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: I'm absolutely glad that people are enjoying this story. Thank you to all who are reviewing. Positive feedback is absolutely great since it fuels the hunger to get the chapters out more quickly. On a second note, I have a feeling some may think something maybe going on between Artemis and Sam, which is true, but it is not what some may think since the summary kind of gives way to who she gets involved with. But as someone has pointed out, Artemis is beginning to unravel and Sam will definitely play a huge role as the unraveling becomes more intense in later chapters. So please continue to enjoy the story and remember that reviews are always welcome. Enjoy!
The Benders
"There is like absolutely nothing on the radar. Nothing. No suicides that could possibly be murderous ghost deaths, nothing suspicious, etc. Nothing. Are they seriously giving us a break or something?"
"Kiki, you're going to ruin it. Knock on wood or something. And could you not shout?" I asked as I opened my eyes slightly to look at her. She merely gave me a look and frowned.
"Artemis, I wasn't shouting. Are you feeling ok?" she asked, causing me to shrug.
"I have a headache and I don't feel good. Probably from the lack of sleep we've been getting. It's nothing. Don't worry about it," I replied as I rearranged myself slightly before shutting my eyes again. It was true. I felt like shit from the lack of sleep we had been getting and it didn't help that every time I went to sleep, I found myself waking right back up because I felt like I was going to be sick. Hadn't happened yet, but still.
"Hey Art. Don't go to sleep just yet. We're almost to town and I'm pretty sure there is a motel there for us to get. Then you can sleep," Sam said, causing me to shrug and open my eyes before sitting up right. I so badly just wanted to sleep and being in the Impala just wasn't helping me out at all.
"Yeah. If you're going to be sick, I'd rather you wait until we're at the motel and not in the Impala," Dean added, causing me to frown for a second before shrugging. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Kiki and Sam exchange looks before looking at me in concern.
"No sarcastic remark to Dean? Artemis, are you sure you're feeling ok?" Kiki asked as Sam twisted his body around in the front seat and placed a hand along my forehead. Normally I would have just shrugged it away and given him a glare, but at this point I really didn't care so long as I could sleep.
"She's a bit warm. Dean, how far from the town are we?" Sam asked as he looked at his brother.
"About 10 minutes or so," he replied, causing Sam to sigh before turning to look back at me. I stared at him for a second before mimicking him by frowning. He raised an eyebrow and I merely shrugged.
"Bored," I said as Kiki shook her head.
"And sick. Artemis, you're getting sick. Like fever sick or whatever," she said, causing me to shrug. I really didn't care at this point. Normally I would, but my brain just wasn't functioning right. Hell. I couldn't even remember what day it was let alone exactly where the hell we were going. That's how fucking horrible I felt. It was a good thing that we finally made it to the hotel because I was ready to just pass out.
"I suggest you change and go to bed. Take some Tylenol or something to break the warmth. Or fever. Or whatever you may be having. Drink some water too." I stopped and blinked as I listened to Sam talk to me as he opened the door to our room. Was he acting like my mother? Or a mother figure or something?
"Don't just stand there, princess. Some of us would like to crash just as much as you." I gave Dean a dirty look before walking inside and throwing myself onto the nearest bed, which caused me to sigh in content and toss my glasses onto the nightstand as I could feel sleep begin to take over me.
"If you ask me, I think something has possessed your friend, Kiki," Dean said, causing me to hurl a pillow in his direction before throwing my jacket and converses across the room and making myself comfortable beneath the covers. I knew the three of them, especially Dean, were watching me in confusion, but I didn't care at this particular point. My body was aching and I just didn't feel good. Sue me.
"Possession or not, she's got a fever of some sort. We've got to watch her so something seriously wrong doesn't happen. Lord knows what she'll do if she gets really sick," Sam said, causing me to roll my eyes before allowing myself to drift off into a sleep.
Dean's POV
I merely shook my head at my brother and looked over to the now sleeping girl. It was strange that the ever energetic girl was now completely quiet and sleeping as well as not herself. The fact that Sam and Kiki thought she was getting sick was surprising since Artemis was healthy as ever and did whatever she had to do to keep herself healthy. Placing my hand gently against her forehead, I frowned when I realized she was indeed burning up.
"Hey Sam. Do me a favor and turn the air up as far as it'll go. Dude, she's burning up bad," I said as I gave my brother a look. He nodded and walked toward the door where the thermostat was while Kiki came from the bathroom and handed me a wet cloth, which I placed across her head.
"Lack of sleep my ass," I said, shaking my head.
"It was probably that and possibly the headaches from the last escapade we had. Could have left her wide open for sickness. Could have been anything. The only thing we can do is try to break the fever that's attacking. That or have a really bitchy Artemis on our hands for the next few days. Trust me when I say that it's not fun when she's sick," Kiki said, causing me to sigh and shake my head again. I wasn't really in the mood to deal with a bitchy Artemis. Wait. Scratch that. I don't want to deal with a sick bitchy Artemis. I dealt with a bitchy Artemis on a daily basis, but a sick one I wasn't looking forward to.
"I'm going to bed. I suggest the two of you get some sleep as well. If Artemis is getting sick, you're not going to be getting much sleep for a few nights after tonight," Kiki said before heading off to the bed where her friend slept soundless. Giving Sam a look, he merely shrugged and took to her idea. Rolling my eyes and seeing as I was outnumbered, as well as the fact that I didn't know what kind of spots there were in this town to hang out at, I took to Kiki's advice and threw myself onto the bed, much to the annoyed look my brother gave me. I merely rolled my eyes again and turned onto my side.
"Why the hell did I ever agree to any of this with these girls? I'm never going to get any sleep," I thought as I sighed. And right I was. Just as I drifted off to sleep some time later, I was pulled out of it by a slight cry and what sounded like liquid hitting a bucket or something. Opening my eyes, even though it was dark inside the room, I saw a body half-way off the bed next to me shaking uncontrollably. It took me a split second to realize that the body belonged to that of Artemis before I was out of the bed and holding her hair up out of her face as she seemed to be emptying her stomach again.
"Shit. Sam! Kiki!" I yelled, causing both figures to quickly sit up in bed as if I was in trouble or something.
"Dean, what in hell are…oh man," Sam said, getting out of bed quickly as he noticed what I was doing. Kiki, seeing as well what was going on, quickly got out of bed and came back from the bathroom with another wet cloth, which I placed on the back of Artemis's neck as she once again emptied her stomach.
"What the hell did she eat between yesterday and today?" I asked as I looked at the two.
"She didn't eat anything today because she said she wasn't feeling well. And yesterday she ate Subway with the rest of us. That was about it. Why?" Kiki asked.
"Because I want to know why such a tiny girl is emptying her stomach again when there isn't really anything in it," I replied as Artemis once again got sick. Feeling her forehead, I raised an eyebrow and looked at my brother with concern.
"She's really burning up. She's definitely got a fever," I said.
"Should we get her to the hospital?" Sam asked, causing Artemis to use what strength she had to shake her head. I went to speak, but she cut me off as she spoke. Or rather whispered.
"You take me to a hospital, Winchester, and I'm going to kill you when I'm feeling better. Don't you fucking dare take me to the hospital," she said before she was sick once again.
"Uh…Summers? Have you lost your fucking mind? You're really burning up and you're throwing up like there is no tomorrow. Not take you to the hospital? Yeah. You're really sick," I said, causing her to tilt her head up just slightly and, despite being sick, give me the most dirtiest look I've ever seen her give. I raised an eyebrow at her before looking over at Kiki, who merely shook her head. I guess she was right about her being a bitch when she was sick.
"Hey Sam. Why don't you get some Tylenol and some water for Artemis. No doubt she probably has a pounding headache after emptying her stomach like that. Dean, I'll deal with this. Just help her to the bathroom so she can rinse out her mouth or whatever. She's definitely not going to be able to walk without falling over or whatever," Kiki said once Artemis was done emptying her stomach.
"Does it have to be him?" I blinked and stared at Artemis before looking over at Sam and Kiki, who were trying hard to keep straight faces. I gave them a dirty look before turning back to Artemis and gently lifting her out of the bed. She whimpered in protest and it was no doubt that her body was aching terribly, so I passed her over into Sam's arms since I knew he could be more gentle with her than I could. This was going to be a long couple of days of sickness and bitchiness.
Artemis's POV
"But it just doesn't make any sense whatsoever. He just disappeared?"
"Now you're sounding like Artemis. Geez. If she were to drop dead tomorrow, would you be picking up her words and attitude?"
"Shut up, Dean. You know something? If she were awake and feeling better, she'd rip you to shreds for even comparing the two of us. You know for a fact that we're two completely different people."
"Sam…..Shut them up." My eyes shifted open just slightly to make out a blurry Sam sitting on the opposite bed watching Dean and Kiki, who were on the other side of the room arguing. He turned his head toward me and sighed.
"Sorry Art. Dean and I just got back from talking to a kid who thinks he saw some guy disappear beneath a truck," he said, causing me to raise an eyebrow. I immediately regretted it when a headache began to form.
"Ow. Uh……..disappeared?" I asked, gently rubbing the back of my head.
"Don't think, Artemis. You're going to give yourself more headaches. And don't worry about it. You're sicker than a dog. And you're still severely hot," he replied as he drew his hand away from my forehead and I think give me a frown. I couldn't tell. My vision was blurry as hell at this point without my glasses.
"And she's going to continue to be that way if we don't go put her in the hospital. Sam, you and Kiki are the reasonable ones here. The girl hasn't eaten or drank anything in the past couple of hours since she first got sick. Yes I'm a bastard when it comes to her, Sam, but I've got a heart for the poor girl. Well actually I don't but you get my point. I really don't think we need to explain to her family that the girl refused to seek help and just died of a fever and whatever sickness she also has," Dean said, causing me to hurl a pillow in the direction of his voice and immediately bury myself beneath the blankets as a wave of nausea hit me.
"Don't, Dean. That's a sore subject for her," Sam said, causing me to groan. Just because I was sick didn't mean I was deaf.
"What the hell are you talking about?" he asked, causing me to stick my hand out from beneath the blankets and move it around on the nightstand for my glasses before finally finding them. Placing them on, I moved the blankets out of my way and sat up. I felt really dizzy, but I really didn't care as I looked over at Dean.
" You selfish, arrogant, prick of a bastard. I swear to god that I'm going to fucking bang your head against the bloody fucking wall. My personal life is none of your fucking business. So shut the fuck up before I kick your ass. And don't give me that look, Dean. Just because I'm sick doesn't mean I won't," I snapped. I was fucking pissed off that he would even question what was said. Sam was the only one besides Kiki that knew about my family and that's the way I intended it to be. I didn't need anyone else feeling sorry for me. Especially someone like Dean.
"Chill out, princess. You're going to make yourself even sicker than…." But I didn't even hear him as I nearly fell off the bed in the attempt to empty my stomach. I let out a whimper as wave of nausea hit over and over again, causing tears to come to my eyes.
"I'm not joking anymore, you two. She's seriously sick. She's got to have food poisoning or something. We have to take her to the hospital," Dean said, causing Sam to shake his head.
"I'm not going to be on the end of her wrath, Dean. I agree with you, but if she's dead serious on not going, we have to respect her wishes. Kiki, grab the Tylenol and a glass of water. An Excedrin as well. She needs to sleep," Sam said as I felt a cool washcloth cross over my face before a glass of water appeared in front of it, causing me to inhale a bunch of water before spitting it back out to get rid of the horrible taste in my mouth.
"So you're just going to drug her up?" Kiki asked as she brought what Sam had asked for.
"It's better than letting her feel pain or whatever since she's refusing to go to the hospital. We just have to keep trying to get fluids in her as well as trying to break this horrible fever she's got. That's about all we can do. Take them," he replied, holding a couple of Tylenols and a couple of Excedrin in his hand up to me. I wasn't really feeling well to argue with him and took them without complaint. I knew he was just looking out for me, except maybe his brother. I wasn't so sure on that at this particular point. Placing my glasses back on the side table, I leant back into the pillows and began to slowly drift off to sleep.
"How long do you think she'll be out?"
"Dean, I gave her about three Excedrin. The weight of her body and considering how tiny she is will have her sleeping for several hours. These Excedrin will probably knock her out until tomorrow sometime," Sam replied as I could feel myself entering sleep.
"I say we go to a bar…." And I was out.
Dean's POV
"I can not believe I actually allowed myself to come out with you two while my best friend is sicker than a dog back at the motel. Dean, how the hell could you suggest something like this?" I rolled my eyes at Kiki before turning my back to her to throw darts at the dart board.
"Chill out, Kiki. She'll be fine. We're only going to be gone for about an hour or two. You heard Sam. He gave her three Excedrin. She'll be out until at least tomorrow. I still say we should be taking her to the hospital, but whatever. You two seem to know her better than I do," I said, causing her to scoff.
"Well maybe if you didn't fight with her every chance you got, she might just warm up to you and actually talk to you like a human being rather than curse you into oblivion every time she talks to you," she said, causing me to roll my eyes.
"Alright you two. We've got enough on our plate to worry about between Artemis and this missing guy. The local police have ruled out foul play. Apparently, there were signs of struggle," Sam said, causing me to look at my brother.
"Maybe they're right. Could be just a normal kidnapping. Maybe this isn't our kind of gig," I said.
"Yeah. Maybe not. Except for this. Dad marked the area, Dean. Possible hunting grounds of a phantom attacker," he said.
"But why would he even do that?" I asked, causing Sam to shrug.
"Well, he found a lot of folklore about a dark figure that comes out at night, grabs people and then vanishes. He found this too. This county has more missing persons per capita than anywhere else in the state," he replied.
"So you think that maybe this thing is a demon or something grabbing people at night and just vanishing with them? Does anyone ever say what it does to these people?" Kiki asked.
"No. It's just that they never are found," he replied with a nod.
"That is weird," I said.
"Yeah," he said.
"But don't phantom attackers usually snatch people from their beds? Jenkins was taken from a parking lot," I said.
"Well, there are all kinds, you know, Springheeled Jacks, Phantom Gassers. They…."
"They take people, anywhere at any time," I finished for him.
"Look, Dean, I don't know if this is our kind of gig either," he said, causing me to nod.
"Yeah, you're right. We should ask around more tomorrow," I said, causing Kiki to roll her eyes.
"Sometimes I wonder how Artemis and I got stuck with you two in the first place with the way you two interact with one another like this sometimes," she said as she shook her head in disbelief.
"Pretty much like I wonder how we got stuck with you two. As well as the fact that I can recall that the two of you pretty much argue on a daily basis about the next hunt. As far as I can see, you're pretty much like Sammy and I," I said, causing her to stick her tongue out at me. I merely rolled my eyes at the childish gestures usually given to me by Artemis before turning back around to the dart game I was playing.
"I think maybe we should head on back. Check up on Artemis," Sam said as he looked at his watch.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Easy. Let's have another round," I said as I turned back to my brother.
"We should really get an early start, Dean. And I agree with Sam. We should really check up on Artemis. Sleeping pills or not, that girl is violently ill," Kiki said, causing me to sigh in frustration.
"You two really know how to have fun, don't you, grandmas?" I asked, causing Sam to chuckle and shake his head as he stood up. I gave them both a look before groaning.
"Alright. I'll meet you two outside. I gotta take a leak," I said, throwing the darts at the board before grabbing my jacket and heading toward the men's room. A few minutes later, I exited the bar and headed toward the Impala, where I found dad's journal sitting on top of the back of the Impala. Confused as to why Sammy would leave it there since we never left dad's journal anywhere but in our hands or our bags, I threw open one of the doors to the Impala to see if either Sam or Kiki were in there. They weren't. Looking around, I saw nothing and I knew something was wrong. Hurrying back toward the bar, I found several people coming outside.
"Hey. You guys been outside, around here, in the last hour or so?" I asked, causing several of them to shake their heads no. Cursing, I frantically looked around the parking lot of the bar for any sign of Sam or Kiki.
"Sam! Kiki!" I yelled. There was absolutely no response and I was getting pissed. It wasn't like Sam or Kiki to just run off like that. Turning my head once again to search, I spotted a camera in the corner of the bar that was watching the road. Hurrying out to the road, I looked up and down but saw nothing. It was just like they had disappeared into thin air just like Sammy had said about the people of this town disappearing.
"Shit," I said as I realized something. Artemis was not going to be happy when she heard her best friend was missing. And it didn't help the matters that she was sick. She was going to kill me when I told her. Sighing, I headed back toward the Impala and headed toward the motel. Letting myself into the room, I saw that Artemis was still sleeping and I hated the fact that I had to wake her, but this was important. I was just hoping that she would wake up after Sam drugging her with all those fucking pills.
"Come on, princess. You gotta wake up," I said, lightly shaking her as I sat on the edge of the bed. I sighed when all I got was a slight sigh from the girl. At this moment I really hated Sam for drugging her up because not only did I have to find him and Kiki, but I also had to somehow manage to take care of a really sick Artemis.
"Artemis, I need you to wake up. Kiki and Sam have gone missing," I said, shaking her once again. That seemed to do the trick as her eyes fluttered open to give me a confused look. Apparently she wasn't in a deep sleep like I had thought. Or well we all thought when we left.
"What did you say?" she whispered.
"Sam and Kiki have somehow managed to disappear from the bar we were at. I sent them outside while I used the restroom and when I made my way outside, they were gone. My father's book was sitting on the back of the Impala and Sam nor I ever leave it for someone to find like that," I replied. She stared at me for a second before reaching for her glasses and putting them on so that she could sit up. It took her a few seconds to do so, which I think she regretted because I could tell just by the look on her face that she was experiencing nausea again.
"They're what?" she asked as she finally looked at me again.
"They've disappeared. Gone missing," I replied, causing her to stare at me. I figured she was going to start asking questions, but I wasn't prepared for what she did next.
"You let my best friend get kidnapped?! How could you do that?! What is wrong with you?! How the hell can you lose them in a bar?! Oh that's right! You were probably hitting on some woman as you were coming out of the bar! How could you let this happen?!" she yelled, causing me to stare at her in shock for a split second before my eyes narrowed. She was blaming me for this entire thing?
"Listen here, you fucking little bitch. I didn't do anything to cause them to disappear. I had to take a leak and the both of them went outside to wait for me. I wasn't hitting on any waitress so you can just get that fucking thought out of your fucking mind. You can't believe me? I can't believe you. You're fucking blaming me for something you weren't even there for since you're fucking sick as a fucking dog. Even when you're sick you're still a fucking bitch," I snapped as I stood up.
"Well excuse me. Excuse me for getting sick, oh mighty Dean Winchester. You think that just because….." But she stopped talking and took in a deep breath.
"Artemis?" I asked, causing her to shake her in response.
"I'm going to be sick," she said before she leaned over the side of the bed and proceeded to empty her stomach once again. Grabbing the washcloth from the side table, I wet it in the bathroom sink and placed it on the back of her neck as she empty her stomach not once, not twice, but three times. What the hell was she throwing up? There was nothing in her system besides the medicine Sam and given her and some water. Something just didn't add up.
"Artemis, I'm sorry, but I'm taking you to the hospital before you get even worse. You're burning up still and you've got nothing in your system to throw up. You can yell and scream at me all you want when you're feeling better, but I'm taking you to the hospital whether you like it or not," I said as she took a sip of water and spit it out to get rid of the taste in her mouth. She slowly sat up and gave me a glare.
"No," she said, shaking her head.
"Artemis, I don't care what you say but I'm taking….." But I stopped talking when I noticed tears starting to form in her eyes as she shook her head.
"No. I don't want to go," she said.
"Artemis…."
"Dean, please," she whispered as she grasped my arm and looked at me almost pleadingly. What was going on? She never pleaded or begged before. Not even with Kiki. Something wasn't right.
"Art…" But I stopped speaking and wrapped my arms around the tiny body that latched onto me with a small cry. Something wasn't right about this and even though she was sick, I think that this was real. Something that was coming out because she was sick. If she wasn't sick, I knew for a fact that she wouldn't be clinging to me like she was if she wasn't sick. Something was definitely wrong here.
"Alright Artemis. No hospital. But we've got to find Sam and Kiki and I can't do that with you blaming me. I don't like the fact that I have to do this and you're sicker than a dog," I said as I shook my head. She mumbled something and I looked down at her to hear what she was saying, but she merely shook her head and tightened her grip on my shirt. I sighed as I shook my head. What was going on with her?
Artemis's POV
"This is such a bad idea, Dean," I said, shaking my head and leaned against him to keep my balance as he helped me out of the Impala and started walking toward the police station.
"Well if we want to find Sam and Kiki, we have to start somewhere," he said as he gave me a cheeky grin, causing me to roll my eyes. Even though I was sicker than anything, I was up and out with Dean in order to find Sam and Kiki. Even though I didn't like his method of pretending to be a state officer in this small town, I knew he was right for doing it. It was to find Sam and Kiki before something happened to them. If something hadn't happened already.
"So how can I help you, Officer Washington?" I snapped out of my thoughts as I realized we were standing inside the police station with an officer observing Dean's fake id.
"I'm working a missing persons," Dean replied.
"I didn't know the Jenkins case was being covered by the state police," she said, causing me to sigh. I knew this was so not going to work.
"Uh, no. No. This is someone else. This one is my cousin. We were having a few last night at this bar down by the highway with my cousin's girl and I haven't seen him since," he said.
"Does your cousin have a drinking problem?" she asked, causing me to shake my head.
"No. Two beers and he'd probably be doing karaoke," I replied, causing her to look at me before looking back at Dean.
"Is she alright?" she asked, causing Dean to shake his head.
"This is my girl, Artemis. She wasn't with us last night when we went drinking, so she doesn't know anything except what I told her. She's fighting the flu and a fever. Couldn't leave her by herself while I tried to find my cousin and his girl," he replied.
"I see," she said.
"He wasn't drunk. He was…."
"Taken. So was his girl, which happens to be my best friend," I said, cutting Dean off. She seemed to understand and started walking away from the counter.
"Alright. What are their names?" she asked as she sat down at a computer.
"Orion and Winchester. Lauren Orion and Sam Winchester," I replied as Dean set me gently down in a chair before taking a seat next to me.
"Like the rifle?" she asked as she gave Dean a look.
"Like the rifle," he replied with a nod, causing the lady to nod as she began to type away. It was about a minute before she spoke.
"Samuel Winchester. So you know that his brother Dean Winchester died in St. Louis and, uh, was suspected of murder?" she asked as she looked up at us.
"Yeah. Dean. Kind of the black sheep of the family. Handsome though," he replied, causing me to roll my eyes and shake my head. The officer seemed to be thinking the same thing as she shook her head as well.
"Uh-huh. And Lauren Elizabeth Orion. Job is a traveling business woman with a friend, Artemis Flora Summers. I'm presuming that would be you?" she asked as she looked at me. I merely nodded and leant my head onto Dean's shoulder as I felt a wave of nausea hit me. He gave me a look but I merely shook my head and shut my eyes to try and keep myself from getting sick.
"Well, they're not showing up in any current field reports," she said.
"Oh. Well I already have a lead. I saw a surveillance camera by the highway," he said.
"Uh-huh. Country traffic cam?" she asked.
"Right. Yeah. I'm thinking the camera picked up whatever took him. Or whoever," he replied, causing me to open my eyes and roll them at Dean. He merely gave me a look before returning his attention back to the cop.
"Well, I have access to the traffic cam footage down at the Country Works department. But, well, in the meantime, let's do this the right way. Why don't you…uh…fill out a missing persons report and sit tight over there," she said, handing Dean before pointing to a couple of chairs in the lobby area. Dean sighed as he stood up and looked at her.
"Look, officer, he's family. She's her best friend. I mean, I kind of…I kind of look out for the kid. You gotta let me go with ya," he said.
"I'm sorry. I can't do that," she said, causing me to sigh as I shook my head. This was getting us nowhere and knowing Dean's temper, it could blow this cover he was trying to use to find Sam and Kiki. Oh man. Why the fuck did I have to get sick like this? I was no help whatsoever right now and this was something Dean really couldn't do on his own. Especially with his worry over his brother.
"Come on, princess." I snapped out of my thoughts as Dean tugged gently on my jacket and pulled me up into his arms, causing me to whimper just slightly as a wave of nausea hit me again.
"Is she going to be alright?" the officer asked, causing Dean to nod as I buried my head against his chest.
"She's been very ill since the day before and she refuses to allow me to take her to the hospital. So I've been trying everything to break the fever and the flu. That's the only thing I can do as of right now since my cousin and her best friend have gone missing," he replied.
"I think maybe you should get her to the hospital before we further on with this," she said, causing Dean to sigh as I let out a small whimper and clutched his shirt a bit tighter.
"No. She'll be fine. If she worsens before this is over, I'll take her. But right now our main concern is my cousin and his girl," he said, causing the officer to sigh and shake her head as if she didn't understand about why I wouldn't go to the hospital. But she didn't push it any further as she motioned for us to follow her. As I made to move, I gasped just slightly as Dean easily swung me up into his arms and followed behind the officer.
"What are you doing?" I asked as I gave him a look that clearly told him I was confused.
"You're sick and that means slow movements in order to not create waves of nausea that would cause you to get sick. Then we'd be stuck here for the next hour or so instead of trying to find Sam and Kiki," he replied, causing me to blink and stare at him. He sensed my look and turned to his head to look at me.
"What?" he asked.
"Are you seriously being gentle with me?" I asked, causing him to roll his eyes before looking back at me with an annoyed expression.
"You know something? If you weren't sick, I would be dropping you straight onto the concrete right about now. For once in your life I wish you would see that I actually have a heart unlike some people," he replied, causing me to roll my eyes.
"Yeah. For your family. I'm not your family, Dean," I said, causing him to give me a hard glare.
"You might as well be since Sam has taken to you like a fly," he said, causing me to sigh and shake my head.
"He likes Kiki, Dean. You know this. We just have a…."
"Connection. I know. Now shut up before you get sick. You're starting to turn white," he said, causing me to look at him before suddenly realizing he was right. I was beginning to not feel well, causing me to close my eyes and set my head on his shoulder. I heard him sigh open a door before gently setting me down. I knew it wasn't the Impala, but I didn't care as I leaned against the seat and took in a deep breath.
"Is she seriously going to be ok?" I opened my eyes slightly to look at Dean as he sat in the passenger seat of the police cruiser and nodded. He gave me a look before speaking.
"She'll be ok," he replied, causing the officer to look back at me before sighing and pulling away from the station. I sighed and shut my eyes again. This was going to be a long fucking day.
"But it doesn't make any sense, Dean."
"Nothing ever makes any sense to you, princess."
"I'm being serious, Dean. I'm seeing nothing for miles but trees, trees, and more trees. There is no way, if you're telling me that this rust bucket of a truck picked up Sam and Kiki, they could have gotten far without breaking down or something," I said as I gave him a glare.
"You're girlfriend is right. The next traffic cam is 50 miles from here, and your pickup didn't pass that one. So…"
"It must of pulled off somewhere," Dean finished for the officer.
"But I don't see any roads anywhere," I said as I looked out the window at all the trees passing by. If I wasn't so sick, I would marvel at the scenery before me, but my head hurt too much to think and if we didn't stop soon, I was going to be sick again. The nausea so wasn't helping me. The sound of a computer beeping, caused me to look forward as the officer looked at Dean and then back at me. I gulped just slightly as I knew we were so busted.
"I uh…ran a check with our system about your id. It's county protocol when working with state officers. And your id number came up," she said as she looked at Dean. Dean looked back at me and I ran a hand over my face. We were so fucking screwed. However, I didn't hear the rest of what the officer had to say as I threw open the door and threw up. The sound of doors opening made me aware that Dean and the officer had gotten out of the car and had knelt down next to me as I threw up once again.
"She's been like this for two days and you haven't brought her to the hospital? How dumb can you be? Oh wait. You have been impersonating an officer," the cop said as she gave us both a look, especially Dean.
"I tried but she doesn't want to go. I'm not going to force her to do something she doesn't want to do," he said, causing the officer to scoff.
"Well she's going to go because I said she's going to go. She's under arrest just as you are for hiding the fact that you were impersonating an officer," she said, causing me to groan before I emptied my stomach again. I hated this. I seriously didn't know what was wrong with me and I don't think it was the flu. I knew I had a fever because I could feel my body heat just burning, but I knew it wasn't the flu whatsoever. However, going to the hospital just wasn't an option for me. It just wasn't.
"Look, I've tried to get her to go to the hospital but she won't go. She's afraid because she lost someone there and doesn't ever want to go there again. I don't care that you arrest me, but please. Wait until I find my cousin and his girl," he said, causing me to look up at him with a strange look. Did he seriously know that's why I was afraid of hospitals? Or was he just making it up although it was the truth for me?
"I'm sorry, but I have to take you and your girlfriend in? And is she really your girlfriend? She looks a bit too young for you if you get my drift," she said, causing me to roll my eyes and wipe at my mouth as I slowly sat up to look at them.
"I don't care what the fuck you do, but I'm not going to the hospital. And just because I'm short for 21 doesn't mean you can insult me. Or him for that matter," I said, causing her to look at me in slight shock. Dean was too. He expected me to be more quiet since I was sick, but hearing her insult me and him for that matter bugged me. I was the only one that could insult Dean and get away with it. Me only.
"Artemis, it's alright," Dean said, causing me to glare at him.
"I'm sorry, but I have to take you in," she said, causing me to groan. I so didn't want to go to jail because of Dean's stupid ass.
"Please. Wait until after we find them. My cousin is….when we were younger, I practically pulled him from a fire. And ever since then, I've felt responsible for him. You know, like it's…it's my job to keep him safe. I'm just afraid if we don't find him fast…"
"That we'll lose them," I whispered, causing them both to look at me. I looked up and gave Dean a look, causing him to sigh and nod at what I had said.
"I'm sorry. You've given me no choice. I have to take you in," she said as she stood up and walked back over to her side of the car. Watching as she got in, I saw her stare above her to a picture of a guy and a girl. Looking back at Dean, I could see the look in his eyes, causing me to sigh.
"Once we find Sam Winchester." Those words caused me to spin around so quickly that I almost immediately threw up again. But I found myself calming down at Dean's hand on my back as he looked down at me with a small smile. I stared at him for a second before I felt my lips curl into a small smile that caused a smug look to come to his face, causing me to roll my eyes. He never got me to smile and I think he felt like a bad ass or something for getting me to do it, even if I was sick.
"Are you getting back in or what?" I looked over at the officer as she gave us both a stern look. I bit my bottom lip and turned to Dean. He gave a nod and shut the door before getting back into the passenger seat. Looking back at me, I gave him a nod and he smiled. A genuine smile that caused me to chuckle. Maybe Dean Winchester did have a heart after all.
Dean's POV
"Ok officer. I don't mean to press my luck…."
"Your luck is so pressed," she said, cutting me off, causing me to sigh.
"Right. I was wondering…why are you helping us out anyway? Why don't you just lock me up? Lock my girlfriend up for knowing but not saying anything?" I asked as I opened the back door of the police cruiser and handed the bottle of water I had gotten for Artemis to the girl as she lay with her head rested against the seat. She gave me a grateful nod before I returned my attention back to the officer.
"My brother Riley disappeared three years ago. A lot like Sam and Lauren. We searched for him, but nothing. I know what it's like to feel responsible for someone, and for them…..You know what? Come on. Let's keep at it. You're girlfriend seems to be doing a bit better. The sooner we get this done, the sooner you can take care of her more properly," she said before she walked to her side of the car. I gave a sigh but got into the car beside her. Looking back at Artemis, I shook my head slightly as I realized that she had fallen asleep. I didn't blame her. She hadn't slept since I had woken her yesterday or the day prior to tell her that Sam and Kiki had been taken. Or went missing. Which ever you wanted to say. Her fever had finally broke about an hour ago when we had stopped and she finally stopped getting really sick, but I knew that we had to find Sam and Kiki before it got worse again. She needed proper treatment. Sighing, I turned my attention back to the road as we traveled down the same road we had been traveling down. However, this time was different as I noticed something.
"Wait. Pull over there. Pull over," I said, causing the officer to pull over and give me a strange look. Shutting the car off, we got out and began to survey the land.
"This is the first turnoff I've seen so far," I said.
"You stay here. I'll check it out," she said, causing me to scoff.
"No way," I said, shaking my head.
"Hey. You're a civilian. And a felon, I think. And you've got a very sick girlfriend in the back of the police cruiser. I'm not taking you with me," she said.
"Artemis will be fine. You're not going without me," I said, shaking my head. She gave a sigh before she looked at me.
"Alright. You promise you won't get involved? You'll let me handle it?" she asked. I gave her a look and knew for damn sure that I was going to get involved, but she didn't need to know that.
"Sure. Sure," I said with a nod as I gave her a fake smile.
"Shake on it," she said, causing me to shrug and shake her hand. What I wasn't expecting was her to bring the cuffs down on me.
"Oh come on," I said as I found myself being cuffed against the driver side door and her stuffing the key away into her pocket. She merely gave me a look and started to walk away.
"This is ridiculous. Kathleen, I really think you're going to need my help," I said as I finally remembered what the hell her name was.
"I'll manage. Look after your girlfriend. Thank you," she said as she hit the alarm on her car and continued to walk. I cursed and kicked at the ground before I started feeling my pockets for a safety pin. Not finding one, I groaned. Trying to wake Artemis at this point was not an option. If there was one thing I knew, this girl could sleep through a fucking tornado if she hadn't had proper sleep. Noticing the antenna at the top of the car, I started to reach for it. However, the sound of whining growls started to come down the pathway that Kathleen had gone and I started to panic just slightly. Not only did I have to get myself out of the cuffs, but I had to get Artemis out of the car as well. Like that was going to work. As the voices drew closer, I frantically removed the antenna from the car and got to working on the handcuffs. Just as the voices drew near and around the car, I managed to completely uncuff myself and throw myself into a nearby bush. Drawing myself far back from sight, I watched as they drew themselves around the car to probably bring it back to whatever was back there. However, sudden movement from inside the car caught my eye and I cursed.
"Well, well, well. Look what we have here, Lee. A girl in the back of the police cruiser. Pa's going to be quite pleased for another one," one of them said.
"Shit. She's going to kill me," I muttered as I realized that Artemis had to be completely scared at of her mind to wake up to these two lug heads. My thoughts were confirmed when the door was thrown open and she emerged quickly, only to be stopped by one of the guys. I watched kind of helplessly as she struggled against him and screaming for help until she was struck quite hard on the back of her head, knocking her definitely unconscious. Watching as he began to carry her back down the bath they had come, I waited until both guys had disappeared down the path, the growling and whining of the motor vehicle they had used to take Sam and other people, before cautiously and carefully making my way to where ever the path was taking me. I quickly maneuvered myself amongst what I think was a junkyard of cars to the backside of the house where it was like a barn or something. Quietly slipping inside, I ducked at things hanging on the ceiling and carefully stepping my way just in case there was some kind of trap laying around.
"Dean?" I whirled around at the voice and was relieved when I saw the twinkling brown eyes of Kiki staring back at me. Or at least her eyes staring at me. They seemed to have lost their twinkle just a bit, which I didn't blame her for.
"Thank god. Where's Sam?" I asked, causing her to point just slightly to her left. Turning my body in the direction she pointed, I saw my brother and I left out a sigh of relief.
"Sam? Are you hurt?" I asked as I walked toward him and realized that he, like Kiki, was in some kind of metal cage that was built for something like an animal.
"No. A bit banged up but not hurt," he replied, causing me to give the cage a slight bang as I grinned.
"Damn it's good to see you," I said.
"How did you get out of the cuffs? And where's your girlfriend?" I turned slightly to see Kathleen in a similar cage right across from Sam's.
"Oh, I know a trick or two. As for Artemis, she…."
"Wait. You brought Artemis along with you?" I turned back around to look at my brother's face filled with anger. I knew he was getting pissed, but I really didn't have a choice in the matter.
"I really didn't have a choice in the matter, Sammy. It was either keep her at the hotel or bring her with me," I said.
"She's sicker than a fucking dog, Dean. What the fuck were you thinking? What happened to her? Did she get captured?" Kiki asked, causing me to sigh in frustration.
"I had no choice but to bring her along with me. With you two gone, I was left to care for her. And since I was trying to find you guys, she had to come with me. Kathleen over there cuffed me to the police cruiser and I only got them undone and ducked into a nearby bush when whoever is living here came around the side of the car. Artemis tried to escape when she realized what was going on, but they hit her pretty hard in the back of the head. They didn't bring her here with you guys?" I asked as I looked around for any sign of Artemis.
"No. So I'm assuming that she was indeed captured. Way to go, Dean. Now you have to rescue the damsel in distress and Artemis hates that," Kiki said, causing me to groan as I realized what a headache I was in for with Artemis once this was all over and done with.
"Great. Alright. Let's get you guys out of here. Oh…These locks look like they're going to be a bitch," I said as I walked to the door of the cage Sam was in and groaned when I spotted the automatic locks.
"Well, there's some kind of automatic control right there," Sam said as he pointed toward a box behind me.
"Have you seen them?" I asked as I made my way over to where Sam was pointing and looked at the box, which I came to the conclusion that I was going to need something to open those cages with.
"Yeah. Dude, they're just people," he replied, causing me to give him a look.
"And they jumped you? Must be getting a little rusty, kiddo. What do they want?" I asked.
"I don't know. They let Jenkins go, but that was some sort of trap," he replied.
"Yeah. We got to listen to his agonizing screams all night," Kiki added, causing me to raise an eyebrow. Was she serious?
"It just doesn't make any sense to me," he said, shaking his head.
"Yeah. Well that's the point. With our usual playmates, there's rules and patterns to follow. But with people, they're just crazy," I said as I made my way over toward Kathleen's cage.
"See anything else out there?" he asked.
"Uh….there's about a dozen junked cars hidden out back with plates from all over. So I figured that when they take someone, they take their car too," I replied.
"Did you see a black Mustang out there? About ten years old?" I turned my attention toward Kathleen and gave her a look as if to question her myself.
"Yeah, actually, I did," I replied, causing her to sigh and look away. It took me a second before I realized what she was asking about.
"Your brother's," I said, causing her to sigh again.
"Yeah," she whispered with a slight nod.
"I'm sorry. Look. Let's get you guys out of here and then we'll take care of those bastards. This thing takes a key? Key?" I asked as I turned around to look at my brother.
"I…I don't know," he replied, shaking his head and shrugging his shoulders.
"Alright. I better go find it," I said as I made my way toward the door.
"Hey." I turned back toward my brother as he gave me a look.
"Be careful," he said, causing me to nod before leaving through the door I had come through. Noting that it was starting to get really dark out, I maneuvered my way along the house and through another door, which I think led right into the basement. Grabbing a flashlight off a nearby shelf, I turned it on and began looking around. Searching along a shelf, I grunted in disgust as I realized that it was some kind of human souvenir shelf as I saw glasses and brains and other kinds of human looking stuff. Shaking my head, I continued around the corner, where I stopped as I saw picture after picture littering the wall. Getting a closer look, I was again grunted in disgust as I realized that there were dead humans in the pictures with two guys looking like it was a fun game or something.
"Well, I'll say it again. Demons I get. People are just crazy. Crazier than probably Artemis," I muttered, shaking my head before I continued toward a flight of stairs and quietly made my way up them. As I pushed the door open carefully, I heard music and the sharpening of knives or something coming from down the hall, causing me to cautiously move my way down toward the sound. Peering around the corner, I saw a man standing at what I think was a kitchen sink cutting into something I couldn't see. After what I saw downstairs, I really didn't want to know. Turning around, I quietly grabbed a wooden stick that had a sharp metal hook at the end and made my way back toward the kitchen. However, a box full of keys caught my attention and I made my way toward them. Just as I was about to pick them up, a noise from behind caused me to quickly turn around, startling a girl that was standing there.
"Shh…It's ok. I'm not going to hurt you," I said as I took a step toward her. She seemed harmless enough, but I was proven wrong when she pulled a knife from a pocket or something in her dress and slammed it against my side, trapping part of my shirt and jacket against the wall.
"Daddy!" she yelled.
"Geez," I muttered as I tried to pull my shirt and jacket from beneath the knife.
"Daddy!" she yelled again, causing me to pull my jacket and shirt free just as one of the guys from earlier came from down a flight of stairs. Just as I made to move, the other one came from behind and grabbed onto me. Using his lifting me up in the air, I kicked the oncoming guy before being slammed against the corner of the wall and then thrown across the room into the wall, dropping the knife I had in my hand onto the floor. One of them punched me, causing me to punch him right back before kicking a piece of furniture at the other one. Although it was two against one, I was doing pretty good with my punches and such.
"I'm going to kick your ass first. And then yours," I said, pointing to one and then the other. However, just as I made to move, a swipe to the head caused me to fall and darkness to come.
I groaned as pounding racked my brain in the form of a headache. Moving to try and place my hand against my head, I found that my arms were tied behind me. Lifting my head as I opened my eyes, I saw the old man from the kitchen, the two guys, and the girl standing there and staring at me.
"Come on. Let us hunt him," one of them said.
"Yeah. This one puts up a fight. Sure would be fun to hunt," the other said, causing me to scoff as I looked at them in disbelief.
"Oh you got to be kidding me. That's what this is about. You…You yahoos hunt people?" I asked, causing the old man in front of me to lean toward me.
"You ever killed before?" he asked, causing me to look at him before letting out a disbelief of a chuckle.
"Well that depends on what you mean," I replied.
"I've hunted all of my life. Just like my father, his before him. I've hunted deer and bear. I even got a cougar once. Oh, boy. But the best hunt is human. Oh, there's nothing like it. Holding their life in your hands and seeing the fear in their eyes just before they go dark. Makes you feel powerful alive," he said.
"You're a sick puppy," I said, causing him to give me a glare and stand up.
"We give em' a weapon. Give em' a fighting chance. It's kind of like our tradition that's passed down father to son. Course, only one or two a year. Never enough to bring the law down. We never been that sloppy," he said, causing me to snort with laughter.
"Oh. Yeah, well, don't sell yourself short. You're plenty sloppy," I said, causing him to bend down toward me.
"So, what? You with that pretty cop? Or maybe the fresh young girl my boys found in the back of that police cruiser?" he asked, causing my head to snap up in his direction at the mention of Artemis.
"What the hell have you done with her?" I asked, causing him to chuckle as he stood up and nodded to his boys. They gave a chuckle moved toward the opposite side of the room where they moved some things around before pushing a chair toward me with a grin. I tried to move when I noticed that it was Artemis tied to the chair, but the ropes were tight around my arms, preventing me from doing so. Although I could tell she was still unconscious from the hit on the back of the head, since there was a bit of blood that had dried along her neck, it was scaring me just a bit to see her just not moving. She looked like a fucking rag doll that a kid had mishandled and such.
"This one is pretty sick, but we be fixing her up to have us a good ol' hunt. My boys tell me she put up a pretty good fight trying to get away. Or rather tried. So you going to tell me about the cop? Or do I have to persuade you to do so?" he asked as he nodded toward the girl, who took the same knife she had used on me and placed it against Artemis's neck.
"Don't you fucking touch her. Or I will kill you myself," I growled, causing them to laugh.
"Then I suggest you answer my questions. Are you a cop?" he asked as he leant down toward me again.
"If I tell you, promise me you won't make me into an ashtray?" I asked, causing him to give me a glare and stand up and nod to his boys. I groaned as one of them punched me in the face.
"Only reason I don't let my boys take you right her and now is that there's something I need to know," the old man said as he walked behind me.
"Yeah, how about it's not nice to marry your sister," I said.
"Tell me. Any other cops gonna come looking for you?" he asked, causing me to groan.
"Ah, eat me. No, no, no. Wait, wait, wait. You actually might," I replied, causing the one to hit me to grab me by the throat and hold my head back as the old man came forward with a hot poker.
"You think this is funny? You brought this down on my family. All right. You wanna play games? We'll play some games. Looks like we're gonna have a hunt tonight after all boys. And you, get to pick the animal. The boy, the girl, or the cop," he said as he looked down at me.
"Okay. Wait, wait, wait. No. Look, nobody's coming for me, alright? It's just us," I said, causing him to shake his head.
"You don't choose, I will. And you might now like the consequences," he said as he proceeded to bring the hot poker down on me but turned around and laid it on Artemis's shoulder. On her bare skin.
"No! You son of a bitch!" I yelled as Artemis let out a scream.
"Pick the animal, boy, or the girl will get more than a burn," he said as he stopped it inches from her throat. I wanted nothing more than to leap out of this chair and kick the shit out of these people as Artemis's cries rang through my ears.
"Alright! The guy. The guy. Take the guy," I said, causing him to give a smirk and stand up. Taking off a key from around his neck, he gave it to the guy standing behind him.
"Go do it, Lee. But don't let him out though. Shoot him in the cage," he said, causing my eyes to widen.
"What? I thought you said you were gonna hunt him. You were gonna give him a chance," I said, causing him to turn around and speak to his son.
"Lee, when you're done with the boy, shoot the bitches too," he said, causing the guy to give a grin as he took out a shot gun and made his way out of the room. Turning to me, he gave me a glare.
"We have to clean up this mess before any more cops come around here," he said, causing me to give him a look before looking over at Artemis as her body was slumped in the chair, shaking with cries from the burn she had just received. I was getting pissed at what was going on.
"I swear that if you hurt my brother, his girl, or her, I will kill you. I will kill you all. You hear me? I will kill you all!" I yelled. But he seemed to ignore me as he walked toward the other side of the room.
"Lee!" he yelled. But no answer came.
"Lee! Jared, you come with me. Missy, you watch him now," he said as he took a shot gun from his son and left the room, the girl watching over me with the knife that was in her hands now trained on my eye. This was so not good. I was going to kill them.
Artemis's POV
"Hey." Shifting my eyes open, I saw Kiki standing in the door way of my hospital room with a slight nervous look to her face. I gave a slight chuckle and nodded at her to come in, causing her to give a sigh of relief and come inside.
"How are you feeling?" she asked as she sat down.
"Better. My shoulder hurts like a bitch from being burned by that poker, but other than that, I feel ten times better than what I did a couple of hours ago or even yesterday," I replied.
"Doctor said you had a severe case of food poisoning. He couldn't believe you went so long without getting treatment," she said, causing me to shrug lightly. She gave me a look and merely shook her head.
"What?" I asked.
"I just can't believe you would risk your life than go to a hospital for help, Artemis. You could have been seriously hurt. You could have died. I know you don't like hospitals because of what happen to your brother, but that is no reason to be stupid," she replied, causing me to sigh.
"Kiki, I understand your concern and thank you for it. But I don't think you'll ever understand why I think the way I do. Never," I said, causing her to sigh and shake her head.
"You're probably right, but please, please, please don't do that again," she said, causing me to chuckle.
"I promise. Where's Sam?" I asked.
"Bearing coffee for the non-ill and a fresh thing of water for the ill." I let out a chuckle as Sam walked into the room with a cup of coffee for Kiki and a fresh container of water for me.
"How are you feeling? Better?" he asked, causing me to nod.
"I made her promise she won't do something like this again," Kiki said, causing me to roll my eyes.
"Well good. We don't need another episode like we had with you being sick. Although I have learned something. You will sleep through a tornado if we drug you up," he said, causing me to slap him on the arm and laugh as I shook my head.
"Hey Art. You'll never guess what happened on this little nightmare of an adventure," Kiki said, causing me to look at her.
"Dean nearly got himself killed?" I asked with a mocked serious expression.
"Yeah. You wish, princess." I rolled my eyes and looked toward the door where Dean leaned casually against the doorway.
"Ignore him, Artemis. No. Sam asked me out," she said, causing me to raise an eyebrow and look over at Sam as he shrugged.
"You asked her out while you were locked up in a cage? Yeah. You're romantic," I said, causing him to roll his eyes but smile as Kiki gave him a light kiss on the cheek. I pretended to gag, causing them laugh and Dean to shake his head.
"Hey guys. Could you give me a minute with Artemis?" Dean asked, causing Sam and Kiki to look at one another in confusion and then at me. I merely shrugged and gave them a wave of the hand. They took the hint and left the room, leaving Dean to take Kiki's spot in the chair next to the bed.
"How you feeling?" he asked.
"Other than the burn on my shoulder? Just fine," I replied.
"Well that's good. At least you'll be back to your normal psycho self then," he said, causing me to roll my eyes.
"What? You didn't like the sick me?" I asked.
"No. It was rather annoying. Do you know how whiny and bitchy you are when you're sick?" he asked.
"Hello. I was sick. What did you expect? And I should be asking you questions since you seemed so gentle with me while I was sick. Who were you and what did you do with Dean Winchester?" I asked, causing him to roll his eyes.
"I was the same guy, princess. I was just worried about you because of Sam. Sam would have had my head if I didn't take care of you. He's grown very fond of you. Like a little sister in a way. I also have a heart, which you seem to be lacking most of the time," he replied, causing me to shake my head.
"I have a heart, Dean. You just don't see it because you're a stubborn, pigheaded jerk. There are a lot of things that you don't understand about me that your brother does and that's why we are the way we are. He's like my comfort bubble," I said, causing him to raise an eyebrow.
"Excuse me? Did you just say a comfort bubble?" he asked, causing me to roll my eyes at his stupidity.
"Yes, Dean. A comfort bubble. I feel comfort when I'm around Sam. You? I don't even know since we fight half the damn time," I said.
"Yeah well you're a bitch," he said as he leaned back in the chair.
"And you're a stubborn bastard. We're even," I said, causing him to give me a smug look as he made himself comfortable. I merely shook my head and leant myself back into the pillows.
"You're a mystery sometimes, Dean Winchester," I said.
"As are you, princess. As are you," he said, causing me to tilt my head just slightly and look at him. He had busied himself with a magazine, causing me to shake my head. A typical guy. Shutting my eyes, I thought about what had happened earlier. Sam and Kiki had defeated the crazy people holding us captive and had rescued Dean and myself from the crazy 13 year old girl that had wanted to cut out Dean's eyes. Dean had carried me all the way back to the police station before taking me to the hospital where I was now. It was a comforting touch that I felt with Dean for some reason. I knew it was probably nothing, but there was something there that I couldn't put my finger on. I felt a protection and a comfort in these situations when I was with Dean. I don't know. I couldn't really describe it. I wasn't sure what was going on and I knew that if I didn't figure it out, I was going to be in for one hell of a ride if it came full force. I had to untangle myself from the mystery of Dean Winchester before something went wrong.
