So Cold 4

It's been three months. She hadn't called, hadn't contacted Garth or anyone. Even Tay said she hadn't talked to her, but he figured she was lying. Tay couldn't go two days without talking to Shell.

Dean kept driving though the night. He had seen so many bad things lately, and he just needed something good in his life. Just the thought of her glowing smile made this drive worth it. He made it to the tiny town in Michigan. There was snow falling in the wee morning hours. Shell always talked about how the Michigan winters were beautiful. He looked around for the address. It was a small rental, one bedroom, with a small yard. The neighbors were pretty far apart out here. As he pulled in the driveway, he looked at the house quietly. The lights in the living room were still on, and he wondered what she was doing up.

He got out of the Impala, heading for the door. As he approached, he got a glimpse of her. She was laying on the couch. She looked worse than the last time he saw her. Paler, thinner. She looked like she wasn't eating. Something wasn't right. He hurried to the door and knocked.

He waited impatiently as a different woman answered the door. She was taller than Shell, with dark features. She had a bat in her hand and she waved it at him, "It is two in the gosh dang morning! Who the heck are you?!"

Dean held up his hands, "Whoa, whoa. I'm, uh... I'm Dean. I'm a friend of Shell's."

The girl dropped the bat, eyes wide. "Oh my gosh... YOU'RE Dean?" She looked him up and down, finally giving an approving nod, "Very nice. Shell is on the couch, but, uh... She's sick. So you might-"

She appeared behind the girl, eyes wide. "Dean!" And that smile graced her face. She pushed past the girl, jumping and hugging him tight. He welcomed the embrace and never wanted to let her go.

"Dean, you got my calls?"

He looked down at her, confused. He stroked her hair, kissing her head, "What? No, I never got your calls. What's wrong?"

Shell pulled back from him, frowning. "Dean..." Her hand went to her stomach, "Come in. It's cold outside. Libby, can you get me some tea? And a beer for Dean?" The girl nodded with a smile, running to the kitchen. Shell lead him to the couch, sitting down with him among the many blankets and stuffed animals. She held Dean's hands. They were so soft. He ran his fingers over her knuckles, missing the feeling. She sighed softly, "I've been calling you and Sam for the past few days. I just... I didn't think you cared to know..."

Dean frowned, "Sam and I are doing our own thing right now. Why, what happened? Is the baby okay?" His hand went to her stomach, and his tone came out a lot more concerned that he meant.

She looked down, quiet. Libby returned with the beer and tea, smiling and bowing out of the room. She sipped, trying to find the words. Finally, she looked at him, "I found out that, uh... That the baby wasn't going to make it..."
Dean felt like he got punched in the gut. He stared at her, "What...?" He felt an anger rise in his chest, "What the hell, Shell? Why the hell didn't anyone call me??"

Shell's eyes flashed with frustration and anger, "Have you ever tried to get a hold of a Winchester?! I have a more direct line to fucking ANGELS, Dean!" She took a quick breath, trying to calm down.

He figured how hard it must be for her, so he just stroked her hair softly, watching her face. She looked so heart broken. He kissed her head, pulling her into his lap like he used to. "What happened, Shell." He was more worried about her well being.

She whimpered as she spoke, like she was all out of tears. "It's called an ectopic pregnancy... The baby was in the wrong part of the body." She took his hand, holding it near her abdomen. "It should have been here," she moved his hand a little higher, "but it was here. Sometimes, when hormones are out of whack, or you get hurt, it could cause some problems..." She gripped his hand, refusing to let it go. "I thought it was going to be a girl..." She sniffled quietly.

Dean sighed, kissing her head gently. "What did you want to name her?"

She looked at him, kissing his cheek gently, "Mary. Mary Hope Winchester." Dean stared at her, so shocked he couldn't even speak. He had never asked her for that, and she looked down with a sheepish smile. "I wanted... I wanted to surprise you." She gulped, looking down. "I know you don't want to get married. And I know you were mad that I watched you with Lisa... But I saw you with Ben. I saw you being a dad and I just... You'd be a wonderful father..."

He rested his chin on her head, letting everything sink in. Finally, he kissed her temple, "When we have a kid, you can name her whatever you want." He kept kissing her temple, cheeks and head.

She giggled, nuzzling him gently. "I love you Dean." She looked at him, still nervous at saying those words.

Dean gave her a half-assed smile. "I love ya too, Shell."

"So sweet." They looked up to Libby. She was standing in the doorway to the room, waving a knife around. "You're right, Shell, he is a keeper."

Dean glared, holding Shell close. Shell frowned, "Libby? What's going on??"

Libby smiled, her eyes suddenly going black, "Just killing two love birds with one stone."