Thank you again for those who are sticking around. Just three more chapters after this and we'll be ready for a brand new adventure joined once again with the Winchesters and the amazing Lark! Thank you for the reviews and I hope to get more!
Chapter 12
"Nothing happened." Lark said as she sat and watched Christina gather up eggs, meat, vegetables and some cheese and sat them on a counter.
"I didn't say anything." Christina said turning around to grab two large skillets and two large bowls. "Would you break these into that bowl, please?" She asked placing the eggs in front of Lark.
"Sure." Lark said sliding over an empty bowl and began to break the eggs into them. Christina, after cutting up the meat and vegetables, began to search through the cupboards to find flour, salt, shortening and baking powder and brought them over to the other bowl. They worked for several minutes with nothing passing between them except the breaking of eggs and the sound of the oven heating up.
"He kissed me and we just held each other." Lark said finally wanting to end Christina's silent pestering.
Christina nodded slowly waiting for something else to be said. But Lark didn't continue. "Then what?"
"Nothing. We just held each other trying to comfort each other because of what we were going through." She watched Christina worked on measuring the mix of dry ingredients before adding a few eggs while Lark talked. "I thought I was falling for him, but there's nothing there. No real feelings. Not like your bro...friend you told me about."
Christina stopped and looked at her with a narrow questioned look. "Wow...you have feelings for one of my brothers don't you?" She watched as Lark's cheeks turned pink and knew that answered that question. "No offense, they are really easy on the eyes." Spreading out some flour, Christina scooped out the dough onto the counter to knead it.
"I thought you'd be more upset that I didn't go after Devin."
"Oh, I'm more annoyed that you're hiding those feelings. Especially if you have them for one of my brothers." Lark's cheeks burned as she looked at the eggs that were in the bowl. "Lark, why are you afraid to tell someone of your feelings? Let me guess, it's gotta be Dean. You know why I think that? Because you both are so much alike." Christina both asked the questioned and answered it herself.
"I...I just don't want those feelings to get used against me." Lark confessed quietly.
Christina sighed and placed her wrists on her hips and gave Lark a soft glance. "Listen to me sis, demons, vampires, ghost and everything else that we hunt will use anything and everything to get under your skin. Trust me I know. You shouldn't deny yourself those feelings regardless. "
"Then explain to me why you aren't in a relationship?" Lark countered deciding if she was baring her soul it was only fair that Christina did the same.
Christina stopped what she was doing and looked away. Lark had finished with the eggs and was going to leave when Christina cleared her throat before quietly saying, "Because I lost my fiance and our son in a fire Last November."
Lark stopped. She didn't know about any of this and she slowly sat back down on the stool waiting for her to continue. She got the feeling Christina needed to talk and was going to give her the chance. She remembered being told by Sam that it helped to talk about things and let others help.
"They were killed on the day of my wedding to Stan. He and our son Alex, were...getting ready when they never showed up at Bobby's house. I found out Stan died protecting our son while Alex died in the ICU later that night." Christina wiped tears that were falling down her cheeks, before she took in a slow breath to steady herself before she continued. "I know I'll never be over their deaths and I don't want to be in a relationship just yet. But I don't like seeing someone else denying their feelings for love." She fought back more tears. "Lark, I'm not wanting you to feel sorry for me. But you shouldn't deny those feelings you have. What would you do if Dean, Sam, or even Devin get killed whether it be on a hunt or a car accident, what then? You'll beat yourself up knowing you could've shared those feelings with them. But you're just so damn scared of what you can't control to allow yourself what you can." She shook her head and found a rolling pin and began to roll out the lumpy mass on the counter.
"I'm sorry for your loss." Lark said watching as Christina rolled out the dough on the table before taking a cup to make little circles and set them on a baking sheet. "So you're afraid too, I guess."
"You could say that." Christina said placing a full baking sheet in the oven that had dinged telling the two that it had preheated. "But I know one day I'll be able to move on and be happy with someone again. With or without these fears." She walked over to the sink and washed her hands. She then picked up a towel and began to clean the area that she used to prepare her food. "Why don't you go get dressed for the day? Breakfast will be done in about thirty minutes."
"Are you sure? I can help you with this." Lark said "I do know a little about cooking."
"Yeah, I'll be fine. There's not a lot that needs to be done." She tried to smile but it came out sad.
Lark was hesitant when she got off her stool because she wasn't sure if she should leave her friend alone right now. It seemed they had more in common then she thought. When Christina didn't say anything else, Lark turned to leave when she stopped watching as as her friend took a whisk and began to mix the eggs not looking at Lark at all. Lark kept looking at her friend for a minute longer before leaving to go to her room to change. As she neared the stairs she saw Devin walking out holding two cell phones. He stopped and blushed a little before walking to her and handed her one of them.
"Thank you." Lark said seeing the phone was working even though a small crack could be seen across the screen. She saw she had 17 new voice messages, 25 text messages and 34 missed calls that were accumulated in the last day and a half. She looked up at Devin who shrugged wondering who all of them were from.
"Thought it might help you out." He said before he left for the dining room.
Lark smiled at Devin's back, but it was a sad smile. She felt guilty that maybe she did lead him on, giving him false hope that he had a shot. She also felt guilty for the all the sacrifices Christina was doing but knew they needed all the help they could get on this case. She also figured most of the text she got were from Dean and Sam checking in and her and on Christina.
With a heavy sigh, Lark walked up to her room and unlocked the door. Her room was just like she left it and she quickly grabbed some clean clothes before walking into her bathroom. Even though she knew there were only three people in the B&B, lark took a cool shower calming her nerves down as she cleaned herself off. They needed to solve this case and fast. Maybe then she'll be able to leave and find an easy hunt to take her mind off of things.
~DSCWIN~
Lark had just finished putting on her shirt when there was a knock on her door. She quickly answered it and was surprised to see Dean standing there holding a tray of food. "Dean?" She asked stepping to the side allowing him to enter. "What are you doing here?"
"Got my brother to talk." He said with a growl as he set the tray on her bed. "We got here just a little while ago."
"Why did you bring up my food here then?" Lark asked seeing an omelet with meat, vegetables and cheese. Along with two homemade biscuits and a few slices of crispy bacon.
"Our sister's in one of her...pissed off moods." Dean said looking over his shoulder. "I don't think she's in the best mood for company right now. She's barely tolerating us. She's too stubborn to thank us for showing up. She is after all a pain in the ass at times."
"Just like the Winchester men I hear." Lark muttered but Dean's sharp trained ears he picked it up easily and quickly. He gave her a playful glare into her, his green eyes catching the glint from the early morning light. "Hey, it's not my words. I heard them from Bobby and Chris." She defended herself.
"Christy." Dean said softly. Lark gave him a questioning look. "If you're gonna call her by her nickname it's Christy. 'Chris' was what Stan, her fiance, called her."
"Oh, I didn't know that." Lark said softly. "But it was what Christy has said." Dean nodded and smiled.
"Yeah, I can hear them both saying that, and it's true." Dean chuckled. "So Christy wanted to head up to the cave in about an hour. Sam and I are planning on staying here."
"Why not you and me go up to the cave, while Sam and Chris..Christy stays here. She's already put so much on the line with this case already and I don't want to ruin the rest of her vacation time. I feel guilty with all that she got involved in already."
"What do you mean?"
"Oh, she didn't tell you that..." Lark stopped when she realized what she had said. She didn't want to get Christina into trouble, but Dean gently grabbed both of her shoulders and stared hard into her eyes. Lark stared back into the emerald sea that were his eyes and she felt her legs start to tremble. She could feel the walls inside start to crack but she kept them from exploding. "She got hurt twice since we started this case." She admitted softly.
"Like how bad are we talking about?" Dean asked his voice hypnotizing. "Like a paper cut?"
Lark shook her head her eyes still fixed on Dean's. "Like a bump on the back of her head and a stab to the back." Worry flashed through his eyes as he gently let her go.
"Thanks for letting me know." Dean said before he opened the door to leave. "Enjoy your meal there Lark. Christy's one hell of a cook."
Lark stood there and watched as the man she could see herself with, leave closing the door behind him. She wanted more then anything to run out after him and pull him into a kiss to know what it felt like. But she knew deep down she wasn't that bold.
The smell from the food was intoxicating and she looked over at the tray Dean had brought up. As she took her first bite, guilt soon settled in the pit of her stomach. She had betrayed a friend's trust by telling her older brother what had happened. She pushed aside the food and left the room deciding she needed to apologize before she could completely enjoy the meal.
~DSCWIN~
Lark had reached the top landing of the stairs when she stopped hearing loud arguing inside the dining room from behind closed doors. She saw Devin sitting on the bottom step looking like a child overhearing a parent's argument.
"I'm a big girl, Dean!" Christina yelled before there came a sound of something fragile crashing to the floor and shattering. "Look what you made me do!"
"What I made you do?!" Dean argued back.
"Guys knock it off!" Sam's voice emerged from somewhere in the room, making Lark and Devin look at each other. Both wondered what was happening behind the closed doors. "We have a case that we need to deal with. You two getting at each other's throats isn't going to help anyone solve it."
"Yeah, you're right there Sammy." Dean said his voice getting closer to the door as it had lowered into a more calming volume. Devin and Lark both moved away from their spots not wanting anyone to think they've overheard the screaming match inside the dining room. "Let's get this case dealt with then we're leaving."
"Good, I may be able to enjoy my vacation after all." Christina said her voice going further away from the dinging room door. Most likely heading into the kitchen.
"No, once this is done we're all, meaning all three of us, are leaving. You're not leaving our sight again, you hear me?"
"Over my dead body, Dean."
Lark could hear the snarl from Dean as clear as day. She had caused her friend to fight her older brother. After all they just wanted to protect her. She knew Christina was too mad to see it.
"That could be arranged, especially if you stay here."
Dean swung the doors open and noticed Devin and Lark both standing next to the desk trying to act as though they were in the middle of something and didn't see him standing there. Dean let out a deep sigh and headed for the back door while Sam walked out and headed for the front. Only Christina was inside in the dining room on her hands and knees picking up pieces of a plate and glass off the floor. Lark stepped to the doorway and even from the angle she could see tears falling down Christina's cheeks.
~DSCWIN~
The hike was hot and unbearably quiet as Christina forced herself to walk in the back away from her brothers and Lark and Devin. Dean took the lead followed closely by Sam. Lark and Devin were a few feet away from Sam.
Nobody was speaking and even the natural sounds of the forest were quiet in their wake. It had seemed nothing wanted to interrupted the darkness that slowly headed up the trail.
"Where's this cave, Healing?" Dean snapped making everyone look up at the sudden noise.
"Just around the next bend." Devin panted. He felt out of place as he was the only one that was breathing hard.
The cave was a tall thin opening that was cut inside the face of the mountain. Dean and Sam each pulled out their pistols ready to fire. Lark grabbed hold of Devin's arm and gently pushed him until he was directly behind her. She glanced behind her and saw Christina holding her weapon but refused to make eye contact with anyone.
"Everyone stay close." Dean ordered over his shoulder, lowering his head as he made himself smaller. Sam and the others did the same but as they entered the mouth of the cave they froze. A high pitched noise echoed inside full of pain and anguish. Dean moved his fingers to the left and right silently giving everyone military movements and each followed. As they moved, Lark pushed Devin to the side of the cave and slid an extra pistol into his hands. He looked uneasy as it had been a while since he held one but accepted the weapon regardless.
Something stirred in the darkness of the cave as the creature stood up standing at the height of nearly seven feet, but the shape was hard to determine. It slowly turned and headed towards the mouth of the cave making Dean quickly and silently moved behind a large boulder keeping his weapon up and ready to fire. The creature stopped and began to sniff the air. It let out another cry as it thrashed around trying to locate the smells it had detected.
Lark could see Devin's face drain of color and she knew that he wouldn't have made a great hunter. He was still too innocent for this type of life. She gently placed a hand on his shoulder and it made him jump accidentally discharging a round into the cave. Everyone froze and could feel the eyes of the creature on them as the bullet ricocheted off a rock missing everyone inside including the creature.
The creature lowered itself getting ready for an attack as it combined sniffing and searching through the rocks for any sign of life. The first one it found was Lark and Devin. It stared at them and started to disappear. She quickly jumped up and began to fire her weapon directly into the creature's chest and head.
Devin, still shaking from the sight, fumbled as he too began to shoot the creature, but nothing seemed to work to stop it as it easily bore down on them and tossed Lark and Devin backwards, smashing them into the cave wall. Lark could taste blood in her mouth and realized that she had bitten her lip. She fumbled to find the weapon she had dropped to protect them. Dean stood up causing a loose rock to roll causing the creature to turn and face him. It began to twist and form into something more human then beast. Deep yellow eyes stared at him and Dean began to unload followed by Sam and his sister. The creature howled and ran deeper into the cave spilling dark splotches of blood as it ran.
"We got it moving!" Dean yelled rushing over to Lark and Devin and forcing them to their feet. "Let's go!" They ran after the beast following the dark blood drops. Dean kept firing his weapon making small chunks of rock rain on everyone as they continued to follow. "Dammit! This bastard's fast! Come on move!"
Lark rounded a corner and felt her foot drop into a small hole in the floor. Her momentum continued and something snapped in her ankle. She fell to the ground crying out in pain. Dean stopped and turned around his green eyes flaring with anger of loosing the creature and worry about Lark being hurt since he recognized her voice.
"Dean look out! It's behind you!" Lark screamed raising her weapon and firing. Bullets whizzed past Dean's head as it struck the creature squarely between its eyes. More firing followed and Dean fell to the ground not wanting to be accidentally hit. He rolled onto his back as he unloaded his weapon. The creature fought to swipe at the five weapons being fired at him, but soon fell to the ground in a heap letting out small screams until after another couple of minutes of shooting it fell still and quiet.
Heavy panting soon was the only sound as Sam and Christina cautiously headed toward the creature sliding another clip of bullets into their weapons and training it on the still dark mass. Dean got to his feet and hurried to Lark who had managed to get her foot from the hole and thought that her ankle might be broken as it stung and could feel her shoe already squeezing her foot. She never noticed the concerned look on Dean's face as she was focused on her foot.
"Sonovabitch..." She growled out clenching her jaw as pain radiated up and down her leg.
"What happened?" Dean asked kneeling down beside her and taking her foot in his hands checking it out. He couldn't control that sudden tight feeling in his chest thinking Lark was hurt. He unlaced her boot and trained his flashlight on her ankle. He could already see the dark bruising and swelling beginning and knew this was going to take more then either him, Sam or Christina could provide to treat it.
"Just my luck...Must have found the only damn hole in the place. " She gritted as he gently pressed on her swelling ankle. "Yep, did a number on it. Might be broken. But I can't tell." She winced.
"Sorry and you're right. Guess you won't be walking out of here." Dean surmised. "Are you hurt anywhere else?" He asked running the light over her body. He saw some scraps and scratches but nothing serious.
"Just my dignity." She muttered feeling stupid that she let this happen. Dean chuckled before he helped Lark to her good foot while placing her arm behind his neck.
~DSCWIN~
Rain once again began to fall heavily on the ground as the five emerged from the cave. Dean was standing next to Lark, while Sam and Christina were leading out a very shocked Devin who, after the creature was indeed dead and was now burning, threw up in the cave. The five stood in the entrance watching as the rain came to cleanse the land that was darkened by the evil of the creature. Lark glanced up at Dean who had an arm around her waist to help her stand on one foot and wondered what he was thinking. She wondered what he had in store for his siblings and her. He simply took off his jacket and wrapped it around Lark's shoulders before scooping her up bridal style and carrying her down the trail and towards the B&B.
Lark felt something warm being placed around her shoulders and suddenly she was weightless as Dean picked her up and hugged her to his chest. She didn't protest his actions and settled against his chest trying to control the feeling that were bubbling up inside of her. She tucked her head into his neck and drew in gunpowder, sweat and a scent that was only Dean's and let it out slowly. A calmness settled over her because for the first time in a long time she felt safe.
Neither saw Sam and Christina give each other a knowing look before falling into step behind them to make their way down the now muddy trail, trying not to slip. They had Devin between them guiding him back down the trail since he was still in a daze from the ordeal.