He doubted it.

Hailey waltzed through the office door as Taylor held it open.

The receptionist gave them a soft smile. "What can I do for you?"

Hailey stepped up to the desk. "We were sent to the principal's office."

The receptionist looked shocked. Hailey was not one to be sent to the office. "What for?"

"Our English teacher is a pedophile and can't focus on his job because teenage girls are too much of a distraction." Hailey said.

The receptionist blinked a few times. She blushed. She pushed a button to let the principal know he was needed.

"You may want to check the cameras." Hailey said.

"She was rubbing my neck because I had a muscle knot." Taylor said.

The receptionist nodded. They had several complaints about the teacher but she had hoped that the weeks he spent out of school would have given him a chance to get his head on right.

Taylor stopped Hailey for a moment. "I'm loving the feistiness but I think they are on our side."

Hailey smirked. "I'll tone it down." She said as she ran her hand up the back of Taylor's shirt.

Taylor jumped slightly.

Hailey removed her hand. "You are so easy to ruffle."

"Ruffled? Me?" Taylor said. "Your hand is cold."

The principal opened his door before Hailey could tease Taylor anymore. "Come in."

Hailey lightly shoved Taylor toward the door.

Taylor swallowed. He wasn't sure if he was excited about the change in attitude or terrified of it. Either way he would follow her down any path she wanted to take. That could possibly land him in hot water one day but dammit if he wasn't going to have fun until then.

(Bobby's house)

Rufus nymphed his way over to Bobby's house. He planned on leaving the bunker but wanted to make sure everything was okay topside. He was itching for another hunt.

Karen made lunch and brought it to the two men.

"Why thank you miss Karen." Rufus said with a wink.

Karen patted his shoulder. "What are you two looking at?"

"Hunts." Bobby said. "This idjit can't just enjoy peace and quiet."

"I'm old, Bobby. I don't have much time to sit around." Rufus said.

Bobby snorted. "Oh now you want to get off your ass."

Rufus turned his attention to his food. "This is good."

Karen kissed Bobby's head and returned to the kitchen to keep Kate company.

Kate flipped through pages of a World History textbook. She sighed and sat the book on the table, rocking back in her chair.

Karen gave her a plate. "Did you read the whole book?"

"It is just always the same." Kate said. "We do the same wars every year."

"I remember that." Karen said.

"The information is incorrect at times, too." Kate said. "They won't put anything in a textbook that makes it look like we might have made a few bad choices."

"You can always look for the correct information. Then, you will know, even if the school doesn't." Karen said.

Rufus returned his plate to the kitchen after he had scarfed down the food. He thanked Karen and complimented her cooking. "Are you out of school today?"

Kate sighed. "I lost time and I'm on Winchester lock down until they decide I'm safe."

Rufus rubbed his chin. "Winchester lock down, huh?"

"No school. No going anywhere." Kate said.

Bobby stepped into the kitchen. "You aren't grounded. This is just new."

Kate made eye contact with Rufus. "I guess I can time travel but haven't figured it out yet so I can't control it."

"She got sick from it." Bobby said.

Karen tapped the table next to Kate's plate. "Which reminds me that you had better eat."

Rufus thought Kate did look very thin.

"I'm not hungry." Kate said.

Karen raised an eyebrow. "You may not be hungry but you need to eat."

"Refeeding syndrome is real. If I eat too much, I'll get sick." Kate said.

"That is why you got a small serving." Karen said.

"Just listen and eat your lunch." Bobby said.

Kate glanced at Rufus. "Wardens." She cracked a small smile and took a small bite of her food.

"Are you working on History homework?" Rufus asked.

"I've done all of it. I read the whole book. Nothing I didn't already know." Kate said.

"I happen to like history." Rufus said.

Kate took another small bite. "Yeah because you lived it."

Rufus chuckled. "There are other things to read about than what is in that book."

Kate smirked slightly. "I bet I've absorbed more than you have."

Rufus came up with a slew of questions. He was impressed but not surprised that she knew the answers to all of them. He snapped his fingers. "Aha, I have one that isn't in the books. What year did the USS Bluefin go down?"

"1943." Kate said.

Rufus pulled a face. "Now how do you know about that?"

"I probably read it somewhere." Kate said.

"That isn't written down. That is an old story that has been passed around between a few people." Rufus said.

Bobby couldn't place the name. "I haven't heard of it."

Rufus sat down across from Kate. "It was a submarine that got taken out by the Nazis. Many submarines did but this one was said to have sent strange messages to the Nazi ship. The Nazis couldn't decipher the message and gave up after a few years. The wreckage was never found. Some say it was a ghost ship."

"Spooky." Kate said. "Was it just the strange message that makes it stand out?"

"I've heard a dozen different theories about why it was so special. I had an old buddy who passed away some years ago. He spent his life trying to find it. He said his father was on it when it went down." Rufus said.

Kate was intrigued. "Did he have any idea where it was?"

"He had some ideas but I don't think he ever narrowed it down." Rufus said.

"We should find it." Kate said.

"I think we have enough to figure out on land. I don't think chasing down wreckage from 60 years ago is going to do us much good." Rufus said.

Kate frowned. "I'm not allowed to demon or freak stuff right now."

Rufus smirked. "How about I get in touch with his son and see if he still has his dad's research."

Bobby let Rufus use his computer. "Good thinking."

"I wasn't thinking much." Rufus said. "If that helps her be safe, then I'll take the credit though."

(The end of the school day)

Taylor felt. The conversation with the principal worked in their favor. He liked seeing Hailey so sure of herself. He checked his watch. Dean was supposed to pick him up.

Hailey sat down on a half wall so that she was not so short compared to Taylor. She pulled him by his belt loop to stand in front of her.

Taylor stumbled slightly. He leaned down and gave her another kiss. He momentarily forgot where they were until he heard a loud whistle.

A few of the football players saw them and whistled. They laughed and made fake bowing motions as though they were bowing down to Taylor.

Taylor laughed and wrapped his arms around Hailey. He kissed her again and told her he was hopeful that the teacher would be fired.

Hailey was slightly flushed. "You should come over this weekend."

"I'll ask my dad." Taylor said.

"My parents will be gone but Heather will be home." Hailey said.

Taylor shrugged. "Yeah, I'll ask him tonight." He got one more quick kiss before he let Hailey go. He turned and saw the Impala sitting by the curb. He opened the front door. "When did you get here?"

Dean raised an eyebrow. "You didn't hear me pull up?"

Taylor blushed.

"Oh right, you were busy." Dean said, lightly.

Taylor groaned. "Don't start."

"Is that a new thing?" Dean asked.

Taylor shut the door. "What?"

"Making out in front of the school." Dean said. "I thought she was more concerned about her reputation."

Taylor wiped his mouth with his sleeve. "We weren't making out."

Dean snorted.

Taylor told him about what happened at school. "We didn't get in trouble or anything."

Dean sucked air through his teeth. "So she is rebelling."

"What? No." Taylor said. "She just… he was being a dick."

"Uh huh, so how does him being a dick lead to you playing tongue hockey in the parking lot?" Dean asked.

Taylor covered his face. "You of all people can't make fun of me."

Dean shook his head. "Oh I'm not making fun of you. I just didn't know you were that kind of guy."

Taylor shot him a look. "Shut up."

Dean focused on the road. "Just don't let her dad see that."

"It wasn't that bad." Taylor said. "Oh do you think dad would let me go to her house this weekend?"

"Why?" Dean asked.

"I don't know. Dinner, a movie and probably card games with her sister." Taylor said.

Dean tapped his fingers along the steering wheel. "He'd probably let you."

Taylor licked his lips. "Her parents will be gone but Heather will be there."

Dean tapped the breaks. "You want to go over there without her parents?"

"Heather will be there. We will play cards." Taylor said.

Dean shook his head. "Boy you can't be that dense."

"What?" Taylor asked. "I'm not going to drink or anything."

Dean let out a small laugh. "Oh you aren't going to drink, well that's good to know."

Taylor didn't know what the issue was. "I'm serious."

Dean grinned. "Go ahead and run it by dad."

Taylor was suspicious. "Why?"

"No reason. I don't have anything to say about it." Dean said.

Taylor looked out the window. He didn't think her parents even kept alcohol in the house and Heather wasn't the type to throw parties. They wouldn't go anywhere without telling their parents so he wasn't sure why Dean was acting the way that he was.

(The elementary school)

Andy looked at the sea of parents waiting to pick up their kids. He heard Ian before he saw anyone. He finally spotted them. He was happy that Caleb seemed to be off of work. He didn't get to pick him up very much. He ran over with a big smile on his face.

Caleb hugged him and ruffled his hair. "How was your day?"

Andy's face fell. He sighed and pulled the pink paper from his backpack.

Caleb read the paper before handing it to April.

"What is this about?" April asked.

Andy chewed his lip. "The teachers told me not to sign with this other kid because he wouldn't learn to talk. We were at recess and I got in trouble because I didn't listen.

April handed Lauren to Caleb. "Andy, is the other kid out here?"

Andy tiptoed and found the other boy walking to his car with his mom.

April took Andy's hand and walked swiftly towards the duo. She cleared her throat. "Excuse me."

The woman turned around, slightly startled.

"My son, Andy, got a note sent home today." April said. "He was using sign language to communicate with your son?"

The woman's mouth dropped open.

April let go of Andy's hand. "He was told not to use it so that your son would learn to talk. Is this something that you have asked the school to do?"

The woman's eyes widened. "No. He doesn't speak. He uses signs exclusively. He is supposed to have an interpreter but she rarely shows up."

April was ruffled. "Is he deaf?"

"He is nonverbal and autistic." The woman said.

"I would like to speak to whomever thought it was appropriate to make this kind of rule. It is not fair but it is also illegal." April said. She spoke briefly with the other woman before taking Andy back to Caleb. "You can go home. I'll be home in just a bit."

Andy watched April walk up the steps to the front door of the school before throwing it open. "Dad, am I in trouble?"

Caleb's eyes twinkled. "No bud but I think that teacher might be."

"Can I ask my friend to go to the park?" Andy asked.

Caleb let him run back over to the car to speak to the kid and his mom. He was proud of Andy for trying to play with someone that didn't have any friends.

The boy got out of the car and ran down to the school park with Andy. He had a big grin on his face.

Caleb walked Ian over as well, stopping for a moment to speak to the mother.

"Andy is the sweetest kid." She said, "My son has tried to tell me about him. He was so sad about switching schools and he looks so happy now. Where did Andy learn to sign?"

"He didn't start speaking until he was three. April taught him a good bit when he was little." Caleb said. He introduced himself.

"I wasn't aware that the school was not allowing TJ to sign." The woman said.

Caleb got details and frowned. "No wonder she took off like a hornet." He smiled. "Well they can sign now." He watched Andy. He was so proud of him. Not only was he playing with the kid, he was using his language. He caught Ian doing the same a few times. His heart was full.

Lauren fussed slightly.

Caleb rubbed her cheek. "One day you'll be able to run around and play."

Lauren gave him a big smile.

30 minutes later April found them at the park.

Caleb waved her over.

April sat down. "There will be a meeting with the district superintendent next week."

TJ's mom thanked her. "This is the first time he has gone to a public school. I didn't know how to make sure they were doing the right things."

"Don't you worry. I am happy to help if this continues. You'd be amazed how quick they move if you throw laws at them." April said.

Caleb put an arm around her. "I told Andy he wasn't in trouble but the teacher might be."

April narrowed her eyes. "The nerve of these people."

The rest of the park time was peaceful. They got to relax as the kids played.

April took Lauren when she got really fussy. "I suppose it is snack time."

Ian whipped his head around. "Snack!" he ran up the hill to his parents and yelled for Andy. "We can have snack."

"We will get snacks at home." April said.

Ian took Caleb's hand and tried to pull him off the bench he was sitting on.

Caleb laughed. "Alright, let your brother get up here." They said goodbye to TJ and his mom. He picked Ian up so he wasn't tempted to run into the street.

Andy ran up to April. "Is everything okay?"

"Yes." April said. "This won't be an issue anymore. Thank you for including him. I am very proud of you."

Andy smiled. "I didn't think it was right to say not to sign."

"It wasn't." April said. "If someone says anything like that again, you let me know."

"Yes, ma'am." Andy said.

Ian pointed in the direction that the house was. "Snacks."

"We will get snacks." Caleb said.

Ian flopped his head onto Caleb's shoulder. "My tummy is hungry."

"I think you'll be okay for another minute." Caleb said.

Ian sniffled. "No, daddy."

Andy stopped and looked through his backpack. He found a granola bar and handed it to Caleb.

Ian brightened and took the now opened granola bar. He swayed happily and ate his snack.

Caleb reminded Ian to say thank you.

Ian had a mouth full of food but did his best to talk around it. "Thank you bubba."

(Bobby's house)

Dean checked on Kate. "Hey, bug, how are you doing?"

"I'm good. I'm treasure hunting." Kate said, not looking up from a book.

Bobby told Dean what she meant.

Taylor was also intrigued. "I want to help."

Kate met eyes with him. "So you can take credit? No way."

"I won't take credit." Taylor said. "Come on, let me help."

Dean cleared his throat. "You need to call dad."

Taylor blushed slightly. "Now?"

"No but before this weekend." Dean said.

"What is this weekend?" Kate asked.

"Nothing." Taylor said in a quiet voice. "Shut up, Dean."

Dean put his hands up in surrender. "Not my place to say anything."

Taylor glared at Dean. "So, what is the treasure?"

Kate explained what Rufus had. "A mysterious ghost submarine. I mean, this has our name on it."

Dean was about to say that they had too much going on but she was right. He couldn't stop his curiosity from pulling him in.

"I want to look at the bunker for any mention of it." Kate said. "It may not really be supernatural related but it is worth a shot."

"Rufus is going to look when he gets back." Bobby said. He handed Dean two folders. "Jodi wanted you to look at those."

Dean sat down and opened the first file. He blew air through his nose. "How many times can someone be arrested before they throw away the key?"

"He's slippery." Bobby said. "He has gotten released with an ankle monitor but leaves it behind and vanishes into the wind."

Dean looked through notes. He started seeing a pattern that the police probably had as well. "Why does she want me to look at these?"

"She thought you might figure out where the guy is." Bobby said. "She also said there is a reward out for his arrest and a citizen can act as a bounty hunter in this case."

"How much is the reward?" Dean asked.

Bobby told him to look at the second folder.

"Damn." Dean looked at Kate and Taylor. "You two work on treasure hunting. I'll work on this."

Kate shrugged. "Suit yourself."

Dean used Bobby's computer to look up details about the case. He used a small map to pinpoint where he had been spotted or arrested. Two hours later he dialed Jodi's number. "Hey, I think I know where you can find our felon friend."

Jodi assumed Dean would find him quickly. "Where is that?"

Dean gave her a general area. "If he hears sirens he will skip town. Bobby and I can head over there to hunt some game. We might run into him." He thought the guy wouldn't be as apt to run if he saw two people hunting.

Bobby gathered his own gear. He hadn't been hunting in a while and this one sounded easy.

"If things go right we will be back late tonight." Dean said.

Karen smiled. "I've got these two."

"Don't shoot each other." Kate quipped.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't approve of while I'm not here." Dean said. He ruffled her hair and folded the map.

Karen locked the door behind the guys. "What is going on this weekend?"

Taylor's face instantly turned red. "Nothing."

(Marie's house)

Jess loved the evenings that they spent at Marie's house. She was always relaxed and surrounded by love. She looked down at Jacob who was laying on her legs. She studied his fact intently. He had the cutest little nose and blonde hair. When she and Sam had babies, they would likely have Sam's coloring. They'd have wavy brown hair and hazel eyes. Jacob's hair would remain light although she didn't think it would always be almost white. He had whisps of hair that would look thick if it was darker. The top had grown faster than the rest and he had enough to style. She smoothed the hair to the center of his head to make a mohawk. She grinned. He just needed little jeans and a flannel and he'd fit right in with the other guys. She carried him to Sam to show off the new style.

Sam smiled. "What did she do to your hair?"

Jacob smiled brightly.

"Just imagine him with a band t shirt." Sam said.

Sam laughed. "He could be a mini Dean."

"We have to find jeans and stuff." Jess said.

"I don't think they make boots that small." Sam said.

Marie overheard them and joined the conversation. "What are we getting all dressed up for?"

Jess touched Jacob's foot. "I just think he could be mini Dean with the right clothes."

Marie's eyes brightened. "I believe we have a spare black oneside that I could make look like one of his t shirts."

"We need jeans. They don't make them in his size." Jess said.

"Actually." Marie said, "Let me look in the extra clothes."

Jess followed her. She frowned when Marie went to a box with a larger size written on it. "He can't fit in those."

Marie pulled out a pair of pajamas. "Are you sure about that?"

Jess sighed. "I thought we talked about not growing so much."

Jacob kicked his legs and giggled.

Marie found a pair of soft pants that looked like jeans. She had Jess take off the pants that Jacob already had on and slipped the fake jeans over his legs. She pulled them up to his waist and smiled. "They are a little long but you are just adorable."

Jess laughed. "Oh my goodness. You're just a little man, aren't you?" She returned to Sam and showed him the new pants.

Sam smiled. "He just needs a baby sized impala." He took him from Jess and sat him up so that he could look around.

Jess made a bottle for Jacob and gave it to Sam. "I think our kids will have dark hair."

"Probably." Sam said. "I hope they look like you."

Jacob grunted and kicked one of his feet, breaking the two lovebirds out of their trance.

Sam moved the bottle back to Jacob's mouth. It had fallen away as Sam was looking at Jess. "My bad." He settled into a comfortable place on the couch and let Jacob finish the bottle. "You don't have to chug it."

Jacob had no idea what Sam was saying but he had a bottle so that was all that mattered to him. He felt warm and safe and loved. He had everything a baby could want.

(Outside of Sioux Falls)

Dean parked the impala and looked at the map. They were in the less desirable part of town and he would kill someone if they tried to break Baby's windows or try to steal her. Also he had an armory in the trunk that would cause issues if thieves got ahold of anything.

Bobby pulled his bag from the backseat and threw his hunting rifle over his shoulder.

Dean smirked. "Chickening out?"

Bobby shot him a look. "Idgit."

The two walked down the street to a nearby trail. It was known for being a good hunting spot if you could make it into the woods without getting mugged. Dean narrowed down that particular area because it was likely an underground railroad for criminals. The hunting world had places a hunter could go to evade the law. The first layer of protection was a trusted house. The police always looked there though. A hunter on the road would stash their stuff and be picked up by other hunters to erase their trail. The guy they were hunting had started stealing stuff when he was in middle school. That was typical. It may have started out as rebellion or like Dean, a lack of food and supervision. Had the man stopped at stealing bread loaves, Dean would have left him alone. His crimes got worse as he got older. Somewhere down the line he got cocky and made it all into a game of cat and mouse.

Bobby breathed in the cool air. The forest was quiet. It had been a long time since he had gone hunting for monsters but also a long time since he went hunting for game. He had gone with Taylor but that was a while back. They didn't need to rely as heavily on hunting because they had the funds to buy meat from the store. He stooped down to study a set of footprints. They belonged to a deer. They were relatively deep so they belonged to a big deer.

"You thinking about taking home something?" Dean asked.

Bobby stood up. "Maybe."

"I wouldn't be opposed to deer jerky." Dean said. He had an idea of the area in his head from looking at the map. He walked slowly and purposefully. He was no longer looking for tracks as much as thinking about where he would go for shelter. Not too close to town that search dogs would follow. Somewhere someone could lose a trail. There was a cliff that looked promising.

Bobby followed Dean's eyes.

Dean couldn't see the end of the cliff edge. If they didn't walk all the way around the cliff, they would be scaling it. Would typical deer hunters climb a cliff? Would they go around, following where the prints were? The deer likely went the long way around so they needed to do the same. Except, they didn't have a whole lot of daylight left. They were out there alone so no one would see unless they weren't actually alone. People in hiding usually had excellent awareness of their surroundings.

Bobby nudged Dean. "If anyone asks, I am too old to go around and we are going up the short way."

Dean snorted. "That is our cover or you are actually too old?"

Bobby popped the back of his head and told him to get a move on.

Both men made it up the small cliff with minimal injury.

Dean looked into the trees. Where would he go if he was on the run?"

Bobby let out a breath. "Walking around might have been easier."

Dean cracked a smile. "I tried to tell you, old man."

Bobby smacked him again. "You can play the part but I don't need the backchat."

Dean opened the map again. There were two worn paths going in opposite directions. He pulled a quarter from his pocket and placed it on the back of his hand. "Heads or tails?"

Bobby called heads.

Dean flipped the coin and shrugged. "Looks like we are going straight." If the criminal was hiding, he wouldn't choose a well worn path. He'd disappear into the trees.

Bobby shook his head. He knew Dean was going to go straight. He had taught him that trick. That was the difference between hunting prey and hunting a predator.

(Hell)

Meg sauntered into a large room with a throne in the middle. "Your face is going to freeze like that."

Crowley growled. "Have you brought me good news?"

Meg shrugged and sat down in a chair, propping her feet on a nearby table. "I have news. You get to decide if it is good or bad."

Crowley sat forward. "Well don't keep me waiting sweetie."

Meg dropped her feet. "Don't call me pet names unless you are buying me a drink."

Crowley snapped his fingers and alerted a servant to bring Meg whatever she wanted.

"Is it your mangey beasts out running loose?" Meg asked.

"No. My girls are very obedient." Crowley said.

"Hounds are out." Meg said. "Knocking little girls off bikes and causing sad old men to have nightmares."

Crowley propped his foot on the opposite knee. "They are strays."

"Our friend is observant." Meg said.

"Hannah, is it?" Crowley asked.

"Just as wild as your nemesis but lacks a degree of resilience." Meg said.

"The perfect little helper." Crowley said. "I assume that your conversation was not well received."

Meg rocked her chair back. Crowley knew she was going to talk to Hannah. She just threw in a few extra pieces of information to make the trip worth it. "If you haven't heard, they've warned all the children not to play with demons."

"I prefer the times when parents let their children run free, not caring if the little tikes wanted to make a deal with strange men." Crowley said.

"Have you found her?" Meg asked.

Crowley glanced at a pendant in his hand. It was barely glowing red. "She is playing hard to get." He whistled loudly and held his arm out for a crow to land on. "Find the red headed bitch and do not return until you have."

Meg ducked her head as the crow flew away. "I don't know why you like the feathered rodents."

"Crows are clever." Crowley said. "They serve whomever has the shiniest trinkets. You know, they are one of the few earth animals that can see both the spirit and human realms."

"Do you have any plans of scouting her out yourself?" Meg asked.

"Why would I do that when I have such lovely pawns to do it for me?" Crowley said. He lit a cigar and pressed it to his lips. "I need not get my hands dirty."

"The girl will be the death of you." Meg said.

"She will be the death of Abaddon. You must remember she and I have a deal in place." Crowley said.

"That you are going to go back on as soon as Abaddon is gone." Meg said.

Crowley put a finger over his mouth. "Hush now. You'll ruin the twist in the story."

Meg shrugged and stood up. "She knows that you will stab her in the back."

"I'm relying on her distrust." Crowley said.

"Double cross the double crosser." Meg said, sarcastically.

"I've been playing chess for a long time my dear." Crowley said. "I wasn't born yesterday."

Meg flicked a stray flame from the sleeve of her shirt. "Neither was she."

(Sioux Falls)

Kate had to step away from research because she felt dizzy. She felt unsettled and a little queasy. She watched the clock on the wall as the second hand ticked. She felt like she was missing something. The scary music before a jump scare was playing in her head and it made her anxious.

Taylor pushed into Kate's head to ask if she was okay. He cringed.

Kate met eyes with him.

"I was going to ask if you were okay but I guess you aren't." Taylor said.

"The voices?" Kate asked. "They are just versions of myself that talk me through things."

"Is that constant?" Taylor asked.

Kate shrugged. "I don't know."

"I was a little jealous of the mental abilities but I'll keep the ones I have." Taylor said.

Kate sighed. "I don't like them much anymore."

"Why don't you take a relaxing bath and forget about all of this research for a while?" Karen asked. "You need a break."

Kate agreed.

Karen talked to her when they got upstairs. "Leave the door unlocked."

"Why?" Karen asked.

"It is just the three of us here. I don't want something to happen and me not be able to get to you. Surely you would rather me be the one opening the door than your brother." Karen said.

Kate nodded. "I'll leave it unlocked. Tell me if Dean calls."

"I will." Karen said.

Taylor studied his hands. He wanted to talk to John. Dean just made him feel awkward. "Karen?"

"Yes?" Karen asked.

"Hailey wants me to go to her house this weekend." Taylor said.

"That sounds fun." Karen said.

"Her parents won't be there and Dean made me feel bad about it. We aren't going to drink." Taylor said.

"Ah." Karen said. "Was he teasing you?"

"A little." Taylor said.

Karen sat down on the sofa. "If it was Dean at your age, and he was going to a girl's house without her parents, what would you be worried about?"

Taylor let his eyes drift. "That is why he said I was dense."

"You have a pure heart." Karen said.

"We won't do any of that either. We are 14." Taylor said. "She did kiss me outside of the school."

"Maybe you two should have a conversation." Karen said.

"Then she will think I want her to do stuff." Taylor said.

"Not necessarily." Karen said. "You do not want her to get mixed signals. It could be an awkward conversation but I think you should call her."

Taylor pulled his phone out. "Maybe I can message her."

Karen got up and patted his arm. "I'll leave you to it."

(Dean and Bobby)

Dean smelled something. He stopped to decide which way the smell was coming from. The breeze was coming from the north so he decided to make his way along the north side of the forest.

Bobby stayed quiet. Dean was an excellent tracker.

They finally found signs of a camp tucked under the cover of fallen trees.

Dean signaled for Bobby.

A man stepped out of the camp with a rifle in his hands.

Bobby waved. "Sorry about spooking you. We are tracking a buck."

The man lowered the rifle slightly. "My budy took down that big one yesterday."

Bobby shook his head. "Damn, I figured he had to be pretty big."

Dean let Bobby talk to the man while he surveyed the area with his eyes. The man that stepped out was older and wasn't the man they were looking for. He pulled a gun from his back pocket and quietly made his way behind the camp, out of site.

Bobby and the first man heard footsteps and then saw a second man walking toward them with his hands infront of him. Dean was close behind.

The first man grumbled. "You two aren't marshals are ya?"

"No." Bobby said. He didn't know if the two men were friends.

"I told you they'd find you." The first man said.

The second spit on the ground. "You ratted me out."

Dean pushed his gun into his back. "He didn't. You just left too many tracks."

Bobby patted him down to make sure that he didn't have any hidden weapons. He gave the man a generic explanation of wanting the reward money the police had posted.

"Uh, are you takin him in?" The man asked.

"I figured the police could come pick him up." Dean said. He saw the aprehension. "I'm sure we could get a bit closer to town before calling them." It was clear the man was homeless and had been for a while.

"How much bounty does he have on his head?" The man asked.

"Enough." Dean said. He had Bobby guard the criminal and pulled his wallet from his pocket. He pulled what money he had out and straightend the bills. The man could have fought them or made everything more difficult.

The man grinned and took the money. He was missing a few teeth and his hands were weathered.

Dean nudged the criminal. "Start moving."

"I don't leave tracks." he spat.

Jodi and a few other officers met Dean and Bobby near the cliff. "You found him that quick?"

Dean smirked. "Didn't even break a sweat."

"You're dead." The man growled.

"He can dislocate his thumbs and shoulders. That's why he is slipping cuffs." Dean said. He eyed the guy. "Didn't think I saw that?"

Bobby hadn't noticed. He saw the way the man was holding his hand and snorted.

Jodi cuffed the man but told her officers to be careful with him. "I want hands on him during every transition."

"Yes, ma'am." An officer said.

"Did you get help?" Jodi asked.

"No, the kids are treasure hunting." Dean said.

Jodi smiled. "Come down to the station tomorrow. We will see about getting you that reward and my boss wants a word with you."

Dean tensed.

"He knows you have a history. He was a troubled teen as well." Jodi chuckled. "He and I had a bet about you finding this guy. He said if you found him he'd think about offering you a job."

Bobby clapped Dean on the back.

"Thanks Jodi but that may not be in the cards." Dean said.

"He doesn't care about anything that happened before. He wants someone gritty on the team that can look places the officers can't." Jodi said.

Dean felt a bit proud of himself. "Do I get a badge?"

"I'll see what we can do about that." Jodi said.

"Uh, how well does this pay?" Dean asked.

Jodi stepped to the side to allow Dean and Bobby to continue walking. "Better than credit card scams do."

Dean grinned. "That was before."

Jodi nodded. "Yep."

(Bobby's house)

Kate soaked until the water ran cold and refilled the tub after Karen checked on her. She promised that she was okay but figured Karen would continue checking on her until she got out. She wanted to scry on Dean but didn't let herself. She felt fatigued.

Taylor had his conversation with Hailey and was relieved by how well it went. He wasn't sure how to approach the subject and was rather bashful. Hailey broke into a fit of giggles when she understood what he was trying to tell her.

Karen asked Taylor if everything was okay.

Taylor's cheeks were pink but he nodded his head.

"I assumed laughter from both of you was a good sign." Karen said.

Taylor let out a slow breath. "We are on the same page."

"Good." Karen said. She looked toward the stairs. "I'm going to go check on Kate."

Kate told Karen she was still fine.

"The water is probably cold again. Maybe you should get out." Karen said.

Kate yawned. "Okay, I'll be down in a minute."

Karen checked the time and agreed to give Kate another minute.

Kate dried off and pulled a shirt over her head. She smelled smoke for a moment but it faded quickly. She was having a serious case of deja vu.

Karen brushed Kate's hair for her. She worked through the tangles as Kate sat at the table. She was worried that Kate looked so frail. "Bobby and Dean should be back soon."

"Did they catch him?" Kate asked.

"Yes." Karen said. "Bobby said it was an easy hunt."

Kate rested her head on the table. "Easy hunts are good."

(The next morning)

Dean was up at his usual time. He left his room for the bathroom but the bathroom door was already closed. He waited for a few minutes. "Are you okay?"

Kate opened the door. "Yeah."

Dean put his hands on her face and tilted her head. "You don't look okay."

"I am." Kate said.

Dean narrowed his eyes. "Might as well park it on your bed. We aren't getting the day started until you talk to me."

Kate sighed. She gave him a fake eye roll and went back to her bed. She moved Millie over and curled up under her blanket.

Dean wiped his wet hands on his jeans as he entered the room. "What's going on?"

"I don't know." Kate said. "I am just tired. It is probably ability related but I don't know how to explain it."

Dean sat on the edge of her bed. "Try your best."

"I have the deja vu feeling again. The kind that Taylor and I had when you were made to forget about Lacy." Kate said.

"Do you think older you is up to something?" Dean asked.

"I don't know." Kate said.

"You are sticking with me today." Dean said.

"Joy." Kate grumbled.

"Come on, we are going to the diner for breakfast." Dean said.

"I can eat cereal." Kate said.

Dean shook his head. "You need to put on some weight. You need protein and I need eyes on you to make sure you are acutally eating."

"I don't like being watched." Kate said lightly.

Dean sucked air through his teeth. " Well that sucks. I don't like seeing you this thin." He felt something hit his arm and clamped his hand over his arm. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, removing his hand and a wad of wet paper from his shirt.

Kate giggled. As soon as Dean left the bed she heard Taylor yell.

Taylor doged Dean and ran to the kitchen. "I just needed your attention."

"You got it." Dean said.

Karen stepped around Taylor. "If you boys are going to fight, please don't do so in here."

Dean tilted his head. "You heard her."

"I don't want to fight." Taylor said.

"A spit wad? Really? What are you.. 6?" Dean asked.

Taylor laughed. "All the way from the bottom of the stairs too."

"What do you want?" Dean asked.

"I don't appreciate the assumptions you made about me and Hailey." Taylor said.

"Karen, he is going to use you as a shield." Dean said.

Karen put an arm around Taylor and squeezed him. "That is alright. He can do that because he is a gentleman."

"Yeah, I talked to her. Nobody is moving past kissing." Taylor said.

"I'm glad you cleared that up. Now, come over here." Dean said.

Kate cleared her throat. "I thought we were going to the diner."

"Watch your back." Dean said, lightly.

Taylor saluted him and stayed next to Karen until he was sure Dean was far enough away that he could out run him.

Dean turned his car on. "While we are out, I will need to stop by the police station."

"Are you getting the reward?" Kate asked.

"Yeah and maybe a job too." Dean said.

"Well aren't you just a lucky duck." Kate said.

"It's about time we got some luck." Dean said.

(Elsewhere)

John's talk with the kids had made life difficult for those that planned on using the kids.

Andy called a nymph at the slightest hint of trouble. He was focused and bordering on paranoid.

Hannah was unreachable, as were Kate and Taylor.

Jo was old enough to see through deception if she knew it was coming. They couldn't even use the boy against her because his family were hunters.

All communication needed to be subtle enough that only the child would notice it. The downside to that was that Zack and Dylan likely wouldn't be observant enough to notice something that their mother wouldn't. They were surrounded by hunters at the Roadhouse.

Someone needed to let their guard down for just a moment. No, they needed false security.

The demons couldn't get close enough thanks to warding. They would have to call on an ally that would pass sigils with ease.

Caroline and Caitlyn waved goodbye to their dad and entered their school. There were still hearts and cupids decorating the hallways.

The nymphs were outside incase of attack. They weren't inside where it was safe.

"Good morning." Their teacher said as she saw Caroline.

Caitlyn paused in the hallway because another girl tapped her to say hi. "Hi, are you new here?"

A girl the same age as the twins nodded her head. "Yes, my name is Allie."

"Are you in my class?" Caitlyn asked.

"Would you like to play?" Allie asked.

Caitlyn shrugged. "At recess. Do you know what class you are in?" She heard her name from inside her own class and stepped inside to say she was coming. She stepped back out but didn't see Allie anymore. She must have walked away with the streams of people making their way to their classes.

"Who were you talking to?" Caroline asked.

"I don't know. Some new girl." Caitlyn answered. "I think she is shy."

"What class is she in?" Caroline asked.

"She didn't say. Then when I told Ms. Brown that I was coming, she must have walked away." Caitlyn said.

"Weird." Caroline said. She was the more cautious twin.

"She wants to play during recess." Caitlyn added. She did think the girl was odd and something in the back of her head said to be careful but there were two of them and one of her. She was just a kid and she and Caroline did know how to protect themselves. It was silly to think of that after meeting someone for the first time.

Not everything had to be dangerous. They were all just a little bit paranoid.