Chapter Six

Settling In

Dean was more impressed with Amy when he learned she drove a white Mini Cooper. He couldn't help but be proud when Amy also gave an approving smile toward his '69 Impala. He was still troubled by the fact that he was by her side again. But what made things more awkward was that Dean knew he and Sam were on a mission and Amy was now involved one way or another. The moment he got into the black vehicle, Dean almost wished they had rejected Amy's offer to stay with her. But their father had left a 'key' for them.

Nothing made sense so far.

He sat behind the wheel, slumped back into the seat in his great black leather jacket. Dean followed the white Cooper down the streets and around the corners toward Amy's apartment. Sam sat in the passenger seat, his jacket and Dean's laptop in his lap, and began a bit of research.

"Professor Saton was right," Sam murmured. "Not a lot of information about Natiskawa. Some historians even reference her as never really existing at all. Even 'Magi writing' is believed to be fake."

"Maybe research should be focused more on Ramesses…" Dean offered, turning the wheel. "He's the best link to go through."

He nodded and Sam slowly closed the laptop.

"So…" Sam started. "It was good seeing Amy again, huh?"

Dean pursed his lips and barely turned to his brother, keeping his eyes on the road. "I dunno. It seems like a bad idea staying with her…"

"Why, Dad did…" Sam protested. "Besides…with Amy's help we have connections for research. That means we get the job done faster. Besides…I really feel like it's important we're with her… "

"Why?"

Sam was silent for a moment. He wanted to admit to Dean that his feelings about all this was a lot stronger than he gave out.

Tell him about the dreams…Sam thought angrily.

"Dad was with her…Dad stayed with her for a week…" Sam offered. "And remember…he left us some sort of key…"

Dean nodded and ordered, "Fine, we'll do it Dad's way. But when we discover what evil force is behind this…and we get involved…we leave her out completely…"

O.O.O.O.O.

"Damn," Dean muttered as Amy opened the white door.

She lived in an apartment complex called Iris Farms. The complex was composed off five-story white buildings with clean black stairs. The numbers on the doors and even the hallways were neat.

"Are you sure we're not in a hotel?" Dean laughed, looking oddly at a Van Gogh painting in the hallway.

Amy, with her briefcase in hand, smiled as the three made their way to the top floor.

"This was my gift from dear Mom and Dad…they were proud of my graduating university and the whole being a professor deal… they promised if I took the apartment…they wouldn't but into my life as much."

Sam smiled and nodded. "How are your parents?"

They made it to the fifth floor and Amy stopped in front of a white door with the numbers 607 on the front. "Well, last time I checked…they're enjoying Sydney…"

"Sydney?" Dean asked.

"Australia…" Amy laughed as she opened the door.

The inside was just as impressive as the outside. Dean gazed at the clean white walls and white carpet. She had black furniture and Dean and Sam weren't surprised to see her walls covered in art posters, black and white photographs, and movie posters.

"I see you still have your taste in movies," Dean mentioned, stopping in the entry hallway, looking at an Edward Scissorhands poster.

Amy smiled as she led Dean and Sam from the foray. "Tim Burton is god."

The posters and photographs were placed in appropriate numbers around the apartment. Everything was neat and organized and clean. The apartment was larger than expected – the large beige kitchen was off to the left once they left the foray area. The living room was amazing – black leather furniture including a couch, love seat, and a large chair that could fit three – there was a large T.V. equipped with a DVD and HHS player, and there was a stereo system against the back wall.

Dean made himself comfortable on the couch while Sam dropped their two bags on the floor by the love seat.

"Amy this place is great!" Sam exclaimed.

Amy appeared from the right hallway – apparently where the bathroom and the master bedroom and guest room were found.

"It's a good place…good area…the biggest reason why my parents wanted me to take this place," Amy explained.

Sam nodded and went to the far wall. There were three large square windows including two great glass doors that led to a balcony.

Opening the glass doors, Sam stepped into the chilly weather and his eyes grew wide at the balcony. He disappeared outside as Amy removed her jacket and rested it on the couch. She looked over at Dean whose head was resting comfortably on the white pillows.

"Tired?" Amy laughed.

Dean looked up at her and gave her that smile. It was a smile she had grown up to know and love. She smiled back.

"Yeah," Dean yawned slightly, "we drive around a lot."

"Looks like you boys are working hard."

Dean sat up slightly and Amy sat down on the arm of the chair.

"You know Amy…" Dean said slowly, his arm resting on the opposite side of the couch. "You really have it good. You've got a career…parents took care of this awesome place…"

Amy shrugged and sighed. "I hope you're not thinking I'm a spoiled rich girl, or something."

Dean smiled and shook his head. "Just proud."

Her smile changed. It didn't grow wider nor smaller. She looked at him in a way that made Dean feel immediately awkward.

"I'm proud of you too, Dean," Amy whispered. "You're back…and you and your brother are working together…"

Sam came out from the balcony and rubbed his cold arms. "Hey, nice balcony-"

"I'll go check it out," Dean said quickly, leaping from the couch and coolly walking over to the balcony and disappearing.

Sam approached Amy on the couch and stood in front of her.

"Dean's not good with reunions, huh?" Amy giggled.

He shrugged and Sam grinned, "It's hard to get him in a touchy-feely mood, but he'll come around."

Amy smiled and she studied Sam's face for a moment. He narrowed his eyes at her in a questionable way and wiggled his eyebrows in a jokingly way.

She blushed and turned her face away.

"Ha, what is it?" Sam chuckled.

Amy released a small sigh and smiled. "I dunno…something about you kiddo…you're like a little brother to me…I know we haven't talked in a while…it's just really good to see you…it's just…I can't help but…"

"But what?" Sam asked. He moved toward her and sat down in the couch. Amy, still sitting on the arm, turned to her old friend and her hand rested on his shoulder.

Her eyes focused down on him once more. "Sam…is everything okay? You and Dean are in the detective business now…I just can't help but feel really…"

"Concerned?" Sam finished.

Amy bit her upper lip and whispered, "Worried."

O.O.O.O.O.

Dean had his hands gripped on the balcony railing. Wind blew through his dirty blonde hair and the cool air felt good against his face. This was the perfect view of Evanston. The trees had changed their color and the main city and parks were in eye view. Dean took a deep breath, inhaling a great scent of pine and cold air.

He didn't turn his head when Sam joined his side. The two brothers remained silent as their eyes were scattered across the town.

"Amy's in the shower. She showed me her bedroom…she has a great computer system set up…good for research…she suggested we call this Harris guy at the museum and try and go see him tomorrow. Especially if we want our detective work to get done as soon as possible."

Dean nodded. He had his game face on now – stern and serious.

"You go see Harris at the museum…" Dean instructed. "We don't know yet if it's this Egyptian princess yet…I'm gonna go see the first victim's family…they're here in Evanston…"

"I agree," Sam nodded. "But I do have a pretty good feeling it's this Natiskawa. The murders didn't happen until the case of all the Egyptian artifacts were sent from Cairo for this museum opening."

"But why just Illinois?" Dean asked. "Five women…all in this state…the first victim just happened to be here…"

"I don't know why she would just stick around here," Sam offered. "But we're not going to know anything until we talk to Harris and get info on the victims."

"Good job Sammy," Dean added, he patted his brother hard on the back and stepped back inside of the apartment, leaving Sam to stare after him.

O.O.O.O.O.

Dean was playing around with the T.V. while Sam used the laptop to get the address of the museum and the number for Edward Harris.

Both were silent until they heard the phone ring.

"Should we get it?" Dean asked.

The phone continued to ring but Sam just reminded that the answering machine would get it. They remained silent and Dean and Sam continued what they were doing.

"…Hi, it's Amy, sorry I missed your call…leave a name and number and I'll get back to you as soon as I can…"

BEEP.

"…Well hey there professor…it's Michael…" a voice began on the answering machine. It was a deep and gentle voice that was playing.

"Must be a student," Sam said as he typed at the laptop.

"…sorry I canceled dinner last night. Hospital was crazy…"

Dean looked at Sam and suddenly both boys had an interest in the message – especially Dean.

"…I actually have to go in tonight for a late shift. I set up reservations at our restaurant for tomorrow night. I'll stop by your place tomorrow morning. I love you. Bye."

BEEP. Message over.

Dean narrowed his eyes at the black phone and its receiver on the kitchen counter.

Amy walked out of the hallway wearing jeans and a plain blue long-sleeve shirt. Her long brown hair looked black as it was wet and she ran a hand through the strands.

"I miss a call?"

Sam, sitting on the large leather seat, sat up to meet Amy's gaze.

"Yeah…a Michael called?"

"Yeah, who's Michael?" Dean asked.

Amy smiled and she stared at the answering machine for a brief moment before turning back to the guys.

"Ah, well, I was hoping you boys could meet him when I first introduce you…Michael is my boyfriend…"

"Oh wait, the doctor…I remember you told me about him last year…" Sam smiled and laughed. "I never knew you two were involved."

"Oh, we weren't at the time. He was a great friend. We've been together for about eight months…"

Dean looked back at forth at the two. He dropped the remote control on the couch and sat in the love seat. He had thrown his leather jacket on the floor and once again made himself comfortable on the furniture. He was wearing a navy blue T-shirt and his arms rested above his head, showing off his strong biceps and flat stomach.

"So," Amy crooned. She walked over to their work station and sat down on the couch beside Sam. "Pretty early in the evening…you guys have plans?"

Dean yawned rather loudly and Sam went back to the computer in his lap. "Actually," Sam said softly, "just going to call this Harris guy and go to bed…"

Amy nodded and stood up. "It's almost five…I'm actually tired too…I'll call and order some Chinese…"

"Thanks Aimes," Sam said, calling Amy by her real name.

She stood up and walked over to the phone. Dean watched as she replayed Michael's message and then erased it. Moments later she was talking to someone at the Chinese restaurant.

O.O.O.O.O.

Amy and Sam were both watching a college football game while Dean was on the phone.

"…Hi, this is Dean Winchester…I'm a student at the university and I'm studying Ancient Egyptian history. Your friend, Professor Ian Saton, recommended that I speak with you about my dissertation. I just wanted to call and schedule a possible appointment. If it's alright I'll be stopping by in the morning around ten or eleven. Thanks, bye."

Dean hung up and rejoined Sam and Amy.

"Hey," Sam said, watching Dean sit down, "I thought I was going to the museum…"

"You're more of a people-person," Dean said, sitting down on the couch by Sam, "you handle the family…I get the museum guy."

Sam nodded and went back to the game.

There were empty, white Chinese cartons scattered around the black center table. Amy stood up quietly and took care of the trash left behind of their early dinner. She began to tidy up when Sam and Dean stood up to help but she raised a hand in defense, "You're my guests…sit…"

Sam and Dean followed the command and watched as she cleaned the table and walked to the kitchen to throw away the remains.

O.O.O.O.O.

The gray apartment had a comfy, homey feeling to it. There was a brown couch and seat against the wall and a widescreen television set up on the opposite side. The carpet was dark red and spotless. It was a small apartment, meant for only one person.

There was a dog, a black Labrador, that slept quietly on the couch. He listened to the silent ticking of the clock. The creature's ears perked up when the door opened. A slight whine escaped the dog's mouth before it took off the couch in a run and ran out the still open door. The person who had stepped in closed the door slowly right as the dog ran away.

He was still dressed in the same white dress shirt, jeans, and a pair of black dress shoes. His eyes were gray and worn and he appeared to have lacked sleep for a long period of time. His legs moved slowly across the red carpet as he made his way to the couch.

Sitting down, the man gently rested his hands on his knees and stared down at the brown table in the center of the room. Five pictures of the same size were spread out across the table: the first picture was of a young girl of the age eighteen; the second picture showed a woman in her thirties at the park; the third revealed a woman in her twenties who was walking down the street; the fourth was that of an elderly woman sitting in a wheelchair on her front porch; and the fifth was of a beautiful woman with curly blonde hair at a grocery store.

The victims.

He looked carefully at the pictures and smiled. His large hand reached into his back pocket and he pulled out a new picture.

The sixth picture was placed in the last of the row – it showed a young woman wearing a blue dress and she had a cast on her arm, walking away from a church.

The man smiled devilishly down at the sixth picture.

"You're next."

O.O.O.O.O.

It was set up so Sam had the guest room and Dean took the couch that pulled out into a bed. The guestroom was a large white room that had a single painting against the wall and a large window that had a great view of the city. There was a queen-size bed and a black nightstand beside it. Dean and Sam had inspected the room earlier and found no "key" left by their father.

Sam came out of the guest room dressed in black sweats and a blue T-shirt. He rubbed his tired eyes and came into the living room to see Dean prepare his bed. He moved away the black center table and spread out the moveable bed. Once that was done, Dean looked down at his creation and smiled.

"Good work," Sam mocked.

Dean looked up and rolled his eyes. He wore a pair of gray sweatpants and he was shirtless.

"You know…we are staying at someone else's home…you could be respectful and wear a shirt," Sam noted. He walked over to his brother and sat down on the love seat.

Dean smiled slyly and looked down at his hard pecs and six-pack abs. He then looked at his strong arms and flexed a moment. At that moment, Amy came out from the main hallway dressed in black sweats and a white T-shirt.

"What's the fun in that?" Dean whispered.

Amy walked over slowly toward the two brothers. She crossed her arms over her chest and stared at the two of them. Dean couldn't help but smile when he noticed Amy blink several times at Dean and then turn directly to Sam.

"So, you guys waking up early for work?" Amy yawned. It was only seven but everyone in the apartment seemed to be exhausted.

"I intend on sleeping in," Dean yawned, putting his hands on his hips.

Sam nodded and rubbed his chest. "Same too."

Amy noticed the way Sam rubbed his chest and how he cringed. "You okay, Sam?"

Sam looked up and blinked, "I think I just had some bad Chinese food."

"Me too, stomach ache," Amy admitted. "Want some Tums?"

"Please."

Sam followed Amy into the kitchen, leaving Dean to already tuck himself in.

Amy and Sam were in the kitchen and as he leaned against the small island in the middle, Amy grabbed a bottle of Tums from one of her cabinets. Not only did she come back with the Tums, she also held a small orange bottle in her hand.

"What's that?" Sam asked, taking the large chalky pill and swallowing it with a glass of water.

Amy took the water from Sam when he was done and she opened the small bottle and took out a tiny white pill. "The good Doctor Boyfriend gave it to me," she laughed. "I, umm…I sort of have a sleeping disorder…sometimes I don't sleep at all…mostly because of night terrors…"

"Night terrors?" Sam asked. "Bad nightmares?"

"Oh yeah," Amy responded as she swallowed the pill. "I've had it all my life. It wasn't that much of an issue when I was younger…except I would wake up screaming or crying. It doesn't happen often."

Sam nodded and smiled. "I'm glad we're here, Amy."

Amy nodded and said, "I am too. Get to bed. And oh, if I can help at all with any of this-"

"I'll let you know," Sam finished. He leaned over and placed a small kiss on her forehead. "Good night."

Amy hugged her old friend and she watched as he left the kitchen and made his way to the guest room.

Dean was still lying in his bed when Amy came over.

He had the blanket up to his waist and he had three pillows stalked on one another and leaned his back against it. He was typing something into his laptop and looked up when Amy came forward.

"Come to tuck me in?" Dean asked wryly.

She cocked her head to the side as she sat down on the edge of the made-bed. "Just saying good night. You okay here?"

"Perfect," Dean answered.

Amy smiled and shook her head. Dean smiled at her again in that way – Amy remembered those pouty lips and soft eyes.

"You still get the girls with that look?" she giggled.

Dean shrugged playfully and closed the laptop. "Oh, please, never."

She looked at him and gave a playful grin. "Good night, Dean," Amy whispered softly. She stood up, smiling, and walked away.

He watched after her, slightly confused at what had happened. He had attempted at flirting. And apparently failed.

Good job Dean…he thought. Frustrated, Dean leaved over toward the small table with a lamp and the remaining light in the apartment faded away.

O.O.O.O.O.