Secrets – 1/?
By Deliciously Weird
Pairing: Chloe/Sam
Characters: Chloe Sullivan, Sam Winchester, Dean Winchester
Rating: This series is an adult fiction, it is not appropriate for children of any age. (Adult Language, Violence, and Sexual situations)

Series: At Home in Your Heart – Book 2 (Book 1 - Ineffable Book 2 - Evasion)

Chapter 1

Description: Now that they were finally together everything would be fine. Or would the secrets they were each keeping tear them apart?

Warnings: Spoilers for up to season 8 Smallville and up to season 3 supernatural. This is AU but prior character history is mostly canon. I do not have a beta, so all mistakes are my own.

Disclaimer: All recognized characters from Supernatural are property of Eric Kripke/CW. All characters, references, and other things pertaining to Smallville are property of the WB, DC Comics, Tollin-Robins, Al Gough & Miles Millar, and J. Siegal & J. Shuster. I am borrowing the idea for one of my bad guys from Charmed. The concept belongs to the owners and creative team for that show.

xxxxxx

It was just starting to get dark, but they had been on the road since early that morning. When she had traveled alone she took frequent breaks on her trips. She hadn't been in a particular hurry to get anywhere. Chloe hadn't realized how much of a drain it would be on her to travel long distances on her bike without them. She had tried to talk the brothers into driving straight through and letting her catch up at her own pace when they traveled. But neither of them was willing to let her out of sight for that long. The case they were heading to investigate involved deaths so they were pushing down the road to get there quickly.

She had been traveling with the brothers for almost two months now. They had gone from one end of the country to another. The boys had suggested that she ride with them in the car, but Chloe was fairly sure she would go mad if she didn't have a way to get some alone time. After the first long ride, Chloe had made a side trip to buy a Bluetooth helmet. Now she could talk to them or Bobby on the phone while riding. Even better, it came with a jack for her iPod, so she was able to listen to music and books on tape as they cruised down the road.

Sam had warned her in advance that Dean listened to the same five albums over and over. That defiantly would have driven her nuts. So in the interest of everyone's continued sanity, her bike came along with them. They all took turns riding the bike, even Dean. Her iPod was getting packed full of music now. Sam and even Dean had downloaded music for when they were riding. Chloe had yet to drive Dean's car, but she knew she would talk him into it eventually.

It was probably a very good thing she had insisted anyway. Something was definitely up between the brothers. They came back from that first hunt when they had left her at Bobby's with a very different attitude. The air between them was full of sparks. Sam was sullen and broody even with her. Chloe couldn't get him to talk to her about what was bothering him. When ever she tried, he just pulled her in close against him with a shushing noise. His hands grasped her just a bit tighter, holding her a bit more desperately than before. Chloe wasn't quite sure yet how to deal with this moody version of her love. She just held him tightly and let him gather what comfort he could from her nearness.

The brothers were barely talking at first. Eventually they settled down to the minimum amount of necessary communication. Whenever Dean tried to broach a subject that didn't involve hunting or a daily necessity, Sam shut him out. They didn't yell or say nasty things to each other. There was just a wall of silence between them. If she hadn't been there to act as a buffer, Chloe was fairly certain that Sam would have taken off. Whatever Dean had said or done, it had damaged their relationship badly.

Maybe it was unfair to blame Dean. Their mutual behaviors lead her to believe Sam the injured party and Dean the one needing, but not seeking forgiveness. She could not know for sure, Dean was being just as closed mouthed as Sam. At least things had progressed to the point that Sam was being polite to Dean again. Sam was cold and distant, but unfailingly polite when forced to interact.

Oddly enough, it seemed that very politeness was driving Dean up a wall. Chloe saw him trying time and again to get his brother to loose it. He pushed every button that Sam had in the way that only a brother could. She tried to keep out of the middle of it with limited success. Dean knew his brother better than she did. It was possible that a big blow up was part of a healthy family relationship for them. Yelling could certainly be therapeutic.

Seeing the turn signal on the impala in front of her start flashing, Chloe let out a sigh of relief. This might be a dinner break, or they could be stopping for the night. Either way she was grateful to get off the bike. She groaned when they parked at a diner. Pulling her bike up by the front windows so they could keep an eye on it, she dismounted and started to stretch.

"If we are going any further tonight" she said as the boys walked up, "one of you is going to have to take the bike".

Sam walked up behind her and rubbed her lower back for her. She was always tight there after riding a long time. Chloe sighed in pleasure. She loved when he touched her. In the heat of passion or to offer a hand over a rough spot, she always felt safe and loved when he was close.

"We need to get a little closer to Albuquerque before we stop for the night. Whatever this thing is, it hunts in the evening. I would like to stop it before it kills again. If we head out early from there, we can hit Flagstaff around noon".

They ate a quick dinner before getting back on the road. The meal was eaten almost completely in silence. Chloe leaned into Sam's side as the silence grew uncomfortable.

"You okay sweetheart?" He asked her quietly. Sam set his silverware down and pushed his plate away. The chipped beef and gravy over toast and mashed potatoes didn't look that appetizing to her either.

Chloe nodded and rested her head on his shoulder. "Just tired Sam. Riding for a long time takes it out of me".

Chloe lifted her last bite of grilled chicken sandwich to her mouth by feel, her eyes having drifted closed as soon as her head lay to rest.

"I'll take your bike for the rest of the trip" Sam offered.

Sam slid an arm around her and pulled her close as they waited for Dean to finish eating. Chloe wasn't sure where he put it all, but that boy could eat. What was even worse was what he ate. Fat and starch with a side of cheese and a big hunk of meat was his standard diet. Chloe had tried to steer him to more healthy choices, but he had scoffed at her. He told her that she and Sam could eat the fairy food if they wanted, but a real man needed meat and potatoes.

"You can take a nap for the rest of the ride Princess, your carriage awaits" Dean quipped sarcastically.

Sam kissed her softly then headed for her bike. Dean watched Sam walking away with a thoughtful and slightly exasperated expression on his face. Following Dean to the car Chloe wondered if things would ever be resolved between them. Chloe figured that Sam was grateful for the chance to ride her bike, grateful for a chance to get away from Dean. The tension between the brothers was affecting everything.

Even her relationship with Sam was affected. He was still outwardly affectionate. If she was near enough he would always be touching her. He would lay a hand on her shoulder or hold her hand. His foot would wander over to rest against hers if his hands were busy. It seemed to calm him to be in physical contact with her. Chloe didn't think he even realized that he was doing it. The one thing he wasn't doing, was talking to her. He was scary quiet during the daytime and held her close every night. She didn't want to make him so uncomfortable that he bolted, so she had stopped trying to get him to talk. Surely there were worse things than being used as a life size teddy bear.

They set out again towards Albuquerque. Dean seemed to be deep in thought. Chloe observed him as they speed through the night. He looked so very tired. The affection and teasing that usually dominated any interaction between them was completely missing.

"Surely he will come around Dean," Chloe spoke softly not wanting to startle him. "He loves you very much. Neither of you will tell me the source of this quarrel, but surely it is not beyond forgiveness".

"You don't know Sam as well as I do Chloe. When he takes it into his mind to be upset over something he won't let go. He holds onto a grudge with a tight fist. He and dad did not speak for years after he left for Stanford".

"Is there nothing I can do to help"?

"Just stay out of it Princess. This is private family business. You are keeping him here and focused on the job, that's all we need right now" Dean said. "I just need to keep him with me. Keep him safe".

"But.."

"Just leave it Chloe" Dean said harshly. "It's none of your business".

Chloe stiffened up at his tone. Turning to face the window she stared out the window into the unbroken darkness. This part New Mexico was flat and featureless. Even if the moonlight were shining down upon the landscape there would be little to catch the eye. Dean had rarely ever spoken to her so harshly. Usually that tone of voice was used on the job. He only used it then if she messed up and put them in danger. What in the world was going on? They were definitely keeping something from her. Dean's very tone of voice seems to indicate that it might somehow be related to work. What had gone so spectacularly wrong on that job involving the demon?

"Dean? Is there something in particular that Sam needs protecting from? I know it's family business, but if there is something trying to hurt him please tell me. What does Sam need protecting from"?

"Himself" Dean mumbled.

"What?" Chloe asked.

"Just let it go Chloe, we are not having this conversation tonight" Dean closed the discussion.

The silence hung thick in the air as they drove on in silence for a while. Why would Sam need protection from himself? Was that a literal statement or was Dean just being overprotective? Chloe decided to redirect her inquiries a little and see what she could find.

Interviewing was one area that they had quickly discovered Chloe was superior. When it came to getting people to open up and getting the information they needed, she was often their best choice. Only if it was a young lady in question did the boys generally get better responses. She even seduced information out of one gentleman. Sam was not at all happy for her to go out in the red halter, but they needed the information to save a life so he conceded. Not without however slapping Dean hard across the back of his head for staring at Chloe's chest.

"Why did it take so long for them to make up? Sam was at Stanford for two years if I recall" Chloe asked.

"They are too much alike. Both of them are stubborn and too sure they have all the answers. Sam got very disrespectful with dad when he got older. He had to question everything".

"I can see that. He won't do things just because I ask him. He needs to understand why. No matter what I said about me staying away from you guys at first, it was like he didn't hear me. He made up his mind that I was wrong and nothing was going to change his mind" Chloe sighed.

"I am on his side on that one Princess. We can't protect you if you are several states away. Plus I really got tired of him being such a little bitch about it".

"Dean!"

"He so was. He was driving me nuts whining about you and not focusing on the job".

"I surrender already. I am here with you now." Chloe sighed in exasperation.

Dean gave her an odd look that Chloe couldn't interpret.

"Just don't go running off on us again Beautiful. I need you where I can protect you. I need both of you with me" Dean said with a determined look on his face.

Chloe awoke with a yawn. Feeling Sam's arms still wrapped warm around her she rolled over and buried her nose in his chest hiding her eyes from the light. She felt the rumble of a chuckle shake his chest.

"Sticking your head in the sand won't help sweetheart. Dean will be back with breakfast soon. We need to get up".

"Don't wanna," Chloe muttered snuggling in tight against him. Late at night and early in the morning Sam seemed softer. He was more like his old self then before he drew the cloak of discontent around him. His attitude was better now than a week ago, so Chloe had hope that he would eventually open up with her.

Sam tilted her head up and kissed her softly on the lips. "Come on we can shower together".

As much as she really didn't want to get out of bed, the thought of a wet naked Sam was too tempting to resist. Wanting both him and to prolong his good mood for the day, Chloe jumped Sam in the shower for a little extra curricular fun. He was so gorgeous all soft eyes and sleep mussy hair. What girl could resist him? Chloe pushed him up against the side of the shower and slide to her knees before him. She slapped his hand away when he tried to take control of the situation and proceeded to suck him until he was pre-verbal again.

Chloe laughed joyously when he finally cracked and lifted her up off her feet and held her against the wall slamming into her fiercely. "Mine...mine…mine" He chanted as he fucked them both to a quick but glorious orgasm.

God she loved this man. She should have been less content. She should have ached for her old life, her old friends, her home. And she did, but not nearly as much as she thought she would. Now that she was with him, she felt like she had a home again.

Neither of them were promiscuous by nature, so once they were both tested they had stopped using condoms. Chloe had followed through with her intention to visit Planned Parenthood and now had a new supply of pills. She had also stopped by her post office box and retrieved her cash and diamonds. Both were now hidden away at Bobby's house. Bobby was having some of them sold through a friend of his and would start sending payments for her hospital bill. She wanted to pay it all at once, but he talked her into letting him make payments over time. She had to agree that it would look less suspicious.

After getting dressed Chloe opened the door to find that Dean was back. There was a paper bag sitting on the table with grease stains leaking through it. Just what she wanted, breakfast ala Dean complete with a complimentary heart attack.

"Good morning" she said as she stumbled over to the four cups of coffee on the table. She had them both trained now. One was for Sam, One for Dean and two for her. It just made life more pleasant for everyone involved if they fed her addiction.

Sam grabbed his cup is silence. When she went to walk away from the HA breakfast offering he pulled a sandwich out of the bag and held it out to her.

Chloe laid her best pleading look on him but he just arched an eyebrow and shook the sandwich at her. Chloe rolled her eyes and took the sandwich. She really should have known better. Sam never let her skip meals. She had put some of the weight back on already, but Sam insisted that she was still too thin.

Sam started packing up their things as soon as he finished his sandwich. The boys had been in the same room for ten minutes now without saying a single word to each other. Hell Sam hadn't even said a word to her since leaving the bathroom.

Traveling together was strained at best. Nights in the hotel were a carefully choreographed ballet. The brothers circling each other like wary predators. Chloe had suggested that she and Sam get their own room but that idea had been shot down. That was one of the few things that the brothers had agreed upon lately. They both thought she was safer with everyone together. One thing they would never compromise on was her safety. Dean always took the bed by the door. Chloe slept with Sam in the other bed. If there was a bathroom window he slept between her and the window. If there was not a window, then Sam slept between her and the door. Swapping sides of the bed was unsettling at first, but once Sam pulled her in beside him she was just thankful to be with him.

Dean finally broke the silence. "You two should take the Impala into town together. Whatever this thing is, it is preying on married couples. I'll take the bike. I don't like it but we should probably get separate rooms. It's important that you two appear to be a regular married couple on vacation".

"That makes sense. There is plenty of tourist stuff in the area, so it shouldn't look odd" Chloe agreed.

"I'll head out about two hours after you guys. Call me and let me know where you are staying. Try to get a place close to the bar the last victim was seen at the night he died." Dean ordered.

Chloe called Dean to let him know where they were staying. Dean had pretty much told them to stay put once they got to town, but Sam had a mind of his own. Once she hung up Sam told her they were headed out. She wondered if Sam was intentionally trying to push Dean's buttons.

Chloe had hacked into the local PD and pulled the files for the cases in question. She had reviewed them as they headed down the road. So far three and a half couples had died. The first two cases hadn't really drawn much attention. The couples all died at home at night in a fire. All four couples were married and under the age of 35. It was only when they had a third and fourth similar incident had occurred that the police suspected they had a serial arsonist. The only survivor was the wife from the last fire. A man had been walking his dog past the house when he heard her screaming and had broken open the bedroom window and pulled her out.

The reason that they were here investigating was the autopsy reports, something else that was provided by Chloe's hacking skills. While the women died of fairly routine burns and smoke inhalation, the men's autopsies were not so prosaic. The coroner listed extensive and atypical burns on the inside of the lungs. In his notes he states that it is almost as if they breathed pure fire. The brothers had assured her that killing by fire was definitely demon MO, at least one specific demon they were aware of.

Sam wanted to get an interview with the surviving victim. The best way to do that would be to pose as FBI. Chloe pointed out to Sam that they needed to maintain their on vacation identities so that would have to wait for Dean.

Instead they went to examine what was left of the houses of the victims. In each of the residences, two houses and one apartment, they found a great deal of damage. There would have to be a lot of work done to make any of them livable again. While the damage was extensive everywhere, in two of the residences it was evident even to their eyes, that the fire had burned most viciously in the master bedrooms. They decided not to go to the last house. The incident was too recent and the police or fire department was sure to still be investigating.

They were careful not to be seen entering or exiting the buildings. There was always a chance that this was not a supernatural case and they didn't want to draw attention to themselves, at least not yet. They were setting up to be bait, but they wanted it to be on their terms.

Chloe scanned each residence with the Q3. There was defiantly something of the paranormal variety involved. They couldn't be sure just what it was at this point, but it was definitely one of their cases. As they were investigating the third residence Sam's cell rang. Chloe knew by the ringtone that it was Dean. She stopped and looked at Sam, but he continued with what he was doing with no indication that he intended to pick up the phone.

"Aren't you going to answer that? He will be worried" Chloe prompted.

Sam stopped what he was doing but didn't turn to face her.

"He will get over it. I am not a child to be babysat" he said shortly.

Chloe sighed inaudibly. This was not going to be fun at all. Just as she expected 5 seconds after Sam's phone stopped ringing, hers started. Chloe took a long breath and answered the call.

"Hello?"

"Where the Hell are you two? You were supposed to wait for me before you went off! What the hell is Sammy thinking? What are you thinking"?

"Oh no, we are fine. We are just inspecting the homes. There is definitely something off about this. We didn't find any sulfur, but then we wouldn't with all the fire. I am getting some odd readings on the Q3 however so I think this is definitely worth investigating" Chloe said calmly and pleasantly like he hadn't just cursed them out.

"I want you two to get your asses back to the hotel now. What the fuck are you thinking? How can I keep you safe if you run off without telling me where you are going" Dean asked? "What kind of readings?" he said as an after thought.

"They aren't as strong at the readings we got off my first ghost. In fact they are significantly lower, but still above normal. That may just be a factor of time. The attacks here happened a while ago" she said.

Sam was watching her as she continued the conversation. His wore an expression of bull headed stubbornness. She tried to act normally so he wouldn't suspect the content of Dean's half of the conversation. The last thing she needed was for the situation between the brothers to blow up in the middle of a case.

"Chloe put my brother on the phone".

"No, I don't think that would be a good idea. We thought the best tactic would be to pose as FBI investigating a possible serial killer. We already have identities for this one, so you will have to take the FBI roll" Chloe continued as if they were having a normal conversation.

"Damn it Chloe" Dean sighed with frustration.

Chloe walked to the other end of the house and whispered fiercely into the phone. "You need to back off on this one Dean. If you think you can yell at him like a recalcitrant child you are mistaken. He will not tolerate you acting like the bossy big brother right now".

"He did this just to piss me off" Dean said.

"Yes that is likely part of it. I think he feels constrained. Something he said just now makes me think that he feels you don't trust him. If you value my opinion at all, you will back off and let him have this one. We are both adults and we are both safe, so no harm done" Chloe persuaded.

"I don't like that he put you in danger just to win a point on me" Dean said.

"Dean honestly, I am with Sam and neither of us is helpless. Its broad daylight and all of the attacks have been late evening. I really don't see how I am in any more danger" Chloe said.

There was a long silence between them before Dean spoke again.

"Just be careful Chloe, and keep an eye on Sam. No matter what happens remember you can always come to me. I will always protect you" Dean said. The words sounded like a vow.

"I know that Dean. I know I can count on you" Chloe said trying to project all her faith in the man into her words.

"Thank you Princess. Okay I am going to head to the hospital and then over to the last house. Try to get him back to the hotel and wait there. Call me if he decides on any more detours" Dean ordered.

"Yes Sir" she quipped sarcastically.

"Knock it off Princess".

"I will as soon as you do Sergeant Sarcasm" Chloe said with a grin.

"See you soon and I get to pick where we go to dinner" He said hanging up.

Chloe winced. Just want she wanted another greasy spoon diner. She went back to the bedroom to find Sam was waiting for her.

"Was he total jerk"?

"Sam he is just concerned about your safety".

Sam snorted at that.

Chloe crossed the room and wrapped her arms around his waist. His body was tense. He was all coiled muscle and restrained aggression. Chloe soothed her hands up and down his back trying to get him to relax. Pressing the point when he was this knotted up would gain her nothing.

"He said that we should finish here. He is going to go and interview the victim and the check out the current crime scene. He will meet us back at the Hotel when he is done" she said.

Sam sighed and relaxed a bit at her words. He pulled her tighter against his body and whispered in her ear.

"We are about done here. Let's finish up and then take advantage of having that room all to ourselves for once. I want to take my time and make love to every inch of your body" he said his voice low and husky.

Chloe shivered in reaction to his words and looked up at Sam, her hands reaching up to pull him down for a kiss.

"I am done here already and Dean will be at least an hour, probably two. There are parts of you that need more attention that I was able to give this morning" she grinned wickedly.

Sam groaned and hooked his hands around her hips lifting her up off the ground. Chloe wrapped her legs around his waist as he lowered his lips to hers. She could feel the need in his kiss. His lips were ardent and demanding. She shivered in reaction to his need.

"I love you Chloe. I know things have been hard, but never doubt that I love you" Sam said setting her on her feet.

"I know Sam. I love you too big guy. You are all I need" Chloe replied.

Sam took her by the hand and they walked back to the Impala. It seemed to Chloe as if some small part of the wall around Sam had fallen away. Given time, she hoped she could chip away his defenses and repair the holes in his foundation. It would take time, but she felt more hopeful now than just an hour ago.