CHAPTER FOURTEEN

A quiet lull fell over the cave. It was only interrupted by the arrival of food and water that the guards brought in. Dr. Mark was very careful to make sure that everyone got their fair share, even those that were sleeping. The water was easier to distribute since the vampires had learned early on that the donors came dehydrated quickly. Water was one commodity that usually flowed with abundance.

Dr. Mark was grateful for the down time for everyone. It gave the donors and their attendants a while to recuperate. It was time well spent. Once he was sure that everyone was comfortable, Dr. Mark slipped out the door and headed back to the old cave. He still had people there to watch over.

OOOOO

"Sam?" Dean said quietly. He'd awaken several minutes before and had just built up the energy to speak. He felt better than he had but he was still pretty damned weak. He gritted his teeth as a wave of pain erupted from his bite mark. Damn he wished he could get that bitch vampire alone with a stake for just a few moments.

"Hey, Dean, how are you feeling?" Sam asked. He shifted around until he could see his big brother's face. Dean had more color than he had had for a while but there were still dark circles under his blue-green eyes. Absently, Sam placed a hand on Dean's forehead. He was greatly relieved to find the skin under his fingers was cool to the touch.

"Like shit. What's going on?" Dean tried to sit up but didn't have the strength. He got all of four inches off the slab before he collapsed back down. "Damn it."

"Not much. There's food and water if you want some," Sam said, a smile playing across his lips. It was so good to see his brother awake and aware. Sam was willing to take Dean any way he could get him. A flash of bright light sparked in Sam's mind. Images from the vampire came crashing down on him. Along with it came a wave of nausea.

"What's going on?" Dean asked. He'd noticed the color drain from his kid brother's face. Now he was rapidly swallowing and looking around but not appearing to see anything.

"Visions," Sam muttered. The headache came right behind the nausea. Sam pushed the sensations away from him. He had to concentrate on his brother right now if they were going to have any chance of getting out of here.

"Bad?" Dean asked. He didn't need to ask the question, he could see the answer in his kid brother's eyes.

"It'll pass. Here, drink some of this," Sam said as he bent over the side of the bed and picked up one of the containers of water. It was time to start doing what needed to be done. Including getting Dean fed and rehydrated.

OOOOO

It didn't take long for Max to recharge. Two and a half hours after falling sound asleep he was awake. Absently he ran a hand over his face. Then he got up and shuffled over to where Spencer was lying. Max nodded his head at Aaron before running his hands over top of the young FBI agent's body without actually touching him.

Curious and nervous at the same time, SSA Aaron Hotchner watched very closely as the young boy administered to his colleague. The boy's hands came to hover over his hip. A warm, yellow-orange glow erupted from Max's hands and flowed into Spencer's body.

Well, Aaron thought, like Reid said, a few days ago they hadn't believed in vampires. Why were aliens all that different? Shaking his head, Aaron continued to watch until Max stepped back. The FBI agent saw uncertainty flash across the boy's handsome face. Max looked around and realized that Dr. Mark wasn't there.

"I guess I'll head back to the other cave," Max stated, an awkward smile gracing his lips. This statement caught Aaron's attention.

"Which way is back to the other cave?" he asked. He stood up and moved a few steps toward the shorter man.

"It's to the right when you walk outside the entrance," Max replied looking even more uncertain. He didn't know if he should be telling this man this. He could tell that Aaron was gathering information so he'd know which direction to not go in when they made a break for it. Max just hoped he'd be here when it happened. He didn't want to stay here either.

"Why don't you wait here until Dr. Gideon comes back. He'll know where you should be," Aaron suggested. He could sense the younger man's hesitation.

Before Max had a chance to reply, a commotion erupted in the hallway outside. Aaron could hear three men arguing then the big vampire that had been so interested in Spencer burst in the cave. Instantly on his guard, Aaron moved to get between the two of them. He made it nearly half way when he was batted rather unceremoniously out of the way.

Grinning evilly, exposing his too large teeth, the vampire closed in on Spencer as the young profiler woke up with a start. The sudden tension in the air had disturbed his sleep now that Max had healed his infection. "What?" Spencer began as he tried to scuttle backward, away from the vampire.

"You're mine now," the vampire said. He reached out toward the tall, lanky human. He made a whole three steps when he was bowled over by a combined attack by Jack, Aaron and Derek. None of the attendants were going to let him touch the donor without a fight. Their combined weight and strength sent the vampire flying.

Roaring, the vampire righted himself in an instant and grabbed Derek as he tried to get out of his range. As the vampire's hand closed on the Legacy Precept's wrist, Jack and Aaron attacked again. They managed to dislodge the demon's grasp but then he sent Jack flying with a flick of his powerful arm. Taking advantage of the momentary lull, the vampire did the same to Aaron and then Derek.

Satisfied, the vampire turned back toward Spencer only to find that he wasn't lying on the bed any more. Growling loudly, the demon turned around, scanning the cave to find his prey. The cave wasn't large but the fire only afforded a certain amount of light. Even with his heightened vision, the vampire had trouble finding the tall profiler until he noticed that there was a dark mass behind Max. The alien was facing him but not really showing any fear.

This really frustrated the vampire. He was too used to instilling terror in humans. Roaring, he raced at the young alien, intent on ripping him apart.