Hello again.

Wow I can't seem to stop saying thank you. Every time I see another review, or this story gets a new follower, or is favorited my heart soars. On top of that is watching the numbers of readers go up and up. It totally keeps me writing.

As to writing this chapter is kind of a little filler. I'm sorry to say there is trouble on the horizon. (But are any of you really surprised?) If I haven't already promised this, this story will have a happy ending. It may have a lot of sadness, but it WILL end happy.

Natalie sat on the porch watching Sam. He was back to doing his full exercise routine. He was just finishing his laps, starting on push-ups, when his phone rang. He had left it with her, telling her only to answer if it was Bobby or Dean.

Glancing at the ID, Natalie smiled and answered. "Hey big brother."

"Damn Sam, I knew you were a girl, but when did your voice get so high."

"Ha, ha very funny. You on your way home?"

"Yep." Dean answered. "Bobby and I should be there before school lets out."

"Sounds good."

"How's things there?"

"Peachy. Sam's back to full workout routine."

"So you're sitting on the porch, watching the show."

"Yep." Natalie chirped. "His shirts off Dean, there isn't a girl on this planet, that wouldn't watch."

Dean laughed. "I'm so not going to say anything to that. Shouldn't he be taking you to school?"

"I'm waiting for my ride." Natalie couldn't help but smile, when the line went silent. "It's okay Dean. Her name is Dria, she's my friend. Remember I told you about her."

"Yeah I remember. Why isn't Sam driving you?"

Natalie rolled her eyes, sighing. "Because, Dria drives right by here on her way to school. Sam would have to drive me all the way there, come all the way home, just to turn around and drive back."

"So."

"It's a waste of gas Dean. Plus it gives me some time with my friend. Believe it or not, but I do like to have some girl time."

"I don't believe it. So how's Sam doing?"

"No nightmares all weekend. And did you miss the part of him being shirtless?"

"No I didn't miss that part. Are you sure he didn't have any nightmares? He had two the night before I left, and that was just three days ago. What about panic attacks?"

"None." Natalie watched as Sam started doing chin ups. "And I'm totally positive that he didn't have any nightmares."

"You two broke the rules again didn't you?"

Natalie heard Bobby grumble in the back ground. Natalie couldn't hold in a giggle. "I'm not telling. Oh and Sam's talking about signing up for a full school year, next year. Isn't that wonderful?"

"That is wonderful darlin'." Natalie heard the total pride in Dean's voice.

"Oh Dean, Dria's here. I'll see you after school."

"Don't forget to tell Sam."

"I won't. Later."

"Later babe."

Natalie smiled as she hung up, and stood. She walked over to Dria's car and opened the passenger door. Tossing her bag in, she leaned over. "I've got to give Sam his phone, and tell him something." Dria was staring out the window, her mouth slightly opened. "Dria are you okay?" Natalie followed her stare, to see Sam, still doing chin ups. Natalie reached in and slugged her friend.

Shaking her head, Dria turned to her. "Okay, I completely hate you now."

"You know, he has a brother."

"That looks like that?"

Natalie smiled. "I'm not saying Dean is as nice to look at as Sam, but he's not bad. You could come over this weekend and meet him. He's twenty one."

"Thank God I'm legal."

Natalie laughed. "I'll be right back." Standing, she headed toward Sam. He dropped down as she got close. Holding out the phone she said. "Dean called, they are on their way home."

"Darn, I was kind of hoping for another game of Truth or Dare." Sam smiled wickedly.

Natalie reached up and traced the rather large bruise on his neck. "You haven't recovered from the last game".

Sam twisted his hands in her scarf pulling her close. "And why are you wearing a scarf?"

"Two reasons." Natalie looked up at Sam. "One it looks great with this dress. Second it's hiding a certain something."

"What if I don't want it hidden?" Sam pulled the scarf down slightly showing Natalie's matching bruise. "I can't hide mine."

"There is a big difference." Natalie pulled the scarf out of Sam's hands and stepped back. "It will make you look like a stud, it will make me look like a slut."

Sam's eyes narrowed. "If anyone…"

Natalie covered his mouth with her hand and smiled. "And that is why I'm covering it. No reason to fuel the bloodshed. Now I've got to go, or we'll be late." Turning to head back to the car, Natalie stopped, looking back at Sam. "You heard her car coming, didn't you?"

"Yeah so?"

"So, you didn't rush to cover up." Natalie walked back over, lightly touching the scar on his stomach.

Sam's muscles tensed slightly. "Are you trying to make a point? Or making an excuse to miss school?"

Smiling, she looked up into his eyes. "Oh, just thought you would like to know, she really liked what she saw. And I'm pretty sure, she never saw this." Natalie spread her hand across the scar.

Sam grabbed her arm, and pulled her closer. His mouth claimed hers in a deep kiss. Breaking the kiss but keeping his mouth inches from Natalie's, Sam said. "You better go, before we both miss school today." Sam kissed her again, this time lighter.

Smiling, Natalie turned and headed toward the car. Jumping in and shutting the door, she smiled at Dria. Dria shook her head.

"I was starting to think, I was going to get a show."

"Just drive." Natalie shifted the scarf making sure it was covering her neck. "Did you bring your makeup?"

"You asked me to, didn't you? Of course you never told me why. You barely wear any makeup."

"That's why I need to use yours. Only I don't think we're going to have time before school, so we'll have to take care of it during lunch."

"You are going to eventually tell me right."

Natalie smiled. "Don't I always?"

"Fine then how about you tell me all about Dean."

"I don't think we have time." Natalie laughed.

Later that day at lunch, Natalie sat on the ground her head tilted. Dria sat on the bench, her makeup bag open next to her. She studied Natalie's neck a moment, before whistling. "Damn girl, is that boy part vampire."

Natalie blushed. "I guess we got a little excited."

"I think he drew blood?"

"A little." Natalie shrugged. "It's only fair, I did the same to him."

"Where is he anyway?" Dria asked, as she went to covering the mark.

"He needed to talk to the counselor, as soon as he got to school." Natalie answered, hissing slightly.

"Sorry Hun." Dria said. "Are you sure you want me to do this?"

"I can't wear this scarf during gym. Coach would completely freak." Natalie sighed. "I guess Sam needs to think next time."

"Babe, I'm not sure he was thinking much of anything." Dria went back to work. "You know I've had a few guys, can't really call them boyfriends. But none of them have ever done anything like this. I'm pretty sure this will stay for weeks, maybe even months."

Natalie smiled. "That was the plan." She saw the confused look on her friends face. "Let's just say, Sam and I really needed this weekend."

"All done." Dria sat back. "And here." She held out some bottles and sponges. "Clean it off as soon as you get home with this. In the morning use this first, then some of this to blend. If I were you, I'd make Sam do it."

"He probably will." Natalie took the items. "Thank you, I'll give them back when I'm done."

"Don't bother." Dria said. "There really not my shades, they just came with the kit."

"Well would you look at this." Natalie groaned at the now too familiar voice of Patrick. "So where's your guard dog?"

"Go away Patrick." Dria snapped. "You're really not wanted."

"You stay out of this freak." Patrick almost growled.

Natalie stood, pulling Dria with her. "Come on let's just go inside."

Patrick's friends had circled around them. He grinned down at her. "But I'm not finished talking to you." Patrick took a step toward Natalie, backing her into the tree. "You really should be nicer to me."

"Why, you're not being nice." Natalie was surprised to hear her voice so strong. "Now move out of the way."

"What if I don't want to?"

"I'll make you want to." Sam said from behind Patrick. "She's asked you nicely, I won't."

Patrick turned, his smile instantly falling. Sam's eyes were cold, as he stared the other boy down. Patrick took a step back. "She's not worth this." He pushed passed Sam heading back toward the school. Sam slowly looked around the circle, each friend's head lowered, and they followed Patrick.

Sam's eyes instantly turned to pure concern, as he stepped toward Natalie. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Sam noticed her voice was a little too low. "Just a little shook up."

Sam pulled her close, kissing the top of her head.

"Alright you two break it up. I don't have time to cover another mark." Dria said pulling them apart. "You know if we could bottle that look, we could make a bundle." Dria picked up her bag. "I'd call it 'The Look of Death: Good for Scarring away all would be bullies and stockers.'"

Natalie laughed picking her bag up. "We could make a whole line. 'Bitch Face: When you don't want to mess with words, to tell someone to go to hell.'"

Dria glanced at Sam, and laughed. "Like that?"

"Oh, I've seen much worse." Natalie laughed.

Sam rolled his eyes as he put an arm around Natalie. Dria hooked her arm in Sam's other arm and the three headed toward the school.