Author's note: I am on the fence about adding notes before the story because, honestly, a lot of times I don't have great things to say. I appreciate the concern and interest in my health and I wish I could say I'm getting better and have more energy. I'm not. It has been a downhill slide and I'm worn out. My leg is healing but everything else is kind of unraveling. I'm worried about returning to my classes because the professors are, as Dean would say, douchebags. On a better note, this chapter is getting published much sooner than the previous two or three.

(The story)

(Friday, March 19, 2004)

John exhausted his research and returned to Sioux Falls to work on the demon plan with the rest of the family. He had a long talk with Misourii and felt somewhat level headed. He didn't want Kate or Taylor anywhere near the sketchy stuff. His hand was being forced, though. He listened to Kate's explanation over the phone and told her he would call back after he thought about it. He did not want to summon demons in the hopes one of them was nice enough to help them. He didn't completely veto the idea but made it clear that he wasn't saying yes either.

Kate, with permission, got books from the bunker to chase down an idea. It was a harmless idea so she had a lot of wiggle room. They needed to be protected. It didn't matter how hard they hit Abbadon head on, everyone around them would be in extreme danger.

Kim was given pendants to wear that would give her the first line of defense against an average demon. She had access to the nymphs and her apartment was warded. She also snuck a few symbols into each room of the office she worked at. It wasn't enough to stop a demon but they'd probably react negatively to the symbols and give her a chance to get out of the building.

The pendants were like a seatbelt in a car. Seatbelts saved lives but were not foolproof. A high speed crash or being hit from the side were enough to render the strap of fabric useless.

Kate wanted to strengthen the pendants or add to them in a way that would add a layer of protection on top of what was already there. They needed a warning system. She also wanted to know more about the anti-hellhound powder that Meg gave to Hannah. She left that research to Bobby to protect her own hide as well as Hannah's.

(Bobby's house)

"There is a hunters' shop outside of town. We could stop by and see if you can find something useful." John said.

Kate spun around. "That would be helpful."

"Finish your chores and you can go run errands with me." John said.

Kate quickly finished her daily chores and hip checked Dean on her way out.

Dean tried to ruffle her hair. "Don't make him grumpy."

Kate bounced on her toes. "I would never do such a thing."

(Kim/Dean)

Kim was doing great until that morning. She felt like she had fallen into a pit of tar and everything hurt. She went to work and made it through the first few hours before her boss insisted she go to her own doctor and then go home. If she called off sick too many times, they just gathered work for her to do at home. She loved her job but was relatively certain any other job would have fired her. She only agreed to leave as long as she could schedule appointments from home. She had a work phone that would allow her to do that.

She did go to her own doctor and trudged through the appointment. They weren't happy with the increase in symptoms and really wanted her to go to the emergency room for observation. She really did not want to go. She just wanted to go home and lay in bed for a while.

Dean sent Kim a message and called when she said it was a good time. He knew right away something was off just by hearing the tone of her voice. "Are you sick?"

Kim sighed. "Yes but it is no big deal. I brought some work stuff home and I'm going to work on it."

"You sound very sick." Dean said. "Do you want me to bring you food or anything?"

"I'm okay. You have stuff to do." Kim said.

"Kate is with my dad. I do not have anything to do right now." Dean said.

Dean had free time. Nobody needed him. "You would tell me if you aren't okay, right?"

Kim was silent a bit too long. "Yes." Dean pried information out of her and she eventually admitted that they wanted her at the hospital for observation. "They will keep me for hours and then release me. This isn't the first time I've done this."

Dean could understand not wanting to sit in the ER. "Would you want to come here? You could hang out and still work here. Then if you do get worse, you have help."

Kim agreed just to make him feel better. "You do mother people."

"I do not. I'll be there in a bit unless you want me to nymph over." Dean said.

"I'm good with driving." Kim said. "I'll get a bag together."

Dean took orders from Taylor, Bobby and Karen. He'd pick up food on his way back to save Karen from having to cook. He drove over to Kim's apartment and knocked on the door. He waited what felt like forever for her to open the door. "Are you sure you are okay?"

Kim handed him a bag. "Stop worrying."

Dean steadied her as she wobbled while locking the door. He had her hold onto his arm while walking down the outside steps. "Do you feel like eating?"

"Maybe." Kim said. She was ready to fall over after walking the short distance to Dean's car. She slid into the seat and relaxed her body.

Dean walked around and got behind the wheel. "Would you drink nymph tea?"

Kim grumbled but said yes. "You don't need to fix me." She picked her head up to look at him. "Does not knowing what is going to happen make you anxious? Does mothering people help you?"

Dean cranked the car. "No."

Kim smirked. "Lies."

Dean shrugged. Maybe she was right. Maybe fixing the fixable things did help him be less anxious.

"I don't want Kate to touch me." Kim said.

Dean stopped before leaving Kim's driveway. "What do you mean?"

"She heals people." Kim said. "If I break a finger maybe it is okay but when things get bad, I do not want her to heal me."

Dean wasn't sure how to process what she said. Kate couldn't heal everyone. He just didn't expect Kim to bring it up. "Okay."

"I hear it now." Kim said.

"What?" Dean asked.

"How just saying okay is a little annoying." Kim said.

Dean cracked a smile. "Yeah, you don't know how to respond now."

Kim's pain was manageable by the time that they got to Bobby's house. She placed a foot on the ground to exit the car and immediately felt woozy.

"Stay." Dean said. He lifted boxes of food from the seat. "Let me take this and I'll come back. I won't force you to hold onto me but you don't look too steady."

Kim nodded and rested her head against the seat. She hated that she needed help. She hated feeling like a burden. She always felt like a burden. Somehow, the guilt wasn't as strong with Dean. She felt like less of a burden with him.

Dean returned and held a hand out for her to grab. He gave her a minute to right herself and looked into her eyes. "If you pass out you are going to the ER."

"Oh I pass out all the time." Kim said.

Dean snorted. "If you pass out for longer than a minute you are going."

Kim held onto his arm. "That sounds reasonable."

Dean got Kim comfortable on the couch and brought her the food she ordered. He and Taylor also sat with her so she didn't feel out of place.

"So, when are you moving in?" Taylor asked. He leaned to the side to dodge a pillow that Dean hurled at him.

"I have a perfectly fine apartment." Kim said, lightly.

"You know what? We should have a compound." Taylor said.

"We aren't hippies." Dean said.

"Hey, Lee, James and Desiree moved onto my grandparents' land. I just think if people keep showing up, we should consider not having them move into Bobby's house. We are crowded." Taylor said.

"Don't worry, Taylor. I have no intention of moving in." Kim said.

"Neither did I but here I am." Taylor said.

"If something happens we will kick you to the curb so there is space for her." Dean said. "Stop being a smartass."

Taylor smirked but didn't take another shot at Dean. He was glad that Kim knew he was joking. He didn't think he could be around anyone that took him seriously.

(April's house)

April invited TJ and his mom to their house so the boys could play.

TJ's mom was exhausted. TJ hadn't slept but a few minutes each day. "He woke up from a nightmare a few days ago and just won't sleep."

April sat down at the table across from her. "Is he afraid to sleep?"

"I don't know. Anything could disrupt his sleep. A while back it was due to the smell of his favorite blanket. We were visiting my parents and it was washed there. I packed it away in the bag and then he used it when we got home. I had to rewash it twice." Alyssa, TJ's mom said.

"That has to be frustrating for everyone." April said. She got up to make Alyssa a cup of coffee. "How do you function when he doesn't sleep?"

Alyssa sighed. "My husband and I switch off so we each get a little sleep. Sometimes TJ will quietly watch a show and I can doze off."

"Well if you need a nap, he can hang out here. It looks like he and Andy are content in the backyard." April said.

Alyssa gave her a small smile. "You have three kids to look after."

"I think I can handle a fourth for a few hours." April coaxed.

Alyssa had never left TJ with anyone aside from her parents. She was really tired though.

"Go." April said. "If I need extra hands I have those available. Andy can communicate with TJ so I think we should be okay."

Alyssa gave in and said that she just needed an hour or two of rest.

"Take as long as you need. We aren't doing anything today." April said.

TJ looked alarmed that his mom was leaving but quickly went back to the game that he and Andy were playing. He waved goodbye because Andy suggested that he did and turned away to continue his task.

April asked what they were doing.

"We are building a village for ants." Andy said.

"There are ants out here?" April asked.

Andy held his hand up so she didn't come any closer. "They are okay. They don't bite."

April decided to let them continue their construction project. They were happy and neither of them had visible bites.

TJ used a straw to make a tunnel and covered it with dirt. He found bits of sticks and rocks to make a house and made a small flag.

Andy carved out roads and placed a few hot wheels cars along the roadway in case the ants wanted to drive.

TJ froze and got wide eyed suddenly.

Andy looked up and frowned. "The sound?"

TJ nodded.

"Do sounds scare you?" Andy asked.

TJ nodded again.

"They scare me too sometimes." Andy said. "Especially very loud ones."

TJ didn't know the signs for what he wanted to say so he tried to paint a picture with his hands.

Andy watched him. "Your house makes sounds?"

TJ excitedly nodded.

"Does it creak?" Andy asked.

TJ shook his head.

Andy worried about monsters being at TJ's house. He asked him all kinds of questions and decided it probably wasn't monsters but a natural house sound that TJ couldn't explain.

TJ walked over and pointed to the gate like he wanted to walk to his house to show Andy the sounds.

Andy quickly got up and stood in front of the gate. "We are not leaving the yard."

TJ looked confused.

"It is not safe out there because of the road and my mom and dad get mad if I go out without an adult." Andy said.

TJ was very black and white. He knew Andy jumped over the fence only a few days prior and he didn't see anyone get mad. He signed to ask Andy about jumping.

Andy nodded. "My dad got BIG mad about that. It is okay now. We just can't open the gate or climb over the fence."

TJ really wanted Andy to go to his house.

Andy sighed. "I can tell my mom. Then, maybe when your mom is done napping, we can go to your house."

TJ was okay with that. He walked back over to the ant village and sat down.

Andy knew that TJ was scared of a lot of stuff. He was too but he knew his dad would always keep him safe. TJ liked his dad but maybe his dad wasn't super strong like Caleb was.

TJ was getting agitated. He was on edge and quickly losing his cool.

Andy asked him what was wrong but couldn't get a clear answer. He wondered just how scared of noises TJ was. "Do you believe in angels?"

TJ ignored him.

"They are real." Andy said. He just wanted TJ to feel safe.

TJ finally looked at him.

"They are really nice and keep you safe." Andy said. He had only planned to make a comment to ease TJ's fears but TJ wanted more information. He didn't know if real angels were nice or not. He didn't know how to contact one either. He had a flutter of anxiety because maybe he shouldn't have said anything. Lots of people believed in angels though. He ran inside and up to his room. He looked around and couldn't find anything that would work. He remembered Caleb had something that would work and walked to his parents' bedroom. He stared at the closed door. He could go in. They didn't have a rule that he couldn't. He tiptoed inside and looked around. He checked the closet and let out a huge sigh of relief. The spool of leather was sitting on a shelf and not in Caleb's duffle. It was thin and soft and most recently used to make a braided cord that acted as a strap for a sheath. It was also what his current anklet was made out of. He just needed to cut off a small piece. He knew where his pocket knife was but didn't dare grab it. He carried the spool downstairs and asked April to cut off some.

"Did you go into our closet?" April asked.

Andy blushed. "Yes, ma'am."

"Why?" April asked.

"I want TJ to have one like mine." He said, lifting his foot to point out the strap around his ankle. "But for friendship."

"You could have asked." April said.

Andy licked his lips. "I know. I had the idea and was gonna get it myself but then I thought about how mad you guys would be if I got my pocket knife to cut it."

"I'm glad you thought about that." April said. She cut off a strip and told him to let her know if it needed to be cut again once it was on his ankle. "I'll put this back when I go upstairs."

Andy thanked April and ran back outside. He showed TJ his anklet and sat down to pick at it. He could feel a thin lump just beneath the surface of the leather. He carefully picked and prodded at the lump until a sliver came out. He could hook TJ up with a nymph bracelet just in case he was ever in danger. Andy didn't need his because the nymphs knew him. He just needed to poke the new leather strap with the sliver so that it would stay put. He really struggled and poked his fingers a few times before he felt like the sliver was embedded in the leather and not likely to go anywhere. He told TJ to give him his ankle. "You can't ever take it off or it won't work."

TJ was unsure about having something on his foot. He pulled his foot back twice and shook his head.

"Dude." Andy said. "If you have this and are in danger, a nice lady angel will show up and save you. If you hate it a lot I can try to fix it."

TJ kept his foot still that time and allowed Andy to tie the strip of leather around his ankle. He fidgeted and shook his foot after it was secure.

Andy showed him how to pull his sock up so that the sock was between his skin and the leather. "When you go to sleep you can put your pajama leg through it."

TJ turned his focus back to the ant village. He trusted Andy so he felt a little better. Most of the time, noises and new things just spooked him but were okay. If something ever turned out to not be okay, he'd have someone to help him if he couldn't reach his mom or dad.

(Bobby's house)

Kim rested while she worked. She also sipped on the tea that the nymphs made. She felt better although she was still sore and achy.

Dean invited Kim to sit on the porch with him. It was a comfortable day and he figured she needed a bit of sun.

After eating, Taylor's mood went south. He kept to himself and worked in the shop for a few hours, muttering to himself.

Dean stopped Taylor. "What is this?" He asked, motioning to the set of Taylor's shoulder and jaw.

"Nothing." Taylor said.

Dean told Kim to give him a minute and stepped away with Taylor. "Come on, kid. You get all pissy like this and then do stupid crap. Talk to me so we don't have to go down that road."

Taylor very much wanted to throw something but Kim could see them from the porch and he too did not want to go down his normal path. "Step brother stuff."

"What step brother stuff?" Dean asked, expecting it to be news related to Kyle or something.

"Daniel." Taylor said.

Dean took a deep breath. "I'd like more than a one word answer."

"He's a step above David. He left his wife and kids." Taylor said.

Dean leaned against one of the cars and just gave Taylor a look.

"He has tried to make contact." Taylor said.

"What? When?" Dean asked.

"He dropped a letter off at the school I guess." Taylor said.

"You guess?" Dean asked.

"It is just a stupid letter." Taylor said.

Dean stepped toward the garage and picked up a metal bat. "Take out your frustration and talk."

Taylor groaned.

Dean stopped him before he swung. "Kim, he's going to beat up a few cars. Nothing to worry about."

Taylor smirked. "It's either I beat up the cars or he beats me."

Dean smacked his head. "Ignore him!"

Taylor knocked out the already cracked side window of a junk car. He rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck.

"Did you read the letter?" Dean asked.

"Yeah." Taylor said, taking a swing at the door.

"How many days ago?" Dean asked.

Taylor turned slightly. "This is starting to feel a tad judgmental."

"Would you like to have a conversation with dad about not mentioning that Daniel sent you a letter for what I'm assuming is more than a day?" Dean asked.

Taylor glanced at John's truck parked on the other side of the driveway. He was with Kate in town in another car, letting the battery on the truck recharge. "No."

"Tell me about the letter." Dean said.

Taylor hit the junk car again. "He is an ass. He basically said his ex wife was a bitch that stole the kids from him and he's in a hard spot. He knows David and I were supposed to get a payout from Craig and my mom. He couldn't get a hold of David so he is trying to reach me."

"How many days ago, Taylor?" Dean asked.

Taylor kicked the tire. "Uh, 4."

"What the hell, Taylor." Dean growled. "That has given him 4 days to do more than leave a letter at the school."

Taylor slowly looked at Dean. "Oh."

"Oh?" Dean said. "That is a pretty big problem."

"Well, he isn't like David." Taylor said.

"Do you know that for sure or are you basing it off how he acted when you were little?" Dean asked.

Taylor's eyes drifted.

"He is a grown man with a drug addiction." Dean added. "Where is the letter?"

Taylor rocked onto his toes and back to his heels. "I burned it." He took a few steps back. "Which in hindsight was not the responsible thing to do. I should have brought the envelope home and told you or dad. I mean… he isn't that much of a threat to me. Then, the nymphs would stop him if he came here."

"In the last two years have you or have you not gotten your ass handed to you because you approached things with that same mentality?" Dean asked.

"Those were creatures though." Taylor said. He met eyes with Dean. "I have no way of knowing if he is a creature or not. I do not think he is a demon but understand that he could be a shapeshifter or something."

"What else was in the letter?" Dean asked. "I mean all of it."

Taylor glanced toward the house.

Dean turned as well. "What are you looking at her for? Kim, would you mind going inside?"

"No! Stay out here." Taylor said.

Kim wasn't sure what to do.

"Stay." Taylor said. "I am telling him things and he's twitchy."

"Am I supposed to help you?" Kim asked.

"That would be nice." Taylor said.

"He doesn't need help." Dean said. He looked at Taylor. "Yet."

Kim leaned on the railing. "I think I should go inside. If things get rowdy I'll step in."

Taylor eyed Dean. "Alright."

Dean heard the door shut and crossed his arms over his chest. "Spit it out or I will call dad."

Taylor gave him the details of the letter. Most of it was Daniel whining and trying to convince him to feel bad for him.

"Why are you tense today?" Dean asked.

"I guess it annoyed me and made me think of David." Taylor admitted.

"David is long gone." Dean said.

"I know." Taylor said. He looked to the sky for answers. "Maybe I just feel like he is an issue too."

"Not one that you are going to fix." Dean said.

"No but if by chance he did try to get to me…" Taylor started.

"You'd kill him?" Dean asked.

"Well when you say it like that…. Jody could arrest him." Taylor said.

"And he will be out before dinner the next day." Dean said.

"I wasn't going to do anything." Taylor said.

"Taylor, were you planning on telling us at all?" Dean asked.

Taylor bit his lip.

"Go run. Don't stop until you have a moment of clarity." Dean said. He rubbed his face. "Dad and I will figure out the safety part of it."

Taylor swallowed. "He's in a good mood today, right?"

"He's out with Kate so I honestly don't know. Is she in a good mood?" Dean asked.

"I'll ask her." Taylor said.

"You had better do it while running." Dean said.

Taylor backed away and took off for the trail. He did need a good run.

Dean let Kim know she could come back outside.

"Is Taylor okay?" She asked.

"He is going to run." Dean said. "Told him not to stop until he could think straight."

"I've never heard you talk like that." Kim said.

"Like what?" Dean asked.

"Karen said it was your dad voice." Kim said.

Dean snorted. "It's not a damn dad voice. I'm 24."

"I like the dad voice. You are very convincing." Kim said, lightly.

"It goes in one ear and out the other most of the time." Dean said.

Kim hugged him and rested her face against his t-shirt, listening to his heart. "You are tense."

"I'm trying to keep Taylor from exploding." Dean said.

"He's not exploding right now so relax your muscles before you get more knots." Kim said.

(Kate and John)

Kate heard Taylor's voice in her head and smirked.

John asked why she made the face.

"Taylor." Kate said. "I'm not at liberty to discuss."

Kate stepped into a dressing room to try on a pair of pants. She chewed her cheek and stepped out when John told her to.

John studied her. "Those are too big."

"They are my normal size." Kate said.

"Let go of them." John said.

Kate blushed. "No thanks."

"Have you been eating?" John asked.

"Yes." Kate said.

"Are your other pants too big?" John asked.

"I mean… they get loose after a while." Kate said.

John wondered if the hoodies and flannels she wore were an attempt to cover up the lack of growth. "I am not home enough to watch you. If you are stressed and losing weight, we need to prevent you from losing anymore."

"Dean is always on me about it." Kate said.

"Apparently he needs to be. Get pants that fit." John said.

"I'll grow and then they won't fit." Kate countered.

"Kate." John said.

"I'm being practical." Kate said.

"If you are out with one of us and moving around, you do not want to be slowed down by clothes that are too big." John said.

Kate sighed. "Fine."

John raised an eyebrow.

Kate gave him a sheepish grin. "I mean what an excellent idea."

John would prefer Kate stay home but with everything weighing on them, it was impossible to keep her out of the way. Most hunters dressed the same because a good pair of jeans and a good pair of boots could make the difference in a creature landing a bite or missing and getting a boot to their face.

Kate wanted to get out of the clothing store so that they could search for charms. That was the whole reason John took her out. Charms and items that could be used to protect someone from certain creatures. Of course, nothing too witchy. Her run-ins with witchcraft were successful but frowned upon. She was under strict orders to stay away from it.

John grabbed new socks for himself and paid for the clothing items. He walked back out to his truck and waited for Kate to get in. "Do I need to give you rules?"

Kate sighed. They were going to a hunters' shop. "No witchcraft. No touching dangerous things and listen when you tell me to do something."

"I'd suggest no sass as well." John said.

Kate pulled a face.

John pulled out of the parking lot and headed out of Sioux Falls. "Where do you want to eat?"

Kate thought about it. "What about something we haven't tried yet?"

John had to think about things he hadn't tried.

Kate listed different types of foods to which John responded that he had tried it already. "Well maybe somewhere I haven't tried. Since when do you eat so many kinds of food?"

"Since I became an adult." John said.

"I've never seen you eat Thai food." Kate said.

"Diner food is cheaper." John said.

"I thought you kind of ate like Dean does." Kate said.

"You assumed that. I tried a lot of stuff while I was in the service. Then I tried a lot with Mary. Pamela and I do too." John said.

"You just go on food adventures and leave me to eat diner burgers?" Kate asked.

"You have plenty of time to try things." John said.

Kate hadn't noticed or hadn't paid attention to John's diet but he always ate everything at Bobby's or Marie's house. "I'm finding out things about you that I didn't previously know."

"That does happen." John said.

"You aren't the sharing type." Kate said.

"I usually have no reason to share. I do not make friends." John said.

"Were you and Bill like Dean and Caleb?" Kate asked.

John chuckled. "No. We both had kids. We met as adults."

"Did you ever have a friendship like them?" Kate asked.

John let himself think back over the years. He was inclined to say no but there was a period of time that he did have a Caleb type of friend. "I had a friend but he was only in town for two years. His dad was military and he was only there for a few years."

"Tell me stories." Kate said.

"You don't need to know any stories." John said.

"We are building our relationship and I think I can relate more to you if I knew you weren't always like how you are now." Kate said.

"We might have done a few stupid things. Nothing too outlandish." John said.

"Outlandish compared to the things we have done or compared to normal kids?" Kate pressed.

John rubbed his face. "Snuck out a few times. Might have gotten caught drawing something on the water tower."

Kate gasped. "You rule breaker." She begged him for details.

"The cops knew my mom and his dad. Didn't get arrested." John said.

"What happened?" Kate asked.

"We didn't make that mistake again." John said.

"Dad." Kate said. "This is a learning opportunity."

John stopped outside of the shop. He gave her the fluffy version of the story.

Kate's mouth fell open. "It was him!"

John snorted.

"It was his dad you copied. I knew you didn't get your parental beliefs from your mom." Kate said.

"She had high standards." John said.

"Okay maybe that is true. That experience wasn't bad enough? You had to impose it on your own kids?" Kate asked.

Truth be told, John did learn a lot from his friend's dad. The man was strict but loved his kids dearly. At that time, John had been without a father for years. He was giving his poor mother issues and he left that two year period with a lot more respect and direction in life. "No one had to repeat lessons with me."

Kate eyed him suspiciously. "Yeah, I don't believe that. I believe you were every bit as stubborn and mischievous as we all are."

"I think it gets a little worse with each generation." John countered her accusation.

"There has only been one generation since you were a kid." Kate said.

"You and Taylor count as a generation after Sam and Dean." John said, lightly.

"Taylor is barely younger than Sam. He is basically the same age gap as Sam is to Dean." Kate said. "Jacob may get a free pass due to DNA but I wish the best of luck to Sam and Dean when they have kids."

John opened his door and motioned for Kate to get out. "Hopefully they listen to your warnings better than you listen to Dean's."

(Bobby's house)

Taylor was drenched in sweat but felt better. He ran up to the house and let Dean know that he was back and less grumpy.

"What are we going to do about Daniel?" Dean asked.

"Keep an eye out for him and I will tell you if he tries to contact me again. I'm assuming one of you will also talk to the school since they should have been concerned by him leaving the message in the first place." Taylor said.

"Amazing how clearly you can think when your head is out of your ass." Dean said.

Taylor shook his wet hair out, letting some of the sweat hit Dean. "You know, I'd love to knock you off your feet right now."

Dean smirked. "Sounds like a challenge."

Kim stepped outside. "Everything good?"

"Yeah I just have to put him in his place." Dean said.

Taylor bounced on his toes. "He's about to get his feelings hurt."

"Sparring." Dean said, just in case Kim didn't catch that they were not angry at each other. He turned back to Taylor. "No abilities."

Taylor let electricity jump from hand to hand.

"If you shock me this is going to get a whole lot more embarrassing for you." Dean warned.

Taylor put a hand to his chest. "I promise I'm not going to shock you."

Kim knew about sparring and had been told many light hearted stories about it but she wasn't expecting how hard Taylor ran into Dean. Even more shocking was that Dean didn't move. He was quick and obviously very talented.

Taylor did have the slight advantage of being sweaty and therefore slippery. He tried to kick Dean's leg, knowing that Dean was going to use his leg to flip him. He twisted and landed on his other foot instead of his back.

"Hey, look who learned not to fall." Dean teased.

Kim watched somewhat nervously, sure that either of them was going to get seriously injured. She watched Dean's face, serious until Taylor landed a decent hit. At that point he'd grin and point out what Taylor did right.

Dean felt a sharp pop and jerked his hand back. "Did you just shock me?"

Taylor gasped. "It was static."

"Did you shock me?" Dean asked again.

Taylor backed away. "I didn't zap you. It was static, man."

"Did I specify what type of shock?" Dean asked.

Taylor dove over a car and ran up onto the porch, putting himself behind Kim. "I have no control over static."

"See, that felt pretty sharp. What if I don't believe that it was static?" Dean asked.

Kim laughed. "Oh, Dean. Give him a break."

Dean stepped onto the porch, reaching over Kim and lightly smacked Taylor's head. "Get a shower and then see what Bobby needs help with."

"Does Bobby need help?" Taylor asked.

"I don't know. I just figured some community service would benefit you." Dean said.

Taylor nudged Kim. "See, he got his feelings hurt." He lightly grabbed her arms and had her scoot over so that Dean couldn't reach him. He opened the front door and ducked inside, letting go of her arms.

Kim stumbled slightly. "You two are funny."

Dean sat down on the porch swing. He rolled up his pants leg. "He got me good with one of those kicks."

"I thought sparring was going to be more controlled." Kim said.

"Bruises heal. If something is after one of them, they are going to know how to fight back. You can't do that with rules." Dean explained. "It is a guy thing too. Good way to let off steam."

"I was a little worried." Kim admitted. She placed a palm on Dean's chest and cringed. "You need a shower."

"I can get one after he does." Dean said.

Kim batted her eyelashes. "Or you could shower at my place."

Dean stood up. "Don't have to convince me. He stepped inside to grab his keys. "I'll just throw a towel on the seat."

"A bit of sweat won't hurt." Kim said.

Dean gave her a look.

Kim's eyes twinkled. She got into the car and made sure she had no dirt on her feet. "No sweat, got it."

Dean smiled. "Not if I can help it."

Kim bit her lip. "Maybe it is the mud you are worried about." She said, referring to the mud that covered his hip and back.

Dean poked her side. "I congratulated him for that kick."

"After you caught your breath and got off the ground." Kim said.

Dean met eyes with her. "Since when are you fiery?"

Kim buckled her seatbelt. "Always have been. I've just realized you are really fun to ruffle."

Dean winked at her and cranked the car. "Payback sucks."

Kim shrugged. "I'm not scared. I know your weaknesses."

Dean laughed. "I'm okay with those weaknesses. He eyed her. "Do not bring Tessa into this."

Kim gave him a mischievous grin. "Wouldn't dream of it."

(John and Kate)

Kate felt a variety of things walking into the shop. She could feel the power coming off of several items and really wanted to pick them up. She wanted to know their history.

John kept an eye on her. While she said she would follow the rules, he did know how hard it was for her to keep her hands away from things that drew her in. He reminded himself of how he felt when he pricked himself with one of her feathers. He was trying to be better about taking those things into consideration when dealing with her.

Kate was on the hunt for charms. Not just any charms. Charms that called to her. You couldn't place power into random objects and expect it to work. The pendants that she and the other kids wore were special. They could disguise them as simple jewelry. Sure, an anti demon symbol could be carved into just about anything but some of the other pendants were more complicated. She found a box of trinkets and sat down on the floor to look through them.

"Would you like a few bowls so you can keep track of which ones you are interested in?" An elderly lady asked.

Kate looked up at her. "Oh, sorry, I'm totally blocking the way."

"You are fine. Your dad said that you were looking for something." The lady said. She walked away briefly and returned with two bowls for Kate.

"Thank you." Kate said.

"Let me know if you need anything." The woman said. She nodded at John and walked over to him to chat and catch up. It had been a long time since he had visited the shop.

Kate picked up each object and weighed it in her hand. If it was too heavy, it would get annoying. It couldn't be sharp or large enough to stand out. It needed to be sturdy as well. She placed most of them back in the original box as they wouldn't work for her needs. She held onto a few that could possibly work. Staying inside warding wouldn't be enough for the battle that they were facing. People needed to ward themselves.

John stepped to the side to check on Kate and found her frozen mid movement. He rushed over and stood her up. "What's wrong?"

Kate glanced behind him at one of the shelves.

"Do I need to get you out of here?" John asked.

Kate nodded.

John paid for the trinkets she found and thanked the shop owner. He escorted her to the truck and opened her door. "What is wrong?"

"The crystals." Kate said. She couldn't quite explain it. "The power that Taylor and I felt when we got supercharged. It is weird. It is intense. It just feels different." She scratched at her arms. "Those crystals aren't normal crystals."

"Which ones?" John asked.

"Two white ones. I think they have trace amounts of power from whoever boosted us." Kate said.

John knew that was Amara. Why would Amara crystals be in the shop? Who found them? How would someone know that they were unique enough to be taken to a hunting shop?

Kate shivered.

"We will head home and you could talk to Taylor about it." John suggested.

Kate just nodded.

John sighed and headed back to Bobby's house. He looked over at Kate periodically and she looked confused. Why did every outing have to complicate their already chaotic lives?

Kate finally spoke up. "Thanks for pulling me away."

"I figured that it was too much of a temptation." John said.

Kate leaned her head back. "Thanks for not getting mad."

John was quiet for a short moment. "I might have gotten mad a few years ago."

Kate lifted her head. "Wearing you down, one generation at a time."

(April's house)

TJ's mom woke up from her nap and drove back over to April's house to pick up TJ. She was anxious knocking on the door.

April opened the door with a smile. "They are playing outside."

TJ's mom followed her and called TJ's name to get his attention. "It is time to go home."

TJ whipped his head around and looked at her.

"You have been here for hours." Alyssa said.

Andy got up. "Your house makes sounds that scare TJ."

Alyssa looked surprised. "What kind of noises?"

"I don't know. He can't explain." Andy said.

"TJ, when we get home can you show me the noises?" Alyssa asked.

TJ quickly got up as well and ran to the door. He walked into the house with dirt on his feet and continued to the front door.

Alyssa stopped him before he opened the door.

April assured her that the dirt was okay and she understood his reaction.

Andy waved goodbye to TJ and took off his own shoes.

"You understand him so well." April said.

"Is it an ability?" Andy asked.

"It may not be a supernatural ability but it is definitely an ability. I don't even know some of the signs you two use." April said.

Andy smiled. "That's because we made them up."

"Oh, your own secret language." April said. She ruffled Andy's hair. "Your dad is on his way home and I think he mentioned something about having you help him with something."

Andy got excited. "Help him with what?"

April shrugged. "He didn't tell me. I guess it is guy stuff. He mentioned Owen and Sean might tag along."

Andy ran around outside, throwing outside toys into the appropriate box. He left the ant village and asked April to help him make a fence to keep Ian out.

April helped him place a makeshift fence but also told him that she would keep Ian inside unless she was out with him. The tiny houses would be too much of a temptation for Ian not to smash.

Andy saw Caleb's truck pulling up and ran back inside. "What are we doing?" He asked is the door opened.

Caleb smiled. "We are going to try to catch a few fish for dinner."

Andy jumped up and down. "I'll get my stuff!"

Caleb kissed April and crouched down to hug Ian. He kissed Lauren on top of her head and asked Ian about his cars. He stood up with Ian over his shoulder, making Ian laugh. "Jody is going to hang out over here. We shouldn't be late getting back."

"You boys have fun." April said. "Jody and I are going to chat and try to relax as much as Ian will let us."

Caleb placed Ian on the floor. "You be good for your mom."

Ian ran off to play with his cars, barely acknowledging that Caleb said anything.

"Let me know if I need to come back." Caleb said.

"He will be fine." April said.

Caleb kissed her again and whistled for Andy to hurry up. He waited for Andy before opening the door again. He stopped him before he ran out. "Do you have something to say?"

Andy rushed over to April, hugging her. "I love you mama. Bye."

April laughed. "I love you too. Bye."

(Bobby's house)

Kate shared the feeling she had with Taylor. "It is the same energy, isn't it?"

"Yes." Taylor said. "Why didn't you get them?"

"She didn't need to be around them." John said.

"What if they are a good thing? She didn't even do anything besides freeze." Taylor said.

John pinched the bridge of his nose. "Were you in the shop?"

"No." Taylor said with a sigh.

"If I thought that they were safe to have with us, I would have gotten them. Kate's safety was the important thing at the time. I can go back another day if need be." John said.

Kate couldn't stop glancing at Kim and Dean. She wanted to ask questions but John was a little prickly and she didn't think it was an appropriate time to walk away. "I'm glad he got me out. I didn't like how it felt."

"How does power like that end up in a hunters' shop?" Dean asked.

"We don't know." John said. "I plan to ask the owner."

"If you ask the owner then she will know that they are different. That could cause unneeded attention." Taylor said.

"Son, do you think I am stupid?" John asked.

Taylor blushed. "No, sir."

"I made him run laps earlier. Maybe that didn't help as much as I thought it did." Dean said.

"I am used to Kate bringing this stuff up and she is being really quiet." Taylor said.

"It's okay, Taylor." Kate said. "We can look into it later."

"Oh, you should tell dad about the letter." Dean said.

Taylor's shoulders shot up to his ears. "Jerk."

Dean smirked, "Bitch."

"What letter?" John asked.

Taylor's eyes flicked to where Kim was sitting.

"She already heard about it outside." Dean said.

"I wasn't worried about her hearing about it." Taylor said.

John leaned back in his seat and motioned for Taylor to talk.

"So, uh, a few days ago, at school, I got an envelope with a letter inside. The office lady gave it to me at the end of the school day." He eyed John. "It was from Daniel."

John sat forward and rested his elbows on his knees. "Why?"

"He was wanting me to give him money." Taylor said. "He is a drug addict and tried to make me feel bad for him."

"Why didn't you say something when you got the letter?" John asked.

Taylor sighed. "I assume because I have past trauma with the whole Craig thing, my brain chemistry is altered by my age and I am still getting used to not pretending that problems aren't problems."

John rubbed his face. "Has he tried to approach you?"

"No." Taylor said.

"The timing concerns me." John said. "I'll need to know what he looks like and we, as a family, will be on high alert."

"Higher alert." Kate added.

John shook his head. "Kate, work on the pendants. We cannot take any chances."

Kate got up and stretched. "Using benevolent witchcraft is a proven way to protect people." She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from smiling.

John eyed her. "I'd say the two of you have used up the last of my patience."

"Poking the bear doesn't end well." Dean said.

Kate grabbed the bag with the purchased pendants. "It is so fun though."

(Caleb and Andy)

Andy placed his own worm on his own hook. He thought it was kind of gross but did it anyway.

"Life jacket." Caleb said.

"I'm not gonna jump in." Andy said.

"We are on a boat. You have to wear one." Caleb said.

Andy frowned but quickly put his life jacket on after seeing Caleb's face. Owen had one on too anyway. The boat was small so he guessed someone could fall out of it pretty easily.

"Are we cooking them?" Owen asked.

"If we catch any." Sean said. "We should be able to have dinner together and then Andy will come home with us."

Andy bounced on his toes.

Caleb grabbed the back of Andy's life jacket to keep him from falling over.

Andy flailed slightly, looking down at the water. Maybe he was glad he had the life jacket on afterall.

Despite how much the boys talked, Caleb soon caught the first fish. He reeled it in and tossed it in a bucket. "I thought for sure you two scared them off."

"They hear us and think we are just kids playing. They don't expect to get caught." Owen said.

Owen's theory might have held some truth because they caught one fish after the other over two hours.

"We might even have leftovers." Sean said.

"I don't like fish that much." Owen said.

"Well April and your mom are going to make other things too." Caleb said.

"We need the fish dip!" Andy said.

Caleb knew what he meant. Marie always had really good tartar sauce with fish. "I'm sure a nymph wouldn't mind bringing us some."

"Dude, you gotta try it with the sauce." Andy said.

Caleb's eyes twinkled. Everyone was dude. Riot was dude. Ian was dude. It was Andy's favorite word, it seemed.

The boys stayed close by Sean and Caleb but spoke in hushed whispers. Owen turned to look at Sean. "Dad, can I have a brother?"

Sean blinked. "Oh, geeze, I don't know about that."

"Why?" Owen asked.

"Babies are a lot of work and your mom and I work." Sean said.

"Lauren isn't a lot of work." Andy countered.

"We don't need a baby right now." Sean said.

Owen frowned. "So I'm gonna grow up alone?"

"You have Andy." Sean said.

"When you and mom are old, I won't have anyone to help me." Owen said.

Sean palmed his face. His parents were becoming frail and he did make the comment that he was glad that he had siblings to share the work with. He didn't see his parents as a burden but he also couldn't quit his job to take care of them.

Caleb thought it was funny. "How about you hang out with Ian a little more to know what having a little brother is really like."

Owen shrugged. "Okay."

Sean let out a slow breath.

"Might want to talk to Jody." Caleb said with a chuckle.

(Sam and Jess)

Jess answered the door to see her uncle standing on the other side. "Hi."

"Why haven't you done anything?" The uncle asked.

"We aren't moving out yet." Jess said.

"You should be fixing the damage you created." The uncle said.

Jess turned to look at the white walls and spotless floors. "What damage."

The uncle stepped back and pointed to one of the windows where a board was cracked.

Jess stepped out to look. "That has been like that. We can fix it though." Truthfully, it was probably cracked because it was old and her uncle was cheap. "As soon as school is out, we will be gone. We will spruce up the place before we leave."

"You need to pay rent." The uncle said, flatly.

Jess furrowed her brows. "It isn't the first of the month."

Sam opened the door a bit more. "What is going on?"

"He said we need to pay rent and fix damages." Jess said.

Sam wanted to smooth things over. "If you need rent early for your own finances, we could pay a little early."

"I'll give you 30 days and then I'll be renting this unit to a higher paying customer." The uncle said.

"We will still be in school. Where are we supposed to live?" Jess asked.

"Ask your father." The uncle said. He handed Jess a slip of paper with a formal eviction notice. "30 days from today."

Jess shut the door and slumped onto the couch.

Sam sat beside her. "Hey, it's okay. We can find a place or stay with family. The commute isn't the issue."

"I know. I just don't understand why he hates me." Jess said.

"You are an easy target and they are snooty. They probably think you aren't living up to expectations." Sam said. "Their expectations. You come from a long line of bitchy people. You just broke the mold."

Jess smiled. "If only they knew what I know."

Sam looked down as hands grabbed at his pants leg. He reached down and picked Jacob up. "You are fast."

Jacob had mastered rolling weeks ago but started using it as a means of transportation. He would roll from one end of the room to the other at lightning speed, investigating anything they left on the floor.

Sam bounced Jacob on his knee. "Maybe when I do my interview, we could look at a few places."

Jess felt better with that train of thought. "Somewhere safe for Jacob. I have never thought so hard about electrical outlets and stairs."

"I guess we will have to baby proof soon." Sam said.

Jacob leaned forward to gnaw on Sam's arm.

"I guess you are hungry." Sam said.

"Let me get a bottle before he takes a chunk out of your arm." Jess said with a smile.

Sam shifted Jacob and wiped his arm on his pants. He was still getting used to his role in Jacob's life but he loved him every bit as much as Jess did. His heart was warm but also ached. "What do you think about a backyard with a slide?"

Jacob grinned and chewed on his own hand. His eyes got wide and he fussed lightly seeing Jess return with his bottle.

Sam took it and tipped Jacob back a little so he could drink. "He is so happy now that I forgot how fussy he was as a newborn."

"He just had a rough start." Jess said. "He has been spoiled since then so he is just a happy boy now."

Sam wasn't sure what he would do in the moments that Jacob wasn't so happy. Buy him absolutely anything he wanted.

(Bobby's house)

Kate stopped working on the pendants for a mental break. She found Kim, alone. She saw Dean outside so she sat down to ask Kim how she was doing.

"I'm okay." Kim said.

Kate gave her a sad look. "You might be able to tell Dean that but I can feel it."

"It will get better." Kim said.

Kate raised an eyebrow. "Will it?"

Kim winced when she shifted her weight onto her other hip. "In the long run, no."

"You can be honest with him. He feels guilty if he finds out later." Kate said.

"I do not want to be in the hospital overnight." Kim said.

"You also don't want to get sicker right now. All we know about the future is that I screw up and everyone gets really mad at me. If you are around, you can calm Dean down. If you aren't around, I've got to face that by myself." Kate said.

Kim chuckled. "Why not just don't screw up?"

"Time rules." Kate said. "I've been told I'll understand when I'm older."

Kim had been feeling steadily worse each hour. "Only because I'm supposed to help you out, I'll get checked out tonight."

"Do you need to pack anything?" Kate asked. "You know it isn't going to be just one night." She got a short list from Kim. "A nymph can take you. I'll talk to Dean and have him grab stuff. That will give him a minute to be less frazzled and motherly."

Kim smiled. "He does have a habit of doing that."

"Probably my fault. He got done raising Sam and I showed up and rewrote the rules." Kate said. She had Kim leave with a nymph and stepped outside. "Hey, Dean."

Dean paused his conversation with John. "Yes?"

Kate walked over. "Kim went to the ER."

Dean's eyes flew open.

Kate held up a hand. "She went with a nymph. I have a list of stuff for you to pack for her. You are supposed to calm down and not try to baby her."

"Is she okay?" Dean asked.

"She is sick but she went with the nymph so you'd have a minute to not be… yourself." Kate said.

"I'm going over there now." Dean said.

"If you do, you will look lame. Just get her stuff and drive over." Kate said.

"If that is what Kim requested, it would be a good idea to take your time." John said. "Showing up a few seconds after she does is going to look weird on camera."

Dean rubbed his face.

Kate hugged him. "I love you. I'm sorry this stresses you more."

Dean kissed the top of her head. "Being at someone's side because they are sick is less stressful than being at their side because they tried witchcraft and killed themselves."

Kate stepped back. "I'm far more afraid of dad than any reaction I could have to witchcraft."

After Dean left, John spoke to Kate. "Witchcraft is dark."

"I know." Kate said. "You have to give me some grace though."

"There is no grace for that." John said.

Kate smirked. "You had it easier when you were a kid. If you had half the temptations that I have, you would have gotten into just as much trouble."

John wasn't so sure about that. "I think I would have kept my distance."

"The moment you found out about any of this stuff, you jumped in head first, as an adult." Kate pointed out.

John rubbed the back of his head.

"Plus you were a little reckless." Kate said. "Bobby told me."

John shook his head. "Do as I say, not as I do. Show me what you have found concerning the pendants."

(TJ)

TJ laid down in his bed with his favorite pillow and blanket. He was very sleepy but also very scared. He didn't like how dark it was in his room so his mom left the door cracked and the hallway light on. He pulled his leg up to touch the bracelet on his ankle. He trusted Andy and felt a little safer. If a noise turned out to be really scary, an angel would show up.

Alyssa tiptoed to TJ's room to check on him because he was quiet. She looked through the crack in the door and saw that his eyes were closed and his breathing was even. He was fast asleep. She quickly backed away and joined her husband in their room. "He is asleep."

"Already?" Her husband asked.

"Yes!" She whispered. "He should hang out with Andy more often!"

(Hospital)

Dean carried Kim's bag through the hospital doors. He stepped up to the front desk and told the receptionist who he was looking for.

The receptionist looked at Kim's chart and confirmed that Dean was on the list of people that could know that she was there. She stepped away from her desk. "Follow me."

Dean couldn't help but feel awkward inside of hospitals. He was never there for happy reasons and someone was always on the brink of death when he went. He saw Kim and waved to her. "They haven't given you a room yet?"

"Triage." Kim said. "I have an IV. Not being in a room means I'm less sick than other people."

Dean sat beside the bed and chatted with her. "Wait, if you have to have IVs so often, why not get the one that just stays there."

Kim blushed. "Because then I'm stuck with a tube in my arm."

"Do they hurt?" Dean asked.

"The ones I have had didn't hurt." Kim said.

Dean tapped his fingers on his knee. "So your doctor wants you to get one and that is part of the reason he sent you here."

"Correct." Kim said.

"Then why not get it?" Dean asked, thoroughly missing why Kim was reluctant.

Kim held her arms out. "Most of the veins in my arms are shot. I don't want one on my chest." She sighed. "It is an eye sore."

"For who?" Dean asked.

Kim's face turned red.

"Me?" Dean asked, jerking his head back.

"Everything has gone downhill since you saw the medicine on my table." Kim said.

"I've never looked at you differently than I did before." Dean said.

"You fuss and worry over me." Kim said.

Dean took a moment to piece it together. "Do you think that I pity you and that is why I fuss over you?"

Kim shrugged.

"I do worry but I don't look at you as this broken person. You are still you." Dean said.

"I am supposed to get better because Kate said I'm supposed to keep you calm when things go to hell." Kim said.

Dean smiled. "She would say that. If you are supposed to get better, you might have to take steps to do that. Don't worry about the visuals."

Kim covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. She couldn't contain it and blew air through her nose.

Dean was confused.

"I don't know why I'm worried about being attractive with a central line when I know you've slept with a reaper." Kim said through giggles.

Dean cracked a smile. "In my defense, she was in human form at the time. As soon as you get out of here you are getting that wiped from your memory."

Kim put a hand on chest and caught her breath. "No. I love it. I just think it is funny."

A nurse opened the curtain. "It is nice to see you smiling. Laughter is the best medicine."

"Oh, I'm hilarious so she is in good hands." Dean said, lightly.

"We are going to move you up to a room in a few minutes. Will he be joining us?" The nurse asked.

"Yes." Dean said.

"You don't have to hang out all night." Kim said.

"I've already committed to it. I have extra socks so there is no turning back now." Dean said.

The nurse smiled. "Well there is no arguing with that."