Author's Note: Hey guys! I was really excited for the feedback on the first chapter! I am looking forward to exploring this story with you all and having more followers along the way! As always PLEASE review and let me know what kind of things you'd like to see from the story. As far as this chapter goes- I had a lot of fun writing it! All I can say is, Sam and Dean go to Target. Have fun reading and review! Love yall!
…..
The ride back to the bunker has been a long and mostly quiet ride. Sara listened as Dean hummed along to the radio on and off, and she was thankful for his decent taste in music.
Sam had tried many times to get Sara to open up, to talk about the thoughts running amuck in her mind, but she was reluctant. She would continue small talk with both of the brothers, but shied away from anything deeper than that.
Sara had always been a private person. She loved having Anna, her opposite, to drag her personality out of the shadows. Anna had been bright and vibrant, everything Sara thought she was not. Anna pushed her to socialize, pushed her to go after her dreams when she thought they were unreachable. Anna opened doors of opportunity every time she walked into the same room as Sara.
And now she was gone.
Massacred in the most horrible of ways, and Sara felt like the blame fell into her lap. She wanted nothing more than to swap places. Let the world take back the sunshine that was Anna. Anna had friends, and family, and potential in life. Sara wanted to give that all back.
"Almost there." Sam turned and smiled to her briefly, pulling her back from her thoughts. She stared out the window into the woods surrounding the road, the impala slowed and pulled up to a metal door large enough to fit two cars. Then the door rose and the car drove into the long dark tunnel. For a second Sara was afraid, what if this was all a lie? A trap?
But as the lights began to grow closer she came to see several old cars, a few motorcycles, and other motorized things she'd never seen before. The boys came to a stop in front of a wooden door, and got out. She followed them hesitantly out of the car, and around to the trunk. She reached for her bags.
"I'll get those." Dean offered.
"I'll carry this one." She half smiled grabbing her duffle, Dean took her suitcase and his own bags and stepped in front of her, leading her into the bunker. She looked on in awe as she walked down the steps and into the large open underground hideaway.
"Whoa." She breathed to herself.
"No place like home." Dean sighed setting the bags down on the table in the library. Sara looked around as books covered the walls, floor to ceiling. She was blown away.
"So this is the bunker?"
"Yep."
"It looks so old…" She mumbled. Sam laughed beside her. "Sorry. That probably sounded a lot more insulting than I meant it to be. It's nice, antique-ish." She rambled quietly to make up for her rudeness.
"No, its fine. It is old, would you like us to show you around?"
"Sure." She tried to smile.
They showed her the library, the control room, the kitchen, the basement and they were just getting down the hall with all of the bedrooms when Sara paused and looked around with a defeated sigh.
"Is something wrong?" Sam asked her. Dean turned to face her as well.
She looked at them hesitantly before asking.
"There's no windows in here are there?"
"No, but. It's the safest place in probably the entire world." Dean said trying to off put the discouraged look on her face. She pushed a small smile.
"So I get a room?" She then asked, trying to focus on the positives.
"Of course, I actually need just a few minutes to clear it out. Its in here." Sam said leading her down a ways and into a door on the left. She looked around in the dark simple room. There wasn't much in here, but she could tell it was someone's living space.
"Who's room is this now?" She asked.
"Mine." Sam smiled as he began to gather his things. Guilt struck Sara and she hurried over to him.
"Sam! No, I can't take your room! This is your home, there's like twenty rooms in this place, please I'll just take a different one."
"No, please Sara. I insist. Dean and I snagged the only rooms with private bathrooms. I want you to feel as comfortable as possible here, especially after you agreed to help us."
"Sam we had a deal, I was coming anyways. You don't have to give up your room."
"Please, I really wouldn't feel right about not giving it up." He insisted. She sighed and slowly nodded.
"Thank you Sam."
"Sure thing, I'll have it cleared out and I'll swap the beds."
"Do you need help?" She asked, anxious to busy herself with something.
"No, I've got it. If you wanna pop next door I think Dean wanted to go over a few things with you."
"Oh okay, I'll do that." She smiled before leaving the room and walking next door into Dean's. He was on the bed, pulling out a variety of guns. She coughed slightly as she entered his room, getting his attention.
"Hey." He said briefly.
"Hi uh, Sam said you wanted to talk to me about something."
"Yeah. I just want you to know where the weapons are in case anything does ever get in here and Sam or I aren't available."
"Okay." She nodded anxiously.
Dean sensed that she was feeling a bit overwhelmed at her new living space and the odd set of amenities that it offered. He looked down at the multiple weapons he laid out and decided even if he told her everything she needed to know, she wouldn't remember it all right now. So maybe it's best to save it for another time.
"Ya know… on a second thought. We can do this another time. Do you uh, do you need to go out and get anything? I could take you into town."
"Uh maybe here in a little while once I unpack and see what's there. I'm sure I'll be needing something."
"Right, okay. Well. Are you hungry? I could see what's in the fridge."
"No thanks."
Dean didn't quite know what to say to Sara. How to approach her. It was obvious they were all still feeling each other out. But he could tell already she was a very caring person. That she liked to be busy, and that she was very untrusting. Something that would definitely have to change before they could take her out on hunts. She's going to have to learn to trust them, and them her, before putting each other's lives in their hands.
"So. You're a nurse huh?"
"Well, was. I guess… not like I can really keep up with my license and stuff anymore." She shrugged.
"For how long?"
"About 3 years, Anna and I graduated together and then got jobs together."
"I'm sorry about your friend… I really wish things had gone differently. All of this. I know it's all still kind of a culture shock right now, but it gets easier."
Sara let out a small humorless laugh.
"Which part? The 'I got my best friend killed' part or the 'monsters and demons are real' part?"
"What happened to Anna was not your fault."
"You mean she didn't die horrible death due to the fact that demons were looking for me but found her instead?"
"Right. Insert foot in mouth. Got it." Dean said nodding his head.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to be rude, I think I will just kinda wander around a bit if you don't mind, make sure I don't get lost in here." She then said moving towards the door.
"Sure thing, yeah. Just. Ask if you need anything." Dean said awkwardly as she left the room. Then he proceeded to roll his eyes at himself before he stomped next door into Sam's- Sara's, room.
"Dude. How long till this shit's not weird anymore?" He asked as he started helping Sam move the mattresses to the other room.
"What do you mean weird?"
"I mean the whole, bringing in a stranger who probably secretly hates us and wants to run away thing!"
"I don't think she's itching to run Dean, she's just grieving. She's been through a lot over the last few days. She was uprooted from her life. Cut her some slack."
"I am! I just… what the hell do we even say to her? Hi how are you? Hope you don't mind that we force you to come with us as a magical form of life insurance!"
"Why don't you start with getting to know her, and since when do you not know how to talk to a woman?"
"I don't know man… It's just. Weird!"
"You're weird." Sam sighed as he moved Sara's bed into her room. "Now help me with this."
…..
Sara wandered up and down the tile floor. Peeking into all the extra bedrooms, and bathrooms placed throughout the hall. It was actually very comforting knowing she would have a private bathroom attached to her bedroom. She still felt guilty for Sam giving up his room, but she could also tell that Sam wasn't taking no for an answer on the matter, so she tried to just be thankful instead.
She searched high and low, trying to find a window to the outside world anywhere. Eventually she led herself back to the library. Where the books filled the walls.
She ran her hand along the spines as she walked, watching as her fingers left a trail in the dust. She was never a big reader, but enjoyed in on occasion. She wondered what kind of stories were hidden in here, untouched for years.
"Room is ready for you." Dean said as he walked in and grabbed her bags off the table.
"Great." She smiled as she followed him down the hall. The room was even sadder without Sam's things adorning the shelves and the walls. There was a bed, a desk, and a dresser with a mirror attached, A semi-large closet and of course the bathroom with pale blue tile and paint. It was simple, and thankfully very clean. She appreciated that Sam kept his space clean.
"Do you need help unpacking?" Sam asked as he and Dean stood in the doorway.
"Uh, no I don't think so."
"So uh, Sara look. We kinda wanted to just acknowledge the elephant in the room, rip off the bandaid."
"You mean the one about me being the magical life insurance?" She asked with a playful smile. Dean's face dropped. "Your voice carries." She winked to him.
"Sorry." He mumbled uncomfortably.
"Don't be. It was blunt and to the point. I like things that way so if you feel the need to say something then just do so. Cause I'm not the kind of person to hold back on my thoughts either."
"Good. We always want to know what's going on, it's important to all be on the same page when we go on hunts, so it's good to just kinda get used to living that way and being open to each other." Sam agreed.
"So about your elephant then?"
"Yeah. Look… bottom line is, we know this sucks for you. None of its fair, and it's a lot to ask of you, especially from strangers. You always have the right to say no, but you should also keep in mind that we can't protect you if you leave. And it's clear that you're on the bad guys radar now too. But we want you here with us, not just because of the whole life saving ability, but because you seem to be a genuine person who likes to help people. And that's what our job is really centered around. We just do it in a very different way than what you're used to."
"Yeah. I don't usually go around stabbing people." She said as her eyes trailed to Dean.
"Demons sweetheart. Not people." He corrected her.
"Right… Demons." She nodded, letting out a large sigh. "For real though, how long until the idea of all this shit being real stops making my stomach drop to my ass?"
Sam and Dean chuckled.
"It'll take some getting used to. We'll give you a day or so to settle in before we start training."
"Training?" Sara asked with a confused look.
"Yeah, we think it's best for you to have an understanding of how to kill different things we'll be facing. And learn how to defend yourself. Just in case Sam and I can't be with you at all times." Dean explained.
"So I get to be a, a … hunter?"
"Sorta." Dean smiled at her willingness to dive right in.
"Well we'll let you unpack in peace. We'll be in the library if you need anything. Maybe we can go out for dinner later?"
"Yeah. Sure. Sounds good." She nodded before the boys walked out. She plopped down on the bed and looked around and the empty and dull room.
"This has gotta change." She mumbled to herself as she began to unpack.
…..
…..
…..
Sara finished unpacking her things and the room still felt dull and depressing. She decided that it was desperately in need of some redecorating. So she showered and changed before walking to find the boys in the library.
"Hey." She called out to them as she walked up.
Dean's head turned to acknowledge her but he lingered there a little longer. It wasn't lost on either brother that she was a beautiful woman. She had changed into a dark wash pair of jeans with a simple charcoal tank top, and pink converse to top it off. Her hair hung down in waves just below her shoulders, the blonde lowlights barely noticeable, but still there. And her most intense trait was the ice blue shade of her eyes setting off the dark features.
"Hi." Sam coughed getting Dean's attention refocused.
"So uh, I'm unpacked and I was thinking if maybe you had a target in town I could do a little redecorating? Would you guys mind?"
"No, of course not! It's your room so you're welcome to change whatever you'd like." Sam explained, Dean nodded in agreeance.
"Great, so uh… did you guys still wanna go grab dinner? I was thinking maybe we could just swing into the store afterwards."
"Sure, you ready to go?" Dean asked.
"Yeah." She nodded.
"Let's go." He said standing and leading the way out to the garage. Sara followed behind and took in the sight of all the cars in the large open garage.
"So these are all your cars?"
"Uh, not really. The impala is ours but the others were just here when we found the place. We just borrow them as needed." Dean explained.
"Oh."
"Baby tops every car in this place. Promise." Dean winked, Sara chuckled before getting in the car with the boys. The ride into town thankfully wasn't far. It was a smaller town but still held a handful of decent chain restaurants and a few big stores. Sara was excited to see the lights of a red bullseye. She could spend HOURS shopping.
"So what are we in the mood to eat?" Dean asked.
"Whatever's fine with me." She called from the backseat.
"Steak? Mexican? Italian?"
"I could probably knock down some chips and dip." She shrugged.
"Mexican it is." Sam smiled.
They pulled into the local Mexican restaurant and were quickly seated at the table. The waiter brought chips and salsa around and took orders for drinks.
"I'll have a beer, whatever's on tap." Dean replied.
"Same." Sam nodded.
"Uh, I'll just have a water." Sara smiled before the waiter walked away.
"I was totally targeting you as the frozen margarita type." Dean said catching her attention. She giggled and reached up, swirling her chip around in the cheese dip she'd ordered.
"Well. You would be correct on that."
"We'd be more than happy to buy you a drink, it's not like you have to worry about driving."
"Yeah. I only drink with people I really know… trust me. I'm not the drunk you wanna be stuck babysitting."
"Oh? Why's that." Dean asked with curiosity rolling around in his mind.
"One day Dean, for now just take my word for it." She said as she took a bite of her chip.
"Fair enough." He nodded.
"What about you two? Angry drunks? Funny drunks? Anything I should know."
Dean laughed a little.
"We don't really get drunk. This life kinda builds a tolerance to it."
"Him more than me if we're being honest." Sam added.
"Okay, so you don't get drunk. Got it."
"So uh, Sara. That was a nice gun you had back at your apartment. You any good at shooting it?"
"Well I managed to hit your friend with all six bullets. But uh, truth is its been a while since I've been out to practice. I've been working a lot of overtime. ER stays pretty slammed."
"Did you bring your gun with you?"
"No. I think I left it in the hurry to pack."
"No problem, we've got plenty. We'll get you one you like and get you used to shooting it." Dean told her. She nodded.
This world of weapons and monsters was so new to her. She had no idea what to expect. She was a decent shot, but she wasn't a marksman by any means. The thought of having to prove herself to the boys made her slightly nervous.
Dinner finished uneventfully as they discussed things like where the impala came from, and how the boys got started into hunting. Sara listened intently as the boys explained how their parents had died, but felt hesitant to share the fact that her parents had died as well. She decided maybe it was better saved for another time.
When they finished dinner the boys insisted on picking up the tab and the three of them drove back up the road to the target they had passed on the way to dinner. Sara beamed as they pulled in and parked. Sam noticed the extra skip in her step as the entered the doorway. He knew right away this Sara in a place that made her happy. A place that made her feel normal.
"So what's first?" Dean asked.
"Uh. Bathroom. We need to put some color in there."
"Lead the way." Dean said as he waved his hand. He had never stepped foot inside of a target before now and was just along for the ride at this point. He followed Sara as she walked to the home décor section and bee lined for the isles filled with towels and shower curtains. Tiny trashcans and soap dishes. For him this was all unnecessary fluff. Sam as well, but he understood a little more that things like this would make Sara feel more at home in the bunker, and he was all about making her feel at home.
"So what colors are you wanting?" Sam asked.
"Uh, bathrooms light blue… so I think we should go with dark blue and lime green. Keep a pop of color in there." Sara shrugged as she picked up a patterned shower curtain that contained the colors she had been in search of. She grabbed a handful of towels to match, and a towel rack to install. Then she grabbed one of the tiny trashcans that Dean felt was probably the most useless thing in the store. But he kept his mouth shut for now.
"What after this?" Dean asked getting ancy looking at tiny trashcans.
"Bedding." Sara smiled as she put the last of the things in her cart and smiled widely before pushing her way down to the bedding isle. She grabbed a large plush light grey and white bed spread. And throw pillows to match.
"Okay… seriously. Why do you need tiny pillows? It's not like you can use them to sleep?" Dean asked as he lifted the ruffled grey ombre pillows out of her cart.
"They're cute. And they make the room look well put together." Sara shrugged. Dean rolled his eyes and Sam chuckled.
"Forgive him. He's never lived in the real world before. We're pretty accustomed to dirty motel rooms." Sam whispered to her, causing her to giggle.
"Well maybe we can redecorate his room next." Sara said with a wiggle of her eye brows, Sam's face lit up at her fun sense of humor.
"What are you two giggling about back there?" Dean called to them as he kept walking.
"Nothing." They both said innocently. Dean looked back over his shoulder at them suspiciously until they came to the next stop. Small furniture and décor.
Sara picked out matching bedside tables, a colorful chair to sit at her desk, some string lights to go around her dresser mirror, and last but not least several canvas photos of beautiful city lights and open oceans. She stopped and gasped as she came across a very large picture of a mountain landscape at dusk. The snow caps brought a tear to her eye as they reminded her of the view out of her apartment. She ran her hands across the mountain tops and sighed.
Dean and Sam exchanged glances, knowing that as cool as she was trying to be with all this, she was still grieving. For her friend. For her being torn away from her life.
"I don't think it's gonna fit in the cart." She mumbled. Dean walked over and lifted the very large but not heavy picture. She smiled to him briefly and he winked to her, letting her know he was more than happy to make sure it got back to the bunker for her.
"Okay, anything else we need to get?" Sam asked.
"Uh, just some hygiene things. A few clothes."
"Okay, why don't I go ahead and take what we have up front and check out, I'll just meet you and Dean in the car."
"Sure, here's some cash…" Sara said as she dug into her pocket.
"Oh no, please… we got this." Sam said waving his hand at her.
"Sam. This is like 600 dollars worth of stuff. No way am I letting you guys buy it."
"Sweetheart, we don't pay for this…" Dean smiled to her as he passed Sam the little platinum credit card.
"But… how?" Sara asked confused looking between them.
"Just save your money, lets go." Dean told her. They split from Sam and grabbed a second cart to get the last of her things. Dean continued to carry the oversized picture so that it wouldn't get damaged. Sara picked out soap, shampoo, conditioner, tooth paste, deodorant, and Dean pretended not to notice as she picked up 'lady things'. Then she led him over to the clothing isles.
"Do you have boots?" He asked her.
"Uh, like boots with heels?" She asked playfully. Dean chuckled.
"No. I mean like boots-boots. Combat or hunting style boots."
"Nope."
"We should grab you some, you'll need them for hunts."
"Okay. We'll go there next." Sara smiled. She browsed a few clothing racks. Picking up a couple pairs of Jeans, and a few tops to go with them. They were finishing in the women's section and just getting to the men's when Dean stopped and called her over.
"Hey. Come here." He motioned to her, she looked at him curiously before meeting him at a shelf full of plaid shirts.
"If you're gonna be rolling with us you gotta have at least one of these." Dean smiled as he set down the picture and picked up a blue and black plaid shirt.
"Oh, so I can blend in with the Winchester's?" Sara laughed.
"That's right." Dean popped a crooked smiled. He held open the shirt and helped her slide her arms into the long sleeves. Since it was a men's shirt it was very loose fitting on her, but he couldn't deny she pulled it off effortlessly.
"The blue looks good with your eyes." He told her as she spun in the closest nearby mirror.
"Thanks." She said as she debated on the shirt. It was comfy, and it looked cute with her jeans. "Well, I think its settled. I have to get it."
"Good. It looks good on you."
Sara blushed as he helped her slide it back off and refolded it before setting it in her cart, he picked back up the painting and followed her as she wandered over to bras and panties. Dean blushed slightly and paused.
"I can uh, occupy myself for a minute if I need to." He coughed.
"Dean." Sara said with a flat face. "You've already seen me in my underwear. I don't think you standing here while I pick some out will really be an issue."
"Right." Dean nodded with slight awkwardness, Sara tried to stifle her laughter at the look on his face as he tried not to watch her pick them out. She decided to have a little fun… she grabbed the nearest see through lace thong and held it in her hands. Rubbing the fabric, and playing with the small bow on the front. Dean tried not to look, but couldn't pull his eyes away. He imagined Sara wearing the thong in her hands and his mind trailed to all kinds of dirty things.
"What do you think?" She turned and asked, he jumped as if he'd been caught looking at porn. He coughed and almost dropped the picture.
"Oh. Uh. They, they are nice. Yeah. Nice."
Sara turned back around and bit her lip not to laugh. Dean caught her shoulders shaking slightly, and realized she had been messing with him.
"Oh you're funny. So funny." He told her unamused. She busted out laughing and bent over with her hands on her knees. She laughed harder than she had in days, and damn did it feel good. Dean watched her and couldn't stop himself from laughing at just the sight. Before either of them knew what was happening they were both unable to even look at each other without bursting into laughter again. Sara walked over to pick out a couple of bras, in this area she felt like she honestly wanted Dean's opinion.
"Okay, so let me ask you something that I need you to be totally honest about." She turned and said to him with a serious look on her face.
"Okay?" Dean answered apprehensible.
"Am I gonna be running a lot? Cause I like push ups, but they don't exactly provide a lot of support if I'm gonna be running from monsters all the time."
Dean took a minute to consider her question, and that it was actually a pretty valid point. Part of him wanted to tell her to just get the push ups so he could watch them as she ran… but the other part of him would feel bad for misdirecting her.
"You should probably get a couple of both. We never really know when we're gonna end up running for our lives." He finally told her.
"Right. Both." She nodded as she bought a couple of lacy push up bras that Dean had to stop himself from imagining her wearing, and then a few comfy and supportive sports bras that still gave a little shape to her breasts.
"Okay. I think we're good." She sighed as they finished and made their way to the front of the store to pay for all of her new stuff. They were almost done checking out when she gasped and turned to Dean.
"Oh my god, I'm so rude! Did you guys need anything while we were here? I didn't mean to just take over and spend all the money!"
"No, Sara we're good. Sam and I have everything we need. This was to make you feel more at home."
Sara paused and watched at how genuinely Dean spoke to her, and she felt like just maybe this wasn't gonna be the down spiral of her life. That maybe things wouldn't be so bad living with the Winchesters. She definitely knew that she could have ended up with much worse company.
She reached up and squeezed Dean's hand.
"Thank you Dean, really… this is a lot and I really appreciate it."
"Its nothing, just glad you found some things you liked."
They continued to check out and went to meet Sam in the parking lot. Sara quickly realized she filled up the trunk and the backseat. As they put in all her items. She hadn't realized how much she actually bought until now.
"Are you sure this is okay guys? I don't mind paying for it… I have some cash put away."
"Sara, we uh. Don't really pay for things. So we're not sweating it. I promise." Sam assured her.
Sara stared at him in confusion.
"Ya know… I just don't wanna know." She finally shrugged. Sam nodded.
"I guess you're riding up front with us." Dean said as he motioned for her to climb in the middle of the front seat. Sara didn't know why but sitting between the two made her slightly nervous. They both smelt like heaven, but in their own way. Dean's arm was stretched out behind her as he drove, and Sam's knee bumped against hers frequently. She tried to be still and keep her hands in her lap, fiddling with her fingers and staring out the windshield.
"You good?" Dean asked her. She nodded and took a deep breath, slouching slightly, her head leaning back against Dean's arm. She tried to tell herself she was being silly. Yes they're two of the most beautiful human beings she'd ever laid eyes on. But… she was going to be in close quarters with them from now on. So she needed to get over her nerves. They're just people. Just like her.
…..
…..
…..
Dean went for one last beer before bed, Sam had already gone to sleep, and Sara had bid the boys goodnight so she could redecorate and go to bed when she was finished. He pulled his drink from the fridge and popped the top. Taking a long drink before wandering back to his room. As he neared his door, he heard a slight banging on the wall. Then a loud grunt, followed by and 'ow'. He knocked on Sara's door.
"Come in!" she yelled to him from the bathroom. Dean entered the room and froze. Taking in the sight of all the colors and the lights around the dresser and the above the bed frame. But mostly his eyes were brought straight to the large picture of the mountains she hung directly in front of her bed, the other landscape photos hung over and around her bed. It was beautiful. The way she took the dark and dingy room and made it classy, and homey.
"Dean?" She called out, bringing his attention back to why he knocked in the first place.
"Yeah, heard some banging going on. Came to check on you." He said as he stepped into the bathroom. He found Sara nurturing her smashed finger, and the towel rack half hung on the wall. Hammer laying on the floor. "Need some help?"
"Its it pathetic if I say yes?" she asked. He laughed.
"No, here. Hold this." Dean said as he handed her his beer. He picked up the hammer and nails and properly hung the towel rack on the wall in minutes, putting all of Sara's struggle to shame. Once it was hung he turned to her and smiled, she handed him his beer back.
"How bad is your hand?" He asked as he noticed she was still cradling it.
"Oh, it'll be fine. Just smashed that damn hammer against my finger." She said as she looked down at the new red and swollen finger, shaking her head.
"Let me see it." Dean said as he set his beer on the sink and reached down for her hand. She hesitantly put it in his. He carefully examined the tender finger, he rubbed it gently and she flinched.
"Sorry." He whispered. She just gave him a small smile as she tried to remove the cringe from her face. "I don't think its broken, but some ice wouldn't hurt. I'll go grab you some."
"Oh no, its fine. Really. I'll just run it under some cold water. I'm fixing to hit the sack anyways."
"You sure?"
"Yeah. Dean, I'm good." She nodded. "Thank you for your help."
"Yeah, no problem. The room looks great. I don't even recognize it. Sam will be shocked."
"Yeah, its nice! I really do appreciate all you guys have done for me today. It means a lot."
"Anytime, you need anything at all you just ask."
"Thanks Dean… I guess it won't be so bad being stuck with the two of you." She joked.
Dean debated on the next words to come out of his mouth, but they came out before he could really stop them.
"Look Sara. I didn't mean what I said earlier. I was being a dumbass. We really are more than happy to have you with us. This whole thing only works if we're honest with each other. And you should always feel like you can tell me or Sam whatever's on your mind."
"Of course… I'll do whatever I can to help you guys."
"Well, I guess I'll let you get some sleep. We'll work on weapons tomorrow if you want."
"Yeah, sounds good… Good night Dean."
"Night."
Sara finished cleaning her mess and hanging her towels before pulling off her pants and climbing into the bed. It was a little stiff, but could have been worse. She stared ahead at the painting on her wall, the dim lights from above her bed illuminating it just enough for her to pretend the lights in the picture were actually twinkling. That the mountains were just a few miles away.
Dean wandered back to his room and finished his beer before laying in bed, his mind wandered to the girl next door. How she was still standing and cracking jokes after everything that had happened to her over the last 72 hours. He was almost asleep when the rustle of wings caught his attention.
"You know you could just knock." He called out as he sat up from the bed again.
"Knocking seemed rather pointless, I assumed you would sense my presence." Castiel responded.
"Yeah yeah, what can I do for ya Cas?"
"How is Sara settling in?"
"As well as could be expected. She was pretty devastated about her friend."
"Yes. I took care of that."
"Took care of it?"
"I rearranged her home to reflect a simple aneurysm and peaceful death. I also adjusted the memories of everyone in town so that no one would come looking for Sara. That will also hopefully decrease the likeliness of anyone else becoming targets."
"Good. She'll be relieved to hear that…. I think."
"How is yours and Sam's relationship developing with her? You need to learn to depend on her. And her on the two of you."
"We're working on that Cas. You can't expect her to just buddy right up to us out of no where. It'll take some time."
"Time we may not have Dean. I'm afraid her existence has caused quite the stir in the world of the supernatural. Its not just angles and demons in search of her now."
"What the hell does that mean?"
"It means you must protect her at all costs. If you are near death, she can save you. If she is near death and I am not there to bring her back then she could very easily die. And if she dies, there is not coming back. We would lose what is quite possibly the most valuable asset in our arsenal."
"Yeah okay, I got it. Don't let her die."
"I'm afraid you don't fully grasp the weight of the situation Dean. She will put off an aura in the presence of the supernatural. They will be attracted to her."
"Is there anyway we can dim that some? Give us some cover?"
"I'll look into it. For now, just continue to establish a relationship with the girl. If she leaves the two of you, she will meet certain death."
Cas disappeared as quickly as he appeared. Dean fell back on the bed, and let the idea of becoming responsible for Sara's life settle upon him. He began to wonder if he and Sam had taken this on without realizing how difficult it could be.
But at the same time, he was relieved it was Sara who was dropped into their motel room. She was extremely likable and he could already tell that his brother and he both had taking a liking to her. They would protect her, and he just hoped that it would be enough to keep her around.
