Of course, there were a lot of difficult parts of raising a child. Even more so if they weren't yours to begin with. Being parentified older siblings to be exact. No, Sam and Dean wouldn't trade it for anything else. Dean always found it funny, thinking back to himself finding it difficult to look after Sammy when they were younger. He had no idea what he was in for with a little sister, she always had something out of the ordinary to bring up. Like, one moment of many to come where she'd ask about something girly she wanted that her two brothers had no experience in.

"Can I get my ears pierced?" was the first thing Millie blurted out to Sam as he approached her at the front of the school.

He paused, face twisting in amusement. "Did y'have a good day?" He jokingly tried to change the subject.

Millie's shoulders slumped, being able to sense witty sarcasm coming off Sam's tone.

"Come on, Sam. I'm almost ten. Every girl in my class has earrings." Millie stood up straighter as if she could win her point by becoming more serious.

Sam slug his arm around her shoulder, guiding her to begin walking back to the motel with him.

"Where's Dean?" she noticed when they weren't walking to the impala which wasn't in sight.

"Thought I'd walk you today. Dean had to go grab some things, he'll be waiting for us at the room."

"Do you think he'd let me get my ears pierced?" She looked up at her big brother as they walked and talked.

Sam pursed his lips. "You sure that's something you wanna do? First your ears, next thing you'll be getting your nose pierced." Sam joked in a serious parental voice.

"No I won't! I'll never do that... Just my ears, I promise. Wouldn't they look so pretty?" Millie lashed back, like his thoughts were the craziest thing she'd ever heard.

Sam chuckled over her serious defense. "I don't know, kid. Let's see what Dean says."

Millie's brows frowned, she didn't respond and continued to walk. Usually, 'I don't know' wasn't a good start.

Back at the motel, Millie pushed through Sam to the door, eager to ask Dean her burning request. "Hey De! How was your day?" Millie swung her backpack off her shoulder, onto the chair.

Dean glanced back from the kitchenette suspiciously. "What'd you do?"

"What? Nothing. Nothing. At. All." Millie raised her eyebrows, ready to put on the sweetest face she could muster up.

"Then, what do you want...?" Dean glanced between her and Sam, sharing a short look with him. Sam shrugged, gesturing to Millie, ready for her to fire on all cylinders.

She paused then went again. "Can I pleeeaasse, get my ears pierced?" She blinked real cute like.

Well, he was preparing to hear worse. "Hm, where's this coming from all a sudden?"

She went on to explain how every girl in the fourth grade had earrings and how they looked so pretty on each and every one. She noted how some girls got to change theirs into dangly ones and all had different colors.

"That's a big responsibility y'know. You gotta clean them so they don't get infected n' stuff." Dean warned.

"I can be sooo responsible. I would take care of it all, you guys wouldn't have to help me do a thing." She stated confidently.

Dean sighed. "I believe you sweetheart. Just not sure dad would give me the green light."

"He doesn't have to know." Millie blurted out without thinking. She was getting to an age where her father's regular absence and lack of interest in their lives was becoming prominent. She didn't mean it in a mean way, just wanted to trust that Dean could allow such a decision.

Dean was quiet, he thought for a moment. "I don't know how much I trust bringing you someplace..." He murmured.

"For that, hell, you could do it." Sam joked.

Dean shot Sam an unusual look. "Y'know, that's not a half bad idea."

Millie looked back and forth between them. "What?! No way..."

"You want your ears pierced, kid? You got it." Dean clicked his tongue, half joking, half serious.

"Um, are you being serious?" Millie asked cautiously.

"I mean, hey. If you're up for it, sure. But you gotta be sure you trust me now, eh?" Dean clarified.

Millie sat in thought for a moment. Pierced ears? Done right here, right now? It is what she wanted after all, even though she thought that was a little crazy of Dean to suggest.

She huffed in agreement. "Okay. But please don't mess it up!" She whined.

Later that evening, Dean managed to gather up some supplies after looking up things to use when 'piercing at home'. He shook his head to himself, not believing what he was about to do. However, he loved seeing his little girl happy.

"Alright, hop up." Dean patted the table where he was preparing everything. Sam hoisted her up.

Millie sat criss crossed, rocking back and forth with excitement and nervousness.

"Wait!" She sprung up, startling both of them. "I don't have any earrings to put in." Her voice grew sad.

A smirk found its way onto Dean's lips. "Already got that covered, kiddo."

"You have earrings?! How? Can I see them?" Millie peered over her shoulder to the clutter of items scattered.

"Not- until I'm done. Let it be a surprise." Dean said, his patience and nerves wearing thin.

Dean reached over, wiping her ears sloppily with a cotton ball. He then dotted her ears with a sharpie and stood back, scrunching his face to ensure evenness which made Millie giggle.

"Here. Hold these to your ears for a few minutes." Dean handed her two ice cubes, then turned to sterilize a sewing needle.

"I can't believe you're actually doing this." Sam breathed with some nervousness to his tone, shaking his head at his brother. He shrugged his shoulders in return, making a gesture at Millie behind her back.

"You sure you know what you're doing?" He asked again, trying not to glance nervously at Millie.

"It's pretty straightforward, Sammy." Dean said, as if he had done this before.

"You ready, kid?" Dean stepped into view.

"Mhm." She hummed in hesitation. Her nerves shot up through the roof when she eyed the needle pinched in Dean's fingers.

"Wait!" She moved again. "Is it gonna hurt?" she asked, realizing she hadn't thought about that.

"I dunno, we've never pierced our ears before..." Sam trailed off.

"Sam..." Dean shot him a glare. "Not helping."

Millie's expression glazed over with worry. "It shouldn't be that bad, just two seconds, okay? It's a pretty soft part of your ear..." Dean explained, cursing himself internally if he were to fuck any of this up.

She took a moment, trying to ease her mind. Sam reached out and grasped her hand, squeezing it tight. "I'm right here, bug." He smiled.

She quickly gasped as Dean pierced through the first ear, not even seeing it coming with Sam's moment of distraction. "Oh." she breathed out in relief. The three of them laughed, Dean's being partly nervous laughter.

"One more time. You did awesome." He praised.

Dean lined it up once more and pierced through the second one. Mille let out the breath she was holding. "Is it done? Can I see?" She asked, trying not to bounce up at down. "Gimme a sec." Dean cleaned up his work. He backed up and grinned, "Go see." He nodded with a smile.

She jumped off the table, running to the motel bathroom. Her mouth dropped, eyes wide as she admired her new earrings. Tucking her hair behind her ears to reveal the two blue opal colored studs Dean found at the drugstore, she looked back at Dean beaming ear to ear.

Dean smiled back, feeling pretty proud of himself. Not being sure of the plan at first but seemingly satisfied with the outcome. It was a light in the mundane events of their everyday to see either of his siblings happy.

"Thank you, thank you Dean!" Millie came crashing into him. He returned the embrace, patting her back. "Course, sweetheart. You look beautiful." She smiled up at him.

"Just don't say anything to dad, got it? You hide that with your hair when he comes home."

"Deal." she shot him a thumbs up.

"Now let's do Sammy's ears." Dean laughed, so did Millie. "Yeah!" she turned to him.

Together you moved further and further into the dimly lit corridor, a pretty useless gun clutched in your hands, the shotgun in Dean’s. The fluorescent lights were a stark contrast to the shadows forming closer to the walls and in every corner. The strip lights were usually enough during the day, when sunlight seeped inside through the windows, but apparently not during the late evening. Although, some light still seeped in from the windows, originating from the full, bright moon, bluish in color.

Suddenly, the sound of a door closing echoed through the otherwise silent school, making you and Dean both flinch, unconsciously stepping closer to each other, rising your weapons. A man stepped out into the far end of the corridor, and he was obviously not a ghost, but you didn’t relax immediately.

It was when he spoke up you hid your guns.

”Hey, what are you two doing here?” He exclaimed, beginning to walk closer. ”You shouldn’t really be here, seeing what has happened lately.”

”Sorry, I was just, uh, picking up some stuff,” you answered, as you stepped closer to the row of lockers next to you, as if you were going to open one.

”Wait, are you Sam’s older siblings?”

The man’s question made Dean and you look at each other, until you stared at him instead. The very same question also made you realize who it was — Mr. Wyatt. Sam had mentioned something about him the other day, but you couldn’t remember what.

Right now, all your mind was focusing on was the fact that he was inside the school, which meant that he was a target.

The man’s question made Dean and you stiffen and look at each other, until you stared at him instead.

”How did you know?” Your brother asked, expression unsure as he eyed the teacher.

”Sam wrote a story about you for English class,” Mr. Wyatt’s voice died down, and the look in his eyes made you feel like there was more to the story than that, for some reason. Like he knew something about you.

You decided to leave it, but it did make you wonder.

”Well, I’m just gonna get my homework, and then we’ll leave.” You smiled politely, rounding off the conversation.

”Good. I’m going to finish up in some stuff and then I’ll leave too.”

He smiled as well, and you and Dean returned it. Then he walked off with a quick wave sort of thing, a non-verbal goodbye.

Once he had disappeared into another room, the door slamming shut behind him, you turned to your twin.

But before you could open your mouth, Dean opened his.

You always knew what the other was thinking.

”I’ll go outside,” he informed you. ”The usual drill.”

”Great,” you nodded. He was going to get the teacher out of the building, at all costs.

”Keep guard.” Dean ordered, pointing at you as he started to walk backwards in the direction you came from.

”Aye, aye captain.” You nodded.

Dean gave you a thumbs up and turned around to jog towards the doors of the school.

You were once again left alone on the eerie corridor, but it didn’t take long before the faint sound of a car alarm going off reached your ears. And then another car alarmed, followed by another. Because, when there was several cars to choose from, and you didn’t know which one, you just had to go for them all.

You just hoped that Mr. Wyatt heard them too.

At the sound of the alarms, you walked down the rest of the corridor to round the corner just in time for the teacher to run out of the classroom he had been staying inside and then out of the school, worried about his car in the parking lot.

Now you were completely alone. Heartbeat hammering while you were as tense as you possibly could be. Holding your breath, you listened for any indication that something had gone wrong outside, waiting for your twin brother to show up. The walls felt like they were getting closer, the shadows seemed to move. With clammy hands you adjusted the grip around your gun, eyes latched onto the door, gasping as it swung open.

Dean quickly closed the door behind him, locking it. You breathed out slightly.

”Okay, let’s go,” Dean stated as he ran over to you, and you began making your way towards the stairs.

Back at the motel, Sam was worrying sick. Pacing around the room, he just couldn’t bring himself to sit down. He couldn’t relax. And when the phone rang, he nearly jumped out of his skin.

”Sam.” He answered, heart hammering in his chest.

”Hey, son, it’s your dad. I got Dean and (Y/N)’s messages and I’m on my way.”

”They are already out there, right now, hunting alone.” Sam replied, trying to keep the annoyance out of his tone. ”You never let us hunt alone.”

”I understand.” John paused for a second. ”I don’t like them hunting alone, but they’re doing the right thing.”

Yes, because two teenagers hunting a teen-killing ghost alone was a great thing, Sam thought to himself.

”Okay.” He just responded, tone emotionless, not letting his dad hear what he was really thinking.

”See you soon.”

Sam hung up.

”(Y/N)?”

You froze at the voice, and Dean stopped too, noticing that you had. You were right at the foot of the stairs, caught in action. Both of you then turned around, facing the owner of the voice. Dean didn’t connect the dots immediately, but you felt the hairs on your arms stand straight up along with the fine ones in your neck.

No way.

”Jeremy.” You smiled, flashing your teeth while your blood ran cold. ”What are you doing here?”

But you knew the answer instantly after you asked the question.

”Guitar practice,” he responded, eyeing you and Dean. ”You?”

Shit, shit, shit.

”Forgot my homework.” You casually responded, trying to keep the quiver off your voice. You were a practiced liar, but this was Jeremy. It was harder. ”I’m just gonna go and get it, and then Dean and I are out of here. Don’t wanna be here when people are dying, right?”

You hoped he would get the hint. You didn’t pray, but right now you almost did. You just wanted him to understand. And leave, and go somewhere far away from here. Go back home, to safety.

Jeremy wore squinty eyes as he looked at you and Dean, much like you had done to the teacher. He too knew something was up, but he also seemed to understand what you meant, thankfully. ”Yeah, you’re right. I’m gonna head home now too. See you tomorrow?”

”Of course.” You smiled, trying to keep the anxiousness off your features. You just wanted him out of here, now.

He nodded and glanced over at Dean who sort of waved once as a combined ’what’s up’ and ’goodbye’.

But just when Jeremy was about to turn around, it happened. The lights flickering was a sad excuse for a forewarning. Neither you or Dean had the time to register it before your friend screamed in surprised as he suddenly was thrown off his feet.

You watched in terror, paralyzed, as he was flung into row of lockers, a loud crash echoing through the quiet school. The formerly quiet school — now the crash and your scream filled that silence. That along with the strong wind that had appeared along with the ghost that now stood looming over Jeremy, who was laying too still for your comfort.

Luckily Dean had his mind in the game — in contrast to you — and brought out his shotgun. Through the roaring storm that pulled papers and posters with it he aimed and sent a salt-filled shotgun shell flying through the air, hitting the ghost. It vanished with a hiss.

It suddenly got quiet again.

You blinked, your eyes falling onto your friend again.

”No, no, no, no.”

You ran up to him, hearing Dean’s footfalls following right behind. Reaching Jeremy, you fell to your knees.

Placing your hands on the sides of his face, you lifted up his head. It was heavy with his neck limp. Jeremy’s expression was completely relaxed — not in a good way — and his amber eyes hidden underneath heavy eyelids.

”Jer?” Your voice was small as you tapped his cheek. Meanwhile you felt Dean’s presence right behind you, him to waiting for a reaction as he watched over your shoulder.

No answer. No movement.

”Jeremy! Come on, wake up!” You couldn’t keep your voice from breaking. You shook his head, but nothing happened.

You were getting really scared, this numbing fear wrapping itself around your body and your senses.

”Hold on, (Y/N), let me look.” Dean placed a hand on your shoulder that was as gentle as his voice.

Inching closer so that he sat next to the still boy, Dean placed two fingers on Jeremy’s exposed neck.

The moments that followed seemed excruciatingly long. Endless, even. But then finally Dean came with a verdict.

”He’s got a steady pulse.”

Then Dean held out a hand right above Jeremy’s nose and mouth.

”He’s breathing too.”

You nodded, feeling a little comforted.

”He’s probably just knocked out,” Dean reassured you, his expressive green eyes meeting yours.

You know that it’s not that dangerous, it’s happened to you many times before. But still, it wasn’t good, and it looked awfully scary. You’d always think that.

You sat back on your heels and let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding. But you didn’t stay there for long, because a couple of seconds later, you scrambled to your feet.

You quickly rubbed your eyes, swiping away unshed tears you hadn’t noticed had formed in your eyes.

”I’m going to end that ghost.”

Dean looked up at you, determination coloring his features. ”Yeah, let’s kill it.”

You felt horrible leaving Jeremy. You knew it was the best option, if you tried to leave with him, the ghost would not only get away and continue to kill people until you got another shot at killing it, it would also probably not let you leave. Besides, you needed to distract the ghost, drawing it to you, so that it’ll leave Jeremy alone.

You steadied your brunet friend up, so that he was unconsciously sitting up, leaning against the dented lockers. And then you get on with the hunt, continuing on the search for the ring the ghost was bound to.

Before you walked up the stairs though, you threw a glance over your shoulder and the sight was scary. The way Jeremy was just sitting there, was quite bizarre.

”Promise I’ll be back soon, Jer,” you whispered, before you followed Dean to the second floor.

After ten extra minutes of searching, you found the glass display case where the ring was located. Sharing a quick glance with your brother, you brought out a lock pick from your duffel and began unlocking the case, eyebrows knitted together in concentration, tongue sticking out just a little — as Dean always told you, ’like some cartoon character’, before he usually laughed.

A faint click informed you that the lock gave away, and with a steady yet clammy hand, you opened the glass door. Then you reached inside with a slow hand to pick up the old, surprisingly elegant ring with gentle fingers.

But just as your fingertips grazed the ring, the ghost returned. Soon you found yourself being thrown against the wall behind you. Meanwhile, the ghost tipped over the glass case and it shattered the moment it hit the ground with a loud crash, the ring lost within the mess. Before you had time to blink, or Dean to move, a particularly large shatter of sharp glass levitated off the worn floor, hanging in the air by an invisible force.

The next few things happened fast.

The ghost transported, appearing closer to you, face cracked up into a haunting grin.

”DOWN, (Y/N)!” Dean cried out, words dripping with sheer panic. At the same time, he quickly lifted his shotgun and aimed for the second time tonight.

A split second later the large piece of glass, that had turned so that its sharp point was directed at you, was soaring through the air.

Thankfully, you just had time to react, pushing yourself down towards the floor, and the sharp end of the glass burying itself in the drywall with a  thump. Right in the exact spot your head had been. In the exact spot.

A loud gunshot rang through the building and the ghost dissolved with a scream — and you and Dean were once again left in silence.

Your heart was hammering, your mouth felt dry as you tried to swallow in vain. A dull ache was throbbing in your back that forcefully hit the wall. You were just barely aware of the way you could feel your heartbeat in your ankle, pain crawling up your leg.

Your eyes were round as they latched onto Dean, who hurried up to you and kneeled down in front of you, just like you had done to Jeremy.

He took a few seconds to check over you, before asking, ”Are you okay?”

”My back hurts. I think I sprained my ankle too, but nothing bad. Almost lost my head,” you gazed up at the glass, ”but I’m fine.”

The fear practically radiates from your brother’s eyes, just as it always does whenever you get hurt. ”Good.”

”Now, let’s just get that goddamn ring.”

Dean instantly turned to the mess of glass and began looking for the ring. He handed you the salt-shotgun since you were a bit too dizzy from the impact to bend down at the moment. Instead you kept guard. Once, you had to shoot the ghost as it re-appeared, but no more than that. Right after, Dean found the ring.

”Finally!”

You immediately brought out the gasoline and pour a small amount of it onto the piece of jewelry — you weren’t interested in science, but hopefully it’ll help alighting the ring of hell — and then you placed it in the sink of a water fountain attached to the wall a few feet away, brought out the lightener and watched it burn. The ghost’s scream echoed through the school, but you didn’t bother to turn around and watch the show, instead you looked on with satisfaction as the ring burned.

You groaned as you and Dean once again hauled Jeremy up, adjusting your grip. Not because Jeremy was very heavy, he was average weight for a guy his size, but because of your ankle. You were favoring it as it was, pain flaring up every time you put your weight on it. It didn’t help that you and Dean were carrying your friend by wrapping one of his arms each around your shoulders.

Another groan was heard through the dark night, and this time it wasn’t coming from you. Jeremy was stirring, his head rolling from side to side.

You and Dean stopped your walk down the street simultaneously, letting Jeremy fully return to consciousness in peace.

”Hey, Jer,” you said softly, chest filling up with a blooming happiness, loving the fact that he was awakening.

”What… happened?” He asked, squinting and blinking his eyes, taking in his surroundings.

He looked like he just woke up a Monday morning. Cute.

”It’s a long story,” you responded, letting out a soft sigh. ”I’ll tell you all about it when you feel better.”

That way you were postponing the explanation, which gave you a bit more time to think of one. You didn’t know how much he remembered at the moment — preferably, not much.

Jeremy nodded, buying your answer.

”How are you feeling?” You then asked, focusing on the important part.

You caught his gaze, looking deeply into his amber eyes that was warm as a sunset.

”Tired,” he replied. He sounded tired as well, and you had no trouble believing him.

”Yeah, we should get you to bed.” You agreed. ”You wanna go home, or do you want to come with us?”

You were scared what his parents would say if you brought him home in this state, but you couldn’t tell Jeremy that. And besides, he was the concussed one, he should be the one deciding, no matter the consequences.

Jeremy looked around himself. ”We’re almost at my place…”

He vaguely pointed to the left, and you and Dean shared a look.

”Okay.” You nodded. ”Your parents are probably worried,” you then added, mostly to yourself. You couldn’t relate to the feeling that your mom or dad worried about you.

”Nah,” Jeremy shook his head. ”They don’t really… care.”

Dean, that had been quiet for most of the time, spoke up. ”Sorry, man.”

”’S okay. I can sneak out whenever… I want…” He smiled lazily. ”Not that I do… but you know.”

You laughed lightly. ”Sure.”

You kept walking until you reached a nice, clean and pretty big house. You and Dean gaped, staring at the smooth, light facade.

”I-Is this it?” You asked, astonished.

”Yup.” Jeremy responded. His voice was sluggish, but you could still hear the disinterest.

”So… are you okay on your own?”

”Yes,” Jeremy answered determinedly, eyes latched onto the front door of his home. It was only about sixty feet away, but you knew he was dizzy.

”Okay, then,” you nodded, and once again a small smile ghosted over your lips.

It was a horrible thought but sometimes concussed people acted in an absurd, funny, way. You knew because you had been around your brothers when they had been concussed and you had also been in that state yourself.

”See you tomorrow,” Jeremy said casually, as if the dramatic things that happened to night hadn’t taken place at all.

But then again, you weren’t sure he remembered any of it.

”Yeah, see you, Jer.”

Jeremy waved, and walked up the path up to the porch of the house.

”Well, at least he’s got willpower.” Dean looked over at you, a crooked half smirk playing on his freckled face.

You laughed. ”He sure does.”

Then Dean swung his arm around your shoulders, placed yours around his to steady you, and you walked home.

Before you could put the key in the keyhole, the door was unlocked from the inside with a light click. It then opened with a creak, to reveal Sam, looking so relieved although scared, as if the fear hadn’t let go of him yet. You were surprised to see him, as you thought he would be in bed, sleeping away right now. It was two in the morning after all.

In Sam’s hand he was clutching the shotgun you and Dean had left him, just like Dad used to leave one for you two with the orders of watching out for your younger brother. Sam quickly put it away though by leaning it against the wall by the door.

And then in an instant his arms were wrapped around your upper body. You staggered backwards slightly.

”Hey, Sammy.” You spoke with warm and soothing words, as you could just tell. Meanwhile you gently ruffled his brown mop of hair, combing it with your fingers.

Dean looked at you with round, guilty eyes and his eyebrows furrowed. Neither of you had thought that Sam felt like this.

Sam himself let out a quivering sob. ”I-I was sure. That something… had happened.”

”Shhh…” You hushed him, running a hand up and down his back, in a comforting manner. ”We’re fine. A little late, sorry about that. Really. I’m sorry, Sam.”

You realized that you hadn’t quite understood how this was hard for your little brother. Through all the nerves and preparations for the hunt, you hadn’t seen it. Not that he could have come with, because you would still rather have him back at the motel, than in the crossfire. It already could have ended bad tonight, and if Sam had been there too… You cringed at the thought. But then again, what if something had gone wrong.

”Yeah, sorry Sammy.” Dean spoke up from next to you. He put a hand on his baby brother’s shoulder.

”This is why I h-hate being left here. I don’t know if you’re hurt or w-worse. I just have to w-wait… and see if you come b-back.”

You grabbed Sam by the shoulders and guided him away from you, so that you could meet his eyes. ”We’re fine Sammy, promise. I’m a little banged up, but it’s nothing bad. You don’t have to worry anymore, okay?”

Sam nodded slowly, and looked over at Dean for reassurance. Dean nodded and smiled lightly. Sam the wrapped his arms around his brother’s waist, hiding his face in his chest. Dean simply ruffled his hair, and held him close, letting your little brother calm down in his own time.

Right after Dean and Sam finally parted, the front door of the motel opened, revealing the one and only John Winchester.

1997 Taglist: @daehguj @lena-lightwood @arie-tfw @skeletoresinthebasement @to-stars-and-back  @lxrrystylinsonfucking69 @zeusmyster @lovelouisbabe @ocean-calls-me @graceb200371 @awesomestperson22 @hugwinchester @kelcpaul96 @deangirl-samcurious-0124-0502 @supernatural-imagine @do-you-wanna-be-awinchester @pearlender

SPN (Sisfic) Taglist: @daughters-and-winsisters @evyiione @samanddeanshotsis@darkestgrungeuniverse @fabulouslycassie @delessapeace-blog @mariairwin666 @1amluke@saveprettydays @cookee50 @yoursmilemakesmeloveyou @infamati–et–obliterati @stillcooli0@sammysbeanie @ocean-calls-me @deepbreathssammy @extreme-supernatural-lover@mogaruke @winchestersmut @i-kdog-posts @steve-rogcrs @wordshowers @27bmm@jjsoccer11 @ivebeenraisedfromperdition @bluecookiesandbooks @disappointeddinosaur@nicolevanderstar @frayedphan @jared-jensen-misha-are-lovelyy @straightestgay-voice @legend-o-zelda @holysheeppanda @mynameisdesolation @to-stars-and-back @forevershadeddark@stonergirl4life95 @wxnchestervevo @captainemwinchester @rosie-winchester @violinmyhead @magical-cas @quackerstheduck663057@falloutofmymemez @messy-buns-and-shotguns @assbutt-still-in-hell @phonegalhelp@lemonadegazeelle @stilesneedsprotection @mcallmestiles @wishedworld@catstielanddeanthedog @foe-throughthetrees @phire23 @winchesterhound @hi-my-name-is-riley @th3things-in-mymind @lillyofthefandom

@winchesters-favorite-girl

If you want on or off the taglist(s), just send me an ask! If you change your url and still want to be tagged, please tell me! It’s REALLY hard to keep track of.

"See, I just don't get how that's supposed to work." Dean threw his hands up.

"Do you need me to explain it again?" Sam huffed.

"....No." Dean's eyes avoided his brothers.

You came out of the corridor, casually walking past your brothers who were sat at the war room table. They saw you but were too wrapped up in their almost argument of a conversation. It was about a hunt they were working on, what else was new?

"Look, all I'm saying is if we ambush them that way, it could catch them off guard and-" Sam tried to continue.

"Yeah, key word 'could' Sam... real convincing." Dean struck with extra snark on that last part.

Sam sighed and looked past Dean, finally noticing you fidgeting with your shoes in the distant room. "Hey kiddo." He breathed out. Dean did a double take, glancing back at you.

"Hey." You barely acknowledged, as you finished tying your sneakers.

"There's a close hunt we're gonna go check out, did you wanna tag along" Sam asked in a hopeful tone.

"To sit in the backseat the whole time? No thanks." You turned back.

You were 15 years old, but weren't allowed to hunt. Your brothers had only taught you how to use a gun and some self defense skills, that was about it. Being that it was so difficult to fit into your normal side of life (school) you tried to pry for the longest time to go hunting, in hopes that was where you could fit in. Sam and Dean would not budge, it was always the same answer- 'when we feel your ready' which seemed like a bunch of bullshit at this point. You weren't sure you'd ever actually get to hunt, unless you snuck behind their back which you knew would get you into trouble. You hated it, but you knew you didn't have experience.

Lately, your life felt like such a colossal mess, and the thought of hunting began to feel less and less interesting in your mind. So, you stopped asking, realizing it probably won't ever happen.

"You sure? You don't want-"

"It's alright, I'm going for a run." You didn't let Sam finish, passing by the both of them and retreating out of the bunker.

"Be safe!" Sam yelled out right before the door slammed shut."

A short silence fell briefly among the room. "Kinda weird how she hasn't asked- begged practically to come on hunts lately." Sam stated.

"Beats her buggin' us about it." Dean was short, going right back to packing a duffel with supplies.

Sam dropped it and resumed reciting his plan.

~

A couple weeks went by, just the usual agenda for the Winchester brothers. Hunt after hunt, seeking leads, heavy on research, making a go for it, and repeat. That's always been the job, that's how you watched your brothers growing up, even when John was still around.

For you it was school, terrible as always, coming home and pressing Sam and Dean to be apart of whatever it was they were working on. And not research, that was the only thing they'd let you do but you would still try and beg to do anything else.

Not these days, instead it was school, come home, and... well, you didn't really know what else to do. You just started to avoid them both a little bit, self isolate and attempt to pre-occupy yourself with whatever you could.

You were reluctantly working on homework in the library when Sam and Dean flooded into the room, each with a stack of files in their grip.

"If there's not something in here, we're gonna have to go to plan b." Dean set down his pile of file folders on the table across from you.

"Yeah, and what's that." Sam asked a bit annoyed.

"I'm gonna have to figure that out, info on this is already pretty slim." Dean ran a hand through his hair, relieving some stress before pulling out a chair.

You closed your book and started packing up your stuff. "Y/n, you don't have to leave." Dean looked at you, slightly confused.

"It's okay, I gotta focus, I'll just go to my room." You retreated but were stopped by Dean, grasping for your arm.

"Hey... what's goin' on with you?"

"Nothing. Okay." You avoided, turning around but Dean wouldn't let up.

"Seriously, what's with all the moping... What did we do this time?" He scorned ever so quickly as he gripped your shoulder, trying to turn you around again.

"Nothing, Dean. Can you just stop! I need to finish this." You pulled back harder, rushing out of the room before they could say anything else.

"What in the world..." Sam whispered. "What's up with her?" He spoke up once you were far enough.

"I don't know, teenage stuff?" Dean shrugged his shoulders, cringing faintly.

Sam thought about leaving it alone but couldn't shake your weird behavior recently. "I'll go try." He said as he headed towards your room.

"Good luck with that." Dean pointed your direction.

Sam stepped with caution into your door frame, curling a fist to knock on it. "Can I come in?" He scrunched his face, anticipating an unpleasant reaction.

"Yeah, I guess." You rolled your eyes. Great, here comes Sam trying to figure out 'what's wrong with me' type of talk. He sat on the edge of your bed, across from where you were at your desk.

"Dean's just trying to help, make sure you're okay n' all." He spoke softly.

"I said I'm fine, Sam." You kept your focus on the paper in front of you.

"You have been kind of distant though, is there something we did to upset you?" He asked.

You dropped your pen and swiveled around on your chair. "Sam, you and Dean did nothing wrong. I am fine, can you just drop it... school is just annoying right now and I'm trying to get this done." You faked an excuse, itching for him to leave.

"Well, if it's anything I can help with-"

"Sam! I can handle it, I don't feel like doing this with you right now. Get out." You could feel your inner wall beginning to break.

"Y/n/n, relax, I just wa-"

"I don't care, get out!! Now!" You stood up, pushing Sam to do the same and inching him towards the door. You shut the door, not too hard though in slight fear that it would piss Dean off into coming over here.

Sam stood in front of the closed door, confused and a bit shocked. He went back to the library, shoulders slumped in defeat.

"That sounded good." sarcasm filled Dean's voice.

Sam's sated eyes met his. "I dunno, we'll figure it out. Anyways, let's get back to finding this..." His attention went to the files.

~

It was another late night of you waiting up for your brothers again. Even if you got word the hunt was successful, you couldn't ever fall asleep until you saw them come back. It was a long drive this time around, you became restless and decided to go sit outside and look at the sky.

You stared up at each of the individual twinkling dots, taking a deep breath and felt a little bit of release from all the tension you've been holding deep inside. It was not often you shared your thoughts and feelings to your brothers, despite you being an emotional teenage girl. That's just how you operated, like them. Neither of them are the type to talk about how they feel, and give advice or solutions to. It's never been that way, the men in your life you grew up with always took the 'suck it up' approach. You had to be tough, even though they'd remind you to come to them if you ever needed to. You just couldn't, you always mirrored their tough front and told yourself to appear strong. You couldn't afford to be weak in this life, even if it was a life you were barely apart of.

Stuck in your deep thoughts, you didn't hear the rumble of the impala on the other side of the brick building.

"Y/n! We're back." Dean announced, coming down the bunker stairs. You weren't at all very responsive these past weeks. Sam and Dean shared an affirming look. Dean walked away to your room, planning to pop in to say 'goodnight' and 'hunt went well' type of stuff.

Sam began unpacking their things on the war room table when he heard abrupt footsteps coming back his way.

"She's not in her room." He stood there questioning.

Sam proposed logic before introducing panic as an option "She could be somewhere else in the bunker... like the bathroom or something." He turned back to Dean's duffel as Dean left the room again, coming back minutes later with added distress.

"I can't find her." Dean patted his pockets for his cellphone. "Where is the damn thing." he stomped up to Sam, nudging him aside as he searched the bag. "Call her, now." He firmly ordered.

Sam felt his pockets, seeing his were empty as well. "My phone's in the car." He began walking with a swift pace. Sam exited the garage to the car which was parked in the gravel outside the door. He stopped when he almost crashed into you.

"Y/n? What the hell! You scared us."

"Sorry?" You backed up, confused at the sudden disturbance.

Sam released the breath he was holding in. "Where were you?"

"Sitting out here, just needed to get some air." Your eyes barely met his as you attempted to push past him. Sam stood in front of the door, forcing you to look up at him.

"What are you doing? I'd like to go to bed now..."

Silence followed, Sam studied your body language before speaking up. "What's wrong, y/n. Why haven't you been talking to us much?"

You stopped, circling around and letting your head fall back in frustration. You weren't getting out of this one. You walked a few steps over to the brick wall of the bunker and let your back thud against it. Sam followed you with those curious puppy eyes of his.

"That's just how we do things. We keep... feelings and stuff to ourselves. Nevermind bothering you guys about it." You shrugged.

"What do you mean? You can always come to either of us if-"

"Something's bothering me, yeah, I know." You finished his sentence.

"Okay, so why don't you?" Sam crossed his arms, matching your lean on the outside structure.

"Cause, I can't be weak I guess." You said quietly.

"Bug, feelings don't make you weak. You can't help that." Sam reassured.

"You guys never show yours though, you always say to 'suck it up'. I- I just... never mind."

"No, what? Tell me, sweetheart." It wasn't often Sam or Dean called you that, and somehow you knew that was your queue to spill it.

"I just feel like... I don't know if you guys would take me seriously, if I'm... spilling out my feelings? I don't know, it sounds stupid. It probably is stupid." Your gaze fell to your fidgeting hands.

Sam stifled a chuckle. "It's not stupid to tell us how you feel. I know we don't do it often, but it doesn't mean that you can't."

Just then, the door burst open with a stumbling Dean looking at the empty car, then aimlessly looking around for Sam when he spotted us.

"What the- what's going on?" He asked, catching his breath as he walked over.

"She was just outside the bunker." Sam gestured.

"You trying to scare us, kid?" Dean half joked.

"No..." You started.

"But, now seems like a good time to talk about what's been up with you. All the distant attitude n' what not." Sam raised his eyebrows at you.

"Wha- I can't!" You whined, beginning to pace in annoyance.

"Y/n, we're your brothers. You can tell us anything, floor's open." He motioned at you.

"Ugh.. I don't know how to put it." You stopped, shoving your hands in your back pockets, eager to put your mind at ease. "I have no plan."

Both brothers furrowed their brows in confusion. "Huh?" Dean questioned.

"I have no plan, no purpose. I don't know what I'm supposed to do with myself. My future is blank, literally." You stated, looking back at your confused brothers. "I don't really, fit in I guess you'd say. Not at school, not with people my own age. I don't even fit in to what our family does, mainly cause I'm not even allowed to do it! So, why am I here? To sit around and watch each day go by. I'm useless."

"Sweetheart, you are not useless." Dean reached out a hand, placing it on your shoulder."Yeah, then what am I?" You challenged, looking up at him.

"You're the most important person in our lives. Now, I don't care if the snot nosed kids at school don't think so, but you're the level headed, intuitive, pretty awesome glue that holds us all together." Dean explained.

"So I'm just glue?"

He looked at you blankly. "You know what I mean."

"He's right, y/n. Nothing would be the same without you. I understand school can make you feel that extra pressure. Aside from that, you're an important part of this family, whether you hunt or not." Sam gave you a small smile.

"I know, it doesn't feel the same though. I feel like I'm off to the side, existing for no reason." You caved on yourself. "Whatever, I told you it was stupid."

"It is not. You know why we can't risk you coming hunting with us right now. We also want you to have a chance at what we didn't have. And, that's a normal life." Sam explained.

"Either way, I'm not normal. I'm related to you two." You pointed out.

"Wow, thanks." Dean reacted fake insulted, making you smile a little.

"In the best ways, of course." You smiled genuinely.

"Nice save, kiddo." Dean smiled back, slowly coming over and pulling you into a side hug.

"Come on, we need you more than ever. Can't have you becoming a rogue teenager on us." Dean squeezed you into his size.

"Kay, okay, I get it." You pushed away playfully. "I won't be so closed off!"

"Please?" Sam checked.

"Yes, sorry." You let your arms fall to your side.

"No need to apologize. We just want to make sure you're okay, always. That's why we're here." Sam opened his arms, inviting you into a hug which you accepted.

The three of you walked back to the bunker. "Big tough hunters can show their emotions too y'know..." You hinted.

"Not a chance, I'm not falling into any chick flick moments." Dean said over his shoulder.

"Don't be so rigid, Dean!" You called out.

The day Sam and Dean met Millie was a whirlwind. It was the most unexpected of events that changed the course of their family, but from there on out, they wouldn't have it any other way.

The three Winchesternboys were camped out in another dingy motel room sometime in March. In a small town on the outskirts of Minnesota, the early spring air was still a bit chilly, just starting to defrost from winter. Dean was on edge as he awaited John's next order, helping him organize some supplies while Sam quietly worked on homework at the table. The silence broke with a ring coming from John's cell.

"This is John." his firm voice shattered the silence after he flipped his cell open, holding it to his ear intently.

Sam and Dean awaited on the mystery that rambled on the other line, seeing how John's face twisted with confusion and slight annoyance.

"Yes..." he turned around and began pacing as he continued to listen. Four year old Millie had been held up at preschool, her mother never showed up at the end of the day. The supervisor tried the emergency contact number, left by Millie's mother after not being able to reach her.

"Well, I'm at least a few hours away..." John seemed to protest.

After much more conversation on the other end, he came to a decision.

"Alright. I'm on my way."

"Who's that?" Dean asked, recoiling in the slightest when he saw his father's reaction.

He received a dead on stare as John didn't stop moving around the room, beginning to gather things.

"Grab your stuff. We're leaving."

Dean read it loud and clear as being none of his business for now, until they arrived at their next destination. He nudged Sam out of his book, and assumed it was another hunt their father was being summoned to for help. He soon realized it was much different than the norm.

John's body language and nervous energy on the drive there had Dean tense. The way his father aimed his gaze to the windshield and locked in was different than usual. He wanted so bad to ask about the destination, the plan, but refrained for the time being, afraid of upsetting his father in an already tense situation. But unfortunately, Sam already made that move.

"Where are we going, dad?" Sam's voice sounded small and innocent from the backseat.

John's eyes snapped out of his trance and sighed. He didn't say a word until they got to the next motel in Baraboo, Wisconsin.

"Go get a room, I'll be back shortly. I'm gonna need your guys help with something." John explained as he pulled into the parking lot. Dean and Sam exited with their things, John took off rather quickly.

"What do you think dad's got going on?" Sam asked his older brother as they entered their room.

"I dunno Sammy, but it's definitely not an average day for him, I can tell. " Dean wondered himself.

It was about 9pm when John made it to the school. One of teachers compromised to wait there with Millie until John said he'd arrive at that time.

The teacher glanced twice at Millie's dull reaction to seeing John. She showed some concern which John reassured that everything was okay with one of his excuses. Millie hadn't seen her dad many times in her life, and the times she did, she was too young to remember. But she knew her dad's name was John, and if school believed it was him then she was okay with it.

It was a very quiet ride back to the motel. Millie sat in the back seat staring wide eyed at John. He could feel her eyes on him but didn't know what to do about it. There were lots of questions up in her mind of course, but she had decided she didn't want to be a bother with the stern man who was her father. She had already asked where her mom was to which John replied with some excuse saying he had to go find her.

John swung the motel room door open, guiding a hesitant little Millie through the door. Sam and Dean's eyes went wide and confused when they saw the girl. A short, brown hair, brown eyed girl. With two tiny pink little bows in the front of her hair, dressed in a jumper with butterflies on it. She looked wildly confused, but calm in the middle of the unknown.

"Boys, this is Millie. You're gonna look after her while I go find her mother."

Dean stood up, trying to hide his bewildered expression. "Uh, dad... Wha-"

"That's an order." His voice remained firm. "Make sure she's safe. I'll be back when I can."

"Yes sir." Dean stiffened.

It was silent for a moment after John shut the door. Taking care of a younger child was no strange task for him, but it wasn't often than a kid other than Sam was left with him. Especially not a victims child.

"Hello." Dean slowly approached the girl as if not trying to spook her.

"Hi." Her reply soft in return. She looked around, shuffling in place.

"I'm Dean, and that's my little brother Sam." He gestured. It was a bit awkward, almost comically awkward for a moment. The girl nodded.

"Would you like something to eat?" Dean offered, walking over to the small kitchenette.

"Yes, please." Her face visibly relaxed a bit.

"I could make you some macaroni and cheese. Do you like mac n cheese?" Dean asked.

Millie smiled and nodded. "I've had mac and cheese lots of times." She exclaimed proudly.

Sam pulled out a chair for her to sit at the table. He sat and kept her company while Dean cooked.

"How old are you, Millie?"

"I'm four. I go to preschool now." her legs dangled back and forth.

Sam continued to ask questions, keep her mind busy until her food was ready. Sam and Dean stepped further into the room to talk while she ate.

"Why do you think dad's having us watch some kid?" Sam wondered.

"Who knows, from your conversation with her, she seems weirdly okay with this chain of events." Dean stated.

"What do you mean?" Sam whispered back.

"I mean, the kids not really in much distress, seeing as that her mom is missing and she's not going home tonight." Dean fretted.

"I don't think dad would be having us watch a little kid unless it had some importance to him." Sam expressed.

Dean looked at Sam as if he just heard him say the smartest thing ever. "I- I think you're right."

Dean made his way back over to sit at the table. "Millie, do you know where your mom is?" Dean treaded lightly, not wanting to upset the young girl.

She shook her head. "I think she is at work." digging into more mac n cheese.

"What does your mommy do for work?"

"She makes drinks at a store."

The boys face twisted in confusion. "Yeah? What kind of store...."

"I don't remember what the name is. It's a store for grown ups only. I've been there before though, and the nice person mommy works for gives me chicken tenders."

It dawned on them. "Is your mom a bartender?"

"Yes, that's the word. Sometimes she comes to get me later than the other kids, but she's never been this late before."

Dean thought for a moment before asking something else. "So, do you know John? The man that drove you here?"

"Yeah. He's my daddy." Millie said as if it was obvious.

Both boys fell silent, staring at Millie now more intently. There it was. Why John was in such a rush, and how he didn't say much at all. Dean held back his racing thoughts for a moment.

"Do... do you see your dad a lot?"

"No, not really." She shook her head.

"When was the last time you saw your dad?" Dean became more invested in this new discovery with each question. Sam sat stunned beside him.

"In the car when he was taking me here." Millie innocently responded.

"No, sweetie, I mean before today."

"Oh. I dunno." She shrugged her shoulders, seeming to care less about the fact that John was around for once.

"Well, do you wanna know something crazy?" Dean tried enticing the girl away from the amounts of attention she was giving to her mac n cheese.

"What." She said with a mouthful.

"John is our daddy too... Sam and I."

"Dean... should we be-" Sam grew concerned, not wanting to get in trouble if Millie knew the truth.

"S'okay Sam." He shrugged him off.

Millie's attention dropped from the bowl in front of her finally, she finished chewing her food before looking up at them surprised.

"John is both our daddies?" She sat up, curious about this new information.

"Mhmm." Dean nodded.

"Do you have my mommy too?" Millie's eyes brightened.

"Uh, no. I don't think so. Just dad." Dean explained as politely as he could.

"So we are friends now?" Millie wondered with slight excitement brewing.

"Sure, but, not just that... We're your brothers." Dean clarified.

Millie smiled real big. "Do I have sisters too?"

Dean held back a laugh. "No, just us brothers.... I think." He mumbled sarcastically.

"That's still good." Millie continued. "Are you gonna come to my house to play?"

Dean's expression fell. "I'm not sure yet, sweetheart. It is really late though, so, we're gonna sleep here tonight... okay?" He phrased sort of as a question, even though none of them really had a choice.

Millie swallowed and stood up. "Okay. I go bathroom first." Her little feet padded off to the small motel bathroom, closing the door behind her. She came out moments later, grabbing her school backpack and climbing onto one of the motel beds with it. Seeing as it was all she had with her, she unzipped it, pulling out a book and began reading it to herself.

For only four years old, Sam and Dean noticed how seemingly independent she was. Sam looked over at Dean who watched the young girl with curiosity, and a little sadness. He took it upon himself to tuck her into bed. He'd never been an older sibling before, the idea being foreign, new but exciting. And he only found out minutes ago.

"Would you like me to read to you?" Sam sat on the edge of the bed.

"My mommy says grown ups don't have time to read, so I read to myself. Mommy says it makes me smarter!" Millie cheered.

Sam let out a slight laugh. "That is true. But, I have plenty of time to read you a story. May I?" He held out a hand for the book. Millie's smile grew. "Okay."

She handed over the book, Sam fumbled with the cover revealing the story of The Rainbow Fish. As he read each page with energy and animation, Millie giggled at his words as she settled into the covers.

Once Sam was finished, he turned the bedside lamp off, leaving only the overhead light over by the living area.

Dean's cell rang, he hurried outside the room to take the call. Sam turned back to Millie. "Goodnight. Try and get some sleep, okay?"

She nodded. "Sam!" she called out seconds later, he turned back to her.

"Is my mommy gonna come back?" worry filled her voice.

Sam tried to hide the defeat that fell upon him. "Don't worry. Dad is gonna do everything he can to find her." He reassured her.

Soon, Millie was asleep and Dean popped his head in the door, trying to keep his movements quiet, not to wake the girl. He motioned for Sam to follow him outside.

"She good?" He asked once the door was shut. "Yeah. Was that dad?" Sam breathed out like he had been holding it in too long.

"Yup." Dean paused.

"And..." Sam waited.

Dean rubbed a hand across his face. Whatever John just said over the phone left a heavy weight on Dean.

"Remember that woman here in Wisconsin that dad would check in on occasionally?" Dean started. Sam racked his brain for an idea but was left empty minded. "Not really, who?"

"Elisabeth Hudson..."

Sam managed to catch on. "That's who dad is out searching for." Dean nodded. The boys were able to put two and two together.

John met Elisabeth at a bar she'd been working at, and had been seeing her more after he found out she was pregnant and decided to keep the baby. Initially he was hesitant in wether he should be involved or not, either way he figured it would end up being another two people in his life that would be in danger if he didn't do something about it. So he would check in here and there when he could.

He chose not to mention the details to the boys, not wanting to risk them getting attached. After Dean hung up the phone with John, who finally revealed who he was out looking for. He realized this wasn't the first time they've seen Millie.

John would pop into Elisabeth's apartment with the boys, lying and saying it was a hunter friend he knew, needing to discuss some things. The boys would usually be told to sit in the living room, away from the conversation. That's where they would see a baby girl, standing up in her pack and play. Looking around the room and at the two boys while John and her mother would talk in the kitchen.

"This whole time... this entire damn time, he couldn't just tell us?" Dean was in disbelief once he figured it out. They had seen her once, twice, maybe three times before, not knowing it was their sister. John neglected to think that it would come up sooner or later. Dean was furious, to think that this whole time, their whole life was surrounded by John's deep rooted grief in wanting to get revenge on the demon that killed Mary. To go aside and take on a totally different responsibility? That was the moment, Dean decided he wanted to defy John, or at least try, see where it went. Even though it was a scary idea.

Dean wasn't angry at Millie's existence, he knew it wasn't her fault. He was angry that his father couldn't figure out his priorities and how him and his little brother had no choice but to be dragged around in their father's mess.

Sam saw the conflicting emotions in Dean's eyes. After their conversation he went back inside the room to try and go to sleep. Dean sat on the bench outside the motel room, anticipating John's return. He was fed up with the secrets, he wanted to confront John. He put Sam and him in this life, he felt it was only fair that he had a right to know what was going on.

It was around 4am when the impala rumbled into the parking lot. John tried to avoid Dean's stance next to the motel room door, but was stopped with a firm hand.

"It'd be best to move out of the way, son." John's eyes were tired. It had been almost two days since he'd slept.

"We need to talk." Dean demanded.

"We can talk in the morning." John protested, trying to push past to the door. Dean's hand stopped him.

"She's asleep." He mentioned as it should've been obvious.

"You two should be too." John grew annoyed.

"What happened. Where's her mother?" Dean questioned.

"I said we'll talk about it in the AM."

"Well could you at least explain to me why you didn't think it was important enough to tell us Millie is our sister?!" Dean grew louder.

John stopped in his tracks. "So you know..." He said in between surprise and pissed off.

"At this point, it was gonna come up anyways, huh?" Dean stood his ground, ready to fight back at whatever John was about to throw at him.

The voices grew louder, angrier, enough to wake Sam. Eventually waking Millie too.

Millie sat up, seeing Sam leaning against the wall, listening to the fight breaking out, outside the door.

"Who's yelling?" She asked groggily.

Sam jumped, turning around to the sleepy bedhead rubbing her eyes. "It's nothing. Dean is just talking to dad outside." He came over to sit next to her.

"They sound mad." She shivered.

Sam gave her a sympathetic look, scooting close and putting an arm around her small frame.

"It's okay. Sometimes, dad just has to talk things out... loudly." Sam tried his best to explain.

"So daddy is back? Did he get my mommy?" Millie stood up from bed, padding over to the front door.

"No, Millie wait, I don't think that's a good idea right now." Sam stopped her from opening the door.

"Well fine!" John yelled. "If you're not gonna drop this right now, I'll get some sleep elsewhere." John turned around heading for the car. He opened the door and slid into the back seat.

Dean huffed and came back inside the room, surprised but not to see both his siblings up and awake.

"Where's dad?" Sam asked, looking behind Dean.

"Sleeping in the car." Dean shook his head.

Millie looked up him with her big brown doe eyes. "Are you and daddy mad?" her voice almost a whisper.

"No, no. Not mad at you, never mind that." Dean came over to her slowly, guiding her back into bed. "Millie, sweetheart, can I tell you something."

"Yeah." Her voice still positive.

"I'm going to be honest with you, okay. Because I don't want to keep secrets from you. You wouldn't want me to keep secrets from you, right?" Dean tried his best to remain calm.

"We are friends, so friends can share secrets." Millie nodded.

"Exactly. So, I want to let you know that, we're gonna try and find your mom, okay. But, if there is a chance that... we can't. I want you to know that you'll always have us, me and Sammy."

"What about my dad, and your guys's dad?" Millie chimed in.

Dean hesitated. "Yeah, dad too. If anything is to ever happen, we will be here. To keep you safe, so, I don't want you to worry, alright?"

Millie looked down, thinking to herself for a moment. Dean studied her face, trying to see if she understood. She didn't completely, but Dean's words struck a good cord. Millie looked back up to her brothers. "I can be here for you too, all the time." She smiled. "And Sammy too." Dean smiled at her resilience, unsure of the road ahead, but he knew this kid would be alright.