The Cursed' Dreams

by rasax45

The Winchesters come across a young woman that seems to be cursed. But when they figure out by whom, & who she was before, things seems to stay right out of their reach til it's almost to late. Find out a different tale of Medusa, & how badly her lives end up. Can she finally find the love that has been lost to her all this time? Dark Themes, DoNotEnter if you are triggered easily!

A/n: Inspired by my dream after watching like 6 episodes in row and falling asleep watching it lol for impala-dreamer 's challenge on tumblr. The songspiration I picked was Brandi Carlile - The Story. I know it's long, but for some reason this story with Medusa and Asclepius needed to be told. I hope anyone who reads, enjoys.
Warnings: dark themes. Like if you are triggered by rape or murder, DO NOT READ.
Word count: just over 17,000
Medusa's Tears (picture i thought was perfect for this story but cant seem to get to post) made by Incantata on deviantart
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"Hey, we've been looking for you." The words spilled from her lips as she smiled lightly at him. When he fully turned to look at her, her heart seemed to skip a beat. She didn't even know why, she hardly knew the man. But he did look very familiar to her. Not by the looks, but ... his presence.

She even wanted to touch him, even hold his hand in comfort and reassurance even. More for her than him. Blinking the thought away, she turned to who was talking, only to feel a warm hand slide across her lower back to pull her close into a broad chest. Like the top of her head just barely cleared his shoulders.

He felt so warm, so solid, and so right against her that she just melted and just clung to him like her life depended on it. Her heart pounded so hard in her chest that she thought he'd be able to feel it. With tears pricking her eyes, for reasons she didn't know, she was content to just hold him tight. Even though the urge to kiss him was there. Her heart felt so full that she feared it would burst. She felt so safe and happy in that moment, that her tears threatened to spill.

Just then, he was suddenly no longer there. It was as if he was never there. It left her heart aching. What was once full to the brim with love and belonging, now suddenly dark and empty. Panic seized her, that her frantic eyes searched for him.

Stepping away quickly, she felt a hard tug that it pained her heart. She looked back, only to find a strong but fine thread attached to her and to a tree. It used to be full, now it looked like it was dying. As if it was diseased. The leaves were turning black and curling, and began to fall.

Wide dismayed eyes looked on, but it seemed everything was melting away. Everything turning to gray and black, and it felt like it was swallowing her whole. With a scream trapped in her throat, it closed in on her.

Scarlett shot straight up from the bed, the sheets and blanket bunched at her hips as she gasped for breath. Her brows furrowed in confusion at the dream she had. She wore a sheen of cold sweat and her pjs, which happened to be a pair of sweat pants and a pink tank. Her dark brown hair was disheveled waves about her head and shoulders as her chest heaved up and down before she could catch her breath.

Her heart ached beneath her breast, the feeling of loss and emptiness very apparent. It was so bad that she had tears in her eyes. Her breathing now somewhat back to normal she shoved her balled up hands against her eyes. Scarlett refused to cry.

A solid thump hit the door just then and then a low soft voice. "Hey ma! You awake yet?"

---

Her heart still feeling oh so hollow, she managed to break out, "Yeah, give me a minute." She heard the footsteps to know he walked away. She horribly missed the days that the door slid open to a stumbling toddler that climbed into her bed to cuddle her close. Definitely pushed the emptiness away, but today she would struggle to keep it at bay.

Despite her trying to keep it together, a tear slipped down her cheek. Wiping it furiously away, she stepped out of bed and into some clothes. She pulled on a pair of red and black plaid leggings and an oversized black sweater that slipped down over one shoulder. She didn't even bother with her hair, but managed to pull it into a messy bun atop her head before she stepped out of her room.

Her first stop was the bathroom, then the kitchen where it bustled with activity from her two sons. They weren't even two years apart, that they could almost be defined as Irish twins. They were so alike, yet so damn different that it boggled her mind. They were her mini-me's through and through, but in different aspects. She was just glad they took after her, rather than their father.

Breathing deeply, she got a mug from the cupboard and filled it with orange juice. She wasn't like most adults. She didn't drink coffee, even though some mornings, she wished she did.

The sweet tang filled her mouth as she took a few gulps before she faced her children. And when she did, her dark almost black brown eyes widened at the sight of them both staring at her, and in various states of eating.

Gideon with his Golden Grahams, paused in mid-bite, and her youngest Roger, with a stab of scrambled eggs on his fork in front of him. Her brow rose at their looks, and asked tentatively, "Yes?"

"You okay mom?" Roger asked softly, the more perceptive of the two, despite him being fourteen.

She suddenly felt naked, as if they could see the loneliness radiating out of her. She swallowed another gulp of Orange juice, stalling to think of an answer.

"Err, bad dream. I'll be okay ..." she mumbled and looked down. She always put on a brave face for them but damn she was so tired. Tired of everything.

Gideon nodded and continued to stuff his face with his favorite cereal, typical of a sixteen year old. But her youngest continued to look at her for a moment longer.

Another swallow of her drink, she tossed down some bread for toast.

"Homework all done boys?" A murmur of yeses sounded behind her. "Is your father actually picking you up this time?" She looked back at them only to see some excitement but also sour expressions.

Their father used to be a compassionate man, but that was only in the beginning. Other wise it was all for show. As an old friend once said, I believe you're more in love with him than he is you. And man was he right. It definitely bit her in the ass later.

The boys didn't realize how much of a Douchebag he was til they got older. She was polite, and he was, if he wanted something. Only got his children when it was convenient for him. The boys were lucky enough that they only saw him once every two months, and nearly every time, it was to the store to buy toys or to a fun place. They figured out what he was like when they roughly turned ten. She was the one that did everything, discipline, taking care of them when sick, anything and everything of being a single mom.

Because she was a single mom, few men looked at her. Either for an easy lay, which she was not, or an actual chance. But those actual chances were very few and far in between. Factor in she hardly had time with her busy schedule, let alone she was picky with her lovers. They never stood up to her standards or they couldn't keep up with her. Why she was so damn lonely.

"Said he'll pick us up right after school but we know how he is." Gideon piped up with that sour look.

"I know ..." She breathes as she smoothed butter then peanut butter over the toasted bread. "Always late." She took a bite and gave them a small smile. Scarlett glanced up at the clock that hung on the wall and gave them a pointed look. They got the silent message.

They quickly finished their breakfast, hugged her tight and left for school. Which left her to herself til she opened the library later on. She sighed to herself and picked up one of her pets and let her climb and explore her person. It eased her anxiety, but it still unfurled it's claws deep in her gut and mind.

Despite her trying to keep her mind off the dream, she couldn't. By the time she was done cleaning her house, it was spotless. Heaving a small sigh, she made her way to the library, where she did even more work, but not with her usual carefree attitude.

An hour past that she was left alone again. Not like the library was crazy busy like the bar she worked at sometimes. The library only paid so much and she was a single mother of two.

She was putting away important papers when she heard the bell above the door. She turned with a small smile on her face and felt a strong wave of deja'vu. Blinking it away, she faced the two handsome men.

"Hello gentlemen, anything I can help you with?" She asked softly.

The taller man spoke with a small smile, "Ahh yes. I'm Sam, this is my brother Dean. I saw that you were selling certain books online that came into your possession. We'd like to see them if possible."

"Sure guys, I'm Scarlett Aven. It's nice to meet you." She smiled politely. She saw the other one start, and furrowed her brows in confusion, along with Sam.

Dean shook his head, and pointed towards her and the desk. "Are those eyes?" His green eyes squinted as he nodded down to her sleeve.

All of them looked down only to find a small reptilian face looking out towards them. Scarlett laughed softly at this and coolly replied, "Oh, that's just Honey . . . Likes to hang around on me. Some days I have more than one on me." A small giggle escaped her then as she revealed the tiny snake on her wrist and gave it a small kiss.

"Anyway!" She gave a warm smile that made her dark eyes twinkle with mirth. "Some of these books are ... interesting to say the least." Scarlett moved from behind the counter and towards her office in the back. "I checked them out and a few of them are in a different language. I tried to decipher them, but it seems to be like a dead language. But if you guys want them, you are welcome to have them." One in particular she was quite fascinated with, that she didn't want to part with. Not like she could read it anyway. But she kept feeling a strange pull to it.

They followed behind her, she could feel their strong presence gently pressing against her back. She could tell just by the looks of them they weren't like other men. There was a hardness in them that you hardly see anymore.

The office was small that it felt tiny with all of them in there. Like it was overwhelming how much bigger they were now in such a smaller space. Pulling three books of the shelf, she hesitated only for a second for the other. Dean picked up on it, even though she pulled it out with the others.

"You didn't happen to translate anything did you?" The shorter man asked, she thought he was more attractive than the other but they were both attractive.

She shook her head with a sad smile. "Dead language remember? As fascinating as it is, I can't do it. Won't do me any good sitting here, infuriating me that I can't decipher it."

She sat the books at the end of the table then and sat on the edge of the desk. "Why did you guys want them anyway?"

"Uh ... we're collectors." Dean quickly gave. "How did you come by these books anyway?" His mossy green eyes focused in on her, his voice full of curiosity.

Scarlett smiled sadly, even dipped her head a little. "A sweet ol' lady in town named Beatrice. Fond of the old girl I was." She smiled as the memories washed over her. She shook her head then and gently pushed the books towards them.

"Thank you Miss Aven and your time." Sam nodded with a smile and leaned forward to take the books, but her small strong hand stopped him. His eyes darted up to take in her dark curious filled ones.

"Can you decipher them?"

She watched his Adam's apple bob and even glance back to his brother. "Please ..." She murmured. "I'd like to know what this one is." Her heart was beating hard as she laid her hand on the top one. The one she hesitated to give.

Scarlett watched curiously as their faces had their own conversation. She watched Sam tilt his head, as if to say, what would it hurt, and Dean with a sour look. Sam turned back to her, then down at the book. He opened it and began to look it over.

"It's a cross between Greek and Latin." He remarked. "This is really old . . . Like ancient." His brow furrowed as he tried to figure out what it said. "Seems like a spell book. Nothing to dark . . . so far at least. Talks of the greek gods and how to please them and such. Probably a priest or priestess book."

Her own brows furrowed then. "Does it say which priest it belonged to?"

He shook his head, but then remarked, "Looks like a woman's handwriting though. So must be a priestess." He looked up at her then. "These are an amazing collector's items." And with that, he handed over a small wad of bills.

She took it, even though she was sad to part with that particular book, and nodded to them. They both smiled and left her alone, and she never felt more alone in her life. Her heart ached, felt so damn hollow. It felt like it kept reaching, searching, and finding nothing. With a deep sigh, she looked down at her empty desk and office, and never felt so out of place. So out of time.

The Winchester brothers just didn't come to collect the books. No, this was a kill two birds with one stone type stop, for they had to take care of a angry spirit across the the other side of town. Once done, they stopped to grab food and some beers at the local bar, named Slaker's Pub and Grill. Once there, they started talking about what had all happened through out the day. "Why do you think she wanted to know what that book was about?" Dean handled his burger to start inhaling it's deliciousness.

Sam shrugged and remarked, "Who knows. Maybe sheer curiosity."

"But did you see how she didn't want to give it up? How touchy she was with it, let alone the snake thing?" He shivered and took a large bite of the juicy stacked burger. "This . . . this is what I'm talking about." He smirked, which only earned him an eye roll.

Sam thought about it as he mixed up his large chicken salad. "Maybe had sentimental value? Hell, reincarnation?" He threw out any of his ridiculous ideas.

Dean only grunted in response, only to moan around his burger. "This is an amazing burger!" He rumbled out around a mouthful of food. Sam snapped his fingers at Dean only to point out Scarlett disappearing into the restaurant area with a tray full of food. Dean looked out in wonder himself. "Hmm . . ." Was his only response. It wasn't long after that, that she came behind the bar to grab a few beers and make a few mixed drinks. Once done in a timely fashion, she strode away with her tray and drinks. Dean couldn't help but notice a few men looking at her in want.

They watched her work, more like bust her ass in the time they were there. She even noticed them and said hi. They also noticed, everyone seemed to love her there. Wanted to talk to her, wanted to flirt and hit on her. The men she turned down flat, but was easy on them. But they also noticed that, she had bad luck as well, but easily fixed it. They figured, she'd been stuck with bad luck her whole life that she was used to fixing it. How many trips she should have made but somehow caught herself last minute. She forgot a few items but kept going back for whatever with a smile on her face. Forgot to put an order in, but somehow managed to catch it before they waited to long that they would walk out. Short on tips, and a bunch more.

"Is it just me or does she have a really bad case of bad luck?" Sam asked softly.

"Shitty night?" Dean offered.

Sam shook his head. "It can't be. She doesn't even look fazed by it. This is to normal for her."

Dean took a long slug to his beer and asked, "Think it's a spirit? A curse?" Sam shrugged and took a drink of his beer as well. The rest of the night, they kept an eye on her. The next few days, they kept their space, but continued to watch.

The pain sliced through her as the man above her violated her over and over again. A man she hardly knew, but knew of his advances on her. As much as she kept pushing him away, he kept coming back, and now she was being punished for rejecting him. Stone faces watched her coldly as she cried out. Her wrists bound by his own hand above her head, against the freezing marble floor. Her white gown torn and stained red of her own blood, bunched at her hips as she cried and screamed out. She begged for the gods to help her, but that statue of a beautiful woman looked at her with dark cold accusation. Dark tendrils of curly hair framed her face as tears rolled down her hot cheeks.

Overly handsome and super muscular, the man looked at her like she was entitled to him. Like she belonged to him.

"Please!" She cried. "Don't do this!" It didn't faze him, only made him rock harder and faster into her. The humid air enveloped them but all she felt was cold, and the painful heat between her legs. She couldn't bare the accusing glare of the stone marble woman any longer and looked past the man's shoulder, only to see the full moon hanging above. With a scream, she called out a name as his hand closed over her face.

Something jarred her, someone was calling her name that she jerked awake with a gasp. "Mom!" Roger and Gideon stood beside her bed, their faces filled with worry and concern. "Are you okay?"

Her chest rising and falling rapidly that she could hardly get enough air in her lungs. Sweat covered her body, let alone she was shivering as if her room was freezing. She shook her head as she sat up.

"Nightmare?" Gideon asked softly. She merely nodded as tears threatened to spill. Roger sat down next to her and hugged her against his side. She closed her eyes and sucked it up, only to feel the bed dip again as Gideon joined them.

Now she had both of her boys hug her close. Her barrier broke and she began to openly cry. She held them close and sobbed til she couldn't any more. They gently pulled her back so they were all laying in bed. Somehow they all managed to fall back asleep.

Meanwhile Dean and Sam sat outside in the impala, looking in with binoculars. Dean's brows were furrowed as he wondered what was going on. "Looks like she's having nightmares. Her kids are comforting her." Sam's lips pulled to the side as they both wondered what was going on.

The nightmares were getting worse, that she had dark circles underneath her eyes. It felt like she hadn't slept in days. She only could get snippets of sleep here and there through out the night. But it was getting to the point that she didn't want to fall asleep cause the nightmares were getting that bad. It felt so real. The pain, the cold stare of the marble woman, the cold bite of the floor beneath her, and the hard press of him against her. Just thinking about it, made tears prick her eyes. Her usual cheery self was now quiet and repressed. Her perception was gone, and her luck had gone from bad to worse. She swore she was cursed or something. She was resisting the urge to fall asleep at her desk at the library, when the door chimed that she had a visitor. Rubbing her eyes, she whirled around slowly to see if they needed any help.

"Oh . . . Hi guys. What can I help you with?"

Dean leaned down and asked with a smirk, "Any eyes on you today?"

Her lips pulled up in a tired smirk as she placed her chin in her hand looking up at him. "I have three today actually." Her eyebrows even wiggled, and Dean's eyes grew wide at that. She even lifted her loose maroon sweater where a different snake was wrapped against her forearm. "And I'll show you the others later handsome." She laughed softly when his eyes grew wide at this. She was always flirty, but nothing came of it. Was all friendly play with her. Let alone, she only did it when she felt comfortable to do so.

"Cute." His only remark, his mossy green eyes smiling.

Sam shook his head and stepped up. "Scarlett, I have a question for you. It may sound odd, but please answer it as honestly as you can." Her brow shot up at this but nodded for his go ahead. "Has anything happened to you lately that's been weird? Like weirdly different?"

Her brows furrowed and she gave a little shake. "My nightmares have been getting bad, but nothing to crazy."

"Is it the same dream over and over again?"

"Yeah actually. Ever since I was . . . well a teenager I've been getting them." She looked down and rubbed along her waist for comfort. "I never used to have them this much though." Most people when they were uncomfortable would pick at themselves, or rub their hands or arms. She did neither of these things, but her hands kept going to her waist.

"What was your nightmare?" Dean asked softly.

She sucked in a breath at that one. She knew they were gonna ask it, but she still wasn't prepared for it. She bit her lips and looked down. Scarlett hasn't even told her boys yet. "I'm lying on the floor, I'm so cold. Woman marble statues all around me, staring at me, as if they were accusing me. The moon behind him, bright and so white."

"Him?" Dean asked softly.

Her dark eyes darted away at this, her cheeks flushing from embarrassment and shame. She could even feel the sting of tears again. Her throat worked as she struggled to say something. Licking her lips, she sucked in a breath, and finally spoke, "A handsome . . . very muscular man." Her head hung, not wanting to look at them. "He . . . He was taking me." She breathed, that they almost couldn't hear her.

"Like kidnapping?" Sam offered, and Scarlett shook her head, and lost the fight to her tears. "Oh . . ." He breathed, looked back to Dean with a frown, and then back to her. "What happened next?"

Her fingers kept moving over the cool skin against her waist and it helped ease her anxiety somewhat. "He won't stop, just keeps going. I cry out to someone but no one comes. I always wake up after that. Another one is where, I'm in the same place, white pillars on either side of me. In a pool of my own blood as I reach up to the lady statue. Her eyes move and flash at me, and I hear something whisper in my head, Betrayer, it calls me as I reach out, calling for forgiveness. But I'm met with deaf ears and I'm left crying, feeling something cool move against my head."

"What was the name that you cry out?" Dean asked tentatively. "Has . . . anyone raped you in this life?"

Scarlett whispers, "I don't know . . . I can't remember." She shook her head no for his second question, and wiped her tears away quickly. "Why do you want to know about this anyway?"

Dean looked over at Sam and they were communicating with their faces again. It was Dean that broke this time. "We think that either a spirit or a curse is attached to you."

"But why?"

Dean's lips firmed into a line at this. "We don't know yet, but we're gonna try to find out. That's what we kinda do." Sam nodded with a quirky smile.

She got up from behind the desk and quickly came around to hug them. "Thanks guys. This has been haunting me for so long. Not having a family to talk to only makes it worse."

Dean jumped back as something cool touched his hand. He looked down, only to see a decent sized ball python hanging off her hips. It was like she was using it as a belt. It's head was looking up at them, his tongue darting out.

"Later right?" Scarlett smirked, laughter in her eyes.

Sam's eyes rolled, but his brows furrowed at her recent claim. "What happened to your family?"

Scarlett shrugged and shook her head, her wavy dark hair bouncing around her face. "I don't know. I was left at an orphanage when I was terribly young. Everyone wanted me, but when it came time to adopt me, something always happened. At age 13 I figured I had bad luck, and it was. I've dealt with it all my life. It's only gotten this terrible two other times. Along with the nightmares. But this time around . . ." Something dawned on her then. "Each time, a new nightmare comes . . ."

"What do you mean a new one comes?" Dean asked curiously.

She looked at them, her cheeks flushing again. "This time was different. I . . . was with someone . . . And I remember saying, We were looking for you, and it was a tall man. Handsome, but not overly handsome like the other guy. That guy was like chiseled, like a damn god." She scoffed. "This guy, I was so compelled to touch him. I restrained myself, but I felt him pull me in. Felt his arm wrap around me and pull me into a hug. And guys . . . I felt . . ." Tears pricked her eyes again. "I felt . . . so safe. So wanted. So loved that it nearly hurt. And within a moment of this . . . he just disappears . . . And I'm even worse than I was. I felt so distraught, and when i tried to look for him, something tugged at my heart. Like ..." She paused. "Hard. Like it literally hurt me. I looked down only to find a thread attached to me and to an ancient looking tree, and it looked like it was dying."

Sam and Dean both exchanged looks. Dean then asked the question that he brought up to his brother at the bar. "That book that you sold us . . . We saw you hesitate to give it to us. Why?"

Taking a breath, she answered, "I felt a pull to it. A connection. I don't know why. I've never even seen it before. Remember, I couldn't even read it remember?"

"Right . . ." Sam smirked. "I think it's time we really read that book."

A few moments later, he came back in with the book. Apparently it never left their awesome looking car. Pulling it open, his eyes scanned the text. "Spells . . . Summoning . . . Worships . . . To the goddess Athena." He glanced up at her, and it felt her heart tug inside her breast.

Shame flooded her at the name. "Athena? The goddess of wisdom and everything?" She blinked, her heart beating hard.

She cried out as he thrusted deep into her, her eyes looking up into that accusing stare. "Athena!" Her tears felt hot against her cheeks as she begged her to help her. "Please! Help me!"

Gasping, she came back to Sam and Dean, her eyes full to the brim with tears. "That's who I called out to. It was Athena."

Sam nodded, and continued to read. "After awhile, it reads almost like a diary of someone." Fast reading and flipping pages, he slowed down after a minute. His brows even furrowed deeper than what they were as if something troubled him. "A stranger had approached this priestess of Athena. Kept hitting on her apparently, and every time she resisted his advances. But one night, he came to her and forced himself upon her. But because of this, Athena came down and cursed the poor woman."

Dean's eyes lit up and he burst out with, "Medusa!"

Sam and Scarett blinked at the claim. "You mean the snake haired lady?" She asked in disbelief.

"Hey! It fits! No wonder you have an affinity for these guys." Dean pointed to her waist where Harriet clung.

She lifted her shoulder in a half shrug. "Touche'."

"Well that answers that question, but Dean," He glanced over to his brother.

"How the hell . . .?"

Dean smirked, his cheeks coloring at the question. "Well . . . there was this fanfic with a picture of a hot girl . . ."

Sam closed his eyes and waved his hand to stop him. "Never mind. Forget I asked." He shook his head and went back to the book. Scarlett chuckled and shook her own head at Dean. She knew that vice. Knew it well. Especially these past nights.

"Apparently the man was Poseidon. Athena cursed Medusa, for she was no longer pure, and to spite this, she turned her hair into snakes and any look she gave to anyone would turn them into stone. But with this book . . . Medusa summoned other gods to help her. Not many came to help. Either they didn't want to get on Athena's bad side, or turn to stone themselves." He took a breath and continued to read. "Apparently the one god that actually did come and answer her was ... Asclepius. The god of medicine and prophecy."

"Was he actually able to help?"

But Dean turned to her and shook his head. "No sweetheart . . . She stayed her reptilian self til one other god came and took her head off, remember?"

"Oh . . ." She breathed, her cheeks flaming red again. The thought of Medusa, hell, her, was raped, begged for help but only to be cursed and to live a lonely life, and then beheaded, was horribly upsetting. No wonder she felt so hollow and alone. Her heart ached terribly, like it physically hurt. The sting of tears were back again. But before she could succumb, Sam spoke again.

"It seems like they became friends though. He would come to visit from time to time. And where this ends, maybe even became lovers."

"So . . . I'm Medusa reincarnated. And the bad luck is mostly because of the curse." She sighed with a frown. "Awesome . . . So how the hell do we break this curse? And if I'm reincarnated, what about this Ace Clep guy? Or is he still all high and mighty like Athena?"

"Well . . ." Sam shrugged, not sure what to say now. "Who knows . . . That's what we need to figure out."

Scarlett closed her eyes and nodded. "Okay . . ." Her damn tears still pricked her eyes. "But why the dreams? Why do they get worse and such?" Sam looked at her with a shrug. "More research then!"

"No summoning spells for him, and the old ones that dead snake me used to have, don't work. The lore says Asclepius was killed for reviving the dead. One of the gods, Hades, didn't like this, bitched to Zeus, and Zeus being Zeus . . . Struck him down. Killed him. But since he helped heal so many people, placed him up into the stars to honor his memory. Was married and had 9 kids." She sighed, feeling like she hit a dead end.

Dean looked over at her with a tired scowl. "They're gods. Just because he was married, doesn't mean he was faithful."

The thought of being with a married man turned her stomach. "Medusa was pure throughout her priestess days. She didn't want to throw that away. But Posideon did that for her." She looked down at this. It was then she felt cool scales glide across her collar bone towards her shoulder and neck and leaned into the small caress of her friend.

Dean's eye brow rose at this, not expecting a snake to just appear from ... her bosom. He shook his head with a smirk and looked over to Sam, which paid no mind.

"He either stayed dead, or is now human like you." Sam interrupted, looking them both over. "But like you, some things remained." That drew both of their attentions. "You felt a connection to this book." He pointed down to the book that lay at his elbow. "You are having these dreams, the bad luck from the curse, your connection with the snakes, and probably more. If you have all this, he must have something too." He leaned back in his chair and filled them in on another fact. "And get this, when the people missed him, they would hang out in his temples and sleep there. They'd wake up with dreams that he visited them."

Her brows shot up at this part. "So do you think he's sending me the dreams?"

"Maybe . . . But the way to find out is to find him."

"But how?" She asked softly. "And how do I break this damnable curse?" Her dark eyes were shiny and would put puppy eyes to shame.

Dean finally chimed in then. "We might find something at the bunker." She looked over at him with confusion. Smirking, he looked at her and asked, "Ready for a vacation?"

With some convincing, Scarlett agreed to come with them, and one or two of her snakes to Dean's displeasure. She asked them to give her a few days to make arrangements for work and her kids. She had gotten a hold of her ex husband and he had all kinds of questions for her. He didn't like how all she said was that she needed to go for a couple days. Said he didn't appreciate it and much more. Left Dean growling and calling him an asshat.

The boys were excited for her and asked what she'd be doing. All she said was, "I'm looking for something. I don't know when I'll be back, but know that I love you guys." It was met with eye rolls, and I know mom. She kissed them one last time, even had a family movie night one more time in their living room, and left the next day with a backpack of her stuff. The Winchesters told her to travel light. And so off they went.

It was an hour later that Dean spoke up. "I'm surprised you're taking this so easy."

She cocked her head in a confusing way that he kept going. "I mean, you came so easily with us, no questions on what we do ..."

Scarlett's mouth pulled up at this as she set the book she was reading in her lap. Even gave the little snake, Honey, wrapped around her neck like a necklace a caress as she answered. "I've always believed monsters were real. And let alone I've read some of your books guys, I am a librarian you know." She chuckled and laid back to continue reading, her hand absentmindedly stroking the reptile embracing her nape.

Dean scoffed, hating that those books even existed and turned up the radio. All the while, Sam smirked beside him.

The darkness tried to close in on her as she walked with purpose. Where, she wasn't sure. The sunset was just barely there anymore, the ominous red and oranges just a glimmer in the horizon. It beckoned yet feared her for some reason this night. She felt lost, she didn't recognize anything. Looked like a different time. Hell if she had to figure, it was back in the colonization times.

There were no roads, just dirt trails. Some horses were tied every now and then to in front of a building. And the buildings were all made of wood, some more better than others. She couldn't read the front of them, seemed to dark and dirty to read.!But she kept going. Needed to get home. And fast. Something pushed at her to get home now.

Heart beginning to beat fast, she glanced down at her feet, sinking ever so slightly in the mud. Her dress looked worn and a little dirty but not to bad. A little on the plain side, but it was nice. The bodice was tight, corset most likely, as her breasts heaved with her deep breaths. Licking her lips, she checked her surroundings and didn't see anything suspicious. But it seemed like everything was really quiet. Like to quiet. Her blood racing, she didn't make it appear she was scared, so she didn't race to her destination.

Quickly walking, she kept thinking, I need to see him. I have to get to him. He's my only hope. I got to get out of here.

A small cry escaped her as she tripped and fell into the soft but cold mud. Gasping for breath, she could hear movement about her, and she turned only to see that she was surrounded. She looked up at them all, worry and fear trapped in her eyes, and they all looked down at her with fear and rage. Her heart beating much like a rabbit's, that she feared that it would burst from her chest, she tried to speak. But before she could get anything out, something was thrown over her head and she was jerked back roughly.

Sputtering, she was dragged through the dirt street, her dress ruined with mud and ripped. Her hands turned into claws at the rope that dug into her neck, cutting her air supply off. Every couple seconds, she was able to get a finger in, to gulp in precious but fiery air, only for them to jerk her hands away. Tears streamed down her face, cutting clean streaks down from the mud on her face. Her dark eyes were red and straining from the pressure as she desperately struggled to get more air.

Just as blackness was creeping at the edges of her vision that the tension in the rope eased. Gasping for breath, they yanked her to her feet, keeping that rope decently tight against her throat. She was pulled into something round and small at her back, her wrists bound to it. She finally realized it was a narrow but high beam that she was being tied too. Straw was being tossed at her feet and she realized what was happening. "NOOOO!" She screamed out, but it fell on deaf ears. "DON'T DO THIS! PLEASE!" Her voice was rough from being dragged around by her neck, but she managed to get it out.

Before she could beg for her life, they didn't give her a chance, chanting out, "Burn the witch!" A torch was suddenly thrown at her feet, covered with the straw, and it instantly went up. She could feel it licking up her legs, the burn horrible as it tasted her limbs. She couldn't hold back her screams from the pain. The mud had dampened her so it only made it even more slow and torturous for her.

Through the haze of heat, she could barely make out the face that she planned on seeing. Tears streaked even more down her face as she struggled against her bonds, but it was futile. She screamed once more, but this time a name.

She jumped up as a hand jerked her awake. Sweat covered her brow, her whole body even, as she looked about. It was pitch dark, more confined then outside. Leather seats. It was disorienting, as she took in her surroundings. She cried out as that hand reached for her again. The thing she was in, jerked and swerved at her cry and she shrunk down into the corner of the seat, afraid of where and whom she was with.

"Scarlett!" A deep voice called out.

She blinked, and realized it was her name. Breathing hard and deeply, she looked up at the man that called her name.

"Scarlett! Snap out of it!"

Another man, she thought, as she looked up at them fearfully. It was dark. So dark. Like that night, and many others. "Wha . . .?" She started, feeling so disoriented. She felt way to hot. The damn dream, she thought as she moved her hand over her cheek, only to find tears. It was then she felt the cool calming caress of her Honey against her chest. The little snake grazed her collarbone, as if checking on her.

"You were having a nightmare." The first man offered her. "You okay?"

Blinking, she stared at the face that talked to her and hard. She didn't have to wait much longer as light pierced his face to reveal it to her. Swallowing her fear down, her hand on her friend's moving scales, her eyes took in the other man. It anchored her down to where she was. "Sam . . . Dean." She finally whispered as she pulled herself up. Nodding and biting her lips, she looked at them again. She was in their car, their impala, going back to their bunker to break this damnable curse. And if she was lucky, maybe even find him. Asclepius. "I'm okay . . ." She breathed out. "Just a nightmare."

"Or was it a memory from a past life?" Sam asked gently.

Scarlett closed her eyes tight at the thought, her hand still on the small snake. "I don't know . . . Probably?"

Dean spoke up again then, "We'll figure this out. We're going to break this thing." He sounded more confident than she was.

Sam nodded. "Why don't you tell us what happened. Maybe it'll help."

Scarlett nodded right back, her heart still beating hard. "Alright . . . It was way back when . . . No vehicles, horses instead. Was walking . . . home I believe when I . . ." She continued on to tell them. By the time she was done, they were pulling up to their destination. The Winchester's bunker.

They couldn't find anything that night, nor the next. We're quite stumped as they struggled to find a little something. It wasn't researching that gave them an idea how to beat this, it was Scarlett's mind. "Guy's . . . It's my soul . . ." They both turned to look at her, their brows both furrowed in confusion. "The curse is ON my soul. And who has access to souls?" She asked with a bright smile, it matched her outfit. She wore a pale yellow shirt, which she claimed she hated the color, but said she loved daffodils. And a pair of dark blue skinny jeans clung to her long beautiful legs. Her ball python hugged her hips like a damn belt, Dean saw and shook his head.

"Hades . . ." They both answered with grim acceptance.

She grinned and nodded. "How do we summon the bastard?" Sam closed his eyes and knew this was going to be rough.

An hour later, they were in the deeper bowels of the bunker, a circle before them with items around the circle. Candles lay about the room and surrounded the circle, giving the room a sweet smell of carnations. They stared at the pentagram, Dean holding a book before him as he started the incantation. The lights flickered and the flames of the candles burned brighter, the smoke rose even higher and thicker. And before it became to unbearable, it stopped as fast as it began. Only now, a handsome business man stood before them, thick blue black hair slicked back to touch the nape of his neck as he looked about. But light streaks of gray at his temples. He looked quite annoyed at them all as he gazed about.

"You know . . . I was in a important meeting . . ." He rumbled darkly, his voice was low but seemed quite seductive. "What do you mortals want?"

Dean spoke up first, "We'll make this quick, God of Zombies."

Hades closed his eyes at this and rolled them to both Sam and Scarlett. More annoyance rolling off him. "Ignore him . . ." Scarlett breathed as she stepped closer to the circle, her hand on her precious snake. "They summoned you for me."

His head cocked to look at her more closely, studying her even more, even the snake. "And who are you sweetheart?" He asked softly.

"No one's sweetheart . . ." She smirked, then continued. "I have a curse tied to my soul. How can I remove it?"

A small smirk adorned his thin lips at this. "I have a lot of souls . . . What name did this curse follow?"

She took a deep breath, looked back at the brothers behind her, and said, "I once was named . . . Medusa." Her heart seemed to slam against her breast at her past life's name. It seemed unreal to her still, almost like a dream. But it was something. It explained everything that went wrong with her life, she thought. Her hand gently moved over Harriet the snake's scales to help ease her anxiety.

"Well . . . haven't heard that name in quite some time." He smiled and looked her over with his pale blue eyes. "Pretty as ever, as always." It was then he shifted on his feet. "Your thread is quite strong, but keeps thinning with every life that passes. Eventually your soul will be completely mine."

"Cut it . . . Tell us what we need to know . . . how do we break the curse that ties her?" Dean barked out.

Those pale blue eyes locked back to him. "And what do I get out of this? After all . . . I am a business man."

All of them looked at each other, not sure what he wanted. "What do you want out of this?"

Shrugging his shoulders, even stretched his mouth as he thought about it. "Not sure what I want just yet. Maybe just a favor for now."

"So how do we break this?" Her soft voice reminded him.

He tilted his head, again looking her over. "Can either push the curse onto somebody else or . . ."

"Onto something." Sam finished, which made a small smile appear on his lips.

"But I advise against, on rebounding it back on the person who gave it to you in the first place." He looked at her quite coldly. "You were a gorgon, a powerful being once. A demi-god if you will. But you are going against gods honey. You thought last time was bad, they'll make it ten times worse." He took a deep breath. "I can see that it's slowly killing you inside. That's why the thread is thinning. Losing hope . . . faith . . . Love." He paused to lick his lips. "It takes it's toll, even on immortals."

Heart still beating hard, she stepped even closer, wanting to know more. She now stood just a few inches away. "They deserve it . . . More than anyone." She said it with tears in her eyes, her hands in tight fist at her sides. "I was devote . . . faithful . . . and she didn't help me . . . And because she didn't, he took me . . . And she cursed me for it . . . They took everything away from me." She swallowed the thick ball that formed in her throat as despair and rage boiled inside, tears streaming down her ruddy cheeks. She wiped them off quickly, and felt the tiny snake wrapped at her wrist brush her cheek. Could feel Honey's tongue taste her cheek, as if to kiss her pain away. Her heart ached at the small touch as she returned her hands at her sides.

He closed his eyes, only for him to look back up at her. "I know . . . I'm sorry my dear. But even if you put the curse on them . . . You should know it won't fill that void in your chest. You know who will." He breathed, his eyes soft, yet hard at the same time. "The curse will be complete soon if you keep on this path." He warned.

Choking back a sob, she asked then, "How do I get it out of me and push it onto something?"

Hades looked at them all, those piercing blue eyes taking them all in. "Submerge into sacred liquid, stained red of the cursed, mixed with white gold, and a powerful hand will the curse be pulled."

"Riddles?" Dean asked with annoyance, his green eyes flashing.

Those blue eyes flashed right back. "I can't give you everything mortal. Got to give you something to figure out." He looked back at her. "Have your object there with you and push it hard and deep." And with that, he was gone, with just a wisp of smoke remaining.

"Great." Dean huffed. "Always hated riddles."

A smile pulled slightly at Scarlett's full lips then. "Good thing I'm good at them." Sam looked at her closely as she turned to them. He could see the wet streaks remaining on her face, and he frowned, his heart aching for her. "I actually make my own riddles from time to time." She smirked and Dean threw his hands up.

"Alright Riddler ... How we doing this?" Dean sassed, wearing his bitch face plain as day.

"Sacred liquid, holy water, which with your profession I'm sure you have plenty of." She sassed right back.

But before she could continue, Sam spoke up, "Stained red as in blood." His brows furrowed at the next part. "But white gold?"

"And what about a powerful hand?" Dean asked looking at them.

"Do we need a god for that?" She asked with concern.

"Maybe an angel could do." Sam offered with a smirk, his eyes moving to Dean then.

Dean sighed and nodded. "Alright I'll call him." But despite them calling and praying for an angel named Castiel, they weren't able to reach him. "Damn it Cas." Dean growled and his brother gave him a pointed look. "Yeah ... I know. Crowley next." And made the call, but it made Scarlett turn to Sam, her one brow rising. He shook his head and waited. This time they got lucky and surely not long after Dean made the call, that a short but a commanding man appeared.

"Hello boys." His low voice rumbled out with a small smirk.

"Crowley ..." Sam greeted with a sour look.

The stout but handsome man's smirk merely widened at this. "Moose."

At this point Scarlett was getting impatient and more anxious. "And I'm the reincarnated Medusa ... how ya doing? Let's get this ball rolling shall we?" And with that, she walked out of the room, her hips more pronounced with the serpent still clinging to her. The head of it underneath her shirt and it's tail wrapped around her upper thigh, the middle of it stuck in one of her belt loops.
Crowley merely smirked and looked at them both. "Oh, I like her!" He remarked and followed her out.

An hour later, she faced a deep clawed tub, full of hot steaming water. The boys had dumped in plenty of holy water, and a ring of the so called white gold, lined the lip of the tub. Salt, she mused, as her heart pounded. She wore a cream colored tank top and a pair of boy short camo panties. She left her snakes in her room, otherwise they'd be on her like usual. Her one hand toyed with a knife, and the other a waxen doll. What some would call a voodoo doll, and the Greeks would call Kolossoi. Her hands were still red and tingly from it. A strand of hair was even sticking out of the doll's scalp. Her own in a messy bun a top of her head.

"Thought you wanted to get this ball rollin' darling?" Crowley's low voice purred out behind her.

Nodding, she took a step into the tub and began to sink down into the heat. It felt wonderful, almost to hot to bear. Her nipples even pebbled up as she continued to sink down til the water fully covered her, except the tops of her knees and head. Her hands were still out to, for she sat the odd looking doll at the lip of the tub. She then knocked the salt inside, mixing it in. She looked down at the knife in her hand and took a deep breath. Biting her lip, she slid it against her hand. With a hiss, a ribbon of her namesake beaded up and began to fall. The red dripped down and separated in the water. She looked up at him then as she dropped the knife to the linoleum. "Now what?" She breathed.

"All the way under darling, and hold onto me. This is going to be rough." With that he gently pressed his hand above her breasts and pushed down. She took a deep breath and sank down, her whole body now submerged. The Winchester brothers watched in the doorway, looking on, just in case anything could go wrong.

Seconds passed by as she waited for something to happen, her heart even beginning to pound. Scarlett looked up at Crowley, her hand on his, thinking this was a bust. She tried to rise to tell them so, but Crowley's hand now firm, prevented her. Brows furrowed, she pressed harder, but his lips thinned and she hardly saw the slight shake of his head through the water. Her hands rose and tried to pull herself up, but again he pressed even harder.

Dean watched on, and when he saw her hands rise to pull herself up and turn white, he barked out, "Let'r up!" But he was met with the door slamming in his face and now stuck tight.

"Scarlett!" Sam yelled, Dean now slamming his shoulder into the door. With the bang of their shoulders, their frantic voices, the only other sound was splashing as she struggled on the other side.

The only thing she could hear was the pounding drum that was her heart. Her lungs burned for air and her limps hurt from thrashing, pushing him, and struggling so hard. She couldn't take it anymore, and water punched down her throat. It hurt worse than anything she felt before and her struggles doubled. But just as fast, she began to weaken against the King of Hell's hold. As darkness began to overtake her vision, her limbs slowly fell back into the water that the water began to glow. Dim at first, but when she fully lost consciousness that it was bright red, her right hand loose on Crowley's hand.

With a grim face, he eased the pressure on her chest slightly, only for her hand to tighten on his wrist in a death grip. It was his turn to pull back and try to struggle to get out of her grip. She rose out of the water, her eyes bright as the sun, her hair still moving as if it was still in the water, almost like snakes.

Crowley cried out surprised, not expecting this at all. He felt pressure in his hand, as if he now held something alive and shifting. "The DOLL!" He barked out, suddenly afraid of the Gorgon before him. Distracted from the powerful female before him, his power on the door weakened and the boys burst inside.

"DON'T LOOK HER IN THE EYES!" He screamed out, trying to warn them and tried to push them out but also struggling to get out of her grip. "THE DOLL DAMNIT! THE DOLL!"

Sam shoved Dean away, and lunged for the wax doll that somehow didn't fall from all the struggling. He grabbed it and when he turned to give to Crowley, he was smart enough to close his eyes tight. Crowley jerked it away and shoved it into her chest where his hand used to lay. His hand now losing feeling and feeling horribly heavy all of a sudden.

The powerful female gasped and cringed as if she was burnt, her eyes slamming closed. She curled in on herself, as she struggled to breathe, and when she did she let out a horrible shriek.

With her now focused on the pain, Crowley grabbed her other wrist and forced her hand to push whatever the curse had become and shove it into the wax doll. The shriek stopped, leaving their ears ringing. Dean looked up only to see her pale face. She was so pale that it looked like a sheet of paper, she even began to curl and go down like one, her hair now a wet limp mess across her pasty shoulders. Dean dived and caught her in mid air before she could hurt herself. Especially since she was still in the tub.

The wax doll fell from her limp fingers and rolled twice across the linoleum before it came to a stop. The wax no longer a off white color but now a dark color that seemed to be ever changing. Like oil. Dean didn't notice the doll yet, but Crowley and Sam did. He looked down and into the water, only to see that it had turned ashen in color. With furrowed brows, Dean barked out, "Towel now!"

Sam looked away at the odd wax doll and handed over one. Dean swiftly wrapped her up with some difficulty, picked her up bridal style and strode out of the room and down the hall to search for her room. Sam's eyes immediately dropped back down to the little wax body close to his feet. "Could have told us what was going to happen." Sam grumped finally, and looked over at Crowley.

"You wouldn't have let me touch her . . . Especially when I told you, even I didn't know what would happen." His brows went up at that in sass as he stepped away and out of the room, his hand completely stone. Just as Sam reached for the doll, that he spoke again, "I wouldn't touch that if I were you." Then walked away. Sam scowled at the Demon King and looked at the mess before him. He sighed, knowing he was on cleaning duty.

The time was near and she was afraid. She couldn't help the feeling of dread or unease claw at her belly, making the bastard child that lay there squirm inside. Worry lines marred her brow as she paced in her dwelling. Her own secluded place so no body would bother her. Where she couldn't hurt anybody. But they still came from time to time. Their statues were her only company outside. Her only true visitor hasn't come quite some time and it worried her. Even if she never saw his face. Her heart ached for him. For his voice, his spirit, his presence, everything.

It was then that she heard his voice and her heart began to fill with warmth at the thought of his visit. He always gave her time to cover her eyes so she couldn't hurt him. She quickly unwrapped the cloth that was at her wrist and quickly tied it to her head, gently pushing the snakes away so she could tie it and push the cloth into place so she couldn't see.

"Du?" He asked softly before he strode into her home. "I saw you had made more friends." He found her standing there waiting for him, a small smile on her face. "It's been to long . . ." He breathed and stepped closer. His hand gently touched her belly and felt the babe kick. "Still healthy."

She could feel his warm hand touch her, and it seemed to consume her. She never felt this way before, her heart even began to race. He'd been visiting her ever since she prayed to him not long after her curse was implemented. He wasn't able to help her, but they became fast friends. He helped her in more ways than he himself knew, and she was grateful. And now . . . She wanted to act on her feelings, now so close to the end of her pregnancy. He was beginning to pull his hand away when her own slid atop of his, stopping him. "Don't . . . Don't go . . . Please stay with me." She breathed. She tilted her head up to look up at him, even with her vision blocked.

Her hands moved up his strong arms, across his broad shoulders, up the column of his neck, only to feel a beard at his jaw. Smiling, she kept going, only to feel a full bottom lip and thinner upper lip. Her hands gently traced over his high cheek bones, then up his nose, to caress his closed eyes, only to end in thick hair, that she so missed with herself. She was close to tears when his hands gently took her own. "My Du . . ." He breathed. "I can't promise I'll stay . . . But I will always find you and come back to you." He rumbled, his forehead now touching her own. Her snakes were even gliding and caressing his face. All she could think was, 'He's so close. I can almost taste him.' Her heart literally ached in her chest and her eyes stung with tears at his words.

Gasping at the feel of his hands wrapping around her back, he pulled her even closer. The heat of him made her melt in his arms. She clung back as if her life depended on it, her face nuzzled into his thick chest that her makeshift blindfold shifted away. He felt so right, so warm . . . Tears spilled down her cheeks. She felt him pull away slightly, that she herself was torn to do so. But then soft warm lips captured hers in a deep searing kiss. Her hands clung hard to his shoulders as she kissed him back for all she was worth. She didn't know if she would see him again. That feeling of dread and unease still clawed at her belly.

When he did pull back, they were gasping for breath. "Please don't go." She breathed, her voice ragged with emotion. Her eyes were closed tight, for she noticed her blindfold was now down on her cheek. A tear escaped her eye, and slid down into the cloth of the blindfold. He frowned, and gently pulled the blindfold away. He knew that she wouldn't open her eyes, in fear of hurting him.

He kissed her one more time, before he stepped away. She knew the second he was gone. Could feel it in her heart. She wept, feeling so lost, disheartened, and more that she could not name. Within this time, roughly an hour had passed, another god had come to visit her, but with evil intent.

A footfall made her head snap up, her snakes becoming agitated. "Who's there?" She called out. But no answer greeted her.

She got up from the cold floor and went to see who it was. As she stepped out of the entrance, that a sword came down right behind her. Crying out, she jumped back and looked hard at the god that stood before her. He looked wickedly handsome, just like the man that took her virginity months ago. Scowling, she felt the rage bubble in her chest as he refused to meet her gaze. "Who are you?" She called out again. "Who sent you?" She demanded, it was then she realized, he absolutely knew what she was and how she was cursed. He was using a mirrored shield to look at her, his back facing towards her.

Growling, she tried to place herself in front of him or even attack his back. But he was to fast, and in her state, she was in no way able to do this. She even tried to take the shield away, but he held fast. Closing his eyes when she got to close, he shoved his shield against her, banging into her belly and knocking her to the floor. Pain erupted hard in her stomach and the back of her head hurt from meeting the earth. Panting, she reached back to touch the cool scales of her snakes, her fingertips coming away red with blood. It was then she heard him growl out, "Time for your end MONSTER!" She looked up only to see the blade glinting bright in the dying sun's rays as it came down hard and fast.

Scarlett jumped up, crying out in her sleep. Darkness surrounded her as she looked about. She was sore all over, but when she brushed her hand against the bed, she hissed in pain.

A rustle sounded to the right of her and she instantly felt the adrenaline shoot through her. Warm hands gently sought her out in the dark that she stifled a scream and her fist shot out in instinct.

Her fist met something hard that it immediately began to hurt. The hard thing groaned and jerked back with surprise. A curse and her name made her blink and call out tentatively, "Dean?"

"Yeah?" A rumbled groan

.
"Oh my god!" Her fingers finally found the light switch to the lamp beside the bed, and scrambled down to kneel beside him. He was sprawled on his ass holding onto his chin."I'm so sorry Dean."

"Least I know you don't hit like a wimp." He grumbled, his moss green eyes finding hers. She gave him a small smile. "Are you okay though? I woke up to you yelling."

Sighing, she answered, "Another nightmare."

"What do you remember from before?"

She made a small face as she sat back on the bed. "Talking to Hades, figuring out how to break the curse, the wax doll ..." she paused as memories of what happened began to slam through her mind. "Oh ..." her brows knitted together as she wondered. "Did it work?!"

"The doll turned a different color, but we don't know if it has or not. Sammy locked it away so it can't hurt you or anyone else." He answered, and finally pulled his hand away from his sore jaw.

"Oh ..." she looked down at herself, a question in her eyes.

A blush graced his cheeks then. "Didn't want to leave you in soaking wet clothes ... so I ... uh ... changed you." He was looking away to hide his embarrassment.
Laughing softly, she nodded. True it was just a t-shirt and pair of underwear but it was something. "Well thank you."

"No problem ..." He got to his feet and shifted on them. "I should let ya rest after ... a near death experience." He laughed awkwardly and stepped toward the door.

His hand was just beginning to turn the door knob when he heard her, "Dean?" He turned about to look at her. "I don't want to be alone right now." Her voice was small, as if she was afraid to ask.

Dean strode over and sat next to her, his arms pulling her closer. She leaned into him and practically buried her head into his neck. Her snakes helped, but it wasn't like this. "You need to rest darlin'." He could feel her head nod, so he leaned back til their backs rested against the mattress. Even then, he could feel her snuggle up to him tight. Despite her being a woman, her story made his heart ache for her.

Breathing deeply, he could smell her sweet not quite flowery scent, and pulled the blankets up and over them. He thought she had fallen asleep when she spoke, "Think it worked?"

"I think it'll help it work if you believe it did."

He could feel her nod again, her breath warm against his chest. "Thank you ... for everything."

"What we do ..." he simply said. After that he didn't hear another word. Could eventually hear her breathing evening out and knew she was out cold. He looked down at himself, but even though he couldn't see it because of the blanket, she clung to him. Her limbs were tangled with his and there was no way he'd be able to get out of this without waking her.

Sighing, he leaned his head back saw the closed glass enclosure that she kept her two snakes. He heaved another sigh of relief that they wouldn't be slithering over him during the night and closed his eyes. Within a couple minutes, he succumbed to the oblivion of sleep as well.

There was no more dreams that night thankfully, but the next two nights she wasn't so lucky. They tried to figure out how to find Asclepius, but anything they found was a bust. It was then, that a case popped up for the boys. A more important one than hers.

A case of a Djnn.

As much as the boys tried to dissuade her, she insisted on coming. Said she could help. Grumbling, they let her come. It was only two hours away. They even made her promise to stay in the Impala as they hunted for the damn thing, their words. But something didn't sit right with her as she remembered the interview they had earlier. She was sitting at the next table over at the time so she could eat.

Her knee bounced as she thought of what they talked about, her small snake Honey playing and exploring between her fingers as she thought about all this. Something the brothers missed. She gasped, when she thought of it and even wrote down on the back of a receipt of her thoughts and left it on Dean's seat.

Before she left the car, she armed herself with a silver machete and a gun, Honey now around her shoulders and sliding down her front underneath her shirt. She wasn't as worthless as they thought her. Her ex-husband showed her how to shoot when they were dating. Let alone she remembered hearing the boys saying about needing lambs blood and got it after the interview. She tucked the vial of it in her pocket as she started walking to where she believed where the real Djinn was.

"That was a damn bust. Where do you think it really is?" Dean asked as they walked back to the car. It was Sam's furrowed brow that made him stop. "What?"

Sam licked his lips and nodded his head to the car. He looked but didn't see anything out of the ordinary. But then it hit him. "Scar?" He called out and rushed to the car, hoping she fell asleep in the back or something. But he found nothing, only a receipt. "Damnit!" He growled out and began to pace.

His brother reached in for the crinkled paper and read her delicate scrawl. "Dean."

He looked back and saw the paper in his hand. His brows furrowed as he handed it to him. He quickly read it and cursed again. "God damn it Scar!" Sam rose a brow at this, but Dean paid no heed. He yanked open the impala door and got inside only to slam it. He even barked at Sam, "Get in!" His brother didn't waste any time to do so. The engine roared to life and the tires spun gravel as it sped off.

Just under fifteen minutes later they were circling around an old store building. Dean nodded towards the door, which was slightly ajar. Sam nodded as well, then yanked it open for Dean to sweep it through, his gun leading the way. Sam not far behind him, clearing the rooms quickly. They would have called this a bust as well, but she was still missing.

She looked out into the city, the people going past as if nothing else concerned them. The Winchester brothers somewhere behind her, going up a set of marble stairs as she gazed at the horizon. She looked back at them, feeling a wave of protection for them, of friendship and love. Even if they had met less than a week ago, she felt closer to them than she ever felt with anybody. She didn't include her ex-husband. That still hurt her heart.

Shaking that thought off, she climbed the stairs after them. She looked in, looking up at the huge stone man before them. She wondered how honest he really was, cause she felt almost all men weren't. It was then that she heard something, more like felt something. Brows furrowed, she looked about. Not knowing where she was going, she walked off, only to stand close to a man overlooking the city. He turned to her, his hair dark and eyes a different shade of blue she never seen before, almost violet. She took in his features for a moment, feeling a wave of familiarity. "I think . . . I think we've been looking for you." Scarlett breathed. She wanted to reach out for him, but knew she shouldn't. She just met him. She looked away, embarrassed for being so bold to this stranger.

A gasp escaped her as a warm hand glided across her hip and across her back to draw her close til she was met with the front of him. She could even feel his warm breath on her neck as he held her close. He felt so solid, so real and warm that it surprised her. But damn did it make her melt in his arms. She nuzzled into his broad chest and clung back as much as him. "My Du." He rumbled close to her ear. Something deep inside her uncurled and a smile slid up her mouth. It felt like coming home, like she belonged here. She wanted to kiss him, but was to content to just hold him. Her heart felt whole, all the holes or hollow feeling gone. She felt happy and content.

He gently pulled away and she looked up at him, only to see he had the start of a beard. "I will find you soon." That made her brows furrow as he leaned down to give her a sweet kiss. One she didn't want to pull away from. "Keep your hope. Keep it bright. Stay Strong, Be Afraid, but Stay Alive." His eyes were so vivid and bright, that they took her breath away. Before she she could question him, he suddenly disappeared. Deju vu hit her hard then, the feeling of loss hitting her even harder as panic tried to set in.

She shook her head, and pain began to throb everywhere on her body. She blinked open her eyes, but was only greeted by dim light, everything all fuzzy. She could hardly see anything. Especially since pain radiated from her temple that it was hard to open her left eye.

Breathing deeply but coming in faster pants, she tried to recognize anything that was around her. But it was so hard to see. Confusion filled her brain, she didn't know what was going on. She wanted to be back in those arms again, where was the city? But then the Winchester brothers filtered through. Her brain filled in the blanks then.

"The Djnn ..." She breathed, her breathing now even sharper, her focus even more so. She could feel the tight rope dig into her wrists as she tried to work them looser, Honey a small sleeping ball against her chest. She kept at it for quite some time when something made her stop.

Scarlett lifted her head, and looked about. But everything at a distance was still fuzzy. "Hello?" She called out, she tried to hide her fear, but it was creeping through her voice.

A small giggle could be heard but then a small caress against her neck made her vision turn dark again, a draining feeling consuming her.

"We need to find her, and now Sam!" Dean growled out. "We just got her decursed and now she's going to be sucked dry!"

Sam gave him his bitch face then looked back at his computer. "Dude I know! I'm working on it." He sat at the basic motel desk, his fingers faster than usual across his laptop's keyboard.

"Work on it faster!"

But not even a moment later, that Sam somewhat smiled. "Found her. Let's go!"

Dean looked down at the address that the computer found where her cell phone was at. Nodding, he grabbed his keys and strode quickly out and into the Impala.

"Hey!" Heads turned towards her as she stood before a small group of young men, a younger girl in the middle of them. "Leave her alone!" She barked out.
They were on the outskirts of town, the desert hot as usual. A sheen of sweat covered her body, even slid down the valley between her breasts beneath her tight bodice. The bottom of her dress dirty from the dust and mud here and there on the trail.

"What do ya think you're doin' darlin'?" One of them drawled at her. He stepped towards her but she didn't falter, even if her fear tried to uncurl its claws in her belly.

"She has a family to get to. Let her go." She claimed, her head held high, her jaw strong and proud. Curls of her hair gently caressed her face as a breeze somewhat cooled her skin.

The leader stepped even closer, his beady eyes glared at her as his smirk turned up at her. "Think you should mind your own business sweetheart. But if you wanted a turn ... just have to wait is all." He leered at her.

Ignoring his taunt, she looked at the girl, probably not even thirteen yet and darted them away since she had all of their attention. The girl got it as she slowly crept away, with them none the wiser. "I'm flattered but I'll have to decline your advances."

The man laughed before her and they all in turn laughed with him. The girl disappeared between the alley between two buildings not to far off. With that off her shoulders she needed to make her own vanishing act.

"I don't think ya have a choice at this point sweetheart." He rumbled as he reached for her.

She stepped back but he was to quick. He grabbed her wrist tight, but through instinct, she found her hidden blade and slashed it across his arm. He recoiled from surprise and pain, the look he gave her was murderous.

"Gonna pay for that darlin' ..." he growled.

"Jonas! She's gone!" One of the goons yelled out.

Jonas looked back sneering, seeing the girl was indeed gone. "Gonna pay for that too!"

She saw her opportunity and took it. She didn't hear what he yelled at next, for her booted feet were pounding down on the earth as she fled for her life. She'd be faster in her breeches, but was frowned upon. Her skirts were getting in the way and was becoming a fast hinderance. Her dark curls bounced about her head, that they become loose from their style.

The buildings got closer and she was ready to scream out when she was yanked back. A startled cry tried to escape her but a rough dirty hand covered her mouth. She struggled hard, but whoever was behind was to strong, despite them falling to the ground.

She tried to reach for her blade again, but another pair of strong hands pinned her wrists above her head. Writhing above her attacker, she could make out a shadow befall her, the sun in her eyes til they blocked it.

Jonas leered down at her. "You won't be gettin' away from this." His heavy drawl hitting her ears as he knelt before her and ripped her dress and skirts beneath. She still squirmed and fought, but no matter how hard she tried it was futile. But she did get a solid kick to Jonas face that it made his lip bleed. But that was a mistake as he struck her and made her see stars, and she almost lost consciousness. She wished she did.

Searing pain in her lower half and face roused her and she jerked away but only collided with the head that was beneath her and holding her down. So much pain as he rutted into her. She was only a couple yards away from town, the building was right there, only a stone throw away. Yet she was here, a hand over her mouth, held down and being violated. Tears ran down her cheeks, half of her exposed to the searing heat of the sun. Feeling like it was forever, they took their turns on her. So much so that she was weak and thrown around like a ragdoll.

When they were done with her, they tossed her over their shoulder and took her farther in the desert. They found a small side cave etched into the earth, where rattlesnakes lay to cool off in the day. She could heard their distant rattles as pain throbbed everywhere on her body, bruises from their hands and of their hands decorated everywhere on her. "Toss her in there. Belongs with them, the cold hearted bitch."

That drawl grated on her nerves and she wished she was stronger to slap away the smirk that she was sure was on his face. She felt the shoulder heave beneath her, and then she was through the air for a split second before she landed against the hard earth.

Something snapped and she was sure her wrist was broken. Didn't matter though . . . She already felt the rattlers strike and bite at her skin. Twice . . . Three times, now five. Whimpering in pain, she felt another as darkness began to overtake her. She was just glad she'd be free of those bastards now, and no longer in pain. The rattles of the snakes were actually kind of soothing to her as her eyes closed.

Scarlett jerked awake, her wrists stinging, her tears still sliding down her cheeks, that she realized she was weaker than before. Her breathing was ragged and her trying to struggle again wasn't what it should have been. She stopped crying and focused on freeing herself despite her weakened state. She jerked at the feel of the cool scales moving against the back of her neck, but then realized she wasn't dreaming anymore. Just her Honey.

Whimpering from the pain and the fear now fully awake, she kept at it. So much so that she could feel the blood dripping down her hands. "Please . . . I don't want to die again." She prayed to whatever god would listen to her, and leaned down to caress Honey with her jaw as she slithered forward. "Dean ... Sam ... Come find me." She even took a moment, and remembered the dream before. "Asclepius ... Please ... Help me." Her throat worked hard as she tried to hold in her tears but it was futile. They cut clean streaks down her cheeks as a shadow befell on her again. She was even beginning to wonder if this was a whole new nightmare in itself. That she was only dreaming.

"You sure this is it?" Dean asked, his brother following. They were just outside a ranch style house, on the outskirts of the town.

"Yes Dean . . . She's probably inside."

"Right . . . What are we waiting for then?" He grumped as they crept around, looking for an easier way in. A twig snapped behind them and Dean swiveled about with his gun pointed. Sam tried a window, but then looked about himself.

A boot stepped out and a broad somewhat muscular man appeared. He was shorter than Sam but bigger than Dean. His hair dark, his beard starting to get thick as his piercing eyes took them in. "She's hurt and in danger . . . We need to go now." The low voice reached them. He wore jeans and a short sleeved dark shirt, it somewhat made his dark skin look pale.

"And who the hell do you think you are?" Dean growled out, never taking his eyes off him.

The man sighed, and stepped closer, "My power is waning Winchesters . . . I have to get to her before she is lost to me once more. Please . . ."

"Asclepius?" Sam offered.

He merely nodded, even though he hadn't heard that name in so long. "Yes . . . Time is short . . . We need to get her now. She is draining . . . I can feel it everytime she dreams."

"That's why she keeps having those nightmares." Sam kept going. "You keep pushing them on her so you can find her."

"It's the only way I can feel her sadly." He confirmed as he pushed the window open, Dean finally putting his gun down to follow after him. Sam was last to pull himself inside. They looked about, Dean and Sam clearing the rooms as Asclepius closed his eyes and cocked his head as if he was listening. Before they could come back to him, he opened the door to the basement. It was dark and quiet. He descended, and Sam and Dean wouldn't have noticed if it wasn't for the creaky wooden stairs.

He reached the bottom, but couldn't see much, but knew it wasn't this room. There was another door somewhere. He just had to find it in the basic basement mess. Dean was the one to come down to join him first.

"She's close . . . But not in this room." He rumbled out, his heart seeking hers. His blue almost violet eyes kept searching for another door. Dean began to look, Sam as well in different areas. Dean was near the tools, Sam close to holiday decorations, so he turned towards the other area available. Next to the stairs. He shoved away boxes, even knocked over a bicycle that made Sam and Dean give him a glowering look. He didn't care as he kept looking.

A small whimper sounded, but he could feel it in his heart and it pained him to feel / hear it. Was torture every time that he searched for her and it was always to late. "Du?" He called out and began to push on the wall. It creaked against him, so he put his shoulder to it. The door popped open with ease, only to see her slumped in her chair. A small pool of blood beneath her tied hands, her hair mussed and hiding her face. He reached her in three swift strides. Kneeling, he cupped her head and felt how cold she was. "No!" He rumbled. "Not this time!" His fingers found her pulse, and the small snake in the process, it was so faint that it was hardly there. "DU!" He called out, and leaned down and placed his lips to hers. "Come back to me." But there was no response.

Growling deep, he slashed at the rope that bound her, and picked her up to sit in the very chair that held her hostage. He arranged her so she straddled him, her head on his shoulder. "Come back . . ." He rumbled, holding her close.

"We need to get her out of here. To a hospital!" Dean claimed.

"They can't help her." He growled out, nuzzling into the cooling skin of her neck. "Only I can." He breathed, he could feel the snake reaching out for him, for his warmth and maybe even to ask to help save its master.

Dean scoffed, but he distantly heard something. Sam then called out to them, "Guys ... We have company."

"Deal with it . . . Helping her." He closed his eyes, and pushed himself into her fading dream.

She felt like she was in her bed, to cold at nights like always. Her skin felt hot and cold at the same time. Sweat covered her brow and her upper lip. Someone lay a cool rag upon her forehead. She couldn't see their face, was to blurry. Could hardly make out the flickering candle by her bedside. She felt so weak that she could hardly lift her hand. "It's the plague darling . . . Go to sleep. You'll be in a better place." The sweet voice offered her. Her eyes fluttered and she wanted to fight, wanted to live. But damn it would be nice to sleep. Would be nice to finally let go of it all. A lone warm reddish tear slid down to her temple, her heart so hollow that she figured that it would never be full and loved like it should be.

"Come back . . ." The whisper was so faint, that she doubted she heard it. "Come back to me." She blinked, her brows furrowing.

"It's okay . . . Let the angels take you." The sweet voice soothed, and she wanted to let it take her.

She felt the bed dip, heavily. She automatically knew it was a man. Her head tilted that way as her heart lurched in her breast. A soft moan escaped her as a warm, almost hot hand caressed and cupped her cheek. "I'm here Du." That name . . . Why did it sound so familiar? "Look at me Du." The low voice urged. She wanted to hear it again, the compulsion to obey him was strong. But her eyelids felt so heavy.

"Fight it my love. You can do this." He rumbled. His voice was like velvet, warm and embraced her. She licked her cracked lips, her tongue swollen and purple from the plague, her mouth as dry as the desert, that she could hardly make a sound. Another hand on her other cheek, and she was gently being pulled upwards. "My Du . . ." She could taste his breath, smelled like candy yet addicting like whiskey. His lips gently moved over her lips, but because of his lips, her lips were no longer chapped. His tongue lightly dipped in her mouth and it was no longer dry and swollen. The more he touched her the more her strength returned.

Scarlett's blotchy dark hand trembled as she reached up and clung to him weakly. His arm slid across her shoulders to support her. Their kiss deepened that it made her head swim. The thoughts of death and dying no longer apparent in her brain. She felt a little stronger than before, could feel the heat from his body and how solid he was against her. She moaned softly, and he gently pulled away. "Du?" He asked softly. Her heart seemed to skip a beat at the name, the hollow feeling no longer there.

She shook her head, pulling away now. "It's just a dream." She cried, her tears stinging the back of her eyes now. "I'll wake up and you won't be there." She mumbled, his hands now resting on hers, now no longer so dark.

"Wake up then . . . You got nothing to lose." He urged. She looked at him, and his big strong hands squeezed her smaller ones. "Look at me." She did, her dark eyes looking into his blue violet eyes. "Look at me."

"I am." She claimed, her brows furrowing in confusion.

"Look at me." He urged again, his voice beginning to fade. She even watched his body begin to do so as well. Her heart ached, but that hollow feeling didn't return. She felt warm, which was odd in how she was just moments ago. His voice called out to her again, even though he was now gone. She was now alone in this old decrepit room.

She didn't die . . . She realized. Like all the other dreams . . . A dream . . . This was a dream. She shook her head to push herself out of it, but she still lingered. She placed both her hands against her head and pushed.

A whimper escaped her at the pain at her wrists. She looked down at the rope burns there, her brows furrowed in confusion. How? That wasn't there a few seconds ago, She thought, but stopped her questioning. She needed to use it to wake up. Her hand took hold of her wrist and clenched tight around the delicate bones beneath, her hand now red with blood.

A cry woke her, it was her own, his voice now in her ear. She felt so weak, but her heart was full and pumping hard inside her chest. She felt warm, and beneath her a broad torso, with strong thick arms wrapped around her. She picked her head up, the pain in it intense but she bore it. She had to look.

His smile was amazing, his teeth white and straight against his dark tan skin, his canines a little more pointer than average. "My Du." He rumbled, and it made her heart beat even harder, a smile bright on her lips. Tears slid down her cheeks again as she gazed upon his face, those piercing eyes locked to hers. "You came back to me." He rumbled as he held her even closer. She didn't know how closer they could get, she was draped across him. "I told you I'd find you." His lips met hers in a gentle but fiery kiss. She returned it tenfold.

"Scar?" Dean called out. It made her head pick up and look towards the door. When he appeared, blood half covered him. "He did save you. Son of a bitch pulled it off." Dean laughed softly. "Djnn get ya?" He glared at her halfheartedly.

She smiled and nodded. "Sorry for scaring you." She twisted about so that she was sitting in his lap, it damn near made her faint. Still to weak to get up, she leaned back against him. "He got to me . . . just in time." She breathed, her eyes started getting heavy. She was so tired. It was then Honey began to make her way back over to her.

"You need rest. Let us go home." He offered and she nodded.

Scarlett looked at Dean with a smile of gratitude. "Thank you . . . So much." She breathed before sleep fell heavy on her. Asclepius straightened, holding her bridal style. Even in her sleep, she clung to him, the snake now draped between them, as if tying them together.

"Where are you taking her?" Sam asked, now appearing in the doorway, his own appearance much like his brother's.

The god-like man smiled. "Look to the stars . . . My own power is draining, and that's where we will rest and recover til we can walk the earth again." But before Dean or Sam could ask anything else, they were gone. Dean sighed and looked to Sam. He merely shrugged, for what were they going to tell her kids?

"How did Asclepius have enough power to walk the earth, let alone give Scar her dreams and find her?" Dean glanced over at Sam as they drove back to the bunker.

Sam's brows did their little jump of surprise and thoughtfulness before he answered. "Well because Asclepius was a healer, he had his own symbol. And what does Hospitals and ambulances use for their symbol?" He looked over at his brother.

Dean nodded. "So in a very . . . Round about way, people still worship him and give him his power. Gotcha . . . Probably save some of it up til he knows that she's alive again. Even then with the curse," he paused to lick his lips, "He couldn't make it in time."

"Right." Sam breathed with thin lips. "Think we'll see her again?"

His brother shrugged a shoulder. "Maybe, who knows. Now she's free of the curse and is able to be with someone that she was made for." Sam nodded and looked out into the night and the fading stars. Seemed like there was more out there than usual at the moment.

When they got back to the bunker, Sam was putting things away when he saw something that made him pause. "Dean?" He yelled out.

Grumbling, Dean joined him, a bitch face apparent. "Yeah?" He grumped, his chest flexed under his plain white shirt as his hands dropped to his hips.

Sam said nothing but pointed to the box where they put Scarlett's wax doll in. Dean looked over and nearly gaped at the new addition. Harriet lay curled around and draped over the top of the box, not moving. For she had turned to stone. The ball python was guarding her master's wax doll. They couldn't explain it, but they respected the snake even more so now and even petted the damn thing from time to time in years to come.

The next night, Gideon and Roger lay sleeping in their bunk beds at their father's apartment. Their room dark, other than the dim glow of the tv from them gaming earlier. The moon was just a shadow in the clouds as their dreams began to meld as one.

Gideon was fixing up a dirt bike that he so desperately wanted more than a damn car. And Roger in the background, outside of the garage, looking for interesting rocks. The thought of finding something valuable intrigued him. He once found a small but beautiful emerald ring that he gave to his mom. He was just digging for, what he hoped was a diamond or even gold when he heard, "Boys!" The voice of their mother rang out.

Since they haven't seen in her nearly a week, they both rose and ran towards the house, where the voice came from. When they couldn't immediately find her, they began to look around. "Mom?" Roger called out.

"I'm here." They heard her in the living room, and went inside, only to see her standing there in a long flowy grey dress. She looked happier than they ever seen her. Hell, she glowed.

"Mom?" Gideon asked softly.

She smiled even more so than before. "I'm okay . . . Come here." She opened her arms out and they both hugged her tight. Her heart felt like it was bursting, she had so much love finally. It was a wonderful feeling. They pulled back slightly to look at her. They could clearly see she was indeed glowing. "I'll be home soon to tell you everything, but even then I can not stay." Their brows furrowed at that. "I'm . . . finally free." She smiled bright, her happiness showing through, her dark eyes bright with promise. "I'll always be with you. And I'll visit in your dreams." She breathed as she kissed both their cheeks, her hands on either one of them. Her left wrist lay her snake Honey, as if she were a bracelet. "I love you both."

It was then a figure shifted in the doorway that they didn't see when entering. A tall tan handsome man with piercing eyes straightened and looked at her with adoration in his eyes. "It's time Du. I can't hold it much longer."

She nodded, looking back at him with such fondness that they couldn't miss it. "I'll see you both soon." She seemed to shimmer before them before she became solid once more. She hugged them again and pulled away reluctantly, kissing their cheeks one last time. She went to the stranger, even took his offered hand, Honey even nuzzling him, and looked back at them. With a bright smile and another blown kiss, her and the stranger were gone in a blinding flash of light.

The next morning they awoke refreshed and feeling more like themselves than before. They padded out to the kitchen, eager for food. It was Roger who brought it up first. "I had a dream about mom last night."

Gideon looked over at him and nodded as he poured his Froot Loops in a bowl. "Yeah . . . I did too. She looked really happy. Like actually Really happy."

It was Roger's turn to nod as he scrambled his eggs some more. "Yeah . . . I noticed. Think that guy had anything to do with it?"

"Maybe . . . She'll tell us . . . Probably one hell of a story knowing mom . . . Looked like he was made for her."

Roger laughed at that, finally flipped his eggs onto a plate. Joining his brother, he salted and peppered his eggs, then thought out loud. "Watch, he'll be all god like." They both laughed at that. They would know soon enough.

The End