A/N Just a quick thanks to everyone who read and reviewed. Also to those who put the story on alert, welcome I hope that you enjoy this last Chapter.
Three Men, an Angel and a Baby – Part 16
Dean watched as his sister bustled around the kitchen making snacks and drinks for everyone. When Haley had said that she wanted to have some fun, it turned out that she meant a party for four saying where else would she want to spend the next twenty four hours than with the four most important people in her life, her brothers, her uncle Bobby and Castiel. The group knew that there really wasn't anywhere else that they would rather be so they were settling down in Bobby's old sitting room with some beer, a bottle of Tequila and enough food to feed an army.
"Haley, I don't think even Dean could polish off the amount of food that you're putting together" Sam laughed as she piled more food onto a plate.
On hearing Sam's comment Haley simply turned around and raised an eyebrow at Sam as if to say "are you kidding me!" She may have only been back in their lives for a few short days, but one thing she did know was that Dean loved to eat.
"Hey, no picking on big brother" Dean called out indignantly
"Don't worry Dean, we love ya" Haley threw back over her shoulder with a quick grin in her brothers direction. She knew that she only had twenty four hours to spend with her brothers, but she would make the best of this time knowing that in ten months they would all be together again and then they would have a lifetime together as a family "Okay guys, this is an equal opportunity household, help me with the food"
Sam picked up a laden platter and handed it to Dean, then picked up the beers and made his way into the sitting room where Cas and Bobby were quietly chatting, laughing to himself as he noticed Cas look up as Haley followed him into the room. He had watched Cas, watch Haley, then Haley watch Cas when each of them thought that the other wasn't looking. It was like both of them wanted to take in as much as they could in the short space of time that they had left, but didn't want the other to know how much the prospect of the separation was affecting the other. If he hadn't seen it for himself he wouldn't have believed that Cas of all angels would have fallen so quickly for a human woman, although his sister was pretty great. He guessed that having the knowledge that you were together in the future and had a baby had pushed the process along a bit, taking the pressure out of the does he, doesn't she in the dating game.
"Okay guys, foods up" Haley said as she walked into the room carrying yet another platter of food. Placing it on the coffee table she sat on the floor and watched as her brothers, Cas and Uncle Bobby took their seats in various spots in the room. Grinning widely as Dean sat on the floor cross legged on floor beside her.
Dean smiled at Haley as she bumped her elbow into him and grinned as he sat down beside her; he remembered all of the times when they were growing up that she used to crawl into his lap as he told her and Sammy a bedside story and how she would tell him that she loved him, that he was the best big brother in the whole world as she placed a sloppy kiss on his cheek. As the hours passed he was less sure that he would be able to say goodbye, he'd already let her go once and hadn't looked out for her. How could he send her away into a world where the Apocalypse was in full swing and she would be on her own with the demons and angels battling across the globe she could come up against anything and they wouldn't be there to protect her, keep her safe? Taking a long pull of his beer he asked a question that he had been pondering over the last few days "So Haley, how good are you?"
"How good am I at what Dean?" Haley replied puzzled, her green as cautious as her gaze flickered over the occupants in the room.
"Don't give me that Haley, hunting, how good a hunter are you?" Dean pressed knowing that his sister was being deliberately evasive "Come on Hales, you gotta give us something. We can't send you off without knowing if you're gonna be okay"
Haley thought for a moment before grinning at the other occupants in the room who seemed to be waiting with bated breath for her to answer "Well, I haven't died yet. How many times have you both racked up between you?"
"That's not reassuring Haley" Sam said as he grinned back at his sister, she really wasn't keen on talking about hunting.
"Don't worry guys; I'm good, very good I'm a Winchester after all. You'll find out how good in roughly ten months" Haley laughed at the twin stubborn looks on her brother's faces "I'm not getting into this with you guys now, so drop it"
"Haley"
"Hales" her brothers whined simultaneously
Sighing and looking over at Castiel "Cas, any chance you can get them to give up on this?"
"I too am interested" Castiel replied his blue eyes twinkling as he looked at Haley. He too wished reassurance that Haley could protect herself in all circumstances.
"Okay, a very quick demonstration. Who out of the two of you is the best at hand to hand?" Haley asked as she got up from the floor.
The brothers looked at each other and with a shrug Dean said "That'd be me"
"Come on then big brother, you wanted to know how good I am. Let's take this outside" She said as she walked out of the front door and down the porch steps to the yard out front.
Sam, Bobby and Castiel stood on the porch as Dean made his way to stand in front of his sister wondering what she had in mind.
"Okay Dean, give it your best shot?" Haley said with a grin, as she threw her arms wide, her green eyes sparkling as they took in the shift in her brother's attitude.
"I'm not gonna hit you Haley" Dean said gruffly, there was just no way he was doing this.
Laughing openly Haley asked "What scared Dean?"
"That I'll hurt you, Hell yes"
Looking over at Sam "What about you Sammy, you want to give it a go?"
Sammy watched as Haley teased Dean mercilessly about not wanting to hit her. He had a feeling that Haley would not have offered to let them take a shot if she wasn't confident in her own abilities "Okay sis, let's go" he said with a grin as he made his way down the porch steps.
"Sammy?" Dean growled at his baby brother as he moved to stand in front of his sister. He was over a foot taller than Haley and had enough of a weight advantage that he could really hurt her.
"Dean, you wanted to know how good I am, I'm just gonna give you a little demonstration" Turning back to Sam she said "Okay little brother let's see what you've got"
Dean moved to stand with Castiel and Bobby on the porch, not really believing that Sam was seriously going to go head to head with his tiny sister. He watched as Haley stood relaxed in front of Sam a huge grin on her face as she stepped slightly back "I don't want to be out here all night Sammy, if it makes you feel better, just think of me as a demon" he listened as his sister taunted Sam lightly. In the next instant Sam had lunged for Haley throwing a punch towards her head which if connected would have given her a serious headache but Haley simply stepped back out of his reach then in the blink of an eye stepped back into her brothers space and with the heal of her hand landed a blow squarely on Sam's chest which knocked him back a couple of steps, then Haley dropped quickly and with a sweep of her leg Sam was on his ass.
Leaning down Haley reached out a hand to Sam and said "Demonstration over"
Taking her hand Sam hauled himself up, slightly embarrassed at how easily Haley had taken him down.
"Guys, can you stop worrying, you know I'm coming knocking on your door in ten months it's a done deal. It's already happened I'm gonna be fine" Haley reassured her brothers as she walked back into the house.
Sam looked over at Dean and with a shrug of his shoulder said "She's right" but neither could quite shake the image that Gabriel had shown them of Haley strapped to the demons table.
Retaking their seats around the table the four members of Team Three Will and the newest Winchester talked for hours, the siblings sharing stories of a remembered childhood with Bobby and Cas. They spoke about the apocalypse and their renewed hope for the future. No one mentioned that in only a few short hours they would be taken back to a point in time where Haley wasn't part of their lives and where the brothers had not dealt with the issues between them. That they would go back into a world of darkness, uncertainty and pain.
"Right Hales, any Winchester worth their salt can do tequila shots" Dean said as he poured generous amounts of Tequila into five glasses, the food and beer long gone.
"I'm more of a whiskey girl, big brother. Irish remember?" Haley said as she exaggerated her Irish brogue for her brothers' benefit.
"Yeah well, you're American, so it's Tequila from now on" Dean replied as he demonstrated the correct method of taking a Tequila shot. Taking the salt he poured some onto his hand, licked it off then downed the shot before taking the lime wedge into his mouth.
Giggling lightly "Ok give it to me" Haley said as she poured some salt onto her hand, taking the shot glass from Dean she slowly licked the salt from the back of her hand and then downed the shot, her eyes watering as she grabbed a lime wedge from Dean and sucked on it quickly "Oh dear Lord that is vile" she said as soon as she got her breath back.
"Don't be a wuss Hales you just need some practice" Dean laughed as his sister glared at him, her green eyes flashing angrily.
Choosing to ignore Dean; Haley looked over to where Castiel was sitting quietly watching the siblings as they squabbled good naturedly. Smiling softly she looked at her brothers and said "I've had enough alcohol for tonight. I'm going to get some fresh air" before turning and saying "Cas, do you want to get some air?"
"Yes I would like that Haley" Castiel replied as he stood up and reached out a hand to assist Haley to stand.
"Thanks Cas"
The brothers watched as Cas and Haley made their way outside. As soon as they were out of earshot Sam asked with a grin "What do you think Dean, is Cas going to get lucky tonight?"
"Sammy! Don't say that, that's you sister" Dean replied as he fell back on the floor a cushion pressed firmly to his face "Oh dear God Sammy did you have to say that. Now I have to kill myself or kill Cas, because you know how I said before that I was totally okay with them being together"
"Yes Dean" Sam said cautiously
"Well, now I've got the image of eight year old Haley in pigtails in my head I'm not feeling quite so open minded about it"
Grimacing at the thought himself "Well Dean they're adults so it's pretty much their call"
"Yeah, I guess"
Haley and Castiel made their way outside and sat down on the steps of the porch; "Cas, you'll look out for them won't you?" Haley asked quietly.
"Haley, I will not remember any of what has occurred once Gabriel resets the timeline, but I promise that I will endeavour to keep Sam and Dean safe as I have always done" Castiel replied softly as he took Haley's hand in his, entwining his fingers with hers.
Haley looked up her green eyes widening slightly in surprise, Castiel had never been the one to initiate any contact between them always seemingly satisfied to just be near her; nodding she laid her head lightly on his shoulder and snuggled closer. Letting go of her hand Castiel wrapped his arm around her and placed his head lightly on hers. They sat like that for some time each simply enjoying being in each other's presence. After a while Haley pulled back and said so quietly that Castiel almost didn't catch what she was saying "I don't want to go Cas. Why can't I stay?"
"Haley-"
"Well, well, well isn't this a lovely sight. Castiel look how far you have fallen, taking up with a human"
Castiel and Haley were immediately on their feet, Castiel pulling Haley behind him his silver blade appearing in his hand "Zachariah" his voice hard as he addressed the Angel standing before him, two other angels wielding blades identical to Castiel's standing silently to each side.
"Well now this must be Haley that I have heard so much about" Zachariah said as he turned his gaze upon Haley, completely ignoring Castiel.
"I've heard so much about you too!" Haley replied with a snarl "you and the Men in Black wannabe's would be the dick angels that my brothers have told me about"
Zachariah's smile fell slightly off of his face as he took a step towards them "Well you certainly are a Winchester aren't you. We may just have to teach you a lesson in respect, little girl. How would you like –"
"STOP Zachariah you dick, get away from my sister" Dean shouted as him and Sam ran out onto the porch each carrying a shotgun.
"Dean and hell spawn, nice of you to join us. Now we can get started" Clapping his hands together he turned back and continued to address Haley "Now you know that we really need Dean to say yes to Michael, but he's being rather stubborn. Do you know he wouldn't even say yes when I gave him advanced stomach cancer and something equally nasty to Sammy boy. I wonder though whether he would be so stubborn if he had to watch his baby sister drown in her own blood"
Hearing this the brothers knew that Zachariah was deadly serious, he would use Haley against Dean and they each doubted whether he would be able to continue to refuse if they had to watch Haley suffer as they both had previously suffered at Zachariahs hands.
"Dean" Haley said softly to her brother her eyes never leaving the Angel's in front of her "Under no circumstances do you let them use me against you. No matter what you say no. Remember we get a do over nothing that happens here and now matters"
"Hales-"
"No Dean, no matter what" Haley interrupted Dean's objections.
"Oh isn't this just so sweet, little sister willing to sacrifice herself for her brothers. Will you Winchesters never learn?" Zachariah said as he waved a hand casually in Haley's direction.
Haley immediately doubled over in pain, her lungs burning as she struggled to take a breath. She could feel the hot liquid of her blood bubble up her throat before it spilt hot and red from her mouth onto the ground in front of her. She could hear her brothers shouting at Zachariah to stop as Sam held her "Hold on Hales"
"Hey asswipes" Bobby called from the porch his hand dripping with blood; with a quick "sorry Cas" he slammed his hand onto the sigil banishing all of the angels, including Castiel from the yard.
Instantly Haley's breathing started to ease as Zachariah's influence was removed; Sam picked up his sister and moved with her quickly into the house "It's okay Haley, I got you" he said softly as he placed her onto the sofa.
"Sammy, I'm fine. What happened?" Haley asked as she tried to sit up, her hand rubbing her chest lightly as it eased.
"Bobby banished the Angels using a sigil that Cas taught us, unfortunately Cas got caught up in it too" Sam replied "He'll be back soon, but so will they. We need to find a way to keep them out until Gabriel gets here and re-sets the timeline"
Dean stood in the doorway watching his two siblings as Sam explained what Bobby had done to Haley. He knew that Sam was right; the angel's knew where they were which meant that they didn't have a lot of time. Walking into the kitchen he picked up a towel and wet it lightly and started back towards the sitting room stopping suddenly as he noticed Haley's Enochian pendent lying on the kitchen counter. Picking it up he ran his thumb over the symbols and with a sigh knew what had to be done.
"Hey Hales. You okay?" Dean asked as he walked back into the room and sat down beside his sister on the sofa and started to wipe the blood gently from her face.
"I'm fine Dean, I don't think there's any permanent damage" she replied softy as she took in the haunted look on her older brothers face "Dean, really I'm fine. I meant what I said we're getting a do over, so it doesn't matter, let it go"
Dean thought for a moment before holding up Haley's pendent "You need to put this back on now Haley"
"Dean no, I've got till midnight" Haley said her eyes shining brightly as she looked into the identical eyes of her brother "It's too soon"
"Dean's right Haley you need to put it on now" Sam said quietly as he watched his brother struggle to do what he knew was right. If Haley put the pendent on then she would be immediately shielded from Zachariah, the power of the Enochian symbols removing the knowledge of her existence from the angel's, but it would also remove Dean and Bobby's memories of Haley as a child. They would go back to knowing Haley only as the girl who had shown up a week before.
"If I do this then we need to call Gabriel and get him to work his mojo now. I won't take a chance on them coming back for you, they know where you are now" Haley said after a moment realising that her brothers were right, she had no tiime left, her heart broke at the thought of losing the rest of the day with her brothers. Closing her eyes she prayed softly "Gabriel, are you out there we need you now"
Almost immediately Gabriel appeared in the sitting room, his eyes taking in the condition of the four occupants; knowing that something serious had happened "What happened?"
"Gabe, you've got to send Haley back now. Zachariah found us and he knows about Haley. We banished him but he'll be back" Dean answered urgently, knowing that they had very little time.
"Okay, let's get this show on the road" Gabriel said immediatley without hesitation, then looking down at Haley "I take it my baby brother got banished along with Zachariah?"
"Oh my God, I can't go without saying goodbye to Cas" Haley cried desperately as she looked up at her brothers.
"I'm sorry sis; we've got to do this now. There's no time, you're getting a do over remember Cas'll be here when you get back" Sam said softly as he pulled Haley to her feet and into a tight hug "You're coming back to us, we're not losing you just letting you go for a short while"
Pulling back Haley looked at the occupants in the room; "Uncle Bobby, I'm gonna miss you. Don't let these to idjits do anything stupid now" she said as leant down to give him a tight hug "I love you"
"I won't Haley girl. You be safe" Bobby responded his eyes bright with tears.
Turning next to her big brother, stepping into his arms as he pulled her into a tight hug, his arms wrapped securely around her as he pressed a soft kiss onto the top of her head "Sis, I love you. I'll see you real soon"
Haley's breath hitched in her throat as she heard the words that she had been waiting for twenty years to hear "I love you too De. Remember keep saying no"
Pulling out of Dean's arms Haley looked at the three men in the room "I love you guys so much. I've missed you every day for the last twenty years, you've no idea how much it means to me that I got to spend this time with you." Haley said softly her lip trembling lightly as she struggled to contain the emotions welling up within her, her eyes filled with tears.
Gabriel stood watching as Haley said her goodbyes to her family; he prayed to Dad that his little brother would make it back in time to say goodbye "Right sexy lady" he said with a grin "It's time"
Dean handed the Enochian pendent to Haley and watched as she put it on, almost immediately he could feel his memories start to loosen and fade. He knew that it would only be a very short time before they would be completely gone. He looked at Haley as the intensity of his love for her dimmed and was replaced by a feeling of affection, new and untested for his younger sister and his heart broke at the loss.
"Gabe, can we wait just a minute. I need to say goodbye to Cas" Haley pleaded "Please!"
His response was lost as Castiel appeared in the room, seeing Gabriel there he knew that they had decided to send Haley back early.
"You're just in time baby brother; I'm going to reset time. Come say goodbye to your girl" Gabriel teased his brother; grinning as he noticed a flush rise up his brothers cheeks and his eyes widen slightly.
"Gabe, stop teasing your brother" Haley chided as she stepped round Gabriel towards Castiel "Cas, I'm so glad you got back in time. I didn't want to go without saying goodbye. I know that you won't remember, but these last few days have been so amazing. I ..." shaking her head as she struggled to find the words, her eyes never leaving his.
Castiel ran a finger lightly over her cheek then gently wiped away the tears that fell from her eyes with his thumb "I have been truly blessed to have met you Haley Winchester"
Taking a deep breath Haley turned to Gabriel and with a trembling smile said "Do it!"
With a nod Gabriel snapped his fingers and it was done.
End
A/N Okay so it wouldn't be Supernatural without a bit of angst...Thanks for reading. I hope that you've enjoyed reading this story as much as I've enjoyed writing it. Please take the time to leave me a review.
... and because I couldn't leave it there, here's a short extract from Chapter 1 of my story The Other Winchester, which together with the sequel The Rise of Darkness follows Haley's re-introduction to her brothers and her eventual pairing with Castiel. Enjoy Candygal1
Sioux Falls September 2010 – 10 Months Later
Sitting at his desk in the house that had been his home for as long as he could remember Bobby Singer was reading with an intensity that the stillness of his body disguised. The house was cluttered, with every surface covered with books. Books stacked high on floor with no room to walk. Empty bottles of vodka and take out cartons with uneaten food lay were they were thrown, unnoticed and neglected.
Running his hands over his face, with a frustrated sigh Bobby muttered "Sam, what did we let you do, how could we have been so stupid boy" a lone tear slid down his face "We're gonna get you back boy just hold on, we're gonna get you out of that place". Picking up another book he starts to read desperately looking for the answer to get his boy home. Sam may not have been his biological son, but he and his older brother Dean was the closest thing to family he had and he sure as hell was not leaving him in the pit with Lucifer, no way, it just wasn't going to happen. Dean may have made a half assed promise to Sam not to try and get him out, that he would go and live an apple pie life with Lisa and Ben, but there was no way on God's green earth that Bobby Singer was doing that. It was bad enough that Dean had spent forty years in hell and he couldn't do anything about it, he'd be damned if he wasn't going to fight to get Sam back. The thought of Sam being lost for an eternity was unacceptable.
The sound of an engine coming down the dirt road toward his house pulls him from his anxious thoughts. Picking up his shotgun he carefully makes his way to his front door. Opening the door a crack he sees a black Harley Davidson motorcycle pulling to a stop outside his house. Cutting the engine, the rider gets off the bike; taking off the helmet Bobby gets his first look at his visitor. A young woman he had never seen before, early to mid twenties with mane of chocolate coloured hair and a confident walk, at around about five foot and a couple of inches, she looked like a stiff breeze would blow her off of her bike. Frowning Bobby knew that looks could be deceiving and as she drew closer to the house he raised his shotgun and said "hold it, don't come any closer. Who are you and what do you want?"
The young woman didn't seem to take offense, with a slow easy smile she raised her hands and said "I come in peace" giggling at her own joke she stopped three feet short of the steps to the front porch.
"Hi, I was told that I could find Bobby Singer here" her voice had a strong accent that indicated that she wasn't from around these parts. Looking into her green eyes, Bobby had a sense that she looked vaguely familiar. Although he was pretty sure that he didn't know anyone from Ireland. Not lowering the shotgun he warily replied "That's me! What can I do for you miss?" he knew better than most, that demons would take on any form and use any story to stab you in the back or rip your guts out through your chest. He wasn't about to be fooled by a pretty girl with an easy smile.
For the first time his visitor appeared to be nervous, lowering her eyes she seemed to be carefully considering her next words. After a few seconds she slowly released a breath and raised her eyes, holding his gaze steadily she replied "My name is Haley, Haley Winchester, my dad John said that you may be able to help me find my brothers Dean and Sam..."
TBC