The Hunter

Ch. 1 – Meeting Amy

The Roadhouse was crowded that evening, and Ellen was handling the patrons on her own, seeing as Jo had run off to hunt solo. Sam had stepped outside to make a call and Dean was having a discussion with Ellen about a certain young female sitting in the back corner.

"She's a hunter?" said Dean disbelievingly.

Ellen nodded. "Yep, one of the best hunters around here. John helped her dad out on a few hunts, taught her everything she knows."

"How can she be a hunter, she's so…" Dean paused, trying to find the right word.

"Young? Thin? Female?" Ellen suggested.

"…hot." Finished Dean. "In a completely platonic way, if you know what I mean…" he quickly added, seeing Ellen's disapproving look. 'Man, this woman's scary. Where is Sam when I need him' he thought.

"Dean Winchester, what would a person's looks have to do with their skills as a hunter?" Ellen said, wondering if Dean could dig himself any deeper.

"Well…most hunters have scars, you know? We all get into accidents every now and again. Sometimes the tables turn and the hunters become the hunted. She looks kinda small for a hunter too. How can she be able to escape everything she hunts?"

"Didn't John teach you anything? Just because something's small, doesn't mean it's weak. That girl, she may not look like much now, but on a hunt…she's fast, she's silent, and she's so agile, I wouldn't be surprised to see her dodge bullets."

"Hmm," Dean said thoughtfully. "I'd love to see her in action. But…why's she sitting alone in the back of a bar on a Friday night? She hasn't pulled a 'Jo' has she?"

Ellen looked as if she was going to object to his use of her daughter's name, but thought better of it. "Well, I don't know all the details, but not too long ago her dad got killed while they were on hunt. She's pretty cut up about it. I guess in a way she blames herself for his death."

"Oh, great. The 'Sammy-itis' is catching." Dean said. Ellen looked confused, so he explained. "After Jess's death, Sam blamed himself for a while. You know, because he couldn't save her."

Ellen nodded, understanding.

"She looks interesting, I think I'll go talk to her."

"Be careful what you say to her, Dean, that girl never forgets." Ellen warned with a small smile.


Dean made his way through the tables and approached the girl. Her back was turned to him, but when he got within earshot she said "Dean Winchester, I was wondering when I'd get to meet you." Then turned around, a small smile on her face.

Dean became wary of her, it didn't seem natural that she was able to pick up on his presence and know his name without an introduction. "How did you know I was there, and who told you my name?"

"I have good hearing and my father taught me to always be aware of my surroundings. As for how I know your name, the Winchesters are legendary. You'd be hard pressed to find a hunter who doesn't know your name. By the way, I'm Amy."

Dean noticed her not-quite-American accent. It was American with a French flair. 'Chicks with accents are so hot right now.' he thought to himself. "You're not American."

She smiled. "That's what they tell me."

Dean got curious. 'Is she flirting with me?' he wondered. "So, how long have you been in the states?"

Amy thought for a moment. "Um…well, we moved here when I was 8, so…11 years. Incredibly, in all that time, I still haven't been able to drop the accent." She grinned at him.

"I, uh, I heard about your dad. I'm sorry for your loss; I kinda know how you feel."

Amy nodded sadly as the grin melted off her face.

"What happened? I mean, if you don't mind talking about it. I mean, when my dad died, I didn't talk to anyone about it. I just kept it bottled up inside and it really…I dunno, I just wish I'd been able to talk to someone who wasn't family – not that I don't like my family…I uh…"

"Don't worry, I know what you mean. Have a seat. I'll tell you about it." she waited while Dean took a seat across the table from her. "Last Tuesday me and dad were on a hunt. We were trying to get rid of a vengeful spirit. It was supposed to be a routine salt and burn, but…uh, Casper fought back. I was about to light a match and torch the sucker – I'd done the whole salt and gasoline thing – so I let my guard down. I know dad always told me not to let my guard down, to always stay alert, but I thought it was done. I got hit in the ribs with a shovel. Dad saw me go down and…he got distracted. He rushed over, but got thrown into a gravestone. Broke the thing clean in half. I should've burnt the bones right then when I had the chance, but I couldn't move. He was just lying there, I didn't know if he was dead or just knocked out. I don't know how long I stood there for, but I can't tell you how relieved I was when he sat up. But he must've been hurt pretty bad because he just lay back against what was left of the headstone and looked my way. He shouted at me. He said 'Burn the damn bones, you idiot!' That snapped me out of my trance. I spun round and dropped a lit match onto the bones and turned back just in time to…uh…see the shovel…cut off his head. I can still hear the sound his head made as it hit the ground, and every time I close my eyes I see him…and the blood."

Dean reached across the table and brushed away the tears she didn't know she was crying. "It's okay. He's probably gone to a better place."

Amy looked at him. "You don't seem the 'better place' type. Do you believe in heaven?"

Dean thought for a moment. "Well, if there's a hell, there has to be a heaven. Maybe not the way the religions describe it, but I'm sure there's something…like the ultimate holiday destination."

Just then Sam walked in. Dean didn't notice but Amy did. "Hey, Dean, isn't that your brother?"

Dean followed Amy's line of sight and saw Sam. "Yeah, how'd you know him?"

"How many hunters do you know who are 6 foot 5 and look like they should be in college?"

"6 foot 4, and not many, but still, how'd you know it was him?"

"Ellen mentioned you guys once. I think it was around the time you guys were battling rogue clowns, or something."

"It was a Rakshasa, and we weren't battling, we were hunting." Dean paused, a smile forming at the corners of his mouth. "Well, maybe Sammy was battling, but me, I had it all under control."

By that time, Sam had come up behind him. "Yeah, dude, you had it all under control getting pinned to the wall by an invisible knife-throwing-blind man."

Dean looks at Sam. "Dude, don't sneak up on me like that. This is Amy, she's a hunter." He turned back to Amy. "Amy, this is my geek brother Sammy."

"It's Sam, and it's nice to meet you, Amy." Sam looked as though he wanted to have some sort of conversation with the two of them, but Dean was quick to jump in.

"You know what, I'd love for us to stay and chat, but me and Sammy better go and find a motel for tonight." He stood up and finished his beer, then set down the empty bottle and turned to go.

"You guys can stay at my place if you like. It's a three-storey, seven bedroom house with seven bathrooms, central heating and a heated indoor pool round the back. There's also a library on the first floor and a games room in the basement complete with pool table, dart board, pinball machine and air hockey."

Sam looked like he'd love to say yes because it sounded so great, but they hardly knew her. "That's awfully kind of you, but we couldn't possibly intrude."

"You wouldn't be intruding. I mean, with both parents dead, no other relatives and not a single close friend, I've got the place to myself."

Dean felt like he could trust her and he really wanted to try out the heated pool, preferably with her in it, so he answered before Sam had even opened his mouth. "You know what? We'd love to stay at your place. Isn't that right Sammy?" he elbowed his brother in the ribs.

"Oof…yeah Dean." Sam said, rubbing his ribs and giving his brother an 'I-will-staple-your-head-to-the-floor-if-you-fall-asleep' look.


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