A Crow with a Rose

Chapter One

January 1, 2000

Chicago, Illinois

The air was sharp that evening, the wind stinging against her exposed skin. Ragged breaths came out in frosted puffs of air as the girl paced back and forth. The congested traffic overhead was a steady stream of sound but every honked horn made her flinch terribly. Her gaze kept darting from side to side as she struggled to control her breathing, folding her arms so that her bare hands were tucked away. She tried to calm herself down but she couldn't get her pulse under control. Her heart was beating so hard she could practically feel herself vibrating with each resounding thump.

This was crazy. Beyond insane. So incredibly off the wall, out of the box, certifiably ridiculous. She couldn't believe that she was putting any stock in some backwoods rumor Johnny Callahan heard from his older brother. Hell, she even researched it.

The icing on the cake was the fact that she was actually going through with it.

But…god, she was just so desperate…She needed something, anything at all…!

"Hello, darling."

This time she flinched so hard that her back gave a painful twang as she whirled around. Blue eyes were wide and unblinking, staring at the person who had suddenly appeared out of thin air.

Before her was a man dressed smartly in an all black suit and matching black coat. His hands slipped into his pockets as he looked at her. No. Study was a better word. She couldn't help a chill that ran up her spine, making her roll her shoulders back in response.

"Bit young to be making deals, wouldn't you say?" he commented. With a flick of his wrist he was suddenly holding a small tin box. He plucked out a white card and flipped it over, revealing her license photo and he raised an eyebrow. "You only just got this."

She pressed her lips into a firm line as he continued to rummage through the container.

"Photo, graveyard dirt, bone of a black cat," he paused to lift the dainty white flower with flourish and gave a sniff, "and yarrow flowers. Nice touch."

The box and flower vanished entirely as he returned his hands to his pockets, leveling her with his calculating gaze. Shivers ran up and down her spine this time.

"Now, why don't we get down to business then?"

She gave a stiff nod, slowly squaring her shoulders and bringing herself up to her full height.

He cocked an amused smirk. "Now, now. No need to get defensive. You called me, remember?"

"I want to make a deal," she heard herself say. Oh thank goodness she remembered how to speak.

The man gave an unimpressed sigh at her words, taking a moment to examine his fingernails.

"Of course you do. You humans never summon one of us for tea now do you? Always want something, you lot." He sighed again. "Go ahead. Love or something equally frivolous, am I right?"

Indignation sparked to life and she took an aggressive step forward, fists clenched tight and brought down to her sides.

"I want you to cure my sister!"

Her voice sounded distended under the bridge, loud yet quiet against the noisy traffic. The flush was returning to her cheeks as the man's face smoothed into a carefully neutral expression and his voice shifted, just slightly softer, she thought. It was probably just her mind playing tricks.

"A cure?"

"Yes!" she agreed fiercely, nodding her head. The fear was ebbing away, being replaced by long suppressed yet familiar frustration. "Yes, a cure—something that will make her better!"

"And what's in it for me, darling?"

"Anything! Anything you want!" The words were spilling out of her mouth now, she couldn't stop herself. "I have done everything that I possibly can to help but it's not good enough! I've prayed so hard since we found out. I've gone to church, lit candles, prayed to everyone that I could think of in hopes that someone would hear me, that someone could help her. I've prayed, I've cried, I've begged for help, for a miracle and nothing. Nothing. She just keeps getting worse and worse and I can't—I can't…!"

She was choking on her own breath and she had to force herself close her eyes and to inhale deeply. "I can't sit by and do nothing…!"

There was the sharp clip of footsteps and she lifted her gaze to see the man stepping closer. Swallowing dryly, she held her ground, oblivious to the fact that her cheeks were slick with tears.

"Anything I want?"" His voice was soft, almost a purr. "Those are dangerous words, darling."

"My soul, eternal servitude, and hell, even my virginity if you want. I don't care about me," she promised, jaw tight. Her teeth were nearly chattering from the cold and the emotion of it all. "I just want my sister to be okay."

"I don't think you understand the offer you're making," he shrugged noncommittedly. "Call me again when you're a few years older."

He started to turn away and her stomach clenched in fear that he would leave. She didn't even hesitate, barely managing to snatch the front of his coat.

"No!" she pleaded. "She doesn't have years!"

He didn't seem thrown off by her sudden grab. Instead, he glanced coolly at her hands and then back to her eyes. She didn't dare let go, her nails digging into the material of his well-tailored coat.

"Well now, you certainly are forward," he smirked.

She didn't say anything, she only held on tighter. She couldn't risk letting this opportunity slip by, who knew the next time she would even get the sliver of a chance. She couldn't let the moment pass her.

"How about," he began, reaching up and taking her hands. His hands were very warm, she noted, her wrists easily held by his one hand as the other was still in its pocket. "I take your offer, everything you've said, and in exchange, I heal your sister and give you ten years."

"Ten years?" she echoed, confused. He would give her time? That was more than she expected. She thought he would take her the second the deal was struck.

"Yes, ten years. Then I'll come collect what's mine." Before she could open her mouth to agree to his terms, his grip tightened on her hands as he yanked her closer to him, making her stumble. She stared up at him, audacious enough to look into his eyes, unblinking. His eyes were hazel, she noticed.

"By the way, that eternal servitude?" he reminded. "It's to me, darling. Personally."

She nodded. "O-okay."

That smirk returned as he looked down at her. "Do you even know how to seal a crossroad deal?"

"A contract signed in blood?" she guessed.

He gave a humored chuckle at her ignorance. "Not for this kind of deal, kitten. You seal a crossroads deal with a kiss."

She could feel the heat of a blush flare up, crawling up the back of her neck, coloring her cheeks. She had never kissed anyone before…His amusement didn't lessen, as if he knew exactly how inexperienced she was, further proving her naivety. Taking a breath, she stood up straighter, her wrists still held tight by him, brushing against the material of his suit. She had to be taken seriously, she had to go through with the deal.

"What's your name?" she asked. In all the research she had come across, she knew there was importance in a name. Power. Not to mention that if she was going to be tied to him, she had to know what to call him.

"The name's Crowley."

"Crowley," she repeated, trying the name out for herself. "Okay."

Closing her eyes and plucking up every bit of her courage, she pushed forward, fingers grabbing his tie despite his hold and she pulled him to her. His mouth found hers and suddenly there was an incredible rush of warmth that filled every inch of her person. She felt his free hand slip around the back of her neck and pull her closer, her hands now pressed against his chest with the tie tightly clenched between her fingers, and the heat increased tenfold in a sudden burst.

Well, if this was losing her soul at least it didn't hurt.

It felt…good, even.

All too soon the heat left her when they parted and the Chicago cold settled back into her, burrowing deep and making her shiver. More than a little out of breath, she looked up at the crossroads demon and waited, wondering what was supposed to happen next. He smirked down at her. Again, it was like he knew what she was thinking.

"Go," he instructed. He let go of her hands, letting them fall back to her sides. "Go to your sister."

Numbly she nodded and tentatively started to back away, not quite sure if she should look away from him or not. When she nearly tripped, she turned her gaze forward to watch out for slick patches of ice. A thought struck her before she took another step and she turned back around instead.

"Wait—what if I…"

A gust of wind blew her hair back as she found herself completely alone. Not another soul could be seen for as far as she could see. She was the only one there.

"…need to call you?"

Letting loose a sigh, she stuffed her hands into her own pockets and hurried on her way.

The room was uncomfortably white and there was a young girl looking far too small in the bed closest to the window. She was wearing a navy knitted cap pulled down low over her ears and matching fingerless gloves. Loose fitted so to fit over the IV drips but made with the same thick material so to be warm. Clearly homemade, judging by the uneven edges and small holes where a stitch was missed in the gloves. Her eyes were closed and the light colored lashes barely stood out against her pale skin. She was asleep but her breathing was barely perceptible, her chest lifting minutely with every breath.

Crowley remained invisible at the girl's bedside as he looked down at her. The disease was ravaging this child's body at an alarming rate. Her life was slipping away and he didn't have to be a demon to see that it was only a matter of time before a Reaper appeared to her, if it wasn't on its way already.

"You better count your lucky stars, poppet."

Exhaling slowly, he brought his hand from his pocket and snapped his fingers. The sound barely finished and he felt the sickness dissipate, expelled completely from her body. Her chest suddenly heaved with a large breath as her lungs regained their full capacity and her eyes flew open as she abruptly woke up.

"Grace?"

Crowley looked over to see the older sister skidding to a stop, grabbing the edge of the door frame to keep from slipping. Boots still coated in snow and icy slush, her short, deep red hair blown every which way from the wind, sticking to her cheeks in multiple places. Clearly, she had come straight from the crossroad where they made their deal and stopped for nothing.

"Rosette?"

The young girl's voice was so soft, barely above a whisper, but Rosette was already across the room and at her bedside.

"How—how are you feeling?" she asked. The demon smirked at the sound of a tremor in her voice. She was doubting his ability? Oh ye of little faith.

Grace sat up further in the bed, lifting a hand to her chest as she took a few experimental breaths. All deep and even.

"I feel…good. Really good, actually."

The girl collapsed into the visitor's chair, shoulders shaking as she covered her face with her hands.

"Rose? You okay?" asked Grace, confused. Giving a quick sniff, she ran her hands through her hair, shoving it back and away from her face. Her blue eyes were shining with unshed tears and she gave a bright smile and watery chuckle.

"Yeah...yeah, I'm just happy."

Crowley found himself watching the two for an unnecessary moment, his eyes trained on his newest contract. He couldn't put his finger on it, but there was something different about her. Whether it was good or bad, he had yet to determine. His thumb brushed against his lips, his thoughts lingering on their kiss and the feeling of her being bound to him.

He would need to keep an eye on this soul.

REVIEW! Your thoughts would be loved! As a long-time fan of the show, I'm really excited to give writing for this fandom a try! Can't wait for the story to really get under way!

Hope you enjoy!