Author's note: Hi, I'm sorry this has taken so long. I finished my first year of grad school and limped out of this last semester with all A's. It was a struggle for a lot of reasons and I needed a mental health week after surviving the last year.
(Marie's house)
Kim was alone for a short while after Dean left. What did he say to her? Demons? She was okay with it. Why was she okay with it? Why wasn't she freaking out? She had been asking herself that all day. Alarm bells should have been blaring. She had a general distrust of people that began with her family. She had learned to trust Dean when he said he wanted to hang out with her. It took a while but she thought that he actually liked being around her. When he dropped the demon bomb she was automatically cool with it.
Jess gently knocked on the open door. "Hey, can I come in?"
Kim scooted over on the bed. "Yes."
"So." Jess started. "Dean said he talked to you before leaving."
Kim let out a slow breath of air. "Is he crazy?"
Jess smiled. "Yes but for other reasons."
"Am I crazy?" Kim asked.
"No." Jess said. "I think life tends to be more complicated than anyone really knows."
"He didn't tell me much. Just enough to confuse me." Kim said.
"He could have told you a lot and it would still not be enough." Jess said. "I've known for a while and am still confused."
Kim's eyes widened. "Really? How did you find out?"
Jess didn't want to say the wrong thing or say something Dean didn't want Kim knowing about. "My friend was possessed. She is okay now. I didn't know anything about it until dealing with it face to face."
"I have so many questions." Kim said.
Jess grimaced. "I'm not sure how much I should say."
"Why?" Kim asked.
"He didn't want you to know for obvious reasons. Sam didn't want me to know either." Jess said.
"But you do know." Kim said.
"Yes." Jess said.
"Tell me what you wished you had known before that happened." Kim said.
"There are things out there that want to hurt people. Of course, there are people that want to hurt other people as well. Just being a young woman you have to watch your back. It is all along the same lines. Don't go to bed with your door unlocked. Don't walk down the street at night by yourself. Demons can possess people and you wouldn't know until it is too late. There are signs that a demon has been around. You could smell or see yellow sulfur dust. Sometimes they make the lights flicker. They really do not like holy water." Jess said.
"What happens if they possess someone?" Kim asked.
"A lot of things." Jess said. "Sometimes they take over a body that is already dead or they kill the person. It can happen if you are alive too, like with my friend. They control everything so they can make the person hurt others."
Kim's eyes drifted back and forth a few times. "That is why he is so jumpy."
"Dean?" Jess asked. "He is pretty jumpy."
Kim thought about all the times he pulled her back suddenly or had frozen suddenly, taking in their surroundings. "I thought he was a secret agent or something."
"He might as well be." Jess said. "He's really good at his job."
"What exactly is his job?" Kim asked.
"That is hard to explain." Jess said. "He hunts things and saves people."
"Sam does too?" Kim asked.
"Not as much. He didn't want to go into the family business so to speak. I met him as a doe eyed college freshman that wouldn't hurt a fly. That is still him but he has the skills. It was a shock for me because I didn't think he could do anything like that." Jess said. "He is softer than Dean."
"Maybe that is why it makes sense to me. Dean has a soft side but I could totally see him actually shooting someone with that gun." Kim said.
"You never got worried about that?" Jess asked.
Kim thought about it. "No. I was curious. I don't know why. I should have been worried. I should be worried now but I feel at peace with it. Are demons causing the weird issues?"
"We don't know for sure." Jess said. "It is spirit related for sure. The electrical issues can be caused by spirits or demons. We haven't seen anything quite like this before."
"Ghosts?" Kim asked. "I'm intrigued. What all do you hunt?"
Jess snorted softly. "I don't hunt anything and Dean will need to answer all of those questions. I don't want to over step."
"Did he go hunting?" Kim asked. Dean hadn't really been clear about why he needed to leave.
"I don't think so." Jess said. "John wanted Sam there too so I don't think it is a hunt. Usually, with hunts, they are told what to bring and we are given more information."
"John is interesting." Kim said.
Jess smiled. "It took me a while to get used to him."
They were both quiet for a few minutes.
"Tell me about the baby." Kim said.
"Jacob." Jess said. "His family was attacked when he was a week old. Sadly, his mother didn't make it and his dad was injured. Sam and I had decided to babysit in emergencies and that is how we met him. His dad is traumatized and wants to catch the thing that killed his wife. So, Jacob is here for now."
"For now?" Kim asked.
"Yes. His dad should be back soon." Jess said.
Kim studied Jess's face. "You don't sound so sure of that."
Jess's heart was torn. "When he visits, he is distant."
"Do you think he is going to come back?" Kim asked.
Jess frowned. "Dean did mention you were observant."
"I piece things together." Kim said.
"Honestly?" Jess asked. "No."
"So what happens if he doesn't?" Kim asked.
Jess hadn't given herself the chance to think about that in depth. "We signed papers. If something happens, Sam and I get custody of him. It was supposed to be for legal purposes."
"Wow." Kim said. "That is a lot for him to expect of you."
"I mean…. Jacob is welcome here. If his dad doesn't come back, Marie and Rod are experienced foster parents." Jess said.
Kim didn't want to pressure Jess too much. She knew the situation was complicated and Jess clearly loved Jacob like he was her own baby. "You guys live in California, right?"
"Yes." Jess said. She was hoping Kim wouldn't ask about travel times.
"Dean said that Sam got into Stanford and has a scholarship. That is amazing." Kim said.
Kate didn't listen in on the conversation but she could sense emotions coming from the room. She still didn't get bad feelings about Kim. She was tempted to read Kim's mind but Dean didn't want her using abilities. She sighed heavily and stepped out of the house to talk to Taylor. "Why couldn't we go?"
"I don't know." Taylor said. He had asked himself the same question when John requested Sam and Dean's presence and not theirs as well. If it was just Dean, he'd assume hunt. If it was just Sam, he'd assume it was Tony related. He couldn't come up with a scenario to explain John's orders but chose not to say anything about it.
(Earlier)
Rufus planned on moving out of the bunker. He needed sunlight. As long as he wasn't in immediate danger, he didn't see the need to stay any longer. He knew ghosts were walking around on the surface because he had gotten a few calls from other people. He wasn't worried about any getting into the bunker because it was so well warded. He was finishing up a load of clothes when he heard a voice. He whirled around and demanded to know who was there.
A distant voice demanded to know who Rufus was as well.
It took a few minutes for the voice's image to appear in front of Rufus. Rufus saw a young man dressed in a suit. His hair was combed to the side and he looked like he had walked out of the 1950s mere seconds before he showed up. He still hadn't figured out who the ghost was. He hadn't given up his name either.
"This facility belongs to the Men of Letters." The spirit said.
"Yeah?" Rufus said. "You don't think I am one?"
The ghost studied the strange man.
Rufus leaned with his back against the washing machine. "What year is it?"
The ghost looked around. "1958."
Rufus started to piece it together. He pulled his phone from his pocket and showed the ghost that it was no longer 1958.
The ghost was fascinated by the contraption.
Rufus gave him a short spiel about technology to solidify the fact that many years had gone by since the bunker had been used last. "So, are you going to tell me your name?"
The ghost cleared his throat. "Henry."
Rufus eyed him. "Rufus."
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Rufus. I do have to ask why you are here." Henry said.
"Uh, I had some demons on my tail. A buddy said I could stay here." Rufus said.
"Demons?" Henry asked.
"Yeah, black eyed suckers." Rufus said. He was getting nowhere with the ghost. They were both overly suspicious of each other. He needed to call Bobby to see if he had any ideas.
Bobby heard the name and immediately thought of John. "Ask him if he knows a John Winchester."
Henry's ghost flickered. "My son. Is he well?"
Rufus scratched the back of his head. "I think he's going to have to answer that."
Bobby called John. He didn't know if John would like the news or not so he prepared for both reactions.
John needed a moment to process before hitching a ride over with a nymph.
"In here." Rufus yelled down the hallway.
John took a few deep breaths and walked toward Rufus's voice. He froze in the doorway and looked at the translucent figure in front of him.
"John?" Henry asked. He looked pained.
John couldn't say anything. He could barely breathe. "Where were you?"
Henry had so many questions. For him, minutes had gone by since he left the bunker and when he found himself in the hallway.
Rufus cleared his throat. "Why don't I pour you a drink and we take this to the library."
Henry glitched and faded as he followed John and Rufus down the long hallways. He looked slightly puzzled and stopped to look at the kitchen. Things had been changed. There was what looked like a child's cup on the counter. It was unlike one that he had seen before but the bright colors and construction vehicle on the side told him it likely wasn't for an adult.
John sat at the long table and took the glass from Rufus when it was handed to him. "Where were you?"
Henry didn't sit as he was disembodied and could only float.
Rufus did his best to mediate with the little information that he had. "John's crew found this place a while back. It had been left empty for a few decades. Sounds like this place was hopping until your buddies got wiped out."
"A demon attacked." Henry said.
"We got that much from newspapers and research." John said.
Henry stumbled through an explanation although he didn't have all of the information. Bobby's grandfather had pulled him to the side before the meeting in which the rest of the Men of Letters were attacked. He was not in the room and had time to flee. He didn't know how Francis knew that something would happen. He just followed orders. He got to the safety of a motel room that was warded. He heard sirens and saw the smoke billowing from the building across town. He wanted to help his colleagues but he had an important job. He had been given a small vial to safeguard. He quickly traveled toward the bunker and made sure nothing was following him before he opened the door and firmly locked it behind him. He knew about the Nephilian project. Francis had told him about it. He knew that his family held the key to the project but didn't have enough information to know what that meant. He knew that he needed to protect John. He also knew that Francis told him to run because his body could be used to hurt others.
He tried to contact other sects of the Men of Letters but got radio silence. He wanted to go home to Millie and John but it wasn't safe. He couldn't send a letter explaining his failure to come home that night. He was told to wait for three days before trying to leave the bunker. Before he had the chance to leave, demons flocked to the bunker. They had never gotten close enough to rattle the ground around the walls. It was too well hidden. Something changed. He was supposed to protect the vial. The demons could not get their hands on it. He was told to break it if he had no other choice. Some higher level demons were called in to break through warding. The garage door creaked and whined. He said a prayer for Millie and John and placed the vial on the floor. He stomped it and was immediately consumed by white swirls. The reaction was so sudden that he didn't feel anything. He just stomped it and then found himself in the hallway of the bunker speaking to a strange man.
The vial had the same grace that Kate and Taylor took on that changed them. In both situations it caused a major explosion that reached a significant distance. When Kate and Taylor did it, everyone had gotten out of the way. When Henry did it, no humans were harmed but a host of demons were turned to dust.
Abaddon was far enough away to not disintegrate but was injured. The angelic power weakened and maimed her. It took a long time for her to return to her full strength. That was part of the reason she didn't attack directly. If that happened again, it could very well kill her. She didn't know exactly what it was but knew it was related to the Winchesters. The extent of her injuries and the time it took to recover made her even more determined to sink her claws into the family.
John grew up without Henry and didn't find out about the Men of Letters until they discovered the bunker. John had no idea the supernatural existed until Sam was 6 months old. It was clear that no matter what they did, they couldn't protect their children. Demons would always be there. Sugar coating things wasn't going to save anyone.
John told Henry about the years that he missed. He told him about Mary and the horror story that had been the last few years.
Henry was shattered. He was a devout husband and Millie and John thought he had abandoned them. He hated that Millie had to work so hard and that John suffered the way he did. He told John everything he knew which wasn't much more than they already knew. He was proud of the man that John had grown to be.
"The boys." John said, trailing off.
"You have sons." Henry said.
"I have…." John paused. "I had two with Mary. I adopted a boy and girl after that."
Henry wanted to know all about the children. He couldn't comprehend being a grandfather to teenagers and adults when he had just left his four year old a few days prior.
John had a harder time explaining Kate and Taylor. "They are nephilian."
Henry's ghost flickered. "That is impossible." He listened to the incredibly complicated history of the two children. "Remarkable." He could see pride in John's eyes when he spoke about the kids, even the older two. He was told that the possibility of nephilian was slim and would take many more centuries to come to fruition.
Tessa quietly entered the bunker. She waited for John to acknowledge her and stayed to the side.
"Is it time?" John asked.
"Almost." Tessa said. She looked at the pendant that death had given her. The way that Henry died was unique. He was atomized. That was why he didn't go to heaven or hell right away. That is also why he didn't haunt the bunker. He would need to have his soul pieced back together for the ride to heaven. She had just the tool to do that.
"Who is she?" Henry asked.
John sighed. "A reaper." He had so many things going through his head. "I want the kids here."
Tessa cautioned him. "Sam and Dean could come. Due to his previous experience with grace, I think Kate or Taylor could cause him to degrade further."
Sam and Dean were not given any information so it was a shock to see the pale figure of their grandfather standing next to John.
John was quick to explain the situation because he didn't know how much time they had left.
The boys asked questions and got a little more information.
Dean could see bits of Henry in Sam. Sam's eyes were darker and softer than his own. He got all the sharp features from John and Sam, while he looked like John, had gotten features from someone else. He always assumed it was Mary. It was probably Henry.
Tessa eventually announced that it was time and explained the pendant to Henry. She took Henry to heaven with no fuss. He wasn't stubborn but the pendant was meant for him. She returned to the bunker and handed the pendant to John.
John held it. "Why?"
Tessa had realized that he was the stubborn soul that Death mentioned. He needed closure. He could feel pride and love in the pendant the way that Kate had fashioned the other pendants. He needed to know he hadn't been abandoned.
Dean didn't like the silence. "I'm going to call the kids."
The boys left John alone to process all that had happened. Ghosts being let out had changed a lot of things but not in the way they had expected. The entire day had not gone as expected.
Dean rubbed his face as his phone connected to Kate's. He had left Kim after giving her a sliver of information. Had she packed her things? Had she asked too many questions? He got his answer a moment later. He told Kate about Henry and explained why she and Taylor couldn't come. Kate told him that Kim had asked a few questions but was genuinely content with just being included. Her reactions confused him more than anything. Maybe he was used to Kate being volatile. He didn't have many people to compare her to. Jess found out through trauma. April found out the same way. That was how everyone found out. It wasn't a casual conversation that one chose to have for the fun of it. The ghost situation could be considered traumatic but they were in a peaceful situation before Dean left.
"What are you thinking?" Sam asked.
Dean hung up the phone. "Why are ghosts out?"
Sam slowly let out a breath. "For no good reason I suppose."
(Tony)
Tony was mentally unwell. He went days without sleeping. His wife had been his best friend and he couldn't wrap his head around life without her. He felt like trash because he couldn't take care of Jacob. Maybe if it was truly just the two of them, he could find the strength to man up. Jacob was safe though. He had an entire family around him that would give him the life that Tony couldn't. That was part of the reason he stayed gone for long periods of time. It wasn't that he wanted to give Jacob up. It was just that he had given up and knew Jacob would be okay if he never went back. He had every intention of making it back by Wednesday and giving it one more shot. He was going to take Jacob for at least a week and force himself to be a father. He thought about driving to another state so that he wouldn't be tempted to drop the baby off again. If no one was there to help, he would have to handle things on his own. He could make himself go through the motions and he would eventually get used to it.
The anger he heard in Sam's voice caused him to pause. Sam was right, he wasn't experienced enough to be out on his own. Part of him wanted to pretend nothing happened and give Jacob a semi-normal life. The other part of him was so disgusted with himself that he didn't feel worthy of being in Jacob's life. Jacob wouldn't remember his first few months of life so if Tony could just pull it together, Jacob would never know that he wasn't there in the beginning. If he didn't pull it together, Jacob wouldn't miss him. One day he would find out that his biological parents were gone and he'd probably feel sad. It would be different though. He wouldn't grieve the way that Tony had to grieve. He wouldn't remember the sound of his mother screaming. He wouldn't feel the crushing weight of not being enough to save the woman he loved.
Tony considered just ending it by himself. That was the coward's way out though. He knew where the werewolf was that took his wife. He had tried to get close but the only thing he managed to do was kill one of the lower level werewolves that likely had no meaning to the pack. He wanted them to suffer like he was suffering. He sat down on the creaky motel bed and pulled a slip of paper off the notepad on the bedside table. He laid everything out on paper. The thoughts of trying to do it alone. The thoughts of not being worthy. He had a plan to take out the wolves but he'd have to sacrifice himself to do it.
(Sioux Falls)
Without Caleb's crew in the house, Bobby and Karen could feel the emptiness. It wasn't necessarily a bad feeling. They loved the kids but the strange things happening in town had everyone on edge.
Bobby told Karen that he and Jodi were going to check out a few things.
Karen wasn't excited for him to go but knew he was likely going to be okay. He was a good hunter and the ghosts didn't seem vengeful. She decided to tidy up while she had the house to herself. She thought about seeing Lauren again, in ghost form. She was an adult when she passed so she appeared as an adult. It was odd for Karen as she remembered her as a little girl. She wondered how much baby Lauren would be like her namesake. While life had been cruel and unfair, she had to admit that she was far luckier than a lot of people. She had the opportunity to come back and live a second life full of love and adventure. She thought about her brothers and wondered how they were all doing. She missed them. She didn't know how many nieces and nephews she had. Did her brothers have grandchildren? As far as they knew, she was still dead. She'd have to stay that way.
Bobby met up with Jodi and climbed into the police cruiser. They decided to use the cruiser so no one would ask why they were lurking around different places.
"The lights are back on on the east side of town." Jodi said. "The reapers must be getting a handle on it."
"Or this mess is just moving west." Bobby said.
They pulled up to a rundown building that had long since been abandoned. The city needed to tear it down as it was filled with mold and asbestos. Jodi pointed to another old building across the street. "Mrs. Ward lives there."
Bobby furrowed his brows. "Still?"
Jodi shrugged. She had been in the newspaper a few years ago celebrating her 100th birthday. "She still goes on her twice daily walks and we hear about absolutely anything that happens on this street." She got out and knocked on the door to let Mrs. Ward know that she was there to investigate.
Mrs. Ward called to say that she had heard a window break and saw movement in the building across the street. She wasn't the type to call if teens were riding their skateboards down the sidewalk. She did, however, call if anything looked suspicious. She didn't have enough money to make a robbery worth it but she didn't exceed 100 years old by being passive. "If those kids are in there again I am afraid they are going to get hurt."
"Yes, ma'am." Jodi said. "We will take a look at it.
Bobby pulled out an EMF reader and opened the front door. He stepped inside and tested the baseboards before he put his full weight on them. He cleared the front room and continued on to the second. He wasn't getting any readings. The needle hadn't moved at all. He stopped walking and listened intently. "Would you mind stepping back out to the cruiser and flipping that siren on for a second?"
Jodi nodded and did just that. A loud wop sounded and lights flashed.
Bobby stood back as three teenagers darted out of another room and busted through the front door. He shook his head and followed them.
Jodi knew the boys by name and told them there was no use running. She asked what they were doing but could smell the smoke from a few feet away. She motioned to Mrs. Ward's house. "You three scared her. She was worried about you getting hurt in there."
"We were just messing around." One of the boys said. "You know, they say that place is haunted."
"It isn't." Jodi said. "You are more likely to get sick from the mold than visited by a ghost." She sighed. They were harmless. "Go tell Mrs. Ward you are sorry for disturbing her peace and get home. If I run into you three again you're going down to the station."
The boys apologized and thanked Jodi. They also apologized to the old woman and got a few cookies in return for their apologies.
Bobby did a full sweep of the house to make sure it was clear of ghosts and teenagers. He returned to the cruiser and stuffed his EMF reader in his pocket. "I don't know what it is about ghosts that makes kids want to run straight for them."
"Those three get bored. They've never stolen anything or caused real damage. Let's hope they never meet a real ghost." Jodi said.
The rest of the places they checked out were either empty or the ghosts were easy to get rid of. Bobby was able to go back home within a few hours. He walked in and was hit with the scent of roast. His stomach growled. He walked into the kitchen and smiled.
Karen turned around. "I figured I'd make your favorite."
"We have the house to ourselves." Bobby said, taking her hand and spinning her once before kissing her.
"We should decide when to celebrate our anniversary. Do we celebrate the day we got married or the day we met again?" Karen asked.
Bobby hugged her. "Why not both?"
Karen hugged him back. She heard a meow and stepped back. She saw Liam sitting at the edge of the kitchen. "I haven't forgotten you." She promised the cats a portion of the broth she had made. She sat the broth to the side to cool and made a plate for Bobby. She made one for herself too and served the cats their food and broth before sitting down. "Tell me about what you and Jodi found."
Bobby snorted. "Dumb teenagers mainly."
(Marie's house)
Returning to Marie's house was confusing for Dean. The talk with Henry was weird to say the least. Henry was only a few years older than Dean when he died. It had to be doubly weird for John since he was older than his own father. They met 200 year old ghosts that still looked like 7 year olds because that was how old they were when they passed. That was never weird. He needed to talk to Kim. He needed a drink.
Kim didn't ask Jess many more questions about the supernatural. She did voice her concern that Dean would be on edge about it. She didn't want him to worry about her knowing. She asked how to ward her apartment to put him at ease. She hoped it put him at ease.
The kids learned that school had been called off for the following day because of the weather and power outages. They also said that everyone needed time to mourn their classmate. The funeral was set for that Tuesday and the entire football team was distraught. The surviving person from the wreck was still in a coma and no one had gotten updates about him.
Caleb's crew had settled in to spend the night and the boys were burning off energy before bedtime.
Dean caught up with Caleb and excused himself to talk to Kim. He had her go up to his room with him so they could speak privately. He had never felt so awkward trying to talk to a woman before. He was nearly embarrassed and borderline bashful.
"Jess told me a little bit." Kim offered.
"How much?" Dean asked.
"I know a little about demons and how they can possess people. I guess I know about ghosts too. She wanted me to wait for you so she didn't say something she wasn't supposed to." Kim said.
Dean wasn't sure if he should sit or stand. He settled on sitting on the bed so that he and Kim were near the same height. "I am sorry. I never planned on you getting involved in any of this."
Kim shrugged. "Things happen."
"Why aren't you questioning any of this? Why are you so calm?" Dean asked.
"What do I have to lose?" Kim asked. "If someone offers to pray for me, I don't get angry even though I'm not religious. I don't consider people crazy if they hand me a crystal that is supposed to bring me good luck. If someone is nice enough to give me something or wish to protect me from something that they believe in, I'm thankful. I have always thought ghosts were real. I spent a lot of time in hospitals and know at least a few are super haunted. Even if none of this is real and there is no danger, you brought me here because you believed there was danger. Why would I get upset over that?"
"You are supposed to question things." Dean said.
"I do sometimes. I believe you on this though." Kim said. "I'm thrilled to be included. I am nosey and like knowing things other people don't. Pediatric nurses have the best gossip. Once you become an adult the nurses stop talking about their personal lives while you're in the room."
"You are in more danger knowing than you were without knowing about it." Dean said.
"I disagree. It sounds like demons like using people to get close to you. They can't do that if I know how to avoid them." Kim said. "Throw some symbols around my apartment and I'll stay clear of people who smell like sulfur. Nothing has to change. We can still be friends with benefits unless you are worried that I can be used against you. You don't need to protect me, Dean."
The conversation lasted quite a while before Dean heard Marie say that dinner was ready. He was grateful that Kim was truly okay with things. He didn't tell her everything but told her a bit more than Jess did. He didn't feel the strange pressure he had earlier. She was right, they could still act like they normally did. He'd just make sure she was safe when he wasn't around.
Dinner was slightly crowded although Marie allowed people to take their plates into other rooms to decrease the amount of people in one area. The little kids stayed in the kitchen because Marie didn't want food on the carpet and the young adults wound up in the living room.
Kim got to know Sam, Caleb and April a little better and enjoyed their company.
Toward the end of their meal Andy slipped into the room and waited for his parents to notice him. "Can I have dessert?"
"Yes." April said. "If you ate your dinner."
Andy started to go back to the kitchen but paused and looked at Dean. He chewed his cheek and took a deep breath.
"What?" Dean asked.
"I have a question." Andy said.
"Yeah?" Dean asked.
"What kind of benefits does your friend have?" Andy asked.
April gasped. "Andrew!"
Andy looked confused. "Taylor said she was a friend that had benefits."
Dean had a mouth full of food and nearly choked.
Kim smiled. "That just means he doesn't have to buy me flowers or anything. I am still his friend."
Andy nodded. "So is my dad that kind of friend?"
Caleb cleared his throat. "Andy, go get your dessert."
Andy turned. "Why?"
"I said so." Caleb said.
"I know there are life insurance benefits." Andy said, genuinely confused by the term.
Dean covered his face. "Tell Taylor I want to talk to him."
Andy shrugged and left to get his dessert. Adults were strange.
April was embarrassed. "I am so sorry."
Kim thought it was funny. "He is precious."
Taylor slid into the room.
Dean eyed him. "Why the hell did you tell him that?"
Taylor gave him a sheepish grin. "I mean…. I didn't know what to say."
"You say nothing." Dean said.
"I didn't think he'd ask what it meant." Taylor said.
"It is Andy!" Caleb said, trying not to laugh. "Of course he is going to ask what it means."
Taylor whipped his head around. "Nooooo."
"What?" Dean asked.
"He asked Kate and she told him she thought dad would probably know." Taylor said.
Caleb shot out of his seat to go stop Andy from asking John. He knew Kate was joking but also knew that Andy would actually ask him.
"Why the hell would she say that?" Sam asked.
"Dad has one too." Taylor hissed.
"You two must really want to run laps." Dean said, becoming amused.
"We are on lockdown because of ghosts." Taylor said.
"Maybe you should go talk to dad so he knows what is going on." Dean said.
Taylor snorted.
Dean raised an eyebrow.
Taylor swallowed. "I don't want to."
"You opened your mouth." Dean said.
Taylor groaned. "This is the last time I'm babysitting."
(That night)
Andy got through the afternoon without asking too many more intrusive questions. He was still curious but Kate may have gently compelled him to drop the issue for all of their sakes.
Kim felt comfortable but exhausted and was thankful that she had a safe place to sleep. She had brewed another cup of the herbs and felt pretty good. She was able to fall asleep without the insistent pain and discomfort she had for a few days.
The boys passed out on the living room floor and didn't stir when they got carried up to their pallets on the floor of April and Caleb's room.
The house was quiet and peaceful as night fell.
John called Tony several times because he was sick of Tony using Sam.
Tony finally answered.
John spoke to Tony briefly. Tony claimed he had one more thing he wanted to try before he drove back but John heard something in his voice that spoke louder than the words he chose. He had a gut feeling that whatever Tony was going to try would get him killed. He tried to get details but everything that Tony said was vague. Tony didn't outright say he was going to kill himself but refused to say he wasn't either. "You have my son waiting around to know if you are coming back or not. Stop jerking him around and be honest one way or the other."
"I'm not going to make it back." Tony said. "Tell Jacob I'm sorry."
John growled as the tone rang over the phone letting him know that Tony had hung up. He took a few minutes to sort through his thoughts. He needed to talk to Sam.
Sam had just gotten out of the shower when he ran into John.
"We need to talk." John said.
Sam rubbed his head with his towel to dry his hair. "Uh, give me a minute." He pulled a shirt over his damp hair and slipped socks onto his feet.
John told Sam that he'd be downstairs in Rod's office whenever he was ready.
Taylor heard the exchange. "It's like when your name gets called to go to the principal's office."
Sam couldn't disagree although he knew John wasn't angry at anything he had done. He let Jess know where he was going and joined John in Rod's office.
"You and Jess signed papers for legal purposes so if something happens to Tony, Jacob won't end up in foster care. If something does happen, no one expects you to take custody of him. No one would think bad of you if he stayed here." John said.
"What are you saying?" Sam asked, a little defensive.
"When you signed those papers it was a long shot. It was just to be safe." John said.
"I didn't sign them just to be safe. I made a commitment." Sam said.
John was trying to tread lightly. "Do you want to become a parent right now?"
Sam started to speak but couldn't find words to fit his thoughts.
"When we had this conversation before, it was as if this could happen in a few years." John said.
Sam took time to truly think about it. "I'm not going to abandon him."
"You wouldn't be abandoning him." John said.
"I said I'd take him. If I go back on my word then I am abandoning him." Sam said.
"You are not obligated." John said.
"He isn't an obligation." Sam said with a bite to his tone.
John rubbed his face. "I am not trying to anger you. I am not questioning your ability to be a parent." He looked into Sam's eyes. "He isn't coming back."
Sam had a lump in his throat.
"I spoke to him on the phone. He was vague and dodgy but I asked him to be honest. He said he wouldn't make it back." John said.
"How could he do that?" Sam asked, pain in his voice.
"I think Jacob lost both parents the night that they were attacked. Tony recovered physically but otherwise he was just too damaged to handle it." John said.
Sam knew the pain of losing his mother before he had even formed memories of her. It was slightly different from John and Dean but it still hurt. He knew about the lullabies she would sing to him or nicknames that she gave him because John told him that much. Jacob didn't have anyone to tell him about that. He didn't have his mom long enough for her to establish any of those things. His heart was shredded.
"You and Jess can take some time to talk." John said.
Sam shook his head. "She will immediately agree to take him."
"That is why I wanted to speak to you alone." John said.
Sam gave him an odd look. "I'm agreeing to take him. I don't need to think about it."
John assumed that would be the case but wanted Sam to know he would support him either way and there were plenty of people around and Jacob would never be alone. "Do you want to tell her tonight? I can explain our conversation."
Sam stepped out to get Jess. He returned to John with Jess and Jacob who was finishing a bottle.
Jess listened to John's explanation and pulled Jacob closer to her chest. She got emotional and a little angry at Tony. "I want him."
"We can take custody of him and eventually adopt him." Sam said. "We have to finish this semester of school but childcare won't be an issue. He can hang out here."
Jess studied Jacob's face. She had fallen in love the moment she met him but always reminded herself that he was supposed to go home one day. Now, though, she knew that he was already home and she didn't have to keep herself from getting too attached.
"We will worry about all of that in the morning." John said.
Sam thanked him for getting ahold of Tony and getting him to be honest so they were no longer pulled in multiple directions. He let Jess go up before he did. "Why am I not anxious?"
John put a hand on his shoulder. "You have been doing Tony's job since Jacob was dropped off at your door. I also think you are sure of yourself and you should be."
Dean gently knocked on the open door. "Is everything okay?"
John told him he could come in.
"Tony isn't coming back." Sam said.
Dean sighed. "Did he get himself killed?"
"He is going to." John said. "I couldn't talk him out of it. He said he isn't coming back and to tell Jacob he was sorry."
"Damn." Dean said. "So what happens to the baby?"
"He stays with us." Sam said.
"Are you sure?" Dean asked.
"Yes." Sam said. "We are his family."
Dean didn't like how heavy that was for Sam.
"Logistics can be handled. They made their decision." John said. "They have a lot of help."
Dean was quiet as he processed the information. "So I guess that makes me an uncle."
Sam snorted. "I guess so."
Dean slowly met eyes with John. "Which makes you….."
John rubbed his face. "I made it through your teen years without becoming a grandparent. I guess now is a reasonable time."
Dean crushed Sam in a hug. "Feels weird but you're a good man. A bit of a bitch but a good man."
Sam cracked a smile and lightly shoved Dean away. "Jerk."
"How is Kim?" John asked.
Dean had to think for a moment. "Weird."
"How?" Sam asked.
"She isn't arguing about anything. She is okay with it. She is smart and should be calling me crazy." Dean said.
"Wouldn't it be worse if she did that?" Sam asked.
Dean shook his head. "I am used to fighting Kate over every little thing and I don't know how to react. She is fine with our current arrangement and said we could just ward her place and she would know what to avoid. She said that I could go no contact still and it would be okay."
"That is about how Pamela is." John said. He stretched. "I'm going to get some shut eye."
Dean spoke to Sam once they were alone. "You are really going to adopt Jacob?"
Sam sighed. "Yes. I know in my heart I'm supposed to."
"You've seen what adoption gets you." Dean said. "Andy, Kate, Taylor…." He trailed off.
Sam laughed. "We have time to teach Jacob not to be like them. I had better go back upstairs. Jess is 100 percent on board with taking him but kind of emotional too."
Dean shut the rest of the lights off as he was the last one downstairs. He wasn't sure if the day was necessarily a good day but it was better than others. Tony not coming back was not a good thing but at least Jacob would have a family that loved him. Kim knowing wasn't planned but at least she wasn't freaking out. They found out what happened to Henry. The storm was still mysterious but he wasn't overwhelmed with worry. He knew things were about to take a turn for the worst but for the night, things were okay.
(The next morning)
Sam explained the news about Tony to everyone at breakfast. Everyone had mixed feelings. They were sad that Tony couldn't pull it together. Their hearts hurt for Jacob. On the other hand, it was like a weight had been lifted. They were no longer waiting around between phone calls to know what they were allowed to do for Jacob.
The papers were already in order so they didn't have to worry about how they would get Tony's signature. What had been so carefully planned had become a reality.
"You can't both be on the papers if you aren't married." Taylor said.
"Unmarried couples have babies all the time." Jess said.
"Do they adopt babies?" Taylor asked.
Sam and Jess traded looks.
"He is safe and sound right now." Marie said. "No one can take him."
"The pediatrician I work for does a lot with low income and undocumented kids. I know you have legal papers but he'd be happy to see him and not ask a ton of questions about his birth parents." Kim said.
"You work for a pediatrician?" Dean asked.
"Yes." Kim said.
"You didn't tell me that." Dean said.
"You didn't tell me what you did for work either." Kim said.
Dean snorted. "Fair. Has he had the normal baby stuff?"
"No." Jess said. "He has seen a doctor because he got sick but Tony never got him any of his shots or anything."
"You don't have to worry about anything else right now." Marie said. "Those papers say you have custody of him. It doesn't matter right now if you are married or not."
The rest of that morning was spent working through plans and logistics so that Jacob would have the best that he could possibly have from then on.
Sam and Jess decided that Jacob's name would stay the same except for the last name. He would be Jacob Bradley Winchester once papers were signed. They'd give Tony a week to contact them just in case he changed his mind but he didn't. He managed to take out the wolf and the wolves that he had turned. There were 6 in total. When Jacob was older, they'd tell him his biological father died on a hunt. It was true. They'd leave out the part where he chose that path because he was too distraught to keep living. He'd be remembered as a hero as far as Jacob was concerned.
Jess eventually had to excuse herself to put Jacob down for a nap. She changed him and sat down on the bed to hold him for a moment before she put him down in the crib. Marie had gotten him to the point where he didn't need to be rocked to sleep. He wouldn't cry if he was put in his crib.
When Jess didn't immediately come back down Sam went to check on her. He found her sitting on the bed quietly crying. "Babe, whoa, what's wrong?"
Jess pulled Jacob up to her chest and kissed his head. "I just love him so much."
Sam sat beside her. "I know."
"Sam, look at his little eyelashes. Look at his fingers. He's so perfect." Jess said.
Sam gently rubbed her back.
"I was so afraid to lose him." Jess said.
"I was too." Sam said.
"You kept calling him." Jess said.
Sam sighed. "I did. I wanted to know one way or the other. I hate being left in limbo. Part of me was angry because of how angry I got when I was a kid when my dad would leave us in the dark."
"Tony not coming back is terrible." Jess said.
"My dad said that he basically died when his wife died. That is how I am choosing to look at it. I didn't wish ill on him but there is a little bit of relief just because we know now." Sam said.
Jess couldn't bring herself to put him down.
"I'll bring you your phone. You can stay up here or go back downstairs. He will sleep with you holding him. Talking doesn't wake him up." Sam said.
Jess nodded. "I'll be down in a minute."
"What's wrong?" Dean asked as Sam got back down the stairs.
"Nothing. She just wanted to hold him a little longer." Sam said.
Dean smirked but didn't say anything. He had a handprint on his arm from jokingly asking Jess if she was sure that she wanted to keep the baby. At least it wasn't a book she tried to hit him with that time.
(The Roadhouse)
Hunters had been in and out of the Roadhouse all day. What ghosts the reapers hadn't picked up got dispatched by groups of hunters. There were less reports coming in and things looked like they were returning to normal.
Ellen reminded everyone to be on high alert but encouraged people to go back home. She had been awake all night and was feeling the effects of sleeplessness.
Jo told Ellen that she could handle the bar and to go rest.
Ellen wasn't keen on that idea considering Jo was so young.
"I'll have help." Jo said.
Ellen allowed her to take over with the assistance of two nymphs. She would typically stand by her refusal but she was falling asleep standing up.
Jo wasn't afraid of being alone in the bar. No one was going to mess with her out of fear of her mother but also respect. When hunters got creepy they got thrown out. The hunter that Taylor knocked out hadn't been back since that incident. That was fine with Jo.
West, the hunter that was the first to get a demon stamp, walked into the Roadhouse. He ordered a whiskey and sat back. He eventually asked Jo where Ellen was.
"Resting." Jo said.
"Oh, good." West said.
Jo raised an eyebrow.
"I told her last night she probably should." West said. "She was set on staying up."
"Nobody tells her what she should and shouldn't do." Jo said.
West cracked a smile. "No. You're right."
"Did you need to talk to her?" Jo asked.
"No." West said. "Just stopped by to see how things were going."
Jo studied the man. She knew him fairly well. "You wouldn't be trying to charm her, would you?"
West took a sip of his whiskey. "I like to stay in her good graces."
"There is a whole bunch of trash built up out back that needs to be moved… you know… if you want to stay in good graces." Jo said.
West finished his drink and asked where he should take things. He thought Ellen was beautiful and liked her spunk. He wouldn't mind getting closer to her but mainly just helped out so that she had help. He knew Bill and had even hunted with him once or twice. When a hunter died, their family was absorbed into other families. They took care of their own. West just happened to be the one that decided to keep an eye on things sometimes.
Jo looked toward the door and smiled.
Noah approached the bar. "Just wanted to see how things were going over here."
Jo leaned over the bar to kiss him. "Things are better. Looks like the storm is passing."
"We just about depleted our stash of weapons." Noah said.
"I guess that means you have to make more." Jo said.
"Yep. I'm out getting materials. Do you want anything from town?" Noah asked.
Jo couldn't think of anything. "If you find something sweet I wouldn't turn it down."
Noah gave her a wink. "I'll see what I can do."
West loaded all of the trash into the bed of his truck and broke down some boxes to take to the dump. He left a little while after Noah did and stopped to get a few things as well. He spent a little over an hour in town before turning back to the Roadhouse. He saw Noah's truck beside the road a few miles out of town. The hazard lights were blinking so he pulled in behind the truck to see what was wrong. He walked around the side of the truck and reached for his gun. The driver's side door was open and Noah was not in or around the truck. He scanned the area in search of Noah but saw nothing. The keys were in the ignition and a cheesecake was sitting on the passenger's seat. There was no sign of a struggle and only a few bootprints. It was like Noah stepped out of the truck and away from the open door before vanishing. He slowly reached into the truck and turned it off so he could hear better. He kept his gun raised and ready to fire but reached for his phone. He dialed the Roadhouse's number hoping that Ellen was already awake.
"Roadhouse, Jo speaking." Jo said.
"Hey, uh, Jo. Who is at the Roadhouse right now?" West asked.
Jo gave him a list of names.
"Have a few of them meet me out on Fairfield drive near the quarry." West said. "See if you can get Noah on the phone."
Jo stayed on the Roadhouse phone and called Noah with her cell phone. She heard his ringtone sound over the Roadhouse phone. "What is going on?"
"Noah's truck is sitting here beside the road. I don't see him though." West said.
Jo's heart stopped for a moment.
"I turned it off and I'm looking around. There isn't anything amiss except for him." West said.
Jo got shaky. She blurted out a string of orders sounding every bit like her mother. She grabbed her keys and ran toward the door, only to stop suddenly. She thought that she knew him better than the other hunters and could find him. No. She couldn't go. She quickly dialed his dad's number and told him that Noah was missing. She sat back in a chair and tried to catch her breath.
Ellen was sleeping on her couch when Jo ran into the apartment. She jumped up and had Jo in her arms before she was sure what was going on.
Within fifteen minutes hunters were canvassing the area that Noah's truck was found in. There were no tracks. There was no EMF. There was a small stand of trees but most of the area was farmland. They'd be able to tell if something grabbed him and pulled him away.
(Marie's house)
John was surprised to get a call from Jo and even more surprised she was asking him for help. It sounded like the area was crawling with hunters but Jo asked him specifically.
Dean wanted to help John but got told to stay back.
Taylor wanted to help too. He pushed back against John's order and told him that Jo was his sister and he wanted to be there for her.
John relented and showed up at the Roadhouse with Taylor.
Kim got Dean's attention a while later. "They didn't drive there…. Did they?"
Dean went blank.
"Can someone teleport?" Kim asked.
Dean was still blank.
"Please tell me someone can teleport." She touched Dean's arm.
Dean finally met eyes with her. "It is complicated."
"Oh my god, your family is awesome." She put a hand to her mouth. "I was a geek as a kid. I loved sci-fi stuff." She paced for a moment as she prattled on about science fiction and superheroes.
"Ah, that makes sense." Dean said with a smirk.
Kim stopped mid stride. "What?"
"You watched superhero movies and have practiced your reaction so that whenever you met a superhero you'd act natural." Dean said.
Kim laughed. "Didn't we all do that?"
Dean shrugged.
"If I am being trusted with the information that Peter Parker has Spiderman powers, I shouldn't take that lightly." Kim said.
"No one is Spiderman here." Dean said.
"Oh no, you aren't a DC guy are you?" Kim asked.
Sam overheard the conversation and groaned loudly.
"Shut up." Dean said.
"Don't ask him about it." Sam said.
Dean liked reading comics when he was younger. It was one of the few seemingly childish things he allowed himself to do while John was on hunts. Somewhere along the way he decided he liked DC more than Marvel and gravitated toward Batman and Superman.
Sam and Dean had many debates about which character was stronger or would win in a fight. They'd theoretically pit them against each other in different scenarios. He often lost the debate as he was younger and Dean was adamant.
"We can agree to disagree." Kim teased.
Dean felt like he was in a strange dream. Could Kim be that simple? Lacy never cared about stereotypical guy things but Kim did. She got his movie references and could carry on a conversation about things he enjoyed. She seemed genuinely interested in the car and made sure her shoes were clear of snow or mud before getting in. He thought back over the time they had known each other. On top of all of the other things, she was happy to remain friends with benefits. She didn't expect dates or for him to call or text constantly. He didn't need to worry about being romantic. She knew about the supernatural and was curious to learn more without demanding that Dean tell her all of their secrets.
Sam liked Kim and how happy Dean was with her. If he had been able to make someone specifically for Dean, she would have been something like Kim. That did make him wonder if someone hand picked her the way that they hand picked Mary for John.
(The Roadhouse)
Taylor hugged Jo and told her that they would find Noah. He didn't pick up anything demon related when they got there.
John went to the site of Noah's disappearance. He was annoyed that so many hunters had been there, erasing tracks that he may have left. It was truly like he stepped out of his truck and vanished into thin air. He knew Noah was a smart guy and had been trained how to hunt and more specifically, how to react if he was being hunted. What would make an 18 year old kid leave their truck without their phone? Was something in the road? He didn't know Noah all that well but he would have been taught to call for backup, especially with the ghost issues. He didn't send a message to his dad or Jo. The shoe prints next to his truck were not disturbed as though he realized something was wrong and tried to quickly move. There were no dents or scratches on the truck and no unexplained prints within a few feet of the truck.
He heard a man's voice calling Noah's name in the distance. It was his father who had been searching for him since the moment he got the call that he was missing. It was getting dark and it was probably best to get somewhere safe for the night. If one of his kids was missing, he would not be going back inside for the night. He'd ignore the warnings and keep looking. If they were going to find any leads, they'd have to go beyond a normal hunter's abilities. It could all be a trap though. If he called Kate or Taylor out to the scene, would he be doing exactly what the culprit wanted him to do? Was Noah targeted because he was dating Jo? He needed to talk to someone.
Ellen was wide awake and worried about Jo. She appreciated Taylor and John's help. She allowed John to walk through the back door of the roadhouse and up to her apartment where he could talk without other hunters seeing him.
Tessa was already waiting.
John allowed Taylor and Jo to be there for the conversation. "Have you reaped Noah?"
"No." Tessa said.
"Has anyone else?" John asked.
Tessa was quiet as she sent a signal to other reapers asking if they had reaped Noah. "No."
"So he is alive." Jo said, hopefully.
John bounced his leg as he thought. "I have a feeling that Kate is the only one that can find him."
"Then tell her to get here." Jo said.
John sighed. "With all of the traps and tactics, I think that whatever took him knows that she is the only one that can find him."
"I could help." Taylor said.
"I think they know that we'd go to you second." John said.
"So I will help but from here." Taylor said.
John pressed on his temples with his fingers. Where would someone be that only Kate could find? What could force their hand in such a way that they couldn't rely on angels to help? "Could he be trapped in the veil?"
Tessa shook her head. "I have access to the veil."
"Is it possible you just didn't see him?" John asked.
Tessa checked again and didn't find him.
John had a thought forming from somewhere deep in his head. He called Dean to have more brains working on the same problem.
Kate started walking through how she would solve the mystery. She told them everything she was thinking.
(Noah)
Noah was driving back to the roadhouse when a figure appeared in the middle of the road. He was cautious because of the ghosts but he knew the figure. It was his dad's friend that had gone missing. They had thought he could be dead, possibly due to a freak. If he was a ghost, then they were likely right. He pulled to the side of the road and got a good look at the figure. He slowly got out of his truck and took a step to the side.
"Help." The hunter said.
"Ah, man." Noah said. "I can't do that. You have to cross over or you will get stuck here." He had barely gotten the sentence out of his mouth when a bright light blinded him. He found himself somewhere far away from his truck and whirled around. Where was he? What was the light? Did he die? Was this heaven?
There was nothing as far as he could see. He couldn't tell what was the floor and what was a wall. As his sight started to come back, he could see fog around him. He looked at his hand and could barely see it because of how thick the fog was. He heard a terrifying scream and hit the floor. He scrambled back and felt for his phone. He must have left it on his seat.
The hunter that Noah saw appeared from the fog. "Noah? Kid? Oh, thank god you are alright."
Noah stared at him. "Am I dead?"
The man tried to touch Noah but his hand phased through him. "No. I am, though."
"How?" Noah asked.
The man looked down at his body that looked unharmed because he was in ghost form. "Strange creatures."
"Freaks?" Noah asked. He got a good bit of information from the other hunter. Apparently, he had been attacked but not killed right away. He became infected and had turned rather quickly. Unlike with the vampires, he turned within a matter of a few hours. He got less and less human and became delirious. He vaguely remembered opening his eyes and seeing the outside world but having no control of his body. He wasn't sure how much time went by before the being in control of his body attacked someone else. It was horrific and violent. His soul escaped his body and left him in the expanse that Noah had found him in. He explored the expanse and ran into other souls that were lost.
A few of the other souls were hunters but most weren't. The hunters talked and found out they had all been attacked and turned. Buddies that were on the hunt with them had been killed and weren't in the expanse. They interviewed other souls. As far as they knew, everyone in the expanse had been attacked by some version of a freak. They had all fallen incredibly ill and eventually found themselves in the fog. Some remembered a few things after they turned, like attacking their husband or wife. Those that had memories discussed the rage they felt before their soul detached from their body.
All of them were human before they were attacked as well. They gathered and discussed their situation for hours. It seemed that they were trapped there because they were attacked. Their soul escaped their body when the body was still technically alive.
One soul had been a devout catholic and spoke about purgatory. She believed that purgatory was a place between heaven and hell where souls went when they were not dark enough for hell but not quite ready for heaven. They'd sit there until they were deemed holy enough for the final trip.
They were indeed in purgatory but it wasn't quite a place to go until someone was holy enough to go to heaven. It was where creatures went. Vampires, werewolves, ghouls. When a creature died, it went to purgatory. Vampires didn't go to heaven or hell. Most of purgatory was an endless forest where creatures fought each other for all of eternity. The souls were in a different part of purgatory because they were not quite creatures but couldn't be considered fully human.
Alastair was responsible for releasing the spirits during an attempt at getting into purgatory. He wanted something powerful and ancient that would give him the upper hand. It was only found in purgatory. He did target Noah so that the Winchesters would stop at nothing to find him. He hoped that they'd get sloppy and he'd be able to snag the girl. He underestimated both John and Noah. The only way out of purgatory was if the soul was still in their human body. Noah's entrance was hard to pull off and Alastair was counting on Kate to step in because she had the ability to enter and exit purgatory. She just didn't know it at the time. She and Taylor weren't creatures but they weren't quite humans either. Kate had demon blood that Taylor didn't and it was possible that a demon could tap into that and gain control over her if they played their cards right.
The cards were not in Alastair's favor as Noah met other hunters in purgatory. They told him about a place that shimmered and was a possible way out. They just couldn't follow him due to not having a body. He would find his way out without Kate's help.
(The Roadhouse)
Ellen got the call that Noah had been found and that he and his dad were headed to the Roadhouse.
Jo dove into his arms and hugged him, bursting into tears.
Noah was groggy but shared what happened in purgatory. He told them he saw a bright light. He also told them about the door out of purgatory and stepping out of a bright light into the roadway where his dad almost hit him with his car. He had been gone for hours and his dad was suspicious at first. He put him through every test to make sure he was still Noah.
John's head was reeling. He was right about it likely being a trap. He had a feeling Kate was supposed to help but luckily, Noah was smart. He wrote down everything about the freaks from how they turned to how their souls left.
Noah told his dad that his friend was there. "They aren't in any pain or anything. They are just waiting."
His dad hated that his friend was gone but grateful that he had been there for Noah.
Dean was given the freak information and spoke to Caleb. When they were attacked, there had been ghosts. Did the ghosts mean to trap them in the basement or were they just confused and trying to ask for help? If human souls got caught in purgatory what happened to the souls of the vampires that turned? Were the human variants more or less violent than the others?
John and Taylor got back to Marie's house rather late. They stayed to talk to Noah and make sure Jo and Ellen were okay.
Kate hugged both of them but lingered with her hug to John. "How did it feel?"
"What?" John asked.
"Thinking that far ahead. Thinking about why it could be a trap for me." Kate said.
"I have been doing this for longer than you've been alive." John said.
"Are you saying you didn't have a persistent thought that felt like it was right out of your line of sight?" Kate asked.
John held her at arm's length. "Did you push ideas into my head?"
"No." Kate said. Her eyes drifted. "Not this time."
John sat down in a chair. "Report."
Kate gave him a sheepish grin. "We are trying to make you think you are psychic."
John narrowed his eyes.
"Just with little things like Dean wanting us out of the house." Kate admitted.
"You know better. You could have caused a lot of issues with us finding Noah. You had no reason to do that since I was a phone call away." John scolded.
"I didn't." Kate said. "I haven't done anything since right after Kim got here."
John thought about the day and how insistent certain thoughts were. "Go to bed."
Kate gasped. "You had visions."
"One." John said.
Kate whined. "No, don't count. We can talk about this." She took off running when he got to two.
Dean snorted. "I told her that you were going to kill them."
John shook his head. "I'm too tired tonight."
"If she didn't push ideas into your head, where did they come from?" Dean asked.
John glared at him. "I've been doing this for a very long time."
Dean shrugged. "It would make sense if you were a tiny bit psychic."
"Dean." John said.
Dean stopped teasing John. He did wonder if the kids had a point though. If he was boosted, would it go away when the ghosts went away? Were the ghosts still out? As far as he knew, there were no more blackouts in or around Sioux Falls. He figured if John was psychic he wouldn't tell him either way.
(A few days later)
Everyone made it back to Sioux Falls and the ghosts cleared.
Smith's funeral was packed with high school kids to the point that people had to stand outside during the service. The family had his uncle's funeral at the same time to honor them both. It was heart wrenching but seeing how many people showed up eased the smallest bit of pain for the family.
After the funeral, Taylor went to visit the player that was still in the hospital. Taylor sat beside his bed and looked at all the wires and tubes connected to his body. His face was swollen and unrecognizable. His throat was dry so it took him a minute to be able to speak. He talked to him as though he was awake, letting him know that the whole school was thinking about him. He touched his arm and tried to push into his head. He couldn't get a good read on him. Everything was fuzzy and dark. He wasn't brain dead so he had activity but it was muddled. Taylor thought that Kate could read him more easily but was told not to use her abilities.
Kate wanted to go to the hospital as well but from the outside, she had no reason to. She was just Taylor's sister. She didn't know the player very well. She would be tempted to heal him and John didn't want her to do anything else until things calmed down. He didn't know if it would trigger another cascade.
John also didn't want her to be tempted to take suffering and pain away from people and boost herself, on purpose, or by accident.
Taylor was alone in the room as the other boy's mother needed a cup of coffee. He thought about where his friend could be. Was he having an out of body experience? Was he trapped? "Uh, if anyone visits you that you don't know, ask them who they are. Then, tell them to talk to Tessa. She can get in touch with me. I don't know if you can hear me or how aware you are but you have a line of girls wanting to visit you. I guess being in a car wreck makes you popular. As soon as you wake up, you can pretty much take your pick." He heard someone opening the door so he stopped talking. He gave his mom a smile and thanked her for letting him visit.
(Elsewhere)
Alastair and Abaddon began working together out of necessity and against a common enemy. Alastair was strong but not leader material. He enjoyed remaining semi-invisible and acting as an assassin. He sought the thrill over the prestige.
Abaddon was the opposite. She craved power but preferred to let her minions get their hands dirty. She and Alastair made a good pair. Since the grace explosion they had a few decades to form a better plan. Of course, a lot had happened in those decades that foiled each new plan. It was infuriating.
Humans were like apes to demons. They were pawns. Some humans grew wise and were terrible pawns. They had a mind of their own. Hunters posed problems for demons but in general, they were relatively easy to get rid of. If nothing else, they were a fun challenge. The Winchesters and a few other families were a little more than a challenge.
Taking down the factions of demons was growing increasingly complicated because there was more than one faction. They could meet them head on if it was only one. Crowley and Abaddon were at war and both had to take into consideration that they were fighting each other as well as the humans. Humans could be used for or against either side. It was a game of chess with catastrophic effects.
Abaddon wanted Lucifer out of the cage. He would be her source of power. She would be granted what she wished if she released him. She wasn't stupid, though. She'd have to get rid of him as well. One thing at a time.
Alastair was responsible for letting the ghosts out and disrupting the veil. His fool proof plan didn't pan out and it made him furious.
It also made Abaddon furious with the majority of her anger aimed at him. She was running out of options that didn't involve a direct attack. If she needed to wipe out an entire city to reach one person, so be it.
