John finished his trip with Jo and Taylor, leaving them at Marie and Rod's house with strict orders to stay where he left them.
Jo thought a lot about her talk with John. Remembering her dad was painful. The loss was something she shared with Taylor, but also most hunters and hunters' kids. To her, Ellen seemed controlling and nitpicky. Really thinking about how it felt to lose Bill made Jo take a step back. Losing a dad was hard but she still had her mom. She was young when it happened, although old enough to have memories and miss him. She knew that Ellen was never a fan of Bill hunting. She wanted a simple life. Jo remembered a few fights but hadn't given much thought to how things were before hunting and the supernatural. She couldn't even pinpoint why Bill had gotten into the life in the first place. She made notes on things she wanted to talk to her mom about.
Marie was thrilled to have Taylor and Jo at the house. She needed to be needed and Krissy's departure left her heart empty. That didn't stop her from giving Taylor an earful about his attempt at hunting alone.
Taylor accepted the scolding. He knew he messed up but he also realized he scared those that cared about him. "I promise I will never do that again."
Marie hugged him. "Good. Now, put your bags in your room and I'll get supper started."
Jo was slightly amused until she made eye contact with Marie.
"That goes for you too." Marie said and patted Jo's arm.
Jo blushed. "Yes, ma'am."
Taylor ran up the steps and opened the door to the room he usually stayed in. He tossed his bag on the bed and opened the curtains. No matter how long it had been since he visited, Marie always kept his room the way he liked it.
Jo gently knocked on the open door.
"Do you want to take the other room?" Taylor asked.
"Yeah. They are really nice to let me stay." Jo said.
"You'll get used to it."
(Sam and Jess)
Krissy was ecstatic to see Lee and jumped into his arms right away. She showed him her new turtle and hugged Sam and Jess.
Jess squeezed Krissy and told her that she had fun on the trip.
Sam patted her back. The trip had gone smoothly. He expected Jess to have her ups and downs on the way back. "The drive back will be a whole lot more quiet."
Jess smiled. "She is fun."
Sam waved as Lee pulled away. He put an arm around Jess. "What is on your mind?"
"A lot. I can't get my mind off that little boy." Jess said.
Sam sighed. "His spirit is at peace now."
"I know. I want to know what happened though. What if the person that did that to him is still out there? What if a mother is out there, not knowing what happened to her son?" Jess said.
Sam knew Jess couldn't let it go. "We could go to the library and do some searching through the internet."
Jess perked up. "Okay!"
Sam found the local library and drove over. It was late but the door was still open.
Jess followed Sam's lead. He was great at researching. He knew what words to use. Her heart broke when a long list of names popped up.
Sam narrowed the list down but it was still lengthy. "These are just the missing boys from that area. We don't know if he was from there. We don't know when really."
"How can there be that many?" Jess asked.
"It covers years. Some of these would be adults now." Sam said.
Jess read one of the dates. "Wait, this one is recent."
"Yeah, the ghost wouldn't belong to that one." Sam said.
"No, Sam. It is recent. He may still be okay." Jess said.
"The police are looking for him." Sam said.
Jess clicked the name. A photo of a boy that was around Andy's age filled the screen. She stared at the photo, wishing she had Kate's abilities. She read the details under the photo. "Sam, he is eight years old."
Sam rubbed her back.
"Can we print it?" Jess asked.
Sam shrugged. "I guess."
"Maybe Kate can do something," Jess said.
"Jess, I don't think she can. She can help find people she knows. Even if she could, how would we explain that we randomly found this kid?" Sam said.
Jess scrolled back up to look at the boy's face. "Missouri is a known psychic. She can say she got a vision."
Sam didn't want Jess's heart to break all over again. Missing children were rarely found in good health, if at all, after two days. Joey, the boy in the photo, had been missing for a week. Maybe his life of hunting had jaded him. He didn't think the kid was still alive. "Okay, we can ask Kate. Jess, if this isn't something that we can help, are you going to be okay?"
Jess sat back. "No. How would I ever be okay? There are kids that go missing every single day. They don't have trained hunters and a Kate to find them. Even worse, their parents are the culprits sometimes."
"I know. It isn't fair. We just can't save everyone."
Jess hit print and got up to grab the freshly printed paper from the large printer. She placed the paper on the table. "We can save Joey."
(Dean and Kate)
Dean got a call from Sam, asking if he thought that Kate could help find a missing boy. Dean would have said no but she was picking up abilities rapidly. He didn't know if her mood swings would make that more difficult. If they left the next morning, they could meet Sam and Jess in the town that the boy went missing from.
Kate could tell that Dean was thinking about something. She nudged him. "What is it?"
Dean took a deep breath. "Jess wanted to find the ghost boy. Instead, she found a recent missing boy. She wants to find him."
Kate jumped up. "Let's do it!"
"Wait, let me finish. It has been a week. The cops have no leads. This is a long shot. Jess may be reeling from her mom and just wanting to fix something." Dean said.
Kate rubbed her hands together. "I want details."
"Uh, you are kind of up and down. Are you going to be able to manage that?" Dean asked.
Kate scoffed. "You act like I haven't always been up and down."
Dean snorted. "You have but this week is bad, Kate."
"I bet if I ask dad about your moods at my age, he will say they were erratic," Kate said.
"Nah, fourteen was my moody year," Dean said. He ruffled her hair. "It is likely that we won't be able to find the kid. I don't want you spiraling if that happens."
"If I do, you can pull me back out," Kate said.
Dean feigned exhaustion. "I am NOT watching another chick flick."
Kate rolled her eyes. "You didn't take your eyes off the screen during that entire movie."
Dean poked her in the ribs. "It was like watching a car wreck. Horrible, but can't look away."
Kate stretched. "When do we leave?"
"Who said we were leaving?" Dean asked.
"You did," Kate said.
"No, I didn't," Dean said.
"Yes, you did. You said that we would be able to meet Sam and Jess." Kate said.
"Kate, I didn't say that." Dean said. "I thought that. Were you reading me?"
Kate shook her head. "No. I promise."
Dean started to doubt himself. Maybe he did say it out loud. He rubbed his face. "Okay, we can leave tomorrow morning."
"Road trip!" Kate said with a grin.
Dean thought a road trip wouldn't be a bad thing. Any chance he had to be behind baby's wheel, he was going to take. "Head up to bed. I'll make sure things are good to go."
Kate skipped up the steps. She tossed a few things in her duffle. She could find a kid. It wasn't that hard. No, she could definitely do it.
Dean went outside to make sure his trunk stash was complete. He stepped off the porch and paused. He heard something behind him and turned to see what it was. He didn't see anything. He continued on his way to the car, assuming whatever it was, was gone. He opened the trunk of the car and inventoried what he could see. They probably wouldn't need any hunting gear but it was worth it to have things on hand. John taught him that much. He heard the sound again and slowly shut the trunk of the car, surveying the yard around him. Maybe it was a mouse or raccoon. He used a flashlight to look around but still didn't see anything. The light above Bobby's door flickered. Great. As Dean got closer to the porch, he heard the sound again. He didn't have his gun on him. He stepped closer and heard it again. He whipped his head around and something darted by, making his hair stand up. He quickly climbed the steps and spun around just as a dark figure leaped from the ground to the railing, brushing across his face.
Bobby heard a, slightly girlish, scream and opened the door. "Dean?"
Dean bent over, holding his chest. "God damn cat!"
Bobby saw Millie sitting under the porch light with a moth in her mouth. "That scream was because of the cat?"
Dean's face turned red. "I don't want to hear it!" He stomped by Bobby and went into the house, making eye contact with Kate.
Kate burst into a fit of laughter. She had heard something and looked out the window. She saw the whole thing.
Dean put his hands on his hips. "You are supposed to be in bed."
Kate sucked in a breath of air. "I couldn't find Millie."
Dean pointed to the door. "She stalked me. She made me think something was out there and then waited until I was close to jump over my head."
Kate used her shirt to wipe her eyes. She started giggling. "That scream..."
Dean swatted her. "Shut it. Get your damn cat."
Kate let Millie inside. "She was just after bugs."
Dean glared at Millie. "No, she knew. See, Liam doesn't do that crap. Only Millie does."
Millie pranced over and left the moth at Dean's feet, sitting down and looking up at him with big eyes.
Bobby offered Dean a drink. "Son, your nerves may be fried."
"Don't give me that look, Bobby. Don't you dare laugh." Dean said.
Kate picked Millie up and cradled her. "You don't scream like that when facing monsters. Huh, I guess kittens are your weakness."
"Hey, you just shut your mouth before I come over there," Dean said.
Kate held Millie out. "You wouldn't come over here, I'm holding your worst nightmare."
Dean downed the drink Bobby handed him. "You've had your laugh. Go to bed."
Kate spun on her heel, scratching Millie's ears as she went up the stairs. She sat down on her bed and looked into Millie's eyes. "You've got to stop messing with him. I think he's getting gray hairs."
(Sam and Jess)
Jess didn't sleep well. She couldn't get Joey's face out of her head. She woke up early and made a cup of coffee in the motel room. She pulled the page out of her bag and looked at his photo again. She tried to think of places he could be. The poster didn't have enough details. The police would have much more. Could they talk to the police? How could they talk to the police? That was Sam's specialty. She knew that while hunting, they often impersonated different officials to gain information. They were all young though. They didn't have the right outfit to pass as a detective. Could Kate just compel them?
Sam rolled over and looked at Jess. "Did you sleep at all?"
"No," Jess said. "Did I keep you up?"
Sam got up. "No, it is okay. I want you to think about this. I know you want to find him. Please don't obsess over it. I know that sounds stupid. I just know how these things work."
Jess frowned. "How can I not obsess over it? He is just a little boy. If he is alive, he is scared out of his mind. If he is... we could make sure he doesn't turn into a ghost."
Sam hugged her. He stole a sip of her coffee. "We will try. I am just worried about you."
"I'm okay. I just want this little boy to be okay too." Jess said.
Sam felt his stomach growl. "I'll get us some food. What do you want?"
Jess smiled. "Surprise me." She grabbed her toiletries. She needed a hot shower. She felt guilty for taking the time to do so. If Joey was alive, what shape was he in? Would taking an hour to shower and eat cause them not to be able to find Joey? She couldn't do that to herself. The police were actively looking for him. She let the water heat up and stepped under the showerhead. She made up her mind, they'd find him and he would be okay.
(Dean and Kate)
Dean rolled out of bed and got ready. He woke Kate up and then bumbled down the stairs in search of coffee and food. He found Karen already making breakfast. "I've got to say, my life has gotten a whole lot better since we snagged you from heaven. Bobby is a lousy host."
Bobby shot Dean a look and grumbled.
Karen grinned. "Bobby had his hands full with the lot of you. He fed you and kept you clothed."
Dean accepted a mug of coffee. "He did. You know I'm just teasing you, Bobby. Hell, dad has come a long way but without Bobby, Sammy and I would have been up a creek without a paddle a lot of times."
Bobby nodded his head. John really had come a long way. He neglected Sam and Dean at times in order to chase down some supernatural creature or another. John always loved his boys. He protected them. He just, at times, assumed they were more okay than they were. They could all agree that Kate's arrival upended the 'normal' that they once knew. "Somebody had to put up with you two hellions."
Dean rocked back in his chair. Bobby was like a second father figure. They referred to him as an uncle but he was pivotal in raising them. He smirked. "Taylor is about to be 14. Kate is growing up. Sam is off at college. What are you going to do without kids around? Karen, you could talk him into picking up two new strays."
Bobby glared at Dean. "No."
Karen walked by and Kissed Bobby's cheek. "We have Andy and Ian. Soon we will have baby Lauren. They are perfect because we can send them back home."
Dean jerked his knee, hitting it against the bottom of the table. "Son of a..." He looked under the table. "Dammit, Millie."
Bobby snorted. "What did she do?"
"Grabbed my leg." Dean said.
Karen chuckled. She dropped a piece of an egg for Millie and bent to scratch her head.
Dean checked the time. He hadn't heard Kate moving around. He ran up to see if she fell back to sleep. "Kate?"
Kate grumbled. "What?"
Dean sighed and cracked the bedroom door. "Hey, I'm just checking on you."
"I didn't ask you to." Kate snipped.
Dean stepped into the room. "What is with the attitude? Karen made breakfast."
Kate rolled her eyes. "I'll be down in a minute."
Dean eyed her. "Are you sure you are okay? Do I need to tell Sam we aren't meeting him?"
Kate threw her bag on her bed. "God. No! I said I'm coming."
Dean tucked her against his hip and swatted her twice. "Do you need an attitude adjustment this early in the morning?"
Kate whined. "We agreed that my attitude was due to hormones."
"I was a teenager once too. I know all about hormones. You can be moody but you aren't going to bite my head off." Dean said.
Kate sighed. "I'm sorry."
Dean swatted her again and let go of her. He brushed hair out of her eyes. "We are going to have a nice road trip. We can stop and get snacks. If you are sleepy you can take a nap in the car."
Kate stretched. She gave him a small smile. "Can I have coffee?"
Dean furrowed his eyebrows. "Just a little bit." He put an arm around her and walked her down the stairs. He poured her some coffee with milk. "By the way, your cat is possessed."
Kate clicked her tongue to call Millie to her. "No, she isn't."
"She is evil." Dean said.
Liam joined them and sat at Karen's feet, expecting food.
"See, Liam doesn't attack me." Dean said.
Kate shook her head. "It is all in your head."
Dean shrugged. He got another cup of coffee and finished his food. He hoped the road trip was nice.
(Caleb and April)
Caleb put a hand on April's stomach. He couldn't feel anything, although he was starting to see a bump. "Can you feel her kicking yet?"
"No," April said, sleepily. "Soon though. It usually starts as butterflies so you wouldn't be able to feel it."
"How are you feeling? Are you dizzy?" Caleb asked.
April rolled over. "I don't know. I just woke up."
"I mean, with your blood sugar. I just want to keep an eye on it." Caleb said.
"I will let you know. I am being careful. If I feel even a little weak I sit down." April said.
"I hope Kate can fix that soon." Caleb said.
"Don't worry." April said.
Caleb remembered a conversation with his coworker. "Oh, I had an idea to run by you."
April sat up. "What is it?"
"What do you think about getting a puppy?" Caleb asked.
April's eyes widened. "A puppy? Oh my. I mean, they are a lot of work. Can we handle that right now?"
"They are a lot of work but it may be good for Andy. It would give him something to focus on besides fireworks and launching things over the fence. My main thought was protection. I would feel better if we had a guard dog for when I work late. Of course, a puppy wouldn't do much but we could train it. It is your decision, of course. My coworker just offered one from the litter his dog had." Caleb said.
April considered Caleb's points. "Do you know how to train a dog?"
Caleb nodded. "I had one when I was a kid."
"You didn't tell me that." April said.
Caleb smiled. "I guess it never came up. He was a good dog too. He followed me around everywhere."
"What kind of dog does he have?" April asked.
"Mutts. The mom is an English shepherd but they aren't sure what the dad is." Caleb said.
April wasn't sure what an English shepherd looked like. "Have you seen them?"
"He showed me a few pictures. They are kind of fluffy. They are mainly black and have some tan and white."
April imagined Andy's reaction and took a deep breath. "Okay, let's do it."
Caleb smiled brightly and grabbed his phone to message his coworker.
April laughed. "Are you sure the puppy is for Andy?"
Caleb smirked. "Yes. I just happen to like dogs as well."
(Dean and Kate)
Dean got on the road and put a few hundred miles between them and Sioux Falls. He made a slight detour around lunchtime and stopped at a recommended restaurant.
Kate tilted her head. "This isn't a diner."
"No, it isn't," Dean said.
"We are eating here?" Kate asked.
"You act like I never take you anywhere," Dean said.
"You don't," Kate said. "Will they allow us in there?"
"Kate, it isn't a swanky place. Come on." Dean said.
Kate followed him inside. The place had some type of Asian food. She thought that was odd for Dean. "Why here?"
Dean ignored her question and got a table. He was a little out of his element but the food looked good.
Kate followed his lead. There was a long table with different types of meats, vegetables, and other toppings to put in bowls. After she picked what she wanted, she handed the bowls to a chef that tossed the ingredients on a big grill and cooked it in front of her. She had never seen anything like it.
Dean was equally amazed. He could handle a knife but didn't think he'd be able to flip a spatula like that. He was a meat and potatoes kind of guy but he wanted to give the food a chance.
Kate carried her cooked food back to the table and snagged a pair of chopsticks on her way. She sat back down at the table and waited for Dean.
Dean balanced his food on his arm and carried it back to the table as well. He took a bite and closed his eyes. He needed to expand his food preferences. He was no stranger to Chinese take out but this was really good.
Kate watched him and tried out the food as well. She agreed with Dean's unspoken statement. "So, what made you stop here?"
Dean slowly chewed his food. "Uh, Sophia said her dad used to take her on 'dates' and a place like this was her favorite."
Kate raised an eyebrow. "Is this a date?"
Dean shrugged. "I figured it wouldn't hurt."
Kate studied him. "We should do this more often."
Dean agreed. "I'm always down for food."
Kate rested her elbow on the table. "So you talked to her about her dad?"
Dean paused. "Well, kind of."
"How did that come up? I thought you two weren't serious."
"We aren't. We were just chatting as friends." Dean could tell Kate wasn't going to drop it. "Okay, fine. I told her that you seemed different lately and I knew she had a good relationship with her dad."
Kate sat back. "Oh, she's totally not your type then." She grunted when he kicked her under the table.
"Anyway, I asked why. He worked a lot but once a month he would dress up and take her out to do something to do like this. I'm not much for dressing up but I'm up for new food." Dean said.
Kate was touched. "That is sweet."
Dean blushed slightly.
"So you're talking to girls about me?" Kate asked.
"She kind of knows you," Dean said. He sighed. "Older Kate and I talked a while back. She was kind of warning me that you'd be going through a lot of changes this year and we would clash. She said that, at nineteen, I was her favorite person. So, I know the truth and you can't lie about it."
Kate shoved more food in her mouth and motioned for him to continue.
"I don't know what is going to happen this year but I don't want you to ever think I'm not on your side. I remember that with dad and Sam. Sam ran off to Flagstaff because of it. You are going to be dealing with a lot more than he did. So, if taking you out to try new restaurants is a way to keep us on the same page, I have no issues trying it." Dean said.
Kate knew he was downplaying it for his own dignity but it meant a lot that he would go out of his way to think of solutions to problems that hadn't been an issue yet. She didn't see how they would clash to the point that an older version of herself would warn him about it but anything was possible. She loved all of her family but truthfully, Dean was her favorite, most of the time. He got annoying at times. Everyone did. "So if I get super moody and blow up, we can go have sushi?"
Dean snorted. "That is not at all what I meant."
Kate shrugged. "I kind of bit your head off this morning and now you do this. I don't know, Dean, that is mixed signals. I know the way to your heart is food. This could work to my advantage."
Dean stole a piece of the steak strips that were on top of Kate's noodles. "You can try and then find out where that lands you. I can go out to eat without you."
Kate smiled and swatted his hand away. "Jerk."
Dean flicked her. "Brat."
(Sam and Jess)
Jess wished she had abilities. Just one ability would be helpful. If she had to pick, zeroing in on missing and hurting children would be the one she would want. She wasn't sure that was an actual ability. Meeting Sam and finding out what his family did, opened up a whole new world to her. Then, the pain that she went through with her parents shifted her focus even more. "Sam, I think I know what I want to do."
"What?" Sam asked.
"The classes I'm in right now aren't me. I was just taking them because my parents wanted me to. I don't want to work for my dad. I think I want to change majors and work with kids. I could do social work." Jess said.
"I think you would be good at that," Sam said.
"I can talk to my advisor. It shouldn't be that hard to change. I mean, I could drop out of Stanford and go somewhere cheaper. I just want to help people and this may be how I can do it without having superpowers." Jess said.
Sam was thankful that she found her fire again. He didn't want to take her back to Stanford to fade away as classes continued. He had his own worries that the subject matter would wear on her but she was strong-willed and even if he wanted to say it was a bad idea, he wouldn't be able to convince her otherwise. He thought it was a good idea though. Jess was empathetic and good at picking up moods. She had a big heart and would be a wonderful advocate for children. "You could ask what options are out there. If social work isn't your path, there may be others that are similar."
Jess smiled. She pulled her phone out and dialed the number for her advisor.
Sam listened as Jess enthusiastically chatted with her advisor over the phone. He had not heard her that excited about school in the entire time they had been dating. Martha would roll over in her grave if she knew what Jess was interested in. That made it that much better. Hunters and social workers often didn't see eye to eye. There was a gray area. Child protection services was a big fear of his and Dean's growing up. They could have easily gotten taken away from John and almost did a few times. There was a line somewhere. Jess could find it. When Jess was done with her advisor Sam had an idea. "So, what if you worked with hunting families? Maybe not just them but you could help Marie and Rod. I know Dean and I were always running from CPS. What if, you helped create a network to funnel those kids to safe places. That way, they wouldn't wind up in the system. The hunting life is complicated."
Jess squealed and grabbed Sam's arm. "Sammy, you are a genius!"
Sam chuckled. "I was just trying to think of some way that you may be able to help right now. I was just thinking about social workers we ran into when I was growing up." Sam wouldn't admit it but the idea also got Jess's mind off of Joey for a little while. Maybe it would help soften the blow if things turned out the way that he assumed they would. The community was smaller and more closely knit. They didn't have a lot of advocates. Maybe hunters didn't deserve to lose their kids but those same kids deserved to feel a little bit safer.
Jess immediately called Marie and entered a two hours long conversation, filling page after page with notes and ideas. After she hung up she turned to Sam. "Okay, now we find Joey."
Dean and Kate met Sam and Jess an hour later. The sun was sinking lower and they needed a plan.
Dean and Kate went to the police station to ask questions about the case.
Kate used her compulsion ability to get the information without raising suspicion.
Jess read over the information. Something was missing.
"If I am even going to try to track him, I need something of his." Kate said.
Dean held up a strip of fabric. "This was in the evidence box. They think it part of his shirt."
Kate grinned. "I didn't even see you take that."
Sam grimaced. "This is so illegal."
Jess lightly shoved him. "Just look the other way, Sam."
Sam thought he should feel guilty for dragging Jess to the dark side. She was an upstanding member of society and after meeting him, she had started doing things that weren't exactly legal. Of course, she hadn't stolen a car or broken into a house but it was a slippery slope. He shook his head. She would absolutely break into a house if a kid was inside. He took a deep breath. If she was in, so was he.
They piled into Dean's car and swapped gear out for hiking gear. The plan of attack was to search the forested area first. They could claim to be hiking or camping. It was getting darker but Kate thought that was the best time to look because everything else would be quiet. No one would expect someone to look after dark.
Kate held the strip of fabric in her hands. She studied it. She focused on the fibers and deeper to the particles on the fibers. She wasn't a bloodhound so she couldn't pick up a scent. The ground was wet which meant it had been raining. The scent would be long gone anyway. She started walking, letting her instincts lead the way.
Jess had a good feeling about the situation. In her heart, she just knew that they would find him.
Sam and Dean both felt like it was a wild goose chase. They worked off of the facts.
Dean kept an eye on Kate. He knew she would be getting frustrated as their search continued. He saw her pause and draw her shoulders. "What is it?"
Kate felt her eyes tingle and then saw things differently, almost like she was seeing time again. She saw ribbons of light through the trees. She turned around and looked in the direction they had been walking. Colors.. auras. "I can see paths."
Dean tilted her chin. Her eyes were different. They were glowing blue but not as bright as they did when she was angry or overcharged. "What kind of paths."
"Uh, like jet streams but for people." Kate said.
Dean let go of her chin. "Well, that is new."
Kate grinned. "Changes, right?" She spun around and continued down an invisible path.
The others caught up with her and listened for sounds around them. The moon disappeared behind a patch of clouds, causing the forest to fall into darkness.
Jess shivered. It was a little creepy.
"Kate, we may have to head back." Dean said. "We can try again in the morning."
Kate stopped. "No."
Dean groaned. "We need to keep track of where we are. No one is getting helped if we get lost too."
Kate motioned behind her. "The car is two miles that way."
Dean turned around. "Two miles?"
"Uh, more like two and a half." Kate said.
"Are you guessing?" Dean asked.
Kate furrowed her eyebrows. "No. It is called paying attention."
Dean threw his hands up.
Kate started walking again and turned abruptly. She handed Dean her flashlight and continued.
"Can you see?" Dean asked.
"Yes." Kate said.
Dean traded looks with Sam. "Kate, it is pitch black."
Kate's eyes were still glowing. "Not for me."
Dean was a little uncomfortable with how fast she was changing. Sure, she picked up abilities all the time but that was at least three back to back within an hour. "If you transform into a dog, I am not driving you back home."
Kate turned back to him. She put her hands on her hips. "I'm much more likely to turn into a cat."
"Well, I sure as hell am not letting cat Kate in my car." Dean said.
Kate looked around Dean to Jess and Sam. "Millie scared him by chasing a moth. I, as an actual little girl, cannot mimic the scream that came out of him. Ow! Don't hit me. It isn't my fault that you got spooked by a tiny little, harmless cat."
"She is evil." Dean said.
Kate scoffed and started walking again. She noticed the ground changing and found the edge of a crevice. "I'm going to climb down."
Dean tried to stop her. "Wait. Kate. Ah, dammit Kate." He held his flashlight under his chin and followed her down."
Kate stopped. "There are probably bugs down here, just in case it was the moth and not Millie that you were afraid of."
Dean pulled a face. "Don't make me put you back in your place."
Kate pulled her wings out, bathing the rocks in a soft glow. "Yeah, yeah. I know, you're the oldest. I'm the youngest."
Dean helped Jess down and then moved back so that Sam could jump down.
Jess rubbed her arms. "Is this a cave?"
"Kind of. I don't know." Kate said. She kept walking for a few minutes and then held up her hand.
They could hear a faint noise.
Sam put himself between Jess and the noise, unsure what it was.
Kate put her wings away. "Joey?"
The noise stopped abruptly.
Kate sat down on the rocks. "We heard something and came down here. If your name is Joey, I know an awful lot of people are looking for you."
Dean touched Kate's shoulder as something moved towards her.
Jess covered her mouth as his face came into view. Her nails dug into Sam's arm and she looked up at him.
Sam clamped his hand over hers. He did not expect to find the kid.
Kate beckoned Joey toward her. "I have friends with me. They are really nice."
Joey got close enough to be seen with the flashlights. "I hurt my leg."
"That is okay. One of my brothers can carry you. How did you get out here?" Kate asked.
Joey told them that a man had taken him a few days ago. He had escaped and tried to run away but fell into the rocks. That was maybe a day or two before they found him. He wasn't sure.
Dean carefully lifted him. He waited for Sam to climb up and then handed Joey to him.
Sam sat down on the ground and checked Joey for signs of a head injury.
Jess offered him something to eat and some water.
"We need to get him back." Dean said, aware that the kidnapper could also be looking for him.
Sam wrapped him in a blanket and supported his weight.
"Do you want me to carry him?" Dean asked.
"No, I've got him." Sam said.
Jess's heart broke. Joey was so tired and weak. If they had not found him, it was likely that no one else would have. The cave was tucked away and didn't look like a real cave to begin with. She gave Kate a hug. "Thank you."
Kate was happy that they found him. She felt like it was a win, which they all needed.
"How are we going to explain this?" Sam asked, making sure Joey was asleep.
"Jess and I were taking a walk or a hike and got a little lost. We called you guys and you tracked us down. On our way back, we just found him." Kate said.
"You know she's a Winchester with how quickly she can come up with a lie." Sam said with a smirk.
Dean called the police as they were walking back and informed them that they had found a boy. They were met by a dozen flashlights and a cascade of reds and blues as the police lights bounced off the trees at the opening of the forest.
Joey was taken away in an ambulance.
They answered questions and signed papers at the station. They shared contact information and went back to a motel for the night.
Jess was over the moon. "I knew we would find him."
Kate tossed her shoes by the door. "They aren't big on letting me hunt. I know Sam wouldn't want you hunting but we could make this a thing. You and me, locating the missing children of America."
Sam cringed. "This is going to bite us in the ass, isn't it."
Dean handed him a beer bottle and sat down on the edge of the bed. "With those two, yeah, they'll find a way."