~*****~

I let out a soft yawn as I exited the bathroom to see Dean on the phone, waiting for the voicemail. "We think we've got a serious lead on the thing that killed Mom. So, uh, this warehouse- it's 1435 West Erie. Dad, if you get this, you get to Chicago as soon as you can." Dean said, and ending the call promptly. Sam came into the room, carrying the bag full of weapons and dumping it onto the bed.

"Voicemail?" Sam asked.

"You expected different?" I question, earning a sigh.

"Jesus, what'd you get?" Dean asked, glancing down at the bag.

Sam chuckled. "I ransacked the trunk. Holy water, every weapon that I could think of, exorcism rituals from about a half a dozen religions." I sat on a chair and lifted up one of the books. "I'm not sure what do expect, so I guess we should just expect everything." Dean nodded and we started to load guns.

"Big night." Dean mentioned.

"Yeah. You nervous?" Sam questioned. I looked over at Sam curiously. This really was going to be a big night. These boys spent their entire lives going after their mothers killer, and if it went correctly, they could put an end to it at last. They could even stop hunting if they so choose.

"No. Why? Are you?" Dean replied, looking to his younger brother.

"No. No way." Sam answered, but it seemed like he wanted to say something else. Silence filled the room for a few moments before Sam finally opened his mouth. "God, could you imagine if we actually found that damn thing? The demon?"

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Sam." I state gently.

"I know. I'm just sayin', what if we did? What id this whole thing is over, tonight? Man, I'd sleep for a month. Go back to school- be a person again." Sam said, shaking his head in awe. A twinge of pain blossomed in my heart. I set my gun down slowly, wondering what I could do. I couldn't just reinsert myself into society like that. I watched my parents killed in front of me. I was way to messed up to live a normal life. Sure, I could have kids or get married, but I'd always find myself going back to searching for a new job.

Dean paused what he was doing, pursing his lips. "You wanna go back to school?"

"Yeah, once we're done hunting this thing," Sam replied as if it were obvious.

"Huh." Dean huffed.

"Why, is there something wrong with that?"

"No. No, it's uh, great. Good for you." Dean said, although it wasn't at all what he thought.

"I mean, what are you gonna do when it's all over?"

"It's never going to be over. There's gonna be others. There's always gonna be something to hunt." Dean replied as I loaded another shot gun a bit too aggressively.

Sam looked at me, then to Dean. "But there's got to be somethin' that you want for yourselves-"

"Yeah. I don't want to leave the second this thing is over, Sam." Dean snapped. He got up and went to the dresser, turning his back on us.

"Dude, what's your problem?" Sam asked.

"Why do you think I drag you everywhere, huh? I mean, why do you think I came and got you at Stanford in the first place?" Dean asked.

"Cause Dad was in trouble. 'Cause you wanted to find the thing that killed Mom."

"Yes, that, but it's more than that, man," Dean replied with a raised voice. He turned to the dresser and was silent for a moment. "You and me, Lottie, and Dad- I mean, I want us... I want us to be together again. I want us to be a family again." He finally answered, turning back to Sam.

"Sammy, we're all each other has now a days." I add lowly.

Sam's face softened for a moment as he glanced between the two of us. "Guys, we are a family. I'd do anything for you. But things will never be the way they were before."

Dean's expression could only be described as heartbroken. "Could be."

"I don't want them to be. I'm not gonna live this life forever. Guys, when this is all over, you're gonna have to let me go my own way." Sam said, his tone final. I thought back to when Sam first told me he wanted to go to college....

"Lottie!" I look up from my journal, staring at Sam's nervous look.

"What's up, Sammy?" I ask, closing the journal softly. He took a seat besides me at the diner we sat at. John and Dean were on a hunt right now, and since I was recovering from a nasty break from a raw head encounter, Sam was instructed to watch me.

"I have to ask you something," He whispered, lowering his head a bit. I cocked my head and turned towards him. "I want to go to college.... But I don't think Dad will-"

"I'm gonna stop you right there, Sammy," I snorted. His face contorted into worry. "You don't give a rats ass about what John thinks about college, alright? You want to pursue your education, you go for it. I'll support you. It's your life, Sam. You want out of this life, I won't stand in your way."

Sam's face broke out in a grin and he quickly wrapped his arms around my shoulders, pulling me into a tight hug. "What college do you think I should go for?" He asked, pulling a few pamphlets out of his pocket. I let out a laugh as he set them all down.

"You've thought this through, huh? Well, even though I quit school, I was told that Stanford would be a good school to go to. Since you like studying law and all." I push the little leaflet towards him. "Now, get these things outta here. If John see's any of these, he'll have a conniption fit."

"You're the best, Lottie."

~*****~

We had gotten to the warehouse that night, but quickly realized the only way to get up to Meg without her knowing, was the climb the elevator shaft. We all gave each other a look before starting the climb. We made it to the top quickly and peered out over the edge. Meg stood with her back to us, chanting over some alter. Dean and Sam gripped onto the bars and slipped through the gap near the wall. I climbed in after, heaving a quiet sigh as I pulled out my gun. We moved to the other side of the room, hiding behind some crates. "Guys," Meg calls, and we all share a stunned look. "Hiding's a bit childish, don't you think?"

"Well, that didn't work out like I planned." Dean muttered and Meg turned to face us.

"Why don't you come out?" She asked. We all stood slowly, staring down at the blonde bitch. She began walking towards us, a sinister smile on her face. "Sam, I have to say, this puts a real crimp in our relationship."

"Yeah, tell me about it." Sam hissed.

"So, where's your little Daeva?" I asked, making her look at me. She smirked a bit.

"Around. You know, that shotguns not gonna do much good." She mentioned.

"Oh, don't worry sweetheart. The shotguns not for the demon." Dean smirked and she raised an eyebrow.

"So, who is it, Meg?" Sam questioned and she turned back to Sam. "Who's coming? Who are you waiting for?"

"You." Meg smiled cruelly. A shadow formed on the opposite wall and it lunged forward, making me yelp in surprise. I watched in horror as it slashed along Sam's face, then turning on me after knocking Dean away. I backed up a bit, gritting my teeth at the size of it. I fired off a salt round, hoping it would deter it so I could get away from it, but it didn't even flinch. I let out a cough as it's claws sunk into the soft skin of my belly and dug inwards. Blood bubbled up my throat and spewed from my lips as I dropped my gun, trying to grasp at the claws digging into me. My vision started to distort as I stared at Meg's face, that had now started to twist unnaturally. My feet left the ground and I'm fighting to stop sliding forward through the claws as they penetrated past my stomach, and out my back. I gagged on my own blood as the Daeva threw me to the ground. I could faintly hear Sam and Dean screaming for me. I gurgled slightly as the blood flowed through my lips once more before I closed my eyes, welcoming the darkness to avoid this pain.

~*****~

My eyes snapped open, gazing at the bright white space around me. And for a moment, I think I'm dead. And if I was, how the hell did I get into heaven. "Carlotta." A soft voice echoes. To my surprise, I move my head, staring at a being adorned in a white cloak and red sash. "You're gravely wounded."

"Where.... Where am I?" I question softly, staring down at my hands. Blood coated them, and my stomach hung open, but nothing fell.

"Still on earth. Your body is healing itself, and it wont awaken for another few hours. Until then, I have to tell you something."

"Who are you?" The man smiles and waves his hand. The room goes dark, and I'm staring down at the spot where my body lay. "What the-"

"My name is Castiel. What your seeing if your corporeal body. Right now, in your words, you're a spirit." I gaze in horror as Dean slids towards my body, his screams silent to my ears as he lifts me into his arms after they both send Meg out the window.

"What am I looking at?" I ask

"He won't be able to see you. Now, Carlotta, please listen to me. This battle you are fighting with the Winchesters. Azazel will stop at nothing to kill you. You must protect yourself in these months to come."

"Azazel? Why would he want to kill me?!" I shout.

"You are one of the few beings on earth who have the power to kill demons." Castiel stated, waving his hand again. The world distorted and I'm shunted back, silently staring at my mother. Except, she was pregnant, and by the looks of it, she was due any moment. "Your mother was dying. She was not going to be able to have you. The father that you know, is not your own. Your father is a mighty creature, that to this day has not been seen since your conception."

"What?" I gaze down at the scene, watching my mother scream in agony. Nurses rushed into the room, and the scene shifts again, to my mother laying peacefully in her bed, with my father besides her, his hand resting on her forehead. A bright light erupted from where he touched her, and her eyes slid open, staring up at the man I knew as my father. "What is this?"

"I cannot go into great detail as of yet. You are not ready, but these upcoming months, you must remain vigilant. Though you are harder to kill, you are not immortal yet. Please, for the sake of the Winchesters, and your future children, you must not die." Castiel said adamantly, then he snapped his fingers. The world went dark and I sat there, waiting for something to happen.

~*****~

It started faintly, but I could hear someone crying. Soft sobs, that went into full blown wails as my senses started to come back little by little. I tried in vain to remember what the man in white said. What he said about my past, but it came up blank. My eyes regained their vision, and I could see the night sky above me as the man holding me kept wailing, saying that he should've protected me. I tried to speak, but my throat had felt like it had been dried over through the course of several years. "D-De-Dean?" I rasp softly, hearing him inhale sharply before pulling away. He stared down at me, confusion covering his features. My hands shook as I raised them, feeling my stomach, that had been soaked in my own blood. I felt nausea come on, and for once, I was glad that it did. It meant I was alive. I kept rubbing, searching for the gaping wound on my skin, but nothing was there.

"Carlotta, h-how are you?" He rasped, cupping my cheek. Then, out of nowhere, he leaned forward, kissing me tightly and started to sob again. "I'm sorry, baby. I should've-"

"Water-" I rasped, coughing heavily, spitting coagulated blood from my throat. "Please."

Dean looked up, his eyes frantic. "Sammy!" He screamed. He set me down gently, smoothing my hair for a second before speaking. "I'll be right back, baby." I nod weakly and test out my movements. My hands worked and my legs twitched when I tried to move them, but I was glad I could at the moment. I turned my head slightly, staring to where Dean ran off to. He and Sam were furiously gathering water for me before bolting back over. They both slid to their knees as I tried sitting up. I felt as if I had been hit with a truck. Dean held me again, and helped me drink the water. It felt amazing, soothing the parched feeling I had been harboring.

"Lottie, how are you even alive?" Sammy asked, ignoring that glare Dean gave him.

"I don't-" I rasped, spitting more blood out. "I don't know.... One moment, that things skewered me, and the next... I'm here, alive..."

"It doesn't matter how she's alive, Sammy." Dean snapped, lifting me up into his arms. "Let's get going. She needs rest." Dean ordered, rushing out of the warehouse with Sam in tow.

I gazed up at the night sky, bewildered at the fact that I could still enjoy those stars. Sam unlocked the door and opened it up for Dean, and the three of us entered the room. Dean immediately stopped.

"Hey!" He yelled, and Sam turned on the lights. I wince and shut my eyes before looking over, in complete shock. "Dad?"

"Hey boys." He smiled, taking a step forward, then halting when he sees the state I'm in. Dean moves forward and sets me on the table, helping me stay upright before hugging his father. "What happened to her?" John asked quietly. Dean looked back at me, his eyes showing a bit of fear.

"She, uh... she just got cut up is all." Dean answered, ignoring the fact that I was impaled. John just sighed and came to my side, and wrapped me up in his arms. I grunted in shock before accepting the warm hug.

He pulled away from me and gave me a once over, making sure I was alright before pressing a kiss to my forehead. He then turned to Sam. "Hi, Sam."

"Hey, Dad." Sam replied softly. Neither of them moved to hug each other, but shared a meaningful look. Sam placed the bag he held onto the table besides me and looked back to us.

"Dad, it was a trap. I didn't know. I'm sorry." Dean apologized quickly. He came back to my side and wrapped his arms around me, and helped me stand. I wobbled a bit, but my legs were firm enough to hold my weight.

"It's alright. I thought it might've been." John reassured.

"Were you there?" Dean asked, making him nod.

"Yeah, saw the girl take the swan dive. She was the bad guy, right?" He questioned, glancing between the three of us. "Good. Well, it doesn't surprise me. It's tried to stop me before." John looked down, nodding his head slightly.

"The demon has?" Sam clarified.

"It knows I'm close. It knows I'm gonna kill it. Not just exorcise it or send it back to hell- actually kill it." John explained and I pursed my lips. There was no way to kill a demon... Well, not that I knew anyway. I heard rumors about a few witches that could kill one. But that's about it.

"How?" Dean asked.

John just smiled. "I'm working on that."

"Let us come with you. We'll help." Sam began, and Dean shot him a warning look.

"No, Sam. Not yet. Just try to understand. This demon is a crazy son of a bitch. I don't want you caught in the crossfire. I don't want you hurt." John reasoned.

"Dad, you don't have to worry about us." Sam said.

"Of course I do. I'm your father." John answered and then looked to me, placing his large hand atop my head. I smiled shyly, glad that he thought of me as his own kid. "Listen, Sammy, last time we were together, we had one hell of a fight."

"Yes, sir." Sam nodded in agreement.

John looked down, beginning to get choked up. "It's good to see you again. It's been a long time."

"Too long." Sam said, and they pulled each other into a tight hug, tears running down their cheeks. Dean secured his hold on me, a sigh lifting from his lips as I leaned against him. But that peaceful moment ended as everyone was sent flying. I cried out in pain as I landed awkwardly against the wall. I clenched my eyes shut as claws began to dig into my body again, sending the pain so high, I thought dying was better than this.

"Shut your eyes! These things are shadow demons, so let's light 'em up!" Sam yelled. A flash burst from behind my eyelids, and I'm being lifted up into a warm pair of arms.

"Dad!" I hear Dean call.

"Over here!" John calls back. I fell limp again, dizzy and dazed at the amount of blood I had lost. I heard the sound of a car door open and I'm placed inside. My eyes crack open, and I'm staring at the roof of the Impala. My consciousness begins to fade, and with what little strength I have left, I sit up, groaning out in pain and watching the scene while my vision turns orange, and a slight ring fills my ears as their conversation warps into blurred sounds. John leaves, and I cry out, trying to follow after him, but Dean just crawls into the back of the Impala as Sam takes the drivers side and we leave the motel. Dean tries speaking to me, but my energy drops and I pass out.

~*****~

I awoke what felt like hours later, to the subtle purr of the Impala bumping along the road. Dean lay across the back seat, cradling me in his arms. I tried to sit up, rousing him immediately. "Are you alright?" He hummed, helping me sit. Sam looks back for a moment before resuming his driving with a relieved sigh. I nod and grasp onto my head.

"Yeah..." I start to heave, slapping at Sam. He pulls the Impala over and I fling myself out of the door, hitting the asphalt roughly before puking. Dean stoops down, rubbing my back as I retch loudly.

"We need to get you something to eat. And water." Dean comments, then looks up to Sam. "Next diner we see, stop, got it?" Dean orders.

"Yeah." Sam agrees, reaching into his pocket and handing me a handkerchief to wipe my mouth. We all get back into the Impala, but this time, Dean drives while I sit up front between the two of them, feeling a bit more alert by now.

"I'll need to change first." I comment, staring at Dean.

"Yeah, your bag is in the trunk." We stopped at the next rest station and I scurried into the bathroom to change for food. My stomach started to growl as I thought about it and threw together an outfit, and flinging on some accessories.

I stepped out of the bathroom with a sigh and smiled when Dean just gaped at me. "You could've just worn some pajama's." He commented, taking my bag and loading it back up into the Impala.

"Yeah, but also remember that I like to look good." I state plainly, palming my belly. "Do I?" I twirl around, grinning when he rolls his eyes.

"You always do. Get your ass in the car, you need food." I nod and slip back into the Impala, narrowly avoiding the snoozing Sam.

The next diner we stop at, Sam decides to order something to go and eat it later. He goes back to the Impala to sleep while Dean and I eat in the diner. We were silent for a while as I ate my burger slowly. It felt like years since I had eaten, and I wanted to savor it.

"You sure you're alright?" Dean asks for the millionth time.

I sigh heavily, fed up with that question. "Yes Dean, for the last time. Yes, I am fine. Please, can we stop bringing it up, I just want to eat and hit the road." I say a bit too harshly. Dean just sighs a bit and reaches over, grasping my hand. "I understand that you were upset, and the fact that yes, I could've died, but-"

"Lottie, I love you." I sighed gently, swooning. It never gets old. "Hell, I don't think I've ever felt this way about anyone. And when you stopped moving. It felt like my entire world just fell apart." I lowered my gaze, feeling a bit bad for getting tired of his questions.

"Dean, I-"

"Sometimes, I just want to drop you off somewhere where you can start a life away from all this bullshit, but... I know that would do no good." Dean said finally. I snapped my gaze up to him, raising an eyebrow. "You and I, we're better as a team. Those weeks you were away, I got caught in way more trouble than what I would have with you. Sure, we can get ourselves caught in some tricky situations, but we always get out in one piece- I swear to god, if you mention New Orleans, I'm going to scream." I says firmly as I open my mouth. I snort and start to laugh. "The point it, Lottie. If you die, I might as well too, because I can't live without you."

"Dean....." I sigh, pressing a kiss to his knuckles. "If I die, not only are you going to live, you're going to live for me, and Sam, and John. Or I swear, I'll haunt your ass." I comment, earning a chuckle.

"You have no idea what you do to me." He sighed, shoving the rest of his burger into his mouth.

"And the moment is ruined." I comment again, giggling when ketchup smears over his chin. He looks confused so I just shrug and shove the rest of my burger into my mouth. We both start laughing and nearly choke.