The birth of the Nephilim

"You're not seriously thinking of going out there, are you?" Crowley's eyes narrowed as he studied the chaos beyond the bunker's door. The air had dust and the distant screams of the damned pierced the silence like nails on a chalkboard.Kelly gripped the edge of the metal frame, her knuckles turning white. "They need us," she said, her voice firm despite the tremble in her hands. "We can't just hide here."Crowley sighed, his eyes never leaving the battlefield. "Kelly," he began, his voice a mix of exasperation and understanding, "you know the risks.""I know," she said, her voice a bit shakier now. "But if we don't help, who will?"Crowley's gaze softened, and he took her hand. "You're in labor," he said gently, as if the revelation was as simple as noticing a new bruise.Kelly's eyes widened in shock. "What?" she gasped, her breaths coming quicker. She had felt something strange, but she had pushed it aside, thinking it was just nerves."You're in labor," Crowley repeated, his voice calm but urgent. He stepped closer, his gaze searching hers for understanding. "Kelly, you need to stay here. It's not safe out there for you, not like this."Her eyes searched his, the gravity of the situation sinking in. The tremors grew stronger, and she clutched at her belly. "But the others," she protested weakly."The fight stopped?" Crowley's question was met with a sudden stillness that was almost deafening. The cacophony of battle had ceased as abruptly as it had begun, leaving only the echoes of pain and fear to bounce off the bunker walls.Sam and Dean burst through the door, their faces etched with determination and a hint of desperation. Castiel followed closely, his wings fluttering with residual energy from the fight. Bobby's grizzled expression was grim, while Sydney, the newest member of their motley crew, looked paler than usual."Crowley," Sam called out, his eyes scanning the room, "where's the medical bay?"The demon looked up, his expression a mix of relief and concern. "Sam," he said, gesturing to Kelly, "she's in labor."Dean's jaw clenched, and he took in the scene with a quick glance. "Now?" he asked, his voice tight."Now," Crowley confirmed, his eyes never leaving the young woman.The room erupted into a flurry of activity. Sam and Dean immediately moved to her side, their eyes full of a fierce protectiveness that surprised even Crowley. Bobby took charge, barking orders as he directed everyone to the makeshift medical bay they had set up in the back of the bunker. Castiel hovered nearby, his eyes flickering with uncertainty as he tried to decide if his angelic healing powers would be of any use in this very human situation.Kelly's breaths grew more ragged, her eyes squeezed shut as another contraction hit. Sam's hand found hers, his grip strong and reassuring. "It's okay," he murmured, "we're going to get you through this."Dean shot a glare at Crowley. "What do we do?" he demanded.Crowley shrugged. "You humans and your breeding habits," he said with a touch of annoyance. "Why don't you ask your angelic friend there?"Sydney stepped forward, her eyes filled with a calm confidence that seemed almost out of place amidst the chaos. "I know what to do," she said, her voice steady. "Let's get her to the medical bay."They moved quickly, Sam and Dean supporting her on either side while Bobby and Castiel brought up the rear. The corridor was lit with a stark fluorescent glow that flickered and buzzed, casting eerie shadows on the concrete walls. The silence was unnerving, a stark contrast to the deafening battle that had just taken place.In the medical bay, the air was thick with the smell of antiseptic and the faint metallic scent of blood. The room was sparse, but it contained all the essentials: a narrow bed with clean white sheets, a few cabinets filled with medical supplies, and a tray with a variety of tools that looked more suited to a butcher's shop than a delivery room.Sydney took charge, her movements swift and precise as she instructed the others to prepare the space. "Sam, get some water," she said, her voice firm. "Dean, find some towels. Castiel, stay by her head, keep her calm."Castiel nodded, his eyes never leaving Kelly's face as he took his place beside her. His wings folded behind him, tucked away in the cramped space. He placed a hand gently on her forehead, whispering soothing words in Enochian."It's okay," he said in a low, calming voice. "You're safe here."Kelly's eyes fluttered open, finding Castiel's. His touch was cool and comforting, a stark contrast to the heat that was building within her. She nodded, gripping Sam's hand tightly as another contraction washed over her. The room was spinning, the pain intense and overwhelming."Breathe," Sam instructed, his voice steady and calm. "In through your nose, out through your mouth."Kelly nodded, her eyes clenched shut, trying to focus on the steady rhythm of her breathing. The contractions were coming closer together now, each one more powerful than the last. Crowley hovered in the corner of the room, his tail flicking nervously. The sight of the impending birth was clearly unsettling to the demon king."I'll, uh, check on the perimeter," he mumbled, his gaze darting around the room. "Make sure we're not about to be overrun."Without waiting for a response, Crowley turned on his heel and disappeared through the door, the sound of his retreating footsteps punctuating the tension. The room seemed to breathe a collective sigh of relief as the demon king's energy dissipated.Sam returned with a cup of water, his eyes never leaving Kelly's face. He offered it to her, his hand shaking slightly. "You can do this," he said, his voice full of conviction.Kelly took a sip, the cool liquid soothing her parched throat. "Thanks," she managed to murmur, her eyes squeezed shut as she rode out another contraction."You're doing great," Dean said, his voice gruff with tension as he handed a stack of towels to Sydney. She nodded in acknowledgment, her gaze focused on the task at hand.The medical bay was organized chaos. Bobby barked orders, his eyes sharp and focused as he checked the cabinets for anything they might need. Castiel remained by Kelly's head, his hand steady on her forehead, his voice a soothing murmur in an ancient language that seemed to calm her.Dean's gaze darted around the room, his mind racing with every worst-case scenario imaginable. "We need to get her to a hospital," he said, his voice tight with concern.Sydney shook her head. "No time," she said, her voice firm. "The baby's coming now."Her words were like a gunshot in the room, snapping everyone into action. Sam helped Kelly onto the bed, her body trembling with effort as she climbed up. The bed's springs groaned in protest under her weight, but it held firm. Dean hovered near the foot of the bed, his eyes darting from his brother to Sydney, unsure of where to focus his attention."Take deep breaths," Sydney instructed, her voice steady and calm amidst the chaos. "In through your nose, out through your mouth. That's it."Kelly nodded, her teeth clenched as another wave of pain rolled over her. The room was spinning, the stark lights above the bed flickering like stars in a night sky. Sam's hand was a lifeline, grounding her in the tumult."You're okay," Sam reassured her, his voice a gentle constant in the storm. "Just keep breathing."Kelly's grip on Sam's hand tightened as she bore down, her body contracting around the life within her. The pain was unlike anything she had ever felt, a fiery crescendo that seemed to consume her whole. Yet, amidst the agony, she found a strange strength, a primal instinct that pushed her forward.As the contraction reached its peak, she heard a low, guttural sound, and her eyes flew open to find Castiel's hand hovering over her abdomen, his eyes glowing with a soft, white light. The air in the room grew thick with power, and she felt a sudden, intense pressure give way. With a final, anguished cry, she collapsed back onto the bed, her body spent.The silence that followed was palpable, heavy with anticipation. Then, a tiny, feeble wail pierced the air, and the room erupted in a flurry of activity. Sam's hand tightened around hers as he leaned over to see the baby, a look of wonder and relief etched on his face. But as the wail grew stronger, so too did the sense of dread that had been building in the pit of her stomach.Kelly's eyes fluttered open, searching for Crowley, for some sign that he had lied, that this wasn't the end. But the demon king was nowhere to be seen. Instead, she found only the concerned faces of her friends, their eyes reflecting the grim truth she had been dreading."It's a boy," Sydney announced, her voice trembling slightly. She carefully cradled the newborn in her arms, gently wiping the blood and amniotic fluid from his tiny, squalling form. The baby's eyes were closed tightly, his little fists clenched as if already preparing for the battles he would soon face.Kelly looked up at Sam, her eyes brimming with tears. "Jack," she whispered, her voice hoarse from screaming. "His name is Jack."Sam nodded, his own eyes misting over. "Jack," he repeated softly, the name feeling both foreign and right on his tongue. He helped her sit up, and together, they brought the baby to her chest. The moment Jack's skin touched hers, the room seemed to still, as if even the air knew something profound was happening. The baby quieted, his breaths evening out as he curled into her embrace.Kelly looked down at her son, her eyes filled with a love so intense it seemed to light up the room. She traced a finger over his tiny, perfect features, committing every detail to memory. "Jack," she whispered again, her voice a caress. "You're safe now."But as she cradled him, she felt her strength waning, the warmth draining from her body. The realization struck her like a blow—this was it. She had known the risks, had accepted them willingly for the sake of her unborn child, but now that the moment was here, it was so much harder than she had ever imagined."Kelly," Sam's voice was urgent now, his eyes searching hers. "You're losing too much blood."Her eyes widened, the world around her growing hazy. She knew she was weakening, but she had hoped it wouldn't come so soon. With a trembling hand, she reached out to touch Jack's soft cheek. "Protect him," she murmured, her voice barely a whisper.Sam and Dean exchanged a look of stark terror. They knew what she was saying, what she was asking of them. To raise a child, a Nephilim, in a world that would fear and hunt him was a responsibility they had never wanted, but one they couldn't shake now that it was thrust upon them."We will," Sam promised, his voice thick with emotion. "With everything we have."Dean nodded in silent agreement, his eyes never leaving the baby's face. Despite the gravity of the situation, a soft smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he took in the tiny being that was now their responsibility.Castiel stepped back, his wings fully extended as he tried to understand the complex emotions swirling around him. The miracle of birth and the impending loss of a mother was something he had witnessed before, but it never ceased to affect him. He watched as Bobby and Sydney worked tirelessly to stem the flow of blood, their movements a blur of urgency and care.The tension in the room was palpable, a silent symphony of fear and hope playing out in the space between breaths. Time seemed to stretch and warp, each second an eternity as they waited for a sign, any sign, that she would pull through.But it was not to be. With one final, ragged breath, Kelly's hand fell limp against the bed, and the light in her eyes faded away. The silence that followed was a scream in itself, a stark contrast to the moments of new life that had just filled the room.Sam felt the life slip from her, his grip on her hand tightening even as he knew it was futile. His eyes burned with unshed tears as he looked down at Jack, now an orphan in a world that had already taken so much from him. "We'll do right by him," he said, the promise a solemn vow to his fallen comrade.Dean took a step back, his hand over his mouth as he stared at the lifeless body of the woman they had all come to care for. The weight of their loss settled heavily on his shoulders, a burden that felt almost too much to bear.In the stillness, Jack's cries grew louder, a stark reminder of the life that remained amidst the shadows of death. The brothers looked at each other, a silent understanding passing between them. They had lost a friend, but gained a son, a legacy that would change their lives forever.As the gravity of their situation settled in, Sam carefully took the baby from Sydney's arms, cradling him close. His eyes met Castiel's, and for a moment, the angel's usual stoicism faltered, revealing a depth of sorrow that mirrored Sam's own.They laid Jack down on the bed, his tiny frame seemingly lost amidst the stark white sheets. The air in the room grew heavy with the weight of their grief, the cries of the newborn a mournful counterpoint to the silence of his mother's passing. As if driven by some innate instinct, Jack began to crawl, his movements awkward and unsteady.They watched in astonishment as he inched his way to the corner of the room, his eyes never leaving the ceiling. The light above flickered, casting eerie shadows across his small form. Then, with a sudden jolt, time seemed to stutter around him. The shadows grew long and distorted, twisting into shapes that defied reality.In the blink of an eye, Jack was no longer a newborn. He was a young man, tall and strong, with piercing eyes that bore into the very soul of anyone who dared to meet his gaze. His cries had ceased, replaced by a quiet determination that was almost tangible. The room was frozen in shock, their hearts hammering in their chests as they took in the impossibility before them."What the hell?" Dean's voice was hoarse, his eyes wide with disbelief.