THREE

Seattle, Washington – Present Day

Dean looked over at Sam with impatient eyes as Christina darted from place to place picking up her belongings. "How long does it take you to pack a friggin' bag?" He asked agitated.

She stopped and looked at him, "Do you want this done quickly or do you want it done right?"

"You're not defusing a bomb alright. Just throw some clothes in a bag and we can leave. Or have you changed your mind about that two by six cell?"

"I'm almost done so get your boxers out of the twist you've managed to wind them into." She stated disappearing from the room.

"She doesn't even know the meaning of quick getaway." He commented to his brother as he finally stopped pacing and sat down.

"Just give her some time. She built a home here." Sam responded sympathetic.

"Hunters aren't supposed to have homes."

His brother frowned, "Pastor Jim, Caleb and Daniel Elkins all had homes."

"Yeah, and look where that got them." He countered cruelly. "Demons know where to find you if you have a permanent address."

Sam looked bemused, "Don't you ever wish you could settle down?"

"No. I love being on the road." He replied. "Why? Do you think about that stuff?"

"Yeah." He confessed. "It's what I had with Jessica and, one day, I want it again."

Dean's eyes widened, "Wow."

"Is that such a surprise?"

His look was vacant as he sat back in his seat, "Uh, yeah. I thought this was us sorted for life."

"What life Dean? In ten months you're going to die."

"So, you're just going to go back to a picket fence life?"

"What else is there after you're gone?"

"There'll still be demons to hunt. They won't just disappear when I go, you know that don't you?" He was obviously angry.

"Do you think I want to hunt on my own Dean? I don't. I want you to be with me and if you can't be, then I don't want to do it alone."

Dean was about to come back with something when Christina appeared, cutting him off before he'd even had a chance to speak.

"OK, I'm good to go." She announced dragging a huge suitcase behind her.

Dean jumped up to his feet, "What the hell is that?"

"My clothes."

"Are you sure you didn't throw your whole bedroom in there?"

"Don't be so over-dramatic. Its just clothes."

"That kind of weight is going to slow us down."

She sighed and threw her case on the floor. "Don't test me Dean because I just found out that I've killed innocent men, when I've spent the best part of my life trying to save people."

He rolled his eyes, "My God, you better be premenstrual."

She squinted at him as she placed her hands on her hips, "Baby, if I were premenstrual, you'd be dead already."

= X =

Dean exhaled as he struggled to get Christina's case in the backseat of his Impala. It hadn't taken him long to begin to lose his temper and it didn't help that he was being supervised instead of helped.

"Come on Winchester, put your back into it." Christina said flashing a smile at his brother.

He growled and hit the case, "Damn thing. What do you need so many clothes for?"

"I'm a woman." She scoffed like he should already know the answer.

"Well, I'm going to throw your clothes out on the street in a minute. How do you like that?" He smirked.

Christina walked over, "Oh, move over." She said shoving him out the way and attempting to finish the job he started. With a determined manoeuvre, Christina lodged the case inside the back door and closed it. "And the moral of the story is, don't ask a big strong guy to do a woman's job." She commented with a wicked glint in her eye. "So, where are you shipping me off to?"

"I'm taking you home." Dean said wiping the smile off her face.

She began to shake her head, "No. I'm not going back. I'm not done here."

"Yeah, you are." He replied opening the drivers' door. "Sam and I will deal with this."

"No, this is my hunt. You're not taking it from me."

Dean slammed his car door shut, "You don't get it do you. If you're seen around here and the police start asking questions when they find the body in your apartment building, you go away all right. So I'm taking you home."

"You're not my father Dean, so stop trying to act the part."

"Then stop acting like a baby."

Her phone started to ring, breaking up their fight. With a frown she took it from her back pocket and saw her Dad's picture come up on the screen to I.D. the caller. She sighed and Dean immediately sensed who it was.

"Answer it." He ordered her. She looked him in the eye in quiet consideration. "Answer it, or I call him."

Flipping open her phone, she walked away from the brothers to get some measure of privacy. "Hey Daddy." She smiled.

"Hey Princess." She heard the instant relief in Bobby's voice. "Where have you been? I've been trying to get a hold of you for days."

"I'm OK Daddy. I'm just on a job so I thought I'd wait till it was over before I called." She lied tucking some of her fringe behind her ear. "But I'm OK."

= X =

Sam watched as Christina walked away and closed the gap between he and his brother, "Was there ever a time when you two weren't yelling at each other?"

Dean thought back to the night they left Bobby's, "Well there was this one time when…"

"You slept with her didn't you?" Despite his accusation, Dean didn't answer. He just wore an all-telling look on his face. Sam shook his head ruthlessly, "You are unbelievable."

"It was before Dad took us away… and she initiated it all right. So don't label me the bad guy."

"And you didn't think to call her at all, in twelve years?"

"No, because I didn't have her number."

"You could've got it from Bobby."

He wiped his mouth in bewilderment and scratched his head, "Uh, I don't know whether you've noticed Sam, but I was kind of busy hunting the thing that killed our mother."

"A phone call takes ten minutes, tops."

He frowned, "Why does this bother you so much? She doesn't care."

"Have you maybe thought that she does and that's why you two are constantly at each other's throats?"

"We were always at each other's throats… except when we were… you know, doing it." He smiled.

Sam pulled a face as Christina rejoined them and he tried to cover his disgust at the image he'd created. "Everything OK?"

"Yes." She sighed. "Except now he wants me to go home."

Dean frowned, "Why would he want you to go home?"

"Because I told him I was the one who'd been possessed by the prostitute's spirit."

"Oh great, now he knows I deliberately didn't tell him you were with us." He cursed. "Thanks a lot CJ."

"Well I had to tell him something when he asked me to come home. The only thing I didn't bank on was his resolution to see me."

"Maybe if you called more often, he wouldn't worry."

"Sometimes I don't get time to check in."

"Maybe you should've made time."

She put her hands on her hips, "Tell me Dean, how many times do you think to make calls when you're on a job?"

He stared at her, his conversation with Sam just minutes before running over in his mind. He pointed to the car, "Get in. I'm driving you home." He said, opening his car door again.

"I told him I'd be home after we'd wrapped up the case."

"And I told you, we'll finish this one off. You need to go home and see your father."

"What are a couple more days? C'mon Dean, you've got to let me try and catch the scumbag demon that left me an orphan." She practically pleaded.

The older man looked over at his younger brother that wore a sympathetic expression and he sighed. "You're lucky he's here." He said pointing at Sam. "Because I'd be forcing you into the car kicking and screaming to take you back to South Dakota."

She looked at Sam and smiled wickedly, "I love it when he's forceful."

= X =

"I don't know why we had to drive to the next state in order to get a room." Christina commented as Dean threw his bag off his shoulder.

"We have to keep you under the radar. So the further away you are, the better." He responded. "We don't want the cops coming down on us."

"Ah, how magnificently selfish of you."

"Hey, I'm not going behind bars because of you."

"No, you'd go away because of your own criminal record."

"Which is why I don't need you attracting attention."

She smiled and glanced over at the beds, "So, which one of you am I sharing with?"

= X =

Dean pulled up outside Trinity – the club where Christina had been earning a wage – and turned in his seat to look at her. "Stay here. We'll go and get William."

She frowned, "I'm not staying here. I'm coming with you."

"No, you're not."

"You've got more chance of getting him if I go in, unless of course you want him to call the cops."

Sam looked over at him from the passengers seat, "She's got a point."

= X =

Christina ran across the road watching for traffic as she made her way to the Impala and slid into the backseat. "He's not there. Someone hit him over the head with a beer bottle. He's at the hospital getting stitches."

Dean started the car engine but before he pulled off Christina stopped him, "Wait, shouldn't one of us check on David?"

The driver looked back at her, "Do you really want to go back to that building?"

"I didn't say me, I said one of us."

"I'll go." Sam suggested. "You two go to the hospital and I'll check on David."

= X =

"You always fought this life." Dean told Christina as he drove toward the hospital, "I never understood why?"

She sighed, "Because I saw what it did to John and Bobby. It was all they could talk about." She honestly admitted. "I wanted to mean something to someone and not just drive state to state rescuing people who wouldn't care about me the next day."

"You already mean something to someone."

"Dad doesn't count, because one day he's going to be gone and I'll be alone."

"You meant something to me."

"Maybe, but you took off without so much as a goodbye, so that's how much I meant to you."

Dean coughed awkwardly, trying to approach the subject of the lack of contact without being insensitive. "You shouldn't take that personal. I barely keep in touch with anyone."

She glanced down at her hands, "Don't worry about it. I knew what I was getting into Dean. We were kids, and those relationships are never meant to last."

He frowned, "But you seem pissed at me."

She frowned back, "I'm not pissed at you. I'm pissed at myself. I chose to do this; I stupidly thought I could do it for a while until something else came along and then I'd move on. But everything that came along was something to hunt. No matter what I've done to try and get out of it, it's backfired and I ended up deeper inside. It sucks being dependable when nobody really knows what's out there in the dark. "

He raised his eyebrows, knowing exactly where she was coming from. It was hard doing what they did to keep people safe and not being recognised for it. But as much as he hated being unpaid and unappreciated, he wouldn't welcome the attention.

= X =

Sam cautiously walked down the corridor to David's apartment per Christina's instruction. The security guard had given him a half smile and allowed him access without question, which he was thankful for. He didn't want to have to explain his reason for being there, especially when he had no valid reason already prepared.

As he walked past Christina's apartment, he recalled the past few days with her and his brother and a ruthless smile met his lips. He couldn't imagine the two of them ever getting on, even long enough to be intimate. He chuckled as he stopped outside the door numbered 2493 and reached up to apply a knock to it. He immediately heard movement the other side and cleared his throat to prepare to speak.

The door slowly opened and revealed a young man. "Hello."

"Hello sir. I'm Detective Burton. I'm looking for a Mr. David Towne." Sam used his fake identification.

He frowned, "I'm David Towne." He revealed opening his door a little bit wider. "What can I do for you?"

= X =

It was some time later when Christina walked out of the hospital entrance and met up with Dean, "He's gone home." She announced.

"I assume you know where that is." He said somewhat agitated.

"I know how to do the job Dean. You don't need to keep treating me like I'm new to this." She countered getting sick of his patronizing tone.

"You were the one who let yourself get possessed."

She rolled her eyes, "And your crossroads deal was a pure moment of genius." She counteracted as they made their way back to the car.

Dean nodded, "It was better than living without Sam." He replied honestly.

"Oh yeah, it's much better that he's got to live without you. He's going to cope so much more." She was sarcastic.

"Do you think you're saying anything I haven't heard a thousand times before? Because you're not." He was immediately defensive. "But he was dead and that was the only way I could save him."

She held up her hands to ward off an attack as they reached the Impala, "Hey, I get it. I'm just not sure I could do it. I don't think there's anyone who means that much to me that I'd be willing to sacrifice my life for theirs." She showed the same honesty. With a pause, she reached out to rest her arms on the roof of the car. "I happen to think that what you did was extremely courageous… idiotic, but courageous."

= X =

Walking away from the apartment building, Sam pulled his cell phone from his pocket and dialled his brother. Patiently he waited for any sign of life the other end, "I spoke to David, he's alive – at least for now. What do you want me to do?" He asked.

"William had left the hospital so we're going to swing by his place. So, keep your eye on him in case he's the next on the list." Dean instructed him.

"OK, call me if you get anything."

= X =

Dean hung up the phone and turned to his companion as he pulled up outside the house she'd directed him to. "Sam's watching David."

"Let's pray he doesn't have to deal with the bitch on his own." Christina said climbing out of the car.

Getting out of the vehicle, he walked after her as she made her way up the steps to her bosses' front door and found a frown had etched itself on her brow. "What?"

"It's open." She pointed out.

Immediately Dean reached for his gun and cocked it ready, "Then what are we waiting for?" He asked pushing it open to gain access inside.

Christina took the gun she'd had tucked in the back of her jeans and pulled the hammer back, getting it ready to fire. She nodded to her hunting partner to signal she was ready and followed him inside. They explored the entrance hall and came up empty. But as they walked into the room to their direct left, they came upon a female covered in blood standing over the body of William. Keeping her gun trained on the possessed human as she silently stepped forward, while Dean approached from the other side. He nodded in her direction to initiate action and whistled a distraction at the demon.

She turned and screeched loudly as Christina pierced a bullet through her leg as Dean removed his Latin exorcism book from the inside pocket of his leather jacket and began reading from it. But the demon wasn't at first affected by the words; instead it lunged forward at Christina and threw her into a nearby wall. She crumpled to the floor like a rag and struggled to get to her feet before the next blow came, that sent her hurtling back into some shelves, which instantly came crashing down around her.

That's when the Latin words started to take affect, and the possessed woman fought it by attacking him, throwing him into the TV. So Christina began to finish the scripture from memory as she got to her feet and realised the demons concentration had stayed on Dean. It didn't take her long to exorcise the demon and send it back to hell, but that didn't stop her fighting before the black cloud shot from the hosts body and flew out of the front door.

Christina sighed a deep breath of relief as she brushed her hair from off her face, "Phew. That was hard work."

"Did you think it was going to be a walk in the park?"

"No, but I thought you'd be strong enough to hold her off for a while."

"I didn't see you do any better."

"Yeah, but you're a big strong man." She countered derisively. "I thought you, of all people, would've done better."

He pulled a face and looked down at the unconscious female, "What are we going to do with her?"

She shrugged, "We take her home."

"Do you read minds? Because how are we supposed to know where she lives?"

"I don't know. I can't think straight. I'm buzzing with adrenaline."

He raised his eyebrows, "Buzzing how?"

"Hunting always makes me horny."

"Are you serious?" He asked unable to conceal his shock.

= X =

Dean pushed his way through the motel room door as Christina attached herself to his lips again. She'd practically pounced on him as soon as they'd got in the car and he hadn't thwarted her. Christina was his only Achilles' heel, apart from Sam. He kept his emotions buried, so he never showed his weakness when it came to her but it was there, hidden beneath the surface.

He turned as they got inside and kicked the door closed as they continued kissing and headed for the bed. Separating her lips from his, Christina pushed Dean back so he landed on his bed and she advanced to sit across his lap before starting to kiss him again. His hands slid up the back of her t-shirt and he pulled her closer as their tongues started to tussle. Her skin was smooth to the touch and it encouraged the fire burning in the pit of his stomach to flare. He allowed her to reach out, grab the bottom of his shirt and pull it over his head before he got to his feet and turned to lay her down on the bed. He lowered himself gently on top of her, pushing her into the mattress beneath them as he applied tentative kisses down her neck.

They were fighting most of the time, so he wanted this to mean something to her, to make sure a part of him stayed with her. Fighting with her was the only way he knew how to show his affection, so this was a nice change. Pulling out of the kiss, he looked down on her face, taking in the sight of her simple beauty, for a minute. He smiled and she smiled back, they were both aware of what was to come and they were both comfortable with it.

He lowered his head and applied a lasting kiss softly on her lips. She reached up to place her hands around his neck, wanting to savour his touch so it lingered forever. Dean always made her feel safe, and tonight was no exception.

= The Next Morning =

Christina woke up before Dean, to find him lay facing away from her snoring. She smiled to herself, being instantly reminded of the first time they'd slept with each other and getting an instant sense of déjà vu. Trying to make minimal noise, she collected her clothes, which had been scattered all over the room and crept into the bathroom to get prepared for the day ahead. It was when she stepped out of the shower that she heard the room door slam shut and curiously made her way out only to find Sam stood dripping by the entrance.

Dean rubbed his eyes to try and wake up, and when he saw his brother, he frowned. "Where have you been?"

"You were going to call me, remember?" He asked his older sibling with a raised voice.

Christina immediately found amusement in the state of the younger man, and tried to cover her mouth so he wouldn't detect her smile. "Did it rain?" She asked, drawing his attention to her.

"No. Some old lady threw a bucket of cold water over me this morning because she thought I was spying on her grand-daughter." He responded.

She couldn't help but allow a burst of laughter to escape her mouth, "Sounds like fun."

He turned back to address his brother, "What the hell were you doing all night that kept you so distracted?"

Dean looked over guiltily at Christina. "Nothing. We killed the demon and came back here."

"And it didn't occur to you to call me?"

"It was my fault. I was in a lot of pain with my leg so I got Dean to put on a new dressing." Christina made an excuse.

But Sam didn't seem to be buying it. "You two had sex didn't you?"

Her mouth opened in shock that he'd been able to read them so well. "No." She tried to cover her embarrassment.

Sam looked at Dean who took no time in nodding, "Yeah. We did." He smiled. "She finds me irresistible."

Christina rolled her eyes, "You wish Winchester." She said turning on her heel and returning to the bathroom.

Sam walked over to his bed and sat down, "I don't get you two, most of the time you're fighting and the minute I turn my back you're like love struck teenagers." He expressed his observation of their relationship. It went silent between them for a minute of two before Sam made eye contact with his brother. "You like her don't you?"

"She's a pain in my ass." He indirectly answered.

But he read the true feelings behind his eyes instead of the bravado he tried to portray, "So why haven't you told her?"

"She's the only girl I actually wanted that I couldn't have for more than one night."

"Don't be so sure about that."