Fighter: Dean Winchester (REVAMPED VERSION)

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Pamela wasn't a fan of the plan, but she was coming. After all, she could never say no to Nadia. There was something about the archangel that commanded loyalty—not through force, but through sheer presence and the deep, unshakable kindness she exuded. That, and Pamela trusted her like few others.

So, Pamela bought a train ticket and was in Greybull by morning. While Dean left to pick her up from the station, Nadia and Ben were having breakfast in their motel room.

Well, Ben was having breakfast. Nadia sat on the edge of the bed, fiddling with her phone, staring at the wall. Food was the last thing on her mind.

"You didn't sleep much last night," Ben said, casually starting on his second donut. His voice was thick with crumbs and sugar, and it grated on her nerves just a little.

"And you slept like a baby for someone who is still very much in trouble," Nadia quipped, leaning back in her chair and crossing her arms. She gave him a pointed look. "I talked to Mom and Dad, you know?"

Ben froze, his donut hovering midair. He swallowed hard and then carefully set the pastry on a napkin. "You did?"

"I did." Nadia's tone was sharp, but there was a softness beneath it that Ben had learned to read over the years.

His voice grew nervous. "What'd they say? Do they know that I'm here with you?"

Nadia gave a short, exasperated laugh and leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. "All they know is we're at home. Bonding."

Ben's eyes widened to the size of quarters. "You lied?"

"I did," Nadia admitted with a heavy sigh. She dropped her head into her hands for a moment before sitting up again. "And trust me, I'm not proud of it. You know how much it took for Mom and me to build some actual trust between us."

Ben visibly relaxed, wiping his forehead with a napkin before diving back into his donut. "What a relief."

Nadia's glare cut him short. "Don't get too comfortable, Ben. I didn't lie for you." Her voice hardened. "When was the last time Mom and Dad went on a vacation?"

Ben furrowed his brow, thinking. "Uh... Never?"

"Exactly. If I told them you were out here acting a fool, then playing sidekick on a hunt, they'd be back here before you could finish that donut. And that's the last thing I want. They deserve this time away." Nadia jabbed a finger toward him. "But don't think for a second that this is some kind of vacation for you. I know you get all excited about being this close to a hunt, but this is serious. You're gonna stay in this room, no questions asked. And no matter what happens, you do exactly what I say. Got it?"

Ben gulped and nodded, hating the "paren-ty" tone in her voice even though he knew he deserved it. "I got it."

There was a knock on the door, and Nadia rose to her feet, her shoulders squaring. "That must be them." She crossed the room and opened the door, expecting to see Dean and Pamela. Instead, Sam Winchester stood in the doorway.

"Hey," he said, glancing past her into the room. "Are they back yet?"

Before he could step inside, Nadia placed a firm hand on his chest and pushed him back, closing the door behind her. Her expression hardened, her voice low but pointed. "What the hell was that back at the cemetery?"

Sam's face shifted from mild curiosity to discomfort. His gaze dropped for a second before he met her eyes. "I was meanin' to talk to you about that."

"Oh, is that right?" Nadia cocked her hip and crossed her arms.

Sam cleared his throat, trying to play it casual. "Yeah, I just wanted to apologize. I got a bit excited and—"

"Out of control is a better way to put it, Sam," Nadia interrupted.