CHAPTER FOURTEEN.
LOST IT TO TRYING.

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"BIRDIE, DAMMIT, WAIT!"

Dean was blatantly ignored by Birdie as the woman hastily raced towards the one story house in front of them, causing him to curse under his breath as he clambered out of the Impala along with Sam. It didn't take long for them to find Veronica Fieldman's home, Sam having hacked into the police database in order to find her address. It wasn't too far away from the station, located in a cozy little suburban neighborhood that was incredibly still. The lights weren't on in any of the houses on her street, but Veronica's front door was completely wide open. There wasn't any car in sight, making Birding wonder if the woman had even managed to make it home yet. But, Birdie had thought of Veronica's son, Jace——he should've been home.

Birdie hurried into the house without a second thought, a loaded shotgun tightly clutched in her hands. Sam and Dean came inside moments later, guns in hand with holy water tucked away in their pockets. Birdie's gaze snapped towards the hall when she heard a faint thud as she came to a stop in the living room, a shaky breath escaping past her lips.

She shared a silent look with the boys, seeing them nod. She raised her gun and cautiously crept closer, ignoring the fact that she might not be met with a pretty sight. There was another thud just a few seconds later, followed by the sound of some shuffling and rustling as if someone was trying to quietly move around in the room. Birdie furrowed her brows and paused just outside the door, stealing a glance towards the brothers.

Without warning, a hand poked out of the room and roughly grabbed Birdie by her bicep. She yelped at the sudden movement, her gun clattering to the floor as she was yanked into the room and then shoved into the wall. Her eyes widened as she came face to face with a teenage boy, unclenching her hand that had been ready to strike. "Who are you? What-what're you doing here?" he demanded, voice shaky as his eyes scanned over Birdie.

Sam and Dean came in with their guns raised, but Birdie lifted her hand, motioning for them to back down. "Jace?" Birdie softly asked, taking in his features; he looked just like his mother. There was a mark near his temple, some dried blood smeared across his cheek as fear swirled around in his wide, round eyes.

The boy's face softened slightly, but then his features hardened and he harshly narrowed his eyes at Birdie. "How-how do you know my name?"

"Hey, kid, just relax, okay?" Dean suggested, slowly bending down and setting his gun on the ground. Sam did the same, forcing a smile onto his lips when the boy, Jace, suspiciously looked at him and Dean. "We're here to help. We're friends of your mom."

"My-my mom? She said——"

"Jace? C'mon! We gotta go now!"

Birdie's eyes snapped towards the bedroom door, seeing Veronica quickly enter the room. Her eyes glanced over at the Winchesters and then Birdie, seeing her son had her pinned to the wall but his grip had loosened. "Veronica!" Birdie gasped in relief, taking in the faint bruising on the woman's cheek and her jaw. Some blood was splattered on the side of her face, droplets decorating her uniform she'd yet to have changed out of.

"Mom," Jace whispered, noticing her distraught appearance as well. He quickly let go of Birdie, his frown deepening as he moved to stand in front of his mother.

"What happened?" Dean asked.

Veronica let out a shaky breath, protectively pulling Jace into her side. "I. . .I heard about the fire. . .and something just told me I had to get out of here. But, before we could leave. . .some things came here and attacked us, but we fought back. I-I thought they'd. . .but then they took off."

"They left just like that?" Dean wondered. He'd never heard of a demon stopping mid-attack.

Veronica sighed, holding one of her hands out at her side. "I don't know why, but guys, I have to get Jace out of here in case they do come back."

"Yeah, yeah, 'course," Sam nodded in understanding. With demons coming for Veronica, her and her son's best chance at survival was to leave now.

Veronica nodded as well, nudging her son out of his room. She moved towards the bed, picking up a duffle bag that was fully packed with clothes of all sorts. "Veronica," Birdie said, capturing the woman's attention as Sam and Dean led Jace away, "I-I'm so sorry. If I'd known, I would've——"

"Birdie, don't. That wasn't your fault, and neither was this," Veronica softly said. "You couldn't have known."

Birdie's frown only deepened, starting to follow the woman out of the room. "But maybe——"

"Hey, don't-don't do that to yourself, Birdie," Veronica said, tilting her head as she paused in the hallway so she could fully face Birdie. "It doesn't help to think of the what if's or what else could've happened, remember?"

Birdie let out a sigh, sadly nodding her head as she forced a small smile onto her lips. "Yeah, I know. . ."

"Might wanna pick up the pace, ladies!"

At that, Veronica and Birdie quickly continued down the dark hall. Birdie halted and spun around, picking up her gun she'd dropped when Jace grabbed her. Then she jogged after Veronica, following her towards a door off to the side of the kitchen. It led directly into the garage where Veronica's car was parked, already running with a few bags stuffed in the backseat. Jace was off to the side with his eyes constantly looking around as if he was expecting something to jump through one the windows and attack them. It broke Birdie's heart that someone so young had experienced something so tragic. No one should ever have to deal with something like that.

"Are-are there more on their way?" Jace questioned, his eyes flickering towards Sam and Dean. "Are they gonna try to——"

"Hey, hey, Jace, it's gonna be okay," Sam softly assured the boy, bending down to face him. "You're mom's gonna take good care of you. She won't let anything happen to you."

"Damn right," Veronica said, firmly nodding as she rounded the front of the car with a tired smile directed at her son.

"You guys gonna be okay on your own?" Dean quietly asked as Veronica tossed the bag into the backseat, closing the door.

She let out a sigh, giving her son a small smile as she wrapped an arm around his shoulders. "It's always just been the two of us. I think we can handle this," she said.

Birdie sadly smiled when Veronica looked in her direction. "Do you have the special supplies?"

"You mean the salt?" Jace asked, catching Birdie's eye. "I think we've got more than enough now."

Veronica breathed out a faint laugh, patting her son's arm before letting it fall back at her side. "Thank you guys," she said. "I know tonight has been. . .something to say the least, but I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you three."

"Hey, if you're, uh, if you need anything. . ." Birdie reached into her pocket, letting out a breath of relief as she pulled out her last card to hand to the older woman. "Here's my number."

Veronica smiled as she took the card in her hand, skeptically raising a brow after she read the name. "Agent Portman?" she read aloud, unable to refrain from looking at the Winchesters next. "You guys don't have cards that say Mcgregor and Christensen, do you?"

Dean's lips fell open as he turned towards Sam. Birdie threw her hand out, giving Dean a pointed look. "I told you someone would pick up on these names one day," she said.

"Yeah, yeah," Dean grumbled, dismissively waving his hand at her. "You need anything, though——"

"We'll give you a call," Veronica nodded.

She and Jace shared one last smile with Birdie and the boys before they started to climb inside Veronica's car. Birdie stepped up to the car as Veronica rolled the window down, sadly smiling. "You know, I don't know the first thing about starting over," Veronica quietly laughed. "Got any tips?"

Birdie softly chuckled along with the woman, letting out a sigh as she tucked her hands in the pockets of her jacket. "Uh, don't break any laws, use cash until you can get some new credit cards, find a small place to settle down in——if that's what you want, and. . .be very careful. Hopefully after we deal with this demon bitch. . .things can go back to normal for you and your son."

"I don't think that last part'll be possible," Veronica softly said. "But, that's okay. Jace has been beggin' me to take him on a road trip, so, I guess now's a good a time as any."

Birdie softly smiled, twisting her lips as she stepped back from the car. "Stay safe, Veronica."

"You too, Birdie," Veronica said. "You boys take care."

"You too," Dean told the older woman.

Veronica gave them one last smile and started to back out of her garage, a heavy sigh leaving Birdie's lips as she watched the woman drive away.

"I don't get it, though," Sam said. "If Lilith wanted everyone at the station dead, how is she still alive?"

"Maybe Lilith didn't know about her until after the fact," Birdie suggested, watching the car disappear around a corner, leaving the three alone. "Veronica left before we even did."

Dean shifted on his feet, turning his head towards Sam and Birdie. "But it still doesn't make any sense. There's no way a powerful demon could've missed one person——they don't like survivors. And them attacking her and her kid here——"

"Unless she did it on purpose," Sam said. "Or to send a message."

Birdie's eyes snapped towards the taller man. "You really think she let Veronica live?"

"Why the hell would she do that?" Dean questioned.

Sam sighed. "I-I don't know."

Birdie puffed out her cheeks and walked forward until she was out of the garage, placing a hand on her hip with her gun dangling at her side in her other hand. She didn't know what Lilith's plans were, but they couldn't have been anything good.

That much she was certain about.

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Light rain pattered against the windows, rolling down until they finally dropped towards the ground, landing on the slick pavement. The scent of greasy burgers and fries lingered inside the Impala as two bags of fast food sat in between Dean and Birdie, but neither of them seemed to mind it. Music was faintly playing from the radio, filling the comfortable silence that had washed over Birdie and Dean. As much as Birdie desired to drive her motorcycle, with the looming threat of storms for the rest of the week, she opted to journey with the boys after they made it to Bobby's just as the first storm reached Sioux Falls with no intention of leaving anytime soon.

That was a few days ago already. Veronica had called Birdie two days ago to let her know that she and her son had made it to Burbank, California where they'd be staying for a while until she started to feel like they needed to move along. They were staying in a cheap hotel, but Jace didn't seem to mind being away from his small town and somewhere brand new. She made sure to mention that she was taking every caution possible, even doing some research of her own so that she, and Jace, had a better understanding of demons and other monsters. It was a relief to know that the two were doing okay, and both Birdie and the Winchesters hoped it would stay that way for Veronica and her son.

Dean glanced aside, furrowing his brows with interest when he caught a glimpse of Birdie's drawing. Her notebook was spread open in her lap, lips twisted and brows knitted together in deep concentration. A number two pencil was clutched in her left hand, only some slight smearing on the side of her hand from rubbing against the page every so often. The book was partially turned in an angle, her head tilted as she carefully worked. "What's that you're drawin'?" Dean curiously wondered, trying to tilt his head to try and see what she was drawing but was finding it rather difficult with the awkward angle he had his head.

"Oh, it's-it's nothin'," Birdie dismissively said, nonchalantly shrugging her shoulders as she continued to draw.

"That doesn't look like nothin'," Dean said. Birdie lifted her head, catching his eye.

Birdie softly smiled after a few seconds, letting out a sigh as she looked back down at her drawing. She slouched down in the seat, lazily leaning against the backrest as she held it up for Dean to get a good look at it. "It's you and Sam," she said.

Dean narrowed his eyes, looking between the drawing and the road. "Holy shit, Bird."

Seeing it at a proper angle, it was obvious it was him and Sam.

They were both leaning against the side of Baby, laughing together as they each held a beer in their hands. A lake was partially visible in the background with a small dock just barely peeking out from the edge of the page, some half drawn mountains filled with trees looming off in the distance with some spread out clouds in the skies above. There wasn't a whole lot of shading or blending done just yet, Birdie having only partially planned it out before she went back to focusing on Sam and Dean. Their faces were the most prominent part of the drawing, Birdie having captured Sam's dimples almost a little too perfectly along with the crinkles besides Dean's eyes that appeared when he smiled ever so brightly.

Dean wore his brown leather jacket, a Metallica shirt peeking out from underneath the tattered leather with the necklace Sam had given him one Christmas dangling around his neck. Sam stood to the left of his big brother, wearing a plaid flannel, the top few buttons undone and a plain shirt worn underneath. Some pieces of hair seemed to be curled outwards slightly, seemingly like the wind was blowing against them in the picture.

"I know it's not the best——"

"Are you shitting me?" Dean gaped, looking at Birdie with an incredulous expression. "I mean, Sam looks, you know, like Sam, but I look——wow, Bird. How long did you have to stare at me to memorize my good looks?"

Birdie couldn't help but roll her eyes with a laugh. "Don't get too cocky, alright? After being forced to see your face so many times, I think I know what you and Sam look like without havin' to look at either of you for reference."

Dean loudly laughed, his laughter meshing together with a rumble that echoed from the skies above them. They were beginning to near Bobby's, the rain just barely letting up and making it a tad bit easier for Dean to see the road in front of them. "How long you been workin' on that?"

Birdie twisted her lips in thought, setting the notebook back in her lap. "Uh, a few hours I think."

"You did that in a few hours?"

"Yeah. . ." Birdie slowly replied, suspiciously narrowing her eyes at the way he was staring at her. "Why're you looking at me like that?"

Dean shook his head and looked towards the road, faintly shrugging his shoulders as Birdie's eyes remained focused on him. "It's just-it's impressive, ya know?" he said, giving her a small smile when he looked aside at her for a few seconds. "Where'd you learn to do that?"

"Um, I was born with this talent," Birdie smugly answered. Dean scoffed, playfully rolling his eyes. Birdie giggled and added some more strands to Sam's hair, softly sighing. "Well, you know I've always drawn and stuff, but they didn't actually start to look sort of decent until middle school, I think. And in high school, I learned how to properly shade and make it look more realistic since I really only paid attention in art, and music, of course. And it just kinda stuck even after I dropped out. . ."

Dean nodded at her words, breathing out a faint laugh. "See? There are some good things that come from school."

Birdie snorted out a laugh, turning the pencil to carefully erase some of Sam's hair she'd made a little too long; though, she did think it looked nice. "Sure, whatever you say, Dean."

Dean grinned, adjusting his grip on the steering wheel. "You met Kaiya freshman year, didn't you?" he asked.

"Uh, yeah," Birdie answered, looking towards Dean in surprise. "How'd you know that?"'

Dean scoffed, looking towards Birdie in disbelief. "You do remember I had to babysit you a few times, right?" he questioned, amusement etched in his tone. "And I know we didn't always get along, but I did hear what you and Sam were talking about some nights."

"You did?"

"Yeah," Dean nodded, a smug smile appearing on his lips. "How else would I know you thought I was cute?"

Birdie scrunched up her nose. "I know for a fact that I did not tell Sam, or anyone, that." Dean pursed his lips, giving her an offended glare. "I usually just mentioned how I found you annoying, but that was before we became friends."

"Oh, you thought I was annoying?" Dean repeated, raising his brows as he turned onto a gravel road. Birdie mimicked his expression, fervently nodding her head. "You were always gettin' me and Sam in trouble or bein' too loud and obnoxious——"

"Hey, you guys did that all on your own. You didn't need my help for that," Birdie hastily interjected. "As for the loud and obnoxious part. . .okay, yeah, I had my moments, but so did you."

"Name one time," Dean said.

"December 31st, 1999," Birdie quickly answered.

Dean blinked in surprise, furrowing his brows together. "Wha——that's-there's no way you remember a specific date," he said, giving her a pointed look.

A small smile curled onto Birdie's lips, breathing out a laugh as she stole a glance out of the window to see Bobby's house was coming into view now as Dean drove closer. "No, I don't," she admitted.

"What the fuck made you think of that date?" Dean wondered, turning into the makeshift driveway. "We were, what, 20, 16, and 15?"

Birdie shrugged, softly chuckling as she closed her notebook. "I dunno. It's just the first one that came to mind," she said.

"Well, okay," Dean said, shaking his head. He parked off to the side of Bobby's, picking up the bags as Birdie grabbed the drinks. "Hey, isn't that. . .Luna?"

Birdie furrowed her brows, looking in the same direction Dean was pointing. Her eyes fell on the Jeep, eyes widening in surprise. She smiled and hurried towards the house, hearing Dean chuckle behind her as he followed after her at a normal pace. She threw open the front door, quickly making her way down the hall while being careful not to drop the drinks.

"Yeah, they should be——"

Sam and Bobby turned their heads, eyes falling on Birdie and Dean as they stood in the middle of the kitchen. Birdie raised her brows, a small on her lips as her eyes fell on Kaiya sitting beside Sam on the couch.

Kaiya beamed, giving Dean and Birdie a wave. "Hey, guys," she said, perking up as her eyes flickered between the two hunters. "What'd you bring me?"

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"God, can your ass take up any more goddamn room?"

"Well, I can scoot closer if that's what you really want——"

"What I really want is to shove my fucking━━━"

"Would you two shut the fuck up already?" Birdie and Dean's lips smacked shut when Bobby shouted, faces falling when seeing the sharp glare the older man was sending them. Kaiya subtly smirked as she sipped on a glass of lemonade, finding the entire scene rather amusing. Sam did his best to refrain from smiling, twisting his lips as he slightly turned his head. Dean slowly blinked as Birdie's lips parted, both of them gaping towards Bobby. "You're arguin' like you used to when you were goddamn kids."

"Bird's barely even considered an ad——"

"Well, sorry I'm not as old as you grandpa——"

"Grandpa?!" Dean nearly shrieked, eyes wide and jaw slacked. "I'm only five years older than you!"

"Yeah, and you're already starting to get some gray right in——" Dean angrily smacked her hand away when she started to reach for his hair, brows knitted together and eyes narrowed.

"Jesus fuckin' Christ," Bobby grumbled under his breath, throwing his hands up in defeat.

Kaiya shook her head at Dean and Birdie, turning her gaze to Bobby. "How did you manage to put up with this for so many years?" she wondered.

Her question made Dean and Birdie silently look over at her, both of them looking rather offended.

Bobby breathed out a forced laugh, raising his brows. "Well back then I could ground 'em or send them to different rooms. . .but I take it you two won't do that now, will you?"

Birdie shifted, turning her head towards Dean just as he did the same. They made eye contact, quickly looking towards Bobby. "No," they said in unison.

"Of course not," Sam muttered, not thinking that his voice would be heard.

Birdie huffed, raising a brow in his direction. "Hey, we wouldn't even be in this situation if you would've just taken one for the team and sat on the floor so there'd be more room up here."

"So now it's my fault Dean's ass——"

"Is that a Playboy magazine sitting over there by the fireplace?" Sam, Dean, and Birdie turned their heads in the direction Kaiya was pointing, causing the woman to let out a loud laugh as their expressions shifted when seeing she'd trick them. Bobby tiredly closed his eyes, shaking his head in disbelief; they should've known better. "Wow, I-I can't believe all three of you actually fell for that."

Birdie pursed her lips and looked towards the older woman, huffing. "You're not invited here ever again."

"Alright, alright, that's enough," Bobby huffed, sinking into one of the chairs off to the side of the couch. "If I hear anymore fighting in here, all of you are outta here."

Birdie softly chuckled, leaning against the back of the couch, letting out a sigh as she did so. She could still feel her leg pressed up against Dean's as it was a tight fit with her and both Winchesters on it, but she could handle it for the time being. "Okay, okay," she said, lazily turning her head to meet Dean's eye. "Truce?"

"Yeah, yeah," he grumbled, playfully rolling his eyes.

Kaiya warmly smiled, patting Rumsfeld's head as he sat by her legs. "See? And just like that you're back to being an old married couple."

"Ew, gross," Birdie groaned in disgust, scrunching up her nose.

Dean let out a faint huff and glared at the younger woman, rolling his eyes. "Your loss, Bird."

"I don't think I'd call it that," she teased, giggling when he shot her a glare. Sam shook his head as a smile crept on his lips, Dean and Birdie's bickering easily reminding him of when they were younger.

"Whatever," Dean huffed, standing up. "Anyone want a beer?"

"No, I think I'm gonna head on up to bed," Bobby said, standing up from the chair as his eyes wandered over to Rumsfeld. "You comin' with me, Rum?" Rumsfeld let out a faint bark, taking off towards the hall. "I guess that's a yes."

"You sure wanna head to bed already?" Dean asked, making his way into the kitchen. "It's not even midnight yet."

Bobby chuckled, raising his brows slightly. "Why? So I can listen to more of your bitchin'? Nah, I'm good."

Dean gaped as he looked at Bobby, watching the man shrug before he started to walk towards the hall.

"Night Bobby!" Birdie called out, taking the last sip of her beer.

"Night, kiddos," Bobby said, waving his hand. "Don't break anything either."

The others bid him goodnight as well, hearing the stairs creak as Bobby headed up to his bedroom. Birdie set the empty bottle on the coffee table and leaned back, smiling to herself as she decided to take advantage of the fact that Dean was no longer sitting on the couch. She turned and stretched out her legs, placing them on Sam's lap. He huffed in annoyance and turned his head, but Birdie just innocently smiled.

Dean returned to the living room just a few minutes later, grinning as he held up two six packs. "Who's ready to get their drink on?"

"You're kidding, right?" Sam asked, giving Dean a weary look.

Dean shrugged, sitting the packs on the table. "Why not? Storm's keepin' us here. What else are we gonna do?"

"You know, there are other ways to have fun besides drinking," Kaiya said, a coy smile on her lips as she looked across the room at Dean.

Dean grabbed a beer, twisting it open as he tilted his head to one side. "Is there, though?"

Birdie playfully rolled her eyes, stealing a glance at Sam. "One night won't hurt, right?" she asked, a grin working its way onto her lips.

Sam faintly shook his head, softly sighing a few moments later. "I'll have one," Sam said, looking between Dean and Birdie. "Just one."

"Sure, whatever you say, grandpa," Dean said, smiling as he handed a beer to Sam.

Sam glared at his big brother, rolling his eyes as he accepted the beer. Birdie smiled and leaned forward, accepting the one Dean held out for her to take. Kaiya took one as well, all four of them thinking they wouldn't drink very much. But, apparently, fate had other plans in mind for the four of them.

"Now what do you guys wanna do?" Kaiya wondered, laying sideways in one of the chairs, her feet dangling over one of the armrests with her head on the other, black hair cascading over the side.

Dean grunted as he stood up from the floor——as Birdie wouldn't move her legs and Dean didn't feel like getting his ass chewed out by Bobby for him and Birdie fighting yet again——and stretched out his arms, picking up his beer from the coffee table. "We could go to a bar," he suggested, maneuvering around Sam's lanky legs to go to the other side of the table.

"Yeah, no," Sam quickly denied, scooting more towards the middle of the couch as he slightly adjusted Birdie's legs that were still stretched across him. "You said it yourself, we can't go anywhere because of the storm."

"I just wanna go to bed and sleep for an entire week," Birdie mumbled, tiredly rubbing at her eyes. She was on her second beer, but she couldn't bring herself to drink anymore of it. She didn't feel drunk or tipsy really, more tired than anything else.

Dean just chuckled, picking up the woman's beer she'd hardly drank. "Nah, this'll wake you up some more."

Birdie shook her head as a small smile appeared on her lips, softly sighing as she took it from him. "That, or it'll make me pass out."

Dean only smirked, shooting her a cheeky wink. "Only one way to find out."

Birdie took a small sip of the beer and sat up, adjusting her sitting position by tucking her legs underneath her body, one elbow propped up on the armrest of the couch so that her legs were no longer on Sam. He gave her a smile as she moved her legs, giving him the chance to get in a more comfortable position.

"What about a game of Never Have I ever?" Kaiya suggested with a nonchalant shrug, a giddy smile appearing on her lips as her eyes glanced over the others. She'd just finished her second beer, a warm fuzzy feeling brewing inside as she felt the effects of the cheap alcohol.

"That's a kids game," Sam scoffed, a smile still apparent on his lips as he caught the woman's gaze.

"Too afraid we'll find out you're into some kinky shit, Sammy?" Dean teased, picking up three more beers. He handed one to Kaiya who happily accepted it while Sam seemed more reluctant, but he took it with a sigh; so much for having only one. Then he sat down in the chair Bobby had been in earlier, slouching against the backrest with his legs spread out in front of him.

"Yeah, what're you, chicken?" Kaiya teased, giving him a playful glare.

Birdie snickered under her breath, shaking her head as she looked towards Sam. He let out a sigh, meeting her gaze like he was expecting her to agree with him. But, instead she smirked, tucking her hands under her arms and flapping them as she imitated a chicken. Sam gaped at her, disbelief etched on his features as Dean and Kaiya started to do the same, a few giggles spilling out as they did so. He huffed, rolling his eyes. "Fine, fine! Just——anything to get you guys to stop doin' that," Sam hastily shouted, eyes wide in exasperation.

"That's the spirit, Sammy," Kaiya giggled, sitting up in the chair with excitement stirring inside. She leaned back in the chair, holding her beer in her lap to make sure it wouldn't fall or spill.

"We drink when it's something we have done, right?" Dean asked.

Birdie furrowed her brows together. "I thought we just put our fingers down."

Dean scrunched up his nose. "Maybe kids do when they play, but c'mon, we're adults. Let's make it more fuckin' exciting!"

"Fine with me," Kaiya happily hummed.

Birdie sucked in a deep breath, sharing a look with Sam. "Well, whatever it takes make me pass out, I guess," she said.

Sam quietly chuckled, opening his new beer. "How about we take it easy first, alright? I'm not tryin' to get drunk within the first five minutes."

"Party pooper," Dean grumbled, taking a sip of his beer.

"Fiiiiiiiiine," Kaiya dramatically replied, puffing out her cheeks. "No hard ones until after, like, the first ten or something."

"Fine," Dean huffed.

Birdie chuckled to herself, gaze returning to Kaiya when the woman moved in her seat. "Okay, I'll start. Never have I ever. . .been pulled over."

"Well fuck," Dean huffed, both him and Sam taking sips of their beers.

Birdie smirked as she didn't have to drink, causing Dean to look at her oddly. "You're tellin' me you've never been pulled over? Not even once?"

"Unlike you, I'm a little more careful when it comes to breaking the laws."

Dean stared at her for a few seconds before he rolled his eyes. "Whatever. My turn," he said, a cheeky grin starting to appear on his lips. "Never have I ever. . .had sex."

"You do know that you don't wanna drink, right?" Birdie reminded him, cocking a brow. "The first one to finish their beer loses."

"Yeah, and your point?" Dean cheerfully grinned, taking a sip of his beer.

Birdie huffed, rolling her eyes as she, Sam, and Kaiya all took sips as well.

"Sam, your turn," Kaiya nodded towards him with a warm grin.

Sam sucked in a deep breath, thinking for a moment. "Never have I ever. . .had a lap dance."

Dean gave Sam a pointed look, taking another sip of his beer. Sam laughed, glancing to the side only to see Birdie discreetly taking a sip of her own beer. Dean followed his gaze, lips falling open in surprise. "You——when the hell did that happen?"

"I barely even remember it," Birdie groaned, dismissively shaking her head. "I was really drunk."

"You what? Even drunk I'd remember that! That'd——"

"Okay, okay, my turn," Birdie quickly interjected, waving her hand for emphasis that they needed to keep going while the others loudly laughed, seeing the flush in Birdie's cheeks. "Never have I ever. . .hummed Metallica on a plane because I was scared."

Dean's eyes instantly darted to Sam, anger sparking on his features. "You told her about that?"

"Oh, like you weren't the one who told her I was afraid of clowns," Sam sharply retorted.

"Hang on," Kaiya interrupted, sitting forward with one of her hands raised, "You're afraid of clowns and you're afraid of. . .flying?"

"Hey, at least mine is reasonable," Dean quickly defended, pointing a finger towards the woman. "Sam's is just——it doesn't make sense!"

"Yes it does━━━"

"Never have I ever used someone else's toothbrush," Kaiya interrupted, making Sam and Dean quiet in thought. Birdie and the boys shared looks with each other, seeing the brothers drink again. "Please tell me it wasn't mine."

"Mine was on accident," Sam meekly defended, his eyes involuntarily flicking towards Birdie with a glint of fear in his eyes.

Birdie took notice, a stunned gasp leaving her lips. "You used my toothbrush?"

"It was on accident!"

"But you didn't think to at least tell me——"

"Don't you eat and drink after them, anyways?" Kaiya said, giving Birdie a pointed look. "What's the difference?"

Birdie sucked in a deep breath, narrowing her eyes at the woman. "That's-there's a big difference, Kai!"

"Not really——"

"Okay, okay, new rule——no targeting anyone with these questions. Just. . .let's do general never have I evers," Kaiya said, wanting to quiet them down so Bobby wouldn't come down and force them all out into the storm.

"Aw, but I just thought of one for Birdie——"

"No!" Kaiya firmly shouted, giving Dean a sharp glare that made him quickly look away.

Dean grumbled under his breath and leaned back in the chair, taking a few seconds to think of another one. "Okay, never have I ever hooked up with someone I just met."

"Really?" Birdie asked, amusement etched on her features.

Dean just shrugged, taking a sip. Birdie and Sam didn't drink, but Kaiya did. When Birdie raised a brow, the woman simply shrugged as a small smirk graced her lips. "What? I gotta live a little," she giggled. "Your turn, Sam."

Sam cleared his throat, running his hand along his jaw as he tried to think of something. "I don't know," he said, tossing his hand out to the side. "Never have I ever sexted someone."

"Oh, hell," Dean grumbled.

"Well, I think we know who's gonna lose," Birdie giggled.

Dean mimicked her laughter, taking a large gulp of his beer that was almost gone already. Birdie narrowed her eyes, giving him the middle finger. "Wait, my turn, right?" Birdie asked, lowering her hand.

"Well considering Sam just went——"

"Shut up, Kai," Birdie huffed, giving Kaiya a look. "Never have I ever gone skinny dipping."

Both Dean and Kaiya drank at that, but Sam and Birdie remained still. "You guys are so fuckin' lame," Dean said.

Birdie just shrugged, a faint smile lingering on her lips. "Well, since I'm sooo young, I've still got plenty of time."

The game continued, Dean becoming the first one to finish his beer. Sam and Birdie were getting closer to the bottom of their bottles, Kaiya looking like the one who would end up winning. Rumsfeld had joined them after a half hour, plopping himself by Dean's feet as he laid on the floor, eyes closed as he listened to the humans talk and laugh, the pattering of the rain acting as mere background noise.

Kaiya hummed in thought, tapping her finger against her chin as she thought of another question as it became her turn again. "Never have I ever. . .been arrested."

Birdie's smile slowly crumbled as she heard those words, feeling her heart suddenly clench. Dean's smile started to do the same, eyes falling towards the ground as his brows furrowed together. Sam shifted, gaze landing on his beer. Birdie glanced down at her own beer, the faces of Nancy, Henriksen, Phil, and the other officers and FBI agents popping into her mind. She thought of Veronica, just hoping that she and her son were still doing okay in California.

Birdie cleared her throat as she stood up, setting her beer on the table. "I'm, uh. . .you guys keep playin'," she said, unable to look at their faces. "I'm just-I'm gonna take Rumsfeld out a minute."

"Wait," Kaiya softly said, frowning as she took in their expression. Something was wrong. "Did I-did I say something wrong?"

"No, no," Birdie quickly answered with a shake of her head. She took a few steps to the side, ignoring the looks from Sam and Dean as she patted her leg, beckoning Rumsfeld to follow her. He stood up, tongue flopping out of his mouth as he came to stand beside the woman. "I'll just be a few minutes. You guys can keep playing, seriously."

"Birdie——"

"It's fine," Birdie said, heading towards the hall to exit the house, Rumsfeld a few steps behind her. "Come on, bud."

Kaiya deeply frowned as Birdie and Rumsfeld disappeared down the hall, her eyes flickering between Sam and Dean. "I'm gonna go talk to her."

"No, wait," Sam softly interjected, letting out a small sigh as his voice stopped the woman from standing up. "I-I think she needs a minute alone."

"Was it something I said?" Kaiya asked.

Sam faintly shook his head, managing to give her a small smile. "No, no. It wasn't your fault, Kai."

Kaiya twisted her lips, stealing a glance towards Dean. He didn't meet her gaze as he tightened his grip on his beer, mood clearly having shifted. Then he stood up, muttering to himself, "Never have I ever gotten someone killed."

Sam's lips parted as he overheard his brother, watching the man chug the last of his beer as headed into the kitchen. Sam then stole a glance towards Kaiya, seeing her expression becoming even more concerned. "Sam. . ." Kaiya softly said, tilting her head as she looked at him. She'd heard it too.

Sam faintly shook his head. "It's probably best that you don't know."

Birdie let out a shaky sigh as she sat on the steps of Bobby's front porch, Rumsfeld right beside her. Thankfully the storm had begun to dissipate, only sprinkles falling from the dark clouds and softly pattering against the cars spread throughout the junkyard. Not a single star could be seen twinkling up above, causing Birdie to twist her lips. She slowly reached her hand out, feeling a few raindrops land on her skin. They were cold against her warm skin, dripping down and landing on steps beneath her feet. Rumsfeld didn't seem to mind the rain, a few drops managing to slip through some holes in the porch overhang and land on his back. Thunder rumbled in the distance as the storm continued moving further south, Birdie figuring the rain would come to an end in just a few minutes and the next one would arrive in a few hours; that is if the weather forecasters were right.

Birdie didn't move when she heard the door open, seeing Rumsfeld shift out of the corner of her eye so he could see who it was. She pulled her arm back, brushing off the rain with the back of her hand. Rumsfeld moved from her side to greet the person, Birdie realizing who it was as they spoke to Rumsfeld.

"Hey, Rum," Bobby said, scratching the top of Rumsfeld's head. He moved, opening the door and motioning inside. "Go on."

Rumsfeld headed inside the house, leaving only Birdie and Bobby outside.

Bobby softly sighed, glancing out at the darkness surrounding his house. His eyes flickered down to Birdie, a small frown etched on his lips as he stepped towards the woman, silently sinking down beside her. Birdie didn't speak as he did so, keeping her gaze in front of her. "How ya doin', kiddo?" Bobby asked.

"I'm fine," Birdie said. "I thought you were sleeping?"

"I couldn't sleep," Bobby said, turning to look at her. Birdie let out a faint sigh, turning her head as well to meet his gaze. "I've known you almost your whole life, Bird. I can tell when you're lyin' to me."

"I'll have you know I'm an excellent liar," Birdie said, giving him a look.

Bobby faintly shook his head, looking out towards the junkyard. "Yeah, to strangers you might be, but not to those who know ya."

Birdie dropped her head down, pursing her lips as she silently nodded. She shifted her feet, sitting up some as she propped her elbows on her knees. "So, anytime I've lied to you, you could tell?"

Bobby let out a heavy sigh, laying his hands on his legs, listening to the distant rumble of the passing storm. "Well, not always, but. . .I know you a lot better than you think, Bird."

"I just. . .I could've-I should've done more," Birdie said, her frown deepening as she stared ahead of her and Bobby. While Kaiya hadn't been told about what happened in Colorado, Bobby had been; he would've found out anyways, but by not telling Kaiya, Birdie was hoping to spare Kaiya from hearing about something so heart wrenching. "Maybe they'd still be alive——"

"Don't," Bobby interjected, shaking his head as he stared aside at Birdie. Birdie didn't meet his gaze, brows furrowed together. "Don't do that to yourself."

"But I-I should've seen it coming, Bobby," Birdie said, finally turning to meet his gaze. "If I'd just——"

"There's nothin' else you or the boys could've done, Birdie," Bobby softly said, partially tilting his head as he looked at the younger woman. "Thinkin' about what else you could've done's not gonna help either. Those people who died. . .it sucks, trust me, I know, but if all you can do now is keep fightin' so we can find a way to stop this demon bitch once and for all."

Birdie managed to crack a small smile at that, nodding in agreement. "Thanks Bobby."

Bobby returned her smile. "I may not be the best with words an' all, but I'm always here for you, kid. Don't you forget that."

"I won't," Birdie said, the corner of her lip tweaked up into a faint smile.

"Alright," Bobby said, carefully standing up, stealing one last look at the junkyard before he peered down at Birdie. "You kids should probably get to bed soon. I got a feelin' all foura you are gonna need to take it easy tomorrow."

"You're not wrong," Birdie sighed, already knowing she'd feel the effects of the alcohol in the morning.

Bobby started to head for the door, but suddenly he turned towards Birdie again. "Oh, I almost forgot," he said. Birdie furrowed her brows, watching him start to reach in his pocket for something. "I meant to give this to you a long time ago, but——"

Birdie's lips parted as Bobby held out a silver necklace to her, slowly reaching out to take it. "Where did you——"

"The paramedics found it outside the car the night. . ." Bobby said, letting his unspoken words explain what he was leaving unsaid. "I'm sorry I didn't give it to you sooner."

"Honestly, I-I haven't thought about this thing in a while," Birdie quietly said, staring down at the necklace that laid in the palm of her hand. "Thank you, Bobby."

"You're welcome, Bird," Bobby nodded, offering her a small smile before he turned away, heading inside the house once again. Birdie looked down at the necklace, a sad smile evident on her lips. She ran her fingers along the smooth metal, feeling the familiar bumps on the back of it. She turned it over, twisting her lips as she saw the engraving that read July '84—-the month and year she was born.

The last time she'd seen it was. . .the day before her father died.

She'd given it to him as a form of good luck for the hunt as she stayed behind, but after the car accident, she didn't think she'd ever see it again.

She let out a shaky sigh and lifted her head, looking up at the night sky. A ghost of a smile appeared on her lips, seeing some clouds had started to move out of the way in order to let a few stars shine down on Sioux Falls. They were hardly visible still, but she could just faintly make out certain shapes and patterns; she thought some might've been constellations she'd been taught in school, but she only remembered the name of a few and even then she struggled to tell which ones they were. She shifted on the stairs, sadly smiling as she stood up, lifting up the necklace and unchaining it. Then she started to reach it around her hand, twisting her lips as she tried to lock it.

But suddenly, she felt another pair of hands touching them as if they were trying to help her. "Here, let me." Birdie quietly chuckled, letting her hands drop as Sam helped her secure it around her neck. She reached up to touch the necklace, a small smile still on her lips as she felt it still against her skin before Sam moved from behind her to stand off to the side.

"Thank you," Birdie softly said, glancing aside at the taller man.

"You're welcome," Sam said, tucking his hands in his jacket pockets.

Birdie folded her arms over her chest, feeling a sense of comfort as she felt the necklace against her flesh. "How're Dean and Kai?"

"They're, uh. . ." Sam sighed as his voice dragged off, not quite sure what to say. He wasn't exactly sure how Dean was, but Kaiya was feeling guilty that she'd caused some certain emotions to be brought up during a supposedly fun game. They weren't angry nor did they blame her as she had no idea about Colorado, but the memories were still fresh in their mind and it was still a struggle to try and process it all.

"Has Ruby said anything about finding a way to save Dean?"

Sam sighed, rolling his eyes. "No. I don't. . .I don't think she even knows how."

Birdie faintly frowned, shaking her head. Vivid flashes of all the ways Dean had died at the Mystery Spot flashed into her mind, causing her frown to deepen and heart to ache at the thought that Dean's time was almost up and they weren't any closer to saving him than before. "What are we gonna do?" she softly asked. "With time still runnin' out and Lilith now after you. . ."

"I don't know." Sam said, sadness looming in his dull eyes. He turned to face her, Birdie able to see the unshed tears brewing in his eyes. Her eyes softened at the sight, her hands slowly falling to her sides. "I. . ." Sam trailed off for a second, shaking his head, "I have no idea what we're gonna do, Bird."