Holy Hiatus,y'all. I'm so sorry. I checked my little list where I keep track of when I've last updated a story. And, yeah, it's been a long ass time. I swear I don't realize that many months have gone by. I've got a good chunk of the next chapter written, too, so in a perfect world, it won't be too long before I update again.

Enjoy! Also, fair warning... Lemon ahead.

Chapter 17

Dean PoV

"I'm not going anywhere, Dean. You're stuck with me."

"Good. I like it that way," I tell her. And I mean it. Having her in my life is the best thing that's ever happened to me. "Do you think Rowena can simmer for another day? Or do we need to act now?"

"She seemed like she was still gathering items and ingredients. I also think she needs a shit-ton of juice just to harvest the souls. I'm not positive, but I think she might be trying to harness a reaper," Bella answers.

Damn. "Well that's not good. We've dealt with that kind of thing before. We should probably get to her before she can wrangle a reaper. But the reason I was asking is… do you think you and I can go off on our own for the night?"

She smiles and stretches up on her tip toes to kiss me. "Yes, Dean. I think we can spare one night. But I wanna shower first." I send a text to Sammy and Charlie letting them know that Bella and I are going out for a bit, to let off some steam. I tell them to sit tight and go over strategy. Grabbing her hand, I pull her down the street and into a different hotel. The concierge gives Bella an odd look, which has me glaring at her. She quickly looks back down at her computer screen. I rent a room for the night and lead her to the elevator and up to our room. "Dean, why are we staying here? We have two rooms at the Comfort," she asks.

"Yes, with thin walls. I'd rather Sammy, Charlie, Castiel, and your bloodsucker buddy not hear what I plan to do with you tonight."

She blinks in surprise. "Well, okay then… but what about clothes? I've been wearing this for a week." She picks at her sweatshirt that has seen better days.

"You shower… I'll go find you something to wear," I suggest. "I'll be back in a bit." She smiles and heads towards the bathroom. "Just nothing pink!" she commands as she's closing the door to the bathroom.

Back on the street, I find a clothing store that has some things that I think Bella would look amazing in. Now that money isn't an issue, I can buy her whatever I want. One thing I had Bobby do while we were searching for the girls was overnight our new Bank Cards to the hotel in New Orleans. We were running low on cash and at the time Bella was the only one that had ID that matched our new accounts, so I couldn't just go to a bank and withdraw cash. Bobby had also made a few new IDs that matched as well.

I stop at a couple clothing stores, a shoe store, lingerie shop, jewelry store, and make-up shop. Trying to tell the shop owners what sizes I needed is a bit harder than pulling teeth. I'm trying to use hand gestures to estimate her sizes. I'm fairly confident I nailed it though. My next stop was a new outfit for myself. Bella seems to not care what I wear, but I wanna look damn handsome for her.

When I return to the hotel room, I lay out the outfit and accessories that I found for Bella and wait for her to come out of the bathroom. I bought some other clothes, too, but this is what I want her to wear tonight. She comes out a few minutes later, wrapped in only a towel, with a second towel wrapped around her head like a turban. She takes a look at the outfit and then looks at me. "This is what you want me to wear tonight? Are you serious?" Meanwhile, I can't get my eyes off her creamy thighs and bare hint of ass poking out from underneath the towel. Yum.

"We're going out, Remi. Of course I want to show you off," I say, smiling confidently at my fashion choices. She shakes her head but laughs as she collects the items as I head to the bathroom for my own shower. When I emerge, she re-enters, now wearing a bathrobe over the outfit she's just put on. She's blushing furiously and won't look me in the eye. Shrugging, I head back to the bedroom part and put on my new suit.

A bit later, she emerges from the bathroom freshly dressed and even wearing the make-up that I bought. She's wearing a pair of skin-tight black skinny jeans with a dark purple halter top that shows off her tattoo and matches her hair. I found a pair of matching boots that have just a little heel, as I know she's not a fan of high-heels. She's wearing an amethyst choker with matching bracelet and earrings, and her eyes are smoky with hints of purple on the lids. "You got a thing for purple, Dean?" she asks as she appraises her look in the full length mirror that's on the closet door.

"Not really. But I gotta thing for you," I reply, standing up. "And you look hot in purple, plus it matches your hair." I walk over to her slowly and wrap my arms around her waist. "You are so beautiful." I lean down to kiss her, but she presses her finger against my lips.

"Thanks… but I didn't get all dolled up for only you to look at me, Dean. Let's go! I'm starving, too." She winks at me as she steps out of my embrace. She then appraises my look and raises an eyebrow. "Damn, you clean up good. Also, how much did you spend on this jewelry?"

I shrug. "Does it matter? We've got more money than sense now."

She laughs. "Well, that's certainly true about you, Dean."

"It's… true about you…" I retort. Yeah, I never was good at witty comebacks.

Down the road is a little dive bar that I'd heard good things about when Sammy and I were hunting down the animal blood. We head inside and order a couple shots and a couple beers. The bartender asks for ID from Bella, which she provides without batting an eye. Good girl. Never want to let them think you're carrying a fake ID. Bella also orders some appetizers, as she's still hungry after not eating much for a few days.

"So what was it like?" I ask. "Being held by Rowena."

"Oh it was a barrel of laughs," Bella replies as she downs a shot. I give her a look. "I dunno what you want me to say, Dean. It sucked, okay? I mean, yeah, she wasn't able to torture us or use any magic on us, but at the same time, we couldn't get much food or water either. We were strung up in a way that we couldn't really fall asleep. So I'm tired, I'm hungry, and I'm pissed."

I clink my bottle against hers. "Welcome to the life, sweet cheeks."

Once her food arrives, I excuse myself to hit the head real quick. When I come back, there's a guy sitting in my spot at the bar. "Hi, what's your name?" he asks. I stay a bit back so I can hear how Bella handles him.

"Would you believe me if I said, Violet?" she asks, gesturing at the many violet or purple things she's wearing. Good one, doll face.

"I'm Marty. Nice ink," he says, looking at Bella's back. "What's it mean and when'd you get it?"

"It's a family crest of sorts. I got it a few months ago," she answers. Family crest… I suppose that's not far off the mark. As far as the age of the tattoo… I guess that's true for her. It was completely healed over when she came back from the Fairy Realm.

"Is there something I can do for you?" she asks, not bothering to hide her annoyance at his presence.

"What, a guy can't flirt with a pretty girl?" the guy asks defensively. "How about another drink?"

Bella smirks. "This is you flirting?" she teases. "Anyway, I'm here with my boyfriend, so I'm not interested, but thanks." Boyfriend… I like that title.

"Fair enough," the guy replies and walks away. Spotting me, he panics momentarily but then smooths his face into a carefree expression. "Pretty gal you've got there."

I nod as I pass by and reclaim my seat. "Who was that?"

Bella shrugs. "Some guy… apparently he was flirting with me. Coulda fooled me."

"Sweet cheeks, I can say with about 97% certainty that if any guy ever approaches you and simply says, 'hi,' he's flirting with you." She rolls her eyes but doesn't disagree. Still she doesn't see how incredibly sexy, beautiful, and hot she is. And that's just on the surface. Get to know her and she's a catch times ten.

She polishes off her food and downs a few more beers before she's ready to go. We head back to our room and I've barely closed the door behind me before she's jumped into my arms and starts attacking my lips with hers. By the time we reach the bed, both our shirts are off and we're working on the pants.

Bella PoV

I shimmy out of my pants while Dean pulls off my new boots, then his pants are down and soon we're a tangle of bare legs and arms rolling around on the bed, kissing anything and everything we can find. "Damn, Remi. How do you have the energy for this?" Dean rasps as I claw down his back with my nails.

"Dean, I've wanted you like this since the day I woke up from the Abaddon ordeal. But you've barely touched me."

"You have? Why didn't you tell me?" He props himself up on his arms and looks at me, concerned. "Honey, if you want this, all you gotta do is let me know. But if you don't, I can't read your mind, so I have no way of knowing when you do."

"Always, Dean. I always want you," I reply. "Yeah, I was weak the first couple days, so it wouldn't have been so good then, but once I was better, of course I did. I guess... I guess I need to work on conveying my wants and needs to you, huh?"

"I'll say," he answers. "Not that I'm opposed to you attacking me like you just did, but yeah, lemme know and I'm there, babe. Anytime." And then his lips are on mine again.

Soon were completely nude and joined together in the greatest of ways. "Once this case is over, you and I are going on a vacation," he grunts.

"Agreed," I reply, breathily. As we move as one, an ethereal glow appears around our joined bodies. It's reminiscent of the forcefield that surrounded me and Charlie when Rowena had us, but that one was invisible. This one I can see. "Can you see this?" I ask.

He looks up and slowly nods. "What is this?" We've stopped moving, but I can still feel him within me. "Um, Bella, we're not… on the bed anymore."

Turning as much as I can, I see that indeed we are hovering about five feet above the bed. In my sudden and panicked state, the glowing stops and we flop unceremoniously onto the bed in a heap. We both let out a huff of breath and instantly the mood is gone.

"Well that was new," I comment after we've sorted ourselves.

Dean looks at me, likely trying to decide what I am and what he's supposed to do about it. Am I a creature that he has to hunt? Or am I something that can be cured? His face changes as if he's made up his mind and then he gathers me in his arms. "Whatever this is, we'll figure it out Bella. I promise you. And even if it's not something that's gonna go away, like if you're going to have these powers forever… I… I'm not going anywhere. Not ever."

This floors me. Dean, the man who shoots first and asks questions later. The man that basically lives by the idea that if it's supernatural, then it needs to die, is willing to stay by my side, regardless of whatever I may be. "Dean, what are you saying?"

He looks away for a moment. "I'm saying… I'm saying that I'm freaked the fuck out by this. But… whatever this is, whatever you are doesn't matter. Because at the end of the day… I love you."

Holy shit. He said it. No subtlety, no hidden meaning, he just straight up admitted it. I've known since the moment I stepped into the fairy realm and he was no longer with me. "I love you, too."

Back in the Comfort Suites hotel room, the purple-eyed demon/witch drinker, Garrett, is sitting across the table from Sam, showing him exactly where Rowena is holed up. Cas is still here, or has returned, and is standing awkwardly staring at the bad painting on the wall. "She won't move," Garrett states when Sam suggests that Rowena probably turned tail or relocated once she realized the girls were gone.

"Why do you think that?" Dean asks as he steps into the room.

"Oh, if it isn't the lovebirds, back early from their one night tryst!" Garrett winks at me. Somehow I fight the blush that's threatening to cover my face. "And she won't move because she's a cocky bitch," he adds. Well, that is nice and accurate. "She thinks she's so powerful that any attack on her home base would be a suicide attempt. I don't think she has any idea of who she's up against. I mean, even I've heard of the Winchester brothers. She must not know you're in town."

"We saw her at that shop you two went to," Dean says. "We even told her our girlfriends had come through there and offered your descriptions. She lied to us about not having seen you and let us go. If she knows we're hunters, she's really damn cocky. Yeah, she must not have a fucking clue that the two men that came looking for their girlfriends are the Winchesters in the flesh. Or she believes the myth that we're dead."

"I suppose it helps that we didn't spring the girls," Sam comments. "She may have caught our scent if we had. So thanks for helping them." Garrett simply nods at Sam. I smile inwardly. At least Sam can respect other creatures and not immediately assume the worst. Dean still needs to work on that.

"As long as I get to sink my teeth in to that ginger witch's neck again, I'll be happy as a clam," Garrett adds.

"Wait, again? How'd she get you off her? I thought you guys were super strong," Dean asks.

"We are. But she fucking threw vervain on me," Garrett replies. "Nasty stuff. Burns vampires like holy water on a demon."

"You're not a vampire," Castiel says, still staring at the painting. "But I'm not sure what you are."

"Um, I know the answer to that," I mention. "Well, that is if we can take the word of the king of the fairy realm as fact."

"Fairies?" Garrett asks. "Those are real, too? Also, what's that guy?" he points at Castiel.

"I'm an angel of the lord," the angel in question replies. He hasn't moved from his spot.

"Cas, what are you doing?"

"I like this painting," he replies simply.

"Okay… so what am I then, if not a vampire?" Garrett queries. "Also, angels? For real?"

"For real," Cas echoes, still staring at the painting.

"Naldazar, the king of the fairies told us that your version of vampire is actually a child of Diaman, from the realm of Diamandala. I don't know all the specifics, but he said one of Diaman's children was rebellious and came to this realm and learned he was able to create more of himself by infecting them with his venom. That child was Aro," I explain.

Garrett's eyebrows shoot to the ceiling. "So you're saying we're what… aliens?"

"The venom is alien," I continue. "You were human once, as you may remember. But the alien venom converted you. And it's not so much another planet as it is another realm. No spaceship is going to get you there. You'd need something that can travel between the realms."

"Like the bifrost," Dean adds. Garrett quirks a brow at him. "Y'know… like in Thor."

"That Naldazar character told us that this realm is sort of in the middle of all of them, which is why it's a veritable melting pot of different species. And by that I don't mean dogs and cats. I mean the vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters, ghouls, you name it. None of us originated here, but we all showed up in our attempts to claim this realm. Humans kind of still have the drop on everything, though."

"What you're saying can't be true," Castiel says, finally turning away from the damn painting.

"I never said it was true," I counter. "I have merely been paraphrasing what Naldazar told us. And I at least know the Fairy Realm is real. I've been there."

"Is that why you look six months older than you should?" my no filter having winged buddy asks.

I laugh. "Yeah, it was only a few hours to Dean and Sam, but Charlie and I were both there for six months. We fought every manner of fictional character that our minds could conjure up. Some were on our side and helped us while others were not, we battled orcs, goblins, evil queens, Frankenstein's monster, and basically every villain from every book, movie, or TV show we've ever watched.

"And no offense to your bible, Cas, but the idea of the multi-verse or many realms, or whatever, makes a hell of a lot more sense than the story of Creation. I'll tell ya that much," Dean remarks. I make a mental note to get my hands on some vervain. Maybe it'll work on the other kind of vampire, too.

"Back to the topic at hand, if you don't mind," Garrett requests. "Rowena must have cast a spell to rid her body of the venom. She's a witch, so she can't turn into a vampire, but the venom can kill her."

"That's something to remember," I comment. "And yes, she did recite an incantation right after you attacked her. That's how I knew what attacked her. I recognized the bite wound and she called you a sparkling bloodsucker. Kinda made it obvious. The venom oozed out of her bite mark, all bubbly like hydrogen peroxide does on an infected cut. It was weird and pretty damn gross. Doesn't help that I can smell the blood. I don't get physically ill anymore, but that doesn't mean I like the smell of it.

Garret scoffs. "Wait, you can smell blood? Humans can't smell blood."

"Then I guess I'm not human," I retort. I then clear my throat, realizing what I've just said. Not human? That could spell a mess of trouble for all parties involved. I hope that it's not true. But given my recent abilities to control a demon and shield myself from attack, anything is possible. "Hey, would you mind providing some of your venom into like a syringe or something?" I ask Garrett, effectively changing the subject again. "I think it could come in handy when we're fighting witches now and in the future." Dean looks at me with pure desire in his eyes. Dude, we just had sex like half an hour ago… take a chill pill. "How many minions do you think she has? We only ever saw one."

"And he was human," Garrett adds. "She has a handful of demons on her side. Ones that don't want to work under her son, Crowley. And some human ones that she's entranced to follow her every order. No other witches would touch her with a ten-foot pole, though. Word around the séance table is that she was shunned from her coven because of the type of magic she was using. Any witch that has any sense wouldn't even be in New Orleans while she's here."

Dean PoV

Heh, word around the séance table… that was a good one. I smile inwardly at his joke. Can't let the vampire know that I'm actually warming up to him. I hate to say it, but Garrett is rather useful so far. He sprung the girls from Rowena's clutches, and actually has some valuable information for us. Still doesn't mean I like the bastard. I wonder if he has any special gifts like Bella was telling us about. Hopefully not a mind-reader.

"Do you think we can paint a witch's trap big enough to encircle that whole building?" Bella asks. She's a smart cookie, that one.

"If not around it, then certainly on the roof," Charlie adds. "I got a good look at the building on our way out. It's not too tall and the roof is flat. Maybe we can do both to cover our bases. Devil's trap, too."

"We're going to need more pig's blood, then," I state, nodding my head at the fridge. Bella pops open the door and sees the few small canisters we have. "It won't be enough to make traps that big."

Garrett wrinkles his nose. "Is that what that god awful stench is? I thought something had died in here."

"Yeah, the witch's trap has to be painted in blood, but thankfully it doesn't have to be human blood," Bella tells him. "Think you guys can procure some more of that stuff?" She asks, turning to me and Sam. I tell her about the four shops that basically told us where to shove it, and that we'd be hard pressed to get any more. "Okay, should I get Crowley on it then?"

The second she speaks his name, he appears as if summoned. "You rang?" the look on his face tells us he wants to be anywhere but here. He was likely on the other side of the planet trying to get away from his mother's spell in case we fail. Castiel moves to Bella and stares deep into her eyes.

"Um, no, I didn't. I was thinking about it, though," she answers, looking away from Cas momentarily. With the sound of flapping wings, he disappears. Again.

Crowley then looks around the room, eying Garrett warily. "Why do you have a demon drinker here? And where are the summoning items?"

"He's here to look pretty," Bella lies smoothly. "And as far as summoning you, I really didn't. I just thought that you might be able to help us again and here you are."

"You know, Josie, I really don't like being tugged around like this. How are you controlling me? Make it stop!"

Bella puts her hands up defensively. "Honestly, man, I have no idea. I just can. We had a hard time procuring enough animal blood for the witch's traps you told us about, and thought you might be able to persuade the butchers here to sell their supply to us."

"Why would I do that?"

"Because we can use it to help trap and kill your mother. And we both know I can make you do it," Bella remarks confidently. He huffs again but disappears with a word that he'll be back momentarily with more blood.

After pulling up a map of the city on the computer, Bella asks Garrett to help her point out the exact building they were in. He finds it. Bella then clicks on the little yellow man that brings it to a street view of the building. I didn't even know you could do that. "Okay, so let's paint them at each exit," Bella suggests, pointing at all the doors on the screen. When did she take point on this hunt? "And if we can, a big one around the whole building. That way if she does get out, she won't get far. Garrett, think you can tackle the one on the roof?" She hands him the drawing Crowley gave us and after appraising it for a second, he agrees.

"I can probably finish the big one around the building, too. I'm damn fast, so by the time she even notices it, if at all, I'll be done."

Crowley reappears then with two shopping carts full to the brim with jugs of animal blood. "Pig, Cow, and even some rabbit blood here," he tells us.

Bella cringes. "Ick, I didn't need to know that. I guess I'll have to say thanks to Thumper later. Thanks, Crowley, you're the best." She kisses him on the cheek.

He cracks a smile at that. "At least you're not an evil control –freak bitch, so there's that. I guess I have always had a thing for women with a dominance like yours. I'm gonna skedaddle now, Kitten. Don't want to be in the vicinity in case Mommie Dearest sniffs me out."

"Don't worry, Crowley. We're bringing her all the wire hangers," Bella jokes.

Crowley grins again. "You really are a treat, aren't you?" He reaches up and pinches her cheek, much to Bella's distaste. "Kitten, yes, that fits you well. Moose. Squirrel, a pleasure as always. Luna, Demon Drinker… ta-ta for now." And he's gone again.

"Kitten?" Charlie quips. "I think Crowley has a little crush on you."

Bella rolls her eyes. "Just what I need. Another supernatural creature barking up this tree."

Charlie shakes her head. "More like a shrub… just a skinny shrub. I don't think you're tall enough to be a tree, Rem." Bella sticks her tongue out at her. The two really do have a camaraderie that must have started in the Fairy Realm. They had only known each other a few minutes when they were taken, but now, you'd think they were sisters with how well they get each other. It's almost like me and Sammy.

And there's chapter 17. Up next will be the wrangling and defeat of Rowena... or will it? Also some insight into what is giving Bella these extra abilities. Thank you all for your continued support for my story and for being patient with my ridiculously infrequent updating. I promise I'll get better at it.