Chapter 3- Bad to the Bone

(ZZ Top)

For Zoey, walking back into the bunker was like walking right through a firing squad. She couldn't even make it down the stairs before Dean started going in on her. "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING? You were supposed to stay here. To stay in the bunker. You can't just sweet talk your way around our rules alright! What if you were followed? It could bring an army of who knows what down on us. This place is a secret and we'd like it to stay that way! Not to mention you had a run in with another demon. You're lucky Cas was there to save your life again! You're lucky that demon didn't off you right then and there." Once Dean was done going in on Zoey he turned his attention towards Cas. "And you! You don't make things any easier letting the girl wander about as she pleases. When I said keep an eye on her I meant to do so IN the bunker." Castiel couldn't do anything, but hang his head. "I'm sorry Dean. It won't happen again. In her defense, she did need to get her own things." Sam had been standing by listening, he finally spoke up. "Zoey, we just want you to be safe ok. You're supposed to be taking it easy and letting your body rest. Running around and taking on demons isn't a smart idea." Dean blurted out, "Yea tell me what the hell happened there!" Zoey opened her mouth to talk, but knew there was no easy way to explain what happened. She thought for a minute about what took place. Before Cas came in, Elliot had threatened to have others hunt her down. Could she really tell Dean the truth? He was already so upset with her and she didn't want him to stay pissed. She chose her words wisely. "He was just a friend of Karver's. He was almost like a roommate. I should have known he would be there. I wasn't thinking. I'm sorry." Dean wasn't pleased with this answer. "You're damn right you're sorry. So was this the only demon or can we expect others?" Dean looked at Zoey with such ferocity that his eyes pierced right to her soul, but she still couldn't tell him the truth. At least not yet. "No Dean, there won't be any more demons. It was just him, just his buddy Elliot."

It took a little while, but the commotion soon died out. Everyone settled down in different parts of the bunker to have their dinner. Dean stayed and ate in the library; Cas grabbed a book for some light reading, while Sam and Zoey went to eat in the kitchen. Zoey thanked Sam for the food as she took the paper off a very greasy, but appealing taco. She took a large bite and let her eyes roll to the back of her head. Zoey let all the flavors of her heart stopping taco absorb deep into her taste buds. A small dribble of grease ran down her chin. Zoey swallowed slowly letting her mouth have a food orgasm. "Sam, this is the best taco I've had in ages! It is perfection! Ah, the sour cream, cheese, lettuce, slimy ground beef and the crunchy shell. It's as if God himself formed this taco just for me." Sam chuckled, as he grabbed a napkin and wiped the grease off Zoey's chin. "I'm glad you like it. My brother is real irritated with you, but I swear the two of you have more in common than he knows." Zoey huffed, "and the two of you have nothing in common at all. I mean really how are you guys related? You tower over him, you obviously have different taste in food (Zoey pointed at Sam's chicken wraps), and you are way more level headed, and..." Zoey smiled before she finished. "Never mind you do have something in common, yal both shop at the same store!" "You aren't the first person to say that Zoey, but it's just who we are. I'll admit we have a lot of differences, but we are still brothers no matter what." Sam looked at Zoey, but he was looking through her. He was thinking about all the things they had been through and searched his feelings. Sam wanted to believe that he and Dean were still close. He wanted to believe that they were always brothers and family no matter what, but he had been struggling with that lately. Zoey could tell that Sam had mentally checked out so she changed the subject. "Tell me Sam, if Dean is so irritated with me and I've barely done anything, then what REALLY pushes his buttons?" Sam came out of his daze. "Well Dean is a very straight forward guy. He doesn't like to play games. We know a dude, call him The Trickster. He's messed with our heads enough it drives the both of us crazy. Dean more so than me though." Zoey let the corners of her mouth curl into a most devious smile. "So Dean hates to be messed with...oh this is gonna be fun." Sam's eyes widened once he realized what Zoey was up to. "Oh no, no, no. You are going down a path that you can't come back from. If he doesn't like you now then he is going to really hate you. Trust me Zoey you don't want to be on his bad side. Dean is a tough character, but it's not wise to pull pranks on him." Zoey kept smiling. "Look Sam, your brother thinks he doesn't like me now, but I'm going to teach him a thing or two about real hatred. You haven't seen nothing yet! By the way, do you guys have any lunch meat in the fridge?" Sam chuckled, "We have bologna. Just know you are traveling a dangerous path." Zoey jumped up from her seat and skipped to the fridge. She pulled out five pieces of bologna and tasseled Sam's hair before speed walking out of the kitchen.

Zoey was so excited to start messing with Dean that she practically ran to his room. Once outside his door she slowly peered in. "Good he's not here." Zoey said to herself. Tip toeing over to his bed, Zoey lifted the fitted sheet. She strategically placed the bologna and walked back to the kitchen. Right before she walked in, she stopped. Dean was talking to Sam and she wanted to ease drop. "Look Sammy I don't hate the girl. She just fell from the sky and then woke up swinging. She clocked you in the face then starts boo-hooing...it was all just a little overwhelming. Geez chicks and their emotions." "She's actually a nice girl if you get to know her Dean. You take things so personal. At least talk to her. You might find you like her a lot more than you think." Zoey walked in and cleared her throat. Sam got up from the table and took his food with him. "Excuse me I'm gonna go talk with Cas." "Catch ya later." Zoey said, as Sam walked away. "Do you wanna take a seat?" Dean gestured for Zoey to sit down. "Well I suppose. Considering I didn't finish my food." Zoey took her place and started chomping down on her taco again. "You should know that I don't apologize for much. So I just want to say…my bad." There was an awkward pause, and then Zoey spoke. "That's it? You're bad? You know you are extremely full of shit right now? Don't apologize to me, because you have to. Apologize to me because you truly feel sorry. We know nothing about each other. How about instead of screaming at me you try talking to me like a human. I'm not your kid. I'm not your buddy, or your pal. I thank you for helping me, but you aren't the one who saved my life. It was Castiel." Dean's eyes widened as Zoey spoke. He couldn't believe the nerve of that girl. Dean started grinding his teeth in frustration. "Look you're right. I didn't save you. I didn't 86 that Karver guy or bring you back to life, but it was my brother Sammy. The brother that you punched in the face! All I'm saying is be a little grateful. We are letting you stay here. Just follow our rules kid." Zoey stood up and slammed her fist down on the table. "I am grateful damn it! You're the one with all the ego and big brother syndrome! I'm not yours to protect. I didn't plan to stay much longer anyway. I'll be out of your way in a week, healed or not!" Zoey got up from the table and pushed her way past Dean. She was infuriated with him. All she wanted was to be in that dingy room and not come out for the rest of her time in the bunker.

When Zoey reached her room she slammed the door behind her as hard as she could. It swung shut with a thud that radiated so strong and loud that if the bunker was a regular home it would have shook the walls. A few minutes later Sam and Dean were both outside Zoey's door arguing. "What the hell's wrong with you I said to apologize and get to know her, not make things worse." "Sammy this girl is dripping estrogen. Her PMS juices are spilling out all over the place. I can't take this much female in the bunker. I'd rather have Charlie here than this sack ah breast milk." "Dean, she is our guest here. What is your problem with her? We have dealt with worse before. Why have you let this girl rub off on you so badly? It wouldn't be the first time I've been punched in the face. So what makes what she did any different? Do you really blame her? You are really psychotic sometimes do you know that?" "I'M NOT PSYCHOTIC! I'M FAR FROM IT. SHE JUST REMINDS ME…." "Reminds you of what?" There was a pause, then the sound of boots slowly fading away down the hall.

Zoey waited until she could no longer hear the steps, and then opened the door. Sam was standing across from her door leaning against the wall. "Psychotic…he's psychotic Sam. What is his deal?" "Look what ever my brother did and said I'm sorry. He has more going through his head than he's letting on. I promise he's a good guy. He's helped a lot of pep…." Zoey interrupted. "Shit Sam! Are you kidding me? When Castiel pulled his little mind trick on me it brought me up to speed with everything you two are and have been. I don't know you personally, but getting the "nut shell" version of your story was enough to understand that you two are the biggest liars. You lie to each other and yourselves and always have. Why can't you two just be honest with each other? Instead of protecting him why don't you stand up for yourself Sam?" "It's more complicated than that. I'll talk to him more when I can, but I can't make you any promises that he'll like you any better." Zoey rolled her eyes. "You're a nice guy. You really are, but you and your basket case of a brother have some serious issues that need to be worked out. I'm here a week and then I'm gone. I'm not staying a minute longer than I have to. I'll have Castiel give me a once over before I head out, but this is more crazy than I can stand. I think I'll take a demon any day over him.

Sam couldn't do anything except sigh. He walked off down the hall and left her alone. Once gone, Zoey shut the door and plopped herself on the bed. She laid there thinking about all that had happened. In the span of a few hours she had been traumatized in more ways than one. She could feel the tears welling up in her eyes and tried to think of what to do next. Where would she go after staying with the Winchesters? Karver didn't allow her to work, because he took care of all the bills. Not to mention any close relatives had passed away, including her parents. Zoey was an only child so she was all alone. Karver or Demetri, as she knew him didn't allow her to do much of anything. She lost all her friends in the pursuit of him, which made her wonder if he had been a demon the entire length of their relationship. What would she do for money and shelter? It made Zoey very scared and very anxious to think about all of that. In the same moment it hit her, she would more than likely have to stay with Sam and crazy Dean longer than a week.

Zoey was deep in thought when there was a soft tap at the door. "Come in." She shouted, as she sat up. It was Sam carrying her duffle and laptop. Zoey forgot she left it in the library. "Here's your stuff." Sam said as he walked across the room and placed her belongings at the foot of her bed. "Listen I'm sorry again for all this." Zoey gave a half hearted smile, and Sam left the room. Zoey got up from the bed and changed into her own clothes. Taking off Sam's shirt along with the jeans, she slid into her own pjs.