It became a routine for her-walking the halls during the late night and early morning hours. She'd explore through the many rooms that the bunker held, and there were plenty to place was bigger than the 'friggen white house' as Dean would put it. Cas would retreat to his room and watch TV till all hours of the night, Sam and Ami would certainly keep themselves occupied, and Dean would read until his body forced him to crash. So to entertain the many lonely hours, she'd roam the halls.
She was an hour in and she felt herself not up to the task tonight, so she decided TV was the next best option. She headed towards the living room. Dean had set one up in there the other day, complaining that it was to much like a library in here and he wanted to to feel more homely. Ellie smiled at the memory of him throwing a small bitch fit about it and running to a 24-hour Walmart. Although Sam and Cas seemed unfazed by his little outbursts here and there, she found them somewhat adorable. He was cute when he got all flustered and frustrated. As Ellie passed Ami's room, she noticed the empty bed, which only meant it was Sam's turn tonight. As she walked past Cas's room, she could hear the reality tv show echoing behind his closed door. Figures, she thought. He'd been on a binge since 9pm last night.
Ellie made to pass Dean's room next when suddenly an uneasy feeling washed over her. She felt... nauseous and lightheaded, grabbing the wall next to her for support. The taste of copper covered her mouth making her cough. She turned her head and noticed Dean's door was slightly ajar and she could hear him tossing and turning violently in his sheets.
Ellie pushed the door open and made her way next to his side. The sound of his increased heart rate beat in her ears, and the sweat pouring down his face indicated that he was having another night terror. She quickly got down on her knees and laid a hand on his cheek. Suddenly his breathing slowed and she felt him calm under her touch. Even though he was deep in sleep, she knew he was a bit more at peace with her presence. She tried to enter his mind but for some reason she was blocked out, like a wall keeping her away. She felt helpless as she watched him shake a bit, his sweat increasing. All she could do now was try and ease whatever pain he was mentally in.
"Shhh," she whispered, using her softest tone. "You're okay." She jumped a bit when she felt a hand grip hers tightly. She made to get up and grab a towel from the bathroom when she felt a tug almost take her back down.
"N-no. S-stay," he murmured. His voice was raspy and strained, as if he had been silently crying for hours. She frowned at the desperation in his words. She placed her other hand on his forehead, he was still asleep and still in his dream.
"I am, I will be right back." She whispered. He seemed satisfied with her answer and reluctantly let her go. She ran into his bathroom and quickly grabbed any dry towel she could find. After rinsing it in chilled water, she made her way back towards his bed.
He had managed to curl up more tightly into a ball, and she eased her way down next to him. The last thing she wanted was for him to feel imposed upon, so keeping him asleep was the best plan. Gently, she dabbed at his flushed cheeks and laid the cool rag on his head. Dean slowly unwinded from his tight position and relaxed a bit. Ellie had only read about night tremors, being more common in younger children with traumatizing situations. But Dean? She didn't exactly push the idea of considering he's been through more than enough traumatic experiences to gain night tremors. To be honest, she surprised he didn't develop them the night his mother died all those years ago.
A couple of hours and three Enochian lullabies later, his aura started to glow its usual blue shimmer and she smiled at the sight. He was final sleeping peacefully.
Ellie made to get up and leave when she felt Dean's clammy hand intertwine with hers, holding them protectively. A small shock radiated through her hand and she jumped. What the hell? She thought, confused. Why did that keep happening? Almost every time she had touched him, she'd felt a pang of electricity spread through her and warm her. She could still hear Dean's soft breathing, so luckily it didn't wake him. Swiftly, Ellie untangled their fingers and she headed for the exit, glancing back at him once more.
4:00 am. It was 4 in the effin morning, as Ellie sat amongst her thoughts in the quiet living room. She kept replaying the scene of Dean's hand interlocking with hers. And that spark. That weird electric feeling she got when they touched. Did he get it to? Was it a side effect of being his guardian? She knew there connection was powerful, she had felt the moment she got within even a mile of him. And that moment, she felt his emotions when she was near his room. What was happening to hers?
Suddenly she heard a thump near the front door. Her eyes shot to the stairs and In the pitch black she could just barely make out a tall figure attempting to open it. She narrowed her eyes and attempted to identify who it was.
"Shit." That was all Ellie needed to know it was Dean. She heard the door shut behind him softly. What the hell was he doing leaving at 4 am? Bars were closed along with strip clubs and any other place he'd be trying to escape to. Without another thought, she closed her eyes and flew into the passenger of his Impala.
–
Dean slid in, not noticing her yet as he tossed his duffle in the back seat. When he went put the key in the ignition when he finally saw her and nearly jumped out of his skin, gripping the steering wheel tightly.
"Fuck!" He said, covering his face. "Why, WHY! Why?!" He groaned, slamming his hands down.
"You know, 4:00 am isn't exactly prime time binge drinking hour," Ellie replied cooly. He mumbled something before turning to her.
"Please get out." She tilted her head. "Stop with the damn head thing, you look like Cas. Who I am also trying to escape from, out-"
"No." Her word wasn't malicious or challenging. It was a simple just no. "Where are you going?"
" I need a case, Ell. I can't sit in this goddamn place anymore," he said impatiently. His forehead
rested on the steering wheel between his hands.
" So dipping in the middle of the night alone, with no back up, is the best plan?"
"Well it freakin worked on Cas-"
" I'm not Cas. I'm Ellie, and my senses towards you are slightly more in tune than his." She rolled her eyes.
" Get out. I need to get on the road."
"What about Sam?" She asked curiously. Dean rubbed the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes before leaning back.
" What about him, Ellie?"
" Does he not hunt with you anymore?"
"No, Sammy can stay home. He doesn't need to leave right now. I need to just gank something and get back-"
"So it's about your urges again...does it have anything to do with your nightmares?" He groaned and then realization struck. He turned to her narrowing his eyes.
" It was you.. you.. you were in my freakin dream?!" Ellie could feel the anger radiate from him.
" I'm only trying to help you-"
"Please don't. Just go. I need to do this case and fast"
" Then I shall join you if you don't want Sam and Cas around." Dean clenched his jaw tightly, everything in him tensed up. She could tell he was trying to keep his temper down.
"I ain't going anywhere with you here so." He said crossing his arms like a child and leaning back. Luckily for her, her patience level was quite high so she could more than willingly sit here till the sun rose for all she gave a crap. Dean, however, was fidgety as hell and ready to throw a fit. He was clearly beyond his normal agitation level. "Why do you wanna come huh? It's a freaking salt and burn-"
" A what?" As many times as she's been around hunters, she's never really been on a hunt before. She was always fascinated about their work, especially when they had no powers and still managed to kick monsters' asses.
" A ghost for Christ sake-" Ellie's head shot towards him warningly with his use of terminology and he faltered a bit. "For fuck sake.. Listen it's not that big of a deal-"
" Dean, you're not exactly stable."
" Oh okay, it's about the mark." He sighed; she could feel his emotions. She was about to crack him.
" No, not at all."
" Angels are terrible liars, Ellie, and I can now see Archangels are as well." He grumbled.
" I'm not stopping you. I'm accompanying you," she said softly. After a few minutes, she heard his sigh of defeat.
" Fine, don't get in the freakin way." He started the Impala, and she gave him a triumph smile. He rolled his eyes as he sped onto the dirt road.
Xxxx
Five hours of driving was nothing for Ellie, but she was still confused as to why Dean was so opposed to just flying. He lectured her for about an hour on the subject before she once again asked, still lost on the reasoning.
" Ellie, you don't arrive at a freaking case like Arnold Schwarzenegger busting down a damn door, okay? You need to be stealthy about things, you need to adapt to human ways before we get caught," he said as they walked towards his newly acquired motel room. She followed in pursuit as he slid in the card and unlocked the door. He carried a rather professional looking suit and a bag filled with other odd items. He tossed the duffel on the bed and Ellie sunk into the table and chairs. Dean quickly disappeared into the bathroom without another word.
" I thought you were hunting a ghost, Dean? What does perfectly crafted JCREW business attire have to do with.." He emerged from from behind the dingy door, not paying mind to the fact he was half naked in front of her. The last time she saw him like this she was to beaten and broken to comprehend what was actually happening. But now, she was completely awake and aware of everything, including the toned lines of his muscles. She trailed off, her lips slightly parted. She felt heat rise to her cheeks as her mouth became dry and her hands became clammy.
" Jeeze, Cas never asked this many questions. What'd they have you locked up a freaking vault up there?" He asked pulling the suit from his protective plastic,not looking at her.
" Not a vault per say..." She whispered as he once again disappeared to the bathroom. After a couple of minutes, Dean walked out dressed in his business wear. Ellie had to refrain from biting her lip as her heart increased and her breath almost caught. The blazer fit him so well as did the tightly tucked white dress shirt and the slim lined black slacks. She watched him adjust his blue and black striped tie in the mirror above the tv.
" What, do I look bad or something?" He asked, giving her an amused smile after noticing her expression in the reflection. She quickly looked away, feeling the red in her cheeks. Had she really been staring that obviously?
" N-no. Actually I was gonna say you... you clean up quite well." She avoided eye contact. His lips curl into a smirk.
" Thanks." He said, winking dramatically as she rolled her eyes. " No offense, but you might wanna you know..."
"Might want to.. what?" She looked at him, puzzled.
" You need to change." he stated matter of factly.
"Whats wrong with the way I'm dressed?" She looked down at her perfectly coordinated outfit of choice.
" You need to look like you're legit." He sighed at her confused expression. " Ell, you need to look like you're in the FBI, not some freakin Macy's commercial."
" I understand." She snapped her fingers, and within seconds she was in black skinny dress pants, black tall boots and a dark green dress shirt. She pulled on her black waist coat and examined herself in the mirror. "Better?" She asked Dean, looking for a sign of his approval. His mouth opened and closed a couple of times before he nodded.
"Show off." He grumbled making Ellie smile.
Xxxxx
Ellie and Dean pulled up to the police station, and parked on the side. As Ellie made to get out, Dean grabbed her hand and pulled her back in.
"What?" she asked. Dean opened his glove compartment and searched around a bit.
" You need a cover..." he replied, grabbing hold of a black folder. He smiled and opened it checking something. "Here, put this in your pocket." Ellie took it, confused, and flipped it open.
" Dean... how did you-" Her eyes went wide as she noticed a photo of herself next to a shiny gold FBI badge.
" Sammy had them made up a couple weeks ago. Not sure why, something about being cautious or some crap..." He mumbled not really paying attention. When he didn't hear a reply he looked up to see her smiling a bit to herself. "What?"
" You were planning on having me come on hunts with you?" Dean's cheeks tinted a slight red color and he looked away.
"N-no, It... it's just in case you needed it and now you do so." He quickly slid out of the Impala and pocketed his own. Ellie gave him a small smirk before he rolled his eyes defensively at her. "Listen you have to put on a real business front okay? No stuttering or anything. You gotta be real stiff, make it look like you're the real-"
"Dean, please. I can handle this," she said reassuringly. Dean silently prayed she wasn't lying, considering the time he took Cas on his first hunt and he ended up looking constipated and confused the entire time. When they reached the doors, Dean entered first followed by a confident Ellie. The officer at the front desk looked up and eyed them skeptically.
"FBI," Dean said as he and Ellie pulled out their IDs. The officer nodded in acknowledgement.
"Can I help ya'll?" She asked.
" Yeah can we speak to your supervisor? it's about the Crysler case." Dean said, glancing around.
" What's the FBI looking into a case like that one?" the officer replied, stepping down from the desk and leading them towards the back.
" We'd rather not go into detail." Dean gave her a small smile before thanking her. He turned and looked back at Ellie. "Show time," he whispered before they both entered the office.
Xxx
As Dean and Ellie left the station, dean went over what the chief had told them. They got back into the Impala and Dean sat for a moment gathering his thoughts.
"But what the hell does this ghost want." He murmured. "Three rich ass men dead in three days." Ellie looked through the folder they got, going over every detail.
" Well look at this, the night before their death, they all visited some weird bar called Daisy Dukes. " Dean grabbed the paper and read over it. His smile grew wide and he looked back up at her in amusement. " What?.."
" Daisy Dukes is a topless bar," he said smugly. Ellie's face fell immediately.
" You're joking." He shook his head, slightly over excited.
"Not even a little." He said, pulling away from the station. Ellie groaned inwardly. "Guess we're going to a boob bar!"
"Yay." she mumbled, crossing her arms.
Xxx
When they arrived at the bar, Dean and Ellie were shocked to see the state of the place. Especially because all the vic's were basically millionaires. It looked like it was ready to collapse in on itself.
" This looks promising." Dean said sarcastically.
"God this can't be a proper work place." Ellie whispered as she and Dean stepped out of the impala. They both took a deep breath and headed towards the beat up door being guarded by a large bouncer.
"FBI, I'd like to ask your girls a couple of questions." Dean asked, tightening his jaw. He and Ellie pulled out their badges once more before the bouncer gave a nod and let them in. The inside was even more traumatizing than the outside. The smells of smoke and alcohol filled their noses. Ellie waved her hand in front of her face trying to clear her vision. She noticed Dean's eyes scanning over almost every girl that walked past. Typical. But something in the pit of her stomach heated up. Suddenly a feeling of irritation came over her.
"Will you try and focus?" Ellie narrowed her eyes and smacked his shoulder. He grabbed his arm and rubbed it.
"R-right," he replied quickly. Suddenly one of the waitresses with long blonde hair and piercing blue eyes walked towards them. She smiled at Dean mischievously and licked her lips.
"Can I get you anything, sweetie?" she asked seductively, running her hand down his tie. He gulped and tried to keep his professional composure. Once again, Ellie felt the pit in her stomach and she
attempted to refrain herself from smacking the girl across the face.
" Actually yes, you can get us your manager." Ellie replied, hotly bringing them both back to reality. The blonde gave a displeased look and nodded. Dean felt Ellie's gaze baring into him, and he's pretty sure if looks could kill, she'd be dragging his ass back to hell personally. He cleared his throat and straightened his suit out avoiding her stare. He noticed her cross her arms and narrow her eyes at the retreating waitress.
' And you're telling me to be professional?" She spat before walking towards the back, not even bothering to wait for him. He sped up to get next to her trying to hide his flushed cheeks.
"Ell I'm a guy, it's in my nature, lighten up a bit.." He muttered, his eyes darting every which way.
"Women are not for your personal playtime, Winchester." Ellie chastised, throwing a glare in his direction.
"Do I dare detect some jealousy?" A smug smile played on his lips. Ellie stopped dead in her tracks. Yup, that had to be what she was feeling before, but like hell she'd let him know that.
"Don't think so highly of yourself." She snorted. Dean's smile fell and she could've sworn she saw a bit of hurt in his eyes before he stood tall and walked past her without another word.
They arrived at a backroom covered in black paint and concrete floors, accompanied with the smell of high levels of nicotine and whiskey. Dean knocked on the door and opened it without waiting for an answer and walked right in.
" Mr. Walker, we're with the FBI , mind if we ask you a couple of questions?" Ellie started flipping her badge open then shut. Dean pursed his lips, admiring her sudden take of control. Damn I guess she can do it, he thought black leather chair behind the desk swiveled to face them.
"Agents, may I offer you something?" Walker said gesturing to his private bar. Ellie and Dean shook there heads. " So what can I do for you?"
"Would you say you're good at recognizing faces? Like some of your regulars? " Ellie crossed her arms as Walker nodded slowly, pressing the tips of his fingers together.
" Perhaps. Is something wrong?"
"You could say that, three of your regulars ended up dead the past three days. And they each happened to be at your bar the night before their murders." Dean finished, standing next to Ellie. Walker nodded again and sighed.
Dean laid out the photos in front of the man and he frowned.
" Ah yes, Ben, James and Elliot. The all had a very odd taste for my girls."
"Such as?" Dean pressed on.
"They used to come in for one specific service girl, I believer her name was Chloe. Very beautiful brunette with amber eyes. One of my favorite employees." The man trailed off. "But I figured they'd leave after she had gone missing about a month ago." Ellie shot a look to Dean.
" Do you have a file by any chance?" The man nodded and pulled out a blue folder. Dean made to grab it but he pulled it away a smirk playing on his lips.
" Uh, I don't think so pretty boy. This has a cost to it." Ellie could sense Dean's anger rise.
"We're federal agents. We don't do blackmail." Dean snarled and Ellie narrowed her eyes at the man.
" Please boy, I know fake IDs when I see them. Besides, it's a small cost to pay for a possible heroic action on your part."
"What do you want?" Curiousity getting the best of the hunter. The man's lips curled up deviously and his eyes landed on Ellie. She made a face of disgust at him as she realized what he was implying. Dean shot a look between the two before he walked around the desk, digging his fingers around the man's throat.
" You grimey rat bastard." Dean said his grip tightening. The man began to gasp for air. "Apologize, you arrogant piece of shit." His words were low and dangerous. Dean's rage radiated and ellie watched his soul blacken. Suddenly she noticed faint red glow through the jacket of his right arm. "So help me, I will break every bone in your little body" He growled.
"Dean-" Ellie said warningly, suddenly the man coughed and mumbled something.
" What was that?" Dean asked sarcastically, pulling at his ear. When the words 'I'm sorry' slipped from the man's blue tinted lips, Dean released his death grip. He grabbed the blue folder and walked towards Ellie placing his hand on her lower back and leading her towards the exit.
Xxxxx
The drive back to the motel was more than slightly tense. It was down right scary. The color of dean's beautiful blue soul was an angry blood red. This wasn't normal anger, it was almost animalistic. His grip on the steering wheel tightened and his knuckles whitened. Every once in a while the street lamps would light the care up and she noticed his hardened emotionless expression.
"Dean.." Ellie started. She watched him rub at his face.
"That disgusting sick bastard." He muttered his eyes still glued to the road.
"It's fine." She tried to reassure him. She knew this world wasn't just filled with decent people.
"Elliana. It's not fine." She sighed, knowing it was just better for him to let out his frustrations. The drive was longer then it felt, but they finally made it to the hotel. As they entered, Dean immediately tossed his keys on the kitchenette and started to undress.
" No good skeevy friggen asshole." Dean continued mumbling. Ellie watched him pull off his blazer then began undoing the buttons on his shirt, once again leaving her staring at his naked torso. Half of her wished he'd stop getting undressed in front of her like she was invisible, but the other half kind wished he'd never stop. He shook his head and continued talking to himself. "And the worst part is, I couldn't kill him. I wanted to watch the goddamn light drain from his eyes." He said turning to Ellie. She wasn't even aware he was still talking, her mind occupied by other things. "Ellie?" He asked, waving a hand in front of her face. She immediately snapped out of her trance, praying he didn't notice her staring again.
"S-sorry. What?" She asked, a bit flustered. Good, he didn't notice, she thought in relief.
" Alright, I'm gonna catch my four hours. You gonna like... fly somewhere or?" He asked pulling off his dress pants, leaving him in nothing but his boxers. It took all her willpower to keep her eyes trained on his.
" I uhm. I can go sit in the car if it makes you uncomfortable." She heard him let out a laugh before he shook his head.
" Nah you can stay, just please don't watch me sleep." He chuckled lightly. She nodded with a small smile and flipped through a couple pages of the newspaper on the she heard his light snoring she settled a bit more. After about an hour, she felt his emotions shift and frowned. She heard him whimper a bit and within seconds, she was at his side, her hand gently placed on his forehead. He relaxed a bit before sitting up straight and gasping for air. Ellie watched him sadly as he tried to catch his breath.
"Sorry I felt you having a nightmare. You were... you were suffering." He gulped and rubbed the sweat from his face.
"Y-yeah. I know don't worry about it." He said softly. He was silent for a moment before unsurely turning to her," This is gonna sound kinda weird but... could you just lay next to me? They seem to ease up when you're around." He grumbled looking down.
"Of course." She whispered. She stood up and kicked off her shoes and then her coat. He laid back down slowly and she crawled under the covers, giving him proper space. She once again listened to the sound of his peaceful breathing before she herself closed her eyes.
Xxxx
She didn't think he realized it, but she kinda hoped he did. Dean's arm was lazily wrapped around her waist, and his head was buried slightly between her shoulder blades ,she couldn't help but smile. His soul had been the most calm she's ever seen it. His soft and steady breathing was like music to her ears. She loved that he was able to sleep comfortably, especially when she was around.
He stirred a bit before cracking an eye open and noticing her. She wasn't looking at him or anything, just laying there her eyes closed. Just because angels don't sleep didn't mean they relax every once in a while. He noticed where he placed his arm sometime during the night and quickly pulled away sitting up quickly. He sleepily mumbled an apology and ran to the bathroom. Her smile faded to a frown, was showing affection so hard for him? She heard him walk back out and start to pack his bag. She turned over and sat up, trying to access what he was thinking.
"S-sorry must've thought you were like a pillow or something..." He trailed off, avoiding eye contact. She shrugged and slowly got up from the bed.
" It didn't bother me." She said quietly giving him a reassuring smile and squeezing his arm. Was that to flirty? At this point she really didn't care at all. There was no denying their bond was becoming stronger. She just hoped he was feeling the same.
Xxxxx
They had managed to burn the bones as dean referred to it. Turns out a very vengeful ghost of Danielle Merrik was taking out the men that had been taking advantage of her when she was alive. Dean didn't really want to burn her bones, wanting to let her get revenge on all the men who treated her like an animal more than a human. Once again the ride home to the bunker was silent, the radio playing a variety of rock music. Sometimes, Dean would humming to the lyrics. She felt Dean's soul and it had returned to its blue shimmer. She couldn't help but look his way every so often, smiling at how carefree he seemed when it was just him and the open road.
"Why do you keep looking at me like that?" He asked, amused. Ellie shrugged.
"Your soul. It's lighting up with such radiant and vibrant colors." His eyes widened.
" I forgot you can see that..." He whispered. "So what else can you see that I can't?"
" My wings for starters." She said looking out the window casually.
"What do yours look like?" She knew he meant it was a conversation starter, but she could feel his curiosity. She smiled.
"They are black with silver tips. They expand well over 50 ft on each side." She heard him whistle inwardly.
"Damn, thats pretty crazy. No wonder demons smoke out when they see you." Ellie laughed.
" Well I can be intimidating." He snorted and she shot him a look. "Excuse me, do you think otherwise?"
" I've only seen you loose your shit once, and the poor guys penthouse paid the price. But you don't seem so scary when you're not mad." He shrugged. If he only knew what she was really like. What she had been created for. A warrior of heaven. A beacon of instant fear to anyone who crossed her path. Her brothers saw it. That's why she was locked away for so many years. Her quietness caught his attention.
" I didn't mean to offend you or anything-"
"No not at all. I was just lost in a thought." She said reassuringly. He nodded and turned back to the road, the sounds of Journey filling the speakers.