Disclaimer:I do not own any of the Supernatural characters as they are the property of the CW. I do, however, own any characters introduced within the story as they are sole property of my mind.

Summary: Hot tempered. Stubborn. Strong headed. Smartass. Dean Winchester has met his match in the form of a female out on a hunt. Supernatural hunters themselves, 21 year old Artemis Flora Summers and her best friend find themselves tangled within the Winchester web as they join the boys on their hunt for their father. Hiding a dark secret that only her best friend knows, Artemis begins to find it hard to keep it a secret as she clashes head on with the eldest of the Winchester boys. What happens when she realizes that she may be falling head over heels for him? Is the past about to repeat itself once again with her?

Author's Note: Hey guys. I just thought I would toss a slight note your way so that you won't be confused from this chapter on. Working with the episode "Faith" and on, if you've seen the show, there will be slight alterations to the episode (chapter) to fit around the characters of Artemis and Kiki. So be warned that if something does not seem right in the episode, it is only to make the characters of the story become stronger and for the storyline to come further to light. Also, starting with chapter 4 (Route 666), the story will continue in Artemis' POV as well as Dean's POV as the story will become more intense with continuation of their journey and the beginning folds of Artemis' secret toward the end of this chapter. Continue to enjoy!


Faith

"So tell me again why we had to stay behind and the guys got to go out and hunt this thing?"

"Because Dean and Sam think it's really dangerous for us. Dean was talking 10,000 volts or something to fry the thing they're after. I know you're pissed about not being able to go, but I think Dean tossing you into that really disgusting lake behind here was worth you not going. You know I wouldn't be able to hunt on my own," Kiki said as I toweled out my hair from the shower I had just taken. What she said about Dean was true. I had protested about going on the hunt they were on now and Dean had easily picked me up like I was some raggedy Ann doll or something and tossed me into the lake behind the motel we were staying in. I was pissed. He had something coming to him when he got back.

"But still. I'm 21 and I'm not their sister or something. I'm just a good a hunter as they are. You too. Just because we're girls doesn't mean that we can't hunt just as good as them. Has he forgotten who saved his ass back in Indiana with that bloody scarecrow?" I asked as I brushed out my hair and put on my glasses before sitting down on the bed I was sharing with Kiki. For some odd reason we were sharing a hotel room with the guys. I had argued against it at first because I really didn't need to spend anymore time with Dean than I already did, but the argument had been about saving money with Kiki. Sure I had a couple hundred dollars. Or maybe a million. Or more. I knew that the story was a lie to Sam and Dean about wanting to save money since we had more than enough with me being a millionaire, but whatever Kiki was thinking, she wasn't telling me. And for once I was happy about it because I didn't want to end up on the wrong end of the stick if Sam and Dean were to find out the truth. Not that it was a big deal because it wasn't. It was minor to what was really behind that story.

"I doubt he has forgotten it since you bring it up every time you corner him for something and you two start fighting. But I agree with them for once. Artemis, whatever they were going to fry is something that could seriously hurt us. For once in your life be grateful that someone is looking out for you other than me," she said, causing me to narrow my eyes. I hated when she brought that up and she knew it. Even though Kiki was on the more reserved side when it came to me, she knew what to say to shut me up and that was just it. And I hated it.

"Whatever. Have you found something on the computer about what we could possibly go after the guys get back from their hunt? God knows I really don't want to be chasing coordinates from an invisible person for the rest of my time," I said, causing her to toss me her laptop.

"Not really. Maybe you can find something. You're usually good with knowing what to look for," she replied as she sat at the table and started writing in a notebook. It was true. When it came to looking things up, I was usually able to find things in about a five minute time span, but I usually left Kiki up to doing the rest once I found something. Researching and planning just weren't in my vocabulary for the most part. I was all for the action and such that sometimes it got me into more trouble than I actually wanted.

"Hello? Sam? What's wrong?" I looked up from the computer as I heard Kiki answer her cell phone, but the sound of her voice put chills down my spine. I knew it was Sam and by the sounds of it, something was wrong.

"What? Oh my god. Is he ok?" she asked, causing me to give her a look. By the sounds of it, something had happened to Dean and by the way she was rapidly conversing with Sam, it was something serious.

"How the hell do you expect us to get there, Sam? You guys have the Impala!" she yelled, causing me to nearly fall off the bed in shock. Kiki never yelled like that unless she was severely pissed off to no end. And she was pissed with Sam for whatever he had said to her.

"Alright. We'll see you in a few minutes," she said before hanging up.

"What was that about? What's going on?" I asked as she got up and slipped on her shoes.

"Dean's hurt. Sam wouldn't go into detail about it since there were cops around in the hospital where they're at, but more than likely it has to do with the hunt. Sam should be here shortly to get us," she replied, causing me to raise an eyebrow in confusion.

"Why do we have to go?" I asked, causing her to look at me in disbelief.

"Artemis, sometimes I really wished you kept your mouth shut. Dean's been hurt. I know you don't like him, but the least you can do is to go," she replied, shaking her head as she headed toward the bathroom. I gave a frustrated sigh and looked around for my duffle bag to get out a pair of shoes. When Dean tossed me in the lake, my favorite converses had become wet and now I would need a different pair to wear until my others would dry. It was a good thing I carried an extra black pair with me in cases like these. Slipping them on, I grabbed my black jacket and pulled it on over my night outfit. I really didn't feel like changing into other clothing when Sam was going to be there for any minute, so I was quite content with going in my short shorts and jacket over my tank top. As if right on cue, I heard a honk from outside and opened the door to see the Impala sitting right out front.

"Come on, Kiki!" I yelled as I walked to the Impala and got into the backseat.

"You're going dressed like that?" he asked as he gave me a look.

"Shut up and drive. I didn't feel like changing," I growled as Kiki got into the car and Sam started off. He gave me a look through the rearview mirror, but didn't say anything to me with the glare I was giving him. I so wasn't in the mood to deal with this, but of course, I had no choice. I pretty much ignored Sam and Kiki on the way to the hospital and the second we got there, I stalked off down the hall, ignoring Sam's yell at for me to stop. If they wanted me to visit Dean, I was going to visit Dean and get it over with. A doctor had come out of a room and was heading down the hall toward the way I had come, causing me to stop and watch as he talked to Sam. Seeing the look on Sam's face, I knew that Dean was definitely in the room. Peering inside, I was right as I saw Dean laying in the hospital bed with the most bored look on his face.

"So let me guess. Some big ol' monster tried to eat you," I said as I entered the room, causing him to look up at me with a surprised expression, but it turned into a smirk as he looked me up and down. I merely rolled my eyes and flipped him off.

"What? It's not my fault you show up in my hospital room in really short shorts. You may be really annoying and a real bitch, but you've got great body structure. Cute ass for someone as tiny as you. But I could definitely do without the jacket. You've probably got great assets, which I know you do with the outfits you wear hunting," he said, his smirk widening as my eyes narrowed.

"Please tell me they've got you drugged up," I said, causing him to let out a laugh.

"Sorry, princess. It's all Dean," he said, causing me to roll my eyes.

"Sam called Kiki in a frantic panic and I didn't feel like changing. If I had known you were going to be talking like this, I would have definitely changed before hand," I said, causing him to snicker.

"Chill out, princess. I can't believe you don't take some guy complimenting you as a good thing. Hell. If I didn't hate you, I would so jump you. Especially if I wasn't in this hospital bed all banged up to fucking hell. Lighten up some. You should probably go find a guy to screw to let go of that frustration you have built up," he said, causing me to give a scream of frustration before storming from the room, nearly knocking down Sam in the process.

"Whoa! What the hell, Artemis?" he asked.

"Your brother is the what's the fucking matter. I don't care if he's on his fucking death bed dying of some unknown disease. I will not stand for him talking to me like I'm some girl he's trying to pick up from a bar," I snapped as I shoved him out of my way.

"Artemis, he's very ill. He took 100,000 volts to his heart taking down that demon. Doctors say he may not recover," Kiki hissed, causing me to turn and look at her.

"I don't fucking care. He can die for all I care. I'll wait in the Impala," I snapped before I stormed away from them and outside where the Impala was sitting in the parking lot. The nerve of him. I couldn't believe him.

"I'm going to fucking throw him off the next bridge we come to if I don't fucking kill him the next time I see him," I growled as I kicked the side of the Impala, leaving quite a bit of a dent. Staring at it, I knew Dean was going to kill me and the funny thing was, I just started laughing. I don't know why. I just started laughing. Oh god. What was this guy doing to me?


"Sam, were going to do whatever it takes to try and make your brother better. There has to be some way."

"I've looked, Kiki. I'm trying."

"I know you are. We're going to find a way."

"Will you two just give it up already? You've been searching like hell for a way to fix the bastard and you haven't found a way yet. Give it up. The bastard should die anyways," I said as I looked up from the sketch book I was drawing in. Sam and Kiki stopped talking to look at me with dirty looks.

"Artemis, you're a fucking bitch, you know that? My brother's going to maybe die in a month or less and you're just being a bitch," Sam snapped, causing me to shrug.

"I've been told. And I really don't care. You're brother is a jerk and I don't care what happens to him. And get the door," I said as the sound of knocking came. He gave me another dirty look as he got up and I merely shrugged as I went back to my sketch book. I had a small passion for drawing and usually helped calm me down when I was in a foul mood.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

"I checked myself out." My head snapped up as I saw Dean slowly bring himself into the hotel room. What the hell?

"I figured I wasn't going to die in a hospital where the nurses aren't even hot," he said, causing Sam to scoff and shake his head.

"You know something? This "I laugh in the face of death" thing? I can see right through it. It's bullshit," Sam said as he shut the door and Dean let out a short laugh.

"Yeah. Whatever, dude. You sleep ok? You look worse than me," he said as he walked toward the empty chair next to Kiki. He slowly sat down as his brother rambled on about various things, causing him to roll his eyes just slightly before they landed on me where I was stretched out along one of the beds staring at him with a look of hatred. He suddenly let out a laugh and smirked.

"Aw. Did you miss me, princess?" he asked, causing me to hurl a pillow in his direction. Sam, having sat on the other bed near Dean, saw my intention and caught the pillow before it could hit his brother.

"Artemis," he growled, causing me to roll my eyes.

"It's alright, Sammy. Princess throws like a girl anyways. So tell me, princess. Like what you see even though I'm banged up as hell?" Dean asked, causing me to sit up quickly and growl.

"Shut the fuck up, Winchester," I snarled.

"Nah. You're cute when you're angry. It's the least I can do to annoy you since you put a dent in my car," he said, causing both Kiki and Sam to look at one another. I could tell that wheels were turning in their heads since they didn't even have a clue what he was talking about.

"A dent? In your beloved car? And you blame me?" I asked as I gave him a look of stupidity that I normally gave to Kiki when I tried to get out of something.

"You hate me enough. And the dent isn't as big or great as it would be if Sam or Kiki were to hit it. And I certainly wouldn't leave a dent or even a scratch on the Impala. So yes. I blame you," he replied, causing me to roll my eyes.

"Just because it's a tiny dent doesn't mean I did it. You know that people have kids here in the motel lot or whatnot. Anyone of them could have done it. So nice try," I said.

"Nice try my ass. I know you put that dent in my car and you will pay dearly for it," he said, causing me to roll my eyes.

"I am not frightened of you, Dean. You're threats mean nothing to me," I said, causing him to raise an eyebrow as if challenging me.

"Oh really? You sure about that?" he asked.

"You look like you were dragged through hell. I'm sure about it. And if you get the chance, you can go back to hell and die for all I care," I replied, causing him to smirk.

"Hell huh? Well I'm sure it would be nice since you belong there just as much as I do. And since hell is really, really hot, you can wear those sexy shorts you were wearing last night while we're down there. At least I wouldn't be bored out of my mind if you get my drift," he said, causing me to give him a look of shock before my eyes narrowed into dangerous slits.

"Why you…" But I didn't even finish that sentence as I was quick to lunge at him. However, Sam was quick on his feet and caught me before I could even touch his brother.

"I'm going to kill him!" I yelled as I tried to get out of Sam's grip. I had to admit, although I was quite the fighter and could take anyone of Sam's or Dean's stature, Sam definitely had some strength behind him. Despite my efforts to try and get to Dean, I found myself go sprawling across the room as Kiki stood up, shaking her head.

"She's not going to stop until she's gotten her hands on him, Sam. Shut your god damn brother up if you really want him to live. And Artemis, stop this nonsense. I can't believe you're letting a guy get under your skin like this. I know Dean's a fucking prick, but ignore him until we can get him fixed. Then take your crack at him. He's no fun when he's all screwed up," Kiki said as she poked Dean in the side before giving me a look.

"Yeah…Hey! Wait a minute!" Dean exclaimed as it a second for her words to sink into his mind and to look at her as if she had lost her mind. I rolled my eyes as I quickly got to my feet and rubbed my lower back where I had landed kind of hard before looking over at Kiki.

"You can have a crack at him once he's able to defend himself. It's rather pathetic when a guy can't defend himself against a girl. So yeah. You can have a crack at him later," she said, causing me to shrug as throw myself back onto the bed.

"Look you two. I called a bunch of dad's friends and I finally got a call back today from a guy named Joshua. He seems to know of a guy in Nebraska. A specialist," Sam said as he gave his brother a look.

"You're not going to let me die in peace, are you?" he asked, causing me to roll my eyes. Typical Dean.

"I'm not going to let you die period. We're going," Sam replied, causing me to scoff.

"If I were you I would just let the bastard die. Lord knows what he would do if he were to still be alive in a month's time. I'm surprised he's still alive and kicking since he got himself fried with 100,000 volts," I said, causing Dean to roll his eyes.

"Thanks princess. Love you too," he said, causing me to gag and throw a pillow at him. This time Sam just let it fly by and it hit Dean square in the face. He gave me a glare and I merely flipped him off before throwing myself backwards at the top of the bed. I hated Dean Winchester. Seriously. I hated him with pure hatred. He needed to rot in hell for the rest of his life and afterlife if you asked me. And that was a long, long, long time.


"You're a lying bastard, you know that? I thought you said we were going to see a doctor?" I gave Kiki a look as we watched Sam help, or well try to help, Dean out of the Impala. She merely gave me a shrug and looked at Sam as he spoke to his brother.

"I believe I said a specialist. Dean, this guy is suppose to be the real deal," he said, causing me to roll my eyes.

"I can't believe you brought me here to see a man that heals people inside a tent," Dean said, causing me to snicker. Dean gave me a dirty look, causing me to smirk. I was enjoying the temper tantrum Dean seemed to be going into and the more he got annoyed with it, the more entertained I seemed to get.

"Reverend Le Grange is a great man," a woman said as she passed by us, causing me to swear under my breath. Kiki, being the closest to me, elbowed me in the side and hissed at me to shut up. I gave her a dirty look and a roll of my eyes as we proceeded to the tent, passing a protesting man outside the tent as we went.

"I'm taking it that he's not a part of the flock," Dean said, causing me to scoff.

"Way to go, Einstein. Next you'll be telling us that the moon was made of cheese or some other bullshit idea like that," I said, causing him to give me a dirty look. I simply rolled my eyes and walked to the entrance of the tent and peered inside. Several people were going into the tent and it was a wide variety. A lot of the people were more elderly, but there were some that were a bit older than me. Actually, I think I was probably the youngest out of all of them.

"God does not appreciate such a dark gesture." I broke out of my thoughts and looked up as some woman stood before the tent entrance and looked at me with a disapproving look on her face.

"Come again?" I asked.

"This is a church. A healing church for those that need to be healed. Too much darkness is a negativity to such a miracle. The Lord does not appreciate the work of Satan in his home," she said, causing me to raise an eyebrow. What in hell was she talking about?

"Look. I'm not here to do anything to ruin your little "God gives miracles" service. And I'm certainly not here to, as you put it, do the work of Satan in the Lord's house. I'm here because a friend's brother is sick and he thinks the reverend can heal him, which I think is a crock of shit. To me, the Lord does not exist, so you're preaching to the wrong person. So I suggest you take your words to someone who really cares and leave me the hell alone before I personally send you on a one way trip there myself," I said, causing her eyes to widen as I gave her a look. She gave a huff and went back inside the tent as I shook my head and went back over to where Sam, Kiki, and Dean were standing.

"What's the matter, princess? Lady scare you?" Dean asked, causing me to roll my eyes.

"No. I was telling her off. She was trying to preach to me or something. Said that I was trying to do the work of Satan in the Lord's house. Told her where to go," I replied, causing Kiki to sigh in annoyance.

"Artemis…."

"What? I agree with Dean for once. This is a crock of shit. Come on, Kiki. A faith healer? You can't be totally serious," I said as I gave her a look.

"Sorry, princess. But we are serious," Dean said, causing me to give him a dirty look and a suspicious look.

"Who the hell are you? Oh wait. Let me guess. Some chick just passed by and you're now totally devoted to God?" I asked.

"Come on, princess. You know me better than that. You know I've only got eyes for you," he replied with a smirk, causing me to gag and give Sam a look. He merely sighed and shake his head.

"Just ignore it, Artemis. And she probably thinks you're here with Satan because of what you're wearing," he said, causing me to look down at myself. I was wearing a short black flared out skirt, a black jacket over my black tank top and my black converses. Personally, I really didn't see anything wrong with it.

"Everything from head to toe on you is black. Your fingernails and eyeliner included. That's probably why she thinks that," he said, causing me to roll my eyes.

"Well excuse me. I wasn't expecting to be brought to a bloody fucking church service held outside in a tent in order to cure your sick prick of a brother, Sam. God you people drive me insane sometimes," I snapped, causing Kiki to roll her eyes as Dean snickered. It was true. I was really on edge with every single one of them. Especially Dean.

"Whatever. Come on. Let's get inside," Sam said, shaking his head as he and Kiki led Dean inside. Sighing, I knew I really didn't have a choice to follow them and went inside to find them starting to sit down toward the front. Giving a muttered curse, I walked past the group of people already sitting down, which a lot were staring at me with a look of horror that I ignored, and sat down between Sam and Dean. I knew Sam did it on purpose and from the look in my eyes, he knew he was in for it later.

"Each morning my wife Sue-Ann reads me the news. Never seems good, does it?" I looked up as a man wearing sunglasses started to address the tent as several people in the tent answered "no" to his question.

"Seems like there is always someone committing an immoral, unspeakable act," he said, causing me to place my hand over my face and muttered a string of curses. I could not believe I was actually sitting in this tent right now listening to this. This had to be the lowest thing someone on the face of the planet could do to people with hard-earned money.

"Or into their wallets," Dean muttered, causing me to be brought out of my thoughts and give him a strange look. Did he just say what I was thinking?

"You think so, young man?" Ok. Maybe he was listening to this reverend guy speak since he was now speaking to Dean.

"Sorry," Dean said, causing me to roll my eyes.

"Oh now you say sorry," I hissed, causing him to flick me in the leg.

"Shut up," he hissed before looking around him as people in the tent began to look at him in a bit of a disbelieving way.

"What's your name, son?" the man asked.

"Dean," he replied, causing me to roll my eyes. Please tell me he wasn't going to play into this.

"I want….I want you to come up here with me," the man said, causing the entire tent, minus the four of us, to start clapping and cheering as Dean just looked confused. What was going on? I could tell Dean didn't want to go up, and I didn't blame him, but the tent was encouraging him to as well as Sam. Sighing, he got up and made his way up to where the preacher and the lady I had the encounter with earlier stood.

"You ready?" the man asked.

"Uh….look. No disrespect, but I'm not exactly a believer," he said.

"You will be, son. You will be," the man said before he placed his hand on Dean's head and asked that everyone in the tent begin to pray with him. Something didn't feel right about this. Something just didn't feel right. As the time seemed to pass kind of slowly, I saw that Dean was beginning to lose his focus and it caused me to sit up straighter and more toward the end of my chair as he fell to his knees. Something was seriously wrong here. Something seriously did not feel right.

"Dean!" I exclaimed as he fell to the floor. Forgetting the fact that I hated him, I bolted out of my seat and to the stage where he lay in what I think was an unconscious state.

"Dean. Come on. Dean," I said as I lightly tapped the side of his face. I bit back a frightened gasp when he suddenly came back to it with a gasp, but let out a sign of relief as he kind of heaved in air into his lungs. However, the look in his eyes toward the reverend caused me to look over but see nothing. Dean never got that look in his eyes unless he saw something, but there was nothing there. Absolutely nothing.


"So he's ok?"

"Yeah. Doctor said he was fine. Said it was like nothing was wrong with his heart. Strange but he's ok. Why are you even asking? You wanted him to die. Remember?"

"Shut up, Kiki. Just because I wanted him to die doesn't mean I was expecting him to just fall to the ground like that. I do have some kind of heart. And if he's ok, then why is he freaking out or whatever?" I asked, looking up from the laptop to my best friend as she came out of the motel room bathroom after having a shower.

"He just doesn't feel right. Thinks something is wrong. He went to go talk to the reverend and his wife about what happened while Sam went to talk to the guy at the pool to make sense of what happened to the guy that died of the heart attack or something. Wanted to see if maybe there was a connection or something. Dean says he saw something when he woke up from the whole process," she replied, causing me to give her a strange look.

"What?" I asked.

"Yeah. My thoughts exactly. But you know Dean. Stubborn until he can't find a way out of what he's thinking or doing. I don't blame him. This whole thing has to be a shock or what….Sam? Is everything ok?" she asked as Sam suddenly opened the door and threw himself into a chair across from me. He merely ignored her and opened up his laptop, in which he started to type away.

"Sam?" I asked, causing him to give me a dark look.

"Shut it, Artemis," he growled, causing me to look up at Kiki with a shocked expression. Never had I heard Sam talk to me or anyone like that before. Sure I knew he could get pissed off, but never has he spoken to us like that before. Still completely puzzled, I let him be and continued what I was doing on the laptop until I heard the door open again and looked up to see Dean walking in.

"So? What did you find out?" he asked as he gave his brother a look. Sam sighed and refused to look up from the computer.

"What?" he asked.

"Marshall Hall died at 4:17 in the afternoon," Sam replied, causing me to raise an eyebrow. What did that have to do with anything?

"The same time I was healed," he said, causing me to look at Kiki, who shrugged. She was just as lost as I was.

"Right. So I checked everything and it seems like 6 people have been healed over the last year, which I cross-checked with the local orbits. It seems that every time someone was healed, someone else died. It seems that everyone that Le Grange has healed, someone died of the same symptoms or disease that the person that was healed had," Sam said.

"So let me get this straight. Someone who goes to see Le Grange and is healed from their disease passes it on to someone else?" I asked as I gave him a look of confusion.

"Yes. It seems that Le Grange is trading one life for another," he replied with a nod.

"So wait. Let me understand this. Marshall Hall died to save me?" Dean asked.

"Dean, he probably would have died anyway and someone else would have been healed," he said.

"You should have never brought me here," Dean said as he got up.

"Dean, I was just trying to save your life," he said.

"But someone is dead because of me," Dean snapped, causing me to slam down the laptop lid and stand up.

"You should be grateful that he even attempted to try and find a way to help you, Dean. If that was me, I would have just let you die because you're such a prick. And for bloody sakes! Sam didn't know this would happen. Do you honestly think your brother would do something like this just to save your life? If he knew it would be costing other people their lives? Are you really that fucking stupid?" I asked, causing him to whirl around and glare at me.

"Artemis…."

"Don't you two even start. Dean, she's right though. You should be grateful your brother tried to help you. But that's not the problem right now. The problem is that we don't know how Le Grange's is trading one life for another," Kiki said, standing up and placing herself between us. I gave her a glare but kept my mouth shut and my eyes narrowed at Dean. How could he be a selfish prick like that?

"He's not doing it," Dean said as he looked at his brother.

"What?" Sam asked as he looked at Dean in confusion.

"There's only one thing that can give and take life away. We're dealing with a…."

"Reaper," I finished for him, causing him to look back at me in surprise. I was surprised myself that I would say something like that, but I regained my emotionless expression and posture to speak.

"Come on, Kiki. Let's get to work," I said as I grabbed the laptop and headed outside the motel room.

"Artemis?"

"I don't want to talk about it, Kiki. I nearly screwed myself over in there. Let's just work to see if we can't figure what's going on. If we're dealing with a reaper and that's what Dean saw on stage when he woke up out of his trance, we need to find a way to stop it before it takes anymore lives," I said as I gave her a look.

"Artemis…"

"Please Kiki," I said as I gave her a look. She stared at me for a second before sighing and nodding. We sat down on the concrete outside and began to look through Kiki's laptop to see if we could find anything. I knew I had almost screwed up by saying what I did in front of Dean and Sam, but hopefully they would forget everything about it. Looking back at the motel room, I saw the curtain pulled back just slightly and as I tilted my head slightly, I could see Dean looking outside at us. Or I think me. I couldn't be too sure. Giving him a dirty look, he glared back and I flipped him off. This was so not going to get any better.


"We're going back to Le Grange's to see if we can't figure out how Roy's controlling this thing. Dean was right though. It is a reaper," Sam said as he and Dean made their way out of the motel room and stopped to look at us.

"So you think Le Grange is controlling it?" Kiki asked.

"Yeah. There are hundreds of tales about reapers and we're definitely not dealing with the typical Grim Reaper. No black robes just so you know. In order for Roy to heal someone, the reaper has to take a life to give a life. That's why Dean could see it and we couldn't," he replied with a nod.

"But that doesn't explain why he's choosing victims to take lives from," I said, causing Kiki to nod in agreement.

"Well that's what we're going to try and figure out. You girls coming?" he asked.

"I'm not. I've had enough preacher accusations to hold me over until death. You guys go on ahead and just ill me in when you come back," I replied as I stood up and straightened myself out. Kiki gave me a look but I merely shrugged her off and started heading back inside. However, Dean stopped me from doing so, causing me to give him a look.

"Have you ever seen a reaper, Artemis?" he asked as he lowed his voice so that Sam nor Kiki could hear him.

"No. Why?" I asked.

"Because for you to finish off my sentence like you did makes me wonder why you're lying to me about seeing a reaper," he replied, causing me to scoff.

"Whatever you say, Dean. Believe what you want. I haven't seen nor do I want to see a reaper. You should get going before Sam and Kiki think you're up to something by just talking to me," I said, causing him to give me a look before scoffing and heading off to his car.

"You're never going to get a guy acting the way you do," he said.

"Oh no! What shall I ever do," I said, giving him a mock gasp at the thought of what he said. He merely gave me a glare and flipped me off before getting into the Impala with Sam and Kiki and heading off toward the preacher's place. Shaking my head, I headed inside and shut the door before placing the laptop onto the table and grabbing my duffle bag to head into the bathroom to take a shower. All of the day's events and over the last few days was enough to really burn me to the ground. A shower was something that always seemed to cool my nerves and make me relaxed and ready for whatever would come later on. Finishing my shower, I dressed into a pair of shorts and a tank top before brushing out my hair and letting it air dry out. Just as I was about to wash my face, I heard my cell phone ring and I opened the door to grab it from the side table.

"Hello?" I asked as I went back into the bathroom, leaving the door open as I did so.

"So guess what me and Sam found in their library?" Kiki asked.

"Uh….a bunch of books?" I asked with sarcasm.

"No. Some kind of black book full of dark magic. It dates back to a really dark age where a preacher was using black magic or whatever. And it has pictures of people inside. The people that have died," she replied, ignoring my sarcasm as she went into an explanation.

"So let me get this straight. He's finding people that are immoral and kills them off to save someone who is good? Oh geez. So who is the guy sending the reaper after this time?" I asked.

"You remember the protestor?" she asked.

"Yeah. The one that was protesting outside the tent when we first took Dean to be healed or whatever. He's next?" I asked as I wiped off my face after splashing water on it.

"Apparently so. Sam's on his phone right now with Dean while we're outside the tent trying to find the protestor. Dean's inside hoping to stop Roy from healing Layla," she replied, causing me to chuckle. Shaking my head, I looked back up at the mirror and nearly dropped my phone in shock when I saw an elderly man on the far side of the motel room staring at me intently in the mirror.

"Kiki," I whispered as I looked out of the bathroom to see him standing there.

"Artemis? Is everything ok?" she asked as she picked up my tone.

"Tell Dean to hurry," I replied as I saw that the old man was gone and nearly jumped a foot when I whirled around to see him behind me.

"Artemis? Artemis, what's going on? Sam!" she yelled as I heard her calling for Sam. I practically moved backwards out of the bathroom as the old man started moving toward me with not an emotion on his face or anything.

"Kiki, please hurry!" I cried as I scrambled across one of the beds to put distance between myself and the reaper.

"Artemis, what's going on?" she asked.

"The reaper," I replied, causing her to swear when she realized what I was trying to say.

"Sam! Tell Dean to fucking hurry! The thing is with Artemis right now in the motel room! She's next!" she yelled as I turned around to try for the door, only to knock right into the old man himself. I let out a scream and let go of my cell phone, but it faded as I felt myself starting to have trouble breathing with his hand on my cheek. The sounds of Kiki screaming in the phone started to fade and I felt my world starting to go back as the lack of oxygen increased heavily. I felt my head hit the floor and I was gone.


"Come on, princess. Wake up. Sam, get me some water or something. Kiki, get a blanket or something. I've got a pulse but her body feels cold as ice. Ah come on, princess. You're no fun when you're dead." I could hear voices but I couldn't get my mind to focus properly to open my eyes. However, I felt myself gag and gasp for air when I felt a cold liquid rush past my lips and down my esophagus.

"That a girl. Come on. Open your eyes." Coughing for air, my eyes shifted open to see Dean looking down at me with worry written across his face. I was beyond confused. Shifting my eyes around, I saw that I was cradled in Dean's arms on the floor as Sam and Kiki stood around us. My cell phone lay close by, still open and I could hear the dial tone from it. I was way beyond confused at what was happening.

"Oh thank god. We thought you were a goner," Kiki said as Dean took the blanket from her and gently wrapped it around me while I stared at them in confusion.

"What happen?" I asked.

"You don't remember?" Dean asked as his brow ceased in slight worry.

"Not exactly. I just remember seeing…seeing…"

"The old man?" Kiki asked, causing me to nod as Sam sighed.

"Well it's a good thing Dean stopped it before it took your life," Sam said as I somewhat nodded.

"But why the hell did it want Artemis? You said it was the protestor the reaper was going after. Why the hell did it go after her?" Dean asked as he pulled me gently into a seating position and handed me the glass of water Sam had been holding. Staring at it for a what seemed like forever, it was gone in a split second as I downed it like I hadn't had anything to drink in years. Dean stared at me in surprise before chuckling and motioning for Sam to take the glass and fill it back up.

"We found her picture in the book we found in their library. Roy actually believes he's healing all these people. He doesn't know what his wife is doing behind his back. So, like you Dean, why did it go after Artemis?" Sam asked as he came back with the glass.

"Because Sue-Ann thought she was doing Satan's work. She thought she was immoral," Kiki replied with a sigh.

"What? How the bloody hell am I immoral?" I asked as I gave her a look.

"Clothes perhaps. Do you remember anything that you said to Sue-Ann the day I was healed?" Dean asked as he looked at me. Sue-Ann? Who the hell was Sue-Ann? Oh wait.

"The woman I told off that day?" I asked as I looked at Kiki, causing her to nod.

"So Sue-Ann is behind all of this. She must be binding the reaper. Making Roy believe he has the gift," Sam replied with a nod as Dean helped me off the floor and sat me on the bed before walking across the room to the table.

"I don't understand," I said.

"Her husband was dying. She was looking for a way to keep him from dying. So…."

"She binds the reaper and every time Roy saves a person, someone else dies," I said with a sigh as I ran a hand through my hair.

"Yes. So we must find a way to stop her," Kiki said.

"Does it say what to do when binding a reaper? Is there like any black altar or pendent that we can destroy to get rid of it if it is binded?" I asked as I looked at the guys.

"Probably both," Dean replied, causing me to nod. After what I had gone through, I was definitely ready to put a stop to the reaper. No doubt about it. About an hour later, the Impala pulled up outside the tent and I realized that whatever had happened today, it was happening again since there were many cars outside the tent.

"Sam, we have to get to that black altar or whatever before Sue-Ann strikes again," Kiki said as we got out of the car.

"So I guess that leaves princess and I to deal with the cops?" Dean asked, causing me to raise an eyebrow. Work with Dean? Seriously? Feeling a tug on my arm, I followed Dean toward the side of the tent where we saw people, including Layla and her mother, inside the tent getting ready to perform that "miracle."

"Hey!" I snapped my head up as Dean stood facing the house where two policemen were coming down the steps. They looked in our direction and I saw Dean smirk.

"Going to put that fear of God in me?" he asked, causing me to give him a look of insanity. Was he crazy talking to the cops like that? He must have been because they threw their coffee cups to the ground and started toward us. Grabbing onto my arm, Dean pulled me in the opposite direction and we set out to keep them busy for what I think was giving Sam and Kiki time to find the altar and destroy it.

"I'm assuming you were almost arrested or were arrested the last time you were here and they don't really like you?" I asked as we hurried around a parked trailer van or whatever just as the cops came around the corner.

"You could say that. It was either that or let you die. I thought the first idea would be better. Now shut up," he replied, clamping a hand over my mouth and pulling me against him as the cops began to shine their lights. Normally I would have fought him, but knowing time was short, I kept my mouth shut and stayed still. We stayed like that for about a minute before Dean started to edge his way up the truck slightly, causing me to jump in fright as a barking dog appeared at the window.

"You're tiny. Stay against the tire until they leave," he said as he let go of me and somehow found his way up the truck to the top. I was about to run my mouth when I saw a flash of light along the bottom of the truck, causing me to pull myself tight together against the truck wheel so that they wouldn't see me. I stayed like that for about a minute before I heard them mutter and start to walk off.

"I could kill you," I hissed as Dean's face appeared at the top of the truck.

"Yeah. Well kill me later. Come on," he said, jumping down and starting across the parking lot with me not far behind him.

"Do you think Sam and Kiki have found the altar yet?" I asked.

"I'm hoping. We really don't need…" But he stopped talking and turned around quite quickly, causing me to turn around and see the lights starting to go out.

"Dean? What's going on?" I asked as I started looking around for the source. But he didn't answer me as he turned back around and froze. Turning my head, I saw nothing there and the way he was looking was starting to really scare me. However, I let out a scream of fright when he let out a yell and fell to his knees.

"Dean? Come on, Dean. This isn't funny," I said as I tried to see if something was controlling him or something like that. I couldn't see anything and recognition finally hit me that the reaper was sucking the life out of him when his face starting going white with blue lips and short gasps of air. There was nothing I could do to help because I didn't know where Sam and Kiki were. I didn't know if they had gotten to the black altar or what. I was literally helpless. However, Dean let out a choked gasp of air and kind of fell backwards as he heaved in air.

"Dean? Dean? Are you ok?" I asked as I knelt down next to him and looked at him in concern. He stared at me for a second as he heaved in air before he finally spoke.

"Who are you and what the hell have you done with Artemis?" he asked, causing me to give him a shocked look. It was replaced in a slight second, however, with a chuckle and a shake of the head.

"I hate you too," I said, causing him to give me a smirk and give me a hand as he got up. Punching him in the arm, we walked back to the Impala where Kiki and Sam were just walking up.

"Hell of a week, huh?" Dean asked as I nodded in agreement.

"You can say that again. You two ok?" Sam asked as he nodded his head at us. We looked at one another before nodding. There was no use in telling either of them that either of us had broken a piece of our ice shield for the other. We would never hear the end of it.


"So where do you think our next adventure will take us?"

"I don't know. Maybe Los Angeles. It would be nice to hit the beaches again. Haven't been home in like four months or better. It would be nice to see everyone again. God knows that your Grandmother Annette is going "Where's Lauren?" every single day. The woman will be asking about you up until the day she dies," I replied as I tossed my bags into the trunk of the Impala.

"God help me. She worries me sometimes," Kiki said as she shook her head.

"That's because you're her only granddaughter. But at least you've got your family to care about you," I said, causing her to sigh and look at me.

"Artemis…."

"Kiki, let's not discuss it. It'll only make me upset. Look, here comes Dean and Sam," I said as I noticed the guys coming out of the hotel with the rest of the stuff.

"Alright. I'm off to go sign out of our room. Kiki, you want to go?" Sam asked. She nodded and the pair set off for the main office while Dean and I finished throwing the rest of our stuff into the Impala. It was quiet for a while before I spoke.

"Why did you save me the other day?" I asked, causing him to stop what he was doing and give me a confused look.

"What are you talking about?" he asked.

"The other day. When the reaper was coming to get me. I had never been more afraid in my life and to wake up knowing that you saved me was very confusing. Why did you do it?" I asked.

"Did you really expect me to leave you to die? Is that the kind of person you think I am?" he asked as disbelief settled in his facial expressions.

"I don't know what to think of you, Dean Winchester. One minute you're cracking jokes about my body and the next minute you're hating on me because you didn't like what I had to say or do. As far as I was concerned, you hated me and I hated you," I replied, causing him to roll his eyes.

"You're a bitch. You're a brat. You're annoying. I would like nothing than to throw you off a bridge for your mouth and for the fact that you can never keep it shut. But Sam and I have a job to do just like you and Kiki. We're hunters. We hunt the supernatural. To let anyone die, including you, the way that Sue-Ann was using that reaper is just wrong. I would have been no better than Sue-Ann if I let her take you the way she was trying to take you. Yes I feel bad about Layla, but everyone has to die sometime and Layla's time will come just as yours will as well as mine," he said. I stared at him for a second before allowing a small smile to grace my lips.

"What?" he asked with an annoyed look.

"Does Dean Winchester actually have a heart?" I asked.

"You should be asking yourself that question, princess," he replied with a smirk as I rolled my eyes.

"I have a heart, Dean. Even when it comes to you. Besides, you can't get rid of me. If you did, you'd stuck with Kiki and Sam," I said with a chuckle, causing him to give me a look.

"Come again?" he asked.

"Come on. You haven't seen it? I think something might be going on with Kiki and Sam. Why the hell do you think we're always stuck together?" I asked, nodding in the direction where Kiki and Sam were coming back from the main office laughing and joking with one another. He raised an eyebrow and looked over at me.

"You wouldn't be able to deal with them by yourself and you know you wouldn't. So it's best to hate me and argue with me than deal with those two if it gets to the point of love sickness," I said as he rolled his eyes.

"Get in the car. And you're still dead for the dent," he said as I laughed and shook my head.

"Whatever you say, Dean. Whatever you say," I said as I threw open the passenger side door and made myself comfortable in the backseat. I was joined by Kiki and we were off toward our next destination. Putting my ear pieces in, I pushed play on my iPod and leaned my head back against the seat as I thought about the past days. This hunt was probably the most painful and torturous that I had been through, but they were right there besides me. Dean, Sam, and Kiki were right beside me the entire way. But this event was enough to shake me and keep me on my toes. No doubt I would have to watch myself so that it didn't happen again. This time I didn't get to choose and knowing next time, I knew that I might not be that luck.