Chapter 4

Dean sat quietly at the table and sipped on his water deep in thought that was broken by a door opening. He looked toward the other bedroom and saw Lark step from her bedroom. He could just make out her form by the streak of light coming from the cracked bathroom door. She only had on briefs and a skimpy tank top. He didn't say anything as she padded across the room rubbing her eyes and not paying any attention as he sat perfectly still. She stepped to the mini fridge and pulled out a bottled water. He decided he better say something so she wouldn't freak and spoke only to have the water thrown at him, which he snagged out of the air before it could hit him and cause any damage.

"Shit! You scared the crap out of me Dean!" I cried out madly when I realized it was Dean sitting at the table in the dark. "I could've shot you." I fussed un-cocking the gun and putting it back in the bag where I got it.

"Sorry. Nice throw by the way." he said sitting the water down on the table and reaching over to turn on a small lamp sitting nearby. He turned to look at me as I drew in deep breaths to calm myself. "You like Zeppelin?" he asked me noticing it printed on the tank top.

"What?" I asked not hearing what he said as my adrenaline rush started to fade and a cold chill ran up my back making me shiver.

"Sit, drink." Dean ordered opening the bottled water and pushing it toward me. "Sit Lark 'fore ya fall down." he repeated when I didn't react to his first order.

My body finally responded and I sat down in the chair and reached for the water with a trembling hand. Once I got a good grip on the bottle, I raised it to my lips and swallowed a couple of large mouth fulls letting it wet my dry throat.

"I asked do you like Zeppelin?" he asked again nodding to my top.

I looked down and realized what he was asking and swallowed again before I could answer.

"Some of their songs. I picked this up at a thrift store for a dollar. It's amazing what you can find in those stores if you look and a whole lot cheaper." I managed to get out and suddenly realized what I had on and how revealing it was when I felt chill bumps on my arms. I could feel my cheeks grow hot when I felt Dean's eyes on me a smirky expression on his face. "I'll just go put something on." I said getting up.

"Are you coming back?" he asked in a hopeful tone.

"Give me a sec." I told him walking slowly toward my bedroom without looking at him. I found my oversized T-shirt and slipped it over my head and letting it fall over my cold body. I shook myself before walking back out to join Dean at the table. I cleared my throat before speaking again. "What got you up? Sam snoring too loudly?"

"Naw, I'm use to that. Bad memories I guess, you?"

"Bad dream." I shrugged sipping a little more water.

"Guess we both have our demons we're dealing with."

"You wanna talk about them?" I asked him glancing up to look into his eyes.

"No, you?" he asked.

"Not really." I told him fiddling with my water bottle. I worked the label loose and slowly peeled it from the bottle and heard a chuckle from Dean. I looked his way to see the label for his bottle lying on the table beside his empty bottle.

"Guess we've got some of the same bad habits." he remarked seeing my label laying peeled off on the table

"Can I ask you a question?" I inquired.

"Sure why not?"

"Do you like doing this? I mean hunting?"

Dean didn't answer me at first and I could tell he was thinking about it. He pursed his lips and drew in a short breath letting it out.

"I was raised in the life, ever since I was four. My Dad trained us to be warriors, I don't know anything else and I'm very good at it. It's sort of the family business an' I'm followin' in our Dad's footsteps. What about you? Do you wish you hadn't started huntin'?"

"You know I don't know, I probably never would have if I hadn't had a best friend die and found out about what's out there, but after I did, I don't look back. I have no regrets about doing it. I know I'm making a difference and saving lives that might not otherwise be saved. Like you, I'm good at the job. Where's your Dad?"

"Dead." Dean said casting his eyes downward as he drew his lips into a tight line.

"Sorry for your loss." I said softly. I could tell it was a touchy subject and didn't bother asking any further questions. I figured if he wanted to talk about it he would; I wasn't going to probe and bring up unhappy memories for him.

"It's fine, it's in the past." he said standing up and looking off toward the bedrooms. "Think I'll head on back to bed, see if I can get a little more sleep."

"Yeah, me too." I agreed getting up too. I let him go first and waited until he was back in his bedroom before heading to mine. I closed the door enough for privacy, but left it open a crack where I could hear if the brothers got up. I ditched the T-shirt and crawled back in bed pulling the covers up over me before settling down willing a dreamless sleep to come.

spn

Movement in the other room woke me and I rolled over looking at the clock deciding to get up. I dressed and packed my bag before stepping from the room with it. I was going to head on out and search for another hunt. Sam was in the bathroom showering, but I didn't see Dean anywhere. Their bedroom door was open and I could see in there; it was empty. I sat my bag down and pulled out some money wanting to leave it for them. Stepping to their bedroom door, I looked in trying to decide where to put it where they would find it. I went over to the duffle and opened the top of it to drop the money inside figuring that would as good a place as any. I noticed a worn journal in the bag and wondered if it was Dean's. I fingered the soft leather and pulled it up enough to open it to the front page. I saw the pictures of two kids and one of two adults and two kids. I didn't think this was Dean's; it was probably his fathers so I closed it back not wanting to intrude. I wouldn't have read any of it even if it was Dean's. You didn't pry into a hunter's journal unless you had permission. I didn't hear the soft barefoot steps coming up behind me until Sam spoke.

"Ummm...You need something?" Sam asked from the doorway watching me with my hands down in Dean's duffle.

I jumped, jerking my hands free and turned around feeling my face growing hot at being caught and looked guiltily at Sam.

"I...I wanted to leave some money for the room and food." I said holding out the bills. "Dean wouldn't take it last night."

"That's nice of you, but it's ok..." he started until I stopped him.

"I don't like owing anyone, so please take it." I insisted pushing the money into one of his hands before stepping around him to make my exit into the other room.

Sam didn't bother counting it. He stuffed it into his pocket and went to his bag to put his dirty clothes in before heading back into the other room.

"Are you leaving?" Sam asked seeing I was putting on my boots.

"Yes, thought I'd get an early start." I said gathering my things.

"Dean's gone after breakfast, at least wait and eat something and tell him good-bye." Sam urged. He liked Lark and it wouldn't take much for it to be more, but he had a feeling Dean felt the same way. She seemed better suited for Dean anyway. There weren't many who could go toe to toe with his brother and it was fun watching them square off against each other.

"Just tell him good-bye for me. Maybe we'll cross paths again." I said shouldering my bag and stepping for the door when it suddenly opened and Dean stepped in making me step back.

"What's goin' on?" he asked looking to Sam and then to Lark noticing she had her bag and looked ready to leave.

"Lark was heading out and I was trying to get her to stay and eat at least." Sam told him.

"He's right, you should eat." Dean told me holding up the bag and the drink holder with four cups. "I got tea and coffee, wasn't sure what you drunk. The foods here and hot, so grab a seat, I'm not letting you leave until you eat."

Sam's eyes widened for a moment thinking Dean had said the wrong thing, figuring Lark was sure to leave now. He saw her body stiffen for a moment and her facial features grow hard until Dean continued.

"Please stay; you'll just have to stop somewhere and get something. No telling when we'll run into each other again. One more meal together?" he said softening his tone.

"Fine." I said turning to sit my bag down and following them to the table. I didn't feel like arguing with him and the food was there, might as well enjoy it.

"Before I forget, here's both our cell numbers in case you need backup sometime." Sam said sliding a piece of motel stationary Lark's way with two cell numbers on it.

"Thanks, I'll put them in my cell." I said. "Let me have yours."

Sam looked for his jacket and got up to find his phone. He handed it to me and I added my number to his contacts list.

"I gave you mine in case you guys need help also. Don't hesitate to call." I told him. "I'll be glad to assist, we didn't make to bad a team last time."

"We will." he said pocketing his phone.

Dean handed out food and drinks to everyone and we ate without much conversation between the three of us. It didn't take us long to finish the meal and prepare to leave.

"Good to see you again Lark." Sam said giving me a warm hug. "You take care of yourself. Maybe we'll meet again soon."

"You too and you never know, it's a small world out there if you think about it, especially in our line of work." I said learning Sam was a hugger and stretched up letting my lips lightly brush across his in a gentle kiss before stepping out of his embrace. "Just wanted to satisfy curiosity." I said softly before turning to get my bag. I didn't see the surprised look on his face as he looked from me to Dean and back.

"I'll walk you out." Dean said taking my bag before I could pick it up. He looked back at Sam wondering if he got his signals crossed with Lark. Maybe she decided Sam was better suited for her. "Wanna get our things ready?" he told Sam before opening the door and letting me go first.

We walked to my truck and I opened the driver's door allowing Dean to sit my bag inside. He stopped me from getting into the truck and looked into my eyes.

"You be careful out there." he said cupping my cheek and running a thumb over my skin. "Don't take any unnecessary risks ok?"

"I'm always careful and you know we always take risk, it's part of the job." I said before standing on my tiptoes and slipping a hand around his neck to pull his head down slightly so I could kiss him this time. "You take care of yourself too." I said running a hand down his cheek before getting in the truck and driving away. I looked in the side mirror and saw he was leaning against the Impala watching me leave. Who knows maybe some day I might actually have a real date with one of them. I was still struggling with my feelings for both of them, though I was leaning more toward Dean; yet, Sam had his own unique qualities. One thing I would not want to do would be to cause ill feelings between the brothers. Oh well, I sighed, it would probably be another four months or longer before I saw them again anyway; they would probably have forgotten me by then.

A/N: The hunters part ways, each going on their own hunts, what could go wrong? Hope you are enjoying getting to know Lark as her character develops. Whether I will have her hook up with one of the guys is still up in the air, any thoughts? Not a good week for me, please review it would lift my spirits. Thank you for following, favoring and reviewing. NC