Chapter 3

"You better have got me something good to eat," Dean told Sam as he opened the door to the room. He paused in the doorway not allowing us to enter until he checked the place out. I waited patiently behind Sam figuring this was normal for them. I got the feeling that Dean was very protective of his little brother and it wouldn't sit well with him if you tried to hurt Sam or the other way around. I'm sure Sam would defend Dean if you threatened him too. I could tell they had a strong bond between them.

"It's ok," Dean finally said letting us in. "One bedroom has a queen, that's yours."

"Thanks," I said looking into the first bedroom to see two full beds and stepped to the other one and went in putting my duffle on the bed. I took my outer shirt off and looked at the ugly bruise in the shape of a hand print that had formed on my lower arm before wandering back into the main room.

"Lark, I wasn't sure what you liked so you have a choice," Sam said sitting food out on the table. "Hamburger or salad with grilled chicken strips."

"Actually either is fine, I'm not too picky, though I do eat fairly healthy," I told him sitting in the seat Dean pulled out for me. "Thanks."

"Damn, is your arm ok?" Sam asked taking my bruised arm in his large hands to look at it. "It looks like your other hand is swelling from that punch you gave that guy."

"I've had worse," I said trying not to wince when he touched the spreading, black bruise. I didn't like showing any weakness to anyone, even these two. I learned early on to hide any signs of emotions, not wanting to be seen as a helpless female. I showed only a strong, no frills, thick skinned hunter who was good at the job. I was all business and showed other hunters I could handle myself in a hunt. I gained the respect of the few who knew me and took no lip from the others.

"You should put some ice on them if they're bothering you," Sam said rubbing his warm hand down my arm.

"I'll be right back," Dean noted getting up and snagging the ice bucket and heading out of the room. He was back in five minutes and sat the bucket by me and continued to the bathroom for a wash cloth. Dean took my hand and folded the cloth over it before making an indention in the ice and slipped my hand into it. I hissed as the cold hit my swollen knuckles, but held it in place. "Let it stay in there for ten minutes, it'll take the swelling down. It's a wonder ya didn't break something."

"I will," I said removing my arm from Sam's warm hands trying to hide my discomfort. I didn't usually let others touch me, but Sam was gentle and caring. I wondered what it would be like to kiss him and looked over at Dean as he searched the bag for his food. I remembered his soft lips against mine when he kissed me at the hospital. I pushed those thoughts down and locked them away and concentrated on my food. I could feel myself being pulled in two different directions and didn't like it. I needed to push these feelings away and not dwell on them because nothing could come of them. This line of work didn't allow for distractions or love interests and my first encounter with these two was the first time I've even felt like this since before I started hunting. I had a couple of boyfriends over the years, but I was never serious about any of them. I figured I hadn't met the right one yet and I was still young and had plenty of time to find Mr. Right. Those thoughts and feelings got pushed down into the very corner of my mind after I started hunting.

spn

"Did you get onions on mine?" Dean asked looking in the bag and pulling out more food.

"No, you know I have to sleep in the same room with you tonight," Sam stated firmly.

"Dude! That's the best part," Dean whined and pouted looking at his burger. "It feels naked now."

"I got extra bacon," Sam coaxed.

"Now you're talking!" Dean said suddenly brightening up with the news.

I watched the interchange between the brothers with interest as I opened my salad. Sam pushed some dressing my way as he took some for his salad. He smiled kindly toward me and I gave him a half smile back before looking down at my salad forking some into my mouth.

"So you on a case or just finished one?" he asked me.

I held a finger up for him to wait as I chewed up what I had in my mouth so I could answer.

"In between actually. I was going to look for something in a day or two. How 'bout you?"

"We just finished a haunting and was heading to Bobby's, but got wind of some strange deaths that's on the way so we're going to check it out first."

"You'll have to tell him hello for me and I'll swing by to see him soon."

"I will," Sam nodded. "I didn't get to thank you for saving me a while back, so thank you," he said as he stirred his salad before forking some up to eat.

"Wasn't anything, I was helping a fellow hunter," I shrugged giving him a small smile.

"Did you get pie?" Dean asked looking into the bags.

"They didn't have pie Dean, you know that."

"Crap, I wanted pie," he complained.

"You don't need pie at every meal, wouldn't hurt you to take better care of yourself."

"Bite me," Dean growled at his brother.

"You do take your pie serious," I giggled listening to their banter as I ate my salad.

"Does he ever," Sam smirked getting a ketchup coated French fry thrown at him by Dean.

"Hey!" Sam complained picking the fry off his shirt. "You know that's gonna leave a stain on my shirt."

I couldn't help myself; I started laughing at the expression on Sam's face and what he said. Sam looked at me puzzled by my reactions as I tried to control my fits of laughter. Dean looked at me arching his eyebrows but not saying anything. I used a napkin to wipe the tears from my cheeks and bit my lip to try not to laugh again. I could feel my hand getting numb from the cold and wiggled my fingers slightly deciding it had been in long enough.

"Are you ok?" Sam asked cautiously watching me trying to control my laughter.

I'm fine," I choked out. "Excuse me, no disrespect intended, I just never thought you'd say that," I apologized. I hadn't laughed like that in a long time and it actually felt good.

"It's my favorite shirt," Sam shrugged taking a napkin dampened with water to dab at the ketchup stain on his shirt.

"Of course," I answered averting my eyes and clearing my throat. I sipped my drink calming myself so I could look at Sam without laughing. These two were kind of fun to hang out with and I was starting to enjoy their company. I was glad our paths had crossed again.

spn

"Would you like to take a shower first?" Dean asked when he saw I was almost done eating.

"Thanks, I do want to wash the bar smell off me and out of my hair." I said sniffing my T-shirt and wrinkling my nose. "That's the only problem with bars like that, but I gotta say that one wasn't as bad as some I've been in."

"You got that right. Some you can hardly see for the cloud of smoke hanging in the air." Dean agreed.

"Well if you'll excuse me, I'll get that shower so you two can have your turns." I said getting up and tossing my trash before stepping into my bedroom to get a change of clothes. Since I wasn't alone, I grabbed some loose sweats, oversized T-shirt, and briefs to change into. I dug out my bathroom bag and headed out of the bedroom. I didn't look over at the brothers, so I didn't see them looking at me as I strolled into the bathroom.

"Think we should see if she wants to come with us?" Sam asked quietly. "I hate to think of her hunting out there alone."

"She's done ok so far." Dean replied eyeing the closed bathroom door. He saw red when he saw the bruise left on her arm from the guy in the bar. Dean wanted to go hunt the guy down and give him the beating he deserved. "Besides, I don't think she would come even if we asked. She's her own woman and strikes me as very independent."

"I guess you're right. We could at least give her our numbers in case she needs backup sometime."

"Yeah, she'll probably take those." he nodded before stuffing the last bite of burger into his mouth.

They both turned toward the bathroom when singing could be heard coming from behind the door. The words she was singing could just barely be made out.

"Guess it's true, I'm not good at a one-night stand
but I still need love because I'm just a man
these nights never seem to go to plan
I don't want you to leave, will you hold my hand?

Oh won't you stay with me?
Cause you're all I need
This ain't love, it's clear to see
But darling, stay with me"

"She's not bad." Sam said tilting his head to listen better.

"Yeah she is." Dean agreed trying to act like he wasn't listening but he was. He was listening to the words and wondered if they had some meaning for Lark. He wouldn't admit it, but the words were ones he could relate to.

"Why am I so emotional?
No it's not a good look, gain some self control
And deep down I know this never works
But you can lay with me so it doesn't hurt.

Oh won't you stay with me?
Cause you're all I need
This ain't love, it's clear to see
But darling, stay with me."

spn

Everyone went to bed after Dean showered, Sam deciding to wait until morning to get one and were all sleeping. The motel creaked and groaned as it settled with the temperature change outside. Dean tossed in his sleep as he fought his demons and jerked awake panting hard. He looked over at Sam and saw he was still sleeping. He wiped sweat from his face and threw back the covers to get up. He headed into the other room, grabbed a water from the mini fridge and sat down at the table.

The dream I was having jerked me awake and I lay there sucking in deep breaths trying to slow my racing heart. It was always the same dream that ended the same way. My throat was dry so I decided to get a bottle of water from the mini fridge. I threw the covers back and got up going to the door and opening it. There was just enough light coming from the crack in the bathroom door to give me light so I could make my way across the room to the fridge. I opened it and took out a bottle of water and was closing the door when a male voice spoke off to the side of me.

"Couldn't sleep either?"

Hunter reflexes kicked in and I threw the bottled water at the voice while diving for a weapon's bag and coming up with a gun cocked and ready to fire. My aim was true and I almost fired until I recognized the shadow sitting at the table.

A/N: Lark likes being around the guys even though she is hiding any romantic feelings for either of them. Reviews/comments would make my day. NC