Dean looked up as Elena walked into the library of the bunker. He was on the phone with a fellow hunter, Irv, filling in the details from the night that the angels fell. Her hair was down and she was casually dressed in jeans and a navy sweater. She didn't look like she had been crying the night before. Elena noticed Dean's scrutiny and gave him a reassuring nod.
Elena sat beside Sam who was looking through an old text. Kevin was also reading something. Dean closed his phone and looked at Elena. She was so young and something about her just screamed innocence. Hell, she was only seventeen. He hated that she was being introduced to their lifestyle.
"Anything new?" Elena asked.
Sam shrugged, "We're just waiting. Something will come up sooner or later."
"Alright. So this is what you guys do, just wait for something to pop up?" Elena tapped her fingers on the table. She didn't feel like she was accomplishing anything just sitting there.
Kevin smirked, "Pretty much."
Elena looked him. She related to Kevin for a lot of reasons, but at least he knew his part in all of this, "So tell me what you guys do for fun?" She knew the concept was foreign to them.
They all looked at each other and shared a laugh. Elena raised her eyebrows and shrugged. "I say we go see a movie or go dancing or play pool somewhere. After we got some work done." She smiled.
Kevin glanced up, "The second you want to go dancing, just let me know."
Dean studied her for a second, "This lifestyle is dangerous. You aren't ready for any of this." She understood his position on the matter, but was taken aback by how adamant he was.
There was an awkward silence, and then Elena said to Dean. "I believe you said you were going to show me the ropes." Elena was completely serious and ready to learn. After ending things with Stefan last night, and hopefully placating her friends and family, she was ready for the next chapter of her life.
"Teach her what?" Sam asked.
"She wants to learn to hunt." Dean said coolly.
Sam seemed surprised, "Really?"
Dean nodded.
"If I am your guys' savior, then I should I be able to hold my own. I believe I have a lot to learn, so let's get to it. It's not like we are doing anything else." She motioned for Dean to get her started.
Sam seemed hesitant, "Elena, are you sure this what you want?"
She let out a sigh, "Look, I'm not asking to learn how to do everything in one day. Just the basics."
Dean shrugged. Even though he disagreed with her, he was not going to argue with her, "Alright then. We got to take care of a few things," he said gesturing to Elena.
"Okay. What's first?" Elena was perhaps too giddy, while both Winchesters were weary.
"A tattoo." Dean smiled, hoping this would shake her.
"A tattoo? Is that necessary?" Elena asked. She should have known it was coming. She knew everyone had one to avoid demonic possession. It was just something she never thought she would have to get done herself. Tattoos were never something she had been interested in.
Both brothers nodded.
"Why? Do you guys have one?"
The brothers pulled the collars of their shirt down, showing their tattoos. Elena stared a bit longer than she should have.
"Unless you want to be possessed by a demon…"Sam grinned.
"There's a place down the road we can get 'em done quick."
Elena forced a smile, "Well let's get going."
OoOoOo
"Alright. Who wants to start?" The tattoo artist was a man in his late fifties who looked too much like Santa Clause.
"It's just me today." Elena stepped forward.
She began to pull her shirt off since she was getting the tattoo on her shoulder. Dean could not help but stare at the tan skin that began to peek out from beneath the sweater. He reminded himself that she was still too young and he was far too damaged to have anything to do with her. Elena saw the flash of lust in Dean's eyes.
She lay forward, and the tattoo artist began to tattoo the symbol on her right shoulder. Dean watched her facial expressions as she managed the pain. She barely flinched. Sam watched Dean and Elena. He couldn't put his finger on it, but there was something between the two. It was hard to explain, but the vibes between them was different.
When it was all finished, Elena pulled her hair around her neck. "How is it?" She asked Dean.
"It looks good." He smiled slightly.
Elena looked in the mirror. The area was a bit red still, but overall it matched Sam and Dean's perfectly.
"I think so too," She turned towards Sam, "What's next?"
OoOoO
Well you're a natural shot." Dean said as Elena shot square in the chest of the target. Elena's legs had stopped shaking after she shot the first bullet. Once she found herself loosening up, the rest was simple. Focus. Breathe. Aim. Shoot.
"That's something I guess." Elena put the gun down.
Dean shrugged, "Do you think you could use it if it came down to that?"
"If I had to. If it was the only way to save someone or protect them." While she was saying 'them', she meant more so Sam and Dean.
Dean knew it was a matter of time before Elena would have her first kill. It was inevitable now. She had made her decision. He just did not think she was ready for the aftermath. Killing took its toll and no one knew that better than Dean.
"Okay Dean, I think I understand." Elena set the pistol down.
Dean had to admit their day had been productive. After the tattoos, he taught Elena the basics of hand-to-hand combat, using the demon killing knife, and now the gun. Aside from more practice there was not much more he could do.
"Well you know how the basics at the very least." Dean poured himself a small glass of whiskey. Elena watched him, and while she disapproved, she remained quiet. Once they knew each other better, she would be more apt to speak up. While she knew him, Dean didn't know much about her.
"Thanks for teaching me." Elena smiled at him.
"It was no problem." Dean had actually liked spending time with her, which was completely abnormal for him. Even though he hated introducing anyone into the life, Elena had made it pretty easy.
"I know you don't really support it, but it's for the best. I hope you know that much." Elena took a step closer to him.
Just then, Sam walked in, "C'mon guys. We're leaving."
"What's going on?" Elena asked.
"A bus full of bodies. We think it's demons and we've got a few hours to drive before we get there." Sam gave them a tight-lipped smile before leaving the room.
Dean and Elena shared a look.
"Are you ready?" He asked her, knowing full well what she'd say.
"Let's go."
OoOoOo
After almost getting caught by an actual sergeant, Elena stood at the crime scene. She had never seen a dead body before, let alone multiple bodies. She looked the part, but she certainly didn't feel it. Elena watched as the brothers inspected the bodies.
"Anything?" Dean asked.
"All these bodies have a different wound and they're all old." Sam muttered.
"So we're looking at a bunch of meat suits?" Dean was getting frustrated
Elena turned and saw the sergeant walking towards them. She opened the bus doors and allowed the woman to walk up. She held a touchscreen tablet in her hands.
"Thought you might want to see this." She announced as she pressed play on the video.
Elena was shocked by what she saw.
OoOoOoO
Abaddon was supposed to be dead, but she appeared to be very much alive. The sun had set as the trio began their trip back towards the bunker. Sam and Dean were at a loss, but had a newfound purpose.
Sam let out a sigh and looked back at Elena, "You know you are taking this all very well." Sam laughed.
Elena nodded, "Yeah I guess I am."
"You know about any of this stuff before you met us?" Sam asked.
"Vampires and witches…that was it." Elena told him.
"Witches too? I hate witches." Dean muttered under his breath. This girl was something else. But Sam was learning not to be surprised by Elena anymore.
"They're not all bad Dean. You know that better than anyone." Elena said.
"Oh yeah? And how would you know that?" Dean asked somewhat defensively. Elena realized her slip up.
She thought quickly and then said, "Well I've only been around supernatural creatures for a few weeks and I've seen it. You've been hunting for how long? I'm sure you noticed too."
"She has a point." Sam was starting to like Elena more and more.
"Shut up." Dean muttered and turned up the radio.
Elena crossed her arms, feeling somewhat satisfied. Just then Sam's phone rang.
"Whoa, calm down Kevin." Sam urged and the put the phone on speaker.
"She gave me these coordinates. 44.054345 by 124.53223, and two names. Irv Franklin and Tracy Bell." Kevin's voice was shaky with fear and adrenaline.
"Irv's a friend. I don't know Tracy." Dean responded. Elena sat up so she was between Sam and Dean.
"Alright, the lady said they were hunters and that if you didn't go save them, that she would kill them." Kevin was mildly frantic. He was used to the behind the scenes work.
"Yeah I've heard that before." Dean muttered.
"Who was she?" Kevin asked again
"She's the bad guy. Alright, new job, dig up everything you can on Knights of Hell. Find a way to kill one. Permanently." Dean commands. Elena watches him as he directs Kevin.
"Thanks Kevin." Elena says into the phone. Sam and Dean look back at her.
"No problem. See you guys soon." Kevin says and hangs up.
"Well the numbers point to Eugene Oregon." Sam says.
"This is a trap." Elena states the obvious.
"Well let's get to it." Dean says unenthusiastically.
"What about me?" Elena asks, not sure if she should even be there in this moment.
Dean clenched his jaw. It was too late to turn around, but he knew Elena was not prepared to face Abaddon. Hell, none of them were. But Elena was there and she wasn't going anywhere.
"Stay close." Dean replied.
OoOoO
Elena followed behind the brothers closely. The coordinates led them to a ghost town that was apparently contaminated by a chemical plant leak. Dean and Sam couldn't explain it, but they both felt a sense of calm emanating from them. Elena was just focusing on her breathing and finding the hunters.
They walked into a diner where the two hunters were tied to chairs. Dean ran forward and removed the gag from Irv's mouth. "Irv? Hey. Where's Abaddon?" He shook the hunter.
Irv looked at the Winchesters and Elena, then responded, "Abaddon's been torturing hunters. She's trying to get intel on you boys."
"Why?" Sam asked.
"I don't know. Now are you guys here to rescue us or what?"
Dean and Sam take flasks containing holy water out of their back pockets and make Irv, and the other hunter, Tracy drink from them. Elena is relieved when there is no reaction from them.
"Happy?" Tracy snaps.
Elena helps untie Irv and Tracy while Irv explains who Tracy is. Elena is too focused on the task at hand to really listen. She's hyper aware of where Sam and Dean are and that is her main focus. She has the demon blade in her hand, just in case. She's praying that she wouldn't have to use it.
"All right let's gear up." Dean began to check all of their supplies. He knew that Abaddon was coming, he just didn't know when. He glanced over at Elena who was standing next to Sam. They were looking out the window, watching.
"They're coming." Elena announced as soon as she saw them. The demons were dressed in heavy armor and had assault rifles. It wasn't really looking good for them.
"Bring it on." Dean mumbled.
"They have assault rifles." Sam announced.
Dean cocked his head up, "Alright. Not good."
"What do we do?" Irv asked.
OoOoO
They had set up a recording to distract the demons and thankfully it had worked. "Alright we need to split up." Sam told the group.
Elena knew she would be safe with either Sam or Dean. "Girls with me. Let's go." Dean said, leaving no room for argument. Elena and Tracy followed. Elena couldn't explain it, but she felt such a pull to be next to Dean. She felt something coming, but she couldn't stop it.
And then, she appeared. Abaddon stood before them and immediately threw Dean to the floor. Tracy raised her gun and shot Abaddon in the chest. Elena watched as Abaddon barely even flinched.
Abaddon chuckled and revealed that she was wearing a bulletproof fest. Without any more hesitation, Elena unscrewed the top of the flask of holywater and threw it on the demon. She staggered as the smoke rose from her body. Dean crawled over to Tracy and handed her his keys.
"You two, go get more bullets, holy water. Everything. Go." Dean yelled. Tracy listened, but Elena couldn't leave.
"Oh my, what a day. This is like a two for one special." Abaddon grinned at Dean and Elena.
"Elena leave." Dean knew that there wasn't going to be much talking in the next few minutes and he didn't want her to get hurt.
"Oh Dean let her stay. Truly, you are no fun," Abaddon focused on Elena, "They found you, huh? The doppelganger. How exciting."
Elena glared at Abaddon. She had never heard the word doppelganger before, but she would remember it. If they made it out of this, she was going to research as much as she could on the subject.
"You're very quiet. Do I intimidate you?" Abaddon couldn't stop smiling at Elena. Her bright red lipstick perfectly outlined her teeth.
Dean took Elena's hand, breaking her eye contact with Abaddon. "Run. Go to Sam and Irv, now." Dean stared at her so intently and spoke with such ferocity she knew she had to listen.
Elena took off in the opposite direction.
"How cute. Dean found a little pet. At least we're finally alone at last." Abaddon responded.
Elena's head was spinning and her heart was racing. She didn't know where Sam and Irv were, but she did know that she had left Dean alone with Abaddon. Her stomach knotted. Would he survive an attack from her? Elena heard movement in the diner they had previously been in.
She clutched the demon blade as if it was her saving grace. She walked inside to see Sam fighting three demons alone. Irv's body was across the room
Elena didn't know what else to do, but something ignited within her. Sam was thrown across the room as she charged one of the demons. He turned and grabbed her by the throat. Elena tried to knee him, but it was to no avail. She felt his fist connect with her face. She felt the warmth of the blood begin to pour. She struggled to get a decent grip on the blade, but when she did she jammed I into his stomach. She watched as the body became limp.
"Shield your eyes." She heard Sam yell. She squeezed her eyes shut and covered them with her arm. But the intense white light still seemed to seep into her line of vision.
When the brightness stopped Elena uncovered her eyes. Sam cam towards her and took the blade from her hands. He stabbed the remaining demons. Elena was trying to wrap her head around the fact that she had just stabbed someone, demon or not. She had taken life. And her body was throbbing from the pain she was in.
Dean came running into the diner. He stopped in his tracks when he saw Elena. She could imagine what she looked like. She brought her hand up to her face and hissed in pain. Dean came over and pulled her hand down, "You okay?" he asked softly. It was the most gentle he had been with her. Elena weakly nodded.
"Aside from the fact that I just got my ass handed to me." The metallic taste of blood filled her mouth. Elena tilted her head to the side and spit. Dean watched closely, making sure she was okay. Her face was already beginning to swell.
"The hell did you do?" Dean asked more harshly to Ezekiel.
"I was protecting Sam and Elena. Is that not what you wanted?" Ezekiel watched Elena and Dean curiously.
"No, it is, it is. I'm just getting used to this whole thing," Dean paused, "Sam is okay?" Dean was a mess internally.
"He was knocked unconscious. He will not remember this." Ezekiel informed them.
"What am I supposed to say when he comes to?" Dean tried to keep his voice lowered.
"That's why I used the knife." Ezekiel handed the knife back to Dean.
"You are troubled still." The angel noted.
Elena was beginning to sway lightly on her feet. She wanted to say something but her body wouldn't let her quite yet.
"Yeah, it's just that uh, this is on me. I was the one who talked Sam out of boarding up Hell. So ever demon deal, every kill, every person they hurt," Dean paused and looked at Elena, "Well you're looking at the person who let it happen."
With hooded eyes Elena looked up at the elder Winchester. He gave her a sad smile.
"You were protecting your brother. I am in Sam's head and everything he knows, I know. I know what you did was done out of love." Ezekiel explained.
"Yeah uh look, I'm not really with the whole uh, love and…love." Dean struggled with what he was trying to say.
"But it is why I said yes." Ezekiel countered.
"Yeah but if this goes sideways, that's on me too. I'm trusting you. And I hope you are one of the good guys." Dean was the most honest he had been with the angel.
"I am, but I suppose that is what a bad guy would say. Dean Winchester, you are doing the right thing." And with that Ezekiel retreated back into Sam's body and laid on the ground. The real Sam emerged.
He looked around, confused. Even more so when he saw that Dean was holding Elena's hand. Elena who was bloody and beaten.
"What the hell happened?" Sam rushed towards them. He couldn't remember.
"The demons were attacking you. You took a shot to the head. We saved your ass." Dean chuckled, making light of the situation.
"You killed three demons. Elena, you killed a demon?" He looked at her in a new light. She had gotten hurt to protect him.
Elena nodded and smiled slightly, "Yeah I did. Can't you tell?"
"Let's get out of here." Dean was more eager to leave and patch everyone up. He slipped his hand out of Elena's. Both of them acted like they didn't notice the absence of one another.
OoOoO
Elena definitely had the worst of the injuries. Sam sat her on the back of the Impala and began to patch her up. They were about fifteen miles away from the ghost town.
Elena felt like a truck hit her. She needed a few stitches above her eyebrow. Both brothers had to admit she handled it remarkably well. Sam poured some alcohol on a washcloth and held it against the wound. Dean couldn't help but tense every time she flinched. He had seen her in pain on too many occasions already.
"Ouch." Elena gasped.
"Okay, this looks good. You think you can make it back to the bunker?" Sam asked, while looking at his handiwork
"Thanks Sam. And yeah, we should get going." Elena responded.
"We can stop at a motel Elena. Just for the night."
"No, let's leave." Elena wanted to be back at the bunker. It was the closest thing that the brothers could call home and it was where she would feel most comfortable.
Dean had cut the drive down to about an hour and forty-five minutes. He just wanted to get her back. The second they stepped into their bunker, Elena had left them to go shower.
"Where do I even start?" Dean asked.
Sam looked around the bunker noticing Kevin was nowhere in sight.
"Where's Kevin?"
OoOoO
Elena watched the blood circle down the drain as she showered. It was as if her mind had not fully caught up to her body. She killed something. Just two weeks ago she was practicing with the squad and now she was stabbing demons. When she thought of the circumstances she knew she would do it again. And Abaddon had called her a doppelganger. She only knew that meant that there was a double of the person. Did it mean something more?
She turned off the faucet and wrapped a towel around her body. She looked at herself in the mirror, her reflection showing some unknown woman. A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. Dean walked in before she could let him in.
He looked at her, his jaw clenched. Without a word he pulled her in towards him and held her. Elena rested her head against his chest, not letting her astonishment stop her. "I'm okay." She whispered against him.
"Don't lie to me." Dean looked down at her.
His eyes searched her face, looking for any sort of telling emotion.
"I would do it again." Elena felt very protective suddenly.
"I know you would."
Something unspoken was happening right before them. Dean moved his hand to cup Elena's face. She looked into his green eyes, and felt at ease. Elena let her hand cover his, his skin rough compared to hers.
"Kevin almost left." Dean whispered.
Elena pulled back, "Just now?"
Dean nodded.
"Why?"
"Crowley told him his mom is still alive. He wants to find her now." Dean took a step back from Elena and sat down on counter. Elena sat on the edge of the bathtub.
"Do you think she is?" She asked.
"Hell, I don't know. He's a demon. He lies." Dean didn't know which to believe. He wanted all this to be done, but he just didn't see an endgame.
Elena let out a breath, "Abaddon called me a doppelganger. Was she lying?"
Dean looked at Elena, "I don't know enough about that. But, I'll find out."
A knock on the door caused them both to jump. "I'll be out in a second!" Elena called to whoever was knocking.
Dean stood and turned towards the door, "I'm glad you're okay." And then he left.
Elena closed her eyes and turned back to the mirror.
What the hell was happening?
OoOoOo
Sam and Dean sat at the long table in the bunker. Both had glasses of whiskey before them. Sam was lost in thought about the interactions with the other hunters and his being knocked unconscious. Dean felt like he was fighting just to keep his sanity. Kevin, Crowley, Sam, Abaddon, Elena; the thoughts consumed him. He knew it was going to be another sleepless night.
Elena walked into the room. She wore a Mystic Falls t-shirt and sleep shorts, her hair was still damp. Even though she was hurt, Dean thought she still looked pretty damn good.
"Just wanted to say goodnight. And thanks for being there for me today." Elena gave them both a smile and headed back to her room before either of them could respond.
"You look at her differently." Sam finally broached the subject he had shied away from. He was not used to seeing Dean being so gentle, especially not recently. Since his stint in purgatory, Dean was even further down the path of a hunter. He had no hope for a life after this. Sam was beginning to see something else though. He had seen Dean holding Elena's hand and he knew that he went to check on her in the bathroom.
Dean took a sip of his drink, "Sorry to disappoint you Sammy, but you're off for a lot of reasons. She is still just a kid."
"Oh come on."
"Nope." Dean tried to explain away what Sam was thinking.
"She kicked ass on this hunt." Sam made the obvious clear.
Dean continued to drink and ignore Sam. He had to admit that Elena was growing on him. And it seemed everyone she met was drawn to her as well. He knew she was the first good, pure thing to happen to him in a long time.
"She isn't one of us." Dean murmured.
"Maybe she is." Sam retorted.
Maybe he was right.
Hope you guys enjoyed! Next chapter will focus more on Elena and her role in all of this. And a character I've been waiting to bring in finally makes their appearance. Thanks for the favorites/follows! Review and let me know what you thought!
