Rated: M

Disclaimer: I don't own them, I just like writing about them

Chapter Thirteen

"You're not alone, together we stand. I'll be by your side you know I'll take your hand.
When it get's cold, and it feels like the end. There's no place to go you know I won't give in."

-Averil Lavingne

"If I had known things would be this boring I would have brought a book to read. I could be researching ways for us to defeat Lamashtu. Even a magazine or something would be better than just sitting here looking at the sky."

A smirk of pure mischief that Sam Winchester would have been familiar with spread across Dean's lips at the words coming through his earpiece. He took a quick scan around again to be sure nothing was approaching from the rear of the house and began walking back toward the porch where Miranda and Fred waited.

"I don't think they sell copies of Better Crypts and Graveyards," he replied in the mic, making Fred snort with laughter.

The joyous sound lightened the heavy feeling twisting in his gut. Things had been relatively quiet out here since the others went into the house. It had been touch and go there for a second after Miranda closed that door however. She had just completely fallen apart, shocking the hell out of him. He figured that would have come after the others returned and she had Gabriel safely in her arms again.

Only these tears weren't happy ones. Her entire body had started shaking, as if she were having a delayed reaction to a trauma and the soft hiccuping sobs had left him feeling helpless to do anything but gather her in his arms and hold her there until she finished. All the while she just kept saying she was sorry.

She was sorry.

As if it were her fault the bastard she married had involved her in this mess. As if it were her fault the others went inside this demon house to rescue Gabriel. She had nothing to apologize for, and if his words had been a little harsh when he told her so, he couldn't help himself. He knew she was tearing herself up inside about the little girl, but there was nothing they could do about it. The kid said she was supposed to go, her father agreed. All they could do was hope for the best.

That sure as hell was small comfort when this nagging set up shop in his gut about forty-five minutes ago. He should be inside, making sure that Sam was alright, not pacing around this house waiting for something that might not come. All their lives, he had been the one to look out for his brother. Except for those years when Sammy ran off, he was the one taking point, not Sam. He was the one who stepped into the danger first, not his brother.

And now all he could do was wait and do something dangerously close to praying when in all his years some higher power had meant less than nothing to him.

Where was that higher power when that damned Demon killed their mother? Where was that higher power when it almost slit his throat and took Sammy? Grace had made a piss poor showing as far as he was concerned and he chose to depend on what he always had. The gun in his hand, the grit of his determination, and his own fucking will to make sure he kept himself and his brother safe. If Grace decided to put in an appearance, so be it, but he wasn't holding his breath.

And now there was Miranda and her son to think of. How the hell had he dragged himself into feeling like this about a woman? All these sentimental feelings had no place in his life. He had no business looking a woman who had all the makings of the family and home that were burned in the back of his memories.

He was a Hunter. What the hell was he supposed to do? Take Miranda and Gabriel out with him? Drive across the country with a wife and kid in tow while he killed demons? He knew what that kind of life felt like from when his own father had dragged him along, that was nothing he wanted Gabriel to live through. He couldn't stand to see the disillusion from Sam's eyes toward their father in Miranda's. Hell he was a wanted fugitive, one misstep and he'd find his ass behind bars. What kind of life could he offer her?

How was he suppposed to find the strength to walk away?

"How's everything looking so far?" Pushing the thoughts away for another time, he put his mind where it was supposed to be. Keeping watch, so that when Sam walked out of this door with Gabriel they could leave in one piece.

He took the few steps up the porch and went to Miranda who leaned against the side of the house, the crossbow Fred gave her against her leg. They both looked up at his words, but Miranda went straight into his arms. Where she found the strength to pull herself together he just would never understand. This woman had been through hell and every time it seemed like it was just more than she could handle, she snapped it back with even more resolve than before.

How could a man not fall for a woman like that?

"So far nothing," Fred spoke up, fiddling with her weapon. "Spike says everything is all clear, not a minion in sight."

"Maybe we figured wrong, maybe nothing is coming out tonight?"

"That's possible," Fred shrugged, "But it's still a bit early to tell. I'm a little worried that we haven't heard from the others since we closed the door. I mean I expected it, demonic forces and all, but I'll feel a lot better when they come back." Fred seemed to phase out for a second and when she nodded her head absently, he figured she was some how communicating with her vampire.

"Do you think they're okay?" Miranda lifted her head from his chest, those dark eyes searching for a reassurance that he wasn't sure if he could give her considering the nagging sensation in his stomach.

So he brushed a hand over the top of her head, lowering so that he could press his mouth to hers briefly. The kiss was meant to soothe, and did far more for him he figured than her. It was funny how Miranda changed his perception about things. Before he met her, this kind of ease and comfort would have made him roll his eyes in disgust. Now he couldn't imagine a moment when he didn't want to have this feeling.

When he pulled away, the humming burn against his lips that was answered by the slow simmer of wanting in his groin was echoed in her dark eyes. "I think Sam had better get his ass back out here soon, or else I'm going in for him and damned some vision."

"You're a good brother," she gave him a soft smile, just a little curve of her mouth but it made his insides jangle with excitement.

"Hey you two," Fred interrupted with a look of worry, "Spike said something is coming."

"On foot or a vehicle," Dean asked, setting Miranda to the side and pulling the two guns from the shoulder holsters he wore beneath his coat.

The grip felt like home in his hands. He had lusted after these two babies from the moment he had seen them and now that he had them, it was like they belonged. It was funny, he'd never thought of tricking out a pair of 9's with the bullets that Jason had, but then, he'd been more of a action kind of guy. Sam probably would have thought of it eventually.

"Both," Fred answered, "Judging from Spike's words, we're looking at some vamps. Maybe some other kinds of demons as well, who knows."

It didn't make much of a difference either way, as long as they ended up dead. "Miranda, you stick by the door just in case the others come out. You make sure nothing goes inside."

She nodded her agreement and he turned to Fred, "You come down, make sure nothing sneaks up from behind the house. I'm going out to greet our guests."

He was walking from the house when Spike landed in a blur of leather and speed beside him. There was a grin of anticipation on his face and Dean couldn't help but share one of his own. Who could have known he'd have something in common with a Vampire.

"Still not bonding," he told him and Spike laughed bawdily.

ooXXoo

"So how do you want to handle this?"

Spike curled his fingers into a fist, cracking the knuckles loudly, as he glanced at the man beside him. Dean had balls and brass, which made for a good demon hunter. Reminded him a bit of Gunn, not quite knowing what to make of the good demons when all he'd ever known were the evil kind.

He touched his Win's mind briefly, she was cool as ever and that relaxed him a bit. His first instinct was always to keep her safe. That had every bit as much to do with their mating as well as how much he loved her. Without his soul, he had learned what love meant with Buffy. With his soul, he realized that love had been paltry in comparision to his Win. Demons could love, it was possessive and demanding. Passionate, and real. This soul, this humanity gave him the ability to put Win ahead of his own needs and desires and that's what true love meant.

"I figure I just kill everything walking," Dean answered and Spike had to agree with the reasoning. This house screamed no tresspassing, so he doubted any humans with less than bad intentions would be out wandering pass tonight. "If it gets back up, I'll just shoot it again."

A preminition of foreboding crept up his spine, and he grabbed Dean's harm, halting his progress. He turned back to the house, felt that feeling jack up several notches toward fear, "Look."

Before Dean could turn and discover what he was meant, the ground began to shake. It was a good thing he had leapt down, considering the roof of the house exploded in a mass of wood and dust. Win gave a little yelp of surprise as it rained down over her and ran back under the protection of the porch. He and Dean were barely standing, considering the force of the earthquake they were experiencing.

Briefly he wondered if this was happening all over the city, or just here at the house. News would have a hell of a time trying to figure out where this phenomenon had come from. Too bad he couldn't give interviews, might have been a bit interesting to see how the public would react to the coming of a plague inspiring demon from a hell dimension. He didn't need to see that ominious cloud of energy emerging from the to know that Lamashtu had arrived.

ooXXoo

"Miranda on your left," Fred shouted and watched her lift the crossbow firing off another shot at the demon that was making it's way onto the porch. She tossed Miranda another arrow, raising her own weapon to take aim at the vampire that was climbing over the rail. It gave a glare of fury and horror just seconds before it exploded into dust.

The loud rapport of gunfire filled the air, making her jerk in response. In the beginning Miranda had been shaky with the crossbow, nervous about killing her first vampire. It was only when she dusted it, that something, perhaps determination, perhaps detachtment, came over her. There was only one choice here in this moment. Kill or be killed. And if Miranda wanted to see her son again, she would have to follow that first tenament and not the second.

From the corner of her eye, she watched Spike leap into the air, a nice spin kick taking down two demons. He grabbed a third about the neck, pulling him close to his chest and depressed the mechanism on his wrist to release a stake into his palm. His features shifted into his demon, as he killed a vamp that ran at him and broke the neck of the demon he held simultaneously.

Her mate licked his lips with enjoyment before diving in for more and Fred managed a rueful smile. It was Spike's nature, this thriving on the kill, and she had long since accepted it. He was a vampire, gentled by his basic nature and soul and proven by the tender way he loved her, but still a demon. She didn't need a decree from the Powers to know exactly what he was. A Champion.

Dean on the other hand, was all hunter. Never letting anything get too close, he was handling those cannons in his hand with an ease she had to admire. Every so often he would be forced to engage in a little hand to hand, mostly when he was preparing to eject a cartrige and reload. Then he was all muscle and fists, occasionally an elbow slam to the side of a demon's face or a boot to the gut but always followed up with a bullet and a smirk.

So far nothing was out of their control. The steady stream of demons made her wonder if they had come to Port Charles from all over to greet Lamashtu. Given her suspicions about Wolfram and Heart, she wouldn't be surprised if they had demons flown in for the barbeque.

Dean made sure to keep the path to their vehicles open for a quick escape and that was a good thing. Given the bad feeling that had crept into her gut, she figured they would need to make a fast getaway. Until then, they would fight and wait. All that really remained was for the others to come back safe and sound.

ooXXoo

"What the hell was that?"

Faith could only blink at Sam's question, because frankly she had no idea. One minute she had been preparing to rush back across that gap to help Cordelia who had been surrounded by Allu and everything had seemed to go insane.

Jason did some weird crap then managed to kill Nahemah with a viciousness and fury that she had never seen before. If she hadn't known Jason was human, she would swear, but that was impossible right? But he moved faster than Spike, was all she could focus on.

Faster than a vampire.

Just as Jason ripped Nahemah in two with his sword Cordelia had begun to glow and a bright light filled the air. The next instant Jason was laying on the ground, Cordelia was crouched over the boy and all the demons were gone. So, again, what the hell had happened?

"The door," Kady cried out from behind her. Kid was holding on to that thing with all of her might, but Faith knew she wouldn't be able to do so for much longer. "I can't-" she broke off with a grunt as her thin arms strained and her feet dug in for purchase.

"Sam, help her, I'm going for the others." She turned to the little boy who gawked at them all with wide terrified eyes. "Stay here with them and whatever you do, don't move."

"Faith, wait," Sam grabbed her arm and she felt her heart throb just a bit harder. They were runnning out of time and they both knew it. Rather than question the need, she slammed her mouth against his, the kiss hard and demanding and was returned just as hungrily. When they broke apart panting, she felt strangely like weeping.

Shoving the tomahawks into his hands she touched his face one last time, "If it's looks like that door is going to close, you get Kady and Gabriel out of here."

"We're not leaving you." He shook his head in growing anger.

"Two kids Sam," she reminded him. "Much more important to get them home and you know it."

Rather than wait for an answer she took off running.

A Slayer's instincts were sharp and often merciless when her adrenline was pouring hard like now, that's why she was surprised to feel the punch to her gut upon hearing Cordelia's tears. The leap across was harder this time, knowing who she was leaving on the otherside, but seeing Cordelia's bloodied back had shaken her to the core.

"C, get up!" she shouted knowing affection and consideration would have to wait until they were back through that damned closing door. "You have to get up NOW! We don't have time for this shit!"

Curls whipped up as Cordelia pinned her with a gaze that should have smote her dead, "I can't leave him here." Given the amount of blood on the front of that white gown she wore, the kid was bleeding out fast. Sparing a quick look to Jason, she went to Cordelia first, knowing they needed her up and moving if they were going to get out of here.

Jason sure as hell wasn't going to leave her behind.

Kneeling beside Cordelia, she grabbed the bottom of her dress and ripped it. "You have to hold him up so we can get this around him and get the hell out of here."

"It's Connor, Faith," Cordelia's voice shook with emotion, "Look at him, it's Connor."

"Yeah, well, Connor's going to be dead if you don't help me," she shouted, refusing to let those words penetrate too deeply. If this was Connor, she would deal afterwards.

'God please don't let him die.'

Somehow her words sunk in because Cordelia moved to help, making the boy groan in pain. Faith watched his eyes flutter open, Angel's Eyes, and saw the agony in them. It shook her for a second, stilled her hands from wrapping the bandage as she remembered the first person she had ever truly trusted.

"Faith?" His gutteral moan pulled her back from the edge. He was already trying to sit up, so she finished knotting the makeshift bandage. "What-"

"No time to talk kid," she looked quickly to the door, and seeing that Kady and Sam weren't going to be able to hold it open much longer. With Nahemha dead and Lamashtu most likely in their world, there was no reason for it to remain. "Cordy, get him to his feet, I'll check on Jason."

"Jason," her high pitched question matched the wild look of bewilderment on her face, "What's wrong with," and she finally saw him laying on the ground. "Oh God, what happened?"

"Talk later," she stood and not quite kindly jerked Connor to his feet. He leaned heavily against Cordelia, but was enduring the obvious agony. Yeah, that was definitely Angel's son.

Sure that he was on his feet, she rushed over to Jason and leaned over him. He was covered with wounds and blood but the steady rise and fall of his chest assured her that he was still alive. "Jason? Jason wake up!" Getting no response, she murmured a quick apology and slammed her fist into his jaw.

The deep groan he released sent of shiver down her spine. That wasn't quite human some inner whisper answered and the hand that shot up and grabbed her wrist was stronger than she remembered him being. Instinctively she twisted away, and his eyes snapped open, a glowing blue that made her breath catch in her throat.

"Jason get up, we have to get out of here." Her voice wasn't as strong as she might have liked but it had the desired affect.

"Kady," he grunted, and boy she could swear she saw some fangs. No, that wasn't right. Jason was human.

Right?

"She's at the door, and it's closing fast, we have to get out of here."

He sniffed the air, "Blood," then shot up from the ground, "Cordelia?"

"She's over there," Faith pointed toward them both and the low rumbling growl of fury from deep in his chest actually made her smile for some reason. These two were going to be something when they finally got together, she mentally acknowledged. "She's fine, a little roughed up, but alive. Now unless we're planning to spend the rest of our lives trapped here, I'd suggest we get a move on."

Those smoldering eyes went back to her face, but he nodded and she helped him to his feet. He was much steadier than she would have given him and they walked over to Cordelia and Connor. A moment of thick and emotion filled silence passed, as Jason's heated gaze traveled the length of her body, searching for any signs of injury.

"The only way we're getting out of here is over that," Faith pointed out and turned to Connor. "Can you jump, or do you need one of us to carry you."

His snort of disgust was so much like his father's that Faith couldn't help but chuckle. "I'm fine." He didn't bother to say more, just released Cordelia and took a few steps back before leaping across the small gorge. Cordelia's gasp of alarm trailed off midstream when he landed on his feet. Connor stumbled a bit and Faith knew that bit of bravado had taken a lot out of him.

"I got him," she assured Cordelia, leaping across the gap after him. She caught up and wrapped a supporting arm around his waist as they hurried to the door. Connor tensed, and started to pull away but Faith waved off his protests with a strong look. "You can be Superman when we're home."

xx

"Are you okay?"

He needed to reassure himself that she was okay. The scent of her blood filling his senses would remain in his memory forever. It wasn't something he would treasure. The very thought of her hurt aroused something primative within him and Jason knew it was as much to do with the kitsune's possessive instincts as his own. At the moment, with the fox's energy coursing through him, that wasn't exactly a good combination.

"I'm fine," she told him. Her eyes were soft with concern and emotion as her hands lifted to his chest. They were coated with blood, but he wouldn't have traded her touch for anything in the world. "But I don't know if I can make that jump."

Given the wounds on her back, he wasn't surprised. "Put your arms around my neck."

Her soft sigh of pain as she slid them up made his gut twist, but then he had to concentrate on holding back the moan of hunger when he felt her sensual curves melt against him. "I'm sorry but this is going to hurt a little," he told her as he bent down to lift her into his arms careful of the raw wounds on her back. Her grimace hurt something inside him, but she nodded her assent for him to go.

Taking two steps back, he fed a bit harder on the kitsune's energy, effortlessly making the leap. She stared at him baffled, as he began to run back to the others. "Jason?" The soft breathless question was filled with longing as he saw in the depths of her hazel eyes that she too had finally acknowledged the undeniable magnestism between them.

"I'll tell you everything you want to know once we're back home." He vowed and she blinked twice, taking a hand from around his neck to trace across the side of his face, his lower lip and he knew she was staring at the fangs in his mouth.

ooXXoo

"Do you hear that?"

Miranda turned toward the house, her heart beginning to race in her chest. This had nothing to do with fear, though part of her had been terrified when the demons started attacking. She had taken her cues from Fred, trying to find some part of that detachment the slender woman possessed and not let the overpowering sensations swamp her.

This feeling right here had nothing to do with fear.

Fred killed the last vampire approaching the porch and glanced around as they both noted that Dean and Spike were no longer fighting. "Hear what?"

But this time that rumbling was louder than before and it sounded like footsteps. Terrified to believe, the crossbow dropped from her limp grip to clatter on the porch beside her. From the side of her vision, she saw Dean race toward her as she began taking small shaky steps toward the door.

"Open the door! Miranda open the door!"

"Kady!" she screamed, her hand instinctively reaching for the knob and a sense of joy began to fill her. It was so bright and so wonderful made her release a choked sob as tears filled her eyes. She jerked on the door, pushing it open wide and watched as the little boy of her heart raced into her arms.

"Gabriel!"