KNIGHT IN TARNISHED ARMOR

Disclaimer and Story Summary:

See Chapter 1

Beta:

Msokiedokie

Chapter Notes:

I can't apologize enough for how long this chapter has been in coming. I have a lot going on with one thing and another.

This chapter was going to be a lot longer but I decided to break it into 2 chapters. The good thing about that is that chapter 8 is already half written.

I have a web site now and I am in the process of putting that together. I am going through my stories one by one and adding art to them for the web site, but it is taking longer than I had hoped with everything else going on.

As I did last year I have also made some beautiful calendars 4 in total and they are now available for purchase on eBay. There are 4 different calendars:

~Men of Supernatural

~Supernatural Season 5

~Jensen

~Jared

To find them on eBay follow these steps:

On the eBay home page Click on advanced search (to the right of the search button)

In the box on the left click on- By seller

In the- Enter seller's user ID Type- footyseaeagle (all lower case)

Check- Show close and exact user ID matches

Click- Search

Enter the verification code in the box and click- Search

On the new page click on- seller's items (at the right of page)

And if you want to check out my web site the address is: .com

Keep in mind it is a WIP and will get better over the next little while.

So after all that here's what you have hopefully been waiting for; chapter 7, enjoy.

Chapter 7: Amelia's Story

The hours that had passed since he had woken on Amelia's couch had been confusing and frustrating to say the least as he tried to come to terms with the loss of his memory.

He clutched at anything that seemed remotely familiar trying to remember how and why these few and far between things seemed familiar. But unfortunately those things tickled the edge of his memory but didn't penetrate far enough to unlock the trapped, hidden, memories.

The first night with Amelia's help he stumbled and bumbled his way up the stairs. There was a small landing half way up and then the stairs branched off to the right. At the top a hallway ran the length of the house split at one end by the stairs; a small balustrade enclosed the descending stairway.

With their feet at last planted on wood of the hallway; he leaned against the balustrade for a few moments. There were 2 doors on his left and 2 doors on the right. Amelia steered him to the right. In fits and starts they made their way to an open doorway furthest away and then into the room beyond.

The short journey up the stairs had exhausted the little strength the soup he had consumed earlier had provided.

Amelia flicked on the light before propping him up against the wall immediately inside the door. She rushed over to the neatly made large single bed and pulled the covers back.

"This is… was Nick's room." She corrected herself as she came back to him.

Damon noted the correction but was too exhausted to ask who Nick was and what had happened to him. He was having enough trouble coping with the exhaustion and the whole no memory thing and all he wanted to do was to lie down on the bed that looked so inviting. Amelia took his arm and helped him the short distance to the bed.

He fell half across and half into it, his legs hanging off the side miraculously his head hit the soft downy pillow.

He sighed in relief to be off his rubbery legs and uncooperative leaden feet. He didn't realize he had closed his eyes but he felt his legs being maneuvered from the floor onto the mattress before a moment later the covers settled over him surrounding him with instant warmth and comfort. Damon was asleep before Amelia turned off the light.

Dreams of a tall shaggy hairy figure whose features were always fuzzy and unclear and was always out of reach followed him to wakefulness. He tried desperately to get a look at the stranger before he faded away into nothing and he opened his eyes.

He felt pretty good stiff and a bit sore in various places but on the whole good. Propping himself up on his elbows the he surveyed the room. It was bathed in natural light that snuck in from behind the heavy dark blue drapes pulled over the two windows one to his left and one opposite the bed. The color scheme was decidedly masculine and rustic the chest of draws and the closet on either side of the closed doorway into the hall were made of some kind of heavy dark wood. A hinged window box underneath the window to his left the chair beside the bed on the same side and the bedside table to the left of the bed were all made of the same wood.

Throwing back the covers he got stiffly to his feet and stretched out his joints before he threw open the drapes. The shadow of the house fell across the colorful bright orange fall foliage of the tall willowy sugar maple trees. Spotted in amongst the maples were sturdy Oaks. A well travelled, unpaved driveway with a short strip of grass down the middle came from out of sight around the side of the house disappearing into the dense trees. The other window looked out onto more of the same trees. They swept away as far as the eye could see.

Turning away from the window Damon's eyes fell to the bedside table. There was a pile of neatly folded clothes with note on top anchored down with a pair of balled up chocolate black socks. A pair of tan colored boots stood to attention on the floor at the base of the table.

Damon pulled the note out from under the socks and peered at the neat handwriting.

Damon,

Here are some of Nick's clothes for you to wear, I think they should fit?

You'll find fresh towels in the bathroom across the hall last door on the right.

Amelia.

Throwing the note on the rumpled bed he picked up the clothes and the boots pulled open the door and stepped out into the hallway. There was a closed doorway opposite; the space between broken by the balustrades guarding the stairs. And further down the hallway another door on either side. He made his way to the one Amelia had said in her note was the bathroom turned the knob on the paneled door and pushed it open. The bathroom was fairly large; tiled in pastel green and pink. A deep antique looking claw-footed tub jutted out into the room at right angle to the wall to his left; a showerhead protruded from the wall where the tub met the wall. Attached to the wall and supported from the ceiling above the tub was a circular metal shower rod circling the tub a plastic shower curtain with seashells on it hung from the rod by metal rings was pulled back and bunched up at one end. The pastel pink toilet with a wooden seat and lid was beside the tub. The rays of the sun peeped in through the 2 frosted windows opposite the door; in between the windows was a vanity with pastel pink basin to match the tiles and the toilet with a large warped mirror above it a shaving kit was placed to one side. A large linen cupboard and a clothes hamper took up the space on the right side of the room. A towel rail was inside the door to his left, two mint green towels hung over the rail.

He crossed to the vanity letting the boots fall to the floor he placed the clothes on the top next to a tooth brush, a tube of toothpaste and what on closer examination turned out to be a shaving kit. He gazed intently at the face that looked back at him; it was the face of a stranger. Short light brown hair framed a high forehead, high cheekbones and a strong jaw covered in dark stubble so long it was almost but not quite long enough to be a beard; his full lips were cracked and dry. Rolling back his lips and gritting his teeth he was pleased to see they were even straight and white. Too pale cheeks and an ever so slightly off center nose were dotted with a smattering of freckles. The left side was marked with reddened burnt skin a deep gash ran down the right side below his hairline. Bruised looking skin circled green eyes framed with thick dark lashes; fine laughter lines crinkled the corners.

He thought back to last night when Amelia had handed him the book the bodice ripper and had to admit that he did look like the guy on the cover, Damon Knight.

His neck and chest were also covered in small burns nicks and cuts. The bandage wrapping around his right forearm looked stark against his lightly tanned skin.

But it was the scar marring his left arm below his shoulder that drew his attention. It was raised, red and inflamed looking and the shape was unmistakable a hand print a human hand print had been branded into his skin.

Damon ran his fingers over the raised smooth, shiny flesh. It didn't cause him any discomfort or pain which led him to believe it was not new and had been with him for awhile. Another mystery to go into the suitcase sized mystery file that was his life.

With a sigh he turned away from the mirror and divested himself of his grubby somewhat on the nose boxers and threw them into the corner.

Taking one of the towels off the rail he crossed to the shower and placed the towel on the floor beside the tub, leaning over the tub he turned on the water and then unwound the bandage around his forearm and hurled them at the small trash can on the floor in between the toilet and the vanity.

The long wound on the inside of his arm looked slightly inflamed and raw at the center but the edges appeared to be lying together and the healing had begun. That smelly poultice must have done something.

Testing the water under his hand he climbed stiffly into the tub pulling the plastic curtain around him. On the side of the tub was a clean folded face washer a pump container of cream colored shower gel and container of shampoo and conditioner.

He stepped under the strong flow from the showerhead the warmth from the water felt good as it soaked his hair and ran down his aching battered body, the water stung as it entered the cuts on his head, chest and the wound on his arm.

The hot flood of water beat against his skin relaxing the stiff sore muscles of his neck, shoulders and back. After a minute he shampooed and conditioned his hair that done he wet the washer pumped the shower gel onto it and soaped his body washing away the grime, sweat and sickness that covered his muscular fit looking body.

Feeling clean and refreshed he was moving more freely when he toweled off patting dry the cuts on his chest and arm. With the towel wrapped around his waist he made use of the toothbrush and shaving kit and then dressed in the clothes Amelia had provided; although a couple of centimeters short and a little baggy around the waist the jeans fit reasonably well and the flannel shirt was a little tight across the shoulders and around the biceps. So this Nick was or is stockier, chunkier but not as broad as me?

Damon ran his hands through his short still damp hair then sat on the closed toilet to pull on the socks and boots both of which fit perfectly.

Placing the damp towel across the rail he put the shaving kit back in the bag and zipped it up then holding them between two fingers he opened the clothes hamper and threw the filthy boxers inside.

Moving freely he came down the stairs into the living room. Amelia had tidied up the couch that he had woken up on showed no sign that he had been there the patchwork quilt was folded neatly across the arm.

In the fireplace there was a new fire laid ready for lighting on the mantel directly above it were several framed photos, curious he crossed the room to get a closer look.

The first photo had been taken under a large oak tree was a tall young man dressed in a dress army uniform his dark hair cut short in typical military style. Standing beside him leaning in close one small wrapped around his right arm was Amelia; a younger Amelia. Wearing a 2 piece long sleeved tailored knee length pale mauve suit, high heels a small darker mauve handbag over her arm; her hair topped with a small matching dark mauve hat was shorter, loose curled away from her face and without as much gray. She was smiling; a look of great pride shining from her soft gray eyes.

The middle photo was a head and shoulders portrait of a young family. A similar smile as on the young military man beamed out at the camera his hair slicked back away from his forehead. His arm was around the shoulders of the slender woman standing at his side her brown hair teased up into a beehive reminiscent of the 1960's. Her eyes were averted to the swaddled, sleeping baby in her arms a smile of love and happiness curved her painted red lips. His proud smile and gray eyes reminded Damon of Amelia's smile in the first photo.

The end photo was a grainy black and white of a young boy of around 9 or 10 and a younger girl probably around 6 or 7. The boy grinning widely from under the long bangs of a short back and sides was wearing a buttoned up shirt tucked into old fashioned knee length pants held up with braces, long socks that came up to the knees protruded from buttoned up ankle boots. The younger girl was standing beside and slightly in front of the boy a mass of fair curls held in place by a wide ribbon tied in a bow at a jaunty angle framing the shy smile on her young delicate face, her dress had puffy sleeves, a matching bow to the one in her hair at her waist the dress puffed out below the waist with layered flounces down to the calf length hem. Her small feet were encased in what looked like satin ballet slippers.

"That's me and my brother, Teddy when we were young." Amelia's quiet voice said from behind him.

He looked over his shoulder in direction of the voice. Amelia was standing in the doorway leading to the kitchen she was dressed in similar clothes to last night. Her face was in shadow and he couldn't see her expression.

Damon turned back to the photo. "There's a strong resemblance."

He felt her come up behind him.

"Yes everybody used to say we were. Teddy hated it used to say he didn't look like a girl," Amelia gave a huff of laughter; "he hated me calling him Teddy."

Damon pointed at the middle photo. "Is that him as well?"

"Uhuh. Teddy, Marjorie and Nick, he was only 5 weeks old when that was taken."

"So Nick is your nephew?" He plucked at his shirt. "These are his clothes?"

Amelia perused his outfit. "They fit, I thought they would." Her gray eyes fell on his arm where he rolled up the sleeves of the shirt. "Your arm looks better I should dress it again to keep it clean."

"It's fine. Damon said distractedly. "Nick he was in the army? "He asked inclining his head at the remaining photo.

Amelia picked up the framed photo and smiled. "This was taken in 1987 when Nick graduated from the military academy."

"He's a fine looking young man, is he serving overseas?"

"No, he's…" Amelia placed the photo back on the mantel and looked up at him; tense sad expressions on her face the glint of tears in her soft gray eyes.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry," he placed what he hoped was a comforting hand on her arm. "It's just that I don't know anything much about myself and I am curious to know about you, the woman who saved my life or if you like you can say I'm a bit of a Nosy Parker."

She looked back at the photo then back at Damon. The beginnings of a smile curving her lips "Alright Mr. Nosy Parker I'll make you some lunch and I'll tell you everything; you must be hungry?"

"Lunch what time is it?"

"After 12."

"Where does the day go?"

Amelia put the photo back on the mantel and when she turned back to him she was smiling a full on smile not the tentative lift of her lips, and Damon was glad to see the sadness leave her face.

"Come on I'll make us some sandwiches."

- KITA -

Amelia watched with amusement as Damon put down the mug of coffee he had been sipping at and lifted up the top slice of bread examining the contents of the sandwich she had put down on a plate in front of him.

Pearl had come and sat staring up at Damon or rather Damon's sandwich, licking her chops in anticipation of getting a tidbit or two.

Her eyes still on Damon she slid onto the kitchen chair opposite him and placed a plate with her own sandwich down on the table.

Seeing the strange look on his face as he examined the contents of his lunch she smiled.

"Something wrong with your sandwich, Damon?"

With the top slice of bread still held in his hand he looked up a puzzled frown on his handsome face.

"There's lettuce and tomato in here and other green stuff." He stated the obvious.

"Well yes it's a cheese and salad sandwich; don't tell me you don't like cheese?"

"No I love cheese but I don't usually eat lettuce and tomato I mean vegetables unless they're on a cheese burger with bacon and extra onions."

"Well actually tomato is a fruit not a veg-" She broke off suddenly a look of delight on her face.

"What?" He asked a quizzical look still on his face.

"You remembered, remembered that you like bacon cheese burgers and you don't like vegetables."

His puzzled look gave way to one of pleased understanding. "Hey yeah I did."

"What else do you remember?"

He plunked the slice of bread back on top of the sandwich put his elbows on the table and leaned forward.

"Nothing consciously but I had this recurring dream about a man he was in shadow and I couldn't see his face. I wanted to see his face so badly but he was always out of reach one step ahead of me. I tried to get to him because I knew it was important…he was important, like he has the answers to whom I am," he paused then shook his head, "I don't know it sounds kinda lame." His green eyes lowered to the table.

Amelia pushed her plate to one side and leaned forward unconsciously mimicking him.

"No it doesn't, it's a step in the right direction, and you're starting to remember things like the burgers the vegetables this man in your dreams, its good Damon really good. Every day you'll remember more and then all the pieces will fit together I'm sure of it."

"You really think so?"

"Absolutely."

"I hope you're right."

"Now eat your sandwich and I want you to eat all the salad, and the tomato, I've got some apple peach pie but you have to eat all your salad first."

He looked up then his eyes alight with pleasure. "Really apple peach pie, I love pie."

Amelia grinned back at him. "There you go there's one more thing you remembered, that you love pie."

"Amelia you're awesome."

- KITA -

Damon was half way through his second piece of Amelia's excellent pie.

He he'd been tossing up how to bring the conversation back to her. So he was surprised when it was Amelia who said.

"My father was in the Air Force he was shot down in WW2; my mother thankfully was a strong woman. As long as I could remember she worked to support us. Ted was 3 nearly 4 years older than me so a lot of responsibility for me fell on his young shoulders. He was my big brother I looked up to him we were very close. Sometimes I'd call him Teddy, he would roll his eyes and say Am, its Ted or Theodore, Teddy is a bear. But you know I think he kind of liked it when I called him Teddy. He was my guardian and protector, teacher, my confidant, my best friend; he used to say it was his job to look out for his little sister."

Damon looked up from his plate to Amelia he nodded because for some reason this scenario was familiar. Maybe I am a big brother?

"Mother died when I was 14. Ted was already working and going to night classes. Mama had insisted that Ted get a good education. About 2 years after Mama died I introduced him to a school friend of mine. Marjorie and Ted it was funny at first they couldn't stand each other. They were married in 64. By then Ted was running his own successful advertising business he bought me this house and made sure I was financially secure. He said although he was married it was still his job to look after his little sis."

Amelia gave a quick smile her eyes filled with the memories then she continued.

"Marjorie had 2 miscarriages before she carried to full term and Nick was born in 68. It turned out she couldn't have any more children so Nick was their only child. He was a sweet lovely boy he was so much like Ted. In 76 they were on their way here to visit when their car was involved in an accident," Amelia drew in a deep breath and then continued, "Teddy and Marjorie were killed but Nick escaped without a scratch."

Light in room dimmed and he was transported to another place another time. There was the hum of a powerful engine the murmur of men's voices. Without warning his body was jolted sideways and the darkness was filled with an earsplitting crunch and grind of metal on metal. Then he was somewhere else looking on as a huge semitrailer impacted with a big black car the 3 occupants thrown violently to the side. The semi continued its forward motion pushing the black car forcing it sideways off the road into the brush.

Amelia's worried voice brought him back from screech and grind of the vision or memory or whatever the hell it was.

She was calling his as yet still unfamiliar name.

"Damon, Damon, what is it?"

"Nothing I…"

"Were you remembering something?"

"Not sure… maybe. Were Ted and Marjorie blindsided by a big truck a semitrailer, by any chance?"

"No a tire blew out they hit a tree, head on. Are you alright?"

He saw the concern in her face her reminiscing momentarily forgotten.

He gave her what he hoped was a reassuring smile.

"Yeah I'm good. What happened after the accident?"

Amelia looked unsure but continued.

"Being his only living relative Nick came to live with me. He was only 8 and he missed his parents, heck so did I. It was hard at first not just for him but for me as well. Anyway we made it through. When Nick was 19 he and his friend enlisted in the army. After he graduated he came home as often as possible helped me maintain the place I'm afraid I've let it go to rack and ruin since."

"Was he a good soldier?"

Amelia nodded.

"He was. It was good for him he needed the male companionship that the army offered I mean he had spent over 10 years living with his old spinster aunt."

"Then in 92 he was shipped off to fight in the Desert Storm conflict. He was killed in a skirmish 2 weeks later."

Damon looked at his half eaten pie his appetite forgotten; pushing the plate to one side he reached across the table hand laid his hand on top of Amelia's giving it a gentle squeeze.

"Amelia I'm so sorry."

She lifted her sad tear filled gaze from the table to meet his concerned face.

"I knew even before that man in a military uniform came to the door and handed me that letter, I felt it in here."Se tapped her fingertips against the spot over her heart

As if sensing her mistress' distress Pearl abandoned her spot beside Damon she flopped down next to Amelia and rested her big muzzle on Amelia's lap.

Unconsciously Amelia stroked the top of her white head. "It was a long time ago 18 years this coming February," she paused then added, "I vowed to myself on that day that I would never bow my head in prayer again, and I kept that vow until-" Her voice broke on the last word.

"Until?" He asked.

"The night you came to me when you lay on my couch on the verge of death with a fever over 104."

"I'm sorry I made you break your vow."

"Don't be sorry I'm not. Maybe the prayer helped maybe it didn't. But Damon you're alive and that is the most important thing."

To be continued…

This chapter is really to tell Amelia's back story; with a little Dean/Damon thrown in; so no Sam in this chapter but never fear he will return in chapter 8.

Thanks for reading, please review.

I promise chapter 8 won't be so long in coming.

Silvertayl 57