The new story! I am super depressed through most of this one. I hope you guys enjoy this as much as I do. Set three months after the last story

I sat in the car staring out the back glass, while Jessica made goo-goo eyes over her new husband and Melinda and Sam were doing something smart with a computer. They had taken our trip through Hell to save the boys rather well. Course my powers of absorbingnegative energy helped. If they knew they would want me to stop.

We had been to Hell to save Sam and Dean, my clan-mates protectorates, and ever since I have been uber depressed. One reason was I was sifting through five people's emotions…and they didn't even know it…thank God! The other reason was because I saw how happy my sisters were with their protectorates and knew I couldn't feel that joy.

We hit a pothole causing my head to hit the cold glass window. I jumped back clutching my head.

"Ow! What the hell!?" I shouted rubbing my wounded skull.

"Sorry, Manhattan roads. They suck," Dean said smirking into the mirror at me.

"Bull," I growled, glaring out the window again. I started doing the very last thing I should. I read energies.

"Why the Hell are we in Manhattan anyway? We hate big cities," I growled.

"But you love art," Melinda said, "We are worried about you and the Manhattan Museum of Art is having a huge art Gala this week. We are here, in New York, for you."

I felt shock that my sisters and their protectorates would go to this length for me. I gave a little smile.

"So where are we crashing?" Dean asked Melinda and Sam, or the Tech Team as I like to call them. I expected their answer to be some rinky-dink motel like usual, Gala or not.

"I thought maybe…the Plaza?" Mindy said, nudging Jessica with a grin a grin on her face.

"Really?" she squeaked in excitement.

"Totally," I grinned, shaking my head as they chatted about our trip here. I am happy for them. If they are happy, I am happy for them…at least that's what I have convinced myself.

000

We got to our elaborate hotel and I felt so out of place. Everyone there was in Armani and French couture. Here we were in Carhartts and Cruel Girls. I had my bag slung over my back a blush creeping over my cheeks at all the stares we were receiving.

I caught Jessica whisper something in Dean's ear then take his wallet, with a kiss to his cheek. She dashed over to us a smile on her face, bellhop in tow.

"Drop the bags, ladies. We are going shopping to get ready for our debut in the City of Lights," Jessica shouted looping her arms through ours and dragging us off.

"I thought that was Paris," muttered Melinda absently.

000

I looked over the menagerie of dresses and gloves and shoes and jewelry that Jessica swore was "absolutely necessary," trying to decide what to wear to an art gala. I settled on a form fitting dress the color of a clear sky, or the clear icy seas with a split revealing up my muscular calves and stopping at my knee. My strapped blue sandals had a charm on them so that I could move easier. I chose some small blue sapphires to adorn my neck and ears before wrestling my long blond hair into submission.

I met my clan in the lobby of the Plaza before we started on our way to the museum. I thought the boys looked quite handsome in their tuxes. Melinda wore a beautiful deep green dress with her back bared and the dress flaring at her knees. A large beautiful emerald choker rested on her throat with some matching emerald studs in her ears, making her look just as glamorous a siren as she was.

Jessica was stunning in her red dress, showing her curves. A split up her leg revealed her shapely thigh. A string of pearls with a single ruby resting against her skin wove around her neck. Matching pearl and ruby earings glittered in the light as her heels clicked sharply on the sidewalk as we made our way to the museum.

They looked like the most happy, carefree, noble couples I had ever seen. And I had seen my share of royalty. I smiled and felt the familiar pang of longing to feel what they felt with their protectorates. Luckily, I hadn't long to be depressed as we were soon at the imposing museum.

Jessica handed over our tickets and we made our way to the grand ballroom, set up in honor of this event. Everyone went their separate ways. Jessica and Dean went to the dance floor whilst Melinda and Sam began mingling. I grabbed a glass of Chardonnay before going to the art and absorbing the emotions splayed across the varying canvases, and feeling each artists emotions through the process as my own.

I was absorbing a Rembrandt when a smooth voice broke my concentration.

"The way you are staring at that painting seems as though you know how Rembrandt felt." I jumped and spun around at the sound of his voice. His strong, sure hand caught mine stopping the expensive wine and crystal stemware from crashing to the ballroom floor. My eyes darted from his hand covering mine to his stunning face. A gentle yet cocky grin was plastered to his clean shaven almost boyish face. His thick brown hair was almost begging me to run my hands through it. His sapphire blue eyes held the same grin as his face.

I felt my heart pounding erratically in my rib-cage, my voice seemed lost to me and the world seemed far away. I didn't know whether I liked this feeling or wished it would just leave.

Ever since Hell I had shied away from masculine contact. But his touch made me feel…different.

"My name is Neal Caffery, Miss…"

"Lindsey…" I murmmered, nervously, "Lindsey McCord." After I said this felt a weight lift from my shoulders. Whether my giving him my real name was good or bad I didn't know. But I certainly didn't regret it.

NEAL! Cause really who doesn't love that con-man. Puurrrr… *shot* So anyway the next story in the series/ life/ whatever the hell you want to call it. I hope you like it.