The Sacrifice

Chapter 18: A Change in the Rules, Not a Change in the Game

*Ashley's POV*

It was finally returning to normal, or so I thought. Dean brought me into my room after hearing my guardians yell for him to set me down gently someplace were they could monitor my condition. I smiled gently as I know that I am not in serious trouble, as I feared I was. John as looking over me as Sherlock apologized to Dean, something I thought would never happen, about hitting him and Nana went to get tea for me. I really did cause a great fuss but again, I needed to realize myself that I will not change who I am if I run away. "What in the bloody hell were you thinking?" John yells as Dean holds my hand and I shake my head. "I just...I needed time away to think and in doing that, I needed to see that running away will not save me from my fate. I was brought here for a reason and I cannot leave." I explain as I feel Nana hold my hand in nodding gently as Sherlock shook his head.

"I don't understand though...how could we have missed this major detail after all this time?" He asks as Dean looks at me. "Because it became apparent after her 21st birthday but only when she was under certain or extreme distress that her powers reacted. That is a guess on my part." Dean says as I nod and look at them all. "Like when I was at the Masquerade Gala...I could sense something was off but I shrugged it off as nerves until Dean called and told me that there were several power hungry players on the board now." I explain further as John looks utterly pissed now. "What do you mean 'power hungry' young lady?" He yells as I twiddle my thumbs. "Well, I could have an archangel, a demon-turned-king-of-hell and the Devil wanting me to side with them for power." I meep out as he and Sherlock shake their heads. "That is why you bolted out that night without a trace." I nod in response.

"The bigger picture is that she is safe and home now." Nana tries to calm my guardians down as I nod but not before John snaps at me. "No, now there are 3 Supernatural beings after her, along with her ex-boyfriend and her biological father!" He yells but tries to retract his words as I look at him with fear growing in my eyes. "James...AND OLIVER?! They are both here?!" I yell as Dean tries to soothe my fears. "But how?! I thought Mycroft said they would not find me!" I cry out as John kneels by me and takes my other hand. "I swear to you...I won't let anyone hurt you anymore. They won't find you and they won't separate us, Ashley" He soothes me as I feel not my anxiety freeing from my mind but darkening it. "How about I go make us some tea?" Nana asks as I nod and feel her kiss my forehead as Sherlock goes to call Mycroft.

"Can I please talk to Harlow?" I ask Dean, as he looks upset at the mention of her name. "She had known about your powers but refused to tell us. How can you be so calm about that?" He voices as I look at him. "If it was Sam in her place and you in mine, you would understand." I explain, as he looks angry. "No, if it was Sam in her place, I would have kicked his ass for keeping such a big secret." He growls as I glare at him. "She is my sister and I know she was just trying to protect me!" I almost yell, as he looks defensive. "She could have told us sooner and I would have been better able to protect you!" He thought aloud as I bunched my fist up. "I am not in the mood to fight...Bring her to me now and don't even think about telling her about our fighting." I threaten as John comes in with Harlow.

I told the others to leave as she come in and shut the door before running over to me, hugging me tightly to her with some tears in her eyes. "Don't ever do that again you idiot!" I hear her shout into my ears as I run my hand through her hair and she smiles at me gently, happy that I was not hurt I would take from the look in her eyes. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner Ashley!" I could see tears form as I shush her in hopes of calming her down enough to breathe. "Don't be upset Harlow. That is in the past and right now, I just am happy to see that you are happy and safe." I choke out a grin before looking down at her hand, realizing that she was wearing her new engagement ring. About bloody damn time, Sam finally grew a pair and asked. "I see that Sam finally asked. Damn, it took him long enough." I cannot help but laugh, as she look at me with a confused look.