Dean was sitting at the table with Bobby when they heard shuffling upstairs. He knew Sam was still in the shower so he got up and went to the bottom of the stairs "What are you doing?"

Kate froze and looked at him. "Going downstairs."

He met her at the top of the stairs. "Kid, I told you to let one of us know. You can't be going up and down these by yourself."

Kate rolled her eyes. "I can handle it."

Dean scooped her up and carried her to the bottom. "You aren't going to though. You don't want to mess up the stitches."

Bobby smiled at her. "Good morning."

Kate huffed when Dean sat her down in one of the chairs. "Morning."

Bobby chuckled. "Well someone is spry this morning."

"You have to go by what the doctor told you so you don't wind back up in the hospital." Dean told her.

She sighed and put her head on the table. "Fine."

Dean and Bobby traded glances but didn't say anything.

Kate was tired and her leg hurt. She hated not being able to do everything for herself and the lasting wound wouldn't let her forget about what happened. "I need to go to Hellen's house today."

John walked in and put a hand on her back. "I don't think that is a good idea."

Kate sat back and glared at him. "Good idea or not, I need to take the second crystal to her."

John was taken aback. He looked over to Dean.

Dean sat down beside her. "I will help. We just don't think that it is safe, even if you were at 100 percent."

Kate sighed and put her head back down. "She contacted me last night."

Dean bristled. "Why didn't you tell me or Sam?"

Kate looked at him. "I am now."

Dean took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of his nose. "What did she say?"

"That she wants the crystal." Kate said.

"Does she know what happened?" Dean asked.

Kate slid down in the chair and looked at the ceiling. "I got attacked during the spell and Bobby exorcised the demon from John and the hounds followed."

Bobby handed out mugs of coffee and gave Kate one with hot chocolate.

Kate offered him a small smile and sipped her coco. "If I wait, she will lose patience and I wont be able to do the swap."

The three sat down and helped her come up with the best possible plan.

"Are you comfortable with that?" Dean asked.

Kate sighed. "Sure."

The plan was for Dean to go with her. She would hand Hellen the crystal and they would leave. Sam would lay down in the car so he was close by but unseen. Bobby and John would also be around for backup.

Sam stepped into the kitchen and cleared his throat.

They updated him on the plan.

He traded looks with Dean and Kate saw it. She sent both of them a fierce glare in return.

John sighed heavily. "Speak."

Sam turned his back to Kate and spoke to Bobby and John in a low voice.

They both turned toward her and gave her a pitying look.

Kate groaned. "I'm not going to do anything."

"You aren't leaving my sight." Dean said.

She put her head on the table and mumbled.

"What was that?" Dean asked.

She shook her head. "Nothing. I made a bad choice. I get it. I'm fine now."

Dean didn't believe that for a second.

They finished breakfast and then helped Kate do the spell for the second crystal. The black smoke left the wooden box and slipped into the crystal.

Kate said another incantation and the crystal took on a blue hue. "This should work."

Dean drove over to Hellen's house and parked the impala. "Stick to the plan."

Kate glared at him. "Obviously."

"Kate, I know you are hurting but snapping at me isn't helping." Dean said.

Kate frowned. "Noted."

He sighed but helped her out of the car.

Kate knocked on the door and took Dean's hand in hers. She was unstable on her crutches but she was also scared.

Hellen answered and smiled brightly.

Kate took the necklace off and handed it to her.

"Here, come inside." Hellen said, eyeing her.

Dean squeezed Kate's hand to remind her of the plan.

Kate shifted on her crutches.

"I should get her back to the house. The doctor doesn't want her on her feet too much." Dean said.

Hellen studied him. "You could put your foot up on the couch."

Kate let her knees buckle and started crying.

Dean took the crutches and lifted her.

Kate wiped her face.

Hellen took pity on her and shrugged. "Maybe you can come back later."

Dean thanked her and carried Kate back to the car. He opened the door and placed her on the seat. "Are you okay?"

Kate shifted back against the door. "Yep, we needed to get out of there, didn't we?"

Dean chuckled. "Your ability to cry on command is... worrying."

Kate smiled. "You are welcome."

Dean sent a message to John to let them know that they had gotten back in the car.

Sam sat up and looked at Kate. "How are you feeling."

She stared at him. "How do you think?"

He put his hands up in defense and turned around.

##########

Three days went by. John was sitting in his truck listening to the police scanner. Officers were dispatched to a structure fire on Hellen's street. He drove by and his heart sunk a little when he confirmed it was indeed her house. He had no sympathy for her but Kate's plate was already so heavy.

Bobby met him at the door when he returned. "Was it her?"

John nodded.

Kate was laying on the couch and had a pillow over her face. She didn't need them to tell her. She knew. She had felt the release of energy when the explosion happened. She sat up. "Might as well send in a tip to pin the 'demonic symbols' in the ware house on her too."

John spun around. "Kate."

She crossed her arms. "I'm not an idiot. I don't need a scanner to know that she did the spell."

John's jaw twitched. "Let me worry about that."

Kate threw her head back. "Her house has a ton of occult stuff in it, it is a good idea."

Bobby shrugged.

John rubbed a hand down his face. "I'll take care of it."

Kate put the pillow back on her face and groaned. She was over having to rest. She was over her leg hurting.

Dean heard the exchange and pulled Sam to the side. "Do you think you can help her?"

Sam grimaced. "If she will let me."

Dean nodded. "Let me talk to her."

John and Bobby walked out to the truck to discuss how they were going to tip off the authorities.

Dean poked Kate's side. "Sit up."

"No."

He poked her harder. "Up."

Kate ignored him.

He sighed and walked around the couch and sat her up. He sat down beside her.

"What do you want?" She asked, scooting away from him.

"You keep saying you don't want to be babied so I am not going to baby you. You can't keep snapping at people." Dean said.

She rolled her eyes. "Next time I get attacked by demon dogs I'll remember to be more cheery."

He leveled her with a look. "If you want to go fire off some shots at bottles, we can do that. If you need to take a baseball bat to a car window, we can do that. But this... we aren't doing this."

Kate leaned her head back and sighed.

"I want you to let Sam help you." Dean said.

Kate turned her head away from him. "No."

Dean turned her face back to him. "You are in pain. I want my Kate back. I want my little friend who steals my t shirts and helps me torment Sam. You helped Sam when he was injured and he healed faster."

Kate frowned. She didn't like being mean to him. "Okay, I guess."

Dean gave her a quick hug and smiled.

Sam side stepped into the room and looked at her apprehensively.

Kate sighed. "I'm not going to snap."

Sam sat down on the other side of her. "Okay, show me what to do."

"Don't take much, please." Kate said.

Sam smirked. "You are one to talk."

Kate squinted her eyes. "I'm not a good example, just please don't over do it."

Sam closed his eyes and did what she told him to do. He felt his leg start to hurt and got uncomfortable.

Kate scooted away from him. "That is enough."

Sam opened his eyes. "I'm okay."

Kate smacked his hand away. "No more."

Dean hugged her. "The sooner you are back on your feet, the sooner we can get back to normal."

Kate reluctantly let Sam put his hand back on her. She could feel the ache leave the cuts and her muscles relaxed. She used her good foot to push him away.

Sam opened her eyes and rubbed his leg. "Did you just kick me?"

Kate grinned. "Feeling better already."

Sam grinned back. "So this just goes away?"

Kate nodded. "It fades faster than if you actually had the injury."

"So I can do this a few times?" Sam asked.

Kate shook her head. "Just this time." She felt Dean's arms tighten around her. "You know, me having broken ribs isn't going to help."

Dean laughed and squeezed her again. "Your ribs are fine."

Kate stood up and tested her leg. She was still limping and would need her crutches but the pain had lessened enough that she didn't feel like punching people.

John walked back in the house and looked at them.

"Sam took some of the pain away." Kate said.

John motioned for her to sit down so he could check her leg. "How are you feeling?" He looked from Kate to Sam.

Sam shrugged. "I'm fine."

Kate shrugged too. "Also fine."

"Well, your leg looks pretty good. I don't want you running any marathons but this is healing nicely." He said and patted her other leg.

Kate smiled. "What about cartwheels?"

John smiled at her. "Ah, there she is." He ruffled her hair and grabbed his jacket. "I'm going to go into town for a bit. Keep these two in line."

Kate grinned but didn't reply.

Dean hopped up and went to find Bobby. He was thrilled that Kate was Kate again.

Kate put her hand on Sam's arm. "Do you want some motrin or something?"

Sam shook his head. "It isn't that bad. You wouldn't let me take that much."

Kate stuck her tongue out at him. "You are welcome."

He sighed. "You need to accept the help."

She hopped to her crutches and picked them up. "And you need to accept that I'm not going to."

Sam shook his head and ran his hand through his hair.

###########

Kate ran her fingers along the scars on her leg. The muscle had healed nicely due to Sam's insistence at helping her. She had refused but Sam and Dean compared matched her level of stubbornness. "I want to go with you." She said as Dean packed his duffle.

"I know you do but you can't miss school." Dean said.

"I don't even want to go to that school." Kate said.

Dean sighed. "It is just for a few months. Real school is easier than homeschool and you need to be around kids your age."

Kate crossed her arms. She had started school in January, after Christmas break. "You hated school."

Dean smiled and touched her nose. "I wasn't as smart as you are."

Kate sat down on a bed and sighed. "I wont get in the way."

"Katie, we will be gone for one day and I'll be back first thing in the morning or even tonight." He hated leaving her but John needed back up.

Sam walked into the room. "I'll still be here. We can rearrange the room today, if you want."

Kate slumped. She was scared to sleep alone and the room Brian had slept in made her sad. She had been sleeping on Dean's bed for weeks. She had demanded that they switch back and let her sleep on the floor after the first few days. Dean wouldn't hear it and just placed her back on his bed and took the floor when she tried to switch. "Okay. I guess."

Sam grabbed a hairband and put it on his wrist. "Here, I'll braid your hair back."

Kate shifted so that he could reach the back of her hair. "I don't want to go to school today."

Dean sat down beside her. "Think of it as a distraction. It will pass the time until I get back." He said with a grin.

She stood up and stretched her legs. The injured leg was still stiff and she had a limp. "People keep making fun of me or making up stories about why I limp."

Dean made a face. "Do I need to go beat up some little kids?"

Kate giggled. "Uh, I don't think so."

John whistled from the bottom of the stairs and threw a bag up to Dean.

Dean grinned excitedly and handed it to Kate.

"What is it?" Kate asked.

"A parting gift." He said and pulled on one of his t shirts.

Kate pulled a piece of cloth from the bag and unrolled it. She grinned at him and held it to her chest "Where did you find one my size?"

"I had to order it." He said.

She held it out for Sam to see. She motioned for them both to turn around so she could swap t shirts. "We match!"

Sam laughed. "Why have you never gotten me a matching t shirt?"

Dean shoved him. "Because you are a dweeb."

Kate hugged Dean. "Thanks." She loved the band t shirt and Dean had put on his matching one.

"Let me know if any of those kids give you a hard time. I have no issue back handing some body." Dean said as he hugged her.

Kate smiled. "I think I can handle them."

Sam put his arm around her shoulder. "If they give you lip, let me know and I can talk to them. I'm not going to back hand a kid but I can scare them."

Kate giggled. "You aren't scary."

Sam winked. "I can be if I want to be. Here." He said and took her backpack from her. "You and I need to get out of here or we will be late."

Dean kissed her forehead and helped her down the stairs. "Be good."

Kate stuck her tongue out at him as she got into one of Bobby's spare cars. "Always am."

Sam waved and turned the car on. He rubbed his hands up and down his arms as he waited for the car to heat. "You are a cool kid, those other kids just don't know it."

"I think I'm going to tell them random crazy stories like I got bit by a shark or lost my leg in the war." She said.

Sam laughed. "I'll back you up with what ever you decide on."

He dropped her off in front of the school and waved at her as she walked away. "I'll pick you up after school."

Kate waved and blew him a kiss.

One of the other girl's in her class touched her arm. "Who is that?"

Kate blushed. "Um, my brother."

"He is really cute." The girl said with a grin.

Kate looked at her. "Ew."

"My name is Ellie. I haven't said hi yet."

Kate smiled. "My name is Kate."

Ellie walked with Kate into the school and chatted happily with her. "I have an older brother too. He is 12 and annoying."

Kate smiled. "I have two. Sam is 17 and Dean is almost 22. They are both pretty cool. Look, Dean got me this shirt to match his."

Ellie tilted her head. "What is a Led Zeppelin?"

Kate gasped. "A really cool band!"

Ellie shrugged. "That is cool. You'll have to show me a song sometime."

Kate grinned. "I'll bring a CD tomorrow." She followed Ellie into the classroom and sat down next to her. Maybe this school wouldn't be so bad.

Sam pulled up in front of the school and waited for Kate to walk out. He started to get a little worried when she didn't show up. He sighed in relief when he saw her coming down the stairs with another kid. "Hey bug." He said as she opened the door.

"This is Ellie." She said, introducing her new friend.

Sam smiled. "Hi, Ellie."

Kate waved and said goodbye to Ellie before shutting the door.

"How did it go today?" Sam asked.

Kate shrugged. "I made a new friend."

Sam nodded. "Did anyone bug you about your leg?"

Kate grinned sheepishly. "I said I was under government orders not to talk about it."

Sam laughed. "That works."

"I may need someone to show up and act like secret service or something, ya know... just to make it interesting."

Sam smiled. "Dean is going to love that."

Kate smiled too. "Thanks Sam."

"What for?" He asked.

"Being a cool brother."

Sam chuckled. "I wasn't aware that I was."

She squeezed her backpack. "Some of the other kids think it is cool that you are older and drive a car and like hanging out with me."

"That is because you are fun to be around." He said with a smirk.

"I mean it, Sam. You have always been nice to me. I'm not your real sister and you just..."

Sam put a hand on her leg. "You may not be blood but you are the only sister I have ever had. You are stuck with me."

Kate smiled. "I'm okay with that."

"Me too."

###########

The next day, Sam dropped Kate off at the front of the building and waved at Ellie when she stopped for Kate. He gave Dean a call and talked to him.

Kate had a fun day at school and her classmates were starting to accept her. It was raining so she was sitting the steps, under the breeze way, waiting for Sam when she heard the distinct rumble of the impala. She stood up when she saw the sleek black car come to a stop in front of the school.

"Whoa, that is a cool car." One of the boys said.

Dean got out, wearing shades and put a finger to his ear.

"Who is that?" Ellie asked.

Kate whispered in her ear. "My brother."

Ellie blushed.

Two of the boys murmured to themselves as Dean approached. He handed his ID to one of the teachers and turned to Kate and held out his elbow for her to take.

Kate turned and waved to Ellie and followed Dean back to the impala. "I didn't know you were picking me up. What is with the shades?"

Dean pulled away from the school. "Sam told me."

Kate grinned. "I am pretty sure they think you are secret service now."

Dean grinned back. "Good."

"If you pick me up more often, they are going to find out that you aren't."

Dean laughed. "I may not be secret service but I will straight up kick a kid in the face if they mess with you. You can tell them that."

Kate giggled. "Uh, I'll save that for when I need it."

Dean drove to the local diner and stopped. "I thought you and I could get a bite to eat."

Kate smiled happily. She loved spending time with him. He had been busier since she was back on her feet and a dinner date was just what she needed.

The waitress was new and someone Kate had never seen before. After she walked away she leaned over the table. "What happened to Cindy?"

Dean shrugged. "Her grandmother or someone is sick so she went out west to take care of her."

Kate sat back. She saw the way Dean had looked at the waitress and saw the way the waitress blushed when Dean winked at her.

Dean chatted with Kate and enjoyed her company. He loved seeing the light return to her eyes. It had been a long hard winter and every time she smiled or laughed, he felt a piece of his heart mend. He paid for the meal and stepped away to use the bathroom.

Kate walked over to the counter and struck up a conversation with the new waitress.

Dean walked back out and told her he was ready to go.

Kate looked at him and then turned back around.

Dean looked at her skeptically but waited.

The waitress bit her lip and wrote something down on a slip of paper.

Kate turned around and walked back to the car with Dean.

"What was that?" He asked.

Kate grinned. "Her name is Lacy and you have a date."

Dean pulled the paper out of her hand and looked at it. "Hold up, you got her number?"

Kate shrugged. "I told her that you were my older brother and she thought it was sweet that you took me out to eat. We chatted for a bit and now you have a date."

Dean sat back. "I can get my own dates."

Kate shook her head. "Not everyone likes a player, Dean. She thought it was endearing that you were too shy to ask her out."

Dean nudged her. "You brat."

Kate grinned. "I think you mean thank you."

Dean laughed. "She was pretty cute." He put the paper in his pocket and drove away.

Kate drummed happily to a guitar riff and put her feet on the dashboard.

He started to tell her to move them but decided not to. He turned up the music and drummed along with her. She had been in good spirts since her leg healed but he was waiting on the other shoe to drop. She had started to have nightmares again and when she let her guard down, he could see brief flickers of panic cross her face. He would confront her before she unraveled but for that moment she was happy and he had the number of a very pretty waitress .