Kristin's POV
Kristin slammed into the wall after trying to take the turn at full speed. She chanced a glance behind her, trying to see the ghost, or whatever it was that was chasing her. Nothing was there, but she could hear the heavy footsteps coming closer. Suddenly the hall was so cold Kristin could see her breath. Not possible Kristin thought, considering it was 80 degrees outside. Not pausing to find out why she ran down the stairs, to the front door and tried to pull it open. She nearly dislocated her arm attempting the fling it open. The footsteps hit the top of the stairs, sending panic flooding through Kristin's veins.
"HELP!" she screamed, banging on the door in between attempts to shake it open. A tall man with long-ish, dark hair suddenly appeared at the door and attempted to open it from the other side for moment before shouting, "RUN!" Kristin whipped around in time to see the ghost swinging an ax at her. She ducked, barely moving out of the way in time. The ax slammed into the wood of the door, getting stuck. The ghost, a middle-aged man wearing a suit and covered in blood, attempted to rip the ax from the wall. Seeing that the ax was still stuck, Kristin took this opportunity to run towards the back door. She rounded the corner into her kitchen and nearly slammed into the barrel of a sawed-off shotgun. A man stood in the darkness of her kitchen, shotgun in hand. Kristin froze in fear. She could hear the footsteps of the ghost drawing closer.
"Duck," his deep, gruff voice instructed. Doing as she was told, Kristin ducked and the man shot the shogun just ask the footsteps entered the kitchen. "Come on, let's get out of here, quickly. That won't hold him off long," the man held out his hand to Kristin and she took it without hesitation. Suddenly, a flash of light sparked behind her eyes, causing her to pinch her eyes shut and grasp at her head in pain. "Whoa there," the man said, helping her to stand and escorting her outside. He wrapped his left arm around her waist, tucking her into his side, while his right arm continued to wield the shotgun.
"Is she okay?" The man from her front door asked, standing in her driveway next to an older, well-maintained black car. The man with the shotgun turned Kristin to him gently by her shoulders and asked "sweetheart, are you alright?" Kristin looked up at the man, really taking him in for the first time. He was much taller than her, by at least a foot or more. His brown hair spiked up slightly at the front. His strong jaw was covered in a 5 o'clock shadow, with full, soft looking lips. Finally, her blue eyes met his green ones. Momentarily, her breathing ceased and her heart began to beat faster, and a warm sensation spread throughout her belly. This man was by far the most attractive man she had ever seen. His face was almost too perfect.
"I...," Kristin stammered, in shock of both the ghost and the beauty of the man before her. She looked to the other man, who was even taller, just briefly before returning her gaze to her green-eyed savior. "I don't know," she honestly answered. She green eyed man stood there, lips slightly parted, his eyes taking her in with the same intensity that she had looked him over. They stared at each other silently, in adoration, for a moment before the taller man cleared his throat.
"Come on, let's get out of here," the taller man stated, tapping green eyes on the shoulder while looking over to Kristin's house.
"Yeah, uh, here, get in," green eyes said softly to Kristin, gently guiding her by the small of her back to the car, helping her in climb in the backseat. Once she was situated, both men got in and the engine roared to life before pulling out and heading away from her home.
Silence descended on the car, leaving Kristin feeling completely out of sorts. It was unusually dark in her neighborhood, almost as if the street lights had gone out. They pulled out of her neighborhood and onto the main street, where the street lights were lit. She glanced up at the rear view mirror to catch green eyes looking at her with confusion.
"What was that?" Kristin held his gaze for a moment before he looked back at the road.
"A vengeful spirit," the other man stated matter of factly. Kristin's eyes pulled away from the rear view mirror and looked to the other man. "He uh... well, he seeks out those who have moved on from great loss, trying to make them feel the pain he felt."
"I'm sorry, what?" Kristin closed her eyes, shaking her head slightly. "You're saying that was a ghost, like, a real, live ghost?"
"Yes," green eyes replied.
"And it wanted to hurt me?"
"Yes." He answered again, meeting her eyes in the rear view mirror briefly.
"How..." she looked out the window, not believing her ears, even though she saw the ghost herself. "How did you guys find me?"
"We did a search for anyone who lost an immediate family member in the last 2 years and given the small town, you were one of 5 on the list. And," the taller man seemed to hesitate. "Your loss was the most painful." He glanced over to green eyes briefly before turning in his seat to look at Kristin with empathy in his expression. She bit her lip and looked away, nodding.
"The ghost already killed 6 people in town who had a significant loss. One every year on June 23rd, today. We honestly took a guess on you," green eyes explained. Kristin continued to look anywhere but the two men. She didn't want to remember the loss, what had happened. The guilt was eating her up inside still to this day. Why, when she had just started moving on, did something like this have to happen and bring her pain right back?
"Who are you guys?"
"We're hunters," green eyes explained, his voice deep and smooth. "We track down the supernatural and gank their asses. Unfortunately we are always a step behind them."
"That's a real thing?" Kristin looked between the two men. "How can you... I mean... how could you shoot that ghost back there?"
"Rock salt ammo," green eyes elaborated. "Each monster or ghost has something that hurts them, kills them. For ghosts, salt does the trip temporarily. The only way to really end a ghost is to burn the bones."
"So why haven't you done that?" Kristin asked, her heart rate picking back up. If these guys do this for a living, there are more out there.
"We haven't figured out who he is yet to burn the bones." The men looked between each other as they pulled into the parking lot of a motel on the outskirts of the Kansas town. "We will find him, don't worry," green eyes assured her. Kristin simply nodded as he pulled into a parking spot at the motel.
"What are we doing here?" She asked hesitantly, unsure of what was happening since her home was not longer safe.
"We can't leave you alone while we figure out who this is," the taller man explained. "This ghost is clearly after you and we can keep you safe." He turned in the seat as green eyes turned off the car. "I'm Sam, and this is my brother Dean," you glanced up at the mirror and met Dean's eyes briefly.
"I'm Kristin, but I guess you guys already knew that..." she trailed off, looking down at her hands. Why was this happening?
"We won't let anything happen to you," Dean vowed, confidence dripping from his every word. Kristin nodded, taking a deep, calming breath. The men got out of the car and Dean opened Kristin's door for her, allowing her to exit the vehicle. She followed them silently into their motel room. I should feel more nervous about entering a random motel room with strangers. What is wrong with me? She asked herself. These men could easily harm her if they wanted, but clearly that was not their intent. Sam shut the motel door behind Kristin as she walked into the space, seeing two full beds and a couch. The motel decor was incredibly tacky, as if it hadn't been updated in at least 30 years. She glanced at the stained carpet, the dusty drapes, and saw the coffee table littered with guns and ammunition.
"You can trust us, we're the good guys," Sam told her, clearly seeing her stare at the guns.
"Not sure why, but I do," she looked between the brothers. Sam sat on the edge of one bed, his laptop in hand. Dean had removed his jacket, laying it on the back of a chair. His eyes met Kristin's as he rolled his lips between his teeth before looking away, continuing to take off his gear. She took a moment to take this in gorgeous man. His shoulders and biceps strained the fabric of his plaid shirt, a black t-shirt stretching tight against his chest. Dean rolled his sleeves up closer to his elbows before wiping a strong hand down his face. His brows furrowed, deep in thought. Kristin felt watched and turned to see Sam watching her stare at Dean. She tried to stop it, but she blushed slightly before sitting down awkwardly on the couch. She avoided Sam's gaze in embarrassment. After a moment, she saw Sam return his attention to his laptop.
"I think I found something," Sam broke the silence of the last 2 minutes. Dean set down the hand gun he was cleaning and walked over next to Sam. "Alec Jefferson, grew up here in Tonganoxie. He and his wife lost his son in a tragic car accident involving both his wife and kid. After the accident, he and his wife divorced and she remarried. He went to his ex wife's new home and brutally murdered the both of them with an ax in their beds. He apparently told the cops that she was evil and had planned to kill their son so that she could leave him." Sam continued reading for a moment. "Says he died in police custody after an altercation when he tried to escape."
"Certainly fits with all the other victims, including Kristin," Dean replied, hands on his hips and eyes focused on the screen. "Are you... married, dating anyone?" Dean asked hesitantly, pulling his green eyes from the computer screen.
"No, just recently divorced," she answered softly, her eyes welling with tears. The accident wasn't her fault and she would never forgive herself. She loved being a mother to Grayson, loved her husband. That drunk driver took away the best thing she had in her life. Then, after the accident, the grief was too much and her husband kept blaming her for the loss of their son and they divorced. She had just moved to a new house, started a new job, and was trying to move on with her life. The last 2 years had been the toughest of her life.
"Still, the rest of her story fits," Sam answered, clicking away at the keys of the laptop. "Says here he is buried at Maple Grove Cemetery." Sam shut the laptop and began to gather a duffle bag, shoving guns, a shovel, and some other items into it. Dean grabbed a giant container of salt and began to line the windows and doorways with it.
"Who is staying here? We can't leave her alone, Sammy," Dean asked, looking between Kristin and Sam.
"Well," Sam looked between the two. "I'll go, you stay here and keep her safe. I'll call once I reach the cemetery." Dean nodded and Sam finished backing his bag and left. Dean shut and locked the door, lining the doorway with salt. Kristin sat on the couch, watching Dean's every move, unsure of what to say or do. He finished up, putting the lid back on the salt container and turned to her, seeing the confusion on her face.
"This salt will keep the ghost outside the barriers of our room," he explained. Kristin nodded, wringing her hands in her lap nervously. Dean slowly walked over to Kristin and sat on the coffee table directly in front of her. "Don't worry, I won't let anything get to you," he gently rested his hand on top of hers, stopping the wringing of her hands. Kristin turned her blue eyes to his green ones, her breath catching slightly at the intensity of his beautiful stare. She swallowed and nodded, unable to speak. Warmth spread from his touch and into the rest of her body, butterflies stirring in her stomach. His eyes turned to where their hands met, and he softly rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand. "You should get some rest, it's late." His voice was soft, deep, and made the butterflies in her stomach swarm. All Kristin could do was nod. Dean sat there for a moment longer before rubbing a hand down his face, taking a deep breath, and then standing up. He walked to his bed and removed all of his stuff, from guns to books. He turned down the blanket at the top and turned back around to Kristin. "Do you need anything to sleep in?"
"Ugh, maybe some shorts?" Kristin replied hesitantly. Her jeans would not be very comfortable, even though she doubted she would be able to sleep. Dean rummaged through his bag and pulled out a pair of boxers.
"This is all I got, I don't really do shorts," he handed them over with a smirk that did all sorts of things to the butterflies in her stomach.
"Thanks," Kristin took the shorts with a small smile on her face, her face warming slightly when their fingers brushed during the exchange. She made her way into the bathroom to change. Taking a deep breath, Kristin splashed some water on her face before undressing, removing her pants and putting on Dean's boxers. She debated removing her bra for a moment before ultimately deciding to do so. Part of her wanted to see if this attraction was reciprocated, but also not wanting to sleep in the uncomfortable underwire. After a moment, Kristin exited the bathroom in her tight t-shirt and Dean's boxers, her unworn clothes folded in her arms. Dean turned to see her, his eyes immediately falling to her chest. He unconsciously licked his lips before turning away and letting out a sigh. So maybe it's not one sided Kristin thought. What is wrong with me? I literally just met this man and something is trying to kill me. She scolded herself as she climbed into bed, covering herself.
"You can turn off that light if you need to," Dean turned to her again, turning on a dim lamp across the room. Kristin nodded and turned off the lamp, laying down and curling into the bed. The pillow smelled of gun powder, generic soap and sandalwood. It smelled like a man. It was the same scent she had smelled when Dean helped her out of her house. God, why does he have to smell so good she groaned internally. The scent was incredibly intoxicating, just as intoxicating as his eyes. She drifted off to sleep faster than expected, Dean's scent comforting her more than she expected.
Dean's POV
Dean sat, shotgun in hand as he watched Kristin sleep. He couldn't help but stare at her, she was so incredibly beautiful. Her long, pale blonde hair falling over her shoulders and chest as she slept, the soft curve of her barely parted lips, the swell of her breasts tipped by her hard nipples pressing against her shirt as she slept, all of it intoxicating. Every breath Dean took in her presence felt like it was drawing him closer and closer to her. After saving her from Alec's ghost, he could barely keep his eyes off her. Something about her seemed so familiar and he felt intensely drawn to her, and that scared him. He'd literally just met the beautiful woman and he already knew he'd die to protect her. Dean shook his head, looking away and peeking outside the motel room window. No matter how badly he wanted her, any amount of her, he couldn't have her. Everyone he loved always got hurt. After what happened with Ben and Lisa, he wouldn't put anyone else through that. Plus, they had much bigger concerns at the moment, like leviathans.
Dean's cell rang in his pocket and he pulled it out, answering Sammy's call.
"Bad news, the bones, they are gone," Sam huffed through the phone, out of breath from all the digging.
"What? How is that possible?" Dean asked, anger and confusion showing in his tone. He kept his voice quiet.
"I don't know man, but I did an internet search to see if anything weird had happened at this cemetery in the past 10 years and get this, someone robbed this very grave just 2 weeks ago."
"When the killing started," Dean concluded, sighing in frustration and glancing to Kristin, who was still asleep.
"Exactly," Sam replied. Dean could hear Sam packing up his gear. "And, I have a name. Jack Elliot. I was able to get his current address. I'm heading there now," Same said as Dean heard him shit the trunk of the Impala.
"Why does that name sound familiar?" Dean asked, scratching his jaw.
"It's Kristin's ex husband. I found all sorts of dark shit in his house. I think he stole the bones after discovering the same pattern of murders we did," Sam continued. "I think Elliot somehow felt a connection with the same loss that Alec felt and took the bones, trying to guide this ghost to do his bidding and off Kristin," he sighed and Dean glanced to Kristin's sleeping form. "It's almost midnight, and we know this ghost must kill before the day is over. Be ready Dean."
"I'm on it," Dean said, walking around the room, double checking his salt lines and all exits.
Twenty minutes had passed and nothing had changed. The room was silent as Kristin slept peacefully in his bed, the salt lines were good, and midnight was fast approaching. Only 15 minutes left of the day and he was honestly surprised that nothing had happened. Dean's phone rang and it was Sam.
"Elliot got away," Sam huffed through the phone. "I haven't found the bones yet, but I'm searching. His place is a freaking mess. Watch your back, I think Elliot is headed your way."
"I got Elliot, you get those bones," Dean instructed his little brother.
"I'll find them," Sam said before ending the call. Dean glanced outside the window of the motel room and was met by the familiar dead eyes of Alec, his face covered in blood. "Shit!" He called out, waking Kristin.
"What's happening?" She asked, sitting up in bed quickly. Suddenly, the sound of a window breaking and a thud came from the bathroom. Kristin jumped out of the bed and away from the bathroom, walking backwards towards Dean. "Jack?" She asked in disbelief.
"I knew it," Jack stated, a sinister tone to his voice and a gun pointing directly at Kristin.
"Put the gun down man or I'll gank your ass," Dean's voice boomed as he stepped in front of Kristin, shielding her from harm.
"I'll take you out too man, I don't care." Jack's eyes were wild, seemingly with rage and jealousy. "So this is who you left me for? I knew there was someone else."
"I didn't leave you for anyone! I couldn't handle you constantly blaming me for Grayson's death! How was I supposed to stay married to a man who despised every breath I took?" Kristin defended herself, disbelief in her tone. She obviously felt betrayed.
"LIAR!" Jack screamed as the wind blew in the room, disturbing the salt lines. Dean knew what this meant, the ghost was coming in and he knew he couldn't fight the ghost off of Kristin and take out Jack at the same time, but it was too late. The ghost appeared directly in front of Jack, ax in hand. Dean immediately shot his shotgun, dissipating Alec's ghost. Jack had ducked back into the bathroom, just in time to not get shot.
"Get down!" Dean called to Kristin and she dove to the side of the other bed, shielding her body from Jack's view. Dean whipped out his hand gun, shooting towards Jack in the bathroom. Kristin screamed suddenly, and Dean turned to see what happened. Alec was above her again with the ax raised. Dean shot him with the shotgun once again and he disappeared. Behind him, Dean heard Jack trying to escape back through the window. Grabbing him by the collar of his shirt, Dean yanked him back into the room, knocking Jack's gun to the ground. Dean and Jack struggled, throwing punches and slamming each other into walls and furniture. Jack fought hard, but Dean was stronger and a better fighter. Dean sat on top of Jack, landing punch after punch on him.
"Dean! Stop!" Kristin called, but he didn't hear her. He felt a tug on his arm and turned, seeing Kristin's tear soaked face. "Please," she pleaded, tears streaming down her cheeks. Dean looked back at Jack, who was unconscious and bleeding. Dean nodded and stood, reaching for his handcuffs and cuffing Jack's hands behind his back. Glancing at the clock, Dean saw that it was 12:02, meaning that Kristin was likely safe. Breathing heavily, Dean walked over to Kristin, inspecting her face and arms gently for any sign of injury.
"Are you okay?" Dean cupped her cheek gently, seeing the pain in her eyes. Kristin shook her head and began to sob. Dean pulled her into his chest, tightly wrapping his arms around her and resting his cheek on top of her head after kissing the top tenderly.
Kristin's POV
Dean hissed as Kristin wiped some antiseptic on the cut on his forehead from the scuffle with Jack. They were back at her place. After Sam had returned, they brought Jack to Kristin's and staged everything as if Jack had attacked her in her home and that some men had subdued him and took off. They were glad that this was a really small town and that the cops didn't attempt to pursue the rescuers. Jack was taken away to jail, awaiting trial for attempted murder.
"Be still," Kristin softly admonished, continuing to clean up Dean's cut. She focused intently on his cut, her face within 6 inches of his, feeling his breath on her face. She let her eyes fall to his green ones, immediately feeling those damn butterflies return when she saw affection in his eyes. She bit her lip nervously, watching Dean's eyes fall to her lip. Her heart beat sped up and her breathing quickened. She swallowed and turned her gaze back to his cut, giving it one last swipe before backing up. "All clean," she smiled nervously.
"Thanks," he softly expressed his gratitude. Sam walked into the kitchen and the two backed up, startled out of their moment.
"We should head back," Sam stated, staring curiously between the two.
"Yeah," Dean answered, disappointment in his tone. Or, at least Kristin hoped it was disappointment. She didn't want him to leave either. Dean stood and then looked back at Kristin. "Do you feel safe staying here alone?"
"Um, yeah, sure." She replied, not actually feeling all that safe. She didn't want them to leave.
"We can stay the night if that makes you feel better," Sam offered, looking at the clock. Kristin glanced and saw that it was just past 2 am.
"I don't want you guys to feel obligated. I'll be fine."
"Hey," Dean's soft, deep voice pulled Kristin's eyes back to him. "It's okay, we don't mind, really. I ... we want you to feel safe." Kristin searched his eyes, trying to understand the stumbling of his words. Does he feel this pull, too? She couldn't help the hope that bloomed in her chest. She just met this man and she already knew she didn't want to let go.
"Okay," Kristin relented. After a moment of Dean and Kristin staring into each other's eyes, Sam cleared his throat.
"So, I'll take the couch?" Sam said with a knowing smirk on his face.
Dean's POV
Dean followed behind Kristin as she led him towards the guest room. Sam was already situated on the couch downstairs, clearly trying to give Dean and Kristin some space. When Kristin had left to get blankets and pillows for Sam, he had grilled Dean.
"You like her," Sam stated. It wasn't a question, but a factual statement.
"What? She's hot," Dean tried to act nonchalant about his attraction to Kristin. He couldn't let on to Sam that he felt something so much more, something so strong that it terrified him. He had never felt something like that at first sight.
"Yeah, okay, but why do you have hearts in your eyes every time you look at her?"
"Shut up, Sammy," Dean ground out, rubbing a hand down his face. He knew he did, he couldn't help it. With every breath she took, Dean felt himself wanting her more and more, and not just physically. Of course he wanted that too, she was an absolute 10 in his book.
"Dean," Sam got Dean's attention. "She's looking at you the same way."
Dean looked at Sammy in disbelief as Kristin came back into the room.
"There's extra pillows in the closet if you need any," Kristin stopped outside the of the guest room door. Dean stood just a foot in front of her, looking down into her beautiful, pale blue eyes. Her lashes fanned out from her beautiful eyes, dark in contrast to her skin. Her hair was down, cascading over her shoulders and onto her breasts. Dean couldn't help but stare at her lips, lust and longing shooting through his veins. "My room is here if you need anything," she pointed to the door directly across the hall from his guest room. Kristin went to turn and Dean couldn't stop himself. He gently placed his hand on her waist, stopping her from leaving. Kristin turned and looked up at Dean, the same lust and longing in her eyes. Dean bent his head down, and pressed his lips to hers softly, tentatively kissing her, feeling out her response. After a second, her heavenly soft lips moved against his, making him feel weak as he began to pull her closer, kissing her with intense need. A soft moan fell from Kristin's lips as Dean deepened the kiss. Kristin wrapped her arms around Dean's neck, opening her lips to him and allowing his tongue to enter her mouth, massaging her tongue with his. Dean tightened his arms around her waist, pressing her firmly against him. He felt his heart racing, his cock stirring to life, the lust and need for her taking over all rationale thought.
Kristin clearly felt his need for her, as she pressed herself more fully into him, causing Dean to groan in satisfaction. Dean slowly began to walk Kristin into her room, closing the door behind them for privacy. What are you doing? Dean's brain fought with his heart and other brain. Everyone you love gets hurt or dies. You can't have this and you know it. Dean slowed their kissing and pulled back, breathless, and rested his forehead against Kristin's.
"What's wrong?" Kristin asked, just as breathless as him.
"We can't," Dean whispered, pained by his decision.
"What? Why?" Kristin was confused, pulling back from him, feeling the rejection. The hurt in her eyes nearly broke him.
"You deserve so much better than I can give you. Everyone I care about gets hurt, always." Dean tried to explain to Kristin, wanting to erase the pain he saw. "My life, it's dangerous. Hell, danger is how we met."
"Then why even kiss me?" She asked, seeming angry.
"I..." Dean trailed off, looking at her beautiful face. He literally ached to press his lips back to hers and take her to bed. "I couldn't help it. I'm sorry, it was totally out of line."
Kristin nodded, crossing her arms across her chest and looking away. Dean's heart ached at the sight of her pain from being rejected and he stepped forward, gently touching her chin and making her look into his eyes.
"I know if we take this any further, I won't be able to stay away from you, and that would put you in danger," Dean told her honestly. Kristin blinked in disbelief a few times before nodding. Dean gave a sad smile before turning away and leaving the room.
"Dean?" Kristin called after him softly. Dean paused before turning around to look into her beautiful eyes. "I'm scared," she replied. Dean wasn't sure what she was scared of, the events of the evening or this intense, all-consuming need for each other. He simply nodded and walked back up to her, hugging her gently into his chest before kissing the top of her head.
"I'll keep you safe."