Chapter: 8
author's note: Hey guys sorry for the delay, I have four kids and two of them started school. I had less time to sit and work on the story. It will get better in the next chapters ;)
A whole month had gone by since Hailey saw the Winchesters. She had become obsess with finding a way to get Dean out of the deal. She spent most of her days locked up in her room reading about the crossroads demons. She had to find something, anything to help. Bobby was worried about her. She barely spoke to him since she came back home. Dean had called Bobby and told him what had happened that night, at the warehouse. How Hailey had handled herself and exorcised all those demons. How she had found out about Dean's deal. He tried talking to her about it but she refused to listen to anything he had to say. She barely came out of her room to eat. She would leave at odd hours in the night, once she came back with a bloody nose and a black eye. She refused to tell Bobby what had happened. She knew if he found out she was `questioning` demons to get information about the deal he would freak out. But how else was she supposed to get information.
That night she had tracked down a demon and easily managed to have her followed by it in a rundown cabin. Once the demon entered Hailey made sure she made enough noise for him to follow her downstairs. Once he had gotten down, he had walked straight into the trap she had painted. That's when Hailey came out of the shadows.
· You bitch! He growled at her.
Hailey splashed him with holy water, watching him sizzle.
· What do you want? Asked the demon in pain.
· Dean Winchester. What do you know about his deal?
· Who?
Hailey grabbed the holy water again and dosed him in it. While the demon screamed in pain she quickly got a chair, stained in blood and expertly sat the demon and tied him up. Every time he tried to resist her, she just kept splashing him. Once the demon was secured in the chair Hailey walked out of the trap. She went to a little table and grabbed a small knife. The demon started laughing.
· I know one thing about Dean Winchester.
· I'm all ears. Hailey said twisting the knife in her hand.
· He's screwed. The demon laughed.
Hailey plunged the knife into its leg, the demon roared in pain and Hailey smiled as she twisted the knife.
· See it might not be a demon blade but when you dip the blade in holy water and salt... Hurts like a bitch too.
· I don't know anything!
· That's where you're wrong. You're not the first I brought here you know... I had four demons tell me you would know something.
· Right because us demons are known to tell the truth.
· Believe me, they weren't lying. And when I'll be done with you, you won't be either.
Hours passed and Hailey had used all of her knowledge in torturing. She had even beaten the demon till her knuckles bled. She had filled all the cuts with salt and even made it drink holy water. She was tired and the demon hadn't said a word to her yet. As rays of sunlight started peeking through the windows Hailey had figured the demon wasn't going to talk. She picked up her little book and started reading an exorcism. The demon twisted and screamed in pain.
· Alright! I'll talk... just, stop! The demon begged spitting out blood as she paused.
· I'm listening.
· Find the demon who holds his contract. You kill her you break the contract.
· Who holds it?
· I don't know!
· Bullshit! You said her! Who's her?!
Sam and Dean spent the month on the road. Having opened the devil's trap kept them busy. They finally hit a dead end and things were calm at the moment. Sam had called Bobby to let him know they were coming down his place to rest a little. They needed a break and Sam needed to search a miracle for his brother. Dean had gone from bad to worst. He was reckless and most nights he'd drink to get enough courage to call Hailey, but she never answered and he just kept drinking till he would pass out. He missed her. Since she left, he couldn't think of anything else but her. He had tried to go to bars to change his mind and easily would pick up a girl. But he only ended up feeling even worst about himself till he couldn't even go through it anymore. None of them made him feel the way Hailey did. He should have told her the day he brought back Sam. It was too late now. He felt more than nervous to go to Bobby's. It was one thing having her ignoring him on the road. He wasn't sure how to handle being in the same house as her for a couple of days. Bobby had told them about how she kept to herself since she was back, he was worried about her and Dean knew it was all, his fault. Dean took a deep breath as they turned into Bobby's street.
· You okay? Asked Sam.
· Yeah... You think Bobby told her we were coming over?
· I don't know. But Dean, you gotta fix this. You can't keep this up any longer.
· Keep what up!? He asked in defense.
· The self loathing act you got going on. We need to focus on how to save you!
· I thought we were going to Bobby's to wind down...
· Look, I've been going along with this `keep busy` hunts you had us on but, time's running out Dean.
· You think I don't know that?
· Do you?
Dean glared at Sam but didn't say anything. They finally pulled into Bobby's driveway. Dean took a minute before getting out of the impala. They grabbed their bags and headed inside. Bobby was pacing in the living room, his phone on his ear and nodded his hello to the brothers.
· Dammit Hailey, once you get this. Call me back. I mean it! He barked at the phone before hanging up.
· Where's Hailey? Asked Sam in concern
· She slipped out again last night... Doing god knows what. Bobby explained taking his cap off and scratching his head.
· Don't you have a GPS on her phone? Asked Dean.
· Doesn't work when she turns it off smart ass.
· You told her we were coming? Dean asked thinking she just didn't want to see him.
· No, she was already out when Sam called me.
· Alright, I'll go look for her. Call me if you get any news. Dean said fishing out his keys.
Before Dean got out of the house, they heard Bobby's pick up pull in the driveway. The three men were relieved she was okay. The door opened and a blood covered Hailey came in.
· What the hell happened to you?! Bobby asked making his way to his daughter to inspect her wounds.
· I'm fine dad, not my blood. She pushed away from him.
· What did you do? Asked Sam worried.
· What I should have been doing three months ago. She answered bitterly. Not making eye contact with the brothers.
· What is that supposed to mean? Hailey, I can't take this sneaking around anymore.
· What can I say, you guys taught me well. She said before going up the stairs and into the bathroom for a well needed shower.
Bobby let out a frustrated sigh and went into the kitchen to make himself a cup of coffee. Both brothers followed.
· Ain't she just precious? Asked sarcastically Bobby.
· She's torturing demons. Dean told them shocking both Bobby and Sam.
· That obvious, huh? Bobby asked. he was hoping the only one who had figured it out.
· How are you sure? Asked Sam.
· She's covered in blood, that isn't hers, her knuckles are bruised and bloodied. She smelt like the sea... How long has she been sneaking out like this?
· Started about three weeks ago.
· Maybe she just went on a hunt? Offered Sam.
· Sam she's been obsessed with finding information for Dean. I hate to say it but, Dean's right.
· So she's been torturing demons to get them to talk? That's pretty extreme, even for her. Said Sam.
· Shows you boys haven't been here for a while. I barely recognise her anymore. She asked a bunch of questions when she started researching, once she knew what I knew she shut herself off.
· I'm sorry. Dean said to Bobby
· Yeah, me too. Bobby said. He was just as much to blame as Dean. He didn't want his daughter to find out about Dean going to hell. He knew she and Dean shared a special bound. He saw how it destroyed her when they had lost Sam. He didn't want to see her lose Dean. He leaned on the counter and sipped his coffee. They all stayed in silence in the kitchen till they heard Hailey come down the stairs. She made her way to Bobby's book shelf and started pulling books out.
· That's it. Bobby said slamming his coffee on the counted and stomping towards Hailey.
· Hailey, we need to talk.
· Not now dad. Hailey said not bothering to look at him as she tried to make her way around him with a couple of books in her arms.
Bobby grabbed her books and threw them against the wall.
· Now!
· What the hell was that for!? Yelled Hailey looking at her father this time.
· You're torturing demons! By yourself! Have you gone completely mad? You barely even sleep anymore! You're skin and bones. Just let us help you with whatever you're doing.
· That's rich coming from you. How do you like being kept in the dark, dad? Hailey sauced.
· Grow up Hailey! You keep crying we don't treat you like an adult, why don't you start acting like one first? How long is this little spoiled princess act going to last!? You think you can figure this all out? You need my help. Dean needs OUR help. You keep putting in my face we wasted time by not telling you, who's wasting time now!?
Hailey stared in shock by her father's outburst. As much as she hated to admit it, he was right. She was acting out and it wasn't helping anybody. She was filled with anger and used it to push herself and keep focus on saving Dean.
· Ok. She said simply.
· Start talking!
Sam and Dean decided to move into the living room, wanting to know what Hailey was up to in the past month. She nervously played with her fingers and waited for the brothers to take a seat.
· I've been hunting demons down to get them to talk.
· How? Asked Sam which got him a glare from Hailey.
· ...Mostly by using myself as bait.
· Hailey! Bobby started up again.
· Dad, you asked remember? Anyway the worst that happen was a bloody nose.
· Did you manage to find anything? Asked Dean speaking to her for the first time. Hailey froze a second as she met Dean's eyes. A wave of emotions rushing through her. She shook out of it and cleared her throat looking away.
· Well, nothing much but other names of demons that could possibly know something, that is, till just now.
· What did you find? Asked Sam, hopeful to finaly have a lead.
· I found out if we kill the demon that holds Dean's contract, the deal ends, completely with no catch.
· So how do we find the demon? Sam asked excited.
· It gave me a name, Lilith.
· Lilith? Bobby asked thinking if he ever heard that name before.
· Yeah, I'm not sure if it was telling me the truth, I was going to head out tonight and try to get confirmation. Meanwhile I was going to try to look her up.
· Hailey, you're barely standing as it is. Why don't you get some rest and let us look up Lilith?
· Dad I'm fine. Hailey responded picking up the books from the floor. She got up too fast and stumbled trying to keep her balance.
· Bobby's right. Look, you did great Hails... Let us try to find that Lilith. I promise if we find anything we'll wake you up. You really don't look so good. Said Sam and Hailey glared back at him but she didn't have the energy to fight back and gave the books to her father.
· I'll be upstairs...
Hailey slowly made her way to the staircase but Dean followed her and stopped her, before she climbed it.
· Can we talk? He asked softly.
· Dean if I wanted to talk to you I would've answered your nightly calls.
· Then can you just listen?
· Then I would've listened to your voicemail, before deleting it. She said tiredly, rubbing her temples with her fingers.
She looked up at him and her heart broke when she saw the pained look in his eyes. She couldn't bare the sight of him and bit her lip, fighting back tears. Dean cleared his throat and nodded at her, looking at his feet. He backed away a few steps before turning away and Hailey made her way to her room.
Dean walked back into the living room both Bobby and Sam looked up worried.
· She wants nothing to do with me. Dean told them trying to sound light about it but they weren't fooled.
· She'll come around. Bobby said giving a tap on his back.
· Yeah, yeah I know. He lied grabbing a book and settled onto the couch. He flipped the pages trying to focus on what was written but his mind kept wondering about Hailey. How he could make her listen to what he had to say.
She knew sooner or later the Winchesters were bound to drop by. But when she saw the impala parked in her spot, her heart stopped. She wasn't ready to face Dean just yet. She felt so many mixed feelings she didn't even know where to start. She let herself fall into her bed and closed her eyes. It was easier to be done with Dean when he was hunting. Seeing his, once intense emerald eyes that would light up mischievously, now were dull and filled with pain, made it hard for her to not want to be there for him. She knew Dean well enough to know he was petrified, worried about them, putting on a show to seem like it wasn't a big deal so it would take away some of the tension. Part of her knew that's why he had kept his countdown to hell from her. But it hurt that he kept it from her, he pretended with her, lied to her and used her to change his mind.
Silent tears rolled down the side of her face as she hugged her pillow. Hailey slowly let her exhaustion win over and drifted into a deep sleep.
Hailey woke up and it was dark outside. She looked at her clock and saw it was pass nine in the evening. She got up and made her way downstairs, where Bobby and Sam were sitting in the living room looking through books. She gave them on.
· Did you find anything? She asked them, hugging herself.
· No, not yet. Bobby answered trying not to sound discouraged.
· Maybe it was a false info. Hailey added as she rubbed her arms, yawning.
· I'm sure we'll find something. Sam added with a smile. She ignored him and made her way into the kitchen and poured herself a cup of coffee. She felt someone in the room and turned to see Sam standing in the doorway. He was hunched in a way to make him look harmless and had that puppy dog eyes.
· Hey. He said.
· I'm mad at you too, you know.
· I know. He nodded.
· I'm sorry, I really am. But that's not what I came in here to talk about.
· If this is about Dea-
· He's miserable ever since you left. All he does is hunt and drink.
· He has a one way ticket to hell Sam. How would you handle it?
· It's not about hell Hail-
· Of course it is! I was just a distraction Sam.
· How can you say that? I get you're pissed but Dean needs you.
· I've been working my ass off saving his stupid one ever since I came back!
· That's not what I mean and you know it! When we lost dad... I couldn't get through to him, no one could. But you did.
Hailey bit her lips as she remembered pushing him over the edge till he smashed the totaled impala and finally breaking down falling on the ground and bringing her with him as she tried to catch him. The way he held onto her tightly as he sobbed till his body was too exhausted to continue. She remembered the way he had looked into her eyes, something had changed that day. They had managed to lean on the impala, sitting on the ground and Dean told her about everything that he was feeling, Hailey listened and as he finished, Dean feeling better, they started reminiscing about funny moments they had with John. She remembered walking back into the house, Dean thanked her and kissed her goodnight on her forehead, pulling just away enough so they could focus on each other and looked deeply into her eyes. For a second she saw confusion in his green eyes before they darkened and he kissed her cheek. He pulled away and she saw him stare at her lips, licking his. Her heart stopped at the realisation he was going to kiss her. He leaned forward but as his eyes met hers, he stopped. He placed a long brown strand of hair behind her ear and smiled sadly at her. Repeated goodnight and walked away, leaving her feeling out of breath.
This isn't easy for me either Sam. I'm doing my best; trying to keep focus, trying to find a lead so we can get him out of the deal.
- What if we can't find a way? Do you really want to waste time being angry at Dean?
- That's not fair... she said in a whisper knowing he wasn't wrong.
- Hailey-. Sam stopped as the door from the kitchen opened and Dean came in with a couple of bags of food. He stopped a second before putting the bags on the table. Sam gave Hailey a pleading look before making his way out into the living room leaving them some privacy.
Dean started emptying the bags and putting the items away. Hailey took a breath and grabbed a bag and started doing the same. Dean watched her from the corner of his eyes not sure if he should say something. Once they finished putting away everything away, Hailey crossed her arms and waited for Dean to start talking, who stood awkwardly in silence.
- You were right. He said simply and to her confused look, he developed.
- About being selfish, I didn't want to lose that bond we had. I didn't want you to see me differently or to see you sad. I didn't want to hurt you. I didn't want to realise; I was losing you. But that bond... it changed into something else... and I got scared! I screwed every chance for us even before I had a clue it was even a possibility, when I brought Sam back. And by not telling you about it... I lost you as a friend. I'm sorry I didn't tell you.
Hailey took a moment to let his words sink in. Dean was convinced he wasn't getting out of it. She heard it in his acceptance of them never being together. The pain was heard as he said he had lost her as a friend. He needed her and she felt guilty for pushing him away. Hailey walked her way to Dean who looked at her in confusion and wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly.
- I forgive you.
Dean wrapped his own arms around her waist, pulling her tightly against him and took in her sent he had missed so much. He felt a weight being lifted off his shoulders. Hailey pulled away and looked seriously at him.
- I'll find a way, I promise.
Dean kissed the top of her head and nodded at her.
- Guess we better hit the books than... Dean said and Hailey smiled at him.
He smiled back at her and once she turned to go into the living room his smile faded into a frown. He knew there wasn't an out but the people he loved needed to feel like they were helping and he could play along with them if it made them feel better.
