"This lawyer guy the first heart free corpse in town?" Dean asks Sam while he sits on the bed, cleaning his guns. Ophelia sits by him, watching him clean the guns, not having much else to do.
"First man. Over the past year, several women have gone missing. Dead bodies all washed up later in the bay, too deteriorated to draw firm conclusions." Sam says, getting a beer.
"But no hearts?" Dean asks.
"No hearts. They were all hookers working Hunter's Point. Now, cops are trying to keep things under wraps, but they're looking for a serial killer." Sam says.
"And the lunar cycle?" Dean asks.
"Mm-hmm, yeah, month after month, all the murders happen in the week leading up to the full moon." Sam says.
"Which is this week, right?" Dean asks.
"Hence the lawyer."
"Awesome." Dean grins.
"Dean, could you be a bigger geek about this?" Sam asks.
"I'm sorry, man, but what about a human by day, a freak animal killing machine by moonlight don't you understand? I mean, werewolves are badass. We haven't seen one since we were kids." Dean says.
"Okay, Sparky. And you know what? After we kill it, we can go to Disneyland." Sam jokes.
"It isn't that exciting." Natalie says.
"Nat, we haven't seen one in--"
"I know when we last saw one, Dean." Natalie sneers. She gets up, walking to the kitchen area, missing Sam's apologetic glance.
"You know what the best part about it is? We already know how to bring these suckers down." Dean holds up a silver bullet. "One of these bad boys right to the heart."
"Take it down a couple notches." Sam mutters.
"Wha--" Dean starts, but remembers the last werewolf. "Right. Yeah. Okay." He mumbles.
"So, what's our next move?" Dean asks.
"Talk to the girl who found the body." Sam says.
+++
"I don't understand. I already gave my statement." Madison says, leading the three siblings into her apartment.
"Right, well, we just need to verify a few things." Sam says.
"This is my neighbor, Glen." Madison informs, motioning to the guy who stands up from the couch. "Glen, this is Detective..."
"Landis. And Detective Dante." He slaps Sam on the back. "Detective Wadleigh." He points to Natalie.
"Well, I guess I'll leave you to it." Glen says.
"Okay. Thanks for the casserole." Madison tells him.
"Oh, how thoughtful." Dean comments.
"Just call if you need anything." Glen says before leaving.
"He's sweet. He came over to check on me." Madison says. "Have a seat." She says, the four sitting at the kitchen table.
"You must be pretty shaken up. You were Nate Mulligan's assistant, right?" Sam asks.
"For two years, yeah." Madison nods.
"So, you knew all about him?" Dean asks.
"Probably knew more about him than he did. Nate was... he was nice." Madison says.
"But?" Sam asks.
"Nothing, really. I-- get a few scotches in him, and he'd start hitting on anyone in a five mile radius. You know the type." Madison says.
"Unfortunately." Natalie forces a smile at her, not missing Dean basically drooling over the woman.
"Yeah. I do, actually." Sam says.
"Did, uh, did he have any enemies?" Dean asks, getting a hold of himself.
"What do you mean? It sure looked like an animal attack." Madison says.
"No, yeah, we're just covering all the bases. Anyone that might have had a beef with him? A former client, an ex?" Dean asks.
"What?" Sam asks, noticing her look.
"Well, this is embarrassing, but my ex-boyfriend, Kurt--"
"Kurt have a last name?" Dean asks.
"Mueller. After we broke up, he went kind of nuts. He's... well, he's kind of been stalking me. He got it in his head that something was going on between Nate and I. He showed up at my office." Madison explains.
"What happened?" Sam asks.
"Kurt got into it with Nate, threw a punch before security grabbed him. I was lucky to keep my job." Madison says.
"When was the last time you saw Kurt?" Dean asks.
"A few nights ago. Actually, the night Nate died. We were all grabbing drinks at this bar and Kurt showed up."
"And?" Dean asks.
"Nothing. It was... like he was watching me. Then he was gone. To tell you the truth... he scares me." Madison says.
~ ~ ~
"So, what do you think?" Dean asks as the three leave the apartment.
"Stalker ex-boyfriend? He hates the boss, and he was there that night." Sam says.
"Think he's our dog-faced boy?" Dean asks.
"Well, it's a theory." Sam says.
"We've had worse." Dean says.
"Yeah." Sam nods.
"What do you say we pay Kurt a visit?"
+++
They break into Kurt's apartment, looking around. Sam and Natalie make their way to the kitchen as Dean goes to the living room area.
"You holding up okay?" Sam quietly asks his sister.
"I'm fine, Sam. Zero traumatic childhood memories being brought up right now." Natalie remarks.
"It's okay if you don't wanna work this case. Just stay back with Bessie and Oph." Sam says.
"I'm fine, Sam." Natalie insists. "Not like I'm gonna fall in love with the werewolf this time. Think I've learned my lesson on that."
Sam sympathetically smiles and then gently ruffles her hair, turning when Dean walks in.
"Anything?" Sam asks.
"No, nothing but leftovers and a six pack." Dean says.
"Check the freezer. Maybe there's some human hearts behind the Haagen-Dazs or something." Sam says, slightly joking.
Dean goes to open the freezer, but they hear a door open and shut and then a crash. Dean opens the door to the balcony and steps outside.
"Guys, come here!" Dean calls and the twins go onto the balcony. "Check it out." They see claw marks on the side of the concrete wall that go down to the ground.
They hear a gunshot and race out of the apartment, rushing down the street, finding a policeman's body mauled.
"I'll call 911." Sam says.
"I'd say Kurt's looking more and more like our Cujo." Dean says.
"Dean, if he's out there, we better check on Madison." Sam says.
+++
They knock on Madison's apartment door and Natalie is holding Libby while Dean is holding Ophelia's hand.
"What's going on?" Glen asks from his apartment.
"Police business, Glen." Dean says as Madison answers her door.
"What is it?" Madison asks.
"Well, maybe we should talk privately." Sam says.
~ ~ ~
"Has Kurt been here?" Sam asks.
"Not exactly." Madison says, pouring them coffee.
"What exactly does "not exactly" mean?" Dean asks.
"Well, he was outside last night. Just... looking. Just looking at me. Has he done something?" She asks.
"We're not really sure." Sam says.
"It's probably nothing, but... we just don't wanna take any chances. In fact, one of us should probably stay here with you? Just in case he stops by. Where does he work?" Dean asks.
"He owns a body shop." Madison informs.
"You mind grabbing that address for us?" Dean asks. She nods and leaves. "Thanks."
"All right, you guys go. I'll stay." Sam says.
"Forget that. You go after the creepy ex with Nat. I'm gonna hang here with the hot chick." Dean says.
"Dude, why do you always get to hang out with the girls?" Sam asks.
"Cause I'm older." Dean says.
"That's the worst reason ever." Natalie says.
"No, screw that. We settle this the old fashioned way." Sam says. He puts his and Dean's mugs down and holds his hands up for rock, paper, scissors.
The two play and Sam chooses rock as Dean goes with scissors. Natalie smirks at her older brother's familiar choice.
"Dean, always with the scissors." Sam says.
"Shut up, shut up. Two out of three." Dean says.
Sam sighs, and they play again, the two choosing the exact same thing.
"Bundle up out there, all right?" Sam says as Dean groans in annoyance.
+++
Dean pulls up outside the strip club and parks across the street from it. Natalie and the girls all have food, Natalie having forced Dean to stop for food prior to this.
"All right. You three have fun eating, and I will be back later." Dean grins.
"Dean, this is for work. You can't get distracted." Natalie says.
"I wont, I won't." Dean brushes her motherly tone off.
"Dean, if we fuck this up cause you couldn't think with your upstairs brain, it is all on you." Natalie says.
"I know, Nat. Relax. I'll make it." Dean says.
"Can we go in after we eat?" Ophelia asks.
"Uh... no. No. No, honey, this-- this is an adult place." Dean says.
"What you do in the adult place?" Libby asks, stuffing a fry in her mouth.
Dean panickily looks at Natalie who shrugs.
"Adult stuff." Dean says, nodding. "Yeah. Yeah, adult stuff." He nods. "You guys stay here with Aunt Natty. She'll answer any questions you have."
"Wh-- Dean!" She hisses. He cockily grins at her, getting out. "Dean! I'm gonna kill you!" She yells out after him.
"What adult stuff?" Ophelia asks.
"Fucking hell." Natalie mumbles to herself.
+++
Dean and Natalie are standing outside of Kurt's apartment, the girls asleep in the car.
"How you holding up?" Dean asks.
"Oh, my God. Okay, one of you ask me that again, I'm gonna punch you." Natalie says.
"Duly noted. Sorry." Dean mutters.
"I'm fine, Dean. Does it still kinda hurt? Maybe. Am I gonna have a mental breakdown? No. So relax." Natalie says.
They hear a window crash and look up to see the glass doors to Kurt's balcony broken.
"What the--" Dean mutters. "Come on." The two rush into the apartment building and up to Kurt's apartment. Dean bursts through the door, Natalie behind him.
They go into the bedroom, finding a woman next to Kurt's mauled body. She turns to them, growling, and they see that it's a wolfed out Madison. She growls, charging at Dean, pushing him into the wall.
Natalie goes to shoot her, but Madison knocks the gun out of her hand, her claws scratching Natalie's forearm making her yell out in pain.
Madison attacks Natalie, the huntress' head harshly thumping against the wall. Natalie kicks Madison in the stomach, sending her onto her butt. Dean slices her arm with a silver knife making her growl in pain and she flees, leaving two unconscious Winchesters and a dead body behind.
+++
Dean woke up and the sun was up by that time. He goes over to Natalie, gently shaking her.
"Nat? Natty?" He gently shakes her. He hovers his hand over her face, feeling her breath hit his hand. Dean takes his phone out and calls Sam while staying next to his sister.
"Dean, you guys okay?" Sam asks.
"Yeah, now that I'm conscious. Though, she's still unconscious. The werewolf knocked us out. Well, me and Nat, anyways. Hopefully our daughters are still perfectly intact down in the Impala. Oh, shit, I really hope. Look, Sam, it's Madison." Dean states.
"What?" Sam asks.
"Yeah, awesome job of keeping an eye on her." Dean says.
"Dean, I've been here the whole time. She's in bed asleep." Sam says.
"Well, she wasn't an hour ago. Check her right arm below her elbow. I nicked her with a silver knife." Dean says and they hang up.
Dean hears a quiet groan and turns to see Natalie waking up.
"Hey. Hey, hey." Dean rushes to help her up. "How you feeling?"
"Like my head got smashed into the wall." Natalie says.
"Yeah, you and me both." Dean lets out a scoff. "Come on, we gotta get back to Sammy. I'll call the cops from the car."
They leave and get downstairs to the Impala, finding the girls both in the backseat.
"Hey. Hey, you guys okay?" Dean asks.
"We're hungry." Libby whines, kicking her feet, making contact with the back of the front seat.
"Hey, hey, hey. No need to abuse my four wheel baby. I'll feed you, just relax." Dean says. "But are you guys okay? Are you hurt?"
"We're good." Ophelia says.
"Okay." Dean lets out a small sigh of relief.
+++
They get to Madison's and knock on the door. Sam opens it after a moment and lets them in.
"How you doin'? My head feels great, thanks." Dean says to Madison.
"We've gotta talk." Sam drags his siblings into the kitchen. He makes Ophelia and Libby stay in the other room. "She says she has no idea what I'm talking about."
"She's lying." Dean says.
"Or maybe she really doesn't know she's changing, you know? Maybe-Maybe when the creature takes over, she blacks out." Sam says.
"Like a really hot Incredible Hulk." Dean says. "Come on, dude, she ganked her boss and her ex-boyfriend. That doesn't sound rash and unconscious."
"Yeah, but what if it is, Dean? I mean, what if some animal part of her brain saw both those guys as threats? Hell, the cop, too." Sam says.
"What are you, the dog whisperer now?" Dean asks.
"Dean." Natalie gives him a look.
"Look, man, I just... I don't know. There-- there was something in her eyes." Sam says.
"Yeah, she's killing people!" Dean exclaims.
"But if she has no control over it--"
"Exactly. She can't control it. Even if she's telling the truth, it's not gonna change anything."
"I'm not putting a bullet through some girl's chest who has no idea what's happening."
"Sam, she's a monster, and you're feeling sorry for her?"
"Dean..." Natalie warns again.
"Maybe I understand her." Sam says. "Look, there might be another way we can get the job done without having to waste her."
"Are you thinking what I think you're thinking?" Dean asks.
"Dad's theory -- "lycanthropy might have a cure if you kill the werewolf who bit you, severing the bloodline."" Sam says, showing the page in the journal.
"And yet he never tried it." Natalie rolls her eyes.
"Might have a cure. Meaning who the hell knows?" Dean says.
"It's worth a shot." Sam says.
"We don't even know where to start looking, all right? I mean, the puppy that bit her could be anyone, anywhere. It could've been years ago." Dean says.
"No. I don't think so." Sam goes back into the living room, his siblings following. "Madison, when were you mugged?" She doesn't answer. "Please. It's important, all right? Just answer the question."
"About a month ago." She says.
"Did you see the guy?" Sam asks.
"No. He grabbed me from behind." She says.
"Did he bite you?"
"How did you know that?"
"Where?"
"On... on the back of my neck." Sam holds up the gun in his hand and puts it down on the table. He goes behind her, gently brushing her hair out of the way and finding a scarred lump on her neck.
"Oh, that's just a love bite. Believe me, that could have been a lot worse. Where were you at the time?" Dean asks.
"Walking home from a friend's loft." Madison says.
"Let me guess. Not too far from Hunter's Point?" Sam asks.
~ ~ ~
"The same place where those other murders happened. I'm telling you, it's the werewolf's hunting grounds." Sam says.
"Maybe, but that doesn't mean it's gonna be out there tonight." Dean says.
"It's the right time of the lunar cycle. Look, I know it's a long shot." Sam says.
"Hey, you're forgetting something. Maddie's probably gonna turn soon, all right? We can't just let her take off to an all you can eat buffet."
"I'll stay with her."
"And if she busts loose?" Dean asks, but Sam just looks away. "Sam?"
"I'll do it." Sam says.
"Sam." Dean gives him a look.
"I'll shoot her, all right?" Sam says. Natalie sadly looks at her brother, knowing what that pain is like. "But, I need you to go out there. At least go look for the thing. Please. We can save this girl."
"Of course." Natalie nods.
"Fine." Dean relents.
Natalie picks Libby up and then drags Dean out of the apartment, Ophelia following.
"Why are you so on board with this? You really think it's gonna work?" Dean asks.
"I don't know, but for Sam's sake, I'm sure as fucking hell gonna try to make sure it does." Natalie states.
+++
Dean and Natalie find the werewolf attacking a woman.
"Hey!" Dean shouts and the werewolf looks up, Dean shooting it three times. The werewolf falls off of the woman who gasps in horror as she stands up. She looks at Dean in terror before running off.
"Hey, don't mention it!" Dean calls after her.
The siblings walk closer and Natalie finally realizes Glen is the werewolf. They watch as he chokes on his own blood, gasping in pain.
"It happened... again. Where am I? H-Help me. Oh, God. Oh, my God." Glen coughs.
"All right, easy, Glen. Just take it easy." Dean says. Glen takes his last breath.
+++
The family of five are sitting in the Impala, parked outside of Madison's apartment building.
"What are we doing?" Ophelia asks.
"Making sure we're all good to go." Dean says.
"And that involves sitting bored out of our skulls in the car?" Ophelia asks.
"Yes, Oph. Yes, it does." Dean says. "It was sort of sad, actually." He says after a moment. "Glen had no clue what was going on." Dean says.
"Yeah, we know, Dean. Let's-- let's not relive it, please." Natalie says.
"Yeah. Yeah, sure." Dean nods. "So, hey, why do you think he turned Madison instead of just killing her in the first place?" He asks.
"I don't know. I mean, he kind of seemed to have a thing for her." Sam says.
"Maybe his primal instinct did, too. Maybe he was looking for a little, uh, hot breeding action." Dean says.
"A little what?" Ophelia asks.
"Nothing." Dean quickly dismisses.
"Dean, I think you're the one who needs a filter." Natalie comments.
"Yeah. Something like that." Sam says.
"So?" Dean asks.
"So what?" Sam asks.
"Speaking of Madison..." Dean trails off.
"Oh, whatever." Sam rolls his eyes.
"Don't "whatever" me, man, you liked her. Maybe, uh--"
"Dean, she thought I was a stark raving lunatic."
"You saved her life."
"Yeah, but she doesn't know that."
There's knocking on Sam's window and they turn to see Madison. Sam rolls the window down.
"You know, for a stakeout, your car's a bit conspicuous. What are still doing here?" She asks.
"Honestly? Uh, we're pretty sure you're not gonna turn tonight, but we've gotta be 100%, so... you know, we're... lurking." Dean says.
"I know this sounds crazy." Sam says.
"It sure does. Well, if we're gonna wait it out... we might as well do it together." Madison says.
~ ~ ~
Madison leads them into her apartment.
"You were telling the truth, weren't you? About everything." Madison says. "What you did -- it was to help me."
"Yeah." Sam nods.
"I did all of those horrible things... when I turned." Madison says.
"You didn't know." Sam says.
"So, when will we know for sure? Moonrise?" She asks.
"No, I don't think so. You turned middle of the night last night. I think we've gotta hang in until sun up." Sam says.
"Well, it looks like we've got ourselves a few hours to kill. Poker, anyone?" Dean asks.
"We can play Go Fish." Ophelia grins.
"Yeah, sure. Sure, that works." Dean says, ruffling her hair.
~ ~ ~
Dean, Ophelia, and Natalie are sitting at the table while Sam and Madison are on the couch. Libby is sitting on Natalie's lap. Dean takes his gun out, putting it on the table, the other three watching him.
"Oh, no, you guys talk." Dean tells Sam and Madison before looking at Natalie. "What?" He asks.
"Are you fucking serious right now?" She asks, nodding to the gun.
"It's precaution." Dean says and Natalie rolls her eyes.
"Don't you think she's nervous enough?" Natalie whispers and Dean shrugs.
"Can you two pay attention now?" Ophelia asks, impatiently glancing between her dad and aunt.
"Sorry." Natalie mutters.
"Yeah, sorry." Dean mumbles. "Uh... any twos?" He asks.
"Go fish." Ophelia grins. Dean rolls his eyes and pouts, grabbing a card.
~ ~ ~
They watch from the window as the sun rises. Libby and Ophelia are both asleep on the couch.
"Does-- does this mean it worked?" Madison asks.
"Yeah. I think so." Sam says.
"Oh, God, thank you. Thank you so much." She hugs Sam. Dean clears his throat after they don't break away for a bit, and Madison lets go of Sam. "You, too, Dean, Natalie. Thank you." She tells them.
"Aw, don't mention it." Dean says and Natalie rolls her eyes at him. "So, Nat, the kiddos, and I are just gonna head back to the hotel and... watch some pay-per-view or something. Get some breakfast on the way." Dean picks Ophelia up and Natalie gets Libby before they leave.
+++
The four Winchesters are trying to go to breakfast, but Libby is refusing to get dressed.
"Elizabeth, you need pants on so we can go out in public." Natalie says.
"No." Libby whines.
"Elizabeth Allison Winchester." Natalie warns, giving her a stern look.
"I don't want to." Libby stomps her foot.
"Okay, that's it." Dean says. "Here." He gives Libby's pants to Natalie. "C'mere, you little rascal." Dean grabs his niece, picking her up.
"No." Libby kicks until Dean manages to hold her legs. "Put 'em on. Put 'em on. I can't control her for long." Natalie quickly works against the small kicks, quickly getting her niece's pants on.
"Done." Natalie says.
"If we add a pretty skirt on top of them, will you leave them on?" Dean asks the four year old.
"Maybe." Libby mumbles.
Natalie holds up a few skirt options and Libby points to the sparkly pink one. Natalie puts the others back in the bag and puts the pink skirt on Libby.
"There. We good now?" Natalie asks her niece as Dean puts her back on the floor.
"Uh-huh." Libby grins, twisting her hips and watching the skirt sway back and forth.
"She's a mess." Dean mumbles.
"She has us for role models. What'd you think she was gonna be?" Natalie quietly asks.
"She's the calm one in this duo." Dean hisses, pointing between his daughter and niece.
"Yes, but she's growing up. The calmness is leaving. Plus, with your couldn't give any less shits daughter as an influence, that doesn't help either." Natalie quietly says.
"Are you insulting my child?" Dean asks.
"What? No. I'm just saying she can be reckless. Impulsive. Completely crazy." Natalie says.
"Those sound like an insult."
"They're not insults, they're facts."
Before Dean can retort, there's a rapid pounding on the door. Dean walks over and opens it, Sam standing on the other side.
"Sammy?" Natalie asks, noticing his scared, stressed out look.
"She-- she turned." Sam says.
"What?" His siblings ask.
"I couldn't grab her in time." Sam says.
"We'll find her, Sammy." Dean assures.
~ ~ ~
"I already called Bobby. He doesn't know anything. Except he knew severing the bloodline wouldn't work. That's everyone. They all say it's impossible to reverse it." Sam says.
"How come she didn't turn when we were with her?" Dean asks.
"Dean--"
"So, what, you put her to bed and then she wolfed out? Maybe she's gotta be asleep to turn."
"What the hell does it matter, Dean? Look, we've gotta find some way to help her, some legend we missed or something."
"If there was, don't you think someone would've known it?"
"Well, then we have to look harder! Until we find something."
"Sammy, I don't think we've got a choice here anymore."
"What?"
"I hate to say it. She's a sweet girl, but part of her is--"
"Evil?"
"Yeah."
"Yeah, that's what they say about me, Dean! That's what some of them say about Libby. So, me and Libby you won't kill her, but her you're just gonna blow away?" Sam asks.
"Sammy--" Natalie starts, but Sam's phone rings and he answers it.
"Madison, where are you?" Sam asks. "Well, do you see any street signs?" He asks. "All right, hold on, Maddie. We're coming to get you, just stay where you are."
+++
They're all in Madison's living room.
"I don't remember anything. I probably killed someone last night. Didn't I?" Madison asks.
"There's no way to know yet." Dean says.
"Is there something else we can try to make it go away?" Madison asks.
"We'll find something. I mean, there's gotta be some answer, somewhere." Sam says.
"That's not entirely true. Madison, you deserve to know. We've scoured every source. There's just no cure." Dean says.
"Is-- is he right?" Madison asks Sam. He doesn't answer, just turning away, tears filling his eyes. Natalie sadly glances between both of them.
"Well, we could lock you up at night, but... you bust out, and some night you will, someone else dies." Dean says. "I'm sorry. I am."
"So, I guess that's all there is to it, then." Madison says, letting out a deep breath.
"Stop it. Don't talk like that." Sam turns back to her.
"Sam, I don't wanna hurt anyone else. I don't wanna hurt you." Madison says. She picks up the gun on the table and holds it out to Sam.
"Put that down." Sam demands.
"I can't do it myself. I need you to help me." Madison says.
"Madison, no."
"Sam... I'm a monster."
"You don't have to be. We could find a way, all right? I can. I'm gonna save you."
"You tried. I know you tried. But this is all there is left. Help me, Sam. I want you to do it. I want it to be you."
"I can't."
"I don't wanna die. I don't. But I can't live like this. This is the way you can save me. Please. I'm asking you to save me."
Sam shakes his head. Dean goes over, gently taking the gun away from Madison and Sam goes into the kitchen, his siblings following.
"Sam. I'm sorry." Dean tells him.
"No, you're right. She's right." Sam says.
"Sammy, I got this one. I'll do it." Dean says.
"She asked me to." Sam says.
"You don't have to." Dean says.
"Yes, I do." Sam nods, finally letting his tears fall. "Please." He holds his hand out for the gun.
"Sammy, you don't have to. I can do it. You don't need to go through this." Natalie tells him with teary eyes. "It's not... it's not something you need to go through."
"She asked me to do it." Sam says. "I need to." He says. He looks at Dean who hands him the gun. "Just wait here." He tells them.
Sam leaves the kitchen, glancing back at his siblings, tears streaming down his face. Ophelia grabs Libby's hand and drags her into the kitchen. Natalie frowns as he walks back into the living room, letting her tears fall.
Dean covers Ophelia's ears while Natalie covers Libby's. Natalie ignores the tears welling in her eyes. Both Winchester siblings flinch as they hear the gunshot from the next room.
Sam walks back into the kitchen a few moments later, crying more than before.
"Sammy." Natalie brokenly whispers, understanding his pain more than anyone. Sam lets out a quiet sob and Natalie leans up and wraps her arms around his shoulders to hug him.
Sam bends over, digging his face into his sister's shoulder, gripping onto her as if his life depends on it as he sobs into the soft fabric of her shirt.
Natalie lets her own tears silently fall at her twin's pain, making sure to keep her hold on him tight, one hand going to his head to stroke his hair.
"I know. I know. I'm sorry." She mumbles.
+++
They left town and it's nighttime and they're at a motel. Sam hasn't spoken much the whole day, silently dwelling over his emotions. Dean and Natalie went out to eat and bring food back for the others while Natalie stayed back with Sam and Libby.
Natalie is currently in the shower and Sam is slouched against the headboard of the bed, one of the pillows supporting him. Libby is sitting at the table and coloring while glancing over at her dad every once in a while.
Sam doesn't look up when he feels the bed moving, only moving his gaze away from his lap when Eeyore is held out in front of his face. Sam looks up, glancing between his daughter and her stuffed animal.
"He helps me when I'm sad." Libby says.
"Thanks, baby." Sam quietly says, mustering up some sort of smile as he takes the stuffed animal to please her. He holds the plush in a gentle grip, staring at it, wishing it could fix all his problems.
Libby frowns, seeing her dad not really embrace the magical comfort Eeyore provides her practically 24/7.
"Mommy gave it to me." She tells him, nodding to the stuffed animal.
"Yeah, I know she did, baby. I remember." Sam says, a small, sad smile appearing on his face for a split second before it returns to a frown. Libby frowns again at that not helping either.
Libby seems to consider for a few moments before she moves closer to him. Sam's gaze sticks to Eeyore, blinking in shock when Libby's arms wrap around his neck, her cheek pressed against his.
Sam reaches a hand up, softly rubbing her arm.
"I love you." Libby tells him making him softly smile.
"I love you, too, baby." Sam tells her. He presses a gentle kiss to her cheek.
After a little while, Libby lets go of him which saddens Sam a little. But instead of leaving, Libby only climbs on top of him, her legs on either side of his torso as she lays on his chest.
Sam watches her get comfortable and he hesitates, but slowly wraps his arms around her. When she doesn't have a negative reaction, his grip tightens a bit and he rests his head on top of hers.
Natalie comes out of the bathroom, seeing her brother and niece and staying quiet so she doesn't disrupt them.
After about ten minutes, Libby sits up, facing her dad.
"Do you feel better now?" She asks.
"Yeah. Yeah, I feel a little better." Sam gives her a small nod.
"What about a lot better?" Libby asks.
"Sorry, honey. It's gonna take some time for that one." Sam says, sadly smiling.
"Will anything speed it up?" Libby asks.
"Uh... I don't know." Sam mutters. "Maybe this." He tickles her making her infectious giggles escape her mouth and Sam softly chuckles.
He stops after about a minute and Libby catches her breath while Sam softly smiles.
"Now are you better?" Libby asks.
"Yeah. Yeah, my favorite sound always cheers me up." Sam says, gently tapping her on the nose. Libby grins, leaning forward and kissing him on the cheek before lying on his chest again. Sam's arms wrap around her, his chin resting on her head.
Sam's smile dims a little, still not completely fixed, but his daughter being comfortable and feeling safe around him again is enough to lift his mood for at least the night.