[h2]Esme[/h2]
Esme was glad when Duke didn't argue with her about finding answers. But whether he wanted her to or not, she was going to find out how in the hell he cheated death. She had to know what had brought him back to her even though she knew she should let it go and just be happy he was there in her arms. It nagged her from the back of her mind. Other than her giving him her blood, what else happened in the hospital? When Duke returned her hug and pulled her close, Esme winced but didn't let him go. His hug was genuine, telling her she had gotten through to him, and he now knew she was real. It brought her a little relief that she was able to get him to realize that it was a start to bringing him fully back. When he returned her, ‘I love you,’ Esme softly smiled and closed her eyes. The words echoed in her mind as they hugged, but it faded when she felt his guilt. Why was he feeling guilty? She saw nothing that he should feel guilty for unless he was picking up that his demeanor was making them uncomfortable.

For Esme, it was more worry than anything, but she still saw no need for him to feel so guilty about it. Whatever he went through, it must have really shaken him up for him to lose that bright smile and humor. When Duke pulled back to slump in the seat, she opened her eyes and watched him. He had left room for her to snuggle up to him, but it hit her hard when he spoke, making it even harder to hold back her tears. “Sorry?” she repeated. She softly shook her head, then leaned in and kissed his cheek. Then, she settled into the seat and snuggled up to him, resting her hand on his chest. “Don’t apologize, Love.” she softly whispered to him. “You don’t have to apologize for this. Not at all.” Esme fell silent as tears slid down her cheeks from Duke’s apology. The fact that he felt he had to apologize for not smiling or the person they expected him to be bothered her greatly. Yes, they were worried about this new side of him, but that didn’t mean he had to apologize for it. She sighed heavily and snuggled into Duke a little bit more. As tired as she was, she didn’t see herself getting any sleep on the drive to Bobby’s. A little time passed, and the car fell silent.

[h3]4 Hours later[/h3]
As she predicted, Esme didn’t get any sleep on the way to Bobby’s. She was awake the entire four-hour drive while snuggled up to Duke, staring at the back of the front seat. Her thoughts raced with thoughts from Duke to what Valdin had told her before her nuclear moment brought the asylum down and what Castiel had said. Once they figured out how to help Duke, how in the hell would she break the news to Duke about her not being human and being the product of a possible deal? And if he asked what she was, what could she tell him? She had no idea what she was at this point other than an Empath who could become a nuke. She kept being an Empath from him for so long, but how could she keep this from him? Everyone but Duke knew she wasn’t human. They all heard it from Castiel’s mouth. And how would she bring it up to Sassy when she got the chance? She felt she had a lot on her plate right now. She was pulled from her thoughts when the car stopped, and she could see Bobby’s house through the windows. 

With a heavy, tired sigh, Esme pulled herself away from the snoring Duke and looked at him. She hated to wake him, but they couldn’t leave him in the car. Reaching over, she brushed his hair from his face before resting her hand on his cheek, rubbing it with her thumb lovingly. “Hey, Love. It’s time to wake up. We’re here.” she said softly but loud enough for him to hear her. She didn’t want to talk too loud and startle him out of his sleep.