Hey guys, sorry its taken me a bit to post this! I'm having some trouble with the next couple of chapters; writers block!
But please enjoy, and review!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything, except Gracieeee
GRACE'S POV
I was in a dark room.
I didn't know how I got here...wasn't I sleeping? I looked down at my pale arms, the little white scars had seemed to disappear. I was wearing a purple dress with white trim on the end. Confused I looked around, realizing how empty the room was. How motionless everything was except the steady thrum of the ceiling fan.
Whoosh…Whoosh…Whoosh…. . . . . .
Suddenly the fan slowed and then creeped to a stop. The battered wings wavering before blending in with the quiet atmosphere. Sweat dribbled down my back, the hotness now setting in.
"Hello Grace."
I spun around, heart racing. There in the corner was a tall Caucasian man with reddish blonde hair, he grinned mischievously his blue eyes glowing. My breath quickened when I realized I didn't know this man. I looked around frantically; where was Sammy? Where was Daddy and Uncle Dean? I slowly backed into the other corner never taking my eyes off of him.
"Oh please Grace, I wouldn't hurt a kid. I just wanted to visit, come say hi." He said soothingly, except he didn't seem sincere. He crouched down to my level but still kept his distance, "I got you this nice dress, you like it? Pretty just like you." His cold stare made me shiver and I looked down, my hair hanging in front of my face.
"Hey, don't be like that. Come here."
Before I knew it my head snapped up and my body was being flung towards him. I gasped and looked up at him. I didn't do that! Gulping I held my sweaty hands together, confused as to where we were and who he was.
His cold fingers grasped my chin and tipped it upward, "You have a lot of potential Grace, a lot of growing. Don't let the Winchesters squish your power. I'll be watching kiddo…always watching."
I lurched up, trying to control my breathing. I was in the bunker. I was safe. I was just dreaming; it was just a nightmare. I repeated over and over to myself hugging my knees. I shivered, it felt so real though. Who was that man in it? What did he mean I had great power? I was just six years old…
Anxiety creeped over me and I started to suck my thumb. I know Daddy and Uncle De were trying to break me out of it, but it was comforting and they weren't here.
I looked around me, I was in Sammy's room. His minimal style comforting and lonely at the same time. He didn't have many possessions, however I didn't either. They were painting my room, and Daddy said I couldn't stay in there until they were done. So I slept with Daddy which was fine by me—the nightmares seemed to stop when I was snuggled in his long arms.
Thinking of Daddy made me miss him more, I couldn't wait until he came in and told me nap time was over. So I slid off the tall bed, pulling my blankie with me.
I padded out of the room barefoot and tried to find my way through the maze. I was quickly remembering all of our rooms, but the kitchen, library and living room were still hard for me to fine right away. As I peeked around a corner, I saw Uncle Dean drinking a beer and watching TV.
Even though I was silent as a mouse, he turned his head to see me. He grinned, his green eyes crinkling warmly.
"Hey there baby girl, wake up from nap time?"
I nodded and padded over to him. He patted his lap and I didn't hesitate in jumping up and curling up against him. His warmth radiated and I basked in the familiar scent of oil, smoot, and leather.
Dean noticed the thumb in my mouth and pulled it out, "Hey remember what I said? Thumbs are for hitchhiking not eating. Now what's wrong?" he inquired and I blushed not knowing if I should tell him the truth.
Don't let the Winchesters squish your power.
"Bad dream." I mumbled into his chest. I wasn't lying it was pretty horrible, but I didn't intent on telling him the whole thing.
He looked like he was going to question me when I interrupted him, "Where's Daddy?" fumbling with the buttons on his flannel, my wet thumb slipping on the plastic.
"Sammy went to go get supplies for the hunt we're going on…don't worry he should be back any moment. He left right as soon as you fell asleep." He could still see I was upset and sighed, "How about we watch some My Little Pony until he gets home, huh?
"Okkkkkk." I dragged out, pouting and continued watching TV with Dean. It wasn't that I didn't love him, I liked him a lot. He played with me, teased me and gave me lots of hugs and kisses. But Sammy…took care of me. I felt so safe with him here, with Daddy.
The door opened, and Sam walked through the door holding bags. I whipped my head around crying out, "DADDY!" I quickly got down from Uncle Dean's lap and ran to Sammy, tripping in the process. The floor rushed towards me and I shut my eyes, but I never landed. Strong arms grabbed me and swept me up in the air. Yelping I opened my eyes to see Daddy throwing me in the air and spinning me around effortlessly.
"Daddddy, stop!" I giggled, bursts of laughter tumbling out of me. He stopped and cradled me in his arms, smothering me with kisses.
"How's my peanut doing? You had a good nap?" he kissed my nose which I scrunched up. I nodded and didn't tell him about my strange dream. For some reason my gut was telling me not to. But I did catch Dean's strange look at me and I paled. Uh oh, they talk about everything to each other…hopefully Uncle Dean will forget what I told him.
He smiled, dimples appearing on his tanned face, "Good. Now let's get some food in that belly!" he made a funny face and started tickling my tummy. I screeched and wiggled out of his grasp. He gently placed me to the ground and ruffled my hair.
"Be a good girl and play until dinner's ready." He then left to get dinner started. I followed him and clung to his jean leg. Anxious feelings were beginning to captivate me and I didn't want to let Daddy out of my sight. He had just got home, and that dream had still shaken me up.
Sam looked down and frowned, prying me of his leg, "Gracie, Daddy can't play right now. I promise we can after dinner." But I wasn't having it. I sat on his foot, whining.
Before Sam could say anything Dean stepped into the room, "Relax man, she's been missing you since she woke up with you gone. I'll make dinner tonight—and don't fret, I know she can only have some things."
"Thanks man." Daddy replied and scooped me up, walking me into the living room. He sat down on the sofa, drawing me closing and rocking me.
"What's wrong peanut? Talk to me."
I couldn't keep it a secret. The words were spilling out of me before I could stop them, "I had a bad dream when you were gone…"
Sam looked utterly defeated, "Sweetheart I'm sorry I wasn't here. Do you wanna talk about it?" he rubbed my arms looking at me earnestly.
I froze. If I told him about the strange man in my dreams…would he get mad? Or would the strange man know I told and go after him? I couldn't risk that. I would have to deal with it myself, no matter how much it terrified me.
I shook my head and leaned back, playing with Daddy's shirt. I felt him sigh and could tell he wanted me to talk about it.
"Ok, well whenever you feel ready we can talk ok?" he murmured softly and rubbed my back. At that moment I felt so safe, and I knew I had to protect Daddy and Uncle Dean from whatever I saw in my dream. For some reason I felt as if they were in trouble, that something was coming for them.
"Hey kiddos, it's dinner time!" shouted Dean from the kitchen. Daddy was watching the news, and I was now sitting at the base of his feet playing with my new toys. I wasn't really hungry, but didn't want to make Daddy upset so I followed him into the kitchen.
Uncle Dean had made a salad (not for him), spaghetti, and garlic bread. While he helped me onto my booster seat; since I was too small to reach the table, Daddy was getting my plate ready. I liked spaghetti and my tummy grumbled, guess I was a little hungry!
After Daddy and Uncle Dean got their plates we dug in, Uncle Dean already had sauce all over his face and I giggled. He made a face at me and slurped a long piece of spaghetti into his mouth. Little specks of sauce flicking everywhere; including Daddy's face. I burst out laughing, choking on the little food in my mouth.
Daddy patted my back and wiped his face, "Seriously Dean? Could you act your age for one minute?" when I finished coughing he also wiped my face, "Sweetie drink some milk."
I sighed and took a sip of my milk, then going back to nibble on my bread. I managed to eat some of everything when I became full. I started playing with the rest of my food when Daddy started talking to me.
"Grace, Uncle Dean and I are going to be away for a day or so next week. Our very good friend Cas is going to look after you. He's a little strange but we trust him very much."
"Your…leaving?" I asked and dropped my fork. Did that mean they weren't coming back? What did I do?
"Kiddo were only going to be gone for a day don't worry!" Uncle Dean exclaimed and started cleaning the table.
I looked at my cold unfinished food, now I had no appetite. "But…why? Where are you going?" I squeaked still feeling lost. They haven't left my side in two weeks and what if they didn't come back?
Daddy and Uncle Dean gave each other that look, the one where they somehow talk without talking. I noticed they did that the day I came. I shifted in my seat, impatient for an answer.
Finally, Daddy looked at me seriously, "Grace we have some…business to take care of. Not something little girls should be involved with. I promise we will call as much as we can while were away." His stern voice told me not to talk about it anymore and I looked away flushing. I didn't understand all these secrets they kept from. I knew they were trying to protect me but I still hated it.
"Can I be done now?" I asked quietly, squirming in my seat.
Daddy looked at my plate sadly, I only ate half my meal. Usually he and Dean tried as hard as they could to get me to eat a lot but tonight Daddy looked tired and still sad from our conversation.
"That's fine, go play and then I'll give you a bath."
I hurried off my seat and ran to Sam's room, Uncle Dean's words of "no running in the house" blurred in the tornado of my feelings. I shut the door, grabbed my stuff bear and scurried underneath the bed. Sob's began to rack my body, leaving me paralyzed in anxiety and despair.
SAM'S POV
I watched as Grace dashed out of the room; Dean calling after her, "Hey no running in the house!"
I ran my hands through my hair exhaling. It wasn't easy raising Grace. What with the emotional outbursts, and sudden mood changes, Dean and I were barely above the water. I was starting to second guess myself, maybe I wasn't cut out to be a Dad.
"Dean…maybe we shouldn't take the hunt."
My brother stopped washing the dishes and turned around, "Bro, she has to learn to be without us sometimes. This is such an easy hunt, and we haven't been out doing this in weeks! I'm kind of itching to get out and do it. She'll be fine, maybe Cas can stop by soon so they can meet each other."
"Is Cas even capable of taking care of a child?" standing up, I walked over to the trash and threw out Grace's untouched food.
"Well no not really but who else are we going to ask? Jody is busy enough with her job, hunting and taking care of her girls. Bobby isn't around anymore…it's going to have to do Sammy, don't know what else to say." And with that he grabbed a beer from the fridge and walked into the living room.
I moaned, conflicted. I didn't want to leave Grace, not when she was still healing and trusting us. But maybe this was a good thing, she was a very clingy little girl and this would give her the chance to have some space. Not that I liked it.
I decided to go check on her, and get her bath started up. I walked up to my door and knocked.
"Gracie? Honey you ready for a bath?"
After hearing nothing I jiggled the doorknob and opened the door.
The room was empty.
"Grace?" swallowing I looked around, but didn't see her at all. Panic gripped me, where was she? Before I could turn around and ransack the house looking for her I heard sniffling.
My ears perked and I heard it coming from my bed. I stepped quietly towards it and bent down. I saw her huddled underneath, eyes swollen and red. Snot had run down her face and she gripped her teddy bear.
My heart broke.
"Gracie…sweetie what are you doing underneath there?" I asked gently, easing my way down. My knees cracked and I winced stooping so low to the ground. No man of 6'4 should ever have to be so low to the ground.
"Was I bad? Is that why you and Uncle Deanie are leaving?"
I swear to God I wanted strangle the man who did this to her. To make her feel so afraid and vulnerable that she acted like this.
I instantly pulled her into my arms, watching her head so she didn't hit it, "Peanut you weren't bad. Dean and I will be back I promise; we would NEVER leave you." I kissed her forehead and comforted her. Soon her cried vanished to an occasional sniffle here and there.
"How about a nice bath to make you feel better? Does that sound good?" I looked down and she nodded rubbing her puffy eyes. Eyes were glazed over and she looked exhausted. Dean and I learned fast how quickly it took for Grace to get tuckered out. We started to learn the signs such as glazed over eyes, thumb sucking, yawning and lots of cuddles. Even with the naps we gave her, she still was usually falling asleep at bath time or dinnertime.
I led her into the bathroom, holding her small hand in mine. After turning on the water to the tub I helped her out of her clothing. Soon the water was filled and warm so I plopped her into it. I gave her some bath toys while I cleaned her. She soon snapped out of her mood and began playing happily with the rubber duckies.
"Zoooooommmmm Zoooommmm!" she splashed the ducks and I ducked out of the way. I laughed and bopped her nose.
"What do ducks say Grace?"
"QUACK! Quack, quack!" she exclaimed smiling, her rosy cheek shinning. I beamed, massaging her hair with shampoo.
"Yes Grace, good job!" I cooed rinsing all the soap out. She grinned and continued to play, making mindless noises and splashing still. These were the times that I wished lasted forever. With her so happy and acting like a normal child. But I knew someday we would get there.
After rinsing her off I drained the tub and wrapped her in a big fluffy towel. I could feel her shivering and picked her up. Making my way into my room fast so I didn't drip anywhere. I let her pick out her jammies, this time they were the Minnie Mouse pair.
I checked her bottom again and it wasn't as red as before. I sighed in relief and released her waistband.
"Come on sweetie, get under the covers." I pulled back the blankets and watched as she climbed into my bad and snuggled into the soft sheets. Pulling the blankets over her I smiled and kissed the top of her head. She yawned and her eyes closed slowly.
"Love you Gracie."
